Born of Ice

Still, the skepticism burned him. Not that he blamed Devyn for it. He wouldn’t trust him either.

“Good job, Lieutenant Whelms,” the captain said as he joined them for the transfer. “The CMOD would like to speak to you immediately.”

Paden inclined his head before he stepped into a private communications cube to call Merjack and see what the bastard wanted. “Sir?” he asked as soon as Merjack’s face came up on the wall. “Lieutenant Whelms here.”

There was an evil glint in the man’s eyes as he gave him a smug smile. “Lieutenant, I hear congratulations are in order.”

“I don’t know about that, sir, but Kell is in custody.”

“And the others?”

“Dead, sir.”

Merjack cocked one arrogant brow at that. “Even the slave?”

“Yes, sir.”

Merjack tsked. “Damn shame. She looked like she would have been fun for a night or two. Oh, well. I’ll have to console myself with her sister . . . In the meantime, I want Kell brought to me as soon as you arrive.”

“Yes, sir.”

With a curt nod, Merjack cut the transmission. Paden leaned his head back as he debated what to do. But in the end, he knew he had no power against someone like Merjack.

Setting Devyn free was going to require a lot more muscle than what he had, and inside, he knew the truth he didn’t want to face.

He’d just sent his only brother to prison.



Devyn sat alone in a cell as they flew him toward Ritadaria and a future he really didn’t want to face. Why didn’t I tell her I love her?

He should have. But for some reason, the words wouldn’t come.

It figured. He’d never been one for a lot of sweet talk, anyway. It was one of the things that Clotilde had complained about most.

Leaning his head back, he closed his eyes and summoned an image of Alix lying naked in his arms. Yeah, that helped a lot.

“I’ve never seen anyone look so happy while going to prison.”

He opened his eyes to find Paden staring down at him. “I’m not happy.”

“You shouldn’t be. I just saw the files. What the fuck have you done?”

“I saved my family.”

“You’re an idiot, Devyn. Have you any idea what they’ll do to you?”

“Yeah, I do. I’ve seen the scars on my father’s back from prison. And I’ve heard the stories Nero has told that Dad denies. I know exactly what I’m facing. But at least I’m a man and not a child like Dad was when he went in.”

Paden cursed. “I don’t understand you. You could have handed over the slave and been free.”

“Freedom bought on the back of a loved one isn’t worth shit.”

“She’s a slave.”

Devyn glared at him. “You better be glad I’m cuffed or you’d be looking for your teeth right now. Alix Gerran isn’t a slave. She’s a lady, and I would die for her.”

He shook his head. “I hope you’re still saying that when Merjack executes you.”



Alix paced the shuttle floor as they landed on Gouran. Guilt rode her furiously over what Devyn had done.

As soon as they were cleared to leave the ship, she bolted for the door.

Vik caught her before she could get all the way down the ramp. “What are you doing?”

“I have to get to Devyn.”

“Alix, there’s nothing you can do.”

“I have to try. I can’t leave him there. You don’t understand, Vik. I love him, and I can’t let him pay for something I did. I don’t care what it takes, we have to save him.”

“Those words, little girl, just saved your life.”

Alix turned at the woman’s voice that came from behind her. Tall, slender and beautiful, she wore a dark blue Armstich suit that hugged her curves in a way that said it had been custom-fitted to her.

And in an instant, she knew that this was Devyn’s mother. Though they didn’t favor each other much in looks, there was no mistaking the lethal aura or deadly glare.

She involuntarily took a step back.

“You don’t have to fear me. If I wanted you dead, you’d already be bleeding.” She looked at Vik. “How could you let him do this?”

“I know you’re not going to pin this on me, Shay. I didn’t raise the embryo. You did. It’s what you get for teaching him things like honor, love, courage and loyalty.” He made a mocking noise. “If you’d left him a scared little snot-nose, he’d still be living in your basement.”

“I don’t have a basement.”

“Yeah, but you’d have built one if he wanted it.”

Shahara rolled her eyes. “I am so angry with you right now, Vik, you might want to curb your tongue before I forget how much Syn and Dev love you.”

“Grandma!”

Shahara turned as Omari came running. She caught him in a fierce hug that made Alix raise her brow. One, because he dwarfed her, and two, Shahara didn’t really look old enough to be Devyn’s mother, never mind Omari’s grandmother.

She gave Omari a tight squeeze before she released him. “I swear you get more handsome every time I see you.”

“You always say that.”

“It’s because it’s true.” She stepped past him as Nero came down the ramp. “Nero, we need a full debriefing. Now.”