Chapter Forty-Two
Saphyra
W hy would Titus smell like anise? Why did he give Aster the fake soap? He lost his wife, his home, and could have lost his son when the Imperatrix invaded. The cost seemed too high to have risked being involved. But, he did win the regency as a result. Would that have been worth the risk to him?
I wanted to ask Lex if it was possible, but how could I ask someone I loved if his father betrayed us all? Lex lost so much that day. How could I question his father’s involvement?
Frustrated with unanswered questions ringing in my mind, I shoved another set of pants into a small rucksack, tucking them around my mother’s journal. The duke’s note—the one he’d passed to me at the dance—was tucked into its pages like a bookmark until I could give it to Ghost. Another long-sleeved shirt was added to the sack, covering the precious book. I only needed enough clothes for three days, but the bag was already straining at the seams.
Violet was in my closet, directing a handful of servants to deliver fancy dresses to the Imperatrix’s ship, and stowing my coronation gown. She was probably curious why I was packing a separate backpack with plain attire when the shuttle would be full to bursting, but too polite to ask.
Maybe I should tell her what was going on, but knowing would only put her in danger. Better if she thinks I’m on that ship when it leaves.
Ghost popped his head in the door of my quarters. “Time to go, princess.”
My mates didn’t want me staying in my cabin alone anymore than I did, so I did a quick mental count of the socks and under things before buckling the bag shut.
“Coming.” I was as ready as I was ever going to be.
Before I left, I went to Violet. She was the only person outside my mates that I felt like I could trust. “Stay safe while we’re gone.”
Again I debated telling her more, but in the end decided against it. Surely she’d be fine. She knew as many secrets about this place as anyone.
“You as well, Your Majesty. Enjoy yourself.” A glowing grin lit her whole face.
I dropped my backpack and threw my arms around her, giving her a hug. There was nothing to worry about. The mountain was hidden and had been secure for ten years. We’d return soon with the solutions we needed.
With a watery smile, I turned and headed to the door, where Ghost shifted impatiently.
“You got everything?” he asked, dropping an arm over my shoulders.
I snuggled up to his side, basking in the sea fog scent. “I hope so. There’s no going back now.”
We slept restlessly, tossing and turning in my nest in Ghost’s room. Lex’s purr against my back was the only thing that put me to sleep.
Morning came too soon.
My whole body was hot and achy, surrounded by pheromones and naked flesh. There was no time for what I really wanted, so I peeled myself out from between my mates to get ready.
In the shower, with soap running over my skin and the spray pelting my face, I was oblivious to my surroundings. So when someone’s firm grip landed on my hips and his hot chest pressed against my back, I gasped and sputtered.
I spun around, my hands springing up to rub the water out of my eyes. When I could finally see Shadow was there, naked and smiling.
“I figured it’d be faster if we shared,” he said before grabbing the shampoo bottle.
“It’ll only be faster if….” I groaned as his fingers massaged the suds through my golden locks.
“If I help?” His hands were like magic against my scalp.
I leaned into his rippling chest. “Yes, that.”
His cock lengthened against my belly, and my nipples tightened. “You’re gonna make us late.”
I tipped my head back, letting the fall of water rinse the soap from my hair. “Not if you go fast.”
“I doubt that.” Shadow walked me backward until I was against the wall, hooked his hands under my thighs, and lifted them around his waist.
“Yes,” I hissed as his blunt tip snagged on my entrance. “You just have to be quick.”
He wasted no time rolling his hips and pressing inside of me. His girth stretched me perfectly, and I muffled my moan against his shoulder.
“My perfect little omega. Already so wet for me.” He thrust his hips up, shoving himself deeper.
Tingles were racing along my skin as his pace increased. My breath came in short pants as my slick channel fluttered around his length. The thickness of his growing knot pushed inside and then retreated before it had a chance to lock in place. He stopped moving just as it began to slip past my entrance. The thickest part stretched me around him as I clenched down and my orgasm ripped through me. A second later, his cock twitched, swelling and spilling his hot, sticky seed.
I squirmed desperately for his knot, but knew we couldn’t afford the extra time it would have taken. Our chests rose and fell, catching our breath as his length slid free, followed by a cascade of cum.
His lips pressed to mine, demanding entrance. As soon as they parted, his tongue slipped in, dancing for dominance with mine. Slowly, he lowered me down until my toes touched the floor and he pulled away. “There’s no better way to wake up,” He said as he helped rinse the evidence of what we’d done from my legs and we both finished our quick shower together.
Bundled in towels, we left the bathroom to a gallery of annoyed glances. Not mad, but jealous, wishing we had more time so they could’ve joined in.
“We’re in a hurry. Fenix is waiting on us,” Lex growled, but the half-smile ruined the effect.
After that, we got ready quickly. Tugging on pants, boots, long sleeve shirts and a thick canvas coat, sneaking fleeting touches and longing looks in between. My clothes were a little baggy, as if made for a small man, but everyone else looked perfectly tailored and imposing in black military gear. Even Grey had his own set.
We ate ration bars as we hurried down the endless stairs to the hangars at the bottom of the mountain.
It was time to go.
The Imperatrix’s ship was an aurinium behemoth. All flash but also substance. Fast, well armed, big enough for a full crew, housing for dignitaries, a company of soldiers, and a shuttle bay that could fit a pair of military starfighters with a little effort.
When it pulled out of the hangar into the clearing, dappled sun sparked like embers along its sleek golden exterior. It gave a wobble, then lifted clear of the treeline. Gradually, it made its way across the wide valley. We held our breaths, waiting for the vanguard to make its move.
It felt like a long time. So long, I started to doubt that they were coming at all, when out of the clouds a company of black and gold ships burst through the white cover in pursuit. The Imperatrix’s engines glowed and the next second, they were gone. Ripping across the sky, trailing the sleek starfighters behind them.
The plan worked.
Early this morning, Fenix and Arkyn had boarded our stolen ship in secret. We joined them later, ensuring there were witnesses to our arrival, and then snuck off when the hangar was clear. Albion and the rest of Fenix’s team covered our tracks on the camera feeds.
If we’d been overly cautious, and the Imperatrix’s forces were not sent here for us, Fenix and Arkyn would’ve gone straight to Pyraxis to find Lyrah. But, We’d been right. She’d sent a company after us. Which meant that the two alphas would lead her fighters on a merry chase around the system, picking them off before eventually sneaking away to the mining colony to get Lyrah. Whatever happened, my friend was coming home.
My mates and I, on the other hand, were mounted on a handful of horses that were kept in the underground city and were moving quickly through the trees, watching the drama unfold above us. The horses would cover our heat signatures if anyone was looking and could travel faster than we could on foot. We couldn’t risk taking a ship or shuttle. Those would have been too easy to pick out in the forest.
When Lex had given me a leg up onto the stocky bay gelding, it reminded me of when we were children. He’d sometimes help me up on my first pony. She was a sweet little mare that Titus had gifted me for my fifth birthday. As soon as I landed in the saddle, all those fond memories fluttered to life. I couldn’t imagine that man conspiring with an enemy empire to kill my family. But did I really know him anymore?
Undergrowth crunched beneath the hooves of our mounts, and moisture dripped from the canopy. As we moved closer to the coast, fingers of fog reached out to blanket us.
“Do you really think there’s a chance we’ll find something in the ruins?” I asked no one in particular.
Leather creaked as the men shifted in their saddles.
Ghost twisted to look at me over his shoulder. “There’s no way to know until we get there, but I know the shield condenser is there. So now we gotta try. Even if that’s all it is.”
I worried my lower lip between my teeth. The shield was the most important part right now. I hoped the data pad from my memory was still there, too. It felt too important not to look for.
Lex’s hand shot up, signaling a halt. My heart sped, and my horse danced sideways. I murmured soft reassurances until he quieted. The other fidgeted at the unexpected stop.
Sounds were warped and muffled through the fog, but in the distance, I heard it. The whistle of a fast approaching starfighter. It didn’t take long for a low-flying ship to buzz the treetops. Looking for us? Looking for our decoy? It was hard to know, but I hoped they’d follow the others on the wild goose chase we’d arranged.
I breathed out a sigh once the noise of the engine faded into the distance, and we were moving again. The tree cover lessened and meadows sprung up. The sun peeked through the overcast clouds, burning them away as the day went on. Through gaps in the canopy, the land opened up below us in a sweeping expanse of gold and green.
We hugged the edges of fields and open spaces, keeping out of sight, but the sky was empty of ships. Ever intensifying cascades of rainbows flickered through the blue, showing the vitality of the planetary shield breathing its way back to life. It would need more than its natural presence to keep out an armada of ships, but if its strength was returning, the condenser could mold it into the protection we needed.
Night fell. The firmament was alight with dancing colors and the air was filled with the bite of salty sea. We were only a few hours from our destination.
At dawn we’d know if we’d come this far for nothing or for everything.