Page 50 of Gladiator's Captive
“Only far from Valcan will we be safe.” I spoke low, hunger for her rummaging through my body. “We will go far away from the Galactic Empire, to the savage planets on the fringe of the universe. There, we will build a life together.”
Serena’s mouth stretched into a smile. Her gaze was soft and full of some kind of wonder. Her face was still pale and dark circles lined her eyes, reminding me of her weakened state.
I guided her to the bed and cradled her on my lap. Just holding her like that, her body against mine, soothed the raw edges around my mind.
We were not safe yet, but we were getting closer and closer to our goal.
Serena moved in my arms and I relaxed my hold on her reluctantly. She looked up to me, a soft smile on her lips and a vague, dreamy look in her eyes. Her lips lifted and I met her halfway.
The kiss lingered as our tongues intertwined and our taste melted into one, soft and tender. Softer and more tender than anything I could have ever thought myself capable of. Serena’s mouth heated under mine and the sweet, intoxicating smell of her arousal reached my nostrils. Desire surged into my body, hardening my cock instantly. Her small hands moved, cupping the hot bulge of my erection.
My arms closed on her arms and I ended the kiss.
Serena looked at me, confusion plain on her lovely features. “I want you.” Her voice was husky and aroused in an irresistible female way. “I’ve been longing for you for too long already.”
“As I want you, little girl.” I smiled and passed the tip of my fingers over the perfect curve of her lower lip. “But you need to rest right now.”
Serena pursed her lovely mouth into a pout, but didn’t protest. She snuggled more closely in my lap, her body molding itself to mine like it always belonged there.
“Then talk to me.” Her voice was dreamy, peaceful. It almost broke my heart. “I want to hear your voice when I fall asleep.”
“What would you like me to talk about?” I chuckled, humoring her demand.
“Tell me about your home world. What was it like?”
A knot in my stomach instantly formed and my eyes lost their focus. This was something I hadn’t even allowed myself to think about for so long. Yet there was a need in her voice, something that told me she had to know me, the real me. The man before the legend, the one who didn’t have his hands covered in blood and his soul.
I told her everything.
I told her about the mountains and the endless forest where my people traveled during the summer years. The houses high in the trees and the fruits we collected in the sunny fields, sweeter and juicier than anything she had ever tasted. I told her about the great ice plains we lived on when the long winters came, the beauty of the sky when the sun didn’t come for an entire year, the colors of the northern lights reflecting on the ice like flowers.
I told her about my people, about their losses and their hope. About the war, too. The men I lost, the blood I bled, and the tears I cried.
Serena listened, never interrupting, never crying. She just listened to me as the words left my mouth and with them, a weight that had been suffocating me for years.
In the end, all Serena did was lean into me, her head cradled against my chest and her arms wrapped around my neck. There was nothing she could have done that would have been more perfect. As I held Serena close, I could hear her heartbeat, strong and steady. I listened to it until her body became relaxed in my arms and her breathing slow and regular. She was back asleep, and should be for a long time.
I lifted her easily and settled her in the bed. The sheets and the blanket were old but clean and soft.
“What are you doing?” Serena asked, her voice faded with sleep. “Are you leaving?”
“Yes, little girl.” I brushed a stray strand of hair from her brow. “But I will be back soon. In the meantime, you have to stay here, where you’re safe.”
“But I want to be with you,” Serena protested, her eyes already closing. “And I’d love to see Tartarus.”
“No.” My voice was suddenly stern and Serena opened her eyes, shedding the sleep instantly. My fingers closed around her chin as I stared at her, intent on having her understand how perilous the city was. “Tartarus is dangerous. Wylder controls most of it, and there are men there who wouldn’t blink an eye if something happened to you. You have to stay here. Promise me.”
Serena locked eyes with me for a moment, then nodded.
“I promise.” Then I freed her and she closed her eyes. I kissed her forehead, bringing the blankets up all the way to her chin.
As she nestled between the blankets, I pulled the necklace she gave me from the pocket of my pants and studied it. It shone brightly in the low light. It was an object of great beauty, a jewel befitting of Serena. One I would never have her part with, not even for passage out of Valcan.
I fastened it behind her neck and pulled back.
She was asleep before I even got out the door.
Because I had awakened the memories of the world I left long ago, I knew what had to be done. I had to get Serena far from her father’s reach, to a world worthy of her. A world where we could build a life together.
