Page 11 of Warlord's Mate
He hissed at her, that tongue still wiggling as he said, “You’ll feel thisssss against your cunt instead of my hand once the warlord tiresssss of you.”
The others laughed at his comment and Jityria ordered her to continue filling the cups. Her ass was probably covered in bruises by the time the warlord walked through the trees and into the clearing. He was now clean, his hair still wet, the sides pulled back by braids much like Aris wore in his hair. The length of it lay against his bare back and his beard had been combed into two sections, the ends tied with colorful beads. He definitely looked barbaric now.
The leather straps that usually criss-crossed over his chest were missing and she was able to see all that golden skin without anything covering it. He was massive and although she’d never been into the body-builder type, Jorrick, as the blue alien had called him, was making her change her mind about all those muscles.
The warlord sat at the head of the table and the blue female gave her a wide-eyed look and motioned in his direction with her head. Marcy started his way, pausing a step when he looked at her, those strange amber eyes taking her in from head to toe as she approached.
She filled his cup as Tezhila gave him a plate already piled high with food swimming in blood. When she went to step away, he grabbed her arm.
“You do not have my permission to leave.”
Marcy stared at him, his eyes locked with her own for long moments before he turned and started to eat. Another glance at his plate and she turned away. The meat was nearly raw. At least there weren’t any of the wevolts wriggling around on it.
She stood unmoving, watching those around the table to distract herself from the warlords meal. A few of them occasionally looked in her direction and for the first time since being put on that space ship, she felt her heart ache at where she’d ended up.
She was a glass half full kind of girl but as she stood there, filling the warlords cup, she realized she was nothing more than his possession. A thing for him to do with as he pleased and at the moment, it was stand by his side and make sure his cup was never empty. She was a servant, more or less, a slave to put it more bluntly.
As horrible as that should make her feel, it was better than the alternative. She could be on the table, trussed up with an apple shoved in her mouth about to be the next meal these aliens feasted on. If they would eat those wevolts as they wiggled in thick brown sludge, then they’d probably eat one skinny human girl. As sorry as she felt for herself, all things considered, being a human pet for a warlord was the lesser of two evils.
If he knew it wouldn’t cause more trouble than it was worth at the moment, he would have killed half the aliens at the table, starting with Reitlas.
Jorrick cut off another piece of meat from his plate, taking his time to chew it as he stared at each of his men in turn before stopping at Reitlas. He’d touched the girl and the desire to rip that forked tongue from his head was pulsing through his veins. His orders had been simple and should have been followed without question yet the moment they thought he wasn’t looking, they’d handled her as if she were a prize they had won.
She stood unmoving by his side. Him refusing to let her leave would be seen as nothing more than him showing them that she was his to do with as he pleased, even if that was to have her stand beside him the rest of the night. He refused to acknowledge the desire to keep her from the others was his sole purpose of refusing to let her fill their cups. She’d been through enough for one day. Him even caring burned in his gut like acid. It was probably just fatigue. The fight had taken more out of him than it should have.
Aris sat down beside him and leaned forward. “You’re not looking so good there, old man.” His voice drew his attention. It was pitched low enough the others wouldn’t have heard him but him uttering them to begin with grated on his nerves.
He stabbed another piece of meat with the end of his knife before looking over at him. “It’s been a long day.”
“Is that why I saw you fall on your ass in battle?” Aris laughed. “Perhaps its time I challenge you for position here. I could probably take you now.”
Jorrick flipped the knife in his hand, caught it in his fist and slammed the point down between Aris’s fingers, the blade nicking his skin hard enough a thin, red line of blood appeared instantly.
The arrogant ass laughed as he jerked his hand away. “You grow more ornery in your old age.”
“And less patient with your foolishness.” He wiped the blade clean and speared another piece of meat, glancing down the table as he stuck it in his mouth. A few of the others were looking in their direction.
Aris leaned forward, bracing both arms on the table. “So, what are you planning on doing with that one now that she’s here?”
Jorrick saw him glance at the girl. “I haven’t decided.”
“Do you think she truly wields magic?”
Jorrick had seen no sign of it. “No. I think it's all rumor.”
“Then I suggest you find out and make sure the others know she does not. I’ve already heard talk from more than a few of them.”
“As have I.”
“And?”
“And—my word stands. No one is to touch her, magic or no.”
Aris grinned. “Your word has little effect on some. She’s been touched more today than all the other females combined.”
Jorrick looked down the table, his gaze landing on Reitlas again. “I’m aware of that.” He picked up his cup and took a drink. “He’ll find out soon enough what disobeying my orders mean. Its time they all get a reminder.”
He set the cup down in front of the girl and looked up at her as she refilled it. She met his gaze without flinching, which proved she was either unafraid of him or incredibly stupid. Or maybe she was more like the females he’d commanded back onTridian III.They were fierce warriors and even though this thin female didn’t look strong enough to lift her own body weight, she had looked ready to kill in the arena. While most females captured and offered as prizes cried and screamed, this one had not. She’d been defiant, her chin raised arrogantly. Kr’Atek wanting her for Allok made him step into the ring to fight for her but he wondered, thinking back on it now, had Kr’Atek not been there, and had Allok not wanted her, would he have challenged for her? She’d no doubt caught his attention before Kr’Atek stepped into the ring. Before that moment, he hadn’t even known which female the other warlord had wanted but this one had caught his eye. Had drawn his attention and kept it.