The Bound Prince

by Michelle M. Pillow

  “Who are you?” She demanded.

  “Prince Jarek, among other things,” Jarek said, smiling, “I’m Falke’s younger brother. Now, what’s going on in here? What’s all the yelling about?”

  “It’s none of your concern,” Sam answered, her tone hard. She waited for the men to back her words up. They didn’t.

  “We’d like an audience with Prince Falke,” Evan said. He turned his menacing gaze at Sam. “Without her.”

  Sam made a weak noise of protest before she could stop herself.

  Jarek looked them over and nodded. “Very well. I’ll ask him.”

  The viewing door closed and a small bottom door opened. Jarek pushed a tray of food inside and then shut that door as well. Sam looked at the tray and then at the men. No one moved to touch it. Curling her body into a ball, she turned sideways on the cot and leaned her head against the wall, doing her best to ignore them.

  After speaking to his brother and telling him everything—well, nearly everything—that had happened with Sam, Falke went to bed. Jarek told him that one of the men requested a group audience with him, without Sam’s presence. He knew they probably just wanted to negotiate their release and didn’t want her in harm’s way. He didn’t care. He wasn’t up to seeing her just yet.

  The room his brother provided was satisfactory. It lacked the character of Sam’s quarters, as it was rectangular in design and constructed mostly of metal. However, the bed was comfortable, and there was enough space to move around. A small decontaminator was built in, adjoining the room. Whoever designed it didn’t have a big man like him in mind, and it was a cramped fit. Oh, how he missed his large water tub, or even bathing outside in a stream.

  Resting on the bed, all he could do was think of Sam, her violet eyes, her sweet smell. Even as he tried to hate her, he couldn’t fully. She was inside him, haunting him, and he knew he’d never be free of her. Just remembering her scent, his body stirred. It didn’t seem such a long time since they last were together, but to Falke it was an eternity.

  Reaching down, he grabbed his hard shaft and slowly began to stroke. Sam’s smile danced before his closed eyes. He heard her voice, moaning his name. He saw her eyes flashing with passion for him. Her lush lips parted, readying to kiss him, to take his arousal into her mouth. Falke’s hand moved faster, squeezing harder. When he came, spilling his hot seed on his stomach, he frowned. His body was released, but it just left him feeling empty. Without Sam, he may never feel whole again. In that moment, he realized he might never be able to let her go, even after the child was born. To do so would likely kill him.

  29

  Falke studied Evan as he was led into the room. The man wasn’t restrained. Falke knew he wouldn’t need to go that far. He’d allowed one man to come and speak to him as a representative of the whole group. He was a little surprised to see Evan had volunteered. He’d always gotten the impression that the man didn’t like him because of his feelings for Sam. Falke had expected Dev.

  “May I?” Evan asked, motioning to the chair across the dining table from the prince.

  Falke nodded once. The man sat and leaned on the tabletop with his elbows, studying his hands. Falke waited patiently for him to speak.

  When Evan finally turned his eyes up to look at him, he seemed to struggle with himself before bluntly saying, “Sam’s pregnant. It’s yours.”

  Falke nodded, hiding his surprise at the man’s words. It was the last thing he expected Evan to say to him. “I know.”

  “She told you?” Evan asked in shock.

  “No,” Falke answered. “She didn’t have to. I knew the moment the baby was conceived.”

  “Oh,” Evan said, nodding his head as if that made more sense.

  “Did she send you here to tell me that?” Falke crossed his arms formidably over his chest. He leaned back in his chair to study Evan’s every expression. Again, when Evan spoke, he was surprised.

  “No,” Evan said. “Sam doesn’t want you to know.”

  Falke figured as much. “Have you come to negotiate her freedom?”

  “Hell, no!” Evan shot. Falke’s brows rose again in surprise. This conversation was really nothing like he’d expected. “I say keep her stubborn ass locked up in that cell. The guys agree with me. She should’ve told you about the baby. We don’t get it. Sam’s usually pretty reasonable, but lately she’s been...different.”

  Evan shrugged, unable to explain further. Falke nodded, signaling that he understood what the man was trying to get at.

  “We take it we’re on our way to Qurilixen?” Evan asked.

  “We are,” Falke stated.

  “And those men who were killed were part of your brother’s crew?” Evan looked around the empty dining hall.

  “They were,” Falke answered. He didn’t move a muscle.

  “We figured as much,” Evan said. “Here’s what we propose. Your brother is short a few men, and we’ve got our share of experience on a ship. We’d like to help out in exchange for room and board, preferably away from Sam. We’re all about to strangle her right now anyway.”

  Falke nodded. It wasn’t a bad idea. He had no reason to keep the guys locked up. “I’ll talk to Jarek.”

  “Thanks.” Evan nodded. “And just for the record, we got caught on purpose. We didn’t want you to think we were a bunch of wussies that couldn’t hold their own in a fight.”

  At that, Falke chuckled. “I hoped as much.”

  “We did it for the baby,” Evan continued to explain. “Sam’s like a sister to us. We want what’s best for her. That baby, your baby, is for all intents and purposes our nephew. When Dev told us the baby needed you to live, well, we had no choice but to surrender. Sam needs to be with you, and we weren’t going to abandon her.”

  “Yet, you wish me to keep her imprisoned?” Falke asked. The baby needed him to live? Did that mean Sam planned on ridding herself of it?

  “Yeah,” Evan answered without hesitation. “Don’t you agree she kind of deserves it? I mean, do you want to let her loose on this ship?”

  Falke didn’t want her roaming the ship, but not for the same reason. Seeing that Evan meant every word, Falke relaxed. All his jealousy had been for naught and almost seemed laughable now. Evan had just been a big brother protecting his little sister. Falke couldn’t exactly relate, but he could understand.

  Evan nodded in acceptance. “So you know then that, being Ticara, she needs to be around your life force, or the baby doesn’t happen. She can’t carry it alone.”

  Falke sat forward. That he didn’t know. Thoughts ran rampant in his head. His fists clenched in anger. So, when she wanted to send him away, she knew the baby wouldn’t make it without him. His blood ran cold. Her father had tried to kill him, and thus killing the child as well. What was with her family and his baby? Wasn’t he good enough for her?

  “I don’t understand the intricacies of Ticara pregnancy all myself,” Evan continued, unaware of Falke’s turmoil, “but Dev said that the baby isn’t really a baby yet. It’s more like the possibility of a baby.”

  Falke nodded weakly.

  “So, do you want it?” Evan asked.

  Again, Falke nodded, unable to speak.

  “Then, you understand that you’ll need to be with her,” Evan continued. When Falke didn’t respond, he stated bluntly, “You need to keep sleeping with Sam to keep her pregnant.”

  Falke’s gut clenched. Even through his anger, his body responded, growing instantly hard at the idea. He did his best to remain calm, saying evenly, “I see.”

  Evan sighed and appeared to relax a little. “So, what’s your plan? You’re going to take her back to your planet and then what?”

  Falke shook his head. “I truly don’t know.”

  “Well, whatever it is, so long as Sam’s not hurt, we’re here to help.” Evan nodded and turned away, walking back to his cell without waiting to be escorted.

  30

  Sam frowned as she was led, in electric handcuffs, down the long
corridor. The man, a dark blond of medium build, had been assigned guard duty. He’d introduced himself as Jackson, but didn’t say much beyond that. It didn’t take a genius to guess that the two men her father had killed had been his friends.

  She’d been on the ship for nearly three days locked in the cell. After the first night, all the guys were released. As she walked, she frowned to see them roaming freely about the ship. None of them talked to her, but they were no longer glaring in her direction. For that small allowance, she was grateful. She couldn’t bear the thought of them hating her.

  Sam felt horrible. It was late in the day by her estimation, but she couldn’t be sure. She felt like she’d lost everything in one swoop. Her father was dead, but she was coming to terms with what she’d done. He wasn’t a good man. She knew that. In fact, he was a very bad, horrible, hateful, evil man who’d tried to enslave her and tried to kill the man she loved. The universe really was better off without him in it. Her friends seemed to hate her at the moment, she’d lost her ship, the Scavenger Hunt was pretty much forfeit. It wasn’t like any of them were there to claim their prize if they did win. She couldn’t say she lost Falke because she was pretty sure she never had him to begin with.

  She had yet to see Falke. Sam told herself that she didn’t care if she ever saw him again, but she knew it was a lie. She lay awake at night, thinking of him, remembering every agonizingly sweet moment they had been together. She missed his smell, his voice, but most of all, she missed his touch. Her body shivered with longing just thinking about it.

  Suddenly, Jackson stopped and turned his serious green eyes on her. “This will be your new quarters.”

  Sam blinked in surprise. Jackson placed his hand on the sensor and waited for the door to open. When it did, he grabbed her by the cuffs and thrust her inside. Sam spun around to the door sliding shut in her face.

  “Wait,” she called. “What about these cuffs?”

  “I think we’ll just leave those on for now.”

  Sam shivered, and her knees became weak. Falke. He was there, with her. Her body lurched, needing him. She couldn’t move. “What’s going on, Falke?”

  “I thought it would be most obvious, my lady,” Falke said. “I’m holding you prisoner.”

  Sam whirled around. She wasn’t prepared for how close he was as her face rested a couple of inches from his massive chest. Heat radiated off of him, making her tingle all over. His smell engulfed her senses. The cabin seemed so small, Falke so big. She took a step back, hitting the metal door.

  His shirt was a tight fit, molding to every one of his angles, even the distinct outlines of his smaller nipples. The tight crimson looked altogether too sexy on him. Her thighs tightened, and moisture pooled between them. She couldn’t breathe. Her mouth became dry. His feet were bare. Oh, she loved his feet, his ankles, his legs. The black pants weren’t as tight as the shirt, but they did bulge deliciously over his firm thighs to outline his semi-erect shaft.

  “Falke,” she breathed. There were so many things she wanted to say. “Why are you doing this? I was letting you go. I told you it was a mistake that we took you hostage. I thought you understood. I thought that we—”

  “That we what?” Falke demanded, his tone challenging.

  “That we had an understanding,” she answered weakly. That’s not what she’d been going to say. She’d wanted to tell him she thought they had something special, and that there was trust, friendship, perhaps even more between them. There had to be. He had to feel something for her. Looking up at his passionless face, she shivered. She could read nothing. Perhaps that was all he felt. Nothing.

  “Is there anything you wish to say to me?” Falke asked, his voice becoming soft.

  I love you. I want you. I’m pregnant. Please make love to me. Deny your duty and choose me instead. Come away with me. Sam swallowed nervously, unable to tell him that. She had to know how he felt for her first. She wouldn’t have him staying with her for the baby. “No. I can’t think of anything.”

  His face tightened. “Very well. Let’s get you cleaned up then.”

  Falke stepped away and moved to open the decontaminator’s door. Looking at Sam, he ordered, “Undress.”

  Her cheeks flamed, and she slowly shook her head, backing away. Her cuffed hands moved to brush back a purple and blonde lock from her eyes. The round violet orbs glowed with embarrassment.

  Falke’s mouth twitched at her reaction. “I’ve seen you before, my lady.”

  Sam frowned. Why was he calling her that? Why wasn’t he using her name? She wanted to hear him say it. Why was he acting so distant and cold when all she wanted was for him to kiss her until she was breathless?

  “Very well. Have it your way.” Falke sighed and made a move to reach for her. Sam backed away more, hitting the far wall.

  “No—no, I’ll do it,” she stuttered, kicking off her boots and socks. She still wore her one piece jumpsuit. With her hands trapped together, she couldn’t slip out of it. Frowning at her handcuffs, she held them up for his inspection. “It’s all I can do.”

  Falke lifted a finger, and she watched a claw extend from it. His dark chocolate eyes flashed with slivers of blue. It only served to excite her more. A dangerous thrill worked over her body, making her nearly pant with need.

  Slowly moving forward, his eyes steadily on hers, Falke ripped through one sleeve and then the other. She was dwarfed by him, trapped up against the metal wall. When he’d finished, he stepped back just as slowly. “Undress.”

  Sam shivered. Was it just her or was his voice a little hoarse? The room felt hot as she moved out of the clothing. She thought she’d be embarrassed, but Falke’s steamy gaze following her every movement only turned her on more. She bent over, pushing the jumpsuit off her feet. When she glanced up, she saw his heavy arousal pressed firmly against his tight black pants. He wasn’t immune to her. That was something at least.

  “Come here,” he commanded, his voice hoarse. Sam stepped naked before him. When her hands moved to touch him, he firmly grabbed her handcuffs and pulled them up over her head. His eyes dipped down to her breasts. “Now bathe.”

  Falke led Sam inside the decontaminator, reaching her hands up to hook them along the wall where one of the laser ports jutted out. The lasers automatically turned on, cleaning her body. Sam closed her eyes, held helpless before him as he watched.

  Falke’s body pulsed with desire. He was so angry, and yet he still craved her soft touch. His gaze felt heavy as he watched the beams of light dancing all over her flesh. Her nipples were hard, beckoning points. She was panting vigorously. The laser hit her thighs, and he could see it melting away the sweet cream of her body that gathered there. He licked his lips, wanting a taste.

  The inner beast of the Var rose inside him. He sniffed, filling his head with her perfume. It was a strange feeling that overcame him, as his Roane half usually controlled the wild beast of the Var half. Falke didn’t fight his nature this time. The power of the Var, wild, passionate, angry, wanting to dominate her, was easier than being Roane, caring, tender, just as passionate, but tempered with restraint.

  He wanted to punish her, wanted to pull her out of the decontaminator and press her up against the wall, holding her by her bound wrists over her head, as he shoved his thick shaft repeatedly into her moist depths. He wanted her on her hands and knees begging forgiveness, as she sucked him dry. He wanted her sorry for what she’d tried to do, for what he’d stopped her from doing.

  Falke closed his eyes. He could picture her on the bed, her curved backside to him as he took her from behind. He could see her beneath him, tied and trapped. He could see her face, but it wasn’t in pain, it was whimpering for more.

  “Falke?”

  Falke opened his eyes, having forgotten where he was and what he was doing. The lasers were off, and she was looking at him with concern and trepidation. His breath came in heavy pants. Without thought, he grabbed her hands and pulled her to him. His lips seared over hers, marking her as
his, willing her to feel what he felt.

  Sam made a weak noise of instant surrender, and he was surprised to discover she kissed him back with just as much passion. Their tongues clashed and fought in a silent battle between them. Sam moaned. Falke growled. Her body pressed into his and rubbed along his arousal. He held her wrists up, and she used it as support as she hooked a leg around the back of his thighs.

  “Ah,” she cried, breaking her mouth free to breathe. She bit at his clothes, attempting to tug them off with her mouth.

  Falke trembled. He felt her leg working along him, trying to free him of his pants. Shaking her off, he used his grasp on her handcuffs to take her back to the wall. His eyes bore hotly into hers. When she was trapped completely, he kissed her hard. Breathless and panting, he pulled back and pushed her down to sit on the mattress.

  Sam’s violet eyes dilated, and he could smell her growing arousal. She liked this. She wanted it, and that only made him ache more.

  Sam leaned forward, reaching him with her lips. Instantly, her mouth moved, biting and pulling at his waist band. It would be so easy to help her free him, but just seeing her eager to suck him made the wait worth it. After some time, she was able to bite the zipper and pull it down. His body jerked as her breath hit his bare flesh.

  He pulled her cuffed hands to his chest, pressing them to his thundering heart. Her face leaned forward and his pants fell to the floor. Falke watched. His eyes narrowed with passion. Her lips parted, and he felt the smooth velvet glide of her mouth taking him in. He groaned in approval, liking the way her tongue rolled to encircle the head of his shaft.

  Sam moaned. The sound vibrated through him. His gut clenched as his hips bucked forward to ease himself deeper into her hot, sucking mouth. Her teeth skimmed him. It was torture. He was too big for her to take in all the way, but he was reluctant to let go of her hands. His shaft slipped from her mouth, and she glided her tongue down his mass to the hilt, only work back to the tip to repeat the movement down the other side.