Slave to His Desires (7 page)

“Let me go. I need to touch him, please.” As they carried
her forcefully off the ship she saw Jul lying in the dirt, orange blood pooling
around him. She screamed, hitting and kicking at her captor. The man looked
annoyed and stopped.

“Take her, Rex. She’s your gift to give, not mine. Damn,
she’s a handful.”

“You son-of-a-bitch, you killed him. He’s your friend, and
you killed him for money.”

Rex didn’t seem fazed by her tirade; the insult didn’t
translate into their language correctly. He didn’t even bother to look
remorseful.

As the annoyed barbarian handed her off she managed to
wriggle free. Rushing to her fallen lover, she touched him. Jul was dead, and
her heart broke.

“No, no, no, no.” She threw herself over him and sobbed. Rex
tried to pick her up, but she lashed out at him.

One of the other men spoke quietly. “You killed her man, let
her cry. Humans feel more than we do. Just let her cry and when she’s exhausted,
she’ll be easier to carry to the transport. The king will reward us greatly no
matter what time we arrive. There’s no rush.”

As much as she hated this group of men, she was grateful
that this one saw the reason in letting her mourn. She knew she might never get
another chance to say goodbye. It was doubtful that whomever she’d belong to
would allow her to attend whatever ceremony these people did to intern the
dead.

She pulled back and looked at Jul’s handsome, ashen face.
When she’d first seen these people she’d thought of them as creatures, but now
it was different. Jul was the most handsome man she’d ever laid eyes on. Her
heart felt crushed. Seeing his terrible wound, she thought of Rothgorg’s
throat. She’d healed him, could she do the same thing now? A crushed throat was
less serious than death, but whatever it was about this world that gave her
power, pushed her to try. It was as if a voice in her head kept whispering to
cover his wound with her hands and heal him.

She put her hands over the hole in his beloved body and
closed her eyes. A quiet peace settled on her. Jul sat up gasping. She fell
back, dazed.

The men who’d come with Rex shouted and ran away, terrified.
Rex gasped, but didn’t run. When she looked up at the evil man, he looked angry
and confused.

“How did you do that?” His voice held a menacing tone that
frightened her. He raised his arm, as if to strike her.

Jul spoke, his voice gravelly. “Don’t you dare touch her.”

Rex lowered his arm.

The pilot, who wasn’t Alburionian, came out of the ship with
his crew. “Hurry, we’ll take you if you hurry.”

Jul looked at the man. “Why?”

Chuckling, the pilot replied, “I hate this rock. Nothing
personal, but your world isn’t the friendliest place in the galaxy. I don’t
know what’s going on, but it looks like you could use a ride. Your lady has
power, good power. My gods won’t forgive me turning my back on someone in need
that’s been blessed with a gift like that. I don’t like coming here anyway.”

“Thank you,” Madison breathed with relief.

Rex pulled out the weapon he’d used to kill his friend. “You
aren’t going anywhere.”

Rex grunted and fell. Rothgorg stood behind him with a heavy
pole. Rex lay sprawled on the ground, the gun next to him. Madison stood and
kicked it away.

“I want to go home.” Rothgorg’s longing laced his sad tone.

Jul looked at the pilot. “I’ll pay his way.”

“It’s settled then, everyone’s getting the hell off this
rock. Come aboard.”

They quickly complied. Rothgorg helped Jul stand, and
Madison did her best to help the big man get Jul inside the ship. They hurried
as fast as they could up the ramp and a moment later, the doors closed behind
them.

“Strap in.”

They sat in the tattered seats and followed the pilot’s
instruction. Madison felt the force as the small ship rose, leaving Alburion
behind them forever.

Madison looked out over the crystal clear pink sea. The
soft, salty breeze ruffled her hair and she pulled the fluffy, white robe more
fully around her. Only days earlier, she and Jul had welcomed their son into
the world. The baby made a soft sound, and she glanced down toward the cradle
to see that he was still sound asleep. She smiled at his beautiful little face
before turning back to experience the peacefulness of the new day.

Looking into the beauty of the morning, Madison thought
contentedly about how things had worked out. They’d gone with Rothgorg to his
home planet and been welcomed as heroes for returning the prince to his people.
At first, she’d been terrified when she found out how much power the man had,
but he quickly put both she and Jul at ease, assuring them he held no ill will
against Jul. Without Jul’s kindness, his fate on Alburion would’ve been far
worse. Madison had healed him, and he rewarded her with a wonderful seaside
estate. Jul soon found his entrepreneurial spirit wouldn’t go to waste, and
Madison watched him quickly return to prosperity with a little help from Prince
Rothgorg.

“
Meekra
, what are you doing out of bed? The doctor
told you to rest.”

“I had to watch the sunrise. They’re so amazing here.”

“I agree, but I think any sunrise would be amazing with you
standing in front of it.”

She blushed, even after all this time he affected her so
strongly.

“I was just thinking about how lucky we are.” She turned to
look out over the water again.

“I would have never thought I’d want to thank that traitor,
but I do. I’m glad you’re my wife and that you were willing to stay with me
instead of returning to Earth. I think I would’ve died if you’d gone home.”

She turned back to look at her husband. She felt his love
wash over her in waves. “Silly man, my home is wherever you are. I love you,
Jul.”

In only a few powerful strides, he was next to her, picking
her up, and taking her to their large bed. After laying her down, he whispered
so quietly she wondered if he’d only thought the words she heard so clearly.

“A lifetime will never be enough with you.”

Grinning, he leaned down and kissed her with a depth of
passion that still amazed her. She sighed and wrapped her arms around his neck.
He might have declared her a free woman, but as far as she was concerned, she
was a slave to his every desire.

Ashlynn Monroe is a busy wife and mom. She’s been writing since
she was a teenager for her own pleasure, but in her thirties she decided it was
time to share her stories. She enjoys writing about anything and everything
paranormal or fantasy related. When she’s not lovingly raising her young
family, she’s dreaming up her next tale of romance.

Ashlynn’s Website:

http://ashlynnmonroe.com

Reader eMail:

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