Kovas

KOVAS

"You need to take a break."

I ignored Razov.

Mera still hadn't woken.

Amy and Tessi were in with her now, their hard glances in my direction making it clear they blamed me for this.

And they were right.

"You heard what old man Nayal said," Razov pressed on, unaware of the fact that I would rather throw him from the Fallen Star's roof rather than listen to him for another moment. "Her body was still a little weak from her time in captivity. She'll be fine."

Alkard put a hand on my shoulder. "You remember what Tessi's condition was when I claimed her. And she came through the claiming unharmed. It just took a little time."

I did remember.

Tessi had been nearly dead, her spine shattered, internal organs ruptured by our enemies.

"I also remember you doing a good deal of pacing yourself while she recovered," I snapped.

Alkard's eyes widened with surprise and he smiled. "I never thought the day would come when you'd be so mouthy. Glad it's for a good cause."

He handed me a glass of deep red wine and I downed it without tasting it.

"I know you won't believe me until you see her for yourself," he continued. "But this is just a moment of worry, nothing compared to the years you will have with her."

He took the glass from me.

"But if she wakes up and you rush in looking like this, I suspect she's going to have all of our hides. Get some rest. That's an order."

Years of training pulled at me, but I dragged my feet. "What if she wakes and I'm not there"

I couldn't leave her. Couldn't abandon her. She had trusted me and this had happened.

"Do you think Tessi and Amy are going to leave her alone either?"

"Come on," Razov said, arm around my shoulder as he pushed me towards his and Amy's quarters. "The sooner you take a break, the sooner I can tell my mate that you're rested enough to look after your own mate."

I wasn't entirely certain any of that made sense, but I was too tired, too worried to think much about it.

I stumbled into the room, and stopped, confused.

When had his room looked like this?

It was a mixture of Razov and Amy, warm touches softening the hard space that had been here previously.

I walked over to the large display on the wall, the vistas from home soothing.

Would Mera like to visit someday?

I knew humans did not have many opportunities for travel.

I would take her, taking her anywhere she wanted to go. Give her anything she desired.

If only she'd wake up.

Back against the wall, I slid down until I slumped on the floor, watching the door.

I'd give it half an hour, and then I'd insist on seeing her again. Half an hour's rest. That's all I needed.

"Kovas?"

My eyes flew open.

It was Mera's voice. I was sure of it.

Jumping to my feet I nearly tripped, tangling in the blanket someone had thrown over me.

Dashing out the door, I nearly ran into Razov. "She's awake, she's calling for you."

"I know." I wasn't sure if I'd heard her with my ears or with my soul, but there was no mistaking her voice.

Bursting into the room, I was vaguely aware of Amy and Tessi at the edges of the bed, but all I saw, all I cared about was Mera, propped up on a pile of pillows.

Her eyes were bright, welcoming me as I rushed to her side.

"How do you feel?" I whispered, hand cupping her cheek where the red sigils shone.

She turned her head slightly to kiss my palm.

"Better than I have in weeks." She laughed and the steel band that had been around my chest loosened slightly. "Maybe better than I've felt in my entire life."

"We'll leave you two alone then," Amy said.

Tessi rose to follow. "Don't wear her out, understand?"

Bending over Mera, I barely heard the door click shut behind them.

"You sure you're all right?"

Her fingers laced through mine as she tugged me down to sit on the bed next to her.

"I love them both," she said with a grin. "But if you didn't get them out of here, I was going to start throwing things."

"They're worried," I said. "So was I."

Mera's nose wrinkled. "I feel like I could go back and take on a whole room full of Ewani by myself this time."

"No!" I blurted "You'll stay here. In the compound. It's safest."

"Seriously?" She sat up all the way, throwing her legs out from under the covers.

I scooped her up in my arms, setting her back down and tucking her in again.

"Seriously. I can't lose you. You need to stay here."

The flicker of a smile curved her lips for a moment. "It sounds like you're planning to tie me up and keep me in your room."

My cock stirred at the thought.

"This sounds eminently reasonable to me."

"I don't think so." Fast as quicksilver, she rolled towards the other side of the bed. "How do you think you're gonna make me stay?"

I captured her shoulders, bringing her back once more to the center of the bed.

As I leaned over, my gaze locked with hers.

Her tongue darted out, a flash of pink before she pulled her lower lip between her teeth.

"Mera," I whispered. "What are you doing?"

I didn't need to ask.

Due to her previous activities, the aroma of her perfume was already thick in my quarters, but now that I had claimed her, now that we were bound together, the scent coming from between her thighs was almost overwhelming.

And it was only getting stronger.

"I don't know?" Her pupils dilated, leaving only a ring of the new reddish tinge. "I'm just trying to get out of bed. You're the one who seems to be having thoughts on different ways to keep me here."

She twisted her hip, just enough to press against my already hard cock and even through the fabric, I felt her heat.

"Mera," I growled, pressing down into her, trapping her between me and the bed. "Don't play games."

"Why not? You do."

In an instant, I was on my knees between her legs. She yelped and clutched the sheets as my hands slid under her. With one quick tug, I freed her from the covers.

"You're playing games right now," I said, wrapping my arms around her legs, pinning her to the bed. "You're the one who wants to stay here. With me."

Her fingers slid over my wrists, sliding down the length of my arms.

"You're right." She giggled. "I do. Now why are you so angry?"

"I'm not angry. I'm trying to protect you."

My cock ached for release. It would be so easy.

To flip her over, pin her face down on the mattress and bury myself to the hilt inside her.

But she had just woken up, no doubt still recovering. She should be treated carefully, like the precious person she was.

"You are, too." Her toes wiggled as she turned her head to the side, away from me, closing her eyes. "It feels good when you get all growly and possessive."

"But I want you safe." I dropped my head down next to her ear. "Can't you see that?"

"I can," she whispered. "But I'm safe with you. You're the only one I can feel like this with."

"What do you mean?"

Her eyelashes fluttered. She opened her eyes, green eyes blazing with intensity.

"You're the only one who makes me feel like this. After everything we've been through, I know you'll never let me down. You'll never hurt me." She paused, looking for words. "I love you, Kovas."

"I love you, Mera." My hands tightened on her legs, pulling her up to my chest. "And I'll always protect you. You are my heart. Let me take care of you, shield you."

She brushed her lips over mine, licked at my tongue. "My whole world is different now, my body, everything I touch feels new." Another kiss, and any resistance I had surrendered to her will. "I want to touch you. Only you can take care of me, right?"

"As you wish, my mate."

Her eyes grew wide and her lips parted as I held her with one hand, wrapping my other around my cock. I rubbed the tip between her thighs, feeling the moisture already there, slicking her skin.

She closed her eyes again and moaned softly.

I slid into her, her heat almost too much to handle.

"Kovas," she whispered. "Don't stop."

My body responded to her, sliding into her again and again, picking up speed as she cried out, louder and louder. Her thighs pressed against my sides, pulling me in even further.

With a final thrust, I buried myself inside her, releasing everything I had into her, the pain, the fear, the desperate need to keep her safe.

I collapsed on top of her, burying my face in her neck, breathing in her scent, her perfume, everything.

"I love you," she whispered.

Her arms came around my back, hugging me close.

I could stay like this forever, holding her, listening to her heart beat in counterpoint to mine.

But then a knock pounded at the door.

"Kovas," Razov called. "Alkard is calling an all hands meeting. Bring Mera."

Dammit.