Authors: Dakota Dawn
Chase held up his hand to stop Reed. “No.” He swept his hand up then down.
Does Reed think I’m a complete fool?
“If you are a fairy, where are your wings? You don’t look like a fairy to me. You look like a fucking Amazon.”
Reed ran his hand over his face. “Although winged fairies do exist, we are a larger wingless genus. I know this is hard on you, but we need you in order to survive. Let’s go back to the castle and talk about this in private.”
Chase’s mind brought up a clear picture of his family and friends. “This has all been interesting, but I really need to get back home. By now my family and friends are looking for me.”
“I’m your family now. You are bonded to me.” Reed’s words were compassionate but firm.
The rage was back. “Take. Me. Home. Now.”
“I can’t do that.”
“My parents and friends are looking for me. Whip up that purple mist and let’s go.” Chase couldn’t believe how mixed up he felt. The twisted part of him wanted to stay, but his smarter part wanted to leave.
Reed took a step closer, and sorrow shone in his eyes. “No one is looking for you.”
Chase shook his head. “They are. I know they are.” It was obvious Reed knew nothing about him or his friends. By now Craig had probably called all his cop friends and at least two private investigators. Adrian would be calling his military buddies, and some not-so-legal missions would be in progress. Even his dad and mom would be pounding the streets looking for him. Nobody messed with their only child.
Reed’s shoulders sagged as if the weight of the world was on them. Before Reed spoke, he straightened his shoulders and his eyes turned cool. “The Enlightened Ones gave them a memory of your death. To them you died a valiant death. You are remembered as a hero.”
Chase charged at Reed, and his fist connected with Reed’s chin. “You motherfucker. My parents and friends need me.”
Between hits, Reed stated, “Their pain was blurred, and your parents were given five million dollars for their suffering.” Chase’s fist connected again with Reed’s now-sore jaw. Chase pulled back to hit him again. This time Reed blocked the blow.
They danced around each other for thirty minutes of kicks, punches, and blocks. Mental and physical exhaustion finally took their toll. Chase crumpled to the ground. Reed walked calmly to his side. Chase threw up a fist. “Stay back. Go back to your castle and leave me alone. I’ll make it on my own.”
“I can’t stay back. You are bonded to me. We belong together. You will come back with me. We have a lot to talk about.”
Chase jumped to his feet and started for the road. “Stay the fuck away from me.” With his mind racing, Chase walked down the road. What the hell was he going to do? If Reed was telling the truth, no one on Earth was looking for him. Chase blinked back tears as he thought about the pain his family and friends had endured because of Reed. This was so messed up. He was stuck on another planet with absolutely no way to get home to the people he loved.
Reed ran up to him then physically blocked him from moving forward. Releasing more of his pent-up anger, Chase hooked his leg around Reed’s knee and knocked him to the ground. In a blur of motion, he tangled his legs with Reed’s and put Reed in a headlock.
Letting his rage out, he tightened his arm around Reed’s neck and stated, “I could kill you if I wanted to.”
Reed’s long hair suddenly came to life and wrapped around Chase’s neck. “And I could kill you if I wanted to.”
Chase was so shocked he let go of Reed. Reed quickly flipped over, grabbed Chase, then rolled until he was on top. His hair loosened its grip on Chase’s neck.
“How did you do that?” Chase asked in a stunned voice. In all his years of training Chase had never seen anything like it. Reed’s silky strands were strong and deadly.
“All fairies have special powers. The ability to control my hair is one of mine. Now that you are bonded to me, anything you did well before you will now be able to do extremely well.” Reed ground his hips into Chase’s. “You can’t fight the bond. We need each other, mentally and physically. Come back with me so I can teach you about your new people.”
For a brief second Chase had seen a pleading look in Reed’s now-cool eyes. What was up with this guy? He was cold with flashes of hot. Then there was the wild heat that sizzled through Chase’s groin at the mere thought of Reed. Truth be told, Chase was stuck. He couldn’t go home, and he couldn’t stay with Nori. Plus, he had an uncontrollable need to be with Reed. “I’ll go with you, but don’t think I’m playing your submissive anymore.”
Surprise flickered in Reed’s eyes. “You were playing a role?”
“Yeah, I thought you were sent by my friend Craig as payback for something I did to him. When you came on all gruff and demanding, I thought I was supposed to play the submissive role.” Chase looked over Reed’s shoulder and saw Tate and Simon standing nearby.
Tate starting laughing. “So that’s why you seemed so weak. But it’s obviously not true.”
Reed’s teal eyes glowed with passion. “I was worried you were too weak to make it here, but all along you were a bad-ass hiding who you truly are.” Something dark flickered in Reed’s eyes. “What happened in the van?”
Chase’s voice turned cold when he remembered those fools. “They jumped me when I was sleeping. Tied me up and threw me in their old-ass van. I pretended to be passed out. They were talking about how they were going to see what all I knew about you. They said they were going to kill me and you so they could take over. I heard them say they wouldn’t mate with humans. Their plan was to steal fairies from other planets to repopulate with.” Chase stopped for a second as he tried to get his anger under control.
All three fairies gasped in shock.
In a calm voice, Chase continued. “When their guard was down, I killed them.”
Reed’s teal eyes glowed with wrath. “I’m glad you killed them. If we find any others that agree with them and are plotting to carry out their plan, they will be killed as well.”
Tate bumped fists with Simon. “The Enlightened Ones did a good job picking him.”
Reed looked over his shoulder and ordered, “Wait for us in the vehicle. We’ll be there in a second.”
When the men were gone, he stroked Chase’s cheek then kissed him gently on the lips. “I’m sorry that happened to you. Later I want a full report of everything that happened.” Pride shone in Reed’s eyes. “Your strength is one of the reasons you were picked to help us repopulate. Will you help us?”
Chase caved at the sincerity in Reed’s voice and eyes. “Yes.” Love bloomed in Chase’s chest, and he knew he’d do anything for Reed.
* * * *
A doctor was called to Reed’s rooms the second they returned. He deemed Chase healthy but recommended he take it easy for a few days. Chase had rolled his eyes when he’d heard that. Rest from what? He didn’t have a job here…other than trying to stay alive. The repeated kidnappings were starting to get old, too. Maybe he could use some rest. Needing some clothes that didn’t have holes or stains, Chase went to his closet. He still couldn’t get over how big it was and how soft his new clothes were. They fit his body like a glove.
When he walked out of the closet, Reed informed him it was time to eat lunch. Chase raised a brow but didn’t say anything. He just followed Reed to the private dining room like a good puppy would. If this was his new home, he was going to have to start taking control of his destiny.
During their meal, which was quite good, Reed pressed him for details. Chase started with the young man in the food court telling him to watch his back and ended with him picking his scab off to see if Reed’s mark was still there. As soon as he was finished, Reed called Tate and had him start looking for the man from the food court.
Chase’s stomach fluttered as he listened to Reed’s conversation. Reed seemed very serious about removing the threat to him. He was falling hard for Reed. Cool, controlling Reed.
Chase watched as Reed ended the call. His breath hitched when Reed’s glowing teal eyes locked with his. From experience, Chase knew Reed’s eyes glowed when he was aroused.
Reed pushed back from the table and stood. “Let’s go to our bedroom. I want to check you out personally.”
Time to start shaping his destiny. “That won’t be necessary. The doctor already checked me out.”
Reed’s brows shot straight up. “I’m the boss here. I told you to go to our bedroom, and I meant it. Now get up and let’s go.”
Chase stayed seated. “You being gorgeous doesn’t impress me. One thing you need to understand is that I’m not your puppet.”
The glow intensified in Reed’s eyes. Reed stalked over to Chase and looked down at him. “You belong to me. As my mystic mate, you do what I tell you to do.”
Chase flung his arms out. “Do I look like I was born here? You kidnapped me because you need me. That you need me shifts the power to me.”
Reed’s brows snapped together. “You are a population builder, not a king. Now go to our bedroom and strip.”
Well, that hurt like hell
. A dagger shoved through his heart would have been kinder. Chase pushed to his feet and looked up at Reed. Why did the asshole have to be so tall? “Kiss my ass.”
“Oh, I plan to. Now go do what I told you to do.” Reed pointed toward the door.
Reed being king was turning out to be a negative. “I don’t have to take this shit.” Chase tapped his head. “I’ve got a brain. I analyze things for a living.” Chase looked Reed up and down. “My analysis is that you are an unfeeling bully who is used to getting his way. Go find someone else to repopulate with.” As the last words left his mouth, Chase felt the sting of tears. He quickly turned and headed for the door.
Reed sighed loudly, and his hair darted out and circled Chase’s wrist.
Chase jumped and turned around. “Keep your hair to yourself. It’s freaky when you use it.”
“I know some freaky ways to use my hair that will make your toes curl. Go to our bedroom and I’ll show you.” A sinfully wicked smile curled Reed’s sensual lips.
Chase’s dick jumped. Trying to control his growing need, he rolled his eyes and said, “Have you forgotten my analysis of you already?”
Reed’s hair spiraled up Chase’s arm and pulled him in close. “I’m sorry I hurt your feelings. But it’s important that you understand your role on my planet. You are here for population building. Soon your DNA will be fairy. You belong to me.”
Chase’s lips tightened and a lump formed in his throat. “So what you’re saying is that I am your whore and that I’m supposed to accept my place on your planet happily.” Chase’s face was heating up and his voice rose. “I’m supposed to live a lonely, loveless life all because
Your Highness
said so.”
Pain flickered through Reed’s eyes. “I can’t love you or anyone else, but I am fond of you and I’m very attracted to you. I’ll make sure you aren’t lonely. You can have a good life here. Let’s go to our room and talk about it.” Reed lightly kissed Chase on the lips then gave him a tight hug. “Please.”
That was it. Chase once again caved. “Okay.” That was most likely the first time King Reed had ever said
please
in his life. As Chase followed Reed, he puzzled over why Reed couldn’t love anyone. Compassion bloomed in Chase’s heart. Maybe Reed needed him more than he realized. Could Reed be coldhearted because nobody loved him? Chase’s heart bled at that thought.
In their room, Reed’s kingly side took over. “Strip.”
As Chase removed his clothes, he reminded himself that Reed needed him. Not able to totally cow down, Chase spread his arms and snapped sarcastically, “There. Are you happy now?”
Chapter Eight
Reed didn’t want to love Chase. Unfortunately, he was afraid that was what was happening. In his position it would be foolish to let anybody, including Chase, see how much Chase affected him. If word got out that Chase was Reed’s weakness, Chase would be in more danger than he already was. And Reed couldn’t have that.
Slowly Reed circled Chase. Seeing a scar on his left upper arm and some yellowing bruises in different places on his body, including his handsome face, sent pain throughout his chest. This was a pain best kept hidden. Sticking to his hard-ass persona, Reed said, “Not quite. I’ll be happy when you are on the bed and willing to do whatever I tell you to do.”
Chase’s dick leapt to attention. There was no denying his instantaneous arousal. “As you wish.”
Reed’s own cock rapidly grew and fought for its release from his pants as he watched Chase follow his order. He crawled on the bed beside Chase and rose up on his elbow so he could look down at Chase. His beautiful little Chase. Looking at the slight bump on Chase’s nose and knowing it had been broken by one of his own people hurt badly. From now on he’d have to do more to protect his little mystic mate. Wanting to please Chase, Reed said, “Ask me anything about the planet.”
Chase tapped his index finger on his lips for a moment. “Why do you need humans to repopulate?”
The muscles in Reed’s body stiffened for a second. “Fifty years ago a virus killed a little over half of our people. After the initial wave of deaths, it has killed about a hundred people a year. The majority were women. We think the virus originated from a traveling trader from another planet. There’s a chance he or she doesn’t even know the destruction they caused. Because of that, we now scan all visitors as they enter into our world. That woozy feeling you felt was you being scanned.”