Page 81 of Venomous Heart
“I’ll love it wherever we live.” Ava’s arms closed around his waist and she pushed her hips closer, her purple eyes turning hungry. “And I know I’d love it if you stayed just a bit longer.”
Arlen smiled and desire rose inside him, reliable as ever. Ava had been even more hungry for him in the past few weeks.
“I would love nothing more, but it will have to wait an hour or two.” He reluctantly withdrew his hand from her gorgeous hair. “This meeting has been called by the chief of the Erynian tribe. He might be my father, but Enlon doesn’t suffer slights to his authority.”
“I have to tutor Uril anyway.” Ava shook her head, then pursed her lips in a pout. “He’s much more difficult since he received the Exo-Heart. All he wants to do is to keep playing in the exercise wards, he has no more interest in his study.”
“He’s a young male!” Arlen laughed at Ava’s disapproving sigh. “He’s getting stronger every day, thanks to you.”
Arlen kissed her again, her soft, pliable lips so inviting under his, then he left. It was hard to walk the length of the ship using the cane Ava forced him to use, but he couldn’t deny that it was her he had to thank for his physical progress. She had been working on his recovery from the day he’d woken up.
But, as he had been summoned by the chief of the Erynian tribe and the Commander-in-Chief of the Eok armies, he would have to stand alone. Dangers still lurked in the Ring and beyond the Frontier. Dangers that could plunge the entire Ring into chaos and violence.
Arlen entered the communication room of the Eok’s warship, then sat in front of the large screen a second before two Eok warriors appeared. The young one was his older brother, Karian, the Commander-in-Chief of the Eok armies, and the other was Enlon, his father and chief of the Erynian tribe.
“Karian, Father.” Arlen inclined his head in greeting and respect. “What news of the negative particle bomb?”
“Prime Councilor Aav is back in the Ring’s headquarters,” Enlon informed Arlen, no trace of humor in his voice. “But Knut still hasn’t been found. Aav pretends she has recovered the negative particle bomb, but without proof, there is still danger that she is lying to maintain her power. Already, rumors circulate about a weapon of mass destruction in the hands of a rebel beyond the reach of the Ring. Knut will have to be hunted down. There can be no lasting peace in the Ring as long as he’s still alive.”
Silence slithered between Arlen and the others, a silence full of hidden threats and dangers.
“Our best teams are out there, looking for any trace of Knut. He will be found, brother.”
Arlen nodded. There was nothing else for him to do but wait. He was no longer able to hunt down the likes of Knut. “I trust Khal is holding the post of Commander on Aveyn just fine?”
Karian looked surprised. “Yes, Khal is performing the mission just as well as expected.”
“Good.” Arlen paused, his head full of questions. It had been too long since he’d left his post, too long since he’d had anything of true importance to do. “What about the crops? Did Kamal bring them back in time to plant for the season?”
Enlon roared with laughter, slapping his thigh as Karian looked down, an amused smile on his face.
“I see you are recovered from your injuries,” Karian commented, still smiling. “And that you have way too much time on your hands if you worry about the agricultural problems of Aveyn.”
Arlen frowned as his brother joined their father in laughter. Frustration welled inside him and he knew they were right. “I will have to get used to having too much time on my hands.”
The statement sobered Karian and Enlon as they looked at him intently.
Arlen lifted a hand. “I don’t want your pity. I am lucky to be alive, and the only thing that matters is that my bloodmate is safe and sound, here with me. Now, you wanted to talk to me?”
Enlon’s face became serious once more, the piercing blue eyes as sharp as they’d ever been. When he looked like that, Arlen understood why Enlon had been chosen by his father as the next chief of the Erynian tribe. Leadership was in his blood, in everything he did.
“I have an important announcement I wish to make, and I need to speak with you beforehand.” Enlon spoke plainly, directly, as was his habit. “I am stepping down as chief of the Erynian tribe.”
Arlen stared at his father, the news shocking him as much as if Enlon had reached across the void of space and slapped him from within the screen.
“You’re stepping down,” Arlen repeated the words as he frowned. “But why?”
“I am old now, my son.” Enlon nodded, then glanced over at Karian. “I wish to spend the time I have left with my family.”
Arlen nodded, then locked gazes with his brother. “Congratulations are in order, brother.” Arlen inclined his head to Karian. “You will be a good chief.”
“I’m afraid you misunderstand.” Karian frowned and leaned in, his gaze intense. “Father is stepping down, but I’m not relinquishing my post as Commander-in-Chief of the Eok armies.”
Arlen paused, confusion making him frown even deeper.
“Then who? Surely not Kamal. He has no interest in the politics of the relationship between the Eok tribes. Khal is too young; all he wants is to gain honor in combat. It would kill him to work in an office on Eokim.”
“There is only one person who could replace me,” Enlon chimed in, a wry grin on his weathered face. “You! Of course, it was always you. You will take the mantle of chief. There is no one who would do a better job. There is no one I would trust more.”
