Mal looked down and locked eyes with Evellor. “I love you. You are the only man I've ever and will ever love.”
The ecstasy that had been building in Evellor magnified with Mal's words and rushed forth, driving his hips up from the chair while his wings closed around Mal, and he filled Mal with his release. Meanwhile, Mal bent to kiss him, and during that passionate kiss, he came as well, his cock kicking to slash Evellor's chest in warm, silken ribbons.
When they were both sated, Mal leaned over to grab his shirt, cleaned Evellor's chest with it, and then tossed it aside as he settled on Evellor's chest, his head going to Evellor's shoulder. Evellor smiled and nuzzled him, looking forward to another long night of pleasing and being pleased by his Mal.
“We are going to have the most beautiful life together,” he whispered in Mal's ear.
Mal grinned against Evellor's skin. “I'll destroy anyone who tries to get in our way.”
Chuckling, Evellor pulled Mal closer. Mal would never have to fight for them. Not if Evellor could help it. No, Mal would never have to risk his life for anything ever again. He belonged to Evellor now, and Evellor would protect him.
Even as he thought of their future, Evellor hardened inside Mal. It had a lot to do with the way Mal clenched his channel around Evellor's flesh. Soon, Mal was upright again, riding Evellor with wild abandon.
Yes, Mal was his, and Evellor would allow no one to threaten their love. Not Nethren, Medean, or even Aethari.
Chapter Forty-Seven
Lena
The tracking disc changed everything. As if waking from a dream, Lena shed her despondency and started to think. Her “nothing mattered” attitude had spun into an “only Vor mattered” improved version. He would come for her soon. She just needed to hold out until then.
Lena left the bathroom a new woman, her mind awake, her body refreshed, and her determination straightening her spine. She had taken a long bath, using the time to come up with a plan to keep Rallorival's hands off her. It was simple and maybe ridiculous, but Lena was certain it would work.
But Rallorival didn't attack Lena as soon as she emerged, as she had expected. He wasn't even in the bedroom or the adjoining sitting room. The door to the hallway was open, and Lena stood at it, listening. Voices came from the left. She drew back and softly closed the door. Then she tested every window in both rooms.
They were all nailed shut.
Grimacing, Lena recalled the pounding sounds she'd heard while bathing. She had ignored them, focused on her plan, but now she realized Rallorival had been building her cage. Hedidn't have fortress walls and soldiers to guard her as Vor had. Well, not the walls. He did have a few soldiers. Staring out the window at the forest surrounding the house, Lena wondered where they were and why those Aethari had helped Rallorival abduct her.
Even if they were his friends, this act would make them outcasts, unable to return to any sky city. Why do that for Rallorival? Why imprison a woman whom they'd never even spoken to just to put her in their friend's bed? That seemed rather extreme for a rape scenario. Was it that whole destra thing? Did that make a difference to them?
“It doesn't fucking matter,” Lena growled to herself. “I won't be here much longer.”
As if he had heard her, the door opened, and Rallorival walked in. Lena glanced at him and then returned to staring out the window, crossing her arms for good measure. The aroma of roasted chicken came to her, and her stomach growled.
Rallorival chuckled as he set a tray of food down on a small, round dining table near the fireplace. He crouched to light the fire, giving Lena time to angle herself so she could keep him in her line of sight and continue to stare out the window.
Rallorival rose and went to the table. “Come and eat, Lena.”
She ignored him.
“You're hungry. Eat. I promise I haven’t drugged the food.”
Lena snorted. “That's funny. Vor said the same thing to me before our first meal together.” She gave Rallorival a scathing look. “Is that line in the Kidnappers Handbook?”
The Aethari and the Medeans were allies, but Lena trusted Rallorival even less than she had Vor in the beginning. If you looked at the two of them from an outside perspective, they were similar. Both had abducted Lena, convinced that she was their destiny. Both believed that their Source led them to her. Both were soldiers, fighting for their people. But Rallorival had betrayed his people while Vor sacrificed for his people. Lena had seen the proof that the Source of Technology backed Vor while Rallorival was just insane. Vor’s claims were true while Rallorival's were all kinds of wrong. In short, Vor was a hero while Rallorival was a traitor.
Rallorival sighed. “I know you hate me right now, but you'll soon come to know me and realize that I'm a good man. This was the only way I could be with you, and you're my destra, Lena. I can't help but do whatever I have to, to protect you and love you.
“Love me?” Lena hissed as she spun around. “You're the second man to capture me and give me a speech about love. Sorry, but you're too late. I’m already in love with Vor. He's an incredible man, fighting for the basic rights that your people stole from his people. You are a villain. You fired upon your own people to stop peace! I will never love you.”
Rallorival blinked and then gaped at her. “You love that Nethren son of a bitch?” He shot to his feet. “He's only half a man and a full monster. That man is our enemy, Lena. How could you possibly love him?”
“Because Vor showed me who he really is. He showed me the truth. The Nethren are not monsters. They're just people like us. The only difference is that their ancestors went down while yours went up.”
“Down into Tech!” He stalked over to her and loomed above her, his dirty blond hair wild about his shoulders and his gray wings spread aggressively. “Technology twisted them. It made them heartless, Lena. He can't love you back. It's impossible.”
“Itwasimpossible until he met me.” Lena lifted her chin. “I changed him and all the soldiers under his command. They can feel all emotions now. They laugh and smile. I believe they would have found themselves even without me. I just sped up the process.”
