Captive Mail (Ebook) Book 3

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Chapter One
Planet Valhalla, 2410

Harlan Stormhammer looked out over the beautiful purple desert of Valhalla and watched both suns start to set. Even though the dancing rainbow of colors was familiar to him, he still enjoyed it. To the north, the mountains of Freya took on a darker, more ominous glow as the first of the suns slipped below the highest peak. As usual, he found his gaze drawn to the mountains and the mysteries they concealed.
When he dreamed, he often found himself there, climbing the treacherous peaks, his body aching, his hands and feet bleeding as he scrabbled to gain a secure hold. And there, always ahead of him, was the female, her long blonde hair tumbling down her back, her face concealed as she ran from him. The closer the royal party had gotten to the mountain region, the more frequent his dreams had become. He awoke most nights now, his hand wrapped around his swollen shaft as he shuddered to a climax.
“Harlan? Are you still out there?”
He looked around to see his fellow Royal server, Bron, framed in the doorway, his short, fair hair illuminated like a crown by the light from the room behind him. Like Harlan, Bron wore nothing but a white silk loincloth and thick gold rings on his biceps.
“I’m here, Bron.”
“Still sighing over those mountains, my friend?”
The second sun disappeared behind the craggy peaks, plunging the desert valley below into blackness, and Harlan turned to smile at Bron.
“Am I late?”
Bron shrugged. “Not really. Seeing as King Marcus is here with the queen, I doubt our services will be required, but we should at least be present in case we are wanted.”
Harlan followed Bron back into the spacious bedroom they shared. “That’s true. Sometimes the king still likes us to make the queen ready for him.” He picked up a brush and carefully braided three narrow plaits into the front of his long black hair. “I’m ready if you are.”
Bron laughed. “Now you sound like the queen. It’s amazing how we’ve all picked up her Earth phrases. I particularly enjoy the ones she calls the king.”
“I’m sure he quite enjoys them too, as it gives him an excuse to ‘punish’ her afterward.”
Harlan followed Bron down the wide staircase toward the banqueting hall. Since their return to Valhalla, a year ago, many Earth females had chosen to emigrate to their planet, so it was not unusual to see a female in the more southern parts of Valhalla now. Here, up in the north at the king’s summer palace, it was still quite rare. Harlan doubted they would see any women apart from the queen and Thea Magnusson, the head of security for the royal family. As both women were already mated, any Valhallan male who tried to get close to them would have to go through the king and his bodyguards.
Bron opened the door into the banqueting hall and a wave of noise came out to greet them. Harlan walked toward the high table at the end of the huge room and bowed to the king and queen.
“Sire.”
King Marcus nodded and indicated a vacant space on his right.
“Bron, Harlan, come and join us. Harlan, I’m hoping you might entertain the queen and I later with your harp in our private quarters.”
“Certainly, sire.” Harlan bowed again to the queen, who blew him a kiss, and took his place on the other side of the king. Bron sat beside Sven Magnusson and his mate, Thea. For some reason, Harlan’s appetite had deserted him. All his thoughts seemed turned inward to the magical and illusive woman in his dreams.
“Are you not hungry, Harlan?”
“I’m sorry, sire.” Harlan tried to smile. “I’m a little distracted tonight.”
“Thinking about the hunt tomorrow, aye?”
Harlan nodded. He didn’t think the king would really be interested in his dreams and the upcoming hunt was definitely a safe topic of conversation.
“What exactly are we hunting up here, sire?”
The king laughed. “Hildisvin. Battle swine. Apparently they have overrun the area and the local people are eager for us to hunt them down and contain the population. They are also good to eat.”
“Like a wild boar or a pig?”
Marcus slapped him on the shoulder. “Exactly.”
“Is the queen accompanying us?”
“She isn’t. And not because I told her to stay home, but because she doesn’t agree with hunting anything.”
“Then mayhap I should stay here with her instead.”
“Bron has already offered and I want you with me. You have an uncanny sense for danger that has served me and mine well in the past.”
“Then of course I will go with you.” Harlan bowed his head and took a mouthful of the succulent roasted meat on his plate. After he finished chewing, he smiled at the king. “I have to agree with you, sire. This hildisvin is definitely good enough to warrant a hunt.”