Part 24 (1/2)

I approached him and sank onto the pillows beside him.

”That's better,” he said, reaching into the bowl and withdrawing a sphere. His stark white teeth sank into it, consuming half. ”You will eat.” When he attempted to slip the rest past my lips, I ripped it out of his hands and tossed it across the room.

I grabbed a piece of fruit without Targon germs and shoved it into my mouth. The sweet, sweet flavor made each of my taste buds shoot to life. I found myself reaching out for another.

He sighed, pieces of his amus.e.m.e.nt having returned. ”We will have to work on your stubbornness. It is an honor to eat with the king, you know.”

”I have to go back to Earth, Devyn.”

”Thisis to be your home.”

I leaned forward, beseeching with my eyes, my voice. ”Please. Give me the necklace and take me back. I have a man, a mission, and Imust get back.”

Devyn reached out and sifted my hair through his fingers. The gold strands were beautiful draped over his pale skin. ”The man who was shot. Hunter, I think was his name. He is your man, yes?”

”Yes.” I clenched the pillows, wadding the material between my fists. ”How did you know?”

His huge shoulders lifted in a shrug. ”The way you looked at him; the way he looked at you. I'm curious, though. If he is your man, why was he there to buy you?”

I ignored the question. ”He's hurt. You saw Jonathan shoot him. I have to help him, get him medical care.”

”He is not hurt, angel. He's dead.”

Everything inside me frosted with ice. Cold, hard ice. Strong, vital Lucius was not dead. I would have known it, felt it. We were connected in a way that I didn't understand, but now accepted-and was grateful for. I could not, would not, believe he was dead. He possessed too much life, too much strength. He was indestructible.Please let him be indestructible.

”How do you know that?” I said softly, my jawbone so tight it could snap at any moment.

”I saw the blood just as you did. He is human, and humans cannot lose so much blood.”

”Humans can survive with blood transfusions. That's why I have to get to him.”

”If there was any life left inside him, EenLi would patch him up and sell him as a slave. This I promise you.”

Yes, I thought, hope melting the ice. Ever the businessman, EenLi would not let a prime specimen like Lucius die when he could be bringing in a profit. ”I cannot let him become a slave. Nor can I allow the other women who were imprisoned in that house to become slaves. I have to go back. I'll do anything you ask if you'll just take me back.”

”What does this man give you that is so special, sodifferent from what I can give you?” Devyn's tone was hard.

”He's...mine.” It was the only answer I had at the moment.

Hands fisted, he shoved angrily to his feet. He glared down at me. ”I will not send you back, because I am not willing to give you up. I have had enough talk of dead men and enslaved women.”

We'd see about that. He might be telekinetic, but perhaps if I worked quickly enough, I could defeat him. I kicked out my leg and connected with his ankles. He toppled backward, dropping the fruit bowl with a clang. Blue spheres scattered across the floor as I sprang on top of him, using my weight to cut off his air, my knee in his windpipe.

”I'll kill you if I remain here,” I vowed.

Far from being intimidated, he grinned. ”I see I will have to bring my guards back. I had hoped you would appreciate the privacy.”

I fought a wave of defeat. ”You aren't even winded, are you?”

”No.” A wicked gleam flittered over his amused expression. ”I can put you to sleep with only a blink of my eyes, and then I can do whatever I want to you.”

I jerked back my elbow, making a fist along the way. As my hand flew closer to his face, his grin only grew wider...and the muscles in my arm stiffened completely, holding me in place before I ever reached his nose.

”I like your spirit,” he said, the words laden with excitement. ”You will be my finest possession.”

I grated my teeth together so forcefully, I could have made powder. ”Let me tell you something, Targon. I will never willingly give myself to you, and if you try and force me, I will carve you into little pieces and feed you to your people.”

His lips dipped into a pout. ”It will not be force. You are my slave-”

”Itwill be force. Hunter is the only lover I desire.”

That angry spark lit once more in Devyn's tawny gaze. ”You are my property, and I will not allow you to think of another man.”

”I'll think of him and desire him and long for him for the rest of my life,” I said, p.r.i.c.king his male pride. ”Every time you touch me, I'll pretend it's.h.i.+m. Thathe's the one giving me pleasure.”

Growling low in his throat, he shoved me off him and jumped to his feet. I jumped up, as well, my arm muscles released from his spell. We faced off.

”You are more than you seem, Raka,” he bit out, ”and I admit I was beginning to like that. You have the courage of a warrior, but you are as foolish as every other woman, andthat I do not like. I am king here, and you will learn not to fan the flames of my anger.”

”Please,” I said then, desperate. How could I make him do what I wanted?

”Please what? Please touch you? Please be merciful?”

”Please send me home.”

A heavy pause erupted, our breathing the only sound. Then he grabbed my hand and tugged me down a wide, open hallway, as white and pure and mocking as a virgin's bedsheets. At the far end was a bedroom, as open as the rest of the house and just as white. Pillows littered the floor, and a pool occupied the far end.

He tossed me onto the pillows. When my back hit, air whooshed from my lungs. I hopped up immediately, panting for breath.

”I told you not to ask to be returned again. And so, your training will begin now.” He crossed his arms over his chest.

”Training to do what?”

”Pleasure me, of course.”

Chapter.

24.

Devyn's gaze remained locked with mine as he stripped out of his only clothing, the black kiltlike skirt. He posed before me wearing nothing more than a smug smile. His skin was pale. His dark hair hung around his shoulders in disarray. He made a striking picture, handsome and strong.

I wanted no part of him.

Unfortunately, he was determined to have every part of me.

My blood boiled at his arrogance and intentions, at his sheer selfishness, and I forced my energy to center. I would have to attack him; surprise would be my only avenue against this Targon. I drew in a deep, cleansing breath. Hold...hold...His attention deviated from me.