WIP Wednesday: Maryam

It takes two...

Maryam swallowed the sudden ache in her throat.

Ihas eyed her, as if hearing her thoughts. “You realize a lost pregnancy is rarely the mother’s fault? That most are due to abnormalities to the embryo or fetus?”

“I did all I could to ensure my babies were healthy.”

“I’m sure you did. Did you have only one mate?”

“Of course.”

“He was tested too?”

Maryam met his gaze. “He and my doctor were adamant that there was no need to do so.”

Ihas started. “But if the miscarriages were due to a defect in fetal development, it could have been the father who passed along abnormalities.”

When Maryam had brought that up to the doctor, he’d given her a stern speech on blaming her deficiencies on her husband. He’d been an unfeeling ass, but he’d been right. “My former husband had a healthy child with another woman.”

Ihas’s brows rose. “Just as healthy parents can occasionally pass on damaged genetics, a man with flawed genetic material can occasionally produce healthy offspring. Any physician who didn’t eliminate all possibilities isn’t much of a doctor.”

The thin thread of hope returned, but Maryam was afraid to grasp it. It wasn’t worth the pain of crushing disappointment.

No release date set.

Monday Motivation

Friday Fiver Challenge

Here are five clues referring to a character from the Kalquorian universe. Can you name this person?

1. I might limp, but I can still chase you down.

2. What's that scurrying about in the vents?

3. Want to play a game of 'I Spy'?

4. As my favorite book says, Make death your friend, for it gives life its sweetness.

5. Only one man ever made me laugh out loud. I clanned him.

Who am I? 

TBT - Clans of Kalquor: Alien Rule

This is not the Kalquorian she was expecting...

“I haven’t told you who he is yet.”  Israla’s eyes sparkled with deviltry.  “Lucky girl, it’s Crown Prince Clajak who calls for you.”

Jessica stopped cold.  Her eyes widened in shock.  Israla laughed out loud at her reaction.

“The son of the Imperial Clan?  The next in line to be emperor?  You didn’t tell me the heirs to the throne of Kalquor would be in attendance tonight!”

Israla nearly danced with delight at Jessica’s surprise.  “You and Michaela were nervous enough.  Neither of you would have danced one step had you known they were here.”

Jessica tried to swallow.  Her dry throat clicked.  A prince!  Israla was the Plasian leader, but she was an elected official, not royalty.  

The future emperor!  Take that, Steel-Hair, Jessica thought smugly.  Then her face flamed with the memory of the liberty his clan had taken with her during the show.  The prince had no doubt seen how easily she succumbed to their ravishing.  

Maybe that’s what got his attention, she thought.  After all, few worlds were as uptight as Earth.  Earther overbearing morality was something of a joke to other sentients.  Besides, Kalquor had close ties with Plasius, the most sensual planet of them all.  Kalquorian men were not prudes by any stretch of the imagination.  She’d seen what Steel-Hair’s Imdiko clanmate had done with a Plasian at the performance.  

“How do I address the prince?” Jessica asked.  Her voice came out weak and trembly.  “I’ve never met royalty before.”

Israla waved off her concern.  Grabbing Jessica’s hand, she tugged her down the hall toward the last door at the end.  “Call him by his name.  Kalquorians don’t stand on much ceremony outside of official meetings.  Treat Clajak as what he is ... a sexy lusty man who is eager to bed you.”

Coming to a halt before the door behind which Jessica’s future awaited, Israla chimed the visitor announce button.  The door slid open without waiting for her to identify herself.  She swept into the room, pulling Jessica with her.

“Hello, my friend,” she greeted the tall, muscular Kalquorian who stood waiting in the middle of the room.  “Here she is.”

Jessica’s hopeful smile faded as she looked at the Crown Prince of Kalquor.  It was Steel-Hair. 

Available from Amazon, Amazon UK, Barnes & Noble, and Smashwords. Also in print.

WIP Wednesday - Maryam

An angry prisoner...

“I’m sorry. I’m only doing my duty.” No sign of guilt or pity any longer. Just firm resolve.

“You can spout duty, you can cry about extinction, but you have no right to do this to me!”

“I have the strength and the means. You are going to Kalquor.”

This time, when the urge to slap him rose again, Maryam gave into it. She slapped that hard jaw, then she raced to the shelves holding her belongings and flung them at him. When she ran out of items to fling at the stoic alien, she ran back to him and pummeled him with fists, hurting herself.

He showed no sign he felt any of her rage. He took her abuse for several minutes, hard and unflinching as stone. Later, she would wonder why he let her hit him, even if it didn’t do any harm. Maybe he agreed he deserved it.

In any event, Kels eventually decided he’d had enough. He picked her up and tossed her on the bed. Maryam’s first terrified thought was he would join her, climbing on top of her to be the first of many who would force themselves on her, holding her down as he began her enslavement as a breeder.

For a moment, something dark did flicker in his gaze. Then Kels turned and ordered the door open. It clicked locked behind him.

Fear fled, replaced by fury. Maryam shrieked in helpless rage at the door of her prison, at the man who had put her in it.

No release date set.

Monday Motivation