Page 43 of Victoria's Discovery

She'd run away when he tried to test her interest earlier with some light flirtation which did not bode well. She'd seemed very flustered and taken aback. He had not expected that at all, especially after his impulsive kiss in the cage had been well-received.

Well, maybe ‘well-received’ was overstating it. But she hadn't seemed angry or tried to rip his cock off, even if neither had she shown any interest in more kisses. He knew, because he’d been watching closely for exactly that and never found it.

“For now, I believe our best path is to stay here. But we all need to keep a watchful eye. It’s possible the Federation’ll find out what's happenin’ here. If that occurs, everyone’ll be put on trial, and there’s no predictin’ what they’d decide. Aria and anyone else they deem responsible could be put to death for their actions. Even if the Federation never becomes involved, there’ll be other Overlords, masters, and mine owners on this planet whose livelihood depends on havin’ slaves. They’d take great offense to learnin’ the slaves here have revolted and taken over. They’d go to great lengths to keep that knowledge from spreadin’ and to put a stop to it.”

Thorn growled, his frustration and unease plain. “Then we stay. For now. Find out what Vee wants and keep focused eyes on the leaders of this place to make sure they are honorable.” His friend cut hard, cautious eyes to Vikail. “And you? Are you of honor?”

Vikail frowned but a wry look soon replaced it. “Do you ask if I’m reliable to watch your back? Or if I’ve intentions toward Vee and plan to steal her for myself?”

Thorn held his stare steadily while Thegan answered for him. “Both.”

* * *

Vi’kail grunted,a little irritated, but he appreciated the male’s honesty. “Don’ worry your pretty head, giant. She wouldn’t have me, even if I did have designs for her.”

They both looked damned disbelieving which made his heart lift with hope before he ruthlessly squashed it. No. There was no question. If Vee learned of his past, of the horrible things he’d been forced to do while in service to the Federation, she’d look upon him with horror. Best to accept the impossibility of it, now.

It didn’t matter that he found her… perfect. Or that the way her eyes sparkled like gems when she laughed made his chest tight. Or that her body called to him likebalnath snuffto an addict. Or that he was dying to know if her fiery curls were as soft as they looked, or what the warmth of her sleeping next to him felt like.

Selfish as it was, he’d been more than ready to pursue her on the ship, when it was a choice between him and slavery. But now that those were no longer her only options, he couldn’t do it. She deserved better than a black-souled ex-soldier with more blood on his hands than could ever be washed away.

He’d spent the first three years after his retirement trying to right the wrongs of his past, only to be met with, at best, distrust and fear. At worst, hatred and revulsion. No. It was better to accept it now rather than see that same revulsion on her beautiful face.

Even a hardened wretch like him could only take so much. And he knew himself well enough to know he’d already fallen far enough that seeing that expression on her would break something in him. He’d already lost his companion to her, who was currently making anxious little sounds in his ear. There was no reason to give her his heart just so she could crush it in her dainty little fist.

Thegan scoffed and eyed him like he thought him a fool for admitting defeat before even trying but shrugged. “We have tarried long enough. We need to find her.”

Whether that look or his dark thoughts were to blame was guesswork, but the words were said before he could stop them. “We wouldn’t’ve had to find her had you not frightened her away with your blunderin’ attempt at flirtation.”

Thegan’s brows furrowed sharply but, to Vi’kail’s confusion, he didn’t appear angry at the insult, mostly perplexed. Likely wondering when theliseer wasphad bit him on the ass to put him in such a foul mood of a sudden.

That absence of ire meant Vi’kail didn’t see the punch coming in time to dodge it.

Vi’kail stumbled two steps to the side with the force of the blow but caught himself and whipped around, fangs bared and fists balled. Thegan smirked and braced his feet. Old, familiar violence sparked to life in his chest. The urge to attack was instant, but Vi’kail clenched his teeth and forced his fists to relax.

Rolling the tension out of his shoulders, he straightened and nodded once. “I earned that,” he admitted. “But don’ try it again, giant. You don’ want to learn whyDha’heansare spoken of in fear.”

His warning was neither boast or jest and, yet, Thegan looked intrigued instead of wary.

Either the male is an idiot, or he’s more fortitude behind that pretty-boy face than I expected.

That was admirable but, in this situation, foolish. Shaking his head, Vi’kail turned to the elevator, keeping a tight grip on his control.

Growing up as an orphan on the vicious streets ofDha’heameant his first reaction was to fight. Being a soldier taught him to kill. But he’d never suffered a lack of control until they dosed him with enhancement drugs and set those instincts on a hair-trigger. His control, now, was hard-won, and losing it over something of his own making would be beyond foolish. He wasn’t that angry, starving orphan or the soldier whose name was spoken in low, scared murmurs. He’d make himself into Vi’kail, the reclusive lupka breeder whose past no one knew or cared about.

Snitch landed on his shoulder a moment later, warbling questioningly in his ear. A fond smile curled his lips as he automatically reached up to give the worried fírlark a calming pat.

“I’m well, my friend.”

“I am glad to hear it,” came Thorn’s voice from his side.

The male sounded gruff, as he generally did, but there was understanding on his face that said he was no stranger to battling one’s demons. The elevator doors opened, saving Vi’kail from having to respond.

Thegan, when he joined them inside, seemed cheerful as though the incident was already forgiven and forgotten.

Just as the doors shut, from seemingly nowhere Thegan blurted, “Food!”

Eyeing him in surprise, Vi’kail wondered if that was supposed to make sense or…

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