by Stella Cassy
“I do not think mating works the same way with females who are not Drakon.”
“Only the gods know these things. Never did I think to see the day when Tarion of the Hielsrane was this obsessed with a brooder. I feared that you had given up on finding a female to brood your young.”
“When we are together, I sense a bond of sorts. She is filled with desire for me and though I cede to her every wish, it is never enough to satisfy her. She talks only of being free and I wish only to have her as my own.”
“Perhaps she will change her mind if you open yourself to the idea of seeing her more as she wishes to be seen and less like the person she is perceived by others.”
Unable to grasp his meaning, I frown. “I cannot bend reality to our liking. You know better than most that it is beings who must bend to the ways of the verse.”
“This I know all too well, my friend. What I suggest is perhaps honoring her request to experience freedom, only at your side where you can protect her.”
“I do not know if she wishes to remain with me, Lehar. Perhaps I might assist her in finding a place in the far reaches of the galaxy where she might live peacefully.”
“Would it interest you to know that she roamed the ship before the morning chimed?”
“It would not surprise me to know she attempted to leave the ship again. She is willful in that regard.”
“She did not attempt to leave. Watching her on the security feed, she seemed to keep a wide berth between herself and the loading bays.”
My chest grows tight. “I am pleased to hear such.”
“She appeared to be familiarizing herself with our ship, much as a female does her new home.”
From the tightness in my chest, hope blooms. “What exactly did she do?”
“She wandered around inspecting the ship and ended up in the grand ballroom.”
Chuffing a laugh, I can hardly believe she found that to be at all interesting. “Leave it to my brooder to find her way to the most uninteresting, empty room on my vessel. It’s my luck. Why couldn’t she have found the hydroponics unit where all the beautiful green things grow, or the holographic mapping room where she could have learned about the galaxy? Those attractions may have inspired her to stay.”
“I spoke with her.”
Lehar is the only male aboard this vessel to be trusted alone with my brooder, so I find not a drop of jealousy welling up in my soul. Instead there is curiosity. “Was she well?”
“She was conflicted about staying with you. It took her quite some time to get it all out, but from what I could understand, her dilemma was how to have freedom and you at the same time. Carissa’s struggle seemed to be mostly about accepting that humans are not free beings in this sector. When you came up, she stated you were perfect. She does not wish to change you. You must prove to her that you value her as a person, not just as a bedmate or brooder.”
“Perhaps if I support Carissa’s quest to reunite with her mother, it may prove my loyalty and worthiness as a mate.” Voice prompting the meeting room table to display a map of this quadrant of space, I point to a slave trading post on a nearby planet. “Our first order of business is to get that collar off her neck. I’ll not risk her life if the unit malfunctions. Rather than take her to the planet, I will entice a trader to come aboard and remove the collar.”
Lehar is pensive for a long moment before responding. “It’s too dangerous to take her down to the planet. Every slave trader in the galaxy will be looking to collect her bounty. She is far too valuable to risk leaving the collar in place, for her former masters can use it to track her down. I honestly see no other course of action.”
I rub my jaw as I turn the situation over in my mind. “We’ll have to come up with something tempting along the way for the whole fleet.”
“Keeping command of so many ships is difficult even on a good day.” Lehar’s keen observation makes me smile ruefully.
I am forced to agree with his rueful assessment of our situation. “We’re only in command as long as everyone agrees we are, after all.”
Lehar nods, responding lightheartedly, “When all else fails, you can always intimidate them. That usually gets them to fall into line.”
“Intimidation is a poor substitute for credits to fill their accounts.”
“I’ll set course for Balar Prime and identify an enterprising young trader with the expertise to remove the collar and enough desperation for credits to come to a ship like ours.”
“Those two qualities seem mutually exclusive, but I’m certain you will work it out. I wish to speak to Carissa about getting the collar removed. Having it around her neck is a constant source of anxiety for her and I don’t like the way it chafes her skin.”
“I noticed that as well.”
“Noticed what as well?”
We both look up in time to see Carissa walking into the room. The walls are glass, so the entire bridge crew gazes at her lovely form as well. I’d like nothing better than to tear their eyes out, but I won’t because I need them to fly my ship. She’s wearing a fresh new uniform, one that molds itself to the wearer’s body. It looks fantastic on her. Unable to restrain myself, I reach for her. Drawing her into my lap, I’m gratified that she comes so willingly.
“Lehar and I have figured out a safe way to get that collar off your neck. We’re in route to meet with a slave trader who will come aboard with his tools and remove it.”
She looks up at me with soft eyes and a bright smile. “Really? Does this mean that I’ll be getting a nicer one that isn’t so painful to wear?”
I jerk in my seat. “The collar pains you? Why didn’t you say so before now?”
“I’m the slave, remember? Slaves don’t get to choose whether they wear a collar or not. The collar is control. To be a slave is to be controlled.”
“Is that what you don’t like about your situation?” Waving my hand dismissively, I explain, “From now on you will not be forced to wear a collar or subjected to another being’s control.”
Tugging at the collar lightly, she beams up at me. I realize she’s waiting for the final proclamation. “You will free to make your own choices. If you wish to leave me, I will help you find the safest living situation. If you would like to stay with me, I will assist you in locating your mother or at least finding out what happened to her.”
“That’s really sweet of you, Tarion.” Chewing on her bottom lip, she seems deep in thought for a few moments. When she speaks, the words take a minute to sink in. “Just so you know, I’ve got no plans to leave you. I also think you’re perfect just the way you are, so I have no intention of trying to change you either.”
Pulling her closer into the circle of my arms, I enjoy the moment. “You don’t want me to be more attentive, less bossy or swear off my life as a raider?”
Laughing, she shakes her head. “I’m not looking to end up naked, bound and abandoned on some unpopulated island.”
Turning my head to stare at my first officer, I respond blandly, “I can see Lehar has been talking about things he shouldn’t.”
Cupping my face in both her hands, she turns my head back in her direction. “You’re missing the more important information.”
“What’s that, my sweet?”
“You and I becoming a couple.”
“I like the sound of that. It’s almost as good as you being mine.”
“I don’t mind being yours, as long as you don’t mind being mine.”
“Tarion of the Hielsrane belonging to a female? Never.” Noticing a look of disappointment jump onto her lovely face, I amend my statement. “My heart, soul and body may belong to you, but the rest of my free spirit is destined to roam the verse looking for action and adventure.”
Peering up at me, she beams. “I like action and adventure as well.”
“I’ve noticed that, my clever and resourceful brooder. Perhaps that is what makes you perfect for one such as me.”
“Yeah, that along with the stuff we can’t ta
lk about in mixed company.”
I bark a laugh when Lehar makes for the door. Not being fortunate enough to have a brooder himself, I doubt he wants to hear about what I do with mine.
13
Carissa
Even though I know it’s inappropriate and sitting on his lap should be a hard no for me, I can’t get enough of being the center of his attention. Finally, I matter to someone and that’s a new experience for me. Tarion keeps me at his side all day long. The closer we get to Balar Prime, the more the dragon babbles about finding an ornamental collar to replace the painful metal chafing my neck.
In the meantime, he’s taken great pains to rub a healing salve on my neck, worried that he will accidentally trigger the device in my collar if he uses a dermal healer on my skin. The dream of being free of the last tangible evidence of my slavery thrills the hell out of me.
It’s easier to let him have control when it’s clear that he’s got my best interests at heart. The closer attention I pay to him, the easier it to see that he honestly does care about me. Does that mean I’ll always defer to him? No way. The thought doesn’t enter my mind for a second. I’m not even sure that’s what he’s after with me.
Watching the guy I’m slowly becoming obsessed with strut around his ship, it becomes increasingly obvious that he rules his world. His crew is a little standoffish with me and I have to remind myself that I’m the outsider that clobbered one of their crew and stole a fighter. Let’s just say I have some bridge building to do with them. It’s clear they admire and respect Tarion. His relationship with the crew is a strange mixture of authority, easygoing, light-hearted banter and implicit trust. I’m really warming up to the idea of throwing in my lot with the merry band of raiders. I don’t have a feel for the other ships in Tarion’s armada, but I find his crew endearing.
The moment the door closes behind us at night, I can’t stop myself from jumping him. His response is something close to shocked delight when I pivot him around until his back is against the wall. After tangling tongues for what seems like forever, his hands run down my back to squeeze each of my ass cheeks. It spikes my already growing arousal. Watching his eyes darken with lust flips all the right switches for me.
When he moves me back slightly, I think about running my tongue over every square inch of his gorgeous body. Tarion has other ideas though. “Come, my fierce beauty. Let us cleanse ourselves.”
Pulling at the magnetic seam of his uniform, I respond playfully, “Getting naked with you is always a good plan in my book.”
Swatting my hand away, he grabs me and tosses me over one shoulder. My face almost collides with his wing on the way past. As he walks, I run my hand under his wings and explore the part that connects to his body. His skin flows right into the wing, thinning to the point that I can see a light shining through the membrane.
Stepping over the threshold into his cleansing room, he asks casually, “Having fun, my sweet?”
“Yes. Exploring your gorgeous body is getting to be my favorite hobby.”
Setting me on my feet he replies, “You’re a funny little brooder.”
I can’t quite tell if his comment is intended to be a compliment or a mere statement of fact. “Let me guess, your father’s brooder is always serious and proper.”
“Of course, Alana is always serious. Being bonded to my sire must afford her very little opportunity for levity.”
“Lucky me. You always give me cause to laugh.”
Reaching over to turn on the shower, he mumbles, “That’s me, the warrior whose female laughs at him.”
I see he’s doing something different to the shower. Clear sides are coming up to form a large square tub. The molded seating on each side now makes sense. Wrapping my arms around him from behind, I peel his uniform back off his shoulders, detaching the thin panels that formed to go around his wings. “Don’t be grumpy. I was joking about that.”
Turning back to face me, I see his lips twitching up into a mischievous smile. “If I act like a brooding youngling who just came into his hormones some more, will you swear your undying love for me, like younglings are wont to do?”
When he begins pulling at my uniform, I wiggle my body to help him divest me the form fitting garment. “I can do one better than that.” Stepping into the warm water, I side into one of the molded seats and watch him take off the rest of his clothing. He’s a damn handsome sight, all bulging muscles and long dark hair. Once he sits, I come to him. “You should know that I adore you.”
“Is that true?” His eyes are bright as his claws caress my body, pulling me closer.
Nodding, I admit the thing I’ve been holding back. “I like you better than any person I’ve ever met. Now that I understand you a little better, I know we’re perfect for each other. You have a lot of outstanding qualities hidden underneath all the grumpiness.”
“Tell me more about how wonderful I am.” His voice is light and playful, but I know he loves hearing positive things about himself. It makes me wonder if being raised without a mother deprived him of enough nurturing as a small child.
Cupping his face in my hands, I look him in the eye. “You’re strong, determined. You know what you want in life and aren’t afraid to go after it. That’s very appealing, especially when we’re intimate.”
“You like being touched by me.”
“I don’t want to be touched by anyone except you. You’re the best thing that ever happened to me.”
Staring down at me for a long hard moment, he seems to be thinking of something monumental. “You regret running from me, do you not?”
Smiling, I shake my head. “I regret that you were so worried and angry, but I don’t regret running from you.”
His eyes narrow and I can’t help but laugh. “I appreciate you taking the time out of your life to track me down. Of course I didn’t at the time. Getting caught in your tractor beam was nothing short of infuriating.” He smiles slightly at getting the better of me. “But now I can see it was for the best. You and I are meant to be.”
His expression shifts into the blank mask he wears when he doesn’t want anyone to guess his feelings. “You agree that you were meant to be mine?”
“We were meant to be each other’s.”
“I forgot about you explaining that earlier.”
I can tell he didn’t. It feels like he thinks that if he repeats it enough, I’ll just magically become his somehow. I’m beginning to see that he’s thinking of me as his mate while I’ve been worried that he’s thinking of me as his property. No one’s cared about me in so long, I’m not about to object to him being a little possessive because I now realize it’s coming from a good place in his heart.
“I can tell when you’re fibbing about forgetting about our earlier conversation.”
Shrugging, he presses several buttons on the side of the unit. “You can guess. That is much different from truly knowing.”
He’s wrong though. I do know. It feels weird and I don’t know how it can be, but we’re so in sync that his tone and miniscule changes in his expression are taking on new meaning. My shoulder prickles where he sunk his teeth into me.
The overhead lights dim and tiny globes the size of my thumb light up around the room, casting a soft romantic glow.
My head jerks up to look at Tarion. “I honestly didn’t think you had a romantic bone in your entire body.”
“Then you underestimated me once again.” The smug, self-satisfied expression on his face melts my heart a little. He likes being unpredictable and mysterious.
“I can see that you’re a complex man. It’ll take me some time to learn all your secrets.”
“Which secrets do you wish to learn tonight my fierce brooder?”
Chewing on my bottom lip, I think it over. Running a finger down his chest until it lands on very his erect penis, I glance up into his eyes. “I wish to put my mouth here.”
His expression darkens with lust. “I do not believe warriors taste as good as brooders.”
<
br /> I can’t help but laugh. “I thought you would approve of my idea.”
“I do approve, but I would be remiss if I failed to point out that brooders do not service their males in such a way.”
“It’s because brooders are to be pampered and pleasured, right?”
Nodding, there is a hint of disappointment in his eyes. The water is almost to the point where pleasuring him might get a little dangerous. “Turn off the water. I wish to pleasure my warrior.”
Reaching over, he turns off the water. “I am not yours. You are mine,” he mumbles, almost as if to himself. I smother back a smile because I know it’s going to take him some time to stop thinking that way.
Pressing him back, I pour water over his chest and watch it drizzle down his crimson body. Running my fingers over his smooth skin is intimate and makes me appreciate his unique masculine features. I could stare at his bulging muscles all day long. “Your skin is really pretty. Is the design natural or inked onto your body? None of the other warriors have your exotic markings.”
His head snaps up so fast, I worry that I’ve transgressed. “It is difficult to control because my dragon rides so close to the surface.” His muscles have tensed, and his voice is strained. He’s acting so weird that I rush to say something positive.
“Well, I think the designs are unique and interesting. They mark you out as being more handsome than your peers.
“Is what you say true?”
Nodding, I lean over and kiss his skin, dragging my tongue over every bump on his taut abs.
He lets out a relieved breath. “You may approve of my fighting form.”
Running my finger over his skin, I glance up into his eyes. “You replicate your skin tone on your body armor?”
His lips twitch slightly. “Yes, my sweet brooder. That is exactly what I do.”
I feel like there’s more to the story than that, but his eyes dart away. I quickly lean over and give him a kiss that immediately turns heated. When we break apart, we’re both out of breath. I press my cheek to his and slowly turn my head, kissing my way down his neck and chest. He knows exactly where I’m headed, and his cock is standing eagerly at attention.