“We have lots of young warriors on Tourmalane,” Lucie said. “I’m sure one will catch your fancy.”
What the hell did that even mean? Some of Lucie’s Earth sayings never made any damn sense to him. He watched Roux as she slowly moved around her quarters. They were larger than the room Seneca and Audra were sharing. When she stopped in front of one of the windows, the sunlight filtered in and bathed her in its light. Lyros nearly stopped breathing; she was so stunning. He willed his cock into submission as it twitched with interest.
“Well,” Lucie said. “I’ll just leave you to get settled.”
She smirked at Lyros a little, which meant she’d noticed that he was rather taken with Roux. If he knew Lucie, she was going to be relentless, trying to match him with Roux. He’d have to tell her to back off before she did something that couldn’t be taken back. Roux had enough to deal with right now without him lusting after her.
Lucie pulled Drexyl along behind her, closing Lyros in with Roux. Roux turned from the window and Lyros clenched his hands at his sides to keep from going to her. Her hair looked like it was on fire with the sun hitting it just so. She didn’t move from her spot, but she watched him intently.
“I’ll go so you can take that bath.” He cleared his throat. “Do you need anything before I go?”
“Can you show me how to work everything in the bathroom?” she asked softly.
“Of course.”
Lyros followed Roux into the adjoining room and showed her how to run the cleaning unit and how to fill the large tub. It was easily big enough for two people. No! You will not think of joining her in the bath!
“I’m next door if you need anything,” he said as he beat a hasty retreat.
Lyros entered his room and closed the door, leaning against it. He could hear the water running next door and imagined her getting undressed. Thanks to that filmy thing she’d had on when he rescued her, he had a very good idea of what her delectable body looked like. It was an image that would haunt him every night he lay in his bed completely alone.
“Get used to it,” he muttered. “She’s not the one for you.”
But no matter how many times he told himself that, Lyros couldn’t stop thinking of beautiful redhead next door.
His cock swelled to the point of pain. With a groan, he knew he’d never get any rest if he didn’t do something about it. Not that it would be the first time he’d taken matters into his own hands, but it would be the first time he’d fantasized about a living woman as he came all over his hand.
Stripping out of his clothes, he went into his bathroom and filled the tub with hot water, sinking up to his chest once the water was shut off. Jets came on, making bubbles swirl around him. He stared into the clear waters, watching his cock bob with the currents. Grasping his shaft, he firmly stroked. Lyros closed his eyes and imagined Roux was in the water with him, her breasts pressed against his chest and her legs spread wide, waiting to be entered and dominated by him. He imagined that she was riding him, driving both of them to orgasm, her hips slamming against his with every thrust.
His hips bucked as his release roared through him. Lyros bit his lip to keep from crying out, not wanting Roux to hear him. Even as he panted for breath, his cock hardened again, not the least bit satisfied with his imagination. The wicked beast wanted the real thing, Roux riding them to completion; Roux on her knees, begging for more; Roux splayed out on his bed as he came on her stomach, stroking himself to orgasm as he gazed upon her naked form.
He tipped his head back and wondered if it was already time for another trip to the floating brothel. It wasn’t like he could fuck Roux until neither of them could stand. Gods, but he needed a mate, and quickly.
Chapter Two
Roux showered and changed into one of the nice dresses that had been left in her room. They didn’t fit perfectly, but they were much better than what she’d had to wear at the brothel. Too much had happened in her short life for her to believe that her freedom was actually free. She might not have to work at the brothel any longer, but surely Lyros wanted something in return. He claimed his kind didn’t sleep with living females until it was time to marry one. Could that be true? He seemed kind, but she’d learned the hard way that men were not always as they seemed.
Looking out the window once more, she wondered if she was confined to her quarters or if she was allowed to explore. It had been a long time since she’d walked through grass, or had felt the sun on her face -- or in this case, suns, plural. No one had said she had to stay in her room, and while it was a very nice room, she still didn’t want to be locked inside. Roux crossed the room and tried the door. It opened easily and she peered out into the hall.
She wasn’t certain she could find her way, but she was going to try. On bare feet she padded down the hall, exploring as she made her way back to the front door. It took a lot of twists and turns, and several dead ends, before she reached her destination. There was no one around as she opened the front door to the palace and stepped out into the sunshine.
Roux wandered the grounds until she found a garden with a crystal clear pool of water. Sighing happily, she sank onto the bank and dipped her toes into the cool liquid. It seemed like forever ago that she’d been able to do something like this. For the first time in nearly a year -- or at least she thought it had been about a year since her abduction -- she was able to relax and enjoy life. Lucie had seemed nice, and while Roux wasn’t certain what to make of the males of this world she knew a friend when she saw one. If Lucie told her that everything would be fine, then she would believe her. There was kindness in her eyes and gentleness to her touch. She was one of those rare individuals who had been truly blessed in life. Roux doubted that hardship had ever touched her, and she was a little envious.
“I want what she has,” Roux said softly. Oh, she didn’t want the palace, or to one day be queen, but she did want love. She’d seen the looks Lucie had shared with Drexyl, had seen the way he touched her and the love in his eyes as he gazed at his wife, and that was what Roux wanted.
“You want what that who has?” a male voice asked.
Roux squeaked and jumped, spinning to see who was behind her. She could tell by his coloring that he was Tourmalane, and he obviously belonged here at the palace, but who was he? She trembled, not knowing whether he was friend or foe. Was he going to hurt her? Had she done something wrong by coming out here?
“You don’t need to be afraid of me,” the male said. “My name is Vandir. You’ve met my brothers already, Lyros and Drexyl.”
“I’m Roux. Am I not supposed to be here? I can leave.”
He held up a hand. “Don’t rush off. It’s perfectly fine that you’re out here, but I wouldn’t leave the palace grounds without an escort. Our males wouldn’t harm you, but they may carry you off to their homes and decide to keep you, whether you want to be kept or not.”
“Am I given a choice?” she asked softly. “I was told I would have to mate with someone, but I don’t understand how things work on your world.”
“Why don’t we sit and I’ll answer any questions you have,” he said, motioning toward the bank.
Roux sank onto the grass once more and stuck her feet back in the water. She cast a hesitant look at Vandir as he sat beside her, crossing his booted feet at the ankles and leaning back on his hands. It was a very relaxed pose for a prince, not that Roux had ever met a prince before today.
“Lucie said I would have to mate with someone, and that it was like a marriage on my world. But she didn’t say whether or not I’m given a choice in who claims me.”
Vandir nodded. “If a male discovers you’re his destined mate, then he will want to claim you. Some are a little more primitive than others. Myself, I’d give you a choice, even though it would mean I would never have children.”
Her brow furrowed. “Why wouldn’t you have children?”
“A Tourmalane male may only have children with his destined mate. We can pair off with anyone, but unless sh
e’s the one fate has chosen for us, it will be a childless union. So if you like children, you will want to make sure you pair off with the right male.”
“How will I know if he’s the right male?” she asked.
“I’m not sure how it works for the females. For a Tourmalane male, he’ll become fixated on you, nearly obsessed with wanting to hold you, to claim you. It will be a driving need that pounds inside his head every moment of every day until he has you in his arms. Or at least that’s how it’s been explained to me by my brother, Drexyl. I’ve never personally experienced it before.”
“So, if I refuse to go with the male that wants to claim me, then I’m dooming him to a life without children?” Roux felt a heavy weight settle around her shoulders. She didn’t want to feel like she was being forced into a marriage, but she didn’t want to be the reason that some male could never have children. It seemed life had thrown another cruel twist her way.
Roux caused ripples in the water with her foot as she contemplated her fate. While she might not want to marry a stranger, it would definitely be a better fate than going back to the brothel, or being sold as a slave. She’d been passed around quite a bit this past year, but she’d been one of the lucky ones and hadn’t been molested. They’d discovered she was a virgin during an exam and had wanted to preserve her innocence in order to get a higher price for her. It was still a mystery how she’d ended up at the brothel. Last she’d heard, the pirates who owned her wanted to sell her to the highest bidder.
“When will I find out if I’m going to be claimed?” she asked.
“I guess that depends on how quickly Lucie gets a party set up. She’ll want to introduce you to as many eligible males as possible. Of course, the entire planet won’t show up for the party, but I’m sure she’ll invite at least twenty or so males. Lucie is a hopeless romantic, and she’s so happy with Drexyl that she’s determined everyone should find their match. Don’t be surprised if she tries to pair you with Lyros or me. From all of her chattering earlier, I think she’s taken a shine to you.”
Roux ran her fingers through the grass. “She seems nice.”
“She’ll be your friend, if you’ll let her.” Vandir brushed his fingers over hers. “I know you’ve been through a lot, Roux. I can only imagine how scared you were at the brothel or what horrors you faced before that, but know that your life here can be good and peaceful. If a male claims you, know that he will do everything in his power to make you happy.”
“I want love. Can he give me that?” she asked.
“That’s a tough one. There’s an intensity to a relationship with a Tourmalane male, and it’s clear that Drexyl loves Lucie, but I don’t know if that’s automatic or something that will grow with time.”
“I guess I don’t have much of a choice but to settle for that. It’s not like I can return to Earth, and even if I could, what would I be returning to? My apartment would be long gone, as well as my possessions. I didn’t have a family, not one who would claim me anyway. There’s nothing left on Earth for me.”
Vandir laid a hand on her shoulder. “Tourmalane can be a wonderful place to live, if you just give it a chance. You’re welcome to roam the palace grounds anytime you wish during your stay with us, but as I said, don’t leave the grounds unescorted or there could be trouble.”
“Thank you, Vandir. I appreciate you answering my questions.”
“Anytime, Roux. If you’re hungry, we’ll be eating shortly. Would you like to walk with me to the dining hall?”
She nodded and stood, brushing the grass from her dress. Vandir walked beside her in silence, his presence oddly comforting. Not in a romantic way, but it felt more like she was walking with her brother, if she’d had one. When they entered the palace, she tried to keep track of her surroundings, wanting to find her way back to the front entry after dinner was over. Roux didn’t want the royal family to feel like they had to lead her everywhere and she didn’t want to be any more dependent on them than she already was.
The dining hall was large, easily big enough for fifty men, but all of the place settings were at the far end of the table. The other two women were already present, along with Lucie and Drexyl. Vandir claimed a seat beside his brother and urged Roux to sit beside him. She felt her cheeks warm when the other women looked at her with calculating gazes. She didn’t want them to get the wrong idea, but wasn’t sure how to correct them without drawing even more attention to herself.
The food had started to arrive when Lyros stepped into the dining hall, taking a seat on her other side. She still felt conflicted where Lyros was concerned. He was attractive, and if what Vandir had said was true, then he genuinely had rescued her and wanted to give her a better life. It wasn’t as she’d first feared, that her life of slavery had just changed from one owner to another. She was acutely aware of his presence all through dinner and fought not to turn and watch him. Several times she thought she felt him watching her, but when she turned that way he was looking across the table at Seneca and Audra. Did he fancy one of them?
Roux had to admit that Seneca’s golden-blonde hair was beautiful, and Audra had piercing gray eyes. Both were very attractive. For some reason, it bothered her that Lyros might want one of them as his mate. It wasn’t like she wanted him, right? Until her talk with Vandir, she hadn’t even been certain that Lyros had altruistic reasons for bringing her here, but now… He really was her knight in shining armor. Or prince in black leather.
“Is something wrong with your food?” Lucie asked. “You’re picking at it. If you’d prefer something else, we can ask the kitchen to make you something different.”
“No, this is fine. I guess I’m just not all that hungry.”
“The only way you wouldn’t be starving, like us, is if you gave in to their demands,” Audra said, her lips thinning. “Maybe you really aren’t any better than a whore.”
Roux felt herself pale and her utensil clattered to the table as she shoved her hands down into her lap. She didn’t want animosity between them, but even at the brothel she hadn’t known how to interact with the two human women. It had been clear from the beginning that Audra thought she was better than Roux, and Seneca seemed to follow Audra’s lead.
A hand reached out and curled around hers. She looked up in surprise at Lyros, who gave her a reassuring smile. At the head of the table, Drexyl was casting a rather ferocious glare at Audra. The woman was still glowering at Roux though and didn’t even notice.
“If you cannot conduct yourself with some decorum, you may be excused from the table,” Drexyl said in a voice that would have intimidated Roux had it been directed at her.
Audra’s eyes widened as she swung her gaze toward Prince Drexyl.
“I apologize if my language offended you,” Audra said with a simpering smile.
“It’s your demeanor that offends.” Drexyl leveled his gaze on Seneca. “If you follow her lead, you’ll find yourself dismissed as well. Be kind to Roux, or get the hell out of my palace.”
Audra and Seneca both gasped and nearly toppled their chairs over in their haste to stand. Drexyl motioned to a guard who had been standing near the door and the male gripped an arm of each woman and began escorting them out of the dining hall. Roux felt her cheeks warm, not wanting special attention, yet grateful they were gone.
“Roux, I’m sorry you were subjected to such rude behavior at my table,” Drexyl said. “It’s probably a good thing my father didn’t join us or they would have found themselves without a place to sleep tonight.”
“Why would your father care about a woman he’s never met before?” Roux asked with a furrowed brow. “I’m no one special.”
Drexyl’s gaze flicked to Lyros before settling on her again and she wondered about that look. “Despite the fact you’re new to the palace, I think we’ll be seeing a lot more of you. I want you to feel safe here. The palace is yours to explore. If you wish to see more of Tourmalane, ask Vandir or Lyros to go with you.”
“Thank you.” Rou
x looked down at her plate. She had no idea what she’d been eating, and it wasn’t horrible, but she’d give anything for some gumbo or crawfish. The food here was bland compared to her home.
“You don’t like this, do you?” Lyros asked, motioning toward her plate.
“I’m just used to more flavor in my food, and spices that give it a bit of bite.”
“I’ll speak with the kitchen and see if we can be more accommodating at dinner tomorrow. Do you have a preference for breakfast food?” Lyros asked.
“My breakfast is usually a beignet with coffee, but I doubt you have either here.”
Lyros smiled. “I’ll have the kitchen staff research it and see what they can come up with. I want you to feel at home here, Roux.”
“If you’re finished, perhaps Lyros will show you to your room,” Drexyl said. “The seamstress should be here soon. Once you’ve been measured, she can make a new wardrobe for you. Not that Lucie’s dresses aren’t pretty, but I’m sure you would prefer something of your own.”
“You’ve all been very kind. I feel like I should repay you in some way. Perhaps there’s a job here at the palace I could do to earn my keep?” Roux asked.
“You’re a guest,” Lucie said.
Roux warmed at their kind words and gently pushed back her chair to stand. Lyros took her hand, pulling it into the crook of his arm, as he led her out of the dining hall and back upstairs. She didn’t know what to say to Lyros as they went back to his wing of the palace, but the silence wasn’t uncomfortable. Now that she knew she could trust him, she felt at ease in his presence. The muscles in his arm bunched and flexed under her fingers and she briefly wondered what it would feel like to be held by arms so strong.
When they reached her room, Lyros opened the door and motioned for her to enter ahead of him. The room was dark until Lyros gave a voice command that brought up the lights. Sconces were on either side of the large bed and there were more lights built into the wall on the opposite side. The light in the bathroom spilled into the bedroom. While the large picture windows had seemed inviting in the day, the inky darkness that lay outside now frightened her. She was in a strange world and had no idea what to expect. Was she safe in the palace?
Intergalactic Loyalties Page 23
