Interstellar Angel

Dex’s eyes skated over the sinewed thighs encased in fighting leathers, the powerful abs and chest framed in an open uniform jacket that had to be at least three sizes too small, and finally the craggy features and square jaw and aqua-blue eyes of his father’s killer. Crowned with an unruly thatch of sandy hair sprinkled with silver—hair the legendary First Indomitable had always worn a whisker too long and too unruly for regulation.

One corner of Zorin’s full-lipped mouth lifted in a grin.

And Dex Draven, favorite son of the Third Indomitable, youngest wing commander in Empire history and relentlessly heterosexual Mogadon male to the last chromosome of his DNA, felt the same confused rush of tongue-tied, tingling heat he’d always felt every blooming time his boyhood idol smiled.

Blast. I thought I’d outgrown this dangerous nonsense. He’s my father’s killer, for Neptune’s sake.

Dex dragged his wits together. “What the devil are you doing out of your cell?”

“Spoken like a true tyrant,” Zorin said, blaster fixed firmly in place. “You’re growing up to be more like Max every day. Just a chip off the old block.”

“I suppose that means you’ll want to butcher me in my bed as well. And I’m properly addressed as commander.”

“Keep your voice down, Commander.” Zorin’s eyes flashed silver with caution as a phalanx of uniformed legions trotted past. He angled his big body so his blaster stayed hidden. “I don’t wanna kill you—either in your bed or out of it. Which is why I’m splitting before our scheduled go-round in the fighting pit.”

“You’re escaping,” Dex said bitterly. “And it’s immaterial to you that you’ve exposed this planet to the full wrath of the Precursor and the vengeful Valyrian fleet.”

“They’re a dying race. Your dad saw to that.” Zorin’s massive chest heaved in a sigh. “I guess you’ll finish the job he started. But I won’t be hanging around to watch.”

“Because you’re a coward as well as a traitor?” Dex lashed out, voice dripping with contempt.

“Come on, kid. How many times have we fought together, back to back, hip-deep in the shit? I’m no coward and you know it.”

A hundred memories seared through him. Memories of battles fought and triumphs shared. Under the weight of those treacherous memories, Dex’s hard-won poise fractured like ice under a chainsaw.

His voice splintered, edges sharp enough to draw blood.

“Then why won’t you face me in battle? Why won’t you allow me at least the chance to—to avenge his honor and mine? Knowing if you win—knowing if you kill me—knowing it’s over and done under Mogadon law and you’ll keep your rank and your freedom. Even knowing you’re my equal in combat.”

“Wouldn’t be a fair fight. Sure, you’re smart and strong and fast on your feet in a fracas. I trained you myself, didn’t I? Five years from now, maybe, when you got a little more meat on you? Then we’ll be equals.”

“Then you’ve no reason under the sun not to fight!” Dex pulled in a frustrated breath and, to his utter alarm, felt his eyes burn with thoroughly unmanly tears. “I simply can’t—can’t understand why…”

“Comets, Dex. Don’t do that.” Looking helpless, Zorin lowered the blaster and eased a step closer. “Don’t cry, for the love of Juno. I can stand anything from you but tears.”

Dex scowled fiercely to force back this unseemly weakness he flatly refused to tolerate. “Then you tell me why. I deserve to know why.”

“Stars, kid. You don’t wanna know why. You really, really don’t.” Zorin heaved a heavy sigh and braced one muscled arm against the drone beside Dex’s head. His eyes darkened to navy and a shiver slid down Dex’s spine. Suddenly, for no earthly reason, his heart was pounding and his entire body was tingling.

“Tell me why,” Dex whispered stubbornly. His voice gone deep and husky for reasons he still couldn’t fathom.

“You really want me to say it, do ya? After keeping my big mouth shut all this time? Well, hell with it,” Zorin muttered. “Remember you asked for this.”

And just leaned in and kissed him.