Valan's Bondmate (Zarronian Warriors Book 1)

by Mardi Maxwell

  "Ride me." His hands slid to her hips and started rocking her. She returned his grin and for the first time since he’d captured her she willingly obeyed him.

  ***

  The next sun rising, she woke before Valan. She slipped from the bed and went to her chamber. He'd made love to her again and again, until finally, she'd warned him if he touched her again she'd scream. He laughed and cuddled her into his arms telling her to go to sleep. She'd intended to return to her chamber as soon as he fell asleep but the warmth of the bed and the sound of his heartbeat lulled her to sleep.

  Frowning, she ran the tub full of hot, scented water. Sliding in, she rested her head against the curved rim and closed her eyes. It was too bad she couldn't take this tub with her when she left. She lifted her foot and pressed the button on the side of the tub and watched as more heated water flowed into the tub.

  A movement at the door caught her eye, and she watched as Valan walked in and sat down on the edge of the tub. He grimaced as his buttocks came in contact with the cool marble. Reaching over, he shut off the water, then grinned when she slid down until it lapped at her chin. He swung his legs over the side and shoved her over as he slid into the water facing her.

  "What are you doing?" she asked.

  "Taking a bath."

  "But, I'm taking a bath now."

  "Yes, you are. And, I'm joining you."

  His feet slid along her hips and his hands disappeared into the water. She jumped when she felt him take hold of her ankles and place her feet on his thighs. His thumbs began rubbing the soles in a soothing, circular motion and she sighed.

  "This isn't your chamber. We agreed I would obey you in your chamber only."

  "Don't be a grouch."

  She sputtered and sat up, jerking her feet away from his hands. He recaptured them and held them still.

  "The agreement was for your chamber. Only!"

  "But, my chamber leads into your chamber. So, it makes sense the agreement should extend into this one as well."

  She knew there was something wrong with his reasoning, but at the moment she couldn't be bothered to figure it out. Closing her eyes, she pretended he wasn't there and thought about ways to get away from Zarronia. He tugged on her feet. Exasperated, she opened her eyes.

  Valan grasped her waist, turned her in the water and pulled her back against his chest. Gently, he stroked her breasts. "Are your breasts sore?"

  "Go away." Her face burned with embarrassment. He laughed, and slid his hand over her belly, giving it a gentle pat and her stomach growled with hunger. He scooped her into his arms and stepped from the tub. Using a drying cloth, he patted her dry before he dried himself.

  Lia escaped while he was busy drying himself. Once in her chamber she opened her closet and saw that it was empty so she rushed into Valan’s room and found her gowns in his closet. Someone hung several colorful gowns and she ran her hands over them before she chose one of the brown gowns and wiggled into it.

  "Put one of the other gowns on, Lia."

  "Why?"

  "I don't like that one."

  "I think I look rather nice this way."

  "Change it."

  She stomped her foot. "No."

  "We're in my chamber."

  "So?"

  "You said you would obey me when we were in my chamber."

  "I did not. I only agreed to, uh, you know."

  "What?"

  Refusing to say what he wanted to hear, she pulled the gown off, threw it in his smug face, and put on a different one. When he began dressing, she went into his bathing chamber and combed the tangles from her hair.

  Valan walked up behind her, and braided her hair. She held the leather thong out to him. Instead of taking it, he reached into his vest and pulled out a blue ribbon with gold tassels at each end. Quickly, he tied it in place around the end of her braid.

  As she stomped away from him, he grinned and watched the tassels swing across her lush bottom with each step.

  He caught up to her in the kitchen. The door of the food processor opened and a food tray slid out. Lia set it on the counter. Seeing him, she told him she'd bring his food to the dining room, then turned back and selected a juice for him.

  "Fix yourself a tray, Lia."

  "I'll eat later, after you leave."

  "No. I want you to join me in the dining room."

  "We're not in your chamber now, Valan."

  "You're still going to obey me."

  "Then, what's the difference?"

  Picking up his tray and glass of juice, he strode into the dining room, telling her over his shoulder, "In my chamber you don't get to argue with me."

  Determined to stay away from him, she sat on a stool and listed the food she'd take with her when she left. A second later he roared her name and she jumped and spilled her juice.

  "Get in here. Now!"

  Cursing him, she fixed a tray of brocco-beans and bread, then selected a glass of juice, and carried them into the dining room.

  Valan glanced at her tray then pointed to a chair at the other end of the table. She marched to it, her feet slapping against the marble floor and slammed the tray onto the table. Jerking the chair away from the table, she sat down and began to eat.

  "After we eat we're going to spend the cycle in the garden."

  ***

  Valan carried a fur out into the garden, settled Lia on it and described the arbor he was building. It would be circular like the house, and made of the same white marble. The roof would be held up by white pillars. Each pillar would be deeply etched with a vining flower design. He didn't tell her about the flowers he intended to plant around it. That would be a surprise for later. When several workers began tending to the flower beds nearby, Valan sent one of them to get his tools. While he waited, he dropped onto the fur beside her. Picking up her hand, he put one slender finger into his mouth and gently bit it. She frowned at him.

  "Lia?"

  "What?"

  "Tell me you're sorry you bit me."

  "No. I'm not sorry."

  He bit her finger again. Then, sucked on it, running his tongue around it. She jerked her hand away. He caught it again and placed it over the teeth marks on his chest then stroked her fingers back and forth over them.

  Her teeth had broken the skin and left a bruise. He was trying to make her feel guilty for hurting him and succeeded. She couldn't believe she'd bitten him again but he made her so angry sometimes. She'd never done such a thing in her life before she met him. Feeling bad, she leaned closer, mumbled an apology and kissed the mark on his chest.

  Valan sucked in his breath when her lips touched his chest. He tumbled her onto her back and kissed her. Then, kissed her again. The sound of a throat being cleared drew him away from her lips. The worker stood nearby holding his tools. Tossing Lia a smile, he jumped up and took them. The smile remained on his face as he began to work.

  She knew his good mood wouldn't last. Sooner or later, she'd do something to displease him and he'd turn into the barbarian again. A little frown appeared on her lips as she remembered all the times it happened. Propping her chin on her hands, she watched him and planned the shortest route out of Kadia.

  ***

  Late in the afternoon, Valan received a message from Cam. The engineers removed the old engines on the Invincible and found several damaged power canisters leaking fuel. Concerned about his ship, he'd told Cam to tell them to wait until he arrived before doing anything further. He'd told Lia to eat dinner without him and he would try to return as soon as possible.

  She watched him leave and thought things were working out better than she hoped. As soon as it was dark, she'd leave. By morning she'd be far away and he'd never find her. She went to their chamber and changed into a brown gown then grabbed the rest of them and searched for something to carry them in. She didn't find a bag, but she did find several pairs of soft leather shoes. She tried a pair on, cursing him, when they fit her. Realizing she was wasting time, she grabbed one of the lo
ng gowns, tied the bottom of it into a bulky knot, and stuffed the other gowns into it. When she picked it up the straps of the gown served as a handle.

  In the kitchen, she chose bread, cheese and fruit then wrapped her choices in a drying cloth and added it to the bag. In the reception room, she gathered the wood carvings, wrapped them in another drying cloth and pushed them to the bottom of the bag where they would be safe. With the bag at her feet, she stood at the window and watched the evening shadows creep across the garden. When it was dark, she picked up the bag and left the house.

  ***

  In his quarters on the Invincible, Valan and Cam were enjoying a well-earned tankard of ale. They'd supervised the installation of the new engine. Now, with the work behind them, they were discussing his problems with the warriors and the Council.

  "What are you going to do?"

  "Do you remember my sister, Cam?"

  "Well, yes. Of course I remember Magna," Cam said, looking away.

  "Do you remember how she used to tag along with us everywhere we went, and how it annoyed us at first?"

  "Yes. She was a real little stinkgoat."

  "Yes, but after a while we got used to her tagging along, and accepted her as one of us."

  "And?"

  "That's what I'm going to do. I'm going to take Lia with me everywhere I go. After a while, the warriors will become so used to her they will think of her as one of us."

  "That solves your problem with the warriors and the Council, but what about the problem between the two of you?"

  "Isolating her in my house was a mistake. Lia needs to start a new life on Zarronia, but she can't do it until she starts making friends and finds things to do with her time other than waiting for me to return."

  "I think you're right. Minda and Lia were best friends on Zhang. Minda is always asking me about her."

  "How are you and Minda doing? Is she settling in?"

  "We're doing alright. It was a battle at first, but we're starting to come to an understanding. It's not anything like I thought it would be with Ma…" Cam glanced away. "I mean…"

  "I knew about you and Magda." The words were spoken quietly. "It took me a while to figure out why the two of you were always sneaking away together, but I finally did. I wanted to say something to you when she died. But, I didn't know if you would welcome my knowledge."

  "I wanted to die when I lost her. I tried my best to get killed but you kept saving me." After a moment, he asked, "Did your parents know about us?"

  "Yes. They were happy the gods had chosen you for each other. They looked forward to welcoming you into the family."

  Before he could continue, the bands on his arms quietly chimed, alerting him that Lia had left the house. He grinned at Cam. Rising, he said, "I need your help in the transfer room."

  "Why?"

  "Lia's trying to escape."

  "What?"

  "She's been planning it for cycles."

  "If the Council finds out about this there will be hell to pay. You know how they feel about anyone transferring to Zarronia without going through the transfer station."

  "If they ask, I'll tell them I lost control and couldn't stay away from her any longer."

  Cam laughed and followed him to the transfer room. Valan ordered the warrior on duty to step into the corridor, and then Cam sat at the control panel and Valan stepped onto the transfer plate.

  "Put me down as close to my house as you can. But, this time try to miss the fountain."

  Cam laughed. "Didn’t you enjoy the bath the last time we did this?"

  Valan made a rude gesture then disappeared.

  Lia hurried down the path towards the gate and freedom. Behind her the house remained silent and dark. Reaching the gate, she lifted the latch, grimacing when it made a screeching sound.

  "Going somewhere, little cat?"

  Startled, she screamed and spun around. He stood on the path behind her, so close she could smell his scent. Terrified, she threw the bag at him and ran into the deep shadows of the garden. Desperately, she darted behind a tree and hid in its shadow. Covering her mouth with her hand, she smothered the sound of her breathing. Her eyes scanned the paths and the shadows around her. Where was he? Behind her the water of the fountain made a soft rushing sound as it fell into the base. She froze as a feeling of dread washed over her. Slowly, she turned and saw him sitting on the edge of the fountain, her makeshift bag at his feet.

  "Are you ready to go into the house and talk about this?"

  She studied the clearing, looking for an escape route. He walked to her, handed her the bag, lifted her into his arms, and carried her into his den.

  He set her in a chair, then took the bag. Opening it, he placed the things she’d packed on his desk. The last package, the one holding the carvings, brought a puzzled frown to his face. He settled into the chair next to her.

  "I understand the need for gowns and food. But why the wood carvings?"

  Deciding she had nothing to lose, she told him what she’d intended to do with them.

  He smiled. "I'm glad you like them but they aren't valuable except to me. My father carves them and gives one to me as a gift every annual on my birth cycle."

  "I wouldn't have taken them if I’d known your father carved them." For Lia, reality slipped away the moment she’d seen Valan behind her in the clearing. She felt so calm, she wondered if she was only dreaming this conversation.

  "Where were you going, Lia?"

  "To Vaag. To hide from you until I could find a way to leave Zarronia."

  "It was a good plan, but the tracking devise in your bands would have told me your location long before you had a chance to reach Vaag much less leave Zarronia."

  "You never told me about that."

  "I was hoping I would never need to use it."

  "Are you going to kill us now?"

  Valan's breath caught in his throat. "No I'm not going to kill you."

  Afraid of his answer, she asked him, "Are you going to use the bands?"

  "No." Before she could ask another question, he scooped her from the chair and told her, "I'm going to take you to bed."

  "What are you going to do to me'?"

  "I'm going to make love to you."

  "I don't want you to."

  "Yes, you do. You're just too stubborn to admit it."

  ***

  Lia's idea of obedience was as irritating to Valan as her defiance had been. She behaved, but very subtly let him know she wasn't really willing. Her attitude became so vaguely patronizing, at first, he wasn't sure she was actually doing what he suspected. Her too sweet voice began to grate in his ears, and he would catch himself grinding his teeth when she spoke to him. Her feigned smiles made his hands ache to spank her ass until it was rosy red. She was making a mockery of his authority and he didn't know what to do about it.

  The only time she pleased him was in bed, and even then she tried to withdraw from him, pretending his touch didn't make her burn. After a few nights of making love until dawn, and a pointed reminder about their agreement, she'd stopped doing that.

  The cycle after she'd tried to escape, he'd taken her to the training field with him. Recalling the way she'd reacted on the ship when he'd accepted Cedric's challenge, he decided it would be better if she didn't see him fighting his warriors. He'd chosen several young warriors and ordered them to give her a tour of the premises. Then he'd changed into a loincloth and gone onto the training field. Ignoring his warriors’ groans, he'd chosen six and beckoned to them. By the time Lia returned, he'd finished with them and changed back into his clothes.

  They'd returned to the training field every cycle since then, with Lia tagging along beside him. Before he went onto the training field, he'd choose another group of young warriors and order them to show her a different part of the training academy. By the third cycle, they understood he was showing his faith in them by allowing them to spend time with his bondmate. The older warriors knew it as well and a look of envy appeared in their
eyes when they saw Lia disappearing with her eager young escorts.

  This cycle would be the first time he'd leave the house without her. He had to meet with the Council and couldn't take her with him. When he'd told her she had to stay home, she'd asked him where he was going. Before he could come up with an answer, she'd given him a glare and whirled around and marched out of his den. He'd been left wondering what she was thinking.

  Putting his papers in the desk, he went to find her. He didn't even bother to look upstairs. She'd quickly learned every time he caught her anywhere near his chamber, he made love to her. She wasn't in the reception room either. So it had to be the kitchen. Eating! His little cat was constantly munching on something. At first he was concerned until he asked Borg and was told it was alright—as long as she ate the right things. After all, she was now eating for three.

  She smiled and took another bite of the fruit when he walked into the kitchen.

  "I have a meeting to attend. Will you be okay on your own for a while?" he asked.

  Before she could answer his questions a bell rang, startling her. "Are we being attacked?" She moved closer to him.

  Valan chuckled and strode to the front door. His father brushed past him and into the hallway. He stopped a few feet from Lia.

  Valan sighed and gave in. "Lia, this is my father, Eirik Dagson. Father, this is my bondmate, Lia."

  Eirik walked to her, lifted both of her hands in his, and gave them a gentle squeeze. "I'm so pleased to finally meet you, Lia."

  She was speechless and embarrassed. He'd witnessed the manner in which Valan brought her to Zarronia. She lowered her eyes to the floor and blushed with humiliation, and then paled. Valan said his mother and sister died when her sire attacked Zarronia. Did his father hate her because of who her sire was? She’d always known her father was an evil man but this was the first time she’d felt shamed by having his blood in her veins. A sob of despair left her throat, followed by another, until she was crying so hard she was unable to stand.

  "Lia!" Eirik pulled her into his arms and glared at his son. "What have you done to her?"

  "Nothing," Valan said. "Give her to me." He tried to take her from his father, but Eirik pushed him away and her tears came faster as she sobbed and mumbled against his vest.