Taken by Her Alien Warriors [The Warriors 1] (Siren Publishing Ménage Amour)

by Doris O'Connor

  “Haven’t you forgotten something?” Ornack asked and pointed to the amulet, Zorran had torn off with his clothes earlier.

  With a grunt, Zorran picked it up and pulled it over his head. With the impression of a Drakan restored, he slammed the door shut on the way out and Ornack laughed.

  Oh yes, Zorran cared, and far too much.

  Chapter Four

  Gemini lost all sense of time sat at the window of her elaborate bed chamber. It was the last streaks of the glowing sun disappearing across the mountain ridge that told her evening was here. The lake looked dipped in streaks of red, as though touched by the painter’s brush, and as the shadows in her chamber lengthened, it was only the roaring fire that gave light as well as warmth. She’d heard it said that the Drakans preferred to live in simplicity, but she’d never believed it until she’d followed Gerunda into the castle.

  The stooped-over Drakan female hadn’t said much to her, just watched her with intelligent brown eyes set in her weather-beaten face that seemed to silently judge her and see far too much.

  “This is your chamber for the duration of your stay at my Lord Ornack’s. I will have some water brought up to you to bathe and to get ready.”

  “There really is no need…” Gemini had tried to stop the woman, but she had simply nodded at her. Gemini’s mouth had dropped open at the small army of drop dead gorgeous hunks that had carried the bath tub in, and then filled it with a ridiculous amount of steaming hot buckets of water. Gerunda had added some herbs and spices and, once the young Drakan men had closed the door, had urged Gemini to remove her clothes and to avail herself of the water.

  Self-conscious at first, Gemini had tried to get Gerunda to leave, but the old woman had simply smiled and proceeded to undress her. When she had poured several jugs of warm, scented water over her hair and had started to gently wash it, Gemini had burst into tears. No one had done that for her since her mother died, and once she started crying, she didn’t seem able to stop.

  Rather than scold her for showing her emotions like that, Gerunda had tutted and pulled her into a hug, which had made her cry harder.

  “Don’t be afraid. My Lord Ornack is fair and honorable, and he will treat you well, young one.”

  Gemini had laughed then, a rather hysterical laugh to be sure, but it was really beyond ridiculous. She might never have had sex, but she knew more about the act than this wise old woman could ever suspect. However, it seemed easier to simply let her believe that was the reason for her uncharacteristic tears, and in truth, Gemini lapped up the gentle attention provided by Gerunda.

  She sensed no malice or ulterior motive from the woman, just a quiet determination to see Gemini settled.

  By the time the bath was over and Gerunda had helped her to get dressed again in one of the finest linen tunics Gem had ever seen, followed by an overcoat of the deepest green that reminded her of the forests surrounding the castle, she had grown to trust the old Drakan. Gerunda had proceeded to braid Gemini’s hair into an elaborate wraparound that just left a few strands to trail into her cleavage, had applied scent to all her pulse points, and had then left her to await the call to dinner.

  With no means to tell the time, Gemini had sat at the little alcove under her window and had stared out across the lake. She didn’t want to think about what Zorran and this Ornack person might be doing right now. The air had fair crackled with chemistry between them out in the clearing, and whilst the Drakan had looked at her with undisguised male appreciation, it had been love she’d glimpsed in his azure gaze when he’d looked at Zorran.

  Gemini didn’t want to examine her own reaction to the tall Drakan too closely. Surely it had only been the strange situation she was in that had her insides clench in need, and every feminine cell in her body sigh in submission at the virile, half-naked man in front of her. She couldn’t be attracted to the Drakan, feel drawn to him, in a way she’d only ever felt drawn to Zorran.

  He was as different from Zorran as he could be, with his golden skin and the swirls of chest hair that her fingers itched to explore. How would it feel under her fingertips?

  Gemini shook her head and she jumped when one of the embers in the fireplace fell and sparks singed the luxurious rug in front of it.

  The bed placed in the middle of her chamber was high and surrounded by posts from which sheets of linen hung. They swayed gently in the breeze and the bed itself was covered in more furs. Tapestries covered the stone walls, and lanterns were set at regular intervals into the brickwork. There was an odd-looking container set on the wide wooden chest at the bottom of her bed. Among closer inspection it seemed to contain some sort of oil, presumably to light the lanterns. Gemini didn’t trust herself to know what to do, so she’d simply resumed her seat by the window and stared into space. No doubt someone would come and get her soon.

  A childish giggle and whispering behind the half-open door to her chamber alerted her to the fact that she was not on her own anymore. She couldn’t help but smile at the little black haired Drakan child that stuck his head around the door with an impish grin.

  Crystal-blue eyes looked her up and down and his little horns quivered as he took first one and then another step into the room. There was no mistaking the resemblance between this little boy and Ornack, and Gemini’s stomach hollowed out when his next words confirmed his heritage.

  “Are you going to be my new mother? I heard cook talking and Gerunda said I wasn’t to disturb you, but I had to come and see.” He stepped closer and wrinkled his little freckled nose. “Why are you sitting in the dark? You’re not angry I came, are you? Father said I’ll meet you at dinner, but I couldn’t wait anymore. I had to see. Cook said you were beautiful and that Father had it bad, whatever that means.”

  Gemini laughed at the little tirade of information that spewed out of this adorable little boy’s mouth. He had the cutest lisp.

  He stopped talking at her laugh and grinned up at her. She patted the seat next to her and he eagerly jumped up and then sniffed her. It was the oddest thing.

  “You smell nice, not like the last one. I didn’t like her, and Father sent her away.”

  “Sent who away?” Gemini asked and the little fellow slapped his hand over his mouth.

  “Oh, whoopsies, I forgot. I wasn’t meant to say. You won’t tell on me, will you? I don’t want Father to get angry.”

  “No, of course not.” Gemini was quick to reassure him, and the worried frown disappeared. Ornack’s son swung his little legs and grinned.

  “What’s your name?” Gemini asked.

  “I’m Magnuss, son of Ornack, and I’m almost five. Old enough to learn the crossbow. Father said he’ll teach me when I’m five. Only big boys can use the crossbow you know. And the sword. Father says I have to wait longer for that.”

  Magnuss pouted and Gemini reached across to ruffle his unruly hair. Black like his father’s, the mop of curls hung around his golden face, and Magnuss shut his eyes and rubbed his horns against her hand.

  “Magnuss Ornack, what are you doing in here?”

  Gerunda’s voice held a hint of censure, and the little boy froze.

  “It’s fine, Gerunda. He’s been keeping me company, that’s all.” Gemini was quick to defend him, and Gerunda smiled, and stepped fully into the room. She lit the lanterns around the chamber one by one and her smile deepened when Magnuss slid his little hand into Gemini’s and leant against her.

  “I like this one, Gerunda,” Magnuss said.

  “I’m glad to hear it, young man, but the fact remains that you should be in the dining chamber already, not harassing your father’s guest.” The stern reprimand was tempered somewhat by the indulgent smile she bestowed on the little fellow.

  “Forgive him, his father is far too soft on him. A trait he’s inherited from his father, I’m afraid. The Lords Ornack do treasure their young.”

  “As well they should,” Gemini said, and Gerunda inclined her head.

  “I was sent to bring you down to dinner
, and to track down this miscreant, so, you, Magnuss, run on ahead, while we’ll follow at a more appropriate pace.”

  Magnuss gave Gemini’s hand one last squeeze, and then bounded out of the room.

  As promised, Gemini and Gerunda followed at much more leisurely pace, and by the time they reached the big hall that served as the dining chamber, Gemini was a bundle of nerves.

  Her heart stuttered to a halt when both men turned to look at her as she entered. She sought out Zorran for some reassurance, but his black eyes gave nothing away. He simply slumped back in his chair and took a rather large sip of what she presumed must be wine. The oval-shaped wooden table was laden with food that gave off the most delicious aroma, and her stomach chose that moment to remind her that she hadn’t eaten for hours.

  Magnuss burst into laughter and jumped off his stool. Grabbing her by the hand, he dragged her over to the table and the empty chair next to him.

  “Come, sit with me and eat.” He looked across to his father whose narrow-eyed intense stare gave Gemini renewed palpitations and grinned. “I told you she looked pretty, Father. I like her.”

  Zorran slammed his goblet on the table and tore a leg off the huge roasted bird in front of them. Gemini willed him to look up and across at her, but he steadfastly refused to do so.

  “So you did, son.” Ornack’s deep voice brought her attention back to the Drakan, and she was once again struck by how insanely good looking he was when he smiled at her.

  “I hear this little imp snuck into your chamber. I hope he hasn’t made a nuisance of himself, or I will see to it that he’s punished for not following his instructions.”

  Magnuss squirmed in his seat next to her and she did her best to give the little boy a reassuring smile.

  “Of course he didn’t. He’s just a child. It’s only natural that he should be curious about the visitors. I didn’t mind at all.”

  Ornack inclined his head and smiled. A shiver went down her spine at the predatory nature of that toothy smile. His elongated fangs could only mean one thing, and her body betrayed her with a rush of hot heat between her legs. The Drakan’s nostrils flared, as though he could smell her wetness, and Gemini hastily dropped her gaze to her plate of food.

  “Good, then, let’s eat.”

  * * * *

  Sat only feet away from her, Gemini’s ripe scent wrapped itself around Zorran’s senses and for the umpteenth time since she’d walked into the dining chamber, Zorran adjusted his dick. He could smell her unease, confusion, hurt, and arousal, and it took every ounce of willpower to not act on the emotions battering his soul.

  Instead, he settled on watching her from under hooded lids, ate the food that he didn’t taste, drank too much wine, and kept up with the conversation in grunting monosyllables.

  Far too often he felt Gemini’s searching gaze on him, and every time the force of her hurt feelings hit him straight in the gut when he ignored her.

  Ornack’s irritation with Zorran’s actions grew the longer the meal went on. It was there in his raised eyebrows, and the mocking glances he threw at Zorran. At least Gemini seemed to genuinely enjoy little Magnuss’s company. Her laughter joined his childish giggles more than once, and by the time the meal was finally over, a sleepy Magnuss was practically sat on her lap. Head resting on her shoulder, he could barely keep his eyes open. The seemingly unconscious way Gemini rubbed her chin over the little boy’s horns left a hollow ache in Zorran’s chest. It was a move he’d seen Drakan mothers do countless times, as it calmed their fractious offspring. There was no way Gemini could know that. She was simply acting on instinct, on that innate mothering streak she had that had seen her grow far too attached to the pigs they’d kept for slaughter at his place on Cirrion. Too many of them were now running free in the forests of his home planet, as a result.

  Zorran smiled grimly. At least he knew he’d made the right choice. Gemini belonged here with Ornack and his son. The Drakan, too, watched the interaction between his son and the human female with an intense regard that made Gemini look up and blush.

  “Time for you to go to bed, son.”

  Gemini jumped, and Magnuss pouted when Ornack took the little boy out of her arms, and passed him to Gerunda. Zorran hadn’t been aware of the old Drakan lurking in the shadows. She must have done, however, because she was there in an instant.

  “Not tired.” Magnuss mumbled the words into Gerunda’s shoulder, and he held out a hand to Gemini. “Want her to take me to bed.”

  Gemini went to rise as though to go with them, but Ornack stopped her with a hand on her shoulder.

  “Not tonight, son,” he said.

  “Pleeeeeeease?” The little hopeful voice could have frozen the most hardened of hearts, and Zorran knew full well that Gemini’s wasn’t that. Sure enough she looked up at Ornack with a determined gleam in her blue eyes.

  “I don’t mind at all. I’ll help Gerunda take him up, and—”

  “And I said no. I have other plans for you tonight.” Ornack’s hold on her shoulder tightened and after just a moment’s indecision, her training kicked in and she bowed her head and sat back down again.

  “As you wish.”

  A heavy silence fell between them all, and Gemini struggled to maintain her submissive pose when Ornack ran his hand slowly up into her hair. He undid the complicated braid until her glorious hair fell free down her back once again.

  “I much prefer to see this loose,” he said and then looked toward Zorran with a smirk. “Wouldn’t you agree, Zorran?”

  “What you do with her is none of my concern, Drakan.” Zorran ground the words out through clenched teeth and hardened his heart against Gemini’s soft gasp.

  He would not, could not allow himself to care for her, no matter how much his chest ached at the thought of hurting her.

  “You’re an ass, you know that, right?” Ornack growled the words at him. Low and menacing, they were a statement and a warning, and Zorran pushed back in his chair and stretched, as though he didn’t have a care in the world.

  “If you’re looking to insult me, Drakan, you’ll have to work harder than that. I’ve been called far worse by mere children.”

  Ornack growled and leaned across the table in a show of dominance that made Zorran want to fuck him senseless. Those days were over, however. He would not come back here again. So, instead he filled his goblet with more wine and downed it in one go.

  “Don’t you think you’ve had enough of that?” Concern warred with annoyance in Ornack’s question, and Zorran raised the goblet and saluted him with a mock smile.

  “You’re not my fucking mother, Drakan, so stop acting like one and go fuck the toy I gave you. I can smell her from here. She’s like a bitch in heat. Best put her out of her misery, before she jumps on some other guy.”

  Ornack leapt across the table and had Zorran pinned by the throat before Zorran could even blink. The amount of alcohol he’d consumed was making him sluggish, otherwise he’d have managed to move out the way. As it was, his vision dimmed, as Ornack cut off his air supply.

  “You don’t fucking talk about her like that. What the fuck is wrong with you.”

  “Stop, please stop fighting.”

  Gemini’s worried screams registered seconds before Ornack loosened his hold, and the room came back into focus, and with it the realization that he’d gone too far.

  Ornack’s golden complexion looked mottled with red spots, and his artic eyes blazed in fury, whereas Gemini hugged herself and looked on the verge of tears.

  The mere fact that she showed her emotions to such a degree winded him. Not even when he’d pried her off the dead body of her mother had she cried.

  “Please don’t fight, not over me.” Her voice sounded so small and lost and utterly defeated, Zorran shut his eyes and shook his head.

  “Enough! It’s time I left.”

  Ornack nodded his agreement, and when Gemini made a move toward him as though to stop him, the Drakan stepped in front of her and whispere
d something into her ear that Zorran didn’t catch.

  Whatever he said to her, made her burst into tears, and Zorran stalked from the room, calling himself all kinds of a fool.

  Chapter Five

  “Please don’t leave me here, Sir.”

  Gemini’s whispered words, meant for Zorran, rung in Ornack’s ears, as though they were the clock tower’s bells. He took a deep breath to calm himself, before he turned around to face her. Her eyes widened as he took a step toward her and she put her hand out to stop him.

  “Please, don’t. I can’t…I.”

  She froze when he ignored her and pulled her in for a hug.

  As stiff as a board at first she relaxed when he simply held her to him. One hand buried in her soft hair, he held her against his chest, and ran lazy circles over her back, until she sagged against him.

  Silent tears soaked his chest and he cursed the stubborn fool of a man they both loved to hell and back.

  Her fingers curled into his tunic, and she clung to him whilst he murmured nonsense into her soft hair. Being this close to her was heaven and torture all rolled into one. Ornack had forgotten how soft a woman’s body was, and this little human’s curves fitted against the angles of his hard male frame as though she was made for him. Her scent filled his nostrils and he indulged himself by filling his lungs with the sweet musk of her. A hint of little Magnuss still clung to her skin, and he closed his eyes against the image of her holding his son so tenderly.

  Magnuss didn’t take to strangers easily, especially not females ones, not after the last few King Yanos had sent his way. With fertility rates as low as they were, and Ornack’s proven virility, he was expected to mate again.

  Something he had no intention of doing until Zorran dropped Gemini on him with barely a moment’s warning.

  Gemini wriggled closer and Ornack groaned. He was rock hard, his horns throbbed, and his jaw ached with the sheer force of will he exerted to stop his fangs from descending fully. The rapidly beating pulse point in her neck called to him, and he knew the moment she sensed his predicament. She stiffened again in his arms, and pushed against his chest, and he reluctantly let her go.