Chapter Seven

 

 

I awake to a knock on the door.

Blinking, I touch the bed beside me, discovering Kenan long gone; the sheets are cool. Sunlight spills in from the large window, illuminating the entire bedroom in a vibrant yellow-orange glow. Through the lush green trees, I spy the rising sun and a light-blue sky. The white, round ghosts of the twin moons rest beyond the sun.

Another knock sounds.

I sit up and clutch the covers to my chest.

“Come in!” I call, assuming it’s a servant. Kenan surely wouldn’t knock.

Heggal enters, balancing a tray of food in one hand and holding a dress in the other. He smiles and places the tray across my lap. He brushes his hand on my bare shoulder.

You must eat and dress, child. I believe Prince Kenan wants to take you to town.

“Town?” I stare at the blue gown he’s still holding. “A trip to town and I’m to wear that?”

It’s an elegant dress with layers of sheer silk, ribbons adorning the sleeves, and lace trimmings. It’s fancier than the bridesmaid dress I wore for my cousin’s wedding last year, a black-tie event, since Cousin Tammy married a senator’s son from New York, whom she’d met in college.

Another reason my parents had pushed for Harvard. They wanted me to marry well, just like my cousin. If I carved a successful career path in the sciences and married a wealthy man, surely I wouldn’t end up like my brother, sprawled in a pool of blood in a dark alley after a drug deal gone wrong. Ever since I’d spied the ripped up acceptance letter in the trash, my life hasn’t quite been my own.

Heggal hangs the dress over a chair and gives me a pointed look, nodding at my untouched breakfast. I sigh dramatically then take a sip of juice. Flavors explode across my tongue. It’s delicious and tastes similar to orange juice, but I would kill for a cup of coffee right about now. There’s a thin, fried meat reminiscent of turkey bacon, and a cheesy dish that reminds me of quiche. I eat nearly the entire offering before pushing the tray away.

“Thank you, Heggal. It was quite good.” As he approaches to take the tray, I grasp his forearm. “Is breakfast always served in bed?”

Yes, child. Or, in your cage, if you sleep there. But Prince Kenan is an early riser and often skips the morning meal to oversee the goings-on in the towns.

“How close is the nearest town?”

A short walk through the forest. It’s beside the Carmuit Lake. It’s one of five towns on this mountain, and Prince Kenan and his warriors keep order in these five towns.

At my startled look, he continues.

The towns are relatively peaceful, but the prince acts as mediator when a dispute between neighbors arises. On occasion, when a crime has been committed, he serves as a judge, and even as executioner. Since the male humans are finally gone, his warriors will now mostly help repair buildings, homes, and bridges. With only a number of human females left on Tallia, and the Stargazer and Capital Acres destroyed, a time of great peace has arrived. Now Kleaxians can travel and settle anywhere on Tallia they wish, including the continent on which Capital Acres was located. Before their victory against the humans, that continent was entirely claimed by humans.

I release his arm and he takes the tray.

A time of great peace.

I don’t know whether to laugh or cry. Between Capital Acres and the Stargazer, thousands of humans have died for this so-called peace, along with my only way of returning to Earth.

The door slides open, and Heggal departs. Now that I’m alone, I bolt out from under the covers and rush to the window.

I gasp at the sight.

Kenan’s home sits at the top of a high, green mountain. Not far in the distance, I glimpse a sandy shore and what must be the clearest, bluest lake in existence. Boats glide slowly across the water, and there’s a large, busy dock. Beyond the dock rests the town. On the edge of the town, nearest to the trees, there’s a sleek gray ship.

My stomach roils. I can’t be sure, but I think it’s one of the warships that attacked the Stargazer. I return my gaze to the houses, not wanting to dwell on the attack.

Most of the roofs reflect the sun, and I speculate the town runs on solar power. The roofs that don’t reflect the sun are green.

It could be a town on Earth, in fact. My father installed two large solar panels on our roof last summer, while many of our neighbors have green roofs. It was a growing trend and the last I’d heard before leaving Earth, politicians were discussing making it law that at least fifty percent of a homeowner’s roof must be a green roof, with a well-tended garden during the growing seasons, or be covered with solar panels.

But the sun, significantly larger than that of my homeworld, and the twin moons, visible but faded to white in the daytime, hover in the light blue sky, taunting me with the reminder that I’m far from home.

My gaze drops to the gardens surrounding the house. Flowers in every color gleam with morning dew. Large, oval red fruit clings to the shorter trees below. A stone path weaves through the gardens, and several servants tend to the plants. I wonder if the force field is deactivated during the day, partly because I long to go exploring and partly because I’m contemplating running away.

A huge figure emerges from the forest and my heart thumps faster.

It’s Kenan.

He must be returning from his early morning duties. From what Heggal has told me, he takes care of his people. How long has he lived on this mountain? Why are none of his family members with him? Perhaps I should ask Heggal.

Before Kenan can look up and glimpse me standing naked in the window, I turn and rush to the bathroom to prepare for our trip to town. As I shower, I contemplate all Kenan said to me before bed last night. Everything from his declaration that most human females likely had it worse on Tallia than me, in regard to how harshly their Kleaxian mates would treat them, to his announcement he preferred I share his bed rather than make me sleep in the cage.

At least he kept his word last night and didn’t hurt or fuck me again. He kept an arm draped over me, and at several points I awoke to find him spooning me against his chest, but he otherwise left me untouched.

The warm water sprays over my sore breasts as I work a lather of soap on my stomach then reach between my thighs to cleanse any of his remaining seed from my privates. Though I’d showered after he claimed me yesterday, I’d still felt the trickle of his semen escaping down my thighs for hours afterward.

Though my pussy is tender—the numbing salve has worn off—I rub soap between my legs in hopes of preventing pregnancy. It’s a futile attempt, I know, being so many hours since he pumped me full of his seed, but I don’t wish to conceive a child on this strange world. I should have cleansed myself more thoroughly last night, but thoughts of pregnancy hadn’t entered my mind then.

If the opportunity to escape ever arises, I want to leave without any hindrances or second thoughts. A baby would complicate that, not to mention the fact I don’t want to bear a man as cruel as Kenan a child in the first place.

Besides, I’m eighteen years old. Even if circumstances were optimal and I had a kind, loving boyfriend or husband back on Earth, I still wouldn’t be prepared to become a mother. Watching Sheila struggle with an unexpected pregnancy had only reinforced my desire to practice safe sex, after I eventually lost what she humorously referred to as my V card. I miss her jokes and her laughter, and I mourn the inability to call her or pay her a visit.

A sigh escapes me. I’m probably testing Kenan’s patience by taking so long getting ready, so I hurry to finish in the shower and don the elegant gown. It feels odd getting dressed with no undergarments—none have been provided—but, to my delight, the hem falls several inches above my ankles. At least I’ll be able to walk easily wearing it, without it dragging along the ground like the black robe. After towel drying my hair to the best of my ability, I tuck the damp locks behind my ears and depart the bedroom in search of Kenan.

He’s sipping a steaming mug of something that smells suspiciously like coffee on the front patio. As I approach, he frowns at me as if he doesn’t approve of my appearance. I swallow the sudden lump that forms in my throat and resist the impulse to smooth my hair down. I stare at his feet, noticing he’s wearing black boots, but I’m still barefoot. Heggal didn’t provide me with any sort of shoes.

“You kept me waiting quite a while, Laylah.” His scowl deepens and he steps closer.

I eye the dark contents of his mug and take a long inhale. The strong coffee-like aroma momentarily distracts me from his displeasure at my tardiness. I finally return my gaze to his. “I wanted to look nice for our trip to town,” I say in a placating tone. “I’m sorry to have kept you waiting, Kenan.”

“How do you know we’re headed to town?”

“Well, I assumed we were headed to town, since a servant arrived with this beautiful dress,” I reply quickly, chiding myself for the slip of tongue. My heart races.

He glares at me for a lingering moment then finishes the contents of his mug and sets it down on a table. I take a few steps around him in the direction of a stone path winding through the trees, eager to set off on our short journey, but he grabs my arm and growls. “What do you think you’re doing?”

I lift my chin and glare at him. “Well, since I cannot fly over the trees, I thought I’d walk to town.”

My attempt at a joke falls flat.

His eyes narrow to dark-purple slits, and he retrieves something from his pocket. It’s a chain with a leather length attached to it. Oh my God. After several seconds pass, I gasp and start backing away from him.

It’s a leash.

A fucking leash.

If he thinks I’ll consent to being walked through town like a dog, he might as well leave me at home. I have no desire to endure such callous humiliation. Even my curiosity and longing to glimpse the town up close doesn’t tempt me to oblige him.

“A claimed female does not walk ahead of her mate.” He holds the leash up. “A claimed female wears the leather collar around her neck in public and humbly submits to the guidance of her mate. Once a claimed female bears her mate a child, she doesn’t wear the leash anymore, but she still must walk behind her mate as a show of respect. It is the Kleaxian way.”

I shudder and cross my arms. From my interactions with Kenan thus far, I understand there are many rules on this planet that subjugate females, however I never expected him to lead me through town by a chain.

Shaking my head, I lift my chin higher. I’ll not be intimidated into wearing that thing. No matter what.

“I’m not wearing a leash. Absolutely not. I’ll walk behind you, that’s fine, but I’m not putting that thing around my neck.” Glancing through the trees, I wonder if I’m faster on my feet than Kenan. But as they did the last time I considered running from my so-called mate, the fading welts on my breasts tingle, reminding me of how angry he gets when I try to escape him.

Tears prick my eyes and I blink hard, refusing to cry in front of him. I need to stop crying like a fucking baby in his presence. I must learn to hold my tears until the nighttime hours, when I can cry quietly into my pillow after he falls asleep. I’ll never forget the gratifying moan that sounded in his throat when he tasted my tears yesterday. If I can deprive him of one thing he takes pleasure in, I’ll consider it a small victory.

“Laylah, do you want me to treat you the way most Kleaxian males treat disobedient females?”

“Are you threatening to beat me bloody?”

“Trust me, little human, it would only take one such beating to make you forever compliant.” He places the leash next to his empty mug and grasps my chin hard. “Are you going to wear the collar?”

Sunlight glints off the intricate loops of the chain. The breeze picks up and stirs my hair around my shoulders as I stare at the object of my scorn. If I relent and offer my neck for the leash, I’ll lose what’s left of my self-respect.

After the somewhat pleasant night spent wrapped in his arms, I’m hurt by his expectation I wear a leash in public, even if it is the custom of his people. I’m not a Kleaxian female and I wish he could be more understanding of my culture, a culture we happen to share, since his human father raised him.

“No, Kenan, I am not going to wear the leash. However, if you’d like to wear it, I have no problem leading you around town like a dog.” The angry, taunting words escape my mouth before I give them much thought. But the moment his red face pales slightly and his large eyes widen, I’m drenched in ice cold fear.

This is it.

He isn’t only going to beat me bloody. He’s probably going to kill me, even if it is forbidden for a Kleaxian male to kill a female.

Maybe it’s better this way.

I can’t imagine spending the rest of my life being constantly threatened and led around by a chain. I’m young and inexperienced and I never had a serious boyfriend on Earth, but I thought one day when I finally met the right person, I would mean something to that man.

Kenan sees me for my sex and nothing more. I’m the female he carried off the Stargazer, which makes me his possession.

The spoils of war.

Sure, he claims there’s a bond between us and because he claimed me, I’m surrounded by a faint glow that marks his ownership of me, but I can’t share in the bond and I certainly can’t glimpse that blue aura.

Fuck. I’m crying now. He’s still holding my chin, and tears are streaming down my face. Despite the brave front I tried to put on, I really, really don’t want to die right now.

He pushes me down to my knees and withdraws his huge, erect cock from his pants. “You have a smart mouth, Laylah.” A dark smile creeps across his equally dark features. “But I know the perfect way to keep you quiet for a while, and perhaps teach you a lesson in the most merciful way I know how.”

Grabbing my hair, he forces his cock into my mouth.

I try to resist, but his brute strength surpasses mine. When I think of biting down and allow my teeth to tentatively scrape his shaft, he winds a hand around my throat, momentarily cutting off my air.

“I wouldn’t recommend biting.”

I struggle in his firm grip, but in the end I surrender as he repeatedly shoves his cock in and out of my mouth, hitting the back of my throat and making me gag.

Punishing me.

It’s too difficult to breath when I’m fighting him. Tears coat my face.

All I can do is stay on my knees as he claims this part of me. Eventually, he hits a steady rhythm easier on my gag reflex. When I can anticipate a thrust, I can at least handle it better.

Is this better than a beating? As used as I feel, I honestly don’t know. We’re outside in broad daylight. Any of his servants could glance out a window and witness my humiliation. Anyone could walk up the path from town and glimpse me on my knees with a cock in my mouth, being chastised.

With each thrust, his heavy balls slap against my chin. The same chin I’d raised proudly as I’d defied him moments ago.

I don’t feel so proud anymore.

Only stupid and like I’d brought this on myself. I want to turn back time and allow him to put the blasted leash around my neck. If he doesn’t stop soon, I’m going to suffocate. I can barely inhale through my nose before his lower stomach blocks my breaths.

He releases my hair and holds the sides of my face, his pace increasing. His cock swells larger and he half-grunts, half-growls. His hot, salty essence shoots into my mouth as he continues pumping in and out.

I have no choice but swallow.

It’s that or choke, and I sob around his length as I gulp every last spurt of his seed down. Finally, he pulls out and releases me entirely.

I collapse on the stone floor of the patio, gasping for air as I clutch my neck. My lungs are screaming, as they were during the attack on the Stargazer, when I had no choice but to inhale the increasingly thick smoke filling my quarters. Slowly, my breathing starts to regulate and my chest no longer aches from lack of oxygen.

Kenan’s boots disappear from my vision, but when he returns, he props me up against him and presses a cup to my lips.

I’m too tired to fight, and I welcome the cool water down my hurting throat.

After I’ve had my fill, he sets the glass aside and strokes my hair from my face. He also rubs my back. It takes me several seconds to notice the slight pressure of the leather around my neck.

Touching it, I gasp. He must have slipped it on while I was drinking. There’s a metallic square in the center with a thumb-shaped imprint. The only way I’ll get this blasted thing off my neck, is if he decides to remove it.

My spirits sink, but then he gently wipes away my tears with a soft cloth, and I once again can’t reconcile his harshness with his comforting touches.

He helps me to my feet with the semblance of a gentleman, as if he hadn’t just been punishing me by shoving his cock down my throat.

I can’t quite meet his eyes, so I stare at the colorful stone design in the center of the patio. It forms a swirling pattern, but most of the stones are orange and red. I study the artistic depiction of the sun until Kenan tugs on my leash.

With no choice, I follow him down the sloping stone path, feeling exceedingly chastised.

The walkway twists through the trees, and our surroundings remind me of a lush rainforest. Exotic birds caw above us and happily flit from branch to branch. Small, furry creatures scamper through the underbrush upon our approach, their glowing eyes occasionally blinking at us from dark hiding places.

Sunlight splinters through the trees in various spots along the way, but the stones on the path in these particular areas aren’t too hot to walk upon. I suppose females aren’t allowed to have shoes, either.

Probably as a deterrent to running away.

If I manage to escape my leash and take off through the forest, the underbrush will likely cut up my unprotected feet and prevent me from getting very far. And then what will I get for my troubles? A cock shoved down my throat?

Kenan says nothing as we approach the town, and I welcome the silence.

The houses are similar in style to his, constructed with large gray stones reminiscent of medieval castles, but smaller, of course, than Kenan’s massive estate. I suppose being a prince has its benefits.

As I already know from glimpsing the town from the bedroom window, all the roofs have solar panels or gardens covering them. Though I’m sure the Kleaxians are much more technologically advanced than humans, the town possesses an antiquated feel. Perhaps it’s the lack of cars.

“What do you think of the town, Laylah?”

I open my mouth to tell Kenan it’s beautiful, and though my lips move, my throat doesn’t vibrate and no sound issues forth. Eyes wide, I stop walking and try to speak once more. My heart speeds up.

No matter how many times I try to talk, I’m unable utter a single syllable.

“If swallowed, a Kleaxian male’s seed renders a female physically speechless for several days. It’s considered a merciful punishment among my people.” His gaze darkens and he tugs on the leash. “Come along, little human. I think once you witness how other females are treated, you will agree that breast whipping and face fucking are in fact lenient punishments.”