Captive By Night: A Dardanos, Co. Taken Collection

by Calle J. Brookes

  She shook him awake. “Get out of my rooms.”

  “But they expected me to stay among the humans on the fourth floor. That was unacceptable.” The demon sat, moving with a lazy grace that did little to hide the dangerous nature of his soul. “Did your meeting go well? You look stressed.”

  Was that how the demon thought it would be? Him pretending to be a solicitous and caring mate? Asking her how her day had been as if nothing had happened between them? “Of course I’m stressed! I’ve been kidnapped, seduced, impregnated, and on top of that I am charged with saving my race!”

  Why did she spend every moment with him wanting to scream? Not even Iavius had heated her the way the demon did. With Iavius, life had been laughter. With this demon, every moment was fire.

  “Tell me what you are searching for? Is it drugs? Medications? My people have a complex medical system. I have sent word to one of my siblings to begin compiling the information for you. We have lands rich with herbs that do not grow here. We already know that no race or species is immune to the power of my horns. Even yours. Your child mentioned painkillers; does your head still pain you? Maybe you can reproduce the Mesmus. Reproduce some of our other offerings.”

  Kindara hesitated. Her people had no painkillers. Yet, his ability to subdue her mind had freed her from any pain. Could she afford to overlook his offer of assistance? “What will you gain from helping me?”

  “Besides helping ensure you survive birthing our spawn? Besides aiding the Taniss family; protecting Mallory and the others? I think you underestimate my desire to protect them. It’s almost as great as my desire to protect you.” His hands slipped around her waist and he pulled her toward him. The smell of him had her lungs clenching. Heat and male mixed with a spice of some sort. He cuddled her head against his chest. Long male fingers began parting her hair. He rubbed her scalp slowly, the movements designed to lull her. He whispered the words above her. “Let me help you, pet. This does not have to be your burden alone.”

  Kindara found herself nodding before she really thought about it. How did he do that? Get her to agree to things without thought? Was he doing something with powers she had yet to identify? “I’m to leave tomorrow. Finish the journey I started.”

  “I will accompany you.”

  “I already have a guard, thank you. Two of them.”

  “Still, you go nowhere without me. Inside this building is one thing, but out there...I am a king, pet. You carry the next one. You are far too great a prize for me to risk you.”

  “I am no prize.” She pulled away and dropped into the chair in front of her writing desk. Why did she spend so much time with him telling him what she felt and what she was? Why did she expend so much energy on the demon at all? Was it just because of the babe?

  She did not think so. Something about the demon met something in her. Something she couldn’t explain and wasn’t sure she wanted to. She tried to pull her mate’s face up in her mind, and for once the laughing citrine eyes were replaced by fire dark ones that were filled with a sexual heat like no other.

  “Show me what you need. And I will get it for you.”

  “I need to know what is so different about Josey and her cousins. I need to know why we can’t create medications that work. I need ways around this. What I don’t need is to be kidnapped while in the middle of my search.”

  His grin was unrepentant. “But I can help you with all of those things.”

  “Don’t you have to return to wherever it is you came from? Hell, perhaps?”

  “Eventually, I must return to my court. But in my lands we may be able to find what it is you seek. My people have a rich history of medicine, including herbs that do not grow on this world. Wouldn’t you like to study them, to see if they hold the answers that you seek?” It wasn’t hard for her to miss the cajoling purpose behind his words. Should she believe him? Could she afford not to? What if he spoke the truth? His damned demon horns had made her body do things she hadn’t wanted it to. Had he not been able to render her unconscious with just one touch?

  Perhaps he could help her, at least in developing an anesthetic for her people. “What types of medications?”

  “Everything. We even have things that can knit bones back together overnight. Admitted, they have side effects, but we’ve been doing this a long time. Have your people ever studied our ways?”

  “No. We were told to avoid you all. Only the Predatoi dealt with demons.” Had that been a mistake? Could the demons have helped prevent some of the losses over the years?

  “Well, that will change starting tomorrow.” He stretched out on her bed. “I’m very hungry, pet.”

  “So order a damned pizza.” Kindara felt her eyes widen. Did he honestly expect to stay here? “And get the hell out of here. And don’t come back.”

  Chapter Sixteen

  She had not ordered him out of her room on sight though their exchange had not been exactly as he had planned. Dare he hope she was warming to him? Rathan flashed to the room the Dardaptoans had given him. It was nothing like the suite that his woman occupied. Not that it mattered; he would be flashing to her in an hour or so anyway. He would not ever spend another night without her in his bed. She was his, and he belonged beside her.

  Before, though, he needed to contact his people to check the status of his own world. His hands heated and his eyes shut, he began to mutter the words that would bring him into contact with the only ally he could fully trust. Soon the painting on the far wall was replaced by a film of iridescent light. His younger sister—barely seventy—appeared.

  He smiled. This child was one dear to him, as he’d had the raising of her for most of her life. Their parents had been unwilling allies when he was conceived. Danae was their last ditch effort to reconcile centuries later. When that had not improved their relationship, their mother had retreated to her homelands and taken the babe with her. Rathan had fought long and hard for mere visitation with the girl; once she had come of age at fifteen, Danae had moved to his home. They had been close the last fifty years and there was no woman he trusted as much as her. “Sweetling! You look as beautiful as ever.”

  “Hello, brother. You’re looking pleased with yourself. What have you done?”

  “Just changed the future of our kingdom, pet.”

  “I love how you think every action you take affects the world.” Danae had a snarky spirit that Rathan had always adored.

  “You’re an egomaniacally arrogant demon, Rath.”

  “But one you adore.” He smiled at the girl then turned serious. “Have you heard anything from Ren’s camp?”

  “Nothing that tells me that he’s trying to overthrow you. Are you sure he is? I mean, he’s our brother, too.”

  “Half, pet. Half. It means the world of difference to Renakletos. And do not forget that his mother was one of those rare breeds of women, a Warrior.”

  “I did hear something of that nature. Seems that the king of Warriors is seeking ways to compensate for his people’s serious lack of females. Said he’s consulted witches, warlocks, and Druids. Sent his people to the other kingdoms searching for answers. Rumor also has it he was given a prophecy about how to help his people.”

  Rathan filed that information away for a later time. “Many of our kingdoms face dire situations now. I believe it was predicted centuries ago.”

  “And our situation is just political. At least we don’t have to worry about not having any women. There are plenty of demon women. And plenty of us witchy women!”

  “And I am thoroughly grateful that you are the main witch in my life, pet. Discounting Mother, of course.”

  “Of course, but who counts her anyway?” Danae leaned against the wall and peeked through the ether into his new quarters. “You in a prison somewhere? This isn’t exactly Hottie Wolf’s house.”

  “Stop that!” Her persistent crush on Rand was the one thing that filled him with consternation. His sister was not to think of any male that way. It was not right. “And he’s fou
nd his mate, so now he’s off limits.”

  A sadness entered Danae’s eyes. Rathan could have cursed himself; most witch females found their mates long before their seventieth year. That Danae hadn’t was a sore spot for the girl, and she had been the brunt of sharp ridicule at their mother’s hands because of it. Rathan knew Danae wondered about her mate, and whether she would spend her life alone.

  Loneliness was a real bitch; Rathan knew that keenly.

  His thoughts turned to his woman. He would never feel that loneliness again. It would take him time, but he would see that they were happy together. They both deserved it. “I need you to do something for me, poppet.”

  “Anything except save the world.” She smiled then, her blue witchy eyes flashing her humor. “I’ve not the power to do that, yet.”

  “Yet. You will. You were destined for great things, little one. I need you to contact Phelius, our chief healer. I want him to record every bit of medical science we have.”

  “Wow. Sounds like something major is going down?” Her words held a definite hint of her curiosity. She was smart, inquisitive, humorous, and good-hearted. She had been raised well and he took great pride in that.

  “It is. I have spawned, little sister. With a Dardaptoan woman.”

  “A dar-what woman? Is that even close to being a demon?”

  Rathan thought a moment. “I suppose so. They are close to the human legends of vampires. Have you never met one?”

  “Nope. Someone keeps me pretty well sheltered here at Castle Doom.”

  “It’s for your protection, poppet.”

  “Yet you get to go out and travel the worlds? Sexist, big brother. Someday, I will go on a remarkable journey. Just you wait. Anyway, back to the dar-what woman. Is she nice, is she good to you? When will the spawn be here? Why this medical stuff now?”

  Rathan smiled then turned more serious as he thought of threats that now hung over his woman and spawn. “Dardaptoan people are sophisticated in many ways, but they were cursed by a god centuries ago.”

  “Why?”

  “Something to do with the goddess who created Dardaptoans falling in love with him.”

  “She fell in love with him and he cursed her? Wow. Thought our people were vindictive and crazy. Go on.”

  “He spurned her, she got angry and turned his people into what amounts to werewolves—”

  “Like Hot Stuff Taniss. Ok. Continue.”

  “She tried to fix what she’d done, but it was too late. He cursed her people to have primitive medical care that nothing in their world can fix, no matter what, and cursed the women—including her—to be weak physically.”

  “And you think that something of our world can help them?”

  “Mesmus works beautifully on her.”

  Danae groaned. “Don’t tell me you knocked her out to spawn. You know that’s illegal in several realms, right?”

  “No, nothing like that. She was attacked by a Lupoiux and hit her head. I simply killed the pain. Something they do not even have. Painkillers. I cannot have someone as delicate as she going through spawning with no pain killers!”

  Danae sobered. “I get it, big brother. I’ll get you whatever I can find, through this entire damned realm.”

  “Good girl. I will check back with you tomorrow.” Rathan watched as she nodded and stepped back toward the ether. “Take care, poppet. Soon, I will return and the kingdom will be whole once again.”

  “See that you do. In the meantime, I will prepare the people.” She waved a hand and the black mist she had arrived in parted. “Love you, brother.”

  “And I you, sister.”

  ****

  She was stretched out over the silk blankets when he returned to her side. One delicate female hand rested over the spot where their babe nestled within her. Rathan raised that hand to his lips before returning it to its resting spot. She hummed before rolling to her side. Satin pajamas in Dardaptoan white hugged her thin body, separating her skin from his. He was torn; should he wake her? Feed from her like he so wanted, or let her get the rest she so obviously needed. Dark circles were visible under her eyes even in the low moonlight shining through her windows.

  That made his decision for him. He lifted her carefully, smiling when she snuggled her head into his shoulder. One handed, he pulled the blanket back and placed her lovingly on the sheet. He pulled the blanket over her, not wanting his little Dardaptoan to get chilled. He shucked his clothes with barely a thought, then slipped beneath the blanket with her. He would hold her through the night, and do nothing more. On his honor, he would do nothing more.

  Chapter Seventeen

  She was warm and comforting arms surrounded her. She knew who it was, too. It was not Iavius; this smelled and felt like the demon. Goddesses, it felt good to be held again. Kindara opened her eyes to find the male responsible for her current predicament sound asleep in her bed. Kindara sat up and grabbed the nearest thing she could. She thumped the demon in the head with the medical book she’d placed on the nightstand days ago.

  He jerked awake with a curse on his lips and hell in his eyes. “You hit me.”

  “I hit you. What the two hells are you doing in my bed? Can you not understand that I don’t want you here?”

  “But I belong here. And will be here, no matter what.” He grabbed her shoulders and nudged her backward. For some reason Kindara couldn’t figure out, she didn’t fight him. “You will not hit me again.”

  “Or what? You’ll leave?” She pushed against a naked demon chest, fighting the urge to sink her claws in and hold on. “How is that a problem? This is my space. My space. It’s rude, arrogant, and completely disrespectful for you to flash yourself in here!”

  Momentary regret showed on his face, but he seemed to push it away. He pulled her wrists together over her head and held them there with one hand. He liked her in that position; she knew it and he knew it. She fought the urge to squirm beneath him.

  “I will be by your side as much as I am able. To protect you and to protect our spawn.” “Stop calling it that!”

  “Calling it what? He is ours.”

  “Spawn. It sounds so evil. So wrong. It’s a babe. A babe. A babe...” Terror hit her and she fought the urge to roll into a ball around the babe.

  She couldn’t do it again. It just wasn’t possible. But she could see tiny hands and feet, bright eyes, and a toothless grin. Like Jierra. And it was real. Barlaam had confirmed it. There was a babe; one that was hers and this demon’s. How could she handle that?

  The demon must have sensed how she felt. His features softened, his arms tightened. Instead of a threatening male pushing her back into the bed cushions, she had a pair of loving arms pulling her close. His words were soft when he whispered, “Demon babes are strong and hardy, my pet. We will not lose this one. This I swear to you. And I am here. You will not face any of this alone. You have my oath on that.”

  She only wished she could believe him. “Go away, demon. I need to sleep, and I am used to sleeping alone. Please.”

  ****

  If she had not said please he probably would have stayed. Rathan flashed back to his quarters and stared at the empty bed. It looked cold and boring though it was designed to be inviting. But she was not there. His skin crawled with the idea that his woman and spawn were somewhere without him, completely unprotected. He grabbed a pillow and blanket and returned to the hallway outside her door. She might not want him in her space with her, but she was for damned sure not keeping him from protecting his family. He spread the blanket out over the floor next to her door, as close to the wall and out of the way as possible. He had slept in far worse places in his two thousand years of life than a luxury hotel hallway. He would rest here, then be ready to join her in the morning on all her day’s adventures.

  He slept lightly, listening for sounds or indications that his woman needed him. He would be there in an instant.

  ****

  A booted foot plowed into his abdomen, jerking him awake.
>
  “A demon. In my hall.” Kindara’s brother stared down at him, evil clear on his dark, menacing face. “I used to have to hunt your Kind; you’re making it almost too easy.”

  “Even if I were not a guest in your home, to kill me while I sleep would hardly be sporting. And your woman would probably object. She likes me.” Rathan stood unhurriedly though he was poised to strike if the brother of his woman made so much as a threatening move in his direction. “Where is the beautiful Jocelyn?”

  The Dardaptoan’s face darkened. “Do not speak of her.”

  “Why? Is she well?” Rathan tensed. “I will tell you, Dardaptoan, I will kill and die for her. She had best be happy and healthy next I see her.”

  “And if not?” The challenge was all the more lethal due to the quiet assurance in the male’s tone.

  “Then you will not live long, despite your training in murdering my Kind.” Rathan meant it. “It is only your connection to my woman that you still live. How many of my Kind have you killed?”

  Predatoi were loathed by demons. Much like Lupoiux were loathed by the Dardaptoans.

  “I only kill to survive. Except Taniss. I’ll kill a Taniss on sight. And any affiliated with them.”

  Rathan smirked. “Until now.” He sobered. “If you have hurt that child any more than she already has been, I will kill you. Josey is as special to me as my own wee sister. Do you understand? I expect you to treat her at least half as well as I will treat your own sister.”

  “That will be impossible; you will not be around my sister much longer to treat her in any way.”

  Rathan hesitated. Kindara’s brother was a killer; that was written on the male’s face. But Kindara and now Josey cared for the male. Put him in a hell of a position. Had it not been for the women Rathan would have quickly dispatched the male. “That is not for you to decide. Kindara is my concern now. You tend your own woman, I’ll tend mine.”