TICEES

by Mills, Shae

  “I told you I would do anything for you, my Lady. What is it that you would desire most that I could procure for you?”

  Chelan looked back to his chest. “I … I don’t know, my Lord. I mean, I never thought …” She looked up at him. “I would have to think. What could you bring back?”

  He shrugged and then took her hand in his again, raising her fingers to his lips. He began tasting them one at a time as he spoke slowly, seductively, his voice deep. “Anything you desire.”

  Chelan wavered as she watched him savor her fingers. But her thoughts were back home. “Anything?” she whispered.

  Ticees smiled. “Anything.”

  Chelan looked about her as her mind worked to process what had been granted to her. But she was too excited to think straight.

  Ticees reached for her hair, stroking it lovingly. “How about your family?”

  Chelan ceased all motion, shock spreading over her features. At the same time her heart skipped several beats. “Oh my god, that would be wonderful!” Chelan could feel the sting behind her eyes, and her breathing started coming in muted sobs. Imagine that, to be reunited with her family.

  But just as quickly as her imagination took flight, her heart stumbled. There was no way she could rip them from their lives as she had been ripped from hers. That was beyond cruel. And it was beyond selfish.

  Before she could react, his hand slipped behind her head and he drew her to him, kissing her deeply. She tensed and attempted to withdraw, but he held her firmly to him, giving her no choice.

  Then he released her lips. “Tell me what you wish for and it will be granted,” he said, his words husky with desire.

  Chelan’s thoughts were mired in confusion and dismay. She wanted to wipe his kiss from her mouth, but first she needed to concentrate on his question. “I…” She hesitated, trying to focus on anything other than her mounting dread. “I couldn’t do that to my family,” she finally uttered. “Maybe if you could bring them word, tell them somehow that I am well.”

  “Granted. But what may I get for you, something special, something unique to your world, something you have always wanted.”

  All Chelan really wanted was to leave. “I … I would require some time to think about this, my Lord.”

  Ticees chuckled. “Of course. After all, Earth is not exactly just around the corner.”

  She smiled nervously. “No, it isn’t, is it?” She tried once again to rise from him, but he held her fast, halting any thought she may have entertained about escaping. She looked back to his chest, hoping to distract him with conversation. “On Earth, we keep animals as pets. That is never done here. Maybe … I mean, if it’s allowed …”

  Ticees wiped a strand of hair away from her pretty face. “Whatever pleases you, my Lady. Any of your world’s comforts, any of your world’s treasures.”

  Chelan bit her lip. “I don’t want treasures, my Lord.”

  “What about this thing you call a pet? I could acquire several of whatever species you desire. You could breed them.”

  Chelan shook her head. “That’s a grueling trip for all involved. Please don’t send anyone on my account.”

  Ticees shook his head at her. “It will be fine. A long trip, yes, but hardly grueling. I have sent people out many times before. And I will use civilian personnel, not military. There are many people within my service who would jump at such an intriguing venture.”

  “Honestly, my Lord, there is nothing I require.”

  Ticees sighed. “I’m sending the men regardless. You might as well come up with something. Why waste the opportunity? And in the end, the trip will be worth it just to put your family’s fears to rest.”

  Chelan nodded. “That is all that I require, my Lord. That would be the most precious gift you could give to me.”

  Ticees started into her eyes. “You are pleased by such small gifts, my Lady.”

  Chelan pinked. “Thank you, Sire. This means the world to me.”

  Ticees’ expression turned serious. “I think I deserve at least another a little kiss for this.”

  Chelan froze. Her insides turned. Power surged through her brain. She needed to grasp onto what few tendrils of it she felt she still had. Placate him and then leave. Her chest hurt with breaths held. “I should leave, Sire.”

  “One more,” he rumbled.

  Chelan hesitated and then leaned forward, her eyes closed, every fiber of her being telling her she was but a fly trapped in his web. Her lips touched his tentatively, her body coiled for flight.

  Ticees’ response was tempered, but only for a moment. He moaned as his hand flowed over her slim waist while his tongue searched every hidden corner of her soft mouth. Suddenly, he flipped her to her back, his hand tracing over her thigh and up to her hip. She was his.

  Chelan was instantly paralyzed by fright, her ability to leave the bed thwarted by his sudden move. Now she was on her back, her options diminishing by the second.

  Ticees smiled to himself. Though he could feel her tremble, she was not resisting. Finally he released her sweet lips and looked down at the beauty below him. He could see the fear in her eyes, but he knew it would be short-lived. He smiled, his hand tracing up and down her long, slender leg.

  Chelan swallowed hard and her voice cracked. “One kiss … you said one kiss, my Lord.”

  His hand slipped up her side, and he drew her arms over her head, his body leaping into flames. He held her wrists with one hand as his other slid down her arm and to her breast, her fullness filling his hand, and instantly driving him beyond reason. He hardened and rose onto her, pressing himself to her.

  Chelan moved her head away from him, attempting to catch her breath. “I’m sorry, my Lord. Please …”

  “Chelan,” he called as he nuzzled her neck. “Please let me make love to you, pretty lady.”

  Dar’s term of endearment for her uttered by Ticees cut her to her soul. She tried to loosen his grip on her arms, but his grasp bound her as sure as chains. “My Lord, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it to go this far. Please, I’m sorry.”

  “Chelan. Hey. Take it easy,” he soothed as his hand went to her soft cheek. “Please, Chelan, I won’t hurt you. I promise you. If you just relax and give me a chance, you will enjoy our bonding, I promise. You know what I can do for you, my Lady. I assure you, I am every bit as accomplished as your men.”

  Chelan’s chest heaved as she tried to get her wind, but he was crushing her, and finally she lay very still.

  Ticees stared at her pretty face, her full breasts pressed into his chest. His one hand kept her arms pinned above her head while he moved his other to her leg. He shifted his weight off her slightly as his hand slid up her silky body, lifting her white gown over her hips.

  Chelan looked up at him, his eye’s fire fueled by lust, the thought of his Earthly offer plaguing her with guilt. She had fallen into his trap, a mistake she would have never made on Earth. But here … she had hoped …

  He continued to stare at her as she felt his fingers leave her and move to himself as he released his throbbing penis from his uniform. She felt its lustful weight fall upon her, eagerly awaiting its reward. She was well aware that struggling would only assure her lot. He was just as much a predator as her men, and control was measured in such tiny increments that she knew she had only to press him one tiny bit too far and her fate would be sealed. She closed her eyes against the tears that were forming, and she convulsed. “Oh, please, no,” she whimpered.

  But Ticees was so close to his goal he couldn’t help himself, and he reached between her legs, running his fingers into her softness.

  Chelan gasped and cried out. “Ticees! Please, oh god, I beg of you. Please stop.”

  Ticees froze, her use of his given name and her desperate plea finally hitting him as though he had been slapped. He opened his eyes and looked down at her, her face red, her eyes swollen, her agony and terror plainly written on her soft features. Immediately he withdrew.

  Chelan tried to be cal
m as he moved off her, her body aching from his pressure. But she felt deathly sick. She rolled to her side, her chest heaving painfully for oxygen. She curled up into a ball, hugging her knees tightly. She felt guilty for turning him down, ashamed for falling for his ruse, and terrible for letting everything get this far. This was a mess, a completely avoidable mess, and in her mind, it was all her fault right from the beginning.

  Ticees sat on the edge of the bed and ran his hands through his hair. His body burned, his thoughts dispersed, and his stomach knotted. Then he straightened and roared with pent-up frustration, his fists clenched.

  Chelan scrambled to the far side of the bed, his outpouring of anger scaring her to death. “I’m sorry!” she cried as she hugged herself tightly.

  Ticees’ head snapped around at her, his eyes ablaze. “What is wrong with you?” he shouted.

  Chelan cringed. “I … I …”

  He gritted his teeth. “You engaged me first, my Lady.” His voice was deep and restrained.

  “That’s not true,” she whimpered.

  “You never had to touch me! But you did!” he boomed.

  Chelan hugged herself tighter, choking on her words. “I … I … you asked … Korba’s men never—”

  Ticees leapt to his feet in a rage. “I’m not Iceanean!” he shouted.

  “And I’m not yours,” she shouted back.

  Ticees was furious, his chance to inseminate her consensually ripped from him through her ridiculous adherence to illogical values. There wasn’t a woman in the Empire who wouldn’t give anything to partake in his favors, yet the one he wanted the most stubbornly refused. He rounded the bed and grabbed her arms roughly, shaking her. “If you are Korba’s, my Lady, why do you lie with Fremma and Dar? I have witnessed your dealings with both, so tell me!”

  Chelan’s eyes widened with terror, and she was unable to answer.

  “Why?” he seethed, shaking her again.

  “It is their way,” she uttered.

  “And it is mine!” he shouted. “You will sleep with me tonight!”

  Her eyes bulged. “No,” she gasped. “I sleep with them willingly. It is my choice. I do not choose to sleep with you.”

  Ticees was beyond control, his rage unbridled, his mental and physical discipline fragmented. “It will be your choice tonight, my Lady.” He raised her up and then threw her down on the bed. He straddled her, crushing her with his weight and bruising her wrists with his grip. “It will be your choice, for if you do not come to my bed willingly, you will never see your precious Warlord again!”

  Chelan’s face paled. “You can’t do that,” she croaked.

  “I can’t?” he shouted venomously. “Who do you think orders whom? Who do you think serves whom? And who do you think has the power to send him running throughout the galaxy, year after year on mission after mission? Who?” he demanded, shaking her violently. “Toran’s last mission lasted four years. Four long Iceanean years. I could easily string a few of those together, my Lady, and if he managed to survive battle after grueling battle, he would still never set foot on his home planet again!”

  Ticees rose up off her, releasing her as he finally concealed himself in his pants. “Tonight!” he shouted. “You be here, and you be willing … or Korba is dead!”

  Ticees grabbed his jacket and shroud, flying from the room in unrestrained anger.

  Chelan was stunned. She lay unmoving and unfeeling. She tried to think, but her mind was numb. Then she took several deep, sobbing breaths. It had happened. It had finally happened, as she knew it would. He was going to have his way. He was going to force her to be his by threatening her with Korba’s loss.

  Chelan rose slowly, wincing in pain, her arms bruised. She had no choice. Suddenly, she knew. It was all so obvious. She had to lie with Ticees to save her beloved Korba. It was as simple as that.

  She stood on weak and unstable legs, and she moaned at the ache across her body. She started to shuffle toward the door, her only goal right now to scour Ticees from her body. She walked back stiffly to her chambers, and only then did she allow her tears to flow freely. She slumped to her knees and buried her face in her hands. “Oh please, Korba, forgive me. I do this for you,” she wailed. And she cried for a long time, her suffering and torment gushing forth unabated.

  Chapter 14

  Chelan spent the rest of the day soaking in a warm bath, her emotions drained, her tears spent. Ticees was a barbarian, and she wondered why he differed so vastly from the men who served him. Chelan was well aware that the three Warlords were also brutal, for their life’s course was to rain death upon others, but the Iceanean men could separate their careers from their personal lives. Maybe it was genetics, or maybe it was simply a matter of control. After all, Korba had struck her. But then Chelan smiled to herself. The women in his world were considered equals in every sense of the word, and she had struck him first. Deep down she knew that he had not intended to hit her so hard, and god knows she had pressed him to a point far beyond most people’s tolerances.

  Chelan sank lower into the tub. She wondered why she found the idea of sleeping with Ticees so vile. Korba accepted her pursuits with Fremma, and by their ways, Ticees would simply be another temporary physical pleasure. If anything, Korba would probably want her to find solace in someone, especially since she was so alone.

  But Chelan couldn’t do it. Ticees was different. He was not Iceanean. He may have publicly embraced Iceanean values, but Chelan now knew that he did not always follow them. He had manipulated her, and none of the Iceanean men had ever done that. And now she had learned yet another brutal lesson sexually. Her participation with him was not as an equal. She was a subordinate to be used as he saw fit for his own gratification. Chelan had often felt powerless and at the mercy of Korba, his sheer size and strength intimidating her. But it was a figment of her own imagination, for never once had he compromised her in any way or engaged her for his own needs exclusively. He had always sought her consent for any act, and no matter how aggressive he had become, he had never once come close to hurting her. But Ticees was totally different in every way. Tonight he would loom over her like a harbinger of death, taking from her what he wanted, filling her with pain and guilt.

  Chelan understood that the Warlords had no reason to distrust him. Ticees needed them, and they were powerful men, never to be compromised in any way least he compromise his own position. But it was different with her. He did not need her for anything, and her feelings and her body were expendable. It was now that she realized that the nightmare she had had so long ago was a premonition of the horror to come. Ticees was the nemesis that haunted her in her sleep, and now he would terrorize her by day.

  Chelan crawled lifelessly from the tub. It was well past the dinner hour, but Chelan knew that if she ate, she would be sick. She walked into the bedroom and began slipping into her gown. Suddenly, she thought of Fremma’s blades. Chelan took several deep breaths before she shook her head at her unexpectedly violent thoughts. It would serve him right to be run through for what he was about to do. His death would be more than justified. But her death would also be assured, and by that she knew that she would destroy Korba, and she pushed the thoughts of the weapons from her mind.

  Finally, it was time, and she took a deep breath. To her, her chances of survival depended not so much on what was about to happen, but on how long she could endure it. And tonight was not going to be the only test of endurance. She had yet to learn how often she was expected to be of service to him. This was not going to be a one-time experience—of that she had no doubt.

  Suddenly, she teetered and grabbed for the nightstand to steady herself. What was to come of all of this upon Korba’s return? Would Ticees give up his new sexual prize? And even if she did get a reprieve, what would she be expected to do when Korba left again? Her head spun.

  She closed her eyes and tried to find a way out of her predicament. Could she go to the guards? Could she go to Stose? Or would confiding in others only get the
m killed? Seeking help was not an option. Who would listen to her when pitted against the word of a galactic Emperor?

  Finally straightening herself, she began her journey toward Ticees’ chambers, praying that he had reconsidered his actions and come to his senses. If not, all she had to do was lie there as quietly and as limply as possible. She would not participate in any way. And she would not struggle. He was going to take her regardless, and fighting would only increase her physical pain.

  Chelan entered unannounced and found Ticees sitting on the edge of his bed, his shoulders slumped and his head lowered into his hands. Chelan stood very still, trying hard not to tremble. “My Lord,” she whispered.

  Ticees was startled by her voice, and he jumped to his feet. He looked at her, his expression unreadable.

  Chelan immediately looked down and clenched her fists, her composure slipping already. She heard him approaching her, and her trembling increased. She did not want to be hurt; it was as simple as that.

  Ticees stood before her, his eyes studying her. “I’m sorry about this afternoon, Chelan.” His voice was quiet.

  Chelan refused to look at him. “Yet you choose to repeat your actions tonight,” she muttered.

  Ticees reached for her chin and forced her to look at him, his eyes pleading with her. “No, I do not. I wish you to make love to me willingly, my Lady. I do not want our bonding to be unpleasurable.”

  Chelan set her jaw. “I will lie with you, my body accepting whatever you force upon me, but my mind will be far from willing and my heart will be cold. I do this for Korba, not for you, my Lord.”

  Ticees released her and turned from her, throwing his head back. His eyes scanned the ceiling futilely. “I love you, Chelan,” he finally admitted in a whisper. “I do not wish to hurt you, but you frustrate me so.” He turned around and faced her. “I could offer you the Empire and so much more. You have but to ask, and to be my willing partner.”

  Chelan was rendered motionless. She had always thought that he had wanted only her body, desiring her for her femininity and no more. But the shock of this revelation did not change her feelings toward him. He said he did not wish to hurt her, yet she knew he would. He said that he loved her, but that love was corrupt.