When Genevieve Dubois, Zeta Corp’s hot shot starship pilot, accepts a research mission aboard ZAC I to the mysterious planet Eos, she not only collides with her guilty past but with her own ultimate fantasy.
Genevieve thinks she’s found paradise in the jungle planet of Eos and its people; only to discover that she has brought the seed of destruction that will destroy it. And Eos, whose steaming jungles harbour an eerie connection with Atlantis, is not the paradise she envisioned after all. When she is forced to journey through the perilous jungle to redeem herself and save the man she loves, its intoxicating breath threatens Genevieve’s very sanity with secrets not only of her guilty past but of ancient Earth.
She firmed her lips and stood her ground, facing him with smouldering anger.
Azaes remained where he was. He said calmly, “You must come back with me, Genevieve.”
She glanced at the rope of strong vine clutched in his large hand. “I’ve seen enough of your paradise,” she bit out. “And I’ve done enough damage for one day. Thanks for the hospitality,” she said tartly, “I really must go now.”
“You can’t.”
She snorted. “Oh, and you’re going to stop me?”
If her retort rattled him, he didn’t show it. “Your ship—it’s dead. It will not take you home. You must come back with me,” he ended in a commanding voice.
“Must?” she said jeeringly, hiking a brow and throwing her hair back with a quick snap of her head. He still had a lot to learn about the human spirit. She refused to submit to the fact that he’d correctly deduced her pathetic situation.
He closed the distance between them in two long strides and after a lurching hesitation, seized her by the shoulders with a strong grip. His warm breath upon her was spiced with sweet intoxication. “Yes, must,” he said, eyes burning.
She took in a halting breath, then shook her head to clear it from the dizzy haze of his scent. “You’re not my keeper,” she hissed. “And I’m not coming back. I’m going to fix Zac.” She wasn’t about to admit defeat in front of Azaes. “And… and…” she blustered, “failing that, I’ll just live here by myself!” She struggled fiercely, refusing to acknowledge the ridiculousness of her situation. “Let me go!” She kicked out.
He yelped but held on, tightening his grip. “What madness possessed you to come out here like this? My brother is more foolish than I thought!”
“But a lot kinder!” she spat.
“So you think, fool of a woman!” He shook her for emphasis. “Don’t you know it’s dangerous out here? He should have known better than to send you here.”
“Your brother didn’t send me!”
“You’re particularly vulnerable. You didn’t grow up with the vishna. They will overpower you and drive you insane!”
As if he cared! “So your brother already warned me! It’s you who’s doing the overpowering now!” she shot back, then managed to free an arm and slapped him hard in the face.
