Thorn's Bondmate (Zarronian Warriors Book 2)

by Mardi Maxwell

  "Yes?" he asked, impatiently.

  "Commander, you're needed in engineering. There's been an explosion in the number two engine."

  "Any injuries?" he asked as he ran to the elevator.

  "Yes. Several of the crew were badly burned. They've been taken to the Med-Center."

  "Contact Dag Cameronson and tell him I want him to meet me there," Thorn ordered as the elevator doors opened.

  "Commander, he was present when the explosion occurred. He's been taken to the Med-Center."

  "Have Dr. Leifson keep me informed of his condition," Thorn said as he entered the chaos where workers in flame-retardant suits desperately fought to contain the fire. Spotting Garrikson on the other side of the room he wound his way to him through the rubble. "What happened?" he shouted, trying to be heard over the noise in the room.

  Garrikson handed the extinguisher he was using to another worker and stepped closer to Thorn. "When we tried to shut the engine down one of the fuel canisters exploded and set the room on fire."

  "How badly were Dag and the others injured?"

  "Mostly minor burns but Dag was standing right in front of it. He caught the worst of it."

  Thorn nodded. As they talked, the workers extinguished some of the flames only to have them blaze up again as soon as they turned to another area. The room reeked of burnt fuel.

  "Commander, I'm concerned about the other fuel canisters. I've got to get my men in there and shield them before they catch fire and explode."

  Thorn shrugged out of his vest and reached for a protective suit. "Give me an extinguisher."

  It took most of the night to reach the fuel canisters. Several were damaged and leaking. Thorn helped Garrikson shield them while the workers fought to keep the flames away. Late the next morning, they finished the job just as the last of the fires was extinguished.

  Filthy and exhausted, Thorn left engineering and walked to the Med-Center. Doctor Leifson greeted him when he entered then gave him a report on the workers. Most of them had been treated and released. Only Dag had been kept overnight. The doctor led him to the cubicle where Dag lay sleeping. The monitor above the bed kept track of his condition.

  "The explosion caused minor damage to his spine and head. I've repaired the damage and he should be back on duty in a couple of cycles."

  Thorn nodded. "Will there be any lasting effects?"

  "No, none. He was fortunate."

  "Keep me informed of his condition." Thorn left the med-center and went to his quarters where he showered and dressed in clean clothing. He gave the bed a regretful glance and went to the bridge where he knew he'd be needed.

  # # #

  Daria waited for Thorn to come to her. When morning arrived and he hadn't appeared she wrapped herself in a sheet and curled up on one of the couches. Mumbling to herself, she frowned at the empty room and wondered if this was a new form of torture. At least when he came every night she could prepare herself for his arrival. If he began seeing her only when he felt like it she knew his sudden and unexpected appearances would drive her crazy. On the other hand maybe he was tired of her and she wouldn't have to deal with him any longer.

  As the hours passed and he didn't appear her anxiety grew. Finally, feeling ill with nerves, she forced herself to stick to her schedule and prepared a late lunch. Once she sat down though beads of sweat covered her forehead and her appetite disappeared.

  Either she was getting ill or the heater was acting up again. She folded her arms on the table and lowered her aching head onto them. Absently, she ran the palm of her hand across the table enjoying its smooth coolness. When the surface began to feel warm to her touch she pushed herself to her feet and stumbled into the living area. Her stomach cramped with nausea and she moaned with misery. Great, just what I need. Don't be sick, Daria, don't be sick. Maybe if she said it enough times she'd feel better.

  She wove a path to one of the couches and collapsed onto it then pushed the sheet away and shivered with relief as the air in the room rushed over her. Curling onto her side, she closed her eyes and hoped if she had the flu she'd given the bug to Thorn. It would serve him right.

  Shivering with fever, she fell into a restless sleep.

  # # #

  Thorn rolled over and opened his eyes. For a moment, he listened to the shadowy darkness around him. Dane and Dev were being unusually quiet but he heard their hushed voices and the sound of an info-disc on the viewing screen. He shoved the sheet away, stood and stretched upward, his fingers brushing the ceiling.

  He and Garrikson had spent hours crouched over the engines and fuel canisters placing shields around them. His muscles felt tight and cramped and even his bones ached. What he needed was a long, deep, pounding massage. He'd contact the bridge and make sure things were under control then he'd go to Daria and make her give him one. After he took care of the fever he felt blazing in his veins.

  As he walked into his bathing chamber, he activated his communicator and summoned Ronin.

  "Yes, Commander."

  "Has Garrikson cleared up the mess in engineering?" He adjusted the spray in the shower and stepped into it.

  "Yes. None of the other engines were damaged in the explosion."

  "Has Doctor Liefson given you a report concerning Dag?" Thorn filled his palm with cleansing oil and smoothed it over his chest and arms.

  "He woke up and demanded to be released."

  Chuckling, Thorn ran his hands over his legs. "That sounds like Dag."

  "Yes, it does. How are you feeling?"

  Idly surprised by the question, and wondering why Ronin had asked it, Thorn rinsed the oil away and told him he was fine.

  "Good. You shocked the hell out of us when you collapsed on the bridge yesterday. Liefson said that you'd inhaled too many fumes from the fire. He gave you something to clear your lungs."

  Alarms went off in Thorn's mind. He left a wet trail behind him as he strode into his bed chamber and looked at the timekeeper. It was two units after the sun's zenith and Daria had been alone for over two cycles.

  "Thorn?"

  "Ronin, stay on the bridge," he ordered as he hastily dressed. "I'll relieve you in a few units." Before Ronin could answer Thorn broke the connection.

  Dane and Dev looked up when he stepped into the living area. He told them he'd be back later then he hurried to Daria's quarters and slipped through the door before it had completely opened. Her quarters were quiet and dark.

  Cursing, he hurried into the bed chamber. She wasn't there. He glanced into the bathing chamber and found it empty. Another curse left his lips as he searched the kitchen and dining area. He finally found her lying on the floor in the smaller bathing chamber.

  Thorn felt the iciness of her skin and gently lifted her into his arms. She shivered and he held her tightly against him in an effort to share the warmth of his body with her. His alarm increased when she opened her eyes. They'd lightened to a milky white and her pupils had contracted to a tiny, black dot.

  "-sick," she mumbled, as her shivering increased. She weakly tried to push herself out of his arms.

  "I know, little wolfen."

  "Need doctor."

  "No, you need me." Thorn lowered her to the bed, undressed and took her into his arms again.

  Daria fought to free herself. Sobbing, she shoved against him. "No—hot. Burning." She tried to wiggle away from him.

  "Be still." He ran his hands over her, desperately hoping that it wasn't too late. She wasn't growing warmer. In fact, her shivering had increased and he knew when it stopped she'd die. He covered her with his body and she screamed in agony. She fought him, digging her nails into his back and clawing him. He captured her wrists and held them above her head while she sobbed and tried to twist away from him. A moment later, her struggling ended.

  Alarmed Thorn released her wrists. The blue mist flowed away from her body, drifting over the mattress toward the edges of the bed and he knew he only had nano-units to save her. He jumped up, grabbed his pants and pulle
d them on. Then, barefoot he ran out of the quarters to his own. He ignored his sons' greetings as he ran past them and into his bathing chamber. Yanking the drawers of the cabinet open, he searched for the injection gun and vials of ZL3 he'd stored there six months ago. He turned and saw Dane and Dev standing in the doorway watching him.

  "What happened to your back, Father," Dev asked, his eyes rounded with curiosity.

  "Hmmm?" he asked, as he searched the upper cabinet, and realized that Dev was asking about the scratches. "A little wolfen clawed me," he mumbled, distracted by the search. Spotting the case he was looking for on the top shelf, he remembered he'd put it there so they wouldn't find it. Grabbing it, he rushed by them telling them over his shoulder, "Stay in the quarters until I return."

  Daria lay on the bed where he'd left her. Her skin was pale and icy. Her chest barely moved with her breaths. He loaded the injector and pressed it against her neck and the glowing blue liquid in the vial flowed into her. He waited for the drug to take effect, hoping it would work even though he knew he'd left her alone too long. He ran his hand over her arm to see if she was warming up. She was still icy to his touch so he loaded another vial of ZL3. He'd wait a few more micro-units before he gave it to her.

  The fever had several phases but he'd expected to find her burning and eager for his arms. The way she should have been after two cycles without him. He hadn't expected to find her shivering and near death.

  He ran his hands over her, felt the iciness of her skin and reached for the injection gun. Somehow, he had to awaken her and bring her to arousal. For a moment he hesitated. If he gave her too much she'd die but if he didn't force a response she'd die from the fever. He triggered the gun and the ZL3 flowed into her. Within a micro-unit her body took on a warm flush and she moaned and moved restlessly on the bed.

  Thorn sighed with relief, only then realizing how tense he'd been. Daria rolled over on the bed and opened her eyes. They were violet. When she saw him she sent him the sexiest, most come-hither smile he'd ever received then began moving toward him. "Thorn, I want you."

  "Thank, Tor." He slid his pants off and left them on the floor.

  # # #

  Daria studied his face for a moment before she lowered her eyes down his body, over his chest and to his belly. The ridges of muscles beneath his bronze skin fascinated her. She wanted to touch and kiss each hill and valley and feel them ripple beneath her lips. She wanted to feast on him. Climbing to her knees, she moved to the edge of the bed and reached for him. He stepped forward and she trailed her fingers over him, feeling his stomach flex beneath them. She slid her hands up, toyed with his nipples and smiled when they hardened. He moved closer and she lowered her mouth and licked him.

  She wanted him. More than she'd ever wanted anything in her life. She felt hot and restless and wild. She ran her hands over his shoulders and back then down to his buttocks. She scraped them with her fingernails and heard him groan with pleasure before she pulled him to her and flattened her aching breasts against his chest. "Touch me, Thorn."

  He tightened his arms around her and pulled her from the bed. She hugged his neck, rose to her toes and nibbled on his lips. He lowered his lips over hers and explored her mouth. When she closed her lips around his tongue, holding him captive and sucking on it, he lost control. He lowered her to the bed and dropped down over her. She laughed, wrapped her legs around him and the bands on her ankles slid together, making a clicking sound.

  Thorn reached around his back, removed the bands from her ankles and dropped them on the floor. "Don't do anything to make me put them back on. You understand?"

  "Yes." She tried to flip them over. He chuckled, held her down, spread her legs and thrust into her. She tightened her legs around his waist and slid her arms over his shoulders, welcoming him. He thrust deeper into her then nipped and laved her breasts and sucked on a rosy nipple.

  Daria cried out with pleasure. She felt him inside her, stroking her and pushing her closer and closer to the flames. She began pumping her hips against his, desperate for release. His hand slid over her belly, drawing a shiver from her before his fingers found her clit. She grasped his waist and lifted her hips. Her mouth opened in a silent scream as intense pleasure overwhelmed her. He pushed deeply into her and groaned when she tightened around him.

  "Look at me," he said. When she obeyed his demand, he pulled out until only the mushroom shaped head remained inside her then thrust back into her. Groaning, he slid his hands beneath her buttocks, held her against him while he rocked into her and felt her respond. He nuzzled her neck, kissing and licking a path to her ear. For a moment, he toyed with the lobe, then nipped it. "All I think about is being inside you, taking you, claiming you. Your scent, your touch, your taste, even the sound of your voice plagues me."

  He rose above her, threw his head back until the tendons in his neck stood out and increased the depth of his thrusts. She spread her legs wider and pushed up, encouraging him to take her completely. He adjusted his stroke and slid over her clit, again and again, pushing them both over the edge and into an explosive orgasm. He shook with pleasure and his arms trembled as he held his weight above her.

  She rubbed her foot over the back of his calf and trailed her hand down his back to his buttocks. "Again."

  He grinned. She grinned back then wiggled her hips against his. He moved his legs to the outside of hers, wrapped his arms around her waist and rolled until he was on his back and she was above him.

  "Your turn." He arranged her the way he wanted her, straddling his hips, then pressed his hands against her shoulders until she sat above him. He covered her breasts and stroked her nipples.

  Daria gasped and lifted herself slightly then slid back down on his cock. His groan of pleasure encouraged her and she repeated the motion. He stroked her breasts until she leaned forward and kissed him then swayed from side to side, enjoying the sensation of her nipples scraping over his chest.

  "Do you like that, little wolfen?"

  Daria nodded.

  Thorn gently squeezed her nipples and scraped his thumbnails over them before he grasped her hips and moved her into a new position so each time she lowered herself her clit made contact.

  She gasped and moaned. "Oh, yes." She bent and pressed her forehead against his chest, curling her hands over his shoulders and clinging to him. A gasping sob left her lips as the overwhelming pleasure rushed through her.

  The unexpected move pushed Thorn over the edge. He wrapped his arms around her, sheltering her as he came.

  She slid her legs down alongside his and collapsed onto his chest as he stoked her back, soothing her. Gradually, her breathing and the pounding of her heart slowed. She closed her eyes and nuzzled her cheek against his chest.

  He felt her relax and knew the moment she fell asleep. She sighed and her warm breath flowed across his chest. He held her for a long time, then gently shifted her onto her side and rose from the bed. After covering her with the sheet he used her bathing chamber to shower. The scratches on his back stung when the water flowed over them. He dried himself, dressed, then picked up the injection gun and empty ZL3 vials and left. When she woke she wouldn't remember the fever or their time together. Or what he'd said to her. The ZL3 would see to that.

  Chapter Six

  The coolness of the room woke Daria. Sometime during the night the sheet had slid off the bed and onto the floor. Rolling to her side, she reached down, grabbed it and pulled it over her as she rolled to her back. She felt better. Her stomach wasn't cramping and she wasn't shivering with fever.

  She glanced at the clock and counted the units in her head. It was six in the morning. Puzzled, she checked it again. She'd slept over twelve hours and apparently Thorn hadn't even bothered to check on her. For all he knew, or cared, she could be dead.

  The more she thought about it the angrier she became. Finally, in a fit of temper, she jumped up and jerked the sheets from the bed then threw them to the floor and stomped on them. When she realized how r
idiculous she was being she laughed until tears rolled down her cheeks.

  What was she letting him do to her? She'd always been a fighter, going after what she wanted from life. But, like a wimp, she'd just behaved as if he'd won and she'd lost. Sitting up, she curled her arms around her legs, then grasped the bands around her ankles. There might not be anything she could do about how he treated her but from now on she wasn't going to let him stomp on her pride. She'd been letting him win the battle between them. Enraged, at him, and at herself, she stood up and looked around the room. It was time for a change.

  She approached the bed and gave it a shove. It didn't move. Dropping to her knees, she looked under it and saw that it was bolted to the floor. She went into the living area and pushed against one of the couches. It slid across the floor. She studied the room then began rearranging the furniture. Finally, after several units she stood panting by the entrance door and examined the new arrangement with a critical eye. Now there were two separate conversation areas. One in front of the viewing screen and the other by the windows. Now, she could lie on the couch by the window, watch the stars go by and if she was lucky she'd fall asleep.

  Tired from the lifting and shoving she realized it had been weeks since she'd done her usual exercise routine. From now on she would organize her time. In the mornings and afternoons she'd do yoga or tai chi then she'd review what she knew about the Zarronians. Her memory had always been good so she'd write an article about them in her head. She may not ever get to publish it but at least the project would keep her mind off her situation. And, from now on she was going to force herself to eat. She still hadn't tasted all of the selections the food processor offered. Every cycle she would choose something different and try it. Satisfied with her new schedule glanced around one last time and went to take a shower.