Born of Vengeance

  Bastien wrapped his arm around her and kissed her head. "My baby."

  She elbowed him hard. "Don't call me baby."

  Coughing, he wheezed from the blow. "Okay ... forgot how much you hated that. Will never forget again."

  "Good. Now, let's get out of here."

  The woman gestured at Quin.

  He shook his head. "He's my brother I told you about."

  She gestured again and Quin laughed.

  "Yeah, something like that." Sobering, he faced them. "Bastien, this is my wife, Myrna. She was a political activist Barnabas threw down here to die ... after he cut her tongue out."

  Bastien winced. "I'm so sorry."

  She gestured at him. While he recognized some of the signs she used, most were her own concoctions.

  So Quin translated. "She says it's a pleasure to meet you, and wants to know if you're really planning to kill Barnabas."

  "It's why we're here." Bastien gestured to Ember. "This is my wingman, Ember Wyldestarrin. Ryn Dane, and our half brother, Iskander Zeki or Xander as he prefers to be called."

  Myrna gasped as she finally looked at Iskander. Then she glanced back and forth between them and gestured wildly.

  "Yeah," Bastien said. "They look like father and son."

  Quin gaped.

  When he started to speak, Bastien cut him off. "He's our theren, Quin. An incredible warrior and pilot. And a good man. Treat him better than you ever treated me."

  The fire went out slowly in Quin's eyes before he did the one thing he'd never, ever done before. He backed down to Bastien and nodded.

  Xander stood slack-jawed until Ember reached up and closed his mouth. "Did he just compliment me?"

  "I think you're growing on him." She smiled.

  "I think hell just froze over."

  Snorting, Bastien and Ryn began looking for a passable way out. But it became obvious why Quin had given up. There was no easy route to the surface.

  Not that that had ever deterred Bastien. Over. Under. Around. Or through. He always found a way. And he had too big a debt to settle. High motivation for not staying down here.

  As they slowly and carefully made their way up, he tried to understand Quin's mind-set. But then, he'd never understood his brother. Unlike Quin, he'd have never been able to live this close and not strike out.

  And Quin had lost a lot more than Bastien had that night. It made no sense.

  "People are different, Bassie. You shouldn't judge them by what you would and wouldn't do. What seems easy to you is impossible to someone else. And that's what you should always remember and fear. For too often our prisons are the glass walls that we've fashioned for ourselves with the excuses we've made for why something is impossible when it's not. And we're held back by nothing more than the phantoms of our minds. Shadows that scatter whenever they meet the light."

  His mother's words had never seemed more true than they did right now. She was right. Quin wasn't him. It was why they'd always fought. If someone said turn, Quin would go right and Bastien left. It was just how they were.

  But that didn't mean that Bastien didn't love his brother. End of the day, he'd kill or die for him, and that was what he couldn't lose sight of.

  Or let Quin's acerbic tongue make him forget.

  They were brothers. And together, they would all get out of this.

  Iskander patiently helped Ember and Bastien up. "I can tell by the light in your eyes that you have a new appreciation for me, GG."

  Bastien snorted. "Don't push it, Badger. But yeah, you are cute and fluffy."

  And though it took them a couple of hours, they did make it to the top.

  Bastien spread out on the ground and pulled Ember down over his body. "I'm just going to stay here for a few hours. Ryn ... go get the ship and pick us up."

  "Ha, ha, ha. Not even. That would require I move, and I don't think I can, either."

  Xander rolled his eyes. "What a bunch of old men I got saddled with. Fine. I'll go get it. Y'all stay here and whine."

  But the moment he stood up, a shot rang out. It hit him dead in the chest and knocked him to the ground.

  CHAPTER 16

  Bastien ran to Iskander to check his vitals while Ryn covered them. Choking and wheezing, Xander was bleeding profusely.

  His eyes telegraphed his agony.

  For the first time, Bastien realized how right Ember had been. This was his brother. The fact that they were half-blooded didn't matter for shit. Especially right now.

  In fact, he liked Badger a hell of a lot more than Quin. At least he got along with him. He could put him at his back and trust him to protect it. And somehow over the last few months the sneaky little bastard had carved a sacred place in his heart and life. Yeah, Badger was a smart-ass, and crabby ... a lot like Bastien.

  But none of that mattered.

  "I've got you, blyt theren. Hold on. Don't you dare die on me."

  Xander met his gaze. "Are you high?"

  Bastien cracked a grin. "Love you, too. And if you die, I'm going to hell so that I beat your ass for it. You hear me?"

  He nodded.

  "Bas! We've got to move!"

  He wrapped his arms around Iskander while Ember took his blaster and offered cover fire for them. As fast as he could, he carried his brother to Ryn's ship, trusting in Ryn to see to Quin and Myrna.

  As soon as they were onboard, Ember went to help Ryn with preflight checks. Bastien took Iskander to the infirmary and tended him as best he could.

  "Man, I should have paid closer attention in those field dressing classes."

  Iskander coughed again. "Yeah. I've seen the scars on your body. You should have."

  "You hassling me? Seriously? In your condition?"

  "Can't help it. I take after my older brother."

  Bastien paused to meet his gaze. It was the first time Xander had said that with any kind of affection in his tone. "Family?"

  Iskander nodded and held his hand out toward him. "Family."

  Bastien took his hand and held it. "I'll never leave you, blyt theren."

  "That, I believe. You're too stupid to have any self-preservation."

  "I wouldn't need any if my little brother could learn to not walk into a sniper's kill zone."

  They were still trading insults when Ember came to check on them after launch.

  She paused in the open doorway to take in the sight of her beautiful man with the warrior who'd stepped in to be a role model for her son, even though he wasn't that much older. Because Xander had known how hard it was to not have a father around when he was young, he'd made sure that Florian never missed out.

  It warmed her heart and soul to see the two men who were so important to her getting along.

  To see them finally as brothers.

  Her eyes teared at the sight. "I take it he's okay?"

  "Unless I reconsider stabbing him, he'll live."

  Iskander tossed a wadded-up piece of gauze at Bastien. "What hit me?"

  "League. They're everywhere. What the hell?"

  "It's war."

  Ryn snorted as he turned on the monitor. "It's more than that. I'm thinking we're tagged. They're following us, so I need all of you to lock in. It's about to get hairy."

  "Where's Quin?"

  Ryn turned the camera to show him and Myrna buckled into seats on the bridge. "Taken care of. Now batten down. Precious cargo at the helm."

  Iskander rolled from the bunk. Bastien helped him out to the hallway, where crew chairs were anchored to the wall. He buckled him in and checked Ember's belt before he took his own seat. He'd barely fastened the harness before Ryn banked a hard starboard.

  His crew opened fire on their pursuers.

  "Damn, that man can fly." Bastien passed an amused stare to Ember.

  She nodded. "It's in his blood. And if you think he's something, you should see his mother in battle. There's a reason they dubbed her Kirren as a call sign."

  If her abilities were anything like her son's, he could imagin
e. The Kirren were mythological birds of prey from Qillaq folklore. It was said their gods would unleash them against their enemies and that no one could stand against them. They flew in with a flash of lightning and a scream of thunder, with tails on fire, raining down their acid breath until nothing was left except smoldering remains.

  From what Bastien had heard about how Hermione reacted against anyone who threatened her only child, that sounded about right.

  However, at the moment, they were being hammered.

  Bastien glanced to Iskander. "You hanging in there, kid?"

  He nodded, but appeared a little green and wan.

  Bastien reached out for Ember's hand. "You with me?"

  "To hell and back."

  He smiled at what she used to say back before Alura had driven a wedge between them. And it gave him hope.

  "You know, Ember, in my life I've only loved three women."

  "Three?" she choked indignantly. "Really?"

  "Really. My mother. My sister, and you."

  Ember blinked as a wave of tender love for him tightened her throat. "Oh."

  "And I failed all three of you. But if we make it out of this alive, will you please, for the love of the gods, finally marry me?"

  She laughed at the anguish in his tone. "Yes, Bastien, pain in my ass that you are. I will definitely marry you, so don't go and get killed this time."

  "Icky? You heard her, right? You're my witness?"

  "I heard, and I will make sure she abides by it, if Ryn doesn't kill us with his flying."

  "Good man."

  But Ryn was certainly trying. Worse, they were taking direct hits.

  Suddenly, a buzzing started. Bastien thought it was an alarm until he heard Ryn's voice over the intercom. "Um, hey baby. Little busy right now. Can I call you and Mom back in a few?"

  "Ach! Are you under fire, me Wassie loon?"

  "Little bit, yeah."

  "And where's me worthless brother who's supposed to be a-watching your back?"

  "Not here. Need to focus. Love you."

  "And you." Mack cut the link.

  Wow, that was some accent she had, and here he'd thought Jupiter's was thick.

  He winked at Ember. "Wouldn't want to be Jory when he gets that call, eh?"

  She laughed, then groaned.

  A shot blasted them and broke through the shields. The ship began to whistle in that unique way that meant they were venting atmosphere.

  Shit ...

  If it went out, they wouldn't last any time. And with the way the ship was careening, they couldn't reach the hardsuits.

  This was getting scary.

  "Everyone harnessed?" Ryn asked over the intercom.

  "Yeah."

  "Good. I'm going to have to set her down. Hard. Brace!"

  Ember turned pale. "Are we near a planet?"

  "Hope so." No one wanted to set down on an asteroid while leaking life support.

  Her grip tightened on his hand.

  Bastien didn't say a word. He was too busy holding his breath as they dodged more fire.

  By the time they hit a planet, even Ryn was cursing as most everything had begun short-circuiting. Which meant they hit the ground so hard, it rattled every bone in their bodies. Parts of the ceiling came free and crashed down around them.

  Bastien smelled the burning wires and fuel.

  Shit! They were going up in flames. His heart hammering, he moved to check on Iskander. "Can you move?"

  He nodded. "Get to Ember."

  Bastien left him to check on her.

  She was unconscious. Worse? Her harness had been damaged on impact and wouldn't release. He pulled out his knife and began to saw on the straps. But because they were made to be fireproof and impact proof, they didn't give.

  The smoke thickened. His eyes burned and blurred his sight. Choking on the fumes, he tried the release again. It was still jammed.

  Damn it!

  Fire crackled and popped. His ears buzzed from his elevated blood pressure and he tasted bile as his panic rose up to choke him. "Come on, baby," he breathed. "Don't you dare leave me. You can't do that to Florian. He'd never forgive you for making me his only parent. I'll screw him up on my own. You know I will. I'm grossly incompetent. I'll be feeding him sweets for breakfast. Letting him wear things you'd kill us both for. He'd never have a bedtime and we'd both be surfing for porn together."

  "Don't you dare corrupt my baby!"

  He smiled at her irate tone. "Knew that'd revive you better than smelling salts."

  She grimaced at him. "You always know just what to say to piss me off."

  "That I do." He kissed her lips as a section of the ship fell down around them.

  Finally the belt came free.

  Scooping her up in his arms, he ran as fast as he could.

  He'd barely reached the door when the ship blew apart and sent a shock wave that pitched him forward, onto the burning grass.

  Bastien covered her with his body and prayed nothing rained down on her.

  Ember groaned as pain throbbed through every last bit of her body. It wasn't helped by Bastien's unholy weight on top of her, but she understood why he was there.

  "Are you okay?" she asked him.

  He nodded.

  Thank the gods.

  She had no idea what she'd do if she lost him again.

  Bastien rose slowly, then helped her up. Iskander was sitting a few feet away, along with Ryn, Quin, and Myrna, and Ryn's crew.

  "We lose anyone?" Bastien asked.

  "No, thank the gods." Ryn let out a tired breath. "But the Cruel Victory is toast."

  Yra patted him on the back. "You better call your mother and wife or they'll be headed this way as soon as their alarms sound."

  Cursing, he reached for his link to obey her.

  Quin held his wife as he surveyed the damage. His face was pale and haunted. As if reliving a nightmare.

  "You all right?"

  He shook his head at Bastien's question. "I don't want any part of this, ever again."

  Bastien gaped at him. "What the fuck is your problem?"

  Quin shot to his feet to confront him. "What's my problem? Everyone in my family was murdered! I have nothing left. What's the point of fighting? There will only be someone else who comes along and tries to take it."

  Bastien did the one thing he'd never done in his entire life.

  He backhanded his brother. "Fuck. You. Quin. You piece of shit! After all the lectures you gave me about being responsible? About growing up and not being self-absorbed? You dare sit there on the grave of our parents and let our people suffer under the hands of a madman?"

  Stunned and furious, he gestured to Myrna. "Look at what Barnabas did to your wife. You think she's the only one he's harmed? He killed Ember's parents and ours. We are Cabarros, you worthless dung-licking dog! You get up and you fight for your people. Your wife! Your child! That is what we do. That is who we are!" He shook his head. "I can't believe I ever looked up to you. That our father held you out to me as the paragon of virtue by which I was always found lacking."

  Quin curled his lip. "Open your eyes, Bastien. We're two people. What can we do?"

  "Barnabas was one. And if you want to see what one man can do ... watch me."

  Iskander rose. "I'm with you, brother."

  Ember blocked his path. "What are you planning?"

  "Death. Mayhem. Massive dismemberment."

  She didn't move for an entire minute. He was expecting her full argument.

  Instead, she nodded. "Let's go."

  Iskander scowled at them. "Out of curiosity ... our ship is over there in flames. So how are you planning to get there? Mindhike?"

  Bastien let out an irritated sigh. "You know, I'd be much more pissed off if I didn't feel like having to tolerate you is some kind of karmic debt I've earned."

  Ember laughed. "We can hail my sisters."

  "All hail the Wildstars."

  She popped Bastien's butt. "You're not funny."


  "I don't know," Iskander said. "That was pretty good. Wish I'd thought of it."

  But all joking aside, Bastien knew things had changed.

  And he was done playing.

  *

  Bastien was grateful Kindel had put her foot down and insisted that Iskander stay out of the fight. He just wished that she and the others had backed him with keeping Ember out of it, too.

  While he liked having her at his back, he would rather not risk Florian's mother.

  He paused onboard Cin's ship as they neared Kirovar and drew closer to the palace where Bastien would either fulfill his promise to kill his uncle.

  Or die trying.

  He turned toward his favorite sister-in-law. "Tasi?"

  "Yeah?"

  "You still have your priestess license?"

  "I do."

  "Then marry us before we do this."

  Ember's brows shot north. "Pardon?"

  "I asked and you accepted. If this goes wrong, and I go down, I want to make sure that no one questions Florian's place as an heir of this empire. It's to protect you both."

  Ember's throat went dry at his kindness. Nodding, she agreed. "I always imagined a more formal affair."

  He grinned. "Save me from my routine stupidity. Get me out alive, and I'll throw you the biggest damn wedding in the history of the Nine Worlds."

  "I don't need that, but something between the level of Nykyrian's and Caillen's will do."

  Since Nyk had eloped in a deserted hangar bay with only criminals to witness it, and Caillen's had been record setting, that left a lot of room for negotiation. "Whatever you want, it'll be yours."

  She sobered instantly. "I just want you."

  Bastien kissed her. "And I, you."

  "Well," Tasi said with a smirk. "You two are married. That was easy. Nice vows. All I need is to declare you as two united hearts before the gods. May you live in peace and remember to hold each other sacred, and yourselves solely one to the other." She drew a circle in the air around each of them and then united it. "There you go. Happy union."

  Cin held up her link. "Bas, fingerprint here."

  He let it scan his print.

  "Now you, sis."

  Ember followed suit.

  Cin pressed the send. "Paperwork filed. The marriage will hit the system within an hour."

  Bastien kissed her. "All right, Major Cabarro. Let's go kick ass."

  She cleared her throat. "That's Visira Ember."

  He laughed. "Technically, it's monidara."

  "Pardon?"

  "My brother abdicated. You heard him. As soon as I take Barnie's ass and mount it on my wall, you'll be Her Most Excellent Ember, High Monidara Cabarro."

  Ember shook her head as that reality slapped her hard. "Um ... is it too late to ask for a divorce?"