by Stone, Piper
Draze rubbed his hand down the back of my head. “You are far too observant, little human. There is little for our people to celebrate; however, our king is a wise man.”
“He wants to keep your people quiet. For now.” I hated saying the words, the sadness and animosity surrounding them but in truth, I felt no different than seeing the scripted bullshit forced on the human people every single day from President Marchant.
“You are well aware of what’s at stake, little human.” For the first time, Greson seemed broken, as if there was no hope for his people or for the human race.
Perhaps I was simply reading too much into his limited words.
“Am I allowed to go?” I asked in a breathless manner, almost laughing after issuing the question. Why would a lowly creature such as myself be allowed to attend?
“You are one of the... stars.” Draze shifted his hand until he was able to grip my neck. “And you need to listen to me very carefully. There are people who will be watching our every move. You must remain docile while being observant. Your special skills from law enforcement will be useful tonight.”
Docile. He had to be kidding me.
“When do we leave for Earth?” I could tell my question wasn’t one they’d determined yet.
“Tomorrow,” Draze stated. “You will lead us to the information you’ve collected immediately. I fear time is of the essence.”
“The feast will begin shortly. We need to prepare.” Greson shook his head. “We have a mission to complete.”
“Yes, you are correct.” Draze rubbed his index finger across my lips. “Whatever occurs tonight, you will remain in your role. You will be shown off. You will be disciplined. You will be...”
“Your pet. I understand exactly what place I hold with the two of you. All I want is to make certain that Earth isn’t destroyed either by you or whichever enemy is intent on exacting revenge. But hear me. After we solve this riddle, I refuse to continue being nothing more than a slave.” I want more. I need more.
I held back a bitter laugh from the thought. I was merely a prop to find answers. Maybe that’s exactly what I needed as well.
As always, Draze puffed up, his chest rising and falling. His words were unexpected. “Very well. You will be set free as long as you provide every detail that you know about the New World Order as well as the information from your father. If you do as you are required then I will make certain your criminal sentence is commuted to time served. You will be free to return to Earth in whatever status your planet remains. If not, I assure you that you will never be set free from a cage ever again. Do. We. Have. A. Deal?”
I could hear the grumble in Greson’s voice, but even his discord no longer mattered in any regard. I stuck out my hand in a very human gesture. “We have a deal, Commander Haern. If you renege on that deal, I assure you that I will do everything in my power to destroy you and all you care about.”
My words were terse.
Angry.
And a complete lie.
I hadn’t expected his acquiescence in any manner. An ugly pang shifted into my system, even though he’d at least quantified what I’d already felt. I was nothing to them. Fine.
Now at least we could get down to the business of saving Earth.
Chapter Eleven
Draze
Humans.
The little human believed she could best me in any manner. She had another think coming, including being placed over my knee for one hard spanking. The thought made my cock twitch, my heart ache.
I hadn’t expected the line of bullshit I’d spouted off, but she couldn’t be the reason that my mission failed. I refused to allow that to happen.
I adjusted the uniform, glaring into the mirror. I’d been unable to stop thinking about Casey since I’d issued the rather frank words. And they’d been a lie. I took several deep breaths, admonishing my behavior. Fuck this. I didn’t need a woman in my life, even if she was only considered a pet.
I closed my eyes, envisioning her naked body. For a few seconds, I wallowed in the guilt of what I’d done as well as the desire burning deep within. I wanted her. I craved her.
I needed her.
And I’d all but terminated every aspect of what we’d shared.
The joy.
The passion.
The... truth.
“Fuck!” I slammed my fist against the mirror, the sound of shattering glass fueling the rage, but I was angry with myself at this point. I’d allowed my pride and my commitment to our race to interfere with my heart.
Maybe I no longer was capable of caring for anyone.
“You’re a fucking fool,” Greson said. The asshole had the audacity to remain in the shadows, criticizing me after all he’d done.
“Fuck you.”
“Such words for a leader.”
I flexed my fingers, enjoying the pain as I studied the trickle of blood slithering down the side of my hand. I deserved nothing but anguish. “Whatever you have to say doesn’t matter to me.”
“Well, it should,” he said as he stepped into the light. “I’m sick of this guilt you’ve placed on me. I’m tired of being your punching bag. I made a decision that was right at the time. I had no way of knowing that—”
“That she would die?” I snapped, shifting in his direction and closing the distance after the interruption. “That you would take away from me the one woman I’d ever loved?”
“Did you ever stop and think that she felt she had a duty to her country first?”
“Or do you mean to you?” The words had been ones I’d needed to say for years, the venom laced in my voice exactly what I was feeling.
But for all the wrong reasons.
Greson’s eyes lit up, his nostrils flaring. “I would never, ever do that to you. We were friends. We shared everything together.”
“Don’t deny you had feelings for her. Do not dare... lie to me.” I reached out, ready to snap his neck, but the vision of the only woman I could think about, the only person in my life who had been able to drag me out of the horrific fog floated into my mind.
Guilt.
Shame.
Anger.
Sadness.
Greson twisted his mouth, blinking several times. “I adored her. Castran was beautiful and amazing both as a woman and as a fighter. I will never forget her laugh or the way she furrowed her brow when learning anything new. I will also never forget the way she looked at you. Such love. Such devotion. She loved you, not me. And yes, I was angry with you, bitter that she refused to love me, but she made her choice.”
I was stunned at his words, the past hitting me hard.
“But you ignored the most important part about her. Castran was a warrior. She was born to serve, and you refused to allow her to do just that, the only other love of her life.”
I heard the inflection, the insinuations that I was in love with Casey. Damn all of this. The past. The present. Could there ever be a future?
I faltered, my mind reeling. “Castran wasn’t supposed to be there. She wasn’t ready.”
“Yes, she was. She was trained. By. You. You gave her every skill that made her the most incredible soldier in our ranks. In my ranks. She was special because you helped mold her that way. If only...” Greson sucked in his breath, lowering his head. “I’m so fucking sorry.”
“Say it. Finish the sentence!”
He shook his head until the second I punched him, the force shoving him hard against the wall and into the broken glass. I wrapped both hands around his throat, ready to end his life. “Damn you! Finish it.”
Greson didn’t fight, nor did he try to retaliate. He simply stared me in the eyes, his as haunted as mine had been through the years. “If only you could have seen her on the last day, her excitement of knowing she was coming home to you. I knew on that very day that you two were meant to be together. When the ship was hit, the fire unyielding, I did everything in my power to save her. Every. Fucking. Thing. Please believe me.”
I
kept my grip firm, digging my fingers into his skin, but I knew in my heart what he was saying was the truth. I’d held her too tightly, forgetting what truly made her happy.” I released my hold, stumbling backwards until I hit the opposite wall. “I... killed her.”
“No, brother. You didn’t kill her. A ship that I suspected was Valtar attacked us. I believe in my heart they were responsible.”
I was shocked, my ears ringing. “What?”
He nodded. “I know it doesn’t make sense. They are supposed to be extinct, gone, but I swear to you on my honor that there is a faction alive and preparing a battle.”
“You didn’t tell the king?”
“I told him. I even showed him what I believed to be evidence, but he refused to believe me. He forbade me to ever mention their name again.”
I rubbed my eyes, trying to put the pieces together. Why in the hell would the king not explore the option that they were alive? Unless he had already been aware of the possibility. “That was years ago. There have been no other sightings? No other ships attacked?”
“Not that has been disclosed to me,” Greson stated, lifting his eyebrows. “I should have told you, but everything I’d gathered as evidence was taken by the king. At that point, what was I supposed to do? You weren’t talking with me. You made it perfectly clear that you wanted nothing to do with me in any manner, either in battle or personally.”
I wasn’t prepared to argue the point. I had done everything in my power to push him aside, which could have resulted in my mission being on Earth. “You are certain of what you experienced?”
“One hundred percent. The markings on the two ships were identical to what we’d learned in school regarding the Valtar’s heritage. There was no mistake.” Greson stood to his full height. “However, the ships were older, battle scarred and I was shocked they’d been able to sneak up on us.”
Maybe the betrayal had started years ago, some of our people aiding remaining living members of the Valtar race. What did that have to do with Earth or the treaty? Everything was far too hazy.
I sucked in my breath. “What the fuck would keep the king from investigating the information?”
“That I don’t know. I will tell you that after the attack, my assigned missions were suddenly further and further away from Malzeon.” He snorted. “I was being punished.”
“For the truth.”
I wanted nothing more than to confront the king, but I knew better. There was a game being played and I refused to be buried in the middle of it.
“Yes,” he said softly.
I twisted all the way around, knowing that I should at least forgive him, but seeing Casey standing in the doorway created another wave of raging desire. She was even more beautiful than before, the crimson dress I’d selected hugging every curve of her hourglass figure. Everything about her was magnificent, but the pensive look on her face was a clear indication she’d heard every word we’d said.
“I didn’t mean to interrupt,” she murmured, prepared to turn away. “I understand I am required to wear the anal plug tonight.”
“You didn’t interrupt but you are correct,” Greson was quick to answer. “We are finished here, little pet. Besides, we need to head to the celebration. King Lorowerd will be looking for us.”
He gave me a staunch glance before exhaling and walking out of the room. There was far too much history between us.
I adjusted a few buttons, trying to figure out what to say to her. “By all rights, I should give you a hard spanking. Right here. Right now.”
“For defying you? Then go ahead.”
Her defiance was infuriating. I couldn’t allow her to believe that she’d regained any level of control. She would indeed help us in any manner required and she would learn to respect me. Growling, I planted my foot on the base of the sink, yanking her over my knee. “You will learn to obey me no matter what I ask of you.”
“You can’t own me. You can’t break me.”
I’d heard the words far too many times. I jerked the sheer fabric to the middle of her back, my chest rising and falling as I studied the slight pink remaining on her skin. My mouth watered from the thought of shoving my cock past her pretty pink pussy lips. Why every muscle in my body was shaking was troublesome for several reasons.
Because you care about her.
Because you don’t want anything to happen to her.
I huffed as she struggled in my arms, kicking out like a disobedient child. If she couldn’t learn to trust me or obey my every command, I could lose her.
And that wasn’t going to happen.
Damn it, what the woman was doing to me.
I brought my hand down as I wrapped my hand around her flailing arm, pinning it against the small of her back.
“I hate you,” she yelped.
“So you’ve said.” I smacked her several times, moving from one side to the other. Almost instantly, the heat of my hand built to a point that the embers within me became flames, prepared to consume us both.
I kept the rhythm even, my vision clouded as I thought about how the hell I was going to protect her.
Casey continued to wiggle, grinding her tummy against my already throbbing cock. And she knew exactly what she was doing to me.
Enticing me.
Disrespecting me.
Inviting me.
I clenched my eyes closed, drinking in her feminine wiles, parched from the need to taste her. I had to concentrate on the mission and nothing else. I bit back another growl as I dragged my finger down the crack of her ass, darting the tip just inside her sweet pussy. She was so wet, her tender tissue almost scorching my skin.
No. This wasn’t going to happen. This moment was about discipline and nothing more.
I peppered her heated bottom several more times until I was blinded with lust. When I was finished, I caressed her skin, moving my finger around in lazy circles.
She accepted my touch, undulating her hips once again then suddenly pushed away, jerking to her feet, her eyes flashing anger.
But not from the round of discipline.
From the disappointment and hurt from earlier.
In her eyes, I was a monster.
I stood, raking my hands through my hair, trying to calm my nerves. For a few seconds, the tension was thick, keeping me on edge. I reached for the plug, turning it over several times in the light. “Bend over and spread your ass cheeks.”
Her eyes opened wide before she obeyed, huffing when she turned around, bending over and gently easing her freshly spanked ass cheeks apart.
I shoved my fingers into her pussy, thrusting in and out several times, the force almost toppling her over. I could tell she was biting back any reaction, refusing to give in to the pleasure.
But her breathing was heavy, her legs quivering.
When my fingers were sufficiently coated, I rubbed them up to her sweet little asshole, pressing them inside. I plunged several times as my cock continued to ache. I’d avoided feeling anything after Castran’s death, locking away all my emotions.
Until one little human smashed the very lock holding them in place. There was no denying the way I felt for her, the love saturating every cell and muscle. I shifted my concentration toward the plug, snarling as I pushed the end against her puckered hole.
Once again, she moaned, her breathing ragged.
I inserted the plug an inch at a time, finally patting her heated bottom. “I believe you are ready.” I shifted back as she stood, adjusting her dress before turning in my direction.
I noticed she was staring at my hand. Blood covered several fingers from my fit of rage.
“You’re hurt.” She inched closer, taking my hand into hers, turning it over. The way she rubbed her finger across my knuckles was far too enticing.
“I’m fine, Casey.”
I attempted to pull away, but her grip was firm. She shifted her gaze, obviously noticing the broken glass. “Your rage will be your death. Come with me.”
I allowed h
er to pull me toward the sink, studying her pensive face. She was actually worried about me, something I hadn’t felt in so long. My breathing remained heavy as she turned on the water, easing my hand underneath the cool stream and gently brushing her fingers across the injury.
“The cut doesn’t appear to have any glass embedded but you may have a scar.” She rinsed the wound several times before grabbing a towel and blotting the remaining blood.
“I will heal. That is an effect of the transformations.”
“Well, then good.” Her words were stilted but she was so warm, a rush of adrenaline flowing inside every vein and cell in my body.
“My anger is necessary,” I said quietly. “At times.”
“Your emotions cloud your judgment. You need to be clearheaded, Commander.” She dumped the towel, pulling away from me.
When she attempted to walk around me, I gripped her arm, yanking her close. “You are... a magnificent woman, Casey Roberts.” The natural scent of her rolled into my nostrils, the fragrance seductive, leaving me breathless. The sheerness of the material allowed me a mere hint of the prize hidden underneath, one I enjoyed tasting far too much. I lowered my head, dragging my tongue along the base of her ear.
She smirked before biting her lower lip and struggling in my grip. “I mean nothing to you, Draze. I am well aware of my requirements and what is expected of me but thank you. I’m following your orders as commanded.”
“Why do you hate me?”
“Hate? Don’t fool yourself. You’re not worth hating.”
I yanked her once again until the heat of our bodies exploded between us. Beads of perspiration trickled along my forehead, my blood rapidly boiling, the dichotomy of emotions taking a toll. “I do care about you, at least in my way.”
“You’re obviously not capable of caring about anyone, including members of your own species. I only hope that you are an honorable man and will help me prevent my planet’s destruction. I do care about my home and I do plan on living my life.”
I kept the stronghold, hovering over her like a vulture. When I finally released her, I thought about her statements. Perhaps she was right. I hadn’t been good enough for Castran. My mind flashed to the pivotal moment she made the decision to accept the position on Greson’s ship.
