Chapter 19

CHAPTER NINETEEN

J axxon stormed back onto the command deck, passing the terminals and entering the lounge. He paced the room, his shadows following him like remnants of a winter storm, one the kiss had ignited. The way she felt against him, the way she looked at him, and the way her light touched his shadows. Drak! Now I know why men went wild for Crelentian women. An experience he and his men had never expected to have.

I’ve been searching for years, always believing that my men and I would be the last of the Crelentians. Yet, it all might change. But is change good? What comes with this dangerous woman?

But he wouldn’t be manipulated by her magic or her beauty. She had entered a sacred and secure library. But how? It must be the amulet. I almost had it before Zade barged in!

As if thinking about his cousin conjured him, Zade entered, closing the door behind him. He grabbed two drinks from the bar, handing one to Jaxxon. A peace offering. Jaxxon growled, and Zade snarled. And then they laughed.

“Man, what the fuck were you about to do to her? No, wait...I don’t want to know!” said Zade, knocking his drink back in one swallow .

“If I had to describe it to you, it would make me worry you weren’t in your right mind!” said Jaxxon, finishing his drink just as quickly.

“Where is she?”

“I took her back to the conference room. You scared the hell out of her. I don’t think she’ll go sneaking around the compound again.”

Jaxxon shook his head, not convinced Tiara would ever follow the rules. “We can’t afford to let our guard down. Keeping Tiara and the other women safe and under control is no easy task.” He poured another drink. “She’s difficult to handle, demanding equality and wealth.” He made a face, and so did Zade. They both laughed.

“And she doesn’t take orders. In fact, she intends to give them!” Jaxxon threw his hands up as Zade continued laughing. “Crelentian men don’t share every leadership role with their females. We didn’t before, and we won’t now! They had distinct, but important roles.”

“I second that,” said Zade. “They’ve been living on their own their entire lives. We have to indoctrinate them into the Crelentian way. Fourteen hours of hard labor isn’t working, though. They still want to work and earn a living. They don’t appreciate our efforts to shower them with gifts and protection!”

“It was your bright idea to give them pretty things ! To romance them! But it only makes them want more. And I don’t have more! None of us do!” Jaxxon threw his hands in the air. “Our mothers were happy being cared for. They were content with what we could offer—even just simple things. Our mothers were Light Queens—their contributions enabled our fathers to travel the stars and earn money as traders!”

He didn’t have the patience for romance or the time for indulgence. His people needed him. And as a Crelentian, Tiara had a role to play in their society. But she made it clear she intended to redefine that role, and no one would tell her how to do it.

She will challenge me at every step, test my patience, and push me to my limits until I deal with her wild ways. He chuckled at what he had in mind, though he had no plans to use force. He’d give her something she didn’t realize she needed— guidance . She had no idea how powerful their women were, or how their society worked. He would show her if she would listen.

The thought of courting a woman like Tiara, with her wild spirit and reckless shenanigans, gave him pause. It wasn’t the fear of losing control—no, he’d mastered that long ago. What unsettled him was her unpredictability. He had no idea how far she would take things if she lashed out. And she had no idea who she was toying with and the dangers he presented, despite his good intentions. He wouldn’t tolerate her disrespect.

He’d spent his life leading his people through battles and making impossible decisions to keep them alive. Romance had never entered his mind. It was a concept lost to him and his men. Love. The word sounded foreign. Love was a luxury that he’d never contemplated. And as life hardened him into a warlord, it wasn’t part of his plan.

He exhaled slowly, trying to release his tension. Every choice he made could mean life or death for his people. He couldn’t afford distractions. And yet, she was smoldering in his mind like a stubborn flame, refusing to be extinguished.

“They have no idea what dangers lurk or what happened to our females and their dragons. We can’t let that happen again.” Jaxxon huffed. “I can’t have the women going around unescorted.”

“How the hell did she find the library? And get inside?” asked Zade.

“I got a good look at her amulet. I’m certain it’s a Crelentian artifact. It has some of the same symbols found in the library. She must have used it to open the magic door.” Jaxxon furrowed his brow. “Magical amulets have protected Crelentian females for centuries. It’s why I’ve allowed Tiara to continue wearing it.”

“Why were you two fighting when I entered the library?” asked Zade.

“Because I took her amulet! I intended to trade the amulet for her unlocking the security codes,” Jaxxon growled. “But she’s damn fast. She grabbed it back and ran. I would have gotten it back had you not interrupted! ”

Zade whistled, and a rueful smile broke across his face. “Sorry about that, cuz.” Jaxxon narrowed his eyes and then grabbed another drink, taking his time to savor it.

“Maybe you should tell Tiara why you’ve been avoiding her. She probably thinks you don’t like her. Why not tell her the truth–that you’re spending your days doing surveillance for the Vralgari and your nights leading raids to get her and her friends whatever they need?”

Jaxxon huffed, shaking his head. Zade gave him a side-eye. “Oh, that’s it…You’re afraid of her! Admit it?—”

Jaxxon scrunched his brow, leaning back against the wall.

Zade laughed. “I never thought I’d see the day when Jaxx is afraid of someone smaller than him!”

“Drak! I really like her. I guess I’m worried about fucking this up! One wrong word, and she and her friends may ask to leave, and I don’t want that to happen.” He grimaced, then looked back at Zade. “Besides, I feel the more I give her the more she’ll want. No…the more she’ll demand ! And more is the one thing I don’t have.”

He sighed. “She wants fun and excitement. I just want peace and safety so I can give her the life she deserves.”

Laughing, Zade slapped him on the shoulder. “Well, she’ll learn to make do. They all will.”

“And I don’t trust her. She’s keeping something from us. She knows more about that amulet than she’s saying.”

“Look, I can understand your reluctance, but I still think it’s worth getting to know her. Stop avoiding her. I’ve never seen you take the easy way out. So don’t start now.”

“Oh, so when did you become a goddamn psychologist?” They both laughed.

The two walked back into the command center, each taking their stations to monitor their security. Time passed quickly as they checked in with their scouts. Zade reviewed the reports. “The Vralgari have spies everywhere asking questions about objects spelled with magic. ”

“Yeah, Prince Aeralis is relentless when he wants something. But he won’t be able to detect the amulet’s magic behind the mists that protect these mountains.” Jaxxon paced. “But I still can’t imagine what he wants with a magical amulet. It’s not a weapon.”

“Are you certain about that?” asked Zade, but Jaxxon wasn’t sure. Since it could unlock one of the most powerful magical libraries on Crelentia, the amulet posed a risk he hadn’t considered.

“We must remain vigilant. Our raiding parties are becoming more dangerous with so many Vralgari and their spies searching. Twice now, we’ve encountered the demon horde when conducting raids for supplies. We can’t afford people to notice we’re getting clothing and items for females.” Zade and Jaxxon exchanged a look of concern.

“We must keep their existence a secret. This is the only haven for our people.” Jaxxon sat in his command chair. “I’ve tried everything I can to rid the system of whatever Tiara used to hack into it. I’ll give it to her. She’s talented with technology. But damn if I’ll grovel to get the codes from her.” He sighed deeply.

They turned to the sound of heavy boots running up the back stairwell along the security corridor to the outside. Jaxxon and Zade watched their men enter the room. They were banged up pretty severely, with cuts and bruises on their faces and hands that were slowly healing.

“What happened?” yelled Jaxxon, rising from his seat.

“We were flying in from a surveillance mission. Just when we jumped from our dragons, the goddamn lights went out on the landing decks on the west side of the mountain,” shouted Hassan, the one man who had challenged him his entire life. “We nearly broke our damn necks!”

Jaxxon and Zade swore. Tiara had to be behind it. The west side was where she and the girls were housed.

“This woman has you by the balls, Jaxx! And if you don’t get our lights back on, so will Prince Aeralis!” Hassan pointed his beefy finger as he shook in anger. A snide smirk spread across his freckled face as he glared. Spreading his feet wide, he crossed his muscled arms over his chest. “Or maybe little Jaxx is afraid again!”

Jaxxon’s shadows grabbed Hassan, lifting him into the air. But he countered, thrusting his shadows around Jaxxon’s feet and pulling them from under him. Both men fell to the ground. They were equally matched, each man built with muscles from years of hard life. Up just as fast as they fell, they battled with vicious intent. Blood and sweat flowed from punches and jabs thrown as the two men tried to knock each other out.

Hassan’s words were a low blow, and Jaxxon wanted to kill him. Anger fueled each strike until it consumed him.

“Stop Jaxx!” Zade grabbed his arm while another man grabbed Hassan’s. They pulled the men apart. Jaxxon and Hassan struggled with each step, curses filling the air as each man tried to break free to continue their fight.

Zade stood between the two men with his shadows outstretched to keep the men apart each time they lunged for each other. The dangerous fight between the two had been brewing for too long and was bound to happen.

“This must stop!” Zade shouted. “We all have regrets about that night!” His voice broke. “But if we kill each other, the Vralgari win! Prince Aeralis wins!”

“Never!” Jaxxon and Hassan shouted in unison. They would not let the Vralgari win. And they would not kill each other. They turned to each other, each man’s shadows moving in a stream of black light, combining with the others. The unbreakable chain of shadows encircled them as they made the sign of Crelentian unity.

Jaxxon turned toward the door. “Now, let’s go get those draking lights turned on!”

J axxon, Zade, Hassan, and several others bolted out of the command center into the elevators. When the doors opened, they were unguarded.

“Where are the men who should be posted here?” Jaxxon yelled, turning to Zade, who shook his head. They walked down the corridor to another set of hallways. The men who should have been stationed there weren’t at their posts either. And neither were the men at the double doors leading to where the conference room was located.

Entering the conference room, it was dark. No one was there. Jaxxon cracked his neck, anger radiating from him in waves. Waves that clashed with those of his men. They too were angry at the reckless disregard for their security protocols.

“Do you hear that?” said Zade as they all stopped. A thumping sound came from a few levels above. Reentering the elevators, they went three levels up.

When the elevator doors opened, loud bass music greeted them. And an armed guard blocked their path.

“I’m sorry, Warlord Jaxxon. But by order of Tiara Adisi, you can’t enter her party.” The two men were so drunk they slurred each word.

Jaxxon turned to Zade, who was already moving. Zade pummeled the guard closest to him, sending him to his knees and then onto his face. He hit the next with an uppercut that knocked him on his butt. Both men were so drunk they barely felt the hits, laughing on the floor as their healing magic began to work.

Jaxxon looked at Zade. “You wanted pretty things. Looks like you got a pretty mess instead!” He stepped over the men while Zade hunched his shoulders with a look of resignation.

They entered the grand hall they used for important events. And never had they seen it so alive. The club scene unfolded like an eclectic mix of modern and ancient entertainment.

Colored lights danced to the thunderous beat of the music. “Is that Lori on the DJ tables?” Zade asked, his eyes locked on the beauty as she spun the music, gyrating her body to the beat. The crowd was going wild. And almost every guard who should have been working was there, including the sentries that should have been guarding the outside.

“ Kylo, who the fuck is guarding the mountain entrances? ” Jaxxon yelled down the bond, praying his dragon was nearby. Kylo echoed in his mind, “ Us lonely fucking dragons! ” And he didn’t sound happy about it. From the look on Zade’s face, Galan had answered the same.

Jaxxon was livid. He didn’t want the dragons flying everywhere, knowing the women could easily catch sight of them if they looked out on the terraces. Things were getting out of hand fast.

Women and men were dancing on the dance floor. Even the younger kids danced in an area set up for them. They had food and games in the back corner. Gambling tables were off to the other side. He couldn’t miss the ponytail swinging back and forth as Tiara sat there placing her bet. He knew one thing for sure. She would take all his men’s money if they didn’t carefully watch her.

Hassan started walking off, slinging his leather jacket over a chair. “Hey, where the hell are you going?” Jaxxon asked.

“I’m going to dance. You got this, Jaxxon. But do us a favor and take your time shutting this down. We deserve some fun!” The other men with them didn’t wait for Jaxxon’s response, following Hassan and disappearing into the crowded dance floor.

“Well, he does have a point.” Zade winked and walked off before Jaxxon could argue.

He couldn’t believe his men. Did they not just bust their asses falling from their dragons’ backs because of this woman? And now they want to enjoy her party? Zade looked back, motioning for him to go and enjoy himself. Jaxxon shook his head, looking at the crowd having the time of their lives.

Taking up an entire corner to himself, he watched Tiara from afar. She hadn’t seen him yet, but her friend Maya made her way over to him.

“Here, big guy! I brought you a plate.” She thrust the plate into his hand, watching him as he took a bite. Within minutes, the plate was empty. And so was the drink she brought him. It was a premium brand of Crelentian stock. No wonder his men had been drunk at the doors.

She left, returning quickly with a plate of dessert—the ones his men had been forced to pay for. She also refilled his drink. Both were gone just as fast as the first. He had to admit, they were damned better cooks than his men. He complimented her on the selections and admitted it was the best dessert he’d had in a long time. Even better than the pastries they sampled when on the mining colony. They continued to chitchat as he stood there.

“You’re not so bad. I don’t know why Tiara doesn’t like you.” Maya smiled at him and batted her eyes.

“That explains why she told the guards not to let me into the party!” He cursed and then knocked back another drink. I’ve tried to give her a safe home, but nothing I do is good enough. He sighed. He would have loved the invite.

“Tiara can be a real bitch. But the rest of us are very nice.” She smiled, whispering into his ear, “And accommodating.”

She couldn’t be any more blunt, but he wasn’t interested. “I don’t mind chasing a feisty woman. Thanks for the food.” He walked off, his eyes tracking Tiara as she left the game tables and headed to the dance floor. She didn’t get more than a few steps before one of the men had her by the hand, dancing with her. Jaxxon tensed, wanting to rip the man to shreds.

Her curvy hips swirled as she rocked to the beat, dropping low as the song amplified. Her skirt was cut low, and he dipped his head just enough to see every inch of thigh revealed before she rose slowly in tune with the beat.

But Tiara didn’t stay in one place for too long. As the beat changed, so did her partner. She was dancing with another man and then another.

Jaxxon was so enthralled in watching her he failed to notice he’d stepped onto the dance floor. And then she was right in front of him, spinning until she came face-to-face with him. The song changed. Someone must have given Lori a selection of Crelentian music .

The wild, ancient music called to their magic. It was primal. Elemental symbols flowed around the room as shadow magic blended with light magic. People shouted and cheered, lost in the moment.

But Jaxxon wasn’t lost. He was on a mission. And his target was within reach.

“You can be wild and carefree when you’re not endangering the compound,” he said as he grabbed her by the elbow, pulling her close.

“I’m throwing the party for everyone, Jaxx. It’s my way of apologizing to you and Zade for my actions.”

“You call this an apology?” He frowned. “You told the guards not to let me in your party!” She looked perplexed. “And you had the nerve to turn the lights out again on the terraces. Some of my men got hurt!” He glared despite her look of confusion.

“What? You got it all wrong. I told Maya to tell the guards to bring you to the party,” she stuttered. “And Maya must have turned out the lights. She asked for the codes?—”

But Jaxxon wasn’t having it. Nothing would save her now. He threw her over his shoulder. He marched her across the dance floor as she screamed and struggled for him to release her. No one heard her pleas, drowned out by the dancing crowd.

“Where are you taking me?” she screamed.

“You said you’re a captive woman . Let me show you where we take prisoners!”

He took the long route so she couldn’t find her way back, knowing she had a propensity to get into places she wasn’t supposed to be. He activated the mists in the tunnels and shafts he took, knowing it would be hard for her eyes to adjust.

Reaching down, he pushed the button on one of the many elevators they took along the way. She twisted from his grasp and ran. But she quickly got lost as he grabbed her around the waist, pulling her back and through the elevator doors.

“Help!” she shouted more than once, but he always reminded her that everyone was at the party .

“No one can hear you! And even if they did, they won’t challenge me.”

When they got to the long hallway where his apartment was located, he cloaked the entire area in inky black shadows. They were the most powerful of his shadows, nearly impossible for someone to see inside, even for Crelentians. He and Zade were the only two with the power to create a black void infused with their dragons’ magic.

“What is that?” she screamed as the void began swallowing the end of the long hallway. “Please, don’t take me inside,” she begged as she clutched his arms.

And then Jaxxon threw her.

Screaming, she flew across the space, her arms outstretched, hoping he would grab her to safety. He only chuckled.

She landed softly on a large sofa in his quarters. Her eyes widened, and her head turned around, observing where Jaxxon lived. Her gaze lingered on the golden fur pillows on the modern sofa as she sank comfortably against them. He wasn’t surprised. Embellished with rare emerald crystals, the pillows were one of the most expensive things in the room.

But then her eyes darted to the clutter of papers and holographic screens displaying data feeds.

“Doesn’t look like you’re one for tidiness, are you?” Tiara teased, glancing at Jaxxon.

He shrugged with a faint smirk. “Organized chaos. Besides, I’m not in here for leisure.”

Tiara brushed her fingers over the fur pillows before glancing at the rest of the room.

He braced his arms against the back of the sofa as he caged her in. He leaned over as she scooted back, her brows drawing in as she grabbed a pillow.

“Hey, why don’t we get these pillows in our lounge?”

“You’re worried about... furry pillows ...and not your life?”

“I know you’re not going to hurt me, Jaxx! You would have done so by now.” She smirked. “Besides, this doesn’t look like a prison to me. ”

Jaxxon smiled, a wicked grin reserved for interrogations. “I guess that depends on how I intend to punish you.”

She swallowed, her confidence losing steam as she looked around the room. Her breathing became uneven as she inched further back onto the couch. He leaned in more, now so close he could have kissed her.

“If...if you do something to me, you’ll never get the codes.”

“Actually, if I do something to you, I WILL get the codes! Or...you can just give them to me now and return to enjoy your party.”

“OR, we can both enjoy the party, and I promise not to endanger the compound!”

Jaxxon laughed, hearty and rich, shaking his head. “Do you really think everything is a negotiation? You’re a skilled gambler. Don’t you know when to fold?”

She laughed, an enchanting sound that filled the space between them. She had a twinkle in her eye that promised mischief. He knew right then she had him by the balls. He had no intent to punish her, and she knew it. She leaned forward, her bountiful breasts pressed against him as she whispered in his ear, “Jaxx, I never fold.”

“Then you leave me no choice but to take your amulet. Hand it over.”

She leaned back, thrusting her breasts forward. Seeing his eyes take her in ravenously, she grinned, her voice lowering. “As you can see, I’m not wearing it. It’s hidden someplace far from wherever this is.”

He leaned in close, chuckling against her neck, watching her writhe from the sensation he was now so familiar with. “I can feel its power on you.” He looked between her legs as a cocky grin spread across his face. “You should have folded.”

She breathed deeply, her gold-rimmed hazel eyes near glowing as she stuttered, “You...you wouldn’t dare?”

He pulled her to the plush carpeted floor beneath him in one swift movement. He held her with one hand while the other grabbed the hem of her skirt. She yelped .

“I’m not going to do anything lewd.” He winked, then pushed his hand up her thigh, inch by inch. “Unless you want me to.”

She swore, calling him every name she could think of.

He chuckled, taking his time tracing every inch of skin along the way before grabbing the amulet from inside the waistband of her skirt. She threw a string of light magic around his wrist, trying to yank the amulet away.

“You really need to work on your elemental light magic. Crelentian women are far more powerful than that,” he remarked, instantly wishing he hadn’t said it as tears welled in her eyes.

“My mother never got a chance to teach me. She died before I got my powers.” Her voice shook as she tried to smile, but it faltered.

“Please forgive me. My heart goes out to you for your loss. For everything that has been taken from you.” He backed away as she sat up.

She nodded, but a few tears slipped down her cheek. “We all lost our moms when we were very young. Their spaceship exploded when they tried to return to Earth. Ms. Hazel took care of us afterward. But...she wasn’t a Crelentian. She didn’t even know about Crelentia. And neither did we. Ms. Hazel taught us how to survive and how to fight. She taught us to fight for what’s right. But she didn’t know how to teach us to use our powers.”

“I lost my mom at a young age too. We all did.” He moved closer, placing an arm around her. He didn’t know what else to say as they sat there for some time.

“The amulet is the only thing I have from my mom. It’s important to me.” She looked at him with pleading eyes. “Please give it back.”

“I promise to return it. As soon as you give me the codes.”

She wiped her tears, narrowing her eyes in anger. “Jaxx, give it back!”

“You’re not in charge here, Tiara. I am.”

“You’re an arrogant tyrant! It’s why my mom’s ancestors left this awful place long ago!”

“Your ancestors left because they were charged with war crimes. The Crelentian Goddesses of War were so dangerous that their names were stricken from our history books!” he shouted. She gasped.

“I’m not a tyrant. I’m protecting you. Now give me the codes, or I’ll throw it from the terrace!” He narrowed his eyes.

She balled her fists, hitting the floor with her magic twice. Each strike had more power than the last. He growled, making it clear the next hit better not be aimed at him.

But she reluctantly agreed, pouting the entire time she entered the codes into his computer system. He ran simulations to ensure she hadn’t entered a backdoor program to take over the system again but found none. The code she used was skillful, but he was sure he could create another program to ensure the process she used couldn’t be replicated. She wouldn’t be able to access his system again.

She stood with her hands held out, waiting for him to return the amulet.

“Would you like a drink or maybe a dance?” He smiled, holding the amulet in his grasp. She didn’t move.

“One dance. And I’ll return the amulet.” He walked to the wall, keying in a code that allowed the music from the event center to enter the room. It seemed the party was still going strong. He beckoned her with his finger as he shamelessly ogled her.

“That wasn’t our deal.” She smirked, putting her hands on her hips.

“I don’t negotiate.” His shadows swarmed her, lifting her from her feet and bringing her to him. Her smirk turned into a burst of joyous giggles as her feet finally touched the ground before him, and his shadows released her. And then she danced away to a dangerous jungle beat that vibrated off the walls.

They danced several times. He swept her around his apartment in his arms, holding her tight against him and matching every sway of her body. With her arms wrapped around his neck, he could feel she was soft everywhere he was hard.

His eyes dipped lower as he memorized her every athletic curve and sensuous movement. She was strong and confident. She’d been in his dreams every night, and now she was in his quarters .

He spun her around, watching her dip low and then twerking in front of him.

Their bodies were drawn together like two comets on a collision course. Each movement brought her into his arms until they were tangled together. Their magic began humming around them. His eyes glowed, and so did hers. They stopped dancing, the moment so intense neither understood what was happening.

“Wow!” She smiled, blushing as she timidly stepped back.

“I’ll get us some cold drinks.” He chuckled. He grabbed them drinks and then put the amulet around her neck.

“It’s beautiful on you.”

“Thank you. My mom told me always to protect it.”

“Why?”

“I don’t know for sure. I just know it’s supposed to help unite our people.”

The amulet glowed, startling them both. Strange elemental symbols began swirling, creating a near-blinding effect. The symbols flowed to the terrace, halting as if waiting for them to follow.

Jaxxon’s instincts were on high alert. His shadow magic threaded a protective layer around Tiara. She was frightened as she looked up at him, her light magic twinning with his own. They looked at the combined magic, letting it sparkle and radiate as if a biological link was learning to communicate for the first time. The blend of light and shadow magic was a form of elemental power from the very fabric of the universe.

They walked out onto the terrace, several times larger than those on her floor. It led to numerous mountain entrances hidden within the tall Villagio Mystic Mountains.

Tiara looked beyond the misty mountains into the faraway lands. “You said this is the only safe place for your people. What’s out there?”

Jaxxon’s shadows darkened. “An evil so hungry, nothing can sate its appetite.”