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

by McDonald, Donna

  His eyes glowed red causing her to gasp.

  “Do not call out and inform the captors of my presence,” Malachi said roughly, struggling to get Zade’s vocal chords to cooperate. “I have come to ask where you are going so we may attempt to rescue you.”

  Sarinnea bowed her head, the only part of her not bound. “I do not yet know. Their minds are shielded and they keep us sedated. Is Dorian okay?”

  “Physically, he is unharmed,” Malachi reported. “Mentally he is in anguish to be rendered helpless. Sexually, he is as tortured as the mate he is claiming. He’s going to be one angry, frustrated male when he comes around completely and she’s not available.”

  Sarinnea nodded at all he said. “I warned Dorian it would be bad for both her and him. Is she—is Gwen okay?”

  “Mostly. She has help from medical to bear it,” Malachi said. “I followed their mating cord here. He got it mostly done before they made him totally unconscious. I don’t think I’ve ever seen an energy cord quite so insistent and large.”

  “Dorian has a great affection for Gwen in many ways. The chord will keep him faithful to her if he is sold into slavery. His body will not respond to anyone but her now. My offspring takes his mating vows very seriously,” Sarinnea said.

  “I cannot stay long or do anything more to help at the moment, but many are working to rescue you. Is there anything else helpful you can share?” Malachi asked.

  “They keep talking about a male named Xeno. I think he’s the main slave trader,” Sarinnea said sadly.

  Sarinnea would rather die than endure what she had endured as a young Siren again. It was a story she hadn’t told anyone in a thousand years. She was never going to be anyone’s sex slave again.

  “I will pass it along. If you get the chance, you might warn Zade that I’ll be doing this again soon. Try to find out where they’re taking you,” Malachi ordered.

  “Demon—I mean—Malachi?” Sarinnea called as she watched Dorian’s eyes close again. “Thank you for trying to help.”

  Since he couldn’t get Dorian’s head to nod, Malachi had no choice but to leave without answering. Yet Sarinnea’s earnest thanks resonated in his energy as he made the trip back to Gwen.

  ***

  “Earthlings have been calling those bends in space ‘warps’ and ‘worm holes’ almost since their science became sophisticated enough to envision space travel,” Malachi explained, staring into Gwen’s troubled gaze.

  “So I’m—I’m connected to Zade with an energy cord thing that works like a worm hole for energy beings like you,” Gwen repeated.

  “Yes—now you need to work on a convincing tone of voice that says you believe me,” Malachi joked.

  “It makes my head hurt to think about you using something inside me to get to Zade,” Gwen said. “I thought Synar was supposed to be back by now with information.”

  “Patience,” Malachi urged. “Liam—I mean, Captain Synar is looking up the name Sarinnea gave me.”

  Gwen huffed out a breath, lay back, and stared at the ceiling. “So what’s it like to be back in a body again?”

  “Well, I had forgotten there were limitations to the amount of freedom a person has in corporeal form, but I’m adjusting,” Malachi said, rising from his seat and walking to look down at her. He ran fingertips along her arm. “There are some distinct advantages that I had forgotten. It’s true you don’t fully appreciate what you have until it is gone. To get it back is nothing short of amazing. You have really soft skin, Commander.”

  “I’m going to break your corporeal fingers if you don’t stop stroking me. With the exception of Chiang, I can’t bear to be touched by other males right now,” Gwen hissed through gritted teeth.

  “Sorry. Forgot.” Malachi laughed and lifted his hands to show he was complying.

  Gwen groaned. “Oh no, here comes another one. I lied. I need to touch you. Give me back your hand,” she said, reaching out.

  Malachi instinctively wrapped his hand around Gwen’s trembling one, gripping firmly as she squeezed hard.

  “Even good things get tiresome when you get them over and over without pause,” Gwen said, panting as the climax finally eased away.

  “I wouldn’t know,” Malachi said, laughing as he pushed her hair back from her face with his other hand. Gwen Jet really was an intriguing creature. Part vulnerability and part fierce warrior made for one very volatile female. He could see why Dorian Zade wanted to stake a claim to this one. No male would be bored for a century with her, that was for sure.

  “What are you doing to Gwen?” Synar demanded, seeing Gwen’s flushed face and glassy eyes.

  “Ease up, Synar, he was holding my hand while I had another orgasm. Stick around more than five minutes this time and you can take the next turn,” Gwen said, letting go of Malachi’s hand to roll to her side as she mumbled. “Thanks.”

  “Glad to help,” Malachi answered, looking in shock at yet another female that had chosen to defend him to Liam Synar. He was suddenly realizing he might have underestimated an entire gender. The slightest kind word or deed and strong-minded females were ready to lay their lives and reputations on the line for you.

  “Any luck with finding Xeno?” Malachi asked, pulling his attention away from Gwen’s now dozing form.

  Synar shook his head. “We found a history of charges brought against him for slave trading, but he’s never been in prison that we could find. There’s never been enough to hold him formally. Every charge listed a different planetary location. I’ve given the search to Ensign Dre to continue, but I think that’s going to be a dead end.”

  Ania came back and sighed when she heard Synar and Malachi talking. “Any luck finding Xeno?” she asked.

  “No,” Synar said, looking at her. “Any luck getting Ambassador Onin to help?”

  Ania shook her head. “No. She’s not afraid of pain so torturing will do no good. I told her about Conor. She said she felt he was gone when she woke up from the trance sleep. Since we can’t give her mate back, there not much else she wants.”

  “I still have something she wants,” Malachi said.

  Synar glared at him.

  “Not Conor’s body, Liam,” Malachi said plaintively, forgetting not to use his master’s given name. “I was referring to Issa Onin’s memories and experiences with Conor. We could make a deal to give them back in exchange for what she knows.”

  “Or you could just go into her and look for what we want,” Synar said coldly. “She was conspiring with my brother to kill Ania and me. She is still my enemy.”

  “No,” Ania interrupted. “Malachi is right. Issa Onin can do us no further harm and we have harmed her enough. Let him bargain with her. We don’t know for sure that she has information we need. I’m also in favor of letting her return to her old life.”

  Synar and Malachi both looked at her with duplicate shock.

  Ania snorted a laugh. Seeing two similar faces was going to take some getting used to for her.

  “It is probable that Issa Onin has information we need to free the rest of the females on Lotharius. If she reports correctly to the Peace Alliance, they’ll send ships and men to make sure the females are released. Along with the testimonies of Boca Ador and the others, we can achieve a greater good. Then an enemy owes us a debt of gratitude, Synar.”

  Malachi arched an eyebrow and crossed his arms. “No wonder you were courted by every military in every known galaxy. You’re willing even now to ignore your personal vendetta to achieve the greater gain you seek.”

  “Exactly,” Ania said.

  Synar looked at Ania, holding her gaze as he thought about what she said. “What if Issa Onin joins forces with someone else who might want control of you or Malachi? She now knows the location of a demon.”

  “She was not with Conor to help him gain more power,” Ania said, shaking her head. “The female had a great affection for your brother. Unfortunately, Connor did not return her feelings. She’s been letting him go as a mate since he said
he would not come save her. I did her a favor taking his energy away, but she misses the memories. Now she only wishes to be away from us.”

  “How do you know this? Are you suddenly intuitive enough to read all the thoughts of every creature you meet?” Synar asked snidely, pressing his lips together tightly at her knowing smile.

  “No—I just know how frustrating it is to be mated to a Synar,” Ania said sharply. “Sometimes I wish you were evil like Connor was and less of an enigma so I’d know what your true thoughts were most of the time. As you currently conduct yourself, I can never determine if you genuinely have good intentions towards me or not.”

  Heedless of audience, Synar stepped into Ania. He reached out a hand to grab her hair and tugged her angry face up higher to lock her gaze to his. He thought of many things he’d like to do to her, but settled for brushing her lips softly with his. His restrained actions were a contrast to the churning emotions he had about her that were making his hands tremble as they touched her.

  “Is that all the admission I’m ever going to get from you about us still being mates?” Synar asked. He dropped his hand from her hair and smiled at the flash in her eyes before he turned away.

  “Well why should I commit to you? You’ll just get angry or disappointed and kick me out of your life again tomorrow,” Ania said to his back.

  Synar turned around and smiled. “Fortunately the Liberator is small, so I should have no trouble finding you when I get over being upset and want you back. Perhaps one day I’ll simply complain when we argue, and then live with it without running you off or leaving.”

  “You think sharing that kind of unsettled life is appealing to a female who longs for peace?” Ania demanded, swearing in Norblade afterwards, remembering the words from all the times Synar had said them to her.

  Synar threw back his head and laughed as he walked back to her. This time when he stepped close, his mouth swooped down, taking hers hotly. His thoughts about wanting to be alone with her were equally blazing.

  Instead of stopping him like she knew she should, Ania wound her arms around Synar and kissed him back instead. He drove her crazy, but she still wanted to share his bed.

  “I love you, Ania Looren. I will always, always want you back,” Synar said when he freed her mouth. “And I will always want you in my bed. Yes—I read your thoughts.”

  “What am I supposed to say that? You think that’s good enough to make us mates?” Ania demanded. “Well it isn’t.”

  “This is getting boring. Still, as long as you two learn to live in harmony before the children are born, everything should be fine,” Malachi said, interrupting their fight.

  Two shocked faces swung in his direction, making Malachi laugh.

  “Yes, I know—you forgot where we were and that we’re helping Gwen. I know you have a lot to work out in your relationship, but you really must set your fighting aside for just a little longer,” Malachi said, grinning at them.

  “Children?” Synar asked, staring at Malachi and then swinging his gaze to Ania.

  “No, I do not think I carry one,” Ania said, shrugging. “I told Malachi females my age don’t have children.”

  “I would like children if they are possible,” Synar said to her, then he looked at Malachi again. “Is it possible?”

  Malachi nodded. “Yes. With me in this body and not in hers, she should be able to carry your children without issue.”

  Synar blinked a few times trying to take it in, but shock still coated the truth. “Thank you for telling me, Malachi.”

  Then he walked off, thinking about what it would be like to have children with Ania. Might she already be carrying a child and not know it? Had he hit that vibration the day she forced him to get aggressive with her? He had certainly emptied enough of his essence into her to conceive.

  Ania watched Synar walk off in a daze, but let him get out of medical before she turned her glare to Malachi.

  “Why did you tell Synar all that?” she demanded.

  “Because it’s true and he’s always wanted children,” Malachi said simply. “And I want someone to inherit me. I don’t want to go to strangers in the future.”

  “You just multiplied my problems with that male,” Ania said. “As if I didn’t already have enough ongoing debates with him, now I have to deal with Synar wanting children.”

  “Don’t you want children?” Malachi asked.

  “Sure—I’d make a great mother with all my aggressive tendencies, don’t you think?” Ania asked, rolling her eyes.

  “Female warriors have children all the time,” Malachi said. “I’m sure you’ll figure it out. Your children will be special and have a little of me in them as well.”

  “Great—my children will be demon babies. I notice you didn’t tell Synar that piece of good news,” Ania said sarcastically.

  Malachi laughed. “I think I’ll let you tell him that one. I’m still in shock that he thanked me.”

  “Enough of this chatter about a future I don’t want. I’ll stay with Gwen while you visit Issa,” Ania said. “No seducing her.”

  “You take the fun out of everything,” Malachi said. “If the Greggor doesn’t claim Boca Ador soon, I’m going after her. Her energy is very alluring to me. I want to merge with her and not the same way as I do you.”

  “Stay away from Boca too,” Ania said harshly. “Don’t be bonding with females until we discuss this further. Yes—that’s a command for now. I know you and your new body will need to have a full life. I just need time to think about it. So will Synar. You will have to restrain your urges until then.”

  “As you wish, oh master,” Malachi said, grinning at her. “You granted my wish beyond my dreams. I will be very agreeable for some time to come.”

  Ania snorted. “Do you swear by the creators?”

  “Let’s not get carried away,” Malachi said, waving at her as he walked away.

  ***

  Gwen floated in a dream space looking for him. Then she looked down at her clothes, rolling her eyes when she saw the bits and pieces she wore covered little more than hygiene straps did. She wasn’t wearing footwear either.

  “Zade…this has to be your dream,” she thought, looking around for her weapon and not finding it. “I’d be wearing more clothes and have a damn stunner in my hand if it was mine.”

  Gwen crept along a brick wall until she came to an opening. Slipping inside, she scanned the area. Not seeing any creatures, she walked barefoot over smooth tiles until she saw what looked like a medical facility. She got the creeps suddenly remembering her own experiences in a place like this not too long ago. Shaking away the past and peering into the room, Gwen saw him in a cage calmly sitting on a bed. She frowned, thinking he should be trying to free himself.

  “Zade,” she called, running over to the bars and yanking on a door that wouldn’t give way. “Can’t you open locks like Ania? Why are you looking at me so strangely? Help me get this door open.”

  “Do I know you?” he said, rising from the bed and walking towards her.

  Gwen watched his eyes change and his body straighten as he neared her.

  “You—you’re the one,” Dorian said, his tone one of complete surprise. “You’re the one I burn for. What have you done to me?”

  “What the Helios are you talking about?” Gwen demanded, barely stifling her urge to scream. “And where is Sarinnea?”

  “Who is Sarinnea?” he demanded, eyes flashing.

  “She’s your mother,” Gwen said softly, finally realizing that Zade truly had no clue. “Do you know who you are?”

  He turned from her, hands fisted in frustration. “No. I don’t know who I am, but I know for certain that I am not a slave.”

  Gwen closed her eyes and counted, breathing to keep from screaming. “No—no you are not a slave. You are a lieutenant who serves on a Peace Alliance spaceship. You were abducted and I’m here to rescue you.”

  Dorian was across the cell and had his hands wrapped around hers as they
were gripping the bars. “Why should I trust you? Who are you? You look like a slave.”

  “Well, I’m not a slave either. Look I don’t know what has happened, but you obviously don’t remember anything,” she said. “So you’re just going to have to trust me. Let me go so I can work on getting you out of this damn cage.”

  “Tell me who you are and why I am drawn to you and not other females,” he said carefully.

  “Zade—Dorian, you’re drawn to me because I’m your . . . mate,” Gwen said, swallowing hard on the word. “You sent the Siren’s call to me when you were abducted, which I am definitely going to make you pay for doing as soon as you get your memories back. Now turn me loose so I can help.”

  “Leave me be,” he said, releasing her hands and walking to the bed. “You are not safe here. If you are not a slave, they will work to make you one. I have no choice but to go along for now.”

  “Dorian,” Gwen yelled, gearing up to argue.

  And then she woke up with her heart hammering and Ania patting her arm to calm her.

  “Gwen . . . it’s okay. You’re safe. We’re in medical,” Ania said. “It was only a dream.”

  “No, it was more than a dream,” Gwen said, sitting up. “Zade was in a cage and didn’t recognize me. He didn’t even know who he was or where Sarinnea was. And they cut his hair all off. He didn’t even look like himself. He was wearing some kind of collar around his neck that hummed.”

  Ania frowned. “How was he dressed?”

  “Shirtless, but he still was wearing his uniform pants,” Gwen said.

  “He’s been sold into slavery. The Xendrin collar is to keep him subdued. When his pulse rate gets above a certain number, the collar will activate and knock him out. It works about the same as when you stunned him,” Ania said.

  “We have to rescue him—them. He didn’t even know who Sarinnea was, much less care about what’s happened to her,” Gwen said.

  “Where do we go to get him, Gwen?” Ania asked.

  “I don’t know,” she exclaimed. “Why can’t that be part of what I see?”

  “Next time you find yourself having a vision, try to find a native that will tell you where you are,” Ania instructed. “You can do this. I know you can. Find the name of the planet and we’ll go there to get him.”