What had he done to her?
She barely knew this man, whose name tasted like sunshine in her mouth and whose memory had left an indelible mark on her senses. Superstition had been a common response to unknowable circumstances on the Citadel and Aura had heard her fair share of fantastical stories about monsters and magic. But she had always been practical, believing only in the things she could see and touch. But what other way was there to describe what had happened to her, aside from some terrible form of dark mysticism.
He had cast a spell on her to make her unrecognizable to herself and then he had stolen her away, only to lock her up in a gilded cage.
Aura wanted to hate him, and a significant part of her did. But she also yearned for him in a way that squeezed her heart and twisted her insides.
And the inevitable result of her thoughts oozed down her thighs in a stomach-clenching rush. The proof of her arousal scented the air and soaked the bedding beneath her quivering body. It didn’t matter that she was alone, or that there was no more stimulus available to her than her own thoughts, but her body was as ready for mating as it was possible for it to be.
Her hands pushed between her thighs, only momentarily impeded by the heavy skirt of the dress she wore. Even though her fingers were frustratingly small, they worked frantically at the oversensitive skin that practically wept to be touched. Without conscious thought, her legs spread impossibly wide, as if an overly large Alpha was there to mount her. Her hips rose and fell from the bed in an ancient rhythm.
If Aura were consciously aware of her actions in that moment, she might feel embarrassment. But her body demanded sensation, even if no one else was there to provide it. Otherwise, she would be driven mad. The bedding beneath her had been arranged in a specific pattern of mounds and valleys, but she was heedless of the wreckage she made of her carefully constructed nest as her body writhed.
Distantly, she remained aware of the fact that any of the silent servants could reappear and catch her in this shameful act. But Aura was beyond caring. Her body craved release like an addict desperate for their preferred high.
And her drug of choice had a name and the most beautiful face she had ever seen.
Both hands worked her tender flesh into a frenzy. She mimicked the movements that he had used on her body so many times in that dark and dusty cabin, a fever dream in a forest full of nightmares.
But in her mind, the palm that skimmed down her belly felt larger and rougher than her own, fingers thick as they probed at the pouting lips of her entrance that was wet with slick. If she closed her eyes, Aura could almost hear the grunts and growls of her Alpha as he readied her body for his plunder.
A thumb danced over her clit, sending shock waves of electricity down her spine that bordered on true pain. Whimpering sounds echoed off of the walls. She only distantly realized they spilled from her own lips. The scent of slick and sweat danced in her nostrils, intoxicating her further into the dream-like euphoria.
The mark continued to burn at her shoulder and she could practically feel the press of teeth into her already sensitive skin. As always, the pain provided a sparking undercurrent to the pleasure that sent her flying even higher.
Her head thrashed back and forth against the pillows, eyes still closed as she imagined that it was not only her hands that worked on her body. A deep ache bloomed in the pit of her belly, making her breathing erratic and forcing another gush of fluid from her dripping cunt.
She no longer recognized herself as human, but as a mindless animal that was aware solely of its own basest urges and desires. Her insides clenched around thrusting fingers and she innately understood that the sensation paled compared to what her body truly wanted. She imagined that it was a hard cock spearing her and a heavy body forcing her hips to sink down into the mattress. Even if it was only her imagination that had his scent filling her nostrils and burned his touch along her skin, she wanted to believe that he was there with her. Belief was enough to satisfy the yearning, at least for a moment.
Castor’s face swam in her vision as she came, all harsh lines and stern countenance.
Aura came back to herself slowly, overheated skin cooling in the chilled room. A breeze like gently blowing wind moved over her skin, but it was the creak of the floorboards that finally alerted her to the fact she wasn’t alone.
She turned her head to the open door, mouth falling open, but made no move to cover herself. Even surprise wasn’t enough to completely shake her from the orgasm-induced stupor.
His growl danced over her skin, setting previously sated urges alight. She didn’t care if he was there to mount her or kill her, as long as he didn’t leave her alone in this room for another moment.
Castor glared down at her from where he stood at the entrance of her room, fire in his bright blue eyes. He slammed the door shut behind him and advanced on her, dark intent in his gaze.
No one had bothered to warn her how painful the implant would be. Castor did not even have the excuse of a language barrier, he had simply refused to speak to her at all since walking in on her pleasuring herself.
Aura squeezed her eyes shut as the whir of a drill sent cascading pain through the fragile bones behind her ear where the device was being placed. Castor stared at her, stone-faced, from across the room as the doctor worked behind her.
Only hours before, he had stormed into her room, grabbed her by the wrist and dragged her down the long hallways to a room that was all bright light, blindingly white walls and unfamiliar equipment. He had strapped her to a reclining metal chair, paying close attention to the restraint that kept her head in place.
She had not even understood precisely what was happening until a flash of pain sparked through her head. In the next moment, the doctor’s constant murmuring had become suddenly understandable.
“I’ve uploaded the standard languages. Do you want regional alternates or anything more obscure?” The doctor’s voice seemed even more cold and clinical once Aura could understand what she said. Hands pushed and prodded at her skull in a way that made Aura feel like an animal.
Castor moved closer to inspect the doctor’s work. “That should be sufficient. Will you be able to conceal the placement?”
Aura’s gaze flew to his face, shocked at hearing him speak in a way she could completely understand. He stared down at her, expression grim, and she couldn’t stop the lurching beat of her heart as their gazes caught.
“What is this?” she asked, barely recognizing the sound of her own voice.
His eyes held hers for a brief moment before looking away. “It’s a translation unit, one of the most advanced available. With it, you’ll be able to speak and understand any language that would be expected of someone raised in Pandora.”
Another shock of pain rocked through her as the doctor adjusted something. “I couldn’t just learn your language the old-fashioned way?”
“There isn’t time for that.” His gaze focused behind her. Aura could hear the clink of instruments as the doctor gathered them together. “Are you finished?”
“For now. I’ll have to recalibrate the signal from the equipment in a few days, but she shouldn’t have any problems between now and then.”
“Thank you, Dr. Bartin.”
When the doctor came around where Aura could see her, she looked younger than expected. Her severe expression and the graying hair pulled straight back into a bun aged her slightly, but the skin of her face was smooth and unlined. “I assume that you’ve considered more than language abilities as a requirement for maintaining this ruse?”
Castor raised a mocking eyebrow. “I assume you ask because you have a suggestion.”
“She’ll need medical and demographic records input into the archives. Even with DNA and biomarkers, simple questions about her history that don’t match the records will reveal a deception. I’ll have no choice but to document this encounter, for example.”
A dark glower descended over his face. Aura could only imagine how frightening Casto
r would be if ever truly consumed with rage. “I was assured of your discretion.”
Dr. Bartin seemed unbothered by the display of aggression and the chill tone of her voice remained unaltered. “It’s impossible to procure a device as expensive and uncommon as an advanced translation unit without creating a trail that can be followed.”
He crossed overly large arms across his chest as an imperious expression descended over his features. This was the born royal who was not accustomed to being told no. “Get to the point.”
“Legion has already discussed with you that falsified records will need to be entered into the archives.” Dr. Bartin put away the last of her equipment and pulled a small tablet out of her bag, holding a stylus over it with an expectant look on her face. “If I’m to create artificial records, it would help if I had some additional information about the girl. The more accurate the details are, the less likely that the file will appear fraudulent if it’s ever inspected.”
Castor gave an annoyed nod. “Go ahead.”
The doctor turned to address Aura directly for the first time. “How old are you?”
It was a simple question but Aura was unsure of how to answer. Dates and time were always based on approximations on the station. How do you calculate a day without a sunrise, much less the year? For birthdays, she would coordinate with Auntie Nona based on the position of the stars visible through the station’s portholes. “Twenty-two, I think.”
Castor’s eyebrows went up at that, although he seemed pleasantly surprised. “I would have thought you younger.”
“Chronic malnourishment, I expect.” Dr. Bartin surveyed Aura’s still-thin form with a critical eye. “Am I to understand that it was chemical inducement that led to your first estrous?”
The last thing Aura wanted to think about was what had happened during estrous, as they called it. “Yes.”
“Had you experienced monthly courses prior to that?”
Her body was no longer secured to the chair and Aura briefly considered running for the door, if just to escape the embarrassment. “No.”
“So you have never been pregnant or given birth to a child.”
“Never.”
The tap of the stylus on the tablet was loud in the sudden silence. Aura’s gaze moved briefly to Castor before she looked away. She wanted to ask him to leave the room, but held no illusions he would actually comply. He seemed completely unconcerned with her obvious discomfort at having this conversation in front of him. At least Dr. Bartin was a woman.
“Any other sexual partners in the past, aside from Prince Castor?”
Aura couldn’t stop the pink color that suffused her cheeks at the reminder. Castor’s expression remained neutral, but something flashed in his eyes. She hated pretty much every moment of this. “No.”
“Any significant medical complaints in the past, as in head trauma or broken bones.”
“No.” Finally, Aura could find her voice enough to protest. “Why do you need to know all of this?”
“Accuracy is essential,” the doctor replied, voice pert. “For example, if I place in the record that there is no history of surgery, but you have scars, then it will raise suspicions if you ever find yourself examined by another medical worker.”
“That doesn’t mean you have to put in there how many times I’ve had sex.”
The sensation of speaking with the translation unit was strange. Aura could tell that the words being formed by her lips were unfamiliar, the contortions required noticeable different, but they sounded recognizable to her ears. The disconnect would take some time to get used to.
A slight smile briefly crossed Bartin’s lips before it disappeared. “All Omegas have to be registered. You’d be surprised at what details are included in archival records.”
Nothing about this place surprised her at this point. “Is that it?”
“That should be sufficient.” Dr. Bartin closed the cover on the tablet with a loud click. “The record should be completed by the end of the day.”
Castor stood up, seeming eager to have this all done with. “Excellent, if that’s all—”
But the doctor wasn’t finished. “I do have one more question.”
He gave a weary sigh. “What is it?”
“How would you like me to document the mark on her shoulder?”
The dark growl would have sent anyone else scurrying for cover. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“I’m not a fool,” Bartin said with a sigh. “You’ve marked this girl, whether you want to acknowledge it or not. I can only assume you have a plan for how to proceed.”
The mark burned at the mention of it, forcing Aura to bite back a gasp. “He never explained what this was or why it hurts so much. It was like I couldn’t control myself when it happened, something just compelled me to bite him. Tell me what the mark means?”
Castor made a sound of protest, but Dr. Bartin spoke over him.
“The mark is a bond between the two of you, more so as it seems you’ve marked each other.”
Aura’s gaze roved over the fuming prince, her emotions in a tangle. Part of her wanted to launch herself into his arms, while another desperately wanted to forget that she had ever met him. She could only assume a similar battle waged within him. But even so, she felt drawn to him like a moth to a flame. She barely knew this man, and they shared little more than their experience in the Forbidden Zone.
“How do we get rid of it?” she asked, returning her attention to the doctor.
“Only on pain of death. The mark is permanent.”
Dr. Bartin made the pronouncement with no apparent conception of the effect it would have. Aura heard only a sudden rushing sound in her ears as the woman gathered up the rest of her supplies and made to leave.
Permanent.
Castor and Bartin exchanged words, but the details were lost to Aura as her mind whirled. She felt him burrowing inside of her like a parasite. The effects of whatever he had done couldn’t be permanent. She couldn’t live like this forever.
“I want to go home,” Aura bit out as the door closed behind the doctor and she was left alone with Castor. “My family is still on the station. I have to get back to them.”
And even more than she wanted to be reunited with Auntie Nona and the twins, she wanted to be as far from this man as possible.
“This is the only safe place for you now.” His expression briefly resembled regret, before the imperious mask descended on his features once again. “There is no going back.”
Chapter Three
Castor led Aura on a tour of the palace as she trailed unhappily behind him. Every few minutes, her hands strayed to the small device that had been implanted behind her ear. She caught sight of herself in a mirror as they passed. The translator unit was not visible behind the long fall of her hair. But she could still feel it there, uncomfortable at having a foreign object imbedded into her skull.
Before letting her out of her quarters, Castor had made her memorize the backstory he had concocted. She was to be an orphan from the lower levels, a place she understood to be where the poorest of their society lived. The translator unit could be explained away as a necessity due to her limited education and exposure to the rest of the world, if anyone insisted on an explanation.
“I’ve kept you in the east wing of the palace because it’s the least used and most distant from the main hall,” Castor explained as he escorted her down a long hallway as wide as the entire receiving hall on the Citadel. “I wanted to avoid introducing you to my retainers until the translation unit had been implanted. I apologize for leaving you isolated for so long.”
There wasn’t a hint of apology in his voice and Aura fought the urge to roll her eyes. She was having more difficulty than she cared to admit with the hand he had resting on the small of her back, his touch burning her skin even through the fabric of her dress. “It’s fine.”
“The palace is one of the highest structures in all of Pandora and stands at the
center of the city.” They reached a long spiral staircase, and he took her arm as they descended. A row of silent servants in matching uniforms stood along one side, but did not speak or so much as make eye contact with her. “We avoid the lower levels as much as possible due to the poor quality of the air.”
She kept her voice low, so it was only loud enough for him to hear. “I thought you said that I’m supposed to be from these lower levels.”
“That’s correct.”
“Why would you allow people to live in a place where it’s difficult for them to breathe?”
He cast her a sardonic look. “That has always been the way of human civilizations, some have much while others have little.”
“You’re the prince, aren’t you?” Aura almost lost her footing on the last step and had to take his arm. She immediately let go as soon as she regained her balance. “You could change things if you really wanted to.”
“You might be surprised by how little power I truly have here.”
Aura didn’t believe a word of that for even a moment. She had already seen how everyone they encountered deferred to him. The silent servants bowed low as he passed, through she wondered if he even noticed it.
“What do you do then?” she asked, recognizing the note of anger in her voice. “If you have no power.”
Castor ignored the heated tone of her question. “My father is King, but it’s understood that I will be the one to succeed him. To prepare for that, I attend council meetings and sit in on disciplinary hearings.”
“The one? Are there other options, then?”
“I have two brothers, both older. Neither are fit to rule, nor particularly interested in it. They’re both happy with receiving their financial allotment and leaving the real work to someone else.”
“Do you wish one of them would take your place?”
“I’m not in the habit of making wishes.” His tone was more severe than it needed to be, clearly she had struck a nerve.
Alpha's Corruption Page 2
