Corbin's Captive (17 page)

She twirled her son around in her arms, and planted a series of kisses all over his handsome little face.

He scowled at her, "Yuck, Mama." He arched up and blew a very wet raspberry against her cheek. "Take that."

The door to her room slid open. "Princess Yani, the transport is ready." Her face blanched suddenly. A knot twisted in her stomach. It took every ounce of strength she had to move her legs and walk towards the Captain of her Personal Guard.

He took Illiano from her, rubbing the young boy's dreads playfully, and getting a tiny giggle in response. Yani took a deep breath to calm her shaking nerves. She closed her eyes for a brief moment.
Please Ver, please bring my Life-Mate back to me. Please.

A tear slipped from her eye. "I'm ready, let's go."

* * * *

Hot water pouring over his skin felt like heaven. After three years of living off whatever he could scavenge up, the simplest of things became luxuries. Hell would have been more merciful than what he had endured for three straight years.

He did it though, and by the shocked expressions of Nal and the five Elvin guard with him, he never should have. He chuckled cynically, knowing he was the first to have done so.

Survival didn't come without suffering. He had his share of scars to prove it. Quite honestly, he surprised himself that the trials and hardships he endured during the last three years, in the Elvin Death Lands hadn't killed him.

The Death Lands, like its name indicated, were a barren, uninhabitable cesspit.

Only one thing kept him going, kept him from giving up and kept him sane enough to endure the adversity he faced.

Yani.

She was forever in his thoughts. He never gave up hope that one day they would be together again.
Wait, what if she didn't wait for you?

He shook his head and quickly perished that thought. He knew with every fiber of his being, his soul, that Yani would be waiting for him the moment he stepped out of the shuttle into the same court room where he was originally convicted.

After dressing in the form-fitting travel suit given to him by Nal. He used the holo-com to call the guards and let them know he was ready.

He fidgeted a bit, and tugged at the crotch of his suit. Damn he hated clothes.

The door slid up and two Elvins met him at the entrance. They bowed once to him, surprising him with the blatant show of respect. Corbin's stomach twisted in knots as he entered the shuttle. Soon he would see his Yani. He knew she would be there waiting for him. His heart swelled with pride.

* * * *

Yani stood, clutching nervously to Illiano, as the shuttle landed on its pad. For several long minutes, nothing happened. Her heart hammered in her chest and she trembled with anticipation. Illiano wrapped his arms around her neck, his little dreads stroked her cheek, comforting her. She placed a kiss on his beloved temple.

The hatched opened finally. Two Elvin guards stepped out, followed by Prince Nal. A moment passed, then there was movement. She saw a shadow emerge from inside the shuttle, followed by a tall muscular figure, one she recognized on the most intimate level.

Her knees nearly buckled. Her Guard took Illiano, because she feared she would drop him accidentally. Tears flooded her eyes, and she cried out a second before picking up her skirts and running, very un-princess like, straight into Corbin's arms.

He saw her the moment he stepped out. And she wasn't alone. In her arms, he recognized his own flesh and blood. His heart soared. He feared it would leap from his chest, its pounding was so intense.

Then she safely handed his son to her personal guard, cried out with relief, and ran to him.

He held out his arms.

She crashed into him, almost knocking him over.

Her arms squeezed him so tightly, he actually found it difficult to breath. Pure elation raced through him.

When she pulled back, he held her beautiful face between his hands and bent down to kiss her. Their lips locked for several seconds, before he finally pulled back to look in her eyes.

"Is there someone you want me to meet?"

Her dazed expression, like that of someone who had finally had their first bite of food after near starvation, made him chuckle.

"Illiano ... he is just like you."

Corbin raised his eyebrows, both stunned, and pleased, that she had obviously named their son after his mother.

"Sweet Ancients, I hope he's more like you! Our poor son!"

She laughed and held him even tighter. "Let's introduce you to him and you can see for yourself."

They both turned, and walked hand in hand towards Illiano. The small boy couldn't wait though. Corbin and Yani laughed when he managed to kick his way out of the Zenian guard's arms, and ran giggling straight into his parent's arms.

The three of them held each other in the middle of the Elvin courtroom. Corbin thanked the Ancients for his salvation.

MORE NOVELS BY EMMA PAUL

Soulmate’s Touch
– Erotic Paranormal Romance – Sizzler Editions (First book in the
Gargoyle Soulmate Series)

Kaden’s Breeder
– Erotic Science Fiction Romance – Sizzler Editions (First book in the
Galactic Breeders Series
)

Prisoner of Darkhaven
– Fantasy-Erotic Romance Fairytale

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Emma Paul lives happily in Connecticut with her husband, daughter and a very pampered Himalayan cat, named Cheyenne. She loves creating the fantastical tales that seem to manifest, every second of every day, within the confines of her mind. Emma loves writing and sharing her imagination with anyone willing to read, or listen to, her stories. She is passionate about her writing and loves pushing the limits of her imagination. Erotic romance is her favorite genre. Combined with her love of fantasy and science fiction, she found her calling. Her entertaining tales are hot, fun and wildly creative.

• CHAPTER ONE
  
• CHAPTER TWO
  
• CHAPTER THREE
  
• CHAPTER FOUR
  
• CHAPTER FIVE
  
• CHAPTER SIX
  
• CHAPTER SEVEN
  
• CHAPTER EIGHT
  
• CHAPTER NINE
  
• CHAPTER TEN
  
• CHAPTER ELEVEN
  
• CHAPTER TWELVE
  
• CHAPTER THIRTEEN
  
• CHAPTER FOURTEEN
  
• CHAPTER FIFTEEN
  
• CHAPTER SIXTEEN
  
• CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
  
• CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
  
• CHAPTER NINETEEN
  
• CHAPTER TWENTY
  
• CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
  
• CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
  
• CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE