Table of Contents

Title Page

Copyright

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Nineteen

Chapter Twenty

Chapter Twenty-One

Chapter Twenty-Two

Chapter Twenty-Three

Chapter Twenty-Four

Chapter Twenty-Five

Epilogue

Author’s Note

Other Titles

About the Author

Joan and the Juggernaut

Alien Abduction Book 10

Honey Phillips

Copyright © 2020 by Honey Phillips

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the author.

Disclaimer

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or people, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

Cover by Maria Spada Book Cover Design

Edited by Lindsay York at LY Publishing Services

Chapter One

Joan stood against the wall of the small dining room, watching anxiously as Overseer Ukhaan took the first bite of his meal. He grunted, and her body relaxed. It was a small sign of approval, but it meant she was unlikely to feel a blow from his enormous fist. Tonight.

The Zameetans, the race of aliens in charge of the mines of Drahana, were all large, but Ukhaan was exceptionally so. Though the majority of the guards spent hours working out, Ukhaan didn’t bother, and his stomach strained against his heavily decorated black uniform. Dark grey skin with the sickly green iridescence of an oil slick covered a wide head that sloped down into thick shoulders and a shapeless, slug-like body. But she had learned early on not to be fooled into thinking that his size made him less fast, brutal, or quick to punish.

Waiting silently, she watched him eat—a disgusting sight as he shoveled mouthfuls of food into his gaping maw. The Zameetans didn’t have teeth. Instead, they had hard ridges that ground the food between them as they chewed, a good deal escaping in the process. But despite his appalling table manners, Ukhaan had a surprisingly discerning palate. She’d gone to bed with bruises every night for the first few weeks, until she managed to figure out not only how to use the strange kitchen equipment but how he preferred his meals.

Since cooking for him was the only thing that had saved her from becoming one of the females awarded to a slave who beat his daily quota in the mine, she did her best to please him. Only the fact that his previous cook died as a result of Ukhaan’s rage just as the ship containing her and the other slaves landed had saved her from that fate.

He had stormed into the hangar where the cages were being unloaded and barked at the guard.

“I need a cook.”

The guard, a small green alien, looked nervously at his companion. “That wasn’t in the procurement request, Master Ukhaan.”

“It is now.”

The two males exchanged glances, then Ukhaan gave an inpatient grunt and began inspecting the new arrivals. On one side of the space, a large cage held a number of aliens, mostly small and inoffensive looking. The two exceptions were huge, brutal looking males confined in individual cages. Her side of the room held two other females, each of them by themselves, and a variety of smaller animals.

Ignoring the males, Ukhaan stopped at the first female’s cage.

“Can you cook?” he barked.

The thin purple female just stared up at him, her whole body trembling. He grunted and moved on, stopping in front of Joan and repeating the question.

“Yes,” she said truthfully. “I won the prize for zucchini bread at the state fair and—”

“She’ll do.”

The aliens exchanged a doubtful look. “But, sir… We were contracted to provide three female slaves for the reward system. This will leave us one short.”

“Not my problem. You’ll have to find another.” He gestured at the group of smaller males. “Or designate one of them. A lot of the miners don’t care as long as they have a hole to fuck. Now get her out of there.”

Grumbling under his breath, one of the green aliens released her. He started to put cuffs on her wrists, but Ukhaan stopped him.

“Never mind. Can’t cook with those on.”

“But, sir… What if she tries to escape?”

“Where’s she gonna go? The surface is unlivable and she doesn’t look stupid enough to prefer being a gift female. Are you stupid, girl?”

“No. Sir,” she added hastily when he glared at her.

“Good. Then as long as you can actually cook, you’ll stay out of the mines. Follow me.”

She’d been cooking for him ever since.

“Acceptable,” he said finally, pushing his plate away.

That was the most praise he ever bestowed, and she made a mental note to add this dish to the roster.

“I am expecting a guest for dinner tomorrow,” he added.

She had a hard time keeping the shock off her face. He almost never dined with anyone else. The transport supervisor came once a week to report on production levels, and a company representative came once a month, but he’d had no other visitors since she arrived.

“Yes, sir.”

“I think perhaps the geflin fish.”

She bit back a groan. The small fish required hours to clean, even to make a portion large enough for one person. “Yes, sir.”

He fastened beady little eyes on her. “This could be important for my future. Everything must be perfect.”

“Yes, sir.”

With a last glare, he nodded, then trundled out of the room. She sighed and started clearing the table. Everything had to be spotless after each meal. She wiped down his chair, polished the tabletop, and swept the floor before moving to the kitchen to continue her chores. A huge room, it contained a variety of cooking machines as well as more primitive options such as the open fire.

By the time she was through, she was exhausted. In addition to preparing three full meals a day, plus numerous snacks, she was also responsible for laundry and general housekeeping. Almost everything was either made from scratch or done by hand, and the work never seemed to end. When the kitchen was restored to its usual pristine condition, she cast a longing glance at the fire before retreating to her small room.

Like everywhere else in the mine headquarters—other than the kitchen—it was cold and damp, and she shivered as she crawled under the thin blanket without bothering to remove her dress. The shapeless garment had been in the room when she arrived, and Ukhaan hadn’t objected when she nervously started wearing it. Unfortunately, it only helped a little to stave off the cold. She’d tried sleeping in the warmth of the kitchen, but Ukhaan caught her and it had taken two weeks for the bruises to fade.

How had she ended up here, she wondered, as she did every night. How had Joan Hunter, an ordinary housewife from Topeka, Kansas, ended up as a slave to an alien mine owner?

The morning she was taken, she had been out for a reluctant jog. Her divorce was finally official, and she was determined to move on with her life, starting with an attempt to get back in shape. As she had puffed her way through the park, she caught a whiff of a horrible smell, then something sharp pricked her neck and the world went dark.

When she woke, she was naked and confined in a small cage, one of a long line of cages curving away in either direction. The cages were filled with assorted creatures, none of which she had ever seen before, in a mind-bending array of colors and scales, of claws and fangs. Her mind had been unable to process what she was seeing, and she spent the first period of her captivity huddled in the corner of her cage, trying to convince herself that it was just a horrible dream.

But then a guard showed up—a guard with blue skin and red eyes and a cruel sneer—and it became all too clear that this was her new reality. He had filled the two bowls attached to her cage with water and some type of pellets and told her to be quiet. She had obeyed. A lifetime of living with a domineering husband had taught her that it was better not to argue. And as long as she gave the appearance of obedience, she could sometimes find a way to accomplish what she wanted.

However, an alien spaceship and a guard with a shock stick were not in the same category as an arrogant but oblivious husband. Ex-husband, she reminded herself with a sigh of relief.

The next few days passed in a monotonous blur. She drank the water, forced down a handful of the tasteless pellets, and reluctantly made use of the channel of liquid flowing beneath the back of the cage that served as the only sanitary facility. A guard came by periodically to fill up her bowls. One of them usually ignored her. The other tried to provoke her with increasingly obscene or terrifying comments, but she stared at the floor and refused to answer him. It pissed him off just as much as it had pissed off Kevin. But unlike her ex-husband, while she suspected the guard wouldn’t hesitate to retaliate, her lack of response apparently wasn’t sufficient justification, and he would snarl and walk away.

She spent a lot of time thinking about what was going to happen next. It seemed fairly obvious that she was going somewhere to be sold. But where and for what purpose? Of course, the possibility that she would be sold for sex occurred to her, but she was just an ordinary person on the wrong side of thirty, not some sexy young girl like the one who had finally lured Kevin into agreeing to the divorce. If they were going to come all the way to Earth to kidnap sex slaves, she would have assumed they’d snatch someone like Mindy rather than her.

She was sitting on the floor of her cage, trying to decide if she could use the pellets the same way she would use bread and make stuffing out of them, when both her guards came rushing by.

“I don’t like this,” one complained.

“Shut up, Muu. It’s perfectly legal to sell slaves for a work contract.”

“Legal slaves,” Muu said, glancing at her.

“What? You want to change the way we do business just because the new Emperor is besotted by a former slave? The new laws won’t last.” He nudged his companion. “These humans are going to make us a ton of credits. We should never have sold that first one so cheaply. Think how much profit we lost just because Captain Fabii thought he saw an Imperial Patrol ship.”

“Better not let him hear you say that, Asgii. You’re lucky he didn’t dock your share for damaging the other one.”

Asgii shrugged. “It was worth it.” He cast a dissatisfied glance in her direction. “This one never gave me a fucking excuse.”

They both stopped to look at her. She dropped her eyes, her face as impassive as she could make it.

“Maybe it’s not too late. Any hole is better than none, eh?” Asgii dropped his hand to his groin and began stroking a rapidly growing cock.

Muu shoved him. “Forget it. We have to get all of them unloaded. There isn’t time.”

“Doesn’t take me long.”

“No wonder you have to fuck a slave.”

Asgii snarled and shoved Muu back. Joan watched from under her lashes, hoping they would come to blows, but Muu threw up his hands and backed away.

“Forget it. Look, let’s just get the cargo unloaded. How about on our next trip, we pick up a human just for ourselves?”

“Captain wouldn’t like it.”

“If we do it right, he doesn’t need to know.”

Asgii laughed, and the sound sent an icy chill down Joan’s spine. “I like the way you think.”

They proceeded to describe what they planned to do to this theoretical slave in graphic detail as they began picking up cages with a long crane. She kept her eyes down and did her best to try and shut them out.

Maybe she had been a little too optimistic about her lack of worth as a sex slave.

Her cage had been next, and after a short, terrifying trip in a freezing transport, she ended up with the other slaves in the hangar. It was the first time she had realized that the ship carried more than just the animals surrounding her.

And now she was here, literally slaving away for Ukhaan. She hadn’t figured out how to escape yet. All she could do was keep her eyes and ears open and learn as much as she could. It had taken a long time, but she’d figured out how to get away from Kevin, she reminded herself firmly. Just because she was now on an inhospitable alien planet didn’t mean she had to give up hope. Put like that, it sounded impossible—so she decided she wouldn’t put it like that.

With a sigh, she did her best to push it out of her mind and go to sleep. Tomorrow was going to be a long day.

Chapter Two

Once again, Joan stood silently by the wall, waiting for Ukhaan and his visitor to arrive. She gave the table a quick glance from under her lashes, checking to make sure that everything was perfect. Perhaps she should have double-wrapped the biscuits to make sure they stayed warm…

The door opened and she instinctively looked up. Her breath caught in her throat. The male accompanying Ukhaan was not another Zameetan as she had expected. Instead, a huge alien warrior stood in the opening. A head taller than Ukhaan, he showed no indication of Ukhaan’s devotion to food. Dark turquoise skin covered huge, well-defined muscles, clearly revealed by the tight, sleeveless tunic he wore. Short dark hair, almost black in the dim light, covered a well-shaped head with features very similar to that of a human man—a brutally attractive human man. But he was very clearly not human, and from the number of weapons fastened at his belt and the network of fine gold scars that covered his body, he was equally clearly a very dangerous male.

For a fraction of a second, their eyes met, his a dark, burning gold that went from distant to heated in that one brief interval before she looked away. Dammit, she knew better than to look directly at an alien male. They tended to interpret it as defiance or interest, and she couldn’t afford either.

Ukhaan led the way into the room, gesturing the stranger to a chair as he sat, pontificating about the profit margin on ore pellets versus smelted metal. She paid little attention as she kept her eyes on the ground and hoped—prayed—that she hadn’t made a costly mistake.

“Well, well. Get to work, girl,” Ukhaan demanded impatiently, and she jumped, forcing her focus back to her job.

Her hands shook as she prepared their plates and presented them. As she leaned down in front of the stranger, she could feel the warmth emanating from him and caught a hint of an almost smoky scent, like an applewood fire on a cold night. Would he reach for her—grab her ass or fondle her breast? She already suspected Ukhaan wouldn’t stop him, but to her relief, he simply sat quietly and inspected his plate.

“This looks delicious,” he said, his voice a deep, rumbling growl that set off an unexpected response low in her stomach.

Don’t be ridiculous, she told herself. He’s an alien. A big, scary alien.

But her hands shook and she narrowly avoided slopping gravy onto Ukhaan as she presented his plate. He gave an impatient grunt, but he didn’t retaliate.

“I do the best I can with what I can get here. This planet is so isolated,” Ukhaan complained. “Of course, if I had a job in one of the inner systems, the possibilities would be greatly expanded.”

The stranger took a quick, neat bite of the geflin fish and chewed appreciatively. “I’m not sure that anything in the inner systems could compare to this.”

Ukhaan took a much less restrained mouthful, then nodded. “Definitely acceptable. The girl is learning.” He waved at Joan, who was once more standing by the wall. “She’s my cook. Ugly little thing, isn’t she?”

The terrifying male studied her, his gaze moving slowly from her head to her feet, and she did her best not to flinch. From the heat burning in his eyes, he didn’t find her unappealing. She felt naked and exposed, and a tiny spark of something that couldn’t possibly have been excitement shivered down her back.

“She might appeal to a certain type of male,” he said finally.

“I thought about using her.” Ukhaan was in a jovial mood, relaxed and expansive. “But she’s just so… soft. Like an undercooked sarlan steak.”

Once again, she had to stop herself from shuddering. Thank God she repulsed him.

“Besides, a good cook is a lot harder to find than a good fuck,” Ukhaan continued. “But if you promise not to damage her, you can have her tonight.”

What? No! He couldn’t send her off with this terrifying stranger. It took all of her training to stop herself from objecting. She had thought she was safe from this particular fate, but it seemed that whatever gods had decided to punish her hadn’t dragged her down far enough yet.

“I might just take you up on that,” the stranger said thoughtfully. “It was a long flight.”

Ukhaan waved a hand. “Help yourself. Just make sure she’s back in the kitchen in time to cook breakfast. And no permanent injuries.”

“I’ll make sure she can work.”

That wasn’t exactly the same thing, was it? She closed her eyes in despair, and when she opened them again, the stranger was watching her.

The geflin fish disappeared in no time, and Ukhaan frowned at the empty platter. Fortunately, she had prepared a number of side dishes, as well as a dessert. The two males demolished it all.

Under other circumstances, she might have been pleased by the appreciation for her food, but all she could think about was the fate awaiting her later that evening. She had never found sex particularly enjoyable—although she suspected that was at least partially because Kevin had never cared about her satisfaction—and the thought of being at the mercy of this huge stranger made her stomach cramp with anxiety.

The meal dragged on interminably. After the food was gone, they lingered over a bottle of Foldaran brandy. When she attempted to clear the table and escape to the kitchen, Ukhaan frowned at her.

“Leave it. Return to your position.”

Shoulders slumping, she went back to her place against the wall. Normally she listened to Ukhaan’s conversations on the rare occasion he had a guest, hoping to learn something that might help her escape. Tonight, she couldn’t focus. The dread continued to build, and she had to bite back a yip of dismay when Ukhaan finally pushed his chair back.

“Enough business for tonight. I want to start the inspection early tomorrow.”

“Of course. And I want time to enjoy my… gift,” the male drawled. She could feel his eyes on her, but she refused to look at him.

“I doubt she’s worth spending much time on, but suit yourself.” Ukhaan shrugged, then glared at her. “And you, behave yourself.”

“Yes, sir,” she whispered.

“Follow me,” the stranger ordered, and she forced herself to obey, trying desperately to think of a way out of the situation. Maybe if she told him she had a terrible disease? If only she knew more about possible diseases out here.

Still trying to think of some way to escape her fate, she followed him reluctantly into the guest quarters. Most of the mining company facilities were spartan, and this room was no exception. Since they were beneath the surface, no windows interrupted the plain stone walls. A large rug in muted colors was one of the only concessions to luxury.

The door closing behind her made her jump, and she whirled around to find him leaning against the wall, studying her.

“Don’t look like that, girl. I’m not going to eat you.” He gave her an unexpectedly attractive grin. “Although it’s a tempting thought. I bet you’re a tasty little morsel.”

She stared at him in horror. He wanted to eat her? But then she took a second look at his face and recognized the lust in his eyes. Oh. That was still terrifying—and possibly just the tiniest bit exciting. How long had it been since she’d experienced any type of sexual pleasure? Long before she’d been taken from Earth. Certainly not in the last wretched years of her marriage.

“Well, you can’t do that,” she said, then cringed when she realized how stupid she sounded.

“Are you challenging me? Because I assure you that not only could I bury my head between those sweet little thighs and feast on your cunt, you’d be screaming my name before I was done with you.”

She stared at him like a deer in the headlights, and his hard face softened a fraction.

“What’s your name?”

“J-Joan.”

“I’m Varga.” He waited, but she couldn’t think of anything to say in response. He sighed. “Don’t worry, little bird. I’m not going to hurt you. Get in the bed.”

“What? No!”

“To sleep. Ukhaan is going to expect you to spend the night.”

Unfortunately, she suspected he was right. She walked slowly to the bed in the corner and kicked off her shoes. The rest of her clothes remained firmly in place as she reluctantly climbed under the covers and pulled them tightly up to her chin.

He stripped off his tunic to reveal a massive chest, covered with even more of those odd golden scars. Kicking off his boots, he prowled towards her with the sinewy grace of a big jungle cat.

“What are you doing?” Her voice sounded breathless.

“Getting in bed. I’m not about to spend the night on the floor.”

“I can do that—”

She started to scramble out from under the covers, and he put a huge hand over her chest, holding her in place with effortless ease. Her heart beat so quickly she felt lightheaded. His face softened again.

“We are both just going to sleep,” he said quietly. “Understand?”

After a long moment, she nodded.

“Good.”

He turned out the light and lay down next to her. She tried to move as far away from him as possible, but it was a small bed and he was a huge male, and she was right against the wall already. Every muscle in her body was stiff with tension as she waited for the inevitable.

Time dripped past, and nothing happened. His breathing slowed and deepened. Was he really asleep? She certainly couldn’t climb over him but maybe she could wiggle down to the end of the bed and sleep on the floor after all…

Very cautiously, she started to work her way out from under the covers. She’d only managed to get one arm free when that same big hand landed on her stomach.

“Stop wiggling,” he said sleepily. “Or I might think you’re trying to tempt me.”

She froze and heard a deep chuckle. He patted her stomach but didn’t move his hand, and the warmth of it was oddly comforting. His breathing deepened again, but she didn’t quite have the courage to make another attempt to escape. As much as she tried to stay awake, to keep an eye on him, eventually exhaustion won out and she drifted off to sleep.

Joan woke up feeling safe and warm, warmer than she’d been in months. The delicious scent of applewood filled her head, and she nestled deeper into that amazing warmth, rubbing her face against something firm and hard and… alien!

She suddenly realized where she was—pressed against Varga’s chest, his arms holding her firmly against his body. She tried to pull away, but he held her easily in place.

“Let me go!” Panic threatened as she realized that it wasn’t just his muscles that were hard. A massive bar that could only be his cock burned against her stomach, and she began to struggle frantically.

“Stop wiggling,” he growled as he rolled on top of her. She froze as his huge erection pulsed, and she remembered his warning from the previous night.

“Good girl. I swear you’re enough to tempt a priest.”

“Please…” A tear slid down her cheek as she darted a quick look up at his face.

At least he didn’t look angry. Instead, he looked almost… sad?

“I’m not going to hurt you, little bird.”

“Okay,” she whispered.

That devastating smile flashed across his face. “But I am going to take one kiss. Just one,” he repeated as if he were reminding himself.

His head bent towards her before she could object, and she braced herself, expecting an assault. Instead, his mouth brushed slowly across hers, his lips full and soft, his touch exquisitely tender. He lingered, running his tongue along her lower lip, teasing at the seam until finally she parted her lips and he dipped inside, still soft, still tender, and she met him shyly. Then somehow her arms were around his neck, urging him on, wanting more of that delicious kiss. It wasn’t until she heard him groan and start to pull away that she realized that her lower body was arching up into the throbbing erection that was exactly where she needed it to be.

In her panic, she started fighting to get free, and this time, he let her go. She scrambled to the end of the bed and almost fell off the end in her haste to get away.

“I have to cook breakfast,” she said, refusing to look at him, and dashed for the door.

Chapter Three

Varga watched the little human flee and sighed. He should never have kissed her. But after spending most of the night holding her in his arms, her soft body clinging to his, her scent filling his head, he’d just wanted one taste. But fuck, he hadn’t expected it to be like that, hadn’t expected the sweetness of her lips, and he certainly hadn’t expected the eagerness with which she responded to him.

His cock jerked at the memory of her sweet little hips arching against him, and he gave it a rough stroke.

I have a mission, he reminded himself. He needed to find a way to get the two of them off of this planet, and he couldn’t get distracted by her tempting body. Perhaps once they were free…

When he had set out months ago on a mission to find out if there were any other human slaves on the ship that took his friend Baralt’s mate from her home planet, he had been driven in large part by restlessness. His success as a fighter was no longer enough to satisfy him. The mission appealed to him as both an adventure and a chance to do something meaningful. He had never expected to end up back on a mining planet, all too similar to the hell in which he was raised. But when he finally found the slave ship a week ago, no other option had presented itself…

Varga swore as he looked down at the dead Derian at his feet. His long search had finally led him to this isolated space station. Seeing the broken condition of their cargo, he had been overcome with rage. His skin had hardened and the fiery heat of his home planet ran through his veins as he eliminated the small crew with brutal efficiency.

But perhaps he had been a little too hasty in killing the bastards. He needed access to their logs, and the records were encrypted. As he thought back over the cages he passed on the way to the bridge, he remembered seeing an Elginar male. Based on the shaved head and elaborate tattoos, he was actually an Elginar scholar. While he hated dealing with the pretentious bastards, it seemed like his best alternative.

After a quick trip back to the hold to fetch the male, he directed him to the logs. “Can you decrypt them?”

The slender blue male, still arrogant despite his obvious weakness, raised an eyebrow. “Of course I can. Why should I?”

Varga was tempted to show the male his enormous fist, but he suspected that it would not be sufficient. The majority of the Elginar might not be known for their fighting skills, but they were definitely known for their stubbornness.

“I need to know about a previous trip they made. They went to a pre-spaceflight planet and abducted at least one female. If there are others, I intend to track them down.”

“Why?”

“Because I plan to start myself a harem,” he said sarcastically, then sighed. “My friend is mated to one, and we are concerned that they may have ended up in…”

“Unfortunate circumstances?” the Elginar suggested. “It seems inevitable. However, it is a reasonable request. I will see what I can do.”

He turned to the console, his fingers flying over the controls while Varga did his best not to demand that he move faster.

“I have the records for their last trip prior to this one,” the male said at last. “There were a number of females on board.”

“Did they record where they acquired them?”

“Yes. I believe there were three from the same primitive planet.” He raised an eyebrow again. “Of course, you know it would be illegal to return them.”

“I know. But there are undoubtedly more pleasant alternatives than wherever the Derians left them.”

“Yes, undoubtedly. The first was sold on Hothrest, the second on Tgesh Tai.” He shook his head. “The third was sold to a mining corporation on Drahana. It has been three months. I doubt that she is still alive.”

Fuck. Most mining planets were brutal, harsh environments where life was short. He knew—he had been raised on one. Drahana was one of the worst. Moving on a fixed orbit in relation to its sun, one half of the planet was permanently frozen while the other half was a smoldering cauldron. Only a small transition zone was even remotely habitable. But if there was any chance that the human female was still alive, he had to at least investigate.

“I intend to find out.” He hesitated, studying the other male. “How did you end up here?”

The Elginar raised a shoulder. “I thought I had developed a better way of calculating the odds on a dice game. I was wrong.”

Hmm. The Elginar wasn’t the first male to end up gambling away his freedom.

“What do you intend to do now?” he asked.

“Get as far away from here as possible. Perhaps a nice little farming planet at the ends of the galaxy.”

“Can you pilot a ship? More specifically, can you pilot this ship?”

The Elginar looked around the bridge and nodded. “Yes.”

“There aren’t many slaves left on board.” And none of any value. The Derians had brought them here as a last stop, probably to sell them at discount prices, no questions asked.

The Elginar sighed. “And I suppose you want me to fly them out of here?”

“Or I could leave all of you here and take the ship by myself.”

“A convincing argument.” Intelligent blue eyes studied him. “But what’s to stop me from selling them as soon as you’re gone?”

“Are you?”

Another sigh. “No, I don’t suppose so. It is surprising how much having one’s liberty taken away makes one value it. What am I going to do with them?”

“I’m sure someone with your intelligence can come up with something.”

Something that could have been a smile flickered across the other male’s face. “I accept your challenge. But why aren’t you taking the ship?”

“Because I have a little human to rescue and I’m afraid the time may be running out. My ship is faster.”

“Very well. I’m Manam, by the way.” He looked around the bridge of the ship and grinned. “Actually, I suppose I’m Captain Manam now.”

Three hours later, with the assistance of Manam’s computer skills and a little intimidation from Varga, the ownership of the Derian ship had changed hands. Any sentient captives had been given the choice of staying in port or leaving with the ship. Not surprisingly, only one chose to take his chances on the notorious space station. The two males stood on the landing field.

“May the gods smile on you,” Manam said solemnly. “I hope that your trip goes well.”

“I hope the same for yours. I would hate to have to track you down.”

“My friend, what you lack in subtlety you make up for with intimidation. Do not worry. I will do my best.” A brief smile twisted his lips. “Perhaps we will all end up on that farming planet. You would be welcome to join us—I’m sure we could put you to work.”

Varga laughed, clasped the other male’s shoulders, and headed for his own ship. The Aerie had been somewhat of an indulgence on his part, purchased in the flush of success after two lucrative fight contracts and an even more lucrative marketing deal, but the small luxury vessel would be perfect for the role he was about to play.

Between arranging for the transfer of ownership and freeing the captives, he and Manam had discussed the best approach. Varga’s initial preference was to sweep in, find the female, and get the hell out of there. Manam pointed out the obvious flaws in his plan.

“You do realize that you will have to locate her first?”

“I’ll just have to convince somebody to talk.” He cracked his knuckles and grinned.

“That assumes you are even permitted to land. You know how tight security is on those planets.”

He did, sobering rapidly at the memory.

“On the other hand, if you were the representative of a major corporation, looking to make a large purchase, you would no doubt be welcome.”

It was a less appealing but more practical suggestion then simply trying to fight his way in.

“I suppose you’re right.”

“And if I may make the suggestion, I believe you should be a representative from the Acme Corporation.”

“Why them?”

“Because I used to be employed in their financial department and when I requested an advance on my salary to pay off my debts and avoid slavery, they refused.”

“In other words, you wouldn’t object if I created issues for them?”

“Not in the least. In fact, if you could see your way clear to creating those issues…”

Varga had laughed, but Manam’s suggestion seemed like the most logical approach. He set the autopilot for Drahana and, with a groan, pulled up the files which Manam had stolen for him and began to study his erstwhile employer. By the time he reached Drahana, he had little difficulty convincing Ukhaan, the overseer of the mining operation, to see him.

He had considered several ways to bring up the subject of female slaves, but none of them had been necessary. Ukhaan had opened the door, and Joan had been standing there.

To be honest, he had been a little disappointed when he first saw her. He had expected someone similar to Baralt’s fiery mate. Instead, she was a quiet little thing, muffled in drab brown clothing that matched equally drab hair. But then she had looked up and their eyes had met. The impact ran through him like an electric shock. Quiet perhaps, but definitely not drab, and he could see both intelligence and determination burning in those silver eyes. After last night, he was also aware that the baggy clothing concealed a deliciously curvy body.

It had taken all of his self-control not to explore further when she had turned to him in the night. And this morning’s kiss… He hadn’t anticipated the incredible sweetness of her mouth, or the way her shy response would flare into passion. His cock jerked again at the memory, but he ruthlessly suppressed it.

The first order of business was to get her away from this planet.

Unfortunately, it wasn’t going to be an easy task. His ship was stowed in a larger hangar that was connected to the mining headquarters through a heavily guarded underground passageway. While he should be able to fight their way out, it would be risky, and he had decided not to mention the possibility to Joan until he had a definite plan. Ukhaan had promised to give him a tour of the facilities today, and he hoped he would find an alternative means to escape.

So far, the overseer was being extremely cooperative. The promise of a large contract and, even more appealingly, a corporate position away from Drahana had eliminated any hesitation he might have shown. And while Varga could only despise the callousness with which Ukhaan had offered Joan to him, he had enjoyed their night together…

His cock throbbed impatiently, and with a sigh, he headed for the shower. His hand would have to do for now.

Chapter Four

Joan scurried away to the kitchen, trying very hard not to think about what had just happened. And certainly not about the way her nipples were pressing against the rough cloth of her dress or the deep, needy ache between her legs. She couldn’t possibly be attracted to an alien. She had been asleep, she reminded herself. Maybe she had been dreaming about Kevin. Although Kevin had never kissed that well and he had certainly not been that enormous…

Despite her determination to forget, the memory kept playing over and over in her mind until she reached the kitchen and heard a soft chirp from the storage room.

“George,” she said happily.

The little lizard had been intended for Ukhaan’s dinner, a rare and expensive treat. But when she lifted him out of his cage, he had chirped and rubbed his head under her chin, and she just couldn’t do it. She had found some bones from a previous meal, burned them beyond recognition, then told Ukhaan that she had fallen asleep and overcooked the meal. For a trembling moment, she had been convinced that he was going to kill her. Instead, he’d made her stand against the wall and whipped her. At the time, she’d thought that death would have been preferable.

But the lizard, who she named George, had lived. She couldn’t keep him with her all the time, but he seemed quite content exploring the tunnels that threaded through the rock, and he was smart enough to keep out of sight. He came back every day and she fed him and petted him and told him stories while he looked at her with huge golden eyes as if he understood every word. If it hadn’t been for George, she sometimes suspected she would have given up by now.

“I got the vegetables.”

The gruff voice came from behind her, and Joan jumped, trying to hide George in the folds of her skirt.

“Fuck. Girlie, I told you to get rid of that damn animal. What if Ukhaan walked in?”

“He stays out of the kitchen in the morning.” After she spilled hot cafir on him, “accidentally” dropped an overripe fruit on his best uniform, and left a wet mop in his path, Ukhaan had decided to leave her alone in the morning. The bruises had been worth it to buy a little time to herself.

Rummel shook his head. “And I told you not to count on that.”

“I know,” she admitted. “I shouldn’t take a chance with George’s life.”

“Or your own,” he said dryly. She gave him a quick smile as she gave George a final scratch sent him on his way.

Rummel was the closest thing she had to a friend in this place. A small, gnome-like alien with a fringe of white hair and bulbous green eyes, he was a gruff older male who had managed to finagle a job as a delivery person, rather than a mine worker. He brought her supplies from the storage lockers and occasionally assisted her in the small hydroponic garden she was attempting to resurrect. Ukhaan had been dismissive of the idea until she served him a sarlan steak accented with a fresh herb sauce. After that, he didn’t object to her endeavors and even agreed to some occasional help from Rummel.

“I hear Ukhaan has a stranger visiting him,” Rummel said, eyeing her curiously as he sat down at the kitchen table.

She gave him two thick slices of her homemade bread, oozing with jam, and poured him a mug of tea before she answered. She found herself curiously reluctant to discuss Varga.

“Ukhaan said he was important. Something about his career.”

“That means he thinks he might get off of this planet,” Rummel said thickly, his mouth full of bread and jam. “Can’t see it myself. His kind of brutality is more useful at keeping slaves in line than in some corporate office.”

“Do you think… do you think that if he left, he might take me with him?”

“No,” Rummel said harshly, but his eyes were sympathetic. “He’ll think he’s on his way to bigger and better things.”

Joan turned back to fix herself some tea, trying to hide her shaky hands. If Ukhaan left, that meant his right-hand man, Baahy, would take over. Baahy had no interest in her cooking. He had already made it all too clear what her role would be if he was in charge. Fortunately, Ukhaan neither liked nor trusted Baahy, and he had forbidden the male from approaching her. She had been foolish enough to think that meant she enjoyed some level of protection, but given how easily Ukhaan had sent her with Varga, she now realized how wrong she had been.

“What about the stranger?” Rummel asked after they sat in silence, sipping their tea.

“What about him?”

He peered at her from beneath bushy white eyebrows. “Is he interested in you?”

Heat suffused her face as she remembered this morning kiss.

“That looks like a yes. Maybe you should encourage him.”

“Why?”

“Don’t be stupid, girlie. A rich stranger in a luxury yacht. You could do a lot worse.”

“Indeed she could.”

The deep voice rolled over her, and she couldn’t suppress a spark of excitement. Unwanted excitement, she told herself firmly.

“I’m sorry, Master Varga,” she said as she sprang to her feet. “I should not have been gossiping.”

“I believe your companion was doing the gossiping.”

“No! It’s not his fault.” Forgetting herself, she looked up and their eyes met. He didn’t look angry. He looked amused, but the longer they looked at each other, the more the amusement was replaced by heat. She finally managed to drag her gaze away.

“Would you like something to eat? Or drink?” she added hastily as she remembered their discussion of the previous night.

From the deep chuckle that answered her, she suspected that he remembered as well.

“Although I am extremely tempted, Ukhaan wishes to show me the operations before breakfast. Perhaps just a mug of cafir?”

Pouring him a mug, she gathered her courage and came close enough to give it to him. Their fingers touched as she handed it to him. She suspected that it was a deliberate move on his part, but that didn’t stop a rush of heat from moving through her body and she leaped away from him.

An awkward silence fell over the kitchen, although Varga didn’t seem to be affected. He leaned against the doorframe, sipping his cafir and glancing around. Rummel had looked nervous when the big male arrived, but now his eyes glittered with amusement. She did her best to ignore them both as she pulled a tray of muffins out of the oven.

“What are those?” Varga asked.

“I call them corn muffins.” Not that she had corn, of course, but one of the plants in the greenhouse produced small kernels that were surprisingly similar. The muffins were based on a heavily adapted recipe of her grandmother’s and always made her remember those long-ago days cooking with the older woman.

“Would you like one?” she found herself asking.

He nodded. She put two on the plate for him and, with a quick look at him, slid one in front of Rummel. Varga didn’t object, too busy devouring the muffins. When he was done, he looked so hopeful that she silently handed him two more. In less than five minutes, he and Rummel had finished the entire pan. Oh well. She could always make more.

“Those were delicious,” he said with a regretful glance at the empty pan.

“And now they’re gone. Perhaps you should be also?”

He grinned and sauntered over to where she was standing. He was so close that she could feel the heat of his body against her front even though they weren’t quite touching. He bent down and she waited, half-anticipating, half-dreading his kiss. But all he did was whisper in her ear.

“As delicious as they were, I still suspect that you would be even more delicious.” She couldn’t suppress a quiet gasp, and he was still grinning when he turned to go. “I look forward to our next… meal.”

For such a big male, he moved with surprising speed, vanishing from the kitchen before she could think of a response.

“Doesn’t look like he’s gonna need much encouragement,” Rummel said dryly.

“Don’t be ridiculous.” Her cheeks were heating again, but she ignored them and started on a second batch of muffins.

“You could do worse.”

“Maybe he’s just being nice until he gets what he wants.”

Rummel gave a disgusted grunt. “Girlie, you’re a slave. He can get whatever he wants whenever he wants it.”

“I know,” she whispered. The knowledge was always there, but it was easier to ignore when she was busy in the kitchen.

His expression softened, and he gave her shoulder a brusque pat as he jumped down from the table. “Better get going.”

“Here.” Abandoning the muffins, she hurried over to a storage cabinet and pulled out a small bag. “These are for the other women.”

“One of these days, I’m gonna get caught,” he complained, but he took the bag and slipped it inside his shirt. “Or you are.”

“I know it’s a risk, but it’s the least I can do.”

The knowledge of the other female slaves haunted her. She could so easily be in their position. When she realized that Rummel had a fair amount of freedom to move around, she had asked him to take extra food to the females. He had grumbled but agreed.

So far, Ukhaan hadn’t noticed the small increase in her use of the food supplies. While he kept a close eye on the more expensive food items, he didn’t bother about the staples, and she was able to send something with Rummel several times a week.

“How are they?” she asked, already dreading the answer. One female died not long after she arrived, and a second one a month ago. There were only three females left, and she’d heard Ukhaan muttering about requesting another shipment soon.

Rummel frowned. “One of ‘em is getting worse.”

“Is there anything I can do?”

“Not unless you can kill every bastard in this place,” he said bitterly, then shook his head. “Just do whatever you can to stay out of those cells.”

She stared after him as he left, then sighed and returned to work. The thought of Varga flitted through her mind. Since he had liked the corn muffins so much, perhaps he would enjoy a chowder made from the small kernels. Resolutely refusing to think about why she had any desire to please the big male, she set to work.

Chapter Five

By the time they returned to Ukhaan’s quarters for dinner, Varga was on edge. The conditions in the mines were all too familiar and brought back memories he would rather have forgotten. Having to play the part of a callous businessman filled him with disgust. He had done his best to disguise it but Ukhaan seemed to be regarding him with increased suspicion.

The two of them ate silently. Joan had prepared another delicious meal, but he hated having her wait on them. He had a hard time keeping his eyes away from where she stood silently against the wall.

“Leave us,” Ukhaan demanded as soon as they finished, and she began to gather up their plates.

“Don’t send the slave away,” he said lazily. “She can attend me.”

A flash of defiance flared in those silver eyes, but it passed so quickly that he was sure Ukhaan hadn’t seen it when the overseer shrugged and nodded. Good. His little human knew how to keep her head down and attention focused away from her.

“Bring me a drink,” he ordered. After she silently obeyed, she started to return to her position by the wall, but instead he tugged her down at his feet. A definite flash of defiance that time but he ignored it, curling his fingers into her silky brown hair. The light caught on the dark strands, showing highlights from gold to red. How had he ever thought that her hair was drab? He was so focused on her that he almost missed Ukhaan’s next words.

“What do you think? Are you prepared to make a deal?” the overseer demanded.

He arched a brow and looked down his nose at the male, mimicking the attitude of so many of the nobles he had encountered. “It is much too soon to say. But I will go this far….” He paused delicately, letting Ukhaan squirm at his hesitation. “The results to date look promising. Most promising.”

The other male relaxed back in his chair, a broad grin covering his ugly face. It was almost too easy. No, he reminded himself. Ukhaan might not be subtle, but he was not unintelligent. It would be a mistake to ignore his determined brutality.

“How do you keep your production costs so low?” he asked casually.

“The slaves, of course. Most mines focus on the bigger slaves because of the amount of force required.” Ukhaan shrugged. “And of course, I purchase a few of those as well. But they’re expensive and they’re hard to keep in line. I found that the smaller slaves can be quite effective with the right… motivation. Even though they don’t last as long, they cost very little.”

Varga forced himself to nod approvingly, even though his skin crawled at the memory of those wretched males in the tunnels. At least his own people had been suited for the work, their bodies forged in the crucible of Sorvid. And they had not technically been slaves, unless you considered desperation their master.

His fingers clenched in Joan’s hair at the memory, and her soft gasp, quickly silenced, brought him back to the present. Ukhaan laughed.

“I see you know something about keeping slaves in line yourself.”

Suddenly sickened by the part he was playing, he impulsively reached down and lifted Joan into his lap, pulling her against his chest and curving his hand over her breast. He knew that to Ukhaan his grip looked brutal, but he had no intention of hurting her. Her body was taut in his arms, and with the hand that Ukhaan couldn’t see, he stroked her hip soothingly until she relaxed.

Ukhaan continued to pontificate about his methods and his skill at maximizing profits and Varga attempted to appear interested, even though having the little human in his arms was extremely distracting. Finally, he faked a yawn and stood, keeping Joan cradled against his chest.

When Ukhaan’s gaze turned speculative, he realized his mistake and swung her over his shoulder instead, hoping he had acted decisively enough to avert suspicion. Joan’s body went rigid but to his relief, she didn’t protest.

“I assume I may use the human again tonight?” He kept his tone disinterested, almost bored, but his heart sank when Ukhaan studied him for a minute before responding.

“For tonight, of course. But perhaps we should conclude our business tomorrow—before you are… distracted.”

“Perhaps.” He shrugged casually. “I still wish to see the smelting operation and examine the shipping records.”

“Very well. Until tomorrow.”

“Until tomorrow,” he echoed and left the room.

Joan immediately started to squirm, and he was about to lift her back into his arms when he spotted Baahy coming towards them. The short time he had spent in the male’s company was enough to create a fierce disgust. Ukhaan’s methods were brutal, but they were driven by a ruthless desire for efficiency. Baahy was simply sadistic—he enjoyed causing pain.

Varga gave Joan a sharp smack across her delightful ass. She froze, and he spoke before she could protest.

“Greetings, Baahy.”

“Greetings, Varga.” Baahy leered at Joan’s body, his eyes covetous. “I see Ukhaan let you take his slave. Good. It’s about time someone taught her her place. I told him she thought she was too fucking good to service a male.” His ugly face twisted into a scowl. “But as usual, he wouldn’t listen to me.”

Varga raised an eyebrow inquiringly.

Baahy took a step closer, lowering his voice. “We should talk. I could make this place ten times more productive if Ukhaan didn’t tie my hands.”

“That’s an interesting claim,” he said coolly. “Can you back it up?”

“Fuck yeah.”

“Then bring me your business plan tomorrow.”

“Business plan? I don’t need a fucking business plan.” Baahy smirked and tapped his head. “Experience. That’s what I got. I know how to work a slave. Male or female.” He ran his eyes over Joan again. “I’d have that one on her knees begging in five minutes.”

“I am quite capable of handling a slave.” His voice was deliberately arrogant, and Baahy’s eyes narrowed. “And I rely on numbers, not idle boasts about… experience.”

“Boasts? Why you—”

“But if you’d like me to tell Ukhaan that you have been presenting me with your ideas, perhaps he could help you translate them into actual numbers?”

Whatever Baahy’s faults, he was not stupid. Despite his anger, he shook his head and forced a polite tone. “No, thank you, sir. I wouldn’t want you to trouble him while he’s so busy.”

“Then perhaps we shall see each other tomorrow. Good night.”

Varga turned and walked off, feeling the male’s eyes boring into his back.

As soon as he was safely in his quarters, he placed Joan back on her feet. Her lip trembled, but she lifted her chin.

“I hate that bastard,” she muttered, then seemed to realize what she had said. Her eyes dropped submissively. “I’m sorry, Master Varga. I only meant that he was not respectful of Master Ukhaan. I hope you don’t intend to tell him of Master Baahy’s disloyalty…”

He almost laughed. Her words were so clearly the opposite of what she actually thought.

“No, I don’t intend to tell him.”

Disappointment crossed her face before she could mask it, but she didn’t protest.

“No, Master Varga.”

“Aren’t you going to ask me why?”

“I will, of course, listen to anything that you tell me.”

Impatient with her feigned meekness, he put a finger under her chin and raised it until she was forced to look up at him. He caught the same silvery flash of defiance in her eyes before she schooled her features.

“You do not need to pretend with me, little bird,” he said softly.

“I don’t understand. What do you want from me?”

He sighed. He had hoped for another day to finish scoping out the place and identifying all the security measures, but between Ukhaan and Baahy, he didn’t think he could take the risk. They needed to leave as soon as possible, and perhaps she had information that might help.

“I want your freedom. I’m here to rescue you.”

She stared at him and he waited, already anticipating her gratitude. Instead, she broke into laughter.

Chapter Six

Varga looked so shocked that more laughter bubbled from Joan’s lips, but she could hear a hysterical note underlying the gaiety. Afraid that her laughter would turn to tears, she took a deep breath, then another, trying to force it under control.

“Why are you laughing?” he asked, still looking confused rather than angry.

“Because I want to believe you so desperately and I know it’s impossible.”

“You doubt me?”

Oddly enough, she thought perhaps his intentions were genuine. Not that it made any difference.

“I don’t know. You seem sincere, but I don’t understand why you would want to rescue me. And even if you did, I just told you it’s impossible.”

“The number of guards is limited. They will not represent a challenge.”

“They’re limited for two reasons. The first is because of the automated gates. The ones leading to the landing field are only open when a shipment is being exported or when a visitor is expected. Could you override that signal?”

He frowned and rubbed his chin. “In time, perhaps, but my technical knowledge is fairly limited. However, I’m sure I can persuade one of the guards to open them.”

She shook her head. “From what I know, they’re set on time locks. A guard couldn’t open them, no matter how ‘persuasive’ you were.”

“What is the other reason?”

“The conditions on the surface. The transition zone is the only area that’s even remotely survivable, but nothing grows there. An escaped slave would have nowhere to go.”

He frowned at her. “How do you know all this?”

“Because I thought of nothing else since I arrived. I’ve investigated as much as I could without arousing suspicion. And I have a friend who’s also investigated.”

“A friend?” His voice deepened, and he stepped closer. “A male friend?”

He almost looked jealous but that was ridiculous. Wasn’t it?

“You met him this morning. His name is Rummel.”

His shoulders relaxed. “Yes, I remember. Perhaps we should consult him. Can he be trusted?”

“You mean he could be part of the escape?”

“I hadn’t considered that,” he admitted. “But I might be willing to consider it if he can help us.”

“Why are you really here?” she demanded, trying to suppress the fresh ember of hope.

“I have a friend who is mated to another human female. She was on the same spaceship as you.”

“There were more of us?” She swayed, suddenly dizzy, and he swore, putting his arm around her and leading her over to the bed to sit down.

She thought about protesting, but he had done nothing to hurt her so far. And if he really wanted to, there’s nothing I could do to stop him, she thought bitterly before she returned to her questions.

“I still don’t understand. Where is she?”

“The two of them are on a planet called Hothrest. An ice planet,” he added with an exaggerated shiver. “It wouldn’t have been my first choice, but they seem to be happy there.”

“And they sent you to find me and take me back to Earth?”

His face softened. “No, little bird. They sent me to find you, but you cannot return to your planet.”

“Why not?” she asked, even though she found she wasn’t surprised.

“Travel to pre-spaceflight planets is forbidden. Only desperate males—such as slavers—would take the chance.”

When she had been on the ship, she frequently dreamed of returning home, but once she was here and faced with the reality of her new life, the only way she had been able to cope was by pushing away her memories of Earth. Sometimes it even seemed as if she had imagined her old life, but as she thought about never seeing her family again, a tear trickled down her cheek. A second one followed and she started to weep silently. Varga swore and hauled her into his lap, holding her against his big, warm chest, and she let herself cry.

When the tears finally subsided, she looked up and gave him a shaky smile. “I’m sorry. I’m not in the habit of weeping all over someone.”

“I believe you.” He stroked her cheek with a gentle finger. “You’re a very brave female.”

The tears she thought she’d exhausted threatened once again, but before they could emerge, he bent down and kissed her.

His mouth was as soft, as gentle as it had been that morning but just as she had that morning, she suddenly wanted more. She wrapped her arms around his neck and tugged him closer, relishing the hard muscles of his chest against her aching nipples.

He raised his head, a reluctant expression on his face. “Sweetheart, I don’t think—”

“Don’t think,” she said fiercely. “I don’t want to think.”

If she had ever had any skill in seduction, it had vanished long ago, but perhaps her determination made up for her lack of skill. She deliberately pressed herself closer to him, rubbing her bottom against the hard cock that showed no sign of reluctance. He groaned, and then he was kissing her again.

She had thought this morning’s kiss was passionate. Now she realized how little she knew. His mouth hardened, demanding, claiming, branding her as his, and she met him just as eagerly. She wanted this. She wanted this hot rush of excitement that erased all memories of her servitude, all memories of her lost home, of everything except the heat burning between them.

Without breaking the kiss, he turned her so that she was straddling him, so that his heated shaft was pressed tightly against her wet, needy pussy. She moaned and tried to get even closer. One big hand covered her bottom, grinding her against his cock, while the other cupped her breast, teasing her throbbing nipple with a firm grip that could have been painful. Instead, each time his hand tightened, an electric spark of excitement shot straight to her aching clit.

“Varga,” she whispered. “I… I need…”

“I know, little bird. I’ll take care of you.” His deep voice rumbled in her ear, and her head dropped back as his mouth extended to her neck, kissing and sucking the sensitive flesh between small bites that added to the building pleasure.

He made an impatient sound, and she heard the distant rip of cloth but didn’t care because her naked folds were directly against his erection now. Hot, so hot, and so hard, with a ridged texture that sent shivers of delight through her body each time he rubbed it against the swollen nub of her clit.

“So wet,” he groaned. “Fly for me, little bird.”

His fingers clamped down on her nipple, his mouth on her neck, and he pulled her so closely against his cock that she could feel every hard, ridged inch. She exploded. Dark spots danced in front of her eyes as she shuddered, wave after wave of helpless pleasure sweeping over her, and she clung to him, overwhelmed with sensation.

His cock throbbed against her, each pulse causing an aftershock to roll through her system, and it wasn’t until her body finally went limp that she realized it would be his turn next. The thought of that massive cock inside her made her shiver in a strange mixture of fear and excitement as she waited for him to take her. But all he did was hold her close and gently stroke her hair.

Gathering her courage, she looked up at him. “Don’t you want to…” Words failed her, and she waved her hand helplessly. The look on his face was almost tender.

“Very much, little bird. But I don’t want our first time to be while you are a slave.”

“Oh.” Did that mean he was repulsed by her captivity? His cock throbbed against her again, and she decided he was definitely not repulsed. “Why not?”

“Because I want to be sure you know that it’s your decision.”

She drew a deep breath, unsure if she was sad or relieved, but perhaps it was for the best. She nodded and started to climb off of him, but then she looked down. Oh my.

His cock still reared proudly between them, long and thick and glistening from her excitement. The ridges she had felt circled the massive shaft, stacked from the wide base to the broad head. It didn’t seem possible that he could fit inside her, but she had the sudden, foolish urge to try.

The drop of liquid pearled on the head and she licked her lips, wondering what he tasted like. He groaned. “You are not helping my self-control.”

“I’m sorry. I just…” She couldn’t drag her eyes away, and she impulsively swiped a finger across the tempting drop and brought it to her lips. His taste exploded in her mouth, sweet and salty and delicious. For once, she didn’t pause to consider her actions. Instead, she leaned forward and licked him. He shuddered and then put a restraining hand on her shoulder. She looked up at him.

“My choice,” she whispered.

His hand softened and moved to her head, stroking her hair as she began to explore him with her mouth. His size made her nervous, but she licked her way up and down his shaft, delighting in the curiously erotic combination of both their liquids combined. She discovered the sensitive area under each ridge, circling him with her tongue before returning to the broad head.

He seemed far too big to fit in her mouth, but she did her best, closing her lips around him and sucking him in as far as possible. His hand tightened in her hair with a delicious sting, and she felt him shudder. She took him deeper, forcing her mouth down to meet her hand as she worked his shaft. He hardened beneath her touch, seeming to grow even larger, and then he cried out her name as a rush of heated liquid filled her mouth. She gulped eagerly, trying to take as much of it as she could as his hips thrust upward. He cried out again as he touched the back of her throat, and she swallowed around him, more hot liquid flowing into her mouth.

His body gradually relaxed, and she pulled off with one last thorough lick, then smiled up at him. She half-expected his eyes to be closed, but he was watching her, an unreadable expression on his face.

“I… I’m not very good at that,” she said nervously.

He smiled. “If you were any better, I’m not sure that I would ever recover.” He hesitated. “But it was your choice, wasn’t it?”

“Yes, Varga.” She relaxed as she realized the source of his concern. “Although we do seem to have strayed a long way from the subject of our escape.”

“We did, and as much as I enjoyed it, I think it would be best to come up with a plan.”

She nodded her agreement, and he pulled her up into his arms before settling her back on his lap. “Now tell me what else you know about the security in this place.”

The next morning, Varga awoke again to the pleasure of a female in his arms. Had that ever happened before? A successful fighter could always find females, but they expected to be rewarded in accordance with his stature. It did not take him long to tire of that type of game.

But Joan…

Perhaps he was fooling himself, but he believed that she was curled up against him because she wanted to be there. Just as he believed that she had truly wanted to pleasure him the previous night.

A peremptory knock on the door was followed almost immediately by Ukhaan’s entrance. Varga’s skin hardened automatically in response to the potential threat as he pushed Joan’s head under the covers and against his cock. The last thing they needed was for Ukhaan to see them cuddled together. Before she could protest, he glared at Ukhaan.

“Is this how you treat all of your potential business partners? Harassing them before daybreak?”

He felt Joan tense beneath the blanket, but to his relief, she didn’t make any sound. Instead, she played along, her small fingers curling around his cock and causing an instant reaction in the unruly organ.

Ukhaan’s eyes followed the movement, then narrowed as they returned to his face. “You wished to see the smelting operation. They are firing the furnace now. Surely that is more important than using a slave?”

He forced his face into a lazy smile and shrugged. “A male has needs.”

Ukhaan scowled. “Business first is my rule.”

“Perhaps you are right.” He nodded meaningfully at the door. “If you will give me a chance to clothe myself, I will join you immediately.”

“Do not be long.”

As soon as the door closed behind Ukhaan, he threw back the covers. Joan looked up at him, her face shocked, even though her hand was still clinging to his cock.

“Your skin. It was so hard.”

To his dismay, he saw that her cheek and shoulder were pink and realized he must have scraped her against his armor when he pushed her down.

“My skin forms a protective barrier when I am threatened. It’s a defense mechanism, and it happened automatically when Ukhaan came in. I’m sorry if I hurt you.”

“No, I’m fine. It just surprised me.” She sat up, finally releasing his cock. “You’d better go before he gets tired of waiting for you.”

“You’re sure you’re all right?”

She reached up and gave him a quick, sweet kiss. “I promise. Now you go and play your part, and I’ll see if Rummel can get us more information about the timing of the automatic locks.”

As much as he hated to do it, he forced himself to climb out of bed and throw on his clothes. But his face hardened with determination as he headed for the door. The situation was growing increasingly intolerable. Whether she managed to get in touch with her friend or not, he was determined to get her off this planet.

Chapter Seven

After waiting a few seconds to make sure that Ukhaan and Varga wouldn’t return, Joan slipped out of bed and pulled on her dress. The rip Varga had created last night was barely visible in the heavy folds, but she darted into her room and pinned it together before starting on her work.

As she cleared away last night’s dishes and began work on breakfast, her mind kept returning to the previous evening. She had never experienced such an explosively pleasurable climax, and she could still feel the lingering heat between her legs. Pushing aside a sudden urge to return to her room once more to satisfy the needy pulse, she forced herself to think about his plan to free her from this dreadful place. She was almost afraid to consider the possibility—if he failed, her imprisonment would seem so much worse.

But the thought kept circling through her head and she realized with a start that she had made an extra pan of corn muffins. But the second pan wasn’t needed. Neither Rummel nor Varga showed up in her kitchen. She had a sudden, unpleasant flashback to the first year of her marriage when she tried so hard to please Kevin, waking early every morning to prepare his favorite breakfast foods—an effort he had never even bothered to acknowledge. But no, she refused to believe that Varga was the same way. Ukhaan was simply keeping him busy.

Only George made his usual appearance, sitting happily in her lap while she fed him one of the unneeded muffins. What was he going to do if she left? Was there some way she could bring him with her?

Still trying to think of a plan and anxious to see Varga, she walked into the dining room to serve breakfast with more eagerness than usual. But Varga wasn’t there. Biting back an anxious question, she served Ukhaan with her usual silent efficiency, and he devoured his breakfast without a word. When the meal came to an end, she hesitated before clearing the table.

“Should I keep something available for your guest?”

Ukhaan laughed, and the sound sent a chill down her spine. “I am no longer convinced that he deserves any special treatment.”

He leaned back in his chair and studied her, a speculative look crossing his face. Even more uneasy now, she did her best to keep her face calm as she reached for a serving dish.

“Put that down,” he ordered.

“Yes, Master Ukhaan. Perhaps you would like me to clear later?” She started to head for the door as she spoke.

“I didn’t give you permission to leave.”

“No, sir.” Her palms turned clammy as she turned to face him. Why was he acting so strangely?

“Remove your clothing.”

“But…” Her heart pounded against her ribs as his face darkened.

“Do not disobey me, girl. Take it off. Now.”

With trembling hands, she removed her apron, then unfastened the drab brown dress and reluctantly let it fall, automatically putting an arm over her breasts and her hand in front of her genitals.

“Drop your arms,” Ukhaan ordered as he approached, but it was disgust on his face, not lust.

She tried to hang on to that thought as he circled her. He had never shown any signs of sexual interest in her. Whatever he was planning, she prayed it wouldn’t involve Baahy. But it was more than the chill that made her tremble as she waited for his next order.

He reached out and poked one of her breasts with a thick finger, and she bit her lip to keep from protesting. He shook his head as the soft flesh quivered.

“Quite disgusting. But since not every male finds you as unpleasant as I do, I may be able to make use of that.”

As he walked back over to the table, she tried frantically to guess what he had in mind and what she could do to dissuade him. He rummaged through a box he had brought with him, then pulled out a handful of white cloth and tossed it at her. Her heart sank even further as she recognized the flimsy gown typically worn by female slaves. Two pieces of thin white cloth were fastened only at the shoulders and at the waist, leaving the slave’s body easily accessible to her master.

“Put that on.”

She wanted to protest, but even as skimpy as the outfit was, it was better than being naked and she obediently slipped it over her head.

“Now follow me,” he said as he headed for the door.

“Yes, Master Ukhaan, but I left dried lorca steaks soaking in preparation for your midday meal… I wouldn’t want to ruin them.”

He hesitated and she held her breath, hoping that his gluttony might work in her favor but he slowly shook his head.

“A shame to waste them, but I must remember my overall goal. Come along, girl.”

“Your goal, Master?” she asked, reluctantly following him along the corridor in the direction of the mines. When he glared at her and raised his fist, she hurried on. “I mean, is there anything I can do to help?”

He slapped her anyway but it was only a casual gesture, meant to reprimand rather than punish.

“Just hope that your limited attractions are enough to convince my visitor to invest.” He shrugged. “If he does, I’ll recommend you as a cook to my replacement. If he doesn’t, you can stay down here until I send for you. A few weeks servicing the miners should make you more appreciative of the generosity I have shown you.”

He stepped into the lift, tugging her impatiently after him when she froze in horror. She could no longer hide her trembling as she realized that he was taking her to join the other female slaves.

The temperature increased the further they descended, but it was nothing compared to the wave of heat that greeted her when the doors opened. She knew the mines were beneath the heated side of the transition zone, but she hadn’t realized how greatly the temperature differed. The cold dampness of her small bedroom suddenly seemed a lot more appealing.

A guard greeted Ukhaan as they emerged, eyeing her curiously. “Greetings, Overseer Ukhaan. I didn’t realize we had received a new shipment of females.”

“We haven’t. She is my cook, but I have a special assignment for her today. Is the first cell available?”

“Yes, sir. I would be happy to install her there and show her what is expected.”

The guard leered at her, and she shuddered, grateful once again for Ukhaan’s lack of interest.

“You will do nothing of the kind,” Ukhaan said forbiddingly. “I have plans for the slave, and I require her to be untouched. For now.”

The guard bowed his head in acknowledgment, and Ukhaan turned back to Joan. “Note that my forbearance only continues if you are successful in convincing Varga to invest.” He shrugged. “Otherwise, I will have no hesitation about letting Piaam—or any of the other guards—use you as they will.”

She did her best not to show her horror, but from the satisfied smirk that crossed Ukhaan’s face, she didn’t think she was entirely successful.

“I see you understand.” Without waiting for a response, he turned back to the guard. “Take us to the cell.”

As the two males started down the corridor, she snuck a quick look back over her shoulder. Could she make it back to the lift and up to the surface? But even if she did, what then? She had no weapons and barely any clothing, but more importantly, she had no way of finding Varga. No matter what he had promised her, this new twist would put a kink in his plans.

And the thought of Ukhaan using her against him made her stomach roil. She suspected he wouldn’t hesitate to agree to Ukhaan’s plans in order to protect her. What were they going to do?

The sharp crack of an electric whip barely missing her hip made her flinch and forced her attention back to Ukhaan and Piaam. Piaam raised the whip again, but Ukhaan shook his head.

“I don’t believe that will be necessary. Will it, girl?”

“No, sir. I’m sorry, sir.” She hurried towards him. “I was just thinking about those lorca steaks. I had planned to serve them with creamed grains for lunch today.”

It was one of his favorite meals and he licked his lips, one hand rubbing his huge paunch thoughtfully. “Perhaps there’s time—, no I must consider the long game. If everything goes well, you will be back in time to prepare them. If not…” He gave a cruel laugh. “I’m sure you will be even more anxious to please me once I release you.”

She forced herself to nod submissively and hurry after them. How ironic that her miserable life as his cook now seemed almost idyllic in comparison to her present circumstances. And the thought of a future with Varga seemed like an impossible dream.

“This one’s empty,” Piaam said, breaking her out of her abstraction.

She followed his gaze to the waiting cell. It contained nothing but a large metal bed clamped to the floor and topped with a thin plastic mattress. An open doorway on one side revealed a basic bathroom. There was no privacy, nowhere to hide, and her cramped quarters behind the kitchen seemed infinitely more desirable.

“In you go,” Ukhaan ordered, and she forced her feet to obey. The door slammed shut behind her with an ominous clank. Her life with Kevin had taught her that begging never helped, but it took all of her strength to resist dropping to her knees and begging Ukhaan to take her away. Instead, she clasped her hands together to hide the trembling and did her best to lift her chin as she looked back at the two males.

A low rumble sounded, and the ground shook beneath her feet, not enough to throw her off balance but enough to make her feel dizzy. When she regained her equilibrium, she saw Piaam staring at Ukhaan.

“That’s the second one today, Overseer Ukhaan.”

Ukhaan waved his hand dismissively. “It’s simply because of the expansion to the mine. It will settle down. Now tell my slave what she can expect if she remains here.”

“Food is delivered twice a day. As long as you behave,” Piaam added with a leer. “New gown once a week so it’s better to remove it before it gets ripped off of you.”

She couldn’t prevent a shudder and both males laughed. Piaam continued, gesturing to a pile of surprisingly clean towels beneath a wall dispenser. “As many towels as you want as long as you throw the dirty ones down the chute. That is, if you care about keeping yourself clean. But don’t fool yourself into thinking that the miners care. No matter how disgusting you are, it won’t stop them. And eventually, I’ll have to come wash you. I suspect I’d enjoy it more than you would.”

This time, she managed to hide her reaction, and he looked disappointed before turning back to Ukhaan. “Any other instructions, sir?”

“No. Return to your post.”

With a curious frown in Ukhaan’s direction, Piaam obeyed. Ukhaan stepped closer to the bars.

“I suspect I may regret doing this. You are a very acceptable cook. I find that I am willing to offer an additional incentive. Convince Master Varga to make the deal, and I will take you with me when I leave this planet.”

Did he actually mean that? The offer seemed sincere enough, but she suspected that he would have no hesitation in failing to fulfill his promise if it became unpleasant or inconvenient. Nonetheless, she bobbed her head submissively.

“Thank you, Master Ukhaan. I very much enjoy preparing delicacies for such a sophisticated palate. I hope I can return in time to prepare the lorca steaks.”

He nodded complacently, as if she had nothing more in life to wish for than to prepare meals for him, and licked his lips. “I do as well. But if this fails, I shall be very disappointed. I only hope that by the time I recover from my disappointment, you are still capable of cooking.”

She let him see her shudder, and he laughed as he walked away, leaving her alone in the cell. On closer inspection, it was even worse than it had first appeared. The plastic mattress was covered with a horrific array of sticky substances, and a fine layer of dirt covered the walls and floor. With a sigh, she went to fetch a towel, first soaking it in water from the bathroom, then scrubbing down the mattress. If she was going to be raped, at least it would be on a clean mattress.

Three towels later, the mattress was no longer sticky, and she sat down gingerly on one edge. She strained her ears but could hear nothing other than the constant thrum of the mining equipment. But these had to be the cells where the other females were located and she finally gathered up her courage and approached the bars.

“Hello? Is anyone here?”

There was no response, but considering that her voice was barely above a whisper, perhaps that was to be expected. She cleared her throat and tried again. This time, her voice seemed to echo down the rocky corridor.

Instead of a verbal reply, she heard a wailing cry that made goosebumps prickle her skin. A distant female voice ordered the wailer to shut up, to no avail. A minute later, Piaam appeared, cracking his electric whip.

“Silence,” he ordered, glaring at her as he passed.

She couldn’t see what he did, but she heard the crack of the whip and heard a pained yelp. The wailing ceased.

Backing away from the bars, she retreated to the far side of the room, hoping that Ukhaan’s instructions would prevent the guard from meting out the same punishment to her.

Her hands clenched as she waited. The minutes seemed to drag on forever until the guard finally reappeared. He was refastening his belt, a satisfied smirk on his face.

“Some females learn quickly. I wonder if you will be one of them.”

He laughed and disappeared from view. She stared after him in open-mouthed horror before finally pushing herself away from the wall. She wasn’t going to take the chance on trying to communicate with the other females again, but she couldn’t just sit here and do nothing. The filthy towels she discarded earlier had already been replaced by clean ones, and after another look around at the dirty cell, she went to fetch one. At least cleaning would keep her occupied. But as she started scrubbing the cell walls, she prayed that Varga would come for her.

Chapter Eight

“Come. I have something to show you,” Ukhaan said brusquely.

Varga tried to hide his scowl as he followed the male. The visit to the smelting operation had been singularly unpleasant and brought back painful memories of his childhood. He was more than ready to be done with Ukhaan, with the mine, with the entire planet for that matter. He couldn’t wait until he had Joan alone on his ship.

He was thinking about her so intently that when he looked up and saw her, he wasn’t surprised at first. And then he realized that she was in a cell, covered only by a thin white slave gown.

“What have you done?” he growled.

Ukhaan gave a satisfied laugh. “I knew it. I knew you cared for the ugly little thing.” His voice hardened. “And unless you want her used by every miner in this place, you will agree to my terms. Now.”

Never!

Varga roared and dived for the bastard. The shock on Ukhaan’s face would have pleased him if he hadn’t been so intent on choking the life out of the male. He heard the distant hum of a blaster arming itself, and his skin automatically hardened. There was a brief flare of pain along his side and then a sudden roar of sound just as Ukhaan’s neck snapped.

“Varga!” Joan cried as he heard a sharp crack, and a cloud of dust and rocks cascaded towards them.

He darted for her cell, reaching through the bars and pulling her against him so he could shield her with his body. The roar continued, the air thickening as more dust swirled around them.

His stomach churned with familiar panic as it finally came to an end and he realized what had happened. The diverted blaster shot must have hit a weak area in the roof of the tunnel, and it had collapsed.

Both ends of the corridor were blocked. They were trapped.

“What are we going to do?” Joan’s eyes were wide with horror, but he could tell she was doing her best to keep her voice calm.

He reluctantly released her then bent over Ukhaan’s body, searching through his pockets until he found the keys to the cell. As soon as he unlocked it, Joan rushed into his arms, and he heaved a sigh of relief. The fierce barbarity of his attack had not traumatized her. But then again, this female of his was much stronger than the delicate bird he called her.

“Now we get out of here,” he said grimly. “Do you know anything about the layout of the mines?”

Somehow, he wasn’t surprised when she nodded. “I caught a few glimpses of the blueprints when Ukhaan was debating which direction to pursue next. And Rummel has told me about some of it as well.” She glanced around, carefully averting her eyes from Ukhaan’s body, and crouched down to sketch a quick map in the thick layer of dust.

“Ukhaan’s quarters and the rest of the mining corporation offices are here, on the cooler side of the transition zone, along with the barracks for the guards. They form a fortified block between the hangar and the mine entrance.”

He nodded in agreement. “I studied that layout because I thought we would be escaping through there. Unfortunately, I did not spend a lot of time on the plans for either the slave quarters or the mines themselves.”

“As far as I know, this elevator is the only direct connection between the two levels.” She indicated a square on her drawing. “This is where I came down. There’s a guard station there and I also think the lift is biometrically coded to the guards. The sleeping quarters are to the left of the lift and the mines to the right. We’re on the path between them. At shift change, the miners are paraded past here so they can see the rewards they can reap for the highest production numbers.”

Her voice was perfectly calm, but he could see her hands shaking. Anger roared through him, and he wished he could kill Ukhaan all over again. How dare he have threatened Joan with such a fate. But his anger would not help her. Instead, he gently covered her hands with his own, and she gave them a grateful squeeze before resuming.

“I know there’s another route to the surface from the mines because they use it to transport the ore up to the transport ships, but I don’t know exactly where it is.”

“An ore ship wouldn’t be much use to us. They are usually remotely operated and not equipped with life support. But if we could get to the surface that way…”

Her eyes widened. “Ukhaan said the surface can’t support life.”

“That’s not strictly true. It’s a harsh environment but not instantly fatal.” He hummed thoughtfully. “I saw one of the ore ships leaving as I arrived. It is not a great distance across the surface from where it left to the location of my ship.”

They stared at each other, and he did his best not to reveal his dismay at his own conclusions. The last thing he wanted was to venture into the mines, but he didn’t see any other viable option.

“As soon as they realize that Ukhaan is missing, they’ll go into lockdown. And since we most assuredly do not want to go back in the direction of the guards, I think we would be better off going through the mines and across the surface,” he said finally.

“Are you sure?”

No, he wasn’t sure. In fact, the thought of going deeper, of risking another cave-in, made his skin crawl, but he had promised to rescue her and he was not going to let his female down.

“I’m sure.”

From the way her eyes studied him, he didn’t think she entirely believed him, despite the confidence he had attempted to convey, but she didn’t argue.

“Then we’ll start at this end,” she said with a smile and bent to pick up the first rock.

“I can do that.”

She actually laughed. “I know you can, but I’m going to help. I may not have all those muscles, but I’m not helpless.”

The admiring glance she cast at his arms caused an entirely inappropriate reaction from his cock. He tossed the rock aside and pulled her close, bending down to kiss her. Her response was as sweet and eager as if they had been back in his room. She melted against him, her soft curves cradling his erection as she explored his mouth. He had his hand on the lush swell of her ass, lifting her against him, before he came to his senses and gently placed her back on the ground.

“Later, little bird. Right now, there is work to be done.”

Despite Varga’s objections, Joan kept working at his side. Even though she could only clear away the smaller rocks, every little bit helped. Even with Varga’s impressive strength, he couldn’t move as quickly as he would obviously have preferred because the wall of debris was so unstable. Several times, he pulled away a large rock only to have more tumble down after it. The third time it happened, he swore and frowned at the rubble still blocking the corridor.

“I wish I was more familiar with this material. On Sorvid, the natural stone is denser and does not crumble as easily.”

“We’re making progress,” she said soothingly, pointing to an upper corner through which a faint light shone.

“Not quickly enough.” He studied the end of the tunnel that led back to the guard station. There hadn’t been any sound from that direction yet, but it was only a matter of time. She was actually surprised that no one had tried to come through so far. The guards had access to much more sophisticated equipment.

A chirp sounded, interrupting her thoughts, and she looked up to see George poking his head through the small opening at the top of the tunnel.

“George!”

He came skittering down the rubble, surefooted despite the constant small movements of the rock, and jumped into her arms when she crouched down to greet him. She hugged him to her chest and scratched behind his ears.

“Where did you come from? Is this where you spend your days?”

“Your pet seems to be well equipped for maneuvering through the tunnels,” Vargas said as he bent down next to her. “Did you train him to come looking for you?”

“No, but he’s very smart. He comes to visit me every day. Just like Rummel.” She sighed. “I wish he was here. He knows these mines.”

George chirped, his head tilted to one side as if he understood her words. If he did…

“Do you remember Rummel?”

George chirped again, in what sounded like agreement.

“Could you find him? And bring him here?”

“Sweetheart, I’m sure he’s very intelligent, but I don’t think that’s going to work,” Varga said gently.

“It worked for Lassie,” she muttered, looking around for some way to send a message. In the end, all she could think to do was rip off a small portion of her tattered gown and offer it to George. He studied it for a minute, then took it in his jaws.

“Go get Rummel,” she said softly.

George squeaked, then started scrambling back up the pile of rubble before disappearing back through the tiny opening.

“I’ll be damned,” Varga said, staring after the small lizard. “Do you really think that’s going to work? Who is this Lassie of whom you speak?”

“An animal on a television show,” she admitted. “But he was trained to do a lot of different things and I’m sure George is just as smart.”

“I hope so, but I’m not prepared to risk your life on that hope.” With a sigh, he climbed to his feet and went back to the collapsed wall.

They cleared away more stones, and the opening at the top began to increase in size.

“A little more and you’ll be able to fit through,” Varga said with satisfaction.

“If you think I’m going without you, you’re sadly mistaken.”

“Sweetheart, I’m afraid this whole place is becoming unstable.” Twice, they had heard the distant rumbling sounds. “I want you safe.”

“I’m not leaving without you. You said you want me to be safe,” she hurried on. “How safe do you think I’d be without you to protect me?”

She gave him her wide-eyed, admiring look, but he only laughed. “I think you’d find a way to manage. But I admit I would prefer to be at your side. Let’s see how much progress we can make.”

He grabbed another boulder, one easily as big as her entire upper body, and tossed it aside. As it landed, there was another distant rumble, but this one didn’t subside. Instead, it grew steadily louder and the stone beneath their feet began to shake. Varga grabbed her and tucked her into a corner, covering her with his body as the world descended into chaos. More rocks fell and dust filled the air as the ground trembled, and then the lights went out.

Varga’s body had been like a stone wall between her and the surrounding chaos, even though she felt him shudder several times as rocks hit his back, but it wasn’t until the lights went out that his breathing changed. He started to pant and she could feel dampness covering his skin. A low moan clawed its way out of his throat, audible even beneath the rumbling of the earth.

“Varga! You’re all right. You’re here with me. We’re safe.” She didn’t care if the words were lies, she just wanted to reach him. Running her hands over the scarred surface of his chest, she pressed small kisses to his skin with every word. “You’re here with me. We’re together. It’s going to be all right.”

Gradually, his breathing slowed. As the rumbling finally came to a halt, he shuddered.

“I do not like the dark,” he said, his voice low and hoarse.

“I don’t either, but at least we’re together in the dark.”

His arms tightened around her and then he threw back his shoulders. Rock clattered to the ground, but she could breathe easier now. A few seconds later, a dim red glow appeared.

“Emergency lights.” The relief in his voice caused her own breath to catch, but she tried for a matter-of-fact tone.

“That will be helpful. Can you see anything? Did whatever that was clear any more of the debris?”

Keeping her cradled against his chest, he rose carefully to his feet, shaking off more of the rock as he moved. “I’m afraid not. On the positive side, most of this area is still clear.”

She followed his gaze, straining to see in the odd red light. “And it looks like there’s more rock between us and the guards.”

His arms tightened in a brief hug. “You are correct, little bird. This end doesn’t seem to have suffered as much damage, but it has eliminated much of the progress we made.”

“I wonder what happened. Did that first blast set off all this?”

He shook his head. “That was an earthquake. Ukhaan told me that he was expanding into a potentially unstable area, but he thought it was worth the risk because of the profit to be made.”

For the first time, she looked in the direction of Ukhaan’s body, but it was no longer visible. The fallen rocks covered it completely.

“He wanted off this planet too much to consider anything else.”

Varga nodded but he was studying the debris keeping them from the next chamber. “We have to get out of here. I just wish I was more confident that my efforts were helping rather than hindering.”

“Maybe we should wait and see if George comes back with Rummel.”

“I don’t think we can take that chance. Go and rest,” he urged her. “I’ll keep digging.”

“Then I’ll help,” she insisted, and together they began again.

Chapter Nine

Varga swore as more rock fell into the place he had just cleared. Next to him, Joan sighed. When he turned to look at her, he could see her shoulders drooping, and even in the dim glow of the emergency lights, her face was pale and tired.

“That’s enough for now,” he said firmly. “We need to rest for a few minutes.”

He was frustrated rather than tired, but he already knew that she would refuse to stop unless he did too. He guided her back into the cell, essentially undamaged by the collapse of the tunnel. Even the water still flowed in the small bathroom. They both drank from the sink, and then he made her sit on the edge of the bed while he gently cleaned her face and hands. The small cuts and scrapes covering them made him wince, but she didn’t complain.

“Thank you,” she said softly when he finished.

“I wish you would rest while I try again. The rocks cannot damage me.”

“If the rocks can’t hurt you, why do you have so many scars?”

“It’s part of the transformation process. As we grow and our skin starts to harden, it frequently develops these small cracks.”

She traced a finger along one of the scars on his chest, and he had to fight back a wholly inappropriate reaction to the soft touch. “These aren’t small.”

“Some of them are from damage in the mines back on Sorvid. Some of it is from my fighting career.”

“You’re a fighter?”

He shrugged, unable to tell from her expression if she was impressed or repulsed. “When I left Sorvid, I didn’t have many useful skills. Fighting seemed like the best option.”

“Did you like it?”

“Let’s just say I’m very good at it. I won my first fight so quickly that I suspected the entire thing was a joke. I didn’t realize that not everyone had the same natural armament as a Sorvid. One of the fight masters immediately offered me a contract. Of course, now I realize that it was barely more than the league minimum but at the time, I thought I was wealthy. I don’t even think the credits lasted a month. I spent it all on liquor and females.” He darted her a quick glance, half-laughing, half-ashamed, but her face remained composed. “Fortunately I was never fond of gambling but I did enjoy giving parties for the people I thought were my new friends.”

“I take it they weren’t?”

“As soon as the credits disappeared, so did they. But there was one male, Panoro. He gave me the best piece of advice I could have received. I was all set to go back to my contract owner and ask for an advance on the next contract. Panoro told me not to be a fool. He warned me that if I did, I would end up indebted to the male for the rest of my life.”

“But if you didn’t have any money—I mean, any credits—what did you do?”

“The same thing I’d been doing my entire life. I scrounged through leftovers, stole if I had to, went hungry when I had no other choice.” He kept his voice casual, unconcerned, but he suspected she could see the shadow of that time in his eyes because she placed a hand on his. He turned his hand over and closed his fingers around hers.

“Then what?” she asked.

“When my contract ended, I took bids for the next one.” He grinned. “I did very, very well out of that, but this time, I was more careful. My ship, the Aerie, was my one indulgence.”

“Why a ship?”

“Because it was mine. Because it meant that I always had a home. And perhaps a little because I enjoyed being surrounded by beautiful things.” He reached down and ran a finger down her cheek.

“Did you ever go home again?”

“Once. It was after I had that second contract, and I was sitting in my quarters feeling annoyed because the air temperature was a few degrees warmer than I preferred. Then I remembered what it had been like back on Sorvid.”

“I had a friend that I had grown up with and I went back to get him. I think I had some illusion that I would be rescuing him. He just laughed and refused to leave. ‘Better the hell I know,’ he said. I’m not sure if he truly didn’t believe that anywhere else was better or if he was scared to take a chance on an alternative.” He shrugged again. “That was the last time I tried to rescue anyone.”

“Until you came for me,” she said softly.

“Correct as always, little bird.”

She hummed thoughtfully but changed the subject. “Why did you leave Sorvid?”

“It’s not exactly a pleasant place to live,” he said dryly but decided not to elaborate. She didn’t need to hear about the horrors of his home planet. “And there was nothing to keep me there.”

“You don’t have any family?”

The familiar ache shot through him, still painful after all these years. “Not anymore.”

“I’m so sorry. Even though I know I’ll never see mine again, it’s comforting to know that they’re still out there, to think of them going about their daily business.”

Despite her words, her expression was wistful. He sat down next to her and gathered her into his arms. She snuggled against him and he couldn’t help responding to the feel of her body. Her eyes widened as she looked up at him.

“Are you… are you aroused?”

“I am always aroused when you are near,” he said truthfully.

She looked thoughtful, her fingers moving slowly over his chest. “Do you think we’re going to get out of here?”

“Eventually.” He didn’t add that he suspected the guards would be the ones to get them out—in which case, their fates might be even more unpleasant. He would fight to his last breath to protect her, but despite his fighting name of the Juggernaut, he wasn’t invincible, and he could be stopped.

Her fingers dropped even lower, skating along the edge of his pants now, and he caught his breath as she brushed against the swollen head of his cock. He expected her to move away, but she lingered, rubbing her thumb back and forth and gathering the liquid that began to coat his shaft. She looked up at him, and then very deliberately licked her thumb before sucking it into her mouth.

“Did I mention last night that you taste wonderful?”

“You are testing my self-control,” he growled.

“Am I? Good, because you test mine.”

With surprising speed, she straddled him, assuming the same position he had put her in the night before. He could have stopped her, of course, but the pleasure of having her so close to him was greater than his concern over their circumstances. Her fingers traced the edge of his pants once more before she unfastened them, letting his cock spring free.

“Mmm. I want to taste you again,” she whispered.

“Later. It’s my turn to discover you.”

Before she could object, he had her on her back, his face between her sweet little thighs. Even that wasn’t enough, and he spread her legs further apart so that every succulent inch was open to him. Even in the dim light, he could see that the delicate folds were flushed and glistening. He bent his head and took a long, satisfying swipe from her tempting entrance to her small pleasure nub. Mmm. She was every bit as delicious as he had anticipated.

Her hands clutched his head, burying themselves in the short length of his hair. “Varga! You can’t.”

“I most certainly can.” He didn’t raise his head as he spoke, and he felt her quiver as his hot breath washed over her folds.

“But…”

Whatever protest she had been about to make disappeared as he gently sucked her clit into his mouth. Instead, she gasped and arched into his touch, her body twisting restlessly. That’s better. He wanted her to focus only on what she was feeling.

He began to worship her with his tongue, licking and sucking until the small bead was throbbing in his mouth. As her body started to tighten, he pushed his finger slowly into her entrance. As wet as she was, he still felt her body resist as he pressed deeper. She called out his name, her voice pleading, and he gently scraped his teeth across her clit as he added a second finger. Her entire body bucked so hard that he almost lost his grip, and then she was coming, her tight little channel clamping down on him as she shuddered beneath him. He gentled his mouth but continued to lave the swollen flesh with his tongue until she pushed feebly at his head.

He lifted his face at last and looked up at her. She was smiling down at him, her expression relaxed and happy, and he was filled with satisfaction, despite the almost painful throbbing of his cock.

“Come here,” she whispered, and he gladly moved up her body until he could press a kiss against her lips. She returned it eagerly and then squirmed beneath him until he felt the wet kiss of her cunt against the head of his cock.

“Be careful, little bird.”

“Why?” She wiggled again, and he could actually feel her entrance starting to open around him. His hips automatically pushed forward, but her body resisted, and he started to pull away.

“No.” Her legs wrapped around his hips as she tried to pull him closer once again.

“But…”

She looked up at him and smiled. “This is my choice.”

Her words filled him with pleasure and he gave into his desire, his cock thrusting forward into her small channel. They both cried out. His was a shout of pleasure, but her eyes were wide and shocked.

“Is it too much?” he asked, gritting his teeth against the urge to sink deeper into the impossibly tight, hot depths of her body.

“N… No. Just give me a minute.”

Despite her words, he could see the strain on her face and reluctantly started to withdraw. Her legs tightened around him again.

“No,” she repeated, her voice more certain. “I want you.”

Remembering the liquid heat that had covered his fingers when she climaxed, he reached between the bodies and gently stroked her small pleasure nub. Her channel fluttered and softened enough for him to push forward another inch.

“Oh! Do that again,” she whispered, and he gladly obeyed.

Each time he touched her, she quivered and opened a fraction more, and each time he pushed deeper until finally he was buried completely in the silken haven of her body. Her eyes were still wide, her breath coming in rapid little pants, but she clung to him just as tightly. He took a deep breath and started to withdraw. His ridges scraped across her delicate tissues as her body resisted the movement. She called out his name, and then her body tightened around him in long, pulsating waves that rippled along his cock.

Restraint was impossible. He roared and started thrusting, wildly, desperately, lost to everything but the urge to fill her with his seed. The incredible tightness of her quivering channel was impossible to resist, and he exploded far too quickly, jet after jet of liquid flowing into her until he was completely drained. His body felt limp and heavy as he let it drop forward, careful to keep his full weight off of her.

There were tears on her cheeks, but her smile was wide and happy as she looked up at him.

“Are you all right, little bird?”

“I’m wonderful. I never knew it could be like that.” Her legs still clung to him as he carefully withdrew, the movement sending a shiver through both their bodies. He rolled to one side and pulled her against his chest. She snuggled against him, and he could still feel her smiling even though he couldn’t see her face. Her breathing slowly deepened as she drifted off to sleep.

He wanted nothing more than to stay here with her, but he needed to get her off this planet and that meant they needed to get out of this tunnel. With a reluctant sigh, he gently disengaged her. She murmured something indecipherable when he cleansed her with another damp towel but her eyes didn’t open. He pressed a kiss to her cheek and returned to the wall of debris.

Chapter Ten

As Varga carefully pulled a boulder free, he heard a skittering noise from the other side of the debris wall. He froze, his hand going to the blaster tucked in his belt. A face appeared in the corner opening, but it was not one of the guards. Instead, Joan’s friend Rummel glared at him. Sharp little eyes stared at him, then over to where Joan was sleeping on the bed.

“You bastard. Couldn’t even keep it in your pants while the mine’s collapsing? I have half a mind to leave you here.”

The male’s words reinforced his own guilt. He should not have given into her, no matter how sweetly she had asked him. But neither could he regret what had occurred between them—and what he hoped would occur again in the very near future.

“What occurred between us is none of your concern,” he said stiffly. “Do not look at her. And keep your voice down—she’s resting.”

Rummel snorted. “Resting? I know—”

But the sound of their voices woke Joan before Rummel could divulge his knowledge. She sat up, sleepy, tousled, and infinitely desirable, and a wash of pink covered her cheeks as their eyes met. The blush deepened when she saw Rummel. Grabbing her tattered gown, she slipped it on over her head.

“Rummel! Did George come and get you? Is he all right?”

There was an excited chirp before a small head appeared next to the male’s face. With a soft squeal, the lizard hopped down the debris wall and raced over to Joan, who gathered him up in her arms. Varga remembered only too clearly what it was like to be pressed against all that soft, warm flesh, and he experienced a ridiculous moment of jealousy for the creature before he pushed it aside.

“Can you help us get out of here?” he demanded.

“Us?” Rummel raised a bushy eyebrow.

“Yes, us,” Joan said firmly. “We’re not making any progress—every time we clear away some of the rock, more rock falls down.”

“Hmph. Bet you started at the bottom, didn’t you?”

“Yes,” he admitted.

“Gotta start at the top. And try not to move the rocks with the blue veins. They help to stabilize everything.”

Varga swore as he realized he had been doing almost the exact opposite of the male’s instructions. He climbed halfway up the pile and started pulling out some of the small rocks next to the opening.

Rummel cackled. “That’s the way. Get those ones next.”

At first, the male did not assist him, only directing him as to what to remove next but when Joan came to help, he scowled at her.

“You go sit back down, girlie. We got this.”

She paid no more attention to Rummel than she had paid to him, but the older male sighed and began to help. The clearing went even more quickly after that. Despite his size, Rummel was surprisingly strong as well as skilled in choosing the right stones to move. As soon as the opening was large enough, Varga urged her to climb through, but she refused to leave until the hole was large enough for both of them.

When he finally managed to convince her that the opening was sufficient, he helped her through, and Rummel helped her climb down the other side. As soon as she was clear, she threw her arms around the small male. Varga growled as he followed her down.

“Hush,” she scolded him. “If it weren’t for Rummel, we’d both still be on the other side.”

“There were some advantages to that location,” he muttered and she flashed him a quick smile.

After kissing the top of Rummel’s head while the male squirmed uncomfortably, she came back to his side.

“One step closer. Now what?”

“Now we get out of here.”

George had followed them back over the debris wall, and he chirped in seeming agreement.

“How?” Rummel demanded.

“We’re going through the mines, up the ore transport lift, and across the surface to Varga’s ship,” Joan said cheerfully.

“Bugger me senseless. You can’t mean that.”

“Why not?”

“The mines are full of guards and even if you could get through them, the surface is deadly.”

Varga shook his head. “Not if you’re only on it for a short time.”

“How short?” Rummel asked suspiciously.

“Only long enough to get to my ship. I saw the landing field on the way in. It’s just a short distance.”

Rummel grunted. “Might work,” he admitted. “But what about the guards in the mines?”

“You told me you knew your way around.” Joan gave the other male a hopeful look. “Couldn’t we do it without being seen?”

“Maybe I could. But he’s too big. And you’d cause a riot if any of them slaves got a look at you.”

The male had a point. And while Varga had every confidence in his ability to defend her under most circumstances, if they were severely outnumbered, she might be injured.

“I need a disguise,” Joan said thoughtfully. “What do the miners wear?”

“Coveralls. A head covering if they’re lucky.” Rummel rubbed his chin. “Might be able to get my hands on those. All right. I’m in.”

Wait a minute, had he agreed to bring the other male with them? Still, they would still have been trapped without his assistance, and his female was obviously fond of the older male.

He sighed. “Where are these supplies?”

“Down here. Follow me.”

As they turned to follow Rummel down the corridor, another rumble sounded in the distance, and the ground shook slightly. He braced himself, preparing to shield Joan despite his pounding heart, but it quickly died away. George too had paused, but then scampered ahead.

“Is this common?” he asked.

Rummel shook his head. “No. So far most of the damage is over at the new dig. Several of the tunnels collapsed. I reckon that’s why no one has come looking for you yet—they’re all focused on trying to get the walls shored up.” He shrugged. “Might make it easier to get away. If we don’t get caught in another collapse.”

As they resumed their journey, Varga noticed gratefully that there was little damage to the walls. Apparently, the tremors hadn’t caused any real damage to this section of the mines. They turned a corner, and another cell came in sight. Joan came to an abrupt halt, her eyes filling with tears.

“Oh my God. There’s another human here. Rummel, why didn’t you tell me?”

The male shrugged uncomfortably, avoiding her eyes. “Wouldn’t have made any difference.”

“Another woman,” Joan whispered.

He followed her gaze to the creature huddled against the wall and almost doubted her statement. The cell was filthy, the female equally so. Frightened, hostile eyes glared at them from beneath a wild tangle of hair.

“Hello there. I’m Joan. What’s your name?” Joan’s voice was low and soothing, but the female started to sob, and Joan turned back to him despairingly. “We have to get her out of there.”

He understood her desire to rescue the female, but the wretched creature wailing in the cell looked to be on the edge of madness. “Sweetheart, I’m not sure she’s capable of understanding what’s happening. She could endanger your escape.”

“I don’t care! I can’t leave her here. That… that could have been me.”

He found himself giving Rummel a helpless glance, but the other male only shrugged. “Can’t leave her here.”

Giving in to the inevitable, he used Ukhaan’s keys to open the cell door. When he started to step inside, the female began to keen in a low, penetrating wail. Joan hastily stepped in front of him.

“Don’t be scared. Varga isn’t going to hurt you. He’s my… boyfriend.”

Boy? Did she consider him a child? Before he could demand an explanation, the female started to laugh. The noise sent a chill down his spine—but at least it was better than that eerie wail.

“Boyfriend?” The voice sounded rusty, strained, but the words were clear enough. “This isn’t a fucking prom. He’s just another one of these animals.”

“No, he’s not. He came here to rescue me.”

The female snorted. “Lucky you.”

“I’m sure he would have come for you as well if he’d known. Isn’t that right, Varga?”

“I promised to assist the human females taken by the Derians,” he admitted. But how fortunate that he’d met Joan.

“You’re really going to get me out of here?” the female asked, a wild light in her eyes.

“Yes. Varga has a ship.”

A ship that was getting increasingly crowded.

“Which we need to get to as soon as possible,” he said firmly.

“Just a minute. What’s your name?”

“I was… am… I’m Polly.”

“Won’t you come with us, Polly?”

The female reared back against the wall, and he thought she was about to refuse, but then she nodded and climbed slowly to her feet. Fuck. She was naked, without even the thin gown that Joan was wearing, and the bruises and scrapes that marred every inch of her skin were clearly visible. How could anyone treat a female this way?

“Let me have your shirt please, Varga,” Joan said softly, and he silently obeyed.

She offered it to Polly, but the female backed away. “I don’t want anything from a male.”

“I understand.” Before he could protest, Joan slipped off her own gown and offered it to the other female. Polly studied it warily, then snatched it away and pulled it over her head. When Joan started to hand his shirt back to him, he shook his head and told her to put it on.

“We need to leave,” Rummel grumbled, darting a nervous glance up the tunnel. “It’s too quiet.”

“I know you,” Polly said, staring at the small male. “You brought me food.”

Rummel frowned at her. “Which you didn’t eat.”

“I didn’t trust you.”

Food? From the distressed look on Joan’s face, she had been the one sending it. He shuddered at the thought of what would have happened if Ukhaan had discovered her actions. But he wasn’t surprised that his female’s kind heart would have driven her to try and help others.

Wiping the sadness from her expression, Joan held out a hand to Polly. The other female shuddered and ignored it, but she made a few shaky steps in their direction. She got as far as the cell door before she froze, starting to moan again.

“It’s all right, Polly,” Joan said soothingly. “We’re going to get away from here. You’re going to be safe.”

Polly’s shoulders shook, but she finally stepped over the threshold, tears streaming silently down her face. “Safe,” she whispered.

Joan was crying too, and he put a comforting arm around her shoulders as they followed the other female down the corridor. Polly didn’t proceed in a normal manner. She would skitter ahead a few steps, then freeze and look around. Several times she huddled against the stone wall and Joan would have to talk her into moving again. Finally, Rummel grunted and fell into step next to her. Polly eyed him suspiciously, but he only grunted again and started spinning a long, convoluted tale about a traveling dice game and his misadventures with the Imperial fleet. She didn’t respond, but she listened, and her pace finally evened out as she kept step with the small male.

“I hope you know what you’re doing,” Varga said softly to Joan. “She’s going to need a lot of care.”

“We couldn’t leave her there!”

“No, I know. But she has to stay quiet and calm. If I have any reason to think that she will endanger you by her actions, I will do whatever is necessary to keep her quiet.”

She bit her lip, then nodded. “I understand, but I hope it won’t be necessary.” Looking up at him, she added, “There are two other females here.”

“Are they also human?”

“I don’t know, but it doesn’t matter.”

“I suppose you want to bring them along as well?”

“Yes. It’s only fair.”

His fantasy of having her alone on his ship was fading away by the minute. But she looked so determined, he knew she wouldn’t back down—and he didn’t like the idea of leaving any female at the hands of the Zameetans.

“They’re probably going to end up sleeping on the floor,” he warned.

“But we can bring them with us? Oh, thank you, Varga.” She threw her arms around him and kissed him—quickly, but with enough passion to make him long for the time when they could be alone.

“Don’t thank me yet,” he said grimly. “We have a long way to go before we’re safe.”

“I know you’ll get us out of here.” She gave him a trusting smile that made him pray he didn’t disappoint her.

Chapter Eleven

As Varga moved into the lead, he suddenly realized what Rummel had meant when he said it was too quiet. He could still hear the distant drone of the mining equipment and an occasional rumble from within the rock, but the tunnel itself was eerily quiet. In his visits to the mines with Ukhaan, there had been a constant hum of noise from the clatter of tools, muttered conversations amongst the miners, and jeering from the guards. While he was grateful that they had not encountered anyone, the silence filled him with unease.

A feline female with sleek dark fur occupied the next cell they encountered. Unlike the other cells, hers was not only clean but equipped with everything from sheets to pillows. She looked up when they approached, then came sauntering over to the bars with a lazy seductive walk, her tail twitching provocatively. Ignoring Joan completely, she ran an appreciative glance over him, lingering on his naked chest.

“You’re certainly an improvement over my usual visitors,” she purred. “I’m Saka. Did you come to play?”

Joan gave an adorable little growl as she stepped in front of him. “No, he didn’t.”

“Who are you? His pet?” The female’s tone was so dismissive that he had to fight back his own urge to growl.

“We’re escaping. Do you want to come with us? Or would you rather stay and… play?” Joan asked, her voice cool.

“Escaping?” Saka raised an eyebrow as she surveyed the small group. “With two pathetic females and a half-sized male?”

Joan shrugged and started to move away. “If you’re happier here…”

“No!” For the first time, the female’s cool assurance cracked, and he could read the desperation in her eyes. “What’s it going to cost me?”

“Nothing,” Joan assured her. “We’re all in this together.”

“If we’re caught, it’s going to be very bad.”

“I know.” Joan’s face softened. “But isn’t it worth taking the chance to be free?”

Slitted yellow eyes stared off into the distance. “Maybe this time it will work,” Saka muttered, in a voice almost too soft to hear, then gave a firm nod and squared her shoulders. “Yes. I want to come.”

He unlocked the cell, and she moved past him, cool and self-possessed once more. It wasn’t until he heard Joan’s quiet gasp that he looked after the other female. Scars covered Saka’s back, dozens of pale lines streaked through the dark fur. Joan’s mouth opened, but he shook his head. He was sure that Saka was no more eager to discuss her scars with strangers than he was to discuss his.

Joan reluctantly decided that Varga was right: there was nothing she could say that would change whatever Saka had been through. She was uneasily aware that she had rushed to judgment of the other female because of her apparently complacent attitude, but no doubt Saka had done whatever she needed to do to survive. Just as Joan had done.

Guilt washed over her again at the knowledge of how much easier her life had been than it was for these females, despite Ukhaan’s casual brutality. Would she have been able to survive if she had been thrown into one of these cells the day she had arrived? Even Polly, as troubled as she obviously was, must have a core of inner strength to have lasted so long.

“It’s not your fault, little bird,” Varga said softly. She looked up to find him watching her, a warm glow in his dark golden eyes.

“Am I so obvious?”

“Only to me.” He dropped a quick kiss on her head, then moved ahead to assume the lead position.

Her eyes followed him, admiring his broad shoulders and the strong muscles of his back rippling beneath the dark turquoise skin. Even the thin golden scars only added to his masculine beauty. Everything had happened so quickly since she’d woken up that she hadn’t had much of a chance to think about their encounter, let alone discuss it with him.

She could still feel the slight, pleasant ache deep inside and shivered with pleasure at the memory. Despite the circumstances it had been the most deliciously erotic experience of her life. Or was it because of the circumstances? Was it the danger they were in that made it so exciting? No, she decided as her gaze drifted down over a tight, round ass and heavily muscled thighs. She would want him no matter where they were.

“Are you with child?” Saka asked abruptly.

“No.” Another thing that Kevin had taken from her. As much as she had wanted to be a mother, once she realized his true nature, she had refused to take the chance on subjecting a child to his demeaning cruelty. He had castigated her for her failure to produce an heir for him but had been too self-absorbed to realize that she was on birth control. She shook off the memory of the past and frowned at Saka. “Why do you ask?”

“Your breasts are enlarged and your nipples are hard.”

Joan blushed as she looked down and realized that the memory of her time with Varga had caused her body to respond, her nipples thrusting against his shirt. “It’s normal for human females.”

“Hmm.” Saka ran a complacent hand down her own smooth front. “It seems inefficient.”

“Oh, it has its advantages,” she said lightly, refusing to respond to the other female’s bait.

“I will admit that your warrior doesn’t seem to object. At least, based on your little display earlier, I assume he’s your warrior?”

Was he? He had said he was here to rescue her—at his friend’s request, a little voice whispered—but he hadn’t mentioned what would happen once they left this planet. He treated her so tenderly, but then again, his eyes had been full of sympathy when he noticed Saka’s scars. And the female was very attractive. She forced herself to shrug.

“He’s a free male.”

“Hmm,” Saka said again, her eyes all too knowing as she inspected Joan’s face. “I’m not quite sure I believe that.” Before Joan could respond, she continued, “You’re the one who sent the food, aren’t you?”

“Yes. I am—I was—Ukhaan’s cook.”

Saka shuddered. “He’s a cold bastard. Not remotely swayed by my, uh, feminine charms.”

“He’s a dead bastard now. Killed in the cave-in.” She smiled at the other female. “And I was always happy that he was more interested in food than sex.”

“Ah, but I can’t cook,” Saka said bitterly, then shook her head. “Still, thank you for the treats. It was nice to get something I didn’t have to… pay for.”

“I’m glad you liked them.”

Rummel came up beside them, Polly lagging a few steps to his right. She seemed almost as suspicious of Saka as she did of Varga and kept shooting her nervous glances. George, too, stayed on the far side of the corridor.

Saka sighed. “I’m not sure bringing the moaner was the best idea. Can she keep her mouth shut for a change?”

Joan expected Polly to shrink away, but instead she glared at Saka, who laughed. “Maybe there’s some spirit there after all.”

“We’re almost to the mines,” Rummel interrupted, with a reproving look at Saka. Joan wasn’t surprised that he had taken Polly under his wing. Despite his constant grumbling, he had a kind heart. “Two more cells, then the supply rooms. I suppose I’m going to have to find clothes for all of you.”

“Two more cells?” she asked eagerly. “Does that mean two more women we can help get away from here?”

“One female, one male.”

Her stomach clenched as she remembered Ukhaan’s harsh instructions to choose one of the weaker males as a substitute for her. “Oh no.”

Varga returned to the small group and immediately tugged Joan against his side. Saka raised a knowing eyebrow, and Joan did her best to keep from blushing.

“I agreed to rescue females, not males,” he said firmly. “And none of us are going to escape if we don’t keep moving.”

She obediently fell in step beside him but was already trying to come up with the best way to change his mind. The poor male was only there because of her—and Ukhaan’s gluttony, she forced herself to remember.

But when they turned the corner and found the next cell, she felt the doubt creep in. There were two occupants of this cell: the slender, purple-skinned female who had been on the ship with her and a huge, lethal-looking male. He was as tall as Varga, his height accented by the black crest that topped his wedge-shaped head. His body was covered with matte black scales, and sharp spikes jutted back from his elbows and knees. How could anybody think someone like that could be compelled into sexual slavery?

She didn’t realize she had misunderstood until he thrust the female behind him and glared at Varga.

“My time is not yet up.”

Varga had his weapon out and pointing at the male before he finished speaking. “Back away from the female.”

The female in question gave a frightened cry and huddled behind the dark-skinned male as he glared at Varga.

“It’s all right,” Joan said quickly. “We’re here to take you out of this place.”

A face peeped out at her from behind the male—a very pretty face with dark purple eyes set at an angle amidst delicate, alien features. White hair waved gently, seeming to cling to the male’s skin. “Really?” she asked doubtfully.

“That’s the plan. Just move away from him.”

The female looked from Joan to the weapon in Varga’s hand, and her eyes widened, her hair whipping around her face.

“No! Don’t hurt him!” She tried to throw herself in front of the big, dark male, but he gently restrained her.

“Be calm, Taliane,” he said softly, then frowned at Varga. “Does the female speak the truth?”

Joan glared up at him. “I’m right here, and of course I do.”

The male looked down as if seeing her for the first time, and she thought she caught a flicker of amusement on that strange face. “Forgive me, small female. What is the plan?”

Varga growled before she could respond. “Not one we will offer to a stranger.” After a momentary hesitation, he added, “But it has a reasonable chance of success.”

“Fair enough.” The male sighed and looked down at Taliane, now clinging to his arm. “Perhaps you should take that chance.”

“I’m not leaving you, Issar.”

Saka gave an exasperated sigh. “Don’t be a fool. You can always find another male.”

“I don’t want another male.” Taliane’s teeth fastened on her lower lip. “He has been… good to me. I’m not leaving him.”

“Do not worry about me, Taliane. You must take this opportunity for freedom.” The dark-skinned male stared at Varga. “You will protect her.”

“He doesn’t need to protect me because I’m not leaving without you,” Taliane repeated.

Varga looked equally determined not to let Issar accompany them. Joan understood that he was probably concerned about letting such a deadly-looking male join them, but if Issar sought Taliane’s freedom over his own, he must be a pretty decent person.

She gave Varga a pleading look and he sighed. “It’s a very small ship, little bird.”

“We can’t leave them here.”

He frowned at Issar. “Will you give me your word of honor that you will follow my orders and make no attempt to harm my female? Or any of our party?”

Issar studied him for a moment, then bowed his head. “In the name of Napisten, I so vow.”

“Very well.” Varga sighed again and unlocked the cell.

Chapter Twelve

“When you said there was a male ahead, I thought you meant another slave,” Joan whispered to Rummel, relieved that she had misunderstood.

“I did,” he said grimly as they turned another corner.

The entire party came to a halt. This cell was smaller, barren but spotlessly clean. A slender purple male with white hair sat quietly on the mattress, his shoulders slumped.

“He’s Gliesan too,” Taliane gasped, and at the sound of her voice he looked up.

Like her, he had delicate, pretty features but there was a world of painful knowledge in the big purple eyes regarding them.

“This is new. Are the two of you planning on having some type of strange orgy? Very strange,” he added as he took in Saka and Rummel. Despite the almost casual question, she could hear the thread of despair in his voice.

“No,” she said quickly. “We’re escaping. Do you want to come?”

Varga swore under his breath. “Little bird, I told—”

“I know. It’s a small ship. But we can’t leave him here. They took him instead of me!”

“Ah, you must be the cook. Thank you for the food.” The male smiled at her, a sweet, weary smile.

She shot a quick glance at Rummel, and he shuffled his feet, looking uncomfortable. “Felt sorry for the boy.”

“I’m glad you did. I’m so sorry… What’s your name?”

“I’m Nepala. And it’s not your fault.”

“I’m Joan.” She introduced the others, then turned back to Varga. “Please?”

He studied her face, then shook his head as he reached for the keys.

Varga reluctantly released the Gliesan male. Like Rummel, he felt sorry for the youngster. Although he wasn’t in as bad a shape as Polly, bruises shadowed his skin and he walked with a careful step that indicated pain.

“No more,” he told Joan firmly. “Or do you expect me to free everyone in this place?”

Polly moaned and started to back away from them.

“Calm down, Polly,” Joan said soothingly. “He didn’t mean it. But what if there are others who deserve to be released?”

“No one deserves to be here.” Surprisingly, Nepala was the one to respond. “And most of them aren’t that bad. No one asks to be made a slave.”

Joan turned to him, her expression eager. Fuck. This was supposed to be a rescue mission, not a revolution.

“No, little bird.” He hated the way her face fell. “I wish there was something we could do to help, but my first priority is getting you away from this planet.”

Over her head, he could see Issar nodding in agreement. Taliane looked worried, Polly scared, and Saka irritated, but it was the disappointment on Joan’s face that made his chest ache.

“Do you really want to help?” Nepala asked. “If you could do so without endangering your female?”

“What did you have in mind?”

“Give me the keys. Let me go back and free all of the slaves currently in their quarters.”

He shook his head, pointing back down the corridor. “The tunnel is blocked. You can’t get through.”

That surprisingly sweet smile flashed across the young male’s face. “One of my… visitors had done some repair work on the cells. There’s a utility tunnel that runs behind them. It may be open.”

“He’s right,” Rummel agreed. “It’s possible he could get through that way.”

“And then what? The guards have weapons. The slaves have none.”

“But there are more slaves than there are guards. And they won’t be expecting us.” Another quick smile. “Perhaps we will even make enough of a diversion to cover your escape.”

“And perhaps you’ll get yourself killed, you young fool.” As much as he admired the boy’s courage, the odds were against him.

“Then I’ll die trying to do the right thing.”

Varga looked at Joan. Her eyes were filled with tears, but she nodded.

“Very well. Here.” He handed over the keys, then silently gave Nepala his blaster.

The male’s eyes widened. “Don’t you need this?”

“I’ve never needed a weapon yet,” he said truthfully.

“Thank you. All of you.” Nepala gave them a solemn nod, then vanished down the corridor.

“All of you are fools,” Saka muttered. “And he’s the biggest fool of all. Why would he go back?”

“He has a brother,” Rummel said. “The guards were going to take him and Nepala volunteered in his place.”

Fuck. He actually took a half-step after the boy before he came to his senses. First, he had to get Joan and the others off of this planet. Then he would send in every mercenary he could find to assist in this revolution he had started. He could only hope it wouldn’t be too late.

He turned back to find Issar watching him. “I’ll send for help as soon as we’re free.”

The Asing male nodded, even though Varga suspected that he too wondered if that help would come too late.

“It would be an honor to fight beside the young male,” Issar said solemnly. “Perhaps even to die a glorious death for this noble cause.”

“No! You can’t, you can’t!” Taliane cried, and Issar gave her a gentle smile.

“Of course not. Your safety is paramount.”

Varga heard Joan give a soft sigh and she smiled at the other male. Did she not realize that he was every bit as concerned with her safety? He scowled at Issar, who appeared completely unconcerned by his irritation.

“Perhaps you could stop posturing and we could get moving,” he growled.

“Varga.” Joan frowned up at him, but he ignored her disapproving look and tucked her under his arm as he started back down the corridor.

The supply room was as quiet and deserted as everywhere else had been. Rummel found coveralls for all of the females, although Varga didn’t think that the clothing would fool anyone into believing that his curvy female was a male. But it was better than nothing.

“Where do we go from here?” he asked Rummel. “You said you knew a back way?”

“It’s the oldest part of the mine. It’s played out now so no one should be there.” The other male cast a doubtful glance at Varga and Issar. “But the equipment they used to dig it out was less sophisticated than the current equipment. The tunnels are smaller, and it’s going to be a tight fit for you two.”

Varga suppressed a shudder. He hated being confined, especially underground. The only thing that had made the cave-in easier to take was the amount of room remaining in the tunnel and the cell. But it had to be done. “Where do the tunnels come out?”

“Between the smelter and the ore lift.” Rummel frowned and scratched his chin. “But the entrance to the new mine is close. The odds are good that we will encounter someone at that point.”

He spared a fleeting thought for his blaster, but Nepala needed it more than he did. Instead, he glanced at Issar, who gave him a fierce grin in return. The other male might be annoying, but he would be a worthy companion in battle.

“Then we will eliminate them,” he said firmly. “Lead the way.”

As soon as they entered the first of the old tunnels, Varga knew that he was going to hate every minute of this journey. The heat increased dramatically as the walls closed in around them. Even raised in the fires of Sorvid, he found it uncomfortably hot. Joan’s face was flushed, her skin glistening.

The roof of the tunnel brushed against his head, and he shuddered. He hated this, hated the reminder of what it was like to be buried beneath the surface. When he was small, small enough that his armor had not yet begun to form, he had been trapped in a cave-in. It had seemed like days before they managed to reach him. His father had scolded and hugged him; his mother had cried and hugged him. They were both gone now, lost in another cave-in.

He didn’t realize how much the memory was affecting him until Joan slipped her hand in his and he could barely feel her soft little fingers.

“What’s wrong?” she asked softly.

“Nothing.” He pushed the memories away and forced his skin to soften so that he could feel her skin against his.

She didn’t look as if she believed him, but she didn’t ask any more questions and she let her hand remain in his.

He could hear the others panting, their steps beginning to slow. Only Issar seemed undisturbed. Rummel remained at Polly’s side but to Varga’s surprise, she didn’t cry or complain. Her fists clenched at her sides, but she moved forward with determined steps. Saka, on the other hand, complained bitterly at first, but the heat wilted her down and she eventually lapsed into silence. Issar assisted Taliane, his arm around her waist despite the narrowness of the tunnel as he half-carried her. Joan’s hand remained tucked in his, but he could tell she was tiring, weariness in every line of her body. He would have carried her, but there just wasn’t room in the narrow passageway.

“There should be a water station up ahead,” Rummel said, his voice hoarse, and Varga realized he wasn’t quite as unaffected as he seemed to be.

The next interval seemed to drag interminably, the knowledge that relief awaited them making each step that much more painful, but at last they rounded the corner and saw water trickling down the wall and into a small basin.

Saka gave a harsh cry and rushed over to the basin, lapping frantically at the liquid. He would have pushed her aside, but Joan shook her head. To his frustration, she waited until each of the other females had taken a drink before she took her turn.

She frowned as she lifted her head. “I thought it was water but it doesn’t taste like water.”

Fuck. He hadn’t considered the possibility that the substance might not be tolerable for humans. He took a cautious sip, then sighed with relief.

“It’s water. It tastes different because of the minerals in the cave walls.”

She shrugged. “It doesn’t taste bad. I just wasn’t expecting it.”

Issar settled down against the wall and pulled Taliane onto his lap. “We should rest while we have the opportunity,” he said.

Varga suspected that the Asing didn’t need rest any more than he did, but the others in their small group were obviously exhausted. He urged Joan to sit, then pulled Rummel aside.

“How much further?”

“About twice this distance.” The small male frowned. “But the next water station isn’t until close to the end. I wish we had some way to carry it with us.”

The need to be on their way was a constant warning in his head, but he wasn’t sure that the females had recovered enough. Taliane was asleep in Issar’s arms, Saka was curled into a ball on the floor, her eyes closed, and even Polly’s body had slumped against the wall. Joan’s eyes were half-closed, but when she saw him watching her, she made a valiant attempt to climb to her feet. He shook his head and sat down next to her, gathering her into his arms.

Despite the circumstances, it was immensely satisfying to have her in his arms again. The memory of their time together flashed in his head, and his cock responded. Joan wiggled against it, then looked up at him, her eyes wide.

“Now?” she whispered.

He lowered his head and breathed in her ear, delighting in the way she quivered against him. “Always.”

Her eyelids drooped, but this time he thought it was from desire rather than exhaustion. As he gathered her closer, he caught the sweet scent of her arousal. Looking around the cave in the dim glow of the emergency lighting, he realized that everyone else appeared to be asleep. Even George had his head buried beneath his tail.

“You must be very quiet,” he murmured, and before she could respond, he slipped his hand inside the open front of her coveralls. She had lowered the fastening due to the heat, and he had no problem reaching her luscious breast and circling her nipple. The taut peak hardened even further at his touch, stabbing against his palm. He longed to take the tempting morsel in his mouth, but he did not want to expose any more of her body. Instead, he concentrated on the tight little bud, rolling and pulling until she started to squirm in his arms.

“Quiet,” he repeated and she nodded, arching impatiently into his touch.

He removed his hand and saw her bite back a frustrated cry. With deliberate slowness he moved to the other breast and repeated the treatment until it too was swollen and throbbing against his hand.

“Varga…” she whispered urgently.

After another look around to make sure that everyone’s eyes were still closed, he let his hand descend further, skating over the soft curve of her stomach until he reached her damp curls. Not just damp, he realized as he explored. Her delightful little cunt was dripping, slippery with her desire. He slid a thick finger through her folds, and she turned her head, burying her soft cry against his chest.

Then her mouth closed over his nipple, hot, wet, and demanding, and he had to bite back a cry of his own. He had never considered that a sensitive area, but the urgency with which she was sucking on him sent a corresponding pulse through his cock. He remembered all too clearly what it had felt like when she took him into her mouth.

His cock ached, pulsing beneath her ass, and he felt her push down until he was cradled between her soft cheeks. He did his best to ignore it and concentrate on her. He circled the swollen pearl of her clit, until it emerged from its protective cover, then tried to insert his finger in her small channel. Gods, she was tight, her body resisting even the single digit. How had she managed to take him?

He adjusted his hand so he could continue teasing her small nub while he pressed deeper inside her. Her mouth on his chest was frantic, urgent, and the scent of her desire made his head swim with pleasure. He wanted to plunge inside her, to wring a scream of ecstasy from her lips, but he forced himself to keep his movements slow and quiet, even as her body tensed.

He pressed harder, stroked deeper, and felt her convulse, her whole body shaking. The muffled cry that escaped her lips was almost as satisfying as hearing her call out his name. She quivered against him, her climax continuing to roll over her until he finally, reluctantly, removed his hand.

His cock was so hard it was actually painful, but when she smiled up at him, he had no regrets. He dropped a quick kiss on her lips as her eyes fluttered closed and her body sagged against his. He let her sleep, keeping watch against any danger.

Chapter Thirteen

“Wake up, sweetheart. It’s time to leave.” Varga’s voice was a low rumble against her chest, and she stretched lazily, reaching for him even before her eyes opened.

“We don’t have time for that,” Saka snapped, and Joan’s eyes flew open, her face burning.

She had forgotten that they weren’t alone. Grabbing for the fastening to her coverall, she breathed a sigh of relief when she realized that it was closed once again.

“I’m afraid your delightful body is concealed once more,” Varga murmured, dark golden eyes warm with amusement, and more heat rushed her face as she remembered climaxing in his arms.

How could she have let him do that? She darted a quick glance around, but no one was watching her as they stood and stretched. She did the same, her muscles warm and loose, with only that pleasant heat between her legs to remind her of what they had done. What he had done—for her.

She snuck a quick look at him, but he still looked amused, not upset, even though she remembered how hard he had been beneath her when he sent her flying. What a surprisingly erotic experience despite, or perhaps even because, of the need for silence. His hands had been so slow, so persistent as he kept her perched on the edge of the cliff for so long before finally sending her tumbling over with one long stroke. She shivered at the memory and saw his eyes heat, but even as she started to sway towards him, she remembered their surroundings again.

With a wry smile, she turned away and took her turn with the odd tasting water. When she turned back, she swayed, suddenly dizzy as the cave walls seemed to vibrate around her.

“Joan, is something wrong?” Varga’s arms closed around her, his voice anxious, and she smiled up at him.

“No, I’m fine. I’m just tired.”

He still looked worried, but he nodded. “I’m afraid this is going to be a hard journey.”

He wasn’t lying. Almost as soon as they started walking, she could feel her tired muscles aching. Despite the amount of work she had done for Ukhaan, it had not prepared her for this type of endurance trial. But the memory of her time with Ukhaan also helped to spur her on. Before she grew too tired to look around, she could tell that everyone else was also suffering. Even Saka had abandoned her complaints and just trudged along behind them.

It was too narrow to walk together, so she tucked her hand into the back of Varga’s pants and concentrated on following in his footsteps. Even George began to flag, whining unhappily at her feet. Over Varga’s objection, she tucked the small lizard inside her coverall. George chirped happily, then settled down against her stomach to sleep. At least one of them was comfortable. Her feet felt raw and her mouth was drier than the Sahara. Her back ached from the constant ducking to avoid low sections of the tunnel roof. How much worse it must be for Varga and Issar with their greater heights.

When at last she heard the sound of water, she would have sobbed with delight if there had been any fluid left in her body with which to make tears. Varga led her straight to the basin, and she was too tired to protest. The other females crowded in next to her, and she had to fight back the urge to elbow them a way. As soon as she could make herself, she lifted her head and gestured to Varga.

“Your turn.”

He gave her a quick look but didn’t argue, and that more than anything, made her realize that he must be equally exhausted. When he finished, she lifted George up to the basin. He lapped greedily, and she was about to make a teasing comment when a noise sounded from the tunnel on the other side. She froze and looked up at Varga. He tensed, hand dropping to where the weapon used to be.

He gestured silently, and they all slipped back into the tunnel behind them. He crouched at the entrance, watching as the noise came closer. It was an odd scraping noise, and it reminded her of a horror movie with the victim crouched in silence waiting for the monster to appear. She shivered, and Varga reached back and gently patted her leg, his touch warm and reassuring.

A little of her tension eased. She knew he would do anything he could to protect her.

He crouched lower, then she heard a splashing noise and he sprang forward. A startled cry from the cave was quickly choked into silence. Had something happened to him? She started to rush after him, but Issar blocked the way, peeping around the corner before sighing and waving her ahead.

She rushed into the cave and found Varga holding up a small frog-like male by his throat. An unpleasant odor filled the cave, and Varga looked disgusted.

“He urinated on me.”

“Well you probably scared him. Let him down, Varga. He doesn’t look very dangerous.”

Varga scowled at the small male. “I’m going to put you down. Do not make any noise and do not approach any of the females.”

The male nodded eagerly, his eyes bulging. As soon as his feet reached the ground and Varga removed his hand from around his throat, he started babbling, although fortunately he kept his voice low. “I do apologize. I thought you were one of the guards. But I promise I didn’t urinate on you—my skin omits a liquid when I feel threatened.” Big eyes blinked up at Varga. “You might want to wash it off. It can have an irritating effect.”

Varga swore again and moved over to the basin to rinse off the foul-smelling liquid covering his upper half.

“Are you all right?” she asked anxiously.

He nodded. “My skin protects me. It is merely offensive.”

“I’m truly sorry, your honor,” the small male said eagerly. “Please forgive my insignificant self.”

“Who are you, and what are you doing here?”

“I am Ahona, a humble worker in these great mines. I wished only to seek some refreshment before returning to work.”

“You mean you snuck away and left your fellow workers shorthanded,” Rummel said, glaring at Ahona.

“I’m sure my small contribution will not be missed. I’m afraid my meager efforts make very little difference.” Ahona ducked his head humbly, but Joan suspected that Rummel’s assessment was probably accurate. Still, she couldn’t blame anyone for wanting to take a break in this dreadful heat.

“Where were you supposed to be working?” Varga demanded.

“We are clearing away the rubble blocking the entrance to the new mines,” Ahona said eagerly, then shook his head. “It’s a terrible mess. There’s much rock to be cleared, and the guards are very impatient.”

“How close is where you are working to the end of the tunnel?”

“Just around the corner, although the area where we are putting the discarded rocks is between us. It was when I placed my small load on the pile that I noticed the entrance and remembered that there was a water station in here. I didn’t mean any harm. Truly.”

He sounded sincere enough but something about him bothered Joan. Maybe it was the way his eyes kept darting around, never settling on one thing but noticing everything. Varga didn’t seem worried. He shrugged, obviously dismissing the male, before addressing Rummel.

“How much of a problem is that going to be?”

“It depends. If most of the guards are focused on the workers doing the clearing, we might be able to avoid their notice.”

“They are, they are,” Ahona said eagerly.

“Are the lights working out there?” Varga asked

“They have portable lights focused on the clearing efforts. But only the emergency lights are working everywhere else.” Ahona looked suddenly sly. “I heard the quake took out the communication tower as well. The guards have to go up to the surface to communicate.”

Perhaps that explained why no one had come after them so far. Or perhaps they were simply focused on repairing the damage. She had heard Ukhaan speak of the new area often enough to know that it was very rich in ore. That was why he decided to proceed with the new tunnels, even knowing that it could be dangerous.

Varga frowned thoughtfully. “How often do they go up to the surface?”

Ahona bobbed his head. “Maybe once an hour? I’m not supposed to look at them, your honor. I try to keep my head down and focus on my work.”

Varga gave a disgusted grunt, but once again Joan wondered if Ahona was telling the entire truth.

“I don’t think we have a choice. We can only hope that they are too distracted to pay attention.” He looked over at Issar. “You lead the way, and I’ll cover the rear.”

Issar nodded grimly.

“Will you take me with you, your honor? Wherever you are going?” Ahona asked eagerly.

Varga shrugged, then nodded, and Joan fought back the urge to protest. He hadn’t asked her, but then again, he probably assumed that she would want to bring the small male along, just as she had brought along everyone else they met. But somehow, this time it didn’t feel right.

Rummel muttered something under his breath and she looked over to find him frowning at Ahona, but he didn’t say anything either and they all fell into line behind Issar. Taliane was immediately behind him, followed by Saka, then Polly and Rummel. Polly was panting, an almost inaudible whimpering coming from her throat, but she clutched Rummel’s shirt and followed him.

Ahona bowed and waved Joan in front of him, but she shook her head. She didn’t want him between her and Varga. He limped along after Rummel as she reached down and picked up George. He had been hiding behind her legs, obviously not impressed with Ahona either, and he chirped happily as she tucked him back inside her coverall.

Ahona’s head whipped around at the noise, and a disturbingly long tongue flickered out as he caught sight of George.

“A drongo? What a treat—they’re very tasty.”

She covered George’s head with her hand and glared at Ahona. “He’s not tasty. He’s my friend.”

“Oh, of course. My apologies, your honor. A foolish mistake on my part.” But despite his babbling apology, he looked hungrily at the place where George had disappeared.

She really didn’t want Ahona to accompany them now, but what could she do? She didn’t think she was coldhearted enough to send him back to slavery in the mines. And even if she had been, what if he turned on them now that he knew they were here? She settled for keeping a wary eye on him as she followed him, noticing that one of his feet dragged, creating the scraping noise she had heard earlier. Not a monster after all, but she shivered anyway.

Stepping from the small tunnel into the huge cavern that led from the ore transporter back towards the new mine was surprisingly hard. The space seemed huge and exposed, despite the dim lighting, and the bustle of activity was clearly audible although as Ahona had said, a pile of debris stood between them and the blockage.

On the far side of the cavern, the smelter glowed fiery red, adding to the suffocating heat. It was no cooler here than it had been inside the tunnels. Issar led the way along the far wall towards the huge transport shaft at the far end. He moved quickly and silently, but he checked constantly to make sure that they were behind him.

She couldn’t hear Varga behind, her but she could feel his reassuring presence. Every time she looked over her shoulder to check, he smiled at her, despite the hard mask covering his face.

Her nerves were as tight as piano strings, but they reached the far end of the great cavern without hearing any outcry. A large metal grate surrounded the shaft, and as they grew closer, she realized that there was no platform inside.

“Where’s the lift?” she whispered frantically.

“It must be on the surface,” Varga said reassuringly. “Do they keep it up there when they’re not using it, Ahona?”

“Oh yes, your honor, yes. Surely they do.” Ahona sounded even more nervous, and Varga frowned at him before looking at Issar.

“I don’t think we have any choice. It’s the only way to the surface.”

“I agree.” Issar shrugged. “At least there’s only one option.”

He reached out and slapped a large red button, and they all heard the faint grinding of the chains. Joan cast a nervous look over her shoulder again, but Varga gave her a reassuring smile.

“I know it sounds loud, but no one would be able to hear it unless they were right here.”

She suspected he was right, but it didn’t stop her from shivering. There was a small outcropping of rock to one side of the shaft, and Varga urged them all behind it. At least this way they wouldn’t be immediately visible if there was someone on the platform when it descended. She hoped.

The creaking increased, and she looked up to see the base of the platform far overhead. It descended with surprising speed, but to her relief, the sounds didn’t get any louder. When the top of the platform finally came into view, she shuddered and tried to fade into the rock. Two guards were standing there, chatting idly. They didn’t seem suspicious and she prayed desperately that they would head straight back to the blockage. Her pulse was pounding in her ears so loudly that she couldn’t make out what they were saying, but she heard one of them laughing, and the sound sent a chill down her spine.

The platform came to a halt, the gate lifted, and the two guards stepped out. They didn’t even glance in their direction, and Joan was about to sag with relief when disaster struck.

As the guards descended, Polly had tried to push herself further and further back against the rock. Somehow, she dislodged a small shower of stones. The clattering noise was loud enough that the guards turned in their direction. One of them gave a loud cry, and the other raised his electric whip. Varga raced forward, and to her horror, the whip landed on one of his scars. Golden fluid gushed out, and he crumpled to his knees.

“Varga!” She was already starting towards him when Ahona caught her arm.

His fingers were cold and slippery but surprisingly strong as he started dragging her with him.

“Look, your honors,” he said eagerly. “I found a female. I brought her along just for you.”

She tried to struggle as his words penetrated but the grip on her arm was no longer just strong—it burned. A fiery pain emanated from where he touched her, and a sudden wave of weakness swept up her arm.

“My arm…”

“I told you it was irritating,” he muttered maliciously, his face transforming to a humble smile as he approached the guards. “Just for you, your honors.”

There were two simultaneous roars. A black shape seemed to fly past her, and it took her increasingly foggy brain a second to recognize Issar. Everything seemed to be moving in slow motion as she watched him reach one of the guards and bury his claws in the male’s stomach. Varga was no longer on his knees. He had the whip in his hand, and he had it twisted around the other guard’s neck.

Good, she thought slowly.

The burning pain vanished from her arm, and she looked over to see Rummel bring a rock crashing down on Ahona’s head. She thought she should be relieved, but it all seemed so far away. The cavern began to spin around her, and the ground raced up to meet her. Someone caught her just before she hit, but she didn’t have time to wonder who it was before the world went dark.

Chapter Fourteen

Varga cast the dead guard aside and raced for Joan as she toppled to the ground. He knew he would never make it in time, but to his astonishment, Polly reached her first. Polly managed to break Joan’s fall, but both females hit the ground. As soon as he reached them, he snatched Joan into his arms with a grateful word to Polly. He frantically checked Joan for injuries, swearing at the sight of her swollen, blistered arm, the print of Ahona’s hand clearly visible.

He growled, searching for the small male, but his body was only a short distance away, his head smashed beneath a large rock while Rummel scowled down at it.

“Killing was too good for you, you bastard.” Rummel spat on the body, then went to help Polly. She was still sitting on the ground where Joan had fallen, her eyes wide and vacant, but she let Rummel help her to her feet.

Varga agreed with the older male, but he was too focused on Joan to care. “How can I help her?” he asked desperately.

“Get her on the lift,” Issar said grimly as a shout came from the far end of the cavern. “We have to get out of here.”

He hesitated. As much as he hated the Zameetans… “What if they could help her?”

“You would condemn her to return to a life of slavery?” Issar pulled him to his feet as he spoke and urged him towards the lift.

Taliane and Saka were already on the platform, while Rummel and Polly were only a few steps away.

“At least she would be alive. And I would never stop until she was free again.” He let Issar push him along, but he kept turning to look at the guards racing towards them.

“You would if they killed you,” Issar said bluntly. “And you’re already injured.”

“It’s only a scratch,” he said automatically, even though he could feel fiery pain from the wound and knew that blood was dripping down his chest. It had been sheer bad luck that the guard had managed to hit one of his scars—one of the few areas he was vulnerable.

Issar pushed him on the platform, even as he tried to decide what to do. It was difficult to think when his whole being was focused on the small figure in his arms. But before he could change his mind, the platform began to rise.

“She needs help,” he said desperately.

Issar frowned. “Do you have a medical bay on your ship?”

“Just a small automated one.”

“That should still be enough to put her in stasis until you can get her to a real facility.”

He couldn’t respond, terrified that he would lose her. Her body already seemed cooler in his arms, her breathing shallower. He thought she whimpered but when he leaned closer, he saw it was George, crawling his way out of her coverall. The lizard chirped anxiously, then to his horror, began licking the wound.

“No!” he cried, about to knock the small creature away, but Rummel caught his arm.

“Wait a minute. The swelling is going down.”

Afraid to believe, he kept his eyes on her arm until he was sure he could see a difference. Rummel was right. The inflamed red flesh was subsiding, even the blisters beginning to disappear. Thank the gods.

“I don’t understand.”

“Ahona knew George was a drongo.” Rummel shook his head. “Maybe they were from the same planet. Or maybe George just has healing abilities.”

“I suppose it doesn’t really matter as long as it helps her.”

The swelling had almost completely disappeared, although the outline of Ahona’s hand was still visible. Joan’s breathing seemed easier, but her eyes still hadn’t opened.

“I wish she would wake up,” he muttered.

Rummel frowned. “Maybe it’s better if she doesn’t yet. I don’t think this trip is going to be as easy as you made it sound.”

The platform jerked, and he looked around to realize they had reached the top. They were still under the cover of the transport shed, but the rocky surface was clearly visible through the opening in the end wall. His former confidence that they could make it across the harsh terrain to his ship suddenly seemed foolishly optimistic, but there was no other choice. They had to make it.

“The lift is moving,” Taliane called, jerking his attention to the platform as it started to descend.

That was one thing he could handle. He let the skin over his arm and hand harden, then smashed it into the control panel. There was a satisfying shower of sparks, and the platform ceased to move.

“Good.” Issar nodded approvingly. “That will prevent them from following us immediately. If Ahona wasn’t lying, they will have no way of communicating with the headquarters.”

“That’s a big if,” he said grimly as he tucked Joan closer against his chest. George was curled on top of her, still gently licking her arm.

“What’s the plan?” Issar asked as they gathered at the opening.

Directly in front of them was the landing field for the ore transport ships, empty at the moment. It was the only flat area on the surface. To the left, the ground slumped in huge broken sheets where lava had erupted from the heated side of the planet and then cooled. To the right, the ground was jagged and uneven and he could see ice glistening on the ragged crest that sheltered the hangar. Where they were standing, the air was even hotter than it had been below ground but he knew it would cool rapidly as they headed for the ship.

“Nothing complicated,” he said. “We go over the surface to reach my ship. That ridge over there—that’s our destination.”

“It doesn’t look too far,” Taliane said hopefully.

Varga and Issar exchanged a look over her head. She was correct that the actual distance wasn’t immense, but the rough terrain and the changing conditions on the surface would be sure to slow them down. If he had been alone, he probably could have covered the distance in less than an hour, even carrying Joan. He suspected that Issar would be equally capable. But they had the other females to consider, not to mention Rummel. The older male had proven his toughness, but his age and short legs would do him no favors.

But the situation wasn’t going to change. All they could do was attempt it and adjust as necessary.

“The same as below,” he said to Issar. “You lead the way and I will bring up the rear.”

Issar nodded, put an arm around Taliane, and stepped out onto the landing field. Taliane immediately gave a startled cry and stumbled towards Issar, and Varga cursed. He had forgotten to warn them about the winds. With the drastic difference in temperature between the two halves of the planet, the transition zone was subject to constant swirling winds and unusual weather conditions. He and Issar would be more resistant because of their size, but it would do little to protect the others.

“Come back for a minute, Issar,” he called, and Issar helped Taliane back inside the transport shed before joining him.

Varga scanned the walls, then pointed at the shelves of supplies next to the lift platform. “I think we should use some of that rope and tie ourselves together.”

“Do you think that is necessary?” Issar frowned. “The wind is strong but manageable now that I know what to expect.”

“You know what to expect now,” he said grimly. “A storm came up while I was landing, and it was strong enough that I had a hard time keeping the ship on course. The conditions can change instantly and if you had removed your hand from your female when that occurred—”

“I would not.”

“You cannot predict every circumstance.” He nodded at the rest of the party, still huddled at the entrance and staring out at the surface of the planet. “And we have the others to consider.”

“I suppose you are correct.” Issar glanced at Joan, still lying silently in Varga’s arms. “But it will slow us even more. Perhaps you should not wait for us. Take your female to your ship and I will assist the others.”

He was tempted, but although Joan had not regained consciousness, her arm looked almost normal and her breathing was deep and even. She could have been asleep, and if he deserted the rest of their party, he was afraid that she would not forgive him.

“No. When I agreed to let them accompany us, I made a commitment to their safety.”

“You are an honorable male,” Issar said solemnly.

Varga knew that it was a great compliment from the Asing and despite his impatience, a warm glow of pleasure flowed through him. Issar had not waited for a response, already retrieving the rope and beginning the process of linking the party together. Taliane stood obediently and Saka rolled her eyes but didn’t object. When Issar came to Polly, it was a different story. She had been perched at the entrance, looking out at the open ground with surprising eagerness, but when Issar approached her with the rope, she began to keen again, the disturbing wail echoing in the empty transport shed.

Issar gave Varga a rather helpless look. Varga wasn’t sure how to handle the female either. Given her fear, he suspected that she had been restrained in the past. However, she was the smallest and lightest of all of them and would be most at risk if the winds increased. Rummel tried approaching her but even though she had walked with him before, this time she backed away.

“Oh for gods’ sake,” Saka muttered and unfastened the rope from around her own waist before stalking over to Polly. By this point, the female was crouched against the wall, her hands lifted into ineffectual claws in front of her. Saka crouched down so that she was at eye level.

“Enough,” she said harshly. To everyone’s surprise, Polly actually stopped making that disturbing noise and stared at Saka. “You want out of here, right?” Apparently taking the silence for consent, Saka continued, her voice softening only slightly. “Well, the way out is across there, but if you’re not roped, you can’t go.”

“Go by myself,” Polly said defiantly.

“And if the wind blows you away, it will blow you right back into the hands of the guards.”

It was more likely that she would be sent flying into an area where she could not survive, but Varga didn’t bother to contradict Saka. Her words seem to be working. Polly rose reluctantly to her feet.

“Good girl,” Saka said briskly. “We’ll put you between Taliane and me. That way if anything happens, they’ll get us first.”

A fleeting smile actually crossed Polly’s face, and for the first time Varga realized that beneath the dirt and injuries, she was probably an attractive female. Although not compared to his own female, of course. He gave Joan a worried glance, but she still appeared to be sleeping peacefully in his arms. Even George had stopped licking her arm, although the lizard was not sleeping. Instead, his big eyes were keeping watch on everyone around them.

Varga realized that George would also be vulnerable to the savage winds. While Issar resumed tying the party together, Varga urged George back inside Joan’s coverall. He would be safer there.

When Issar approached, he let the male fasten the rope around Joan’s waist, even though he hated the other male so close to her body, then took the final length in his own hand.

“Let’s go,” he said for the second time, hoping that this time they would make it the entire way.

Chapter Fifteen

At first, the trip wasn’t as bad as he had feared. A hot, dry wind buffeted them from the fire side of the planet. It drained the moisture from their bodies, but it also helped push them in their direction they wanted to go. The ground was smoother here as well, the huge sheets of hardened lava relatively flat beneath their feet as long as they avoided the cracks in the surface. But as they grew closer to the frozen side, conditions began to worsen.

The temperature dropped rapidly. The wind picked up, now blowing from the other side and carrying icy pellets that stung their exposed skin. His skin, of course, was immune, but while the coveralls provided some protection for the females, their faces and hands were taking the brunt of the barrage.

He and Issar moved closer together, trying to provide a shield for the others, but the wind changed direction so rapidly, it was difficult to protect them. The ground too had become more uneven and he had to keep a constant eye on his footing to make sure that he did not stumble and disturb the precious burden in his arms. Saka went down once, Polly twice, and then Taliane fell. Issar swore and lifted her up in his arms. She protested, but he ignored her, continuing in the direction of the ridge.

They had covered perhaps two thirds of the journey when Joan stirred in his arms. He looked down eagerly, happy that she was returning to consciousness, but his excitement was immediately replaced by anxiety. Her eyes were still closed, her face flushed. Her body moved restlessly, arms and legs jerking.

“Joan!” he called, trying to get her to open her eyes.

For a second, they flashed open but a silvery gleam of recognition vanished as quickly as it had appeared and she began to moan.

“What’s wrong?” Issar asked, and Varga realized he had come to a halt as the rest of the party gathered around him.

“I don’t know. She seems feverish. We have to hurry.”

Issar looked from Varga to the ridge. “We can make it the rest of the way without you. Go now and take her to your ship.”

The rest of them, even Saka, nodded in agreement. Pushing aside the uneasy promptings of his conscience, he untied the rope and handed the last of it to Rummel.

“You make sure she’s safe,” the small male said gruffly. “We’ll be along shortly.”

Varga briefly clasped his shoulder and then set off as close to a run as he could manage under these conditions. The ice storm continued to increase in intensity and the terrain became more treacherous as it was covered with a thin sheet of ice. He put his head down and kept moving, grateful for the years of training that helped him move so rapidly.

His foot slid out from him once, and he went to his knee with a painful thud, but Joan was still cradled safely in his arms so he ignored the lingering ache and kept moving. By the time he rounded the rocky crest and saw the opening to the hangar, he was close to exhaustion. How much worse it must be for the rest of their party, still struggling across the open ground. As soon as he had Joan safely in the medical bed, he would go back for them.

Despite his urgency, he forced himself to slow down and move cautiously inside the hangar’s entrance. His ship was still where he had left it, seemingly untouched. The two transport ships used to bring slaves down to the surface were also in the same position. A couple of the smaller flyers had shifted around, but they didn’t worry him.

No guards were on duty, but he hadn’t really expected any. The Zameetans relied on their automated system a little too heavily, for which he was duly grateful. But he was not about to be careless when he was this close to his goal. He kept to the perimeter of the huge space, quickly but quietly working his way around until the landing ramp for his ship was only a short distance away. Unfortunately, there was no cover between his location and the ramp. With a deep breath and a silent prayer, he started across the open space.

He was almost at the ramp when he heard the unmistakable sound of a blaster firing up. The weapon would not seriously wound him, unless it managed to find one of his scars, but the impact could knock him forward and Joan was in his arms.

“I knew you’d come back for your ship, Varga.”

Anger filled him as he recognized the mocking voice. Baahy.

“I knew you had to be behind this ridiculous uprising,” the guard continued. “I warned Ukhaan not to trust you but he wouldn’t listen, just like he never listened to anything else I had to say. Now turn around.”

If he did, Joan would be vulnerable to the weapon. But if he did not and Baahy fired, he might fall and hurt her. Gritting his teeth, he let her slip quietly to the ground, and turned to face Baahy, keeping his body between the guard and his female.

He did his best to keep his face impassive as he took in Baahy’s disheveled condition, but he must not have been entirely successful because the male snarled.

“This is your fault,” he said, gesturing to his torn uniform and the cuts and scrapes on the visible parts of his body. “You drove the slaves to revolt.”

“How could I have done that?” he asked coolly, even though he was rejoicing inside. Nepala had done it.

“I don’t know, but I know you’re responsible. So let me tell you how this is going to go. You are going to unlock your ship, and we are going to leave this fucking planet. You can even bring your slave along.” His laughter sent a chill down Varga’s spine. “It’s long past time I had my way with her.”

“You will never put a finger on her,” he growled.

“Won’t I?” Baahy waved the blaster. “I think you’re forgetting that I’m armed and you’re not.”

Varga realized that Baahy didn’t know about his unique abilities. Good. That gave him an advantage. He just needed the right moment to use it.

“You can’t shoot me,” he said calmly. “You need me to unlock the ship and to fly it. It’s coded to my genetics.”

Baahy scowled. “But you don’t need all of your working parts for either task.”

He took a step forward, and Varga tensed, ready to spring, when there was a soft noise behind him and Baahy’s eyes flickered in that direction. Oh, gods, was Joan waking up or was her sickness getting worse?

Before he could turn to check on her, a small golden flash raced past him. George. Baahy jumped and fired at the lizard but the shot went wide, and a second later, George reached him. He scrambled up over Baahy’s boot and sank sharp little teeth into the exposed flesh revealed by Baahy’s torn uniform leg.

Baahy howled and kicked out with his leg, sending the lizard flying, but before he could regain his stance, Varga was on him. He threw the guard to the ground and put his boot over Baahy’s throat.

“You will never lay a hand on my female, and you will never injure another slave again.”

Baahy gasped, his eyes bugging out, and clawed frantically at the ground. Varga looked down and saw that Baahy’s leg was swelling, blisters already covering the area where George had bitten him.

Varga lifted his foot and stepped back as Baahy continued to thrash, a high-pitched moan coming from his throat as blisters covered more of his skin. He was obviously in agony, but Varga had no sympathy. The male deserved everything he received.

Keeping one eye on the writhing body of the guard, Varga looked around for George. The lizard was hobbling back in his direction, one leg dragging and obviously broken. Varga went to retrieve him, carefully lifting him into his arms.

“You did very well, my friend,” he said softly, and George gave a weak little chirp.

There was a final terrible burbling sound from Baahy’s direction, but Varga only checked to make sure that the body wasn’t moving before hurrying back to Joan.

She was still lying where he’d left her, her cheeks flushed and her head turning restlessly. He put George on her stomach and lifted them both together, then quickly unlocked the ship and carried them through to the medical bed. It had been part of the equipment when he purchased the ship, and he’d never used it but knew the basic principles.

He placed her on the soft surface and picked up George again. After lowering the clear plastic canopy over the bed, he chose the setting for diagnosis. Bands of colored light traveled along the canopy from her head to her feet, accompanied by a low humming. Readings flashed up on the screen and disappeared almost as quickly while he stood holding George and praying that the machine could accommodate her human physiology.

After what seemed to be an interminable time, but was probably no more than a few minutes, the machine gave him the results. She had been poisoned, but the antivenom had been received in time. Her body was burning through the remnants of the poison, but she was dehydrated and that had exacerbated her condition. The diagnosis recommended a short temporary period of unconsciousness while the bed administered fluids and nutrition. He approved the treatment plan and sagged against the wall in relief.

She would be fine. He hadn’t lost her due to his foolish mistakes.

George chirped inquisitively.

“She’ll be fine,” he promised, stroking the lizard’s small head. “And as soon as her treatment is complete, we’ll see what it can do about your leg.”

He hated to leave her, but now that his fears had been put to rest, his thoughts went back to the rest of the party.

“I have to go back and help the others,” he said, before he remembered that he was talking to an animal. But George bobbed his head as if he understood. “I’m going to leave you here with her and lock the ship behind me. You will both be safe.”

Once again, George seemed to bob his head in agreement, and Varga wondered just how much the animal really understood. He placed George carefully on a padded chair where he could keep watch on the medical bed and hurried back to the entrance. He only paused long enough to grab a couple of traveling cloaks—they would be too big, but they would provide some protection—before returning to the hangar.

Baahy’s body was where he’d left it, starting to emit an unpleasant smell, but he ignored it as he headed back to the entrance. Just as he reached it, he caught sight of a tall, dark figure rounding the spur of rock. Issar. Taliane was still in his arms, and the others were huddled around him like lost infants.

Varga reached them just as Polly swayed and started to crumple to the ground. He reached for her, but despite her exhaustion, she started to struggle. After a quick exchange of glances with Issar, Varga gave her a careful blow under her ear. Her body immediately went still, and he wrapped her in one of the cloaks as Issar nodded approvingly.

“What did you do?” Rummel demanded.

“I knocked her out. She’s too exhausted to walk but too terrified to let me carry her.”

“You can carry me,” Saka purred, but despite the provocative words, he could hear her exhaustion and simply ignored the suggestion, handing her another cloak.

Rummel grunted but made no further protest, peering up at Varga instead. “How’s Joan?”

“She will be fine,” he said, relief sweeping through him once again. “She’s currently receiving treatment but she should be awake soon.”

Rummel grunted again, and the party went the rest of the way in silence until Saka spotted Baahy’s body and snarled. The male’s face was swollen almost beyond recognition, but she didn’t seem to have any doubt about who was lying there.

“You don’t know how often I wished that bastard would die,” she said softly, standing over his body.

She pulled back her foot to kick at him but Varga stopped her. “He was poisoned. I don’t know what it would take to spread the poison.”

“I hope he died in agony.”

“He did,” he assured her and gently urged her in the direction of the ship.

As soon as everyone was on the ship, he checked on Joan—still sleeping—and George—still watching over her—and headed for the bridge. He wanted off this planet. Now.

As he passed through the lounge, he noticed Issar passing out water bottles and protein bars to the others and nodded approvingly. He could do with sustenance himself, but it could wait until after they were in flight.

As he initiated the startup sequence, the comm light blinked. After a moment’s hesitation, he accepted the message.

“Is that you, Varga?”

He gave a relieved sigh as he recognized Nepala’s voice. “It is. We are just about to leave. It appears that your revolution was successful.”

“On the whole, yes.” Nepala’s voice was tired but triumphant. “However, there is one small problem and I was wondering if you could assist.”

“We’re leaving,” he repeated, ignoring the twinge of guilt.

“I know, and I’m not trying to stop you, but I wondered if you had any weapons.”

“Very few,” he admitted, thinking of his limited arsenal. “But I could drop them off if you tell me where to leave them.”

“Not that kind of weapon. I meant the ship’s equipment. You see, the remaining guards have barricaded themselves in their quarters, and I’m not sure how long it will take us to break through. But if someone could cause sufficient damage from the outside…”

Varga started to laugh. Although luxury yachts were not supposed to be equipped with weapons, his had not only come with an assortment of powerful—and illegal—weapons, he had added a few extras over the years.

“That I can handle. Is there anything I need to avoid?”

“If you could avoid damaging the hangar, that would be helpful. We are considering attempting to run the mine on our own.”

Varga thought back to the harshness of his own upbringing on Sorvid and shuddered. But even though it had been a hard, dangerous life, the fact that they had been working for themselves made a difference. He thought of his friend Draka, refusing to leave Sorvid because he had accepted his existence. Nepala’s plan might work. He caught the sound of a distant cheer from Nepala’s end of the transmission. “Celebrating already?”

“I’m afraid some of the males have devised… creative ends for the surviving guards.” Nepala sighed, the weariness even more apparent. “I don’t approve, but I’m not going to try and stop them.”

“Probably just as well. You would do well to pick your battles carefully. It’s going to take a strong hand to make your plans work, but I know you can do it.”

“I hope so.”

The engines finished firing up, and Varga lifted the ship into the air. “I’m airborne. Expect fireworks very shortly.”

“I look forward to them. Thank you again, Varga, and please thank your mate as well.”

Nepala signed off, leaving Varga staring at the console.

His mate.

In the flurry of events that occurred since they met, he had never stopped to put a name to his relationship with Joan, but the word settled into his heart with a sure and certain knowledge. Of course she was his mate. Now all he had to do was make sure that she understood that as well.

Chapter Sixteen

Joan jerked awake, a confusing array of images rushing through her mind, but she seized on the only one that seemed to matter: Varga bleeding and falling to his knees when the whip struck him. She tried to sit up and bumped her head against a clear plastic canopy, but as soon as she moved, it began to retract. Where the hell was she? The device she had been lying on was the only object in a small white room except for a padded chair with a familiar golden figure— “George!”

He chirped enthusiastically, but when he tried to move, she could see that one of his rear legs was injured.

“Oh no,” she whispered as her eyes filled with tears. She climbed down from the bed and went to him, absently noted she felt better than she had since before she left Earth.

“What happened to you?” she asked as she carefully lifted him into her arms. “Where’s Varga? And where are we?”

“We are on Varga’s ship.” Taliane’s head peeped around the door opening, her eyes sparkling as her hair swirled with excitement.

“You mean we made it?”

“We did. And if you feel up to it, Varga is about to destroy the guards’ quarters.”

“I definitely don’t want to miss that.”

Still carrying George, she followed Taliane down the corridor and into a big, luxuriously furnished room. Everyone except Varga was gathered in front of a window that ran the length of one side of the room.

“Where’s Varga?” she asked. As happy as she was to see that everyone was on board, she wanted Varga. The memory of him bleeding still tormented her thoughts.

“He’s on the bridge,” Issar said. “Through there.”

He pointed to a door at the opposite end of the lounge and she hurried over to it, but when she reached for the control, she realized her hand was trembling. What if everything had changed now that they were free?

He was seated in the pilot’s chair, his big body covered with dirt, and she could see his exhaustion in the tired slump of the shoulders, but he was vibrantly alive. She burst into tears.

“What’s the matter? Are you still ill?” His voice was frantic even as his arms closed gently around her.

“I’m fine. Really. I just keep remembering that you were bleeding.”

He gave a relieved laugh and scooped her up, along with George, carrying them both back to his chair and settling them in his lap. “I’m very hard to damage, little bird. You didn’t need to worry.”

“I should have known,” she agreed, nestling into his warm, hard, apparently uninjured chest. “But it was the last thing I remembered. What happened?”

“I’ll tell you everything,” he promised, “but first I promised Nepala that I would blow up the guards’ quarters.”

The words took a minute to sink in, but then she gave an excited bounce. “Nepala? You mean he succeeded?”

“It sounds like it. But some of the surviving guards have holed up in their quarters. So now I’m going to expose them to life on the surface.” He pressed a series of buttons, and she leaned forward eagerly. They were hovering a few hundred feet above the ground, and she could easily distinguish both the landing field and the hangar.

Nothing seemed to happen at first, and she was about to give him a questioning look when there was a puff of smoke far below. The second followed immediately, then a third, until a row of them appeared. And then the ground simply seemed to give way, collapsing in on itself until nothing was left but a deep rocky trench.

“Wow,” she breathed, staring at the destruction in open-mouthed wonder.

“That was one of my little additions. Very satisfactory,” Varga agreed. He bent over the console for a minute, then the ground began to retreat beneath them, and she realized they were ascending. A huge sigh of relief emerged from her lips and he laughed, hugging her shoulders. “Happy to see the last of Drahana, sweetheart?”

“Very much so. But what happened? How did we get away?”

“Issar and I took care of the guards. Rummel disposed of Ahona,” he said grimly. “That bastard poisoned you.”

She shivered. “I remember my arm burning and then everything went black. That machine where I woke up—did that bed cure me?”

“It just finished the job. George here is the real savior. He licked away the poison.”

“George? You’re such a good boy.” She started to lift him up and kiss his head, but he squeaked, and she remembered his injured leg. “Is that when he got hurt?”

“No, that happened when he attacked Baahy,” Varga said grimly.

“I don’t understand. Where did Baahy come from?”

“He was waiting here at the ship. He planned to force me to fly him—to fly us—out of here.”

She shuddered, grateful that she hadn’t had to confront the guard again. “And George attacked him?”

He nodded. “He rushed over and bit him, and apparently he too can be lethal.”

“See, I told you he was smart.”

“I will never question his intelligence again.”

She hugged the little lizard, careful not to disturb his leg. “But what about his leg? Can we help him?”

“I thought we would try the medical bed. I don’t know if it is programmed for animals, but it can’t hurt. If it doesn’t recognize his species, I can try putting a splint on it,” he said doubtfully.

“The bed is a wonderful idea. Let’s take him there right now.”

She started to get up, but Varga stood, still holding her in his arms. He staggered, and she remembered how exhausted he had looked when she had first seen him.

“Put me down,” she demanded.

“I don’t want to,” he said, sounding like a sulky little boy.

“I promise I’ll stay right here at your side, but I feel wonderful and I really want to walk on my own. Please?”

As she suspected, he couldn’t resist the pleading in her eyes and carefully lowered her to her feet. When they entered the next room, Issar grinned at Varga. “That was most satisfying.”

“I admit that I enjoyed it as well.”

Joan looked over and saw Rummel bending over Polly, who seemed to be sleeping on one of the thickly padded couches.

“Poor thing,” she said softly. “Is she exhausted?”

Rummel snorted and glared at Varga. “No, your male knocked her out.”

She came to a dead halt, staring up at him. “You did what?”

“I had to do it,” he said quickly. “She was too exhausted to walk but she panicked when I tried to carry her and I was afraid she would injure herself.”

“So you injured her anyway?”

“It was a single, careful blow,” Issar interjected. “She will probably not even feel it when she wakes. It was the best action under the circumstances.”

She sighed and tried to push aside the disturbing image of Varga hitting the other woman. Polly was definitely not the most stable person, and she knew Varga wouldn’t have done it if he didn’t believe it was justified. But the knowledge still bothered her. Pushing it aside to think about later, she made herself nod.

“We need to get George to the medical bed.”

Varga studied her face for a moment, but he didn’t say anything as he escorted her back to the room where she had awoken. George looked ridiculously small in the center of the medical bed, and she watched anxiously as the canopy came down over him. The machine whirred and hummed and finally displayed a readout in an unrecognizable language.

“What does it say?”

“George has a broken leg,” he said slowly.

“Can it heal him?”

“Yes,” he agreed, but there was something strange in his expression.

“Is something else wrong? What aren’t you telling me?” she demanded anxiously.

He shook his head, then grinned at her. “I should have realized when I saw how fiercely she defended you.”

“She?”

“Yes, little bird. George is a female.”

Her eyes filled with unexpected tears. “She’s been through so much.”

“A most indomitable female,” he agreed, hugging her closer. “Now let’s leave her to heal and see how the rest of our passengers are doing.”

They returned to the lounge to find Polly awake. She frowned at Varga but didn’t seem any more frightened of him than before. Joan decided that he had probably made the right decision. As she looked around the small group, she realized that everyone looked exhausted.

“Maybe you should tell everyone where they can go to rest.”

He nodded and stepped forward. “With regard to the sleeping arrangements, there is only one cabin. Joan and I will occupy that.”

“But—” she began.

“It’s the captain’s cabin and I am the captain. We will stay there,” he said firmly.

She huffed, and Issar looked amused but didn’t comment.

“The other state room was converted into my training room. The floor is padded and should not be uncomfortable.”

“We will take that.” Issar smiled at his female. “I will make sure you sleep well.”

Taliane’s cheeks deepened to a violet hue, but she didn’t object.

“There are also two bunks in the crew cabin on the lower level. Perhaps the other two females?”

Saka snorted. “I’m not sharing a room with Crazy.” She stroked a hand along the luxurious upholstery and purred. “I’ll sleep out here.”

Polly glared at her, then gave Rummel an uncertain smile. “You can have the other bunk if you want. But I don’t think I’m a very quiet sleeper.”

“Considering the number of times your screaming woke me up, that’s an understatement,” Saka muttered.

Rummel ignored Saka and nodded at Polly. “Won’t bother me none. But my snoring might bother you.”

Polly unexpectedly giggled, then clapped a hand to her face when they all looked at her and fled the room.

“Crazy,” Saka repeated.

“Oh, stop it,” Joan said. “Can’t you even try and be understanding?”

“It’s not like I didn’t go through the same thing and I don’t act like a lunatic,” Saka said defensively. “She’s just so weak.”

“If she was weak, she would have stopped fighting,” Joan snapped. “She never did.”

Something that looked almost like shame crossed Saka’s face before she abruptly pushed herself to her feet. “I’m going to take a shower. It’s time to remove every trace of Drahana.”

Joan stared after her in dismay as Saka sauntered out of the room. “I didn’t mean it like that.”

“I know,” Taliane said softly. “We all had to find a way to survive and we have to live with that.”

Issar put an arm around Taliane and stroked her head. Her hair wrapped around his fingers as he looked at Varga. “Do you have only one sanitary facility as well?”

Varga laughed. “No. In addition to the main facility, there is one behind the training room and one attached to the crew cabin.”

Issar nodded and turned Taliane in that direction. “Then we too shall cleanse ourselves of the planet.”

Joan looked longingly after them, then squeaked when Varga scooped her up in his arms.

“What are you doing?”

“I didn’t mention that the best one is attached to our cabin.”

“But what if Rummel—”

She heard the older male laugh as they left. “Don’t worry about me, girlie. I think he needs it more than I do.”

“But—”

“He’s right. I do need it,” he said as the door panel slid closed behind them. But he wasn’t talking about the sanitary facility and her mouth went dry as she realized what he meant.

“What do you need?” she whispered.

“You, little bird. I need you.”

Chapter Seventeen

“I thought I lost you,” Varga said and Joan could see the pain on his face.

She understood only too well, the memory of his falling to the ground still clear in her mind. “I thought I lost you too.”

He groaned, and then his mouth descended over hers, hot, hard, and demanding. She met him just as eagerly, her arms going around his neck as he lifted her into his arms. He ignored the bed, backing her against the wall. His hands were frantic as he tore open her coverall, one big hand covering her breast in a firm grip. She writhed against him, suspended between his body and the wall.

“So perfect,” he groaned, lifting her higher so her breasts were even with his mouth and he could switch easily from one to the other, hard, sucking pulls that went straight to her aching core.

She wrapped her legs around him and rubbed her swollen clit against the hard muscles of his chest, the ridges of his scars sending streaks of pleasure up her spine. But she wasn’t close enough, her coveralls blocking some of the sensation. She moaned impatiently, and Varga responded, ripping her clothing away with one stroke and leaving her wet, naked folds pressed against his chest. Oh, yes, that was better. A tiny climax rolled through her as she slid over one of the scarred lines on his chest. But it wasn’t enough. She wanted more. She wanted him inside her.

“Varga, please.”

His big hands slid down to clasp her ass, pulling her even wider as he lowered her slowly on to his cock. He felt even bigger than she remembered, and as she stretched open around the huge head, a second climax swept over her, leaving her clinging to him with desperate hands as her body quivered, pulsing around the massive intruder.

He growled and thrust up inside her while she was still convulsing, the sudden shocking fullness making her cry out again. He lifted her free, those marvelous ridges sending streaks of ecstasy through her pulsing channel, then pulled her back down again and again, his strokes fierce, desperate. She gripped his shoulders, kissing every part of him that she could reach, as he thrust faster, as he called out her name, as she felt the waves of heat bathing her insides.

“I can’t believe we couldn’t even wait until we were clean,” she said ruefully when her breathing finally slowed.

He smiled down at her, his eyes heated and tender at the same time. “Being with you is more refreshing than bathing.”

“That’s sweet, but I’m more than ready to be clean again.”

“Then I look forward to scrubbing every inch,” he said, carrying her into the bathroom.

A long time later, Joan sighed and cautiously wiggled out from under Varga’s arm. His deep, even breathing indicated how heavily he was sleeping, and she didn’t want to disturb him. Although he had carried her into the bathroom easily enough, she had seen him leaning against the wall as the hot water poured down over their heads. She had insisted that he let her wash him, keeping her touch soft and soothing rather than arousing, and he was half-asleep when she led him to the bed.

He had pulled her down next to him, and she had gone happily enough, but he did little more than put an arm around her before he fell asleep. She had snuggled up against him, but sleep eluded her. Whatever the medical bed had done had left her feeling full of energy, and she couldn’t stay still any longer.

Leaving Varga to sleep, she climbed quietly out of bed. Her discarded coverall was in two pieces on the floor so she rummaged around until she found one of Varga’s tunics and slipped it on over her head before leaving the cabin. After checking on George and finding her still asleep in the medical bed, her injured leg encased in some type of foam, she started to head for the lounge to see if anyone else was awake.

The door panel to one of the rooms on the right stood open and she smiled happily when she realized that it was a kitchen. It wasn’t as well-stocked as she would have liked and seemed a little too dependent on processed food, but she could work with it. No doubt everyone would be hungry after bathing and resting. With a pleased hum, she set to work.

“That smells good,” Rummel said from the doorway a short time later.

She laughed and handed him a small pastry. “Try this. What do you think?”

“It’s good,” he said thickly, and she gave him two more.

“How’s Polly?” she asked.

“I reckon she’s all right. Hard to tell with that one. I can never tell if she’s going to be fierce or frightened. Not sure she knows either.”

“You’re very good with her,” she said softly, eyeing him thoughtfully. Of course he was a lot older than Polly, but maybe that’s what she needed—someone to take care of her. “Do you like her?”

“Aye, but not the way you’re thinking so you can just put that out of your mind. Females,” he grumbled.

She gave him an innocent stare. “What do you mean?”

“You know what I mean. Damn females always trying to make matches.”

“I just don’t want you to be lonely. Either of you.”

“Not lonely,” he said shortly. “Now give me another one of those so I can get out of here before you start trying to match me up with Saka.”

They both laughed and she gave up.

Varga appeared just as she was finishing the meal.

“There you are,” he said with a sigh of relief. “I don’t like waking up alone.”

“I’m sorry, but after being in the medical bed, I wasn’t tired. And remember, I didn’t have to trek across the surface—someone carried me the whole way.”

“That doesn’t mean you have to cook for everyone,” he muttered, but he surveyed the array of food hungrily.

“I enjoy it, and it helps me relax. Now help me carry this out to the table, please.”

“Anything you want, sweetheart, but first…”

It seemed to her dazed mind as if he swooped on her, lifting her into his arms and kissing her until she melted against him. Maybe the meal could wait after all…

A discreet cough interrupted them, and she looked over Varga’s shoulder to see Issar standing in the kitchen entrance, his strange features solemn but his eyes laughing.

“I hate to interrupt but my female is hungry.”

Varga growled but she ignored him and smiled at Issar. “I’m sure she is. I have a meal prepared if you could help me carry it—”

“I said I would do it,” Varga interrupted.

“But you started kissing me instead.”

Issar’s shoulders shook, and she grinned at him as Varga reluctantly put her back on the ground.

“Shall we eat?”

Varga sighed but helped her carry the dishes to the table. The rest of the party gradually trickled in, even Polly. Unlike the others, Polly hadn’t taken advantage of the opportunity to get clean. Not only was she as filthy as ever, she had abandoned the coverall and was once again naked.

“Would you like something to wear, Polly?” Joan asked, but the girl only shook her head and crammed another pastry in her mouth. Joan looked over at Rummel helplessly, but he only shrugged.

After the meal, Varga washed the dishes, then reluctantly handed over two more of his tunics. While Saka and Taliane modified them, Joan sat down with a tablet he had given her that was supposed to help her learn a written language. It was slow going, and she found herself watching Polly more than the device. The girl wandered around the room, touching things with a cautious finger, an odd look on her face.

“Do you like the ship?” she asked when the girl came close to her.

“It’s very soft. I’d forgotten what that was like.”

Joan’s heart ached as she remembered the barren cell. She wanted to ask how Polly had ended up in the mines but she was afraid to bring up painful memories.

“Are you sure you wouldn’t like to get clean?”

“No!” Polly’s eyes widened and she skittered backwards, then rushed out of the room.

Joan sighed and returned to her tablet.

Varga went off to the training room with Issar and returned an hour later, the sheen on his skin accenting all those bulging muscles and the thin golden lines of his scars. Her nipples tightened as she surveyed him, and she knew that he noticed.

“I can’t wait to have you alone again, little bird,” he murmured as he sat down beside her.

His smoky scent filled her head and she leaned into him. “Me either. But it’s a long time until bedtime.”

“Not that long.” His eyes gleamed with amusement. “I have adjusted the ship’s clock to Hothian time. It will help to ease the transition once we arrive. It will also make this a short day, but I doubt that anyone will object.”

“I think you’re right,” she laughed. The effects of the medical bed had faded, and several times she had found herself nodding off over the tablet. She suspected she was not the only one. “I’ll go and make an early dinner. Perhaps some soup…”

“I already told you that you did not have to cook for everyone.”

“I know, but I really do enjoy it.” She leaned closer and ran a teasing hand down his chest. “Besides, the sooner we eat, the sooner we can go to bed.”

Heat flared in those dark golden eyes. “In that case, tell me how I can help you.”

She laughed and led him towards the kitchen.

Chapter Eighteen

Later that evening, Varga reluctantly climbed out of bed. Joan murmured sleepily but didn’t wake, and he paused a moment to admire the sight of her. How quickly he had become used to waking with her in his arms. Leaving her to sleep, he went to check on her lizard. George was also sleeping, but according to the medical bed, she was healing satisfactorily.

Next he went to check on the autopilot. Everything was on course, but as he returned through the lounge, Saka stepped in front of him.

“Can I talk to you, Varga?”

“About what?” he asked cautiously. Damn, he’d thought she was asleep.

“My future.”

“Can’t it wait until the morning? And you would be better off talking to Joan.”

“No, I wouldn’t. She doesn’t know what our world is like. She won’t understand why I can’t go home.”

The genuine anguish in her words made him pause. He suspected his female would insist on helping but he wasn’t going to wake her. With a sigh, he sat down.

Saka sat next to him, closer than he would have preferred, but the Myyp were a tactile race and she wasn’t actually touching him.

“Why can’t you go home?” he asked.

“Because I dishonored myself.”

“I’ve seen your scars,” he said gently. “I know you fought.”

“They will say I did not fight long enough.” She looked down at her hand in the dim light, and he saw her claws flex, sharp little points catching the light. “I still have my claws. I still have my fangs. I could have killed one of them. But I didn’t.”

“Because you knew it wouldn’t have done any good. You couldn’t get away.”

“No. Because I was afraid. I was afraid they would whip me again.” She looked away from him. “It hurt so much.”

“You found a way to survive,” he said gently.

“By giving in. A Myyp should never give in.”

He shifted uneasily. He had faced a Myyp once or twice in the arena, and she was right. Even if it wasn’t a death match, a defeated Myyp would kill himself rather than surrender.

“Baahy came to me after he whipped me.” Her voice was low, as distant as her eyes. “He laughed and told me he knew I wouldn’t be any more trouble. He raped me and made me tell him that I liked it. He dared me to claw him and… I didn’t.” Her shoulders sagged. “No, I can’t go home.”

“Then you’ll go somewhere else. Or maybe you’ll like Hothrest and decide to stay there.”

“And do what? I was raised to be the wife of a warrior and the mother of his sons. I have no skills.” Her breath caught, and she pressed closer to him. Her voice turned husky. “That’s not quite true. I have one skill—I know how to please a male. I know you’re with the human, but a big, strong warrior like yourself must want a little… extra from a female who can handle all of you.”

He reared back in outrage as she reached for his cock, then heard a startled gasp. His heart sank when he saw Joan standing there, her eyes filled with tears. He jumped to his feet, desperately resisting the urge to shove Saka to the floor. “Joan, I didn’t… I wouldn’t…”

“I know.” She was looking at Saka, not at him, the tears still flowing down her cheeks. “I’m so sorry.”

Saka studied her, an odd look on her face. “Myyp can’t cry.”

“Then I’ll cry for you. Because I don’t for one second believe that the only thing you’re good for is servicing a male.”

Saka’s claws flexed again, sinking into her palms until blood appeared. Joan gave a distressed cry and rushed forward. “Don’t do that. Don’t hurt yourself.”

He gave Saka a worried glance as Joan bent over her hands, but her lips twisted. “Don’t worry, warrior. If I didn’t hurt one of them, I’m not going to hurt her.”

He wasn’t sure he agreed with her logic, but he stepped back.

“Go away, Varga. I want to talk to Saka woman to woman—I mean, female to female.”

He hesitated, then reluctantly left the room. However, he stopped outside, listening intently for any sign that his female was in distress.

“You are not angry?” Saka asked as Joan fussed over her hands.

“Yes, but I understand why you did it. And if he had agreed, then I would have known he wasn’t the right male for me.”

Was that a growl? She gave Saka a puzzled look, and for the first time, the other female’s face lightened.

“He’s outside. Listening. I suspect he doesn’t trust me.”

“Oh, for goodness’ sake. Go away, Varga!” she called. There was no response. “Did he leave?” she whispered.

“No, but it doesn’t bother me. It’s rather… sweet. No one has ever cared that much for me.”

“It is sweet. In a stalkerish way,” she added, raising her voice. “But don’t tell me there wasn’t anyone. What about your parents?”

“I see you know nothing about Myyp society. Females are not valued except for their breeding lines and their ability to bear sons.”

“Then they’re idiots and you’re better off not going back.” She bit her lip, searching for the right words. Leaning closer, she dropped her voice, hoping Varga couldn’t hear her. “I know it’s not the same. I wasn’t ever physically harmed, but I lived with a male who tried to make me believe that I was less. That I didn’t deserve better than what he chose to give me. It’s hard to get that voice out of your head.”

“Yes.” Saka shot her a quick look. “What did you do?”

“I got away from him. And just as I was figuring out how to put my life back together, the Derians took me.” She wrinkled her nose. “Not the best of luck.”

“I think your luck has changed,” Saka sent a wistful glance at the doorway through which Varga had disappeared.

“So has yours. And it isn’t dependent on a male.”

“Easy to say when you have one,” Saka said dryly.

Did she though? They really needed to talk about the future.

“You’ll find your way. We both will. And I’ll do anything I can to help you.”

“You know, I believe you. So I will do something to help you in return. Go back to your warrior before he paces a hole in the floor.”

Warmth flooded her at the knowledge that he was still waiting for her, but she didn’t jump up. “Are you going to be all right? I can stay if you want me to.”

“I’ll survive. I always do.” Saka immediately shook her head. “I didn’t mean it like that. I appreciate your concern.”

“I’m glad if it helped. We can talk more tomorrow if you’d like.”

“You’re assuming your warrior is going to let you out of bed.” Saka gave her a sly smile.

Joan laughed, blushed, and stood up. “I’m sure he will. Good night.”

As soon as she passed through the door, Varga grabbed her and threw her over his shoulder.

“Don’t be too sure of that, little bird,” he growled, and gave her a firm smack on her bottom. “Apparently I have to convince you that I’m the right male for you.”

She wiggled happily, the slight sting from his hand sending a wave of heat to her needy pussy. “Hmm. It might take some time to convince me.”

His big hand clamped down on her bottom, but his thumb probed her entrance with exquisite gentleness. “I hope so. I have many ideas.”

As soon as the door closed behind them, he put her on her feet.

“Remove your clothing,” he growled.

He’d never been quite so demanding before, and a flutter of excitement swept through her.

“What if I don’t?” she asked provocatively.

“Then I will have to punish you.” He took a step forward, and she squeaked and dashed for the sitting area, ducking behind an oversized reading chair.

“Do you think that’s going to stop me?” His voice was stern, but she could see the laughter in his eyes and it only encouraged her.

“Not if you’re the right male.”

He growled and tossed the big chair aside as if it weighed nothing. Wow. Before she recovered from her amazement, he pounced. She heard fabric rip, and then her tunic disappeared. He bent her over the arm of the couch, completely naked, but when she looked back, he was still fully dressed. The contrast only added to her excitement.

“Eyes forward,” he ordered, and she obeyed.

A big, gentle hand, so at odds with the gruff voice, stroked down her back and caressed her ass. “You are so beautiful, little bird.”

Heat suffused her cheeks as she imagined what she must look like from his viewpoint. She shifted uncomfortably. “I’m nothing special.”

Smack! Another sharp sting that rocketed through her body. Her clit pulsed, and her nipples felt like burning brands against the cool silk beneath her. She moaned, and he immediately smoothed a gentle hand over the curve of her bottom cheek.

“Too much?” Before she could respond, his hand slipped between her legs and he growled approvingly at the slippery heat that met his touch. “Apparently not.”

A quick barrage of smacks followed, each one adding to the building heat as her hands clenched in the soft fabric of the couch and her body climbed inevitably towards climax. They stopped just as she reached the edge, but before she could protest, he grabbed her hips, lifted her up on tiptoes, and filled her with one hard thrust. The stretching fullness, so perfectly balanced on the razor edge between pleasure and pain, sent her flying over the edge, her vision sheeting white as her channel convulsed helplessly around the massive invader. She heard him groan, felt the heated rush of liquid bathing her insides, but his cock never softened.

She hadn’t stopped shuddering when he slowly pulled out, dragging those amazing ridges over her sensitive flesh.

“Now do you know I’m the right male for you?” he demanded.

“Show… me… again,” she gasped, and smiled happily as he did just that.

Chapter Nineteen

“I understand that we are en route to Hothrest,” Issar said to Varga.

They had finished a series of training exercises and were sitting back against the wall rehydrating. They were well matched – Issar was a challenging opponent – and Varga enjoyed the familiar ache of well used muscles.

“Yes, that’s the plan. My friend Baralt has a human mate, and she will be delighted to meet my female and Polly.”

“Will they be as delighted to meet her?” Issar said dryly.

“What do you mean?”

“You seem to assume that all humans wish to be together. Have you asked your mate if this is where she wishes to go?”

“I explained it to her when we first met.”

Issar made a noncommittal grunt, and Varga frowned at him. Joan hadn’t voiced any objection, had she?

“Of course, you and your female will be welcome as well,” he added after a silent interval.

“Thank you, but we will not stay. I am taking Taliane back to Asing.”

“Is that where she wants to go?” he asked sardonically.

“Yes,” Issar said calmly. “We also discussed going to Gliese Prime, but you know what the merchant houses are like. They do not have true mates, only arranged matings for the purposes of profit.”

“But I hear the females can take as many lovers as they wish.” Varga knew he was being provocative, but Issar’s serenity remained undisturbed.

“Taliane will not be taking any other lovers. But there is another more important reason why we are not returning to her home planet.” Issar’s spines flared as his voice turned cold. “They sold her to settle a debt. It is unacceptable, and I would have chosen to show them the error of their ways, but Taliane would rather forget.”

Varga’s own anger flared. He had heard that some of the great merchant houses placed little importance on the lives of individuals, both male and female, but to condemn someone to such a fate…

“If you ever change your mind, I would be happy to accompany you.”

“Thank you, my brother.” Issar’s face lightened when he saw Varga’s shock at the term. “We have undergone an epic adventure to rescue our females and defeat evil. Amongst my people, that makes us brothers.”

Varga nodded slowly and clasped Issar’s shoulder, before rising to his feet.

“It’s time to leave you, brother. My mate has been alone long enough.”

“If you want my suggestion,” Issar called after him. “Ask her what she wants.”

Varga sighed and waved a hand in the other male’s direction as he left. Why would Joan object to where they were going? She seemed to appreciate the company of other human females, even spending time with Polly. And it wasn’t as if she had anywhere else to go. Most importantly, what if he gave her a choice and she decided she would rather not go with him?

No, he decided. Best not to bring up the subject.

Joan stretched lazily, appreciating the comfort of the big bed. It would have been even better if Varga had been there, but a night’s sleep seemed to have restored him completely and he had left earlier to exercise. She shuddered at the thought and started to burrow back under the covers when an intrusive memory made her frown.

Kevin used to do that. He would leave every morning to exercise. Of course, unlike Kevin, Varga had kissed her thoroughly before he left and hadn’t suggested that she would be better off exercising as well. But Kevin didn’t start off as dismissive either.

Don’t be ridiculous, she told herself, but the pleasure of sleeping in had disappeared and she sat up. She looked around the room, taking in all the details she hadn’t paid attention to before. The enormous bed, the ornate fabrics, the elaborate and undoubtedly expensive furniture—it reminded her uncomfortably of the home she had shared with Kevin. One he had insisted be designed to showcase his wealth rather than to create a comfortable home.

“Now you’re just being crazy,” she muttered to herself and headed for the shower in the equally elaborate bathroom. Varga had never voiced a word of complaint about the minimal guest quarters he had been allotted on Drahana, or the stifling heat of the tunnels, or the lengthy trek across the surface while she had been unconscious. He had nothing in common with her ex-husband.

Except the tendency to assume that he knew best, a small voice argued. He hadn’t consulted her before he added Ahona to their group. Because he’d already added everybody else they encountered—at her request, she reminded herself. And maybe he was a little bossy in the bedroom, she thought as she remembered his hand landing on her ass. At the time, she had thought they were playing and found it immensely exciting, but what if he wasn’t playing? What if he thought he had the right to punish her?

She told herself again that she was being ridiculous but the tiny niggling doubt did not completely disappear. It flared up again when Varga returned and joined her in the shower. He was a magnificent sight naked, and her body immediately responded to his presence. Taking the soap from her hand, he washed her with slow, exquisite thoroughness until she was writhing against him.

“Such a demanding female.” He laughed when she reached impatiently for his cock. “Do I need to remind you who’s in charge?”

He squeezed her bottom as he spoke, and she froze. She knew he was teasing, but all her doubts came rushing back. He seemed to notice her sudden tension, because he gave her a concerned frown. “Is something wrong, little bird?”

Her eyes filled with tears. He sounded so concerned, so loving, but what if she was wrong?

“It’s nothing,” she said, but the mood had changed. He finished washing her, then dried her carefully. His cock was still as hard as ever but he made no attempt to initiate anything further. An uneasy silence hung between them as they returned to the main cabin and started to get dressed. As she pulled on one of his tunics, it reminded her that she had absolutely nothing of her own, not even clothes. She was completely dependent on him, and that terrifying thought caused an unexpected wave of anger.

“Where are you taking me?” she demanded, her hands on her hips.

“We’re going to Hothrest, remember? My friend Baralt’s human mate is there.”

“So you’re taking me there at her instruction?”

He frowned. “No. I’m not sure that Baralt has even told her that we are coming.”

“What if I don’t want to go there? What am I going to do after we arrive?”

His face relaxed. “You don’t need to worry about that. I’ll take care of you.”

“What if I don’t want you to take care of me?” Her voice sounded odd in her own ears, stiff and unnatural.

His face hardened. “You are mine to take care of, Joan, do you understand? You’re my mate, and I’m never going to let you go.”

The blood drained from her face so fast that she felt herself sway. Varga swore and caught her, lifting her into his arms and carrying her to the bed despite her futile attempts to struggle free.

“You don’t own me,” she said fiercely. “And I can take care of myself.”

He looked utterly shocked and her heart ached. How could she ever make him understand? But then it was his turn to shock her, releasing her to kneel in front of her.

“Issar warned me, and I was foolish enough not to listen to him. I’m doing this all wrong.” He very carefully took her hand in his and he looked so worried that she let him. “Of course I don’t own you any more than you own me. But I am yours, little bird. I belong to you completely and I hoped that you felt the same way about me.”

Her mouth opened but no words came out and he kept speaking.

“We are heading for Hothrest because I thought you would enjoy meeting another human female. I would still like to go there but we do not have to stay. I will take you anywhere you want to go.”

Her heart ached. She believed him, and she wanted to just fling herself into his arms, but…

“I know you mean well, but I don’t want to be completely dependent on anyone ever again,” she whispered, her voice a mere thread.

“What would it take to make you feel confident about that?” he asked gently. “I have no doubt you would succeed at anything you tried to do.”

His faith in her helped to ease her doubts, and she managed a rueful smile.

“I’m afraid I don’t know. Everything out here is so strange.”

“Not everything,” he said thoughtfully. “You are the best cook I have ever encountered. In fact, that gives me an idea.”

“What kind of an idea?”

“Baralt and his mate are working on a project to create an exclusive resort on Hothrest. It occurs to me that you would be the perfect person to manage the restaurant. Only if you want to, of course,” he added hastily. “It’s just an idea.”

As his suggestion penetrated, excitement bubbled up, and she jumped to her feet. He made no attempt to stop her, watching from his position on the floor.

“You know, that’s something I was thinking about back on Earth. I hadn’t really decided what to do after the divorce was final but I had been doing some baking for one of the tea shops in town. But a whole restaurant? With all new ingredients? That would be quite a challenge. Of course, I did manage to feed Ukhaan, and I doubt any guest would be as demanding as he was.”

She turned back to him, her face glowing. But it was more than the possibility of such an exciting job that filled her with joy. He had understood—and not only had he understood, he had wanted to help her. She suspected he would have been happier “taking care of her” rather than helping her find a job but he had put her needs first. She looked at his beloved face, still watching her intently, and her heart overflowed with warmth.

“I love you, Varga.”

His shoulders relaxed and happiness filled his face. “I love you too, little bird. And you are my mate, aren’t you?”

“Yes, I am.”

Suddenly full of exuberance, she launched herself in his direction, knowing without a doubt that he would catch her. His strong arms closed around her, and he bent his head to kiss her, but she placed a finger on his cheek. He stopped immediately.

“I have a confession,” she whispered. “I do like it when you’re all bossy and demanding. In the bedroom,” she added quickly.

His dark golden eyes were bright with tender amusement. “Is that so?”

She nodded. “I especially like the spanking.”

The words were barely out of her mouth before he flipped her over, lifted her tunic, and his hand descended. The sharp sting sent a wave of heat straight to her sensitive pussy, and he growled appreciatively as he ran a finger through her dampening folds.

“You will tell me if you change your mind,” he ordered.

“I will,” she promised, then wiggled her bottom teasingly. “That is, if you ever get started.”

His hand descended again, and she sighed contentedly as her body responded, happier than she had ever been.

Chapter Twenty

After a long, delicious time with Varga, Joan decided they needed to rejoin the others. He grumbled but agreed and together they went to check on George. The system readout said that the treatment was complete, and when Joan released her, the small lizard hopped eagerly into her arms, chirping happily. There was no sign of damage to her rear leg.

“This is wonderful.” Joan hugged George and smiled up at Varga. “I’m so glad you have this on board.”

“It came with the ship,” he said with a shrug. “I never expected that I would have need of it.”

“It’s a very… fancy ship.” She remembered her earlier concerns. “It doesn’t really seem like you.”

“You don’t think I am a fancy male? I’m shocked.”

“You know what I mean.”

He laughed. “I do. Although it is beautiful, it is perhaps more elaborate than I would have chosen, but it is fast, comfortable, and well-equipped. By purchasing the Aerie, I knew I would always have a space that was mine—that is now ours. If you don’t like the decor, feel free to change it anyway you wish.”

His words only reinforced her earlier realization that he was nothing like Kevin, and she smiled up at him. “It’s fine. I like the idea that we will always have a home here.”

“Good.” He bent down and kissed her, and it wasn’t until George squeaked that she realized that she was leaning into him.

“You are far too tempting, sweetheart,” he said ruefully as he gave George an apologetic pat.

“Then I will remove my tempting presence and go start on lunch. Plus I’m sure George is hungry.”

The lizard’s head bobbed eagerly, and they both laughed.

“I wish to help,” Saka announced a short time later. Joan looked up and saw the other female standing at the entrance to the kitchen, her expression masked.

“You don’t have to,” Joan said quickly, suspecting that Saka still felt guilty about the previous night. “I can handle it.”

Saka shifted uncomfortably, her eyes not meeting Joan’s. “I wish to help,” she repeated stiffly. “I wish to… learn.”

“You want to learn to cook?”

“It is a skill that I do not possess.”

Saka still wasn’t looking at her, but Joan suddenly thought she understood why the other female wanted to learn. Her own anxiety about being dependent on another was still fresh in her mind.

“Of course,” she said quickly. “I would enjoy the company.”

Saka flashed her a quick, shaky smile, and Joan had to bite back the urge to cry.

“Since the sweet pastries were so successful yesterday, I thought I would try some savory ones today. You can help me make the dough.”

Saka proved not only surprisingly quick to pick up the basics, but to be an entertaining companion. She had a dry, cynical wit that Joan appreciated.

“He looks so harmless,” Saka said thoughtfully, looking at George. The lizard had eaten until her stomach was a small, round ball, then curled up and gone to sleep in a storage container.

“She,” Joan corrected. “According to the medical bed, George is a she.”

“Somehow, that just makes it even better that she was the one to take down Baahy.”

“I know.” Joan flashed her a smile. “We females have our resources.”

A shadow crossed Saka’s face, and Joan squeezed her hand. “You were resourceful enough to stay alive. That’s what matters. And soon you will be able to dazzle everyone with your cooking as well as your beauty.”

Saka doubtfully regarded the misshapen pastry she had just created. “I hope my looks are not as crooked as this dough.”

Joan laughed. “It’s what’s on the inside that counts. Do you want to try another?”

After lunch, Joan returned to the cabin to collect a pillow for George. A soft knock sounded, and she looked up to see Issar standing there.

“Varga went down to change a filter in the engine room,” she said.

“I wasn’t looking for him. I was looking for you.”

“For me? Do you want to come in?” she asked cautiously. Despite his strange features, he had never been anything but polite and respectful, and he was obviously devoted to Taliane.

He nodded, and she waved him to the small seating area, trying not to blush as she remembered the way Varga had used it the previous night.

“Is there something I can do to help you?”

“It is about Taliane. I’m not sure if I should be worried.”

“About what?”

Rather than looking at her, Issar looked out the viewport at the stars as he spoke. “The females in the mines were mistreated so terribly. I never intended to add to their abuse, but one day when I was returning to our barracks, I looked over and our eyes met. I knew that she was my female. So the next day I made sure that I collected the most ore so that I could claim her. And I did every day from then on so I was the only one to be with her.”

“I’m glad the two of you found each other,” she said softly.

“As am I.” He hesitated, then finally looked at her. Despite the eeriness of his pale eyes with their vertical pupils, she could read his concern. “But she did not always have me.”

She thought she understood. “You mean she was… mistreated before you came along.”

A short nod of that wedge-shaped head. “Yes. But she has never spoken of it, never mentioned it. When I see Polly, or even Saka, I know how it affected them. I am concerned that Taliane has buried it rather than face it. And a buried wound may still fester.”

Joan thought back to the other female’s calm face and serene voice. “She certainly seems to be more at peace than the others, but I thought it was because of you.”

“It may be, but what if it isn’t? Should I encourage her to speak of that time?”

“I don’t think so. She may have buried it so deeply that it will never resurface. And if it does start to trouble her, you will be there for her, won’t you?”

He nodded. “Of course.”

“Then let sleeping dogs lie.” He looked so puzzled that she laughed. “It means don’t go waking up trouble.”

“Ah, I see.” He extended his hand. “Thank you, mate of Varga.”

She returned his clasp, his skin dry and surprisingly soft despite the scales.

“You will remove your hand from my female before I remove it from your body,” Varga growled, and she looked up to find him standing at the doorway, his skin hardening.

Moving with deliberate slowness, Issar obeyed but he looked amused rather than worried. “Do you think you could?”

“I have no doubt,” he growled, stalking towards the other male.

Joan sighed. “Stop it, Varga. I was just giving Issar some advice about Taliane.”

“If he needs advice to handle his female, perhaps he doesn’t deserve her.”

The amusement vanished and Issar’s spines flared.

“Stop provoking him! I just—oww!” She stood up and deliberately tripped over a stool. As she started to fall, Varga immediately forgot his anger and strode forward to catch her.

“What’s wrong? Are you injured?”

She smiled up at him. “I’m fine.”

“If you do not require my assistance, I will leave now,” Issar announced.

Varga turned to glare at him, but Joan wiggled against him and distracted him.

“Bye, Issar. Remember what I said.”

She heard the door close, but she was far more interested in the big, warm male regarding her anxiously.

“You are sure you’re all right?” he asked.

“I’m fine. I thought you needed a distraction before you went all medieval on poor Issar.”

“You were never injured?”

“Well, I did stub my toe. But you’re welcome to examine me—just to make sure I’m not hurt.” She kept her eyes wide and innocent as she rubbed her breasts against his chest.

He laughed even as she felt his cock harden. “You are a devious female, little bird.”

“Yes, I think I am,” she said complacently. “I learned from my mother.”

“Your mother?’

“My father was very bossy and my mother was very quiet. If you had met them, you would have assumed that he was in charge. And he was—but somehow, my mother usually got what she wanted. I realized that she knew how to approach him because she understood him. So I tried to do the same.” She laughed. “My sister preferred to argue. The two of them would have these huge arguments, and Mom and I would watch from the sidelines.”

“This did not disturb you?”

“I knew they loved each other. I hated the idea, but I honestly think they enjoyed it.” She smiled wistfully. “I know Kimmy will look after them now that I’m not around.”

“I’m sorry that you cannot return to them.”

“I am too. They weren’t happy when I married Kevin, and he did his best to keep us apart. I was such a fool. I married Kevin because I thought he was like my father, but I missed one essential detail. Dad was bossy because he cared. Kevin was bossy because he thought he was better than everyone else. That’s one of the reasons I panicked yesterday. I should have known you weren’t like him.”

Varga had picked her up and carried her to the bed while she was talking, but now he frowned. “Who is Kevin? And what does that mean—married?”

“He was my husband. Marriage is… kind of like mating, I guess.”

His frown turned to a look of horror. “You are mated to another male?”

“Not anymore.”

She smiled but he looked even more appalled.

“Humans do not mate forever?”

“You should be happy about that,” she said lightly, but when his face didn’t relax, she sighed. “I hoped it would be forever, but it didn’t work out. I was so wrong about him. Fortunately, he finally found someone else.”

“He left you for another female?” The shock had been replaced by anger.

“Yes, thank goodness. It took me three tries before I found someone who convinced him to leave me.”

Varga still looked stunned. “You found another female for your mate?”

“Of course. I knew he’d never let me go unless he thought he was trading up. Uh, getting a more desirable female,” she added when he looked confused.

“There could not be a more desirable female,” he growled and rolled her under him. “Understand this, Joan. No other female will ever convince me to leave you.”

“Good,” she said, breathless at the heat in his eyes. “Because I’m never letting you go.”

Chapter Twenty-One

“You weren’t kidding about it being an ice planet,” Joan said, leaning forward to watch the planet approach. She had joined Varga on the bridge as they prepared to land on Hothrest. From what she could see, the entire planet was covered in white.

“Does that concern you?” Varga asked, studying her face. “I told you we did not have to stay.”

“No, I’m actually curious to see what it will be like. Do you really think your friend would consider me to run the restaurant?”

“I am convinced of it. You’ve managed to keep everybody on the ship happy.”

She grinned and shook her head, but it had been somewhat of a challenge. Although Issar was always polite, it soon became apparent that he had little interest in anything other than slabs of animal protein. Since fresh meat was in short supply, she had to be creative. On the other hand, both Taliane and, surprisingly, Rummel, preferred vegetables. Polly was completely unpredictable, but Joan had noticed that she tended to prefer more comforting, carbohydrate-heavy foods. At least they all enjoyed sweets, and Saka had turned out to have a surprising gift for creating pastries.

“If I do get the job, I want to hire Saka.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes. She really is very talented—and I think it would be good for her.”

“As much as you take me to task for wanting to take care of you, you do exactly the same thing,” Varga pointed out, his eyes warm with laughter.

“I know.” She sighed. “If only I knew how to take care of Polly.”

The other female worried her. She still wouldn’t bathe, and even the stoic Issar moved away when she approached. Only Rummel seemed unperturbed and continued to share the small crew cabin with her.

But it wasn’t just her filthy appearance. Polly’s moods were increasingly unstable. She could converse intelligently enough for a period of time, but the strangest things would set her off and the results were unpredictable. She might start to moan and rush off to hide in her cabin, but she could also snarl and start looking for a weapon. Varga kept the few weapons on the ship under lock and key, but Polly was just as likely to seize the nearest decorative object and hold it threateningly. She hadn’t yet gone as far as to attack anyone, but Joan was afraid that something would eventually send her completely over the edge.

“She may be beyond your help,” Varga said gently.

“I know. I don’t suppose there’s such a thing as a psychiatrist on Hothrest?”

He tilted his head and frowned and she realized that the word had not translated. “A head doctor? Someone to help her mental state?” He still looked puzzled. “I do not believe I have heard of such a thing, except perhaps… There was some talk of mental assistance in one of the inner systems. It is not something you would find here.”

“You think a world that allowed slavery would be prepared to handle the results,” she muttered.

“They do not expect slaves to be freed,” he reminded her. “The new Emperor is attempting to enforce the laws regarding the acceptable treatment of slaves. Some have speculated it is the first step towards emancipation, but even if that is true, it will not happen quickly.”

“But you said they don’t permit slavery on Hothrest, right?”

“Not on the large part of the planet that is under Hothian control. But the port operates under Imperial law so it is not forbidden there.” He tugged her down into his lap. “I know your instinct is to rescue all of those less fortunate than yourself, but you must not interfere with anything you see while we are in Port Eyeja.”

“I’m not sure I can do that,” she said honestly.

“You must. As a former slave, your position is somewhat tenuous. I will never let anything happen to you, but if we were forced to flee into the interior of the planet, it would be difficult to return to the port. I suspect you will feel more comfortable here if you know that we can leave.”

He wasn’t wrong. She had enjoyed the sense of freedom that came from being on the ship, knowing they could go wherever they chose. Although she was looking forward to the challenge of running a restaurant for the first time, she didn’t want to feel as if she had no other choice. Especially as the ship descended and all she could see was barren snowy plains and craggy mountains covered with ice. She shivered.

“I’ll do my best,” she promised.

“Good girl.” He hugged her. “If something occurs to trouble you, let me know and we can see if there is a way to handle it that doesn’t result in being forced into an Imperial courtroom.”

She nodded and silently watched the seemingly uninhabited planet growing ever larger beneath them. To her relief, a town did appear as they descended. The buildings appeared to be made of stone with steep snow-covered roofs. It was late in the day, and golden light spilled out from many of the buildings into the narrow streets. The site was unexpectedly appealing—it reminded her of one of those romanticized villages found on a holiday calendar—and her nerves settled.

Varga had made several calls to the surface during the descent. Once the ship was firmly on the ground, he smiled at her. “Baralt will be meeting us shortly. He and his mate have a large dwelling on the outskirts of town, and they would be happy to accommodate anyone who wishes to leave the ship.”

“Let’s go tell the others.”

Everyone else was gathered in the lounge, looking out across the landing field to the soft glow of the port. Varga repeated his offer.

Issar shook his head. “Taliane and I will remain on board. In the morning, I will arrange passage to Asing for us.”

“Are you sure, brother? Baralt is a fine warrior. He would welcome you.”

“Thank you, but no. We wish to return to my home nest as soon as possible.”

“I understand. But please do not leave without bidding us farewell.”

Issar dipped his head. “Of course not.”

“Well, I’d be happy to get off the ship,” Saka said dryly. “The novelty of sleeping on the couch is beginning to pall.”

Joan laughed. “I’m sure. And besides, I’d like you to meet Baralt if he’s going to be our new employer.”

Saka nodded and ducked her head, but not before Joan saw the longing on her face. She prayed that Varga’s suggestion would work out. She wanted the job for Saka as much as she wanted it on her own behalf.

“What about you, Rummel?” she asked.

“Don’t worry about me. I prefer to explore the port.”

She bit her lip, unwilling to insult him, but… “Will you be safe?”

“Quit fussing, girlie.” He patted his hip grimly. “I’m prepared this time. No one is taking me unaware again.”

Which only left Polly. Joan looked over at the girl. She was huddled in the corner, her eyes darting from face to face. “What about you, Polly? Would you like—”

The chime of the door alarm interrupted and she jumped. Varga laughed. “That’s Baralt and his clan leader, Njkall. I’ll let them in.”

He disappeared down the corridor, returning a moment later with two… abominable snowmen?

It had never occurred to her to ask what the Hothians looked like and she wasn’t prepared for the sight of two giant white-furred males entering the room. Her heart started to race, but then Varga made a comment to one of them and the male threw back his head and laughed. Despite the rather obvious fangs, the laughter was so obviously friendly that she relaxed. She even managed a genuine smile when Varga brought the first male over to meet her.

“This is my mate, Joan. Joan, this is my friend and defeated fight partner, Baralt.”

“If I remember correctly, I was actually the victor,” Baralt said dryly, his eyes gleaming with amusement.

“That is because you do not remember correctly. Perhaps because of your advanced age.”

“I see that you have not changed.” Baralt bowed his head. “I am very pleased to meet you, Joan. I hope that you will join us. My mate is very anxious to meet you. She sent some clothing to make the walk easier.”

Now that he was closer, she could see the intelligence on his face and realized he was nothing like the monstrous image that had first sprung to mind. “I’d like that very much.”

Varga introduced the rest of their party, hesitating when he got to Polly. She was still crouched in the corner, eyes wide.

“And this is Polly,” Varga said uncertainly.

Joan knew that they were all braced for one of the girl’s dramatic reactions.

Baralt nodded, but Njkall bent down in front of Polly.

“I am pleased to meet you,” he said slowly. He had a wonderful voice—deep, calm, and soothing. “You are safe with me… with us.”

Polly scowled at him. “You don’t have to talk to me like I’m a child.”

Joan did her best to hide her shock. It was the most normal reaction she had seen from the girl.

Njkall laughed, an equally deep, pleasant sound. “Of course you are not. Are you joining us at Baralt’s residence?”

“Are you going to be there?” Polly asked, frowning at him.

“That was my intention, but if it makes you uncomfortable—”

To Joan’s complete and utter shock, Polly shook her head, then raised a hand to Njkall. He very gently helped her to her feet, but even then, she didn’t let go of his hand. Instead, she kept hold of him while she stroked his arm.

“You’re very soft.” She giggled, then looked shocked. Joan expected her to run from the room as she had done previously, but instead Polly stepped closer to Njkall. “Like a teddy bear. A big, soft teddy bear.”

Njkall didn’t seem bothered by the comparison, but then again, maybe he didn’t understand the reference.

“You will need some clothing, little one.”

Once again, Joan braced herself for a negative reaction, but Polly only pouted up at Njkall. “I don’t like clothes.”

“You need them to leave the ship,” he said firmly. Polly scowled but raised no further objection as he began to sort through the clothing they had brought with them.

“I never would have believed it,” she said softly to Varga.

Baralt was close enough to hear her words, and he smiled. “Njkall has always had a way with recalcitrant children.”

“But she is not a child.” As she watched the older male carefully pull a hat over Polly’s tangled curls and wrap a cloak around her shoulders, she wondered if he realized that.

“He is the finest of males,” Baralt said. “You do not need to fear for her.”

She sighed and went to put on her own outdoor clothing. Perhaps she was simply overreacting.

Chapter Twenty-Two

Joan’s doubts resurfaced as they headed for Baralt’s house. As they walked through the icy streets, Polly continued to cling to Njkall’s hand. She actually seemed to be talking to him, and he listened patiently, occasionally giving that deep pleasant chuckle.

“I don’t understand,” she whispered to Saka who was walking next to her. “She seems to be terrified of everyone else but she’s not scared of him. He must be twice her size. And he has fangs.”

Saka had been eyeing the shops they passed, but now she focused on the two in front of them. “I have never seen a Hothian in person before,” she said thoughtfully.

“I doubt Polly has either.”

“Yes, that’s my point. There were no Hothians in the mines. No one who even resembled them at all. Which means she was never abused by a male who looked like him.”

“I hadn’t thought of that,” she admitted. “But that doesn’t mean he’s safe.”

“Little bird,” Varga said firmly from behind her, and she jumped as she realized he’d been listening. “As you pointed out, she is not a child and he is a trustworthy male. They do exist.”

“I know you’re trustworthy.”

“And I am not the only one.”

She sighed and settled into step next to him as Baralt moved forward to talk to Saka. She was relieved to notice that Saka made no attempt to be seductive. She had been a little afraid that the other female would fall back into the only interaction she understood.

“You need to stop worrying about everyone else,” Varga said softly, and she shot him a rueful smile.

“I know. I don’t mean to be the managing sort.”

“You have a kind heart and you wish to take care of others. But sometimes, you have to let them go their own way. Isn’t that what you were trying to tell me?”

“Touché,” she muttered.

“I don’t understand.”

“It means you’re right. Dammit.”

He laughed and tucked her under his arm as they continued down the street. She snuggled closer, grateful for his warmth. The clothes Baralt had provided helped but the temperature was well below freezing. But it wasn’t cold enough to prevent her from looking around with interest.

Now that they were actually in the town, she realized it wasn’t quite as idyllic as it had appeared from the air. There were several interesting shops, but they were easily outnumbered by bars. And when they turned a corner, she realized they were also outnumbered by what appeared to be sex shops. It reminded her of pictures she had seen of the red-light district in Amsterdam, except the females—and males—occupying the windows were an astonishing array of species. The acts they were performing were equally as varied. Her footsteps ground to a halt as she stared.

“This is terrible. How can this possibly be legal?”

Varga sighed and urged her on. “There’s nothing illegal about sex, and for some of these workers, it’s an easy way to make a lot of credits.”

“Easy?” she asked incredulously.

“Compared to some of the alternatives, yes.”

“You mean they want to be here?”

“Some of them do.”

He hadn’t exactly answered her question, but as they continued down the street, she tried to focus on the faces rather than the actions of the sex workers. Most of them simply appeared to be bored. A few actually looked enthusiastic, or at least managed to fake it. She still wasn’t happy about it, but she was resigned, until they turned another corner.

This was a smaller, darker street. Colder as well, with few of the braziers that had heated the main road. She heard a sharp crack and turned in time to see a large furry male standing over an ivory-scaled female who was clutching her cheek. It was all too obvious that he had just hit her.

“I don’t care if you are cold. Attract a male to heat you up, you worthless bitch,” the male snarled.

Joan started forward with an outraged cry, but Varga clamped his hand over her mouth and pulled her back against him. When she started to struggle, he bent down and whispered in her ear, “Hush, little bird. Let Baralt take care of this.”

Baralt stepped forward, and she suddenly noticed that long black claws extended from his fingers.

“Under Imperial law, you are required to provide adequate heating for your slave.” Baralt’s voice was colder than the surrounding air, and she shivered as she realized just how intimidating he could be.

The male scowled at him and gestured at a small metal pot that had perhaps one ember glowing within it. “She’s got a heater.”

“It is inadequate. If you cannot afford additional fuel, then you must clothe her appropriately.”

“How am I gonna get a male to buy her if they can’t see what they’re getting?” The male sneered at the huddled female. “Not that she has much to offer even naked.”

“Fuel or clothing,” Baralt repeated.

“You can’t tell me what to do.”

“I am the law. The town was informed that we would be enforcing Imperial standards.”

The male spat on the ground, the glob freezing immediately. “I didn’t agree to that.”

“Then you’re quite free to leave Port Eyeja.”

The male’s fur turned a vivid shade of orange, clearly a sign of rage, and she felt Varga brace. But instead of attacking Baralt, the shop owner swore, grabbed the female roughly by her wrist and hauled her inside the building, slamming the window shut behind him.

“You can’t leave her with him,” she protested.

Baralt nodded grimly. “I will send an officer to investigate. It is clear that she is being mistreated. We will remove her from his possession.”

“Can’t we do that now?”

“No,” Baralt and Varga said simultaneously.

“We do not know who else could be inside, and I will not take the chance while there are three females in my care,” Baralt continued.

“Our care,” Varga added firmly.

“I will send instructions as soon as we reach my residence,” Baralt promised.

Looking from Baralt to Varga, she realized it wasn’t a battle she would win. Further up the street, Saka and Polly were huddled next to Njkall. Both females looked frightened. She sighed and gave in. “Then let’s hurry.”

Varga knew his female wasn’t happy, but he agreed with Baralt. This was not the time to rescue the unfortunate slave. He had no doubt that Baralt would follow through on his promise to take care of her.

Baralt’s house was on the very edge of town, looking out across a vast plain to the mountains where the caves of his tribe were located. A high stone wall surrounded the house, with a guard at the gate.

“Is this much security necessary?” he asked Baralt quietly.

“Perhaps not, but trying to instill law and order in the town is not a quick process. There have been too many years of lawlessness. Since I cannot be with her at all times, I want to know that my mate is safe.”

Varga followed his friend through the gate, trying to suppress a hint of doubt. Would a guard, even one for her own protection, remind Joan of her ordeal?

She didn’t seem bothered right now, looking around with appreciative eyes before Izzie, Baralt’s mate, came rushing out to meet them. She was a short, curvy human with golden skin and dark curls, glowing with health. She too had been abused, but she seemed to have put it behind her, and Varga hoped that the other females would be able to as well.

“I’m so excited to meet you. All of you. Come in out of the cold.” Izzie led the way into a large entrance hall and helped them remove their outer clothing while Baralt introduced everyone. Her eyes widened as Polly shed her cloak and revealed her filthy, naked body. They widened even further when Polly took Njkall’s hand.

“Umm, okay. Would anyone like something to eat? Or drink?”

“Actually, I brought some cookies,” Joan said nervously as she pulled out the bag of treats.

“Cookies? Really? I haven’t had a cookie since…” Izzie bit her lip, and Baralt put his arm around her.

“I’m sorry,” Joan said quickly. “I just thought you might enjoy them.”

“I remember those,” Taliane said eagerly. “They’re very good.”

“I’m sure they are.” Izzie’s smile looked a little forced as she led the way into the comfortable living room. “Let’s have some tea to go with them.”

By the time the tea was poured, she seemed to have regained her composure, and when she bit into one of Joan’s cookies, her smile was completely genuine. “These are delicious.”

Joan’s cheeks colored as they always did when she received a compliment. “Thank you.”

“I’m afraid I’m not a very good cook,” Izzie admitted. “Baralt’s sister Zemma is trying to teach me.”

“Joan is an excellent cook,” he said firmly. “And she would like to apply for a position in the restaurant of your resort.”

“That’s an excellent idea,” Izzie said immediately. “Don’t you think so, Njkall?”

Varga knew that Njkall was overseeing the project, and he was relieved when the male nodded immediately.

Izzie grinned at Joan. “Good. Do you think you could put together some menus for us?”

“I can try. I’ll have to find out what you have available locally.”

“Of course. Maybe we should go and visit Zemma tomorrow.”

“Or she can come here,” Baralt interrupted. “The town has been restless lately.”

Izzie rolled her eyes and turned back to Joan. She began describing their plans for the resort, and Njkall and Saka were soon drawn into the conversation.

“Here.” Varga looked up to see Baralt handing him a glass of dark liquid.

“Aldarian whiskey?” He raised a brow but didn’t refuse the glass. “I practically had to carry you back to your mate last time we indulged.”

Baralt laughed. “Just a glass tonight, but I think this is an occasion worth celebrating. You have found your mate.”

“It is indeed something to celebrate,” he agreed, watching Joan laugh. He took a sip of the whiskey, relishing the smooth burn as it slid down his throat.

“And you are going to stay here on Hothrest, despite your professed hatred of ice planets?” Baralt raised a shaggy brow.

“As long as my female is content.”

“Then I hope she remains content. It is good to have you here, my friend.”

Varga raised his glass and let the warmth of good whiskey and good friends wash over him as he watched his mate. If she was happy here, then he too would be content.

Chapter Twenty-Three

The next morning, Joan smiled as her eyes opened, and she looked around the room she was sharing with Varga. Despite the somewhat forbidding exterior of the big stone house, Izzie had made the inside feel very welcoming. But speaking of welcoming, she had promised to cook breakfast as a small thank you for the welcome Izzie had extended to them. She reluctantly slipped away from Varga’s big, warm body and went to get dressed in the clothes Izzie had lent her.

As she headed for the kitchen, a door opened further down the corridor, and she saw Polly slip out. The girl didn’t see her. Her posture was relaxed and she was walking, rather than skittering away, but Joan frowned as she watched the girl return to her own room.

Without bothering to knock, Joan threw open the door to the room Polly had deserted. As she suspected, Njkall was sitting on the edge of the bed.

“How could you?” she demanded.

Njkall met her angry gaze calmly. “She came to me.”

“That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t have known better.”

“She came to me,” he repeated, “because she wished to be held. I obliged. That was all that was between us.”

Some of the anger left her, but she frowned at him. “I don’t think you understand. She was abused, terribly abused. I’m not sure that she’s capable of making good decisions.”

“You don’t think I know what happened to her?” Njkall’s usual calm suddenly disappeared. He stood, looking enormous in the small room, and she realized nervously that his claws had extended. “I can smell it on her and I want to kill each and every one of them slowly and painfully.”

“You can tell?”

He sighed, and his anger was replaced by sorrow. “Yes. This is a time when I regret that the Hothian sense of smell is so keen.”

“She refuses to take a bath. But maybe…”

He was already shaking his head. “If it gives her some feeling of protection, I will not take that away from her. My anger is not important.”

She studied his face, trying to read the strange features.

“Do you like her?” she burst out.

“She is my mate,” he said simply, but raised his hand before she could respond. “I know she is not ready for that. She may never be ready for that. But I will do anything she wishes me to do.” Gleaming blue eyes fastened on her face. “And if it comforts her to come to me, I will not turn her away and you will not try to prevent her.”

She stared back at him for a moment, then sighed. “I will try not to interfere.”

A surprisingly attractive smile suddenly crossed his face. “Based on what I have seen so far, I suspect that will be extremely difficult for you.”

“You have no idea,” she muttered, but smiled back. “And I’m still going to keep an eye on her.”

“I am grateful that you wish to care for her as well.”

Before she could respond, Varga came up behind her, immediately pulling her against his side and glaring at Njkall.

“Is he bothering you?” he demanded.

“Not at all,” she said cheerfully, and gave him an innocent look. “I was just about to go and make some of those muffins you like.”

“Little bird, I suspect this is one of your efforts to divert me,” he said sternly. “However, your muffins are a powerful argument.”

He whisked her out of Njkall’s room, slamming the door behind him.

“That was rude,” she scolded.

“Not as rude as I would like to have been. I do not like finding my mate in another male’s room. I suspect it will take many muffins to erase my unhappiness.”

Despite his solemn face, his eyes laughed down at her, and she went up on tiptoes to give him a kiss. How could I ever have thought that he was anything like my ex-husband? she wondered as he bent down to meet her. And then all thoughts of the past disappeared as she lost herself in his kiss.

Later that morning, Issar and Taliane came to say goodbye. Joan couldn’t resist pulling the girl aside.

“Are you sure this is what you want?”

“Very sure.” Taliane’s eyes drifted over to Issar and he seemed to sense her attention, looking up and smiling at her. “We came together under such terrible conditions that I know we can get through anything together.”

Joan’s own gaze went to Varga as she nodded in agreement. Their love had been forged in a fiery crucible. Looking back at Taliane, the girl’s happiness was easy to read.

“You look very happy.”

“I am.” Taliane leaned forward and whispered softly, “We went to a medic on the way here this morning.”

“Is something wrong?”

“Not at all. I just wanted to get the birth control reversed. With any luck, I’ll be pregnant before we reach Asing.”

Dizziness swept over Joan and she swayed. Taliane reached for her, helping her to a seat.

“What’s wrong?”

“Pregnant? You can get pregnant even though you’re of different species?” Her mouth felt numb.

“Of course. That’s why they gave us birth control shots when we arrived on Drahana. Pregnant females are too difficult to manage,” Taliane said bitterly, then frowned at Joan. “Didn’t you get one?”

She thought back to her arrival. Ukhaan had insisted that she walk through an icy disinfectant spray, and it had left her too cold and shocked to notice much after that. But now that she thought about it, he had given her a painful injection. Her body sagged with relief.

“Yes, yes, I did.”

Taliane gave her an inquisitive look. “You look relieved. Don’t you want Varga’s child?”

Her eyes automatically went to him. His head was thrown back as he laughed at something Issar had said. Her big, handsome mate. Her eyes suddenly filled with tears.

“I don’t know. I love him so much, but I don’t think I’m ready. I need to know that I could take care of myself, let alone a child, if anything happened to him.”

The very thought made her stomach churn. Taliane nodded, but Joan suspected she didn’t really understand Joan’s logic.

After the couple left, Joan fled upstairs to their room. She wasn’t surprised when Varga followed a short time later.

“You looked worried earlier when you spoke with Taliane. Is something wrong?”

“Not exactly.” She paced over to the window, not looking at him. “She told me that she and Issar are planning on having a baby. I didn’t realize that different species could have children together.”

“It’s quite common. I’m sure Issar is thrilled.”

“You didn’t say anything,” she burst out, whirling to face him. “And you never asked me.”

“I have a birth control implant,” he said quietly. “It’s a standard practice for all fighters. I would never try and get you pregnant without discussing it with you.”

She hadn’t even considered that possibility. “You mean males get implants?”

“Of course. Do human males not practice birth control?”

“Not often.” She smiled ruefully as she joined him on the bed. “Taliane told me we were given shots to prevent pregnancy as well, and I wasn’t sure if you knew. I should have realized that you would look out for me.”

“Always, little bird.” He hesitated. “Do you want children?”

“I don’t know. I never wanted to have children with Kevin.” He growled as he always did when she referred to her ex. “But it wasn’t because I didn’t want to have children. Unfortunately, it was the right time in my life but the wrong male.”

“And now…”

“You are definitely the right male, but… it doesn’t feel like the right time. This is all still so new, and I haven’t really found my place yet.”

His face hardened, and he pulled her onto his lap. “Your place is with me.”

“I know.” She reached up and brushed a kiss across his mouth. “And there’s nowhere else I would rather be—but I want to feel like I have a place of my own as well. Does that make sense?”

“Unfortunately.”

He sighed and gathered her close. After a minute, she looked up at him. “What about you? Do you want children?”

She felt his cock jerk beneath her and bit her lip.

“That seems like a yes.”

“The idea of seeing you grow ripe with my child thrills me. But as you said, while I know you are the right female, I am not sure this is the right time.”

She put a hand on his face. “I love you, Varga, and you are the right male. But I think we should wait.”

“I love you too, Joan, and I agree.” A speculative look crossed his face, and his eyes gleamed. “Of course, that doesn’t mean we can’t practice.”

She gave him an innocent stare. “Oh? What did you have in mind?”

“I’ll show you.” He had her dress off before she could take a breath.

“You certainly don’t need any practice in making my clothes disappear,” she teased, but the heat in his eyes as he surveyed her naked body had her nipples tingling and a delicious pulse starting between her legs.

“I don’t like anything concealing your beauty from my eyes.”

She felt the heat rise to her cheeks as it always did when he called her beautiful, but she had learned that objecting to his compliments usually resulted in one of his tantalizing spanks. And as much as she enjoyed them, she wanted to see what he had in mind this time.

“If I were trying to get you with child, the first thing I would do is make sure you were completely open to me,” he said thoughtfully, then lifted her legs, gently spreading them until she knew every inch of her quivering pussy was exposed to him.

She felt naked, vulnerable, and so excited that she actually felt her channel pulse. He must have seen it as well because he traced the small entrance with one big finger. “Such an eager little cunt. So anxious to be filled. Is this what you want?”

He slid the tip of his finger into her, just enough to tease. She tried to arch her hips and take more but he wouldn’t let her.

“Or perhaps this?” He bent his head and speared her with his tongue, a hot, thick intrusion that made her cry out with pleasure. “Mmm, delicious.”

He pulled free, licking up through her folds to circle her aching clit, teasing her with lightning fast sweeps of his tongue until she was panting and trying to buck against his grip.

“But I don’t think you would really want my finger or my tongue,” he growled. “You would want to be bred. You would want my cock buried in that sweet little cunt.”

He grabbed her ankles with one hand, effortlessly lifting her bottom higher until his cock was aimed directly at her waiting entrance. With her legs together, she was even tighter than normal and he had to work his way slowly inside, letting her feel each ridge as he sank into her. She wanted to move, to take more of him, but he took his time, stretching out the pleasure until he filled her completely.

“Is this what you want?”

“Oh, yes. Yes!”

Still holding her ankles in one hand, he reached down and circled the place where they were joined, then reached up to feather a stroke across her needy, pulsing clit. “When you come, you will pull more of my seed inside you.”

His hips jerked, and he began to move, still slow, still deliberate. She looked up to find him watching her. She could see the strain on his face, see the control it took to move so slowly.

“Yes,” she whispered. “I want your seed deep inside me.”

His control snapped, and he began to thrust harder, faster, still working her clit and urging her higher. She felt him climax, felt him filling her, and then she was coming too, her channel milking him and drawing every drop of seed from him. He collapsed with a hoarse cry, finally releasing her ankles, and she immediately wrapped her arms and legs around him, pulling him even closer.

When he finally lifted his head, his face was soft, his dark golden eyes tender. “What did you think of our practice?”

“It was very nice.”

He raised a brow. “Nice?”

“Well, you know what they say,” she whispered. “Practice makes perfect.”

“Then let us practice again.”

And she sighed happily as his head descended.

Chapter Twenty-Four

“Are you sure you don’t mind?” Varga asked again, and Joan rolled her eyes.

“I already told you I didn’t. I’m beginning to think you’re looking for an excuse not to go.”

He shrugged. “I must admit that the idea of spending several hours in a frozen wilderness does not particularly appeal to me.”

She laughed up at him. “Too bad. You told Baralt that you would go.”

“I suspect it was the Aldarian whiskey talking.”

“Izzie said that the two of you can do some damage to a bottle. Maybe this will teach you. And anyway, he said it was a great honor.”

He muttered under his breath but went off to put on his outdoor clothing and she gave a relieved sigh. Today was a feast day and she had offered to cook the evening meal. Although no one had said as much, she took it as a trial of her cooking abilities, and she was determined to do her best. It would be easier to concentrate with Varga out of the way. The hunting party was also bringing back the main course, and the sooner they returned from the hunt, the sooner she would be able to prepare it.

She and Izzie stood at the gate in the wall surrounding Baralt’s house and waved them off. Njkall had joined them, but even the three large males looked insignificant as they strode out into the vast white plain leading away from town.

“They will be all right, won’t they?” she asked, suddenly having second thoughts about sending him away.

“They’ll be fine,” Izzie said firmly. “Baralt has always returned triumphantly from the hunt, and I’ve learned not to think about what he’s doing.”

“Does that work?”

Izzie gave her a rueful grin. “Only a little bit. But I don’t want to tie him down with my worries.” She smiled at the guard waiting to close the gates and together the two of them returned to the main house.

Joan had decided to begin by making a quick bread, and she started stirring ingredients together as soon as they returned to the kitchen.

“Tell me about this siloza they are hunting.”

Izzie giggled. “It’s something like a very large turkey—if you can imagine a turkey as tall as a human. With foot-long claws.”

She did her best not to worry about Varga being threatened by those claws and forced a smile. “Hmm. In that case, maybe I should make some stuffing.”

“Oh, I love that idea. What do you need?”

“Bread, of course, but I can use some of this. I don’t suppose you have any carrots or celery?” she joked.

“No, but Baralt’s sister uses something similar when she makes soup.” Izzie jumped up. “Why don’t I run into town and see if she has some I can borrow? Or if she can tell me where I can buy some.”

“I thought you told Baralt that you wouldn’t leave.”

“I won’t go by myself. I’ll get Rolisar to go with me—he’s the one at the gate. We’ll just lock it behind us, if that’s all right with you?”

“It’s fine with me. I don’t intend to go anywhere.” The town still made her uncomfortable. Saka had ventured in a few times, accompanied by one of Baralt’s males, but Joan’s memories of the night they arrived had given her a distaste for the port, even though Baralt had succeeded in freeing the unfortunate female. Joan would be happier once they moved to the resort and further away from town.

“We won’t be long.” Izzie gave her a happy smile. “This is going to be just like Thanksgiving.”

“I’m pretty sure that most Thanksgivings don’t include a six-foot turkey,” she said dryly.

Izzie laughed and rushed off.

A few minutes later, Saka entered the kitchen, yawning.

“No one around here seems to appreciate the luxury of sleeping late.”

“The males went hunting, and apparently it’s something you start at the crack of dawn.”

“Why? Because they want to catch their prey while they are still asleep?”

“Maybe so.” Joan laughed. “I’ve been thinking. We have a holiday on earth called Thanksgiving and I thought I would try and recreate some of those dishes. Can you make some pastry? Enough for two—no, better make that three pies?”

“You’re such a slave driver,” Saka teased, then went still. “I didn’t mean that.”

“Of course you didn’t. But maybe it’s a good thing that you can make a joke about it now.”

Saka shook her head and gave her a weak smile as she started to gather her ingredients. “I suppose so.”

Joan wondered how often the memory of their time on Drahana would come back to haunt them. Assuming we can move past it at all, she thought with a sigh as Polly wandered into the kitchen. The other woman still refused to bathe or wear clothes, but her moods seem to have evened out. She didn’t talk much, except to Njkall, but she seemed to like to listen to the others talk and didn’t scurry away as often as she used to.

Polly went and curled in her usual place next to the big stove. George chirped happily and climbed up on her lap. The small lizard hadn’t been impressed by the snow-covered ground of Hothrest and preferred to spend most of her time in the warmth of the kitchen.

Joan smiled at the pair and started chopping some of the small round fruit native to the planet. It wasn’t really fruit—it was actually an edible spore that grew in the caverns beneath Hothrest—but if you ignored the fluorescent pink coloring, it had a vaguely apple like taste, and she thought it would work in a pie.

George chirped again and she looked up to find the lizard eyeing her hungrily. She laughed and tossed her a small piece of fruit. When Polly gave her an expectant look, she tossed the girl one as well.

“You aren’t going to have anything left for the pie,” Saka grumbled good-naturedly.

“We have plenty. Although maybe I should make four pies, especially if Rummel is joining us. You know how much he likes sweets.”

Rummel hadn’t joined them in Baralt’s house. Instead, he had taken a job as a dealer in one of the small gaming establishments, a position that included lodging. She missed his presence, but at least he visited often.

As she was sautéing the apple substitute, she heard a muffled bang from outside. “Did you hear that?”

Saka shrugged. “Probably just the wind. You know how strong it is.”

“Hope it doesn’t mean there’s a storm coming in.” Even in the brief time they had been here, they had experienced one of the terrifyingly strong blizzards that could sweep in without warning. “What if Varga and the others don’t make it back in time?”

“Njkall will take care of them,” Polly said confidently, and Joan had to hide her smile. The girl seemed to think that Njkall could do anything.

“I’m sure you’re right,” she agreed, turning back to her pan

Then George suddenly hissed, and Saka gave a startled cry. Joan followed her gaze to the stranger looming in the kitchen doorway. Her heart started to race as she recognized the big, furred merchant they had confronted the first night.

“Well, well, well, this is an unexpected bounty. Not one but three females ready to be sold.”

Polly gave a wailing cry, and the stranger glared at her. “Shut up, girl.” His eyes traveled over her with disgust. “Fuck, you’re a dirty little thing. It’s gonna take a lot of water to get you clean enough to fuck.”

George hissed again, but Polly’s arms were tight around the small animal even as she continued to wail softly. Saka took a step closer to Joan, and she could feel the other woman trembling as the male’s eyes traveled over to them.

“Hope you two are worth a little more. Still, I expect the three of you will compensate for the loss of the other one.” He glared at Joan. “Those bastards took her away from me.”

“Because you mistreated her.”

“She was a fucking slave. She should have been grateful for anything I gave her. Just like you three will learn to be grateful.”

“My mate will never let that happen.”

He laughed, and the sound sent a chill down her spine. “Maybe not—if he could find you. We’re heading straight for a ship—and one of you is gonna be the price for the journey.” He gave them a speculative glance. “I hope I can convince him to take the dirty one.”

Joan heard Saka take a deep breath, then she sauntered towards the male, her tail twitching seductively. For a moment, Joan’s heart sank, but then she realized that Saka was waving her hand behind her back. She was pointing at the big knife Joan had been using to cut up the spores. It was only an arm’s length away.

“I’m sure you don’t want to get rid of me,” Saka purred as the male gave her an appreciative glance.

Joan took a quick step forward while he was distracted by Saka. Her hand closed over the handle of the knife, and she slid it quickly off the table, hiding it in the folds of her skirt. She snuck a quick glance at Polly and even though the girl was still moaning, her eyes were bright and alert.

“Yeah, you could be the most useful. Show me what you got.” The male’s big hand clamped down on Saka’s shoulder as he started to force her to her knees. She began to obey, then suddenly snarled and raked her claws across his groin. At the same time, Polly released George, and she skittered forward, sinking small sharp teeth into the male’s leg, apparently undeterred by the thick fur.

Polly was right behind her, her fingernails clawing at the male’s face. He tried to fight back, throwing Saka to one side, but Joan replaced her. With a muttered prayer, she thrust the knife into his stomach. It slid into his flesh with sickening ease, and he stumbled backwards. She was about to follow up with a second blow when he gave a high-pitched scream and collapsed.

She jumped out of the way, tugging Polly with her, while he clutched at his leg where George had bitten him. He writhed on the floor, moaning with agony, as Saka climbed slowly to her feet and came to join them. As the three of them watched, the moans faded. His body gave a final jerk and went still.

“We stopped him,” Polly whispered. “The three of us stopped him.”

“The four of us,” Joan said as she bent down and picked up George.

“I fought back…” Saka sounded dazed.

“We all did. And we won.”

Polly started to cry—but they were soft, exhausted sobs rather than that eerie wail.

“I would join you if I could,” Saka admitted, and Joan gave her a fierce hug, her own eyes wet.

Polly gripped her hand, and the four of them huddled together, laughing and crying. And that was how the males found them when they came rushing in a few minutes later.

Chapter Twenty-Five

Varga wrapped his arms around Joan and found that his hands were shaking. His appalled gaze went to the dead body on the floor, recognizing the signs of George’s fatal bite. He had never been as scared as he had been in the past few minutes.

They had been making their way back across the plain after a successful hunt when Baralt’s gaze suddenly fastened on the house in the distance.

“Something’s wrong,” he muttered, walking faster.

Varga’s heart skipped a beat. “What is it?”

“Rolisar is not at the gate. He would never leave his post.”

They exchanged a horrified look, then took off at a run, Njkall at their side. The siloza was abandoned in their frantic haste. As they got closer, Varga could see that not only had the guard disappeared but the gate had been compromised. The terror he had felt as a child when he was trapped in the cave-in was nothing compared to how he felt now.

She had to be all right—she had to be.

He heard the sound of crying as soon as they burst into the house and raced for the kitchen. His appalled gaze snagged on the body on the floor but then he saw Joan, alive and unhurt. She flung herself at him and he covered her face with kisses until an indignant squeak from George made him realize that he was crushing the two of them against him.

“Isabel!” Baralt roared, his gaze frantically searching for his mate.

“She went into town,” Joan said quickly, “with the male at the gate. To see your sister!” she called after him as he raced out of the room.

Njkall had collapsed in a chair by the heater, and Polly was perched in his lap, excitedly telling him about what had happened. Njkall’s hands were clenched on the arms of the chair, but he nodded calmly as Polly spoke. Nothing she said made sense to Varga.

He sat as well, his knees suddenly weak, and tucked Joan against his chest, unwilling to let her out of his arms. Saka patted his shoulder as she went to the stove to make a pot of tea.

“What happened, sweetheart?”

“I really don’t know. It’s that male who was beating the poor slave girl, remember?”

“Yes, I recognized him.” Despite the terrible bloating from the poison. “How did he get in here?”

“I think he must have been watching the house. Izzie and the guard went to get some vegetables, and he showed up not long after they left.” She shuddered. “He was going to take us away, make us slaves again.”

His skin began to harden as anger and horror swept through him. To think that he might have lost her… “I would never have stopped looking for you.”

“I know.” She put a hand on his cheek. “I told him you wouldn’t.”

He sighed and cuddled her closer. “It looks like I have to thank George once again.”

“Not just George,” she said indignantly. “We all helped. Saka clawed him and Polly went for his eyes, and I… I stuck a knife in him.” She shuddered again. “Which is something I never want to do again.”

“You will never have to,” he vowed, horrified yet again at the idea of the females attacking the much larger male.

“Still, I suppose George was probably the most effective,” Joan added, stroking the lizard’s small head. “Is… is that what happened to Baahy?”

“Yes.”

“I know he deserved it—they both did—but it’s a terrible way to die.”

Varga followed her gaze to the body and reluctantly decided that he needed to deal with it. He was about to put Joan down when Baralt stalked into the kitchen, his arm tight around Izzie, and followed by a very shamefaced Hothian.

“Take care of that,” he ordered, pointing to the body, “while you reflect on what could have happened due to your failure to obey orders.”

“It wasn’t Rolisar’s fault,” Izzie protested. “We thought everyone would be safe behind the locked gate.”

“And you shouldn’t have left either.”

Izzie’s chin went up, and her eyes sparkled dangerously. “You can’t tell me what to—”

Baralt roared and picked her up, stalking out of the room with her in his arms.

“He’s usually so calm,” Joan whispered, her eyes wide.

“Knowing that your mate is in danger is enough to send any male over the edge.” His eyes met Njkall’s as he spoke, and he saw that same knowledge there. Their precious females had been so close to being taken from them. “I think Baralt had the right idea.”

He stood, Joan and George still in his arms, and headed for the stairs.

Somehow, Varga was not surprised when Joan still insisted on cooking dinner. He had inspected every inch of her for damage, kissed those same inches, and buried himself in her until she was limp with pleasure, and it was still difficult to let her leave their bed.

“Don’t be silly,” she huffed. “Everything is fine now. And I’m sure everyone is going to be hungry after all the excitement. It’s a shame about the siloza,” she added wistfully.

But when they entered the kitchen, they found that Baralt had sent the hapless Rolisar after the bird as well. Joan grinned and set to work at once. Varga sat down at the table, not yet ready to let her out of his sight, and soon found himself chopping vegetables for her. Saka quietly assembled pies but a smile kept flickering across her face.

Baralt and Izzie joined them, Baralt considerably more relaxed and Izzie glowing. She bent to whisper something in Joan’s ear, and both women laughed. The whole room went silent when Polly and Njkall appeared.

Polly had been scrubbed clean. Long dark hair framed a pale, extraordinarily innocent looking face. She was not only clean, but wearing a short, floaty dress in pale blue. She blushed as they all stared at her and took a tighter grip on Njkall’s hand.

“Njkall gave me a bath,” she said proudly.

Varga felt Joan tense, but before she could say anything, Njkall added calmly. “At her request, of course.”

Joan sighed but remained silent. Varga looked at the other male and realized that despite Njkall’s apparent serenity, there was an underlying strain on the male’s face.

“And we’re moving to the resort,” Polly added.

“But why?” Joan asked. “I don’t understand.”

“I… I don’t feel safe here. I know we stopped that male today, but what if someone like him comes again? I don’t want to be anywhere near town.”

“But—” Joan started again, and he put a hand on her arm. She looked at him, then sighed and nodded. “Of course, Polly. If that’s what you want to do.”

“Does this mean that there is housing there?” he asked.

Njkall nodded. “The staff quarters are almost completed. Perhaps the two of you would care to join us?”

“What do you think, sweetheart?”

She smiled up at him, and he suspected that she was secretly as relieved as Polly to be getting away from town. “I’d like that.”

Izzie nodded. “I think it’s a great idea. That way you’ll be right there to make sure everything goes as planned with the restaurant and the kitchens.”

“You mean you’re giving me the job?” Joan’s eyes lit with pleasure.

“Of course. And we can still come visit you—we have the most marvelous sleigh,” Izzie added with a smile at Baralt.

“It is time for another ride,” his friend agreed.

The conversation turned towards the plans for the restaurant. Varga watched as his mate laughed and talked while she cooked, while the kitchen filled with delicious aromas. They were surrounded by their friends, and his mate was safe and happy.

For the first time since he had left Sorvid, he was truly home.

Epilogue

Four months later...

Varga looked up as his replacement entered the security room of the resort and gave a relieved sigh.

“I thought you were going to be late.”

Harwit, an overly serious Hothian male, frowned at him. “I am never late. Is there anything I should know?”

“No, everything was quiet.”

As usual. He had taken this job as a way of occupying his time while Joan was working in the restaurant, but it turned out to be much more boring than he had anticipated. He would never dream of complaining to Joan when she seemed to be enjoying her work so much, but he had to find something else to do.

He was still turning over the possibilities as he entered their quarters. Joan had not yet returned, and he was about to go to the kitchen to meet her when the communication panel chimed.

With a frown, he opened the vid link, then blinked when he saw the Elginar who had taken over the Derian ship while Varga went after Joan.

“Manam. I did not expect to hear from you again.”

“I wasn’t planning to contact you, but…” The Elginar frowned and rubbed his head, and Varga realized that the other male was letting his hair grow out to cover his tattooed scalp.

“But?” he urged.

“It took several trips to return the other slaves to their desired destinations. There’s not a lot to do while we’re in space so I started digging deeper into the logs.” Troubled blue eyes looked back at him. “There are more.”

“More?”

“More human females. It looks as though some of the Derians have been picking up a female or two each trip for some time—and I think they are getting bolder.”

Fuck. He hated the idea of more females subject to the horrors of slavery, but he wasn’t sure what one person could do.

“What are you going to do?” Manam asked, echoing his thoughts.

“I don’t know,” he admitted. “Do you know where any of them are now?”

“Not yet. I will continue to search—the puzzle intrigues me—but once I find them…” Manam shrugged. “I’m not the hero type.”

“I’m not either.” But despite his denial, the notion had an unexpected appeal. It certainly sounded more exciting than monitoring an empty snow-covered plain or making sure that ridiculously wealthy people didn’t suffer from their own stupidity. But Joan was happy here and he couldn’t take that away from her. “Please let me know when you find out more.”

“I will.” Manam signed off, but Varga sat staring at the blank screen until Joan came home. She was carrying George—the lizard frequently kept her company in the kitchen—and as soon as Joan put the little creature down, she headed for her basket by the heater with a sleepy chirp.

“I think these late nights are too much for George,” Joan laughed as she came to join him. “You’re looking thoughtful. Is something wrong?”

“No, just thinking. How was dinner?”

“Long,” she sighed. “Tiring.”

“Would you like me to run you a bath?”

“Not that kind of tiring. It’s more… restlessness. I’m too wound up to sleep.”

She gave him a provocative look, and his cock immediately hardened. “Perhaps I can assist?”

“Only if you can catch me.”

She darted off towards the bedroom, and he let her get halfway there before he caught her, throwing her over his shoulder as she squealed with laughter. He gave a firm smack to her luscious ass and felt her quiver with excitement as the sweet scent of her arousal filled the air.

He carried her into the bedroom and proceeded to make sure that she would have absolutely no trouble sleeping.

The next evening, Joan made one last check of the gleaming kitchen and headed for the door. The restlessness was still haunting her. Last night had been wonderful, and no doubt tonight would be as well, but she had to face the truth.

She walked through the silent resort back to their rooms. Gleaming stone floors stretched to wide windows looking out over the breath-taking views. Beautiful, tasteful furniture formed cozy little nooks, empty at this time of night. Despite the carefully maintained temperature, she shivered.

The lights were off when she entered their quarters. George was already asleep in her basket, but Varga was awake, sitting in a chair by the window and staring out over the snowy plain. She went and joined him, climbing into his lap with a contented sigh. She would never get tired of being in his arms.

“You’re very quiet tonight,” he said, running his fingers through her hair.

“I don’t want to do this anymore,” she burst out.

His skin hardened beneath her. “What do you mean?” he asked, his voice strained.

“This job,” she said quickly. “I don’t want to do it anymore.”

He sighed, and his body relaxed. “I thought you enjoyed cooking.”

“I do. I like making food for the people I care about. And coming up with the menu and the recipes was fun. But I don’t want to be in a kitchen every night, worrying about whether people like their food. I’ve been doing that for most of my adult life. I want to go different places, see different things.”

“You are no longer worried about being able to take care of yourself?”

She shook her head. “No. I still have most of the credits I’ve earned from working here, but more importantly, I’ve proven to myself that I can make a living if I have to.”

“In that case, when do you want to leave?”

“What?”

He smiled down at her, his eyes warm. “Sweetheart, I have a ship, remember? We can go wherever you want anytime you’re ready.”

She hadn’t expected him to agree so quickly, especially after she had been so insistent on the job. “But I thought… I thought Baralt was your friend?”

“He is my friend, just as Izzie and Polly and Saka are your friends. But none of those friendships are going to change just because we’re not here all the time. I will confess that I have been feeling restless as well.”

“Do you mean it? Really?” Her eyes filled with tears.

“Of course. I want my little bird to fly free.”

Excitement raced through her veins. “I can’t leave today. Or even tomorrow. But by the end of the week, I think I can have Saka ready to take over.”

“Then we will leave at the end of the week,” he said calmly and bent down to kiss her.

One week later, they were standing in the lounge of his ship, preparing to say goodbye. As thrilled as she was to be leaving, she knew she was going to miss her friends.

“I can’t say I’m going to miss that couch,” Saka said dryly. “It was nowhere near as comfortable as it looks.”

Everyone laughed, but Joan pulled the other female aside soon afterwards. “Are you sure about this? If you don’t want to stay, we can take you along.”

“Then who would run the restaurant?” Saka drawled.

“Screw the restaurant,” Joan said fiercely. “I want you to be happy.”

“I know. I’m just not sure it’s possible. At least not yet.” Saka smiled. It was a little wobbly, but it was far more genuine than any of her practiced smiles. “But I like running the restaurant. I like having a value other than my body. This is the right thing for me.”

“As long as you’re sure.”

“I’m sure.”

Joan hugged her and Saka allowed it, patting her back awkwardly.

“I’ll even check in on Polly,” Saka promised when she stepped back.

“Thank you.”

Polly hadn’t come to say goodbye in person because she still didn’t feel comfortable near the port. After construction on the resort had been completed, she had accompanied Njkall when he returned to the caves. Life in the caves seemed to suit her, but her relationship with Njkall remained unchanged, and Joan wondered if the girl would ever realize that he was waiting for her.

Rummel too promised to check in on Polly, although he was much more sanguine about the girl’s future. “Just give her time,” he said gruffly. “She’s finding her way.”

She sighed and hugged him before he could duck away. Of course he grumbled, but she saw him grin as he went to talk to Varga. Her handsome mate, she thought with a sigh, admiring his tall, strong figure from across the room. As if he felt her gaze, he looked up, and their eyes met. Her clit gave an excited little throb. She couldn’t wait until they were alone…

“I’m going to miss you,” Izzie said with a sigh as she joined Joan, distracting her from her increasingly erotic thoughts.

“I’m going to miss you too. Are you sure you don’t want to come with us?”

Izzie laughed. “No, thanks. I’ve never been a big fan of traveling. Especially not now…”

Her hand dropped to her stomach, and Joan’s eyes widened. “Do you mean…?”

“Yes.” Izzie gave her a contented smile. “Will you come back when the baby is born?”

“Of course. We already planned on coming back to visit frequently, and I can’t think of a better reason.”

Baralt joined them, putting his arm around Izzie and studying her face carefully. “Are you all right? Not too tired?”

She rolled her eyes. “I’m just fine. Stop worrying. But we should leave so these two can be on their way.”

There was a flurry of goodbyes, and then the two of them were alone. The three of them, she amended, looking at George already curled in her basket.

Varga closed the door behind their guests and smiled at his mate, glad to see her looking so happy. “Are you ready?”

“Definitely.” She followed him into the small cockpit and he pulled her down on his lap.

“Where shall we go?” he asked.

“How about someplace warm? I think I’m ready to see something other than snow. Not Drahana hot,” she added hastily, “but somewhere tropical with trees and flowers and a beach. I suspect George would appreciate some warm weather as well.”

“It’s funny you should mention that,” he said slowly. He had received another message from Manam last night, and the Elginar had tracked a human to one of the ocean worlds.

“Why?”

“Someone mentioned one to me,” he said vaguely. He didn’t want to bring up the possibility of rescuing another human in case the information was incorrect.

She laughed. “It must be fate. What’s it called?”

“Mafana.”

“That sounds pretty. Mafana it is.”

As the ship rose into the air, she leaned forward, her arms lifting as if she was flying up with the ship. He would always make sure his little bird could fly, he resolved, and smiled as he set course for the future.

Author’s Note

Thank you so much for reading Joan and the Juggernaut! As soon as Varga showed up in Izzie, I knew I had to tell his story. And of course, Joan was the perfect match for him! She’s a heroine who’s very close to my heart – if you follow me on social media you know I love to cook – so I especially enjoyed giving her the happy ending she deserved.

Whether you enjoyed the story or not, it would mean the world to me if you left an honest review on Amazon – reviews are one of the best ways to help other readers find my books!

As always, I have to thank my readers for exploring this universe with me! Your support and encouragement make it possible for me to keep writing these books. As always, a special thanks to my beta team – Janet S, Nancy V, and Kitty S. Your thoughts and comments are incredibly helpful!

There are more stories to tell in the Alien Abduction universe – at least fifteen of them! – but I have some other things planned for the rest of 2020, including another Treasured by the Alien story – and a few surprises.

And up next – I’m returning to Mars for Serena and her giant cyborg in The Outlaw Cyborg. Time to find out the story behind your favorite not-quite-as-villainous-as-she-seems heroine! I’m also thrilled to announce that the entire Cyborgs on Mars series will soon be available on Audible!

Click here to pre-order The Outlaw Cyborg now on Amazon!

And for all the latest releases, news, and deals, click here to sign up for my newsletter!

Other Titles

The Alien Abduction Series

Anna and the Alien

Beth and the Barbarian

Cam and the Conqueror

Deb and the Demon

Ella and the Emperor

Faith and the Fighter

Greta and the Gargoyle

Hanna and the Hitman

Izzie and the Icebeast

Joan and the Juggernaut

The Alien Invasion Series

Alien Selection

Alien Conquest

Alien Prisoner

Alien Breeder

Alien Alliance

Alien Hope

Cosmic Fairy Tales

Jackie and the Giant

Cyborgs on Mars

High Plains Cyborg

The Good, the Bad, and the Cyborg

A Fistful of Cyborg

A Few Cyborgs More

The Magnificent Cyborg

The Outlaw Cyborg

Treasured by the Alien

Mama and the Alien Warrior

A Son for the Alien Warrior

Daughter of the Alien Warrior

About the Author

Honey Phillips writes steamy science fiction stories about hot alien warriors and the human women they can’t resist. From abductions to invasions, the ride might be rough, but the end always satisfies.

Honey wrote and illustrated her first book at the tender age of 5. Her writing has improved since then. Her drawing skills, unfortunately, have not. She loves writing, reading, traveling, cooking, and drinking champagne - not necessarily in that order.

Honey loves to hear from her wonderful readers! You can stalk her at any of the following locations…

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HoneyPhillipsAuthor

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/honey-phillips

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/HoneyPhillipsAuthor

Website: http://www.honeyphillips.com