Page 47 of Commander's Slave
“You will take your meals with us from now on, Betsy.” He grasped her hand and pulled her into his lap. Draken beamed at them from across the table and murmured his approval.
“Master, this is crazy.” She tried to stand up and he wrapped his arms around her waist.
“Furthermore, my name is Edek.”
Draken started coughing and reached for his wine.
“Master, I think you’ve hit your head.” She attempted to pry his hands from her waist.
He tightened his hold when she struggled to rise again. “Sit still, Betsy.” His lips brushed against her ear and he lowered his voice. “Do you want a spanking?”
She froze and peered at him in disbelief. Her hair had come undone from its tie and fell about her shoulders in disarray. A thousand questions sparkled in her bright blue eyes.
“I have just made a decision. First thing tomorrow morning, I am going into town to petition the Sumlin District council for a marriage license, Betsy. No matter what I must do, I will make you my wife. Your days of serving meals and calling me ‘Master’ are over.”
* * *
Betsy couldn’t have heardhim correctly. His wife? As in… married? Though she’d initially detested her status as his slave, she’d grown to find happiness in belonging to him.
“I don’t understand,” she said. “How is this possible?”
“I love you, Betsy.” Edek held her face between his hands and smiled. “I should have told you sooner. I shouldn’t have worried about the ramifications if others found out about the true nature of our relationship.”
Though he’d shown his love through his actions, hearing him voice his feelings aloud breathed life into her soul. She’d found everything she’d never known she wanted in his arms. She wasn’t even offended by his rather tactless marriage proposal.
“Edek,” she whispered, testing out his name on her lips, speaking it deliberately for the first time. She smiled. “Edek, I was sentenced to a lifetime of slavery. How can that possibly be reversed?”
“It’s been done before. Marriages between Kall and their alien slaves. It’s rare and such a marriage hasn’t occurred in Sumlin District in years, but I am confident my petition will be approved, and we will be free to marry soon. I was thinking about tomorrow, assuming my petition is approved early enough in the day. I intend to rise before dawn and go into town and I won’t leave the council building until I’ve received an answer. I will issue a challenge of combat to every member of the council if I must.”
Her head spun. “Tomorrow?”
Draken clasped his hands together. “Tomorrow sounds brilliant! I’m going to call for a Holy One.” He stood up and exited the room, leaving Betsy alone with Edek.
She grinned up at him. “On Earth, men get down on one knee andaskthe woman to marry them.”
Amusement flickered in his eyes. “That can’t be true. I’m going to research Earth customs and if I find out you’re lying, your little bottom will be sore when we exchange marriage vows.”
She laughed and shifted on his lap when his cock swelled beneath her. A flutter rose in her belly as his erection grew.
“Do you want to marry me, Betsy? If you don’t wish it, I will find a way to secure your freedom. I would even help you find a way to return to Earth.”
His selfless offer hung between them. The wind clattered against the shutters of the dining room window. The aroma of broiled meats and stewed vegetables drifted up from the table. She placed a hand over his heart and closed her eyes as it thumped beneath her palm.
Earth. She could return home. A man as powerful as Commander Edek had his ways of bending the rules. She had no doubt that he had not exaggerated by promising to secure her freedom and send her home. She imagined reuniting with Layla and smiled. But her smile faded when she thought of her father. And most of her acquaintances and extended family members had perished in the war. Los Angeles was in ruins, as was most of America.
Her heart broke at the idea of returning to Earth, but it wasn’t because of the devastation and loss of life on her home planet. She opened her eyes and peered into Edek’s dark gaze. Her heart broke at the idea of returning to Earth because it meant a life without Edek. She felt at home in his arms, safe and loved beyond measure.
She loved him too.
“Tell me your answer, Betsy, before I hurl the table against the wall.” His muscles tensed and he growled.
“Yes.”
He took her by the shoulders and another growl rumbled from his throat. “Yes to which option, you little fool of a human?”
“Yes, I will marry you, Edek! You big fool of a Kall.”
He smothered her laugh with a kiss and carried her out of the dining room. “Dinner can wait. I have need of my wife.”
