Leaving Earth (14 page)

Kendall sat back in her seat. Her smile was grim and focused and almost cruel. "I was a soldier first. First, last, and always. You should remember that." She waited a moment, let her words sink in before standing. "Any loyalty I might feel here is to Daggar and Laney, not you." She looked down at Daggar. "I'm returning to the Warrior Compound. Where I belong."

He nodded. "I'll join you shortly."
You know the way back?

I'll find my way.

Unlike when she'd spoken, her mental voice vibrated with anger, with outrage. And something else? Uncertainty maybe? He smiled. Yes, that was it. She was afraid she'd overstepped her bounds, but didn't yet realize he didn't care. She'd picked a side, aligned herself to him and his people. His cause.

I'll join your shortly.
She wouldn't get far before he caught up with her. He watched her leave the clearing, mentally following along until she stepped out into the corridor before turning to confront his aunt.

"You surprise me," she stated. "I would have expected you to have more control over your mate." 127

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He shrugged, masked his irritation over the unspoken criticism of Kendall. "We are in agreement on this matter. The rebellion seems to be spreading into other Castes." He leaned forward, met Cilia's gaze then Einarr's. "Make no mistake here. I will not tolerate any interference in my rule of my Caste. You deal with your own problems or you'll force me to step in."

Cilia's eyes narrowed. "I won't allow that. And we won't tolerate a war within the Warrior Caste." He shook his head. "It won't come to open battle now anymore than it has in the last hundred years." Her disbelief was clear on her face and he stood. There was no point arguing with her. She also stood.

"There is precedent. The Triumvirate can call for an Overchief's removal."

He narrowed his eyes. The three of them were the Triumvirate, but what she was suggesting hadn't been done in centuries. "I wouldn't try it if I were you. You'd not only have a war inside the Caste, but against yours."

"You wouldn't dare."

"Try me, Aunt Cilia. It's been a long time since Delroi had a king. Maybe it's time to return to the old ways." He would never make that kind of power play, but she didn't know that. He saw the doubt in her eyes.

"Damn it, Daggar."

"Just leave my Caste to me." He leaned forward and kissed her cheek. "You worry too much, Cilia." He didn't wait for a response. With a nod at Einarr, he spun on his heel and left the garden, hurrying to catch up 128

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with Kendall. As much as he could hurry. Each step echoed the pounding in his head and he could feel fatigue pulling at his limbs. Gods, he hated being injured. The only consolation was knowing he'd be one hundred percent soon and in the meantime, Kendall would fuss over him. Twenty-four hours ago, he would have hated the idea, but now ... Well, the idea grew in appeal with each passing hour.

Where are you?

Right here.

He rounded a corner to find her leaning one shoulder against the wall, waiting for him. She fell into step beside him when he reached her. The walk back to their quarters was long and they made it in silence. He didn't have to direct her when they got there. She went straight to their rooms. He didn't bother to hide the hunger he knew showed in his eyes as she stripped slowly, a faint teasing smile playing across her lips. When she was down to her bra and underwear, he whispered, "Come here."

Hands gripping her hips, he pulled her close enough to wrap one arm around her lower back. With his free hand, he activated the small box hidden in his pocket. The anal plug buzzed to life and she gasped, jerked in his arms. He held her still and nibbled the pounding pulse point on her neck. When he bit down and sucked the soft skin between his teeth, she groaned and sagged against him.

* * * *

Kendall was grateful when he picked her up and carried her to bed. There was no way she could have got there on her 129

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own. Her heart was pounding and she was lightheaded from anticipation. She was going to do this, was desperate for him to fuck her ass. She knew part of the excitement she felt was his, but it didn't matter. Some time over the past few hours their needs and desires had merged into one, into the same things. She needed to be confidant and in charge outside these walls, but inside them she knew she could trust him with everything, knew she could give over all control and he'd take care of her. When had she realized that? Maybe when he hadn't taken advantage of her vulnerability when the other Overchiefs had been present.

Never, baby. I'd never do that.

Damn, it was strange to have someone in her head all the time, reading her thoughts and fears and desires. She was growing accustomed to it though, knew she'd miss him if he suddenly wasn't there anymore.

I'm not going anywhere
.

There was the lightest sting of reprimand in the tone and she understood why, felt his frustration that she hadn't fully accepted that yet. She smiled, propped herself up on her elbows and sighed as he removed his clothing. She was getting there, to that recognition. It didn't hurt that a sexy as hell alien spent so much time trying to convince her. He lay down next to her and tugged the chain connecting her nipple rings. The pull bit and she bowed her back, wanting more. Leaning over, he took one hard nipple into his mouth and sucked it between his teeth.

So it's a game, my der'lan? Just looking for more
attention?
His tone teased along with his fingers, which had 130

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found her other nipple, pinching, tugging. His teeth bit her nipple hard and she cried out as the pleasure/pain shot straight through her core. He slid a hand slowly down her torso and she held her breath, hoped he would touch her clit hard enough to give her relief, to make her come. The vibrating in her ass stopped as his finger brushed the hard nub. He let her nipples go, sitting back on his heels.

"You want to come, baby?"

"Yes. Please, Daggar," she begged. He pinched her clitoris at the same time as he kissed her. The kiss seemed in direct opposition to the touch, soft and gentle instead of hard and stinging. As soon as his tongue thrust into her mouth, she exploded, all thought fleeing as her body was taken over by sensation. It went on and on, a fine tremor that she couldn't seem to control. Didn't want to. When her body was finally her own again, she found herself straddling him. The toy was gone and his hard cock pressed against her ass hole. He held her gaze as he reached between them, coated himself in lubricant before pushing two fingers into her rear entrance. Once. Twice. The feeling was intoxicating. After being stretched by the plug for so long, she felt empty. Wanted to be filled.

He removed his fingers, wrapped one hand around his cock to guide the head inside her. She held her breath, wondering why he was teasing her like this, why he hadn't moved her to her knees.

I want to see your face. Your eyes. And this will be better
for you the first time. I won't be as deep.
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He inched farther inside, pushing against the tight ring of muscle. She cried out when he shoved past it, past where the plug had been. It was more pain than pleasure now, but she held herself still, forced herself to breathe. She knew the pleasure would come back once her body adjusted to the invasion.

"Good girl," he murmured and reached for her clit. His touch was a light graze at first, then a firmer stroke. He rebuilt her earlier level of arousal until she felt herself soften around his cock, until the pain once again diminished to that level she enjoyed. Then he was pinching her clit, tugging it as he moved. His cock thrust in and out, slowly at first, the rhythm nice and easy, but building, stoking the fires between them. Her skin seemed to tingle as the sensation built.

His strokes grew firmer, harder. Rougher. And when he thrust the fingers of his other hand into her pussy, mimicking the actions of his cock, she lost it. Her body was overcome with pleasure, her mind shattered. She passed out but came to moments later to find him leaning over her, murmuring nonsense about being okay.

Damn right. She'd never been more okay. More protected. More cherished. She stretched her arms over her head and smiled, let herself drift off to sleep to sound of his amused chuckles.

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132

Leaving Earth

by Loribelle Hunt

He held her, kept watch over her, a long time before he felt capable of movement. He'd known taking her ass would be the most incredible fucking of his life, but he hesitated to describe it that way. It felt more like a communion, more like the coming together of two souls he knew it to be. And she'd felt it too, had been so overcome by the pleasure they brought out in each she'd lost consciousness for a moment. He'd heard tales of that possibility, Alrik had even quietly, gloatingly confirmed it one night, but Daggar hadn't been quite sure he believed them.

He stretched his arm above his head and by feel found the pressure plate that would open the wall next to the bed. With a low groan, the ancient pulley system hidden behind the stone went to work, pulling away a large section of wall and revealing the large covered terrace, the city and desert visible on the horizon.

Sighing, he left the comfort of his bed and mate, and made his way to the bathroom, hurrying through a shower before returning to her with a small water-filled basin and washcloth. She moaned as he cleaned her, but didn't open her eyes. The temptation to linger over her soft folds, to stroke her into wakefulness was so strong he finished quickly and withdrew to the deck. She needed to rest. They all did. He propped his forearms on the railing and leaned forward to study his city. The Palace was built on the side of a mountain and from here he could see the whole expanse. The 133

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sky was bright, lit by both moons, and it was early enough that he could see figures still out on the streets far below. Most of the city was constructed from stone and concrete, made with thick walls to keep out the desert heat. Roof patios, brightened by solar lights, showed signs of life and the breeze brought him a hint of laughter from close by.

"It's beautiful."

He smiled, turning to watch Kendall approach and join him. She'd wrapped the bed sheet around her body and her hair and shoulders glowed under the moonlight.

"You're beautiful," he answered. Her smile was hesitant and he wondered what was wrong with the men of Earth that she found an honest compliment so unexpected.

"Thank you."

Shifting, she faced the city and he mirrored her move wondering what she saw when she looked. If it sparked something in her soul like it did his. If one day she would look out and think home not alien planet.

"What was your home on Earth like?" She shrugged. "I've been in the Army over fifteen years. Home moves a lot." She nodded her chin at the city. "But I grew up in a place a lot like this." She grinned. "Except we only had one moon. And no palaces"

"Ah, well. Can't have everything," he joked. The smile slid from her face. "No. I suppose not." She fell silent for a moment and he wondered how to bring back the lighthearted mood of moments before. 134

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"Tell me how things work here. Cilia seems to think she has some kind of claim over me."

Not exactly what he had in mind, but hell, it was communicating.

"You know we have three castes." She murmured agreement.

"All Delroi males enter Warrior training at thirteen, no matter their caste, for two years. At the end of those two years, they return to their clans for additional training."

"So if we have a son, he'll be gone for two years and then come home?" she asked matter-of-factly, keeping any hint of emotion from her voice, but his heart swelled at the acceptance he sensed behind it.

"No. He will stay in the Warrior training center until he's eighteen."

Facing him, she glared and he held up a placating hand.

"It's not as bad as you think it is. Laney's seen it. Ask her. The boys are cared for. They're allowed to visit their families on weekends, for emergencies, that sort of thing." She scowled. "But you're still taking thirteen year old boys and making them soldiers."

He stroked a finger down the inside of her arm, was rewarded by a shiver she couldn't repress even as she kept her gaze hard. "We're making them Warriors. Yes."

"And when they're eighteen?"

"They have, as with everyone of every caste, the right to ask for additional training in another caste. They can pursue that training until they are twenty-five when they must 135

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choose to return to their own clans or petition to switch castes."

She arched an eyebrow. "So you aren't stuck where you're born?"

"No."

She smiled. "So perhaps my son will choose to be a healer."

He shook his head. "No.
Our
son will be Overchief."

"Ahh. So Torfa's are the exception to the rule?"

"And the sons of the other ruling families. Clan leaders'

sons rarely switch either."

"And girls?"

"Ah, well, that's where things get a bit complicated." She laughed. "That wasn't complicated?" Grinning, he shook his head. "Not yet. Girls are educated in the castes they are born into."

"Except if they're Warriors."

"Yes." He frowned. "Laney is changing that. She's been teaching some girls. Even some mates."

"Good for her." She smiled. "Maybe I can help her." He sputtered and before he could respond, she patted his arm condescendingly. "Poor Daggar. I'm a doctor, but I'm
also
a soldier. Why do I keep having to repeat myself? I have self-defense and weapons training, you know." Fuck. He was so screwed. She laughed and he realized he'd inadvertently shared the thought.
Compromise
, she whispered in his mind.