by Abel, Regine
“Yes, but… I don’t know. I was just so scared,” I whispered, placing my hands around his waist and fisting his shirt as if to make sure he wasn’t an illusion that would suddenly disappear.
“Do not be scared. You and Siona don’t have to be scared anymore. Two years. You are mine for two years,” Krygor said possessively. “And no one can buy back your contract from me without your express consent. Roman tried to negotiate a lesser term, but I refused. In fact, I wanted to ask for even more time.”
His last words, and the glimmer of vulnerability that flickered in his eyes as he spoke them moved me to my core. It floored me to realize he was as uncertain of my feelings towards him as I’d been about his.
Slipping my fingers through his long, wavy hair, I let my eyes express the depth of the affection I felt for him. “You could have asked for five, ten, or even twenty years, I would have said yes,” I said sincerely. “No man has ever been so good to me and my baby than you have. I didn’t think it possible to be so happy and feel so safe. You will not regret this, Krygor. I promise to be the best Servant to have ever lived.”
“No, my little Vaya,” Krygor said pulling me into his embrace. “The only promise I will ask of you is to remain the wonderful female you have been since we met.”
“That won’t be hard,” I said, laughing through my tears.
Krygor captured my lips again, this time with a possessiveness laced with his blossoming desire. I pressed myself against him, my core throbbing at the feel of his shaft hardening against my stomach. His mouth plundered mine, one hand fisting my hair, the other holding me tightly against him.
Too soon again, Krygor pulled away from me with a frustrated grunt, obviously reluctant to stop. Eyes smoldering, he gently wiped away my tears with his knuckles, before caressing my new collar with a proud look on his face. It made my belly quiver and my nipples harden. I was his, officially his. I belonged to my gentle giant, my mountain of a man.
“Come,” Krygor said, taking my hand again. “I have another surprise for you.”
My eyes widened with curiosity, especially in light of the mischievous glint in his eyes. He led me back to the living area where the beautiful Veredian had taken a seat in the fancy, cushioned leather chair and was reading something on her com. Thesala put it away as soon as she saw us coming out and gave me a sympathetic look at the sight of my still overly glistening eyes.
“Thesala is a Veredian Healer,” Krygor explained. “Since her ship was traveling through this sector of the Eastern Quadrant, I asked if they wouldn’t mind making a little detour through Lilith Hive to help right the wrong that had been done to you. They accepted.”
My eyes widened as the meaning of his words sank in, and my head jerked towards Thesala. Even as I stared at her with pleading eyes that she would confirm his words, shock, hope, and disbelief coursed through me. She smiled and slowly approached, stopping less than a meter in front of me. Her eyes went slightly out of focus as she stared at my forehead for a few seconds. Her smile broadened as she refocused on me.
“I see what was done to you,” Thesala said in a kind voice. “With your consent, I can restore the symbols of your genetic identity that were taken from you.”
The waterworks went wild again as I nodded. “Yes. Please, yes!”
Whatever my feelings about the Guldan culture, my horns and my pointy ears had been an integral part of who I had been. I’d forever felt incomplete since Luther had them permanently removed.
Thesala gestured for me to take a seat in the chair she had previously occupied. My hand tightened around Krygor who still held it. I let him lead me to the chair then, to my surprise, he sat in it first before pulling me onto his lap, holding me safe and cocooned in his muscular arms.
“I’m afraid it will hurt a little and might leave you feeling somewhat weak until you’ve eaten something,” Thesala said apologetically.
“I don’t care,” I replied in a trembling voice. “Thank you so much!”
Krygor’s arms tightened around me, and he gently nuzzled my nape. Thesala raised her palms and set them on each side of my face, her fingertips pressed lightly on my temples. The Veredian’s stunning blue eyes went out of focus, and a tingling sensation on my forehead slowly turned hot, then burning. I clenched my teeth at the growing pain which had my skull feeling like it was caught in a vise. Keeping my head up, my hand blindly looked for Krygor’s. His settled over the back of mine, his thumb gently caressing my knuckles in a soothing motion.
I hissed at a sharp pain, like a knife cut. A warm liquid trickled down my forehead where the skin had split to let my horns out. Despite the painful sensation of my skin being stretched, I reveled in the steadily increasing long-lost weight of my horns settling on my head again as Thesala’s power regrew them to their former glory. The tips of my ears also tingled as their clipped pointy ends were being restored.
I couldn’t tell if it had lasted a minute or an hour, but the pain vanished almost instantly, seconds before Thesala removed her hands from me.
“I should have remembered to have a towel handy,” Thesala said sheepishly.
“It’s okay,” I said absentmindedly, raising shaky hands to my forehead.
I likely resembled a victim straight out of some horror movie with the amount of blood that had trickled down my face. But I only cared about the feel of my horns beneath my palms. I burst out laughing and crying at the same time.
“Thank you! Thank you!” I said, running my fingers over the familiar natural patterns along the horns that marked my lineage.
The room spun around me as Krygor stood up, holding me in his arms, and carried me to the hygiene room in our bedroom. He settled me on the counter next to the sink and fetched a washcloth. Through tears of joy, my hands still pawing at my horns in disbelief, I watched with awe as Krygor gently washed my face. On Guldar, no man would have performed such a task for a female as it would have been considered menial work well below them. But looking at my giant, who would have imagined him taking care of his woman in such a delicate and gentle fashion?
“I had prayed to the Goddess for a savior,” I whispered as he finished his task. “I never dreamed she would bless me with someone as wonderful as you. You are so much more than I ever thought I deserved. Thank you for keeping me, for making me feel what it’s like to be happy, for making me whole again, and for keeping my baby safe.”
The same powerful emotion I had glimpsed on Krygor’s face earlier settled on his features. This time, he didn’t chase it away as he picked me up and held me close. Arms wrapped around his neck and legs around his waist, I locked eyes with my giant, my tongue burning to say words I knew to be too early to voice.
“My people do not observe any religion as your people do,” Krygor said in a gentle voice. “But I thank the Ancestors every day for bringing you into my life. You were made for me, Hope. You are mine, and I’m keeping you.”
Heart filled to bursting, I buried my face in his neck and reveled in the safety of his arms for a few seconds. Krygor eventually put me back down on my feet, and I took a few moments to stare at my face, mesmerized to see my old self again. We finally went back to the living area where I apologized profusely for making Thesala wait so long. She waved a hand in understanding, complimenting me for my beautiful black horns. After a few more pleasantries, she took her leave with one of their Veredian Warriors who had been waiting for her at the entrance of the hotel to safely escort her back to their ship.
“Pack your things here, and then let’s go to your house,” Krygor said. “I already have movers waiting outside to take care of whatever you wish to bring. We will not return,” he warned.
“Should I go get Siona first?” I asked after a swift glance at the clock.
“Yulan is already on his way to pick her up,” Krygor replied smugly. “Come on, woman. I want to leave this place tonight or tomorrow morning at the latest.”
I didn’t argue, impressed by how he’d thought of everything. It took m
e no time to pack the few things I’d brought to the hotel for both Siona and me. After a quick ride to the Commons in a hovercab, I was both intimidated and embarrassed by the number of movers standing outside the house. I didn’t need that many helpers considering what meager possessions I had. But, more importantly, it shamed me that Krygor Aldriss, Councilor to the Magnar of Braxia and father of the big boss of the Hive Network, should be seen with a female that lived in such poverty.
“There are too many,” I said to Krygor in a small voice. “I have nothing worth taking but my clothes and a handful of mementos. I only need four crates, which I can pack myself.”
Krygor’s dark gaze bore into mine. My cheeks heated as he all but read my mind. He nodded slowly.
“I will bring the crates inside the house, and the men will wait outside until you are done,” he said with a smile.
“Thank you,” I replied, my cheeks burning with embarrassment.
I sent a message to Tamika informing her of my good fortune before welcoming her to help herself to anything I’d leave behind. It broke my heart not to see her one last time before we left, but she was currently working. However, if Krygor ended up delaying our departure until tomorrow, I might be able to squeeze in a last farewell.
I made quick work of packing everything, amused by Krygor’s wish to make himself helpful. But he kept getting in my way, and his efforts at folding anything just required me to redo it anyway. I eventually tasked him to simply follow me around holding the container so that I didn’t have to walk back and forth to it. That didn’t seem to bother him one bit.
Just as I was finishing packing the last crate, the front door opened, startling me. It took me half a second to realize it was my baby coming home. Krygor immediately walked out of the room ahead of me. I followed in his wake to find her by Yulan’s side, looking utterly distraught despite the brave front she tried to put on.
She only had eyes for Krygor. The betrayed expression on her face broke my heart, understanding all too well the thoughts currently crossing her mind.
“You don’t want us,” she said accusingly to Krygor before I had a chance to say anything.
“Siona!” I exclaimed, mortified.
“No, it’s okay,” Krygor said, gently squeezing my forearm before approaching Siona and crouching before her. “I very much want both you and your mother. We didn’t come here to drop you off but to pick up your things so that you can come live with me on Braxia. I believe you want to ride a reaver and a karvala for real, right?”
She gaped at him, her anger melting to be replaced by shock, disbelief, and then joy in quick succession. “You mean it? You really mean it?”
“I do,” Krygor answered in a soft voice.
Siona threw herself into Krygor’s arms. He laughed and gently hugged her. My daughter kissed his cheek loudly before burying her face in his neck. He rocked my baby slowly while caressing her silver-blond mane. She finally lifted her head to look at Krygor with adoration before turning towards me with a glowing smile. And then she did a double take, noticing at long last the wondrous gift my giant had given me.
“Your horns…” Siona whispered, eyes bulging. “You have your horns back! And your ears, too!”
“I do,” I said, feeling silly for getting emotional again. My giant would end up thinking me a crybaby. “Krygor brought a Veredian healer to restore them.”
Siona spent the next few minutes fussing over my horns and ears, touching them with awe, and hugging both Krygor and me with an excess of enthusiasm. When she finally calmed down, Yulan and Krygor carried our four half-filled crates outside for the movers to bring to the ship. We settled in the hovercar, my man sandwiched between my daughter and me. As the vehicle took off, taking us towards our new destiny, I cast a final glance at the former home that had protected my baby from those who would have harmed her and thanked the Goddess for all her blessings.
Chapter 9
Hope
Despite being of a smaller size, Krygor’s vessel screamed comfort and luxury. Siona loved the private quarters she had all to herself, not to mention the holodeck, which she intended to make intensive use of during the almost ten-day trip to Venus Hive. The thought of meeting Krygor’s firstborn and the big boss of the Hive Network had me almost hyperventilating. What if he didn’t approve of me?
I hadn’t dared mention my worries to Krygor as it would inevitably come across as if I was giving myself far more importance than I officially had as his Servant. Still, after tucking in Siona for the night, my giant didn’t rush to ravish me contrary to what he’d said earlier about being impatient to have me. He seemed more intent on us having some serious discussions. Considering he’d stated that we would only be leaving in the morning to give Roman a chance to drop by for a last-minute sync with Krygor, it made me quite anxious. Was he having second thoughts and giving himself a final out to leave us here in the end?
Those irrational and paranoid thoughts wouldn’t leave me alone. A man didn’t go through all this trouble, going as far as luring a Veredian here to restore me, only to change his mind at the last minute. I should be rejoicing about this giving me time for a last hug with Tamika, but an unexplainable sense of dread kept eating away at me. Something bad was going to happen. I could feel it in my bones. Yet, I kept my mouth shut. What would I have said anyway considering I had no clue what kind of trouble was even involved?
I was sitting in the middle of Krygor’s immense bed, crossed legs, naked but for a see-through pink nightgown, when my man returned after his last discussions with his crew. He kicked off his shoes and stripped out of his clothes—which he casually discarded on a chair by the hygiene room—then climbed on top of the bed. The mattress dipped under his weight as he kneeled in front of me. Krygor gently kissed me then rid me of my flimsy dress, which he threw in the general direction of the chair.
Coaxing me onto my back, he lay down on his side next to me, his gaze following his hand as it freely roamed over my naked body. I would never tire of the delectable feel of his rough palms gently caressing my skin, or the awe in his eyes when he looked at me. However, despite the arousal blossoming in the pit of my stomach, I braced for whatever was putting that troubled expression on his face.
Krygor leaned forward, his hand cupping my face as he gave me another tender kiss. His fingers then traced a slow path down my neck, his fingertips caressing my gorgeous new collar. They pursued their journey to my left breast, circling the dark areola with a fleeting touch before streaking down to my stomach where Krygor laid down his palm. He stared at his hand slowly rubbing my flat belly before looking up at me.
“Tell me about yourself, Hope. What series of events led you here, to the Eastern Quadrant so that I should now be blessed to have you in my bed?” Krygor asked with an impenetrable stare.
I chewed my bottom lip, wondering for a second how candid I should be. What man wanted to hear how the vicissitudes of his woman’s past had led her from a life of privilege to that of a pleasure worker and Indentured Servant? A part of me feared I would earn his contempt and disgust, but another wanted to be honest as my every instinct told me he would demand no less. If we were to have the future I was hoping for deep within my soul, we needed to start right. Knowing what a solid contract Roman had negotiated for me also went a long way in alleviating some of my fears.
Taking a deep breath, I took the dive.
“After my father’s death, the Goddess sent me on a painful journey through the Eastern Quadrant so that I could meet you,” I said softly. “But the pain I endured was worth it for the blessing of the children it gave me and for eventually leading me to you. I would go through it all over again just to get back to right here and now.”
Krygor blinked, a look a confusion crossing his features.
“Children?” he asked.
It was my turn to blink, realizing he wasn’t aware of my firstborn.
“I have one other child, an adult son named Tevek,” I said, sadness seeping back into my
voice. “My life had been meant to be quite different than how it turned out. My father was a wealthy tech trader. I was promised to Valdek Farruk, the handsome heir to one of the richest families on Guldar, right behind the Vrok family. They operate some of the top technology labs on my home world. Father had arranged my wedding to Valdek. My virtue had been kept intact for him, and I’d been properly trained to be the perfect wife and lady to manage the domain of a high ranking noble in Kenzenia, Guldar’s capital city.”
“Why did you flee?” Krygor asked, confused. “That sounds like a comfortable future.”
I snorted with derision. “Oh, it would have been. Valdek would have rutted over me for the first two to five years to sire a few heirs, then would have mostly ignored me for the rest of our union, preferring to hunt younger, fresher females, slaves and mistresses while I raised the children. I’d been looking forward to that life once he’d stopped bothering me. But my father made a series of bad investments that ruined everything. We were on the verge of bankruptcy, and Father was pushing to hasten our wedding.”
“Hoping Valdek would help redress your financial situation?” Krygor asked.
“Yes. Well, more like to force his hand into it,” I said with a shrug. “Guldans are all about success and the survival of the fittest. Had he married me first, my family’s financial downfall would have shamed him and lessened his standing. In spite of my father’s efforts to hide our dire situation, Valdek got wind of it and stalled the wedding until everything fell apart. And my dearest father, the embodiment of courage and strength that he was, simply took his life rather than fight.”
Krygor recoiled in outrage. “He abandoned you and your mother to fend for yourselves after his failure?”
“He’d divorced my mother before selling her a few months after my fifth birthday. She’d become barren after contracting an infectious disease. I believe my father had passed it on to her from his infidelities,” I said with bitterness. “Being a child back then, I don’t remember much about her except that she had been loving and kind. I’d promised myself to be as good a mother when I grew up.”
