Heaven in a Kiss

Heaven in a Kiss
Zach

What we have is good. It’s right, and we both feel it. I can tell by the way she licks her lips and sneaks a few quick glances at my mouth, and by the hum of the ribbon of connection between us. We’re mates, gifted to each other by the Moon Goddess Herself, and nothing will stand between us.

But this is still a choice she has to make. I refuse to take one ounce of her agency from her. I can understand her shock and the hesitancy that followed at discovering we’re mates, her anger that my father didn’t keep one word of his promise to her parents, and my sudden pressure—I admit it’s pressure—about going back with me.

I’m still the heir apparent, and there are things happening within the castle that need to be addressed right away. April needs to pack her bags and get the hell out. I can’t displace her father since he’s one of my father’s closest advisors. But that doesn’t mean I have to walk the same halls with his daughter, a woman who would disguise herself as a friend for so many years and then betray me the instant her selfish whims were challenged.

And I need to confront my father about his lies, not just about his promises to Maddie’s family. Oh, he needs to answer for those, and soon. But he was also dishonest about the river project. I had no idea he was building a dam that would rob an entire pack of their vital resources and cause such poverty and suffering.

What the hell else has he done over the years that I don’t know about?

I’m sure there are hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of Crystal Waters citizens who need immediate help.

And for the first time since Catherine’s death, I’m allowing myself to see the value of a Luna. Even in the short months we were married, my former wife was a valued asset to the people of this kingdom. In Maddie, I see the same potential multiplied tenfold. She understands the importance of caring for others, and she knows what it’s like to go without so others can have.

She’s exactly what the people need right now. Even though I won’t be Alpha King for long, our people need Maddie as a Luna to help rebuild what was taken from them.

I need to tell her all those things, but right now, the taste of her lips on mine is far more urgent. I lower myself a little, and she rises on her toes to meet me as I press my lips to hers.

Goddess, it’s heaven to feel her against me. The stillness I’ve held inside so long releases, my veins pumping with new energy, and my troubled thoughts fade to dust within the power of our bond.

Maybe it’s just been a long time since Catherine left this world, but what I have with Maddie feels stronger, more vibrant, so much more permanent, lasting, like a steel ribbon unbreakable.

Her lips are so soft, her body warm when I wrap my arms around her and pull her close. She parts her lips in an invitation, and I don’t need to be told twice before I deepen the kiss.

She relaxes, rubbing her hands against my back.

This... is everything.

With reluctance, I part from her to take a breath. “Is that a yes?” I whisper against her lips.

“Yes,” she whispers back.

To hell with oxygen. I go back in for another kiss.

A soft moan escapes her as I explore her tongue. She’s not accustomed to this. I can tell by the way she wavers, but it doesn’t take her long to relax and follow her instincts.

And now, there’s nothing to stop us from enjoying this moment, no April to sneak up behind us and interrupt us with her poisonous words. There’s no Alpha King father, fool that he is, to decide what’s right for us.

It’s just us...

...and Maddie’s father, who steps up behind us.

“Oh! I’m sorry.”

The man, pushing his wheelbarrow full of straw, steps away as fast as he’d walked by. Maddie giggles lightly, a musical sound. I realize that’s the first time I’ve really seen her laugh. Even in the darkness, her eyes light up when she smiles wide.

“I guess that’s my cue to go inside,” she says quietly.

“I suppose so,” I agree. I have no intention of continuing our intimacy in the presence of her father, as much as I don’t want this moment to end. “We’ll make arrangements to leave in the morning, unless you need more time.”

“We’ll leave tomorrow,” she says firmly. “Goodnight, Zach.”

“Goodnight, Maddie.”

She backs up a few steps before turning, and I watch her walk away until she steps into the house. A satisfied sigh escapes me. For the first time in a very long time, my future feels bright.

I walk back to the place where we’ve made camp, only to find Lucas missing. He’s probably spending time with his own mate. “Hey,” I call to him in the mind-link.

“Everything okay?” he answers.

“Yes,” I tell him. “I’m planning on leaving with Maddie in the morning. We’re heading home. We have a lot to deal with back at the castle to clean up my father’s mess.”

“I’ll go with you,” he says. “Let me convince Terri to come along.”

“I’m sure she’ll agree. We’ll see you in the morning.”

“Night, Zach.”

I let out another sigh as I settle into my sleeping bag and stare up at the twinkling stars. I wish tonight was my first night together with Maddie, but that can wait. I want her first experience to be perfect for her.

We have our bond, and that is everything. I can take my time with our future.

Yet, I can’t help that twinge of discomfort that something isn’t quite... complete. It’s so strange, the same feeling that troubled me before, but I’d been pushing it aside.

No, I won’t spoil that beautiful moment I just shared with Maddie with paranoia.

I shove the feeling off again and let sleep take me, smiling.



Kai

“Fucking finally,” Niko says, lowering his binoculars. He turns around to address the crew that’s on deck. “Land ho!”

They erupt into an enthusiastic round of cheers, but I just look at him with my eyes narrowed. “Land ho?”

“They always say that in pirate movies when they find land,” he says as though it’s the most obvious fact he’s ever recited.

“You do remember that we’re not pirates, right?”

He shrugs. “Yeah, but I can pretend as long as it’s not hurting anyone.”

“Fair,” I reply. “But what the hell does the ‘ho’ part mean anyway?”

“I have no idea.” He stews on it for a moment, then turns around to the crew again. “We finally found the fucking land!” he hollers, raising a fist, then he turns back to me with a shitty grin.

They all cheer again.

“I guess that’s... better,” I mutter.

“Ahead full, with caution,” I tell Kyle in the mind-link. “Watch for shallows. The scouts said there were some tricky areas around here.”

“Aye, Captain,” Kyle returns.

“Would be nice if they had communications we could use to call ahead,” Niko says. “I’m getting a bad feeling, not being able to explain who we are and what we want before coming into port.”

“Same,” I admit quietly. “But that’s why we’re here. We can introduce technology, communications, air travel—the works, so we can interact with them more. It’s been way too long since anyone even tried to befriend them.”

“You sure they’re gonna like us stepping up and telling them what to do?”

“That’s not what we’re doing,” I insist. “We’re just going to show them what they can do. If they want to integrate it, we’ll connect them with the people who can make that happen. You know I’d never pressure anyone.”

“True.”

I spent months working on the presentation to deliver to the Alpha King, or whatever their leader is called in Crystal Waters. Photos, schematics, real-time data—I threw together everything I could to show what Green Mountain and Dark Forest ingenuity could do for these people. If I were them, I’d be happy to look at it, but I have to admit I don’t know anything about these people.

They could be technophobic and reject it all before I have a chance to explain. Or they might soak it in, welcoming the changes it can make to their economy and way of life.

It’s a gamble, but it’s why I’m here.

Might as well go full-in.

I turn back to the view off the bow, noticing the dot on the horizon. Niko and I lift our binoculars at the same time.

“Um, Kai... that looks like a war ship.”

I can’t deny that it does: large masts to sail combined with low windows with giant oars protruding from them. The ship has several cannons aimed forward across its bow.

And then, more ships appear, smaller and faster, surrounding the larger ship like baby ducks trailing their mother.

The whole fleet is heading straight toward us.

I didn’t bring an army, though most of the people aboard the Zephyr are warriors. But we’re just one ship with no backup, intended for a diplomatic mission, and that’s all.

This just got complicated, but I didn’t come all this way without a plan.

I hail the signalmen. We need to act fast.