Page 110 of The Edge of Dawn

“Good.”

“So the mission and our intentions are clear.” Tarak took over, his voice ringing with the authority of command. He wore it so naturally, like a second skin. “We’ll disrupt their tracking. Lodan will drop us onto the Caelix III. You will don an atmospheric suit and attach yourself to the exterior of the ship until Enki opens the airlock and brings us in. Then, we separate and search for our respective targets. Don’t expect everything to go to plan. It never does. But we’ll be behind you, and that outweighs everything else. Remember, the humans are to be preserved at all costs. Do everything in your power to ensure no harm comes to them. They’re fragile creatures, and their bodies can’t withstand the sort of punishment you or I can. You’ll be provided with a comm through which I’ll issue your orders and update you when necessary. If you find yourself in a life-or-death situation, you call for help. Understood?”

“Hm.” To Dragek’s surprise, a knot of emotion filled his chest.

What was this strange, irrational feeling?

Aside from his craving for Jade, there shouldn’t be anything else. When the Mistress had sent him on a job, he’d always been as cold as ice.

But this was different.

In the past, he’d always worked alone.

This was the first time he’d ever been part of a team.

THIRTY-SEVEN

She woke suddenly, her eyes snapping open, consciousness returning to her like a lightning bolt.

Oh, god. What was that?

She remembered it all. Dragek’s otherworldly sanctuary. Finding him there.

The sex.

Oh, my stars.

Did that really happen?

Judging from the way her body felt right now, something had happened.

She was hot all over. Even in the relative cool of her chambers, her skin was damp with sweat. Her heart pounded, and her breath came quickly, shallowly.

Between her thighs, she ached with need.

Just for him. She couldn’t get him out of her head. She wanted him to be here right now, with her.

Wrapping his powerful arms around her, pressing his deliciously honed body against hers…

But he was gone. Off on a terribly dangerous mission. Through a wormhole, of all things. So far away, there was no way she could reach him, even if she tried.

It wasn’t like she could jump into a flyer and go after him.

The Universe was more vast and complicated than anything she could ever have imagined.

And more wondrous, too.

Hold onto my thread for as long as you can.

She hadn’t imagined that, either. To Jade’s surprise, she really could feel his presence, even though it was faint. He was bright and sharp, cold and clear, and tender and warm, all at the same time. Typical Dragek. A walking mass of contradictions.

He hadn’t told her anything much about where he was going or what he was supposed to do. Did he think he could shield her from the reality of what he did? That she didn’t know?

That she couldn’t help but worry about him?

He probably wasn’t used to anyone actually caring about him. Life had been harsh to him. It was astounding that he was actually capable of such gentleness and protectiveness when he was with her.

Oh, Dragek.

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