Vaaden Warriors 3-- Thale by Jessica Coulter Smith

Vaaden Warriors: Thale

by Jessica Coulter Smith  Cover art: Reneé George

ISBN: 978-1-60521-581-5

Genre(s): Futuristic, Sci-Fi

Series: Vaaden Warriors

Length: Novella

http://changelingpress.com/product.php?&upt=book&ubid=1688

Blurb:
Thale has allowed his friend to talk him into purchasing a slave from the harems. At first, he isn't sure if he'll follow through on his promise or not, but once he sees the beautiful Moira he knows that he must have her. Thale craves her and can't keep his hands off her, but is it enough to make him change into the man she deserves? And more importantly, why does he suddenly care?
Excerpt:
Vaaden Warriors: Thale
Jessica Coulter Smith
All rights reserved.
Copyright ©2011 Jessica Coulter Smith

This e-book file contains sexually explicit scenes and adult language which some may find offensive and which is not appropriate for a young audience. Changeling Press E-Books are for sale to adults, only, as defined by the laws of the country in which you made your purchase. Please store your files wisely, where they cannot be accessed by under-aged readers.


I stared at Rheul and wondered if he'd lost his mind. What made him think I was the right man for the job? If he wanted someone who was all about pleasure, my own mostly, then I was the right guy. But this?
"No, absolutely not."
"Why not?" he asked.
"Rheul, think about it. Why would you ask me of all people to rescue that poor woman? Do I really look like the type?"
"You could be. I know you're a good man."
"Sorcha might not agree with you. Have you spoken with my brother and the love of his life? I'm sure they would give you a different perspective of me."
Rheul shrugged. "I don't need to hear from them. All I know is that you're my only hope of getting Moira out of there. I promised her I would try my best and that's what I'm going to do. She deserves a better life than that of a harem slave."
"And you want me to go and buy her? To claim her as my personal slave? Have you not noticed that I didn't replace Sorcha? I learned my lesson. I don't keep any women these days, not even a wife."
"There wasn't a lesson to learn, except that you have a heart. I talked to Valen afterward so I know exactly what happened. I know that you decided to give Sorcha to him, to make both of them happy. And your wife doesn't count. You didn't have anything to do with Staisha's death. Dorne cleared you. So you can stop acting like you're the most evil man on the planet."
I sighed and looked away.
"Moira is sweet and willing. You'd have a slave in your bed and wouldn't have to visit the harems anymore. Would owning her really be so bad?"
Rubbing the back of my neck, I shook my head. Something told me I would regret this. "What does the blasted woman look like?"
"She's small, has long black hair, blue eyes. And like I said, she's sweet."
I knew that being with me had been rough on Sorcha at times, even if she hadn't said anything. I'd taken what I'd wanted from her and hadn't thought much about what she wanted or needed. What if it was the same with Moira?
Rheul would never forgive me if I hurt the slave he was trying to save, regardless of whether or not it was intentional. I'd never hurt a woman on purpose, but I did have a tendency to care about my own needs more than those of others.
"What if it doesn't work out, Rheul? Am I supposed to make us both miserable if we hate each other?"
He grinned. "Moira would never show hatred toward someone. I'm honestly not sure she's capable of it."
I paced the floor. "I guess I can always go see her and talk to her. There's no harm in that. And if it doesn't look like things will work out, then I don't have to buy her. There's no harm in spending a few days with her, right?"
Rheul narrowed his eyes at me. "But it will work out."
"There's no guarantee."
He stepped closer, blocking my path. "Yes, there is. I'm not leaving her there, and obviously I can't buy her, not with Darcy. Randar purchased Lyssa for me, then fell in love with Sophie. That only leaves you. As it is, I haven't been able to find another owner for Lyssa and poor Neerden is still stuck as her temporary owner."
"Why does she have to be saved? Do you know how many slaves there are on Vaaden? How many there have been over the years? What does it matter if this one particular woman is the slave of just one man or in the harems?"
"Because she deserves better, Thale. She helped me when things were out of sorts with Darcy, and I owe her. Besides, I got to know her and I can't stand the thought of her being treated the way she is."
"What are you talking about? You know most of the paid slaves are treated like royalty compared to the others."
"She has a man who visits her who likes to abuse her, and another likes to bring a friend along with him. While some women might enjoy being with more than one man at a time, she doesn't. I don't want her having to face that each week. You might be rough around the edges, but at least you won't hurt her."
I grinned. "Rheul, you know I've brought a friend along more than once when I went to the harems. How is that going to make her better off than she is already?"
"You won't do that with Moira."
I snorted. "Get real. I'm not going to change just for you, or for some slave. I am who I am."
Without warning, he slammed me against the wall. "Let me rephrase this. You will go to Moira. You will purchase her. And you will treat her right."
I narrowed my eyes. "Or what? Big, bad Rheul is gonna get me? As if I'm afraid of you." I shoved him away. "I told you I would go and see her, but that's all that I'll promise."
He grinned. "You'll have worse than me to face. I'll sic the women on you."
Well, he did have a point there. The thought of Sorcha and her friend Enid, Sylon's slave Susan, and the others who had recently ensnared their masters, was a terrifying thought.
I sighed. "Fine. I'll go see her and see about purchasing her. Where can I find this paragon?"
Rheul rolled his eyes. "I never called her a paragon, and she's in the third building on the fourth floor."
"Fine. I'll give you my answer by the end of the week..."
http://changelingpress.com/product.php?&upt=book&ubid=1688

Vaaden Warriors 1: Rhuel by Jessica Coulter Smith

Vaaden Warriors 1: Rheul

by Jessica Coulter Smith Cover art: Reneé George

ISBN: 978-1-60521-579-2

Genre(s): Futuristic, Sci-Fi

Series: Vaaden Warriors

Length: Novella

http://changelingpress.com/product.php?&upt=book&ubid=1600

Blurb: 
Falling in love with your slave just isn't something a Vaaden warrior does. But when Rheul claims a new slave, he starts to see that some things aren't always in his control. Darcy starts making a place for herself in his heart whether he likes or not, and no amount of fighting seems to do him any good. But can he give in and forsake his duty to take a Vaaden bride and love the woman who has come to mean so much to him? Or will duty win over his new-found heart?
Excerpt:
Vaaden Warriors 1: Rheul
Jessica Coulter Smith
All rights reserved.
Copyright ©2011 Jessica Coulter Smith

This e-book file contains sexually explicit scenes and adult language which some may find offensive and which is not appropriate for a young audience. Changeling Press E-Books are for sale to adults, only, as defined by the laws of the country in which you made your purchase. Please store your files wisely, where they cannot be accessed by under-aged readers.


Bastian entered the room with a petite woman with long, wavy black hair that hung down her back to her waist. She was even shorter than Enid, if that were possible, and I felt the sudden urge to protect her. Foreboding filled me, and I realized these feelings weren't good. I hadn't even been introduced the woman yet, and I already wanted to protect her? What would be next?
I moved to stand before her. I looked down into her upturned face; guileless blue eyes stared up at me. Her porcelain skin looked petal soft, and I wanted to touch it, to see if it felt as silky smooth as it looked. Clenching my fists, I fought the urge to sweep her into my arms and hold her close, to breathe her in.
"What's your name?" I asked her gruffly.
"Darcy."
"I'm Rheul. Do you know why you're here?"
"I was told I am to be your slave," she answered softly, her voice wrapping around me like warm silk.
Damn. I was in serious trouble. Only in her presence a matter of minutes, and I already wanted to sink to my knees and bury my face against her, inhaling the scent I imagined would be uniquely hers. I wasn't sure what the hell was wrong with me, but I needed to fix it and quick.
My expression must have given something away because Bastian smirked at me and Enid had a knowing look in her eye. I cleared my throat and reached for Darcy. "It's time I took you home and got you settled."
"Rheul, would you mind if I visited her?" Enid asked.
Bastian growled. "Forget Rheul. I don't want you visiting. You're not to go to the slave quarters!"
Enid rolled her eyes and sighed, patting her pregnant belly. "Honestly, Bastian. It isn't like I haven't seen them before. In case you've forgotten, I did live there for a while."
"Things are different now," he said, putting an arm around her.
She smiled up at him and for one moment, I envied them. I knew I'd never experience that with a Vaaden woman, but one day I would be required to marry, especially now that Bastian wouldn't. While Enid might have special permissions not allowed to most slaves, she was still a slave. She and Bastian could never marry, no matter how much they might want to.
Clearing my throat, I took Darcy by the arm and led her to the front of the house, and called over my shoulder, "I'll see you later." Once we were outside, I led her toward the slave buildings. "Time to take you home."
Darcy looked up at me. "How is it that I can understand everything you say even outside of a home? While I was confined, I noticed the translation boxes in the cells, and I saw one inside the house."
I flipped up the collar of my shirt, showing her a small silver circle. "This translates up to five hundred languages, automatically selecting the ones being spoken." I smiled down at her. "Since I designed it, I figured I should be the first to test it."
She looked impressed, and I felt proud of my accomplishment, which made no sense. What did I care what a slave thought? Her opinion didn't matter. "Is that where we're going?" she asked, pointing to the tall windowless building ahead of us.
"Yes. Your... I believe you would call it an apartment, is in that building."
"Mine? You will not stay there?"
"No." She looked up at me a moment longer, but didn't say a word. When we reached the building, she looked at her surroundings, but I couldn't tell anything by her expression. If she was shocked or appalled, she didn't show it.
When we reached the fourth floor, I opened her apartment door and ushered her inside. Even though I'd had the inside re-done for Enid when she'd stayed with me briefly, during a time when Bastian had clearly lost his mind, I'd made it over again for Darcy. Enid hadn't used it, but it still seemed like the right thing to do.
She studied everything silently, her fingers trailing over the soft comforter. "What's behind that door?" she asked, pointing to the silver panel on the opposite wall.
"Your bathroom."
I pressed my hand against the surface, and the door opened with a whoosh, disappearing into the wall. The interior was the same marble from top to bottom as the flooring in the living room, except it was a pale gray.
She eyed the shower in curiosity. "How does it work?" she asked softly.
I pressed a silver button on the wall, and water cascaded from the top, creating a waterfall of sorts. The shower was a little different from most. I'd had it designed special, wanting something unique. I showed her how to work the soap dispenser and the sink before turning off the shower.
She hesitated before leaving the bathroom. "May I... may I take a shower now?"
I studied her more carefully and realized her slave garment was dirty. It angered me that they hadn't taken proper care of her, but again my reaction made no sense. The slaves were never treated well before they were claimed, so why would mine have been treated differently? She'd turned my world upside down, and I didn't like it.
"Let me find you something clean to wear."
I walked over to the closet and opened the door the same way as the bathroom. Anticipating her arrival, I'd purchased several tunics for her, slightly longer than the slave garment she had on, but nothing like the dresses Vaaden women wore. I selected a soft blue, pulled it out of the closet and took it to her.
When I handed it to her, tears gathered in her eyes, making me feel slightly uncomfortable. "You don't like it?"
"It isn't that," she said quietly. "I just didn't expect... I'd heard... A few of the women in the cell spoke of what happened when Vaadens claimed slaves."
"And how did they know what happened?"
"They'd been claimed and returned." She looked down at her hands. "One of them had been abused by her owner."
I frowned. That was highly unusual. Typically, if a Vaaden didn't want his slave, he gave her away, or killed her. In some instances, she would be turned over to the harems. Was there a new policy in place I knew nothing about?
"I've never heard of that being done before. Are you sure that's what happened?"
"That's what they claimed."
"Did they explain what Vaaden men expect of their slaves?"
She blushed and looked away. "You want me to sleep with you."
I gently reached out and grasped her chin, turning her to face me. She wouldn't meet my gaze at first, but finally her eyes met mine. I didn't see fear, but I did see uncertainty. "I promise I won't hurt you."
"But it's true?"
"Yes, it's true..."
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