Knightqueen

Chapter 14

It felt surreal to step onto the Terran ship.

Carys looked around with interest. The vessel was so bright, and spotlessly clean, which was such a contrast to the last week of her life.

Sten was one step behind her, silent and protective, as they entered the bridge of the Helios. A large viewscreen dominated the forward wall, and rows of consoles sat in front of it. Most of the consoles had no one sitting at them.

“Knightqueen Carys, I’m Captain Attaway.” A uniform-clad woman with short, blonde-brown hair strode forward, hand extended. “We’re all so glad you’re all right.”

“Captain.” She took the woman’s hand and shook in the way Terrans did. “You have my greatest gratitude for coming after me and Knightguard Sten. Thank you.”

“It was the least we could do.”

“I know you risked a great deal, and I’m thankful.”

“Knightqueen.” Nea stepped forward. “You need to go to Medical to get checked.”

“I’m fine, really—”

“You’ll get checked.” Sten’s voice brooked no argument.

She shot him a look. “Then you will, too.”

His mouth flattened. “As my queen commands.”

Her belly clenched, thinking of the last time he’d said that phrase. But now, he looked like a robot, his face impassive. There was no sign of the man who’d loved her so thoroughly.

“We’re ready to get underway,” the captain said. “Let’s set our route to Oron.”

The few crew members on the bridge tapped at their consoles.

The ship’s engines rumbled, vibrating the floor beneath Carys’ feet. She stared at the image of Ti-Lore on the viewscreen. Even from space, she could see the vast mountain ranges that crossed the planet, and dense greenery at the poles.

We will not forget you.

“Come, Carys,” Sten said.

She let him lead her off the bridge.

Nea and Ensign Noth led them down some corridors. The knightmaster stopped and pressed her palm to a panel. The door slid open with a quiet hiss. Medical was bright, clean, and well-organized, and empty of staff.

“Your Highness, I’m afraid I’m all there is to run the scanner,” the young ensign said. “I’m sorry we don’t have a full crew.”

“We only took volunteers for a skeleton crew to travel into Gek’Dragar space,” Nea explained. “They’ve done an excellent job.”

“I’m sure you’ll do a fine job as a stand-in healer, Ensign.” Carys sat up on one of the bunks. The young man moved a scanning unit over her. It beeped.

“You’re in good health. It appears your minor wounds are already healing themselves, thanks to your implants.” He held up an injector. “I’d like to give you an antibiotic stimulant.”

She nodded and he pressed it to the side of her neck.

“Now check Sten,” she said.

Her knightguard crossed his muscular arms. “My injuries are healing too—”

“I don’t care. You almost died a day ago.”

He grunted and sat on the bunk beside hers. He grumpily let the ensign treat him.

“Do you have any more intel on the Gek’Dragar weapon?” Nea asked.

“No.” Carys jerked her gaze off Sten. “All we know is that it uses the mining fluid. The Ti-Lore call it plorion. And that it will destroy all life on Oron.”

Nea’s face hardened. “The Gek’Dragar must have it aboard a cloaked ship to transport it. I’ll send word to Ashtin to monitor for all incoming ships to Oron.”

“Excellent. Thank you, Nea.”

“Knightguard Sten, you’re also fine,” Ensign Noth said. “I see where you had some internal injury but it’s healing up just fine.”

“I’ve assigned cabins to both of you.” Nea smiled. “I’m guessing you’d like a hot shower, and to get some decent sleep.”

Sten nodded. “Thanks, Nea. It’s imperative that Carys rests.”

Carys frowned at him. He was speaking so coolly. Like they were nothing. Just a queen and her guard.

She hated it. Her hands flexed on the edge of the bunk beneath her.

“Carys?”

Nea’s voice made her look up. Everyone was looking at her, so she guessed the knightmaster had asked her something.

“I’m sorry. I’m just tired.” She glanced at Sten again, and found his rugged face blank.

“Of course,” Nea said. “Food has already been sent to your cabins. Go. Get some sleep. We should be out of Gek’Dragar space soon. The Terran cloaking system is very effective, but still experimental. We burned it out once on the way here. So, if it fails again, I’d prefer to be back in Oronis space.”

Carys slid off the bunk. “Thank you, Nea. You risked so much to find us.”

The knightmaster bowed her head. “It’s my honor and duty.” She looked up. “Sten, can I have a moment of your time to debrief?”

“Of course,” he replied.

Carys choked back her frustration. She’d wanted to see him. Alone.

And smack him for practically ignoring her.

Had his feelings changed? Did he no longer feel what he felt when they’d been alone on Ti-Lore?

She walked alone down the corridor. He’d never actually said how he felt. She knew that he was attracted to her, but…ugh. She hated feeling like this. Uncertain and questioning everything.

She reached her assigned cabin and touched the door control. It opened.

“Welcome Knightqueen Carys,” a modulated computer voice said.

The cabin was nice and spacious. There was a tray of food resting on the built-in table and a small, adjoining washroom. Walking over, she picked at some fruit and cheese on the tray, but her stomach was too knotted for her to eat. She headed for the washroom.

Maybe a shower would help? She carefully stripped off the Ti-Lore outfit. She’d have it cleaned and keep it.

The hot shower brought tears to her eyes. It brought back memories of the heated mineral pool. She washed her hair several times, then flicked off the water and stepped into the dryer.

Clean and dry, she felt a little more normal. She found a silky, white robe hanging on a hook and pulled it on. She brushed her hair, then used several of the lotions and moisturizers she found in the drawers.

Now, she needed to hunt Sten down.

She would not stand by and let him freeze her out. She nodded at her reflection in the mirror. She’d find him and tell him exactly what she thought.

She’d barely taken two steps into her cabin when the door chimed.

She touched the door controls, and found Sten standing on the other side, showered and changed. His hair was damp, and he smelled of something woody.

“My queen—”

She gripped the front of his shirt and yanked him into the cabin.

“Say my name, Thorsten.”

He met her gaze. “Carys.”

She put her hands on her hips. “Since we came aboard this ship, you’ve acted like…like you’ve never touched me. Or kissed me. I hate it.” She threw her hands in the air. “Are you just going to ignore me now?” She poked him in the chest. “Pretend that nothing ever happened between us?”

He stepped forward and yanked her to him, and then his mouth was on hers.

Sten plunderedher mouth until she was breathless.

Not touching Carys in front of the others had almost killed him. He lifted his mouth and watched as she licked her lips.

“That’s much better,” she whispered.

He nudged her back until she sat on the edge of the bed. He knelt in front of her.

“I am yours. I will always do what is best for you. Out there, you are the knightqueen. That’s a fact.”

“Sten—”

“But in here, I’m yours in every way. A man who will do everything he can to cherish you.”

She released a long breath. “Anything?”

“Yes.”

“Then rise.”

He stood, towering over her.

“Now strip, my knightguard.”

He unfastened his shirt and pulled it off. Her hot gaze ran over him. The raw appreciation left no doubt how much she liked his body.

He kicked his pants off and was naked before her, his cock rising, thick and proud.

“You please me, Sten. Everything about you.” She jerked her head. “Sit.”

He saw the chair at the built-in desk, unlatched it, and sat.

She rose, all lithe grace. Her robe had loosened, giving him glimpses of her naked body—the curve of her breasts, the slope of her belly. His gut tightened. Her skin was sleek, and she smelled like flowers.

She ran a hand along his shoulders. “I love how broad you are.” Her fingers danced across his chest. “I love your strength.”

He closed his eyes and felt her press a kiss to his shoulder. He shuddered.

“I love how you react when I touch you. How I affect you.”

“You’d affect any man.”

She nipped his ear. “You know I don’t care about other men. I care about you.” She traced the scars on his cheek. “You got these for me. Protecting me.”

“I’d die for you.”

She stepped in front of him, frowning. “That is something I don’t want. I’d prefer for you to live for me.”

“As my queen commands.”

She straddled him and he grunted. He went to touch her, but she pushed his hands down to the arms of the chair.

“I’m touching you, Sten.” Her lips nibbled his and then she kissed him. He groaned into her mouth. “I want you to enjoy my touch, and when we’re outside this cabin, I want you to still feel it. To be imagining the next time I touch you.” She undulated, rubbing against his cock teasingly.

“I’m always imagining touching you.”

“Good.”

He saw her desire, scented it. He got another glimpse of her full breasts through the robe.

“Who do you belong to?” she murmured.

“You, Carys. Always.”

She licked her lips, rubbing faster now, and he felt how wet she was. He gritted his teeth. It was pure torture, and his body vibrated with need.

“One day, I will touch you in front of others. Let them see what you mean to me.”

He frowned. “Carys…?”

“Shh. No more talking.” Her voice was breathy. “Sten?”

“Yes.”

“I…want you to touch me now.”

“Are you done with your teasing?”

Her hands tightened on his shoulders. “Yes. I want you inside me now. And Sten, make me feel it.”

With a growl, he surged up. He tore the robe off her body and turned her. He bent her over the built-in desk.

She gasped, bracing herself. He knew he was being rough, but she’d pushed him to the edge. He wanted to take her roughly, have her accept him in every way.

He stroked between her thighs. “You like that?”

“Yes,” she breathed.

He slid a hand into her hair, and pushed his fingers inside her. “You’re so wet, Carys.”

“For you.”

He pressed his body to hers, then moved up to work that tantalizing nub between his fingers. She cried out his name.

“You’ll feel this, Carys.” He withdrew his hand, and rubbed the head of his cock through her soft folds. “You’ll feel my possession. I won’t be gentle.”

“Good.”

Then he surged inside her. With a short scream, she arched her back.

“When we get back to Oron, when you’re wearing an elegant dress, standing in front of your people, you’ll still feel me between your legs. No one will know, except you and me.” He thrust hard. “No one will know that you had your big brute of a guard between your legs.”

She moaned.

He thrust harder, rougher. He wanted to claim her in every way.

“Sten?”

His fingers tightened in her hair. “Yes.”

“I want to see your face. I want to watch when you come inside me.”

His gut clenched so hard it was painful. He pulled out of her, and she moaned. He spun her and lifted her off her feet. He carried her to the bed and set her down. Then he covered her body with his, settling between her legs.

She smiled at him.

He couldn’t talk, he needed to be back inside her.

This time, he filled her slowly. He watched wonder spread over her face.

“You feel so right.” She cinched her legs tight against his sides.

Sten rocked into her, drowning them both in the searing pleasure. His gaze locked on hers. “My queen.”

“My Sten.”

He watched as she came, then he followed her over the edge.