Vaaden Captives: Susan (4 page)

The doctor looked appalled as he studied the various X-rays he had taken. They didn’t call them X-rays on Vaaden, but they looked similar. I could see every old break I’d had. Four ribs, both arms, both legs, an ankle, a shoulder… I looked like I’d been to war -- and lost.

“I’ve never seen anything like it,” the doctor said. “So many injuries, too many for a female.”

“She was abused on her planet,” Sylon said.

The doctor glowered at him. “And on ours it would appear. What were you thinking? A fracture! You know I have to report this.”

“I know. I didn’t mean to hurt her. I was angry and didn’t think…”

“You never think!”

“Um… do you two know each other?” I asked, my head looking from one to the other like I was watching a tennis match.

“He’s my father,” Sylon said with disdain. “You’d think at my age he would learn he can’t control me, but no… he still tries to treat me like I’m a child.”

“Only when you act childish,” his father snapped.

“Please don’t fight. Not over me, I’m not worth it,” I implored.

Sylon looked at me in shock, as if surprised I would feel so worthless, and his father patted my good hand in comfort. I didn’t want to read anything into it, but did he perhaps care for me more than I realized?

“Of course you are,” he said kindly. “Just because my son doesn’t know how to treat a woman isn’t your fault.”

“I know how to treat a woman. They need to be disciplined at times.”

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“Women are nothing but possessions to you. I think you forget how frail they can be at times. They need more than just discipline, Sylon, they need care.” His father pointed to the door. “Out! Now!”

Sylon grumbled, but did as he was bade, glancing over his shoulder at me one last time before disappearing through the door. I couldn’t be sure, but I thought there was a look of tenderness in his eyes as he left.

“You didn’t have to send him away,” I said softly.

“Yes, I did. He’s a barbarian and I’m thankful his mother isn’t around to see this.”

I wasn’t sure if she had died or simply left, and my confusion must have shown on my face.

He smiled kindly. “It’s been years since she passed, but I still miss her. Our son’s behavior would sicken her if she still lived. As it is, his choice of wife is… Well, let’s just say she leaves a lot to be desired.”

“I guess that’s why he has me.”

He nodded. “I’m sure it is. Knowing Sylon, it wouldn’t take much to get him to stay with you. His wife is a shrew and a controlling woman. He would love nothing more than to leave her, but marriage is forever here on Vaaden. I’m afraid it was arranged when they were born, but I had hoped he would pay her family and not go through with it.”

“On my planet people marry and separate all the time. Hardly anyone stays together forever.”

“That’s rather sad, don’t you think?” he asked.

“I haven’t really thought about it, but I guess it is.”

“Were you ever married?” he asked.

“No. I’ve dated and lived with some of my boyfriends, but no one ever asked me to marry them.” I gestured toward the X-rays. “And if they had, I wouldn’t have accepted.”

37

“Hmmm. I can’t blame you for that.” He gently grasped my injured arm. “This might hurt a little, but I’m going to heal you with a special laser we have. I might be able to heal some of your old injuries as well.” My arm was already killing me. How much more could it hurt?

Sylon’s father took me to another room, passing his son along the way. Sylon gave me an apologetic look, but I lowered my head and followed his father down the hall.

When we entered the room with the laser, he motioned to a chair in the corner.

“Lie there and I’ll recline it. I’m going to use the laser on both of your arms. If it goes well, Sylon can bring you back and we’ll try to heal your ribs and legs.” I nodded and did as he ordered. Closing my eyes, I cried out at the searing pain I felt as the laser touched my arm. I had thought it would be painless compared to what I’d experienced previously, but I’d never felt pain like it before. Whimpering, I did my best to hold still. After he’d completed the operation on both arms, he rubbed ointment on the burns from the laser, and bandaged them.

He led me back out to Sylon, who was pacing. At first, I thought he was just being impatient, but when he looked up at me, I was surprised to see concern in his eyes.

“You didn’t tell me it was going to hurt her,” he said to his father. “You know women are fragile! I could hear her scream out here.”

“I had to use the laser to correct the fracture, and I’m hoping it will also heal the old one in her other arm.” His father glowered at him. “Besides, I believe
I
was the one who told
you
that women were frail and needed to be cared for.” Sylon eyed my bandaged arms and I wondered what he was thinking.

“She needs to keep them dry for the next twenty-four hours, but it’s going to take a week before the pain will be gone completely.”

“Isn’t there something you can give her?”

His father shook his head. “I’m afraid not.”

38

Sylon glared at him and picked me up. I wanted to wrap my arms around him, but I couldn’t. Instead, I had both arms draped over my stomach, careful they didn’t touch anything else.

“Expect to stand before the council within the week,” his father called after him.

Sylon kept walking without looking back even once. When we were outside, I buried my face in his neck to block the intense light. I still wasn’t used to the double suns.

* * *

Once we were back at the slave quarters, he sat me down gently in the bedroom.

Without a word, he went to the closet and pulled out one of his shirts.

Turning, he walked toward me and reached for the hem of my slave dress. He lifted it over my head, careful not to hurt my arms.

“I thought you didn’t want me to wear your clothes,” I said softly, not understanding why he’d changed his mind.

“You’ll be more comfortable in this.”

He helped me into the tunic-like shirt and walked over to the bed. Pulling down the covers, he motioned for me to lie down.

“But I’m not tired,” I argued.

Anger flashed in his eyes for a moment, but I watched as he fought to control it.

“You should rest. Your arms will heal quicker if you get adequate sleep.” Which meant he didn’t believe Randar and I had really slept. He still believed I’d cheated on him. It didn’t seem that anything I said or did would change his mind.

Sighing, I gave in and lay down in the bed.

I was surprised when he gently pulled the covers over me. Even more astonishing, he kicked off his boots and climbed into bed beside me, draping an arm over my waist. “I’m sorry I hurt you,” he said.

“I know it was an accident.”
Not that anyone deserves to have their arm broken for
any reason
. But no matter what he put me through, I still wanted to be with him, still believed there was good in him. I only caught glimpses here and there, but I
knew
it was

39

there, and I knew I could redeem him. All he needed was a little kindness. There was a difference in kindness and obedience. He didn’t know that yet, but he was learning.

He studied me intensely. “Did you mean it when you said that you and Randar only slept last night?”

“Yes.”

“I find it hard to believe, knowing you did more than sleep the last time he was here.”

“But we didn’t. You just assumed that we’d had sex.”

“What else was I to think? You were acting strange after being around him.”

“We talked. It made me realize that I wanted…”

“Wanted what?”

“That I wanted someone who would be gentle with me,” I answered softly.

“Someone unlike me.”

“I didn’t think you would ever be gentle with me.”

“And now?” he asked.

“I… I care for him.”

He was silent for so long I became worried. I turned my head to look at him and the look in his eyes scared me. If I could have escaped from the bed, I would have, but his arm held me down.

“I didn’t mean for it to happen,” I assured him. “It just did.”

“And does he feel the same for you?”

“I don’t know, but I think so. Or maybe I just hope he does.” He released me and rose from the bed. “You will never be together,” he said.

“You’re mine.”

“But you could get another slave. Why me?”

“Why you, indeed,” he muttered, obviously not knowing the answer to the question himself. He turned to study me. “You’re beautiful, and before Randar ruined you, you were a good fuck.”

I cringed at his words, although it thrilled me he thought I was beautiful.

He moved toward the door and I panicked. “You aren’t leaving, are you?”

40

“I’ll be back shortly.”

I watched as he walked out of the slave quarters, unsure how I would fend for myself if he didn’t return soon. I could barely move my arms. Perhaps it hadn’t been wise to let the doctor heal both of them at the same time.

Sylon returned within the hour and I breathed a sigh of relief. He looked tense and angry when he walked into the bedroom and I wondered what he’d been doing.

“I went to see Randar and my wife,” he said, as if sensing what I was thinking.

“About?”

“I’ve forbidden Randar to see you.”

My heart constricted.

“And I told my wife I wouldn’t be home for a while.”

“A while?” I asked.

“I can’t leave you alone while you’re healing. And if I know my father, he’ll want to treat your other old injuries as well, which means it could be weeks before you’re able to take care of yourself.”

“I don’t want to be a bother to you. He doesn’t have to fix them. I’ve made it this long with my bones just the way they are.”

He sat on the edge of the bed and ran a hand through his hair. “Maybe I want you to go through the operations.”

“Why?” I asked.

He looked down at me, his brow furrowed in confusion. “I don’t know.” He stretched out beside me and brushed my hair away from my face, and caressed my cheek. “When I realized how badly I’d hurt you, it… I felt…” He sighed. “I can’t describe it. I’ve never felt that way before. I’ve never considered the feelings of slave women before, but with you, it’s different.”

“You didn’t sound like I was any different when you were discussing me with Randar.”

“I wanted to scare him, and you.”

“You succeeded,” I muttered, remembering his cruel words.

42

He placed his hand on my knee and slowly slid it up my leg to rest on my hip.

Surely he wouldn’t expect anything from me, not while I was injured! “Sylon, I don’t think I can…”

“Easy, Susan, I’m not asking you to do anything.” He began unbuttoning the shirt, and spread it open to expose my breasts.

“This doesn’t feel like nothing,” I said softly.

“I’m going to do all of the work. You won’t hurt your arms.” He gently cupped my breasts and leaned down to kiss me. His lips were firm, but tender, showing me a side of him I’d never seen before.

When he lifted his head, I asked, “Is this how you are with your wife?” He glowered at me. “Don’t bring her up right now.”

“I’m sorry.”

He nuzzled my neck. “No, I’m not like this with her. I’ve never been like this with anyone before.” I lifted my chin, enjoying every moment of what he was doing. He had a slight growth of whiskers on his chin and they tickled my throat as he kissed the side of my neck. He trailed kisses across my collarbone and down between my breasts.

“Have I told you that you’re beautiful?” he asked in a husky voice.

“Only once, and I don’t think you meant to say it.”

“Your beauty is what drew me to you.”

“You mentioned as much earlier, but I wasn’t sure if I could believe you. You’ve never… that is…”

“Just tell me, Susan.”

“You’ve never been this kind to me before, except for when I was sick, prior to you asking Randar to sit with me.”

He stared at me a moment, as if weighing his words before speaking. He stroked my cheek and gently kissed me. I placed my hands on his cheeks, drawing him closer.

When his shoulder bumped my arm, I cried out in pain and he pulled away.

“I didn’t mean to hurt you, not now and not before.”

“You’ve already apologized for hurting me earlier.”

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“Well, I’m saying it again.” He swallowed hard, his Adam’s apple bobbing. “I’ve always used women for pleasure, Susan. I’ve never tried to care for one. Is that what you’re asking of me?”

“I’m not asking anything of you.”

“But it’s what you want,” he said softly.

I nodded, unable to deny it.

He sighed and rested his forehead against mine. “I can’t promise I can give you that. I’m not sure I’m capable of it, but I will promise to try.”

“Really?” I asked in surprise.

He kissed me again. “Really.”

“Why… I mean, what made you change your mind?”

“My father made some good points today. I didn’t treat you right. You deserve better. When you told me that you wanted to be with Randar because he treated you differently than anyone ever had, it made me realize that I was treating you the same as the men on Earth who had hurt you.” He caressed my cheek. “I don’t want to be like them. I don’t want you to fear me like you feared them.”

“I really did miss you while you were gone,” I said softly. “I didn’t miss your anger, but once I saw the other side of you, the side you’re showing me now, I wanted you to stay.”

“It’s not going to be easy, Susan. This isn’t a change I can make overnight, and I can’t promise I won’t still lose my temper. I only promise to try and treat you better.”

“That’s all I can ask, Sylon.”

* * *

He stood and let his pants fall to the floor. After stepping out of them, he rejoined me on the bed. Settling between my legs, he kissed me again, tenderly. I wished I could take a more active role in the lovemaking, but I knew it was impossible with my arms aching as they did.

His hands cupped my breasts as his cock slowly eased into my pussy. I was wet and ready for him, and lifted my hips to take in more of him. He withdrew and slowly sank into me again, making me whimper with need. “Sylon… I want…”

44

“What do you want?” he asked.

“More, I want more.”

“I don’t want to hurt you.”

“You won’t,” I assured him, knowing he would be careful with me. I don’t know how I knew, I just did.

Bracing himself on his elbows, he thrust into me harder, but not as hard as usual.

It was just enough to drive me crazy, enough to make me want him even more. Using long thrusts, he pushed me to the brink, and soon I was lost in the throes of an orgasm.

A few more thrusts and he buried himself inside of me, finding his release.

He withdrew from me and rolled to his back, pulling me to his side and wrapping an arm around me.

“I’ve never experienced anything quite like that before,” he said, his voice full of wonder.

I smiled. “See what happens when you slow down a little and enjoy life?” He chuckled and hugged me tightly. “It seems you’re going to be good for me.”

“Funny, your father said the same thing.”

“As much as I hate to admit it, there are times that he’s right.”
Chapter Eight

When I woke the next morning, Sylon was still holding me. I used the time to study him. He looked so relaxed and peaceful in sleep, so different from how he usually looked. In that moment, he looked more like Randar than he ever had before. Oddly, I didn’t feel a twinge like I had before when I thought of the first man who’d treated me gently. I wasn’t sure what to make of that.

I rested my head on Sylon’s shoulder and closed my eyes. I wasn’t sure how long he could maintain his temper, but I was going to enjoy this side of him while it lasted. It was nice to feel his arms around me, to feel loved.

Loved? My eyes opened wide. Loved? Why had I thought that of all things?

Sylon didn’t love me, had even said he didn’t think he was capable of caring for me, much less loving me. And I didn’t love him. Right?

I felt him shift beside me and I tried to relax. If I lay tense in his arms, he would think something was wrong. Watching, I smiled as his eyes opened and looked at me sleepily. He really was adorable first thing in the morning.

“Good morning,” I said softly.

“Morning.”

He released me and stretched. Rolling out of the bed, he went to the closet and took out a clean pair of pants.

“I’m going to shower and dress.” He eyed my bandages. “You still have a few hours before you can get your arms wet.”

“I’ll be fine waiting here.”

He smiled and walked into the bathroom, and a moment later I heard the water start. I lifted his shirt from the floor and put it back on, covering my naked body. The morning air was cool and I shivered.

46

The sound of the front door opening made me stiffen. When two official-looking men in uniforms walked in, I eyed them warily. I had a feeling the men were here because of the report Sylon’s father had filed.

“Are you Susan?” one of them asked.

I nodded.

“Where’s Sylon?”

Before I could answer, Sylon walked out of the bathroom, dressed in a clean pair of pants, a towel slung around his shoulders.

“I’m right here,” he said, coming to stand by my side.

“We’re here to take you and your slave before the council,” the second one said.

Sylon ran his hands through my hair. “She gets her bandages off and will be allowed to shower in another few hours. Could it wait?” He looked down at me tenderly. “I know she’d feel better if she were clean when she went before the council.”

“Are you sure you aren’t just trying to make her look whole?” the first official asked snidely.

“I won’t deny what I did,” Sylon said. “But I also won’t do it again.” The second one snorted. “Like we’re going to believe that? This isn’t the first time you’ve been called before the council, Sylon, but I have a feeling it will be the last.” Sylon tensed, but didn’t dignify the remark with a response. He toyed with the ends of my hair and stared at the men. “I guess we’ll find out when I go before the council.”

The two officials looked at one another and then looked down at me. “Do you wish to wait or do you want to see the council now, while your arms are still bandaged?”

“I’d like to wait, if that’s okay?”

They nodded. “We’ll be waiting outside of your living quarters. Once you’re ready, we’ll escort the two of you to the council.” Sylon watched as they turned and walked away. Once they were gone, he relaxed and sat on the bed beside me.

“I’m sorry you’ll have to go through that. If I had controlled myself better…”

47

“But you didn’t and we do have to go before the council.” I leaned into him. “It will be fine, Sylon.”

“I’m not so sure. You aren’t the first slave I’ve harmed. I have a feeling the council officials are right. This time might be the last time.”

“You mean they’ll punish you?” I asked.

“They’ve punished me before, but this time they may lock me up and strip me of my holdings, my wife… everything.”

“Me?”

“Yes, even you,” he answered softly.

I swallowed the knot in my throat. If that happened, I could only hope Randar would step forward and take care of me, but I knew there was no guarantee who would claim me. I didn’t want to go through all of this again. I’d finally gotten used to Sylon, had finally come to a point where I thought I could be happy, and now it was going to be jerked out from under me. Why did my life always have to suck?

* * *

After my shower, Sylon pulled out a bag from the closet. I hadn’t seen it before and looked at him quizzically.

“I had this delivered while you were showering.” I gently took the bag from him and opened it, and gasped. Inside was a beautiful sapphire blue silk dress. It was still short, but longer than the slave garments I’d worn thus far, with short flowing sleeves.

“Sylon, it’s beautiful.”

He took it from me and gently slid it over my head. Pulling my hair back, he pulled something else out from the bag. He wound my hair into a loose knot at the nape of my neck and clipped something in it.

I reached back and felt a hair clip. Walking into the bathroom, I turned my head sideways, hoping to get a good look at it. A golden clip, decorated with iridescent feathers similar to a peacock’s, was nestled in my hair. I’d never seen anything so beautiful before.

With tears in my eyes, I turned to face Sylon.

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He frowned and moved closer to me. “I didn’t mean to make you cry.”

“They’re happy tears,” I said softly.

“Happy tears? I’ve never heard of such a thing.” I wrapped my arms around him and hugged him. My arms still ached slightly, but the pain was bearable. Rising up on tiptoe, I kissed him.

“Thank you.”

He smiled and hugged me back. “You’re welcome.” He grasped my hand and led me to the front door. When it whooshed open, the two officials turned to face us. One looked surprised at my attire, but the other didn’t show a flicker of emotion.

With them leading the way, we made our way to the council.