Ceremony of Seduction (21 page)

He sighed. He would have a lot of apologizing to do once Alyssandra was safely back in his bed, permanently tied down, where she belonged.

Annalecia laid a gentle hand on his knee and he steeled himself not to flinch away, but when no flow of healing power trickled against his skin, he relaxed. He hadn’t been able to protect the princess, but he refused to weaken the queen further. “Sasha is devastated. She feels responsible for Alyssandra’s capture.”

Stone bit back his bitter retort. No wonder they hadn’t let him talk to Sasha, he would’ve frightened the poor maid to death. His mind flashed back to the day he’d saved Sasha from being raped by Cunts. She’d been so young and vulnerable, and she’d looked at him with admiration shining in her eyes ever since. It was probably for the best the guards hadn’t let him talk to her. In his anger, he would’ve most likely destroyed their friendship.

He took a few deep breaths to regain his composure and nodded for the queen to continue.

“Here’s the interesting part. She’s been visited in her dreams for several months by a very attractive Klatch man she’s never seen before. He’s been courting her in her dreams, much like you did with Alyssandra. She thought he was from an outlying village. Then last night, since her coming-of-age is near, she asked him when they would meet and he told her to keep watch for him as he was on his way.”

The queen paused and unease snaked down Stone’s spine. He’d known her his entire life, and knew from the guarded expression on her face he wouldn’t like what she said next. “And then?” he prompted.

Annalecia met his determined gaze and then sighed. “And then…he called her ‘Princess’.” Silence hung heavy in the air for a few moments as the implications sucker punched Stone in the gut, making his stomach churn with nausea and fear. “When Sasha sensed him near, she ran out to meet him to tell him she wasn’t the princess in hopes he truly loved her and not just the title—regardless of the mistaken identity.”

Stone shot to his feet again as puzzle pieces fitted together inside his mind. Alyssandra’s vision of the Klatch man who wasn’t him and men with blond pubic hair surrounding her at the ascension ceremony.

Then there was Sasha. He’d always liked the spunky little maid, and thought her a perfect companion for his fiery princess. How devastated must she have been? The man she thought in love with her had mistaken her for the princess and then betrayed them both.

He knew instinctively Sasha hadn’t willingly led Alyssandra into a trap. His stubborn little betrothed had done that all on her own, he was sure. Her compassion for others was an admirable trait and one of the reasons he loved her, but she also had a knack for finding herself in trouble for it. This time was apparently no different.

Guilt flowed through him as he realized he should’ve heeded Annalecia’s warning and told the princess the truth about her vision. Then at least she might have been more careful before running out at night straight into an open portal full of Cunts ready to take her back to fulfill a false ascension ceremony. He made a silent promise to himself that he wouldn’t keep things from her in the future. For all his efforts to protect her, he had only endangered her.

“They are going to try to recreate the ascension so we’ll be forced to allow them to return to Tador. Without a queen who has the symbiosis with the planet, we will all die.” Stone shook his head. It was an ingenious and foolproof plan—if they could pull it off. Stone was sure every Klatch alive would do everything within their power to prevent it. They’d fought and won the war once; they would do so again. He just wished Alyssandra wasn’t in danger. His gut twisted at the thought—especially since he held a large amount of the responsibility for putting her there.

Darius stood. “We must trust Alyssandra to find her way home. Even if they force her to submit to the ceremony, she would never do anything to harm Tador. It’s too much a part of her.”

Stone’s heart twisted at the thought of Alyssandra being forced to submit to another man entering her body. He shoved the unthinkable vision away. He didn’t disagree with Darius. In fact, that’s what worried him. Alyssandra would rather die than be used in such a manner. He just hoped she found enough other options available to her that it didn’t come to that. He knew Alyssandra wasn’t helpless, but a few self-defense classes and her raw unbridled power were not enough to ease his sense of worry.

Hatred burned through him in a white-hot rush as he thought about the nameless Klatch man taking his beloved by force. “The traitor had better hope the false ascension does not complete or I’ll hunt him down and make him wish for death.”

Darius met his steady gaze and the men shared a look of complete understanding. Anyone who hurt Alyssandra would lead a very short and painful life.

A
s awareness returned, Alyssa lay very still as she took stock. Her heart pounded so hard within her chest, she was surprised it didn’t split in two. Every part of her body ached—even her hair, and the inside of her mouth tasted like she’d licked a freeway clean. The sound of her breathing grated against the pain in her head like jet engines. She recognized her symptoms as the effects of too many draining spells in a short period of time. Before her time on Tador, she’d lived this way almost every day, not realizing that Debbie continually drained her like she was a walking energy donor.

She debated the wisdom of opening her eyes—not only would it let anyone watching know she was awake, but she was sure the light she saw through her eyelids would pierce through her brain like branding irons.
Get a grip, Alyssa! You need to figure out where you are and find a way back to Stone before the ascension. Your mother and all of Tador hang in the balance.
The fear of losing her mother and condemning her home world were enough to make her force her eyelids open.

Pain blazed through her and she blinked and flung her arm over her face in an effort to let her eyes adjust slowly.

“She’s awake.” Debbie’s voice from across the room sent chills down her spine. It was laced with pure evil and promised retribution. “Inform Sela and the Klatch bastard.”

Anger flowed through Alyssa’s veins like a wave of hot lava, forcing back the pain and the weakness. She opened her eyes and pushed herself up to sit on the edge of the cot. Debbie stood leaning against the wall, her arms crossed under her perky breasts, looking much like Alyssa remembered her—silvery blond hair, fair skin, and a condescending grin.

“Too busy off fucking a football team to have the balls to come after me yourself, Debbie?” She smiled when her voice sounded steady and confident, and bit back a laugh when Debbie’s smug grin faltered for a moment before she replaced it.

“I had more important things to do than chase after a rodent.” Debbie straightened and winced, favoring her side. “Besides, I’d done my job. I played nursemaid to you for far too long.”

Alyssa briefly wondered what punishment Debbie had received for allowing her to escape with Stone.

An invisible tendril of power shot out from the Cunt, but before it connected with Alyssa, she instinctively held up her hand and called energy from all around her to counter it. The power rebounded on its maker with a sizzling zap. A feral cry ripped from Debbie’s throat and she slumped to the floor in a boneless heap.

Slow applause from behind her had Alyssa pushing away from the cot to stand with her back against the wall.

Sela stood just inside the small room with a Klatch man and several Cunt guards ranged behind her. As usual, she wore a skintight outfit, her small breasts nearly spilling from the low-cut top, and leggings that looked almost painted on. The outfit served to accentuate the model-thin figure and lack of curves so prevalent in all the Cunts.

I can’t believe I used to wish I looked like that.
She started as she realized that for the first time in her life she was comfortable with who she was—not just physically, but as a woman. It was ironic that it took seeing her old “family” again to show her just how far she’d come. She swore it wouldn’t be wasted.

Sela stepped forward into the room and tsked, “Debbie never was very competent. I should’ve gotten rid of her long ago. Apparently, she’s served her purpose—I wondered if you’d come into your powers yet. It makes all those years of putting up with your sniveling worth it in the end. That means I calculated correctly, and you are the princess who will ascend the throne, and also the one the legend speaks of.”

Alyssa hid her shock at Sela’s observation and wondered how Sela thought she could twist that to benefit the Cunts.

Sela’s laughter crept over her skin like roaches skittering over her flesh and Alyssa raised her hand to zap Sela as she had Debbie.

Before she could call her power, multiple blasts of energy hit her in the chest and stomach. Pain arrowed through every part of her body and her energy spiraled away, drained by the blasts.

She moaned and locked her legs to keep from sliding down the wall onto her butt.
Okay, note to self—have to use the blast spells strategically so I don’t get my ass kicked!

“I took the liberty of having several of the Cunt guards handy. I’m pleased you found your powers little mouse, now it’s time to fulfill your destiny. Sundown is in two hours and then you will be mated to Shawn.” She gestured behind her and Alyssandra recognized the man as the Klatch man in her vision. “Debbie was going to introduce you two anyway. You just ran off with that bastard prince before she had a chance.” Sela stepped closer, her eyes narrowed in a look that used to make Alyssa cower, but no longer. “You’ll finally get your wish to have someone happy to fuck you on a regular basis. Just don’t mess it up. You’ve already wasted far too much of my time.”

Shawn seemed to be studying her intently, almost as if angry she was there at all.

Alyssa forced herself upright and raised her chin defiantly as she glared at Sela, letting all her fury show clearly in her expression. “Fuck you, Sela. You stole my childhood, and you’ve endangered my home world. If you think you’re going to get me to agree to a mating ceremony with anyone but my betrothed, you’re fucking crazy.”

The Klatch man’s eyes narrowed but he remained silent. Sela’s booming laugh rolled through the room causing gooseflesh to march across Alyssa’s skin. “Whoever said anything about asking
you?
” She spat out the last word, something Alyssa remembered quite well growing up. “You will be tied to the altar and used as breeding stock, as your inferior race should be. And you’ll be thankful I don’t gut you where you stand for your disobedience. I’ve spent the past two decades waiting for my vengeance against Annalecia and Darius, and I swear I’ll have it.”

She stiffened as Sela’s words sank in. They meant to rape her and complete the ceremony and then use her to hurt her parents and all of Tador. Her mind blanked as panic set in, and even though tears burned unshed in the back of her eyes, she furiously held them back. Showing Sela weakness would only invite more abuse. Her only hope now was to bide her time until she could escape.

Alyssa squared her shoulders and opened her mouth to protest, and was hit with another blast of power from the guards. Agonizing pain flowed down the same paths they had before, making her feel as if her bones would explode under the pressure. She crumpled to the floor curling into a fetal position and just concentrated on breathing in and out while black spots danced in front of her vision. Passing out didn’t seem like a very good plan right now.

“Stop!” The Klatch man stepped forward, into the stream of the draining spell and turned to face Sela. Alyssa gasped when the pain suddenly stopped, surprised that the guards didn’t continue to zap the man. “If you drain all her energy, she won’t survive the ascension ceremony, Sela. Then where will all your grand plans be? Try to think with something besides your overused pussy and your temper for once before you endanger all our destinies.”

Sela’s cool blue eyes glittered with hatred, but she finally nodded toward the guards who dropped their hands and stepped back. She pointed her index finger at the Klatch she’d called Shawn. “Be very careful how you speak to me, Klatch. One of these days, your usefulness will run out. She
will
survive the ceremony and she
will
bear a child. If you need to provide her with enough energy to get her through, then make sure you do it. I won’t have my years of sacrifice wasted.”

She started to turn away and then hesitated. “Just remember, the honor of your people depends on this. No doubt they’ve filled her head with lies, so watch out for her sharp tongue.” A quick gesture to her guards and they followed her out, slamming the door behind them.

Alyssa raised her chin as Shawn turned to look down at her. His jaw was chiseled like Stone’s, but there was no fullness of the lips or softness around the eyes to make him seem approachable. This man seemed carved from solid granite, his eyes dark and guarded—even though they were the familiar lavender of the Klatch.

She tried to push to her feet, but her muscles still refused to cooperate. She held a hand out in front of her, realizing she didn’t even have enough power to stun him if she needed to. “I warn you, if you lay one finger on me, I’ll find a way to kill you.” Her voice wavered a bit, ruining the tough girl perception she was trying to give.

He ignored her as if she were no threat at all. “Who was the other woman in the clearing where we found you?” It was more demand than question, as if he were used to giving orders. He stepped forward crowding into her personal space and she tensed in case she had to attack, while her energy was still low. “Who was she?”

It took a few minutes for the question to cut through the haze of pain and fear clouding Alyssa’s brain. When it did, her brow furrowed in confusion and her senses sharpened. What did he want with Sasha? How did he even know her? She lifted her chin, raised her brow and pierced him with a steady gaze. “Why?” She held his gaze, waiting for an answer.

He seemed ready to argue, but then his lips softened from the harsh thin line and he almost seemed…vulnerable. “I have to know. Please, who is she?” Pain and loss laced his deep voice.

She studied him for several long moments, trying to decide if she should tell him or not. Her gut told her to give him the truth, and she’d learned not to ignore her intuition. “Sasha is my lady’s maid.”

His jaw clenched and he shook his head back and forth in denial, pain etched into his pale eyes. “No! She can’t be.” He paced to the door and back before returning to stare down at her. “The voice told me she was my destiny. She should be mine.
She
should be the princess.”

Terrific, someone who hears voices. Just what I needed to make my day complete.
“Then come back to Tador with me and I’ll introduce you.”
To the dungeon—if we even have one.

His laugh was a bitter bark. He glared down at her, contempt curling his lip, any softness gone from his harsh features. “Unfortunately for you, Princess, a commoner can’t give me what I need to fulfill my destiny, so we’re stuck with each other. No matter how both of us wish it were otherwise.” His last few words seemed sad—almost as if he wished he didn’t have to go through with the ceremony.

That makes two of us.

“Prepare yourself, because the ceremony
will
be completed.” Then he turned and left, slamming the door behind him.

Alyssa closed her eyes and rested her head back against the wall. Her energy was slowly returning, but if she was going to find a way to escape, she needed to generate some in a hurry. “Terrific,” she muttered. “One fucking day back on earth and I’m back to whacking off.”

Natasha’s eyes snapped open as Alyssandra’s fear buzzed against her mind. “Damn it! They’ve captured her.” She sat up on her thin cot and allowed her eyes to adjust to the dark room. Only one guard stood against the far wall tonight, most likely the rest were preparing for Sela’s false ascension. There were usually at least four guarding her in constant shifts, to keep her from escaping. Even when they held Alyssandra as a bargaining chip, they hadn’t entirely trusted that to keep her in line.

Sela probably thought she was of little consequence now, but Natasha planned to surprise her. She hadn’t spent the last twenty plus years in this dingy corner cell to watch Sela destroy her son, the royal family, and her entire home world. She’d had little choice but to wait all this time without risking the princess and her son, but waiting time was definitely over.

She stood and slowly stretched, ensuring the tips of her breasts pressed against her thin T-shirt. When her gaze slid toward the guard, he hadn’t budged.
Great. I get the one Cunt not interested in a show.
Sela had never allowed her any clothes except for grungy T-shirts and sweatpants, but Natasha was still a Klatch Witch with resources at her disposal.

She sighed dramatically and pulled her shirt over her head before dropping it on her bed. Her nipples pebbled in the cool air and she inhaled to display her breasts to their best advantage. She may be twenty years older than when she got here, but she’d kept in shape—in spite of Sela not allowing her any activities save reading. She reached up to cup her full breasts and lightly pinch the nipples, allowing a soft moan to escape from her parted lips.

A small rustling sound from across the room made her smile.
That’s right. Come watch the show.
She hooked her thumbs into the waistband of her sweatpants and slowly slipped them down over her hips, inch by inch, until they pooled around her feet and she stepped out of them. She rubbed her hands over her breasts again, teasing the tight buds of her nipples with gentle strokes from the tips of her fingers. She rolled the engorged nipples between her thumbs and forefingers, enjoying the sharp intake of breath from her audience. She allowed a groan to escape her lips and she slowly trailed one hand down to her mound.

“You’re certainly not being shy today, Klatch.” The guard’s blue eyes darkened and he licked his lips as he watched.

She sat down on her cot, leaning her back against the wall and propping one foot up, so the guard would have an unimpeded view of her slick folds. She reached down to trace them while she talked, slowly massaging her clit until her hips began their slow rhythm and her breathing deepened. She looked up at the guard and slowly licked her lips, silently noting when his eyes darkened.

“It’s been twenty-three years since I’ve had a thick cock filling me. Twenty-three long years since I’ve felt hot come spurt deep inside my core, or even deep inside my throat. Masturbation can only take me so far. A woman has needs, you know. No matter what her home species.”

Sela had always strictly forbidden any of the guards to come within twenty feet of Natasha’s cell while guarding her. Food and any necessities were brought in and out twice a day by a Cunt who had been castrated for failing to pleasure Sela one night. Probably Sela’s way of keeping her from tempting the man with sexual favors to help her. Natasha hoped since Sela had only left one guard, that he was more interested in sex than following orders. She needed the energy to escape and she would be more than happy to drain his in exchange for a few quick bouts of sex.