Taken by the Admiral Read Online Free Page B

breaths. How would she manage to escape and make it back to the Constantina if the captain had been complicit in her capture by the Varishans? Even if she found her way home, the captain would see her silenced. Another quick death under mysterious circumstances.
    She swallowed hard and lifted her gaze to Admiral Cavvik’s. His expression had softened a bit, his frown lines not as prominent as when she’d first turned around. But his appearance still scared the shit out of her. Tall and broad-shouldered, his black uniform clung to his muscular body like a second skin. The alien ridges on his forehead rose when he lifted his eyebrows at her.
    “Come here, Lia. I won’t ask again. You are to be my mate and I will have you obey me.” His deep but tender voice rumbled through her and put her mind into a spin.
    Why hadn’t he hurt her yet? What was he waiting for? Varishans were quick to anger and showed no mercy. According to the rumors, at least.
    A dark thought struck her. What if the rumors about the Varishans had been perpetuated by all the lines of captains who had fought these aliens? The truth would’ve likely led to more attempts at mutiny, she decided with her heart sinking at the prospect of more women being taken. The captains had traveled through Varishan space on purpose, probably to shorten their trip, willingly sacrificing women along the way. Grandfather, what did you do?
    Reparations .
    Dear God. It made sense. Horrible sense.
    “I-I ca-can’t mo-move.” Her voice quaked as she peered into his dark, bottomless depths. Again, she cringed at how pathetic and frightened she sounded. Maybe this was why she’d failed the command portion of her aptitude test. She aspired to lead and make decisions to benefit those aboard the Constantina , but when it came time to fight she was nothing but a coward. She’d used up all her bravery cussing him out earlier, and little good that had done her.
    “I am not quite the savage you have been conditioned to believe I am. Don’t be afraid.” He reached out farther and she stared at his offered hand.
    After a deep breath and a quick prayer, she forced herself in his direction, taking cautious steps and pausing every few seconds to look into his eyes, trying to gauge whether or not he intended to harm her.
    “Good girl,” he said when she came within reach. He closed the rest of the distance between them and held her out by her shoulders, his grip firm but not punishing. “Let me get a better look at you.” His gaze trailed up and down her body, lingering on her breasts and hips, and he turned her around to inspect her from the back too. She shuddered when he cupped her bottom and gave it a squeeze.
    More shameful desires rose to the surface. She felt an aching between her thighs that she tried to will away, but her body wouldn’t listen. It was as if her mind was at war with her body. This was why she’d avoided being alone with a man on the Constantina , this fear of becoming aroused and not being able to control herself. She had admired men from afar, but the moment one came too close she made an excuse to vacate the area.
    In her unit of aeroponics, she had been fortunate to only work with women and only had to deal with men while walking the ship or on the rare occasion that engineering sent a man to make repairs. She’d spent her whole life avoiding men and feeling embarrassed by her desires, beyond fearful of what would happen should someone in command discover her secret. She’d had no wish to get hormone suppression shots or end up in the brig.
    “You have nice wide hips, human.” He squeezed her bottom again. “You will give me many children, sons and daughters.”
    She felt her eyes go wide, and even wider at his next words.
    “It’s time for your punishment now, Lia.”
     
    * * *
     
    Cavvik guided Lia to the bed, taking note of her labored breathing and incessant trembling. He would go easy on her this first time, but he would still turn her