Enticed By The Corsair (Corsairs, #3)

by Ruby Dixon

“Promise me,” Tarekh says in a low voice. When I glance over, he continues. “Promise me that if she’s dead, you’ll put an end to me, too. I won’t live knowing that I failed her.” I stare at him. We’ve been through a lot, he and I, and Tarekh’s always been light-hearted and easy-going. This isn’t him. But I’ve never been mated. I don’t understand what it’s like. This sits wrong with me. But I also know what it’s like to want to die. So I nod.

Her eyes aren’t hidden by shadows. They’re gone, nothing but dark, angry scars remaining in their place.

Something deep inside me instinctually recognizes her as mine. I’ve heard other mesakkah talk about it. How when they meet their female, they just know in their gut that she’s the one. That the connection is lightning fast and soul-wrenchingly deep. Always thought that was garbage until now.

My heart skips a beat at that smile. For that, I’d do anything. For her, I’d move asteroids and fly through black holes, unafraid. I’m hers in that moment. Completely and utterly hers.

“Oh, I'm not fixed. I'm as broken as ever. But you get better at hiding it. And you get better at being broken.”

Is he lonely? I didn't realize I was until I saw Iris. “Someday it'll happen for you, too, my friend.” He just snorts.

“Mesakkah cap our horns when we come of age. It's a sign of adulthood. Of civilization. I don't know why we do it, just that if you don't cap them, you're looked at like some sort of wild man who just emerged from the jungle on a very backwards moon.”

No wonder there's no fight left in her. They broke her and she hasn't had time to mend. I'll always be here for her, I decide. Always.

“Make me forget,” she whispers. “Remind me that I'm in a good place.” “You're with me,” I tell her between presses of my mouth to hers. I am hungry for more, so much more. I love the feel of her slight body pressing against mine as we kiss, and my cock aches, my needs long suppressed. “In my bed. In my arms.” “Take my virginity,” she whispers, rubbing up against my chest. “Make it so no one wants to buy me ever again.”

“It's not to prove a point,” Alvos says. “It's because I love you and you're mine.”