Victorious Star (24 page)

The master-enforcer bowed. “I understand. The offer of my
nehkyx
will of course remain open,
Deshryt.”

Seht returned the bow. “I’m honored,
Mahfeht’syr;
perhaps tomorrow, we could discuss a course of training?”

“I look forward to it,
Deshryt.”
The master-enforcer bowed again and strode off.

Seht turned on his heel. “Let’s go, before we draw any more attention.” He headed through the broad room full of couches and leashed
rehkyt.

Victoria followed after him. Why the hell was that enforcer so interested in having her trained?

It’s not training.
Seht glanced down at her.
His
nehkyx
trainer, has a prime
rehkyt
stud.

Victoria looked up at him.
So?

Seht smiled sourly.
Prime
rehkyt
are rare, females are even more so. He wants to breed the two of you.

Breed?
Victoria’s brows shot up.
I thought
skeldhi
and humans couldn’t, you know, make children?

They can’t. But
rehkyt
can.
Seht sighed.
Thank Fate you’re not ovulating or we would have a serious problem on our hands.

A problem?
Victoria followed him around a couch.
What kind of a problem?

Seht raised a sardonic brow.
They wouldn’t think twice about accidentally locking you in a room with their stud long enough to impregnate you.

Victoria bared her teeth.
I’d have to kill him.

His
rehkyt
is far better combat-trained than you.
Seht shook his head.
Even if you succeeded in killing him, you’d still be pregnant.

Victoria shuddered.

Victoria snorted.
I am an Imperial officer; I’m used to taking orders. How difficult can it be?

Seht glanced at her.
More difficult than you think. In a traditional household a pet is exactly that: a creature kept for the pleasure of their master.

Victoria raised a brow at him.
Are you saying that I’ll have to wear a leash, like those others?

Victoria tripped on the carpet.
A muzzle? On a person?
She looked up at Seht in alarm.
You would let them?

Seht nodded.
It’s my cousin’s household; if he demands it, I cannot forbid it.

A pair of black-suited, energy rifle-bearing
skeldhi
imposingly guarded the open doorway. They bowed as Seht passed with Victoria at his left heel.

Seht’s expression became grim.
One more thing -- do not panic if we are separated.

Victoria’s breath caught in her throat.
Separated?

Victoria felt a cold shiver. Muzzles? Handlers? This was not sounding promising at all.

Seht stopped before a second pair of guards standing before a pair of ornate steel-bound doors. The guards bowed and pulled the doors open.

Seht strode forward.
Make me proud, Victoria.

Yes,
‘Syr. She strode after him.

Seht marched through what seemed to be a small audience chamber. Golden light spread high against the ceiling from amber glass sconces. Deep shadows pooled on rich carpeting.

A
skeldhi
in long graceful robes bowed. A ribbon loosely bound his long silver mane, and it swung over his shoulder. “I am Tehut, and I bid you welcome,
Deshryt
Seht.” He didn’t even glance at Victoria. “You are expected.”

Seht returned the bow. “Thank you,
A’syr.”

“This way, please.” The
skeldhi
turned and walked toward yet another set of double doors.

Victoria followed Seht and watched the
skeldhi’s
graceful form with interest.
A’syr
meant something close to honored sir, or mister. This was probably a high-level servant, like a butler. She sighed. At least it wasn’t another lord. As far as she was concerned, she’d met enough
skeldhi
lords for today.

They walked through the doors and into a broad circular room set with leather couches and low tables of black glass. War banners and exotic tapestries in jewel-toned silks covered the walls. Art objects from all corners of the known universe sat on small tables in strategic corners.

“I see you still have your
rehkyt.”

Seht and Victoria turned to see Lord Syrhus stride barefoot into the room, clad in long robes of midnight green brocade trimmed and bound at the waist in black silk. His beaded mane swung loose to his hips. The blue band on his brow gleamed.

Victoria dropped to her knee without being asked. She did not want this man’s attention if she could avoid it.

Seht tilted his head at Lord Syrhus.
“Mahfeht’syr
Ehru did make an impressive offer.”

“Then he awarded you the steel?” Lord Syrhus’s smile was chilling on his scarred face.

Seht raised a cool brow. “Of course.”

“Ah! Then you’ll be needing this.” Lord Syrhus tossed something toward Seht. It jingled as it flew.

Seht caught it neatly in a gloved hand. A short silvery chain with links big enough to put her finger through dangled from his hand.

Victoria felt the hair on her neck rise. It was a chain collar.

Seht frowned at the small flat tag hanging from the end. “This is my personal insignia. I’m honored,
Atehf.”

Lord Syrhus nodded. “I meant for it to be a gift when you caught your trouble-maker.” He shrugged. “It will do for this one.”

She felt Seht’s hand on her shoulder and looked up.

“Stand.”

“How you succeeded in making two prime
rehkyt
still amazes me.”

Victoria stood. Seht nudged her chin higher. She felt the chill coolness of metal close around her throat. Weight pressed against her neck. This collar was not the fine delicate gold of a pleasure pet, but the heavy steel chain of a pet that required restraining. This chain could actually choke her at the end of a leash.

There was a subtle click. “I do not see why you are so surprised. All of my sire’s
rehkyt
were prime. It’s practically tradition among my family.”

“Your brother’s are not.”

Victoria started. Seht had a brother?

Seht’s eyes narrowed sharply. Anger thrummed across the telepathic link, though his expression was cool. “My brother is of a different sire.”

“Oh, yes…” Lord Syrhus bowed. “Please forgive my rudeness,
Deshryt.”

Seht bowed. “Of course,
Atehf.”

Seht nodded. “You assume correctly,
Atehf.”

Seht lifted his chin. “She is not voice-trained, so she does not have speech capabilities. I would not wish a misunderstanding to occur when she does not vocally respond.”

Lord Syrhus barked out a short laugh. “No wonder she’s so silent!”

Seht turned to look at him with a sarcastic lift of his brow. “I recalled that you did not appreciate
rehkyt
speaking at all.”

Lord Syrhus snorted. “Not in public, no. Privately is another matter. I’m assuming that you are using the telepathic link?”

Seht nodded. “To keep track of her emotional state. She is a prime, and subject to occasional bouts of temper.”

Victoria shot Seht a hard glance.

Lord Syrhus chuckled. “I see.”

Commanding the center wall of the room, directly across from the door, stood a small wood frame atop a low ornately-carved black lacquered chest of drawers. Tall, gleaming black and featureless boxes framed it on either side.

Victoria tilted her head. The frame on top of the chest looked like an ornate coat stand.

“The frame is for my armor. The boxes on either side are my personal trunks from the
Raptor.”
Seht gestured toward a door on the far left just past the table. “That door leads to the facility.” He waved toward the curtains. “That is the bedchamber.”

Victoria frowned.
The boxes are from the
Raptor?
How did they get here?

Seht chuckled. “You were at the front of the line. You didn’t see the baggage carriers.”

Victoria’s brows lifted.
They weren’t on the tram with us either.

“They were secured in the back compartment. My cousin’s staff is very efficient.” He swept the cape from his shoulders and grinned. “Come, time to remove my armor.”

Seht nodded. “Now my skin-suit.”

Victoria reached for his buckles. She peeled it from his skin and his rich scent filled her nose. Her core began a steady, hungry pulse. First her temper went ballistic, and now this… Victoria bit her lip, determined to gain control over her body’s urges. Sweat tricked down between her breasts inside her suit.

Seht took a deep breath. “Smells like your needs have finally caught up with you.” He caught her shoulders, and pressed two fingers to the pulse in her throat. “Your heart rate is up.” He pressed his hand to her brow. “Your temperature is up, too.”

Victoria ducked out from under his hands, knelt and tugged the suit free of his feet, refusing to answer. She would control this, damn it…

“You can’t, you know.
Rahyt,
the blood-rage, makes you crave both blood and sex. It’s why your body is rising in temperature. You need food and fucking.”

Terrific…
Kneeling on the floor, Victoria looked up to see his erections swaying only inches from her lips. She could smell the rich perfume of his arousal. The craving to take him into her mouth made her heart thump and her hands tremble. Moisture filled her crotch. She closed her eyes in an attempt to think past the burning in her core.
I didn’t feel this lust last time, after I killed those two men.

Seht snorted. “Exhaustion curbed your immediate appetite for sex, but not blood. That’s why you ate nearly three whole steaks. If you recall, the lust was there when you woke up.”

Victoria flinched. So was the need for blood, or rather the smell of it. She took a breath to keep her groan from escaping.
I have to control this…

“You are a prime. Most never learn to control their sexual appetite.” He sighed. “Take off your suit. I have to do something about your needs before I take you near the others.”

Victoria’s blood surged with carnal anticipation. She stood and her hands flew to her suit’s buckles. She deliberately slowed her motions. She would not let her appetite control her actions.
I can control myself around others.

Seht walked over to the chest on the right. “If you get desperate enough, you will spread for anyone.”

Victoria let her growl escape.
I will not have sex with anyone but you, damn it. And Ravnos.

Seht chuckled. “If you are left too long, you won’t be able to stop yourself. I’ve seen prime males kneel to another male just to gain relief from their need.”

We’ll just see about that.
She pulled off her boots then turned around with her suit in her hand.
I can take care of my own needs if it gets that bad.

Seht snorted. “I wouldn’t try it. Masturbation only makes it worse.” He pulled a small tube from the top drawer of the chest and squirted gel onto his palm. “Don’t worry, I have no intention of letting you go that long.” He rubbed the gel on both cocks.

Victoria found herself fascinated with the view of his hands stroking his firm lengths.

Seht turned and reached back into the drawer. He pulled out a long slender wand with a broad flat end. He swung the wand. It whistled through the air with vicious intent. He turned to face her and smiled. “Come over here and put your hands on the top of this chest.”

Victoria eyes the wand with trepidation.
Is that a whip?

“Yes.” Seht swatted his palm. The whip gave out a sharp slap. “It won’t cut your skin, or even hurt all that much.”

Victoria inched toward him and swallowed hard.
You’re going to beat me?

“Then I’m going to fuck you.” He lifted his chin, eyeing her hesitant steps. “If you don’t get over here right now, I’ll bite you first and then it
will
hurt.”

Victoria dropped her suit on the floor and moved. She set her hands on the chest. The top was about even with her breasts.

Seht positioned her hands with her forearms resting outstretched on the top, then had her stand further back. “Keep your head down and your ass up.” He grabbed the braid at the back of her neck, pressing her down against the chest.

Victoria closed her eyes.
What the hell did I do to deserve this?

“Oh, lots of little things, but the truth is, I’ve been wanting a chance to properly crop your ass since I had you across my lap for the other spanking.”

Victoria stilled.
What?
She heard a whistle. The sharp retort of a slap startled her. Fire blazed across her left butt-cheek.
Bloody Fate!
She clamped her jaw and writhed. Seht’s hand in her hair kept her firmly in place. A fresh spat of warm moisture pooled and slid down her thighs.
What the hell?

Seht chuckled. “You’re dripping.”

Victoria clenched her hands on the top of the trunk.
I noticed.

“Relax, it’s normal. Pain and pleasure are linked, especially in a
rehkyt.”

You’re saying that I want to be beaten?
The crop whistled again. The slap seemed louder. Fire traced across her other ass cheek. A gasp exploded from her lips.
Ow, shit…
Her core clenched with alarming strength, and she groaned. The pain wasn’t really all that bad, but her body’s sexual response to it caught her completely off guard. Her body did want to be beaten… and fucked.

“Correct. Now relax and enjoy your beating.”

Enjoy it?
Victoria shook her head.
That is not normal! No one enjoys pain!@

Whistle…crack!
Fire traced across the opposite cheek. She choked and writhed from the ravenous need that coiled within her.

Seht snorted. “You do…”

Whistle…crack!
Burn… She gasped then arched her back. Her core clenched hard. A moan escaped her lips.

“You are designed…”

Whistle…crack!
Burn… She gasped and squeezed her thighs together, but the pulsing, clenching ache refused to be relieved. A small whimper escaped.

“To need…”

Whistle…crack!
Burn… Her core throbbed, a mouth begging to be filled. She couldn’t stop the soft sounds of distress that surged from her throat.

“Pain and sex.”

A torrent of sharp blows fell so fast she couldn’t count them. Lines of fire erupted all over her back, her ass and her thighs. The ache in her core became unbearable. She screamed.
Fuck me, damn you!

“That’s what I wanted to hear.” His hand swept across the red welts he’d made.

Victoria arched, gasping with hunger.

He groaned. “You have no idea how beautiful you are with the mark of my whip on your skin.”

Victoria shoved back from the trunk.
Fuck me! I can’t take this…

Seht shoved her back onto the trunk, and then wrapped his arm around her, pressing against her spine. He tugged her head back by the grip in her hair. “I’ll fuck you when I’m damn good and ready, pet.” His hot mouth opened against her throat and his tongue lapped over the pulse.

Victoria gasped in his hold. His rigid erections felt hot against her spine even as his hips felt cool against her burning butt. His tongue felt hot against her pulse. Whimpers escaped from her throat.
Please, please…

He growled and his teeth scored her lightly.

She stilled in alarm. If he bit her, her violent need would only increase.

He drew back and kissed her throat. “When I am ready.” He slid his hand down her belly then delved lower to cup her mons. His finger explored her damp and ready flesh.

Victoria moaned, and bucked in his palm, delirious with raging urgency.

He tugged her away from the chest and released her. “Get down on the floor, on your back and spread.”

Victoria dropped to the floor and pulled up her knees, spreading wide. The stinging up and down her back as she lay on the rug whetted her appetite. She lifted her hips in invitation under his hot blue gaze.

“Good pet.” He knelt between her splayed thighs then leaned over her. Both of his erections jutted rigidly and curved toward his belly, the heads purple and engorged with intent. He licked his lips. “Put your hands above your head.”

Victoria raised her hands.

“Keep them there.”

A shimmer went through her augmentation.
Huh?
Victoria wiggled her fingers, but her hands refused to budge.
Damn it, what…?

Seht leaned closer and covered her lips with his. His tongue surged into her mouth and took possession.

She moaned, parrying his tongue with her own.

He pulled back, and grinned. He lifted her thighs over his arms, and pulled.

Victoria gasped, startled. Stretched tight by her immovable hands, she arched, her backside lifting from the floor. His primary cock nudged the folds of her cunt, pressing hard for entry.

“Now I fuck you.”

She writhed against his firm heat and he slid within. They both groaned. His secondary cock pressed against the tight rose of her anus.

“Open for me.”

Victoria pushed outward to receive him. She gasped as he stretched her tight muscles and forged deep.

He groaned. “You have a nice, tight, fuckable ass.”

Victoria twisted and groaned. Delicious fullness… Stretched taut, filled with cock, and desperate for a hard ride, she panted in anticipation.

He pulled back, and thrust.

Exquisite possession, fierce fullness…
Fate, yes!
Breath exploded from her lips and she bucked, eagerly.
More!