Chapter Nine
Vala had read and reread everything she could find surrounding the Brevkan, but she had found little about what happens when a male claims his possession.
Which made sense since giving a prisoner a female and watching how a Brevkan male took her was dishonorable.
Still, Vala liked to be prepared. Most Barren believed in the power of research—most anything could be solved if one used as many resources as possible and dug deep enough. The lack of data made her want to toss her notescreen onto the floor.
If only she had access to the older Barren who had raised the half-Brevkan children. While there might be a few onboard the colony ship, none of the correct age were from her citadel. The Barren may not try to take out their rivals as the rumors suggested, but each citadel was akin to a single, large family and protecting one’s own family was always paramount. She doubted they would talk about such a delicate secret with a stranger.
Still, she could attempt to gather information once she was settled on Jasvar. No doubt the Jasvarians would want information on the Brevkan too since welcoming the Kelderans to their planet meant that the human colonists could become targets as well if the Brevkan ever found out about them.
But for the present, it seemed all she could do was wait and wait some more.
Vala plucked at the sheet with her fingers. She could try another round of exercises to keep her leg muscles from withering, which would keep her mind occupied for at least a short while. It might also help with easing her nerves about Thorin. As much as she wanted him, it would be her first time and she didn’t know what to expect.
Just as she leaned over to begin her routine, the door chimed.
While she wanted it to be Thorin, he had sent a brief message that his task was taking longer than it should have. “Computer, allow entry.”
The door slid open to reveal Thorin’s tall form. The intensity of his eyes made her heart skip a beat.
Never taking his eyes from hers, he stepped into the room and the door slid closed.
With any other male, Vala would bow her head and wait for him to speak. However, Thorin’s mere presence gave her the courage to be forthright. “Have you made a decision?”
He took a step closer. “I have.” And another one. “Have you?”
She leaned back against the headboard storage unit. “Us being polite and beating around the bush will make this take a lot longer than it should.”
For a second, she wondered if she’d gone too far. After all, if Thorin had decided against accepting her help, he may also require her to act as any other Barren would with regards to his rank.
Then he smiled slowly and the butterflies settled in her stomach. “I’m glad you still speak your mind, Vala.” He moved a little closer to the bed. “Because if you’re to help me, honesty will be vital.”
She leaned forward. “You want my help?”
“Of course. It is the logical choice.”
“Because the idea has merit or because it means you can finally claim me?”
His eyes flashed a bright blue before the glow faded. He ordered, “I want you to tell me your decision plainly.”
Not backing down, she replied, “Only after you answer my question first.”
His smile widened a fraction and Vala blinked. The approval reached his eyes. She wondered what it would be like to share emotions freely with him on a regular basis.
Thankfully he spoke up before she could dismiss such a ridiculous thought. “Your idea has merit, but I would be dishonest if I didn’t admit to wanting to claim you as well. I’ve thought about it more than I should have over the last few hours.”
Her heart thumped faster. “Then you wanting me should make my request easier.”
His smile faded, and she wanted to scream for him to bring it back. “Request? I didn’t realize this was a negotiation.” His jaw tightened. “What do you want?”
“I don’t want any special favors. I’m not that type of female.”
“Then what?” he barked.
Not wanting to lose her nerve, she sat taller and blurted out, “You can claim me provided it’s done face-to-face.”
Any lingering emotion vanished from his face and eyes. “That is unwise.”
She crossed her arms over her chest. “I won’t budge on this, Thorin. Threaten me with whatever you like, but I want to know and see the male claiming me for the first time.”
To make a lasting memory was left unsaid.
He shook his head. “I don’t think you understand how dangerous that situation could be for you. I’ve never taken a possession before. What if my barbaric half emerges and forces you to do what you don’t want to? I’m not sure I can stop once the urge takes over. Even the smallest chance of you being hurt or forced is too risky.”
She needed a way to convince him that he wouldn’t hurt her, but how? Then her eyes fell to the blaster gun at his side. She motioned toward it. “Give me your blaster gun. I’ll put it on the stun setting and keep in one of my hands the whole time. If you go too far, I’ll shoot you.”
Vala couldn’t believe she had just suggested shooting a general.
But when Thorin grunted in approval, she let out a breath. He took the blaster gun in hand. “You are indeed a clever female, Vala Yarlen. And yet, you must swear on your Barren Mother’s life that you will shoot me if I go too far or do anything you dislike.”
Swearing on a Barren Mother’s life was the most sacred of vows to one of the Barren. To go against such a vow was also illegal.
Vala didn’t hesitate. “I swear on my Barren Mother’s life to protect myself if such a situation arises. But I sincerely wish it’s unnecessary.”
He did something with the blaster gun and handed the weapon to her. Their fingers brushed, and it took everything Vala had to focus on the weapon instead of looking up at Thorin. He murmured, “I set it to the stun mode. Show me that you know how to use it.”
He removed his hand and Vala swallowed. She finally tapped just below the trigger. “I simply point and pull this.”
“Good. Have you used one before?”
She tested the weight in her hands. “No, but I’ve read the basics of how to operate one in the past. Even Barren are briefly instructed on how to respond to emergency situations before boarding a starship.”
“They should include hands-on training as well, which is something I hope to rectify soon,” he replied. “However, since you have little instruction, it just means that I’ll try to take you as slowly as possible and hopefully you won’t have to use it. But I can’t guarantee my actions once I’m inside you, Vala.”
Thorin stepped back and Vala finally met his eyes. They glowed a bright blue and she whispered, “They’re beautiful.”
He grunted. “A male is not beautiful.”
“They can be. I’m just glad you didn’t close your eyes again. I want to welcome all of you into this bed, Thorin.”
“Don’t discount the dangerous part of me. Besides, you are a virgin, Vala. You don’t know what you’re in for.”
She raised her chin. “Stop trying to scare me away. If your preview earlier is anything to go by, I will enjoy it.”
With a growl, Thorin closed the distance between them and threaded his fingers through her hair. “I’m reaching the limits of my control. This is your last chance to refuse me, Vala.”
Never taking her gaze from his, she raised the blaster gun in her hand. “I’m ready when you are.”
Thorin closed the distance between them and kissed her.
~~~
Thorin never should’ve agreed to take Vala face-to-face. And yet, he—the hardened warrior—found it nearly impossible to say no to her.
Maybe a Brevkan’s possession had power over her male as well.
But as his lips touched hers, all rational thought fled his mind. All he wanted was more of Vala’s sweet taste.
As he entered her mouth and caressed her tongue, Thorin gently lowered himself on top of his female. He moaned at the softness of her breasts and belly against him.
His restraint shattered and he increased the urgency of his tongue as he ran a hand down her side and to her skirt. Images of him moving inside Vala flashed into his mind and he simply gripped her skirt and pulled.
He paid little heed to the torn fabric and gripped her thigh. Her softness was a nice contrast to his firm muscles, and desire flooded his entire body. He wanted more of her softness wrapped around him.
Moving his hand up to where her hip met her ribcage, Vala’s muscles tensed under his fingers. Something wasn’t right.
He forced himself to break the kiss. He could see his glowing eyes reflected in hers. He had to be frightening her.
Thorin rolled away and sat on the edge of the bed, his elbows on his thighs. While his cock pulsed in need, signaling he had to take care of himself soon or risk an outburst, his memory of Vala’s tensed muscles allowed him to say, “I told you this was a bad idea. Touching your skin is dangerous. I can’t control myself.”
Vala’s small hand touched his back. “I’m not afraid of you, Thorin.”
He shook his head. “There’s no need to placate me. I know what I am. It’s best for you to lean over the bed and let me take you with as little touching as possible.”
“No.”
At the command in her tone, he dared to look over his shoulder. He expected fear, but determination flared in her eyes. She spoke again. “I. Am. Not. Afraid. Is that clear? Because I won’t tell you the real reason for my reaction until you accept that.”
Despite her mussed hair and one strap of her dress off her shoulder, Vala looked more like an officer than a soft female.
The need to possess her and fill her with his cock surged through his body.
No. Vala deserved honor and respect. He would give it to her. “If you’re not afraid, then what?”
She straightened her delicate shoulders; shoulders he could snap if he wasn’t careful. “I’m nervous. I like being prepared, but I couldn’t find anything about Brevkan mating practices.”
The image of Vala searching records about his father’s people and their sex lives made him smile. “Not everything can be learned from records.”
“I know, but you keep making it out to be rough and terrible. I somehow think you’re viewing it through a biased lens.”
His smile faded. “Once I’m inside you, something snaps inside me. It has always been so with others.”
“Were they possessions?”
“No.”
“Then how do you know it will be the same?”
“I—” he paused. “I don’t.”
Triumph flashed in her gaze. He liked how she was feeling more comfortable around him and showing more of her true self.
Vala raised the blaster gun. “This is my added protection. By taking the vow, I’m required to use it if I feel threatened or risk imprisonment for not honoring my word. Did I use it on you?”
He frowned. “No.”
“Then why did you stop?”
~~~
While waiting for his answer, Vala’s heart thumped so hard she wondered how half the ship couldn’t hear it.
Voicing opinions and being in charge was taxing, but she refused to allow Thorin to hide behind his assumptions and self-hatred. Before she arrived on Jasvar, she was determined to prove he was honorable and worthy of happiness.
It would be her parting gift to him. Then one day he might even find a female who could give him a child and a family.
Her stomach twisted at the thought of Thorin taking someone else as a bride, not that she should think about Thorin’s future. Their paths would diverge soon enough.
Thorin rose from the bed. “Let’s try this again and I won’t stop unless you shoot me.”
Before she could do more than open her mouth, he undid the fastenings of his trousers. As his long, strong fingers revealed his lower belly, her mouth went dry. With a few more movements, his erection sprung free. While Thorin had light blue skin, she swore his penis was a slightly darker blue and glowed slightly. Maybe it was another indication of Brevkan ancestry.
He wiggled out of his shoes and trousers and Vala couldn’t take her gaze from his maleness. She was both anxious and scared of it. She had seen her fair share of penises when taking care of the sick, but Thorin was thicker and longer than any of them.
Thorin took his hardness in hand and stroked. “Since I bared myself to you, it’s only fair you do the same.” She swallowed as she looked to Thorin’s glowing eyes. He murmured, “I want to see your glorious body, Vala. Show it to me.”
For a second, she said nothing. Then her brain switched back on and she raised her gun. “I have to put this down.”
He stroked again and she loved how his eyes glowed brighter. “On my honor, I won’t touch you until the blaster gun is in your hand once more.”
Given how Thorin had moved away of his own free will when she’d tensed earlier, she trusted his word. Laying the gun down, she gripped her skirts. Heat flushed her cheeks, but after taking a deep breath, she wiggled until they were at her waist. Thorin’s husky voice filled the room. “Your legs tempt me. Show me the rest, Vala.”
Her ears buzzed. But when Thorin whispered, “Please,” she found the courage to tug the rest of the material over her head and toss it aside.
He said nothing and her nerve slipped a fraction. She was softer than many of the other Barren. Maybe Thorin preferred their bodies or the toned ones of the Jasvarian warrior females.
Then she heard his groan and she met his gaze. Desire burned hot as he said, “I could come from merely admiring your body.” He took a step closer. “But another time. I don’t want you to suffer any longer.”
Before she could state she wasn’t suffering, Thorin covered her body with his. The hardness against her belly made wetness rush between her thighs.
Engulfed by Thorin’s heat and muscled body, she oddly felt safe. Almost as if she could face anything with him by her side.
But then he kissed her jaw, and all she could think about was his hot, wet lips on her skin.
When he finally lowered his muscled chest to hers, she moaned at the friction against her nipples. If only she could move her legs, then she would wrap them around his waist and let him know how much she yearned to take him inside her.
Thorin trailed kisses down her neck, her upper chest, and finally stopped just above her right nipple. He darted out his tongue to flick the sensitive bud and Vala arched her back. Thorin’s touch was more intense than that from when she’d orgasmed from the ministrations of her own fingers.
Her warrior murmured something she couldn’t understand before taking her tight bud into his mouth. Each swirl of his tongue or suckle with his mouth only made her skin hotter. Needing to feel a part of him, she threaded her free hand through his hair and dug her nails into scalp. Thorin lightly bit her when she did, and she screamed as pleasure coursed through her body.
When the wave crested and she came down, Thorin’s husky voice filled the room. “You should be ready for me now. Will you grant the honor of allowing me to claim you?”
As she stared into his glowing eyes, Vala played with his dark hair. “You don’t need to keep asking me that. I said yes and I meant it.”
He lightly licked her nipple before answering, “Then I won’t ask again.”
He repositioned his body and hers so that he knelt between her legs, his cock in hand. “I wish I could prevent the pain I’m about to cause.”
Vala was more than aware of Kelderan female biology and nodded. With a growl, Thorin eased inside her until he reached her barrier. He bowed his head in apology and thrust to the hilt.
She hissed as pain radiated up her spine and down her arms. She had no idea how long the sharp pain throbbed, but eventually it became a dull ache.
Thorin caressed her cheek. “It will get better soon.”
As he moved his hips, he pinched one of her nipples in time to his thrusts.
While she wanted to trust him, she scanned his face for any sign of struggle. While his eyes glowed, she didn’t notice any straining muscles or clenched jaws.
She was tempted to toss aside the blaster gun but didn’t want to distract him or possibly scare him away again.
As the building pressure from before reappeared, she was soon too distracted to scrutinize Thorin for loss of control. Each movement of his body brought more pleasure. When he moved one of her legs and pressed it to the side, he changed his angle and she moaned.
Despite never doing it face-to-face before, Thorin was skilled.
A light sweat covered his body as he reached even deeper inside her. The oddly addictive scent from earlier, right before she’d blacked out, returned. However, instead of falling unconscious, it made her want to pull Thorin closer and ask him to take her harder.
Before she could wonder where that thought had come from, Thorin growled. His eyes were brighter than fire, albeit blue.
They were glorious.
Just as her skin felt as if it would snap in two from the tension, Thorin stilled and yelled. At the same time, he lightly twisted her nipple and waves of pleasure crashed over her again.
Even through the haze, she took in Thorin’s towering, glowing body as he found his release. She would never forget the sight of his muscled body radiating light blue. It was one of the most beautiful sights she’d ever seen. Even more beautiful than the lush, sacred valley of Zeevayn on Keldera with its fields of purple wild flowers against the yellow grass.
Thorin’s shoulders slumped and a light tingle traveled up her legs.
She moved a toe and felt it. “It worked, Thorin. I can feel my toes at least.”
He smiled at her and tucked a stray piece of hair behind her ear. “I’m glad, Vala. I hope to never take anything away from you ever again.”
At the sadness in his voice, her throat choked with emotion. For some reason, his words were more akin to a goodbye than a romantic sentiment.
Only wanting to focus on the present, she reached out a hand and lightly brushed his abdomen. “I was right, you know, about it being different with a possession. You didn’t lose control, did you?”
“No.”
She tilted her head. “You sound less happy than I thought you’d be.”
He smiled. “No, I am happy. But I’ve always wondered what a pure-blooded Kelderan would feel like during a claiming.”
“And?”
“It’s nice to be in control.” He kissed her gently. “Thank you for showing me a different life, Vala. Even if it’s just for tonight.”
She wanted to frown at his words, but she forced her tone to remain light. “It doesn’t have to be for just tonight, Thorin. You could keep me as your mistress.”
For a second, hope filled her chest at Thorin’s silence. But then he shook his head and she knew his duty would come first. “No, I must dismiss you. I won’t risk others trying to harm you out of jealousy. You must appear available.”
“Appear available? Why?”
He lightly traced one of her shoulders. “I must go back to Keldera and you will join the colony on Jasvar. It’s better to keep our distance, unless it’s related to the investigation. Attachments will only complicate matters. Besides, you’ll find out more information if you’re unattached. That is, if you still want to help me.”
Vala had no idea why her chest constricted as if someone had grabbed her heart and squeezed, but she forced a smile. “Of course I’ll help you. I won’t fail you, sir. I promise to do my best to root out any traitors.”
Thorin’s expression shuttered. He slowly retreated from her body and stood next to the bed. “I believe you. Now, will you allow me the right to clean your body?”
While Vala knew of the Kelderan ritual to gently clean a female’s body after her first time, she had never expected to experience it herself. After all, in the eyes of society, the Barren weren’t completely female since they couldn’t have children.
Still, she wasn’t going to pass up the opportunity to spend more time with Thorin. Strange as it was, she wanted every second she could get with him. “Of course.”
As he turned and headed toward the replicator to ask for the necessary supplies, Vala studied his broad back, narrow waist, and tight buttocks. This would probably be her only chance to memorize Thorin’s form and she wanted to be able to draw upon the memory for the rest of her life.
Because for a brief moment in time, Thorin was treating her like a fertile female instead of a Barren to be used and discarded.
And who knew if she’d ever experience it again.