Taken: Blue Barbarian Series (Blue Barbarians Book 3) Read online

  A few other hunters stray from the pack, and I think they’re grabbing a few other creatures. I get a burst of energy. We’ll stop soon. Yay.

  A signal from Drakar means we all stop by a creek. A few of the girls waddle slowly toward it, since we’re a bit saddle sore. Aschero, of course, follows.

  “Meeranda. Come.”

  I sigh. Figures that’s the only word he’s learned so far. But I follow his loincloth-covered ass anyway, ‘cause it’s sexy as hell. He takes me down further along the creek, to a grove of trees.

  Behind me, I hear one of the girls ask, “Where are they going?”

  “Probably gonna do it,” someone else says.

  “Meeranda.” He’s showing me a tree, with a cluster of hanging fruits. They’re fist-sized. He takes a branch off the tree, strips the leaves, and shows me how to pick a cluster, draping it over the branch to carry. When we’ve filled the branch, he takes one end and balances it over his shoulder, and I take the other. We head back to the camp, where some hunters are dressing the kills, and others are stoking the fire.

  Drakar catches him, and they say something. Drakar nods, and walks away.

  Aschero lays the branch of fruits across two boulders, and then plucks one for me. He taps it on the boulder like he’s cracking an egg, and it spirals apart. The flesh falls free, like a slinky of attached segments of orange.

  I giggle. “It’s a Martian orange,” I say.

  He smiles at me, even though he doesn’t comprehend a word I say. He plucks a segment from my hand, and brings it to my lips.

  A burst of sweet, juicy flavor erupts over my tongue. I gasp in surprise, and swallow the scrumptious tidbit.

  “It’s delicious,” I tell him. Doesn’t taste one whit like an orange.

  Without pause, he bends and presses his lips to mine. His tongue sweeps against mine, and he pulls me close. My breath catches as instant lust rolls through me. He’s so sensual and masculine and I reach up to grip his strong shoulders. The muscles bunch under my fingers and I knead them under my fingertips.

  He breaks away, panting. His light blue eyes are shining below the black war paint, and he looks kind of stunned. Then he picks me up and carries me away.

  “Where we going?” I ask, with my lips near his ear. I lick his earlobe and I can feel a slight shiver run through him. I know he can’t answer, I know he doesn’t have a clue as to what I’m asking, but I like talking to him.

  Truth is, I like having a blue, beef-cake boyfriend. He’s handsome and strong, and I kind of burst at the seams with the way he can cart me around like I’m his possession. It’s a strange turn-on.

  Soon I hear water bubbling, and he sets me down on a cool, flat rock. He drops to one knee and lifts the edge of my alien gown slowly, looking up at me for some sign of rejection. I simply stare into his eyes as he raises it up over my thighs, bares my pussy, and then rises to bring it all the way up. I raise my arms as he loops it over my head and as soon as I break eye contact, his gaze is locked onto my naked body. He’s staring at it hungrily, even as he loosens the tie that holds his loincloth. Then it sinks to the ground and his cock is freed.

  He ignores it and walks to a tree where he grabs a leaf and tears it in half. A thick liquid oozes from it. He brings it to me, and takes my hand, leading me to the water. I still have my sandals on, but it seems okay because he still tugs me along. As soon as my foot enters, the water feels on the cool side of warm. We enter waist deep, and he gently pushes my shoulder to dunk me.

  I come up soaking wet and his eyes gleam. My alien is turned on, and fighting the urge to fuck me senseless. From a distance, I smell the meat roasting, and my stomach rumbles.

  His lip curls in a lopsided smile.

  He brings the leaf to me and starts scrubbing. Suddenly I realize he wants to wash me and get me fed before he pounces. The liquid inside the leaf foams, creating a soft lather. It’s different from the soapcakes they use, but still effective.

  He sets me up on a large, flat rock so he can wash my thighs, my behind, and my girl parts. He’s gentle and explores me like…I’m his. I don’t mind the feeling and wonder about that. I remind myself I probably should not be limiting myself to one guy. Even though I’m drawn to him consistently.

  Then he slowly spreads my legs and I forget all about that when his mouth latches onto me. I almost stumble, I go so weak-kneed. Gently, he brings me down to the rock. It’s cool and smooth beneath my back, and he sets my feet on his shoulders while he continues eating me.

  His mouth is marvelous and he’s relentless as he sets on unselfishly pleasuring me. My legs tense as I start coming and I hold his head tight to me, holding him still, as I come into his mouth. Gasping, I slide off the rock and sink back to the water. It feels cooler against my pulsing sex now.

  Even in the midst of my euphoria, suddenly I’m turned on again. My breathing quickens at the thought of blowing my blue barbarian.

  Why not?

  Do they even know what blow jobs are? From what Niki said, they’re used to controlling the bedroom scene. They please their mates, not the other way around. A Blaedonian female just lays there while the males worship her.

  Imagining Aschero’s reaction to my touch makes my pussy soaking wet. I’d love to show him this. To be his first.

  I put my hands on his hips and motion for him to stand. He looks confused, but complies.

  He twitches at my touch, and apparently my face right there in line with his junk is naughty to him. As I watch, his cock visibly elongates.

  The darker blue rings of skin that encircle it swell into…rings. That can’t be right. I felt him up before, of course. Under the water. But now, there are definitely bumpy rings that protrude along the length of his cock.

  I slide a hand up his thigh and lightly scratch with my fingernails. My mouth waters with anticipation at taking the beautiful blue cock between my lips.

  He’s completely frozen as he stares down at me. I slide my hand over his cock, feeling the length and girth. He’s huge and a surge of wetness gushes between my legs. Very slowly, I trace a vein with my finger, bringing it up to the seam of where the head connects with the shaft.

  I lean over so he can feel my breath on him. He makes a choking sound.

  My mouth is hovering over his dick. The head is beaded with pre-cum, and I give a deliberate lick. He makes a move like his knees want to buckle. I clench my thighs tight, feeling my swollen labia rub together.

  I look up at him, and he looks shocked at the sight of me licking his pre-cum.

  Yep, he’s definitely never had this done before.

  I lick again.

  This time, a groan escapes him. He pushes forward with his hips, like he can’t control himself.

  I brush the tip of his cock over my lips, kissing it like I would his mouth. I move slowly so he can watch.

  I imagine sliding my pussy up and down this beautiful erection. His sac is warm and tight, and I cup it with my hand. This time, I take the entire head of his cock in my mouth, and to my surprise, the first ring around it shifts down.

  His groan is low.

  I push him gently to lie back on the rock. He raises one eyebrow, but does it. Then, I settle between his thighs to finish giving him the best blowjob of his life. I wrap my lips around the end of his cock and suck the head of it in my mouth again. He groans and squirms. I swirl my tongue around the tip of his cock and play with the squishy blue rings. Apparently, they’re highly sensitized because he grows very vocal as my tongue moves them around. He’s getting close and so I use the barest bit of my teeth to scrape against his lowest ring.

  I’m sure the entire world can hear his roar when he comes, and a flock of birds fly squawking from a tree above at the sound. His entire body quakes as he bellows, and my mouth is filled with sweet, salty liquid. His cock won’t stop coming, jerking and quivering in my mouth. Finally I release him and he staggers backward, a light sheen of sweat on his forehead. I don’t think he’s ever had that done.

>   His cum spurts in my mouth, and I swallow him. But I notice something odd.

  His cum is a light, clear blue.

  ASCHERO:

  Thank the Gods and Goddesses, Miranda has awakened. I was beginning to give up hope, I’ve been calling her name forever. But finally, her beautiful green eyes look at me.

  Before the humans arrived, I had never seen such a color of eyes. The eyes of my people are either blue or black. Hers are magnificent, a lighter brown than her hair, and her eyelashes are thick, lush and dark.

  Our children will be blessed with beautiful eyes.

  “Where are we?” she rasps.

  “In our cave,” I say proudly. “I am caring for you through the tea overdose.”

  She looks confused. “I don’t understand. We were just traveling from the ship. I know I spent some time with you in the creek, but you have to understand, I’m not tying myself down to one person.”

  Her words send terror through my heart before I realize her words do not make sense. The time she spent with me in the creek was long ago, when she first arrived on our planet. To give myself time to think, I bring the aglaia fruit to her lips. “Drink,” I command.

  She takes a small sip, eyes widening as she realizes how thirsty she is, and then gulps larger amounts through the sharhysk vein. Straw. The humans call it a straw.

  Suddenly her confusing words make sense. She does not realize she has been living here in the caves for many moons. She believes it is the day after she left the ship. Her ravaged mind cannot comprehend reality from the tea-induced dreams.

  “What happened to you?” she asks, eyeing my face.

  “Cio.”

  “Cio? He struck you?”

  “He is upset that I care for you through your sickness. He wishes to be the one to do so.”

  She sighs. “I’ll talk to him. I certainly don’t want anyone else to care for me. Truth is, I’m a bit closer to you than any of them.”

  I feel red-hot jealousy surge through my chest. Them?

  “Who else are you interested in, Miranda?” I snarl. As far as I know, it was only Cio in the race for her attentions.

  Her eyes grow wide, and she starts to breathe quickly, short shallow breaths. “Wait a minute. How are we communicating?”

  I pick her up and hold her to my chest, calming her with my hand rubbing to her back.

  “It is not the day after the ship has landed, my love. It is many moons later. You live here, on Blaedonia. Niki has given all of the humans a download of our language. Shh, calm yourself. It is all right.”

  Her tiny hand curls in my free one, seeking an anchor. My jealousy is soothed, because when all is said and done, it is me she seeks.

  “I—I don’t remember anything. My brain remembers the ship. Just yesterday.”

  “We are mated now. This is our cave,” I explain to her. “Lucie and Rayhaan were married, in the human way. After the marriage, you had too much to drink and decided to fix yourself a tea. But you used a medicinal instead, and gave yourself too strong a dose.”

  “I don’t remember a wedding.”

  “I am sure the memories will come back to you. Your poor mind is overworked, switching back and forth between your dreams and your reality.” I lean her back on the bed, and for the first time she notices she is naked. It seems to solidify the fact we are mated, and she seems a bit calmer.

  “Let’s get some broth in you while you are still awake. Your body needs to keep up its strength. You have been in bed many days.”

  I feed her a spoonful. Her eyes watch me carefully.

  “You mated me?”

  “Of course I mated you.” I am surprised at this question. “Why would I not? I have loved you since the first moment I laid eyes on you.”

  “You…you did? I didn’t know.” Her voice is a whisper.

  I give her another spoon of broth. “It is because I could not tell you. We did not understand each other and Niki was too weak to give anyone the language download. But I tried to show you in many ways. I vied for your attentions, brought you food, bathed you…”

  “That first morning at the creek. Was that real, or a dream?”

  “Where we pleasured each other? That was real. A memory, not a dream.”

  She looks a bit relieved and I give her some more broth. “I’m glad. I really enjoyed that. I’m glad it was real.” She leans back against the pillow and looks closely at me. “You look tired. Have you been caring for me this whole time?”

  “Of course.”

  “You need a break.”

  I shake my head. “Jillian stayed with you briefly. She told you stories. It is then that I ran into Cio. It was probably not a good thing that I left your side.”

  “I’m sorry. Do you want me to speak to him?”

  “No,” I growl. “I do not want him anywhere near my mate.”

  But Miranda has already shut her eyes.

  There is a rattle at the door and Drakar enters. He brings another basin of water so I may clean myself and Miranda. He sets it on the ledge and moves the old one near the door.

  “How is she?”

  “Better. She woke again and I managed to get some aglaia and broth into her before she fell back asleep.”

  He looks relieved and I know how dire it was that nutrition get into her. “Good. That is very good. Niki and Lucie will not worry so. Was Miranda able to communicate?”

  “Yes, but she was a bit confused. I will need to speak to reverent mother about it. She thought it was the day after the ship landed, and we were still traveling to the village. She has no memories of living here in the village.”

  Drakar looks worried. “I will ask Lachlana. Perhaps that is normal and she will remember everything when she is whole.”

  I nod. Though, I am not sure if that is such a good thing. If Cio gets a hold of Miranda, he will certainly tell her that she had no choice in being mated. That I jumped at the opportunity to tie her to me.

  * * * * *

  MIRANDA’S DREAMS:

  We’re nearly at the village, so I try hard to distance myself from the sexy Aschero. He refuses to go away, merely looks at me with confused, sad eyes.

  Jillian and Tessa are with me while the others set camp for our last night. We’ve made our way out further, as we’ve just gone to the bathroom and are having quiet time before we head back to the others.

  Every now and then, Aschero pops his head around to check on us.

  “He looks tortured,” Jillian says.

  I’ve been trying to distance myself from him.

  “I know.” I sigh. “It’s not my intention. I like him. But maybe too much.”

  “You want to play the field a little?” she asks.

  Tessa is quiet. She’s definitely playing the field.

  “I do.”

  “It would really help if we could communicate with them,” Tessa says.

  “Right? I’d ask Valencia to translate, but a third person…well you know how each translation changes the original meaning just a bit. I don’t want to make things worse. I don’t want to hurt him. I really do like him.”

  “He loves you,” Tessa says, and her eyes are dreamy.

  “What? No. We’ve only known them a few days. That’s just a little bit of lust talking.”

  “I guess we’ll find out if he sticks around even when you date other guys,” Jillian says.

  “Hey, what’s this?” Tessa says, poking at a strange divot with a stick. The dirt is different there, it sort of flakes away in chunks. It reminds me of cooked salmon.

  “That’s weird.” I bend down to feel it. A huge piece falls, and there’s an echo that sounds oddly like an inhuman scream. The ground beneath our feet quakes and there’s a huge vortex of wind as it splits and swallows us.

  Our screams echo as we plunge into darkness.

  We don’t fall far, but it stinks to high heaven wherever we are. It seems to be a dug-out grave of some kind, and from the stench, there are rotting bodies around us.


  But no, the bodies are wriggling. They’re some kind of giant worms who struggle to emerge from the clay-like soil around us.

  Jillian’s helping Tessa up to her feet and behind them, I see one of the worms has its head free from the split wall. The head falls back on a giant, hinged jaw, exposing a double row of razor sharp teeth and a deep opening that looks like a throat. The throat is big enough to swallow us whole. A tongue licks out like an arm, reaching for Tessa, who can’t see it behind her.

  Jillian freezes like she’s in shock.

  I grab the stick Tessa had been playing with and spear the tongue. Thick dark blood oozes from it, and the creature bellows.

  Tessa whirs around to see the head snap back down as it tries to snake its tongue into its mouth. It can’t though, as the stick is still protruding from it. We stare in fascinated horror, and then I realize another one is wriggling behind Jillian.

  I motion to them to pay attention to that one.

  “What the hell are they?” Jillian gasps.

  “I don’t know. Maybe part of the night creatures that come out?”

  “That makes sense,” Tessa says. “See how it’s the shaded areas they wriggle from?”

  As soon as we realize that, we step into the small area of sunlight that shines down. But it’s not very big at all.

  “Turn our backs together,” I shout.

  The creatures’ moans are getting louder, and it sounds a bit like wind whistling through caves. But the shrieks kind of ring in your ears when they grow in intensity.

  “There aren’t any more sticks,” Jillian says, yelling to be heard.

  I find a large rock near my feet and scramble to grab it. It’s about the only weapon there is down here. Moving in synchronicity, we begin to slowly circle. I can hear the short, shallow breaths we take.

  Suddenly, with a warrior-cry, a huge fierce figure jumps into the hole, landing in a crouch. Ash. looks vicious and mean. His sword is out and in front of him.

  At the same time, a huge worm breaks free and races for us. We scream, but my sexy barbarian lifts his sword. His muscles bulge as he brings it down in a powerful swipe and slices the head off.

  It falls to the ground and steam hisses from the amputated stump, releasing more of the stench. There’s shouting from above us, where other hunters have appeared. Aschero yells something back, and then Tijar appears. He tosses down a vine and a huge log, with sharp stump-like protrusions coming from it. Ash grabs Tessa, who’s closest to him, and loops the vine around her chest. He pushes her toward the log. Her feet slip with the sandals we wear. He reaches down his thigh to a knife strapped there, and with one smooth move he cuts the strings, letting her shoes fall to the ground. With bare feet, she’s better able to climb up the log, where Tijar motions frantically from the top.