Knightqueen

Chapter 11

Sten was watchful as they followed the Ti-Lore warriors.

“They seem friendly,” Carys said.

“We’ll see.”

She hid her smile. Her grumpy and untrusting knightguard.

They followed a well-trodden path through the hills. Carys tensed at the sound of snorting animals.

Ahead, a small herd of goat-like creatures milled, nibbling on the sparse grass growing between the rocks. They were sturdy, with large bodies and huge, curled horns on their heads. They were covered in dense, white fur, and all wore small saddles.

She watched the warriors swing onto their backs.

Sten’s frown deepened, and he touched her arm.

“It’ll be fine,” she said.

Azulon climbed onto one of the creatures and patted in front of him. His nephew scrambled on and then leaned over, stroking the creature’s neck.

“We will travel to our village on the chiru,” Azulon said.

Another warrior led a creature over to them.

“We only have one to spare, but it will safely carry both of your weight.”

“Thank you,” Carys said.

Sten climbed on. He held out a hand to her and then pulled her up, settling her in front of him. She suppressed a shiver at the feel of his big body behind her.

The creature, the chiru, shifted and snorted.

Sten took the reins, then they set off.

Azulon moved his beast up beside theirs. The boy smiled at her.

“My name is Carys,” she said to Azulon. “And this is Sten.”

The warrior inclined his head.

“And your nephew’s name?”

Azulon ruffled his nephew’s hair. “Malthor.”

“Hello, Malthor,” Carys said.

The boy beamed at her.

“It’s not far to our village,” Azulon said.

They picked up speed, and soon, Carys adjusted to the gait of the animal. Sten’s arm was tight around her, and she didn’t worry about falling. She leaned back into him.

He nuzzled her head. “You’re not injured?”

“I’m fine, Sten. I’m a knight, remember?”

“I know. It doesn’t mean I like seeing you risk yourself.”

His words ignited a warm glow inside her.

“You did well taking down that scout ship,” he said.

The glow increased. “Thanks.” She shifted in the saddle, and he groaned. His hand clamped on her hip.

“Stop moving.”

“Why?” Her pulse fluttered.

“Because my body is responding to yours. I’m riding an alien animal with a beautiful woman in my lap. I’m hard, and it isn’t exactly comfortable.”

She tried to look contrite. “Sorry.”

He snorted. “No, you’re not.” He squeezed her hip, then lowered his voice. “It’s made worse by the fact that I can’t do anything about it right now.”

His husky rumble vibrated deep within her. “Would you do something if you could?”

He leaned in, his mouth at her ear. “I can’t fight what I feel for you any longer, Carys. I would do whatever my queen demands. Not because of duty. Not because you ordered it. But because all I want is to please you.”

Heat coiled in her belly. “Sten.”

His palm spread over her belly. “Behave.”

“Things will change between us,” she said.

“I know.”

This time, she didn’t hear any hesitation in his voice.

The hills suddenly gave way to a flat plane. Carys glanced back at the forbidding mountains behind them. They weren’t free yet, but this felt a step closer.

Her mouth flattened. Then the Gek’Dragar would feel the might of the Oronis.

The glimmer of the ocean got closer, and she saw several small plumes of smoke curling upward.

“That is our village,” Azulon said. “Once, we called the mountains home, but then everything changed.”

“The Gek’Dragar,” she said quietly.

The Ti-Lore nodded. “The Gek’Dragar.”

The chiru walked on, the warriors murmuring between themselves. The path widened and the settlement came into view.

All the buildings were circular huts with domed roofs. They were made from bricks and some sort of woven straw. Colorful fabric flapped on lines strung between buildings.

Women, men, and children came out to greet them. They were all tall and lean, with dark-red skin and black hair, and wearing clothes with touches of fur. Most of the Ti-Lore were young. There were some elders, but not many.

The kids ran alongside the chiru. Some were scooped up by warriors.

“They’re a peaceful people.” She felt so much sorrow for them. “Their world and way of life have been destroyed by the Gek’Dragar.”

“They’re survivors. They haven’t let it warp them.”

The chiru stopped in the center of the village. Carys saw the villagers shoot her and Sten curious looks. Sten swung off the animal, then gripped her waist and lifted her down.

She saw Azulon talking to a woman with long, silky, black hair. The white markings on her face ran up her cheeks and were more delicate than those on the men. Then Malthor ran toward her, and she hugged the boy hard.

Then the woman looked up and caught Carys’ gaze. “Thank you for helping my son.”

Carys nodded. “It was our pleasure. And he helped us in return.”

“Carys, Sten,” Azulon said, “this is my sister, Nythoria.”

“How did you come to Ti-Lore?” Nythoria asked.

“As prisoners of the Gek’Dragar,” Carys answered.

A rumble of exclamation ran through the villagers. The woman’s eyes widened. “You escaped their prison?”

Carys nodded. “Yes.”

Azulon stepped forward. “It was you who destroyed it?”

“Not us.” Sten shook his head. “We just escaped in the chaos of the attack.”

“You’re lucky to be alive,” the other man said. “The mountains are unstable, and filled with twisted creatures.”

“We know,” Sten said. “We fought our way out. What happened here on your planet?”

Nythoria’s face twisted. “The Gek’Dragar ruined our mountains, our villages, and our animals.”

Azulon’s face hardened. “The Gek’Dragar used our plorion.”

“The blue mining fluid?” Carys said.

Azulon nodded. “For centuries, my people had used it in small amounts. We controlled its use.” His jaw tightened. “But the Gek’Dragar overused it. It destroyed our mountains, warped the animals.”

His sister leaned into him, and he hugged her.

“I’m sorry,” Carys said. “We must find a way to return to Oron. We need a communicator, or some way to contact our people. We have to stop the Gek’Dragar. I suspect that they’re planning to attack our planet too.”

“No one can stop them,” Nythoria said.

“Knightqueen Carys can,” Sten stated.

“Knightqueen?” Azulon froze. “You are the Queen of Oron?”

Carys nodded.

The man bowed his head. “You are so welcome among us, Knightqueen.”

“Thank you, Azulon. Please, no need to bow. We’re grateful for your help.”

“Do you have a communicator?” Sten asked.

Azulon shook his head. “We do not have a communications device here.”

Carys’ shoulders sagged.

“But the head of a neighboring village has some technology. He managed to hide it when our villages in the mountains fell. I will contact him, and see if he can help.”

Hope surged through her. “Thank you.”

Nythoria smiled. “I’m sure you would like to bathe, and change into some fresh clothes.” She eyed them. “We will need to adjust some of our clothes to fit you.”

Azulon nodded. “Nythoria can see to whatever you need. I will let you know when I hear from the neighboring village.”

“Come,” Nythoria said, waving a hand.

Carys took Sten’s hand and followed the woman into the village.

The female Ti-Loreled them to one of the round-topped buildings. She smiled, and waved them inside.

“Oh, this is beautiful,” Carys said.

The interior was covered in a plush rug, with vibrant wall hangings. A bed of overstuffed pillows sat to one side. Walking to the nearest wall hanging, she fingered the exquisite stitching.

Nythoria smiled. “Thank you. Our way of life has changed, but we’ve tried our best to adapt and not lose our skills. Making fabric and stitching our art onto it is a time-honored tradition.” She pushed back a dark-red wall hanging. “This is the way to your adjoining private bath house. We have natural mineral springs here.”

A wash of steam rolled over Sten. A second, round building with no windows was attached to the first. Inside was a large, irregular-shaped pool, with steam rising off the water.

“Hello? I have food for our guests.” An older Ti-Lore man entered the main hut, carrying a platter. He was tall and lean, but there was gray threaded in his long, black hair. Sten noticed he also had a heavy limp.

The tray was covered in fruits and breads, and a creamy-looking soup. There was also a glass bottle filled with red liquid. He set it down on a table.

“Thank you, Rinkin,” Nythoria said.

Carys smiled at the man. “Yes, thank you.”

He bowed his head. “My pleasure, Knightqueen.” He left quietly.

“Rest, Knightqueen.” Nythoria nodded to her and Sten. “It will take time for our messenger to reach the neighboring village. We will not hear news before morning.”

“Thank you again, Nythoria,” Carys said.

“You saved my son. You never have to thank me.” She left with a swish of her skirts.

“We can bathe.” Carys whirled around, excitement stamped all over her face. “Finally.” Her armor retracted, leaving her barefoot in her tattered dress.

His gut clenched at the thought of her naked. “You go ahead.”

She straightened. “No, we’re both bathing.” She grabbed his hand and dragged him into the bath house.

The air was warm, but he knew it wasn’t just the humidity. It was the desire that had remained a constant, low simmer inside him.

“Oh, look. There are soaps and lotions.” She gestured at a tray resting beside the hot pool.

He grunted. Soap was the last thing on his mind right now.

Control. He needed some control. The intensity of his desire for this woman was beyond anything he’d experienced. And she’d never been with a man. He didn’t want to hurt her.

She spun to face him. “I can hear you thinking, Sten.”

“I—”

“No.” She held up a hand. “We’re safe for now. It’s time to stop thinking.”

Then, before he realized what she had planned, she reached over her shoulder to the fastening of her dress. A second later, the fabric pooled at her feet.

He sucked in a breath.

His brain wouldn’t work. She was so beautiful. A long, slender body with gentle curves. Elegant, feminine, with pale-gold skin. She slid her underwear off and met his gaze, her chin lifted. She turned and strode into the water.

His gaze dropped to her ass. Those sweet globes.

When she was in the water, she turned. Her breasts bobbed, the upper curves pulling his gaze.

His throat was so tight he could barely breathe, and desire was heavy in his gut. In his thickening cock.

“You’re incredibly beautiful, Carys.”

She blushed. “You are, too.”

He snorted. “I’m a knightguard. I’m rough, and big, and scarred.”

“Beautiful in a masculine way. Your size and scars show your strength.” Her gaze locked on his. “Take your clothes off, Thorsten.”

He hesitated.

“Your queen commands it.” Her tone was low and playful.

He shuddered. The need for her was so strong. He wanted to stride into the pool and pull her into his arms.

To finally indulge everything he’d ever fantasized about this woman.

He yanked his shirt off, then unfastened his trousers.

He’d never given his body much thought before, except that it was fit, muscular, and strong for doing his job. But he was well-aware he was big and scarred, not handsome and elegant like the men Carys entertained at her gatherings and balls.

As he kicked his trousers away, there was no hiding his hard cock. He straightened. Carys was staring at him, her gaze running over his body.

Desire was etched on her face.

“You’re so strong, Sten.”

He pulled in a breath.

She moved to the edge of the pool, tantalizingly close. His cock rose to his abdomen.

“All of you is big and strong.” She glanced down at the water. “It reminds me of when I watched you. In the mine.” She looked up, her cheeks flushed. “When you stroked yourself and said my name. I was so wet. I wanted so much to touch you.”

He sucked in a sharp breath.

“Stroke yourself now. Show me. Show your queen.”

He groaned and circled his cock roughly. Her lips parted.

Having her watch him… He bit off the curse and pumped. He gripped himself harder, stroked faster.

“Sten.” She was entranced.

“It’s hard for you,” he growled.

“Come here.”

He staggered into the pool, and she rose to meet him. Her slick skin brushed him, and he clenched his muscles, stopping himself from coming.

“I want to touch you,” she murmured. “I want to help you.”

Then his queen, the woman he’d wanted for years, wrapped her elegant hands around his cock beside his.

“This part of you is not how I imagined,” she said. “It’s hard and strong like steel, but the skin is so soft.” Her finger traced up an engorged vein running up his cock.

His hips jerked, shoving his cock into her soft palm.

“Show me how to touch you,” she murmured.

He helped her stroke him. His gaze dropped to her breasts, her pretty, pink nipples. A gruff rumble broke from him.

“Harder.” His voice was like grit.

Carys leaned in, stroking harder. She tightened her grip on him.

He dropped his head and kissed her.

She kissed him back eagerly, and together they stroked his cock. Desire clamped down on Sten’s spine. Pleasure was building like a storm.

His control was all gone. He was hers. Always.

“Carys.” A tortured groaned.

“Come for me, Sten.” Her other hand dropped lower and cupped his balls. “Show me.”

He had to obey.

His release hit hard, and he heard her gasp. With a groan, his come splashed his skin, her hand, her belly. The force of his release made his back arch. So good. His lungs were working like bellows, and it was all he could do to stay upright.

Gul. All Carys had to do was touch him and he came like an untried teenager.

Carys rubbed his seed between her fingers. Then she lifted her hand to her lips and tasted it.

Sten groaned, and tugged her into the pool. “You unman me.”

She wrapped her arms around his shoulders. “You look very manly to me.”

There was happiness on her face, and Sten realized how happy that made him. “Your turn now.” He stroked his thumb over her lips. “Now, I’ll take care of you.”