Training the Warrior (22 page)

The next few minutes were pure agony. He
tried to reason with his response. In a desperate attempt to control himself,
he held his breath. It seemed to help, but the sounds of their coupling continued
to assault his ears. In his mind, he knew she tried to help Young Attor. Taelor
could tell his sister’s son was overcoming his rage. He was responding to the teacher.
The very thought infuriated him. Taelor was hanging on by a thread of sanity.
Attor’s howl of pleasure sent him to the brink of a murderous rage. For
precious minutes, he held back, beating his instincts down. Finally, unable to
stop himself, Taelor opened his eyes. His female was on top the warrior, her
hands rubbing…

Losing all control, Taelor roared, “Move
away!”

*

The warrior’s abrupt yell propelled Lydia
to her feet and she practically dove toward the door. Her only thought in that
instant was to escape. Dharjen Taelor’s deep, throaty voice sounded insane with
homicidal fury. She’d never heard such a frightening roar. Attor’s rage was
mild by comparison.

He intercepted her before she reached the
doorway, cutting off her path to safety. Brutally strong hands grabbed her
shoulders, hauling her away from the door. Lydia tried to scream, but the warrior
shoved her against the wall beside the door, at first holding her in place at
arm’s length. He leaned closer. She brought her hands up, pushing and pounding
against his massive chest with her fists. One large hand snagged both her
wrists, restraining her effortlessly. He stretched her arms over her head while
he jammed his hips into her, pinning her against the hard stone. In the midst
of the struggle, she realized it wasn’t the only hard thing pressing against
her. Dharjen Taelor had no intention of killing or maiming her. He was aroused
in a very big way.

“Let me go! Attor needs the teachers now,”
she said, trying to distract him.

“Silence!” He growled the order.

Lydia immediately ceased her struggles as
the huge warrior dipped his head down and pressed his face to her neck. He
inhaled deeply, then exhaled, letting loose a low, sensual growl.

“
Mine.
”

She gasped in surprise. His warm breath
stroked across her skin like a soft, gentle caress. The sensation sent pleasure
straight to her core, arousing her desire.
No. Not again. Not now.

Two doors opened simultaneously. Four handlers
stormed in from one side to surround Attor, protecting him. A group of teachers,
led by the head mistress, rushed in from the opposite doorway.

“Dharjen Taelor! State your intent,” the head
mistress demanded.

To Lydia, it felt as if time had stopped.
Taelor held her against the wall with his body for what seemed like ages before
he stepped back a few inches. As he withdrew enough for her to catch her
breath, she gazed at him. The giant warrior possessively stared back at her.
His face was familiar. She stared at him, taking in every feature. She knew
this warrior, had seen him before…honey-warm eyes, dark golden-toned skin and
hair streaked with the most unusual shades of cream, brown, blond and mocha. He
was the latte warrior she’d almost run into a few years ago—the warrior of her
dreams. And from the lusty way he stared back at her, she knew without a doubt
he didn’t give a damn about the crowd gathering around them. He wasn’t
releasing her—ever. If he hadn’t had a good hold on her wrists, she was certain
she would have slid down the wall and fell in a heap once again at his feet.

“I claim this female.” His deep voice
rumbled with resolve as he clearly spoke his intentions. Then, as if to make
certain no one misunderstood, he tore his gaze from Lydia in order to glare at
the handlers. He growled threateningly. “She is mine, my mate. Look away!”

“Then take her to your quarters warrior,”
the head mistress ordered in a tone that demanded the attention of everyone in
the room, including Taelor’s. “We have duties to perform. A young warrior is in
need of training.”

Lydia sent her mentor a frantic look,
silently pleading for help. Mistress Breanne shook her head ever so slightly,
letting her know there was nothing she could do. The warrior had every right to
claim her and no one could or would prevent him from taking her.

Lydia was in shock. Her mind registered the
fact that someone helped her into her robe after Taelor released her wrists. A
feminine hand gripped hers and gave a swift squeeze. She hoped it was Takoora.
The warrior swept her up into his arms and whisked her out of the room before
she could think to say a single goodbye to her friends. As he carried her away,
she buried her face against his chest, trying to gather her wits. He smelled
damned good. Naturally, he would. He was her mate.

Ignoring her completely, the warrior
navigated several stairways in silence, always climbing upward, before he
kicked open a thick, double-door entrance to a wide corridor. He strolled into
the hall, pulled up short and growled. Lydia raised her head from his chest to
see what angered him.

“Stay back, Jarrok.” Taelor snarled.

The younger warrior already backed away.
After the warning, he retreated faster. She recognized him. Taelor’s partner
appeared a little older now, but he was the one who’d said she had pretty eyes.
Lydia saw the surprised expression on his face as he scrambled down the
corridor, rapidly putting as much distance between them as he could. Jarrok
didn’t stop until he backed into the wall at the end of the hallway.
Thankfully, it was a long one.

With nowhere else to go, Jarrok raised his
hands and then spread his arms out from his sides. He scented the air.

“She’s yours, Taelor. Your room is there,
first door to your right. Remember?”

Lydia glanced up. Taelor’s face was a mask
of barely restrained fury. The sight frightened her. He took his attention off
Jarrok long enough to glance at her. His eyes smoldered, as if lit by golden
embers. He inhaled and then growled.

“The smell of another male on your body
enrages me. Don’t fear me, Lydia. I’ll never hurt you.” Taelor snarled. “But I
want to kill Attor, or any male who comes too close right now.”

Not soothed by his assurances, Lydia
trembled. Taelor’s responding groan didn’t help, but as he shifted his
attention away from her and back to Jarrok, she buried her face once again against
his chest, taking refuge in his rapturous smell. He hadn’t even claimed her yet
and already she succumbed to his addictive scent.

Still clutched in his arms, she felt him
stalk forward. He stopped at a door and adjusted his hold on her to extend the
arm beneath her knees just enough to reach the latch. Taelor opened the door.

As he crossed over the threshold, he yelled
over his shoulder. “Guard the door, Jarrok. No one enters!” He kicked the door,
slamming it shut.

Lydia got a glimpse of his quarters while
Taelor carried her through the main area into his bedroom and headed straight
for the bath. Her first impression was opulence. She never knew the citadel had
such luxurious accommodations. By Tauran or warrior standards, Dharjen Taelor’s
quarters were palatial. She didn’t know him at all, but she thought he seemed
out of place in such surroundings.

He came to an abrupt stop and let her slide
out of his arms. Her bare feet settled on the cold floor of the stone shower
enclosure. It was large enough for three warriors, making Lydia feel dwarfed
and insignificant. Taelor’s presence loomed over her. She resented how he made
her feel. She wasn’t a wimpy little female anymore.
So why are you letting
him intimidate you?
Strengthened by her inner lecture, she pushed away and
turned her back to him.

“Leave me alone,” she said, thankful her
voice didn’t tremble. Lydia gathered her robe closer as she retreated to a far
corner. “I need to shower.”

His heavy breathing was all she heard in
the confines of the enclosure. Was he angrier now? Or did he intend to stay and
watch? She and Kern had showered together, but she was too nervous and confused
at the moment to even think about sharing a bath with Taelor. Lydia prayed he’d
let her have just a few moments to herself.

“Remove Attor’s stench from your body. I’ll
wash in the guestroom.”

Chapter Twelve

Lydia listened to his heavy steps as he
stomped away. She didn’t attempt to move until she heard the bathroom door
close behind him. One peek over her shoulder assured her that he was indeed
gone. She leaned against the wall for support, stunned by everything that had
just happened. Her shock was so great she couldn’t even work up a few tears.
Her life as a teacher was over, taken away in a split second. There was no
doubt in her mind Taelor would claim her as soon as she was done showering. It
wasn’t his fault. She knew he had no choice. And her traitorous body was
already primed for him. His damn smell even lingered in the shower.

She stripped off her robe, then threw it
out of the enclosure. She pressed a pad on the wall and water cascaded down
from the high ceiling. A cleansing warm waterfall mixed with soapsuds spread
over her. She let it soak into her hair, enjoying the sensation as she slowly
unwound her thick braid, freeing the long strands. The ends swiped against her
bottom, reminding her that after the claiming she’d no longer be required to
bind her hair in the traditional style worn by the teachers. Perhaps Taelor would
let her cut it a few inches to make it more manageable. She had her doubts.
Warriors liked their mates to wear their hair long.

Lydia stroked her hands over her body,
cleaning every inch of skin she could reach. She paid special attention to her
sex, trying hard to wash away any evidence of Attor’s fluids. Any lingering
smell of another male would irritate Taelor. The realization of what she was
doing hit her full force. She was already trying to please him
. Oh hell. I’m
so screwed.
The mere thought turned her on more.

Lydia tried to distract herself by
concentrating on rinsing away the soap. The second pad she pressed started the
flow of pure water. The warmth relaxed her. She ran her fingers through her
hair, helping to remove the remaining lather. After she was satisfied, she
turned off the water and then stepped out of the shower. A row of plush, large
towels hung conveniently nearby. She grabbed a couple. One she used to dry her
hair, the other she wrapped around her body, almost twice. She searched the
cabinets and found a large comb, which she put to quick use. Once her hair was
smoothed and tangle free she took a moment to stare at her image in the mirror.
The woman staring back at her seemed troubled. She knew what bothered her. It
was a human fear, one she’d thought she’d overcome years ago. Her self-doubt
gnawed at her.

Taelor was royalty, a dharjen, for god’s
sake. Would he see her as a worthy mate? Or would he be embarrassed by what she
was? On Earth, she would have been considered something worse than a
prostitute. Did the Taurans and warriors truly think so highly of the teachers?
Would Taelor be proud he claimed her as his mate?

Lydia realized at that very moment she
really desired him, wanted him to claim her. Taelor was the warrior who’d invaded
all her dreams, day and night, ever since she’d fallen at his feet years ago.
She was certain he was the only man who could fill the hole left in her heart.
He’s
mine.

She desperately wanted him to be proud of
her. If he wasn’t, then what could she do? Just the thought of him feeling
ashamed of her sent a spike of nausea to her gut.

“I swear I won’t live with a man who
despises me,” she whispered to the woman in the mirror.
Even if his body
drugs me
, she added silently.

Taelor’s masculine voice distracted her. He
talked to someone. The conversation took place in his bedroom. Lydia crept to
the bathroom door and pressed her ear against the smooth wood. She heard his
words easily. The other voice was faint, but familiar. It was Mistress Breanne
and she spoke to Taelor from a com-unit.

“Dhara Laeness has been informed of Attor’s
recovery. She’s making plans to leave Fortress at this time.”

“I’m grateful for your help, Mistress
Breanne,” Taelor said.

“I must speak with you in private as soon
as you are able, dharjen. It’s a matter of utmost importance.”

“Yes, mistress.”

Lydia thought Taelor sounded annoyed,
barely managing to maintain a degree of politeness.

“I also want to inform you the teachers are
burdened by your claiming. Lydia is one of our most talented teachers. Her
skills will be missed.”

“I understand, mistress.”

Yes, Taelor tried very hard, but his words
were clipped and harshly spoken. Lydia couldn’t suppress a tiny smile. The warrior
she was already thinking of as hers was close to losing his temper. She
wondered if his glorious mane was still damp from the shower. Was he standing
naked in the bedroom while he talked to the head mistress? Just the mental
picture sent a jolt of anticipation through her.

“No, Taelor. You don’t understand. I was
training Lydia to be my replacement. I wanted you to know this so you’d realize
she’s different. She isn’t Tauran in any way. She’s from another planet we know
nothing about. She calls her race human, but she’s like a daughter to me. She
was to be the head mistress of the teacher clan.”