The Demon Master's Wife (Fantasy, Space Opera, Science Fiction Romance) (FORCED TO SERVE)

by McDonald, Donna

  “So you two made up? Oh wait—that’s Earth slang. Let me find better words. Are you and Synar back to being mates again?” Gwen asked, resuming her movements.

  Ania raised one eyebrow and leaned on her stick.

  “No—Synar and I are not back to being mates. I’m just old enough to take what I need when it is offered with sincerity. After my body is no more, Synar will move on to bonding with others. It is the way of all species to seek companionship bonds. I doubt I will feel such an urge again unless I end up carrying your desire for Dorian around for you.”

  “I do not desire Dorian—I mean Zade,” Gwen said, pounding the mat hard with every twirl and kick.

  Ania snorted. “If I hadn’t bonded with Synar, I would be in your condition today just from helping you. I’ve never witnessed two creatures who want each other more,” she said. “You are foolish not to save yourself pain when the male with your solution is willing to serve your needs, Gwen.”

  “Yeah—well maybe I don’t trust Zade not to use more of his Siren mojo stuff to bind me to him. That’s just the kind of kinky controlling bastard he is,” Gwen said harshly. “He’s not like the men I’m used to. I see past that spiritual crap he spouts all the time. If that irritating male is enlightened, I’m a Greggor with a hairy chest.”

  Laughing out loud at Gwen’s disrespect for Dorian, Ania’s compassion got the better of her as she saw just how upset the female was at her potential mate. Pride would keep Gwen away a long time. It was bad for everyone on the crew who by now were feeling the effects of Dorian’s vibrational anguish as well. Ania suddenly felt the need to intervene for the good of everyone onboard.

  Telling herself what she was about to do was part of her job as Peace Keeper on the Liberator, Ania walked to the middle of the mat, close to Gwen.

  “You’re just afraid, Gwen Jet. I bonded last night with a male who put a demon inside me. I can’t believe you’re so frightened of a Siren’s lust. No one can really control you without your consent. Soon you will see how much I mean that statement when I make my choices. Now we will fight until your mind clears of all concerns,” Ania said, walking around Gwen. “I have decided to train you in the basic Khalsa techniques. If you choose to continue the training, Dorian can help you complete it after I am dead.”

  “There you go talking about your death again. You do realize death is a permanent condition, don’t you?” Gwen asked sarcastically, not able to seriously take in Ania’s assumption that her death was both imminent and her choice. “Also, you won’t get the pleasure of making me look bad on the mat anymore if you’re dead.”

  Ania laughed and ignored the disparaging but humorous comment.

  “So let us begin at the beginning, Commander Jet. A Khalsa does not think in terms of defeating an opponent. Fighting is not about competition to prove who is the bravest or strongest or cleverest. Fighting for a Khalsa warrior has only one goal. Stop your opponent from fighting you. So the first decision is to choose the best method to do this. Many times it means not fighting all.”

  “Which is why you tried not to fight me when you knew I didn’t stand a chance of defeating you,” Gwen answered.

  Ania nodded and smiled at her eager and intelligent trainee.

  “Very good, Commander. Still, there are those opponents who are insistent on—what is your term for it? Oh yes—they are insistent on getting their asses kicked,” Ania said, proud of her use of Earth slang when Gwen laughed loudly. “So you need to quickly size up the opponent and the potential force to be used against you. Sometimes this means letting them have their one shot at besting you.”

  Ania swept out with her stick and had Gwen down on the mat as the last word was spoken. “Once you know their potential, your strategy must be to use their force against them by returning it to them.”

  As Gwen climbed to her feet, Ania swept out again, but this time Gwen blocked.

  “Well that’s good, but blocking is not enough. You must block and turn my force against me,” Ania explained. “Think of how you might do that as you respond—so again.”

  Ania lunged and swept at Gwen with the fighting stick, not sparing her the force of the move. This time Gwen blocked and lifted the end of the stick, sending Ania stumbling across the mat in front of her.

  “Quiet impressive for a beginner,” Ania said with a grin. “Once more.”

  This time she swept, lunged, and attacked repeatedly. Eventually, Gwen did end up flat on the mat, but Ania had to put some real effort into it.

  “More?” Ania asked, smiling down into Gwen’s face as the younger female panted for breath.

  “No, I’m good now,” Gwen said, reaching a hand to let Ania help her up.

  Ignoring Gwen’s outstretched hand, Ania smiled kindly.

  “Do you trust me, Gwen? Trust that I would let no real harm come to you and only want the best?” Ania asked.

  “I guess,” Gwen said, dropping her hand. “Why?”

  “Sleep then and dream your way free of your burden,” Ania said, speaking several words in the air. Then she pushed firmly on Gwen’s forehead directly between the eyes. The younger female’s head rolled to the side as her eyes rolled up.

  “We will spare your stubborn pride today while we see to your needs,” Ania told her, stepping over Gwen’s unconscious, prone body.

  At the computer console, she pressed the call button.

  “Locate Lieutenant Dorian Zade,” Ania demanded.

  Chapter 8

  Moments later Dorian came on the line. “Zade—what do you need?” he answered harshly.

  Ania had to refrain from laughing at the frustration in his voice.

  “Gwen is in the training room unconscious. She needs you. Come at once,” she said brusquely, breaking the link and laughing, unable to remember ever having this much fun. Malachi’s wicked humor seemed to be leeching into her.

  In a blink a half-dressed Dorian was filling the doorway, rushing to the mat when he saw Gwen lying there motionless. His hands rushed over her, checking for wounds before Ania could stop him or explain.

  “Why did you call me? Why haven’t you called medical?” Dorian demanded, glaring at Ania.

  “What more can they do? The largest dose of sedative was not helping her rest because of you,” Ania informed him. “Medical is of no use to her, so I took matters into my own hands. We are going to your room and you will see to Gwen’s bonding needs while she remains in Kataren sleep and dreams of relief. She will of course not be able to reciprocate, but you will bear this burden for both of you since this is mostly your fault. I will sit outside your door for one hour and see to it that you put her in her own room after. She is not to know that you have done this for her.”

  “And why should I go along with this foolishness you ask? Gwen is my mate. She is my responsibility,” Dorian said firmly, bending to pick Gwen up to cradle her in his arms. “I am openly willing to take care of any need she has.”

  Sweetness, Dorian thought, he could smell Gwen’s desire for him. He could feel his more subtle vibrations seeping into her as he held her. The innocent exchange made his arms quiver.

  “Gwen is not yet your mate, so do not continue in that line of thought. That is just a story of fiction that you are telling yourself. She is your victim—your unwilling victim. Until that female comes to you of her own accord, this is how it will be viewed by all. The warrior in her has many times said she would stun you again, and I have no reason to doubt her,” Ania said. “If you want this official, I will ask Synar. It is my job to keep peace on this ship. What I have directed you to do is my decision in the matter regarding you and Gwen.”

  “Gwen will eventually accept me,” Dorian said quietly, his voice now unsure after hearing the adamancy in Ania’s speech.

  Yet the rest of him was all but sighing with the truth of how right the female in his arms was for him.

  Ania shrugged. “Right now Gwen doesn’t even like you. This is a warrior you chose this time, and while I breathe and wo
rk as peace keeper on this ship, Commander Jet will be treated with honor and respect. She is not a typical human female pining away for a male to sexually relieve her, and you will not treat her casually.”

  “With all due respect to your lecture, you are not my birth parent, so stop acting like it,” Dorian said coldly, walking out of the training room with his precious burden.

  He was followed by an even angrier Ania who continued to harangue him as they walked.

  “And that reminds me of another thing, you will send a request to Rylen for organics to be sent to wherever it is we will be going next. If that doesn’t work, you will keep trying until we find a way to get what Gwen needs to build her immunity to you,” Ania said firmly.

  Dorian smiled as he walked along to keep from alarming those they passed. Those few who were out and about at this early hour didn’t seem shocked about him carrying Gwen or with Ania fussing at him, but he could feel their concern. As far as Dorian could tell, everyone accepted how it was—which meant his energy was discernable to others. He intended to make doubly sure it was after today.

  “You are purposely misreading their acceptance, Dorian Zade. Do not cloud your mind with illusion. They are concerned for their crew member,” Ania said harshly. “They’re just afraid of you and afraid for what you might do to their commander if they speak the truth to you.”

  “That’s ridiculous,” Dorian said. “I would never harm Gwen. She is my mate.”

  “Dorian, you have already harmed her and yet feel no remorse for having done so,” Ania said firmly, holding open the door of his room, unable to keep from noticing even it was much larger than where Synar chose to spend his nights.

  She pulled her attention back from the room size to Dorian.

  “When you took away Gwen’s choice to choose you or not, you put her warrior spirit at risk. Without that spirit, Gwen will no longer be the creature who drew you. Take care with this one. She is half Thelorian. She will die rather than give in to you or her human needs,” Ania warned.

  “Gwen is safe with me. You have my vow,” Dorian said bitterly, carrying her to his bed and laying her gently on it.

  “I hope you are sincere in your thoughts because your body is sending a different message about your feelings for her,” Ania said, closing the door behind her. “I will be outside and waiting. One hour—no more.”

  The door closed and Dorian fought every urge he had to not to lock it behind Ania to keep her out. As protective as she was being though, Ania would talk Synar into throwing him into a locked cell. Not that being imprisoned would keep him from Gwen, but it would make them both suffer longer. At least this way, they would have something while he figured out how to soothe her anger.

  Dorian turned back to see Gwen lying on his bed as he had longed for her to be all last night. After medical had released him, he’d roamed his room like an animal in a cage. Now he was at least temporarily at peace to have her near him.

  Removing his clothes, he climbed in beside her. He would not undress her completely this first time. Ania had not allowed time for proper rituals of any sort.

  Gwen immediately rolled towards his warmth, seeking his body. She raised a hand and swept it through his hair, making Dorian tremble in her arms, sighing with relief for them both.

  “I am here for you, sweet joy,” Dorian whispered. “I do not wish for you to suffer because of me.”

  He unbuttoned what he could of Gwen’s clothing, kissing every inch of skin he exposed. Kissing was such a lovely thing. He had missed it as much as everything else he had not been doing. To do it now with Gwen was bliss.

  “Dorian,” Gwen called, stilling his mouth on her stomach and his trek down lower as he pushed her uniform pants down over her hips.

  “Yes,” Dorian said, lifting his head and smiling when he saw her eyes were still closed.

  “Is this a dream we are sharing?” she asked.

  Dorian pressed his face to stomach, willing himself to answer in the way Ania expected. He kissed her abdomen once more to stall just a moment longer.

  “Yes,” Dorian said finally, his voice rough with longing. “It’s a dream, sweet joy. Just a wonderful dream of us together at last.”

  “Good,” Gwen said. “Then I can enjoy this without guilt. I’ve wanted you for a long time. You’re so pretty for a male.”

  Dorian snorted against her fragrant skin, his lips curving into a smile against her belly.

  Guilt. She felt guilty for wanting him.

  Well, at least it wasn’t the outright hate many humans were capable of expressing. Dorian supposed he should be grateful based on what Ania said.

  “Yes my sweet one, enjoy our dream all you want. You won’t even remember we did this when you wake up, but you’re going to feel a lot better, at least for a short while.”

  She arched against his mouth as he laved her stomach wetly with his tongue, searching her body for its secrets. It wasn’t long before they were both flying on the waves of her release. Dorian kissed the insides of her thighs and then forced himself to crawl up her body.

  “You were worth waiting for—I knew you would be,” Dorian whispered, kissing his way back up her body, sending gentle vibrations through her, enjoying the echo she returned to him.

  When he fastened Gwen’s clothes back into place, his hands trembled in reluctance. He wanted a full bonding, but he also wanted her conscious for it. He would never take her against her will.

  “Dorian,” Gwen called, reaching up and pulling him down to her by his long hair.

  Dorian knelt over her, marveling at her aggressive actions even in sleep. The urge to take her, truly take her swept over him. He wanted inside Gwen Jet, wanted to make her his—and please her. He wanted so much to make her happy to be with him. It was the cruelest punishment to not be able to do it when she was under him and obviously wanting it on a subconscious level.

  “Dorian,” Gwen whispered, running a hand over his hair again.

  “Yes—I am here Gwen,” Dorian said, his voice rough and strained. “I am here. What do you need?”

  “You,” Gwen said. “Just you—but why do you have to be such a controlling bastard?”

  Dorian couldn’t help his appalled reaction to her sleepy swearing at him. He laid his face against Gwen’s neck and laughed, feeling her arms encircle him and hold him, her hands tangling in his hair and keeping him in place on top of her body as she hugged him tightly to her.

  Dorian was shocked by her embrace. In it was affection. That was what she felt for him and that he felt for her.

  The urge to bond left as suddenly as it had come and in its place was something more unfathomable. He wanted to cherish her, to tell her how wonderful she was, how nice it was to be held by her.

  Shades of Kellnor, Dorian thought. He badly wanted Gwen to want him back. He wanted it more than he’d ever wanted anything he could remember desiring.

  “You have enthralled me without even answering my call,” Dorian whispered in awe.

  Releasing his vibrations carefully this time, Dorian sent both pleasure and relaxation into Gwen. This time with her gentle climactic release her arms fell away from him and her head rolled to the side.

  Dorian made himself pull his still unsated body off Gwen’s before he was tempted again to strip away the clothing that separated them.

  Standing, he dressed in his uniform, preparing for duty. When he was clothed once more, he opened the door to find Ania sitting stoically in the hall. She rose from her position as guard.

  Leaving the door open, Dorian walked back to the bed and lifted a now contented Gwen into his arms. She burrowed into his arms and put one around his neck, causing him to sigh with contentment himself. If only such an ease between them could be real.

  “She called me by name, told me she was glad it was only a dream, and then swore at me,” Dorian said, walking out of the door with her. “I hope that makes you happy.”

  Ania laughed softly. “I warned you, Dorian. Looks like you will ha
ve to woo the warrior to win the female.”

  “I have never wooed in my life,” he said bitterly. “I don’t know how.”

  “Don’t be dense. You know I don’t mean human things. If you want this female to desire you back, you’re going to have to win her trust,” Ania said.

  When she saw the misery her words caused, Ania made herself be honest.

  “Dorian, I actually want this to happen for you. It would make me happy to know when I am gone that you will have this fierce this little warrior watching over you and keeping you in line.”

  Dorian rolled his eyes as he carried Gwen into her room and placed her gently on the bed. “Your concern is for nothing. I will always take the best care of her that is possible. She is my mate, Ania.”

  Ania rolled her eyes as she pointed to the door. When they were outside with the door closed behind them, Ania glared at Dorian as they walked away.

  “Stop being a male Siren in heat and try to look at the situation like the enlightened being you are the rest of the time. The female you have chosen will always be more than just your mate, Dorian Zade. Gwen has a higher purpose in her life for which she was expressly created. She is also a female who will control her own destiny or die trying. I want you to train her to be Khalsa when I am gone. I do not need my full intuition to recognize Gwen is the next generation.”

  “Khalsa? Gwen does not even respect her spiritual abilities nor value her intuition. How can she be trained in enlightened skills if she is unable to respect all she is?” Dorian demanded, incredulous at what Ania was asking of him.

  “And who has taught her to respect her other skills? You know little of your mate’s true nature if you think so little of her talents,” Ania said, gritting her teeth at Dorian’s smirk.

  “You doubt my judgment?” Ania challenged. “Fine—let me make you aware then. Gwen bore your claiming and rejected the Siren’s call enough to shoot you. She took defeat from me—a master Khalsa—in stride and never begged for mercy. I carry a demon, feared by all creatures, yet that female gave me her trust, which I will not break for you or Synar. I have begun her Khalsa training and will continue it as soon as she is rested. You will finish it after I am gone. Give me your vow for this in reparation and Gwen can collect the due you owe to me. Then you and I will be complete friends once more.”