‘Should we give him a tribute?’ Molan asked. ‘Something to pacify the narcissism.’
‘Nada, we’d only puff up his freakin’ ego,’ Idan counseled. ‘I say we go in empty-handed and humble, appearing weak and malleable.’
‘Why do these deities require so much ego-stroking?’ Selene groused, leaning against her husband’s arm. ‘It’s narcissistic to the point of exhaustion.’
Kainan huffed a laugh. ‘Because they fear insignificance more than death, my love. I have broken bread with royals who believed their breath created the stars and chancellors who thought they could legislate gravity. They all have the same blind spot: they cannot imagine a world where they aren’t the primary architect of its present and future.’
Selene nudged his shoulder. ‘I would know, because the most hardass leader I’ve ever had to negotiate with is married to me, Sable.’
‘A point I concede daily,’ Kainan chuckled, raising his glass to his formidable wife.
Seated beside Idan, Sheba eyed the couple, a warm glow of belonging in her chest.
Being close to her family and surrounded by love was a blessing she didn’t take for granted in the least.
She also wanted to fiercely hold on to it, even as the shadow of Sulfiqar loomed; the one factor capable of tearing her newfound joy from her hands.
Hours later, with Kainan’s excellent wine selection lifting her spirits, she and Idan descended into the balmy, spice-scented night.
As they strolled toward the Commons, the atmosphere held the brassy energy of a jazz haunt. Neon signs cast puddles of sapphire onto the cobblestones.
In a central park, children chased bioluminescent fireflies under the silver moon, and a saxophonist on the corner coaxed a mournful melody from his instrument.
‘I get why you like this neck of the woods,’ Idan admitted, ‘Tis a version of urban life I can handle, it feels more real and natural.’
He slowed beneath an ancient oak, the shadows of the leaves dancing across his scarred face.
Before Sheba could speak, he had her against the rough bark.
His mouth found hers in a kiss so scorching it stole the breath from her lungs.
He inserted one thigh between her own and, with one hand braced on the tree limb, he pulled up her skirt and slipped a hand under her panties.
She reared back in shock. ‘Honey?’
‘It’s freakin’ dark, and no one can see us,’ he promised, sending a psionic tap to any creature close by to avoid their love tryst.
He stroked her slit, then, recapturing her lips, slid two fingers into her sopping pussy, his thumb stroking her clit to bliss.
Her orgasm came so fast, ripping through her as she shuddered, gasping into his nape as he worked his hand all over her.
‘Damn,uso’m,’ she breathed. ‘Can’t get enough of you.’
‘Is that right?’
With a growl, Idan swept her into his arms.
She laughed as he ignited his Sacran speed, the world blurring into a streak of gold light as he raced her through the winding streets.
Once they got into the apartment, they surrendered to their frantic desire.
Entreaties, murmurs, and kisses ensued as clothes got discarded in a trail across the floor, and they collapsed on the bed.
They made love with a wild, savage intensity, putting off the inevitability of the conflict yet to come, as a distant evocative jazz refrain drifted through their open window.
TheXáashìi, a sleek flyer owned by Molan, descended into the atmospheric vacuum of the Eden Maria, its landing struts crushing the fine, lunar silt of the desert plains.
The brothers exited shortly after, stepping from the ramp onto the surface, where silver dust rose in silent, ghostly plumesaround their grav boots.
