Guardian [New World Book 6] Page 12

  “Why do warriors brand their mates?” she asked.

  Roam smiled. “When a Castian mates, he mates for life. Half of what I am will be you and vice versa. The mark is part of my vow. It reminds me we belong together. I’m told humans wear rings. You can take the ring off and still be married. But the mark is a tie. It’s a warning device to my shield. If you are in any danger your tattoo would blaze brighter. Within seconds, I could find you.”

  “That’s one weird kinda cell phone.”

  “Please love me again.”

  “I never stopped loving you,” Jinx said. “I stopped liking you.”

  “I can scent you like me again,” Roam said.

  “Do those secretions make you psychic?”

  “No. It’s a way to connect us better.”

  “Are you making me like you?”

  “Not really. I can’t make you do anything you don’t want to.”

  Jinx fingered his black locks. “I guess I do like you again. I was hurt, angry, embarrassed. I guess telling you how loathsome I thought Castians were wasn’t exactly a welcome sign saying ‘reveal your true nature.’

  “I can tell you’re still hurting. I scent your anger and confusion. I know how strong you are. I’ve shared Taz’s memories of you. I love the way you jump into things feet first and ask questions later. I love how you helped your family survive. You trusted me the day we made love in the cave. I tried so hard to tell you what I am, but your essence was so overwhelming. I wanted to contact the ship and find Jade first.”

  “You wanted her to tell me Castians weren’t so bad. You knew she was safe, didn’t you?”

  “A Castian warrior stole her to save her life; there would be no other reason. Please trust me again.”

  Jinx had a long time to think while on the ship. Skylar still went to see Taz and the others on a regular basis leaving Jinx alone. If not for Taz, she would have died. A Tonan saved her life. A Castian kidnapped her sister. Now a Castian had returned her sister to her and claimed he loved her. Jinx forgave Taz. Bagron was full of warriors. She had to be strong enough to live with them or she would live in fear forever.

  “No more secrets,” Jinx said.

  “Never.” The grin on his face lit candles behind his eyes.

  Roam stood up. Cupping her head he pulled her closer until her cheek rested against his bare broad chest. He was too hard to resist. She was tired of feeling hurt. Roam lifted her into his arms and settled her back under a large fern. The suns were at their peak. She gazed deeply into his stunning blue eyes when he lay her down.

  “Mate with me,” he whispered. “Trust in me.”

  Jinx nodded.

  Chapter 9

  Roam thought his heart would burst from happiness. Jinx loved him; he could scent her emotions in a way that completed him. She knew what he was and she loved him anyway. Her forgiveness was the scent of an intoxicating aroma. Her beautiful eyes were somewhat wary, but he didn’t blame her, the fault was his. When they mated, the wariness would disappear. She would feel him inside of her, loving her.

  “Will it hurt?” she whispered.

  She meant the tattoo. “I won’t let it. My body will be so tuned into your needs I will feel everything you do.”

  An overhang of lustrous ferns gave them ample shade. Beneath them was a bed of soft foliage. His hand touched her bare skin triggering his essence into overdrive. She was never to fear him or anything they did together. Her body immediately relaxed with his touch. He smiled at her as gently as he could. This time there was no misunderstanding. She was going to be loved by a warrior, a Castian.

  “I love you,” he whispered.

  His mouth captured hers as she repeated the words back. The taste of love danced across his tongue. Her moan reached his ears and he knew he filled her thoughts. Nothing was more important than Jinx. He would love her mind, body and soul. He bared every inch of them both making certain their flesh touched.

  Roam traced his cold nose down the side of Jinx’s face to her throat, making her giggle. Her warm hands traced the power in his shoulders, down his arms. This time, they would love in broad daylight.

  For a moment, Roam stopped; no secrets. “This is a must cycle. My cock will engorge with a piece of my shield. I won’t hurt you, but I will bite you to calm you. My fangs produce a calming liquid. If I come within you, we might produce a son.”

  “Do you want a son?”

  “Very much so. But I’m eight hundred years old. Some of our females didn’t want children until they were my age. You have the same choice. I was surprised when I learned Earth females stopped ovulating at a certain stage in their lives.”

  “Menopause. It’s a blessing really. We get too old for little ones. Our periods stop, we stop ovulating.”

  “You will never grow old if we mate.”

  Jinx grimaced. “Hundreds of years with a period each month isn’t really setting the stage for romance here, Roam.”

  Roam chuckled. “When you mate with me, you will only menstruate when I am in must. Twice every four hundred years.”

  She nodded her head smiling. “Looking more promising. Continue.”

  “You will be the one carrying the babe. Whether you choose this cycle or any other. It’s your body that will go through the changes. But I will mention once we mate I will feel what you feel. My body and essence will be geared to making you happy. It’s why the baby shield is so strong. A warrior sometimes concentrates too much on his mate and her desires.”

  Jinx giggled. “So does that mean if I crave pickles and ice cream you will too?”

  “I’m uncertain as to what a pickle is, but I find ice cream to be delightful.”

  She became serious. “My entire family was stolen from me in a day. Now I’m being offered a chance at a new beginning. If you swear you’ll always be there for me then I’m willing to trust you can take care of both me and our baby.”

  “On my honor.”

  When Roam claimed her lips he groaned again with her taste, trust was just as delicious as love. Acceptance was such an aphrodisiac. Pulling her upright into his arms, he watched her breasts jiggle then settle. For a moment he studied her bared breasts. Her breasts were large and firm but still bounced pleasantly as though wanting to be noticed. Beautiful nipples that would feed his son were his for now.

  Stripped of all clothing, they frolicked playfully until Jinx lay on top of him. Easily, Roam lifted her hips. Her hands trailed over his chest, touching everywhere. She was exploring him in the light as she hadn’t been able to in the dark. Her gaze traveled lower as she moved down his body. His cock was ready for her attention.

  Jinx settled her hands around his thick cock looking up at him. “How can you possibly get bigger than this and be able to be inside me?”

  “I won’t grow to the size of a baby’s head.”

  “Good to know,” she mumbled right before her lips and mouth closed over his cock.

  Saliva from her tongue meshed with his essence, filling Roam. She began to flow through his veins. Like a ship panel his sensors geared up as she threw switch after internal switch. Roam was aware of her needs, her wants, her desires.

  Her warm tongue danced across his erection. Small fingers experimented with touching his balls. Back and forth she rocked with her ass in the air. A tiny amount of his seed escaped. What she tasted was very potent. It took love to create a Castian child. Roam’s emotions would flow, making a connection with any babe strong. The second their child was conceived, he would know immediately how wanted he was. Jinx would taste overwhelming acceptance, pure love.

  Roam pulled her higher, she looked dazed. He could have chuckled at her expression. As well, his maleness secreted a hormone geared to desire for his mate; his shield would already know she was the one for him. His shield already realized how important Jinx was to Roam’s survival and changed to accept her—making room for her. Every part of him responded to Jinx. The pulsing of his shield was minimal, yet building. Tiny portions from each t
actical, strategic part of his armor would be given to his babe. Only the best for a Castian child.

  The piece of shield Roam was given from his father lived in Roam’s shield. The shield would live on in any son he produced. It was the shield’s way of procreating. It’s why the shield contained twice the love. It contained hundreds of thousands of years of memories. It’s what made his armor so powerful. The love of his past, present and future generations.

  Roam pushed down on Jinx’s hips as she connected with him. He wasn’t engorged, but building. For a few moments, he let her ride him. When she was feeling excited, accepting, and needing more, he flipped her onto her belly, pulling her shoulders back. His large hand wrapped around her throat where he kissed and sucked. She whimpered as his cock grew larger. The wait was excruciating, but Roam knew if the exact pieces of his armor weren’t harvested, no baby would take place.

  When Roam sank his fangs into Jinx’s neck, she screamed then settled immediately. His drug was potent. Her body went limp, the lethargy would be euphoric. Roam took his time carving his tattoo in her flesh. There was blood but he was unconcerned, he could heal her in his shield.

  Engorged now he thrust carefully. It was so pleasurable to be inside of her. Almost spent, he bellowed his release when she came. His shield closed over them both. Exhausted after healing Jinx and giving a piece of his armor away, Roam let his shield fall. He sensed no child. He would have felt disappointment, but he thought of the fun they would have trying again—and perhaps again.

  Jinx stirred, her tousled hair fell forward into her eyes until he brushed her locks back. Her nipples looked compelling. She smiled then groaned when Roam settled his mouth over a creamy breast and suckled hard. Feeling his power return, Roam’s grip on her tightened. Old memories of first ways to mate were prominent, primitive.

  Beneath him Jinx wiggled when too much of his weight held her. Carefully he took both of her slender wrists into one hand and held them high over her head. Her sweet breath came in shallow pants when he gripped her thigh and pulled higher. When Jinx wrapped her legs around his waist Roam plunged into her. She cried out and hung on tight.

  His shield covered his feet, arms and hands as Roam leapt for a huge tree, taking her with him. Roam climbed higher until he dug his talons and claws into the trunk pinning her back and shoulders against the soft firm bark. Jinx hung on for dear life making him chuckle. Long ago a warrior would take his mate high into the trees. She could only get down with his help. It was also the safest place to mate.

  Roam thrust and retreated. His fangs dripped with his venom. He could feel Jinx tiring. Roam’s shielded arm curled around her back, his hips pinned hers to the tree as he ground against her.

  “Oh God I feel like a wrung out dishrag,” Jinx said and groaned.

  Not exactly what he was going for. Roam grinned. “Should I hang you out to dry?”

  “We’re at least fifty feet in the air. I’m high enough, thanks.”

  Feeling the pressure of his cock grow, Roam knew he would have to bite her soon. If he gave more of his shield away he might just also feel like a wrung out dishrag. Reluctantly, Roam descended from the tree and lay her back down in their sheltered area. It had been nice, exposed to the suns.

  “Roam, there’s so much.”

  That was his cue. Roam sunk his fangs into her neck. Her body went limp and accepting. She whispered she loved him. By the time he was done, Jinx was curled in his arms sound asleep. Roam was exhausted. Twice, he had given a piece of his shield. Her body was too warm to resist. He pulled her snuggly to his chest. He didn’t think it would hurt to regenerate for a few minutes.

  * * * *

  Roam’s body jumped, startled. He had been in Jinx’s dreams, watching memories of her young life. Earth had been fascinating at one time. A sensor in his shield called him back.

  Remembering where they were Roam noticed the mammoths had moved off taking their snow hologram with them. The sky began to darken which was confusing. Night wasn’t approaching.

  “Get dressed,” Roam demanded, waking Jinx.

  “What’s wrong?”

  Furious with himself Roam realized his need for her had made him lapse in judgment. It might cost them their lives. His thoughts flashed back to the Zargonnii warrior he had been so critical of. Roam had just placed his mate in danger.

  The blast that suddenly hit Roam flipped him back away from Jinx before he could shield her. In his thoughts he knew—he knew, this was exactly how Slay was separated from Tia. Tia died—so too had Slay.

  * * * *

  Jinx screamed when the alien came at her. It was at least eight feet tall, bald gangly, ugly. She expected the creature to attack—it simply stood focusing on her. Her hands shot up to grab her head. The creature was suddenly in her mind. Roaring pain filled her like a migraine times ten. Turning slightly, Jinx took a fast gaze to where Roam was. Roam was battling three Tonans, all three creatures had long tails. Taz didn’t have a tail. The Tonans used their tails like whips, or slithering snakes trying to creep around Roam’s legs or arms.

  Roam couldn’t get to her. A frightening thought of this was how Roam’s warrior mate had died popped into her mind. His mate was attacked, but not before she saved two other women and a child.

  The pain was excruciating. So much so Jinx dropped to her knees. If she died, Roam would die, she knew it in her heart he would follow her into death. The idea of losing him when she just mated him made her furious. All the suffering she had been through on Earth would be for nothing if she perished on another planet.

  She wished a gator would snap the bastard’s legs off. The image was so strong within her thoughts Jinx could see it happening. The second she thought it, the beast fell to its knees. Jinx blinked with surprise. Her thoughts rolled with the creature’s. The foul being had been brain stormed by her. This was the deadly Gorgano she mind-battled with.

  Oh, now I get how this works.

  Slay’s mate, Tia had mind-battled six aliens, while Slay was kept occupied by rogue Tonans. On shaky feet Jinx hobbled to find her balance. Next, a lion ripped through the alien’s head. From a distance Jinx had seen a marsh deer slaughtered by a big cat. She knew where each slice was to go.

  The Gorgano fell. Jinx screamed and with her thoughts pushed five talons into the beings chest and shook it the way her father had died. The creature moved no more. The Gorgano were right in their assumption—human females could be deadly, at least to the Gorgano. Helplessly she watched Roam battle the Tonans. Her memories spiraled back to when her father was killed, how helpless she had been.

  Roam was a pinwheel of action. Jinx watched as he sliced a Tonan shield down with a razor claw. She was surprised; she thought nothing could penetrate a shield. A closer look revealed the Tonans didn’t have the same weapon as Roam. When the Tonan fell to the ground, his shield began to close back over him as Roam was attacked by the other two protecting their fallen comrade.

  It’s not fair.

  Jinx hated the Tonan on the ground. She hated watching him heal, she wished he would explode. The Tonan screamed. His hands to his head. All three warriors stopped and watched as his armor squealed and rusted, turning to dust. All three looked at Jinx. Roam was the first to react. His claw dragged down a Tonan face. The second the warrior was exposed Jinx blew him up in her thoughts.

  A lightning streak grabbed her and enclosed her in a shield. Taz was there. More warriors followed. The rogue Tonans were outnumbered. Cobra went to Roam. He looked from the fallen Gorgano to the two dead warriors.

  “What the hell happened?” he asked.

  “Jinx killed all three,” Roam said, he looked stunned.

  “I scented you on her. I knew I could shield her,” Taz sounded bewildered. “You mated her. But there is no child as yet.”

  When Taz lowered his shield Jinx ran to Roam. His armor dropped and he crushed her to his chest.

  “Holy shit, you saved our lives,” Roam said.

  “I was so angry. The Gorg
ano had a taste of Earth hospitality. The Tonans I blew up in my thoughts and they just keeled over,” Jinx said.

  “This is good to know,” Cobra said. “It means, unshielded a Castian warrior could suffer the same fate. Forewarned is forearmed.”

  “It’s time I took Jinx back to her sister,” Rand said stepping forward. “They have been separated too long. My little warrior will know you as family, Roam. It’s only fair the two females have time together.”

  Roam knew he was right but still he wanted Jinx close. He made a move to go with them but was stopped by Cobra.

  “You have another pressing matter.” Roam studied his leader quizzically. “There is a little girl who needs you.”

  “Scarlet,” Roam whispered. “I planned to go to her the second we landed but…”

  “But you mated and then battled for your life,” Cobra interjected. “Your little one needs you now.”

  Realization slammed him hard. Cobra was right—Scarlet was Roam’s little one now. Roam allowed Rand to return to the hive with Jinx, promising her he would come to her later, they needed to talk. Jinx didn’t mind having Roam’s son but Scarlet was Roam’s now too. As he entered the huge dome, Roam dropped his armor. It wouldn’t have mattered, Scarlet would have been able to identify him even shielded, as would Jinx now. None of the children in the room were afraid of the warriors.

  The pretty little four-year-old was sitting alone, staring off into space. Roam settled onto his knees before her. Her big blue eyes gazed up at him; her long blond hair fell into her eyes. Roam brushed the locks back.

  “They’re gone,” she said. A precocious child, Scarlet wasn’t into baby talk or beating around the bush.