Rebellion, page 15
Ria was bothered by Olivia’s proximity to Ty. The fact she was bothered by it also annoyed her. She frowned at the pair and twirled a strand of red hair around her finger.
Since she and Ty had bonded the day before, they’d kept their distance. It wasn’t a perfect pairing by any stretch. They should be talking, getting to know each other, but she didn’t know how to do that when there was so much distrust between them. One thing was clear. It was getting harder to stay apart. She knew from her experience with Dani and Ian that she and Ty couldn’t stay away forever. Soon the tension and desire would bring them together again whether they wanted it or not. She was torn between anger and anticipation.
The notebook Ty had created was full of possible keys to the language they labored over. Ria wasn’t sure she could have produced such a thing. He caught her looking at him, and she quickly pulled her hand away from her hair.
“That’s really impressive.” She said, nodding at the note pad.
He looked at her a moment and put his pen down before leaning back in his chair with arms crossed. “Did you think I couldn’t do something like this?”
“That’s not what I meant.” She didn’t appreciate his tone.
“I suppose you’ve heard that Curzans lack intelligence.”
“Yeah, I heard that.” She leaned forward on her elbows. What was his problem? “Intelligence and morals,” she said, getting really pissed now.
“You want to talk about lacking morals?” Ty slammed his hands on the table. He clipped a pen that flew into the air and landed with a clatter on the floor.
Olivia glared at Ria while she reached down and retrieved the pen. When she handed it to Ty, she brushed his fingers.
It was a provocative motion and the jealousy that flared sent Ria over the edge. “Okay, let’s talk morals. Why don’t we start with the morality of kidnapping?”
“Oy.” Merek leapt to his feet and took Ria’s upper arm, pulling her to a stand. “I think I hear Trin calling from the kitchen. I’m sure she could use some help.” He practically dragged her down the hall. “You two with your tempers.” He shook his head when they were out of sight.
“All I said was that key he’s working on was impressive.” Ria pulled her arm away but kept in step with him. The anger slid away. “I’m sorry, Merek. I shouldn’t have made that comment about morals. Curzans aren’t what they’re made out to be.”
“No, we’re not.” He stopped just inside the kitchen. “I’m glad you can see that for yourself.”
Trin turned to see what was going on.
“I’m not kidding about your temper,” Merek said. “Ty’s is bad enough. We can’t have both of you going off.” He rubbed the back of his neck and shook his head. “This is like no bonding I’ve ever heard of. That’s the truth. Stay here. Help Trin. And, please, try not to set him off.”
She wanted to point out that it hadn’t been her fault. She’d complimented the man, for frack’s sake. But Merek wasn’t looking at her with anger or malice. It was more of a helpless frustration.
“Go on,” Trin said to her husband. “And take this with you. These should calm him down.” She plucked a plate of cookies off the counter and waited for Ria to take one before handing it to Merek.
After he was gone, Ria took a bite. “Hm, that’s really good.”
“Thank you, dear.”
“You’re a good mom.” Ria smiled at her, but Trin didn’t return the look.
“I’m not his biological mother.”
“But, I thought—”
“You thought what you were supposed to think.” She wiped her hands on the dishtowel she was holding and placed it on the counter. “You want to know why he hates Sandarian military so much?”
Ria wasn’t entirely sure she did, but if it helped her understand him, it was worth a shot. She took another bite and simply nodded.
“It was just over fifteen years ago now. Ty’s folks were secretly schooling the Curzan children in the woods.”
“Why secretly?”
“Because Curzans are forbidden to learn, to educate themselves.”
The cookie went dry in her mouth. She didn’t want to ask the question but had to. “What happened?”
“That man he killed at the ball, Leon Jara? He killed Ty’s parents in front of the class they were teaching. In front of him. It was almost an hour before the other Curzan parents showed up to collect their kids and found the carnage.”
Ria’s stomach churned. She thought back to the morning she and Ty bonded, and knew, without a doubt, the faces she’d seen were his parents.
“Jara recently returned from another stint in your beloved military,” Trin continued. “They say he picked up where he left off where Curzans were concerned.”
Ria chaffed at the term “beloved military,” but the extent to which these people had been repressed made her ill. Earth had plenty history of entire peoples slaughtered or enslaved. Her gut dropped as she imagined a young Ty hovering over the lifeless bodies of his parents. Anger boiled, and she knew she would have done the same thing. Oh, Ty. We need to start over. Neither of us are what the other thought. She had to try to help. Surely, Rucon could do something?
“I left the military when I discovered it was as corrupt as our emperor,” Ria said, needing to explain, however little. “They’re turning things around now. Weeding out those who don’t value basic rights and liberties. I know because I have friends still there. Friends who wanted to stick it out and make a difference. They didn’t bail, like me.”
Trin took Ria’s hand. “There’s no shame in not doing what you know is wrong, child. What is a shame is what’s going on with you and Ty right now. You two are never going to be able to stay apart for long. This relationship needs fixing. I know there’s a lot of anger in him, but there’s a lot of love to be had there, too.” She squeezed Ria’s hand and let it go. “Now come on, help me with dinner.”
Ria stayed in the kitchen another hour. She needed the time to process what Trin had said. She couldn’t deny the fluttering in her stomach at the mention of love. Ty was starting to make sense, which was kind of nice since nothing else about this situation did.
During dinner, Ty sat as far away as possible. It wasn’t working any longer, however, and they both knew it. Neither of them could hold still, and every time their eyes met by chance, a thrill bolted through her core. She was losing it. She needed the feel of his skin on hers. She tried to put a stop to the thoughts, but it was no use. She rose abruptly and made some excuse about not feeling well. Strictly speaking, it was true. She took her plate to the kitchen and set it in the sink. She sensed Ty a moment before he placed his hands on her hips and turned her around.
She met his kiss without a word. They didn’t need words. She was ready to let him take her then and there when, thank the Gods, he pulled away.
He placed a hand on her face, his thumb trailing along her cheekbone. He shook his head. “Your room or mine?”
“Whichever is closer.”
He took her hand and led her out the kitchen and, thankfully, away from the dining room. She couldn’t stand the thought of traipsing past everyone. She would though, if that was what it took to get him alone. They’d waited long enough. Stopping now wasn’t an option. They went down a poorly lit passage and up a narrow flight of stairs.
“It’s an old servants’ passage,” he said to her. “Never thought I’d be using it like this.”
She felt his humor. “I appreciate the detour.”
He turned right at the top of the stairs. Of course, he’d selected the room farthest from hers. Closing the door behind them, he pulled her into his arms and pressed her against his hard chest. All the tension during the last few days, their inability to talk, the distrust, disintegrated in one passionate kiss. Her last thought before letting go completely was I can fix this.
Their psi burned in a frenzy. Ria buzzed with energy like drinking too much caff. She needed this man, and she needed him now. Reaching up, she ripped his shirt open, sending buttons flying. His eyes burned with gray light as he yanked her shirt up over her head. They fumbled out of their shoes and the rest of their clothes before coming together again. Skin on skin, the heat of his body fed something deep inside her as she met his kiss. He tasted of the spiced wine from dinner. The way he smelled, of spice and forest, intoxicated her.
More.
She pushed him backward toward the bed. He slid back to the center of the mattress and she followed. Crouching low, she bit and nibbled her way from his ankle to his thigh. She ran her hands up and down his legs, drunk with desire.
He propped himself up on his elbows and spread his legs wider.
When their eyes locked, she held his gaze as their connection ignited. Her breath expelled as the intense pleasure ripped through her. When she couldn’t take anymore, she looked down. His erection pulsed when she wrapped her hand around it. Hot and hard, it beckoned with the promise of more pleasure. No—of ecstasy. She bent and licked the tip, smearing the precum around her lips. She took him into her mouth then, wetting his shaft and taking as much as she could before sliding her lips up and down. Wetting her palm on her saliva and his juice, she pumped him in rhythm with her mouth.
Ty reached down and wrapped his fingers through her hair. He pulled to the brink of pain as he moved with her. “Baby, your mouth is magic.”
She had to agree. Their connection made it possible for her to experience some of what he did. It was her mouth and hand, and yet somehow she felt it between her legs. Nearing the brink, she stopped. In one swift motion, he flipped her onto her back. He hovered over her, breathing hard.
The mix of passion and anger they stirred in each other had her growling as she pulled him down for a kiss. His tongue probed and searched her. Her growl turned to a whimper as he melted her core.
She squirmed, rubbing her aching clit against his cock.
“Gods, fuck me, Ty.”
She lifted her knees and locked her ankles around his waist as he slammed into her. Pounding her into an oblivion they both desperately needed. The tension in their bodies and psi rose together. Faster and higher they climbed until they crested.
Ria heard her own voice cry out as the pleasure blasted through them. An explosion that rocketed through her body and consumed her psi. She let it pulse, and then lowered her shaking legs as Ty’s body came to rest next to her.
She drifted back to herself slowly as Ty trailed his fingers between her breasts. She opened her eyes to find him propped on one elbow looking at her.
His face was a mask. She had no idea what to say. Where to start. He scanned her body and ran his free hand everywhere it could reach.
It felt so good.
He found each breast in turn, toying with her nipples before running his hand up her neck and rubbing his thumb across her lips.
The gesture so tender, so loving… She nearly cried as she reached up and cupped his face with her palm.
Gods, but this man was gorgeous. His eyes were back to their normal color, and no doubt hers were, as well. He didn’t avoid her gaze, which was odd after days of keeping their distance.
He reached over and tucked her hair behind her ear. “You are the most beautiful thing I have ever seen.”
The sentiment and sincerity took her breath away. “The feeling is mutual.” She desperately wanted to trace his surprisingly red lips, but she didn’t. “Ty…” She stared into his eyes. How could they be so close and so far apart?
A lopsided grin formed across those amazing lips. “You’re going to tell me we need to talk, aren’t you?”
He was teasing her, and it felt good. Virtually everything about him was foreign to her. “You know me well.”
“No.” He sat up, and she did the same, sitting cross-legged facing him. He stretched his legs out on either side of her, lightly placing his hands on her knees.
His touch had the butterflies in her stomach going crazy.
“I don’t know you well. I don’t know you at all, Red. I have a hard time reconciling what we are together and what you are, or were, before.”
It was a huge understatement. “Promise me something?”
“What?”
“Right here, right now, we’ll be totally honest with each other. We can’t go on like we’ve been. I don’t want to go on like that.”
He took her hand and rubbed his thumb around her palm.
Tendrils of delight snaked up her wrist.
“I don’t either, but I’m not sure if complete honesty is really what you want.”
She didn’t even think about it. “It’s what I need.”
Ty grinned. He had a sinful, delicious smile that grabbed her heart. “What you need is me.”
She nodded. “True. But I need all of you. Not just this.” She leaned forward and kissed him deeply.
He pulled on her bottom lip with his teeth when he leaned back. “What changed, Red? Why aren’t you fighting this anymore?”
“When I was helping Trin in the kitchen earlier, she told me…about your parents.” His pain rippled through her.
He rubbed his temples. “So now you know.”
She put a hand on his shoulder, gripping hard. “We’re not all like that.”
“I know, Ria. But you’re the worst kind. Tell me I’m wrong, and you’re not ex-military.”
His words ruffled, but she reminded herself of why he felt the way he did. “You’re not wrong. I was in the military. But I got out as soon as I could, once I realized how deep the corruption was.” She struggled to find the words, wanting him to understand completely. “You should know that I’d still be serving, with pride, if it had been the kind of force it was meant to be. I believe in the need for a military to protect its citizens and keep the peace.” She trailed her fingers down his muscled arms. “That’s how I found my way to the Cavacent clan. They’re honest and decent people. And as for the military, things are getting better now, Ty. I know. I have friends that are still serving.”
“Gods woman,” Ty said, pulling at her thighs and placing her legs on either side of him. His erection made thinking a difficult prospect. He put his hands on her ass and lifted her onto his lap.
He studied her face a moment. “I wish I could believe you.”
Ria placed her palms on his chest. “You don’t believe me?” Anger flared.
“Relax. You said to be honest. I believe that you believe what you’re saying. We’re making a start here. You’re going to have to give me some time.” His eyes flashed and his erection sparked another fire between her legs.
“Promise we’ll talk and stop avoiding each other?”
“If we did that, we’d end up here a lot more often.” He lifted her up and slowly impaled her. She closed her eyes and let the pleasure build. “I think I could handle that.”
It was a start. She wouldn’t let them stay apart again. She understood his anger toward her now and knew he wasn’t the killer she’d thought. He was her psi-mate, and she wanted to know everything about him.
In time. Thought stopped as the rhythm of their bodies took over.
Chapter 14
Rain pelted Ty’s face as he ran. The familiar feeling of dread filled him. Thunder exploded overhead, and he instinctively ducked. They ducked. She was with him. She was always with him. They had to get to safety. The cache! There was a weapons cache hidden in those cliffs. They would be safe if they could just get a little farther. She cried out, and he turned to find her kneeling on the boulders behind him. He spun around to help her up, and they ran to the fissure in the cliff face. Panic filled him. He knew what was coming but was powerless to stop it. “We’re almost there.” He reached back to pull her in when a laser tore through her body. “No!”
Ty bolted upright. Ria shot up next to him, a bead of sweat sliding down her cheek. She’d had the dream, too. He wrapped her in his arms and lay back against the pillows, heart still pounding.
“Why do we keep having that dream,” Ria said, curling in closer to his chest.
“I don’t know. It started after you took me down at the Summer’s Ball.”
“Me, too.”
“We’ll just make sure we stay away from any cliff faces.” Telling her about the cache wouldn’t serve any purpose. He peered down into her green eyes. He’d been an idiot to try to keep his distance. He believed in her sincerity when she had talked about the military last night. He toyed with her silky hair. She didn’t strike him as naïve. Maybe, just maybe, she was right about the change in the military. For their sake and that of the empire, he hoped so.
His stomach rumbled.
“Hungry?” She traced her fingers along his chest.
“Starving.” He took a deep breath of her intoxicating scent and knew he could spend the rest of his life staring into those eyes of hers.
A slight crease wrinkled her brow.
“What is it?” He asked.
“Are we okay?”
He couldn’t keep her at arm’s length anymore if he wanted to. “We’re better than okay. We’re psi-mates. I want to know everything about you. From the day you were born until the moment I swept you off your feet.”
“Gods,” Ria laughed. “Is that what you call kidnapping?”
“Strictly speaking, I did sweep you off your feet.” They both laughed then. Happiness unlike anything he thought possible swelled inside, and he vowed to spend the rest of his days finding ways to make her laugh. He wanted her again, would always want her, but they needed to get downstairs. Warder Zar’s underground was supposed to have contacted Arlo last night. He needed to know if everything was all right. While they dressed, he filled Ria in on the collective underground and the rumors of DNA testing.
“He will kill them. Women, children, all of them. You understand,” he finally said, “Mortog must be stopped.”
“I know. We need to get the GTO to step in. It may take time, but I’m sure they’ll help.”
He’d just pulled his shirt on when he paused to look at her. She was used to following orders. Of course, she’d assume they’d try to work within the system. “We both know the GTO isn’t going to care about screwed up politics on Mitah.”
