Remember Me: Entwined Fates, #5

By Trista Ann Michaels

Skylar can't remember anything past five years ago, but lately she's been plagued with sexy dreams of a man with sapphire eyes and hands that make her squirm in pleasure. When she comes face to face with a man with those same eyes, snippets of her past begin to emerge and with them, the desire to experience in real life what she experiences only in dreams.

The empath Devlin is shocked to see the love he'd thought was dead, standing right in front of him. Unfortunately, she belongs to another man, Baron Karn. She's his sex slave. Devlin isn't about to let that stand in his way of getting Skylar back. In a bold move, he steals her from her current master, then, using seduction, compassion, and charm, Devlin breaks down Skylar's defenses and helps her remember the immense passion they once shared.

Unfortunately, Baron Karn is determined to get his slave back, and if he can't have her, no one can.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Trista Ann Michaels
• Release date: Jan 27, 2020
• ISBN: 9781393501992

Book preview

Chapter One

Devlin!

Squinting, Devlin tried to block out the sound of her voice, the anguish he could hear. Why wouldn’t it go away? Why was it worse here? Why the hell couldn’t he forget?

With a sigh, Devlin turned his attention back to the window overlooking the hills of Argonia. Rhia, the young woman he’d raised, was now married and getting ready for the induction dinner. As her brother and only family, today he was given the title of baron. Baron Armonde of Argonia. He rolled his eyes toward the tiled ceiling.

Who would have thought it? Devlin Armonde, owner of at least twenty slaves and one of the most successful bars on the small planet of Veenori, a former thief and murderer, now a baron. Over the years, he’d worked hard to support himself and Rhia. He’d developed a deadly reputation. Even Rhia didn’t know everything he’d done.

He had little use for titles. He wasn’t a royal, he was an empath from Thallion who’d lost his parents at the age of twelve and took on raising a small four-year-old he didn’t even know. He’d agreed to the ceremony for Rhia. She was taking her role as new queen seriously and he couldn’t bear to see her disappointment over his initial refusal anymore, so had finally relented, agreeing to what he considered silly and unnecessary. He’d never been able to refuse Rhia anything. Why would today be any different?

He lifted a glass to his lips, inhaling the warm scent of the rum. He’d been drinking a lot since he’d arrived here. Hell, it was the only way he could sleep. It was the only way he could dim the voices in his mind.

As his gaze wandered over the darkening hillside, the setting sun casting shades of red and gold across the horizon, a feeling of utter despair came over him. Someone else’s despair. His fingers gripped the glass hard, tightening around it with enough force to break it.

He was only twelve when his parents had died, and not yet in full control of his empathic abilities. As an adult, he’d grown into his powers and they had become stronger, but they were strongest with the people he was closest to. He knew when they were upset or in trouble. He could even tell whose emotions he was picking up. But this was wrong.

Skylar was dead, had died five years ago right in front of him, so why was he picking up on her emotions now? It made no sense.

A searing pain went through his temples and he lifted his hand to rub at his forehead. He couldn’t dislodge the feeling of hopelessness, confusion, and hurt. Shaking his head, he tried to ignore it. This wasn’t the first time he’d felt these emotions since he’d been here, but this time was the strongest. Whatever it was came from close by, maybe even within the castle walls.

The door opened behind him and he raised his gaze, watching his sister approach through the reflection of the glass. Gas candles flickered to life along the wall, bringing light to the darkening room and casting a soft shimmer against the gold fabric of Rhia’s gown. She looked beautiful. The gown accentuated her tiny waist and tall statuesque frame. The gold of the fabric even highlighted the red of her hair. Atop her mass of curls sat a diamond-studded crown she constantly tugged at, saying it felt as though it would fall off her head any second.

Are you ready? she asked, slipping her arms around his elbow.

He smiled and covered one of her hands with his. As ready as I’ll ever be, he said with a sigh. After all, it’s not every day a man becomes a baron.

I know you don’t really want to do this.

Whatever gave you that idea? he teased, and her lips lifted in a slight grin.

I also know there’s something else bothering you, Rhia began.

Lifting his glass, he studied the golden amber liquid inside.

I’ve shared my problems with you for as long as I can remember. Don’t you think it’s time you shared your problems with me? I’m an adult, you know. A queen. I think if I can handle a kingdom and two husbands, I can handle whatever’s bothering you.

Devlin couldn’t stop the grin that tugged at his lips, but it quickly faded, replaced with a tight frown across his brow.

I feel her, Rhia, he whispered.

She straightened and stared at him with wide eyes. Feel who?

Skylar.

What? she breathed. How can that be?

I don’t know, but today isn’t the first time. I felt it first the day I arrived here. It was weak, but I could sense her close by. But today...it’s as if she’s in the same room with me.

Could it be someone else?

No, he said with a shake of his head. She’s dead. I know this. Whatever this is, it has to be a fluke, a ghost sensation of some sort.

But why now? It’s been five years.

I wish I knew.

A soft knock sounded at the door and they both turned to watch one of Rhia’s husbands, Jorel, enter the room. He wore the dress uniform of the regency here on Argonia, black leather pants and red shirt opened halfway down his chest. His long black hair was pulled back off his face and the diamond earring in his left ear sparkled beneath the light of the candles. With a grin, he pressed his palms against the doorframe and leaned forward slightly. It’s time.

Rhia nodded and drew in a deep breath.

Nervous? Devlin asked with a sideways grin.

Terribly, Rhia murmured.

You’ll be fine. He lifted her fingers to his lips and lightly kissed the back of them. Your subjects await, poppet.

* * * * *

In another part of the castle, a young woman stared at her reflection in the glass. Dark circles rimmed her eyes and she patted at them with the cream Baron Karn had given her. Certainly couldn’t have his slave looking abused and deprived, she thought with a sneer.

Moriana, Karn snapped. Hurry up, slave. It’s almost time for the party.

She hated that name and inwardly flinched every time he used it. When he’d found her, she hadn’t been able to remember her name, so he’d given her that one. At first she’d liked it, until she realized his true nature and what he had planned for her.

Glancing into the mirror, she saw him standing in the doorway to her small room. He wore the leather pants like always with a blue shirt, the silver insignia on the pocket indicating his relation to the kings. He was their cousin and until the kings had a child, next in line to the throne of Argonia.

He stepped forward, his black hair long and hanging loose from his ponytail, his dark eyes glowing with evil intent. Moriana hated the look that always came into his eyes when he had something planned for her.

His hands lifted her hair and she inwardly recoiled at his touch. Make yourself look nice for me, Moriana. Maybe tonight someone will pay a hefty sum to fuck that pretty little body.

Moriana felt sick. For five years now, he’d abused her, raped her, then sold her for a night to whoever would pay his price. She was always checked afterward to make sure the man had come. Karn thought it a personal insult if she wasn’t successful getting a man to find satisfaction.

The first time it had happened she’d tried to explain it wasn’t her fault, the man just had a problem. But he wouldn’t listen and punished her so badly she’d been bedridden for three days.

Twice she’d tried to escape, only to be caught and punished again. She had no idea who she was. She couldn’t remember anything past five years ago. Until she’d seen the new queen.

The young woman had looked so familiar. Moriana was certain she knew her, but couldn’t place from where. Then the dreams started. Wild, hot dreams of a man with the most beautiful sapphire eyes. His touch had been so tender and full of love it broke her heart to awake and find her bed and her arms empty.

Who was the man who haunted her dreams and flashed through her mind in quick sparks of memory she couldn’t quite grasp? Why couldn’t she see his face clearly or remember his name? Just those eyes. Those beautiful, mesmerizing eyes.

Hurry up, Moriana, Karn snapped angrily. I would hate to have to bruise that flesh. It will lower your price and put me in the bad graces of the kings.

Wouldn’t want that, Moriana replied without thinking and flinched when he yanked on a handful of her hair.

My cousins don’t share the same fetish as me, that’s all. Now get ready!

He let her hair go with a hard shove and she put her hands against the mirror to stop herself from falling. She waited until he left the room then let herself wallow in a moment of self-pity. Tears gathered in her eyes as she dreaded the night ahead. What cruel jerk would he sell her to tonight?

She wasn’t sure how much more of this life she could take. More than once she’d thought of running just so he would kill her. Unfortunately, Karn wouldn’t be that good to her. He’d make her suffer. Oh, God, would he make her suffer and enjoy every second of it.

* * * * *

Devlin walked behind Rhia and her husbands, Jorel and Keenas, as they entered the grand hall. It was crowded. Apparently everyone in the kingdom had come out for the event. Devlin rolled his eyes toward the ceiling at the whole thing, a habit he had when bored.

He understood it was tradition and he also understood how important following tradition was to Rhia. She was still learning, still discovering things about herself and the family she never knew. He wouldn’t take this night away from her for all the money in the world, even if he did end up with a royal title he didn’t want.

For the event, he’d dressed as Jorel and Keenas with black leather pants and a red shirt with a gold insignia on the pocket indicating he represented the queen’s side of the family. The pants chafed his thighs and squeezed his balls, and the shirt scratched his flesh, but he’d mentioned none of this to Rhia. He would endure it one more day, then he needed to head back to Veenori and his bar.

God, he would miss her and he didn’t have the foggiest idea what he would do without her there to pester him. She’d made life interesting over the last twenty-four years.

As they made their way to the throne platform, that same feeling of despair came over him. His gaze circled the room, looking for anyone or anything that might explain these feelings. Argonians and Phelisinians mingled together in a sea of blue and red. The Argonian women dressed in blue gowns similar to what Rhia wore. The women from Phelisine wore red. Royal finery at its best, he thought dryly.

He had nothing against royalty, not really. Hell, his best friend was the son of a Tilarian Count. Unfortunately, formal mingling was never his thing. Give him the bar and a few rowdy games, and he was in his element.

They reached the table and still he wasn’t able to pinpoint the source of his empathic ghost. Dismissing it, he climbed the platform behind Rhia and took the seat to her right at the table facing the crowd. Keenas stood and tapped his knife against the crystal, getting everyone’s attention. Devlin was amazed they could hear it over the loud chatter of the massive group.

Silence followed immediately and with a nod, Keenas indicated everyone should take their seats so that dinner could be served. A man Devlin recognized as the king’s cousin, Baron Karn, climbed the platform and sat to the left of Keenas. Pain sliced between his temples and he closed his eyes against the sharp sensation. There it was again, that damn ghost. When he opened them again, he found himself staring straight into Rhia’s concerned eyes.

Please, stay calm, she mouthed, her face pale from shock.

What? he asked, immediately tense.

His gaze moved over her shoulder as she shifted slightly, allowing him to see what, or rather who, was behind her. His heart jerked in his chest and his stomach knotted. Cold fingers latched onto his, squeezing, but he ignored them. He couldn’t take his gaze off the young woman seated just five chairs away from him.

Skylar?

* * * * *

Moriana saw him through her lashes. His surprised stare, his suddenly murderous demeanor. But all of it paled in relation to his eyes. They were the same sapphire color as the ones she’d seen in her dreams. She swallowed hard and tried to hide the trembling that had suddenly started in her fingers. She knew him. Unfortunately, that’s all she knew. It was just a feeling deep in her gut that he was someone from her past. A past she still couldn’t recall.

According to his dress, he was from the queen’s family. Her brother perhaps? He didn’t look anything like the queen. He looked more like Keenas and Jorel with his wavy black hair. He had a square jaw, masculine and rugged, full lips that screamed excellent kisser, and a body as big and hard as both kings.

But it was the eyes that held her captive, made her unable to turn away.

Suddenly Karn’s hand latched onto her wrist and squeezed. She cringed, immediately dropping her gaze back to the table. She knew better than to look up, to meet the gaze of a royal. What was she thinking?

You aren’t supposed to raise your eyes, Moriana, Karn snarled in her ear. You’ll be punished later.

She licked at her suddenly dry lips and nodded ever so slightly. Down the table a chair scraped the floor as it jerked backward. The queen stood as well, along with the older king, Keenas. Each grabbed the sapphire-eyed man by the arm and led him quickly from the room.

What the hell is his problem, Jorel? Karn asked as he leaned closer to Jorel who sat a few chairs away.

I don’t know, but I’m sure I’ll hear about it later, whatever it is.

* * * * *

Keenas shoved Devlin into the room and shut the door behind them with a slam. Devlin dragged his fingers through his hair and turned to glare at Rhia. Did you know before tonight?

She shook her head, her face registering the same surprise he felt. The woman was a dead ringer for Skylar.

Who is she? he demanded.

Keenas spread his arms wide, and shrugged his shoulders. Her name is Moriana. She’s Karn’s slave.

Where did he get her?

Devlin, Rhia began. "I know she looks a lot like Skylar. A lot like Skylar, but —"

Where did he get her? Devlin demanded again, ignoring Rhia.

He found her five years ago in the North Mountains. She was injured, lying next to an older man who had died. He brought her back with him and told us her name was Moriana. Keenas replied.

Oh, my God, Rhia whispered.

Devlin stalked toward the door and Rhia ran after him. Devlin, stop! You can’t go out there like this, she pleaded. Rounding on Keenas, she glared at him. Do something.

Keenas jumped between Devlin and the door, blocking his exit. "Listen to your