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CatchaFallingStar

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CATCHAFALLINGSTAR

AllysonJames

KingofPentacles

TheKingofPentaclesappearsasawealthykingseatedonathrone—oroccasionallyahorseorchariot—
wearingsumptuousrobes.Acastlerisesinthebackground,andhisabundantrichessurroundhim.

ConnectedtotheelementofEarth,theKingofPentaclesisatrueleader—hischaracteristicsare
steadfastnessandreliabilityandskillatalmostanything.Hisabilitiesbringwealth,butinacomfortable,
notextravagant,way.Heiswiseandgenerous,sharinghisabundancewithothersandhelpingthosein
need.AnyoneseekingtheKingofPentacleswouldbeprotectedandshelteredandcomeawaystronger.

CatchaFallingStar

ChapterOne

Pamaar

Astarfellfromtheblacknessofspace,streakingthroughthenightinacacophonyofred,blueandyellow.

Whenthestarfalls,thequeenwillcomeandtheworldwillbereborn.

Thane,nakedatthewindow,grippedthesillwithasinewyhand.“Deon.”

Behindhimonthebed,adarkbulkofamanmadeasnortingnoiseanddrifteddeeperintosleep.

“Deon.”

AnotherloudsnortthenDeonsatstraightup,hislongblackbraidshangingacrossahardface,forehead
tattooedwithasinglepentacle.Hereachedfortheswordhekeptleaningnexttothebed,instantlyalert.

“What?What’swrong?”

“Afallingstar.”

“What?”

“Focus,myfriend,”Thanesaidimpatiently.“Afallingstar.”

Deonrumbledlikeanannoyedbear.“Whataboutit?”

“Theseer.Youremember?Alloftwodaysago?”

ThethreeinterlacedpentaclesonThane’sforeheadseemedtoburn.He’dcalledtheseerinanattemptto
reassurehispeoplethatthelandwasnotdying,thatheatthirtyyearsoldhadnotyetlosthisgriponthe
kingdom.

TheceremonyhadbackfiredwhentheseerconfirmedthatThane’spowershaddroppedalongwayfrom
whenhe’dfirstbecomekingattwenty.Hispowertohealhaddiminished,andwithit,thefertilityofthe
land.

Hisrivalsinthefalcon-swordclanhadbrightened.Whenthekingcouldnolongerfunctionasking,he
shouldallowhimselftobeslaininsinglecombatinorderforanewandstrongerkingtorise.Inthiscase,
theleaderofthefalcon-swordclan,Felin,wasnextinlinetoinheritthekingshipofPamaar.

Thane’smenofthelion-starclanhadmutteredamongthemselves,knowingtheirpowerwasdiminishing
slowlybutsurely.Thentheseerhadproclaimed,Whenthestarfalls,thequeenwillcomeandtheworld
willbereborn.

Andastarhadjustfallen.

DiditmeanthiswomanwouldhelpThaneregainhispowers?OrthathewoulddieandFelinwould

assumeruleofPamaar?

AllysonJames

Deonrubbedhisface,starlightgleamingontheliontattoothatencircledhisrightarm.“Iremember.
Anyway,thestarwatcherssayfallingstarsareburningpiecesofrockcaughtintheatmosphere.Whatever
thatmeans.Mymotheralwayssaiditwasthedeathofafairy,butyouknowshewascrazy.Shethought
treestalkedtoher.”

Thanecouldn’thelpasmile.“Doyoubelieveinanything,myfriend?”

“Justmysword.”

“Whichone?”

Deonsnortedwithlaughter.“You’refunnyforamanawakeinthemiddleofthenight.Amanwhojust
pulledmeoutofadreamaboutthreewomenandwhowilllikelybeskeweredforit.”

Deonwastheonlypersoninthekingdomwhocouldjokeinthisfashionwiththeking.Deonofthenight-
darkeyeswasThane’spersonalguardandhisloyaltywasunquestioned.They’dbeenfriendssince
childhoodandloverssinceadulthood,eventhoughThanehadbeenroyalandDeonthesonofaweapon
maker.

Theysharedeverythingnow—quartersinthepalace,meals,courtesans.Thoughts,dreamsandtroubles.

“Onethingiscertain,”Thanecontinued.“Felinwilltrytofindthatfallingstarandwhatitmeans.Geta
teamtogetherandgoinvestigate.Iwanttoknowwhereitcamedown,ifitdidcomedown.”

Deonregardedhiminsurprise.“Youknowseers,Thane.Theysaysomethingcryptictostirupeveryone
andpretendtheyknowwhatthey’retalkingabout.Heprobablymeantsomethingobscurewouldhappen
thatnoonewouldunderstandbuthim.”

“Felinwillgo.”

“Good.Lethimandhisfalcon-boysrunaroundinthemiddleofthenight.”

Thanerestedhisbarebacksideonthewindowsillandfoldedhisarmsoverhischest.“Humorme.”

Deonregardedhimamomentthenheavedasighandkickedthelastofthecoversfromhisbody.“Ohall-
fucking-right.”

“Evenifitmeansnothing,”ThanesaidashewatchedDeonpullleatherleggingsandatunicoverhis
body,“IhavetoactasthoughIamdoingsomethingaboutit.”

Deonpausedashelaceduphisshirt.“I’llnotletFelinkillyou.I’lldefendyoutomylastbreath.Imade
thatpledge,andImeantit.”

“Verypoetic.ButIdon’twanttohavetoseeyoudoit.”

Deongrinned.“Youwon’t.I’llgutthatbastardifhecomesnearyou.”Hestrappedhissheathedsword
aroundhiswaistthentuckedknivesonvariouspartsofhisperson.

“I’llgofindyourfallingstarforyou.”

“Thankyou.”

CatchaFallingStar

DeonpausedtostrokeThane’scockwiththepalmofhishandandslantabriefkissacrosshismouth.
“Don’twaitup.”

Hestrodeoutthedoor,callingforhisteamtogettheirassesingearandfollowhim.

*****

Please,goddess,letmelandonsomethingsoft.

ThecontrolsonLea’sscoutshiphadgonecompletely.Shehungontothesteeringshaftoftheone-man
craftandcursedhermechanic,herteamleader,heronboardcomputer,theassholewho’dshotherdown
andtheentireFour-One-SixQuadEmpire,whoweregearinguptostealhugechunksofherhomeworld’s
territory.

Herworld,officiallycalledsectoreighteen,coordinateszerozerosixsevenoneandfondlycalledThe
Rock,wouldneverbeabletoattacktheempire.Theycouldonlydefend,hencethescoutingmissionsto
findoutwhereandwhentheempire’sharvestershipsmightstrike.

Leahadcomefartooclosetoaharvester—hadtoinordertoskimdatafromtheircommunicationsstream
—thenoneofhershieldshadfailedandshe’dbeenseen.

Sonowherscoutshipplummetedstraightforthisunknownplanetthatwasn’tonanyofhercharts.It
showeduponnoneofthereadoutsscrollinghaphazardlypasthereyes—itwassimplyablobofblueand
greencomingupwaytoofast.

Heronlysatisfactionwasthatshe’dbeenabletocrippleoneoftheharvester’soutridersandtheyhadn’t
firedafinishingshottokillher.Notthattheyneededto.Hercontrolshadfriedandshe’dveeredstraight
intothegravitywellofthisplanet.

Hershipscreamedintotheatmosphere,thepressureoutsidethetitaniumshellincreasingeverysecond.
Thevesselrockedandbangedasthoughitcareenedthroughacanyonandprotectivewebbing
automaticallyshotfromtheircasingstowrapherbody.

Woulditdoanygood?She’dsoonfindout.

Theimpactseemedtohappeninslowmotion—crumplingmetal,blue-whitefire,shardsoftransparent

titaniumrainingoverher,theterriblescreechofshipagainstrock.

Thetinyshiprolledoverandoverindizzyingspinsandthenmercifully,Leablackedout.

Whensheswambacktoconsciousnessherfirstthoughtwas,I’mstillalive.

Hersecondwas,Ohshit,amIinpain.

Thethirdwas,Someoneispokingme.Withastick.

Sheopenedhereyesgroggily.Thesafetywebbingtwinedaroundherbodyhadsavedherlife,thoughher
insidesfeltlikesomeonehadshakeneverythingoutandputthembackinthewrongway.Herhelmetwas
alreadyoff—whenhadthathappened?—

andshebreathedfresh,clearairofunpollutedoutdoors.

AllysonJames

Theendofsomethinglongtentativelytappedherside.Graylightofearlymorningshowedherapole
madeofwood,shinedandpolishedtorichdarknessandcarvedwithstrange,intricatesymbols.

Thepolewasheldbyabruteofamanwithafalcontattooononebicepandaswordtattooontheother.
Hisfacewascoveredwithwhorlsofblueoverwhichdarkbrowneyespeeredatherincuriosity,not
fear.

Hepokedhergentlyagainasthoughwonderingifshewerealiveand,ifso,whatwouldshedo?

Whyshouldhebeafraid?shethought.I’mlayinghalf-consciousinawreckandhehasthelongstick.

“Isthatapoleinyourhandorareyoujusthappytoseeme?”shegrated.

Themansaidsomethingoverhisshoulder.Hisvoicewasclear,butthewordswerenonsensetoher.

Asecondmancametolookoverhisshoulder.Hewasevenbiggerthanthefirst,andhisstuddedleather
shirtbaredarmsthatwouldmakeaprize-winningbodybuilderenvious.Hehadthefalconemblem
tattooedonhisface,oneoneithercheek,andhisarmsboreswordtattoos,lotsofthem.Anearring,a
swirlofsilver,dangledfromhisrightlobe.

Thismandroppedtoonekneeandtouchedthewebbing.Hesaidsomethingshedidn’tunderstand,his
voicerisinginaquestioningtone.Atleastshethoughtitwasaquestioningtone—hemightbesayingbad
thingsabouthermotherandshe’dneverknow.

Cometothinkofit,whydidn’tsheknowhislanguage?Asascout,she’dtrainedinallthedialectsofthe
empire.Herdatabanksshouldhaveatleastgivenherasampleofthislanguage,butitsoundedlikepure
gibberish.

“Idon’tknow,”shesaid.“Idon’tunderstandyou—hey!”

Hegraspedthetopofherflightsuitandrippeditopentohernavel.Thebody-huggingsuit,madetokeep
outradiationandothernastythingsencounteredinspace,waswornoverbareskin.Thefalcon-man
lookedathernakedtorsoandsmiled,notanicesmile.Hesaidsomethingtopole-manbehindhim,and
pole-manlaughed.

“Rapeisagainstintergalacticlawinallways,shapesandforms,”sheremindedhiminahardvoice.

Theman’sresponsesoundedneutral,neithergloatingnorapologetic.Shehadthefeelingthathedidn’t
knowaboutintergalacticlawandprobablydidn’tcare.

WherethehellamI?

Falcon-mantouchedthewebbingagain,tryingtofigureouthowtoloosenit.Shedidn’thelphim.The
webbingwouldstayinplaceuntilitsensedthatshewasnotlikelytobebuffetedbytheshipanylonger.
Oruntilshewasdead.

CatchaFallingStar

Thereweretriggerpointswherearescuercouldremovethewebbinganddragherbodyout.Theman
didn’tseemtoknowwheretheywere—hetuggedatthewebandranhishandsoverituntilhefounda
triggerpointbyaccident.

Thewebbingstretchedoncethenreceded,disappearingintotheslotsfromwhenceitcame.Oralmost.
Theslotshadbrokenwiththeship,somostofthewebbinghunglimplikeamanexhaustedafterall-night
sex.

Sheexpectedthetwoprimitive-lookingmentoexpresssurpriseatthemechanism—maybegruntand
point?—butfalcon-manonlylookedsatisfiedandstartedtopullherfree.

Leahadcontingenciesforhostiles.Asthemanreachedtoliftheroutoftheruinedpilot’spod,she
reachedbehindher,fishedherpistolfromitsholsterandshothim.

Thepistolwasonitslowestsettingandshouldhavegivenhimamildshock,enoughtolethergetfree.
Shehadnointentionofleavingatrailofdeadbodiesasshefledbackhome—shewasn’tthatkindofgirl.
Andyouhadtobecarefulwhoyoukilledoryoumightaccidentallystartanintergalacticwar.

Butthepistoldidn’tdowhatsheintended.Falcon-mangruntedandfellallright,buthewasupagaininan
instant.

Thatshouldn’thavehappened.Shestaredatthepistol,buttheindicatorlightshoweditfullychargedand
hot.Theburstshouldhaveleftthemanmoaningquietlyforabouthalfanhour.

Sheflickedthesettingonehigherandshotagain.Thisburstcaughtfalcon-maninthesideandhewent
down,buthewasupandbacktoherbeforeshecouldcatchherbreath,hisheavyhandtwistingthepistol
fromhergrasp.

Shebracedherselfforhimtousetheweapononher,butheonlyheldthepistolinhispalmandlookedit

over.He’dclearlyneverseensuchaweaponbefore,buthecarefullykeptthemuzzlepointedawayfrom
himselfwhilehecheckedoutthelightsandbuttons.Hehandedthepistoltopole-man,whoalsogaveita
curiousonce-over.

Thenfalcon-mangotbackdownonhiskneesandsearchedLea’simmobilebody.

Hepulledoutheridentcard,herless-than-tastynutritionbars,hershortknifeinitsaluminumsheath,her
emergencyanti-radiationdoseandthebloodstoneshekeptonachainforluck.

Someluck.Shewasalive,butwhetherthatwasluckyornotremainedtobeseen.

Falcon-manpeeredatthebloodstone,thenanothersmilecreasedhismouthasheliftedthechainaround
hisneck.Leaburnedwithfurybuttherewasn’tmuchshecoulddo.

Firingthepistolhadtakenthelastofherstrength.Shecouldonlygaspinpainasthemanhauledheroutof
thecockpitandoverhisshoulderandcarriedheraway.

*****

AllysonJames

DeoncaughtupwithFelinandhismenbeforetheyhadtimetoleavethevalleywherethefireballhad
landed.DeonlethiswarriorsengageFelin’sfightersandspurredhisfire-draketofollowFelin,whowas
tryingtosneakawaywithwhateverhehadstrappedacrosshissaddle.

Felinhadtochoosebetweenfightingandholdingontohisburden.Deonflewhisdrakedirectlyathimand
knockedFelinoutofthesaddle.Hetastedsatisfactionwhenthemanfellaboutfifteenfeetandlanded
heavilyonhisback.

ThebundleFelinhadbeentryingtoprotectremainedfixedtothesaddleasFelin’sdraketoucheddown
nexttohismaster.DeonignoredthegroaningFelinandlandedneartheman’sdrake.

Deonhadaknackforanimals,everyoneinthekingdomsaid.Hemadeclickingnoisestothedrake,who
calmedandletDeonapproachhim.

Thebundleonthesaddleturnedouttobeabatteredfemaleinstrangegarb.Hergarmenthadbeentorn
open,givinghimaglimpseofsmooth,baretorsoandlovelybreastsashepulledherfromthesaddle.She
managedtostandonherfeet—just—butsheobviouslyneededhealingandhadnostrengthtofighthim.

Shehadnotattoosofanykind,atleastnonehecouldsee.Strange.Courtesanssometimeskepttheirtattoos
smallandhidden,butshedidnothavethesultrylookofacourtesan.Hereyeswereastrange,palejade
green,andsheglaredathiminun-sultryanger.

Felinmoved.Themanwasstillonhisback,butsomethinggleamedinhishandandahotboltsuddenlybit
intoDeon’sside.

Heyelpedandfelltooneknee.“Whatthefuck?”

Felingrinnedevilly.Heheldasmall,cylindricalobjectthelikeofwhichDeonhadneverseenandbegan
touchingblinkingjewel-likebuttonsonit.

ThewomanstaggeredforwardandkickedtheobjectfromFelin’shand.Asthethingskitteredacrossthe
rockyground,aboltstreakedfromitandslicedabouldercleaninhalf.Thetwosidesoftherockfell
apartandsmokedriftedlazilyintotheair.

Bothdrakesscreechedandflappedskyward,flyingawayhardandfastwhileFelinandDeonstaredatthe
rockinamazement.

“Shit!”Deonshoutedtohisdrake,“Comebackhere,youpox-rottedcoward!”

Thedrakespaidnoattention.DeonlookedbackintimetoseeFelincrawlingfortheweapon.Thewoman
hadcollapsedtothegroundafterthekickandlaymotionless.

DeonscrambledfortheweaponandreacheditasplitsecondbeforeFelindid.Hesnatcheditupandheld
itthewayhe’dseenFelindo,roundcylinderpointedatFelin.

Felinfellback,watchingDeonwarily.

“Whatthehellisthisthing?”Deondemanded.Ithadbuttonsdownitshandleandcoloredlights,thered
onethebrightest.

“Screwyourself,”Felinspat.

CatchaFallingStar

“Youdidn’tknowitcouldbreaktheboulderanymorethanIdid.Theonlyoneofusnotsurprisedwas
her.”Heglancedatthewomanontheground.

Howbadlyshewashurthecouldn’ttell,andshemightbelessincapacitatedthansheleton.Herclothes
hadfallenopenagain,revealinglush,roundbreastshishandsitchedtoexplore.

“Didyoutrytohaveher?”DeonaskedFelin,thengrinned.“Letmeguess,shesaidno.”

“Yourushedoutheretofetchherlikeadogforhismaster,”Felincountered.

“Woof,woof.Gooddog.”

“Yourinsultsgrowmorefeebleeverytimewemeet,myfriend.”

“What’syourrewardwhenyoureturnwiththebone?Iknow,yougettosampletheroyalcock.Youenjoy
havingakinginyourmouth?Orbetter,inyourass?”

“Hmm,notasgoodasthedogthing.”

“Biteme,king’sman,”Felinsnarled.

“Don’tyouwish.”

“He’sdying,Deon.”Felin’stoneturnedserious.“He’sfadingandhe’stakingtherestofuswithhim.
You’dlettheentireworldgrowweakandunguardedbecauseyoulikehisprobingtongue?Putyoursword
throughhimbeforeit’stoolate.”

Deon’sangerboiled,partlybecauseheknewFelinwasright.Thane’sstrengthandhisprotectionofthe
worldwerefading.Themanhe’dlovedfromboyhoodhadlostsomuchpowerand,strongasDeonwas,
hecouldn’tstopit.

TherewereplentyoflegendsoffadingkingswhoendedtheirlivesintheChallengesothattheleaderof
thesucceedingclancouldstrengthentheWardsaroundthekingdomagain.Butthosesacrificingkingshad
mostlybeenveryoldmen.Thanewasyoung—barelyaquarterofhislifehadpassed.

Thaneknewhedidn’thavemuchchoice.He’dalreadytoldDeonthatifhecouldn’tgooutinablazeof
gloryintheChallenge,Deonwouldhavetoperformthetaskofendinghislife.

Hellofathingtoaskyourbestfriend,Deonhadgrowled.

Thanehadturnedtohim,hiseyesdarkerthanmidnight.You’retheonlyoneI’dtrusttodoitfastand
sure.

DeongrowlednowatFelin,“Youreallywantmetowasteyou,don’tyou?”

“Youknowit’strue.TheWardsarealreadyweak.Shecamefromtheskyinametalobject,likefromthe
oldlegendsbeforethefirstWarding.Sheshouldnothavebeenableto.”

Deonhidhisworrybyscowling.“Youtalktoomuch.”

“You’renotstupid,muchasyoupretendtobe.Joinmeandhisendingwillbequickandpainless,I
promise.”

AllysonJames

DeondrewhisswordandsmashedthehiltagainstFelin’sheadand,withagrunt,Felinfellback,
unconscious.

“Thoughthe’dnevershutup,”Deonmuttered.

HesearchedFelin’sinertbody,pullingoutmetallicobjectsasforeign-lookingastheweapon.Heturned
tothewoman.“Whatarethese?”

Shestaredbackathimuncomprehendingly.Hetriedthedialectsofotherclansbutgaveupwhenshe
clearlydidn’tunderstand.

Deon’sdrakelandedbehindhim,sendingupapuffofdirtandgrass.Thewomantriedtoscrambleaway,
staringinabjectterrorasthedrakelumberedtoDeonandloweredhispointedsnouttoDeon’sshoulder.

“What’sthematter?”Deonaskedthewoman.“He’sharmless.Arealsweetie.”

Atthatmoment,thedrakeswunghisfaceagainstDeon’sbody,sendinghimstaggeringsideways.Deon
snarledandsmackedthedrakewithhisfist.

Thewoman’seyessoftenedforaninstant,asthoughshewereholdinginlaughter.

“Nomakingfunofme,”Deonsaid,gentlinghisvoice.“Ijustrescuedyou.”

Heleaneddownandhauledthewomanoverhisshoulder.Beforehecouldstopher,shedartedoneslim
handattheweapon,butshedidn’ttrytograbit.Shejabbedatabuttonandtheredlightturnedgreen.
Oncethathappened,sheslumpedagainsthiminrelief.

“Ireallyneedtofigureoutwhatthisdoes,”hesaid.“Comeon,let’sgohome.”

Helaidheracrossthesaddleofhisgrowlingdrake,sprangaboardbehindherandlaunchedthedrake
acrosstheplainstowardthemountains.

CatchaFallingStar

ChapterTwo

TheTouchofaKing

They’dboundherhands.

Lealayonasofainahugeroomfurnishedwithgoldtablesandchairs,herhandstiedinfrontofherwith
apieceofleather.Nexttothesofa,floor-to-ceilingwindowsopenedtoamountainsceneofincredible
beautyandsoft,sweetairwaftedtoher.

Acrosstheroom,awhite-blond,godlikemanpickedoverLea’streasures.Theblack-hairedmanwho’d
rescuedherstoodwithhim,gesticulatingashespoke.

Theblack-hairedmanhadbluebeadsbraidedintohishairandatattooofalionhugginghisbareright
arm.Hisforeheadboreafive-pointedstarwiththefifthpointstraightup.Apentacle,shethoughtitwas
called.

Thewhite-blondmanhadredbeadsinhishairandwasnakedexceptforapieceofleatherslungacross
hishipstocoverhispertinentparts.Hishairhungtohisbackside,butshecouldseewhenhemovedthata
liontattoocoveredhisentireback.Hehadthreepentaclesonhisforehead,eachoverlappingtheother.

Everymanandwomanshe’dseenastheblack-hairedmancarriedherthroughthispalacehadthepentacle
tattoosomewhereontheirbodies,plussomeformoflionsymbol.Shewastheonlyoneshe’dseenonthis
planetsofarwithoutatattoo.

Shemusthavebeenthrownseverelyoffcoursewhentheharvester’sfightersshotherdown,because
she’dswornthattheplanetshe’dfallentodidn’texist.She’dseennorecordofitinanydatabaseorany
starchart,andnowaywouldtheFour-One-SixEmpirepassupthechancetoharvestalow-techplanet
likethisone.

Yettheyremaineduntouchedandunknown.How?

Herbondswerenottightenoughtohurt,butshecouldn’tworkherselffree.BlackBraidshadatleastbeen
courteousenoughtopullhertornflightsuitoverherbarebreasts,thoughhisgrinindicatedhethoughtita
shametohidethem.Shewasn’tcertainthattheshiverofwarmthshe’dfelthadbeenentirelysane.

Thetwomenwereonlycuriousaboutherfornowandshehopeditstayedthatway.Shewouldnotbe
abletofightifshehadto,asbangedupasshewas.Sheprobablyhadsufferedallkindsofinternal
bleedingandwouldbedeadbeforethenightwasthrough,inanycase.

Cheerfulthought.Shewasstillinshock,stillalittlenumb.Fromwhatshe’dseenthisplacewasboth
primitiveandelegant,andshedoubtedthesepeoplehadhospitals.

Thehighesttechshe’dseensofarwasablockandtacklewithcarvedwoodengearsamanusedtopile
logsontoatwo-wheeledoxencart.

AllysonJames

Thetwomenlookedoverwhatherrescuerhadbroughtbackwithhim—hercomputerizedidentcard,her
food,heranti-radiationdose,herpistol.BlackBraidshadn’tbotheredwiththebloodstonethefalcon-man
hadtaken,whichmadeherthinkbloodstoneswerecommonhere—hehadn’trealizeditwashers.

Thewhite-blondmanraisedhisheadandsaidsomethingtoher.Shewishedshecouldunderstandhim,
becausehisvoicewasrichandfull,caressingandsoothing.

BlackBraidsmadeacommentandlaughedandthegodlikemansmiledathim.

Andwhatasmile.Ittoldherhecarriedasadnessinsidehimthathestrovetohide,thathewasfondofthe
mannexttohimandforgivingofhisjokesandthathewasinterestedinLeabutnotinabadway.Atleast
notyet.

Thegodlikemanspoketoherslowlyandcarefully.Sheshookherhead.Thetwomenexchangedaglance
asthoughtheyweresurprisedandhadnoideawhattotrynext.

Lealetherheadfallbackonthesofa.Shewasfartootiredtotrytocommunicate.

Notechnology,likelynomedsandnomachinestoknitherinsidesbacktogetheragain.

Thewhite-blondmanlaiddownheridentcardandrubbedhisfingersagainsthishipasthoughheneeded
tocleanthetechnologyfromhisskin.Heapproachedher,hismovementsslowandcareful,likehewould
ananimalhedidn’twanttostartle.

Whenhewentdownononekneenexttoher,theimpactofhisphysiquehitherlikeastunbolt.Hisbare
thighsstretchedtight,thickwithmuscleandcoveredwithsinuousliontattoos.Thankgoddessthe
loinclothhungoverhisprivatesorshemighthavestareduntilhereyespoppedout.

Thethongthatheldtheleatherinplacedippedtorevealcoarsegoldenhairthatstartedathispelvis.More
curlsdustedhischest,coveringalineofinterlockedpentacletattoosthatleddownhisabdomen.

Acrosshisthroatheworeasilverpentacleonaleatherthong.Thesilverlookedpureandcostly,
incongruoushangingfromthesimpleleather.Hisskinwassun-touchedallover—nobathingsuitsforthis
man.

Hisfacewassquareandhandsomebutnotbeautiful.He’dseentoomuchhardshipandtoomuchtrouble
forsoftness.Thismanwasafighter.Hiseyesweredark,likepoolsofblackness,hisgazeholdingher
tighterthanbonds.

She’dnoticedthatnoneofthesepeoplehadcoloredeyes—theywereallthedarkestbrownorblack—and
hestudiedhergreeneyesasthoughtheyweresomethingexoticandstrange.

Hisgazedrewherin,madeherwanttocuphischeek,tokeephimlookingatheraslongasshecould.His
eyesheldthewisdomofanoldman,buthewasyoung,probablyaboutthirtyyearsasLea’speople
reckonedage.

Hespoketoherslowlyandsoftly,butshestillhadnoideawhathesaid.Wasit,I’mgoingtotouchyou

now,don’tbeafraid?Or,whoareyouandhowdoyouwanttodie?

CatchaFallingStar

Hebenthishead,pressinghishandstogether.Hismasculinescentwasheady,hishairsmelledofaloeand
theendsofhisbraidsbrushedherleg,aneroticfeelingthoughherskintightsuit.

Thewhite-blondmanraisedhisheadandplacedhispalmsgentlyoverherchest.

Foramomentshesimplyenjoyedthewarmthofhistouch,thenshebegantofeelverystrange.

Hiseyeswidenedlikewindowsontothenightandherbodyrosetomeethiswithouthersay-so.She
restedherboundhandsonhisstrongshouldersandraisedherfacetohim.

Heturnedhisheadsothathislipswouldjustbrushhers.Shehadnoideawhyshesuddenlywantedto
kisshim,amanwholethisfriendtieherupwhilehebusilywentthroughherpossessions.

Shefeltstrengthhummingthroughhishandsandintoherbody.Herbodyresponded,herheartbeat
speeding,herbloodpulsing,hertemperaturerisingandherquimfillingwithwarmth.

I’mgoingtohaveanorgasm,sherealized.I’mbeatup,capturedandtiedwithmyclothesrippedopen,
andIwanttohaveanorgasm.

Hekissedheragain,anotherslowbrushoflips.Herbodywoundhigher,reachingtowardclimax,herhips
liftingassheimaginedhishardandhugecockrubbingherquim.Orperhapsinhermouth,herlips
stretchingaroundthetip.

Suddenlysherealizedhewashealingher.

Shegasped.Painandexhaustionflowedfromherlikeriversinthespring,looseningherlimbsand
relaxingtheterrifiedtightnessinsideher.Shewantedtostretchandsmile,nolongerahurtanimalcurling
intoaball.

Andshewantedtohavesexwithhim.Sheglanceddownatherself,grimyandbloody,herflightsuittorn.
Great.Hewasdelectableandshelookedlikeastreeturchin.

Shesatback,embarrassed,andhesmoothedherhairfromherfacewithagentlehand.

“Thankyou,”shewhispered.

Hissmilefadedandhisfacetookonasuddenlookofpain,thetattoosonhisbrowcreasingwithhis
frown.

“Areyouallright?”

Heheldhisarmacrosshisabdomenandbenthishead,eyesclosing.

Leasatup,swingingherlegsdown.“Don’ttellmeyoutookmypainawaybutnowyou’refeelingit.”

She’dheardofempathicandtelepathichealerswhocouldtransferaninjurytotheirownbodies,though
she’dneverseenone.Themanpressedhishandtohisface,asthoughhefeltprettycrappy.

AllysonJames

BlackBraidsstrodeacrosstheroom,hisscowlfearsome.Hegrowledsomethingatthewhite-blondman,
obviouslyangry.White-Blondlookedupandanswered,hisdeepvoiceweakandrasping,andBlack
BraidstransferredhisglaretoLea.

Shegavehimahelplesslook.BlackBraidsstompedbackacrosstheroom,rattledinanornatecupboard
thatstoodnearthewindowsandreturnedwithagobletofblood-redliquid.

White-Blondraisedhisheadashisfriendshovedthegobletintohishandandheobedientlydownedthe
contents.

BlackBraidssnatchedawaytheglass.White-Blondsaidsomethingadmonishingandreturnedhis
attentiontoLea.Helaidonehandonherbrow,closedhiseyesandbegantospeakinshort,insistent
phrasesthatchurnedinherbrain.

Atfirstitsoundedlikethesamenonsensewords,thengraduallyeverythingcleared,likestaticliftingto
letamessagethrough.

“…understand?Iwantyoutounderstandme.Doyouunderstand?”

“Yes,”shegasped.“Ido.Howdidyou…?”

BlackBraidspuffedasighofrelief.“Finally.Hergibberishwasgettingannoying.”

“Yourwordssoundedlikegibberishtome,”Leapointedout.

White-Blondagainheldhergaze.“Heisangryatmeforexpendingmyenergy.Butitwasnecessary.You
weresorelyhurt.”

“Aftercrashing?Nobigsurprise.”

“Anotherhealer—”BlackBraidsbeganwithascowl.

“Mightnothavebeenstrongenough,”White-Blondinterrupted.“Shewasdying.”

“Andyouhealedme,”Leasaid.“Iguessit’snouseaskinghowyoudidthat.”

BlackBraidslookedsurprised.“He’stheking.”

HergazeshottoWhite-Blond.“King?”

“AllkingsofPamaarhavethepowertoheal,”White-Blondansweredinhisliquid-darkvoice.“Weheal
thesickestandthemostdesperateandkeepthelandwhole.”

BlackBraidsstartedtosaysomethingelse,butWhite-Blondstoppedhim.“Itisdone.ThisisDeon,my
chiefofarms,myprotector.”Hisvoiceandglanceadded,myfriend.BytheworriedannoyanceinDeon’s
eyes,Leasuspectedtheirfriendshipwasoftheundyingloyaltykind.

“IamThane,leaderofthelion-starclanandkingofPamaar.Youcamehereinafallingstar.”

“Afallingspaceship,”shecorrectedhim.“Iwasshotdown.Goodthingyourplanetturnedouttobesoft.”

Deonfrowned.“Planet?”

“Yourworld.”Shetappedthefloorwithherfoot.“Pamaar,youcalledit.”

AfterThaneandDeonexchangedawhatisshetalkingabout?look,Thaneaskedher,

“Doyouhaveaname?”

CatchaFallingStar

“LeaAuberge,flightlieutenant,secondclass.”

“I’veneverheardofaclanwithalong,unpronounceablenamelikethat,”Deonsaid.

“JustcallmeLea—unlessyouplantoimprisonandexecuteme.Thenpleaseusemyfullname.”

Thanestudiedhercuriously.“Executingyouwasnotmyintention.Iwanttofindoutaboutyouandwhat
yourpresenceheremeans.”

Deonleanedoverher,hisleather-cladbodymenacing.“Whatwewanttoknowisifyou’vecomehereto
murderThane.”

“Ididn’tknowanythingaboutThane.Orthisplanet,untilIstartedhurtlingtowardit.Ididn’tknowiteven
existed.Oryou.”ShelookedatThane.“ButI’mgladyouexist.”

Heraisedabrow,probablywonderingwhethertobehappyaboutthatornot.

“ItwaspureluckIlandedhere.”Leathoughtregretfullyofherluckybloodstonestolenbythefalcon-man.
Maybeithadhelpedher.“Whowasthemanwhofoundme?

Withtheswordtattoos?”

“Felin,leaderofthefalcon-swordclan.”Deon’svoiceheldanger.“Thane’srivalandsuretobesticking
hisuglynoseinsoon.”

“Hestolemybloodstone.”

Thanegaveherastillinglook.“Youworeabloodstone?”

“Yes.Mygoodluckcharm.Why?”

“Bloodstonesaresacred,”Thanesaid.“IfFelinhasone…”

“Justwhatweneed,aholycrusade,”Deongrowled.“Thenagain,ifhecan’tprovehegotitfroma
priestess,Icankillhim.Whatanicethought.”

“Calmdown.Hemightjustputitunderhispillowforgooddreams.Whydoyousayitwasluckthat
broughtyouhere?”ThaneaskedLea.

“BecauseIcouldeasilyhavedriftedarounduntilmyoxygenranout.Iwastoofarawayforarescueparty
andtheyknewit,thebastards.Thisplanetcaughtmyshipinitsgravity,myshipwasbuiltwellenoughto
keepmealive,Iwascapturedbysomeonewhocandopsychichealing—you.Whethermyluckcontinues
remainstobeseen.”

“DidFelinhurtyou?”Thane’svoicewentflatashelookedoverhertornflightsuit.

“Tellmeifhedid.”

“Please.”Deonsmiledanot-nicesmile.“Givemeanexcuse.”

Leashookherhead.“Hedidn’tpawme,buthedidn’texactlylookawayeither.”

“Icouldbeatonhimalittle,”Deonoffered.

“Hewillsoonregrethisactions.”Thane’swordsweremildbuthiseyesheldsteel.

“Fornow,Iwantyoutoconsideryourselfourhonoredguest,”Thanecontinued.“Iwillprovidewhatever
youwish—Iimagineyou’dlikeabathandarest.”

“I’dlovethat.”Sheraisedherboundhands.“Honoredguest?”

AllysonJames

ThanenoddedatDeon.Deonbentoverher,brushingherwiththescentofleatherandmale,thenloosened
thebondsandliftedthemaway.

“You’regoodatthat,”sheremarked.“Tyingpeopleup,Imean.”

ThewickedgrinDeonflashedhermadeherwishshe’dphraseditadifferentway.

Sheknewpeopleonherplanetwhoenjoyedtyping-upgamesupwiththeirmates,butneverhadsheseen
anyonesmilelikethataboutit.Hissmilesaid,letmeknowwhenyouwantmetodoitagain.

Thanebrokein.“Anythingyouwant,youhaveonlytoaskmeoroneofmyservants—ameal,wine,sex.”

Shejumped.“Sex?”

Thanelookedpuzzled.“Youdounderstandtheword?”

“Yes.Imeant—well,whereIcomefrompeopledon’tautomaticallyofferittoaguest.”

Deongrunted.“Notveryhospitableofthem.”

“Acourtesanwillbeavailabletopleasureyou,”Thaneexplainedinhisdeepvoice.

“Ortwoifyoulike.Doyoupreferamanorawoman?”

“Bothisalwaysgood,”Deonadded.

“Courtesan.Oh.Ithoughtyoumeantyouwereoffering…”

Thanelookedsurprised.“Iwouldbehappytoobligeifyoulike.”

“Thane,”Deonsaidinawarningtone.

“Deoniscautious,andwisetobe.”Thaneclaspedherfingersloosely.“Ineedtolearnmoreaboutyou
andwhyyouweresenttome.”

“Yeah,I’dliketoknowthattoo.”

Oratleastwhytheythoughtso.Andwhatshe’dhavetodotogetbacktothewreckageofhershipandsee
whetherFelinandhismenhadleftanythingofit.

Hiddeninacompartmentabovethepilot’schairwasatinycommunicationsdevicethatwouldtight-beam
adistresssignaltoherpeoplewhichwouldthenhomeinonasub-dermalimplantbehindherear.No
scoutsentthenormal,generaldistresssignalswhenintroublebecausethosewouldonlybringtheFour-
One-Sixboyshardafterthem.

Thetightbeamwastobeusedonlywhenshehadadefinitelocationwhereshewasstranded—orto
locateherdeadbody.Shehadn’thadtimeorstrengthtogettothedevicebeforeFelinhaddraggedher
away.

ShouldshetrustThaneandDeonwiththisinformation?Shewasn’tcertain.Well,shewasascoutanda
goodone,whichmeantshewasexpertenoughtowatchandlearnwhilepretendingnotto.

Thaneliftedherfingerstohislips.“Afterwetalk,wemighthavesex.Iwouldenjoyit.”

Iwouldtoo—ohgods,Iwould.

CatchaFallingStar

Evenifthismanandhissidekickdecidedtolockherupforgood,shewouldlovehavingsexwithThane.

Justtouchinghisbodywouldbeanorgasmicexperience—hewouldn’tevenhavetodoanything.

Well,maybehecoulddosomething…

“Ifthere’sanysex,countmein,”DeonsaidtoThane.“I’msupposedtobeprotectingyouanyway.”

Leagulped,rememberinghissinfulsmile.Doeshemeanoneatatimeorbothtogether?

DeonreacheddownandslidhisfingersacrossThane’sshoulder.Histouchwaslight,acaress.

Andnowwe’regoingwhereI’venevergonebefore.Sometreacherouspartofheradded,Andwouldn’tit
befun?

ThaneusedDeon’sarmtopullhimselfup.“Myservantswillseetoyourneedsfornow,”hesaid.

Itwasadismissal.Thanehelpedhertoherfeet,hisarmrock-hard,hisearlierweaknessgone.Atthe
sametime,fourpeopleinsimplegarb,nolesstattooedthanDeonandThane,enteredandstoodwaitingat
thedoor.

OfcourseThanecouldaffordtobepoliteandnice,shethought.Heheldallthecards.Hehadher,her
shipwasawreckandhehadconfiscatedherweaponsandheridentification.

Leadidn’thaveevenaprimitivemaptoshowherwhereshewasonthisplanet,nowaytocommunicate
withherpeopleandnowaytotravel.ThosedragonthingsDeonrodesofearlesslylookedscaryashell.
Theirteethwereaslongasherarmandnowaywassheapproachingoneonherown.

No,shewasstuckinthisbeautifulpalacewithtwotall,gorgeousmenwhoofferedtohavesexwithheras
casuallyasthey’dofferheraglassofwine.

Maybeshewasstillinhership,unconsciousanddreamingallthis.

Inthatcase,I’llsitbackandenjoyit.

Butsheknewthiswasreal,everyminuteofit,andsheneededtofigureoutwhereshewasandwhatwas
goingonandwhatthesetwomenwanted—besidessex.

Asthepoliteservantsledherout,Thaneglancedupfromthetable.“Sleepwell,”hesaidinhisgorgeous
voice.

“Surething,”shesaid,herbodywarming.Shehadafeelingsheknewwhatshewasgoingtodreamabout.

AllysonJames

ChapterThree

Customs

ThaneheardDeonapproachashestudiedthewoman’soddweaponatthetable.

Hesensedhisfriend’sagitationwithoutlookingup,andcaughtthescentofleatherandDeon’sspice.

“Becarefulwiththat,”Deonsaid.“Slicedthatboulderrightinhalf.Scaredtheshitoutofme.”

“ItscaredFelintoo,yousaid.”

“Yeah,heobviouslydidn’tknowwhatitcoulddo.DamngoodthingIgotitawayfromhim.”

Thanecarefullylaidthemetallicweaponnexttotheotheraccoutrements.Theknifeheunderstood,
althoughitsseamlessandplainmanufacturingpuzzledhim.AllweaponsonPamaarweredecoratedand
consideredanartform.Noartisanwouldcraftaknifewithouthisspecificpatternsemblazonedonthehilt
orblade.

Thesquare,shinyboxhedidn’tunderstandandtherewasnowaytoopenit.Thesamewiththeslender
metallictube.

Thentherewastheflatterboxmadeofasimilarshinysubstancethatcouldbepushedatoneend.Fromthe
otherendprotrudedaglobthatlookedorangeandslightlydisgusting,thoughhecouldseegrainsfloating
init.

Hesniffedit.“Thisisfood,Ithink.”

“Poisonmaybe.”

“She’seatensome.”Onecornerhadbeendistinctlynibbled.

“Maybeshehastheantidote.”

Thanesnortedalaugh.“Myever-suspiciousbodyguard.I’mnotgoingtoeatit—

I’mcurious,that’sall.”

“Ididn’tseeanytattoosonher.”Deonslunghishipagainstthetableanddangledhisbootedleg.“Haven’t
checkedherentirebody,ofcourse.”

“She’llundresstobathe.I’llhavetheservantstellme.Orthecourtesans.Isentheroneofeachincase
shechangeshermindandwantsreleaserightaway.”

“Howcanshehavenotattoos?Unlessshehadthemremoved,andwhowoulddothat?”

“ShespokenolanguagefamiliartomeandIknoweverylanguageofPamaar,”

Thanemused,thenhelookedDeonintheeye.“Webothknowwhatwedon’twanttosay,thatshe’sfrom

beyondtheWarding.”

Deonlookedstricken.“That’simpossible.”

CatchaFallingStar

“Yousaidyousawthewreckageofthefireballthatbroughtherhere—whatdidshecallit?Aspaceship.
”

“I’veneverheardofanythinglikethat.”

“NeitherhaveI.WehavetofacethatshecameinthroughtheWarding.Andwhat’smore,Felinwillfigure
itoutaswell.”

ThanetracedDeon’sswallowdownhisbrownthroat.Deonwasafighter,awarrior.Helikedtosolve
problemswithhisswordanddrinkwineandlaughaboutitafterwards.Hedidn’tlikecomplexproblems
likeThane’swaningpowersandweakeningWards.

“Youknowthelegends,”Thanesaid.“WhentheWardingisgone,wewillbedevastated.Therewillbe
nothingtostoptheouterdarkness.”HeregardedtheobjectsLeahadbrought,smallsymbolsofcoming
destruction.

“Itisn’tyourfault,”Deonsaidwithheat.“Aking’spowershouldn’twaneevenwhenheisoldunless
there’ssomethingverywrongwithhim.Andthere’snothingwrongwithyou.You’revirileashell,Ican
attest.”

“Wedon’tknowthatitisn’tmyfault.ImighthavedonesomethingtoweakentheWardingandpossiblyam
makingitworsebystayingon.”

“Don’tyoudarestartaskingmetokillyouagain.I’mnotdoingit.”

ThanefeltDeon’sfearandworryrollingoffhim.DeonwasloyalandwoulddieforThanebuthated
decisionsthatweren’tblackandwhite.

“Comehere.”HetuggedDeoncloserbyhistunicandDeonslidhishandtoThane’swaist.

“Ineverwouldhavesurvivedthislongwithoutyoubesideme,”Thanesaid,hisfaceaninchfromDeon’s.

“Orinfrontofyou,orbehindyou.”

“Iwasn’tforgetting.”

Theirlipsgentlymet.DeonsnakedhistongueintoThane’smouth,tastingofsharpspice.Hethreadedhis
fingersbehindThane’slonghair,holdingthenapeofhisneckastheykissed.

ThanelethisfingerstraveltothelargebulgebetweenDeon’sthighs.Deonmovedhisfeetapart,letting
Thanestroke.Thane’sowncockwasalreadyashard,reactingtofeelinghisfriendreadyandrandy.

“Youlikethatgirl,don’tyou?”Deonasked.“Iheardthegleeinyourvoicewhenshesaidshewantedto
havesexwithyou.”

“DidIsoundthateager?”

“Yousoundedthathorny.She’ssweet,Iagree.Nomatterwhatherpartisinallthis,Isaywetakeherto
bed.Iwon’tbeabletowatchoveryouifIdon’tjoinin.”

“Right.Yourprotectiveinstinct.”

“Youbetcha.”

AllysonJames

“Whenthestarfalls,thequeenwillcomeandtheworldwillbereborn.We’vehadthefallingstaranda
woman.Nowtoseewhattheseermeantbytheworldbeingreborn.”

“Maybewedon’twanttoknow,”Deonsaid.

“Maybenot.Butforrightnow…”HelickedDeon’scheek.

DeonslidhishandtoThane’sass,looseningthethongthatheldtheloinclothinplace.“Don’tyouhavea
kingdomtorun?”

“Itcanwaittwentyminutes.”

Deongavehimastareofmockoutrage.“Twentyminutes?Whatdoyoutakemefor?”

“Mymostloyalfriend.”

“Yougotthatright.”HetossedThane’sloinclothasideandpressedhiswarmhandunderThane’sballs.
“Whatdoyouwantfirst?”

ThanegrewharderasDeon’ssleekblackhairbrushedhischest.“Yourmouth.Iwantyourmouthonme.”

DeongrinnedanddrewhistongueacrossThane’slowerlip.“Hangontosomething.”

ThanegrippedtheedgeofthetablewithonehandasDeonsanktohisknees,leatherbrushingThane’s
heatedskin.Thanemadeanoiseofsatisfactionashisfriendclosedhismouthoverhisveryreadycock.

Deonhadagiftedtongueandheplieditwell.HerubbedtheundersideofThane’speniswithitallthe
waytohisballs,findingeveryspotoffieryecstasy.Thane’sfingersbitthetableuntilhethoughtthey’d
indentthewood.

ThenDeonsucked.ThanelookeddowntoseeDeon’seyesclosed,hiscockdisappearingbeyondhis
lover’slips,thestiffshaftpressingtheinsideofDeon’scheek.

DeongruntedalittlewithconcentrationandThane’sballsliftedandtightened.

“Damn,yousuckgood,”hewhispered.

Deonlookedupandsmiledaroundthehugecockinhismouth.

ThaneclenchedhisfistsandsuddenlyhisseedshotoutofhimandontoDeon’swaitingtongue.

Fuckit,he’dwantedtospinitout,haveDeonsuckhimforalongtimebeforeThanecouldn’tstandit
anymoreanddemandedhisass.ButThanewaspentupfrommeetingLeaandfromtheconnectionhe’d
madewhenhehealedher.She’dalmostclimaxedwithitandhe’dwantedsobadtoscrewherrightthen
whileDeonwatched.Onlycautionhadkepthimawayfromher,forcinghimtoofferhercourtesans
instead.

Deon’sthroatmovedasheswallowedThanedown,hislipswetwithThane’ssemen.

“Fuckingdamn,”herumbled,easingawayandwipinghismouth.“Youneededthat.”

CatchaFallingStar

“Howdidyouknow?”Thane’sbodywasstillhot,hisadrenalinepumping.Thereleasehadn’teasedhis
need—ithadonlymadehimhotter.

HepulledDeontohisfeetandlacedhistongueintotheotherman’smouth,slidinghishandstohis
leather-cladass.HelovedhowDeontastedwithhimselfandDeonallmixedup,evidenceoftheir
sacred-bond.

“There’snooneherebutus,”Thanesaid.

HeknewDeonwouldunderstandwhathemeant.Hisfriend’seyesdarkened.

“No.”

Theyhadthisargumentallthetime.“Ineedit.Idon’tknowhowmuchlongerI’mgoingtobealive—give
methatatleast.”

“No.”DeonputhishandonThane’schestbutdidn’tpushhimaway.“Ican’tandyouknowit.Don’task
me.”

“Icanorderyouto,asyourking.”

“Youcanordermetojumpoffthehighesttower,too,andI’lldothatbeforeI’llletyoubreakthelawsof
Pamaar.Stupidlaws,butnonetheless.”

“Iknowit’sbadwhenyouuseawordlikenonetheless.”

“Hey,Icanreadadictionarytoo.”

“Youneedtorelease,”Thanesaid.Thatwasobvious—thelacingsofDeon’sleggingsbowedoutward
withthepressureofhiswanting.

“That’sallright.Icancallacourtesan.Balinisaroundsomewhere.”

Thanesteppedawaytocatchhisbreath,tryingnottoargueanymore.Deonwasright—theyhadtofollow
therules,asmuchasitkilledthem,nowmorethanever.

“Comehere,”hesaidquietly.“Icantouchyouatleast.”

Deontuggedthebellpullanywayandspokeinasoftvoicetotheservantwhocrackedopenthedoor.Then
DeoncametoThaneandletThaneunlacehisleggingsandreleasehiscock.

Deonwashardandheavy,warmgoodnessinThane’shand.HekissedDeon,mostlytokeephimfrom
startingtheargumentagain,whilehestrokedDeon’shot,swollenshaft.Thanelovedthefeelofit,fatand
long,thetipsatin-soft.Itwouldfeelsogoodfillinghisass,ifonly…

BalinenteredandThanesteppedaway.Balinwasacourtesan,withsleekbrownhairandinterlaced
tattoosrunningalongtheinsidesofhisarms.HetookinDeonstanding,scowlingandhard,andThane,
whosanktothenearestdivan,spreadinghislegstocooloff.Balin’slookturnedquestioningandThane
gavehimasilentnod.

Balinstrippedoff,revealingatall,hardbody,andThanegottowatchwhileDeonworkedhimup,
slatheringhimwithlube.ThenBalingotdownonallfoursonthecarpetedfloorwithDeonhardand
readybehindhim.

“Thane,”Deongroanedasheslidinside.

AllysonJames

BalinturnedhisheadandlookedoveratThanewithanexpressionofunderstanding.Deonthrewhishead
backandpumpedhardintoBalin’sass.“Thane,”

hemoanedagain.“Damnation,Iloveyou…”

*****

Thebathwasathingofluxury,agold-platedtubsevenfeetlongandfourfeetdeep,filledtothebrimwith
steamingwater.OneofthefemaleservantsremainedwithLeatohelpstripawayherflightsuitandease
herin.

AsLeasatbackinthewelcomingwater,thewomanlookedovertheflightsuitincuriosity,examiningthe
fire-retardant,radiation-blockingmaterialandrunningherhandsalongthenearlyinvisibleseams.

“It’sstronglikesilkbutfeelslikelinen,”themaidsaid.“Isitflax?”

“No,it’s…Well,I’mnotsurehowtoexplain,Ijustknowitprotectsmefromfireandtoomuch

battering.”

“Whatclangrowsthecroptomakeit?Orisitfromananimal,likeagoat?”

“It’sartificial,”Leasaid,closinghereyesasthebathwater’sheatbitintohermuscles.“Madeina
factory.Iuseitbutdon’treallyknowmuchabouthowit’smade.”

“Artificial,”themaidrepeated.“Idonotknowthisword.”

“Artificialmeansnotreal.Oratleastmanufactured,notnatural.”

“Notreal?”Themaidturnedsurprisedeyestotheflightsuit.“ButIamholdingit,soitisreal.Howcana
thingbenotnatural?”

“Nowwe’redelvingintophilosophy.MaybeI’dbettersticktogettingclean.”

“Ofcourse.”Themaidfoldedthetornflightsuitandputitonachair.“Italktoomuch,butIamacurious
lady.Iwillscrubyourback.”

Leahadneverhadanyonescrubherbackexcepttheoccasionalcutemanshetookshoreleavewith,but
themaidbroughtoutahugespongeandaloofahasbigasLea’sheadandstartedtorubLeadown.Aftera
momentofresistance,Leagaveintothepleasureofhavingthedirtandsweatrubbedfromherskin.

Shewasevenhappiertobedriedoffwithbigtowelsanddressedinasoftsilkrobethatclungtoherskin.
Themaidledhertoabedroomwithahugebedstrewnwithcushions.Lea,usedtoherbunkbackatthe
barracksorsleepinginacrampedship,founditstrangetosinkamongsomanypillows.Themaideven
tuckedherin.

“Thaneistheking,”Leasaid,tryingtofightsleepuntilsheunderstoodafewthings.“Butheseems
unhappy.Didsomethingbadhappentohim?”

Themaid’sexpressionbecameguarded.“Hiswifediedafewyearsback.Shewasagoodwoman.”

“OhI’msorry.Doeshehavechildren?”

Morecaution.“No.”

CatchaFallingStar

“That’stoobad.”Akingwithnochildren,ifsherememberedherarchaicEarthhistorycorrectly,couldbe
inadangeroussituationbecausetherewouldbenoheir.

Someoneelse—sherememberedthehardfaceofthefalcon-manwho’dpulledheroutoftheship—might
trytostepin.

Sheyawnedasthemaidstraightenedthecovers.Thewomanworeasimplesleevelesstunic,baring
strongarmswithtinypentacletattoos.“Andyouarepartofthispentacleclan?”

“Lion-star,”thewomansaid.“Yes.Weallare.Wearetherulingclanthiscycle.”

“Thiscycle?”

“Fourcycles,fourclans.WhenThanedies,longmayhelive,thenextclanwilltakeupthekingship.”

“Letmeguess,thefalcons.”

“Thefalcon-swordclan.Andthenthedragon-wandclanandthetiger-vesselclan.”

Leabegantoslideintosleep.“Pentacles,swords,wands,vessels—cups,maybe?

LiketheTarot?”

“Thewhat?”

“Cards,”Leamurmured.“It’sinthecards.”

Suspicionenteredthemaid’svoice.“Youshouldhavebeentaughtallaboutclansasachild.Whichclan
didthekingsayyouwerefrom?”

Lea’sdimmingawarenessadvisedcaution.“Ihitmyheadprettyhard.Idon’trememberthings.”

Instantlythemaid’stouchbecamesolicitous.“Nomorequestions.Yousleepwellnow.Thekinghas
touchedyou,soyou’llgetbetter.”

LearememberedThane’swarmhands,thedarknessofhiseyesthatpulledherin,in,in.Sheremembered
howherbodyhadheated,spiralingintoecstasy.“Mmm,maybehecantouchmeagain.”

“Notjustnow.”Themaidplumpedanotherpillow.“YouneedrestandheiswithLordDeon.”

Leacrackedopenhereyes.“Whenyousaywith,doyoumean…”RememberingDeon’scaressand
Thane’sreaction,shemadeacirclewithherthumbandforefingerandpierceditwithherotherforefinger.

Themaidstaredatherblankly.“Ofcourse.”

“They’relovers?”

“Yes.”Themaidobviouslyhadnoideawhyshewasasking.“Havebeensincetheycameofage.They’re
sacred-bonded.”

“Ithoughtyousaidthekinghadbeenmarried.”

“Yes.”

“AndhewasloverswithDeon?”

AllysonJames

“Whenthekingmarried,LordDeonbecamethequeen’sloveraswell.Asitshouldbe.”

“NotwhereIcomefrom,”Leasaidunderherbreath.

“Perhapsyoudon’tremember,”themaidsaid,tryingtosoundreassuring.“Now,yougotosleep.Maybe
yourmemorieswillcomebackwhenyouawake.”

Leaclosedhereyesagain,knowingsheneededtheresttofacewhateverwastocome.“Honoredguest”
mightbeThane’swayofsaying“prisoner”inthisgildedcage.

HeandDeon?Sheimaginedthetwohard-bodiedmentouchingeachother.Theirarmsaroundoneanother,
tonguesprobingeachother’smouths.Cockslongandhardandswollen,Thane’sinDeon’smouth.

Ashiverrackedherbodyandherquimfilled.Sheputherhanddowntopressagainstit,andtothat
sensationshefellintodeepsleep.

*****

Shewoketosomeonestrokingherhair.ShethoughtofThane’shandsomefaceandnight-darkeyes,and
purredagainstthetouchinherhalf-sleep.

“Mmm.Thane.”

“DoIlooklikeLordThanetoyou?”avoicefilledwithhumorsaid.Awoman’svoice.

Leasnappedhereyesopen.Alushwomanlaynexttoher,lateafternoonsunlighttouchinghairofdeepred
thatflowedinringletsoverthecurveofherwaist.

Sheworeabluesilkrobeopentohernavelandhadsmallandintricatelionandpentacletattoosonher
cheekbones.Alineoftwinedflowersdecoratedtheinsidesofherarmsundertheloosesleevesofthe
robe.

Leathrewoffcoversandscrambledtotheothersideofthebed,landingonherknees,eyeswide.The
womangaveherapuzzledlook.

“Issomethingwrong?”

“You’reawoman,”Leagasped.

Shelaughed,herdarkeyescrinkling.“Iknowthat.MynameisEmilie.Thanesentme.”

“Hesentyou?ButIdon’t—notwithwomen.”

Emiliedidn’tlookintheleastworried.“Hewasn’tcertain.Itisnotroubleifyoupreferaman.”She
rolledoffthebedandsaunteredtothedoor,thesilkrobeclingingtoherhips.

SheopenedthedoortoadmitamanasattractiveasEmiliebutinnowayeffeminate.Hehadthickbrown
hairgatheredinatail,asquare,masculinefaceandafirmbodyunderatight,sleevelesstunic.Thesame
kindofinterlinkedflowerpatternEmiliehadfloweddowntheinsidesofhisarms.

CatchaFallingStar

HehaddarkeyeslikeThaneandDeon,buttheyheldnowherenearthesadnessofThaneorthewariness
ofDeon.Hewasamanwholivedforsensualpleasureandhissmiletoldherso.

“ThisisBalin,”Emiliesaid.“Leasayssheprefersaman.”

“Luckyforme,”Balinanswered.Hehadarich,deepvoice,notquitethedarktimbreofThanebutnot
bad.

LearealizedtheyexpectedhertoacceptBalinasasubstituteforThaneandbehappyaboutit.“Wait.”

Balinlookedsurprised.“Allright.”Hesatdownontheedgeofthebed,completelyathisease.“Youtell
mewhenyou’reready.”

Sheshookherheadindisbelief.“Holygoddess,youpeoplereallyknowhowtotakesomeoneprisoner.”

“Prisoner?”EmilieaskedblanklyandBalinlookedequallyperplexed.

“Nevermind.IneedtoseeThane.I’mawakenowandfeelmuchbetter.Ireallyneedtotalktohim.”And
trytofigureoutifIcanretrievemypistolandgetbacktomyshiptocallforhelp.

“Youcannotatpresent,”Emiliesaid.“ThekingiswithLordDeon.”

“Still?”Goodgods,theyhadstamina.

“Still?”Emilierepeated.

“TheyweretogetherwhenIwenttosleep.It’slateafternoonnow—Imusthavebeenasleepforhours.”

“Youhavebeenasleepfortwoandahalfdays,”Balinsaid.“We’vebeenwaitingforyoutowakeup.
LordThanewantedustobehereincaseyouwantedpleasuringwhenyoucameoutofsleep.”

“Twoandahalf…”Leaputherhandtohertangledhair.“Sweetgods,whydidn’tanyonewakeme?My
ship’sbeenlayingouttheretwoandahalfdays.Ineed…”

EmilieputherhandonLea’sshoulder.Balinlikewisestrokedthefoldofherthigh,bothtouchessoothing.
“Youneededtoheal,”Emiliesaid.“LordThanetoldusyouweresorehurt,neartodying.Hestartedthe
healingprocessbutyourbodyneedsresttocompleteit.”

“AndheprovidedmewithsomeonewillingtohavesexwithmeincaseIwanteditwhenIwokeup,”Lea
finished,dazed.“Howthoughtfulofhim.”KeepingmesatedsoIwon’trunaway.

“Yes.”Emilielookedpleasedsheunderstood.“IfyoupreferBalinonlythatwillbefine,orwecouldboth
pleasureyouifyoulike.”

“Doeseveryoneonthisplanethopintobedwitheveryoneelse?WhataboutSTDs?”

BalinandEmilieexchangedaglance.“STDs?”Balinventured.

AllysonJames

“Sexuallytransmitteddiseases.”Whentheylookedbaffledagain,shesaidimpatiently,“Youknow,you
havesexwithsomeoneandtheyhaveavirusandprettysooneveryonehasit.”

Emilieshookherhead.“Ihaveneverheardofsuchathing.Wehavenodiseasehere.Wehavetheking.”

“Thewalkingpharmacy?”

Theyhadnoideawhatshewastalkingabout.“Thesewords,”Emiliesaid.“LordThanegaveyou
knowledgeofourlanguage,butIthinkitdidnotworkalltheway.”

“Letmegetthisstraight.Thereisnodiseaseherebecausetheminuteanyonegetsacough,thekingcures
you?”

Theglancethetwocourtesansexchangedthistimewasmorecautious.“Yes.”

“Howcanhebesomanyplacesatonce?”

“Thekinghasthehealingpoweroftheland,”Balinexplained.“Hecanchargeotherstohealinhisname.
Hedidsowithhisqueen,whowasagreathealer,andwithothersoftheclan.Fewfallill.Thelandkeeps
uswhole.”

Ifthat’strue,whydidThane’swifedie?shewondered.Anaccidentperhaps,likeafall—ormaybeone
ofthosefire-drakeshadchompedonher.Wouldthesetwotellher?

Buttheylookedateachotherwarilynow,asthoughadvisingcareintheirwords.

“Allright,soyouhavesexwithoutfearofsomeembarrassingordeadlyillness.Butwhataboutmarriage?
Youtakehusbandsandwiveshere,right?Themaidwhoputmetobedsaidthatwhenthekingmarried,
Deonbecamethequeen’slovertoo.”

Thepairofthemnoddedwithoutsurprise.

“Soyouexchangepartnersandhavecourtesanswithoutanyonebeingupset?”

Emilielaughed.“Menandwomenwhomarrysharegreatlove.”

Balincontinued,“Iftheywantotherpartnersinthemixandbothofthemlovethethirdorfourthparty,then
nooneisunhappy.Andeveryonecallsforcourtesans.

Sometimesahusbandbringsoneinforhiswifeandhimselfforfun.Aslongasitisdoneinloveandwith
consent,nooneminds.”

“Ican’tbelievethisplanethasstayedhiddenthislong,”Leasaidhalftoherself.“Ifeveryoneknewwhat

asexualparadisewashere,they’dgoonshoreleaveandnevercomeback.”

EmilieandBalinweregivingeachotherthatshe’scrazybuthumorherlookagain.

“Whataboutchildren?”Leaasked.“Withsexcomeschildren,andifyou’refreelypromiscuousyoumust
beoverrunwithchildren.”

“Whatiswrongwithchildren?”Balinasked.“Ihavemytwo.”

“Ihaveonesofar,”Emiliesaid,hereyeslightingwithpride.“Abeautifuldaughter.”

CatchaFallingStar

“Yes,but…Surelythesehusbandsandwiveswhobringinextrapartnersandcourtesanswheneverthey
wanthavemanymorechildrenthantwo.Unlessyouallhaveahellofabirthcontrolprogram.”

“Everywomanhastwochildren,”Emiliesaid,hervoicegentle.“Whentheyareready.”

“Onlytwo?Andyoucanchoosewhentobepregnant?”

Shenodded.“Yes.Youmustknowthat.”

Learememberedthemaid’ssurprisethatshedidn’tknowabouttheclans,andherownfeebleexplanation
thatshe’dhitherhead.Themaidhadprobablyexplainedthatthepoor,beat-upwomanintheking’sguest
roomhadgoneoutofhermind.

“Sure.Iknowthat.”Shetrailedoff,decidingtocurbhercuriosity.Sheneededtoknoweverythingshe
couldaboutthesepeopleifsheweretokeepherselfsafe,butapparentlyThanewantedthemtothinkshe
wasfromthisplanet.

Plusshehadnoideawhethertheycouldsecretlypipeinformationtotheempirethatthey’dcaughtarogue
scoutfromtheRock.Shehadn’tseenanyadvancedtechnologysofar,butthatdidn’tmeantheydidn’t
haveithidden.

“Ineedtogetup,”Leasaid.Sheswungherlegsaroundthesideofthebed,butsuddenlyEmiliewas
behindher,soothinghandsonhershoulders.Emilie’sfingersfoundmusclesthatwerestifffromLealying
inbedtwoandahalfdaysandeasedthemloose.

“Youarestillfatigued.Iseeitinyourface.”

Balinplacedawarmhandonherabdomen.Hissmilehadbecomepromising,hiseyesdark.

“IwanttotalktoThane,”shesaid,hervoicefaint.

“HeiswithLordDeon,”Emilierepeated.“Incounsel.”

“Isthatwhatthey’recallingitthesedays?”

“Theyhavemanymatterstodiscuss,”Emiliesaid.

Balintwinedhisfingersthroughthebacksofhers.“Inthemeantime,let’sseehowyoutaste.”Helifted
herhandandlickedherpalm.“Mmm.Verynice.Nowliebackandletmetasteyourquim.”

Leaswallowed.“Tastemy…”

“Ifyoulike,”Emiliesaidinsoftvoice,“youcanlickmypussywhilehegoesdownonyou.Wouldyou
likethat?”

Godshavemercy.Leashouldn’tbeexcitedbysextalkfromanotherwoman,buthernipplespinchedhard
andheatbegantoleakbetweenherthighs.Thesetwoknewexactlywhattosayandinexactlywhattoneof
voice.

“Thankyou,but—”

“Ifyouarenotcomfortablewiththat,Icansuckleyouinstead,”Emilieoffered.

“Manywomenlikethat.OrIcansimplywatch.”

AllysonJames

Lealetoutagroan.Thiscouldnotbehappeningtoher.ItwouldbesoeasytosuccumbwhileBalinkissed
hercheekandwhisperedthathewantedtodrinkthenectarbetweenherthighs.Butshehadtoremainon
guardandfindoutwhatThaneintendedtodowithher,andwhethershecouldgetbacktohership.

“Really,IwanttoseeThane.”

Balinsmiled.“Icannotfaultyourtaste.Heisafineman.”

“Don’ttellme—you’rehislovertoo?”

“WhenheandLordDeonwishit.AndtheylikeEmilie.Weareatthetopofthecourtesanclassandare
oftencalledtopleasetheking.Hespecificallyrequestedusforyou.”

“Likeofferingsomeonethebestbottleofwine,”shesaid.

“Exactly.”Balinseemedpleasedsheunderstood.

“Lieback,”Emiliesaidgently.BalinmovedoffthebedandslidthesilkupLea’slegs.Histhumbsfound
theswollennubofherclit.

“Ah,sheisready,”Balinsaid.“Andverywet.”

LeawatchedEmilie’snipplesdrawtodarkpoints.“Thatisgood,”Emiliewhispered.

Sweetgods,I’mabouttobepleasuredbyacourtesansenttomebythekingIhavethehotsfor.Noone

isgoingtobelievemyreport.ShethoughtaboutJustin,herclosestfriendinthefleet.They’dneverbeen
lovers,buthewastheonlyoneshecouldtalkaboutsexwithandviceversa.

Shecouldalmosthearhisgratingvoice,Soyougotyourrocksoffwithmalecourtesan,eh?Whoakid.

Shefeltasharppaininherheart,missinghimandfearingshe’dneverseeJustinagain.Butno,hewould
havestartedlookingforherbynow.Wouldasearchpartyfindheronthisworldthatappearedonno
charts?

“Youareworried,”Emilietoldher.

“Youcouldsaythat.”

“Forthismoment,troublesdonotexist,”Balinsaid.HiseyesweredarklikeThane’shadbecomewhen
he’dhealedher.“Letmepleasureyouwithmyfingers,thenmytongue,thenmycock.Ifyouwishto
pretendIamLordThane,youmay.Feelfreetocallmebyhisname.”

“Wouldn’tthatberude?”

“Notatall.Iamheretopleasureyou.ThatiswhatIamfor.”

“AndifIsayno,Idon’twantany?”

“Thenwestop.”Balinkepthisfaceneutralbutshesawdisappointmentinhiseyes.

“Wetrulyonlywishtomakeyoufeelgood.”

Hisfingerssoftlyrubbingherclitcertainlyfeltgood.Shemoanedagainwithoutmeaningto.

CatchaFallingStar

“Whydoyoufightyourdesires?”Emilieasked.“It’snothealthyforyou.”

“Ishetryingtotortureme?Ortestme?”

“Who?”Balinasked,confused.

“Thane.”

Balinlaughed.“Hedoesnotcallthistorture.Ifyoudoprefertobetiedup,wecansendforthecourtesans
whodothis.LordDeonisgoodatitandhewillknowthebestofthosewhospecializeinbondage.”

“Deonisintobondage?Ishouldhaveguessedwithalltheblackleatherhewears.”

“Hewearsleatherforridingandfighting,”Emiliesaid,confusedagain.“Itisprotective.Whenheplays,
heusuallylikestobenaked.”

LeahadasuddenvisionofDeon,thepowerfulblack-hairedwarrior,starknakedandaskingwithasinful

smileifLeawasreadyforhim.

Balin’sfingers,whichhadn’tstopped,burnedonherclit.SheaddedtothevisionThane,equallyas
naked,watchingDeon.ThefantasycoupledwithBalin’slighttouchtriggeredherorgasm.

ShewrithedandbumpedagainstthebedinawaveofsuddenecstasywhileEmiliesmiled,lookinghappy.
Balinteasedherforawhilelongerthenleaneddownandpressedakisstoherswollennub.

“Mmm,youdotastelikehoney.”

“Sweetgods,Ididn’tmeantodothat,”shepanted

Avoicerolledfromtheothersideoftheroom,“Ihopeyoudid.”

Leagaspedandsatup.Thetwocourtesansrosefromthebed,bowingrespectfully.

“Mylord,”Balinsaid.

Thanestoodinthedoorway,white-blondhairtousledtohiswaist,hisdarkeyestakingineverything.
BehindhimwasDeon,darkandwarrior-like,enjoyingthescene.

Leagothastilytoherkneesandpulledherrobeclosed,blushinghard.“Thane,”shesaidhoarsely.
“Hello.”

AllysonJames

ChapterFour

Drakesvs.Spacecraft

ThanefoundeverythingaboutLeafascinating.Herhairwasfourdifferentshadesofgoldalltangled
togetherandsilkytothetouch.Courtesansoftendyedtheirhair,butnodyeofthisworldcouldmatch
Lea’sstrangegoldenhue.

Andhereyesweregreen.NooneofPamaarhadgreeneyes—Lea’swerelovelylightgreenwithflecksof
gold,framedwithgoldenlashes.

Therippedandstainedgarmentshe’dbeenfoundinhadgivenhimaglimpseofherdelights,butthebody-
clingingsilkrobesheworenowshowedeverylusciouscurveofher.Hernipplespressedthesilkinhard
littlenubs,betrayingherexcitement,andshecouldn’tquiteholdthefabricclosedoverherthighs.

Shehadasiren’sbeauty,thoselegendarycreaturesthatluredmentotheirdeaths,andthebestpartwas,
shehadnoideaofthis.Ifshehadbeenanordinarywomanfromthelion-starclan,he’dhavelaughedin
delight,spreadhimselfonthebedandsaid,Haveyourselfagoodtime,darling.

Butshewasastrangerfromnoclanatall,frombeyondtheWarding,andsheshouldnotbehere.Themaid
who’dhelpedherundressandbathehadreportedthatLeahadnotattoosanywhereonherbody.

Havingnotattooswasunheardof.Shewasasundecoratedasherplainknife,whichmadeherveryodd
andverydangerous.

DeoncaughthisunspokenhintthathewantedtospeaktoLeaawayfromthecourtesans.HegaveThane
thebarestnod,thencaughtBalinaroundhishipsandtowedEmilietowardhimbyherbelt.Both
courtesanssmiledandmeltedagainsthim.

Leawatchedthemwithherlipsparted,stillkneelingonthebed.“Yousentthemtome.”

“Theyarethebestoftheirclass,”Thaneanswered.“Didyoulikethem?”

“Really—Idon’tneedsex.”

Theanswersurprisedhim,becauseeveryoneneededsex.Youcouldnothavelifewithoutsexandfrankly,
hewouldn’twantto.

“Ineedit,”Deonrumbled.“Joininifyouwant.”

HetookthetwocourtesanstotheothersideofthelargeroomandLea’seyeswidenedasDeonslidhis
handsinsideEmilie’srobeandbegantokissher.Balinstrippedoffhistunic,theliontattooacrosshis
shouldersblendingwiththeintricatecourtesantattoosontheundersideofhisarms.

“They’regoingtodoitrightinfrontofus,”Leasaidinamazement.

CatchaFallingStar

“Yes,whywouldn’tthey?Deonismypersonalguard,andhe’dhardlyleavemealonewithyousohe
couldhavesex.”

“I’mnotdangerous,”shesaid,buthereyesshifted.“ThatcrashbeatmeupandapparentlyIsleptfortwo
daysandsomechange.I’mweakasakitten.”

Hewishedthatnotbeingabletounderstandhalfofwhatshesaiddidn’tmakehersodesirable.“Tellme
aboutyour…spaceship.”

Again,hergazeflickered.“Notmuchtotell.AstandardscoutmodelXXH-2736,outthreeyearsago,a
goodlittleshipthatneverneedsmuchmaintenance.Ofcourse,you’dknowthatjustlookingather—she’s
prettycommon.Nosecrets.”

Herwordswereglib,butThaneknewtherewasmuchmoreherethansherevealed.

Hestretchedoutnexttoheronthebed,thoughsheremainedalittleballofbluesilkontopofthepillows.

Thaneworeonlyhisloinclothandlyingfull-length,proppedupononeelbow,wouldallowhertoseeall
ofhim.Shewastryingnottolook,buthergazekeptsweepingoverhimandlingeringonhispelvic
region.

“Shipsfloatonthesea,”hesaid.“Butyourswouldsink.”

“You’veseenitthen?”

“DeonandIflewouttoit.”

Shelookedalarmedthenmaskedherexpression.“Ononeofthosedragonthings?

Whatarethose?Theycan’tbeforreal.”

“I’drathertalkaboutyourship,”hesaidfirmly.“Andwhereitcamefrom.”

“Space.Hencethenamespaceship.”Shehesitated.“Youcan’tbealow-techworld.

You’dhavebeenharvestedbynow.NooneescapestheFour-One-Six.”

“Thefouronesix?”

“Unlessyou’reworkingwiththem.Thatwouldbehighlyunusual,butIsupposeitcouldhappen—oh
Goddess.”

Thanelookedaroundforthecauseofhershock,butonlysawthatDeonhadstripped.EmilieandBalin
kneltinfrontofhimandbeganlickinghiscock,theirtonguestanglingaroundeachother’sastheyplayed.
ThesightmadeThanehardenhimself.

Lea’sfacewascherry-red,butthesightobviouslyexcitedher.Herbreaststightenedandhesmelledher

arousal.

“Donotbeembarrassedbydesire.”Thanerestedhishandonherthigh,likingthesmoothsilkofherrobe.
“Itisajoyousthing,acelebrationoflife.”

“Well,theysurelooklikethey’recelebrating.”

Deonclosedhiseyesandtiltedhisheadback.ThanealwayslikedwatchingDeoninpleasure—theman
sankhimselfintoit.BalinandEmiliehadbeenwisechoicestobecomeroyalcourtesansbecausethey
knewexactlyhowmuchtogiveandwhentobackoff,whenitwastimeforgamesandwhenDeonand
Thanewantedtobealone.

AllysonJames

“Thecourtesansarehighlyskilled,”Thanesaid.“Balinhasbeenchosenastheonlymanallowedtoenter
theking.”

HershockedgazeflickedfromthethreesometoThane.“I’msorry?Didyousayentertheking?”

“Hehasbeengivenclearanceto,shouldIdesireit.Amanmustbehighlytrustedtodothat.Onlyin
Deon’spresence,ofcourse.”

“ButIthoughtyouandDeon…”

“Arelovers?Weare.Buttheking’spersonalbodyguard,bylaw,isnotallowedtoenterhim.Thereisthe
dangerthatthekingwouldbecometoohighlyinfluencedbyhim—atleastthat’swhatthelawsays.I’d
trustDeonwithmylifeandIthinkIcouldfallunderhisswayevenwithouthimpenetratingme,butthe
kingmustrespectthelaws.Wefindmanywaystoenjoyourselves,inanycase.”

Shelistened,openmouthed.“Ican’tbelieveI’mhavingthisconversation.”

“Ican’tbelieveyouknownothingofwhatI’mtellingyou.Wheredoyoutrulycomefrom,whatclan?And
whydidyouremoveyourtattoos?”

“I’veneverhadtattoos.Foronething,inspaceflight,youneverknowwhenyou’regoingtorunthrougha
heavilymagneticareaandifthere’smetalintheink,you’rekindofscrewed.Besides,Ihaveathingabout
needles.”

“Tattoosneverhurt.”

“Why?Becauseyou’retheretohealeveryone’spain?”

“Tattoosaredonebytheverybestartistsandtheyreceivetheking’shealingpowers.”

“Isee.”

Sheclosedhermouthagain,shuttinghercuriositybehindhereyes.Hesensedthateveryquestionshe

askedmaskedwhatshetrulywantedtoknow.Norwasshegoingtotellhimwhathetrulywantedto
know.

“Whataboutmystuff?Myrationbarandknifeandthings.”

“Theyaresafe,”heassuredher.“Lockedawayinmyrooms.Noonewilltakethem.”

Shebitherlipasthoughshedidn’tlikehisanswer.“Iwanttoseemyship.”

“Itisnothingbutaruinedheap,mostlyburned.”

“Iwanttoseeitanyway.OristhatyourwayoftellingmeI’mnotallowedtoleaveyourpalace?”

Heshrugged.“Iwilltakeyoutoseeit,ononecondition.”

“Andthatis?”

Shelookedwary,likeahuntedanimal.Hewantedtoexplainthathekeptherhereforherprotection,so
Felinwouldn’tfindheranduseher,buthealsoknewDeonwasn’tcompletelywrongtoadvisecaution.
Theyhadnoideawhoshewasorwhereshecamefromorwhosheworkedfor—orwhatdangerto
Pamaarsherepresented.

CatchaFallingStar

Herosetohiskneesandreachedforher,cuppinghishandsaroundherface.“Letmegiveyouanother
healing.”

Herlipspartedandhereyesfocusedonhis,thepupilsspreadingblackthroughthegreen.Hefelther
pulsebeneathhisfingers,herbreathonhisface.Shehadacleannessabouther,asparklinghonestythat
wovethroughheraura.

Hetracedthepainofherinjuries,faintnow,downtotherootofthem,tofindthemmostlyhealed.Thane
neededonlyasmalldoseofhispowertofurtherclosethewoundsanderasethefaintscarstheyleft
behind.Thepaintohimselfwassmall,thoughhecouldn’tstophisasmallintakeofbreathashefeltthe
pull.

“Ithurtsyou,”shesaid,soundingdistressed.

Henodded,buthercompassiontuggedathisheart.Heclosedhiseyesandlettheirlipsmeet.

Holygods.Shewasripeandsweetanddamnshetastedgood.

Herbreathcamefast,warminghisskin.Itwaseasytopushherdownintothebed,tolayfull-lengthover
herandfeelherlushbodyagainsthis.Hekissedheragain,slidinghishandinsideherrobeandcatching
theglobeofherbreastinhispalm.

Acrosstheroom,thesoundsofsexbecamemoreintensebutThanehadnodesiretoturnhisheadtosee

whattheywereupto.LookingintoLea’seyeswasmorepleasurablefornow.

“Isthispaymentforyoutakingmetomyship?”shemurmured.

Hesmiled,feelinggenuinemirthforthefirsttimeinalongtime.“Thatisafunidea,butno.Thisis
entirelyvoluntary.”

Hekissedheragain,pluckinghernipplebetweenhisfingers,likinghowsherosetohistouch.Hiscock
washardandtight,andherubbedherquimthroughthethinlayersofclothseparatinghimfromher.

HeheardDeoncryout,“Ohgods,fuck,I’mcoming.”

HearinghisfriendsohappymadeThanewarmwithneed.HekissedLea,lettinghishandopentherobe
furtherandmovetoherquim.

“You’rebeautiful,”hewhispered.“Andsowet.”Hedrewhishandawayandtastedheronhisfingertips.
“Doyouneedtorelease?”

“I’dsayso.”Hervoicewasathroatyrasp.

ThanelookeduptowhereDeonhadcollapsedtoachair,holdingbothcourtesansonhislapwhilethey
kissedhim.

“Deon,myfriend.Ihaveneedofyou.”

HefeltLeagaspasDeongentlyputEmilieandBalinasideandwalkedacrosstheroom,stillnaked,his
cockalreadyrising.Hehadaliontattooacrosshispelvisthatmovedsinuouslyashestrolledtothem.

AllysonJames

HelookedatLeainherhalf-openrobe,eyessparkling.“Whatdoyouneed?”Hesatdownonthebedand
ranacaressinghandoverLea’sleg.“Wouldyoulikemetotakeher,orwatchwhileyoufuckher?”

LeasuddenlyrolledoutfromunderThaneandfacedthemonherkneesagain,handsout.“Allright,waita
minute.Himwatching?I’mnotusedtoanyofthis.”

Deonlookedslightlysurprisedbutnotoffended.“It’swaytoodangeroustolethimlieinalover’sarms
withoutmelookingoutforhim.ButI’dbehappytoobligeifyouwantrelease.”

“Release?Isthatallitis?”Shesoundeddisappointed,whichintriguedThane.

Deongrinned.“Weneedtorelease—what’swrongwithenjoyingit?”

“ObviouslyIcan’texplain,”Leasaid,herfacered.

Deonshrugged,alwayseasygoingaboutsex.HeranlightfingersacrossThane’scheekbone.“Doyou
needme?”

“Notrightnow,”Thanesaidgently.“Atleastletmereleaseyou,Lea.It’snotgoodtoholditin.”

“Maybeshecoulddoitherself,”Deonsuggested.“Iwouldn’tmindseeingthat.”

Thanewouldn’teither.HeimaginedLeakneelingonthebed,herrobeopen,whileherfingersplayed
betweenherlegs.Hewouldstrokeherback,encouragingher,whileshestrokedherwarm,wetcenter.
She’dmoansoftlywithitthenwithdrawherfingers,glisteningwithdew,andraisethemtohislips.

Butheknewthatwouldn’thappenrightthisminute.Herchestroseandfellasthoughshesharedthevision
withhim,butsheseemedembarrassedandawkwardinsteadofeager.Thatmustbeit—theywereall
lookingatherthewaythey’dviewanunusualflowerornewkindofart,whichhadtobeunnerving.But
shewassodifferent,sounique,hecouldn’thelpbutstare.

“Wecanwaituntillater,”Thanetoldhergently.“AfterIshowyouyourship.”HeturnedtoDeon.
“Prepareyourdraketotakeusbackouttothevalleywhereshefellfromthesky.”

FromtheflickofDeon’seyes,Thaneknewhewantedtoaskasharpwhy?buthekepthisthoughtsto
himself.Healsokeptquiethisdisappointmentthatthesexualplaywouldn’tcontinue.

Lea’seyeswidened.“Ohgeez,nowthey’re…”

AcrosstheroomBalinlayonhisbackonthefloor,hishandstuckedbehindhishead,whileEmilie
happilyrodehim.

Deonchuckled.“Wewoundthemupprettytight,youandme.Theydeservesomeenjoyment.”

“Idid?”Lea’sgreeneyeswidenedinamazement.

“Emilietoldmeyoudidn’twantthem.Theyforgiveyoubecausetheyknowyou’retiredandhurtand
don’tmeantoberude.”

CatchaFallingStar

“It’srudetoturndownsex?”

“Toacourtesanitis,”Deonsaid.“It’sliketellingthebestartistintheworldthatyoureallydon’twant
thesculptureshemadeespeciallyforyou.”

“Oh.”

Thanesmiledather,tryingtolookreassuring.“Leaveherbe,Deon.Shedoesn’tunderstand.”

Whyshedidn’tunderstandwasthemystery.Shedidn’tknowconceptstaughttoPamaaranchildrenin
everyclanfromtheearliestage.HeexchangedanotherglancewithDeonthatwarnedhispartnernotto
prytoomuchandputheronherguard.

Coaxinginformationfromapersonwasmucheasierandmorerewardingthanthreateningthem.

HehadnointentionofhavingLealookathiminfearandeveryintentionofherlookingathimindesire.
Shealmosttrustedhim,wasalmostreadytosurrendertohim,butnotquite.

Hehopedbytheendofthedaytomakethatsurrendercomplete.

*****

“Dowereallyhavetorideonthatthing?”

Leapeeredintrepidationatthedragon-likecreaturethatwaitedinthecourtyard.Itstoodcalmlytethered
toathickpole,awidesaddleonitsback,butitwasafarcryfromthedocilefarmhorsesonLea’splanet.

Thedrakestoodtenfeethighatitsshoulder,theneckextendingbeyondthat.Itsleatherywingswere
foldedagainstitsbody,butshe’dseenitswingspanoutinthevalley,nottomentionfeltthestrengthofthe
creatureherself.

Deonlaughed,voicerumblinganddeep.“Youaren’tafraidofCutieareyou?He’sgentleasapuppy.”

“Afive-tonpuppy,”Leamuttereddarkly.

Deonfoundherhilarious,butThaneputawarmhandonhershoulder.He’ddonnedagraytunicand
breechestuckedintoblackbootsandthrownagraycloakoveritall,likeanadventurerinthebooksshe’d
readasachild.Atightlymuscled,leather-booted,gorgeousadventurerwithsin-darkeyes.

“I’llbewithyou,”hesaid.“You’llbeallright.”

Thanehadanamazingabilitytomakeherfeelhopefulandassured.Whenhe’dstartedtokissheronthe
bed,she’dbeenreadytohumphimthenandthere,nomatterthatheheldhervirtualprisoner,nomatter
whoelsewasintheroom.ThecourtesansandDeonhadn’tbeenpayingattentionanyway.

WhenThanehadaskedDeontowatch,she’dsnappedoutofherwanting.Thanewasn’tamanshe’dmet
onshoreleavewho’dagreedtohavecasual—safe,ofcourse—

sexwithherbeforeshehadtoreportback.

AllysonJames

Thanewaskingofhiscountryandhelivedinapalacewithafearsomeguardsmanwhowasalsohis
lover,andthey’dcapturedLea,nomatterwhatanicespinThaneputonit.Hedidn’ttrustherandshe
didn’tknowifshecouldtrusthim.

He’dlockedawayheraccoutrementsandshewonderedwhatexcusehe’dmakeifsheaskedtoseethem.
Notthatshecaredabouthertastelessrationsorevenheridentcard,butherpistolwouldfeelgoodnextto
herhip.

Butsheknewwithoutaskingthathewouldn’tletherhavethegun.Deonhadwitnessedhowdangerousit
wasandnomatterhowmuchThaneofferedherfoodanddrinkandsex,hewasn’tstupidenoughtolether

runaroundarmed.

Ergo,aclean,funrelationshipwasnotpossiblehere.Sheneededtofindherspaceship,sendasignaland
gettheheckoffthisplanet.

Severalservantscameouttothecourtyardtoholdthedrakewhiletheymounted.

DeonscrambledtothesaddlewithoutassistanceandreacheddownforLea.ThaneliftedherintoDeon’s
arms,thenhehauledhimselfupusingDeon’shandforbalance.

OneoftheservantstossedthereinstoDeonandwithasudden,sickeningjolt,thedrakelauncheditself
intothesky.

Leasqueezedhereyesshutandclungtothesaddle’sropes.Thedrakedidn’tflysmoothly—heswooped
andglidedanddroppedandroseuntilLeagrittedherteeth.

“It’sallright.”Deon’svoicewarmedherear.“I’mrightbehindyou.AndThane’sbehindme.Rightwhere
Ilikehim.”

Leapeeledopenhereyestofindalandscapeofincrediblebeautyfloatingbelowher.They’dleftthecity,
whichrecededtoaglitteringpileonthehorizon.Insteadofsteelskyscrapers,turretsofstonelinedthe
citywallslikeintricatelace,lookinglikefairy-talepalacesLeahadreadofasachild.

Nosmudgeofpollutionordusthungovertheplanetandblueskyarchedsoftlyoverhead.Razor-sharp
mountainsslicedthehorizontotheleftofthecity,buttoitsright,wherethedrakeflew,wererollinghills
andgreenswards.Shesawcultivatedfieldswithroadsrunningneatlythroughthemandclustersofthatch-
roofedhouses.

She’dglimpsedsomeofthiswhenDeonhadflownhertothepalace,butshe’dbeeninjuredandoutofit
andhadn’tbeenabletofullyappreciateituntilnow.

“It’sbeautiful,”shebreathed.

“It’shome,”ThanesaidfrombehindDeon,buthisvoiceheldsadness.

Theyflewfornearlyanhour,whilethegreenlandscaperolledunderthem,thenDeonjerkedthereinsand
Leabitbackayelpasthedrakeplummetedsharply.Theemeraldturfofthevalleytowhichtheyglided
wasmarredbyalongblackstreakthatendedinatangleofcharredmetal.

DeonlandedthedrakewithbarelyabumpandThanedismounted.HereachedupandliftedLeadown,
thenDeonswunghislegoverthedrake’sneckanddroppedtothegroundbesidethem.

CatchaFallingStar

Leawalkedtothewreckageinsorrow.“Shewassuchagoodlittleship.Thosebastardsaregoingto
pay.”

ShesensedDeonandThanebehindherandknewshewouldn’tgetmuchchancetoact.Shekneltinthe
smallcockpit,theonlythingthathadsurvivedmoreorlessintact.

Thewebbingthathadheldherinplacestilldangleduselesslyandallherinstrumentswerefriedorhad
beenpriedout,eitherbyFelin’smenorThane’s.

Notthatitmattered—onlythetransportdevicehademergencybatterypowerandthatwouldn’tlast
forever.Besides,thedeviceneededthetransportbuttontowork.

Sheslidherhandtotheprotectedpocketofthebulkheadwherepilotsstashedtheirmostemergencyof
emergencydevices.Noscoutleftwithoutanextrarationoffood,hydrogenatingcrystalsthatwouldbreak
downalmostanythingintodrinkingwaterand,mostofall,thetiny,button-sizeddevicethatwould
broadcasthisorherwhereaboutstoafellowscout.

LeapalmedthebuttonasThaneandDeonbothhunkereddowntopeerinsidethecockpit.

“’Tisstrangemagic,”Deonsaid,runninghisfingersovermetalplating.Hetouchedtheshaftthathad
thrustupbetweenherknees.“Whatdoesthisdo?”

“Nothingnow.Butitwasforsteering.”

“Whatpulledthisvessel?”Deon’sdarkgazerovedtheremainingdialsinfascination.“Yousteeracart
withayokelikethisoraboatwitharudder.Butyouhadnowatertofloatonnorbeasttopullyou.”

“Notpull,push,”Leasaid.“Boostedbyrocketsfedbyfuelpacks.Allofwhicharedead,ofcourse.”

“Fuelpacs,”DeonrepeatedandglancedatThane.“Whatkindofanimalisafuelpac?”

Leatriednottolaugh.“Notanimal.Machine.”

Thanehadfollowedthisdiscussioninsilence,hisdarkeyesenigmatic.Nowhespokeinalowvoice.
“YouknowitisnotofPamaar.ThisvesselcamefrombeyondtheWarding.”

“What’stheWarding?”Leaasked.

“Itistheboundarythatkeepsussafe,”Thaneanswered,thoughDeonshothimawarningglance.“The
barrierbetweenusandouterdarkness.Youshouldnothavebeenabletogetthrough.Youshouldhave…”
Hemadeagesturewithhisarm.

“Bouncedoff?”Leafinished.

Washetalkingaboutaforcefieldofsomekind?Onethatnotonlyshouldhaveshuntedhershipasidebut
onethatkeptthisworldfromshowinguponcharts?

“IfI’dbouncedoff,I’dhavebeentoast.Iwouldhaverunoutofair,oroneofthefineboysfromtheFour-
One-Sixwouldhavemademeafireballjustforfun.”

Thanefrowned.“Youaresayingthesepeoplewantedtokillyou?”

AllysonJames

“Wantedto,wouldloveto,aredyingto.I’mfromtheRock.Theywanttoharvestusandwedon’twantto
surrendertothem,sowe’retryingtofigureouthowtodefendourselves.Lookslikeyoualreadyfounda
way.”

“Harvest?”Deongrowled.“Whatdoyoumeanharvest?”

Leastoodupandgazedatthevalley,thecoolbreezestirringherhair.“Allthis,dugoutfortheminerals.
Thecityrazedandanythingvaluabletaken.Theystealeverything—water,materials,stone,evendirtif
it’srichenoughincarbonorfossils.Allthepeopletakenawayandrecolonizedastheycallit,thoughit’s
notmuchmorethanhomelesssheltersandindenturedservitude.That’stheFour-One-SixQuadEmpire’s
modusoperandi.Theycome,theysee,theytakewhattheywant.”

“Youmeanthey’reraiders,”Deongrunted.“Likethenorthmenfromthetiger-vesselclan.”

“Raidersonagrandscale,”Leasaid.“Theypretendtobeoh-socivilizedaboutit.

Packeveryoneoffbeforetheystartharvesting,sayingpeoplefromabackwardplanetneedabetterlife.”

“ThedarknessfromoutsidetheWarding,”Thanesaidslowly.“WhentheWardingfails,wewillfacetotal
destruction.That’swhatthelegendssay.”

“Well,iftheymeantheFour-One-SixEmpire,they’reright.Butthisplanetdoesn’tshowuponanychart
orreadout—Ionlyfounditbyaccident.WhateverthisWardingis,it’skeepingyousafe.TheRockisn’tso
lucky,whichiswhyIhavetogetbackthere.”

Thanewatchedheramoment,absorbingherwords.Thensuddenlyhegrabbedherwristandtwistedit,
incrediblestrengthopeningherhand.Hepriedthetight-beamcommunicatorfromitandhelditup
betweenhisfingers.

Leatriedtolungeforit,butDeoncaughtherinaviselikegripandlockedonearmaroundherfrom
behind.

Thaneheldthetinycommunicatordelicately.“Whatisthisandwhatdoesitdo?”

“Wheredidshegetit?”Deonasked,tonefrustrated.

“Shetookitfromhership.”

“Shit.Ineversawherdoit.”

“Whatisit?”Thaneaskedagain.

Leastoppedstruggling,realizingthatDeonwasdamnstrongandnotabouttolethergo.“Atight-beam
communicationdevice.You’retoolate—Ialreadyusedit.”

CatchaFallingStar

ChapterFive

TheWarding

DeonwatchedThane’seyesnarrow,hisslowangerbuildinglikeastorm.AnyonewhoassumedDeonthe
strongestofthepairwaswrong—whereDeonwasvolatile,Thanehadacoldstrengththatcouldmakehis
enemiesgibberinterror.

Leawasn’texactlygibbering.She’draisedherchinandlookedatThanedefiantly,thoughDeonfelther
shaking.

“Whatdidyoudo?”Thaneaskedinadeceptivelycalmvoice.Thewindstirredhiswhite-blondhair,the
redbeadswovenintoitclickingsoftly.

“Itsentasignalbacktomypeople.Onlymypeople,doyouunderstand?It’scodedandtight-beamedso
thatnoonewilltraceitbutmypartner,Justin.He’llcomeandretrievemeandyoucangobackto
enjoyingyourcourtesans.”

“Likeafocus-stone,”Deonsaid.Seersclaimedtheycouldcommunicatewitheachotherbypeeringinto
stones,thoughhestillthoughtseerswerelunatics.“Exceptthisone’sfrombeyondtheWarding.”

ThaneflickedhisgazebacktoLeaandhiseyestookonalookofsorrow.Thatwasanotherreasonfor
Thane’sstrength—hiscompassion.Hedidwhatneededtobedone,buthewasnevermerciless.

“I’msorry,Lea,”Thanesaid.Hepickedupahand-sized,flatrockandlaidthedeviceonanotherrock.

LeastruggledagainstDeon’sgrip.“No,please,Ineedthat.”

Thanegaveheranothersadlook,buthewasfirm.“YouareofPamaarnow.”

Heliftedthestoneinhishandandsmashedthedeviceflat.Leasworeandfought,butDeondidn’tlether
gountilThaneindicatedforhimtodoso.

Learacedtotherockandscoopedupthesmashedbitsofmetal.Shestareddownatthem,headbowed.

“Ican’tletmorepeopleinthroughtheWarding,Lea.Itisdangerousenoughthatyoucame.IftheWarding
fails,wehavenothingtoprotectusfromthedarkness.”

Sheliftedherhead,herfacewet.“Mypeopledonotevenhavethat.Youatleasthaveashield.”

“Mypeoplearealreadydying.Wehavenotbeenpenetratedbythisharvestingempireyouspeakof,and
yettheWardsarefailingandpeoplearedying.Ishouldhaveallthepowertosavethem,butIcando
nothing.”

AllysonJames

Deondrewasharpbreath,notlikingtoseeThanesobleak,butthiswasthefirsttimeThanehadspoken
ofitoutloudtoanyone.EventoDeon,Thanedidn’tliketotalkaboutthetruth.

“Themaidtoldmeaboutyourwife,”Leasaid.“DidshediebecauseofthesefailingWards?”

ThaneneverspokeaboutCerenaeither.Deonassumedhe’dshutoutLea’squestion,thathe’driseand
walkawayorsnapathertoleaveitalone.

ThanewentdownononekneebesideLeaandbrushedbackastrandofhervariegatedhair.“Shegrew
veryillanditwasthefirsttimeinmylifethatmyhealingpowersfailed.ItriedeverythingIcouldthink
of,butshewasbeyondmyskill.Othershavebeensickeninganddyingaswell.Felin’sclan,thefalcon-
swordclan,hasbeenthemostaffected,andhehatesmeforit.”

Hatewasanunderstatement.FelinhadthreatenedtooverthrowThaneandtooutrightmurderhim.Never
mindthatthebeautifulCerenahaddiedaftergoingtoFelin’sclantotrytohelphispeople.She’dcaught
thesamesicknessandwastedaway.

Lea’sfacesoftenedandsheputherhandonThane’sshoulder.“I’msosorry.”

“Thesicknesshasnotgoneawayandmyabilitytohealiswaning.”

“Youhealedmejustfine.”

“Injurieslikeyours—brokenbonesandsuchhurts—Iamstillabletohandle.Butthissickness…Ican’t
reachit.”

“Mypeoplehavemedicineagainstalmosteverything,”Leasaid.“Ifyouletmegetthroughtothem,they
canbringsomethingtohelp.”

Thane’sexpressionturnedweary.“TheWardingcan’tslipanymorethanitalreadyhasandthekingmust
healhispeople.Thatiswhyheisallowedtocontinuebeingking.”

Leagavehimathoughtfullook.“Legendsfromlong,longagoonancientEarthclaimedthatthetouchofa
kingcouldheal.ItwasmostlyBSandgoodpropaganda,butyoureallycanheal.Imean,youhealedme
justbytouchingme.Whatmoredoyourpeoplewant?”

“Nounexpecteddeathandnodisease.”

“Ohisthatall?”

Hegaveherawrysmile.“Thatisall.”

“Butthat’swaytoomuchtoexpectofanyone.Eventhebestdoctorscan’thealeveryone,evenwithkick-
assmedicaltechnology.”

“Yestheycanexpectit.IamkingofPamaar,headofthelion-starclan.IfIcannotkeepthelandandits
peoplewhole,Idonotdeservetobeking.”

Leafellsilent,butDeonprivatelyagreedwithher.Thelion-starclanexpectedThanetobegodlikeand

solvealltheirproblemsandthemomentThanecouldn’thelpthem,theyturnedagainsthim.ItpissedDeon
offbecauseThanetrulycared,andthefactthathecouldn’tbegodlikeforhispeoplekepthimawakeall
hoursofthenight.

CatchaFallingStar

ThanebrushedLea’shandwithhisagain,thetouchacaress.Deonnarrowedhiseyesashewatched.
Thanehadn’tshownmuchinterestinanywomanotherthanfornecessaryreleasesinceCerena’sdeath.

ButLeaseemedtostirsomethingtolifeinhim,somesparkthathadbeenabsentawhile.Deon
determinedthenandtherethathe’dnurturethatsparktobringThanebacktohisoldself.He’dlockLeain
thepalaceandkeepherthereforeverifthat’swhatittook.

*****

Thanewasquietontheirrideback,Deontight-lipped.Oncetheyreturnedtothepalace,thetwomenleft
Leainherroom,Thanesayingheneededtotakecareofthings—hewouldnotsaywhatthings.Therewas
nomorementionofresumingthesexualplaythey’dstartedbeforethejourney.

“Isupposedhehastorunthekingdomsometime,”shesaidtoherselfasshestrolleddownanarched
gallery,opentoanairyhallbelow.Sunlightdancedthroughstainedglassskylightsontheceiling,flooding
herwithcrimson,blueandgold.

TheservantshadletherleaveThane’sprivateroomswithoutfussandnoguardsfollowedher—atleast
notobviously.ButsheknewthatifshetriedtoleavethepalaceorretrievethethingsThanehadtaken
fromher,she’dbestopped.

She’dbeenabletosendthemessageatleast,butonlyone,andwhoknewifJustinwouldreceiveit?

Scoutswentoneverymissionknowingtherewasarealpossibilitythey’dnevercomeback.Usuallythey
hadlittleintheirlivesoutsidethecorps—Leahadlostherfamilyyearsago,beforeshe’denteredflight
school.Butthatdidn’tmeanshewantedtogiveupherentirelife,herhome,herfriends,hermission,to
stayhere.

Thanewasgorgeous,andwhenhedidsmileitwaslikesunshinewarmingacoldday.Hewasastrong
manwhocouldbecaringatthesametime—heputhimselfinpaintohealothers.Apersoncouldbaskin
thewarmthofthatcaring.

Ifonlyshe’dcometothisplaceforalittlefunandR&R,thenshe’dgladlystayandseewhatinteresting
thingsThanewantedtodo.NotthatthisplacewouldexistifitwereeasytofindforR&R.TheFour-One-
SixEmpiredidn’tbelieveinlettinganyonehavefun.

ShethoughtofThane’sbodystretchedoverhersonthebigbedandsmotheredagroan.WithThaneit
wouldbesomuchfun.

“CanIhelpyouatall,mylady?”OneofThane’spolitemanservantshadpaddedtowardheratthesound
ofhergroan.Hewasolderandwhite-haired,wrappedinatoga-likegarment,hispentacletattoos

standingoutdarklyonhispaleskin.

“AmIrightinthinkingyoudon’thavecomputers?”sheaskedhim,tryingtobanishthememoryofThane’s
oh-sothoroughkiss.Whenthemanlookedblank,shesighed.

AllysonJames

“No,ofcourseyoudon’t.Iwanttolooksomethingup,researchsomething.HowdoIdothat?”

“Inthelibrary,mylady.TheLordThanehasmorebooksthananyotherpersoninthekingdom.Itisthis
way.”

Books.Ofcourse.She’dneveractuallyseenabookoutsideofpictures.Hercuriositymounting,she
followedthemanaroundthegalleryandthroughasetofcarveddoubledoorsintothestrangestroom
she’deverseen.

Shelveslinedtheovalroomfromfloortoceiling,crammedfullofbooks.Leastaredinaweattherich
abundance.Backhome,abookwasararething,sovaluabletheywereinlockedcasesandguardedby
motionsensors.

Thane’sbookswereopenlydisplayed,unprotected.Sheletherfingerbrushthespineofoneandfoundit
smooth,wornwithageasthoughpeopleactuallyreadit.

“Theindextothecollectionisthere.”Theservantpointedtoalargetomethatstoodopenonalectern
nearamassivetable.“Thenumberslistedinitrefertowhichsectionandshelfyouwillfindthebookson
eachsubject.Thisissectionone.”Hepointedtothefloor-to-ceilingshelfnearthedoor.“Ifyourequire
assistance,Icansendforthecataloger.”

“No,Ijustwanttolook.Um,thanks.”

Theservantbowed—anotherthingLeawasn’tusedto.Hepointedoutthebelltosummonhimoranother
servant,thenhedepartedonsoftfeet.

Leamovedtotheindexwithuncertainty,butafterflippingthroughafewpagesofit,shecaughtontothe
system,whichwasbeautifullysimple.Shewasusedtolookingupanyrequiredinformationindatabases
—youputinyoursearchtermandtheenginerevealedeverypieceofinfofromeverydatabaseonthe
Rock,whetheritwasaprintedfile,anaudiofileorastreamofinformationthatcouldbedownloaded
directlyintoyourbrain.

Hereshehadtolookupwordsalphabetically,thenwalktotheshelflistedandlocatethebook,thenfind
theinformationwithinthebook.Onceshelostheramazementofactuallyopeningthebookandturningthe
paperpages,hertaskgreweasier.

WhatinformationshefoundontheWarding,however,wassketchy.Manylegendshadbeenwovenaround
it,butthedescriptions,whilepoetic,didn’tmuchtellherwhattheWardingwas.

BasicallyshelearnedthatinthebeginningwaschaosandmuchdeathbeyondtheWarding.Theancestors

ofthefourclans—lion-star,tiger-vessel,dragon-wandandfalcon-sword—thenarrivedonPamaar.

OneoftheleadersfoundtheWardingandboundhimselfwithit,andfromthenon,nochaosorwarfrom
beyondtouchedPamaar.Theancestorsdestroyedtheancientvesselsinwhichthey’darrivedandsettled
downtofarmtherichland.

CatchaFallingStar

Leatouchedthepageshereadthoughtfully.Ithadbeenillustratedwithcolorfulpicturesscrollingdown
themarginsofthefirstkingsurroundedbyaglow,andpeoplebentoverhoesandplowswithcheerful
expressionsontheirfaces.

PerhapsthechaosbeyondtheWardinghadbeenagalacticwarofsomekind,theancestorslandingon
Pamaarinescapepodsfromadestroyedship.Perhapstheclanshadbeennamedaftersymbolsoneach
pod—inlargeinterstellarshipsthesedays,passengersandcrewwereassignedtospecificescapepods
uponboarding.Thatway,iftheshiphadtobeevacuated,youknewyouwenttoescapepodblue-sixon
levelten,whicheliminatedalotofpanicandchaos.

PerhapsthoseancientPamaarans,iftheywereanywherenearasartisticastheirdescendents,hadlabeled
theirescapepodswithanimalsandcolorfulsymbolsoftheTarot.

Butthiswasfancifulspeculation.Thebookshehelddidn’ttellherforcertain.

“Whatareyoudoing?”

Deon’sfistscametorestonthetablenexttoher,large,sinewyhandsscarredfromfighting.He’dchanged
intoacoatandleggingsofsofterleather,hisbluebeadsbrightagainsthisjet-blackhair.

Themancouldmovelikeaghost.She’dneverheardthedooropenorhimcrosstheroom,andshecalled
herselfascout.

“Research,”Leasaid,keepinghervoicesteady.

Hedrewoneoftheopenbookstohimandscannedthepage.“TheWarding.Whydoyouwanttoknowso
muchaboutit?”

“I’mcurious.”

Deonrestedonehiponthetableandscowledather.“Ifyouthinkyoucantakeitdownsoyoucanget
away,youarewrong.”

“IknowIcan’tgetaway.Yousawmyship—it’saburned-outwreck,fuckedupbeyondallrepair,aswe
scoutsliketosay.AndI’mwillingtobetyoudon’thaveanythingherethatevenfliesinthestratosphere,
evenyourdrakes.”

“Stratosphere?ThisisanotherofyourwordsIdon’tunderstand.”

“ThereareawholeslewofyourwordsIdon’tunderstand.WhatisthisWarding?

Thesebooksaren’tmuchhelp.”Sheshovedoneshe’dbeenperusingaway,impatientwithit.“Isitmagic?
BecauseIdon’tbelieveinmagic.”

“Whatdoyoubelievein?”Deon’sdarkeyesrestedonherasthoughheranswerwereveryimportant.

“Myeyes,myhands,myexperienceandthefactthateverymealinthepilot’smesswilltastelikesand
mixedwithbirdcrap.”

Hethrewbackhisheadandlaughed,therichsoundringingtotheceiling.“Wehadthesamefoodat
trainingcamp.Iamasoldiertoo,Lea,andIdon’tbelieveinmagiceither.”

Leahadbeguntosmilewithhim,butshesobered.“ThenwhatishurtingThane?”

AllysonJames

“Idon’tknow.”Helookedtroubled.Heglanceddownamoment,butshesawtheflashofpaininhiseyes
beforehehidit.

“TellmeaboutthisWardingthing.”

Deonlookedup,hisfaceclouded,buthisgazefilledwithangeranddetermination.

“Iwilldobetter.Iwillshowittoyou.”

Shehidhersuddenexcitementbyflinching.“Doesthismeanwehavetoflyonthosedrakethings?”

Helaughedagain.“Youfellfromtheskyinaballofmetal.Whyareyouafraidofdrakes,whowillnever
letyoufall?”

“Theyhaveteeth.”

Deongrinnedandclappedherontheshoulder,thestrengthofhimnearlyshovingherover.“Whenthey
biteyou,bitethemback.They’lllearnrespect.”

Somehowthatdidn’tmakeLeafeelanybetter.

*****

TheWardinglayahundredmilesfromthecity,intheoppositedirectionfromthecrashsite.Thesunwas
settingwhentheyreachedit,therazor-sharpmountainsonthehorizonstreakedpurpleandgoldandblue.

Deonlandedtheminafieldofsparsevegetation.Thefloorofthisvalleywasdesertsand,withonlya
fewdrygrassesandthornybushesgrowinghere,althoughthosewerestuddedwithbrightyellowflowers.

DeonunsaddledthedrakeandgavetheanimalacurtinstructionLeadidn’tunderstand.Insome

trepidationshewatchedthelizard-likebeasthurtleitselfintotheairandflapaway.

“Youknowhe’souronlywayoutofhere,”shepointedout.“Ididn’tseeanytownsorsettlementsforoh,
aday’swalkI’dsay.”

“He’llbebackwhenhe’seaten.Youdon’twantahungrydrakearound—they’recrankyashell.”

Hedidn’tseemintheleastworried,soLeadecidednottoworryeither,oratleastnottothinkaboutit.
Deonhadbroughtwaterforthemandalittlefood,thoughnotasmuchasshe’dhavepackedforadesert
expedition.

“SowhereisthisWarding?”sheasked.

“You’restandingonit.”

Lealookeddowninamazementbutsawonlythedesertfloor.“IguessIexpectedsomethingalittlemore
dramatic.”

“It’sburiedintheearth,hasbecomepartofit.Therearecavesovertherethatleadfarunderground.Come
on.”

CatchaFallingStar

Hebeganhikingacrossthevalleytowardthebaseofthemountains,Leafollowingclosely.Theairwas
coolifdry,perfectlycomfortableandevenbeautiful.Itwasonlyafewminuteswalktoacreviceinthe
rockyhillthatledtoadarkcave.

Inside,Deonliftedcandlesfromashelf,blewthedustoffthemandlitthemwithaflintandstoneandbit
ofwicking.

Leatookthelitcandlehehandedher.“Youknow,ifyouandThanehadn’ttakenallmystuff,Iwouldhave
hadamuchbetterlightforus.”

“Wouldn’thaveworked.TheWardinglikesonlynaturalthingsandwhateveryoubroughtwithyou
definitelyisn’tnatural.”

“Twocandlesaren’tmuchagainstahugecave.”

“Theydon’tneedtolastlong.Youwillsee.”

Heledherdownaslopingtunnelthatwouldhavebeenwideandhighenoughforthedraketotraverse.
Leaknewshewastrustinghimwithherlife—hecouldkillherinthedarkorsimplyabandonher.But
she’dseenthatflashoftruecaringinhiseyeswhentheydiscussedThaneandknewhe’dkeepheraliveas
longashethoughtshecouldhelp.

Leawatchedhisbroadbackintheflickeringlightastheymovedalong,hismusclesplayingunderthe
leather—musclesshe’dseennakedandstrong.HeandThanewerebothbeautifulmenandanyotherscout

wouldblessherluckbeingsavedbytwogorgeousmaleswhohadsuchaneasygoingoutlookaboutsex.

ButthoughThanehadn’tputherinchains,shewasstillhisprisoner.Deonhadlikelysenthisdrakeoffso
shewouldn’ttrytouseittogetawayfromhim,notthatshethoughtshehadachanceofcatchingand
ridingthething.Fornowsheneededtobidehertimeandseewhathappened.

“Here.”

Deonstoppedandsteppedbackfromanarrowopeninginthetunnel.Lealookedpasthimandgasped.

Acavernopenedattheirfeet,filledwithshining,glowinglight.Goldenandmagentaandblueandred
lightshimmeredandglistenedonthewalls,thefloor,theceiling,radiantandbeautiful.Deonwasright—
thecandlesweresuperfluousbecausethecrystalsbeamedarainbowsobrightthathercandleflamewasa
paleflickeragainstit.

“Whatisit?”Therewasnosound,yetatthesametimeLeafeltavibrationinsideherasthoughthestones
weresinging—asongjustforher.

“TheWarding.”Deon’svoicewasrichandlow,themanasawedbythesightasshe.“Itistheheartof
Pamaar,whatguidesusandkeepsussafe.”

“It’sbeautiful.”

Hegaveheralookofapproval.“Itlikesyoutoo.”

“Howdoyouknowthat?”

AllysonJames

“LegendhasitthattheWardingrejectsanywhotrytobindwithitbutthetrueking.That’swhynotjust
anyonecanissuetheChallengetotheking.”

“Well,I’mnottryingtobindwithit.”

Thelinesaroundhiseyessmoothedasthoughshe’dpassedsomekindoftest.“It’ssingingtoyou.”

Thevibrationsechoedthroughherbodyuntilherheartandbloodshimmeredwithit.Sheliftedherhand
asthoughshecouldtouchthelightandsworeshefeltthetingleofit.Sheheardaslightlyoffnoteaswell,
asthoughoneofthecrystalswasoutoftune,butwhenshelistened,shecouldn’tpinpointit.

“Isthatwhyyoubroughtmehere?”sheaskedDeon.“ToseeifI’dtrytobindwithit?TostealThane’s
power?”

“Partly.”

“AndifIhadtried?”

“TheWardingwouldn’tletyou.”Hisdarkeyesglistenedinthelightofthecrystals.

“Evenifithad,I’dhavekilledyou.”

“Youreallywould,wouldn’tyou?”sheaskedwithoutrancor.“Becauseyou’ddoanythingtokeepThane
safe.”

“Isthatsosurprising?Thaneismylife.”

“Areyouhis?”Leaaskedonsuddenimpulse.

Deon’seyesnarrowed,butshereaduncertaintyinthem.“Youmeandoeshelovemeback?Ofcoursehe
does—we’resacred-bonded.Buthe’sking;doyouknowwhatImean?Pamaarcomesfirst.Ithasto.”

“Ifhewasn’tking,itcouldbejusthimandyou,”shepointedout.“Ifhedoesn’tgetbetterandthepeople
don’twanthimanymore,youandhecouldgoofftogether.Bebyyourselves.”

“ThatshowsyouknownothingaboutPamaar.IfThanecannolongerbeking,itishisdutytodie.Ifnoone
Challengeshimtoafighttothedeath,heshouldvolunteertokillhimself.”

LeastaredatDeoninshock.“Killhimself?”

“Yes,”heansweredgrimly.“That’swhyIhavetofigureoutwhat’sgoingonandtrytosavehim.OrI’ll
losehimforever.”

“ThatisthemostbarbaricthingI’veeverheard.ThePamaaransexpectThanetohealthemandthenwhen
hecan’t,hehastodie?Why?”

“Sothenewkingcantakeoverandhealthelandagain.Thekingandthelandareone.”

“That’sridiculous.”

“Isit?”Deonaskedfiercely.“ThenwhyareThane’shealingpowersfadingandwhyarepeopledying?
Felin’sclanisthemostaffectedandthey’reoutforThane’sblood.

CatchaFallingStar

Theythinkit’slongpasttimeThanedidthedecentthingandletFelinChallengehim.

TolethimbeslainsoFelincantakeover.”

Lealookedpasthimatthesinging,glowingcrystalsoftheWarding.Thismustbethesourceoftheshield
thatprotectedtheplanet;itmustputoffonehellofapowerboost.WerethecrystalsthesourceofThane’s
powersaswell?

Iftheequipmentinhershiphadn’tfried,shecoulddoaquickstudyontheWarding,figureoutwhatitwas
radiating.Asitwas,shecouldonlywonderandspeculate.

“Neitherofusbelieveinmagic,”shesaidslowly.“IfthisWardingthingiswaning,thenitwon’tgive
FelinanymorepowerthanitgivesThane.Thefalcon-swordclanmighttakeover,butpeoplewill
continuetodie.”

Deon’sexpressionrelaxed.“That’swhatIthinktoo.”

“Whatarewegoingtodo?”

“We?”

Leafeltherselfblush.“IfI’mstuckhere,Imightaswellhelp.”Sherolledherlipwithherteeth.“Ifanyof
myequipmentwasinoncepiece,Imightbeabletofigureallthisout.”

“YoulikeThane.”Itwasn’taquestion.

“Youhavetoadmit,he’scompelling.”

Deon’sgrinreturned.“Compellingisonewordforit.”

“Thatdoesn’tmean…Imean,I’mnotheretocomebetweenyou.”

Deontookasteptowardherandshesuddenlyfoundherselfagainsthisformidablechest.Hisleather
leggingscouldn’tdisguisetheverylongcockthatnudgedherhip.

“ThaneandIarebondedtooneanother,pledgedinsacredceremony.”HebrushedLea’shairbackfrom
herforeheadwithbluntbutgentlefingers.“WhenThanefallsinlove,sodoI.Wealwaysshare.”

“LikewithThane’swife?”

Hiseyessoftened.“Cerena,yes.Shewasbeautiful.HerdeathdevastatedThane.

Andme.”

“I’msorry.”

AsweirdasLeathoughttwomenlovingandsharingthesamewomanwas,Thane’sgriefwas
unmistakableandshesensedsimilargrieffromDeon.Andanyway,whowasshetojudgethecustomsof
anotherpeople?Theyhadsorrowandloveandgladnessandfear,justaspeopleontheRockdid.

“I’mtrulysorry,”sherepeated,herheartachingforhim.

“Iknowyouare.”Deonpressedhislipstothelineofherhairandhisgruffvoicesoftened.“That’swhyI
didn’targuewhenThanedidn’twanttolockyouup.Hesensedwhenhehealedyouthatyou’d
understand.”Hepaused.“Well,Ididn’targuemuch.”

“Youdon’ttrustme.”

AllysonJames

“Idon’ttrustanyone.NotwhereThaneisconcerned.”

“Ican’tblameyou.”Shereachedupanddidwhatshewouldn’thavedaredwhenshefirstmethim,
touchedhishardfacewithherfingertips.“Youknownothingaboutme.Icouldhavebeensenttodestroy
yourWardingandkillyourking.ButIwasn’t.I’msorryaboutwhat’shappeninghereandI’lltrytohelpif
Ican.”

“Whatasweetheart.”

Hissmilewaswarm,thoughhiseyesstillheldwariness.MaybeitwastheWardinganditscompelling
song,maybeitwasDeon’sobviousandintenseloveforThane—

whatevercausedit,shefollowedherimpulseandraisedonhertiptoestokisshismouth.

Deoncaughtherwithhishandathernape,notlettingherkeepthekissbrief.Heopenedhismouthwith
hislips,thekisshardandstrong,whatshe’dexpectfromawarrior.Hekissedherwithathoroughnessof
anexperiencedlover,onewhoknewwhathewantedandexactlywhatshewanted.

Thane’skisshadarousedherandfilledherwithunbearableneed.Deon’skisspromisedadifferentkind
ofneed—fiery,intense,maybeevenbrutal.Butsatisfying.Sosatisfying.Sherememberedhowhelooked
inthebedroom,walkingacrosstheroomstarknaked,readytoobeyThane’scommands.

Hesnakedhishandunderhertunic,roughpalmonherbareback.“TheWardinghaspower,canyoufeel
it?”

Shenodded.Standingintheglowoflightmadethelastofhersorenessfadeandrevivedherenergy.

“IwantThane,”shewhispered.Shehadn’tmeanttosayitoutloud,buttheWardingseemedtodragtruth
outofher.Italsoheightenedhersensesandherdesire.

“SodoI,”Deonmurmured.Heskimmedhiscallusedhandtoherbreastandgentlypluckedathernipple.

Twodaysagohersoaringresponsewouldhavealarmedher.Nowshegladlyletherquimpoolandher
bloodwarm,andtheconstantsingingoftheWardingthrewherinhibitionstothewind.Deonwastalland
powerfulanddangerous,andshewantedtowrapherselfaroundhim.

HowisitthatIwouldn’tmindhavingbothofthem?Thescoutsexedclassesnevercoveredthis.

Deonnuzzledhercheek.“Takeyourpantsoff.”

“Gee,youreallyknowhowtosweet-talkagirl.”

Heputhislipsclosetoherear,breathhot.“TakethemofforI’llripthemoff.”

Sheunderstooditwasn’tanidlethreat.Withshakingfingerssheunclaspedthefly,thentoedoffherboots
andshovedherleggingsdown.Shepulledoffthetunicaswell,likinghowthecloseairofthecave
huggedherskin.

CatchaFallingStar

Helookedherupanddown,takinghistime,andshestoodbackandlethim.Sheshiftedherfeetapartand
didwhathewantedhertodobackinthebedroom,dippingherfingerstoherquim.

Deonlethisgazelingerthereuntilshethoughtshecouldfeelhisstarepressingherclit.Thenhegrinned
andturnedawaytostripoffun-self-consciously.Hewasafighterandanathlete,hisbodytautwith
muscle,hisbroadshouldersrippling.

Theliontattooonhisarmmovedwithhisbicep,thetattooonhispelvistightandfirm.Butforallhis
strength,whenheliftedheragainsthisbody,hewasgentle.

“Howdoyoulikeit?”heasked.

“Um—thenormalway.Iguess.”

Hislowlaughterwrappedherlikeablanket.“Iseeyouneedteaching,love.”

Shegraspedabeadedbraidthathungbesidehisface.“IlikeThane’sway.”

Deonnodded,hiseyesdarkeningasheloweredhisheadtonipherneck.“Ilikehiswaytoo.Holdon
tight.”

AllysonJames

ChapterSix

Knowledge

Deonknewhe’dneverbeabletotakehercalmly.TheWardingrangthroughhisbodyandshewasasweet
armful,thiswomanfrombeyondthebarrierwithherstrangegreeneyes.Beautifulanddangerous.

Shewrappedherbarelegsaroundhishipsasheliftedher,ahalf-smileplayingonhermouth.Daringhim,
testinghim,teasinghim.

Herbreastsweresoftlittleglobesagainsthischest,herassfirmandroundagainsthispalms.Shewasa
soldierlikehewas,butshewasallwoman.Hiscockthickenedandmovedunerringlytoheropening,
findingitslickandwetandreadyforhim.

Nothingelaborate,hedecided.Justhiminher,findingoutwhatshewasmadeof.

Hebackedheragainstthecavernwall,shieldingherwithhisarmssotherockwouldn’tscrapeherback.
Hereyeswereheavy,hertouchonhisfacesweet.

Sweet.Deonlikeditrough,whichiswhathe’dlikedaboutCerena.Shewanteditbothgentleandhard,
andsheandDeonandThanehadfuckedfarintothenightonmanyoccasions.

Inthisplace,itwouldbehotandrawandfierce.Helethiscockpartherpussylips,teasingthesensitive
foldsuntilhereyesclosedtojadeslits.Herhumofdelightmadehiscockthrob,butheheldback,wanting
hertocraveit.

Helovedhertousledhair,croppedshortlikeasoldier’sbutvaryingincolorsfrombutter-yellowto
golden-brown.Herskinwassmoothandsmelledmuskyandclean,beautifulevenwithouttattoos.

“Gods,you’refine,”hewhispered,hisvoicebreaking.

“You’reprettyfineyourself,king’sman.”

“Doyouwantmealltheway?”heasked,kissingherbeautifulhair.

“Yes.”

“Areyousure?”Hegrinned.“Youhavetobereallysure.”

“Damnit,Deon,fuckme.”

“Idon’tknow…”

Shesettleditbyclutchinghisasswithherlegsandshovingherselfdownontohiswaitingcock.

Shegroanedatthesametimehedid—ohfuckingdamn,shewastight.

“Deon,”shegasped.

“It’sallright,love.You’retakingmegood.”

CatchaFallingStar

Wassheever.Hersheathsqueezedhimlikeaglove,theslick,wetfemalenessofherclenchinghimhard.

Herbreathwaswarmonhisface,herskinflushed.ShemightbeawomanwhofelltoPamaarinaburning
star,butshewashuman,female,soft-skinnedandsoft-eyed.

Shewasthebestthinghecouldhave—awomanwouldcouldfightathissidebydayandfuckwithhimall
night.

Shetiltedherheadbackagainsttherockwall,theWardinghummingandsingingwithallitsmight.
“Goddess,you’retoobigforme,”shemoaned.

“No,wefitjustright,”hesaid.Heheldherfirmlyanddroveinanotherinch.“Likethat?”

Foranswershekissedhim,hertonguesnakingintohismouthinhot,wetjabs.

Thiswaspurefucking,ripeandneedy.TheywerebothwoundupbytheWarding,shewetandslippery,
hiscockrock-hard.Theywerecomplete—almost.

Thaneneededtobethere,thenitwouldbeperfect.He’dleanagainsttherockwallbesidethem,maybe
lacehisarmaroundDeon’sshouldersandkissLea.He’dslidehishandbetweenthemandtouchwhere
DeonandLeajoined,ormaybecirclebehindDeonandsliphiscockbetweenDeon’slegssothatDeon
couldfeelThane’sstaffbrushhisballs.

DeonimaginedthefeelofThane’scockrubbinghiswhereitwentintoLea,theheatedfrictionplusthe
warmthofThane’shardbodyagainsthisback.

“Perfect,”hewhispered.“Perfect.”

“What’sperfect?”

“IfThanewerehere,touchinguswhilewefucked.”

“Oh—yes.”Lea’spussybeganconvulsing,wickedlittlethrobsthatsqueezedhiscockwithoutmercy.He
gruntedasheshovedhimselfasfarintoherashecould,thrustinghard.Hisfocusnarrowedtonothingbut
thisfeelingandherfinegreeneyes.

WhenhisimaginaryThanebithisearandwhisperedIloveyou,herockedhisheadbackandreleasedhis
seeddeepinsideher,hisshoutmixingwiththemadsingingoftheWarding.

Leacontinuedtwistinghersweetpussyonhimwhilesweatcoatedhisskinandhisheartthuddedlikehe’d
justruntenmilesnonstop.Heheldherclose,hisshaftstillhardasshewounddownfromherown
ecstasy.TheWardingwounddownwithher,itsfranticmusiceasingtoashimmeringhum.

Afterawhile,Leaopenedhereyesandgavehimatiredsmile.“Wow.”

Deondidn’tunderstandtheword,buthecaughtitsmeaning.“Wow,”herepeated.

Leawrappedherarmsaroundhimandgavehimawarm,sensuouskiss.Shedidn’thavethepracticed
touchofacourtesan—shewassimplyawomankissingamanshe’djustmadelovewith.

Nottryingtobeguilehim—enjoyingwhatthey’dshared.

AllysonJames

Dangerous.Thiswomanwasso,sodangerous.

“Isthiswhyyoubroughtmeouthere?”shemurmured.

“Partly,”headmitted.“Itwaspartofthereason.Icouldn’tletThanetouchyouuntilIwassure.”

“Sureaboutwhat?”

“Whetheryouweresafe.”

Shepulledbackalittle,lookingathiminpuzzlement.“Whatdoyoumeansafe?

Youtwotookmyonlyweaponanddestroyedmycommunicator.I’mprettydamnsafe.”

“Youmighthavebeenbooby-trapped.Hadapussyfullofpoisonorsomething.”

Shestared.“You’rekiddingme,right?”

“Weknownothingaboutyouorwhereyoucomefrom.You’reanirresistiblewomanandwhoknowsif
youweren’tsenttoseduceandkillhim?”

“Letmegetthisstraight—youwerewillingtohavesexwithmeeventhoughImighthavekilledyou,just
tosaveThane?”

“Yep.”

“Wow.”Thatwordagain.“That’snoble,inabizarresortofway.Butnotnecessary.

I’mnotcrazyenoughtobooby-trapmyselftokillsomeonewithsex.Ipreferastraightfight.”

Helethimselfsmile.“ButitwasfunfindingoutIwaswrong.”

Shegavehimalazykiss.“Ofcourseyou’dthinkthat.”

“Wasitfun?”

“Whatdoyouthink?”

Hewassparedhavingtoanswerbyathumpandablastofhothair.Suddenlythecavewasfullofdrake,
bendinghissinuousnecktoputhisheadatDeon’slevel.Cutie’sbrightblueeyesblinkedandhecocked
hishead.

“Welcomeback,drake-breath,”Deonsaid.“We’llbeoutinaminute.”

Cutiegavehimalookofwhatcouldonlybepuredisgust,butturnedandwaddledoutofthecave,his
wingspressedtighttohissides.

DeoncarefullyslidLeatoherfeetandreachedforhisclothes.“He’sreadytogohome,soweshouldbe
too.Bloodybeasts.”

“Deon.”

LeahadmovedtotheedgeoftheprecipiceoverlookingtheWarding.

“What?”

“Lookjustthere.”

Hecametoherandfollowedherpointingfingertothefarcornerofthecave,whichwasalmostlostin
shadow.

“Lookatwhat?”heasked.

CatchaFallingStar

“IthoughtIhearditwhenwefirstcamein.Likesomethingoutoftune.”Shestabbedherfingerofftothe
right.“Doyouseeit?”

Deonshadedhiseyesandpeeredintothelight.Atfirstallhesawwerethecrystalsglowingandsparkling
asusual.Thenhediscernedaslightdimnessinthefarcornerand,ashelooked,hecouldmakeoutablack
area,wherecrystalsshouldbedancinginlightandweren’t.

Asthoughhisattentiononthemmadeitworse,thelightoftheentireWardingdampenedslightly,allowing
himtoseeachunkofitdeadordying.

“Isureashelldon’tlikethat.”

“Isthatwhat’swrongwithit?”Leaasked.

DeonscannedtheWardingawhilelonger,forebodinginsidehim.ThaneknewtheWardinghadweakened,
buttoseeitstarkandblackwhereitneverhadbeenbeforemadehisbloodcold.

Leaputherhandonhisarm,hereyesanxious,hertouchattemptingcomfort.Hedrewheruptokissher
warmlips,thenlacedhisarmaroundherwaistandledherfromthecaves,bothofthemsilent.

*****

LeawashappytoseeThane’sfairy-talecastleloomupinfrontofthemandsolidgroundbeneathherfeet
oncemore.Shelovedtofly,butinaship,notperchedonthebackofawingedmonster.

Thedrakegaveherwhatcouldonlybeanevilgrinassheslippedoutofthesaddleandhobbledbackto
thecastle.Deon’sgrinwasdefinitelyevilandheslappedherontherumpasshepassed.

Shesoneededahotbath.Withbubbles.Justinhadalwaysteasedherabouthergirlyaffectionforbubble
bathsandscentedsoap.She’drepliedthatshemightbeascoutwithmilitarytraining,butshewasfemale
underneathherunisexsuitandlikedtobefeminineonceinawhile.

Deonhadjustprovedthatwithoutadoubt.

Herfaceheatedassheremembered…

Shewasgivenalong,leisurelymealwithexquisitefoodandsmooth,redwine.Sheatealone,attendedby
fiveservantswhohoveredanxiouslyandwatchedhereateverybite.

Thenthemotherlymaidwhohadtendedherbeforesettledherinasteamingtubanddepartedjustasthe
courtesansEmilieandBalincameintothebathchamber.Thepairworelittleclothing—Balininnothing
butaloinclothandEmilieinashort,body-huggingsilktunicthatleftherarmsandlegsbare.

AllysonJames

“WhereisThane?”Leaasked,uptotheneckinbubbles.Happily,thecastlehadaprofusionofbathsalts,
oilsandfoam,thoughithadbeendifficultnarrowingherchoicetoone.

Emiliesmiled.“IncouncilwithLordDeon.”

“Doesthatmean…?”

“No,”Balinansweredinhisdeepvoice.“Incouncilwithhiscouncilors.LordFelinhasbeenstirringup
troubleagain.”

Leasighed,thinkingofthechillingdarknessintheWarding.“IwishIcouldhelp.IwishIcoulddo
something.”Sheslappedatthewater,sendingbubblesoverBalin’sbarechestasheleanedoverher.

Balingaveherasympatheticsmileashebrushedthesudsaway.“Itisdifficulttowatchsomeoneyoucare
forintrouble.Heaskedthatwelookafteryou.Youcanhelphimbyenjoyingyourstayheresohedoes
notworryaboutyou.”

“Icanhelphimbylettingcourtesanshavetheirwaywithme?”

BalinchuckledandEmilie’sprofessionalsmilereturned.“Youdonothavetohavesexifyoudonotwish
it.Butwecanbatheyouandmassageyouandevensingtoyouifyoulike.”

“DoallThane’sguestsgettheroyaltreatment?”

“Notatall.”EmilietrailedherfingeracrossLea’sshoulder.“Whichmakesmethinkyouareveryspecial
toThane.”

Leawasn’tsurewhattomakeofthat.Balinslippedbehindthetubandbegankneadingthemusclesofher
neckand,withagroan,shelethim.IfThanewantedherpampered,whowasshetorefuse?

*****

“YoutookhertotheWarding?”Thane’sthroatwenttightwithangerashefacedDeonalone.Thecouncil
meetinghadlastedonlyanhour,butThanehadbeenimpatienttoreturntohisroomswithDeonand
interrogatehim.

Deonshrugged,tryingtolookinnocent.“Shewantedtoknowaboutit.IfiguredifIletherseethetruth,
shewouldn’ttrytosneakawayfromustoseeforherself.”

“Doyourealizehowdangerousthatwas?”Thanesnapped.“Ofcourseyoudid,andyouwentanyway.”

“Weneededtoknow,”Deonsaidstubbornly.

“Whetherornotshewasdeceivingus?IftheWardinghadstruckoutather,itcouldhavekilledyoutoo,
youbloodyidiot.”

“Itdidn’t.”

Thaneclenchedhislargefists.“Youcouldn’thaveknownthat.Ineedyou,andnotonlybecauseIlove
you.Ineedyoubesidemeeverystepofthewayandlosingyouwouldnothavehelpedmejustnow.Did
youthinkofthat?”

CatchaFallingStar

Deon’sfacewasamaskofobstinacy.“Iknewyou’dforbidit.Butweknowforsurenow,don’twe,that
shehasn’tbeensenttotrytodestroyyou.Wehadtofindout.”

“SoyoudecidedwalkingrightuptotheWardingwasthebestway?Haveyoulostyourmind?Just
becauseyouwererightdoesn’tmeanitwasn’tstupid.”

“Iknowitwasstupid.ButsoiskeepingheraroundyouwithoutknowingwhetherFelinsenthertotake
youdown,orifshereallyisadarkbeingfrombeyondtheWarding.”

“WhichiswhyIhaveherwatchedeverysecond.Iwanthertobeonourside,butI’mnotthegulliblefool
youthinkIam.”

“You’refallingforher,”Deonsaid.“Iseethewayyoulookather.You’repicturingyourselfpresenting
hertothekingdomasthenextqueen.You’remeasuringforanewbedandcradlesforyourchildren.”

“Ihaven’tgoneasfarasthat.Ifyoudon’tremember,I’mdying.”

“NotifIcanhelpit.”

Thanegrowled.“Gettingyourselfkilledwon’texactlyhelp,Deon.Idon’twantyouleavingthecastle
withoutme,evenifIhavetochainyouupinadungeon.”

“Youdon’thaveadungeon.”

“I’llbuildone.”

Deonclearedhisthroat.“Sorry,YourMajesty.”

Thaneletitgo.DeonrarelyapologizedandThaneknewhisfriendtrulydidrealizehowstupidhe’dbeen.
Lea’sarrivalhadmadethembothedgyandneitherwasthinkingstraight.

“Whereisshe?Stillinthebath?”

“Yes.”

“Well,atleastyou’rekeepingtrackofher.”Hepulledoffthesilkrobehe’dwornatthecouncilmeeting
andtosseditaside.“Comewithme.Butonlytostandguard.Youdeservealittlepunishment.”

Deonscowled,butnotasmuchasheshouldhave.Infact,helookedslightlysmug.

“Don’ttellme,”Thanesaid.

“YouknowIhadtomakesureshewassafebeforeIlethertouchyou.”

Thanepinchedthebridgeofhisnose.“YoumadelovetoherattheWarding.”

“It’smydutyasyourpersonalguardtomakesureanyonewhocomestoyourbedisn’tadanger.”

Thatwastrue,butthesmuglookwasgettingirritating.“Yes,I’msureitwasahugesacrificeonyour
part.”

Deongrinned.“Ilovemyjob.”

“Don’ttalkanymore,Deon,orIreallywillbuildadungeon.”Thaneputaheavyhandonhislover’s
leather-cladshoulder.“Justforyou.”

AllysonJames

*****

LeaopenedhereyestoseeThaneloweringhimselfintothebathwithher.Hesettledontheoppositeend
ofthehugetub,waterandbubbleslappinghisbarecollarbone.Hiswhite-blondhairfloatedinthewater,
theredbeadsinitbrightagainstthefoam.

“MayIbathewithyou,Lea?”

Hisvoicewaslow,formal,hiseyesdarkandshuttered.Shesensedthattheanswertothequestionwas
important.

“Ofcourse,”sheanswered.Amootpointanyway,sincehewasalreadyinthewaterwithher.

Deonsatbackwardonachairontheothersideoftheroom,hislegssplayedopen,hishugeframe
dwarfingthedelicatepieceoffurniture.Hekepthisclothesonandhisexpressiongrim.

BalincontinuedmassagingLea’sneckandEmiliestrummedthestringedinstrumentshe’dbroughtout,
hummingasoothingtune.

“Emilie,”Thanesaid,hiseyesflickingtoher.“Itisyourdaughter’sbirthday.”

“Indeed.”Shesmiledwarmly.“Sheistenyearsoldtoday.Sheismostgratefulforthegiftyousent.”

“Gohomeandspendthisspecialdaywithher.Givehermyregards.”

Emilielookedpleased.Shewrappedtheinstrumentinitsvelvetclothandquietlygatheringupherthings.
Thaneremainedsilentuntilshe’dpulledarobeoverhertunicandlefttheroom.

“ShallIstay?”Balinasked.HisfingershadeasedeveryknotfromLea’sneck.

“Ifyoulike.MassageDeon.He’stense.IwouldliketospeaktoLeaalone.”

Balinstoodup,dryinghisfingersonthemountainoftowelsnexttothebath,thenhebowedandmoved
acrossthecavernousroomtoDeon.ThanewaiteduntilBalinandDeonhadbegunalow-voiced
conversation,thenhebeckonedtoLea.

“Cometome.”

Leacamefromacultureinwhichamannevercommandedawomantodoanything,notunlesshewanted
apunchinthemouth.Butforsomereason,Leadidn’tmind—becauseshewantedtodowhathesaid,not
becauseheforcedher.

Shelefttheseatatherendofthetubandfloatedtohim.Hecaughtheraroundthewaistandeasedherto
hislapfacinghim.

“DeontookyoutotheWarding.”

“Hedid.”Shetiltedherheadtostudyhisdarkeyes.

“Itisforbiddenforanyonebutthekingandonesbondedtohimtolookuponit.”

“Really?Thenwhyisthecavewideopen?Nosignssayingkeepoutifyou’renotthekingorhisbest
friend?”

CatchaFallingStar

“Whyshouldweneedsigns?Everyoneknowsitisforbidden.Deonispermittedtogo,butheknewhe
shouldnothavetakenyou.”

Leaglancedacrosstheroom.“Isthatwhyhe’ssopissedoff?”

“Heshouldnothavedoneit,butinaway,itisgoodhedid.Itwasatestandyoupassed.”

“Heimpliedthatwhenwewerethere.Thathe’dkillmeifItriedtobindwiththeWarding.”

“There’smoretoitthanthat.NoteveryonecanstandbeingsoclosetotheWarding.

Itmighthavekilledyou.IfyouwereanenemyofPamaar,ademonfromthedarkness,itwouldmost
definitelyhavekilledyou.”

“Oh.”Ashiverwentthroughherthatthebathwatercouldn’twarm.“Terrific.Niceofhimtotellme.”

“HewaswrongtodoitandIhaveexplainedtohimwhy.”Thane’sdarkgazefixedintentlyonherashe
touchedhercheek.“Butinaway,Iamglad.BecausenowIknowyouarenotmyenemy.”

Leadidn’tunderstandhowheknew.Shestillcouldbeanagentfromtheempirescoutingforthebest
placetostartharvesting.Butshelikedhisfingersbrushingherfaceandthefeelofhisstrongbodyunder
hers,soshedecidednottobringitup.

Whenhekissedher,sheknewshewasintheworstdangerofherlife.Shewasstartingtocareabout
ThaneandDeonandtheirpeople,andshecouldn’tletherself.Shewasascoutwithamissiontoprotect
theRockatallcosts.Ifshewerestrandedorcaptured,itwasherfirstdutytogetawayandreportallshe
couldtoherphalanxleader.

Shecouldnotwanttobewiththesemen.ButThane,withsadnessburiedinsidehimandatouchlikefire,
wasstealingherheart.

Justinwouldlaughhimselfsick.

Justinisnothere,alittlevoiceinsideofherpointedout.

Thane’slipswerewarmandfirm,jawsandpaperroughunderhertouch.Hetastedlikespiceandwine,
smelledofthebathwaterandmale.Shemovedherhandtothecockthatjuttedbetweenthemandsqueezed
it.Hewashardandheavyandwhenherhandcontracted,hemoanedinhisthroat.

Notwithstandingtheincrediblesexshe’dhadinthecaveswithDeon,shewantedThanewithbreathtaking
intensity.Hiscockwasniceandthickunderherfingers,theflangesilkensoft.Shestrokedbackandforth
withherthumbuntilherestedhisforeheadagainsthers,breathwarmonherskin.

“Iamimaginingyouwithatattoohere,”hesaid,trailinghisfingersdownherneck.

“Abeautifullionwithamazingcolors.Itwouldbecomeyou.”

“Ican’tpossiblygetatattoo.”Shefoundithardtospeak.

“Youmust,ifyouaretobemine.Astarhere.”Hetouchedtheskinbelowherear.

“Andagainonyourback,justhere.”Hisfingersmovedtothehollowatthebaseofher59

AllysonJames

spine.“SothatwhenIenteryou,Icanlookdownandknowforcertainyoubelongtome.”

“Thane.”Leamadeherselfmeethissin-darkgaze.“You’removingtoofastforme.”

“Imustdoso.Youmustbemadeofthelion-starclanbeforeIpresentyoutoPamaar.Ifyouhavenoclan,
thenyouwillbeconsideredfrombeyondtheWarding,nomatterthattheWardingdidnotharmyou.”

Leawentstill,notlikingthegravelookinhiseyes.“Letmeguess.IfI’mnotofaclan,Igetkilled.”

Henodded.“Itisthelaw.ButIwouldneverletthathappen.”

Leafellsilent.Thanewastryingtoprotecther,shesawthat,butshesensedanetslowlyclosingaround
her.Ifshebecameoneofthem,ifshecaredtoomuch,she’dnotwanttoleave.Andshehadtogo.

“Thebestartistwillbebroughtforyou,”Thanewenton.“Yourtattooswillbethemostexquisiteinthe
clan.”

Leaheldupdrippinghands.“Juststop.You’vebroughtmethebestfood,thebestcourtesans,thebest
wineandyou’llbringmethebesttattooartist.Butyou’releavingouttheonethingIwantmost—togo
home.”

Hervoicewaveredovertheword.Home—theRock,withitswindstormsthatdroveeveryonetoseek
shelterunderground,thegaggingsmellofsulfurfieldsfartothesouth,thecamaraderieinthebarracks,
wakingtothesmellofthickcoffeeinthemornings.

Thane’sworldwasbeautifulandexoticandThanetreatedherlikeaprincess.Butthelongingtoseethe
starkharshnessofherhome,rememberingthesoundofherfather’slaughteroverthelowingofthe
stubbornlivestockonthesimplefarmwhereshe’dgrownupsuddenlyoverwhelmedher.TheRockwas
sofarawayandhereshewas,trappedinthislavishkingdom,alone.

Tearsspilledoutofhereyestodripintotheheatedwater,breakingthebubbles.Sheputherhandstoher
facetostopthem,buttheyseepedaroundherfingers.

ShefeltThane’sstrongarmsclosearoundherandpullherclose.Sheleanedagainsthisshoulder,giving
uptryingtostemthetears.

Deonmovedfromhisperchacrosstheroom,butThanehelduphishand,stillinghim.

“Youbelongtomenow,”hewhisperedtoher,lipsbrushingherhair.“Iwilltakecareofyou.”

Shewantedtoargue,butshewassodamntiredfromthelongflightwithDeontotheWardingandback,

nottomentiontheroughandfastsex.Plushermindwaswearywithallshehadtoabsorbandtryingto
staveofftheknowledgethatshecouldverywellbestuckhereforlife.

Pamaarwasabeautifulplace,butdangerous.SheknewfullwellthatwithoutThane’sprotection,she’dbe
screwed.

CatchaFallingStar

Itwaseasiernottothinkaboutit.MuchbettertolayhereandsoakupthewarmthofthebathandThane
andthesteamoftheroom.

ThanecouldhavelockedheruportorturedheroroutrightkilledherwhenDeonfirstbroughtherin.
Insteadheactedlikehecared,whichtwistedaknifeinherheart.

Evengruff-voicedDeonhadmadesureshewasn’thurtattheWardingandhadheldhersteadilyonthe
drake.

Iftheyweregoingtocaptureherandkeepher,whydidtheyhavetobesoniceaboutit?

AndwhydidThanehavetobesogorgeousandcompassionateandbrokenhearted?

“Youdidthisonpurpose,”shemumbled.

Thanebenttocatchherwords.“Didwhatonpurpose?”

“Madeyourselfirresistible.”

Hesentherhisheart-meltingsmile.“Doyoufindmeirresistible?I’mglad.Ifindyouhighlydesirable.”

“Somuchtalking,”Deonsaid,hulkingnexttothebath.“Areyougoingtofuckorwhat?”

*****

“Thankyou,youhavebeenhelpful.”

Felinloungedbackinhiscampchairandregardedhisinformer,whostoodoutlinedinflickeringfirelight
—someonesoclosetoThaneFelincouldn’thelpbutfeelglee.

“Sotheseersvowthatthequeenhasreturnedwiththefallingstar,butKingThaneisnobetterandpeople
arestilldying.Interesting.”

Hespokecalmly,butangerroiledthroughhim.Thanewasaliar,andheshouldhavelongsincefacedthe
Challengeorfallenonhisswordandsparedthemall.WhenFelinbecameking,he’dfindawaytosave
hispeople.Ifhehadtocapturethe“queen”

andmakeuseofher,sobeit.

Hesnappedhisfingers.Hissecondcametohimwithavelvetpouch,whichheopenedtorevealabrooch,
anintricatedragonflyencrustedwithdiamondsandotherpreciousstones.

“Agiftforyourdaughter,”hesaid.“Ibelieveitisherbirthdaytoday?”

“Itis,”Emiliesaid,acceptingthebrooch.“Itiskindofyoutoremember.”

Felinmerelysmiled.Emiliehadbeeneasytobribe,becauseherdaughterhadfallenillandThane’s
powerswereasnothingtosaveher.FelinhadpromisedthatifEmiliehelpedhim,herdaughterwouldbe
thefirstrestoredwhenFelinbecameking.Emiliehadn’thesitatedlong.

AllysonJames

Felindismissedhissecondandtheservantsandhistentrapidlyemptied,leavingEmilieandhimself
alone.HehookedhisfingerthroughEmilie’ssilkbeltandpulledherdowntohislap.

“Thankyou,”hesaidagain.“Idon’tknowwhatI’ddowithoutyou.”

“Ofcourse.”Emiliesmiledathim,thebeautiful,practicedcourtesan’ssmile.

Sheranherhandsdownhistorsoandloosenedhisleggings,thenslidtoherkneesand,stillsmiling,
begantopleasurehiminherperfect,courtesanway.

CatchaFallingStar

ChapterSeven

Betrayal

Deonhadagoodpoint,Thanethought.ThanewashardandreadyandDeonwasbulgingoutofhis
leggingsagain.Leawasasweet,barearmful.Shemightbeasoldier,butshewasscaredandvulnerable
andThanefeltincrediblyprotectiveofher.

AsangryasThanewasatDeon,hewasgratefultohisfriendforfindingouttruths,thoughhedidn’tlike
Deon’smethods.Buthewasn’tgoingtoletDeonoffeasy.Thepunishmenthehadinmindmadehiscock
sway.

“ImightbekingofPamaar,”hemurmured,kissingLea’shair.“Butinthisroom,Iamyourslave.Myonly
pleasurewillbegivingyoupleasure.”

Hereyeswidened,thosebeautifuljade-coloredeyes,sostrangeyetalreadyprecioustohim.“Don’ttempt
melikethat,”shesaid.

“Whatgivesyoupleasure,Lea?WouldyoulikeBalintotakeyou?Heishighlytrained.”

Lea’sglancedartedtoBalinwhosatwithonearmoverhisknee,lookingassensuousasever.Thanefelt
herpulsequickenandknewshefoundtheideaexciting.

“No,”shestammered.“Imean,I’mnottryingtoberude,butIdon’tthinkI’mquitecomfortablewiththe
wholecourtesanthing.”

“Inthisroom,atthistime,yourdesiresareallthatmatters.Balinunderstands.”Heranlightfingersacross
herskinandenjoyedfeelinghershiver.“YouhavealreadysampledthedelightsofDeon.Wouldyoulike
thatagain?”

Sheturnedrubyred.“Hetoldyouaboutthat?Figures.”

“Hewasdoinghisjob,protectingme.”

Deonchuckled.“Iliveformywork.”

“Orwouldyoulikemetopleasureyouslowly?”Thaneasked,watchingherreactionscarefully.“Would
youlikemetopleaseyouwithmytongue?Ormyfingers?”

Heslidhishandunderthewaterandbrushedthebuttonofherclit.Shejumpedmostsatisfactorily.

“Youlikethat,”hesaid.

Sheclutchedhim.“Justtakemeandgetitoverwith.I’mabouttoexplode.”

Thanesmiled,hiscockmorerigidbythesecond.“Wewillgoslow.I’mverybig—

youneedtogetusedtome.”

“Youdon’tneedtolockmeinadungeonandtortureme.You’redoingitrightnow.”

AllysonJames

“Torture?”Thanesaidinmocksurprise.Heslidonefingerintoherquim,findinghotsleeknessthewater
couldn’twashaway.“Thisistorture?”

Shemovedagainsthishand.“Youknowitis.”

“Youwantme,”hesaid.“Good.”

“OfcourseIwantyou.”Shegaspedashissecondfingerslidinside.“I’vewantedyousinceyouputyour
handsonmeandhealedme.Thatfeltsodamngood.”

“Healingissupposedtofeelgood,”hesaidinsomesurprise.

“Orgasmicgood?”

“Whynot?”

Shegrowled.“Nowondereveryonewantsyoutohealthem.”

“Rightnow,Iwanttopleasureyou.Standup.”

Leagroundherselfagainsthisfingers.“Idon’twantto.Ithoughtyouweretheslavehere.”

“Itwillfeelevenbetter,love.Standforme.”

Sheslid—slowlyandreluctantly—awayfromhim,moaningagainwhenhisfingerscameoutofher.She
stoodupinthebath,waterandbubblescascadingfromherslimbody.

Shewastightlymuscledallover,butherbreastshunginroundglobes,thetipspointedanddark.Thehair
atherquimwasatwistofwirygoldensoftness.Deon’seyesbecamepoolsofblackashelookedher
over,thetiphiscockpartingthelacesofhisleggings.

Thanepressedherlegsopenwithhispalmsandleanedtoteaseherclitwithhistongue.

“Ohh,”shepurred.“Torture.”

“Forallofus,”Deonsaid.

Thaneraisedhishead.“Youknowwhyyou’renotinherewithme.”

“Punishment,yeah.IthinkI’velearnedmylesson.”

“Notevenclose.”

“Comeon,Thane,she’snottheonlyonewho’sgoingtoexplode.”

“Youhavenoself-control,myfriend.Verywell,joinus.”Hegrinned.“I’llpunishyoulater.”

“Thoughtyou’dneverask.”

DeonshuckedhisclothesandsurgedintothewaterbehindLea,hisentrancesloshingbubblesandwater
overthesides.Hesnakedhisarmsaroundher,brownhandsrestingonherpaleabdomen,hisbigthighs
pressingthebacksofhers.

Thanewentbacktolickingher.Sweethoney.Shewasbeautifulandtastedlikethefinestwine—better.
He’dneverhadanythingsoexquisiteinhismouth.

CatchaFallingStar

Thelonginginhervoicewhenshe’dsaidshewantedtogohomehadcaughtinhisheart.Hehadnoability
tosendherbackandthatangeredhim,asmuchashewantedhertostay.Whenhedied,Deonwould
protecther,butthatthoughtwouldn’tmakeleavinghereasier.

Iwillnotletthemwin.Iwillnotletitwin.Ihavesomethingtolivefor—thisbeautifulwoman.Ican’t
abandonherafterthegodsbroughtherhere.

Helaughedinsidehimself.AndIcan’tletDeonhaveallthefun.

Leawrithedunderhisministrations,thesoundscomingfromherthroatenchanting.Deonhadhishandson
Lea’sbreasts,hismouthonherneck.ThanereachedaroundLeaandpressedhisfingersintoDeon’staut
buttocks,andDeonshiftedinpleasure.

Thiswasheaven,hismouthoverLea’shot,tightclit,hishandsonDeon’sass.Hedippedhisfinger
betweenDeon’scheeks,lettingthetipfindtheanalstarandgentlypressin.Deonrespondedbygroaning
outloudandsuckingLea’sneck.

Itwaslikeadance—ThanerubbedhistonguealloverLea’sclitandplayedwithDeon’sanalstar,Deon
thrusthiscockbetweenLea’sthighsandrolledhernipplebetweenhisfingers,sheleanedagainstDeon
andarchedherpussyatThane.Thethreeofthemrockedsimultaneouslyinpleasure,threetimesasgood
assexwithonlytwo.

WhenLeacame,itwasbeautiful.HoneypouredintoThane’smouthandhelappeditup,runninghis
tongueinsideherpussytogeteverydrop.Shepushedherselfagainsthismouth,hercriesmuffledasDeon
caughtthemonhislips.

Primaljoyslashedthroughhim.HelovedDeonandithadbeenalongtimesincethey’dpleasureda
womantogether.Theyplayedwiththecourtesans,butithadbeenyearssincethey’dconcentratedtheir
effortstobringawomantoasmuchecstasyastheypossiblycould.

Helookedup.LearestedherheadonDeon’sshoulder,hereyesclosed,whileDeonnibbledherneck.His
thinblackbraidstouchedthewater,theendsofhishaircurling.

“Youliketodance,Lea,”Thanesaid.“Youpleaseme.”

“She’sbeautiful,”Deonmurmured,fingerssplayedacrossherbreasts.

Leaopenedhereyesandglancedacrosstheroom,butThaneknewbeforehelookedthatBalinhadgone.
Themalecourtesanwasdiscreetandhadanuncannyknackforknowingwhathisclientswanted—even
whenitwasforhimtobeelsewhere.BalinknewthatLeawasshywiththecourtesans,sohe’dbeata
retreat.Maybelater,Thanecouldshowherhownottobeshy.

“I’dliketopleasureyou,now,”shesaid.

Thaneshookhishead.“Thisisallaboutyou.I’mnotfinished.”

“Ithoughtyouweresupposedtobemyslave.Itpleasesmetoputmymouthonyou.”

Deonchuckled.“Youhavetolearn,Lea,mylove.Hesayshe’saslavebuthe’sstilltheking,sohemakes
therules.Hedoesn’treallyunderstandhowtoplaythisgame.”

AllysonJames

Thaneknewdamnwellwhathewasdoing,butheallowedDeonhisjoke.Herosetohisfeet,water
cascading,andliftedLeainhisarms.Herbodywaswetandslipperyandlush,ajoytoholdashe
climbedoutofthebathandtookherintoherbedroom.

Deonfollowedwithtowels.

OnceLealaynakedonanestoftowels,Thaneshowedhereverythingheknewaboutpleasure.Heused
histongueandhishandsalloverherbody,thenDeonjoinedhimandtheylickedhertoclimaxagain.
Thanebroughtouttoys,softandhard,andheandDeonplayedwithher.

Shescreamedclimaxagainandagain,untilshefellback,exhausted,hermulti-coloredhaircurlingonher
dampforehead.Shewhimpered.

“IfIdon’thaveyouinsideme,I’mgoingtodie.”

“ButifImakeyouwait,itwillbeallthesweeter,”Thanewhisperedinherear.Helethishardenedcock
brushherquimandshecursedinfrustration.Hedidn’ttellherthathewasdyingforhertoo,thatittook
everyounceofwillpowernottospreadherwideandfuckherhard,now.

“Ineedyou,”shemoaned.

Thanestretchedhimselffull-lengthbesideher,hislipsatherear.“You’vealreadyhadDeon.”

“Notthesame.”

“Ohthanks,”Deongrowled.

“Imean—itwasdifferent.”

“Thanks,again.Iguesswecan’tallbeking.”

“Ithasnothingtodowithhimbeingaking.”Leahalfsatupinfrustration.“Ijustwanthim.”

“Shh,”Thanesoothedher.“Gotosleepnow.”

Leafloppeddown,hercheeksflushedandeyesheavy.“I’llmakeyoupayforthis,justyouwait.”

Thanelaughedsoftly.“I’mlookingforwardtoit.”Hetouchedherbrow,sendinghishealingmagictoher
—whatlittlehecoulddothesedays.“Sleepnow.”

Sheclosedhereyes,limbsslack,andtookalongbreath.“Thankyou,”shewhispered.

Thanekissedherlipsuntilherbreathinggrewslowandsteady,thenhereluctantlyliftedhimselfaway.

*****

Leadidn’tcompletelygotosleep.Shedrowsedforatime,eyesclosed,andlistenedtothetwomenwho
hadjustshownhermoreecstasythanshe’dknownexisted.

CatchaFallingStar

“Sure,workusupandthenputhertosleep,”Deonsaid,hisvoicelow.“Wherearecourtesanswhenyou
needthem?”

“I’mstillhere,”Thanesaid.

Therewasalongsilence.

“Don’tstartthisagain,”Deonrumbled.

“Idon’tknowhowmuchlongerIcanhangon,”Thanereplied.Hesoundedweary.

“AndI’veneverhadyou.”

“Wefollowtherules.Itsucks,butifanyonehasahintthatthekingdoesn’tobeyhisownlaws,eventhis
one,they’llbeonyouevenfaster.They’lluseanyexcusetokillyou.”

“AlawthatsaysIcan’ttreatthemanIlove,whoismoreloyaltomethananyother,asanequalisabad
law.”

“Hey,you’retheking—I’masoldier.Dealwithit.Anddon’tthinkIhaven’thadfantasiesaboutme
fuckingyouuntilyoucan’twalkforthreedays.Ihavethatfantasyeveryday.”

LeafeltthebedmoveasThanemovedbehindDeon.“Inthisfantasy,areyouunabletowalkforthree
days?”

“Yes.ButIfindthingstodowithmytime.Likefuckingyousomemore.”

“Goodfantasy.”

Deonlaughedsoftly.“Ithinkso.”

Thane’shumordied.“Ineedyou.”

“Abouttimeyouadmittedthat.”

Thebedmovedsomemore.Leaforcedhereyesopentoslits,toointerestedtosuccumbtosleep.Shesaw
Deonpositionhislargebodyonallfours,weightrestingonhisforearms.Thaneloomedbehindhim,his
cockhugeandswollen,hisfingerscoveredwithlubefromthebedsidetable.

Thane’shandmovedonDeon’sassandthenhebracedhimselfonDeon’shipsandslidinsidehim.

Deon’seyessqueezedshut.“Ohholy…”

“Shh.Don’twakeLea.”

Deonbithisbottomlip,buthecouldn’thelpgruntingandgroaninginhisthroat.

Behindhim,Thanebegantorockhiships,onlyalittle,fingersonDeon’sflesh,eyesnarrowedin
concentration.

Theymadeloveinnearsilence,twobeautifulmensoclosetoLeainthebed,lockedtogether,swayinga
bitasThanepumpedintoDeon.Deoncurledhisfingersaroundthepillow,hisfacetwistedashetriedto
containhispleasure.

“Doyoulikemefuckingyou?”Thaneasked,hisvoicesoftbutalmostsavage.

“YouknowIdo.Damnyou.”

“Don’twakeLea,”herepeated.

AllysonJames

Deonlookedoverhisshoulder.“You’reabastard.”

Thanegrinned.“Youloveit.”

“Sure,right…Ohfuckingdamn,I’mgoingtocome…”

“No.”ThanegrippedDeon’shipsharder.“NotuntilI’mready.”

Deonletoutastringofwhisperedexpletivesbutheldhimselfin,thechordsonhisneckstandingout.

“Almostthere,”Thanewhispered.“Notyet.”

“Fuckyou.”

“No,I’mfuckingyou.Thisiswhathappenswhenyoudisobeyme.”

Moreexpletives.Deon’sfacewasred,hisfingerstearingrentsinthesheets.

“Now!”Thanethrewhisheadback,hishipsmovingfasterandfaster,alookofblissonhisface.“Ohyes,
gods,now.You’refuckingsweet.”

Deonmuffledhisroarinthepillowsandcamealloverthetowelsstillspreadonthebed.Thanerodehim
alittlelonger,bothofthemtakingawhiletofinish.

FinallyThanewithdrewandDeoncrashedontohissidenexttoLea.Thanestoodbesidethebed,looking
downathislover,hiscockstillslickandhard,thenheleanedoverandpressedakisstoDeon’sback.

“Thankyou,”hemurmuredandLeafinallyslidintoadeep,erotic,dream-filledsleep.

Whensheawoke,itwasdaylight.Deonsnorednexttoherunderthesheets,thetowelsgone,hisarm
curledunderhishead.OfThane,therewasnosign.

Leastirredandyawned.Shefeltbetter,themostrestedshe’dbeensinceherarrival.

ShewonderedifThanehadsentsomeofhishealingpowerintoheragain,maskingitwithpleasuringher,
healingherinstages.Maybehe’dnotenteredherbecauseheknewshestillneededtoheal,thathertrek
withDeonhadtiredhermorethanshecaredtoadmit.

SheaddedanotherqualitytothelistthatdescribedThane—notonlywashestrongandgentle,buthewas
shrewd.

Deonsnortedonce,scrubbedhisface,thenopenedhisdarkeyesandfocusedthemonher.“Hey.”

“Heyyourself.”Aquickglancearoundtheroomtoldhertheywerealone,noservantsinsight.Sunlight
pouredthroughhigharchedwindows,bathingtheroominliquidlight.

“Thane’soffdoingkingthings,”Deonsaid.“Hetoldmetolookafteryou.”

“Youcandothatwhilesnoring?”

Deongrinned.“I’mamanofmanytalents.”

“Youlovehim.”

Deon’sgrindesertedhim,hisdarkeyesquiet.“Ineverdeniedthat.Ithoughtitwasobvious.”

CatchaFallingStar

“ImeantwhatIsaidinthecaves—Ihavenointentionofcomingbetweenyou.Iwon’ttakehimawayfrom
you.”

Helookedpuzzled.“Takehimawaywhere?”Hisbrowclearedandhebellowedalaughthatshookthe
bed.“DoyoumeanamIworriedhe’llleavemeforyou?”Herolledontohisbackandlaughedsome
more,untilLeaflushedinconfusion.

“Itoldyou,we’resacred-bonded.Ifhebondswithyou,Idotoo.Wecomeasaset,love.Allsacred-
bondedmendo.”

Leaproppedherselfonherelbow.“Letmeunderstand.Areallmensacred-bondedtoeachother?What
aboutwomen?”

“Noteverymanissacred-bondedtoanotherman.Orawomantoawoman.Butwhentheydosacred-
bond,they’reapairforever.Theycantakeotherlovers,buttheytakeloversonlytogether.It’ssimple.”

“Butdoesn’tthepaireverbreakup?Forinstance,ifonefallsinlovewithathird,buttheotherdoesn’t,
andthenewtwowanttobealone?”

Heshookhishead,bluebeadsclinking.“Youstilldon’tunderstand.Weshareasacred-bond.Weswear
infrontofpriestsandtheworldthatwe’llbeloyaltoeachotheruntildeath.Youdon’tenterasacred-
bondifyouplantoditchyourpartnerassoonasyoumeetsomeoneyouwantalltoyourself.Youagreeto
shareeverything—andImeaneverything.”

“Oh.”Shepaused,tryingtotakeitin.“Whatifyoustoplovingeachother?”

“Whatkindofahell-placedoyoucomefrom?IseveryonelikeyoubeyondtheWarding?”

“No.”Leasatup,wrappedherarmsaroundherknees.“I’mjusttryingtounderstand.I’veseencouples
staytogetherfordecades,butI’vealsoseenthemsplitup.

Wecallitdivorce.”

Deonheavedasigh,asthoughhavingtoretainpatiencewithaparticularlydensechild.

“Couplessplitupheretoo,butnotoneswhosacred-bond.Youdon’tenterasacred-bondunlessyoulove
theotherpersondeeplyandarewillingtogivehimyourlife.Youhavetobeacoupleforatleastseven
yearsandproveyourloyaltyandyourloveinallkindsofways.Youdon’tdoitunlessyou’redamned
sure.”

Soitwaslikeastepbeyondmarriage—adeepercommitmentforthosewhoalreadybelievedtheir
marriagesound.“Andnosacred-bondedpairhaseverbrokenup?Ever?”

“No!”Hesaiditadamantly,hisvoiceringingtotheceiling.Heputhishandoverhisface,shakinghis
head.

Shegavehimaquietlook.“Imustsoundarrogantandnaïvetoyou.Goahead,laughatme.”

Deonloweredhishand,hissmilebroad.“Youaresodamnedcute.NowonderThanelikesyou.”

AllysonJames

“ItscaresmehowfarfromhomeIam,”shesaidsoftly.“Andreally,it’snotthatfar.

AfewlightyearsisallI’dflownbeforetheempire’sfinestblewmeoutofthesky.”

Deon’ssmilevanished.“AndI’dliketogetmyhandsonwhoevertriedtohurtyou.”

“Wouldyou?”Shefeltsuddenmirth.“I’dlovetoseethat.”

Theslender,over-teched,soft-skinnedimperialofficerswhogrewuponnutritioncubesandneverhadto
doanythingphysicalwouldfalloveratthesightofDeon,averyphysicalmale.Hecouldcrushthemin
hispalmwithoutbreakingasweat.

Theproblemwas,theFour-One-SixEmpiredidn’tneedtofightwiththeirhands.

Theyhadthebesttechnologyintheknowngalaxyandaplanetlikethiswassomuchmeat.

Whoeverhadshotherdownhadseenhernotasayoungwomaninascoutshipdesperatelydefendingher
home,butasabliponaholo-screen,acoloreddot.Onetechiehadputouthispinkieanderasedher.

Andhereshewas.InbedwithDeon,themostpowerfulmaleshe’devermet,exceptforThane.

Deonsatupandthrewbackthecovers.“Bathtime.”Hiseyestwinkled.“Joinme?”

“Ifit’sgoingtobeanythinglikelastnight’sbath,Imightnothavethestrength.”

Hesprangoutofbed,freshandrested,hishardbodyadelighttowatch.Hiscockwasathalf-mast,his
handsonnarrowhips,everymusclesculptedtomaleperfection.

Eventhefightingscarsonhisbodyonlyenhancedhim,asdidtheliontattoosthatstreameddownhisarm
andacrosshisabdomen.

“I’llgoeasyonyou.I’llsoapyoudown,yousoapmedown—we’llseewhathappens.”

Herheartbeatfaster.“WhataboutThane?Aren’tyousupposedtobeathissidetwenty-four/seven?”

Deonfrownedashetriedtopuzzleoutheridiom.“Ihavetosleepsometimes.Andbatheandeat.Ihave
backup.Besides,Thanesaysyou’remoreimportantandIbelievehim.”Hesnatchedthecoversfromher
body,hisgrinreturning.“Comeon.Thaneexpectsusforthemiddaymealandthenyou’regettingyour
tattoos.”

Shegulpedalittleatthereminder.“I’llberightthere.”

Deonshruggedandheadedforthebathroom,givingheraniceviewofhisfirmassashewent.Theman
wasawalkingsexgod.

Leagotoutofbedandstretched,unkinkingmuscles.Shefeltgood,almostbacktohernormalstrength.
Themirroracrosstheroomshowedherhairacompleteblonde-and-brownmessandherfacecreasedby

thesheets.Terrific.NowonderDeonlaughedather.

Shepulledonasilkrobethathadbeenleftforherbythebedandwenttothedresserinsearchofa
hairbrush.

Ahugesplashcamefromthebathroom.“Water’sgreat.Comeonin.”

CatchaFallingStar

“Coming.”

Shesawamovementinthemirrorandturnedwithagasp,butitwasonlyEmiliesteppingoutfrombehind
acurtain.Hadshebeentherethewholetime?MaybeDeon’sideaofajoke?

No,therewasadoorbehindthecurtain.Thecourtesanhadjustcomein,smilinghercharmingsmile.“I
apologizeforstartlingyou,”shesaidinalowvoice.

“Noproblem.Howwasyourdaughter’sbirthday?”

Emilie’seyeswarmed.“Quitelovely.ShewasenchantedbyLordThane’sgift.”

“Whatwasit?Ifyoudon’tmindmyasking.”

Emiliebrightenedatherinterest.“Idon’tmindatall.I’llshowyou.”Shereachedintoherrobe,revealing
herslenderarmscoveredwiththeprettytattoos.Leasteppednexttoher,expectingpicturesofsomekind,
butEmiliepulledoutasmallsilkpillow,likeasachet.

“What’sthat?”

“Aprettythingmydaughtergaveme.”SheliftedittoLea’snoseandasLeabentdown,Emilieshovedthe
pillowintoherface.

Leacaughtanodorsimilartothatofanherbherownpeopleusedasananesthetic.

BlackspotsswaminfrontofhereyesandsheheldherbreathandpushedEmilieaway.

Emilie’spleasantsmilevanished.ShecameatLeaagainwiththepillow,butLeaelbowedtheother
womanhard.EmiliegurgledandstumbledbutwasupbeforeLeacoulddraginacleansingbreath.

Courtesansmusthavefightingtraining,shethoughtasEmiliedartedin,wiryandstrong.Ormaybe
gymnasticslessons.

ShetriedtocallforDeon,whowassplashingnoisilyinthenextroom,butallthatcamefromherwasa
croak.

Emiliewasutterlysilent.LeasweptherfootaroundanddraggedEmilie’slegsoutfromunderher.
Emilie’seyesblazedasshegrabbedLea,pullingherdownwithher.

Leafought.Thepillowskitteredacrosstheroom.LeascrambledoutfromunderEmilieandshoutedas
loudasshecouldforDeon.

Thebigmanmovedfast,outofthewaterandthroughthedoorbeforetheechoesofhercrydiedaway.He
plungedtowardthem,readytodefendher,notevensparingtimeforamazement.

EmiliewrappedherarmsaroundLea.SheheldadeviceLearecognized,thetransportbuttonfromher
ownship.Itonlyworkedifthedeviceinsidehershipworked—thebuttonhomedherbacktothedevice.

HowdoesEmilieknowaboutatransportbuttonandhowitworks?washerthoughtasbuzzingfilledher
ears.

SheheardDeon’sroar,whichdissolvedintothegentletinklingoflivestockbells,andshelanded
somewheredarkonaharddirtfloor.

AllysonJames

ChapterEight

Answers

“Whatthehellhappened?”

Thanetriedtokeephisvoicesteadyashefacedaleatherarmor-cladDeonintheantechamberofthe
councilroom.AmessengerhadslippedintowhispertoThanethatDeonneededtospeaktohimmost
urgently.

UrgentmeantsomethingtodowitheitherLeaorFelin.Thanehadcurtlytoldhiscouncilors,whoranged
inagefromayoungmanoftwentytoawomanofavenerableninety-two,thathe’dreturnandfollowed
themessengerout.

Deonknewbetterthantoannouncedirenewsatthetopofhislungsinthecrowdedcouncilhall,hencethe
messenger.Deon’seyesbetrayedhisrageandworryasherelatedinalowvoicethatLeaandEmiliehad
disappeared.

Thanestrodegrimlyfromtheantechamberdownhallstoamoreprivateroom,Deonmovingswiftlyand
silentlybesidehim.

“Disappearedhow?Howcouldtheygetpastthetwentyguardsoneverydoor?

Howdidtheygetpastyou?”

NoonegotpastDeon.Themancouldrisefromasoundsleepandhavehisdaggertothethroatofan
intruderintheblinkofaneye.ThanehadnotworriedintheslightestleavingLeainDeon’scare.

“Imeanshedisappeared.SheandEmilie.Onesecondthere,thenextgone.Theyjust—dissolved.”

“Emiliewastakentoo?”

“Emilietookher.Ithink.Leawasfightingherandthenpoof,theyweregone.”

“Howisthatpossible?”Thanedemanded.“Nomagiccandothat.”

“HowthehellshouldIknow?IonlyknowwhatIsaw.”

Thanethrewofftheornatevelvetcloakhe’ddonnedforthecouncilmeeting,findingthefoldssuddenly
stifling.“Thepalaceisbeingsearched?”

“Evenaswespeak.Andthegroundsandthestreetsbeyondandthewholedamncity.Noonehasreported
anythingpositiveandnoonesawthem.”

“GodsdamnFelin.”Hishearthammeredfastandhard.“Ifhehurtsher…”

“You’resureitwasFelin?”

“Whoelse?AndwhywasEmiliefightingher?HowdidEmiliegetintoseeher?”

“She’snotbarredfromyourchamber.Theguardletherpass,likehealwaysdoes.Iwouldhavelether
pass.”

“Where’sBalin?”Thaneaskedsharply.

CatchaFallingStar

Thefactthatthecourtesanscouldbetrayhimtwistedlikeaknife.They’dprovedtheirloyaltyagainand
again,butthepenaltyforbetrayaloftheking—oftheclan—wasdeath.Itcomestothis—tosavemy
kingdom,Ihavetokillmyfriends.

“BalinIfound.Myguardssayhewaswanderingthehallsandtheyarrestedhim.

He’sinthelibrary.Ithoughtyou’dliketotalktohimbeforewehaulhimoff.”

Thaneshothimahardlook,spunonhisheelandlefttheroom.

Hisheartpoundedwithfearandangerashemadeforthelibraryinthelowerhall.

Hisbeautifulpalacesuddenlyseemedmenacing,allthoseroomsandcorridorsandarchedgalleriesthat
couldhideLeafromhim.HisenemieshadskulkedamongthemandabductedLeathefirstchancetheygot.

Disappeared,dissolved.Itmadenosense.Nomagiccoulddothat—butmaybetechnologycould.He
thoughtbacktothestrangedeviceshe’dtakenfromLeaandhership,noneofwhichheunderstood.Her
weaponcouldslicearockintwoaccordingtoDeon.HadanotherweaponturnedLea,andEmilie,to
dust?

No.Gods,no.

HeneededLea,andnotjustbecauseshemightbehissalvation.Heneededher,withthosebeautifuljade-
greeneyes,hermulti-huedhair,herlopsidedsmile,herhardheadedpracticalitywarringwithher
amazementattheordinarythingsofPamaar.

Awomanwho’dfallenfromtheskyinastrangedeviceandsurvived,whosehomewasnowunreachable,
whospokewithcommonsenseandhealthyskepticism,whowasafraidofdrakesandastonishedthatboth
heandDeonwantedher.

Hisangerhadreachedaboilingpointbythetimeheslammedintothelibrary.

Thepeaceoftheplace,thecalmofrowsofbooksreachingtotheceiling,wastaintedbythepresenceof
theguardsinleather,menwhoseviolenceboiledjustbelowthesurface.TheyencircledBalin,whostood
white-facedwithfear.

ThelineofguardsbrokeasThanestrodeintotheroom,followedbyDeon.Deonunsheathedhisknife,
steppedtoBalinandpressedthebladetoBalin’sthroat.

“WhereisEmilieandwhereisLea?”heasked.

Balinwentwhiterstill.“Ihavenoidea.Leaismissing?AndEmilie?Noonewillexplainwhathas
happened.”

HeswallowedasDeonpressedtheknifealittletightertohisskin.“TellmeaboutEmilie.”

“Whatdoyoumean?Tellyouwhat?”

ThanecouldseethefearinBalin’sauraasblackthreadsaroundhisbody.Asahealer,Thane’sinstinct
wastosoothehim,butifBalinhadbetrayedthem…

Balin’spositionwasoneofthemosttrustedinthekingdom,theonemanwhocouldgetclosertotheking
thaneventhemanwithwhomhe’dsacred-bonded.

Whoeverhadmadethelawhadbeenshortsighted.ThelawsaidThanecouldn’tbewiththemanheloved
inthewayhewanted,butallowedhimtohaveasubstitute—a73

AllysonJames

substituteThanewouldn’tbecomeemotionallyattachedtoandwhocouldbedisposedofifthingswent
wrong.

Lawsknewnothingaboutlove,nothingaboutfriendshiportrust.LawskeptThanefromthemanwho
woulddieforhimandputhiminthehandsofoneswhowouldsellhimout.

“Backoffalittle,Deon,”Thanesaidinaquietvoice.“Letmetalktohim.”

Ifanything,Balinlookedmorefearful.DeonglancedatThane,thenmadeashowofshruggingandmoving
away,asiftosaytoBalinYouthinkI’mscary…

ThanegesturedforBalintosit.Thecourtesantookachairatthetable,theguardsstillflankinghim.Balin
wasdressedashehadbeenthenightbefore,inasleevelesssilktunicthathuggedhisbodyandshowed
offhishardbicepsandinterlacedtattoos.

Thanestoodoverhim,keepinghisposeunthreateningbutstern.“TellmeEmilie’splans.”

Balin’seyeswerewide.“Idon’tknowherplans.She’sbeenworriedandtiredlately,butshehasn’tsaid
anythingtome.Herdaughterisill.”

“Iknow.”Thanefeltgrim.Emilie’sdaughterhadthesamekindofsicknessthathadkilledCerena.Emilie
hadbroughtthelittlegirltoThaneforcuringandThanehadn’tbeenabletohelpmuch.

“Isweartoyou,IknownothingaboutLea,”Balinsaid.“Emiliehasn’ttalkedtome—Ineverseeher
outsidethepalace.Igohometomypartnerandwifeandchildrenwhenyoudon’tneedme.Iswearthis.”

“Wecanverifythat,youknow,”Deonrumbled.“AnyonewhotouchesThaneiswatchedtwenty-
four/seven,asLeasays.”

Thanehelduphishand.“Wait.Ithinkhe’stellingthetruth.”

Balinlookedhopeful.Thane’shealingsensecouldseepasttheblackthreadsoffeartothewhiteand
goldenthreadsoftheman’sheart,whichwereuntaintedbyguilt.

“TellmeeverythingyouknowaboutEmilie,”hesaid.

“Iknowverylittleabouther.Weworktogether,butasIsaid,Ineverseeherwhenweleave.Wegoour
separateways.Shegoeshometoherdaughter—atleastIassumeshedoes.”

“Andyou’veneverseenherwithsomeonefromthefalcon-swordclan?”

“No,never.She’sloyaltoyou.Shemustbe.She’slion-star.”

“Butthelion-starkingweakens,”Thanesaid,histoneironic.“Hadn’tyouheard?”

AfewguardsshifteduncomfortablyandearnedaquellingglarefromDeon.

Balinshookhishead.“Thatdoesn’tmattertome,mylord.I’mlion-star.Iwillfightbesideyouuntilthe
end.”

Deonstillwasn’tsatisfied.“Thenwhatwereyoudoingskulkingaroundthehalls?”

Balinlookedstartled.“Skulking?Iwaswaitingtoseeifyou’dsendformeagain.Ihadn’tbeen
dismissed.”

CatchaFallingStar

“That’strue,”Thanesaid.“Ineversenthimhome.”

Deonthrewhimalook.“Youbelievehim?”

“Onethingyoulearnwhenyouarekingiswhentobelievesomeoneandwhentodoubt.”Helaidhishand
onBalin’sshoulder.“Heistellingthetruth.”

Deonstillscowled,buthewouldn’tquestionThane’sjudgmentinfrontoftheguards.

“Thenthatmeanshedoesn’tknowwhathappenedtoLea,”Deonpointedout.

“No,butIcanguess.”Thanestraightenedup.“Ifshe’salive,Felinhasher—andIamgoingtogether
back.”

*****

Lealayfacedownonhard-packedearth,herarmspinnedbehindherandtied.

They’dgaggedheraswellbuthadn’tblindfoldedher,notseemingtomindifshelookedaround.

Shewasinalargetentmadeofsturdycanvasheldupbyfinelycarvedwoodenpoles.Herheartskippeda
beatassherecognizedthecarvings,thesameasonthestickoneofFelin’smenhadpokedherwithafter
hercrashlanding.

Thefalconsymbolsstoodout,thefiercebirdwithitsseverebeak,beautifulinitswildness.Theartistry
wasamazing,everyfeathercarvedtoperfection,anditwasonlyatentpole.

Thecanvasflapspartedandthefalcon-swordclanleader,Felin,entered.Helookedthesameaswhen
he’dpriedherfromhership—studdedleathervestthatbaredhischest,falcontattoosonhischeeks,his
armscoveredwithswordtattoos.Darkeyes,brownhair,silverearringandherownbloodstone,her
good-luckcharm,hangingaroundhisneck.

Shescowledathimandstartedswearingthroughtheclothinhermouth.

TwoguardsenteredbehindhimandflankedLea.Emilieemergedlast,lookingbothsadandashamed.

“Sorry,Ican’tsummonanysympathyforyou,”LeagrowledatEmiliethroughthegag.

Felindroppedtoonekneeandslidtheclothfromhermouth.“Doyouunderstandme?”

“Youareadung-faced,pox-rotted,mother-loving,scrag-breathed—”

“Iwilltakethattomeanyes.”

“Youtookmytransportbutton,youbastard.”

“Aninterestingdevice,”Felinsaid.“Westudiedandtestedthethingswetookfromyourship,andfound
thislittlebuttonmostuseful.”

“Onlyuntilthepowerrunsout.Andanyway,Ithoughttechnologywasillegalonthisrock.Verboten.”

AllysonJames

“Usingthedevicewasnecessary—Thanehasyoutoowell-guarded.EvenwhenyouflewoutwithDeon
andlethimscrewyouintheWardingcaves,wecouldn’tgetnearyou.”

Leamaskedhersurprise.Shehadn’tseenDeon’sguardsanymorethanshe’dseenFelin’sfalcon-sword
warriors,butsheshouldhaveguessedthatDeonwouldn’tleavethecitywithoutseriousbackup.

“Sowhatisyourdastardlyplan?”Leaasked.“You’resupposedtorubyourhandsandsayIhaveyou
now,mypretty.”

Hecockedhisbrow.“AmI?Intruth,Ihadnoplan.IonlywishedtogetyouawayfromThaneand
determinewhyyouarehereandwhatyoumeanforPamaar.”

“Whyareanyofushere?”Leacountered.“It’slife.StuffhappensNotalwaysforapurpose.”

“Youdon’tthinkso?Theking’spowerfailsandsuddenlyafireballdropsfromtheskycontainingayoung
womanwithdeviceswe’veneverseenbefore.Acoincidence?”

“Yes.”Learolledherselftoasittingposition,everylimbaching.“TheWardingissomekindofshield,
isn’tit,keepingpeopleoffthisplanetandhidingitfromallreadouts?It’sthebestbafflershieldI’veever
seenandIhavenoideahowitworks—buthey,itworks.”

Felinshookhishead.“Itisnotwhatyoucalltechnology.”

“NotechnologyI’veeverseen,Iagree.It’seitherhighlyadvancedorsomethingnatural,partoftheplanet.
Anyway,theshieldisstartingtofailforsomereasonandIfellthroughachinkinit.Peoplepassthis
planetbyallthetime—Ijusthappenedtogetshottohellaboveit.Coincidence.”

“Andyoujusthappenedtofindthechink.Mostwouldinterpretthatasagiftfromthegods.Orasacred
questledbyyourbloodstone.”Hetouchedthependantaroundhisneck,unapologeticforstealingit.

“I’mtheleastofyourworries,”Leasaid.“Ifthatshieldgoesdown,you’reallsittingducks,nomatter
whatclanyoubelongto.TheempirewillfindPamaarintwosecondsflat.”

“TheevildarknessfrombeyondtheWarding?”Felin’slipsquirked.

“Youcallitevildarkness,IcallittheFour-One-SixQuadEmpire—samething.It’stryingtoharvestmy
planetandifitfindsyours,you’realltoast.”

Felinwatchedhernarrowly.“Thatiswhythekingmustdie.Hefails,andtheWardingfails.Theyare
linked.Hewillbringchaosuponus.”

“Maybeit’stheotherwayaround.He’sfailingbecausetheWardingis.Haveyoueverthoughtitmightnot
behisfault?”

Felinsmiledslightly,thenhereacheddownandbrushedafingeracrosshercheek.

“Hehasthoroughlycharmedyou,hasn’the?Thanecanbequitecharming,Emilietellsme.”

CatchaFallingStar

LeasparedaglanceforEmilie,whoflushed.“Soyou’rereadytochuckThaneaside?Whynothelphim
repairtheWardinginstead?”

“TheWardingwillberepairedwhenIamking,”Felinsaidinahardvoice.“Iwillbindwithitandmy
strengthwillrestoreit.”

“You’reoptimistic.Nottomentionegotistical.”

“Mypeoplearedying.Thanecandonothing.Thereisnootherchoice.”

Hiseyesglitteredwithangerandhishandsclenched.Hewasamanfrustrated,wantingtoact.

Leacouldalmostfeelsympathy—exceptthathe’dkidnappedherandtiedherupandwasdeterminedto
killThane.

“WhatIthinkisthattheruleshavechanged,”shesaid.“Youhavesomanyrules,whichyouusually
followwithoutquestion.”ShethoughtofDeon’ssurprisewhenheexplainedthatnoonewoulddreamof
goingtotheforbiddenWardingcaves,eventhoughtheywereleftunguarded.“Andnowthereare
questions.”

Felin’sfrowntoldhershe’dhitamark.“Andyouarethebiggestquestion.Whatareyou?”

Sheshrugged.“I’mjustascoutfromtheRock.”

“NowyouwillbeLeaoftheFalcon-SwordClan.”

“Idon’tthinkso…”

Felinturnedawayandsnappedhisfingers.Thetentflapspartedagainandayoungmanenteredcarryinga
woodenboxandarollofcloth.HekneltbesideFelinandspreadoutthescarletcloth,thenopenedthe
box.Insidelayaneatrowofneedlesofdifferentsizesandpotsofmanyandvariedcolorsofink.

“No.Ohno,no,no.”

Leatriedtoscrambleaway,butaguardstoppedherwithhisboot.Felin’ssmilereturned.Hecrouched
nexttoherandyankedopenherrobe,clinicallylookingovereveryinchofherbarefleshwhileshelay
boundandimmobile.

Hetouchedthecurveofherhip.“Thefirstonehere.Afalcon.Andthenaswordallthewaydownher
neck.”HetracedfromherchintothehollowofherthroatandLeasquirmedinearnest.

Thetattooartistnotedherfearinsurprise.“Iwillnothurtyou,mylady.”

“That’snotthepoint.”

“Puthertosleep,”Felinsnapped.“You’llneverbeabletoworkwithhermovingaroundsomuch.”

Thetattooartistlookedstartledagainbutreachedforoneofthelargerneedles.Hedippeditintoa
ceramicvialandLeakickedout,herscout’straininglettingherlandablowonthetattooartist’sarm.

AllysonJames

Felinsnatchedtheneedleasitfelloutoftheman’shandandquicklyandpreciselyplungeditintoLea’s
side.Shedrewtwobreaths,staredaccusinglyatEmilie,whohadwatchedtheentireprocessinanguish,
thensuccumbedtodarkness.

*****

Leastruggledagaintowakefulnesstofindherselfonacampbedfilledwithsoftcushionsandpillows.

Shestillworeherrobe,butherbondshadbeenremoved.Shelaystillforamoment,thoughtsfuzzyand
uncertain,thenshegaspedandsatup,headspinning.

Someonestirredintheshadowsontheothersideofthetent.LearecognizedEmilieassherosesinuously
fromacouchandmovedtoLea.

Leabracedherselftofight,butherlimbsweresaggyandweak,probablyfromwhateverdrughad
knockedherout.Nowondertheyhadn’tbotheredtokeephertied.

EmiliesatdownattheedgeofthebedandreachedforLeaasthoughshewouldhugher.

“Don’teventouchme,”Leasaidsternly.

Emilieletherarmsfall,herexpressionsad.“Iamsorry.Itwastheonlyway.”

Shedidlooksorry.Grief-stricken,even.

“SonowI’mbrandedasafalcon-sword,”Leagrowled.“Ithoughtthechoicewasmine.Somuchforthe
rules.”Shetouchedherthroat,tryingtofeelthetattoo.

Emilieshookherhead.“Theyonlydidone,onyourhip.Thefalcon.”

Leashovedbackcoverstoseeherhipcoveredwithanintricatelyfeatheredbird,afalconwithwings
outstretched.Onewingcameforwardoverherhipbone,theotherfannedouttoherbuttock.Anyother
time,shemightthinkitprettyandmarvelattheworkmanship.

“Damnhim.”

EmiliereachedforLeaagain,thistimestoppingwhenshelightlybrushedLea’shand.“I’msorry.I
wantedthingstobedifferent.”

LearealizedthattheotherwomangazedatLea’sbodyinsadlongingandLeasighedanddraggedher
robeclosed.“Thingscouldn’thavebeendifferent.Iprefermen.”

Emilie’stouchturnedcaressing.“Icouldshowyou.”

“Notafteryoutriedtodrugmeandthenbroughtmeherebyforce.Ithoughtalllion-starswerefanatically
loyaltotheirclan.ToThane.”

TearsbeadedonEmilie’sdarklashes.“Itwastheonlyway.IfFelinhasyouandyouarefalcon-sword,he
canmorequicklypersuadeotherstolethimtakeoverasking.

HepromisedmethatLordThanedoesnothavetodie,butcanliveinexile—aslongasheisable.”

“Andyoubelievedhim?”’

CatchaFallingStar

“Hepromisedme.Hegavemehisword,swornonabloodstone.”

“Mybloodstone.Hestoleitwhenhefoundme.”

“Thefactthatyouworeitmeansyouwereonasacredquest,”Emiliesaid.

“EveryonewillbelieveyoursacredquestistorestorePamaarandgivethepeopletheirrightfulking.”

“Yes.Thane.Anyway,canyouseeDeonandThanebowingtheirheadsandsaying,You’reright,Felin,
here’sthekingdom,we’releaving?”

Sheshookherhead.“No.”

“Whatareyougettingoutofallthis?Money?”

Emiliestoodup,indignant.“No.Iwouldneverbetraymyclanforpayment.”

“Whatthen?”

Emiliedeflated.Shewasanattractivewoman,butnotoverwhelminglybeautiful.Itwashersmilesand
herwarmththatmadeherseembeautiful,awomaneveryman’sgazewouldfollow.“Itwouldbesimpler
ifIshowedyou.”

SheglidedawayandoutofthetentbeforeLeacouldsayanythingmore.Lea’slimpmuscleswouldn’tlet
hermoveandshelayunhappilyuntilEmiliereturned.

Emilieledachildbythehand,agirlofaboutsevenoreightyears.Thegirlwasmuffledinacloak
althoughtheweatherwaswarm.

“Reana,”Emiliesaidsoftly.“ThisisLea,theladywhofelltoPamaarlikeastar.”

Reana’seyeswerehugeinhersmallface.ShelookedupatLeainwonder,showingtinyliontattooson
hercheekbones.Shewasadorable.

“Hello,Reana,”Leasaid.“Wouldyouliketositwithme?”

ReananoddedwithoutspeakingandscrambledintoLea’slap.Leaclosedherarmsaroundthegirl,who
smelledlikesoap,asthoughshe’djustbathed.Shewasverytrusting,whichtoldLeathatReanahadno
ideawhatintrigueEmiliehaddraggedherinto.

GivingLeaasadlook,EmiliegentlybrushedbackReana’scloak.

Leagasped.Thelittlegirl’sskinwasmottledasthoughithadbeenburnedandwasanunhealthygrayish
pink.Hernailswerebrittleandsomegone,herhaircracklinganddry.Mostofall,Leareadmiseryinthe
girl’seyes,awiltingofherzestforlife,achildsensingshewasdying.

LealookedupatEmilieinshockandsympathy.“Howdidthishappen?”

EmilieshookherheadasshearrangedthefoldsofReana’ssilkcloaktocoverherheadandface.“Idon’t

know.Shebegantakingillmonthsandmonthsago.LordThanecouldnotcureherandshehasgrown
steadilyworse.”

“Hecan’tcureher,”Leasaid.“Notofthis.”

ShesetReanaonthebedandgottoherfeet.HerlegswobbleduncontrollablyandshehadtograbEmilie
forsupport.“Damn,whatwasinthatMickey?”

“Mickey?”Emilieasked,startled.

AllysonJames

“Nevermind.Emilie,Thanemightnotbeabletocureyourdaughter,butIcan.ButIhavetogetbackto
Thane’spalacetodoit.”

Emilie’seyesnarrowedinsuspicion.“Howcanyou?Youhavenohealingpower,noaffinitywiththe
Warding.”

“No,butIhaveafewtricksofmyown.Ican’treallyexplain,butIsweartoyou,ifyougetmeoutofhere
andbacktothepalace,I’llhelpReana.”Shedrewalongbreath,piecesofthepuzzlefallingintoplace.
Nowtoseeifshecouldgetoutofheresafelyandfindoutifshewasrightbeforeitwastoolate.

CatchaFallingStar

ChapterNine

Challenge

Thaneledthephalanx,eventhoughhecouldfeelDeongloweringfromwhereherodebehindThaneinthe
saddle.ButThanecouldn’tsitinthepalacetwiddlinghisthumbswhileDeonandhismenrushedtoLea’s
rescue.

Felinwouldnotkillhimoutrightwhilethelawswerestillinplace,norwouldanyofhismen.Thane
wouldhavetobeformallyChallengedandthetimeandplacesetforthecombat,orthePamaaranswould
tearFelinapart.EvenFelin’sownclanwouldn’tbeabletohelphimifheviolatedthemostsacredof
laws.

IthadtakenfivehourstoflyfromthecitytothevalleywhereFelinwaited.Felinhadtakentocampingon
theveryedgeofThane’sterritory,readytomarchtothecityatamoment’snotice.

Acircleoftentscameintoview,colorfulcanvasesandbannersflappinginthewind,thefalconsymbol
prominent.Deongaveasignalandthecontingentofdrakesdoveinformationtolandjustinsidelion-star
territory.

Felinwastheretomeetthem,ofcourse.Hecarriedaflagwithagoldcrossonaredbackground,theflag
oftruce.

“Truce,”DeongrowledinThane’sear.“BecauseheknowsI’lltearhisheadoffifIgetnearhim.”

Thanewasreadytodosomeheadtearingaswell.HeleaptfromhisdrakeandstrodetomeetFelin.

Guardsfrombothclansencircledthetwoofthem,glaringsuspiciouslyatoneanother.Falcon-sword
bannerssnappedinthewind,asdidthelion-star’sbehindThane.

“ThaneofLion-Star,”Felinbeganinaclippedvoice.“IChallengeyoutodefendthethroneofPamaar,by
—”

“Thehellyoudo,”Deonbrokein.“YouabductedawomanunderThane’sprotectionandbrokethelaw.”

FelinturnedahardgazeonDeon.“I’mnottalkingtoyou,guarddog.AndThaneistheonewho’sbroken
thelaw.Thewomanwasmine,undermyprotection,untilyoustoleherfromme.”

“Sheseemshappywithus.Funny,shenevertriedtorunbacktoyou—youhadtostealher.She’slion-star
now.”

Felinraisedonebrow.“TheonlytattooIsawonLeaisthatofafalcon.”

Deonclenchedhisfists.“It’sacrimeagainstallPamaartoforcesomeoneintoaclan.”

AllysonJames

Felinsmiled.“Shedidn’tresist.”

Deonstartedforward.Thaneputonehandonhischesttoholdhimback.Deonfumedbutremainedin
place.

“IacceptyourChallenge,”ThanesaidtoFelin.“OntheconditionthatyoureturnLeatome.”

Felin’ssmilewidened.“Whatifshedoesn’twanttogo?”

“Shecanmakethechoice.ButonlyafterIhaveseenthatsheisnothurtandthatsheistrulyallowedto
makeherowndecision.”

“You’dlethergo?”Felingavehimanincredulouslook.

“Ifshewished.”Thane’sheartburned,buthe’dneverhadanyintentionofkeepingherwithhimagainst
herwill.“Bringhertomeandwe’lldiscusstheChallenge.”

Felin’seyesshoneintriumph.Hesnappedhisfingersandgaveanordertoamanwithswirledblue
tattoosonhisface.Themannoddedandtrottedawaythroughthefalcon-swordranks.

ThanewonderedifFelinwouldtrulyletLeago,orwhatschemethemanhadinmind.TheChallengewas
sacredandonceFelinofferedit,hecouldnotbeharmed,butThanehadnoqualmsagainstsnatchingLea
backfromhimifnecessary.

“Youchoosethetimeandplace,”FelinwassayingtoThane.“SinceyouaretheChallenged.Withintwo
seven-nights,ofcourse.”

“Iwilldebatewithmycouncilaboutthemostauspicioustime.AndIchoosetheplainbeforetheWarding
caves.Thatwaywhoeveremergesaskingwillnothavefartotravelforthebinding.”

“Done.”

Blue-tattoomancamerunningback.“Sir,”hesaidbreathlessly,hiseyesroundindistress.“She’sgone.”

Felingavehimanimpatientlook.“What?”

“Thewoman,sir.She’sgone.She’sescaped,andsohasthecourtesanandherchild.”

*****

Lea’sstomachrolledasthedrakeplummetedagain,hiserraticflyingmakinghernauseous.Buttheyhadto
staybehindthelineofhillsandwithinthetreetopstoavoiddetection,whichmeantsometrickyflying.

Emilierodethedrakecompetently.Theslendercourtesanhadbeentheonetoharnessandsaddlethe
drakeundercoverofdarknessandthentohelpLeaandReanamount.

Leastillfeltweakandineffectual,whateverdrugFelinhadplungedintoherstillinhersystem.Shewore
ashortcloakEmiliehadfoundforheroverthesilkrobeshe’dshruggedoninThane’sbedroom,butit
wasalittleprotectionagainstthenightwind.

CatchaFallingStar

ReanarodeinfrontofLea,confidentlysnugglingintoher.LeahadtotrustthatEmiliewouldtakethem
backtoThane’spalace.Shehadagoodsenseofdirection,butwithoutchartsandwithlittlelight,shehad
noideawheretheywereandherlingeringgrogginessdidn’thelp.

LeahadwantedEmilietofetchthetransportbuttonplusthemaindevicethathadbeentornoutofhership,
butEmiliehadnegatedthatplan.

“Felinhaseverythinghestolefromyouinhistent,whichiswell-guarded.”She’dlookeddoubtful.“IfI
couldgetit,wouldithelpus?WouldittakeustoThane’spalace?”

Leashookherheadwithregret.“Thebuttononlytakesyoutowherethedeviceis.

It’snotatwo-waytransport.Itwasforemergencies—incaseIgotlostorcapturedwhileoutofmyship,I
couldtransportbacktoitandgetmybuttoutofthere.”

Emilie’slooksaidshedidn’treallyunderstand,butitdidn’tmatter,becauseshehadnowayofgetting
pasttheguardsandintoFelin’stent.Sheexplainedthatacourtesanhadtowaittobesummonedandifshe
simplyshowedupclaimingtowanttopleasureFelin,hewassuretobesuspicious.

Reluctantly,Leaagreedtoleaveitbehind.Emiliegotthemtothedrakepens,thenguidedthedraketight
andlowbehindthehills,outofsightofanysearchparties.

OrsoLeathought.Astheyflewoveraridgetoseethenearinglightsofthecity,theairwassuddenlyfull
ofdrakes.Theycamefromeverywhichway,quicklysurroundingEmilie’sdrake,screechingtheir
triumph.

Onebeastdoveforthemlikeanarrow,wingsfolded,neckoutstretched.Leabitbackascreamas
Emilie’sdrakeswervedsharplytoavoidit.Theotherdrakeflewinatightcirclearoundthem,driving
them,butLeacouldn’tseewhowasonitsbackthroughtheflurryofwingsanddust.

Emilielandedinaflatmeadowjustoutsidethecitygatesandtheydismounted,drakessettlingdown
aroundthem.ThedrakethathadchasedthemthumpedtothegroundandLearecognizedCutieevenbefore
Deonslidoffhisbackandstormedover.

Deonhadhisswordout,agleaminglengthofbronze.EmiliepaledandReanawhimperedandclungtoher
mother’srobes.

LeasteppedbetweenEmilieandDeon.“Wait.Justwait.”

“Areyouallright?”hedemanded.“Getoutoftheway—Ineedtoarresther.”

“Notyet.Canyouwaitaminute?Where’sThane?”

“Righthere.”Thane’sstronghandsspunheraroundandsuddenlyshefoundherselfinhisarms.Heheld
her,tight,tight,thenhecuppedherfaceinhishands.

“IthoughtI’dlostyou,”hebreathed,thensaidfiercely.“Didhehurtyou?Ifhetouchedyou,I’lltearhim
apart,tohellwiththeChallenge.”

Challenge?WhatChallenge?Leawantedtoask,butthereweretoomanyotherthingstotakecareof.

AllysonJames

“Nothingthatwillscarmeforlife,”shesaidquickly.Well,exceptthetattoo.“Ineedthethingsyoutook
fromme—myrationbarsandidentcardandeverything.Pleasesayyoustillhavethem.”

Thanelookedmystified.“AsItoldyou,theyareunderguard.”

“Ineedthem.”Shelockedherfingersaroundhisarms.“Please.”

HeglancedatEmilieandthecourtesanflinchedandwouldn’tmeethiseyes.

“Shedidwhatshedidforagoodreason,”Leasaid.“Herdaughterissick.”

Thane’smouthflattened.Deonlookedreadytoexplode,hisscowldark.

“Thisisnottheplacetodiscussit,”Thanesaid.

“Fine.”Leagatheredherrobetightlyoverherbarebody.“Canwegoinsideanddiscussit,then?With
Emilie?”

ThaneglancedfromhertoDeontoEmilieandbackagain,andfinallygaveanod.

DeonseizedEmiliebytheshoulder.“Youridewithme.We’llgetsomeonetolookafteryourdaughter.”

Reanamadeanoiseofdistressandclungtohermother.Leawenttoher,touchedher.“It’sallright,
sweetie.We’regoingtothepalaceandI’llbethere.”ShestraightenedupandlookedatDeon.“Reanacan
ridewithEmilie,can’tshe,Deon?”

Deon’slipcurledandshesawagleamofexasperationinhiseyes.“Yes,allright.”

ThaneheldLeainfrontofhimonthedrake,hisarmaroundherprotectively.Thedrakejerkedintotheair
andwithinminutessettleddownintothepalacegrounds.

Thanewalkedclosetoherastheymadetheirwaytohisprivatequarters,hishandonhershoulderas
thoughhedidn’twanttobreakcontactwithher.HetookhertotheopulentroominwhichLeahadfirst
awakened,thenbeyondtoasmallerstudy,whereaguardstoodnexttoalockedcabinet.

DeonmadeEmiliesitinthemainroomwhilehehoverednearbywithhissword.

Reanasatonhermother’slap,herfaceburiedinEmilie’sbosom.Thaneclosedthedooronthemand
wenttothecabinet.

Heopeneditwithakeyfromaroundhisneck.Lea’sequipmentlayonvelvet–linedshelvesasthoughthey
weremuseumpieces.WhenLeareachedforaslimcylindricaltube,Thanestoppedherwithhishandon
herwrist.

“Whydoyouwantit?”

“IcanhelpReanawiththis,”Leasaid,liftingthetubefromthevelvet.Shetouchedthebaseandlookedat
thereadout—stillafulldose.

“IcanhelpReanatoo.”Thane’seyesflickeredwithanguishandbitterness.“Icanrelievesomeofthe
pain,butIcan’tcureher.I’vetried.Brokenbonesandhurtslikeyouhad,yes,butnotthekindofsickness
Reanahas.”

“ButIcancureher,”Leasaid.

“How?Youarenotahealer.I’veseenyouraura—youhavenoneofthepowersoftheWarding.”

CatchaFallingStar

“Iknowthat.Ialsoknowwhat’swrongwithher.”Sheheldupherhandsashestartedtospeakagain.“I’ll
explaineverythinglater.ButIknowwhat’swrongwithyou,whyyoucan’tcurethisdisease,whythe
Wardingletmethroughandwhyyourwifediedandyoucouldn’thelpher.”

*****

ThanetriedtokeephisemotionsincheckasheandLeareturnedtothereceivingroomwhereEmilieand
ReanaandDeonwaited.

Somuchtumbledinhisbrain—reliefthatLeawassafe,angeratEmilie,pityforherdaughter,angeragain
atFelinforusingEmilie,sadnessthathe’dhavetopunishherandimpatientcuriosityatLea’sclaims.
HowcouldshecuretheincurableandhowcouldsheunderstandwhatwaswrongwiththeWardingwhen
shewasnotevenofPamaar?

LeahadwhisperedthatshethoughtthetwoofthemshouldhealReanatogether,Leawithhermysterious
silvercylinderandThanetosoothewithhishealingtouch.HeagreeditwouldbebestforReana,butLea
didn’tunderstandwhenhetriedtoexplaintheimplicationstoher.

IfheandLeahealedReanatogether—notthathebelievedtheycould—peoplewouldbelievehe’dgiven
Leasomeofhishealingpowers.Leasawnothingwrongwiththis,butThanewouldhaveasgoodas
proclaimedherhisqueen.AndwithFelinhavingissuedtheChallenge,thingscouldgetsticky.

“Idon’tunderstandyourpolitics,”Leahadtoldhim,hergreeneyesinnocentandadamant.“ButI
understandalittlegirlissuffering—needlessly.Letmedothis.”

Hercompassionflaredwarmththroughhisheartandhekissedherwithfeeling.

“Reanawon’thavetopayforthestupidityoftherestofus,”hewhisperedagainstherhair.“Don’t

worry.”

“Butyou’llpay,”Leasaid.

“Iamking.”Hekissedheragainandsentherasmile.“It’swhatIdo.”

Hetookherhandandtheywalkedintotheouterroomtogether.

Emilie’sfacewasnearlygrayasshewatchedThaneapproach,fearandguiltstarkinhereyes.Shewell
knewthepenaltyforbetrayingherclanandthefactthatshe’dhadtoriskdeathtohelpherdaughternearly
killedhim.

Lea,ontheotherhand,flushedwithexcitement.ShesatdownonthesofaandpattedherlapforReanato
comeover.

Emiliereleasedherdaughterreluctantly,butReanacametoLeawithperfecttrust.

ThanehadasuddenvisionofLeaholdingachild—hischildbutwithLea’sgreeneyes.

Hewantedthatwithallthestrengthhepossessed.

LeapushedbackReana’scloaktobareonesmallarm.“Thismightstingalittle.”

AllysonJames

“Itwon’t.”ThanesatonReana’soppositesideandtookherotherhand.“You’llfeelnothing.”

ReanabelievedhimandreadilystuckherarmouttoLea.

LeatouchedtheendofthegleamingcylindertoReana’sskin.Thaneabsorbedthebriefpainasitentered
her,astingingflashasthoughhe’dtouchedathornplant,thenitwasgone.

HekepthishandonReanaandsoothedher,hishealingsightobservingthegrayandblacktangleof
threadsthatwasherstrangedisease,atanglehe’dneverbeenabletounravel.

Ashewatched,astreamoflightemanatedfromwhereLea’scylinderhadtouchedReana.Thelight
flowedtothethreadsandthensuddenlybegantosurroundanduntanglethem.

Hishealingsightlethimseethethreadssolidifyandbecomewholeagain,thestickyblacknesschanging
tovibrantyellowandwhite.Health,notsickness.HeliftedhisgazetoLea,whosimplysmiledathim.

Leapulledthecylinderaway.Reanastudiedherarmwherethecylinderhadtouchedit,butithadleftno
mark.ButThanesawthatthelesionsonherskinsuddenlylookedlessraw.

Reanasatbackasthoughnothingmuchhadhappened,achildexpectingmoreexcitementthanshe’d
received.Shelookedoverathermotherwithclearbrowneyes.

“Mama,willyouaskLordThaneifIcangoplaywiththedrakes?”

Hervoicewasstrong,thehoarseweaknessshe’dhadforsolonggone.Emilieburstintotears.Deondid
notstopherasshehurriedtothesofaandsanktoherkneesbeforeit,gatheringReanainherarms.She
continuedtocryincoherently,buryingherfaceinReana’slap.

Reanalookeddownathermotherinsurprise.“It’sallright,Mama,Ifeelbettertoday.”

“Whatthehelldidyoudo?”Deondemanded.Theguardssurroundinghimlookedjustasstunnedand
impressed.

“Theentiredamagecan’tbereversed,ofcourse,”Leasaidinamatter-of-factvoice.

“She’sbeenexposedfortoolong,butitcanbestoppedandmuchofitrepaired.I’msureifshehasmore
healingsessionswithThane,she’llbefine.”

Theguardsbegantosmile,startattoosmovingontheirfaces.Theyweretoowell-trainedtospeak,but
Thaneknewwhattheythought—thekinghasregainedhispowers.

Lion-starsarestillontop.

Onlyhehadn’t.Hestoodup,tookLeabythearmandpushedherinfrontofhimoutoftheroom.He
closedthedooronEmilie’ssobsandDeon’sastonishedexpressionandtookLeathroughtheantechamber
andtohisprivatesleepingrooms.

Thebath,whichhe’dorderedpreparedforLeaontheirarrival,steamedinreadiness.

CatchaFallingStar

Thanereleasedherandslunghiscloakaway.“Takeoffyourclothesandgetin.”

Leabeamedasmile.“Ifthisisyourwayofsayingthanks,Ilikeit.”Shestartedtoremovetherobe,then
hersmilevanishedandshehesitated.“Um,maybeIshoulddothisalone.”

“Why?”

Shesighed.“Iguessyou’regoingtofindoutsoonerorlater.”

Shelaidthecylinderonatable,thenturnedherbacktohimandslidofftherobe.

Herbodycameintoviewalittleatatime,slimshoulderblades,curveofback,tightbackside…

Withthewingofafalcononit.Sheturnedtothesidetoshowhimthebirddrawnintricatelyacrossher
hipbone,wingsfeatheringtoeitherside.Hisangerclenchedhim,hotandsparking.

“Hetoldme,”hesaidinahardvoice.“Didyouchoose?”

“No,hehadtheartistgivemesomethingtoknockmeout.”Sheself-consciouslytouchedherhip.“Ifeel
violated.Andconfused.”

Thanerelaxedafraction,butnomore.“Felinhasbrokenthelaws,notyou.Getintothebath.”

Leadroppedtherobetothefloorandslidintothewater,nothidingherreliefwhentheheattouchedher.
Shelookedoverhershoulderathiminapprehension.“Whatareyougoingtodo?”sheasked.

“Washyou,”heanswered.

AllysonJames

ChapterTen

Offers

Hereallymeantit.

Thane,naked,splasheddownbesideherandscoopedahandfulofsweet-smellingsoapfromthejaron
theedgeofthebath.Thenheproceededtoscrubherallover,firstwithacloth,thenasponge,thenhis
barehands.

Hewashedherfromnecktobreasts,stomach,arms,hips,backandlegs,rubbingvigorouslyasthough
tryingtoremovealltracesofFelin’scampfromher.Heevenrestedherfeetinhislapandscrubbedthose
thoroughlytoo.

“Thane,”Leasaid.

Hedidn’tanswer.Hemovedhishandstoherhips,stillscrubbing.

“Thane,”Learepeated.“Itwon’tcomeoff.It’satattoo.”

Hisdarkglanceflickedtoherbriefly.“Iknow.”

“That’swhyIdon’tliketattoos.Whatifyouhateitonceyouhaveit?Orworse,themanyou’refallingfor
hatesit?”

Thescrubbingslowed.“Whatmanareyoufallingfor?”

“Ithoughtthatwasobvious.Idon’texpectanythinginreturn,don’tworryaboutthat.WhenItoldDeonI
didn’tmeantocomebetweenyoutwo,hethoughtIwashystericallyfunny—asifIevercould.Second,I
don’tbelonghere.I’maresourcefulscout—I’llfigureoutawaytogetrescuedandmakeitbackhome.”

Thanestilled.“Youcannotleave.”

“I’llbecarefulnottorevealthisparadisewhenIdogo.Andyoucantrustmetokeepmymouthshut—ifI
canevenfindtheplaceagainonceyourepairtheWarding.Icouldn’tstandtoseeitdestroyed.”

“ImeanyoucannotleavebecauseIwantyoutostay.”

Leastopped,herheartbeatingfaster.“Why?”Shelaughedalittle.“Youcan’tmeanyouneedmoresex.
YouhaveDeon,nottomentioncourtesansatyourbeckandcall.

I’vealwaysbeenaplainvanillagirl—allthisménageandsame-sexandplaytimeisnewtome.”

Hemovedbesideherinarushofwater,cuppinghishandsaroundherface.“WhenIknewyouweregone,
thatFelinhadyou,Iwouldhavekilledanyoneinmypathtogettoyou.”

“Really?”sheasked,voicefaint.“Howhe-manofyou.”

“IneverunderstandwhatyousayandIcannevermakeyouunderstandwhatIwant.”

CatchaFallingStar

Leatouchedhisface,likingtheroughofhiswhiskersabradingherfingertips.He’ddroppedeverythingto
cometoherrescuewhenhehadfarmanymorethingstoworryaboutthanonelostwoman.

“Maybeweshouldstopusingwordsthen,”shewhispered.“Exceptformetosaythankyouforcoming
afterme.”

Heansweredwithakissthatmeltedher.Shefeltasthoughherbodydissolvedintothehotwater,sliding
andhappytodrown.Hismouthpossessedher,brutalandtaking,bruisingher.

Heslidhishandbetweenherlegs,hislargepalmliftingherandcradlingheragainsthim.Shefelthis
stronggriponherwrist,guidinghertothehardnessthatjuttedouttoher.

“Takeme,”hewhispered.“Strokeme.”

Leaneedednopersuasion.Sheranherfingersalonghisshaft,findingthesilkensmoothtip,circlingher
fingertipsaroundhisflange.Hemadeanoiseinhisthroatandpulledhercloser.“Faster,”heurged.

Sheunderstoodwhathewanted.Plainvanillaornot,sheknewwhattodo.

Heleanedhisheadbackagainstthelipofthetub,hisblondhairdarkwithwater,thedustwashedclean
fromhim.Shekissedhimassheworkedhim,theirtonguestanglinginroughstrokes.

Thisamazingmanwasteachinghersomuch,notjustwhatwaspossibleinbedbutwhatwaspossibleina
relationship.Atonetimeshe’dthoughtthatmenwholovedothermenwerebizarre,butwhatheandDeon
sharedwentdeeperthanwhatshe’dseeninmanyman-womancouples.

Andhiscaringwentfurtherthanhispersonalsexlife.Thanelivedclosetothebone,understandingthe
pulseofhispeople,willingtosacrificeeverythingtosavethem.SheunderstoodwhyDeonlovedhim.

“Makelovetome,”shewhispered.“Please.”

“Notyet.”

Hewasmaddening.Shewasgoingtoscreamwithneedandhewasn’teventouchingher.

Thanestoodup,watertricklingfromhiswetskin.Lealostherholdonhiscock,butitdidn’tmatter
becausehemovedthebeautifulthingtohangrightinfrontofherface.

“Takemeinyourmouth,”hesaid.

She’dwantedtodothatthefirsttimeshesawhimnaked.Shelickedhisnaveltoteasehim,tastingthe
saltinessofhimplusthetinnyflavorofthebathwater.

Hiscockwaslarge,skinstretchedtightoverhisdarklength.Shesaw,upclose,whatshe’dnotseen
before—atinytattooofalionrightacrosshistip.

“Didn’tthathurt?”shegasped.

“Notabit.

AllysonJames

“That’sright—yougivetheartiststheabilitytoinkyoupain-free.”

“Doyoulikeit?”Hisvoicesoftened.“Itwouldbeworththepainthen.”

Leatracedthedelicateoutlineofthecrouchinglion.“Idolikeit.”

Sherubbedhertongueoverthelion,thenopenedherlipsandtookhiminside.Shecouldmakethislion
feelgoodwithherlipsandhertongue,makinghimdanceforThane.

Hishandsfoundherhair,shakingfromholdinghimselfback.Hepartedhisfeettoletherexploreallof
him—histightballsliftingunderherpalm,hiswiryhair,thewarmthofhim.Hetastedgoodandasshe
suckledhim,herockedhishipsalittletoenterhermouth.

Shelookedforwardtotastinghisseed,butjustasshefelthimbuildingtoburstingpoint,hemoved
quicklyawayandliftedheroutofthetub.

Beforeshecouldexpressdisappointment,helaidheronthepileoftowelswaitingatthesideofthebath
andstretchedoutontopofher,hisdarkeyesfilledwithhungerandneed.

“I’llgoslow,”hepromised.

“Slowisgood.Soisfast.”

“I’mlargeandyouaretight.Deontoldmehowtightyouwere.”

Shegavealittlelaugh.“Doeshealwayskissandtell?”

Thane’sbrowsdrewtogether.“Hetellsme.Weshareeverydetailofthewomanwelove—”

Sheheldupherhand.“Iwasjoking.Don’tsaylove,itscaresme.”

“Why?”Hisvoicewaslow,evenfierce.“Iwanttoloveyou,togiveyoueverythingyoudesire.”

“EvenifIdesiretheimpossible?”

“Eventhen.”

Shelightlytouchedhisface.“It’skillingmenottohaveyouinsideme.”

Histipnudgedheropening,ablunthardnessthatmadeherache.“Areyoucertainyou’rereadyforme?”

“I’llriskit.”

“Inthatcase…”

Hesmiled,hiseyeswarming,asheslidallthewayinside.

*****

Love.Beautiful.Mine.

Thane’sthoughtsdissolvedasthebeautyofherflowedaroundhim.Deonhadn’tbeenexaggeratingwhen
he’dsaidshewastight.

CatchaFallingStar

Tight,ohgods,Ithoughtshe’dsqueezemeinhalf,Deonhadsaidlastnightwhenthey’dheldeachother
nexttothesleepingLea.ShehadmecominglikeIhadn’thaditinyears.

DeonhadsqueezedThane’sbarecockindemonstration,butitwasnothingtowhatThanefeltinsidethis
woman.

Sheliftedherhipstotakeallofhim,herfacesofteningintopleasureanddesire.Herbeautifulgreeneyes
regardedhimwithsuchwarmthhewantedtomelt.Butnotyet.

Firsthewantedtoremainhardandenjoyeveryinchofher.

He’dpromisedslow,butfeelingher,seeingherface,surroundinghimselfwithherscent,hecouldn’thelp
butpushfaster.Histhoughtsbecameincoherent—therewasnothought,justtherawjoyofjoiningwith
her.

HefeltmuchthesamewayinsideDeon,feelingtheonehelovedhardaroundhim.

Leawasdifferentofcourse,allsoftfemalenesswhileDeonwasbrutalmuscle.

HedimlysensedDeonentertheroomashemovedhiships.Leaarchedtohim,fingersclosingonhistight
arms,sensingnothingbuttheirlovemaking.

Deonwasstilldust-coatedfromtheirlongridetoandfromFelin’sterritory,theodorofsweatandleather
clingingtohim.Leawascleanandwarmfromthebath,herskinscentedwithdelicatesoaps.

Hewantedbothofthem.Hewantedbothofthemnow.

Deon,stilldressed,kneltnexttothem.“Hey,beautiful.”HegentlystrokedLea’shair.“Youlooklike
you’rehavingfun.”

Sheturnedherheadintohistouch,kissinghishand,atthesametimeliftingherhipstomeetThane’s
thrusts,herfacetwistedwithneed.HerpussypulsedaroundhimandDeonstrokedherhairagain,his
gazeintentonher.

“She’sgoingtocome,”Deonsaid.“That’showshediditwhenIfuckedher.”

“Goddess,”shemoaned.HernipplespinchedintotightbudsthatscrapedThane’shand.Thesoftsounds
shemadedrovehimcrazy,herbodyreachingforhisanddragginghimintoher.

Shelockedherlegsaroundhis,hersoleswarmonhisbarelegs.Herincrediblepussykeptonthrobbing
inshortlittlebursts,tight,tighter,tighter.

“Isshesqueezingyou?”Deonsaidhoarsely.“Doesn’titfeelfuckinggood?”

Thanewasontopofherfully,histongueinhermouth,theirskinslidingagainsteachother’swith
bathwaterandsweat.Hercomesmelledsogood,thegoldenthreadsofheraurabrightwithit.

Shelockedherarmsaroundhisneckandbegansuckinghistongue,herhipspoundingagainsthis,her
sheathstillstranglinghiscock.

Hefelthiscomingalongwayoff,buthecouldn’tstopit.Deonstrokedhisbacktohisassandwhispered,
“Yes.”

Thane’sseedshotoutofhiminabrightburstandheroaredwithit.Shesquealedbeneathhim,herbody
pressedsohardagainsthisthattheiraurastangled.

AllysonJames

Gods,yes,she’smine,mine,mine.Felinwilldiefortouchingher.I’lltakehisfuckingChallengeand
splithiminhalffortakingherawayfromme.

Hewasshoutingit,butthewordswereincoherent.HefeltDeonbehindhim,thebigman’sleather-rough
handsonhisbareback,butDeon’stouchwassoothing,quieting.Beneathhim,Lealookedathimwith
tiredgreeneyes,herfingertipsfeather-lightonhisface.

Theworldstartedspinningmoreslowly,hisheartbeatwindingdown,thethreadsoftheiraurasuntangling
andwithdrawing.Thanekissedher,hisfrenzygentling,andshesmiledsleepilyathim.

“Thankyou,”shemurmured.“Thatwasterrific.”

“Hell,yes.”

DeongottohisfeetbesidethemagainandThanelookedupathim.“Don’tgoaway.”

“I’mnotgoinganywhere.”

Thane’scockwascompletelyspentbynow,buthefelthimselfhardenagainasDeonbeganunlacinghis

leathertunic.They’dknowneachotherforsolongthateachknewexactlywhattheotherwantedwithout
words.Somanyyears,butitnevergrewstale.WithDeon,itwasalwaysnew.

Leapushedherhairfromhereyeswithalanguidhand.“WhathappenedtoEmilie?”

“Iarrestedher,”Deonsaid.Hepulledthetunicoffoverhishead,baringhishardchestdustedwithwiry
blackhair.

“But—”Leabegan.

“Beforeyoustartscreechingatme,she’sinanicechamberwithherdaughterwithservantstobringthem
whatevertheyneed.Ifwedidn’tarresther,Thanewouldlooklikehecondonedclanbetrayal.Hecan’t
affordtodothat.”

Thanegaveherareassuringkiss.“She’llhaveatrial.”Hisvoicerasped,histhroatraw.“AndIwillmake
sureeveryoneknowssheriskedmywrathandclanlawtryingtosaveherdaughter.Shecan’tgo
unpunished,butshemightescapetheharshestpenalties.”

“Istillwanttoknowhowyoudidthat,”DeonsaidtoLea.Hestoodandstrippedoffhisleggingsthen
watchedthemwithhandsonhips,hiscockdarkandthick.“CuredReana,Imean.”

“Withtechnology,”Thanetoldhim.

“Oh.Notgood.”

Leatriedtofrown,thoughhergazewasrivetedtoDeon’sbody.“Itwasananti-radiationdose,meantto
combatexposuretotheworstradiationoutthere.It’sdone.Ican’ttakeitback.”

“Idon’twantyouto.”Thanekissedheragain,herlipswarmandswollen.“Whatyoudidtookcourage.”

CatchaFallingStar

“Andballs,”Deonagreed.“Exceptyouobviouslydon’thaveany.Ilikewhatyoudohavethough.”

“Youhavetheworstpickuplines,Deon,”Leatoldhim.

Deongaveheradarksmile.“Idon’tknowwhatpickuplinesare,butI’mgladIcanmakeyoulaugh.”He
shotThanealook.“Thinkshe’sreadyforbothofus?”

“Notyet,”Thaneanswered.Regretfully,buthedidn’twanthertobehurt.

Lea’seyeswidened.“Youmeanatthesametime?I’mstillblownawaybyyoutwojustbeinginthesame
roomwithme.”

“Shelikesus,”Deonsaid.

“Ihopeso,”Thaneanswered.

LeasmiledupatThane.“Ido.Ilikeyoualot.”

Hersmilemadehisin-no-way-satedcockhardasgranite.Hemovedintoheragain,closinghiseyesatthe
finesensation.

“Hey,”Deongrowled.“Whataboutme?”

“Comedownhere,”Thanesaid.

Lea’seyeswidenedthengrewinterestedasDeonkneltbesidethemonthetowels,hislongcockin
delectablereach.ThesameunyieldingrulesthatkeptThanefromenjoyingDeoninsidehimpreventedhim
fromtakingDeoninhismouth,butLeacouldhavehim.

AsThaneslidhimselffartherintoher,hehadthesatisfactionofwatchingherlipsclosearoundhisbest
friend’scock.

*****

Thanestretchedherincredibly,andevenmoreincrediblewasDeon’shugecocknudginginsideher
mouth.Hetasteddarkandhot,andthebeadofmoistureonhistipmadeherthirstformore.

Thanerodehermoreslowlythistime,butthatjustletherfeeleveryinchofhim.

ShetriedtofeeleveryinchofDeonwithhertongue,buthewassodamnbig.Shewishedshecouldhave
themstandfacetofaceandtouchtheircockstogetherwhileshemeasuredthemfromballstoballs.
Wouldn’tshehavefunwiththat?

Thefantasytriggeredherorgasm.Ajoltofpleasurewashedoverher,butdidThanestop?

Heraisedherlegandpushedherbentkneetoherchest,slidinginevendeeper.

Deonlaughedandmadehiscockdanceoverherlips,teasinghertocatchit.

Shedidcatchit,suckingharduntilhiseyeswidenedandropesofthickcomeflowedintohermouth,more
thanshecouldmanage.Itdidn’tmatter,becauseThanekissedherlikeathirstyman,tastinghisloveron
hertongue.

AllysonJames

Leasensedachangeinthemboth,excitementmountingtorawlevels.Sheshiveredinsuddencoldwhen
Thaneleftherexposed,buthegentlypulledatoweloverherbody,thenturnedtoDeon.

HislovemakingwithDeonwasn’ttender—itwasroughandwildandneitherbotheredtobequietabout
it.DeonlaughedandscreamedandtalkedsodirtythatLea,evenusedtolivingwithsoldiers,popped
openhereyestostareathim.

Thanerodehim,hisassbunchingandreleasingashispenisdisappearedintoDeon’sanus.Lea’spussy

overflowedatthesightofDeon’scheekswrappedaroundthebaseofThane’scock,evidenceofThane
deepinsidehim.

ThetwistofThane’sfaceandDeon’sflowofwordswasmoreevidence.Leaputherhandtoherquim,
cuppingithardasDeoncameandthenThanedidtoo.Thaneleaneddownandlickedtheliontattoo
acrossDeon’sback.

Bothmenthumpedtothefloor,pantinghard,andDeonlaughed,voiceraw.“Ithinkweshockedher.”

“No,”Thanesaid,smilinghisbeautifulsmileatLea.“Ithinkshelikedit.”

I’mgoingtodierightnow,shethought.I’vehadsexwithbothofthemandwatchedthemfuckeach
otherandlovedeveryminuteofit.

Thanespoonedupbesideherandkissedherforehead.“Sleep,Lea.Youneedit.”

Ashe’ddonebefore,Thanetouchedhisfingerstoherfaceandhealingsleepinesscreptoverherlimbs.

“Notfair,”shemumbledandsheheardDeonlaughbeforeshefellintodeepsleep.

Shewokealoneinabed,findingasilkdressinggownlaidoutforher.Sheputitonquicklyandrose,not
likingthewayherlegsshook.AllthatsexontopofajourneyononeofthosedrakesplusthedrugFelin
hadgivenherwasn’tdoingheranyfavors.

Butshecouldfeelherboneswholeandstrong,theskinaroundthetattoohealed,hermusclesrelaxed.
Thanewasbetterthananysleepingdoseeverinvented.

SheemergedfromthebedroomandfoundherselfinThane’sprivatesittingroom.

Hesatatatable,herbasicsurvivalkitarrayedbeforehim,hishandsrestingflatonthetableashelooked
atit.

He’ddressedinasleevelesstunicandleggings,thesilkoutlininghishardmuscles.

Herheartgaveapainfulbeat.

Thaneglancedupassheentered,hislookpensive.Hetooksuchintensejoyinlovemaking,butitcouldn’t
distracthimverylongfromtheproblemsathand.

“Ican’tstopthinkingaboutReana,”hesaidassheslidintoachairnexttohis.“Icouldneverreachor
changethedisease,nomatterhowhardItried.”Heliftedthestylus-thinmetalcylinder.“Yetyoucured
herwithinsecondswithyourtechnology.”

“Notseconds,”Leacorrectedhim.“Istoppedthepoisonfrombreakingdownhersystem.Itwilltakea
whileforhertohealcompletely,butshe’llfeelbetterrightaway.”

CatchaFallingStar

Herolledthecylinderbetweenhisfingers.“Willthiscureeveryonewiththedisease?Ifso,Ishoulduse
it.”

“Ithoughttechnologywasforbidden.”

Hisgazewasremote.“Thoselawsareancient,frombeforethetimeoftheWarding,whensuchobjects
nearlywipedoutourpeople,orsothelegendsgo.ButhowcanIdenyhealingtomypeople?Tellthem
yes,thereisacure,butyoucan’thaveitbecauseofsomethingourancestorsdecided?Whatkindofa
kingwouldthatmakeme?”

TheanguishinhiseyespulledatLea’sheart.“Itdoesn’tmatter,anyway.Therewasonlyonefulldosein
thecylinder,enoughformealone—theideaisthatyoudoseyourselfthentakeyourbutthomeandtothe
medics.IgavehalftoReanabecauseshe’ssosmall.Thiscouldcureanothersmallchild,butnomore.”

ThecylindermadeasoftclickasThanesetitonthetable.“Thenitisnosolution.”

“No,butit’spartofthesolution.”Shewrappedherhandsaroundhisandrestedthemagainstherchest.“I
wouldn’thaveknownitwouldcureReanaifIdidn’tknowwhat’swrongwithher.It’sradiation
poisoning.”

Shesaidthewordsintriumph,buttheyobviouslymeantnothingtoThane.

“Icanhealpoisons,”hesaid.“ButIhaveneverseenthis.”

“Ofcourseyouhaven’t,becauseyouhaveyourbigtechnologyban.ButsomethingisoutthereinPamaar
creatingaradiationcloud.”Shegesturedatthewindow,asthoughitwouldrevealtheproblem.“You
can’tseeitorhearitorsmellitorfeelit,butthatdoesn’tmeanitisn’tdeadly.Wejusthavetopinpointits
sourceandgetridofit.”

“Isthatall?”Thaneasked,hissmilefaint.

“SinceFelin’speoplearemostaffected,Iwouldguessthewhatever-it-isisinhisterritory.Didn’tyour
wifeCerenagotothefalcon-swordclantotrytohealthem?Findoutexactlywhereshewent—I’m
bettingshegotmassivedoseifshegotsicksofast.”

“Youaretellingmethatthistechnologyiskillingmypeople?”

“Itmightbenatural—aradioactivemetalsuddenlybeingexposedorsomething.

YourpowershaveweakenedandIsawpartsoftheWardingblackanddead.TheWardinglookslikea
naturaloccurrence,somethinguniquetoPamaar.Whentheradiationstartedinterferingwithit,your
powersweakened.”Shethoughtamoment.

“WhatistheWarding,exactly?Itriedtolookitup,butyourlibrarydidn’thaveanythinguseful.”

Thaneshrugged.“Itis—theWarding.Whenaclanleaderbecomesking,hegoestotheWardingcaves
aloneandtheWardingbindswithhimandbecomesonewithhim.”

“Andthenwhenhecomesout,hecanhealeveryone?”

“Yes.Ithappenssometimesthatthebindingisweakandthekingdiesquickly,butusuallytheylivetoa
ripeoldageanddiesurroundedbytheirgrandchildren.Butwhenthebindingisweak,theleaderofthe
upcomingclancanChallengeandtrythebindinghimself.Inthiscase,thefalcon-swordclanisnextinthe
rulingcycleandFelinhasissuedtheChallenge.”

AllysonJames

“Youhavetolethimkillyou?”

“Notnecessarily.IfIprovetobethestrongerphysically,Icangotothecavesandtrythebindingagain.
ButifFelinwins,thenhegoestothecavesandbecomesking.”

Leamadeanoiseofexasperation.“Itwon’tmatterwhowinsifit’stheWardingthat’sweak.Felinwon’t
beabletobindeither.It’spsychic,isn’tit?”

“Psychic?”Herepeatedthewordasthoughhe’dneverhearditbefore.

“Somekindofenergywithinyourplanetfillsyouwithpowerthatyoucancontrolwithyourthoughts—in
thiscase,healingpower.”Shestoppedandgrinnedathim.

“That’sjustcool.”

“Cool?”

“AnexpressionfromtheRock.Sorry.”

Thaneturnedtotheaccoutrementsspreadoutonthetable.“Idon’tunderstandyou,oranyofthis.Butyou
curedReana.”

“Youdidtoo.Takingananti-radiationdosecanhurtlikehell,butyoutookawaythepain.Iimaginethat
you’llbeabletohealhertherestofthewaynowthattheradiationsicknessisn’teatingherupinside.”

“Andotherswhohavefallenillwillfarebetteroncethisthingisfoundanddestroyed?”

“ItwilllikelystoptheWardingfromdegeneratingtoo,althoughwhetheritcanrestoreitself,Idon’t
know.”

“IftheWardingisrestored,nomoreshipscanfallfromthesky.”Thanefixedhisdarkgazeonher.“And
youcannotleave.”

“Iknow.”

Shethoughtofthetight-beamsignalshe’dmanagedtosendofftoJustinbeforeThanehadsmashedthe
device.IfJustinreceivedit,he’dbeonhiswaytofindher.IftheWardingfailedcompletely,hecould
pinpointherandtakeherhome,butthentheFourOne-SixEmpirewouldfindPamaar.

ButiftheWardingwasrestoredbeforeJustinfoundher,Leawouldbestuckhere.

Herownshipwasfarbeyondrepairandshehadnofuelpoweritinanycase.

Shesaidslowly,“Everyscoutknowswhentheyleaveforamissionthattheymightnotcomeback.We
don’thavefamiliesoranyonewhowillmissus.Ourfellowscoutswillholdamemorialceremonyforus
andthengetonwiththings.Weaskoneotherscouttohandleourlegalaffairsifwe’relostandthat’sit.”

Thanebrushedhercheekwiththebacksofhisfingers.“Icannotbelieveyouaren’tprecioustosomeone.”

“MymotherandfatheraredeadandInevermarried.IjoinedthescoutunitwhenIwasfreshoutofflight
school.Welivetoprotectourhome.”

CatchaFallingStar

Lonelinesswelledupinsideherasshespokethewords.She’dalwaysbeenproudtothinkshe’dsacrifice
allforherpeople,butsherealizedshehadn’tmuchtosacrifice.

Oratleast,notmuchtolose.

“Youhavemenow,”Thanesaid,asthoughreadingherthoughts.

Hiseyesheldsomuchdarkness.Hetracedherlipswithhisthumb,powerfulhandsgentledforher.

“You’restuckwithme,youmean.”Leatriedtosummonasmile.“Ifyoudon’twanttheotherclansto
claimme,yougetthecareandfeedingofme.”

Hekissedthecornerofhermouth,hisbreathhot.“Marryme,Lea.”

Leajumped.“Excuseme?”

“Bindwithme.Becomemywife.”Hetouchedherlipsagain.“Doyounothavethiskindofthingwhere
youcomefrom?”

“Wedo,but…”Confusion,happinessandsorrowburnedinherchest,oneemotionfollowingswiftlyafter
theother.“Whydoyouwanttomarryme?”

“Because,foolishly,I’mfallinginlove.”Hislipsgrazedhercheek.“Didyounotnotice?”

Justinalwayssaidtherewasn’tasituationinwhichLeacouldn’tfindwordstoexpressanopinion.Too
badJustinwasn’theretoseeherrenderedspeechlessforthefirsttime.

AnironicglintenteredThane’seyes.“IdonotknowifIcanmakeyoulovemeback.IdonotknowifI
canmakelivinghere,awayfromallyouknow,bearable.”

Deargoddess.Thane,leaderofthelion-starclan,kingofPamaar,wasworriedthathecouldn’tmakeher
happy.ThenumberofmeninLea’slifewhohadwantedtomakeherhappywasexactlyzero.

Andhedidmakeherhappy—deliriously,dangerouslyhappy.Ifsheletherself,she’dbeperfectlyfine

withabandoningheroldlife,settlingdownonbeautifulPamaar,lettingJustinandeveryoneelseonthe
Rockgetalongwithouther.Sorelytempting,especiallysinceshemightnotbeabletoeverleavethis
placeanyway.

“Isn’tyourlifecomplicatedenoughalready?”sheaskedhim.

Hissmilewasgrim.“Idonotconsideryouacomplication.ButIwillleavethequestiontoyouwhilewe
willsolvetheproblemsofFelinandtheWarding.Then,perhaps,IwillbeabletopresentPamaarwitha
newqueen.”

AllysonJames

ChapterEleven

Search

“Hemeansit,”Deonsaid.

HewatchedLeaflushasshestoodnexttohiminherleathertunic,readyforflying,andrememberedhow
sweetshelookedallsexedandsleepythenightbefore.

“He’slosthismind,”Leasaid.“FelinhasChallengedhimtoadueltothedeathandradiationiskilling
hispeople,sohedecidestoplanawedding.”

“Itwillbeweddingnevertobeforgotten.”Deongrinnedather.“Troubadourswillmakesongsofit,how
thehallsflowedwithwineandthepalacewasdrownedinflowers.Thebridebeautifulinvioletandgold
leadingthekingtohisbedchamber,withthefaithfulDeonintow.We’llmakealovelythreesome.”

“Youwantmetoaccept,”shesaid,lookingamazed.

Theystoodnearthedrakepens,DeonhavingsentaservanttofetchCutie.Cutiesnarledandpulledathis
harnessashewasledtothem,showingoffasusual,andLeatookastepback.

ItalwaysamusedDeonhowfrightenedLeawasofthedrakes.Shewho’dcomefrombeyondtheWarding,
who’dfallenfromtheskyanddamnneardiedofit,who’dstooduptoFelinandtoldhimtokissherass
wasafraidofCutie.

Hehelpedhermount,suppressingagrinathernervousness,andswungupbehindher.

“OfcourseIwantyoutoaccept,”hesaidastheylaunchedskyward.“Thane’sbeenunhappyforalong
time—hetriestohideit,butIknow.Allofthesuddenhe’ssmilingagain,readytofaceFelinandwin.
He’sstoppedaskingmeifI’llrunhimthroughifnecessary—allsinceyougothere.Soyes,Iwanthimto
marryyou.Besides.”Heleanedaroundherandkissedhercheek.“Ilikeyoutoo.”

Sheblushedagain.

Whatawoman,Deonthought.

Hechuckledashepushedthedrakehigher,thebeastfanninghisleatherywingstosoaronthethermals.
Cutielovedtofly—hejustlikedmakingabigfussaboutit.

Deon’stasktodaywastotakeLeaoverthelandscapenearFelin’sterritorytoseeifshecouldspot
whatevershethoughtwascausingthesickness.Theyflewintightformationwithfiveotherdrakes,Lea
andDeoninthemiddleformaximumprotection.

Hedidn’tunderstandhalfofwhatshe’dexplainedaboutthesickness,buthedidn’tneedtounderstand.If
Leacouldhelp,he’dtakeheranywhereshewanted.PlusheplannedtoconvincehertomarryThane.She
wasjumpy,likeCutie,worriedaboutlittlethingsandfacingbigthingswithoutflinching.

CatchaFallingStar

Shewantedtogohome,sure,butwhycouldn’therhomebehere?TherewasnothingwrongwithPamaar.
Evenasoldierlikehimselfcouldrevelinthebeautyoftheplace.Besides,Thanewashereandwho’d
wanttobewithouthim?

“Wheredoesthefalcon-swordclanterritorystart?”sheaskedhimoverthewind.

Deonpointedtoalowridgeofhillsaboutamileaway.“Justbeyondthose.They’llbeoutpatrollingtheir
boundaries,you’dbetterbelieve.”

“WhydidThaneacceptFelin’sChallenge?”

“Hehadto,love.Buthe’llwin.Ifyoucurehim,he’llwin.”

Shelookedglum.“Youhavealotoffaithinme.”

“Ididn’tbelievetheseeratfirst.Butyoucamehereforareason—agoodreason—

andI’mmakingsureyoustayhereuntilThaneisbetter.”

Leadidn’tanswer,butthatdidn’tbotherDeon.He’dseetoitthatThanewonintheend,becausethe
alternativedidn’tbearthinkingabout.

“WehavetosearchinsideFelin’sterritory,”Leasaid.“That’sthemostlikelyplace.

Thanetoldmehiswifehadgonetoavillageabouttwentymilesnorthofthecityofthefalcon-swordclan,
andthat’swhereshegotsick.Soitmustbesomewherearoundthere.”

“WaytoodeepinFelin’sterritory.Toodangerous.”

“Idon’tthinkwehaveachoice.Ifwegoalonewehavelesschanceofbeingspotted.Howaboutifthe
restofthephalanxnosesaroundalittlesouthofherewhileweskimwestbelowtheridgeline?Wecan
circlethecityandcomeuponitfromthesidefarthestfromthelion-starterritory.”

Deonrumbledalaugh.“You’vedonethisbefore.”

“Iwasascout.Itwasmyjob.IadmitI’veneverdoneitonascalylizardthatflies,buttheconceptisthe
same.IhavethefeelingyoucansteerCutieastightasIevercouldmyone-mancraft.”

“Yougotthatright.”

Deonswirledhisarmintheairandsignaledfortheformationtoland.Hegaveorders,thentheywere
airborneagain.Undercoverofathick,tree-linedhill,theotherfivedrakesformedupandflewsouth
whileDeonwaited,lettingCutierest.

TheydiditasLeadescribed,skulkingalongtheridgelinethenplungingintoFelin’sterritoryindeep
shadow.Learemainedsilentastheyflewonlyafewfeetabovetheground,highenoughforCutie’s
wingspantofunctionbutnohigher.Thedrakestoppedbeinggrumpyandenjoyedhimself—heliked

covertoperations.

Theterritoryofthefalcon-swordclancoveredrockymilesthatsoftenedtomeadow-coveredhillswith
snow-cappedmountainsinthedistance.Alovelyplace,ifyouweren’tluckyenoughtobelion-star.

Cutieflewlow,farwestandnorthofthecity,whichloomedasasparklingwhitesmudgeonthedistance.
Felinwasfaraway,campingoutatthefalcon-sword/lion-starborder,readytomarchonThaneata
moment’snotice.Deonimaginedthatthecitywas99

AllysonJames

busypreparingfortheanticipatedchangeinkingship,whenthefalcon-swordterritorywouldcontrolthe
governmentandFelinwouldtakeoverPamaar.

NotifIcanhelpit,Deonpromisedsilently.

Theycircledandsearched,Lealookingforthegodsknewwhat.DeonletCutieflyaslowasheliked
whileLeahungfromthesaddle,nolongerafraid,andsearchedtheground.

Shadowslengthenedasthesunset—they’dhavetofindaplacetospendthenightsoon.

Thesunglintedoffsomethinginthedistance,thesparkofitslicingintohiseyes,butwhenheturnedto
look,ithadvanished.Deonwheeledthedraketoinvestigate,buttheyfoundnothingbeforethesun
disappearedbehindthehillsandtwilightfilledthesky.

“Damn,I’dgiveanythingformymicro-binocs,”Leasaid.“Theinfra-redones.Wecouldsearchall
night.”

“I’mnotevengoingtoaskwhatthoseare.ButCutiecan’tsearchallnight.Heneedshisbeautysleep.”

Leanodded.“Evenscoutshipsneedtodockforrefueling.”

Deonlandedinadensepatchofforestwithaclearinglargeenoughforthedrake.

Drakestookoffalmostvertically,sotheydidn’tneedmuchroomforthat,onlyenoughforCutietobeable
tocurlupandsnore.

Heriskedbuildingatinyfiresotheywouldn’tgettoocold.He’dbroughtblanketsthatfoldedinto
compactbundlesbutwhichwerefinelywovenandwarm.HeandLeanibbledsoldier’srations,which
weretastelessbutwouldkeepthemgoing.

Leagrinnedathimashesatdownnexttoher.“You’regoodatthis.”

“It’smyjob,”Deonrepeatedherwords.Heslidhisarmaroundher,pulledherclose.“Let’sseeifwecan
figureouthowtokeepwarm.”

Hekissedherforawhile,likingthetasteofher,remindinghimselfwhatithadfeltliketohavehermouth
onhim.HersuckinghimwhileThanepumpedher.Mmm,yes.

Ifhe’dbeenlessworriedaboutdiscoverybyFelin’spatrollers,he’denjoyhimselffuckingtonight.Asit
was,heonlyallowedhimselfthepleasureofunlacingherleathertopandlickingthewarmplacebetween
herbreasts.

Shehummedinenjoyment.“Idon’tthinkI’llevergetusedtotwomenatthesametime.”

“Darling,youhaven’thadtwomenatthesametime.Iguaranteewe’llmakeyoudancewithpleasure.”

“You’resureaboutthat,areyou?”

Helovedtheteasingtwinkleinhergreeneyes.Whoknewthatafallingstarwouldcontainsucha
wonderfulwoman?

“You’llloveeverysecondofit,Ipromise.”

100

CatchaFallingStar

“I’llholdyoutothat.”

Helovedherbreasts,thefirmroundnessthatfitintohishands,herskincreamysoftagainsthiswork-
roughfingers.Hesuckedonetautnippleintohismouthwhileshecontinuedtomakenoisesofpleasure.

Heenjoyedlickingherforawhile,thenregretfullymadehimselfsitupandsimplyholdher.Theywere
toofarintoFelin’sterritorytorisknotstayingalert.

Atleasthecouldwraphisarmsaroundherandletherblonde-and-brownhairticklehisnose.Pleasure
didn’tallhavetobefucking—althoughnothingbeatfucking.

Sherestedherheadonhisshoulder,content.“SohowdidyouandThanemeet?”

Ah,memories.ButmaybetellingthestorywoulddistractDeonfromhowhornyhewas.

“Myfatherwasweapons-makerfortheclanleader,whowasThane’sfatheratthetime.Welivedabove
theforgeontheedgeofthepalacegrounds,nottoonear,youunderstand,sothesmokysmelldidn’tget
intothepristinepalace.Thetiger-vesselclanruledatthetimeandThane’sfatherwasnextinlinefor
kingship.”

“AndyouandThanebecamefriends?”

Deonchuckled,remembering.“Notrightaway.Ithoughthewasasnottyrichkid,toosofttogethishands
dirtydoingrealwork.Iusedtotaunthimsomethingawful—

softly,somyfatherwouldn’thearandwaleonme.Thaneheard,though.Ikeptexpectinghimtohavehis
guardscomedownandteachmealesson,buttheyneverdid.

SoonedayIsneeredthathewasacowardandheturnedaroundandstartedpummelingme.”

Lea’seyeswidened.“Howoldwereyou?”

“Sevenoreight,Ithink.Ihadtoadmitthattherichkidcouldpackapunch.Wefoughtprettyhardandby
thetimemyfatherandhisguardspulledusapart,hewasasmuddyanddirtyandbeatupasme.

“Myfathergavemethehe’sgoingtobeclan-leadersomeday,maybeevenkinglecture,butIdidn’tcare.
Istartedtolayinwaitforhimandhe’dditchhisguardsandwe’dfightalmosteveryday.Hetoldmelater
thathewasanxioustoprovehewasjustastoughasasmithy’sson.”

“Didheeverwin?”

Deonshookhishead.“Itwasusuallyadraw.Ihadstrengthfromworkingtheforge,buthewastrainedin
armsbythebestsoldiers.HekneweleganttricksandIjustknewhowtofightdirty.Westartedteaching
eachother.”

“Malebonding,”shemurmured.

“Webecamebestfriends,ifthat’swhatyoumean.Ifyoumeanlovers,wedidn’tuntilwewereabout
twentyandIwasreadytogoofftolearntobeasoldierforreal.Iwantedtobeinthepalaceguard,
becausebythattimeThane’sda’haddiedandnowThanewasclanleader.

101

AllysonJames

“IwantedtolearntoprotectThane,soIleftfortraining.Thenighthecametoseemeoff,weboth
realizedwewouldn’tmeetupagainforayear.That’swhenweknew.

We’dplayedwithcourtesanstogetherafterourcomingofageateighteen,butneverwitheachother.It
wasquiteanight.”

“I’llbet,”Leasaid.

“Andthen,whileIwastraining,thetiger-vesselleaderdiedofoldageandThanewaskingofPamaar.
WhenIcameback,ThanerequestedmetobehispersonalbodyguardandhisloverandIaccepted.We
sacred-bondedsevenyearsafterthat.”

Lealookedthoughtful.“FromwhatThaneexplained,ifyouweren’thispersonalbodyguard,youcouldbe
hislovermore—um—deeply.”

“Icouldfuckhim,youmean?”Hetastedfaintregret,asusual.“That’strue,butthen,Imightnotbethere
whenheneededme.Likethis,Icantakecareofhim,protecthim.Noonegoesnearhimwithoutmysay-
so.I’llsacrificethebeautyofhavingmycockinsidehimtokeephimwholeandalive.Ilovehimenough
tokeepmyfrustrationsundercontrol.”

“That’ssweet,”Leasaid.

“Sweet?”Deonsnorted.“It’snecessary.Don’tthinkit’seasyforme.Orhim.Themush-heartedgitrefuses
tohaveanyotherloverinhimbecauselawsayshecan’thaveme.It’shisway.”

“ButIthoughtBalin…”

“Balinhasbeenclearedtoscrewtheking,ifThanewantsit,buthe’sneveraskedforit.Hesaysit’smeor
noone.”Henarrowedhiseyes.“Areyougoingtosaythat’ssweettoo?”

“Yes.”

“Yuck.ThaneandIshouldjustrelieveourselveswithcourtesansandgetoverit.

Thisnoblesacrificestuffiscloying.”

Lea’ssmilewasknowing.“Sowhydon’tyou?”

Hesobered,everyemotionhefeltforThaneswimmingtothesurface.“Itwouldn’tbethesame.”

“Thereshouldbeaballadaboutyoutwo.”

Hegrowled.“Don’teventhinkaboutit.Now,whatdoIhavetodotowipethatsmileoffyourface?
Hmm,letmethink.”

Shekeptsmiling,though,andlaughingashekissedherandslidhishandsintotheleggingsheloosened
withquickfingers.

“Don’tmaketoomuchnoise,love,”hemurmuredintoherear.“Wehavetobesilentouthere.”

“You’reevil,”shewhispered.

“Youkeptcallingmesweet.Paybackisabitch.”

102

CatchaFallingStar

Shemuffledherlaughandthenhergroanofdelightashefoundtheplacethatmadehersquirm.Hiscock
wasrock-hardfromtheirconversationandherdelightfulbody,andhewasgoingtomakeherpay.

Inthedarkness,Cutiemoved,histhere’s-something-out-therefidget.Deonsuppressedagrowlof
frustrationashelookedupandreachedforhissword.Couldn’tFelin’speoplehavewaitedalittle
longer?

Leahadheardthefaintsoundsaswell,hersoldier’shearingalmostasgoodashis.

Shenoddedwhenhesilentlysignaledforhertostayput.

Headjustedhisleggingsoverhisrapidlydeflatingcock,wrappedhishandsecurelyaroundtheswordand
meltedintothedarkness.

Lea,blessherheart,stayedwhereshewas,utterlysilent.Cutiedidhisbesttolooklikeastatue—
althoughwhythere’dbeastatueofadrakewayouthere,Deoncouldn’tsay.Butthedrakewouldcometo

hisaidifnecessary.

Deoncreptthroughthedarkwoods,movingslowlyenoughtonotblunderintoanythingbutfastenoughto
coverground.Hesawanuprightshadowthatwasn’tatreejustasCutieturnedhisheadandgrowled.

Deonheardtheintrudershoutinsurpriseandfear,thenanexplosionranginhisearsandhotsmokefilled
hislungs.He’dsmelledthatacridodoronlyoncebefore,whenLea’sstrangeweaponhadsplitaboulder
intwo.

Heplungedforward.Leawasonherfeetintheclearing,facingatallmanwhoheldaweaponthatlooked
justlikehers.Cutiesnarledandsnappedandspitirritablestreamsoffire.

Deonsprangontothemanfrombehind,wrappedonearmaroundhimandpressedhistrustybladetothe
intruder’sthroat.

“Surprise,”Deonsaidinacoldvoice.“ButnotassurprisedasFelinwillbewhenIsendyoubackin
pieces.”

“No!”Leahadherhandsup,hereyeswide.“Deon,wait.Don’thurthim.Iknowhim.It’sJustin,my
friendfromtheRock.”

*****

“Whatthehellisgoingon?”JustindemandedofLea.“Whoisthisguy?”

Hesatcross-leggedontheblanketsinhisflightsuit,Leanexttohim.Deonstoodoverthem,ahulking
wallofmuscle,insistingonkeepinghisswordtrainedonJustin.

“He’sLordDeon,personalbodyguardtothekingofPamaar.”

“Kingofwhere?”Justinblinked.“There’snosuchplace.Thisplanetdoesn’tevenshowuponanyofthe
charts.”

“YesIknow.Theyhaveashield—it’salongstory.”

JustinglancedupatDeon.“Ihavethefeelinghedoesn’thavethepatienceforlongstories.Doyou,big
fella?”

103

AllysonJames

“Hecan’tunderstandyou.Butheunderstandsme,sowatchit.”

“Howcanthatbe?You’respeakingourlanguage,nothis.”

Leawavedawayexplanations.“It’sapsychicthing,whichtheking…Nevermind.

Wereallydon’thavetimeforthis,ortoevenaskhowyoufoundme.Doyouhaveyourship?Didyousee

anythingwhenyoucamedown,likeawreckorsomethingelsegivingoffatonofradiation?”

“Iwashominginonyou.”Justintappedherskullbehindherear,whereLea’simplantwas.

Deondidn’tlikehimtouchingher.HeslidtheswordinfrontofJustin’sfaceandgavehimawarning
smile.

Justin’shazeleyeswidened.“Goddess,aretheyallbigbadbarbarianslikehim?”

“No,they’reallstrong,butsomeofthemhavequitegoodmanners.”SheshotDeonaglare.

Deongruntedlikeanancientcaveman.“Ionlyunderstandhalfyourconversation,butIgetit.Tellhimthat
underdifferentcircumstances,I’dthinkhewascute.”

“What?”Justindemanded.“Iseeyourface,Lea.Whatdidhesay?”

“Hesaidhethinksyou’recute.”

Justingulped.Leahadalwaysthoughtherfriendhandsome,withhislightbrownhair,hazeleyesanda
tall,leanbodythathisskin-tightflightsuitoutlinedwell.Deon,grinning,obviouslydidtoo.

“Holygoddess,”Justinbreathed.

DeonloweredhisswordsothatthetipgrazedJustin’snose.“OrIcouldsplithimintwo.”

Justineyedtheswordpoint.“Idon’tthinkIneedthattranslated.”

“Deon,stopit,”Leasaid.“Justincanhelpus,sostopbeingabully-boy.”

“ButIamabully-boy.”

“Heisn’tgoingtohurtme.”

DeonmovedthetipfromJustin’sfacebutdidn’tsheaththeweapon.“Wedon’tknowifFelingottohim
first.”

“True.”Shebitherlip.

“What?”Justinaskedinalarm.“Idon’tlikethewayyou’relookingatme.”

“I’mwonderinghowlongyou’vebeenhere,whereyoulanded,whoyoumetandhowyoufoundme.”

Justinlookedpuzzled.“Twostandardhours,abouteightkilometersfromhere,Ididn’tmeetanyoneuntilI
sawthatdragon-thingandItrackedyou.”JustinwavedatthedevicerestingontheblanketbesideLea,
designedtohomeinonafallenscout’simplant.

LearepeatedthistoDeon,whoshrugged.“Hecouldbetellingthetruth,orhemightnotbe,”Deonsaid.“I
cantorturehimalittle,ifyouwant.”

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LeahadstillnotentirelycaughtontowhenDeonteasedandwhenhewasserious.

“Leavehimalone.Wecanusehisshiptohelpus.”

“Orwecanusemyshiptogetoutofhere,”Justinlookedherupanddown,fromhermussedanddusty
hairtothePamaaranleathertunicandleggingsshe’ddonnedfortheride.“Youandme,kid.Youknow
there’sroomformetotakeascoutintroubleandI’dsayyouwereascoutintrouble.”

“It’smorecomplicatedthanthat.”

“Why?Haveyoubeenbrainwashedbythelocals?”Justinforcedhisexpressiontoremainneutralunder
Deon’swatchfulstare.“Youhavemygun.Youcanstunhimandprobablyeventhatbigbeastandthenwe
blastoffthisballbeforehewakesup.”

LeaglancedatDeon.SherememberedtryingtostunFelinwhenhe’dfirstfoundherandhowthebigman
hadbarelystaggeredwhenthebeamhithim.She’dhavetoheavilystunDeonbeforehewentdown,a
settingwhichmightevenkillhim.ShehadthefeelingCutiewouldn’tbefelledeasily,either.Thepeople
ofPamaarweretough.

Justinunderstood.HeandLeakneweachotherwellenoughthattheycouldexecuteaplanwithout
speaking.OnlythistimeLeacouldn’tsimplycutandrun.

“I’mhelpingthemfindasourceofradiation,somethingunshielded,that’skillingthem.Theysavedmeand
healedmewhenIcrashedandIoweittothem.”

Justinmadeaconcedinggesture.“Allright.Icanseethat.Willtheyletyougowhenyou’redone?”

LeathoughtofThane,hiswarmsmileandtheheatinhiseyeswhenhe’daskedhertomarryhim.She
shrugged,nottrustingherselftospeak.

“Igetit,”Justinsaid.“We’lltalkaboutitlater.Ifthisislegit,sure,usemyship.Butwouldyoutellthis
guytobackoff?Ican’ttellwhetherhewantstokillmeorscrewme.”

“Don’tworry,”Leasaid,climbingtoherfeet.“He’sinlovewithsomeoneelse.”ShepattedDeon’sbroad
bicep,rightoverthesnarlinglion.

“Hey,”Deongrowled,swattingheronthebutt.“Don’truinmyfun.”

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ChapterTwelve

Revelations

Justin’sshipwasexactlyeightkilometersaway,ashe’dsaid,andalittleeastoftheircamp.Lea
rememberedhowDeonhadseenabriefglintofmetalinthesettingsunanddecideditmusthavebeen
Justinlanding.

Leatookoverthescoutship,tellingJustintoflydrake-backwithDeon.ShegaveJustinhishelmet,which
he’dleftlockedbehindthepilot’sseat—shecouldbroadcasttoitusingtheship’scontrolswhileherode
withDeon.

Justinwasn’thappyshewantedhimtostaywithDeon,butshetoldhimtolumpit.

“Hewon’tletyoualonewithmeandhe’stoobigtofitintheshipwithus.IknowwhatI’mlookingfor
andwithyourscannersIcanfinditfast,eveninthedark.Deonwon’thurtyou.”Shehesitated.“Willyou,
Deon?”

Deoncurledhislipandlookedthreatening.Hewasafearsomesight,withhistattoosandsword,hisblue-
beadedbraidsandhisthickleather.

“Stopthat,”Leasaidgrumpily.Shehoppedintothecockpitoftheship,likingthefamiliarfeelingofher
buttsinkingintothepilot’sseat,thesteeringshaftnestlingbetweenherlegs.

“I’llwaituntilCutieisaway,”shesaid,clickingthepreliminaryswitches.“Idon’twanttoscarehim.”

“Goodthinking.”Deonleaneddown,seizedherfacebetweenhishandsandgaveherarough,hotkiss.

Leathoughtshelovedhimatthatmoment.Hewastrustinghertouseforbiddentechnologyhedidn’t
understandtohelphispeople,andtrustinghernottosimplyflyawayfromPamaarinJustin’sship.He
waswillingtotakeheratherwordandthatwarmedherbecausesheknewDeondidn’ttrustlightly.He
wouldbeinasmuchtroubleasshewasiftheshipwasdiscovered,andhewaswillingtotaketherisk.

“TakecareofJustin,”shesaid.“He’sagoodfriend.”

“Right.”Deonwinked,thenshotouthishandandgrabbedJustin’sass.

Justinjumped,flushing.“You’dbetterknowwhatyou’redoing,”hemutteredatLea.Buthejammedonhis
helmetandfollowedDeontothewaitingCutie.

Assoonasthedrakelaunchedintothesky,Leafinishedherenginechecksandfireditup.Shedidn’t
worryaboutnoisebecausescoutshipsweremeanttooperatewithaminimumofsound.Howcoulda
personsneakaroundandscoutifhershipsoundedlikethelatestracingmodel?

Itfeltsogoodtoflyagain.Lea’sheartswelleduntilithurt,knowingshewasbornforthislifeand
realizinghowmuchshemissedit.

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IfsheacceptedThane’soffer,shecouldneverflyagain.ButifsheleftwithJustin,she’dneverseeThane
againandthatwouldbethat.

Shewipedanannoyingtearfromhercheekandlettheshipglideintotheair.

Choiceswouldhavetobemadelater,thefeelingsinherheartsavedforanothertime.

That’swhatscoutsdid,putthejobbeforetheirpersonallife.

She’dalwaysthoughtthatsucked.

Leafeltfunnyflyingwithouthelmetandflightsuit,herleathergarbmadefordrake-flight,notthe
precisionfitofthecockpit.Shehadtowigglearoundbeforeshecouldgetcomfortable,thensheflicked
ontheconsolemicandtappedit.

“Canyouhearme,Justin?”

“Yes,”Justin’svoicecrackled.“Hey,thisdrakethingisfun.”

“Figuresyou’dlikeit.Anyway,keeptrackingme.I’mgoingforapassnearthecity.”

“Becareful,”Justinsaid,heartfelt.

“Alwaysam.”

Leaguidedtheshipovertherollingterrain,thenight-sightsontheconsolepickingupeverycurve.Inthe
distancethecityofthefalcon-swordclanshowedupasagreenblur.

Everynervetingledassheflew,theshipdodgingandskimmingtoherslightesttouch.Thefeelingofbeing
onewiththecraftwasexhilaratingandsherealizedshe’dmisseditmorethanshe’dthought.

Withallthestealthequipmentandmulti-layeredtrackingdevicespackedintoJustin’sship,itdidn’ttake
herlongtofindwhatshewaslookingfor.Shesawitinthegroundfirst,thefaintyellowishtintonthe
instrumentsthatwarnedofradiation.

Sheskimmedoverahillandthereitwas,half-buriedatthebottomofabowl-likevalley,abrightyellow
blotchonherreadouts,thoughinreality,itwasonlyadarksmudgeindeepshadow.

Thereadoutsmeant,Radiationatdangerouslevels.

Leatookthenoseupsoshewouldn’tpasstooclosetothesourceofradiation,thoughtheplatingofthe
hullprotectedher.Shetookaseriesofimagesassheflewoveronce,twice,threetimes.

“Justin,I’mfeedingyouwhatI’vefound.Canyouseethat?”

“Yep.”Justinsoundedgrim.“Whatisit?”

“I’mnotsure.I’llhavetolookmorecloselyattheimageswhenIland.It’saboutonehundredkilometers
northandwestofthefalcon-clan’scity.I’mcomingback.”

StaticcrackledandDeon’svoicecametoher.“HowcanIhearyouwhenyou’resofaraway?”

“Magic,Deon.”

“Bullshit.Justgetbackhereinonepiece.Idon’ttrustallthistechnology.”

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LealaughedathimandangledthecrafttofollowthewarmgreenblipthatwasCutieandhispassengers.

*****

Lealandedthecraftwellinsidelion-starterritoryandsheandJustinandDeonhiditwithbranchesand
rockandmud.ShemountedthedrakeinfrontofJustin,andDeonheadedthembacktoThane’scity.

JustinpattedCutie’sshoulderastheyflew.“Iwonderhowfastoneofthesecango.

Ibetyoucangetsomegoodacrobaticflyingonthem.”

“They’recalleddrakes,”Leasaid.“Andthey’realive,withsharpteeth.”

Justingaveherapuzzledlook.“Iftheywerethatdangerousnoonewouldbeabletoridethem.Thisguy’s
likemydad’shorsesbackhome—theyhadlotsofattitude,buttheylikedwhenIrodethemflatout.Iwon
racesandeverything.”

“I’msureyouandDeoncanhaveanicechataboutthem.”

“I’mlookingforwardtoit,”Deonrumbled,givingJustinaleer.

Justinflinched.“Makehimstopthat.”

Leacouldn’thelplaughingandDeonjoinedin.

Theylandedinthecourtyardofthepalace,guardsflowingouttomeetthem,headedbyThane.While
Justinexpressedaweattheintricatearchitectureofthepalace,LeaslidfromthedrakeintoThane’sarms.

Heheldherclose,hiswooltunicandcloakassoftandwarmashiskiss.“Welcomehome,”hesaid.

Leareturnedthekiss,lettingThane’swarmthandscentflowoverherlikesummerair.

ShepartedfromhimtofindJustinathershoulder,hismouthopeninshock.“ButIthoughtyouand
Deon…”HeglancedbackatDeon,whowasdeliveringCutietohishandler.

LeatookThane’shand,resistingtheurgetokissit.“Thane,thisisJustin.Istheresomewherewecan
talk?”

Thaneunderstoodthatshecouldn’trevealallshefound,includingJustin,infrontofthefullcourtyard.Not
onlywereguardsthere,buteveryservanthadseemedtofindanexcusetobepassingthrough—
washerwomen,smiths,drake-handlers,harnessmakers,maidsandeventheattendantwho’dshownLea
thelibrary.

ThaneledherandJustinthroughthecrowdtothepalace,stillholdingLea’shand.

Awomanhadcometojointhethrong,herdarkhairfallinglikesablesatintoherknees.

Justingapedwhenhelookedatherandthewomangavehimasultrysmile.

“Whoisthat?”Justinbreathed,headswivelingtokeepherinsight.

Leahadseentheinterlacedtattoosontheundersideofherarms.“She’sacourtesan.

They’reveryupper-classhere,consideredartistsinthewaysofpleasure.”

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“Goodattitude.”HekeptlookingatheruntilLeathoughthisneckwouldsnap.

Deonlaughedandrumbledsomethingbehindhim.

“Deonsayshe’llintroduceyouifyouwant.”

Justinbrightened.“Canhe?IthinkI’mbeginningtolikehim.”

DeonandJustin,bothsoldiers,bothfascinatedbyflyingthingsandbothlikingbeautifulwomen.They’d
getalongallright.

Thaneorderedeveryoneoutofhisprivatesittingroom,Deonhavingtoassurethereluctantguardsthat
he’dkeepasharpeyeonJustin.LeahadalreadyheardthecommentsthatJustinhadnotattoosonhisface
andworestrangegarb,coupledwithspeculativeglancesatLea,alsotattoolessasfarastheyknew.

Assoonasthedoorclosed,ThanereachedforLea.“Comehere.”

Heheldherclose,thenkissedheragain,hisarmstightaroundher.Deonsteppednexttothem,hisfingers
skimmingherspineandThane’s.

“Lea,”Justinsaidwithlaughterinhisvoice.“Youslut,you.”

Thanetookhistimefinishingthekissandwhenheeasedaway,Deonbrushedthesideofhermouthwith
hislips.

ButasThanestraightenedupandmovedhisattentiontoJustin,hewaseveryinchtheking.Hishardgaze
waspiercing,amansizingupanintruderwhomightsignaldisasterforhiskingdom.

JustinwincedwhenThanetouchedhishead,butLeasaid,“It’sallright.Lethim.”

ThaneclosedhiseyesandbynowLeaknewhewaslearningJustin,seeingthepatternsthatmadeuphis
aura.

Thaneopenedhiseyesandloweredhishand.“Doyouunderstandme?”

Justinlookedstartled.“Yes.Howdidhedothat?Lea,wherethefuckamI?”

ThaneturnedtoLea.“HecamefrombeyondtheWarding,inresponsetothesignalyousentwhenwewent
outtoyourship?”

“I’mafraidso.”

Thane’seyeswerebleak.“Hefoundyouandcamehere,despitetheWarding.

Whichcanonlymeanithasweakenedtothepointthatweareopentoothersfrombeyondit.”

“Unlesswecanfixit,”Leasaidquickly.“LetmeshowyouwhatIfound.”

She’dbroughttheholo-projectorfromJustin’sship,atinydevicewhichshenowsetonthepolished
woodentable.Shetoucheditandaseriesofthree-dimensionalimagesbeganslowlyrotatingthroughthe
air.

Deonleanedforward,fascinated,thoughThanewatchedwithmorecaution.

Justinsquintedatthepictures.“Lookslikepiecesofaprobe.”

“Onethatblewupbeforeithitatmosphere,”Leasaid,assessingtheimageswithascout’spracticedeye.

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Theremainslookedlikelumpsofmetalorpolishedrockhalfburiedinharddirtandcoveredwith
vegetation.Anyonecouldwalkbythemwithoutnoticing—theyglowedyellowthroughthescoutship’s
instrumentsandintheholo-photosbutwouldlooklikeordinaryrockindaylight.

“LikelyFour-One-SixEmpire,”sheconcluded.

Deontentativelyputafingertotheholo-image,histattooedforeheadmovingwithamazementashis
fingertipwentrightthroughit.

Justintouchedtheprojectortozoomandsharpenacornerofonepicture,whichshowedafewmuch-
batteredsymbols.“It’sfromtheempireallright.Butanoldmodel.

Nothingtheyusenow.Musthavecrashedyearsago,maybedecades.”

“Whatdoesthismean?”Thanebrokein.“Thatsomethingfromthisempireyouspeakofcamethroughthe

Wardinglongago?How?”

JustinlookedatLea.“Theoryisyourarea,babe.Ijustflylowandgetthedirt.”

Leanodded,feelingelatedanddepressedatthesametime.Elatedbecauseshethoughtsheknewthe
answeranddepressedbecauseitwasn’tagoodanswer.

“WhatIthinkhappened,”shebegan,“isthataprobeexplodedabovePamaaralongtimeago,maybe
becauseitwasfaultyormaybetheWardinginterferedwithit—whoknows?Achunkoftheprobewasso
irradiatedthatitweakenedtheWardingenoughtoslipthroughandfalltotheplanet.Itwasinsucha
remoteareathatnoonenoticed,oriftheysawit,theythoughtitwasapieceofasteroid—afallingstar.”

“Andit’slainthereeversince?”Thaneasked.

“Lookslikeit.Noone’sdisturbedthesite,noone’snoticedit.”

“Butit’sglowing.”Deonpointedattheimage.“Howcouldwenotnoticethat?”

Leatouchedtheprojector,removingtheoverlayofinstrumentreadings.Theglowfadedandtheprobe
againresembledlumpsofrockinthedark.“Becausethat’swhatitreallylookslike.”

Deonstaredawhilelonger.“Huh.”

“AndthisiswhytheWardingisweakandmypeoplearedying?”Thaneaskedskeptically.

“I’mprettysure.Oncetheprobe’sshieldsbrokedownalltheway,theradiationgotintoyourplanetand
weakenedpartoftheWarding—whichisconnectedtoPamaarinabizarrewaythat’snotjustphysical.
ThedamagedWardingweakenedyourbindingtoit,whichmadeyounotabletohealthepeoplewhohad
fallenillfromradiationsickness.Kindofaviciouscircle.”

Thanewentsilent,staringattheinnocent-lookinglumpsofmetalthatweredestroyinghisplanet.

Deonrestedhislargefistsonthetable.“AndtheweakWardingletJustinfindyou.

WhichmeansmorepeoplefrombeyondtheWardingcancomeafterhim.”

Leanodded.“IncludingtheFour-One-SixEmpire.”

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DeonturnedafuriousstareonJustin.

“Hey,noonetrackedmyship,”Justinsaidswiftly.“Iknowhowtogoafterafallenscoutwithoutthe
empireknowingaboutit.AndnowaywasIgoingtoignoreadistresscallfromLea.”

“Itrustyoutocoveryourtracks,”Leasaid,moreforThane’sandDeon’sbenefit.

“ButtheWardingisabafflershield.Ifitcontinuestodeteriorate,thisplanetwillstartshowingupon
scannersandtheempirewillfindit.”

“Andharvestus,”Deonsaid.“That’sthewordyouused.”

“Yes.”

Justinstudiedthedelicatearchwaysoftheroom,thegildedandcarvedwoodenfurniture,theviewofthe
soaringhillsandskyoutsidethefloor-to-ceilingwindows.

“Thatwouldsuck.”

“Whichiswhywe’regoingtofixit.”Leaturnedahardlookonherbestfriendandcomradeinarms.
“Youandme,Justin.”

Justinthoughtamoment,thenshrugged.“Whynot?I’mallforscrewingtheempire.”

“Notjusttheempire.Everyone.NoonemustknowofPamaar—nottheRock,notanyoftheother
independents,noone.”

“Igetit.”

Leafellsilent,wonderingifhereallydidgetit.

ThanewatchedJustinthoughtfullythenturnedanevenmorespeculativegazeonLea.“Howdoyou
suggestwerepairtheWarding?Idon’tevenknowifthat’spossible.”

Hisdarkgazeflickedbacktotheimages.“Wecandestroythis.”

“Thatmightnotdoanygood,”Leacountered.“Wecanshieldit,usingpiecesofthehullofmyship,which
isbuilttowithstandatonofradiation,orwecanbreakitintosmallerpiecesandcarryit,shielded,to
variouspartsofPamaar—soeachareahasatinyamount,notaconcentrateddose.Theradiationwillfade
eventually,butbyeventually,Imeandecades,maybecenturies.”

“ThisissomethingIcanarrange,”Deonsaid.“Theonlytroubleis,thisprobeasyoucallitisdeepinside
Felin’sterritory.”

“I’llhavetotellhim.”Thanekepthiseyesontheimage,hisvoicesomber.“It’shispeopletheprobeis
killingfirst.Hedeservestoknow.”

“He’llthinkit’satrick,”Deonwarned.

“Wewillhavetoconvincehim,then.”HeglancedonceatDeonandhisjawhardened.“IwantJustinand
thisdevicewell-guarded,Leaalso.AndIneedameetingwithFelin—alone.Noguards,noentourage.
Felincanbringatrustedbodyguard,butIwillhaveonlyyouandLea.”

Deonscowled.“Idon’tlikethatidea.”

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“Iknowyoudon’t,butitmustbedone.Felinisn’tstupid—hewillunderstandtheimplications.”

Leastoodup,heartspeedingwithhope.“Doyouthink,ifheknowswhat’sgoingonandthatyoucanfixit,
thathe’llwithdrawTheChallenge?”

Thaneshookhishead.“TheChallengecannotbewithdrawn.Onceissued,itmustbeseenthroughtothe
end.”

“Don’ttellme—it’sthelaw.”Leasighed.“Iwishyoudidn’thavesomanylaws.”

Thane’slipsquirked.“Itallowsustolivewell.Butdon’tworry,Lea.Iintendtowin.”

*****

FelinreadthemessagefromThanewhilethetwolion-and-pentacletattooedmenwaiteduneasilyjust
insidehistent.

I’vediscoveredwhatiskillingourpeople,Thanehadwritten.ItisadevicefrombeyondtheWarding
andifweshieldit,theWardingwillberestoredandmenandwomenwillstopdying.Letusmeetas
clanleadersandinvitetheleadersofourfellowclans,dragon-wandandtiger-vessel,anddiscusshow
wewillstopthis.IdonotseektosidesteptheChallenge,whichwillbemet,butweshouldputitoff
untiltheWardingcanberestored.Thehealthofourpeopleismoreimportantthanourpersonalbattle.

Oh,wellspoken,Felinthoughtgrimly.AsthoughtheChallengeisformypersonalgainandnottostop
falcon-swordpeoplefromdying.Arrogantbastard.

Hedismissedthemessengersandmostofhisownstaff,thenlefthistentandwalkedoutinthegathering
darkness.Duskyhillsrolledtothehorizon,beautifulandgreen,hisbelovedPamaar.

NeverinPamaar’srecordedhistoryhadtheWardingbeensoweak.ThebindingbetweenWardingand
kingsometimesdidn’tworkwell,buttheWardingitselfhadalwaysbeenstrong.

Hetouchedthebloodstonearoundhisneckandcouldn’thelpsmiling.Hewonderedwhatthereactionof
Thaneandhisfuck-partnerDeonhadbeenwhentheysawthefalcontattoospreadinallitsgloryacross
Lea’ship.Felinknewdamnwellhe’dbrokentheruleshavinghertattooedwhileshewasunconscious,
butitwasworthit.

HerememberedLea’stightlittleassupendedsothetattooartistcouldwork.Shewasalovely,lush
femalethathewouldn’tmindhavinginhisbed.He’dstickaswordthroughThaneandtakeLeaashis
queen,thusfulfillingtheridiculousprophecyandwinningthefaithofPamaaranseverywhere.

Ifshelethimintoherbed,wellandgood,orshecouldhavecourtesans,assheliked.Hewantedtosave
hisworld,notgoforasexualconquest.

FelinhadnodoubthecouldwintheChallenge.ThanehadweakenedconsiderablyandFelinpossessed
thebloodstoneofthequeenfromthesky.Hiscausewassacredandheknewit.

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“Mylord.”Rasheed,histrustedguardwiththeblue-whorltattoosonhisfaceapproached.“LordThane’s
messengersgrowimpatientforyourreply.”

“Lion-starsaretoosoft.Whattheymeanistheydon’twanttospendthenightinacamp,butwanttoget
hometotheirwarm,cushybeds.Bringmepenandpaper;I’llwritemyreply.”

Rasheedbowed.“Mylord.”

ThatwasonethingaboutRasheedFelinliked—themandidn’ttalktoomuch.

AsRasheedbeataretreat,Felinliftedthebloodstonefromaroundhisneck.Themovementpushedopen
hislooseleathervestandhelookedregretfullydownatthelesionsthathadbeguntoformonhisbroad
chestoflate—thesamekindLadyCerenaandEmilie’sdaughterhadshowed.

HewouldkillThane,healthelandandthenhealhispeople,himselflast.Heclosedhishandaroundthe
bloodstoneandbegantowalkbacktohistent.

*****

DeonreadthemessageThaneshowedhimindisgust.

WhentheChallengeismet,Felinhadwritten,Iwillspeaktoyou.

“Idiot,”Deonsaid,rageboilingthroughhim.HeandThanehadbeenalonewhenthesecondmessage
came,Leaasleepaftertheirtiringflight,Justineatingandrestinginaguardedroom.“Hecouldsavehis
clan,beahero.”

“Hedoesn’ttrustus,”Thaneanswered.“WereIinhisplace,Imightdothesame.

SendbackamessagethatIwillmeethisChallenge,tomorrow,intheplainbytheWardingcaves.”

“Tomorrow?”Deonrepeatedincredulously.

“Thesoonerwegetthisfinishedthesoonerwecanstartshieldingthatthing,asLeasuggests,andIcan
startthehealing.Iwillpreparetonightandfighttomorrow.”

Deonregardedhimforalongtime,hisfaceclouded.“You’retheking,”hefinallyconceded.

“Iam.AtleastuntilwegototheplaceoftheChallenge.”

“Thane.”

ThaneputhishandonDeon’sshouldersandkissedhimlightlyonthelips.“LookafterLeaforme,
whateverhappens.Sheknowswhattodo,soyoumustkeephersafeandmakesureshecandoit.”

“You’regoingtowin,”Deonsaidstubbornly.“Iwon’tletyoulose.”

“Eitherway,youhavetopromisemeyou’llprotectLea.Evenifitmeanslettingmedie.”

“Damnyou.”

“Promiseme.IneedtoknowIcancountonyou.”

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“Soyoucandiewithoutworry?”Deondemanded.“Youreallyareabastard,youknowthat?”

ThanecuppedDeon’sfaceinhisstronghands.“Justpromiseme.”

Deon’seyesmoistened,tohisirritation.“YouknowI’llkillanyonewhogetsnearher.”

“Goodman.Stripformenow.Wedon’thavemuchtime,butIcanstillgetinonegoodfuckbeforewe
go.”

“Huh.Youcanneverresistaquickie.”

“Thankyou,”Thanesaidsoftly.

Deonstartedunlacinghisleathertunic,turningawaysoThanewouldn’tseethetearsrunningdownhis
face.

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ChapterThirteen

Preparations

PreparingfortheChallengemeantspendingthenightatthechosenplace.Inpracticalterms,Leamused
thateveningasthedrakeslandednearthetentsservantshadtraveledaheadtoerect,theritualmadesense.
Thetwofightershadachancetorestfromtheirjourneyandcouldemergerefreshedontotheplaceof
battleinthemorning.

Thane’stentwas,asLeaexpected,hugeandopulent.Thicktapestriesandsilkhangingsdivideditinto
separateroomsforsleeping,bathing,eatingandreceivingguests.Thebedroomwaslittlemorethana
largeexpanseofcushionstakinguptheentirecurtainedoffspace.

LeaexpectedThanetopreparebypracticingswordthrustswithDeonorsomesuchthing,butinsteadhe
spenttherestoftheeveningreadingbooksandscrolls,signingpapersandspeakingwithhiscouncilors.

“Puttingthingsright,”Deonwhisperedtoherthroughacrackinthesilkhangings.

SheandJustinwaitedinthebedroom,outofsight,whileDeonwatchedoverThaneandcommunicated
surreptitiouslythroughthedrapes.“Incase.”

Leadidn’twanttothinkabout“incase”.

Whenthecouncilorsretreatedtheservantsservedalavishmeal,whichThanedidnoteat.Challengers
weresupposedtofast,Thanesaid—Felinwouldbedoingthesame.

Leatriedtoeatbutcouldn’tforcemuchdown.

ThaneturnedtoJustinaftertheservantsclearedthetable,seemingtonothavenoticedeveryone’slackof
appetite.“Justin,youhavebeenofhelptomeandagoodfriendtoLea.Iwishtorewardyou.”

JustinlookedsurprisedandThanesnappedhisfingers.Oncue,thecurtainstothesittingroompartedand
thebrown-hairedcourtesanJustinhadadmiredentered.ShebowedtoThane,thenturnedastunningsmile
onJustin.

“Ishekidding?”JustinturnedanamazedlooktoLea.He’dbeenalittlecrabbysinceThanehadlocked
awayhispistolandotherscoutimplements,thoughhe’dkepthisproteststohimself.“You’rekiddingme,
right?”heaskedThane.

“PanecewasmostinterestedwhenIsentwordaskingifshewouldbewillingtocometoyou.Shesaw
youyesterdayandlikedthelookofyou.”

Justinflushed.“Iguessyou’renotkidding.”

Thaneregardedhimwiththesameeasehe’dhadwhenhe’dfirstofferedLeatheuseofthebestcourtesans
inthekingdom.“Atenthasbeenpreparedforyouifyoupreferprivacy.Thoughyouarewelcometostay
hereandjoin—”

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AllysonJames

Justinleapttohisfeet.“No.Nojoining.I’lljust…Um.I’lljusttalktoPaneceintheothertent…”

“I’dgobeforeyoudoanymorestuttering,”Leasaid.

“Right.”Justinglancedateachofthem,thenshruggedandsighed.“WheninRome…”

HegothimselfoutofthetentbutwasgentlemanlyenoughtoholdthetentflapopenforPanece,whowas
tryingnottolaugh.Leanotedtheguardsthatsilentlydetachedthemselvestofollowatadiscreetdistance.

“What’sRome?”Deongrowled.

Leagrinnedathim.“It’sanancientsayingfromanancientcivilizationonanancientworld.”

Deondroppedit.“You’retrustinghim,”hetoldThane.

“Itdoesn’tmatter.”Thaneroseandunlacedthegrayoutertunichewore.Beneathwasasleevelesstunic
ofdarkbluesilk.“Hewon’tbetraymeontheeveoftheChallenge.Ifhethinksto,theguardswillexplain
thepenalty.”

“Penalty?”Leaasked.

“ThepenaltyforbetrayingorhurtingeithercompetitorintheChallengeisinstantdeath,”Deonsaid.

Shepaled.“Harsh.”

“Noonewould.”Thanecametoherandtookherhands,raisinghertoherfeet.

“Thelawmustbeharsh,becausetonight,ineffect,Pamaarhasnoking.”Hesmiled.

“Besides,Panecewillkeephimoccupied.”

“Youplannedthat.”

ThanekissedthecornerofLea’smouth.“Idid.IwantedhimoutofthewayandbusysoIcouldusethe
timetosaygoodbye.”

DeonlockedhishandaroundThane’sbicep.“Whatyoumeantosayis,ThistimetomorrowI’llbeking
again,don’tworry.”

“Youalwaysworry,Deon.”

“Someonehasto,”Deongrowled.

*****

ThanesaidgoodbyebyhavingLearidehim.Hestretchedhimselfacrossthecushionedbed,hislarge

bodyspreadforherdelight.Hewasdeepinsideher,feelinghertightnesssqueezinghim,lovingtheway
Lealetherselfenjoyeverysecond.

Shekepthersilkrobecrumpledaroundherhips,hidingthefalcontattoofromhim.

Hewantedtotellherhedidn’tmind—shecouldhaveitremovedandabrilliant-coloredlioninitsplace.
Hewouldwatchtheentiretaskandevenlendahand—clanleadersalwayslearnedtattooart.

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DeonkneltbehindLea,hislegsoneithersideofhers,broadhandsonherbreasts.

“Sweet,”hebreathed,nibblingonLea’sneckasherorgasmtookher.“Toosweet.”

“She’sadorable,”Thaneagreed.Helayback,flushedandwarmfromhisownrelease.

Leawasbeautiful,hervariegatedblondehairmussed,shortcurlsstickingupeverywhichway.Hewas
perfectlyhappyshe’ddroppedintohislife,nomatterhowstrangethecircumstances—thegodsgivinghim
atasteofjoyamonghistroubles.

NowshesmiledasDeonnuzzledhercheek,hishandsonthecurveofherwaist.

“I’mlovingallthisattention,”shesaid.

“Doyouwantmore?”Thaneoffered.“IcansendforBalinifyoulike.”

“No.”SheleanedagainstDeon’sshoulder.“Iwantittobejustus.”

“Noargumentfromme,”Deonsaid.

LealookedthoughtfulasshestrokedhernailsacrossThane’schest,backandforth,backandforth,barely
scratching.

“Youknow,”shesaid,“tonight,youarenottheking.”

Thaneranhisfingertipsacrosshermovinghands.“No.IammerelyamancalledThane.Canyouforgive
me?”

Shesmiled,asthoughamusedbysomething.Hesuddenlycaughtontowhatshewasthinkingandhisgaze
flickedtoDeon.

Deon’seyeswentslateblack.“Don’ttemptme.”

Thanewasrock-hard,nevermindthathe’djusthadoneofhisbestreleasesever.“IfIamnotking
tonight…”

“Youwillbeagain.”

“NotifFelinkillsme,”Thanepointedout.

“Iwon’tlethim.”

“YoucannotinterferewiththeChallenge,”Thanesaid.

Theylookedateachother,eyessparking,whileLeasatbetweenthem,asmugsmileonherface.

“WehaveasayingontheRock,”Leabegan.

“WheninRome?”Deonasked.

“No.Goforit.Youmightnotbealivetomorrow.”

Deonshookhishead.“Youcomefromamysteriousclan.”

ThanegrinnedandstrokedLea’sarm.“Ilikeit.VerysmartwomenintheRockclan.Sexytoo.”

“So,arewegoingtotalkallnight?”Deongrowled.“Orareyougoingtoletmefuckyou?”

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AllysonJames

LealaydownatThane’sside.Shewasexcited,hernipplesdarkwithtension,herlightjadeeyesstarry.
Helovedher—he’ddoanythingforher—andhelovedDeon.

Thismightbethebestnightofhislife.

Andhislast.

“Iwanttowatchthis,”Leasaid,herchestrisingwithexcitedbreaths.

“No,”Thanesaid.“Iwanttobeinyou.”

“Evenbetter,”Deonagreed.“Youready?”

“I’vebeenreadyfortenyears.”

Deonlaughedasherosefromthecushionslikeagodofold.“YoutwogetsettledwhileIfindoutwhat
kindoflubeisinthiswell-stockedtent.”

ThaneshookwithexcitementasherolledoverontoLeaandshesmiledathim,warmandwelcoming.

Thisgenerouswomanhadbeenwillingtorisksomuchtohelphispeople,eventhoughshehadlittleto
gainbyit.Shewasfarfromhomeinastrangelandandstillshegave.ShealsosensedwhatThaneneeded
tobehappyandsheoffereditwithoutanythoughtofrecompense.

Inreturn,hedeterminedtogiveherasmuchpleasurefromitashepossiblycould.

Helookeddownatherlovelyfaceandbrushedakisstoherlips.“Openforme,”hewhispered.

Shewasalreadywetandswollenfromtheirlovemakingandheeasilyslippedinside.Hekepthisgaze
firmlyonLea,resistingthetemptationtolookoverhisshouldertoseewhatDeondid.

Deonhummedinhisthroatashebangedaroundinthechestsandcupboardsthathadbeenbroughtsohis
everyneedwouldbeserved.

“Thisisn’tatent,”herumbled.“It’safriggingpalace.Poorlittlerichking.”

ThaneclosedhiseyesandenjoyedbeinginsideLea,ignoringDeon.

“WhenIlearnedsoldiering,weslepttwentymentoatinycanvastent,”Deonwenton.“Nocushionsand
silverwashbasinsandgoldplatesforus.”

Leamoaned,clutchingThane’sshoulders.ThanefeltDeonkneelbehindhimandheslowedhisthrusts.

Coollubetouchedbetweenhischeeksandthen—ohgods—thepressureofDeon’sfinger.Hisentire
bodycontractedinpleasure.

“Don’tsqueezesohard,”Deongrowled.

“Ican’thelpit.”

“Youneedtobelooseandlightforme.I’vegotahugecock—ow.”

Thane,excited,hadsqueezedhardagain.“Stoptalking,then.”

“Don’tpayattentiontome.”Deonsoundedamused.“FocusonLea.”

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Notahardthingtodo.ThaneopenedhiseyestoseeLeawatchingwithherjade-greengaze,hereyesso
beautifulhecoulddrowninthem.Hefeltherclosingaroundhimandswitchedhisattentiontothatpointof
pleasure.

“Thereyougo.”Deonplayedwithhimalittlemore,ringinghimwithfingersandthumb,slidingfingertips
inside.

ThaneconcentratedonLeaandmadehisbodyrelaxtoDeon’sministrations.Helostalltrackoftime
betweentheeroticfeelingofDeonplayingwithhimandthewildexcitementofLeaunderhim.Heheard
Deonsaying,Almostthere,thenalotoflubeandthentheheatofDeon’sbodyonhisback.

Thaneliftedhiships,stayinginsideLea,wholiftedherselftohim.Thepillowshelpedandforsome
reasontheirgoldtasselsandpurplesilkpatternscaughtandheldhisgaze.

AndthenDeonwasslidinginsidehim,ahuge,hardlength,slickwithlube.Hisfriend,hispartner,his

loverforsolongfinallyinhim.

Deon’scockpressedallthewayinside,slowly,slowly,wideninghim,openinghim.

ThefeelingofDeon’sballstightagainsthisbacksidemadehimwritheandhelovedtheticklingofDeon’s
wiryhaironhisskin.

“Iloveyou,”Deontoldhim.“Ifuckingloveyou.”HetracedtheoutlinesoftheliononThane’sback.
“Youandyourbadasstattoos.”

UnderThane,Leawentovertheedge.Shecriedout,hipsmovingagainsthis.Hisexcitementexplodedbut
hedidn’twanttorelease,notyet.Deonwaspumpingnow,groaning,hisstronghandsfirmonThane’s
back.

“Ican’tstandit,”Thanewhispered.

“Yesyoucan.Youcantakeme.You’redamnstrong,youalwayshavebeen,evenwhenyouwerebeating
meupwhenwewereeight.”

“Thesmithy’ssonwiththegorgeouseyes.IwantedtofightandfightsoI’dstopwantingtokissyou.”

“Didn’twork.I’mirresistible.”

“Youfuckgood.Iloveyoufuckingme.”

“Youbetcha.”Deongroaned.“Gods,no,I’mnotreadyyet.”

HisscaldingseedfloodedinsideThane,asensationThanehadwantedforever.

DeonlandedonThane’sback,breathinghard.Theylayinanexhaustedpile,allthreeofthembreathing
hard,sweatcoatingtheirskin.UnderThane,Leagaveatiredlaugh.

“Thisisfun.”

Thanekissedher.“Youaren’twrongaboutthat.”

Deonrumbledandgrowled,atlastslidingoffThane’sbacktolandfull-lengthonthecushionsnextto
them.Hewipedthesweatfromhisface.

“Didyoulikethat?”

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AllysonJames

Thaneleanedoverandkissedhimfullonthemouth.“YouknowdamnwellIdid.”

Deon’seyessparkled.“Inthatcase.”Herubbedhishandsandhisgrinwidened.

“Youain’tseennothingyet.”

*****

TheChallengebeganassoonasitwaslight.

Thaneworeleathergreavesonhisshinsandarmsplusaleathervestthatcoveredhimtohisthroat.His
bronzehelmetwasintricatelydecoratedwithlionmotifsandhadcheekpiecesthatmetathischin.

Hecarriedtwoswords,onelongandoneshort,bothofbronze.Thebladeswereetchedwithamazing
artistry,thehiltscarved.Pamaaransdidnothingwithoutdecoration.

Thechillofthemorningandtheworryoverwhatwasabouttohappencouldn’tquitedampentheheatLea
feltoftherememberednight.DeonhadtakenThaneseveralmoretimesuntilThanehadwrestledDeonto
thefloorandenteredhim.

ThenbothmenhadmadelovetoLea,oneaftertheother,Thanegentle,Deonrough,tradingoffuntilshe’d
fallenintodarkslumber.Shehadn’twakeneduntilDeonshookher,andshe’dopenedhereyestoseethe
skygraywithdawn.

She’dneverinherlifewantedtogetoutofbedlessthanshehadthatmorning.

FelinfacedThaneacrossacircledrawninthedirtonethesecondshadmeasuredandredrawnabouta
dozentimes.FelinalsocarriedtwoswordsandworeleatherarmorsimilartoThane’s,histooledwith
falconsymbols.Herbloodstonehungaroundhisneck.

LeahalfexpectedFelintotauntThaneorshowoffhisswordmoves,buthewaitedinsilence,likeaman
readytogetonwiththings.

LeaandDeonandJustinstoodsomewhatbackfromthering,notallowedtogotoonear,incasetheytried
tohelpThane.Alineofguards,falcon-swordandlion-star,stoodbetweenthemandthecombatants.

Deoncouldn’tbeasecond,he’dexplained,hisarmsfoldedandhisjawtight,becausehewastoocloseto
theking.ThesecondsfortheChallengehadtobeneutral,chosenfromthetwoclanswhowerenot
fightingformastery.

Thesecondsfromthetiger-vesselanddragon-wandclanswereasformidableasThaneandDeon.The
tiger-vesselguardhadtigertattoosdownarmsandlegswhilethedragon-wandguardhadadragontattoo
acrosshisupperback.Tiger-vesselsecondedFelin,whiledragon-wandsecondedThane.

Peoplefromalltheclanshadstreamedinthenightbefore,campingaroundtheperimeteroftheplain,as
closeastheywereallowedtocome.Nowtheysettledin,quietingtowatchthefighttoseewhoruledtheir
planet.

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IttookforevertostarttheactualChallenge.Seershadtoblesstheplaceandthenthetwofightersandthe
secondshadtoconferagaintomakesureeverythinghadbeenlaidoutanddoneaccordingtotherules.

“Iwishthey’dgetonwithit,”Leamuttered.“Getitoverwithandputusoutofourmisery.”

Deon,hishandfidgetingnearhissword,noddedgrimly.“Theytaketheirbloodytime.Thaneisnaturally
patientandcalm,soit’sallrightforhim,butI’dhavekilledsomeonebynow.”

“I’mthinkingIwouldhavetoo.IwishFelinwouldatleasttalktohim.”

“Toolate.”

Leaturnedherattentionbacktothefightersandsawthatatlonglast,theywerestarting.

FelinsteppedintotheringatthesametimeThanesquaredhisshouldersandwalkedouttomeethim.The
fondloverofthenightbeforehadvanishedandafightingmanhadtakenhisplace—amanfightingforhis
people.

Thesecondscalledthestart.

ThaneandFelincircledeachother,eachstudyingthewaytheothermovedandbalanced.Ifthishadbeen
atestmatchbetweenscoutsontheRock,thespectatorswouldhavebegunjeering,butThaneandFelin
weren’theretoentertain.Thiswasreal.

FromwhatDeonhadexplained,they’dfightforfifteenPamaaranminutes,thenbreakforarest.They’ddo
thistwentytimesoruntiloneofthemwaskilled.Iftheywerebothaliveattheend,thentheseconds
woulddeclarethewinner.Theloserwouldeitherhavetoacceptthewinner’spenalty(traditionally,
death),orhecouldkillhimselftoavoidhumiliation.

Someconsolation.

“Ican’tstandtowatch,”Leawhispered.“ButIcan’tstandtolookaway,either.”

“Iknowwhatyoumean,”Justinmurmuredbesideher.

Thespectatorsweresilent.Thiswasnoordinaryfight—thiswoulddeterminethefateoftheworldand
anyshoutornoisecouldgiveadvantagetotheotherside.Themorningwarmed,thebreezecool,theair
dryandblueskyarchedoverhead.Aperfectday,exceptThanemightdieinit.

ThefirstfifteenminuteswentbywithoutThaneorFelingettinginablow.Theywerestillassessing,still
evaluatingoneanotherwhenthesecondscalledtime.

Thanemovedtoashadedawningwherehecoulddrinkwaterandreadjusthisarmor,andwhereahealer
wouldbindwoundswhenthecombatheatedup.LeaandDeonwerenotallowedtogotohimthere,
either.

“Thisismaddening.”LeawatchedThanethebestshecouldaroundthewallofguards.Heseemedfine,
wipinghisfacewithaclothanddowningacupofwateraservanthandedhim.

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Inthesecondfifteenminutes,Felinstruckthefirstblow.Thaneeasilyparriedit,buttheclangofswordon
swordwasheartwrenching.

Theythrustandparriedateachotherafterthat,bothofthemholdingback,savingstaminaforthelongday
ahead.Thanedrewfirstbloodinthethirdgo-round,nickingFelin’sshoulder.Felintwistedandmanaged
ascratchacrossThane’sforearmbeforeThaneturnedthebladeaside.Thesecondscalledtime.

DeonwatchedThanenarrowlyasThanedrankwaterwhiletheservantwashedthecut.

“He’snotgoingtomakeit,”hesaidinasoftvoice.“He’salreadytired.”

Leapeeredworriedlyatthefalcon-decoratedawning.“Felindoesn’tseemanybetter.”

“Maybenot,butdoyouwanttostandherewhiletheychopeachotherintolittlebits?”

“Whatelsecanwedo?”JustinaskedfromLea’sotherside.

DeonglancedaroundasThaneandFelinenteredtheringagain.HemotionedLeaandJustintofollowhim
andledthewaybacktowardThane’scircleoftents.

Lealookedback.Thaneobviouslysawthemleaving,butsincehewasn’tallowedtocommunicatewith
them,hecouldsaynothing.Shesawhislipscompressinagrimlineasheswunghisswordtomeet
Felin’s.

“Well?”JustinaskedwhenDeonstopped,outofearshotoftheguards.

“Wecangoshieldthatthing,”Deonsaid.“IfitworkslikeLeasaid,itmightrestoretheWardingand
restoreThane.ThenhewillkickFelin’sassintheChallengeandwecanallgetbacktonormal.”

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ChapterFourteen

Choices

“I’mnotsurewhatwillhappen,”Leawhisperedtohim.“Oncetheshieldsareinplace,theradiationwill
stop,butwhoknowsifthedamagecanberepaired?”

“Wecantry,”Deonsaidimpatiently.“It’sbetterthanstandingheredoingnothing.”

“He’sgotapoint,”Justinputin.Leacouldonlynodglumly.

Asthoughithadbeensettled,Deonbeganstridingforthedrakepens.Cutieflappedtomeethim,showing
histeethinwhatLeahadcometolearnwasagreeting.

Thedrakegroomsdidn’tsayawordwhenDeonsaddledCutiehimselfandboostedLeaandJustin
aboard.TheyprobablythoughtDeoncouldn’tstandtostayandwatchhisloverbekilled—thelooksthey
gaveDeonweresympathetic.

Leabarelyjumpedwhenthedrakelaunchedhimselfintohisnear-verticaltakeoff,thoughshedidhangon
tightlytoDeon.TheyflewtothepalacefirstsoDeoncouldcollectwhatLeaneeded,thenwingedtothe
valleywhereLea’sburned-outshipwaited.

ThethreeguardswhohadbeenplacedwithdrakestowatchthewreckagegreetedDeonwithoutquestion.
Theysmiledandwavedtohim,happysomeonehadcometorelievetheirboredom.

DeonletJustinandLeastunthemwiththetwoweaponsDeonhadretrievedfromthepalace.Leahad
explainedtoJustinthattheyhadtoturnupthestunsettingstohaveeffectonthestrongPamaarans.They
didn’tgodowneasy,butatlasttheydid.

“I’llmakethisuptoyou,”Deontoldthelastoneashecollapsed.

JustinsurveyedthecrumpledhullofLea’sshipinaweasLeacheckedthestunnedmentomakesure
they’dbeallright.“Shit,Lea,yousurvivedabadone.”

“Tellmeaboutit.Iwouldn’thavelivedatallifnotforDeonandThane.”

Justinlookedatherwithnewrespect.ThenhetookouthislaserwelderDeonhadretrievedandbegan
slicingupthehullthatwasstillintact.

“Youknowwhatcloseexposuretothatmuchradiationwilldo,don’tyou?”heaskedasheworked.

“Ihaveagoodidea,yes,”Leasaid.

“Itwillkillus,youmean?”Deonasked.

“Itmight,”Leaanswered.“Itwillbebad,anyway.”

“Ithoughtasmuch.ButifitrestoresThane,it’sworthit.”

“Youcanleave,youknow,Justin,”Leasaid.“Thisisn’tyourplanet,notyourfight.

Youcanblastyourwayoutofhere—aslongasyouleavemeyourlaser-welder.Mineistoastfromthe
crash.”

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AllysonJames

“Whataboutyou?”Justinasked.“WecanteachDeonhowtobuildtheshield,thenyouandIcanblastout
together.”

Leashookherhead.“He’llneedhelp.”

Justinpunctuatedhiswordsbyjabbingthewelderatthemetalplates.“Butyou’dbestuckhere.Ifkilling
theradiationsealsuptheplanet’sshield,Iwon’tbeabletocomebackforyou.”

“Iknow,”sheansweredquietly.“ButitwilltaketoolongifDeonworksalone.Hewon’tbeabletostand
thatmuchradiationforthatamountoftime.Ifweworkinshifts,weminimizeourexposure.”

“I’llleavehimmyanti-radiationdose.Youdon’tneedtostay.”

“Buthemightrunoutoftime.TheChallengewillonlytakeanotherfourorsohoursandThaneisalready
wearingout.Plusthere’sthedangerthatsomeofFelin’speoplemightspotDeonbeforehecanfinish.Not
everyoneisattheChallenge.”

Deonlistened,browslowering.“Ifhewantstotakeyoutosafety,Lea,Iwantyoutogo.”

Leafacedhim.“I’mnotleavingyoutodothisyourself.”

“AndIdon’twanttowatchyoudie.”Hisvoiceturnedsavage.“It’salreadybadenoughformelosing
Thane.I’dwanttoknowthatyouwerehomeandhappy.Sowouldhe.”

Leaputherhandsonhisforearms,lovingthefeelofhisworkman’sskinandthehardmusclebeneath.
“ButifIgo,I’llneverseeyouagain.”

“Iknow.”

Herethenwasherchoice.LeavePamaarandthetwomenshe’dfalleninlovewithorstayhere,trapped
foreverbytheWarding.

IfsheleftwithJustin,she’dnotevenbeabletofindoutwhathappenedtoThaneandDeon—whether
ThanelivedandtriumphedoverFelinorlosttohimanddied.

Herheartburned,theanguishofthechoicechurninginsideher.Ifshestayed,shemightdietryingto
restoretheshieldandevenifshelivedthroughthat,therestoredshieldwouldpreventherfromever
seeingherhomeandplanetagain.

PlustherewasnowayshecouldswoopinandrescueThanefromtheChallenge,takinghimandDeon

withhertotheRock,mostlybecausethefourofthemwouldneverfitinJustin’sship.Communicating
withtheRocktosendabiggershipriskedalertingtheempiretoPamaar’sexistence.

Also,shehadthefeelingThanewouldneverleavegiventhechance.Hewastiedtothisplace,apartof
it,whetherhelivedordied.He’dbemiserableanywhereelse,notabletobethemanheneededtobe.
Wouldshebeselfishenoughtodraghimawaytostaywithherjustsoshe’dnotmisshim?

IfThanestayed,Deonstayed.Shesawhownaïveandsillywasherearlierworrythatshemightdrivea
wedgebetweenthem.Animperialharvestingshipcouldn’tdriveawedgebetweenthem.

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CatchaFallingStar

ShemetDeon’seyesandsawtheturmoilofindecisionwarringthereaswell.Hedidn’twanttolether
go,buthealsodidn’twanttoriskherlife.

“Letmestay,”shesaid.“IfIlivethroughthis,Iwon’twanttobewithoutyou.”

“Iwantyousafe,”Deonbegan.

“Screwthat.IneedtobewithThane.”Sheslantedhimasmile.“Youunderstandwhy.”

“Damnyou,”hegrowled.“Youknow,ifwemakeitback,he’llkillmeforriskingyourlife.”

“Iknow.”

Justinsnorted,hislasercuttersingingagainstthemetal.“Noneofuswillmakeitifwedon’tgetamove
on.”

“Youcango,”Leasaidquickly.

“I’mstaying,”Justindeclared.“NowayamIgoingbacktotheRockandtellingthemIleftyoualoneto
faceahighlyirradiatedprobeandapissedoffclanleaderwithaheavy-dutysword.I’dneverliveit
down.”

Shetriedtoargue.“Butwedon’tknowhowmuchofawindowtherewillbetogetyourshipoutoncethe
probeisshielded.”

“Iknow.”Hestoodup,wipinghisfaceandlookingaroundattherollinghills,thesoftairofthevalley.
“Thisplaceisn’tsobad.Theempireisn’thereandPaneceseemsnice.”

Lealaughedathimandpattedhisshoulder.“You’rethebest,Justin.I’msurePanecewillfindsomeway
tothankyouforhelping.”

“Sure,ifIdon’tglowinthedark.”Heleaneddownandpulledthelastoftheplatesfromthehull.“Let’s
getthisstuffloadedandgone.”

*****

Cutiecarriedtheextraweightofthehullplatingwithoutnoticingit.HeflewreadilyintoFelin’sterritory
underDeon’sguidanceandLea’sdirectionsandlandedinsidethebowl-shapedvalleywhereLeahad
foundtheprobe.

TheyunloadedtheplatesthenLeatoldDeontosendCutieaway.Noneedtoriskhimaswell.

Thedrakedidn’twanttoleaveDeon,butDeonyelledathimtogofindsomethingtoeat.FinallyCutie
roseintothesky,butheonlydriftedasfarasthewoodedhilltop.

Justinheftedaplate.“Ican’tbelieveI’mwalkingintoahighradiationsituationwithoutthreelayersof
protectivegear.”

“Atleastyoustillhaveyourflightsuit.”

Justinhadn’trelinquishedit,thoughhe’dconcededtowearcolorful,embroideredPamaaranrobestohide
itattheChallenge.He’dstrippedofftherobeswhentheylandedtoremovetheplatesfromLea’sship’s
hullandshefoundthattheskin-fitting125

AllysonJames

blacksuitlookedoddtoher.She’dgottenusedtotheflowingandcolorfulfabricsofthepeopleof
Pamaar.

“Itwillhelpsome,”Justinanswered.“Weshouldtaketurnswearingitifwe’retakingturnswelding.For
asmuchprotectionaswecanget.”

Deoneyedhisslimbuild.“I’llneverfitintothat.”

“Yesyouwill,”Leasaid.“Theclothhasnano-technologyinitandwillexpandorcontracttofityour
body.Trulyone-size-fits-all.”

“MorewordsIdon’tunderstand.”

“You’llbelieveitwhenyouseeit.”

Justininsistedongoingfirst,withDeonfollowingtolearnhowtolaserweldtheplatestogetheroverthe
probe.Theyhadtodigthepiecesoutofthegroundsotheycouldshieldallsidesandtheyalsohadto
makesuretheplateshadnoseams.

Leawatched,timingthemwiththechronometerfromJustin’sship.Whenfifteenminuteshadpassed,she
calledthemback.“Myturn.”

DeonwatchedwithinterestasshestrippedoffherclothestodonJustin’ssuit.“Youhavethecutestass,
youknowthat?”

Justinstretchedoutontheground,claiminghewassavinghisstrength,butsheknewtheradiationwas
alreadygettingtohim.

LeaworkeduntilJustincalledherback,toosoon.Theywouldn’thaveenoughtimetofinish,sheworried.

SherelinquishedthesuittoDeon,whomarveledasitexpandedtofithisbulk.

Helookedlusciousandsexyintheskintightshiningblackashemarchedbacktotheprobewhilesheand
Justinwaitedintheirlooserobes.

OnoneofLea’sstints,shenoticedsomething.

“Therewon’tbeenoughplates,”shepantedwhenshereturnedtotheothers.Shethrewdownthelaser
welder,strippedoffthesuitandcollapsedtotheground.Shewasweakandsickandknewtheycouldn’t
dothismuchlonger.

“Damn,”Justinsaid.

Deonturnedasharplookonhim.“Iknowwherewecangetmore.”

Leasatupinalarm.“No,Deon.Hewouldn’tbeabletoleave—ever.”

“Hesaidonlyacouplehoursagohewantedtostay.”HefixedhisgazeonJustinagain.“Didhemeanit?”

Justinclimbedtohisfeet.“YesImeantit.”Hesighed.“Summonyourdragonandlet’sgoharvestmy
ship.”

Leawinced.“Don’tsayharvest.”

“Sorry.”

“He’snotadragon,”DeonsaidafterhewhistledforCutie.“Thisclimateistoohotfordragons—they
liveinthefarnorth.Drakesaretheirsmaller,dumbercousins.”

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CutielandednexttoDeonandtriedtobitehim.DeonsnarledandCutiescreechedback.

Eveninhergrowingexhaustion,Leahadtochuckle.

*****

Thaneenteredthefifteenthphasewearyandbloody.HeandFelinbothhadscoredmanyhits,each
parryingtheothertoturnkillingblowsintorecoverablewounds.

Thane’sthighburnedwhereFelin’sswordhadpierceditandFelinwaslimpingfromathrustThanehad
landedintheman’sback.

Thane’sbreathingbecamelaboredquicklyinthisroundandsodidFelin’s.Thecrowdwassilent,
knowingtheendwasnear.ThaneheardonlytheshuffleofhisfeetandFelin’songravel,theirgruntsas
swordsswung,theclangofmetalhittingmetal,theoccasionalthumpofabladeonleather.

Dimlyhebecameawareofastirringintheguards.He’dseenadrakelandbutdidn’tdareturnhisheadto
seewhichdrake.

WhatDeonhadbeenplayingat,grabbingLeaandflyingoffinthemiddleoftheChallenge,hedidn’t
know.DidheflyhertoJustin’sshipandtelltheyoungmantotakeherthehelloutofhere?

Hehopedso,thoughhisheartwrenchedatthethoughtoflosingher.ButifFelinprevailed,whoknew
whathe’ddotoLea?Bettertogethertosafetywhiletherewasopportunity.

ThesecondscalledtimeandThaneandFelinretreated.AsThanelimpedtohispavilion,hesawthem—
Deon,Lea,Justin—staggeringbacktotheirplacesbehindtheguards.

SoDeonhadn’tgottenLeaoutofthere.Thane’sangersurged,thenhestopped.Thethreeofthem,all
grinninglikeidiots,madeittotheedgeofthetentsandthencollapsedanddidn’tmove.

“Damnit.”Thanethrewdownhisswordswithaclatterandrushedfromthepavilion.Thestartledservant
calledtohim,butThaneshovedhiswaythroughguardswhotriedtostophim.Hisownguards.

Thedragon-wandsecondpantednexttohim.“YoucannotinterferewiththeChallenge.”

“I’mnotinterfering,”Thanesnapped.“I’mwithinmytenminutes.”

“You’renotallowedtotalktothem.”

ThanereachedLeaanddroppedtoonekneebesideher,liftingherheadintohislap.“Ican’ttalktothem
whenthey’reunconscious,canI?”

Lea’sfacewasbrightred,asthoughsunburned,andherskinwasdrytothetouch.

SowereDeon’sandJustin’s,theirburnwoundsverylikeCerena’sandReana’s.

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AllysonJames

“No.”ThaneliftedLeaandheldherclose.“Deon,damnyou,whatthefuckdidyoudo?”

Lea’seyelidsfluttered.Shestaredupathim,herbeautifulgreeneyesblurredandswimmingwithblood.
“Wedidit.Theprobeisshielded.”

Hefeltatouchonhisleg—Deon’sthickhand,hisfriendandloversmilingupathim.“It’sdone.Restore
theWarding.Beking.”

“Whydidyoutakeheroutthere?”Thanedemanded,hottearsonhischeeks.“Whydidn’tyouwait?”

“Youaredying,”Deonrasped.“Thiswasthebestway.Justindoseduswithhiselixir,buttherewasn’t
enough.Wehadtoshareit.”

“Youshouldn’thavegoneatall.”

AshadowcoveredDeonandThanelookeduptoseeFelinstandingoverthem,hisswordsheldready.

“Whatthehellisthis?”Felinaskedquietly,darkeyesfurious.

Thane’shealingsightsawinhimthesamefatiguehefeltandsomethingmore—atraceofthesicknessthat
waskillinghispeople.

“TheysavedPamaar,”Thanesaidinahardvoice.“They’redyingbecauseyouwouldn’tlistentome.”

“IissuedtheChallenge.Thatwasenough.”

“Therewasdeathinyourterritory,somethingpoisoningtheWarding,poisoningPamaar.Theyriskedtheir
livestostopitwhileyouwerebusyswingingyoursword.”

Felinsneeredathim.“Poisonyouplantedthere?”

“PoisonfrombeyondtheWarding.That’swhyyourclanistheonemostsickenedbyit,whyCerenatook
sicktryingtohelpyou.Leaknewandunderstood.”

“It’sliketheseersaid,”thedragon-wandsecondsaid,aweinhisvoice.“Whenastarfalls,thequeenwill
comeandtheworldwillbereborn.”

“Andyoubelievethatbullshit?”FelinaskedThane.

Deonopenedhiseyes.“Ididn’t.ButIdonow.ShecuredReana.”

“NoonecouldcureReana.NotevenPamaar’sgreatking.”Felin’svoicedrippedwithscorn.

Thanesignaledaguard.“SendforEmilieandReana.”

Felinlookedsurprised.“Youdidn’tputEmilietodeathforbetrayingherclan?”

“Shehadgoodreasontodowhatshedid.”

“Yap,yap,yap,”Deongrowledfromtheground.HetriedtomeetThane’sgaze,butitwasobvioushe
couldn’tsee.“AllIhearistalk.GetyourasstotheWardingandrestoreit,ohmyking.”

“Hehasn’twontheChallenge,”Felinsaid.

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CatchaFallingStar

“So?You’reawalkingdeadmanifyoudon’tlethimfixtheWardingandhealyou.

You’llendupjustlikeme.”

Felinopenedhismouthtosaymore,butcloseditandstaredatthechildrunningtowardhim,followedby
awatchfulEmilieandtwoguards.Reanahurriedinallinnocencetowardthelittlegroup,trustingher
mothertofollow.

“LordThane,”shecalledhappily.ShestoppedinaswirlofsilkasshecaughtsightofLeainhisarms.
“WhathappenedtoLadyLea?Issheallright?”

ReanakneltandtouchedLea’scheekwhileFelinlookedoverthelittlegirlinastonishment.“Youhealed
her?”

“Almost.ForfeittheChallenge,Felin,orneitherofuswillbestandingintheend.

Letmere-bindwiththeWarding.IfIfail,I’lldieandyoucantry.IfIlive,Ihealyourpeople.”

“Forfeit?”Felinsnapped.“WhenI’mwinning?IamtheonlyonewhocanrestoretheWardingnow.”

Leaopenedhereyes.Theywerefilledwithred,thegreenfaded,andlikeDeon,shecouldnolongersee.
“Don’tbestupiderthanyoureallyare,Felin,”shewhispered.

“Yourclanneedsyou.Don’tletwhatwedidbewasted.”

ThanewatchedFelin’sangrywordsdieonhislips.Felindidn’ttrustThaneandhewantedtowin,that
wasclear.ButFelinwasalsoaclanleaderfirstandforemost.Thewelfareofthefalcon-swordclanwas
hisresponsibility,onehetookveryseriously.

Thetattoosonhisfacesmoothedandheloweredhisswords.

“Dothebinding,”hesaidinaresignedvoice.“Butifyourpowersaren’trestored,Ikillyou.”

“Done,”Thanesaid.

“Aboutbloodytime,”Deongrated,thenhiseyesclosedandhisbodywentlimp.

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AllysonJames

ChapterFifteen

Rebirth

Thaneglowed.LeapriedopenhereyestoseeThanestandingontheedgeoftheprecipiceoverthe
Wardingcave,hisarmsoutstretched.TheWardingbelowrespondedtohim,sendingbrightredandblue
andmagentalightoverThaneandtheentirecave.

Thane’snakedbodyglowedinresponse.Heseemedtostretchtowardthecrystalceiling,growingtaller
andstronger,infusedwithpower.

Hewasabeautifulman,thelightoutliningeverymuscleandsinew.Hewaserect,hiscockalong,
gleaminglength,asthoughtheWarding’stouchfilledhimwithsexualexcitement.

Hewalkedinastrong,measuredstride,nottoLealyingontherockygroundofthecavebetweenDeon
andJustin,buttoFelinwhowaitedwithhisguards,theclanleaderstillinhisleatherarmor.Thane
stretchedouthisglowinghandsandplacedthemonFelin’shead.

BecauseDeon,LeaandJustinweresoclosetodeath,theleadersofthefourclanshadagreedthatThane
couldhavethembroughtwithhimwhenherenewedthebindinginsteadofapproachingtheWarding
alone.FelinhadagreedonlyifThaneprovedhimselfbycuringFelinfirst.Figures,Leathought.

Felin’sbodyjerked.Aguardathissidemoved,butFelinstoppedhim.“No.It’sglorious.Ohgods.”

Hethrewhisheadback,hisbrown-and-goldenhairfallingaroundhim,hiseyesclosedinecstasy.He
reachedforThaneasthoughhewouldembracehimthendroppedhisarms,justintimerememberingthey
wererivals,notlovers.

Felinshudderedagain,thenhesteppedbackfromThane,breakingthetouch.

“Bythegods,”hesaidhoarsely.

“I’mgladyoufeelbetter,”Thanesaidinhistoneofquiethumor.“I’lltakecareofmylovedonesnow.”

Lovedones.Lealikedthesoundofthat.ThenextthingsheknewThanecradledheragainsthisstrong,
barechest,hisskinstillglowing.

“HealDeonfirst,”shegasped.“Hewasexposedlonger…hekeptgoingwhenwecouldn’t.”

“Screwyou,”Deonsaid,hiseyesclosedandhisvoicesoweakitwasbarelyaudible.“Healherquick,
Thane,soshe’llshutup.”

ThanesmiledashecuddledLeaclose.Shesuddenlyfeltaburningthroughherbody,followedbya
sensationofincrediblejoyandincredibledesire.ShewoundherarmsaroundThane’sneckandmethis
lipsinalong,needingkiss.

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CatchaFallingStar

“Thankyou,”Deonbreathed.“Thankallthegods.Nowhurryup,lover.MeandJustin,wedon’thaveall
dayandyou’regoingtolovewhatIhaveinmindtoshowmygratitude.”

*****

Thenextdayswereeventful.FelindeclaredThanethewinneroftheChallenge,hispreviousanimosity
subdued.ThanebyrightcouldhavehadFelinkilledandFelin’sheirdeclaredclanleader,buthe’d
decidedonamnesty.

HeknewFelinhadbeenhostileonlybecausehe’dbeenadesperatemantryingtosavehispeople,as
desperateasEmiliehadbeen.ThanedeclaredFelinpardonedandFelinacceptedwithoutrancor.

Beforehedepartedforhisownterritory,FelinaskedtoseeLea.OutsideThane’stent,Felinliftedthe
bloodstonefromaroundhisneckandhelditouttoherwhileDeonstood,tense,behindher.

“Ithinkthisisyours,”Felinsaid.“QueenofPamaar.”

Thanewaited,notdaringtobreathe,toseewhatLeawoulddo.Felinwasacknowledgingherandthe
prophecyand,believeitornot,apologizing.

Leatookthebloodstoneinherhandsandgazedatitforafewmoments,thenshedroppeditbackinto
Felin’spalmandclosedhishandaroundit.“Youkeepit.It’smygift.”

Felinstaredather,mystified.“You’regivingmeagift?Ithoughtyou’dwanttoshoveitupmyass.”

Leasmiled.“Thinkofitasapledgebetweenmyclanandyours,asymboloffriendshipandtrust.
Besides,it’saperfectlygoodbloodstone.Whywasteitonyourass?”

“Touché,myqueen.”

“Thefalcontattoo—thatI’dlovetoshoveupyourass.”

FelinonlysmiledandshotThaneaself-satisfiedlook.Thanesmiledrightback,becauseThane’sideafor
thetattoosLeawouldreceivehadbeeninspiredbythefalcon.

FelinfinallydepartedandThanetookhispeoplehome.

Hespentmuchofhistimeafterthathealingthesickandre-infusingotherhealerswithhispower,sending
themintofalcon-swordterritoryfirst.TheWardingwaswholeandstrong,nodeadplacesanywhere,and
ThanefeltthepowerofPamaarrestoredwithit.

Hewasn’tsurehowithadhappened—Lea’sbabbledexplanationthattheWardingwaspartorganicand
hadpsychicallyrepaireditselfoncetheradiationstoppedbleedingintoitmadenosensetohim.

SheandJustinhadshowedhimnumbersandcolorsontheirinstruments,talkingexcitedlytogether,and
Thanehadonlysmiledandletthemrunon.He’dfeltthe131

AllysonJames

Wardingembracehimagain,heanditspowerkeepingtheplanetsafe,andhewassatisfiedwiththat.

TheWardingrepairedmeantthatJustincouldnottakeoffinhisship.Heseemedsomewhatglumabout
beingstuckonPamaar,butnottoomuchso.LeaexplainedthatJustin,likeherself,hadnofamilyonthe
Rockandfriendsonlyinthescoutcorps.

JustinhadbrightenedwhenDeonaskedhimtoformasmallscoutingcorpsinhisguardsandtotrainthem
tokeepaneyeoutforanythingelsethatmightcomefrombeyondtheWarding.Ifthey’dhadregular
patrolsyearsago,Deongrowled,theymighthavediscoveredthepresenceoftheprobeatonceand
destroyedit.

Emilie,likewise,wasreleasedafterhertrial,muchtoLea’sdelight.Thetrial’sverdictwasthatshe’d
donewrongandwouldfaceconsequences,butthatshe’dactedoutoftheunderstandableinstincttosave
herdaughter.Shehadtoforfeittheprivilegeofbeingaroyalcourtesan,butsheseemedhappytohave
moretimetodevotetoReana.

AndDeon—wasDeon.

Deon’sinitialhealinghadbeenloud,withDeonshoutinghisclimaxthroughthecavesuntilguardshad
comerunningtoseewhatwasthematter.

They’dfoundDeonlyingonhisback,naked,withasmileonhisface,saying,“Thatwasthebest—ever.”

He’dwantedanotherhealinginprivateinthetent,withLeanearby.AssoonasThanehadlaidhishands
onDeonandsenthealingpowerthroughhim,DeonhadgrabbedThaneandrolledhimdowntothe
cushions.They’dhadratherferocioussexafterthat,DeoninLea,ThaneinDeon,thenLeapleasuring
thembothatthesametime.

Inthedarknessafterallthatecstasy,Thanelayexhausted.Andyetenergyburnedthroughhistiredness,
strengthrestoredbytheWarding.AgiftfromLeaandhislover,Deon.

“Theonlybadthing,”Deonmumbledsleepily,hisheadonThane’sshoulder,“isthatyou’rekingagain.
Nomoremebeautifullyfuckingyou.”

ThanelethishanddriftthroughDeon’slonghair.“I’mgoingtoworktogetthatlawchanged.”

“Goodidea,butitwilltakeforever.Youknowthecouncil.”Hiseyestwinkled.“Iwasgreat,though,
wasn’tI?”

“Thebest.”

Learolledtoherkneesbesidethem,awakeagain.“Ohplease.I’llbethejudgeofwhoisbest.”

Deonsatup,hisgrinwidening,themanathisfullstrength.“Willyou?Thiscouldbeinteresting.”

Itwas.Theymadelovetoherallnight,firstThane,thenDeon,untilLeaslidintosleep.Deongavehera
mock-outragedstarewhenshetiredlydeclaredthecontestadraw.

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CatchaFallingStar

AfterthefirstheadydaysofrejoicingcametheannouncementthatthekingwouldmarryLea,thelady
who’dcomefromafallingstar.Morecelebrations,thehardworkingPamaaransofallclansdropping
dailytaskstojoininthefestivities.

Aroyalweddingtookmuchplanning,enoughtodriveThanemad,buthewentalongwithit,knowinghis
peoplewouldlovethepageantry.Deonescapedwithhisdrakesandhisnewscoutcorps,butLea
remained,patientlylearningPamaaranetiquette.

“Youtwoplanthewedding,”Deonwouldgrowl.“I’llplantheweddingnight.”

ButoneceremonyDeonremainedforwasLea’stattoos.

SoftlightsglowedinThane’sbedchamber,twosilk-cladmusicianspluckedinstrumentsinthecornerand
thetattooartistkneltonthecushionedbed,readytowork.

LeablushedwhenThanehelpedherdisrobe,buttheartistonlysortedhisneedlesandinks,obliviousto
herbeautifulfemaleflesh.Tohimshewasacanvasforhisart,nothingmore.

Thanestretchedoutnexttoher,hisbodyuncoveredexceptforhisloincloth.He’dpulledhishairback,
braids,beadsandalltorevealhistattoos,thelionacrosshisback,thepentaclesonhisarmsandchest,
theinterlockedliondesignsonhisthighs.

Deon,alsoinonlyaloincloth,loungedatthefootofthebed.Theartistranapleasedgazeoverthelions
onDeon’sarmsandpelvis,hisownwork.

Hehelduphisinstruments,readytoremovethefalcontattoo,butThanestoppedhim.

“Iwanthertokeepit,”hesaid.

LeahadbeenbitingherlipbutnowlookedatThaneinsurprise.“Youdo?Why?”

“Iwantittobeknownthatmyqueenwilllookoutforallclans,notjustthelion-star.Shewillbeagreat
healerandwalkamongthemallwhentheyneedher.”HelookedintoLea’sstunnedgreeneyesand
smiled.“Iwanthertohaveadragonandatigeraswellaslions.”

Theartiststared,openmouthed.“Suchathinghasneverbeendonebefore,mylord.”

“Aqueenhasneverhealedtheentireplanetbefore,”Thanesaid.“ButLeahasalreadydoneso.Shewill
beofeveryclan.Wewillstartanewtradition.”

Deonlaughedfromtheendofthebed.“You’recrazy.I’vealwayssaidso.”

Lea’seyessoftened.“No,heisn’t.”

Thane’sbloodwarmed,eventhoughDeonstillshookhishead.Theartistshruggedasthoughtosay,

You’retheking,thenhewenttowork.

*****

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AllysonJames

“Ilikethisonebest.”Twodayslater,DeonranhisfingersdownLea’sbackwherealionreacheddown
herspine,itsclawedfootrestingonthesmallofherback.

Shetingledwithpleasureathistouch.Thaneandtheartisthadindeedmadethetattooingpainlessand
Thanehadhealedherskinquickly.He’dstillmadeherrestbeforedoinganythingstrenuous—most
Pamaaransdidn’tgetsomanytattoosinonesitting,hesaid,butacquiredthemoveralifetime.

TonightThaneandDeonhadbroughtherintoThane’sbedroomtoadmireher.Shelaynakedonher
stomachwhiletheytouchedherbodyandtracedtheartist’sstrokes.

Adragoncoiledonthebackofherrightlegandatigercrouchedonthebackofherleft.Thefalconstill
spreadacrossherhipandthetattooartisthadinterlacedthedesignssotheymadeapleasingwhole.

Thanegentlyrolledherover.Achainofpentacleslacedacrosshercollarbone,twotinylionsdanced
abovehernipplesandanotherliontwinedaroundhernaval.She’dnotletthemtattooherface,butshe’d
allowedaliondownherthroatthatblendedintothepentaclesacrossherchest.

Allhadbeendoneinanastonishingarrayofcolors.Mosttattoosshe’dseenbeforethis—andshe’dnot
seenmany—hadbeenblackordarkblue.

Herswerearainbowofgold(forthelions),scarlet,blue,green,silver,violet,blackandbrown.The
dragonwasbrilliantgreenandred,thetigerorangeandblackandthepentaclesmanyandvariedhues.

Deonlickedtheliononherbellyandendedupwithhistongueinhernavel.Shelaughedandsquirmed.

“Youknow,”hesaidtoThane,warmingherskinwithhislips.“Ithoughtwe’dwaitfortheweddingnight,
butthismightbeabettertime.Tocelebrateherbecomingatruelion-star.”

Thane’sdarkeyessparkedwithinterest.“Ah,thatplan.Impatient,areyou?”

“DamnrightIam.”

LeaglancedatThaneinsuspicion.“Whatplan?Ihaven’theardofanyplan.”

Deongrinned.“Thetwoofus—inyou.Showingthatwethreearefinallyone.”

Lea’sheartbegantopound.“Istilldon’tknowifI’mreadyforthat.”

“Youdidn’tthinkyouwerereadyfortattoos,”Deonpointedout.

“True.”

“Itisuptoyou,love.”Thanebrushedhisfingertipsacrossherchainofpentacles.

“Willyoubindwithus?”

Shestudiedthemboth,Thanewithhiswhite-blondhairsuchacontrasttohisdarkeyes,eyesthatheld
wisdomandpowerandgentleness.Deonwithhisswarthyskinandwarrior’ssinewyarms,blackhairand
wickedeyes.Thanetoloveheringreattenderness—Deontomakeitwild.

“IhaveafeelingI’llregretthisinthemorning,”shesaidshakily.“Butallright.”

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CatchaFallingStar

Deonkissedherbellybutton.“We’llwakeyouupniceandsweettomorrow.Youwon’tregretathing.”

“We’dneverhurtyou,”Thanesaid,hisvoicewarm.“Wewantyourpleasure,love.”

“Andtoenjoyeveryminuteofpleasingyou,”Deonputin.

LeatouchedThane’sface,andDeon’s.“I’msoinlovewithyou.Bothofyou.”

Thane’sthroatmoved,asthoughheheldbackemotion.Deon’seyesflaredandhissmilebroadened.
“Good.Thiswillbeevenbetter.”

*****

TheydiditbyhavingThaneenterherfirst.Hespreadhimselfbeneathherandsheslidontohim,closing
hereyesasshefelthisthickhardnessreachinginsideher.Hewassobigandfeltsoincredible.

ShelaydownonhimasDeoninstructedandfeltthecoolbiteoflubeonheranalstar.ThenDeon’sweight
onher,thenhisslickstemeasingitswayintoher.

Leastifledagroan.Deonhadmadelovetoherplentybynowandshewasusedtohiswidecockinside
her,butnothingpreparedherforthis.

“Shh.”Thane’shandsrovedherbody,hishealingspreadingthroughher.Theelectricfeelofitexcitedher
andrelaxedheratthesametime,allowinghertoopentoDeon.

Hewentslowly,slowly,whileThanesoothedherandthenhewasallthewayin.

Thetwomensheloved,theircocksinheratthesametime.Shecouldfeelbothofthemstretchingher,
pullingher,couldfeelthemtouchingeachotherthroughherwalls.

Shestartedtoscream.Shecouldn’tstanditandyetshewantedittogoonandon.

“Ican’t,”shecried.

ThanetouchedDeon’sarm.“Easeback.”

“No!”LealookedbackatDeon.Hiseyeswereheavy,hisfaceflushed.“No,pleasestayinme.Makeme
takeit.”

Deonsmiled.“Allright.”Heslidinevenfarther.“Gods,Iloveyou.”

ThanelacedhishandthroughDeon’shairandpulledhimdownforakiss.Leaturnedherheadsoshe
couldjoininandthethreeofthemletlipsandtonguestanglethebesttheycould.

“Iloveyou,Lea,”Deonwhispered,nippingherear.“Loveyousomuch.”

Thaneremainedsilent,buthetracedLea’slipswiththetipofhistongue.Shefeltherclimaxbuildand
overflow—toosoon,butgoddess,itwasgood.

Shewrithedbetweenthem,allthoughtsfleeing.Shefeltonlytinglingdarknessandtheirtwococksinside
her,heardonlyherownscreamsofjoy.ThenThane’sseedscaldedher,followedbyDeon’s,fillingher.

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AllysonJames

Ablackwaveofsleeprushedatherandwhensheswamoutofit,shewaslyingonhersidefacingThane.
Deonsnoredbehindher,butThanewatchedherwithhismidnight-darkeyes.

“Areyouallright?”heaskedinalowvoice.

Leastartedtoanswerwithaneutralyes,thenrememberedtheincrediblesensationofthembothinsideher
andshivered.

“Goddess,thatwas…”Shedrewinalongbreath.“Themostincredible…”Shebrushedherhandover
herface,wordsfailingher.

Thane’slowlaughshookthebed.“Iwilltakethatasgood.”

“Very,verygood.”

Helosthissmile.“Iknowthatyouaretrulystrandedherenow.I’vemadeyoulion-star,andofPamaar,
butIcan’thelpfeelingthatmaybethisisnotwhatyouwish.”

Hisgazeflickedawayfromher,asthoughhedidn’twanttowatchherreactiontohiswords.

Leacuppedhisfaceinherhandsandbroughthisfocusbacktoher.“Imademychoice.Outinthevalley
whenwewenttoshieldtheprobe,IknewJustinandIcouldflyoutofthereandleaveyouandDeonto
whateverfatewaitedforyou.That’swhenIchose.”

“Whydidn’tyougo?”

“BecauseIneededtostay.BackontheRock,theyneedscouts,buttherearedozensgraduatingfromflight
schooleverymonth.They’llfillmyplacewithanother,maybesomeonewithbetterskillsthanme—Justin
too.Butthere’sonlyoneofyou.”Shestrokedthepadsofherthumbsacrosshischeekbones.“Iwasn’t

abouttoletyoudiewhenIcouldpossiblysaveyou.”

“Youcouldn’thaveknownyou’dbesuccessful.”

“Iwaswillingtotakethechance.SowasDeon.Wehadabetterchanceifweworkedtogether,even
Justinsawthat.”

“Ifithadn’tworked,Iwouldhavewatchedyoudie,”hesaid,voicehard.

“Itwasworthit.IfDeonhadworkedalone,hedefinitelywouldhavedied.Iwasn’tlettingthathappen.”

Thanesuddenlyscoopedhertohimandheldherinasavagegrip.“Don’tyoueverdothatagain,”hesaid
againstherhair.“Neversacrificeyourselfforme.Doyouunderstandme?”

Lealoosenedhisholdandsawtearsstandinginhiseyes.“Ican’tpromisethat.Iloveyou,I’mgoingto
marryyouandbeyourqueen.Heck,Ievenletyouhavemetattooedandthatwastrulyscary.”

“Ican’tloseyou.Ican’t.Ineedyou.”Hebrushedherhairbackfromherface.“Iloveyou.”

“Iloveyoutoo.”Shekissedthetipofhisnose.“That’sthewholepoint.”

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CatchaFallingStar

Hekissedherthen,longandloving,whileherheartachedwithjoy.

Whentheyeasedapart,shelaughedalittle.“Asweirdasitis,IloveDeontoo.Iwantyoutoloveeach
otherandIwantyoutoloveme.It’slikelovedoubled.”

Thanelaughed,atruelaugh,ringingtotheceiling.“WithDeon’senthusiasm,morelikelovetripled.”

HislaughterwokeDeon,whogrunted,hissnoringceasing.Hescrubbedhishandoverhisface,then
loomedoverLealikeCutierisingoverthedrakepens.

“Somuchtalking,”hegrowled.“Ifyou’renotsleeping,whyaren’twefucking?”

LealaughedasshereadilyrolledoveronthebedforDeon.AsDeonstartedkissingher,herhand
remainedtwinedinThane’s,andshesmiledintohiswarmeyes.

137

AbouttheAuthor

AllysonJamesisyetonemorenameforawomanwhohasrackedupfourpseudonymsinthefirsttwo
yearsofhercareer.Sheoftencannotrememberwhatherrealnameisandhastobetappedontheshoulder
whenspokento.

Allysonbeganwritingatageeight(afive-pagestorythatactuallycontainedgoal,motivation,and

conflict).Shelearnedthetrickofstandinghermathbookuponherdesksoshecouldwritestoriesbehind
it.Shewrotelovestoriesbeforesheknewwhatromanceswere,dreamingofthedaywhenherbooks
wouldappearatlibrariesandbookstores.Atagethirty,shedecidedtostopdreaminganddoitforreal.
Shepublishedthefirstshortstorysheeversubmittedinanationalprintmagazine,whichgaveherthe
falseillusionthatgettingpublishedwaseasy.

Afteralongstruggleandinevitablerejections,sheatlastsoldaromancenovel,thentohersurprise
severalmysterynovels,moreromances,anderoticromancestoEllora’sCave,andbecameabestselling
author.Shewritesunderseveralpseudonyms,hasbeennominatedforandwonRomanticTimes
Reviewer’sChoiceawards,andhashadstarredreviewsinBooklistandTopPickreviewsinRomantic
Times.

Allysonmethersoulmateinfencingclass(thekindwithswords,notposts-and-rails).Shelookeddown
thelengthofhislong,throbbingrapierandfellmadlyinlove.

Allysonwelcomescommentsfromreaders.Youcanfindherwebsiteandemailaddressonherauthorbio
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Document Outline

Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen

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