The Nymph King

Shaye nearly jumped out of her skin, startled as she was by his voice. Slowly she sat up, dreading—anticipating—what she'd see. Her heart leapt inside her chest the moment she spied him. He stood in the doorway, holding the curtain out of the way. He was total masculinity, pure sex. He wore black pants, a black shirt that tied at the collar, and his hair was in complete disarray.

'Come,' he repeated. There was no hint of emotion in his tone. His eyes were taut, his mouth thinned in... displeasure? Pain? He held out his hand and motioned for her with his fingers.

'Why?' Remaining in place, hesitant, she fingered the ends of her still-damp hair. 'Where are you taking me?'

He again motioned with his fingers. 'I am not going to pounce on you, if that is what you fear.' How distant he was, so unlike his usual self.

Had he already given up on her? Did he now plan to take her back to the surface? Disappointment rocked her. You should be thrilled, you big dummy!

She gulped, but stood and walked to him. She clasped his proffered hand. He immediately turned and tugged her through the hallway. 'What's going on?' she asked.

'I must practice with my men. To ensure you do not cause mischief while I am preoccupied, you will stay in a room with the other women.'

'Oh.' He wasn't taking her back, and she was mad about that—really she was.

A few minutes later they reached the room in question. She didn't utter a single protest, even though she did not want to spend time with the lovesick, sex-crazed females from her mother's wedding. Well, you can always use the time away from Valerian to escape. Like you freaking planned.

Yes, that's exactly what she'd do. No more mooning over Valerian. No more crazy thoughts about staying.

Several men stood guard at the entrance. One held a bundle of paper and thin, colored rocks. Valerian scooped them up and handed them to her. 'I thought you might enjoy writing some of your anti-cards.'

A moment passed before his words registered, and her mouth fell open. With shaky hands, she clasped the bundle. How... sweet. He'd gathered these for her. Her stomach tightened with several different emotions— emotions she didn't want to name. He hadn't gone the easy route and given her flowers and candy. No, he'd searched for something she loved, something specific to her.

'Thank you,' she said softly.

'My pleasure,' he said, his voice rough. He pivoted to the men, saying, 'I want two guards—no, four guards posted at this door at all times. No one is to enter or leave without my permission. Understood?'

Each of the warriors nodded.

Valerian turned back to her. 'I must go.'

Their eyes met, and she fought the urge to rise on tiptoe and breathe in his scent, absorb his strength. Kiss me, she silently beseeched, hating herself for the desire but unable to stop it. In the end he didn't. He held back the curtain and gave her a gentle push inside the room.

'Until later,' she heard him whisper. And then he was gone.

CHAPTER 16

'I'VE NEVER, IN ALL MY LIFE, been pleasured like I was last night.'

'Me, either.'

'God, me, either.'

Shaye gazed around the room. There was a couch, a thousand silk pillows, books that looked as if they were made from canvas rather than paper, needles and thread. A hobby room, she thought. Great. Women were everywhere, a sea of twitters and laughter. She'd never seen a better example of a harem.

Shaye's gaze strayed to the curtain-covered door, and she bit her lip. Now is the time. 'Ladies,' she said quietly. She clapped her hands until she'd gained everyone's attention. 'It's time to think about getting out of here. There are enough of us to overtake the guards. We can look for a way home.'

Someone laughed. 'Why in the world would we want to do that?'

'I'm not leaving,' someone else said.

'I'm staying.'

'If you try to run, I'll scream for Valerian.'

Shaye gritted her teeth in frustration and in irritation. 'Why do you want to stay?' She said the words for herself, as well. 'You mean nothing to these guys.'

For over an hour the ladies lauded the sexual ecstasy they'd been given. For over an hour she countered with speeches of home and respect. Several women finally got tired of listening to her, and called for the guards. Much to her chagrin, Valerian was summoned.

It didn't take long for the king to respond. He strode into the room without preamble. He was sweaty and dirty. He didn't say anything, just pounded to her, wrapped her in his arms, and proceeded to kiss the breath right out of her.

The kiss lasted only a few moments, just enough to remind her of his taste and drive her crazy as it consumed all of her senses. When he pulled away, he was panting. Women were closing in on him, reaching for him... touching him.

Shaye scowled at them.

'Be good,' he said, 'and I will take you into the Outer City when I finish training.' With that he left.

Oh, unfair, she thought, to issue such a promise.

Disappointed sighs filled the room. Trying to slow her erratic heartbeat and cool her heated skin, Shaye found an open corner and plopped onto a pillow. She couldn't help it; she really wanted to see the Outer City in person. The single glance she'd had wasn't nearly enough. From the moment she'd first spied it, she'd wanted to breathe its air and absorb its ambiance.

She would escape tomorrow.

I'm not relieved about this. I'm not happy to spend more time with Valerian. To distract herself, she used her new supplies to make anti-cards. Making the cards had always been a big stress reliever for her, and if she'd ever needed to de-stress, it was now. She already had a few good ones in mind.

'As the days go by, I'm so happy you're not here to ruin them for me.'

'You want a piece of me? Oops, sorry. I already gave one to your brother.'

A third card popped into her head, and it was so unlike the others that she blinked in surprise. 'Some men aren't so bad. I guess.'

Before she could ponder it, someone said, 'I'm so jealous that you were chosen by Valerian, the hulking blond beefcake.' In that moment all eyes focused on Shaye. 'Was he as good as he looks?'

'He even fought over you.' Another sighed dreamily. 'How romantic is that? I'm Jaclyn, by the way.'

'I'm Shelly,' said an elegant, almost regal blonde. 'I belong to Aeson.'

'I'm Barrie,' said a plain, soft-spoken brunette.

'Rissa,' said the redhead who'd wanted to fight her for getting too close to Broderick. Now she appeared jovial, even affectionate.

On and on they introduced themselves. Though they'd been wedding guests and friends of her mother's—or maybe the new husband's—Shaye hadn't really met them until now. 'Aren't we the luckiest girls in the world?' Jaclyn said.

Several squeals of delighted agreement erupted.

'Well, was Valerian good?' Barrie asked eagerly. 'If he walks like a wet dream and talks like a wet dream... I bet the king fucks like an animal.'

Shaye bet he did, too.

And she didn't like this woman wondering about Valerian, perhaps picturing him naked. A sense of