Sara found herself pouting, then realized she was overstepping her bounds. She quickly lowered her head. These Kelons may seem nice, but could turn on her if she started demanding things. “I’m sorry.”
“Sara, do not lower your eyes. Look at me. I only have your best interests at heart. I will tell you all you want to know, I promise. I just want to make you more comfortable. You are my patient and I take my duty seriously.”
She startled when he laid his warm hands on her upper arms. Again she felt a jolt of white-hot heat, startling and confusing her.
What is going on?
She glanced up at his face, seeing only kindness and something else. He was staring at her, as if she was something edible. Warmth spread through her belly, a soft shudder ran down her spine, and she felt her nipples harden. Her eyes widened in surprise to feel her body reacting against her will. Yet, in no way was she frightened by her reactions. It was wonderful to feel anything other than pain.
“You are cold.”
She was always cold, but not when he touched her.
This can’t be right. I can’t be attracted to this alien.
Still, she leaned into him, inhaling his spicy masculine scent and pressing her head against his chest.
She felt the pressure of his arms sliding around her back, tugging her even closer to his hardened, muscled body. Warmth seeped into her skin and through to her bones. Warm and safe, it was a haven she never wanted to leave.
“I have quarters arranged for you. Are you feeling well enough to leave my healer’s bay?”
His chest vibrated when he spoke, tickling her ear pressed against it, while she listened to the soothing rhythm of his strong heartbeat. She nodded against his chest, not wanting to speak.
“Also, Te-Commander Rell will want to speak with you, but if you do not feel up to his questions, you must say so.”
“I’ll do whatever you think is best.” She placed her chin on his chest and gazed up at him.
“We shall get you settled, then.” He seemed lost in his own thoughts as he stared at her.
Slowly, he pulled away and again she grieved the loss of his warmth. He snatched the blanket draped over the end of the medical bed, drawing it around her shoulders. “Come, time to get you up. Can you walk?”
He lifted her off the table and set her on her feet.
“Um, I think so.”
The ship’s cool metal vibrated beneath her bare feet. She took a step and almost collapsed, not realizing how weak she really was. She couldn’t remember the last time she walked anywhere. She had been made to crawl, writhe and beg like an animal. Solron’s strong arm gripped her around her waist before she crumbled to the floor.
“Easy, star shine, your legs will strengthen again. Small steps.”
He supported the bulk of her weight, while she took small steps towards the door, watching it slide open. They moved out into the corridor.
The same Kelon man, who said he was her guard, stood by the door. He glanced down at her, offering her a friendly smile. He didn’t seem as scary as before, despite being over six feet five with shoulders broader than a body builder on steroids.
Be brave, they swore not to hurt you. She believed them.
“Do not be afraid of Borlon. He has been appointed your guard.”
“I won the duty.” He grinned. “It is a great privilege to guard a human woman. I am most sorry if I frightened you.”
“Um, it’s okay. Why do I need a guard? I thought you said I was safe?” Her eyes sought Solron’s.
“You are safe. Human women are much desired as wives on Kelon. Borlon will make sure no one gives you any unwanted attention,” Solron explained.
“Oh.” Warmth flooded up into her cheeks.
Rape was one torment she’d been spared during her incarceration with the Xersons. Being told bluntly she was incapable of breeding, they hadn’t bothered with her, but found many other ways to torture her for their amusement.
Don’t think about it anymore, I’m free and I’m safe.
Borlon chuckled softly. “You are small and frail. I doubt we will draw much interest from many Kelon males.”
She felt Solron stiffen beside her.
What did Borlon mean by that? Confused, she looked up at Solron for an explanation.
“Do not mind Borlon, he should learn to keep his mouth closed and do his duty,” Solron snapped, clearly irritated.
Solron bent and picked her up. She hooked her arm around his shoulder and he carried her down the corridor. She peered over his shoulder to see Borlon following at a distance, his face twisted down in a fierce frown.
“I don’t understand. What kind of woman draws attention from Kelon males?”
She nibbled on her lower lip, wondering why Solron was so tense. Why did Borlon’s words bother him?
Breeder, the word clicked into her brain. She often heard the Xersons talk about the lack of females who could breed.
Although every kindness was shown to her by the Kelons, she began to think maybe they held the same agenda as the Xersons. She also remembered Solron mentioning he’d helped birth babies to human women living on his planet.
It all started to make sense. Solron was a doctor and no doubt word spread about her inability to have children.
The ache in her chest grew at knowing she was frail, unable to breed and useless. She couldn’t understand why they bothered to help her.
So lost in her thoughts, she didn’t notice where Solron carried her until he came to a standstill.
“These are your quarters for the rest of the journey.”
He bent and placed her on a bed, laying her back against the pillows.
“You are free to move around the ship, but make sure your guard is always with you.”
Sara glanced about the room. The bed was firm, but softer than a stone floor and the reddish, earthy-colored sheets were like silk under her fingers. The walls were a sandy color, with inch-thick silver lines.
Solron stepped away from her and the bed, his mouth still turned down in a frown. The numbing cold seeped back into her skin, sinking right through into her soul. She lowered her eyes, struggling to hide the pain of her emotions and push down the rising panic.
He didn’t need a constant shadow, or to pander to her insecurities.
“You are tired, so I will let you rest. The bathing chamber is just through the other door. Let Borlon know if you need anything.”
He was going to leave and she would again be alone. Panic swelled in her chest, she didn’t what him to leave.
“Will you be alright until I return?”
No! Don’t leave me alone.
She swallowed and nodded. “Thank you.” She rolled onto her side and squeezed her eyes shut.
Not alone, not alone, not—
The soft hiss of the door let her know he was gone. Sheer panic swamped her, and she struggled to draw breath, feeling as if someone were squeezing her throat while standing on her chest. She gasped for breath. Once it started to pass, she crawled off the bed and into the nearest small corner. Fear spread through her like claws, digging in deep, again squeezing the breath from her body. She wrapped her arms around her legs and started to rock. Alone…always alone.
She sobbed softly into her hands.
* * * *
Solron stood still in the hallway of the ship, a frisson running up his spine. He struggled hard to control the reaction of his body and his desire for her. His pants were tight, his skin overheated and his fingers itched with wanting to touch her in more ways than as a professional.
He retreated as quickly as possible and did not register the subtle signs of her struggling to hold in her panic, her drooped shoulders, the way she avoided his gaze and the soft crack in her voice.
She was bone thin, but still her beauty shone through, touching him deep within and making him burn hotter than the fire pits of Elron.
“Damn fire demons!”
“Healer?”
He turned his head to
spare Borlon a glance.
“I meant no offense before. You know as well as I the human women on Kelon are, well more—”
Solron’s eyes narrowed on the warrior, who was taller, broader, and thick-headed. “I know the type of women on Kelon. Sara has been starved and tortured to near death by the Xersons and you want to add to her injuries by your thoughtless words.”
“I did not realize. I did not mean my words in such a way. I would tear her tormenters apart for what they did to a helpless innocent, I—”
“It matters not.” Solron turned on his boot, slapping his hand over the door panel.
A quick glance around the room showed she was not on the bed where he left her. The sounds of her sobs reached his ears.
Walking around the bed, he found her curled up on the floor in a corner. Her small hands covered her face while she wept.
Helplessness swamped him. He would tear his own heart out and give it to her, if it would ease her inner pain. Trained to heal physical injuries, but not to heal the inner ones, he did not know what to do.
He wanted to protect her from everything, take away her fears, make her smile and kiss her soft, red lips. Have her look at him like…like what? His corami?
He shook his head at such foolish thoughts. He was not a warrior and she was…human, frail and unable to breed. His father would not approve. Solron frowned; now he was thinking like Borlon. Silently, he cursed again.
He drew closer and crouched down, perched on the balls of his feet. He realized his hand trembled when he reached for her.
“Sara, star shine, it is alright. I am here.” And I always will be, for as long as I can. He kept his voice low and soft, not wanting to startle or frighten her.
She glanced up. Her silvery-blue eyes were bright with her tears. They were breathtaking, beautiful and so full of torment.
She launched herself forward, throwing herself at him. Solron closed his arms around her, pulling her tight against his larger body. Gently, he stroked her hair. Every time he held her, he could not stop thinking of how well she fit against him.
“I cannot read your mind, tell me what you need from me. Tell me what to do to make it better.”
“I-I don’t want…” She hiccupped. “…want to be left alone, I’m…I’m frightened of being alone, of the darkness.”
Solron would not leave her here alone. She would stay with him—always. He pushed himself up, keeping her in his arms. She snuggled deeper, her face against his chest and her eyes closed. She was more than his patient. He felt a deeper responsibility to care for her in every way. Mine. She was his.
With quick steps, he walked from the quarters and marched through the ship, ignoring the questioning glances of the warriors he passed.
Borlon jogged behind them, trying to keep up. “Healer, where are you going? This is not the way to the healer’s bay.”
“Sara will stay with me until she feels well enough to be on her own. Inform the commander. I will talk with him later, when she is sufficiently rested. I am not to be disturbed until then, unless there is an emergency.”
“But you cannot. You are an unmated male!” protested Borlon. “The commander will—”
Solron ignored Borlon. The whoosh of the door cut off Borlon’s words.
Solron would deal with the commander later. Right now he needed to see to Sara.
“You will never be alone again, star shine.” He laid her on the center of the bed, which dipped under his weight when he sat down. He unclipped his boots, then tugged them off, and they landed with a loud clunk on the metal floor. A wisp sounded in the room from him swiftly removing his belt and tossing it aside, before peeling off his shirt.
“W-what are you doing?”
He turned his head to glance down at Sara, her eyes wide. She stared at his body. There was no fear, but clearly she was nervous; her small, white teeth bit down on her lower lip, darkening slightly from her self-abuse.
Solron twisted, lying down, before rolling onto his side. He reached up, catching her chin with his finger, then gently running his thumb along her bruised lower lip. No more abuse, no more pain. He would see to it, to everything.
“You need to sleep, Sara. Lie down. I will not let anyone harm you.”
He watched her expressive face, the down turn of her lips and slight furrow in her forehead, while she pondered what to do. Slowly she laid her head on the pillow. Her silvery-blue gaze—filled with trust—met his. A trust he would never ever betray.
He ran his hand down her arm. The softness of her skin enthralled him. He placed a hand on her waist and pulled her back into his embrace, keeping her in the circle of his arms. Not too tall or too short, the fit of her against him—perfect.
She stiffened and inhaled sharply, but when it was clear he intended to do nothing but hold her, she let out a slow breath and he felt her body start to relax.
“Why?”
Her voice so soft, he almost missed her question.
“Because you need me.”
She did not reply, her body slowly relaxing. Her breathing evened out and he knew she had fallen asleep.
Solron placed a soft kiss on the top of her head. Why did holding her like this feel so right? Possessiveness raged through him like the Fires of Elron. He wanted more than to simply hold her. Every primal instinct was screaming for him to claim her, make her his. The next few weeks would be agony, having her in his arms and knowing it was not possible to claim her.
Chapter 4
Day after day, Solron didn’t allow Sara to wallow in self-pity or sink into a depression. There was no day or night on a starship, only cycles. Still, he made her get up every daytime cycle and shower. She refused to go to the mess room with so many other large overwhelming Kelon men.
He dressed her in a long black shirt, which she wore more like a dress. It dropped to below her knees, even belted with a sandy-colored strip of material. On top of that he made her wear a shortened beige cloak.
He never forced her, but strongly encouraged her to walk with him to his healer’s bay, where her meals were delivered. He’d sit and watch her eat every last crumb and drink his nutri drinks, before checking her weight and health with his funny little scanners.
The smile and praise from his lips warmed her from the inside out. She found herself wanting to please him.
Every time he touched her, or looked at her, heat curled through her belly. Try as she might, she couldn’t bring her mind or body under control. She desired him, yes, and wanted to touch him. Thoughts of kissing his full sensual lips began to replace the nightmares of her captivity.
Solron was her healer. Having forbidden carnal thoughts of him doing more than simply playing doctor left her wracked with guilt. If only he wasn’t so sexy. But mixed with his good looks was a kind and compassionate nature which shone through. It was a lethal mix on her senses.
She wasn’t sure, but there were times when she caught him looking at her and his expression darkened with desire. It gave her a small thrill at the prospect that he, just maybe, might like her beyond a simple doctor-and-patient relationship.
No, it was foolish to think in those terms. She wanted to go home, see her parents, family, and resume a normal human life.
Only time would tell if it was possible.
* * * *
“Oh please, I can’t eat any more. Look how fat you’ve already made me.”
Beauty radiated out her every pore. The more he made her eat, the more weight she gained. It filled out her body, showing more and more dangerous curves, which had more than a few warriors taking notice every time she walked through the corridors or sat in the meal room.
Three weeks into his specially designed diet of highly rich foods and Nutri packs three times a day, gave her skin a healthy glow. Her eyes were brighter and she no longer cowered in fear when around the other warriors.
She was attracting more attention than Solron liked. Every time a warrior complimented her, he watched her cheeks flood with a crimson, pin
kish color. He struggled to stamp down the anger which made him want to attack and rip out each warrior’s throat.
Protect what is mine. Damn the fire demons, why can I not stop thinking like this?
Try as he might, he was unable to rein in his thoughts and emotions. The desire to claim and posses her grew stronger. Damn the consequences.
“You are beautiful.” Simple fact. “In no way fat, you are still underweight in my estimation.” He hid his smile at her indignant glare.
“I am not.”
He cocked his head to the side, pinning her with an authoritative gaze. “Who is the healer here?”
Her eyelashes fluttered down, long and thick and curled up slightly at the ends. She returned her attention to her food. Her long, elegant fingers picked up the spoon, scooping up the yellow Polon pudding. He watched, unable to tear his gaze away as she slid the spoon between her pink lips. It was a highly erotic sight to behold when she slid her tongue out and ran it over her bottom lip. His cock, already hard, throbbed painfully with her little moans of pleasure.
How he wanted to be the one to make her moan like that, have his tongue replace the spoon, and taste her sweetness. How desperately he wanted to show her that the world was not dark and filled with pain, but soft, tender passion.
The fact she had been tortured and tormented helped him keep a tight rein on his desire. He never wanted to see fear or pain in her eyes again. But now, he was the one in constant pain and torment with his body needing hers.
Soon, it would end, or would it? Would the commander demand she be passed onto another to care for until they arrived on Earth? Back where she belonged.
He would go on with his duties and do what was required of him.
“Solron? I’ve lost you.”
Sara’s soft voice penetrated his thoughts. He refocused on her face, noticing her stare at him, as if trying to figure him out.
You do not want to know what I am thinking, star shine. Or did she?
“Forgive me, much is on my mind.” Like you.
“How long until you’ve searched all the abandoned stations?” Her question hung like a heavy weight around them.
Saving Sara: Warriors Of Kelon Book 5 Page 3