by LW Browning
"So you keep saying," he said. "You could have refused me. Why did you not?"
She glanced at him for the barest second, her need to hide the misery and unease she knew he would see in her green eyes, set her on edge. She came up on her knees as if she might try to run out of the tent. Panic threatened to take her over. She breathed faster.
"I await your answer," Koda said.
"I d- I do not know. It was strong. The emotions were very strong..." she trailed off. She held herself with her arms across her body. "Y-your feelings were so strong. It felt like you took over –– in my mind." She bit her bottom lip and looked around the tent.
"You had an orgasm, little one. Did you enjoy the coupling?" His voice was low and dark. His voice soothed her, covered her like warm water.
She reminded herself to breathe. How could he do this to her? A wave of sexual heat rolled over her like a hot wind from a raging fire. She hated that her body reacted this way when he was near. "I do not know," she managed to whisper.
"I would know," Koda said.
"Yes, I guess I did enjoy it. It was just... different. Intense." Claire shrugged.
"I have never encountered another with your abilities. I have no way of knowing if you enjoyed it. I would know that. I think you should know as well."
Claire's eyes opened wider. She had been unable to separate her emotions from his when they had sex. She had been unable to completely separate her emotions from his all day today. Did the reactions of her body to his nearness mean that she wanted his touch again?
"Take off your clothes and unbind your hair." Koda interrupted her thoughts with his velvet command.
Certain she had heard him wrong, she searched his eyes. No, she heard him correctly. His voice was soft in the semi-darkness of the tent, but she had no doubt he was not accustomed to being refused.
"Now." His voice was still velvet soft. Dark and husky, it played across her body like a bowstring across a violin. No matter what the MX Facility might do, it was not wise to disobey Koda. Claire thought she might only be making excuses for herself.
Claire raised trembling fingers to the sash at her waist and worked it free. She unfastened the buttons of her khaki shirt, took a deep breath, and pulled it off her shoulders. Her hands shook as she removed the breast binding and hesitated before she pulled it away from her skin, releasing pale orbs with pink nipples. Frozen in place, she glanced up at Koda. He was too intense. She did not hold eye contact with him. Air caressed her breasts. Her nipples hardened even more. She crossed her arms to cover her chest.
"Continue," he said as he sat cross-legged on the tent floor.
Claire untied her skirt and slipped it off, and then pushed her panties down over her hips to her knees. She was in a state now, molten need began to heat within her core as his scrutiny caused her body to burn. She pulled the panties over her knees, down, and slowly off before she covered her breasts again and shivered.
"Get back on your knees."
She could not process his command. Fear edged into her heart. "Wh-what are you going to do?"
"Take your hair down."
With shaking hands, she unfastened her hair, grateful when it covered her breasts. She looked into his eyes and thought of light blue ice chips.
Koda watched her closely. She knew her green eyes were turning violet, their soft glow added to the dim light inside the tent.
Her heartbeat quickened when he pulled leather gloves on his hands. "Come here. I will not hurt you."
She got up from her knees, and moved to him. He was so big, even sitting, with her standing over him. She was unable to stop trembling.
"Come here," he said again.
"No," Claire whispered.
Koda pulled her to him so that her legs straddled him as he sat. She stood shaking before him. Claire was vulnerable to him like this. She whimpered.
"You are capable of sexual desire. I have not touched you, but you respond. Spread your legs wider."
Again, she did as she was told, her mind numb as her body vibrated with what she now knew was sexual tension. The knowledge fit into place with what was happening to her.
Koda reached up and pulled the knuckles of his gloved hand across her erect nipples. His touch was feather light.
She moaned.
He moved his gloved hand between her legs and pressed a finger inside her. It slipped in with ease. Her body moved, muscles tightened around his gloved finger. She moaned again.
"Do you want me to stop, little one?" he asked.
All she knew was her need. She needed this massive warlord. She needed him to – give her release. He removed his finger from inside her.
"No," she whispered.
"No, what?" He said.
"No, do not stop," she whispered.
He pushed his finger back inside her, filling her.
Her muscles clenched his finger as she moved her hips to accept him. He pressed his thumb to the swollen part of her and began to massage. His movements were slow and gentle. He moved his finger in and out of her wetness as he watched the expressions cross her face. Her breathing irregular, she panted and gasped for air. She went up on her toes and tried to move her legs wider to allow him better access with his gloved hand. Her hips moved in rhythm with his hand.
"Touch your breasts. Pinch your nipples," he said.
She complied much faster this time, whimpering as she moved her thumbs across her nipples while he continued to massage her and press his finger in and out of her core.
She moaned and her back arched as he added a second finger.
"Look at me," his voice was husky.
Claire did not want him to see her face, her need, but neither did she want him to stop. She opened her eyes and looked into his eyes, trembling when she could not hold back her small whimpers of pleasure and need.
"Now tell me girl, do you wish me to stop?"
"No," she whispered, "Please, please do not stop. I need."
"What do you need girl?"
"I need – release, please."
He smiled and increased the rhythm of his hand as he continued the pressure of his thumb massage on her throbbing center. When he curled his fingers inside her, she made a sound in her throat. He reached behind her with his other hand to help keep her steady. Like a dam breaking, she came apart. Her back arched, her breasts felt as if they were on fire. It felt so good.
She was helpless, shattering into a thousand pieces. The orgasm rolled through her, over her, around her, out of her. Her need for contact with his gloved hand held her in place as her hips jerked and everything within rushed out like a star going supernova. She turned her face up to the ceiling of the tent as her body bowed back. A cry tore from her throat.
She stayed on her feet as the last of the orgasm jerked her body and raged through her. Moments later, she felt a twinge deep within as she bent forward, panting, trying to regain her breath and her thoughts. Her legs were shaking. She supported herself with her hands on his shoulders. His skin was hot, smooth, corded with muscles beneath the smooth surface. Touching him let her see what she looked like to him. She felt his satisfaction at having brought her to climax.
Claire looked down into his eyes. Slivers of blue ice, the expression in them chilled her.
The wetness between her legs ran down the inside of her thighs when he removed his gloved hand.
"I'm so – so sorry." Shyness caused her to hide her face and cover her breasts with her arms and hair.
"Come here, girl." His voice was soft, warm honey. She was enveloped by his voice, wrapped in a cocoon of soft intimacy.
She let him pull her down. Still shaking from the intense orgasm, she thought she might faint.
He pulled her into his lap and held her close, his mouth beside her ear. "Do you still think yourself a non-sexual creature?"
"No," she whispered in wonder. Her breasts were pressed against his chest, her face so close... She kissed the side of his neck, instinct guiding her. Claire hugged him and
ran her fingers through his hair. She breathed him in.
He removed the gloves from his hands and lifted her chin to look at her. His touch on her face flooded her with his feelings and emotions. She shook with the power of them. Koda’s emotions were strong. Suddenly she could not read him.
"I want you to think about this experience and what you have learned."
She nodded her head.
"Think if you enjoy being touched as I have touched you."
His words filled her with panic. "No, I do not want anyone else to touch me. I cannot bear it."
He frowned and tilted his head slightly. "I do not share, girl. Tell me what else troubles you."
Claire sighed. "I am not supposed to do these things. It is forbidden. How can I ever return to the MX Facility after I have broken so many rules? They will punish me. The MX are watched and..." she trailed off.
He stroked her hair with one hand. "No harm will come to you. You are under my protection. No one will question me."
Claire did not know how Koda could protect her after she left this place, but tilted her face up to see the sincerity in his eyes. He lowered his great blond head to kiss her. She had no more room for thoughts of anything other than Koda. When the kiss ended, he pulled a small bag from behind him. "Face down, this will take the soreness away."
She liked being held in his lap, but she moved to the pallet and lay down. Her body relaxed as he massaged the oil into her muscles. Koda’s hands were big and strong and warm on her skin. His touch was gentle as he worked. The ache in her back and legs melted away. She had never been touched like this.
Soon, their bodies joined in shared passion. Later, they lay in each other's arms while sleep pulled her into downy softness and Koda stroked her hair.
Above them, the night sky filled with the brilliance of another meteor shower.
After the camp was broken, Koda pulled her up behind him on the paccar. She was beginning to learn some of the customs and ways of this culture. Despite her clumsiness and lack of knowledge of their society, she was feeling a little more comfortable with these people. She continued to have flashbacks from the lovemaking, but it was easier to maintain her control and not project her feelings.
Var rode beside them. He was one of the scarier looking of the warlords. His features were angular with one long scar that ran down the side of his face. Many smaller scars showed on his arms and chest. Claire felt Var's distrust of her, but she read enough of him to know he had trusted few in his life.
At midmorning they met a group of mounted warriors. Koda and his warlords greeted Tribal Chief Kurt.
After they dismounted, Koda leaned down to whisper to her. She stepped back just a bit when he came closer to speak to her. His gesture was intimate and something inside her moved. Her core was... How could he do this to her?
"I would have you use your gift and tell me later as much as you can about the emotions of Kurt and his warriors," Koda said.
"Of course, Warlord Leader," she said.
Koda smiled at her and she wondered if he knew how his presence affected her. He said something to Osiria, before he and Kurt walked to the other side of the trail to have their meeting.
Osiria and Claire found a tree apart from where the others sat. They were close to the stream and cool under the shade of the tree. After taking a few moments to ground herself, Claire looked out across the open field on the other side of the trail where the warlords gathered with the rising peaks of mountains as a backdrop. She opened her mind to the males who were gathered to talk.
The emotions of Warlord Kurt were open and honest. The tribal chieftain was very pleased with whatever information Koda shared with him. She read strong agreement, support, and trust between them. The males liked and respected each other.
Claire concentrated on Kurt's warriors. She closed off everything else to read the emotions and even some thoughts.
Whatever Koda presented to them was appealing. The warriors of Kurt's tribe were hopeful and satisfied with their plans. They felt a fierce allegiance to Koda. So many strong males thought so highly of him that her opinion of Koda grew. They saw him as someone they trusted with the future of their race, he was fair, honest and tough. He and his warlords and warriors protected their people from raiders and foreigners who came to steal and harm them.
The warriors' thoughts changed. They were all thinking of food when they stood to take a break.
She closed her eyes and bowed her head. It was difficult to withdraw from so many minds. She felt Osiria's concern and realized she was shivering. She opened her eyes.
"We should go and serve our males," Osiria said.
Claire experienced the sense of disorientation and missing time that always occurred when she was open and reading a large group of people. The warriors and warlords were up walking around, getting food and visiting with each other. She followed Osiria back toward the group.
Still trying to disengage from so many minds, she moved in a daze. Lethal thoughts brushed her mind. Apprehensive, she searched for the source of emotions she had just received. She turned to scan the trees, searching. They were close and getting closer.
A sharp pain stabbed through her. She doubled over in agony as she crossed her arms over her midsection. Struggling to breathe, she staggered, whimpering, trying to get enough air to scream. She projected her pain and terror to those around her. The warriors were instantly alert. Something was wrong. Claire ran toward Koda. She pushed people out of her way in her desperate search for him. Why were they all so big? Where was he? She stopped and screamed again as a sharp blade drew across her throat. Pulling her hands away she saw there was no blood. Finally, she drew in a deep breath and screamed. The warriors were alerted now, even though they saw no danger.
The crowd parted as Koda waded through them to get to Claire. She whimpered and let out another small scream that sounded as if she was dying.
Just as she saw Koda coming through the crowd toward her, she gasped and doubled over. The pain was visceral. Death was closing in fast. She dropped to her knees.
Then Koda had her, held her steady.
"They are killing us."
"Raiders!" Koda shouted.
The warriors, already looking for the cause of alarm, had formed up to fight off the attack that they were sure was upon them.
"Where?" Koda's voice came through the pain.
"Behind me, many."
Violent emotions overwhelmed her. Claire felt someone else die. She used all of her energy to withdraw from the minds of the dying before they pulled her too close to the death that was claiming them.
"Behind me," Claire repeated.
Koda nodded to her. "Stay." As he turned, she doubled over in pain, barely aware that Osiria was beside her.
***
A cloud of arrows flew toward them. They sounded surreal in the air.
Koda gave a signal, Claire received a thought... 'counterattack'. The warriors spread out as some of them blended into the woods to seek out their attackers while another group gathered the females together in the center and surrounded them with their own bodies.
She watched as Koda's whip hissed through the air. It never stopped, but continued moving like a living thing that snaked out striking at the arrows and pulling many of them out of the air.
An arrow came from nowhere, moving fast toward Lodi's chest. Koda was faster. His whip snapped the missile from the air. A second and third arrow flew toward them. Again, Koda's whip plucked the deadly menace from the air and rendered them harmless. The whip flew on either side of him, too fast for the eye to follow. She had never seen anything like it. It was as if the whip had a life of its own, it snaked out again and again as it sang through the air deflecting the deadly arrows of the enemy.
Part of her mind shut down as the images flashed before her like a vid. Emotions, violent, raw, and overwhelming flowed into her. They pulled at her, some dragging her down to death. She shuddered as she detached from them.
K
oda drew his sword to engage some of the attackers who were suddenly closer. She was entranced by his grace and speed. His sword that had flashed so bright in the sunlight was now covered with blood. He cut down three raiders in quick succession, one after the other.
The scene was a melee. Three arrows came toward Lodi as he tried to knock them off course. One arrow made its way straight and true and embedded in Lodi's chest. His legs folded as he sank to the ground.
Beside her, Osiria screamed, "No!"
Claire lost her breath.
Koda was standing over Lodi, brandishing his sword, defending his fallen friend. Var and Dren closed in, shielding Lodi. Koda swung his sword and stopped an attacker who ran toward them. Koda continued to turn around, alert for an attack from any angle. He beheaded the next male who got close enough. The attacker fell dead at Koda's feet. His forward momentum caused the sword he still held in his hands to cut deep into Lodi's leg.
Claire shrieked with pain. She watched, horrified, as an arrow pierced the throat of one of Kurt's warriors. Blood sprayed out like a red geyser. She pulled her mind back in an act of self-preservation. Too many were hurting.
The warriors and warlords were quick to deal death with their swords and arrows. The crack of the whips as they broke the sound barrier of the heavy afternoon air gave way to the sounds of metal against metal as they moved into closer combat with their swords. Claire watched Koda in awe.
When several of the raiders tried to attack, Koda used his whip again. It moved faster as he guided it from one attacker to the other. When one got close enough to him, he changed his grip to the middle of the whip so fast Claire did not even see it happen. He looped the whip around a raider and pulled the male to him, then delivered a skull crushing blow to his head with the handle of the whip. The second attacker turned to run, but Koda tossed the handle of the whip to wrap around the male's legs. He hit the ground hard and Claire gasped as Koda let the whip snake out and used the handle of it to hit the male's head. She heard the sickening crack of his skull.
With the handle back in Koda's hand, the whip resumed its lightning fast dance from one side to the other as Koda kept the attackers at bay. Finally, he let it fall and drew his sword again as the next wave of the enemy closed in.