Tha-lah Read online

  “Let me show you another way.” Her fingers shook as she hesitated for a moment. She’d been with perhaps hundreds of males, but no one made her feel this yearning inside. “Let me heal you,” she offered enticingly, even though she’d never seduced anyone before.

  Her sexual encounters were always dictated by a written request. A warrior never talked during sex. Finding out what Groo’lat liked was going to be tricky. Naz’try had told her once to watch for telltale signs of enlarged pupils, fast breathing and hand placement. He tried to pull away, but she wrapped her arms around him.

  Tha-lah’s heart beat wildly as he placed his fingers around her wrists, trying to pull hers off. He tensed, and his pupils darkened. Was he aware of how his thumbs caressed her skin in little circles? She felt a spark of hope, and for the first time in her life, craved a sexual encounter.

  “What kind of game are you playing, priestess?”

  There was so much yearning in that simple question, Tha-lah almost wept. “Say my name, Groo’lat. Let me hear you say it.”

  She stood on tiptoes and leaned closer, placing a soft kiss on his neck. Was he a warrior who enjoy such contact or would he berate her for it? Some didn’t like to be touched while others gave full rein.

  “Tha-lah, sweet naïve Tha-lah.” Holy mother, her name sounded like a sacred chant on his lips. “I’m beyond help.”

  “No, you’re not.” The stone around her neck pulsated, echoing her need. “This is what I do. Trust me. I want you to relax. Give me the chance to help you.”

  “So you think giving me your body will clear my mind?”

  His sudden anger didn’t surprise her. A stubborn nature was a warrior’s pennant. Need for control surpassed even sexual desires.

  “Yes, I’ll share my sexual healing energy with you.”

  She wasn’t offering a toss in her platform, but he didn’t know that. What she proposed went beyond the joining of two bodies. When a Trac’xian priestess performed sexual therapy, she, in fact, was opening her mind and soul. Her life force would channel through the stone, cleansing all emotional distress.

  “If you want me to frackk you,” he grabbed her shoulders, “just ask, priestess.”

  He was purposely being crude to shock her, but she knew better. Tha-lah was now more determine to proceed.

  “Very well then. I want you to frackk me.”

  The look on his face ran the complete gamut from utter disbelief to savage passion. He carried her silently to the platform and then fell on top her. Now she had to skillfully turn his aggressive onslaught into a sensual feast for his senses. Only then would his angry energy disperse, freeing him of his guilt.

  “There’s nothing you can do for me. I’m already dead.”

  Yet despite his affirmations she saw indescribable grief in his eyes. Groo’lat was many things, except dead.

  “Just relax, Groo’lat. Let me ease some of your pain.”

  He was talking to her. It was a good sign. As long as he kept doing that, there was hope that he wasn’t opposed to the idea of sharing pleasure.

  “What you’re hoping to accomplish is impossible. My body is responding to you,” he said, grinding his hardness against her thighs. “But there’s nothing left of my soul to be saved.”

  “Let me, at least, give you some relief before we go on this mission.” She grasped his cock. A deep growl escaped his lips like a predator about to devour his prey.

  His passion when unleashed was too strong for her to contain. Like the force of a river rushing down the mountains after the rainy season. He wasn’t going to be gentle. Tha-lah prepared her body for it.

  Without warning, he drove his engorged rod deep inside her, pinning her with his unyielding body. Her channel became slick and swollen, trapping him inside. His cock jerked, and he rocked in and out.

  Tha-lah brought her arms around him, holding him tenderly. His feelings were so raw that without her tri’lu to absorb them, she would’ve been lost. Right now, it glowed, drawing in all his hostility.

  Yet, through all of it, she couldn’t help but feel his strength. He was big and hard as he glided into her tight opening. After he switched positions, the energy in the room changed. His thrusts became less frantic, more sensual. She knew the instant her soul connected to his. A jolt of energy shook them. The stone had successfully joined their minds. The rest was up to her.

  Chapter Ten

  Groo’lat’s Sexual Awakening

  How had he ended up with Tha-lah pinned beneath him? All he’d wanted to do was talk some sense into her. Instead, he was frackking her brains out. One minute they were talking, and the next he’d pounced on her, sinking his ro’traal deep within her silky core.

  Groo’lat had been seething with anger when he’d first arrived at the priestess’ quarters. Somehow she’d convinced Commander Bah-Troy to allow her in on the mission. He didn’t know why he was so vexed. Maybe it was because he owed her his life. She’d rescued him from certain doom. Now it was up to him to keep her safe.

  He hadn’t even given her a chance to prepare. Goddess, what was he doing? At this point, he couldn’t bring himself to pull out. Groo’lat was too hard, wanted her too much to stop. Gaal’ya had never sparred with him. She’d just sucked his ro’traal, coaxing his seed with her mouth. In hindsight, that should’ve been a warning, because female warriors didn’t engage in oral sex.

  The few times she’d allowed him to mount her, she had been artificially aroused. Just thinking about it made him even angrier. He warred with himself, trying to slow down, but he’d been wound tight for so long he didn’t know how.

  Sorry, Tha-lah, he wanted to say, but couldn’t get the words past his lips. Warriors didn’t talk during intercourse, and mated couples like his parents barely looked at each other. Had she’d been a surrogate they would’ve drawn an agreement. Perhaps it’s better if you hate me after it’s over.

  What if he put her on top? Pendo’rahn females often took control by straddling their men. Without pulling out, he rolled them over. Goddess, it was worse that way. He slid even deeper. Lust threatened his control until something incredible happened. A bright flash of light surrounded them, and the feeling of warmth and love rushed him.

  Groo’lat didn’t understand, but somehow she’d connected with his mind, tearing down the walls he’d erected. The stone she always wore nestled between her breasts glowed, radiating a pulse in sync with his heart.

  A new primal feeling surged forward then, and he plunged even deeper into her channel. He wanted the connection with her to become stronger, but didn’t know why. He touched her bare skin, frantically trying to mark every spot, every inch of her.

  Mine, mine. The thought thundered through his brain like the roar of a thousand warriors in battle. He kissed her, trying to slake the thirst of his lonely, empty heart. He traced ancient patterns along her back with his fingers.

  His ro’traal was engorged, ready to burst. She felt so good around him, swollen and slippery. Time slowed down. They were shrouded in a cocoon of warm, bright light. Every event of the past year flashed right before his eyes. The first time he’d boarded the Toq’ma’lal, the first time he’d reported for combat practice with Security Chief Mah’yanna.

  A bitter memory emerged then—the moment his lover had stabbed him. Funny, he couldn’t even bring her face into focus. How could that be when he’d been so infatuated with her? He gasped, then at last understood his feelings. What he’d experienced had been lust. Gaal’ya had used him to get revenge against the jid’rahal, and he’d played right into her hands.

  All traces of bitterness left him after he accepted the truth. He’d thought he loved her, but it was just desire taking over. Reconciled with the knowledge that his feelings for her weren’t real, he felt peace. The guilt and anguish plaguing him dissipated.

  “Groo’lat,” Tha-lah gasped. Her lips were bruised from his hard kisses. “All those awful feelings, they’re gone. Time has come for you to step in and reclaim your place in the e
lite.”

  “Hmm, I’d rather stay where I am right now, priestess.”

  His ro’traal was getting even harder inside her tender folds. She was so warm, so snug, Groo’lat never wanted to let go. Pendo’rahn females broke contact as soon as they achieved orgasm. He’d heard otherworld females enjoyed it even after sex. Was Tha-lah one of them?

  “We’re joined in such an intimate way, yet you won’t call me by my name.” She pouted. “Why?” Her cute flat nose wrinkled, and she cocked her head to the right, like every other time when she was frustrated like now.

  “That’s how I think of you, beautiful Tha-lah. My priestess.”

  At first, he’d tried to use her title as a barrier to keep from getting too close. She was a wandering priestess who’d saved his life, nothing more. As days went by, he began thinking of her as his priestess.

  “Touch me.” She placed his hands on her breasts. Her nipples were hard, rosy pebbles. “Let me feel your hands. Show me your might, warrior.”

  It began as mindless frackking, but quickly turned into the most sensual encounter of his life. Tha-lah’s body was an instrument of the goddess, made just for him. He cupped her breasts, moving from the larger ones on the top to the smaller ones on the bottom. He’d heard once that a Trac’xian female could be brought to orgasm just by sucking her lower breasts.

  Groo’lat kissed her again, forgoing the tradition. Her deep moan crushed what little control he had left. A sudden urge to imprint her overwhelmed his senses. Her eyes were so alive with different colors they seemed to sparkle.

  He sat up, tightening his abdominal muscles, sinking all the way in. His rock hard ro’traal was so entrenched inside nothing could come between them. Their intertwined bodies on the narrow platform formed the perfect being. Eternity took shape in a second. It began and ended there.

  “Don’t.” She moaned, clasping him so tight he couldn’t move.

  “Shhh,” he said, stroking her back. “I’m not going anywhere, priestess. Trust me.”

  “Groo’lat, I…goddess…”

  Her expression was of pure ecstasy. He increased the pace, and her opening swelled tightly, fisting the base of his ro’traal. Jet after jet of hot seed poured into her eager flesh. He’d never released that hard nor that much before as if his body wanted to fill every inch of her with his essence.

  Images of long-forgotten memories flashed inside his mind. Reaching out, he grabbed them only to realize they didn’t belong to him. They belonged to the woman shuddering in his arms. Groo’lat witnessed everything. He saw her growing up in a mansion full of servants, then the young novice chosen by the goddess. Her pain became his as he relived the betrayal of a father who’d indentured his only daughter.

  “This promise I make to you, my priestess. From this day forth, no one will harm you. You have my word,” he murmured, kissing her hair.

  “I know.”

  She did. He could feel her trust in him like a living thing. There was much to be said about Trac’xian healing sessions. Another thought intruded. She wouldn’t be performing this kind of session in the future. He’d kill anyone who tried to touch her in a sexual way. Hours later, they discovered the brand that bonded them forever.

  Chapter Eleven

  A Goddess Gift

  They spent a glorious day of sexual indulgence and discovery. Neither of them had ever experienced that level of intimacy before. Not only was the sex beyond their wildest dreams, but more intense since his brand had appeared on her back. Tha-lah prayed to the goddess for guidance since they were the first interspecies branded couple.

  The AI bleeped, interrupting her thoughts with an urgent summons from Commander Dru-lah. She was surprised when he requested she join in.

  “I asked both of you to come because we’ve come up with an idea to gather intel,” Dru-lah said as soon as they arrived.

  “Rest assured I’m more than ready to help Security Chief Mah’yanna.”

  She’d prepared her best robe and scented oil extracted from an exotic flower, which grew only on dunes on Trac’xia. Her people considered the blossom powerful and sacred because of the harsh conditions it flourished in. Many had tried to grow it elsewhere, but the plant would only bloom there.

  “Thank you, priestess.” Even though he smiled, there was a fleeting shadow of desolation deep in his eyes. “I’m sure the security chief will appreciate your ministrations, but…”

  “How would you like to become my sex slave?” Prince Xy asked, taking her hands in his larger ones. She cringed, sickened by the casual contact. It escalated from there.

  Groo’lat’s hand had a bleeding gash where it’d made contact with Xy’s face when he broke his nose. O’frahm’s cheek hadn’t fared any better since he’d tried to separate the two fighting males. Order was restored after Commander Dru-lah drew his ro’traal, threatening them with dismemberment.

  “She doesn’t leave this ship.” Her mate’s anger rolled through her like a jolt from an energy weapon.

  Nothing was more dangerous than an overprotective warrior. As a branded one, her mate was even deadlier, because he reacted to her distress. He would’ve killed the prince without hesitation.

  “Groo’lat, why don’t we listen to what the commander has to say?”

  The plan was simple, really. Xy offered to scout for clues, using her as a distraction. They’d go from place to place, posing as master and slave, while discreetly asking questions.

  For the plan to work, Tha-lah had to dress as a slave and wear a collar. She hated the idea, because many females on her planet were sold into slavery and forced to wear one. They were treated like property, and frequently beaten and raped.

  “No one touches her.” Her mate snarled, looking directly at Xy. “Do it again and you die.”

  “Warrior, what’s gotten into you?” O’frahm took several steps toward Groo’lat, but Tha-lah blocked his way. “The decision is up to her.” He backed down, looking a bit disconcerted.

  “O’frahm, cut the holo-vid feed.” Arms crossed over his chest, his voice was deceptively calm, but none of it fooled her. Dru-lah held himself in check, thanks to years of training. “Where is it?” She placed her back against Groo’lat’s chest, instinctively seeking her lover. “The brand, show it to me now.”

  He couldn’t possibly know about it, could he?

  “Brand?” O’frahm gasped, turning around.

  “Whatever transpires here stays between us, understood?”

  Those around her would never betray a truly branded couple. Pendo’rahns were very rigid in matters of honor, and the Galadonian prince was their best ally.

  “Commander, I must protest,” Groo’lat challenged, protectively putting his arms around her.

  “Now. That’s an order.”

  Those words sealed the fate of all inside the room. Her mate was compelled to obey.

  “How did you know?” Tha-lah still couldn’t understand how the commander could’ve known. Pendo’rahns couldn’t bond with other species. It was common knowledge.

  “I saw the look on your face earlier when Xy held your hands. You looked ill.”

  He’d guessed just from her expression? How could it be?

  “Commander, you know what you’re thinking is impossible,” O’frahm said, fixing his narrowed gaze on them.

  “Nothing is impossible since the Pran-kril brothers bonded with their Earth mates.”

  Tha-lah knew about the women taken from a faraway galaxy. The one called Gigi was Briq’s mate. T’zaal was obsessed with her.

  “They’re almost genetically identical to us.” O’frahm still argued, seeming unable to accept the possibility of a cross-species branding.

  “I’m perfectly aware, warrior, yet here they stand branded.”

  Tha-lah knew then why he was so sure. The commander had intimate knowledge of both couples. He’d read her body language. It was the same. Branded couples developed an aversion to someone else’s touch.

  “The commander speaks the trut
h.” The warrior had extraordinary powers of observation and a deep sense of loyalty. Tha-lah knew he would never deceive them.

  “Show me,” he whispered reverently.

  She turn around in her lover’s arms and then buried her face in his chest. Groo’lat held the edge of her robe before reluctantly peeling it off.

  “How?” Dru-lah gasped, glancing at the series of identical markings down their backs.

  “I think it happened while performing a sexual healing ritual.” Until now the brand was believed to appear only between Pendo’rahns. Her case was unique since she was Trac’xian. Tha-lah believed it was a divine gift.

  “I’m not familiar with it. Please explain.”

  The ceremony wasn’t commonly practiced outside Trac’xia. Other ways of redirecting energy were available, but in Groo’lat’s case a sexual healing would have been more effective.

  “I knew Groo’lat needed all his focus for this mission. His warrior’s energy was out of balance with his ul’naah. The best way, to bring unity of mind and soul, was by performing this ritual.” But it had become more than that. As it turned out, their souls merged as one, transcending their species.

  “I was filled with bitterness over Gaal’ya’s betrayal, but then our bodies joined and for the first time in months I felt peace.”

  Tha-lah was surprised by his admission, because warriors weren’t prone to speaking of such things.

  After a few minutes, prince Xy broke the silence. “I apologize for causing you any discomfort, Priestess Tha-lah.”

  The poor prince’s nose was a bloody, swollen mess. “I accept your apology. Count me in. Let’s bring Security Chief Mah’yanna safely home.”

  Chapter Twelve

  The Drunken Spy

  Prince Xy of Galadonia looked magnificent dressed in his princely robes with the royal crest. In contrast, her barely there outfit screamed slave. Tha-lah walked five paces behind him, trying to keep the metal ring from scratching her neck.