Page 35 of Taming Chaos

That peculiar concept had probably saved their lives, because Torin had been able to convince them not to fight back.

How ironic that the very memory he despised, he now drew upon in order to survive… in order to protect.

By asserting his supreme dominance as a warrior, Torin had just subdued the Bartharran horde. Culturally, they had to defer to his will until someone stronger defeated him and took his place.

But the problem with being king was that everyone wanted to be king. Sooner or later, some fool would try and challenge him, and then they would learn how much stronger Torin really was.

As they crossed the floor, leaving the loading dock behind, Torin sighed in frustration, knowing—and hating—what he would have to do.

But what did it matter?

He detested some of the things he was forced to do—always had—but that wouldn’t stop him from doing them again and again, especially if his actions kept Persephone safe.

Never in his life had Torin felt such a strong urge to protect an individual.

Yes, it was finally happening. The moment he’d hoped for, waited for, prayed to the cursed nonexistent Goddess for…

He was falling, and it was both terrifying and sublime.

Chapter Eight

Seph had heard about ships like this, but never in her wildest dreams had she imagined she would actually get to see the inside of one.

The Bartharran pirate ship was… strange.

Rusting metal lined brightly lit corridors that were teeming with small furry red creatures. They roamed the ship in packs, making small yipping sounds if she and Torin veered too close. With their glossy black eyes, thick coats, and delicate faces, the animals were actually quite adorable, reminding her of pint-sized foxes.

“Nak nak,” Torin said quietly, as if sensing her curiosity. He must have eyes in the back of his head, because the entire time they’d been walking, he hadn’t glanced at her once. “On Bartharra, they’re everywhere.”

She was about to respond, but as they turned the corner, they encountered a group of oncoming Bartharrans. The aliens marched in single file, and there were around a dozen of them; all broad, seven feet tall, and bristling with guns and blades.

They walked down the center of the corridor. So did Torin. Beneath her cloak, Seph tensed. If they kept walking, someone was going to collide.

Torin didn’t budge. Neither did the Bartharrans. They all kept moving, and Seph had no choice but to follow, sticking right on Torin’s heels.

The sight of his broad back—with its muscular planes, crossed swords, and strange symbiote-armor—was both intimidating and reassuring. It reminded her that he was the only thing standing between her and the fierce Universe.

Despite the imminent danger, Seph couldn’t resist the chance to steal a glance at the rest of him, particularly at that tight, shapely, armor-encased ass. Perfection. It was like a damn magnet for her eyes.

There was that feeling again, that strange thrill she got whenever she tried to imagine what lay beneath his impenetrable exo-suit.

What was it about a man who was both supremely dangerous and disarmingly nice, who could kill seven feet tall barbarians in the blink of an eye, and only moments later, reassure her in that warm, liquid-velvet voice of his?

And now she was staring at his magnificent ass as he walked toward a group of very large, very mean looking Bartharran pirates.

Torin, what are you doing? We’re going to run into them!

But remembering Torin’s warning, she didn’t dare speak aloud. She kept her head down, and it really wasn’t too difficult to pretend to be terrified.

Torin relentlessly marched on, giving no quarter. Seph cringed, fearing another bloodbath, but at the last second, the Bartharrans moved out of the way, letting them pass. They grunted and hissed amongst themselves, but none of them dared meet Torin’s eyes.

Predictably, the Kordolian didn’t react, didn’t even slow down. He just kept on walking, his long, brisk strides giving off a distinctly military vibe.

Military. That made perfect sense. The ultra-tech armor, the supreme fighting skills, the way he had absolutely no respect for anyone who dared oppose him.

Suddenly, Seph was grateful for the brutal fitness training regime she’d put herself through during her final months on Earth. All those hot, sweaty months she’d spent slogging it out on the tree-lined streets of Cayenne were finally paying off, because she wasn’t out of breath as she kept up with Torin’s cracking pace.

“How do you even know your way around this place?” she muttered under her breath as they passed a series of mysterious doors. The layout of the Bartharran ship was terribly confusing. It had so many damn corners, and the angles didn’t make sense. Instead of everything being at right-angles, the corridors would just shoot off in random directions, like branches spreading out from a central trunk.

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