3. Dexari

Chapter 3

Dexari

As I whisper in Sloane's ear, the unexpected contact of her soft body against my bare chest ignites a fire beneath my skin. The fire enters my bloodstream, spreading unchecked through my veins, and a powerful possessiveness awakens within me—an overwhelming urge to claim and protect a female I should not desire.

Stunned by my reaction to the tiny human, all thoughts of punishment temporarily vanish. My senses home in on the subtle changes in her scent, how her breath comes just a bit faster, and how her legs tremble ever so slightly, as if my nearness both arouses and unnerves her.

Her scent perfumes the air, fueling the turmoil within me. My heart, usually steady, now beats erratically in my chest. How can she wield such power over me? The thought that she could bring me to my knees terrifies me more than any battle I could face.

I take a deep, controlled breath, forcing my mind to still as I back away from her, the growing distance between us physically paining me.

My practiced veneer of composure slips as primal need and base desire surge through my loins and limbs. This human female, with her quick tongue and defiant spirit, has somehow managed to rattle my royal fa?ade.

I remind myself that I am King Dexari, a fierce and mighty warrior, and the ruler of Ari. I should not feel drawn to this criminal off-worlder, no matter how delectable she smells, and I do not understand what is happening.

Until it suddenly becomes clear.

She is MINE .

The revelation stuns me. I turn away from her and stride toward the door.

She rushes toward me and grabs my arm, her touch as hot as a branding iron. "You're not leaving, are you?"

I am momentarily outraged that she would dare touch me, the king. "Yes." I pull away from her grasp with more force than necessary. "I have a kingdom to run."

"You can't just leave me here with nothing to do. Shouldn't we, you know, talk about what happened…and discuss my punishment?"

"I will return during the evening meal. In the meantime, I suggest you make yourself more presentable."

She looks down at her blood-stained clothing: too-large trousers held up by a section of rope tied around her waist and a thin undergarment that leaves all of her arms and much of her chest completely bare.

"You got a problem with a tank-top and, uh, borrowed khakis?" she asks.

Assuming my most regal posture, I rake my eyes up and down her body. "I have a problem with dirty females dressed like common beggars. There are robes in the wardrobe. I expect you to be wearing one when I return."

As I turn my back on Sloane and take my exit, her whispered insult almost makes me smile.

"What an asshole."

I retreat to my private quarters where I demand not to be disturbed. I need time to process what has happened and speak to my newly mated ally, King Renowlf.

When there is no answer to my vid call to him, I end the connection on my communicator and send a text message instead.

Renowlf: I have found one of the human females from Earth. Call me, Dexari.

A recent missive from Renowlf's royal page alerted me and the other orc kings that slave traders had brought universal breeders onto the planet. The females were reportedly abducted from Earth, a primitive, faraway world that has not yet mastered space travel.

Intrigued, I had Vagan, the palace healer, research the validity of Renowlf's claim, and he quickly confirmed it. Evidently, human females are prized throughout space for their ability to conceive and carry offspring from nearly any species.

While I find slavery abhorrent, I cannot deny my need for a child. I am the last ruler in my bloodline. The only way to maintain control of the Kingdom of Ari is to find my queen and beget an heir.

There is just one problem: my cockspikes have not emerged for any of the orc females in this or any of the other kingdoms.

Cockspikes carry reproductive seed and lie dormant within an orc male until he meets his perfect genetic match. Only then will they rise to the surface of his shaft and vibrate in anticipation of mating and conception. Unfortunately, genetic matches are rare in our world.

When my communicator alerts me to an incoming video call, I tap a button, and King Renowlf's face fills the small screen. "Renowlf," I say in greeting. "I take it you received my message."

"I did. And my queen will be happy to hear the news." Renowlf's relaxed demeanor exudes a lightness I have never seen in him before.

"Who are you talking to?" a soft voice in the background asks, a voice that presumably belongs to his queen.

Renowlf diverts his attention away from me. "King Dexari. He found one of the humans."

A beautiful female face peers into the screen beside him, and I chuckle, though it is forced. "It appears you are busy, Renowlf. Would you like to call me back when you are not otherwise…occupied?"

The female answers before he can. "No, it's okay. He can talk now. What's the woman's name and when can we come get her?"

I frown, my amusement fading. "Her name is Sloane, Majesty, and she is not available to travel at this time."

"Why not?" the queen presses.

"She is currently under house arrest," I say. "She killed one of my guards and severely wounded my second."

"A human female did this?" Renowlf asks, incredulous. "She must be much larger than my mate."

I shake my head, my mind replaying the bloody scene outside the kingdom's walls where Sloane was apprehended. "She is just a tiny thing. Yet she is also cunning and fights like the fiercest of warriors."

"This is hard to believe," Renowlf says. "Did she use some sort of high-tech, off-world weapon?"

"No. Just a single dagger."

"And she is under house arrest rather than in your dungeon? There must be more to this story." Renowlf's eyes narrow. "What are you not telling us, Dex?"

I hesitate, struggling to voice the words that could change everything.

Finally, I confess. "My cockspikes have emerged for her, Ren. I do not know whether to punish the human spitfire for her crimes…or take her to my bed."