Triumphant (Battle Born Book 14) Read online

“I understand. Trust me. He’s made damn sure I understand.”

  Lily stilled, gazing at Rebecca with a narrowed, assessing stare. “He didn’t bring you here to question. You’re his potential mate.” She smiled, then shook her head. “I should have realized it when he’d locked you in his cabin instead of one of the detention cells.”

  “Oh, he wants to question me too. The other is just an unfortunate coincidence.”

  “Unfortunate? Getting over Jakkin would be a whole lot easier if I’d have matched to someone like General Lux.”

  Rebecca slumped back against the tall-backed chair. Clearly, Lily believed every word she was saying, and every word she’d been told by the battle born. It numbed Rebecca’s mind to think of all the things that would change if she accepted their lies as facts. The Rodytes could take over the Earth with little effort. Now that the Evonti ships were gone, humans had no defense against them. So why didn’t they strike? What were they waiting for?

  She didn’t want to talk to this brainwashed scientist. Lily was sweet, but far from objective. Rebecca needed the candid perspective of a dear friend. “Do you know Thea Cline? Is she still up here?” Besides, she wanted to see for herself that Thea was really okay.

  “I only met her once, and I’m pretty sure she’s back on Earth.”

  That was disappointing. “Is there any way to contact someone on Earth? I’d really like to speak with her.”

  “It can be done quite easily, but I doubt General Lux left his com-system unlocked.”

  Energized by the possibility, Rebecca scooted to the edge of her chair. “Would you mind trying?”

  “Do you know Thea’s phone number?”

  Rebecca’s excitement deflated as quickly as it had formed. She didn’t know the number by heart and she’d destroyed her cell phone when she went on the run. “I don’t.”

  “Sedrik can probably find out for you. He has access to all sorts of information.”

  “I just bet he does.”

  Lily stared at her in silence for another long moment. “Do you really dislike him that much or are you afraid of how he makes you feel? I’ve heard the pull can be really intense.”

  She shivered. “You have no idea. It’s…unbelievable. And the last thing I want right now is a demanding lover.”

  “That’s not what he’d be to you,” Lily stressed. “Rodyte males don’t take lovers, at least not with compatible females. They form deep and lasting bonds that…why did you roll your eyes?”

  “I’ve heard it all before, and it doesn’t matter. I don’t want a mate. I just want to be left alone.”

  “Are you sure about that?”

  The question annoyed Rebecca. Lily didn’t know her well enough to question anything she said. “I’m quite sure. Why do you ask?”

  “Because the pull only amplifies attraction, it doesn’t create it. If you weren’t naturally attracted to General Lux, the pull wouldn’t have engaged.”

  “Fine. I’m attracted to him. I wouldn’t mind spending a night or two in his bed, but that’s not what he wants. He wants a lifetime commitment, a connection that gives him access not just to my body, but my mind. Why the hell would I allow that with anyone, much less someone I just met?”

  “Because he’s your mate.”

  Rebecca pushed her fingers through her hair as she shook her head. “I’m so sick of that word. Everyone acts like that answers everything. Apparently, ‘mate’ doesn’t mean the same to me that it does to everyone else.”

  “What does it mean to you?”

  Rebecca glared at her. Lily’s persistence was really starting to irritate her. “I thought you were a geneticist not a shrink.”

  “Sorry. I’m just confused by your attitude. Most human females want to find that one special person with whom they can spend their entire life, a partner, a soulmate. That idea doesn’t appeal to you?”

  Lily was edging too close to the source of Rebecca’s pain. The last thing she wanted was to revisit a hell she’d barely escaped in the first place. “I don’t believe in true love or soulmates. I had a man promise to love, honor and adore me. The reality was very different from the ideal.”

  “I’m sorry your marriage was unhappy, but General Lux is a good man. He’s honest and trustworthy. He’d make a fine mate.”

  “Your opinion doesn’t count. You’ve clearly got a crush on him.”

  Lily smiled, her sculpted cheeks suddenly pink. “Maybe a little, but we’re talking generalities. Be honest with me, and with yourself. Are you still interested in finding someone to share your life, to start a family with and build a future?”

  “Maybe a little,” she echoed, then looked away. Her heart was pounding and she wasn’t sure why. Shutting down hope, convincing herself there was nothing more to life than survival, and eventual escape had kept her alive and relatively sane. Her existence had been so bleak, so filled with horror for so long that happiness became an echo from another lifetime, a faded memory. “It’s just so hard to believe.”

  Lily reached across the table and lightly touched her hand. “I can’t imagine what you’ve been through, but Sedrik might be just what you need to recover. Don’t reject what he’s offering without exploring it well enough to decide if it’s real.”

  “It’s not that simple. My ex was wonderful to begin with too. Marrying Jim seemed so natural, so right.” She shook her head and blinked back tears. “If I was that wrong before, how can I trust myself now?”

  “You survived Jim,” Lily pointed out, her gaze warm and compassionate. “That has to mean something. I bet it taught you what to look for, how to spot insincerity.”

  Lily was right. Rebecca had developed an amazing bullshit detector. She could spot a conman a mile away and generally knew when anyone was lying to her, which was why she knew Sedrik was honest to a fault. He wasn’t just telling her what she wanted to hear so she’d have sex with him. That would have been much easier to handle. Sedrik honestly believed in forever, and he wanted to spend it with her.

  “If you were his genetic match,” Rebecca asked after a long pause, “would you let him claim you?”

  “Without hesitation.”

  Rebecca accepted the answer with a nod as possibilities whirred through her mind.

  * * * * *

  Sedrik rested his head against the tall back of his desk chair and closed his eyes. Garin didn’t understand the pain he caused each time he brought up Arton. Very little had the power to create conflict between the Lux family members, but Arton was the one subject they all avoided. They each dealt with the situation in their own way, and none could seem to agree on a strategy. Kaden and Dakar, Sedrik’s younger brothers, had been quite young when the majority of the drama unfolded. They only had vague memories of their much older brother. Sedrik remembered Arton clearly, but he’d always been resentful and frustrated by all the pain Arton caused their parents. Kryton loved all his sons to distraction, but he’d finally reached the point when he accepted that the choice was Arton’s, not his. Arton knew he was loved and would always have a home with his family. There was nothing more a loving father could do when a rebellious son rejected all he was offered.

  And then there was Skyla. Sweet, patient Skyla refused to give up hope. She wasn’t Arton’s biological mother, but that made no difference to her. All she saw was a tortured soul, a person so consumed by rage and bitterness that he had no use for love, much less family. She wanted to help Arton heal and bring reconciliation between Arton and Kryton, something she knew her mate longed for with every fiber of his being. So she tracked Arton’s activities with ruthless determination and continued to reach out even after Arton pushed her away again and again.

  How could Sedrik ask her to go through it all again? She would convince herself that this time would be different. This time Arton would finally see how much his family loved him. So when Arton rejected her, which was always the outcome, she would be crushed like she’d been so many times before.

  Sedrik blew out a frustrated
breath and opened his eyes. What Apex General Nox wanted, he got, especially when his play was backed by the Triad. There was no point in postponing the inevitable. Sedrik sat up straighter and scrubbed his hand over his face before he pinged his mother. He’d already tried twice earlier in the day, but her only response had been an automated message. Part of him hoped he’d receive the message again.

  He’d requested an audio-com, but she activated image as well. Though no longer young by many standards, Skyla Lux was still beautiful. Silver now threaded through her dark hair and faint lines outlined her eyes and mouth. Her unique blue eyes, ringed in bright red, were her most memorable feature. Sedrik still preferred her gentle smile.

  “I wondered when you’d get around to activating a com,” she said before he had a chance to greet her. Then her expressive eyes narrowed and worry creased her brow. “When is the last time you slept? You look exhausted. And your uniform is wrinkled. How long have you worn that thing?”

  Shame heated his face as he ran his fingers over his bristly jaw. This was why he’d requested audio only. “The last few days have been strange.” Trying to shift the focus off his shabby appearance, he asked, “Why were you wondering when I’d com you. We spoke a couple of days ago.”

  “And I’ve been dreaming about you ever since.”

  Sedrik tensed. His mother had powerful precognizant abilities. Her strongest gift was prophetic dreams. She was also able to “read” people she touched, and pick up temporal echoes from inanimate objects. “What did you see?” There was only one recent event important enough to trigger his mother’s gift.

  “Not what, dear, who. I saw a young woman. She’s human, if I’m not mistaken. Tell me about her.”

  “What did she look like?” It was a stall tactic, allowing him to decide how much to tell her.

  She laughed. “Have there been so many? This one had curly brown hair, big green eyes, and a tendency to give you hells. Sound familiar?”

  A smile crept across Sedrik’s lips, despite the seriousness of the situation. His mother never failed to calm him down and make the world seem a little brighter. “Her name is Rebecca and, as you likely figured out, we’re compatible.”

  “Your genetics might be, but I’m not sure about your personalities. Why is she so hostile toward you?”

  “It’s a long, complicated story.”

  Her sky-blue gaze searched his for a moment before she asked, “Have you allowed her to see my loving son, Sedrik, or just that hard-ass General Lux?”

  “I’ve tried, Mother. She’s extremely frustrating.”

  “More frustrating than I was to your father?” Her delicate brows arched, accenting the challenge in her words. “Genetic compatibility isn’t always enough. Are you certain she’s the one?”

  “Very,” he said without hesitation. “I want her like I’ve never wanted anyone or anything.”

  “Then follow your instincts, but don’t give up too easily. Some people must be challenged before they’ll stop lying to themselves.”

  He shook his head. “Aggression makes her shut down. She might seem angry and disinterested, but I honestly think fear is what drives her. She’s been afraid for so long, she doesn’t know anything else.”

  The blue in Skyla’s eyes darkened while the red rings began to gleam. “Then the flashes I saw were real? Her past is that dark?”

  He nodded, unable to speak of the abuse his mate had suffered. Even knowing it had happened before he found her did little to ease his anger or his guilt. He should have been there to protect her. Should have sensed that his mate was in danger.

  “I was hoping they were nightmares, not memories.” Compassion warmed her tone, yet sadness clouded her gaze.

  Thinking about the things Jim did to Rebecca made Sedrik clench his fists. James Dayton would pay, and pay dearly, for every hurt and indignity he’d forced on her. “For Rebecca they’re one and the same.”

  “Forget what I said earlier. You must be patient, no matter how hard that is. You must woo her slowly, carefully. Or better yet, let her come to you.”

  He sighed, mainly because he knew she was right. “And if she never does?”

  “Then she isn’t the one.”

  She made it sound so simple, but Sedrik knew better. Not only was the past sabotaging his ability to woo his mate, Rebecca was still his best hope of finding Big Jim. All Sedrik had to do was convince her to help him without making her so angry she’d never speak to him again. And somehow win her affection at the same time. Damn good thing he thrived on challenges.

  “Why did you ping me in the first place?” Skyla asked once the pause became uncomfortable. “I’m pretty sure Rebecca wasn’t the reason for your com.”

  Facing the new subject with visceral dread, Sedrik admitted, “I need a favor.”

  “Is this about Arton?” His expression must have reflected his shock because she chuckled. “Nothing else has the power to make you scowl quite so ferociously. What has he done now, or what do you want him to do?”

  “I need to talk to him. Is he still taking your coms?”

  She shook her head, sadness overshadowing the light in her eyes. “He hasn’t responded to me in years. However, the overlord has. Shall I ask Kage to arrange a meeting? He might be the only one who can.”

  “Kage?” Sedrik shook his head in disbelief. “You’re on a first-name basis with the leader of the Outcasts?”

  “He’s really very sweet once you get to know him, and he also feels Arton’s animosity is foolish. He’s on our side, I assure you.”

  Only his mother would describe Kage Razel as sweet. It was like saying Earth’s porcupines were cuddly. “Please ask Overlord Razel to arrange a meeting between myself and Arton the Heretic.”

  “I hate that name and you know it.” Her gaze flashed with spirit once again.

  “He refuses to answer to anything else,” Sedrik reminded, then released another deep sigh. The deed was done. He’d kept his word to Garin and the Triad. Not that it would do any good.

  “It will cost you,” Skyla warned with a mischievous smile.

  Sedrik couldn’t decide whether to laugh or glare. “Name your price.” He suspected he wouldn’t like what she was about to say. Still, he needed this badly.

  “Daily updates on Rebecca, and I mean honest, detailed reports. Finding you a mate is too important to trust to a lust-crazed male.”

  Her conviction made him chuckle. Kaden and Dakar were both happily bonded, which meant the full force of their mother’s matchmaking now fell on Sedrik. “I reluctantly agree to your terms.”

  She accepted his answer with a dignified nod. “Then I’ll contact the overlord.”

  “Thank you.”

  “Now go get some sleep!” Skyla blew him a kiss then ended the holo-com.

  Sedrik powered down his workstation and left his office. It was late afternoon. When his mother hadn’t responded to his initial pings, he’d caught up on communications and reports that had piled up while he was trapped in the cave with Rebecca. It was amazing how quickly tasks accumulated if he wasn’t attentive for even a short period of time.

  He made two quick stops on his way to his quarters to verify that minor problems had been resolved by his officers before focusing on his reluctant mate. Lily departed almost an hour ago. She’d eaten the midday meal with Rebecca and reported a long yet casual conversation. Whether or not she’d succeeded in convincing Rebecca that Rodytes were not evil incarnate, Lily hadn’t been sure. Sedrik thanked her for the effort and told her to take the rest of the day off.

  Pausing in the corridor outside his cabin, he fortified himself with a deep breath and tried to organize his chaotic thoughts. He hadn’t sought out a mate since leaving Rodyte space, had basically given up on finding the happiness his parents enjoyed. But then his brothers found human mates and the nearly forgotten longings inside Sedrik resurfaced with a vengeance. His work was fulfilling and important, but he wanted more. He wanted to share his life with a female and someda
y start a family. He wanted—Rebecca.

  His chest tightened, his pulse accelerated, and he refused to think about the reaction of other body parts. Rebecca was extremely desirable, but she was so much more than a pretty face and pleasing shape. His mate was brave and creative, spirited and resilient. His potential mate. Regardless of his determination to have her, she was worlds away from accepting his claim.

  He scanned open the door and strode into his cabin, hoping he looked confident and at ease. His gaze quickly scanned the living room, locking on when he found Rebecca. She sat sideways on the couch, legs drawn up, feet bare. Her jeans and T-shirt had been replaced by the loose, nearly shapeless garments worn by crewmembers during training or strenuous exercise. The outfit was even less appealing than her previous clothes, yet she still looked ridiculously pretty. He’d have to download some patterns for dresses from Lunar Nine, so she could print them out here. Like all Rodyte males, he preferred females in dresses and skirts. But one battle at a time. Her hair was damp, creating soft waves around her face. He wanted to run his fingers through the curly strands. She held a datapad—another gift from Lily no doubt—but her gaze was fixed on him.

  He finally broke the tense silence. “You figured out how to operate the shower, I see.”

  “Lily was very helpful. Thank you for sending her to me.” She set the datapad aside and wrapped her arms around her legs.

  “I’m glad you enjoyed the visit. I had a feeling you’d like each other.”

  “She’s sweet, but you do realize she’s crazy, don’t you.”

  Shocked by her apparent sincerity, he scratched his head. “And what brought you to that conclusion?”

  “Has she told you her Ghost Guide story?”

  Ah, that explained it. “Lily didn’t come up with that. The volunteers all claim someone is helping them. I didn’t take it seriously either, but even the females I’ve known personally agree that there is some sort of entity assisting with the actual transformations.”

  “And you’re okay with that?”

  He spread his hands, too tired to argue. “The ‘ghost’ seems harmless. Besides, how would I stop it?”