Possessed

by Tana Stone

  No problem, I thought. I can eat like this. How hard can it be?

  After my piece of bread broke off and I’d dropped a blob of food onto my chest for the second time, I heard a stifled guffaw from across the table. Looking up sharply, I saw that Kratos was trying to hide his laughter behind his hand.

  Heat rushed to my cheeks, and I threw down my bread. “This isn’t that easy, you know!”

  He stopped laughing. “I am sorry. I had no idea you didn’t know how to eat.”

  “I know how to eat,” I snapped at him. “I just don’t know how to eat without a fork or a spoon. This bread keeps falling apart.”

  He pushed back his chair and stood, walking quickly to my side of the table and sitting on the bench next to me. He plucked a flat round of bread from a bowl and held it up. “You need to use this to wrap the food, but you must fold it first.”

  I watched carefully as he bent the bread back on itself, making a double layer. Then he used it to pick up a piece of shredded meat and pop it into his mouth. As he chewed, he gestured for me to try.

  I parroted his movements, folding the bread and then trying to grab a bite of food, but the morsel slipped out and splattered onto the table. I looked up at him, but he’d already wiped the smile off his face.

  Standing, he came around behind me, wrapping his arms around my body and lifting my hands in his.

  “You don’t have to feed me,” I said, indignant and slightly embarrassed that I couldn’t manage to eat without making a mess.

  “I’m not feeding you.” He put his head next to mine and his deep voice sent a shiver skating down my spine. “I’m teaching you.”

  I swallowed hard, my heart fluttering like a bird desperately trying to escape a cage. Having him so close made fear and desire battle within me, a feeling I was not used to.

  Cupping my hands in his much larger ones, Kratos guided me to pick up the bread. “You cannot hold it too hard, or it will tear.”

  I nodded, but my body shook as he moved my hand so that I picked up a bit of food from a platter. His grip on me was gentle as he guided the food to my mouth, his finger brushing my lower lip.

  I closed my mouth and chewed, the meat warm and savory on my tongue. He had not let go of my hands, and I could feel his eyes on me.

  “Do you like it?” he asked.

  For a brief moment, I wasn’t sure if he meant the food or him holding me. I turned to meet his gaze, his face so close to mine that his breath was warm on my cheek. His eyes were black, and a vein thrummed in the side of his neck. If I had been standing, my knees would have given way.

  “It’s delicious,” I finally managed to whisper.

  “You seem surprised.”

  “I’ve never eaten Vandar food before.”

  His gaze held mine. “That is not why.”

  “I didn’t know a Raas of the Vandar could be gentle,” I said before I could think better of it.

  He nodded, his eyes drifting to my lips. “You make me want to be gentle.” He dropped my hands and captured my jaw in one palm. “You also make me want to tear the clothes off your body and fuck you right here on this table.”

  I inhaled a shallow breath, my mouth going dry.

  “But I will not do that, Raisa,” he whispered, dragging his thumb across my bottom lip. “I do not want you that way. Not the first time, at least.”

  When he kissed me, it was so soft that I barely felt his lips against mine. I raised a hand to his face and leaned in, wanting more of him. He responded instantly, his lips moving against mine and his tongue delving into my mouth. I moaned when he threaded his fingers in my hair and tilted my head back to taste more of me.

  When he pulled away, he rested his forehead against mine, his breaths labored. “It is hard to control myself with you.” He stood and looked down at me. “But I should stop kissing you, if you are not ready to tell me what I want to hear.”

  I didn’t say anything, even though part of me wanted nothing more than what he did as well.

  He jerked his gaze away from me and returned to his side of the table in a few long strides. “You will beg me soon enough. I will wait.”

  I wanted to tell him that he was going to be waiting for a long time, but I wasn’t sure that was true anymore. I couldn’t deny that there was something about this brutal warlord that was the opposite of anything I’d expected, or anything I’d been told about the Vandar. Something that pulled me to him and made me want to know more.

  I stared down at my food, my lips still buzzing from his touch. “I hear we’re stopping soon.”

  “You heard?” The softness had left his voice. “Where are you hearing things, Raisa?”

  I lifted my head and saw him glaring across the table at me. “It’s not like I’m hanging out with your Vandar buddies on the bridge. The guy who brought the food mentioned it.”

  His expression relaxed, and he resumed eating. “We are stopping. The crew needs some release.”

  “At a pleasure planet, right?” I asked, watching his face to see if he’d lie to me. Since I’d been a child, I been able to read people’s expressions and know if they were lying.

  He glanced up and met my gaze. “Yes. We are stopping on the pleasure planet, Jaldon.” His mouth twitched. “Do you have a problem with that?”

  I shrugged. “Why would I care what your crew does? Or who they do?”

  “I am glad.” He stood, taking a long swig of wine from his goblet and wiping his hand across his mouth. “I will return tomorrow, but if you need anything you can press the panel to the side of the door and an attendant will bring you whatever you require.”

  “Wait, you’re going to be getting off at the pleasure planet?” My voice sounded much shriller than I’d intended it to.

  He crossed his arms over his chest. “You have no problem with my crew blowing off steam with women and whiskey, yet you would deny me the same release?”

  I stood to face him, not sure why I had the urge to slap the smug look off his face. “Do whatever you want to do. I don’t care.” I spun on my heel and stalked away from him.

  Before I’d gotten a few steps, he’d come up behind me and snaked one arm tightly around my waist, pulling me hard against him. “I think you do care, Raisa. I think you want me as much as I want you.”

  I shook my head, even as I felt my nipples harden and my pulse race.

  He stroked the back of his hand down my face even as his tail dipped underneath my skirt and stroked up the front of my leg. “Just tell me what I want to hear, and I’ll stay here with you, instead.”

  As much as my body ached for him and as good as his tail felt between my thighs, I could not submit to the Vandar warlord so easily. I could not be so weak. My sister would never have given in so easily. I shook my head again, and he roared, pushing away from me.

  “If this is what you want, Raisa,” he rasped.

  I turned and watched him back away from me, his expression both menacing and tortured.

  He growled once more before turning his back on me. “It is done.”

  When he’d stomped out of the room, I stumbled to the bed, my body shaking as I sank down on it.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Kratos

  “Which one pleases you, Raas?” The alien madam swept a green arm wide as she simpered at me.

  The females stood in a row for me to inspect, and behind me, some of my warriors shuffled in anticipation for their turn. Although the warriors from all the ships in my horde had scattered throughout the city, the pleasure house I had chosen contained the most beautiful and exotic females. It was the house my command deck warriors frequented and where I had spent many a pleasurable night.

  I cast my gaze down the line of scantily clad pleasurers—tall Grexians with double-jointed pelvises, curvy Borans who were so top-heavy they looked like they would tip over, and blue-skinned Haralli with wings—but none of them made my pulse quicken.

  I was still fuming from Astrid’s latest refusal and having serious d
oubts about the promise I’d made her. What was the point of being a Raas of the Vandar if I could not take what I wanted—anything I wanted?

  “That one,” I finally said, pointing to a willowy Teraxian with black hair. At least she would not remind me of the small, light-haired human back in my quarters.

  The creature moved toward me, her hips swaying as she walked. She hooked her arm through mine, giving me a practiced sultry smile. “The Raas honors me with his attention.”

  I didn’t respond. I had only come to the pleasure house because it was what my crew expected, and what I’d promised both Bron and Corvak. It would prove to them all that the female I’d taken as my captive did not hold sway over me. I was still the Raas, who could outdrink and outfuck any of them.

  I let my eyes wander as the Teraxian led me up the sweeping staircase. The house was only three levels, with rooms circling the soaring entrance hall and balconies extending into the center. The lights were turned low—to appeal to our sensitive Vandar eyes—with illuminated filaments crisscrossing the empty space between the balconies and creating a glowing web of light.

  I glanced down as we continued to the top level of the house and saw some of my crew gathered around tables on the first level, as topless females walked through the room passing out shots of bitter Jaldon whiskey. I saw Corvak pull one serving girl down onto his lap roughly and squeeze one of her three breasts. She wiggled in his grasp but did not get up. The Vandar paid well for having free run of the premises and of the females inside it.

  “Right in here, Raas.” The alien female waved me into a room that was fully equipped for pleasure. Aside from the huge bed, there was a mirror on the ceiling, a swing hanging in another corner, and a selection of whips and restraints displayed on the wall.

  She closed the door and led me to the long, padded bench at the foot of the bed. “How should I pleasure you first, Raas?” she purred as she began unhooking my belt.

  I was silent as she removed both my belt and kilt, running a hand down the length of my tail. My body jerked slightly as she reached the tip, swirled her fingers around it, and squeezed. It was clear that this female knew what to do with Vandar tails.

  When she saw my cock, she made the noises of appreciation I would have expected from her. She was good, I would give her that. If I had not been to as many pleasure houses as I had, I might have believed her moans. But they were not real.

  Not like the sounds Astrid had made when I’d kissed her. I’d felt the human’s genuine desire coupled with her fear, and it had been intoxicating.

  The Teraxian pushed me down on the bench and knelt between my legs, fisting my cock and eyeing it with well-practiced desire. I closed my eyes and leaned back, trying to convince myself that it was Astrid who was sucking me, and not this well-seasoned pleasurer. I imagined that it was my little human’s mouth taking all of me as she played with my tail and making hungry noises while she did. I fisted my hand in her hair and moved her head up and down, thrusting my cock down her throat. But as much as I tried to imagine Astrid, I knew it was not her.

  I opened my eyes and sat up so quickly the Teraxian flew back, yelping in surprise, a look of irritation crossing her face as she dropped my tail. She quickly resumed smiling at me, dabbing at the corners of her mouth. When I stood and pulled up my kilt, her smile faltered once more. “Is Raas displeased? Would he prefer to tie me up? Or perhaps whip me with his tail?”

  I fastened my belt and shook my head. “I am not displeased with you. I am merely distracted. I will pay your madam for a full night with you. Why don’t you take the night off and get some rest?”

  She sauntered toward me, splaying her hands across my chest. “I’d rather have a big, strong Raas fuck me.”

  I grasped her wrists. “It will not be this one, female. Not tonight.”

  She sighed, her voice losing its seductive lilt. “Fine, but don’t tell Kyrva I didn’t try.” Her eyes dropped down. “And I should get extra for deep-throating that.”

  I almost laughed, preferring this honest version of the female more than her sexy persona. “I will give you extra for that.”

  I left her standing with her hands on her hips, closing the door behind me and almost bumping into Bron in the corridor.

  He eyed me then the door. “You are usually not done with one so quickly, Kratos. Was she no good?”

  “She was fine,” I said. I saw that he was not with a female. “Where is yours?”

  He nodded his head at a spot down the hall where two identical females were walking. They paused, looked back over their shoulders and beckoned him with their fingers and matching giggles.

  “Twins from Felaris,” I said, grinning at my majak.

  He shrugged. “It has been a long time. But if you would prefer—“

  I waved a hand at him. “No, my friend. You enjoy them. I was just heading downstairs to have a drink.”

  “You are sure?”

  I pounded a hand on his back. “When you are done, come join me for some Jaldon whiskey.”

  I left him and walked purposefully down the stairs, the loud music and laughter getting louder as I reached the first floor. I paused at the bottom of the stairs to let a blue-skinned female flit by me, one of my warriors chasing her in what appeared to be a game of strip tag. Crossing to a table, I straddled a bench next to my battle chief.

  “What happened to the pretty serving girl?” I asked, nudging him.

  He peered at me over a large iron tankard. “Too busy.”

  I flicked my eyes up. “You don’t wish to take a room?”

  He lifted his drink. “I wanted to unwind with a few Parnolian ales, first.”

  I waved a hand at a server, pointing to Corvak’s large ale to indicate I wanted the same. “A good choice.”

  “And you?” Corvak asked, one of his dark eyebrows lifting. “What happened with your pleasurer?”

  I thought back to the striking Teraxian. “She was very efficient.”

  Corvak snorted a laugh. “You’re sure that is it?”

  I picked up the ale that was placed in front of me and took a swig of the cold, frothy drink. “I’m sure. Why? You do not wish to drink with your Raas?”

  He straightened. “That is not what I meant. But you usually spend much more time upstairs than down.”

  I twitched one shoulder. “Maybe it has been too long since I drank with my warriors.” I lifted my ale and my voice. “To Lokken!”

  All the warriors around me lifted their own tankards and glasses to the ancient god. “To Lokken!”

  We all drank and then thudded our drinks onto the table. There were more roars and cheers, and one of the warriors yelled, “To the Raas!”

  I nodded as my crew bellowed their approval, chanting “Raas” over and over until I stood, holding my hands up. I lifted my ale in salute and chugged the remains in a single, long gulp, pounding the metal tankard on the table.

  “Another round for the Vandar warriors,” I called over the raucous shouting, and servers scurried out from behind the bar carrying full trays. A new tankard was placed in front of me, the golden contents sloshing over the sides.

  When I sat back down, Corvak eyed me, nodding. “It has been a while since you have done this.”

  “It is like in the beginning, no?” I asked, remembering the days when I was a new Raas, and I would drink with my warriors almost every night.

  “I’d thought maybe you were here because you did not want to take a female tonight. Because of the female in your quarters.”

  I shook my head. “I told you she holds no sway over me. She is my prisoner.”

  “So, you do not feel loyalty to her?”

  I laughed, even as my stomach tightened. “No more loyalty than I would to one of these creatures.” I motioned to a winged Haralli who fluttered overhead.

  “I am glad to hear it.” Corvak raised his glass to me and drank.

  I also took a drink, although my gut churned at the lie. I did not lie to my crew, and I had neve
r felt the need to hide anything from my battle chief before. So why was I compelled to hide my feelings for the human? Why did the small female affect me so much?

  I’d just wiped the back of my hand across my mouth when I saw the young Vandar apprentice pushing his way through the crowd. His eyes were wide, and his chest was heaving as if he’d run a long distance.

  “Raas!” He said when he spotted me. “Vaes!”

  Corvak stood quickly, knocking his chair over behind him.

  My heart plummeted to my stomach. “Is it As—“

  “It’s the Zagrath,” he said, his words a fast jumble. “They found us. They’re boarding our ships.”

  I was already running for the door before he finished his sentence. Astrid. They were trying to take Astrid.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Astrid

  I could not believe that he’d walked out on me to go to some alien whorehouse. I stopped pacing long enough to stamp my foot hard.

  “Infuriating alien,” I muttered to myself. “Just who the hell does he think he is?” I slapped a hand over my mouth then dropped it. If I was going to live among the Vandar and with a warlord who irritated me so much, I should probably get comfortable with cursing. “The big jerk.”

  Okay, baby steps.

  Obviously, he thought he was the warlord of a powerful horde of violent Vandar raiders who could take whatever they wanted. And, technically, he was right. He’d taken me hadn’t he?

  I was a citizen of the empire, and he’d captured me like I was his for the taking. My face warmed as I thought about his big, rough hands on me. He clearly thought he could do with me what he pleased.

  “Well, think again, asshole.” I smiled at myself. This swearing thing wasn’t so bad. Then I frowned again thinking of Kratos.

  I tried not to dwell on how my body had responded to his touch or how I’d almost begged him to fuck me. My face flushed even thinking the word.