AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“You continue to surprise me,” he said, voice rough.
I smiled, filled with warmth at his obvious pleasure. “There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for you.”
And that was the simple truth. My love for this man knew no bounds.
Kian helped me to my feet, and I wiped the corner of my mouth. Kian tucked himself back into his pants, eyes never leaving my face.
“Come here,” he said, holding out his arms.
I went willingly, melting into his embrace. His arms closed around me, hands splaying across my back to pull me close. I breathed in his scent, nuzzling my face into the side of his neck.
“You spoil me,” Kian murmured, dropping a kiss to the top of my head.
“You deserve to be spoiled,” I said. “After everything you’ve done for me...”
He made a low sound of protest, tilting my chin up so I had to meet his gaze. “You know you owe me nothing. I love you, Kate, with no strings attached.”
With a grin, Kian scooped me up effortlessly in his arms. I let out a surprised squeak, then laughed as he carried me down the hillside toward our home. I clung to him, dizzy with happiness.
We made passionate love that night, our psychic bond amplifying the intimacy. After, I lay cradled against Kian’s broad chest, pleasantly spent. His fingers idly traced the amulet still around my neck.
“This is only the beginning, my love,” he said softly. “Think of the life we will build here together. Our child being the first of the new generation...”
I smiled dreamily, imagining our future. “Teaching them to ride siroccos, telling stories around the fire...” My eyelids grew heavy, lulled by Kian’s heartbeat.
Kian pressed a kiss to my hair. “You’ll make a wonderful mother.”
I murmured in sleepy agreement. As I drifted off, I sent a silent prayer of thanks to whatever twist of fate had brought me to this astonishing planet...and to the man I now called husband.
Against all odds, I had found somewhere I truly belonged. A home. A family. And a love I would cherish all my days.
Kian’s breathing slowed and deepened as he too slipped into slumber. Safe in his embrace, I let the comforting darkness take me. The stars continued their slow wheel overhead as we slept, at peace beneath their ancient light.
Chapter 19
Kian
Life in our village had been peaceful since Kate and I wed. As sheriff, each morning I’d lead patrols through the rugged canyons and sweeping deserts surrounding our home, ever watchful for threats. Kate always kissed me farewell at dawn before I mounted my swift sirocco stallion, Dakari, and rode out with my deputies Wyatt and Lance. Her lips on mine fortified me for the long day ahead.
One morning, my keen eyes spotted unusual tracks in the red dirt. They appeared to be from mechanical rovers, not beasts native to Surlon. I followed them to a secluded box canyon where I discovered the remains of a temporary campsite. Strange artifacts littered the area that were clearly not Surlon in origin. My gut twisted with dread. All evidence pointed to this being the work of Ziron raiders.
The Zirons were a notorious band of criminals who roamed the stars abducting beings from primitive planets to sell into galactic slavery. Their ruthlessness was unmatched. Long had they plagued Surlon, carrying off our women to lives of degradation in wretched brothels lightyears away. Many good Surlon men had died fighting the Zirons’ cruelty.
Now it seemed the fiends had returned, perhaps emboldened by the recent crash landing of Kate’s ship. They likely hoped to catch us off guard and carry off more victims unchallenged. I would not allow that to happen.
Returning hastily to the village, I gathered the council and described my disturbing findings. I told them I believed the Zirons were preparing for another raid on our women. Outrage rippled through those assembled. Our past clashes with the Zirons had bred a bitter hatred between our peoples. Even old Turok, normally contrary, readily agreed that action must be taken.
I outlined my plan to track the Zirons, locate their ship, and mount a preemptive attack to drive them off for good. I had bested their kind before in combat. Many volunteers stepped forward, eager to join me and protect our village from these invaders.
But my brave Kate was first, insisting she ride at my side into the coming battle. I tried dissuading her, anxious to keep her safe, especially in her condition. Yet she would not be moved. “This is my home too now,” she argued. “I won’t cower while it’s threatened.”
Her fierce determination stirred me, despite my misgivings. I could deny her nothing when her jaw set in that stubborn way. Finally, I agreed she could accompany me, but only if she swore to be cautious and avoid needless risks in her state. Even I had to admit that we needed her tracking skills to find the Ziron before they took any women and killed the men that got in our way. Kate readily agreed with my conditions, moved by my clear concern for our unborn child.
***
With Kate by my side, I led our small but fierce war party out from the village at dusk, when the light of Surlon’s twin suns faded to a bloody crimson. We rode hard through the night, following the telltale tracks left by the Zirons’ mechanical rovers. The raiders had traveled deep into the wilderness, likely hoping the remoteness would conceal them. But we would not be deterred. Vengeance burned hotly in our hearts.
By dawn, the terrain grew rugged as we entered one of Surlon’s rare forested regions. The towering emerald trees and dense underbrush provided ample cover. I ordered my warriors to camouflage themselves with mud and foliage. We would use stealth to take the Zirons by surprise. Kate smeared clay across her fair face and arms, blending into the surroundings. She had woven leaves into her golden hair. To my eyes, she remained as radiant as ever. I took a moment to draw her close. “You must hang back once we find them,” I implored her. “Guard our child above all else.” Kate started to protest, but my stern look silenced her. She nodded solemnly. I kissed her brow before we moved on.
