Judged: A Dark Sci-Fi Romance (Alien Captured Mates Book 1)

by Ella Long

  I looked up at him and I was ashamed that my eyes were swimming with tears. I really felt like a naughty pet that had been chastised.

  It was a horrible feeling.

  When they were tender, I felt like I was the center of their world.

  Even when I argued and earned a punishment, they were careful with me.

  Probably by their standards, they were lenient with me.

  But right now, Ghislan was pulling rank not just as lord commander but as my master.

  I had jumped into this deal without really knowing the particulars. I opened my mouth and shut it again, thinking of those kids huddled in cold cells and how they could be out and playing in the sun by this afternoon.

  All I had to do was agree.

  I wrapped my robe around me and took a deep sip of coffee, picking up another donut. If he was going to treat me like a pet, I wasn’t going to behave like one.

  “As you will.” I said with as much boredom as I could muster as I tore into the donut with my teeth. “If your TV isn’t suitable, I shall look into the books that you have to hand.”

  Ghislan and Sadhbah both grinned with so much relief I realized that sarcasm hadn’t yet been discovered by their race.

  Damn, they thought I was actually being serious!

  I couldn’t think of any other way to end the conversation without crying, so I just turned my back on them, sipping my coffee as I looked out the window.

  I heard them talking casually to each other as I left the room, clearly satisfied that they had done their best to make me happy.

  How could they know my body in such detail, and not have any idea about who I was?

  When I first made the deal, I didn’t realize my role was to just sit on the bed and wait to be fucked.

  In a lot of ways, it’s not a bad gig, especially in this war-torn world.

  I had a big bathtub with all the hot water I could use.

  Lots of scented soaps, oils and creams, things I haven’t had access to for a long time. I’ve got a great big, comfy bed. Excellent food and drink. I haven’t even seen a TV show in a ridiculously long time.

  I just missed my kids.

  I missed having a purpose.

  I missed me.

  I put my coffee down and let my face fall into my hands. I need to see them! I was tortured by the idea that they were asking for me, wondering where I was.

  Since they lost their parents, I was all they had.

  I knew Mishra and Finbarr would take good care of them. That was not even a question. But they would notice I wasn’t around.

  Kids notice everything.

  Time passed and it felt like hours, but the sun barely moved. I ate as much as I could before taking myself for a bath. Even though the water was wonderful, I couldn’t relax. I ended up getting out after only a few minutes, restless and frustrated.

  I turned on the TV and tried to watch a movie. There were no stations broadcasting anymore but we could still watch DVDs or other media.

  For a while I flipped through the static of the main bands, wondering if I could find a pocket of resistance fighters bravely transmitting from a hideout somewhere.

  In between bursts of static, I did hear things.

  But nothing that sounded like a human language.

  Fragments of words, maybe, but twisted into hisses, shrieks.

  Not even the translator stuck behind my ear could do anything with it.

  It freaked me out so badly I turned the damn thing off at the wall.

  I tried the radio with the same result.

  The public waves were nothing but distorted voices, cut across lines of static.

  And honestly, they had a crappy selection of books.

  Someone would have to do something about that if they planned to keep me here for long.

  It felt like hours had passed but it still looked like morning. I hated to admit it, but I was starting to freak out. It’s not like I had a watch, most time keeping devices were discarded as useless in our new, war-torn world.

  Without the internet to regulate the minutes, no one could set a watch anyway.

  I went to the doors, hoping to find Nerin. There was a different servant there, short and portly, almost the exact opposite of my men.

  “Do you need anything, my lady?”

  I almost laughed. “I don’t suppose you can bring me my kids?”

  “I’m afraid not, my lady.”

  “Oh.”

  Since I wasn’t going to ask for anything reasonable, he turned his gaze to the wall.

  As if I wasn’t there.

  Maybe he wasn’t supposed to chat with me, but a little company would have been nice.

  Further down the hall stood a pair of guards.

  “Hi?” I started. “What’s your name?”

  But they didn’t answer, didn’t turn back to me, just stayed facing any possible threat.

  I went back into the room, feeling like I was ready to tear my hair out. I stood in front of the bookshelf, thinking about hurling books all over the floor rather than reading them.

  I couldn’t keep it in anymore, all the uncertainty. All the fear. It was crowding up inside me and bleeding out as anxiety.

  Where were the guys? Didn’t they want to come and have me ‘service’ them?

  I would take anything to end this boredom now. Even if I was still a bit pissed with them, anything was better than this hollow waiting.

  Without even really noticing it, I started to pace. The sun still shone brightly through the east window.

  If I don’t get to see my kids soon, I really will go out of my mind.

  Another turn around the room.

  Or anyone.

  Someone.

  Another circuit.

  Not just someone.

  Them.

  I need them.

  I had too many doubts and I had been running on autopilot for too long.

  Every single deed and thought I’d had since the first attacks came crowding upon me, now that my mind had time to remember it.

  I sat down in the middle of the bed, letting my tears flow. It felt like my chest was being torn apart.

  It was crazy, but all I wanted was my men.

  They could make me feel better, only they could help me.

  Only a few days ago I was alone and determined that no one but my kids would ever get under my skin ever again.

  I couldn’t risk it.

  Now I was faced with the uncomfortable truth that these two aliens were the only thing on earth that could make me feel better.

  I tried to deny it. I tried to fight it. But my mind was made up and my heart was set.

  I just wanted them.

  For better or worse, all I wanted was their arms around me, now and for all time.

  Ghislan

  I felt bad for telling Ashley I’d be back to see her. My day turned extremely busy once I decided it was time to let the children out of the cells and begin to reevaluate prisoners.

  I hoped Sadhbah had time to see her but with the fighting still going on in Denver, I was sure that he was caught up as well.

  When I arrived back in my rooms, I was pleased to see her but immediately felt that something was wrong.

  She was still wearing the robe she’d had on that morning. It was a beautiful, lacy black thing with gold satin embroidery. It made her look like a queen. Her skin was pale beneath it and her chestnut hair glowed in the dying evening light.

  She was sitting on the bed, hunched up. I felt a moment of fear, thinking she was sick. When she looked up at me her face was drawn but she did not seem ill.

  I couldn’t help myself, I ran to her side. She barely even reacted even though her eyes were wide and sad.

  “Ashley? Are you okay?”

  Her lip trembled as she looked into my eyes.

  “You didn’t come. Neither of you. You said you would see me, but you didn’t come.”

  I felt like someone had torn my chest open. I couldn’t believe I had been
so foolish.

  If I knew that I couldn’t get back to her and Sadhbah was not likely to, I should have given her leave to go.

  I should have sent a messenger.

  Something. Anything.

  I knew what being alone without the distraction of your mates could do.

  Now that she was marked by our bite, our bodies were linked. If we did not partake of each other regularly we would begin to suffer.

  If it went on too long, we could wither and die. Some Xael had survived the death of a blood bitten mate, but most considered that to be unacceptable. Barely existence, let alone life.

  I took her into my arms and as our skin touched, she calmed instantly. Skin to skin, breathing in each other’s pheromones. It was all that was needed to restore our physiological bond. I couldn’t wait to taste her pussy and draw my own cum across her skin, but that could wait. Right now, she just needed basic reassurance.

  She clung to me even as her face began to change.

  “The children have been released.” I said it quickly, before she could ask her own questions. “There will be some restructuring in place, but we are working on having the prison conditions be… More humane?” I wasn’t comfortable with the word and she grinned at my use of it.

  “Okay.” She said softly. She didn’t even know why her mood had shifted so suddenly. I didn’t know how to tell her it was all pheromones.

  “I’m going to wash.” I stood up, patting her shoulder. “There should be food soon. We’ll eat together when Sadhbah gets here.”

  She gathered up her robe, wiping at her eyes and nodding. She was still very emotional, but it looked like she was calming down. I hurried to the bathroom to give myself a decent scrub down. As I pulled on a light robe, I heard her and Sadhbah laughing.

  I hurried to join them and saw they were both laying on the bed, sharing a plate of delicacies. The chef had outdone himself making small pastry baskets of stewed meat and parcels of cheese and herbs.

  Ashley laid back against the pillow while Sadhbah placed a cherry on her tongue.

  “What are you two laughing about?” I sat down on the edge of the bed.

  “Oh, I’m telling her about the Rakish races.”

  “Oh.” My own words were lost in chuckles.

  Years ago we had encountered a planet of primitive humanoids that rode these squat little lizards that ran on two legs like a chicken. Racing them was utterly hilarious as they only moved fast for a few steps before returning to a stroll.

  Sometimes they got in fights and tried to eat each other while their little dwarf like riders went berserk trying to control them.

  “So, how did you end up crossing the galaxy?” Ashley reached for a glass of wine, stretched out on the cushions like a princess from ancient earth times. “Don’t you have a home planet?”

  We both sighed at the same time, Sadhbah’s eyes meeting mine.

  “Whoa, tough topic?” She sipped at the wine, watching us both.

  “We don’t really know how the war started.” I said slowly. “I don’t remember much about the home planet.”

  “Nor I.” Sadhbah looked away into the distance. “But we have our traditions. I have my bone spear, cut from the leg of the great Kelin beast who roams our wilderness.”

  “Is it a predator?” She asked, looking squeamish.

  “Imagine one of your earth bears, but far larger and with scales.” I remarked.

  “The females can fly.” Sadhbah raised his glass. “But I took my spear from a male.”

  “Do you have a spear too, Ghislan?”

  Sadhbah laughed and I pointed a finger at him. “Don’t you start!” I ordered.

  He kept laughing.

  “He has a bone dagger.” Sadhbah spluttered. “He cut it from an infant that he took pity on after the hunt took its mother and it was wounded past survival.”

  I looked away, ashamed of myself and my act of mercy.

  Acquiring your bone spear was supposed to be the act that made you a man, a warrior.

  I barely scraped through under the laws of custom.

  It had taken Sadhbah five days to kill his beast and a further ten to cut the bone free and shape it.

  “Ghislan.” Ashley’s hands touched my face and she drew my eyes up to hers. Her gaze was shimmering with tears and her voice thick with emotion.

  “No wonder you are a great leader.” She drew me close and kissed me gently. “You don’t even want your enemies to feel pain.”

  I was uncomfortable under her attention and looked away. I had never thought of my great disgrace referred to in a positive light before.

  Sadhbah, who was a legend amongst Xael, looked petulant. Fuck him. Despite my rank, I’ve been measured against his bone spear for too long.

  “So, why don’t you remember much of your home planet?” Ashley took another sip of wine.

  “Once we are young men, we take to the stars. The Najiik attack any civilizations that they can find, killing everyone, tearing resources out of the planet then moving on. They do nothing but destroy,”

  I paused for a sip of wine, watching Sadhbah feed Ashley a few grapes.

  “The jump to Earth is the longest hyper jump we had ever attempted. We followed their energy signature. We don’t have any goal really, except to stop them. Most of us aren’t even clear how it all started, only that from the time we are born, we know to hate the Najiik.”

  “But how do you even know if they are the bad guys?” Ashley asked innocently.

  We both laughed, shaking our heads.

  “Let me show you the footage of Scordin, a planet on the far arm of our galaxy. Or Nigack. Once you see the devastation they cause, you would never doubt our mission again.”

  “I guess I have seen it, here on Earth.” She said slowly. “I’ve just never known the difference between your handiwork and theirs.”

  I wanted to protest but I knew the Xael had done a number on the planet just like the Najiik had.

  We had taken plenty from the planet to service our needs, to try to repair our ship. In a lot of ways, we were no better than the Najiik. But only in this particular instance.

  At least we didn’t kill at will.

  Ashley started talking about the children, breathlessly telling us all about what school was like before the attacks.

  Recess, and lunch duty. Children’s art projects and essays.

  She leaned back on the bed, giggling as Sadhbah fed her another cherry.

  I stroked her leg, feeling the heat rising from her body. She looked up at the ceiling with dreamy eyes.

  “I would love to open a new school. Somewhere for the next generation to learn. Learn about the new world, not the old one. A safe place.”

  I barely heard her words. I needed her now. I had needed her all day.

  Ever since she spoke kindly of my bone ceremony, I was feeling intensely for her. Something between us had changed.

  I was indebted to her. Not just by our physical bond but from something emotional.

  She saw me. She really did. No one ever had before, only Sadhbah.

  I ran my hands up her legs, waiting to see her smile. She rolled a cherry across her lips and bit into it, red juice staining her lips.

  I leaned forward and kissed her, our lips warm and our tongues tangled in the cool, sweet juice.

  Sadhbah

  They kissed, red juice running down their chins. I moved the platter of food because I could see Ghislan pushing her back against the bed and I knew they had both forgotten everything, except each other.

  Ashley stretched her back, pressing herself against the pillows. Ghislan parted her robe with gentle fingers and ran his hand down the smooth skin between her breasts.

  I leaned forward, running my palms up her calves. She was wonderfully soft and since she had been getting regular meals her skin had taken on a healthy glow.

  Ghislan was kissing her and kneading her breasts, leaning over her as she lay on her back. I ran my hands up her legs, she parted her th
ighs and it was all the encouragement I needed.

  I fell on her pussy with my mouth wide. My lips clamped around the hood and my tongue licked firmly across her clit. She writhed from the hips and Ghislan pressed down on her chest, pinning her and keeping her still.

  I worked my tongue down into the deep, wet cave. As my lips pressed against the inner folds of her pussy, I parted them and spoiled every inch with pressure from the tip of my tongue.

  I made my way back up to her clit, pressing my lips to it gently and licking it with the flat of my tongue.

  “You are delicious, little one,” I managed before I dove back for more.

  I was fascinated by her body and how she seemed to get so much pleasure from us in spite of herself.

  Ghislan sat up on his knees now, leaning down for her to flick her tongue against the head of his cock. The little fingers reached out and stroked her face, making her squirm.

  “I think I’ll have more of that,” he growled, quickly straddling her and her cries became muffled as he slid his cock down her throat.

  I put my attention back on her pussy and when I licked her clit firmly with the flat of my tongue, she bucked under Ghislan, grabbing at his ass.

  I kept my attention on her clit. Diving down to her cunt and tasting her dripping juice and then licking her clit some more. I found myself exploring it, trying to understand exactly how it worked.

  No matter what kind of pressure I put on it she seemed to respond with absolute joy every single time.

  While I pressed my lips around her clit and licked it firmly, I put two fingers in her pussy. She moaned around Ghislan’s cock, struggling weakly against the pleasure.

  I couldn’t help but smile in satisfaction when I felt her pussy start to throb and clench. Those deep inner muscles seemed to be beyond her control and when they started throbbing like this, the orgasm was going to be huge.

  She didn’t moan so much as hum, not able to cry out with Ghislan’s huge cock taking up all the available space in her mouth. I put my lips and tongue down to her cunt and moaned in joy as I felt her cum slicking my face. I tugged her ass towards me and licked my tongue through every crevice, eager for her juice.