Risteard’s Unwilling Empress Read online

  Ristéard scowled as he looked at the ship. “Are there any officers like that left?” He asked, staring up at the pulsing ship.

  “No,” Rime said, shaking his head. “At least, none that we know of.”

  “I know someone who could tap into it,” Ajaska replied with a smile.

  “Who?” Ricki asked, turning to look at Ajaska with a frown.

  “Jarmen,” he replied. “He would be able to control it.”

  “We can help him,” Marvin and Martin said at the same time.

  Ristéard looked at the ship. “Now that we know where the crystals are from, we can use it to heal my world,” he said as a large smile curved his lips. He turned to Ricki and pulled her against him, ignoring the pain in his leg as he held her close. “You did it, my Empress! You have saved Elipdios.”

  Ricki’s laughter was cut short as he captured her lips with his. Winding her arms around his neck, she returned his kiss. She might have started out as his unwilling Empress, but she was definitely ready and willing now.

  “Does this mean we get to go back to the palace now?” She whispered when he slowly broke the kiss.

  Ristéard’s eyebrow rose at her question. It was only when he saw the dark desire burning in her gaze that he remembered their last conversation about when they got back. His own eyes darkened to molten silver and he felt his body harden.

  “Soon, my Empress, soon,” he promised.

  *.*.*

  Ristéard distractedly nodded his head at Jarmen’s technical explanation. Martin and Marvin had spent the last two days dismantling the traps leading down to the vault. Jarmen had joined them early this morning. He had been fascinated by the Living Ship, running his hands over it with an almost reverence.

  “I believe I am ready to connect to it,” Jarmen said. “I will return with it to the location set up just outside of the city. The Rues will be leading the research. I believe they will be of sufficient help in understanding the history of the crystals. From what I have learned, the ship absorbs the radiation and converts it to food. The by-product are more crystals. The Rues have theorized that the ship was absorbing the radiation and continued to do so, but when it became completely trapped inside the mountain, it could no longer receive the needed food to reproduce at the levels it had before. Deposits of the crystals from the vault alone are enough to stabilize your planet for the next five millenniums if the crystals remain on your world.”

  “Make sure that it is secure,” Ristéard ordered. “I do not want anyone taking it.”

  “That is highly unlikely,” Jarmen replied. “I am the only one who has the capability of connecting with it.”

  “How long before we know for sure that this will save my world?” Ristéard asked, gazing back at the glittering ship.

  “A noticeable reduction should be detected within days, normal levels within a month with the amount of the deposits available,” Jarmen replied, his eyes glowing as red as the ship as he processed the information. “Less than a year for all environmental resources to stabilize and return to normal.”

  “Thank you for the information, Jarmen,” Ristéard answered, his voice fading as Ricki stepped across the bridge with her parents and Rime. “Make sure that you share it with the other scientists.”

  Jarmen’s eyes returned to normal. For a moment, he studied Ristéard’s face before turning to look at Ricki’s glowing one. A look of puzzlement crossed his face as he tried to process the emotions they were feeling.

  “What is it that you feel for Ricki?” Jarmen asked suddenly.

  Ristéard glanced at the unusual man and smiled. “Love,” he said simply. “I feel love when I look at her.”

  Ricki looked up and smiled. Her eyes softening as she returned Ristéard’s steady gaze. He started toward her when Jarmen’s calmly murmured words hit him. Stumbling to a stop, he turned and stared at the man in disbelief.

  “What did you say?” He asked hoarsely.

  Jarmen frowned and gazed back at Ristéard wondering if he had said something inappropriate. “I said she is reproducing. Is that not the appropriate term for a woman who is carrying a child?”

  Ristéard ignored Jarmen’s question. His eyes glittering fiercely with pride and possessiveness. He had his home back and now he had his family. His Empress had saved more than Elipdios, she had saved him.

  Opening his arms, he buried his face into her neck as he wound his arms protectively around her. A shudder escaped him as he drew in deep calming breaths.

  “Are you okay?” Ricki whispered in concern, running her fingers through his thick hair. “Ristéard, are you alright?”

  Ristéard pulled back and gazed down into Ricki’s worried eyes. A smile curved his lips and he brushed a kiss against her lips. Losing himself in her brilliant blue eyes, he saw something he hadn’t seen before, he saw a future.

  “I’m thinking about kidnapping you,” he whispered.

  To be continued…. Jarmen’s Jane Doe

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  Additional Books by S. E. Smith

  Paranormal and Science Fiction short stories and novellas

  For the Love of Tia (Dragon Lords of Valdier Book 4.1)

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  A Dragonlings’ Haunted Halloween (Dragonlings of Valdier Book 1.2)

  A Warrior’s Heart (Marastin Dow Warriors Book 1.1)

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  Science Fiction/Paranormal Novels

  Cosmos’ Gateway Series

  Tink’s Neverland (Cosmo’s Gateway: Book 1)

  Hannah’s Warrior (Cosmos’ Gateway: Book 2)

  Tansy’s Titan (Cosmos’ Gateway: Book 3)

  Cosmos’ Promise (Cosmos’ Gateway: Book 4)

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  Dragon Lords of Valdier

  Abducting Abby (Dragon Lords of Valdier: Book 1)

  Capturing Cara (Dragon Lords of Valdier: Book 2)

  Tracking Trisha (Dragon Lords of Valdier: Book 3)

  Ambushing Ariel (Dragon Lords of Valdier: Book 4)

  Cornering Carmen (Dragon Lords of Valdier: Book 5)

  Paul’s Pursuit (Dragon Lords of Valdier: Book 6)

  Twin Dragons (Dragon Lords of Valdier: Book 7)

  Lords of Kassis Series

  River’s Run (Lords of Kassis: Book 1)

  Star’s Storm (Lords of Kassis: Book 2)

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/>   Excerpts of S. E. Smith Books

  If you would like to read more S. E. Smith stories, she recommends Abducting Abby, the first in her Dragon Lords of Valdier Series

  Or if you prefer a Paranormal or Time Travel with a twist, you can check out Lily’s Cowboys or Indiana Wild...

  About S. E. Smith

  S. E. Smith is a New York Times, USA TODAY and #1 International Amazon Bestselling author who has always been a romantic and a dreamer. A prolific writer, she has spent years writing, although it has usually been technical papers for college. Now, she spends her days and weekends writing and her nights dreaming up new stories. She enjoys camping and traveling when she is not out on a date with her favorite romantic guy.