Under By Treaty (SciFi Romance) (6 page)

“Are they permanent?”

“Eventually they get excreted.”

“
Interesting. Put your right hand out, palm up.”

Jaden gulped. The promised punishment was negligible compared to what he had
already gone through. The problem was putting his hand out to receive it.

Sonil stood up and
retrieved the cane she had used earlier. She tapped her boots with the end as she walked towards him. She ran her gaze up and down his body, lingering on his cock. Instantly, it rose towards her. She lightly tapped the shaft with the cane. Now his cock stuck out alert and ready.

Jaden’s
cheek twitched with his anger. There was nothing he could do to stop his treacherous body responding to her. It didn’t mean he had to give in to the physical feelings she aroused in him. He fought the temptation to challenge her. She had promised him respite. He needed it.

“Put out your hand
,” she ordered.

“No.”

Her eyes gleamed. She moved so fast, his right arm had been twisted in his shoulder socket, pushed down and behind his back before he knew what was happening. She locked his elbow straight and forced him to his knees. He clenched his hand into a fist. She couldn’t hold him and straighten his fingers out.

Instead, she wrenched his shoulder out of its socket.

Jaden screamed. “
Fuuuck
!”

She moved somewhere behind hi
m, still holding his twisted arm. The shocking pain brought tears to his eyes.

He couldn
’t feel his hand, let alone control his fingers. He found himself bent forward and had no means to counter her manipulation of his body. “You’re a fucking psycho!” he yelled.

He heard the cane swish. A lancing pain sliced his hand and merged with the agony in his shoulder. She struck twice more and then his arm dropped like a lead weight beside him. He
yelled again.

Then she was in front of him.

“You have one second to put out your other hand.”

Jaden shoved out his left palm, his dignity shredded and down the
pan. The cane lashed once. He yelped and snatched his hand back.

“Hold it out!”

It stung to open his palm. Blood welled up from the raised weal that crossed his calloused skin. Tremors claimed his arm. He could barely think for the pain he was in. He dug in deep, gritted his teeth, and mentally stepped back from the humiliation. She caned him again, crisscrossing the weal at a diagonal. This time Jaden returned his hand before she could demand it.

Sonil was quick to finish the punishment, a slicing blow that left him rigid with shock. He didn’t know what to do
or how to move. Instead, he stayed exactly where he was, his dislocated shoulder dragging him over to one side. The fingers of his left hand slowly curled up. Gravity pulled the punished hand to his lap.

Sonil put the cane away
and returned with a long strip of cloth. She knelt before him. Jaden’s heart stopped as she grabbed his right arm and bent it at the elbow. She gently rotated it against his stomach. Sweat broke out on his brow. His jaw clenched. He refused to scream. She rotated the forearm away from his body. She repeated the process until, suddenly, his shoulder was back where it belonged.

“Your nano creatures appear to be adept at repairing muscle damage. Your shoulder
will be fine.” She rotated his arm carefully back to his chest and then fixed up a sling-type affair.

Jaden was beyond words. He became aware his right hand was stinging worse than his left. His head
dropped. Immediately, Sonil placed a finger under his chin and tilted his head up until he was staring into warm, concerned lizard eyes. He shivered. She was like this split personality, seductive but deadly.

“I won
’t tolerate outright rebellion, Jaden. I don’t want to crush you. The Qui doesn’t want a submissive love slave. But I have to be able to trust you when it matters. You need to learn your boundaries. Do you understand?”

He nodded. Then he shook his head.
A love slave seemed exactly what she wanted.

A smile softened her face. “You
’re confused. That’s fine. That’s what your training is for.”

A
nger bubbled up through his shock. “I’m your captive, Sonil. Nothing else. I don’t care what contract Johnson signed.”

“
Then I will have to make you care.”

Chapter Six

Jaden turned his head away. The blood extraction wasn’t supposed to hurt, but the device in the crook of his left elbow had a nasty sting to it.

Sonil walked in
and caught his wince. “What happened?” she asked in her own language.

The ship
’s medical officer carefully withdrew the device from Jaden’s vein. “K’lahn tissue is denser than human tissue, and has less nerve receptors, Ambassador,” he explained as if Jaden wasn’t there. He held the tubular device up to the light and peered at the readings. “These bio-engineered robots are impressive. I’ll run some more tests, but your property still retains a high concentration of these nano-proteins.”

Jaden frowned. Property?

Sonil furrowed her brow at him, a subtle warning to behave. She moved to his side and placed a possessive palm on his bare chest before running a thumb up to his right shoulder. Jaden could not repress a shudder.

“What about his
arm?”

“Healing well. He has a full range of movement, a slight ache, not unexpected. You need not concern yourself with it, Ambassador.”

Jaden had had enough. He made to stand up.

Sonil pressed him back onto the bench. “Hold still. And his hands?”

“Tendon damage is minimal. Continue with the massage and full flexibility will be restored within a few ship days.”

“Excellent.
Thank you, Officer.”

The K
’lahn bowed. “Ambassador.”

She walked out.

Jaden threw the doctor a quick glance. The K’lahn seemed to have no further interest in him. He jumped down and caught up to Sonil.

“Too slow, Jaden. You must judge your Qui
’s intentions and respond promptly. When accompanying a Qui you will always be half a step behind her left shoulder – always available, never in the way.”

“And if I misjudge her intention?”

“You will be punished. At the Qui’s pleasure.”

Jaden altered his stride to synchronize with Sonil
’s. “Where are we going?”

“
That is not your business.”

She stopped at a body chute. Jaden hated them. It was like stepping into a mold of his
body. Sonil took his hand and pulled him onto the platform. She pressed her rear against his thong-covered cock guaranteeing him an instant erection.”

“Deck Four.” An invisible film enveloped them. Jaden felt like he had just dropped a thousand
feet when the film evaporated and they were in a new location. Sonil stepped out of the chute. Jaden resisted the urge to check his body for cobwebs and followed her. They entered a room set up like a gymnasium. His mood lifted.

“I thought you would approve. A Qui requires her lover to be in excellent condition. Culmination is
strenuous, mentally and physically, and you need to release all that pent up resentment. You will train here three hours a day: running, swimming, weights.”

An eagerness to get started
filled him. He needed this. Stop him going stir-crazy.

“Where
’s the pool?”

Sonil pointed to a black metallic strip on the floor. “Force fields reproduce the effect of water. Go stand in the middle on the circled spot. You will sense the level of water from the temperature. If you sink you will receive a clear warning.”

“What kind of warning?”

“Similar to an electric shock.”

Jaden shook his head, but the temptation to try it out overcame his reservations.

*****

Sonil discovered Jaden was not only an excellent swimmer, but his rippling muscles were sparking an urgent desire to take him to her bed. When Markl walked in, she was glad of the distraction. A buzz and cry indicated Jaden had lost concentration before he re-established a steady crawl.

Markl bowed. “Ambassador, I apologize for the disturbance but we have entered the D
’ron system. I have advised Governor Tah that we are on a trade mission.”

“Thank you, Captain.”

She noticed Markl’s heartbeat increase as he watched Jaden carve through invisible water.

“He needs further training, Markl.”

“I wouldn’t presume –”

“I know.”

“Can a human survive culmination with the Qui?”

“I sincerely hope so.”

“I am not questioning your judgment –”

“But?”

“Humans are weak.”

“Physically,
yes. They are also stubborn, resourceful, and intelligent. Better to have Earth with the Qui Galactic Empire than against it.”

The captain smiled as Jaden sank
, yelped then battled his way up again. “He is tiring. His shoulder is giving him problems.”

“He can go a little longer. The point is to rebuild his strength.”

The buzzing grew louder. Suddenly, Jaden sank without a trace. He curled into a ball on the ground as his body jerked under an electrical onslaught with the potential to kill.

Sonil did not hide her irritation as Markl
smirked. “Pool, cease,” she called.

Jaden uncoiled his body then rolled off the strip onto normal flooring. Sonil strode over to him.

“What happened?”

He massaged his left calf. “Cramp in my leg. Fuck that
pool hurts.”

“
Next time, warm up properly.” She put out her hand.

After a
moment, Jaden took it. Sonil hauled him to his feet. “Walk it off,” she ordered, indicating the running track.

He nodded, but his eyes were on Markl
who had joined them.

“Jaden, this is Captain Markl. You remember I prom
ised you to him for a night.”

Markl
’s eyes gleamed. He stepped right up to Jaden and grasped his balls. “I have an interesting evening planned for you, Jaden.”

Sonil
sensed Jaden’s hackles rise, and his heartbeat, but too late. With no visible warning, he head-butted the ship’s captain followed with a chop to the throat that dropped Markl to his knees.

“Jaden!”

Sonil frowned, irritated. She had enough to do without dealing with another infraction.

Jaden glanced
from her to Markl on the floor then stepped back, his palms raised in apology. Apprehension clouded his face.

Markl leapt to his feet, nursing his throat. His nose looked broken. A trickle of blackish-red blood dripped onto his lips. He looked ready to kill and Sonil blocked his path. Markl had been unprepared, he wouldn’t underestimate her general a second time. Jaden really needed to learn this lesson.

“
Move, Ambassador,” Markl growled, glaring over her head at Jaden.

“
You will need to kill me first,” Sonil warned.

Shock snapped
wrath-filled eyes down to hers. The ship’s captain towered over Sonil and she preferred not to fight him.
See past your anger, Markl.
The captain inhaled deeply, frustration rattling in his throat as he scented her resolve.

Sonil softened her
expression. “I said he wasn’t ready, Markl, and now you know why.” When she caught Markl’s stance relax very slightly, Sonil turned to the wary-looking human standing behind her. “However, I cannot condone your behavior, Jaden. You have guaranteed yourself a night to remember. You need to start using your brain.” She sighed at the furious glower on Jaden’s face and returned her attention to Markl. “Captain, name your punishment. Be reasonable. He is neither your crew nor a passenger aboard this ship. I will not allow him to be harmed.”

“I would execute crew
or passenger, Ambassador. ”

Sonil
pressed a hand against Markl’s chest. “Captain, he belongs to the Qui.”

He held still for a second more before
capitulating with a nod. “Of course. My apologies, Ambassador.” A step back signaled a final retreat.

Sonil glanced back at Jaden
. He looked tense, ready to fight a battalion of K’lahn. She had much work to do. “Captain, your punishment?”

“Ten lashes
by the scytah and a chyt worm – I leave the duration to your discretion, Ambassador.”

Her brow furrowed
. The whip and the worm had long been used in training, but never on a human. She hesitated to grant Markl’s sentence, the pain would surpass anything Jaden had suffered at her hands and she did not wish to break him. Used carefully, neither scytah nor worm would harm him physically, although the memory of a chyt worm would stay with him for years. She watched Markl for any sign he might reconsider.

His face
remained unyielding. The debt of honor had to be paid.

Sonil nodded acceptance.
“An excellent choice, Captain. I will apply the discipline tonight. You are dismissed.”

Markl stalked off. Jaden
bent down and rubbed his calf, but Sonil sensed his disquiet.

“Walk that cramp off, Jaden. Then start running.”

He nodded. Then he straightened. “You’re not K’lahn, are you, Sonil?”

“I told you
, I am of the Qui bloodline. The Qui is K’lahn. Start walking, Jaden.”

He obeyed
her order by walking a circle around her. Sonil swiveled on the spot, watching him.

“So are
there sub-species of K’lahn or something?”

“That would be an accurate description.
Why do you ask?”

“You have superior strength, speed, and hearing. You are clearly intelligent. And powerful.
I would never have taken you down like I did Markl.”

“Where are you going with this,
Jaden?”

His face twisted. “You came to Earth for me.”

“Yes. The Qui desires your surrender.”

“Did you know I would be the first on the scene?”

“I knew you were tracking my ship.”

“I
never stood a chance. You were testing me.”

“Why do you think that would be?”

“I don’t know. See if I was worthy of culmination. Guess I must have been.”

“
It was simpler than that, Jaden.”

“
Damn! You were checking me out!”

“Training a man for culmination is intensely personal. I represent the Qui. The Qui knew of your reputation and the damage you have inflicted on
her forces, but nothing of the man.”

“You want me, don
’t you, Sonil? Well, I won’t make love to you. Ever.”

As he circled her, his scent enveloped
Sonil in a cloud of unchecked human ferocity. Anger, frustration, and arousal – an insane blend that had her body humming with need. The creature was oblivious to the power of his masculinity. She could hardly control her urge to shred his clothes and explore every part of his body with her tongue. “I will admit you are making me dizzy.” She backed away from him, seeking a breath of fresh air untainted by Jaden. “Now start running. On the track. And have no fear, Jaden. There will be no lovemaking tonight. I have ten lashes to give.”

And a
chyt worm
.

*****

Jaden tugged at the leather bindings tying his wrists to the posts. They were an effective restraint, any less slack and his arms would be in a crucifix position. He stood naked at the end of Sonil’s bed, his feet on the floor. The suspense was a punishment all on its own. Ten lashes wasn’t too horrible. Beat execution.

It was th
is worm idea that had him worried.

He heard the doors slide open. A strange burring sound had him twisting his head around to see. His stomach tightened into a knot as
Sonil moved into view brandishing what looked like a metallic whip. His unease intensified at this unexpected development; the thing seemed almost alive with dancing energy.

“This is a
scytah, Jaden.” She moved closer and touched his arm with one coiled loop of the pulsating, angry thing.

He
jolted away as the whip seemed to melt into his skin before Sonil withdrew it. For a moment, he thought the pain was minimal. Then his arm started to burn; a fierce mind-numbing pain that had him gritting his teeth and straining for relief.

“That was the lowest setting. The sensation
lasts a day, but leaves no damage.”

Jade
n checked his arm in disbelief. There was not a mark on it.

“This is the highest setting
.” The whip intensified in sound, color, and brightness. Its hum filled the room and set his teeth on edge.

“
This is one of the most important lessons I can teach you, Jaden, vital to your survival. You must never again attack a subject of the Empire without express permission of the Qui. You will be part of the Qui’s Court. Your actions are the Qui’s actions. If you become a liability to the Qui, your life is forfeit. As unpleasant as this experience will be for you, there is a purpose. This lesson will save your life a hundred times over.”