Whispers

Previous Works Untamed: Dacien & Tia The Bride and The Barbarian

Naomi James

Sworn Naomi James A Whispers Publishing Publication www.whispershome.com

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Sworn A Whispers Publishing Publication October 2011 Copyright 2011 Naomi James Cover illustration Copyright Anastasia Rabiyah ISBN Not Assigned All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by an information storage and retrieval system except by a reviewer who may quote brief passages in a review to be printed in a magazine, newspaper, or on the Web without permission in writing from the publisher. All characters in this book have no existence outside the imagination of the author and have no relation whatsoever to anyone bearing the same name or names. They are not even distantly inspired by any individual known or unknown to the author, and all incidents are pure invention. Published by: Whispers Publishing, P.O. Box 1165, Ladson, SC 29456 1165.

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Dedication To my children, whose continued encouragement humbles me always. I love you, kids! & To my family and closest friends, my own personal cheering section. Thanks to all of you!

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Prologue Aeltrean Realm

Castle Dunaar, fortress and primary dwelling place of Emperor Kaiel and Empress Zsa’neel, sat majestically overlooking the white capped waters of the Madinian Sea. Cut high into the cliffs of Mount Huel, the structure was as massive as it was impenetrable. To look at it, one would never know of the empress’s lovely gardens that bloomed within the castle walls. In spite of its outward appearance, Dunaar and its surrounding lands had become known as a place of contentment and refuge for those who sought peace. The blood clan that resided within, as well as those living in the lowlands, were enjoying a time of prosperity they were loath to jeopardize with petty feuding. On this day though, as in the last several, a pall had settled over the inhabitants. No sound came from within the kitchens. There was no clang of pots. No bustle of bodies moving to and fro, arms laden with foodstuffs to prepare for the sizable household. No boisterous laughter of warriors. Nor tittering whispers of maids divulging the previous 5

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night’s liaisons filled the halls. There was only a pure and dreaded silence. For within the castle walls lurked a terrible secret, one from which the empress would almost certainly pay the ultimate price. To compound it, the uncertain fate of her unborn babe, who would one day be king, lay heavy on the hearts of all. Somewhere above, a door creaked open and the footfall of slippers across stone flooring sounded out like a death knell in the tomb silent space. “Your Highness?” Kaiel, Emperor of Aeltrean, lifted his leonine head from his clasped hands and stood. His eyes were desolate. His cheeks wet with tears. Sharp, near crippling pains plagued his body from an unknown ailment that had begun days earlier. He paid none of it any heed now. “How fares my lady?” The birthing mistress’s downcast eyes would not meet his. The woman opened her mouth to speak yet uttered no sound. She paused, buried her hands in her skirts and tried again. “Her Highness awakened…” Kaiel pushed past the woman into the room from which he’d been bodily removed the previous night as his wife lay crying out in agony. Drawing near the sleeping platform, he took in his

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Zsa’neel’s lovely ashen features. The long black lashes fanning her cheeks in sleep highlighted skin darkened beneath the eyes by rings of exhaustion. She was so fragile, so weak. Yet she lived. That is all that mattered. Kaiel gathered one of Zsa’neel’s hands in both of his, hoping to lend her his strength. The temperature in the room dipped, and he felt a presence behind him. “Eileo.” “My liege, I would have a word, if you please,” the ethereal said, the disembodied voice heavy laden with sorrow. “It can wait.” “Sire. I must insist. “You need know what has transpired—” “There you are.” Zsa’neel, Empress of Aeltrean opened her amber eyes. “Milady.” Eileo drifted to the opposite side of the bed. “We feared you’d traveled Beyond.” The words were spoken so softly that only Kaiel seemed to have heard. Yet he pinned the being with a thunderous glare, and Eileo lowered his eyes. Obviously horrified that he’d put voice to everyone’s fears, he faded into the shadows, lips moving in a silent plea for forgiveness. It was the only thing that would spare him an eternity in the wretched soul caves. “Husband…”

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Kaiel knelt beside the sleeping platform. “Yes, love. Always I am here.” Zsa’neel’s thick lashes lifted and lowered as if it were an effort. Her fingers moved in his. Her gaze fixed on him. “The babe?” Kaiel didn’t need to look to Eileo for the answer. There’d been no wailing cry of a newborn. No jubilant proclamation to one and all, announcing the birth of the future king. Still, the loss wrenched his heart in sorrow. He betrayed none of his emotions to the woman watching him so closely. “Wife…” Zsa’neel’s face contorted for only a moment. She swallowed. “Don’t…” Labored breaths wheezed from her lungs. Inhaling carefully she said, “There’s no time. Treach…” Kaiel brushed the backs of his battle roughened fingers across her sallow cheek. “Rest now. Later we will talk.” “No, husband.” She exhaled hard, dragged in a breath. Her grip on his tightened yet when she spoke, her voice was reed thin. “My time…is done.” Kaiel felt the blood still in his veins, the certainty in her words chilling him. It wasn’t possible. Their time together was to be long, spanning time, and if the scrolls were to be believed, even death would not long part them. Wanting to deny it, to reassure her and dismiss her

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fears, he pressed a kiss to her lips only to recoil at the faint but unmistakable odor of Cadalin, a deadly poison made from the crushed seeds of the Amarynian plant. There was no known cure for Cadalin poisoning. Grief and despair crushed together inside him. “Who has done this?” Looking past his shoulder, the empress’s eyes flew wide. A warning. Too late! A violent pain tore into Kaiel’s back, jerking his body into rigid agony. Zsa’neel’s frail chest bowed up, heaved. Her anguished cry filled his ears. He struggled to breathe. Couldn’t. His chin dropped forward and a ribbon of crimson fell from between his lips onto the blade of the sword protruding from his chest. The unknown assassin drew near. His breath a low, fetid whisper. “No child of Earthen blood will ever rule over Aeltrean, Your Highness. Your child lies dead as your Earthen whore soon will, as you will be and your law with you.” “My law…” Kaiel rasped, “…lives…within me.” “No more!” The blade was wrenched from Kaiel’s body, sending a thick jet of crimson shooting from the mortal wound. He fell forward across Zsa’neel’s prone form. With effort, he locked eyes with her, her features swimming before his gaze. Blood 9

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trickled from a corner of her parted lips, for his wounds were hers as well. He wiped at it with one unsteady finger, dragged himself closer. With his strength rapidly failing, he gathered her close. “Live again, wife. I will find you.” The command went no further than his mind, yet his empress’s dimming eyes cleared, the intensity in them commanding him to swear it. “I swear this…unto you.” He rasped in a breath. “By my law I will find you.” It was all Zsa’neel seemed to need. On a slow exhale, her features settled into a serene mask of death. Drawing a sword from beneath the platform, Kaiel climbed to his feet with a bellow of rage and anguish. Undefeated, even in the face of certain death, the Emperor of Aeltrean charged their murderer.

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Chapter One Middle America, present day

Friday morning marked the end of a long, exhausting week at McClain & Walrick Realty. Since the passing of company founder and family patriarch David McClaine, the workload had doubled. In spite of it, two of his adult granddaughters, Emily McClaine and Helena Walrick, made it a habit of calling it a day at noon. Today had been no exception. Once they were gone, the remainder of the staff trickled out until only Asia McClaine, the youngest of the McClaine women, remained. Chances were she wouldn’t see the inside of her penthouse apartment until well after nightfall. It wouldn’t have been so bad if Grandfather Dave was there to stay late with her. He’d lean against her desk, deep set brown eyes sparkling with mischief as he tried to tempt her into leaving her paperwork for Monday’s pile. She’d laughingly refuse, and he’d double his efforts with the added appeal of dinner out, knowing as he did that he’d fail. After all, it was Asia’s work ethic that got her hired in the first place, after Helena rejected her 11

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first application with the excuse that Asia was too inexperienced. On Friday’s past, after her work was done, Grandfather would treat her to Nia Rio’s, her favorite Mexican restaurant. After one too many refusals from her sisters and mother, it became their special quality time. She missed him so much. Had it only been a couple weeks since she’d seen his last smile? Heard his voice, raspy from the breathing tube, attempting to comfort her? “Asia doll, you’re a smart, beautiful young woman, an empress of the highest order. He smiled. You can’t let this get you down. Start your life away from here. Promise me you’ll do what makes you happy.” She’d promised, but she’d been lying. It was the only lie she’d ever told her grandfather. There was nothing for her beyond the agency. At least, nothing she was interested in going after. It was all she knew, even if she didn’t belong. Asia braced her elbows on her desk and swallowed against the sudden lump in her throat. After a moment, she got up and went to the employee washroom. The splotchy, puffy eyed reflection staring back at her did nothing to make her feel better. “All right girl, enough.” She soaked a paper towel in cold water, tilted her head back, and

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slapped it over her face. It helped…a lot. She didn’t bother to wipe away the water that streamed down her neck to wet the collar of her blouse. The shock of cold seemed to do the trick. Fluffing the loose, dark curls that stopped just above her shoulders, she looked at herself again. Her complexion had nearly returned to its usual russet brown. “Now, get finished so you can get out of here.” It was already after six, and she’d yet to complete the mundane tasks Emily had assigned to her. On top of that, there were four more sets of mortgage documents to draw up before Monday, which meant she’d be coming in bright and early in the morning…Saturday morning, to put in hours of unpaid overtime. Eh, it could be worse. **** Asia dumped the last bag of plastic recyclables into the bin and headed to the rear of the building to clean her sisters’ shared office. It was a duty she’d inherited after Emily’s interoffice e mail stating that Loomis Cleaning no longer had access to that area and that her trusted baby sister would be in charge of cleaning that space until further notice. She’d been furious, of course, but it shouldn’t have surprised her. The level of hostility directed at her had increased steadily since Grandfather had first fallen ill. Truthfully, she considered herself lucky she hadn’t been fired as 13

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soon as the spiteful women gained control of the agency. At the end of the main hallway, she gripped the handles of the double doors, unable to dispel the knot of dread forming in the pit of her stomach. A faint, vile odor streamed up, assaulted her nose. Oh Lord, what hellacious mess had Emily and Helena left behind for her this time? Taking a fortifying breath, she pulled open the heavy doors, only to gag at the unmistakable stench of rotting garbage. Clamping a hand over her mouth and nose, she walked inside. She continued past the front of the executive style sofa, and gaped. Sitting in the middle of the floor was a huge bag of trash partially tipped over with gray, green, and black muck spilling onto the carpet. She walked a wide circle around the bag, waving away flies. “Those trifling, nasty—ohhhh!” she growled in anger. Why would two grown women go to such extremes to show her how much they despised her? Wasn’t it enough that one or the other of them spent nearly every day reminding her she wasn’t a “real” member of their family? That being adopted by their mother and accepted by their grandfather meant nothing to them? Emily and Helena had gone half crazy once they learned she’d been given Grandfather’s

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penthouse. Never mind he’d left both of them a house and a sizable inheritance. To them, Asia deserved little more than distain, hence the latest addition to her duties at McClaine and Walrick. Now that Grandfather was gone, her sisters were going to do everything they could to make her life miserable…unless she quit. Not a chance, she thought with resolve. Neither her sisters nor her adoptive mother’s self indulgent, self pitying indifference since her husband’s abandonment was going to break her. Eyeing the bag of refuse with distain, Asia longed to give it a sophomoric kick, bellow out, “To hell with both of you bitches,” and walk out, never to return. She resisted only because…well…because she had nowhere else to go. More importantly, though, it wouldn’t make a bit of difference. Emily and Helena would gloat over how they’d finally gotten rid of her, and she would not give them the satisfaction. Tucking her nose into the front of her blouse, she gritted her teeth and commenced to gathering up the mess, somehow managing to get it all to the Dumpster without emptying the contents of her stomach. Thirty minutes and lots of carpet scrubbing later, the office smelled heavenly. On the way out the door, she passed her sisters’ nameplates. Emily McClaine & Helena Walrick, Realtors 15

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Over time, Emily had become little more to Asia than an acronym for Evil Malicious Ingracious Lying Yeti while her lackey middle sister, Helena was the HEL spawned, Empty, Neurotic, Android. Asia laughed all the way back to her desk. As she pulled up her chair to sit, her phone rang. Automatically, she reached to answer it then withdrew her hand, letting it go to voice mail. It was well past five after all. No one who knew her would be attempting to reach her here at this hour. She considered it a second. The sad truth was, no one really knew her. Out of curiosity and against her better judgment she checked the message. After punching in the necessary passcodes, she settled onto the thin cushion, folded her arms, and listened. It’s Emily. Asia stifled a groan. I’m sure you’ll listen to this before you leave tonight so pay attention. I’m faxing over an eviction notice to get you out of our penthouse, effective six o’clock Sunday evening. Asia lurched forward and snatched up the phone only to recall her sister’s voice was a recording. Body stiff, she listened. In case you’re thinking of fighting it, don’t. The injunction was ordered by Judge Grey late this afternoon, before he left for an extended

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vacation. Since you blatantly ignored the summons, Helena and I received a judgment by default. Her voice rang victorious. “Summons? I didn’t get any summons, you hateful…” I believe I’m being more than fair to give you until Sunday to vacate the premises, considering you aren’t actually a member of the family. We’ve located and implemented Grandfather’s original will naming Helena and I as beneficiaries to do with the property as we see fit. So, I’m going to need the keys back. I’ll be by Sunday to get them. There was a pause, then, One more thing. I doubt you’ll want to continue working at McClaine and Walrick. It is a family owned business after all and you aren’t family. We’ll be more than happy to accept your resignation first thing Monday morning…unless you want to leave it on my desk tonight. If not…well, we’ll see. Have a great weekend sister dear. There was a twitter of two part laughter as the voice mail clicked off. By the time Asia hung up, she was numb with shock. Dazed, she sat staring at the phone. “This can’t be happening. It can’t.” She lifted the receiver and dialed Emily’s home number. It was answered on the first ring. “I knew you’d call. What do you want?” The gloating voice fairly sneered the words through the receiver. 17

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“This is wrong, Em. You know it is.” Her voice had gone as small as when she’d been a little girl, begging Emily to give back her favorite baby doll. “Don’t do this.” She closed her eyes, hating the begging quality of her voice. She was nearly positive it wouldn’t accomplish a thing, other than to give both women another reason to celebrate. Unfortunately, Asia had little choice. As of five minutes ago, she was homeless and jobless with nowhere to go and no one to turn to. “Don’t do what?” Helena chimed in, having put the phone on speaker. “Reclaim property that rightfully belongs to…uhh…us?” In her mind’s eye Asia could see Helena grinning at Emily for approval. “Is it rent money you want? Fine. I’ll pay. How much will it cost me to sign a one year…no, a two year lease?” The women on the other line burst out laughing. “It’ll cost more than you can ever afford.” Someone, Asia wasn’t sure who, quipped. “Just tell me,” she said through gritted teeth. Both voices sobered, and a chill snaked through the receiver, “Again, more than you can ever afford. I’ll personally make sure of that.” Asia could swear she heard Emily’s smile. “We don’t want your money, Asia doll. We want you out, and nothing you can say or do will change our minds. How’s that for crystal clear?”

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Asia disconnected the line and, balancing her heels on the edge of her chair, drew her knees up to her chest and wrapped her arms around her legs. Too stunned to cry and never feeling more alone than she did at that moment, she dropped her chin onto her knees. “What am I going to do?”

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Chapter Two

The first clap of thunder scarcely registered in Asia’s overwrought mind. The second and immediate third, however, was followed by a sudden, pounding rain that refused to be ignored. Staring out from behind a row of windows, she frowned out into the night. “What a perfect end to a wretched day.” She glanced at her watch. Was it after eight already? She’d lost track of time. Shaking herself out of her stupor, Asia quickly gathered her belongings. She was determined to make it home before the worst of the bad weather started. As was her habit, she took one quick turn around the office, double checking the locks on the doors and windows. Why she did it she couldn’t say. More likely than not she wouldn’t be back but she locked up anyway. Finishing she clicked off the light switches on her way to the front exit. By the time she’d dug out her umbrella and was ready to go outside, hail had begun to come down hard and fast. The sound was like a thousand hammer blows pounding against the stucco building. Her shoulders slumped

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in defeat. It’d be nothing short of insane to attempt driving now. Where’d this storm come from? The most dire weather prediction had been a possible record breaking temperature drop over the weekend and a slight chance of rain. Not this tempest. She was pondering the oddness of the storm when the sound of breaking glass coming from the rear of the office made her jump. Was it hailing that hard or was someone breaking in? She dismissed the thought as soon as she had it. “People break into banks and stores, not realty offices. What are they going to steal? Paper clips?” Still, Asia swallowed a tiny lump of fear as she walked in the direction of the sound. It was mostly dark in the office with only dim light streaming in from the lampposts in the parking lot. The effect added to the eeriness but she dared not turn on any lights. Instead, she extended the umbrella’s stem and angled it away from her body in case she needed to pull a Willie Mays on an intruder. The umbrella wobbled, and she looked at the flimsy thing for no more than a second before hurrying to the break room to retrieve a cutting knife. Calm settled over her the instant her fist closed around the handle of the serrated blade. The knife felt as comfortable as if she’d wielded the thing her entire life, as if she knew how to use

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it. She didn’t waste time pondering that peculiar feeling. The corridor leading to the back was very dark and quiet save for the muffled sounds of the storm. Step by halting step, Asia inched along the wall toward the executive office. At the entrance, she gripped one of the door handles and on a mental three count, eased it open. A gust of wind wrenched it out of her grasp, slamming it against the wall and making a mockery of her attempt at stealth. As Asia peeked inside, she spied a huge, jagged hole in the center of the picture window that allowed the storm to rush in and send all manner of loose articles flying around the room. The curtains were still on the rod and billowed across Emily’s desk. The room was bathed in the dim glow of outside light. The door clanked again, and she jumped. Gaze roving for hidden signs of danger, she walked fully into the large room. When nothing jumped out at her from the shadows, she exhaled a relieved breath. The crash had been caused by the storm after all. Why weren’t the sirens going off? There should be some kind of severe thunderstorm warning or tornado watch alert or something. Wind and rain, peppered by pellets of hail whipped through the ruined window, blinding her,

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stinging her face and hands. Her wet hair lashed her cheeks, and her soaked skirt flapped wildly against her legs. Unseeing, she stumbled to a desk and clutched it tight, gasping for breath that was stolen from her. Still clutching the knife, Asia extended her other hand and leaned into the wind, walking toward the window. A stronger blast slammed into her, forcing her backward until the backs of her knees hit the sofa and her feet flew from under her. She fell with a shriek onto the leather cushions. How she managed not to stab herself in the process, she’d never know. Going on instinct now, she flipped over, stabbed the knife into the spine of the sofa, and curled herself into a tight ball. Something hard slammed into her shoulder knocking what little breath she had out of her. She cried out in pain and fear. Then, as quickly as the storm began, it ended. The cacophony died down until only uneasy quiet remained. Soft, dim waves of light streamed inside, creating more shadows than not. After a moment, Asia pushed back the tangled mess that was her hair and stood. “Good Lord,” she whispered, surveying the damage. Absently smoothing her hands down her skirt, she stepped over broken coffee mugs, ruined paperwork, and scattered Rolodex cards. To her 23

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right, a wall had been punctured in multiple places by pens and pencils that now formed an odd sort of design in the drywall. A stapler half hung out of the wall near the office door. Asia shivered realizing how lucky she’d been that none of it had hit her. Hail and bits of glass covered the floor in a sea of glimmering white. A flickering light caught her eye, and Asia crossed the room toward it. What she found was a crystalline chunk of hail, nearly twice the size of her fist, glowing from where it lay wedged under a desk. Mesmerized, she knelt and extended a hand to touch it. The chunk moved. She snatched her hand back, body tensing. She swallowed, shook herself. “It didn’t move.” Almost defiantly she touched the spiky object. It was cold, very cold yet oddly pliable and definitely not hail. So what was it? She’d put both hands around the object to dislodge it from under the desk, when light blazed from within. It began to grow and elongate. It doubled then tripled in size, taking shape. The desk tilted backward precariously, unable to contain it. Asia scrambled to her feet and backed away. She watched the thing grow a moment then, eyes wide, bolted for the door. She’d seen enough sci fi to know when it was time to run. The door

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slammed shut and locked the instant she reached it, causing her to crash into it. Hot panic closed her throat, making it impossible for her to even scream. She clutched the door handle jiggling it frantically. It wouldn’t budge. “Open, damn it!” She pounded her fists on the heavy wood, threw her body against it, pounded some more. “Shit!” Both the building and the parking lot had been empty for hours, so there’d be no help coming from that direction. Still she was tempted to try screaming…as soon as she was able. She chanced a glance over her shoulder but could no longer see the thing pulsing on the floor. She yanked on the handle again. A tremendous crash and a brilliant flash of white stilled her and sent her heart catapulting to the back of her throat. “Kai let turat na, idy ya dae.” Asia froze. Her breath came in tiny hitches as icy tendrils of fear skittered down her spine. Too frightened to look, too frightened not to, she stopped thinking and spun around. This time she screamed.

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Chapter Three

A man, tall and heavily muscled, stood at the edge of the shadows sliding loose fitting pants up and over his bare hips. He pulled the strings taut, tied them, then lowered his hands to his sides. Glittering storm gray eyes regarded her from behind a thick fall of white blond hair that stopped at his chest. The man’s golden skin contrasted sharply with the black scroll tattoo etched into the right side of his neck. The way the man stood there just staring at her frightened Asia far more than the way he’d…formed out of an inanimate chunk of ice and light. Not human. Not human. The words echoed in her mind like a mantra. She told herself it wasn’t possible, that there was a perfectly logical explanation for what she’d witnessed. Everything about this defies logic and you know it. What happened, happened. Now figure out a way out of here. As if completely unaware he’d just scared the life out of her, the man padded barefoot around 26

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the room. He crouched and began sifting his fingers through the hail, removing a shirt resembling black netting, a brimless cap, and a pouch from beneath the pebbles of white ice. With his attention focused on the ground, he went to the over turned desk and knelt. Pressing a fist against the floor for balance, he lifted an end of the heavy oak desk with the other hand and scanned underneath it. Reaching in, he pulled out a pair of black boots. Momentarily forgetting her fear, Asia watched the rippling expanse of muscle in his broad back, the bunching and releasing of definition in his shoulders with the weight of the desk. The man maneuvered and the fabric of his pants conformed to his heavy, sculpted thighs. Several inches higher, the cloth molded to his incredibly tight… Flushing, she looked away. Had she lost her mind? Why the hell was she checking him out instead of trying to get out? The guy was huge, powerful in a way that, depending on his intentions, could either appeal to a woman or crush the life out of her and here she was gawking at him. Good grief, he wasn’t even human, just something that sort of…morphed like out of a sci fi movie. She should be grabbing anything heavy within reach to use to defend herself. Maybe, if she could get to the window, break the rest of the glass out and escape before he 27

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could—No way. He’d have his hand clamped around her windpipe before she made it three steps and then what? Asia didn’t want to think about ‘then what.’” Still, something about standing around waiting to be a victim didn’t sit well with her. “What are…um, who are you?” she demanded. The man stood to face her, black shirt hanging limply from a clenched fist. His pectorals jumped, one side, then the other. She bit her lip, took a step back. Lord, she wished she hadn’t said anything. His hair still partially concealed his face making him appear downright menacing. Now that his attention was focused solely on her, Asia felt her small bit of courage desert her. “Ta kurra, Kayne.” He lifted a hand, pushing the hair back and out of his face. The air left Asia’s lungs in a hard whoosh. A red hot sizzle shot through her, the low baritone rumble of his voice affecting her as surely as if he’d murmured love words in her ear. The feeling only intensified when she got her first good look at his face. Deep set eyes were framed by thick lashes several shades darker than his hair. His nose was long and straight, the nostrils flaring slightly as if he were angered and his lips were just full enough to make her wonder what they’d feel like against hers.

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Asia chastised herself for gawking…again. She cleared her throat. “What do you want?” The man shifted his weight from one foot to the other, and she made the mistake of noticing the vivid outline of his thick sex through the loose material of his pants. It was all the answer she needed. Pressing her spine against the door, she jiggled the handle more forcefully. The man dropped the shirt and stalked toward her. With a shriek, Asia yanked the stapler out of the wall, a paltry excuse for a weapon but better than nothing, and held it aloft. She extended her left hand, palm out. “Stay back whoever you are! I’ll hurt you if I have to!” Possessive, gray eyes stared her down. Wickedly curved lips formed words she didn’t understand and scarcely heard due to the pounding of her heart between her ears. “Don’t come any closer! I mean it!” But he did come closer…and closer, his body moving fluidly until only inches separated them. Asia attempted to swing her arm forward to show him she meant business only to find, to her dismay, that she couldn’t. Her arm wouldn’t move, it was being restrained above her head as surely as if the man himself was preventing her from striking him. Again and again she tried to bring her arm forward, with no success.

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His gaze swung up to the offending hand. A disapproving scowl marred his face. “Rai p’ck min sulee.” Scrunching her features, Asia shook her head. “Rai p’ck—” the man began, speaking distinctly. He broke off, his face going blank for no more than a second. Then, holding her stare, he touched the fingers of his right hand to the tattoo on his neck. His left hand curled around her throat… This is it. He’s going to kill me. “Please don’t.” Asia squeezed her eyes shut, her mind demanding she fight him off but fear and some unnamable force prevented it. A sudden jolt of electricity shot through her body. She jumped with a startled little yelp. It hadn’t been painful, but it wasn’t exactly pleasant either. She opened her eyes. He was staring at her, that stormy gaze burning right into hers, the tattoo on his neck pulsing with light. “What—?” Another jolt and her knees wobbled. She locked them straight. The tattoo went dark again and the man lowered his arms. “Do not think to raise a hand against me, Zsa’neel. The law of Kaiel forbids it.” Stunned, Asia touched the skin of her throat where the heat of his palm lingered. Feeling a bit

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light headed and out of sorts, she drew her brows together and said, “My name’s not Zsa’neel.” “It was,” he countered. “Many lifetimes ago.” Lifetimes…plural. Is he for real? Frowning, she asked, “What’s the…‘law of Kaiel’?” The man lifted an eyebrow as if the answer should be obvious. “I am.” He leaned in very close, studying her with an intensity that forced Asia to turn her face aside. She inhaled, and his scent filled her nostrils, a heady blend of spice and an impending storm. She had to stop herself from swaying toward him to get more of it. The man angled his cheek so close to hers she could feel his body heat caress her. His lips tickled the fine hairs on the side of her neck. An unexpected thrill shot through her. She remained perfectly still. As if he still wasn’t close enough, he braced his palms against the door on either side of her body, caging her in. So close and still not touching her. Damn it! Wait…what? Lifting a hand, he plucked the stapler from her nerveless fingers and dropped it over his shoulder to the floor. All Asia could do was lower her hand to her side. Finally he angled back, putting space between them. 31

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Asia exhaled a long breath. She snapped her narrowed eyes to his in what she hoped conveyed annoyance rather than the disconcerting truth, that his proximity was wreaking havoc on her senses. That parts of her body were tingling and aching to be touched by him and only him. She braced her forearm like a bar across his hard chest. “I don’t know what you’re trying to prove, but I’m not easily intimidated so back off.” Oh you’re intimidated all right plus hot and bothered…not that you mind. Asia flushed. She had no intention of letting this man see the affect he was having on her. For all she knew, he intended to cause her serious bodily harm. She may very well have to fight for her life. The man must have read the wariness in her eyes. His face scrunched up with affront. “I’ll not harm you, woman. I am Kayne, Legion Commander over the armies of the Aeltrean Realm. The High Council has charged me with returning you to your people.” Asia lowered her arm from across his chest.“…on Aeltrean…” “Yes.” “…which is part of another solar system in another galaxy.” Kayne gave her a sharp nod.

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“Why me? No wait…” she interrupted when he opened his mouth to answer. “Let me guess. I’m someone’s long lost daughter right? There was some interstellar mix up after I was born and I ended up on earth. Then the high council…” she made tick marks in the air with her fingers. “…finally got a bead on my location and sent you to come fetch me back. Is that about right, space man?” Kayne’s eyes narrowed. “Yeeeaaah thanks. I think I’ll pass.” She sidestepped him and backed away. “You see, I drove today and my raggedy car just can’t take those kinds of miles.” A nervous half laugh escaped her at the joke. She continued backing toward the broken window behind her. “Guess you came all this way for nothing.” Kayne didn’t move other than to turn his palm up and beckon her back with a singular crook of his fingers. Asia glanced from the hand to his face. The man was doubly delusional if he thought she was going anywhere with him. No way. Not now, not ever. In a move too fast to be tracked, Kayne suddenly stood before her. He curled a hand around her wrist and tugged her into his arms. Instead of pulling away as she should, an overwhelming and quite possibly suicidal urge had 33

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Asia lifting her hand to hover the pads of her fingers near his cheek, an inner sense needing to touch him as if she couldn’t quite believe he was there. What is going on? Unfamiliar hope surged in the center of her chest as she studied his face, trying to memorize every detail. A rush of emotion brought on the sting of…tears? Even as she pondered that oddity, anger and more than a little desire welled up inside of her. Kayne released her slowly and extended his arms out to his sides. “Touch me and know I am real.” Asia shook her head. She snatched her hand down. If she touched this man in her current state, really touched him, there was no telling how much further she’d take it. Her lips formed the ready “no”…right before she pressed her trembling palm flat to his sculpted chest. His tanned skin was firm and smooth and was pale in contrast to her creamy brown. His heart beat a steady thump against her palm. His chest expanded on an inhale as she smoothed her hand higher to trace the tattoo on his neck with a fingertip. He turned his head to the side, allowing her better access, serious features softening as she explored the intricate swirls and

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the symbols written into them. With a low, primal sound he anchored his hands at her waist and lowered his forehead to hers. Asia felt her pulse quicken, her nipples tighten. She swayed and he steadied her. “Tell me who you are, really.” The question sounded absurd considering she was having a hard time not pressing her body tight to his and rubbing herself against him like a cat. “I am called Kayne.” “No…I mean…” Asia broke off, took a breath. Her nipples brushed his ribs through the barrier of her clothes and he countered the action by grazing his lips along her temple then along the shell of her ear. His tongue made tantalizing swirls on her skin while the pads of his thumbs caressed the underside of her breasts. A tiny mewling sound escaped her as she allowed her head to fall back. “How I have searched for you, my empress,” he murmured into her ear. His long fingers sifted through then fisted possessively in the thick strands of her hair. “I won’t let you go again.”

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Chapter Four

Before Asia could utter a sound, Kayne’s mouth covered hers. Her lips parted on a sigh and he delved his tongue inside, tasting, exploring…claiming. Gripping her bottom with one hand, he clamped the other around her nape to hold her when she would have retreated. Asia melted against him, caught in the ardent give and take of his kiss. When the hard length of his sex jutted against her lower belly she moaned and shifted her hips to feel him where she ached for him. She didn’t think to object when Kayne tore her blouse open, sending buttons scattering. Nor when he pushed it from her shoulders and kissed a path down her throat, across her skin. She only reveled in how good and right being with him felt. “Kayne…” Her voice was a whispered plea as she gripped his shoulders. The steel band of his arm went around her waist while a big, warm hand tugged her bra down, freeing her straining breasts. With a groan, he ducked his head and sucked one plump globe into his mouth. He flicked his tongue over her sensitive nipple making the ache between her thighs thump 36

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harder. She buried her hands in his silken hair in silent encouragement. This wasn’t some strange man touching her, making her feel things she’d never felt with anyone else. This man knew her mind and her body. Knew exactly where and how to caress her. It felt right and sorely missed like a lover returning home after years apart. The feeling confused the hell out of her. Somehow Asia managed to find her voice before she could be completely swept away in a sea of sensation. Strained and breathy, she said, “We have to stop.” Contradictorily, she held him tighter, panting as he laved her other breast. “Ohhh…” She swallowed. “Who…are you?” she asked weakly. Kayne reclaimed her mouth lingeringly as if absorbing her into himself. When he at last lifted his head, she’d forgotten her question. “Search your heart, Asia. You know me.” Ohh she liked the way he said her name, drawing out the…She stiffened, the fog of her mind clearing a bit. Tipping her chin back with a suspicious frown she asked, “How did you know my name? I didn’t give it to you.” “I know everything about you,” Kayne answered evasively. “Really? What is this ‘everything’ you think you know?” she challenged, her desire cooling rapidly 37

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as she tugged her bra back into place. He sighed, and she could see he was struggling to get himself under control. Finally he said, “You were made an outsider because you were not blood born into your family. Those closest to you hate you.” Unimpressed, Asia folded her arms. “Anyone with a pulse could figure that out five minutes after meeting my so called family. You’ll have to do better than that.” A muscle in his jaw twitched. “You don’t know anything else about me do you? This was all some sort of elaborate trick, wasn’t it?” Bitter disappointment made her heart feel like a chunk of lead in her chest. Through tight lips Kayne said, “Asia, if you would but come with me—” “Why? So you can make an even bigger fool out of me than you already have? Than I’ve allowed you to? No thank you.” He extended a hand and she jerked back out of reach. “Which one of them paid you to do this, huh? Emily or Helena?” She bit her lower lip to still its trembling. “God and to think I might have…well they really outdid themselv—” She broke off with a shriek as Kayne gripped her upper arms and hauled her up until her toes scarcely scraped the ground.

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“You have no bonds on Earthen to speak of,” he said with a growl into her startled face. “No husband. No friendships. It has always been this way though sometimes, like today, you feel especially alone. Night after night you stare into the darkness with longing in your heart, wondering where you belong, if you belong…to whom you belong.” Her breath caught. “Stop.” “Always you feel lost and empty,” he continued mercilessly. “You try to fill the loneliness by working harder and more than everyone around you. You reach out to those who reject you again and again but you know well that nothing can fill the void of an empty life.” “Stop…stop…” Asia interrupted hoarsely, shaking her head as if doing so could stop the flow of truth. He lowered her to her feet. “How do you know all that?” “We are sworn, woman. Bound together from a time long past. There is nothing I would not know of you.” Kayne cupped her face in his hands. “By the calling of your heart I was able to find you. I feel your loneliness as keenly as mine own, as I have every minute of every day, through every lifetime I have been apart from you.” Sincerity laced his every word and still Asia shook her head. She didn’t want to believe. It

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scared her too badly. She pushed against Kayne’s chest. He held fast. A low hum started up between her ears. Her heartbeat skyrocketed. She began to pull in air at an alarming rate. Bewildered and feeling trapped, she pushed against Kayne’s chest again. Got nowhere. “Long ago you were a daughter of Earthen until the Emperor Kaiel of Aeltrean claimed you as his mate.” Together you ruled until violent and bitter treachery took your lives, and the life of your unborn child.” The hum became a roar in her ears, and Asia clamped her hands over them. “Stop! I don’t want to hear any more. My head…” Fear pounded her heart. Not fear of him but fear that what he said could be true, either that or she was losing her mind. Kayne gripped her wrists firmly and tugged them down, forcing her to listen. “The laws of Aeltrean…my laws, are written in the scrolls. It is within these scrolls that our destiny is woven. We are commanded to rule Aeltrean again.” “Why do you need me?” she asked near desperation. “Why not tell this High Council that

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you’re Kaiel reincarnated and leave me out of it? You’re already in command there, right?” “There is much you don’t understand about our ways. I will teach you on the journey to Aeltrean.” “It only stands to reason,” Asia rushed on, her voice containing a hysterical edge. “It should be fairly simple to make you King or Emperor or whatever.” Kayne loosed a patient breath. The kind reserved for explaining things to children. “I command legions of men, yes. Yet always I am the crofter’s son. It is the circumstance of my low birth in this life. Were I to simply tell the High Council that I am Kaiel reborn to rule Aeltrean with no proof save a skin mark, I would be tried and put in the dungeons or worse for blasphemy. To speak carefully means the difference between life and death on Aeltrean. You must return with me to fulfill the prophecy in the way it is written.” “I’m not going anywhere with you.” Asia shrieked. She tugged against his hold. “Zsa’neel!” “What?” she snapped, whipping her hair out of her face to glare at him. “Why do you press me, Kaiel?” Asia went rigid the instant the words left her mouth. Shock widened her eyes. The hum ceased abruptly.

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“Oh Lord.” Though her voice had risen, Kayne’s hadn’t. He’d only called her “Zsa’neel,” and this time she’d answered to it because… “Oh no…oh God. This can’t be happening.” She dropped her head forward and hunched over, wrapping her arms around her middle. It can’t be. “I have come to take you home, wife.” Wife… Kayne didn’t touch her, didn’t try to force her in any way. Yet Asia felt his expectant gaze on her, awaiting her acquiescence. She turned aside, quivering. If all that he said was true, he really was this Kaiel reincarnated, which meant that she was Zsa’neel and he was her husband. Her world, such as it was, was falling apart. Her boring but steady life up to this point, a lie. She didn’t want to believe any of it yet in a strange way, it made sense. “Search your heart,” he repeated. “Do not be afraid to trust it.” A hot, irrational anger burned inside her. She pushed past him and whirled around. “You don’t know what I’m feeling or thinking. You might think you do but you don’t.” Her voice turned pleading. “Forget about me. Go back to your world.” “Never again without you!” Kayne’s eyes flashed from angry gray to arctic blue and stayed that way. Since he stood in

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shadow, the effect was doubly unnerving, his irises all but glowing in the dim room. It was then Asia remembered who or more precisely what Kayne was…or wasn’t. Human… She bolted for the door, making it there just as he grabbed her. Her hand hit the wall switch and overhead light blazed through the room. Kayne loosed a bellow of agony and staggered back flinging an arm over his eyes. “Extinguish the light! Asia, the light!” Asia fumbled with the door and released a relieved breath when it opened easily. She tore down the hallway, snatched up her belongings, and fled out the front door.

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Chapter Five

Late that night, Asia lay in bed, awake and staring out of the large half circle topped picture window that comprised the upper third of a wall of her master bedroom. Millions of stars were splashed across the sky, some twinkling gaily as her eyes lit upon them, as if their display was only for her. This view was the most awe inspiring in the penthouse, at least it had been. At the moment however, Asia lacked the ability to fully appreciate it. An unshakable melancholy had settled over her the moment she’d stepped across the threshold of her home and hadn’t dissipated, hence her continued wakefulness at this hour when most were sleeping. Home. The word felt hollow to her ears…empty, meaning little to her now. Soon, she wouldn’t have a home. Strangely, that fact didn’t upset her nearly as much as it had earlier when her sister—No. Not her sister. When Emily had so coldly informed her that she and Helena would be taking possession of the penthouse Sunday evening. 44

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More upsetting and confusing was that her heavy heart and the physical pain in her stomach was not a result of impending homelessness. Nor was it from almost certain joblessness, but from the emptiness steadily encroaching since she’d fled the office, leaving Kayne behind. Not that she could have remained with him. Granted, he was the most impressive specimen of masculine perfection she’d ever seen. He also seemed to have more of an understanding of her than anyone had ever attempted to have. He was also certifiable. The man very nearly had her convinced that he was from another galaxy and that she was too! She refused to try to figure out that morphing trick he’d pulled. Asia sighed hard. Now that she’d had time to think clearly, she was convinced she could conjure up a perfectly logical explanation for everything she’d experienced. It was good she’d gotten away from him when she had. That was what her mind told her. So why now did she feel such an overwhelming sense of loss. No. It was more than that. She felt desolate, like she’d left a vital part of herself behind. Come on, girl. He couldn’t have gotten that deep! It didn’t make any sense, but he had, and Asia was hopelessly, irrevocably lost. How else could 45

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she explain the near overwhelming desire to race back to her former office to see if she could find him? She buried her face in her hands and groaned. God, did anything about her life make sense anymore? Naked, she slid to the edge of the bed, slipped on a satin robe, and padded out the room. Pushing thoughts of Kayne out of her mind…trying to at least, she shuffled down the hall and through the dark great room on her way to start a pot of coffee. She wasn’t going to get any sleep. Might as well get a jump on her packing. In the doorway between the living room and kitchen she paused to take in the furniture and many trinkets she’d collected over the years. Her eyes clouded. How was she supposed to pack up an entire apartment, find a new place to live, and get another job in two days? Answer: She couldn’t. Of course, that’d been her former sisters’ intentions all along, hadn’t it? To make her suffer for the special place she’d held in Grandfather’s heart? She changed course and walked to the sliding glass door leading out to the roof. Easing it open, she stepped out into the cool night just as a fat raindrop splashed onto her cheek. Surprised, she glanced upward and saw that clouds had gathered in the brief time she’d walked from her bedroom to

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the living room. The outside air was pungent with the scent of an impending rainstorm. Perfect. As if in agreement, two more raindrops fell, one landing in her hair, the other splashing her arm. A sudden gust of wind blasted into her, and she grabbed the door handle and frame for support. The instant the wind died down the heavens opened up, making her squeal in surprise. For late summer, the rain was astonishingly cold. In seconds Asia was soaked and shivering. She wouldn’t go inside. She needed to be somewhere she could hear something other than the snide voices of Emily and Helena ringing in her ears. Could feel something besides the pain in her chest. Could see something other than the strong, handsome face of the man who’d nearly convinced her of impossible things. The rain slowed to a trickle and gradually stopped. Wrapping her arms around her middle, Asia walked across the roof. At the metal edge of one of a half dozen skylights she sat, ignoring the wetness that pierced the thin robe. For long moments she stared out over a multitude of rooftops, some smaller, most larger than her own. She was going to miss this view. Hopefully her next place would be almost this impressive. Lord, she was not looking forward to packing. **** 47

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Emily had given her until the end of the weekend to gather her things. That was something, wasn’t it? It was more than she could have expected from her. “No, damn it, it’s not more than I should expect,” she muttered to no one. “I expect to be left the hell alone and allowed to live in peace. Is that so much to freaking ask?” She pounded a fist on the metal beside her instantly regretting it when pain shot up her wrist. “Damn it! Damn it!” Her voice broke on a sob. A strong surge of wind kicked up, forcing her to bend over double against it. She rubbed her hands up and down her wet forearms as if that could ease the violent tremors wracking her frame. Movement in her peripheral vision had Asia turning her head. Someone was tearing across one of the distant, rooftops as if Satan himself was on their heels. Compelled, though she didn’t know why, she stood to get a better look. In the darkness it was all but impossible. The rooftop lights afforded her a decent though not great visual of the man. He wore dark pants, an equally dark, sleeveless shirt, and black boots. His head was covered by a tight, brimless cap. His head was tipped down. A chill slithered down her spine lifting the fine hairs on her arms. She shook it off. There was nothing unique about what he was wearing. In

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truth, he kind of looked like a burglar. She rolled her eyes. Now that puts my mind at ease. The man approached the edge of the roof yet showed no signs of slowing. Asia tensed as he jumped to the next rooftop, landed without missing a beat, and raced across it toward the opposite side. She couldn’t imagine how he was able to run and land so fast without so much as slipping on the wet surface. Nonetheless, he repeated the heart lurching feat twice more until he was on the wide rooftop across from hers. What or who was he running from? As far as she could tell, he wasn’t being chased. Maybe he was some kind of an adrenaline junkie, wanting to test his mortality. Perhaps he wanted to see if he could make it across the ever widening gaps. She hoped not. Already he was scaring her to death. Asia moved past the glare of the skylight, her attention riveted on the man growing steadily closer. There was something about him, something… She glanced down to the street far below then up. It was too far. He was never going to make it! Anxiety had her shaking her head frantically. She threw up her hands as if they could prevent him from doing what he intended. “It’s too far! Go back!” If her warning was heard, it wasn’t heeded. As the man approached the edge of the roof, he hunched his shoulders forward and ran faster 49

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than she’d ever seen anyone his size move. The cap flew off his head, freeing a wild mass of white blond hair. Asia clapped a hand over her mouth to stifle a shrill gasp. “Kayne…”

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Chapter Six

Kayne reached the rooftop’s edge and pushed off with his foot. His powerful arms and legs windmilled as he bridged the incredible distance. Drawing near her, he brought his feet forward to land in a crouch at Asia’s feet. He remained that way for several seconds as if absorbing the impact of the impossible leap. Steam swirled upward from his muscular, sweat dotted shoulders as he unfolded his large body to tower over her. Shaken, Asia watched him roll those big shoulders of his then repeat the action with his neck. The popping sounds would have made her flinch had his very presence not overwhelmed her into paralysis. He turned his head slightly as if listening for a sound coming from behind. She glanced around him to see for herself. The moment she did, his head snapped forward, and his gray gaze burned into her. Asia could only stare back. “You would sooner sicken from exposure than be at my side?” he demanded, his countenance stony, angry. She frowned. “No…I—” 51

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“You are never to endanger your health again. I forbid it.” Kayne seemed to be awaiting an answer so she nodded dumbly, incapable of speech. Her jaws were clenched tight together, but her teeth no longer chattered. In fact, she didn’t really feel the cold anymore. Not a good sign. Still, she felt no compulsion to get her blood circulating again because some inner instinct expected him to do it. Knew that he would. He would always protect her from anything that could harm her. She was as sure of it as her own name. Why she was so sure, she refused to ponder. Kayne reached for her and she took two stumbling steps back. With a grunt of impatience, scooped her into his arms to carry her inside. Asia snuggled into his warmth, all but purring as the heat of his skin penetrated the cold of hers. Too soon, he was setting her upon her feet inside her home. Kayne reached into a pouch at his hip and withdrew a small square of cloth. He shook it until it unfolded down to his feet and proceeded to wrap it around her shoulders. Instant, welcome heat spread through her and with a soft sigh of relief, she curled her arms around his middle and laid her cheek against his steady heartbeat.

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After everything, she should be afraid of him. She wasn’t. Instead, she was both deliriously happy he’d found her and perilously close to tears. Running her hands up and down his back, she tipped her head to meet his eyes. “I’ve missed you…husband.” The choked words startled her as much as they seemed to surprise and please him. Kayne slipped his arms around her and studied her face like he was committing every detail to memory. “I have missed you as well, wife.” He buried his face in the curve of her throat, tightened his hold, and inhaled deeply. “By the Madinian sands, I’ve missed you.” Asia reveled in the feel of his arms around her. Never before had she felt so cherished and…safe. For the first time in her life she felt as if nothing bad could happen to her. It was the most mind boggling feeling she’d ever known. It made her long to stay with him like this forever. When he lifted his head, she cupped his face in her hands. “Show me how much you’ve missed me.” Kayne went motionless save for the pulse he could feel thundering in the side of his neck. He stared into his woman’s exquisite heart shaped face, giving her time to deny him. For there would be no going back once they joined. To his profound relief, there wasn’t a hint of hesitation in her dark eyes, only a deep yearning.

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Asia wanted him he knew, but there was so much more she would have from him and he vowed to give her all of it. Then he was on her, pushing the robe from her shoulders and tasting her skin. He pressed kisses along the smooth line of her throat as he cupped her breasts, flicked a thumb across her taut nipples, and pinched them lightly. His mouth claimed hers, swallowing her gasp. He rid himself of his shirt and dragged her nude body against his. The tips of her breasts grazed his skin and he groaned into her mouth. He nipped her lips with his teeth only to soothe the slight injury with the tip of his tongue. When she wrapped a leg high around his hip. He caught it, pulled her tighter to him with a palm on her buttocks, and ground his sex into the apex of her thighs. Asia melted against him with a soft moan. Somehow they ended up in the bedroom with her pushing a hand into the waistband of his pants to curl her fingers around his thick arousal. She stroked a thumb across the moisture tipped head of him. Kayne clamped a hand around her wrist with a hoarse, “No.” “But I want—” Asia protested.

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“Your taste is sweet, lady wife,” he interrupted. I would have all of it.” Before Asia could process his meaning, he went to his knees at her feet. His gaze turned hot and primal as he draped her leg over his shoulder and sucked her flesh into his mouth. “Kayne!” Her gasp of shock turned into a groan of surrender as his lips and tongue moved over her. She threw her head back, spine arching sharply and gripped tight handfuls of his hair. Kayne flung her other leg over his shoulder and stood, lifting her until her spine rested against the cool wood of the bedroom door. He feasted on her ravenously, demandingly, his groans quivering her ultra sensitive core until she convulsed, panting in short little spurts as she gyrated against his wicked mouth. As the tremors rocketing through her ebbed, Kayne repositioned her, sliding her down his body until her legs locked tight around his hips. He kissed her deeply, and she moaned at the forbidden taste of herself on his tongue. Kayne angled his hips and plunged into her tight, saturated heat, sucking in a pleasured breath as her core clenched and released around him. He shuddered, scarcely able to contain his release. “What…are you doing to me, woman?” he rasped. Relinquishing all pretense of control, he rocked inside of her, building the tempo steadily until his 55

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slamming thrusts rattled the door in its frame. Asia bit her lip against the scream that threatened to burst from her throat. Then Kayne tugged her legs from around him, spread them wide and pounded into her. She did scream then, long and loud, unknowingly digging her nails into his shoulders at the incredible pleasure. Spasms of ecstasy rippled through her belly. She sobbed, clutching him in a mindless, desperate attempt to be anchored or risk being swept away. Their bodies remained joined as he tumbled them onto the bed. Head thrown back, neck straining, Kayne stroked inside her in a series of deep undulating thrusts once, twice more and with a shout he exploded, pumping his seed into his woman, again and again until at last he collapsed against her…spent. They lay together for long moments dragging in ragged breaths Slick with sweat and in a dreamy haze, Asia gradually became aware of odd little pulsations twitching the pulse points in her body. Tiny electrical jolts surged through her from the inside out. Mildly concerned, she nonetheless credited it to the mind blowing orgasms Kayne had given her. The pulses stopped soon after, convincing her she’d been right.

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Kayne rolled over and gathered her against him. With a contented sigh, Asia pressed her cheek to his chest. She scarcely felt him slide a hand into her hair and another around her waist before she was fast asleep. **** Asia didn’t know how long she’d been out when she heard Kayne’s entreaty. “Forgive me.” She yawned, pressed a kiss to his chest. She tipped her chin up, a sleepy half grin on her face. “You have nothing to apologize for. Go back to sleep.” Kayne didn’t return her smile. “I’m inside you now. It will begin soon. When it comes, don’t fight it. It will only cause greater harm.” More awake now, Asia looked at him more steadily. “What are you talking about? When what comes?” His expression grew shuddered, as if he’d said something he shouldn’t. He pressed her cheek back to his chest, kissed the top of her head. “Leave it for now. There will be time enough for talk later.” Asia didn’t want to “leave it” but at the moment the aftereffects of their lovemaking lingered and she was loath to ruin it with an argument. Making a mental note to bring it up again later, she decided to change the subject. 57

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“Tell me about Aeltrean.” Kayne paused, his features relaxing. “Aeltrean is not too unlike the Earthen of old. Mountains, hills, and valleys cover most of the primary planet though some of the larger areas are barren.” “The colors of natural Aeltrean are different than Earthen. They are not so bright but softer. Our sun not so glaring as yours. An Aeltreanin would be sensitive to Earthen’s natural light. “How far away is it from here?” Asia asked. “Come, I’ll show you. Kayne took her by the hand and pulled her to her feet. He led her to the window and pointed to a far off cluster of stars in the predawn sky. “Do you see them?” At her nod he said, “Aeltrean is two hundred million of your Earthen light years beyond them.” Asia’s jaw dropped open. She recovered quickly as another thought occurred to her. “All right so, help me. You’re from another galaxy, a different atmosphere, culture…a different everything but you’re still a man underneath, aren’t you?” When he looked at her oddly she clarified, “You’re not going to peel back your skin and show me your scales—” She tensed, shuddered. “On second thought, forget it. If you’re not actually human, now would not be the time for me to find out about it.” She padded up to him, studying him as if he were an experiment.

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Kayne covered her hand in his big warm one. “I am human, though much more than any Earthen male.” His tone dripped arrogance. “Still I am only a man.” He pressed her palm against his aroused shaft as proof. As if she needed proof. Last night he’d given her all the proof she could have required and then some. On their own, her fingers curled around his hard length. She tightened her grip and stroked. The groan he emitted spoke directly to the little pulse between her thighs. The look in his eyes was unmistakable. Asia licked her lips and, without releasing him began backing toward the bed, mouth watering as her eyes locked on the straining flesh in her hand. Hard and thick, its length curved toward her. Shifting her attention lower, she noticed a marking, high on Kayne’s inner thigh. It wasn’t unlike the scroll tattoo on his neck though it was much smaller and surrounded by a set of symbols set in a triangular pattern. It was beautiful. “It is the mark of Kaiel’s law,” he said, answering her unspoken question. He nudged her so that she plopped down on the bed then leaned over her, placed a knee between her thighs. Looking at the mark he said, “I was born with it. It is how I knew who I was. Only the Emperor of Aeltrean is born with such a mark.”

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Asia raised her arms to him as he lowered himself fully onto her. The engorged head of him nudged her entrance. Biting her lip in anticipation, she arched to receive him. A low buzz dinged…five seconds before the click of heels in the main hallway had her scrambling from under Kayne and off the bed. She snatched her robe off the floor and hurried from the room. “Where are you?” Emily. Oh hell, not now!

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Chapter Seven

Emily strolled inside Asia’s penthouse as if she owned the place. Oh wait, she did. Asia slammed her arms into the robe, belted it, and met her halfway across the great room. “What are you doing here? I have until tomorrow evening to move.” Emily’s smile was glacial. “Calm down. I only came to see how far you’d gotten with your packing.” Her assessing gaze swept from one room to the next, before she peeked into the formal living room. “Hmm, by the looks of things, not very.” She attempted to go around Asia who threw her hands wide to block her advance. “Are you crazy? Let me pass.” “No. You have no right to be here yet. So go.” Emily pointed the tip of a well manicured fingernail an inch from Asia’s nose. “I hope you’re not thinking of trying anything stupid, though God knows I wouldn’t be surprised.” “I’m not trying to do anything except be left alone my last weekend in my home.” “This is not your home!” Emily snapped, turning a shoulder to Asia yet managing to look down her nose at her. “You have no right to be 61

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here. This is family property. I don’t know what the hell Grandfather was thinking when he made provision for you.” A hum began vibrating between her ears. Asia shook her head to clear it. “Maybe since he’d already taken care of everyone else in the family—” “You. Are. Not. Family. When are you going to get that through your head?” Asia didn’t expect the stab of hurt she felt from the harsh words. She’d thought she was immune to Emily’s cruelty by now, especially since she’d endured it and worse every time her adoptive mother’s back had been turned. But she hadn’t gotten over it. It still hurt as badly as when she’d been a little girl, suffering one indignity after the other at her adopted sisters’ hands. Emily locked eyes on a point above Asia’s head. Her face drained of color. “You’re right.” Emily blinked. “Excuse me?” “I said you’re right. You’re not anyone I’d claim as family. You’re too much of a resentful, jealous bitch. Why the hell would I claim ties to the likes of you?” Emily’s eyes bugged. “Have you lost your mind? Who do you think you’re talking—” “Trash. Pure trash,” Asia interrupted getting right in her face. “I’ll be out of here by tomorrow

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evening. Until then, get your scrawny, vindictive ass out of my place.” Looking shell shocked, Emily backed toward the door, bumped into it and moved through the opening. Across the threshold, she paused, looked back, some of her nastiness returning. “You’re going to regret talking to me like that.” “I regret talking to you, period!” Asia countered slamming the door shut in her face. Shoulders heaving, fists tight, she glared at the closed door wanting to open it and slam it again for good measure. Seconds passed then several more. She blinked and a surge of panic shot through her. She clamped her hands over her mouth in dismay, took a halting step toward the closed door then stopped as quickly. She whirled around and saw that Kayne had been standing behind her. The uptilted corner of his mouth coupled with a lifted eyebrow indicated his approval, as did the bulge lifting the front of the towel he’d wrapped around his hips. Asia shook her head feeling odd, anxious. A part of her still wanted to catch up to Emily and really lay into her. Her heart pounded erratically and she could feel herself becoming even angrier. Several deep breaths and she still couldn’t calm down. What was wrong with her?

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“I’ve never spoken to another living soul like that. Ever.” She searched Kayne’s carefully blank expression. “You know what’s happening to me, don’t you?” “It begins.” A chill passed over her. She rubbed her arms against it. “You said something like that earlier. What begins? What aren’t you telling me?” Kayne folded his arms over his chest. A muscle flexed in his jaw, but he said nothing. Frightened now, and more than a little annoyed, Asia glared up at him. “Something strange is happening inside me, and it’s starting to freak me the hell out. You know what it is but you won’t tell me? What the hell is that about?” God, she was so angry with him she could hardly see straight. No, more than angry. She almost hated him. She did hate him. She cocked her head to the side, pinning him with a vicious glare. “Tell me, Kayne.” She spat his name. “Are you crazy, stupid, or a little bit of both?” Kayne blinked. His eyebrows drew together. Coming forward he gripped her shoulders, studied her, then took her chin between his thumb and forefinger and turned her face right, then left. His expression was pensive but not angry. Why the hell wasn’t he angry? After the way she’d just spoken to him, he should be furious. He wasn’t.

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In fact, he didn’t seem at all fazed by her outburst. For some reason that pissed Asia off even more. She jerked her chin out of his hand. “Keep your filthy paws off me, you low browed Neanderthal.” Kayne lowered his hands. An unnamable emotion crossed his handsome face a millisecond before his expression went flat. Asia clapped a hand over her mouth feeling frightened and confused. This wasn’t at all like her. Some…thing was trying to take control of her, making her say these horrible things she’d never normally say. She opened her mouth to apologize but the words wouldn’t come. Instead, she felt another rush of insults forcing their way up from the back of her throat. She tucked her lips between her teeth and bit down hard, refusing to utter another syllable against him. A sudden, terrible ache kicked up into her temples so strong it made her knees buckle. Kayne, grim faced, swept her off her feet. Swiftly crossing the room, he sat her upright on the leather sofa then snatched his arms from under her as if she were on fire. Lips thin, face strained as if he were in physical pain, he backed away. His gaze remained on her face. The throbbing in her temples worsened. Asia pressed her hands flat against the sides of her head and closed her eyes. She breathed through her 65

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mouth shallowly, willing the pain to subside. It seemed to help except that her body temperature spiked. She slid from the sofa to the cool dark wood floor and scarcely resisted the urge to remove her robe. A hard thump and Kayne’s sharp indrawn hiss drew her attention to him. He was braced against the wall across from her bent over double with his elbows resting on his knees. He was still watching her but there was new tension on his flushed face. This…thing was affecting him too? What was happening to them? “I can’t control this Kayne, please,” she begged. “Help me.” The tension on Kayne’s face dissolved away only to be replaced with the stone hard mask of indifference. Did he care so little for her? Asia fought the urge to cry. “I didn’t mean what I said, all right? I’m sorry—” She broke off with a shriek as white hot daggers of pain sliced through her skull. She collapsed onto her side trembling. “Sorry? You’re sorry?” Kayne’s voice was thunderous. “Do not ever say that to me.” Now he was angry? Now? His hostile tone raked Asia like a thousand needles scraping her already

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raw nerve endings. The pain vanished. Slowly she pushed to a sitting position. Glaring up at Kayne, she pulled her lips back in a feral snarl. “Oh yes I’m sorry. Sorry that I allowed a son of a bitch, whore’s bastard like you to touch me.” She swiped a hand down her arm with a nasty little sneer. “I’ll need to bathe in bleach to rid myself of your vile stench.” Kayne’s eyes flashed the color of a winter sky…and still he made no move toward her. Asia’s body jerked in uncontrolled spasms. Her stomach knotted. The muscles in her arms and legs began to cramp violently. She screamed.

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Chapter Eight

Kayne watched helplessly as his woman writhed in misery. The pain in her body…in his body made him feel as if he were being wrenched apart. Everything in him raged against standing idle when Asia needed him most. He curled his hands into tight, white knuckled fists straining against the unseen force that held him immobile. He would have bellowed in frustration had the sound not been choked from his throat. It was a miracle he breathed. The law within him, his law, commanded that he do nothing until Asia’s transformation was complete. It forbade him even to warn her of what was to come. He’d nearly broken that law. He’d thought it was a test of his willingness to obey the ancient ones who’d penned the laws governing his rule. That should he choose to aid Asia in any manner, he’d be forced to suffer the consequences. He hadn’t known he’d be physically restrained from doing so. Asia would have to endure it alone. She was changing, her past self merging with her present form. He’d known the process would be painful. 68

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Still, he hadn’t been prepared for the crippling agony she’d endure. He felt it as acutely as he did his own. It doubled him over. He didn’t know how she could withstand such when he longed to succumb. Still, Asia fought with everything she had in her. Cease your struggles woman! he commanded mentally, for even if he could say the words, it was forbidden to speak. To intervene would result in her death. He could not lose her again! The very thought hurt worse than the pain they now suffered together. “I’m dying!” Asia wailed. An ancient voice echoed between them. You are becoming what you were born to be. Come together as one…Asia of Earthen and Zsa’neel, Empress of Aeltrean. Return and take your rightful place. As this was said, something slid into place inside Kayne as well. He jolted as his knowledge, his memories, his very life as Kaiel returned to him. How was it then that he still felt like himself? Was it the same for Asia? Asia closed her eyes and began to moan, the sounds now strangely erotic to his ears. On her back, she bent her knees until only the tips of her toes touched the floor. Arms splayed wide, she arched her spine high off the ground. Her hips

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undulated. The robe fell open. An offering to her mate. To his shame, Kayne felt his sex lengthen and throb, hard and heavy between his thighs. His woman continued to move her luscious body. Her eyes lifted to his and in them, a hint of amber…of Zsa’neel. She splayed her thighs wide and trailed her fingertips along the silky skin. “Husband…” Go to her…Kaiel, Emperor of Aeltrean. The invisible bonds holding Kayne back fell away. He removed the covering from his middle and fell to his knees between her legs. Words from the distant past, from the time when he’d first taken her, fell from his lips. “You are mine, woman. Your body was made for my pleasure, your thoughts to blend with mine own.” He trailed his fingers along her breastbone, past her pelvis, and circled the tips inside her warm, slick entrance. He dragged two thick digits in and out of her, greedily wringing cries from her. Her core clenched. Her back bowed up and he felt liquid heat coat his fingers. “Mmmm more, Kayne. I need more.” Asia curled her fingers around his length and moved her hand up and down in long, firm strokes.

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Kayne thrust his hips forward and hissed a breath when Asia stroked him again, tightening her fist at the tip. It was too much for him to take. He captured her hands and, entwining their fingers, pressed them against the floor on either side of her head. He covered her body with his, and surged into her, rotating his hips with each deep thrust, making Asia yelp and moan. Rolling over, he settled her atop him, and planted his feet flat on the floor, surrendering himself to her. Asia sank onto his hard, unyielding flesh with a moan. Arching, panting, she gyrated her hips, lifting herself until his shaft was barely inside of her. She hovered there. Kayne made an impatient sound and at once raised his hips while pressing down on her shoulders, urging her to take all of him. Instead, she teased, giving only small, little thrusts of her hips. “Take me, woman!” He demanded, surging his hips high into the air, Asia took him inside her with a jubilant cry. She rode him until his heels dug into the floor and his neck muscles strained. He gripped her waist to lift and lower her as he thrust upward, hard and deep. She screamed and flailed but he held on as her insides clenched around him. Her lovely, dark eyes flashed amber and without a doubt he knew his Zsa’neel had returned to him. 71

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He roared as his hot seed splashed her womb. **** “When do we leave for Aeltrean?” “Within the hour.” “Good.” Asia sat up, allowing the covers to pool around her waist. “I’m going to take a shower.” She smiled when Kayne’s hot stare followed the descent of the sheet and darkened with desire at the sight of her puckered nipples. He lunged for her but she rolled out of reach, giggling. “Come to me woman.” “There’ll be plenty of time for that on the return trip. “How long did you say it’ll take?” she asked, pulling on an oversize shirt as she padded out of the room. Kayne’s frustrated growl followed her. “Two of your Earthen weeks,” he called. Two weeks alone with Kayne. Goose bumps lifted her still flushed skin. To her astonishment she felt herself grow warm in anticipation. The bed in the other room rustled. Damn him. He knew what she was feeling. “You stay right where you are, buddy.” she called out with a giggle knowing Kayne was headed her way. “We’ll never leave if you come in here right now.” “Oh but wife, I will come…in there…right now.” The sexy tone seemed to speak directly to the pulse thumping between her thighs and Heaven

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help her, she didn’t want to resist it. As she moved to return to Kayne, her attention was drawn to a shadow that swayed oddly on the other side of the bathroom’s only window. The glass was frosted so she couldn’t see through it. Still, she was curious as to what was causing the movement. Frowning, she reached out only to be hauled off her feet and flung out of the bathroom into the hallway. She hit the wall and crumpled to the floor with a startled shriek. The double paned window imploded and a large, multisegmented creature with rows of sharp teeth slammed into Kayne. He staggered back with the weight and crashed into the door causing it to slam shut. On hands and knees, Asia banged on the door. She tried desperately to open it but it wouldn’t budge. “Kayne!” Objects crashed and grunts sounded from the other side while she pounded on the wood with both fists. She groaned, clutching her belly as sudden, knifelike pains ripped across it. She crumpled against the door. “Get away, Asia!” Kayne bellowed. The words were scarcely out of his mouth when three razor sharp claws punctured the wood, inches from Asia’s face. An unearthly cry rent the air. A sickening thud. Then nothing. Seconds ticked by. A minute. Asia glanced down at her stomach. There was nothing there. No wound. No blood. But the pain 73

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was horrible. She pressed a trembling palm against the wood. “Kayne?” The door swung open startling a small shriek out of her. She looked up. “Kayne!” In spite of the pain, she dragged herself to her feet and into his arms. “Are you all right?” “We go. Now.” When she would have gotten a closer look at the creature, Kayne half led, half dragged her back to the bedroom. Hurriedly they dressed. As Asia began to remove her shirt, she realized it was wet. Confused, she looked down. Three long slashes of crimson marred the front. Yanking the material up, she smoothed a hand across her unmarred skin. Her gaze flew to Kayne. He was pale, his face strained, and he’d curled an arm across his stomach. A spreading pool of red leaked below his arm into the ridges of muscle in his stomach. “Oh God! Let me see.” “Later. When you are safe.” His voice was low and hoarse. “No. That wound could—” “Later.” he said firmly, his tone brooking no argument. “There will be more creatures like that one if we don’t hurry.” He held out a hand. “Come.”

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Asia took his hand and allowed him to lead her from the bedroom door to the open closet doors. A bright red splotch fell onto her shoe, and she inhaled a sharp anxious breath. Lines of blood were streaking from Kayne’s wound at an alarming rate. He swayed but remained upright. “Enough with this tough guy bullshit. How can you protect me when you can hardly stand on your own feet? Let me help you.” Kayne didn’t attempt to argue. “Pouch…” Asia searched around a second then, spotting his pouch on her nightstand. She grabbed it and plunged her hand inside. She withdrew a fistful of moistened, iridescent sand. Kayne moved his forearm aside, uncovering the wound and she nearly gagged. Three long gouges left layers of his skin hanging open. “Oh baby…” “Pack the wounds with the sand.” Asia did so without hesitation. As quickly and gently as she could, she smeared the sand from one end of Kayne’s ragged flesh to the other, sealing inside the bright crimson determined to ooze around it. “This needs a bandage.” She stood but Kayne captured her hand. “No time.” As if on cue, the bedroom door rattled making her jump. Still, she snatched an oversize, long sleeved shirt from a drawer. She pressed it against the makeshift poultice and tied the sleeves 75

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together behind his back. Kayne held his forearm against the cloth and stood. Between the thumb and forefinger of his left hand he held a quarter sized silver disk. Lowering it to the floor, he balanced it on its narrow end before straightening. Immediately, it began to grow. The door rattled again, violently, groaning against its hinges. Something hissed from the other side. Scratched the wood. Kayne put his left arm around her tightly. Asia leaned into his side staying mindful of his injury and watched the disk stretch bigger and wider until it was the size of…a portal. She blinked amazed. It tilted toward them as if it had been tipped, and she held her breath. The bedroom door flew open and two glowing eyed creatures bounded into the room. Black fur bristled. Rows of razor sharp teeth snapped together. They crouched low. Asia opened her mouth on a scream as the disk fell over and around them with a low hum. She didn’t remember closing her eyes but when she chanced a tiny peek through her lashes, she and Kayne were standing in the center of a control room. The disk was a glimmering hoop on the floor, surrounding their feet. Her lungs burned and she realized she’d been holding her breath. They were safe!

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Pushing aside her astonishment and her many questions, she touched the makeshift bandage on Kayne’s stomach. “I need to get proper bandages on that and put you to bed.” Kayne’s grin was wicked. “You may take me to bed, lady wife. As for the injury, it is healed.” **** Asia scrunched her brows together, disbelievingly. “It can’t be.” He untied the sleeves at his back and dropped the shirt to the floor. To her astonishment the claw marks were now little more than thin, pale scratches across his smooth skin. She touched his ridged flesh. “How is this possible? I saw those wounds.” “The sands,” Kayne said with a shrug as if it were of no consequence. “On Aeltrean, the most powerful healing sands come from the depths of the Madinian Sea.” Asia smoothed her fingers along the scratches a final time with a shake of her head. An instant later she dropped her arms from around him, another astounding sight having snagged her attention. She stared, mouth agape. Above a wide console, of rows of buttons, knobs, switches, and levers, a rectangular picture window revealed the endless expanse of outer space. 77

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Kayne took her by the hand and stepped over the outer edge of the disk. The instant she did the same it shrank to the size of a quarter. He lifted it off the floor and pocketed it. Asia loosed a breathy little laugh. “I’m on a real, honest to God spaceship.” She searched her heart expecting to feel a twinge of regret over the knowledge she’d likely never see Earth again. There were some things she’d miss, she acknowledged. But not enough to make her regret her decision to go home to Aeltrean. Home. An auburn haired woman was seated in a chair to their left facing the star splashed expanse of space. Asia blinked, certain her eyes were deceiving her. She could see through the woman. She cast a puzzled look at Kayne. “Her name is Maura. She’s an ethereal, a being who remains between two realities, not fully living yet hasn’t traveled beyond.” The woman looked at Asia and smiled. “It is an honor to serve you, Empress. Please forgive my lack of proper greeting. The controls needs be manned.” “No problem,” Asia said quickly. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.” Maura nodded and turned back to piloting the craft.

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“Come,” Kayne said, extending his hand. “We are safe now.” “What about those things? They’re loose or will they follow us to…uh…Aeltrean?” “Neither. They were sent to kill. Now that there is no target, they will dissolve into the Earthen as dust.” Asia shook her head. “Wait.” She caught Kayne’s arm. “Someone sent those things to kill you? Why?” Kayne didn’t answer. He continued walking along the corridor. At the fourth room on the right, he waited for her to join him. “Another secret?” Asia clenched her teeth together. Passing by him into the room she said, “I’m getting pretty damned sick of the secrets.”

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Chapter Nine

“Approaching Aeltrean. We will be landing in twenty minutes.” Asia heard Maura’s voice as if from far away. She couldn’t seem to pry herself from her perch where she admired the gorgeous planet characterized by various shades of greens and blues. From her vantage point she saw Aeltrean’s sun. It didn’t shine as bright as the golden sun of Earth, she could look directly at it with suffering any ill effects, yet the haze of purple radiance fascinated her with its beauty. The day was only just beginning as apparent by the retreat of the planet’s twin moons, which gradually chased each other to the opposite side of the great sphere. “It’s time, Your Highness.” Asia jumped, startled. She’d never get used to the way the ethereal could simply appear out of thin air. “Where’s Kayne?” “Guiding the ship, Your Highness.” She stifled a groan. “You can call me Asia, you know. It’s okay.”

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The other woman appeared so horrified by the prospect that she quickly retracted her statement. “Never mind. Don’t stress it.” It was one more thing she’d have to accept about her new life. On earth she’d been treated differently because she wasn’t blood related. On Aeltrean, would she be treated differently because she was royalty? Probably so. She sighed. “Your dressing gown, milady.” Using only her mind, Maura removed Asia’s robe and helped her don the teal green creation. Asia tilted her head as the buttons along her spine were looped into place. “This is so different.” “Milady?” “Your…our…umm Aeltrean is a technologically more advanced society than Earth yet the manner of dress is nothing like how I imagined.” She stopped in front of a life sized mirror and let out a tiny squeal of delight. “Oh this looks incredible! I love it!” The shimmering gown with silver thread interwoven throughout, molded to her curves like a dream. It flowed out at the knees and pooled into a small, circular train behind her. Low heeled silver slippers adorned her feet and a matching teal and silver head covering with attached veil completed the ensemble. The ends of the head covering were

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crossed loosely under her chin and left to drape over her bare shoulders to cascade down her back. “Different is a good thing?” Maura asked, in relation to Asia’s previous statement. “What? Oh yes. Different is very good…in this case,” she replied twisting her body to the right then the left. “It’s just that when it comes to clothes, the people of Aeltrean seem to be stuck in a time warp.” Maura laughed gaily. “I see you have been viewing the history screens.” Asia shrugged. “Seriously, as amazing as this dress is, I feel like the queen of a renaissance festival.” She performed a small spin, checking herself out at every angle. “Not that I’m complaining.” She giggled. In the mirror, Maura appeared as a translucent outline of her reflection. “Do you remember it?” “No. Should I?” “You were wearing it the day our emperor and his warriors stole you and some of your female clanswomen away from Earthen Realm. You were in quite a rage.” Maura giggled. “The year was thirteen hundred twenty seven.” Asia stared at her. “As I recall, you were quite umm…dismayed to be removed from your home world. It is little wonder the merging was so difficult for you.”

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“How did you—” Asia held up a palm.“Never mind.” Maura knew everything about her past life. It stood to reason she’d know everything now. “Okay so, understandably Zsa’neel…I mean, I, didn’t want to leave earth.” “Not in the beginning. To tell truth, you were in a rage. But by the time you arrived on Aeltrean you were eagerly if not a bit nervously anticipating your new life.” Asia snorted at the hazy memory. Being alone with Kaiel for weeks at a time had a lot to do with Zsa’neel’s…her willingness to embrace her new life. “In honor of his new bride,” the ethereal continued. “Emperor Kaiel changed the official dress of Aeltrean to reflect that of the peoples of Earthen. The law stands to this day.” “No one has ever had a problem with that?” The other woman’s look turned pensive. “Not to my knowledge. The Emperor is the law. His word is accepted as such. Over time many of us adopted a few Earthen’s traditions as well.” Asia worried her lower lip with her teeth. Placing a hand over her nervous stomach, she returned to her perch at the large window. Maura drifted close. “Something troubles you, milady?” She sat beside her.

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“I was just thinking…there might be people who won’t be exactly thrilled by my return.” Maura considered it. “It is possible. I believe that number to be few if it makes you feel any better.” Asia nodded absently. “But it’s enough.” The ethereal gave her a solemn look. “All will be well. You’ll see.” She braced her hands on her thighs and stood. “Now come. I will take you to him.” Asia didn’t ask Maura how she knew Kayne was on her mind. She simply followed the woman. Outside of the control room a case of the nerves returned full force. She resisted wiping her sweating palms on the dress. Shaking them instead, she glanced at the door, wishing Kayne was with her. She hadn’t seen him in the hour or so since he’d instructed her to wait for him. Once they made it to Aeltrean they would need to maintain an air of propriety until the crowning ceremony when he would reveal his true identity as Kaiel reborn. Thankfully that would only be during the day. Nighttime was a different story. His words from the previous evening came back to her now. I will not wait a fortnight to have you again, wife. Then come to me at night. Every night.

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Kayne had said nothing but his eyes spoke volumes. Yeah, she’d be seeing him tonight. The door to the control room slid open and Kayne stepped out. Her breathing hitched as it always did when she looked at him. “I came to—” he began. The words choked off. His eyes dropped to the hem of her gown and lifted, taking her in with a long slow perusal. He kissed her forehead and backed away. “You are a vision.” Asia smiled feeling uncharacteristically shy. “Thank you.” Maura moved around them. She hurried to sit at the large console. The door slid closed behind her. Kayne tilted toward her. He forced his body straight. “Are you ready?” He asked, a strange note in his voice. She nodded and he lifted her hand formally to lead her down the corridor toward the disembarking platform. She hung back. Tugged on his hand. “Tell me something. Is it true that none of the people, not even my blood…um…clan know what they’ve been assembled for?” “That is correct. They know only that someone of great import will be arriving. This is in the event something unforeseen was to occur.”

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Asia didn’t need to ask he meant. “What if the people don’t accept me? What if this entire thing has been for nothing?” Kayne rested his hands on her shoulders. His thumbs caressed her skin. “Your fears are for naught. You will be accepted. Trust me.” “But—” “You would forestall the inevitable. Come.” He tugged her into stumbling along behind him. Asia dug in her heels. “No.” Kayne sighed with strained patience. “No?” “No.” She wrung her hands and turned to him, lifting imploring eyes. “Kiss me.” When he only stared at her, she licked her lips. “I know it sounds silly but I feel as if everything’ll work out if—” Kayne backed her hard against a wall, clamped his hands on the sides of her face and kissed her until she reeled. Tilting her head to the side, he deepened the kiss and grunted with approval when she surged to her toes and sucked his tongue. When he at last lifted his head, he looked as thunderstruck as she felt. He breathed deeply with his forehead on hers. “By the sands woman, you look as if you’ve been ravished.” He spun on his heel and strode back the way they’d come. “Maura!” The door to the control room slid open and the ethereal hurried out as he went in to take her place.

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Asia was still reeling from the effects of Kayne’s kiss when Maura smoothed a clear gel on the sensitive skin around her mouth. The woman disappeared as quickly as she came and before Asia knew it, Kayne was again at her side. He wouldn’t look at her as he concealed her face behind her veil. “Kayne—” “Silence, woman.” Asia noticed the large bulge in the front of his pants and bit back a grin.

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Chapter Ten

The outer door of the craft slid open with a soft whoosh and the disembarking platform was lowered to the hangar floor. The low murmur of voices in the assembled crowd ceased. Anticipation hung heavy in the air. Asia descended, head bowed as was custom. Her spine remained ramrod straight. Inwardly she quaked. Near the edge of the platform she made the mistake of lifting her eyes to see the multitude gathered in anticipation of the foreign visitor. Her footsteps faltered. So many people. Hundreds. No Thousands. All eyes were on her. At the bottom of the platform, a man stepped forward from the ranks of a contingent of warriors. He was an attractive man. Well built and tall, though not as tall as Kayne. His short dark hair was sprinkled with faint bits of silver. He was dressed similarly to Kayne and walked with an air of unquestioned authority. When he stood before her he nodded first to Kayne then turned to her and bowed low in a show of respect. 88

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“I am Ryker, Captain of the Legion, defender of Aeltrean. Since our Legion Commander has had the privilege of accompanying you to Aeltrean, please allow me the honor of attending you now.” He took a step back, eyes twinkling. Kayne stiffened visibly. Asia nodded. “Thank you, Captain.” Ryker took her hand from Kayne’s and guided her through the crowd of silent onlookers. With Kayne trailing behind, they walked down a crimson carpeted pathway to a raised dais. Once he led her to the top of it facing the crowd, he walked down several steps to stand directly in front of her. A line men and women walked down the same pathway she’d just traversed. All were dressed similarly in heavy, cream colored robes with gold sashes around their waists. “The members of the High Council,” Kayne explained from behind, startling her. He walked past her to stand one step above and to the right of Ryker. Both men put their hands behind their backs and braced their feet apart. Neither said another word to her. The High Council members ascended the stairs. One by one they assessed her, nodded wordlessly, then took their places in a line behind her. A show of agreement, she decided. ****

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Facing the multitude, the captain called out, “Good people of Aeltrean. Hear me!” The few whispers grew silent. “In the time of our ancestors, wise Emperor Kaiel and the beautiful Empress Zsa’neel of the Earthen world met their ends at the hands of a vile traitor.” There was a small murmur of agreement in the crowd. “The ancient scrolls foretold the return of our beloved Empress that will usher in a return to greater peace and prosperity on Aeltrean.” He looked over his shoulder, gave Asia an encouraging smile, and faced the crowd once more. “Today is a day of great celebration. A joyous time. At last our beloved Empress has been returned to us!” A chorus of shocked gasps and murmurs of disbelief followed the announcement. “Judge now for yourselves!” Ryker lifted an arm in Asia’s direction. That was her cue. She lifted the sheer veil and removed the head covering. Tipping her chin up, she looked from one side of the crowd to the other making sure the assembly could clearly see her face. Five huge screens in the upper walls of the hangar flickered then her face flashed in clear detail. Asia heard a whoosh behind her and turned to see a curtain fall, revealing a huge portrait of a woman. Not just a woman. Her. In vivid detail. The

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only difference was that the eyes of the woman in the portrait were amber. Asia gaped in astonishment. “Your Highness.” She turned back to Ryker. Glanced once more at the uncanny portrait then faced forward again. The murmur of the crowd became a cheer. The cheer grew into a roar. The roar a cacophony of celebration. The contingent of soldiers fanned out at the base of the steps. They were all that stood between Asia and the crowd surging toward her. Finally, she was home. **** Hours later, Asia sat at the high table within the feasting hall stifling a yawn. Seated to her left and right were the members of the High Council. It was comprised of eleven highly respected men and women of the royal household. Seven of the eleven were Supreme Elders who were called upon apart from the others to interpret the law in cases of extreme sensitivity. The first High Council was formed after the murders of the royal family…she and Kaiel. Their purpose: to uphold the laws of Aeltrean until the rebirth and crowning of Empress Zsa’neel and the triumphant return of Emperor Kaiel, who himself was the law.

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One by one, each elder stood and recited the history of Aeltrean…in extreme monotone. Asia fought another yawn. She pinched herself under the table. It didn’t help. In all her life she couldn’t remember being so stuffed or so sleepy. Who in their right mind would hold a High Council meeting directly after a seven course feast? This is brutal! Once it was known that the previously unknown “guest” was Empress Zsa’neel, returned unto them, the banquet had turned into a full out celebration. According to Ryker, innumerable acts of entertainment would be brought in. Scores of people would wait in lines for hours, days if need be just to get a glimpse of her. These things and more would occur until the official crowning ceremony in two weeks time. At the end of her table in a place of honor sat Kayne talking with the captain, who’d just seated himself. Once, Asia attempted to gain his attention. He didn’t notice her. Not that she was concerned. Her attention was quickly drawn to the long line of clan both blood and not waiting anxiously to meet her. Once the history recitations ended, the introductions began. Asia moved to stand in front of the table to greet her family.

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First in line was a woman who looked to be in her midthirties. She was auburn haired with lightly tanned skin, a radiant smile, and milk chocolate colored eyes. “I am Nari, your blood kin.” The woman flung her arms around Asia’s shoulders. “I would ask that you call upon me to help you settle into our ways.” She stepped back, eyes hesitant and unsure as if she’d said or done too much. Asia returned her hug and nodded. “I would like that very much. Thank you.” “I would attend you as well, if you please, Empress.” Both women turned to see another woman in her late twenties, brown skinned with black hair, and petite. She bowed low and approached at Asia’s bidding. The woman’s face bore a resemblance to her own. “What’s your name?” “I am called Ta’Zsa, milady. I too am of your blood clan.” “Are there many who are related to me by blood?” Asia asked, trying not to show her childlike excitement. Nari indicated the sea of faces within the long line awaiting her. “This is perhaps half of them milady.” **** The next week and a half flew by in a rush of activity. Day in and day out, maids and kitchen staff worked tirelessly to make ready for the arrival 93

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of Aeltrean’s allies in celebration of the empress’s return. In that time, Asia was sought for everything from fittings to menu choices, floral arrangements and seating preferences. When she wasn’t engaged in one castle duty or the other, she spent time getting to know her extended family. Through it all, Nari and Ta’Zsa were as good as their word. Both women were an invaluable source of help in completing her duties. They fielded the endless tide of visitors, answered her many questions, and generally kept her from becoming overwhelmed. In the evenings, they remained with her to chatter as maids prepared them for bed. They were the embodiment of everything she’d been missing in a family. She should have felt blessed beyond measure. But her happiness was dimmed by the fact she’d not been alone with Kayne since their arrival. During the journey, he’d told her that since he was only a Legion Commander, it would be frowned upon for them to be alone together until after the crowning ceremony. At the time he’d been distracting her quite well so she hadn’t questioned the why of it. At the very least, she’d expected him to come to her private rooms after her family retired for the night. He hadn’t and his absence concerned her.

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Each evening, she’d lingered in the communal hall. Standing with one member of her blood clan or another, she’d feign interest in idle chitchat in hopes she could catch Kayne’s attention in some way. It hadn’t worked. He was usually in a discussion with one or the other of his men. If she happened to catch his eye, he’d only nod politely and continue talking. She’d resorted to summoning him only to be told by the third in command that Kayne was otherwise engaged and had sent him in his stead. The rejection stung. Once, she’d stumbled upon him training with his men. From the safety of the forest, she’d observed as he wielded a sword with ease, never failing to best any man who challenged him. Muscles straining, chest heaving, sweat cascading down his broad, bare back, he’d been quite simply magnificent. Well, she was done waiting. Pride be damned, she wanted her husband. If Kayne wasn’t going to come to her she’d just have to go to him and he’d better have a damned good reason for avoiding her. Asia donned a dress and shawl she’d pilfered from one of the laundry mistress’s baskets. Slipping off her jeweled slippers, she inched open her chamber door and glanced down the hall. No one was coming. She eased the door shut behind her and tiptoed down the stairs and through the 95

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massive hall. Pulling the shawl over her head, she hurried out into the night. By listening to the hushed whispers of the chambermaids, she’d learned the location of the warriors’ camp. On silent feet, she moved in that direction. On the outside of the Rhal’ma, the building used for religious service, she paused. Peeking around the empty doorway, she saw the camp where the soldiers slept. She didn’t see Kayne, but it didn’t mean he wasn’t with the others. A little farther to go and— A heavy male hand fell upon her shoulder. Asia whirled around with a shriek. She slapped one hand over her thundering heart the other over her mouth and stared up into the steely, hard eyes of Kayne’s third in command. Her heart sank. His name was Archer. He was her distant cousin and undoubtedly the most serious person she’d met in her entire life. “Asia? Why are you out here alone? Why are you dressed like a common handmaid?” “I…” Her mind went blank. Her mouth opened and closed much like a fish’s. Wait a minute. I’m the empress. She straightened her spine. “That’s none of your business. What are you doing? Following me?”

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His dark skin reddened in embarrassment. “Forgive me. It was not my intention to offend. I inquire out of concern for your safety.” Asia exhaled. “You didn’t offend me, Archer. You just startled me and I…” She sighed again. “I acted like a jerk. I’m sorry for snapping at you.” The man’s eyes bulged “You seek forgiveness from me?” She looked around self consciously. “Um, yeeeess.” “Forgiven.” Archer’s hard face split into a grin. It faded quickly. “Come, cousin. I would see you returned safely to the castle.” Asia flashed a longing glance over her shoulder. “Do you have to? I mean. I’m free to roam my own land, right?” “Indeed you are,” Archer agreed, steering her away with a firm hand at her waist. “Best not to do so near a camp of men.” At her concerned look he said, “Do not be mislead, cousin. They are decent and honorable men. I would trust any one of them with my life. Yet even honorable men can be tested beyond endurance when there is a beautiful woman so near the camp. Come.” He held out an arm, and she had no choice but to accept it.

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Chapter Eleven

Late that night, Asia sat on a stone bench in her private gardens staring moodily up at the star dappled sky. It was going to be another long, lonely night and she was pissed about it. What was going on with Kayne? Had he grown tired of her already? If not why wasn’t he coming to her at night? Maybe she’d read him wrong. It didn’t seem that way but…she just didn’t know. “Empress Zsa’neel. A word, please.” Asia was on her feet and halfway across the garden before a muscled arm snaked around her middle. A hand sealed her mouth shut. She screamed anyway, fighting like a demon. “Calm yourself, Empress! I will not harm you.” The man grunted when her elbow connected with his ribs but he held on. Long minutes later, when she’d tired herself out, she went still, air blasting in and out of her nostrils. Somehow she’d ended up face down on the ground with the man pinning her with his body. “You need not fear harm at my hands, Empress. I come only to warn you of treachery,” his low voice rasped in her ear. 98

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Panting, Asia gave one final jerk of her body. “Get off me and I’ll listen.” Cautiously he lifted off her. Asia skittered backward a few feet. The crouching man was wearing a dark hooded robe that concealed his face. She still felt him staring at her. The look of it reminded her of the grim reaper and scared her spitless. As fear welled up she opened her mouth. “Call your guards and you will never know what treachery is being plotted against you.” Asia clamped her mouth shut, forced her breathing to slow, and stood as the man stood. “Who are you?” “Names are not important.” “They are if you don’t want my scream to bring the entire legion down on your head.” The man bowed. “Very well. You may call me…Titan.” He moved among the shadows. Asia didn’t challenge him on the made up name. Instead she turned with him as he walked. “Say what you have to say and go.” “In this game of men, you have been deceived and cruelly used. Treachery awaits from the very man you have given your trust…and your body to.” “Given my—”Asia broke off, deliberately keeping her expression neutral. “I’ve always hated riddles. If you have something to say, say it.”

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“Do not play coy with me, woman. I speak of the Legion Commander, Kayne. The man whose company you seek to warm your bed. The man most likely to slit your throat whilst you sleep.” Asia took a startled step backward, her stomach plunging to her toes. “I think you should go.” Before her mind could register alarm, “Titan” grabbed her, whipped her around, and slammed her against his chest. He covered her mouth with his hand and pressed his lips to her ear. Asia struggled against the hold, scratched his exposed arm, even landed an awkward punch. Titan was much stronger. He subdued her quickly. “Do not be a fool. As you sleep alone, the Legion Commander shares his pallet with whores. He plots against you as we speak; yet you would defend him?” She mumbled something and the man who called himself Titan loosened his hold ever so slightly. “You don’t know what you’re talking about,” Asia said through gritted teeth. “Don’t I? How can you be sure?” He gripped her chin in his hand and forcefully turned her resisting face toward his. Nearer. Their mouths inches apart. “Your lover is not who he pretends to be, lovely one. Listen well. I have a story to tell. From that you must decide what you will do to save yourself.”

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He started speaking, and Asia had no choice but to listen. **** The following evening Kayne sat among his warriors glaring at the empty chair at the high table on the other side of the room. Where was Asia? Could she be with the hooded man even now? Jealousy clawed at his stomach. It had also made him careless. Twice while training he’d nearly been felled by far less skilled warriors in hand to hand combat. As a result, he’d endured a healthy dose of teasing. After all, it was well known he could dispatch three on one attacks with ease. Not so this day and his men had a grand time at his expense. That was until he’d focused his anger. Urging each challenger to come at him with all they had, he’d fought like a man possessed. Eventually other brave souls joined the brawl. When the fight was over, five of his best men lay bloody and moaning on the ground. One lay still. The rest were silent with shock. He’d quit the field for the day. First thing that morning, Eileo had called him away from morning meal to the Whispering Chamber with a report that had made his blood boil. The Whispering Chamber was so named because the faintest of sounds carry to it, therefore preventing unwanted ears from 101

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overhearing private conversations occurring within. It was also a room in which anything spoken may never be repeated. Deep within the large chamber, Eileo had turned to him. “It is with reluctance that I must report unto you this day.” “Say what you must Eileo and speak freely.” The ethereal’s hesitant gaze met his. “The empress and an unknown hooded man were witnessed together in milady’s private gardens last even.” He’d scarcely contained his fury. “Together how?” “It seemed this man made certain…overtures to milady…which she did not reciprocate.” He’d hastened to add. Yet neither did she flee or call her guards. The two spoke together at length. Afterward the empress appeared upset.” “Who is this witness? I would question him myself.” “I have been forbidden to reveal his name, sire, only his report. I know not his motives for telling me instead of speaking with you directly. But I will say this. He spoke true.

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“Damnation!” Kayne slammed his fist on the heavy wooden table turning several heads. At his black look they quickly looked away. Propping his elbows on the table, he made a fist, covered it with the other hand, and rested his mouth against it, thinking. His position was a tenuous one. On the one hand, as Legion Commander, he had a sworn duty to protect Asia and therefore had every right to be close to her at all times. On the other, were anyone to see them together, they risked arousing suspicion as to the nature of their true involvement. Council law commanded that the reborn empress come to the crowning ceremony untouched. By lying with her he’d endangered their acceptance of her as Aeltrean’s empress. If anyone learned of what he’d done, the consequences would be dire. It was for that reason he’d intentionally stayed away once they reached Aeltrean. The temptation of her sweet body was too great to resist. Unaccustomed to explaining his motives for anything, he’d said nothing to her. He knew now how wrong he’d been not to tell her. Had his neglect forced her into the arms of the hooded man? If not, why had Asia allowed him to come to her in secret? Most troubling, she hadn’t come to

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him, her husband, straight away. Why was she hiding the encounter from him? A chorus of greetings roused him from his thoughts. Asia arrived in a shimmering amber gown that molded to her curves most appealingly. She was lead to the high table and seated. The evening meal was then presented and the assembly was served. As she ate, an elder approached and she leaned forward to speak with him. Her gown tightened, plumping the tops of her luscious breasts near to spilling out. Kayne’s mouth watered as images of her lovely, dark body clenching around him filled his mind. His staff lengthened, throbbed. Sands but he had to have her soon. Tonight. His gaze bore into her, willing her notice him. **** At the high table, Asia giggled at Nari’s feigned attempt to ignore the warrior desperately trying to gain her attention. Turning her head, she leaned over to listen as Tsa’Zsa launched into an amusing story. Idly sifting her fingers through her curled hair, she felt a tingling sensation stir her insides. Instantly aware, she swept her gaze around the room and found Kayne’s. The expression he wore was hot and possessive and held all the sensual promise of a passion filled night to come.

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The cleft between her thighs pulsed to life and her traitorous body slickened with excitement. With her every quickened breath her hardened nipples rasped against the suddenly too rough fabric constricting them. She bit back a moan. Defiantly, she kept her gaze cool, refusing to acknowledge Kayne with so much as a nod. No way would she let him see the effect he had on her with nothing more than a look. Purposefully, she smiled at her cousin Archer who sat two seats down from Kayne then nodded to a slightly inebriated Ryker who placed a hand over his heart and dropped his head forward with a wobbled bow. She burst out laughing. Out of the corner of her eye she saw Kayne stiffen. Good. She thought. The jerk probably thought he was going to creep into her bedchamber now that he’d no doubt exhausted his camp whores. Not in this lifetime. Asia shook her head. Where’d that thought come from? Kayne wasn’t the kind of man to be unfaithful. She knew it as clearly as she knew her own mind. Just as she understood the depth of his feelings for her. Still, she couldn’t ignore the fact that he’d been avoiding her. So no. No matter how much she wanted him, her pride wouldn’t let her, let him 105

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sneak into her bed tonight or any other night. At least not until he’d made things right…with a damned good explanation and a hell of a lot of groveling. **** Deep into his third cup of drink, Ryker had begun to go on and on about the empress’s beauty being surpassed only by her kindness and sharp wit. This was met by a chorus of cheers and mugs lifted high in Asia’s direction, further souring Kayne’s dark mood as Asia stared right through him. With a curse, he shoved his meal aside and exited the room before he was forced to kill someone, preferably his captain. Asia’s delighted laughter followed him out of the dining hall, setting his teeth on edge. One more day. The crowning ceremony couldn’t come soon enough for his liking.

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Chapter Twelve

Asia lay awake watching the gauzy curtains surrounding her bed lift and lower with the breeze. It was a cool night and the window had been left open to allow the “breath of the sea” to swirl into the room. “Empress…” A male voice, low and insistent, floated up to her from the gardens. Asia froze. Not again. Briefly she contemplated feigning sleep. Her mind rejected that bit of cowardice. That was something the old Asia would have done, pretended to be asleep and hoped the hooded man would go away on his own. Empress Asia threw back the covers and slipped on a gown to confront the jerk head on. She hurried to the balcony, not giving that hooded bastard time to make it to her bedchambers. “What could you possibly want?” she whispered furiously. The man who called himself Titan stood among the trees, hood in place, looking up at her. “I would have a word.” Asia straightened, frowned. “I think you said plenty the other night. Go away.” 107

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“There is more. You’re unaware of the peril you’re in.” “So you keep saying.” She glanced over her shoulder. Her guards were within screaming distance should she need them. Curiosity niggled at her. Who was Titan? He had to be someone close to Kayne. An advisor maybe? A council member? No one else could possibly know about them. If she could get close to him, discover who he was, she could expose him as a traitor and bring his lies about her husband to an end before the ceremony. She didn’t believe for a second that Kayne was involved in any plot to harm her. At the bottom of the stairs, she walked toward the looming figure in the shadows, quaking the entire way. He seemed bigger somehow, more menacing, and she resisted the urge to turn back, to show any weakness in front of him. Somehow she managed to keep her voice steady. “Keep your hands where I can see them or I’ll scream my head off. Understand?” He inclined his head. “As you wish, milady.” His voice was a raspy hush. He waited until she’d stopped several feet in front of him. “Have you considered my words?” “What is there to consider? You gave me an ultimatum and a time frame. I have until the crowning ceremony to decide.” She tried to see

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beneath his hood. Couldn’t. Damn it. She was going to have to get closer. “I will tell you this. I’m not leaving with you. My place is with Kayne.” Deliberately, she turned her back and walked away a few steps. A scant second later she felt strong hands grip her shoulders just as she knew she would. She fought the instinctive urge to get free. “It is unwise to turn your back on a man such as I.” His silken voice rumbled beside her ear. His hands cascaded down her arms to anchor at her waist. To her horror, a surge of awareness pulsed through her as the unmistakable bulge of his erection prodded her bottom. She shivered. But what shocked her was that she wasn’t inclined to move away. She wanted to rub against him. Kayne’s image filled her mind and shame washed over her. When this “Titan” had invaded her gardens the other night she’d felt only revulsion and anger when he’d put his hands on her. This time, arousal made her ache for him. Asia lurched away, with self loathing eating a hole in her stomach. She slapped Titan with all the force she could muster. The effect was no doubt softened because her palm connected with the side of the cowl, but it got his attention. “You’ll never

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turn me against my hus—” She tipped her chin up. “—against Kayne. “I love him. He’s an honorable man; something you’ll never be, you spineless coward.” She opened her mouth to scream. Titan clamped a hand over it and whipped an arm around her shoulders, forcing her to be still against his unyielding form. Even as she quaked in fear, Asia felt a thrill run through her where his body pressed to hers. Renewed anger made her struggle as if possessed. She stomped his foot, tried to bite his hand. He grunted but didn’t loosen his hold on her. In fact, he tightened it. She screamed but it came out as no more than a muffled grunt. Beyond furious now, Asia scrutinized the only part of Titan’s face she could see. A strong jaw. Full, dark pink lips curving upward in a ghost of a smile. Shock snapped her spine straight. Jerking an arm free, she yanked the hood off his head… and came face to face with her husband. **** Kayne stared down at her unashamedly, hungrily. “Good evening, wife.” His heated gaze touched her eyes, her flaming cheeks, her lips. “It is good to hear of your feelings for me.” “You!” Asia hauled back her right fist and swung it forward. This time it kept going.

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Kayne caught it easily though his smile faded. The hard slap he received from her other hand snapped his face to the left. As she stared at Kayne’s reddening cheek Asia didn’t feel a bit better. She felt homicidal. Her chest heaved. “You mean to tell me I’ve been trying to get word to you about the traitor inside your camp without tipping him off, when all along it was you?” Her hands clenched; her body shook with fury. “You’ve avoided me. Made me question you…us and for what, huh? So you could screw with my mind? Test the pathetic Earthen’s loyalty?” “No, sweet wife. No.” Kayne lifted a hand to touch her. Asia batted it away. “No more lies, Kayne. My entire life has been one big, painful lie. I’ll be damned if I’ll endure more of the same here.” Her eyes filled. She swallowed. “You need to leave. I can’t even stand to look at you right now.” “Asia—” She held up her hands palms out. “Just go.” A tear streaked down her cheek. She angrily swiped it away. “…and stay away from me.” As she began to back away, Kayne curled a hand gently but firmly around her upper arm and leaned in. “You will heed me, wife.” The betrayal Asia was feeling flashed into icy rage. She moved her glare from his restraining hand to the thunderclouds of his eyes. “I think you’re 111

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forgetting something, Commander. Until you reveal who you really are to the Council elders you have no claim over me. Right now you’re nothing more than a lowborn warrior in my service. I could have you thrown in the dungeon and there’s not a damned thing you could do about it.” A muscle in Kayne’s jaw leaped furiously. His eyes darkened to slate. Asia’s narrowed with hard determination. “Don’t test me.” She yanked her arm free. “I want you to leave…now!” **** Kayne remained immobile, fighting to control the fury spreading inside him. “Your anger is not unjustified,” he acknowledged through gritted teeth. Asia snorted derisively. “I should not have deceived you. I realize now it was a mistake. I should have trusted you.” “That doesn’t explain—” “I was blinded by jealousy.” Asia scrutinized him, brows coming together in apparent confusion. Her full, angry mouth turned down in a luscious pout. “Oh damn it all.” Kayne covered her tempting mouth in a hungry invasion of lips and tongue. With a little squeak, Asia balled her small fists and pummeled his shoulders. She kicked his shins

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but there was no real bite to her struggles. Had she truly wished to deny him or to call her guards she could have done so easily enough. Kayne bent her backward, easing her to the soft ground. He tangled his tongue with hers, gliding and stroking until she clutched his hair and shifted restlessly beneath him. She emitted a mewling sound of protest when he lifted off her only to sigh when he removed her gown and took off his own clothing. Urgently now, he cupped her breasts, rolling one dark pebbled tip between thumb and forefinger as he suckled its twin. Asia gasped his name. When he flicked his tongue across her other nipple, her spine arched sharply. He swept a finger deep into her slick center, and she came apart, hips surging to meet the rhythmic glide. He couldn’t wait any longer. Kayne widened her thighs and settled between them. He braced his weight on his forearms and with one slamming thrust, sheathed himself deep into her tight, moist heat. They both cried out in pleasure. His body shuddered as he cupped her face. “Look at me, Asia.” When she complied, he laced his fingers with hers and kissed her slowly, lingeringly. “Forgive me. It was never my intention to hurt you.” Eyes shimmering, she bit her lip and nodded. 113

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Kayne lowered his head to kiss away the slight injury and began to move, sinking himself into her, swallowing her soft cries of pleasure. He groaned in ecstasy as her body suctioned him, coating him in her sweet essence. Gritting his teeth, he attempted to prolong a sudden, near desperate urge to release inside of her. It was a battle he would lose. It had been too long. Skin to skin, their bodies strained together, sliding, grinding. Asia gasped his name, scored his back with her nails. She lifted her hips to meet his powerful thrusts. Violent tremors racked his body as he soared over the edge, slamming his hips against hers. Asia wailed against his neck as her body gripped his straining shaft, milking him relentlessly. Panting harshly, Kayne thrust as deeply as he could and went rigid when he bumped against the mouth of her womb. A roar burst from his throat as he poured himself into her welcoming body in short, staccato bursts. The lovers collapsed into each other’s arms, spent. **** Above the gardens, standing on the balcony outside of the empress’s private chambers, the hooded man stood watching.

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Rage curled his fingers around the railing until the knuckles turned white.

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Chapter Thirteen

The day of the crowning ceremony promised to be clear and gorgeous. Asia awakened tender in all her secret places but deliriously happy. After experiencing Kayne’s loving in the garden, he’d carried her inside where he’d backed her against a pillar and plunged into her until she’d screamed through another climax…behind his cupped hand. Then they’d stumbled to the bed where he’d slipped into her again. That time though, he’d made slow, gentle love to her until they’d fallen asleep in each other’s arms. The gauzy curtains surrounding her bed lifted with the light breeze flowing through the room. Asia stretched then winced. With a little giggle she sifted her fingers through the silken cloud of Kayne’s tangled hair. His arm tightened around her middle. He shifted, sleepily reclaiming his former position on top of her. Snuggling a cheek into the space between her breasts, he pressed a kiss to the swell resting against his lips, and went still. Contentment filled Asia like never before. She had a husband who adored her and would fight for 116

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her, the family she’d always longed for, and a home for them all to share. What could be better? The sudden thundering of feet reached her a scant second before Ryker burst into the room. “Seize him!” Kayne surged off the bed, drew a sword from under it, and was ready to do battle before his eyes were fully opened. With his back to his wife, he brought his sword around in a wide arc, snapping the closest man’s blade in two. Crouching low, he held his sword over his head, ready. As one, his warriors advanced. Swords clanged with jarring resonance. Asia wrapped the bedcovers around herself and scrambled out of the bed giving the ensuing battle a wide berth. “What’s the meaning of this?” she demanded of Ryker who stood to the side, waiting. “What right do you have to barge in here?” “You have been defiled, Empress,” Ryker barked. “The Commander has broken the law. He is to be arrested and tried.” He wrapped an arm around her and hauled her, none too gently behind him. Metal clanged near him and he spun to face Kayne not realizing that his forcefulness had caused Asia to trip on the sheets and crash against the wall. Kayne saw it and he bellowed in rage. The distraction was just the advantage his enemies needed. 117

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Something hard crashed across the back of his skull. His knees wobbled. His vision swam. Asia cried out in pain. Ryker whirled in time to catch her as she crumpled. “Asia!” Kayne shouted. Four warriors fell upon him before he could get to her. **** As Kayne was dragged away, yelling her name, Ryker passed Asia over to her cousin. “I’m sorry, Empress. He looked at Archer. “Guard her. Do not let her leave this room.” Archer nodded. He placed Asia on the bed. His face a grim but determined mask. Asia eased to a sitting position with a grimace. She clutched the back of her head in the same place where Kayne had been hit. Archer frowned but said nothing. With a shake of her head she willed away the dizziness and started to go after Kayne and his captors. Her cousin wouldn’t let her pass. “There’s been a mistake. Please Archer you have to convince them to release him.” “Your purity has been compromised, cousin,” he said, in a voice tight with anger. “It is now up to the Supreme Council to decide if the crowning ceremony will commence. It is quite a mess.”

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“That’s why Kayne’s been arrested?” she asked incredulously. “Because you all think he took my virginity?” Archer colored. “Do you deny it?” “Yes I deny it! I wasn’t a virgin when Kayne found me.” Archer recoiled. “You had known a man’s touch befor—” Asia strove for patience though she knew every second counted. “Things are different where I come from. I lost my virginity back in college.” She flared her nostrils. “Oh don’t look at me like that. I’ve only been with—” Archer shook his head stubbornly. “You have been taken by the Legion Commander of Aeltrean. Above all others it is he who is sworn to uphold the laws of Kaiel until the emperor’s return to the throne. He was to protect you from that which he has done.” Nari and Tsa’Zsa hurried into the room. Asia stopped them from rushing forward with a wave of her hand. “Kayne has every right to do what he did.” She took a breath and one by one looked each of them in the eye. “He’s my husband.” The women gasped. Archer scowled in disbelief. “Kayne is Emperor Kaiel,” she continued. “And I can prove it.” 119

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Chapter Fourteen

The Supreme Council was being assembled. Soon the closed trial would begin. Kayne stood alone in the large room chained between two pillars before the empty table where the Supreme Elders would render their judgment against him. Loose fitting pants had been tugged into place to cover him out of deference to the sanctity of the proceedings. His back had been left bare. The trial was more of a formality. For there could only be one punishment for defiling the empress: Death by lashing. A heavy hand clamped around the back of his neck. Something sharp, a needle, was jabbed into the underside of his jaw. He jerked his chin away but the deed was done. What had been injected into him? His gaze trailed up the arm that held it to his Captain’s malevolent glare. Ryker smiled a thin, cold smile. “It was not poison if that was your hope. No, I will revel in flaying the flesh from your bones.” “Traitor—” Kayne’s throat cramped suddenly against further words, leaving only room for small 120

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gasps of life giving air to pass through. He tried to lunge at his captain and was jerked back hard by the shackles around his wrists and ankles. Ryker smiled. “For what I have planned, your tongue needs be stilled, Commander.” He leaned close, whispering. “Or should I say, Your Highness?” Kayne’s eyes narrowed. He inhaled a hard breath. “You seem surprised by my knowledge.” Ryker moved to speak in Kayne’s other ear. “You bear the mark of the returned Emperor, as the scrolls foretell you would.” He took a breath. “I recognize the look of it from the history scrolls left behind by my ancestor before he killed you and the Earthen whore…the first time. Kayne clenched his fists. Strained against the chains. Nostrils flared as furious bursts of air blasted from them. “Save your strength. The chains will hold.” Ryker seemed to be assuring himself more than taunting Kayne, whose murderous glare held his. “Do not fear for the empress. There will be no Cadalin poisoning for her either.” He angled back. “This time only you will die.” Keeping his voice low he said, “My ancestor was short sighted. He sought only to have your lives ended when you returned, thereby preserving the rule of the High Council he formed.” He moved to stand in front of Kayne. “I want more.” Pacing 121

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now, he added. “The scrolls foretell of the triumphant return of Kaiel to the throne.” He gave Kayne a scorching look. “It was I who captured the man who dared defile the empress. And it is I who will be named Commander of the Legion. I would say both are triumphs. He lifted a sleeve to reveal a small scroll marking with triangular symbols surrounding it, high on his inner arm, “I bear the mark of Kaiel’s law. So you see? The throne and the empress are mine.” Kayne stared at the mark. By the sands, no! Ryker meant to kill him first. Then, after Asia was crowned, he would proclaim himself to be Kaiel in front of the council then take the throne of Aeltrean…and force his will upon Asia. Kayne went wild, kicking out at the other man, straining against the chains that bound him. He bellowed in rage though the sound came out as a strained gasp. A hard clap of thunder boomed, vibrating the walls of the castle. Torrents of rain began to fall as he pulled at the chains. One slipped. “What is the meaning of this outrage?” Elder Horack, head of the Supreme Council demanded as he stormed into the room. It was apparent that he’d been roused from sleep as had the other elders who trailed him.

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Ryker stepped away from Kayne and waited until the seven elders were seated. As soon as the doors closed behind them he turned reluctant eyes on the council. “Most esteemed members of the Supreme Elder Council, our trusted Legion Commander,” he pointed at Kayne, “…was removed from our empress’s bedchamber mere moments ago. He had defiled her.” Shocked murmuring began among the elders. Elder Horack held up his palms for quiet. Though he was the calm head of the group, the high color in his cheeks was no less an indicator of his displeasure. “What say you to these charges Commander?” Kayne glared balefully at Ryker. “You see? The commander is defiant even now. He says nothing in his own defense.” Ryker dropped his head as if pained. “I have known this man many years. He has been like mine own flesh and blood. It pains me that as Captain I must implore you to render your judgment against him.” “What says the empress about these charges?” Elder Plaemon, the youngest of the elders asked. The look of resignation on Ryker’s face faltered. “The empress is…aggrieved. She hides in shame, rightly refusing to show her face. She—” “Send for her.” **** 123

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As soon as Asia entered the communal hall she knew something was very wrong. Kayne was bound by chains, his arms and legs splayed wide, painfully so. But that wasn’t it. He strained against his bonds toward her yet made very little sound. Only hard, angry breaths escaped him. Somehow, some way, he couldn’t speak. The question was, why? Asia looked over at Ryker who appeared reluctant and saddened. “Rel…ease him this in…stant!” Every word was a struggle. Startled, she clutched her throat. God, she could hardly speak. What was wrong with her voice? I feel your loneliness as keenly as mine own. Kayne hadn’t been speaking figuratively, all those weeks ago, she realized. Now that they were joined they felt each other’s…everything. “State your case, Captain,” Elder Horack commanded. “The Legion Commander has broken the law of Kaiel and defiled the empress. He must be punished.” Ryker turned pitying eyes on Asia. “None of this is your doing. He is a vile deceiver who has sought to gain your hand by teaching you a perverted version of our laws. In your ignorance you knew not the difference. He is not who you thought him to be.” Asia stared up at Ryker in horrified clarity. From what he said and the way he phrased his

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words she knew exactly who he was…or rather, who he’d pretended to be. Her gaze narrowed and she pushed the words past her aching throat. “You s…sent those…creatures to kill him. You…in the garden. All along.” She went to the table where the supreme elders sat and pointed an accusing finger at Ryker. She spoke each word with agonizing slowness. “He’s…trying…to…kill…the Emperor.” Elder Horack leaned forward with a rebuking frown. He braced thin arms on bony elbows. “Emperor Kaiel has not returned onto us, Empress.” “He has,” Asia insisted. “ Kayne is Kaiel and—” “She lies! I am Emperor Kaiel!” Ryker thundered. He snatched off his shirt and approached the table, baring his inner arm for the elders to see. “I would have waited only until the crowning ceremony to reveal my true self.” Shouts of incredulity followed this announcement. Some of the elders simply stared in awe. “No! He’s…not Kaiel!” Asia shouted. She walked up to Ryker. The chains binding her husband rattled viciously, a warning to her to stay back. She ignored it. Forced herself not to look at Kayne, knowing her courage might falter if she did.

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“You’re not my husband,” she managed a bit more steadily, “…but you are…a liar and a traitor.” Ryker’s face flushed a dark scarlet. He raised a hand as if he would strike her. Then forced it down to his side. “This is a council of men. Guards! Remove this woman from among us.” As two guards moved to obey, Elder Horack surged to his feet, hands splayed. “Return to your posts! We will hear what the empress has to say.” Shakily, Asia pulled a small blade from the folds of her gown. She went over to her Kayne. Emotion blazed in his eyes. “Trust me,” she mouthed. “Asia.” The one word had taken supreme effort to say. Yet he’d managed it around whatever Ryker had done to him. She nodded, eyes clouding. “I know.” Bending, she cut away a section of his pants high on his upper thigh. “This is the mark of Kaiel!” She moved away from Kayne to allow the council to see the detailed mark better. The seven elders rose from their seats and gathered around Kayne to view the intricate marking. “Indeed, this is the true mark.” “…as in the scrolls.” No one saw Ryker maneuver around the group.

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“What trickery is this?” Elder Nolden, the most skeptical of them exclaimed. “Two marks of Kaiel?” “Not two,” Asia corrected. “Only one. If you look closely you will see that the captain’s mark is a fraud…a self made marking, possibly. He would have seen my husband sentenced to deat—No!” she screamed. As one, the group whirled to see Ryker standing directly behind Kayne pointing a sword at the center of his back. **** Kayne felt the sword tip lift from his skin and knew for a certainty that Ryker was going to run him through. Doubling his efforts against the shackle on his right arm, he jerked it and his body to the side, pulling the loosened chain free just as the man thrust the blade forward. The steel sliced through the fleshy part of his side at the same moment Asia extended an arm and threw herself against him. Her blade went high and deep into Ryker’s stomach, killing the man before he crumpled to the floor. “Are you well?” Kayne asked anxiously as his shackles were removed. Asia nodded but she continued to hold him around the midsection. “I love you…” She tipped her head back and swallowed. “Promise me something.” “Anything.” 127

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Asia closed her eyes. “Promise me you won’t… flip out.” Her eyes rolled skyward and she slumped, her head lolling back to reveal the pool of blood spreading across her chest.

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Epilogue

“I swear if you don’t let me get out of this bed today I’m going to scream!” Asia barked at Kayne, but there was a twinkle of humor in her eyes. It’d been three days since Ryker’s attempt on Kayne’s life. Three days of her husband looking like hell as he refused to allow anyone to tend to her. Never mind he’d applied the healing sands of the Madinian Sea to her wound. Never mind she’d recovered in less than a day’s time. He’d hovered over her like a mother hen. Washing her, feeding her, declaring his love for her time and again. It was wonderful. It was sweet. It was time for it to end. “Kayne, they’re readying the communal hall for the crowning ceremony…for us both. You have to let me out of here. I’m fine.” Kayne regarded her with a worried frown. “I nearly lost you again.” “But you didn’t.” Asia smiled gently. “I’m fine. You’re fine. Ryker is dead. All is right with the world.” She gave him mock frown. “Now I’m ready to enjoy my party even if you aren’t.” She threw the covers aside and swung her legs to the ground. Kayne was on her in an instant. Crowding her. 129

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She took him completely off guard by grabbing him by the shirt and lying back on the bed, dragging him down with her. “Asia!” She clamped her legs around him when he would have scrambled off her, fear of hurting her evident in his haunted eyes. She pressed a palm to his cheek to still him. “I love you.” Kayne pressed gentle kisses to each cheek then her forehead. “And I love you.” Emotion thickened his words. He kissed her tenderly. “All right, we will attend the ceremony but only if you vow to inform me if you grow tired.” “If I tire I’ll tell you. I swear it,” she vowed solemnly. He kissed her again. “Mmmm…” Asia slid her leg along his. She wiggled her hips and was rewarded by the feel of his erection growing long and hard against her pelvis. She licked her lips. “According to the law of Zsa’neel, it is only by receiving the healing essence of the emperor that I will fully recover from my injuries.” She lifted the hem of the sleeping gown and removed it from her body. “Swear you will not withhold it from me.” The teasing light quickly faded from Kayne’s eyes as he lowered himself fully onto her. “I swear unto you, by my law it shall be given.”

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Acknowledgments To Mimi Tremont, one of the most patient critique partners ever. Thank you so much for the times you’ve shared your brilliance and eye for detail with me. And thank you for sidesplitting laughter as I iron out scenes that I know have you shaking your head. You have no idea how much you’re appreciated! And To Rory, a great editor! Thank you for your time and dedication through each draft in making ‘Sworn’ the best it can be!

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About the Author Naomi James is the best selling author of the paranormal novella, Untamed: Dacien & Tia and the novella short, The Bride and The Barbarian. Currently, she lives in the Midwest with her family and her monster dog, Spot. She has been writing seriously for several years and is a member of Interracial/Multicultural Romance Readers (IMRR) and Romance in Creative Hues (R.I.C.H.). When not plotting the latest scene for one of her many works in progress, Naomi can be found online doing research. Naomi loves to hear from readers. Feel free to e mail her at [email protected] or Visit her blog at, www.naomijames.blogspot.com where you can read excerpts of other novels she’s working on.

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Find your favorite fantasy at… Whispers Publishing (www.whispershome.com) For your convenience, all of Whispers Publishing’s books are available from our website as well as Fictionwise, Mobipocket, All Romance e Books, and Amazon Kindle. Be sure to sign up for our newsletter for up to date news from your favorite authors, contests, giveaways, upcoming releases, and more! You can sign up on the front page of our website. We’re also on Facebook and Twitter at: www.facebook.com/whisperspub www.twitter.com/whisperspublish

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