Tuesday Teaser - Bound by War

 

~excerpt from Bound by War. No release date as of yet

Torin snorted. “Got a good look earlier, did you? Good. Yes, it’s sort of like body armor, except it never comes off.”

“I—huh?” Since when were feet sexy? He dragged his gaze upward. 

“Remember saying that Neo was damn impressed with my anatomy?” Torin’s smile was positively lethal as he slowly advanced toward Laken. “As I’ve said, Blishue are damn hard to kill.” 

The slow walk had a sudden air of menace to it. It was an unhurried, rolling gait—a predator whose attention had been caught but was in no hurry to move in for the kill. Laken’s breathing accelerated, and he edged back a few steps. 

Torin tracked Laken’s every movement. “What that means is my anatomy is redundant and supernumerary; most of my organs have a backup, including an extra set of kidneys, an eight-chambered heart, a third lung, a secondary brain stem, as well as an extensive and hardy skeletal structure—thus the ridges you saw on my body.” 

Butterflies took off in Laken’s stomach as Torin prowled closer. “That’s… that’s helpful.” Laken took a few more steps back. Torin copied him, moving forward, and goose bumps rose on Laken’s arms. Torin was stalking him… and he liked it.

“Yes, it is. It’s also helpful that our insanely rapid metabolism allows injured Blishue to heal extremely quick.” Torin continued to move closer, herding Laken toward a nearby wall. “All of this makes us tremendously resilient and difficult to kill. Which is fortunate since we’re so aggressive. We’re resistant to physical trauma, environmental exposure, and illness.”

Laken’s back hit the wall, and his eyes widened. It took a few unit seconds, but his brain finally caught on. “You… you mean you would’ve been okay even if Neo hadn’t operated?”

“Most likely, but I probably would’ve gone into a hibernation-type state to heal, which would have left me incapacitated and vulnerable.”

The thought horrified Laken. 

“The sleep might’ve taken quite a while, considering the state I was in, along with a possible raging infection. I do appreciate him operating, though.” Torin brought his arms up, slapping his hands on either side of Laken’s head, effectively caging Laken.

“Oh?” Laken swallowed. This was so hot. Why was this so hot? “W-why?” 

“Because that act brought you to me.” Torin tilted his head and breathed deeply, his chest expanding in then out. “Mmm. I smell your arousal.” He lowered his head and stared into Laken’s eyes. “I’m going to kiss you, Laken.”

Guess that answered the question of Torin’s sense of smell. He licked his lips, thrilled to see Torin’s eyes dropped to follow the motion. “O-okay.”

Torin leaned closer, practically plastering his body against Laken’s. “I wasn’t asking permission.” 

Tuesday Teaser - Bound by War

 

~This is an excerpt from my WIP Bound by War. It's Laken and Torin's book. I don't have a release date as of yet.

Heaving a sigh, Laken grimaced and met Torin’s gaze.  

“That’s what I thought.” He’d gone undercover, sacrificed his dignity, almost died, and it still wasn’t enough for these Tah’Narians.

“I’m sorry.” Laken’s fingers tightened on the fringe before letting go. “Neo tore a strip off several of them. He even questioned their honor, which for a Tah’Narian is a big deal.”

Torin refused to comment, not in the frame of mind he was currently in. But it incensed him. The Ne Reyn assassinated King Duran, but he was the one they wouldn’t treat because he was a Blishue?

“Then a doctor offered to do the surgery after the tongue lashing, but Neo refused. Said he didn’t trust anyone to do it but him. There was significant paling over that one, let me tell you. Never saw that many Tah’Narian lose color at the same time.”

He would’ve liked to see that too.

“Then Neo suggested they have a nice long talk with Grand Lady Impur on how the resistance feels about you. Ever seen a full grown Tah’Narian with his tail tucked?” Laken’s smile was positively evil. “It was great. Serves them all right. They did act dishonorably.”

“I owe Neo my thanks, then.” Just what he did not need—a debt of gratitude to a Tah’Narian. Not that he thought he was really in jeopardy of dying. And he’d never admit otherwise.

“Neo takes his oath as a doctor seriously, but beyond that, he’s a good person.” Laken shrugged. “Then again, I might be slightly biased. Neo’s my best friend.”

It took every bit of his training not to show a reaction to Laken’s statement. Neo, the king consort—the second most powerful male on Tah’Nar—was Laken’s best friend?

And Torin was attracted to Laken? Wanted him? Fully intended to have Laken no matter what. Once Laken’s friends found out, they’d do everything possible to keep them apart. Torin refused to allow that to happen. Laken was his.

Immediately he started plotting how to get off this starship with Laken. He’d take him and run to the ends of the galaxy if he had to. Nothing was going to stop him from taking Laken.

Not even Laken himself.

“I don’t know what else to say except how those doctors acted was wrong, and I’m sorry. They better hope Hamza doesn’t find out, but since Neo is Hamza’s mate, I wouldn’t bet on it.”

Torin dragged his attention back to the conversation. “Don’t concern yourself over it. It’s not important. I’m fine now.” Time to change the subject. “Have you heard anything about Queen Dossi?”

“No, not really. I’ve pretty much been here. I think Neo is still trying to get her to transport up to the Unity.”

“So she hasn’t yet.”

“I don’t know that she will. From what little bit I’ve heard, and what I saw while we were at the palace, she’s got a lot of work in front of her. No everyone is pleased with her plans.”

There was a whoosh from the console. “That sounds like the next dose of pain medication.” Which he would gladly take now. The sooner he healed, and the sooner he could get out here with Laken. “I probably won’t be awake long. You said I’ve been asleep for twenty-four-unit hours?”

“Yes.”

“Have you been here the whole time?”

“Of course. I told you I would be.”

“Thank you.”

The polite thing to do was tell Laken to go to his quarters and rest, but he wouldn’t do that. Not now. Not since he’d learned how important Laken was to the Tah’Narian leadership. Namely Neo.

“Will you stay?” Torin asked.

“If that’s what you want.”

“It’s what I want.”

Tuesday Teaser - Bound by War

 

The male had his nipples pierced. 

His.

Nipples.

Pierced.

Stars save him. It was the sexist thing he’d ever seen. Laken still wore the same cobalt blue sarong, and matching sandals graced his feet. He also was holding a tray that had several steaming containers.

“Neo might not be as nice reinserting all that a second time.”

He forgot the IVs. They could wait. Torin licked his lips. Something smelled wonderful, and his stomach growled in agreement. He honestly couldn’t remember when he’s last eaten.

Laken’s gaze dropped to Torin’s mouth, so Torin ran his tongue over his lips again. The scent of the ocean suddenly strengthened in the room. So that hadn’t been a drug-induced hallucination. Laken really did want him.

That knowledge triggered something in him. He wanted to throw the male over his shoulder and carry him off. He’d lock him away, guard him jealously from attack. Care for him. Use his body endlessly and kill anything that came near them.

His heart rate rose, sending the machine next to him beeping faster. Laken cocked his head and stared at the monitor before glancing at Torin. Quickly Torin took a deep breath, and the monitor calmed. He might not be able to get hard, but he still responded.

Star fucked meds.

So, his desire to capture and protect the male wasn’t some strange reaction to whatever drugs they were giving him, either. Interesting.

“What is that?” Torin asked, inhaling deeply. He pulled himself into a sitting position. There was minimal pain from his abdomen. That was reassuring.

“Final meal.” Laken placed the tray across Torin’s lap. “You’ve been asleep for a day. It’s evening now. Neo came by and looked in on you also. He said if you woke and were hungry, you could have some—”

“Soup?” Torin snarled down at the liquid that Laken uncovered. “Soup? Are the Tah’Narians trying to finish off what Ogill started by chance?”

Laken rolled his eyes. “No, they aren’t, and yes, it’s soup. I know it’s not what you normally eat—”

“Meat. I normally eat meat. I like meat.”

“—but you just had surgery.” Laken swallowed heavily.

Torin wanted to smack himself. Had he frightened Laken?

“I like meat too.” Laken’s gaze dipped briefly down, then jerked back up. He cleared his throat.

Tuesday Teaser - Bound by War

 

THE SCENT of food woke Torin. His mouth watered, and his stomach growled.

Opening his eyes, he surveyed the room. Curtains now enclosed the medibed giving him some privacy. Machines beeped, reading his vitals. Nevertheless, none of that indicated how much time had passed. His muscles warmed as blood flow increased, and his stomach rumbled again, more loudly this time.

There was something missing. Someone, actually. Then he heard a low chime of bells and the scent of the ocean washed over him.

“Well, I’d say you’re hungry. I can hear that all the way over here. Just a moment, and I’ll be right there.”

So the male hadn’t broken his word. Ridiculous how reassuring that was. Laken’s voice soothed him, even if he couldn’t see him. Funny how the sweet melody from the bells Laken wore in his hair had infiltrated his sleep.

That was what was missing, and it should’ve made him uneasy. Blishue didn’t depend on anyone, much less let their guard down, and that included around his own kind. But he’d slept soundly with a stranger next to him. Very troublesome.

As were the annoying IVs. That he hadn’t ripped out them out was its own minor miracle. Why hadn’t he then? Being drugged left him vulnerable.

How many hits to the head had he taken?

He stretched, his joints popping. His mind was heavy and sluggish, but there was no pain. He eyed the IV. This was ludicrous. He couldn’t think straight. Maybe he should yank it out and—

“Ah, yeah, I wouldn’t do that if I was you.” Laken nudged the curtain open and ducked inside.

The sight of Laken hit Torin like a space shuttle. How had he not noticed the ice-blue gemstones that sparkled in the overhead lights? They winked from his ears, wrists, ankles, and nipples. The male had his nipples pierced.

His.

Nipples.

Pierced.

Tuesday Teaser - Bound by War

 

~excerpt from Bound by War (Laken's story)

“You’re lucky she didn’t kill you.”

“It wasn’t for lack of trying,” Torin said. “I take it she’s dead?”

“She is,” Hamza answered.

“And?”

Hamza studied Torin. “Are you sure you wish to get into this now?”

“Yes. I—” The was a whoosh from the console near Torin, and he grimaced. “I feel fine, but if that’s pain medication, I probably won’t be awake long.”

Neo moved to the machine and checked something. “It was. It’s amazing you’re even sitting up. You should be flat on your back and unconscious.”

“I was highly motivated not to be.”

“I’ll make this brief,” Hamza said. “As you know, Tah’Nar got involved in the Ne Reynian civil war. My starships attacked, the tide of the battle turned, but the Ne Reynian battleships refused to surrender.”

“Not surprising.”

“They sustained massive loss of life. Once it was safe, ground troops were sent to the surface. They rendezvoused with the resistance and took the palace. Thanks to you, we knew Queen Ogill was in residence.”

Torin bowed his head in acknowledgment.

“Queen Ogill was captured. Princess Dossi was located and freed. Queen Ogill was chained to the floor in the throne room to await judgement. Long story short, Princess Dossi offered me the opportunity to obtain vengeance for the murder of King Duran. I… returned the blade to her.”

Torin raised an eyebrow.

Tuesday Teaser - Bound by War

 

THE SCENT of food woke Torin. His mouth watered, and his stomach growled .

Opening his eyes, he surveyed the room. Curtains now enclosed the medibed giving him some privacy. Machines beeped, reading his vitals. Nevertheless, none of that indicated how much time had passed. His muscles warmed as blood flow increased, and his stomach rumbled again, more loudly this time.

There was something missing. Someone, actually. Then he heard a low chime of bells.

“Well, I’d say you’re hungry. I can hear that all the way over here. Just a moment, and I’ll be right there.”

So the male hadn’t broken his word. Ridiculous how reassuring that was. Laken’s voice soothed him, even if he couldn’t see him. Funny how the sweet melody from the bells Laken wore in his hair had infiltrated his sleep.

That was what was missing, and it should’ve made him uneasy. Blishue didn’t depend on anyone, much less let their guard down, and that included around his own kind. But he’d slept soundly with a stranger next to him. That was troublesome.

As were the annoying IVs. That he hadn’t ripped out them out was its own minor miracle. Why hadn’t he then? Being drugged left him vulnerable.

How many hits to the head had he taken?

He stretched, his joints popping. His mind was heavy and sluggish, and there was no pain. He eyed the IV. This was ludicrous. He couldn’t think straight. Maybe he should yank it out and—

“Ah, yeah, I wouldn’t do that if I was you.” Laken nudged the curtain open and ducked inside.

The sight of Laken hit Torin like a space shuttle. How had he not noticed the ice-blue gemstones that sparkled in the overhead lights? They winked from his ears, wrists, ankles, and nipples. The male had his nipples pierced.

His.

Nipples.

Pierced.

Stars save him. It was the sexist thing he’d ever seen. Laken still wore the same cobalt blue sarong, and matching sandals graced his feet. He also was holding a tray that had several steaming containers.

Tuesday Teaser - Bound by War

 

~from Bound by War (Laken and Torin's book) 

"I’m Laken. I guess you know everyone behind me.”

“I do. Some better than others. I’m sure they’d say that was most unfortunate.”

Raiden muttered under his breath again, and the slap of a palm against an arm echoed through the room. Raiden’s sigh was so put-upon and dramatic Laken’s lips almost twitched. 

“So, are you planning to leave these out indefinitely?” Torin asked gently, raising Laken’s hand where the spines still were extended.

“Well, that depends on how much of an idiot Raiden plans on being.”

There was more muttering, another slap, and a yowled that was so pathetic Laken snorted.

“Fine! I won’t kill him while he’s injured,” Raiden snarled.

Torin glanced around Laken. “You assume you could kill me even if I wasn’t injured.”

Laken cringed. And they were doing so well. Kind of.

“Oh, you—”

“You’re not going to kill him at all, Raiden,” Dayo snapped.

“Not making any promises that I can’t—ow! Dammit, Dayo, stop that.”

“Then quit being an idiot,” Dayo suggested. “And on that happy note, come on. We need to return to our stations. Move that sexy ass before we both get written up.”