Chapter Thirteen
After that, it was the new, masterful Kaden who came to her every night. She hungered for his domination, thrilled at his stern commands. More and more often, he found reasons to order her across his lap. But the firm spankings would be followed by lovemaking that left her breathless and shaking. When she begged him to stop, swearing she could go no higher, he took it as a challenge to his manhood and proved her a liar.
The more she surrendered to his desires, the more pleasure he gave. She’d never known two people could meld together that way, giving and receiving until it was impossible sometimes to know where she left off and he began.
Afterward, as they lay in each other’s arms, they talked. Kaden told her stories of his childhood in New Atlantis, growing up as the pampered only son of the island’s ruler.
“Your father is the king?”
“More like a governor. Atlantean people vote on our laws. Kristos merely sees to it that all the citizens follow those laws. He holds court, settles disputes, and acts as commander of the army, guarding our boundaries and keeping our people safe.”
“Army? Do Atlanteans wage war?”
“Only if the security of our homes and families is threatened. Then we do whatever it takes to protect those we love from harm.” His voice grew cold, and he fell silent. AJ dared not question him further.
The longer she spent in the Lyceum, the more AJ doubted she’d ever be able to slip away unnoticed long enough to gather the information she needed to report back to the Interstellar Federation. Only a man could walk through the city freely, eavesdropping unnoticed on conversations in the shops, sneaking into warehouses to confirm the stores of rare earths being stockpiled.
She thought long and hard about it. Finally ,she decided to trust Kaden, confess why she’d really come to Petra, and enlist his help. He listened without interrupting. When she finished, he stared at her, an odd look on his face.
“So, you’re Commander Norris?”
AJ nodded.
“I’ve only risen to the rank of prefect in New Atlantis.” He threw back his head and roared. “I never dreamed I’d get my cock sucked by a superior officer!”
“Please. Be serious. The Federation fears what may happen if Tok sells his minerals on the black market. The weapons terrorists can create with them could wreak havoc on Neodyma, leaving it a desolate wasteland. We’ve seen the death and destruction rare earth weapons created on Earth and other planets. The Interstellar Federation has sworn to stop it from ever happening again. Used for good, the elements can enhance the quality of life. It would be a tragedy if they were used to end it instead.”
“I’ve heard such tales. Tales of other worlds that no longer exist.” He closed his eyes, as though imagining the devastation that could rain down on Neodyma.
When he looked back at her, his eyes hard, she got her first glimpse of the mighty Atlantean warrior Tok feared.
“Are you prepared for battle, Commander?”
She gave the automatic response to an officer in charge drilled into her by years in the military. “Yes, sir.”
AJ told him about the rumors of a caravan on its way to Petra from the coast, carrying riches to exchange for tons of rare minerals. “Members of Tok’s inner circle are at the Lyceum every night. Some men like to brag when their tongues have been loosened by sex and strong spirits. Word is the general is preparing for very important visitors to arrive within days.”
“I planned to go back through the portal in Alexandria to alert our forces of General Tok’s plans,” she went on. “But I’ve run out of time. We have to stop the caravan from leaving Petra with the minerals. Once they’re outside this mountain fortress, they can be transported anywhere in the galaxy. We’ll never be able to track them or monitor their use.”
Kaden was silent, mulling over the information. “There are a few men here I trust,” he declared. “Men who, like me, think Tok is a power-hungry despot. I can enlist their aid. What about you? Can you call upon any of the harlots?”
She nodded. “I think so.”
They stayed awake nearly all night, laying out a plan. Finally, Kaden insisted she lie down, wrapping his arms around her.
She lay wide awake, her mind spinning. She wasn’t alone anymore. With Kaden by her side, she still had a chance of completing her mission.
His breathing slowed, deepened. The arm tossed over her hip went slack.
AJ lay still for a moment. Then, giving in to a strange impulse, she turned toward him and brushed her lips over his before sliding out of bed.
As her feet touched the floor, his arm shot out. One hand closed over her wrist, pinning her in place.
“You kissed me.” His voice firm, with no hint of sleepiness.
“It was nothing. A momentary lapse.”
“It was a kiss.” He pulled her back down on the bed, rolling over to trap her body beneath his. “You kissed me. And now, I’m going to kiss you back.”