Enslaved Read online

  Not that she’d want to be bonded to me—not now that she knows my past. They’d never really gotten to discuss what she’d learned about his first time as a slave back on Yonnie Six but Thrace thought they didn’t really need to. It was clear from her actions that she wanted to distance herself from him and while some of that was probably due to the awful things that had happened to her in the temple, he was certain that his own terrible past played a part in it too.

  Sylvan frowned. “That could be a problem if the bond was completely destroyed. But if it’s only blocked, the compound can still be effective simply by removing the block.”

  “You think I haven’t tried? You think I haven’t been reaching out to her, here on the ship?” Thrace demanded. “I don’t even think she feels me. I’m telling you, Commander, she wants nothing to do with our bond. In fact…” He took a deep breath. “In fact, I’ve decided to leave here. My own ship, The Empress, is still in dry dock on Padge and my first mate, Solar is missing. We were drugged and taken to the Flesh Bazaar to be sold as slaves at the same time. If I can’t help Trin, I might as well go and help him. If he’s even still alive.”

  “Your duty to your friend and shipmate is admirable,” Sylvan said seriously. “But your duty to the female you are bonded to must take precedence.”

  “And it would, if she still wanted me.” Thrace let his fingers wander up to touch the black collar he still wore. Then, with quick, decisive motions, he took it off and laid it on the chair beside him. “If she would let me in. But she won’t, so I have to go.” He looked down at the collar. “Knowing she’s just down the hallway but being unable to talk to her or see her or hold her…it’s too fucking painful.”

  “I understand,” Sylvan said quietly. “The pain of a rejected bond is excruciating.”

  “Which is why I have to go.” Thrace turned away. “In fact, you caught me in the middle of packing—not that I have much to pack. I was hoping I could borrow a shuttle—just until I get The Empress out of drydock. I—”

  “Hello, Thrace.”

  The soft, familiar voice startled him. He turned to see Trin standing in the doorway, a look of uncertainty on her face. She was wearing a white, sleeveless gown that showed the long, angry red welts which marred her creamy brown skin. Her eyes were huge and hurt-looking as they flicked first from his bare throat and then to the discarded black leather collar which lay on the arm of the chair beside him.

  “Trin?” He took a step towards her but she shook her head and stepped back.

  “I’m sorry,” she said softly. “Your door was open so I thought…but if you’re leaving now, I won’t bother you. Don’t…don’t let me stop you.”

  She turned but Thrace wasn’t about to let her go. In one stride he was across the room, taking her by the arm.

  Trin winced and made a little sound of pain as his hand made contact with the welts on her skin.

  “Sorry, I’m sorry!” Thrace dropped her arm hurriedly. “I just…didn’t want you to go.”

  “Why not?” She turned to face him again. “You are.”

  “I have to find my first mate, Solar. He was sold as a slave too,” Thrace reminded her. “And besides, you didn’t want to see me—didn’t want anything to do with me.” He tried not to let the hurt and frustration creep into his voice but it was hard. “Why are you even here?” he asked bluntly.

  Trin bit her bottom lip. “To…to be healed,” she whispered. I was told that I needed to seek help and Commander Sylvan said he had something that might heal these…” She gestured to her welted skin. “But that you were the only one who could give it to me.”

  “Indeed, and Yipper and I just came to drop it off.” Sylvan, who had been standing quietly to one side, nodded at the little vial of blue liquid Thrace still clutched tight in his hand. “In fact, I think we ought to leave you alone now.”

  “The compound is best applied in private. Yes it is, yes it is.” Yipper nodded vigorously.

  “Good luck.” Sylvan put a hand on Thrace’s shoulder and squeezed briefly. “Come and see me after…one way or the other.”

  “Thank you.” Thrace nodded and looked at the vial in his hand uncertainly.

  “It becomes effective the moment you take it. Yes it does, yes it does,” Yipper told him and then he and the Kindred commander left, shutting the front door of Thrace’s guest suite quietly behind them.

  Thrace sighed and looked down at the vial.

  “Well, here goes.” He unscrewed the lid and put the vial to his lips, downing its contents in three quick swallows.

  * * * * *

  Trin stared at him blankly.

  “What are you doing?” She shook her head. “Why did you drink the medicine that was supposed to be for me?”

  “Why did I…oh Gods…You mean Commander Sylvan didn’t tell you?”

  “Tell me what? What are you talking about?” Trin asked, frowning. “He just told me to meet him at your suite.”

  “Gods…” Thrace went to the couch and sank down on it, putting his head in his hands.

  “Thrace?” Trin went to him. Her hand hovered over his head but she didn’t quite dare to touch him, though she longed to bury her fingers in his thick, wild hair. “Did I ask the wrong question? What was Commander Sylvan supposed to tell me?”

  “That the medicine he gave me wasn’t for you to drink. Or to rub on your wounds.”

  “But then…how was it supposed to help me?” Trin shook her head, not understanding.

  Thrace looked up at her, his silver-blue eyes blazing.

  “It was for me to drink. It enables my body to make a healing compound I can apply to your cuts and abrasions.”

  “Apply…how?” Trin was beginning to feel uncertain all over again.

  “By licking you,” he said softly. “By bathing your hurt areas with my tongue. Apparently it’s the only way the medicine is effective.”

  “I…I didn’t know that.” Trin edged away from him. “No one told me that.”

  “Because I’m sure you wouldn’t have come if they had.” Thrace’s deep voice was hurt and bitter. “I know how you feel about letting me touch you intimately. Letting me taste you intimately—especially now that you know my past. I understand how wrong it makes you feel so I won’t even ask. I’ll just go.”

  He turned away, presumably to get back to his packing. But something inside Trin couldn’t let that happen. She couldn’t bear to watch him walk away—couldn’t let him leave not knowing when or if she would ever see him again.

  “Thrace, wait.” Hesitantly, she reached for him and let her fingertips drift lightly over the back of his arm.

  A visible shiver ran through him at her light touch. Turning, he faced her once more, a look of pain etched on his strong features.

  “What is it, Trin?”

  Trin bit her lip. Not “Mistress,” not “baby” just Trin. Was that all she was to him now? Had she pushed him away for too long? Would she ever be able to get him back?

  “I…” She didn’t know what to say but she couldn’t remain silent. If she did, she would lose him forever.

  “Yes?” Thrace asked impatiently. “What is it you want?”

  “I want you to try it.” Trin lifted her chin. “I’m not afraid. Well…not much,” she added honestly.

  Thrace sighed and went back to the couch. “I don’t even know if it will work. It’s supposed to be for bonded couples and you and I…I don’t even know if we’re bonded anymore.”

  Trin looked down at her hands.

  “I know I’ve been blocking you,” she whispered. “I started it for your own good—because I didn’t want to hurt you or drag you down with me. And now…now I can’t seem to stop.”

  “Well…” He sighed again. “I guess you can’t help it—I don’t blame you after what you found out about me on Yonnie Six. Not to mention everything you went through in that fucking temple. Come here.” He gestured for her and Trin came to stand between his thighs.

  She could feel the h