Page 23 of Adored By the Alien Warlord

The king grunted. “What in all the fates are those plump, round things on her chest?”

“Breasts, my king,” Wortek said. “Humans only have two, and they’re bulbous and soft appearing, not firm, like the six our own precious females display.”

The king reached toward Maggie’s right breast.

Her lungs sucked in, and she squirmed backward, her eyes shining with water she would soon spill onto the floor. “Don’t,” she said softly. “Please.”

“Make her hold still,” the king whined, advancing on her. “I want to touch one of them.”

Wortek grabbed her from behind and pinned her in place against his torso.

Her gaze sought mine, and she shook her head. She was trying to tell me that I should let them do this to her.

A roar ripped up my throat. No one touched my mate.

“Go outside or I’ll slash your throat,” Wortek growled. “I mean it, Davon. This doesn’t concern you.”

The pleading in Maggie’s eyes broke me. I couldn’t leave her for the king to grope, for Wortek to abuse. But if I attacked them, I’d be dead within seconds. The sharp gazes of the king’s guards told me this.

“I’ll remain here until you’re finished,” I snarled. “In case she needs me.” I might be exposing us both with my words, but I would not step away from her.

“Go ahead, my king,” Wortek said. “She’ll let you touch.” His glare landed on me. “This Zuldruxian is . . . my bodyguard. He’s quite protective. That’s the only reason he’s not listening to me when I tell him to leave.”

I bit back my denial. If I could make him more uncomfortable, I would, but I was here only for Maggie.

“Good staff is hard to find.” The king’s gaze slid down my frame. “He’s big for his species. Strong?”

“Very,” Wortek said. He shook Maggie. “Hold still, female. Touch her, my king, and I’ll release her, though only long enough to secure her to the stage where she’ll perform solely for your pleasure.”

The king placed his clawed hands on her breasts, squishing them through the red fabric.

Her tortured gaze met mine, remaining there, and I willed all my strength to her. I hated that I couldn’t stop this, that I had to allow this to happen. Dying meant nothing. I’d gladly give my life for hers.

But my dying wouldn’t stop this from happening.

She swallowed, and her eyes shimmered. So much sadness there, and I could do nothing to take it away.

“They feel strange,” the king said, his hands dropping to his sides. “Unpleasant, actually. How can a species survive with blobs of flesh like this on their bodies? They must get in the way of movement.” He smacked his own chest. “We’re hard muscles covered with scales, even our females. This is the perfect form to take on a threat.” Leaving us, he strode farther into the room, settling in a chair that accommodated his tail in the front center, facing the stage. “Get on with it. I have other things I wish to attend to tonight.”

“This way, female.” Wortek snarled. As he passed me, aiming for the platform, his voice dropped, and his glare hit me hard. “We will talk once the king has left. I don’t allow disobedience.”

He led her to the stage and secured her to the pole.

After sliding behind the bar, he engaged the music, and the erratic throb echoed in the room.

And Maggie started to dance.

Chapter 11

Maggie

Ihated that I’d had to remain still while the king groped me, but if I’d cried out or struggled, Davon would’ve attacked. The king’s guards would’ve killed him, and Wortek would’ve stomped his clawed feet on Davon’s remains.

I wasn’t worried about myself. It was easy enough to take my mind away from the situation. Staring into Davon’s eyes grounded me. The protective blaze there made it easier for me to allow it to happen.

It hadn’t been sexual; at least I had that. The king was merely curious about our differences.

And it ended quickly, the king quickly losing interest in my body. With luck, he’d get bored with my dancing and leave the bar, never to return. Then Davon and I could continue making our plan to escape.

---