It had been over a year since she’d been forced to undergo sex with her ex andNoellefelt like she was starting to heal.Atleast her sexual desire seemed to have returned—it had been absent through most of her marriage.
She was glad she’d never had any children withBranson—though he had claimed to want them and had even ordered her not to take birth control.(Itwent without saying that he wouldn’t wear a condom.)
Noelle had gone to a clinic in secret and gotten birth control pills, hiding them in an old vitamin bottle.She’dknown—only months into their marriage—that she never wanted to bring his child into the world.Anybaby she had withBransonwould be another prisoner…another soul trapped under his thumb.
But not anymore.Nottoday.Todayshe was free and about to go on an adventure with friends.
Noelle pushed the bad memories away as she looked out at the crimson fold in space, feeling a jolt of excitement in her chest.
This was a new life—a new start.She’dspent years living in fear—it was time to seize all the joy she could and hold onto it.Shewas flying into the unknown with two warriors who respected her, who made her feel needed, and who needed her in return to help them form aTwin-Bond.Everythingwas looking up.
“Here we go,”Burnsaid.
The ship surged forward.
And together, the three of them dove into the crimson wound in space… and left the whole world behind.
6
BURN
Folding space was different for everyone.
SomeKindredsaid time slowed down to a crawl—as though every second stretched into a long, shimmering thread you could pluck and twang like aSeribethharp string.
Others swore time sped up, rushing forward like a river in flood, dragging you with it, breathless and helpless.
Still others claimed folding space felt like no time was passing at all… and at the same time like years, decades, entire eons were spinning past, brushing against your skin like ghostly fingers.
Burn didn’t know what was true for most people.Heonly knew what it felt like for him—for him, folding space slowed time.
As the long-range shuttle slid into the bleeding crimson slit in the fabric of the universe,Burnfelt the world crystallize around him.Everythingsharpened… everything came into focus.Theroar of the engines became a low hum, and the sensation of plunging into theFoldbecame a weightless drift, as though they were suspended in warm, dark water.
He turned his head — slowly, so slowly — to look at his companions.
Noelle sat in the center seat, strapped securely between him andBright.Thesoft glow from the navigation panel bathed her in faint gold light, highlighting her profile…the curve of her cheek…the long sweep of her eyelashes as she stared wide-eyed at the swirling red void outside the cockpit window.
Her hair was loose today, spilling over her shoulders in thick, glossy waves.Hecould smell it from here — warm vanilla and wildflowers.Herfull lips were parted just a little, breath catching as the sky outside fractured into shimmering crimson shards.
Fuck, she’s so beautiful.
She was tiny too — most human women were compared to theKindred— but despite her diminutive size, her full curves made something primal inside him sit up and take notice.Hisgaze slid downward, tracing the shape of her body strapped in the five-point harness.
Her breasts strained against the top of her red dress — perfect, heavy, ripe handfuls he longed to taste.Herwaist dipped in gently before flaring out to wide, lush hips.Andher thighs…
Gods.
Her skirt had slipped up a little during takeoff, molding itself to her luscious, thick thighs like a second skin.Thethin fabric clung to every curve, outlining the softnessBurnwanted to bite…kiss…mark.Heimagined grabbing her hips and pulling her into his lap.Heimagined sinking to his knees between her legs and burying his face in the hot, slick heat of her soft little pussy.
I want her wrapped around my head.Wanther thighs squeezing me while she rides my mouth, tasting like fucking heaven.
He adjusted his grip on the steering yoke and wished he could adjust his cock in his leathers instead.Hewas getting hard just thinking of tasting the curvy, matureElite.
Burn frowned.Thiswasn’t helpful—thiswasn’tthe mission.Theywere takingNoelletoTherimFivebecauseBrightbelieved in some stupid prophecy, not becauseBurnwanted to bendNoelleover the nearest surface and lick her until she screamed his name.
His gaze slid toBright.
TheLightTwinwas looking atNoelletoo — but with hope in his eyes.Brighthad always been the hopeful one between them.Alwaysthe believer…always the one who could find a silver lining in the darkest storm.Brightstill believed that miracles could happen—and would if they hoped and prayed hard enough.
