Chapter 25

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

W anting a peaceful reading place, Tiara quietly went to the terrace while the other girls slept. “Mmm!” She breathed in the crisp air, letting it blow through her hair. The sunrise over the mystic mountains was beautiful.

Sitting, she began flipping pages in one of her mother’s journals, spot-checking for any mention of the amulet. Given their level of detail, trying to read the journals chronologically would have taken forever. It was as if someone had kept meticulous records and then passed them down to her mother. She still wasn’t sure who wrote the original journals, but she knew it was one of her ancestors—perhaps a great-grandmother or aunt.

Her eyes widened as she read a few passages about Crelentian lovemaking. There were references to intense sexual acts and mating bonds that made her gasp. What the hell? Tiara poured back over the pages but found nothing else. She’d wondered why the Crelentian males hadn’t fathered any offspring. According to the journal, Crelentians could only mate with Crelentians.

I’ll come back to this later! She smiled as she kept flipping through the journal. She needed something to help Jaxxon and the dragons unravel the strange symbols on the amulet and the map. Finding a mention of the amulet, her fingers began shaking as she read each line.

The Goddesses of War stole the amulet! But why would they do such a thing? She flipped a few more pages, her breathing unsteady and her hands shaking. According to an entry, the women were angry because they were forced to live apart from the men. And it wasn’t just that they lived apart. They weren’t allowed to raise their sons, who went to live with their fathers when they were very young to learn to fight and travel the world as traders.

Women weren’t allowed to fight alongside the men as dragon riders. And they didn’t travel the stars. The women and their female dragons lived together, separated from the men. Tiara closed the journal. She couldn’t read anymore. She had to find Jaxxon. Did his parents continue this injustice? Were women treated like this on Crelentia in recent times?

The questions lingered in her mind like morning dew on a leaf before the sun rose. She kept herself busy in the kitchen making breakfast, eager for Jaxxon to arrive so they could speak in private.

“Hey! Where are you going with that tray of meat and biscuits?” she shouted to two men as they began leaving the kitchen with food. Two more men grabbed trays of food.

“Jaxxon has called an all-hands-on-deck breakfast meeting at the command center,” said the youngest man in the group.

“Well, wait for us,” Tiara shouted, removing her apron.

“It’s only for the men and dragons,” said the man, leaving through the door, claiming it had to do with protecting them.

When she tried to follow, she was politely stopped. Women weren’t allowed on the command deck, and the same protocols of being escorted were in place. It was as if the ceremony had changed nothing. They still had very few freedoms to go where they pleased. Just like the women in the journal!

“Why are you so upset, Tiara? They’re just trying to protect us. I think it’s sweet,” said Lori, eating her breakfast .

“We should be treated as equals, not like children who need protection,” she responded.

“Girl, Jaxx doesn’t trust you! Did you really think he was going to give you special treatment just because you fucked him the other night?” Maya rolled her eyes, biting into her fruit pastry.

“I didn’t fuck anybody!”

“Well, he took you over his shoulder during our party the other night. And I didn’t see you trying to get away!” Everyone glanced up from what they were doing and then slowly looked away again.

“You’re the one who got me in trouble with Jaxx! You turned out the lights and told the guards not to let him into the party! He was going to kill me that night because of you!” Tiara shouted.

Maya smirked. “Well...you don’t look fucking dead to me!” Everyone laughed.

Tiara and Maya argued, but no one seemed to side with Tiara.

“We joined our mothers’ sorority to stand up for women around the galaxy. So we could be equals in the search for scientific knowledge?—”

“Yes, but who said we can’t have it all? I want to be treated like a princess. And I’m tired of doing chores and working fourteen hours a day,” shouted Maya. “If the men want to shower me with pretty things, I’m happy to be a kept woman!”

Others nodded in agreement. Tiara stormed out of the room, not missing Maya yelling, ‘Bye, Drama Queen,’ while the others laughed. She wanted to wring Maya’s neck but knew she was looking for a fight. Maya was sad and angry at the world—at those who had ridiculed them their entire lives. They’d been poor and forced to do things most couldn’t imagine. It was the reason Maya had resorted to her mean-girl antics. She wanted to be treasured and protected.

Tiara understood how her friends felt, but they didn’t enjoy the outdoors like she did. She didn’t want to be protected if it meant giving up her freedom. She needed to go outside, run, and be free. They were content to stay inside decorating a house. Tiara wanted to build the house. She wouldn’t be limited by Jaxxon’s rules, regardless if they were made with good intentions.

Deep in conversation, Jaxxon and Zade entered the hallway leading to the conference center, nearly missing Tiara, who was leaning against the doorway.

“Hey, good morning!” said Jaxxon with a broad smile that withered beneath Tiara’s glare.

“Why weren’t we invited to your meeting? And why are the guards blocking us from going wherever we please?” she bit out, her arms crossed.

“We’re calling everyone back into the fortress to lie low. Times are dangerous,” said Jaxxon, a bark in his tone as he looked down at her amulet.

“And I would like to borrow the amulet to study the map. That’s why I’m here.”

Stepping back and covering the necklace with her hand, Tiara narrowed her eyes. But Jaxxon raised his hands in an unthreatening manner. “Whoa! I’m not here to take it from you. I want your permission to study the symbols.”

“I’m not giving you this amulet! We need to work together to find the place on the map.”

“You’re not leaving the safety of these mountains!” Jaxxon and Zade said with a tone of finality.

“I know how to fight! Ms. Hazel taught us to protect ourselves. We aren’t powerless. You saw our magic last night!” But both men shook their heads as she continued, “Why can’t we work together against whatever is out there?”

She threw her hands in the air. “Why do Crelentians treat women like prisoners?”

Jaxxon was livid, stepping close. “We never treated our women like prisoners! They co-ruled as equals. They were revered and worshipped!”

“So, where are they?” She arched her brow, hands on her hips.

“Dead!” said Zade, his shadows swarming around him as he hit the wall before walking off, leaving a crack several inches deep in the stone.

She shook, never seeing Zade look so frightening. Zade had always been the balance against Jaxxon’s harshness. The Crelentian men were complex. She didn’t know the depths of their emotions—or what they were capable of doing.

Jaxxon’s face softened as he took her hands in his. “Look, Tiara, I don’t want anything to happen to you. The Vralgari are after the amulet and will stop at nothing to get it. You must trust me on this.”

“You need to trust ME, Jaxx! Let me show you I can protect myself,” she argued, but he wasn’t having it.

“You say you want equality? Equality won’t keep you safe!” He rubbed his thumb along the tattoos on her hands before kissing them. Releasing her hands, he looked into her eyes. “You can barely use your magic.” He breathed deeply, turning to watch Zade halfway down the hall, leaving the way he had come.

Tiara didn’t have a comeback as Jaxxon turned toward the gym, leaving her standing there.

Marching back to the conference room, she was happy no one was there. She screamed, angry at how the morning was going. She put her hand over the amulet, trying to calm her emotions.

I must protect the amulet and uncover how my mom planned to use it to strengthen the people on her ancestral home. Here on Crelentia. Based on everything she’d read in the journals, she was convinced her mother planned to use it to raise the status of Crelentian females and their dragons so they could work alongside the men to protect everyone.

I must keep this amulet from both Jaxx and the Vralgari. Jaxx has good intentions, but he doesn’t see me as his equal and will try to stop me from using the amulet for its intended purpose. And who knows why the Vralgari are after it? And there was only one way to protect the amulet.

She headed onto the terrace to practice. Jaxxon was right about one thing. She barely knew how to use her magic, but she would learn. Her mother’s journals had more than history in them. They also had battle strategies and fighting techniques using elemental magic. Tiara knew how to fight. And with the journals, she would learn to use her magic to make her more powerful.

But she also knew how to use science and technology. And how to make weapons. She just needed to show Jaxxon and Zade she could be of value—she could be their equal, especially in a battle.

Tiara threw on a crop top, jogging shorts, and sneakers. She was thankful for the bags of clothes the men had gotten on their last raiding party, though there were many items they still needed. She hoped their raids would be successful in getting more supplies. She couldn’t believe she was rooting for dangerous raiders, of all things. Dangerous raiders who thought they could control her every move.

Entering the gym, she moved swiftly around the equipment, trying to stay on the perimeter before anyone realized she was there during men’s only hours. She heard clapping and cheering as she turned toward the stairs, heading down unnoticed.

Jaxxon was sparring with two men. They dripped in sweat, wearing nothing but boxer shorts. His body glistened like a well-oiled machine built to perfection. Dragon scale tattoos in elaborate patterns covered him. It looked like molten silver had been etched across his beautiful bronze skin. His abs were carved like a masterpiece. His powerful muscles flexed with each jab, duck, and kick.

One by one, he knocked the men to the mat, only to turn to find another step into the ring with him. He was fast, moving on the balls of his feet like a skilled boxer. He outmaneuvered the men each time.

Jaxxon pivoted to face the next opponent. He came face-to-face with Tiara. She didn’t waste time, taking advantage of his shocked expression as she threw a flurry of jabs. He easily blocked them, moving to his left and right and back to the center. Tiara kicked low, barely missing his knee as she rotated behind him. Turning quickly, he dodged her next kick and he backed up.

She came at him with precise moves, boxing him quickly from side to side as they danced around each other. But he wouldn’t throw a blow, and his face filled with fury. Several men clapped and spoke about her good techniques .

“Don’t encourage her!” Jaxxon growled as he stepped out of the ring.

“Does anyone want to face me?” Tiara called out as she shadowboxed, showing off the moves that had won her countless prize fights back on the mining colony. A few whistled, but no one took her up on the offer.

“You know you’re not allowed to be here with the men, Tiara. Come on out,” said Jaxxon, using a towel to wipe his sweat. Figuring she’d proved her point, she exited the ring. A few men nodded approval, but most glared, making it clear they agreed she didn’t belong in the gym with them.

“Why can’t I work out with you? The men enjoyed watching me sparring,” she said as she followed Jaxxon toward the door.

“They were watching your boobs nearly fall out of your top!” Jaxxon smirked, throwing a towel her way. “And I don’t want anyone but me looking at you!”

“Ha! You’re jealous—admit it!” She grinned, knowing the men had been respectful as they watched her in the ring.

“I’ll admit you have a great…jab! I’ll see you later.” He chuckled as he moved off to the lower level of the gym.

He won’t get rid of me so easily!

W alking toward the back set of stairs, Tiara swiped a keycard from a man’s pocket, then followed in the direction she saw Jaxxon had headed. Running, she got to the level just in time to see him exit through a side entrance.

Praying the keycard worked, she opened the door into the long hallway, hanging back until Jaxxon turned the corner. She followed him to the elevators, watching the doors close and waiting to see on which floor it stopped. Level SB2 .

Waiting for a second elevator to take her to the subbasement level was nerve-racking. Exiting, she didn’t see Jaxxon anywhere. Trying several doors, she found one leading outside the mountain. She heard Jaxxon talking to the sentries and watched as they moved off. Her heartbeat thundered so loud that she thought he would hear it and turn around. But then he took off in a sprint, and she followed him.

It was hard keeping pace with Jaxxon. He ran fast, jumping and climbing as he moved through the forested area within the mountain range.

Jaxx’s body is built like a goddamn tank truck! Rugged lines of muscles, glistening in sweat! She imagined licking every inch of him. She wanted to nibble on him like he was the last crumb on the plate. I’m losing my fucking mind thinking about licking Jaxx’s sweat! And swirling my tongue around his—Oh my god! This man is going to freaking kill me when he catches me daydreaming about his dick in a forest I’m not supposed to be in!

She tripped over the strange flora that grew wild several times, pricking her hands and knees on thorns. Argh! Stop thinking about Jaxx’s ass and focus!

Panting, she darted under tree branches that came out of nowhere and jumped over boulders. He slid down a steep trail before running over a log with his hands splayed as he balanced carefully over it to the other side of a rocky gorge. He was headed downhill, and the area was becoming more treacherous.

She caught up to Jaxxon as he stood near a stream. He looked over his shoulder. Darting behind a large tree trunk, she covered her mouth as if it would conceal her heavy breathing. Hearing silence, she peeked around the tree. She watched him follow the stream north before jumping over it at a juncture where it narrowed. He ran off into the forested area.

She followed, quickly realizing the jump was farther than she’d thought. Shit! I can’t make this! She was a daredevil but also knew when she was out of her league. Retracing her steps, she found another place to jump over the stream, dashing to where she had last seen him.

“Hell, where did he go?” Frantically, she looked around. She ran into the open woodland where she’d last seen him headed. The area had tall trees, but they were spread far apart. Soon, the trees all looked the same. Turning, she tried to retrace her steps, but was lost. She listened for the stream but couldn’t hear anything over the noise of the strange birds and animals.

She turned around, halting immediately. “Jaxx!”

His face was unreadable as he closed the space between them. With each step he took, she took one backward until her back pressed against a tree.

She sprung forward, crushing her breasts against him and rising on her toes. She kissed him until they were both breathless.

“What was that for?” he asked with a grin.

“For letting me follow you. It’s why you waited for me at the stream.”

He kissed her back, pulling her close until their arms tangled. At that moment, all she wanted was him. All of him. His smoky sandalwood scent was her undoing. The natural environment around them enhanced it. It drove her wild and sent her desire into overdrive.

He looked into her eyes. “I know what it’s like to feel trapped. To feel helpless.” He kept her pinned against the tree, kissing her again. His tongue swept deep as he lifted her in one movement, wrapping her legs around his waist. He was pressed against her, his dick hardening against her thigh.

“I don’t want to cage you, Star Diva.” He kissed her again, deep with passion, as he twisted, pulling them down to the ground. “I just want to protect you so you can achieve your dreams.”

The flecks of violet and pure silver in his piercing dark brown eyes locked in on her. She melted before his gaze. “Your eyes! They’re so unique and...mesmerizing!”

He chuckled. “It’s my bond with my dragon. And somehow, with you.”

They heard wings overhead and Jaxxon suddenly stood, leaving her on the soft grass. Tiara saw a blanket falling, nearly covering Jaxxon as he raised his hands to grab it .

“Fucking meddling dragon!” he said, shaking out the blanket. “He hates carrying my supplies on his back. But his aim was good this time. He didn’t make me climb the goddamn tree to get it.”

Tiara rose, giggling. “Is Kylo trying to hook you up?” She made a funny face as Jaxxon laid the blanket on the ground, tugging her back to him.

He laughed, rich and hearty. She loved it when he laughed, feeling he didn’t do it nearly enough. “I think I like Kylo,” she whispered as Jaxxon leaned over, brushing tendrils of hair from her face.

“You’re beautiful...when you’re not yelling at me.” He dodged her faked jab as he tickled her into uncontrollable laughter. They both laughed as she begged him to stop. It was laughter they both needed. They lay there for a few minutes, looking into each other’s eyes and then up to the sky.

She rose up on an elbow, running her fingers through his jet-black, very wet, curly hair. “I’ve always loved the outdoors. Hiking and biking are my favorite. I’m a nature girl through and through.”

She smiled. “I’m more comfortable in baggy jeans than a skirt. And as you likely can tell from my pink, bedazzled sneakers, I prefer them to four-inch heels any day.”

“I prefer you naked in your bedazzled sneakers—which I love, by the way!” He chuckled. She smiled, showing off her favorite shoes.

She yelped when he suddenly lifted her leg over his shoulder, feigning he was getting a better look at her sneakers, and then kissed her ankle. His kisses went up another inch and then another. She was twisting and moaning uncontrollably at the feeling.

He chuckled again, releasing her leg. “You are very sensitive, Star Diva! And I love making you moan.” He licked his lips wickedly as he leaned back, looking at the scenery around them.

“Hmm, the breeze feels wonderful. It’s beautiful here,” she murmured.

“I love being outdoors too. Crelentia has a lot of wonderful nature,” he said, letting his shadows form pictures of small forest animals that resembled bunnies and squirrels .

“How did you do that?” she asked. Jaxxon showed her how to let her light magic flow, telling her to feel it in her mind. He told her to shape it into whatever she imagined, laughing at the shapeless balls of light she claimed were animals. He couldn’t stop laughing as she tried again and again until she pushed him onto his back, straddling him.

Concentrating, she let her light magic form into a rope, binding his hands over his head.

“Now, this I like,” he said, then they kissed for a long time.

Light and shadows danced around them in a delicate balance of magic. Flipping her onto her back, Jaxxon growled, his eyes darkening as they poured over her long legs. Silver shadows radiated around them as Jaxxon placed kisses along her shoulder, pulling her top over her head.

Drinking in her breasts, he swirled his tongue around each peak. She moaned, unable to keep still as he kissed lower, stopping at her pierced belly button.

His tongue traced the contours of her dragon scale tattoos to the top of her shorts as he pinched her nipple with his hand. “Oh!” she yelped at the sensations he stirred in her when he growled against the top of her shorts.

“You smell so sweet! Like candied melon!” He planted kisses as his hands gripped her tighter, cupping her hips. “The things I’m going to do to you?—”

Suddenly, his head jerked up and to the side. He lifted Tiara to her feet so fast she felt dizzy. Grabbing her shirt, he pulled her by the hand into a sprint, leaving the blanket on the ground. As they ran, she stumbled as she tried to put her shirt over her head and keep pace with him. He was looking up as he ran, yelling orders into his coms.

Everything happened so fast. One minute, they were on the blanket, and the next, they watched a dragon falling from the sky.