Table of Contents

Title Page

Copyright

Prologue

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

Epilogue

Author’s note

Anna and the Alien

Alien Abduction Book 1

Honey Phillips

Copyright © 2018 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 Design by Melody Simmons (bookcoverscre8tive.com)

Edited by Nikki Groom @ Indie Hub Editing services (www.indiehub.co.uk)

Prologue

The plane lurched again and Anna’s stomach lurched with it. God, this was the last thing she needed. She should have been on a tropical beach sipping an umbrella drink. Instead, she was returning from her vacation three days early because her boss had decided he couldn’t close the deal without her, and because she had been stupid enough to answer the phone when he called. At least he had promised her a full week’s, all expenses paid vacation in return. Right now, sitting on a small plane that was getting more and more erratic by the minute, it didn’t seem worth it.

They hit another air pocket, and once more the plane dropped. Her seatmate gasped and they exchanged a tremulous smile before Anna forced her gaze to the window and the deceptively clear blue sky. Everything will be fine, she told herself but her nails were digging holes into her palms. For a long moment, the flight was blessedly smooth, then a loud explosion split the air. The oxygen masks dropped from the ceiling as the flight attendant’s voice came over the intercom and, in a tightly controlled voice, told everyone to assume crash positions.

Fear pounded through her as she lowered her head to her knees and grasped her legs. This couldn’t be happening. There was another loud explosion and the plane shook wildly, twisting from side to side and throwing Anna against the back of the seat in front of her. Pain wracked her head as she slipped into grateful unconsciousness.

The smell of burning surrounded her as she regained her senses. Every inch of her body felt pummeled but, as she carefully extended her arms and legs, everything was still working. Cautiously, she lifted her hand to her head, wincing as she touched an enormous knot, but relieved to see there was no blood on her fingers when she withdrew her hand. She looked around, squinting against the bright sunlight, barely able to make sense of the scene of destruction that surrounded her. Chunks of burning wreckage were everywhere – seats, luggage, and, oh God, bodies. Biting back the sickness that filled her throat, she turned away. A trail of destruction, half obscured by smoke, led from the beach where the plane had landed deep into the surrounding jungle.

The air was curiously still, only the crackle of the few remaining flames and some low moans breaking the eerie silence. One of the moans was coming from Anna’s right and she forced herself to her hands and knees, heading for the noise. Her seatmate was crumpled on the sand, one leg at an unnatural angle and her hand reaching for her shoulder, blood streaming from there to the sand.

“Oh, no.” Anna looked around frantically but no one was upright and walking. She tried desperately to recall any first aid instructions but all she could remember was that she needed to stop the bleeding. Stripping off her tank top, she pressed it hard against the shoulder. The woman moaned again and opened her eyes.

“It’s all right. You’re going to be fine.” Anna tried to sound confident even though her teeth were chattering so hard from shock she could barely speak. The woman’s gaze locked on hers and then drifted over her shoulder. Her eyes widened just as Anna felt the presence of someone behind her. As she started to turn, a sharp sting pierced her neck and then darkness claimed her once more.

Chapter One

Anna drifted back to awareness slowly. A low humming noise was the first thing to penetrate her consciousness, swiftly followed by a faint but perceptible vibration. The pain in her body was the next thing to emerge, every muscle bruised and aching and her head throbbing along with a muffled hum that sounded like engine noise. Her pulse started to pound as she suddenly remembered the plane crash. Images of burning wreckage strobed behind her closed eyelids. The memories were confused but she remembered the explosions, the beach, the wounded woman.

She forced her eyes open. Above her was a metal ceiling, gleaming softly in the dim light. Gritting her teeth against the dizziness that threatened to send her back into unconsciousness, she turned her head and forced her eyes to focus on what looked like metal bars. Slowly and cautiously she scanned her surroundings, but the truth was inescapable; she was in a cell, a very small cell. She was lying on a metal bunk tucked into the back wall. Metal walls continued on both sides, meeting with the set of bars across the front wall—a set of bars with no visible door. Through the bars, she could see a corridor and then another set of cells across from her, although the light was too dim to see if they were occupied.

Grabbing the metal bunk with one hand, she pushed herself to a sitting position, gasping as the movement started her head spinning again. For one long moment, a wave of sickness threatened to overwhelm her before she pushed it down, leaving her dizzy and shaking. A cold sweat covered her skin and she shivered, noticing for the first time how she was dressed. Instead of her own clothing, she was now wearing a type of white shift that only fastened at points on each shoulder and each side of her waist. Every movement revealed flashes of skin down her sides and up her legs. She supposed it could be some type of hospital gown but she had never worn one this revealing.

Anna tried to force herself to think past the pain in her head. The steady vibration seemed to indicate that she was on a ship of some kind. Perhaps a boat had come to the rescue at the site of the plane crash and they were using any space they had for temporary hospital quarters. She inhaled thoughtfully and realized for the first time that the air smelled wrong. It was an odd combination of stale and astringent with an underlying foulness that raised the hairs on the back of her neck. The caustic smell supported the idea of a medical facility and yet, if this were a hospital—even a temporary one, surely someone would have been waiting for her to wake up. She opened her mouth to call out but was suddenly frightened at the idea of breaking the silence surrounding her. She couldn’t shake the feeling that something was terribly wrong.

The longer she sat, the more the dizziness receded, so she decided to try standing and moving to the bars. As she reached over to the wall for support, her arm brushed against her breast and pain shot through her. Pulling aside the gown, she saw that her breasts were bruised, her nipples red and swollen. A horrified gasp escaped her lips. The sight caused a frightening memory to resurface. She had been strapped to a cold metal table, naked and unable to move, half-blinded by a white light from high above. Cruel hands had twisted her breasts and probed between her legs, and she had tried to call out but couldn’t make a sound. As she tried to struggle, loud growling sounds had erupted around her, terrifying her even more, before another sting to her neck sank her back into darkness.

Shaking now, she pushed the hem of her gown aside to check between her legs. Her thighs, too, were heavily bruised, but there was no other soreness and it didn’t appear that she had been raped. Tears of relief slipped down her cheeks before she drew herself together enough to resume trying to stand. Another wave of dizziness swept over her but passed even faster than before. She raised a cautious hand to her head—the knot on her forehead was still tender but seemed smaller now. The metal floor was cold beneath her bare feet as she moved the few steps to the front of the cell, one hand on the wall for support.

Just as she reached the bars, a loud scream sounded and a body threw itself at the bars of the cell directly across from her. Anna stumbled back instinctively, but lost her balance and collapsed to the floor. She blinked desperately, trying to make sense of what she was seeing. The thing in the other cell paced back and forth eying her through the sets of bars and she saw enough to realize it was some type of animal. The creature was huge, perhaps the size of a lion, but instead of fur it had scales, with a ridge of spikes running from its crest to its tail—a tail that was thrashing angrily as it paced. Its head was broad and also shaped somewhat like a lion’s but the ears and nostrils were only slits. The mouth, on the other hand, was wide and filled with pointed teeth. Slit pupils glared at her across the distance separating them.

“Is safe. Is cage.” Anna’s head whipped around at the sound of a soft voice to the left, sending a spike of pain through her head. A figure was standing on the other side of the cell wall. The wall that she had assumed was metal was translucent enough that she could see the outline of a person. She scrambled frantically away, still on her back, and rammed hard against the bunk, jarring her head and forcing a cry of hurt from her lips.

“Is safe,” the figure repeated, its voice still soft. Chills crept up Anna’s spine; she understood the words but the sounds underneath the words were wrong, a series of chirping notes that didn’t match what she was hearing. She tried desperately to see the details of the person behind the wall but could only detect an outline. That outline was somehow wrong—the limbs and hands too long, the body too short, and the hair…the hair was moving even though no air was blowing. With a desperation inspired by panic, Anna pulled herself up on the bunk and curled into a corner, trying to watch the animal across the way and the figure next to her at the same time.

This couldn’t be happening; there must be some kind of rational explanation. But no matter how much she tried to deny what she was seeing, she knew that neither of her cell mates existed on earth. Her experience on the examining table took on a new horror as every tale of alien abduction she had ever heard flooded her head. The figure to the left stood a moment longer, then moved back behind the solid part of the wall. Across from her, the animal continued to pace and she couldn’t tear her eyes away from the threat in every move it made. Tears began to slip down her face again and she stopped fighting them. She gave in and sobbed until, overcome with exhaustion and fear, she slept.

Brightening lights awoke Anna the next time. For a long moment, she remained curled in the corner, unwilling to face the thoughts flooding through her mind, before finally sighing and sitting up. Despite everything, she felt better. Her body was still stiff and sore but her head no longer throbbed and the dizziness was gone. Cautiously she glanced toward the cell next door and realized with a shock that the bright lights rendered the front half of each side wall completely transparent. Her neighbor was curled on the floor next to the wall, eying her curiously.

Despite her conviction of the previous night, astonishment held Anna motionless for a long moment as she took in the other figure—the other purple figure. Her companion was clad in the same open, white shift and it was apparent that she, too, was female. Even curled on the floor, Anna could see the length of her arms and legs and the white hair moving softly around her face—a face that was undeniably alien, with a small nose and mouth, a pointed chin, and tilted wide-set eyes, but also undeniably beautiful. The woman’s complexion was a soft lavender, her eyes deep purple as they met Anna’s curiously before she politely looked away.

Anna took a deep breath. “Hello?”

The woman raised her eyes as Anna spoke and tilted her head to one side. “Greeting.” There was the same dichotomy between the word she understood and the sound behind it but it was the same soft voice from last night. Or had it been night? For a moment, Anna’s head spun as she realized that she had no concept of time—neither how long she had been here nor how long she had been asleep—but she pushed it aside and concentrated on the woman in the next cell. Because they were wearing the same clothes and held in the matching cells, she had to assume they were fellow prisoners. The fact that they were both female made her wonder uneasily exactly what type of prisoners they were but then she remembered the animal in the opposite cell. Rising cautiously, and relieved to find she was no longer dizzy, she moved slowly to the front of the cell. The woman in the cell next to her just watched her.

The lion creature was still in the cell across the corridor, curled on the bunk but following her every movement while its tail whipped slowly back and forth. The cell on her right and the one across from that were empty. However, the cell across from her neighbor was occupied. A giant masculine figure was sprawled unmoving across the bunk. Even from her cell, Anna could see the muscles on his broad frame and was relieved to see that he appeared to be unconscious. More empty cells stretched down either side of the central passage to doors at each end.

She turned to her neighbor who had risen as well and was watching her inquisitively through the wall. The alien woman was only slightly taller than Anna but so slender that she felt enormous in comparison. Close up, she was even more exquisite and Anna was suddenly aware of her tangled hair and unwashed state. The thought of water immediately reminded her that she was thirsty and, even worse, that her bladder was full. She looked around the cell, hoping that she had missed something the night before.

She turned back to her neighbor, knowing her face was turning red. “Is there a bathroom?” A blank stare was her only response. “A place to urinate?” The woman tilted her head but did not respond. In desperation, Anna squatted and mimed. An understanding smile broke over the woman’s face and she moved back to her bunk. Pushing against one end caused a section to roll forward. Anna went to her bunk and ran her fingers along the edge. There was a small hidden button, which she pushed. A section rolled out, revealing a metal lined cavity inside. She looked back at her neighbor who nodded encouragingly before turning away.

Anna took a quick look around and sat down hastily before her neighbor turned back. As soon as she was finished, a quick blast of cleansing liquid and another of cool air almost startled her into falling off but she stood up feeling much better. She pushed the metal section back under the bunk and heard a quick swoosh like an airplane bathroom. The familiarity of the sound was oddly comforting.

Her neighbor was still politely turned away but looked back as soon as Anna spoke. “Thank you.” She hesitated and then tapped her chest. “I’m Anna.”

“Ann-Ah?”

Anna nodded and the women smiled and tapped her own chest before letting loose with a string of syllables that Anna couldn’t even begin to comprehend. “More slowly, please.”

The woman tried again, and this time Anna thought she picked up the first couple of syllables.

“Melia?” Melia nodded eagerly.

“How can I understand you? We’re not speaking the same language, are we?”

“Is ear talk.” She motioned to Anna’s right ear. Anna ran her finger over her ear but couldn’t feel anything different. Cautiously she probed deeper into her ear canal, recoiling in disgust as something warm and smooth pulsed against her finger tip. It felt more organic than technological and her skin crawled. She had to fight the instinct to pull the foreign matter from her body but the idea of being unable to understand anything was even more frightening.

“A translator?” She forced her voice to remain calm. At the other woman’s nod, she relaxed a little. Knowing that it was a machine was easier to handle and she pushed aside the memory of the warm pulsation. “But you seem to understand more of what I say. Why?”

Melia flipped a wrist. “Is cheap.”

“Great, I get the cheap translator,” Anna muttered. She knew she was avoiding the real question but was terrified about the answer.

“Melia, why are we here?”

The other woman turned partially away, dropping her head. “Are slave.”

Chapter Two

Even though Anna had been half expecting the answer, a wave of nausea swept through her and she gazed at Melia in shock. Of all the women on Earth, why would they have chosen her? She was reasonably pretty, especially with her recent vacation adding color to her pale skin and highlights to her shoulder length hair, but there was nothing special about her. Compared to Melia’s delicate, exotic beauty, her brown eyes and light brown hair seemed remarkably ordinary. Not to mention that her plump curves were a striking contrast to the other woman’s slim elegance. She couldn’t believe that anyone would have chosen her for intergalactic slavery. A giggle escaped her at the absurdity of the idea, but she heard the edge of hysteria behind it and bit her lip.

“But why are we here?” she repeated.

The delicate figure was still turned away but she flipped a wrist before answering slowly. “I for money. But not pay.”

It took a minute to work through that one. “They are holding you for ransom? But your family won’t pay?”

“No. Never pay Ithyians.”

“Ithyians? Are they the ones who have us?”

“Yes.”

“But what will they do when your family doesn’t pay?”

Melia finally looked back and her eyes were wide and shining with tears. “Slave still good price.” Her hand slipped to her stomach. “Two better.”

“Oh my god. You’re pregnant. Do they know?”

“Not now. Soon.”

“I’m so sorry.” Anna reached out her hand to the wall and after a moment, Melia laid her fingers on the other side, all six of them. A shiver passed through Anna, the sense of wrongness fighting with the compassion she felt, but she kept her hand pressed to the wall and tried to smile reassuringly.

After a minute, Anna asked, “Why did they come after me? I have no one to ransom me.” Well, that wasn’t strictly true, but she couldn’t imagine her boss paying ransom fees to an alien race.

Melia shook her head, but before she could speak, footsteps echoed down the corridor. Both women backed away from the side wall and Anna could see Melia trembling as she retreated to her bunk, her hair starting to whip around her face.

Two men were approaching and, for a moment, Anna was relieved. They looked human enough, perhaps a little shorter and stockier than the norm—and considerably hairier—but nothing too far off. However, as they approached, preceded by a smell that made her nose curl, she could see the cruelty on their faces; cruelty and…lust. Anna was suddenly conscious of the brevity of the white shift and moved back against her bunk as Melia had.

They stopped outside her cell and stared at her. Both of them wore gray jumpsuits tucked into boots with some type of insignia on the shoulder. The shorter one could even have been handsome if not for the savagery in his gaze. He let his eyes roam over her body and licked his lips, and she couldn’t conceal a shudder of revulsion. His resulting smile was the most terrifying thing she had ever seen. The taller guard seemed older, with a streak of white hair behind one ear. He, too, surveyed her body with a terrifying intensity but leered less openly than his companion.

“Come, slave.” The voice was harsh and Anna was terrified to hear the underlying growls—growls that reminded her of her first awakening on the ship. She shook her head. Another growl, not translated, and one of them pressed a button on his belt. A section of the bars at the front of the cell disappeared and both men entered.

“Wh-what do you want?” Her voice quivered.

“Come,” the tall one ordered. Before she could react, each grabbed a wrist and yanked her from the cell. Momentary relief that she was not about to be raped fought with fear as they pulled her across the corridor in front of the cell that held the unconscious man. The shorter man yanked her against his body. The stench was overwhelming and she shuddered as she felt his erection pushing against her ass. His free hand headed toward her breast but the taller man knocked it away with a scowl. “No damage.”

Anna’s sob of relief was cut short as he manipulated the button at his belt once again and one bar disappeared from the cell wall, leaving a narrow opening that he immediately pushed her through. It was a tight fit and it pulled her shift away from her body, revealing her breast to the smirking pair. The shorter man reached for her again and she leapt back, only to stumble as the lion animal threw itself against the cell wall. She backed to the farthest wall, an unfortunately small distance, and looked from the unconscious man to the guards behind the bars once more in place.

“Fix or die.” The tall guard nodded toward the bunk.

“Fix? You want me to fix him? But I’m not a doctor. Why would you think…” The words were tumbling out but there was no reaction from the guards.

“Fix or die.”

Shaking, Anna turned to the man in the bunk. As she had seen previously, he was enormous, his head and feet crammed against each end of the bunk. This close, she could also see that he was definitely not human. His skin was an odd metallic bronze color that almost shimmered in the overhead lights. What had appeared to be hair from a distance was actually darker sections of skin. Nothing concealed the strong lines of his face – cheeks and brow ridge higher and sharper than human, nose and ears flatter and closer to his head, and a surprisingly sensual mouth. A hard face but not repulsive and, at least in repose, not cruel. A gash across one side of his head made her flinch in sympathy.

He was bare-chested and she let her gaze travel down his body, flinching again as she took in the collar digging into his neck and the bruises and gashes covering the broad expanse of his chest. Metal cuffs fastened his wrists to the bunk but the cruel links looked small next to the muscles that banded his arms. Her gaze slipped lower, to tight leather pants which clung to long legs, before horror filled her as she took in the terrible wound on his left leg. His legs were splayed, fastened down by ankle cuffs, revealing every detail of the injury. The skin was gashed open almost to the bone from his thigh down to his knee, the edges of the wound jagged and torn, and even as she watched, blood dripped down to pool on the bunk. The raw flesh and muscle was sickening, and she clenched an arm across her stomach as she turned to face the guards who still stood by the cell bars.

“I can’t fix that.”

“Fix or die,” the guard repeated. She could certainly see how he would die without help but she couldn’t—“Both die.”

The meaning of that statement was all too clear. It didn’t look like she had a choice. Teeth chattering, she tried to think. The closest she had ever come to first aid was watching medical shows on television. The only obvious solution was to clean and bandage the wound. She turned back to the guards and tried to sound confident.

“I need supplies—something to clean and sew up the wound and bandage it. Surely you have a medical kit on board.”

After another growled conversation which her translator didn’t translate, the shorter guard left, returning moments later with a box. The two huddled over the box and then caused a bar to lift high enough to slide a few items under. Anna approached the bars cautiously and raised her head in disbelief. All they had given her was a long curved needle, some type of thread, and a square of cloth.

“That’s it? Isn’t there anything else?”

“No weapon.”

“I don’t want weapons. I want medical supplies—what about bandages, antibiotics, scissors to cut his pants away from the wound?”

“No weapon.”

This time Anna growled as she turned away in frustration. Her stomach knotted and she pushed down another wave of nausea. This was impossible, she couldn’t do it. Unfortunately, it looked like she had to; both of their lives were depending on her non-existent medical skills.

“At least let me have water to wash the wound.”

The taller guard pointed to one side of the bunk. Surely he didn’t mean the toilet? With no other choice, she ran her finger where he had pointed. Sure enough, there was another button and this time a basin emerged from underneath with a small spigot. Harsh laughter filled her ears as she searched for a way to turn it on before she realized that it was motion activated and dampened the small square of fabric. The cloth foamed slightly and she could only hope that it contained some sort of soap or antibiotic. Holding the cloth in one hand, she ran her other hand tentatively down the alien’s arm. His skin was warm and dry to her touch, strangely textured but silky smooth beneath her fingertips. This close to him she could catch his scent, a combination of musk and spice, which was curiously soothing.

Trying to put off the inevitable, she started by bathing the head wound and the gashes on his upper body. He was covered with dirt and blood, and she wet the cloth over and over. The darker patches of skin over his chest seemed to have protected him and, fortunately, most of the wounds were superficial. As she cleaned him, she couldn’t help noticing the taut muscles beneath her hands, the strength in every line of his hard body. She hadn’t been with a man in a long time and never with one so powerfully built. Dismayed with the direction her thoughts were taking, she forced herself to concentrate on her task. Old scars marred his skin in several places and the knowledge that he had survived previous wounds gave her a little hope. Her hands moved more and more slowly, but finally there was nothing more to do except tend to his mangled leg.

As gently as she could, she sponged away the blood and pushed the torn pant leg back from the wound, trying desperately not to be sick at the sight of the raw flesh. The gash started high on his upper thigh and she was uneasily aware of the large bulge that her hand was brushing as she tried to expose the wound enough to clean it. Another harsh laugh made it clear that her guards were equally aware, but she moved her body as best she could to block their view. At last the wound was as clean as she could make it, but it was still oozing blood and she knew that she was going to have to try and sew it closed.

Her hands were shaking so hard she could barely thread the needle, and a panicked voice was screaming in her head that she couldn’t do this. She had never had surgery but she vaguely remembered seeing sutures removed on television and she was sure that they were lots of neat little individual stitches. There was no way she would be able to do that without scissors, even if she knew how. Her sewing skills were pretty much limited to modifying hemlines and that was going to have to do. For a moment, hysteria threatened to overcome her at the thought of sewing a man’s leg like she was turning up a pair of pants, but she forced it down, forced a deep breath, and forced her shaking hand to still.

The needle slid into his flesh more easily than she had expected and she drew another deep breath as she made the first stitch. Maybe this would be OK after all. Just then a hand closed around her wrist with bone-crushing force, and as she tried to jerk away, she looked up to see one wide awake and very angry male staring at her. His eyes were cat-like with no whites and dark rims surrounding irises of pure white gold. They seemed to burn into her, but, despite his rage, they were stunningly beautiful.

“P-Please, I’m just trying to help you,” she gasped.

“Ithyian,” he snarled, and now she could see sharp white teeth and oh God, were those fangs behind those full lips? His wrist was still restrained but she couldn’t pull away from the strength of his fingers as he clenched harder.

“No, I’m human.” Tears sprang to her eyes from the pain in her wrist. “Please. I’m a prisoner just like—” She broke off as he growled again and looked past her to the front of the cell, taking in the two guards standing there. As she followed his gaze, she noticed they had moved back, way back, from the bars. How could they be so frightened of a bound, injured man? But even as that thought crossed her mind, she couldn’t deny her own fear. The massive body, the strength of his hands, even the sharp intelligence in his quick glance, gave every indication of a formidable enemy.

He was still taking in his surroundings, and she realized he had seen the other woman when he muttered the string of incomprehensible syllables that made up Melia’s name. Even in the midst of her fear, that puzzled her. What did the gentle woman and this fierce man have in common? They obviously weren’t the same race.

The sound of vicious snarls finally penetrated her shock and she noticed that the lion animal had been throwing itself against the joint cell wall since the man’s first word. The man shifted his gaze to the wall and made an answering snarl. She froze at the sheer ferocity of the sound, but the animal stopped throwing itself at the wall and sat, its tail switching furiously. The force of the animal’s attack had left tracks of blood on the clear panel. As soon as the animal quieted, the man shifted his gaze back to Melia, but the grasp on Anna’s wrist was becoming increasingly painful and she tried to wiggle her fingers to relieve the pressure. Immediately, his fiery stare turned to her.

“She’s a prisoner, too.” She winced at the obviousness of the statement but it was all she could think of to break the tension. The anger in his eyes only increased so she gathered her courage and leaned close enough to whisper in his ear. “There is nothing you can do about it right now. You have to heal first.”

Moving back, she spoke a little louder. “I’m just trying to help. Your leg is injured—the wound needs to be closed.”

She gestured toward the leg and saw with horror that the gash was bleeding more heavily as he strained against the ankle cuffs.

“Please, stop moving.” The leather of his pants was soft beneath her fingers as she laid her free hand cautiously on his uninjured leg. His muscles tensed at her touch and she patted him gently, trying to ignore the corded strength beneath the leather. As soon as she felt the slightest release of the tension in his leg, she held up the needle. “I…I don’t really know what I’m doing, but I can try and close it.”

He looked at the needle and then back at her, his eyes burning into her until she could feel her skin heating. Slowly, he surveyed her features, frowning briefly at the bruise on her forehead before running an appraising glance down her body. His gaze had an almost physical presence and, despite her fear, despite the guards, despite the pain in her wrist, she felt her already sensitive nipples tighten. When he looked back at her face, their eyes locked. Lost in the whirls of gold, she couldn’t force herself to look away and for a brief second, everything else disappeared. Finally, he growled again and released her gaze, taking another quick glance down her body before freeing her hand.

“Begin.” He gestured to the leg before fixing his eyes on the ceiling.

This was twice as terrifying, knowing he was awake, knowing he would feel everything she did. Once again, she forced herself to take a deep breath and still her shaking hands. Just like hemming pants. Still she hesitated with the needle poised above his skin until she realized that waiting for her to begin was probably making this harder for him. She clenched her teeth and inserted the needle. He didn’t make a sound but his whole body tightened.

“I’m sorry,” she whispered. For a moment his eyes met hers and a look she couldn’t read flashed across his face. He nodded his head the tiny amount allowed by the collar and then resumed his study of the ceiling. Anna continued the stitches, drawing the wound together as evenly as she could. The man’s body remained tight but unflinching, although a cold sweat was beginning to cover his skin.

As she drew closer to the top of his thigh, the awkward position caused her hand to brush against the large bulge between his legs. His body seemed to tighten even further and she drew back, trying to find some way to continue without touching him. She bit her lip and glanced up to find him looking down at her once more. His bronzed skin seemed notably paler but she thought she detected a look of amusement in his eyes. With a start she realized that his eyes had changed color, moving into a richer gold.

“Continue,” he growled softly. She nodded and returned to the task at hand. Despite her best efforts, the back of her hand brushed lightly against him multiple times as she completed the last five stitches. Each time she made contact with the smooth leather covering his cock, she felt him twitch against her hand. By the time she tied off the final stitch, she was both horrified and fascinated to see a large and obvious erection straining against the tight leather. Giving in to a sudden, crazy impulse, she ran her entire hand lightly across him as she straightened up at last.

For one searing instant, her eyes met his, before a loud laugh from the bars startled her and she jumped, turning rapidly to see the guards back at the bars. They had obviously noticed his erection as well, because the shorter one sneered. “Likes pain.”

Blushing, she turned back to her patient, but his eyes were shut. She hovered over him uncertainly, but he didn’t move and she finally concluded that he had passed out at last stitch. The jagged line of stitching up his thigh worried her but the wound was closed and the bleeding had almost stopped. She picked up the cloth, intending to clean the blood from the bunk but an impatient voice interrupted her.

“Come, slave,” the tall guard demanded. He was standing at the bars gesturing her forward. Suddenly, reluctant to leave, she cast a hesitant glance back at her patient. Despite his fierce aspect and painful grasp, she felt safer here than with the two guards.

“Come.”

Even though she had a suspicion that the guards wouldn’t enter the cell, she decided she didn’t have a choice and moved to the entrance. As soon as she was close enough the single bar disappeared and the short guard grabbed her and pulled her through. Her tunic caught on the bars again, revealing her ass which he immediately grabbed in a painful clasp. Before she could cry out, the tall guard knocked his hand away but his nails left painful scratches across the soft flesh of her buttock as he withdrew. There was a growl from the lion animal and she wondered uneasily if he was reacting to the scent of her blood.

The guards pushed her back across the corridor and into her cell before disappearing down the passage. Anna just made it to the bunk before she collapsed. Curling into a ball, she stared numbly down at her hands, still spattered in the man’s blood. Without quite knowing why, she brought them to her cheek. Beneath the coppery scent of the blood was a hint of the man’s spicy scent and she breathed it in as she let exhaustion take her.

Chapter Three

Jakkar kept his eyes closed as the little human left the cell. Despite his initial accusation, he had known almost immediately that she wasn’t Ithyian. Her features were too delicate, her body too lushly curved, and her scent entirely too delicious for her to be part of that race of animals. As his anger receded, he had realized that she, too, was a prisoner. With no other alternative, he had submitted to her ministrations. He had been impressed by her courage as she attended to him. It was obvious that she was terrified and that she had no medical skills but she had completed her task with a dogged determination that he admired.

His sensitive sense of smell flared and he knew that the guards had drawn blood from the human. He had to use every ounce of his self-control to keep from snarling as loudly as Rantor. The linae had sensed the human helping him and was feeling protective, especially as the animal shared his hatred of the Ithyians. As the chains bit into his flesh, that hatred threatened to overwhelm him but he fought the anger back. The human was right, he had to heal first.

Not for the first time, he wondered why the Goddess had deserted him and his people. The first blow had been the volcanoes and earthquakes that had rippled across his home planet of Sardor, killing millions. A planetary emergency had been declared and the best scientists gathered to investigate. The result of their investigation was grim. The core of the planet was unstable and would not last more than a decade or two. Every available resource was poured into massive evacuation ships. But ships cost money and more and more of the warrior clans had been hired out on contracts with the rich trading families, the small shipping lines, or any other group willing to pay for mercenaries. Even the Imperial Fleet had, very quietly, hired some of the clans for discreet little political wars at the outer edges of the galaxy.

While the ships were being built, exploration forces had spread out, searching for a suitable planet to call home. Twice his people had thought they had identified an appropriate choice, and both times the Goddess had frowned. Intelligent life had been discovered on the first planet and the second had revealed poisonous gases on further exploration. Lately, even the warrior contracts were going wrong. Too many warriors had simply not returned. And it looked like his latest mission was going to join their number.

Jakkar disliked dealing with the trading families, although he admired their quick minds and their ability to broker a deal under any circumstances. Unfortunately, the contracts paid well—very well—and they needed the funds enough to overlook the humiliation of escorting fat merchants and their families and their precious goods as they flitted around the galaxy in a constant tangle of business disguised as pleasure and pleasure disguised as business. This last contract should have been straight-forward, escorting the daughter of Massendus A’Ban DuLass to her home planet for the traditional birthing ceremonies.

Indeed, the assignment had started well enough. Melia A’ssandre DuLass was pleasant and soft-spoken, complying with his orders for her safety without argument and not attempting to seduce any of his team; both virtues a rarity among the spoiled daughters of the merchant classes. Two weeks out of port, a signal had flared from within the ship. Their monitoring system had picked it up right away and they had destroyed it but the damage had been done. Within a few hours, the ship had been attacked by two larger fighter ships.

Shields had failed almost immediately and the raiders had boarded shortly thereafter. Sardorans were superior fighters, trained almost from birth in the arts of war, but even they could only do so much against a force twenty times their own. Jakkar had seen two of his warriors die, and two others injured so badly he was not sure they would live. They had taken many of the enemy with them but defeat was inevitable. In a last ditch effort, they had retreated to the back of the ship, carrying a terrified Melia.

Jakkar had looked at the six warriors still standing, then at the frightened girl. Desperately he searched for other options, but his honor demanded that he fulfill the contract—and the contract demanded that he put her safety first. There was one escape pod concealed in this section. It could take two people. He looked around at his men and they nodded.

“Take her, Chief.” Dragar, his second in command, pointed to the pod. “We will cover the escape.”

Jakkar studied the heavily scarred warrior. Before Dragar had been declared Outcast, he had been one of his closest companions. Despite the tension between them since his return, the memory of those times haunted him. Reluctantly he surveyed the faces of the remaining men, all of them members of his clan and bound to him by loyalty and blood. He wanted to argue the inevitable conclusion, but it was his contract and his responsibility.

“We’ll kick their ass and then come pick you up.” Dragar flashed his sardonic grin. They both knew it was hopeless but Jakkar nodded, clasped hands with his comrade, and pulled the girl away without another word. He heard Dragar’s war cry as fighting erupted behind him but he refused to look back. And then the Goddess turned Her back on him once again.

Lightning streaked across his thigh. A barbed blade was wedged in his leg, a long chain trailing from the end. He pushed the girl down behind him as his leg collapsed, forcing him to the ground. The chain yanked viciously against the wound, trying to draw him nearer, but he tore the blade from his flesh in a burst of white-hot pain. As he turned to face the enemy, a vicious snarl sounded and Rantor tore open the throat of the man at the other end of the chain. Another figure appeared behind Rantor, but even as the animal snarled and started to turn, the second man retreated. Jakkar caught a glimpse of a tall skeletal figure with a coil of heavy green hair down his back before the man was lost in the haze of smoke that was rapidly filling the corridor.

Blood streamed steadily from Jakkar’s leg, but he ignored it, pushing the pain aside enough to drag himself to his feet. He grabbed the girl, and started for the pod. By the time he reached it he was almost unconscious, but he retained enough strength to thrust her and the linae in, and start the exit sequence. He blacked out as the pod tumbled into space.

Apparently the Goddess had not yet relented since he was now chained in the cells of an Ithyian slave ship. The pain in his leg was a fiery reminder of Her displeasure but despite the pain, his cock was still throbbing from the little human’s soft touches. In the midst of the agony of having his wound sewn shut, the brush of her hand had distracted him. He wondered if she realized that she had trembled every time it happened. She had tried so hard not to touch him—except for that one final caress—and he wasn’t sure if he was more aroused by her reluctance or her daring.

Admittedly it had been a long time since a woman had touched him. The Elders frowned on sexual contact with other races and, while he didn’t particularly agree with their emphasis on racial purity, he kept the rule in place with his team—at least while they were under contract—because he didn’t want his men distracted. The last contract had been a long one and they had signed up for this one as soon as the first ended so there had been no opportunity to seek release.

His mind drifted back to the little human and the soft curves of her body, the way her nipples had tightened under his gaze into ripe buds. He had seen many different races, but something about this small woman with her cloud of sun streaked hair and eyes the color of hatite crystals was especially intriguing. Sardoran women were very different, tall and lean with smooth heads and well-muscled forms. They, too, trained from birth for war and each sexual encounter was a fight for dominance. Even a mated female expected her mate to subdue her physically. The little human slave would be different—she was not a warrior and he had no doubt that she would submit to him with no effort on his part; he could take her as he pleased. He let his mind explore the possibilities as the pain in his leg ebbed to a dull throb.

The sound of metal scraping metal startled Anna from her sleep. Terror thundered through her veins as she pushed herself into a defensive position before she realized that the noise was only a tray being pushed into her cell by the tall guard. She approached the bars cautiously but he had already moved down to slide similar trays into the lion animal’s cell and Melia’s cell. He didn’t bother to push anything into the wounded man’s cell. Her stomach immediately reacted at the sight of what had to be food. Melia had taken her tray and curled up near their shared wall and Anna joined her.

The tray held a square of something that resembled dry bread, a bowl of mush with an unpleasant greenish tint, and a mug of liquid. Choosing the least offensive option, she picked up the bread square. It was dry and hard but not unpleasant, rather like a stale cracker. She lifted the lid off the mug and sniffed at the dark fluid but could detect little odor. She took a cautious sip and shuddered at the bitterness of the liquid, like strong coffee with a backdrop of raw alcohol.

Melia laughed softly at her expression.

“Is cafir. Is better hot.” She showed Anna a button on the side of the mug that could be pushed to heat the contents. Within seconds, steam wafted from the mug and Anna tried another sip. The bitterness still hit the back of her tongue but the taste was marginally better and the warmth was appealing.

The bowl had the same heating button but the contents weren’t any more appealing hot. Melia gave her an encouraging nod and showed her how to use the bread square to dip out a portion. The texture was like oatmeal and it had a similar bland taste, except for the faint fishy aftertaste, and Anna decided it was edible, if not appealing. Once she started eating, she was hungry enough to finish everything on her tray in a few minutes. She looked up to find Melia watching her, head tilted to one side and a smile on her lips.

Anna smiled back. “I guess I was hungry. I’m not sure how long it has been since I’ve eaten.”

Saying the words out loud caused a sudden wave of disorientation. How long had it been? Was anyone even looking for her or would they just assume that she had died in the plane crash? Her boss would undoubtedly arrange for a funeral. Would her brother even bother to come? Tears threatened again but she forced them back down. Melia was still watching, her expression sympathetic.

Anna shook off her depressing thoughts; she had to concentrate on what was happening now.

“You know this man?” She nodded at the wounded prisoner.

“Yes. Is Jakkar. Of Clan Leijona.”

Anna remembered how he had immediately searched for the other woman and had a sudden terrible thought. Had Melia been watching as he responded to her touch, as she ran her fingers along his body. “Is he your husband?”

“No.” Melia looked shocked, and relief swept through Anna although she didn’t want to examine the reason too closely.

“Is guard. Is strong warrior, but…” She flipped a wrist, searching for the word. “Hard, fierce. Husband is gentle.”

“Where is your husband? Is he waiting for you and the baby?”

Melia looked shocked again. “With mother. Is proper.”

“With his mother? He isn’t there when you have the baby?”

“With mother,” she repeated. “I with mother.”

Anna was still trying to wrap her head around that when she saw Melia was crying. Even her hair was drooping down around her face.

“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have brought it up.”

“No. Must accept.” Melia echoed Anna’s earlier thoughts. The women looked at each other and Anna was suddenly, fiercely glad that she was not alone.

Footsteps echoed in the corridor and the shorter guard appeared. A flash of distaste showed in Melia’s face before she smoothed her expression and whispered quickly.

“Clean time. Not drink.”

Melia rose and pushed her tray to the cell bars. The guard took it and replaced it with two white squares. Melia took the squares and retreated to the middle of the small cell, placing the larger square on the bunk. Anna copied her, realizing that the smaller square was a cleansing cloth similar to the one she had used on Jakkar. She turned to Melia but just as she did, a drain opened in the floor and a flood of liquid came down from the center of the ceiling.

An astringent smell filled the air and she fought to keep her mouth closed, remembering Melia’s warning. She wiped the liquid from her eyes and looked at the other woman but she had her back turned and she was…naked? Anna looked away as quickly as she could but as she lowered her eyes she realized that the slave gown was almost completely transparent now that it was wet. A snarl from the bars made her realize that the guard was standing in front of her cell leering at her and playing with his belt. Fear choked her as she remembered that the belt allowed him to access the cell.

She stood frozen, unable to move, before he finally lowered his hand to cup an obvious erection. As she wrenched her eyes away in disgust, she looked straight into Jakkar’s eyes. The fact that he was watching her sent a tingle through her entire body. Her nipples hardened against the wet fabric before she spun away and faced the back of the back of the cell. The gown was clinging to her ass but at least she couldn’t see her audience. Unlike Melia, she didn’t have the courage to remove the gown but she hastily rubbed the cleansing cloth over her body underneath the gown and then up through her hair.

The flow of liquid stopped as quickly as it started and she shivered before grabbing the larger square of fabric to wrap it tightly around her body. Running her fingers through her hair to smooth out the tangled locks, she risked a quick peek next door. Melia had dressed again and was standing back from the bars. The guard snarled angrily but she refused to look at him and eventually she heard footsteps receding along the corridor. At last, she forced herself to look at Jakkar. He was still watching her and as he met her eyes, a slow smile curved his lips, revealing his extended canines and sending a shudder of fear and excitement up her spine.

Chapter Four

Time passed with excruciating slowness. There were no more visits from the guards, and Anna and Melia spent most of the time talking. Melia was from a planet called Gliese Prime and her society was matriarchal with inheritance through the female line. They had marriage contracts but they seemed to be only for the purpose of breeding. Melia had spent six months with her husband, meeting him for the first time on her wedding day. As soon as she had confirmed that she was pregnant, her mother had arranged for her to return home for a traditional birthing ceremony.

The human concept of marriage didn’t seem to exist for her. Instead, her life was centered on her family—a term that apparently encompassed a number of extremely convoluted relationships, not all of which involved actual blood connections. As she listened to Melia’s descriptions of her life in the family compound, which seemed to include a great deal of love and laughter, as well as some complicated business dealings, Anna felt a pang of envy. She had always wanted to be part of a large family, but her parents had her late in life and her grandparents passed away while she was still an infant. Her only brother was ten years older and they had never been close. She wondered despondently if he would even notice when they didn’t exchange their stilted, annual Christmas call.

Forcing the depressing thought aside, she concentrated on Melia’s much more complicated life. Since the marriage contract called for two children, Melia would go to stay with her husband again two years after giving birth. She accepted it as her duty but didn’t anticipate their reunion. Once the contract had been fulfilled, she would return to her family.

“But, don’t you love him?” Anna asked.

Melia tilted her head. “Love?”

“Wanting to be with someone all the time, to talk to them, to touch them,” Anna explained.

Melia laughed and her hair swirled a little faster. “Have jalka.”

“Jalka?”

After a long, and somewhat confusing, discussion that had Anna blushing furiously, she determined that a jalka seemed to be equivalent to a concubine. Melia had two jalkas and had a fondness for them that far exceeded that for her husband.

“Two?” Anna asked again, still trying to wrap her head around the concept.

“Different needs, different jalka.” Melia flipped a wrist. “You have needs?”

“Yes,” Anna admitted, blushing again. “But I have been too busy.” How could she explain to a woman with not one but two concubines, that she didn’t have time for sex? She worked ridiculous hours, and when she wasn’t working she was only too happy to relax by herself in the charming little house that she had been able to buy because of those hours. Even if she had been interested in dating, the only men she met were business associates. Not only did she not want to mix business with pleasure, the buttoned up business type had never appealed to her. Not like…

Without conscious thought, her eyes drifted across the corridor to Jakkar’s massive body and a shiver fluttered low in her belly. She forced her gaze back to Melia and found the woman watching her intently but, somewhat to her surprise, she let the subject drop and started asking Anna questions about life on Earth, instead.

As time passed, Anna was increasingly conscious of Jakkar. He had been quiet at first, but as the hours wore on she could hear him making low growling noises and she could see him pulling against his chains. His eyes hadn’t opened again since he had watched her bathe and she was afraid that he was unconscious.

At last, the taller guard brought more trays but, once again, he ignored the wounded man’s cell. He lingered outside Melia’s cell, watching as the woman knelt gracefully to retrieve the tray. Anna gathered up her courage and called out to him.

“Wait.”

He turned and eyed her curiously, licking his lips, and she feared she had made a terrible mistake by drawing his attention.

“The man...” Her voice trembled but she ignored it. “He needs food and water. He could still die.”

He cast a speculative glance from her to the prisoner, then shrugged. “No food.”

“I can give him mine.”

Another glance and then he nodded and reached for his belt to open the bars. She bent down to pick up her tray but he grasped her wrist. “No tray.”

The tray contained the exact same food as earlier and she decided that he probably needed liquid more than anything and reached for the mug. As she bent over, the guard ran his free hand beneath her gown and over her naked buttocks. Unlike the short guard, his hand wasn’t cruel, but she jerked away, her heart thudding.

“Soft.” He licked his lips again but then turned and pulled her out of the cell and across the corridor. The single bar disappeared and she wiggled through, knowing he was watching as the tight fit pulled her gown to one side.

Jakkar was pulling against his chains, eyes closed, and a low rumbling coming from his throat. The wound was still closed but it looked red and angry. The cloth was still where she had left it, so Anna put down the mug and wet it again. She bathed the wound and felt him flinching but it seemed less swollen when she was done. She wet the cloth again and ran it slowly over his head and chest, whispering his name.

His eyes opened for a moment but he didn’t seem to recognize her. She tried to lift his head to let him drink but the collar around his neck was too tight for her to raise him. The guard was still watching and she gave him a pleading glance.

“He has to drink or he will die.”

He hesitated, but finally fingered his belt. The collar released just enough that she was able to cradle his head against her and bring the mug to his lips. He thrashed in her grip but she eventually managed to slip some of the liquid into his mouth. She was afraid to heat it and burn him but once he felt the moisture, he sipped the cool liquid thirstily. As he finished his eyes opened again, and this time the fierce intelligence was there. His body was smooth and hot against her skin and his spicy scent filled her head. Her arm was still behind his head and she was suddenly, burningly conscious of her breast against his cheek where the open sides of the gown had separated.

“Little human.” His mouth curled and before she could react, he turned his head and fastened unerringly on her nipple. His mouth was shockingly hot and wet and she bit back a cry. She tried to pull away but he fastened down harder, pulling on the swollen bud with an intensity that sent heat curling through her body. Her body was shielding their actions from the guard and she wanted nothing more than to give in to the pleasure which threatened to swamp her senses.

His teeth scraped across the tip and the spike of pleasure and pain made electric bolts of sensation run straight to her clit. Her body was starting to shake and the guard was calling from outside the cell. Jakkar ran his tongue around her nipple once more and then released her. He looked at her for an endless moment, his eyes darkening to deep gold before they closed and he slipped back into unconsciousness. Anna couldn’t move, her whole body throbbing in time with the slow heavy pulse between her legs. How could he have done this to her so quickly?

“Slave.” The guard’s voice finally penetrated and she pulled away, straightening her gown as she stood. She forced her breath to slow down, but as she turned around she was all too conscious of her flushed face and her hardened nipples. The guard grinned appreciatively as he slowly scanned her body and her color deepened but she raised her chin and returned to the bars. He pulled her through the narrow opening and up against his body, but to her surprise he released her almost immediately and herded her back to her cell.

Melia was standing at the shared wall but Anna was too embarrassed to look at her. Before the other woman could speak, the lights dimmed and Anna immediately headed for her bunk. The white cloth was still there and even though it was still damp, she was grateful for the protection as she pulled it around her body and faced the wall. Her nipples were still swollen and throbbing, her sex aching and empty. How could she have reacted like that? Even when she had had time for dating, she had liked to take things slow and she had never liked a man pawing at her. But this man, this alien, had fastened to her like a starving animal and every nerve in her body had come alive. It must be fear, she decided. Her adrenalin was pumping too hard and making her reactions unreliable. It seemed like a logical explanation but underneath, she was afraid that she would react that way again.

It was a long night. Anna dozed fitfully, alternating between nightmares of the plane crash and erotic dreams that left her panting and breathless. Each time she woke she could hear Rantor pacing his cell, growling softly. Melia had told her his name and explained that the animal was called a linae and was part of Jakkar’s team. Jakkar was quieter but she could pick out his breathing, growing increasingly harsh throughout the night. Once she even heard Melia crying softly and the quiet desperation echoed her own hopelessness.

When the lights finally brightened, she was tired, sore, and irritable, but as soon as she saw Jakkar she forgot her own sorrows. The big alien was lying completely still. Only the harsh sound of his breathing gave any indication that he was still alive. Melia was curled in her usual position by the wall but Anna was too worried to join her. She paced back and forth until the guard appeared. Her heart sank as she saw that it was short guard and that he was only carrying three trays.

“I need to attend to him,” she said urgently as he slid the tray into her cell. He leered at her.

“What give?”

“I don’t have anything to give.”

He licked his lips. “Give fuck.”

Oh, God, not that. She was terrified for Jakkar but the thought of this guard touching her was unbearable.

“You said you didn’t want him to die. He will die if I don’t take care of him.” She was trying to keep her voice calm but she could hear how much it was shaking. After a long minute he opened the cell. Anna reached for the mug, even as he grabbed her and yanked her out. Just like the other guard, he pulled her against his body but he didn’t let go. Instead he pushed her upper body forward until her hands were against the bars to Jakkar’s cell and his erection was pressing against her ass. She could feel his hand reaching between them and his horrible stench surrounding her, and black spots started to dance before her eyes.

Dimly she was aware of Melia shouting and Rantor snarling as he threw himself against his cell bars. A deafening roar echoed through the cell block and startled the guard enough that he released her. Jakkar’s eyes were open and his mouth stretched wide enough that she could see every inch of those sharp white teeth as he let loose another roar. As Anna straightened and tried to move away, the guard grabbed her wrist again and sneered, but she saw the flash of fear that crossed his face.

“Stay with animal.” He thrust her into Jakkar’s cell and walked away. The roar seemed to have exhausted him; his head had dropped back and he was panting. Quickly she raised his head to give him a drink, keeping further away this time but he only sipped a small amount of liquid before falling asleep. The guard didn’t return and Anna prowled the cell impatiently. She and Melia tried to resume their conversation of the day before but their words echoed in the corridor and made them both uncomfortable. Instead, she hovered over her patient, alternating between boredom and fear as he grew more and more restless. She refilled the mug with water from the sink several times but as the hours wore on, she couldn’t rouse him enough to drink. By the time the second meal appeared, he was shaking uncontrollably.

She was relieved when the tall guard appeared with the second meal and hurried to the bars.

“He has a fever. He needs blankets.”

The guard shook his head. “No weapon.”

“A blanket isn’t a weapon. Please.”

He looked at her and shrugged. “Warm him.”

“What?”

“Stay and warm. Or leave.” He pointed back to her cell. He was giving her a choice? The last thing she wanted was to spend the night with a dying man but she couldn’t leave him.

“I’ll stay.”

The guard eyed her speculatively and then shrugged again. He wouldn’t give her the tray but he traded the empty mug for a fresh one and passed the bowl and bread into the cell. Her patient was momentarily quiet and she sat down at the bars and ate, suddenly hungry. When she looked up, Melia was watching her from across the corridor.

“You try. Is good.”

“I don’t know if I can save him.” Panic fluttered in her chest. She didn’t want anyone’s life resting on her shoulders but especially not this man’s life. Despite his wounds, he was so fierce and full of life, so disturbing to her senses; the thought of losing him broke something inside her.

“Jakkar is strong.” Melia nodded firmly and gave her an encouraging smile. A soft growl came from her right and Anna turned to find Rantor close against the shared wall, watching her. As she returned his stare, he made another sound, almost a purr, and then settled against the glass, eyes alert and scanning the corridor once more. At least the two of them seemed to have faith in her.

She pushed wearily to her feet and returned to her patient. He was still quiet but the shaking had not stopped. The guard had suggested that she warm him. Was he merely making a lewd joke or would it actually help? With a resigned sigh, she crawled up on the bunk, wedging herself between his body and his chained arm. Pressed against him, she was overwhelmingly conscious of his size and the heat radiating from his skin. Carefully avoiding his injury, she let her legs nestle against his uninjured side and her arm drape across the broad, hard expanse of his chest.

As she lay tightly against him, the tremors slowed and his muscles seemed to relax. She held still for a long time, afraid to move and disturb him but the warmth of his body and that oddly comforting scent crept over her and she slept.

Chapter Five

Anna woke slowly, feeling warm and safe. The lights were still dim and she started to stretch languorously, nuzzling into the warmth of her pillow, then froze as her mind processed her position. During the night she had crept even closer to Jakkar so that almost her entire upper body was pressed against his chest, one hand curled around his neck and her head tucked under his chin. His arm was a solid weight at her back and his hand, oh god, his hand was wrapped around her upper thigh. Very cautiously, she started to pull away and froze as his hand tightened. She raised her head and saw him looking down at her, his golden eyes alert.

“You’re better!”

Delight filled her and without even thinking she reached up and kissed him.

Jakkar caught his breath as the little human brushed her lips against his. They were so soft and warm against his mouth that he growled his desire. Startled, she pulled back, but she was still wedged between his arm and his body and his hand was tight around her leg. She stopped, trapped, and looked at him, those crystal eyes wide with fright or desire. It didn’t really matter; just the feel of her body against his roused his need. He wanted her and he was going to have her. Soon.

The past hours were a blur, but he remembered her soft voice whispering to him as she bathed his skin with cool cloths and trickled liquid into his mouth when his throat was parched and dry. He also remembered a vision of her with her gown wet against her skin, dark pink nipples visible through the fabric as it clung to her body and revealed even the shadowy junction between her thighs. When she turned away, he could see the way it hugged her soft curves and dipped into the crevice between her buttocks.

The memory of her wet body made his hand tighten and he shifted it higher, his thumb slipping into that tender crevice and his fingers parting her delicate labia. Beneath his touch, her skin was like silk and he let one finger slide deeper into the tight warmth between her legs. Her delicious fragrance deepened and he knew she was aroused.

Her breath caught and she licked her lips, eyes widening even further. He could feel the hard tips of her breasts against his chest, one luscious breast completely free from that ridiculous slave gown. He slid his finger deeper and felt her dampness as he pressed into her soft curls, so different from a Sardoran woman. He had just enough space to trace his finger slowly along her slit and he could feel her quiver as he repeated the journey. Her eyes drifted closed and she pushed, just lightly, against him.

He continued the slow slide up and down, his knuckle nudging the swelling button at the top of each stroke and his fingertip playing against her entrance. With each motion her breathing quickened and she pressed herself harder against him. Just as she started to tighten, he thrust one thick finger into her hot, wet passage and she came with a shudder, turning her head into his neck to keep from crying out.

His cock was so hard it was throbbing. Her responsiveness was very promising. He could almost have come from the sound of her climax and the feel of her breath shuddering against his neck, but he wanted more. He wanted her hands on him. Even as the thought crossed his mind, she raised her head and looked at him, eyes still heavy from her climax. One small hand drifted slowly down across his chest and every muscle in his body tightened as she teased her fingers along the edge of his pants.

“Do you want me to?” She hesitated, her cheeks turning pink. “To touch you?”

He growled and she smiled.

“I guess that’s a yes.”

Anna’s body was still trembling from aftershocks as her hand traveled across the hard warmth of Jakkar’s body. A small part of her mind was trying to warn her to be careful, but she refused to acknowledge it as the fear and tension of the past days disappeared into a wave of sensual pleasure. His spicy musk filled her head and she let her fingers slip down across his erection. Even through the leather she could feel the heat of his cock as it throbbed against her fingers. He was as enormous here as he was everywhere else and the head of his cock thrust against the waistband of his pants. She ran a soft finger across the tip, feeling it wet against her fingers. That much seemed to be the same as human males, anyway. She took another long stroke, harder this time, and felt him jerk beneath her hand. An entirely feminine satisfaction filled her and she stroked him again, relishing the long hard length. He was growling softly and continuously now but even as she went back for another stroke, the lights brightened.

Startled, she jerked away. His hand was still circled around her thigh but as she looked at him pleadingly, he let go and she slipped off the bunk.

“I’m sorry,” she whispered.

“Soon, little human,” he growled.

A shiver ran up her spine at the words but she stepped away from the bunk, hastily straightening her gown. The tall guard approached and eyed the two of them. When he saw that Jakkar’s eyes were open and aware, he jerked his head at Anna.

“Come.”

She didn’t argue, merely stopping long enough to give Jakkar a drink before moving obediently to the bars. The guard’s nostrils flared as she came near and he looked back at Jakkar before pulling her through. As before, he jerked her against his body but this time he ran his fingers between her legs. It didn’t hurt but she cringed as he lifted the wet digits to his face and licked his fingers.

“Sweet.”

Her face burning, Anna walked into her cell with all the dignity she could muster. Melia was in her usual place and Anna took the tray and sat down beside her, unable to look the other woman in the face.

She poked absently at the tray. The food hadn’t changed and she didn’t have much appetite, but she forced herself to eat. There was no point in getting weak and her body needed food. She ate slowly, still not looking at Melia, and the other woman let her finish before she spoke.

“Is dangerous.”

Startled, Anna looked up.

Melia nodded toward Jakkar. “Warrior is dangerous. Hard. Take what he want.”

“But he is your guard. He took care of you.”

“Contract. Must honor contract.” She paused. “No contract Ann-Ah.”

Great. She had just had the most intense orgasm of her life with a man who had only used his finger, and now Melia was telling her he was dangerous. The most infuriating part was that she wasn’t sure that the knowledge made any difference. Every time Jakkar touched her, her body responded and her brain just seemed to shut down. The pleasant, if embarrassing, afterglow faded and Anna fumed silently for a few minutes before she shrugged and frowned at her companion.

“I’m not afraid of him. He’s tied down and I’m in control.” The words came out louder and more emphatic than she intended and she winced. Even before she turned her head, she knew Jakkar was glaring at her from his cell. She deliberately turned back to Melia, refusing to acknowledge him.

The tall guard appeared shortly thereafter, taking the trays and used cloths and replacing them with clean ones. This time Anna was prepared and stepped back before the liquid began to flow from the ceiling. The guard had moved over to Melia’s cell and was watching closely as the Gliesh woman removed her gown. Anna was tempted—the fabric had been cold and uncomfortable as it dried—but she looked across at Jakkar and couldn’t summon the courage. He obviously read her reluctance and his mouth curled derisively.

She stepped under the flow of liquid with her eyes closed, but she could still feel him watching her. That knowledge and the mockery in his expression sent excitement coursing through her veins along with a sudden reckless defiance. Opening her eyes, she locked her gaze on him as she slowly began to wash. Raising her hands, she ran the cloth through her hair, knowing that the position thrust out her breasts and made the gown cling even more tightly to her figure. The cloth was smooth and slippery as she let it drift down across her neck before sliding it under her gown and stroking it across her breasts. Her nipples hardened until they throbbed and even the slick dampness of the cloth was almost painful. She slid the cloth down the soft curve of her stomach and circled it across her mound, never losing eye contact with Jakkar. She continued the slow circles for a few more seconds, feeling her own excitement build before raising the hem of the gown, just a fraction, and sliding the cloth between her legs.

The glide of the wet cloth across her swollen cleft was so pleasurable that she gasped and the soft sound brought her back to her senses. Jakkar’s eyes were so intent that she could feel the heat across the distance that separated them. His expression was no longer mocking, but a fierce combination of anger and desire that sent a tremor along her spine. What was she doing? Why was she playing with fire? Her cheeks flaming, she turned her back, casting a quick glimpse next door. Fortunately, the guard was still focused on Melia and her little show hadn’t been observed. She let the liquid rinse her skin and stepped quickly to the bunk to wrap the larger cloth around her body, refusing to look in Jakkar’s direction.

Later that day, her curiosity got the better of her and she asked Melia how she had ended up on the slave ship.

The woman tilted her head, thinking.

“Not sure. Ship fired on.” She nodded at Jakkar. “Left men and ship to protect me but pod taken. Bad luck.”

“So the Ithyians didn’t attack your ship?”

“No. Slavers not fighters.”

Anna thought about this for a while and then looked over at Jakkar. “Why did they leave him alive?”

“Much money. Sell to fight pit.” The other woman looked disgusted and Anna felt her stomach tighten at the thought. She hated the idea of more wounds tearing open that magnificent body. However, she understood what a prize he would be. Even wounded and chained, his strength was obvious.

“And why me?”

Melia flipped a wrist. “Not sure. You are new type. How taken?”

“There was a plane crash and I was on the beach trying to help someone. They must have come up behind me.”

Melia gave her a speculative look. “You doctor?”

“Doctor? Me? I was just trying to stop someone from bleeding to death.”

“Want save Jakkar but afraid.” She shrugged. “Pick you.”

Anna started to protest but stopped. It made a certain twisted sense. Still, if she had been here as a nurse, now that Jakkar was getting better….

“Will they take me back? Now that he’s better?” Even as she asked the question, she knew the answer before the other woman shook her head.

“No. Still sell.”

Acid was churning in the pit of Anna’s stomach but she asked anyway. “Who will they sell me to?”

“Perhaps work.” Melia’s eyes were gentle as she looked at Anna. She hesitated, then said, “Perhaps sex.”

“And you?” Her voice was barely above whisper as she asked the question.

“No ransom. Same.”

Anna lent her head against the clear metal wall, smooth and cold against her skin and felt Melia mirror her position. The two women stayed there in silence for a long time.

The hours passed. Anna and Melia talked occasionally but were both were caught up in their own thoughts. Anna had to face facts; she wasn’t going home. She was going to be sold into slavery and, despite Melia’s alternate suggestion, it sounded like the odds were she was going to become a sex slave. If the idea wasn’t so appalling she would laugh, remembering how she had always scoffed at stories of white slavery and sex trafficking. The concept of alien sex trafficking had never even crossed her mind.

The sound of footsteps disturbed her dark thoughts and her stomach clenched as she realized that the shorter guard was coming down the corridor. His gait was uneven and he was sucking on a long tube filled with a dark purple liquid. He stopped outside her cell, one hand holding the tube to his mouth and the other grabbing his erection, and she realized with horror that he was drunk.

“No damage prisoner,” he snarled. “Pay damage.”

He had obviously been warned but he was rubbing himself harder and for a sick moment, she was afraid he was drunk enough to ignore the warning. A crafty look came over his face and he giggled. The sound made her skin crawl.

The bars opened and he entered the cell. Anna tried to evade him but he was too fast and grabbed her wrist. She started hitting at him with her other hand as he hauled her out of the cell and across the corridor, throwing her into Jakkar’s cell. Too confused to speak, she stared at him and he giggled again.

“Want fuck animal? Maybe animal fuck you. He no pay damage.” He fingered his belt again and at the sound of chains withdrawing, she turned to find Jakkar standing up from the bunk. Instinctively, she moved toward him, her gaze immediately going to his wounded leg but it wasn’t bleeding, her ragged stitching was still intact. As he stepped forward to meet her, she was suddenly, overwhelmingly conscious of just how big he was. He was at least a foot taller than her, her head not even reaching his shoulders, and the corded strength of his muscles was only too apparent as he clasped her waist and pulled her against him. The memory of her foolish teasing combined with the guard’s words and her body started to shake.

“Now, little human,” Jakkar growled. Her eyes were wide and frightened and her body trembled as she looked up at him. Good. Now she would learn that she was not in control. His leg was stiff and painful but he dismissed it and concentrated on the woman. Her sweet scent filled his nostrils as she froze against him and his cock, still half-erect from her earlier display, hardened completely.

“My name is Anna,” she said defiantly, but her voice quivered. Impatiently, he bent over her body, catching her neck in one large hand and holding her immobile as his mouth descended on hers. The kiss was hard, punishing, his tongue thrusting brutally into her soft mouth as she gasped, and he expected her to draw back. Instead, her hands clutched his shoulders and her small tongue darted out to wrap around his. Her instant response was exhilarating and he growled his approval. His other hand slipped lower, tightening on the supple curves of her ass and pressing her against his rigid erection as he delved even further into the warm sweetness of her mouth. One of his sharp canine teeth nicked her soft lower lip and again he expected her to pull back but she only shivered against him and pressed closer.

The fact that she had surrendered to him so completely finally penetrated his lust and he forced himself to pull back and look down at her. As he raised his head, her eyes opened slowly, heavy-lidded with passion, and he expected her to panic, to start fighting him. Instead, she just looked at him with dazed crystal eyes and slowly licked her lips, her mouth red and swollen from his kisses. His brain shut down. The feel of her lush curves and the heady scent of her arousal had him throbbing painfully and all thought of punishing her had fled. Nothing mattered to him except burying his aching cock in her warm body. Behind him, he could hear the guard shouting obscene suggestions. He dismissed the sounds but her eyes widened as they registered.

“Please, not in front of him,” she whispered.

His warrior nature roared in triumph. She wasn’t objecting to his obvious intentions but to the audience. The guard was of small significance to him but his jaw tightened at the idea of the man seeing his little human’s body as he took her. Sliding his arm under the silky skin of her ass, he picked her up easily, swinging her around until she was seated on the bunk. He moved between her legs, pulling her to his pulsing cock but also blocking her from the guard’s view. The man’s howl of anger went unheeded as he drew her even more tightly against him, feeling the wet heat of her arousal as she wrapped her legs around him in response.

An explosion echoed through the metal corridor and the ship shuddered, almost throwing him to the deck before he braced himself and his female against the bunk. The jolt shocked him into thinking and he cursed himself for a Goddess damned idiot, obsessing over the little human instead of concentrating on escape. He turned swiftly; ignoring the twinge as his leg protested, and saw the guard crouched against the bars where he had fallen as the ship lurched. Tearing a strip of the ragged leather from his pants as he crossed the cell, he grasped the man’s neck while he was still off balance from the fall. Moving rapidly, he slipped the strip through the bars and around the man’s neck, tying him against the end bar, not quite tight enough to kill him. Before the guard could react, he removed the control belt and pulled it back inside the cell.

As he was about to activate the controls, the ship tilted sharply to the right and he heard the constant hum of the engines start to oscillate. With another muttered curse, he grabbed his small human off the bunk and drew her with him to the deck, grabbing the bars for support. He shouted to Melia and Rantor to brace themselves as the ship slammed back to the other side and began a violent spiral dive.

Chapter Six

Anna was still dazed, shaking from her reaction to Jakkar, and from fear as the ship spun dizzyingly. She couldn’t believe the way she responded to him. The second his mouth closed over hers, she forgot the watching guard, forgot the cell, forgot everything except the desire burning through her veins like fire. Even now, her body throbbed and ached for him. His body curved protectively over and around her and she held onto him with all her strength, burying her face in his neck and breathing in his unique scent. The vibrations grew even more violent and now she could smell the acrid scent of burning metal. The floor was heating up beneath her, not yet burning but the temperature increasing rapidly. She whimpered, unable to help herself, and Jakkar drew her even closer, tucking her further away from the floor.

The burning smell grew stronger and now she could see smoke drifting down the corridor. The parts of her body that were still touching the floor were starting to hurt as the surface grew hotter. A violent crash tore Jakkar’s hands loose from the bars and sent both of them sliding across the cell floor, his arms still cradling her. They slammed into the cell wall as another collision shook the ship, and then there was silence.

Disoriented, she raised her head from his shoulder and realized that they had landed on the side wall of the cell. Everything was canted sideways and it took her a minute to identify the floor and the ceiling and the familiar outline of the bars. She could see Melia crumpled inside her cell but she was distracted by the stillness of the body beneath her. As she tried to pull away to see if he was injured, his hands tightened, and relief filled her as she realized that he was awake. He looked at her for a long moment and she licked her lips, sure that he was going to kiss her, but he only loosened his hold enough to pull them both to their feet. Another pause and he released her. She wondered if he was reluctant to let her go or just emphasizing how completely he could control her.

No longer looking at her, he turned his attention to the control belt. The cell bars groaned, hesitated, and then disappeared. Jakkar moved to Rantor’s cell and opened those bars. The animal emerged, shaking his head but apparently unhurt, and Jakkar turned to Melia’s cell. Her slender body wasn’t moving and Anna hurried over, slipping a little on the slant of the corridor.

“Alive.” Jakkar’s voice was brusque as he stood up and pulled Melia into his arms. Anna ignored the sudden pang of jealousy at the sight and waited at the cell door, swaying a little from reaction. He had protected her from most of the turmoil but not all and, combined with the last tumble across the cell, her previous bruises were awake and screaming.

“Rantor. Scout path,” Jakkar ordered and the linae slipped ahead up the corridor. He turned to look at her and swore as he saw her clutching the wall. He threw Melia over one shoulder and pulled Anna tight against his side, supporting her on the uneven surface as they followed Rantor’s trail. Two turns of the corridor and the ship ended in a gaping hole half-buried in the surface of the planet. As they approached the gap she saw the tall guard sprawled unconscious on the floor. Jakkar ignored him, pausing in the opening to scan the surroundings before pulling both women through and across to the base of one of the large rock pillars that surrounded the crash site. He lowered Melia to the ground and eased Anna down beside her as her knees finally gave way, then turned back to the wreck.

The air was hot, and Anna pulled Melia back into the shade provided by the spire of rock at their back. The rock and the sand beneath them was the same shade of deep red, the sky above a greenish tint that she had never seen. All around them, stone spires thrust into the sky and it was easy to see the cause of the last violent crash – the nose of the spaceship was flattened against one of the enormous rock pillars, flames licking back along the longer section from which they had emerged. Horrified, she realized that Jakkar had disappeared into the still burning ship. The remains ended abruptly at the hole where they had emerged and nothing was left from the tail section except large chunks of burning wreckage.

The heat, the sand, the ship burning around her—it was all too familiar and Anna felt like she was back at the last plane crash. It was like one of those stupid horror movies where you cheated death and death kept looking for you. The thought struck her as funny and she started to laugh, but the laughter quickly dissolved into tears and she couldn’t stop crying. A firm hand grasped her chin and lifted her head and his mouth came down on hers, hot and hard. She gasped and the sobs finally stopped, fading into soft hiccups.

Jakkar was already walking away, back into the ship, and Anna realized that he had brought out a load of equipment that was now piled to one side. She forced herself to her feet and followed after him. As he reached the opening, he turned and frowned at her.

“Can I help?”

“No. Dangerous.” He stepped into the opening and as her gaze followed him, she spotted the unconscious guard.

“Aren’t you going to bring him out?”

He didn’t even stop. “No.”

“He let me help you.” At that he paused and she hurried on. “And he might be useful.”

He shrugged a shoulder and turned back into the ship. “Help if want.”

Anna glared after him and then crawled back into the ship. The smoke was thickening but the guard wasn’t too far from the entrance. She slid her hands under his shoulders and began to pull him along the corridor. His weight dragged at her and she was panting and breathless by the time she had hauled him through the opening, wincing as his jumpsuit caught on the ragged edge. As she bent back down to pull him across the sand, another pair of hands appeared. Melia gave her a quick shaky smile and together they hauled the unconscious man across to the shade of the stone spire.

The women collapsed into the shade as well, and Anna watched with increasing anxiety until Jakkar appeared at the opening once more. He had weapons belts crisscrossed across his still bare chest and two long knives belted at his waist. He looked like every fantasy she had ever had of a barbarian warrior and her breath caught in her chest as he emerged from the ship, striding towards them to drop another set of bundles. She didn’t know whether to be amused that he had taken her advice or terrified as another figure emerged and she realized that the shorter guard was carrying a load as well. Jakkar watched him as he dropped his burden, standing protectively between the guard and the women, then gestured him back into the ship, his other hand on one of his weapons. The guard’s glare would have cut steel but he turned back to the ship and Jakkar followed him.

Fire had almost reached the opening before Jakkar and the guard appeared a final time, heavily laden once more. Anna immediately noticed that Jakkar was limping and opened her mouth to offer to help, but Melia grabbed her arm and shook her head. The women watched in silence as the men lowered their burdens. Then Jakkar ordered the Ithyian to draw the still unconscious guard to one side of the rock. He pulled out a set of chains and fastened the guards to each other before wrapping the remainder of the chain around one of the rock outcroppings. With the pile of equipment between them, they were out of sight, if not out of earshot. Anna winced as the conscious guard snarled.

Ignoring the sound, Jakkar picked up a white box and moved over to the women, dropping to the ground beside them with a slight wince. They both looked at him expectantly but he merely began searching through the box, pulling out a long wand shaped device and a small jar.

“Can use?” he asked Melia. She shook her head and he looked at Anna.

“Don’t look at me,” she protested.

He hesitated, then shrugged and looked down at his leg. Anna was horrified to see that while the stitching was still basically intact, the wound was oozing blood in several places. No wonder he had been limping. She watched as he pressed a button on the wand, causing the end to glow with a soft blue light. Swiftly, he pressed the end to one of the places which was bleeding. There was a quick flash of white smoke and a burnt smell filled the air. As he drew the wand away, she could see that the bleeding had stopped, cauterized by the device.

Horrified, she scanned the length of the injury. There were four more places that were bleeding and the one on his inner thigh was going to be hard for him to reach. He had already moved the wand up his leg before she reached out and touched his arm.

“Do you want me to do that?” Her voice trembled but her hand was steady. Jakkar scanned her face, then looked back at the wound. With a soft noise that might have been a sigh, he passed her the wand and leaned back on his elbows.

“Hold for three,” he said. “One…two…three.”

Anna curled against his side in a position that was becoming increasingly familiar, took a deep breath, and started on the next open cut. Three seconds seemed to last for an eternity and she could feel his muscles tighten even though he made no sound. The smoke and the smell were sickening but she clenched her teeth and kept going. By the time she finished with the last open place, she was pale and dizzy. Bile rose in her throat and she leaned against his uninjured leg, trying desperately not to be sick.

Jakkar sat up and put his arm around her. She clutched it and buried her face in his side, letting his spicy scent chase the smell of smoke away. Not releasing her, he used his other hand to spread a thick greenish gel from the jar down the length of his wound. She could see the redness diminish almost immediately and felt his muscles relax. Melia had moved away while Anna worked and now she handed Jakkar a mug of cafir. He sipped and passed it to Anna. The bitter taste was curiously refreshing and she started to take a longer drink, but he stopped her.

“Not waste.”

She stared at him uncomprehendingly for a minute and then took a look around at the sand and rocks that surrounded them. Sighing, she capped the mug and set it down. Right, they were in the middle of what looked suspiciously like a desert. She glanced at the supplies that he had hauled from the burning ship and wondered just how long they would last.

Jakkar said something to Melia that she didn’t catch and she looked up, still caught in the circle of his arm. He frowned at her and then pressed her head against his chest. Before she could move, she felt a cool tickle in her ear and then an unpleasant slimy warmth that faded almost immediately. She pulled back as soon as his arm relaxed.

“What was that?” she asked indignantly.

“I decided that you would be more useful if you could carry on an intelligent conversation.”

“I’m quite capable of carrying on an intelligent conversation without—oh. You’re talking in complete sentences.”

He raised a brow ridge. “I have always spoken in complete sentences. You just didn’t understand them.”

Anna ignored his haughty tone, as she realized that he must have replaced the translator. In addition to understanding all of his words, they came across with a low rumble that better reflected his actual speaking voice. She turned to Melia and the woman smiled shyly.

“And you should understand me, too.” Here, too, the translator captured the chirping quality of her voice.

“I do.” She returned Melia’s smile and then frowned and turned back to Jakkar. “But Melia said slaves didn’t get good translators. Where did this come from?”

“The captain didn’t need it anymore.”

For a moment the sickness threatened to return at the thought of having something from a dead man inside her ear but he was right. The captain didn’t need it and life would be easier if the three of them could communicate. The thought made her remember the guards, now silent.

“What are we going to do now?”

Chapter Seven

The three of them looked at each other in silence and then Jakkar pushed himself back against the rock. Despite the heat, Anna immediately missed the comfort of his body but she forced the thought aside. She refused to admit that she was growing attached to the big warrior, despite his undeniable influence on her body.

“Do you have any enemies, Melia?” Jakkar asked suddenly.

Melia shook her head.

“No. My family is very old and we have good relationships with most of the other families.” She flipped a wrist. “And we are not rich enough or powerful enough to be worth attacking. You were hired only as a standard precaution.”

Anna thought she detected a skeptical look on Jakkar’s face but she interrupted before he said anything. “Why are you asking?”

“I don’t believe in coincidence. First the transport ship was attacked. And now this ship has been destroyed. From what I could tell when gathering supplies, they must have kept the escape pod from our original ship for salvage, and that’s what blew up. That explosion was the cause of the crash. That suggests that someone is very determined to make sure that Melia does not survive.”

“Or you,” she couldn’t help pointing out.

He started to shake his head but stopped, considering.

“Perhaps not me,” he said slowly. “But it would not be the first time someone under our protection has been attacked.”

“If word got out that those who hire you are being attacked, you would not be offered many contracts.” Melia’s voice was dry. “It would have been nice to know that before my family contracted with you.”

He tensed and growled, and Melia paled but held his gaze.

“I do not know that it is true now. There have been some questionable incidents, but bad luck has plagued my people for the past five years,” he finally admitted.

“If someone is after you, are they still trying?” Anna asked.

“I don’t know. Escape pods have a tracking signal but the cargo hold was so thoroughly destroyed—” He waved a hand at the still smoldering wreckage. “—it might or might not be intact.”

“Of course, if someone does come, we would have a way off this planet.” He smiled fiercely but Anna was already considering the alternative.

“And if they don’t?” Her stomach knotted as she waited for his answer.

“Then we could be here for a long time.”

Both women blanched at the quiet words.

“Rantor is scouting now, and as soon as he returns I will climb up and look for any signs of life.” He gestured at the rock face behind him.

“You can’t climb with a hurt leg,” Anna said indignantly.

“There are many things I can do with a hurt leg, little human. I suggest you don’t forget it.” His glance was threatening and she felt her heart skip a beat.

“Sh-shall we stay here?” She decided to change the topic and for a minute she thought he wouldn’t let her but then his face relaxed slightly.

“For tonight, yes. Tomorrow we will look for a better place. We will need water and if someone does come after us, I would like to see them before they see us.”

Rantor returned shortly thereafter and Jakkar left him on guard as he started up the rock. Anna glared after him, sure that he shouldn’t be making the attempt. The knowledge didn’t stop her from admiring the way the powerful muscles in his shoulders and back flexed as he pulled himself easily up the rock face. Melia laughed softly and Anna pulled her eyes away from the diminishing figure.

“Have you decided to have sex with him?”

“What?” The color rushed into Anna’s cheeks. “No, of course not,” she added defiantly, as much to convince herself as to answer the other woman. Her reaction to him was a momentary glitch brought on by fear and close quarters.

Melia turned to follow Jakkar’s path with her eyes before looking back at Anna, face suddenly serious.

“Has he decided to have sex with you?”

Shock held her silent and a shiver traced her spine as she considered the question. They weren’t captive on the ship any longer but they were apparently alone on this planet. She remembered Melia’s earlier warning. If he wanted her, would she have any choice? The sudden ache low in her belly made her wonder if she wanted a choice.

Fortunately, Melia had turned away, not waiting for an answer, and was examining their surroundings. Anna joined her and together they decided that the cluster of rocks to their left curved in a way that would provide more protection. From Anna’s vague knowledge of equivalent earth habitats, she assumed that the area would get cold as the sun set. Together they hauled the supplies over to the chosen area and arranged them to provide additional protection. The sun dropped as they worked and the shadows grew increasingly cold.

Rantor watched them curiously between scans of the surrounding area. Anna was standing, surveying their efforts, when he walked over to her. She held her breath, intimidated by the size of the animal. His head topped her waist and he was as solidly muscular as his master. He circled her and she stood perfectly still, clenching her fists as he disappeared behind her. A hard bump against her rib made her jump and she looked down to find his head rubbing against her side. Uneasily aware of the enormous fangs so close to her tender flesh, she reached down and rubbed her hand across one side of his head, avoiding the spiked ridge down the center. His skin was dry and rough but oddly pleasant under her fingers and she rubbed again. As soon as she stopped, he butted her again with his head and she laughed, no longer afraid.

“You’re just a big pussycat, aren’t you?” she crooned, stroking his head and finding the spot behind his ear slit that made him emit a low rumbling noise similar to a purr.

“Making friends?” Jakkar asked ironically from behind her.

She jumped and turned at the sound of his voice, but Rantor had obviously known he was coming since he didn’t react. Before she could answer, Jakkar turned to survey their efforts. He didn’t comment, but proceeded to gather some smaller rocks and place them at one end of the curved wall. Anna watched curiously as he aimed one of his weapons at the stones. A burst of light hit them and after a short time, they began to glow softly. She could feel the heat radiating from the stones and realized that the rock wall behind them would also reflect heat back into their shelter.

The warmth was welcome and Anna moved into the shelter of the wall, with Melia dropping down next to her. Jakkar handed them each one of the bread squares and then settled down as well, back turned away from the glowing rocks and watching the night close in around them.

“Did you see anything?” Anna wasn’t sure what answer she wanted. If there was civilization here, would the natives be able to help them? Or would they take them as slaves? And yet, she wasn’t sure how long they would last without additional food and shelter.

“We’re in a valley.” Jakkar spoke slowly. “The closest land rises against the setting sun and seems to have vegetation. That would indicate water so we will head there tomorrow. I did not see any buildings or roads.”

They were all silent, thinking about his words, and Anna shivered, glad of the warmth of their fire. She suddenly realized that the guards were still chained on the other side of the rock where the heat would not reach them.

“What about the guards? Shouldn’t we move them closer to the fire?”

“No.” His tone was uncompromising and she opened her mouth to argue. “No. I doubt it will be cold enough to kill them. If it does, it removes one problem.” He shrugged. “If not, I will decide whether they are useful enough to let live.”

She flinched. “You can’t just kill them.”

“Why not?” His eyes narrowed. “Did you enjoy their attentions that much?”

“No!” She shuddered involuntarily at the thought of the shorter guard, his cruel hands and the constant threat in his eyes. The idea of killing someone in cold blood seemed so wrong, but she was a long way from Earth and the comfortable values of civilized life. She exchanged glances with Melia and saw a similar uncertainty in her eyes but the other woman just shook her head a little, obviously telling her to drop the subject.

Next to her, Jakkar shifted his back against the rock and stretched his wounded leg. His face was as impassive as ever but she could tell that he was uncomfortable and she couldn’t resist needling him.

“I told you that you shouldn’t have climbed with a hurt leg.”

“Enough!” The roar split the night and Jakkar jumped to his feet, pulling her up with him. “You will not argue with me at every turn.” He leaned closer and her heart stopped beating. “And we have unfinished business.”

He turned to stride away from the shelter, yanking her after him while he yelled for Rantor to guard. Panicking, she fought against him but her feet had no purchase in the soft sand and her struggles had no impact.

“Jakkar.” Melia’s soft voice did make him stop and look back, his big hand still tight around her wrist as she skidded to a halt beside him. Anna couldn’t read the look they exchanged but then he focused on her again. His eyes were glowing gold and the breath caught in her chest.

“Come.” The words were a demand but he was not pulling her closer. She hesitated for one long moment, her mind protesting but her body reacting to the desire in his eyes. His face darkened as she paused, but he waited. The night was utterly silent around them and she had the oddest notion that her entire life had led up this moment. Terror and desire fought in her veins but his hand was warm and hard around hers and almost imperceptibly, she swayed toward him. It was enough. He gathered her up in his arms and strode into the darkness.

Chapter Eight

Jakkar carried the little human close to his chest, enjoying the feel of her small, warm body as she trembled against him. He was surprisingly gratified by her surrender, although he had not really intended to give her a choice. Her delicious scent teased his nostrils and grew stronger as he held her closer. One hand crept around his neck, her soft fingers tentative against his skin. His mood softened and he was no longer angry as he laid her down in the warm sand, close to the base of one of the rock clusters. The shelter was still close but the soft glow of the fire stones did not reach them.

Two small moons were starting to rise, and they provided enough light that he could see her crystal eyes shining with the combination of fear and desire he found so tantalizing. Impatiently, he unfastened the slave gown, exposing her body to the night. She was perfect, her generous curves causing his pulse to quicken. Her lush breasts were pale in the moonlight, topped with ripe, dark nipples that stiffened under his gaze. Unable to wait any longer, he took her mouth in a demanding kiss and groaned as she responded, her small tongue meeting his and the taste of her sending more blood rushing to his cock.

Still plundering the hot, sweet depths of her mouth, he ran one hand down her side and across the soft swell of her stomach, her skin like silk beneath his touch. Dipping lower, he let his hand slide between her thighs. The soft curls teased his fingers as she gasped, opening her legs to accommodate him. His fingers slowly explored the damp folds as he released her lips and nibbled a trail from her neck to her nipple. Her small hands fastened around his neck, urging him closer. Teasing, he flicked his tongue back and forth across the tight bud several times before finally pulling her nipple into his mouth with fevered intensity. She gasped and arched her back as his mouth tightened and he let his teeth scrape the hardened peak.

He pulled back, raising his head just enough to let the cool night air blow across her damp flesh. She uttered an inarticulate protest, trying to drag his mouth back to her breast but he held his position easily.

“Who’s in control now, little human?” he growled softly, enjoying the sight of her taut bud growing even harder in response to the warmth of his breath. Her eyes flew open and she frowned, obviously trying to concentrate on his words even while her hands still tugged at his neck. He let her pull him closer and closed his teeth around her engorged nipple, biting down just hard enough to feel her jerk against his mouth, her fingers clutching his shoulders now. A small cry escaped her lips and he soothed her with his tongue before lifting his head again.

“Who is in control?” he repeated.

“You are,” she whispered. “Please don’t stop. I need—”

He didn’t give her a chance to finish. As soon as she conceded, he covered her lips with his, thrusting into her mouth the way he would soon be thrusting into her body. She responded eagerly, drawing his tongue deeper, and his cock throbbed painfully but he held back, continuing to kiss her as she pressed against him, rubbing the hard points of her breasts across his chest while he stroked her swollen cleft. He wanted her helpless with pleasure, surrendering completely to his desires as he taught her who was in control.

Releasing her mouth, he returned to her breasts, sucking and biting the tender flesh until her nails were digging urgently into his shoulders. Beneath his fingers she was slick and needy, writhing against him as he circled her clit with his thumb, and slowly slid a finger into the hot, wet depths of her pussy. Goddess, she was tight, and he worked his finger back and forth, trying to ready her for his cock. Another finger and a firm press of his thumb and satisfaction filled him as she cried out, pulsating against his hand while her passage clamped down on his fingers. Slowly she lifted her lids, and the sight of her dazed eyes and trembling mouth shattered what was left of his restraint. He couldn’t wait any longer.

The intensity of her climax left her shaking, and Anna cried out in confusion as Jakkar moved away. In his absence, the cool night air swept across her body, making her nipples tingle and sending a shiver across nerves still aching with need. She wanted him back on top of her, inside of her, and she could have sobbed with relief as she realized that he had only moved to take off his pants. His huge body was silhouetted against the sky and she drank in the sight of his taut muscles and lean hips. As he lowered himself back down, she caught her first glimpse of his naked cock and her mouth dried. He was as enormous as he felt, shaped like a human but longer and thicker than she had ever seen. Terror and excitement surged through her veins and left her trembling and on fire.

“Please,” she begged, though she didn’t know what she was begging for. He didn’t seem to have any doubts as he lowered his enormous body over hers and she felt the hot, hard length of his cock settle between her thighs. He was supporting enough of his weight that she didn’t feel crushed, but she still felt small and helpless and totally aroused as his warm strong body covered her completely. His spicy scent surrounded her and left her dizzy and breathless. With agonizing slowness, he parted her labia with his cock and stroked it up and down the slippery folds. Each time he slid against her clit, her pussy pulsed and ached. By the time the broad head of his cock pressed against her tight entrance, her whole body was shaking. Despite the slick fluid easing his passage, her body resisted the intrusion. Growling, he cupped her ass and pulled her closer, forcing the thick head into the snug opening. The intensity of the feeling shocked her and she cried out.

“So tight,” he growled. She could feel the tension filling him as he forced his body to pause and let her adjust to his size. Her pussy ached as it stretched open around him, but fiery tingles of pleasure kept shimmering through her and every part of her body was alive and throbbing. He was watching her face intently, eyes blazing molten gold, and his concentration added to her excitement. She panted rapidly, knowing she was spread wide and helpless beneath him. Need fought with fear, and almost involuntarily her hips tilted toward him.

The slight movement was enough. He growled again and started pushing— opening her narrow channel with excruciating slowness so that she felt each thick inch of his massive cock. His breathing was as harsh as hers but he didn’t pause until he had filled her completely. She moaned as he finally stopped, impaling her on his rigid cock, her body still strung on the knife edge of pleasure and pain. With one hand, he reached between them and ran a firm finger over her clit and she came immediately in a blinding flash that had her screaming and thrashing.

As her pussy rippled around him he groaned and pulled back, the sensation extending her climax. He paused with the head of his cock just inside the tight opening and then began thrusting into her, harder and harder while the aftershocks still quivered through her body. She could barely move, only grab his neck and hold on as he pounded relentlessly into her vulnerable body. Every thrust ground his body against her swollen clit and the tension built again. Each stroke was deeper, harder, and her over-stimulated body soared ever higher. A last powerful thrust seemed to split her open and she felt his hot liquid spill into her as he roared out his release. The sensation sent her over again and she shattered around him, crying out his name as the stars whirled overhead and she slipped into darkness.

The smell of cooking meat tantalized her nostrils and Anna opened sleepy eyes to see that she was back in their original shelter, dressed in her slave gown, wrapped in one of the white cloths from the ship, and snug against the wall of rock. Apparently, Jakkar had brought her back during the night. The last thing she remembered was passing out in his arms after her third climax. The memory made her blush and she stretched a little cautiously, feeling a not unpleasant ache between her legs, before lifting her head and looking around. She could see sunlight hitting the top of the rock spires but it was still dim and cool at the base.

Melia curled next to her, still asleep and also wrapped in a white cloth. Jakkar crouched over the heated stones laying strips of meat across the hot surface and she could hear the strips sizzle as the enticing scent wafted across to her. At the sound of her movement, he turned. His face was almost impassive but a faint smile curved one corner of his mouth. She blushed harder and looked away, embarrassed by the memory of the previous night and the satisfied look on his face.

“Good morning, Anna.” He walked over and knelt next to her. Surprised and pleased that he had used her name, she looked up at him and he caught her mouth in a demanding kiss. As always, the feel of his mouth destroyed her resistance and she melted into him until he made an amused growl and pulled away. Yes, he was definitely way too pleased with himself. She glared but he simply smiled and handed her a bread square with strips of meat across it.

“What is this?”

“Rantor caught it. The analyzer says it is edible.” He returned to the stones to flip the remaining strips and Anna took a careful bite. It was hot and tasty, rather like, well…chicken. She grinned at the thought and started working her way through the rest of slice. As she nibbled, her eyes roamed their campsite and she caught a glimpse of Rantor, sprawled against a rock and chewing lazily on something that looked a lot like, oh, God…a snake.

She gulped and looked down at her portion, the long thin strips taking on a whole new significance.

“Is this snake?”

Jakkar’s back was to her but she saw him shrug. “That word does not translate. It is like what we call reminal. It is an animal that lives among the rocks and is high in protein.”

So that translated as a yes. Her stomach rebelled for a moment but she was hungry and it did taste pretty good. And reminal sounded much better than snake. Carefully avoiding looking in Rantor’s direction, she finished her breakfast.

Jakkar brought the next serving over for Melia and Anna realized that the other woman wasn’t asleep as she had assumed but was merely curled against the rock without moving. She did not look well. Her eyes were shadowed and her face was pale. Even her hair was drooping around her face, hardly moving.

“Are you all right?” Jakkar and Anna asked the question at the same time.

“I’m just tired.” Melia pushed up into a sitting position and took the bread and reminal.

Anna watched her pick listlessly at the food and noticed that her other hand was curved around her stomach. Oh, God, the baby. Both the crash and the violent trip down to the planet had been hard and Melia had not had anyone to hold on to her.

“Is the baby all right?” she whispered, as Jakkar went back to the fire stones.

Melia looked at her, eyes haunted. “I don’t know. He hasn’t been moving much and when he does, it hurts.”

“When are you due?” Anna asked. The other woman’s stomach was barely visible under her gown so they must have a while.

“I’m not sure anymore. I left for home two months ahead of time. We were in space maybe two weeks before the fight. I’m not really sure how long we were in the pod or what time cycle the Ithyians use on their ship.”

Shock held Anna motionless. That meant that they had less than six weeks. And, at least with humans, distress could throw the body into labor early. While she murmured soothingly to Melia, she looked around for Jakkar so she could let him know. They needed to find some type of permanent shelter as soon as possible.

She spotted him feeding the last strips of meat to the linae, and stood up. The sun had not yet cleared the surrounding rocks and as soon as she left the protection of their rock shelter, a cold wind whipped across her body. Trying to ignore it, she hurried across to the pair but even the short distance had her shivering by the time she reached them. Jakkar looked up and frowned as she started to speak.

“You should not have left the shelter.” He pulled her down on to his lap and she huddled into his warmth.

“Foolish little human.” His voice was soft as he whispered in her ear and his warm breath made her shiver again, although not from cold.

“I am not foolish. I need to talk to you.” She wiggled around to face him but her movement made his cock start to stiffen underneath her. His mouth drifted from her ear and down across her neck and his hand slipped up to caress her breast. The warmth of his big hand and the trail of his lips distracted her and she shivered harder, snuggling her body into his.

A hard nudge to her ribs jolted her back to awareness. Rantor bumped her again, demanding attention. Jakkar growled at the linae but Anna slipped off his lap. He growled at her this time and reached out to bring her back.

“I think Melia might have her baby early,” she said breathlessly.

That got his attention and even though he still pulled her back into his arms, he stopped kissing her and frowned over at the other woman, who was curled on the ground once more.

“Are you sure?”

“No,” she said honestly. “But she’s getting close and sometimes traumatic events make it happen early.”

“We need to head for the valley edge and look for water. We have enough liquid for perhaps one day. And it looked like there were cliffs so there may be caves we can use for shelter.” He was still watching Melia’s still figure. “Can she walk?”

“I don’t know.”

“It would be possible for me to carry her.” She froze against his body, remembering the way he had carried her off the previous night and hating the idea of another woman in his arms even though she knew the situation was completely different. He felt her stiffness and laughed, but pulled her closer.

“Don’t worry, little human,” he whispered. “I don’t want to drag her off into the rocks and fuck her senseless.” The coarse words should have shocked her but instead her pussy clenched and she relaxed into his embrace. His arms tightened around her waist in response but he continued in a more practical tone.

“And it would be safer to have my hands free.”

“What about the Ithyians?” He scowled at her but she continued quickly before he could speak. “If she can’t walk, we could put her on something and they could pull her along.”

“I don’t trust them. I would rather leave them here to die,” he growled.

“You have the chains and the weapons,” she pointed out. “And this way, you could keep track of them.”

“I will consider it,” he finally conceded, and for once Anna decided not to push the point. He stood up, scooping her up with him, and carried her back to the shelter of the rock wall and the fire stones. Anna settled down next to Melia while he rummaged through their supplies before handing each woman one of the Ithyian jumpsuits along with a cleansing cloth.

“These will be more practical. They will keep you warm. Get dressed.”

The women exchanged glances as he turned away, but Melia nodded. “He is correct.”

Quickly, they slipped behind the shelter to attend to their morning needs before changing out of their slave gowns and into the jumpsuits. Melia looked slim and elegant in hers, the swell of her pregnancy barely visible. On the other hand, the fabric pulled tightly across Anna’s more ample breasts and hips, revealing almost as much of her figure as the slave gown, and she was acutely conscious of the lack of underwear. She eyed the discarded gown distastefully but decided that it might come in useful and slipped it into the pocket of the jumpsuit. There were no shoes, but pairs of heavy rubber footed socks provided some protection for their feet.

Jakkar had walked over to talk to the Ithyians and she followed him curiously, staying out of sight around the rock curve.

“What are your names?” he demanded.

One of them snarled and she was sure it was the short guard, but the other answered. “I am Teron, and he is Smerg.”

“You are my prisoners now. You work, you obey, and you live. If you do not work or you do not obey, you will die.” His tone was implacable and Anna felt a flicker of fear. She knew so little about this man. He had never hurt her but she knew that he could. And yet something about him made her feel safe.

“What is your decision?” he asked.

“We will work and we will obey.” It was Teron’s voice, but a grunt that seemed to signify assent followed his words.

Jakkar rounded the corner and she jumped back guiltily. He frowned as he saw her eavesdropping but his expression lightened as he ran his eyes appreciatively over the tight-fitting jumpsuit. She blushed at the look in his eyes and he smiled and tucked her against his side as he turned them back toward the shelter. One hand slipped down to cup her ass as he murmured, “Very nice, little human. Although I still prefer you naked.”

Jakkar made quick work of preparing for the journey. He recovered a piece of metal large enough to act as a sled, and when Melia protested that she was well enough to walk he loaded it with their supplies before chaining the Ithyians to it. Neither of the men protested out loud, although Smerg muttered angrily under his breath. With Rantor leading the way, they set out across the valley floor.

The rock spires speared the sky in clusters like groups of trees. The rising sun caught hints of gold and silver flakes on their surface and they sparkled against the pale jade sky. The air was fresh, with an odd, tangy scent, and the sun had risen high enough that the temperature was just pleasantly warm. Anna felt remarkably happy considering that she was shipwrecked on an unknown planet with limited supplies and accompanied by a pregnant woman, two chained prisoners, and one very large and disturbing warrior. Putting it like that made her happiness seem ridiculous so she refused to think of it like that and instead let her mind drift back to the previous evening.

She had never had such an intense sexual experience. Just the memory had her nipples hardening and an ache starting low in her belly. In some ways Jakkar still terrified her and her pussy was more than a little sore, but she was already anticipating the coming evening. Would he carry her off again? And if he didn’t, would she have the courage to go to him? Considering how quickly he had reacted this morning, she didn’t think it would take much to seduce him but she was female enough to want him to come to her. A smile curved her lips as she considered the best way to encourage him.

“So you decided to mate him?” Melia’s voice was teasing as she walked up beside Anna. The other woman was walking easily and she seemed stronger, although she was still pale, and Anna blushed and smiled. After a quick look to verify that Jakkar wasn’t in earshot, she nodded.

“More accurately, he decided me,” she said a little ruefully.

“But you were willing?” Melia’s gaze was suddenly troubled and Anna hastened to reassure her.

“Yes, I was willing. Just…overwhelmed.”

“You sounded overwhelmed,” Melia said dryly, and Anna blushed harder as she remembered how she had cried out. The other woman took pity on her embarrassment and added, “as did he. How was he?” Melia continued.

The comment surprised her but apparently Gliesh women were as frank as Earth women when it came to discussing sex. The idea was curiously reassuring. She hesitated and her eyes sought out Jakkar. He was walking ahead with Rantor and she admired the long lines of his figure, the broad shoulders and the corded strength of his arms and legs, the tight ass that just begged for her grip. He moved with a sinuous grace that echoed that of the linae and her pulse was suddenly pounding in her veins.

“He was amazing.”

“I thought he would be.” Melia sounded satisfied and Anna shot her a startled glance, only to see the woman eying Jakkar appreciatively.

A soft growl emerged from her throat before she could stop it and Anna threw a horrified hand across her mouth. She hurried to apologize but Melia only laughed and flipped a wrist.

“Don’t worry. Your warrior is not interested in me. And while I can appreciate his…qualities, I choose docile men for my jalkas.”

Anna thought back over the few men she had had time to date in the past five years and then she laughed too. “So did I. I guess my tastes have changed.”

Her eyes returned to Jakkar’s muscled back and for the first time she noticed the intricate lines that curved across his shoulders as the sunlight shimmered across his bronze skin. From this distance it looked like an elaborate tattoo, the solid dark lines not catching the sun the way the rest of his skin did.

“What is that design?”

“That is his clan mark. All Sardoran warriors have them and they display the marks with pride. Their clan is very important to them. The worst thing that can happen to a warrior is to be declared Outcast from his clan.” Melia hesitated. “He had to leave his clan brothers to save me. It was an honorable act but it cost him much to leave his men.”

The two women walked along in companionable silence as the sun crept higher in the sky. At mid-morning, the party paused briefly and Jakkar distributed bread squares and small amounts of cafir. He passed the liquid to the Ithyians, and Teron took a small sip before Smerg grabbed the remainder. Jakkar hauled him up by the throat and shook him. “Behave or die.”

Jakkar growled as he let the man drop to the ground. Deep down he still thought it was a bad idea to keep them alive. Unfortunately, while he despised the Ithyians and their dishonorable ways, they were strong and would make good workers. His gaze swept over Melia and the swell of her pregnancy before settling on his little human. She was leaning wearily against a rock and his protective impulses flared. Despite her determination, her soft body was fragile. If the Ithyians could make her life easier, he would put up with them—at least for now.

When they resumed their trek, he dropped to the rear to check their trail. The women walked ahead with Rantor and he watched them curiously as they laughed and chatted. Rantor rubbed against Anna’s side and she caressed his head. Jakkar was suddenly jealous of the linae, remembering the feel of her silky skin as she wound her small fingers around his neck. Impatiently he dismissed the thought and concentrated on monitoring the surroundings. There had been no signs of large predators, and while he did not dismiss the possibility, he was more concerned about the chance of an enemy following them to the site of the wreck. He had been unable to find a tracking device but it could have been concealed within one of the lumps of twisted and burned metal.

As the sun neared its zenith and the heat increased, he considered his little human’s suggestion. Was it possible that it hasn’t been a random attack or an attempt to kidnap Melia? Were the Sardorans under attack? The possibility was infuriating but not completely inconceivable. As he analyzed the possibilities, he was aware of Anna dropping back. She didn’t come all the way back to walk with him, but walked beside the sled—which gave him ample opportunity to admire the ripe curves of her ass in the tight jumpsuit. His cock stiffened as he watched the luscious movements and he remembered her quivering beneath him. She had been so soft and sweet and passionate and she had yielded so deliciously. He was tempted to act on his earlier words and drag her behind a rock and fuck her until she cried out his name as he plunged into her incredibly tight wet pussy.

“Warrior.” Teron called softly, distracting him from the erotic thoughts. He growled at the Ithyian’s presumption, but the man merely gestured ahead to Melia. “The woman is fading.”

Jakkar followed his gaze and saw she was swaying slightly, her hand resting on the linae’s broad back. He remembered that she hadn’t eaten much at the rest stop and he cursed himself for letting the human distract him. Striding quickly to the front, he grabbed Melia just as she passed out. Anna was right on his heels, bending over the woman as he lowered her to the ground.

He swore as he surveyed the packed sled and considered his options. By his calculations, they had at least an hour more to travel before reaching the edge of the valley floor. The supplies were essential but wouldn’t make a comfortable bed. He could carry Melia but his statement to Anna that morning was still true; he needed to be free to defend the party.

“I could carry her,” Teron offered quietly. He growled an immediate denial. The Ithyian seemed sincere, even respectful, but he wasn’t about to take the chance.

“Haven’t you people ever heard of backpacks?” Anna demanded. She had moved to the sled and was pulling out the remaining jumpsuits. Under his bemused gaze, she tied off each leg and started stuffing supplies into the body of the suit. She grinned at his look of astonishment and demonstrated how she could tie the legs around her waist and the arms over her shoulders. She was right; it was a primitive but effective way to carry their supplies. His flicker of pride surprised him and he pushed it aside to consider later as he moved to help her.

Within a short time, the supplies had been redistributed and they were each carrying a jumpsuit pack. Melia had regained consciousness but she was obviously weak and didn’t protest and as they laid her in the sled, cushioned by the softer supplies. Jakkar watched cautiously as the party resumed walking but the Ithyians pulled her carefully, Teron keeping Smerg in line. Anna gave him a jaunty grin and he pulled her close, brushing her mouth with his and enjoying her instant response, before he smacked her ass and sent her on her way.

Chapter Nine

Anna’s jauntiness had disappeared by the time they reached the edge of the valley. Jakkar had made sure she carried the lightest of their supplies but she wasn’t used to hiking or carrying a pack. Her legs ached and her shoulders hurt and she had lost all interest in her surroundings. They stopped as they reached a shaded area and she collapsed to the ground, too exhausted to remove her pack.

A mug was thrust into her hands.

“Drink,” Jakkar urged. She barely had the energy to lift the mug to her lips but she responded to his order and sipped. Cool liquid exploded into her mouth. Was it water? The taste was similarly pure and clean but there was a wild undercurrent that tantalized her taste buds. She drank deeply and felt her strength returning.

Refreshed, she sat up and looked around. They were in a small clearing, surrounded by what she assumed were the equivalent of trees. Rather than single massive trunks, these plants had clusters of tall slender trunks. None of the vegetation was green. Instead, the leaves were predominantly red, shading into pink and orange, but they were unlike any fall colors she had even seen. Still, the overall shapes were familiar and the faint rustling as the leaves trembled in the gentle breeze made her feel at home. Vines covered with tiny silver leaves wound among the trees and they shimmered as the light caught them. The ground was covered with a thick layer of deep orange moss that felt warm and comforting to her fingers as she stroked it idly. On one side of the clearing, a small stream tumbled over more of the red rocks and she realized that was the source of the refreshing water.

Jakkar had moved on to give Melia a drink. The woman was sitting up, but even from here Anna could see that she was shaky and pale. Teron was still crouched close by but Smerg had moved to the end of his chain and had his head buried in the stream, lapping up the water.

Anna slipped the pack off her back and relaxed against it, watching Jakkar tend to Melia. A pang went through her as she watched him gently help the woman drink. She knew it was ridiculous; she knew that she had no claim on him, but she hated to see his hands on anyone else. God, when had she become so possessive?

Tearing her eyes away, she continued her survey of their surroundings. The valley floor stretched out to her left but behind the clearing the land rose sharply. The sun was high overhead and the filtered light through the trees was pleasantly warm; however, she remembered how quickly the air had cooled the previous night and wondered what Jakkar had in mind for shelter. Somehow she didn’t doubt that he had a plan.

As if her thoughts had summoned him, his tall figure loomed over her, blocking out the sun. Reaching down, he pulled her to her feet and away from the rest of the party.

“There is a cliff higher up. There may be caves to provide shelter.”

She nodded uncertainly.

“I don’t want to put Melia through the trip until I’m sure. I am going to scout.”

“You’re leaving me…I mean, us?” she stuttered.

He gave that amused growl that sent shivers up her spine and pulled her close.

“No, little human, I’m not leaving you—at least not for long.” He ran a finger down her cheek as it flamed pink. “But someone needs to keep an eye on those two.” He scowled at the Ithyians.

“Me?” she squeaked.

“Yes.” He pulled out one of his weapons and gave her a quick lesson. “This controls the intensity of the blast. This makes it fire.”

Her hand shook as he pressed the weapon into her reluctant fingers. She had never even picked up a gun on Earth.

“I’m not sure that I could…” Her voice was doubtful.

“You shouldn’t need to. Rantor will be here with you and those two are still chained. But if you have to—” he paused and raised her chin so that he could look into her eyes. “—if you have to, I know that you can do it.”

His faith warmed her and she gave him a hesitant nod. His fingers stroked over her chin and his eyes flared gold as they dropped to her trembling lips. He swooped down on her and her gasp parted her lips and let his tongue thrust into her mouth. The swift hard invasion sent her senses reeling and she melted into his embrace, relishing the feel of his strong arms and his intoxicating aroma. His cock was hard against her stomach and her nipples were tight points against his chest as she pressed closer.

Reluctantly, he pulled away and she bit back her protest.

“Later, little human,” he whispered, and strode off into the trees. As he disappeared into the undergrowth, she turned back to the clearing and realized that the rest of the party was looking at her. Melia smiled wearily, but knowingly. Teron had a thoughtful expression on his face. Smerg was glaring at her with a mixture of lust and hate that scared the hell out of her. Determined not to react, she looked away, taking comfort in Rantor as he prowled over and demanded her attention with his usual head-butt. At least he wasn’t interested in her relationship with Jakkar.

The time passed with agonizing slowness. Each rustle from the surrounding trees had her jumping and her fingers twitching uncertainly on the weapon. She hadn’t been able to decide if it was more disconcerting to have its heavy weight constantly in her grasp or out of her hand. She eventually compromised by laying it on the ground next to her, her palm resting on the handle. Rantor curled against her other side, getting up occasionally to circle the clearing restlessly. Melia had collapsed back down on the sled and Anna thought she was sleeping. The two Ithyians were quiet, Teron sitting by the sled and moving his gaze back and forth between the sleeping woman and their surroundings while Smerg still crouched by the stream, fingers plucking at the chain fastened to his wrist.

Despite her nervous awareness, Jakkar still took her by surprise when he returned. Only the faintest sound reached her ears and she grabbed the gun as she turned to find him standing close behind her, his brow raised in faint mockery. He reached between them and pointed the weapon at the ground before removing it from her grateful fingers.

“Little warrior,” he murmured in her ear as he holstered the weapon and moved into the clearing.

“There are caves in the cliff face,” he announced to the rest of the group. “The path up is not long, but steep in places.”

He looked at Melia resting on the makeshift sled and hesitated. Anna realized it would probably be difficult to pull the awkward contraption uphill, but the other woman was already sitting up.

“I have rested. I can walk.” Her voice was firm but they could all see how unsteady she was as she started to rise. As she started to sway, Teron appeared at her elbow and grasped her arm. Jakkar growled and started forward but Melia gave Teron a brief, grateful smile, and let the Ithyian support her.

“Perhaps I can walk with help,” she added wryly.

Jakkar was obviously not happy with the situation but after a moment, he inclined his head in agreement. He released Teron from the chain but kept the man’s wrist in a bone-crushing grip.

“Be very careful,” he warned.

Teron paled but met his eyes and nodded before bowing his head submissively. Turning away, Jakkar swiftly loaded their supplies back onto the sled, leaving Smerg chained to it. He directed Melia and Teron to the edge of the clearing where he had emerged.

“Up there,” he pointed.

The two headed in that direction, Melia still leaning heavily on Teron’s arm. Jakkar followed them, one hand on his gun and the other reaching out to pull Anna along next to him. He ordered Smerg to follow and Rantor to guard the rear.

The land rose rapidly as they moved away from the valley floor, twisting between the trees. Jakkar called out directions as they climbed, their path meandering from moss covered clearings to steeper ascents through broken rocks. Teron was almost carrying Melia, and Anna was equally grateful for Jakkar’s support as the path grew steeper and the surface more uncertain. Behind them, Smerg was snarling almost continuously as he banged the sled along, with Rantor providing unwanted encouragement.

Between the earlier long walk and the intensity of the climb, Anna’s legs were trembling by the time they emerged at the top of the hill and paused to rest. She sagged against Jakkar’s side, trying to catch her breath, and enjoying the solid warmth of his body for several minutes before he nudged her.

“Look,” he said softly and Anna finally looked up and took in her surroundings. She gasped in astonishment. Ahead of them was an enormous lake, deep emerald green and peaceful in the sun. Behind the lake, a massive cliff stretched away in both directions, dark red stone reaching up to the jade sky. A waterfall tumbled down the rock face, splashing into the lake and casting rainbows into the air. The trees curved around the other side of the lake, their red and pink and orange leaves dancing in the soft breeze. The scene was serene and beautiful and utterly alien, and a chill shivered up her spine.

She looked up at Jakkar at a loss for words, and he studied her face for a long moment before curving a warm hand briefly around her cheek. The gesture was unexpectedly comforting and she leaned into it, no longer feeling quite so lost. He smiled, and the movement drew her attention to the sensual curves of his lips and need swept through her with a startling intensity. His eyes flared gold and she knew he was responding to her rising passion but he moved her gently away from his embrace before pointing to the cliff face.

“The caves are there.”

She followed his gesture but couldn’t see an opening in the folds of the rock.

“I don’t see anything,” she argued.

“Trust me,” he said and turned to lead the others along the lake shore. The words echoed in her head. Did she trust him? Despite his enormous strength, he hadn’t hurt her, well except in a good way, and he had taken care of her since they landed. But she didn’t know him at all. The air of suppressed violence that surrounded him still scared her while the ease with which he dominated her senses and swept her under his sensual spell was both thrilling and unnerving.

Lost in her thoughts, she didn’t realize they had reached the cliff until it loomed in front of her. This close she could see the veins of gold and silver that shimmered through the rock. She followed Jakkar as he circled a natural outcropping and there indeed was the entrance to a cave. She eyed it uncertainly, thoughts of bats and bears and other nasty creatures running through her mind, but he urged her ahead and she entered reluctantly.

The cave was almost as much of a surprise as the lake. Behind the small entrance, the cavern soared to an unexpected height, an opening high above sending light washing down the rear wall. Smaller openings led off the central space, leading to sheltered alcoves. She wandered around in astonishment, running her hand along the rock walls, as the others entered. Melia immediately collapsed to the ground and Anna hurried to her side, feeling guilty that she had let herself be distracted by her surroundings.

Teron had crouched down too, but he stood and backed away as Anna knelt at Melia’s side to offer her a drink. Jakkar immediately pulled him further away and led both Ithyians, and the chains, to one of the side alcoves. Melia opened her mouth to protest but before she could say anything, Jakkar had already dragged the two away. Teron did not say anything, although Smerg was muttering under his breath as usual.

Jakkar returned to the central cavern to find both women glaring at him.

“What?”

“Why did you chain him up?” Anna exclaimed. “He has been nothing but helpful.”

Anger surged through him at his human defending one of the vile Ithyians.

“Why are you so interested?” he snarled. A feeling that was oddly like jealousy had his eyes paling and his muscles preparing for battle. His human should have no interest in other males.

Anna opened her mouth to respond, but before she could speak, Melia added her protests.

“He has done service to my House. That puts him under my protection.”

“And I am under contract to protect you. Ithyians cannot be trusted.”

Once again Anna opened her mouth but he saw Melia put out a restraining hand.

“Your contract is with my House. If he is part of it, your protection extends to him.”

“If?” He knew he was growling but his temper was still flaring.

The Gliesh woman dropped her eyes and sighed. “It would be the honorable thing to do.” She hesitated. “But I, too, have my prejudices.”

“He could be useful,” Anna piped up, and he turned on her with a fierce glare that made her pale.

“Th-there are only five of us,” she stuttered but continued. “We have to survive here and everybody will need to contribute. You can’t take care of everything.”

His human thought he could not provide for her? His rage was so intense he could almost feel the blood boiling in his veins. Drawing on the last threads of his self-control, he forced down his anger.

“I will provide. Stay here.” The words gritted through his teeth and he immediately turned and left the cave.

Chapter Ten

Anna glared after Jakkar as he strode out of the cavern. The intensity of his fury had startled and scared her, and she took refuge in her own anger.

“What is wrong with him?” she asked Melia.

A choked noise met her words and she turned to find Melia trying to suppress her laughter.

“What?”

“Anna, you just told a Sardoran warrior, a man who has already claimed you, that he cannot provide for you.” She sobered and continued. “Normally that would be a mortal insult and would probably result in a death duel. Instead you just emasculated him.”

“I didn’t mean to,” Anna protested, suddenly feeling guilty.

“I know, that’s why it struck me as so amusing.”

“Wait a minute.” Anna was replaying Melia’s words in her head. “What do you mean he has already claimed me?”

Melia merely raised a brow in response and Anna blushed.

“That…that was just sex.” She wasn’t sure if she was trying to convince Melia or herself

“Perhaps,” the woman conceded and Anna tried to ignore the sinking in her stomach. “But I have seen him with you and I do not think that is all it is, although he may not realize it yet.”

“But we are not even the same species.”

Melia nodded. “True and I have never seen a Sardoran claim a mate who was not also Sardoran.”

“Well, there you go.” Anna forced a cheerful note into her voice and tried to ignore her disappointment. Why would she be disappointed? She had only known the enormous warrior for a few brief days. Surely she couldn’t have feelings for him. Her attempts at logic were not making her feel any better and she pushed the whole subject to the back of her mind.

“Now, what can we do to make this place more livable?”

There wasn’t much to work with but the women did their best to make the cave more comfortable. Anna did most of the lifting as Melia was still too weak to do more than offer suggestions. She gathered rocks and made a fire pit against the back wall that opened to the sky. Briefly she considered leaving the cave to gather wood but Rantor had followed Jakkar and she did not want to leave Melia alone. Behind one of the back walls, she found a narrow passage that led back to a fissure in the rock. Moisture trickled down the wall and into a hole in the cave floor. It was a perfect latrine and she took advantage of the opportunity.

After sorting through their small bundle of possessions, she and Melia decided to store the supplies in one of the smaller side caves. One container held stacks of the large white cloths and a smaller one held more of the cleansing cloths. In addition to the medical kit and what looked like a small sewing kit, there were other sets of equipment that held no meaning for her. The remaining containers were stuffed with packets of what looked like dried food and small tubs filled with dark crystals. Very cautiously she touched a damp finger to the substance and brought it to her mouth, instantly recognizing cafir. There were two of the self-heating mugs and she added crystals and water before pressing the heating button. Delighted with the results, she hurried to share the warm drink with Melia.

As the women drank, Jakkar stalked in, not looking at the women, and dropped a pile of something against a side wall. Before Anna could offer him a drink, he marched back out. Cautiously, she investigated the pile and found that it consisted of large squares of the orange moss. The moss would definitely be more comfortable than the rock floor and she carried a few over for Melia to sit on. The woman smiled gratefully as Anna helped her on to her new seat.

She was debating what to do with the rest when Jakkar returned with more. Once again he left without a word or a glance in her direction and she felt unexpectedly hurt. Melia caught her watching the cave entrance with a dejected look and waved at her.

“He can’t be far. Go see if you can help. I’m fine.”

“He said to stay here,” Anna said uncertainly, still remembering the anger in his voice.

“And?” Melia flipped a wrist. “Begin as you mean to go on.”

Anna hesitated a moment longer then smiled at Melia and slipped through the cave opening. She paused at the outcropping that protected the entrance and searched the surrounding area. She immediately spotted Jakkar, kneeling under the trees and cutting the squares of moss with a large knife. He was piling them to one side as he worked and she took a deep breath before walking over to the pile.

“I told you to stay inside.” His voice was a threatening growl but she ignored him, picked up the pile of squares, and headed back to the cave. He growled again but continued his task and her shoulders sagged a little with relief. The pair of them worked steadily, Jakkar cutting and Anna carrying, until they had a huge mound against one wall. Jakkar followed her into the cave with the last load and immediately began redistributing the squares, carrying bundles into two of the side alcoves.

Curious she followed him into the one nearest the door and swallowed as she realized he was creating a mattress, a large mattress. Hastily she backed away and peeped into the other alcove. The pile of squares was much smaller, and the resulting mattress would be, also. She regarded it with mixed feelings. Two caves, two beds – who did he intend to occupy them?

Sniffing defiantly, she returned to the main room and started collecting some of the squares—that she had helped to gather—intending to create her own bed. He stopped her before she got the first square down.

“No, little human. You will be with me.” His voice was hard. She considered arguing for a brief second but although his anger had faded, she could still see the tension in his body. And despite her confused feelings, the memory of the previous night tugged at her; she wanted to be with him.

She nodded and his body relaxed almost imperceptibly.

The beds complete, she used the remaining moss to make cushions next to the fire pit while Jakkar gathered wood. Melia had been dozing but she stood up as they finished. She moved slowly but surely to the back wall and disappeared into the latrine cave. Anna took a moment to stretch luxuriously, relishing the pull on her tired muscles. She opened her eyes to see Jakkar eying her body with a hunger so intense it took her breath away. She froze, eyes locked on his.

“There is a bathing place,” he growled, and then stopped as Melia reappeared. Shaking his head, he stopped speaking and turned away. Melia cast an amused look at the two of them but didn’t comment.

“Unless you want a mess in our living quarters, you need to give them a turn.” Melia gestured from the side cave where the Ithyians were chained, to the latrine.

Anna held her breath but Jakkar merely glared and nodded. He escorted Smerg first, the Ithyian silent but examining the larger cave with malevolent eyes. Teron was next and as Jakkar returned with him, Melia held up a hand.

“Leave him here.” Jakkar started to protest but she ignored him and continued. “You can chain him if you want but chain him by the entrance. I heard you mention bathing. He can protect the cave while you…bathe.”

The faint pause before the last word made Anna blush and Jakkar grow abruptly silent. He looked at the other man who was standing quietly.

“Will you protect her?”

“With my life.” The words were unexpectedly firm and all three of them looked at the Ithyian who darkened under their gaze but didn’t look away.

Jakkar sighed but nodded and chained the man to the outcropping nearest the entrance. He also handed Melia a weapon, overruling her protests. Anna slipped into the supply cave and pulled out two each of the white cloths and the cleansing cloths. Her body quivered with excitement and her pussy dampened. She led the way out of the cave, carefully avoiding Melia’s eyes and thoroughly conscious of Jakkar’s massive presence behind her.

The sun was low in the sky but it was still light and the air was warm. Jakkar led her along the cliff and around a spur of rock. Ahead of them, the waterfall tumbled into a small pond before flowing further down into the lake. Large, smooth rocks surrounded the base of the falls, many of them holding shallow pools. She headed for the waterfall but Jakkar stopped her and pulled her over to one of the smaller pools.

“Try it.”

She dipped her fingers into the water and gasped in delight at the warmth.

“Hot springs?” she squealed.

He smiled at her pleasure and started to unfasten his pants. Her mouth dried and she couldn’t look away as he pushed off his boots and slid the pants down the muscled length of his legs. She caught her breath at the sheer perfection of his enormous body, every inch taut with muscle. As he straightened, he paused and looked at her, completely comfortable with his nudity and her avid gaze. He looked so large and strong standing there that her stomach started doing funny little flips somewhere between fear and desire.

Her gaze dropped to his rapidly hardening cock and she could feel the sensitive knot of nerves between her thighs start to throb. The sunlight revealed every detail of the length and thickness of his erection and her stomach flipped again. Her tongue flicked out to relieve her dry lips and his cock jerked toward her in response. Overwhelmed, she tore her eyes off of him and studied the waterfall. She heard a quiet splash and turned back to find him sitting in the pool, watching her with golden eyes. Her skin was hot and the tips of her breasts were so hard they hurt.

“Your turn,” he growled. Her hands were shaking as she slowly unfastened her jumpsuit and slipped it down her body, never looking away from him. His gaze devoured her naked body. Suddenly shy, she hurried to the small pool and slipped into the other side but he immediately grabbed her and pulled her against his body. He was sitting on a ledge at one end of the pool and he cradled her in his lap, her back to his broad chest, and one solid arm a warm weight across her stomach and clasping her arms against her sides. Hot water swirled around their bodies, soothing tired muscles, and she relaxed into his embrace as he nibbled along the tender curve of her neck. The heat of his mouth sent spikes of pleasure through her system and she tried to turn into his arms, wanting his kiss, but he held her easily in place.

With his free hand, he reached for the cleansing cloth and began to run it slowly over her breasts, stroking it along the sensitive undersides and circling her nipples but never touching the throbbing tips. She moaned, trying to twist into the teasing caress of his hand, wanting more. His cock was a hot solid bar beneath her but he merely gave her that low rumbling laugh that vibrated through her as he continued the teasing strokes. Finally, he brushed the cloth across her nipples. The touch was so light it was barely there but the sensation flooded through her and she shuddered.

“Do you remember how you teased me, little human?” His voice was a low purr in her ear, sending ripples of excitement up her spine. “Now it’s my turn.”

Another faint, oh so faint, brush of the cloth across her nipples sent her thoughts spinning. She was aching with desire and she wiggled her ass against him, trying to slide the hard length of his cock between her legs. His breath caught but he kept up the slow torture as she pressed her breasts harder and harder into his big hand. His fingers suddenly clamped down hard on her right nipple and the spike of pleasure pain went straight to her clit. Before she could process the sensation, he had already moved away, returning to the slow torturous circles and the light flickering touches.

Another hard clamp on her left nipple and she was so close to coming she was whimpering. His hand left her breasts and traveled slowly down between her legs. Even beneath the water she was slippery with desire and his thick fingers slid easily between her swollen labia. Once again he started the slow circling movement, only occasionally flicking a teasing finger across her throbbing clit. She panted for air, writhing against him, and so swollen that every brush of his fingers sent lightning shimmering behind her eyes. Finally, he bit down on the curve between her neck and her shoulder and clamped his fingers on her clit with the same pressure. The dual sensation sent her soaring and she convulsed in his arms, sobbing out her climax.

Fierce satisfaction roared through Jakkar as his little human sobbed and trembled in his arms. The anger that had ridden him since their earlier argument subsided and his hands were gentle as he turned her sideways and cradled her against his chest. Wet lashes lifted and she looked up at him, mouth swollen and quivering. He bent down and kissed her, letting his tongue tease the soft crevice before sucking on her full lower lip. Her small tongue licked out and wrapped around his and her sweet taste made his stiff cock jerk against the luscious curves of her ass.

He pulled her up to face him, settling her knees on either side of his hips. In this position, her breasts were right in front of him and he admired their creamy whiteness. The tips were dark red, distended, and too tempting to ignore. He brought her to his mouth, enjoying her soft gasp as he licked the still tender bud. He was trying to go slowly but at the first touch of his mouth, she clasped his shoulders and thrust against him. Unable to restrain himself any longer, he took her deep into his mouth, pulling hard on her nipple.

One hand slid behind her back to hold her close and the other tugged at her free nipple, matching his mouth. Lifted higher out of the water, her edible scent was more obvious, driving him mad with desire. His teeth scraped her taut bud and her fingernails dug into his shoulders, but she pushed closer. Releasing her breasts, he moved both hands to her hips and poised her at the tip of his cock. Her eyes flew open. Then she caught her lower lip between small white teeth and began to push down. They both groaned at the same time as her narrow opening gripped the broad head of his cock. Goddess, she was like hot wet silk around him, so tight he could barely move.

Despite the previous night, her body resisted her efforts to sink lower. Gripping her hips, he helped her slowly sheath his entire throbbing length in her molten channel. He didn’t think it was possible to get any harder, but as he filled her completely, he reached a place inside her that made her eyes fly to his in a look of shocked pleasure that turned him to stone. Slowly she began to lift off and he let her control the movement, enjoying the silken glide of her hot pussy caressing his flesh. She paused at the top of the stroke before sliding back down with the same agonizing slowness. It was all he could take and he roared and grabbed her hips, pumping her up and down in a frenzied rhythm that had them both panting. Her nails dug into his shoulders and she cried out in soft little moans that only spurred him on.

The tension was building at the base of his spine and he kept thrusting harder and harder into the depths of her willing body. He changed his angle just enough to increase the pressure on her clit and then she was crying his name, her muscles spasming around him and sending him over the edge. His semen spilled into her with a force that left him dizzy and breathless, pulsing over and over in a seemingly endless stream.

He held her close as his heartbeat slowed, enjoying the quivers still running through her small body as she snuggled against him. A fierce protectiveness washed over him as he cradled her in his arms, along with an equally strong wave of possessiveness; the little human belonged to him and he was never going to let her go.

Chapter Eleven

Anna was half asleep by the time Jakkar lifted her gently off his cock. Even without an erection, he was still huge and she winced a little as she slipped free.

“Are you all right?” he asked softly.

She blushed and nodded, before turning away to reach for the cleansing cloth. Immediately, he removed it from her grasp and pulled her back into his lap. This time he didn’t tease but merely washed her tenderly. His touch was soothing, and only slightly erotic, and she relaxed against him, enjoying the warm water and the strength in his hands. He finished by leaning her back over his arm and washing her hair. She opened sleepy eyes when he kept running his fingers through the damp tendrils.

“So different,” he murmured.

“Too different?” she responded, suddenly anxious.

“No. I am merely fascinated by this hair…and this hair.” She gasped at he dropped his hand and ran his fingers through the soft curls between her legs and he smiled, tugging lightly before sitting her upright once more. “Do you find me too different?” He didn’t look at her as he asked, and she studied his profile in silence for a minute, surprised to realize that she hadn’t thought of him as alien since the first time he had kissed her. She ran her fingers over the smooth warmth of his head before sliding her hand down to curve fleetingly over the equally smooth warmth of his balls.

“Not at all,” she grinned.

“Come,” he said, lifting her easily out of the pool. “Before we need to spend more time appreciating our differences.”

He turned to get dressed and Anna didn’t look away, admiring the muscled strength of his legs and his firm ass as he bent to retrieve his pants and boots. When he turned back, she let her gaze drift down his body from massive shoulders to tapered hips. Without hair, there was nothing to distract from the sweep of textured bronze skin from broad chest to ridged abdomen to that amazing cock. Even flaccid, it was a long, heavy length, slightly darker bronze than the rest of his skin as it nestled against his smooth, heavy balls. Under her interested scrutiny, it started to stir and she stepped back quickly.

“Little human, you will be the death of me. Get dressed.”

Suddenly embarrassed, she turned her back and pulled on a clean jumpsuit. But she wasn’t too embarrassed to bend all the way over to step into the suit, letting him see the curve of her ass, or to shimmer it up her body with a seductive little wiggle. She felt alive and sensual in a way she had never felt before. Knowing he was watching she wiggled a little more and then jumped as he smacked a hard hand across one ripe buttock.

“Remember how I answer teasing?” His words were half threat, half promise and she swayed toward him.

“The lesson will have to wait.” He cast a look at the deepening shadows creeping across the rocks and gathered up their belongings. “We can wash these tomorrow.”

The sun was sinking as they made their way back to the cave, sending crimson bands of color across the darkening green of the horizon. Anna paused, arrested by the beauty of the streaks of light and the sun hanging on the edge of the world. Jakkar stopped when she did and pulled her back against his hard chest, warm arms holding her close, and together they watched as the sun disappeared.

Melia had used the wood Jakkar gathered and started a fire in the fire pit. She looked up as they entered and pointed an accusing finger at a dark lump in one corner.

“Your linae has returned, and he brought that.”

Rantor butted against Anna’s leg and she petted him absently as she watched Jakkar retrieve the object. It turned out to be some kind of dead animal and she stepped back in disgust as Jakkar carried it out of the cave.

Teron was sitting quietly by the entrance and as she looked in his direction, he grinned at her. His smile was disturbingly reminiscent of his leering looks on the ship and she shivered and turned away. When she slanted a quick look back under her eyelashes, he looked surprisingly sad, and guilt immediately swept through her.

She crossed over to the fire and knelt down next to Melia.

“Did he give you any trouble?” she whispered.

“No. He just watches me.”

“Isn’t that creepy?”

Melia’s thoughtful gaze traveled to the Ithyian. “Perhaps.”

“I know he didn’t hurt us, but he’s a slave trader. He can’t be a good man.” Anna wasn’t sure who she was trying to convince. “And Jakkar doesn’t like him.”

“Sardorans never like Ithyians. And Jakkar will like him even less if you keep defending him.” Melia laughed. “Are the men on your world so different?”

Anna smiled. “Maybe not.”

“No one really likes Ithyians,” Melia continued and looked a little guilty.

“Because they’re slave traders.”

“Not really. Yes, they are traders and they frequently traffic in slaves.” She flipped a wrist. “The dislike is more because they have a reputation for being untrustworthy. I know it sounds prejudiced but they don’t even trust each other—that’s why their ships are small and their crews so limited.”

Melia hesitated and then continued somewhat reluctantly. “Slavery is quite common in the Empire. Most races, including Sardorans, take and use slaves.”

Anna stared at her in horror. “And the Gliesh?”

“Not exactly—but those who are bound to our house are tied almost as tightly.”

Anna shook her head in disbelief. Somehow she had expected a civilization advanced enough for space travel would have abolished slavery. Assuming she ever got off this planet, would that be her fate? Her life on Earth suddenly seemed like a distant dream and a longing for home went through her so strongly that her knees actually weakened. She clenched her fists and forced herself to take slow deep breaths until the panic attack passed.

Pushing aside thoughts of fate and slavery and home, she made cafir and, somewhat reluctantly, gave Teron a mug. He took it without looking at her which made her feel even worse. A noise sounded at the entrance and she stepped quickly away from the man, remembering Melia’s words and not wanting to provoke a fight.

Jakkar entered, carrying chunks of flesh threaded on long spits, and she realized that he had been butchering Rantor’s kill. The sight of the raw meat made her feel sick but she concealed her revulsion and went to help Melia cook.

Dinner wasn’t bad. The meat was tangy and a little stringy but it was hot and filling. More of the bread squares served as plates and Anna wondered idly what they would do when they ran out, but she was too tired to worry about it. After a brooding silence, Jakkar delivered skewers to Teron and to Smerg, still chained in the side alcove. He hesitated when he came back out into the main cavern and looked down at Teron.

“You may go back with him or sleep here.” His voice was impatient but he waited for the man to answer.

“I would prefer to stay here.”

“Very well.” Jakkar strode away, returning with five of the large cloths which he handed out, even throwing one to Smerg. He helped Melia to her feet and showed her the bed he had made. She thanked him but then looked back at Teron. Swearing, Jakkar hauled several of the stacks of moss over to the chained man and threw them down. Without another word, he grabbed Anna by the wrist and hauled her off into the alcove with the larger bed. He was still brooding as she sank down on the moss.

“Take off your clothes,” he growled. Only a small amount of light reached their shelter from the main cavern but she could see the grimness on his face. Swallowing nervously, she slipped out of her jumpsuit and lay down. He followed her almost immediately, covering them both with the white blanket as he slipped in behind her. Somewhat to her surprise, he merely cradled her close against his side, sliding one arm under her cheek and curving his body protectively around her much smaller frame.

“Good night, Anna,” he whispered, and dropped a kiss on the top of her head. His naked body was warm and strong and, despite the erection pressing against her bottom, she felt safe. His comforting scent drifted across her and she fell asleep immediately.

Sometime during the night she awoke to find his mouth at her breast, sucking on her in deep, slow pulls that echoed and throbbed between her legs. She was still half asleep, relaxed and warm, and she melted into his touch. His fingers caressed her damp curls and she was so wet she could feel the moisture trickling down her thighs. Never raising his mouth from her body he licked his way up to her mouth. He teased her lips with his tongue and then took her mouth in long drugging kisses as he rolled on top of her and slid into her wet pussy in one long slow stroke. She gasped, still overwhelmed by his size, but he never paused, pulling out and then pushing back with the same long slow strokes until she was quivering beneath him. Her legs clenched around his waist, and he just kept rocking his body into the cradle of her hips until he rocked them both over the edge into an equally long slow climax as she muffled her cries against his shoulder and he whispered her name.

The next time she woke up, Jakkar was gone and she immediately missed the warmth of his body. She dressed quickly and found Melia kneeling by the fire, with Teron sitting quietly by the door and watching her as usual. After a quick trip to the back cave, she crouched down by the fire, watching as Melia heated water in one of the metal containers they had brought from the ship before mixing it with one of the packets of dried food. Anna winced as she recognized the fishy oatmeal they had been served on the ship. Melia laughed at her look but passed her the bowl.

“It is not exciting but it is nutritionally complete. It will help balance out the other things we are trying,” she explained.

Anna pulled another face but ate obediently. Jakkar returned as she finished and she jumped up and rushed over to him, stopping in sudden embarrassment as she reached him. He didn’t hesitate but pulled her into his arms in a kiss that left her blushing and breathless. She snuggled against him and he smiled down at her, then scowled as he looked over her shoulder at Teron sitting against the wall. Pushing her gently to one side, he strode over and crouched in front of the other man.

“I have considered,” he said slowly. “Will you honor your sworn word?”

Teron nodded. Jakkar’s hand went to his knife and Anna caught her breath. He drew it out and the Ithyian paled but did not flinch.

“I do not trust you and you will still be chained at night. You will work hard.” His voice grew so cold that shivers ran up Anna’s spine. “And if you ever touch either of these women, you will wish for death.”

Teron nodded again. Jakkar extended his hand and drew the knife across his palm. He handed the knife to Teron and the man repeated the gesture, never looking away from Jakkar. Anna noticed in fascination that while Jakkar’s blood was as red as hers, the Ithyian’s was a deep purple. The men clasped hands and the blood mingled.

“Very well,” Jakkar ground out, pulling his hand away. “Do not make me regret this.”

He hesitated, then looked at the side cave containing Smerg. “And him?”

Teron frowned. “He is strong and a hard worker, but I would not trust him around the women. And he hates Sardorans.”

“Do you?” Jakkar actually sounded inquisitive and Teron flashed a quick grin before ducking his head submissively.

“I don’t hate anyone. I am too curious.”

Anna had a sudden memory of Teron tasting her fluids after Jakkar made her come on the ship and blushed. Fortunately, Jakkar did not look round and notice her confusion.

“Very well.” Jakkar released the chains.

Chapter Twelve

The next few days slipped quickly into a pattern. Jakkar often spent the morning hunting food. The largest animal they encountered was the gold-furred tree creature that Rantor had killed the first night but they were plentiful. In addition, he brought home any form of vegetation that registered as edible on the analyzer, although edible and tasty were very different. Anna occasionally went with him but hated to leave Melia alone for long. The Gliesh woman was still weak and disinclined to leave the cave for any length of time. Rantor hunted also, bringing home small flying creatures that were disturbingly unlike birds. The women experimented with various methods of cooking and storing the food and Teron hauled water and firewood and made himself surprisingly useful.

After the midday meal, Teron and a chained Smerg would accompany Jakkar outside to work on various projects. He had them move rocks into the cave to make a hearth and a primitive oven. They dug clay from a pit Jakkar discovered by the lake and Anna learned how to make practical, if somewhat misshapen, pots. Under careful supervision, the Ithyians also used Jakkar’s knife to cut lengths of wood. Jakkar showed them how to bind the wood with the silver leaved vines to make a basic table and chair frames which the women padded with moss. Jakkar and Teron built the chairs for Anna and Melia before each man made his own—although Anna wondered why Jakkar bothered since he usually ended up pulling her into his lap whenever he actually sat down. Not that she was complaining; he liked to hold her and she always felt warm and safe curled against his big body.

Smerg sneered at their efforts to improve their life and refused to do anything for himself unless he was forced. He seemed to get some type of dark satisfaction out of retreating into his alcove, alone and scowling. Other than his ceaseless muttering, the Ithyian was silent and outwardly docile, but Anna could see the hate in his eyes as he was taken into his cave and chained each night. Teron was still chained at night as well, but in the main cavern and he had made a moss pallet in his chosen spot by the cave entrance. Jakkar was still prickly about the Ithyian’s presence, but even he relented enough to spend an occasional evening playing a complicated strategy game with him once he created the required board and pieces.

Anna was constantly surprised by Jakkar’s ingenuity and she asked him about it late one afternoon as they lay by the bathing pool. She was sprawled on the warm rock, still breathless from her climax and he was nibbling at the soft skin under her ear while his big fingers played with her hair.

“How do you know these things?”

“What things?” His voice was muffled as his mouth trailed down her body, making little love bites on her breasts and soothing them with his tongue. “They are no longer the same color.”

“What?” His warm mouth was making it hard to concentrate on the conversation.

“Your breasts. They are no longer as white but more gold.”

She laughed. “It’s called a tan. It happens when you lay around naked in the sun.”

“Hmm. I like this tan. I should keep you naked more often.” His voice was a soft purr as he continued down her stomach, circling her belly button with his tongue and almost distracting her completely.

She pushed half-heartedly as his head. “You keep me naked often enough. I was asking how you know how to do all these things. How to keep us alive and make the cave a home.”

At that he raised his head, looking puzzled.

“I am a warrior.”

“And?” she prompted.

“I am trained to survive, to keep my people safe.”

“But all your technology…” She gestured vaguely. “Spaceships and analyzers and ray guns. We aren’t anywhere near that advanced on Earth, but very few people would know how to survive in the wilderness.”

He shrugged. “On Sardor, we build cities small and separate. We let the wild places remain and we go out into them to test ourselves. I have been going into the wilderness alone since I was a boy.”

Clearly losing interest, his mouth returned to her stomach and drifted slowly lower.

“I can find something to eat anywhere,” he teased, and then his tongue swept between her thighs and she forgot her questions in the ecstasy of his mouth.

That night, he brought in a pile of skins from the tree creatures and showed Anna and Melia how to soften them.

“Furs?” she questioned. Although the air cooled at night, as long as they were out of wind, the temperature around the lake was quite temperate.

“We don’t know where we are on this planet. The sun makes a high arc. That could mean that we are near the equator or that this is summer. We must prepare for a change of season.”

A change of season? The reality that they might be here for months, even years, sent goose bumps crawling up her arms. Anna suddenly realized that unconsciously she was still expecting that they would be rescued and she would find a way back to Earth. Preparing for a possible winter forced her to realize just how unlikely that was. She stared blindly into the fire, desolation washing over her as images of Earth filled her head and she finally accepted that it had been a foolish hope. Even if they were followed and rescued, she was never going back home. Fighting down tears, her fingers stroked the soft fur and she forced other images into her mind—cozy evenings by the fire, cozier nights snuggled into a pile of furs with Jakkar. The thought made her smile and by the time he looked back in her direction, she was calm once more.

The next morning, Jakkar left early. With Rantor accompanying him, he intended to try climbing the cliff to survey the land there. He had made slow passionate love to her before he left and she had slept late, too lazy and satisfied to move. When she slipped into the main cave, Melia gave her a knowing smile but kept working on the furs. Teron sat across from Melia, watching as always, as he worked on his own share of the furs. Anna visited the back cave and then joined them at the table as Melia handed her a mug of cafir.

They were chatting idly when a snarl made them look up.

Smerg was standing at the cave entrance, the broken chain dangling from one wrist and a rock in his other hand.

Teron leapt to his feet, moving in front of Melia and holding out his hand soothingly. “Smerg, calm down.”

“Calm down?” he roared. “Easy to be calm when you’re out here sucking up to these aliens. I’ve been trapped in that stinking hole by myself this whole time. I didn’t see you trying to help me.”

“You could have been out here, too.” Teron’s voice was low and even and he took a cautious step toward Smerg, freezing as the other man raised the rock.

“I didn’t want to be out here with that damned Sardoran,” he sneered. “There’s only one thing here I want.”

Blood froze in Anna’s veins as he looked directly at her. Her pulse started thundering so hard in her ears that she could hardly hear.

“You can’t have her,” Teron warned. “The warrior will kill you.”

“First he’ll have to find me,” Smerg snarled, and lunged toward Anna. Everything seemed to happen in slow motion after that. Teron tried to throw himself in the way and Smerg smashed his head with the rock. Teron crumpled, crashing into Melia and throwing her and the chair to the floor in a tangle of bodies and wood. Smerg yanked Anna to her feet and she stumbled against him. Casting a quick look over to where Melia was scrabbling for the weapon they no longer kept quite so close, his hand clamped down on her arm in a painful grip and he hauled her out of the cave.

“Jakkar,” she screamed, praying that he had returned early and could hear her call for help. Ignoring her cries, Smerg dragged her down the hill, heading back to the valley floor, his grip bruising her arm. She tried to dig in her heels and fight back but he was brutally strong. Twice she fell to the ground, scraping her knees and elbows but he merely yanked her up and kept going. As they reached the desert floor, he swung to the right and led her on a torturous path along the base of the tree line. She realized that he was trying to confuse their track and fought harder, trying to scuff the moss enough to leave a trail. He snarled and threw her over his shoulder with frightening ease.

The hard joint dug into her soft belly and his hand gripped her ass cruelly, digging his thumb into the tender crevice. The position made her light-headed and his foul stench surrounded her. He finally stopped and dropped her to the ground. She hit with a thud but she scrabbled backwards as fast as she could, trying to ignore the pain flooding her joints. He grinned as he watched her but there was nothing amused about his look. She tried to move faster but a tree took her by surprise and she slammed her head against the rough bark. She cried out and Smerg’s grin widened.

The blow made her dizzy and her head was spinning as he advanced toward her. He opened his jumpsuit and stroked his erection as he came closer. The sight of the swollen red flesh made her nauseous.

“Now I will fuck you, human, every way I want. Damaging you doesn’t matter anymore.”

“It will matter to Jakkar,” she managed to whisper, and he snarled and slapped her face hard. Blood filled her mouth at the blow and she cried out again.

“He can’t save you,” Smerg threatened, and then he was on her. Rough hands tore at her clothes, and his nails bit into her skin as he ripped open her jumpsuit. She cried out and tried to fight but her throbbing head made it hard to coordinate her efforts and his weight suffocated her. One hand found her breast and he twisted it with cruel fingers. Tears streamed down her face and a whimper escaped her lips.

He laughed and twisted harder, his other hand forcing itself between her legs. She fought desperately as she felt his nails digging into her naked inner thigh and his inflamed flesh pressing against her leg as he forced her legs further apart.

And then his suffocating weight was gone and Jakkar was standing there. He was almost unrecognizable, his eyes pure white and his face a savage mask of fury as he ripped into the Ithyian’s neck with his bare teeth. Roaring his anger, he flung the smaller man to the ground and bent over him. She heard a terrible rending sound and saw Smerg’s head rolling across the clearing. Jakkar kicked the body aside and strode toward her, all enraged alien, covered with blood, and terrifying. Anna instinctively flinched away and her head struck the tree again. This time the blow sent her into oblivion.

Chapter Thirteen

The white battle haze was still pulsing in Jakkar’s vision as he reached for his woman. He clutched her to his chest, desperate to feel her heart beating and know that she still lived. Her pulse beat beneath his fingers and he buried his face in her neck, relief filling him, and finally his anger started to recede. As it did, he was horrified to find his fingers clutching her upper arms and undoubtedly bruising her soft flesh. He forced his fingers to relax and stood up, cradling her gently in his arms. Her jumpsuit was in tatters, but he tucked the remains around her and headed back to the cave.

As the adrenalin left his body, his head cleared and he remembered the fear and horror on her face. Something inside him began to hurt. Never had she looked at him like that, not even in the beginning when they were still new to each other. She had been frightened before but never terrified.

Guilt ripped through him. He had failed to protect her. That animal had put his filthy hands on her and hurt her. Rage started to build again as he remembered entering the clearing and seeing her small body fighting the Ithyian, blood smeared across her face and her hands flailing desperately against her attacker. He had not been soon enough to keep her from harm, but at least she lived. He sent a prayer of thanks to the Goddess that his chosen path up the cliff had ended in a blank wall and he had been forced to retreat. Arriving back at the cave, he had found Teron unconscious and Melia trying to crawl to the entrance. Her gasped words had sent him off on Smerg’s trail, leaving Rantor to guard the two.

He sent another fervent prayer of thanks to the Goddess that he had been able to track them so quickly. His little human had fought all the way and the signs were clear. Only the last part of their route had been obscured and by then he was close enough to hear the sounds of struggle and catch the scent of her fear. Again he looked down at the fragile bundle in his arms and his grip tightened.

By the time they reached the lake shore, she was starting to stir. He headed for the waterfall as she started to struggle against his grip. He tried to soothe her but as she opened her eyes and saw him, she struggled harder. Her rejection was like a knife blow to his chest, but he continued to murmur soothingly as he walked them both to the waterfall and straight under the falls. The cold water pounded down over them, washing away the blood and the stench of the Ithyian.

When they emerged from the water, she was shivering, but she had stopped trying to escape his arms. He hoped that was a good sign but she kept her eyes screwed shut and her body rigid as he returned them to the cave. Melia was shaky, but standing, and as soon as he reluctantly let Anna down, she flung herself into Melia’s arms, sobbing her heart out. Looking around the cave he saw that Teron was still unconscious but Melia had bandaged his head.

The sight of the Ithyian made the rage start to rise and he started for the unconscious man with a low growl. Anna cowered at the sound, and Melia spoke sharply.

“He tried to save both of us. He was injured trying to help. Leave him be.”

Anger still beating at him, he strode out of the cave and proceeded to vent his rage by chopping wood until his hands were raw. By the time the sun set, he was exhausted and calm.

When he returned to the cave, Anna was huddled by the fire, still wearing the tattered remains of her jumpsuit. Melia shook her head at his expression. “She won’t let me take it off.”

“Anna, we need to check and see how badly you were hurt.” He kept his voice soft but she flinched anyway.

“No.” Her voice was a mere thread.

Melia tried to reason with her but she kept shaking her head, saying no over and over again. He exchanged another glance with Melia. It had to be done and as much as he hated the terror in Anna’s eyes when she looked at him, he was going to have to be the one to do it. Teron had recovered consciousness and, with a jerk of his head, he sent the man outside. Melia brought in one of the white cloths, and touched Anna’s arm.

Despite her gentle touch, Anna pulled away.

“Anna, we are going to remove your jumpsuit. We are not going to hurt you. Melia is right here.” He tried to keep his voice low and soothing as Melia tried again. Anna pulled away once more and this time he reached out and clasped her shoulders. She immediately started to fight but her body was exhausted and after a brief struggle, she stood still, tears rolling down her cheeks as they removed her clothes.

Jakkar had to fight down the rage again at the damage to her pale body. Bruises covered her arms, breasts, and thighs and he winced as he recognized his own hand prints on her arms. Her lip was split and her mouth was swollen. Red scratches covered her breasts, and her knees and elbows were scraped raw, but she didn’t appear to be bleeding anywhere else. He nodded at Melia and she wrapped the blanket around Anna. Anna huddled against her and, after an unreadable look at Jakkar, Melia led Anna into her sleeping cave and settled her on the small mattress.

Jakkar watched them, fighting the urge to demand that she remain with him so that he could hold her and watch over her. Shoving the impulse aside, he left the main cave and found Teron leaning against the rock face. His rage flared at the sight of the Ithyian even though his brain recognized the truth of Melia’s earlier words.

“I failed them, warrior.” The man’s voice was troubled and he could hear the same guilt in his words that he felt. Jakkar forced himself to respond rationally.

“You tried to protect them. You have proven yourself. I will no longer chain you.” He strode back into the cave to lie, sleepless, on his lonely pallet.

The next day was worse. Anna avoided him whenever possible, flinched when he approached her, and wouldn’t look at him when he tried to talk to her. When night came, she scurried into Melia’s alcove with her as if she was fleeing for her life.

By the third day, his guilt and anger were driving him crazy. He snarled at everyone, knowing that the harsh sounds only made her more afraid, but he was unable to stop himself. The need to hold her, to feel her safe in his arms, was an almost physical pain. And much more than he cared to admit, he missed her soft body against him in the night, missed their late afternoons by the bathing pool, missed the sweet sound of her laughter. Goddess, he even missed her arguing with him. His warrior instincts demanded that he assert his claim on her but there was no desire in her eyes, only fear, and he would not force himself on her.

That night, he tried to talk to her as bed time approached, but she hid against Melia’s shoulder again. Frustrated, angry, and unexpectedly desolate, he stalked out of the cave and into the night.

“Anna, why are you doing this?” Melia pulled back and lifted Anna’s face from her shoulder.

“What do you mean?” she asked although she already knew where the conversation was going.

“Jakkar did not hurt you; Jakkar saved you. And yet you treat him as if he was the one who tried to rape you.”

“It’s not that, it’s just…” Anna searched for words. “He killed Smerg, with his bare hands.” Every time she closed her eyes, she could hear the bone snapping and see Smerg’s head rolling across the clearing.

“He killed Smerg to protect you. Would you rather he patted him on his head and sent him on his way?”

“No, of course not.” She shivered at the memory of her helpless terror but the picture of Jakkar standing there covered in blood, his face a savage, alien mask, still haunted her. She had finally seen the violence he carried so close to the surface, and she wasn’t sure if she could move past it.

“He is a warrior. It is what he does. He would give his life to save you.”

“I know he saved me. I was praying for him to come, but when he did he was so frightening. He scared me,” she admitted.

Teron was sitting quietly in his usual place beside the fire but he looked up and spoke at her words. “He would never hurt you.”

Both women looked at him in surprise. His cheeks darkened under their stare but he continued in the same quiet voice. “I am not a warrior but I understand his pain. I failed to protect either of you.” His eyes flicked to Melia but he dropped his gaze when she smiled at him.

“It is tearing him apart that he didn’t get there sooner, that you were hurt,” Melia added. “When you shrink away every time he gets near to you, you just make it worse.”

Anna stared at her in dismay. She hated to think of Jakkar blaming himself for what had happened. Despite her current fear, she was still desperately grateful that Jakkar had come for her. She just didn’t know if she could feel safe with him again.

“What should I do?” she asked.

“You know what to do. Go to him. Talk to him.” Melia paused and added drily. “And if you just let him touch you, I’m pretty sure I will spend the rest of the night covering my ears.”

Anna gasped and laughed, and gathered enough courage to follow Jakkar out into the night. He was standing not far away, staring up into the night sky. His massive body tensed at her presence but he didn’t speak. She stood next to him, overwhelmingly conscious of his size and strength as she fought down her fear. Trying to calm her breathing, she followed his gaze up into the endless heavens. She was out so rarely after dark that the mass of stars that filled the sky was always a shock. The two moons were low on the horizon and she remembered their first night together. It gave her the courage to open her mouth.

“I miss you.” Her voice quivered. She hadn’t realized what she was going to say until it was out, but it was the truth.

He turned and looked at her and she cringed slightly, waiting for the memory of his blood-covered face to fill her vision. Instead all she saw was the face she knew so well, his jaw tightening at her reaction. He looked down at her frightened face and growled in frustration. “I am sorry that I failed you. I will not do so again.”

He started to turn away and she reached out and touched his arm. Her fingers were trembling but the familiar feel of his warm skin and taut muscles was unexpectedly calming.

“You didn’t fail me. Thank you for saving me.”

He was still facing away from her but she felt the tremor that ran through him at her words and she tugged on his arm gently, then harder when he didn’t respond. At the second pull, he turned and gathered her in his arms, his mouth descending on hers in that hard, hot kiss that left her helpless every time. It felt like coming home. Crying and laughing at once, she flung her arms around his neck and returned his kiss with equal intensity. He groaned and lifted her up in his arms, carrying her to the trees and laying her down on the soft moss underneath.

“You are mine to protect. Do not turn away from me again.” His voice was harsh and a shiver of dread ran up her spine, but she could see the torment she had caused in his eyes. She nodded quietly and his eyes flared to gold. Very carefully, he opened her jumpsuit and drew it away from her body. Remnants of fear still plucked at her nerves and she couldn’t help tensing, but his big hands were gentle as he ran them across her skin, leaving a trail of fire behind. He lowered his mouth to her skin and tenderly caressed every bruise, every mark that still stained her skin, worshipping her with his tongue and his hands until she was clutching at his shoulders.

“Do you trust me?” He raised his head as he spoke and looked at her. His voice was still harsh but her fear had dissipated under the tenderness in his touch. She had asked herself the same question once before and hadn’t known the answer. Now she stared up at his stern, hard face and realized that, despite the emotional turmoil of the past few days, she no longer had any doubts.

“With my life.”

Triumph flashed across his face at her response but it was the fierce tenderness in his eyes that tugged at her heart. He lowered his mouth and kissed her until her toes curled and her breathing turned ragged. Then he slid lower and parted her trembling thighs. One broad stroke of his tongue from swollen clit to anus and she almost came apart.

“You always taste so sweet,” he rumbled, the vibration of his voice adding to the sensations. Slowly he lapped up and down her cleft, just teasing her swollen bud with an occasional quick stroke. One thick finger plunged into her tight pussy and she writhed around it, loving the feeling, wanting more. He pulled out and the finger drifted lower, spreading her juices and teasing the puckered rosette of her anus, awakening nerves she didn’t even know she had. He pressed his finger gently against the tiny opening and her heart pounded in her chest.

His mouth swept up, tugging at her engorged clit until she was surging against him as his finger pushed through the tight ring of muscle. One more lash of his tongue and he plunged his finger completely inside her. She cried out and shattered around him.

He paused for a moment, tongue still sweeping back and forth and sending aftershocks quivering through her system, and then he turned her over gently. The moss was like a soft tongue against her throbbing nipples and she whimpered as he pulled her body back to his. Jakkar was on his knees behind her, drawing her hips up over his lap.

He entered her with the long, slow stroke that never failed to set her pussy quivering as she stretched around his massive cock. He stroked back and forth several times before letting his fingers slip down into the deep crevice of her buttocks. Her nerves were still tingling from his earlier entry and she pushed back against him. The incredible feeling as he slipped his finger back into her had every part of her body throbbing. Soft continuous moans of pleasure slipped from her lips.

Then another finger was pressing against the already stretched opening, while he continued the long deep strokes of his cock into her throbbing pussy. Her senses were overloading and she tensed but he kept pushing until both fingers were inside.

“Too much,” she moaned, but he only growled and pulled her closer.

“Trust me. This is only the beginning. Soon you will take my cock here as well.”

Dark desire washed over her at his words and heightened her arousal. The sensation of fullness was right on the edge of pain and fired every nerve in her body. She panted and pushed back against him as he thrust harder and harder, the moss rubbing against her nipples with every stroke, and he took a final deep stroke and widened his fingers as his cock swelled even larger inside the tight confines of her pussy. She screamed and came so hard that white lights exploded behind her eyes while his hot seed pulsed inside her.

Her body collapsed forward and he followed her down, rolling them to the side so that he could curl around her body.

“You belong to me, little human,” he growled in her ear. “I will never let anything happen to you again.”

With a deep sigh, she turned into his arms and buried her face in his chest, safe once more.

Chapter Fourteen

Anna was too drained to move after her reconciliation with Jakkar, so he simply wrapped her jumpsuit around her and carried her back to the cave—where he proceeded to make love to her again with such gentle, but persistent, enthusiasm that she forgot her exhaustion and had to muffle her cries against his shoulder.

She awoke in the morning feeling contented, and slightly sore. Deciding to talk Melia into a morning trip to the bathing pool, she bounced out to the main cavern. Melia was not in her usual place by the fire and Teron was not in sight.

“Melia,” she called cautiously, peering into her sleeping alcove. Melia was lying on her moss pallet, panting, and Teron was crouched next to her, holding her hand. He looked up at her and said quietly, “It has begun.”

Panic streaked through Anna but she tried to keep her voice calm. “Have you seen Jakkar?”

“The warrior left before I was awake.”

Damn. Didn’t Jakkar realize that every time he left her, something went wrong? The panic surged higher but she forced it down. “I’m going to take a look outside and see if he is within reach.” She looked around the small, dim chamber. “I think we will need light. Can she move to the main cavern?”

“I can walk,” Melia said in a shaky voice and tried to sit up. She immediately cried out and clutched her stomach. The blanket fell away as she moved and Anna’s shocked brain briefly noticed that she was naked before she saw the ripple, visible even in the weak light, which swept across her stomach.

Teron reached out and gathered Melia and her blanket gently into his arms. “Find the warrior,” he said. “I will start preparations.”

Anna raced out of the cavern searching frantically for Jakkar’s tall figure. Relief swept over her as she saw him returning from the falls, and she rushed to meet him. He smiled and reached for her, but she just grabbed his hand and started towing him back to the cave. “Melia,” she gasped. “She’s having the baby.”

He immediately joined her in hurrying back. Jakkar growled as he reached the entrance and saw Teron holding Melia, but he subsided as he watched the Ithyian carefully place her on his pallet. Teron started to turn to the fire but Melia grabbed his hand.

“The prayers.” She gasped. “You promised.”

Teron sent a helpless look to Jakkar and Anna but knelt back down by Melia’s side, still holding her hand, and began reciting words in a low voice.

Anna turned to Jakkar, keeping her voice low, as the alarm started to flare again and whispered desperately, “I don’t know what to do.”

“Be calm,” he soothed. “The body knows what to do. Gather the supplies and put some water on to heat.”

“Supplies? We don’t have any supplies.” Even she could hear the panic in her voice.

Jakkar shook her slightly. “Little human, concentrate,” he said sternly. His firm voice was calming and she took a deep breath and nodded. He smiled and ran a gentle finger down her cheek. “Go.”

Anna went to the fire and added water to the heating container before going to the supply cave and pulling out the medical kit. From Melia’s alcove, she retrieved the set of small diapers and blankets they had cut from a larger white cloth. Focusing on the small tasks helped Anna push back her fear, and she was calmer by the time she returned to Melia.

Teron was still crouched by her side, holding her hand and chanting the birthing prayers. Jakkar knelt behind Melia and supported her upper body. Melia was panting and seemed to be counting with each breath. Anna could see her belly still pulsing under the blanket. The movement slowed and with a final deep breath, Melia stopped panting and opened her eyes. She smiled weakly at Anna. “It won’t be long.”

Anna nodded and straightened her spine. She dropped the scissors and a length of thread into the now boiling water and laid a clean blanket under Melia. There was nothing else she could do except wait.

Time seemed to stretch infinitely as the three of them crouched around the laboring woman. Melia writhed and panted, in obvious pain but never making a sound. Her hair twisted in reflective agony. Jakkar’s face was grim and pale but he supported her with gentle hands. Teron kept up the quiet string of prayers although his voice grew hoarse, and Anna saw him wince each time a pang seized Melia and she clamped down harder on his hand. Anna knelt between Melia’s legs, counting down each contraction and watching as her body spread in preparation.

Melia made a high whining noise and with a gush of dark purple fluid, a head appeared. Gently Anna supported the baby’s head, urging Melia on, while Jakkar raised her upper body higher. Another whimper and the baby slid into Anna’s hands. He gasped and cried, high and thin in the quiet chamber. Tears were streaming down Anna’s face as she gently wiped the fluids from the tiny purple body and wrapped him in a cloth. His hands were waving in the air and as she reached to tuck them into the blanket, he grabbed her finger with surprising strength.

Anna’s heart flipped in her chest and a fierce wave of intense protectiveness swept over her. She would do anything to protect the tiny life in her arms. Even kill, she thought with grim intensity, suddenly understanding the nature of Jakkar’s violence. A knot she hadn’t realized was still there unwound. Looking up, she met Jakkar’s eyes and smiled at him. “I’m sorry,” she mouthed silently, as she handed the baby to Melia.

Melia’s eyes were also filled with tears and she nestled the small figure to her breast. The fine strands of white hair on the baby’s head stirred as he came into contact with his mother. As the baby began to suckle, Teron fell silent at last and Melia looked at him gratefully. “Thank you.” Her voice was a thin thread, but he smiled and bowed his head. Anna carefully cut the cord and tied it off, and Jakkar eased Melia down to the pallet. She curled on her side, watching her son feed with tired eyes.

Anna moved to the side, exhaustion overtaking her, and Jakkar pulled her into his arms. Together they watched the mother and child, and Anna had a sudden pang of envy. What would it be like to have Jakkar’s baby? She wanted to share this with him, with the man she loved. Love? The idea startled her even as she realized how much she did love him. When had this man with his devastating touch and his unexpected gentleness become so important to her? The thought of losing him almost stole her breath away. The thought of having his child filled her with a hopeless longing. He was a different species, it was never going to happen, and yet a yearning ache filled her at the thought. Tears threatened again, even though she knew she was being a sentimental idiot. He felt the tension in her body and whispered in her ear, “What’s wrong? You did a wonderful job.”

“Melia did all the work,” she whispered back, but she didn’t turn and look at him, afraid he would see the longing in her eyes. Did he even feel the same way? He was so possessive, so protective, but perhaps he would be like that with any woman that he spent time with. Involuntarily, her hands curled into fists at the thought of Jakkar with another woman—the idea was unbearable. It was also irrational considering that apparently the only two women on this entire planet were Anna and Melia. Perhaps there were some advantages to shipwrecks after all. The thought made her smile and she sighed and relaxed against his broad chest. His arms tightened around her, strong and warm. As long as they were together, she would be happy.

Two days later, Jakkar finally tore Anna away from Melia and the baby—now officially named Demil T’Ron DuLass—long enough to join him at the bathing pool.

“Are you in a hurry?” she teased as he pulled her along and she pretended to drag her feet.

“Yes,” he growled, and her breath caught at the sight of his eyes already darkening to gold. Her stomach clenched and moisture flooded her thighs. They had all been taking turns with the baby, and Anna had been too exhausted to do more than nestle in Jakkar’s arms during the brief periods they had to rest. She quickened her pace to match his.

When they reached the falls, Jakkar bent down to remove his boots and pants while Anna hastily skimmed out of her jumpsuit and struck a seductive pose. He straightened and saw her, his erection springing to life instantly.

“What are you wearing?” he asked hoarsely.

“I suppose you could call it a bikini,” she said as she sauntered toward him, enjoying his reaction. While they were cutting up cloth for the baby, she had been inspired to take a few small strips and make something for herself. Small was the operative word. Two small strips of cloth barely covered her pussy and another just covered her nipples. Even though he had seen her naked many times, she knew the thin cloth highlighted her body and rubbed deliciously against her as she walked.

“Do you like it?” she purred as she reached him.

“Yes. Take it off,” he growled.

“Not yet,” she whispered, and dropped to her knees in front of him. Before he could react, she reached out and gently ran her small, pink tongue across the head of his cock. He jerked and his whole body stiffened.

“What—” he began.

“Ssh,” Anna murmured, and rubbed her cheek against the soft skin of his thick cock. His spicy musk was more intense here and she inhaled blissfully as she licked him from base to tip, working her tongue beneath the sensitive end. His skin was smooth and warm beneath her hand as she stroked his strong thighs before clasping the base of his erection. He was too big for her to enclose completely with one hand but she held him as tightly as she could, enjoying the hard muscle pulsing beneath her fingers.

A drop of pre-cum glistened in his slit and she licked it eagerly, the salty, spicy taste exploding into her mouth. Eager for more, she closed her lips around him and pulled him into the hot, wet depths of her mouth. Jakkar groaned, and she could feel the muscles in his legs trembling as he stood over her. His hand dropped to tangle in her hair and pull her closer. Teasing, she slowly drew back instead, sucking harder as she neared the tip.

She paused and then plunged down again. He was too big for her to swallow completely but she used her hand to meet her mouth and set up a steady rhythm. She dipped as far as she could, swirling her tongue, and then tightened her mouth around him as she withdrew. His hand clenched in her hair. He didn’t force her but feeling the strength of his fingers and knowing how easily he could send a shimmer of heat straight to her pussy. Low growls came continuously from his chest now and his response added to her excitement. She could feel the tiny bikini rubbing between her pussy lips as her labia dampened and separated. Shifting her hips to increase the sensation, she used her other hand to cradle the smooth, heavy weight of his balls. Jakkar thrust deeper into her mouth and she increased her pace, her pussy throbbing and her nipples hardening like pebbles against the thin fabric of her top. Her teeth scraped gently against the underside of his cock and he came with a roar. Eagerly she swallowed as hot liquid flooded her mouth. The spicy taste of his cum filled her senses and she licked up every drop before releasing his cock with a last swirling lick.

“Did you like that?” Anna tried to tease but she was breathless, her whole body longing for his touch. Jakkar was still hard and he barely paused before taking her to the ground. He was hot and heavy on top of her and it felt so good she almost wept. She thrust up against him, wrapping her legs around his hips but he drew back slightly and pulled her hands above her head.

“My turn,” he whispered, and his warm breath against her ear made her moan. Lowering his mouth to her aching nipples, he sucked slowly through the fabric of her brief top. The feel of the wet cloth added to the sensation and Anna arched into him, wordlessly demanding more. Releasing her hands, he slid lower and she clutched his broad shoulders as his tongue stroked both sides of her swollen cleft. Once again, he left the fabric in place, pulling it taut so that she felt the material tighten across her throbbing clit. He lashed his tongue back and forth across the tight fabric and the swollen flesh beneath it. Anna’s blood was roaring in her ears as he sucked the distended nub into his mouth. He gave a final firm pull and scraped his teeth across the sensitive bundle of nerves, and she shuddered and came, crying his name.

A second later his body lifted off hers and she opened her eyes in shock. He was throwing his pants and boots back on and, almost simultaneously, she realized that the roaring noise hadn’t stopped. Stunned, she followed his gaze and saw a spaceship descending into the valley below.

Chapter Fifteen

Anna instinctively moved closer to Jakkar and watched in amazement as the ship lowered into the valley like a giant misshapen insect. He wrapped his arm around her, but never took his eyes off of the ship.

“Not Ithyian,” he said tersely. “But not Sardoran either.”

She cuddled closer as the impact of the ship’s arrival started to penetrate her shocked mind. Was this another slaver ship? Was she going to end up back in a cell? She shook her head, taking comfort in the power inherent in every line of Jakkar’s body. He would never let them take her. But, and the thought stopped her breath, what if they were being rescued? Would Jakkar return to Sardor or take another one of his warrior contracts? And what would happen to her? She thought that Melia would take her back to Gliese Prime with her, but what if that meant that she would never see Jakkar again. Pain ripped through her and she shuddered against his side.

He tightened his arm briefly, but was already turning away from the valley as the ship settled down amongst a cluster of rock spires in a cloud of dust. Anna noted uneasily that it appeared to land close to the wreck site.

“You need to return to the cave. Now. Hurry.”

His voice was still terse and she hurried to pull on her jumpsuit and keep up with him as he strode back to the cave. Teron and Melia were just inside the entrance, Melia clutching Demil to her chest, her eyes wide and frightened. Rantor was prowling anxiously back and forth, his tail whipping the air behind him.

“The ship is neither Ithyian nor Sardoran. I’m going to investigate. Stay here. You should be safe inside the cave; it will block most scanners,” he commanded.

“You’re leaving?” Anna heard her voice tremble.

“I need to see what we are dealing with.” His voice was grim as he looked toward the valley but then he turned to her and his tone softened. “Don’t worry, little human. I’ll be back.” He dropped a swift, hard kiss on her mouth, ordered Rantor to guard, and disappeared through the cave entrance.

Anna stared after him in dismay, tears threatening. Determined not to let her worry show, she turned to the others. Melia was looking back at her with equal concern but assumed her usual calm demeanor.

“We should be prepared.”

“Prepared for what?” Anna couldn’t help asking.

Melia flipped a wrist a little helplessly, and Teron spoke quietly. “We will divide everything into two groups. In one group we will put the items that will be needed if we are on a ship, such as Demil’s clothes and diapers.” He hesitated, and then continued, “And another group of things that we will need to survive if we must…move quickly.”

Both women shivered, and Teron put a firm hand on Melia’s arm and smiled at Anna. “We have made it this far. Have faith in the warrior.”

Anna nodded and started turning the spare jumpsuits into the makeshift backpacks they had used before. Melia placed Demil in the sling across her chest and began sorting his supplies. Teron hesitated and then quenched the fire. It was the first time it had been extinguished since they had moved in and the chamber seemed curiously dark and cold without it, even though the air was warm and daylight was still washing down the back wall of the cave.

The packing went quickly—too quickly Anna realized, as the bundles were stacked neatly by the entrance. Now there was nothing to do but wait. She tried to calculate the time in her head. It had taken them a full morning to cross the sands and climb the hill to the cliff; however, they had moved slowly because of Melia’s condition and paused several times. With Jakkar’s long legs and quick stride, he could probably do it in half the time, but he wouldn’t have time to reach the ship and return before night fell.

Shadows deepened in the cave and Anna was too restless to sit still. Jakkar must be at the ship by now. Would he come back as soon as he had identified the occupants, or would he need to stay and scout? And what if the occupants were hostile and they found him? What if he was hurt? The worries circled through her mind as she paced back and forth across the cave.

“You’re worse than Rantor,” Melia scolded gently. The sound of her voice made Anna jump. They had all been silent, lost in their own thoughts as darkness approached. She glanced guiltily at the other woman and realized how tired she looked.

“Why don’t you lie down?” she suggested.

Melia hesitated, then nodded. “I suppose I should. I should rest.” While I can, hung unspoken in the air. Teron helped her to her feet and escorted her and the baby into her sleeping chamber. Anna sat down, trying to force herself to relax, but her fingers played nervously with the chair arms and fiddled with the handle of the gun. Teron walked back into the room, seating himself by Melia’s door. Anna watched him absently and suddenly froze. Teron was wearing the other gun.

“Jakkar didn’t take a weapon?” Her voice was shaking.

“He hasn’t worn one since…since Smerg escaped. He thought it was safer for both of you if I was armed and the additional weapon was here in easy reach. You knew that.”

Of course she had—she had seen Teron wearing the blaster and had even watched as Jakkar rigged the holster to the chair to keep the other gun close by. Idiot, she berated herself, you watched him leave and never even noticed that he hadn’t taken the time to collect a weapon. He always seemed so invincible but she knew only too well that he could be hurt. The thought that he might be lying on the ground, his leg or some other part of his body torn open, was more than she could bear.

“I’m going after him.” Anna said, jumping to her feet.

“How can you? It’s almost dark. And how could you help him?”

“I can take him this.” She drew the weapon from the holster.

Teron stepped in front of her, shaking his head. “I can’t let you do that. He said to stay here. Trust the warrior.”

“No. I’m going after him. I can’t leave him alone and unarmed.” The desire to be with Jakkar, combined with the relief in having a purpose after the hours of inactivity, left no room for doubts as she moved toward the entrance. Teron reached out to stop her but his hand paused at the last moment.

“I swore that I would not touch you,” he said slowly. “But this is a mistake.”

Anna ignored him and reached the passage only to have Rantor push against her. He whined anxiously, his eyes moving from Anna to the now silent man behind her. She reached down and hugged him, running her fingers along the sensitive edge of his crest.

“I have to go,” she whispered to him. “Stay and guard them.” She slipped past him and into the twilight.

By the time the ship came into view, Anna was exhausted and her feet hurt. Finding the way had been less difficult than she expected. The twilight had held while she made her way down the wooded hillside, turning to full dark just as she reached the sands. However, the moons were rising and the pale light illuminated the desert floor enough for her to see where she was going. She headed straight for the rising moons, knowing that the ship lay in that direction. The night was cold and silent around her, with an occasional soft slithering sound that made her skin crawl as she remembered the snakes. Reminal, she reminded herself, not snakes.

Now she paused behind a rock spire and peered cautiously at the ship. It was much larger than she had expected and very different than her notion of a spaceship. A conical nose section was followed by two much larger cylindrical sections, each linked by sets of tubes, and terminated by a circular array that she could only assume was the engine. The whole thing was propped on several short legs and looked surprisingly ungainly. Even in the moonlight, she could tell that the metallic skin was pock-marked and worn.

A large hatch was open to the rear of the second cylinder but there was no sign of life, although dim lights were visible through circular windows high in the cylinder walls. The idea of finding Jakkar suddenly didn’t seem as simple as it had back at the cave. She left her hiding place to make a slow circle around the ship, keeping to the shadow of the rocks and moving as quietly as possible. A short while later, she was back in her original spot with even less idea of what to do. She hadn’t seen Jakkar and she was sure that he would have found her if he had been there. That meant he had to be on the ship.

The fact that no guards were posted would seem to indicate that whoever was on the ship didn’t expect trouble. Did that mean that they were friendly? She prayed that it meant that Jakkar was alive. Sighing, she looked down at the gun in her hand. She hadn’t come this far to stop now. Clasping the weapon tighter, she crept across the sand and up the open hatchway. An enormous room was the only thing that met her eyes as she peeped cautiously into the opening. There were some small machines parked against one wall and stacks of boxes secured against the other, but the vast center of the room was empty.

Her heart was pounding so hard she could barely hear her own footsteps as she edged along the side of the huge space, heading for a smaller door at the rear. A button to one side opened the door and she peeped out into an empty corridor which stretched in both directions. The walls and floor were metal, with a dim glow coming from the base of each wall. It was utterly silent. Clenching her teeth to keep them from chattering, she headed toward the front of the ship.

“Stop.”

The low growl stopped Anna in her tracks before she made it more than a few feet. Pulse racing, she turned cautiously to see a Sardoran standing behind her. His skin was much lighter than Jakkar’s—sand to Jakkar’s bronze—and he was shorter than Jakkar, but still towered over Anna. He wore the same twin daggers that Jakkar wore and his hand rested threateningly on the hilt of one of the knives. They stared at each other in silence for a moment while he took in her short stature and the grey jumpsuit.

“Ithyian,” he snarled and stepped closer.

“N-No. I’m human,” Anna protested, backing away. The sound of booted footsteps echoed along the corridor behind her and she pressed her back to the wall, trying to see who was approaching without taking her eyes off the first man. Terror slicked her palms as she realized that she was now surrounded by four Sardorans, all of them glowering at her. Under other circumstances, she would have been impressed. There were all tall and magnificently built, corded muscles revealed by the tight pants and sleeveless vests that apparently compromised the Sardoran uniform. And while their skin tones were in various shimmering earth tones, they were all attractive, except for the one who took over as spokesperson.

He was as tall as Jakkar and even more muscular, but two terrible ridged scars ran from beneath his eye to one side of his mouth. The scars twisted his features and turned a handsome face into a frightening parody. More scars were visible across his arms and in the open neck of his vest.

“Human?” he asked skeptically, his voice a cold, deep rumble that sent shivers up her spine. He nodded at the warrior who had originally accosted her and the man reached for the weapon hanging forgotten in Anna’s hand. She cried out and tried to pull her hand back as his fingers tightened around her wrist and he froze as his nostrils flared. He inhaled deeply.

“Not Ithyian,” he agreed. The leader stepped forward and lowered his head toward her neck, also breathing deeply. A small cold smile touched his face, twisted by the cruel scar.

“I agree, not Ithyian. Almost edible. What do you have concealed under here, human?”

His hand reached for the opening of her jumpsuit and, terrified, Anna tried to press further into the unyielding wall of the corridor. A deafening roar filled the passage and then Jakkar was there, sending the man who held her wrist flying, and knocking the scarred leader back several steps before he pulled her into his arms.

“Mine,” he growled. His hands were bruising her arms and his eyes were white with battle rage, but she didn’t care. He was alive and safe. Flinging her arms around his neck, she held on to him, burying her face in his broad chest and breathing him in. The tension left his body as he felt her nestle against him and, after a warning glare at the other men—who had all backed away to a safe distance—he kissed her. His mouth was hard, demanding her total surrender, and she melted into his arms and met it eagerly. Despite their audience, her body responded as it always did to his touch, her nipples hardening against his chest and an ache starting low in her belly.

When he finally lifted his head, she was dazed and breathless, her lips swollen.

“Mine,” he repeated, glaring at the other Sardorans. Anna’s cheeks flamed as she realized that all of the men were grinning as they eyed her with considerable appreciation.

The tall leader laughed and ran his eyes slowly over her body. “A luscious little morsel,” he said. “I never thought I would see you take a slave, Jakkar, but I can see why you started with this one.”

The corridor spun dizzily around Anna and her mouth dropped open. “Slave? I’m not a sl—”

Jakkar’s hand clamped down over her mouth and he held her fast against his body with his other arm. Angry and confused, Anna started fighting against him but he held her easily.

“She looks very spirited.” The tall man laughed again. “Are you going to share her?”

Shock held Anna motionless for a moment, but Jakkar was already growling a rejection. She couldn’t see Jakkar’s face but the other man immediately sobered and took a step back, bowing his head. “Yes, Chief.”

Relief only lasted a moment before her original anger returned and she started struggling again. One foot found Jakkar’s shin and with an aggravated grunt, he pulled her up into his arms, one hand still clamped across her mouth and started down the corridor.

“I will meet you on the bridge shortly. First, I am going to deal with my slave.”

Chapter Sixteen

Jakkar strode down the passageway, his emotions in a tangled knot. Anger was still riding close to the surface, anger that another man had dared to lay a finger on her, and anger that she had dared to deny his claim on her. The rage only added to the desire that was always present whenever he touched her and breathed in her delicious scent. Her response to his kiss and her soft body squirming against his as he carried her to the cabin had him so hard it was almost painful. He stalked into the cabin that had been assigned to him and dropped Anna on the bunk. She immediately jumped up.

“What do you mean I’m a slave?” she cried.

“I told you that you belonged to me,” he bit out, trying to keep his rage from resurfacing. While the four of them had been alone, there had been no doubt about who she was with. With the arrival of the other Sardorans, his first instinct had been to establish his claim. Declaring her as his slave had done just that and there was no Goddess damned way that he was letting anyone think she was available.

“I just thought that meant that you lov— that you cared for me.” Her eyes were enormous and he could see tears glistening in their crystal depths. The pain on her face tugged at his heart. He reached for her but she pulled away.

“Don’t touch me,” she snarled. “Go find another one of your slaves.”

“I don’t have any other slaves,” he roared, outraged at the accusation.

She paused but then her eyes narrowed. “What about other women? Do you have a Sardoran woman?”

“No, I don’t want a Sardoran woman. I want you.” The truth in the words echoed through his head.

Tears were spilling down her cheeks. “You don’t want me as a person. Telling me that I’m a slave just means that you want to own me. I’m sorry that I ever came after you.”

In the turmoil of the past few minutes, Jakkar hadn’t thought about the fact that she had shown up on the ship. His blood chilled at the idea of his woman trekking across the desert alone and the barely suppressed rage came rushing back to the surface.

“Why are you here? I told you to wait for me.”

“I was worried about you. You didn’t take a weapon.” She raised her chin and stared at him defiantly. Anger pulsed through him so hard he couldn’t see straight. She not only disobeyed him, she doubted his skills as a warrior. He advanced toward her and she squeaked and backed up, hitting her legs against the bunk and falling down on to the mattress. Before she could move, he pounced, pressing her down into the bunk with the weight of his body while he released the hidden chains at each end.

“What is it with you people and chains?’ she yelled as he swiftly fastened a cuff around each wrist and ankle. She was spread-eagled beneath him but she was still squirming, fighting against him, and he wanted to fuck her senseless, fuck her until she surrendered and admitted that she belonged to him, but with his rage enhanced strength it would be too easy to hurt her fragile body. Forcing himself up, he moved away from the bed.

Even at a distance, the sight of her chained to the bed tore at his control. Her cheeks were flushed and her nipples were tight buds thrusting against her jumpsuit. Despite her anger, he could smell her arousal. She was panting, her gaze still defiant as he leaned back over her. He pulled out his knife and her eyes widened in shock as he deliberately sliced off the jumpsuit, leaving her in only the tiny pieces of cloth she had worn by the pool. Defiance turned to fear.

“What are you doing?”

He bent closer and bit down on the soft curve of her breast, tasting her, marking her, using every ounce of discipline he had to control the bite as she moaned and swelled against his mouth.

“We will finish this later,” he promised. Her outraged yell followed him as he strode out of the room.

Jakkar marched on to the bridge and threw himself down in the command chair.

“Finished with your slave already?” Dragar asked.

“I left her chained to the bed,” he muttered.

“Well, that has possibilities,” Dragar grinned. “Do you remember when we—”

Jakkar cut him off with an impatient gesture. He and Dragar had often discussed women, but he didn’t like him talking about his little human. Instead he turned to the holographic display of the planet floating in front of the other man.

“How is the testing?”

Dragar’s voice was casual, but there was an edge of suppressed excitement as he answered. “Flawless, so far. There is only this one main continent but it’s huge and very diverse.” He gestured at the wide strip of land that ran from pole to pole on the display. “At the top of your cliff, there are vast grasslands with several varieties of grazing animals – and the corresponding predators.” The men exchanged a fierce grin and a longing for the hunt tugged at Jakkar.

“No signs of sentience or any type of civilization,” Dragar continued. “Also, while water covers the remainder of the planet, there are many islands large enough to support a clan city and maintain a wild area.”

Jakkar studied the image for a long moment. Was it possible that they had finally found a planet to claim? Could this be their new home? The flitter had not yet returned, still sweeping the surface for indications of anything that contravened that possibility.

He stretched in the chair, his leg throbbing slightly. He had set a fast pace across the sands and he was paying for it now, but the urgency of determining if there was danger to his party had driven him on. Circling the ship, he had waited for an indication of the inhabitants and had been rewarded almost immediately when Dragar had emerged from the hold. His surprise at seeing the scarred warrior appear on this isolated planet had been nothing to his relief that the clan brothers he had thought were dead were still alive.

Dragar had explained that another ship carrying Sardoran warriors had shown up shortly after he and Melia had departed in the escape pod. Together they had turned the tide, although Gandur—the most badly wounded of his team—had not survived. The Gliesh had provided the current ship and a small crew so that they could search for Melia. In the meantime, Trondar had managed to identify a trace signal from the escape pod but all of that had taken time. Dragar had been uncertain that Jakkar was alive but had sent the flitter out to search shortly before Jakkar had walked out of the desert. By that time, the first survey results were coming in and, despite a brief internal struggle, Jakkar authorized the testing to continue. He didn’t like leaving Anna—or Melia and Demil—alone, but they were safe in the cave and he trusted Rantor and, rather to his surprise, Teron to protect them. Once the flitter returned, he could return to the cave in a few minutes and the ride would be easier for Melia and the child. Instead of waiting for him as he instructed, his little human had come after him.

Brooding, his thoughts turned to the infuriating woman chained to his bed. It was not uncommon for a Sardoran to take a slave for sex or to take care of his household. It was considered an honor to be owned by a warrior, but as he kept only a small home on Sardor and preferred uncomplicated sexual encounters between missions, he had never bothered before. Now he had chosen to honor the little human with his claim and she had tried to deny him. Her question about other women nagged at him. He had responded without thinking but his immediate response had been completely honest; he didn’t want any other woman.

“It shouldn’t be much longer,” Dragar announced. “Then we can send the flitter to fetch our missing lady and leave this planet. Are you ready to return to civilization?”

Jakkar started to agree and then stopped as he considered the question. He had spent most of his childhood training in the arts of war and all of his adult life on campaigns or warrior contracts. The past few weeks should have left him edgy and ready for action. But he hadn’t even missed it. Instead, exploring this new world, caring for his little group, making a home for Anna – it had all been deeply satisfying. Making a home…

“I want to claim my human as my mate,” he said, feeling the truth in his words as he spoke.

Dragar turned to him, face and voice expressionless. “You know the Elders would never allow it. A Sardoran may only claim another Sardoran as a mate. If you claim this human, you would be declared Outcast.”

Jakkar stared at the scarred warrior, the term echoing uncomfortably in his brain. A warrior declared Outcast was forbidden contact with Sardor or other Sardorans—it was the worst penalty inflicted on a Sardoran warrior. The Outcast sentence usually had a fixed term but most of those who were declared Outcast never returned, it could easily be a death sentence for a man separated from his home and kin. Not just because of the lack of any support, but because a warrior’s clan was such an integral part of who he was as a man. Dragar knew the penalties of being declared Outcast only too well since he had suffered that exact fate.

He and Dragar had grown up together, trained together, and gone on many contracts together. And yet Dragar had not contacted him during his trial, a trial that Jakkar still found inconceivable. He could not accept that the man he knew so well had ever behaved without honor. When he learned of the sentence, he immediately started discreet inquiries but no one would provide any information about what had happened. Desperate to help his friend, he had started leaving messages for Dragar wherever and whenever he could. The man had never responded, even when his sentence was officially over. However, once Sardor’s plight had become known, Dragar had reappeared and offered to serve under Jakkar. He still refused to discuss the judgment or what had led up to the punishment, but Jakkar had never questioned his loyalty or his honor, even if some of the other warriors still kept their distance.

Dragar shrugged and continued, pulling Jakkar’s attention back to the immediate problem. “If you want her with you, keep her as your slave.”

“She doesn’t want to be a slave,” he growled, distinctly uncomfortable with the admission. He knew Dragar was right and the idea of claiming her as his mate, however right it felt, would never be allowed. But he would never let her go.

“I wasn’t aware that was a requirement.” Dragar’s voice was amused and Jakkar glared at him. He continued more seriously. “Even if she doesn’t want to be a slave, does she want to be with you?”

The question stopped him cold. She doesn’t have a choice, part of him immediately insisted but another part wanted to know that she was with him because she wanted to be. He remembered their afternoons by the pool, the way she curled into him at night, how her eyes sought his whenever he appeared; they were not the actions of a reluctant lover.

Dragar waited for him to answer but when he didn’t respond, his friend continued. “You know that the only people allowed on Sardor are Sardorans, slaves, and business partners. If you want her with you, the only option is as your slave.” He hesitated. “Of course, you could release her.”

“Never.” She belonged to him; he would never release her. If the only way they could be together was for her to admit that he owned her, then she would admit it. He remembered her body spread-eagled across the bed and a smile started to tug at his lips as he considered ways to make her surrender. She always yielded willingly to his touch and she would yield this time as well.

Decision made, he turned to Dragar. “When the flitter completes the first set of test runs, send Grimur after Melia using the directions I gave you. Remember, the Ithyian is not an enemy. He has proven himself a man of honor.”

Dragar raised a skeptical brow but didn’t respond until Jakkar rose to leave the cabin. “Where are you going?”

“To make my little human admit that she belongs to me.”

Anna tugged against the chains, angry and afraid and, as embarrassing as it was to admit it, excited. Her breast still throbbed from Jakkar’s parting bite and there was an answering throb deep in her pussy. She could feel the moisture gathering between her thighs. Damn the man. How could he do this to her? She had been so sure that he cared for her but instead she was just a possession. And she, she had been foolish enough to fall in love with him. Slow tears trickled down her cheeks.

Lost in her thoughts, she didn’t hear the door open and she jumped when she saw Jakkar looming over her in the dim cabin. His face was hard and unreadable but little bubbles of anger still sparked in his eyes.

“Let me go,” she demanded.

“Are you prepared to admit that you belong to me?” His voice was cold and just as hard as his face.

“No. I am not a slave.”

“Then what are you?”

“I’m human. I’m free to do whatever I want, and be with whoever I want.”

His eyes flared white gold at the last words and he leaned over her, his mouth so close she could feel his warm breath whispering across her skin as he replied. “Never. You will never be with anyone else.”

Her heart jumped at his words and she almost responded that she didn’t want to be with anyone but him; however, he hadn’t said anything about who he could be with. Taking refuge in defiance, she turned her head away from him and stared at the wall. She felt him move away but refused to look in his direction. There was a soft rustle of cloth and then she felt the heat of his body, shocking against her naked skin. Startled, she looked back toward him and found him sitting on the bunk, his large body tucked into the curve of her waist.

Gold was starting to flare in his eyes and a shiver of excitement trickled up her spine. “What are you doing?” Her voice was breathless and even she could hear the arousal underlying the words.

“Your planet is not part of the Empire.” His voice was quiet but still hard as he slowly pulled down her top to reveal her breasts. The tips immediately tightened. “Therefore, you have no political standing.” He skimmed his hand lightly, too lightly, across her taut nipples before sliding his hand down to the scrap of fabric that covered her groin. “Of course, you could have a business contract with one of the accepted members of the Empire. Do you have any business contracts?” He wrapped his hand around the cloth and began to tug on it in a gentle rhythm that pulled it tight across her clit each time his fingers curled. She forced herself to concentrate on his words.

“No. You know I don’t.” The words were defiant but her voice was husky.

“Then you have no legal standing at all.” His voice was still cold and even but his fingers were pulling harder and more quickly, rocking the fabric into the swelling bundle of nerves at the top of her cleft. The cloth was dampening with her increasing desire and she could feel it working deeper between her nether lips and into the crevice of her buttocks. She was starting to pant just a little.

“You have no ties to anyone. No one to own you and protect you.” His voice deepened on the last words and Anna felt a sudden sense of desolation that made no sense. When had she become so dependent on his protection? Why did she feel as if he were taking something valuable from her? Biting her lip to avoid blurting out her confusion, she twisted her head away again.

“Since you do not challenge these statements, you are merely a prisoner. A slave has certain rights, but I can do whatever I want to a prisoner.” The threat in his words penetrated and she turned a startled gaze to his face. His eyes were a blaze of gold but his face was absolutely expressionless. Helplessly she tugged at her chains but she was still fastened securely to the bunk. Somehow the knowledge increased the arousal that had heated her skin since he had chained her to his bed.

“Who do you belong to?” The words dropped into the quiet cabin like stones into a pond, sending answering ripples through her body but she bit her lip again and shook her head.

“No one,” she whispered. “I don’t belong to anyone.”

“Very well.” His eyes closed for just a moment and a flash of something that might have been pain crossed his face, but when he reopened his eyes the expressionless façade had returned.

With shocking quickness, he wrenched the small pieces of fabric from her body. Instinctively she flinched, feeling naked and vulnerable even though the cloth had provided little protection. Before she had a chance to recover, he was on top of her and his mouth closed hard around her breast, pulling the entire tip into the heated depths of his mouth with an intensity that made her back arch so she could press closer. He growled and switched to her other breast with the same voracious hunger, adjusting his body so that he was kneeling between her legs, stretching her thighs further apart and leaving her even more open to him. His teeth closed over her nipple and she cried out, the quick sharp pain adding to her excitement.

She tried to thrust more of her breast into his mouth but he lifted his head and trailed wet kisses down her stomach, nipping at her skin and sending sparks of need rippling through her body each time his teeth closed over her. Spreading her thighs even wider with his big, strong hands, he paused and looked up at her.

“Who do you belong to?”

The fire in her body was playing havoc with her control but she forced herself to shake her head. “No one.”

Without a word, he lowered his head and licked her from anus to clit in one long, hard stroke. As he passed over her swollen bud, she cried out again but he didn’t stop, repeating the movement over and over. The intensity built and she was so close, she just needed a little more pressure… He stopped and poised his mouth over her clit, not touching her but letting her feel his warmth breath swirl across the engorged flesh. She tried to push up against him but he kept up the taunting distance as one thick finger slid slowly into the tight depths of her pussy. Pleasure flowed through her veins like honey as he slowly withdrew the digit before thrusting in with two fingers. Helplessly, she clenched around his fingers as he stroked them in and out with agonizing slowness, his tongue flicking across her clit hard enough to add jolts of fire but never hard enough or long enough to push her over the edge.

His thumb briefly joined his fingers before sliding back to caress the puckered rosette of her anus. The probing touch started firing additional nerves and she writhed under him as he pressed his thumb deeper. In and out he rocked, fucking her slowly with his hand and stars started to dance behind her eyelids.

Once again he stopped, withdrawing his fingers, and she moaned at the loss.

“Who do you belong to?” The words were quiet, inexorable. Her body was screaming to come, her nipples swollen and needy, her pussy throbbing in a slow, heavy rhythm that begged for relief. All she could do was shake her head.

The chains binding her legs suddenly released, but before she could react he had flipped her over on her face, her arms now crossed over her head. He slid back between her legs and pushed a pillow under her hips as he forced her up onto her knees.

“No.” She tried to force herself to think past the desire throbbing through her veins. “What are you doing?”

“Whatever I want.” The words sent chills up her spine but did nothing to lessen her arousal. Before she could protest further, his hand curved around her stomach and pressed lightly against her mound. She was so swollen that she throbbed against his hand. His other hand trailed lightly down the cleft of her ass and teased at the sensitive entrance between her cheeks. Remembering the pleasure of his touch, she pushed back against his hand and he growled softly. A moment later, his hand left her and then something cold trickled down the crevice and her whole body jerked in shock. His fingers returned and the cold liquid quickly turned warm, tingling as he rubbed it into her skin. His finger circled her rim before pressing into her, spreading the intriguing warmth deep inside. She moaned and pushed back against him again.

Another finger joined the first and she could feel him stretching her open as he began moving in and out. His other hand started to stroke her clit at the same pace, but still using the light, delicate touches that kept her right on the edge of coming. She was starting to shake, her body so sensitive that even the brush of the sheet against her nipples was both pleasure and pain.

He removed his fingers and she moaned in protest, thrusting her ass back in demand. The broad head of his cock met her motion and she froze as she realized what was about to happen.

“Who do you belong to?” The same words but she could hear the tension in his voice now. Her body throbbed, demanded. Fear and desire warred with each other and she could only shake her head helplessly. He growled and slowly pushed his cock past the tight ring of muscle. It burned, and she moaned, but the feel of his cock stretching her open, taking even the most secret part of her body, added to her excitement.

“Who do you belong to?” Inch by thick inch he pushed his massive cock into her tight rear channel while his fingers played across her swollen nub. She couldn’t even shake her head, caught on the razor’s edge between pleasure and pain as he pushed deeper, stretching her open until he was completely embedded and she could feel the heavy weight of his balls against her swollen pussy lips. They both moaned and he dropped down over her back, surrounding her with the heat and strength of his body.

He began to withdraw, and the slow slide combined with the tingling heat from the lubricant was almost unbearably pleasurable. He pulled almost all of the way out and then plunged back in, harder and faster, sending a shock of pain into her system that turned to ecstasy so quickly her head spun. Her overwhelmed body kept climbing higher, desperate for relief, and her whole world narrowed to the slow, hot withdrawals, the deep, hard plunges, and the lightning stroke of his fingers.

“Who do you belong to?” The words echoed in her head and she stopped fighting.

“You. I belong to you,” she sobbed, and she knew it was true. Her heart, her body, even her soul—she belonged to this man.

“Mine,” he roared, and clamped down on her clit. She screamed and her world exploded in a blaze of pleasure. Her climax rolled through her in endless shudders, her muscles clenching so hard she couldn’t move. He shifted his hands to her hips, gripping her to him as he thrust into her over and over, causing shockwaves of pleasure to flow through her helpless body before he roared again and released a flood of hot liquid into the dark depths of her rectum, sending her flying into another climax.

Anna was barely conscious as Jakkar rolled them to one side. He held her still quivering body close to his and the world gradually stopped spinning. Emotions battered her but she didn’t have the strength to face them, relaxing into the warmth and safety of his embrace. After a long moment, he sighed and released her. She winced as he slipped from her body and then she heard the click as he released the chains. The sound brought everything rushing back. Tears started to flow as he moved away, returning moments later with a warm cleansing cloth. He wiped tenderly between her thighs and over her sensitive anus. His gentle touch only made her cry harder. She had said the words, hell, she even meant the words, but they didn’t change anything.

“Why are you doing this?” she whispered.

“It is the only way we can be together.” His voice was cold as he stood up, but his eyes were haunted and she wondered if he had reached the same conclusion. As much as she wanted to be with him—and she could think of nothing she wanted more—she couldn’t live the rest of her life as a slave.

Chapter Seventeen

Anna fell asleep sometime after Jakkar left the cabin, physically and emotionally exhausted. She woke a few hours later, still exhausted, to find him asleep behind her, curled protectively around her body as usual. Despite the abundance of her earlier sobs, slow, quiet tears once again trickled down her cheeks and she stiffened and tried to pull away. His arms immediately tightened and he turned her into his chest, tucking her head into his shoulder as he stroked her hair. His spicy scent surrounded her and, however unwillingly, she felt the tension start to leave her body as she gave into the comfort of his presence. How ironic that the source of her despair was also the source of her consolation. With a tired sigh, she closed her eyes and drifted back to sleep.

The next time she woke, Jakkar was gone and light was streaming through the round window high above the bed. From the glimpse of the sky, she could see it was at least midday. She sat up and looked around, really seeing the cabin for the first time. It was a small room with the bed occupying an inordinately large amount of the floor space. Everything she could see was strictly utilitarian from the metal walls to the rubber matted floor. A compact work desk and chair occupied one side wall, while the other held some fitted metal cabinets and a narrow door.

All of her clothes had disappeared, even the bikini, and she wrapped the sheet around her as she stood up. The movement caused a twinge in her still tender body and the reminder of the previous night sent a confusing mixture of anger, arousal, and sorrow racing through her brain. Despite her confusion, she really wished that Jakkar was still here with her. Determined to speak to him, she headed for the door to the corridor.

The door was locked. Giving it an annoyed glare, she explored the cabin. The cabinets were empty but the narrow door led into a tiny but functional bathroom. There was even a shower and after a brief struggle with the operating mechanism, she was standing under a stream of hot liquid. As on the Ithyian ship, it didn’t appear to be water but at least this liquid had a faint tangy scent that was curiously refreshing. There was even actual soap instead of just the endless cleansing cloths, so she could wash her hair properly. There were no towels so she wound the sheet back around her damp body.

Stepping back into the main cabin, raking her fingers through her hair because of course there was no comb, she felt refreshed and more in control—until she looked at the locked door. She was still scowling at it when it opened and to her surprise, Melia ducked her head through the opening. The other woman was wearing a softly draped pale blue gown that accented her lavender skin and she looked rested and happy, her hair swaying gently.

“Did I do something wrong?” she asked as she saw Anna’s expression.

“No, of course not, come in.” Smiling, she hugged her friend and pulled her inside the cabin. “I’m so glad to see you’re all right. Where’s Demil?”

“Teron has him, along with two very nervous and rather appalled Sardoran warriors,” she said.

“Because of Teron or because of the baby?”

“I suspect a little of both.” She hesitated and then sat down on the bed, patting the space next to her for Anna to join her. “Which is partially why I have decided to have the binding ceremony now. Once he is bound to my house he is formally protected under my contract with Jakkar’s clan.” She hesitated again. “And we would both like it.”

“Binding him to your house?”

“Yes, as my jalka.” Melia cheeks flushed slightly and Anna’s mouth dropped open.

“You mean as your concubine? But why? I mean, I didn’t know that you felt like that.”

“You and Jakkar are enough to give anyone ideas,” she said drily, and it was Anna’s turn to flush. “And he is a good man—quiet, respectful, loyal.”

“And you think that you are compatible, uh, sexually?”

Melia laughed and gave her another dry look. “Of course. We have been limited by my pregnancy but I know enough.”

Anna’s mind reeled. How had this been going on under her nose without her even noticing? She remembered something else.

“Don’t you already have a jalka?”

“Actually, I have two.” She laughed again. “Teron knows and he understands.”

“Wow. I can’t imagine Jakkar going along with that.”

“Neither can I; Sardorans are remarkably territorial.”

Melia’s words reminded Anna of her own current situation and she looked away. The other woman immediately noticed her change in mood and put a gentle hand on Anna’s shoulder. “What’s the matter?”

“He told me that I belonged to him, as his slave.” Her voice was bitter.

“Is that so bad?” Melia asked softly.

“What?” Anna gasped.

The other woman shrugged a shoulder. “I know you want to be with him. I am just as he sure that he wants you.”

“But he only wants me as a possession,” Anna said. “And what if he decides he wants another one? Or if he gets tired of me and decides to sell me to someone else?”

“Considering how possessive he is, I doubt that would happen.”

“But it could. And what if he decided to take a Sardoran wife?”

“There would be nothing to stop him,” Melia slowly agreed. “And yet, he is showing all the signs of having chosen you as a mate, as being bonded to you —oh.” Her eyes widened.

“Oh, what?”

“He can’t declare a mating bond with you because you are not Sardoran. I suppose that’s why he has claimed you as his slave.”

“And he just expects me to accept it,” she said bitterly.

“Do you?”

“No!” A memory of the previous evening swept over her and her cheeks flamed. “Well, briefly. He said that if I do not accept him then I am simply a prisoner and I have no rights.”

“Hmm.” Melia’s head tilted to one side and she regarded Anna thoughtfully but didn’t continue. Instead, she jumped up and pulled Anna to her feet. “Let’s go back to my cabin and get you dressed for the ceremony. They actually recovered some of my luggage and I’m sure we can find something for you to wear.”

“Just as well. He took all of my clothes.”

Melia smothered a laugh and urged Anna to her feet. “Come on.”

“You’re assuming I can leave the cabin,” Anna muttered.

Melia’s eyes widened. “What is Jakkar going to do? Keep you naked and chained to the bed?”

Anna’s eyes flew to the head of the bed, hoping that the chains were no longer visible but she could still see the metallic gleam among the tumbled bed coverings. Melia followed her gaze and shook her head.

“My goodness, he is determined to keep you, isn’t he?” Without waiting for a reply, she tied the sheet firmly around Anna and pushed her gently to the door. The door didn’t open at first, but after a peremptory knock from Melia, a warrior appeared at the opening.

“We are going to my cabin,” she announced.

He looked at Anna and hesitated, but she simply pulled the sheet higher and both women swept past him in a swirl of skirts and sheets. Without a word, he followed them quietly down the corridor.

Jakkar paced the bridge while Rantor curled around the base of his chair and watched him, tail whipping at its usual fast pace. The linae was picking up on his frustration. Jakkar had discovered a flaw in his plan to force Anna’s compliance. While she had surrendered to him—and so deliciously that the memory had his cock stiffening right here in the command center—as soon as her body stopped quivering and her mind started functioning, her reluctance had returned. Her refusal to admit his claim infuriated him but her silent despair in the night tore at his heart.

He took another turn around the bridge, fighting the urge to return to his cabin and bury himself in her soft body until every ounce of resistance drained away. Nadodar appeared at the door and Jakkar scowled at him.

“The human left her cabin,” the man said nervously.

“What?” he roared.

“She left with the Lady DuLass,” the man continued quickly, dropping his head. “I did not want to restrain her by force.”

“Never lay a finger on her,” Jakkar growled and then sighed. He could hardly object to her continuing to spend time with Melia, even though he had intended to leave her naked and waiting in his cabin. Naked…

“What was she wearing?” he demanded. The look on his face had the officer backing away.

“A-a sheet, sir.”

Behind him, Dragar let out a roar of laughter and Jakkar left an unwilling smile curl his lip.

“Very well. Return and stand guard outside Lady DuLass’ door. If the human leaves, follow her and do not let her out of your sight. But Do. Not. Touch. Her. Is that clear?”

“Yes, Chief.” Nadodar bowed his head again and left quickly.

Dragar was still chuckling and he turned on him with a growl.

“Very ingenious, your human. Did you really expect her to spend the rest of her life locked in your cabin?”

“Possibly,” he admitted and went back to making circuits around the bridge. Dragar watched him thoughtfully for a few minutes before changing the subject. “The test results have all been positive so far. The complete scan should be finished late this evening, but I am confident that we will be able to make a positive report to the Council in the morning.”

Jakkar forced himself to concentrate. “Arable land?”

“In more than ample quantities. And sufficient mineral resources to support our metallurgy needs but not enough to create a competing claim for mineral rights.”

“I wonder,” he said slowly. “Every time we have been close, a complication has appeared. Have you considered that we are being deliberately sabotaged?”

Dragar nodded grimly. “Our luck was getting a little too bad. And then this mission—they were even willing to destroy the escape pods rather than let someone escape. I contacted the Council last night about reinforcing our warriors—but you know we are already stretched thin.”

“I’m not sure it’s a good idea anyway. If we suddenly start doubling the size of our contingents, it alerts the enemy that we are aware of their intentions and it makes us look weak. Rather than reinforcements, it might be better to have shadow teams who could remain hidden and make random checks on other missions, possibly even catching this mysterious opponent in the act.”

Dragar nodded thoughtfully. “That could work. Are you going to lead one of these shadow missions?”

Once again that odd confusion tugged at Jakkar. He should have been excited about the idea—he had always loved this type of strategy battle—but now…

“I don’t know. What about you?” He looked at his friend but Dragar only shrugged.

“I’m not so sure, either.” He sighed. “Maybe we’re getting soft in our old age?”

“Maybe,” agreed Jakkar, and both men sat in silence, watching the holographic planet slowly turning in front of them.

Jakkar strode up the stairs to the reception chamber, temper tugging at his nerves. Several times throughout the afternoon he had given in to his desires and returned to his chamber, only to find Anna was still with Melia. He had seriously considered going to Melia’s stateroom and hauling his little human back to his cabin but eventually decided that it wasn’t going to accomplish anything except to upset Melia and amuse Dragar. And now he was in full ceremonial dress which always left him feeling confined and slightly ridiculous.

His temper calmed a little as he stepped into the spacious chamber at the top of the stairs. Apparently the Gliesh used this ship for trading functions because this room was designed for ceremony. A large overhead window showed a breath-taking panorama of rocky spires and setting sun. Unlike the utilitarian surfaces in the rest of the ship, every inch of the space was covered in rich textures, from the deep carpet that covered the floor to the elaborately embroidered wall hangings that draped the walls. Opposite the doors, a raised dais was already prepared for the binding ceremony. A rectangular table was set up in the center of the table, with ten chairs for Melia, Teron, Anna, and the seven Sardoran warriors.

Dragar beckoned him over to where his men were grouped uncomfortably around an elaborately carved bar.

“Here,” he said, passing him a tumbler. “You probably need this.”

Jakkar took a deep swallow and let the warmth of the Gliesh brandy settle into his stomach. A sudden silence fell and the men all looked at the double doors. Melia was there, standing regally in her formal gown, Teron correctly one pace back to her left and carrying the baby. Then she stepped forward and Jakkar saw Anna. Her usual cloud of golden brown hair had been pulled back into an intricate design that accented her delicate features. The ceremonial half veil covered the bottom half of her face and her crystal eyes had been made up to look enormous and inviting. The sheer veil fluttered with each breath, creating tantalizing glimpses of her full lips only partially concealed behind the fabric. She looked breathtaking and his eyes locked on hers for a long moment before he noticed the rest of her outfit.

She was obviously wearing one of Melia’s formal gowns, but what had been regal and elegant on Melia’s slender body turned sensual and inviting on Anna’s ripe curves. The draped neckline curved so low across her chest that he could almost see the pink flash of her areolas every time she breathed. The soft, green silk that actually covered her body clung tightly to her breasts, revealing her tightened nipples before swirling down across the soft curves of her stomach and circling the gentle swell of her hips. Both sides of the dress were slit from the ankle-length hem to high on each hip, revealing tantalizing glimpses of her legs from golden thighs to small, bare feet. His cock hardened so quickly that he actually felt light-headed from the blood rushing straight to his engorged flesh.

The sound of indrawn breath behind him snapped Jakkar out of his reverie and anger pounded through his head as he realized that his woman—the woman who was refusing to acknowledge his claim—was parading around in a scrap of cloth that let every man in the room appreciate her luscious body. A low growl started in his throat. Dragar and Trondar clamped down on his arms before he even realized he was moving.

“No.” Dragar hissed in his ear. “You can’t break the peace of the binding ceremony. It is correct attire.”

Jakkar’s muscles strained against the restraining hands, but Dragar’s words penetrated and he stepped back. His little human was watching him with those wide, seductive eyes but she looked away as soon as she met his gaze.

“Thank you for coming, my friends and partners.” Melia’s voice was low and serene. “Please be seated.”

She moved to the table and sat down. Anna immediately slipped into the seat next to her, and Dragar had to grab Jakkar’s arm again to prevent him from yanking her up and placing her in her proper place next to him. Reluctantly, he took the seat directly across the table instead. Dragar sat next to him while Teron sat on Melia’s other side and the remaining warriors filled in the rest of the seats.

Chapter Eighteen

Anna tried not to squirm in her seat as the banquet dragged on. The food looked delicious, served by a pair of small, dark, unobtrusive men with tails, but she barely tasted the few bites she managed to coordinate behind the annoying veil. Instead, she was acutely conscious of the soft silk caressing her skin, teasing her erect nipples, and keeping her in a constant low hum of arousal as it whispered across her body like a lover’s hands. Jakkar’s brooding presence across the table only made it worse as she remembered the intensity of the climax he had forced from her the previous evening.

She snuck a look at him from under her lashes. Instead of the open vest she had last seen, he was wearing a tight leather tunic that clung to every inch of his sculpted chest. Heavy gold cuffs surrounded each wrist and an equally massive gold collar circled his neck. All of the Sardorans were wearing similar clothing, although none of the others had such impressive ornaments. As the warriors had moved to the table, she had noticed that the upper back of each tunic was cut low to reveal their clan marks. The overall effect was impressive, if slightly barbaric, and only added to the excitement shimmering through her body.

The rest of the party talked casually of trade routes and common ports, but she couldn’t concentrate on the conversation enough to join in. Opposite her, Jakkar was equally silent, but she was as aware of his heated presence as if he were shouting at her. The one time she met his eyes they were so gold with desire that she couldn’t breathe, and it took every ounce of self-control she had not to give up and throw herself into his arms. She hoped that Melia knew what she was doing. Anna had tried to back out as soon as she got the first look at herself in the borrowed dress. It was undeniably beautiful and the pale green highlighted the soft gold of her skin and the warm golden brown of her hair. She looked amazing—and totally wanton.

“Nonsense, it’s perfectly respectable,” Melia had assured her. “Isn’t it Teron?”

Teron had taken one look, flushed scarlet, and gulped a response that Melia had taken as an assent.

“You see,” she said, waving an airy wrist. “Just keep calm and stay away from Jakkar.”

Considering that she was positive that Dragar had held him back twice already, she wasn’t sure that staying away from him was going to be possible.

“And it might be an idea to flirt a little with one of the men—perhaps Trondar, he’s relatively mild mannered for a warrior.” Melia had added. “But not too much. I don’t want dead bodies at my binding ceremony.”

Remembering Melia’s words, Anna raised her eyes from her plate, trying desperately not to look at Jakkar. Unfortunately, Trondar was too far down the table for easy conversation but Dragar was close enough. She studied the scarred face for a moment, intimidated by the man’s fierce appearance, but he felt her gaze and looked up. He returned her gaze impassively until she blushed, and then one corner of his mouth curled up. The twisted smile was unexpectedly reassuring and she smiled at him beneath the sheer veil.

“How do you like our planet?” she asked into a lull in the conversation. Her voice came out slightly husky from tension, and every man at the table except Teron fixed his eyes on her. Her cheeks flamed and she immediately dropped her eyes back to her plate.

“It’s very nice,” Dragar replied politely. “It may turn out to be exactly what we need.” For the first time she realized that he had a nice voice, deep and slightly smoky. She glanced up to find him regarding her with a solemn face but the slight quirk still twisting his lips. He was obviously on to her and the knowledge reassured her. He wasn’t going to misinterpret her intentions. She took a deep breath, which came perilously close to making her breasts overflow her bodice, and proceeded to carry on an increasingly lively conversation with Dragar.

Even though she avoided looking at him, she was still acutely aware of Jakkar’s presence and she could feel his rage increasing each time Dragar made her laugh. By the time the dinner finally drew to a conclusion, she decided that she had better give him a chance to cool off. When they all stood up, she clutched Melia’s arm as Jakkar started around the table. Out of the corner of her eye, she could see Dragar reach out to restrain Jakkar again and she winced as he rounded angrily on the scarred warrior.

“Shall we proceed?” Melia’s cool voice broke into the strained atmosphere. Without waiting for a reply, she headed to the dais, and Anna stayed close to her side. Once there, Melia arranged the party so that she stood in the center of the dais, with Anna to her left holding the baby, and Jakkar to her right. Teron knelt at her feet while the remaining warriors formed a half-circle behind him.

“Do you vow your loyalty to the House of DuLass?” Melia asked, her solemn voice ringing in the quiet chamber.

“I do.” Teron’s voice was firm and solemn.

“Do you bind your honor to the House of DuLass?”

“I do.”

“Do you vow your loyalty as my jalka?”

“I do.”

“Do you bind your honor as my jalka?”

“I do.”

The ceremony sounded a little too similar to a wedding for Anna’s peace of mind, and she let her mind drift, rocking Demil gently and studying the beautiful room. She was still conscious of Jakkar watching her but she carefully avoided looking in his direction. Her attention returned to the ceremony when Teron removed his shirt and bowed his head. Thick dark hair covered a surprisingly muscular chest and Anna studied him curiously for a minute before she glanced up again and saw Jakkar’s eyes starting to pale to white. Hastily, she focused her eyes on Melia instead. The woman knelt forward over Teron, holding an oval device. Slowly she pressed it to his right shoulder. There was a brief flash of light and the distinct smell of burning but Teron never flinched. When Melia raised the device, an intricate design was branded to his shoulder. She lifted his chin and kissed him, her hair gently caressing his face, and the devotion in his eyes took Anna’s breath away.

Tears threatened and she couldn’t resist looking at Jakkar. His eyes were fastened on her, their glowing gold sending shivers of longing up her spine. Teron had willingly bound himself to Melia. Was belonging to Jakkar really that different? She loved him so much and right then she wanted to be in his arms so badly that it was an almost physical pain. He read the uncertainty in her face and took an abortive half-step toward her but then Teron stood up and Melia moved forward and the reality of her situation came rushing back.

Anna hugged Melia and didn’t quite dare to hug Teron with Jakkar so close. He put his shirt back on, his normally reserved face wreathed in smiles, and took the baby from her arms. They exchanged smiles and then she slipped over to the bar she had seen when they entered the room while Jakkar congratulated the pair. She needed a drink.

“What can I get you?” Dragar’s voice was a low purr in her ear and she cast him a grateful glance as she took in the intimidating array of bottles.

“You can’t get her anything,” Jakkar snarled and she jumped as she realized that he had come up behind her. Dragar opened his mouth and she had the terrible feeling he was about to say something taunting when Melia swept up and between the two men.

“Warriors, it appears we have something to discuss.”

Both men stared at her.

“Anna informs me that you have made a claim on her.” She nodded at Jakkar. “But you have also told her that she is a prisoner and, as such, available to any interested party.” His mouth opened but no words came out. “Under the circumstances, I believe that I have a legitimate claim on her for her services to the House of DuLass and would be happy to bind her to my house.”

Her words fell into a stunned silence and Anna watched Jakkar’s face nervously. This was the part of Melia’s plan that she wasn’t sure she understood. If Melia bound Anna, she could still release her to be with Jakkar under a business contract, but because Anna would be a part of Melia’s house, Melia would exercise ultimate control. As a result, Jakkar could not sell her and if she was unhappy, she could return to Melia. His eyes fastened on her face and she could see the denial but before he could speak, Dragar opened his mouth.

“If she is merely a prisoner, then I could also assert a claim.”

All hell broke loose.

Jakkar let out a roar and leapt for Dragar’s throat. Melia pulled Anna to one side and she watched in horror as the two men smashed into the nearest wall. Jakkar was too angry to fight rationally and he had done little more than slam Dragar’s head into the wall again before the rest of the warriors pulled him off. His muscles strained against their hold, but his breathing finally slowed and they relaxed their grip. Dragar had a hand pressed to his head but he raised a taunting brow. Jakkar incinerated him with a glare. “I will deal with you later.”

He turned to Anna, shaking off the remaining hands like a dog shaking water off his back, and stalked over to her, anger rolling from him in waves. “You belong to me. I will never let anyone else claim you.” He grabbed her wrist and dragged her out of the room. At the stairs, he swept her up into his arms. She peeked at him timidly from under her eyelashes but he didn’t speak until he had carried her into their cabin. The controlled anger with which he shut the door had her knees shaking, but she raised her chin defiantly and glared at him.

“Take off that dammed dress.” His voice was cold and deadly.

“It’s a beautiful dress.”

“Take it off or I will rip it off.” His voice hadn’t changed. Anna hastily wiggled out of the dress, emerging breathless from the tight garment and stripping off the veil at the same time. He prowled toward her and she backed up until the desk stopped her retreat.

“Apparently, I wasn’t clear enough before. You belong to me. I will never let you go and if I have to keep you naked and chained in this room when I am not fucking you into admitting it, I will.”

The dress dropped from her nerveless hand and he grabbed it before snatching the sheets off the bed and leaving the cabin. The door shut with a firm click. Anna stared at it for a long moment before rage overtook her and she threw the chair at the closed door.

Jakkar stalked on to the bridge and found Dragar back in his usual position. The other man tensed as he entered but flashed his twisted grin. “You certainly know to make an exit.”

“Don’t push me,” he snarled, rage still simmering through his veins.

“Actually, that’s exactly what I was trying to do.” Dragar sounded thoughtful. With a resigned sigh, Jakkar forced his anger down and settled into his command chair, prepared to wait for his second to explain himself.

“Were you going to let Melia bind the human?”

“No,” he growled.

“It was a reasonable solution,” Dragar pointed out. “She could have been with you without being your slave—the part that she seems to object to so much.”

“But she would have been bound to the House of DuLass, not to me.”

“And that matters?”

“Of course it does.” He glared at Dragar but the other man only nodded.

“I suspected as much. I wonder if Melia did, too.” He hesitated. “And when I mentioned that I could assert a claim, that was the finest example of mating frenzy that I have ever seen.” He rubbed the side of his head a little ruefully.

“What’s your point?” Jakkar snapped.

“That you should go ahead with the claiming ceremony.”

Jakkar felt his jaw drop. “You’re the one that told me that the Elders would never accept it.”

Dragar shrugged. “I did, but I wasn’t taking three things into consideration. First of all, ceremony or not, you have obviously formed a mating bond to the human and I have no doubt that she feels the same way. Second, the Elders may not have accepted it yet but our population has been decimated over the past few years. A little species mingling might be necessary. Third, do you realize that you have just discovered a new home world for our people? You are going to be a hero. How could they deny you anything?”

Jakkar stared at him in silence as the words penetrated. Everything that Dragar said made perfect sense and an enormous sense of relief swept through him.

“You are a genius.”

“I know.” Dragar grinned at him for a moment before his smile disappeared. He hesitated and then continued slowly, “And, Jakkar, even if the Elders don’t accept it, wouldn’t it be worth being Outcast to be with someone you care about this much?”

Once more Jakkar stared at his friend, letting the question sink in. For once, Dragar’s sardonic humor had completely vanished and he could see the pain in his eyes.

“Was it worth it for you?”

Dragar’s face tightened and Jakkar thought he wouldn’t answer but in the end he shrugged. “It wasn’t the same situation but, yes, I made the right choice.”

Jakkar nodded, suddenly certain that claiming Anna as his mate had always been the right choice. If it meant that he lost his clan, it would hurt him deeply, but not as much as it would hurt if he lost his little human because he lacked the courage to act on the decision that his heart had already made. The confused knot of anger and desire and hurt that had been roiling his insides since Anna entered the ship finally subsided as he acknowledged the truth.

Dragar read the conviction in his face and his expression lightened. “And if you didn’t agree with me, I was considering proposing a mating contract to the human myself. That dress was quite something.”

Jakkar was out of his chair before he registered the other man’s laugh. He growled but sat back down.

Dragar shook his head. “The sooner we get you officially mated, the better.” He turned back to the controls and laughed again. “And the sooner you tell your human the better, so she can stop trying to escape.”

“What?” Jakkar leant forward to review the screen. “What the hell is she wearing?”

The other man’s shoulders were shaking with laughter. “I believe those are the curtains.”

An unwilling laugh escaped Jakkar and they both watched as Anna crept down the corridor before uneasiness pricked Jakkar’s spine. Moving closer, he watched the screen more intently.

“Where’s Nadodar? I told him to watch her.”

Sobering just as quickly, Dragar started flipping view screens. “There.” Nadodar was crumpled just around the corner from Jakkar’s cabin. His body wasn’t moving but the rise and fall of his chest indicated that he was still breathing.

“Find her again,” Jakkar ordered, anxiety sharpening his tone. Together the men scanned the screens. Jakkar sighed in relief as he spotted her in the corridor approaching the hold but immediately tensed as the view expanded to include the rest of the passage. “Who’s that behind her?”

The man approaching Anna was extremely tall and thin with a coiling rope of dark green hair down his back. He knew that the small crew was not Sardoran but the man was oddly familiar. An image flashed into his mind—the firefight on Melia’s ship and the retreating figure behind Rantor. “Goddess, he’s a saboteur.”

Jakkar leapt for the door and slammed against it as it failed to open. He reeled back, turning just in time to see the tall alien grab Anna around the waist, press something to her neck and haul her over his shoulder as she collapsed.

Chapter Nineteen

After Anna threw the chair at the door, she paced back and forth angrily. How dare he? Not only did he have the nerve to make such an arrogant statement, he didn’t even stay around long enough for her to answer him—or to carry through on his threat. If he thought she was going to sit around and wait for him to decide he had time to fuck her when he wasn’t otherwise occupied, he had another think coming. Just because she was locked into his cabin naked…Hmm. She checked the closets again but they were still empty. The bathroom didn’t even have a towel. She briefly considered the rubber floor matting but it was firmly attached. Panting after her struggle with the mat, she leaned back on her knees and looked around.

Her gaze swept the space and finally lifted high enough to realize that there was a drape to one side of the high window. She jumped up on the bed and reached for it but it was above her grasp. Spotting the chair, she hauled it over to the bed. Cautiously she climbed up on the chair as it tottered against the soft surface of the mattress. A little higher…her fingers touched the drape just as her unstable perch gave out. The chair crashed into the wall with a distinct crack and Anna slammed back down on the bed with a soft oomph, but she had the curtain.

“Human?” The door opened slightly and Anna quickly pulled the drape across her body. There was a muffled thump from outside the door and an odd slithering noise. She retreated against the wall, expecting Jakkar to appear in the opening. However, no one appeared even though the door remained cracked. Cautiously, she peeked out but there was no one in sight. That was odd, but she wasn’t about to miss her chance for escape. Looking ruefully at the curtain, she decided it was the only option. It was a thin, rough-weave cloth that felt scratchy against her body, but she wrapped it around her like a sarong and knotted it at her breast before heading down the corridor.

Anna briefly considered heading for Melia’s stateroom but the other woman’s plan to help her had failed. She didn’t want to involve her friend anymore. If she could just make it back to the cave and the supplies there before Jakkar came after her, then she could run and hide until they had all left. Loneliness swept through her at the idea of being isolated on this planet by herself, but anger stiffened her spine. It was still better than being his sex toy, never mind how much she enjoyed the sex. The memories sent a throb of longing straight to her belly but she ignored it, just as she ignored the desolation that swept over her at the thought of leaving him. Instead she focused on her anger. She just had to keep ahead of him. Melia had told her how they had been brought to the ship. How hard could it be to fly a flitter?

Lost in her plans she headed for the hold, not hearing the footsteps behind her until the last minute. As she started to turn, there was an all too familiar sting in her neck, and the world went dark.

Anna regained consciousness on the metal floor of the flitter. Her body ached from the hard surface and the cold shivered through her as she sat up, prepared to give Jakkar a piece of her mind over his kidnapping attempt. To her shock, he was not seated at the controls. The man sitting there was a stranger, tall and skeletal with a heavy coil of dark green hair down his back.

“Wh-who are you?”

“You’re awake. What a pity.” He turned to look at her and she shrank back with a muffled scream. His face was equally cadaverous, with blood red eyes, and a round red mouth filled with a double row of pointed yellow teeth.

“What do you want with me?” She could hear her voice shaking, but she stared at him defiantly.

“Actually, you’re just a nice little bonus. I didn’t expect to run into you on my way to the flitter.” He sounded coolly amused and she glared at him.

“What do you mean?”

“My preparations had been made. It was time to leave.”

“What preparations?” A sinking dread crawled into her stomach.

“I was hired for a very specific job. A job that, unfortunately, I have so far failed to complete. I always complete my jobs.” His eyes glistened with anger before he composed his expression and regarded her with his previous detachment.

“You’re supposed to destroy the ship,” she whispered.

“Exactly. Or more specifically, that wretched DuLass woman and the Sardorans.”

Her whole body was shaking now and sweat started dripping down the back of her neck.

“If you destroy the ship, you can’t get off the planet.”

“Don’t worry about that. This craft will take us quite high enough for me to signal my contact. I’m sure we can think of something to do while we wait.”

She shuddered, her skin crawling at his words, but he only laughed at her reaction.

“Don’t worry; I really have no interest in that round little body of yours. Fortunately for me, lots of others will. You should fetch a good price at the slave auctions on Gamedon Twelve.” He ran his eyes over her. “Maybe even an excellent price. As I said, a nice little bonus.”

His words barely penetrated. She was too caught up in her horror about the ship. “Jakkar, Melia,” she whispered. “The baby.”

“Yes, that was rather a nice bonus as well. Who will want to hire Sardorans now if they not only can’t protect their cargo but can’t even protect the cargo’s infant child?”

Sickness was rolling through her but she gathered her feet under her, determined to make an attempt to stop him. Before she could move, he was standing over her, one hand clasping her throat. The saliva from his open red mouth burned as it dripped on the futile hand she raised to pry his grip from her throat. Her vision was going black and her lungs sobbing for air before he finally released his hand.

“Don’t be stupid. If I damage you, I will get a lower price but as long as at least one of your orifices is intact, someone will be willing to buy you. Although I don’t think you will like the way they use you.”

She huddled against the floor, gasping for air and letting his words wash over her as she groped for a way to stop him.

He turned back to the control chair. “On the other hand, if you don’t force me to hurt you and your looks are still undamaged, you could become a valuable commodity. And valuable commodities are treated well—at least while their usefulness lasts.”

Anna’s throat felt swollen and sore and her lungs were still raw, but she ignored the pain. She had to do something, anything, to stop him. She followed his gaze to the front of the small cabin and saw that he was watching a black box. Symbols flashed on the face of the box in diminishing increments and she suddenly realized that it had to be a countdown. Was that the control? She gathered her feet to make another attempt just as the symbols stopped flashing and a brilliant flare of light lit up the night sky, the sound of the detonation deafening as it reached them a few seconds later and the blast waves rocked the ship. Already off balance, Anna flew back against the wall.

Denial surged through her; he couldn’t have done it—they couldn’t all be dead. The image of Jakkar crumpled in a pool of blood ripped a hole in her chest and left a hollow empty place. Barely aware of what she was doing, she pushed to her feet, her mind chanting no, no, no. The rage flared so suddenly, and so violently, that she actually screamed and launched herself at the monster’s head with outstretched fingernails before he could react. She felt his skin part under her fingers with a savage satisfaction before he knocked her back across the cabin and into the wall. The room swam dizzily and she was sure she was hallucinating when the door was literally ripped off the side of the flitter and Jakkar appeared in the opening. His eyes were pure white, skin drawn tight into a mask of rage, and lips pulled back to reveal his fangs. She blinked hard, desperately trying to clear the tears from her eyes, and saw her kidnapper turn to the opening with a weapon in his hand.

“Look out!”

White battle rage had filled Jakkar at the sight of Anna being taken by the tall alien. Furiously he threw himself against the locked door. Behind him, he was dimly aware of Dragar trying all of the com channels without response. There was the sound of tearing metal. The other man appeared beside him and he snarled, but Dragar only snarled back and started wedging a metal bar into the edge of the door. Sanity returned to Jakkar long enough for him to add his weight to the metal lever. His hands bled from the rough metal edge as they applied more pressure but he ignored the pain. With a protesting shriek, the door sprang free from one edge of the frame and they were able to force it open.

Rage still tore at him, making it hard to think clearly, but as urgently as he needed to go after his human, he was still responsible for the Gliesh party and his men.

“I would assume he set a bomb,” he said between clenched teeth. “We need to evacuate and search. Positions?”

“Rurikar was patrolling. Since the saboteur took out Nadodar, I would assume he took Rurikar as well.” Dragar looked at him grimly. “If so, he is a formidable opponent.”

“It doesn’t matter; he will die anyway.” There was no doubt in Jakkar’s voice. “What about the others?”

“In their cabins.”

Jakkar hesitated. “I will help you release them. Grimur will take Melia’s party as far from the ship as possible. He can take Rantor as well. Hardrar will get Nadodar and Rurikar off the ship. That leaves three of us to start searching for the bomb.”

The need to go after Anna was a searing agony in his stomach, but he knew that it would take two of them to open the jammed doors. Time passed with agonizing slowness as they released each of the men. Grimur and Hardrar sped off to release Melia and search for the two unconscious warriors, while the other three discussed search options. All of them knew it was probably hopeless—the ship was too vast and there were too many hiding places.

“Should we release the civilians to help search?” Dragar suggested.

“No. We can’t trust them.”

“If they were left locked in their quarters, it would indicate that they were not part of this plan.” Dragar’s voice was reasonable but it grated on Jakkar’s already heightened nerves.

“I said no,” he roared.

The other man merely looked at him and he sighed, releasing a tiny fraction of his anger. “We can’t take the chance. Whoever has been trying to kill us has been too persistent.”

“In that case—”

Trondar interrupted. “I have a portable scanner in communications. If the energy signal on the bomb is similar to the one I tracked through the escape pod, I should be able to find the source.”

Jakkar nodded curtly and the man hurried off while Jakkar and Dragar headed back to the engine room. It was a calculated risk but they agreed that a bomb placed there would cause the most damage. Trondar joined them and began slow methodical sweeps of the room. Jakkar growled with impatience as he and Dragar waited.

“Go after her,” Dragar said softly.

Jakkar’s heart leapt at the thought, but he shook his head. “I can’t. This is my responsibility.”

“We could abandon the ship.”

“If we do, I doubt we will ever leave this planet. And the council will never know that this could be our new home.” He shook his head. “This is too important to too many lives. We have to try and save the ship.”

The minutes ticked by and Jakkar paced restlessly, unable to stand still. Despite the logic keeping him here, every instinct urged him after his woman. He drew some faint consolation from the fact that Anna had obviously been alive when the alien had taken her. Fear was not a familiar emotion for him but the thought of her alone and helpless with their unknown enemy struck dread deep in his stomach. “I will find you, little human,” he vowed softly.

Trondar’s head appeared around a stack of equipment at one end of the room. “I think I found it.”

“That?” Dragar asked as the men gathered around Trondar’s find. ‘That’ was a small black box, no more than one hand span in any direction. The only break in the featureless surface was a small blinking red light in one corner.

“New technology,” Trondar said. “If it’s what I think it is, it will vaporize the ship.”

“How long?” Jakkar asked.

“I’m not positive but the blinking has been increasing. My guess is that once it reaches a continuous glow, it will detonate.” Trondar responded grimly.

“Can we move it?”

“Yes, it’s not attached. But I’m not sure that we can get it far enough away.”

“I have an idea,” Dragar said. “We need to get to the cargo bay.”

They all hesitated for a fraction of an instance and then Trondar shrugged and gingerly picked up the small box. All three men raced for the hold while Dragar explained his plan. “We can take the bomb away by transport sled.”

Jakkar nodded, instantly approving of the idea. The transport sleds were open hover sleds designed for moving cargo. They needed to be steered manually but they could easily take the weight of a man and could travel quickly when pushed.

“How far do I need to take it?” Jakkar demanded.

“At least five kilometers.” Trondar paused. “I think.”

“Right. Since Melia’s party headed for the cliffs, I will take the sled out across the desert, drop the bomb and return.” They entered the hold and Jakkar headed for the sleds. As he pulled one out, Dragar put a hand on his arm.

“Jakkar, I will take the bomb.” Jakkar opened his mouth to protest, but he continued without pausing. “I can fly a bomb into the desert just as well as you can—and there are two sleds. Go after your human.”

Jakkar hesitated but his hands were already reaching for the second sled. “Very well.”

“Here.” Trondar made a few quick adjustments and handed him the scanner. “I have set it to follow the flitter signal.”

Jakkar nodded, then threw himself on the sled, the scanner clenched between his hands. Both men left the bay at the same time, Dragar winging out across the desert and Jakkar arrowing along the edge of the desert parallel to the cliff. The cold night wind buffeted the sled, unstable at this speed, and tore at Jakkar’s hands and exposed face. He gritted his teeth and kept the control pressed to maximum speed. The engine was a high-pitched whine and he could feel the sled shuddering underneath him but it didn’t matter as long as it held together long enough for him to find her. Urgency was a knot in his gut and the rage that he had battled for so long could no longer be denied. With a flare of triumph, he spotted the flitter ahead, just as the sky exploded in a flash of white light. The sound waves immediately following sent the sled tumbling to the desert floor, knocking Jakkar loose and sending his body thudding into the sand.

He rolled as he hit the ground, registering the impact in one part of his mind but thrusting it aside as he regained his feet. Sending a brief prayer to the Goddess for his friend’s safety, he headed for the flitter. The door was unlocked, but rage and adrenaline were pumping through his veins so strongly that he ripped it off as he opened it.

With one glance, he saw Anna crumpled against the back wall, her head bleeding and red strangulation marks on the pale skin of her neck. Battle rage roared through him so loudly that he barely heard her cry out a warning as his eyes focused on his enemy. He didn’t recognize the species, but it was unimportant—this man had tried to kill him and his men, had tried to kill those under his protection, and had stolen and damaged his woman. He was going to die.

As he launched himself at the tall alien, there was a brief, hot flare of pain along his side, but it was irrelevant as he slammed into the man and knocked the weapon aside. His enemy rolled away, recovering with surprising quickness and reaching for a knife as Jakkar flew toward him again, but Jakkar was quicker, clamping a hand around one thin wrist while he slammed the man’s head against the wall. There was a cracking sound, but the other man raked his claws into the fiery wound in Jakkar’s side before Jakkar broke his wrist. The rest of the fight was short, bloody, and brutal, but the outcome was never in doubt. With a final decisive stroke of his knife, Jakkar severed his enemy’s head.

As he rose to his feet, his gaze immediately snapped to Anna. She was still crouched against the back wall, eyes wide, and he dropped to his knees in front of her, not realizing until he reached out a hand and saw the blood dripping from his fingers how he must look to her. He raised his eyes from his bloody hand to her face, terrified that he would see the same look of fear and horror that he had seen before. Tears filled her eyes and he started to pull back just as she flung herself into his arms so hard that she almost knocked him backwards onto the deck. She kissed him frantically, wrapping her arms and legs around him, uncaring of the blood. Half-dazed he listened to the flood of words coming from her lips between kisses.

“I thought you were dead. I love you so much.” Tears streamed down her face. “Don’t ever leave me. I don’t care if I have to be your slave, promise me that we will be together.”

Jakkar kissed her back, his heart overflowing with emotion, before burying his face in her neck and breathing in her delicious scent. She was safe in his arms and she loved him. “I love you, too,” he whispered.

Anna kept crying until he finally stopped her by taking her lips in a slow, demanding kiss until she melted against him. When he eventually lifted his mouth, she slowly opened her eyes and he could see the love in her gaze. She was tear-stained, bruised, and covered with blood. She had never looked more beautiful.

Jakkar cradled Anna in his arms and she was content to be there, feeling safe despite the carnage that surrounded them. He loved her. The knowledge sent a warm pleasurable thrill up her spine and she knew that she had meant what she said. If she had to be a slave to be with him, then she would be his slave. Of course that assumed they were going to get off this planet –

“The ship? Melia, the baby? What happened?”

“You know about the bomb?” She nodded. “We found it and Dragar flew it out into the desert to detonate.”

“Is he all right?” she asked anxiously.

“I don’t know,” he said, a worried expression crossing his face before he smiled at her. “But he’s been through worse and somehow he always survives.”

He rose to his feet, pulling her up with him, and together the two left the flitter and stepped out on to the soft, red sand. The sun was just starting to peak over the horizon, the dark emerald sky streaked with the pale green of dawn, and Anna took a deep breath. The air was cold and clear, and the breeze washed away the smell of death. Jakkar’s arm was warm around her shoulders and she smiled up at him. “There’s a saying on my planet—joy cometh in the morning.”

He looked down at her solemnly. “Joy cometh wherever you are.”

Before she could react, he dropped to his knees in front of her and took hold of her hands. His eyes burned into her face, a deeper gold than she had ever seen.

“Anna, will you be my mate?”

“I don’t understand.” Her voice was shaking. “I thought it wasn’t possible.”

He shrugged a shoulder but the intensity in his eyes didn’t diminish. “Dragar thinks that under the circumstances, it will be permitted. But even if the Elders do not approve, you are all that matters to me. If I am declared Outlaw, it doesn’t matter as long as you are with me.”

The realization of what he was willing to give up for her took her breath away. She sank down on her knees, too, one hand reaching out to stroke his face. “It’s not necessary. You were right—I belong to you.”

“Yes,” he growled, his eyes blazing with love. “But it is necessary. You are my mate and we will always be together. I will make you happy, little human, I promise.”

“I know you will.”

“Is that a yes?”

Throat choked by tears, she could only nod her head, but he sighed with relief and gathered her close. They were still kneeling, arms around each other, when Dragar appeared on the other sled.

Chapter Twenty

Despite the missing door, the flitter was still operable, but Jakkar flatly refused to let Anna ride in it until every trace of the dead saboteur had been removed. Dragar surveyed the blood-soaked remains with a rueful smile. “I don’t suppose it occurred to you to leave him alive enough to answer questions?” But his gaze traveled to Anna, huddled into the shelter of a rock and he shook his head. “I suppose not. I doubt that I would have, either.”

In the end, Dragar drove the flitter back to the ship while Jakkar and Anna followed on the sled. Jakkar kept the speed slow and steady, and Anna nestled into the warmth of his arms and fell asleep. The next thing she knew, she was standing under the shower in Jakkar’s cabin and he was running gentle hands down her body as he washed the blood from them both. She leaned against him, drinking in the sight of his tall muscular frame. An ugly red gash ran across one side of his stomach and she hissed at the sight, extending a cautious finger to trace the edge of the wound.

“I’m fine,” he assured her. “You are supposed to rest and recover. Just let me wash you.” She relaxed into his touch, then jumped as his fingers brushed between her legs. Her nipples instantly hardened and a slow pulsing started low in her belly. She tried to wiggle closer but he laughed and pulled back.

“After the mating ceremony,” he promised.

“What?” Shock distracted her from her increasing arousal.

“Dragar and I decided it would be better to have the ceremony here rather than on Sardor. He will take Melia home and return to Sardor with the news.”

“Because you think your Elders are going to object?” Her eyes narrowed suspiciously. “Or because you are ashamed of me?”

He laughed and cupped her breasts, tracing his thumbs over the tight peaks until she was shuddering. “I’m more afraid that someone will try and steal you from me.”

“Mmm.” She leaned into his hands but he stepped away again.

“It is traditional to abstain for three days before the mating ceremony,” Jakkar said sternly, turning her around to wash her back.

“Three days?” Anna started to protest, but decided there were better options. She stood quietly while Jakkar washed her back, but as he started to turn off the shower, she slipped in front of him and took the soap.

“My turn,” she said sweetly, running her hands in gentle strokes across his broad chest, enjoying the feel of the hard muscles beneath her fingers. She drew slow circles around his nipples and felt his cock rising against her stomach, hard and hot. He started to protest but she let her fingers slip lower, grasping the thick length with slippery hands and stroking gently from base to tip. He groaned and pressed closer but she kept her touch light and teasing.

“Three days? Are you sure?” Her voice was husky and she dragged the hard tips of her breast against his chest with each stroke.

“I suppose we could make it one day.” His voice was determined and she sighed. It was sort of romantic and she supposed she would have insisted on the same thing if she had had a typical Earth wedding. Reluctantly she released him with a final slow squeeze along his entire length that had him groaning again before she stepped back to let him rinse.

He turned off the shower and wrapped her in one of the large towels which had miraculously reappeared in the bathroom. She looked at him innocently. “Not afraid of me running away any more?”

He growled and pulled her hard against him, startling a soft gasp from her lips. “You will never run away from me again, little human.”

The rumble of his voice against her chest made her insides quiver and she melted against him, letting the towel drop to the floor.

“Never,” she agreed. His hands slid down her back to cup her ass and then he lifted her up his body. She wrapped her legs around his hips as he held her easily and she leaned in to nip gently at his lower lip before sinking into his kiss. The heat of his mouth and the taste of him against her tongue were intoxicating. His cock was trapped between their bodies, pressing against her responsive clit and she couldn’t resist wiggling a little to increase the contact. He dropped his mouth to her neck, nibbling a trail of fire along the sensitive skin, and rocked her against him. She was so wet she was sliding up and down, each stroke teasing her swollen cleft until she shivered in his arms, desperate to have him inside her.

“I need you,” she moaned. He raised his head and his eyes were glowing gold.

“It’s an outdated tradition, anyway,” he gasped, and without releasing her he opened the door to the bedroom. They were almost to the bed when a knock sounded on the door. Jakkar growled and dropped to the bed with her still clasped in his arms and hastily pulled a sheet around both of them.

“Go away,” he yelled.

“Is that any way to talk to the chief attendant?” Melia said cheerfully as she walked into the room. Her eyes widened as she took in their position and she shook her head. “You can’t even wait one day?”

“One? I thought it was three?” Anna asked.

“It is, but since I need to return home and the Elders need to know about this planet, we cut it down to one,” Melia said.

Anna glared at Jakkar over her shoulder. “You never had any intention of waiting three days.” His lips curved up but he didn’t deny it.

“Melia, turn your back,” Anna ordered. As soon as her friend turned away, Anna slipped out of Jakkar’s arms. Startled, he reached for her but she had already wrapped the sheet around her body and was headed out of the door with Melia.

“I’m never letting you have sheets again,” he called after Anna as the women disappeared down the corridor.

The mating ceremony was to be held at sunset and by the time the late afternoon shadows were slanting across Melia’s stateroom, Anna was a nervous wreck. Jakkar had tried to see her three times and each time Melia had chased him away. While Anna understood the tradition, she would felt infinitely better if she had been able to sneak into his arms and feel his strong presence.

“Am I doing the right thing?” she asked Melia for at least the tenth time. Melia sighed and reassured her once again.

“But what if he is declared Outcast?” Anna couldn’t help worrying, knowing how much his clan meant to him.

“He will still be a warrior.” Teron spoke up unexpectedly and Anna jumped. He was so quiet that she tended to forget that he was in the room. “And to have the woman you love, isn’t that worth any sacrifice?” His eyes went to Melia and Anna remembered that Teron had in fact given up his people in order to be with Melia. He didn’t look unhappy at all; instead, she could see the quiet content on his face. Tears filled her eyes and she nodded. “Thank you.”

Melia smiled back at Teron and then pulled Anna over to the dressing table. “Let’s do your hair.”

Anna was going to wear the green gown again, although she was worried that it was much too revealing for a wedding gown. Melia simply laughed. “At least it’s better than a sheet. And I doubt that it will make it past the first ten minutes of your mating retreat.”

Anna blushed and subsided, letting Melia arrange her hair in a complicated twist and make up her eyes and lips. There was no half veil for the mating ceremony but after Anna wiggled into her dress, Melia arranged a floating cape of transparent gold material around her shoulders. The shimmering fabric stirred at the slightest air movement, concealing and then revealing Anna within the swirl of color.

In a slow procession, Melia escorted Anna to the ceremonial site. Grimur and Nadodar preceded them and Teron followed, holding the baby as usual. As they left the ship, the evening breeze danced around them lifting Anna’s cloak and letting the low rays of the sun catch the fabric so that she was surrounded by a cloud of golden light.

The ceremonial site had been created at the base of the largest rock spire, rising like a cathedral above them with the last of the sunlight catching sparks of gold from the enormous rock. There was no sound except the soft murmur of the wind and the whisper of her feet against the sand. A circle of torches surrounded the base, flickering in the breeze and sending shimmers of deeper gold through the drifting swirl of her cape. Jakkar stood within the circle, dressed in his formal clothes, waiting for her. His face was stern and hard, and for a moment she felt a flicker of uncertainty but then she met the golden glow of his eyes and it was all she could do not to run to him. Lost in his gaze, she didn’t realize that the others had fanned out beyond the torches and that they were alone in the circle until she took his hands.

“In the Name of the Goddess, I, Jakkar, Chief of the Clan Leijona, declare Anna Elliot to be my mate.” His voice was quiet but sure. “I will protect her with my life, provide for her always, and love her until I die.”

Tears threatened at the words. Melia had told her that the ceremony didn’t include the word love, but Jakkar had declared his love in front of his warriors. Anna slipped to her knees, still holding his hands, as his eyes widened in surprise.

“I belong to you, Jakkar of the Clan Leijona. I will never leave you and I will love you until I die.”

He pulled her to her feet, his eyes never leaving her face. “Until I can make ones to fit you,” he whispered as he removed his cuffs and slid them up her arms. The weight of the golden bands was heavy, reassuring, and she smiled up at him. He started to turn her around and then stopped.

“Are you sure you want to do this? It’s not necessary.”

Melia had told her that the traditional mating ceremony included the clan mark. Jakkar would use the same type of device that Melia had used with Teron to mark her skin. The process terrified her but she wanted his mark on her. Jakkar was studying her face, holding the small device in one hand as he waited for her answer. Her heart skipped a beat but she nodded firmly. “I’m sure.”

Turning her back to him, she let the cape fall to her feet as she swept her hair to one side and bowed her head. His warm fingers trailed gently across her shoulders and as always, she felt her body respond to his touch.

“Be very still,” he warned as he clasped her neck. A blaze of white hot pain seared her back and her mouth dropped open. She was too shocked to cry out and she felt her knees begin to give just as the pain stopped. Jakkar’s arm slipped around her stomach to support her as his other hand spread something cool and soothing across the brand. Gently he turned her back to face him, his face pale. A little tremulously, she smiled at him and his face lit with relief and pride.

His lips closed on hers and she forgot everything in the heat of his kiss. Then Melia whirled her away, hugging her in excitement as the quiet night exploded around them. A drum sounded and cheers erupted from the warriors. Teron gave her a cautious hug and she laughed and returned it, kissing the baby. The other warriors bowed before her and, as Melia had instructed, she touched her hand to each of their clan symbols. In return, they touched hers and uttered a quiet vow of protection. The formalities over, they each clasped her hand before swinging her around in the circle of light. Dragar held her hand a fraction of a second longer than the others. “Don’t worry human,” he whispered. “The Elders will see sense—or maybe they won’t see this planet.” He grinned at her startled look before disappearing into the torchlight.

Melia reappeared, thrusting a mug of something hot and alcoholic into her hand. Warmth spread through her body with the first sip and she laughed and talked, the entire time searching for Jakkar, longing for his presence. He was always on the other side of the circle, and then she couldn’t find him at all, and the drink was like lead in her stomach.

A familiar scent teased her nostrils and Jakkar was lifting her into his arms and striding away from the torch lit circle.

“Where are we going?” she asked breathlessly.

“Away from here.” His voice was stern and he didn’t pause.

“But the ceremony, and the feast,” she protested half-heartedly, wrapping her arms around his neck.

He stopped at the hover sled, lined with blankets, and laid her down gently before slipping in next to her as the sled rose and began moving silently toward the cliffs.

“They can enjoy the feast,” he growled softly as he pulled her into his arms. “I am taking you back to our cave where I am going to remove that very pretty dress—which you will never wear again—and spend several weeks proving just how much I love you. Any more objections?”

Anna sighed and snuggled into the warm strength of his body, reaching up to trail a kiss along his jaw. “None at all.”

Epilogue

18 months later

Jakkar walked along the cliff road, approving the progress of the new colony. It had taken almost a year to complete the claim on this planet, now known as Sardor Two, but with a little judicious pressure on certain Imperial connections, and a lot of help from Melia’s grateful family, they had finally succeeded. Despite his intimidating looks and sardonic sense of humor—or perhaps because of them—Dragar had proven surprisingly adept at navigating Imperial politics as he had pushed the claim through. Even the bad luck and missing clans that had haunted them had diminished once they had implemented their plan for random, heavily armed back-ups. Dragar was still determined to uncover the underlying enemy and was pursuing leads across the galaxy.

The thought of Dragar’s progress created a knot in his gut but he pushed it aside, inspecting the activity around him. The spaceport on the desert floor was well underway as were the experimental farms on the plateau at the top of the cliff. Sardoran houses were being built along the cliff face. Eventually the small city would spread out around the lake, but for now the houses clung to the rock face for storage and protection. Jakkar had somewhat reluctantly accepted the post of Controller for the new colony, but as it allowed him to stay here with Anna and oversee the development of their clan home, it had been a worthwhile sacrifice. And he did find the day to day challenges far more rewarding than he had anticipated.

His steps quickened as he approached his house. They had started on it while waiting for the claim to be formalized and sited it on the outcropping that guarded the falls. Strong walls of mellow red stone surrounded large windows which looked out over the lake and the desert below. The windows were a compromise. Jakkar saw them as a weakness but Anna loved the light they provided, so within each window frame were metal shutters that could be closed electronically. Anna had started a small garden along the front wall using some flowers found on their exploration trips and the soft colors blended with the silver vines starting to climb the façade.

He pushed open the door, his eyes immediately seeking out his wife. She was seated in the window embrasure overlooking the falls, nursing their daughter. The fact that they had a child together still filled him with grateful astonishment. He had been so sure that their species were too different to create a child and the doctor he had consulted via vidlink had agreed—only to be proven wrong three months later when Anna had become pregnant. Jakkar had immediately decided to take Anna to Sardor in easy reach of medical assistance and she had been equally determined not to go. The knowledge that, while the Elders had tacitly accepted their mating bond, they had not officially acknowledged it added strength to her argument and he had imported a medical team instead.

Rantor stood up from his place in the sun at Anna’s feet and stretched leisurely before heading for Jakkar. He paused to rub affectionately against Jakkar’s side before disappearing through the door. Since the baby had been born, the linae had been remarkably protective, rarely leaving Anna’s side unless Jakkar was present.

He closed the door behind the great animal and surveyed his home appreciatively. The large room was bright and airy, the polished rock floors glowing softly in the afternoon sun. A comfortable seating area nestled at one end between the windows and the great fireplace. Imported furniture mixed comfortably with the items they had made during the claim period. At the other end, a kitchen alcove was tucked beneath the stairs leading to the future second floor. In between, a tall archway led to the back of the house and a large bedroom flanked by an equally large bathing room.

Jakkar crossed the room to lean against the back of Anna’s chair and watch the small figure nursing sleepily. Kylesh had Sardoran features and shimmering light gold skin but she had her mother’s brown crystal eyes and a soft cloud of golden hair already covered her scalp. He reached down and gently stroked the baby’s head, relishing the silky feel, and her eyes popped open for a brief moment before her cheeks hollowed in another sleepy pull.

“Shh,” Anna whispered. “She’s almost asleep.”

He withdrew his hand and let his fingers trail along Anna’s neck instead, before bending lower to follow the trail with his mouth. She shivered and leaned into his touch, her free hand coming up to stroke his face. Her heavy gold mating cuffs caught the sunlight and he felt the familiar sense of possessive pride in his mate.

“We have a holo from Melia,” he said, keeping his voice low. “Demil is walking and Teron spends most of his time chasing him.”

“How exciting. I can’t wait to see it.” Anna looked down at their daughter. “I’m definitely not ready for Kylesh to start walking.”

“Don’t worry, I’ll help you chase her,” he promised.

With a soft pop, the sleeping baby released the nipple and an immediate surge of lust filled Jakkar at the sight of the swollen red nub. He started to reach for it but Anna laughed and slipped away as she stood up with the baby still cradled in her arms.

“I’m going to put her to bed. You are just going to have to wait.”

He sighed and stepped back, the sight of her luscious ass tempting him to follow her as she left the room. Unfortunately, she usually rested with the baby and he had work to do. Resigned, he went to his desk and pulled out his compupad. He had spent part of the time waiting for the claim to be finalized teaching Anna to read and write Sardoran. Now that she was fluent, she had been organizing the documentation for the clan family claims, along with the site selections, and there were a number of decisions that needed to be made.

Sometime later, a faint noise made him look up. Anna was standing in the archway wearing the Ithyian slave gown. The light streaming through the windows turned the thin fabric transparent, revealing every inch of her lush body, and his cock stiffened immediately. Even from across the room he could see the hardened points of her nipples. She walked sensuously toward him, never taking her eyes off his face and started to kneel before him. He held out an arm to restrain her and her plump lower lip pouted deliciously but he merely grabbed a nearby cushion and placed it as his feet.

He groaned and leaned back to help as she slowly removed his boots and pants, sliding her hands up his legs, circling his calves and tickling his upper thighs. Her small pink tongue flicked out to lick her lips and he growled but she merely cupped her hand under his balls, stroking them with a delicate touch, while her other hand continued the slow caresses up and down his legs. By the time she curled her fingers around his cock, he was so hard that he was throbbing against her hand.

“Anna,” he warned. She looked up at him with innocent eyes, but obediently lowered her head and licked him from base to tip in one long wet stroke before swirling her tongue around the thick head. He closed his eyes in pleasure but immediately forced them open so that he could watch as her small mouth closed over him. Her hair had grown longer but as he watched she pulled it to one side to reveal the clan mark at the base of her neck as she bent down to take him deeper. The sight inflamed every possessive urge in his body and he curved his hand around her neck, urging her on as she took more of him into the hot, wet depths of her mouth. She moaned around him, causing amazing vibrations in her mouth and throat, and pressed closer, rubbing her swollen nipples against his leg as she sucked harder and took him deeper. His balls tightened and tension gathered at the base of his spine before he exploded, pulsing into her mouth in waves of liquid pleasure as she greedily swallowed every drop.

Anna reluctantly lifted her mouth from Jakkar’s still hard cock and dropped back on her heels. She loved the way he reacted to her mouth and his explosion had her own excitement at a fever pitch. Her pussy was wet and aching, and her nipples throbbed, the thin fabric of the gown almost too harsh against the sensitive tips. He was already drawing her to her feet to stand enclosed between his thighs, releasing the gown to pool around on the floor.

Immediately, the heat of his mouth closed around one nipple. He lapped it gently for a second and then closed down and pulled her deep into his mouth and her knees almost buckled with pleasure. One hand slipped between her thighs, and he growled his approval as he found her wet and swollen for him. He slid two fingers along her cleft, surrounding her aching clit but not touching it directly as he continued the deep suction on her breast, pausing only to switch from one throbbing nipple to the other. With each tug of his mouth, a hot wire fired straight to her aching nub and the unhurried glide of his fingers was agonizingly gentle. The pressure in her belly built until she was right on the edge of climaxing.

“Please,” she moaned, trying to push harder against his hand, desperate for release.

In response, he lifted his mouth from her breasts but continued the slow, tormenting strokes. She quivered in his arms, her world narrowing to the wet slip of flesh on flesh as his thick fingers pushed her to the edge and kept her suspended there.

“Who do you belong to?” The words startled her and she lifted dazed eyes to look into his stern face. He was watching her intently but the sure strokes never paused.

“I belong to you,” she whispered, and the golden glow in his eyes intensified as he nodded. His fingers twisted, catching her clit directly and stroking hard across the over sensitive nub. She cried his name and came hard, the world exploding into sparks around her. She was barely aware of him lifting her until he thrust her down on his massive cock, pushing up into her in one long hard thrust, and she came again as he stretched her open with an intensity that was almost painful. Sobbing with pleasure, she buried her head in his neck, aftershocks clenching her pussy around the swollen length of his cock and sending shivers up and down her spine.

His arms were warm and strong around her, and he didn’t move as her breathing gradually slowed. She leaned back a little to look into his face and even the slight movement almost had her coming again. Jakkar was studying her face when she opened her eyes and she smiled, wiggling a little to let him know she was ready for more. She felt him respond but his hand closed around her hips to hold her still.

“I have something to tell you,” he said.

“Now?” she teased, trying to wiggle again. Then she realized how serious he looked and her stomach knotted. Why had he asked again if she belonged to him? She knew that the mating had never been officially accepted. Had it now been denied?

“Is it our mating bond?” she whispered.

“What?” He looked genuinely shocked. “No, that will never change. Not for me.”

“Not for you? I don’t understand, why would it change for me?” She was starting to panic and he sighed and put a hand over her mouth.

“Stop. Just let me get this out.” She nodded behind his hand but he waited another moment before continuing. “You know Dragar is trying to track down the saboteurs?”

She nodded again but her heart pounded against her ribs.

“In the process, he ended up tracing the Ithyian ship.” He paused and his eyes closed for a second. “Goddess, this is hard.”

“What?” she mumbled from behind his hand.

“He has found your home planet. We know where Earth is located.” He opened his eyes and looked at her as he removed his hand. Anna’s mind whirled. She had long ago accepted that she was never going back to Earth. At some point she had even stopped thinking of it as home. She thought of the baby sleeping in the next room and the house they had built. She looked at Jakkar, watching her so intently, and she knew what it had cost him to tell her. A slow warmth filled her and she leaned forward to brush his lips with aching tenderness. His body was so tense beneath her touch it was if it had turned to stone.

“That’s nice, but it doesn’t matter,” she whispered. “I have everything I will ever need right here.”

A shudder went through him and then he was thrusting into her frantically, pulling her up and down on his cock in hard, demanding strokes that had her crying out with pleasure. His mouth was everywhere, devouring her, until she could only cling to him. He changed angles slightly and now each time he pulled her down on to him, he rubbed against her clit. The intensity of the sensation overwhelmed her and she cried out, climaxing around him and gasping as he seemed to swell even larger inside her, stretching her to her limits before releasing a flood of hot liquid into her pulsating depths. She collapsed against his chest, shaky, exhausted and utterly content.

Jakkar wrapped his arms around the woman trembling in his hold and rested his head on her soft hair. Triumph roared through him as he recalled her words. He had not wanted to tell her of Dragar’s discovery but his honor had demanded it. No, not just his honor, his love. He couldn’t have denied her the knowledge that she could return to her planet, although he would have moved heaven and earth to prevent her leaving. The fact that she chose to remain with him made him vow silently that she would never have cause to regret her decision. Gently he separated their bodies, lifting and turning her so that she was cradled in his arms. She murmured a sleepy protest and opened heavy eyes to look at him. He dropped his mouth to hers, intending a gentle brush of her lips, but she opened eagerly to his touch, and the heat of her response had him diving deep into her mouth with a demand that she met and equaled. Drawing back at last, he smiled down at her.

“I love you, little human.”

“I belong to you, Jakkar.” The love and sincerity in her voice filled him with joy and he pulled her close once more, knowing that the Goddess had smiled on him at last.

Author’s note

Thank you for reading Anna and the Alien, the first book in my Alien Abduction Series! I hope you enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it. Whether you loved the book or not, it would mean the world to me if you left an honest review on Amazon. Word of mouth is incredibly helpful for authors and I’d love to know your thoughts!

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Next in the Alien Abduction Series:

Beth and the Barbarian

An alien Outcast. A lonely human.

Available now at Amazon.com

Cam and the Conqueror

He made a bargain. She’s the payment.

Available now at Amazon.com

Deb and the Demon

An alien prince. A pregnant slave.

Available now at Amazon.com

Ella and the Emperor

An alien emperor. A silent young woman.

Preorder now at Amazon.com

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Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Title Page

Copyright

Prologue

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

Epilogue

Author’s note