The Dark Prince's Prize

Chapter 15

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

Adalard glared at his brother’s image on the vidcom. “You are not going to use Samara like some creature you find interesting and want to study in your lab,” he growled.

“Adalard, think about this. If our adversaries have perfected a weapon that uses our powers against us, we have to find a way to combat it. Samara may hold the key to unlocking it,” Arrow calmly countered.

Adalard gave his brother a disgruntled look before sitting down heavily on the chair in front of the vidcom. He sat back and contemplated the situation. His brother was right. Whatever the device was, it could be devastating to their people. His first responsibility was to protect them.

It wasn’t like he was throwing Samara to the Pactors. He would ensure that she was safe and happy despite the fact that Arrow would probably drive them both crazy with his need-to-know experiments. His intentions to take things slowly were also complicated by Ha’ven and Emma’s return in a few days. He couldn’t stay on Earth, and his people needed her. There was no way around those two critical facts.

“I will bring her back with me,” he begrudgingly agreed.

“In the meantime, I’ll see if I can find out more information based on what you’ve told me so far,” Arrow replied.

“I’ll contact you once I’ve found the device. Out.” Adalard disconnected their link.

He leaned back in the chair and stared up at the ceiling. His expression softened as he thought about the night before. Last night had been both exquisite and excruciating. His body throbbed with need at the memory of Samara’s o****m.

He cursed under his breath and rose to his feet again. Taking it slow was going to be the death of him. He ran his hand over his crotch with a rueful sigh. He wished now he had paid more attention to his brother and Emma’s relationship.

“Arrow has probably written a case study on them for the archives,” he muttered.

A movement outside of the window drew his attention. Pleasure swept through him when he saw Samara pulling the small vehicle up to the barn across from the main house. Without thinking, he dematerialized and reappeared next to her.

She stumbled back in surprise and he wrapped his arms around her to steady her. She muttered a muffled curse against his shoulder and glared at him before glancing around with a hint of panic in her eyes. He chuckled and she shook her head at him in admonishment.

“You shouldn’t do things like that! Somebody might see you,” she hissed with dismay.

“And then you would convince them that they didn’t see what they thought they saw. I am fully confident in your ability to ‘bullshit’,” he teased. “I learned a new human word,” he confided with a waggle of his eyebrows.

She snorted and patted his chest. “You’re going to need something warmer than a thin shirt if we are going to go check out your spaceship,” she said.

He held her hand and pulled her closer. Her swiftly inhaled breath told him that she was aware of his desire for her. He brought his face closer to hers and stopped a breath away from her lips.

“Perhaps you could keep me warm,” he suggested.

She curled her fingers around his and gazed up at him with wide eyes. Her pupils were dilated, and he could see his reflection in her eyes. His irises were glowing.

“It’s a shame I can’t bottle your sexuality. I’d be a billionaire by the end of the week,” she breathed out.

Her comment startled a laugh out of him and he pressed a hard, possessive kiss on her lips. He gave her a wink as he pulled back a step. A groan stuck in his throat when she parted her pink lips and swept the tip of her tongue across her upper lip.

“The only one I want is you, Samara,” he replied in a thick voice.

A blush rose in her cheeks and her eyes sparkled. Hell, her entire body was glowing. He didn’t need a coat. The warmth of her aura was wrapped around him, heating his body, and calling to him.

“I’m off for the rest of the day thanks to Bear. I thought I could help you search for your mysterious device again,” she said.

He frowned when she mentioned the other man’s name. “What is hot chocolate?” he asked.

She laughed. “It’s a yummy treat that’s perfect on a cold day. How about I make some to take with us, along with some sandwiches, while you get ready?” she suggested.

“That… would be nice,” he replied.

He thought about reminding her that he didn’t need to return to the house to get ready, but the shy excitement in her eyes held his tongue. Unable to resist, he stepped forward and pressed another kiss on her upturned lips. She responded, touching the tip of her tongue to his bottom lip before pulling away when the sound of tires crunching on the frozen ground warned them that they were about to have a visitor.

She stepped away from him and turned toward the approaching vehicle. Adalard sighed when he saw Mason’s familiar face. The man was really trying his patience.

They waited as Mason pulled the truck up in front of the barn. He swore the human was taking his sweet time getting out of the vehicle just to annoy him. Folding his arms across his chest, he glared at Mason when the man raised an eyebrow at him.

“Good afternoon, Samara,” Mason greeted.

“Hey, Mason,” Samara greeted with an easy smile.

Mason nodded at him. “Adalard.”

“Mason,” he responded.

Mason’s gaze swept over the UTV, pausing on the trailer attached to the back of it. “Looks like you’ve been busy this morning,” he said, returning his attention to Samara.

“Yeah. I finished distributing hay to the upper pasture,” she said.

Mason frowned. “How’s your head?” he asked, studying her.

Samara lifted a hand to the bandana. “My head… is fine,” she replied with a grimace. “Who told you?”

Mason chuckled. “Half the crew on the ranch go to the Cattleman’s Bar. Bobby said you were out with Bear and your brother showed up being an a*s. He was worried because he said you were bleeding pretty good when the strange survivor guy from the ranch suddenly appeared and swooped in. He said you both vanished,” he dryly relayed.

“Yeah, well, lucky for me, Adalard showed up and drove me back to the ranch,” she said.

“She knows who and what I am,” Adalard suddenly stated.

Mason’s eyes widened before he pursed his lips and shook his head. “So much for keeping a low profile. Who else knows?”

“No one,” Adalard replied.

“No one,” Samara repeated, looking at Adalard with concern.

Mason snorted. “After last night’s little performance, you’ve got more than one tongue wagging like a dog’s tail when it sees a bone. What part of keeping a low profile didn’t you understand?” he growled.

Samara stepped forward and touched Mason’s arm. “I was hurt pretty bad, Mason. Adalard helped me. It isn’t his fault that my brothers are idiots.”

Mason’s expression softened and he nodded. “I’m thankful for his help, but this is bigger than either of us. If the government found out about Adalard… well, things could get complicated very quickly. The world isn’t ready to know there are… people like Adalard and the others,” he replied.

“The others?” she asked.

Adalard wrapped his arm around Samara’s waist, pulling her close, and shook his head at Mason.

Mason returned his warning glare with a frown. Adalard wasn’t sure if it was because of the look he gave Mason or because of the possessive hold he had on Samara. He clenched his jaw.

“Let’s just say Adalard isn’t our first visitor.” Mason paused and reached into his pocket when his cellphone vibrated. He looked at the text and sighed before looking back at them. “I’ve got to go into town. Do you need anything?”

Samara shook her head. “No, thank you.”

“Alright. If you think of anything, call me. I’ll be back later. Adalard, if you don’t mind, I’d like to speak with you privately for a moment,” Mason requested.

“Of course,” he replied in a stiff tone.

An awkward silence descended between the two men.

“I’ve got to go drop off the trailer and do a few things,” Samara said, breaking through the tense quiet.

“I will see you soon,” Adalard murmured.

She nodded at him before giving Mason a smile. Adalard watched her as she slid into the UTV and pulled away. It wasn’t until she was out of sight that he returned his attention to Mason. The other man had been observing him with a worried frown.

“You knew the rules,” Mason stated.

He lifted an eyebrow at the other man’s tone. “Yes,” he replied.

“I need you to leave—immediately,” Mason added.

“No,” he curtly replied.

Mason’s frown deepened. “What do you mean ‘no’? This isn’t open for debate. You were told not to tell anyone, not to show off your… whatever in the hell you call it, alien powers, and to stay away from the staff,” he reminded in a hard tone.

A surge of anger swept through Adalard. “Careful how you speak to me, human. The Valdier can be short-tempered, but the Curizan can be worse. I know your rules,” he growled.

“It would be best if you left… for everyone,” Mason grimly reasserted.

“I will leave as soon as I can safely do so,” he bit out.

Mason frowned. “Safely? What does that mean?” he asked.

Adalard hesitated. He understood Mason’s concerns. That understanding was the only reason they were still having a conversation. If he hadn’t met Samara, he wouldn’t have broken any of the rules set forth. He couldn’t—wouldn’t lie to his mate. That, combined with the fact that she was injured, made it impossible to follow the rules. He didn’t give a damn who knew about him if Samara’s life was on the line.

“My transport has been… compromised. Once it is repaired, I will leave your world,” he announced.

“Is it broken? Do you have the parts to fix it?” Mason asked.

“Yes, and yes,” he replied.

He didn’t elaborate on the problem or the fact that when he left, he wouldn’t be going alone. It was no concern of Mason’s, and the less the man knew the better—and safer—it was for everyone. His short reply appeared to satisfy Mason.

“Good, good,” Mason replied before he grimaced when his cellphone vibrated again. He looked down at the phone before pressing the button on the side and looked up again. “Keep me posted. If you need anything and I can help, let me know. I’ve got to go.”

“I will,” Adalard replied.

He watched as the other man turned and walked away. He waited until Mason was heading back the way he came before he reached out to Samara.

What are you doing? he curiously inquired.

Making hot chocolate and sandwiches. Is Mason gone? she asked with a thread of amusement.

Yes. He is not happy with me, he grudgingly admitted.

I have a feeling you get that a lot, she teased.

More than you know. Do you need help?

No, I’ll be there in ten minutes. We can take the UTV. It will be warmer and more comfortable, she said.

Can I drive?

Her snort of laughter caused his blood to heat again. His mind filled with vivid thoughts of her melting in his arms like she had the night before. The thoughts spilled over into her mind. She gave a heated curse that made him smile.

Drive me crazy, you mean, she grumbled. Be ready or I’m drinking all the hot chocolate.

The smile on his face grew when she abruptly cut their connection but not before he saw in her mind the vivid image of them locked together. The day suddenly seemed brighter. Striding back to the house, he took the steps two at a time. He would be more than ready by the time she arrived.