Pradorian Mate (15 page)

“
About you killing the women that came before us.”

Archail sighed. “It makes no difference, little one. It really does not matter. For all you know, I may be the monster you initially thought I was.”

Sara was puzzled by his words, and she was ready to ask him what he meant, but before she could inquire further, he spoke again. “Will you come to lunch?”

“
I don’t know. It’s still early, and I’m not hungry. ” She looked out over the pool. “I think I’ll stay here for a little while longer.”

* * *

It was almost late afternoon when Sara stood up and walked out to the balcony. From there she could see three moons shining in the sky, shedding their bright light onto the gardens below.

She had stayed at the pool until she felt hungry. When she left for the dining room, she’d felt light and hopeful inside at the prospect of finding Archail there and maybe having another conversation with him. She really wanted to get to know him better, but when she reached the dining room, much to her disappointment, she found it empty. She had eaten alone without really tasting any of the food, wondering instead where Archail could be and why he wasn’t there.

As time went by, Sara had explored the palladium. She found the kitchen first, but Toria was busy doing her chores, so Sara left immediately rather than disturb the young Pradorian female. Another room seemed to function as a kind of library. There were seats in the middle of the room that were very comfortable, almost as soft as the bed she’d slept on last night. Around the room, shelves were carved into walls and reached as high as the ceiling. The shelves were filled with all manner of books about different worlds and cultures unknown to her. Sara examined a few at random to see if she could read them, but the strange alien writing was indecipherable to her.

After leaving the library and closing the door behind her, Sara followed the corridor around. It led her toward another door, and on opening it, she found another bedroom. It was not quite as large as the one she was staying in, but it was certainly comfortable. The room was decorated in a style similar to Archail’s bedroom, and it also had a bathroom en suite with the same comforts. She moved on, farther down the corridor, and found another door, but when she tried to open it, it wouldn’t budge. She pushed and pulled hard, using all her weight, but still the door didn’t move. Why was this door locked, when all the others in the palladium were not?

As time passed, she managed to find two more spare rooms and a big sitting room that looked as though it wasn’t used often.

Still not feeling hungry, Sara decided to skip dinner, so she didn’t head back to the dining room. After pondering her options, she finally decided to take another bath while she could be alone.

She didn’t realize it had grown dark outside. And when she came out of the bathroom covered in a long towel, she saw the light of the rising moons entering the softly lit room. When she went to the balcony, she stood there a while, watching the majestic scenery outside.

* * *

Archail had gone to Dar’s home to talk with him. He wanted to discuss what Irina had mentioned earlier regarding her findings with this new plant her team was working on. They agreed that since there was nothing definitive yet, they would allow the ceremony to take place with the Earth women, although Dar suggested they should postpone mating with them until after making them immortal.

Archail, thinking of Sara, replied that he would leave that decision up to him and his warriors. Dar had just started to speak when Orora appeared, wearing one of their traditional dresses. She still acted shyly, but she was not as scared as she was the last time he saw her. She hesitantly inquired about Sara, and Archail reassured her that her friend was being very well cared for. Archail then said his goodbyes and left.

He stopped at every house where the Earth females were kept to inform his warriors of his decision. He also wanted to ensure all the women were well.

He then decided to visit his sister’s home and get an update on her research. Her report was not what he expected, but it left him with a sense of hope for his people. At the same time, though, a cold feeling crept inside him as he thought of how this would affect his relationship with Sara. Archail shook his head, doubting his own sanity, as he thought of using the word relationship to describe what he had with his little captive. He reminded himself there was no future for them, but why did that thought bother him so much?

With the question causing turmoil in his mind, he headed back to the palladium. He sat in the dining room for a while, trying to decide what he would do once the ceremony was completed. Would he give her more time, or would he claim her as he had yearned to do for the past few days? He decided he would leave it to chance. If she refused him that night, he would accept it and give her time, but if she didn’t… He felt the yearning rise within him at the prospect of claiming her as his own.

He left the dining room and decisively headed toward his bedroom at a steady pace, but when he opened the door and saw her lying in bed, he immediately stilled. Her hair was spread around her rosy face and her body was open, almost inviting him. The towel around her had dropped to one side, leaving one of her soft thighs exposed. She seemed in a deep sleep, because her breathing was steady and soft.

Archail immediately felt his body responding to her as his erection grew painfully. He silently approached the bed, keeping his eyes on her, almost hypnotized by her soft beauty. He knew he shouldn’t do anything to her, but then a whisper in his mind told him there were ways to satisfy her without causing any harm. To touch her and taste her couldn’t be wrong, he convinced himself. He couldn’t resist the temptation as he lay down in bed, slowly moving closer to her. She moved gently in her sleep, mumbling something incoherent, and he waited patiently for her to settle down.

His fingers reached out and pulled softly at the towel, opening it carefully on both sides and exposing her lower body to him. A sharp breath caught in his throat as he watched her flat belly rise softly then lower. Between her white thighs, her soft woman’s center invited him to touch her and give her pleasure. He lowered himself and leaned his head over the smooth skin of her belly. He placed soft kisses on it, slowly licking his way down and making small circles with his tongue as he took his time tasting her. To his satisfaction, she moaned softly and parted her legs slightly, inviting him to continue.

He rose to his knees and, moving carefully between her parted legs, he bent down again and slowly placed his hands on each side of her spread thighs. As he leaned lower to taste her red bud center, her scent drew him closer and closer until he could no longer stand it. He licked her gently, slowly tasting her. She rewarded him by lifting her lower body lightly to allow him easier access. His heart rejoiced at her response, driving him to continue as he feverishly tasted her. Her sweet scent made him want more, and his tongue grew bolder and entered her soft wet entrance, coaxing her to give him another response. Sara was moaning now, and her breath came out in gasps. He found the most sensitive part of her, moved his tongue around her soft arousing skin, and felt her respond, urging him to go faster, as she moved beneath him.

Archail could hear her moaning and felt her body tense and shake under his hands as she climaxed and called out his name.

“Oh yes, Archail!”

His heart almost broke from happiness at her response. He rose to see her face, wanting to kiss her and tell her how much he craved her. He so needed to make love to her. He smiled as he looked down at her, only to be amazed when he realized that her response was all a dream because she still gasped softly for air in a state of sleep.

* * *

Sara was dreaming a beautiful dream of her and Archail being together. They were laughing, and then he came nearer and kissed her in ways he hadn’t done before. Her body rose under him in response and urged him to go on and on. She could feel his tongue licking her body, and the sensation of losing herself grew so strong that she felt like calling out his name. She didn’t want this dream to end as she felt herself drift to higher places, lost in his leading touch.

Sara awoke with the strong feeling of a woman who had reached completion. The intensity of her feelings confused her. She looked around, trying to focus on clearing the haze from her eyes. She could still remember her dream, and her body tensed with the intensity of the memory. She turned on her side, trying to dismiss the thought, and saw Archail lying with his back to her, sleeping quietly.

“
Could it have been real?” She tried to understand why her lower body felt suddenly cool. Looking down, she saw she was completely naked. She froze when she felt the excessive moisture between her thighs and the sensitivity of her skin below. Sara closed her eyes and tried to remember what she had felt in her dream. She remembered he had a strong hold on her thighs as he opened her more for his…
Oh, that horrible man.
Her anger rose at the realization of what he had done.

She turned to look at him again, and acting from pure instinct, she started pounding his big back with her small fists. His response came as he very calmly turned around and looked deep into her eyes.

“What did you do to me?” She struggled against the urge to punch him in his handsome face.

He kept staring at her as he rested on his elbow, turning fully toward her. “Nothing you did not want me to do.”

“So, you’re not denying it. How could you take advantage of me while I slept?” She burned with rage at his attitude.

“
You seemed willing enough, little one. I did nothing other than what you asked me to do.” He remained still as he spoke calmly.

“
I… I didn’t ask you to do anything!” Tension built slowly in her belly.

“
Oh, yes you did, little one.” His voice grew more confident.

“
I was asleep!” She fought to push away the memories of her response to his touch.

Archail moved slightly closer, sounding more serious. “You asked me with your body, Sara, not to stop.”

“I didn’t know what was happening. I was asleep!” She tried desperately to deny what he said.

Archail’s voice grew colder. “Look me in the eyes, Sara, and deny that you felt every touch of my lips, every stroke of my tongue. Look me in the eyes and deny that you called my name as you reached completion.”

“No!” she yelled, but a sensation of helplessness was crippling her.

He moved so fast that she was taken completely by surprise when he grabbed her shoulders and leaned over her. He then spoke a clear warning. “Stop denying what we both know is true, Sara.”

She stared for a mere moment into his dark yellow eyes and thought she saw a flash of desperation in them, but his face then became a hard mask once again. She wondered if maybe she had imagined it as she averted her eyes, feeling too weak to deny his accusation.

Archail released her and turned away once more.

The night passed slowly for Sara as she tried hard to go back to sleep in the echoing silence.

Chapter 12

The sun had long since risen over the horizon, and Irina was busy preparing her leather satchel for travel, packing the tubes and other medical apparatus that lay on the table next to her bag.

When she heard steps behind her, she turned, curious to see who it was.

“Dar!” she exclaimed in surprise.

Dar looked thoughtful, and even a little troubled, as he entered the room. “Hello, Irina.” He looked around the room to ensure they were alone.

“What may I do for you?” asked Irina, somewhat suspicious of her brother’s second-in-command. She sensed from his posture that his visit would not be a pleasant one.

“
I believe we need to talk.” He seemed as uncomfortable as Irina was.

Irina nodded as she moved toward her sitting room and gestured for Dar to take the seat opposite. He followed but seemed to hesitate for a minute before sitting down. “Well, what is it, Dar?” she inquired, feeling a little impatient with his lengthy silences.

“I heard about your findings. Your brother informed me yesterday.”

“
Yes, we are very close to finding the solution. I will take two Pradorian life mates with me to test the results.”

“
I was instructed by your brother to not inform the council.” He regarded her carefully.

“
The council should certainly be informed if the results are positive.” She paused for a minute. “But I have to agree with Archail on this.”

“
Irina, there is more to this.”  He looked at her distantly now, as if he was on official business. “I asked Archail if we should postpone mating with the females for a while, at least until you return with the results, but his answer was noncommittal.” Dar’s face was unreadable and his tone serious.

“
I don’t see any reason to be worried. Archail is strong-willed.” Irina recalled her brother’s expression when he had watched Sara leave the dining room the day before.

“
I have received reports from some of the warriors that the ancient scent of the Earth females is too strong. Some have even already consummated their unions with them because they were unable to resist,” Dar concluded, the concern clear in his voice.