Forced To Kill The Prince

by Hollie Hutchins

  “Your medical tests came back with an extremely high likelihood for twins. Not only would you need more gestational times before your progeny were old enough to be removed and placed into a birthing chamber, but someone such as you are a crowning jewel to an Uriel. Double the genetic output, half the work. He most likely was planning to keep your around through at least a few batches if he could.”

  “Batches? Is that what your people call them?”

  “Apologies. Perhaps much of what we do is easier when we use more clinical terms.”

  “Uh-huh, I suppose it sanitizes everything. So, if you’re not a Rider, what were you doing on one of their ships.”

  “I had a bit of an accident several clicks away with a comet that got caught in the gravitational pull of a moon it wasn’t supposed to. We collided while my ship was on autopilot. Adriel rescued me, but I soon found myself being recruited. I had to pretend to be one of them until I could find my escape.

  “And I did, believe it or not, a couple weeks ago. But that was when one of our scans of Earth revealed several compatible mates in your city. They started watching you and…” For the first time since I had ever met him, Gabriel blushed. “I knew I couldn’t leave you with them." He took a deep breath, as if he was regaining his composure. “So now you know the why and the how. I will take you home and you shall live in peace for the rest of your days, never to see an Uriel again.”

  My heart squeezed in my chest and suddenly I knew that I didn’t want that to happen. “So that’s it? You’re just going to ditch me on Earth now that I know that we’re not alone? Also, since I definitely don’t know if I pregnant or not.”

  “Apologies. I had thought that… after everything… you would not want to ever see one of my kind again.”

  “Well, I don’t really.” I answered, pulling his hand into my lap. “But I do want to see you.” Slowly, I moved across the cockpit then settled in his lap. Already, I could feel his body responding to me, straining against his pants and pressing into my center. “I want to see you quite a lot.”

  “You would have me even after everything my people have done to you?”

  I nodded, lowering my face closer to his. “I would have you after everything you did to save me from some mass murderers.” And then I crashed my lips to his.

  That unhinged something in the both of us, suddenly we were all grabbing hands and grinding cores. He tore at my clothes, hiking my skirt up to my waist and physically tearing my panties from my body. The ripping sound stirred something within me, and I felt as wild and feral as they come. There was nothing tender in our embrace, nothing gentle or loving. It was entirely raw passion and animalistic want.

  I yanked my shirt open, not caring which direction the buttons skittered across the small area of the ship. Instantly his hands went to my breasts, kneading and caressing the flesh there. My head fell back as a heady moan escaped my lips. Everything about the situation was perfect, from his musky smell, to his strong hands as they roved his flesh, to his hips urgently pressing against me again and again, begging to be allowed into my womanhood.

  Well, I wasn’t one to make a gentleman wait.

  Reaching down between us, I pulled down at his zipper until he strung from the confines of his pants, obviously ready and aching for me. I gripped him, unable to stop myself from smirking a bit at the masculine growl that issued from him. With purpose and a whole lot of attitude, I guided him to my center and slowly sank onto him.

  I gasped at the utter feeling of fullness that satiated a need deep within me. For a moment, I could only breathe and our frenzied rut against each other calmed.

  “You truly are beautiful,” Gabriel murmured, reaching up to caress my face.

  I leaned against his palm for a moment, feeling complete for the first time in a while. I wasn’t scared. I wasn’t terrified of what was laying just beyond the horizon. I was just Reina: librarian, human, woman.

  But soon the urge to move grew too strong and I lifting myself up before lowering again. Gabriel’s hands went to my waist, aiding in my momentum as we moved against each other. There were no words between us, only pleasure drenched sounds that echoed around the space ship Gabriel had stolen.

  It didn’t take long for my cries to grow loud and that often-sought wall of bliss to come hurtling towards me yet again. The euphoria was almost painful in its intensity, and when it hit, I went beyond seeing stars.

  I was practically transported outside of my body, flying into another dimension borne solely from the pleasure birthed between the two of us. It was beautiful, it was complete, and most importantly, it was all mine.

  When I finally crashed back down into my body, I was panting wildly, like I had just run a marathon. Gabriel looked like he was coming undone at the seams as well, sweat beading along his brow and his movements growing in unchecked power. But I rode it out until finally he stiffened, then his roar filled the entire cockpit that we were in.

  Heh, cockpit. What an apt location for what we were doing.

  I felt him release within me, filling me with a primal warmth, then he slumped against me.

  Bliss, utterly bliss washed over my head and I leaned back against the console, feeling protected by Gabriel’s mass above me. But eventually, we pulled apart and looked each other in the face.

  “That’s one way to end a story,” I murmured, caressing his face much as he had mine.

  “On the contrary,” He responded, smile quite apparent on his handsome features. “I think this might be just the beginning.”

  I laughed and pressed a kiss to his forehead, then his chin, then his lips. We shared a small, quiet laugh and then he helped me stand. My legs were already sore and I didn’t want to imagine how they would feel the next day.

  Except, the next day for me involved traveling the stars with a rebel who had taken down an entire cult of murderers. In retrospect, my work at the library didn’t seem all that pressing. If they knew, I was sure they would understand.

  Besides, I was sure I would visit eventually. But, for the moment, the stars were the limit.

  “So,” I murmured, settling into the co-pilot’s seat. “Where to, Rider-Killer?”

  “Rider-Killer?” He echoed, raising his eyebrow at her. “I like the sound of it.”

  “Good. I thought of it myself.”

  “Did you?”

  I nodded cheekily. “Do you see anyone else around here?”

  “Right.” A moment of quiet settled between us before he straightened and tucked himself back into his pants. “Tell me, have you ever walked on the rings of Saturn?”

  “Only in my dreams.”

  The grin on his face was as excited as it was charming. “Would you like to?”

  I reached over to grab his hand once more, lacing my fingers through his. “Take me away, Rider-Killer.”

  He laughed quietly at that and then we were zooming off, Earth disappearing behind our ship as we raced off.

  Together.

  The Slave Bride

  ~ Bonus Story ~

  An Arranged Marriage Dragon Shifter Novella

  …As she laid on the huge bed on his ship for their wedding night, she trembled inside and out. But she was shocked to find that he was gentle. He was careful with her, and to her complete amazement, she actually enjoyed being intimate with him.

  For the last two years, she’d lived on Qalric Enclave, Maverick’s island. She was his slave as far as she was concerned. There when he wanted her, sent away when he didn’t.

  She was left on her own most of the time, and while it seemed that should bring her freedom, it was her heart that was trapped. Free time meant time to wander, time to think of Eliseo and wonder what a marriage of love would be like…

  (...)

  * * *

  Chapter 1

  Emalee opened the French doors in her bedroom and stepped out to the balcony. The morning was bright and sunny, reflecting her emotions. Her birthday was always a good day, and today being the magical eighteen
th birthday, it promised to be even better.

  After putting on her favorite dress, Emalee hurried downstairs for breakfast. Their housekeeper, Amelia, scooped her into a hug.

  “My lovely young lady. You are a woman today!”

  Emalee smiled and took her seat. “Thanks, Amelia. It smells wonderful.”

  “I’ve made your favorite eggs and even squeezed orange juice by hand, just for you.”

  Emalee dug in eagerly, and her father came to join her as she swallowed her second bite of eggs. He kissed the top of her head and slid into the seat across from her, his round belly barely fitting behind the table.

  “Happy Birthday, my dear,” he said. “I see Amelia is starting your day out right.

  “Yes.” Emalee smiled at Amelia as she heaped buttered toast onto a plate on the table.

  “We do have some things to discuss now that you are of age.”

  Emalee swallowed hard. She’d thought about what this day would bring. Being a rich merchant, her father had a lot of responsibility when it came to business. Would he expect her to step up and take over some tasks?

  When they had finished breakfast, her father took her into his office and closed the door behind them.

  “You are eighteen now.” He circled around her as she sat in the large leather chair. “And that means you’ll have new responsibilities.”

  She sucked in a breath, ready to take on what he asked.

  “You are to be married.”

  “What?” She blew out her breath and got to her feet. “I have no suitors.”

  “There’s a reason you never have. You’ve been promised since you were six.”

  “Promised? To who? No! I can’t marry some stranger! How could you not tell me this?”

  “This is precisely why. To avoid disobedience.”

  Emalee’s chest heaved and she struggled to hold back tears. “Don’t do this, please. Let me help you with the business. I’ll do whatever take you need!”

  He scoffed. “There is nothing a woman can do in my business. This is what I need, what this family and island needs. Your future husband is a very rich and powerful man. You will have a comfortable life. So long as you learn how to perform your duties properly.”

  Her mouth hung open in shock. She never thought her father would do such a heartless thing to her.

  “He is lord of an island, and he will come for you this week. You are to be married in a few days’ time.”

  “No!”

  “You have no choice. All of Grynall Cay’s safety depends on this marriage. I have hired Eliseo to guard you, to make sure you don’t try anything stupid.”

  Her father left her standing in shock, tears trailing down her face. As he opened the door to his office, Eliseo stepped into view.

  “Santiago,” Eliseo said. “What is this task my father has ordered me to fulfill for you?”

  “You are to watch Emalee and ensure she completes her marriage obligation.”

  Santiago stormed off and Eliseo stared at Emalee. His expression looked as horrified as hers.

  “Marriage?” he asked.

  She nodded slowly, new tears running down her face.

  “To who?” he asked.

  “I don’t know,” she whispered. “A rich man. A lord, someone who can protect our island. That’s all I know. He’s coming this week and I am to marry him.”

  Eliseo came to her side, his eyes desperate. “But he can’t force you to do this if you don’t want to. Do you want to?”

  “Of course not! I don’t want to marry a stranger and leave my home.”

  “Then I’ll help you.”

  She shook her head. “You know better than that. My father is far too powerful. He’d have us both killed and your father would lose his partnership in the business. I can’t ask that of you.”

  “Let me help you. Please.”

  He took her hands in his, and the familiarity of it confused her. He’d never acted in such a way before, and it made her heart ache. She’d hoped to marry him one day. That they would move into their fathers’ business together. She’d had to wait until her eighteenth birthday to tell him, to hope he might pursue her, but that dream was lost now. Forever.

  She was doomed to marry a stranger and “perform her duties” as her father so coarsely stated. It didn’t matter what her heart wanted. If she wanted to live, she had to do as her father commanded.

  Chapter 2

  Emalee went to her balcony and looked down at the shore below her window. She recalled the day, two years ago now, when she’d found out she was destined to marry. Even now, tears welled in her eyes when she thought of it.

  She had ached for Eliseo, and the days they spent together awaiting her marriage had been some of the best days of her life, bittersweet as they were. When her husband had arrived, his fleet of six large ships sailing into the port, Eliseo had held her as she sobbed and offered again to help her.

  After meeting her betrothed, she’d almost taken him up on it. She stood by her father’s side as the men stepped off the ship. When her husband stepped out, her knees weakened and she fell to the ground.

  Eliseo stood her up and kept his distance. The time for any affection between them had ended. The man, tall and thick, covered in hair and wild as a boar, approached her. She knew him, of course. He was no stranger after all. He was Maverick, a raider notorious for taking anything he liked. The fear curled in her stomach as he took her hand.

  She had been terrified from that moment on. The wedding had been short and passed in a blur. As she lay on the huge bed on his ship for their wedding night, she trembled inside and out. But she was shocked to find that he was gentle. He was careful with her, and to her complete amazement, she actually enjoyed having sex with him.

  For the last two years, she’d lived here on Qalric Enclave, Maverick’s island. She was his slave as far as she was concerned. There when he wanted her, sent away when he didn’t. She was left on her own most of the time, and while it seemed that should bring her freedom, it was her heart that was trapped. Free time meant time to wander, time to think of Eliseo and wonder what a marriage of love would be like.

  Emalee went downstairs to breakfast. Every meal was extravagant in this house. Maverick spared no expense when it came to servants and food. The table was laid out with platters piled high with food and she sat to eat. Maverick sat across from her.

  “Morning,” he said.

  She smiled, nodded, and slid into her seat.

  “Molly has reminded me of the date,” he said.

  Emalee looked at Molly, the housekeeper, who smiled at her.

  “It’s your birthday, is it not?” he asked.

  “It is.”

  “What would you like? A new dress, jewelry, anything at all.”

  All she really wanted was to be loved and be in love. To see Eliseo again, to run away with him. “Thank you,” she said. “I don’t need anything.”

  He raised an eyebrow, but said only, “Let me know if you change your mind.”

  After breakfast, she wandered through the garden, stopping to gaze at her favorite flowers. She watched a bird land in a tree and begin singing. A squirrel ran up and scared the bird off. Maybe there was something she wanted, after all. If she couldn’t have what she truly desired, maybe she could still have some companionship. A cat would be nice to play with and cuddle at night. Having a pet would keep her company.

  When she tired of the garden, she decided to find Maverick and ask if she might have a pet for her birthday. She went to his private den and lifted her hand to knock on the door, but saw that the room was empty.

  She next went out to the ship yard. He spent much of his time here, preparing his fleet, talking with his men, making plans. When she heard his voice, she made her way around the ship. Before she could round the side, there was a sudden sound like a roar, then flapping wings.

  As she watched, a large dragon rose into the sky, its orange scales shining in the sunlight. She cowered down, not wanting th
e huge animal to see her. Then she heard someone shout Maverick’s name.

  She inched around again until she could see him. His back was to her, and he and the man he talked with were far enough away that they wouldn’t see her. As she watched, both the other man and Maverick pulled off their shirts, and stepped out of their pants. Maverick’s hairy back transformed. As he stood tall, his arms out to his sides, his skin took on the hard appearance of scales, becoming a dark red color. Spikes popped out along his spine and his hands and feet grew talons. His heard morphed into a dragon’s, then large wings sprouted from his back and the transformation was complete. Both dragons took to the sky and flew off.

  Emalee had heard rumors of men who became dragons. It was something all children heard in their bedtime stories. But they weren’t real, and everyone knew that. Except that she had just watched her husband change into a dragon and fly away. She turned and hurried back to her room.

  She hadn’t known when he would return, but there was a knock on her door later that afternoon. She opened it to see him standing on the other side.

  “Good afternoon.” He didn’t waste any time barging into her room and shutting the door behind him.

  “Afternoon,” she said, unsure if she should say anything or not about the fact that she’d seen him shift into a dragon.

  He reached up to pull his shirt over his head, then stepped out of his shoes. She was used to this routine by now. When he wanted her, this was how he told her. He sent for her or came to her room and removed his clothing.

  She watched him step out of his pants, then turned her back to him. He untied the back of her dress, cupping her breasts as the material fell to the floor in a puddle around her feet. He slipped down her panties and rubbed his fingers in her folds.

  He never spoke much, and in some ways that made it easier. Though sex with him felt good physically, it broke her heart. She pictured Eliseo, and it was easier to keep the illusion if Maverick didn’t speak in his gruff voice.