Precious Starlight (Quads of Galafrax Book 3)
Page 9
“Bex, what have you done?” Loz asked from the other side of the room, his tone full of warning.
“We don’t know if we should be insulted or flattered to be called stones, Bex.”
Tos bounced to his feet as two richly robed Demos men strode between the cells of the Tri-Qui palace dungeon.
Instant recognition of two of the High Lords of Galafrax made him pause and stare in disbelief.
“My Lords!” Loz’s head bobbed in a curt, but respectful bow. Tos glanced at Bex, who didn’t look as surprised as his other brothers by the High Lords' appearance.
“Rocks are steady and always strong, my Lords,” Bex smiled slyly, “and while I’d love to sit and discuss rock metaphors, our human sheraz is in danger at this very moment.”
“Already on it,” Lord Gol nodded to his brother Hul. He deactivated the force field holding them. “When I got your message that a human female was being abused by a set of our appointed High Councillors, we came as soon as we were able.”
“Just how did Bex contact you?” Loz fell into step with Gol as they swiftly made their way out of the dungeon area and up the old black stone stairs. Tos wanted to know that as well, as it finally sank in to never to underestimate his youngest brother. Bex held more tricks than anyone knew and he planned every move with cunning.
“As Demos with a human wife to treasure, I thought it best our wives have other females to talk and share with, so they do not feel what our Kat calls homesickness," said Gol. "So we talk with the Fire Bond brothers. Our wives are now good friends.”
“I sent Daisy’s message to the Fire Bond brothers, adding in that we were heading to the palace to rescue her,” Bex explained in a matter-of-fact way.
“The Fire Bond brothers contacted us and thought you may need our help. Once we heard you’d been arrested, we came as quickly as we could. We have your Daisy’s message as evidence, but it is not enough. We need solid evidence against them for what they are doing.”
“You won’t need any fucking evidence if they're dead,” Tos growled again. “She can’t defend herself against being drugged.”
Both Gol and Hul’s faces dropped, darkly frowning. “Then we must hurry. I heard the claiming ceremony is about to start. If this drug is what I think it is, then she is at their mercy. Not to mention, it violates Galafrax law, not giving the female freedom of choice.”
A cold chill of fear, of not reaching her in time, ran down Tos’ spine. No, don’t think about it––just get to her, as she’ll need to be calm and level headed. Nothing in the whole nine galaxies would stop Tos from seeking his bloody revenge if they harmed even one cell on her skin.
“Before we burst in, I may have a plan which will work, so they don’t scuttle off.” Everyone paused and turned to stare at Bex expectantly.
Learning from hard experience, Tos knew when to listen to their youngest born. Every plan he’d had thus far had been fantastic.
“Tell us, but hurry,” Tos demanded.
Bex’s grin was calculating. “Brothers, don’t worry. If we do it this way, we’ll get our challenge after all and the High Councillors will be brought exactly where they belong.” Bex moved forward to walk beside the High Lords. “Didn’t happen to bring any extra robes with you, my Lords?”
* * * *
“Nod for me, my pet.”
Lik lowered his six-foot-two frame to meet her gaze. Lust gleamed in his gold eyes, but it made her want to vomit rather than melt like her men’s gazes did.
Nod?
'Fuck, no!' she wanted to scream and yell, but found her head bobbing up and down, as if her head were held by invisible strings like a marionette. These four red assholes held those strings.
Panic replaced rage when But took her arm, leading her into a room dominated by a large bed. The brothers worked together to strip her of her clothing. Her heart pounded fearfully as their golden eyes darkened and they ran their hands over her naked curves.
“As soon as the ceremony is over, this is ours to enjoy.” The Councillors grinned at each other in smug satisfaction. Councillor Pot focused on her. “Don’t think they will ever come for you, Daisy…we’ve had them locked up and charged with treason against Galafrax. Most often, the penalty is death.”
What? These fucking bastards had her men locked up? No, no, no! She fought with all her might against the drug making her so obedient.
“Let us hurry, then. I want to fuck her.” Lik ran his hand down her naked back. The others nodded and began to dress her again in what she assumed were ceremonial robes, kind of like an Earth wedding dress.
Daisy inwardly sighed in relief. At least they wouldn’t be raping her just yet.
“Utterly magnificent. Soon all of Galafrax will see and know what a beautiful human sheraz we have acquired.”
Yeah, and you’ll be losing body parts when I start hacking the moment this drug wears off.
Talk about a shotgun, or rather drugged-up, wedding. She screamed silently for any kind of natural disaster to happen, or her men to come to her rescue, but who was going to rescue them?
Lik placed dainty slippers on her feet. Satisfied with their preparations, they surrounded her like the four red horsemen of doom, leading her out of their quarters. With each second they moved deeper into the Palace, the more she lost hope she could escape.
No way, in this life or the next, would she ever give up on her men. Guards pushed open large, decorative double doors.
Light blinded her momentarily and she blinked against it. When her eyes finally adjusted, she found they were on a raised platform, surrounded by a large gathering of Demos quads and among them some Demos women. All chatted away, clearly here for the ceremony as their gazes turned upon her and the Councillors caging her in.
“Friends and honoured guests, welcome to our bonding ceremony. Blessed are we to have won the heart of this lovely human female, Daisy,” But proclaimed loudly.
Fuck, I’m really screwed.
Her heart pounded and real fear gripped her chest, tears blurring her vision as they spilled down her cheeks. She guessed it was one thing they couldn’t stop: her body's natural reaction to the stress they’d put her under. Was this really how her life would end? Slave to the same race who proclaimed her rescued and safe in their lands?
Her body began shaking, tears freely falling down her cheeks.
“Stop the shaking, Daisy,” whispered Pot from behind her, but her body wouldn’t obey.
“Is she all right?” an observant Demos male, who stood on stage with them, asked after studying her for a moment.
“She’s fine, aren’t you, Daisy? Just overjoyed at becoming ours,” But all but snarled at the official.
Don’t believe him, please, see the truth, she pleaded with her eyes.
“You're fine, are you, Daisy?” the official asked.
“Nod for him,” her puppet master Pot commanded. Her head bobbed obediently.
“Very well, shall we proceed?”
“Yes, we are eager to have our sheraz alone.” But grinned at the official, who chuckled.
Dickhead.
The official clapped his hands, drawing the attention of the crowd. “Demos quads of Galafrax, what a joyous occasion it is, to bond the High Councillors R’galas of our Third City to this lovely human female. Before I begin, is there any objection or challenge to this female who has chosen these men as hers?”
Daisy actually managed to roll her eyes and her nose twitched. Was she regaining control over some of her body? Her breathing was becoming more laboured, as a cold sweat broke out over her skin. What the hell was happening? Was she having an adverse reaction to the drug they’d given her?
Things went from bad to worse. If I did pass out, then they couldn’t complete the bonding thingy.
“Yes, we object!”
Oh thank god, someone with some sense. She peered out into the crowd from where the voice had bellowed.
The crowd parted as hoods were thrown back to reveal only two of one set of
“The High Lords!” gasped Lik, standing on her left.
Yay for the High Lords––whoever they are...
They strode forward. “We have strong evidence to suggest Miss Daisy here is not a willing participant in this bonding."
Several of the crowd gasped at the High Lords' words.
Oh hell, yes… Please help me! She tried to open her mouth fighting against the drug, only to have her body shake further. She blinked––was she seeing more than her usual quadruple? Things were a little blurred and she blinked again to try to clear her vision.
“You dare accuse us of forcing her to be ours?” But moved to stand in front of her.
“No, we do not accuse you.”
“We do!” From different points on the stage, her men walked in to surround the High Councillors. Her heart leapt in her chest. Oh god, were they a sight for her blurry and sore eyes. She recognized each one: Loz’s commanding tone and Tos's fierce glare directed at the High Councillors while, on the other side, Bex winked and Cir looked at her with concern.
She glanced up at the tight faces of the High Councillors and smirked.
You guys are so screwed.
“My brothers and I challenge you for drugging and attempting to steal our sheraz!”
God, she loved Loz…
Challenge. Her dimming mind barely registered that it was a fight of some kind.
“Daisy!” She noted Cir running, his eyes wide in unambiguous panic, but why was he tilting sideways? Oh, yeah… it wasn’t him moving sideways, she was falling.
Daisy blacked out.
Chapter Twelve
Watching Daisy crumple made Loz’s heart jump into his throat. Cir managed to shove the High Councillors out of the way just in time to catch her.
“This is preposterous. We did no such thing. You have made her faint by these wild accusations…The Stormstrong brothers are under arrest for treason. Guards! They have escaped the prison, seize and return them,” But yelled.
“Do not move,” Gol warned in a low, deadly tone. He held up his hand and the guards stayed where they were, bowing to the higher authority in the room.
“We have evidence, from Daisy herself, they intended to force her into bonding with them by using a drug.”
“I need to get her to a med bay quickly. Her heart rate is far beyond what it should be, her body is in clear distress.” Cir’s nimble fingers were placed along her delicate throat. He glanced up before lifting her into his arms.
“Human females are fragile,” Hul agreed, concern etched into his face. “Hurry, take her to the Qui-palace med centre. Guards, make sure his way is clear.” The guards bowed and ran ahead of Cir as he bolted for the end door with Daisy secure in his arms.
As much as he wanted to hold his sheraz in his arms, to comfort himself that she would be all right, now Cir firmly held her to protect and take care of her health. Right now, his brothers and he had other issues to deal with.
“Daisy sent us a message before you took her and drugged her. No doubt Cir will find whatever drug you used to subdue her in her system.” Bex walked forward, confronting the High Councillor. “I passed the message on to others who came to our aid to make sure you wouldn’t get away with your crime against a helpless female.”
Loz was proud of the death glare Bex then directed at the High Councillors. “I agree with my brother, a challenge in the arena. You took what was ours and we will defend our right to her.”
“Yes, I’ll soon have your blood running through my hands, then everyone will know no one takes what is ours,” hissed Tos, moving to stand by Bex’s side.
“You can’t challenge us, we are High Councillor!” Pot stuttered, he and Lik taking a step back at the fierce rage radiating from Tos. Loz hid his grin, doubting Cir, Bex or he would have to lift a finger in the arena. Tos would take them all out before they could blink.
“The title of High Councillor, I now remove. Prove yourself honest and true in the arena and all will be restored,” Gol snapped, anger flaring in his golden gaze. “If you are in the wrong or right, then the challenge will sort it out.”
They gasped in shock at Gol’s words.
“Guards, escort the Bracket brothers to their chambers to allow them to prepare for the challenge. Once Miss Daisy is recovered enough to attend, we will have the challenge.”
Hul nodded and the guards were quick to surround the R’galas quads and escort them away, while the crowd behind them murmured with surprise at the shocking turn of events.
“Go, see to your female, and let us know her status. Once she is well enough, prepare for the challenge.” Gol stepped up to him, gripping him by the shoulder. Loz nodded his appreciation.
He glanced at Bex and Tos, who all held the same expression. They needed to see their woman and, trailing close behind, he marched through the now departing crowd. His focus was resolute: make sure their woman was all right and then, as Daisy would say, kick some Demos ass.
* * * *
“That’s it, my love, open your beautiful eyes for me.”
Daisy blinked against the light. Her whole body tingled and throbbed, especially her sex, slick and aching with a raw need she’d never before felt.
Daisy moaned and squirmed, trying to focus at the same time on the voice she knew so well.
“Cir? W... what’s wrong with me?” She whispered, relieved to have the use of her voice again.
His handsome features came into view, his large hand stroking over her face, notching her lust higher. Her skin tingled with heightened sensitivity.
“The drug they gave you was experimental. I wasn’t sure how to counteract it, so I tried the one counter agent I could think of. I gained the High Lords' permission as the counter drug is also illegal due to its, ah, powerful arousal effect on Demos males. I wasn’t sure if it would affect you also… but, I can’t help but sense you’re… um…”
She squirmed again, trying to relieve some of the pressure building between her legs, but it was no use. “Oh god, Cir. I’m so horny I could hump anything right now.”
He helped her to sit up, deep concern etched into his handsome face. “I’m sorry, Daisy. I didn’t mean to cause you distress.”
Her legs swung off the large gurney bed. “Apart from the, uh, other side effects, how are you feeling?”
Daisy did a mental inventory of her body, flexing and stretching. Surprisingly, she felt good. She eyed Cir and licked her lips. How she’d missed her men, and she would give Loz a piece of her mind when she saw him again.
“How long is this side effect going to last?”
“Your system is not the same as Demos's. I’m not—”
Daisy never let him finish, gripping his uniform top, yanking him to her and kissing him with all the pent-up passion of Cir’s illegal drug combined with being apart from her men for too damn long.
His arms wrapped around her, moaning as their tongues duelled for dominance. One of his hands slid up and cupped her breast, his thumb slicing across her hardened and aching nipple. A rich moan bubbled up from her throat as he continued to rub his digit over her hardened nub.
She pulled her mouth from his, gasping. “God, Cir, yes…touch me, grope me… Don’t be gentle. I need you, now.” She whined in needy desperation, but didn’t care if she sounded like a spoilt child making demands.
Thankfully, he made no protest but shifted enough to strip her of her top. She lifted her arms to assist before grabbing him, hissing at the feel of his hand now on her naked skin. Pleasure shot through her.
“Oh, my sweet Daisy, how I’ve longed for this.”
She wondered if her diamond-hard nipples would poke a hole in his hand as he squeezed her pliant yet firm flesh.
Daisy moaned in delight, tugging her back to his lips, needing to taste more of his hot, wet spice. Their tongues battled, lips seeking and searching, stoking the fires of blazing lust higher in both of them.
Cir pushed her back on the bed and could feel the hardness of his cock poking into her leg. She wrapped her legs around his waist, opening her core up to him. She writhed and ground wantonly against him while her tongue sought out places in his mouth that even an oral hygienist hadn’t yet discovered. God, maybe it was really possible to spontaneously combust…
Running her fingers over the back of his skull, feeling him shudder on top of her, she wiggled, and then growled at the layers of clothes still between them.
“Naked, need, now!”
Yup, she’d lost the ability to complete full sentences.
Cir pulled away, making her whimper at the loss of his heat. When he stripped off, revealing all that wonderful muscle and lickable toffee-red skin, she quickly wiggled out of the stupid skirt the High Councillors had dressed her in. Dimly, in the back of her mind, she made a mental note to burn the outfit later.
He gripped her hips, lifting and pulling her to him at the same time, his lips seeking her nipple, sucking the flesh into his mouth, running the flat of his tongue over it. More moisture flooded her sex and seeped out, no doubt making a right mess. Crazed by Cir’s ministrations on her breast, she couldn’t care less.
She reached down, seeking out and wrapping her hand around his hard, hot length, and he jerked and groaned as she squeezed then stroked.
“I will ease you, my sweet.” He laid her back on the med bed and trailed kisses over her stomach. “Oh, by the ice plains, you smell so good. I know you will taste even better.”
Daisy threw back her head as his thick fingers slid through her slit. “So wet and hot for me, my sweet.”
“Please, Cir, I need you.” She whimpered then jerked as he buried his face between her legs, swiping his tongue over her clit, lapping and sucking at her pussy like a cat devouring its cream.
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