Knightqueen

Chapter 10

Oh, she felt good.

Carys sagged against Sten, but he held her with ease. She should probably be embarrassed. She’d just rubbed against him like a taurline cat in heat.

It didn’t matter. She felt too good, and was too relaxed, to dredge up any embarrassment.

He tipped her chin up. Desire was clearly written on his rugged face.

“Beautiful,” he murmured. “I like watching you come.”

She blushed. Stars. He made her feel young and giddy, but he also made her feel like a woman.

He let her slide down his body until her feet hit the ground.

“Anymore doubt about how much I want you?” he asked.

She bit her lip. “No.”

“Good.” He pressed a firm kiss to her mouth. “When we’re safe, I’ll show you more.”

She shivered.

He gripped her chin. “Carys, I’m done fighting this. We take this any further and you’re mine.”

In her chest, her heart tripped and picked up speed.

“There will be no handsome princes or self-important aristocrats.”

She pressed a palm flat against his chest. “I want you, Sten. I love you.”

Emotion crossed his face. “I—”

Then a buzzing sound suddenly caught their attention.

Sten stiffened and turned, covering her. Her protective knightguard. She sidestepped him, reforming her armor.

A Gek’Dragar scout ship hovered in the distance.

Carys huffed out a breath. “They never give up.”

He grunted. “It’s not coming this way, but we need to move.”

She nodded.

He squeezed her hand.

They set off down the path at a punishing pace. She pumped her arms, falling into a good rhythm. Beside her, Sten adjusted his longer strides to match hers.

Soon, they were over the top of the hill, and the sound of the ship faded behind them. They moved into a meadow of flowers that were white and fragrant.

“Let’s take a short break,” he said.

She crouched down and picked a flower.

Sten sat beside her. “Pretty.”

“It is.” She stuck it behind her ear.

“Not as pretty as verlorna lilies.”

“My favorite. My maids make sure I have a fresh vase of them every week in my room.”

Sten looked away and shifted. “That’s nice.”

She eyed him, and realization filtered through her. “You. You leave the lilies.”

He shrugged one broad shoulder. “They’re your favorite.”

“Sten, are you blushing?”

“I don’t blush,” he said gruffly.

Delight filled her. She leaned in and kissed his cheek. She could touch him. She could kiss him anytime she wanted. The realization made her dizzy.

She wished they weren’t in danger. She wished she had time to indulge. She’d give anything for them to be in her bedroom at the palace. Her big bed would easily fit his large frame.

She scanned his chest. She wanted to explore every part of his muscular body.

He grabbed her hand and squeezed. “We can’t linger any longer. Can you go on?”

She sighed and nodded. “Yes, of course.”

He helped her up, and they set off across the meadow.

He scowled. “There’s not much cover here.”

“But we’ll hear them coming.”

He still didn’t look happy. They crossed the meadow, and moved back into the rock-strewn hills.

“How long until we reach the ocean?” she asked.

“We’re still a long way off.”

She sighed. Nothing was ever easy.

Then she saw him slow. “Sten?”

He crouched, studying something on the ground. She peered over his shoulder. Footprints. Of something big. Her belly tightened. Something feline, perhaps.

She groaned. “I thought we’d left the monsters behind in the ravines.”

He rose, his shoulders tense. “Stay alert.”

They headed down a narrow path. They hadn’t gone far when a scent reached her. Something gamey, with a musky undertone.

She looked up and saw caves set in the side of the hill.

Then a high-pitched scream sliced through the air.

Carys’ heart lodged in her throat. “Is that a child?”

They both broke into a sprint and raced over the rise.

A huge, feline creature, with a muscled, powerful body, and long claws was advancing on a tall child with dark-red skin. The boy’s large black eyes contrasted with the white markings on his face.

He looked terrified.

“Sten,” Carys said.

He formed his broadsword. “I’ll save him.” Then he charged down the hill and leaped into the air.

The cat swiveled and snarled.

Carys sprinted down as well, running toward the child.

Sten sliced with his sword. He moved so fast for such a large man. The cat swiped out with its claws, its jaws snapping.

She reached the child.

“Come.” She held out a hand.

The boy’s eyes were huge and dark. His body shook.

“I won’t hurt you.”

Then Carys saw a second cat slink out of the shadows of some rocks. The child gasped and ran to her.

She formed her own sword and pushed the child behind her. The boy whimpered.

“I won’t let it hurt you.” She raised the sword and focused on the incoming predator.

The cat sprang.

Carys moved fast, her blade cutting into fur. Blood spotted the ground. The cat hissed and sprang back.

She changed her grip and watched, her muscles tense.

The cat sprinted forward, but she was ready. She whirled, her blade glowing. She thrust, and rammed it into the cat’s side. It yelped.

She yanked the blade free. The cat leaped into the air and Carys dodged. Claws swiped past her, and she felt the strike of them against her armor.

Then a large body landed on the cat’s back.

Sten raised his sword and brought it down on the feline’s neck.

The beast twisted, but Sten held on. He shoved his sword down with a grunt. It sliced deep, cutting vital things.

The light went out of the beast’s eyes. It took a stumbling step, and then its legs collapsed.

Face like stone, Sten pulled his sword free. He leaped off the animal’s dead body, landing with a bend of his knees.

He looked like an avenging knight of old, talked about in the old myths.

“Are you all right?” he asked.

She nodded. She looked over at the first cat he’d fought. It was dead as well.

She heard a sob and turned to the child.

“It’s okay.” Carys held out a hand, letting her sword dissipate. “You’re safe now.”

The boy hesitated for a second, then he ran straight to her. He threw his arms around her waist.

Oh. She felt him shaking. She stroked his dark hair. She thought he was quite young, but he was taller than an Oronis child, so it was hard to tell.

“You’re safe now,” she murmured.

Sten stepped in close and touched her cheek.

The boy pulled back, his gaze curious. He looked at their armor and then Sten’s sword. As Sten dissolved his weapon, the boy’s eyes went wide.

He babbled in a language that her translator didn’t understand.

“You get any of that?” she asked Sten.

He shook his head. “His language isn’t in our databanks. All right, let’s—”

There was a whoosh of noise.

Overhead, a dark Gek’Dragar scout ship swung into view.

Carys’ chest locked and she grabbed the boy.

Energy surged through Sten. “Run!”

He shoved Carys. She scooped up the boy and ran. Sten was right behind her.

The scout ship opened fire—laser chasing them across the hillside.

As he ran, Sten pulled energy to him, felt it increasing. His focus narrowed on the ship. He threw an energy ball.

It hit the ship and the vessel jerked.

Carys swiveled, and formed a shield on her arm. She held it up, protecting the child.

Sten spotted what looked like the entrance to some caves up ahead. “We need to reach the caves.”

She nodded and picked up speed.

Sprinting, Sten lifted the boy from her arms into his own. He clung to Sten, the red skin on his face looking ashen.

Carys formed an energy bow. She held it up and fired several energy bolts at the ship. The ship returned fire, and they ducked behind some rocks.

The boy curled into a ball and Sten kept him close. “We’re pinned down.”

More laser fire hit all around them.

Carys ducked lower. “The caves are still too far away.”

Sten gritted his teeth, trying to find a way out. The ship’s engines whined as it spun around in front of them.

“Protect him.” Carys rose and sprinted at the ship.

No. His chest locked. “Carys, stay in cover!”

She jumped on top of a large rock, then leaped into the air. She landed on the wing of the ship, and ran along it.

He watched the Gek’Dragar pilot in the cockpit arching his head, searching for her.

Her sword glowed blue in her hand. When she reached the central part of the ship, she stabbed downward, cutting into the roof. The metal parted like water under the energy blade.

The ship jerked to the left, and Carys lurched.

Sten froze. Don’t fall. Don’t fall.

She didn’t. Graceful as ever, she crouched, keeping her balance. Then dropped down into the hole she’d cut and into the ship.

Chest tight, he watched and waited. It should be him up there risking his life, not her.

A moment later, smoke erupted from the back of the scout ship.

“Come on, Carys.”

Then he saw her. Relief punched through him. She leaped onto the top of the ship and jumped off. She somersaulted in the air, then hit the ground and rolled.

The damaged scout ship spun in a circle and flew away. More smoke poured from it. Then it careened sideways and smashed into the hillside. It exploded, a ball of flames rising into the sky.

Beside him, the boy made an excited noise and clapped his hands. He grinned at Sten.

“Yes, she’s fierce,” Sten said.

Carys ran over to them.

“Are you all right?” he barked.

“I’m fine.” She looked at the wide-eyed boy. “But that’s going to attract attention.”

“We’d better move fast.”

The boy wiggled to get down. He waved a hand at them and jogged up a path.

Carys shrugged. “Let’s follow him. He must know the area.”

They followed the boy up the hill. The path twisted and turned, and, without their small guide, they probably would’ve gotten lost.

Behind them, the sound of more ship engines filled the air.

“Hide,” Sten ordered.

They ducked under an outcrop of rocks. The three of them squeezed into the tight space, the boy wedged between them.

Then another Gek’Dragar scout ship flew slowly overhead.

The child trembled.

“It’s okay.” Carys hugged him to her. “You’re not alone.”

The boy couldn’t understand her, but it appeared her tone soothed him.

“We’ll keep you safe,” she promised.

Sten stared at the curve of her cheekbone. That was Carys, always looking out for others. Always willing to risk herself to keep others safe.

The ship finally moved on.

Sten blew out a breath. But the Gek’Dragar were here, close by, and looking for them.

He ducked out of their hiding spot. “Come on. We need to move.”

They stayed close to the cliff face as they moved farther up the hill.

Shouts echoed from somewhere in the distance. Stars, there were Gek’Dragar soldiers on the ground.

“Sten?”

“We don’t have any good cover here.” If they crested the hill, they’d be spotted.

The boy suddenly turned left, darting down another path.

Sten saw the walls of rock converged. There was no way out in that direction. “Wait. That’s a dead end.”

But the boy didn’t slow down, just waved at them.

“Do you have a better option?” Carys said. “He must know a way out.”

Sten gritted his teeth and set off after the boy. At the end of the path, there was nothing but rock walls.

Swallowing a curse, Sten looked around. If the Gek’Dragar cornered them here, they’d be trapped.

Then the boy dropped down, crawled forward, and disappeared.

What?Sten and Carys pushed forward.

“Oh, there’s a small, concealed tunnel.” Carys dropped to her knees. “I didn’t even see this. The rocks hide it.” Then she pulled a face. “It’s small.”

Sten studied it. “You’ll fit.”

She glared up at him. “I’m not leaving you.”

He blew out a loud breath. “Fine. I’ll get through it. You go first.”

She crawled in, and his gaze dropped to her ass. He closed his eyes.

“Come on, Sten,” she called back.

He crawled into the tunnel. His shoulders brushed the rock on either side. It was a tight squeeze, but he crept forward. “The boy?”

“He’s waiting ahead. He wants us to follow him.”

Sten crawled on. It was very snug in places, and he had to force his shoulders through.

“There’s light ahead,” she called back.

He glanced up, but all he could see was his queen’s fine ass. Suddenly, his shoulders wedged tight. He cursed.

“What’s wrong?” she asked.

“I’m stuck.”

“We’re almost there.”

He tried to shove forward, but his shoulders weren’t moving.

“Hang on.” She disappeared, then she reappeared face first. “It’s just a little farther.” She smiled, then pressed a quick kiss to his lips. “Give me your hands.”

Sten held his hands out and she entwined their fingers. Then she pulled, her muscles straining.

He moved a tiny bit. She gave another huge yank.

A second later, he broke free, but his shoulders stung as a layer of skin scraped off his shoulders. He cursed.

“Such language, Knightguard Sten,” Carys teased.

“Because I’m the one with skin missing.”

They crawled out of the tiny tunnel.

Sten rose and froze.

“Oh, no.” Carys gripped his hand.

A dozen tall, powerful warriors with red skin were glaring at them, holding bows filled with glowing red bolts.

The boy let out an excited squeal, then ran. He was scooped up by a tall man. He babbled at the man, his hands waving.

Sten stepped in front of Carys.

“Get back in the tunnel,” he murmured.

“They’ll shoot you.”

“Carys—”

The warrior set the child down and patted the boy’s head. Then he stepped forward.

“You saved my nephew from the Gek’Dragar.”

Sten could understand him. The translator detected his language.

“He’s a child.” Carys pushed past Sten, looking regal.

He gripped her waist to stop her from moving any closer.

“The Gek’Dragar are our enemy,” she continued. “We couldn’t let them hurt the boy.”

The warrior inclined his head. “Thank you.” He studied them, his dark gaze narrowing. “You’re Oronis.”

“Yes,” Carys said.

“We are the Ti-Lore.”

“This is your planet?” she asked. “Ti-Lore?”

The man nodded. “There are not many of my people left.”

The warrior switched to another language, the one the boy had used, and spoke to the men behind him. The other warriors all lowered their weapons.

Then he looked back at Carys and Sten.

“I am Azulon. Anyone who cares for my family is a friend. Come.”