unbound

Hayden made it too easy on her.

Glad to have that over with, she explained things the best she could to Mel and Aunt Sarah, then she waited for Kell to fall asleep.

It was nearly four in the morning when she sneaked into his room and slipped into his bed. It seemed only fitting that all this started with her sneaking out of it one morning, and now it could begin with her sneaking into it.

She'd only just fallen asleep when he jerked his arm away and jumped out of bed.

Frowning, she squinted up at him. "Babe, come back to bed."

His look was priceless enough to get a smile out of her. Rolling over, she propped herself up on her elbow. "My first order of business is that thing you're wearing. It's got to go, babe. Bottoms I can live with, but I'll be damn if all the hard work you put into that body goes to waste, and since I'm the only one who gets to enjoy it, I damn sure plan to enjoy it."

He only gawked at her, which was a nice change from all the bored expressions she usually received from him.

"Come back to bed, Kellum. We were finally sleeping good."

"You cannot be here."

"I can, and you might as well get used to it. Sometimes around midnight I decided it was stupid to want to be with you and not be. Being mated is the same as being married, right?"

He didn't seem to have an answer for that.

"We're both over eighteen, so I have every right to be here. Let's show our people the correct way to do this mating business." She motioned him with her finger to come to her. "I believe it's time for a proper good morning."

When he didn't come to her, she climbed to her knees and made her way towards him.

"Jessalynn__." His eyes went to her bare legs.

"You'll have to get used to them. This is how I sleep."

"It is improper."

"It's improper to make your mate chase you."

"Jessalynn, I require more time." He went on in a rush. "You are moving too fast."

"You'll have to get used to that, too. I'm your mate. The only one in the entire universe made just for you, which means I'm just right for you." Standing on the bed put her taller than him. "My proper good morning, Kellum."

She grinned when he gave her forehead a quick peck. Dude had a lot to learn.

Touching his hand found them both back in the middle of his bed. Her over him and his hands held over his head. "Good morning, my mate." She kissed his lips softly.

"Jessalynn."

"Yes, my mate?" She kissed his chin, then his lips again. How long has it been since she's been as close to him as she longed to be?

His lips were meant for hers. His hands made for hers.

Lacing their fingers together, she kissed him slowly, but before she could lose herself in his kiss, he was gone.

"You really have to stop doing that." She turned on to her back and took a deep breath before she searched the room for him. "I just found out yesterday that I'm the one who's been punishing myself for touching anyone else. Even when I was pushing you away, I was holding onto you, so I know how hard it is for you to pull away. You don't have to do that to yourself, Kellum."

"We need some ground rules."

"Agreed. No popping out when I need you to bring me alive."

She didn't know whether he felt her need or heard it in her voice, but either way, she felt the jolt it gave him.

Jess popped herself to him and was in his arms before he could stop her. Her lips on his, accepting nothing but everything.

"Kellum." She whispered his name.

Her plea weakened him, and his arms went around her loosely.

She'd take it. God, it felt good to be in his arms again.

The moment she felt him ignite, a thrill went up her spine and her hands went to the fasten around his neck. His hands went to her back so he could bring her close. She'd always loved his need to have her closer.

"My King, My Queen, you are needed___."

Kell put her down and moved away so fast it was funny, except she wasn't laughing. "I swear, Dez, today you die."

"My Queen, this is important. Eight minutes ago, I caught movement on my scans. It was for a split second, but I have analyzed it and there was an unknown object traveling fast near the continent of the South America. During my search of this brief sighting, I have found a faint frequency off the coast of Asia. I will need to run more data to determine if it is the same occurrence."

"The frequency, could it be another Ratkilgon ship?"

"Yes, my King. Smaller but stationed about fifty miles off the coast. Now that I have found it, I will be able to track any movement it makes."

"Order my military leaders to the main control room. Have the New Rulers called in and at ready."

"Yes, my King."

Kellum had already moved towards the chamber that held his uniforms.

Jess walked to where she had a better view of the small room. Tilting her head, she watched as he changed quickly. His underwear was even silver and reached his knees.

Sweet lord and baby kittens. No wonder she'd been confused for so long. How could all of him, be all of hers?

Damn Dez and flying space crafts for interrupting them.

"I must see to this right away."

As he left his changing chamber, he looked to where he'd left her, then his eyes found her new location. Yep, caught red-handed and she could not care less.

Not knowing what else to say, he nodded and was gone.

Sweet lord and baby kittens. He didn't know it, but they were picking up right where they left off as soon as possible.

"I'm assuming I have one of those changing chambers in my room?"

"Yes, my Queen."

"I want my stuff moved into his chamber. Even set me up with my own seat and screens in here. I assume I should wear something similar to what he was wearing?"

"Yes, my Queen. It is very similar but has long sleeves and a longer skirt."

"What the hell, I'm feeling accommodating." She dressed quickly, then she looked into the sliver of mirror. She looked like a child playing dress up. After putting her hair up in a quick bun, she slipped on the boots left for her.

These aliens may not have any style, but their shoes were damn comfortable and seemed to adjust to her feet instantly. They were lightweight, looked like boots, but fit like tennis shoes.

"Anything I should know before I go?"

"You are their Queen. Some will be older than you and will know more about combat but never forget that you are their Queen. Equal to none but my King."

"Right."

When Jess popped in to stand next to Kellum, everyone in the room bowed their heads and paused in what they were saying. There was not one person in the room she recognized. All of them were dressed in black and upon receiving a nod from Kellum they withdrew their swords and did the ceremony that her guards had done that day in her room.

"You may rise. Continue with your analysis." She could get used to ruling the world.

"After studying the frequency, we know it is a perfect match to the Ratkilgon spaceship we already have in our possession."

"And the vessel we are already tracking?" Kell was in his stiff stance, and his voice didn't betray the tension he was feeling. She almost took his hand, then she realized she was the caused for at least half of his tension.

Instantly, giant screens came alive.

"The target is still nine days from being in communication range. Our warship is ten days from being able to overtake it."

"Then this new frequency has to be their third ship, and could have been here all along?"

"That is our belief, my King."

"Dezrick, ready the men. I want this taken care of by daybreak. We will do the same as last time. Fight and contain. See everyone as the enemy. Leader Calcu, have two men ready who can commandeer the control of their ship. You each can man your post here after giving your orders to your men. Leader Dired, while we are gone your men have control of the safety of the cities."

"Yes, my King."

They bowed their heads to Kellum, then to her, then they went to work.

"Dezrick, order my Queen's men ready. They are to stay with her until I return. I want everyone on high alert while so many of our military are gone."

"You can forget that, Kellum. If you're going, I'm going. I imagine this spaceship will be about the same as the other one. Start on the outside and work your way in."

She could see that he wanted to argue, but he refrained. "Dezrick, let me know when her men are ready."

Kellum's guards arrived. After winking at her, Frick handed Kellum his own sword and a belt thing that went around his waist to hold it.

Her guy still looked like he wanted to argue with her.

She blew him a kiss. "Don't worry so much. I have my own superpowers, remember? In fact, I have two superpowers. Mine and yours."

"We do not know what we will be walking into."

"All the more reason for us to be together."

Frick's eyes widened as he took in their conversation. "Did I miss something?"

Her mind was on what she'd just said. She had her own gift and his. "Somehow, you gave me your powers, didn't you? You knew I wasn't a good fighter so somehow you found a way to protect me."

"How could I__."

"I don't know, but I know I'm right about this. It's just like you to find a way to protect me by sharing your own gift. Thank you, Kellum."

"My King and Queen, by my calculations the sighting and the frequency cannot be the same."

"Dezrick, keep searching. New Rulers, work together and see if you can find this new threat." Kellum ordered.

"Dez, you said off the coast of Korea? Adrian and I were going there today. He feels there could be a New Ruler there. Adrian, should we worry?" She asked through the communication path that Ritz had open for them.

"I feel if he was in danger, we would know it just as we did with Aadelheide."

"My King, the Queen's men are ready, and all the men are in place."

Her guards appeared around her. Even Julian was dressed and ready to fight.

"You are not to leave her sight." Kellum demanded. "I will go first. I need some type of layout before I can call all the men to me. Be ready for my__."

"I knew the other ship well enough. Don't worry, big guy, just follow me." Jess grabbed Damous and Dra's arms, and then all three of them were gone.