Torkel's Chosen: A World Beyond Book 1

by Michelle Howard

  Faye relaxed. She understood nerves and offered him a grin. “You mean it’s not always that exciting?”

  His harsh visage eased as he ran a hand over his ruffled hair. “Not at all. The other men are from my unit. Fellow Jutak warriors. You’re safe with them. A doctor will arrive shortly to see to your injuries.”

  “She’s injured?” From one of the newcomers. A wicked scar slashed across his left cheek and ended at his collarbone.

  “Axan hurt her, Kyele. It’s a long story.” Torkel pressed a kiss on her temple. “Watch over her until I return. I’ll be right back.”

  Chapter 5

  Faye stayed exactly where Torkel left her as the men gathered around her. They stared as if they’d never seen a woman before. Most of them were blond and blue eyed though there were a few like Arak and Torkel who had shades of brown hair. If she didn’t know better, Faye would have assumed they were humans.

  Jaron pointed to a long sectional that curved on the ends. The odd furniture had a high back and was low to the floor. “You should rest.”

  The statement was more a command that usually she would have protested against but Faye gratefully sat on the edge. The man with the scar, Kyele, took the seat across from her.

  “Tell us of Earth,” he demanded. “You’re our first human.”

  Faye leaned far back in her seat and tucked her feet to the side. “Most of you look human to me.”

  Arak grimaced. “Why would you leave your home to claim men who look the same?”

  “What?” She glanced around at their avid stares.

  More of the group prowled closer and a few joined her on the sofa. It reminded her of being surrounded by predators.

  One of the red uniformed-clad men eyed her from head to toe before explaining Arak’s remark. “I’m Geile, Gregir is my brother. Women who are in the SP are looking for the exotic. Something different from what they have at home.”

  Heads nodded in agreement.

  Faye hadn’t thought of that. “Well. I guess I’m okay with exotic but I applied to the program because of the shortage of men on my planet.”

  “Why is there a shortage?” Gregir challenged from behind her and leaned over the back of the sofa invading her personal space.

  Faye cringed and shoved her hands between her legs to still the shaking. “After an epidemic virus struck mainly the men of my race, women outnumbered men ten to one and in some cases twenty to one. It’s been years since a woman’s had the opportunity to choose a partner freely. Most accept the sex without commitment that men are demanding.”

  Geile winced. “A disgrace.”

  His brother Gregir agreed.

  “Do other Earth women look like you?” Kyele asked. She couldn’t help but take note of his pretty green eyes.

  Faye thought about his question. “Well they have the same body parts if that’s what you mean.”

  Jaron snorted. “We know that. There have been Earth women who came through the presentation but we haven’t seen any in person. Do they come in different colors and shapes like the rumors claim?” He swiveled his hands in the air and Faye laughed out loud. Men were the same everywhere.

  “Earth women, depending on their country of origin, come in varying skin tones. Hair and eyes are interchangeable.”

  They looked amazed by this. Even Kyele straightened. His scar stretched across his face when he frowned, turning otherwise attractive features into scary. Faye massaged her throat and wondered how much longer Torkel would be. Not that the men’s presence frightened her but she wasn’t sure what was expected of her.

  “Would you like something to drink?” Jaron asked peering over the sofa.

  Her parched throat craved something wet. “Yes, please.”

  He hurried to the task and handed her an odd shaped mug with a pink frothy liquid. Faye hummed after the first sip. Delicious with a sweet taste. She relaxed back against the sofa and jumped in feet first. These were friends of Torkel. She wanted them to like her. “Tell me about yourselves.”

  As they each took turns speaking, she finished her drink and asked for another. She wasn’t concerned at all when the room tilted slightly.

  ***

  As soon as he entered his quarters, Torkel kicked out at the interior wall of his living space with his foot. The material gave and cracks webbed out from the caved in center. His actions did nothing to relieve him. He raked his hands through his hair and stormed into his bedchamber. Of all the luck. The first and only time a female chose him and another challenged the call.

  To think others viewed him as unfit and unworthy for a Chosen. He’d seen the expressions on the faces of the crowd. Disappointment and anger. For what? Because a beautiful woman wanted him. Him, Torkel the unwanted.

  If not for the fairness of the Commission he could have been disqualified by Axan’s words. Instead, the news would be all over the city about today’s events at the arena. Torkel yanked open his dresser and pulled out pants and a shirt. He almost ripped the loitte from his hips but remembered the pleasure on his maman’s face when he wore it.

  She’d personally selected the black leather and lovingly sewn on the side clasps. Each hook was made of siil and was costly to purchase. That she lined his loitte with the expensive metal showed her love for her son. Torkel couldn’t destroy the garment.

  With great care, he removed it and placed it on his bed. Torkel managed to get dressed without doing more damage as rage filled him. His thoughts turned to his Chosen. Faye Reid might want another after the presentation ceremony. He’d allowed a male to injure her when his role declared him her protector. Indecision had caused him to hesitate when he should have responded immediately to her cry for help.

  She was almost a foot shorter than him, her body proportioned in slopes and valleys. Thankfully, her figure wasn’t thin like the Enotians or he’d worry about breaking her the first time they sex shared. Her tanned skin and dark coloring brought to mind an exotic treasure. A woman like that could have any man she wanted.

  Torkel wondered if she regretted her choice despite her words in the elevator. He’d tried to steel himself against her for worry she might in fact change her mind.

  The Commission gave Chosen an entire day in the company of the man they selected. If unhappy, Faye could request a severance of their union. He ran a hand down his weary face. Torkel would prefer to have been a loner for the rest of his life than suffer a severance from a Chosen.

  His communicator buzzed as he was leaving his room. Torkel hesitated but had an idea who was calling and he could not ignore it.

  He flicked the flashing blue light on the device, keeping it to audio only. “Torkel.”

  “Son, Merlyn called me. Do you need papan and I to come over?”

  That was the last thing he needed. “Not this evening, maman.”

  “I’m so happy for you. I knew this was your year. Didn’t I tell you?”

  Torkel grinned in spite of his annoyance as she babbled. It was hard to remain unaffected with the woman who raised him. “Yes, maman.”

  “And she’s from Earth! I bet you’ll have beautiful babies and she’ll love you so much. You know my friend says she knows someone who knows someone with a woman from Earth and their loyalty is worth mentioning.”

  If he let her go on she’d talk all night. “I only have a minute. I’m waiting for a doctor to see to her injuries.”

  “Injuries!” she yelled.

  Torkel winced. “Be calm, maman. There is minor bruising on her arms.”

  “From that targot, Axan. I heard all about it. No one can talk of anything else.”

  Torkel’s mother had never used profanity to his knowledge and the one she spoke was pretty rough. “I’m sorry you had to hear from others. I would have called later.”

  “I know, Torkel. How soon can we meet our new daughter?”

  He wasn’t sure Faye would want to stay with him. Torkel refused to get his maman upset by telling her this. “I’ll see how Faye feels later.”

/>   “Faye,” she breathed. “How pretty.”

  Torkel chuckled. “I’m leaving now less she think I abandoned her to the guys.”

  “Oh, do make sure they’re gentlemen to her.”

  “Yes, maman.”

  “Bye.”

  He ended the call and hurried back to the recreation room where his Jutak unit waited. When he arrived, Faye sat on a sofa one arm extended while the doctor kneeled on the floor and used his neutralizer scanner. His men had gathered around to listen as she talked.

  “Then the jerk implied Torkel cheated. The Commission people wanted to go over it again, Axan lost his mind and grabbed me.”

  Jaron leaned against the back of the sofa. “She ran toward our unit leader and made it clear he was her Chosen.”

  His men cheered. This in turn caused Faye to duck her head. Torkel approached and Gregir and Geile let him through. Torkel sat next to his Chosen while the doctor finished.

  “I’m done, Torkel. The bruises are healed but the arm may be sore another day or two.” Dr. Maku declared.

  “All better.” Faye shoved her arm under his nose and something wet splashed his pants. Torkel caught the cup she’d almost dropped and sniffed the contents. Soku.

  Faye climbed across the space separating them and sat cross ways on his lap. “I’m so glad I chose you.”

  “I’m glad you chose me as well.” Were her eyes brighter?

  “Your friends were very nice to me,” she declared then clutched his shoulders when she swayed.

  Torkel frowned. She hadn’t appeared this uncoordinated at the arena. “Faye, are you alright?”

  Her nose scrunched. ‘I’m not sure what they gave me to drink but I might…” She pinched her fingers together in front of his face. “I might be a little drunk.” Then she smiled but unlike the smile she graced him with during the choosing, this one was lopsided as if her mouth wasn’t fully engaged.

  Her words pierced the fog of his brain. Drunk? Soku wasn’t an alcoholic beverage; it was a stimulant for tired warriors. “Who gave my Chosen Soku?”

  Suddenly the men in the room busied themselves and scattered. Only Arak hesitated. He was always the easiest, because he felt guilty when he lied.

  “Arak?”

  His brown haired team mate pointed out Jaron. “She expressed a desire to drink and Jaron thought Soku would boost her energy.”

  Jaron flushed and shoved his hands in his uniform pocket.

  “I like Soku,” Faye murmured and nibbled on his chin.

  Torkel leaned back against the sofa but she followed the move and pressed kisses down his throat.

  Her breasts flattened against his chest and forced her bottom into closer contact with his groin. He hardened instantly.

  “Faye, perhaps we should talk.” Would she want to stay with him? There were also things he needed to tell her about his job. If she stayed his Chosen, Torkel wanted to know what she needed to ensure her happiness. He didn’t know anyone with an Earth female and wasn’t sure if they required special care.

  She was smaller than the females he was used to. He’d always selected much larger females since Enotian women with their delicate beauty made it clear from the beginning they found him wanting. Her frame was lush and her ample curves filled his palms as he tried to still her flexing hips.

  “I don’t want to talk. You’re my husband now and we can have sex. Make babies.”

  Torkel choked and gripped her hips tighter. Some of his men chuckled outright.

  Dr. Maku came back over and sat on the sofa. “Hold her steady, Torkel.”

  Had he damaged her already? Torkel cupped Faye’s face. Her pupils dilated. “The doctor wants to check you out further.”

  She moaned and thrust her hips on his lap. Torkel groaned and released her face to grab her waist.

  “I want to check you out further, Torkel.” She kissed him full on the mouth, her tongue working along his as soon as his lips parted. She tasted like a gift from the gods. His hands caressed her waist as they glided up her torso. He wished she didn’t have on the thick dress of a Chosen. He desired to feel her skin under his hands.

  The doctor cleared his throat. “Only a moment Torkel and I believe the two of you can excuse yourselves.”

  Torkel froze and broke the kiss. Faye’s eyes were closed, her lips wet from his mouth. Her lashes fluttered and her brown eyes opened. “Torkel, I feel funny.”

  He brushed the hair back from her head. “Dr. Maku wants to check you out.”

  Faye blinked and shifted on his lap. She bumped his erection and Torkel flinched. His hands lifted her to sit on the cushion between him and the doctor. Maku flashed a red beam into her eyes. Torkel held her when she would have jumped away.

  He sensed his men closing in around them. The air vibrated with tension. What if the soku had a negative effect?

  “How do you feel, Faye?” Maku asked.

  “Horny.” She pushed the doctor’s hand with the light away from her face and turned toward Torkel. “Super horny.”

  Torkel rubbed her back, hoping to ease her ache. “I don’t know horny. Does it hurt?” If Axan had done more than bruise her arms, he would kill the targot.

  Faye reached out and rubbed his groin in front of his men and the doctor. Torkel half leaped from the sofa.

  “Horny,” she repeated crawling over him. “Aroused. Turned on.”

  He understood those phrases. She didn’t release her hold on his throbbing length. His hips pumped up and he groaned as she stroked.

  Dr. Maku stood up quickly. “I believe we can conclude Soku acts as an aphrodisiac in human females.”

  Torkel froze. “What?! What should I do?”

  Dr. Maku had been the medical professional assigned to his unit for a long time. He raised a blond brow, a half grin playing about his mouth. “Torkel, if I have to tell you what to do with your Chosen I’m going to call your parents and question why they never spoke with you in your youth.”

  Torkel’s cheeks heated.

  “Now I suggest you take her to the privacy of your rooms and deal with the effects of the Soku.”

  He began gathering his tools and stuffed them in his leather case. That was it? What kind of doctor just left a patient?

  “Torkel, I burn.” Faye stopped fondling him to crawl back into his lap.

  Torkel picked her up and jumped to his feet. He really didn’t want his grinning team to observe any more of Faye’s inappropriate behavior.

  Chapter 6

  Everything burned. Faye squirmed in Torkel’s arms until he lowered her to the mattress. She held onto the material of his shirt and pulled. Her actions caught him off guard and he tumbled on top of her. Without giving him a chance to resist, she wrapped her legs around his waist and locked her arms around his neck.

  “Please, Torkel. I need you bad.” She knew her behavior wasn’t normal. Faye liked to get to know a guy before she went to bed with him but the pink foamy drink had lit a fuse under her and now she wouldn’t be satisfied until Torkel filled her.

  “You’re not yourself, Faye. I would feel wrong if I took advantage of you.”

  She ignored Torkel’s protest and licked the curve of his ear. When he jerked in her arms, she repeated the caress and added suction.

  “By the gods,” he gasped.

  “I want you, Torkel. Don’t make me beg,” Faye pleaded. She wanted relief from the fire blazing through her loins.

  Faye shoved her hands through the silk of his hair. The dark strands were like warm chocolate. Did they have chocolate here? She’d miss it if they didn’t.

  Using her hold on his hair, Faye kept his head still and kissed him. Unlike the first kiss earlier, she slicked her tongue over his, sucked the tip and moved her mouth over his.

  His deep groan provided all the encouragement she needed. Faye tore at his shirt-covered chest and bared his skin to her gaze. Golden rich, sun-kissed skin. She smoothed her hands over the flat dark discs of his nipples. Torkel arched back, throat prominently
displayed, the veins popping out against his skin.

  Her head lowered and she sucked at the column of his neck. She sucked hard enough at the skin to leave her mark. “Don’t fight me, Torkel. I’m your Chosen. Doesn’t that mean a lot here? You’re supposed to take care of me.”

  “If you wish to change your mind, sex sharing will prevent you from choosing another.”

  Faye became motionless with his words. “What?”

  Torkel braced his arms on the bed and rose above her. It relieved her to hear him short of breath. “Sex sharing. If we do this, you won’t be able to go to another male.”

  “I don’t want another male,” she snapped. And not because of the money. The handsome man breathing heavily atop her was what she’d always longed for. He was powerful as evident by his bulk when he’d been dressed in the leather kilt earlier. His men respected him a great deal or they wouldn’t have come to his aid and helped when Axan sought to attack them.

  “Faye, the doctor believes the Soku is making you act like this.”

  Faye ran her hands down the sculpted plains of his back and pushed down. His lower half fell onto her. He was probably right since she didn’t quite feel herself. Faye rotated her hips, drawing a moan from both of them. “I don’t care. This is what I came here for. Make love to me.”

  Faye covered his face with kisses. Her insides seared. Sweat dampened her skin and she was wet. Wet for him.

  “You don’t want Axan or another? Be sure, Faye.”

  Why did he continue this nonsense? Faye gripped his jaw and jerked his face down to hers. “I chose you. Now quit talking and touch me.”

  Torkel growled and curved his arms under her thighs to spread them wide. He shoved the dress up around her waist. Her sex was bare. The attendants didn’t issue undergarments with the cloak and dress she’d received. She hoped her gift from Lindsey made it with her other belongings.

  Torkel’s fingers caressed the crease between her legs. “You’re wet.”

  “Hmm.”

  His touch sent electric shocks shooting through her core. When his thumb brushed the sensitive bud, Faye screamed and arched up.