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An Ellora’s Cave Romantica Publication
www.ellorascave.com
Torc’s Salvation ISBN # 1-4199-0815-4 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Torc’s Salvation Copyright© 2006 Melany Logen Edited by Nicholas Conrad. Cover art by Syneca & Willo. Electronic book Publication: October 2006 This book may not be reproduced or used in whole or in part by any means existing without written permission from the publisher, Ellora’s Cave Publishing, Inc.® 1056 Home Avenue, Akron OH 443103502. This book is a work of fiction and any resemblance to persons, living or dead, or places, events or locales is purely coincidental. The characters are productions of the authors’ imagination and used fictitiously.
Content Advisory: S – ENSUOUS E – ROTIC X - TREME Ellora’s Cave Publishing offers three levels of Romantica™ reading entertainment: S (S-ensuous), E (Erotic), and X (X-treme). The following material contains graphic sexual content meant for mature readers. This story has been rated E–rotic. S-ensuous love scenes are explicit and leave nothing to the imagination. E-rotic love scenes are explicit, leave nothing to the imagination, and are high in volume per the overall word count. E-rated titles might contain material that some readers find objectionable—in other words, almost anything goes, sexually. E-rated titles are the most graphic titles we carry in terms of both sexual language and descriptiveness in these works of literature. X-treme titles differ from E-rated titles only in plot premise and storyline execution. Stories designated with the letter X tend to contain difficult or controversial subject matter not for the faint of heart.
TORC’S SALVATION Melany Logen
Melany Logen
Chapter One Torc banked his shuttle and pulled up alongside the flat planet, a dry, smooth plane with scattered rock formations. Easing the shuttle over the surface as far as he dared, he’d have to go in after his cargo on foot. Dropping anchor, he grunted when his feet hit the hard ground. Thankful for the cover of darkness, he gave his eyes a few moments to adjust to the surrounding landscape. His night vision would aid him well on this recovery mission. He curled his lip in disgust as giant slime crawlers shambled toward him. The bottomfeeders would eat anything, including each other. What had the gods been thinking when they’d created the Flatland? Nothing survived for long on a flat planet. Space literally sucked everything away. The only place remotely resembling civilization here was Asaroof, where he would have to sneak into the sheik’s palace. As a thief. Torc had planned things well, so he had only a one-mile run ahead of him. He focused on running to reach the Sheik of Asaroof’s compound. Staying low, he breathed through his nose, hearing the occasional crunch of a slime crawler’s shell under his combat boots. All he had to do was collect a prized Delicant from the Flatland sheik. He’d missed snatching her at the auction on Pampas, where she’d been resold. This pleasure slave could earn him enough money to set him up somewhere in paradise. The Rendorians, the universal police force, had driven him into hiding with the bounty on his head. They wanted Torc alive because he’d escaped a level ten prison, but he’d rather be dead than return to incarceration. Space had a lot of places where a man could hide. And with the cash he’d get from this, he could find a peaceful place to live out his days. He slowed down at the quarter-mile mark. Dogmains guarded Asaroof. Canineheaded humanoids that would sooner bite and eat you than question you, they had big teeth and a lot of drool. Bastards wouldn’t get a piece of his ass. His nostrils flared as he caught their scents. Torc removed the knives from his boot sheaths, grimacing as another crawler crunched under his boot. He held his breath, waiting to see if the guards had heard the crack of the shell. He figured the Dogmains had caught his scent as he’d caught theirs. They could smell as well as he could, but maybe the stench of the crushed slime crawlers covered his scent. He ran his tongue over his fangs. The beast he kept leashed reared up, nearly blinding him with bloodlust. His claws lengthened, but he forced them to retract. He
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inhaled and exhaled, calming the inner animal. He’d wait them out for as long as he dared. Patience was a special talent of his. Along with killing. Half an hour passed, and then another. Torc counted six Dogmain guards, which came and went on patrol. Pussies. If they’d caught his scent, they hadn’t investigated it. When the next pair made their pass, he’d observed enough of their inattention to detail to know they wouldn’t notice him moving past them. He reached the wall of the main compound in minutes. Running his tongue over his fangs, he crouched low before leaping easily up onto the twenty-foot outer wall. He had the maps of the compound memorized. Immediately after dropping down, he broke a guard’s neck and sliced another’s throat. Too friggin’ easy. Never a good thing. Torc’s brow furrowed as he watched the two occupants of the lavishly furnished chamber below him. After gutting two more guards, he’d made it into the palace and climbed into the ventilation system. The Delicant’s room had been where the map had shown it to be. A boy could have slipped into this palace and claimed the female. Why had the Cartocha government hired him for such a low-risk job? His breath caught, and his heart rate sped up as he got a clear view of her face. He couldn’t look away. For the first time in his life, he was seeing something truly beautiful. The slave had long golden blonde hair, wide green eyes and a mouth that… Torc’s mouth watered. The Delicant moved, hips swaying, until she stood in front of the copper-skinned sheik, who Torc recognized. “Kneel,” the gray-headed man ordered, plucking at her right nipple. “Suck my cock.” “Yes, Master.” She dropped to her knees, ran her hands up the sheik’s thighs and parted his richly embroidered robe. Torc’s cock hardened while watching, riveted, as she sucked the sheik’s cock between her lips. He calmed the beast. He’d never seen a female this close before, let alone a naked one. Like so many males of his time, he’d never had sex. Tales were told of a time where women had been plentiful. He didn’t believe them. And he’d never have one of his own. Not even the money he’d earn from this assignment could make him buy a woman. Unless they were born to royalty, all women were commodities, only bought and sold, rarely free. And he’d never own another person. He had to keep this impersonal. His gaze devoured the slave as the sheik hammered into her mouth. She wore a jeweled collar that fit snugly around her throat. Her nipples had been pierced and it looked like one of her masters had branded her right thigh. Piercings and brandings were common signs of ownership. He stared at her right thigh. He’d been told the female they’d sent him after had a strawberry birthmark on it. He briefly closed his eyes in satisfaction when he located the mark. 5
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Ailyea Meegan. Impersonal, he reminded himself. His eyes opened at the swish of the door. A younger version of the sheik entered the room and dropped his matching robe. The sheik pulled away from the Delicant’s sucking mouth. “Greet my son properly.” With a lowered gaze, the slave turned slightly. “How may I please you, Master?” Torc’s cock pulsed at the sound of her husky voice. “Come, pet. Take us both.” When Ailyea started to push to her feet, the older male stopped her with his foot on her back. “Crawl to the blocks. We didn’t give you permission to rise.” “Yes, Master.” The woman crawled on her hands and knees across the thick rug to the two low blocks in the far corner of the room, her hair dragging alongside her. Her ass swaying. Tempted to stroke his cock to release, Torc curled his hands into fists. Inhaling deeply, he refocused on the female and ignored the ache. “You will receive no pleasure in this mating,” the older sheik taunted. “Yes, Master,” she whispered. Torc’s nostrils flared. The bastards were going to share her. If she belonged to him, he’d die before sharing her. He shook his head at the craziness. She wasn’t his. She was an assignment. A means to an end. Impersonal. Ailyea climbed onto the blocks, legs spread wide. Her owners chained her wrists to the ceiling’s hanging hooks. Torc’s teeth clenched. His body throbbed painfully at the sight of her bare pussy. He’d assumed she’d have hair down there like him. Hades, her pink sex had been pierced and her belly button, too. How many owners had she had? The younger sheik walked behind her and arched her hips slightly backwards. A low growl rumbled up from Torc’s chest. The crackling of the fire in the hearth covered the sound. Ailyea’s gaze remained lowered as the young sheik embedded himself in her ass. Over and over, the younger male thrust as the older sheik buried two fingers in her pussy, while using his thumb to toy with the piercing there. “Do you like this, pet?” “Yes, Master. If it pleases you.” His jaw tightened as his anger grew, but Torc kept a tight rein on the beast. Ailyea looked impassive, reminding him of the prisoners he’d seen sexually brutalized by other convicts. “Do you want me to fill you?” The elder tugged on a nipple. “Yes, Master, if it pleases you.” 6
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“Beg me for it,” he commanded and tugged harder on her other nipple. “Please, Master. Fill me,” she pleaded, her voice taking on a sense of urgency. The older male thrust viciously into her. She didn’t make a sound. The younger male massaged her breasts and rocked into her. “I want her to come, Father.” “No. The bitch doesn’t deserve it, do you, pet?” The older man moved violently against her, pounding her body with his. “No, Master.” Brainwashed. Ailyea’s free will had been taken and for that, Torc wanted to castrate these bastards. His arousal waned. Instead, fury simmered deep inside, twisting in his guts. His hands clenched until his fingernails bit into the palms. Slavery. He hated it. Always had. He buried the memories that threatened to torment him. The younger male grunted and jerked, quickly followed by the elder’s groans of release. Ailyea made no sound at all as the two males left her body. The younger sheik slapped her hard across her ass. She flinched. “After I have a bath, I’ll bring in a new toy.” He kissed her mouth as his father wrapped himself in a robe. “It’s an Aphis snake. Would you like it slithering inside you?” Torc bared his fangs and growled dangerously low. Aphis snakes had been genetically engineered as a solution to the overpopulation problem of the universe. Small and compact, the snakes were used to sexually satisfy anyone. They slithered in orifices and sucked on sex organs without tiring, feeding off the juices of release. Many who indulged became addicted. The user neglected basic needs like food and water, only feeding the desire of the constant orgasm. If the lack of nourishment didn’t kill them, the strain on the body from continual release did. Torc always used his hands when arousal ate at him. He refused to become addicted to some reptile for his own pleasure. Ailyea didn’t blink. “Yes, Master. Whatever pleases you, Master.” The younger male laughed. After another kiss, he followed his father out of the room. He’d planned to slip in and leave with the slave as quietly as he had entered, but he considered women too rare a commodity to waste on an Aphis snake. The stakes had risen. He’d take one of them out and save another slave some misery. Bastards. Torc eased the grate out of the way and then climbed down to the floor. He stayed in the shadows. Ailyea’s green gaze followed him around the room, but she remained silent. He enjoyed watching the rapid pulse beat in her delicate throat. She feared him—but
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though he smelled her fear, she didn’t show it. She’d been trained for her position of Delicant well. Too well. She’d never do anything without permission. How long had she been in captivity? He moved behind the door and waited patiently until the younger sheik returned. In the blink of an eye, he covered the man’s mouth with one hand, shoving his knife into the bastard’s heart with the other. Torc let the body drop without care. Stepping over it, he crushed the Aphis snake under his boot as it slithered toward the platform. Without a sound, he wiped his blade clean and dropped it back into its sheath. He moved to the slave’s side while looking over the bindings. She trembled, but remained mute. He reached up and released her from the hooks before unshackling her wrists. When she got a good look at his face, her breath caught. She quickly lowered her gaze. “Come on. We don’t have much time,” he ordered, clasping her arm. Sucking in a breath, he pulled his hand away only to clench it tightly. Nothing else existed as soft as her silken skin. Ailyea didn’t raise her eyes. “Are you my Master now?” “Lady, I’m no one’s master. Where are your clothes?” “Master, I don’t have any clothes.” “You don’t have any?” His brow furrowed in both annoyance and amazement. Nude. She’d been kept nude. “Master, I’ve never been given them.” He growled between his teeth, “Friggin’ Hades. Shoes?” “No, Master.” She risked a peek at him, but lowered her head in one quick movement, her chin to her chest. Torc snarled in frustration. He removed his holsters and slipped his shirt over his head. “Here. Put this on.” He replaced his holsters. Clothed, she’d be less of a distraction to anyone they encountered. Especially to him. “Yes, Master. Thank you, Master,” she whispered as the material slid over her head. Clenching his teeth, he clasped her arm and dragged her to the ventilation shaft. “I want you to haul ass down this duct until you can’t go any farther. Then turn left. Got it?” “Yes, Master.” He boosted her into the ventilation shaft. “I’ll be right behind you.”
***** They made good time to the outer wall where Torc had the pleasure of killing two more guards. This time, he used his bare hands, breaking both their necks. Nothing beat
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hand-to-hand combat. Unless it was lasers. Or knives. Oh fuck it, he was good at killing. Period. Torc scooped Ailyea up in his arms, crouched and leaped to the top of the wall. Clinging to him, she gasped, and he saw the questions in her eyes, but of course she didn’t dare ask them. A part of her training was never to question. Once down on the other side of the wall, he set her on her feet. After an extra moment to steady her, he released her. Ailyea’s body so close made him think of crushed springsuns, a flower from a planet he’d visited. So soft. Impersonal, he reminded himself. “Move your ass, lady. We have a mile to run to make it to my shuttle.” He jogged off into the darkness. “Yes, Master,” she whispered. At the quarter-mile mark, he could see her obvious distress, but she didn’t complain. Torc eased the pace and used his night vision to scan ahead. The slime crawlers crept friggin’ everywhere now. They covered another half mile before the alarm sounded. The Dogmains followed them now. Their howls grew closer. Damn, they’d no doubt caught the woman’s heavy scent. Torc reached back and caught her wrist, tugging her along. “Come on, lady, move.” Bloodlust surged through his veins at the contact and the adrenaline of being pursued. Ailyea’s breaths rushed past her lips. Her bare feet pounded on the earth alongside his booted ones as they sprinted. She cried out and slipped in the guts of a crawler he’d crushed. He scooped her up, tossed her over his shoulder and ran. She panted and clung to him. Biting back a groan, he tried to focus on escaping. When he reached the place where he’d anchored his shuttle, Torc growled and cursed. Without the protection of the compound, his shuttle had been pulled off the planet. It hung onto the Flatland only by its anchor. He should have used a deeper, heavier grip to compensate for the atmospheric pull. But he hadn’t expected to be gone so long. He set the female on her feet and grabbed her hand to drag her along. A Dogmain launched itself from a boulder above them, snarling. Ailyea screamed. Torc fired a laser blast into its heart, killing it instantly. A second Dogmain followed its partner into death. Torc tugged Ailyea’s hand. “Move, lady! They’re gaining on us.” He abruptly stopped running. “Fuck me!” he roared, knowing what their escape now required of him. Safety hung out of their reach. “Yes, Master.” Ailyea knelt down in front of him with her ass bared for his entry. “Hades…” He reached down and yanked her up, pulling her to the edge of the flat planet. “Stay right here!” he ordered, already backing away from her.
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“Yes, Master.” Her voice trembled. A slime crawler neared her, but she didn’t move, only stared at it. The Dogmains’ howls turned to snarls. Several dozen of them moved in for the kill, slobbering, fangs bared. Torc ran back a dozen paces. He rushed Ailyea, catching her with one arm, and they leaped for his shuttle. Ailyea screamed as they sailed across open space. He caught the ladder leading to the top of the shuttle, slamming them both hard into the hull. He grunted at the impact. Ailyea clung to him with her arms wrapped around his arm, her legs ribboned around one of his. A snarling Dogmain leaped at them, only to be carried off into space. Ailyea whimpered. “Climb onto my back. I need both arms to get us up the ladder.” “Yes, Master,” she whispered, but didn’t move. The muscles in his arm, shoulder and back stretched and pulled as he gripped the rung above his head. The first laser blast hit Torc in the back of his left leg. He grimaced. Pain shot up his leg, racing along his spine. Ailyea screamed as laser blasts rained down around them while Torc shoved her in front of him. She clung tighter to him and clawed at his shoulder. A second laser blast slammed into Torc’s lower back, sending white fire through his nerve endings. He roared as his world started to go black. Only his sheer will for survival kept him awake. His lips pulled back, fangs bared. “Wrap your arms around my neck!” Hades. Anyone else would cut their losses, dumping her now. He wasn’t tempted. Fighting for breath, she wrapped first one arm and then the other around his neck. Her legs wrapped around his waist, clutching tightly. She was strangling him, but with her off his legs he could get a footing on a bottom rung. Another blast hit him in the shoulder. He tightened his grip instead of letting go. Breathing harshly, he rested his head against hers as the fire scorched his body once again. He growled through the pain as he pulled them up the remaining rungs to the top of the shuttle. Another wave of pure agony engulfed him when another shot tore into his back, dangerously close to the first strike. Sweat coated his body. He refused to give in to the darkness, determined to make it inside the shuttle. With a slew of swears, he opened the hatch and dropped inside. Ailyea clung to him, making him lose his balance and fall back into the wall. White-hot pain shot through him. “Lady, let go. You’re safe now.” “Yes, Master.” Her voice wavered. She trembled violently, but unwrapped her limbs.
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“Are you hurt?” His tongue was thick and heavy, his mouth dry. “No, Master.” “Good. Sit.” He pointed to a passenger chair. “Yes, Master.” With concentrated breaths, Torc managed to close and seal the hatch. He stumbled to the pilot’s chair and collapsed into it. With strained movements, he drew the anchor inside and threw up the shields to protect the shuttle from any more damage. Next, he set an autopilot course to warp them out of no-man’s-land. Once they leveled out after the initial thrust of the engines, Torc swallowed hard and pushed to his feet, struggling for his balance. Gods, he hurt. Ailyea wrapped her arms around herself as he staggered passed her. He pressed a button and a wall slid open. Briefly bracing on the doorframe to keep upright, he moved to the bed and went down hard. “Fuck me,” he groaned and let the darkness ease some of the pain. He lay back. “Yes, Master,” Ailyea climbed up on the bed beside him and reached for the fly on his pants. “Friggin’ Hades, lady. Not again,” he muttered as he passed out.
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Chapter Two Ailyea looked down at the man lying on the bed. “Master? Master?” Panic curled tight in her belly, her heart raced and sweat seeped from her palms when he did not answer. Sitting down beside him, she’d wait until he woke up. She could do this. Then she’d give him her body, and he’d tell her what to do. It would all be fine. She wrapped her arms around herself and studied the shuttle. She’d been on one before, to get to her third Master’s home. Or maybe it was the second. She couldn’t quite remember, but she’d been on one once. Though she’d been many places, she’d never gone anywhere in the midst of such violence before. She cocked her head, puzzling out what had happened. Ailyea’s gaze flickered to the man lying beside her. He was solid muscle. She reached out a hand and ran it, back side down, over his chest. She watched the man—her new Master—sleep. She wouldn’t call him the prettiest thing she’d ever seen. But he had become her Master. She had no say in who possessed her. She studied him more. He looked darkly beautiful, with black hair to his shoulders and skin so much ruddier than her own. His eyes had glowed bluish-silver when open, piercing in their scrutiny. His nose had once been broken, and he had a long jagged scar down one side of his face. It gave him an air of danger. She wanted to trace his face with her fingers, run them through his hair. Desire pooled down low in her belly. That thought and her reaction alone made her straighten her back. It didn’t matter what she wanted. When he woke up, she’d have to do his bidding and never acknowledge her own needs and wants. She wasn’t sure she had such desires anymore. For now, she’d take this time when she didn’t have to stare at the floor and kiss his boots to look at him. She’d changed Masters so many times it no longer fazed her. She would be with him until he didn’t want her anymore, or someone took her from him. It was the way of Delicants. Where would he put his mark of ownership? His arms bulged, rippling with muscles. Even more reason to bring her behavior under control now. She shuddered. He could hurt her. She’d show him how submissive a Delicant could be and avoid that physique being used against her. Not that it mattered. All her Masters had found reasons to punish her.
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He groaned in his sleep and rolled, turning his back to her. She winced and bit her lip. The laser blasts had marred and torn his skin, leaving open wounds. Ailyea frowned. Maybe she should try and tend them. She got off the bed. After a few steps, she stopped in mid-stride. He wasn’t awake to tell her to do it. What if he woke up and got angry because she’d acted on her own? She swallowed. If he hadn’t told her to do anything, she had no permission to help him. Ailyea sat back down on the bed and rocked herself. He’d be awake soon and tell her what to do. He had to wake soon.
***** The Master moaned and shifted onto his back. Ailyea started. She watched him warily from her spot on the bed as he opened one eye, and then the other. “Well, damn, I’m not dead,” he muttered. “No, Master. You aren’t dead.” He tried to move to look at her and groaned. “Are you hurt, Master?” Her voice, hesitant and soft. He made a rough sound. “What do you think, lady?” She waited. Sat on the bed, head down. Waited for her orders. The Master looked at her. “Why in Hades are you sitting there?” “Waiting for your orders, Master.” “Orders?” “Yes, Master.” Ailyea kept her eyes to the floor. He muttered something and tried to move again, only to grimace at the pain and give up. She looked at the first-aid kit attached to the wall. She’d noticed it as she waited for him to wake. Please let him tell me to use it. Please, please, please. “Bring me the first-aid kit,” he ordered, his voice gruff. She got up without hesitation and brought it to him, placing it in his hand. He struggled with it, trying to get out the bandages and antiseptic. Ailyea looked down at the floor. She couldn’t ask him to let her bandage his wounds, no matter how much she wanted to. He had to give her orders. She risked another peek at him. So why wasn’t he giving her orders? He was her new Master, after all. He growled, slamming shut the kit as he got the last of the wounds bandaged. He’d had to contort himself to do it, and a few times he looked like he would ask for help, but he kept at it and finished.
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He got up and staggered. Before she could stop herself, she asked, “Where are you going, Master?” She winced and looked down, waiting for the blow that would rattle her teeth and make her head swim. But it never came. “I’m going to check our course and make sure we don’t have any trackers.” The Master didn’t look at her. “I need to get to the cockpit,” he growled. Not a direct order, but Ailyea summoned her courage and went to his side, wrapping one arm around his back, doing her best not to touch his injuries. He used her to steady himself until he could lean against the pilot’s chair. The Master studied the control panel. She put her hand on his arm as he checked several dials and graphs. “We’re flying steady, lady. Help me back to bed.” Now, these matter-of-fact orders she understood. They’d been a part of her life since she’d been a child. People told her what to do and she did it. She helped him back to bed and once he settled in, she lay down beside him. She spread her legs as she always did when joining a Master in bed, presenting her chochota to him if he’d only look down to see it. “Do you want me to pleasure you now, Master?” Masters always did. “Go to sleep, lady.” His voice was thick from exhaustion.
***** Ailyea woke up with her head on a living, breathing pillow. She’d cuddled up to Master in her sleep. He breathed easily and had wrapped one arm around her. His hard cacete rested against her leg, which covered his groin. Men often woke up stiff to start their day. And they often liked to be sucked off upon waking. A lesson learned at the House of 9000 Pleasures. A brilliant way to get her in good with her new Master. Ailyea slid down, slipped down his pants and swirled her tongue around the head of his cock. His moan was instantaneous. His hips jerked as she licked him up and down. She closed her eyes, loving the way his cock responded to her touch. So rigid and large—she didn’t think she’d ever seen one this big. What would it feel like inside her? Her last Master and his son had little heads on top as well as below the waist. As her mouth opened wide to take him inside, the ship rolled and she hit the floor. “What the fuck?” he growled as he woke up. He stood up as the shuttle steadied, his pants falling around his knees before he got oriented. His cacete stood erect and glistening. “I’m sorry, Master. I wanted to give you pleasure. The ship—” As she spoke, it took another dip.
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With another growl he pulled up his pants and headed for the front of the shuttle. “You’re still injured, Master. Let me help…” He shrugged past her arm. “I don’t need your help.” As he spoke, Ailyea knelt on the ground, waiting for his blow. “What are you doing down there?” “Preparing to feel o wrath das mãos, Master.” As soon as the words left her mouth, she cringed more. She’d used a Delicant term for beating—the wrath of hands. Her fourth Master hated the Delicant language she slipped into from time to time. He said it sounded base. He had whipped her every time she used a Delicant word. For the most part now, she used the universal language, but when she became upset or distracted, she fell back upon the Delicant language. It had been her first language, or at least the first she remembered. It came naturally. Her mind processed in Delicant then converted to the other languages she spoke. “The what? Look, lady, when I belt someone, I don’t give them time to prepare. And even I need a fucking reason to use force,” he muttered as he began checking on the flight controls. She stared at him, still as a calm pond of water. “Friggin’ Rendorian dogs, always riding my ass.” He manually flew the shuttle, banking it to escape attack. “Ginger, what quadrant fighters are after us?” “There are three two-man teams of eleventh quadrant fighters following us. My sensors show—” “Yeah, I’ve got it.” His voice lowered to a rumble, “Not a seventh quadrant fighter shadowing my ass again.” “Captain, if I may say, the seventh quadrant fighters are the only teams not to fire upon us. Yet.” “Computer, off. Hades, I didn’t ask for a conversation.” Ailyea knelt by his side and quivered. The Rendorians were greatly feared among Delicants. He concentrated heavily on flying, but she crouched beside him and every turn the ship took sent her into the console or against the floor. “Are you crazy? Why aren’t you strapped into a chair?” He took his eyes off the controls to glare at her. “Master, I am to stay by my Master’s side at all times.” “Even if it can get you killed?” She nodded, her eyes cast down. “Unless my Master wills me away, I can’t leave him.” He grumbled something, looked back at his controls and focused on flying. She waited by his side. He looked back. “Why in Hades are you still there?” Ailyea looked down at his boots. “You didn’t tell me to move, Master.” 15
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“Go sit in a chair and strap yourself in, dammit! Move over there and get out of my way!” A tic was visibly beating fast in his jaw. “Yes, Master.” His gaze again returned to the controls. “Hang tight. I’ll have us away from these pussies in no time.” “Yes, Master.”
***** After shooting back at the galaxy police and evading them with some trick maneuvers, Torc set the autopilot to head toward Pampas. He hated the space station, but even his kind could walk in there without being turned away. He’d also be able to find everything he needed there, including food. He groaned as he pushed to his feet. His body urged him to rest, every cell demanding it. His limbs were heavy, his movements sluggish. He needed sleep to heal properly. But he had to deal with the woman first. He had to set down some ground rules. This was getting fucking ridiculous. From the corner of his eye, he saw her turn her head as her wide gaze followed him. He often felt her watch him, but if caught, she’d lower her eyes. He sighed when she didn’t make a move or say anything to him. Noticing the position she sat in caused his mouth to go dry and his cock to grow hard. Even harnessed to the chair, she sat with her legs pulled up tight to her body, her sex completely visible to him. Her pussy looked so pretty and pink. Open. Tempting him. Clenching his fists, he turned away. “Fuck me.” He closed his eyes, only to have them snap open at the sound of her safety belts being unfastened. “Oh no, you don’t, lady.” He raised a hand. Confusion entered her eyes and her mouth trembled slightly. Torc blew out a breath. Okay. He had to be the biggest dumbass of all time for not taking her, but dammit! He couldn’t. Well, he could, but he wouldn’t. She had to be frightened and confused. And she wasn’t his to take. She never would be. Women like her were not wasted on men like him. Ever. He ran a hand through his hair. “Look, lady, I have about a hundred-word vocabulary. ‘Fuck me’—comes out of my mouth every time shit happens. It doesn’t mean I want to, uh, have sex. It means I’m pissed.” She blinked. “I’ve got some rules for you. One, there will be no fucking and two, no sucking. Got it?” Her eyes had brightened at the word “rules”, which made him curse under his breath.
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“Yes, Master,” she whispered so softly his chest ached. What in Hades was happening to him? He didn’t have a soft spot in his body. But something about Ailyea made him want to…to want impossible things. He waited until she pulled herself together before continuing, “Three, no sitting like that.” He waved his hand at her. She didn’t move. “Master, I…I…must always show my Master I’m ready for him.” She kept her gaze lowered. He’d bet yet another Delicant rule had been quoted. He clenched his teeth. “My name is Torc. I am not your master.” He growled, “Say my name.” “Master… Master Torc,” she whispered. “Fuck me,” he snarled with frustration. “Yes, Master.” She hesitantly left her chair. Her hands fluttered nervously. He raised a hand for her to stop, a tic forming in his cheek. “Master…” Her throat worked. “Master, perhaps you’d like my bottom. Some men prefer it…” He groaned as she continued, “Or I could use my hands to bring you to pleasure…if…if you don’t want my chochota or my mouth to caress you. I will do anything which will bring you pleasure. Anything.” Gods, how he wanted her pussy and mouth to caress him. Her hands to rub and explore him. He briefly dropped his head back on a calming breath before glaring at her. “Did you hear a word I said?” She nodded. “Yes, Master.” “Torc.” “Master Torc.” He sighed. Okay. He could deal with this. He needed some time to think. He held up a finger. “I’ll be back in a minute.”
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Chapter Three A few minutes later, Torc reappeared from the storage room with metal cutters, an old pair of pants and a clean black T-shirt. He wasn’t surprised to find Ailyea standing where he’d left her. “All right, lady, here’s the deal. I’m going to remove your piercings, and then you’re going to shower before we go to sleep.” She nodded. “Yes, Master.” She pulled his shirt up over her head and shook her hair out behind her. Standing still, she clutched his shirt in her palm. His cock, already hard, began to throb at the sight of her naked beauty. His gaze lingered on the soft curves of her thighs and swell of her breasts. “You want to sit down?” His voice was rough. “If it pleases my Master.” He nodded, knowing her submissive demeanor wouldn’t be easy to break. But he’d been alone his whole life, and he had plenty of patience—at least normally he did. She sat down in the copilot’s chair and he unlocked its position, spinning it around so he’d have more room to work. He removed her collar first, not an easy task with her deep jade eyes watching him so intently. He liked the scent of her hair. Smelled like elderberries. Sweet and succulent. Much like her. That soft skin, those full breasts… And he liked her mouth. Every so often her bottom lip would quiver. What would it be like to kiss her? And have her kiss him? Right. Like she actually wanted him. He handed her the collar. “Here, lady, this could bring you enough cash to buy off the price on my head.” She sucked in a breath as she clasped it in a white-knuckled grip. “Thank you, Master.” Friggin’ Hades. He sucked in a breath. “The rest of the stones—all I can do is cut them away. The bastards put the piercings on to stay.” She nodded. “All right, Master.” He reached up and fingered the stone on the left side of her nose. He hadn’t even noticed the tiny nose stone until he’d woken up earlier and found her licking him. “I’m going to leave this one.” Her nose looked delicate. He couldn’t get a hold on the post to get it out without hurting her. “If it pleases you, Master, it can be your stone.” His cock jerked in his pants. He growled. “It stays because I don’t want to tear your nose off getting it out.”
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“Yes, Master.” Her gaze lowered to the tips of his feet. He sighed. If only he could deal with her better. Her gaze remained lowered as he removed her earrings and belly button piercing. She sucked in a pained breath as he removed the stud in her left nipple. “Master, may I squeeze it?” He nodded and looked away while her fingers moved to her nipple. Torc’s fangs came out, reminding him of his hunger and the beast rising. “You ready?” “Yes, Master. May I…” She trailed off as he grunted, “Yeah.” He leashed his beast as best he could before continuing. Ailyea whimpered, her lower lip caught between her teeth when he removed the other nipple stone, but this time the beast wouldn’t let him look away as she pinched and rolled it in her fingertips, offering it some relief. He ran his tongue over his fangs, waiting a moment before moving on to the last piercing. “Master… May I ask a question?” Her voice wavered. It took a lot for her to speak to him. Let alone ask him something. He nodded. “I’m not your master. You’re free to talk. Ask anything.” “Master, will I ever find pleasure if you remove my grelho piercing?” She hadn’t looked up at him as she’d whispered. She kept her head bowed. Torc looked away from her. How in Hades would he know anything about that? He couldn’t admit to her he didn’t have any clue when it came to how her body worked. “It’s your body. If you want to keep the piercing, say so.” He lifted her chin with a gentle hand. Her eyes grew wide. Wild. “No… No, I want to please you, Master. Remove it.” He hesitated. He didn’t want to harm her. “Please,” she begged. White-knuckled, she clutched the arms of the chair. His shirt draped across her arm, the tail hung from the fingertips of one hand, while the collar dangled from the other. Her thighs quivered. She bit her lip as he knelt down on his knees. He held his breath as he cut the tiny ring looped through her sex. She moaned and her head dropped back. His own fingers trembled, but he removed the stone and gold ring. With a low growl, he pressed his thumb to area, hoping to offer her relief in the same fashion she’d done pinching her nipples. Her eyelids opened slightly, her gaze lowering to watch him. He continued to press and rub. She immediately wet his palm with her moisture. He sucked in a breath, awed
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at her body’s response to his touch. She whimpered, making his cock throb heavier. Her hips rocked forward in search of his fingers. Ailyea’s pussy grew hot to his touch. Soft. So tempting. He instinctively buried two fingers in her soft, dripping folds and pumped them, matching the rhythm of her hips. Ailyea panted. He was giving her pleasure. Torc’s breathing turned ragged, matching hers. He wanted to give her more. His balls grew tight as he imagined burying himself inside her. What would her soft, wet body feel like surrounding his hard one? His cock pulsed. Would she like it? His thickness replacing his fingers? He closed his eyes as more of her juices drenched his palm. Her hot pussy, wet and tight, around his fingers. He strummed her with his thumb and forefinger, to what end he wasn’t sure. But her breathing and scent drove him onward. His balls grew tighter. His climax neared. Torc trembled, fighting his own pleasure. What would she think of him if he came in his pants? Her thighs trembled. “Please, Master,” she whispered. Torc jerked. Her words broke the spell he’d been trapped in. Pulling his hand away, he growled and rose to his feet. Hades. The beast in him had wanted to sit there playing in her velvety folds forever. But he wasn’t her master, and he refused to use her like a slave. Torc turned away from her, still breathing roughly. He pointed. “The shower is inside my bedchamber. You’re welcome to anything in the storage room.” “Please, Master…I…I’ll be…” she whispered, her words tripping over themselves as she clutched her collar to her chest. “Go, lady. I’ll get you something to eat while you clean up.” Keeping his voice demanding, he forced a cold stare. He needed some time alone. He needed composure. “Yes, Master.” When her shoulders slumped, he had to fight an unbearable urge to pull her into his arms. That wouldn’t help her. She had to relearn that she had a free will. As she passed, he handed her the clean clothes and a pouch. “Your stones are in here.” She blinked, but remained silent. “Lady, they’ll make you rich. You’ll find a belt in the storage room. You can attach the pouch to it.” Her mouth trembled. “Thank you, Master.” He sighed as she scrambled away.
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What had her government been thinking when they hired him? They had to have known he was unfit to help her. She feared him. A submissive Delicant stuck with a killing beast. It wasn’t right. Torc slammed his fist into the wall as he heard steam vapors start. Ailyea trembled as the vapors washed over her. She shut her eyes. Her breath puffed and her heart pounded. She rubbed a cloth all over, caressing her skin up and down over her breasts, stomach and thighs and down to her ankles. She shook back her hair and stood, letting the vapors cascade down around her. What did her new Master want from her? It used to be so easy. They stuck it up one orifice or another and did their business, and she pleased them. She was nothing without being a Delicant. It was all she knew how to be. She didn’t understand him. Not one bit. He’d taken her piercings from her. She could understand him wanting to remove all traces of her former Masters. But why not add one of his own? Show his brand. All her other Masters had cared about her as a possession, a play toy. It was all she was. She’d been groomed as a pleasure slave since as long as she could remember. Well, that wasn’t exactly true. She had small memories of a warm presence, a woman, comfort and a lullaby. Mere flashes though. She couldn’t be sure the image was her mother, but she chose to believe it was. And Master had given the stones to her after he took them off. To her! A Delicant never owned anything. Yet, he’d handed over the collar and the stones without a glance. He’d touched her grelho. Her center. Her womanhood. It had been rumored among all Delicants if someone removed their proof of ownership from there, they’d never feel sexual pleasure again. She had nothing else to call her own except sexual gratification. She had no desire to lose it. But she’d let him remove the piercing. Partly to please him, partly to see what happened. All the trappings of ownership had been removed from her body except the one in her nose, and each removal had cemented its loss in her emotions. Yet she’d let him do it and had been delighted as each one came away from her. Each one taking with it the memory of that Master, and none of them had been good. She’d felt…free. Or at least freer than she’d felt in a long, long time. But it wouldn’t last. It never did. He’d touched her, and he’d enjoyed it. She’d seen his cacete stiffen inside his pants and grow bigger than it looked already. She’d enjoyed listening to the change in his breathing. She made him hot and hard for her. But still… Sighing, she relaxed under the vapors. All her previous Masters had beaten her severely for coming without permission. A Delicant never took her pleasures without the Master saying they could. She had been
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trained well, and it had been something ingrained in her. However, had Master kept at his ministrations, she would have come. His stroking had been wondrous. What was wrong with her? She would have come if he hadn’t stopped. His fingers touching her intimately had soothed not only the ache from the removal of the stone, but also a deeper ache within her. Until his fingers found her grelho bringing altruas there, she’d never had such a deep-seated need. Goddess knew a Delicant never expected to find the most sacred of places in a simple man’s touch. It could be possible with Master’s touch, though. His fingers looked long. Rough. They’d touched her grelho and played in her moist folds. She’d wanted more. His fingers had been coated in her pleasures. She’d wanted his cacete covered from tip to base with her wetness. But he had stopped. Yet another odd thing. Why would he stop? She didn’t know what he wanted from her or how to be what he wanted. And it was the worst thing she’d ever experienced in her life. After her shower, Ailyea shrugged on the too big clothes Master had given her. She rolled them up as best as she could. She frowned. Clothes itched. She didn’t know if she liked them against her sensitive skin. Oh well, it was what the Master wanted. She went out in the cabin where Master sat. He glanced at her as she walked in and then looked away. She closed her eyes, knowing she’d displeased him. She’d been willing to come without his permission. She had to keep a new Master happy, keep him content so he’d keep her. And not beat her. One look at those massive arms again, and she knew he could hurt her much worse than her other Masters. She must be compliant, the perfect Delicant. She bowed her head and approached, curling her back, keeping her head down. Master blinked at her. “You want something to eat?” “If it pleases you, Master—” “Torc. It’s Torc.” “If it pleases you, Master Torc.” He sighed. “Do you want something to eat or not?” “If it pleases you, Master Torc.” Ailyea had never been asked if she wanted something to eat. She had become so used to eating when given permission to do so, she didn’t even know if she wanted food or not. She ate when the Master gave her food and said she could. She only relieved herself with permission, too. She had once been forced to hold her urine for over fifteen hours before her Master would let her go. And then she’d kissed his feet and cacete and thanked him for allowing her to do what nature wanted her to do. “If you’re hungry, then eat. All I have are rations.” Master Torc tossed a foil pack at her. She caught it and bit her lip. She stood watching him and tried to open the package. 22
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“Aren’t you going to fucking sit down?” he growled. “You haven’t…told me I could, Master…Torc,” she replied, still looking at the package. “Fuck me. No,” he snapped, “don’t you drop into position. I don’t need to give you permission for every little thing you do.” She licked her lips. His eyes caught the movement and filled with heat. “Yes, you do, Master.” “I’m not going to. You sit if you want. Stand if you want. Eat or not eat.” He nodded toward the bathroom. “Use the bathroom, shower. Whatever. It’s all the same to me, lady.” Ailyea hesitated. He had given her permission to sit. Or stand. But it meant she had to decide what to do. She sat down with a wary look at Master. He just sat there, not touching a ration bag himself. Some Masters had played games with their orders. Let her take an amount of freedom, then beat her for taking it. Some would give her choices and then beat her when she chose. She’d need to be careful with this one. She fumbled with the bag, her fingers not working to rip into it. He waited, watching while she continued to work on it. “Let me help you.” Master’s fingers brushed her own as he took the packet, and she trembled at his touch. She remembered what those fingers had made her feel earlier. He handed the bag back to her. “Here.” She began to munch the space station-issued rations. They didn’t taste good. Another Delicant had once compared them to yak droppings. But it was food—she’d eaten worse. She looked at her new Master. He relaxed as she ate, but he could be to his feet in an instant. His muscles coiled and hardened when he shifted in his chair. He’d be a good protector. No man would dare mess with him. He was too big. And he was big everywhere. When she took him into her body, his size would stir every nerve ending she had. She licked her lips again. Ailyea frowned when he made no move to get a ration for himself. “Are you going to eat, Master?” At his glare, she added, “Torc?” “No.” She continued to eat and pressed no further. She’d heard of men who didn’t need to eat food. They consumed blood and other things to stay alive. She’d never met one. Yet another reason to stay submissive as a Delicant and keep him happy. She’d seen a Delicant once with bite marks all over from a Feeder. She shuddered at the memory. “You cold?” “No, Master Torc,” she murmured. “Would you tell me if you were?”
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“If you asked it, I would, Master.” Master Torc folded his hands behind his head. “Were you born a Delicant?” “I…I was trained since I was young. I was not born into a Delicant’s Harem. I was taken to become one later.” He didn’t say anything, but kept staring at her with those captivating eyes. She’d heard eyes could be windows to the inside. She learned the saying lied long ago. No window to the essence of men existed. Only the man’s cock and how he used it showed anything about them. And none she had met had ever been as their eyes said them to be. “Did you find a belt?” Master Torc’s eyes traveled down to her waist. “Yes, Master…Torc.” She pulled up the shirt a little for him to see. What did she look like in clothes? She had no idea, having never worn them before. She shifted selfconsciously thinking maybe she looked like a fool. She crossed her legs. Master Torc handed her a knife in a leather holder. She looked down at it and up at him. “Put it on that belt. Anyone comes after you, you use it on them. Including me.” His eyes looked stormy and serious. And Ailyea had the most insane idea—she wanted to see them full of love and laughter. She shoved it away. She was merely his Delicant. Content only to do his will and to be filled up by him again and again wherever he chose. Nothing else. Nothing more. Especially from a man such as him. She clipped it to the belt alongside the pouch. “Yes, Master…Torc.” “Did you find shoes?” “Some boots, Master.” They were much too big, but she kept quiet. “We’ll stuff some cloth in them to help the fit.” He yawned. “Are you tired, Master?” Master Torc leaned his large frame back in the chair. “I am. My body uses energy to heal. I’m still healing from the blasts.” She pushed the ration back. “Let’s go get some sleep then, Master.” He frowned. “Are you done?” “You need sleep, Master.” A tic beat in his jaw. “And you need to eat. I can wait.” Ailyea peeled the ration package top out of the way to gobble the food. Again, he puzzled her. A Master’s needs always went ahead of a mere Delicant’s. When she finished eating, they went into the berth. Ailyea stripped and turned around to present herself to Master. Surely he’d want to fuck her now despite his words. Unlike those who had them, cacetes never lied. But he had already fallen asleep on the bed. She sighed. He was a puzzling man. She lay beside him to share warmth and drifted off to sleep thinking about the dark-haired new Master who acted like none she’d ever had before.
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Chapter Four Docking the shuttle on Pampas, Torc had one thing on his mind—food. After his recent injuries, he needed to feed. Badly. His ravenous hunger had eroded his control. Around the submissive Delicant, his need to feed tortured him. Ailyea’s hands gripped the arms of her chair in a viselike hold as Torc banked his ship into a tight spot and cut the engine. After shutting everything down on the console, he released his harness and clicked hers loose as he stood up. “Come on, lady, we’ve got some shopping to do.” “Yes, Master.” He sighed. Time—it’d take her time. He’d keep telling himself that. He took her wrist as he led her down the back ramp. “Okay, remember—anyone gets too close to you, shove your knife into the fucker’s heart.” “Yes, Master,” she whispered, her eyes wide. He awkwardly gave her arm a reassuring squeeze. They had barely made it inside the main wing when she froze, trembling violently. He frowned but tugged her along. He glanced over his shoulder, trying to figure out why she’d slowed. Her eyes were cast downward, a tear glistening, and her mouth kept trembling. With a growl, he glanced toward the slave manager of Pampas, who had stepped out of his office. “Bringing the bitch back already?” Torc stopped walking. Ailyea pressed into his back. He could barely make out her whispered “Please, please, Master…” He growled, already knowing what had happened, but needing to hear it from her. “Did he whore you out?” “Please, Master… I had to. He was my Master…” Torc turned on the slave manager. The man raised a hand. His face went pale and his eyes rounded in terror as he backed into his building. He protested, “The bitch was mine! I had every right to use her as I saw fit!” Ailyea trembled and clutched at him. He could smell her fear. It dripped off in her sweat, which beaded up among the goose bumps. “How many, lady? How many did you service in his bed?” he snarled. A sob escaped her. “I’m sorry, Master. I’m sorry… Please don’t return—” He tugged her along, placing his foot inside the door before the bastard could lock them out. “Hush, lady.” “The slut never had it so good!” the manager cried, pushing at the door. 25
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Ailyea cried silently as he shoved the door open, knocking the manager out of the way. He slammed the door behind them. What kind of fucking scum would whore out a woman? Knowing it was a common practice didn’t stop him from feeling more than angry. In fact, he’d gone straight into furious. Absolutely furious. The bastard had rented her out to freaks. Fucking freaks, the only kind who would take advantage of the manager’s offer. He hated to think about the types she’d been forced to service. But no more. Never again. He’d see to that. “Look, maybe we can come to some arrangement if you feel she is tarnished now. I’ll buy her back, I’m sure we can come to some price that is agreeable to both of us.” The manager’s voice quavered and his eyes darted around the room. In two strides, he had the bastard in his hands. He dipped his head and sank his fangs in deep. He viciously sucked him dry and dropped him like the trash he was. He normally paid for his food, but now and again, he’d eat for free. This had been worth the trouble it’d cause. Ailyea whimpered and took a step away from him. Ignoring her reaction, he licked his lips, clasping her wrist. “Come on, lady. I won’t be welcome back here again.” “Yes, Master.” Her voice trembled.
***** Ailyea hadn’t spoken over two words since she’d seen Master Torc feed. He’d killed a man. Easily. She shivered thinking about it. She’d been right, she had to be a perfect Delicant. She’d done it all her life to survive, and it had never been more critical than now. What if he wanted to feed from her? She whimpered and drew her legs closer into her body. They were back on the shuttle. She strapped herself in as he set a course for who knew where. Master Torc looked at her, and she swallowed. She’d have no choice but to let him feed. The girl she’d known with a Feeder for a Master hadn’t been a pretty picture. Red fresh bite wounds, some scar tissue from past bites. Not to mention, it probably hurt like inferno when they fed. “Lady,” he growled, “I’m not going to hurt you. Not ever.” She nodded, pretending to believe him, still feeling cold. Most Masters had said at one time or another they wouldn’t hurt her. But always, they eventually did. “We will stop at the next settlement—Pasook. We can get some things for you there, and fuel for the ship.” Ailyea nodded. What did she need? Maybe he would buy restraints to bind her with. Or another piercing to show his ownership. There existed sexual toys that brought one intense pleasure along with intense pain. She’d had a Master who liked to use the dujong.
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***** “What things do you want me to get, Master?” He gestured around the small store. “Clothes. Things you can wear that aren’t three sizes too big.” Ailyea looked at Master Torc as if he’d sprouted another couple of heads. Or horns. Or a sexual organ growing out of his forehead. She’d serviced one of those once. They stood in a small tent store in the marketplace on Pasook. This one looked well lit and meticulously clean. Some could be dark, dank, dingy. The merchants in those stores took advantage of the lighting to sell things that weren’t what they seemed, or to take belongings while the owner was otherwise occupied. “You want me to buy clothes?” Master Torc nodded. She looked at all the fabrics and racks of clothes. She’d never had them, never worn them and had no idea what was good to wear. What in the entire universe would entice a Master better than her naked body? Ailyea licked her lips and approached a rack that had some interesting colors. She smelled sweet spices in the air. Candles sat burning on a high shelf. “Do you like this, Master Torc?” She held up a dress on a hanger. He hardly glanced her way. “Yeah. Sure. Whatever. Get what you want.” She looked down at herself, having no idea what she wanted. She looked to Master Torc. Leather pants. Leather jacket. He liked leather. She hung up the colorful linen dress and headed for a different section of the store. Master Torc followed directly behind her. The smell of cured leather wafted to her nose, strong and animalistic. She chose a leather shirt, a few leather skirts, leather pants and one leather dress. “Okay, I’m ready, Master Torc.” She smiled widely at him. To thank her Master, she’d have to make things special. She’d present herself to him as soon as they got back to the shuttle. Master Torc led them to pay. “Did you find everything you needed?” asked the woman at the checkout counter. She wasn’t a Pasook native. She wasn’t purple, but olive-skinned. Her accent sounded rich and her “r”s rolled off her tongue. She wore her hair back in tight mini-braids, and she had on a long flowing skirt. “Everything fit? Find the sizes you needed?” “Sizes?” Ailyea wrinkled her nose, puzzled, laying her wares on the small makeshift counter. Master Torc ran a hand through his hair. “Lady, didn’t you check and see if they were your size?” “My size, Master Torc?”
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“Hades. I forgot.” He brushed his lips against her ear, whispering, “You’ve never owned clothes, have you?” He straightened up. “We have to get clothes that’ll fit you.” The clerk looked from Master Torc to Ailyea and back again. “So you have need of the dressing rooms then?” “Yes,” Master Torc answered. He picked up the clothes and looked closely at what she’d picked to buy. “You like leather?” “You seem to, Master Torc.” “Oh, fuck me.” “Yes, Master.” Ailyea down and flipped her bottom up in the air, pushing back the loose pants and exposing her chochota to him. “Ah Hades,” Master Torc grumbled. She saw him grow more rigid under his leather pants, which caused more moisture to run down her slick folds. He groaned. The clerk cleared her throat. “Get up, lady. You can’t keep doing this.” Ailyea got to her feet, pulling her clothes back in place. The clerk hesitated for a minute, then murmured, “Shall we go for the dressing rooms then? And I think it would be best if you stay outside, sir.” The clerk pointed to Master Torc at the latter. He glared but nodded. “Now let’s see.” The clerk helped her pick out approximate sizes in the leather items until Master Torc steered them toward some other types of clothes. He nodded to Ailyea. Ailyea loved trying on the clothes. She shrugged into a soft tunic. Altruas—not all clothing had to itch! Some could be soft and snuggly against her sensitive skin. She didn’t see how Master Torc wore the stuff called leather without keeling over in the heat. Tossing her hair back, she walked out of the dressing room in a deep green suedelike dress that matched her eyes. The clerk, who had been giving her advice and comments on each outfit, was now gone. Only Master Torc waited. “Where’s Amaratto, Master Torc?” “Another customer.” “Well, how does this look, Master?” She lifted her arms, showing off her outfit. His gaze raked down her body. The heat she saw in those darkened eyes made her want to rip off the dress and display herself again for him. His look made her much hotter than leather could ever be. “I like it.” His voice came out husky and deep. He shifted in his seat and she could tell he grew more aroused by the second. 28
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She approached him and stood a mere two inches away. She could feel his heat. Her eyes met his and he stared back, his eyes pooling with desire. “How are we doing?” Amaratto walked back to them and glanced from face to face. “Maybe I should have had you wait at the front of the store,” she muttered. “We’re done.” Torc shrugged. “Ring us up.” Ailyea returned to the dressing room on shaky legs. She had to remember he was a Feeder and her Master to boot. She couldn’t let herself forget that.
***** Ailyea shook her hair back as they walked through the marketplace of Pasook. She had put on a tunic-style shirt and soft, velvety pants. So soft. She kept running her hands over the fabric and snuggling into it. It tickled her nipples, making them jut out. “Hey, chuchanga. Come suck my…” a man leered as they walked by. “Chuchanga” was a pejorative word for Delicant. Master Torc turned his head and snarled something Ailyea couldn’t understand. “What did you tell that man, Master Torc?” “To go fuck himself.” She nodded. Didn’t need a Delicant for that. Ailyea suddenly tripped on a rock and stumbled. Master Torc quickly caught her before she could go all the way to the ground. She pressed against his hard body. Oh, he had muscles everywhere. She moaned at the contact, her chochota slightly throbbing. Master Torc let out a low growl. He pushed her away. “I’m sorry, Master Torc. The boots…” Even with wads of cloth, they were too big and clunky for her to walk in. He sighed. “Let’s go find you some boots that fit.” Minutes later, Ailyea couldn’t believe it as she wriggled her feet in fur-lined leather boots—of her own. They looked beautiful and felt so good. She lifted her head, turning to glance at Master Torc. He watched her, looking like he wanted to grin, but instead he quickly pursed his lips back in a hard line. “Come on. Let’s get the bastion and get out of here before trouble finds us.” As they walked along, she whispered, “Thank you, Master Torc.” “For what?” “For the clothes and the shoes.” He shrugged a broad shoulder. “Necessities. Nothing special.” To her, they represented something special. Even if she didn’t get to keep them in the long run, for now they belonged to her.
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They arrived at the booth of Naroo, the bastion seller. He didn’t have a tent, only a little stand with barrels and barrels of bastion behind it. Naroo was a beady-eyed, greasy little man with his hair slicked back and a few teeth missing. He studied Ailyea like he was not only undressing her in his mind, but doing quite a bit more. She shuddered. Master Torc stepped in front of her. People flocked to Naroo’s booth, because everyone demanded bastion. It powered everything from warships to small one-person pods. Naroo made eye contact with Master Torc, who acted quickly before he could look away. “I need three canisters.” As he spoke, he got out his cartouche to make the purchase. He stayed in front of her the whole time while she peeked around him, but Ailyea had been seen already. Naroo grinned evilly. “You can’t afford my bastion.” His nasally whine hurt the ears. Master Torc tensed. “Is that so?” The man nodded. “It’s much more than you can afford.” Master Torc growled and slammed down cartouche in front of Naroo. Ailyea watched them haggle. Naroo eyed him. “Perhaps a deal can be struck. The woman…” “No.” “Come now. She’s a Delicant. I saw her nose piercing.” Ailyea cowered behind Master Torc. Masters did not usually keep Delicants to themselves. Delicants and their services were common barter for other goods. She’d been shared with all kinds. Naroo had the look of a man who lived to hurt those he fucked. She hadn’t missed his whip, hooked to his pants like a sidearm. The lash of a whip had bitten into her skin more than once. “Are you deaf? I said no. I’m not sharing her.” The crowd around them jeered. Had Master Torc given her to Naroo, Naroo might have taken her in front of them. They wanted the show. “Not share a Delicant?” Naroo’s eyes narrowed. “That’s unheard of. Maybe she’s not yours to share.” “She’s mine.” Master Torc didn’t bat an eye or give any indication it was a lie, and Ailyea looked as nonchalant as possible, sidling closer to Master Torc’s side. “Prove it. Show me her sale papers.” Ailyea swallowed. Owners of Delicants carried ownership papers everywhere they went because the Rendorians were always on the lookout for runaway Delicants. And Delicants changed hands quite often. Master Torc had probably not grabbed her papers before he’d stolen her. “They’re on my ship. And I have to prove it to no one. She’s mine.” Master Torc stood at attention, legs spread, tensed. He waited for trouble, and Ailyea groaned softly. 30
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This was going horribly. She winced when she saw his fangs clearly visible in his mouth. His growls became louder. And bloodlust, pure and simple, showed in his eyes. She could smell his aggression. It poured out of his skin like sweat, daring anyone to go against him. “This Delicant isn’t his. Any Master keeps papers with him at all times. I say we take her.” Naroo’s voice went high in his excitement. The crowd grumbled and roared, thronging around them. Ailyea clung to Master Torc’s side as he backed up. “She’s mine. Any man who tries to take her won’t live long enough to enjoy her.” Master Torc’s eyes glittered like cold Nevar crystals. He growled, displaying his fangs. “Then prove it.” Naroo’s voice took on an edge. “Show us how your Delicant submits to you. Then I’ll take your cartouche for bastion, and you can be on your way.” Master Torc turned slightly and whispered for her ears only, “I need bastion. We need it to take off.” She pushed a little bit away from him and circled him. Keeping her eyes on his, she kneeled in front of him and lifted her head slightly. Then carefully, she lowered her gaze, bending her neck until she looked at his shoes. She shifted forward and began to kiss his boots going upwards, until she got to the snaps on his pants. Gently, she sprung him free. He grabbed her by her hair and growled, “What are you doing?” “Submitting, Master.” She curled her hands around his massive erection, rubbing her thumbs over the slightly moistened tip. His hips thrust as she continued the sweet friction. It took two hands to hold him, and even then, she couldn’t quite tighten them. As she caressed his swollen cacete, her own moisture increased. Some in their audience could smell her arousal. She moaned, sucking harder as the crowd chanted, “Take her. Take her. Take her.” Master Torc’s grip tightened in her hair, easing her to her feet. “Satisfied? She is my Delicant. She submits to me and no one else. I’ll do no more than this…with an audience.” Her hands trembled as she tucked him back into his pants. The audience groaned and jeered. Naroo grumbled and picked up the cartouche Master Torc had laid on the table. “Get your bastion.” Master Torc carried it easily to the ship. Ailyea had submitted to him. He’d be the Master she’d expected now. Masters always showed their true natures and made her submit one way or another. She bowed her head before him.
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Chapter Five Torc sat in his captain’s chair, watching endless miles of space zip by. Life had been less complicated when all he had to do was evade the Rendorians. What was he going to do with Ailyea? He was out of his realm in dealing with her. Their situation had come crashing down on his shoulders when they’d shopped—he was an animal. Ailyea was a submissive Delicant. The two did not mix. Her government had to have known what they were doing when they hired him to retrieve her. Her family had to have a reason. He growled, leaning back in his chair. Closed his eyes as rage built up, causing his beast to snarl. They never thought he’d deliver her. What in the fuck was he supposed to do with her? A part of him wanted to do so much with her—a part he didn’t understand. He wanted to keep her and give her everything the universe held. He could too. She’d never know she was no longer a slave. She didn’t know it now. Right now, she sat on his bed waiting for him. All it’d take would be a word from him, and she’d be his. Ailyea would kneel and let him take her until he was too exhausted to get it up. She’d suck him dry. Would eagerly spread her soft thighs for him, but it wouldn’t be him she’d be fucking. She’d get hot and wet, but it wouldn’t be for him. With her training to please and take pleasure, he’d be no more than another master to her. “Master Torc?” she called hesitantly. He clenched his teeth. “What?” “Um… Master Torc. Are you coming to bed? It’s getting late.” “How do I get it through your head not to call me master?” Frustrated, he snarled, coming out of his chair. He stopped. Blood surged into his cock at the sight of her. She sat on his bed with her legs drawn up. Her wild hair surrounding her. Her pussy looked so damn pretty. So tempting. So open. She’d called it one of the ready positions. A fitting title. He went rock-hard every time he caught her sitting like that. Running his hands through his hair, he turned his back. Three nights had passed since they’d bought fuel, and the nights lasted forever. She slept naked with her little ass or breasts pressed against him, wreaking havoc on him. This morning, he’d awakened cupping one of the perfect orbs. “I must show my Master respect at all times, Master Torc.” He briefly glanced her way at the quiver in her voice, wanting to drag her into his arms and cradle her. She had a hard time dealing with him. The puzzled looks she gave him, and the questions she forced herself to ask him made that clear. 32
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Why he worried about her, he couldn’t figure out. Why he wanted her trust left him baffled. He should take what she repeatedly offered until they reached her planet. Dump her and never think about her again. Torc faced her again, only to be distracted by her moist pussy. His cock throbbed. His eyes narrowed as her slim fingers slipped down to toy with her folds. He groaned as her finger disappeared inside. His balls tightening, he growled. He fought his beast, which raged for the pleasure sitting within his reach. “Enough!” Ailyea jerked, removing her hand. Her eyes had widened with fear. “Master Torc, I am yours to take. I know you want me. You can’t hide it. Your pants bulge with your need.” He made a rough sound as his cock pulsed in his pants. Her voice turned husky. “Please, Master, let me please you.” “Enough!” With a snarl, he advanced toward her. “I am not your master! My name is Torc! Nothing else!” His chest heaved when he reached the bed where she sat. Ailyea trembled, shrinking back in panic. “Fuck me!” he roared at her cringing. Scrambling around, she knelt at the edge of the bed, her bare ass presented to him, her pink sex waiting for him. Blind with lust, Torc grasped her hips in his rough palms, pressing into her through his pants. He groaned. What would it feel like to slide into her? What would one time hurt? She whimpered, pressing hard back into him. Sucking in air, he tossed his head back as his fangs extended in his mouth. Torc forced his beast down. Still, need and lust drove him. He’d never wanted to taste something so badly in his life. As he dropped to his knees, Ailyea lowered her head to the mattress. She gasped as his teeth scraped her ass cheek and thigh. With a growl, he spread her pussy. Instinctively, his tongue darted out, jabbing into her passage. Again and again, his tongue darted in and out. “Yes. Yes,” she panted, urging him on. His grip on her thighs tightened, holding her still as she tried to push back into his greedy mouth. He licked and sucked her pussy. He groaned as his own hunger grew. He’d never get enough of her taste. Of her. Her breathless sounds made his cock throb. Torc’s tongue plunged deep, only to exit and run down her pussy, and then all the way up her seam to her spine. She whimpered at the feel of his teeth on her ass. He caught her swollen clit between his teeth, causing her to scream and arch her back. She trembled, inviting him to suck harder. “Please, Master. I need to come!” she pleaded on a moan. “Oh please…Master Torc…”
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The haze of lust cleared at her cry. Regretfully, Torc jerked away from her. He wasn’t her master. He had no right to touch her. No one had the right to own others. And he wanted her to want him—more than he wanted his next breath. It floored him, angering him. He had to be losing his mind. Torc clasped her arm, pulling her from the bed. She followed reluctantly but didn’t protest. But she panicked as he pressed the button on the cryo-bedchamber. Ailyea shook her head, jerking away from him. “I’ll be good, Master! I swear it, Master!” “Come on, lady,” he ordered as she thrashed in his arms. “Oh, please, Master! Don’t put me in there!” Tears filled her eyes, overflowing. His chest ached as he forced her into the slender cryo-chamber. “Please, Master! I can be better!” she screamed. “I promise!” His teeth ached from how tight he clenched them as the cover slid closed, locking her inside. Her tears dried on her cheeks as the shuttle’s computer system instantly put her in a sleep state. After making sure her vital signs looked stable, he collapsed to the floor. He needed a little time to come up with a plan of action. Groaning, he rested his head back. He needed time to regain the self-control he’d been legendary for. Torc lasted ten hours before he decompressed the cryo-chamber. Ten hours of selftorture. He hadn’t been able to forget how upset Ailyea had been when he’d forced her into the sleeping chamber. She’d been terrified. He hadn’t been able to claim the energizing sleep of his people with her locked away, but he’d formed a plan. He wasn’t to take the submissive Ailyea to her people to control and share. If he’d guessed accurately, she’d face a worse fate at their hands than on the auction block. He wanted her to go to them a fighter. The least he could do for her. She had no clue of how long she’d been locked in sleep, but the Ailyea who slipped from the cryo-chamber angered him like nothing had before. She’d lost all the ground they’d made. Ailyea hadn’t once raised her eyes to look at him. She hadn’t spoken to him. She no longer tacked “Torc” after “Master”. She’d jumped when he’d asked her if she was hungry or needed to use the bath chamber. She’d complied with a “Yes, Master” to whatever she thought he wanted. Torc yawned in exhaustion and couldn’t wait any longer for his rejuvenating sleep. He crawled into bed, leaving her alone. Hours later, he woke with a growl to discover Ailyea not in bed with him, but squatting in the same place he’d left her standing hours earlier. Exhausted or not, he should have expected this. His lack of control had set her back. Hades. Never again— he’d be stronger. “Do you want to use the bathroom, lady?”
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Ailyea shuddered as she stood by the bed. She had to relieve herself. Master hadn’t yet given her permission. Gods, it hurt. If she soiled herself, He would be so angry. “Why are you standing there, lady? If you need to, go piss.” Eyes lowered, she murmured, “I’m waiting for your permission, Master.” “Friggin’ Hades. Go piss.” She ran for the door and made it in time. Oh gods, He had gotten mad at her again. He would stick her in that little place… Ailyea didn’t know what He wanted from her. But she couldn’t go back in there. From the instant He’d put her in that small chamber, childhood memories had flashed like a firestorm in front of her eyes. She’d drifted back to long ago when she first came to the House of 9000 Pleasures, the place where she’d learned to be a Delicant and been sold to her first Master. Soon-Yi had been the Mistress of the house. Ailyea had been a mere toddler when she came there but they kept her busy with simple household tasks. One day, she’d gone off to explore the house. She’d never been told not to. But no one had told her she could either. She crept around the house, exploring room upon room. Some were pleasure rooms filled with every decadent sex toy imaginable. Others were punishment rooms filled with tools for degradation and sexual torture. Ailyea would soon become familiar with both of them. She had started training in small bouts the instant she got there. They began intensive lessons in pleasure at age six. She had no other schooling but in pleasure. She’d found Soon-Yi’s personal pleasure room. Ailyea went into a small closet used to house whips and bondage equipment. The door shut and locked behind her. She struggled to open the door, but there had been no handle on that side. She yelled and screamed over and over for hours, stuck in a small four pé by four pé space. No windows for any light. When Soon-Yi had opened the door, Ailyea had been hoarse from all her shouting and had sobbed incoherently. Soon-Yi took Ailyea into her arms—the only time she or anyone had ever shown her any affection. “There, there,” Soon-Yi soothed. “Remember this. You went in my rooms without permission. This is why you should always get permission for anything you do. Bad things happen when you don’t.” “I promise I won’t do anything again, Mistress, without someone telling me I can.” Soon-Yi had worked hard to make sure Ailyea honored that pledge. Resistance to being a slave, if it was there at all, was quickly filtered out of all the girls. And Soon-Yi had found a wonderful way to reduce the young child Ailyea was to what she needed to become to survive as a Delicant.
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Whenever she disobeyed in the slightest, that became how Ailyea was punished. She’d be locked in a small place for longer and longer amounts of time to contemplate her sins. Later, her first two Masters used it relentlessly to educate her. After that, she had a feeling information about her wasn’t being passed along anymore like it had been when her virgem—her virginity—and life had first been sold. But along the way, most had used that ultimate punishment on her anyway. Ailyea could take most punishments. Bondage didn’t scare her. Whips and floggers either. Most anything had been put up her passage or anus at some point. She’d even been taken by a woman before. Being enclosed was the one punishment she couldn’t take. Not one little bit. Entrapment suffocated her. It made her crazy. Her terror climbed the walls when she was put in small places, and she’d do anything to get out. Anything. And now Master had found it. She would try harder to please her new Master. Whatever it took to keep Him from putting her in the tiny box.
***** Torc growled and grumbled when he closed the hatch behind him. They’d landed on Ylon III in the predawn of the planet’s second sun rotation. He’d had to ask his only friends for a favor—a favor which would only make him look worse in Ailyea’s eyes. Kiel, the alpha male to a powerful wolf pack, owed him. Years ago, when Torc had escaped his last prison, he’d saved Kiel’s youngest brother, Essien, who’d been stolen from his home planet on a slave run. Torc had caught the top dog inmate auditioning the fifteen-year-old Essien to become his next submissive. He and his friends had been gang-banging him. The bastards had lined up according to size, fucking the boy one after another. Essien had fought, only to be beaten and chained in a kneeling position. Torc hadn’t been able to leave the boy to the hands of the inmates. He’d killed all seven convicts who’d taken Essien. Essien had begged him not to tell his family what had happened, and Torc had kept his word. Since the day he’d delivered the boy to his pack, he’d been welcomed by them as family. But as much as he wanted to, Torc never visited for long and, for the most part, stayed in his shuttle. He didn’t want to endanger the pack. The Weres guarded their women and children ferociously. He’d asked Kiel if he could leave Ailyea in one of the cabins along the lake that bordered the pack’s land. The alone time had to help her somehow. Kiel had reluctantly agreed, saying his debt to Torc would be paid in full. He’d asked Kiel not to fuck her. Kiel had given him his word he’d not touch Ailyea, but he couldn’t guarantee his pack members. If they got a good whiff of her scent, and she acted willing, they’d mount her. Torc ran a hand through his hair as he clenched his teeth, repeating, “She’s not mine. She’s not mine.” She could fuck any and as many men as she wanted. She could
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suck off whomever she wanted. He just hoped the time in the cabin would help her understand that she had choices. “Master,” she whispered from the shadows of his room. “You were gone a long time.” He grunted. At least if she’d still been asleep, he could have held her before he left. “Get dressed, lady, and braid your hair.” Torc sat down in the captain’s chair as she scrambled to do his bidding. Hades. This was the right thing to do. Pack life with the Weres could help her learn free will. It had become clear he wasn’t capable of teaching it to her. Had anything he’d done so far been helpful to her? He blew out a breath. The short separation had to give him a little control over his lust. With every lungful of air he took, he wanted her more. He clenched and unclenched his fists. He would not use her. When Ailyea returned, his mood lightened when he saw she’d showered without being told to, her hair damp from the steam vapors and braided as he had instructed. In a flash, he had the knife he carried in his boot in his hand and had Ailyea’s braid wrapped around his fist. She screamed and begged as he cut the braid off between her shoulder blades. When he stepped back, she collapsed on a sob to the floor. His chest ached as she cried, “Why, Master?” His cruelty had hurt her. He’d known it would before he’d cut her hair, but he’d had no other choice. None. He had to get her to understand she wasn’t the submissive she was when he’d taken her. Torc caressed her silken braid in his hand. He wanted nothing more than to keep the hair for himself, so he’d have something of her after he delivered her to her people. But he couldn’t. Her hair would bring in a small fortune. He dropped the braid as if it meant nothing to either of them. Ailyea sucked in a sob, clutching the hair to her chest as if it were a lifeline. “Lady, get up and pack. You’ll be staying—” Ailyea’s plea cut him off as she launched herself, wrapping her arms around his legs. “Oh gods! Please, Master…” Torc clenched his teeth. Let her think the worst of him, if it made her stronger. He didn’t want her to rely on him, she couldn’t, and time away from him might help. Reaching down, he hauled her to her feet. She whimpered as he growled, “I gave you an order!” He gave her a little shove before turning away from her as she stumbled into his bedchamber. Her sobs tore at him as she collected her things. He waited until her cries quieted before he approached her. “You have everything?”
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Ailyea’s mouth trembled. “Master, I know I can please you, if you’d only let me try.” Tears rolled down her cheeks, but he ignored then. She dropped to her knees. “Please, Master, let me give you pleasure.” His chest ached as he snarled, “Lady, I asked you a question.” “Yes, Master.” She nodded. Her chin quivered as her hands smoothed the braid she clutched. More tears filled her eyes as a knock sounded. The hatch popped open and Essien dropped down. Easing her to her feet, Torc swallowed. Almost over. He nodded. “Lady, say hello to Essien. If you need anything, ask him.” “Please, Master… Let me stay with you,” she whispered, swallowing a sob. “I said to greet Essien.” Ailyea couldn’t see through all the tears swimming in her eyes as she stumbled closer. “I swear, Master. I’ll be better. I know I can be better.” She clutched her braid. Nothing had ever been so difficult. “Lady, greet Essien,” he gritted between his clenched teeth. A tic pulsed in his jaw. She jerked as if he’d slapped her. She dropped to her knees, only to have him pull her back to her feet. “I didn’t say kneel!” Torc’s fangs extended. He’d never forget her panicked gaze. Her eyes would always haunt him. Long after he’d left her. He dismissed her. “This is Ailyea Meegan.” He shoved her into Essien’s hands. Ailyea trembled violently as Essien ushered her to the exit. Torc tossed her bag up. Ailyea pleaded and struggled until the Were had no choice but to toss her over his shoulder. Torc took a quick step forward. He called over his shoulder, “I’ll come back for you, lady,” but she cried so loudly, he didn’t know if she heard him. Closing the hatch behind them, he collapsed into his chair. Had she pleaded with all her Masters to keep her? He doubted it. It had to have been the fear of the unknown that had gotten to her… No. It’d been when he’d cut her hair. He’d bet his shuttle she’d never pleaded before, and her sobs now had nothing to do with him. He regretted cutting her hair now more than ever. His head pounded as he watched Ailyea fighting Essien through the front bay window. A week. He’d give her a week. Would he survive it? Not a chance. The knowledge of her vulnerable submissive nature would torment him. While he hoped she discovered some inkling of freedom, more than likely she’d seek another master. She was so fucking accepting, so willing to let others use and abuse her. Hades, if someone hurt her… He would break his neck. His fangs erupted in his mouth. The wondering and worry would kill him. Kiel’s promise would not ease his mind. A growl rumbled from his chest to vibrate off the shuttle walls. 38
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Chapter Six At last, Ailyea calmed in Essien’s arms. “Come on, Ailyea. Let’s find you something to eat.” Essien patted her back. “What would you like?” “Whatever you want me to eat.” Her voice came out hollow and worn. He’d left her. Master had left her—and without selling her. She was Masterless, rudderless in an ocean without any sort of compass to know which way to steer. Essien gave her an odd look. “I eat raw meat. Is that what you want to have?” Ailyea grimaced with a shudder. “If you will it.” Should she call him Master? She didn’t know. Trembling, she didn’t know anything anymore. Essien shook his head. “Ailyea, you need to eat.” Ailyea followed behind him, her eyes downcast, watching the backs of his calves as he walked in front of her. She still had the braid in her hands and cradled it against her chest. Why had Master done that? All she was was a Delicant. It was all she had. Her hair was a part of that life. She wanted to damn Him, but she couldn’t. He was Master. Essien told her he’d take her to where he lived with his brother Kiel. Later, he’d take her to her cabin. Kiel sat in the eating area when they walked in. “Brother.” Essien greeted him by nuzzling his chin with his nose. Ailyea watched with interest the two men who were wolves. She’d been with their kind before. She’d had one Master whose sex wouldn’t stay up. When he wasn’t shoving toys up her or beating her, he liked to watch her fuck others—as many men as she could take at once. She’d fucked a small pack of six until her body had been too sore to move. They’d been insatiable, and she’d gotten beaten when she’d collapsed from exhaustion, unable to meet their thrusts anymore. How many were in Kiel’s pack? Would she be expected to service them all? She stole another glance at the males. She could tell they were brothers. Both had dark hair and dark eyes that glowed with amber fire. They might be in human form at that moment, but they behaved wolfishly. The larger Werewolf dominated and the other submitted. Something she understood all too well. “Did Torc make it off okay?” Kiel rubbed Essien’s head with affection. “Yes, brother.”
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Kiel turned his attention to Ailyea. “You must be Ailyea. Welcome to our domain.” He bowed formally before her. Kiel towered above his brother and his torso looked heavily muscled. He was rugged, a perfect wolf in disguise. “Thank you,” she whispered and went down on her hands and knees, instinctively going into a ready position. Kiel growled, circling her before pulling back from her. “This is going to be harder than I thought,” he muttered, shaking his head. “Get up. Come have something to eat and rest from your journey.” Essien had been pulling out some food, and to her surprise, they had Paaolo fruit, her favorite. A rare delicacy. Essien saw her eyeing it and, with a smile, deposited two big pieces on her plate. Essien came up to Kiel’s chest, his weight less than half that of the older wolf’s. Something about Essien reminded her of a female Delicant she once knew. His eyes. She sat in the chair Essien put the plate in front of, biting into the purple fruit with relish. Tangy juices burst into her mouth. She used her tongue to lap at the fruit and gently used her teeth to bite off pieces. One Master had loved to lick its juices off her. Would her Master? Not that she’d ever know. He’d left and despite what He said, He wouldn’t be back. She’d displeased Him and He’d left her. And without putting her in the hands of another Master. She looked up and Essien and Kiel both stared at her. “This is going to be a lot harder than I thought,” Kiel repeated as he shifted in his chair uncomfortably, licking his lips. Essien chuckled, and Kiel shot him a dark look. Ailyea finished eating and Essien showed her to her cabin. “You should get some sleep,” he suggested. “You’ve had a long trip.” She held the braid again, toying with it. “Stay with me?” she whispered. She lowered her eyes. Couldn’t believe she’d asked that. Essien’s eyes softened as he pulled her chin up and patted her shoulder. “I’ll watch over you, Ailyea. I promise.” She fell asleep in the bed laid out for her with her hair clutched in her hands and Essien lying in wolf form by her side. By next morning, word had gotten around the small pack that a new woman was in the village. A humanoid woman. A curiosity. A prize to claim. Essien had gone to get breakfast and bring it back to Ailyea. He came back to find nearly every non-mated male member of the pack in front of the cabin. A pack singles meeting. Members were asserting their dominance over each other for the right to take the woman. He and his brothers seemed to be the only ones not engaging in the rivalries.
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Essien watched as Mogul and Rom took on as many of their pack as they could. Twin brothers. One blond with amber eyes, the other dark-haired with almost the same amber eyes. Both were high in the hierarchy of the pack. They always worked together. Most of the show involved posturing. Mogul approached a lower member, Succash, and snarled at him, invading Succash’s space. Succash tried to maintain his position and look directly at Mogul. But eventually he backed down. If a member didn’t back down, then the fights started. They’d posture until they’d established their dominance over all members or lost a sparring match. In wolf form, the true submission involved baring one’s stomach to a dominant member and licking his muzzle. In human form, one put one’s eyes down and made a slight bow to the dominant. Occasionally, one lesser pack member would nuzzle the other’s chin in human form, but only if closely related to him. Essien watched Ailyea come out on the porch. Her body moved with a naturally seductive sway. She wore nothing under the little suede dress she wore. Every other man there knew that too. The gathered pack reacted to her scent, snapping and growling. “Damn, Ailyea,” Essien muttered, “you should have stayed inside.” An unmated female. Anyone’s bitch without a dominant protector. And from what he’d seen, she’d submit to anyone. Mogul walked over and growled at her, showing teeth. She ducked her head and her whole posture drooped. Mogul growled again. Presenting herself, she pulled up her dress, which showed her pink pussy and supple ass for all to see. With a groan, Essien closed his eyes as Mogul moving closer to Ailyea, making a claim with his body. The Were nipped at Ailyea’s neck, causing her to whimper, and his hand came up to cover her breast. She arched her spine. He drove her back with his body, more firmly into the wall, his heavy cacete brushing against her bared stomach. He left her no time to breathe, but continued his assault. He’d left her no choice but to submit to him. And Ailyea couldn’t deny him what he would take. This was what she’d always known. It was what she was, a sexual submissive. She retreated into the familiar—this way she didn’t have to think about Master and why He’d left her alone. The Werewolf claimed her mouth in a punishing kiss. He pulled slightly away as the other big wolf stalked over. They grunted at each other, probably posturing to see who would take her first. The big wolf growled, grasping her hips. The other one stepped aside, pacing in front of them. His turn would be next.
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What she knew, what she was. All right here. Ailyea choked back a sob, thinking of Him, the Master who’d left her. “Be in the here and now, Ailyea,” Soon-Yi’s voice echoed in her head. “Never look back to a previous Master. They won’t be thinking of you after they sell you.” Ailyea had never focused on a former Master after she’d been sold. But all her thoughts were of Master Torc even as these two men approached her. Why couldn’t she get Master Torc out of her mind? He wouldn’t be thinking of her. The wolf put his large hand around and skimmed her tummy, heading directly for her grelho. He thumbed it and pinched it painfully hard. Ailyea tried not to whimper. At that moment Kiel came around the side of the house. He moaned at the sight of Ailyea in the ready position, showing her bare sex. Kiel shuddered, attempting to get himself a measure of control. “Damn, this is so much harder than I thought,” he muttered. The two Weres who had claimed her growled and snarled. Kiel didn’t answer them but went up to them, closing in until he almost touched them with his body. He showed his teeth in a sneer no one would ever read as a smile. They both backed off as he continued to invade themir space, submitting with snarls and growls. They lowered their heads and gave him his bow. Kiel approached Ailyea. “Get up.” “You aren’t going to mount me, Ma—” Kiel grabbed her arm. “No. And Torc will kill me if I let my entire pack mount you.” Essien joined them as Kiel told the pack to go away and ushered Ailyea into the cabin.
***** Sitting on the table, Ailyea bunched her legs up under her, still hurting slightly. Essien’s gaze rested on her. She refused to make eye contact with either him or Kiel. He sat down, straddling the chair. “I’m going to head out and give the pack some orders.” Kiel sighed, swallowing loudly. “I don’t want a repeat of this. Can you keep her in?” Essien nodded and Kiel left them alone. “Ailyea?” Ailyea didn’t meet Essien’s eyes. She didn’t understand why these two wolves wouldn’t do what the others had started to. She had seen their obvious arousal for her before. Only one thing could be stopping them from taking her—Master Torc. But she didn’t understand why. They obviously knew him. They had to know he’d never come back for her. “Yes?”
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“Did you enjoy what they did to you out there? Would you have enjoyed it had they been successful?” Ailyea hesitated a moment. She could look in his eyes and see what his eyes said. Usually the eyes lied, but she had no idea why Essien would ask the question. But she couldn’t look up to him, she had to keep her eyes down. Submit. “They enjoyed it.” “Yes, but did you? Did you enjoy it?” Ailyea only hesitated a second. For some reason, she felt she had common ground with Essien. “I…I…did what I was told.” “You haven’t answered truthfully. I’d really like to know the answer.” “I’m used to what they did…” “But did you enjoy it?” She closed her eyes. What did he want from her? Why keep asking the same question? Essien sighed. “What did you think about while…while they were fondling you?” Master Torc. Nothing but Master Torc filled her head. Wishing they’d been Him. Wishing she belonged to Him. Wishing somehow, some way, she could make Him keep her. She wasn’t even sure why she wanted Him to. “You were thinking of Torc, weren’t you?” Essien smiled, an innocent one full of wonder. “I can see it on your face.” “It doesn’t matter.” Tears pricked her eyelids. “He’s not coming back for me.” “Sure he is.” Ailyea shook her head mutely. “Did he say he was coming back for you?” “Yes,” she whispered. “Then he will. Torc never says anything he doesn’t mean.” “He won’t come back. I displeased him… Master Torc doesn’t want me to call him ‘Master’.” “He’ll be back.” “How do you know?” She almost snapped at him. Gods! She was so tired of feeling afraid, of the uncertainty. She had no Master to answer to, and she didn’t know how to deal with it. “Because, Ailyea, once upon a time, Torc promised he would get me out of hell. And he did. He risked his life to take me with him. All because he promised me he would. He promised you he’d be back. And he will. No matter what it costs him.” “Why were you in hell?” Essien looked around and then lowered his voice to a whisper. “Because I was in prison. And I was everybody’s bitch, the way you are.” Ailyea looked at him in stunned silence.
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“Torc got me out and never told a soul what happened.” “But you’re a male…and not a Delicant.” There were male Delicants. She’d known a few. Mostly they’d been sold into slavery after being kidnapped or taken in war. But there weren’t nearly as many of them as there were females. Women were few in the galaxy, but they made up most of the Delicant population. Sharing them was a way of dealing with the shortage. “Yes, I am a male, Ailyea. They didn’t care in prison. Only that I was…” He shrugged. “Fresh meat and submissive.” She narrowed her eyes. “You don’t seem that submissive.” “I bet.” He smiled. “I am a lesser pack member. And I’m not like Kiel. I’m not a dominant like him and Torc. But I asked what do you want?” Ailyea’s heart pounded. What did she want? She didn’t know. Well, she wanted to be Master Torc’s. She wasn’t even sure why, though. All this thinking for herself made her head ache. “Ailyea, think about what you want before Torc comes back. And he will come back.” Essien squeezed her hand softly and left her with her own thoughts.
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Chapter Seven Torc’s beast raged. He stalked, taking long and deliberate steps away from Kiel’s cabin. What had he been thinking when he’d left Ailyea here? He’d thought she’d… He growled. Right now he didn’t know what he’d thought. He’d fought his conscience for two days before he’d returned. Two days too long. He quickened his stride toward the lake where Essien watched over her. He shouldn’t have left her here. She’d spent her whole life as a Delicant sex slave, a submissive. It would take more than time on her own to change her sexual tendency, her entire way of life. Rage blinded him as Ailyea came into his field of vision. Two wolves circled her, rubbing against her, marking her with their scent. His sensitive hearing picked up the males’ growls of intimidation. She started to take a step away from them, but there was nowhere for her to go. Then she knelt with her head bowed. He listened carefully—she called neither of them master. With an enraged yell, he leaped across the lake. Ailyea jerked, trying to escape them, but they held her in place, forcing her to hold still. The bulkier of the two bared his canines. “She’s ours now. She calls us her masters. Don’t you, pet?” He tangled his hand deeper into her hair, yanking her head back as she tried to escape his touch. “Don’t you?” He shook her roughly, when she didn’t reply right away. Face pale, Ailyea shivered. “Y-yes, Master.” She closed her eyes as her chin quivered. Disgusted with himself, Torc’s top lip curled. He’d gotten her into this situation. The wolf released her with a shove of her head. She scrambled backwards on her knees. Of course she wouldn’t have knifed a dominant male. He’d been out of his mind to consider she might have tried. She probably hadn’t worn clothes since he’d left her. Torc harnessed his beast. He’d be her dominant, if that’s what it took to get through to her. “Get up, lady.” Her wild gaze darted between the pack members. The pulse on her throat raced as her panic built. “Get up, lady! I don’t like to repeat myself. Did I not tell you I’d return? Did I give you permission to service others?” He kept his gaze hard, his voice harsh. She whimpered as she rose to her feet only to be jerked back to the ground by the smaller of the two Weres. “She’s ours!” “She’s mine!” His beast roared as his fangs emerged and his claws extended.
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Transforming, the gigantic wolves attacked as one. Ailyea screamed. Torc leaped back into the air, flipping to land on his feet, avoiding their assault. Stepping back to distance them from Ailyea, he snarled as they advanced again. “Come on, dogs! Bring it on!” he taunted boldly. The wolves sprang, but he could move faster. He caught them by the scruffs of their necks and dragged them back with him into the lake. He wasn’t only fighting for himself, he had to win for Ailyea. If he failed her, they’d not only punish her, she’d spend the rest of her life servicing the pack, being passed from one member to another. He yelled as the bulkier of the wolves clamped its teeth into his side, locking its jaws. His head buzzed from the pain, knees buckling as the other wolf clawed his chest open. Ailyea knelt at the water’s edge, screaming. He struggled until he forced the wolves’ heads under the water. Dammit, he’d drown them. Again and again, the wolves clawed at him, opening huge gashes across his chest, back, ribs, arms and thighs in their fight to get loose from him. His head swam with dizziness from loss of blood. “Enough!” Kiel roared at his side. “Release them! You’ve won!” Ignoring Kiel, Torc snarled as he fought to keep the wolves under the waterline. If he lost, Ailyea would be the one to pay. The smaller wolf ceased its clawing and struggle to escape. “Enough!” Kiel roared, bashing him along his temple. As soon as Kiel hit Master Torc, he dropped like a stone into the lake. Ailyea screamed. Gods, so much blood. Essien came running to a skidding halt in front of her. “What happened? What did you do? I went to piss.” “I…they came…to fuck… Master Torc!” She put her hand up over her mouth. “Essien, I could use some help here,” Kiel rasped. He tried to heft Master Torc up. The larger wolf attempted to attack again, and Kiel tossed him a few feet away. “Torc fucking won. It ends now or I’ll eat you myself.” Kiel bared his teeth at the smaller wolf, who yipped and skulked a few more feet away. Essien and Kiel managed to lift Master Torc, carrying him into the cabin. Ailyea followed behind them. They rushed around the room, getting cloths to staunch the blood flow and ointments to doctor his wounds. “What should I do?” She didn’t move. Then louder, her limbs quaking, “Someone tell me what to do. Please? Someone?” “Press these on the wound on his side. We have to stem the bleeding. I’m going to find something to sew him up with.” No panic could be heard in Essien’s voice as he handed her some cut-up cloths grabbed from a pile of scraps.
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“Oh gods,” she mumbled as she pressed the cloths down, watching as they soaked up Master Torc’s blood. The brothers worked to sew up the wounds. Ailyea quietly backed off and let them work. She bit her lip, hugging her arms close to her body. Essien looked back at her. “No hanging back. Get over here and help.” She slowly walked back to Master Torc’s side. He handed her a small needle threaded with string. “See how the wound is gaping? We need to close that gap.” A constricted noise of distress rose low and deep in her throat. Her eyes stared at the needle in her hand. Suppose she hurt him more than he already was? She couldn’t do this. Her eyes met Essien’s. She swallowed, knowing he wouldn’t give her a choice. She had to do this. “Essien…” Kiel murmured. Essien’s eyes said “Trust me” as his gaze darted to Kiel. Kiel shrugged and said no more. “I can’t do this.” Ailyea breathed in slowly, stopping her panting. “You can. Your Master would command you to,” Essien pressured her. With hands that shook, she poked the needle into Master Torc’s skin and did a stitch. “That’s great, Ailyea.” Essien scrutinized every move she made. “Torc will be pleased you cared for him.” Ailyea smiled as she did another stitch. “You know, Ailyea, he could have died.” She shuddered, knowing it was true. She’d seen men die from less. Over less. Her stomach rolled, she forced herself to concentrate on her task. “He fought for you. To keep you.” Her hands stilled, and she lifted her eyes to meet Essien’s wolfish ones. “I only wonder if he had died, would you have been upset to lose your Master. Or upset to lose Torc.” “They’re one and the same,” she bit out, then dropped her gaze and returned her attention to the wound. “No. They aren’t.” He watched her quietly and said little else. Her thoughts tangled themselves in knots over his words. Torc was her Master. She would have been sorry to see him die. But was it because she’d lose a Master? Or because she’d lose this man? Her confusion grew.
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Torc lived, the pain in his body told him that. Before opening his eyes, he focused on the sounds around him as he came to. He heard Essien there as well as Kiel. He strained to make sense of his surroundings before he slid back into the darkness. Piercing feminine chatter made his head pound. He’d never met any of the female pack members before. He turned his head on the feathery pillow. He didn’t hear Ailyea, but he smelled her scent mixed along with the wolves who’d wanted her. He opened his eyes on a low moan. Friggin’ Hades, he hurt. “Lie still,” Essien ordered, “or you’ll tear open all our work.” He grunted as he searched for Ailyea. She stood off by herself, behind everyone. Her arms folded protectively around her, her braid clutched in her hand. “Lady, come here.” His voice was full of pain and harsher than he wanted it to be. He wanted to tell her he shouldn’t have cut her hair. That he shouldn’t have left her. Ailyea rushed forward, eyes lowered. “Yes, Master.” She dropped to her knees beside the bed. His mind swam as Essien and the pack bitches tended to him, their movements frantic. What had he wanted to say to her? Wanted to tell her everything was fine, and he’d always care for her. Instead he growled, “You’ve displeased me.” Her mouth trembled. “Master…” Essien clucked his tongue. “Be still, Torc.” Torc forced his heavy eyes open. Ailyea clutched at the edge of the bed. “Wash the wolves’ scent from your body,” he slurred. She nodded, rising to her feet. “Yes, Master.” Her head hung, and her shoulders slumped. “I’m sorry, Master…” No. No. No. He rolled his head, moaning in pain. That hadn’t come out right. “Lady, you’re not to blame.” Did he get that out loud? His vision blurred as the darkness embraced him.
***** Torc woke next to Essien urging him to feed. He growled. He’d been dreaming of Ailyea wanting him, touching him with her soft hands. Essien knelt on his knees, leaning over him, his throat exposed. “Drink, brother.” Torc rolled his head to escape him, but as he turned, Ailyea came into his view. She sat on the bed beside him, with her pussy fully exposed. His cock hardened, causing him to moan. Her scent intoxicated him. Essien forced his head back to his throat. “You’ve lost too much blood. Drink. You won’t heal without nourishment.” His tongue darted out past his dry lips, searching, before his fangs emerged and sank into Essien’s jugular. He used his mind to give Essien nothing but pure pleasure as
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he fed. With his mind, he could make the experience as frightening or as erotic as he wanted. Essien moaned in ecstasy as Torc sucked his lifeblood. He fed until Essien arched and thrust against his body searching for sexual release. Easing away, he lapped at the wound with his tongue, closing it. Essien shuddered. “Gods, I’ve never had a drug that powerful before. I hurt, I’m so hard.” He stumbled off the bed and pulled a redhead from a chair. He grasped her hair. “Suck me.” Torc closed his eyes as the bitch eagerly sank to her knees. Ailyea moved closer to his side. “Ma…Master?” Still hungry, he growled, “What?” He hadn’t dared feed enough. “Master, did you…you drink enough?” Fear and curiosity laced her voice. “You offering, lady?” His cock jerked. Feeding from her. Such a temptation, her life force meshing with his. Would he be able to resist mind-melding with her? No, he wouldn’t. He’d want that connection with her. Would want to check in on her whenever the urge struck him. Crazy. Why was this need for the little submissive building? “If it pleases you, Master…” Her gaze was lowered, her face flushed. He growled, but rolled his head away from her. He wouldn’t feed from Ailyea. She didn’t have the ability to tell him no. He couldn’t take advantage of that. Across the room, Essien howled as he climaxed. The bitch joined him as she rode her own fingers. Torc’s cock jerked. Standing up, the redhead licked her lips, hips swaying seductively toward the bed. Ailyea scrambled across him to get to the other side, placing herself between him and the pack bitch. He grunted in satisfaction. She climbed under the blanket with him, pressing her ass into his hip. The bitch snarled and then stalked off in the opposite direction. Torc smiled smugly taking her action as some sort of liberating statement. Not much, but something. With a groan, he tore stitches as he rolled over, wrapping an arm around her. He escaped the burning pain in sleep. Ailyea sat by the bed and wiped Master Torc’s brow with a cold cloth. He shuddered and moaned in his sleep. She put the cloth back in the bowl before gently pushing his hair off his face. Her fingertip gently traced his forehead lines, and then came down to caress his cheek. She let it ride up the hump of his nose and over to the scar that marred his handsome features. She fingered it, letting her fingers feel the difference between it and the smooth
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skin. They moved on to his lips and stroked the fullness of them. So soft and so good at pleasuring her… She sighed. “What are you doing?” Essien’s voice came from behind her. “Nothing.” She jerked her hand back as though Master Torc’s lips had become lava to burn her. Essien smiled. “How’s he doing?” “Okay, I guess.” Essien came over and pulled back the covers to check the stitches. “He’s healing, but…” “But what?” “He needs to heal faster.” Ailyea looked down at Master Torc worriedly. “You know…you could…nah, never mind.” Essien waved a hand. “What? What could I do? Something to help him?” “Sometimes we heal faster with body contact.” “Body contact?” Ailyea looked from him to Master Torc. Essien nodded. “We Weres heal best when we have skin-to-skin contact. I don’t know if that will help Torc, he’s not a Were, but it might.” Ailyea had already pulled off her tunic. “Be careful of his stitches.” “I know that. I helped put them in.” She gingerly slid into bed next to Master Torc and slowly wrapped herself around him. “He’s so warm.” She stroked his back. Master Torc moved closer and moaned. “He’s healing. I’ll leave you to get some rest.” Essien smothered a grin as he walked out the room.
***** Ailyea awoke to the warmth of the bed and Master Torc’s hand covering her breast. Gods, he scorched her. The whole time she’d lain with him, he’d been like the volcanic beds on Ishra. One of her Masters had gone to see them and taken her along. They’d been beautiful. Volcanic holes, where magma bubbled to the surface, created a landscape of dark purple rock with red currents underneath. The geologic wonders heated the air about twenty degrees hotter than the places around it. She eased herself out of his bed. She knelt and examined the wounds. They looked better than they had. It was working. She’d helped.
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She walked outside to relieve herself, hurrying back to the cabin and the safety of Master Torc. Just before she reached the steps, a large wolf ran past her and rose to his human height between her and the doorframe. Ailyea gasped and stepped back. Huge not only as a wolf, but as a human too. He towered over most of the pack. She bowed her head and tried to pass around him, not letting their bodies touch. “Fuck me, chuchanga.” She winced at the crude term. “I said fuck me, chuchanga.” “My Master has not given me permission to fuck.” Her voice shook as she wrapped her arms around herself and held on. “Fuck your Master. I want you to fuck me. Now. You’re a Delicant. Show me your talents, chuchanga.” “I can’t.” “Now, chuchanga. I lose patience with you.” He growled, showing teeth, and flexed his massive arms as he got close, his body coming inches from hers. “No master ever cared about their Delicant fucking. That’s what they’re made for.” Ailyea shivered. Master had said he hadn’t given her permission to fuck. But she’d always been shared when others desired it. “Please…my Master…” He grabbed her by the hair and pulled her against him. His lips, rough and hungry as they dominated her mouth. “Fuck me, chuchanga,” he whispered against her lips. One hand came up to palm a heavy breast, and he shoved his leg between the apex of her thighs. His tongue thrust in and out of her mouth as his hand continued to knead her breast, while his thigh rubbed against her chochota. “Please…” she pleaded, turning her head. “My Master…” “Would gladly share you.” “What the hell are you doing?” Essien’s voice grated across them like a knife on metal. “I’m fucking a chuchanga. Move along. Unless you want to join us or be next, boy.” He captured her mouth again even as she struggled to keep it turned away. Her Master had not given her permission to do this. Her heart pounded in her chest. “Garcien. Leave her alone.” Garcien lifted his head and glared at Essien. “You overstep your bounds, pup.” “You’re taking what is Torc’s. He’s her Master.” “And no man ever keeps his Delicant to himself.” “Back the hell off,” Essien snarled. “You’re not above me. You can’t order me around. Or maybe you want to be first.”
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Moving closer, Essien growled. Garcien dropped Ailyea, and she scampered to the doorway of the house. She panted, watching the much larger male circle Essien. “Get inside, Ailyea. Bolt the door. Don’t let anyone in.” She stood, wrapping her arms around herself. “Do it, Ailyea.” “Boy, you must want to fuck me.” With a loud growl, Essien launched himself at Garcien. Ailyea swallowed a scream, went inside and slammed the door. She should help Essien. But he’d told her to go inside. But what if he needed help? Back and forth she wavered between what she’d been told and wanting to help someone who’d been kind to her. Keeping her back to the door, Ailyea sank to the floor, pulling arms and legs into herself. She listened to the sounds of the fight outside. She didn’t know how much time went by before the sounds dissipated and a knock came on the door. “Open the door, Ailyea. It’s Essien.” Letting out the breath she had been holding, she opened her clenched eyes. She scrambled to her feet, quickly unlocking the door. Essien sauntered in, bruised and bloody. “Oh gods, you’re hurt.” Ailyea’s hand came up to cover her mouth. “I’m fine. Garcien won’t bother you again. He’s learned a lesson about women who belong to someone else. And I moved up in the pack.” Essien grinned. His breathing, quick and panty. He had an erection too. Adrenaline must be coursing through his veins. A good fight could be an aphrodisiac at times. How well she’d been taught that. “I’m going to get back in bed and heal Master Torc. I won’t get out again until he’s healed.” “Ailyea, you’ll help him heal. But I’m not going to let you hole up in here, either. Next time call me when you go out. I’ll come stand guard.” She opened her mouth to speak but he cut her off. “Torc would want you to call me. He wants you protected.” Essien leaned down, surprising her with a kiss on her cheek. “Now get back in bed with the big lug so he’ll heal. I’ll check on you later. I have to go spread the news of my promotion in the pack, among other things.”
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Chapter Eight If only Torc could sleep forever. He was having the most erotically satisfying dream. Ailyea’s hands stroked softly against his heated body. His cock pulsed every time she moaned. He nuzzled her throat and ear as her thighs cradled his hips. His thick sex rubbed along her slick heat. His breathing came erratically as she panted and pleaded with him. Her moist tongue toyed with his earlobe. He would come if she kept trying to impale herself on him. Ailyea’s hands tugged at his hair to get him to do what, he didn’t know. But her action made his cock hurt, throb with the need for release. He rolled over, murmuring and rocking harder along her wet folds. “Yes… Yes, Master…” Ailyea cried out in abandonment under his heavy weight. Her thigh-quivering climax brought him to full alertness. He rolled away with a curse, clasping in his palm his stiff cock slick from her juices, and pumped, squeezing tight. His hips thrust up off the bed as his back arched. Clenched his teeth. Climaxing, Torc moaned as Ailyea’s mouth closed around him, sucking hard, swallowing all he had to give. On and on, she milked him. His chest heaved as she pulled away to lick her lips. He glared fiercely. “You’ve broken a rule.” Ailyea’s eyes widened before she lowered them. “Master, you were so hard… You rubbed my chochota with your cacete…” She hugged herself. “Master, you told me to come for you. I…I’m sorry, Master.” A tic beat in his jaw. Had he told her to come for him? Friggin’ Hades. She scrambled off the bed, only to return and hand him a stick used to stir the fire. She climbed back on to the bed, kneeling with her bare ass and glistening pussy presented to him. The tic in his jaw now beat a furious pace at the realization that she expected him to beat her. Snarling, he tossed the wood across the room where it bounced off the wall and floor with thumps. Ailyea whimpered, but didn’t move. Wincing, he sat up. He clasped her arm, forcing her around to face him. Bruises covered her satiny pale skin. “Did the pack beat you?” His stomach bottomed out. “Did I harm you while I slept?”
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She lowered her gaze. “Oh no, Master. You didn’t hurt me.” Her eyes darted up. “Well, my chochota is bruised from your hardness, but Master, it felt so good.” He swallowed. “The wolves that tried to claim me beat me. Essien and Kiel interrupted them. I’m sorry, Master, I didn’t mean to shame you…” Her shoulders slumped. “Fuck me,” he roared in frustration. Shame him? Gasping, she scrambled around. “Yes. Yes, Master. Please fuck me. Let me feel your hardness inside me, Master.” Torc sucked in a calming breath, as his cock swelled again. “Remember, lady, I already explained my limited vocabulary.” She turned to face him, sitting back on her ass. He glanced away as she presented her glistening pussy for his hungry gaze. “Master, I’m here to please you. Master, let me show you I can be a good Delicant.” “Torc. My name is Torc.” She risked a glance up. “Master… Master Torc, if it pleases you.” “It pleases me,” he growled before lying back down. Exhaustion weighed heavily on him. Hunger pulsed as his beast rose in search for food. He ordered his cock to go limp, and groaned when it stayed stiff. Ailyea cuddled up to him resting her head near his, her full breasts brushing his arm. “Master Torc… I… I…” “Say it, lady.” “Essien told me you’d come back… Master Torc, I promise you’ll never regret keeping me.” Hades! He wasn’t keeping her. He couldn’t.
***** Ailyea sat eating green tampasberries. She moaned, sucking the sweetness up. Their juices glistened on her mouth. She licked her lips. Master Torc groaned from the bed. The healing had gone well these past few days, but still had a way to go. The wounds still looked red and pained him at times. She jumped to her feet and scurried over to him. “Master, are you all right? Are you hurting again?” “I’m fine.” “Let me get back in bed with you.” She yanked off her tunic, but he raised his hand. “No, finish eating. I’m…fine.” He palmed his thick erection. A little bit of moisture stained the cloth stretched across it. He’d be so heavy in her hand. Her hands itched to reach out and touch him. She smiled softly. How she wanted to ease him.
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Ailyea sashayed back to the table, not bothering to dress. She rolled her hips and glided across the floor. She sat down, pulling up her legs, showing her chochota. She lapped at the next berry with her tongue before taking it her in her mouth and rolling it around. “Mmmmmmh.” “Put some clothes on, lady!” “Oh, I’m sorry, Master Torc.” Another seductive walk and she slid on her tunic, smoothing it down with her hands. “This tunic is so soft.” Master Torc glared at her. With her gaze downcast, she lowered herself to her knees. She slowly crawled across the floor to the bed. To him. “What are you doing?” The ultimate show of submission. Had he been familiar he’d have known it as the Delicant’s Ritual. He’d have put out his foot, and booted or not she’d have licked it, kissed it, made love to it with her tongue and mouth. She didn’t answer. Stayed down and looked up at him. “What do you want, lady? I’m going to sleep. You finish eating.” Sweat beaded his brow. “Friggin’ Hades. Go somewhere, or lay on the one of the couches.” He rolled his head away as she crawled in beside him. She snuggled close, wrapping her body around him. Why wouldn’t he let her serve him? She sighed. She didn’t know anymore. “Why do you keep getting in bed with me? Don’t you have one of your own?” “No, Master Torc. And Essien said I could help heal you with body contact.” Master Torc turned to face her. “He said what?” “He said skin-to-skin contact would help you heal. Should I take off my tunic now, Master?” “No.” He mumbled something about Essien getting his one day. “Go to sleep, lady.”
***** Torc pulled the door to the cabin closed behind them. He’d needed to get out of the cabin desperately. Being closed in with Ailyea made her too tempting. He hadn’t fully healed yet. Wouldn’t finish healing until he had his fill of feeding. But, he’d promised himself to give Ailyea some free time before he delivered her to her home planet and family. At the bottom of the steps, he knelt on the ground. “Get on, lady,” he ordered. She shied away. “You’re hurt, Master Torc. I can walk.” He glanced over his shoulder with an arched brow. “It will be faster this way. Your legs are short.” He bit back a grin as her eyes widened in surprise. “It’s true. They’re shorter than mine.”
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Wrapping her arms around him, she shyly climbed onto his back. His fangs lengthened. Many of the pack watched them now. He forced his beast back, ignoring them. This time would be for Ailyea. He wanted her to have a few nice memories when he left her with her people. And wanted the memories for himself, to hold on to when he’d left her. He had trouble concentrating with her soft breath brushing his ear. At the lake’s edge, he leaped across to earn a gasp from Ailyea as her arms tightened to choke him. His knees buckled and he hit the ground hard. He shook it off as he pushed up to continue on. Neither of them spoke over the next hour. Torc grunted in satisfaction as she breathed, “Oh Master,” into his ear when he reached the top of a cliff. Below lay a valley of sinfully beautiful grye flowers with a group of workers harvesting a section. He helped her slide off his back and sit on the sweet-smelling grass. “They’re called grye. They’re as deadly as they are beautiful.” He eased down to the ground beside her. “How can that be, Master Torc?” Her gaze darted up to meet his. “Master… Master Torc. I’ve never seen so many vibrant colors together.” He shrugged. “They’re deadly. Once the overseers single out those plantation peons to toil in the flower fields, they die within months.” She frowned. “Master Torc, the workers are all young boys.” Regretting having shown her the fields, he stood up and offered her his hand. “Besides grye, the planet exports what few females it produces.” He helped her onto his back. “But not the pack bitches, Master Torc?” “No. Not Werewolves. Only the females born on the plantations.” She once again fell silent until they arrived at the spiraling waterfall. “Oh, Master…” She gasped, hugging his neck. “What did you call me?” he growled in frustration. “I’m sorry, Master Torc.” Her voice trembled. Would she always fear him? He leaped into the center of the violent spiraling water, only to have Ailyea’s scream rattling his eardrums. Torc’s knees buckled when he landed with a bone-jarring thud on the cave floor. Trembling, Ailyea scrambled away from him. He listened to her erratic breathing, the jump had terrified her, but she now sat in awe of the underground crystallized chamber. She touched him, a light hesitant flutter of fingers. “Master…Master Torc, are you all right?” He nodded before pushing to his feet and then stumbled, still weak. He hadn’t fed enough. Had used up too much valuable stored energy with the jumps. She pressed her soft breasts and thighs into his body. “Let me help you, Master. Essien said you needed to feed more.” 56
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He growled, pushing her away from him. “I’ll visit one of the bitches tonight to drink from.” He added the last to punish her for her lapse. She had to learn to call him Torc. Her shoulders slumped as she lowered her gaze. He wanted to console her, but he wouldn’t. He couldn’t. “Come on, lady. There’s a lower chamber I want you to see.” He clasped her wrist, tugging her along in the naturally lit chamber of yellows, greens and pinks. When they reached the smaller lower cavern, she shadowed his every step. “Stay here, lady. I’ll be right back.” She nodded. “Yes, Master.” He moved around the cave. After only a few moments, he ran into her, causing him to swear under his breath. She panted in uneven gasps. Her fear hung thick and heavy in the confining space. Torc took her by the wrist again so he wouldn’t trip over her as he searched for the right gift. He picked up Lucent stone after Lucent stone looking for the perfect fit for the Delicant’s hand. He grunted, straightening up when he’d found one, which would hopefully thrill her. “Here, lady. Use your nail to crack open the outside layer.” She reluctantly released the death grip she had on his shirt and clasped the ball in her palms. “It’s warm, Master.” “It’s a Lucent stone. Open it,” he ordered when she stood there in the dim glow of the cavern. Ailyea used her thumbnail and pressed. The outer shell crumbled away to reveal a luminated bright white ball. She gasped and dropped it. “Oh, Master. It has eyes!” Whimpering, the Lucent rolled away. Ailyea jumped behind him, as frightened as the Lucent was. “Easy, lady. The Lucent is harmless. They’ve been mined to near extinction. Kiel owns the only profitable mine left, and he refuses to allow any miners in.” He followed the rolling Lucent, with Ailyea close behind him. “Oh, Master… I’m sorry. I’ve never seen anything like it.” He scooped up the now gray Lucent. “Here. It’s sad now.” He looked away. “I want you to have it, so you’ll never be alone in the dark again.” Her hands trembled as she accepted it. “Oh… Master…” She cradled the glowing globe to her cheek. He briefly looked away as tears pooled in Ailyea’s eyes. “For me?” Her voice shook. “So I won’t be alone in the dark again? Master…” Her lower lip quivered as she cried silently. The Lucent changed from one color to another in the rainbow in quick conversions. Torc swallowed. Hades, he didn’t like her tears. Didn’t know how to handle them. “Hush, lady.” He clasped her shoulder awkwardly, only to quickly release her. It lay on the tip of his tongue to tell her he shouldn’t have put her in the cryo-bed. He knew it
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had terrified her, but he didn’t want to give her any more hope she could stay with him. She couldn’t. He brushed past her quaking shoulders. “You can name it or sell it. It makes no difference to me.” The Lucent hummed, causing Ailyea to gasp in delight. “Oh, Master, listen to it.” She ran to catch up to him. “Is it mine, Master?” His body tightened as her soft curves brushed his arm. “You’d be better off selling it. Some societies value it above females.” The Lucent whined. Ailyea cooed, before asking, “Master, what shall I call it? What’s its name?” He clasped her free hand to help her up the natural staircase out of the lower cavern. “I don’t know. It’s not my pet. It’s yours to name if you decide to keep it.” The Lucent chirped. “Thank you, Master… I’ll keep it forever.” Torc shrugged. “I’d sell it for the cartouche.” The Lucent whined again. He glanced over his shoulder, Ailyea smiled. “No fussing. I’d never sell you. We have the best Master in the world.” “I’m not…” He trailed off, too tired to argue now. He released her hand at the top of the staircase. “You’ll want to put the stone in your jewel pouch. Lucents can’t be directly exposed to sunlight.” “Thank you, Master.” She scrambled to hide her pet while it chirped and beeped. He sighed, having forgotten how noisy the little critters could be. “Maybe Essien will help me pick out a name.” “Lady, it’s yours. You have to be the one to name it.” “Yes, Master… If it pleases you, I’ll pick a name out by myself.” “It pleases me,” he snarled, causing her to jump and ease away from him. He didn’t allow himself to touch Ailyea again other than their leap up out of the waterfall and across the lake.
***** Ailyea stroked the little Lucent. Humming, it quivered as she touched. It beamed blue. She’d learned the color of the light reflected its mood. Blue was happy. Green seemed to mean unrest. She tried to match moods with all its colors. While she studied the Lucent, it glimmered and glowed in ecstasy as she caressed it. It loved attention. She’d never had a pet before. Well, that wasn’t entirely true. She’d found a meerkat once at the House of 9000 Pleasures. She’d snuck it food and played with it for a whole
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week. Soon-Yi had discovered it, only to drown it. She’d told Ailyea that Delicants were the pets and they never owned anything. And that was true. She was a pet. So much in common with the little stone. “What am I going to do with you?” she whispered to the little ball. It hummed, changing the pitch. “What am I going to name you? Master Torc won’t help. But what if I pick something, and it’s wrong? What if he doesn’t like it?” The Lucent rolled up her arm and nuzzled her neck. Ailyea giggled. “That tickles.” It made a sound like Ailyea’s giggle, before nuzzling her more. Ailyea cupped her hands and it immediately went into her palm. She nuzzled it back. “You are so special. But I still don’t know what to name you.” A noise distracted her. Her curiosity got the better of her and she wandered out into the living room. A woman’s moan sounded. Still holding the Lucent, Ailyea went down the hall following the sounds to the other rooms. Master Torc sat in a room with a pack bitch standing in front of him. His fangs were buried deep in her flesh as she writhed in pleasure from the sensations he gave her. She thrust her hips in the air. Ailyea stared. His eyes opened to meet her gaze. No surprise, he’d probably heard her coming. Putting her hand to her mouth, Ailyea fled. The Lucent glowed a brilliant red.
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Chapter Nine Torc listened to the conversation buzzing around him. Ailyea didn’t speak unless spoken to. He’d almost not come to Kiel’s feast, not wanting to show off himself and Ailyea, but that would have been disrespectful to Kiel’s hospitality. Kiel’s village consisted of longhouses, cabins and crisscrossing paths. Kiel’s home, the largest and most elaborate, could house the whole pack when needed. All the available bitches had fought with one another to serve Kiel. And when he’d singled one out, the others had moved on to sniff around the remaining males. Torc, as a new nonpack male, had an allure to the females of the pack. None of interest stirring for them, he ignored them all. The elder pack bitches served the meal. Ailyea received a lot of attention from the single males as they sniffed and circled her. The pack bitches shot her nasty looks. No matter how close she cuddled to Master Torc, he refused to intervene. She kept shuffling her feet, and she’d pull her Lucent out to croon to at regular intervals. Her pet would answer in soft whines and gurgles. He ignored her every time she whispered “Master” if she didn’t tack Torc on after it. Torc forced himself to continue to listen to Essien as a bold young Were sniffed Ailyea’s throat growling, “I want to get soaked in your scent. Come outside with me.” His tongue darted out, licking her earlobe. Say no. Say no, Torc willed her. Ailyea pressed into his side. “Would that please you, Master?” Her pulse frantic, calling to him. The Lucent whined from its hiding place. The Were tugged at her hand as she frantically clasped his arm. Still he didn’t look her way until she whispered, “Master Torc, would that please you?” He glared fiercely until the wolf released Ailyea. Leaning over to brush his mouth against her ear, he whispered roughly, “Lady, you go with whoever pleases you. But if you’re not interested, don’t go.” Her gaze shot wide with uncertainty before she lowered it. “Please, Master, what would please you? I’ll let them all mount me if it pleases you…” The Lucent’s whining grew louder. Torc’s hard stare challenged gazes around the room as tension thickened the atmosphere. Essien’s chair scraped as he stood up. “Ailyea…”
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He cut him off. “Sit, pup. She’s capable of speech.” Trembling, Ailyea faced the male who had moved back to her side. “If my Master wishes me to go with you…” The Were smiled hungrily and tugged her to her feet. Essien glared fiercely, but Torc ignored him as he’d been doing Ailyea. If she wanted to go, she could go. If she didn’t want to, she could stay. Her choice. Ailyea’s shoulders slumped as the Were led her outside.
***** As soon as the young Were got her outside in the night, he was on her. Kissing, biting, his hands grabbing her. Ailyea fell to the ground, with the Were following her down. The Lucent buzzed. The Were stopped. “What the fuck is that?” He yanked on her tunic, finding the pocket where the Lucent sat. “Damn noisy thing.” He raised his arm, the Lucent humming in his hand as Ailyea screamed, “No!” Grasping the Lucent, he stilled. It glowed a mixture of red and yellow. “What did you say to me?” “Please don’t hurt it. My Lucent.” Ailyea ducked her head. What had she been thinking, yelling like that? Please gods, don’t let him hurt it. She shivered, tucking her head in. Why was she out here with this man? The Were shook her as the Lucent made an ear-piercing wailing noise. “No one tells me no!” He squeezed his hand around the Lucent. “No,” Ailyea pleaded. “No. Hurt me instead.” Instantly, he attacked her, smacking her across the face. He grabbed her breast in a punishing grip and bit her, his teeth sinking deep into her flesh. His free hand released the Lucent, and it fell to the ground. It groaned and continued to wail, emitting beams of yellow, red and green.
***** “I know you’re not this fucking heartless!” Essien snarled from where he paced, seconds after the door closed behind them. A tic beat in his jaw. “I didn’t tell her to go!” “You didn’t tell her to stay!” the pup snarled back. Torc growled, shoving away from the table. “If Brody mounts her, his friends will line up for a turn,” Kiel chimed in. 61
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“She could have said no. It was her choice.” But Hades, did she want to say no? “Unless she screams or cries out for help—” “She won’t!” Essien snarled. “You can’t change her at will. She has been trained to a way of life since she was a child! She won’t change her way of thinking overnight. She can’t make choices.” Torc’s chest tightened. His nostrils flared. Growling in a fit of rage, he rose to his feet. He reached back, snatching up the oak chair he’d been sitting in and hurled it into the wall. Kiel growled. Essien sucked in a calming breath. “Torc, I owe you more than my life. If there was something I could do to help that girl, I would. But I can’t. You can’t.” He began to pace again. “All you can do is protect her. It’ll take her years to deprogram…” “I don’t have fucking years! In less than a week, I’ve got to deliver her to her home planet. After that, I’ll never see her again.” His voice scratched like a needle on slate. Essien shook his head. “Idiot. I can’t see you dumping someone like her.” “I’m being paid by her family to deliver her. I’ve already wasted too much time as it is.” Kiel leaned back, sipping his drink. “She could be a genuine submissive.” He shrugged. “Keep her and use her. No one will be the wiser, certainly not her.” Essien blinked at his brother. Torc clenched his fists. “I won’t touch her.” He prayed he would be strong enough to keep his word to himself. Ailyea had spent her life being pawed, being treated as a possession. He wouldn’t do that to her. “She’s out there hoping to make you proud.” Essien’s voice was barely a whisper. He roared, storming out of the longhouse. The heavy door bounced off the wall. He followed the howls down a path to a clearing.
***** Ailyea moaned as the Were bit her again. He rammed his fingers roughly up her chochota, continuing to bite and smack her. He hadn’t fucked her yet. The waiting was killing her. She wanted it over with so she could go back to Master Torc. The Lucent lay beside her. She focused on the noise and its swirling colors. She wanted to touch it, have it nuzzle her hand to take her completely away from this place, from the hands that roughly touched her. But she didn’t dare bring attention to the little stone. A low growl sounded from the woods around the clearing. The Were looked up. Master Torc stalked out of the woods, eyes brimming with silver flames. “Go,” he snarled. That one word packed fury like dynamite.
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“Make me.” Two more Weres drifted out from the woods to join the first. They’d been waiting their turn. “Three of us.” The Were folded his arm with a smug smile. “One of you.” Master Torc set upon him so fast it made Ailyea’s vision blur. Even wounded he moved with the speed of a gazebra. The crushing blow landed the smaller Were on the ground, where he stayed. “Now there are two.” Master Torc flexed his arm muscles. “Let’s go for none!” The other two Weres began to back away. Ailyea saw the first wolf’s booted foot a second before it would stomp her Lucent. She knocked it out the way, only to have his foot come down on her hand. She whimpered at the crack of bone. Ailyea saw the Lucent beaming great hues of ruby as she passed out. In a flash, Torc pummeled the Were who had stomped on Ailyea. With a snarl and twist of his hands, he snapped the bastard’s neck. Fangs bared, he turned toward the final assailant. Kiel stopped him with a claw pressed to his throat. “I won’t allow you to kill another of my people for a piece of ass,” the alpha growled. Torc trembled with rage. He wanted to kill the other male who had touched Ailyea. His eyes met Kiel’s gaze. They both knew whose fault this had been. His. He shouldn’t have allowed the Delicant from his sight. He’d known she would have done anything anyone had asked of her. Anything. She didn’t have the capacity to say no. Didn’t have the capacity to keep herself safe. His gaze met Essien’s as the whelp cradled Ailyea. Torc nodded to Kiel, and the leader stepped back. Moments later, he carried her inside the cabin they stayed in.
***** Torc’s chest heaved as he harnessed his beast. Essien brushed up against him as if he were a brother of his pack. “She’ll be fine.” The Lucent whined as Torc stared at the unconscious submissive. He clenched his teeth as he soothed the hair back from her face. “Will you heal her?” Essien lowered his gaze. A tic beat in his jaw as his teeth ached from grinding them. His cock jerked with the thought of what would be involved in healing Ailyea. He shouldn’t even be considering it. “You can’t think to let her suffer,” Essien prodded. “Her hand was crushed.”
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His gaze hardened. “I want your word you won’t tell her I healed her.” Essien sighed. Torc snarled. “Your word!” “You have it,” Essien growled as fiercely as Torc. The Lucent whined, colors swirling brilliantly. “Shut up!” he roared. The pet whimpered, earning another glare from Torc. The damn beastie hadn’t been quiet since he’d carried its mistress in. He extended a talon-like claw and tore into his own wrist. Lifting the back of Ailyea’s head, he placed his oozing flesh against her mouth. He used his deep psyche to give her a mental urge to drink. She fought momentarily, but with another mind push, she slurped from him as if he were one of her favorite juices. He sucked in a breath. Something magical existed in his blood. What, he didn’t know, having raised himself with no mentors around. He had discovered its healing properties when he’d rescued Essien. While he contemplated looking through her stored memories, he forced himself to concentrate on giving her pleasure. Sweet aches while she fed. Only when she neared a climax did he release her. He quickly licked his own wound, sealing it. She licked her lips. “Master?” “What, lady?” “I like the way you taste.” He grunted as she drifted back to sleep. He used his psyche to take the memory from her. Ailyea woke up with her hand throbbing. The Lucent hummed beside her on a little table, a Delicant lullaby she’d sung to the little ball earlier. A cold cloth rested on her forehead. She opened her eyes to discover Master Torc sitting beside her. “Master Torc…” “I’m here. Rest, lady.” “My hand. Is it broken?” “It was, but it’ll be completely healed soon.” “I…” He put a finger to her lips. “Hush. Rest.” She didn’t say anything, but looked to the little Lucent. It beamed blue and seemed to become more brilliant as it got her attention.
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“It won’t let me move it from you. Screams and wails until I put it back. The way it keeps humming that damn song, I thought it might keep you up.” “I like its music, Master…Torc.” “You should have let the Were crush it.” Ailyea gasped. “Master Torc…I…I’m sorry I displeased you. I didn’t want to lose what you gave me.” “Is that the only fucking reason you saved it? To please your master?” “Of course. I want to please you in all things, Master Torc.” Master Torc grunted. “I guess your caring for the damn thing had nothing to do with it.” She caught her bottom lip between her teeth in silence. “Have you named it yet?” Master Torc leaned back in the chair. “No, Master Torc. I haven’t.” She moved her hand a little, only to wince from the pain. “Your hand will be sore for a few days. It was broken. I—” He glanced away. “Essien worked to set and heal it as best he could. And you need to name the damn thing. So I know what to call it when I tell it to shut up.” Ailyea chuckled. He reached out and touched her cheek, then drew his hand back as if she’d burned him. “Rest, lady,” he grunted and then left her and the Lucent, still humming the lullaby. With her good hand, she picked it up and nuzzled it. Tucking it under her chin, she quickly fell asleep.
***** Torc had given Ailyea three full days to recover and play. She’d spent a great deal of her time with Essien, while he had spent most of the time alone. The time would prepare him for when he had to leave her on her planet. Kiel had insisted on giving them another farewell dinner. Only this one had been held in the cabin Torc and Ailyea shared. The last of the pack bitches followed Kiel out, leaving Essien behind with them. Essien turned from where he stood at the window. “Do you need to feed again before you go?” Ailyea’s head came up from cuddling her pet. Though he did need to, he shook his head in denial. “I’ll stop somewhere along the way.” Essien frowned. “And risk catching every disease known in the galaxy?”
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“I’m immune to them all.” And he was. Another fact about himself he should know more about but didn’t. Essien pulled his shirt over his head. “Well, I’m not immune to that magic of yours. Come drink, my brother.” He dropped his shirt and quickly moved to his side. Torc glared. Essien knew him well. Had he hesitated, Torc would have denied him. Ailyea’s breath quickened, turning Torc on. His cock lengthened, filling out the extra room in his pants. Standing, he tangled a hand in Essien’s hair, exposing his throat for his fangs to sink in. Giving the Delicant a show, he toyed with the whelp, running his tongue along his throat until he found a spot. He nipped at him a time or two, causing not only Essien to jerk, but Ailyea as well. Torc eased his fangs into Essien, his psyche delivering erotic imagines. He fed slowly as Essien burned with sexual desire. He grunted when the whelp pressed his rigid cock into him. Again and again, the whelp rocked as he continued to feed. Ailyea whimpered as Essien clasped Torc’s ass, pressing farther into him. He eased his hold before he lifted his head for a ragged breath. Essien sucked in air as Torc leaned over and lapped at the wound, sealing it. The whelp leaned heavily on him. Face flushed with arousal, Ailyea kneeled in the chair, the hem of her tunic caught up in her fisted palms. Torc licked his lips and tried to move away from Essien. The whelp clasped him. “Hold still or I’m going to come.” Essien shuddered. “Gods… When you do that…” He held still until the whelp pulled himself together. Essien lifted his head and his eyes had darkened with lust, his face flushed. “Go to bed, lady,” Torc growled. Without a word, Ailyea scrambled into the bedroom. Essien grinned. “I wouldn’t have tried to lure her away from you.” Torc grunted. As if. The whelp moved closer, leaning in to brush his temple along Torc’s. “Safe journey, my brother.” Torc remained silent as Essien left. Afterward, he spent long hours in a chair watching the fire blaze in the stone hearth. They would leave in the morning. Only a matter of days before he never saw the little Delicant again. He glared at the flickering flames. Leaving her would be the hardest thing he’d ever had to do. Even if it was the right thing.
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He banked the fire before settling in bed with Ailyea, wanting to give her enough time to go to sleep, but got tired of listening to her toss and turn. He couldn’t contain the lust, the desire to hold her. “Come here, lady.” His voice rough, Torc inhaled deeply as she snuggled up to him. Friggin’ Hades. Why couldn’t she ever keep her clothes on? He wrapped his arm around her while placing the other behind his head as if he didn’t know she lay there. His cock throbbed as it hardened. After a moment, his hand absently caressed her upper arm and loose strands of hair. Such soft skin, silken hair. Ailyea squirmed closer and placed a thigh over his. He sucked in a breath as her knee brushed his hard-on. “Lay still, lady.” She made a soft sound, only to cuddle closer to him. His nostrils flared. Her pebbled nipples taunted him through his shirt. Still, she snuggled in closer, and he couldn’t remember feeling anything as nice before. Her breath blew light across his throat. If only he were naked too. Ailyea’s hand drifted up onto his chest. A moment later, he jerked as her restless hand drifted downward. He grasped it. “Sleep, lady.” She squirmed, her sex rocking against his hip. “But, Master…Torc, you keep touching me.” His hand stilled on her arm, and he closed his eyes. Ailyea didn’t sleep though. She pressed deeper into him with her pussy rubbing him. He made a rough sound. He wanted her, his cock thick and ready. “Lay still, lady, so I can sleep,” he hoarsely demanded. Again, she rocked into him. With a growl, he flipped her over. Ailyea whimpered, arching her hips up. She whimpered again as he rolled her over to where her back now rested along his chest. Torc wrapped his arms around her, his breath raspy. There. Now he’d be able to rest. He concentrated on the sweet scent of her hair, breathing in deeply. Moaning, she pressed her ass back into him. “Master Torc, your body is so hard. Hot.” He would come in his pants if she kept that up. “Lady…” he groaned. “Let me touch you. Master…Torc.” Her voice pleaded breathlessly. She rocked her ass back into him. He closed his eyes and simply felt. Pleasure. Pressure. Never had anything been so perfect before. Her soft body pressing into his. He wanted her with every breath… No. He forced the temptation away from his lust-filled mind, but he would touch her. He’d give himself that.
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“Lay still, lady.” He let his right hand drift down her belly to her pussy. She sucked in a breath as his fingers slipped between her wet folds. His balls tightened at finding her drenched. She raised a leg back over his to give him total access to her. He clenched his teeth, wanting to please her…but… “Master Torc… Touch me.” She rocked into his fingers and then her ass pressed against his raging hard-on again. Torc groaned. He rubbed his fingers down her center and then back up over her clit, causing her to moan. Again and again he rubbed her, enjoying the little sounds she made. “Tell me how you want me to touch you.” Her head dipped forward, and his fangs lightly brushed her delicate skin where shoulder met neck. “Ooh…” she breathed. His tongue darted out for a taste. Quivering, Ailyea tried to shift against his fingers, but he held her in place. “Tell me,” he demanded. She whimpered and then whispered, “I…Master Torc, I…however…pleases you, Master Torc.” No. He wouldn’t use her in any way. He had wanted her to come, but not to obey a command. On a ragged breath, he released her and climbed out of bed. Ailyea panted as he pulled the door closed behind him. As he braced his palm on the doorframe, he heard a low muffled sob, but pushed away before he turned back. This was for the best. This was for her, not him. He spent a sleepless night in the chair before a cold fire.
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Chapter Ten Ailyea woke up and stretched out in the bed. She was alone. She sighed. He wanted her. His cacete grew heavy every time he got close to her. She sensed his desire for her. And she was his. She belonged to him. She didn’t understand why he wouldn’t take her. She padded out of her room. Master Torc sat scrunched into a chair, his head thrown back, sleeping. As she approached him, he cocked one eye open. “Good morning, Master Torc.” “Good morning, lady. Sleep well?” “Okay, I guess.” She hadn’t slept well at all. She wanted him, the sexual relief he could give her. But he didn’t do anything she expected. She hadn’t slept alone much in her life either. At the House of 9000 Pleasures, the Delicants slept together a lot. Most of her Masters liked to have her there when they slept, so when they woke, cacete at attention, they didn’t have to go far for satisfaction. One hadn’t let her share his bed, but had chained her to a post. She’d slept on the floor. When he wanted her, he’d drag her up to the bed by the chains, sometimes barely awake. Ailyea shivered in front of the empty hearth. Her nipples pebbled and goose bumps rose on her arms. “Cold?” Master Torc got up and crossed the floor. He picked up a blanket and wrapped it around her. “You’d be less cold if you wore clothes.” She cuddled into the softness of the cloth as Master Torc made a fire. “I forget to put them on.” Sometimes she did. She still couldn’t believe she had her own clothes. Sometimes she worried he might get angry and take them away. How many times had Masters given her something to call her own and then snatched it back? Too many to count. Why would Master Torc be any different? But yet he’d been so angry about the wolves, and so far had not done anything to hurt her. But that couldn’t last. It never did. She reached one finger out to touch the cold gray stone of the fireplace. It looked beautiful. Master Torc blew, igniting the flames in the wood. “That’s Jaspar stone. Comes from a neighboring planet Kiel trades with. Only place it exists.” “It’s beautiful, Master Torc.” He shrugged, but she saw him watching her fingers as they traced patterns in the rough stone.
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A spark popped out of green wood and landed on Ailyea’s foot, scorching it. “Ow!” she shrieked and hopped away. “Lady, stop.” She froze. Master Torc flicked off the ember, which had stuck to her skin. It left a red welt, which looked as angry as a wolf pup with no supper. “Let me see.” Master Torc grasped her ankle in one hand and peered at the wound. His hands appeared big and rough, yet his touch couldn’t be gentler. Ailyea couldn’t help but think of how they’d feel other places on her body. Intimate places. Her chochota moistened and her heart sped up. “It’s a little burn.” “It hurts, Master Torc.” She pouted a little, her lip poking out. He looked up at her a grin tugging at his mouth. “You’ll live.” To her shock, he lowered his mouth and kissed her foot gently, his mouth wet and warm against her cool skin. “Ooohhhhhh.” She moaned slightly, shivering no longer from the cold. She liked his lips touching her foot. His large hand still restrained her ankle. Her chochota dripped. His tongue slipped out and tickled her skin. “Hey!” she yelped, squirming. This time he allowed the grin to grow, changing his looks. “What?” Oh, she liked his grin. “That tickled.” “Sorry.” His tongue flicked out to tease her again. Ailyea giggled. Then started, her whole body stilling. She’d rarely done that before except with her Lucent. Never had many reasons to. Masters didn’t like her to laugh. They liked her only to please them with her mouth. They didn’t care if she had fun. Only Master Torc seemed to like it. He’d smiled when the noise escaped her mouth. His tongue ran across the burn, causing it to tingle. He let go of her foot. “Come on. We better get you some breakfast. And cold water for the burn.” “Yes, Master Torc.” She loped behind him, her Lucent glowing blue nearby. She frowned. Oddly, her foot already throbbed less.
***** Ailyea giggled as her Lucent nuzzled her neck. Torc tried to concentrate on avoiding the objects in space, but she sounded so damn happy. The sounds pleased him, somehow soothed him. She’d been quiet since they had left Ylon III. He had spent the time lost in thoughts about her. Three days. What could he do to help her in a few days? Nothing. But, he refused to give up trying. He wouldn’t until he said goodbye to her—then he’d never think of her again.
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He wouldn’t. He’d have no trouble getting back to his life. He’d been content alone. Used to it. Torc sighed. He wouldn’t accept the payment for her delivery. “Master Torc?” He glanced over to discover Ailyea in one of the “ready” positions. Her legs were pulled up, her pussy invitingly exposed. He wanted to lick it. He wanted to bury his tongue inside her. He would never forget her taste. How velvety soft her sex quivered beneath his fingers. He forced his gaze up to meet hers. “What?” Her eyes widened, before she glanced down. “Nothing… I’m sorry, Master.” “Torc! My damn name is Torc!” He growled, immediately regretting his loss of temper when she jerked. He blew out a breath. “Listen, lady, I am not your master. My name is Torc. Hades. I don’t even have a last name. Call me Torc.” She nodded. “Yes. Yes, Master Torc. I’m sorry, Master Torc… I sometimes forget…” She hadn’t once raised her gaze to meet his. Torc set the autopilot and ran his hands through his hair. “Come with me, lady.” She scrambled to follow him. They had little room to work in, but he’d do the best he could. “Go put the Lucent up and bring your dagger.” He listened to her chatter with the glowing ball as she laid it on the center of his bed. He clenched his fists. Hades, he would miss the chatter. She darted over to him. He thanked the gods she’d remained dressed. One of her hands grasped her tunic, while the other held the dagger with a death grip. She screwed her face up like he would mete out the most horrible punishment as she gazed at his boots. “Lady, I will never hurt you.” Ailyea’s gaze darted up. “Yes. Master Torc.” Her lip trembled. “It’s okay if you want to, Master…Torc. Some Masters like to mutilate their sex slaves.” “Fuck me,” he muttered. He should have fucking known. She scrambled down onto her hands and knees, quickly pressing her head to the floor. “Yes, Master Torc.” His cock went from hard to rock-hard. He forced himself to breathe as he gazed down at her pink pussy and inviting ass. Hades, he needed his tongue cut out. He had to stop saying that. It tortured him. Torc leaned down, helping her up. Her chest rose and fell in rapid little pants. “It was your vocabulary again, wasn’t it, Master Torc?” He nodded. “You’re learning.” She smiled, and he was tempted to smile back. He didn’t though. Instead, he stepped away from her. “Lady, I’m going to teach you to use that dagger.” Ailyea gasped. “Oh, Master Torc, slaves…” Her shoulders slumped. “Slaves can’t use weapons.” Her gaze met his. “I should have told you when you first gave me the
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dagger.” She swallowed. “Master Torc, you’ve never owned a slave before, have you?” She lowered her gaze. He blinked. He’d gotten four or five sentences out of her. Nothing short of miraculous. “Lady, you are not my slave. And I am not your master. I am Torc. And you, lady…” He lifted her chin with his fingertips to make her meet his eyes. “Lady, you are Ailyea Meegan.” Her mouth trembled, but she squared her shoulders with a deep puff of breath. He’d confused her. Frightened her. Hades. She probably thought he’d gone stark raving mad. “The dagger is yours. Keep it or sell it. It makes no difference to me, but I will teach you how to use it.” She bit her lip and nervously tangled her hand in her tunic. “Say it,” he ordered, “whatever is on your mind.” “I don’t know what you mean, Master Torc. Slaves cannot use weapons.” He clenched and unclenched his fists, refusing to lose his temper. He removed his shirt and clasped her hand, which held the dagger. He brought her hand up to the center of his stomach. “A wound in the stomach will kill most.” He moved her hand to his inner thigh where an artery pumped blood. “A deep wound here often kills.” Torc brought her hand along with the dagger to his heart. “A thrust through the heart is a sure death blow.” Next, he brought her dagger hand up to his throat. “You slice a throat, and your opponent will more than likely bleed to death.” Ailyea’s hands trembled when he let go of it. Her eyes wide. “Now, let’s work on how to hold the dagger.” She shook her head. “No. No, Master Torc…” She shook her head, backing away from him. She dropped the dagger. “You can beat me, Master Torc, but I will not do this.” She folded her arms protectively around her. “Master Torc, the Rendorians would arrest us both if they knew you tried to teach me to use a dagger. Only free men and women can handle weapons. I am not free. I am a Delicant.” Her mouth trembled. “Master Torc, I am a Delicant. Your Delicant.” He glared. She’d picked a fine time to turn into a little chatterbox. The Lucent let out a sharp whine, causing them both to wince. “Go calm your pet.” He turned away from her, leaving her to pick up her dagger. He sat in his captain’s chair, pretending to lose himself in navigating space. “Captain?” The computer interrupted Torc’s brooding. “What is it, Ginger?” He sat up straighter to gaze at the center computer screen. “There is a Rendorian fighter following close behind.” “How close?” “Not close enough to stay within my sensor range. He’s been behind us for about two hours. It’s the Shadow, as you call him.”
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“Computer off.” Torc’s gaze drifted up to glare out into space. Why would a universal patrol follow him? For weeks now, the bastards had been toying with him. Why didn’t they make a move, like the other quadrant teams?
***** Ailyea patted her Lucent and let it snuggle into her neck. It hummed, burying itself into her as far as it could go. At times, she longed to do that herself. Bury herself in someplace safe. She watched Master Torc at the controls of the ship. She didn’t understand him. Not one bit. Why would he teach her to fight? Why do such a thing for a Delicant? It broke the law. She’d had one Master who beat her if she even looked at his weapons. He had been into bondage, kept her chained to his bed a lot. It had been drummed into her head at the House of 9000 Pleasures to stay away from weapons. No Delicant should know how to use or be in possession of weapons. Ever. Punishable by death to both the Delicant and the one who provided the weapon. Soon-Yi had told them their hands were only supposed to bring about pleasure. Never anything else. She’d been beaten once when she’d touched a dagger hilt trying to take it off a teacher in a lesson on how to undress a Master. Ailyea nuzzled her Lucent, confusion still clouding her mind. It, she understood. All it wanted was to be close to her.
***** Torc grasped Ailyea’s wrist as he tugged her along beside him. He sighed yet again as she tried to walk behind him. After a day of space travel, he had docked the shuttle on a space station known for its parties. The clock ticked fast, and he wanted to give Ailyea another memory if he could. A little taste of freedom. He couldn’t take another sleepless night. This should wear her out. They passed three bars and a horde of aliens before they arrived at the club. He paid the hefty fee for their entrance and tugged Ailyea inside. The stop-motion lights momentarily played havoc with his senses. Savoring the energy the club hummed with, he glanced down at her again. He couldn’t figure out what had her dragging her feet. He had figured she’d be awed by the spectacle around them. Torc pushed their way through the pulsing bodies to the bar. He used an intimidating glare to empty a stool at the end for Ailyea. Immediately, her silken thighs wrapped around his hips, causing his head to buzz with lust. Her hands grasped his ass, while her face nuzzled him like a she-cat’s.
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Clasping the bar and her hip to support himself, he moaned. Ailyea’s mouth brushed the underside of his jaw, moving up over his chin. Growling, he released the bar and grasped her other hip, pulling her up against him as her lips brushed his. A kiss. His first. Torc locked his knees at the feel of her warm tongue running across his mouth. Ailyea tangled her hands in his hair, and he opened his mouth. The world ceased to exist when her tongue caressed his. A deep groan rumbled up his throat. Every cell in his body hummed, demanding he return the kiss. His heart thumped as she explored his mouth, teasing his tongue to dance with hers. But he held still, savoring the suction of her lips and the thrusts of her tongue. When he could take her breasts pressed into him and the rocking motion of her sex against his cock no longer, he tore his mouth away from her. He drew in a breath, hoping he wouldn’t come in his pants. “New rule. No kissing.” His voice was harsh as he removed her hands from his hair. “I thought,” she panted, “that’s what you wanted, Master Torc. When you set me up here.” He wanted to shake her. It hadn’t crossed his mind before, but now it wouldn’t leave. “No. I put you up there so you’d have a place to sit.” “Oh.” Her shoulders hunched. Her gaze shyly met his, then quickly dropped down. He waved the green-skinned bartender over and ordered her a fruit juice. “Ask, lady. I can see questions in your gaze.” She moistened her lips. “Did you bring me here to sell me, Master Torc?” “No,” he growled. Her shoulders straightened a little. “Did you bring me here to dance on stage then, Master Torc?” He swallowed and closed his eyes while he briefly allowed himself to imagine her dancing. His teeth clenched. He would kill before he let others see her dance. It had slipped his mind that everyone told legends of Delicants’ hypnotically sensual dancing. “No. I brought you here for some of the fruit juice you like so much.” “Really, Master Torc?” She caught her lower lip between her teeth. His chest constricted at the look of confusion she passed him. “Really.” He shrugged. “Unless you want to dance. The choice is always yours.” Ailyea’s hands clutched at the hem of her tunic. “Would that please you, Master Torc?” Her gaze lowered.
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He smiled. She hadn’t stuttered the question. Progress was progress. Even little signs. Torc gently lifted her chin, forcing her to meet his gaze. “No, lady. It wouldn’t please me. Do you know why?” She shook her head, and he ignored the slight tremors running through her body. Scared—every vibe she put out said it. “Because I don’t think you want to dance for this crowd.” He turned his back to her. He didn’t want to give her a chance to answer. Ailyea scanned the bar—so many beings around them. Her back arched stiffly, and she frowned. Torc still faced away from her. She’d been to places like this with other Masters. Once, she’d been sold at a place like this. Nothing like strangers inspecting your teeth and your chochota, then going off and having a drink. Not good. The few other times she’d been brought to bars hadn’t gone well. Once, a Master had been looking for a fight. Bringing a Delicant into a bar full of rough aliens had made sure of that. Another time, a Master had slapped her every time he caught her looking at anyone else. Hard to walk and look down all the time in crowded places without crashing into people. She crossed her legs, sitting stiffly, uncomfortably, and tried not to stare out into the crowd. She should be happy. Her Master had brought her here. To get her a drink she liked. But nervousness had won over happiness for now. The bartender sat her drink in front of her. She sipped, peering over her glass. “Like?” His voice was gruff but his features softened. “It’s wonderful. Thank you, Master Torc.” He grunted. She’d learned that when things meant the most to him, he tried to act the most like they didn’t. She tried to smile and relax her body. The crowd looked to be an interesting mix of aliens. With all the different places she’d lived and Masters she’d had, she’d seen many different species. At the far end of the bar stood a Vole. A creature of ratlike appearance. He twitched his whiskers as he lapped at his drink, his gaze flittering around the room skittishly. By the entranceway sat a Carthagian. Had an erogenous zone in their ears. Not all species had the same sex organs or ones that resided in the lower body. She spotted a Bratyx. Humanoid but androgynous. No male or female in their society. Ailyea started and craned her head to get a better look. But they’d moved on. Her brow creased. It couldn’t be. Again, she looked over the crowd. She’d seen a man who looked exactly like Master Torc minus the scar. He’d been looking at them, but the crowd had shifted and now she didn’t see him anymore.
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She shifted on her stool as she caught another glimpse of the stranger, this time in profile. A military patch covered his upper arm. She sucked in a breath as he turned his head and lifted his sunglasses to reveal eyes that matched her Master’s. The next moment, he slipped back into the crowd. “You all right, lady?” Master Torc must have felt her move against him. “Master Torc, I saw…” She turned, looking this way and that but didn’t see him anymore. She swallowed, unsure of herself. She’d only caught a glimpse. Maybe she was wrong. If he was Rendorian, he’d have brought down the place the instant he saw Master Torc. “Nothing, Master Torc. Nothing at all. I’m fine.” She sipped her drink again. Seeing movement on one of the stages, Ailyea turned so she could get a better look at it. A dark-haired humanoid walked through the throngs of people and up onto the stage with a naked woman wearing a collar with a leash attached. She had to be a Delicant. Hair cascaded to her waist. Her eyes stared at the floor as the man jerked her up to the front of the stage. In one hand he held the leash, in the other a black wooden cane. Sensual music began to play, and the whole bar’s attention directed to the back of the bar. The man unsnapped the lead. The woman danced around the stage, her moves slow and deliberate, each one designed to bring attention to her breasts and her hips. Her long blonde hair swung around her as she moved fluidly. The crowd moved as one toward the stage. Master Torc claimed the seat beside her, placing his back to the bar. The dark-haired man stood off to the side, watching. His leather pants fit tightly and the erection couldn’t be missed. Ailyea stole a glance at Master Torc. A tic beat in his jaw as the dancer stalked around the stage, her heavy breasts bouncing. “I…I could dance like that, Master Torc,” she whispered. “If it would please you.” “I think we already talked about this, lady,” he muttered back. She frowned and sat up straighter in her chair. The man had come back to the middle of the stage, and the Delicant sauntered around him, rubbing her body all over him like a cat in heat. He reached and toyed with a pierced nipple. Master Torc shifted his weight in his stool. The man pinched the woman’s nipple hard between his fingertips. Ailyea saw the wince of pain the woman looked down to conceal.
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“See my whore,” the man spoke, “my little whore who likes to dance around the stage.” He pinched so hard his knuckles whitened, noticeable from even the distance they sat. The woman gasped and her eyes met his. Ailyea closed her eyes as he backhanded her. “Never look me in the face, chuchanga.” The Delicant whimpered as he hit her with his cane a few times then fastened the chain back to her collar and dragged her offstage. He caned her one last time at the bottom step and tossed her over his shoulder, heading for the side rooms of the bar. The bar had rooms of pain and pleasure. Ailyea had been to places like this before. She shuddered, knowing full well what the man had in mind for his slave. Master Torc looked like he was about to speak when another commotion sounded at the other end of the bar behind them. They both looked up. “Come and get a sweet bit of pussy,” another male’s singsong voice rang out. Behind him followed another Delicant on a leash. She walked five feet behind him, head down. She looked familiar. Yiana. Yiana and she had been slaves of the same Master. Yiana was older than Ailyea. The older you were, the harder it became to find new Masters ready to buy you. She saw a streak of gray in Yiana’s fine black hair. The man jerked her forward. “Come see this little chuchanga. She’s ripe for the taking.” Ailyea ran her hand over her face as men came up to Yiana and her Master. They opened her mouth and checked her teeth. Clasped her breasts, looking at the firmness and also at her nipples hardening. One man stuck his fingers into her exposed chochota. He kept them in there until her Master yelled, “No touching the goods until you pay me!” The man pulled out glistening fingers. Ailyea made a small sound. They continued to poke and prod Yiana until one man met what her Master asked. The new Master clipped his lead onto her collar. And with that, another Delicant had been sold. The man who bought her grinned widely, leading her away. The Vole from earlier. Yiana shook, her trembling evident to everyone in the bar. Ailyea shuddered. Yiana had an intense fear of rats and rodent-like things. Now she’d become a sex slave to one. “Are you cold, lady?” She barely heard him. “No, Master, I’m fine.” She was cold, but on the inside where no amount of fire or blankets could ever reach and make her warm again. That she knew from experience.
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Chapter Eleven Torc groaned as he turned the steam hotter in the shower. He’d gotten little sleep the night before, having spent the night lost in fantasies of Ailyea. Thankfully, Ailyea had slept. After asking him if he wanted her, which he had denied, she’d cuddled right up to him and gone to sleep. He worried she’d gotten used to his presence. He placed his head against the wall. Hades. He’d gotten used to her. He liked holding her, enjoyed watching her sleep. His head whipped up as the door slid open. “Master Torc, would you like for me to bathe you?” Ailyea didn’t give him a chance to reply. Naked, she stepped into the shower with him. As bold as a she-cat, she grasped his erection in a firm grip and slid her palm along him. Her thumb rubbed the head of his cock. Biting back a groan, he snatched her hand away. He didn’t have enough air in his lungs to speak. Ailyea ignored his gaze or pretended not to see, instead stepping forward and pressing her soft body into his. Her hard nipples and firm breasts pressed into the hot skin of his chest. He sucked in a breath. His nostrils flared as she rocked her pussy against him, trapping his swollen cock between them. His balls tingled. Oh, the pleasure of feeling her naked body along his. He wouldn’t take more than a minute of it. The feel of her soft body and silken skin, he’d never forget it. Torc moaned as her teeth scraped his shoulder. His cock throbbed. He wanted to come. Needed to. After lying beside her for the night, he had planned to jerk himself off in the privacy of the steam shower. But now… He could think of nothing more pleasurable than burying himself in her warm wet folds. No. With a growl, he eased her away from his body. He ignored her whimper. He would not use her. “Lady, there is no touching allowed,” he rasped, surprised he could speak at all. Her eyes hooded. “But Master Torc, your cacete is as hard as stone. The head of your cace—your cock is slick with pre-come.” His cock jerked. He fought for control. Reached down and took himself into his palm and ruthlessly worked his cock. It took only a few steady pumps of his fist to ejaculate. He closed his eyes at the first throb of eruption, clenching his teeth to prevent himself from groaning as stream after stream of fluid shot out.
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Torc’s chest heaved as he opened his eyes to meet Ailyea’s. “You are not my slave. And I can take care of myself. Take care of my own needs.” He ignored the slumping of her shoulders as he closed the shower door behind him.
***** The day slipped by as he listened to Ailyea chatter with her pet. He glared out into space, not looking forward to tomorrow night. They’d arrive at Ailyea’s home planet then, and he had to force himself to keep them on course. Time for something new. Something he taught her had to stay with her. After setting autopilot he stood up. “Come here, lady.” Ailyea scrambled to her feet from where she’d been lying on the bed. “Yes, Master Torc.” “Lady, I’m going to show you some fighting moves.” She wrapped her arms around herself. “I don’t know, Master Torc… Slaves aren’t…” He raised his hand, only to have her flinch. “Fuck—” He growled, cutting himself off. “Lady, I’d never hurt you.” She nodded. “I…I know, M—” Torc pressed his fingertips to her lips. He’d give anything if he could stop her from calling him master. “Lady, your legs are strong from all that crouching you do. Will you try something for me?” Her eyes widened. “I don’t know, M—” Again, he interrupted her response with his finger. He showed her how to locate his kidneys and demonstrated how to knee an assailant in them. “I want you to try it.” She moistened her lips. “I…” His fingertips pressed against her mouth. “I’ll show you how to kick, but I think you’d have a better chance kneeing someone.” He brought his right foot up within an inch of her right kidney. She gasped. He brought his foot down. “You’re not a fighter. So, your best chance will always be surprise. Show me where my kidneys are.” Ailyea reached out and gently pressed into the spot he’d showed her, before removing her hands. He held her gaze, pursing his lips to keep from smiling. “That’s right, lady. Now you know all about how much damage can be done to a man’s balls, right?”
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She nodded. “But M—” Torc cut her off again. “Good. You want to try kicking?” Ailyea shook her head, backing away from him, eyes wide and wild. “That’s okay. If I were you, I wouldn’t try to escape with kicking some bastard away. Come over here and press your back to my chest.” He thumped his chest with his fist. Her tongue darted out to moisten her lips. “I—M—” His fingertips cut her off again. “Do it for me, lady.” Hesitantly, Ailyea moved to stand before him. He pulled her back against him. “I’m going to show you a few moves to break this kind of hold.” He ignored her trembling. “Remember, lady, there will always be those who mean you harm.” She sucked in a breath. “Master Torc. I’m a Delicant.” He nuzzled her hair. “Please, lady.” Hades. His chest had gotten so tight he had trouble speaking. “Listen to me. When I took you—you ceased being a Delicant.” She laughed. “Oh, Master…” Her body stilled, like it had been petrified. “Master Torc. What is wrong? No one has ever said please to me before.” He winced, never having used the word before either, struggling with his conscience. Did he tell her he’d leave her tomorrow or wait and let her deal with it then? He’d have to tell her at some point. She had a right to know. He’d bet no one had ever prepared her for a change before. Torc stepped away from her, and she once again cradled herself protectively. “I’m a space mercenary. People hire me to bring back missing items.” Why hadn’t he said “property”? It had been on the tip of his tongue. “Your home planet is paying me to bring you back to them.” She shook her head and took a step away from him and then another. He clenched his fists. “I’ve never been your master, and tomorrow night…” His gaze hardened. “I’ll dump you on your home planet and never look back.” Ailyea sucked in a breath, only to have her mouth tremble. “Listen to me, lady, I’m also a hired killer. All I’m trying to do is prepare you for your future.” She shook her head. “You are my Master. Essien said you wouldn’t leave me or sell me like the others.” His jaw pulsed from clenching his teeth. He would beat the whelp first chance he got. She risked a glance up. “Master Torc?” “I am not your master!” he growled, only to relent when she winced. “What?” “Essien…” She moistened her lips nervously. “Essien said you would do anything I asked you to. Did he tell me the truth?”
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Torc made a rough sound. Beating the whelp would be too good for him. “The whelp didn’t lie.” She nodded, clutching at the hem of her tunic. “I have a request, Master Torc.” His heart thumped in his chest as she pulled her tunic over her head. “I want you to fuck me, Master Torc.” He braced his knees as his cock swelled, pressing against his pants. Friggin’ Hades. Fuck her? He hadn’t seen that coming. “Lady.” His voice came out so rough he barely recognized it. “I’m not your master and have no rights to what you offer.” Ailyea’s hips swayed seductively, walking up to him. She placed her hands on his chest while rubbing her sex against him. “Master Torc, I think you want to fuck me. I think you’ve wanted to fuck me all along.” Her hand snaked down to clasp him through his pants. His body jerked at her expert touch. Her gaze darkened as she massaged him. “It doesn’t matter what I want,” he rasped, between clenched teeth. “Master Torc, I want to know what it feels like to have you fuck me.” He shuddered, unsure if her palm or her words caused it. “Lady…” He swallowed. “I’m a virgin.” Ailyea’s eyes widened. Torc grunted when the back of his knees hit his bunk. He hadn’t noticed he was being ushered backwards. He let her pull his shirt over his head, and he silently cursed himself, watching her kneel and remove his boots and socks. Leaning back, he lifted his hips for her when she undid his pants and pulled them down. Torc groaned as she tossed his pants off to the side. She had kept her gaze lowered as she’d undressed him. Hades! He couldn’t go through with this. His cock jerked, leaking pre-come, arguing he could go through with this. He’d never wanted to do anything so badly in his life. Torc moaned as Ailyea’s kissed the inside of his knee, licking her way along his thigh. The beast demanded he fuck her… The man he didn’t know held him back. He didn’t want to use her. Wanted instead to cherish her. He wanted to protect her. Her warm mouth surrounded the right side of his sac and he nearly came unglued. He sat up and clasped Ailyea by the shoulders. “Lady…” He drew in a shuddering breath, praying for strength. “Lay down on the bed.” Her face flushed as she crawled past him. “Master Torc, do you want me on my back or belly?”
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“Torc,” he rasped. “My name is Torc. Back. Lay on your back, lady.” Torc moved around to kneel on his knees as Ailyea lay spread-eagled before him, her glistening pussy displayed invitingly. He wouldn’t fuck her. If it killed him, he wouldn’t do that, but he would touch her, live out a fantasy or two. He wanted to plunge his tongue deep inside her again, hear her soft love sounds. They’d be for him, even if it were for only a little while. Torc leaned down and kissed her thigh the way she had done to him. He ran his tongue along it, his teeth nipping here and there. As he got closer to her sex, his tongue and teeth got rougher. He starved for another taste of her. Ailyea whimpered, arching her hips as he moved back down to start back up from her other knee. His tongue swirled and lapped up along her silken skin. He drowned in her scent. His hard cock pulsed for release. With a will he didn’t know he had, he ignored his own needs. Torc sucked and lapped at the skin of her inner thighs. He inhaled the scent of her pussy and wanted to howl. Rubbing his mouth against her clit, he groaned. Ailyea answered with a moan. “I like the way you taste, lady.” His tongue darted out, licking up her seam. Once. Twice. Three times. “Do you like the feel of my tongue?” She pulled her legs up, planting her heels on the bed while clasping her knees. “Yes. Yes, Master Torc.” She panted. “Say my name,” he rasped, before thrusting his tongue as deep as he could into her passage. Moaning, she rolled her hips. Losing himself in the pleasure of pleasing her, he fucked her with his tongue, wild and furious. He pumped her pussy until his mouth tired, until she writhed and he had to hold her down. Lifting his head, he rasped between harsh breaths, “Say my name, lady.” “Master Torc…” She panted, urging her hips up for him to feast again. Torc shuddered. He didn’t think he could get any harder, but he did. He had never been this close to coming, had never been so turned on just from the sight of someone. Dipping his head, this time he sucked her clit into his mouth drawing a scream from Ailyea. He jerked away fearing he’d hurt her, but her hands came up to prevent him from leaving her sex. Her hands buried in his hair, urged him to take her pussy in his mouth again. “Lady, did I hurt you?” he rasped. “No. No, Master…” She panted. “Oh, please, I need to come. If it pleases you, let me.” She raised her legs and wrapped them over his shoulders.
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He sucked her clit hard into his mouth, only to tremble as she moaned in climax. He sucked and sucked until the quivers stopped in her thighs. His breathing came harshly as he rested his head on her sex. His cock had never throbbed so painfully before. Making him afraid to move, for fear of coming on the bed. “Oh, Master Torc… I’ve never come so before,” she whispered in between panting. Ailyea shifted, rubbing her feet along his back and shoulders. Hades, but she was limber. He swallowed, wishing she’d be still. “Master Torc, are you going to finger-fuck me now? Most Masters like to watch their fingers drive in and out of me.” He groaned. Finger-fuck her? Did she think he was strong enough to watch as his finger slid in and out of her pussy? His cock pulsed. Torc opened his eyes to see her plucking at her erect nipples as she continued to massage him with her feet. She moaned as she squeezed her full breasts. “Master Torc, do you like watching me play with my breasts? Some Masters like to watch. I could do all sorts of things while you watched.” He could do no more than stare and remind himself to breathe as his cock throbbed. Tried to guide his thoughts away from what she could do while he watched. Her tongue darted out, seductively moistening her lips. Torc’s eyes narrowed. Was the Delicant toying with him? Pushing all the right buttons? Growling, he moved to escape her, but she moved faster. Her strong thighs slipped around his waist. Her arms quickly circled his shoulders. He grunted, but held completely still as her moist sex bumped his hard cock. She panted and for the first time, didn’t look away from his gaze. His nostrils flared. “Release me, lady.” She shook her head, nuzzling his chin. “Essien said you would never hurt me,” she whispered, pressing her breasts against his chest. “Would you try to rape me, lady?” he gritted between clenched teeth. With a tilt of her hips, she rubbed her hot pussy along his. “Oh, Master, I don’t think it would be rape. It’s what you want. I’m only giving it to you.” His arm and legs trembled as every cell in his body screamed for him to take her. “Release me, lady. I have only so much control.” One of Ailyea’s hands buried in his hair as the other one clasped his shoulder. He sucked in a breath as her nails dug into him. She shifted so the head of his cock pressed against the opening of her pussy. Her breath tickled heavy and moist in his ear. 83
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Holding his breath, he held still as he silently begged her to rock her sex along his. “Master, please…” she panted. He growled and tried to break the hold. He wasn’t her master. He was nothing to her. Would never be anything to her. Too late to back out now. Too close. Her hips arched on his escape. Using her strong, limber legs to hold him, she thrust herself along his cock until he was completely buried in her hot pussy. “Ah Ailyea,” he whispered hoarsely, the sensation of entering her too much to take. He couldn’t control the trembling of his body. Nothing had ever felt so good before. Nothing would ever feel as good as being one with Ailyea. Gasping, she shifted. “Oh, Master… You fit so perfectly. I knew you would…” The last, she whispered so softly he didn’t think it’d been meant for him to hear. “Move against me. Thrust hard.” “I can’t,” he gritted between his teeth. “I’ll come if I move.” She made what sounded like a laugh before whispering, “Then I’ll do the work.” He whimpered at the first shift of her hips. Again and again, she rocked against him, her pussy taking him home. His head hummed, his cock throbbed. He was going to come. Soon. She knew it too. His fangs extended and fear clenched his chest. “Lady…please. Lady, I don’t…” he gritted harshly as helplessly, he rocked his hips pressing her into the bed. “I don’t want to hurt you.” She shivered. “You won’t. Master Torc, I know you won’t hurt me.” Ailyea rolled her head, baring her throat to him. Temptation beyond paradise. Mouth watering, he dipped his head as his thrusts pumped in time with hers. Her moans urged him on, to do what he couldn’t be sure. His tongue darted out, and he sucked the delicate skin of her throat between his teeth. She moaned as his fangs sank in deep. For the first time ever, Torc got lost as he fed from Ailyea. Their hips moved, rolling in unison with one another. They shifted as one as if they’d mated a million times. An electrical storm broke open outside the shuttle. The hull creaked and groaned as Ailyea screamed and clutched him in climax. Torc could hold back no longer. His climax rippled through every cell of his body into Ailyea’s. On and on, his body flooded hers. On and on, her tight sex clenched his, milking him. Draining him. His body boneless and blind from his climax. On a ragged breath, he closed the fang marks.
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He tried to drag himself from Ailyea, but she held him close. “No, Master. Don’t leave me yet.” She breathed into his ear, “That was…magical.” Torc made a rough sound, glad she couldn’t see. He feared he had tears in his eyes. He shouldn’t have fed from her. He had felt every emotion she had. Their climaxing had been magical. Struggling not to crush her, he eased from her body. He laid his free arm across his eyes as she cuddled up to him. He let sleep claim him. Ailyea woke up. Master Torc had spooned in behind her. He’d claimed her. She belonged to him. She’d been his first lover. For whatever reason, it made her feel warm all over. It pleased her. She shook her head. She was supposed to be pleasing him. She had pushed to make him give in to his desires. Striven to give him what he already wanted. She’d had a Master before who liked to have her start, and he would finish. She’d assumed Master Torc had been the same way. Or maybe it was his inexperience. At any rate, she’d wanted to give him what he wanted despite his protests. And now she belonged to him. He slumbered, and she gently rolled over to look at him. His cock sprang to life as her hands slid down his warm skin to his pelvis. She took his cock into her hands and touched him from base to tip. Master Torc groaned and opened one eye. His cock, already dotted with moisture as she took her fingers to her lips and tasted the salty residue on her fingers. His light eyes grew darker with desire. She knelt down and began to lick—ever so slowly—a wet path down his chest. Her tongue lightly flicked one nipple, then traced a line to the other. She gently took it in between her teeth, bearing down slightly. Master Torc jerked and moaned. Smiling, Ailyea flicked her tongue side to side as she laved down his stomach. “I like your taste, Master Torc.” “Oh, fuck me.” His breathing already fast and erratic. “I intend to, Master Torc.” She pulled his cacete into her mouth, framing him with her lips as she slowly slid her mouth down on him. His hardness inched into her wet mouth. His hips bucked. Keeping him in her mouth, she circled his tip with her tongue. Then edged him even farther down into her mouth. The skin was so smooth there. She liked the way it stretched over the steel hardness of him. Master Torc moaned as she continued to shift her mouth down, taking him in as deep as he would go, then inching back up and doing it again.
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She flicked her tongue against him. “Ailyea,” he groaned, “I’m going to…” She went down on him again and his whole body arched, his words quit coming. He wrapped his hands in her hair as she increased the tempo, going up and down faster and faster, until his whole body jerked. Spurts of his come filled her mouth. His body trembling as it arched out of control. Ailyea swallowed, licking her lips. His eyes moved to her face, and he groaned again. Her mouth no doubt glistened from his semen, which he’d pumped so effortlessly into it. Apparently, he liked seeing it. Pleased with herself, she smiled. She crawled up his body, snuggling in close. He wrapped his arms around her, and together, they fell back asleep.
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Chapter Twelve Torc groaned. He had been having another erotic dream of Ailyea. He’d gotten some needed sleep, but enjoying the sensual dreams of her had broken up his rest. The last dream he’d had felt completely real, as she’d sucked him off. Another groan rumbled up as soft hands skimmed his chest and belly. His cock twitched while wet heat rubbed along his belly, making it grow longer, blood surging until it throbbed. He gazed up through half-lidded eyes at Ailyea who sat straddling his waist. He inhaled her soft scent. Her skin was still damp from the steam shower. He clenched his teeth at the feel of her wet pussy rubbing against his aching cock. “Master Torc, I’d begun to wonder if you were ever going to wake up.” Ailyea moaned as she leaned forward and brushed her extended nipples along his chest. He grunted. “Did you eat something?” She tended to skip her meals unless he reminded her to eat. “Oh yes, Master.” She licked her lips. “I enjoyed you several hours ago.” His cock grew harder, more than he’d ever thought possible. He closed his eyes. He hadn’t been dreaming earlier. Ailyea had woken him and brought him to pleasure with her mouth. Torc opened his eyes at the feel of her wet sex over the head of his cock. He groaned while she eased her passage down over his length. Liked being buried in heat and goodness. Perfect. He grasped the edges of the mattress as she rose up, teasing him, not attempting to take him deep within her sex. She shifted from her knees to the flats of her feet and placed her hands on her breasts to massage them. Her fingertips tweaked her nipples. Rising up, her pussy squeezed tight his half-buried cock. His breathing turned ragged as he watched his cock disappear into her tight, wet sex. Up and down she rose, and in and out he slid. “Lady,” he groaned. Ailyea’s head dropped back. She rose a little higher before sliding him a little deeper. Hades. She had talent. Torc growled, unable to pull his eyes away from their joined bodies. His cock slick. Her clit swollen. He tried to shift his hips up but she rose, escaping his thrust.
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Her pussy continued to suck him in inch by inch, and then the aching pleasure of her inner muscles squeezed him until his body tensed in preparation for coming. Her hand slipped down behind her back and came to rest on the seam of his sac. He growled as she pressed, heading off his climax. His breath sawed through his nose. He pulled it together enough to focus on her. Up and down she slid on him, tormenting him with the promise of an orgasm. His chest tightened. She performed for him, like an actor in a play. Last night had been different somehow for her. He’d never forget the desire in her jade eyes or the pleasure sounds she’d made for him. But now, she could easily sit there and fuck him until nightfall. Her pussy welcomed him, but she wasn’t there. With a snarl, he sat up and clasped her hips. She took all of him. They both sucked in a breath. “Oh, Master…” she moaned, wrapping her arms around his neck, her legs snaking around his hips to cradle him. He grunted as she rocked on his cock. “Yes. Yes, Master.” He ordered himself to remove her, but when her mouth nibbled along his jawline he gave up all reason. Her hands tangled in his hair, pulling his mouth down to hers. She licked his lips. Torc growled. Nothing existed like being buried inside Ailyea. He opened his mouth for her invading tongue. “Master, kiss me back.” She boldly met his gaze. “Hold still or I’ll come,” he murmured against her mouth. She caught his lower lip between her teeth and rocked hard. “Yes. Yes, Master. That’s it, come. And I’ll make you come again and again. I want to please you.” With a growl, he lifted her from him. Ailyea gasped. Torc’s chest heaved, his slick cock pulsed. He struggled to get away from her clinging arms. “But Master…” Trying to catch his breath, he stumbled from the bed only to press his head and hands against the wall. He arched his neck when Ailyea sucked the right side of his sac into her warm mouth. Her tongue teased him. He groaned, spreading his legs as her hand came up between his legs to grasp his cock. Her other hand massaged his thigh. “No.” He couldn’t move, didn’t want to move to disengage her. She ignored him, only to suck the other side of his sac into her mouth. He almost weakened. But instead, he punched the wall with a snarl. “No!”
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He grunted as she jerked, still sucking his sac. She released him. Her mouth made a suction pop, and she slid back on the floor. Torc drew in a deep breath before he forced himself to dress. “Master…” He ignored her as he slid his T-shirt over his head. “Master Torc…I don’t understand. You claimed me last night.” He winced as his heart thumped. He should never have caved in to her silken touch. Hades, what had he been thinking? He had never been weak before he’d met her. “I know you like fucking me.” His head came up, and he held her gaze. “I…I’m sorry, lady.” He swallowed but forced himself to go on. “I shouldn’t have…” Her eyes widened, and her mouth trembled until she stilled it. “Master, don’t be sorry. No one has ever been sorry before to me.” She shook her head as confusion clouded her gaze. “Master…Master Torc, you didn’t hurt me.” Torc hardened his heart. He had hurt her, and would hurt her more. She just didn’t believe it yet. “Get dressed, lady. It’s time for another lesson.” Leaving her sitting on the bed, he closed the door to the bedchamber to give her privacy.
***** Torc had himself firmly under control when Ailyea emerged from the bedchamber. He patted the headrest of the captain’s chair. “Sit here, lady. You’re going to learn to pilot a shuttle.” When she stood there unmoving, he gave her a gentle nudge. “Sit.” She peeked up at him once she settled in. Tempted him to caress her face. Her face scrunched up. She was terrified. Instead, he knelt beside her, where he could easily reach the controls and instruct her. “Lady, this bird is easy to maneuver.” He took a minute to show her the control panel. “Here we have boosters, thrusters and shields.” His finger touched keys on the mainframe before he maneuvered her hands on the controls. “Right thumb fires the lasers. They’ll cut almost anything in half. Left thumb fires the torpedoes. They’ll blow a hole where you need one.” Her eyes grew wide as she gazed off into deep space. “Oh, Master, I don’t know about this.” “About what?” She glanced at him and then away. “I can’t remember any rules about this.” He grunted in satisfaction. “Good. I shouldn’t get any shit about this then.” “I don’t know. I’m sure there are rules about Delicants and flying a shuttle…”
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“Fuck ‘em.” She snuck another peek at him, and he narrowed his eyes, before she concentrated on space. His heart sped up. Her eyes had taken on the faintest hint of a metallic glow for the second she’d looked at him. Maybe he’d been wrong. They’d spent days together, but he’d never seen her eyes that shade before. Though they’d darken with pleasure, her eyes were a true jade. Her gaze captivated him—when she was brave enough to let him see her eyes. He shook it off as his imagination and got down to the business of piloting. He promised himself Ailyea would be able to escape in a shuttle if it ever came down to that. Ailyea licked her lips as Master Torc pointed out the rudimentary buttons and dials for flying the shuttle. How many times as a fresh Delicant had she watched pilots, wondering what it was like to do what they did? But eventually, she’d stopped watching. When, she couldn’t remember. She hadn’t watched a pilot in a long time, yearning to know once what it was like to have a craft at her complete control. Why want when it never happened? The Lucent sat in her pocket like a talisman. It had quieted, probably because of her intense concentration. Master Torc had given her the chance to know a dream. He had no idea what he was doing for her. She had no words to tell him. Her eyes took in everything he did. “So to make it go up, I push this way and to make it go down, opposite?” The shuttle rolled at the sharp movements of the stick. “Gently, lady. But yes, that’s the idea.” She smiled as he showed her a few more things. “Give it a try for a minute.” “What?” She gasped as he let go of all the controls. “You pilot.” He nodded. “Fly.” Panic set in. The shuttle dove. “Pull up. You can do this, lady.” His tone was gentle but firm. She pulled up on the module and the shuttle crept up too quickly. “Gentle movements.” The shuttle’s ascent evened out. “There you go.” With Master Torc’s voice rasping in her ear, she took over the controls completely. She flew. He didn’t have to remind her again about not jerking the stick too sharply. After a few minutes of flying, they came around the edge of a planet, and the sun’s beams reflected off the mist of its atmosphere. Golds, reds and orangeish hues brilliantly lit up in the shimmering light. A long thin line of light zigzagged across the fog as the sun cut a swath through it. The whole window was ablaze with a slow fire as
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the sun came up for the world in front of them. She’d never seen anything like it. It hurt her eyes to look at the brilliance, but she couldn’t turn her head or close her eyes. “Oh Torc—Master Torc,” she breathed. “Like?” His hand rested on her shoulder. “It’s beautiful. I’ve never seen anything so wonderful.” “Don’t forget about controlling this beast.” The shuttle drifted aimlessly from her inattention to the controls. “Oh.” She tightened her hands on the stick. “I am flying.” She worried he’d take it away because of her inaction. But somehow, she knew he wouldn’t. The knowledge made her tummy tighten and nervous heat bombarded it. “Let’s see if you are ready for warp speed.” Her eyes widened. “Warp?” She grinned at him. He frowned at her. “Is everything all right, Master Torc?” Her mouth turned down as she spoke, a little wary at his close inspection. “Yeah… Everything’s fine. Thought I saw something for a minute.” Master Torc rubbed his face with his fingers, as if to clear his vision. What had he seen? “To engage warp, you get it going about five hundred zoons. Then slam this knob down. It will warp for ten seconds, then ease the knob back down.” Ailyea hung on every word. Who knew what other wonders were out there? Wonders she’d never seen before. She intended to find out.
***** Torc sighed and shifted in his chair as Ailyea talked to the shuttle’s computer. What had he been thinking when he’d shown her how to activate it? He’d gotten too damned soft where she was concerned. She’d had a good lesson. He’d forced her to practice with the laser and torpedoes. She laughed as she maneuvered them through a meteor shower. He’d forced her to land on a small planet. It hadn’t gone well. The gravity had yanked the shuttle out of her control. She’d panicked, dipping the shuttle. He’d refused to come to her aid, and they landed too hard. He’d immediately regretted growling at her because of her stricken expression. After he’d made sure the shuttle hadn’t been damaged, Torc introduced Ailyea to Ginger, the shuttle’s computer. He’d gone so far as to tell her that Ginger could fly anywhere Ailyea asked to go. Ailyea had made friends with Ginger as they’d spent an hour practicing liftoffs and landings. The Lucent hadn’t been quiet since Ginger had been activated. The pet was jealous. Ailyea threw the shuttle through deep space with the thrusters again. He glanced her way. She had to have a crick in her neck from experimenting with the boosters and
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thrusters. And they’d run out of fuel if he didn’t take the controls back soon, but she seemed to be playing. He couldn’t take the pleasure of being in control from her. “Master, it’s so dark here. I don’t see any planets.” He nodded. “Pitch black.” “Where are we, Master?” “No clue. You’ve taken us through two galaxies.” He shrugged, ignoring the use of the word “master”. She’d been slipping all day. But, she seemed comfortable with him. She briefly held his gaze. “I’ve gotten us lost?” He frowned at the shimmering metallic glow in her gaze. She blinked and it disappeared. “Ginger, get us back on our original course. No, you didn’t get us lost.” He lost track of the time while he and Ginger took turns telling Ailyea about the planets, stars and space stations they passed.
***** “The closest planet is two light-years away. Its name is Tarsars. Tarsarsians are a humanoid race. Their main exports are sugar cane, roll beans and fifths of liquor.” “Thank you, Ginger. What’s the next closest planet after that?” Ailyea sat back in her chair. The Lucent hummed. Ailyea’s fingers drifted into her pocket and fingered it. It had been so noisy since she’d started talking to Ginger. Ginger’s voice droned on, melodic. It could almost put her to sleep. “Barsadios. It’s five light-years away. Barsadiosians are reptilian. Their main exports are dradel worms.” Ailyea scrunched up her nose. She’d been with a Barsadiosian. They were cold to the touch. Not slimy though—scaly. And dradel worms had to be one of the grossesttasting delicacies in the quadrant. The only reason they remained so popular was their rumored aphrodisiac properties. She’d found those negligible at best. Her gaze lingered on Master Torc, who was halfway listening to Ginger and her. He’d chime in every now and again with facts about the solar systems. It sounded like he’d been all over the galaxy. He knew so much. She’d been a lot of places, but never seen them. Hard to see stuff when looking down all the time. She ran her gaze all over the body she’d gotten to know so well. He saw her interest and arched a brow. “What’s the next closest planet, Ginger?” She did a half smile at him, licking her lips. He shifted in his seat. Her smile became full blown. “Ten light-years away. Rendoria. Inhabited by Rendorians, a humanoid life form. They have become the police force of the galaxy. Their main export is…” “How fucking close did she say we were?” Master Torc roared, his attention fully on Ailyea and the computer now. The Lucent made a shrieking sound, and Ailyea’s fingers left it. Master Torc had leaped from his seat and stalked over.
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“Ten light-years away, Master.” “Oh, fuck me. I thought the names of the other planets sounded familiar. Don’t you even position yourself.” He moved to the controls as he talked, not looking at her. “We must be in the Clarissa Galaxy. Too many damn Rendorians there.” “Captain?” “What?” “My sensors show that we’ve once again picked up a shadow. It’s a—” “I know.” Master Torc’s lip curled. “It’s a fucking seventh quadrant police fighter.” “Yes, a seventh quadrant fighter. Though it’s not the one that normally shadows us.” “Computer, off.” Ailyea blinked as he took the controls and quickly shot them to warp, trying to put as much distance between this place and their shuttle. She let him fly for a few minutes in silence, the only sound being the Lucent stone reflecting their shared displeasure. “Master Torc?” “Yes, lady?” He didn’t turn his attention away from the command panel. “I’m sorry I took us so close to Rendoria.” He grunted. “I should have checked the course Ginger plotted to get us back to our original heading.” His voice was light and quiet. “Why are the Rendorians looking for you, Master Torc?” Her voice drifted to a whisper. Everyone knew of the Rendorians, the toughest galaxy police the combined governments had. Some were brutal to the extreme. The rumors all said that if they tracked you, you might as well sign your own death warrant. The man she thought she’d seen at the bar had puzzled her. Had he been Rendorian, Master Torc should have been shot on sight. They used weapons first and asked questions later with wanted men. She dismissed it again as a figment of her imagination. The Rendorians also searched for lost, stolen or runaway Delicants. She shuddered as she remembered Dilanka. Dilanka had run away from the House of 9000 Pleasures. She’d been a girl full of fire, and Soon-Yi had trouble with her from the moment she’d been brought there. Her father, a Sarcosian, had five daughters already and his third wife had been pregnant again. Sarcosians were the one race that had an abundance of women. And five daughters plus three wives was too many females to feed. He’d decided to clear his house, and Dilanka and her sister had been sold to the school to become Delicants. Dilanka had been a little younger than Ailyea at the time she’d run, about eleven cycles. She’d been brought back by the Rendorians. Everyone had been brought into the main dining hall in the middle of the day. They all knew something was wrong, and all the students were nervous. The Rendorians had
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marched in and thrown a bleeding girl down, her face hardly recognizable. She’d been beaten severely. The blood on her thighs told much worse had happened to her than a beating. Shaking like a willow branch in a hurricane, she’d lain there in front of everyone. They all knew it must be Dilanka. Ailyea had gulped and bit her lip at the wounds on the girl. Dilanka groaned as she tried to get up on her knees. Tears ran down her face, mixing with the blood. She shrieked in pain when she made it up. “Mama Soon-Yi. Please forgive me. Forgive me.” She attempted to stumble closer to the Mistress of the House, but couldn’t. Pain overtook her, and she collapsed. Soon-Yi’s face hardened. “You have ruined your face. The outside is cracked. I can do nothing with you.” She addressed the Rendorians. “Take her away to the Cobblestone Harems.” There were worse places than the House of 9000 Pleasures. There were sex shops for imperfect females, where men didn’t care about a face or a name or ownership. Where women were kept in steel cages and sometimes penetrated for sex through the bars. Goddess knew, a Delicant belonged to her keepers always, whatever state they chose to keep them in. In the Cobblestone Harems, you belonged to no one but someone who whored you out time and time again. Until you died from starvation or became too old to fuck. The Rendorians had dragged Dilanka away. She screamed for forgiveness the whole time. They’d taken her outside, beaten and raped her with a sword for all the girls at the House to hear. Some had crept outside and watched. Ailyea had not. But there was nowhere in the House of 9000 Pleasures to escape from the screaming. Not one student had run away from that moment to the time Ailyea had been sold. Master Torc’s face came into view as she shook off the memory of the Rendorians, her hand absently touching her pet still in her pocket. It sang softly and vibrated to her touch. He sighed. “It doesn’t matter what they want with me.” “It does to me, Master Torc.” “I’ll tell you another time, lady. Why don’t we get started on some rations? We are far enough away from Rendoria now.” Ailyea nodded, but she wasn’t hungry. She tried not to let his rebuff chafe her. But she wasn’t successful. She’d been put in her place again. He was the Master, and she was a servant. Not worthy of a confidence.
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Chapter Thirteen Ailyea munched her rations with all the enthusiasm of an elder goat. She’d put the Lucent in her room. It had been humming and beaming light when she’d left it. “So what did you think of piloting?” Master Torc watched her. As usual, he didn’t eat anything. She couldn’t help her enthusiastic reaction to the question. “I loved it! When will I fly again, Master Torc?” She remembered the planet’s sun coming up, the meteor shower—it had been wonderful. She’d flown! She’d gotten a chance she never thought she’d have— or probably ever would again. “Maybe soon.” His voice sounded neutral. She remembered he’d said something about taking her home… She shoved the ration aside. “Would you like to have a vapor shower?” She nodded. Master Torc motioned with his fingers. “Go take one, lady.” She scurried off. Ailyea shuddered under the vapors, trying to sort out her warring emotions. Master Torc had done things for her no other Master had done. And he was going to leave her. Soon. With people she didn’t know. The vapors swirled around her body, caressing her skin, moistening it, taking off the grime of space, the juices of the sex she’d shared with Master Torc. She leaned into them, letting them envelop her in their warmth. It didn’t get rid of the cold deep inside her heart. She scrubbed her hair, taking time to deep cleanse it. Master Torc stroked her hair sometimes. She didn’t want to give him up. Essien’s questions came back to her head—was it because he was Torc? Or her Master? She shut her eyes, sagging against the wall. She still didn’t know. How could she separate the Delicant from herself and figure out what she wanted? Her hand came up to cover her mouth. Separate the Delicant from herself… How had that thought come up? She was a Delicant and nothing else. Wasn’t she? It would make it all the harder when the next Master took her over. Master Torc would leave her. He’d told her in no uncertain terms. How would she surrender herself to another Master? They’d beat these things out of her. It wasn’t her place to have these ideas. No Master would put up with them. “Why?” Tears trickled out. Why did he do these things, only to leave her? Why give her a taste of self and then push her away without a look back? He’d given her things no other Master ever had, and she’d never be the same again. Too much had touched her. 95
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She slumped down in the shower and let the tears roll down. The vapors surrounded her, but she barely noticed them. “Why?” she groaned again. Had she been in her Delicant mindset, she never would have had the thought. But she wasn’t. Master Torc had caused the changes in her, and now he would see the fruit of his efforts whether he wanted to or not. She wouldn’t leave him without a fight. She was his and she wouldn’t let him walk away. A slight smile came to Ailyea’s face. She’d wanted to put up a fight like this. There was no way he was leaving her on that planet. Torc woke slowly, wanting nothing more than to sleep more. He’d dozed for no more than an hour. At least he’d survived the night. And he hadn’t caved in to the lust, which still had his blood heated. Ailyea snuggled closer in her sleep, and he groaned as his arms tightened around her. She had not wanted to sleep. She had wanted to fuck. She’d gone as far as to ask him for it, but he was exhausted. She’d dozed off, much to his relief, after testing his resolve with all the wiggling she’d done after his refusal. His chest got tighter the longer he held her close as she slept. It felt so right for her to be in his arms. And so wrong. Torc dozed off again, only to be awakened by aggressive hands skimming his body. His cock sprang to life and swelled as she palmed him. She straddled him, rubbing her sex against his. He moaned low. He clasped her face to halt the kisses she rained down. But when she urged his mouth to open, he kissed back greedily. She tasted of mint and hunger. His groans echoed her moans as they fed on one another’s mouths. Their tongues invaded, swirled and demanded more. Her responses controlled him, pushing him. She wanted him. His kisses told her he wanted her more. Ailyea yanked on his hair to get him to sit up. He did so with ease, never breaking the kiss. He tore his mouth from hers at last when she impaled herself on his cock. The pleasure hummed all the way to his ears. Torc tried to rein in his beast. His chest heaved and his cock pulsed as her sex surrounded and squeezed him mercilessly. So beautiful in her pleasure, her body all flushed and warm. Her pussy was hot and wet as she rode him. Her nails dug into his shoulders. “Ailyea,” he groaned, fighting off his climax when she cried out in pleasure. Her body tensed and trembled. Her pussy pulsed around him. She smiled shyly, wrapping her arms around him. “Master, I like it when you say my name.”
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He clasped her hips as she continued to ride him. Her rhythm had slowed to an incredibly torturous pace. He wanted to come. Wanted to stay buried in her forever. He growled as she shifted to wrap her legs around him. He was in as deep as he could go. He would come soon. Torc swallowed as saliva pooled on his fangs. Ailyea rocked on his cock and he whimpered like a newborn as she dropped her head back. “Please, Master, take me.” She increased the pressure of her sex rocking on his cock. The bump and grind of her pussy caressing his cock played havoc on his senses. He wanted this. He wanted her. No, he needed her in some way he didn’t understand. “Please…” She shifted, grinding hard on his cock, her pussy sucking him deep. Torc dipped his head, earning a cry from her. His tongue traced a line up her neck to her earlobe. Trembling, he halted her rocking by holding her hips in place. He was going to come too soon if she kept up the steady torture. Her hands tangled in his hair, urging him to hurry. His fangs scraped her throat with teasing gentleness. His tongue lapped after every tiny prick. “Master.” She moaned in frustration, trying to shift in search of release. Growling, he sank his fangs in and shuddered as she screamed and shattered around him. Her cries went on and on. He lost all coherence as their minds and bodies melted and surged as one. An electric storm broke open, vibrating the shuttle. They moved together, locked in a perfect union, each heart pounding in time with the other’s. Paradise. Ailyea’s climax never stopped, only intensified when his claimed him. She screamed again when he erupted, bursting over and over deep inside her welcoming depths. Exhaustion weighed heavily on his limbs as his body stopped flooding hers. His tongue darted out to close the wound. Easing her legs out from behind him, he collapsed back onto the bed. Ailyea giggled and wiggled on him. She pressed her lips to his in a gentle kiss. “Master, I have fucked many others and never have I enjoyed sex as much as I do with you.” He grunted and his cock twitched. Fear churned in his belly as he tried to focus on her. He couldn’t see anything, and he wanted nothing more than to sleep. “Lady, I—” She pressed her fingertips to his mouth. “Sleep, Master, we’ll fuck again when you wake up.” Torc. My name is Torc. And no, we won’t. He didn’t have the energy to speak.
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Ailyea snuggled up against Master Torc in the bed. He slept, slight snores coming from his mouth. She rubbed her leg against his muscular ones that wrapped around her like she belonged there. She hadn’t lied, she’d never truly enjoyed sex before him. Her hands drifted along his chest, playing in the coarse hair there. She tilted her head as she looked at his nipple, a shade darker than his skin. She strummed her thumb across it and it pebbled under her touch. Did it feel as good to him as it did when he touched hers? Was it as sensitive as hers was? Ailyea lived for cause and effect. She did something, and it had an effect on a man—it always had, from her first sexual session. With Master Torc, though, she really enjoyed it. He wanted her. His body couldn’t deny it. And what men wanted, they couldn’t get rid of. That was the main thrust of her plan to make him keep her. She fingered his other nipple with her other index finger, feeling it crinkle under the tip. He shifted slightly, shoving his erection into her leg. His nipples were obviously at least a little sensitive. With a smile, Ailyea shifted up and straddled him and before he awoke fully, taking his shaft into her chochota. Two strokes and her juices flowed freely, coating him, so thick and rigid inside her. “Lady,” he moaned, “I told you we wouldn’t fuck.” She clenched her walls around his large cacete and he inhaled nosily. “I told you we would, Master Torc,” she murmured, lowering to kiss him. Her tongue gently traced the seam of his lips before entering to play with his. He stared into her eyes as she rode him, clenching him tightly on each downward stroke. His tremors of pleasure rocked against Ailyea’s skin. She lifted herself off him. “What are you doing?” His voice came out hoarse, still shuddering with pleasure. “I want to taste you. Taste myself on you.” She kissed him deeply and then laved his neck, working her way slowly down his body. She nipped his Adam’s apple, then licked a path down the center of his chest. She tilted her head slightly, and barely touched her tongue to one nipple. Master Torc gulped. She drew it into her mouth, suckling like she would a Matesian lollipop. She clipped him once with her teeth. Then gave his other nipple the same treatment. She kissed and licked down his tummy, tickling his belly button until she got to his coarse, dark pubic hair, brushing her fingers in it. “Ailyea.” His voice was breathy. Helpless sounding. She liked that he sounded like that, surprised he hadn’t stopped things already. She wouldn’t complain though. The more she fucked him, the more certain she’d win. She looked down at his cacete, and it jerked. Oh yeah, she was keeping him. She didn’t answer but pressed a quick kiss to his tip. It was red, engorged. Leaking. Salty to her tongue. She swallowed after rolling the taste around on her tongue.
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“Ahhh.” He let out a strangled groan. She swirled her tongue down his length, licking and laving a path along his penis. So firm, so velvety at the same time. Then without warning, she sucked him into her mouth, deeply, firmly. His hips rocked back and forth as she did it again and again. When he was about to spill, she rocked up and quickly covered his cock with her pussy. He grabbed her, his hands rough against her back, lifting his head up and sinking his fangs into her neck. Intense pleasure rocked her body as he fed from her. The sensations took her as though she flew high up on a cloud. She’d never been so alive…her chochota pulsated around his cacete as the orgasm took her even further into its dewy depths. She shouted her pleasure. Her body tightened so hard with it, it almost hurt. It only took two more strokes before he grabbed her hips and moaned, his seed spurting into her. As she collapsed on top of him, Ailyea let out a small smile. He stroked her back gently, drifting back to sleep. “I wish we could do that again,” she murmured, sitting up in the bed. Her body felt wired, like she needed to run around. Sex had never made her feel so alive.
***** The jarring of impact shook the shuttle. Torc jerked to full alert as the shuttle bounced and thudded along. “Hades, are we being fired at?” An alarm sounded and he swung out of bed. He stumbled along the wall. His limbs hung weak and useless. He had never known for sex to affect another the way it did him. Ailyea even seemed to gain energy from it. The last thing he remembered before sleep had claimed him was her asking to do it again. The ship shuddered. He managed to grasp onto the back of the captain’s chair to brace for impact. They crashed hard, coming to a skidding stop on a small moon. He growled. What had Ailyea been thinking? He moved around her to check for damage. After an internal check found nothing Ginger couldn’t compensate for, he stood up and folded his arms. Ailyea peeked up at him from beneath her lashes. Her eyes shone with a metallic hue. This time he was sure it wasn’t his imagination. The hue had intensified. The next instant, it disappeared. But he had seen it. He grasped her chin. “Look at me, lady.” He studied her perfect jade gaze for a long minute. Had he imagined it? “Master?” 99
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“Torc,” he growled. “Master Torc.” She caught her lower lip between her teeth. “I want to suck your cacete.” His cock jerked. It swelled from semi-erect to steel-hard in a blink. He clenched his teeth. He would not use her again. “No.” Ailyea’s lower lip pouted, tempting him. Mesmerized, he held still as she leaned forward to frame his face in her hands. Her sweet mouth pressed against his and his eyes closed. A moan rumbled up from his chest, and Ailyea caught it when his mouth opened to her probing tongue. Her tongue swiped at his. Her mouth sucked his lips until he groaned into the depths of her mouth. Ailyea buried her hand in his hair, urging him closer. Her breasts pressed into the hard planes of his chest. Yes. Deep desire rushed through his veins. Gods, he enjoyed kissing. As their mouths clung to each other’s, he explored the soft skin of her arms and back. She wiggled closer. No. He broke the kiss. Breathing hard he gazed into her darkened eyes. Torc pulled himself together enough to think past his aching cock. But he couldn’t stop himself from offering her pleasure. Sex didn’t have to be about the taking. Where had that maddening idea come from? “I want to taste your pussy.” “Oh yes, Master.” Shifting her tunic up over her hips, she scooted her ass to the edge of her seat. He dropped to his knees as she pulled her legs up and over the arms of the chair in offering. Her eyes briefly glowed. With a growl, he dipped his head. At first, he resisted touching her as he teased her sex, jabbing his tongue inside and withdrawing it. Over and over, he entered her until she panted. He ignored the rocking of her hips as she sought more of him. Her scent grew, driving his hunger. He grabbed her thighs and very gently scraped her swollen clit with a fang. She shattered on a deep moan, causing him to suck until her climax ebbed away and built again. “It’s my turn, Master.” She panted harder. Balls tight and aching, Torc placed a kiss on the center of her pussy. “No.” He held her gaze. “You wanted to explore this moon, but I don’t think you’ll enjoy it. There is a small private planet two leagues away. I’ll take you there.” Her eyes brightened. He stood up on unsteady legs, his cock swollen and standing at attention. “Lady, know this—in another day, I will take you to your people.” There, he’d done it—been honest. He’d give her another day or two of playtime, then he’d keep his word. She ducked her head. 100
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Feeling like a monster, he left her there and went to shower and dress. He couldn’t keep her. And once she got a taste of the freedom he offered her, she wouldn’t want to stay. Ailyea bounced along behind Master Torc as they departed the shuttle. The Lucent sat safely in her pocket and she touched it, much to its delight, every now and then. It hummed softly. She would keep it in her pocket the entire time because she wanted it with her, but it couldn’t be exposed to the sunlight on this planet. “Oh, Master Torc.” She looked around at the lush green planet he’d brought her to. “It’s beautiful.” A forest stood beyond a meadow full of yellow and white flowers. A crystal stream parted the meadow and babbled its zigzag way through the grasses. They walked, the tall grasses swishing at their feet. “May I pick flowers, Master Torc?” she asked out of habit. She still wasn’t used to being able to do what she wanted without permission. She’d probably never get used to it. “Do what you want, lady.” She set about picking handfuls of the small delicate flowers. She made flower chains, necklaces and bracelets. A Delicant she’d met in a Harem had shown her how to braid such things. She’d always loved flowers. The delicate petals, the delicious scents had always made her smile. She’d never had many of them. One of her Masters had given her a gardenia every time she sucked him off and let him come on her body, not her favorite sexual act. She’d had a lot of flowers those cycles she was with him. Ailyea adorned herself in a crown, a necklace, two wrist bracelets and two anklets. She stalked over to where Master Torc sat watching her. “What are you doing?” “Oh nothing, Master Torc.” She tossed the flower crown on top of his head. It was too big and came down to cover his eyes. Ailyea giggled. She had no idea what possessed her to make a crown for him, but apparently she had no idea of his size. Master Torc’s lips twitched as he picked off the crown. “They look better on you, lady.” She froze, her eyes darting up to search his. His eyes didn’t tease, and his face closed down as soon as the words came out of his mouth. “They suit you better is all.” No one had ever said she looked better in anything. Despite his gruff clarification, her insides crumbled. Ailyea smiled shyly at him, and he pretended not to notice. They walked down to the small brook. Ailyea knelt, dipping her hand into it. “It’s cold.” “It probably comes from deep underneath the planet. That’s why it’s so cold.”
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“How did you find this place, Master Torc? You seem to know it was here and a lot about it.” For a minute, she didn’t think he would answer. “I’ve hidden here before. Came back a few times to rest.” “You hid from the Rendorians?” He shook his head. “Rendorians aren’t the only ones after me.” “Oh.” They walked along the banks as the stream widened. Master Torc picked up a stone and skipped it across the water. Ailyea’s jaw dropped. “How did you do that?” He looked down at the second rock and shrugged, then did it again. “I toss it level with the water and it does that.” “Show me, Master Torc.” At his incredulous look, she added, “Please.” He picked up a rock, showed her how to make it flat with the stream and tossed it across. “That looked easy enough.” She grinned. She’d learned to pleasure over seventyfive different species—this couldn’t be that hard. She picked up her rock, lined it up with careful precision and tossed it. It sank. Fourteen rocks and a move up the stream later, she muttered, “It looks easier than it is.” He chuckled roughly. “You’re getting better.” She smiled, enjoying his laughter. “All of my rocks went to the bottom without skipping, how do you figure that?” She tossed another rock and plunk, it went straight to the bottom. “It was closer to skipping that time.” Ailyea huffed. He was placating her. None of her rocks had come close to doing what his had. “Come on.” He patted her shoulder. “Let’s explore a little more.” They roamed until dinner and then set up a camp near the shuttle. Master Torc handed her a ration. She took it but barely touched it. The sky had darkened, and she was too busy looking around. Even in the dark, there was too much to see. She looked up at the sky. “Look at all the stars, Master Torc.” He nodded. “No civilization. No lights from settlements or space docks. You can see them well here.” Something caught her eye across the meadow. “Master Torc, I saw a light. Across the meadow. Is something here…or someone?” She crept closer to him so her body touched his.
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He nodded, his eyes bright in the darkness. “Pick up your ration and sit quietly.” “Why, Master Torc?” “You’ll see.” She watched the light bob along and get closer until it came in her eyes’ view. “What is it?” “Shhhh. It’s a Vrealdon. Don’t talk too much or you’ll scare it.” The little animal was about the size of a Maltovian Fox. The coat shimmered like it had diamonds attached to it. The tail ended in a concentration of them, with a fairly sizeable one at the tip. It sniffed the air and came closer. It made a sound like a whimper. “Hold out the ration,” Master Torc whispered, “flat in your palm.” She did. The Vrealdon came farther into the campsite. It slowly moved to Ailyea, whined and took the ration out her hand. Its tongue barely swished her skin. With a swish of its tail, which sent its luminescence swirling, it dashed away. “It was friendly.” She breathed out a breath she’d been holding. It had licked her! Master Torc nodded. “It was here the first time I was. I figured it would remember.” “You fed it?” “No, but Essien did. I hadn’t seen it since. Didn’t know if it was still alive or not. This place hasn’t been settled so it has no knowledge of humanoids. No reason to be afraid of us.” “You came here with Essien? After you escaped prison?” “He needed to recuperate before I took him home. He likes to come here. I’ve brought him back a few times.” Ailyea pulled her feet up under her. “Is the prison escape why the Rendorians want you, Master Torc? Why you have a shadow following you?” “Yes and no. They want me because…I’m a killer, lady. I’ve already told you.”
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Chapter Fourteen Ailyea snuggled against Master Torc’s side. They’d spent the night outside the shuttle in the campsite in the nice warm weather. She’d tucked the Lucent away onboard. She didn’t want anything to happen to her pet, nor did she want to lose it while she slept. She rubbed her body against his. “Whoa, lady. None of that,” he growled. She reached her hand across his stomach. He caught it. “None of that either. I told you, no fucking.” “Uh-huh. Yes, you did, Master Torc.” She tried to snuggle in closer again. Naked, she swished her breast along his arm. He jumped out of the sleeping roll. “I’m going to go walk around until you get settled.” She sighed in frustration. He wasn’t getting away from her that easily. She waited a long time for him to come back, but drifted off to sleep alone. The next morning when Ailyea woke, Master Torc held her tightly in his arms. She snuggled in, pretending to still be asleep. When he felt her movement though, he got up quickly, pretending he hadn’t slept with her at all. She let him. His hiding it made her know he wasn’t so uninvolved with her as he wanted to be. Tonight, Torc told himself, he would plot a course for Ailyea’s home planet. He couldn’t keep postponing it. He had promised Ailyea a day of freedom, but it had turned into three days of rapture for him. This planet was Minger, a scarcely inhabited planet ruled by a lord who refused to let his lands be overrun or mined to bareness. He’d have to pay a hefty fee when he departed. But it was worth it. He idly toyed with a lock of Ailyea’s hair, causing her to nuzzle closer to him. Eyes closed, he inhaled her scent, ignoring his hard cock pressing along the seam of his pants. They had spent the morning exploring the forest. Ailyea had eaten her lunch under the tree where they now lay. He liked the feel of her pressed into him, the way she fit. He tightened his hold. Perfect. He would miss it. “Master?” She didn’t lift her head from his shoulder. “What?” He sighed. What did it matter that she continually slipped and called him master? He’d be gone soon.
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“Tell me something about you. Your childhood.” She rolled onto his chest and folded her arms. She sighed, resting her chin on her clasped hands. “I don’t understand, Master, when we fuck it seems as if I know you more than I know myself, but I know nothing of you at all.” He pushed a lock of hair behind her ear, only to have it fall forward again. She had delicate ears. He enjoyed catching them between his teeth. His pants tightened around his cock. He shifted, causing Ailyea to smile seductively. “Would you like to fuck now, Master Torc?” “No,” he growled. She lowered her lashes, but not before he caught the metallic hue. He shifted again. “All right. I’ll tell you what I remember.” He rolled them to their sides and placed her back against his chest, then wrapped an arm around her. “I was born on a dark planet called Zorg. I can’t remember much of my parents. They were both soldiers. I had two older brothers, twins named Vintar and Jasha.” It had been a long time since he had thought of his childhood. And he had never shared his past with another. “It had been a good life until the wars came, destroying everything I knew. Larissa was my older sister. She…” His throat worked. “Master, if you don’t—” He squeezed her. “At the time, I didn’t know why my planet was being invaded. I was young and our parents sheltered us. My race, the Zorgians, have never been welcomed by other tribes. Other people fear us—our strength and the way we feed.” Ailyea shifted so she could look at him. “We lived in a huge city. I remember it exploding around us. I remember holding Kyrand’s hand and telling him to run.” “Kyrand?” “He was the youngest of us. Before Mother had climbed into her fighter, she’d put me in charge of keeping him safe.” He closed. “Larissa kept pushing us along. ‘Run boys. No matter what, don’t look back. Once in the forest we can live off the wild animals,’ she’d screamed at us. “She was only a few moon cycles older than me.” He took a calming breath. “We ran until I couldn’t breathe as people fell around us. And then, I didn’t hear Larissa behind us any longer. I looked back and three Kimba soldiers were…raping her. And she was just mouthing ‘Run’…” He swallowed, his throat aching and tight. “And I did, dragging Kyrand as fast as I could pull him.” It had been the most cowardly thing he’d ever done in his life. He’d never been able to live down the shame of it. His brothers would never have left Larissa behind. But they’d already been in the air fighting with their parents, because they were just old enough to pilot.” “Oh, Master…”
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He hugged her closer. “I still don’t know how we made it out of the city. Maybe it was our small size, which kept us hidden from the invaders. We’d been in the forest for a while when we ran up on a small group of Zorgians. We traveled together for over a sun cycle.” A tic formed in his jaw. “I was stupid to trust them. I left Kyrand with the group while I hunted. When I returned empty-handed, Kyrand was gone and so was the group. Later, I learned they turned Kyrand in for a few gems. I tried to find him, but couldn’t.” The first people he’d killed in his life had been those Zorgians. His own race. Ailyea squirmed to roll over in his arms, and he let her. “Larissa was beautiful,” she said. “She had hair spun of moonbeams and eyes…like yours.” Frowning, he nodded. How had she known? She held his gaze, and he sucked in a breath at the metallic hue shimmering in her eyes. “Master, you can’t blame yourself for any of it.” He exhaled noisily. Quiet minutes passed. Oddly peaceful moments, before Ailyea’s hand drifted along his ribs and chest. He welcomed the distraction. She blinked, and her eyes slipped back to the clear jade. “Master Torc?” She ran her tongue over his lips. He inhaled, wondering what he’d be like to hear her whisper only his name. “What?” he rasped roughly, willing her to distract him. “I want to feel you fill my bottom with your cacete.” He shuddered. He wouldn’t take her in such a way. “Master Torc, all my other Masters have taken me there. I want to know what it’s like to have you in my ass.” Her hands slid down, caressing him through his pants. Torc remembered what had been done to Essien. “I won’t hurt you in such a way.” He breathed against her mouth as she nibbled his lips. “You won’t hurt me. I will suck on your cacete to lubricate it.” She undid his pants with ease. “I don’t need a lot. It will be easy.” His cock sprang free, and she pushed him onto his back. His hips arched as she sucked him into her mouth. She cupped his sac in one hand while the other pumped his shaft. He moaned. He didn’t want to stop her. The beast in him could smell her arousal build. Again and again, his hips jerked. She rolled off him, dabbing her anus with her saliva and sex juices, then presenting her pussy and ass to him. “Now, Master. Take me now.” His cock throbbed, but he didn’t move. He trembled, battling the urge to take what she offered. Panting, Ailyea straddled his hips. “Then I will take you.” The hue came back in her gaze.
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She lowered. He expected her sex to sink around his hard, aching cock, but instead, it was her ass. He shivered and arched. Torc held still while she worked him in. She’d been right, he went in easily. Ailyea whimpered and moaned as he plunged two fingers into her wet pussy and used his thumb to work her clit. While he worked her pussy, she rode his cock, bringing him to the brink of orgasm and then backing him off. Her first climax soaked his palm. Her second climax had him silently begging her to let him come. She didn’t let him though. He’d never been so close. An expert on how to work him… He growled as it hit him. She was putting on another show for him. “No,” he growled, only to groan as he watched himself leave her body. He managed to hold her off. It sat on the tip of his tongue to tell her how much he wanted her to want him, but he didn’t. “Lady, I have to stop. I’m left weak from our climaxes. I won’t leave you unprotected.” She sighed, but relented. He sighed in relief when she relaxed in his lap. If only his cock was as grateful. Why was he left weak from their climaxes? Only when she swallowed for him instead of penetration did he not feel as if she was draining some part of him. Once his breathing was under control he pushed her up. “Lady, let’s go for a swim and bath.” Their metallic hue shining, her eyes widened. “I can’t swim, but a bath would be nice.” “Then you will learn this afternoon.” Standing, he tucked the lock of her hair behind her ear.
***** Ailyea scanned the water. Master Torc waved, encouraging her to come deeper into the water. She had bathed in the shallow water near the bank. He had already gone in and swum. He shook his wet and tousled hair. She’d enjoyed watching him, but wasn’t so sure about getting in herself. The Lucent beeped and glowed green with agitation from its bag near her clothes. “Come on in, lady. The water is warm.” It’s not the temperature I’m worried about. “Are you sure there is nothing in there to bite me, Master Torc?” “I’m sure. Come on!” She stuck a toe in the water and slowly slid herself down. The warm water lapped at her skin. This was a tiny lagoon fed by the brook, surrounded by large flowers and plants. The other side was a steep rocky bank with a giant boulder at the top. Beautiful. Peaceful.
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“Come on. I’ll show you how to swim.” Master Torc motioned for her to come to him. Ailyea nodded nervously and sidled up to him. She’d heard tales of monsters who lived in the water. While she thought they weren’t true, she wasn’t completely sure. She had no desire to find out firsthand. He showed her the basic strokes to swimming, how to move her hands and feet. She loved sliding her body against his to tease him while he taught. It didn’t take her too long to get the hand and feet motions going so she could get somewhere in the water. Each time she swam the length of the little lagoon, it built a little more confidence. No water monsters. As Ailyea stretched out beside the large boulder, something brushed along her leg. Nibbling. She froze. Something mouthed her leg. Small nips against her skin. “Master Torc, there’s something nibbling on my leg.” She stood still as a stone. Nearby, Master Torc brought his hand down to smack the water, and she saw the little silver barbs shoot away from her leg. “What were they?” They were only about a twelfth of a pé long. “Minotoans. Nothing to worry about.” Ailyea glared at him. “You told me nothing would bite me.” “They didn’t bite you. They nibbled. Big difference.” Ailyea rolled her eyes. “Uh-huh.” “It is.” He ducked under the water, coming up with a splash. He shook his hair out, rocketing water every which way and causing Ailyea to squeal. She watched him as he cut through the water to the deeper depths of the small lagoon. She appreciated his muscles working in tandem like some well-made machine. She liked those muscles doing other things too. She licked her lips. “Are you hungry, lady?” He treaded water. She smiled, and stared closely at her eyes. He’d been doing that a lot lately, she wasn’t sure why. “Very.” Her voice came out hoarse, and her gaze slowly took in his body. “Very hungry, Master Torc.” He swallowed audibly. “Come on, let’s get you some lunch.”
***** After her meal, Ailyea lay down on the ground and pulled Master Torc down beside her. She looked up at the crystal purple sky, which was mostly clear except for a few high white clouds. She rested her head on Master Torc’s shoulder. “Oh, look, that cloud looks like a meerkat.” “Where?” He snorted when she pointed. “That one looks like a spirit goblet.” She pointed it out to him with her fingers. 108
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“It’s a cloud. It doesn’t look like anything.” “Does, too. All clouds look like something, Master Torc.” “Who taught you that?” He closed his eyes, eyelids flickering down to shutter the windows into his mind. “No one.” She shrugged. “I think all clouds look like something. Don’t you ever look at them and see things?” “No.” “Never?” “Never.” “Do you ever even look at clouds?” She turned her face around to look at him again. “No. Too much running to look at clouds.” “Master Torc, you should. You should look for pictures in the sky.” “How often do you do it?” He opened one eye to peek at her. “Often as I can, Master Torc. A lot…a lot of Masters liked to have sex outside. I could always see the sky looking up. So I painted pictures with the clouds in my mind while they…were fucking me.” She’d never discussed her cloud fantasies with anyone before. Soon-Yi would have whipped her for not paying attention to her Master. Her other Masters would have whipped her too, probably. She eyed him carefully after the admission, wondering if she shouldn’t have told him. His eye shut, closing his face completely off from her. “Look at clouds all you want, lady. I’m going to rest.” He’d sleep lightly. If anyone came, he’d be ready to protect them. She was safe as long as he was around. He felt Ailyea curling along his side, and they both drifted to sleep. Ailyea awoke before Master Torc. She slid herself out of his arms, surprised he didn’t wake up at her moving. Maybe he faked sleep. But if he did, he did it well, including the little snoring noises coming from his nose. For a moment, she considered what she could do to him in this state. Drowsy, he would be at her mercy. Her hands itched to stroke down his chest, take his member and slide it inside her palm. Fuck him, suck him. And everything in between. She sighed. He’d said they weren’t going to do that again. Didn’t stop her from dreaming. Because they were off the shuttle, he probably wasn’t in a deep sleep. On the shuttle, nothing could attack them, unlike out here. Best not to get him mad. She could wait for him to sleep like he was in a coma before she played. Then he would be at her mercy. And she’d fuck him until he’d keep her. Besides, she had to pee. She didn’t get a choice in the matter.
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Ailyea scampered a few pé away and hiked to the water after she’d relieved herself. She splashed some on her face and rubbed her unruly locks down. She looked critically at herself in the water, pinching her cheeks to rouge them and pursing her lips together. Boy, they were puffy. She’d never understood why men liked her lips. They always looked to her like she’d been punched in the face. Eyes that looked metallically rimmed shone up at her from her reflection. Ailyea blinked and they disappeared. Her usual eyes looked back at her. She studied the water a minute, trying to figure out what she had seen. She stood to go back to Master Torc and it happened again. Such a momentary change in eye color, she couldn’t be sure she’d seen it at all until the second time. Her eyes were jade. She’d seen them enough to know her own eye color. A Master or two had waxed poetic on the beautiful green color of her eyes. One had given her jewels called Sardonians to match the color. He liked for her to wear the jewels, then he would pretend to rob, kidnap and fuck her. These eyes weren’t hers. Soldering shiny eyes. Eyes of a predator. These eyes belonged to Master Torc. She rubbed her face. Maybe she had seen things. But then, her eyes swirled again. Why had Master Torc been staring at her off and on lately? He’d noticed. Such a momentary thing, he probably hadn’t been sure of what he’d seen. Her eyes switched from green to the color of spun Latinum. Eyes the same color as Master Torc’s? How could that be? What was going on? She’d never taken on the eyes of a lover before. But then, she’d never had a lover. Master Torc had never had a lover before, either. Would he know? How would she even ask about it? She peered into the water one last time and sauntered back to Master Torc.
***** Torc paced as Ailyea showered. He’d decided to give Ailyea another day of freedom. No more than that though. He couldn’t afford to spend any more time with her. Last night, while she’d slept in his arms, he’d convinced himself he’d take her to her planet, make sure she’d remain safe and then leave. The Lucent hummed happily, causing him to growl. Sitting down, he concentrated on manually flying the shuttle through the galaxy. And when Ailyea joined him in the copilot’s chair, he refused to acknowledge her. He hadn’t spoken to her since this morning. It’d been damn hard, but it was for the best. “Master Torc, would you like for me to take over the controls for a while?” He ignored the hesitant plea in her voice.
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He shook his head. He’d caught on to her game. Ailyea had been doing her best to extend her stay with him. He had no clue behind her actions and didn’t plan to ask for any. If he let her pilot, there’d be no telling when they’d reach her planet. They sat for hours in silence. He brooded while Ailyea’s distress mounted. He could feel it. Normally, he could turn off his empathic ability at will, but not any longer with Ailyea. “Why don’t you go rest, lady?” His voice was gruff. He hoped she would. He needed what distance he could get from her. She moistened her lips. “Will you join me, Master?” His teeth clenched as his cock became painfully engorged. Torc couldn’t think of anything he wanted to do more than hold her. Hades, he wanted to do that even more than fuck her. “Go, lady. I need some peace from your chattering pet.” Ailyea scampered away from him and into the bedroom chamber without another word. He blew out a breath when he heard the door slide closed, cutting off the highpitched chirping of the Lucent. The damn thing was an empath too. He had no doubt the Lucent cursed him in its chattering language. As the day grew long, he set the shuttle to autopilot, quickly collecting for Ailyea some fruit, cheese and bread he’d been given by the Weres’ pack bitches. He sighed with concern. If it weren’t for him, Ailyea would forget to take care of her basic needs. She never asked him for anything. What if her people let her starve? He growled. He’d have to have reassurances before he left her. Before he left her planet, he would keep his eye on her from a distance for a few days to ensure her safety. As he entered the bedchamber, she scrambled up into a sitting position, revealing her pink sex. His cock responded. “Here, lady, you have to remember to eat.” He looked away. “And remember not to sit like that.” “But, Master Torc, you have the right to choose whether or not I eat. And I’m always available to you. I’m wet and eager for you now, Master.” She moistened her lips as her gaze drifted down to the front of his pants where his cock now bulged. He set the tray down and left her alone. With shaking hands, Ailyea picked up a piece of cheese and nibbled at it. Master Torc acted so cold, so displeased. He’d barely spoken to her. What had she done wrong? She picked up another square of cheese as the Lucent made comforting noises. His displeasure rubbed her raw like an old piece of leather. He wouldn’t let her pilot the ship. She would have prolonged their time together as long as she could. Perhaps that was why he had chosen to punish her. She had come to crave his companionship. To be pushed away like this made her feel worse than being whipped. At least with that, the pain only lasted for a little while. 111
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This pain wouldn’t go away. Had it been eons since he’d held her? She wanted him to hold her now. She tucked her legs up under her and sighed. Her fear rolled through her. Master Torc had talked about taking her to her home planet. What if they didn’t want her? What if she became the Delicant of a new Master? A Vole even. She shuddered. Or worse. And yet, Master Torc fussed at her about eating. Why would he care about someone he was only transporting like he said he was? Why had he striven to make her think things beyond her training, if he intended to send her back to that life? The Lucent made a noise like a purr. She picked it up and stroked it gently. “I’m okay,” she crooned. “And so are you. You didn’t do anything to upset Master. I did. And I must make it right.”
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Chapter Fifteen Torc kept his breathing even as Ailyea moved up behind him. He inhaled her scent and his cock swelled. At the soft breath against his ear, he jerked. Ailyea’s tongue darted out, teasing his earlobe. “Master Torc, let me ease you.” He bit back a moan at the feel of her arms around his shoulders, her breasts pressing into him. Hades. Her moist lips and teeth gently nipped and kissed along his throat. He caught her hands. “Lady, stop.” Ailyea whimpered, but moved away from him. “Tomorrow night, we’ll reach your planet and your new life will begin. Lady, you are no longer a submissive. I will not use you like one.” He stood, and moved to face her. “I shouldn’t have used you. I… It was wrong of me.” Anger burned in his chest. He was only a man, and she was perfect. But, he had been wrong in using her. He should have been stronger. She shook her head. “Oh no, Master. You didn’t use me. I am here to please you.” “Torc!” He roared. Ailyea jerked and ducked. “Master…Master Torc.” He clenched his fists to keep from touching her. “Don’t fear me, lady.” He ached for her. If only a magic spell could help her, but none existed, and they had no more time. “I wouldn’t hurt you. But my name is Torc. I have never been your master.” “Whatever pleases you, Master Torc.” She pushed some strands of hair from her face with a shaking hand. “Master Torc, may…may I please have more time with you.” His knees nearly buckled. She’d asked him for something. He gazed at her. Her eyes remained lowered, her head slightly bowed. How could he deny her such a simple request? “How much time?” His voice as rough as hers had been hesitant. Her gaze didn’t rise to meet his. She continued to gaze at his boots. “A few days, a week, a full moon cycle, whatever pleases you, Master.” He glared, willing her to look up. “Torc.” Her startled gaze briefly met his. He grunted. “All right, lady, a few more days, then I’ll take you to your people.” She smiled. The Lucent hummed happily. “But, I need you to remember our rules.” For his self-preservation. She nodded. “No sucking or fucking, Master.” The metallic hue of her eyes caused him to frown. “Call me master again, and your free time is up.” 113
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Ailyea’s eyes widened before she lowered them. He gently lifted her chin. Since she’d be staying a few more days, he’d have to work on this. He held her gaze, mesmerized as the metallic hue faded back into green. What could cause her eyes to do that? Her eyes weren’t as brilliant as they’d been. Her blond hair, not as bright. The color of her tunic looked almost faded to him. What in Hades was happening? Could he be losing the ability to see colors? He let her chin go. “It’s getting late, lady. Why don’t you go rest? Tomorrow, we’ll visit Essien. Would you like that?” Ailyea smiled. “Oh yes, I would, Master Torc.” Torc blew out a breath as she left him alone to gaze out at space. When had he gone soft? He shouldn’t have given in to her request.
***** Ailyea spooned back against Master Torc and pressed her ass into his erect cacete. She wiggled around. He shuddered behind her. “Ailyea, I told you to scoot over. This bed is big enough, you don’t have to be right up against me.” “I know, Master Torc.” With a satisfied grin, she moved away from him. She lay still for a few minutes, allowing her breath to become deep and even. Turning over, the front of her body coming into contact with Master Torc’s, her breasts pushed into his chest. She could feel the hairs crinkle against her sensitive nipples, which hardened as they tingled from the contact. He moaned as she slid closer to him, putting her leg between his thighs. “Ailyea, move over.” She didn’t answer him. His head moved, and he looked to see if her eyes were closed. She kept the lids down, lashes fanning the bottoms of her eyes. “Ailyea. Move. Scoot. Hades…” She snuggled more tightly against him. He sighed. The puff of air blew her hair. She bit back a giggle as it tickled. Sleeping people didn’t giggle. She lowered her hand to cup the side of his hip. He took in a breath and released it. Her hand neared his cacete, but she couldn’t reach it without moving her body, which she didn’t want to do. Needed the closeness. He swallowed, the sound of it echoing in her ear. Had he noticed how close her hand was? This closeness, this snuggling made her feel more at ease. Why? But she didn’t stop to question it too much as she drifted off to sleep in Master Torc’s arms.
*****
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Torc growled at Essien, causing the pup to grin like an idiot. “She’s making progress,” Essien said. Torc snorted. He didn’t see it. “She is. Look at her.” Torc gazed across the room to where Ailyea sat cleaning vegetables with an elder of the pack. She looked almost happy, and as relaxed as he’d ever seen her. Her Lucent rolled around on the tabletop. He sighed. She still hadn’t named her pet. He stood with Essien when Kiel entered the longhouse. He nodded to Ailyea when Kiel motioned for him to follow him into his private sitting room. Essien closed the door behind them. The alpha settled into a comfortable chair. Torc didn’t wait, going right into what he’d come to the planet for. “I need a favor or two.” Kiel smirked, but remained silent. “I need you to protect Ailyea for me while I’m gone. And I need someone to travel with me back to the Flatland. I’m going to retrieve her papers.” “I’ll go.” Essien leaned back against the wall. Torc raised his hand. “Not you, pup. I need someone who can read the universal language. I have to make sure I get Ailyea’s papers.” “Hey, I can read.” Essien pushed away from the wall to stand at his full height. He glanced the pup’s way to shake his head. If things got ugly, he didn’t want to endanger the whelp. “You have to have the lord’s seal, or it’s not binding.” Kiel steepled his fingertips to study him. Torc clenched his teeth. He’d get the seal. She would be free and have the paper to show it. His inability to read had been a factor, but he’d bet Ailyea could read. He cursed himself for not getting it when he’d snatched her, but he hadn’t known things would go the way they had. He hadn’t known she’d make him feel. “You’re going to a lot of trouble for a slave,” Kiel sneered. Torc calmed his beast. He needed the alpha’s help. He needed a reader. A long minute passed before Kiel relented. “Take Hagan with you.” He didn’t let his surprise show at Kiel letting the next in line for pack leader travel with him. He nodded his thanks. “We’ll leave in the morning and return in three days’ time. And in the meantime, you’ll give me your word she’s protected.” “And if you don’t return?” “I will.” Leaving Ailyea to the mercy of the pack wasn’t an option. Kiel grunted. “You have my word.” Then, to Essien, “Send Shasta to me.” The Were pulled his shirt over his head as his brother exited the room in front of him. 115
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***** Ailyea caressed the Lucent stone. It hummed and shimmered colors brightly. She drew it to her lips and kissed it. It trembled, then hummed lower, almost a purr. “Sit there while I finish up.” The Lucent beamed colors around the room as she set it down. The meal had finished up a while ago, and she was now helping the pack bitches clean up. Atherial, a young bitch, grinned at her as they washed the dishes. “Your Lucent is beautiful.” Her voice had a deep accent to it, different than any Ailyea had heard before. “A present from your mate, yes?” Ailyea set the dish down with a tiny clang. “He’s my Master. Not a mate. He gave me the Lucent though.” “I’m sorry. The way he watched you all through dinner… I assumed you were mates. What is a ‘Master’?” Ailyea glanced at the younger woman. Atherial looked serious in her question, then took a step back. “What happened to your eyes?” “What do you mean?” Ailyea patted her cheeks with both hands. “They swirled. Changed from green for a minute—they had all these colors. Now they’re back to normal. What are you?” Ailyea swallowed. “I don’t know why that happens. I’m a Delicant.” “A what?” “A sex slave. Master Torc is my Master. A Master is someone who…owns you. You have to do what they say.” She frowned. She was beginning to understand that the description didn’t fit Master Torc. But she had no other name to call him. “What’s a mate?” Atherial snickered. “You don’t know? Then, how do you know Torc isn’t your mate?” “Because… He’s my Master. What else could he be?” “A mate, to our people at least, is someone who completes you. Someone you spend your whole life searching for.” “How do you know when you find them?” “Differs from species to species. With my people, there is nothing to distinguish it other than emotions. It’s a feeling—it feels right. Some other species get marks and things when they find their mates. How do you know when you find your Master?” Ailyea shuddered thinking about mates. She’d never heard of that. Mastery sounded much easier. “Masters buy and sell Delicants. A Master pays for me and gets my papers. They fuck me.”
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“So Torc bought you?” Atherial dipped a plate into the water. “No, not exactly. He…he…uh, stole me.” Atherial cocked her head to the side quizzically. “So how do you know he’s your Master?” “Because he is. He took me, so now he owns me.” Ailyea stacked a plate on the table. “But how do you know for sure? He didn’t buy you. Are you two fucking?” “Oh, yes, we’ve fucked. He says it won’t happen again though.” “Why not? If he’s your Master?” “I don’t know. He likes fucking. I know he does.” Ailyea bowed her head. Why didn’t he want to fuck her anymore? “You’d do better with a mate.” “Why?” “Because mates respect you and protect you from others. I know a lot of women in the pack would like to get their hands on Torc.” Ailyea gripped the plate. “They would?” “Oh yeah. He’s prime. The males here wouldn’t like that. I heard some of them tried to mess with you when you were here before.” Ailyea remembered how angry Master Torc had been. But they’d given her orders, and he had left no orders for her. She wrinkled her nose. Sometimes her head hurt from thinking. “Where are you from? Your accent is much different than Kiel’s or Essien’s.” Atherial’s lips turned up in a smile, showing her dimples. “I’m from Balay, a colony a few light-years from here. Kiel is my mother’s brother. I’m visiting for a while.” She leaned in to confidentially whisper, “I want to find my mate so I don’t have to go home.” She flipped her long raven-colored hair back over her shoulder. “Why not?” “My pack isn’t like this one. The men fight constantly and the leader does nothing to stop it. Girls are taken and mounted by force by roving bands of males. My mother and father protected me as long as they could. I’m older than most who have already been tried. They sent me here for a few months.” Atherial passed her another plate to dry. “Our leader doesn’t handle his pack the way my uncle Kiel does. Kiel keeps order. Females must be of age before they are mounted. Some girls are mounted in my pack before they have their pussy hair.” Ailyea met the girl’s troubled gray-blue eyes. “You’re a virgin?” Atherial nodded. Ailyea had been much younger than this girl when she’d been initiated into being a Delicant. “You don’t know what sex is like at all?” “I know what it is. I’ve seen fucking. I’ve never done it. I want my mate to be my first.”
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Ailyea shook her head, startled at the Were’s determination evidenced by the steel in the soft tones of her voice. “Do you think you’ll find him here?” Atherial shrugged, her slender body moving with her shoulders. “I don’t know. But I’d like to. Then I could stay in this pack forever. Are you going to stay with Torc?” A grunt sounded, and both of them turned to find Essien. “Have you been talking Ailyea’s ear off? Shouldn’t you be working?” Atherial tossed a rag at her only slightly older uncle. “Go find someone else to bug.” “But you’re so much fun.” He grinned. Atherial finished the last dish. “I’m going to go find Schleza. Ailyea, I hope we get to talk again before you leave.” Ailyea smiled. “I’d like that too.” Essien was frowning at her. “What?” She blinked at him. They walked outside the kitchen area, Essien falling into step beside her. “Nothing. So will you stay with Torc? You never answered Atherial.” “Yes, I will stay with Master Torc.” “He doesn’t seem to think you will be.” Ailyea swallowed. “I… I’m going to stay with him. He’s my Master.” “Masters change.” She stumbled. Essien caught her before she fell. “He’s my Master,” she repeated. “Do you remember when I asked if you were glad Torc lived because he was a man, or your master?” She nodded. “Yes, I remember.” “Do you have an answer yet?” Essien stared her down with his gold-flecked eyes. “When you find that answer, Ailyea, then I think you can keep him. Tell Torc good night for me.” They arrived at the cabin where Master Torc and she stayed.
***** Ailyea rested against Torc, her head on his shoulder. He absently rubbed her upper arm. He’d never forget the feel of her. Her scent. Her touch. She hadn’t stopped touching him since they’d gone to bed. His cock was heavy, throbbing painfully in the pants he’d refused to remove. Ailyea lay naked in his arms. They lay in silence for a long time before he spoke. “Lady, tomorrow I must leave you for a few days’ time.” She sucked in a breath and held still. “I’ll return as soon as I can. Kiel and Essien will watch out for you.” He continued to lazily stroke her soft skin.
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He hugged her to his side when she trembled slightly. “And the other males, Master Torc?” He clenched his teeth as his beast roared. He’d tear the whole pack apart if any took her. He released a calming breath. “Lady, who you fuck is your choice. Say no, and they’ll sniff somewhere else.” He closed his eyes, knowing once he left, she’d let in whoever wanted between her legs. He hugged her close and sighed when she snuggled against him. Moments later, he caught her wandering hand, holding it still to prevent her from exploring his cock. “Lady…” He inhaled, her sweet arousal teasing him. No, he couldn’t allow any others to fuck her when he had it in his power to influence her. The thought of her with anyone else would haunt him while he was gone. Worry that someone would hurt her would drive him to distraction. Her nail raked over his right nipple. It hardened, earning another pass of her nails. He moaned as his balls tightened. She purred, and he caught her hand. “Lady, do not fuck anyone while I’m away.” Ailyea sucked in a breath. His chest tightened at the look in her eyes. Hades… “Lady, it’s for your own safety.” He swallowed. His fangs extended. Would she obey him? After all these times of telling her he wasn’t her master? He forced the beast back. After all, the choice was hers. Her long lashes lowered to hide her gaze from him as she rocked her sex into his hip. With a growl, he rolled them over, placing her back along his chest. Ailyea whimpered as he wrapped his arms around her. His face nuzzled into her hair. She pressed her ass into his cock, earning a grunt from him. He had made it through last night without coming, without taking her. He didn’t believe he had it in him to resist her another night. And knowing others would try to take her once he left tempted him more to claim her now. If only briefly. He growled at the Lucent, which now glowed brighter in the darkness. It hummed an almost sensual tune, causing him to ache more. Ailyea pressed her ass into him. The scent of her arousal intensified. “Be still, lady,” he growled into her ear, earning another thrust of her ass. “Fuck me, Master.” Another thrust. “Fuck me hard, Master Torc.” He groaned. She had to know what it did to him when she talked to him like that. He trembled, but refused to cave in to the lust. He slid his palm down her belly to her slick pussy. She sucked in a breath. It took him a minute to catch the thrusting rhythm of her hips as he worked her already swollen flesh. He’d enjoy bringing her to climax with a simple touch of his fingertips.
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His own breath rushed, keeping pace with her sharp pants. He slid a finger into her pussy, and moaned as her inner muscles clenched and unclenched around it, flooding his palm with her juice. He pressed his cock hard against her ass when her climax claimed her. Torc moaned, holding his climax back. Easing his finger out of her, he hugged her close. “Sleep now, lady.” She whimpered. He brushed his lips along her ear, praying she’d hold still. His heart thumped until she drifted to sleep. She’d never know how much he wanted her. He held her, staring at the glowing Lucent until the first rays of the second sun appeared. Torc slipped from the bed without waking her.
***** Ailyea rolled over in the bed, automatically seeking Master Torc’s warmth. And didn’t find it. She sat up. He wasn’t in the room. She looked—no gear. He’d gone. She sighed and rubbed her hands over her face, trying to wake up. Her chochota tingled as a reminder. He’d eased her with his fingers last night. But not his cacete. She lay back, her fingers toying with her nipples. She stretched them out, pinching them. Closing her eyes, she imagined Master Torc’s nimble fingers playing with her. Her juices poured around her nether lips. Her hand drifted down and played in her mound, twiddling her grelho back and forth. Startled, she jerked her hands away. Soon-Yi had listed playing with oneself as a major infraction. With a Master watching, it was fine. But masturbating alone Soon-Yi had listed as a sin of the worst kind. Wasting a Delicant’s gift of pleasure on oneself. But, Ailyea reasoned, she did these things with Master Torc’s image in her head. His name on her lips. How could it be wrong? She didn’t continue, but jumped from the bed, washing herself off with water from a basin that had been set out for her. The cold water ran down in rivulets, drenching her skin. It didn’t cool her ardor for her Master. She prayed he’d be gone only the few days he said he would. Ailyea couldn’t believe how much she wanted him, how much he stayed on her mind while not in her presence. She skipped a short distance away from the camp. The sun hung high in the sky. She smelled the flower buds beginning to ripen on the trees. Breakfast smells overrode it—the Weres were cooking meat. A lone male stood at the base of a tree. He watched her, eyes narrowed, nose upturned to sniff the air. Ailyea’s pace quickened. He stepped in her path.
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“Kneel, bitch,” he muttered. Ailyea shook at the direct command. “No,” her heart warbled, but she didn’t speak it. Couldn’t speak it—she was a Delicant. But this couldn’t happen. Master Torc had forbidden it. Her heart pounded in her chest. He grasped her shoulders, shoving her to her knees.
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Chapter Sixteen “Suck it.” The Were popped open his pants, his hands lifting his cacete. The feel of hands in her hair before she could move hardly surprised her. “Look what we have here, Jaral.” The second Were joined the first. “Quite a piece of pussy, Cordial.” The first Were—Cordial—still had his cacete in hand. He rocked forward, brushing the tip along her face. His pre-come marking her. Gagging at his scent, she tried to turn her head. He chuckled roughly as he forced her to hold still. Another roll of his hips had her face buried in the hair that covered his sac. His cock brushed the side of her face. Whimpering, she pushed against his thighs trying to pull clean air into her lungs. A third stood at the edge of the clearing. Her eyes closed. What would she do? Direct commands were what she knew. But Master Torc—she couldn’t get him out of her head. He’d commanded her not to have sex with anyone while he was gone. She had to stop this. Could she stand up to them? A startled noise in the clearing made Ailyea open her eyes. Atherial stood by a tree. “I’m sorry. I was looking to talk to Ailyea.” No, run, Atherial, Ailyea screamed in her mind. Get away! Cordial rolled over and grabbed her leg. “You’re Kiel’s niece. The untried one. Help get her, Nimbus.” She yelped and jumped out of the third Were’s reach. “I’ve always wanted to fuck a virgin.” Nimbus’ eyes lit up like tiny little firecrackers. “No!” Atherial cried, turning to run. Cordial tackled her, and Nimbus held her arms as they brought her back over. “Help us with the little spitfire.” Jaral frowned as he stilled Ailyea’s movements. “Isn’t she below the age of consent?” Nimbus and Cordial both shot him frozen looks. “We don’t know how old she is. She wiggled her tail and never told us.” Atherial repeated, “No, no, no,” over and over again. “I want to pop her gulag.” Gulags were small fruits that when pierced, emitted gelatinous fluid like blood. Ailyea had heard the crude euphemism before for taking a woman’s virgem.
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She slid up on her haunches, trembling slightly. She wouldn’t let them hurt Atherial. “Masters. Surely you don’t want to take some inexperienced child when you have something so ripe right here.” Jaral growled, and Cordial and Nimbus answered with growls of their own. “Let the little pup go home to play with her dolls. You have a woman right here, Masters.” With the show she put on, their attention turned away from Atherial. Emitting a squeak, she slipped free of the hands that had been roaming and dashed away. Nimbus made one attempt to grab her but was diverted by Ailyea’s hands wandering up and down her body. Ailyea let out a sigh of relief. Atherial had gotten away. They would have raped the girl, taking away something important to her. It would have crushed her. She’d keep them occupied, making sure Atherial got back to safety. Atherial wouldn’t tell anyone, and no one would come to save her even if she did. It was up to her to stop this. Master Torc had commanded her not to fuck anyone. And by the gods, she wouldn’t disobey him. Rocking back to her feet, she straightened up to her full height. Cordial slunk over, his eyes glowing in appreciation of her body. “I like a woman.” His voice rumbled from his chest. He clasped a breast so hard it hurt, claiming her mouth in a punishing kiss that almost had her gagging. Surely Atherial had had enough time to get away by now. She brought her knee up, slamming it against his groin as hard as she could. He went down like a sack of maloy meal, clutching at his cacete. Nausea built in her stomach. What was she doing? Soon-Yi’s voice echoed in her mind. No Delicant should ever use her body to bring pain unless commanded. She’d been ordered differently by Master Torc before he left, though. Nimbus rushed at her, arms outstretched in offense. She lashed out defensively with her foot, but he sidestepped it easily. He’d anticipated what she was going to do and toyed with her. The Weres relied on brute force and she didn’t have the surprise advantage anymore. Nimbus circled her. “What you going to do, chuchanga? Huh?” He passed closer to her. She backed up, giving up ground. She swallowed, fear overtaking her. She wanted to run but knew he’d tackle her. “It’s time to fuck.” Her mind screamed no, even as she froze, watching him watch her with glittering eyes. Jaral stood at the edge of the clearing as his comrade rolled on the ground. He looked unsure of himself. He wouldn’t go against his friends, not even with his obvious misgivings about the attack. “Take her, Jaral,” Cordial snarled through clenched teeth, his hands still cupping his balls. “Help Nimbus.”
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She backed up a few steps more, tripping on an exposed root. She panicked, heart in her throat, and Nimbus took the advantage as she smacked at the air with her hands, taking her fully to the ground. The wind rushed out of her lungs as he landed on top of her with a thud. “Kick me. I’ll show you, bitch.” He pounded into her head with his meaty fist, knocking her head against the hard ground. He did it twice more as her head rang from the blow. She bit her lip hard, splitting it, blood leaking into her mouth. She struggled, but her head swam. Her efforts seemed futile against the bigger, stronger Were. Panic edged her movements, making them frantic, but she couldn’t get him off her. He pushed up at her tunic, almost ripping it in his haste. “I’ll show you how to fuck, chuchanga.” “Nnnhh.” It was the closest Ailyea could get to “No”. She couldn’t say it, not to anyone. A Delicant wouldn’t. Her eyes flooded with tears as she felt him pressing her thighs apart with his hand, starting to enter her with his cacete. She’d failed Master Torc trying to save her friend. “I think the party’s over.” Their heads snapped around. Essien stood in the clearing. Nimbus’ hands tightened on her with bruising force. “You gonna stop us, pup?” Essien stalked forward. Ailyea panted, unable to calm her breathing any more than the trembling in her limbs. She struggled, attempting to get to her knees. Nimbus shoved her back down into the dirt. She whimpered. He was such a heavy beast. He shifted on her so his knee trapped her right thigh. She winced as his bone dug into hers. His hands pressed into her forehead and chest. Cordial had finally made it to his feet, but he looked woozy. Jaral stood, where he’d been before, looking ready to run at any second. Essien turned his face to stare at Jaral. “You can try kicking my ass. If you feel lucky.” He took a defensive position. “I’ve fought off more than you three assholes.” Jaral gulped air and backed away. “I didn’t hurt her.” He continued to back away, until he turned and ran. “I always knew you were a pussy.” Cordial spit a wad of mucus in Jaral’s direction. Nimbus jabbed at her with his cock. “Nyuh…” Ailyea screamed and struggled as her head hummed. Laughing roughly, Nimbus shifted once more to make another jab at her. The next instant, a thwack cracked the air, and he grunted. He crushed her a moment before he growled, scrambling away. She opened her eyes. Essien’s chest heaved. He slapped the sturdy branch against his free palm. “You want some more?” “Whelp, you’re going to regret getting in our way,” Cordial snarled. “Yeah? It’s not my balls hurting right now, is it?” Essien grinned. 124
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Cordial straightened. “You little…” Nimbus moved over to clasp him on the shoulder. “Come on, don’t forget about Kiel. Let’s get out of here. They’re not worth it.” Ailyea, scrambled up, quickly pulling her tunic back down. “That’s right, you pussies. I wouldn’t just hit you. I’d cut ‘em off.” He braced the branch on a shoulder. “Go back to your cabin, Ailyea.” Relief alone carried Ailyea on legs that shook and wobbled the whole way home.
***** Ailyea flopped on her bed, her head throbbing. She had a small goose egg on the back. It would heal. Her lip had a small split in it. Her body quaked as she tried to still the shaking. The scent hit her nostrils. Master Torc. She crawled to his pillow and inhaled it. Tears flowed from her eyes, soaking it. Why did she feel like this? She’d tried to follow Master Torc’s orders. And Atherial had gotten away. Walking over to the small sink, she grabbed a sponge. Furiously, she scrubbed at her skin, everywhere they’d touched. She wanted to wash it clean away. Swallowing, she paused, looking at herself in the grainy mirror. She’d never reacted like this to anything before. She could still feel their hands on her skin. She shivered, willing the images in her head to go away as she lay back down on the bed. A knock sounded. She opened it without even asking to see who it was. Atherial stood there, shaking like she’d been out in a winter snow. Ailyea pulled the young Were in, picking up a blanket and putting her under it. She rubbed the young girl’s cold arms. “It’s okay. I’m fine.” She pushed Atherial’s hair back from her face. Her cheeks were tearstained, like she’d been crying a lot. “It’s all right. You had a scare. But you’re safe now.” Atherial finally warmed up under Ailyea’s fingertips. “Y-y-you got away from them. Essien found you? I met him when I got back to camp.” “He came.” Ailyea didn’t meet her searching eyes. She didn’t mention her own actions, still too raw about whether they were disobedient or obedient acts. “It does. How did you get away? Oh gods, they raped you, didn’t they?” Ailyea’s voice sounded computerlike to her over the humming in her ears. “They didn’t fuck me. Besides, you can’t rape a Delicant.” They hadn’t completed the act so it wasn’t fucking. She fought to keep her emotions under control. She was a Delicant, it wouldn’t have mattered if they had. Except Master Torc had told her not to. She’d never let him know how close she’d come to disappointing him. He had to keep her and if he knew, he might not.
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“Bullshit.” Ailyea drew back both from the wolf’s cursing and the emotion in her voice. “You got away. That’s all that matters.” “Ailyea, anything they did to you was wrong. You only let them because of me.” Atherial’s voice was guttural and full of venom. Ailyea shrugged. “You didn’t need to lose your virgem that way.” “They’re going to pay. Wait until Kiel finds out. He has laws for this kind of stuff.” Ailyea reached out and grabbed Atherial’s arm. “Don’t tell Kiel.” If Kiel found out, he’d tell Master Torc. Then he’d get rid of her. No, Master Torc could never know about this. “Why? Why shouldn’t I?” “Atherial, you’re safe. It doesn’t matter what they did to me or would have done to me.” “It does.” Atherial hopped down to sit on the floor and look straight into Ailyea’s eyes. “Oh, Ailyea, it does matter. It’s wrong. What they did. What they were going to do… It’s not right.” “I’m a Delicant. There are no permissions for me to give. Men…want sex. They take it.” Ailyea couldn’t believe the emotion the young girl was showing over this. She was a Delicant. No one cared when she wanted sex or not. They just took it, and no one ever said a word in her defense. She caught her lip between her teeth and thought of Master Torc. He had never taken sex from her. Had never hurt her. Ailyea’s chest tightened. The sex with Master Torc had been different. She had felt more with him than she ever had before. And he had protected her from those who would hurt her. He’d told her not to fuck while he was gone. That was different than any other Master. Most didn’t care who she fucked in their absence. A slow ache beat at the base of her head. She rubbed it, wanting the tension to stop. Thinking was too hard. Master Torc made her confused. “I’m a Delicant. Sex is what I’m meant to do.” She made her voice firm, as much like a teacher’s as she could get it. Atherial shook her head. “They need to be punished.” “No one will punish them. Not over a Delicant.” “Kiel will.” Atherial got a stubborn look. “Let me tell him.” “Please…please don’t.” Ailyea went down on her knees before Atherial. “Please don’t tell him.” Atherial sighed. “I won’t. But I don’t like this.” “Thank you.” Ailyea sighed with relief. She didn’t want the little Were to get herself into trouble. Atherial had had a big scare. It was affecting her thinking. No one would
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ever punish anyone for what they did to a Delicant. Atherial would be butting her head up against a wall that wouldn’t give. “You’d better turn in for the night.” Atherial grabbed her in a hug. “I’ll see you tomorrow.” She left, and Ailyea climbed back up on the bed. A while later, there was another rap at the door. With a sigh, Ailyea got up and opened it. Essien’s mouth quirked. “Expecting someone?” “No,” she whispered, stepping aside and letting him in. “I talked to Atherial. You didn’t tell her that you fought them.” She shrugged. “It didn’t matter. Will Atherial tell Kiel? Please, don’t you tell him either. Or Master Torc.” “No. No, she won’t tell Kiel, though I think he should know. But I won’t tell him either. And Ailyea, it does matter. Why did you fight them?” Ailyea sat down and rubbed a hand through her hair, her mouth tightening. “Master Torc told me not to fuck anyone while he was gone.” Essien glanced at her, and she saw him look twice. “What?” He scrutinized his face. “Nothing. For a second…your eyes, your mannerisms… Never mind. So he ordered you not to fuck, huh? Was that the only reason you fought them? And why did you help Atherial?” “Why else would I fight sex? I’m a Delicant.” Did her voice have a bitter sound to it? She cleared her throat. “Atherial didn’t want to be taken.” Essien sat across from her. “Had they ordered you to, would you have helped them fuck her?” She rubbed her head. It hurt, along with her body. Fatigue grew greatly. “Masters give me orders, and I do them! That’s the reason I fought to keep them from fucking me.” “Why did you help her then, Ailyea? No one told you to help her.” “I don’t know! She didn’t want to fuck. I had to help her. She was…weaker than me, and I could.” She shrugged. Her head still hurt from the blows. And from all this thinking. “I could let them take me, but not her.” Essien shook his head, and then he stared at her. “What the—” “What, Essien?” “For a minute, I saw Torc’s eyes staring back at me. It’s righted now. What is going on with you?” “I don’t know,” she whispered. She turned away from him. What was happening to her? “I’ll let you get some rest. Maybe you can decide why you just did what you did.”
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He left her. She knew why she’d done what she did. Master Torc had given her orders. As for Atherial, well, she didn’t understand that part and would stop trying to. She went back to her bed, wondering when Master Torc would be back.
***** Exhaustion weighed heavily on Torc’s shoulders as he brought the shuttle in for a landing. His return had taken longer than he’d anticipated. Ailyea and Essien stood on the solar shield as he brought the craft to the ground. He cut the engines as Ailyea’s feet flew across the ground toward the shuttle. He opened the back hatch, and Hagan moved down the short ramp, passing Ailyea in her upward rush. Torc grunted, catching her in his arms as she threw herself into them. Fully supporting her, he cradled her ass in the palms of his hands. She wrapped her arms around his neck. Spontaneously, he returned the embrace. A small laugh escaped Ailyea as she managed to wrap her legs around him, her tunic sliding up her hips, exposing her to his swollen cock. “She’s in good hands now,” Essien called out with a laugh before turning away. Howling, he and Hagan raced in wolf form through the trees toward their village. Ailyea clung to his neck and shoulders. “You have nice hands, Master Torc.” Her sex rubbed the length of his cock through his pants as she rocked her hips against him. Eyes closed, he nuzzled her temple. Hades, he’d missed her. The hunger for a taste of her had his mouth watering. She shifted her pussy along him again and again, before pulling his mouth down for a kiss. The scent of her arousal provoked his beast, turning the dueling of their tongues brutal. His blood burned hot in his veins as she urged him to claim her with the eagerness of her seeking pussy. Ailyea’s hips rocked, rubbing her wet sex against him until he could regain thought. He broke the kiss. Keeping an arm around her he shifted her up higher so he could unsnap his pants and free his cock. Oh, damn. His hand trembled. Ailyea caught his lower lip. He pulled his lips away from the suction of her greedy mouth when he finally managed to release his cock. Sweat broke out on his brow at the feel of her heels pushing his pants down more. Growling, he arched his neck as, with a shift of her position, she impaled herself on him. His knees nearly buckled. He wanted this. No. He wanted her. More than his next breath.
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The wet hot feel of her body massaged him so intimately, his own hips rocked up to meet her downward thrusts. Torc’s breath rushed out harshly through his nose as he fought to keep from coming, experiencing more of the soft wet caress of her body clenching and unclenching around his as she moaned and rocked with him. She came apart around him and he groaned deeply, reveling in the feel of her pleasure. Then he pressed her back into the hull of the shuttle. Harder. Deeper. Faster. He thrust, racing to a climax of his own. “Ailyea…” He groaned as her pussy milked him. Over and over, he burst inside her. She pressed kisses along his jawline as she came back into his focus. Torc’s chest heaved, and his legs trembled, but still he remained semi-erect inside Ailyea. “Don’t leave me yet.” Her panted plea brushed his ear. His hips jerked while his cock grew thicker. A groan rumbled from his chest as her soft hands explored his back, shoulders and arms, wherever she could reach. “Kiss me, Master Torc.” Her breath puffed against his cheek. With a growl, he caught her mouth with his. At first, his mouth and tongue hesitantly explored her teasing lips. He quickly turned greedy, devouring her mouth and tongue as if he were starving. She panted and clutched him to her as his hips rocked, thrusting his cock deep inside her, over and over. “Bed—take us to bed,” she panted in between kisses. He tore his mouth away from her, breathing heavily. He grunted as her thighs tightened around his hips. “Don’t leave me.” Her arms clung to his shoulders. He couldn’t think straight. He didn’t want to. Ailyea stretched out a hand, pressing the button to close the hatch as they passed it. Staying buried in Ailyea’s pussy, he stumbled into his bedchamber. She laughed huskily when his knees hit the bed. Covering her, he thrust deeply with a grunt. He moaned as her hands tangled in his hair, bringing him to meet her mouth for another hungry kiss. Lost in Ailyea’s touch, he had never known such pleasure. Her hands roamed over his shoulders and back, keeping him close. His tongue delved deep into her hungry mouth and his cock kept time to the rhythm of her rolling hips. His world hummed and swirled. When she urged him to feed, he sank his fangs into the tender flesh of her arched neck. Ailyea moaned, and the outside world broke open with crackling thunder. A shattering climax claimed them both. 129
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Nothing but peace, pure pleasure and the taste of Ailyea quenched him for several long minutes. He laved at her neck, trying to find the strength to ease away from her. He didn’t have it. He collapsed where he lay. He grunted when Ailyea laughed, pushing at his shoulders. “Fuck me,” he growled. He didn’t understand this weakness that came over him. She pushed at his shoulders again. “It’ll be my pleasure, Master, if you’ll only roll over.”
***** Torc shuffled through the storage containers on his ship, looking for items which might appeal to Ailyea. Almost everything he picked up he discarded. He didn’t know what a woman would like. It would help if she’d ask him for things. He didn’t understand why he’d saved all this stuff anyway. But collect it he did, and he kept it all in the spare bedchamber. He rarely left a new planet without a new possession. He picked up a metal amulet, his brow furrowing. With a sigh, he tossed it back. Ailyea was delicate and the amulet was too harsh for her. The slap of bare feet drew his gaze to the doorway. Ailyea stood there, sleeptousled and naked. He stopped himself from taking her back to bed and fucking her again. “Hello, Ailyea.” He saw her eyes widen at the use of her given name. Torc would sometimes murmur it while they fucked, and while she’d slept, but never otherwise. This was a new tactic—maybe the use of her name would somehow help his cause in proving her individuality. She cradled her Lucent in her palms. “Have you bathed?” He knew she hadn’t, but he asked anyway. “No, Master…Torc.” Picking up the items he’d saved, he walked to her side. “Here, I dug these out for you.” Ailyea placed her pet on her shoulder, where it rolled about chirping happily. He slid the jeweled charm bracelets on her wrists before handing her the mirror set. He’d been tired of her combing her hair out with her fingers. “Thank you, Master.” Her lower lip briefly caught between her teeth. “Torc.” He shrugged. “Go bathe, and then we’ll join the pack for dinner. You’ve slept the afternoon away,” he teased. Normally, he’d been the one who wound up sleeping from exhaustion. “When we return, I have a challenge for you.” “Yes, Master.” Curiosity shown clear in her gaze.
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He nudged her away. “Go. I’ll tell you later.” Since he couldn’t decide what she could use from his collection, he would make her pick some things out she might have need for.
***** Dinner had turned into a banquet with the entire pack in attendance. Ailyea hadn’t left his side and now sat beside him, cuddling her pet. Pretending to ignore her, he gazed into the flickering of the flames and rising smoke of the village’s bonfire. His inner beast could rip the circling males apart. They’d been hounding Ailyea all night. They thought they could get her pussy for free while their females made them work for it. Instead of lashing out like he wanted, he harnessed the beast. He had no say over Ailyea. She had to remain free. Now, if he could only control his own lust. After the night they had shared, his cock hurt—she had to be sore too. And he’d learned if he didn’t feed from her, he could fuck her more. Only when they connected completely did she weaken him. He had liked freely fucking her until she could do no more than lay there moaning. But she’d always urged him to sink his fangs into her. Hard enough to resist, but knowing she wanted it too made it impossible. Their bonding puzzled him. She’d drain him, only to wake him for more. Several conversations were going on around them, mostly chatter about who was in season and rumors about slave traders being in the area. Torc listened with only partial attention. Atherial plopped down in front of them. He sighed. The whelp chattered as much as the Lucent. “Ailyea, would you like to dance with me? Well, that is, if you weren’t going to dance with your…um…Master?” “I’m Torc.” He growled, wondering what she was up to. “I don’t dance.” “I could teach you to dance, Master Torc. I’m a good dancer.” Ailyea sounded proud, looking at him with eyes that now glowed with that metallic hue. Atherial tilted her head. “Torc, Essien said Ailyea’s eyes didn’t always look like yours. What did you do to make them that way?” At a loss, he looked away from them. He had no clue what had happened to her eyes. He now saw little color. Everything came to him in shades of gray. The lack of color didn’t bother him, but Ailyea seemed stronger somehow. At times, she showed other emotions than fear. “I’m sure it’s a temporary thing.” “Essien says some can get diseases from fucking. Maybe you had a disease and gave it to her.” Ailyea gasped. “Oh, I don’t think Master gave me anything. He was a virgin until we started fucking. And my Masters have always kept my shots updated.”
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Atherial’s eyes grew wide, and then a smile lit up her face. “Why did you wait so long, Torc?” Ignoring the whelp, he gazed around the camp. Where was Essien when he needed him? Hiding, no doubt. He shrugged, and then answered truthfully, “I wanted to wait.” He left off the fact that he’d never had an opportunity to fuck anyone he was interested in. He’d never been alone with females before, not even from the pack. And men didn’t appeal to him. “I bet some of the pack bitches would fuck you. I see them watching you.” Ailyea pressed in closer to him. The females of the pack did sniff around him. But they didn’t make him hard, weren’t impossible to resist the way Ailyea was. “Ailyea, would you care if Torc fucked others?” “Masters can do whatever they like.” Her voice had grown smaller, and she concentrated on petting her Lucent. He opened his mouth, only to close it. Hades. He didn’t dare tell her he had no interest in others. She couldn’t stay. And to encourage her would only make it harder. Ignoring his glare, Atherial scrambled up onto her knees. “Essien told me something about sex. I bet neither of you know it.” Ailyea made a noise. “I know everything about sex.” Torc couldn’t deny it, as his cock grew painfully hard. She’d taught him everything he knew. “Essien said there are two kinds of sex.” “There are way more than two kinds of sex.” Ailyea scooted closer to Atherial. Torc’s breath grew rough. He agreed with the Delicant. There were many kinds of sex. His favorite was when he took Ailyea’s clit into his mouth and sucked until she arched and came. He also enjoyed fucking her as hard as he could until her climax forced him to come too. His balls tightened. “Oh, no.” Atherial waved a hand. “I mean there is something besides sex.” She nodded. Ailyea frowned. “There are lots of types of sex, and then there is making love.” “What is making love?” Ailyea whispered softly, stirring something inside him. “It’s special. It’s sex between mated pairs, between those who love one another. Essien says when mates love one another, sex with others can’t compare to making love.” “Essien says a lot of things,” Torc muttered gruffly. His cock ached, and something where his heart should have been hurt too. He could still remember soft whispered words between his parents. They had loved each other. And Larissa had often played at being mated. “I have not heard about this making love. I wonder what it feels like.” Ailyea moved closer to him, pressing deeper into his side.
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“Oh, that’s easy. Essien says making love is better than sex.” They turned as one when a shadow loomed over them. “I think Torc should fuck a pack bitch and prove to us all that his sex slave is not his mate,” Cordial snarled. He was in wolf form. Torc held his gaze. He didn’t trust this bastard one bit. With him occupied, she’d be free for the taking. Ailyea trembled beside him, pressing even closer into him as if she could hide within his body. Torc growled softly. Never again. Torc stood, forcing the smaller male back a step. “I have nothing to prove.” “I’ll fight you fairly for her!” Cordial snarled as his teeth lengthened, his features turning bestial. “Fine.” He ignored the press of Ailyea’s palm on his thigh. Maybe a good fight would burn off some of his energy. Within moments, the males of the pack surrounded them. Kiel tied his right hand to the Were’s left paw. “Remember, no killing. And the winner gets the slave.” “No. No matter the outcome, Ailyea has a say in this. She decides who she goes with,” Torc growled. Kiel nodded, but before he could step back, Cordial sprang onto his chest, biting hard into his left shoulder. Groaning, he went down on one knee. The crowd howled and cheered. Over them, he heard Ailyea’s gasp. That and the smell of his own blood urged him on. He would win. He reached out, catching the Were by his right knee. With a shove of his weight, he brought them both up off the ground. Cordial released his shoulder, but it was too late. Torc twisted his victim’s knee, forcing him backwards. He growled in satisfaction as the bone crunched beneath the full force of his strength. Cordial howled, immediately transforming to his base self. It was over. He’d won. His breath ragged, he waited as Kiel unhooked them before he stood up straight. He would heal faster than the Were would. But when Ailyea approached with medical supplies, he sat, waiting for her to tend him. She looked almost happy, with a shy smile at him before she bent down to assess his wounds. His nostrils flared every time she leaned into him, pressing her soft curves against him. His body cried out to take her here, to prove to everyone she belonged to him. But she wasn’t his, so he’d be satisfied with holding her next to him. Ignoring the pain in his shoulder, he reached down for Ailyea’s hand. “Do you still want to dance with me?” She slid her small hand into his and placed the Lucent on her shoulder. It raced down her arm and up his. He led her closer to the fire where others danced.
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Ailyea laid her head on Master Torc’s shoulder, clasping her hands around his waist. Her arms couldn’t reach all the way around him. “Put your hands around me, Master Torc.” He hesitated, hands outstretched and then complied. “Now move your feet around like this.” He shuffled his feet and stepped on her foot. “I can’t do this.” “Sure you can, Master Torc.” She smiled. “I stepped on your foot,” he muttered as he did it again. “Your feet aren’t that big. Well, actually they are big. And I know why.” He looked at her, his eyes narrowing. “Why?” “Because your cacete is big.” He grunted. “It is. And big cacete…big feet.” He snorted. “It’s true. Well, not with all races. But it must be true for yours.” “I wouldn’t know.” She persisted. “Did your brothers have big feet when they grew?” “Lady, I never checked out their feet.” “No… I suppose you wouldn’t check out their feet. Or their cacetes, Master Torc. But I bet it’s true.” He wrinkled his brow. His feet steadily had followed hers the entire time they’d been talking. Pulling her closer, he followed her body in time to the music. “See. Told you, you could dance.” Once she’d taken his mind off his feet moving. Another snort. They danced in silence a few minutes. “Who taught you to dance?” Ailyea bit her lip. Talking about the House of 9000 Pleasures, one never knew if it would be taken well or not. Some Masters didn’t like to be reminded of their slaves’ beginnings. But Master Torc had been different so far. “I learned at the House of 9000 Pleasures.” She rubbed her body where it touched against him. Her nipples pebbled even though he chest didn’t brush her breast. She craved his fingers on her, something she was completely unused to. “Soon-Yi taught us all to dance.” “Soon-Yi?” “She taught us what being a Delicant was.” She twirled in his arms. “I can do lots of dances, Master Torc. With and without partners.” She sidled closer. “I’ll show you an erotic dance I can do… I can put my legs behind my head, Master Torc.” His nostrils flared as he swallowed. Ailyea laid her head on his shoulder again and melted into his body. He moved against her, and no space existed between them. His hand moved along her back,
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striking sparks even through the clothes. Funny how his touch roused her more than any other Master’s. She’d heard about a race that could stop time. If only she could freeze this moment.
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Chapter Seventeen Waking from a light sleep back on the ship, Torc stretched. He didn’t see Ailyea. Listening carefully, he heard clanking in the storage room. How long had she been looking though all that junk? When they’d returned from the village, she had cleaned his wound again, and he’d given her a small leather bag and told her to fill it with items useful to her. She’d been deciding a long time. She probably hadn’t chosen items for herself before. He hadn’t known it’d be this difficult for her. But he’d wait her out. She needed to complete this task on her own. Ailyea tossed in a metal bangle, bit her lip and took it out. “This is too hard,” she wailed, looking at the door. She kept putting things in the leather bag and changing her mind, taking them out. The Lucent matched the note of her wail. She didn’t know what to pick. What else did she need? What was useful? She put something else in and took it right back out. What if she chose wrong? Master Torc… She smiled. If only she could put him in the bag. The jingle of Ailyea’s bracelets woke Torc next. She smiled and shook the bag. “I did it, Master…Torc.” He stretched and got comfortable. “Is that so?” Ailyea nodded, but when she went to open the bag, he stopped her. “I don’t want to see what you’ve decided on. It’s enough to know you made choices.” Frowning, she settled into one of the ready positions. She saw him gazing at her through lowered lashes. How much could he see? Sure enough, there was her sex peeking out at him from underneath her tunic between her parted thighs. She sat with her feet resting flat on the bed. A drop of moisture pearled on her center. Blood flowed into his cock, thickening and hardening it. He shifted. “Master Torc, do you want to fuck?” Her voice was a husky whisper. Hades, did he want to. Instead, he shook his head. Ailyea sat her bag down and crawled over to him. “I want to, and I think you want to too.” Hips arching, he clenched his fists when she grasped his cock through his pants. The length of him grew harder still when she squeezed. She leaned over and pressed her sweet mouth to his. His tongue darted out of his mouth to tangle with hers as she stroked his cock harder and harder.
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He wanted to fuck, and she knew it. Another, more pleasurable way to wake up couldn’t exist. He tangled a hand into her hair. His other snatched her stroking palm away from his aching cock before she forced him to come. The kiss lingered on. He greedily explored her mouth with a thrusting tongue and sucking lips. He kissed her until she had to be as hot as he was. Her full breasts pressed and rubbed his chest as she nudged her pussy against him. “Take your tunic off and climb up onto my mouth. I want to bury my tongue inside you.” Ailyea moaned and rose to her knees. Torc growled as she slowly pulled her tunic up her body and over her head. Her hair fell like spun gold around her shoulders. Her breasts flushed. Her nipples tightened more, aching for his attention. Ailyea wasted no time pinching the rosy pebbles, plucking them, pulling them until his hips arched, and he licked his lips. “Come here, lady.” He caught her waist in his palms and pulled her to straddle his chest. He’d take his time reaching his goal of tongue-fucking her. He toyed with her breasts by urging her to let them hang above his face. Torc arched his neck so he could lave one nipple after another with his rough tongue until the gush of her pleasure wet his chest. Only then did he suck on her nipples hard enough to earn cries of pleasure from her, hard enough to have her squirm on him. He sucked hard enough on her nipples to make his cock pulse. Her nails dug into him when he allowed a fang to prick her left nipple. Climaxing, she bucked hard against him as he pierced her right nipple as well. His tongue gently lapped at them to ease them. Torc shuddered. She had enjoyed the pricks of his fangs. Saliva pooled in his mouth. His need burned deep. Ailyea panted when he helped her settle her wet pussy over his mouth. He licked, bathing her as he clasped her thighs in his hands. His hands gripped her soft skin roughly as his mouth turned greedy. Hades, he loved the taste of her pussy as much as he did the taste of her mouth. Ailyea whimpered, dropping her head back and cupping her breasts. Harsh breaths rushed from his nose. The longer he sucked and licked her pussy, the closer he came to exploding in his pants. His balls tightened, his cock hard as rock. Her hips rocked when he buried his tongue deep. Torc groaned, arching his own hips. His palms clutched at her as the walls of her pussy clenched his tongue. He licked and sucked her clit and moaned deeply at the feel of her hand undoing his pants. No turning back for him—he had to fuck her. Had to feel the exquisite pleasure of coming deep inside her. Ailyea trembled as she climbed off him and finished removing his pants. He could allow her to stroke his cock only twice before he pulled her over him. He now throbbed
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hot and heavy. He had only a matter of moments and had to be inside her when he came. Sitting up, his hands clasped her waist as she slid her tight, wet pussy down his cock. Ailyea dug her nails into his shoulders with a thrust downward, burying him deep. Torc growled. “Kiss me, Master,” she whispered against his mouth. He did so hungrily while holding her hips still. Not yet. Not yet. He couldn’t come yet. Ailyea pulled away. She buried her hand in his hair and pulled his mouth down to her throat. “Now, Master, sink your fangs deep too.” Torc’s tongue darted out, licking until she squirmed, and only then did he bury his fangs into her hot skin. Pure bliss rushed through him. Sucking harder, he moaned. Ailyea cried out, and the world exploded around them. He shared everything he had to share with her, and for the first time, he noticed she became one with him. She’d connected with him. Then their climax erupted, going on and on into an abyss he couldn’t explain and didn’t want to escape. Reluctantly, as her trembling eased, he licked the bite closed. Exhausted, Torc worked to calm his breathing. Ailyea’s hot breath rushed in his ear. She squirmed on him, and he released his grip on her hips and lay back. “You are so beautiful, lady,” he told her, unsure if he murmured it aloud.
***** Ailyea rolled over in bed and opened her eyes to discover Atherial nose to nose with her. She almost yelped, but caught herself in time. She didn’t want to wake Master Torc. “Aily—” Ailyea reached out and put her hand over the young Were’s mouth. Her eyes widened, and Ailyea motioned for her to go out of the room. Ailyea scampered out of the room behind her. “Shhhhh. What are you doing here?” “I want to go swimming. Come with me.” She bit her lip, looking at the hatch. “I don’t know.” Atherial took her hands. “Come on. It will be fun. We’ll be back before Torc knows we’re gone.” “Well. Maybe for a little while. Let me go get my tunic.” She quietly slipped back inside the room. Looked at Master Torc’s sleeping form a long time. She could crawl back in and join him. She sighed and didn’t. She whispered, “Master Torc, Atherial wants me to go swimming with her.”
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He grunted something like “Ummm-huh” and snored, turning over in the bed. Not exactly an outright yes. But a good enough affirmation of his approval. She snagged her tunic and slipped back out of the room to join her friend.
***** Ailyea laid back her head in the water, enjoying the feel of its coolness lapping against her body. Water landed on her face. She sputtered and opened her eyes. Atherial grinned. “Gotcha.” Ailyea glared and splashed her back. They splashed each other for several minutes. “Are you sure we’re safe here?” Ailyea leaned her head back. Atherial came beside her and took a similar pose. “Of course we are. We’re in the middle of the pack’s territory. No one would dare to come here.” “Long as you’re sure.” “I am. So you and Torc looked like you enjoyed dancing.” Ailyea arched a brow, and Atherial waggled her brows. “You and that whelp, Erling, seemed to enjoy each other too.” Atherial blushed. “Well…” “Spill, Athy.” “Athy?” Ailyea grinned. “A nickname. You look like an Athy.” “I’ve never had a nickname before.” Ailyea had never been close enough to anyone to give them one. So she figured that made them even. A cry came from the forest. Atherial’s head jerked around. “That’s a wolf pup. It shouldn’t be alone in the woods.” “I thought you had humanoid babies.” “Most of the time we do. But we do have a few who are born pups.” The cry sounded again. “We have to bring it back to the pack.” She hurried toward the keening sound. “Atherial, that’s deeper into the woods. We shouldn’t…” “Come on, Ailyea. No time to get anyone else.” Ailyea hesitated, but watching her friend scurry off, she followed. She couldn’t leave her to run off alone. They pushed through the undergrowth into a small clearing. A grown humanoid man stood up from behind a sage bush.
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The noise stopped. Atherial narrowed her eyes. “What are you doing here? Who are you? You’re going to be in so much trouble.” His voice glided over them like silk. He spoke the universal language. “Look, boys, I told you my mimicking would catch us two little fishies. And it’s the same fishies I saw bathing.” Men stepped out of the bushes on all sides. Ailyea stepped closer to Atherial. This was not good. Atherial continued her bluster. “Who are you? My pack will kick your ass.” “I don’t think so. By the time they figure out you’re gone, you’ll be under lock and key. Until I sell you.” He sniffed the air, closing his eyes and smiling, his voice turned low and growly. “A virgin, boys. And one who’s had a lot of loving the last week.” Looking at Ailyea, he probed her mind with his. “She’s a Delicant. We’ll have some fun with this one.” Atherial turned to run, and they caught her like a rat in a trap with one hand. “Sleep,” their leader intoned, and Atherial went limp. Ailyea stayed fully awake, and he chuckled at her. “You won’t resist, will you, Delicant. I’m your new Master. Submit to me.” Ailyea ducked her head down to her chest. His chuckle sounded instantaneously. “Good girl. Come on, men.” He took her hand and led them to his shuttle. Her eyes darted around until the last possible minute, looking for Master Torc.
***** Torc forced an eye open to look groggily at Essien. “What is it, pup?” He scrubbed his face with his hands as the night came back to him. He and Ailyea had fucked, he’d fed from her and gone into a healing sleep on top of his normal exhaustion from bonding with the Delicant. “I’m awake now. What is it?” And then, he sensed it—Ailyea was gone. No. Not only gone, but in trouble. Real trouble. Her fear called out to him. With a roar, he sprang from the bed. “Slave traders must’ve got Ailyea and Atherial. We found signs of a struggle where they were snatched.” Essien didn’t bat an eye at Torc’s show of rage. He tossed him a pair of pants. “We’re organizing a rescue party. Our best men.” Torc snarled, jumping into the pants and stepping into his boots before leading Essien to the back hatch. He remembered those rumors of slaver traders in the area— Hades. He should have been more careful and alert. Hagan and his brothers Taneli and Fabron waited outside. They were the pack’s fastest runners. More would come behind them as backup, but the pack had selected a few for the scout team because locating the traders was the first step. “Think he can keep up?” Taneli sneered, before transforming to his true self.
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Teeth clenched, Torc sprinted ahead of them. He didn’t need the wolves’ hunting skills. He had to be bonding with Ailyea—he could locate her anywhere and wouldn’t show the slave traders an ounce of pity for taking her. Howling, the wolves ran behind him. Within moments, they entered the thick forests. He didn’t notice the branches cutting into him. His psyche had immediately connected with Ailyea, trying to soothe her. The harder he ran, the hotter the fury building inside him. He could sense Ailyea had already accepted the slave traders as her new masters. The fear and sadness that weighed heavily on her mind hit him hard. He could also pick up that she worried over Atherial and her Lucent. She thought they would harm Atherial and take her pet away from her. Her emotions filled him, blocking out his own. With a snarl, he leaped over the fast-moving river. The wolves had been slowed down by the current. Torc didn’t turn back at their yelps and growls as they entered the cold water. He didn’t need the wolves. He would kill the slave traders all by himself. His mouth watered from the pleasure the thoughts of killing them brought him. In his mind he sensed Ailyea’s whimper. His heart pounded louder than his feet against the dirt. No matter how brave she might be acting for her new friend, she was terrified and hurting. He could feel the strong emotions but wasn’t sure yet of what was hurting her. And then the reason struck him hard enough to cause him to stumble. She feared he wouldn’t come for her. That he would abandon her like all her other masters eventually had, and that she’d have to accept the traders as her new masters for real. Torc pushed away from a tree for added speed. His breath snuffed harshly out of his nose when the wolves caught up to him. He hadn’t been able to concentrate on running when he’d realized the source of her pain. He’d been too in tune with Ailyea. They ran on toward the mountains and the peon village, which sat in the foothills. The slave traders apparently wanted more bounty before they moved on.
***** Ailyea ducked her head as the slave trader cursed. Atherial still slumbered under the sleeping spell Mort had put on her. She’d been quick to pick up on his name because he was the leader. He had the power. In the near hour Ailyea had been with them, she’d learned as much as she could about this band. She’d never been taken by slave traders though she’d met plenty of slaves who had. Nor had she ever encountered this race before. Mort led them by hook, crook and mostly magic, but he ruled constantly under the threat of takeover. She’d seen his authority challenged more than once already. Gratian seemed to be the one who challenged Mort the most. And both of them wanted to dominate her.
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She bowed her head to Mort. “I’m not from around here…Master. I don’t know the settlements in the area.” They had taken them to a base camp, a couple of ramshackle buildings that had once housed a village. If there had been any settlers holed up there, this band had made sure they hadn’t left there alive. She wasn’t sure how far it was from the Weres’ settlement. The traders planned to hold the captives here until they’d stolen enough, then take off for worlds that held slave auctions. Gratian grumbled. “Are we going to get more slaves? Or dick around the rest of the day?” Mort growled at him, showing his teeth. No fangs though. He was large and hairy. Most would find that intimidating, and Mort clearly relied on it. But she worried more for her Lucent and for Atherial than for herself. Ailyea could make herself quiet and unobtrusive. Atherial, on the other hand, liked to talk too much. The Lucent made a humming sound. Ailyea cradled it to her and tried to quiet it. “What is that incessant buzzing?” Mort demanded. “I…I have a Lucent stone, Master.” She clutched it tighter to her trembling breast. “Let me see, slave,” he demanded. She displayed it. “What’s so special about a humming rock?” Gratian leaned back on his heels. “They are worth more than we make in a year from slaves.” Mort reached to touch it, and it was all Ailyea could do to stop herself from snatching it back. He took it from her hand. “It’s beautiful.” The Lucent screamed and wailed, beaming red. “Owwww,” he yelped, handing it back. “Fucking thing got hot. Like picking up a lava stone.” “Are they worth that much?” Gratian licked his lips. “Maybe we should take it away from the slave.” “They are worth that much, but I think she can hang on to it for now. Unless you want to burn your hand.” Ailyea tucked the Lucent in her shirt, stroking it to calm both their nerves. Atherial stirred. “Ailyea? I had the worst dream.” She opened her eyes, looking down to see she had been tied. “Oh shit, it wasn’t a dream.” Ailyea shook her head. “Not a dream.” Gratian leered at the little Were. “She’s such a piece of ass. Imagine how tight she’d be, as I spilled my seed all up her untried passage.” Mort whapped his head, a blow which would fell smaller men. “Her virginity will make us rich men. There will be no gulags picked for this band.” He leaned way down from his eight-foot height and stroked Ailyea’s cheek with a fuzzy hand. “Between you, the little rock, the gulag and whatever else we find on this trip, we are going to become rich men.”
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Gratian snickered. “That we will. You know I’m surprised she isn’t saying the old lines about her man coming and killing us all.” “Delicants. Can’t beat them.” He laughed heartily. “Actually, you can beat them. They submit so fucking easy and what they don’t know about sex isn’t worth knowing.” Ailyea cast her eyes downward, staying silent as Atherial railed against their captors. Master Torc hadn’t come to rescue her? And why would he? That knowledge felt worse than any blow or anything these men would do to her. She didn’t know why—changing Masters had never bothered her before. But she felt Master Torc deep inside her…in her heart. If only he’d come after her.
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Chapter Eighteen Torc’s body ached, and his thigh muscles clenched in cramps when they slowed as they approached what had to be the slave traders’ camp. They’d picked up Ailyea’s and Atherial’s scents close by. He refused to rest now, even knowing the traders hadn’t left yet. He wanted—no, needed—to get to Ailyea. The wolves transformed from their true selves. When Taneli opened his mouth to bitch, Torc reached out and grasped him by the neck. The next instant, the Were moaned in pure ecstasy as Torc fed from him. He drank until he’d rid himself of his thirst and had gained the Were’s energy. With a lap of his tongue, Torc released him. Moaning, Taneli collapsed to his knees and grabbed his cock, stroking until he erupted over the ground. Torc inhaled deeply to clear his mind. He readied for the battle to come. Taneli dropped his head back, his chest heaving. “What in the fuck happened?” “Nothing like it, is there?” Essien grinned with a chuckle. “Black magic. Anything that good has got to be evil.” Essien rolled his eyes. Torc grasped Essien and Hagan around the shoulders. “Hang on. I’ll show you magic.” Forcing them all to crouch low, Torc sprang off the ground, carrying them with him. The others would have to catch up some other way. Hagan cursed and grabbed on to him tightly. Essien laughed. “Torc can fly.” “Glide,” he corrected, leaning them into the wind. “What the fuck are you?” Hagan growled between his teeth. Torc didn’t reply. He didn’t know what he was, but he’d learned from childhood— other races feared his kind. They drifted up until the current dissipated, and they floated to the ground inside the encampment. The Weres returned to wolf form as they checked out the parameters. Only two traders were on sentry duty. Torc inspected the guards’ movements as the wolves went to search for others. He’d never encountered these humanoids before. They stood nearly eight feet tall, covered in thick hair. And oddly enough, they walked upright. They had flat leathery faces and spoke a low, gravelly universal language. When the wolves returned, they all retreated. “I counted two.” Essien’s chest heaved. The whelp’s adrenaline was flowing. “Two more to the east.” Hagan squatted down and drew a circle in the ground with an extended claw. “Six total. Do you want to wait for the others?” 144
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“No,” Torc snarled. Ailyea’s anxiety and fear had been mounting. He had made a dent in her armor—Ailyea wasn’t just willing to submit. At least her worries for her friend and her pet had subsided. Atherial had more value as a virgin. And the Lucent had the most worth in one piece, probably triple its weight in cartouche and more. But then Ailyea whimpered inwardly as if in pain. Torc broke the connection. If they took her while he was connected with her, he’d lose his struggle with his inner beast. He needed what calm he had to get her back. Essien played bait, boldly moving toward the two guards in wolf form. Once Essien had reached them, Torc leaped into the sky. On a downward sweep, he knocked them both down. He broke one of their necks before the guard could roll away. Hagan and Essien, both in wolf form, took out the other guard. Torc greedily ripped out his jugular and fed on blood while the others took the flesh. Satisfied, the wolves transformed. Hagan spat. “Hairy freaks. Nasty-tasting.” Torc shook his head, ignoring the Weres’ complaining about their poor meals. When no one came out to investigate, they moved on. Ailyea stood naked and tied between two stakes. They’d removed her tunic and taken the Lucent, which sat in a little box on the other side near where Atherial stood, tied much the same way. Gratian had insisted on securing them both. They had at least left off the gag, they hadn’t done with Atherial. From her own stakes, Atherial kept seeking her gaze with scared eyes. Ailyea didn’t know how to reassure her friend. But she thought—it had to be her imagination—that she could feel Torc’s presence. They had several more stakes tacked into the ground—they were expecting to find more slaves before they finished—both men and women, probably. They were around a fire that burned in the center of the camp. “Beautiful,” Gratian murmured, stroking a hand down her side. He paused and cupped a breast, toying with a nipple, pinching it tightly until she winced. Gratian liked to hurt and thrived on her fear. He had an obvious rush of satisfaction every time he made her cringe. Ailyea didn’t react much more than that. The hair tickled her skin. His hands shimmied down her body. She met Atherial’s eyes over the stooped humanoid’s head. “I’m okay,” she mouthed. Atherial didn’t look convinced. She wouldn’t show her fear. Not with Atherial so scared herself. Ailyea shuddered to think who they’d sell her to. Atherial’s first time should be magical, unlike Ailyea’s. Atherial wasn’t a Delicant, she didn’t deserve to go through this. She had no doubts the Weres would rescue her, they never let any of their own go for long. It was only a question of how soon they could find her. Please let them come for her now. “Call me Master, Delicant.” “Master.” 145
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His hands slid down to her center. Ailyea focused on the wall, thinking…of Master Torc. She wished she hadn’t been taken, that she was back with him. And then she saw his eyes.
***** Torc and the Weres settled on the rooftop of an abandoned hut. He’d been surprised they’d only had to kill two other guards to get this close to the captives. He could see Ailyea clearly from his vantage point. They’d stripped her. He would kill them all. Torc saw one of the slave traders had his fingers buried between Ailyea’s legs. He toyed with her, obviously enjoying the fear she desperately tried to hide. Torc didn’t need to be empathic to read her. Her face gave it away. Her reaction proved to him that she’d never encountered these humanoids either. She had no clue what their next move would be. “There are too many of them,” Hagan whispered. Torc turned his head with a whispered snarl. “There aren’t nearly enough of them to stop me.” Essien snickered. “This is going to be so good.” Torc turned to eye the whelp. “Do not leave this roof.” “Oh, come on!” Essien mouthed. He ignored the whelp and stood up. At the edge of the roof, he held still until he met Ailyea’s eyes. And then he floated to the ground easily—as if he were an angel. Many cultures believed in them. But he was no angel. Devil, maybe. He’d prepared for a bloodbath. Tilting his head back, he roared as he unleashed the beast. He grunted as his claws slashed across the first two slave traders’ throats. Unleashed, he was unstoppable. Using his magic and speed, he slashed out, leaping from one to another, clawing out throats, ripping open the hard chests of the bastards who had dared to take what was his. He gutted others. Ailyea screamed, drawing his attention as she ran toward Atherial. Hagan had sliced her ropes and retrieved the shrieking Lucent. Torc’s only moment of weakness cost him. A club crashed down across his skull, cracking it as the being’s claws ripped into his chest. The swinger of the weapon had magic glinting off him like a sunburst. He roared and fought harder. Among snarls and grunts, his fists crushed bones, his claws tore limbs away and blood sprayed as one after another of the slave traders fell dead at his feet. Bloody, Torc dropped to his knees when his final opponent gurgled his last breath. Ailyea rushed to him, wrapping her arms around his shoulders. “Master Torc…” 146
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His chest heaved, body aching. He hadn’t come away unscathed. He buried his face in her breasts. “I’m sorry,” he murmured. Sorrow clenched his gut. She shouldn’t have been taken. She shouldn’t have had to see what he was—a monster. He shouldn’t take her to her people and drop her off, never returning for her. But he had no real choice in it all and for that, he was sorry. Ailyea buried her hands in his hair and spoke softly to him, but he couldn’t make out the words as darkness claimed him.
***** Ailyea scrambled along with the Weres as they brought Master Torc back to Kiel’s pack. She’d have carried him herself if she could have, but she didn’t have the strength so she had to rely on the Weres. He came for me. He came for me—she kept repeating it in her head. He’d had no reason to, but he hadn’t abandoned her after all. So weak. His pulse flickered erratically. With trembling hands, she helped bathe him and tend his wounds. Not having bothered to put clothes back on, she hopped beside him as soon as they got back to their bed. Essien smiled as he watched her. “You’ll help him heal, Ailyea?” “Yes. I’ll take care of Master Torc.” “I can see he’s in good hands. I’ll talk to you later.” He paused, looking thoughtful. “So is it because he’s Torc? Or because he’s your Master?” Her eyes widened. “I…uh…” “Keep asking yourself that, Ailyea. Keep asking until you know the answer.” He closed the cabin door behind him. She cuddled up to Master Torc’s side and curled her body around his. He came for her. Her heart sang a happy note. As she drifted off to sleep, her final thoughts were of Essien’s question, which she never seemed to be able to answer. The man and the Master. They were one and the same… Weren’t they?
***** Master Torc stirred, and Ailyea immediately woke up. She put her leg in between his. “Shhhhhhh,” she whispered, “I’m here.” “Ailyea?” “Mmm-hmm.” She laved her tongue along the column of his neck, scraping her teeth along the skin. He shuddered. She kissed him, putting all the fierceness into the kiss she could, letting her tongue dance along with his.
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She shifted down farther and ran her mouth along his chest, laving every inch of skin she could, nipping lightly. He moaned and fisted a hand in her hair. “Lay back, Master Torc. Lay back.” She tasted every inch of his body, enjoying him as much as Paaolo fruit. He arched off the bed when she took his hard cacete and licked it up and down, starting at the shaft and going to the tip. His pre-come tasted so yummy. She licked it off, smacking her lips, and took his cock as deep into her mouth as she could. Faster and faster she swirled around him, until he moaned her name. Ailyea mounted him. “Let me do the work, Master Torc.” She rocked against him, clenching her walls around him again and again until he shook. “Why do you shake, Master Torc? Are you cold?” “No,” he mumbled in between pants. “Good…feel…so good.” Her smile beamed. He tried so hard to deny her, but he enjoyed sex with her as much as she did with him. As he came, he took her along with him, the force taking away his breath, her breath, until there was no separateness between them. No Master Torc and Ailyea, only one mind, one heartbeat, one breath. They both shook from its force. She offered him her throat as they drifted back to reality, knowing he couldn’t resist. His fangs pricked her as he suckled blood from that tender spot. She moaned as pleasure filled her body. She flew high on the apex of it, spinning and swirling around until she came, yelling his name. Dropping down to lay on top of him, she kept their bodies joined.
***** Torc moved away from Ailyea while she told her new friends Atherial and Essien goodbye for the last time. He’d given her two more days to play with them, telling her they’d stay to give him more time to heal. It’d been a lie. The time had been for her pleasure, but he couldn’t take any more time with her, he was enjoying it too much. He had to deliver her to her family now. Essien moved up beside him. “You can’t take her back.” He glared. He had no choice. Why couldn’t the whelp get it through his head? Ailyea didn’t belong with him. “Look at how she watches you.” Essien shifted his position and snarled, “She wants you.” “Pup, she wants a master, and for now, I’m it,” Torc replied, keeping his cool. “That’s all.” “Yeah, well, why didn’t she watch the Weres who wanted to fuck her? She called them master, too.”
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Torc growled. “It’s because she wants you!” “Back off, pup.” Essien held his ground, though he lowered his voice. “Hagan told me what she cost you! She is yours. You bought her.” “I bought her and signed for her freedom.” Torc clenched his teeth. “It’s done.” Essien sighed. “Dammit. I don’t understand you. Keep her. She’d enjoy being your sex slave.” Torc’s head pounded in time with the Yazzer bird outside, which perched on a Zem tree. He’d been over this dozens of times with the whelp. “Once the hatch closes behind us, I’m giving her her freedom papers. She’ll understand then.” Essien snorted, turned away to move to Ailyea’s side. Torc watched as the two embraced. She would understand. She had to.
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Chapter Nineteen Inside the shuttle, Ailyea sighed as the hatch closed. She’d miss Atherial and Essien. She blinked. First time she’d ever thought about missing people. Master Torc sealed the hatch and advanced on her. “Here, lady.” He held something out to her. “This belongs to you.” She did as commanded. “What is it, Master Torc?” She couldn’t control the cringe with questioning. The wince waiting for blows which never came. The paper hit her palm. “Your ownership papers.” Her hand shook so hard she couldn’t close it around the rolled-up parchment. It fell to the floor. He picked them up and laid them in her palm again. “Take them. They mean you’re free.” She looked at the rolled-up slim wad tied with a ribbon. Swallowing, she searched his face. “Free?” “Yes. You’re free. No one owns you now. Those are your papers of ownership.” She closed her eyes as a chill racked her frame, making her drop the papers again. “Lady, don’t you understand? No one can own you after this.” He picked them up and set them in her hand for the third time. “Free,” she murmured, opening her eyes. “What’s free to me, Master Torc?” “No one can own you. Tell you what to do. Make you do anything. Including fucking.” A tic beat in his jaw as he swallowed. “You’re free to go wherever, see whomever you choose.” “All I have is being a Delicant.” She crumpled the papers. “I don’t know how to be anything else, Master Torc. Who will take care of me?” She barely recognized her voice as her own. It sounded lifeless, flat. She had no skills but fucking. She shivered. She was losing her moorings, like in a storm. But the storm lived in her. She had no idea what freedom really meant, but it sounded like an evil thing. His hand reached out to stroke her cheek. “You are so much more than a Delicant. And… The time has come to take you back to your people.” “I’m nothing but a slave, Master Torc.” She looked at the papers again like they were a double-fanged snake. To her, they were. Ready to strike her at any moment. “Keep them safe. You’re free now.” He stepped back. “No longer a slave.” She nodded, continuing to crumple the papers in her shaking hands. As she headed to put them with her other things, tears fell from her eyes. Being free was not her choice. Staying with Master Torc was. And that was something she’d never have. 150
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Torc couldn’t be any more miserable. Hades, he’d made her cry. The freedom papers had made her cry. Ailyea had been overly quiet since he’d given them to her, only speaking when spoken to. He had thought—Hades, he didn’t know what he’d thought. He had hoped to force her into accepting her freedom. The papers were proof, after all. He figured what headway he had made with her was gone. Other than being quiet, she didn’t act any differently than she had before. Hours passed while he sat alone at the helm, Ailyea sitting on the bed. When the glow of Pamus appeared in the distance, he stood, stretching his legs. His body ached, already knowing what it would be going through in a few hours. Fighting to the death for the easy money Pamus was famous for. He’d fought in the cages of Pamus many times. This time would be different. Ailyea’s life hung in the balance. He’d used up his savings buying Ailyea’s sealed papers. Now he’d have to fight, using his strength to get her home. Pamus brightened the closer they flew to the miniscule planet. “Shall I dock us?” Ginger’s monotone blared through the speakers. He glanced over his shoulder. “No. Ailyea will.” He wanted her familiar with the dock. Just in case. She sat up on the bed where she’d been lying. “Are we…” Her eyes widened. “Master Torc—” “No, I have to make a final stop first. Dock the shuttle for us.” He turned away from her as she moved past, settling into a chair. Her knuckles turned white as she fought the planet’s atmospheric pull and entered a docking bay without a scrape or jolt. Torc patted her shoulder. “You did well, lady.” She had. He’d remained on his feet. The image of the cages’ manager, Roon, appeared on the center computer, startling Ailyea. “Well, Torc of Zorg. What a pleasant surprise. And who is the lovely with you? Our scanners say she’s not an android.” Roon’s forked tongue darted out, licking his lips. “Two fights.” Torc straightened, hating the lust he saw in the man’s eyes. “Pity. You make the crowds so bloodthirsty.” “Two fights. And my ship is fueled before the second fight starts.” Roon sighed. “You wound me. Only stopping by when you need fuel.” “I want the extra canisters loaded as well.” “Can I keep the female?”
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“No,” Torc growled, baring his fangs at the giant green bastard. Nothing would be left of Ailyea if the freak got hold of her. “My shuttle will be set to warp her out of here. You try anything, it’ll be rigged to blow this shithole to bits before it goes. Got it?” “Very well. Lovely, you should think about staying here… I know how to treat a female.” His forked tongue darted out. “I wouldn’t be cold, like the monster you bed with, and I can offer you anything you could ever imagine.” Torc turned the com off. Anything, his ass. Roon would whore her out to every weirdo in the universe. And beat her for tiring. “Master Torc, where are we?” Ailyea turned her gaze on him. “Pamus.” What could he say? He looked away from her. “I’ll be fighting in the death cages.” What did it matter? She already knew he was a killer. “Why?” He shrugged before turning away. Not that it would come to that, but he’d gladly die if it got her home. “I’m going to go relax in the vapors.”
***** Torc climbed into the captain’s chair. Time for his first fight. He took his time manually setting flight instructions for the shuttle’s computer to take Ailyea home if something were to happen. Next, he sat back and waited to move his shuttle into the cage docking he’d been slated to enter. This would offer them or Ailyea an easy exit. The cages had been designed for escape if needed, if the crowd’s bloodlust led to riot. Once the shuttle was in place, and the light flashed the go-ahead, he stood up. “Lady, you can wait here.” Ailyea scrambled out of the chair. “Oh, no, Master. I’ll go where you go.” She toyed with her tunic nervously. “Master Torc, maybe there is another way to get fuel…” She drew in a deep breath, straightening her spine, though she wouldn’t meet his gaze directly. “I’ve had Masters use me to gain all sorts—” He held up his hand, anger balling his fists. “No.” There would be no talk of her being used that way again. Ever. Ailyea shied away. Dammit! He lowered his fist. “Not happening, lady. And for the thousandth time… I am not your master.” He took a step forward and lifted her chin. “You, lady, are more valua…” He trailed off, turning away. Hades, she’d turned him soft. What had he been about to say to her? Admit he cared for her, that’s what. “I’ll be back in a while.” He left her, heading to the back hatch without another word. He stepped out into the corridor, which would lead to the arena.
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Though much of the galaxy’s vermin tended to call Pamus their home, it wasn’t the worst place in the universe to fight. Pamus allowed the winner to leave after their matches. Other fighting arenas weren’t so generous. On other planets where the universal government permitted cage fighting, a death match meant eventual death for all fighters. The only way to left was in a body bag, if one left at all. Some species ate their kills. Torc stopped in the hallway at the back door that led into the arena and saw her right behind him. Hades. She pressed into him, her arms around his back. Momentarily, he enjoyed her soft curves, knowing she’d be a distraction to him in the fight. She could mean his death. He squeezed her arms and pushed open the door. The crowd, which filled the stands that surrounded the arena, went wild. Deafening in its roar. They sat in rows of seats outside the arena cage. The rows went up to the ceiling, most of them filled with aliens. There were so many of them, more than the last time he’d done this. Torc stepped through the opening into the small oval arena and bars came down behind him, locking him in. He released a breath, glancing over his shoulder. Ailyea grasped the bars with both hands, frowning at being cut off from him. Two separate sets of wall-to-ceiling steel bars separated her from the combatants and the audience, who could be just as deadly. In between the two dividers ran a small walkway for when things got really messy, so robots could clean outside the cage. But she could escape back to the shuttle down the narrow path they’d come through any time she wanted. He’d whispered to her to run back to the shuttle—now if only she’d do it. Torc sized up his opponent, who had stepped through the door on the other side of the arena. What race the fighter was, he had no clue. He’d never seen anything so ugly. Ever. The being stood eight feet tall and had a dozen tentacles. Its skin shone white under the bright lights, except where its organs showed on the outside. He stared. At least he assumed the being was white. It was hard to tell in his new world of gray. It puckered its four-lipped mouth and blew him a kiss. Torc stopped where he stood. Waited. Killing was easier if you could get your opponent to come after you. The alien threw back its head and screamed. Torc grabbed his own ears, falling to his knees. The freak screamed and screamed until members of the audience fell to the ground, unmoving. Anything with sensitive hearing writhed in torment. Torc focused through the pain, coming to his feet. “You better have more than that.” The creature laughed, charging him. Torc flipped, somersaulting over its head. Screeching, it turned to face him, only to turn away from him and stalk toward Ailyea where she stood behind the protective bars.
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The freak’s arms lengthened. Torc’s claws came out. His fangs extended with bloodlust at the threat to Ailyea. He sprang forward, clasping the freak’s head. With a twist of his claws, blood spurted. His claws dug in deeper. The blood, not much darker than its skin tone, was thick and gagged him with its stench. Torc let go, dropping the flailing body to the floor. The head rolled away. His chest heaved. The crowd roared and booed its displeasure at such a short fight. He had to admit, it had been too easy. But from experience, the second one would be more of a challenge. The bell rang, allowing the clean-up robots to march in and drag the body out. It left a trail of gore in its wake. He moved over to Ailyea’s side. “The shuttle will be fueled now. Go—” Through the bars, she pressed her lips to his mouth, inciting the crowd. He moved, trying to block her from their view. The buzzer announced the new opponent. Ailyea’s eyes widened. “Master Torc…” Torc didn’t need to look back. He’d known it would get tougher. His goal, to control his beast. Kill, but not slaughter. No toying with his opponent. Torc stalked forward to face the newcomer. He growled. Where was Pamus getting the freaks? This one stood at least ten feet tall. White fur covered its body. Huge dark hands ended with shaped talons. And it had sharpened teeth meant to shred. Not a chance this fucker ate a vegetarian diet. It pointed at Torc, grabbed its massive dark penis and stroked. Cold, grotesquely huge eyes bored into Ailyea. Drool pooled on its muzzle. The crowd roared its encouragement. The hairy beast continued to stroke, moving this way and that sneering at Torc until it ejaculated on the floor. The audience howled as more semen spurted. “I knew the lovely would be a crowd pleaser.” Roon’s voice burst loudly over the crowd. “Imagine how much money you could make with her sweet pussy.” The crowd screamed, chanting their desire to fuck Ailyea. Torc clenched his fists. He couldn’t let her be a distraction to him, but he had to make sure she was safe. The crowd couldn’t get to her—still, he needed to check on her. She stood pressed against the bars. Her knuckles stood out rigid and white against the metal she strangled. Torc saw the blow coming out the corner of his eye, but couldn’t move fast enough to escape it. The giant dislocated his shoulder. Lunging, it hopped away, tossing its arms up in the air with a roar of triumph. He used the steel door the clean-up bots came through to knock the shoulder back into place. Sweat beaded his forehead, but he held back the groan.
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Ailyea’s anxiety caused his heart to race. He couldn’t reassure her he was fine. He dared not break his concentration on the fight. Didn’t want to give the beast any more opportunity than it already had. He tried to cut the connection between them, but couldn’t. Hades. She was frightened. For him. It unnerved him. No one had ever been scared for him before. Of him, yes. Never for him. This time the creature’s claws tore into his right side. In his mind, Ailyea moaned her discomfort. What was happening between them? He glanced her way. She trembled violently as if she’d been the one hit. “Go!” he ordered. She shook her head and then screamed, reaching out to him when he was sent across the room into the bars separating him from the audience. The beast had a powerful kick. The freak flipped over and over on its paws, laughing. Torc staggered, dizzy from the crack in his head, or the roar of the crowd—which one, he wasn’t sure. He cleared his vision. The giant now paced in front of Ailyea, who pressed back against the wall behind her. “I think he likes her!” Roon’s voice boomed over the crowd, causing the audience to erupt in chants of perversion. “What do you say, lovely? You want the Chedz instead of the Zorgian? Flash him your tits!” Ailyea shook her head, causing the giant to scream in a rage. The Chedz stuck its arm through the bars in her direction. Ailyea screamed and leaped back, but Torc was there in a flash, ripping off its arm with his fangs. Blood spewed everywhere, covering Torc and Ailyea. The giant howled, turning and rushing toward Torc. With a somersault, he evaded the giant’s attack. Over the roar of the crowd, Torc heard the swoosh of the opposite door. He glanced over to see a new opponent being allowed into his arena. “Torc of Zorg, say hello to the Chedz’s twin. I think he’s pissed, don’t you?” Roon taunted with a chuckle over the speakers. Oh yeah. A lot tougher in the second round. Ailyea panted, wiping blood from her face. She could leave, run for the shuttle. But she refused to leave Master Torc. She shuddered as the sliced-off arm wiggled its fingers.
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Two of the beasts now surged after Master Torc in the arena. She paced, far back from the bars, and tried to calm her swirling emotions. He wouldn’t die. He couldn’t. Chedzs were violent Masters. She shuddered as the second Chedz slapped hard with a furry, padded hand, sending him across the cage. The small fighting arena surprised her. Little room for maneuvering or escaping sharp claws. Her fingers fiddled with the ties on her tunic. Could she distract the monsters enough to stay away from Master Torc? But dammit, she had no permission. The first Chedz collapsed, eliciting a howl from its brother. Blood had covered the floor of cage. He whimpered, a writhing pile of bloody fur. And facedown in its own semen. May you choke on it, Ailyea thought as she watched from outside the bars. The second Chedz let out a scream, lunging for Master Torc again. “No.” Ailyea moaned, fingering a lace. She couldn’t. Master Torc hadn’t wanted her here, much less wanted her to intervene. She wouldn’t risk his wrath. Not now. She still held out hope he’d keep her as his own. He had to. The first opponent died quietly as the second one stalked its killer. Her Master. Her lover. She bit her lip, still staying back from the bars. Master Torc lunged onto the second creature’s back. His massive arms grabbed the beast, snapping its neck as he rode it to the ground. He’d done it. The crowd went wild. Tears streaked down Ailyea’s face. Her Master had survived. Adrenaline surged hot through his veins as Torc snapped the neck of the second Chedz. The crowd screamed its fury. His chest heaved, exhaustion weighed heavy on his battered body. Precious blood oozed from several open wounds. He wiped his forehead as he limped toward the gate that would let him into the corridor with Ailyea. “Zorgian, you sure you won’t be tempted for another round?” Roon taunted. He shook his head, dragging his leg behind him. His arm now dangled to his side. Fighting was easier when he permitted his beast to rule. He didn’t feel the pain then, or the remorse. “You sure you won’t share your lovely pussy with us?” He turned to stare into the glass room, which hung suspended above the cage. “Open the gate.”
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“Come back again, Zorgian. Maybe next time, it’ll be your body the bots drag away.” Torc grunted, having no doubt the green bastard would like that. The bars rose as the crowd continued to jeer. Ailyea rushed, moving under his good arm to support him. He sighed. She was well worth every ache and pain.
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Chapter Twenty The vapors soaked his body as the shuttle hurtled through open space toward Ailyea’s home planet. Moaning, his eyes closed. This was it. No turning back. No more postponing. In the morning, he’d leave Ailyea. “Master Torc, when you’re finished, I’ll tend your wounds.” Ailyea’s voice came out low, husky. Not a whisper like she often used. He nodded, his body responding to her nearness. It had been torture to watch her clean herself, and then let her wash him. Battered and sore, he still wanted her. Needed her. Willing the burning pain to ease, Torc rubbed his shoulder before he joined Ailyea in his bedchamber. She set to work sewing up the deepest gashes. “You’re getting good at this, lady.” He pushed a lock of her hair behind her ear. His chest grew tight. Did she hate him for cutting off her prized hair? “You’re always getting hurt because of me.” “Not because of you.” “For me, Master Torc.” He gazed into her eyes. No denying the metallic hue shining back at him. What had he done to her? What had he given her? He’d lost his ability to see color. The times he’d bothered to look at himself, the hue that once glowed in his eyes had diminished. He didn’t understand it, the mysteries between them. Had he hurt her somehow? Ailyea applied ointment once she’d sewed up his wound. She placed bandages here and there. Once she sat back on her heels, he stood up. “I’ll leave you alone to ready your belongings.” At the com, the incoming telecommunication light blinked, alerting him that a caller was waiting. He pressed the receiver connection to reply and sat down. A moment later, Kiel’s image appeared upon the screen. Concerned, he nodded to the alpha. While Essien had contacted him from time to time, Kiel never had. “What has happened? Essien?” “The whelp is fine.” He stood up, and the view screen panned out to show the alpha pacing. “I’m going to be up front about this, and I want your word that you’ll let me handle my people myself.” 158
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Puzzled, he frowned. Kiel stopped, running a hand through his hair and then pacing more. “What happened?” The Were moved back to the screen. Bracing his hands on the table he leaned in close. “Your word, Torc.” His senses jolted. He didn’t like this. He wouldn’t like what was about to be said. A growl rumbled up through his chest along his throat. His sixth sense fired, telling him not to give his word. “I’ve handled the matter. I’m telling you this out of courtesy. I’m sure your slave hasn’t mentioned the incident. I only just learned the details.” “Fuck me!” he roared, standing up. “What happened? And she’s not my—” He blew out a breath. “Her name is Ailyea. What happened?” “Master Torc?” Ailyea asked from behind him. He glanced over his shoulder. Her wide eyes met his. Kiel growled, earning his attention. “Give me your word.” “Ailyea, go back into the bedchamber.” He glanced back to see her turn away, before he faced Kiel once more. “All right. You have my word.” He’d been tempted to confront Ailyea, but by now, he knew her views about things weren’t like his own. “Your Delicant was assaulted and nearly raped the last time you left her here.” Torc closed his eyes. His guts tightened, fists clenched. “Tell me what happened.” “Jaral, Cordial and Nimbus caught her. Atherial came along, and when they turned on the pup, Ailyea presented herself for the taking.” Rage burned in his chest. His throat worked. He’d had the perfect opportunity to kill Cordial, and he’d let the bastard slip out of his reach. He’d sensed Ailyea’s fear and her happiness when he’d defeated Cordial. His fangs extended. For the first time ever, his word to the alpha would mean nothing. “Torc! Stay with me here.” He opened his eyes. “I did a mind-read on Jaral after Hagan overheard Nimbus bragging that Ailyea had begged the three for it. After confronting and grounding Atherial, she admitted everything. Jaral’s mind showed that after the pup got away, Ailyea had tried to fight them off.” Torc growled. His beast rose. His order of no fucking could have gotten her killed. She wouldn’t have been any match for the wolves. “I banished them for a year.” “And if Atherial had been the one to be nearly raped?” Kiel’s face tightened. “The two females are of different mindsets.” His chest heaved. “You only banished them because they frightened Atherial, didn’t you?” 159
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“As I said, the two are of different mindsets.” A different mindset, his ass. If the alpha was before him, he’d beat him. If the Weres who hurt Ailyea were there, they’d be lucky to crawl away on their bellies. “I think Jaral has promise. He’ll come around. He’s not much older than Essien.” Kiel shrugged. “He didn’t really participate.” “The coward stood by and watched.” Torc’s eyes opened and he leaned into the screen. “He hurt Ailyea just like the other two. He hurt her!” He smashed his fist into the screen. Electricity snapped. Lights blinked. “You’ll have to repair the damage,” Ginger said in a droll tone. “Shut up, computer!” He drew in a calming breath. He would hunt the dogs down as soon as he knew Ailyea was safe and beat them within an inch of their lives. Rage burned deep within him. Nausea rolled through his stomach. Busting the com system hadn’t helped. Ailyea hadn’t said anything to him, and he’d assumed wrong. Hades. His steps faltered at the bedchamber. He didn’t know what to say to her. With a press of his index finger, the door slid open. Ailyea sat on the bed with her legs tucked under her. The simple sight of her calmed him. “Are you all right, Master Torc?” She plucked nervously at the hem of her tunic. Her pet stopped its chatter as if listening. “Ailyea, I want you to know after I make sure you’re safe with your family I’m going to hunt down the Weres who hurt you.” Her eyes widened, and she quickly moved to stand in front of him. His thumb brushed the soft skin of her cheek, before he tucked a lock of hair behind her ear. He watched, as he suspected, it didn’t stay in place. “It’s not necessary, Master Torc. They didn’t get to take me or really hurt me that much, and Atherial was safe.” He cupped her chin in his hand. “That was brave of you to sacrifice yourself for your friend.” Her mouth quivered. He pressed a kiss to it and stepped back. “Lady, they made a mistake when they hurt you. They will regret it. You have my word.” The Lucent let loose a happy chirp from its spot on the bed. “It wasn’t brave. A Delicant’s meant for sex.” Her chest rose and fell. “Besides, you’re going to be very busy. Ginger told me you’re going to go after the police who keep shadowing you once you leave me.” Her voice quavered. Folding his arms, he nodded. She didn’t want to talk about what had happened. He wouldn’t push her. “Yes. I have some hunting to keep me busy.” He forced his mouth into a smile, knowing it had to look grotesque. “Lady, you’re going to be happy in your new home. Safe. You won’t have to worry about anyone else hurting you.”
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Ailyea’s shoulders slumped. Torc turned away, shutting the door behind him, hoping to give her privacy. He closed his eyes. The barrier didn’t block her sadness.
***** Ailyea looked at her things. She put a hand over her mouth. So many of them would remind her of Master Torc. How would she look at them once she’d been taken back to her family? Maybe one day, they’d bring her good memories. But right now, they brought her pain. He’d said he would go after the wolves who’d hurt her. She almost believed he would. Except why would he? Why would he hunt Weres who’d wanted to fuck a Delicant? No one else would. She ran a brush through her short hair. Her hair had always been her prize, her beauty. Delicants always had long hair. Masters seemed to like them that way. It was one of their marks as Delicants, like the piercings. At first, she’d thought she looked like a hag with her hair this short. But the style had grown on her. Much easier to care for. It didn’t take as long to wash or comb out tangles. And Master Torc hadn’t lost any attraction to her. His cacete still grew heavy whenever he saw her. She lay down on the bed, curling up. Wishing he’d come back soon and hold her. Torc waited as long as he could before he crawled into bed with Ailyea. If only she’d dozed off waiting for him, so he’d get to hold her while she slept. Instead, he lay still, hoping she wouldn’t present herself to him. The desire would kill him. Would he be strong enough to resist her? They hadn’t fucked since he’d handed over her papers. As much as he’d ached to, holding her was more important now. Her reaction to her freedom had ripped at his heart. And to think that until meeting her, he’d been sure he didn’t have one. Ailyea climbed over him, cuddling up to his side, the part of him that had come away from the battle in the best shape. He raised his arm, and she rested her head on his shoulder. She squirmed, sitting up. “Mater Torc, you need to feed.” He hugged her waist. “Go to sleep, lady.” “Ailyea. My name is Ailyea, Master Torc. And you need to feed.” As if he’d ever forget her name. And he did need to feed. He had planned to stop somewhere after he was sure she was safe with her people. “Are you sure, Ailyea?”
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She nodded, leaning over more and offering him her throat. His tongue darted out, and then he buried his fangs. He sent her mind into a sexual abyss so deep, she climaxed immediately. He eased his hunger before closing the pricks. “Thank you.” His voice was rough. Now, that was a treat. A gift. “My pleasure, Master Torc.” She smiled, settling back down on his shoulder. “I remember the first time you used my name.” Her hand rested over his heart. “It had been so long since I’d heard it—I’d thought I’d forgotten it.” He drew in a calming breath. How she made him feel. Hades. He tightened his arm around her. Hoping she’d sleep. Hoping she’d talk. “La—Ailyea, you’re going to be fine…” His throat worked. “Just fine. Your grandmother will welcome you.” Her palm fisted, and he rolled them over onto their sides. “You’re going to have everything you ever dreamed of.” “I…” Torc stopped her words with his mouth. He made the kiss as gentle as he could under the fierce throb of his need. Desire. For everything he could never have. The kiss burned hotter than any they’d shared before. Every brush of her lips, every stroke of her tongue would be engraved in his mind. If only it could last forever—but it had already lasted too long. His mouth reluctantly left hers. Ailyea’s chest heaved. “You can’t mean to stop now.” His nostrils flared. “Master Torc…” “I think—” Her lips cut him off. Her hand tangled in his hair to keep his mouth closed. With a will of its own, Torc’s hand wandered down, cradling a thigh, pulling her closer. Up and around it slid, cupping her perfect ass. Her hands went everywhere. Her breathing was already heavy. She wanted him to fuck her. He’d allow himself no more than to explore her body. Memorize every curve, every cavern again. Every sweet taste of her. She moaned. His cock throbbed as she rocked her pussy along its ridge. He growled, tearing his mouth away from her sucking lips. “Strip and roll over onto your belly.”
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“Yes, Master.” Panting, she rose up onto her knees, tugging her tunic over her head. “So beautiful.” His gaze devoured ever inch of her as she languidly eased down onto her belly, facing away from him. His balls ached as he rose above her. Moving her hair out of the way, he licked and nibbled his way across her shoulders and neck. He worked his way down and across her back. Her ass would arch invitingly in pleasure. A scrape of his fangs there. A swipe of his tongue here. All the while trailing wet hot kisses as he worked and toyed with her body, earning sounds of pleasure. Paradise. At her hips, he hung on too long, tempted to plunge his cock into her pussy. Instead, he continued to lave her body with his tongue. He skipped her ass and moved from hips to thighs. His cock pulsed at every sigh and moan he wrung from her. His fangs nipped behind her knees, getting her to rise up and bring her ass up higher in the air. Torc licked his lips. Her pussy dripped for him. He slowly pushed in one finger, watching it disappear into her wet folds. Once, twice, three times, his finger slid in and out of her sex. Then he added another finger. His heart hammered as he slowly finger-fucked her pussy. He added another finger and nearly exploded when her sex clenched and unclenched repeatedly. She moaned long and deep until the contractions eased. Hades. He liked to feel her come. Liked to hear her come. He removed his fingers and licked them with a growl of hunger. Ailyea’s panting made his balls tighten, his toes curl. He did this to her. He made her hot. He moved up behind her, spreading her legs more until he could settle between them better. More blood surged into his cock, which slid along her pussy and crack of her ass. He adjusted her with every stroke so he could watch himself slide along her wet heat. Every stroke urged him to come, but he gritted his teeth, fighting the pleasure, holding it off. “Master Torc,” she whimpered. He shuddered. It’d be so easy to fuck her as deep and as hard as he could. Over and over until he didn’t think he could come again. With a calming breath, he eased back. “Roll over, lady.” “Ailyea,” she corrected as she rolled over, cupping her breasts. “Ailyea.” His chest constricted. “Ailyea.” So beautiful.
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He leaned over, sucking her right nipple into his mouth while massaging the perfect orb. He sucked hard, earning cries and whimpers and pleas from her. Her feet rubbed along his thighs, hips, lower back. Hades, he’d never met someone so limber. And tasty. Her wet pussy rubbed his chest and belly, demanding his attention. He worked his way down her body, burying his face into her inviting pussy. He licked, teased, sucked and fucked her with his tongue until she came on a scream. He shuddered, sucking her clit until the orgasm passed. Then he groaned, afraid to move, worried he would shoot all over her. Ailyea’s chest heaved, her breathing irregular. “Oh, Master…” She arched her hips. He rested his head on her belly, inhaling her musky scent. Her plea had said it all. He’d made the right choice. She would always consider him her master. Never anything more. His heart ached as much as his cock. After placing a kiss on her belly and another on her thigh, he eased away from her. Torc didn’t look her way when he sat on the edge of the bed and slid on his pants. When her hand pressed into his back, he forced himself to say, “I’m going to go check on our course. It’s best if you go to sleep.” He didn’t dare look back as he closed the door behind him. At the captain’s chair, he slumped into the seat. “Captain?” Torc pinched the bridge of his nose. “What, Ginger?” Silence would have been too much to ask for. “I’ve been monitoring cybercommunication activity.” A grin tugged at his mouth. “I’ve corrupted my computer?” Ginger had never done anything illegal. And he was pretty sure she’d been clean before he’d installed her. “I assure you, I ran across this by accident.” He grunted. Sure she did. “An officer of the Rendorians’ seventh quadrant is doing a private search for you.” “Got a name?” “No. Unfortunately, it was an anonymous tip. He said, ‘Let any of the seventh quadrant know if they know your whereabouts.’ You know how tight-lipped and protective those soldiers can be.” Damn. He scrubbed his face and ran his hands through his hair. “Captain, I suggest you hold off returning the Delicant to her home planet.” What could the Rendorian want? The seventh quadrant teams had been shadowing him for some time now…
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No. If they’d planned to take him out, or bring him in for the bounty, they would have done so by now. He blew out a breath from his nose. “Stay on the plotted course. I’m taking Ailyea home. I’ll deal with the police unit after I know she’s safe.”
***** Ailyea woke up early. Master Torc had her wrapped in his arms, which were like steel bands around her. She sighed, snuggling into the warmth of his body, feeling safe. For the last time. Her eyes flew open. This was the last time she’d wake up with him. Then she’d be going off to people she didn’t know, to family she’d never known she had. Master Torc would leave her. Studying his face, she reached out a hand to caress his cheek. His skin always drew her touch. She didn’t want to leave him. Didn’t want him to leave her. Maybe she could still change his mind. But she had little time—they’d be at the planet today. Ailyea slid herself down his beautiful hard body. He hadn’t been beautiful to her at the start of knowing him, but she’d always loved his looks. No matter what happened, he’d become the standard she measured all other Masters by. At one of the places they’d visited, they’d ended up with a little vial of oil that could be used for body massage. There’d been no need for it. Until now. She’d placed it with her belongings. Sliding it out of the pouch, she warmed it with her hands. Master Torc snored, quiet little buzzes. It was a sure sign that he trusted her. With the hatch completely down, no one could get in the shuttle, so he slept sounder here than anywhere. That he slumbered so deeply even with her around made her smile. She used the oil to slick down the hollow between her breasts. Sliding down the sheets, she drew in a breath at each inch of skin being exposed. She sank her teeth in, nipped him, licked him. His skin addicted her. No other explanation for it. His cock sprang free from the blankets, semi-erect. She grasped it, winding her fingers around the width of him, which still impressed her. She fingered the ridge, sliding up and down around his length. In an instant, he had a full ereção. He never had any problems getting hard. “Ah, lady…” His eyes creased in puzzlement as they opened. He gazed at her, his eyes dreamily clouded. “Shhh,” she hushed him, keeping a firm grip on his cacete to keep him from pulling away. Groaning, he laid his head back. He’d already been coated in the lubricant from her hands, his cacete slick and straining. With the amount she had coated her chest in, it should be enough.
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Ailyea angled her body and slid him in between her breasts, molding the mounds around him. “What…lady…” He jerked, but didn’t move away to disengage from her. “Enjoy.” Her breath caught as his nostrils flared. He spread his legs, giving her more room. She slid around him, feeling his swollen cacete slipping in against her chest, in between her breasts. Some women didn’t have the cleavage to provide an ample enough sensation to take a man like this. Ailyea had been blessed in that capacity. She didn’t like it when they spilled on her. She’d never cared for a man’s seed soaking her chest. She did it though. She had to when it was what her Master wanted. This time, however, she wanted it. Wanted Master Torc. To show him. Her actions would show him—they’d prove how much she wanted to be with him. Her thoughts scattered. His cacete moved against her chest with every thrust of her body. It felt so firm sliding in and out of the tunnel between her breasts. He strained, arching his hips against her. His reactions urged her on. Up and down, she moved herself, quickening the pace. Her swollen nipples tingled, ached with every pass. “Ailyea…” She didn’t answer but moved harder against him. “No, lady. Not like this…” He clenched his teeth. Shuddering, he clasped her shoulders, pulling her up and over his cock. “Not alone.” Master Torc impaled her with one upward thrust. She cried out. His rigid length filled her. Her tight walls clenched. “Oh, yes, Master.” Her breath caught. She shook with the force of her need, his motions fast, filling her, taking her away on a passion clouded haze. Master Torc sat up and clutched her ass. His mouth trailed kisses along her shoulder, neck and chin. Ailyea moaned. “Not alone, lady.” He rocked her on his buried cock. So hard. So deep. He worked her body like a long-studied musical instrument. Her head dropped back. His pleasure built, curling and swirling deep. It was a welcome ache. Master Torc’s mouth nibbled his away across her chin, cheek and shoulder. His teeth nibbled her earlobe. “Let me feel you come, lady.” She moaned. He stopped their rocking motion, only to slip a hand down her belly to flick her clit. Her breath caught with a gasp. Ailyea whimpered.
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“That’s it.” His voice was rough. His cock pulsed. “Now let me hear you scream.” His thumb, pressed until she arched, her climax shattered her. Broke her into a million shards. She cried out. Her pussy milked him. Another thrust. Two more, harder. Growling, Master Torc burst inside her. She gasped as his hot climax went on and on. Master Torc’s chest heaved as he caught his breath. “Ailyea…we shouldn’t…have…” He panted. Holding her close, he buried his hands in her hair, murmuring something she couldn’t understand between harsh breaths. Her eyes closed. Air puffed into her chest. She’d failed, getting caught up in the moment. She had shown him nothing. She’d lost herself and hadn’t proved anything to Master Torc. He’d never keep her now. They shouldn’t have? She drew back, eyes opening wide to search his face. He still meant to take her back. After all they’d shared. Her shoulders pitched forward. Master Torc wouldn’t meet her eyes. He shifted her off his lap. “I have to go check the controls on the ship.” He stopped at the door, his hand white-knuckled as he clasped the frame. With a growl, he left her. Ailyea nodded. She ran her hand down her oily chest. It hadn’t worked. Her last chance to stay with him. And she’d blown it. She took a deep breath, trying not to let tears spill. Time to go to the home she’d never known.
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Chapter Twenty-One Ailyea peered out of the shuttle window as they landed. Master Torc hadn’t said two words the entire flight through the last league to the planet, except to ask her how she was doing. He’d looked away as she answered. The shuttle touched down with a bump. It jarred her teeth. Master Torc had never had a rough landing before. He always flew with such precision. She watched him from beneath her lashes as he made adjustments on the control panel and prepared to open the hull doors. “We’re here, Ailyea.” His eyes looked so flat, so dull. Not what she was used to seeing. “Yes, Master Torc.” She took her time unbuttoning her seat belt, prolonging her last moments with him. They exited the shuttle, neither saying a word. Together, they trudged toward the few who waited to greet them. Ailyea got her first look of the palace, which loomed large behind them. She stopped behind Master Torc, took a step closer to him and stared. Huge. She’d never seen a bigger castle, and she’d been in some impressive ones. The House of 9000 Pleasures had been huge, but didn’t compare to this. Gray stone walls stretched up with turret-topped towers high in the blue sky. Lavish. Agate stone had been used to build it long ago. It looked cold, austere. She shivered. “Is this the girl?” A voice brought her head down and her eyes forward to the purple-robed man who spoke. Older and wizened, he looked as cold as the palace. “Mercenary, you said in your message that you had the girl. Is this her?” “Who’s asking?” “I’m Tallid, her cousin and the royal advisor to the Queen. My man hired you.” He gestured a hand toward the younger man standing beside him. “This is my son, Marcheck.” Master Torc barely nodded his head to greet the man. “This is Ailyea Meegan. She has the birthmark.” She peeked out from behind Master Torc. Tallid’s eyes drifted up and down her body with a glint she’d seen before. Many times. “The Queen will be most pleased.” “Pleased about what, Tallid?” Their heads all turned. Master Torc didn’t look surprised, but the rest did. Ailyea looked at the regal older woman, wearing blue velvet robes which swung as she walked. Her hair was pinned back severely, but by the size of the bun it would sweep down her back. It was still red with only a hint of gray. 168
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A dark-haired man stepped beside her, staff drawn. “What’s going on here? We spotted the landing.” “Settle down, Rendig.” The Queen shot the dark-haired man a glare. “Must you always be so suspicious?” “I’m your Captain. Yes, I must.” “Nothing, er…nothing of note is going on here,” Tallid stuttered. “Are you Queen Bianna?” Master Torc growled. “Yes. Yes, I am.” “I’ve found your granddaughter as I was hired to.” “What? Where? She was taken long ago.” Master Torc pushed Ailyea forward. “Right here.” With an exaggerated bow, Tallid mumbled, “It was a surprise for you, my Queen. To find your closest heir to the throne.” Ailyea saw Rendig’s eyes narrow as he clutched his weapon tighter. She swallowed, unsure about whether to approach or go back and hide behind Master Torc. The Queen’s eyes scanned her, stopping to meet her own. Her hand trembled as she held it out. “Come closer.” Ailyea took a step. “You’re Ailyea Meegan?” She nodded, clasping her hands behind her back. “You’re Ailyea Meegan?” Rendig lowered his head. “Queen Bianna, you know of the birthmark. That should be checked…before you get yourself too worked up about this.” “She has the birthmark. The mercenary said so,” Tallid snapped. “Have you seen it?” Tallid blinked his snakelike golden eyes. “No. No, I hadn’t gotten a chance to check before you and the Queen arrived.” “She has it.” Master Torc spoke from behind her. She fought looking at him. Steeled against turning to see what his expression was. He’d made it clear what he wanted. And it wasn’t her. Otherwise, he’d keep her. “My child. May I see the birthmark on your thigh?” The Queen’s voice trembled, and Ailyea got the feeling the Queen really wanted her to be her granddaughter. She nodded and hiked up the tunic she wore to display the birthmark she’d had all her life. Tallid licked his lips. She heard Master Torc grunt. “Child…Ailyea.” The emotion roughened the Queen’s voice enough to give Ailyea shivers. She took a step toward Ailyea and pulled her into her arms. The Queen smelled of vanilla. “We’ll have to have to do genetic testing.” Rendig frowned, watching Ailyea with suspicion in his eyes. She couldn’t see Master Torc, but heard him take a step closer. “To be sure.”
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“No, she’s Ailyea. I know it. The birthmark is in the same place as mine. I have waited so long for you to be found. Tallid has hired people to find you before, but they were never successful.” Her hand fluttered to her throat. “Your father was my son. He and your mother perished in an accident when you were a toddler. You were taken— stolen, and we couldn’t find you.” The Queen looped her arm through Ailyea’s. Ailyea looked at her. She was tall for a woman. Then, so was she. Maybe that was where she got her height. She’d always wondered where it came from. “We have a lot to catch up on. I want to hear all about it.” Tallid moved forward. “My Queen. Ailyea has had a long journey. There’s also the possibility she might be sick.” Master Torc growled. “Her papers show she’s been immunized.” “And the time she’s been with you? A Zorgian? Everyone knows of your people’s habits. I would ask that my son Marcheck check her out, then accompany her to the Queen’s quarters.” Queen Bianna frowned. “If you think that’s necessary.” “I do, my Queen.” He bowed low to his feet. “I must deal with the mercenary.” Queen Bianna’s eyes swung to Master Torc. “You delivered my granddaughter?” “Yes.” “See that the Zorgian is well paid. Very well paid. Triple what you had offered him.” She waved a hand bearing several jeweled rings as she departed. “Marcheck, when you are done examining Ailyea, bring her to my rooms.” Marcheck grasped her arm in a tight grip, grinning as he pushed her along in front of him. She only managed to sneak a peek back at Master Torc before they’d gotten out of sight range. Her eyes misted with tears. Master Torc stood, arms folded, watching her departure. She squared her shoulders. She’d changed hands yet again. Time to deal with what she’d been given.
***** Torc’s chest ached like never before as he watched Ailyea walk away from him. It hurt to breathe. He couldn’t speak. His fists clenched to prevent himself from reaching out for her one more time. He was leaving behind a piece of himself. A heart he hadn’t known he had and more. Torc blinked his eyes. He would never be the same. “Follow me, Zorgian.” Tallid strutted ahead. A small group of guards moved up behind him. Ignoring them all, his gaze followed Ailyea. She continued to move away into the palace. “Keep the money, old man.” Torc bared his fangs. His eyes searched for one final glimpse at the most beautiful thing in the world.
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His nostrils flared as he did his best to control an emotion he’d never recognized before—regret. Loss. He’d never known pain this deep. Tallid laughed. “Oh, I plan to.” A dart hit Torc in the throat. Distracted, watching Ailyea, he’d had no time to escape it. “Fuck me,” he snarled. His muscles locked up as the serum froze him where he stood. Too late. He’d not been paying attention, and now it would cost him. The old man grabbed himself through his robes. “Oh, I think not. I’d much prefer to fuck the pretty little pussy you delivered.” Torc lurched, hitting the unmoving ground. “Take him to the pit to await the police. He’s worth a fortune alive.” Torc closed his eyes and listened to his tormenters as they moved him. The serum had no effect on his senses, only made him immobile. Damn the gods! Trapped. He wouldn’t be able to check to make sure Ailyea was safe. Wouldn’t know if another hurt her. Wouldn’t be able to avenge an assault. He had to stay focused. Home. She was home. She deserved stability in her life. Her grandmother would care for her. He’d seen that in the emotion pooling in the older woman’s eyes. He had to believe she would be safe, even if he hadn’t liked the look of that creep Tallid.
***** Marcheck guided Ailyea into the suite of rooms. She sighed. Velvets and reds everywhere. She’d never seen so many tapestries in her life as in the palace. They covered every wall they’d passed. He swung around and pulled her against his body. His hard cacete pressed into her stomach. “Oh, what a sweet chuchanga you are.” Her face came up to meet his eyes, and his narrowed to slits. “Submit to me, bitch. Or you’ll feel the lash.” She closed her eyes even as she cast them downward. “We’re going to go see the Queen after my father gets here. You have an illness. One only he can help you with.” He pulled her closer against him, gritting out the words. “You tell your grandmother anything we do, and you’ll sign the old bat’s death warrant. And yours. Instead of us waiting for her to die.” He waited a moment. “Understand?” Another moment passed. “Do you understand?” Ailyea’s teeth clenched as he shook her with each word. “Yes, Master.” Marcheck ran one hand down her front, under the top of her tunic. “Such sweet tits.” He pinched her nipple tight between fingertips. Ailyea swallowed. The passion rose in his eyes. He liked to hurt. Unlike Master Torc, who wanted her pleasure more than his own.
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Tallid entered the room, robes swishing. “That didn’t take long, Father.” Tallid cast a pointed look at Marcheck until he removed his hands from Ailyea. His smile sent chills racing along Ailyea’s spine from top to bottom. “All I had to do was settle up with the mercenary.” “Master—I mean, Tallid? Did Mas—Torc leave?” Ailyea bit her bottom lip. She’d never called any man but Essien anything but Master before. “My sweet little Ailyea. Of course he left. He took his money, hopped in his shuttle and left without a backward glance. He didn’t even check to see if you’d be well taken care of.” Tallid’s eyes held false sympathy. Ailyea held her head up, refusing to collapse under the weight of sorrow that dropped on her. He’d left. He didn’t want her. It was over. “You’re mine now. I had no idea you’d been trained as such a submissive little Delicant. Or I would have retrieved you years ago. Although the old bat has lost hope you’d ever be found. Better for her waning spirit. Now I think instead of killing you, we can use you.” Ailyea watched, unmoving, not reacting to their words or touch. “Use her? How, Father?” “She’s a slave. When the Queen steps down, Ailyea will be under my control as she takes the throne. And then the throne will be ours. Too bad she is our cousin. Or I’d have more pleasurable ways of domination.” It should have made her happy, hearing about them doing the thing she knew best—domination. Instead, it made her impassive. Numb. As if she watched herself from somewhere else. Marcheck grunted. “I don’t understand why we can’t kill the old bitch.” “Because that asshole Rendig guards her too well. And he has too much loyalty among the guards to discredit. We want to take over, not cause a civil war.” He stroked his chin. “Our patience will earn us the riches and the throne. Without a single weapon being drawn.” Marcheck shrugged, reaching out to catch a lock of her hair between his fingers. Tallid knocked his hand away. To Ailyea, Tallid said, “You have Martonian sickness. You will have to stay with me, in my quarters, so I can heal you.” He laughed. “And oh, what healing it will be.” Ailyea’s eyes met his, and he backhanded her across the throat, cutting off her breath momentarily. “You will be my slave. Submit to me. I will have your complete subservience. Bow down before me. I want your nose on the floor.” Her moment of hesitation cost her, as he struck out at her calves with his walking stick, crumpling her to her knees. “By the gods, you will jump when I say it.” “Yes, Master.” She shifted on her knees and slipped forward. Her nose touched the floor as she kowtowed before him. 172
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What had come over her? Why couldn’t she submit like they wanted? And why did she feel the bone-crushing sorrow of loss? Master Torc was only one Master out of the many she’d had. “Ah yes, Delicant. That’s much more pleasing. My sons will learn to dominate you as I do. And if you tell your grandmother or try and resist…I’ll kill her.” “Father, the Queen is waiting for us.” Marcheck’s breath came in pants. Simply dominating her was getting him off. He watched with longing. “Yes.” Tallid sighed. “Get up. Let us see the old bat.”
***** Queen Bianna sat in a huge purple satin armchair beside floor-to-ceiling windows that showed off mountains to the west in all their splendor. A tapestry depicting a battle scene hung on the opposite wall. Ailyea could see the whites of the men’s eyes and the blood on their swords. Rendig stood by his Queen with a back stiff as a shepherd’s staff, eyes scanning, taking in everything. His dark eyes shone with intelligence. “Ailyea!” The older woman stood with a smile. She took a step toward Ailyea, and then stopped. “I’m sorry, granddaughter. Captain Rendig and I discussed how I think I’ve been too eager. You don’t know me, and it will take time for you to get to know me. I don’t want to push you.” “Yes, Mistress.” Ailyea didn’t meet the woman’s eyes. The Queen’s eyes shot to Rendig, who shrugged. Ailyea peeked over her lashes. “I’m not your Mistress, Ailyea. I’d love for you to call me…Grand-mere.” She tittered, a nervous sound. “Before you…disappeared, you had just started to be able to say part of that mouthful. I was ‘Grand’.” Ailyea blinked. This woman had known her as a child, before she had become a Delicant. Her grand-mere. She clenched her hands together tightly. She didn’t remember but wanted to. Queen Bianna seemed to want her to. But even as much as she thought back, she could remember little beyond the House of 9000 Pleasures. She’d been too young. If only she could return the emotion the Queen so obviously felt toward her. Rendig cleared his throat. Queen Bianna’s head lifted so fast, Ailyea took a step back. “Tallid. Marcheck. You may leave Ailyea and me now.” “I’m afraid we can’t, my Queen. She has Martonian sickness. You know how violent the sufferers can be. I’m working to heal her. It will take some time. But it is important that I or one of my sons stays with her at all times. For your protection.” “Captain Rendig stays with me at all times. He can protect me.”
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Tallid bowed his head. “Apologies, my Queen, but Captain Rendig, however great a soldier he is, isn’t familiar with the mood swings of the illness. I’d be remiss in my duties as your advisor if I left you.” Rendig glared but said nothing. The Queen’s shoulders rose and fell as she sighed. “Very well. You may stay. How long will the sickness last?” “It varies, my Queen.” She turned her gaze to her granddaughter. “Ailyea, you were a Delicant?” Tallid’s eyes snapped and crackled. Ailyea knew she would have to be careful what she said in front of him. “Yes, Grand-mere. I am—was a Delicant.” She didn’t want to tell Grand-mere about her life as a Delicant—especially not her time with Master Torc. She didn’t think she’d be able to talk about that for a while without sorrow. Hearing Soon-Yi’s voice reminding her of her place in her Master’s life did little to help her toss aside how she felt. “I’m glad that chapter is ended, and you’re back with us. Your mother had been a Delicant before she married my son. You look a little like her. But your nose is definitely from Rauul, my son.” She shifted her head closer. “Your eyes are your own. I’ve never seen anything quite like them.” Ailyea resisted the urge to bring her hand up to touch them. “My mother was a Delicant?” Surprise edged her voice. She hadn’t known. When had she been recognized as an heir? So many questions. “Yes.” Queen Bianna’s face drew up as if she thought about sour persimmons. Then she smiled, her face looking younger and freer. “She was. We had our issues. But your father loved her. And she loved him. When they died—” Rendig cleared his throat. Tallid smirked, and Marcheck drummed his fingers in apparent boredom. She straightened her back so sharply, Ailyea could almost hear the vertebrae popping. “Well, we’ll talk more about that later. When we can be alone. Would you like some tea, Ailyea?” “Yes, Mis—Grand-mere. Thank you.” The Queen’s smile grew so wide, Ailyea could tell she had all her teeth, which was a good quality in a Delicant. Ailyea shook her head at her thoughts. “You’re welcome, Ailyea.” She could sense the emotion leaking over the surface in the older woman. And she could see Tallid’s greedy smile at her display. Ailyea frowned, not liking his expression. She felt oddly protective of her grand-mere. She quelled the feelings and put them out of her heart. Look what happened each time she cared about anyone. There was nothing she could do for those she cared for, be it a friend being sold to her worst fear, or a Were pup who looked up to her like a sister, or another young Were who expected so much
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out of her she didn’t understand. She’d had to leave them all behind. Not to mention Master…Torc. The only gift she’d ever had to give was her submission. And he hadn’t wanted it. Hadn’t wanted her. Ailyea bit her lip to head off the threatening tears. She wished the impersonal Delicant would step up and take over. Only it never seemed to be that easy now. She damned Master Torc. And herself for caring about him.
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Chapter Twenty-Two Torc gazed around the dark pit where he was now shackled. Two days of violent torture had passed, but it wouldn’t be the abuse that killed him. The loneliness would— he couldn’t stop missing Ailyea. Worrying. Remembering. He’d never be able to forget the look in her eyes as she peeked at him when the door closed behind her. She had wanted him to stay, and he hadn’t said one word to her—not even goodbye. With a snarl, he yanked at the wainting metal shanks that held him shackled to the stone wall. He should have said something to her, but he hadn’t been able to breathe, let talk. Again and again, he jerked at the shackles circling his wrists, ankles and throat. Useless efforts of wasted energy. Wainting was the strongest metal known in the universe, and the only one he couldn’t break or manipulate. Abruptly, he caught a new scent and stilled. His fangs extended as he waited for the intruder to make his way into the pit. A pale orb lit the way for the Queen’s confidant’s footsteps. “Ah, I see it’s true—you still live.” Torc could do no more than glare at the old man. Ailyea’s scent clung to Tallid, infuriating him more. “What a pretty whore you’ve returned to Cartocha. So submissive. So trusting. Why, I’ve already learned I have her at my beck and call with a crook of my finger.” A tic beat in Torc’s jaw as the elder paced before him. “You know, I had planned to kill her to inherit the throne after the Queen’s passing. But, why bother? My sons and I can have her willing pussy along with the throne, she’d never dream of refusing me.” Snarling, Torc lashed out, only to be brought up short by the chains. The confidant roared with laughter, grating on his nerves. He drew in a calming breath. Not even his beast could break the chains securing him. “The Delicant is such a joy to watch as she services my sons—coming and moaning—begging for more.” Trapped, Torc closed his eyes. He was suffering along with Ailyea as she struggled with herself. He’d confused her. Maybe he never should have attempted to teach her choice. Through the mind bonding, he felt when the males got rough with her to keep her in line. She wasn’t quite as submissive as she’d once been. But no one had taken her sexually yet. He was sure of that.
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The elder stabbed him with the tip of a spear, gaining his attention. “Do you want to know a secret neither the Queen nor the Delicant knows?” He refused to speak. “She carries your brat.” Torc’s head came up as he opened his eyes. That wasn’t possible. The elder’s laughter raised the hair on his arms, sending a shiver down his spine. Another light stab of the spear and more of his blood ran down his chest. “The whore is more than willing to talk of her time with you. She chatters to her Lucent continuously. She doesn’t even know she is your mate.” Torc sucked in a breath as the tip of the spear hit bone. “I have a feeling you don’t even know she’s your mate.” The elder snickered, twisting the weapon. “She carries your soul for all to see, and when you’re dead, she’ll have sentenced you to walk the path of the soulless spirits.” He shuddered. He hadn’t known, but now it all came together. He remembered how Ailyea’s eye color had slowly changed over time to match his own metallic hue. His undeniable need for her. How he’d been unable to control his emotions where she was concerned. His lost ability to see colors. Why she made him so weak and held such power over him. It made perfect sense. His mate. She carried his child. Roaring, he launched himself with all his strength at the old man—to be met with nothing but air and evil laughter. “Come now. Save your strength and maybe I’ll take the whore on her knees before you. Would you like that? Her sucking my cock? Begging me to fuck her harder?” Furious, he reached out with his mind, daring what he’d never tried before. Ailyea… He could sense her sucking in a breath as he spoke into her mind. Master… Master Torc… Her reply was no more than a whispered breath. Torc grunted as the dart hit him. His body immediately weakened. “None of that! Oh, no! Your psyche shifts energy around us. What a fascinating animal you are. I’ll have to be more careful!” the confidant screamed, daring to move within his reach. Ailyea’s voice wavered in his mind. He shook his head to clear it. Master Torc? He didn’t have the strength to respond. The elder jabbed him in his side, his breath heavy as he ranted. “I’m going to take pleasure in killing you slowly. I may even have the Delicant help. And then, along with my sons we’re going to use her body up.” He growled against the pain and drugs, trying to remain coherent. “And then I’ll personally train your child to take the slave’s place. What fun this is turning out to be.” 177
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Dark laughter and panicked whispers filled his mind before a void of nothingness claimed him.
***** “Master Torc,” Ailyea whispered aloud. He wasn’t there. Couldn’t be there. He’d left her. But his voice had rung so clear in her mind. How could that be? His presence, almost as strong as his voice. But it faded, slipped away from her like a waterweed. “Torc?” She shook her head to clear it. “Master Torc?” His presence faded completely away. She sagged in the chains that bound her to Tallid’s bedroom wall, wanting it to be him, wanting him to come for her. The chains clanked as she pulled at them. Tallid had had slaves before, this was evident from the collection of whips and the bondage implements he’d had installed in his chamber. They’d kept her bound since Master Torc had left her. And naked, except when they took her to the Queen. And then Tallid or one of his sons stayed with her constantly. She’d had no time alone with her grand-mere. She closed her eyes and held her head up, trying to search for Master Torc’s presence once more. But it had left her, if it was even there to begin with. Looking down, she opened her eyes. Her bottom hurt. There had to be handprints on it from being smacked. A bruise marred her thigh with angry hues of purple and blue. They kept the bruises to places that wouldn’t show under clothes. The Lucent hummed near her, sitting on the floor. “It’s all right,” she cooed. “I thought I heard Master Torc, but I must have been hearing things.” It beamed light as it matched the pitch of her voice. She hummed along with it. “It’s okay. We’ll be all right.” The Lucent beamed blue as it hopped onto her thigh on top of the bruise, spreading warmth on the wound. “They’re my Masters now. They can do that.” She shivered, not so much from cold. What would they do to her next? She sought a warm, cheery place, such a contrast to cold depths of sorrow in her heart. How many times had they raised a hand to her? She’d lost count. Tallid was vicious. He used his staff, his hands, anything when she didn’t act submissive enough or quick enough to please him. The Lucent chirped. “He’s gone, little one. He won’t come back for me.” It neared her hand and nuzzled it. The chain clanked again.
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Ailyea sighed. The Lucent came up on her shoulder and rubbed along it. She smiled. It tickled. “You still need a name.” She bit her lip. What if she named it wrong? It didn’t matter though, because Master Torc had left. “I call you little one sometimes. Suppose I name you that? In Delicant, O Pequeno is ‘little one’. Do you like that?” The Lucent bounced up and down on her shoulder. “You do? You like it?” It bounced more. “Oh good. I’ll call you Pequeno for short.” The clicking of footfalls sounded on the hard stone floor, which covered the castle. Tallid’s footsteps. Ailyea shuddered at his approach as his scent hit her. He smelled strongly of cumin, not pleasant. Especially up close. And he liked her up close as he hit her. He sauntered into his chamber. “Hello, Delicant,” he sneered, “Miss me?” “Yes, Master,” she lied. Pequeno hissed, and she hushed it. It dropped down her arm onto the floor. She wanted to tell it to be good, but didn’t dare. He reached out and pinched a nipple between two fingers, squeezing tightly. She tried not to wince and focused on the bright-colored tapestry behind him. His other hand came up and his fingers snapped on her other nipple. She couldn’t stop the whimper from leaving her lips. “Delicant! What have I told you about that?” “Not to, Master.” He hated any displays of pain. She had once been able to take a hundred lashes with a cat-o’-nine-tails without shedding a tear. Why couldn’t she obey now? He shoved his hand down and across her newly growing curls and pressed a finger against her grelho. “That mercenary had no idea how to handle you. You’ll find I do.” He squeezed her grelho mercilessly between his fingers, digging into the sensitive skin. She looked up and met his eyes. A Delicant never met her Master’s eyes, yet she couldn’t stop herself though she knew the consequences. What had happened to her? Master Torc had happened. And now he was gone. He grabbed a short leather strap. “Turn over and move to the edge of the bed!” She obeyed, standing beside it, and he brought the strap down across her ass, slapping the flesh twice. Switching positions, he then slammed it up against her pubic area. Ailyea panted, trying to work through the pain. He grabbed the chains, unhooking her from the dark decorative iron bars driven into the stone walls. “I’ll show you how a Delicant acts best. On her knees.” He used the chains to drop her to her knees, scraping them on the roughened rock. “Now crawl to me, Delicant.”
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She crawled on her knees, moving the heavy links along with her. As she reached the silken ends of his tunic, he lifted them. “Lick my foot, chuchanga.” Closing her eyes against the assault of the strong odor, she lifted her mouth and used her hands to find his foot. She lapped her tongue around it, bathing it with her mouth. She could sink her teeth into it. She shook. He’d kill her. And he’d kill Grand-mere soon after. They threatened her life every time Ailyea was slow to obey. She liked the old woman, didn’t want them to harm her. “You misbehave again,” he gritted out, “and I’ll crush your little rock like the vermin it is. You tell your grandmother about any of this, and I’ll take it apart sliver by sliver.” Pequeno wailed. She could imagine the lights beaming from it. Because he hadn’t moved, she knew he hadn’t actually done anything to her pet. But it had caught the threat. Stay quiet, she willed it. She sat back on her rump and released his tunic. “What a fine mouth you have for a chuchanga. Later, we go see the Queen, chit. Remember what I told you. I will do what I said I would if you tell her any of this. And after our visit I have—” he paused with a chuckle, which made her lean back from him, “a surprise for you. You’ll love it, my little submissive.” She looked listlessly at his feet. “Good girl. Kiss my feet. Bathe them again with your tongue. Show me you’re a good Delicant.” She did, sliding her tongue around the rough arches. “My sons will be along any minute now.” Shutting her eyes, Ailyea took solace in her memories of Master Torc. In her head, was the only place any trace of Master Torc couldn’t be removed.
***** Torc shuddered and shook his head to get some of the icy water off him. They’d filled the pit partially with water to revive or drown him—which, he couldn’t be sure. He strained to keep his head above the water line. Time passed and he shivered as the space drained of some of the water that had surrounded him. He ignored the snickering from above. Nothing else to do but wait them out. “She’s such an obedient pet.” Tallid’s middle son watched from his perch where the water still sloshed at Torc’s hips.
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His fangs lengthened. Hunger and fury tempted his wild side. Curling his fists, he harnessed his beast. All in due time. They would not win. “You should see her perform. We say suck—she sucks. We say fuck—she fucks.” The man smiled. “She lives to please without another thought in her pretty head.” When the pit finished draining, he leaped to the wet stone floor. “Come now, don’t be shy. At least, the slave talks when spoken to. She begs when instructed to.” Torc bared his fangs in a snarl. Come on, you fucker. A little closer. Tallid’s son paced back and forth, out of his reach. “My father told us to stay away from you. I think my father is a stupid old man. Why does he bother to keep you down here?” “Greed,” Torc gritted, knowing Tallid gained as much enjoyment in torturing him as he would from the bounty on his head. He prayed that the bastard was lying, that the Queen would do right by Ailyea and keep her safe. The ugly man’s lip curled, and he moved forward in his agitation. Torc acted. With a roar, he swung his left arm outwards. He hadn’t been able to break the shanks, but with persistence, he’d pulled the chain’s mount from the stone wall. The chain wrapped around Tallid’s son’s neck and shoulders. He screamed. The metal end attached to the chunk of stone mashed into his head with a thunk, dropping him to the floor. Torc’s chest heaved as he dragged his victim closer. Working quickly, he unwrapped the chain and fed. Once finished, he tossed the body into the sewer pit in the farthest corner—followed by the fool’s lantern. He worked the stone mount back into the wall while the body sank down into the sludge. One down. Three to go.
***** “Where is he?” Torc jerked awake to full alertness at the lash of the whip cutting across his chest. “Where is he?” He pushed to his feet between the lashes. Swinging the whip repeatedly with all his might, Tallid foamed at the mouth. His eyes glittered, leaving no doubt he enjoyed himself. Torc gritted his teeth, knowing his chest and shoulders would soon match his back with the bloody crisscross patterns. “My son!” Torc jerked his head back in time to save his right eye, but not fast enough to save his face from being cut by the lash. 181
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“Where is he?” Tallid’s chest heaved as he swung wildly. “Maybe Jarron didn’t come down here. Maybe the servant was wrong.” The youngest of the old man’s sons spoke quietly from behind his father. “Shut up, Kallid! If, I’d wanted your opinion, I’d have asked for it!” He broke off his motion to turn to the young man. “Unless you want a taste of the lash?” “Give it to him, Father,” Marcheck goaded from behind Kallid. “He spoke out of turn.” The younger man ducked his head. “I’m sorry, Father.” Tallid turned away from the youth with a sneer, twisting his lips. Torc’s chest, shoulders and arms burned more and more until Tallid grew too weak to continue the beating. He straightened his long gown and grabbed his staff from his eldest son. “If I find out Jarron has been harmed in any way—the whore will be the one to pay!” “But, Father—” Kallid protested. “Shut up!” Tallid backhanded him on the way up the steps leading from the pit. Shoving past Kallid, Marcheck scrambled up after his father. Wiping his mouth, Kallid cast his gaze around the chamber. A moment later, he silently followed them up. Torc groaned and leaned back against the wall as the light disappeared. Looked like the younger male had a soft spot for Ailyea. Had she noticed? But it would do no good. He’d remain trapped under his father’s heavy hand. Ailyea stroked the Lucent as it sat on her hand. “Shhhh, Pequeno.” She hummed to it as the door to the chamber opened. Only Tallid and his sons came in and out of here. “Ailyea. Your grand-mere wants you to have lunch with her.” Kallid inched down the bonds and undid her chains. Shyly keeping his eyes averted from her nakedness, he rubbed her wrists, helping her to get the kinks out and the blood flowing properly again. “I don’t know why my father keeps you bound. If the Queen were to find out…” “Grand-mere never comes in here. I doubt she’d find me.” “But…you…if you were to tell her…” “I won’t, Master Kallid.” “I’m not your master.” He brushed a hair back from her head. It almost seemed like a tender touch, but Ailyea couldn’t stop from drawing back. All the training she’d had from the House of 9000 Pleasures seemed to have left her. She’d always been a submissive and nothing more. But she’d changed. Master Torc had changed her. If only he’d wanted to keep her. “Get dressed. I’ll take you to the Queen.” His voice was gruff as he handed her a tunic dress, staring at the ground. 182
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“Thank you, Master—Kallid.” She slid on the dress, loving the softness against her skin. She’d never get over the sensation of clothes. Master Torc had introduced her to such things. Her breath hitched as it always did when she thought about him. Ailyea picked up a white chopstick and wound it through her fast-growing hair. Soon it would grow back from where Master Torc had cut it. She touched the ragged edges of it. Maybe once it lengthened, she’d feel more like her old self. More like the Delicant she was supposed to be.
***** “Are you enjoying this, dear?” Queen Bianna spooned some more soup into her bowl. Ailyea twirled the ornate spoon around the gold-lacquered piece of china. “It’s good, Grand-mere.” The woman’s wizened face smiled and in it, Ailyea could see a flash of the beauty, the joy of life, which Grand-mere must have possessed in her youth. Her blue eyes twinkled. “I had my chef prepare it especially for you. Need to fatten you up.” Ailyea’s hand went to her stomach. She’d noticed a thickening there. She didn’t like the idea of becoming more plump. They dined in silence for a few minutes. Ailyea’s eyes scanned around the palatial dining room. She sat beside her grand-mere and across from Kallid and Marcheck at a mahogany table which had to be capable of seating at least sixteen if not more. Beautiful, elegant tapestries covered the walls, bringing color to offset the gray stone and thick red velvet curtains, which covered massive windows, keeping out the sun and fresh air. “Ailyea?” “Yes, Grand-mere?” “What troubles your soul?” So much to say. And truth would hurt the one woman she never wanted to. “I’m fine, Grand-mere.” Kallid coughed from his position across the table. “Are you all right, Kallid?” The Queen’s gaze shifted to him. So did Marcheck’s. “I’m fine, my Queen… Er, have you made plans for the ball?” Conversation turned to talk of the coronation ball, which would formally introduce Ailyea as heiress apparent. She’d be a curiosity—Delicant turned princess. She toyed with her food. Tallid slinked into the room. “Hello, my Queen.” He bowed low and kissed her hand before he sat. “Marcheck, Kallid. Princess Ailyea.”
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“Father.” “Master Tallid.” The Queen frowned. “I do not know why you keep using that title, Ailyea. You aren’t a Delicant anymore. You don’t have to call anyone Master.” Tallid’s eyes flashed. “How true, my Queen.” Ailyea looked down at her meal again. “My Queen, there are things Ailyea must attend to. Shall she take her leave?” “Oh yes, Tallid. Is she feeling better?” “Why, yes. Much more like herself. And soon to be even better.” He helped Ailyea out of her chair. As soon as they were out of earshot, he snickered. “Old biddy still thinks I’m healing you.” His hand wrapped around her arm, guiding her. “Where are we going, Master Tallid?” He pinched the underside of her upper arm where no one could see a bruise. The second he was ever out of Grand-mere’s presence, he did whatever he wanted. All the servants ran scared of him. They’d never tell Grand-mere of anything they saw. He acted more carefully around most of the guards. Captain Rendig ran a tight-knit group. “You’ll see,” he murmured as her head rang. “It’s a surprise.”
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Chapter Twenty-Three Ailyea shook her head as she followed behind Tallid down many steps and through many corridors, the chopstick moving in her hair. They entered a room. She stood. Her eyes adjusted to the room’s dim blue light from the orbs on the walls and she waited, wondering what he could have to show her in this dank dark place. She’d ask, but it would earn her another punishment so she watched. Tallid crouched down and suddenly disappeared. She edged cautiously forward. Her breath caught in her throat. A pit. “Jump to me, Delicant.” Sighing, she obeyed. It was a small space with dirt walls. Clods of mud slid to the floor with soft thuds. Dampness and moldy smells permeated the air, telling her it had recently been flooded. She inhaled more slowly, trying to regulate her air. Tallid held up his hand indicating the far wall. Shuddering, she turned to look at whatever he wanted her to see so she could leave. A man stood in the shadows, breathing heavily. Watching them. She stepped closer, wanting but afraid to see him. A chain clanked. His eyes glowed dimly. His nostrils flared. Master Torc. He stood, stoic, back stiffened, arms and neck shackled to the wall and floor. Dark wounds marred his flesh. She caught the metallic smell of Master Torc’s blood, tasted it in the air. He’d never left her. Had been here the whole time. She struggled to breathe as the knowledge flooded her. Her heart clenched, ached. Swallowing, she looked at Master Tallid. He sneered victoriously. “Look at your mercenary now.” She did and took a step toward him. “On your knees, Delicant,” Tallid snapped. Ailyea froze, her heart hammering in her chest. She didn’t want to bring any more of Tallid’s anger on Master Torc. Shimmying down to the ground, she stretched her legs out behind her. He smirked. “What a good little Delicant you are. I’ve been telling the Zorgian what a wonderful sex slave you can be. How well you suck off. How well you take my boys and me.” A shiver ran up and down her spine. They had been lying to Master Torc! She’d never done such things. Just as they’d lied to her about him leaving. A flash of anger settled in, her stomach clenching at the strange feeling.
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A noise made them turn. Kallid and Marcheck jumped down into the pit. Ailyea’s eyes met Kallid’s, and his gaze grew stormy. The two males bowed in positions of supplication before their father. “Ah, can’t have my boys missing the fun. I was saying how talented our Delicant is at sucking and fucking. I thought Torc should get to see exactly what I mean. Don’t you, boys?” “Yes.” Marcheck snickered, rising to his feet with his brother. Kallid didn’t answer, staring down at the floor. “Don’t you, Kallid?” Marcheck’s eyes glittered in the low light. “Father asked you a question.” Kallid’s gaze touched her again. He swallowed hard. “Yes, Father.” Ailyea closed her eyes. Tallid reached out to stroke Ailyea’s cheek. Master Torc let out a low growl. Her eyes shot open and she lifted her head. “Don’t like that, mercenary? How about this?” He reached down and cupped a breast. Her nipple reflexively hardened as he pinched it between his fingers. She regarded him solemnly. His touch turned her on about as much as a poisonous fly. His eyes narrowed. “Show me how much you like this, bitch. Moan for me.” Ailyea moaned, the sound dull and toneless in the quiet. She looked up. Master Torc watched her, his face taut. He swallowed, his Adam’s apple bobbing up and down above the collar. His eyes glowed fiercely. What was he thinking while he hung up there watching her? “That’s better, Delicant.” Tallid unbuttoned and untied the velvet purple robe, golden strings shimmering. His sword slid with it off his wizened body. His cacete bobbed with the movement, peeking free of the material, barely hard. “Suck me.” He bounced it in front of her nose. Her eyes widened. He’d never asked sexual things of her. Told her and his sons that they were too close of kin to fuck her. Now he wanted her to give him a blowjob? She swallowed, the sound heavy in the silence. She couldn’t do it. Not knowing Master Torc hadn’t left her. Not with his swirling eyes staring at her. So what if they hurt her? “Father—” Kallid started. “Kallid?” Tallid’s eyes never strayed from her face. Kallid moved closer. “Father, the prisoner has already been tormented. And…and if the Queen were to catch us with Ailyea or with Torc, she would be most displeased.” “That old biddy couldn’t catch the sun if she burned in its gases. And I’ll do what I please to the prisoner. He will have been tormented enough when I say so and not before.” “Why not kill him and get it over with?” Marcheck picked at a fingernail.
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“Because the bounty on his head is worth more for him alive than dead, you fool. Now, the pleasure of killing him maybe worth taking half the bounty for his corpse.” He smiled slowly. “However, that’s my decision to make.” Ailyea’s body shook. She glanced around her to make sure no one saw it. Kill Master Torc? Turn him over to the Rendorians? No, they couldn’t. “But, Father—” “You overstep your bounds, boy. Back off. And don’t think I’ve not seen you looking at the Delicant with tenderness in your eyes. I’ll share dominion over her. But you keep your emotions in check.” Tallid gestured with his hands, waving them wildly. “She’s not your friend. Or your sister. You must look out for yourself.” “I don’t w—” Before he could finish, Tallid had crossed to him and slapped him hard. “Be careful what you say. I could take it as a challenge.” Kallid met his eyes, looked away and bowed his head. “Now…where was I, chuchanga?” “About to shove your cock into her mouth,” Marcheck cackled. Master Torc watched, his eyes no longer swirling. He was here. Pain stabbed her at the thought that he could have died, and she’d never have known. Her eyes met his. She traced his face with her gaze. “Suck me. Hard. Fast. Show your mercenary what you’re made of,” Tallid growled. Did she hurt for him because he was her Master? Or because he was…Torc? Memories swirled—an instant of buying clothes, then time with the wolves, on planets, of fucking—no, it was more than fucking. Making love. He—Torc—couldn’t die. She wouldn’t allow it. She turned her head to Tallid. His eyes glinted and his cock glistened. She rocked back on her knees, leaning. What could she do? Her hands went up behind her head. She removed the sharp white chopstick and tucked it in her hand behind her back. “Suck me, Delicant.” “As you command…Master.” Lowering her head as if she would fellate him, she brought her hand up before her lips made contact. She stabbed up with the pointed end of the stick, driving it into the underside of his scrotum. Tallid screamed. She drove it in farther, pushing with all her might, then let go and fell away from him. He staggered away, his eyes wide, spittle flying from his mouth. The white stick, now coated in blood, was sticking out of his body. He didn’t pay attention to where he stumbled. When he ambled too close to Torc, it was too late. Torc wrapped his chains around the man’s throat, twisting them to wedge him against his chest. Tallid gurgled as one of his sons found his voice. “Father!” Marcheck yelped, moving toward Ailyea.
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Kallid stepped in front of Marcheck. “No.” Marcheck took one more step. Kallid blocked him. “Stupid brother of mine. Siding with the enemy.” “You go to hell.” Marcheck’s dagger gleamed silver as it plunged into Kallid’s torso. Ailyea grimaced but quickly slipped to her feet. She moved cautiously toward Tallid’s discarded robes and sword as the two brothers fought. Torc rattled the chains around Tallid. “One step closer to her, and he dies.” “He’s already dead,” Marcheck sneered. Tallid’s screams conveyed the opposite. Not that saving his life mattered to either of his sons. Torc snapped the heavy links and with them, the tormenter’s neck. Tallid’s now silent body crumpled to the damp dirt as Marcheck stabbed his brother again. Kallid collapsed too. Ailyea ran for the sword. She pulled and yanked, trying to get it out of the scabbard. She had to have a weapon. Had to protect Torc. She gave a pleased cry as it pulled free. As Marcheck turned to face her, his lip curled in amusement. “Delicant, what are you doing to do with that weapon? I know sex slaves are never allowed to have them. You don’t know how to use it.” Every pulse point in her body pounded. Her rushing blood was loud in her ears. She felt fear. Rage. Desire—love. Longing for freedom—hers and Torc’s. Her vision focused on only Marcheck. She stood and faced him, her grip tightening on the hilt. “You’ll die like your father.” “My father was a fool. He should have kept to the original plan. Killed the mercenary as soon as he brought you back and you soon thereafter.” He stalked to her, sliding his rapier from its sheath. “I know you can’t do anything with that. Drop it, and I won’t make Torc suffer. I’ll make it quick and easy for him. And for you too.” Forcing measured breaths, Ailyea raised up the sword, holding it out in front of her. She moved only her eyes in Torc’s direction. He watched, working on his bonds. Ailyea waited until Marcheck was almost to her, then jabbed with the sharp tip. He met it with the rapier. She advanced, thrusting, meeting his every stroke. “You…know how to use a weapon.” His voice quavered, stunned. “Life’s full of surprises,” Torc muttered. Did she hear pride in his voice? “Shut up, mercenary.” Marcheck concentrated, backing Ailyea up slightly. “You aren’t that good, my little whore Delicant.” “But I am.” Torc wrapped his hands in the chains as Ailyea panted, trying to keep her strokes quick and accurate.
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Marcheck snorted. “I doubt a halfwit, half-soul bastard could best me.” “Let’s say we find out.” “Oh, we shall.” Marcheck sounded too confident. “I’ll finish you off after I warm up on her.” Torc strained his muscles, pulling the chain mounts from the walls. Marcheck’s eyes widened, his confidence waning. “No. You’re shackled. You can’t be free.” “Like I said, life’s full of surprises.” With a snap of Torc’s wrist Marcheck lay dead between him and Ailyea. They stared at each other in silence. Her eyes were wide and round and her skin was flushed with her exertion. Her parted lips drew in panted breaths. Gods, he ached to move the wayward strands of hair away from her face, fist them in his hand and kiss her. He lifted his hand and the links weighing his arms rattled. “Hello, Ailyea.” Her gaze went to his chained wrist. “We need to get those off you.” A tic beat in Torc’s jaw, and his chest heaved. He was swelling with pride. Pride for Ailyea. She had chosen to act. She had acted freely and… His heart swelled even more. He worked his tightened throat. She had chosen to save him. “The key is around his throat. Inside the talisman.” He rasped the words. She dropped the sword and scrambled over to Tallid’s body. She popped open the pendant with her thumbnail and lifted out the heavy key. Moving to his side, she fitted it into the shackle around his throat first. She leaned close, her breasts brushing against his chest. He closed his eyes and inhaled her sweetness deep into his lungs. He couldn’t get over it. He wanted nothing more than to hold her. She’d come such a long way. She’d made a choice. She’d acted. If she had the choice, would she choose to stay with him? He closed his eyes. If only it were possible for him to have a woman—to have Ailyea. As a free woman. An equal. As she was now—that was how he wanted her. Forever. Now he knew she could make it on her own. Seeing her standing up to Tallid had shown him how much she had to look forward to in her new life with her grandmother, and he was so relieved. Ailyea released his hands. The chains fell to the hard earth. The rattle of the links and the final clank of the shackles echoed. Torc sucked in a breath as the cool air stung the raw skin. Ailyea’s small white teeth tugged on her lip. She reached out and caressed the wounds. Her fingers timidly touched the torn flesh on his chest. His large hands covered hers, stilling them. His heart had never pounded so hard. “You’re free…Torc.” She met his eyes and smiled, her lower lip quivering. His knees nearly buckled. Torc. She’d called him Torc. “So are you, Ailyea.” He returned the smile. He wanted to take her in his arms and squeeze her. Hold her forever. But he didn’t. He was a bloody mess. Filthy. Smelled too. 189
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Her eyes moved away, surveyed the floor, the bodies. “Should we do something—” “No.” He cut her off. “Leave them.” The pit stank of death. The corpses would be recovered soon enough. This hadn’t been the first time the chamber had been used for torture. Servants would be coming to retrieve a body, to hose it out. And with Tallid and his sons gone, hopefully there’d be no more bodies. Ever. She clasped his fingers. “All right then. Let’s get you cleaned up.” He hesitated, but she tugged him forward. “Come with me.” He recalled the first time they met, and he was wounded. How she would not move to help him on her own. A half smile tugged at his lips as she pulled again, taking charge of his care. Knowing the Rendorians could arrive at any moment, he followed, helpless to do otherwise. His freedom was worth risking for a little more time with her.
***** Torc hung back in the shadows while Ailyea fussed at the servants to move faster. They filled the bath and dressed her in a gown as she spoke. Another grin tugged at his lips as he watched her giving orders—orders. Ushering the servants out, Ailyea poured some scented salts into the water and tugged him forward. “I’ll bathe you. And then I’ll see to your wounds.” “Thank you.” She ripped off the shredded rag that used to be his shirt. “You are always so polite. Please. Sorry. Thank you.” Grinning, she stepped back, reaching for his pants. She slid the torn pants down his hips. Her fingers skimmed his flesh and his cock sprang free. His balls clenched and need surged. Her lips brushed above a nasty wound in his side. Another wound, another kiss. This one on his right hip. He hardened more. “You’re a mess. Climb into the tub, I’ll bathe you.” A mess didn’t describe him. Neither did a wreck. “You don’t have to—” She placed her fingers over his lips and gave him a commanding look. He climbed in with a sigh. The water was steamy hot. He sighed. The only thing that would ever feel better was Ailyea’s soft body. Her touch. Her need. His cock twitched below the surface. “Close your eyes,” she ordered. She didn’t need to. His eyes had already drifted shut as her fingers ran through his hair. He could not stop the moans as she washed it. “Do you like that?” She kissed his cheek. “Yes.” His eyes opened to gaze into her sparkling eyes. The familiar metallic hue glowed brightly. His chest tightened. Hades… What had he done? He caught her hands. “I can finish.” 190
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She plopped down on her bottom on the side of the giant tub and watched him. His hands trembled as he washed. “You made me proud, lady.” He swallowed, preparing to stand. “So now I’m lady again?” He reached out, only to pull his hand back. What could he say? It was over. She was free. Ailyea licked her lips, leaning over, releasing the drains. “Stand up. Let’s rinse you off, and then I’m going to dry you. And do you know what I’m going to do to you once I see to your wounds?” Her voice a seductive whisper. The look in her eyes made his toes curl. He pushed to his feet and she sprayed him down. He couldn’t get the towel around himself fast enough. “What, lady?” It didn’t do any good. His cock stood out, aching. “It’s Ailyea to you and I’m going to make love to you.” “I…Ailyea…I…” She pressed her fingers to his lips. “Go sit on the bed…Torc.” He glared. Moving out of the bathroom, Ailyea clicked her tongue with a grin, ushering him over to the giant bed. He sat. His body ached. He’d slept some during his captivity, which allowed him to store energy, making him able to achieve the minimal amount of healing with no nourishment. It helped replace the blood he’d lost. He enjoyed watching Ailyea’s nipples pucker under her gown. Torc’s lashes lowered. “Your wounds don’t look too bad cleaned up.” He winced at the sting of the ointment she used. “They’ve had some time to heal.” “You were so good to me.” She wiped her hands and settled in his lap. She ran her fingers through his hair, working the tangles free. He swallowed. “I’m glad things have worked out for you.” Ailyea’s lips brushed his earlobe and nuzzled his neck. She cradled his face in her hands. “You were so patient and did so much to help me. I’ll never forget that. Ever.” He closed his eyes. Hades. He didn’t want her to feel as if she owed him anything. “It’s all right, lady. I did what needed to be done.” He shrugged a shoulder and tried to ease her from his lap. “No.” She kissed him on the mouth, sucking his lower lip into her mouth until his cock throbbed with the rhythm. Torc groaned. “No, Torc. You…” Her voice grew softer. “You are a keeper.” He ached even more. He was glad to see she had changed, but this—no. He had to leave. His kind were outcasts and he had a price on his head. Her grandmother could offer her the universe. 191
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His heart thumped remembering the baby she carried. She’d care about it. Like she did her Lucent. She wouldn’t allow it to be taken away, and if the child was female… A tic beat in his jaw. “What is it?” Ailyea nipped his shoulder. He looked away and then back at her. “You’re pregnant.” She gasped, scrambling off his lap, yanking up her grown and layers upon layers of underclothing. “Oh gods, help get these off me!” His lips curled in a smile as he ripped her gown, along with the other bindings, up the center. Ailyea drew in a deep breath and cupped her belly. “I thought I was getting fat!” Her smile spread across her face, engaging him. He hadn’t noticed her gaining any weight, but he looked closely, and she had. She’d been filling out all over. He grunted as she slid back into his lap. This time her thighs cradled his hips. He glanced down at her belly and sex, now resting against his cock. Only the towel held him back. He pulsed against her. Moaning, Ailyea rocked along the hard ridge of his cock. “You’ve given me a baby.” Grasping her hips, he swallowed. “I thought…I thought it could have been someone else.” She shook her head. “Oh no. My masters always made me take birth control to prevent pregnancy. Delicants aren’t allowed to conceive. No master wants the shame of one bearing his child. As if a master would acknowledge or buy a child’s freedom. It would become a slave.” She kissed his mouth. “But you, Torc. You fucked me and fucked me… You would have bought the child’s freedom. You would have claimed it. I know it.” He groaned as she shifted hard against him. “You will claim our baby, won’t you?” He shuddered. “Gods, I love it when you do that. You are so big and strong, but so—caring.” Eyes closed, he swallowed. Hades, she wasn’t making this easy. He wasn’t good enough for her. She had the universe at her fingertips. “You’ll claim us, won’t you?” She pressed her lips to his. His heart palpitated and clenched. His, the child was his. Even more, she wanted him to claim them. A longing heat blazed through him. Hungry emotions made him feast on her mouth. Ailyea pulled her mouth away from him as the doors burst open and palace guards led the way, stepping aside to reveal Ailyea’s grandmother. Torc clenched his teeth. He’d known it was over.
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Chapter Twenty-Four “Ailyea, what is going on?” Queen Bianna put her hands on her hips, her face pinched and stern. Ailyea stood in front of Torc, standing firm against his nudges to get her to change position, to put himself in front of the invaders. The Captain of the guard pointed his staff. “Get out of the way, Princess.” “No. Grand-mere, call off the guards.” “Ailyea! He’s a dangerous criminal.” Her eyes narrowed to slits. “He is not! Call off the guards, Grand-mere.” Queen Bianna sighed. “Stand down, Rendig.” “But, my Queen.” The Captain’s gaze darted from Torc to the monarch. “Stand down.” “Yes, my lady.” He lowered the staff. “Grand-mere, we need to talk. In private.” Ailyea glared at everyone else. Her hands fisted at her sides. She would not back down on this. Grand-mere nodded and dismissed the palace guards. The Captain was the only one who refused to leave. “You are a stubborn man,” the monarch muttered. “No more stubborn than you, my Queen. I must protect you.” Rendig eyed Ailyea and Torc as if he expected them to attack at any second. “Fine. Now Ailyea, what is this about? Tallid and all his sons are missing.” She waved a bejeweled hand toward Torc. “Tell him to put something on besides that towel.” Her spine stiffened at her grand-mere’s inability to address Torc directly. But Ailyea picked up a red silk robe and tossed it to Torc, who after giving it a look, shrugged it on. She slipped into a blue one. “Grand-mere, I…have something to tell you.” Sweat coated her palms. “Go ahead, my child.” “My cousins, Tallid and his sons, are dead. They’ve been keeping me locked in their quarters not to heal me, but to control me.” After a breath, her voice grew stronger. “I was raised as a sex slave, Grand-mere. They wanted me to be submissive to them. Service them. Use me to take over the throne.” “No…that can’t be.” The Queen gasped, sinking into a chair. Rendig moved by her side, his hand going to her shoulder. “They were loyal to me…”
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Ailyea pressed her fingers to her lips, releasing a deep breath. “It’s true. Torc, tell Grand-mere where you’ve been all this time.” “I thought he’d left after dropping you off? He was well paid for his services.” Grand-mere’s eyes narrowed again. Torc hesitated and then spoke. “They held me down in the pit. I’m a wanted man. They were going to turn me over to the Rendorians for the price on my head.” “And you killed them?” Rendig’s eyes glittered with something like appreciation. “Yes. All but Kallid, who was killed by his brother trying to defend us.” Torc spoke without moving a muscle. “Grand-mere, they were after your throne and thought they could control me to get it.” “They were going to kill her. Until they learned how easily she could be controlled.” A tic was beating in Torc’s jaw. She moved closer to him, waiting to comfort him—or herself. She was unsure of which. “Then I owe you, Torc.” Queen Bianna nodded, new awareness laced with doubt showing in her eyes. “For rescuing my granddaughter, I will see you richly rewarded before you go.” “I don’t want a reward or payment.” “There’s more, Grand-mere.” “More?” Her voice sharpened with agitation. “I’m pregnant with Torc’s child.” “What?” the Queen yelped, her eyes widening and her hand coming up to cover her heart. “It’s true. I carry his child.” She caressed her belly. Her lip curled. “He’s a Zorgian, Ailyea. A Zorgian! A Feeder! You can’t mean to take him as your husband. You are of royal blood.” “I’ll be leaving, Queen Bianna.” Torc bowed, rose and took a step back. “Oh no, he won’t!” Ailyea’s voice snapped like a raging volcano. Torc stopped, looking at her with a searching gaze. “Grand-mere, if he leaves, I’ll go with him. I will go wherever he is. Wherever he wants me to.” She held Torc’s gaze, willing him to wait. He had to know how important he’d become to her. How valuable. And if he left, he’d be lost to her. “But…but…I got you back. After so many years.” Ailyea took her grand-mere’s hands in hers. “I want to stay. And be with you. But I’ll go with Torc if you make him leave. I won’t be separated from him.” The Queen sighed. “You mean this, don’t you?” “Yes. I do.” The Queen’s gaze moved to Torc. “Torc the Zorgian, please approach.”
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He took his time coming up to her. Towering over them both, strong and proud. Rendig’s grip tightened on his staff, but he made no move to stop him. “Torc, I would ask you to stay in my kingdom. With my granddaughter.” Before he could answer, the door opened to reveal the second-in-command. “My Queen, excuse my interruption. Those you talked to earlier have arrived.” “Ah. Please show them in.” The man bowed and exited. “Who’s here?” Worry fluttered in Ailyea’s stomach. “You shall find out soon enough. Torc, please think about all I said. I’ll leave you two alone for a few minutes. I think you have things to work out.” Ailyea bowed to her grand-mere and watched the Queen and Rendig exit the room. She’d stood up to her grand-mere. She could hardly believe it. Now how would she convince Torc she would never let him go? No sooner had the Queen left them than the Rendorians burst in the room. Torc snarled, this time pushing Ailyea behind him. The old bitch knew a patrol had arrived for him. A surprise, his ass. “I’ve seen him!” Ailyea gasped from where she was peeking out from around him. “What?” And why wasn’t she hiding? What if a laser blast hit her? “You! I’ve seen you before.” She brushed past Torc’s arm. He gritted his teeth. At the moment, he’d enjoy a little of the old Ailyea. Torc pulled her protectively under his arm. She pressed into his side, clasping his arm and holding him close. “You watched us at the club.” A low warning growl rumbled from his chest. The dance club. Something had caught her attention and he’d blown it off. Ailyea squeezed his arm. The leader, a lieutenant in a gray flight suit, stepped forward, addressing the men with him. “Leave us. I can handle this.” The soldiers grumbled but did as ordered. The leader removed his glasses, revealing blue eyes with a metallic glow, and nodded. “You’ve got quite a memory, miss. My name is Vintar and I’m a lieutenant with the Rendorians’ seventh quadrant.” Seventh quadrant. Hades. That was the quadrant his “shadow” belonged to. Torc’s heart thumped heavily in his chest. Could Ailyea hear it from where she stood tucked up against him? She showed no sign she did. He inspected the newcomer. His eyes were so much like his own, as well as his black hair and height. The similarities puzzled him. 195
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“As I have informed Queen Bianna, my rank is the only thing about me that is Rendorian. I am of Zorg by birth, second child to Odyar and Seren.” Torc stiffened at the names. A smirk appeared on Vintar’s face as he continued, “And you,” he moved in front of Torc, “are the fourth child of Odyar and Seren, making you…my brother.” Torc’s heart felt like it physically stopped. He had to force breath into his lungs. Ailyea’s hands caressed his chest and back, jumpstarting his thoughts as well as his blood circulation. “You’ve been following me.” “I’ve been trying to catch you. When I finally got a confirmation you were my brother—the telecommunications to your ship bounced back.” He shrugged a shoulder. “I—we—have been searching for you. When my Captain gave me the heads-up on your capture, I intervened.” Torc grunted. Disbelief surged through him. “The others?” he rasped, finding his voice. “Jasha is a police officer like me. Larissa…” Sadness reflected in Vintar’s eyes. He shook his head. “We assume she’s dead like our parents. Kyrand…is a universal solider.” Ailyea gasped. He rubbed her hand thinking the same thing she had to be. A universal soldier volunteered to be mentally deprogrammed—they had no emotions and no feelings. They walked alone as killing machines. “You’re free, Torc. I’ll see to it.” A grin tugged at Vintar’s mouth. “Why don’t you let your mate claim you, and then we can play catch-up?” Torc’s brows furrowed, trying to understand. Claim him? Vintar winked at Ailyea. “My little brother doesn’t know Zorgian mating rituals.” He tilted his head at Torc. “When we first join with our mates, they claim our souls. To complete the ritual, they must return them by feeding from us during sex.” His mouth turned up in a half smile. “In the same fashion you transferred your soul to her.” He hadn’t known she’d been taking his soul piece by piece while they’d fucked. He grunted. She’d been as eager for his fangs as she’d been for his cock. Ailyea pressed into him and tightly wrapped her arm around him. She kissed his shoulder. He shuddered as he felt fangs scraping his skin. His cock grew heavy. Hades. He’d had no clue. When had she developed fangs? “Our mates are predestined, Torc, and we have only one.” He moaned. Predestined. He looked at Ailyea. The emotion in her eyes made his heart leap in his throat and his gut coil. She was his. Vintar clapped Torc on the shoulder, then moved to leave. He turned back at the door. “Torc, Jasha isn’t like me at all. He’s hard. You broke universal laws. He won’t forgive easily.” Torc nodded.
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“It won’t be easy, the higher-ups will see to that, but I have my own strings to pull. Claim your mate while I at least get things started on clearing your name. Then we’ll talk more.” With another wink at Ailyea, he closed the door behind him. Ailyea watched as the man who looked so much like Torc left them alone. Funny, but he didn’t stir her the way Torc did. She didn’t feel him the way she did Torc. Maybe that she held Torc’s soul in her body made it different. She didn’t know. Nor did she care. Her eyes turned to her mate. Her mate. She belonged to him in a way that transcended papers and titles. And it made her feel freer. She leaned back on her heels, staring at him, taking in every muscled nuance of his body. His eyes met hers, and it pulsed all the way to her grelho. “So…” She started at the same time he was saying, “Well…” She laughed, tossing her hair back. “You first.” “No. You.” “Are you okay?” Torc’s hands clenched, his eyes closing, and Ailyea went to his side, wrapping her arms around him. He leaned into the comfort she offered. “I’m okay.” The deepness of his voice resonated against her ear. Holding him, she sighed until he pulled away. She bit her lip, immediately missing the touch of their bodies. His pulling back couldn’t be good. She would not let him run from what they had. “We could leave, Torc. Go away from here.” He shook his head. “I can’t take you away from what you have here.” She smiled a half smile. “I guess we both had family we didn’t know about.” “I guess we did.” Torc shook his head and reached out a hand as if to touch her hair but jerked his hand back. “I’m ready to claim you,” she blurted out, wincing as she said it. Old habits would be as hard to break as Martoss stones. It would be a while before she could speak her mind without cringing. But as she read in the flat color of his eyes, he’d help her get there. Just like he already had. Her heart swelled with emotion and love for a man who used her as the slave she’d been brought up to be. Instead, he’d seen down to her true nature and encouraged it out into the light where it could grow. “Lady…” “Ailyea,” she corrected. “Ailyea.” He swallowed, and walked away, putting his palms on the back of a chair. “I’m not…I’m not the one you need in your life. You’re a princess.” “So?” “I’m…Zorgian.” “So?”
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“So women like you don’t mate—with men like me. Dammit! I know no more about what I am than you do.” His knuckles whitened from gripping the chair. She took a breath. Summoned everything she had inside. She had to have him—her training be damned, she would let him know that. “I know more then enough. We’ll find out the rest together.” Walking across the floor, she stopped beside him and put her hands on his. “This woman wants to mate with you. Not a man like you, but you. You loved me when I had nothing. That won’t change because I have something.” “But—” She slipped between his arms and placed her mouth on his, silencing his protest. Her tongue traced the seam of his lips, taking its time. She shrugged off her robe. “Ailyea…” he murmured. “This…you don’t need me.” She slid her mouth against his, probing. “Oh, but you’re wrong. I need you to fill me.” She nipped at his mouth. “I need you to lick me.” Her tongue darted out, lapping, earning a groan from him. “I need you to make me come.” She rocked her hips against his. “And most of all, I need you to love me.” She held his gaze. Her own heart beating faster than it had ever before. “To make fucking…more than fucking.” He groaned. Ailyea enjoyed the tremor in his body. “Your brother said your mate was predestined, and you only had one?” He nodded, his mouth moving against her lips. He hadn’t pushed her away yet. She saw that as a good sign. Maybe he wouldn’t fight her on this. “And I’m her.” “Yes. But I… Don’t do this just because of that.” His voice was rougher than she’d ever heard it. “Oh, I’m not.” She caressed his jaw with her fingertips. He pulled back from her slightly, still resting his hands on the chair, arms on either side of her. “Then why? Why are you doing this?” So maybe he would fight her. But she’d win. She had to win. “Because I want to be with you. Not because I have to be or because you bought me. But because I want to be. And you want me not because I’m a possession to you, but because you love me. Like I love you.” All the thoughts she’d had for so long but had no idea how to express were just spilling out of her mouth like water over a falls. He inhaled noisily and she ran her hands down the planes of his chest, sliding aside the silken robe. She placed a kiss in the center and laved a path down to his nipple. “You want to be with me, don’t you?” Closing his eyes, Torc let out a moan. “I do. But…” “I choose you above all this. Now it’s time for you to choose what you want. No more buts.” She kissed him as if she were trying to get inside his body. When her body
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skimmed against his, they both groaned. “Except this perfect one,” she said as she cupped his ass in her hands. “Please choose me, Torc.” He pulled his lips from hers, tousling his hand in her hair. “Are you sure?” “I’ve never been surer of anything in my life.” His mouth went back to pleasuring hers as she pushed the robe off his body, impatient to get to the skin underneath. He let out a deep throaty chuckle as he swung the chair around, plopping in it. “That is a nice sound.” Ailyea gazed down at her man, sitting, cacete swollen and outstretched from his body. She clenched her thighs. His nostrils flared. He’d caught the scent of her arousal. She’d been wet since the bath and finding out she was his mate had made it heavier. The man she loved and wanted belonged with her. An incredible aphrodisiac. Torc reached out and palmed a breast. His thumb grazed a nipple, hardening it more. Her muscles clenched tighter in need of him. She moved forward, straddling his lap, her long legs wrapping around him. “Ailyea?” His voice came out strangled. “I need you now.” She wanted no foreplay—didn’t need it. She just needed him, beyond anything else she’d ever known. Pulling on the back of the chair she raised herself up. He steadied her as she impaled herself on his cacete. They both moaned as he slid into the warm moist depths of her chochota. His hands on her hips helped her to move up and down and create a steady rhythm, which had them both panting after only a few strokes. “So wet.” “You caused it. You’re so hard.” She’d never had anything this hard, this good. They were meant to be, like two old trees that grew together to finally form one. Only together were they complete. He grunted as she clenched her walls around him. His hands cupped her ass as she rode him. One finger slid around and touched her anus until the puckered skin softened and accepted him. She threw her head back as he breached her there with his finger, wiggling, igniting pleasure points. Her world spiraled into the cosmos and came back down as she shrieked her pleasure. She lowered her head to his shoulder, breathing heavy. She scraped her newly discovered fangs over the rapid pulse in his throat, causing him to jerk…sending him deeper. His grip bruised her hips. She didn’t give him a warning, just sank her fangs in, feeding. Her pleasure pulsed as she pushed it at him, rocking her hips to her mouth’s sucking rhythm. Skin to skin, heart to heart, soul to soul… Heat and bliss swirled. She clung to him as he shuddered and groaned in desperation. She moaned as her pussy and fangs sucked at him, drawing all he had to give her and giving in return. He could feel all of her emotions
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along with his as he went crashing over the edge. Moaning, she clung to him, wanting even more. “Ah Ailyea…” On and on his hips rocked as he climaxed, his hot seed spurting into her, his climax pushing her own further and further into bliss. Her body pulsed with pleasure. He jerked for several minutes as the pleasure continued to overtake him while she fed. She let go of his skin, licking to heal it, staying on him until his orgasm finished. “I’ve never been fed from. My gods,” he managed to gasp after a minute of rest. She lifted her head to look at his eyes. They swirled, their metallic hue shining brightly again. She’d given him back his soul. Claimed him as hers. She felt so complete, so whole, so free. She’d spend the rest of her life giving back to him all he’d given her—especially love. Smiling, she murmured, “I’d never fed from anyone. But anytime, my lover. Anytime.” His hand roamed around to her tummy. Covered it with the warmth of his touch. Her hand came to cover his. His child. She had his child in her belly. They were irrevocably joined. By fates. And by each other. “We still have to work…” She silenced him with her mouth. “We will. We’ll work it out. But you are mine, Torc the Zorgian. And I will never give you up.”
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Epilogue Torc clenched his fists as he watched his daughter toddle around the outdoor playroom. He hated the toys Ailyea insisted Briela climb on. What if she broke an arm or her neck? Hades… She hadn’t been walking long enough to be doing these stunts. He scooped up the giggling little girl accompanied by the humming Lucent, Pequeno, only to have his mate take her from him, handing them off to a caregiver. “Watch her carefully,” she commanded. Then, coyly, Ailyea clasped his hand, pulling him along into their chamber in the palace. He grinned, knowing what she wanted. Him. These days, Princess Ailyea kept busy trying to improve civil rights for Delicants and other slaves, while his job was to protect her and Briela. He couldn’t be happier. “Strip and lie down.” She leaned into him, her mouth pressing into his shoulder. Fangs scraped, and her tongue flicked over the tiny pricks. He moaned, clasped her hips, but she stepped out of his reach. “We don’t have much time.” She caught her lip between her teeth before asking, “Would you like for me to strip for you…Master?” He grunted at the term she playfully called him every so often, giving her a nod as he removed his clothing and settled on the bed. He enjoyed watching her remove her garments, piece by piece. Her beauty took his breath away. Always had. Always would. Ailyea licked her lips and ran her hands over her desire-flushed skin. “May I tie you up and lick you all over?” His nostrils flared and his erection lengthened. “Anything, my lady, but remember Jasha will be arriving…” He trailed off as she moved to tie his right foot and then his left. Her perfect breasts bounced as she leaned over. “I’ll leave your hands free.” Voice husky, she crawled up the bed between his legs. She placed heated kisses along his thighs, her fangs scraping here and there. His hands fisting in the coverlet as his balls tightened, he didn’t take his eyes from her. Her head dipped, allowing her to suck the right side of his sac into her mouth. He drew in a sharp breath. His muscles tightened as electricity skittered over his skin, and
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heat surged to his cock. Groaning, he enjoyed the same needy pleasure when she sucked the left side. “Master, your cacete looks as hard as a Martoss stone. Is it?” His cock pulsed as if it knew it had been mentioned, earning a seductive smile from Ailyea. “It looks as if it wants my attention too. Tell me to suck you.” Torc shuddered. Hades. She knew what she did to him. And she liked for him to dominate her. While in public, he stood a half a step behind her. In private, he lived to make her whimper with need, plead for more and scream in pleasure. Whatever she wanted from him, he gave. It would be returned. “Come here, mate,” he ordered, sitting up. He sucked in a breath as she crawled up him, her breasts brushing his engorged cock. “What I want is for you to kiss me.” Clinging to one shoulder, she surrounded the girth of his cock in her hand and stroked up, her palm moving over its swelled head, caressing, spreading the bead of moisture that glistened on its tip. Then she slid her hand back down his shaft. His balls clenched. He lengthened as hot blood surged beneath the flesh in her hand. He clenched his jaw, his lips firm against the heat coiling in his gut wanting to erupt. He focused on her lips, which toyed with his. Her mouth was wet, beckoning entrance. She loved to kiss. He lasted only a moment before his mouth opened fully for her assault. She teased him with her flirting tongue while continuing to stroke his cock. Her mouth was hot, palm firm, both demanding and giving. Her fangs scraped at his tongue. He groaned. Hades… Her fangs made him burn hotter. Ailyea knew it. He trembled at her touch. Her taste. It took everything he had not to impale her, filling her hot depths. Instead, he eased her down on his cock impossibly slowly. Reveling in the feel of her wet pussy encasing him, he leaned his head back, offering what she’d want next. Her soft body caressed him, grinding him within her depth until he couldn’t breathe or think straight. He moaned as her fangs scraped his neck. Do it, he silently pleaded. Torc grasped her hips, taking control. He’d come so hard if she fed from him. They’d fly so deep together, joined, one body, one soul, one pleasure, caving in on one another. It was so encompassing it almost frightened him. He was addicted and craved their unions as much as she did. “Torc…”
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“Not yet…” He swallowed, knowing she wanted him to order her to take him. He would, too. Soon he wouldn’t be able to wait any longer. “Master…” She caught his earlobe between her teeth, and then licked it. “We’re going to make another baby when we come. I know it.” He shuddered. Stopping their movements, feeling their pulses beating a rhythm together, he gazed into her eyes. He trembled, causing her to laugh huskily. Ailyea could be right. Probably was. When she claimed him, she claimed his soul, taking all he had to offer her, including his powers. She still had much to learn, but sometimes she knew things like he did. Her hot pussy clenched wetly around his rigid aching cock as she nuzzled his ear. “Ailyea…” “What?” Her fangs scraped his throat under his right ear. His palms rocked her hips, her pussy sucking his cock. Torc groaned. “What?” her voice was tight, her breathing harsh. She nipped harder. “Fuck me. Claim me,” he commanded between clenched teeth. He was going to come hard…from the pleasure of her. He couldn’t wait any longer to travel into the abyss. With her. “Oh…” Her pussy tightened, sliding along his cock, building friction. “Yes, Master Torc,” she breathed. Lowering her head, she sank her fangs. Torc growled his pleasure as they burst together. On and on the pulsations rocketed them until Ailyea lay limp against him. Her tongue licked him as her head rolled back, only to have him support her. He chuckled, placing a kiss on her mouth. Ailyea smiled. “Have I pleased you?” “Always.” His voice was gruff. She’d been pleasing him since they’d met. He kissed his salvation.
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About the Author Once upon a time, two little girls grew up hundreds of miles apart. They lived, they loved and especially, they read. Reading led them to finding each other and discovering a mutual love of writing. We are two lucky people who have found a best friend and a wonderful writing partner online. We met writing fan-fiction and discovered a common bond in writing engaging characters. It wasn’t long before we were branching off from each other’s stories. We wrote together quite creatively, naturally, and sensually. We understood one another, we clicked. Not only do we have a lot in common, we aren’t afraid to criticize, guide and push each other. It seemed natural that we could take our association out of role-play and heat up the romance genre. Melany Logen, an award-winning author, was born. Melany welcomes comments from readers. You can find her website and email address on her author bio page at www.ellorascave.com.
Discover for yourself why readers can’t get enough of the multiple award-winning publisher Ellora’s Cave. Whether you prefer e-books or paperbacks, be sure to visit EC on the web at www.ellorascave.com for an erotic reading experience that will leave you breathless.
www.ellorascave.com