Knightqueen

Chapter 3

Mmm. It was nice to wake up warm and cozy.

It felt like so long since she’d felt like that.

Then Carys felt a hand on her bottom, squeezing gently. Her eyes snapped open.

She’d never had that experience before.

She’d never shared her bed with anyone.

Oh, stars. She blinked. She was sprawled over Sten, and he had one brawny arm wrapped around her. If he woke and found out he was cupping her ass possessively, he’d be horrified.

Her pulse fluttered, sensation moving through her belly. This felt so good. She’d wanted this so much. To be close to his big, scarred body. His solid, secure strength.

Sten was her rock.

He was the foundation she could always trust.

She let her gaze run over his face. She liked watching him sleep. He didn’t look any softer or more relaxed, and she could take in his strong jaw and nose without him knowing. And the scars on the left side of his cheek.

Her chest squeezed. She’d been terrified when the vicious alien nelok had attacked. But he’d fought it off as it had tried desperately to get to her, and rip her to shreds.

They’d been ambushed on a ride outside of Aravena, the capital city of Oron. Sten had fought the nelok and found a cave for them to take shelter in. He’d kept fighting the creature off, even after it had clawed him badly. He’d eventually killed it with his bare hands.

Afterward, when they’d returned to the castle, he’d held her when she sobbed for her murdered parents.

She itched to reach out and touch his short brown hair. Most Oronis had white-blonde or black hair, and were tall and lean. But not Sten. He was big and brawny, with brown hair. He looked more like their allies, the Eon warriors.

Losing the battle, she reached out and gently touched his hair. In his sleep, he sighed and pulled her closer. The warmth of his body soaked into hers, lighting up several places inside her.

Carys closed her eyes. He was her knightguard. She was just a job to him.

She eased away and slipped off the hammock, savoring the final feel of his fingers on her skin.

As soon as she moved, he woke instantly.

“Are you all right, my queen?” His voice sounded like gravel.

She smiled. “I’m fine.”

“Good.” He sat up, then glared as the hammock rocked beneath him.

She hid her smile.

He stretched. “Do you want more fruit? Once we eat, we need to decide which direction to head.”

She held up her wrist and pointed at the glowing binding joining them. “It’ll be easier for us to travel without the dura-binding.”

A muscle in his jaw ticked.

“We’re heading away from the Gek’Dragar, Sten. If need be, you can slap it back into place.”

He stared at her, and she knew he was weighing the odds.

She drew herself up and used her best “queen” tone. “Sten.”

“Fine.” He touched the band on his wrist, tapping out a sequence. A second later, the strands of gold winked out like they’d never even existed.

And just like that, she missed it. She missed being tied to him.

Shaking off the feeling of loss, Carys freshened up the best she could. She splashed some water on her face and finger-combed her hair.

She missed the palace. She missed her huge bathroom with its large tub that was like a pool, and her generous shower.

You’ll get home.

She sat and nabbed one of the white fruits off the table. She bit into it, enjoying the sweet juice. She saw Sten wander outside their shelter, moving to the edge of the cliff. He looked every bit the Oronis knight. His thick, muscular thighs were almost the size of her waist, and those wide shoulders looked like they could carry any weight. As she watched him, those shoulders tensed.

Her throat was tight as she joined him. “What have you seen?”

“Gek’Dragar.” His mouth was a flat line. “Look.”

In the distance, a ship made of brown metal was flying in a clear search pattern, and several small drones were zipping through the air nearby.

A mix of fear and anger twisted inside her. “They’re looking for us.”

He nodded. “We’ll go the other way. It’s the best option anyway.” He pointed.

In the distance she saw the glint of aqua blue. Her chest lifted. The ocean. Her gaze narrowed. She also could make out a plume of smoke. She shaded her eyes, but it was too far away for her to see clearly.

“Is that a settlement?”

“I think so.”

Hope soared. “Then let’s go.”

“Your feet—”

“They healed a little while we were sleeping.” She touched his arm and squeezed. “My scratched feet are the least of our worries.” She glanced back toward the ocean.

There were a lot of menacing mountain peaks between them and their destination.

It wouldn’t be an easy trek, especially barefoot. She lifted her chin. But she would do it. She was the knightqueen.

Sten searched through some of the other ruined buildings. He found an old leather pack and several bottles that he filled with water. He tucked the bottles and some of the fruit inside the pack.

Then he swung it on his shoulders. “Time to go.”

Soon, they set off down a rocky path, heading away from the Gek’Dragar search patrol.

“I wonder what the people who lived here were like,” she said. “What they did?”

“I suspect they were miners.” He pointed across the ravine.

On the other side of the canyon, a round mine entrance was etched into the cliff face. It was closed off with a metal door. As she scanned down the valley, she saw other mine entrances dotted on the mountainside.

Sympathy washed through her. Clearly whatever these people had mined, the Gek’Dragar had wanted it.

As they moved down into the valley, the sun slowly rose overhead. Carys spotted some agile, long-limbed animals climbing the cliffs above with ease. They had sturdy hooves and shaggy fur on their bodies. She blew out a breath. She wished climbing was as easy for her. Her thigh muscles were already burning and her feet were throbbing.

She trained daily at home on Oron, but most of her days were filled with meetings with dignitaries or visits in the city. Strenuous hiking in dangerous terrain wasn’t something she did often.

It didn’t appear to bother Sten. As he moved ahead of her, never once slowing down or showing any strain, she pulled a face at his back. Sten hiked like he could do it for days on end.

Soon, the morning chill was gone, and she was warm, sweat running down her spine.

She tested her implants, but her connection to her oralite still wasn’t fully functional. Without the extra boost it gave her, she had to admit she was reaching the end of her limits.

Sure enough, a moment later, she stumbled. Sten whipped around fast and caught her.

“Careful.”

“Sorry.”

He frowned at her. “You’re tired.”

She let out a short laugh. “Can you blame me?”

“No. Sit.” He helped her over to a rock.

She dropped down heavily, and Sten crouched beside her. He handed her a piece of fruit.

Her back was sore, her legs were sore, her feet were sore. Everything was sore. Dully, she bit into the fruit.

“You’re in pain,” he said.

“I’m just stiff.”

She saw something in his gaze, then he moved behind her. His big hands clamped on her shoulders, and he started to knead her muscles.

“Oh.” Pleasure shimmered through her. Not only at the massage, but also because Sten was touching her. She moaned.

His hands stilled.

“Don’t stop,” she said.

He resumed massaging her sore muscles. “Once we have full access to our oralite, it’ll heal you.”

She made a humming sound. His strong fingers hit a tender spot. “Oh, Sten. That feels so good.”

He snatched his hands back and turned away. “That should help.”

Carys felt like he’d hit her. Stars, did he hate touching her that much? A ball of pain grew in her gut.

“We should keep moving,” he said gruffly.

With a sigh, she heaved herself up. “Onward.”

They trekked on in silence.

Sten stopped,studying the old bridge across the canyon.

It was narrow and old, and frayed in places. It looked like it had been abandoned for a long time.

Frowning, he moved gingerly onto the bridge, testing its strength.

He stopped partway across, noting that there were several steel cables reinforcing it. He looked back over his shoulder and waved.

Carys moved out of the shadows on the other side of the crevasse and stepped onto the bridge.

He turned and continued on to the other side. There was a yawning opening in the rock. He could see light at the end of the tunnel somewhere. It clearly led through to the other side of this hill.

He’d noted that this entire mountain range was riddled with tunnels and mines, so he hoped they could continue to find shortcuts through them.

Carys was halfway across the bridge when she froze and looked up.

His pulse tripped, and suddenly, he heard the whirr.

A drone was coming.

“Hurry!” he yelled.

She picked up speed, pumping her arms. The sound of the drone echoed off the rock walls, getting louder.

She wasn’t going to make it.

If the drone spotted her, the Gek’Dragar would descend on their location.

Carys clearly decided the same thing. She stopped and met his gaze.

“Carys,” he murmured.

Then she gripped the railing of the rope bridge, and leaped over the side.

Sten’s heart tried to burst from his chest. Her dress flapped as she gracefully fell, then arrowed her body in under the bridge. She clung to the bottom of it, pulling herself into a tight ball.

His heart thundered in his ears. It was hard to spot her, even when you knew exactly where to look.

Sten pushed his back against the rock in the tunnel, panic still drilling into his heart. Seeing her leap off the bridge, out over the ravine…

He crouched, and drew in a shaky breath.

The drone flew into view. It was made of brown metal, lights blinking along the sides. It was roughly spherical, with four short arms at the front.

It was definitely Gek’Dragar tech.

It slowed, flying over the bridge.

Move on. Move on.

The drone hovered for a second and Sten tensed. He flexed his hand, ready to attack.

If it spotted Carys…

Then, the machine flew on. Sten released a breath and made himself wait, which was agony. Carys was hanging over the gul-vexed ravine, clinging to the bridge. His muscles quivered.

Finally, the sound of the drone faded.

He leaped up. “Carys.” He ran onto the bridge.

She pulled herself over, flashing her bare legs at him.

He grabbed her hands.

“I’m fine,” she said.

Suddenly, the whine of the drone returned.

He cursed. “Come on. Fast.”

They sprinted along the bridge. They barely reached the other side when he pulled her into the tunnel. He pressed her to the wall, covering her body with his.

A second later, the drone whizzed past. This time, it didn’t slow down.

Sten let out a breath. “Are you all right?”

“Yes. I just really want off this gul-cursed planet.”

“Me too.” Suddenly, he realized he was plastered against her, her breasts pressed to his chest. His hands dug into her slim hips.

He stepped back hastily, his body instantly missing the feel of her.

She straightened, dusting off her skirt. “Let’s go.”

They moved through the tunnel. It wasn’t long, and a few minutes later, they came out in a small, bowl-shaped valley, nestled amongst the mountains.

Carys gasped. “It’s beautiful.”

Lush greenery grew everywhere, nothing like the desolate, rocky bases of the ravines they’d been in.

Sten scanned for any danger, staying close to Carys.

“Sten.” Her face lit up. “I can hear water.”

She rushed ahead, pushing through the bushes. Muttering a curse, he charged in front of her, clearing the way, and holding the branches back.

A second later, they stepped out by a small, burbling pool. Kneeling beside it, Sten activated his implant and scanned it.

“The water’s safe.”

“Thank the stars.” She dropped down and scooped up several handfuls to drink.

Sten cupped his hand and drank himself. Then he washed his face and hands.

“I want to bathe,” she said.

He wasn’t surprised. He knew it was a favorite pastime of Carys’. Her maids always talked about just how long their queen liked to soak in her tub. He rose and nodded. “I’ll keep watch. Don’t take too long.”

She gave him a smile.

He strode back into the vegetation. A cute, fluffy animal popped out on a branch and looked at him. It ruffled its fur and cooed at him. He scowled back at it.

At least there was no sign of the Gek’Dragar, or the monsters that bred in the ravines. This valley seemed like a small paradise.

The splashing water behind him made him think of golden skin.

Wet golden skin.

His jaw locked.

You’re her knightguard.

He wasn’t sure when thoughts of her had started invading his dreams. Years ago. Not when she’d been a girl. No, it had started after he realized she’d grown into a woman. A smart, sensual woman. For him, there was no one more beautiful than Carys.

But her beauty was more than her fine features and starlight hair. It was her goodness, her kindness, and her sense of fairness.

He released a breath. He was just a lowly guard, and she was the queen. She was beautiful, smart, and kind. He was none of those things.

Then he heard her gasp and cry out.

Without thinking, Sten spun and charged through the bushes at high speed.

He found her standing waist-deep in the water, and splashed in, clothes and all, then grabbed her.

“What’s wrong?” Blood was pounding through his veins as he looked for danger.

“Um...”

He looked down. Her face was fresh and clean, with droplets clinging to her long eyelashes. Her hair looked shades darker when it was damp, and it clung to her head and shoulders.

“Carys?”

“It was a fish. It touched my foot. It didn’t hurt me.”

It took him a second. “A fish? You’re not in danger?”

Her lips twitched. “No.”

That’s when he realized the full curves of her breasts were pressed to his chest. And she was naked.

He knew he should let her go, but his arms wouldn’t obey. She was warm and wet, with the right amount of gentle curves. She was tall and slim, toned from training, but there was no doubting she was a woman. His gaze dropped to her lips.

He heard her breathing hitch. “Sten?”

His muscles tensed and he quickly took a step back.

His boot hit something slippery, and he swayed. They both grabbed at each other.

And one of Sten’s palms closed around her breast.

He froze. He couldn’t move, couldn’t think.

Her lips parted, then she pushed into his hand. His fingers flexed and his cock lengthened, pushing against his trousers. Her eyes widened, and he knew she felt it.

Before he could stop himself, he stroked the curve of her breast. A small, husky sound escaped her lips and her nipple beaded.

“Sten,” she breathed, color filling her cheeks.

It snapped him out of the moment.

He released her and staggered backward. Desire rode him hard, making his movements jerky.

“Call me if you need me,” he said stiffly.

He tried not to look at her, or her breasts, flat belly, and long legs. But he couldn’t help getting that one glimpse of those pink nipples, both hard nubs.

As he stomped out of the water, he tried to will his cock under control. But desire was hot and scorching his veins.

Out of sight, he pressed his back to a tree.

“She’s your queen. You’re stuck on a dangerous planet, fighting for survival.” He pressed his palm to his cock and groaned.

It took him a while, but he slowly battled the desire down. He dragged in some ragged breaths and managed to get a lock on his feelings. He shoved them down deep, then released a hard breath.

He wondered what would kill him first—the planet, or his need for Carys.