Falke wanted more. He jerked her up to stand before him and pressed her arms over her head against the wall. Her violet eyes captured his and he kissed her long and deep, letting her feel the extent of his desire for her. With his free hand, he lifted her leg, nestling his shaft close to her moist heat. He thrust himself along her wet slit, feeling the glide of her cream on him.
“Ah, Falke,” she panted, moaning softly. “Please, now, please.”
Falke growled. He brought her hands down over his neck. Lifting her off the ground by her hips, he slid her body up the wall. He thrust boldly inside her, giving her his entire length at once. She stiffened, her muscles clenching his rod like a vice. The feel of her was too much. He thrust, delving inside her sweet body. Sam whimpered. Her legs wrapped around his waist. When she shook, he couldn’t hold back. His body exploded into her, coming so hard his stomach clenched, and a loud groan was wrenched from his throat.
Afterward, he pulled out. Her arms were trapped around his neck as he carried her to the bed. Setting her on the mattress, he pulled his head from between her arms. Then, without saying a word, he lifted her up, drew back the covers, and laid her down. He stared at her for a long moment, taking in her flushed cheeks, her tired eyes, her sated smile.
Slowly, he moved to lie beside her, not saying a word. He pulled her close, protectively covering her body with his. She cradled against him without protest, and they both fell into a deep and sated sleep.
31
Sam yawned. She awoke with a soft smile on her face and felt like she’d slept for an eternity. Sensing that Falke was gone, she opened her eyes and looked around the small cabin. Surprised to find her hands free, she stretched, arching her back against the bed and suppressing another yawn. Falke had released her.
Sam allowed a small smile to cross her features as she thought of their actions the night before. She’d gotten a dangerous thrill from being trapped by him. His strong body had felt so good against hers, rocking hard into her as if he needed her to live. Her body tingled with pleasure just thinking about it. Nothing between them was resolved, not really, but the look in his eyes afterward gave her hope, as did the urgency of his desire for her. It meant that he at least needed her like she needed him.
Sitting up, she saw a pile of clean clothes on the end of the bed. She walked over to the decontaminator and cleaned off, surprised that her wrists weren’t even bruised or sore. For all his show of dominance, he had been gentle with her. When she first walked in, she had seen that he wanted to hurt her, to control her, to strike out. He’d done none of those things.
She dressed. The clothes were different, but she didn’t mind them. Cross laces worked along the sides of the shirt, baring a subtle hint of skin. The sleeves were short, cupping her shoulders with the dark purple material. The black pants were soft, and she slid them over her hips. They too laced up the sides, and she pulled them tight to cover her outer thighs.
Sam tried the hand sensor and was pleased to find that the door opened. She peeked out into the corridor. No one was there.
“Hello?” she called out softly. Then, just to be a pain, she said, “Very dangerous prisoner escaping here, anyone going to try and stop me?”
A soft feminine laugh answered her. “Falke didn’t mention that you had a sense of humor.”
Sam turned, eyeing the beautiful woman standing in the corridor. The woman wore an outfit similar to the one left on the bed for her. Only it was a deep, dark blue that matched her eyes. The woman’s red-blonde hair practically gleamed as she stepped forward, and her stomach was slightly rounded with child, making her look particularly radiant and happy.
Sam shivered, thinking of the little life inside her. Her hand fluttered nervously to her abdomen. Somehow seeing a pregnant belly made her child all the more real. Even if the pregnancy hadn’t completely taken hold, she wanted it to, desperately. The very idea of having Falke’s child gave her pleasure. She’d been trying hard to deny it, but she wanted him, wanted his baby, needed both of them.
Footsteps sounded behind Sam, and she turned to see another woman walking toward her. She too was dressed the same, except she was shorter and had very alluring curves. She wore all black and had long dark hair and dark eyes. She also appeared pregnant, though not as far along.
“I’m dreaming,” Sam whispered. That was the only explanation for it. She was dreaming and seeing pregnant women everywhere.
“I should hope not,” the blonde woman laughed. “From what I hear, you’ve been dreaming for the last two days.”
“What?” Sam mumbled, turning back to her. “Two days? No, I’ve only been asleep for a few hours.”
“I’m sorry,” the woman answered, “but it has been a few days not hours.”
“Falke asked me to check on you. You appear fine,” the darker woman said.
“Who are you?” Sam asked them, glancing from one to the other. They didn’t move. “Where am I?”
Both women laughed. The blonde was the first to answer, “Officially, I’m Queen Ulyssa of the Var, wife to King Kirill.”
“And I am Princess Vittoria of the Var, married to Prince Quinn, Royal Var Ambassador,” the other answered with a small laugh. “Well, now that’s out of the way. Call me Tori.”
“I’m Lyssa,” Ulyssa said. “Or Ulyssa. Only my husband calls me Lyssa.”
“Your Majesty,” Sam began, shaking herself from a stupor. The queen actually grimaced.
“Ulyssa, please,” Ulyssa insisted. “And don’t you dare curtsey or I’ll behead you. I’m very pregnant right now and might carry that threat out.”
Sam paled. Tori laughed. “She’s only kidding. The palace has run out of Lithorian chocolate, and she’s been an absolute nightmare ever since. I had a block of the stuff, literally bigger than a human head, given to me while I was being courted by my husband. She found it and ate it in two days.”
“Hey!” Ulyssa said a little too loudly. Then, shrugging, she admitted, “Okay, yeah, it’s true. But, the baby was hungry. He needed it.”
“Okay, whatever.” Tori lifted her eyes heavenward, chuckling. “Don’t come crying to me when you’ve gained three hundred pounds and can’t roll out of bed.”
“Kirill would probably prefer it if I were stuck in bed,” Ulyssa laughed. “But, at least he doesn’t burn my clothes to keep me there.”
“True,” Tori admitted. “Very true. I need to yell at Quinn again for that. The palace tailors have my measurements committed to memory because of him.”
“Um,” Sam lifted her hand, trying to make sense of what was happening around her. They turned to look at her, still smiling kindly. Both women seemed very nice, but Sam was having a hard time following. “Where am I? Where did you come from?”
“Oh, sorry,” Tori said. Sam nearly flinched as the woman hooked an elbow through hers and led her toward Ulyssa. The queen hooked her other side as they passed by and walked with them. “You were asleep when Jarek landed. You’re on Qurilixen, Falke’s home planet. I think you’ll discover it’s quite beautiful here.”
“Oh, but you’ve been here before, haven’t you?” the queen asserted. “It was very wicked of you to kidnap Falke. Though, your crewmen explained the mistake to my husband, and he’s no longer mad about it. In fact, I think it amuses him.”
“Believe me, we’ve all been there,” Tori said. “Well maybe not exactly there, I’ve never actually kidnapped anyone, but we’ve gotten drunk and done some pretty stupid things.”
“They should be teasing Falke as we speak.” Ulyssa smiled.
“They?” Sam was too weak to pull away as she was led down the docking plank. The outside air was warm, smelling fresh and clean.
“Falke’s brothers,” Tori explained. “They’re waiting anxiously to meet you, the woman who dared to kidnap the royal Var commander.”
“Me? Why?” Sam asked, alarmed. The only answer she got was more laughter.
Great, Sam thought, all the women here are crazy.
“Y
ou’re practically a warrior legend amongst the people,” Ulyssa said. “They’ve been hearing stories of Falke’s victories since the man could walk. I have to admit, I thought you’d be bigger than you are. Nice tattoo, by the way.”
Sam glanced at her arm, “Uh, thanks?”
“Okay,” Tori admitted, stopping to study Sam. “I have to admit it too. I thought you’d be huge, like an Amazon. How on Earth do you handle a man like Falke? I mean, he’s...huge.”
Sam paled. Tori’s eyes became round with meaning, and she glanced downward to signify Falke’s special anatomy. Sam’s mouth opened, but only a squeak came out.
“Tori,” Ulyssa scolded. “Wait until she knows us at least...five hours before you start with that.”
Tori looked embarrassed. “Sorry. I get carried away. I swear this baby is making me talk non-stop without a filter between my brain and mouth. Whoever heard of that being a side effect of pregnancy?”
“No, it’s fine,” Sam said. “Don’t worry about it.”
“Oh,” Ulyssa put forth. “In that case...”
“Does he ever smile at you? I mean, he always appears so stoic,” Tori said, her voice dipping at the girlish secrets.
“Ah,” Sam began, shrugging.
“I mean, did he actually woo you? How did he even get you into bed? Did he bark orders at you?” Tori continued.
“Don’t get us wrong. We both love Falke dearly, but were pretty amazed to hear he had a woman, mind you, we know he’s had plenty of women, but, well, you know what we mean.” Ulyssa pulled Sam’s arm to get them walking again, adding, “Don’t want to take too long, or they’re likely to send out a search party. Damn if the Var men aren’t protective about what’s theirs. I ran away once, and I think Kirill still holds a small grudge about it though he refuses to admit it.”
Sam stepped off of the docking plank and was led directly up a long row of steps. Reaching the top platform, she paused. Before her lay a long wide walkway made of smooth stone, adjoining a brilliant palace. Her head leaned back on her shoulders. She looked up at its impressive height. It stood tall against the blue-green sky. Square turrets reached high into the heavens. It was magnificent.
“Blessed stars,” Sam whispered. The two women giggled.
“Impressive, huh?” Tori said. “When I first arrived, I tried my hardest to act like it was primitive and uninteresting. Now I know I was just being stubborn.”
The women let her go, and Sam stepped to the closest railing. A large city surrounding the palace rolled down the countryside from the front gate. Sam saw a few people walking along the top of their houses. The homes were constructed of gray bricks, contrasting with the red earth. They were of beautiful workmanship, though simplistic in their rectangular design. There was a bustling maze of earthen streets. From what she could tell, the city thrived.
“Come on,” Ulyssa said, tugging her arm. “Wait until you see the rest of it.”
“This may be a planet of men,” Tori added, “but they sure know how to build beautiful things.”
“The inside of the palace reminds me of the old Moroccan architecture on Earth,” Ulyssa admitted, “mixed with a medieval castle appeal.”
“Makes you wonder if they somehow met up with ancient Earth civilizations,” Tori mused. “I’ve heard of portals before, wormholes though space, though I’ve never seen any information to back that up.”
“No, it makes you wonder that, Tori. See, she’s a scientist,” Ulyssa explained. “That means she wonders about everything. I just say enjoy the beauty.”
Sam followed them inside the palace. If she thought the outside was impressive, the inside took her breath away. She was amazed to find herself staring at the intricate carvings over the arched doorways. There were particularly beautiful, symmetrical patterns of brilliantly displayed colors, blue, red, orange, gold, green, inlaid into the walls. A circular design was quite dizzying when stared at too closely. She blinked, reaching out to touch the bumpy surface in fascination.
“I know,” Tori sighed. “Hard to believe a barbaric race of primitive warrior men did this.”
Ulyssa laughed as if the two women shared a private joke.
Sam pulled her hand back from the wall. So this was where Falke grew up? Shaking a little, she knew she couldn’t possibly ask him to leave all this behind for a life on her ship if she still had a ship. It was likely the Bound Virgin had been stolen from the docks without anyone there to claim it.
Suddenly, Sam wished she had somehow gotten through her coronation and become a true princess. Then, it might work between them. She’d be considered worthy of marrying Falke. Thinking of Falke’s hard features, she grimaced. Well, maybe it would have worked, at any rate.
Sam felt sorely out of her league. Tori and Ulyssa were obviously born into royalty. They were so beautiful, elegant, and graceful despite their swollen bellies. It was clear they belonged here. She might have been born a princess, but Sam had never felt like one.
The two women led her down a long hall, stopping to push open two oversized doors. Stepping in, she looked around. The banquet hall was a splendid affair with a high domed ceiling of glass that let in a diffused light, mosaic patterns on the walls, and a very lovely tiled floor. Flowers swept over the walls in lengthy garlands, their fragrance sweetening the hall. Long tables and bench seats were along the floor for group dining, but she was glad to see they were currently empty. At the front of the hall, on a raised platform, was what had to be the king’s table. She took a deep breath, feeling suddenly nauseous.
She recognized Jarek, wearing a long-sleeved tunic next to a man with long black hair. A more slender prince, with light brown hair, was next to them. Each of them was looking at her sternly, and she had the sudden impulse to either run or faint.
“Don’t worry,” Tori whispered. “They’re not as bad as they look.”
“Hey, if you can handle a giant like Falke, these men will be nothing,” Ulyssa added, squeezing her arm.
Sam nodded and to her horror, the women abandoned her to walk over to their husbands. The brown haired one must have been Prince Quinn, as Tori went to him, which made the other unknown man the king. Looking behind her, Sam debated on whether or not she could run back to the ship, fire up the engine, and be off the ground before they caught up to her.
“Please,” the king said, waving her forward. “Join us.”
Sam took a hesitant step forward and was sure the sound of her footsteps echoed loudly in the silent hall. Trembling, she didn’t know how she possibly made it to stand before the table. She looked at Jarek, the only familiar face, and gave a halfhearted smile.
Quinn and Kirill leaned forward, turning to look at their brother. Jarek shrugged, and the strangest grin spread over his handsome features. Sam’s smile faded.
“So you’re the little woman who kidnapped my brother.” King Kirill broke the silence.
“Ah,” she whispered, realizing her voice wasn’t going to come out any louder. Slowly, she nodded, looking properly apologetic.
“Funny,” Quinn said to his brothers. “I expected a woman of Falke’s girth. She’s barely a little slip of a thing.”
“Thank Goodness,” Jarek exclaimed. “Could you imagine Falke in a dress...oh, wait, never mind, we’ve seen that.”
All three brothers laughed. Ulyssa reached over and punched Jarek in the arm. Tori shook her head, nudging her husband. Quinn looked properly chastised though his eyes were still lit with merriment when he looked at his wife. She leaned over and kissed the tip of his nose.
Sam, seeing they weren’t looking at her, took a step back. It was official. Everyone on the planet was insane. She wondered what was more likely, inbreeding or lead poisoning? At her movement, they turned to her. She stopped. Seeing Jarek’s affected grin as he obviously checked her out, staring too long at her breasts, she decided to go with both options.
“She doesn’t ask about Falke,” Jarek said. “Perhaps it’s not as we thought.”
Sam wat
ched his face open up in invitation, as he eyed her like a piece of meat. Before she could stop herself, she muttered sarcastically, “I’m not asking about my crew either, screwboy. Don’t you have something you could be doing elsewhere? Like forcing your obvious lack of charm on unconscious women who can’t run away from you?”
To her surprise, all of them broke into hearty laughter. Yep, crazy, every last one of them.
“She got you, Reid,” the king said.
Sam frowned, looking at whom she thought was Jarek. “I thought you were...didn’t you help to kidnap me?”
“Ah, you mean my twin, Jarek,” Reid said. “I, the charmer of sleeping women, am Prince Reid, Commander of the Outpost.”
“Oh, sorry,” Sam mumbled, her cheeks flaming. If he’d kidnapped her, she’d have reason for the sudden outburst. It was partly Jarek’s fault she now stood to be judged.
“Don’t you dare be sorry,” Quinn said. “You’re right. Reid’s a scoundrel.”
“Thanks,” Reid grinned, taking it as a compliment.
“Are you done torturing the poor woman, yet?” Ulyssa asked, stroking her husband’s arm. “She’s had to deal with Falke, isn’t that punishment enough?”
King Kirill looked at her and when he smiled, it was genuinely kind. “Have you been sufficiently tortured by us?”
Sam nodded. They laughed, and she took a step back.
“Very well. Welcome to the Var palace, my lady.” King Kirill stood, waving his hand with flourish as he moved his elbow to help his wife. The queen hardly looked like she needed help standing but took his arm anyway. There was a lot of love between the Var royal couples.
Sam felt her heart sink. Falke never looked at her like that, so openly, so tenderly. It could only mean he didn’t feel like that for her. She wondered briefly if he’d let her stay to have the baby and then leave with the child.
The Bound Prince Page 17
