Chapter 49

FORTY-NINE

He went back alone, on a small cruiser piloted by a laconic crew member who said little and mostly kept to himself.

Dragek was fine with that.

He needed the silence now more than ever, anyway.

They went back through the wormhole, through the rift in space and time; leaving Tarak, Ashrael, and the rest of the Darkstar warriors to deal with Amun Kazharan and the unlikely group of human females and hybrid children.

What an unexpected discovery.

Amun wasn't at all what he seemed to be. He wasn't a blind follower of the old ways. He wasn't a power-hungry bastard. He appeared a little insane, but he was also rather calculated, wasn't he?

Creating that elaborate situation to draw Tarak and the Darkstar Mercenaries in, then using all those little tricks to try and get Tarak to do his bidding.

His threats had quickly become useless because Tarak was always one step ahead.

But in the end, Amun had achieved his objectives.

He'd escaped the Krael .

He'd brought the women and children to safety.

He'd secured Tarak's cooperation to retrieve his sister.

The price?

His freedom.

What a convoluted situation. Dragek didn't entirely trust Amun, but that was Tarak's problem to deal with now.

You have done enough.

Indeed, he had. He'd made his choice, paid his dues, and proven himself.

Tarak had acknowledged him.

And now, it was time for him to take that which he had waited so very long—so torturously—to claim.

His prize.

His reward.

The very one who had saved him... when he hadn't even realized he needed saving.

After what felt like an eternity, they arrived back at the Fleet Station. The cruiser glided through the airlock and landed seamlessly.

The pilot left his station, passing Dragek as he headed toward the exit hatch. He offered him a nod of acknowledgment, nothing more.

Then, he was gone, leaving Dragek to his own devices.

There were no guards.

No restraints.

There was nobody to monitor or restrict him.

They'd just left him… alone.

He was free to have the run of the entire Fleet Station… as if he were one of them now.

Hm.

The Universe would never cease to surprise him.

The first thing he did was open his mind and reach for his sarien. Her presence had become faint, but her aura was peaceful, resonating at the frequency of sleep.

He'd become so attuned to her that he could even tell where she was—inside her chambers.

Without hesitation, Dragek exited the ship and made his way toward Jade's chambers. He knew the route well enough already—just a few trips around the Fleet Station had been enough for him to form a detailed mental map.

As he walked, he reached out to Noali.

What have you done to her?

Well, hello to you, too, Dragek. The human was as unflappable as ever. As you're probably aware, she's asleep. That epic feat she pulled off really took it out of her. Don't worry. She isn't harmed in any way. We monitored her closely throughout the entire ordeal. She's just resting. Her body and mind are exhausted—she might take a few days to recover, but she'll be fine soon enough.

Hm. Dragek found himself both intensely relieved and immensely frustrated.

At this rate, the Mating Fever was going to drive him into the abyss of madness.

How much longer could he wait?

When would this sublime torture end?

She is well, then? Unharmed? She will recover without incident?

Yes, Dragek. All of that and more. I'm sure that when she wakes up, she'll be very glad to see you.

Can I see her? To check for myself?

Can you trust yourself around her?

It will only be for a moment. I just need to see her. He wasn't quite rational anymore. Actually, he hadn't been rational for a very long time.

Just a quick visit, okay? I'm sure she would have no objections, but…

I am well aware of the implications and concerns, he snapped, his patience wearing thin. I know how to exercise self-control.

He, a Silent One, was a master of control.

All right, Noali agreed. I think I understand a little of what you're going through right now. I'll be there, just in case.

You? Dragek was skeptical.

I can sense that you're tired, too. Make no mistake. With the state you're in now, I could incapacitate you.

Hmph. Dragek was both indignant and relieved. Noali understood his plight better than most, and it was probably good that she would be there to restrain him if needed.

Not that he would do anything to Jade.

He just had to see her, that was all.

His need for her was so great it caused a dull ache inside his chest.

Dragek made his way down the intricate network of corridors, passing the occasional crew member or warrior. They reacted to him with surprise, uncertainty, and wariness, not quite sure what to make of him.

But they didn't protest against his presence or try to obstruct his path.

He paid them no heed.

Briefly, he wondered if he should veil himself in the qim once again, so he could move faster, but his psychic energy was all but spent.

Noali was right.

He was tired.

Tired and yet filled with a relentless drive to seek out his mate.

His body was running on vapors. His mind was in overdrive.

All he knew was his desire for her.

Finally, he was at her chambers, and the door opened just like it had the last time. He found Noali in the antechamber, waiting for him.

"Welcome back," she said softly, tipping her head in a gesture of respect. "Thank you, Dragek, for trusting us—and yourself."

He felt undeserving of such gratitude. "I merely did what was necessary," he said gruffly.

"No." Noali's expression became soft and tender in a way that only a human could be. "You could have refused to do it. You could have sabotaged the entire operation. You could have misunderstood the fundamental meaning of the Mate Bond, but you didn't. You chose right, Dragek, and now you're here. So go and see her, and reassure yourself that she's all right. But please take care not to wake her. This is a very important rest. She's restoring her ka'qui. " The human's expression turned from soft to serious in an instant, and Dragek got the feeling there would be a thousand hells to pay if he woke Jade now.

Not that he would dare.

Even though the temptation was there, he sensed this rest was vital to her well-being after such a long and arduous task.

"I will not," he said stiffly, peering through the door with his Second Sight. A soft glow came from beyond. Entangled with it was the familiar warmth of her aura.

And... her mesmerizing scent.

As if in a trance, he followed it until he reached her, momentarily forgetting that Noali was even there.

He found her asleep in her pod, curled up on her side with the sheets draped across her body. Her hair was loose, scattered around her face like a wayward crown.

Her eyes were closed, her face serene, her chest rising and falling in a steady rhythm.

Catching sight of her for the first time since he'd departed, his chest tightened. His heart pounded like a war drum, and his senses became painfully heightened.

Her scent was unbearably tempting.

His hand trembled as he reached out and brushed a stray strand of hair from her cheek. She was so deep in sleep that she didn't even move.

But her sleep was peaceful.

Her expression was perfectly innocent, unaffected by worry or fear; all of her tension and uncertainty gone.

She was the most beautiful thing he'd ever seen in his entire life.

Arousal hit him like a meteor, nearly knocking him off his feet. He took one last look at her, savoring her perfection before he quickly retreated toward the entrance, passing through the doors and into the corridor outside.

He barely noticed when Noali followed him, activating the Qualum doors behind her so they sealed shut.

But he was grateful because at least Jade's scent was diminished—for now.

If he hadn't walked out then and there, he didn't know what he would have done.

Actually, he did.

He would have lost control.

"Kaiin's Hells," he gasped as his Second Sight dimmed. He dropped to his knees, clutching his temples.

Goddess, have mercy.

How much longer did he have to endure this torture?

"We can help you with this," Noali said gently. "While you wait for her to wake up."

"You can," Dragek grated, barely getting the words out. "Get the medic. I need something… anything. They can knock me out and throw me into stasis for all I care. Just until she wakes up."

"We can do that. They're pretty well equipped to deal with this sort of thing nowadays. You aren't the first one this has happened to, you know."

"Why am I not surprised?" His voice came out as a cracked whisper.

"You poor thing." She made a sound; a soft, sympathetic murmur—again, a sound that only a human could make. "Let's get you down to the med-bay. There's no reason for you to suffer like this. They can arrange it so you wake up when she's well-rested and awake."

"It is… necessary."

The gentleness returned to Noa's face. "She's going to be very happy when she finds out you're back, Dragek."

His heart swelled. He just wanted to see her again… to hear her voice, to touch her soft skin, to have her look at him in that way —with desire in her eyes.

Not in a thousand revolutions could he have imagined that he would be so desired, especially by a creature like her.

The thought was almost too much for him to bear.

Goddess, grant me oblivion.

Just until she woke up.