Broken

By Danika Jeffries

Gregory was the queen's bonded partner for nearly a decade, but breaking that bond had consequences nobody was expecting. Unable to function normally any longer, the newly promoted Protectorate commander is a broken version of himself, feeling useless and alone. Fortunately for him, a young woman has just graduated, and she has the medical specialty he needs.

Terese has worked hard, keeping her grades up and serving her planet as a member of the Protectorate, and now it is time to reap the rewards. Assigned to the beautiful planet of Miralea, she's surprised to have a patient dropped into her lap before she even manages to leave Nevern, the space station orbiting Erumar. The next phase of her life and career are not starting out that way she expected, but Commander Gregory Feulion certainly isn't hard to spend time with.

Forced into isolation together because of his condition, Gregory and Terese must work together to heal the commander's broken mind... while navigating their growing desire for each other. The patient-doctor relationship is sacrosanct, but where will their paths lead them when they leave Miralea?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Danika Jeffries
• Release date: Jun 5, 2015
• ISBN: 9781311774927

Danika Jeffries

Danika is new to the genre of romance, but has been writing fantasy for a few years now, under her real name.

Book preview

cover-image, Broken

Broken

An Elementalist Novel

Danika Jeffries

Smashwords Edition

Copyright 2015 Danika Jeffries

Discover other titles by Danika Jeffries at Smashwords.com

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

This eBook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This eBook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

Chapter 27

Chapter 28

Chapter 29

Chapter 30

Chapter 31

Chapter 1

He moaned at the feeling of teeth gently nibbling his earlobe while finger nails traced a path of fire down his chest. He felt her swirl her finger around one hard nipple and then tweak it, drawing another groan from his throat. This was torture, the way she toyed with him, but he could feel her need in the back of his head, and knew it was just a matter of time until she gave in to what they both wanted, what they both needed. 

Her hand trailed lower, skated across his abdomen and down his thigh. He shifted restlessly, eager to move things along, but he knew his place in this game. She was the aggressor right now, and if he didn’t want her to shut down and push him away as she had so many times before, he had to wait. Finally, her hand closed around his aching cock, squeezing him through his pants, and he bucked against her grip.

Gregory heard the hum of the protective field around his room cease and opened his eyes, blinking away the memory of him and Jessa, the woman he’d been bound to for years. He was unsurprised to find his doctor, Casper Holidran, entering the isolation room. A tall man with white-blond hair, he looked like a washed out copy of himself as he glanced down at the display in his hand, the light of the tablet reflecting upward as Casper walked farther into the room. Gregory was equally unsurprised to hear the hum of the field go back up as soon as the door was closed.  This ritual had been repeated at least a dozen times over the past three days, and Gregory rubbed at his temples in a futile effort to get the pain lodged in his brain to subside.

And how are you feeling, Lieutenant Feulion? the doctor asked as he crossed the room to Gregory’s bedside. Any better at all?

Maybe a little, but overall, no, Gregory answered, running a hand through his brown hair. He noted absently that he needed a shower, his hair feeling a little greasy and lank. I’m okay when I’m alone, and when you’re here, but as soon as that field goes down… And then there are the memories. I can’t get her out of my head, Casper, and it’s worse now than when I was her blasted partner!

Casper Holidran, head of the Elementalist academy and physician for the Erumari royal family, shook his head at the lieutenant’s revelation. He checked on his patient’s vitals, listed on the various monitors near the bed, made notes on the tablet in his hand, and then picked up Gregory’s wrist to check his pulse and his energy levels. As a Life Elementalist, he had the ability to sense the energy flowing through a person’s body, and he had the ability to manipulate that energy to speed healing… or not, as he chose.

The energy level in your aura is quite high, Casper remarked, his strange silvery-green gaze meeting Gregory’s golden brown one. That might be behind the memories. Would you like me to drain the excess?

When Gregory nodded, Casper closed his eyes and connected his psyche to the med centre’s power grid before psychically reaching out to brush against the lieutenant’s aura. With a practiced twist of his thoughts, the doctor guided the excess energy Gregory was storing into the power grid, where it was harmlessly absorbed. This sort of minor energy manipulation was nearly second nature to him now, and he smiled as the use of his power made his patient sigh with relief.

Better?

Yes, Gregory agreed with a nod. I never realize I’m overly full until you drain the excess away. Though now that I think about it…

Yes?

I think you’re right about the excess energy and the memories being connected. Looking back on the past few days, the memories are most annoying when I’m restless, and I seem to be most restless right before you tell me I’m running hot.

It sounds about right, the doctor said with a smile. Feeding Jessa energy was nearly a full-time job, based on the reports I’ve seen, and it’s logical that you’d recall memories of doing so when your aura gets overly full. You’ll get the hang of it again though, don’t worry.

At the mention of being without Jessa, Gregory’s features had twisted with hurt, just for a moment before he brought himself back under control. Casper cursed these horrible circumstances, but Gregory was going to have to get used to the fact that he was no longer the queen’s bonded partner, no longer the person responsible for monitoring and rebalancing her aura as she used her powers. Casper knew the man logically understood this, but that he still hadn’t really come to terms with it.

Did it hurt when I brushed against your aura? Casper asked, changing the subject.

No, not at all.

Good, good. Casper made another note in Gregory’s file, and then moved to sit on the chair beside the bed. We need to talk about your recovery, Lieutenant.

That doesn’t sound good.

Casper smiled reassuringly. It’s not all bad either. You are physically healthy, in peak shape actually, and without any medical issues at all. However, as you well know, psychically you’re a different story.

Gregory rolled his eyes and leaned back against the pillows, crossing his arms over his chest. You don’t say. Not being able to leave this room without passing out from the pain kinda clued me in.

Casper grimaced. I have to admit that I don’t have any experience with this sort of thing. I’ve never had to break a bond before, nor have I seen it done. I have seen the results of a bond broken when one of the partnership dies, but it’s nothing like this. This… this makes me question the wisdom of assigning bonded partners to master-ranked Elementalists when we know the bond will need to be broken.

Don’t tell that to Jessa, Gregory commented wryly. She always said that our bonding wasn’t fair, and she argued that point whenever she could. If you prove her right, there will be no living with her.

Casper smiled. I don’t think my agreeing or disagreeing with the queen will change anything about how hard she is to live with. However, I think we’ll hold off on bonding Prince Aiden to a Reservoir until after he’s no longer heir to the throne, just in case.

Gregory tilted his head. You don’t have a bonded partner, do you? he asked. Why is that?

For the same reason that the monarch doesn’t have one, and if the Protectorate general was an Elementalist, he wouldn’t have one either. It was decided, a long time ago, that those in the top positions of authority shouldn’t be reliant on another, certainly not in the way a typical Elementalist relies on his or her bonded partner.

Jessa isn’t a typical Elementalist, Gregory pointed out, his voice a little bitter. She went out of her way to keep the bond between us as loose as possible.

And yet, here you are, still suffering three days after your bond was broken, Casper stated immediately. If she hadn’t managed to keep you somewhat at a distance, considering you were bonded to her for nearly a decade, I think breaking the bond would have killed you.

The doctor stood and began to pace across the small isolation room, running a hand through his pale blond hair. It seems to me that your mind is seeking what it lost, he explained. You’ve told me that you were able to sense Jessa’s whereabouts and her emotions, and that particularly strong emotions even affected you physically. I think that the reason the pain hits so hard when the protection field is down is because the end of the bond in your mind is raw, like an exposed nerve. Whenever you’re around people, your mind instinctively searches for those feelings again, and you’re being bombarded by bits and pieces of everyone in proximity to you. Add to that the rather vivid memories you’re having of her, and I’d be willing to say that your bond isn’t nearly as broken as I thought it was.

That makes no sense, Gregory argued. I’m not a telepath, and that particular gene doesn’t even run in my family. How could the thoughts of others be affecting me?

I honestly don’t know, but nevertheless, that’s the only explanation I can come up with. You need time to heal, for the end of your bond to scab over, so to speak, and to withdraw fully from the queen. I know that when we originally discussed it, the medical leave I was going to sign off on was just so you could get away from Jessa and Karim for a short while. However, I’m going to have to insist that you do, in fact, take a real medical leave. I’m going to send you to Miralea, and I’m going to knock you unconscious for the duration of the flight to prevent further trauma to your mind.

Gregory sighed. He’d been the bonded partner of Jessalyn Amari, then a commander in the Protectorate and heir to the throne of Erumar, for just less than nine years. She’d been betrothed to a man who wouldn’t be able to meet her energy needs as a master-ranked Elementalist, and since Jessa used her Air-based gift a lot, Gregory had figured that even when their bond was broken, he’d still have a place in her life to help her manage her aura. Then Karim had come along. The exiled crown prince of Kalegan — and an untrained Water Elementalist — he’d managed to steal Jessa’s heart and totally rewrite her future into one that didn’t include Gregory at all. 

Can I at least stay for the coronation? he asked.

Yes, but you’ll have to watch it from here, the doctor told him, gesturing to a monitor bolted to the ceiling of his room. I doubt you’d be able to be part of the audience, or even get out of this building, without passing out from the pain.

Gregory nodded his agreement. So you’ll come back after the coronation and knock me out?

Yes. I’ve made all of the arrangements, and I’ve already submitted the paperwork to the Protectorate. Your initial leave is for two weeks, with a medical follow-up at that point to determine if the leave needs to be extended. I’m hoping that by distancing you from Jessa, and keeping you away from as many people as possible, two weeks will be enough to fully break the bond and let it heal.

Gregory nodded again. He hadn’t needed a medical leave often in the past, but he’d been through the process before as Jessa’s proxy. This time was more than a little odd, however, since he felt fine… as long as he was alone or with only one of the medical personnel who’d seen to his treatment so far.

And speaking of the Protectorate, Casper continued, General Triaka has been lurking around.

Excuse me?

Casper smirked, an expression that Gregory hadn’t seen on the man’s face before. The general’s assistant requested an appointment for you a couple of days ago, which I denied on medical grounds. She called back again yesterday, and this morning. The general apparently really needs to talk to you, however, since after I turned down her request again today, he made his way over here personally.

And you’ve been making him wait? Gregory was incredulous. When the head of the Protectorate wanted something done, it got done. Immediately… or sooner. 

The Protectorate was the name of the Erumari military, the military that Gregory belonged to, and it was charged with protecting the planetary system as well as the outlying colonies. The energy crystals mined on Erumar and its five moons had the ability to magnify the energy focussed through them, and they were used the galaxy over to power just about everything. They were much in demand, and the Protectorate also had a duty to protect any Elementalist that travelled outside of the system to set up crystal systems for other peoples, as well as to protect the shipments themselves.

Ah, my fine Lieutenant, Casper said with a wide smile. You forget that while General Triaka is your commanding officer, he does not outrank me. The only person who does is the queen, and the general needs to be reminded of that, from time to time. I will show him in.

Opening and closing the door to the isolation room, with the resulting rise and fall of the protection shield, gave Gregory a roaring headache as the thoughts and auras of the people in and around the med centre tried to crowd into his brain. He was struggling to get his vision to focus again when General Triaka entered, and Gregory fell out of bed as he tried to rise and salute properly.

Lieutenant! the general exclaimed as he watched Gregory stumble and fall, too far away to prevent the accident. What are you doing?

Trying to greet you properly, Sir, Gregory answered, blushing a little as he picked himself up from the floor. He could feel the general’s thoughts pressing against his own, though he couldn’t read them. It was an uncomfortable sensation.

I can see that Doctor Holidran wasn’t exaggerating when he completed the paperwork for your medical leave, the general muttered as he helped Gregory back into bed. Do you think two weeks will be enough?

I’m not sure, General, Gregory admitted, and neither is Doctor Holidran. He told me that I’d have a medical evaluation after the two weeks and then they would decide what to do with me.

Gregory, settled in bed once more with nothing more than his ego bruised by his fall, looked over at his commanding officer. He was used to taking orders from Jessa, who’d been his company commander, but he’d had little real contact with the general, who oversaw all of the companies in the Protectorate. He wasn’t sure why the man was here now.

The queen offered a suggestion, the small, athletic man told him as he settled into the chair so recently vacated by Casper, and I concur. With your exemplary military service record, to say nothing of the diplomatic skills you’ve learned over the years as her Majesty’s partner, we are going to promote you. Congratulations, Commander Feulion.

Thank you, Sir, Gregory began, but the general waved his words away.

Don’t thank me, Commander, you’ve earned it. He paused for a moment, and then smiled. I’d like to offer you command of the First.

Gregory blinked. The First? Really? I’d be honoured.

Excellent! Do you have any thoughts on who your lieutenant should be?

Gregory thought about that for a moment. Assuming he’s still with the First and hasn’t jumped to the royal guard, I’d like Sergeant Villok, he said, naming one of the veterans in the company.

An excellent choice, the general concurred. I haven’t heard that Sergeant Villok intends to move to the guard, but the reshuffling of personnel will take another day or two, at least. After that, the new lieutenant can run drills with the company and get a feel for command while you finish recovering.

The general stood and moved closer, offering Gregory his hand. Get better soon, Commander. We need you back here, but not before you’re ready. Understood?

Yes, Sir.

Gregory lay back and closed his eyes, wondering what it would be like to have full command of the company. He was surprised that he’d been offered command of the First, since that company was the most closely tied to the crown and was often sent on assignments that were classified and delicate. He was honoured, and he hoped that he wouldn’t lose too many of the men and women in the company to the queen. With a change in monarch, it wasn’t uncommon for members of the royal guard to change too. Soldiers in the First, Jessa’s former command, would be offered any positions that opened up as members of her father’s former royal guard moved back into the general ranks of the Protectorate or retired from service entirely. He’d just have to wait and see who he got when he returned.

Congratulations, Commander, Casper commented as he walked back into the room and turned on the vid screen in the corner.

Were you eavesdropping?

Of course I was, the doctor confirmed, unrepentant. I couldn’t allow you to overextend yourself, now could I? I saw how being in the same room with the general was making you uncomfortable, by the way.

Why doesn’t that happen with you?

Because I’m shielding. The only people I’ve allowed in here until the general have the ability to shield their thoughts, cutting them off so that you don’t have to worry about them, Casper explained. And the medical staff who will work with you on Miralea have the same ability, don’t worry.

Gregory turned his attention to the screen, seeing that Jessa’s coronation ceremony was about to start. Shouldn’t you be out there with her?

Casper shook his head. She doesn’t need me. You, on the other hand…

The doctor pulled the chair around to the other side of the bed and sat down, leaning back and by all appearances relaxed. Gregory wasn’t fooled, but he did appreciate the effort. Moving around to get comfortable himself, he watched as his former partner was crowned Queen of Erumar, her new fiancé, Karim, at her side.

Chapter 2

"So, Doctor Conterra, who did you sleep with to get this assignment?"

I would never! Terese protested, blushing madly. You should know me better than that.

Sad, but true, her roommate agreed. I have been witness to the tragedy that is your love life.

Terese blushed again, unable to help herself. And when was I supposed to have time for a love life? she wanted to know. Between work and school… There are only so many hours in a day.

True again, the other woman agreed, folding a light-weight blouse and putting it into the bag open between them. And it’s all paid off, hasn’t it? Now you’re a doctor, and you get a posting on the most lovely, relaxing, fabulous planet around. I’m so jealous!

"I’m going to be working , Terese reminded her roommate. The fact that I’m on a resort planet is neither here nor there."

"But even you can’t be working all the time. Surely you’ll have a free hour every now and again to lay on a beach and relax."

Terese laughed, looking over at the skimpy bikini her friend was holding up. I’m afraid that won’t fit you, Shannon, though that shade of blue would be devastatingly lovely on you.

It would fit just fine if I wasn’t planning to wear it for long, Shannon told her with a wink, making Terese throw a rolled up uniform at her.

The two women, roommates and best friends, could not be more dissimilar in appearance. Terese was petite at barely five feet tall and not quite one hundred pounds, with long blond hair and pale skin that was more likely to burn than tan. Shannon, on the other hand, was quite tall at just a couple inches shy of six feet, with short, curly black hair and flawless dark skin. The only thing they shared was their eyes colour, the blue-green hazel of Shannon’s eyes startling and exotic while being almost commonplace for someone who looked like Terese. They were quite different personality-wise as well, with Terese being more quiet and studious while Shannon knew how to let loose and party.

Are you going to resign from the Protectorate now that you’ve graduated? Shannon asked as she packed away another pile of clothing.

I don’t think so, Terese replied. I liked being a medic, and it’s the Protectorate that got me this sweet assignment, after all.

Shannon shook her head. "Being a soldier and a doctor seems odd, somehow. Counter-intuitive."

Why? Because soldiers don’t need doctors? Terese asked with a laugh.

No, because soldiers are often a cause of people needing doctors.

You’re a soldier, Terese pointed out.

Yeah, and I’ve sent plenty of people to doctors.

Terese shrugged. "Regardless, I’m not planning to resign, and I am a doctor now, so you’re just going to have to wrap your head around the idea."

Shannon sighed. "A doctor, a sergeant and an Elementalist. Is there anything you can’t do?"

Sing.

They shared another laugh and then finished packing up Terese’s belongings. She was bringing her warm weather clothing, uniforms and a few personal items with her, and the rest would be stored until she returned at the end of her assignment. Terese was just straightening up from sealing the last box, when the comm channel buzzed.

Sergeant Conterra? asked a disembodied voice.

Yes?

Your transport is here, Ma’am.

Thank you.

Terese picked up her duffle bag and swung it up and over her shoulder. Come with me? she asked Shannon. We can spend a last few minutes together.

Shannon smiled and grabbed the other bag, and together the women made their way out of the barracks section of the Protectorate wing of Nevern, and down the corridor to the space station’s military landing bay. The large open area was bustling with military personnel and full of small fighter ships and larger transports, and Terese looked out of the bay’s large doors to see Erumar’s rings glittering in space outside of the station. Glancing around for a member of the ground crew to direct her