The Pirate Prince (19 page)

Her heart ached even as the pleasure built inside her body. Mei wanted this moment to last forever. She pulled him closer. He thrust harder, faster, deeper, answering her body’s silent cry for more. A second climax was close.

She trembled, panted, sighed for more. Tension gathered in her hips and she knew she was close. Jarek pushed up his knee, angling her just as she liked, putting the perfect amount of pressure on her as he worked in and out. It was too much. Suddenly, she exploded, trembling with her hard climax. Closing her eyes, lights exploded beneath her lids. She squeezed him hard, causing him to come with her. His body released into hers, filling her with his seed. Breathing hard, he fell against her. Mei held him close, not caring that she was crushed by his weight.

“We should get dressed,” he whispered. “We should be in the cockpit so you can show Lochlann where to land.”

Mei nodded, letting go. Jarek seemed reluctant as he pulled away. Standing by the bed, he reached his hand out to her. She took it and he pulled her to her feet. He kissed her softly, brushing her sweaty hair from her cheek. Mei gave him a sad smile, unable to speak. He nodded in understanding, not saying anything either.

Please be wrong, grandmother. Please, I beg of you, fate, be wrong.

* * * *

Outside the Lin Yao Mines,SinghaiTerritory, Línti
a
n
Jarek glanced over at Mei. No matter how hard he’d pleaded with her to stay with the ship, she’d refused to stay behind. Unfortunately, he didn’t have much room to fight with her on it, since she was the only one who knew the way.

Their lovemaking had left a bittersweet feeling inside his chest. He knew the honor in her and knew the risk he took in kidnapping her to go with him, but he didn’t have a choice. When she had been unconscious, he’d contacted her brother. The man had naturally been upset until he told him that Mei had a message for him. He’d lied to Haun, telling him that it was part of her fate that brought her onto Jarek’s ship. The Zhang prince instantly understood the words and wanted to speak directly to Mei, but Jarek pretended like he couldn’t hear the request as he fiddled with the controls to break up the sound.

Jarek then promised to send the map to the palace by way of a messenger pod when they were closer to the planet. Prince Haun had demanded his sister’s return. Jarek had somehow convinced him that she was safe and that she would be returned. Closing his eyes, he knew that the Var royal family seal he’d sent with the map would help to convince the man of his honor.

With what he was going to do, Jarek didn’t feel like he had much honor this day.

“Shhh,” Mei said under her breath. “Someone’s coming.”

Jarek glanced at her. She’d bound back her hair into a bun on the back of her neck. They were lined up along a ridge, resting on their stomachs. Lucien and Lochlann were still on the ship, standing guard. IfThe Conqueror was discovered or if there was trouble in the mines, Jarek needed the two men ready to go. When he caught Mei’s attention, he raised a brow.

“The wind told me,” she whispered.

Jarek nodded, sniffing. She was right. Someone was coming.

Below them, a valley was covered in small purplish-red flowers spotted with even smaller blue ones. The only entrance into the mines was in the valley, beyond which were miles of rolling hills. Blades of yellow-blue grasses stretched as far as their eyes could see. A few farmhouses were clustered close together to form a village, standing out against the pale blue of the cloudless sky. Líntian truly was as close to paradise as any planet in the known galaxies. It only added to his guilt in stealing her away from it.

He forced himself not to think about it. According to Mei, the modest nearby farms were fronts for the Lin Yao Mining Corporation. There was even a full crop of giant red flowers, which grew low to the ground. They were good ones, as Jarek wouldn’t have been able to tell the difference between farms without her help.

A single man came out of the mines. He glanced around, shading his eyes. Then, turning back toward where he came, he waved his arm. A furry, bright red creature lumbered out, led by two farmers in drab brown clothes. The beast of burden pulled a cart behind him.

“Purple jade?” Jarek asked quietly.

Mei shook her head. “No, jade is only harvested at night. It is the law. Emperor Song fears that the mine location will be photographed from space.”

“With today’s technology, night really doesn’t prevent that,” Viktor said. “Almost any ship can

photograph through darkness if they have the right equipment.” Mei smirked but said nothing.

“I’ll go around,” Dev said. “Evan, you come with me.”

Jarek nodded in agreement. Dev and Evan backed up, making sure they were out of sight, before jogging along the ridge.

“I need to see what’s on that cart,” Mei said, making a move to follow Dev. Jarek grabbed her arm and shook his head in denial. “Stay by my side. Whatever is on that cart will be inside the mines as well.”

“But—”

“Don’t risk yourself for what might only be mining tools or loose rocks.” Jarek didn’t let go and she didn’t answer. They laid in wait as the slow beast hauled the cart away. When the small traveling party finally made their way down the valley and out of sight, Jarek motioned for the group to move.

Jacksonled the way. As the best climber, he knew just where they needed to place their feet to get down the narrow cliff. When the man reached the bottom, he held out his hands. Viktor jumped down, catchingJackson ’s hands to silence his decent. Jarek followed suit, only to turn back to Mei. She had borrowed a pair of Lucien’s pants. They were a little big on her, but it was the best they could do.

Jarek held his hands out for Mei. She glanced over his shoulder and pushed off the cliff. Somersaulting in the air, she landed neatly on her feet. Jarek was impressed.

“Come on,” he ordered, running toward the mine’s entrance. He kept his eye on the direction where the cart had disappeared. The soft flowers crushed beneath their feet.

He regretted the trail it left behind, but there was no other way into the mines.

Jarek stretched out with his senses. The way was clear. He pushed faster, glancing at Mei to make sure she kept up.

As they hit the mines, he saw Dev motion from a low ridge. Jarek signaled back at him. He knew that the man would come in after them, just in case there was trouble.

Stalactites and stalagmites reached like jaws from the floors and ceilings along the

entranceway. Mei took the lead, slipping by Jarek before he could stop her. He hurried in after her, concentrating hard. The rock was chipped away with low burning lights strung along them. Jarek noticed a few places where black scorch marks marred the surface. The dirt floor was littered with pebbles.

The dim light of the cave was a stark contrast to the light outside. Viktor’s foot slipped. They all froze, waiting to see if anyone heard. When no alarm was sounded, they again moved deeper into the mine’s long corridor.

Mei stopped as they reached a round chamber. Six tunnels fanned out from the main entrance. Taking a light, Mei tilted it up from its place on the wall. It shone over the top of the openings, showing the Líntianese symbols carved crudely over them.

“Made!” she swore. “Sacred Cats!”

“What is it?” Jarek asked, smirking as she used his curse word.

“They’re just numbers. I don’t know which we should try first.” Mei wiped her brow, frowning. “Beyond this there should be more tunnels. If you don’t know where you’re going, there is no telling where you’ll end up.”

“That one,” Viktor said, pointing. The third cave had a barricade in front of it, blocking access. “If I was doing something illegal, I’d want to make sure the night crew wasn’t coming in for a visit.”

“Smart thinking,” Jarek said in approval, slapping him on the back. Viktor grunted. Jarek took the chance at lead as he pushed past Mei. He heard her gasp lightly, but she didn’t protest out loud.

Jarek ran his hands over the barricade, trying to see the easiest way in. He wasn’t exactly small like Mei’s people.

“Here,” Viktor said, leaning over to feel along the floor. “It should be… right… down…ahh .” The barricade unlatched, falling back like a door. “There it is.” “How’d you know?” Mei asked, impressed.

Viktor grinned. “Misspent youth. The door had to be one piece if that cart was to fit through it.”

“Good point,” she said, again moving past Jarek to take the lead. Jarek frowned as he followed behind her. The tunnel was long and straight. The lights dimmed for a long run only to again light the way, better than before.

“Oh, baby cakes, don’t be angry,” a voice said from down the hall. It was in English. “Behaving is such a broad term, open to interpretation. When I said I’d behave, I didn’t say how.”

Jarek grabbed Mei’s arm, thrusting her protectively behind him.

“Ah, sweet cheeks, you’re breaking my heart,” the voice continued. “Rick,” Viktor, Jackson and Jarek whispered at once. Relief curled through Jarek, unknotting his stomach, only to be replaced instantly by wariness. “That’s him?” Mei asked. “That easy?”

“I guess so,” Jarek said, though something didn’t feel right about what was happening.

“It does feel a little too easy, Captain,” Viktor said. “We walk in and ‘poof’ we find Rick just like that?”

“Frankly, honey pie, I’m disappointed in you,” Rick continued. “All this time and you were so easy to catch off guard. What? Nothing to say now? No smartass command?

No snide remarks?”

“Something is off,”Jackson said.

Jarek took a deep breath. “Maybe we’re finally hitting a patch of good luck. With everything that’s gone wrong, we’re about due for something to go right, wouldn’t you say?”

Jacksonnodded, but the motion looked reluctant. “Jackson, go back the way we came, make sure we’re not being followed,” Jarek whispered. “I don’t smell anyone behind us, but I’m not taking the chance.”Jackson nodded and did as he was ordered.

“Mei, you stay here with Viktor. I’m going on alone.” Jarek hated having her there, but staying between him and Jackson was the safest place for her considering the circumstances.

“No,” she began with a hiss.

Viktor tugged her back when she would follow. She glanced at the slender man,

looking annoyed before nodding at Jarek.

“Be careful,” she mouthed.

Jarek nodded once. He turned to where they’d heard Rick’s voice. Creeping along the passageway, he let claws grow from the tips of his fingers and fangs from his gums.

The light brightened, changing to an orange firelight that glowed over the dark mine walls. He felt the warmth of it on his skin.

Jarek detected two others besides Rick in the room. He heard a muffled cry and the sound of a boot sliding along the pebbled ground. Concentrating on where he heard the boot, he roared to surprise his opponents. Jumping from his hiding spot, he stood ready to battle. His arm drew back, ready to tear at a drug trader’s throat.

“Holy Space Balls!” Rick exclaimed. “Captain? Is that really you?”

Jarek blinked. His gaze darted over the room. Rick stood, hands on hips with a look of surprise on his face. Next to him was Prince Huan. He recognized Mei’s brother from when he’d kidnapped her. His stomach tightened. How did the Zhang prince get there so soon? Was he in on the drug trade? If so, what was Rick doing free? In the middle of the room was a woman tied to a chair. It took him a moment, but he recognized her as the drug trader who kidnapped Rick. “Rick?” Jarek questioned. Confusion warred with his relief that his friend was all right.

“You’re… free? How? I don’t understand.”

Rick crossed over to Jarek and grabbed him in a giant hug, laughing heartily.

“Blessed Stars, Jarek, it’s good to see you. How did you ever find me?”

“You should’ve known I would,” Jarek said, patting Rick hard on the back. He grabbed the man’s face and shook it once before letting go. “Now, how did you get free?

What is going on here? I come expecting a rescue and I see you tormenting some woman.”

“Oh, yeah, sorry, Cap. This is Prince Zhang Haun of the, uh, Moon Empire,” Rick said, stepping back toward Prince Haun.

“Muntong,” Haun corrected, his voice quipped.

“Right, right, Muntong.” Rick grinned, slapping the prince on the back. The prince blinked in surprise at the familiar contact. “Anyway, ole Haun here saved my sorry ass. He said we were waiting for someone, but I never thought he meant you. I thought it was just my lucky day.”

Jarek relaxed. Rick looked tired and worn. A bruise was healing on the side of his face and he was too skinny as if starved. Even his clothes had seen better days. They hung tattered and dirty on his frame.

“Sacred Cats, Rick! You need a bath.” Jarek wrinkled his nose, before laughing.

“Jarek?” Mei’s voice said from behind him.

Jarek tensed. Slowly he turned and his smile faded. She stood in the entryway and her eyes had found her brother.

“Meimei,” Haun said, his face softening as he spoke to his sister in their native tongue. Rick looked confused. Jarek understood perfectly. “Is it really you?” “Gege,” Mei exclaimed, running forward to embrace him.

“Who’s that?” Rick whispered. “His woman?”

“That is Princess Mei, his sister. We had her on our ship. She helped us to find these mines.”

“Don’t tell me you kidnapped her in exchange for me,” Rick said in amazement. “I mean, yeah, I’m worth it, but didn’t you learn anything from when we kidnapped Falke?”

“What was I to learn?” Jarek said, barely paying attention as he listen to Mei assure Haun that she had been treated well and was all right. She even told him that she was to blame for her disappearance.

“That people fall in love if you kidnap royalty. Just as your brother and Sam did.”

Rick shook his head. “But, no harm, no foul, and, thankfully,” Rick glared at the prisoner,

“no love.”

Jarek frowned. Rick was quoting an odd twentieth century Earth saying again. “What in the star blazes does that mean?” Jarek asked, his voice sharper than he intended. No one had fallen in love? Yeah, right.