Royal Obsession (13 page)

After a stunned silence, West said, “They must be returned immediately. Their mother will declare war on us while their father rallies every Mystic on the planet. Their uncle is best friends with the overlord, and his sister just joined with a Bilarrian dignitary! Varrik could not have chosen a woman—”

“More worthy of his seed!” South cut in. “I say balls to Varrik. No other descendent has imagined what he just dared.”

“Did you hear what North told us?” West pushed back his chair and stood. “The High Queen’s daughters are…” He swung his head toward North. “Has Varrik mounted them yet? How long have they been down here?”

“He should be commended.” South folded his arms across his chest and nodded, the blue rings flashing in his eyes. “Mystics are forbidden because of the security risk, but why do we restrict our descendants to peasants and underlings? They should be allowed to mate with any woman they choose.”

“There is more to this than wanting a mate.” West shared his glare evenly with the other three elders. “What is Varrik’s true motivation for putting us in this position?”

“It could be an interesting test.” East tended to be the quietest of the elders. He listened as the others argued and only offered his opinion when he felt it was relevant. South and West could learn from his example.

“Interesting in what way?” North prompted him.

“If all the powers in the star system are called to arms and they still can’t find our maze, we will know once and for all that our relocation is successful.”

“And if they find us, of course, we’re all dead.” South’s support of Varrik’s boldness evaporated in an instant.

“The deed can’t be undone,” North reminded them. “The royal twins now belong to the world below. I would like to leave Echo with Varrik, for now. We can learn much from his treatment of her, and as South said, his daring should be rewarded.”

“And the other?” Interest sparked in South’s gaze.

“I haven’t decided yet.”

“We are all elders,” South insisted. “Why is her fate yours to decide?”

“Because Varrik descends from the north.”

“Be that as it may,” East said, “we need to know how the world above is reacting to Varrik’s boldness.”

North nodded. “I’ll pay a visit to Fortress Joon.”

Varrik released Echo’s cuffs and gathered her into his arms. “He must have moved her. He has nothing to gain by harming her.”

“I can’t sense her.” She stared at him, eyes wide, lips trembling. “Even if she were shielded, I should be able to sense her shield.”

“Do you trust me?”

“Hell, no,” she snapped. Then much slower, “Yes. Can you help me find her?”

“If you allow me into your mind, I can boost your telepathic range.”

“Is that all you’re going to do?”

“For now.” He grinned and took her face between his hands. “Form her image in your mind.”

She wrapped her fingers around his wrists and closed her eyes. Distracted for a moment by her unexpected touch, his gaze gravitated downward. She knelt before him, thighs parted, her position more submissive than she realized. He spared her delectable body one last look, then sank into her mind.

Control was not her strong suit. He smiled, wondering why the discovery surprised him. Chaotic images and flares of random emotions swirled around a perfectly formed likeness of E’Lanna.

Think of her expressions. Picture her eyes, her smile. I can project the scan beyond your range, but I need you to guide me
. She didn’t need to know he could locate E’Lanna in a matter of minutes without her assistance. She was wary enough without knowing the full extent of his telepathic strength. Besides, Echo would never take his word for her sister’s wellbeing. It was imperative she experience it for herself.

I think… No, wait that wasn’t…

Concentrate.

The clutter began to clear and E’Lanna’s image focused.
Much better
. Echo turned her scan toward the faint signal and propelled them along the energy stream. Surprised by her sudden rush of power, he applied a subtle hindrance. Elder North would have surrounded E’Lanna with telepathic traps, easily triggered and hard to detect.

Varrik fused his signal with Echo’s, governing what she could see, a small, dimly lit room, not unlike the holding cell. E’Lanna lay upon a flat cushion, covered to the waist by a thin sheet. Her arms were folded over her stomach, and her eyes were closed.

Not too close, or he’ll know we’ve been here.

I don’t care if he knows
, she objected.

There is no way you could have found her without my assistance. Helping you is a punishable offense.

He felt her sigh.
Why is her signal so weak?

Elder North used a stasis compulsion. It’s harmless and allows a person to be kept in a remote location for several days with minimal supervision.

Can you free her from its effects?

A compulsion can only be deactivated by the person who constructed it
. There was another way, but he wasn’t willing to tell her, yet. He had risked enough for one day.
Are you satisfied that she’s unharmed?

Do you know where this is?
Her mind shifted restlessly.
It looks sort of like the maze, yet different, older maybe.

The maze was built over many cycles. Some parts are older than others. Let’s go. You can’t communicate with her. It will only frustrate you to try.

With discernible reluctance, she released her hold on the visualization, and they sped back across the metaphysical plane. Weightless and free, he relished the sensation of motion, unencumbered by the physical realm. They returned to their corporeal bodies, and she opened her eyes.

Will you help me free her?
she whispered in his mind.

I can’t. They will be watching every move I make, trying to figure out why I chose you for my mate. If they realize my true purpose, we’re both dead
.

* * * * *

Concealed within an illusion of invisibility, North moved unhindered through Fortress Joon. The Shadow Assassins had enjoyed a profitable alliance with the House of Joon for many cycles. The only secret the elders kept from the various Joon leaders was the location of the maze.

Early in his reign Lilt dar Joon had suppressed his hatred for the High Queen and participated openly in the Joint Council. Then twenty some cycles ago, Lilt’s involvement with the Rodytes came to light, and he had fallen out of favor with the other great houses. His standing as an outcast had forced him to strengthen his other alliances, which translated favorably for the Shadow Assassins.

Guards paced in front of Lilt’s chamber door. They were required to remain in motion, assuring their attentiveness. North smiled as he slipped by them unnoticed. He released his corporeal form and passed through the locked door. After a moment of suffocating closeness, he emerged in the antechamber. He was aware of his surroundings in a way that transcended sight. The large, sparsely furnished room was empty, so he floated across the marble floor, rolling like mist over water and swirling under the bedroom door.

Three naked holofigures grappled against a dark blue background to a chorus of gasps and moans. At a glance the figures looked real. A closer inspection revealed the subtle distortion as they moved from one position to the next.

Lilt sat in a massive chair, watching the life-size projection. North thought they were alone in the room, until he heard a throaty moan that didn’t coincide with the holograph. He drifted closer, intrigued by the sound. A naked female knelt between Lilt’s thighs, her eager mouth sliding up and down along Lilt’s erect length. Fully dressed, Lilt rested his hands on the arms of the chair and watched the holofigures, all but oblivious to the girl selflessly pleasuring him.

Why would anyone be content to watch a simulation when a nicely rounded female knelt at their feet? Two of the holofigures were men, the third female. The woman knelt before the men, stroking one with her hand while she worked the other with her mouth. The perspective rotated, allowing Lilt to see the three from every angle.

North focused again on the girl kneeling between Lilt’s legs. Long, golden hair framed her oval face. Her cheeks hollowed as she did her best to please her master. The apathy with which Lilt treated her annoyed North. Submission was to be rewarded with pleasure, not indifference.

“Slow down, Eddi. They haven’t even aroused her yet. I don’t want to come until they’re both moving inside her.”

Apparently, Lilt had watched this simulation before.

Eddi pulled back, holding Lilt’s shaft with one hand while she swirled her tongue around the tip. Lilt patted the top of her head as if she were an obedient canine. Irritation flared into anger, and North reached into Lilt’s mind. He compelled the cold bastard to look down at the woman, to
see
her.

Lilt framed her face with his hands and thrust to the back of her throat. “Suck me hard. I need to feel…” His words trailed away as North sank deeper and expanded his control. North directed Lilt’s attention with ruthless intensity, creating sensations so demanding the other man shook.

“Stand up.” Lilt squirmed and tossed his head, unable to escape North’s telepathic hold. Halting the holoprojection, Lilt scooted to the edge of his chair.

Uncertainty shone in Eddi’s eyes as she pushed to her feet. “Have I displeased you, sir?”

“No.” Lilt panted, absently cupping one of her breasts. “I need… I want…”

Power surged through North, exhilarating and addictive. Lilt grabbed his head and groaned, struggling against the compulsion. North had been commanding soldiers longer than Lilt had been alive. Did he really think he could resist?

“Maybe I should—”

Lilt sprang to his feet and wrapped his arms around Eddi. His mouth captured her startled yelp. He kissed her slowly, exploring her mouth and teasing her tongue. North imagined Lilt on his knees with the girl’s leg draped over his shoulder, licking and sucking on her folds until she screamed in pleasure. He passed the image to Lilt and demanded his compliance. Resentment blasted back at him. Lilt shook his head and shoved Eddi back.

Now!

“No!” The mental standoff only lasted a moment. With a strangled moan, Lilt sank to his knees. Eddi’s eyes widened, and her gaze darted toward the door. He raised his hand and forced his lips to part in a shaky smile. “Come here.”

“You don’t seem well, sir. Should I fetch a healer?”

“Get over here!” North detonated a burst of pain in Lilt’s brain, illustrating his disapproval with his tone. Lilt trembled, his body reflecting the battle raging within his mind. “I need you, Eddi,” he whispered in defeat. “Let me taste you.”

She crept forward, glancing at Lilt’s erection. “You want to…”

As soon as she was within reach, Lilt spun her around and bent her over his chair. His determination to avoid the exact telepathic command amused North. With a slightly stronger signal, North could have forced his complete submission, but this was close enough.

Lilt held her thighs apart while he tongued her clit, his face pressed snugly against her smooth ass. Fully dressed and on his knees, the House of Joon’s leader pleasured his sex slave with utter abandon. He brought her to one shattering orgasm after another while North looked on in satisfaction. Finally, Eddi begged him to stop, her voice tremulous, knees wobbling. Only then did North ease his hold on Lilt’s mind.

As you were
. North chuckled.

Eddi returned to her position between Lilt’s thighs and sucked him into her mouth. She stroked his shaft with one hand and cradled his balls with the other as his cock slid between her tightly clenched lips.

Lilt grabbed her face and tilted her head back as he pushed deeper. “Harder. Suck me harder.”

Eddi closed her eyes and obeyed, taking his entire length with each determined stroke. Lilt gasped and groaned, tossing his head as he neared completion. Thrusting to the back of her mouth, he held her in place while he spilled his seed. Only after the last spasm passed did he release his hold on her head.

For a long, silent moment, Lilt sprawled in his chair, staring off into the distance. Eddi gathered her scattered clothing and hurried from the room. Lilt’s chest heaved, and his gaze focused. He righted his clothing and pushed to his feet, turquoise gaze flashing. “If you ever play your foul mind games with me again, I’ll—”

You’ll do whatever amuses me
.

Lilt tugged on his jacket and adjusted the crotch of his pants, his expression mutinous. “I’m well aware of your abilities. That little…demonstration was in violation of our alliance.”

North didn’t argue. Lilt was right. According to the terms of their alliance, the elders would not subject any House of Joon leader to telepathic control. Still, the “demonstration” had been richly deserved.

“Why are you here?” Lilt’s expression relaxed, even if tension remained in his tone. “Were you dissatisfied with the pleasure givers I recruited for you?”