Page 7 of The Emperor’s Concubine (The Thibian Chronicles #1)

CHAPTER 7

B laze walked down the hall toward the harem’s chamber. He couldn’t wait for dinner tonight. Never had he been more eager for the warmth of one woman, but with Calliope, he just couldn’t help himself. Each night their bodies joined it was just as explosive as the first time. He wasn’t getting the least bit tired of her. In fact, the more he had her, the more he wanted her.

After that first night when he’d made it clear to her that there was no escaping him, she never brought the subject up again, but his conscience was pricked. If the truth were known, he wasn’t crazy about the institution of slavery either, preferring the paid servants and the robots to tend to his needs.

Most of his harem members were there voluntarily. There had been many times when he’d thought of outlawing slavery on Thibius, but that was before the beautiful human came into his life. If he outlawed slavery, he’d be forced to let her go. He couldn’t do it.

When she was with him, he couldn’t get enough of her, and when they were apart, his thoughts were consumed with her. Everything about her pleased him, from her gentle smile to the way she’d dance for him. Every now and then she’d share little glimpses of herself with him. There was still so much she kept to herself, but he hoped she’d eventually trust him enough to open up to him.

He’d inform Tuk that he wanted to have dinner in his room and for Calliope to join him. What was the point of going through with the nightly ritual when everyone knew he’d end up choosing her anyway?

To get to the harem’s room, he had to pass through the servants’ quarters. As he made his way down the hall, he halted when he spotted a small child standing in the middle of the hall. Where had she come from?

As he drew closer, he took a better look at her. She had the appearance of a human child and, if he wasn’t mistaken, she looked like a miniature version of Calliope. She had the same rich brown skin tone, and big brown eyes. What was the meaning of this? The child eyed him warily.

Kneeling before the pretty little girl, he asked, “Where do you belong, little one?”

The child looked him up and down, then poked her lip out. “I want Mama.”

“Can you tell me your name?” he tried again as patiently as he could. He didn’t have much experience with children and didn’t know if this was normal behavior or not.

“London. I want Mama.”

“London is your name?” It was an odd name to him, but he didn’t presume to know the minds of humans.

She nodded.

“What’s your mama’s name?”

“Mama,” the child answered, as though it were the simplest question in the world.

“Oh, Sire, I’m so sorry. I hope the little one didn’t get in your way.” Nola, one of his servants, ran over to him and grabbed the child by the arm.

“What is this child doing here? And who does she belong to?”

Nola’s mouth gaped open then closed.

Blaze tapped his foot impatiently. “I’m waiting, Nola.”

“Well, Tuk told me to watch her,” the woman stalled.

“That doesn’t answer my question. I would hate to dismiss you over something as simple as this, seeing as you’ve served me well.”

“But you can’t do that!” Nola protested and then, remembering herself, she bowed her head. “Please forgive my rash tongue, Sire, but I was only following Tuk’s orders. The child came with your newest concubine. This is her daughter,” the woman confessed.

His suspicions were confirmed and confusion seeped in. Why would Tuk and Darus bring a child back with them? That certainly wasn’t protocol. But what bothered him the most was that Calliope hadn’t mentioned her daughter.

Hurt rose within his breast. He looked down again at the little girl whose resemblance to her mother was uncanny.

“I want Mama,” she said again.

“Nola, what has the child been doing all this time?”

Not raising her bowed head, the servant woman answered, “Mainly she stays with me while I do my duties. She’s a good girl.”

“Hmm. Take her with you and make sure that some toys are purchased for her at market. I believe little girls like dolls.”

“Yes, Sire. Of course. Come along, London, and I’ll see if cook will fix you a nice treat.” She took the child by the hand and led her off.

He couldn’t get to Calliope or Tuk fast enough for one of them to explain what this was all about. How dare they keep this from him?

When he burst into the harem’s chambers, several of the women who’d been lying around stood up immediately and ran over to him, but he only had eyes for the woman sitting by the window looking out of it so longingly.

“Greetings, Sire. What honor you bestow on us to visit in the middle of the day like this,” Vesta, one of his concubines, cooed.

“Where’s Tuk?” he demanded.

“She’s gone to see to things for tonight’s dinner, but she said she’d return shortly,” another concubine answered.

His eyes never left Calliope who had turned her head to see him. She looked faintly surprised and rose from her spot. Not waiting for her to walk to him, he went to her. “I wish to have a word with you… in private. Come with me. Ladies, you will inform Tuk where Calliope is I’m sure,” he said ignoring the looks of disappointment on his other concubines’ faces.

He grasped Calliope by the elbow and led her out of the room.

“They already hate me. Now they’ll hate me even more,” she said solemnly.

Blaze paused for a moment but continued on. He probably shouldn’t have singled her out in front of the other women like that, but dammit, he’d been so eager to see her, and now he wanted answers. Needed answers.

He led her out to the mechanical garden.

“This is nice. I think it’s the first time I’ve actually been outside since I’ve been here,” she sighed, then took a whiff of air. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen flowers quite like this before.”

Blaze motioned for her to sit on a long stone bench. “During the chemical war, most of the vegetation on this planet was wiped out. Almost everything that grows now is by machine. Some of the crops and flowers are new creations. They’re nice, but I miss the real thing.”

“I can imagine. Why did you bring me out here?”

“I believe I should be the one asking questions, Calliope. And what I’d like to know is why am I just finding out that you have a child?”

A stricken expression crossed her face, eyes widening with what looked like fear. “What would it have mattered? I do all that you ask me to do.”

“No, you don’t. You give me that delectable body of yours, but that’s it. You close yourself off to me, never sharing any other part of yourself.”

Calliope looked away, eyes downcast. “I didn’t realize it was a requirement. What do you think I should do?”

“I don’t want you to hold anything back from me.”

“Whatever it is you want from me, I’ll give it to you, just please don’t send her away. She’s all I have left. It wasn’t Tuk and Darus’s fault either. I refused to leave Adlene without her.”

Blaze sighed. It was obvious that Calliope dearly loved her daughter, but something just didn’t make sense. He’d tried to get her to open up to him on many occasions. There were times after they fucked when he’d hold her in his arms and ask her things about herself, but his questions were usually met with one word responses or something that didn’t have much to do with the subject.

“Do you think I’m such a monster that I would send her away when she obviously means so much to you? I’m not a bad person. I only wish you would have told me about her. There has been ample opportunity for you to do so.”

“I believe you made it quite clear from the first time we screwed that you didn’t want to know about my life on Earth. So why should I share anything with you just to be shot down?”

A sudden wave of shame washed through him as he remembered when he’d told her that. At the time it had been his stubbornness that had prevented him from wanting to know more about her life because if he had, he would have been forced to further examine the other things she’d told him. He didn’t want to because that would mean having to set her free. Even now that thought pained him.

He mulled it over in his head and realized she was more than just a concubine. She was a woman he couldn’t live without. He’d fought this feeling from the moment he’d laid eyes on her, but now he couldn’t. Blaze was no better than his father, pining for a woman and letting her consume his thoughts. And there wasn’t a damn thing he could do about it. For the first time in his life, he was in love. There were no rules that said once he set her free that she couldn’t be his Queen, but was it something she wanted?

“You have no idea how deeply I regret those words. If I could take them back, I would. Can we not start over again? Get to know each other better?”

Calliope laughed humorlessly while eyeing him warily. “And why would you want to do that? I’m just a slave to you to do what you want with. Now that you know about my daughter, I suppose you’ll use her against me like the others have.”

His heart pounded, threatening to burst through his chest. Surely she couldn’t be implying what he thought she was. “Explain yourself,” he demanded, nostrils flaring.

“The Adieaens told me they’d sell her if I didn’t do what they asked. They subjected me to all kinds of humiliating things, and I did them for her. And the only reason Tuk and Darus brought her along was because they saw they could use her in the same way.”

Blaze frowned, not liking where this was headed. “Are you saying the reason that you rejoined my harem was because they pressured you, using your daughter as incentive?” Chest tight, he found it difficult to breathe. He held his breath while waiting for her response.

“I never wanted to be in your harem. But like before, I did it for London. I’ve endured your touch for her sake.”

An unbelievable hurt like he’d never dealt with before crushed him. With her stoic confession, it felt like she’d ripped out his heart and squashed it in her delicate palms. He looked at her imploringly, waiting for her to take it back, to tell him she hadn’t meant it, but instead he was met with stony silence.

She spoke of humiliation, but nothing was more humiliating than realizing you loved someone, and the object of your affections not only didn’t return your feelings, but wanted nothing to do with you. He stood up abruptly and paced the garden, trying to figure out his next course of action. His pride said to let her go if she truly didn’t want to be with him, but his heart and body wouldn’t allow it.

No! He couldn’t accept what she’d told him. Maybe his servants had used Calliope’s daughter to their advantage, but she couldn’t fake her responses. When she moaned for him, it seemed like she meant it. When she told him how much she’d wanted him, that had been real too. His anger grew into a raging beast, so strong he could almost see it.

Blaze wanted to scream and lash out, but instead, he stalked back over to where she sat. “Liar!”

Calliope gasped, quickly looking away from him. Her body started to tremble. “I’m sorry.”

“Not as sorry as you will be if you don’t admit the truth to me. Admit to me that you want me as much as I want you!” he yelled.

Raising her chin, she looked him square in the eye but didn’t say a word.

So she was challenging him? He’d show her exactly who was in charge. “So you think I’m a monster? You think I’m repulsive. Fine. I’ll show you how repulsive I can be.” Fumbling with his pants, he undid them just enough to free his cock which was already hard and ready for Calliope’s pussy. Plopping down on the bench, he looked at her. “Come sit on my cock.”

Her eyes widened. “But… anyone could walk out here,” she argued.

“So what? This is my palace, and I can do what I want, where I want. And right now I want you to come sit on my cock. Or shall I have a talk with Tuk about your precious little London?” He knew he shouldn’t have said it, but he’d never been angrier in his life.

She stood up abruptly. “Just as I thought,” she muttered softly. Fists clenching at her sides, she stared at him long and hard for several moments. Then she started to slide her billowing skirts down her hips.

“Slower. And I want you to unhook the bra first. When you sit on my member I’m going to want to suck those firm breasts of yours while you ride me. Don’t deprive me of the show this time. You so like putting on a show, don’t you, Calliope?”

He didn’t wait for her to answer as he noticed her shaking. Whether from embarrassment or anger, he couldn’t tell. He continued to taunt her. “Take your time undressing for me. I want to see that I got my money’s worth.” Even to his own ears that sounded harsh, but he was beyond reasoning right now. He wanted to pay her back for hurting him. Were those tears glistening in her eyes? No, he was just imagining them. He had to be.

Calliope took a deep breath and slowly unclipped her bra to reveal two dark perfect breasts his palms itched to fondle. His mouth watered as he eyed the two nearly black peaks crowning the gorgeous mounds.

When she made a move to take her skirt off, he held his hand up to her. “Wait, don’t take it off. Lift it up and show me your cunt.”

Again she hesitated but obeyed him, slowly lifting the sheer material over lean muscled legs and rounded hips.

“Spread your legs a little,” he ordered.

Her eyes narrowed slightly, but she did as she was told.

“Very nice. Now come over here. No, keep the skirt up. Yes, right here,” he whispered, reaching over to run his finger along her slit. “Such a pretty pussy and such a wet one. You may deny that you want me, but your body says otherwise.”

Calliope turned her head away from him, gasping when Blaze inserted two fingers into her wet box, sliding them to the hilt.

“Look at me. I want to see your face as my fingers fuck you.”

“Why are you doing this to me?” she asked, barely above a whisper, voice trembling.

For a brief second, his conscience kicked in but Blaze immediately pushed it back. He’d make her feel the pain he felt before this was all over. It could have been different between the two of them, but this was a choice she’d made.

“I won’t tell you again. Ride my fingers, Calliope,” he said tightly.

She closed her eyes and began to move up and down on his hand, her pussy gushing around his fingers.

“Damn, you’re tight. That’s it. Ride it. Move those hips,” he ordered as he slid another finger in her damp channel, stretching her as far as she’d go. A soft moan escaped her lips and he chuckled, reveling in the fact that she was getting off on this. It vindicated him to know that she wanted him to do this to her. “You like this don’t you, Calliope?”

“Don’t make me say it.”

“Oh, but that’s exactly what I’m going to make you do. Say it or I remove my fingers. I’ll stop right now. So would you rather tell me what I want to hear, or would you rather I stop doing this all together?”

“I hate you,” she muttered under her breath, but he heard her loud and clear. This only egged him on.

“Maybe you do hate me, but your body doesn’t. I think I might even prefer your hate. Your pussy has never been wetter. It’s drenching my hand, and the aroma is more intoxicating than anything you could imagine.” Pulling his fingers out of her, he brought them to his mouth and licked every drop of her from his hand, his eyes never leaving hers. “Delicious. Now come here. I need to be inside you.”

He could tell it was an effort for her to come to him, but Blaze was beyond caring. Lifting her skirt higher, she straddled his hips, fitting her pussy over his hard member. Slowly she slid over him, taking a little of his cock into her at a time, nearly touching her womb.

“Oh, Calliope,” he groaned savoring the feel of her pussy clenched snuggly around him. It felt like a firm wet fist.

Deep down, he wished things didn’t have to be like this between them but she’d left him no choice. How was he supposed to act when she’d made her contempt for him known? He certainly had no intention of allowing her to find out how badly she’d hurt him.

He grabbed her by the hips to guide her. When she threw her arms around him, he leaned forward to capture one taut nipple between his teeth, teasing and torturing it gently. Transferring his attention to her other breast, he sucked and nipped her tight peak until it was swollen. As she began to bounce up and down on his cock, he knew he could never let her go no matter what. He’d keep her by any means necessary.

Nibbling on her breasts, he dug his fingers into her lush hips, slamming his cock into her so hard she cried out with each thrust. Torrent waves of pleasure swam through his body.

She moaned, softly at first, but as his thrusts became more frenzied, she cried out, her dark mounds jiggling seductively. Her scent and taste were enough to drive him wild with a reckless passion that he could not hold. Greedy for her words of adulation he commanded her to say his name.

“Blaze! Oh, Blaze. Your cock feels so good,” she groaned.

She rocked her hips over him and he knew the floodgates would soon open, but she needed something more. He wanted some ass, in the worst way. He had to make sure she knew exactly who she belonged to.

Lifting her up slightly, Blaze pulled his cock out. It made a slurping noise as it slid out of her pussy. Pressing the tip against the puckered ring of her anus, he pushed his hips up. His cock was so wet he knew it would be easy sliding into her lush ass.

Calliope stiffened.

“Easy, my flower. We’ve done this before. This is no different. Now relax so I can fuck this luscious ass as it was intended.”

Easing his cock into her anal tunnel, he gasped at the exquisite sensation. She wrapped her arms around his neck and buried her face in his neck. Blaze gave her a moment to adjust to him, but he found it difficult to hold back. “Are you ready for this?” he asked through gritted teeth.

“Yes,” she whispered.

Wrapping his fingers around her tiny waist, Blaze bucked his hips forward. Her ass was so incredibly tight that he knew he’d be finished within a few strokes, but he needed this. The feel of her lips pressed against his skin was enough to wreak havoc on his senses.

He was gentle at first, and then pounded into her. He branded and claimed her with each thrust. Her fingernails dug into his skin, breaking it. Blaze groaned, knowing he’d never feel like this with any other woman. Calliope had ruined him for anyone else, and he should have resented her for that but he couldn’t. He loved her too much and if she hurt, he hurt too.

She ground her ass over him, sending his cock deeper up her chute. He hissed at the scintillating sensation. Unable to hold back any longer, he exploded into her, shooting his seed up her ass.

Judging from the way she writhed and wiggled against him, Calliope was also reaching her peak. Her juices flowed from her fragrant pussy, wetting his lap.

Blaze pressed his forehead against hers, trying to catch his breath. Now that it was over, he wished he’d handled things differently instead of playing the arrogant King. He felt something damp on the side of his face. At first he thought it was sweat, but when he looked up, he saw her watery eyes. He felt like the monster she’d accused him of being.

Gritting his teeth, he gently eased out of her, his come oozing from her ass as he set her on her feet to pull her skirt down. Blaze pushed his semi-erect cock back into his pants and fastened them before pulling Calliope on his lap. She didn’t meet his gaze.

Gently cupping her cheek, he turned her head until she was facing him. “Calliope, I’m sorry. I never meant things to be like this between us.”

“Why are you bothering to apologize to me? I am, after all, just a lowly slave. My feelings don’t matter, right?” She looked away again, her eyes glistening.

“I’m sorry I said those things to you. But I was hoping… well, do you think you could ever reach a point where you could learn to care for me, even just a little?”

“What does it matter? Regardless of how I feel you’ll do what you want. I’m at your mercy.”

“What can I do to change your mind? Despite what you think, I don’t want you to hate me.”

She turned to look at him again, her eyes seeming to beg him. “Then let me go home. Let me and my child go back to where we belong.”

If she would have asked for anything else he would have gladly given it to her ten times over, but that was the one thing he couldn’t do. Sadly, he shook his head. “I can never let you go. You belong to me, and as long as I breathe, that’s the way it shall always remain.”