Captive Space Read Free Page A

bride’s thoughts and motivations. It was a benefit wrought from the sand sweeping their planet of origin and the mystical dust all Navorains put their faith in.
    The Sand of Lazarus Seven pushed him to complete the union. The law stood between him and its powerful influence. “Leanderus, you are dismissed.”
    Leanderus, being her second husband, was a minor complication and not because he was going to be in their bed. That the sand deemed the junior officer and young warrior a member of his marriage didn’t faze Joseferus in the least. For eons, Leanderus’ clan and his had been attached through many influential marriages.
    “Leanderus, do you have something to say?” Joseferus asked when the warrior didn’t move fast enough for his liking. He glared at the man until he righted his clothes and strode with a pained gait for the door. So young,Joseferus thought.
    Leanderus glanced over his shoulder before he left. The undiluted want in his gaze had Joseferus pulling up the tattered remnants of his discipline. He had to set the example for both Leanderus and Shar’ia.
    Deep in his soul, he knew one truth. Leanderus wasn’t pleased that he’d been chosen as her second husband, and eventually, she’d become a proper wife, given time and a strong hand.
    The circumstances of her crime threw a plasma-wrench into the works of this mating. Joseferus sighed. He turned his attention to the shivering woman. Another long exhalation broke from his throat. “It’s going to be all right, Shar’ia.”
    Afraid if he touched her, he’d break the law, he gritted his teeth. His body was in hyper-drive and lusty. He considered his limited options. Options? I have options? “Come now, Shar’ia.”
    Her tears made him want to roar. The sand’s influence made him nearly crazed.
    Against his better judgment, he walked to where she lay on the floor and eased her into his arms. Cradling her against his chest nearly destroyed him. She felt so good. He adored the way her fingers fisted in his shirt. He could imagine her clinging to him as he brought her to orgasm, feel her feminine walls hug his cock as he thrust into her.
    Cease. Quelling the urge to toss her on the mattress and run for the closest cold shower, he gently set her in the middle of the bed. With deft moves, he released her wrists. “Easy, Tesra .” Reverently, he wiped the tears from her cheeks as he sat beside her.
    “What’s…happening…to me?”
    If she were Navorain, she’d understand the punishment. She’d also not expect an explanation, which he couldn’t give her. Transgressions were never discussed once a sentence was handed down. The minor telepathy he shared with her did inform him she was truly confused and teetering on the edge of a mental breakdown.
    “Relax.” His voice was as rough as the exterior of a meteorite.
    “I can’t.”
    “Look into my eyes.” He urged her softly and waited for her to do as she was told. “Trust me.” He decided to take her into the place where the Navorain warriors found peace. Her gaze met his and locked. “Let the darkness envelope you. Comfort you. Keep you safe.”
    Oblivion. Joseferus mused. The Navorain Warriors’ afterlife, the place where there was no duty—no crushing weight of responsibilities. There was only the bliss of all-encompassing nothingness. Goose bumps rose on his arms as he held her at the edge of the chilling blackness. The temptation to take her into the inky dark nearly overwhelmed him. Through the power of the mystic sand, he listened to the music play. The sand was screaming for him to take Shar’ia deeper into Oblivion where he, like all warriors, found their satisfaction. The only place where they could attain an orgasm.
    He sensed her fear about the blank space and felt her mind try to pull her back to reality. “No. Stay with me here.” Laying a kiss to her forehead, he exhaled slowly and hoped she’d follow his lead.
    Gratified when she relaxed in his arms, he stroked his hand