Read Online Determine by Viola Grace - Free Book Online

the stand.
    When he emerged, he was working at his hair with a brush.
    “Come here with that, Caalos.” She beckoned him, and he took a seat with his back to her.
    Hydra took the brush in her hand and divided the fine stuff up into sections. She worked the hair from the ends to his skull and finally ran the brush through his hair with long, smooth strokes. When his hair was a straight curtain, she reached up and massaged his scalp, smiling at the groan of pleasure that she worked free of his throat.
    When he was moving with her, she laughed and knelt higher, moving to massage his neck and shoulders with the same strong rhythm.
    After a few minutes, he reached up and pulled her hands forward, pressing a kiss into each palm.
    He kissed the mark on her wrist and started to move up her arm, pulling her around him and into his lap. “What did I do to deserve finding you?”
    She laughed. “You had good taste in diners.” His eyes widened. “That reminds me.” He stood and set her back on the bed. She watched him as he rifled through data slips on his desk, and he found what he was looking for, raising his hand with a cry of triumph.
    She blinked as he knelt in front of her with the small recording crystal in his hand. “What is that?”
    He smiled, and his red eyes showed an affection that went far beyond the physical. “The recipe for the diner’s forty-seven-ingredient soup.”
    Tears welled in her eyes as she took the crystal from him. She flung herself into his arms and whispered in his ear. “My hero.”

Epilogue
    W atching Starburn’s retirement ceremony from the podium was a strange feeling for Hydrangea. For the last three years, she had stood in the shadows and tried not to be noticed. Now, she was in an evening gown and applauding as the next Guardian was called up.
    From this moment on, Caalos Renix existed once again and Hydrangea Renix would be with him. Cadian was sitting next to Hydra, and they watched as Starburn gave up his position in the Guardians to Blaze. They both wore decorative uniforms, including masks. Warp was now the captain of the team, Breaker second in command, and both of their wives were also in the audience, nameless and unrecognized.
    Tangle was still single, but Hydra saw his gaze focussing on the server at the restaurant they frequented often enough that it was only a matter of time before the shy man was able to make his move. He had six months on Deyfell 4 to pluck up his courage, so Hydra hoped that he shifted himself into action when lives weren’t at stake.
    She looked around and smiled at the familiar faces at the Academy. They may not recognize her, but she recognized them. Three years of travel and turmoil with the Guardians. Disasters, injuries and poaching women were always around the corner when you were mated to a Guardian, but now that Starburn was retiring, he was being forced into another roll that she would have to join him in, that of imperial heir.
    Cadian Renix, empress of the few remaining Shosai, stood up for her son’s right to legitimacy though she and the Nyal emperor were not married by Nyal standards. They were, however, mates by the traditions of the Shosai. A child was all that was necessary to form the union if no other vow had been spoken.
    While the emperor had acknowledged Caalos as his son, his nobles were not on the same track.
    It was going to be a long and dangerous road to the throne, but who better to walk it with than a Guardian?
     
    She walked out back and stretched. Arms came around her and lifted her into the sky. She turned in his arms and smiled, her mask matching his.
    “So, you are retired now. Nothing more than the heir to an empire?”
    He grinned. “That is correct.”
    “Thank goodness. Sleeping with a hero was exhausting. I think having sex with a noble is supposed to be boring and bland. I can hardly wait.” She shrieked as he dropped her and then laughed as he caught her up and flew her to their private villa in the