Wednesday Briefs - In Enemy Hands 3.5

Welcome to the Wednesday Briefs flash group (click to go to the site). The short stories have a maximum of a 1000 word count plus links at the bottom to the other flashers. If interested in joining us, drop me a line and I'll tell you how. :)Prompts for this week:
“I answer to no one.” “Shake that booty.” “Don’t stop.” “Now that’s a freak show!” “One way or the other...” “Tis the season...” “Merry Christmas!” “Let it snow!” “Happy holiday.” “Dear Santa....”  or use: joy, tree, tinsel or use: lights, Noel, balls or use: red, gift, bow or have your character cut down a tree for Christmas or use: fire, cheers, snow or have a character decorate for Christmas or have a character ignore the holidays  or have your characters have sex under the Christmas treeor “Ouch, there’s pine needles in my ass…”or have a character smoke a holiday reeferor “I saw Daddy kissing Santa Claus!” or use a rugrat in your story

~Tomorrow I have a short story from the guys in Trouble. I don't *think* it'll give anything away if  you haven't read the book yet.


Chapter 3.5

As Varo settled into the kiss, Adlar heard Dar’s warning roar. He jerked his head up to see Dar scream straight in the face of the emat. It didn’t affect the bulky animal in the least. Scrambling to its feet, it lowered its horn and charged.
Dar danced out of the way. As the emat passed, Dar raked its long claws alongside the other animal’s side. Bellowing, the emat continued on its way, crashing through the jungle as it escaped. Snarling, Dar took a step in the direction the emat had fled.
“Dar!” Adlar yelled.
Dar stopped and looked at Adlar.
“Stay, please.” Adlar glanced down at Varo then back up at the feline. “Please?”
Turning, Dar stalked back to where Adlar sprawled on top of Varo. He flopped down next to the two males, complaining.
Varo stared up at Adlar, his eyes wide. Adlar returned his stare, watching the passion from the kiss seep away.
Varo narrowed his gaze then… spit. “Animal.”
Adlar thrust his hips against Varo, rubbing their erections together, proving he wasn’t the only one hard. Then leaned down and wiped his face against Varo’s, smearing the spit between them. “I’m not the animal here,” he whispered, eyes narrowed. “You might want to remember that.”
Varo gulped, his gaze jumping between Adlar and Dar. “What… what is that thing?”
“A batar. A feline indigenous to the planet. And yes, they are meat-eaters.” Adlar noticed Varo’s trembling.
Varo froze, staring at the animal lying close to them. “How did you get it to obey you?”
“I don’t. One does not command a batar. I asked—a concept you seem unfamiliar with.” But that did remind him. Flipping open the com unit on his arm, he lifted it to his mouth and let loose a short, sharp screech.
Varo jumped, his breathing picking up. “Oh stars, what was that?”
A beep sounded, and Adlar grinned. The collar would respond only to his voice now. “Voice copy and activate unit.” After he finished speaking into the com, a little red light at the seam of the collar around Varo’s throat glowed steadily, indicating it was working.
He touched the collar resting against Varo’s throat. “This is a slave collar. With it, I can control you. I promise you this, you won’t run again.”
* * * *
Varo lay stunned. Prisoner? Control collar? He was a prince. He was royalty. Who did this creature think he was? The arrogance of the Helkan before him stole his breath… and his lack of breath had absolutely nothing to do with that pale skin, large, deep amber eyes, or the yards of long, black hair.
Adlar wore a black long-sleeved shirt, and over that a vest with flared shoulders. His pants were black, as were his boots. Even his hair was black, which made his pale skin all the more noticeable. A slightly pointed chin and a sharp nose, along with those pointed ears, gave the Helkans a unique, almost fey, look.
Stars, how could he find Adlar sexy?
“I answer to no one, Helkan.” Mustering everything he had, he bucked hard, trying to dislodge the body that covered his. If that failed, maybe he could dislodge this horrible attraction.
He twisted and turned, kicking and squirming. The hands on his wrists didn’t budge, and neither did the body—the nicely muscled body—covering him. Horrified at the thought, he fought harder, for all the good it did him.
No matter what he did, he couldn’t dislodge the male above him. He struggled until he exhausted himself. Panting, he finally grew still. Trails of mud covered his face from strands of his muddy hair, and his wounded hand throbbed. His head hurt, as did every part of his body.
“Are you done?”
Varo glared at Adlar, but didn’t speak.
Adlar sighed. “Might as well get started, I guess.” Adlar sat up, then released a shrill chirp.
The high-pitched chirp made him cringe, but that was nothing compared to the pain exploding through him. He thrashed on the jungle floor, desperate to get away from the torment as wave after wave rolled over him.
The agony took away his ability to think, and keeping the screams inside took all he had, but the anguish was sharp blades carving up his brain. He needed to bring this to a halt before he lost his mind. He was desperate for it to just end.
“S-stop,” he gasped, tugging frantically at the collar, the source of all his suffering. “Goddess, s-s-stop!”
“Ask me instead of demanding, Varo.”
Feeling as if he was being twisted inside out, Varo heaved another breath, his body desperate for the frightening torture to end. But to ask ? That’s what his enemy wanted, but he asked for nothing. He’d never had to. He captained a starship. He didn’t ask—he commanded.
“Princeling, this is the lowest setting. Do you want me to show you higher ones?”
The thought sent sheer terror through him. That was the lowest setting? Anything higher would kill him, he was sure.
“Stop it…” Varo shuddered as anguish rolled through him, gritting his teeth until they threatened to crack. “Please.”
“Very good.” Adlar made another high pitch screech.
The agony ended as fast as it started, leaving Varo wheezing as he stared up at the canopy of the jungle. He only thought everything ached before.
“Now you understand how the collar works. Obey me, and you won’t have to feel that pain again. I won’t make you hurt unless you refuse to comply with my orders. Understand?”
All Varo could do was nod his head since he was still sucking air.
“When I address you, you must verbally answer me. Nodding isn’t sufficient. Again, I ask you if you understand. I will not ask again.”
I’d like to stick your understanding straight up your ass. “I-I understand.” Varo croaked, still sprawled on the ground. If he never heard that sound again, it would be too soon.
Varo slowly sat up, waiting to see if any residual pain lurked. Satisfied he was okay, he turned his attention to Adlar, although he was unsure which of the two predators he needed to keep an eye on.

“In case you forgot my name, it’s Adlar. Now, I’m very pleased. I knew you’d be intelligent, seeing as you’re a starship captain, and a member of the royal family.” Adlar pulled the red sash from his shirt. “I believe this is yours, is it not, princeling?”TBC
Taylin Clavelli
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