In Enemy Hands Ch. 02

"Stop!" Adlar yelled. Then a new thought hit him. "All this fracking noise will draw predators straight to you!"

Receiving no answer, he dug deep, pushing his body to move faster. That was his prey, and when he caught that other male he was going to... A sudden flash of purple streaked past him. Oh, so now the temperamental batar decided to help?

Adlar growled as Dar's long strides ate up the ground as he closed in on Varo... then flew past him. He didn't bother to question why Dar bypassed Varo. The irritating feline must have a reason. He was within arm's length of Varo when an emat burst through the jungle, the horn on its forehead obliterating any hanging veins.

The large, thick-skinned, hoofed mammal barely took a step toward Varo when Dar slammed into it. Its dark blue coloring blended so well with the surrounding jungle, he'd never detected the dangerous animal—a mistake which could get him killed.

At least he knew why Dar had ignored Varo.

Adlar grabbed the back of Varo's shirt just as the angered feline slammed into the emat, both animals knocked off their feet by the impact. The ground shook as they rolled. Taking a page from Dar's book, Adlar yanked Varo off his feet. Both males tumbled to the ground, curses painting the air.

"Stop fighting me!" Adlar barked, grabbing Varo's arms as they rolled into undergrowth, out of the way. Adlar ended up on top of Varo. "Do not draw the emat's attention more than what you already have, you brain-dead—"

Varo bucked his body, trying to dislodge Adlar. "Then get off me, you stars-cursed—"

Adlar grasped Varo's wrists and slammed them to the ground. Why couldn't this blasted Yesri understand they were in danger? The emat's skin was tough, and hard to stun with his weapon. If it attacked them, he'd have to kill it, and he didn't want to. The animal was doing what the goddess created it to do—hunt. Only this time, it picked the wrong prey to track.

They must be quiet. "Shut. Up." Fangs showing, he leaned over Varo, their faces inches apart.

"I said get off me!" Varo surged up again.

How dare this Yesri speak to him in such a way? Adlar didn't think, just reacted. His lips crashed down over Varo's. Determined, he tightened his grip on Varo's wrists, his hold sure to leave bruises. Anger and frustration screamed through him. Varo was going to get them killed. His flight through the jungle might end with Dar hurt or even dead.

Why was it everything having to do with the Yesri ended up swamped in violence? He was so tired of the other race's sense of entitlement. Someone needed to teach them a lesson. A growl escaped him as Varo dropped back to the ground, and then heaved up again. Adlar rode Varo's thrashing body, struggling to stay on top of the other male.

Then Varo collapsed. He barely caught the trace of a whimper from Varo as the fight suddenly left him. With their lips still mashed together, Adlar gentled the kiss, tracing the seam of Varo's mouth. Instead of the iron hold on Varo's wrists, he eased his touch, even while still restraining Varo. Then Varo opened, and Adlar's tongue swept inside.

Varo moaned again, and pleasure exploded in Adlar's mind. Never had he tasted such raw desire in another, such need. Under that desperation, there was a sweetness which surprised him. Enticed him. Adlar delved deeper, wanting more. He ached to bury his cock inside the male under him.

Varo's moves were now more sensual, less violent. His moans were driving Adlar to distraction. 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?"

The way Adlar said princeling sent chills through him. He just wasn't sure if they were good chills or bad... or maybe he was just cold because of his damp head. And why was he holding onto his sash as if it was some sort of... trophy? The thought scared him almost as badly as the earlier pain.

"I—My father will pay for my return," Varo blurted, shoving his dirty hair off his face.

He'd convince his father to bargain for his crew, too, even though that would leave him indebted. He refused to leave his crew here while he went free. Once the Helkans opened up a communication channel, he'd—

Adlar stuffed the red sash back in his shirt. "We do not release prisoners, as I've told you."

Varo bit his lip to contain the snarl that wanted to escape at Adlar keeping his sash, but suddenly Adlar's words grabbed his attention. He knew as a rule they didn't, but... he was a prince. "What?"

He shook his head. Adlar sat there, no emotion on his face. Varo didn't seem to be getting through to Adlar. Maybe he didn't understand the wealth his family controlled. "But... but... he'll pay. He's the king of Yesri. Do you understand what I'm saying? Just send him a—"

"He has nothing I wish to trade for."

By the stars' fading light, what did Adlar mean? "But—"

"Enough. We do not trade. Even if we did, I do not wish to trade with your king. You don't seem to understand that I have what I want."

Varo spluttered. How dare Adlar dismiss him in such a way, and so effortlessly? "But... but... but... you can't do this. I'm a prince and... and... What do you want with me?"

Adlar raised an eyebrow, a smirk on his face. Before Varo could react, Adlar reached out, snagged him behind the head, and jerked him forward. Shocked, Varo didn't fight. Adlar's lips covered his again, a demand to submit.

A large part of him rebelled, but a spark ignited inside him. Adlar certainly knew how to kiss, not that Varo had much to compare it to. And now there was no denying the first kiss had been a fluke. He responded again just as much as the last time.

Adlar pushed his way inside and passion bloomed again... oh goddess, Adlar could kiss. He was so male, and so overpowering. Adlar held his head still, his hand buried in his hair. Such strength.

Varo relaxed, letting Adlar explore him. The male sure knew what he was about, and it was so nice to let someone else take over and... A feeling so foreign he didn't know what to make of it rose in Varo.

What was he thinking? He was always in control. As ship's captain, he had to be. Lives depended on him. He had an obligation to his farther to... Who was he kidding? His father didn't care for him outside of being a backup to the spare heir to the title.

Adlar's mouth slashed over his, and his fangs nicked his tongue... and all thoughts left his head even as his cock filled. His toes tingled. Stars and curses, that was hot. Then Adlar brushed against his dick, and he nearly came in his pants, something he hadn't done since he was a youngling.

The wild call of a native bird snapped Varo's attention back to what was happening, to what he was doing. This was his enemy he was allowing to maul him, a being who was going to try to turn him into property. Him. He didn't bow to any man, much less to a male who wanted to own him. He needed to have a discussion with his dick soon.

He shoved Adlar off him. He wasn't the only one gasping for air, he noticed.

Adlar took a deep breath. "I think that should tell you what I want from you."

He'd known that, he had. But hearing it, having it spoken, was another thing. It brought everything crashing down on him. This wasn't someone he could dally with. This was his enemy. What was he thinking? He wasn't, that was the problem. At least, the organ doing the thinking was the wrong one.

"Never," he swore. "I'll never submit to you. Tell me, Helkan, do your brutal ways include rape?"

Adlar's face clouded, but then slowly cleared. "Rape? Oh, I don't believe I'll have to rape you, Varo. Not from what I just experienced. You desire me."

Varo reared back, horrified. "I do not! That was... that was—"

Dar suddenly sat up, ears twitching.

"I know what that was and so do you."Adlar stood. "Up with you. I let you distract me, and that can be dangerous in the jungle."

Varo slowly stood also, glancing around. He muttered under his breath as he brushed himself off. "Considering we didn't even know you had a jungle..."

"There is much you don't know about us. We prefer that. Now come."

He was right. Varo abruptly saw just how right Adlar was. No one knew much about the Helkans, and here he was with an excellent opportunity to learn as much as he could. That information would be priceless. Or it would be—if he ever had the chance to relay it to his people.

"Where are we going?" Varo asked.

"Back to the general area of your shuttle." Adlar motioned for Varo to precede him. "Dar, are you coming?"

Dar yawned and rose to his feet.

Varo caught himself taking a step back. He couldn't help it. The animal was huge, and he was defenseless.

They started the trek back, and as they moved though the jungle, he noticed he felt better. He hoped the antiserum had cured whatever reaction the leaf sap caused. He also noticed the jungle around them fell silent as they passed. The wildlife seemed to know there was a predator in their mist.

As they returned to the crash site, Varo kept an eye out for his men. He hoped they were okay. How could he ask Adlar? Should he? There was a slim chance the Helkans didn't know there were others in the shuttle with him, and Adlar hadn't mention anything about his men. Maybe he didn't know.

"I, ah... you said you were the leader of the D'noir, is that right?" Varo called over his shoulder.

"That is correct."

Adlar was close enough Varo could hear him perfectly. "So, what is the D'noir?"

"The D'noir are ten assassins who protect our leader."

Varo's stomach dropped to his knees. Adlar led a group of killers. If he led assassins, how much of a killer was he then? Not only that, the male who'd placed a slave collar on him was younger brother to their king. Adlar was royalty himself... and a killer. He just couldn't get over that part.

What in the two moons of Helkan was he going to do now? He fell silent as they walked, lost in thought. So many questions fought for priority in his mind. They were nearly to the waterfall before the splashing water caught his attention. The batar raced past them to the edge and dropped down to drink.

"I'm assuming this is where you got the mud to darken your hair."

Varo stopped by the pool created from the waterfall. "Yes."

"Lovely place, isn't it?"

Varo glanced around, taking in the lush landscape. "It very much is. You're lucky to have such areas. My planet did at one time, but..." Varo shrugged.

"Your use of factories and mass production led to a depletion of certain natural resources that has left your environment damaged."

"You make it sound like we purposely set out to destroy our—"

"Your leaders had to know what the result would be." Adlar waved at the surrounding jungle. "A perfect example of this depletion is deforestation. Forests help emit oxygen and refresh the levels of healthy gases in the air, which your people need since factories emit poisonous emissions. But you eliminated that source of oxygen."

"But we are an industrialized planet, and as such—"

"As such nothing." Adlar rolled his eyes. "Your people neglected your planet. The pollution that has resulted from your factories involves not only airborne emissions, but land and water pollution as well. Your people don't seem to realize you can have industry without destroying everything around you."

Varo clamped his lips shut. He wasn't going to get into an argument over the environment, or the way the leadership ran their planet. His planet was a highly advanced society. But then, so were the Helkans. They had a space program, complete with warships, and their Satellite Surveillance Network was an example of their advanced technology.

"It's no wonder you find our jungles fascinating."

"You do realize we have more water than land on my planet, right?" Varo asked.

"A planet can support many different ecosystems as I'm sure you realize." Adlar shrugged. "We care for our environment, something your kind can not grasp. Obviously. Ah well, it matters not. Come, we're close to my landing site."

Now, what did that mean? He forgot the question as Adlar motioned for him to continue. He was still in front of Adlar, which while smart, wasn't necessary as long as he wore that cursed collar. Dar followed along beside them, stopping along the way to sniff at plants. They drew nearer to where his shuttle crashed and passed it.

"Keep going, it's not far."

Varo ignored the presence at his back because in the distance he could hear voices. His step slowed, but a gentle hand against his back kept him going. He'd noticed Adlar handled him carefully. He hadn't been abusive. Yet. The fact the other male was a killer stayed in the forefront of his mind.

As they drew nearer, he saw why he heard many voices. Near what he assumed was their shuttle, there were four males, standing around. That didn't surprise him, and neither did the fact his men were there, too, sitting on the ground.

He was greatly relieved they were alive. But on the other hand, every one of them had a collar around his neck, as now he did. He wasn't sure death wouldn't have been preferable. Adlar made a strange chirping noise as they drew closer. Varo saw the other males stop talking as they entered the clearing near their shuttle.

A shout went up when they saw him and Adlar.

They walked to the center, where Adlar's crew was standing. Fists thrust into the air and a blend of voices rose to the sky. Even Dar pranced around, telling Varo the Helkans were used to seeing Adlar's batar. Adlar could say what he wanted, but the animal wasn't completely wild. Varo gritted his teeth as they celebrated their victory.

As he looked around, he took note that some of Adlar's crewmembers had... He grinned. If he wasn't mistaken, some of the males had field dressings. As their enemy congratulated themselves, Varo visually checked over his men. They appeared unharmed. As he made eye contact with each, he saw anger burning in their eyes.