I really am. You spared my life and you showed me mercy. But knowing I’ll never be free… well, it’s difficult to accept. I’d almost accepted the fact that I was going to die in that courtroom, but it never occurred to me that you might keep me. It never occurred to me that I might spend the rest of my life as a prisoner.”
He frowned at her, and she suddenly felt guilty. She understood Kall culture well enough to know General Zamek was already bending the rules for her. Why wasn’t that good enough? But try as she might to accept her new situation, she still felt trapped and restless, and she still mourned the loss of her old life, even if she hadn’t been very happy on Earth before the general took possession of her.
“If the Kall Custom of Retribution wasn’t a thing,” she said, choosing her words carefully, “I would still be on Earth, and while my life on Earth might be a mess right now, at least I would have the freedom to make my own choices and strive for a better life. At least I would have the freedom to go wherever I wanted and see whoever I wanted. But no matter how kindly you treat me, General, I’ll always be locked in a cage.”
He released her with a jerk and narrowed his eyes at her. “What would you have me do, Layla? Take you back to Earth? Set you free? It’s unheard of, and I’ve no doubt Kall forces would capture you and make you pay.”
“What do you mean?”
“If I took you back to Earth and freed you, even if I’m not technically breaking Kall law, I would be going against tradition. A Kall court charged you with your husband’s crimes and if they see I haven’t punished you—by taking your life, as is expected of me—they will quickly arrest you, toss false charges at you, and you’ll either be sentenced to life in prison or, more likely, death.”
She felt all the blood drain from her face. Her stomach twisted. What he said made sense. The unfairness of the whole situation settled over her, a heaviness that made it difficult to breathe. And fuck if the hurt in General Zamek’s eyes didn’t make her feel like an ungrateful asshole. He was showing her more leniency than any Kall warrior might. Most of his kind would’ve already seen her dead.
“I won’t let any harm come to you, human,” he said, piercing her with an intense look. His eyes shone with emotion. “That is why I will never consider freeing you, but it’s not the only reason why.”
“What’s the other reason?” She held her breath, awaiting his response.
He stood taller and his muscles tensed. “Because I simply do not want to let you go.”
Layla didn’t know how to respond to that. She peered around the room for a moment, then brought her gaze back to him. There was a vulnerability to his demeanor, but he also appeared agitated. Whether he was agitated with her or himself, she didn’t know. Perhaps it was both.
“You will remain in my quarters, human,” he said, his voice resounding with authority. “Try to escape, and I’ll redden your bottom. Do you understand?”
She thought of the light spanking he’d given her during sex and flushed all over. But he didn’t sound like he was playing around now, and a quiver raced across her bottom cheeks. Once more, she recalled his exact promise regarding the strap and implements in general—he’d specifically promised never to use an implement on her again, but he hadn’t promised never to punish her. Kall males expected obedience from their wives, mistresses, and slaves, and she had no doubt he would follow through with his threat.
He closed the space between them and grasped her chin. “Defy me in this, Layla, and you’ll receive a spanking. Do you understand?”
“Yes, I understand,” she whispered, barely able to get the words out.
His nostrils flared and shame washed through her. Oh God. Oh no. The threat of a spanking had caused heat to surge straight to her core. Everything between her thighs felt achy, and General Zamek with his damned heightened Kall senses could detect her sudden arousal.
“Naughty human,” he said, a smirk taking over his features. “If you enjoy being spanked so much, you need only ask. I confess I enjoyed smacking your little bottom. I also liked watching how wet you became while I disciplined you.”
Her breaths grew faint, and her