Chapter 3

Bas started to disrobe. Watching Jagati's beautiful eyes devour him, he knew he'd chosen wisely. He'd manipulated Aakil into choosing 'this' body for him. After he'd pointed out to Aakil how Jagati had recognized her own countrymen, he'd no problem with placing Bas inside this particular body. And somehow this body feels right. In my dreams I've seen myself as such a being.

"Bas, what are you doing?"

"Getting ready for slumber. I find the clothing uncomfortable. I can see why you always choose to sleep in the nude." He slipped his pants off, then straightening, he stood before her in just his under shorts. He reached for the waistband on them, when she grabbed his hand.

"Ah, I don't think that's a wise idea, Bas." Her cheeks reddened.

"Is something wrong, chhetri?"

"I can't ... you can't sleep like that with me. I understand you feel the need to keep an eye on me, but I've never slept next to a nude man before."

He watched as a rosy blush crossed her almond-colored skin. He smiled with pleasure as he realized she found this body just as attractive as he found hers. His little warrior was nervous about them being together in the same bed as if she wasn't sure of her self-control. It's not much but I can build on her obvious desire for this body.

"I'll leave the shorts if it makes it easier for you, Jagati."

"Ah, yes, please, I would appreciate that." She slipped her own shoes off. She reached for the t-shirt that was hanging out of her open bag. She grabbed it and a clean pair of undies before darting into the connected bath.

Bas smiled as he sat down on the bed to wait for her. He was looking forward to holding his precious girl in his arms all night.

"Get off, Kurlack! You weigh a ton!" Queen Silva stroked a hand down his heavily muscled back, before swatting him on his well-toned ass.

He smiled before rolling off of her lazily. He scratched his chest as he stared up at the ceiling.

"Satisfied?" she asked him sharply. He stiffened next to her before rolling on his side to face her.

"With you, Mistress? Always."

"Good. I've a job for you, Kurlack. I'm sending you to Earth. You're to hunt down the chhetri and kill him."

He schooled his features to keep the shock off his face. He hadn't expected her to order the chhetri's death. He knew why she was angry. He'd received a call from Silva's advisor, Josja before she had arrived. The man seemed to enjoy tormenting him. Josja knew in her anger, Silva would be more brutal and easier to provoke into lashing out at her pleasurer. In fact Josja lived for the rare times Kurlack failed because he knew Silva would hand him over to the sadistic advisor.

Josja relished in telling him about the fool Earthling who'd released the chhetri. Kurlack had heard the tales of the ancient warrior who'd been imprisoned on Earth because he'd spurned the affections of Silva's mother, the former Queen of Starklin. He wouldn't want to be the poor unfortunate fool who'd made that particular blunder. Silva wasn't a very merciful queen. His back bore bruised testament to that fact, and it was only one of her minor punishments.

"You don't want him sent back into the machine?"

"No, I won't take the chance on the bastard won't escaping again. I don't know what possessed my mother to place him in that blasted machine when death would've been much better." She rose from the bed, closing her robe, once again the royal queen.

"I'm going into refresh myself. I expect you to be gone when I return, Kurlack."

He rolled out of the bed.

"Oh, and one more thing, Kurlack. Take the soiled sheets with you. I won't sleep on sheets smelling of you."

"Yes, your Majesty." He yanked the sheets off the bed, kicking them into a pile before replacing them with clean linens from the chest at the foot of her bed. He worked quickly. He didn't want to be present when she returned.

Jagati stared at her reflection in the mirror. She could see the rosy flush that still filled her face. Pressing her hands to her warm cheeks, she tried to give herself a serious pep talk. She needed to get control of herself. Just because Bas was showing interest in her, didn't mean she'd do anything about it. Despite his protests to the contrary I know he'll either be returned to the machine or be killed fighting to stay free. That's if Anderson doesn't kill him outright for disobeying a direct order.

"Get a hold of yourself, Jagati. He's only a computer." She tried to reassure herself as the pain of leaving him a second time tore through her. It had taken all of her willpower to leave him the first time but she'd known at the time she couldn't take him with her. Since he was in a body now, she didn't have to leave him behind; it'd be so tempting to take him on the run with her. She knew he would protect her with everything he had. He was simply programmed that way. She sighed as she slowly undressed, then tossing her dirty clothes in a pile, she reached for the soft t-shirt and drew it on over her head.

She briefly contemplated abandoning the panties but decided it would be against her better judgment. If Bas had to wear his underwear to bed, she could suffer the same indignity. Why place temptation in our path? She stepped into the silky underwear - her one concession to vanity. She could care less about her outer clothes, but she'd always longed for the caress of silk against her skin, especially for the most intimate areas of her body.

Shutting off the light, she opened the bathroom door and walked out into the dark bedroom. She could tell that Bas was already lying in the bed by his large outline. He'd left only one light on. She stopped next to the bed and stared down at him.

"Come to bed, Jagati. I can see how tired you are." Bas's voice whispered to her out of the darkness. Steeling herself to resist temptation, she crawled into bed and yanked the sheets up to her chin.

"Good night." She squeezed her eyes shut.

Bas rolled onto his side and watched as Jagati clenched the edge of the sheet in between her fingers. He slid his hand over to rest on top of hers. She let out a soft sigh as the tension crept out of her fingers.

"Relax, chhetri. I'll watch over you." He listened to her breathing even out and knew she'd fallen asleep.

Keeping his hand over hers, he stared up at the ceiling as he drank in the feeling of contentment. It'd been an elusive feeling since she'd left him. In retrospect, he realized he was happy to have her with him. Regardless of 'who' had sent him, Jagati was his. She'll always be mine to protect and love.

When she turned over and wrapped one arm around his waist and slipped one thigh between his, he drew in a quick breath. And to desire, he thought as her delicate scent filled his nostrils. His cock grew hard and he knew it was going to be a long night, but there wasn't any other place he'd rather be.