Chapter Fourteen
Hot. Hungry. Hard.
Blaze was blinded by need, almost mindless, desperate by the time he got to his room. He tumbled onto the bed and then unleashed both of his cocks, they were wine-dark, and ravenous, pulsing with unquenched desire. He could feel the blood throbbing through the veins, beating a rhythm, a fierce need.
But which should he relieve first?
This problem had a two-fisted solution, but not just yet.
He was already on edge, panting from the tease earlier, and Blaze knew he wouldn’t last long. What was it about Molly that robbed him of control?
Blaze had a quick fap whenever he needed a release, and there wasn’t a willing woman around, but this was ridiculous. He’d never been so on edge. He was tortured by the thought of Molly in her room, wet and ready for him. It would be so easy to creep upstairs, talk her into letting him in.
And yet, he wanted to resist temptation. Had to, more like.
He lived for the pleasures of the flesh, craved sensation, and the release of skin on skin contact. Denying himself was a torment, so Blaze did the only thing he could, he had to satisfy himself. He stripped off all of his clothes and laid down on the covers.
Blaze lost himself in sensation.
He ran a hand down his body. Blaze started at his mouth, running the pad of his thumb over his lips, and then down his chin. He felt the scratchy hair along his jaw, the angular planes of his face, the slope of his neck, and the hollow of his throat. Blaze could feel the collar bones, jagged beneath his fingertips.
He knew the climax would be spectacular.
And then his hand slid down further, over the ridges of his abdominal muscles, and along the trail of hair which ended at his balls.
His cocks were swollen, distended, the skin stretched tight, as though it could barely contain him. With a sigh, Blaze took himself in hand. His upper cock was larger, longer, and wet for want of her. He stroked slowly at first. All the while, his smaller dick pulsed consistently, begging for his attention.
Blaze ignored it—one prick at a time.
He fondled himself, starting slow, and then growing harsher, clenching his teeth, hips arching off the bed as he strained.
Just before he climaxed, Blaze stopped.
Finally, he gripped his other cock, simultaneously pumping himself, heels digging into the mattress for leverage.
In his mind's eye, he was inside Molly, had her legs spread wide, and thrust deep inside her ripe, swollen quim. Her head was thrown back, eyes closed in ecstasy. She was fully in the moment, wanting every thrust.
Blaze moaned.
Come leaked from both heads, and he used the moisture, slathering it around. The friction was driving him insane, and he was almost there—on the edge of coming. He needed the release badly, but it was merely an appetizer, a distraction from the real thing.
Sooner or later Molly would be his. Completely.
Blaze called her name, thrust once, thrust twice and with a wail, Blaze came, shooting his seed all over his chest and hips.
***
“How’s Vixen?”
Blaze asked the question as he boarded the shuttle. He refused to let Molly down, and he hoped her problem had a simple solution, which is why he’d dropped by to visit Link, font of information.
He’d woken up invigorated by the release last night, masturbating had taken the edge off his hunger, sated him for a time.
Although he couldn’t wait for the next step in this courtship.
Courtship? Where’d that thought come from?
Link scowled.
“Wait. Are you angry?” Blaze had never seen an irritated expression on the android’s face before, and it was alarming.
“I’m annoyed, yes.”
“Why?”
“When I was performing a round of diagnostic tests on myself, Vixen turned me on.”
Blaze chuckled. “Is this some sort of euphemism?” Perhaps he should’ve knocked before he entered the ship. There’s no telling what he might’ve walked in on.
“No, I mean my emotive center, she switched it on.” Link laid a hand on either side of his head, and shut his eyes, as though pained.
“I see, and you can’t shut it off?” Blaze sat down next to him at the controls and swiveled his chair around to face Link.
“No, I’ve tried several times, but nothing has worked.”
“She appears to be quite determined.” Blaze couldn’t help but be amused, despite his friend’s discomfort. He’d always thought it was foolish for Link to plod through his days, without experiencing anything real.
“I do not find it amusing.” He glowered.
“I’m sorry.”
“No, you are not, but you did not come here to mock me. What is the purpose of your visit?”
Hmm, Link with feelings is kind of an arse.
“Very well, I’ll get to the point. Do you know of a humanoid species capable of possessing a host body?”
Link shook his head. “I have never heard of one, but it is a possibility.”
“Would you check for me?”
With a nod, Link shut his eyes, searching his inner database once more.
He nodded. “I have found one notable entry. There is a consortium of beings who have the capability, called The Intellective.”
“A consortium?” Blaze had never heard of them, which wasn’t surprising since he spent the vast majority of his time on the front lines or in the arena.
“Yes, a collection of humanoid species who have been working together on a scientific, and cultural revolution. Together, they have formed a matrix of minds, all interconnected like a living, breathing computer.”
“What kind of revolution?” In his experience, those were always chaotic and fraught with unintended consequences.
“According to their manifesto, they seek the best minds in the galaxy, but from my understanding, they take volunteers. Their ranks include famous scientists and artists, and people from other fields who have donated their minds to The Intellective.”
“For what purpose…?”
“They are trying to escalate their evolution. The Intellective desire to become beings without form.” He nodded. “A worthy endeavor.”
Blaze didn’t understand the impulse at all, but then again he was a sensual creature, at home in his own body. Why would anyone sacrifice those pleasures? The sweetness of vine-ripened fruit? The slide of satin against one’s skin? The mingling of two hungry mouths?
But I digress.
Blaze shifted uncomfortably in his chair. Perhaps he was thinking about getting his hands on Molly once more.
“Are they on Earth?”
Another long pause, as he checked.
“They have come here to harvest superior brainpower for their collective.”
“And the Parliament signed off on this?”
Some species intended to collect earthly humans for all sorts of nefarious purposes. For example, the Venalians had a thriving business providing concubines throughout the galaxy, preying upon backwater planets, and offering women “employment” on other faraway worlds, but in actuality, they made slaves of them. And sometimes, they outright abducted women, especially on Tertiary worlds like Earth.
“According to official records, they are here on an officially sanctioned salvage mission.”
Molly mentioned something about her mother being a celebrated scientist. In other words, just the sort of person The Intellective was looking for. Perhaps Molly had been right all along, and her mother was no longer in control of her own body.
“Any idea how the Intellective controls a person?”
“I am not privy to their technology, but the host no longer regulates motor functions, higher reasoning, and they shut off emotional responses as well, which is a wise decision. Their declaration of intent references delta brain waves.”
At least now, he had a starting point. “Any idea how we’d find out if an earthly human has been possessed?” Blaze couldn’t think of a better term.
“Perhaps you could detect an excess of delta waves, using a neural scanner.”
“Excellent suggestion.”
“What are your intentions, Blaze?”
“If Molly’s mother has been taken, I’ll free her from their influence.”
He gave an exasperated sigh. “It is an unwise course of action.”
“I know, but I’m going to do it anyway. Will you tell Mydon?”
Link pressed a palm to his forehead. “If you’d asked me prior to my emotional awakening, the answer would have been yes.”
“And now?”
“I would feel…guilty for betraying your confidence.” His lips pinched together.
“Guilt is an excellent motivator.” Blaze stopped by the shuttle doors. “Where would I find a scanner?”
“In the medical bay, but I strongly advise against it.” Link turned to face him. “The Intellective could approach the Parliament about your interference. What if you compromise our mission?”
“Then so be it.” Although, Blaze doubted it would come to that. Surely, he could handle this matter discretely.
“I do not understand you Knights. You make rash, risky decisions.”
“If you keep your emotions on, you’ll understand soon enough.”
***
“Do you have a moment?” Faro asked.
“No.”
Blaze wanted to take a hot shower before he spoke with Molly. He’d just finished working. Blaze planned on going to her mother’s house this evening with the scanner to get to the bottom of their mystery, and he didn’t have time for his brother’s tomfoolery.
“Too bad, you’ll talk to me anyway.” Faro grasped his arm, and towed Blaze in the direction of the tavern. “Come along, brother, it’s time we had a chat.”
“I have other plans.”
“You can delay them.” His tone brooked no argument.
“Fine, but make haste.”
“What’s this all about?” Blaze asked after they’d arrived.
They’d taken a table in the corner so their conversation wouldn’t be overheard. Blaze already knew he wasn’t going to like it. Faro had a somber expression, which didn’t bode well. At his brother’s request, a waitress brought them a pitcher of ale and two frosted mugs.
Faro had blond hair and blue eyes. And up until he’d found his mate, Amy, the two of them had many a wild night with fair maidens on Iradia. Yet, Blaze didn’t feel nostalgic about their exploits.
“I’m not one for dawdling, so I’ll make my point straightaway—Molly.”
He gritted his teeth. “What about her?”
“Crispin spoke with me yesterday, and—”
“Why doesn’t he mind his own bloody business? I ought to run him through.”
Blaze pictured spearing Crispin’s shoulder with a shiny sword, and it made him smile. The busybody had been prodding him to use his powers and now he was interfering with Blaze’s relationships.
“Nevertheless, as the only mated Drakeborne Knight, I feel obligated to offer you some advice.”
“Molly isn’t my mate.”
“So you’ve said, but we both know she is.”
“I’m not interested in discussing this with you.” He’d had enough of his brothers’ interference. Blaze would live his life any way he saw fit.
“Fine, I’ll talk and you listen. Amy is the best thing that ever happened to me. Molly is a woman of worth too, and you’d be lucky to have her at your side. If fate or luck or chance, put her in your path, be grateful for the generosity and take her as your mate.”
“I don’t disagree, but I’d make a poor mate. The problem is me, not her.”
“I don’t share your opinion. You have many faults, however—”
“Thanks.”
“You didn’t let me finish. I’m flawed, too, but the mate bond transcends all of those. Together, you’ll be stronger than on your own. You’ll be made one—heart, head, and spirit.”
Blaze didn’t know what to make of his impassioned plea. He’d never seen Faro so zealous about anything.
“And what about my power? What if I get angry with her and lose control?”
The last time he’d cared for someone so much, he almost hadn’t survived the loss. Blaze was afraid to take Molly as a mate, and unleash all of those uncontrollable drake emotions.
Faro laid a hand on his shoulder. “Brother, you need to conquer your fear, accept your responsibility, and go forth. Don’t stay mired in the past.”
“That’s the third time someone’s offered me the same advice.”
“Then you’d best take it.” Faro stood. “I’ll allow you to pay for my ale, since I gave you such wise counsel.” He slapped Blaze on the back. “I’d best be getting home to Amy.”
And then Faro took off for the inn.
Blaze drank the rest of his beer and contemplated Faro’s words.
What if it really was time to leave his past behind? He’d be foolish not to accept a second chance.