Lord Axum’s mouth opened. A shockingly deep voice boomed out, “You. Come forward.”
She began rising from her knees, but he waved a skinny, clawlike hand. “No, not you. You!”
She breathed a sigh of relief as he beckoned the female from Endara III to approach the throne. Delta felt a stab of pity for the young female. Satisfying the sexual demands of their new master would be as enjoyable as trying to coax a hard-on from a corpse.
The blue-skinned Endaran’s legs shook as she mounted the steps to the throne. Axum ordered her to strip naked. The alien female was well-padded everywhere, with twin mounds of brighter blue flesh on her rump. He poked and prodded her with the long wooden staff in his right hand. It was tipped with a long, thick shockingly realistic depiction of a male organ carved from obsidian.
I bet he fucks them with that big black cock. Looking the way he does, I can’t believe his shriveled-up little lizard could do the job. The thought popped into her mind, like an odd message she’d picked up scanning random frequencies while traveling through space.
Shriveled-up little lizard? She stifled a laugh. It was a perfect description of the male member the Endaran would likely find when she went rummaging under Axum’s skirt.
Delta shook her head slightly, as if to toss the words out of her brain. She didn’t know where the strange thought had come from, only that those were terms she’d never used in her life.
Zandyr
His cock jerked to attention. Hot and hard and hungry.
There was nothing slow about it. No languid appraisal of a female form, with arousal growing as he ran his eyes over her. No, this was something different, something he’d never experienced before.
By the Sacred Ones, Brother, we’re in a world of trouble.
He didn’t need their private means of communication to know what his twin was thinking. He could feel Zhynn’s arousal as strongly as his own. One look at her, one whiff of her scent, and he was as randy as a norendaal stag coming upon a doe in heat.
The human knelt before Axum, head bowed. Luckily, the withered old bag of bones on the throne chose a different slave. Otherwise, he’d probably have charged him and snapped his scrawny neck like a twig. Even if Zhynn was right and he did have a cock like a shriveled-up lizard.
He hadn’t even seen her face yet, but it didn’t matter. Gyron surged through his veins. No one else would touch this female. She was theirs. His and Zhynn’s to take. To claim.
So this is what Jax was talking about. His twin’s voice came through loud and clear. It’s a miracle humans managed to build a spacecraft capable of hurling through the cosmos. I swear I’d never get out of bed long enough to invent a simple transporter if I had her near me all the time.
Keep your wits about you, Brother, Zandyr warned. If our information is correct, Axum will give us our choice of the remaining females tonight. If we give him any hint of how desperately we want her, he can use her against us later if things go badly.
The figure on the throne stirred. Leaned forward. The deep booming voice rang out. Though he’d heard Axum speak before, the sound was still shocking coming from such a frail form.
“Distinguished guests. Ambassadors from a faraway world. Allow me to present you with a token of my esteem – a bit of entertainment to make the long night pass more enjoyably. Please, take your choice.” Axum pointed a bony finger at the three remaining females kneeling at the foot of his throne. His thin lips stretched open in a grimace Zandyr guessed was a grin. “Or have them all.”
He waved a hand and two of his guards prodded the females to their feet, made them turn around for inspection.
All three were dressed the same. Filmy veils covered their heads, masked their faces except for the eyes. Their upper bodies were bare, adorned with a single strand of colorful beads that looped around and under their breasts. They had more veils tied around their midsections, long enough to sweep the floor. But, there, the resemblance ended.
On the left, a creature from Orythia as big around as she was tall. Soft dark eyes regarded them nervously from the narrow slit in the veil covering her face. Following the trail of her necklace was an adventure, since it disappeared from time to time in rolls of pale pink fat, only to reappear again looped around one of her many prominent nipples.
Plenty of crannies to slide a hard cock into on that one, Zhynn observed. She could service four or five males at once and they’d never even bump asses.
Zandyr ignored him. The female in the middle was from a solar system on the outer fringes of the Krion Sector. He could tell because the veil covering her face stretched tight over a bony ridge bisecting her forehead. The same ridge ran over her head and all down her spine. She was tall, close to his own seven foot height, with a thin, wiry body covered with greyish-green skin. Black eyes blazed combatively as she stared back at him. He figured Axum sized up his guests by their choices. Did they want it soft and sweet or rough and hard?
He struggled to keep his gaze impassive as it traveled to the third female. Gyron pumped so hard and fast through his veins, he could hardly think straight.
Unlike testosterone, the unique mix of chemicals and pheromones shared by every pair of Tharan twin brothers normally lay almost dormant, surging only when awakened by a special female. One whose body gave off its own alluring pheromones, a mix that stirred the male’s primal urge. The dark hunger. The need to claim. A primitive method evolved eons ago to assure survival of the species by creating an irresistible urge to mate with one whose biological makeup was most compatible.
His rational mind knew the facts. Understood the process. But his raging hard-on was clamoring so loudly for attention, it threatened to drown out all reason.
He ran his eyes over her, drank her in. Searched for flaws, desperate to find some way to reduce her power over him.
No use, Brother. She’s damn near perfect, Zhynn argued. Built like a Tharan female, only smaller. A lush, curvy body with two beautiful tits. They’re pale, almost white, but those rosy nipples are the color of ganiberries. And I’ll bet they taste just as sweet.
His brother was right. He hungered to take one of those nipples into his mouth, lick and suck until it hardened into a tight bud. Her body narrowed at the waist then curved out again. Through the layer of filmy fabric covering her lower body, he glimpsed a dark patch where her thighs came together.
He’d heard about that. Rhynn and Rhom said it was the first thing they noticed about their human mate, Cass, when they found her stripping her clothes off in the swamp. Not only did she have hair covering her head, she also had a patch of it between her legs. Tharan females with their smooth bodies had nothing like it.
After a few mugs of mead, the commanders admitted they found the mass of tight curls concealing their human’s most intimate parts incredibly erotic. Rhynn confided that the hair trapped and held the scent of his human, especially when she became aroused, making his gyron flow all the faster.
Zandyr took a deep breath, and his cock jerked. Though he couldn’t make out any scent, his manhood had no trouble picking it up.
He moved his gaze up. More shadows under the veil covering her head. Dark hair, reaching to her shoulders. He steeled himself then met her eyes.
Warm blue pools. Without a hint of the nervousness or aggression he’d seen in the other two females. She locked her gaze with his. Her eyes flashed with heat, and a fresh surge of gyron made his cock swell even harder.
Delta
Sweet Goddess! They were magnificent. Two perfect male bodies, dressed in black pants and tight shirts that hugged every bulging muscle. Identical twins, mirror images in every way, including the smoky amethyst eyes that looked at her as though they wanted to strip her naked and ravage her.
They were taller than human males, at least seven feet, with broad chests and powerful shoulders and arms. Their skin had a faint purple tinge, more pronounced on their bald heads. Two rugged faces with the same sharply defined feature
s. Strong jawlines, chiseled cheekbones.
They stood calmly, hands at their sides, but their bodies had a controlled tension, as though they were ready to spring into action at a moment’s notice. She had no idea what world they hailed from, but she recognized the military bearing. She’d seen it, been taught it, at the Academy.
Her pulse raced. There were two of them, and three females left, so the odds were good that one of them would choose her. She’d dreaded this moment, being presented to the alien who owned her and kept her captive in the citadel. Sylla had warned her that if Lord Axum didn’t choose her, she might be offered to one of his constant stream of guests from other worlds. After seeing the desiccated lump of skin and bone slumped on the throne, she’d decided any sentient being would have to be better than him.
But these two? They stirred something in her, feelings she didn’t think she was capable of. Lloyd had told her that often enough, repeating it on their last night when he blamed her for forcing an end to their relationship.
“I’d get more pleasure from a sexbot,” he snarled. “Even if you don’t like doing it, you could at least pretend to enjoy it. A man has needs. Powerful needs. If you’re not going to satisfy them, I have no choice but to look elsewhere.” He’d stormed out and slammed the door before she could even get up off her knees.
Staring into the eyes of these two, seeing the smoldering heat there, sent a shocking thrill through her. When one of them raked her half-naked body with his gaze, she felt her nipples tighten. Instead of disgusting her, the thought of being on her knees in front of one of them suddenly became wickedly exciting. Arousal warred with anxiety. What would they want from her? Would they be vicious and cruel if she didn’t satisfy them, the way Lloyd had been?
One of them was speaking. She forced all thoughts out of her mind and concentrated on the sounds, knowing her Tellex chip would kick in and begin translating mid-stream.
“Your kind offer, Lord Axum, but my brother and I take our pleasure with a female together. It is the Tharan way. We would welcome the opportunity to sample the voluptuous delights of this lovely female,” he said, waving a hand toward the one on the left.
The Orythian made a tiny mewing sound and tried to bow. Rolls of fat made it impossible for her to do anything but lower her head a fraction.
Delta stood there, stunned. Had she misread the signals? Maybe Lloyd was right. Maybe I don’t know anything about males. She lowered her eyes, trying to hide her disappointment.
The other twin spoke up. “We rarely have the opportunity to sample the sensual delights of beings from worlds so far removed from our own, Zandyr. Perhaps we should take our host up on his generous offer and take our pleasure with one of the other females as well. After all,” he flashed a wicked grin, “the nights on Borvaan are long.”
“As you wish, Brother.” Zandyr stepped forward and took the hand of the Orythian. “I confess my eyes were so captivated by the charms of this lovely female the moment we walked into the room, I never looked at another. Please, make your choice of a companion for the evening. Since we share similar tastes, I’m sure I’ll find her delightful as well.”
Delta refused to look up, even when the other twin came so close she could almost feel the aura of sexual heat surrounding him. When he touched her bare arm, she gasped. Little jolts of electricity danced across her skin.
“We will have this one as well, Lord Axum. After all, humans are a novelty in our part of the galaxy. I’m curious to see what unique traits she’ll have to offer.”
Chapter Seven
Zhynn
Nicely done, Brother. I admit, I felt sorry for the little thing. Those soft eyes, pleading for someone to rescue her.
They were all heading down another of the endless stone passageways winding through the citadel, accompanied by two of Axum’s guards, their progress hampered by the Orythian. She could take only small steps, encumbered as she was by the weight she balanced on two surprisingly tiny feet. Maybe little wasn’t quite the right description, he added, stifling a sigh at the rate of their progress.
Hopefully, we’ll have deflected any suspicion on Axum’s part that we’re only here because of the Earther, Zandyr replied. But we’ll have to find some way to send this one away without hurting her feelings. Maybe all this exercise will exhaust her, and she’ll be ready for a nap by the time we get to our quarters. I’m getting tired of walking myself. How big is this damn palace?
Zhynn shot him a grin. I’m sure you’ll find yourself with plenty of energy once we’re alone with our human.
He nearly stopped dead in his tracks when he realized what he’d said. Our human. How was it possible that he could think of her this way when they hadn’t exchanged a single word? When he hadn’t even seen her face? It took every ounce of his self-control right now to casually head down the endless corridor, when all he wanted to do was back her against the stone wall, rip off those veils, and sink his cock into her.
Rhynn warned us. He said her essence could enthrall us, Zandyr reminded him.
Lucky for you, I’m a Tharan warrior, he shot back. Mighty enough to take on any alien foe.
Mighty enough to resist the scent of a sweet human pussy?
He shot his twin a wry grin. By the Sacred Ones, I pray I won’t have to.
Their guards led them to their suite, bowed, and silently disappeared around a bend in the corridor.
How convenient. I’d lay odds they’ll lurk there all night, just beyond our sight but near enough to keep an eye on us.
I’m sure you’re right, Brother, Zandyr replied. It’s what we’d do.
Zandyr
They ushered the two females into the spacious suite. Lord Axum had provided them with two sleeping rooms, one on either side of a large sitting area complete with a balcony that overlooked one of the many walled gardens in the citadel. Each room had an adjoining bathing and dressing area as plush as anything he’d encountered in all his travels to other worlds. To outsiders, Borvaan was a desert planet, virtually devoid of life. But, somehow, its rulers had created a paradise in the midst of desolation.
Zandyr led the Orythian to one of the sleeping rooms. He gave her a warm smile. “My name in Zandyr. I come from a world called Tharon. May I know your name?”
“I am Neema.” She batted her eyelashes at him seductively.
“Greetings, Neema. Blessings and peace to you and to all sentient beings,” he replied, extending both hands, palms up, at a level just above his waist. “You must be exhausted after the ordeal your master subjected you to. We have plenty of time to get to know each other. Please, make yourself comfortable here. Rest and relax. I would imagine you haven’t had much time to yourself since you arrived on Borvaan.”
She nodded shyly. “Thank you, my lord.”
It was clear she’d been mistreated in the past and expected the same from them. He felt a pang of guilt at the gratitude in her eyes. He didn’t have the heart to tell her they weren’t interested in her as a sexual partner.
“Please, call me Zandyr. There are no slaves in my world, Neema,” he explained. “My people believe in the inherent right to freedom of all sentient beings and treat each one with dignity and respect. While you are with us, you are our guest.”
She bowed her head. “You have a kind soul, my…” She stopped herself. “Zandyr.”
He bowed as well, before leaving the room and closing the door behind him. Zhynn had sprawled out on the widest part of a plush L-shaped seating platform. The human perched on the edge of the shorter side, eyeing him warily.
“Our host was lacking in basic interplanetary manners,” his twin was saying. “Allow me to make the introductions he ignored. I am Zhynn, from the planet Tharon. This is my younger brother, Zandyr.” He lowered his voice conspiratorially, as though Zandyr wasn’t standing right before them. “You’ll have to bear with him. As firstborn, I was blessed with all the intelligence – as well as the good looks.”
He saw
a glimmer of amusement in her eyes. Zhynn had the gift of bringing in a touch of humor to make others feel at ease. They may have been identical twins, but each of them possessed his own unique set of skills.
“May we know your name?” his brother inquired.
She lifted her chin. “I am Officer Delta Greystone, first mate of the Earther ship Luna.”
She said it with pride. The same way he felt when he introduced himself as a Tharan warrior. The skills they learned, the weapons they used may have been different, but military training was the same all over the Universe. The simple phrase spoke volumes about the sacrifice and dedication it had taken to earn her title.
They’d already decided not to reveal they’d come to Borvaan to rescue her until they’d had a chance to assess her mental and emotional state. She’d been taken hostage by an enemy force, her ship hijacked. Spent months as a captive before being sold to the slave trader Garez. And she’d just been given to two strangers to be used for their pleasure, in any way they chose. As far as she knew, he and Zhynn were aliens here to heap more abuse on her. They had to be assured she wouldn’t scream for Axum’s guards if they told her they were here to take her away.
He’d rescued captives once before. Seen powerful Tharan warriors with their spirits broken, their eyes blank. Their minds in so dark a place that even after their bodies were liberated, it took months for their souls to recover. Some of them refused to leave and had to be dragged to freedom, so broken they couldn’t trust even their brother warriors.
“The Luna. What type of craft is that? Zhynn and I have served in the military as well, haven’t we, Brother?”
His twin picked up the cue. “We were assigned to a Level Three Tharan vessel for a while.” Zhynn gave her a disarming smile. “Frankly, our ship was like one of those lumbering creatures we arrived here on – a big old beast built for the long haul, rather than a sleek craft that could whiz around the galaxy. Dependable but short on glamor.”
Claiming Their Mate: a Sci-Fi Alien Dark Romance (Tharan Warrior Menage Book 5) Page 4
