Chapter 15: Chapter 15

Raven

Raven tried to speak, but her brain and lips weren’t cooperating. She grabbed another drink and downed it. Catching her breath, she said, “In your wildest dreams.”

“I’ve turned all my wildest dreams into reality, Flower.”

Was it getting hot in here? She reached for another drink, but Dhol covered her hand with his. “Easy there. It’s not mixed for your size and height.”

“I can drink men twice my size under the table,” she retorted.

He smoothly took the drink from her and downed it as if it were water. “I’ll believe it when I see it.”

Raven hated the word no. It always rubbed her the wrong way. She was about to tell him exactly where he could stick his advice when another man appeared. “Sorry to interrupt, but you’re needed in the council room for more paperwork.”

“I’ll sign it later, I’m—” Dhol began.

“No worries, I’ll keep an eye on her while you’re gone,” a voice interjected.

Raven nearly jumped into Dhol’s arms. She glanced to her side, and there was General Hokji. He and Dhol exchanged a look, and Dhol’s jaw tightened.

“Thanks. I won’t be long,” Dhol said, giving Raven a look she couldn’t decipher before he vanished into the crowd.

“We were starting to think you wouldn’t show, but I see the wait was worth it. But I know the words of a poet wolf mean nothing to you,” General Hokji said, offering her a drink.

Her blood turned to ice. Had he overheard her that day? Impossible. If anyone had, it would’ve been Dhol; he was closer. Had Dhol heard and told him?

“You can read minds?” Raven asked.

“In my line of work, being attuned to the smallest sounds can mean the difference between life and death.”

This was her opportunity. She had to play it cool, or she’d risk scaring him off.

“Yeah, I’m sure sitting behind a desk is really high stakes,” she said, feigning disinterest.

“We might be behind desks now, but when we’re on land, in the air, or at sea, we’re a force to be reckoned with,” he said, stepping closer.

She shrugged. “You can run or swim if things go south. Only one of those branches is truly risking it all. There’s no escape if the plan goes completely wrong.”

If he was part of the air force, he’d be flattered by her statement. Any other branch, he’d be insulted unless he was humble or saw through her act.

Raven finished her drink in one gulp, and warmth spread through her body like a wildfire.

He burst out laughing. “You’re exactly as advertised, but you underestimate me and anyone else you try to manipulate in here. The only way you’ll get the answers you want is by doing favors.”

“Who’s underestimating who now?” Raven shot back.

This was the same game people on the Bella played to get ahead or score contraband. Her body started to tingle, and a throbbing ache started in her core. She leaned on the table, gripping it tightly.

“This is going to be fun,” General Hokji said.

A glint of light flashed from inside his jacket. It was reflective. Raven stepped closer to him and reached in. He froze, looking confused.

Her hands skimmed his sides. Raven’s fingers brushed the handles, and she pulled back, bringing them with her. General Hokji tensed, and he moved to grab her wrist.

But it was like he was moving in slow motion.

Raven held them up to the light as she drank. They were light and beautiful. She balanced one on the back of her hand and twirled it around.

“It’s perfect, light and moves with each gesture. Are all your blades made like this?” Raven asked.

“How else would a blade be made?”

“Heavy and awkward, but these—I can only imagine what a master swordsman could do with these,” she said. “Are these your weapon of choice?”

“Yes, I hold the title of master,” he said.

“Would you humor a beginner?”

He gave her a look that bullies give before they’re about to pull the wings off a fly. His scent wafted over, and it was foul. Images of bodies stacked high filled her mind.

Birds and animals were picking the bones clean, and he stood at the top, soaked in red.

“I’m always game, but I play for keeps,” he said.

“This would be more of a teaching demonstration,” she said.

“I’ll have to pass. Let me know when you’re serious,” General Hokji said.

Raven’s grip on the knife tightened. Her mind raced; it urged her on. Strike. Strike. The word echoed in her mind. General Hokji’s smile widened. Did he know? She picked up another drink and finished it.

She knew she shouldn’t, but his smug smirk was getting under her skin. She wanted nothing more than to wipe it off his face.

Raven returned his smirk. “If you’re scared of little old me, just say so and skip the whole preamble. There’s no shame in admitting defeat. It makes you stronger to know your superi—”

His foul scent became a stench, and his movement seemed slow. Raven sidestepped it and held the knife to his side. A wave of hushed chatter swept over the crowd, and they gathered around to watch the show.

Her body was relaxed and loose, but the ache between her thighs was distracting. Had it always been like this?

He advanced again. This time, his strikes were faster, but not by much. Raven dodged them in time with the music playing. It was similar to the music she’d heard on Earth.

After each of his strikes, she performed a counter but stopped just before contact.

Some hidden intuition told her not to cut, and something told her it was the first time she’d listened, but then again, being on an alien planet with alien liquor in your system would do that.

~Study long, study wrong.~

Her gut told her to brace herself for the next blow. Had she had too much to drink? She steeled herself for his next move, pretending the drinks were to blame.

The wind from his swing sent a shiver down her spine. A hand halted it before it could connect.

“Is this how you take care of people?” Dhol questioned.

“Only the ones who don’t know their place,” General Hokji retorted.

“I find that hard to swallow. My little Flower promised to behave tonight,” Dhol countered.

His voice was colder than the wind from the swing.

“Raven.”

His voice was firm, his gaze unyielding. Raven rose to her feet, looking up at him with wide-eyed innocence.

“Yes, Daddy,” she responded.

He slowly drew in his lower lip, chewing on it thoughtfully.

“Is there something you need to apologize for?”

She approached General Dhol, offering him his knives. “I should’ve asked first. I’m sorry.”

“That’s quite all right,” he replied, his foul odor fading. “Where did you say she was from again?” he asked, turning to Dhol.

“She’s a mystery. We’ll be leaving early. I think she’s had too much to drink,” Dhol stated, taking her by the wrist.

As they left, she spotted a woman. She was in a corner with a man, bent over, and he was giving her an injection in the ass.

“What are they doing?” Raven inquired.

“Minding their own business. You should be more concerned about what I’m going to do to you.”

“I was only a little bad, Daddy. I—”

“Don’t call me that,” he interrupted, leading her past the eyeless man and into the car.

“Why?”

He slid in next to her. “You don’t mean it, do you? I want to hear it from sober lips.”

She did. She’d forgotten why she hadn’t said it before, and that nagging feeling had since turned into a throbbing need.

Raven kicked off her shoes, swung her legs onto his lap, and reclined on the seat. Her dress slid up as she drew her legs back, revealing the bare skin underneath.

“You’re playing with fire. Stop, now,” Dhol warned, his gaze burning into her.

She met his eyes and let her hands wander between her thighs. Raven began to mimic the strokes he used on her. Her breaths became shallow.

“Please, take me, Daddy,” she pleaded.

A primal growl rumbled from his chest, and he climbed on top of her. He traced his nose along her neck and chest. Dhol used one hand to tear her dress open and the other to free himself.

His cock pressed against her wet entrance, but just as he was about to plunge in, everything went black.

***

The light seared her eyes, blurring everything together. Footsteps echoed around the room, and a bucket clanged against the floor. Her head felt like it was being split open, as if tiny gnomes were hacking away at it.

“Shhh.” She tried to cradle her head, and a chain rattled, “What the fuck.” It was attached to the bed.

“For my protection. How are you feeling?” Dhol asked.

“Your protection? I’m the one chained up half-naked,” she retorted, pulling Dhol’s jacket over her exposed chest.

“What’s the last thing you remember?”

Raven remembered arriving and speaking with General Hokji, but everything after that was a blur.

“Not much.”

“You picked a fight with General Hokji, then begged me to take you,” Dhol said, smirking.

Raven gasped, “In your—”

“Wildest dreams, I know.”

“Did we?”

“No, you passed out for a minute, then woke up. I told you no, and you tried to have your way with me,” he said, grinning. “I barely escaped with my chastity intact.”

Heat flooded Raven’s cheeks, and she hurled a pillow at him. “Storytime is over. Unchain me.”