Valan's Bondmate (12 page)

Irritated she could sleep when he was burning for her, he started to wake her and demand she submit to him. Recalling the words she'd screamed at him, and the threat he'd given her, he resisted the temptation. Soon, she'd beg for his touch. He could wait.

Stripping, he slid beneath the blanket and turned his back to her. A cruel smile curved his lips when he felt the heat flowing from her. Her scent drifted to him and he rolled farther away from her determined to teach her a lesson. He focused his thoughts on controlling the burning in his body and eventually won the battle and fell into a restless sleep.

Lia was pale and feverish the next morning when he woke her. He ordered her over to his desk then showed her how to use the intercom. She stood next to him, her hair a beautiful and tempting contrast against the white fur she'd wrapped around herself. He made her repeat the instructions until he was satisfied she understood them and conscious of her condition, he was tempted to relent. He forced himself to ignore her suffering. His pride had taken a severe blow when she'd rejected him and he intended, even demanded she learn this lesson well.

She stumbled back to the bed and fell onto it with a moan. Valan watched her for a moment and then left. He spent the cycle pacing the bridge while he waited for her summons. When it finally came he ordered Cam to take command then hurried from the room, leaving behind a grinning crew. The desperation he'd heard in her voice quickened his pace. Less than a micro-unit later he slammed his hand onto the door to his quarters and it slid open. Before he could step through it a soft, naked body flew into his arms.

"Valan, I need you! Now, now." Lia wrapped her legs around his waist and slid her hands over his chest beneath his vest.

He shrugged it from his shoulders as he slammed his mouth onto hers forgetting they were standing in the open doorway in view of anyone who happened to pass by. Masculine laughter echoed behind them and a hard hand landed on his back and gave him a hard shove. He stumbled forward and the door closed behind them. Lia tightened her legs around him and her moist heat scorched his belly. He grasped her waist and slid her down until she pressed against his cock. He rocked against her and she bit his lower lip. He growled his approval as he unlaced his pants, then placed the head of his cock against her slick folds and rubbed it back and forth.

"Please, please, Valan, I need you."

He braced his legs then forced her down onto him. A shudder of pleasure shook her. Again and again, he lifted her and brought her back down. Each stroke was harder, faster, until she tightened around him and screamed his name in pleasure.

Dropping to his knees, he lowered her to the floor but kept her legs wrapped tightly around him as he thrust into her. He felt her climax around him again and withdrew, then plunged back into her. He set a pounding rhythm until the flames blazed hotter inside him and streaked through his belly. Throwing his head back, he held her hard against him as his seed exploded from his cock and filled her. Even then he kept pumping into her and another orgasm slammed into him as she pulsed around him and came again.

Breathing harshly, he lowered his head to her breasts and nuzzled them. Her hands roved over his back then into his hair as their breathing slowed. He held still for a moment then pulled away and rose to his feet. He stood between her legs as he re-laced his pants. When she moved her legs, he deliberately stepped forward, placing his feet against the inside of her thighs, forcing her legs to remain wide open. Her eyes flew up to his face.

"Now, say you hate my touch."

Enraged, her pride on the line, Lia glared at him. "The fever makes me need your touch, Valan, but I'll never want you. I’ll never call you bondmate."

"Then, you will call me Master."

His words sent a shiver racing through her. Sticking her chin in the air, she silently dared him to make her.

***

Three cycles later, they arrived at the docking station above Zarronia. Lia spent the cycles alone. Only when the fever became unbearable had Valan answered her summons. Immediately afterwards, he'd risen from the bed. As he'd walked away from her, she'd tried to tell him how sorry she was for hurting him. Half-way through her stuttered apology, he'd informed her she'd beg for his forgiveness before he was finished with her.

Memories of how he'd made love to her in the past, then caressed and nuzzled her afterwards, haunted her. Frightened and alone, she'd tried to convince herself he would relent and pardon her. Slowly, as the cycles passed, and he hadn't returned, her hope died.

Now, alone in their quarters she gazed at the aqua colored planet in the distance and worried about his plans for her. In the classes on Zarronian law they'd been told the judicial system used for bondmates and daughters had only one law—females were under the jurisdiction of their fathers and later their bondmates. Their behavior could be judged and disciplined by him alone. On Zhang, her behavior would have earned her a death sentence and she wondered if he was taking her to her death on Zarronia. Tears filled her eyes, and her apprehension grew as she waited for him to come to her.

***

"Commander Eirikson, all of the warriors and their bondmates have been transferred to the surface."

Nodding, Valan acknowledged the warrior's words and undaunted by the anxious eyes following his restless movements he resumed pacing. The cycles hadn't cooled his rage. He'd spent many micro-units in the gymnasium trying to work off his anger. It had helped momentarily, but each time he thought of her and the words she'd screamed at him, his anger returned. Pausing, he settled into a warrior’s stance and stared at Zarronia on the viewing screen.

For several moon phases, he'd refused to agree to take a Wrothian as a bondmate. The arguments with his father had been fierce, but his father had been relentless. Finally, the Council ordered him to comply or face the consequences…the loss of his command and exile. The previous evening his father contacted him but their conversation was brief and tense and he refused to discuss Lia.

Cursing, he rubbed the back of his neck and decided it was time to go to her and carry out the task he'd set for himself. He delegated control of the bridge and exited, unaware of the relieved sighs he left behind.

***

When the doors opened Lia turned away from the window and watched him as he settled at his desk.

"Come here."

She ran to him, but he pushed her away when she would have lowered herself onto his lap.

"No. Stand in front of the desk."

She lowered her eyes and moved around to the front of the desk.

"Look at me." He waited until she obeyed him. "The bonding is done. You share my fever, and will carry my children. You've refused to accept me, as I have been forced to accept you. Being lenient with you has been a mistake. If you displease me again, I will use the bands on you. Do you understand?"

"Yes, Valan," she said, then added, "I’m sorry I hurt you. I’m sor…”

"Be quiet." He reached into a drawer of the desk and brought out a long, woven leather leash with a loop at one end.

Lia saw what he held in his hand and backed away. "Don't, Valan. Please, don't do this to me. Pl…"

"A prisoner does not speak unless commanded to do so." Approaching her, he placed the loop around her neck then roughly grasped her hair and pulled it out from beneath the leather.

When the leather tightened around her neck she tried to pull away but Valan caught her hand and pushed it down to her side. Her eyes flew to his, pleading with him.

"Lower your eyes. A prisoner does not make eye contact unless commanded to do so." He wrapped the end of the leash around his hand and led her from the chamber.

Dag Bjornson was on duty in the transfer-room when they entered. Valan led her to the transfer pad then pointed to the spot he wanted her to stand and a few seconds later they arrived on Zarronia.

The transfer station was crowded to overflowing with warriors and Valan knew they were there to take a look at the daughter of Selik ad-San. They opened a path for him as he led her through them. 

Lia glanced at the warriors who closed in behind her. Hard, callused fingers touched her while threatening words were hissed into her ears. Shivering, terrified, she fought to close the growing gap between her and Valan. The loop around her neck tightened with each step he took.

Valan turned and scowled at the warriors until they moved back. He led her from the building where Cam and an older man greeted him then fell into step on either side of him. Lia had to run to keep up with them.

"Father," Valan said. "I didn't expect you to meet me."

"Valan, it's good to see you returned safely. How was your journey? Any trouble?"

"More trouble than you can imagine."

"Did you have to do this to her, Valan?"

"She must learn her place."

"She is your bondmate!"

"She refused to accept me."

"The bonding?"

"Has taken place. She refuses to obey me."

"Valan, the Council has been informed of her identity. Already there are demands for her judgment. A few are even demanding her death! When word of your treatment of her reaches the Council the demands will increase."

"She is my bondmate. Only I have the right to discipline her."

"Normally, the Council would not interfere with a warrior's bondmate, but think who she is, Valan. If the Council believes you have no feelings for her, they might give into the demands and order her judgment. Perhaps even her death."

"I will kill any warrior who tries to take her from me."

Lia tried to keep up with Valan but continuously fell behind. She bit her trembling lip and blinked to clear the tears from her eyes. The leather around her neck bit deeper into her skin each time she stumbled, choking her. She clawed at it but couldn't get her fingers beneath it.

Valan's father saw her struggling to loosen the loop around her neck. "She can't keep up this pace much longer, Valan."

Valan ignored him.

"The leather is choking her, Son."

Valan slowed his steps and let the rope in his hand slacken.

"I moved Morna into my house after you left. She claimed you'd told her she could stay with you when you returned," Eirik said.

"She misunderstood. In any case, I might still have need of her."

"You can't intend to keep your bondmate and Morna in the same house, Valan. No Zarronian warrior has a kourtisan after bonding."

"I will."

"I don't think you fully understand the significance of bonding, Valan. You won't want to take another female to your bed just as your bondmate will never want another warrior."

"Won't or can't?" Valan asked.

"Both." Eirik said. "If you still insist on keeping Morna, she will stay in my house."

"Father…"

"You can have one in your home, but not both. Choose."    

Valan jerked on the leash. "This one." He turned to Cam. "Why are you here?"

"When I saw the warriors gathering and heard them talking about her, I thought you might need some help. So, I found Eirik and told him what was happening and we came to meet you."

"When was the last time I needed help in a fight?"

Cam shrugged. "I wanted to be sure." They reached Cam's gate. "I'll see you later, Valan. Bye Eirik."

Valan's father smiled. "Long life to you and your bondmate, Cam. May your sons be fierce and your daughters beautiful."

"Thank you," Cam said then hurried away.

Valan sent his father a puzzled look when he saw him smiling. "What are you planning now, Father?"

"I was thinking about your mother. She was an expert at getting me riled when we were first bonded."

His father's words brought him to an abrupt halt. "You always said she was perfect when I asked about her. Perfect and obedient."

"I never said she was obedient, Valan."

"Well, I thought that's what you meant when you said she was perfect."

"In my heart she was perfect, Son. She was the joy of my life. But, she was rarely obedient."

"I don't remember you ever having to discipline her." Valan resumed their journey.

"By the time you were old enough to understand what was going on we'd managed to work out most of the problems in our bonding."

Busy taking in the scene around her, Lia didn't notice Valan had stopped until she bumped into him. Stumbling, she caught at his arms and their eyes met. He pushed her away and she lowered her eyes to his boots.

"I'll speak with you tomorrow, Father."

Startled to learn the other man's identity, Lia glanced at him and saw his resemblance to Valan. When he caught her glance, she quickly lowered her eyes.

Eirik waited for Valan to introduce them.

Cocking one brow, Valan told him, "This female will not be introduced to her master's family or friends."

Eirik scowled. "Valan, you're going too far."

"You will not interfere between me and my mate."

Nodding curtly, Eirik opened the gate leading to his home and disappeared up the path.

Valan cursed the female behind him. If not for her, he would never have spoken to his father in such a disrespectful manner. Jerking on the strap, he pulled her to the next gate and through the garden surrounding his home.

He'd designed the house to suit his needs. Two stories high, it was a large flat-roofed cylinder made of white stone, with two rows of crystal windows winding around it. The bottom row of windows was separated by the two large doors leading into the interior. A wide path led to the doors, then branched off in either direction, circling the house before it meandered through the garden. The scent of the flowers and plants he'd collected on his many journeys filled the air. His home was usually a peaceful haven. This cycle, he would make it Lia's prison. Without ceremony he led her through the wide doors into the entrance.

***

Pale jade walls extended above their heads and sunlight poured onto them through a crystal skylight. The floor was highly polished white crystal. An arched doorway on the left led into a dining chamber. A similar doorway on the right led into a reception room. A large stairway rose to the second floor.