Behind her, Oberon groaned, his nostril’s flaring in reaction to the female’s desire.
If Mersan had not been standing so close to our prisoner, close enough to protect the female had Oberon decided to move, I would not have been able to cope with the protective rage that pulsed through me.
I could not bring myself to murder Oberon with her watching. A Prillon warrior would protect her from such atrocities, not commit them in front of her.
My possessive rage was a visceral thing, squeezing my chest with pressure so powerful it was as if an explosive had just gone off in the small room.
What the fuck was I going to do now?
4
Zarren Helion
She stepped closerto the door. Wisely, Kayn stepped aside, but remained in the room. I caught a glimpse of Razmus lurking in the corridor as well. Of course, he would be there. He had been on duty in transport when my—the female arrived.
“Oberon, are you dressed?”
“Yes, my lady. Thank you.”
She turned toward him and gifted him with a dazzling smile. “Of course. Anything you need, please let me know.”
Oberon opened his mouth to request…something. Mersan dealt a fast, efficient punch to his ribs. I placated the lady, but we would only be pushed so far.
He shut the fuck up.
I nearly sighed in relief when it appeared as if she were about to leave. Instead, she gave orders like an experienced commander. “Razmus, will you be a dear and track down a soft bed and blanket for Oberon. While you’re at it, a pillow as well. Kayn, please get him something to eat and drink. Something hearty and delicious. Our warrior is far too thin. And not to embarrass you sir, but you need a bath.”
“Indeed, I do.” Oberon agreed as Kayn and Razmus both looked up at me, caught in the female’s crosshairs as surely as I.
She, however, was glowing. Literally,glowingwith happiness, her skin and golden hair reflected the light and shined no matter which way she turned. Was she that pleased to have helped one Prillon warrior? Did I dare overrule her and crush such a gentle, guileless heart?
My cock throbbed, growing harder, more painful by the second. This female was walking innocence, walking light. I doubted she had ever seen death or torture. Been exposed to the atrocities of war, or suffered needless pain.
Fuck.I could torture and kill my enemies. But a truly innocent, giving female? No. I had caused females enough pain to last several lifetimes. I would allow my team to carry out her orders. This, I could give her. Perhaps food and some sleep would loosen Oberon’s tongue. If not? He would be in better health for what would come tomorrow.
The lady walked out to the corridor. The loss of her presence was like turning off every light in the room.
Oberon looked at me, ice in his golden eyes. His attitude had not changed.
Doctor Mersan shrugged, took his ReGen wand and left. We’d been torturing the traitor for hours. No doubt Mersan was more than ready for a reprieve, as was I, if I were being honest.
I knew Razmus would walk ahead of the lady, protecting her from the front, while Kayn would fall in behind, watching her back.
I walked to the S-Gen machine and quickly confirmed the proper command code locks were still in place. They were. She should not have been able to use it for anything. The fucking thing shouldn’t even have turned on.
I would need to take it apart. Now? Yes, now was the perfect time. The work would keep my mind off the ache in my cock. I would order the others to contact the Interstellar Brides’ Program and straighten out this mess.
Before I could begin, the lady’s head peeked around the doorframe. She looked around the room, the rest of her still in the corridor. She looked right at me.
“Zarren, aren’t you coming? I brought something special for you.”
Was that blatant invitation in her voice? Gods be damned, did she expect me to claim her, to bare her naked flesh and take her now?
For the space of a heartbeat, nothing mattered as much as finding out what the lady had brought. A gift? For me?
Searching my memories, I could not recall the last time anyone had thought to give me a gift of any kind.
Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.
