TALON (RIBUS 7 Book 4)

  Copyright © 2016

  TALON by Shae Mills

  All rights reserved.

  No part of this publication may be reproduced, transmitted, downloaded, decompiled, reverse engineered, or stored in or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereinafter invented without the express written permission of the author.

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  Author's Note

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales, is entirely coincidental.

  Dedication

  To my sons.

  Because of you,

  all things are possible.

  To my Dad.

  I know you would be proud.

  To my Mom.

  You are my biggest fan.

  Acknowledgments

  My boys, you are my life, my motivation, my inspiration, and my happiness. Without you there would be nothing.

  My family, who has asked for twenty-five years, “When are you going to publish?” Thanks for sticking with me. My boys came first. Now it’s my time.

  Stephanie Fysh, my editor, thank you for accepting my work and for all your wonderful and informative direction.

  Sigrid Macdonald, my proofreader, thank you for all your kind words, your support, and your keen eye.

  Jimmy Thomas, my cover model, you rock! Thank you once again for all that you do for me.

  Fiona Jayde, who did such a wonderful job of my cover art, again! Thank you! You captured the essence of my book perfectly.

  All my author friends, thank you for your support, your expertise, and your encouragement. You have all meant so much to me.

  And now, my readers, thank you once again, and welcome to TALON, where the adventure continues. Enjoy!

  For information about the author, visit: www.facebook.com/shae.mills.54

  Table of Contents

  Author's Note

  Dedication

  Acknowledgments

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 29

  Chapter 30

  Chapter 31

  Chapter 32

  Chapter 1

  Chelan peered up at the morning sky, white cottonball clouds punctuating the summer blue. She smiled to herself and snuggled deeper into the warm blankets, reveling in the insulation they provided from the cool mountain breezes. It was late July, and she loved sleeping outside—the fresh air, the stars, and the freedom infusing her heart with a serenity that was beyond compare. Add in that Dar had activated some sort of foolproof insect repellent that wove a hidden protective cocoon about them, and she was in paradise.

  She looked toward the alpine forest that surrounded her tranquil meadow. Except for the chatter of birds, all was quiet. Dar was undoubtedly out on one of his early morning forays, she surmised, but he would return soon. Then she focused her attention inward and grimaced at the discomfort her distended bladder was causing. But she would endure it for a while yet. For the past three months, morning sickness had struck her viciously the moment she rose from bed. Why the night’s horizontal position eased her discomfort was a mystery to her. But the instant she went vertical, her stomach rebelled and the day’s misery commenced.

  Chelan lay still for a long time, soaking in the beauty of the Cascades. Except for the nausea and extreme fatigue, her time alone with Dar had been heavenly bliss. Thoughts of both Earth and the Empire had been temporarily eroded from her concerns, her attention directed solely to her treasured Warlord and the child he had gifted within her.

  She had had her fair share of moments of guilt accompanied by sorrow over her decision about Dar. Her allegiance to him severed her personal ties to both Fremma and Korba. It was a decision of such momentous proportions, and wrought with so many far-reaching ramifications for everyone, that at times, it scared her to death. But what it all came down to in the end was summed up by an old Earth adage: “Actions speak louder than words.” Her beloved Warlord, Korba, now the Emperor, held her within his heart with an unshakable and undeniable bond, but his true love was the battlefield, and she had known that from day one. Fighting was indelibly inked into his genetics, and though he was being genuine when he offered her his all, in truth he was not being honest with himself.

  Chelan rolled to her side and slid her hand over her tummy. Dar was of the same fighting elite, yet for whatever reason, he had come to the conclusion that it was all expendable for her, and he had proven that by leaving his ship over two long Earth years ago to prepare for her. He had risked life and limb to share himself completely with her, knowing full well that by Iceanean law, his execution was more than warranted. But despite that dire threat, he had not promised her anything like giving up his career for her. He had already done it.

  Chelan winced, another pang of guilt rippling through her because of Dar’s decision to abandon all that he knew and loved, the thrill of the battle. But then she recounted a conversation they’d had just the other night. Their circumstances were unique. This was not an Earth relationship. Though she was now a strong and confident woman, capable of handling her life on her own, pregnant or not, she was now carrying the child of an alien, an alien of such high regard in the galaxy that she would always be a target. And since Dar did not have the forces of the Empire with which to protect them both, withdrawal from the military was his only option for the moment, one he accepted gladly.

  Until Korba’s reaction to Dar’s challenge was known for sure, Dar’s plan was to locate to a secret satellite community, to live out his life with his lady by his side in civilian bliss, his identity forever hidden. If the Emperor chose to absolve him for his transgression, there was always the possibility that Dar could resume command of RIBUS 8, but he would never leave her decks or his lady. He would be the military genius he always had been, commanding his forces from his ship, but he would never again fight hand to hand. He was resolute in his decision. He simply would not risk falling by another’s weapon, thus leaving her and their child alone.

  Finally, necessity outweighed comfort, and Chelan was forced from the warm embrace of her blankets. Instantly, she was assaulted by severe urgency accompanied by nausea. Holding her swelling belly, she headed for the forest. She sighed with muted relief as she relieved herself, but now came the daily struggle for nourishment.

  She started back toward the meadow but then slumped against a fallen log, dizziness overtaking her. She clutched at her stomach and hunched over in distress. Suddenly, she jumped, a touch on her shoulder startling her. She looked up into Dar’
s pained, azure eyes.

  “Oh, Chelan, you suffer so,” he whispered.

  Chelan smiled at him as he crouched down in front of her. She glanced over his heavily muscled torso, his bronze flesh gleaming in the morning sun. His hard abdominals melded into the inky blackness of his Imperial uniform; four deadly knives sheathed in his knee-high boots.

  Her eyes coursed back to his handsome face. His hair was once again the beautiful silver-blonde she knew so well, its thickness feathered just below his shoulders. Normally, the giant man of Iceanea wore it longer, but the heat of Earth’s summer months gnawed at him almost as much as Chelan’s sickness irked her. She finally dared to speak. “It will be worth it, my Lord.”

  Dar smiled wryly. “If I had known it would be like this, I would have waited until we were on board RIBUS 8, where the doctors could attend you properly.”

  Chelan shook her head. “There is nothing they could do for me. Although it is worse, it is not much different than when I was pregnant with Shan’s child. I know it will pass.”

  “If this continues much longer, I am going to summon a doctor.”

  Chelan’s eyes grew wide. “An Earth doctor?”

  “No. I have one here from my ship. I have always kept him close by, in case of trouble.”

  “Well, I am fine, I assure you. And fortunately, there has been no trouble.”

  Dar’s lip quirked, and Chelan caught the subtle motion. “Oh god, let me guess—you have had need of his services?”

  Dar glanced at her. “Once.”

  “For yourself or for one of your men?”

  “Neither.”

  Chelan frowned. “Do I need to beat this out of you?”

  Dar finally surrendered. “The woman I took you to for your testing after Jim’s assault, she was an Earth doctor I had researched completely, one of very high standing. I knew I could use her if necessary when you came, for simple things, and that way, I could keep everything under cover. But after what Jim did to you, I could not stand to wait to find out your results using Earth technology. So, I hastened things along.”

  “Uh-huh. And just how did you do that? I take it this has to do with Jim’s little adventure the next morning?”

  Dar shrugged. “My doctor was much faster and more thorough.”

  Chelan had to suppress the urge to burst out laughing. “And Jim did not notice that you took him to a rather unorthodox location to be poked by a rather unorthodox-looking person?”

  “He may have noticed originally, but he had no choice in the matter, and…”

  Chelan raised her brows. “And…?”

  “And he may have been given a little something to alter his memory afterward.”

  This time, Chelan couldn’t help herself, and she was consumed by peals of laughter. When she got a hold of herself, she could only shake her head at Dar in awe.

  Dar chuckled and continued to stare into her pretty face, her beauty framed eloquently by her long, golden brown hair. Then he held out his hand and presented her with his gift.

  Chelan melted. “Oh…” she whispered. Every morning upon rising, no matter where he had been, he presented her with a beautiful pink wild rose. Chelan closed her eyes and raised it to her nose. She took a long, deep sniff. “The scent is simply divine.” She looked back at him, her eyes misting with adoration. “Thank you, my Lord. I love you so much.”

  “They are of your coloring and every bit as sweet.” He saw her blush, and he smiled. “Shall we return to camp?” Then he extended a hand to her and helped her to her feet.

  Her long T-shirt hid her growing belly but did little to hide her swelling breasts. The pregnancy had enlarged her ample femininity even more, and her firm, erect nipples, darkened by her condition, stood out prominently through the fabric. Her body never ceased to arouse him, but concern over and empathy for her fragile state always held him at bay. He never announced his desires, no matter how feverish. Instead, he remained supportive and passionately attentive, taking her gently only when she desired his physical bonding.

  Chelan appreciated the position Dar had taken. Though she wished she could make love to the powerful Warlord day and night, the constant nausea and fatigue beat her back. But she knew her state was temporary, as did Dar, and soon their time would come again.

  Dar led her to the meadow. Then he held her steady as she eased herself to the ground. There he prepared some of the concentrated nutrient he had brought with him and offered it to her.

  Chelan took the cup and looked at her unappetizing meal. “You know,” she mused, “I used to like this stuff. But after this, I fear I will never again be able to stomach it.”

  Dar chuckled. “Sorry. But it is for the best, as you seem to tolerate it as well as anything we have tried thus far.”

  “Yes, I know. Seems like real food isn’t on the menu for a while yet.” Then she closed her eyes and began swallowing the thick, bland drink.

  Dar watched her with guarded optimism. She had not managed to keep much down lately, but as of yesterday, she seemed moderately better. Though Iceanean women sometimes had twinges of illness during their pregnancies, none got physically sick, nor were their diets sidelined. Chelan’s reaction to her pregnancy was extreme by Iceanean standards, and though she accepted it as normal, it distressed Dar nearly beyond his ability to cope.

  He had always cherished the pretty Earth woman, risking everything for her. So, to see her go through so much simply to carry his child pained him enormously. He wanted to hold her and make the illness go away. But he was helpless, a foreign and distressing position the Warlord had never found himself in before.

  Chelan finished the drink and then peered up at him with accomplishment written all over her soft features. “I will keep this one down,” she expounded confidently.

  “We will see,” he countered apprehensively.

  Chelan shuffled over to the blankets and lay down. “Any word from Solis?”

  Dar looked toward the rugged mountain peaks and hesitated. “No,” he answered simply. He looked over at her as she tried to find a comfortable position.

  “We will hear from him soon,” she soothed, more for herself than for him.

  Dar took a deep breath. He had just lied outright to his woman, something he had never done to her ever, something he did not relish. But it had been necessary. He had been in touch with Solis for the first time since she had arrived on Earth, and, simply put, not all was well within the Empire.

  Dar had always known that he would have to spend at least the first three Earth months after Chelan conceived on the little blue planet—the tiny life within her would be unable to tolerate the antigravity field of the fighter as it escaped the atmosphere. But now that time had passed, and in theory, they were free to leave. However, things had gone drastically wrong, and Solis had been forced to break the communications blackout.

  Dar ran his hands through his thick hair as he struggled with his thoughts. How was he going to tell her of the events unfolding around her without upsetting her. Emotional distress was something she did not need right now, if ever.

  Finally, he rose to his feet and moved to her side. Chelan smiled warmly at him as he sat down and rubbed his hand over her smooth legs. She cocked her head, struck by what seemed to be an air of melancholy about him. She reached for his hand. “What is it?” she asked in a whisper.

  Dar looked into her dark eyes. “Just concern,” he offered benignly.

  Chelan squirmed and then smiled. “The baby is moving.”

  Dar’s eyes suddenly sparked. She lifted her hips in response to his touch as he raised her shirt over her waist. Then she took his hand and guided it to the area where she felt the strong flutters of life. She pressed his fingers into her soft flesh and held her breath.

  Dar became very still, and then his whole face erupted into a broad smile. “I feel him!”

  Chelan’s eyes widened. “Him?” she repeated, a hint of teasing highlighting her words. “How do you know?”

  Dar
grinned. “I know.”

  Chelan chuckled. “We will see.”

  Dar looked down at his hand, his bronze fingers a stark contrast to the white satin skin into which he pressed. Chelan released her pressure on his hand and watched as his palm smoothed over her flesh. She had always worked out hard and still did during times when she felt okay. But now her normally flat abdomen was definitely mounded. Though she was only three months along, the size of his child was readily apparent.

  Dar was a massive man, having regained all his former glory over the past few months. At seven feet in height and just under three hundred pounds of dense, hard muscle, he dwarfed Chelan, and as a consequence, he was well aware of the risk a pregnancy by him imposed. Chelan had lost Shan’s baby for that reason, and now Dar was anxious for some top-level medical attention. Chelan would need the skill of Imperial doctors to help her bring the baby to term, and at the moment, that option was threatened.

  He continued his soft caress of her belly while he struggled for words. Finally, he ceased all motion, and he looked down into her mellow eyes. “Chelan,” he began, “I have heard from Solis.”

  Chelan propped herself on her elbows and peered up at him expectantly.

  Dar took a deep breath, not knowing entirely how to continue. “Solis cannot pick us up right now, and RIBUS 8 is still too far out for me to reach with the fighter.”

  Chelan could feel herself tense. “Why? What is happening?”

  Dar hesitated. “RIBUS 8 and 10 are connecting and are about to deal with the Balatesian system.”

  Chelan bolted upright, her breathing taking off. “Oh no!” she cried.

  Dar grabbed her hands. “Chelan, I want you to stay calm.”

  “Something has happened to Fremma! That is why he didn’t pick me up.”

  Dar winced at the agony in her soft voice. “We don’t know what has happened to Fremma.”

  “Then why are both RIBUSes heading to the system? Fremma arranged with me to be here April twenty-first, and failing that, Korba would be here. You arranged a similar rendezvous with Solis. Now, no one is able to follow through. They are all engaged in the Balatesian system. I know the risks of that mission already, so don’t you shelter me, Dar! I need to know.”