Thorn's Bondmate (Zarronian Warriors Book 2) Read online

  While she stood beneath the hot spray she made another decision. The next time Thorn began a cruel little speech after they made love she'd turn his words back on him. He was so used to people jumping every time he threw out an order that it was time he learned not everyone was under his command. No more cowering for Daria Zane.

  If he punished her, tough! She'd lived through it once, and she could do it again. She left the shower, wrapped a towel around her wet hair and forced herself to look in the mirror. She grimaced when she saw herself. She looked horrible, like an old, worn out hag. Slowly, she lifted her hand and ran it over her hipbones and ribs. Then, leaning closer to the mirror she studied her eyes and saw the look of defeat in them. Her anger grew until it overwhelmed her. Screaming with rage she crashed her palms against the mirror. The sound echoed around her, filling her. Her chin went up and her eyes glowed with determination. She'd let him control her mind as surely as she'd let him control her body. She pulled the towel from her hair and spent several minutes combing her fingers through the wet strands. On her way out of the room she wrapped another towel around herself.

  In the kitchen, she fixed a tray of food and carried it and a glass of juice into the dining area. While she ate, she decided to divide what she knew about the Zarronians into categories. That way, if she ever got permission from the Zarronians to publish them she could write several articles instead of just one.

  She finished eating, disposed of her tray then moved into the living area and sat on the couch by the window. Her father had always said that when the going got tough it was time to kick someone's ass. Now, she knew it was true. For a while, she'd let Emma's death and this situation overwhelm her but now it was time to fight back.

  Very little was known about the Zarronians. Five years ago, they'd secretly approached the United Earth Federation. For several months, the U.E.F had drafted and negotiated an alliance between the people of Earth and the Zarronians. Then, they'd announced their existence to the rest of the world. At first, there'd been several months of widespread panic but gradually people had become used to the idea of visitors from another planet and life on Earth had returned to normal. The Zarronians explained that they were explorers and merchants and had come to Earth to trade for manufactured goods. In exchange, they offered to clean up the environment and increase food production but they were extremely guarded about their technology, their knowledge of space, and their privacy.

  In fact, they answered very few questions about anything and it had been a feather in her cap when Ambassador Eirikson had granted her an interview. She, Daria Zane, a twenty-six year old rookie reporter, had been given the most coveted interview of the century. It had been the most exciting, and the most intimidating, experience of her life even though she'd had to promise not to reveal anything about the starship. The promise had been the hardest one she'd ever had to make or keep. But, she'd done it because she prided herself on her personal and professional integrity.

  Over the last four years, the Zarronian warriors had begun socializing with the people of Earth, especially the female inhabitants. The women, whose population outnumbered the males by over a billion, had welcomed the attention they received from the warriors. It hadn't come as much of a surprise when marriages had begun taking place between them.

  What had been surprising was the fact that after the women left Earth they were never allowed to return. Family members were given yearly reports concerning them but the reports were prepared and delivered by the Zarronian Embassy. Daria hoped she'd get the chance to speak to some of the women while she was on Zarronia and find out if they were happy or felt they were being held hostage.

  The more she thought about how strange and secretive they were the less she trusted them. There was a mystery here and she was going to solve it. Glancing at the timekeeper, she saw that it was late afternoon and time to exercise.

  # # #

  Thorn spent the day putting his ship in order, then before going to his quarters to have dinner with Dane and Dev, he stopped by Dag's quarters to see how he was doing. After being assured he was doing well they discussed the explosion and the extra time it would take them to reach Zarronia. He was preparing to leave when Dag stopped him. Thorn knew from the hesitant expression on Dag's face what he wanted to discuss and he'd been dreading it.

  "Don't ask, Dag."

  "Alright. I won't if that's the way you want it," Dag said.

  Thorn nodded as he rose, then strode to the door. When it opened, he hesitated then turned and faced Dag. "I want your promise not to mention this to anyone. Especially my parents."

  "On my honor you have my promise."

  Thorn let the door close again for privacy. "It was an accident. I'd gone to the fourth floor to choose a female for the night and I found Daria. She-." He couldn't go on. Even though he hadn't chosen her, and didn't intend to keep her, he couldn't discuss their bonding with Dag or anyone else.

  "What are you going to do about her?"

  "I have to turn her over to the Council."

  "Will you speak for her at her judgment?"

  "No." Thorn saw his surprised expression. "She's guilty of spying. I won't defend her. I already made that mistake when I defended Naline." Seeing Dag's surprise when he said Naline's name he shrugged. "I will let the Council know we're bonded before they make their decision." His parents would welcome Daria or any female he was bonded to with open arms. They would use her to get him to accept an assignment on Zarronia and settle down even though he'd already decided to do that so he could be with his sons.

  "I think the Council will make her stay on Zarronia. What will you do if that happens?"

  "I'll put her in a nearby home and visit her when I have to but she won't be a part of my life. I don't want another mate I can't trust."

  For a few nano-units the room was silent then Dag said, "I sure could use a glass of wine."

  Thorn laughed, got him one then bid Dag goodnight and went to his quarters. Dane and Dev sat on the couch waiting for him. He supervised them as they prepared dinner and carried it into the dining area. Afterwards, they watched an info-disc while he showered.

  The journey to Zarronia would take them another moon phase instead of fourteen cycles. That meant more nights with Daria. It was really too bad she was a deceiver and a spy, he thought, as he rinsed the cleansing oil from his hair. If she'd been one of the pleasure-givers he might have actually made her his kourtisan. She suited him and he'd always been drawn to females with black hair although he'd never met one with violet eyes.

  After drying off and dressing, he sent Dane and Dev to bed and went to her. She was in bed where he expected her to be. She didn't appear to be suffering any lasting effects of the fever or the double dose of ZL3. Their love making was as hot and passionate as it had always been. Afterwards he held her for a few micro-units as their breathing and the pounding of their hearts slowed. He ran his hands up and down her smooth back, enjoying the feel of her satiny skin and how perfectly she fit him.

  Disliking the direction of his thoughts, he rose from the bed and began dressing. "You're very good at pleasuring a warrior. If you weren't going to be executed for spying I'd consider keeping you."

  Her first instinct was to attack but then she remembered her earlier decision to turn his words back on him. "Don't be silly, Commander. You're definitely not my type although I'm beginning to enjoy our time together." She stood up taunting him with her body.

  "Don't get used to it. As soon as we reach Zarronia I'm handing you over to the Council."

  "That's fine with me. If I had to spend the rest of my life with you, I'd kill you although I might regret it for a moment." She smiled at him.

  "Is that right?" he asked, stalking toward her.

  Daria moved closer and looked him in the eyes. "That's right."

  Thorn grabbed her. All the rage of the past six annuals flowed through him, building, until he knew if he didn't leave he'd lose control. She smiled again and he lost it. Dropping to the
edge of the bed, he dragged her across his lap and brought his hand down on her bottom. Hard. She screamed and tried to wiggle away but he tightened his hold and continued spanking her until some of his anger dispersed. Then, he released her.

  Daria jumped to her feet and glared at him. Without thinking, she rubbed her bottom, screamed a curse at him then ran into the bathing chamber, slamming and locking the door behind her.

  She sat on the edge of the bathtub and continued cursing him. After a few moments, she calmed down. At least, he hadn't used the bands.

  # # #

  Thorn sat on the bed, waiting for her to come out. After a few micro-units he heard the water running and realized she had no intention of coming out as long as he was there. Chuckling, he went to the kitchen and prepared a glass of wine.

  No wonder his father never used the bands. It wasn't nearly as satisfying as pulling a female across your lap and spanking her. Besides, everyone knew how terrified his mother was of them. When his parents were first bonded the Council had forced his father to use the punishment on her because of the war crimes her sire had committed against the Zarronians. His mother had nearly died and his father had never used them again. On her, or on him and Soren. He finished his wine then went into the living area. She'd rearranged the furniture and he wondered if she'd done it to annoy him. Grinning, he dropped onto a couch and waited for her to make an appearance.

  While he waited he thought about their situation. He couldn't tell her about the mating fever and that they were bonded until he spoke with his father and grandfather. That was a conversation he wanted to have face-to-face. He also had to know what the Council intended to do with her and his grandfather, who was the High Ruler, could tell him. No matter what they decided they would have to take into account that she was his bondmate. That meant they wouldn't execute her as doing that would risk his life as well. No, he thought, they'll make her stay on Zarronia and he'd have to explain everything to her. He'd also have to tell her that she was his bondmate and that they would have to live nearby each other for the rest of their lives. In the meantime, he'd try to teach her the meditation method warriors used to control the fever. The scientists said it wouldn't work at a level five bonding but he knew it helped a little. The problem was he'd have to do it without revealing the truth until he received permission from the Council. Daria was intelligent and if he wasn't careful he'd trigger her curiosity.

  Eventually, a solution began to form. She seemed to like a challenge so he'd issue one—if she could resist him in bed he would leave her alone. Satisfied with his plan, he folded his arms behind his head, crossed his ankles and waited for her to appear.

  Twenty micro-units later she walked into the living area, saw him, and smiled. "Just can't stand to leave me, Commander?"

  "Sit down. We're going to talk."

  "I prefer to stand."

  Thorn chuckled. "Sore bottom?"

  "No," she lied. "I just prefer to stand."

  He didn't believe a word of it. "I have a challenge for you."

  "What kind of a challenge?"

  "I’m going to give you a chance to prove you don’t enjoy the time we spend together."

  "And, how are you going to do that?" She leaned her hip against the arm of a couch.

  "If you can resist me for twenty micro-units I'll leave you alone."

  "Is that right?"

  "I'm going to touch you and you're going to try to ignore my touch. I'll even try to help you do it."

  "What's in it for you?"

  He smiled. "Victory."

  "Over my dead body." She planted her hands on her hips. "Okay, I accept the challenge but you have to promise that when I win you'll stay away from me."

  "I promise but you don't have a chance in hell of winning." And, neither will I. There was no way either of them would be able to resist the other for twenty micro-units. "Let's go."

  Daria pushed herself away from the couch as he walked toward her. "Go?"

  "Back to bed. The challenge begins tonight." He walked by her.

  "I don't want to start tonight."

  "It's tonight or never. Choose." He stopped in the doorway of the bed bedchamber.

  "Why does it always have to be your way or no way?"

  "Because I'm responsible for this starship and everyone on it, including you."

  She stared at him a moment longer then walked toward him. "Okay, let's do this but don't say I didn't warn you. I'm really good at ignoring you."

  Thorn went into the bedroom and began undressing. Daria followed him, dropped the towel and slid onto the bed. She smiled and patted the bed. "Come here, darling."

  Thorn shoved his pants from his hips. "I don't know what you're up to but it's not going to work."

  "Sure it is." She rolled onto her back and raised up on her elbows, pushing her breasts into the air. Her nipples tightened when his eyes locked onto them. "Do you like what you see, big guy?" She covered one breast then slid her fingers around the areola.

  "Cut it out." He slid onto the bed, grabbed her hand and forced it to her side. "Lie down."

  She dropped onto her back, spread her legs and smiled. "Like this?"

  "If you don't start taking this seriously I'm leaving and you forfeit."

  Daria laughed. "Okay, but tomorrow night I'm the boss."

  He frowned. "No." Before she could argue with him, he said, "I want you to close your eyes and slow your breathing."

  "Okay, but no tickling." He growled and she closed her eyes then slid her foot over and touched his ankle with her toe.

  Thorn moved his leg away. "Stop that."

  "Okay, I'm concentrating." When she said the word a lightbulb went off in her head. That was what Dane and Dev had said to her—that the females on the fourth floor helped the warriors concentrate. Her reporters mind focused on trying to figure out what significance it could possibly have.

  "I want you to picture a meadow in your mind. It's surrounded by trees and there's a cold brook running through it. Tell me when you see it."

  "Okay," she said, but her mind was still trying to work out the puzzle. Think Daria, cause and effect. The cause happens before the effect follows. The females on the fourth floor were pleasure givers, so sex was the cause and the warriors' ability to concentrate was the effect? Frustrated, she thought that doesn't even begin to make sense. Before she could work it out she felt a sharp pinch on her nipple. "Ouch!" She opened her eyes. "Why'd you do that?"

  "To see if you're paying attention and obviously you're not."

  "Of course, I am." She closed her eyes, waited a micro-unit then nodded even though her mind was busy working on this new mystery. "Okay, I've got it." The first piece was their reason for coming to Earth. They said they were adventurers and traders but anyone who saw them knew they were warriors before anything else. They'd helped clean up the planet in exchange for trade goods but the things they chose were mostly ordinary objects like furniture, paintings, and novelty items. Nothing of real value. During that period of time many warriors had chosen Earth women as spouses. Then they'd offered to help Earth with its surplus of women. The only reason to do something like that was to either trade or sale the women for something they really wanted. Or, maybe—.

  Thorn slid his hand over her breast and played with her nipple and she lost her train of thought. She opened her eyes and met his.

  He leaned closer to her. "No. Close your eyes and try to ignore my hands," he whispered. "Try again."

  She sighed, closed her eyes and tried to return to her thoughts but couldn't remember where she'd left off because his hands were touching her everywhere. They slid over her legs up to her belly then higher to her breasts. Goosebumps broke out over her belly and a moan escaped her lips. She opened her eyes and arched into his hands as the blue mist rose from her body and began moving around him, connecting them. "Thorn."

  He groaned, slid between her legs and thrust into her. "I can't be anywhere near you without wanting to fuck you."

  She w
rapped her legs around his waist and clung to him as he slid his hand beneath her bottom, raised her hips higher and thrust into her.

  "Yes, oh, yes. Just like that."

  "Tell me what you want."

  "You, I want you," she said.

  He lost the rhythm of his thrusts for a moment then kissed her, exploring her mouth and increasing the depth and power behind his strokes, sending them over the edge into an explosive orgasm.

  Daria moaned his name and shoved her hips up against his as the urge to claim him swept through her. Deep inside herself she felt the pulsing of his cock as he came. She stroked her hands over his back, touching as much of him as she could reach. When she touched his lower back he released her and rolled away.

  "Thorn?" She reached for him.

  He shoved her hand away, moved from the bed and dressed as quickly as he could. "You're really good when you're on your back."

  She smiled. "Only when you're the one on top of me." Her voice was a husky purr.

  He looked up at her, frozen in place, bent over in the process of pulling on his boot. "What?"

  She smiled, ran her hands down her body and gave a little moan of pleasure then patted the bed next to her. "Why don't you stay a little while longer?"

  He sent her a ferocious glare, stood up and stalked from the room with one boot on and the other hanging from his hand.

  "See you tomorrow night, Commander," she yelled then laughed, thinking she should have fought back sooner. She rolled onto her back, stared at the ceiling and remembered what she'd been thinking about before he'd distracted her.

  # # #

  Thorn stood in the shower, hands pressed against the wall, his head hanging down while the water ran over his hair and down his back. She was driving him insane. He was out of control and obsessed with her. If he'd stayed with her a nano-unit longer he would've flipped her over onto her belly, pulled her back to straddle his sprawled legs and taken her the traditional Zarronian way.