Chapter Sixteen
Vala Yarlen stood at the perimeter of the main command area and tried her best to blend in with the wall.
From the day her genetic scan had signified her inability to bear children at age six months, she’d spent her life in the comfort of the citadel with the other Barren. There no one treated her differently or tried to hide their pity. She was simply part of the Barren family.
However, last year, she’d petitioned to assist on one of the starships and had been accepted. Since then, her existence had consisted of her blending into the background and only speaking when required. Others in her group dallied with the warriors, but Vala had never worked up the nerve.
Besides, her main assignment had been caring for General Kason tro el Vallen, the younger prince of Keldera. To say he was intimidating was an understatement.
However, after meeting the human female named Taryn, Vala had finally mustered some of her confidence and asked to be assigned to her and the other two females.
She’d never envisioned being treated as an equal of the other women.
Syzel, the warrior instructing them, came over and murmured, “You either need to participate or leave. It’s your choice.”
His words were neutral, which was an improvement over Lt. General Thorin’s disdain earlier.
Taking a deep breath, Vala moved to one of the consoles at the back of the area. After typing in a set of instructions, she brought up the flight simulator. As she controlled the computer, guiding the ship through an asteroid field, the rest of the room faded away. Like most of the Barren, she’d spent a lot of time with simulators since their access to the outside world was restricted. She easily reached the target at the end and smiled.
To her surprise, Syzel’s voice filled her ears again. “You’ve done this before.” She nodded but never met his eye. He ordered, “Bring up level 15.”
She did as he asked and again guided the ship. This time, it was through a debris field that also included five other vessels, one of which fired at her and she had to dodge the blasts. When she reached the end, the male spoke again. “How would you feel assisting the other females?”
Daring a glance, she whispered, “Must I?”
“I can make it an order if need be, but I’m asking you to do it. You’re ready for real-life flight instructions, and I need to get the others up to speed. That way we can try a few short shuttle flights.”
Her lips parted at the thought of flying for real. “We’re going to take a shuttle out?”
“Provided enough of you are ready, yes.” He studied her. “Will you help?”
Syzel didn’t look at her with desire or hatred. All she saw was curiosity.
Even though facing the women wasn’t going to be easy, this might be her only chance to feel and act as a non-Barren female. For years, she’d convinced herself she was content with her life. But the thought of flying a ship and not blending in with the wall sent a little thrill through her body.
It might only be for a day, but she could pretend she was normal.
She bobbed her head. “I’ll try.”
He smiled. “Good. Go to Fia. She needs the most help.”
As Syzel left, Vala met Kalahn’s gaze. The princess tilted her head in question, but Vala gave an imperceptible shake of her head. She could fill the princess in later.
Vala walked over to the female named Fia and forced herself to keep her head high. Even if all of the females hated her or treated her as lesser, Vala would soldier on. This could be the only opportunity in her lifetime to fly a shuttle, and she wasn’t going to pass it up.
Stopping next to Fia, Vala cleared her throat and said, “I’ve been sent to help.”
The female looked up at her and blinked. “But you’re one of the Barren. How do you know how to fly a ship?”
She kept a smile pasted on her face. “I just cleared level 15 of the simulator. Syzel ordered me to help. Will you let me?”
Fia searched her eyes. “What’s your name?”
“Vala.”
“Well, Vala, I can use all of the help I can get. I run a set of shops on Keldera and this is completely different from what I’m used to.”
The woman’s occupation enlightened Vala as to why the female was speaking to her—the Barren purchased many goods and any store owner would want their business.
A small voice inside Vala’s head said maybe it was because the woman was kind, but she pushed it away. After all, Vala had been burned too many times in the past when she’d trusted someone too early.
Bringing up the flight simulator, Vala focused on instructing Fia on how to maneuver the ship. She may not be able to control how her life would play out long-term, but for the foreseeable future, she was determined to fly. Helping Fia was her top priority.
~~~
As the last woman filed out of the training area, Taryn faced Jerrick. She blinked. The warrior was grinning at her.
Before she could ask the computer to interpret, Jerrick did, and the computer said in CEL, “Good job today. But before you leave, let’s have our own sparring session. I want to see how good you are.”
Since she didn’t have a reason to refuse, she nodded. Jerrick made a motion with his hands for her to attack.
They circled one another. Since she knew he wouldn’t fall for any of the tricks she’d taught the women, Taryn kept an eye on his feet. If she wanted any chance at winning, she needed to get him on the ground.
Jerrick rushed at her, but Taryn stepped to the side and whipped around. However, Jerrick was already facing her again. Damn, he was fast. She would have to try something else. If only she had her daggers, she would have a better chance at besting him. Sadly, Kason had forbidden her to bring them to the training class.
They each waited for the other to attack. She feinted left and then dove headfirst between his legs. She managed to punch his testicles as she slid through, but he barely grunted. Before she could get back to her feet, Jerrick pinned her down and flipped her onto her stomach. With who knew how many pounds of muscles on top of her, Taryn knew she was trapped.
She had much to learn about hand-to-hand combat with a fully trained warrior when both her weapons and her element of surprise were gone.
The computer translated Jerrick’s words. “I wish to claim my prize for defeating you. Have dinner with me.”
She muttered, “I’m pinned to the ground, and you want dinner? Such a lady killer.”
Even without her asking, the computer translated and Jerrick chuckled. Again, the computer interpreted, “I have always admired strong women, even if it’s not the norm on my planet. I want to better know the leader of Jasvar. You may just convince me to join the colony.”
“If an agreement can be reached.”
Before the computer could say anything else, Kason’s voice was curt. While he spoke in Kelderan, even Taryn could tell he gave an order. Jerrick slowly stood up and released her.
Once Taryn was upright again, she looked between the two males. While Kason’s gaze was stoic, the tightness of his jaw told her he was barely restraining himself from doing something stupid, such as punching his new trainer.
Taryn walked up to Jerrick and put out a hand. “Thank you for the match, but I must postpone our dinner. There’s much to do, and I couldn’t give you the attention you deserve.”
The corner of Jerrick’s mouth ticked up as the computer finished her words. Then it interpreted his. “I will call upon you at a more convenient time, warrior ruler of Jasvar.”
Jerrick bowed, and Kason touched her shoulder. The prince muttered, “Let’s go.”
With a final wave, Taryn followed Kason out into the hallway. Aware of eyes and ears everywhere, she remained silent until they reached her quarters. Before the door slid shut, Kason darted his eyes toward his room and back. He wanted to talk with her.
Wanting to keep him in suspense, she shrugged and shut the door.
Kalahn’s voice filled the room. “I hope you don’t keep him waiting too long. Otherwise, his temper will be awful.”
Taryn faced Kalahn and noticed Evaine was nowhere to be found. “I’ll talk to him eventually, but he needs to cool down a fraction before I do. Where’s Evaine?”
“She messaged to let me know she’s staying with Enishi for a few more hours. Apparently, she wanted extra sessions.”
She smiled. “Evaine may not let him go until she’s gleaned everything she can from him.” She sat across from Kalahn. “How did yours go?”
“The flight simulations went pretty well, for the most part. I was second in the class. Surprisingly, Vala was first.”
Taryn moved to get a clean dress. “Vala did better than you?”
Kalahn nodded. “Yes. Apparently, she’s been practicing with a flight simulator for years. She even helped one of the other women with her training.”
“Did that go okay?” She asked as she changed clothes. “Considering what I know of the Barren, they usually keep to the shadows.”
“She was uneasy but managed to last the entire session. I could tell she wanted to bolt a few times, though. It was the first time I realized how isolated the Barren must be.”
“Good, then you can help me with them later, after I’ve secured an alliance and a colonization agreement. Given what I’ve heard about unrest and factions on Keldera, I’m sure your father and brother will need the Barren on their side. We need to ensure they will stand with them as soon as possible, or one of the other factions may beat us to it. That most likely means a change in how they’re treated.”
Kalahn raised her brows. “You seem pretty confident that we can change things.”
“Oh, it’ll happen. After my interactions today, I think a lot of people will want to move to the colony and forge a new path. The Barren will be welcome on Jasvar, so others will have to accept that if they wish to live on my planet.”
Kalahn leaned forward. “Is that why Kason was clenching his jaw as if it would break? Did Jerrick mention wanting to join the colony?”
“After he defeated me in a sparring session, Jerrick said I might be able to convince him, and then he asked me to dinner.”
“Then you’d better talk to Kason straight away. No male is to touch another’s bride until the marriage is announced publicly, and while you two were merely sparring, it would still be considered touching you. Kason not punching Jerrick is a miracle.”
She sighed. “I can’t wait for all the secrecy to be over.”
Kalahn motioned toward the wardrobe. “Go see my brother. Only you can calm him down. Also, don’t worry about hurrying back. I expect Kason to claim you at least once to sate his instinct.”
Taryn eyed Kalahn. “I’m not sure I could talk about a sibling’s sex life so casually.”
“Kelderans are open about it. After all, none of us would be here without it,” Kalahn stated.
She snorted. “That’s true.” Taryn moved to the wardrobe. “I don’t think Jerrick will come looking for me, but make excuses if he does.”
“Of course.”
With that, Taryn went through the wardrobe and emerged inside Kason’s room. Her prince stopped pacing and rushed her. In the blink of an eye, he had her pinned against the wall.
His breath was hot on her face as he growled, “I don’t like that you kept me waiting.”
She raised her brows. “If you think I’m going to heed your every beck and call, then I should leave now.”
“No. You’ll stay.”
“Ordering me to do so won’t help your case.”
“Then consider it a request—please stay with me.”
“Wow, you said ‘please.’ That must’ve been tough for you.”
He leaned a fraction closer. “No more teasing. Tell me why Jerrick asked you to dinner.”
She wanted to roll her eyes, but the fierceness of Kason’s gaze warned her it was a bad idea. “Maybe he’s just curious about humans and Jasvar? He mentioned maybe joining the colony party, if it’s approved.”
“He never expressed interest before.”
“Sometimes meeting someone from a far-off land convinces you to go there.”
“Perhaps.”
“You have another theory?”
“He wants you as his own,” he bit out.
She arched her back until her body touched Kason’s. “Stop worrying about that. The only one I want is you, okay?”
With a growl, he took her lips in a rough kiss.
She opened her mouth, and the urgency of his tongue against hers told Taryn how close to the edge he’d really been.
While they had agreed to wait until after the attack to have sex again, Kason needed her now.
Not that it was a hardship for her to get naked with her warrior prince.
Pulling back, she whispered, “Take me to bed, Prince, and then you can tell me about your day.”
“If you’re in my bed, there won’t be much talking for a while.”
She raised an eyebrow. “Is that a promise?”
He grunted and squeezed her hip. “Such sass.” He nipped her neck. “I think it’s time to make you speechless again.”
Taryn bit her lip as he continued to nibble her neck. She was already having trouble stringing two thoughts together, and she still had her clothes on.
Clutching Kason’s shoulder, she whispered, “Try it, Prince. I dare you.”
In the next second, he stepped back, swooped her up, and laid her on his bed. “With pleasure.”
She expected him to rip off her clothes and take her, but he merely stood back and studied her body.
~~~
Kason wanted nothing more than to claim Taryn until she was a boneless heap from too much pleasure.
However, with the upcoming battle, he needed to ensure she wanted him and only him. That way he would have a clear mind and perform his best.
He would take his time and make his human beg.
He lightly traced her cheek, down her neck and to the neckline of her dress. Taryn squirmed as he stroked the soft skin there. While she didn’t have runic symbols to tell him her emotional state, the rush of pink to her chest told him all he needed to know.
Leaning down, he blew across her flushed skin and her nipples tightened under the thin material.
Taryn growled and he looked up. Her voice was husky as she asked, “What are you waiting for?”
He lightly strummed her taut nipple. “Hard and fast is good sometimes but so is slow and torturous.” He pinched her peak and Taryn’s legs opened. “You’ll soon understand.”
Before she could reply, he scooped her breast out of her dress, leaned down, and took her nipple into his mouth. Taryn cried out as he sucked and nibbled. With a Kelderan female, he’d continue to torture a nipple until she came. But Taryn was human, and he was eager to bring her to orgasm by licking between her thighs.
Releasing her, he ran his hands down her ribs, her hips, and to the hem of her dress at the ankles. Slowly lifting the material, he stopped when he could see the special place between her thighs. He looked up and the sight of one of Taryn’s breasts exposed with the other concealed made his already hard cock even harder.
Without saying a word, Taryn opened her legs further. At the sight of her swollen, pink flesh, he lost some of his restraint. He lowered his head and flicked out his tongue.
As he groaned at the musky taste of Taryn, she clutched the sheets and arched her hips. Taking it as an invitation, he thrust his tongue into her core.
She was so tight and wet already but tasting her was only part of it. Running his tongue upward until he found her hard little nub, he then circled the sensitive spot. Each pass made Taryn arch her back a little more.
Removing his tongue, he lightly flicked her nub with his finger. Taryn murmured, “Yes,” and he did it again. He loved how such a secret hidden spot could make his bride thrash about in pleasure.
It was time to make her come.
He pressed against her hard nub and rubbed back and forth until he found what Taryn liked. Once he did, Kason increased his pace until Taryn cried out and closed her eyes as she tilted her head back. He watched her face as waves of pleasure broke over her.
It took every iota of strength he possessed to not plunge into her heat with his cock and find his own release. However, he wanted her coherent and with him when he claimed her again, especially as he needed to do the honorable thing and ask her a question first.
Once Taryn slumped onto the bed, Kason moved until he was eye level and covered her body with his. After giving her a slow, lingering kiss, he smiled. “Can you take any more or shall I stop now?”
She frowned. “You would stop if I asked?”
Nuzzling her cheek, he murmured, “Of course.”
Her arms went to his back, and she lightly scored her nails down his spine. “The more time I spend with you, the more you break down my original opinion of you being an arrogant ass of a prince.”
He chuckled and met her gaze. “I would say the same of breaking your commanding, bossy self, but that seems to be who you are.” She slapped his back and he added, “I jest. You merely state your opinion and fight hard for those you care about. I could not ask for a better bride.”
“Even though I’m not submissive?”
“I think my life would’ve turned out boring if I had taken a submissive bride. Your fire calls to me.”
She lifted her hips against his erection, and he hissed. She grinned. “It seems the call has been unfulfilled still. Maybe I should take care of that.”
“Careful, human. My restraint has its limits.”
She searched his gaze. “Why are you restraining yourself?”
“Because I don’t have anything to prevent pregnancy.”
She traced his jaw. “The fact you remembered tells me more than you know.”
“So I guess that means I’ll just have to make you cry out again with my fingers and tongue.”
“As much as I’d like that, I want to ride you even more.” She kissed him. “I’ll chance pregnancy if you get on your back and let me take you at my own pace.”
“I’ve never done it that way before.”
“That doesn’t surprise me.” He opened his mouth to reply, but she beat him to it. “But neither have I. I only know what I’ve seen in books and pictures.” She traced down his jaw until she reached his chest. “However, I think I’ll figure it out. So? What will it be?”
He didn’t hesitate to roll over and take her with him. She straddled his chest, but he wanted one thing. “Take off your dress for me so I can watch your beautiful body as you move.”
Taryn slowly tugged the material over her head and tossed it to the side. He took his time memorizing each curve and the little dark spots humans called freckles.
She finally cleared her throat, and he met her gaze. “Then watch me as I do this.”
Taryn took his cock in hand, and he hissed as she squeezed gently. She lifted her hips and guided him to her entrance.
However, she didn’t take him but merely stayed that way for a few seconds. At the sight of him so close but so far, his cock released a drop of liquid.
He was close to begging for her to take him when she gently lowered. At the noises Taryn made at the back of her throat, he checked her face for pain, but didn’t see any.
Once he was completely inside her, he reveled in the tight heat of her core and waited to see what she’d do.
~~~
Taryn was still reeling from Kason’s thoughtfulness as she finally took him to the hilt. Her tough warrior prince had thought of her and her desires above his own. Considering what she knew of Kelderan culture, it was a huge step.
In more ways than one, he was slowly winning her heart.
However, as Kason stared at her and palmed her breasts, his touch sent a new rush of fire through her body. She would have plenty of time to ponder her feelings later. For the moment, she wanted to tease and drive her prince crazy.
Placing her hands on his chest, she marveled at the flash of colors. Some of the symbols on his skin were red, others blue, and yet more were pink. She traced the closest one and Kason squeezed her breasts in response. His gravelly voice filled the room. “How long will you torture me, human?”
She met his gaze. “Maybe as long as it takes you to use my name.”
The corner of his mouth ticked up. “Oh, Taryn Demara, great leader of Jasvar, how long must I wait for you to drive me to orgasm?”
Taryn tried her best not to blush. “Soon enough.”
She leaned down and took his lips in a rough kiss. With each stroke of her tongue, Kason tortured her breasts and nipples a little more. If he kept it up, she’d never get the chance to try out a few moves of her own.
Pulling back, she took his hands in hers and threaded her fingers to keep him secure. She whispered, “Let me take control for a little while.”
For a second, she couldn’t read his expression and worried that the warrior in him wouldn’t allow Kason to cede control to a female. However, he squeezed her fingers and murmured, “I will as long as you start in the next minute. Otherwise, I roll us over, flip you on your stomach, and take you from behind.”
The image of Kason holding her hips as he thrust into her core from the rear sent a rush of wetness between her thighs. Kason chuckled. “I think we’re going to try that later.”
“Perhaps.”
He winked. “I’ve taught you well.”
Aware of how easily Kason distracted her, Taryn maneuvered his hands to above his head and released them. “Keep your hands to yourself for now. Do that, and I’ll let you do whatever you want to me later.”
His symbols flashed red and he nodded. “Deal.”
Kason gripped his forearms above his head, and she leaned onto his chest. More than accustomed to his size now, she moved her hips forward and back. She bit her lip at the way his hardness stroked inside and sent little waves of pleasure through her body.
Noticing how tightly Kason gripped his arms, Taryn knew she needed to hurry or she’d miss her chance to be in control. Focusing, she rotated her hips a few times until Kason groaned. When she dug her nails into his chest, he arched his hips and reached even deeper inside her.
“Stay still,” she hissed.
To prevent Kason from speaking, she started a steady rhythm, moved forward and back but adding a swirl of her hips every once in a while. She barely noticed the flashing symbols on his body as each pass brought her close to another orgasm.
Maybe he had special sex powers. She kept forgetting to ask him.
Taryn increased her pace as the sound of flesh slapping against flesh filled the room. Kason’s symbols were solidly red, and judging by his heavy-lidded expression, he was drawing close to his own release.
Clenching her inner muscles as she moved, Kason moaned. “Just a little more, zyla.”
Taryn had no idea what zyla meant, but the gentleness of his voice told her it was a good thing.
Digging her nails harder into Kason’s skin, she focused on moving her hips, gripping him tightly, and pushing back her own orgasm. She wanted Kason to come first for once.
After a few more seconds, Kason roared as he bucked his hips. He was so deep inside her that Taryn felt his hot release.
Biting her lip, she still kept herself from going over the edge. However, as Kason slumped into the bed, he reached out a finger and lightly brushed the bundle of nerves at the juncture of her thighs. Lights danced before her eyes as waves of pleasure coursed through her body.
When she finally came down, she mustered the strength to say, “You were supposed to keep still.”
He drew her down to his chest and engulfed her in his arms. “I waited until I was done, zyla. And I intend to claim my prize later.”
Too tired to argue, Taryn merely snuggled into his chest and gripped the top of his shoulders. “Let me catch my breath first.”
His muscles tensed under her cheek. “Are you hurting? Do you need a doctor?”
She smiled at his concern. “I’m fine, just a little tired. A long day, topped with great sex, tends to wear a person out.”
He relaxed and hugged her tighter against him. “I suppose ‘great’ will do for now. I prefer ‘fantastic.’”
Snorting, she looked up to see his eyes. “Are you always this competitive?”
He raised his brows. “Aren’t you?”
She grinned. “You have a point.”
Moving one hand to her cheek, he traced her skin. “Thank you.”
“For what?”
“For allowing me to take you early. I might have endangered the entire ship with my possessiveness if you hadn’t.”
She propped her chin on his warm chest. “I could claim I was doing it selflessly, but I’d be lying. It’s hard for me to pretend you’re not mine in front of the others, too.”
Taking a piece of her hair, he rubbed it between his fingers. “We just need to make it a few more days, zyla. Then two planets will know the truth.”
“Even if it threatens the alliance and a possible colony?”
“It won’t. The implications of refusing a treaty or pursuing a colony are too great for Keldera. Even if my father is stubborn, my older brother will convince him it’s the right path.”
“You don’t speak much of your older brother.”
Kason’s expression shuttered. “He and I are two very different males.”
“Care to elaborate?”
Kason grunted. “You can see for yourself when you meet him.” He took her chin between his fingers. “I’d much rather hear about your family.”
Taryn sighed. “There’s not a lot to tell. All I have is my grandmother, but her memory is fading by the week. I don’t remember much about my parents since they died when I was younger, during a research expedition to the Forbidden Continent.”
“That sounds ominous.”
“I suppose. To date, no one who has visited it has returned.”
“So maybe they are alive and trapped.”
“For a while, I had thought so, too. But my parents would’ve moved mountains to come home to me. The only reasonable explanation for their silence is that they died.”
Kason stroked the soft skin under her chin. “I will look for them myself when we get back to Jasvar and settled in. It will be my wedding present to you.”
For a brief second, hope flared in her heart. But Taryn cleared the emotion from her throat and said, “Don’t. I appreciate the intent, but I don’t want to lose you, too.”
His expression softened. “Why is that, zyla?”
“What does ‘zyla’ mean?”
He shook his head. “Answer my question first and then I’ll answer yours.”
As she searched his eyes, the words spilled from Taryn’s lips, “Because it’s getting harder to imagine living my life without your princely self.”
He smiled wide and her heart skipped a beat. The man was beautiful when he revealed his true feelings.
Kason gently kissed her forehead and whispered, “The word ‘zyla’ means ‘dear heart’ in CEL. You have wormed your way into mine, and I’m not letting go.”