Taming the Raven's Son (Galactic Lust) (13 page)

She chewed on the inside of her cheek.

He picked her up and drew her near. “That’s it. Hold me as
you spread for me.”

She closed her eyes, waiting to feel the head of his
magnificent cock slide in. Her heart pounded as her body clenched in
preparation. At last he stroked into her in one smooth motion, stealing her
breath with the sudden entry.

He tangled a fist in her hair as his brawny arm supported
her ass. “Open your mouth.” He groaned the demand close to her lips.

Powerless, weak and dizzy, she obeyed so he could plunder
her mouth as well as her pussy. His hips moved as he supported her, his
erection gliding out before pounding into her. She twisted in his arms, alarm
bells sounding in her brain.

Too much, too fast, too hard!

“Put your hand between your legs,” he insisted.

She complied, brushing her sensitive clit in the process.

“Rub yourself. Pinch your clit. Harder, Sage. Make it hurt
while I fuck you.”

She did until her brain spun in one direction and then
another. “Ah, oh, too much!”

“Never,” he whispered, grinding into her, letting her weight
settle onto his cock until it pressed against her cervix. “Pinch yourself
harder. Until it goes numb. When it wakes, you’ll come hard. I promise.”

She applied more pressure, gritting her teeth to ease the
pain. Her clitoris had already been swollen. It grew further. Tears gathered
beneath her closed eyelids as she released her nub. Jacob placed more and more
of her weight onto his cock. Each penetration stroked so deeply, it stole her breath.

Her tender clit ached as it woke. The sensations built and
clawed at her pussy until a constant, throbbing current pulsed into her vagina.
Her back arched as she clasped her hands behind his neck.

He tightened his hold, supporting her ass as he changed his
penetration. Pumping and grinding into her, he wouldn’t stop or slow down. Low
moans heightened as she turned inside out, the wave of orgasm blasting over
her, pulling her into a dimension of endless, dark pleasure.

The climax burned, almost to the point she wanted to recoil.
But she couldn’t as she experienced each penetration of his rigid cock stabbing
into her pussy. Could she be on the verge of death? Or could this instead be an
awakening?

She twisted, moaned, screamed as her body not only accepted
the brutality of his lovemaking, it soared higher to a plane of consciousness
she’d never known. “Ahh,” she cried as hot cum flowed into her aching, clinging
depths.

Jacob drew her against his overheated skin, cuddling her as
his hot breath washed into her ear. Their hearts slowed together as her bones
dissolved beneath her skin. She wanted to lie down and sleep for at least two
days.

He withdrew and set her on her feet before stepping away.
“Cover yourself.”

She managed to raise her arms to conceal her breasts. His
voice had changed. His flat tone held a twinge of anger. He tucked himself
away, bent and grabbed his shirt. By his aggressive manner as he pulled it on,
there wasn’t a doubt something was wrong. “Jacob?”

Brushing her arms from her breasts, he pulled the straps of
the gown onto her shoulders before retrieving the blanket. He snapped it open
and drew it around her tightly before scooping her from her feet.

“Jacob?”

“Quiet,” he said, striding toward the door.

The guards stepped aside as Jacob entered. The light from
the hallway showed something she hadn’t seen outside. His eyes. His pupils had
swallowed his irises and most of the whites of his eyes. His expression was
murderous.

He kicked the door to his room open and deposited her on the
bed. He walked to a rack, grabbed a garment and flung it at her. “Shower.
Dress.”

She clutched the cloth to her chest and slid off the bed. As
she hurried past him, he grabbed her arm. Her stretched nerves snapped and she
shoved against him.

His grip loosened and very slowly his expression changed as
he stepped back. She waited, expecting some new reprimand or punishment.
Instead, he opened his hand and gently rubbed her upper arm where he’d held
her. She glared at him and remembered to keep her voice low. “Don’t scare me. I
won’t tolerate it. Not anymore.”

He stared before wincing and grabbing his head with both of
his hands.

“Jacob?”

Jacob tried to focus on Sage. All he could see was the
murder scene erupting in his mind’s eye. He stood in the middle of the arena
with Sage restrained for the whipping. She trembled, afraid what he’d do.
Something inside him broke open and poured forth, leaving a tidal wave of blood
in his wake. The visions didn’t make sense. All he knew was that he couldn’t
control himself. Not then. Maybe not ever.

“Jacob?”

“Please,” he said, trying to hold his brain inside his head
by placing more pressure against his temples. “Shower. Dress.”

Additional words weren’t available. A keening cry echoed in
his ears. It belonged to the Raven clan, his mother’s clan. But he wasn’t a
Raven. Not really. Only females were true Ravens.

Mother!

A faint, familiar call immediately soothed the boiling
turmoil. He dropped to his knees, listening intently for something more. His
thoughts slowed and the steady thumping inside his head decreased. His vision
blurred as the room darkened. Shrouded in shadow, Sage stood in the doorway to
the relief room.

She hadn’t obeyed. Perhaps she couldn’t because of how he’d
acted. Maybe she feared what he’d do in his current state of confusion. Was the
concern etched into her features for him?

He held his arms open. “Come. I won’t scare you.”

He wouldn’t blame her if she stayed planted where she stood.
She’d told him quite plainly that he’d scared her. Instead of withdrawing, she
ran to him, dropped to her knees and snuggled against him, holding him as if
her life depended on keeping him close.

The blood whooshing in his ears slowed as he drew her
closer, cradling her as he should have after fucking her so violently on the
rooftop. “I’m sorry,” he whispered.

“You changed.”

“Shh.”

“Your face, your eyes—”

“Shh.”

“What happened? I can’t keep up with you. You’re intense and
passionate one moment and the next, you look ready to kill someone.”

“You’re safe.”

“Please, tell me. What’s wrong?”

“I’m sorry.” He rubbed her back and kissed potential
questions from her sweet lips. He stroked her face, adoring her eyes. “Let’s
shower and sleep. All will be well come morn.”

The door to his room burst open. Jacob jumped to his feet,
pulling Sage with him. He glared at the bastard Sovereign and the guard as they
entered. The keening call of a Raven pierced his brain. “Prepare yourself for
bed, Sage.”

He didn’t turn to see if she’d obeyed. In his mind’s eye, he
watched as she ran to the relief room and closed the door.

“Ryker, we need to talk.”

Grimm sauntered into the room. At last, Ryker knelt in front
of him. He enjoyed his captive’s position. It was as it should be. After all,
Grimm remained in the position of authority. He should write about this in his
journal to relive over and over at a later date.

Ryker didn’t give his attention while remaining very still,
staring at the floor. He’d never witnessed this behavior from his captive. “Is
there something wrong?”

“No, Sovereign,” Ryker replied, glancing up, glaring at him
with pitch-black eyes.

The hell there isn’t
.

The emotionless hunter had transformed himself into
something other than a man. Animalistic qualities dominated his features,
giving him the appearance of a predator. Through Grimm’s experience with other
species he’d never witnessed anything such as Ryker’s transformation. “I have
news for you.”

Ryker tilted his head to the side while sizing him up with
those incredibly black, soulless eyes. He didn’t utter a word, just waited.

Grimm cleared his throat and took a step back so both he and
the guard could get off a clear shot if necessary. “I’ve had company. Members
of the Bastillous Corporation came to have a chat with me.”

Nothing about the stone-like creature changed.

“It seems as though we intruded when taking your meek from
the Dungeon. Your new plaything wasn’t supposed to live through the night.”

“And?” Jacob growled.

“I’m having the arena prepared for a demonstration. You’ll
provide some entertainment for my men and the people from Bastillous.”

“How so?”

Grimm stood his ground despite the deepening of Ryker’s
voice and the increasing tension of his arms.

“The wickerwhip, I think.”

“What makes you think I’ll obey?”

“You haven’t a choice. Would you really defy me with your
follower’s lives hanging in the balance?”

His captive’s jaw tightened as his hands drew into fists.

That’s it, struggle with the decision. I don’t want this
to be easy for you. My only regret is not having given you more time to form a
bond with her.

Grimm would orgasm watching Ryker viciously murder a woman
he’d grown fond of. And once the woman died, Ryker would too. A portion of his
revenge would be complete. It was not all he’d hoped for, but with Bastillous
anxious to begin mining the planet, he couldn’t afford to draw out Ryker’s
suffering.

Perspiration dotted Grimm’s brow. He much preferred dealing
with the hunter. This new persona Ryker displayed was…unsettling. “The
corporation has negotiated for the mineral rights to Prevelor. I’ve sold them.
In a few days’ time, I’ll be a very wealthy man.”

“So then none of us will hold value to you.”

“I came here to punish you. When I discovered the minerals,
my focus changed. I’d planned on mining myself, with the help of your people.
With the sum I’ve been promised, I’ll simply walk away.”

He delighted in making Ryker wait for the rest of the
information. A moment later, the only thing he wanted was distance from the
hunter. Quickly. “I’ll leave Prevelor for a more agreeable, lush outpost on
which to reside. You’ll have your little dot in the galaxy. You’ll live.

“Think about it,” Sovereign said, “perhaps you’ll be
permitted to replace your reluctant meek with one who’d suit you more. You
know, a woman who’d be less trouble so you could focus on the priority of
mining. The Bastillous negotiator seemed most interested in keeping you happy
and compliant.”

Ryker placed his palms against his temples. His anguish made
for a very pretty sight, indeed. What would he do given his pathetic situation?
Would he choose to die now by finally snapping and going for a direct assault?
Would he beat the woman to death? If didn’t comply, he’d be forced to sit in a
front-row seat while another did the deed. Grimm wondered which would be more
painful.

“I need to practice prior to the event,” Jacob growled. “I
want my aim to be true. If she’s to die, I want it over in no more than ten
lashes. Arrange it.”

“As you wish. I’ll have an area set up in the front
courtyard. I imagine watching your practice will heighten the overall
anticipation of the event.” Sovereign cleared his throat, trying to hide the
growing elation spilling from him. “Do we have an understanding?”

“Yes,” Jacob replied.

Grimm turned to leave but stopped. He needed Ryker in top
form for the entertainment.

“Ryker?”

He grunted.

“Do you need to visit the med unit?”

“Why?”

“Your eyes. It appears as if you’re going blind.”

“No, Sovereign. Your compliance chip seems to be causing me
some issues.”

Grimm chuckled. “A few weeks should remedy most of your
problems.”

Jacob sat at the table, staring at the bed and the woman
sleeping beneath the covers. He wondered what chance he and his people would
have if they attempted betraying Sovereign. Had only a handful of her peers
arrived to make sure she died? Did others wait in a ship hovering above? If he
managed to regain control of Prevelor, would they then fall prey to Bastillous?
Questions without answers circled his mind, spinning quicker and quicker.

Troubled dreams bothered his woman. He cringed, remembering
the fear in her eyes when he’d entered the relief room after Sovereign had
left. She’d overheard the conversation. She’d view him as the enemy. Should he
waste his breath explaining he had no intention of harming her?

He shot from the chair to pace the confines of his room. The
motion settled him to some degree, allowing him to rationalize potential
scenarios and devise plans to counter untoward outcomes. He could murder her
peers. Only Sovereign and his men remained safe. But if he killed her kinsmen,
would they offset the act with a large-scale attack? It would become a real
possibility. How could he keep her or any of his people safe then? He needed
the code to disarm the chips so his precious few followers could fight and kill
Sovereign’s men.

Sage moaned and turned in her sleep. He knew his pacing
hadn’t disturbed her. A loud sob escaped her lips, drawing him to the side of
the bed. The damp pillow and her glistening cheeks forced him to swallow the
lump in his throat.

He lay down beside her. She immediately tried to escape. He
captured her and situated the covers over them. Chill bumps rose on her skin
from his touch as she huddled into a ball.

He drew her close to share the heat from his body. She
accepted the embrace for a few seconds before she groaned. He couldn’t mistake
the tension in her arms and legs as well as the choppy breaths she drew.

He rubbed her arm in long, reassuring strokes. “So, what
might the chances be the bastard will keep to his bargain?”

She held a breath. He squeezed her upper arm, prodding her
to answer.

When she didn’t, he said, “I’d wager slim to none. Why would
he allow any of us to survive? We would become a liability. Slaves can be
readily purchased.”

She remained silent as some of the tension drained from her
limbs.

“With wealth comes the ability to rise above a criminal
background. Unless of course you leave your victims alive to denounce you as a
cruel dictator.” He pulled long strands of hair from her face and settled it
down her back. Was he the only one experiencing a growing attachment? “I would
never hurt you.”

He waited for confirmation that she believed him. After a
silent few moments, he tried a different tactic. “Do you think I’m a stupid
man, Sage?”

“No,” she whispered.

“I believe you’re intelligent as well. You must also have
good instincts. You managed a large company.”

“Eh.”

“You’re smart enough to know what I’m telling you is the
truth. You know in your heart I’d never be the bastard’s puppet. Not like that.
Never with you.”

Her stiff spine relaxed and she sagged against him. He
closed his eyes, relief rushing through veins.

She yawned and fidgeted. “So your plan hasn’t changed? You
plan on shoving me down a hole in the floor and blocking it while you burn to
death?”

He took in her scent as he nuzzled her neck. He would remember
the softness of her hair forever. If only for a short while, he’d been able to
hold and savor a woman made of fire and silk. A perfect woman. Fierce yet
intelligent, decisive and sensitive. “We won’t deviate from the plan. Heat will
be there for you. He’ll protect you with his life.”

She wrenched free of his arms and turned toward him. “No.
You need to think it through. You’ll come with me into the tunnel. We’ll find
something to secure the trap door so they can’t follow.”

“Easy, Sage. Lower your voice.”

“You have to escape too,” she whispered, a desperate plea in
her voice.

“Be reasonable.”

She grabbed his wrists. “Do you think anyone will be
permitted to live once you’ve killed Sovereign? Let me tell you what will
happen. Bastillous Corp will eradicate any survivors so that
no one
has
to be paid to mine Prevelor. They’ll use huge machines and turn this outpost
into dust, extracting everything useful before blowing it up.”

“You didn’t work for a very friendly company, Sage.”

“We boasted an intergalactic reputation for our fair
business practices.”

“And they’d throw that reputation away to gain some
minerals?”

She sighed. “For any of this to be happening, the balance of
power must have shifted in my absence. The board is run by highly skilled, very
competitive people, some of whom would go to any length to advance their power.
Board members ultimately control the CEO. I aligned myself with Mr. Miller and
his constituents. I led with his beliefs and principles.”

“All right. So what do you think has happened in your
absence?”

“Nothing should’ve happened. At least not while I was on a
short leave. If I’m believed dead, the balance of power could’ve shifted. If my
replacement is one of those aligned with Mr. Gordon…”

“Good and evil? Can the politics of such a huge corporation
come down to single-minded power plays between opposing sides?”

“Absolutely. As with everything in the universe, there is,
as you put it, good and evil, right and wrong, the proper thing to do versus
the way of profits. I believe if the payoff was great enough, anything could
happen with the wrong person in charge. For Bastillous to deal with Sovereign
at all, it’s obvious who’s running things now. And for them to go to such
extremes to gain access to this tiny outpost, Prevelor has to have the mineral sedious.”

“Is it so valuable? Is it a fuel source? A component in a
chemical weapon?”

“No, something much more valuable. It’s the key element
needed to produce cast serum.”

He continued to stroke her arm, encouraging her to continue.

“Many years ago, the Governance began experimentation with
people from the planet Earth. It was a time when the Governance held its
supreme power by a mere toehold. They recruited Earthers, trained them and used
them as infantry. After a certain number of years in the field, they developed
an unusual disorder.”

“I’m well aware of the rage syndrome. It was an unfortunate
side effect of their training. Their efficiency in defeating enemies while in a
state of rage was very useful. No one knew that after about four years of
service, the rage would take them over and rule them completely.”

“They become feral.”

“That’s an usual word choice, but yes, they became useless.”

“And they’re disposed of. Wasted. At least until Bastillous
began working on an antidote to the disorder.”

“You found it?”

“Yes. Our scientists have isolated a very effective serum.
They key ingredient is sedious.”

“It would be worth many lives to produce such a product.”

“The Governance thinks so. The currency they’re offering is
staggering. They’ve also set up a rehabilitation facility on the planet
Klandelor. Hundreds of thousands are affected and the serum not only prevents
the disorder, we’ve had great results in reversing the disease. They need
massive amounts of castserum.”

The information only cemented Jacob’s belief the Governance
kept many dark secrets. No one but his grandfather, the president of the
Governance, knew everything. Did his father and mother know? “So, only the
wrongful members of the corporation were interested in sedious?”

“Of course not.” She stroked his hand, smoothing it onto her
belly. “We’d arranged many contracts for its mining. Legal ones. Ones where
everyone would benefit. What they’re doing here isn’t legal, isn’t moral and
certainly isn’t the manner in which Mr. Miller would conduct business.”

He cuddled her and held her close. “I’m glad to learn you
worked on the side of good, Sage.”

She chuckled. “And which side are you on, Jacob?”

“Yours.”

The hour was late, or very early into the morn. He didn’t
know which and it didn’t matter. They’d covered a great distance since he’d
crawled in next to her. The warmth of her body told him volumes. She no longer
believed he’d murder her in a few days. In fact, she’d insisted he save himself
and escape with her to the tunnel below the arena. Could it be she cared for
him? Perhaps a little?

He lowered his mouth to taste her sweet lips. She opened
without hesitation. The sweet, gentle kiss turned in seconds to a bold
exploration of his mouth. Panting, she said, “I don’t know for sure what’s
going to happen in a few days. All I know is that tonight, I need
reassurances.”

“How? What can I do?” He’d give her the stars if he could.

“I don’t want to think about Sovereign, Bastillous or
minerals. If the only time we have left is now, consume my mind with pleasure.
Please.”

He’d oblige her needs. Yes, he’d make sure she didn’t
concentrate on anything but enjoyable things.