Torkel's Chosen: A World Beyond Book 1

by Michelle Howard

  Her brown hair was piled atop her head in a pony tail with pieces trailing around her face. Head tilted to the side, she had a fist propped under her chin. With her knees bent to her chest, he wondered how she slept so peacefully in such an uncomfortable ball. Steps light, he neared the sofa and crouched down at her side.

  A smile tugged at his mouth when he recognized the black uniform shirt. She’d ditched wearing his casual clothes and stuck with his uniforms. She usually picked the black and avoided the red riot uniform or the more formal white. Torkel fingered one of the two buttons she’d closed and slipped it from the hole. When he released the second one, the fabric parted giving him an unobstructed view of her full breasts, curved belly and a dark thatch of curls.

  Torkel closed his eyes and sighed. Tension released its brutal hold as his shoulders loosened from their rigid posture. The gods had truly blessed him. He opened his eyes and came face to face with brown orbs watching him.

  “Hey,” she whispered in a sleep-roughened voice.

  Torkel loved her Earth slang. He didn’t always catch her meaning but this he understood because she voiced it often. “Hey.”

  She started to straighten but he stopped her with a palm to her middle. Her eyes widened and a wicked light entered her gaze as her pink tongue licked her lips. Torkel undid the snaps on his pants, letting the material sag around his hips as he joined her on the sofa. “I need you.”

  She didn’t hesitate and climbed onto his lap. Her hands went to his pants and Torkel shifted until she had them at his thighs and pulled his heavy length free. She ran her hand along his shaft as she hovered over him on her knees. He clasped his arms around her middle and pulled her into his chest. “Fast and hard or fast and hard?” he asked.

  Faye threw back her head and laughed. “Fast and hard.”

  He loved that he could make her laugh. “You own me, Faye,” he murmured as he lowered her weight and watched her take him inch by inch. When she was seated to the hilt, she began an up and down glide that stole the breath from him.

  ***

  “You own me, Faye.”

  His words struck a chord in her middle. Faye balanced her hands on Torkel’s shoulders. The rings on his length bumped against her nerve endings as he stretched her. He gripped her hips hard when she took all of him. For a moment, he kept his head down, each deep breath dragging against her chest. When he lifted his head, their eyes met and he slid in impossibly deeper. Then out. He did it again, increasing the steady motion until Faye bounced on his lap. Heat flared and the slow burn began in her core.

  Her hands slid down the front of his chest to caress the solid warmth beneath his shirt. Torkel winced and she froze. “Torkel?”

  “Nothing. Minor laser burn. Dr. Maku took care of it.”

  Dread uncurled like an insidious beast from the pit of her stomach as the caller’s words came back to haunt her. Trepidation nipped at her building desire.

  Unaware of her inner turmoil, Torkel lifted her fingers and kissed the tips. “I’m fine, Faye. Promise.”

  “I don’t like to see you hurt,” she whispered as he let her hands slide through his.

  Torkel’s lids lowered as he cast her a languorous look. “You can check the wound later.”

  Pushing her worry aside, he leaned back against the sofa, causing her weight to shift forward until their hips locked. Once more he picked up their previous rhythm and thrust up. Faye arched back with a gasp.

  “I love this. I love watching you, Faye. Feeling. Each time I bring you pleasure I’m reminded of how lucky I am you chose me.”

  “Stop,” Faye cried out in protest. She didn’t want to hear him say such things. Guilt over her actions drove a wedge between her pleasure. Her heels dug into his side, prodding him faster. Harder.

  “I love you. Love you,” he grunted as his strokes pounded harder. Giving her what she needed.

  She’d never deny him the words even as what she’d done ate at her soul. “I love you, Torkel.”

  His hands slid from her hips to her butt and squeezed. His thrusting motions slowed. Faye’s breath caught, her muscles wound tight. Torkel’s finger parted her cheeks, subtly massaging. He hesitated, making no secret of his desire. Their gazes clashed.

  “No?”

  Faye’s lashes lowered. She’d never done that with a partner.

  “Faye?”

  She faced him boldly and nodded.

  “My Chosen,” he whispered and shifted his fingers.

  The first touch had her gasping. His hand held tight when she sought to leap from his lap. He probed deeper and she melted with a soft cry. The single digit glided passed her barrier as Torkel’s length continued to thrust and rock into her core. His sharp intake of breath mirrored her moan.

  Full. The sensation of having Torkel take her in both places left Faye full and wanting. This time her release crashed through her. It happened quickly and swept her under the tide. Her lower muscles fisted his ringed shaft, prolonging the ecstasy.

  “Again,” he demanded, not letting the pleasure ease for either of them.

  Torkel withdrew his finger and adjusted his grip. Holding her waist, he rolled, placing her beneath his weight. He braced on one forearm, his breath rasping. Torkel slowed the in and out glide and leaned down near her ear. “Every time, Faye. Every time I’m with you I feel good. Worthy.”

  Faye cupped his face. “Torkel.” She had no words for the depth of the emotion peering down at her.

  The second time was sweet as their bodies made promises to one another. This was the fulfillment of all Faye’s childhood wishes regarding love. What she’d always dreamed. Torkel pulled her under his rising passion and the end when it came for both of them left Faye drifting in a sexually drugged haze. Mine. All mine. Those were the words she used to describe Torkel and she loved him with her whole being.

  “I love you, Torkel.” She couldn’t stop saying it.

  “I’m not done. I can’t get enough of you.”

  Faye thought he was joking. Until he moved. A graceful roll of his hips. He fucked her like a god on steroids, plunging faster and faster. She gasped, mind and heart full of the feelings that raced through her. She grew wetter and wetter. Her hands entwined in the thick strands of his hair. The orgasm tore through her as she cried out his name over and over. He continued to rock into her.

  Faye relished each slick glide as she watched him work for his pleasure. Lost to the sensations, his lips parted, as he panted and grunted. He closed his eyes and clenched his teeth as he ground his hips against her as he came on a soft, choked cry. When Torkel settled back on the sofa, his chest heaved on harsh exhalations. Slowly he withdrew and Faye blinked back tears. She wanted to stay like this forever. In the moment, absorbing just how perfect things were between them.

  ***

  Awareness seeped back into Torkel’s conscious. Faye’s shuddering body clamped tight to him. Torkel rolled over, bringing Faye with him. She was his. He never wanted to live without the warmth she brought into his life.

  Chapter 15

  Dawn edged across the purple haze sky as Faye stood at the balcony of their living space. Her mind tumbled with thoughts of the life she’d made with Torkel here on Enotia. Fear that one simple mistake had ruined it all spread through her veins.

  Warm, secure arms slid around her waist from behind. Faye leaned back as Torkel placed his face to the side of hers. “I missed you.”

  She’d left him asleep in their bed. Exhaustion had leached the golden tones from his skin. Lines bracketed his mouth. Lines that hadn’t been there before. His search for the head of the illegal slave ring was taking its toll on him and his men.

  “I wanted you to get some rest.”

  “Hmmm.” He rubbed his cheek on hers. “I can’t rest without you.”

  Faye shivered. He’d mentioned that once. She had to agree. It was harder for her to find the deep forgetfulness of sleep when he was away as if her body stayed attuned to his presence and wouldn’t let her fully
relax.

  “What’s on your agenda for today?” Their time together had been sporadic with his coming and goings. Faye wanted to spend time with him.

  She turned in his arms, her hands settling on his shoulders. He looked better. Brown eyes glowed with health and though in need of a cut, his damp hair was slicked back from his face which meant he’d taken the time to shower before finding her.

  Right now he wore a sheepish expression. “I promised my parents we’d visit their home today.”

  Faye’s eyes widened. “Really? I’d love that. How much time do I have?”

  He relaxed and smiled. “I let them know we’d leave right after breakfast.”

  Faye hurried through her shower and chose a peach, knee length dress in a wispy fabric that swished around her legs. On her feet she wore simple flats. Torkel waited for her at the door in a black shirt with laces at the collar which he’d left undone. His powerful thighs were encased in black pants with multiple pockets and he had a weapon holstered to his thigh.

  Faye shivered, her eyes on the dangerous laser blaster. “Do you need that?”

  Torkel held her arm lightly and escorted her down to the lobby and out front where a hover car was parked. “Yes. My parents live in a rural area and see little trouble but my instincts are warning me not to take any chances.”

  Faye bit her lip, wondering if she should tell Torkel everything. If she could get what she’d done out in the open then maybe the burn in her chest would go away. They left shortly after, Faye waving to the team members they passed and Torkel giving them a firm nod.

  She glanced at him after he seated her and rounded the vehicle to take the driver’s side. He handled the hover car as it glided through the streets with ease and confidence.

  “Are you okay, Faye?” Torkel checked her expression before returning his attention to the road.

  “Fine.” She swallowed, her heart banging like a drum. Faye couldn’t do it. Couldn’t bear to see the light in his eyes fade away when he looked at her. If she told him what she’d done, what they had would crumble. A knot formed in her throat. She loved him too much to risk losing him.

  They reached his parents in under an hour. A beautiful country home set at the bottom of a curved driveway. Faye barely had time to get out of the door before Shaya’s arms enveloped her in flowers and warmth. She eased away and smiled brightly.

  “I’m so glad Torkel finally brought you out, Faye. I’ve prepared something light in case you’re hungry.”

  Faye followed behind with Torkel bringing up the rear as Shaya held her hand and led her to the large single-level home surrounded by flowers and trees. “Hurry along, Torkel. Lissi says she might bring the little ones by.”

  Torkel groaned behind Faye.

  Fenced pastures housed four-legged animals, Faye couldn’t identify. Full troughs were visible every few feet and a furry, baby animal wobbled over to it.

  “What’s that?” She pointed to the red floppy eared creature that resembled a cross between a rabbit and a fox.

  Shaya smiled. “A kippi. We raise them and they produce the best milk. Our Torkel loved to play with them when he was little. There used to be a dozen kippis tumbling on his lap waiting for a good stroke and rub when he sat out there.”

  Torkel caught Faye’s eyes and winked. She flushed at his mother’s accidental double meaning.

  The morning with Torkel’s parents was one of the best Faye could ever remember having since her own parents passed away. Marlin had a gentle teasing way about him especially when his Chosen chastised him or became pushy with Torkel. Marlin understood his son and often diverted attention to himself to cut Torkel slack from Shaya’s effusive nature. Faye decided she loved him on the spot.

  “Why don’t we ladies take a walk with our caffe?” Shaya asked the room in general as she grabbed two mugs and directed Faye outside.

  Faye had developed a craving for the Enotian version of coffee but wasn’t sure they’d just walk. Torkel must have had the same thought and pushed back from the kitchen table. He’d helped clear away the dishes they’d used for Shaya’s casserole, winning points from Faye.

  “Since Lissi’s not coming, we can’t be much longer, maman.” He spared Faye a glance.

  Lissi had called and said she and the children couldn’t make it. Boid had a slight cold she didn’t want to spread.

  “Nonsense. You didn’t drive all the way out here to keep me from my new daughter.” Shaya linked arms with Faye after handing her a steaming mug.

  With a deep frown on his face, Torkel blocked the doorway and tipped his head toward Faye. “Faye?”

  Faye appreciated his attempt to save her from a potential grilling. She knew very well that her talk with Shaya would be far from casual. This was a mother looking out for her son. The moment filled with tension. Marlin started to rise from his seat to coral his wife.

  “I’m fine, Torkel. I want to spend time with the woman who raised you. Maybe she’ll tell me about the funny stories of your youth that you feared Lissi sharing.”

  Torkel relaxed his stance and stepped to the side. “If you’re sure.” He stared at his mother. “Maman, have a care.”

  Marlin sat back down. Shaya patted Faye’s elbow. “You worry too much, Torkel.”

  And with that they left the men behind, though Torkel watched them until Shaya cut around to the back of the house and he could no longer view them through the glass door.

  “Thank you,” Shaya said, taking a sip from her caffe.

  “I figured it must have importance for you to orchestrate all of that.”

  Shaya chuckled and released Faye’s arm. In companionable silence, they strolled down a cleared path into a small grotto. At the center, a small fountain in the shape of some sea creature gurgled. Water spit out of his mouth to fill the bowl in a reoccurring circle.

  The beaming rays from the sky cast light on the strange but pretty flowers. Any concern about speaking with Torkel’s mother was erased. Having the sun warm her skin relaxed Faye further. She’d never take sunlight for granted again.

  “Has Torkel shared how he came to live with us?”

  “No.”

  Shaya waved her hand at a small stone bench surrounded by an explosion of colorful bushes. Faye sat but the woman stayed on her feet and stared at Faye as if debating her next words.

  “We found him as a small baby. Not far from our farm. Just abandoned in the middle of nowhere with only a small blanket.”

  Faye set her caffe on the side of her. She couldn’t pretend what Torkel’s mother was about to share wouldn’t upset her.

  “Marlin and I took him right to the birth registry office but no one claimed him. It was clear right away he wasn’t Enotian and after the medic’s exam, his birthright as Marenian put off any perspective parents who might have considered adopting him.” Shaya frowned, lost in thought. “There are times when my race disappoints me with their bias. Here’s this innocent baby and they’d already judged him a menace.”

  She smiled and sipped her caffe. “There was nothing menacing about my little boy. I waited two weeks. Two weeks and finally stormed down there. I went straight to the nursery and picked him up blankets and all. You should have seen those medics.” She chuckled at the memory. “I got all the way to the front door before security stopped me. They called Marlin to come down thinking I’d lost it.”

  Faye couldn’t hide her amazement. “You went to a place where they kept orphaned kids and tried to steal Torkel?”

  Shaya met her gaze. “Exactly. But it wasn’t really stealing since no one wanted him anyway. Bigots. Even the medics gave him begrudging care. Finally, the director was persuaded to understand my reasoning after my Chosen had a stern conversation with him in a private office.”

  “Marlin?” Faye gaped. The quiet man in the house had gone head to head against big wigs?

  Shaya’s eyes gleamed with triumph. “Marlin used to be on the governing council for the Jutak warriors before he requested elder status a
nd resigned. Oh, but he was so powerful that day. No one stopped us as we signed the papers and claimed that little Marenian as our baby.”

  Faye still tried to wrap her head around the image.

  “When Torkel started having headaches at three we rushed him to an emergency medical center. I was distraught. He was our only at the time and I feared he had some unexplained illness that would take him from us. Thankfully, it was only his horns trying to emerge.”

  “Horns?” Faye felt like a parrot. Torkel didn’t have any horns.

  “Yes. All Marenians have horns that protrude from their temples.” Shaya tapped her head. “We had them removed before they ruptured the skin which kept him from having any scarring.” She sighed and at last sat beside Faye. “I truly thought he’d be accepted by my people. When he became a Jutak warrior was one of my proudest days. He’s a fierce defender of justice, my son. Then came the day he wanted to have a family. I was thrilled at the thought of his little ones. Selection after selection he was ignored by females. Not just Enotians but from other worlds as well and I realized that once again his birth had stigmatized him.

  “You are the dream I’ve always wanted for him. Torkel is full of love and the woman who has his heart will be cherished.”

  Shaya reached for Faye’s hands and held them lightly. “I’m sharing all of this for you to understand how difficult his life has been from the moment of his birth. Constant rejection instead of acceptance. Since he’s your Chosen, I hope it’s because you see beyond what labels others seek to put on him.”

  Faye could honestly say she saw the wonderful man Torkel was. “I love him, Shaya.”

  Shaya burst into tears. “Thank the gods.”

  Chapter 16

  Torkel thought the visit with his parents went well. His maman and Faye had come back in smiling and hugging much to his surprise. His papan winked at him. He spent the rest of the day with Faye until he had to leave for his meetings.