Captor, p.25
Captor, page 25
Rykane moved in front of me. “No.” His eyes reflected pain, his expression more emotional than I’d seen before.
“We need to find them quickly.” I wasted no time, moving into the denseness of the forest. It was obvious they were attempting to retrace their steps, taking both Sasha and Kierling to their awaiting ship. If they managed to get on, the only recourse would be to blow the battleship out of the sky. That couldn’t happen.
With only twenty soldiers by my side, Rykane and I moved in formation. After a few hundred yards, I sent the others to either side, only Rykane remaining with me. Only minutes later, I detected a scent. “The Skotors.”
“They wasted no time.”
We moved with stealth through the thickest part of the forest. Moments later, we were confronted with a tigran.
“Allow me the honor,” Rykane snarled as he wielded his sword, taking on the great beast. With Rykane’s increasing anger, the creature didn’t stand a chance.
However, the stench of blood in the air was strong. I could hear additional rustling all around us. It was only a matter of time before we’d be confronted by additional beasts.
I pushed my way through the underbrush, using my sword to cut a path. A strange sound caught my attention. I stopped short, tipping my head.
Then I heard it. While subtle, there was no doubt what I was hearing.
Sasha’s cry for help.
Nothing would keep me from getting to her.
Over the course of the next few Earth minutes, I roared through the trees, ignoring any other signs of danger. An additional explosion could be heard in the distance. Then a flash of bright light pulsed all around us.
Rykane moved beside me, taking gasping breaths. “Our assistance has arrived. They’re eliminating the other ships.”
“It would seem you are correct.”
He took off again before me, the advance forced to slow given the vicious terrain.
Then I heard another sound and jerked to a stop. Lasers were being armed.
“The great King Krakar. We meet again, only this time in person.” Prekaria stood in all his trumped-up glory, holding court in front of at least thirty of his men. He had his reptilian arm around Sasha’s neck, holding her close.
Kierling was being held by another, constantly taunted by the beast’s long tongue. She squealed as soon as she noticed Rykane.
My second in command charged forward, stopping only when a laser was pointed directly at Kierling’s head.
“I wouldn’t do that, great king.” Prekaria was pleased with himself, acting as if he was king of my lands.
I shifted my sword from one hand to the other, surveying the situation. Even with my other warriors, we were outnumbered. Any false move and the two females would be damaged or worse.
“What do you want, Prekaria?” I asked, hissing.
“It’s not what I want, Krakar. It’s what I’m going to take. Your days of ruling this planet are over. As a prize for my efforts, I’m going to make this beautiful human my pet. She will serve and please me until her body gives out. Won’t you?” When he dragged his tongue down the side of her face, I almost lost it, but managed to keep control.
She grabbed his arm, struggling in his hold. I weighed the odds, trying to determine what I could do.
“I suggest you put your weapons down or you’ll watch as I indulge in tasting her,” Prekaria continued.
I took a deep whiff, almost laughing. I knew the stench better than most. It was one I would never forget. This hand of poker had to be well played.
After giving Rykane a look, one he knew well, I started to lower my weapon just as the reptile had required. Then I charged forward.
I heard the odd buzzing as the insects moved in from the trees, the Skotor soldiers surrounding Prekaria’s warriors, leaving Rykane and me clear access to handling Prekaria and the other reptile holding Kierling in his slimy clutches.
Another explosion rocked the area, the force knocking us to the ground. As debris flew, I growled in order to get the attention of every other female, sweeping my arm toward safety. Using the smoke as cover, they rushed into the protection of the trees.
Prekaria anticipated my advance, tossing Sasha aside, the other Zatan warrior doing the same with Kierling.
I threw Sasha a look, ensuring she hadn’t been injured.
Then I attacked.
I advanced toward Prekaria, swinging my sword. When he prepared to fire, I lunged forward, knocking him to the ground. As we rolled, he lost his grip on the laser. After issuing a hard kick to my gut, he managed to get to his feet, lunging toward his weapon. I threw myself on top, wrestling him to the ground. At this point, my sword wouldn’t be as useful. Then again, I was enjoying pummeling his ugly face with my naked fist, getting off several shots.
When he finally managed to retaliate, pitching himself several yards away, I raised my sword, preparing to end him.
But he had a hidden weapon. When he spun around to face me, he pointed it toward Sasha.
“I suggest you stop,” he snarled.
I threw Sasha a look, our eyes locked together for a few precious seconds. When she smiled, I made my move.
With one long lunge forward, I swung my sword. Out of the corner of my eye, I could tell Sasha had grabbed Kierling, yanking them both to the ground.
Just as Prekaria got off a single blast, destroying one of the majestic trees.
When he realized he’d missed, he was quick to react, pointing the barrel toward them once again. That was all the time I needed to react. Using all the pent-up rage I’d had over the years, I swung the sword.
The sound was clean, only a light whooshing floating through the air.
And as Prekaria’s body slowly began to slide to the ground, his head became detached, tumbling in front of him.
There was no time to revel in my action. I turned quickly, preparing to help Rykane, but there’d been no need. The other Zatan was already dead.
I took several gasping breaths, turning in a full circle and ensuring that the Skotors had kept the promise made by their king.
Trust.
I’d never learned the concept, mostly because my father had refused to trust anyone in his life.
Including his own son.
I’d taken a significant chance in believing that President Brandon would heed my veiled conversation, understanding my needs as well as the gift I’d sent him in unveiling his betrayer.
He had.
As another pop of color flashed in the sky, I became more confident than ever the Zatan ships were being vaporized.
After giving my second in command and my best friend a nod, I rushed toward Sasha, gathering her into my arms.
She pressed her palms against me, and I noticed the trickle of blood. She followed my gaze, offering a slight smile.
“I thought you could use a trail to follow.”
As I crushed my mouth over hers, pulling her against my chest, I knew in my heart that this feisty human woman was the only creature who could tolerate a beast like me.
* * *
Sasha
“I think I see green sky,” Kierling commented, her gaze remaining on the strange clouds that had formed sometime during the night.
“I think that’s called wishful thinking. The uranium can’t work that quickly, at least according to my father.” I laughed given her eagerness, but there was the same near joy coming from every Dragonian given what they’d been told. Within six months, perhaps less, their atmosphere would be close to normal.
My father had indeed followed everything he’d heard from Krakar, arresting the prime minister and temporarily shutting down the lottery system with plans to overhaul how it was handled. The Skotors had spent time scouring the dark zone, cleaning up the remaining Zatan warriors.
Meanwhile, Krakar had kept his end of the deal he’d made with them as well as Earth. Mining was already in the process of happening, the minerals that would help with Earth’s crops as well as provide certain additives for cures for diseases would soon be on the way. While I didn’t understand what the Skotors needed, I knew Krakar would continue the peace.
“Maybe so, but now I have… hope,” she said brightly as she laughed. “Do you remember what you told me that day before the Zatans attacked?”
I wasn’t certain at first what she was referring to. Then I smiled. “About making love?”
She nodded several times. “Rykane came to me last night and we…”
I squeezed her arm, smiling given her level of embarrassment. “I’m so glad. I hope you will make many babies.”
“If only that were possible,” she whispered, her expression now distraught.
“It might be,” Krakar stated.
The second I heard Krakar’s voice, my pussy quivered. It was the same every time he spoke or walked into a room. Then again, the outline of his hard cock was evident far too much of the time.
“How so, Sire?” Kierling asked.
He walked closer, tangling his finger in a single lock of my hair. “In speaking with President Brandon, it would seem they might have a resolution. He’s allowed several of his scientists to work with ours. A solution is possible.”
In a rare display of affection, Kierling rushed toward him, rising onto her tiptoes and kissing his cheek. “Thank you, Sire. That’s wonderful.” Giggling, she waved to me then walked away, the girl light on her feet.
“I think you just made her day or her year,” I said wistfully.
“Perhaps so. However, I should have her punished.”
“For?” I snapped my head in his direction, ready to argue with him. I’d grown protective of her since the attack. I considered her a friend.
“It would seem that someone accessed one of the auxiliary communications systems making contact to Earth. Now, Kierling has been allowed access usually reserved for only my most trusted warriors. That makes me think she was responsible. What do you think?”
“Don’t you dare! She was trying to help me. In fact, I demanded that she do so.” I’d just told on myself. I dragged my lower lip into my mouth, giving him a pouting look.
He shook his head before gathering me into his arms. “You didn’t trust me enough to handle the situation.”
“It wasn’t about trust. It was about allowing my father to know something important.”
“Which was?”
I found it difficult to say for some crazy reason. After he’d saved my life and made me a part of his, the same churning in my stomach remained. “That I love you.”
The last hardness in his eyes softened, shimmering as he gazed down at my face. “Love is strange to me, but if it’s the kind of sensations where you are left breathless, always thinking about another, then I am in love with a very beautiful but disobedient woman. You will need to be punished.”
“I’m not certain I like the sound of that.”
“It’s what will happen, my little pet.” There was a twinkle in his eyes. Then another cloud shifted across his face. “Come with me. I want to show you something.”
“Should I be afraid?”
He laughed, the hearty sound filling the voids in my system. I was surprised when the big, bad alien took my hand into his, leading me down a pathway and away from the quarters where I’d been staying. In the week or so since the attack, he hadn’t required or encouraged me to stay with him in his suite, which troubled me more than I wanted to admit.
But he’d spent almost every night with me, our passion even more explosive than before the Zatans had attempted to abduct me.
“Your father is a very interesting man.”
“I would call him confounding.”
“A word I do not know.”
“It means he has the ability to piss me off on a regular basis.”
He chuckled again. “I would assume it is a word you’ve used for me as well.”
“May-be. Why do you call him interesting?”
“Because he has ideas for improving our crops in other ways. And because he’s recommended that the Skotors be invited to the Coalition. He was key in making certain the Zatans were tossed out, insistent in fact. He certainly cares about his daughter’s well-being.”
“That is interesting and yes, I think he does.”
We remained quiet as he led me through a series of passages. Then he turned, grinning like some kid before opening a door. I was shocked at seeing a gorgeous garden, complete with odd-looking but dazzling flowers. The dome overhead meant it had been protected from the atmosphere, allowing the foliage to thrive. The grass was a color of blue that was indescribable, and there were birds chirping in every direction. There were even garden-style benches so Dragonians could enjoy what they once had.
“This is incredible.” I waltzed inside, turning in a full circle. Then I heard a little cry. “The fawn!” I rushed toward the little creature, hunkering down.
“He is healthy as can be, his appetite enormous and he seems to like his new home.”
I hugged the delphfawn, enjoying the strange sensations of his fur. “Thank you for letting me see him.” I could tell there was much more on his mind. “What’s wrong?”
“I have something to tell you.”
I moved toward him, tilting my head. “Then tell me.”
“As you are aware, the Skotor prisoners were all released. If the call with King Centario is any indication, they are doing well.”
“Okay. Good.”
“And the serum has gone through a battery of tests.”
“I’m glad to hear that.” What was he getting at?
He took both my hands into his, squeezing my fingers. “I release you, my little pet. It will destroy me, but this isn’t your home. I’ve made arrangements for you to be given the serum later today. I would prefer you remain here for a few days to ensure there are no complications. Then I’m sending you home.”
I pulled away from his hold. Perhaps I’d been testing him, waiting to see if he would ever tell me the truth. Now I felt bad in doing so, uncertain of how to react. I could tell by the look on his face that he believed that’s exactly what I wanted, and it had been.
But no longer.
“I’ll take you back to your quarters,” he said, his tone full of dejection.
“You don’t understand.” I moved closer, pressing my hands against his chest. “This is my home now. You are my home.”
He cocked his head, giving me a hard look. “You’re certain.”
“Very. And if you’ll still have me, I will be your queen.”
A husky growl left his throat as he lifted me into the air, turning me in a full circle. When he brought me down, he cupped the side of my face. “My queen. Dragonia will be a better place with you by my side.”
As he captured my mouth, I felt the hard beating of my heart. Yes, he was my home. The kiss was soft, almost gentle, his tongue barely sweeping against mine. When he pulled away seconds later, the sparkle in his eyes was even more pronounced. “It’s time for that round of punishment I mentioned.”
There was no hesitation. He guided me toward one of the benches, plopping down and tossing me over his lap.
“That’s not fair,” I whined.
He yanked down my pants, exposing my naked bottom, slapping me four times in rapid succession. “I never said I was a fair or just king.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
As he brought his hand down several more times, I wiggled against him, taking shallow breaths as my body began to respond to his immediately. Wetness pooled between my legs, my heart racing. But in my heart, I knew I’d made the right decision. As the delphfawn whinnied in the background, all I could do was smile.
* * *
“You look incredible,” Kierling whispered then clapped her hands. Then she adjusted the strange veil for a fifth time.
“Stop fussing.” I rolled my eyes.
“You have to look perfect for your king.”
“I can’t feel my legs from the weight of all the gold.” While the beautiful dress was vibrant purple in color, I was covered in more jewels and gold than I knew existed, the weight making it difficult to walk.
She laughed, the sound happier since she and Rykane were spending more time together. “There. It’s perfect. Now your king can see you.”
“If I fall, it’s your fault.”
As she scampered out of the room, my face drooped. I’d been smiling for hours. I couldn’t take it any longer. The pomp and circumstance were driving me batty. I heard noise, lots of noise coming from outside. Whatever the Dragonian ceremony involved, it seemed there wasn’t one of them who hadn’t converged on the city.
A sudden wave of prickles danced down my spine. Krakar was near.
The sudden wafting of air made me suck in my breath. When he brushed his fingers down my arm, I shuddered.
“My beautiful queen. You look stunning.”
I glanced down at his attire and grinned. “You look like a king.” He continued to wear black, but his sash was no longer just gold, the massive piece now adorned with violet-colored jewels.
“I can’t wait to feast on you later,” he mused.
“Then let’s get this over with. Where are we going?”
“To the balcony to greet your subjects.”
“They’re not mine.” I couldn’t help but laugh.
He gave me a stern look. “I’ve yet to give you your marriage gift. That will help ease your transition. I understand that’s appropriate on Earth.”
I had no idea what to say. “I didn’t get you anything.”
Krakar simply shook his head. “Silly human.” He motioned for one of the guards to open the door. When my father walked inside, I was shocked, unable to keep a cry of glee from my voice.
“Father!”
He walked closer, pressing his hands down on his dress uniform. “And my daughter looks like a queen.” Leaning over, he kissed me on the cheek. Then he took Krakar’s hand, placing mine on top. “If you don’t treat her right, I will come for you.”
Krakar bristled until my father winked, a smile crossing his face.
“Your father is formidable,” Krakar huffed. “That’s why you are disobedient. Come. It’s time for you to meet those who will serve you.”
