Page 6 of Warlord's Mate
“Ouch! Damn it … shoes would have been nice, you know.”
Jorrick stopped at her mumbled words and turned to look at her, letting his gaze roam the length of her body. His shirt swallowed her whole and fell off one shoulder to drape half way down her arm, the top of her breast showing before she reached for the fallen material and pulled it back up.
The light behind her gave him a good view of her underneath the shirt. Her form was curved in places the other females in his camp were not. This one's waist was small and tapered, her hips wide. Her legs were quite long—shapely—and she stood much taller than most. He raised his eyes to her breasts. Those were unnaturally pleasing as well. They were high and round and looked firm. The sight of them as they’d been in the arena flashed in his mind’s eye. Her nipples had been so rosy pink they’d reminded him of thecherite blossoms that bloomed back home and for the first time since being dumped on this hell hole of a moon, he’d longed for things he’d vowed to never indulge in again.
His mood turned dark the moment he thought of all he’d lost. If he ever got off thiskrinshiof a planet, he’d find a way back toTridian IIIand lay waste to every foul soul that helped put him here. He’d leave that traitor Strathos for last and—
The female shifted on her feet and dragged him from memories best left forgotten. She was staring at him, but looked away when he stared back. He cupped her chin in his hand and lifted her head so she’d look at him. “You will speak when spoken to, otherwise I will remove your tongue and string it around your neck as a lesson for the others. Do you understand?”
His tone was harsh—as he intended it to be—and was effective as hoped. Fear that hadn’t been there moments ago clouded her eyes, her heart rate increasing. He could hear it pounding in her chest and sense the blood rushing through her veins. Good. She should fear him.
His thumb pressed into her full bottom lip. “Your needs will be provided for as I see fit. You are in no position to demand anything of me.”
The muscles in her jaw clenched. If he had to guess, he’d say she was on the verge of saying something he’d indeed have to rip her tongue out for. She remained silent, restraining that defiance she displayed in the arena. “Once we reach camp, you will do as Jityria instructs you to do, is that clear?”
She gave him one firm nod of her head, hatred burning in her eyes.
Jorrick’s gaze roamed her face, taking in every curve, every small splotch of color dotted across her nose and the fullness of her lips before meeting her eyes. He’d never seen that shade of green before. So clear. Vibrant. As vibrant as her spirit seemed to be.
A noise echoing through the trees reminded him where he was. He released her and turned, heading back to camp. He couldn’t afford to be distracted at the moment, and he knew, given enough time, this female would be a distraction he would live to regret. Her temper alone made her more desirable than the others. What good was a female who just laid there silently weeping? He’d rather use his hand to slake his desire than endure such from one of his captives. Aside from Jityria—who didn’t weep, but wanted things he’d never give—the fiery female at his back was the first to stir him in many, many moon cycles. She made him think things he’d long given up desire for but maybe, if he dared risk it, he’d have her naked and underneath him, in front of him, bent over with those long legs spread wide as he slid through those red curls and plunged deep. His cock twitched just imagining how soft she’d be, how wet. How she’d sound as he rode her.
Shouts quickened his steps. Aris and Vikram were stalking across the camp toward him, the look on their faces enough to tell him something was wrong. “What is it?” he asked when he was close enough for them to hear him.
Vikram flicked a quick glance at the girl before saying, “A disturbance of some kind within our borders.”
Jorrick turned and looked at the girl. “Go find Jityria. She’ll have chores for you.” The anger and defiance he’d seen in her eyes earlier had dimmed but not by much. She did head toward the females hut, though. At least now he knew she wasn’t stupid.
He waited for her to leave before turning back to Vikram who was staring at her as well. “I am here, Vikram, not attached to her backside.” Aris laughed. Jorrick shot him a look before turning his attention to Vikram. “What is happening on the border?”
His second in command straightened, his features hardening. “If I had to guess, I’d say the disturbance was Kr’Atek. If things happened the way I heard they did at the arena, he’ll challenge for the girl.”
“He had a chance to do that in the arena.”
Aris shifted and crossed his arms over his chest. “Yes, but there he would have had to fight fair. Here, he can just stab you in the back and be done with it.”
Vikram nodded. “Kr’Atek is no doubt trying to win Allok’s favor by giving him such a prize in tribute.”
“Or,” Aris said, “Kr’Atek was sent to retrieve her as a test of his strength and loyalty.”
“I suspect he’ll be on our borders more so now that she’s here.” Vikram looked across camp in the direction the female had gone. “Bistran said there was not another among the captives as—different—as she is.” He faced him again, worry clouding his eyes. “Rumors are circulating.”
“What sort of rumors?”
“Some say she is of an old race and that she holds the power of magic.”
“Magic?” He looked in her direction. He’d not seen evidence of any.
Vikram shifted on his feet. “You claimed her.”
Jorrick’s spine locked tight. “I have.”
“Why?”
“You question me?”
Vikram inclined his head. “No, warlord. I just find it…unusual to align yourself with someone such as her.”
“As do I.” The mischief that always lingered in Aris’s eyes was there again, so was the same smirk he’d been hoping to never see again. “Consorting with soothsayers never brought good to anyone.”