Korven's Fire: Dragon Prince of Wye Page 3

  Korven

  Korven got what he wanted. He knew the Terran female was the right fit for what the Firestar needed and despite Providence’s protests about Korven wanting to “hire a pretty face”, he knew the old captain would not bring her aboard if she wasn’t perfect. The old Talmar was fussy like that.

  Her scent lingered in the Firestar, floral tones with a hint of honest sweat. It crowded his thoughts.

  Her cabin was next to his, as luck would have it. The old mechanic, the one who couldn’t keep his mouth shut, had previously had the cabin and no other member of the crew had claimed the space in his absence. It was the only available room for Adelle. Lucky him.

  Sitting near the door, half-heartedly reading a book on his tablet, Korven realized that he was listening for sounds of footsteps in the hall. He was lurking in a roost, waiting for his prey to wander by.

  Ragnar was correct. Korven could not resist the temptation of having the sweet smelling Terran on the ship. He was stalking her, for crying out loud. Hardly the behavior fitting one of royal Wyvern blood.

  His hand immediately went to the sunstone medallion, the stone warm against his skin. The front held a carving of the Celestial Mother. He ran his thumb over the stone, counting the coils on the figure. The medallion was well worn. His mother had given it to him when he was still a nestling. Holding the carved stone to concentrate and find his calmness was now a lifelong habit.

  He mumbled the prayer for serenity and returned the medallion to it’s place under his shirt. The Fever burned in his blood, yes, but his mind was still his own.

  The Terran female attracted him. Instantly. While the Fever urged him to claim a mate, to fulfill his biological imperative, he was certain that he would have desired her without the Fever’s influence. A fire burned within her, as well. He saw it at the station. It called to him. How much of it was real attraction and how much of the pull was the Fever?

  Footsteps in the hall.

  Korven sprang out his door without a thought. It was her.

  A canvas duffle bag was slung over her shoulder. The straps were worn and oil stained the bottom. Adelle examined every door.

  “Lost?”

  She ran a hand through her short hair, ruffling it in the back. His cock hardened, imagining her hair mussed from a hard night in his bed. “I can’t remember which of these is my cabin. The doors aren’t marked,” she said.

  “Lucky for you, I happen to know we’re neighbors.”

  Her face flushed a very pretty pink. Curious. “Oh. Thanks.”

  As she moved past him, his arm snaked out and wrapped around her waist. The duffle bag slumped to the floor as he pressed her against the wall.

  Caged by his arms, she looked up at him with eyes the color of the sky on a perfect summer day. The floral scent intensified over an intriguing musk. He pressed his nose to the base of her throat and breathed deep, savoring her.

  A tremor ran through her body.

  “Don’t be frightened,” he said. “I wanted to let you know how happy I am to see you.”

  She shifted her thigh rubbing against his hard cock. It took all his control not to grind into her. Not to rip the black cotton shirt off her lush curves, lick her breasts and suck her nipples until his scent covered her and every male would know she belonged to him.

  “I see that,” she said, voice low.

  Was her voice lowered for discretion or with desire?

  Korven pulled back, reluctant to let her go. He needed time to discern what was real and what was the Fever.

  “I always get what I want, Adelle Scott,” he said.

  Chapter Five

  Adelle

  Widget bent over Adelle’s nails, scrubbing a paste into the polish, bringing it to a mirror finish. “There,” she said, finishing the last nail. “Guaranteed chip and scratch resistant. Mechanic proof.”

  Adelle held her hands towards the light, admiring the sheen on the gun metal grey polish. “Won’t last two hours.”

  “Wanna bet? That’s quality craftsmanship.”

  “Bar of chocolate?”

  “You’re on.” Widget stuck out her hand for the shake.

  Two weeks on the Firestar and Adelle began feel at home. Widget’s enthusiastic friendship had a lot to do with that. The pilot’s good nature bubbled over and it was hard not to laugh when she laughed. And even harder to say no to a free manicure.

  A bell sounded. Time for chow.

  Widget packed away her arsenal of nail polish and settled at the table. Big enough for a dozen humans, the long table was just the right size for the crew. The three Wyer males, four if the prince joined them, took up a fair amount of space.

  Adelle sat next to Widget. Captain Providence settled at the head of the table. Mrs. Wardarms arrived with food laden dishes. Once all the dishes were served, she sat. Mr. Wardarms joined her, still wearing an apron. Finally, the Wyers arrives.

  “Bet Korven is going to sit next to you,” Widget said, pointing to the empty seat.

  “Fat chance.” Korven liked to stare at her. He’d sit opposite her, in the best spot for unobstructed starring. “He’ll sit across from me.”

  “Bet?”

  “Another chocolate bar? I hope you got the credit but I like the good stuff. Nice and dark.”

  The two women linked pinkies under the table and shook.

  Olver sat at Adelle’s left. Korven sat directly across.

  “Ha!” Adelle smiled triumphantly at Widget. The males looked confused. Adelle opened her mouth to explain but at the moment Prince Ragnar entered the room. The entire crew got to their feet.

  “Sit, please,” the prince said, sitting at the far end of the table in the spot reserved for himself.

  Widget leaned in and whispered, “I bet you won’t embarrass yourself in front of your crush Korven.”

  “He’s not my crush.”

  “Prove it.”

  “You are so immature.”

  “Sounds serious. When’s the wedding?”

  That smug look on her face… Adelle’s stubborn streak dug its heels. “How much?”

  “Two bars of chocolate.”

  “No deal. You’ve got to do better than that.”

  “Fine.” Widget glanced down the table and back at Adelle. “Six bars. That’s my entire stash. You can have it tonight if you make it good and cringy.”

  Six bars of chocolate. Adelle hadn’t been able to afford a bite in ages. With six bars she could stuff herself until the point of a stomach ache and still have plenty to spare. “Fine, but that doesn’t include the bar I already won. You still owe me.”

  “Deal. I’ll pay up next time we dock.”

  They linked pinkies and shook under the table.

  “Something amusing, ladies?” Mrs. Wardarms asked. “Are you two conspirators done whispering?”

  “Adelle was just about to tell me this really funny story,” Widget said, elbows propped on the table and head resting in her hands, eagerly awaiting a spectacle. She looked thoroughly pleased with her half of the bargain.

  Stars, this was a stupid idea. But six bars of chocolate...

  “Once I had a frog,” Adelle blurted.

  Ragnar gave Korven a searching look.

  “It’s an Earth amphibian,” she explained. “Green. Lives in water. Hops. Cute. Well, I thought they were cute when I was seven. And I wanted a pet desperately but my uncle wouldn’t let me bring an animal onboard his ship. He said it was because of health codes but I know he didn’t want to clean up after some critter. So he said no. No pet. No frogs. So I did what any little girl would do.”

  Ragnar leaned forward, elbows on the table. “You battled a frog and captured its progeny?”

  “What? No! I saved up my pocket change and I bought a frog from a pet shop.” Battled a frog. Honestly. “I got the frog and this little tank on the ship and my plan went well for about a week. Turns out you have to feed frogs.”

  Widget gasped. “You didn’t!”

  “I didn’t kn
ow any better,” Adelle confessed. “The poor thing died and I hide the body in a maintenance panel until it dried out.”

  “That is so gross.”

  “I panicked. Remember, I was seven. Seven.”

  “And your uncle?” Korven asked. “Did he discover your deception?”

  “Of course. Mainly because I kept crying and opening up the panel to get the frog. Apparently I carried it around like a doll.”

  “You are so nasty,” Widget said.

  Adelle shrugged. “I didn’t say it was a nice story. Like you never did anything embarrassing when you were a kid?” Her gaze settled on Korven.

  His expression darkened. “I conducted myself with the utmost dignity.”

  “Korven once got sick in front of the entire court,” Ragnar said brightly.

  Oh, this would be good. Adelle positively bounced in her seat.

  Korven paled. “I had food poisoning.”

  “Poison, yes. From food? No. We snuck into the wine cellar and drank an entire bottle.”

  “You poor thing,” Widget said in a mockingly sympathetic coo.

  Adelle laughed. The frustrated, angry look on his face. It was nice to see the angry eyes directed at someone beside her.

  Her laughter spurned Korven on. “Ragnar proposed to our tutor!”

  The crowd gave a gasp. Ragnar was unperturbed. “It was a good match. I am an exceedingly eligible male. She was the most stunningly intelligent female I had ever met. And she didn’t tell me no.”

  “You were ten,” Korven said.

  “The offer is still valid.”

  “She has to be a hundred if she’s still alive.”

  “Wait,” Widget interrupted, “how old was the tutor?”

  “She had the most magnificent white hair and a bust—” Ragnar gestured with his hands.

  “I had no idea you felt that way about mature ladies,” Mrs. Wardarms said, posture stiff and voice prim but a smile on her face. The crowd howled with laughter.

  “I broke Korven’s leg,” Olver said out of nowhere, silencing the mirth.

  “For no reason,” Korven said. “It was uncalled for.”

  “You kept going after the biggest male in the class. He didn’t want to hurt you but you just wouldn’t stop.”

  “Olver was our martial arts instructor,” Ragnar explained. “Korven has always been aggressive.”

  “That male was a bully!” Korven brought a fist down to the table, rattling plates.

  “That male was five years older than you and twice your size,” Olver said. “He would have done worse than break a leg if I didn’t intervene.”

  “I could handle myself,” Korven grumbled.

  “Do we need to go to the training room and settle this?”

  Korven and Olver stood at the same time, chests puffed. Despite their words, there did not seem to be anger between them.

  “I spent hours making this meal,” Mr. Wardarms finally said. “I’d appreciate it if you boys would eat your meal rather than let it grow cold because you need to show off in front of the girls.”

  Korven’s gaze flickered to Adelle briefly before nodding and sitting down.

  Widget elbowed her.

  It was bad enough everyone saw her blushing. She didn’t need Widget’s boney elbows digging into her side.

  “I am happy to show off for the females at any time,” Olver said, tucking back into his meal. “But it would dishonor you, elder, not to consume this meal.”

  “And you, Korven?” Widget asked, voice artificially sweet. “Are you happy to show off for our gratification?”

  “Because you never show off when you’re piloting this ship? Especially in front of a certain controller at Phoenix Colony?”

  It was Widget’s turn to blush a deep red. Adelle couldn’t stop her laughter, the turnabout was so sweet.

  “I just think he’s cute and it’s no concern of yours,” Widget finally admitted.

  After dinner, Widget grudgingly handed over her stash. Those were the sweetest six bars of chocolate.

  Chapter Six

  Korven

  “I know what you’re doing.”

  Prince Ragnar leaned against the doorframe, arms folded over his chest. His face was regal and serene, everything a prince should be.

  “You’re blocking the door.” Korven gave the regal and serene prince a shove but the male remained in place.

  “That was the point,” Ragnar said.

  “I need to get to navigation so I can plot a course because a certain prince wants to have a nebula viewing party.”

  “The Celestial Eye Nebula is spectacular and my profile will look amazing with it in the background.” Ragnar flashed a winning smile. If he wasn’t Korven’s cousin…

  “To what do I owe the honor of Your Highness’s visit?” Korven asked and sat on the edge of his sleeping pod. There was no dealing with Ragnar when he got into a heavy-handed mood. “You didn’t come here to brag about your profile.”

  “The mechanic—”

  “Adelle.” A warm flush spread over him when he said her name. Shit. This was trouble.

  “Any particular reason you insisted on hiring the pretty Terran female?”

  “The ship needed a mechanic. She needed a job.”

  “Huh. And her impressive rack had nothing to do with it?” Ragnar pinned him with his gaze. The prince was good.

  “No.”

  Ragnar’s gaze didn’t waver.

  Korven swallowed. He had a lifetime of experience to know he wouldn’t win in a contest of will against his cousin. “Maybe a little.”

  “I worry about you. I swore to our grandmother that I would protect you.”

  “I’m fine.”

  “How much serum do you have left?”

  “Enough.”

  “Are you increasing the dosage?”

  Damn him. Wasn’t it enough to order him around every day? Did Ragnar have to humiliate Korven, too? “Yes,” Korven admitted after a lengthy pause. “I feel the fire burning but it’s not in my mind. I am still me.”

  Ragnar ran a hand through his perfect black locks, breathing out in frustration. “And bringing a pretty female onboard seemed like a good idea, why?”

  “I’m in control of myself.” His hands clenched into fists.

  “Look at yourself, Korven. You’re burning alive with the Fever.”

  “I’m in control!” A fist slammed into the bulkhead. Korven took a calming breath and repeated the prayer to the Celestial Mother. He grasped the medallion and ran a thumb over the carving, counting the coils. With a calming breath, his hands unclenched and the muscles in his shoulders loosened. “I’m in control of myself.”

  “We can go directly to Wye. Your prince doesn’t have to have frivolous parties,” Ragnar said.

  “No, we can’t.” Marriage to a stranger waited for Korven at the end of their journey. Relief from the Fever, yes, but also a lifetime bound to a female he’d never met before. His grandmother would present him with a selection of acceptable females from acceptable families, and he would get to have the final say, but it was still marriage to a stranger. Having his pick of the strangers didn’t make it better. “We’ll stick to the schedule.”

  “And if the Fever gets worse?”

  “Then use your authority to command me, Your Highness. Don’t pretend that you care about my needs and wants.”

  “I care about my favorite cousin,” Ragnar said. “I also care about not pissing off the Queen.”

  Korven chuckled, a thin and desperate sound. “Wise man. She holds a grudge.”

  Ragnar cocked his head and considered Korven. “You going to build a nest for the female?”

  Korven crossed the room in a rush. “You want to challenge me,” he hissed through clenched teeth.

  Ragnar looked the part of the perfect, handsome prince and some days Korven couldn’t stand him. Some days he wanted to plow his fists into that perfect handsome face and do a bit of rearranging. Ragnar wouldn’t be so pretty with
a busted lips and broken nose.

  Peace. He was not upset with his cousin. That was the Fever talking.

  Korven breathed in, holding his breath. He was the master of his form. The fire coursing through his veins, urging him to take a mate, was a trick of evolution. Simple biology. He breathed out, the master of his form.

  “Just stay away from the mechanic,” Ragnar said.

  “Is that a command?”

  “Not yet.”

  ***

  Korven’s feet took him toward engineering. He just followed her scent, that exotic combination of floral and salt with just a hint of motor oil. The lush Terran female was an irresistible beacon, pulling him toward her.

  Adelle sat cross-legged on the floor, next to an open panel in the floor. Wearing a white tank top and form fitting work pants, she displayed a scandalous amount of flesh. “I’m glad to see you.”

  She looked up, a smile on her face. Hope surged in Korven. She craved him as much as he yearned for her. “Are you?”

  “Yes. Can you bring me that tool box?” She pointed to the shelf over her shoulder, the shelf loaded with tools and equipment Korven had no hope of recognizing.

  “Which one?” he asked.

  “The hard yellow case.” She moved to her stomach, head and arms disappearing into the hole. Damp tendrils of her short hair clung to the back of her neck. The tan material of the trousers stretched over the curve of her bottom.

  He licked his lips and blinked, refocusing on the shelves. Yellow case. He grabbed the surprisingly heavy case and settled on the floor near Adelle, close but far enough away to be proper. The case rested in his lap, covering the swell of his cock.

  “Open it,” Adelle instructed. “Hand me the size eight wrench.”

  Korven opened the case. Nothing inside was a wrench. “Slight problem.”

  “It’s the big one!” Adelle pushed herself off the floor and snagged the case. She rummaged through the contents before tossing it aside. “Unbelievable.”

  She stomped to the workbench, opening and slamming drawers with violence. “If I ever meet the sorry excuse of a mechanic you had before me, I will beat his ass black and blue. With a size eight wrench. Nothing is in its place. What if this was an emergency? What if our lives were hanging on by a thread and I had seconds to fix life support or stop a leak and I can’t find the fucking wrench because that assclown was too lazy to keep the shop organized? Simply unbelievable! I deserve a raise for cleaning up this shit.”