Page 15 of Commander's Slave
He continued stroking her hair over her shoulder, trying to soothe her fears even as he no doubt frightened her by continuing to hold her over his lap.
The inexplicable need to gain her trust consumed him.
Holy Fires, maybe there was something wrong with him. Maybe losing his family had broken him entirely, if he could be so weak as to feel anything for a human.
She’s mine. My gift. I couldn’t sell her or give her away, even if I wanted to.
Though Edek had respected his father growing up, after he passed away, Edek had realized that it was his brother he respected more, and Draken had always made his position on the ownership of slaves very clear. Unable to free the slaves he’d inherited, Draken had gifted them to a friend he trusted would treat them well. Given the respect he held for his brother, the idea of purchasing slaves himself had never crossed Edek’s mind.
Yet now he was a master. Now he was responsible for the small female who was struggling over his lap, trying to escape further punishment, even as she refused to answer his questions. The weight of responsibility he felt for this female—Heslla, whoever she was—stunned him to the very depths of his being.
If he was to be forced into the role of master, he would at least try to maintain his control. He would attempt to rein in the fury he harbored for humans.
She’s so tiny, so delicate. I could easily hurt her if I’m not careful.
“Listen to me, little human. I know you must have been someone important to your people. A public figure of some kind. Are you truly innocent of the crimes you were convicted of in the Kall court?”
“Yes, I swear it.”
“Then I give you my word that no harm will come to you if you tell me your name. I will not return you to the slave block.” He caressed her bottom and his desire ignited anew. She was lovely, feminine perfection.
“But you might kill me. Or have me killed. You could toss me to an angry crowd and let them take care of it for you. I saw something like that happen as Draken led me out of the town. A human man being kicked by a large group of Kall. He appeared lifeless on the ground and still they kept kicking him. And laughing. Draken told me not to look, but I-I couldn’t help it.”
Edek straightened and loosened his hold on her. Bringing her up to sit in his lap, he smoothed her hair around her shoulders, delighting in the luxurious colorful strands. Kall women didn’t possess hair of this color, nor was their hair so soft and wavy. He took a moment to scold himself for comparing her to Kall women.
He shouldn’t allow himself to notice her beauty or her uniqueness. He should ignore everything sweet about her and treat her with coldness.
Treat her as the slave she was.
Why did that thought trouble him?
Why did it make him feel like a monster?
“Need I remind you that your people destroyed two of our mountain towns?” he finally replied, his anger resurging as he mentioned the incident that had shredded his soul and hardened his heart.
“It was an accident. We apologized. Our governments knew nothing about the illegal mining operation that caused the destruction of your towns.”
“Your governments should have kept better tabs on their citizens.”
Sadness filled her eyes. “I’m sorry about your wife and sons. Truly I am.”
Rage surged through his veins, and he tightened his grip on her arms. “Who told you about that?”
“Draken. Forgive me, but he-he told me all about you.”
Edek sighed and relaxed his grip on her, not wanting to hurt her unintentionally. She shifted on his lap, and a blush stained her cheeks. Perhaps she’d detected his erection, or perhaps her bottom hurt from the spanking. Maybe both.
He’d been on his way to kill humans, but her story about the human near the slave block saddened him. A Kall warrior wasn’t supposed to be motivated by hatred, but by the need for survival and domination after being challenged. A group of Kall kicking a defenseless man was cowardly, and he resolved to look into the matter, even if it was legal for a master to execute his slave.
Of course, he couldn’t deny that hatred had surged through his own heart on his way to Earth.
He also resolved to get his emotions in check before training began, lest he fail in leading by example.
“I meant what I said. I will not harm you if you reveal your name.”
She glanced down, twisting her hands in her lap. The same hope he’d glimpsed earlier shone in her eyes, but her reluctance remained. She wanted to trust him—he sensed it—but fear held her tongue. He decided to give her another incentive to talk.
Tipping her chin up, he stared into her brilliant blue depths, piercing her with a stern look. “If you persist in refusing to tell me your name, I’ll turn you back over my knee and lift your dress up. I’ll pull your panties down and thrash your bare bottom soundly, little human. I am your master and you will refuse me nothing. Now tell me or you’ll sorely regret it.”
