Read One Thousand Brides Online

Authors: Solange Ayre

Tags: #Fiction, #General, #Romance, #Programming Languages, #Computers, #Erotica

One Thousand Brides (8 page)

BOOK: One Thousand Brides
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“More, Delos!” She squirmed against his hand.

Delos entered her with one finger. She put her hands on his shoulders, bracing herself and parted her thighs.

“I love touching you. I love feeling your cream on my hand,” he whispered.

“Yes! You make me so wet.”

He thrust deeper. She gasped and moved against him.

She couldn’t believe she was letting him do this to her in public. Anyone might be nearby. But his touch was so stimulating, so pleasurable…

He moved his hand faster. She bucked against him, frantic. What kind of woman had she turned into, to do this here?

A woman desperate for sex. Desperate for his hands, his mouth.

When she came, it was quick and sharp. She wanted so badly to make noise but the thought of that was embarrassing, so she buried her cries in Delos’ shoulder. He held her tightly, his cheek against her hair.

“You’re mine, Janis,” Delos said. “Do you understand?
Mine
.”

Was he speaking to her, or to the unseen watcher?

A faint growl emerged from the darkness. Had Delos heard? If so, he ignored it.

Quickly, Jan pulled down her tunic. “Let’s go. I wouldn’t want anyone else to know what we did in there.” It had been too dark for anyone else to really see anything, she told herself.

She thought she heard Delos chuckle as they made their way out of the tunnel and down the next corridor. To her relief, this one was well-lit. “What’s so funny?” she asked.

“You’re still thinking like a human. We’re not in the tunnel any longer but—scents linger.” He smiled. “You’re blushing again.”

She didn’t answer, just kept hurrying along the corridor. When it branched four ways, Delos let her choose. Unfortunately, her choice led to an exit door.

“We lost,” Delos said, his tone disappointed. “I wanted you to win the prize.”

She stopped to kiss him. “I did win a prize—in the tunnel.”

* * * * *

The day after Delos showed her around the ship, Janis announced to the Brides that there would be a wedding ceremony. The Brides divided into committees. Computer interfaces were set up in the Great Hall and each committee uplinked with the master computer to plan clothing, music, the feast and the vows.

Several days passed while the committees worked. The food committee came up with a menu and then interacted with the computer to find Terilian equivalents. The vows committee squabbled endlessly about the wording. The music committee faced problems too, as everyone had different ideas as to what was suitable and no one seemed to know all the words to the Chicken Dance.

Arguments about liquor raged until they discovered the Terilians didn’t drink. Instead they filled little bags with a fragrant herb and inhaled. Jan requested that
niphela
be brought to the Great Hall. Many women doubted that it would affect them but it turned out they’d become sufficiently Terilian to get a pleasant buzz from the herb. Half a day was wasted in experimenting with the substance.

Everything they requested had to be overseen by Delos but that wasn’t a problem. Approvals came through so quickly that Jan suspected he hadn’t even listened to them—wherever he was keeping himself. He hadn’t been near her in several days. She wondered what he was doing and why he hadn’t tried to see her.

One afternoon, Jan was enjoying a hot-chocolate-like beverage and small, meat-filled rolls with the rest of the Brides when a rolling messenger entered the Great Hall. The tiny machine stopped at the doorway. “Janis Stone, you are summoned,” it announced.

She followed it out into the corridor, hoping the summons had come from Delos. “Where are we going?” she asked.

“To Primus Taddus’ cabin.”

Chapter Seven

 

Jan’s apprehension grew as she paced after the messenger. Delos had said everyone had sworn not to have intercourse until the Spring Running. Did that include the primuses? Or would Taddus try to force himself on her?

Rape is impossible in our culture.
Delos had said that too. But her growing fear made his earlier statement difficult to believe.

Taddus was standing impatiently in the doorway of his cabin as she approached. He smiled when he saw her. His yellow eyes seemed to search every inch of her body, lingering on her breasts and her pelvis.

“Janis, please come in. I thought we should have a talk before the Spring Running.”

She hesitated. “On Earth, women don’t enter the homes of men they don’t know.”

“The messenger shall stay, if you like.” He bent and addressed the machine. “Bear witness that I will do nothing to the human woman without her consent.”

“Witness function activated.” The machine rolled into a corner and extended a blinking glass lens.

Jan entered his cabin. It was three times the size of hers, with heavy, wooden furniture that was permanently affixed to the deck. One entire wall showed changing pictures, like the corridors. Jan assumed they were scenes from Teril.

“Please—be seated,” Taddus said, bringing out a stool for her.

Jan sat, arranging her tunic over her knees. She was very conscious of the sheer material she wore.

He stared at her nipples. “Your soft breasts entice me, Janice. Perhaps you’ll let me lick and suck them.”

She tossed her hair. “I came here to talk. That’s all.”

He turned and paced toward the bed. “You’ve been spending much of your time with Secondus Delos.”

“Delos and I have become good friends,” Jan answered.

“Not surprising. Everyone likes Del. He’s considered quite brilliant in his field, you know.”

“I didn’t know. He doesn’t speak of himself much.”

“The cream of Teril was chosen for this colonization venture. The best Teril had to offer.” Coming closer, he put his hand on her shoulder. She inhaled, trying to decide what she thought of his scent. “So I understand your liking for the young doctor. But primuses have first choice and I have chosen you as my Bride.”

Perhaps this was her chance. “You may have chosen me but I haven’t chosen you.”

He laughed indulgently. “But you will, my dear. When I come for you at the Spring Running, you’ll be happy to mate with me. And I will be proud to be married to the most beautiful Earth woman on the ship. Now, let us talk and get to know each other’s essences. Once you know me better, I’m sure you will be pleased to be my wife.”

She tilted her head, considering his words. “Go ahead.
Talk
all you want.” She already knew that nothing could make her choose him rather than Delos.

He smiled, entirely missing her sarcasm. “Not only beautiful but a female of sense.” He brought another stool close to hers.

He told her of his family’s glorious heritage, the exploits of his explorer father, Gazeem, the beauty and wit of his mother, Alora, the fame and intelligence of his siblings. He spoke at length of his years at school, his training in governance, the prizes he’d won for his carefully reasoned papers. He talked about the wife he’d brought on board with him and how happy she’d been, married to a primus and a council member.

Jan felt like she was on a bad date with a man who wouldn’t let her get a word in edgewise.

At last he rose, saying he had something to show her. She took the opportunity to say, “Taddus? Wouldn’t you like to hear about my life on Earth?”

Turning back quickly, he said, “Janis, you’re Terilian now. I believe the sooner you forget your old, primitive life, the better.” He opened a metal chest and lifted out a copper necklace. “I’d like you to wear this. Consider it the first of many gifts you will receive, as the wife of Primus Taddus.”

“Perhaps you should wait until we’re married.” Panic shot through her as he lowered the heavy necklace over her hair.

“No, I wish to see you wearing this lavish gift.” Taking her hands, he helped her to her feet. “It enhances your beauty, my dear.” Keeping hold of her hand with his left, he stroked her cheek with his right. “As my wife, you’ll enjoy the best quarters, the best food. You’ll be richly dressed at all times. You’ll never have to work.”

“I might want to work,” Jan suggested.

“But you won’t, my dear. Your days will be spent in leisure. All males will envy me—even the other primuses.”

His hand moved down her neck, stroking, caressing. She shivered. Like Delos, he was touching her gently, trying to give her pleasure. But she felt no response.

“Let me touch your breast,” he murmured.

She hesitated. But after all, why not? If she had to marry him, she might as well see what he was like. “You may touch me,” she said.

He rubbed his cheek against hers affectionately. Why did it mean so much more when Delos did it? His fingers went to her breasts, circling the nipples, attempting to stimulate her through the sheer fabric.

Taddus’ hands were skillful but he might as well have been a doctor giving her a breast examination. She wasn’t interested.

To stop him, she put her hands to his face. He turned his head, licking her palm. If Delos had done the same thing, she would have trembled with delight. When Taddus did it, she wanted to wipe her palm.

“Taddus, I don’t want to marry you.”

His smile was patronizing. “All females are nervous prior to the Spring Running, Janis. Once we’ve mated, you’ll be content—you’ll see.”

“There are almost a thousand other Brides on the ship. Choose another. Choose someone who will be proud to be your wife.” She took a deep breath. “Let me have the husband I want.”

“You only think you want Del. You’ll forget all about him after the Spring Running. Glorious beauty like yours must not be wasted on a mere secondus.” He patted her cheek. “A year from now, we’ll look back on this conversation and laugh.”

“You’re not listening to me. Do you really want an unwilling wife?”

“But you won’t be unwilling, sweet Janis. You’ll enjoy our many matings at the Spring Running.”

She bit back bitter words. There was simply nothing she could say that he’d hear. “I’m leaving.”

He glanced at the silently witnessing machine, then stood back to allow her access to the door. “Of course, my dear.” He followed her to the door. His hand was on his groin, rubbing the head of his cock through his tunic. “Leave now if you will. There will be no leaving on the day I take you again and again. I’ll make you beg and plead for every thrust of my penis.”

Jan’s voice went deep and low. She had never spoken with more truthfulness in her life. “Primus, I will
die
before I beg you for anything.”

* * * * *

Delos was working at the computer console in his quarters when the door announced that Janis Stone wished to enter. Jumping to his feet, he commanded the door to open.

She walked in. He was familiar with her expressions now and knew that she was angry.

Her tunic was pink today, a color that emphasized her pale skin and dark hair. Then he noticed the heavy copper necklace she wore and frowned.

“You’ve been with Taddus.” He smelled the primus’s odor on her neck.

She tossed her head and her glorious black hair rippled in waves. “He called me to his cabin. Why shouldn’t he? If I’m his destined Bride, I’ll soon be spending
all
my days with him.”

Rage shot through him at the thought of the primus touching her. He stepped closer to her and reached around her neck. Grasping the clasp of the necklace, he broke it with one sharp tug and threw the necklace to the floor.

She stared at him, eyes wide. In another moment they were in each other’s arms.

His mouth took hers savagely. He wanted to devour her lips and tongue. He wanted to lick her everywhere—her neck, her nipples and most of all her aroused sex.

When they finally broke apart, gasping, she gazed up at him fiercely. “Where have you been?” she demanded. “I haven’t seen you for days!”

She missed me. She longed for me.
Her words were so meaningful to him that he had to kiss her again.

“I’ve been working triple shifts,” he said. “Every male on the ship needs extra anti-erection drugs. The presence of so many unmated females is driving us all mad.”

She put her hand on his erect penis. “Physician, heal yourself.”

He laughed at the apt phrase. “I took drugs two hours ago. They don’t help when you’re so close.” He called the bed out and down to the floor. “Even if we can’t mate, let me hold you.” He stretched out on the bed, waiting.

She hesitated, then lay beside him. “Really, what’s the use? If we can’t marry, aren’t we just torturing ourselves?”

“Sweet torture,” he groaned, licking the side of her face. Her skin was fresh and soft. He couldn’t think about the future, only the joy of holding her now. “Let’s enjoy each other while we can.”

“It’s foolish.”

“It’s not foolish.” He licked her nipple through the sheer material. “It’s love.”

She gazed at him, a beautiful, soft look coming into her eyes. “Really, Delos? You
love
me?”

“From the day I first saw you.” He gave her another kiss. Her lips parted and her tongue stroked his. Kissing had felt so strange at first but the more he did it, the more he liked it. What else would she teach him?

“Loving the way I look isn’t loving
me
,” she said, her voice low. “You don’t know very much about me. How can you talk about love?”

“I know plenty about you.”

“You know I’m under forty, childless, fertile and not pair-bonded,” she said, quoting from Taddus’ criteria for the kidnapped females.

He smiled. “And you enjoy sarcasm. I’ll tell you what else I know… You lived in several multi-unit dwellings until three years ago, when you bought your own living quarters. You had two of the Earth animals called ‘cats’ as pets. Last year you took an evening class in something called ‘Ceramics’. You spent more than one percent of your compensation last year on reading material and music.”

She stared at him for a moment, looking puzzled. Then her brow smoothed. “Oh—that’s right, you said your people uploaded data on all the Brides. You must have read my computer records.”

Read them? He’d practically memorized every tiny detail the data yielded. Every aspect of her fascinated him.

BOOK: One Thousand Brides
8.26Mb size Format: txt, pdf, ePub
ads

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