Chapter Four
What the Ancient’s was going on here? First the humans decreased the oxygen in her transporter, causing her to almost be smothered to death. By which, would have not been a good way to die. It had been bad enough their little stunt had caused her to pass out, but to awaken with blasters aimed at her head—well, that had been unacceptable and just plain rude.
What had she ever done to them?
The human who called himself JB had frisked her then pushed her in a room that was as cold as a block of ice. And to make matters worse, he expected her to sleep on the floor. She had taken one look at the crumbled mass of blankets and wondered why JB hadn’t offered her the bed. Too exhausted to do anything but sleep, she had crawled into the unmade bed instead.
Only to be awakened by a groping human.
She should have screamed. Fought. Tried to get away.
But she hadn’t done any of that…
A warm rush of heat spread across her face. He’d touched her and she had touched him back.
She had allowed herself to indulge in this stranger’s flesh, play with the fine hairs on his chest, his nipples and…
She could still remember vividly how he had felt in her hand. His shaft had been so hard but yet so soft. She had touched, stroked and tasted his nectar. She had displayed herself so wantonly. Her body had betrayed her on the most intimate level.
She should have pushed him off. She shouldn’t have let him caress her as he had, nor put his lips on her. She had responded, wanting and needing his touch. Tissues swelled that had never reacted to a male. She had wanted him in more ways than one, in her mouth and inside her.
His malehood had been big. Too big. Would it fit inside her? She would have tried.
Sa’Mya chewed on her lower lip. Males and females mated all the time. It was supposed to fit. Wasn’t it?
Maybe she should ask Nebin when she saw him, just to be sure. She scowled. No, not him. He would reprimand her for thinking of such things. While he allowed her to indulge with females, he would kill any male who thought to touch her. She was to remain pure until she mated.
If she mated. Which would never happen if Uncle Umar got a hold of her.
Moira? No, she had never seen her assistant remotely interested in males or females. Yazmine? Yes, Yazmine would explain male-female coupling.
Next time she would know what was expected of her. But why had he stopped? While she had, against her better judgment, been a more than willing participant?
Oh, he had been expecting someone else.
Sa’Mya winced at the memory.
Maybe she shouldn’t have struck him?
What am I thinking? That human is holding me captive, for Ancients’ sake. Sa’Mya shook her head in disgust.
Her breath caught in her throat. They had missed the transport. Now how were they going to get to Prysvinta and far from Uncle Umar’s grasp? These humans didn’t even know what they’d done. Her and Nebin were going to exchange her trunk full of jewels in Prysvinta for safe passage to an undisclosed location. It was also where they planned to part ways with Moira. Sa’Mya and Nebin were going to finally be free. If she was forced to stay in this system, her uncle would surely find them now.
Or would he?
She doubted Moira had been able to get a message to her uncle about what had happened before they had been caught. While aboard the transporter, Nebin had sat next to her the entire trip. He hadn’t allowed Moira the opportunity to be alone at the helm at all.
This could work out in my favor.
Uncle Umar wouldn’t find her on this vessel. This would be the perfect place to hide.
Sa’Mya pressed the hard, small, round indentation on the back of her hand. The current date and time on Laconia projected directly above her hand. The time-keeper read twenty-one rotations until her twenty-fifth birth cycle. She would need to stay out of sight until then. Everything would be fine.
Sa’Mya relaxed onto the pillows. This could work out better than anything she and Nebin could have ever planned. She wouldn’t give these humans any information about her or her home world. But what of the others? How would they fare under Captain Kane’s interrogation? The only person she would need to worry about was Moira.
Sa’Mya narrowed her eyes in thought. The captain of this vessel held them hostage, that meant the likelihood that they were allowed access to outside lines were most likely nil.
Sa’Mya smiled.
He could keep her here for twenty-one rotations. In fact, when he returned Sa’Mya planned to asked for a private cabin with adjoining rooms for Moira, Yazmine and Nebin.
At least that would put an end to all these thoughts she had about him. Had she been seriously thinking about giving herself to a human? She shook her head.
What he had started would never be completed. Yazmine would be more than willing to satisfy those urges within her. Separate quarters would provide the distance she needed.
She scanned the room. I hope the room he gives me is in better shape than this.
Not that she’d expected his room to be in the same league as her royal rooms back on Laconia or even the suite of rooms that Taio had given her access to on Sonis. Since she was traveling the Universe now, she’d expected to stay in unsavory places, even planned for it, but she hadn’t properly prepared herself for it.
The room lacked…a woman’s touch. Bland, dark and depressing it was.
The small storage closet on the right wasn’t big enough to hold her undergarments. The dinette table and chairs to the left appeared peasant made. She assumed the door in front of her was a tiny bathroom.
Her eyes landed on the rectangular panel with rows of buttons on it by the door.
Communication panel.
She released the grip she held on the blanket. She pushed it to the side and slipped to the edge of the bed.
Finding her courage, she stood, keeping a watchful eye on the door. He hadn’t said anything about her leaving. She needed to speak with Nebin regarding the change in her plans.
As she walked, her bare feet padded across the cold, hard floor. She went straight to the door. She stood in front of it and waited for it to automatically open. It didn’t.
She focused her attention on the communication panel, looking for the button that would release her from her prison. She selected the emergency door release with a slender, manicured nail.
The door clicked but remained closed. She scrunched her brows. It should have opened. She stepped in front of it, but the door didn’t budge.
He trapped me in here.
The thought slammed into her.
The familiar feelings of being confined rose within her veins. It started off as a slow trickle in the pit of her stomach then would soon spread like a weed throughout her body until the feeling strangled her and she couldn’t breathe, think or react. The anxiety would control her.
She closed her eyes and steadied her breathing. She counted slowly, concentrating on the sound of her voice, doing all the techniques that Nebin had taught her.
She was used to being in locked rooms. Uncle Umar preferred her in locked rooms. At first he pretended that it was in her best interest. He told her that it was for her “safety”, then he stopped lying all together. He wanted to control her.
He also liked to watch her from the camera he had mounted in her room, struggling with claustrophobic anxiety attacks. He never hid his laughter. His mocking was loud and clear on the speakers.
I will not fall apart in front of this human.
She tried to remain calm. She took a moment to compose herself. Sa’Mya glanced up. Nothing there. But while she didn’t see any camera’s she didn’t doubt that any weren’t there. She eyed the communication panel again.
Open-channel, just what I need.
“Send Moira, Yazmine and Nebin to my personal quarters.” No matter what, she would not show any weakness. She wouldn’t let these humans know how rattled she was.
Silence.
Sa’Mya pressed the button again. “Humans, I require assistance from my aides. Send Moira, Yazmine and Nebin to my personal quarters immediately.” She released the button and waited.
A beep came from the intercom. “Princess. Do not, under any circumstances, give orders to my crew. Touch another button and I will tie you to the bed. Sit your ass down and wait for me to return.”
“Where are my clothes?” she said calmly. What she really wanted to ask was where was her trunk of jewels. After all this was over her and Nebin might still need them.
Sa’Mya stepped from the panel and surveyed the room again. What had that human done with all of her belongings? When they’d escaped she’d only been able to bring enough clothes to fit inside one chest and the other chest she’d filled with precious jewels. She hadn’t intended to bring the jewelry at all, it had been Nebin’s idea and it had proved fruitful.
“I’m not going to tell you again. Get away from the communication panel. What? You don’t want to wear that fancy gown anymore?”
She looked down at her gown. It was full of wrinkles and had a stain positioned near her stomach. Heat rushed up her cheeks as she remembered exactly where’d she gotten that stain from. She wanted the dress off, the sooner she could change, the sooner she could forget about her momentary lapse in judgement.
She pushed away from the door. She was locked in the room and there was no point in kicking, screaming or begging to be let out. When she’d begged her uncle it only seemed to make him meaner…uglier.
No.
She wouldn’t go that route.
She made her way to the port view and peered out as the light of stars and unknown planets whizzed by. She didn’t recognize the cluster of planets, which must be a good thing. She would be happy as long as they were nowhere near Laconia.
The door slid open. And even though her heart seemed to drop to her stomach, she raised her chin high. She watched in silence as Kane entered with another male following. She recognized the second from the previous night. But she didn’t have eyes for him.
Her gaze was set on the captain.
Kane’s pants hung low on his waist while the formfitting shirt molded to all the lines of his lean, muscular body. He was quite appealing, even for a human. His light-colored hair reminded her of the pillowed feathers of a flose bird. His green eyes were the same color of the Lo’Casta Sea that sat on the northern hemisphere of Laconia. Past his wide shoulders, his flat stomach tapered to narrow hips and well-defined long legs.
Kane paused just inside the door. His cold gaze briefly flickered to her. She glared at him and watched as he stomped across the floor.
“This is for you.” He dropped a tray of food on the table. A glass of orange liquid tilted precariously to its side. He must have brought everything from the food storage unit and tried to fit it on the tray.
When Uncle Umar wanted her cooperation, whether it was for a signature here, or a meeting with a dignitary there, he also came bearing gifts. Usually he came with expensive jewelry or pretty gowns, but Sa’Mya recognized a bribery when she saw one.
She ignored the food offering.
Kane shrugged his indifference. “This is Ryan.” Kane nodded to the man beside him. “He’s going to translate for me.”
“Where is Nebin? Can I please speak with him?” she asked Ryan as calmly as she could.
Ryan turned to Kane. “She’s asking about the guard. She wants to talk to him.”
“He’s sleeping off the tranquilizer,” Kane said.
She pursed her lips. So that’s how they separated Nebin from me. She tried to control her anger. “Have you harmed him?”
“He’s unharmed,” Ryan said.
She swallowed. “What of Moira and Yazmine? Why are we separated? Please send them and my belongings at once.”
“Now she’s asking about the females that were with her,” Ryan translated.
“I don’t care what she’s asking for,” Kane replied. Then, addressing her, Kane asked, “What planet are you from?”
She stared at him. Had he dismissed her question?
“Will your planet pay for your safe return?”
Good. The others hadn’t given him any information. She bit back the urge to laugh. Of course my uncle would pay to get me back. He can’t rule my planet without me.
Sa’Mya nodded once.
“That was a yes,” Ryan said.
Kane rolled his eyes. “Thank you, captain obvious. I could understand that. At least we got one answer out of her.”
She narrowed her eyes at Kane. “I request you move me into a separate room, big enough to accommodate me and my aides.”
Ryan choked then laughed as he relayed her message to the captain.
With his eyebrows pulled together tight, Kane asked Ryan, “Did you hit her in the head when you captured her? Does she realize that she’s our hostage?”
Ryan frowned in thought. “Well, she was out cold when we got to her. And we did have to decrease their oxygen levels.” Ryan cradled his chin. “Hmm, maybe we botched this job and decreased it too far.”
Sa’Mya snapped to attention. “How dare you! I am not addle-brained.”
Why was he talking to her like she was the stupid one? It wasn’t her species that’d been invaded by the Loconuist. What was the first objective to any planetary security system? Defend your home planet against a Loconuist attack. Those scavenging fiends traveled from galaxy to galaxy, enslaving the inhabitants and stripping every lower-class planet of its natural resources. No one in this galaxy had dealt with a Loconuist attack in eons.
Stupid humans.
She glanced from Ryan to the captain and back to Ryan again. She flicked a hand in the air. “I’m done with both of you. Leave my presence immediately.”
Kane scrunched his face. “What’s her deal?” he asked Ryan.
“Uh…she told us to leave.”
Kane peered at her with annoyance and crossed his thick biceps over his chest. The thin protective material stretched across his well-defined muscles. “You are a prisoner onboard my vessel. You do not give orders, you receive them. We want you off as soon as possible. This is not the Waldorf Astoria. Now who should we contact?”
She shut her mouth tight. I’m not leaving until I’m ready. You idiots can figure it out for yourselves.
“How much are you worth?” Kane pressed.
She looked away from him, turning up her nose as she stared out the window. As if I would tell you. How stupid do you think I am?
“Look, Princess. If you don’t start talking, I’ll kill the guard.”
No. Kill Nebin?
Her mind clouded with outrage.
She turned slowly to stare at him. Their attention stayed on her as she squared her shoulders. “It is very clear you need me alive. My uncle will pay you whatever you wish for my safe return. But…” She paused to remain composed. “If you so much as touch my guard, you will get absolutely nothing. I will not negotiate. I will have my fleet of vessels track and blow this piece of garbage out of the sky with or without me in it.” She pointed a finger at Kane’s nose. “Do you understand?”
Ryan laughed, seemingly barely able to rein in his amusement as he relayed her message word for word.
Kane’s eyes went from cold to furious, promising retaliation. “Ryan, leave,” Kane seethed. “I’ll take it from here.”
Right then she knew she was in trouble.
“Yes, Cap’n.” Ryan smiled and gave her a short nod.
Sa’Mya watched Ryan as he made his way out of the cabin. Maybe she should request that he stay? Too late. The door slid closed behind him.
She pressed her hands to her sides, resisting the urge to wring them together. Her resolve melted under a stare she refused to meet. Kane moved to stand directly in front of her. His gaze narrowed as she met it. Her heart thumped erratically and her knees knocked together.
Kane’s heavy-lidded eyes roamed up and down her body. Her gown was suddenly too revealing, her neckline too deep. Feeling self-conscious, she crossed her arms, covering her breasts.
“Take your dress off,” he demanded.
She glared at him. She wouldn’t take orders from him.
With deliberate movements, Kane stepped behind her. She stood tall and held her ground. His scent slowly surrounded her. She fluttered her lids closed and inhaled deeply. His male musk ignited all her senses at once. Stars fired within her.
Uneasy, she tried to move. His strong hands grasped her shoulders, holding her in place.
“No, no, no,” he whispered.
He stood so close that his hot breath caressed her neck, causing tingles to erupt there. She suppressed a shiver. She would not give him the satisfaction.
“You can understand me. I said strip. Get naked. Now.” She could feel his lips move against her ear.
“Why?” she asked through clenched teeth.
“Hmm… Now you know I can’t understand you, Princess. Take your clothes off or I’ll call Ryan back.” He stepped closer. His body flush against hers. The hard outline of his shaft pressed on her butt.
Would he…?
“You might actually want two men, or three, or four.” The crassness of his words did not touch his smooth and sensual voice.
The shiver she couldn’t suppress made its way down her spine and to her core. Great Ancients. Her breathing became labored.
He nuzzled into the waves of her hair, inhaling. “From what I hear, your two friends are enjoying my crew. My men can hardly keep them satisfied.”
No, she didn’t believe him. This was a trick. Yazmine might go willingly. But Moira? She inhaled deeper but still couldn’t fill her lungs with enough air.
Kane’s lip on her earlobe jolted her back. “Naked. Now.”