Nikol's Surrender (A World Beyond, #10)

by Howard, Michelle

  Darcy fully expected him to protest or stand by his actions. This was a world not known for carrying about a woman’s feelings. With one hand at her hip and the other cupping her face, he said, “I took the wrong direction with that. I can see it was upsetting. My goal was to keep you safe. Always. But instead I went about it the wrong way and hurt you.”

  She had the feeling apologizing wasn’t something he did often. It would take effort but Darcy knew with all the details, she could eventually forgive him. “Thank you.”

  “Now,” he said with a stern glance. “I won’t ask what you were up to. It’s fairly obvious. However, I do need to know if you will stand by your vow?”

  “W-what?”

  “Your promise to not do this again. Will you stand by your word though it was forced from you?” he clarified.

  Common sense warred with the way his brown eyes swirled with emotions. Nothing should stop her from looking for a way to escape this hellhole. On the other hand, what she’d done had been risky. If caught, there was no telling what Lothar would have done.

  Or maybe she did know. This wasn’t Earth. Nikol had been telling her all along that she could be killed. In light of that, her answer was easy. “I won’t do anything like that again, Nikol. I promise.”

  He closed his eyes and braced his forehead on hers. She wrapped her arms about his shoulders and leaned against his chest. He nuzzled her temple, placed kisses like wisps across her brows. “Thank you, astéri.”

  “You can’t use what we share in the bed between us like that again, though.”

  He stiffened in the embrace.

  “And no other women. I don’t care about the reason. Promise me, Nikol. It’s important.”

  He sighed with his whole chest. “You have my promise.”

  Victory! She kept her head bent to hide a grin.

  “Though we are running out of ways to discipline you,” he added.

  “What?!” She pulled back to glare at him.

  He laughed and kissed her hard. It was the beginning of a new normal for them. Darcy worked to accept her fate and Nikol spent the nights in her bed ensuring she didn’t regret her choice.

  ***

  Things had changed between him and Darcy. A new intimacy formed between them over the next two days, but he wasn’t a fool. He sensed the distance she managed to wedge between them though she spent her nights in his bed giving him everything he asked for.

  But that was only the physical. The more time he spent in her presence, the more Nikol realized he wanted everything. He wanted the parts she held back and left him feeling angry by turns.

  He should have stuck with emotionless sex sharing. It was far easier to keep his distance when he didn’t let a female create this hole in his heart the way Darcy had. In the mornings, he inhaled her scent, languishing longer than he should in bed to be near her. At night, he brought her body to release in a variety of ways and tried to impart his will in a subtle dance that left him feeling bereft.

  What he wanted couldn’t be forced. It had to be earned and Nikol wanted the privilege of her smiles and care more than he could remember wanting anything else from another. It was with much reluctance that the day came where he had to leave for the Majad’s palace to complete Lothar’s request. To ease the unrest building within, he woke her with nipping kisses down her spine.

  He could tell the exact moment she went from deep sleep to abrupt awareness.

  “Nikol?”

  Pumping his finger in and out her tight passage from behind, he bit her butt cheek lightly. “Who else are you expecting?”

  Her body bounced lightly with her soft laugh as she rolled onto her back. He eased his fingers from the warm clasp of her punan and leaned up on one arm to enjoy the sight of her entire form as she stretched fully and blinked up at him.

  “Don’t you have to leave today?” she asked in a drowsy haze.

  There was a crease on her cheek from the sheets and a puffiness to her mouth from the drugging kisses they exchanged all night. He ran a finger over one indent and marveled at the texture of her skin. Soft. In the past, he’d been mildly curious about humans but Darcy made him want to understand everything that made up her being.

  Dangerous thoughts. “Yes, I will be gone for a short time.”

  “Mmhmm.”

  Her hand swiped down his bare torso and came to a stop on his groin. Nikol’s cock was already hard and her light touch ignited his hunger. He went to cover her body but she pressed her other hand to his chest and pushed him back.

  Arching an inquisitive brow, he allowed the move and dropped to the bed. Darcy sat up with a mischievous grin. “I want to give you a present before you leave.”

  Her hand stroked up his thigh then down, leaving tingling quivers in her wake. When she took his cock in a firm grip and squeezed, stars exploded beyond his eyelids.

  “What present?” he gritted out when she loosened her hold and went back to stroking.

  She hummed under her breath and he tensed, wondering what torture she had in mind for him. “Something to remind you of me.”

  As if he needed such. Before he could speak, she leaned over his waist, red hair trailing over his hips and licked the length of his shaft from top to bottom. Nikol hissed and shuddered, eyes closed and neck arched back. “Fuuuck!”

  Laughter filtered to his ears. Nikol opened his eyes and Darcy had moved to settle herself between his parted thighs. He spread them wide in anticipation. If this gift was what he thought, he welcomed it. She had not placed her mouth on him since the incident with Lothar.

  At his action, Darcy snickered. “Somebody’s ready, huh?”

  His lips quirked. “I will always want your touch.”

  She smiled and lowered her head again. This time Nikol braced but was still caught off guard when she swallowed the crown of his throbbing cock. He threw back his head and muttered under his breath. She licked and sucked with an aggressive attention to detail he could only admire. Every wet stroke built the flames of his desire until he wanted to burst.

  Needing to control some part of their sex play, his fingers threaded the thick waves of her hair, guiding her head. Seeing his shaft go in and out of Darcy’s mouth was a level of intimacy that sparked another wave of arousal.

  Seed sucking was not new to him. There had been many females who took to this form of sex sharing, but not all enjoyed it and none did it with a wicked gleam in their eyes as Darcy did watching his reactions to her tongue twirling about his swollen rings.

  Her blue eyes glowed with pleasure and the hungry sounds she made pulled him further under her spell. His eyes drifted closed only to snap back open because he didn’t want to miss a minute of her taking him deep. She lapped repeatedly at his thickness and Nikol couldn’t stop a full body shiver.

  “Astéri,” he groaned, attempting to pull her up. He didn’t want to finish without the pleasure of taking her one more time.

  Darcy resisted and increased the pressure of her mouth. Her hand fisted his bottom half and began a rhythmic squeeze and release. His fingers locked in her hair as he rammed himself deep and fucked her mouth hard and fierce.

  Wet, heat enveloped him in a snug tunnel, her teeth scraping his rings. The edge of pain was the bite he craved. His back bowed and he muffled the curse on the tip of his tongue.

  Grunts and growls were the only sounds he was capable of making for the next few minutes. He was acting the animal she accused him of being and couldn’t stop. She was destroying him with her mouth and the greedy sounds she made as she devoured him.

  Gripping her hair, he worked her head back and forth as he thrust. Nikol stared deep into Darcy’s eyes and knew at that moment she’d secured a place in his heart. Under her rough care, the orgasm came fast and hard.

  “Swallow,” he snarled and threw back his head again as his climax ripped through him.

  His seed erupted in hot streams in her waiting mouth while her throat opened and closed over the crown of his cock. He pumped harder,
releasing more of his seed until he gasped and fell back on the bed, a panting trembling mess.

  Darcy laved his cock slowly, working him through the aftershocks. He rocked a few more times, enjoying the warm clasp of her mouth before pulling her off. She moaned and slid up his body to rest her chin on his chest. She caressed his horns in a way guaranteed to have his gaze narrowing.

  “Too much?” she teased.

  He whipped her around to her front then slid into her soaking tunnel and mounted her from behind. He was hard still and pounded into her with one goal in mind. When she screamed moments later, he bit the back of her shoulder and came again.

  Breathing unsteadily, Nikol repeated her words back to her. “Too much?”

  Darcy chuckled weakly and flopped her hand in the air. “You win, but I claim the right to renew this challenge at a later date.”

  Nikol hid his smile in her shoulder and said quietly, “You are always welcome to try.”

  Chapter 28

  Darcy stared at Garmon blankly. “What?”

  The guard shifted on his feet in the vestibule of the kitse and met her gaze. “I am to escort you to the medic for an exam.”

  When Nikol left this morning to visit the Majad, he hadn’t mentioned anything about a medical check. “There’s nothing wrong with me.”

  Not anything physical. Emotionally, she was turning into a wreck because of her feelings for Nikol.

  “I do not question my orders.”

  Blowing out a breath, Darcy glanced behind him into the empty corridor. “Fine. Where’s Tseju?”

  Garmon’s gaze narrowed. Probably not used to being questioned. “He stepped away but will return if you’re thinking of doing something.”

  Unease crept in. Had Nikol shared the truth with him? No one had suspected anything more than she’d decided to return to the kitse on her own when Tseju took too long to get back to her. Thinking of the way Nikol had played her body the night of the incident, Darcy decided he wouldn’t have told anyone. His fear expressed had been genuine.

  “Alright. I’ll let the others know,” she turned to inform Cecilee but Garmon grasped her arm below the elbow and pulled her through the door.

  “You are trying to delay.”

  Darcy tugged against his hold but he dragged her steadily along. Finally, she gave in. She’d talk to Nikol later about his heavy handed behavior and not take it out on a guard who was only doing his job.

  The medical room was a location Darcy recalled distinctly, so her brow creased when Garmon turned in a different direction. “Hey! Wait, this isn’t right.”

  His brown eyes glowered at her from his taller height. “You have been trouble since you arrived.”

  Darcy stumbled to a halt and gaped. The stoic Marenian had abandoned his mild demeanor to stare at her with dislike. She licked her lips to wet her suddenly dry mouth. “I think I want to go back. I’ll go to the medic when Nikol returns from seeing the Majad.”

  Indecision flashed over his face before his lips thinned. “Nikol should have disciplined you longer the other night. Your screams were delicious.”

  Staggering back, Darcy couldn’t believe what he’d said. He was referencing the night Nikol had made her orgasm repeatedly. Shoulders back, she forced herself to remain calm. “Take me back. Now.”

  His nostrils flared and his eyes hardened to chips of rock. Fear trickled down her spine as Darcy glanced around frantically. Even if there was someone about, they wouldn’t come to her aid. She folded her hands together in front of her and inhaled softly. Nikol had implied he’d only be gone for a day, which meant she needed to follow through on her promise to stay safe and not do anything to put herself in harms way.

  “Let’s go.” Garmon stood back and gestured toward the way they’d come.

  Her breath shuddered out on an exhale. Safe. She had to stay safe. Lowering her head and with a watchful eye on his every move, Darcy retraced her steps to Nikol’s section of the house.

  No one stopped or spoke to them in the hall, but she was hyper-aware of the ceiling cameras recording their every step. They were almost to the kitse, safety within reach, when a large Marenian stopped in front of Darcy and blocked her path.

  “The Earth female,” Brax stated in a gruff voice.

  If terror had a sound, Darcy made it when she raised her eyes to meet his. Garmon stood to her left and crossed his arms over his chest, head cocked to the side to observe.

  Okay, okay. This wasn’t a problem. Garmon wouldn’t let anyone harm her. Darcy breathed deeply and lowered her gaze back to the floor. Her heart raced and her pulse pounded but she sealed her mouth shut.

  When Brax leaned toward her, Darcy held still, sweat dampening her palms. He sniffed at her hair and groaned. The sound was purely sexual. Darcy’s breathing became jerky and she couldn’t form a single word.

  “Where is your master, tutanis?”

  Her mouth opened and closed but no sound came out.

  “I’m taking her back to the kitse,” Garmon said and Darcy almost wilted on the spot. She’d thought he was going to leave her in Brax’s care.

  Brax trailed his finger down the side of her face and lifted Darcy’s head. He grinned when their gazes connected. “I’m sure Nikol would be displeased to see her out. Especially after he corrected her so vividly downstairs in the atrium. Perhaps she needs a stronger hand?”

  He released her face and pinched her nipple. Darcy flinched and grabbed the offended bud. Curses were on the tip of her tongue but she recalled the last incident. She searched Garmon’s face and saw no help. She wouldn’t strike Brax but she wasn’t going to stand around and let him assault her. She took off running down the hall.

  Brax’s laughed roared behind her and Garmon called out. “Wait!”

  Ignoring them, Darcy sped for the refuge of the kitse. Blinded by her pace, she ran into a solid wall. Hands gripped her arms and she looked up into Tseju’s befuddled face. She glanced around gasping. She’d made it. “Tseju. Thank goodness.”

  “Why are you—”

  “Good, you caught her.” Garmon came up behind them, his breath winded.

  Darcy twisted behind Tseju’s broad back, seeking a fraction of a barrier between them. Garmon pointed at her. “She ran off. We were to go to the medic center.”

  Tseju twisted about and scowled. “Nikol was not pleased the last time.”

  “Yes, I know, but—”

  Tseju cut her off. “I will not let you risk yourself unnecessarily.”

  Her heart sank each time he spoke. “It wasn’t like that. I wasn’t doing anything.”

  “I will let you handle it, Tseju. You are better with the tutanis.” Garmon resumed his spot to the side of the doors leading into Nikol’s suite.

  “I will take her for punishment if you stand guard.”

  Garmon met Darcy’s gaze then nodded. “Yes.”

  “No, Tseju. Please don’t. You don’t understand,” Darcy spoke quickly.

  His face was firm in its resolve. “You were warned what would happen if you wandered without guard again. Nikol has been clear in his instructions.”

  Darcy’s chest twisted in fear. Cecilee came out of the kitse. “What is happening?”

  “Ceci—”

  “The Earth woman broke protocol,” Tseju answered and reached for Darcy’s arm as she tried to dart inside. If she could get in, they couldn’t enter.

  Cecilee twisted her fingers together and bounced on her feet, worry clear in her gaze. “Please. Allow her to remain with us. Nikol can deal with her.”

  “Return to the kitse, honorable tutanis,” Tseju said gently.

  When Cecilee refused and tried to free Darcy from his hold. Tseju signaled Garmon, who came and placed a restraining hand on Cecilee’s shoulder. “You will not interfere.”

  Darcy didn’t know what to do or say to stop whatever punishment he thought she deserved. What if he took her to Lothar? A surge of terror blasted through Darcy and she fought Tseju harder. Nikol warned her away from
the man who was his father. He’d been explicit in what Lothar would do if he got his hands on her. She kicked and scratched but Garmon locked Cecilee inside the kitse and Tseju threw Darcy over his shoulder and carried her off.

  She bit her lip to hold in screams of alarm. No one would aid her. Where was Nikol? He was supposed to protect her. She’d kept her promise. Why wasn’t he here to stop this?

  Tseju took several twists and turned in the halls until Darcy didn’t recognize this side of the household. He knocked on a closed door and it opened immediately. The burly Marenian who answered had a scarred face and black horns to match his evil black eyes.

  “What is this, Tseju?”

  “She is to be punished. She was caught violating her master’s rules.”

  ***

  “Who does she belong to?” the whip master asked.

  Something warned Tseju to err on the side of caution. He frowned at the crying slave woman from Earth. “It doesn’t matter. What is the proper punishment, Serasin?”

  Serasin grunted and stepped back to let them in. “Whipping.”

  He slid a drawer open beneath the dresser along one wall, displaying whips in varying sizes. “Select one of these based on what you want her pain level to be to reinforce the error of her ways. Twenty lashes is the typical minimum.”

  Tseju hesitated, wondering for the first time if his actions were correct. Though he didn’t say so, the strange tutanis seemed to have garnered a small measure of affection from Nikol. He stiffened. Failure wasn’t an option and he didn’t want Nikol to take his anger out on him again. This was the correct thing to do.

  Nikol made it clear when he spanked her for all to see that she was not excluded from the rules he’d imposed. Rules were to be followed for the safety of the tutanis and the Earth woman had broken them.