Kazzon's Human Bride: A Sci-Fi Alien Romance (Tarrkuan Masters Book 3)

by Sue Lyndon

  Even after almost a week of being Kazzon’s wife, she still wasn’t used to the fact that servants would prepare and deliver every meal. Another male servant, who looked similar in appearance to the one who’d just delivered their breakfast, showed up twice a day to clean the bathrooms and tidy up Kazzon’s quarters.

  “Do servants accompany all Tarrkuan ambassadors while they’re on diplomatic missions?” she asked, stretching under the covers. She wondered if he had servants at his home in Ashorr, though she hesitated to ask. If the answer was no, she didn’t want him to think she was disappointed.

  Kazzon guided her into a sitting position and ran his hands down her hair, then her shoulders, allowing his gaze to linger on her bosom for a moment. She flushed but resisted the urge to yank the covers back up. The last time she’d tried to cover herself, he’d swatted her hands away from the sheets and given her a stern look that had incited pulses of heat between her thighs, as well as a quiver across her bottom cheeks.

  “Yes,” Kazzon finally replied, “but that is because only members of the ruling class, such as myself, can be appointed to an ambassadorship. I bring my own servants with me during my travels, as all ambassadors do.”

  The ruling class. Of course. Until today, he hadn’t told her outright that he was a member of the ruling class, but now it all made sense. He’d mentioned his family’s compound a few days ago and claimed he no longer lived there. Only members of the ruling class built compounds for their families. She’d learned all this in school as she studied Tarrkuan culture. She’d also learned that all Tarrkuan servants were castrated males who’d volunteered for their jobs, as they believed it brought them honor before their Gods.

  “My friend, Julie, remember I told you she married a Tarrkuan named Varro?”

  “Yes.” He gave her a guarded look that made her suspect he didn’t like it when she talked about other Tarrkuan males, particularly the one she would’ve married had she not switched places with Julie.

  “Do you, um, know him, perhaps?”

  “Why?” His hands tensed on her arms.

  “I’m just curious, since he’s also a member of the ruling class.” She shot him a polite smile, hoping to calm the sudden storm that gathered in his eyes. “I-I was also thinking that perhaps if you and Varro know one another, then you might know where he lives, and you could tell me where he lives so I could—”

  A ferocious growl filled the room, cutting off her speech. She gasped and tried to back away from her angry mate, but he kept a firm hold on her arms. She trembled in his grasp. What had she said wrong? Frustration rose within her. He hadn’t even allowed her to finish speaking before he interrupted.

  Still, he was angry, and she wasn’t stupid. In a show of submission, she lowered her head and stared at the bedsheets she was twisting in her hands. “Kazzon, I only meant—”

  He snarled and bent down, until his face was level with hers. His hot breath wafted against her cheeks and when she dared a look into his eyes, fear seized her at the dark fury she glimpsed.

  “Xerr,” he said in a sharp tone. “You are to address me as Xerr.” He gave her a slight shake and her stomach flipped.

  Oh God. She hadn’t meant to call him by his name. In her nervousness to explain her reason for asking where Varro lived, she’d simply slipped up.

  She lowered her head further. “Forgive me, Xerr. It will not happen again.” She paused for a few seconds to summon her courage, but before she could speak, he began to scold her.

  “It is highly inappropriate to ask questions about another Tarrkuan male, Caylee, especially to ask where one lives.” His fingers dug into her arms so hard she flinched. “Were you planning to visit him?”

  “Please, Xerr, you’re hurting me.” Tears brimmed in her eyes.

  Jealous. He was jealous, that much was obvious, but God she hadn’t anticipated an innocent question setting him off like this. Did he realize she barely knew Varro? The only contact she’d had with him had been a few pleasantries exchanged, during the times she called Julie but he answered the video comm first.

  Kazzon released her and rose to his feet. He stood beside the bed, still gloriously naked, as waves of anger radiated off his massive form. She shuddered as he glared down at her. She opened her mouth to explain her reasons for wanting to know where Varro lived, only for him to interrupt her again.

  “Eat breakfast and get dressed.” He retrieved a clean set of clothing from a dresser and quickly donned the black pants and shirt. As she watched him dress, words failed her, because her mouth was suddenly too dry, and her throat too tight. He put his boots on and headed for the door. “I will return soon, and when I do, we will discuss your insubordination.”

  Her heart sank as he strode into the corridor. The door to his quarters closed behind him and she crawled off the bed, holding the sheets around her body. She approached the door, a cold sensation gripping her. When she walked close to the door, it didn’t open automatically like it usually did, nor did it open when she pushed on it.

  No matter what she tried, the door wouldn’t budge.

  He’d locked her inside.

  Chapter 22

  Dark fury coursed through Kazzon. He stalked the corridors of the ship, his fists clenched as growls repeatedly rumbled from deep in his chest.

  Fluxx, he felt ready to commit murder.

  Caylee had stunned him when she started asking questions about Varro, the Tarrkuan the Allocators had assigned her to marry months ago, the very male she would’ve mated with had she not switched places with her friend.

  For Caylee to boldly ask where Varro lived was unthinkable. Why did she wish to meet with the male? She’d asked about where he lived and had seemed to be on the verge of asking to visit when he’d cut her off.

  Jealousy ripped through him, an ugly and bitter emotion that was as unfamiliar to him as affection. Yet he’d experienced both emotions since he’d met Caylee. Another round of growls left him, and he continued marching through the corridors.

  He needed to burn some of his anger off before he returned to his bride.

  He visited the bridge and spoke with the pilots for a while, then he resumed stalking the corridors. When the haze of anger began to fade, he replayed the conversation he’d had with Caylee over and over.

  She hadn’t explicitly admitted she wished to speak with Varro, he reminded himself. Yet she’d wanted to know where he lived. She’d also seemed nervous as she spoke about the male.

  Movement at the end of the corridor caught his eye. He glanced up and shock reverberated through him. Caylee, now fully dressed, approached him.

  He growled. “I told you to remain in my quarters.”

  Tremors shook her hands and she clasped them together tightly and peered up at him. “You told me to eat and get dressed, Xerr. I-I am afraid I didn’t have much of an appetite, so I didn’t eat anything, but I did get dressed. And while you did say you would deal with my insubordination when you returned, you didn’t specifically tell me to stay put.”

  “I locked the door.” He made to grab her, but she backed away and put up a hand to ward him off. His fury started to return.

  She exhaled a shaky breath. “Yes, Xerr, you did lock the door. But-but I was able to leave when the servant returned for the dishes. I-I sort of ran straight by him as he walked into your quarters.” Her confession stunned him, and she paused only briefly before continuing, “Please, you must listen to me. Please listen and don’t interrupt.” A pleading note tinged her voice and tears shone in her blue eyes.

  “Very well,” he replied. “I will listen.”

  “I wanted to know where Varro lived so that I might go and visit Julie. I-I was hoping you might permit me to visit my friend. Forgive me, but I didn’t know speaking of another male would anger you, nor did I realize it was inappropriate. However, I can assure you that my reason for asking about Varro’s home was entirely innocent. Whatever you were thinking…” Her voice trailed off and a lone tear cascaded down her cheek
. “I’m not like my father. I would not betray you. Is-is that what you’re worried about?”

  No black mist appeared around her head.

  Kazzon felt like a fool.

  Guilt ravaged him as he stared at his little mate. Another unfamiliar emotion. She’d read his unspoken suspicions correctly, but she’d refuted them. Truthfully.

  The last of his anger drained from him. He took a slow step toward Caylee, but this time she didn’t back away. Gradually, he reached out to take her by her shoulders, keeping his touch gentle. She sucked in a trembling breath but stood still.

  “I-I know you wanted me to stay in your quarters, Xerr, but I needed to talk to you and, um, fix this problem before it got any bigger. I hope you are not angry at me for running past the servant, but I felt it important we speak immediately.” She gave him a sad look. “I don’t want to end up like my parents.” Another tear ran down her face, but he caught this one with his thumb and wiped it away.

  Again, no black mist rose around her face. Her words pleased him, and filled him with relief, but the realization that he had grossly overreacted to the situation increased the guilt flowing through him. He stared at Caylee, unsure of how to proceed.

  Caylee couldn’t stop the tremors. She shook in Kazzon’s grip, but she was at least thankful his fingers weren’t digging painfully into her arm this time. She thought she saw a hint of remorse in his eyes, but she couldn’t be certain.

  He’d been so angry at her, and he had assumed the worst of her. Her heart sank. Would there always be distrust between them?

  She had poured her heart out to him moments ago, but still he remained silent.

  Her tummy jolted. He might not punish her for asking about Varro, but would he punish her for slipping up and calling him Kazzon, rather than Xerr? Or would he spank her for escaping his quarters?

  Dread coiled low in her stomach and she fought the urge to back away. She started second-guessing her decision to run past the servant and come searching for him. Maybe he required more time for his anger to cool.

  He drew in a deep breath, then shifted to cup her face in his large hands. He traced his thumbs over the tear tracks left on her cheeks and stepped closer, until his body brushed against hers.

  “I am sorry,” he said, and the words sounded strange coming out of his lips, as if it were the first apology he’d ever uttered in his entire life. Maybe it was. “I am sorry for mistaking your intentions when you asked about Varro, little human. I will admit I believed you wished to speak with him, to visit with him, and hearing his name on your lips pushed me into a state of rage I’ve never experienced before. I feel like a fool for not considering that you only wished to see your friend.”

  Relief flooded Caylee. She stared up at Kazzon, grateful that he’d calmed down, as well as seen the error of his ways. For a reason she couldn’t fathom, hearing his apology tugged at her heartstrings. Perhaps because she suspected the apology hadn’t come easily, yet he’d given her one, and he seemed to mean it. Her throat burned and she couldn’t tear her gaze from his. She stepped closer and drew in a deep breath, once again trying to find her voice.

  “Thank you, Xerr,” she said, “for understanding and for apologizing. I-I accept your apology. No hard feelings, but please promise you will hear me out from now on, rather than interrupt me.”

  Her tummy dropped a second later when he suddenly tensed. Perhaps she’d overstepped her bounds by telling him not to interrupt her in the future. She swallowed hard and waited for his response, praying she hadn’t angered him all over again.

  But his next words cut the lingering tension between them.

  “I vow I will allow you time to explain yourself in the future, little human.”

  “Thank you, Xerr.” She beamed inwardly, because she felt as if she’d just won a small victory.

  Kazzon grasped her hands and brought them to his lips. He bestowed soft kisses upon the backs of her hands and even her fingers, his eyes never leaving hers. Once he finished, he released her hands and cradled her head, caressing her long locks with such a tenderness that her throat started burning all over again.

  “You have surprised me, little human,” he said, “with your boldness. But I cannot claim that I do not like this side of you. You are a strong female. You risked punishment all to make things right between us.” His thumbs trailed lightly over her cheeks. “I must confess, I admire you greatly.”

  A smile tugged at her lips. “Does that mean you’ll overlook the fact that I called you by your given name and escaped your quarters?” Her heart thudded in her chest and breathless anticipation hovered in the air. She doubted he would punish her—not after the confession he’d just made—but even so the prospect of ending up back over his sturdy thighs caused pangs of warmth to unfurl from deep within her core. She flushed, knowing he would likely soon detect the scent of her arousal. During the short time they’d been married, she had learned it was impossible to hide anything from her mate.

  Kazzon stepped even closer, and her breath caught in her throat when she felt his hardness pressing against her stomach. Pleasurable shivers assailed her, and she was certain the temperature in the corridor had suddenly increased by at least ten degrees.

  “I won’t punish you, Caylee, this time.” His eyes darkened with a mixture of power and lust. “But next time you call me by my given name, know that I will turn you over my knee and redden your bottom. It won’t be a light spanking either, little human.”

  Despite his threatening words, heated desire pummeled through her, the aching in her core intensifying with each rapid breath. Though she feared the pain, of course, she couldn’t help but wonder what it might be like to receive a real punishment from her husband. A serious punishment. She knew the brief spanking he’d given her last week didn’t count—he’d given her a few smacks and nothing more, as she’d acquiesced to his demands during the interrogation rather quickly.

  Kazzon’s nostrils flared wide and a knowing look entered his eyes. He tipped her chin up, not allowing her gaze to falter from his. “Talk of punishment has made you all wet and achy between your thighs, hasn’t it, little human?”

  She started to shake her head and opened her mouth to deny his claims, but immediately stopped herself and pressed her lips firmly together. If she lied to him, he would know it. Despite her curiosity about receiving a real punishment, she wasn’t going to actively seek one out.

  A quiver raced over her bottom as she imagined him slapping her cheeks as he scolded her, while he held her down and chastised her for breaking some important rule. Her face heated and she fidgeted in place, desperate to press her thighs tightly together, but resisted out of fear that Kazzon would take notice.

  “Answer me, Caylee.” This time, his tone held the sharp bite of command.

  “Yes, Xerr, I-I am getting wet and achy between my thighs,” she confirmed, but she left out the part about why she was becoming so aroused at this moment. Unfortunately, nothing escaped Kazzon.

  “Is this talk of punishment, talk of me turning you over my knee and reddening your bottom, the cause of your sexual excitement? Answer me honestly, little human—yes or no?”

  She gulped hard and tried to jerk her chin from his grasp, but he wouldn’t release her face. She had no choice but to stare into his dark forbidding gaze and utter, “Yes, Xerr,” as shame heated her all over.

  Chapter 23

  Kazzon escorted Caylee into his quarters, anticipation thrumming through him. The scent of her arousal lingered in the air, and he inhaled deeply as he savored her feminine aroma. Gods, he couldn’t believe his luck. Not for the first time, he mused that Caylee was the perfect bride for him—despite her boldness and occasional outspokenness, she apparently craved his dominance.

  And the prospect of receiving a punishment spanking from him left her highly aroused. She’d confessed just as much—that such threats had caused her to become wet and achy between her thighs.

  In mere moments, he would discover just how w
et she’d gotten.

  He guided her into his room and called out a verbal command for the door to lock fully behind them. He didn’t want any servants interrupting what he was about to do with his trembling little bride.

  Her breath kept hitching and her chest rose and fell rapidly. He turned her in his arms and gave her a severe look, one that caused her eyes to widen and her lips to part on a gasp.

  “You were a naughty little human, calling me by my given name and sneaking out of my quarters,” he said in a scolding, but somewhat playful, tone.

  She sucked in a quick breath. “Xerr?”

  He lifted an eyebrow at her. “You deserve a spanking, don’t you?”

  Again, she gasped. “Xerr, I thought you said…” Her voice trailed off, but a look of understanding passed over her face when he winked at her.

  Then, a smile formed on her lips and her eyes started to twinkle, as she finally realized he his intent—he wasn’t going to give her a hard, punishment spanking, but he would scold her and give her a few smacks, under the guise of a chastisement, an act that would bring them mutual pleasure.

  At least he hoped his suspicions were correct. He decided if she expressed real fear or experienced too much pain, he would cease this roleplaying and only treat her with gentleness.

  “You deserve a very hard spanking on your bare bottom, don’t you, little human?” He kept his expression serious, as well as his voice, and moments later, the scent of her arousal increased, filling his nostrils with the sweetness of her growing excitement.

  “Yes, Xerr,” she replied, lowering her gaze. She clasped her hands in front of herself and shifted awkwardly in place, her face turning a dark shade of pink. “Yes, Xerr, I’ve been a very naughty girl and I deserve to be punished.”