by Lily Thomas
“Bathe! Why are you bringing me with you?!” Her face paled.
“I could leave you in the mess hall with all the pent up men or you can join me where I can promise you’ll be safe.”
She looked up at him with those wide green eyes, and then nodded. For some reason, he enjoyed the confidence she had that he’d keep her safe. Then again she’d just seen him kill many warriors today, so there shouldn’t be any doubt in her mind.
“Wouldn’t you prefer some privacy?”
“We’ll have plenty.” She opened her mouth again. “Please, be quiet. You’ve already made enough of a racket.”
Her mouth snapped shut, right after she mumbled something about him being rude. He might be rude, but she was alive.
He drew her closer to his side, as he wrapped an arm around her waist. Her scent floated up to his nostrils, and he couldn’t help but drink in her delicate perfume. It was nothing like he had smelled here in the arena, it was clean, sweet, and intoxicating.
They arrived at the showers, and he ushered her into one of the rooms. Each shower stall had its own room. Too many fights broke out, when the males kept seeing naked females all around them. The Frirens didn’t want all their warriors to be killed without a crowd to pay and watch. Small fights, every once in a while, were one thing, and overlooked.
He closed the door.
“Kind of small, isn’t it?”
“It’s big enough.” He stripped his pants, weapons, and boots off with just a few quick motions and stood proudly in front of her. His erection was standing stiff above his tight balls.
Her eyes fell to his cock, and then a fierce pink flush grew on her face and neck. He grinned. It was an enjoyable sight, this flushing. It either meant she was aroused or embarrassed or maybe even both. His people already had a red-tinge to their skin, so there was no flushing of their cheeks or necks.
She gave a cough, as she shifted her gaze to stare down at her toes. His grin grew. Let her be shy, it might be the human way.
He turned his attention to the shower, turned it on, waited for the right temperature, and washed all the blood from his body. He let out a sigh. This was the only place he could let himself relax. The doors to each shower room had a lock on it. No warrior wanted to be surprised, while butt naked with his weapons out of reach.
He kept sneaking glances at the human woman. She would pretend to not look at him, but he could tell she couldn’t keep her eyes off his massive erection. He couldn’t be any prouder of her attention. Her eyes felt like a caress, every time they passed over his cock.
“Would you like to join me?” He asked her.
“Me?” She squeaked.
“Of course.”
“No, thank you. I’ve only been here a day. I think I’ll wait until later to take a shower.”
He shrugged. Too bad, he’d been hoping she might get undressed herself. He wouldn’t force her, but he wouldn’t mind, if she spread those thighs and let him in.
Xacier frowned. Where had that thought come from? He had to remember she was just a distraction. He had a goal to keep striving for, and she wasn’t that goal.
Once he had all the blood and sweat washed from his body, he turned off the water, and pressed another button to turn on some air. After he was dried, he stepped out, retrieved his clothing, and motioned for her to follow him.
“Aren’t you going to put your clothing back on?” The human looked over at him.
“These are caked with dirt, sweat, and blood, which I just washed off.”
“Umm, guess that makes sense.”
“Come. We will go to my room, and I will dress, when we get there.”
A look of relief crossed her face. So nudity was against human customs. Interesting species.
She mumbled something, but he wasn’t able to pick up on what she said, and he didn’t care enough to ask.
They walked through the corridors, and a few female warriors stopped to appreciate the sight. They would never make any advancements towards him, first because they knew he would reject them like he did everyone else, and second because they were terrified he would kill them. He wasn’t known for keeping his temper in check.
To him, it made no sense to mate a female who he might have to kill in the arena. It might make him pause, and a pause could get him killed.
He opened his door and led her in, before closing the door behind him. He watched, as she surveyed the room, and he found himself glancing around. He’d been her for many months, and he hadn’t done anything with it. It was a stone room with a bed, closet with clothing, a couple simple chairs, and a ceiling light.
He was an arena champion, and he’d won everything in here, including the bed. There were some warriors who didn’t even have that simple pleasure.
She arched a delicate eyebrow and turned to stare at him.
Samantha enjoyed his refreshing confidence. Sure he might be strutting around naked, but she was feeling fairly comfortable around him. She got the sense he wanted nothing more to do with her than she wanted to do with him. They were just two people who’d been forced together by the Frirens.
She kept an eye on him, as he made his way to the closet and donned a new pair of pants. A sense of loss entered her. His cock was an impressive specimen, just like him. Samantha wasn’t desperate, but she had a few images running around her mind that she wished could come true.
He sat down with a honing stone and one of his swords.
“You’ll have to excuse me. I need to keep these weapons in tip-top shape or I might lose a battle.”
“We wouldn’t want that.” She took a seat in the other chair.
He raised an eyebrow, as he gave her a quick glance, but returned to working on his sword.
“Don’t act too surprised. My life appears to be attached to yours.” She folded her arms in front of her and crossed her legs.
His gaze returned to her, and then he froze, as his gaze fell to the hem of her ridiculous dress. Glancing down she found the hem had risen up her legs to expose her red underwear. Of course, she’d been kidnapped with enticing underwear on.
Blushing she uncrossed her legs and rushed to brush the hem back down. “Sorry.” She mumbled. This dress was so short. It didn’t even come to her knees, when she was standing.
His eyes flashed to black, and he sucked in some deep breathes. Then his eyes flickered back to icy blue, as he returned to working on his sword.
Had he been angry with her? The only other times his eyes had changed to black had been when he was engaged in battle. If exposing her skin angered him, then she’d be sure to watch the hem of her dress. Didn’t need him believing that she was seducing him.
As he worked on his sword, she got a chance to study him. She’d never seen one of his species before. His horns were thick and black as the space surrounding them, and his eyes were a complete mystery. She still had no idea what made them change color. His red-tinged skin was also intriguing. She wondered what his planet was like. She would guess darker days then Earth and probably a hotter climate.
He must’ve been caught by the Frirens, but she wondered how. He was a formidable man, yet here he was.
“What did you do?”
His voice caused her to jump. She hadn’t thought they would talk, while he was tending his swords.
“Did what?” She asked.
“The Frirens took you from somewhere, I assume.” He didn’t look up.
“Long story short, I rejected a man, and he sold me to the Frirens.” Samantha was still a bit bitter about it. That captain would get his someday, it was only a matter of time.
There was a long silence, and then Xacier looked up at her. “Why would he sell you? How?”
“He was the captain of a vessel I was traveling on. It wasn’t like I had anywhere to run.” She frowned, but then sent him a wink. “Don’t worry, he will get what’s coming.”
“How do you know?”
“Because I’ll escape this arena, and then I’ll find him and
show him what an angry woman looks like.”
He looked her up and down. “You might need to hire an assassin.”
“Don’t think I could?”
He shook his head. “I don’t doubt the depths of your hatred for this man, but I hope you don’t have the chance. Once one has killed, they can never take it back.”
She took his words to heart. He was right. She wouldn’t be able to live with herself, if she took a life. Her entire life had been about creating life. Terraforming planets was like being god, but it wasn’t about destroying anything.
“What about you? What did you do to get yourself thrown into the arena?” She asked leaning her elbows on her knees. She found herself eager to learn some more about her champion.
He just grunted at her. “It’s time for bed. Tomorrow will start off with more fighting.”
So she was allowed to share about her life, but he wasn’t about to share his life. No matter. She was sure she’d talk it out of him, at some point. It wasn’t like they were going anywhere anytime soon.
“Try not to get into any more situations where you need rescuing.” He warned her.
She frowned at him. Like she was trying to entice the alien men around her? It wasn’t like she picked this dress out!
He stripped again, and she averted her gaze, as he slipped into the bed. Then she glanced over at him and found him watching her with his bright blue eyes. Her stomach flipped. She was going to be sleeping next to this alien warrior.
She’d stuck to dating human scientists, stringy human men who used their brains and not their bodies.
She took in a deep breath and made her way over to the bed. He pulled back the covers for her. She toed off her pink slippers and wiggled her way under the covers. She wasn’t about to strip down like he had. There had to be some sort of fabric between their bodies, no matter how thin it might be.
But she had nothing to worry about. He turned onto his back and didn’t touch her.
“Do you keep battling until you die?”
“No.”
“Care to elaborate?” She asked.
He heaved a sigh, rolled onto his side, and looked her in the eye. “If a warrior wins enough battles, he wins his freedom. Straight and simple.”
Her heart skipped a beat, and her eyes widened, before narrowing. “How close are you to winning?”
“Two more days in the arena, and I will be granted my freedom. Then I can kill the man who got me into this situation.” A devious look entered his eyes.
So he’d been given to the Frirens as well?
Her heart stopped in her chest. He could win this for them! Now she just had to make sure he took her with him, assuming the Frirens would allow it. But it gave her some hope.
“If I’m your prize, does that mean I can leave with you?”
“Why would I do that?” He eyed her.
She had no idea why he would. “Once we’re out, I’ll go my way and you can go yours.” It was the best she could come up with, while on the spot. Now he would know she wanted nothing more from him than a way out. “I really need you to take me.”
He raised an eyebrow.
“Take me when you leave, not take me in a sexual way.”
He grinned at her. “Get some sleep or you won’t last long enough to convince me to take you.”
She huffed, but she rolled over. She’d have to widdle away at him, a little each day.
He waited until her soft and even breathing reached his ears, and then he removed himself from the bed to sharpen another sword. Xacier hadn’t been next to a female in a long while, and he was finding it hard to ignore her presence.
Looking over at where she was laying, he loved the way her hair was spread out over her pillow. Her red lips were slightly parted, and he could imagine those plump lips spread out over his cock, as she took him into her mouth.
Xacier scrubbed a hand down his face. The Frirens had been right to put her in the arena as a prize. She was about to drive the reigning champion crazy with lust. His cock was having a hard time staying down.
He knew they were playing a game. The Frirens wanted him to lose, because it would drive the crowds insane, but he couldn’t die yet. He still had his revenge to fulfill.
He looked back at her, and again he was reminded of their differences. He was a large male, and she looked so pale and fragile. He’d never thought of having a human female before.
She’d requested he bring her with him, and he was wondering if he should. If she lived through the next two days, he might just do it. A smile broke out over his face. It was decided. And if he ever tired of her, she could become currency. He could sell her to some other traffickers.
Finishing with his sword he made his way back to bed. With his weapons ready, all he needed was a good night’s rest, and he would be ready for the upcoming battles tomorrow.
Chapter 4
As Samantha woke, everything from the past few days came rushing back to her. Her poor mother. She should’ve arrived at Drein by now.
As she woke further, she froze. There was a muscled arm wrapped around her waist and hot breath tickled her ear.
Xacier. It all came back to her. They had fallen asleep facing away from each other, but now she found herself wrapped against him. She’d been embraced in her sleep by a horned alien.
Shouldn’t she feel more repulsed by the idea? But weirdly she didn’t. In fact, she was enjoying the warmth radiating from his body. She even felt the impulse to snuggle closer to him, but she resisted it.
A few inappropriate images flashed through her mind. She’d never been with an alien man before, and she knew this man would be able to please her. Heck, with those arms he’d be able to hold her up against a wall, and that very thought made her wet with desire.
He’d shown her last night all she needed to know. He was endowed with the same equipment human men came with, and although large, she knew he’d fit. It’d be a snug fit, but it would be a fulfilling one.
Then a horn blew, and she all but jumped off the bed in fright.
“What the hell is that?” She yelled, as she gripped the blankets in a tight fist.
Xacier stirred next to her, and then suddenly jerked away, when he found himself pressed up against her. Well he didn’t need to act like she was unappealing.
She watched, as he leapt off the bed, threw on some black pants, black shoes, and grabbed a couple swords and daggers. As he made his way to the door, she felt her heart skip a beat. He was going to leave her alone, and she didn’t know how she felt about it.
“Why are you still lying in bed?”
“Me?” She pointed to herself. “You want me to come to battle with you?”
“It will be expected by the Frirens.”
Her mouth hung open, and she found herself having a hard time closing it. “I could be killed!” She finally managed to get her mouth into working order.
“I will do my best to keep you alive, while we’re in the arena.”
“You can’t watch everything.”
“If the Frirens want to see you out there and you don’t show, they will surely be displeased.”
She got his meaning. Displease the Frirens and you end up regretting it. Made sense to her. Samantha shoved her feet into her slippers and followed him out the door. She wondered if she could steal a pair of his clothing and modify them to fit her body. Or would that upset the Frirens? She was going to guess yes.
His strides were longer than hers, and she had to step quickly to keep up, but she didn’t ask him to slow down. Weakness wasn’t something she wanted to announce to the inhabitants of the arena.
Suddenly, he stopped, and she plowed into his wide back.
“Sorry.”
He raised an eyebrow, but said nothing. Xacier probably thought she was going to get herself killed, while they were in the arena, and he might just be right.
Aliens kept lining up around them, and she wondered if they were all scheduled to be in this round of the arena. It
was going to be an absolute blood bath. As she looked over all the alien faces, her gaze fell on Halie. Samantha gave her a warm smile.
“Here take this.” Halie said, as she stepped up beside Samantha. A dagger hilt was facing her.
“Umm, thanks?” Samantha took a hold of the hilt. What did Halie expect her to do with this? It wasn’t like she was trained in stabbing people with daggers.
“Use it to defend yourself.”
“Have you looked at me?” Samantha motioned to her body, which although at a healthy weight was plumper than any warrior woman here. Hers was a body used to long baths and plenty of food while watching some television.
“You might be surprised what someone is capable of, when their life is threatened.” Then Halie slipped away into the ever increasing number of warriors.
This round was going to be more than a blood bath. She felt like they were doing a cleansing of the warriors. Needed to clear out the barracks for new arrivals? At least, Halie didn’t appear to be a part of this battle. She didn’t want her only friend getting killed in this apparent cleansing.
The gate lifted up, and all the warriors jogged through the opening to the waiting arena. Samantha picked up her pace, so she didn’t get separated from Xacier.
As they left the corridor behind, Samantha held up a hand to her eyes. The light was so blinding, but it was only because the barracks were kept in low light. Squinting she made out Xacier’s form and rushed over to his side. She wasn’t going to let anything separate them. He would be the only person who would keep her safe.
“Welcome warriors!” The speaker greeted them. “And thank you to everyone in the audience for joining us for today’s battle. The battle will be fought until only one warrior stands alive.”
The crowd roared in excitement, as each warrior took their place in the arena.
Shivers spread down her spine, as she took in some of the weapons these warriors were sporting. Some had spears, swords, axes and other deadly looking weapons. She really didn’t want to die at the ends of any of these weapons.
“We have our champion in this battle. The horned Kell warrior!” And the crowd went berserk. He truly was a favorite. “Now let the fighting begin!”