17
________________________
The Mansion
Cami
“I can’t go! I don’t have anything to wear!” I threw my hands up in the air before letting them drop to my sides.
Zorvak glanced over his shoulder and said, “You look great.”
No, he looked great. Dressed in his crisp white uniform, he looked fierce…important. All I had was the strapless sea green dress that hugged my figure and barely covered my ass. Not happening! “It is too cold to wear something like that. I’ll freeze to death.”
“I don’t have female clothes here.”
“Well, have fun tonight.”
He threw me an incredulous look, but I didn’t care. I wasn’t freezing my ass off while looking like an idiot for wearing so little.
“Let me see what I can do. I’ll be back.”
I watched him leave, wondering what he was up to. Not long later, he returned carrying a dress. “What is that?”
“Something warmer for you to wear.”
I cocked my head to the side. “Where did you get this?”
“From an acquaintance.”
He never offered more. I gave him a suspicious look before heading to the bathroom. The richness of the bathroom took me by surprise. It had a marbled sink with the largest marbled tub I had ever laid eyes on. “Zorvak,” I called to him.
“Yes?” he asked as he walked through the door.
“Do I have time for a quick bath?”
With a loving smile, he walked over and turned on the water which cascaded from the wall like a gentle waterfall. Classy. Elegant.
“You can adjust the temperature here.”
I glanced at the controls then smiled. “Thanks.”
Neck deep in a tub of warm water, I let out a happy sigh. Finally warm. I didn’t stay in there long, just long enough to let it caress my tense muscles. It felt wonderful as the stress drained away.
I quickly washed and then slipped into the dress that Zorvak had brought me. The long black dress hugged my curves before flowing out, letting the hem touch the floor. It had long sleeves and a v- neck, showing a hint of cleavage. Not that I had much. The black was a stark contrast against my alabaster skin. I found a brush and combed my hair, letting its silky stands drape over my shoulder and down my back. I wasn’t used to wearing such dark colors.
When I walked out of the bathroom, Zorvak froze. His eyes roamed my body. “What?” I was already nervous about tonight.
“You look stunning.” His voice sounded low and seductive as his eyes swirled with desire.
“Thank you.”
Zorvak
As we walked into the mansion, all eyes stared at her. The males with lust-filled eyes, the females with jealousy. She couldn’t know how stunning she was to an Ulaya male. A rare exotic creature with fiery red hair, red lips, and stunning green eyes that caught everyone off guard.
With my hand on the small of her back, I led her to Lord Garan’s private chambers. Standing in front of the door, I rang the chime and waited.
“Come in,” he said with a smile, his eyes fixed on Cami as we stepped inside.
We followed him to an immaculate room with a round table with three place settings.
Wow! Her voice echoed through my mind.
Do you like this?
Everything is so beautiful. The richness in the deep brown wood, from the etchings in the trim work. Someone took a lot of time to make things perfect.
I had never really paid much attention, but she was right. Everything in Lord Garan’s rooms was rich with color and etched with fine detail. The table held the finest china, while the eating utensils were made from the rarest metal.
As we sat around the table, servants brought out trays of food. This was a first for me. I had never dined with Lord Garan, only protected him.
His eyes kept sliding to Cami until he finally said, “What is your name?”
Cami looked up and smiled. “Camilla Ryan.”
“Camilla Ryan,” he repeated. “And where are you from? How did you get here?”
She looked at me with a question and I nodded, letting her know to answer his question.
“I am from Earth. I was piloting a ship when a meteor shower surprised us. It knocked out our navigation. I was in an evac pod when I encountered a black hole. Two Jaurians rescued me on Ukan, and here I am.”
“That’s quite a story.” He took a sip of his drink. “And where is this Earth located?”
“We call it the Milky Way Galaxy.”
“I have never heard of it.” He leaned back, letting the servant place a tray of food on the table in front of him.
I took note of everyone in the room, trying to discern if one of them might be the traitor. Glancing at each one, I quickly dismissed them as suspects.
“Ummm,” Cami said as she took a bite of food. I don’t think she realized she’d said it aloud, but every pair of eyes zeroed in on her mouth as she chewed slowly. She sat with her eyes closed, and after she swallowed her food, her moist tip licked her lips. Even I couldn’t look away. An unknowing seductive temptress.
She opened her eyes, caught everyone staring, and heat ran up her neck and stained her cheeks. “Sorry,” she said shyly, “but this food tastes so good.” Her eyes closed again when she took another bite, savoring the flavor.
Lord Garan smiled easily. The most relaxed I had ever seen him. “I am glad you like the food.”
“After eating nothing but yellow soup, anything would taste good, but this tastes amazing.”
Lord Garan caught me checking out all the guards and servants. Anyone could be a traitor. “Everyone out,” he ordered. When the guards cleared, only the three of us remained.
We ate in silence, and then Lord Garan laid down a napkin and smiled at my mate. “So, females can be pilots on your planet?”
“Yes. We can be anything we want as long as we study and train hard.”
“And now, you are here. About to be the mate of the next ruler of Ulaya.”
“It appears so.” Cami swallowed hard.
“What do you think of our planet?”
She looked up at Lord Garan and smiled warmly. “It is cold.”
His boisterous laughter startled me. Lord Garan didn’t laugh. He rarely smiled. I didn’t know if I liked him this at ease with my soon-to-be mate.
Looking at me, he said, “She will make a fine mate for the leader of Ulaya. When would you like to have the bonding ceremony?”
Startled by his question, I replied, “I do not know.”
“I will bond you together before stepping down. That way there will be no question that I approve.”
Cami gaped at him. “Can I ask you a question?”
Lord Garan turned his gaze back to her and nodded once.
“Why would you approve of me? I am not from here and I worry that your people won’t accept me. And you have just met me so I don’t understand.” She waved her hand in animation as she spoke.
“It is simple. You are Compatibles. And after meeting you, I have found that you are very polite and honest. Finding honesty is a rare thing. Most females will just do my bidding or tell me what I want to hear.”
“She’s very honest, I’ll give her that. You should have heard the things she called me before we’d even met.”
“Do tell…” Lord Garan smiled.
~~~~~
“I think that went well,” Cami said as I escorted her back to our quarters, or apartment, as Cami called it.
“You made a lasting impression on him.”
“He was very nice.”
“To you. He was very nice to you.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” She turned questioning eyes on me.
“He is fair, but I’ve never seen him so relaxed with anyone.”
“Well, I had a good time. Thank you for taking me and getting me this wonderful dress.”
“You are welcome. I will take you shopping tomorrow after training. You ca
n get some warm clothes.”
“I don’t have any money and I don’t want to use yours.”
“Don’t worry about that. Our monetary system is different than what you experienced on Ukan.”
“Like how?”
“We are given the basics. A place to live, a food replicator, everything we need in life. No one should be without a place to protect them from the outdoors, nor should they go hungry. Everyone has a purpose, but the more important job you have, the better your living quarters.”
“I still don’t understand.”
“I live on the highest floor, in the nicest building. Only Lord Garan has better quarters than me. We do get money with our jobs, but it is to buy luxury items, not basic needs. Basic needs are provided.”
“Ahh…I see. That’s wonderful that everyone has a place to live and food to eat.”
We arrived back at my place, and she immediately went to the glass wall that overlooked the city. I tried to look at it with fresh eyes, seeing it the way she did. Lights twinkled as air vehicles flew by. I had never taken the time to pay much attention before. But as I walked up behind Cami, placed a hand on her shoulder, I noticed for the first time how beautiful the view looked from here.
Sweeping her hair away from her delicate neck, I kissed down her jaw over to her ear. “I have been hard for you all night.”
She spun in my arms. Cupping her face in my hands, my lips crashed down on hers as I shoved her back against the wall. “I need you. Need to fuck you right now.”
“Can’t get this damn dress off,” she said as my mouth skimmed down her neck and back to her ear. With one hand, I reached down and gathered the dress in my hand, raising it to her waist.
With a thumb hooked around her panties, I easily tore them away. “Every male there wanted to fuck you. But you are mine.”
“Oh, God,” she moaned as she tilted her head back.
I didn’t waste any time. I freed my sex from my trousers and thrust deep inside her sex. With each thrust, her feet left the ground as I dug deep, needing to be as far inside her as possible.
“Zorvak!” she cried as her sex tightened around me. I never slowed my thrusts until I emptied my seed deep inside her tight channel.
18
____________________
Who Are You?
Cami
Zorvak had convinced me to go with him this morning to the arena. So much for keeping our distance. He couldn’t stay away from me anymore than I could stay away from him. We did keep our interaction to a minimum, though.
I sat there watching him fight in hand-to-hand combat. Dressed in a pair of loose black shorts, he glistened with a sheen of sweat that coated his body. His muscles rippled with every move and I couldn’t tear my eyes away.
As he circled another recruit, I heard the amusement in his voice. I feel your heavy gaze on me. Do you like what you see, ji’si?
Yes. I do. What does that word mean?
Ji’si? It means love. After we finish here, I’ll take you home and you can show me how much.
My lips twitched. Okay. Deal.
“May I sit down?”
I turned to see a beautiful female standing just behind me and to my left. She had light red skin, black flowing hair, and delicate features. “Sure,” I answered in standard.
She took a seat beside me and stared at the males in the arena. I felt both intrigued and a little uncomfortable as we sat in silence. After a few minutes, she asked, “Did my dress fit you?”
The dress was hers? Now I wondered who she was. With schooled features, I replied, “It did. Thank you.”
“I’m Estine.”
I looked at the female that Zorvak had shared a meal with. One of the main suspects. “Camilla.”
“What an odd name for such an odd creature.”
I raised an eyebrow at her bold statement. Odd creature?
What has you troubled?
He could always feel my emotions more than I could feel his. Maybe mine overwhelmed his, who knows? Your friend just called me an odd creature.
I saw him glance over and frown. Ignore her.
It’s hard to ignore someone sitting right next to you.
“Isn’t he handsome?” she asked, staring at the arena.
“Who?”
“Zorvak, of course.” She stared lovingly at the arena and all I wanted to do was slap her.
Glancing at Zorvak myself, I shrugged.
“Did he tell you that we are seeing each other? That we are to become mates?”
My anger rose fast and furious. It was all I could do not to bitch-slap her and call her a liar. It literally took every ounce of my self-control to look unaffected. I settled with, “No, he hasn’t mentioned you.”
For a brief moment, the facade dropped and I could see the seething anger underneath the pleasant smile.
“Oh, well he’s private like that. I’m sure he won’t discuss things with someone like you.”
I clenched my jaw in anger and tried to hold my tongue. Staring blankly at the arena, I hadn’t noticed that Zorvak had left until his voice boomed behind me and Estine. “Ready to go home, Cami?”
I turned sharply, as did Estine. By the look on her face, she knew he’d overheard her remarks. “Zorvak,” her voice dripped with sweet seduction. She stood, smiled at him, and continued. “I have been so worried about you.” I stared at the hand she placed on his bicep.
An intense moment occurred that happened quickly. Estine stared at Zorvak, he stared at me, and my eyes were glued to her hand on his arm. He shook if off, ignored her and reached his hand down to me. When I placed mine in his, I could feel her stare at our clasped hands.
Just as we started to walk away, I smiled at Estine and said, “It was very nice to meet you.” What I really wanted to say was, ‘Take that bitch!’ But I didn’t.
When we got back to our apartment I was pissed. Not really at Zorvak, but at everyone. I paced the living room with my arms crossed.
“Talk to me.”
My eyes slid to Zorvak as he stood near the couch. What did he want me to say? I don’t like being hidden in the shadows? I love him and want everyone to know it? Or maybe that I feared that he wouldn’t want to mate me once he becomes Lord of Ulaya? Maybe I was a little insecure, but I know almost nothing about him as far as his love life goes.
“Did you date Estine?” I asked while I paced.
“We shared a couple of meals together.”
That’s a non-answer. “Did you sleep with her?”
“No. There was no sleep involved.”
My temper flared and I rounded on him. Nose to chest, I demanded, “Did. You. Have. Sex. With. Her?”
“Cami…”
“Answer the question!”
With a deep sigh, I heard a quiet, “Yes.”
My world crumbled around me. He had ignored the question once before, and…Shit! I wore her fucking dress. Last night, he went to her apartment and I wore her fucking dress!
As I turned away from him, he grabbed my wrist. “Cami…”
“Don’t ‘Cami’ me! You could have told me the first time I had asked you about her. Instead, I got to hear about the two of you dating and that you had considered mating her. Is that true?”
“It’s not that simple.”
“At some point, you liked her well enough to consider mating her. Do you love her?”
“Cami…” his voice sounded pained. My emotions were so overwhelming, I couldn’t feel his, only the shattering of my own heart.
“Please explain it to me.” I stepped back and crossed my arms. If felt more like a shield protecting my heart as I waited for the worst.
“We shared a few meals, but only shared our bodies once. I had tested her psyche to check for compatibility, but she wasn’t a match.”
My head swirled as unwanted thoughts ran amuck. “You mated me, sight unseen because we were compatible?”
“Yes…No!” He took a step closer, and I stepped back, just out of his grip
.
“Why do you really want to keep our relationship a secret?”
“To keep you out of danger.”
Rubbing my hurting forehead, I said with a much calmer voice, “I need to lay down for a while.”
Zorvak
I watched Cami walk out of the room while I wondered how things turned bad so fast. One minute we were happy, and then Estine showed up filling her head full of empty lies. At one point, it was the truth, but we ended it a long time ago.
I needed to hit something! With one last look at the door that separated us, I headed out of my quarters.
When I got to the lift, Marcet stood guarding the entrance. “I’m heading to the training arena. If the female needs anything, let me know. Do not let her leave on her own. Understand?”
“Yes, Captain.”
I arrived at the training arena; Roark and Voth were training a couple of recruits. Roark must have seen my expression. I stalked to the center and he trotted out to meet me. Without words, I threw my senses outward, tasting the air around me as I tried to calm myself.
Roark threw the first punch, which I easily dodged. A few punches later, he asked, “Feeling better?”
“No,” I growled, then punched him in the jaw.
“I have news that might make you feel better.” His foot connected with my upper thigh.
“I’m listening.” I tackled him to the ground. We rolled until I landed on top straddling him.
“Ardak has an older brother. The only thing I know about him is he is a member of the Royal Guard.”
I froze. “What?”
“After training, I was going to question some of the younger guards. Find out if they know anything.”
I stood. “Let’s go now.”
“But the trainees…”
“Now.” I stalked off, leaving him to follow me.
We made it to the housing units and found Ian sitting on his cot. When we entered, he looked up then sprang to his feet. “Captain,” he said as he stood at attention.
Roark addressed him. “Ian, what can you tell us about Ardak and his older brother?”
Zorvak's Rescue: Compatibles Page 14