War King's Captive Read online

  Table of Contents

  Title Page

  War King’s Captive

  Copyright

  Dedication

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Thank You!

  About the Author

  War King’s Captive

  By Lacey Thorn

  War King’s Captive

  By Lacey Thorn

  War King Theo Montrose isn’t afraid to get his hands dirty. He’s a warrior first. One who’s unafraid to seize what he wants. Taking the dark-haired beauty as his captive was supposed to be about revenge. With every mile they travel, he accepts the fact he’ll never give her back. She belongs to him now, and no matter what it takes, he’ll possess her…body, heart, and soul.

  Copyright

  © 2022, Lacey Thorn

  War King’s Captive

  Cover Art by OriginalSyn

  Edited by Michele Paulin

  Proofreading by Desert Mystic Literary Editing

  Electronic Format ISBN: 978-1-949795-77-6

  Published by: Lacey Thorn Publishing

  Warning: All rights reserved. The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. Criminal copyright infringement, including infringement without monetary gain, is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to 5 years in federal prison and a fine of $250,000.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and occurrences are a product of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, places or occurrences, is purely coincidental.

  Dedication

  To Debbie. You go girl!

  Chapter One

  Josephine Drake, Jo to most people, notched an arrow and drew back her bow, inhaling as she sighted her target. With her exhale, she released and watched the rabbit fall. She’d wandered farther from her brother’s castle than she should have, but she lay that blame directly at his feet. It was his fault she couldn’t head home yet, and she didn’t feel like hanging around the village where she normally stayed when she needed time away. She was bored. That was her brother’s fault, too.

  She was lost in thought, halfway to what would become her dinner when an arm came out of nowhere and snagged her around the waist. She got in one good inhale to scream before a massive hand covered her mouth. Fear hit her when she realized how thoroughly restrained she was. One solid arm banded across her hips, holding her firmly against a masculine chest. The other arm covered her mouth and half her face, holding her head against a broad shoulder.

  She tried to kick, but both his arms tightened, making it hard to breathe.

  “Be still.”

  The male’s voice was deep and husky and sent shivers coursing along her spine.

  “I’m going to ask you a question, and I expect the truth.”

  She mumbled under his hand, but he kept it solidly in place which made her question how exactly she was supposed to answer him.

  “You’re the sister of the Dragon, King Jamie.”

  It sounded like a statement, as if he already knew who her brother was, so she waited for his question. Was he looking for Jamie? Did he know her brother? As one of the War Kings of the Dread Lands, her brother took on many soldiers. The behemoth holding her was certainly a warrior. He was even bigger than her brother and her brother’s second, Shaun, and Shaun was the largest man she’d ever seen.

  “Well?”

  He gave her a shake that had her gritting her teeth. Her teeth! She wiggled her lips open, leaned into his hand and bit down. A growl sounded in her ear, but instead of releasing her mouth, he pressed his hand into her bite, forcing her mouth wider and making her feel as if her jaw would snap. He gentled his touch when she whimpered.

  “Nod if I’m correct,” he ordered at her ear.

  Jo wasn’t sure what to do. On one hand, her brother wasn’t just a war king. He was the most feared war king in the Dread Lands. His temper was notorious. Men cowered before him. She’d hidden behind his name more than once when someone had tried to approach her. Still, something told her this might be different. As much as she worshipped her brother, she got the feeling this giant felt something different. Which left her seized with uncertainty. Was it a smart choice to admit she was Jamie’s sister?

  Husky laughter washed over her.

  “I already know who you are,” he crooned at her ear. “I merely wanted to see if you were trustworthy. That would be a no.”

  Jo growled behind his hand and tried to wiggle again. If she could get her hands free, even just one of them, it would give her a means of attacking. Or her legs. If she could work one of them between his legs, perhaps she could kick back and up and knock him to his knees. Once he was there, she’d be able to land a solid kick and run like hell.

  “I grabbed the horses.”

  She jerked as another man joined them, leading two war horses. He wasn’t as tall or wide as the man holding her, or at least, he didn’t appear to be since she was able to meet his eyes while her head was only shoulder height of her captor. He wore the leather pants of a warrior as well as arm guards that covered the back of his hands and wrapped up his forearms. He had a massive bow across his body and a quiver of arrows at his back. He met her gaze, and the anger in his eyes made her press more firmly against the man holding her.

  “You’re scaring her,” the man at her back snapped.

  “I’m scaring her?” Those angry eyes rose over her head, most likely to meet the gaze of the man holding her. “You’re the one dangling her off the ground, Theo.”

  Theo. The male holding her was Theo.

  “Grab the rabbit she shot. We’ll have it for dinner.”

  The second man gave her an appraising look as he noted the bow she’d dropped on the ground when she’d been snatched up.

  “Impressive shot,” he admitted with a nod toward her.

  She’d nod back, but her head was immobile. She mumbled against Theo’s hand again, but he still wouldn’t move it. She watched her rabbit get scooped up then tied behind the saddle of one of the horses.

  “Do you want me to hold her while you mount, brother?”

  They were brothers. She tried to glance up to see if she could make out any of his feature, but all she saw was a chin with whiskers.

  “No, I’ll manage. Why don’t you ride ahead a bit? Make sure we don’t run into anyone.”

  “You’re really going to take her?”

  She felt Theo shrug the boulder her head rested on.

  “He took something of ours. Let him see how it feels when the tables are turned.”

  That didn’t sound good. What had Jamie taken that was theirs? She tried to speak again, but he ignored her. She was getting damn tired of the manhandling and silence. Biting hadn’t worked, so maybe she’d use a gentler touch. She parted her lips and flicked out her tongue, licking over his palm, hoping he’d snatch it away in disgust.

  “If you want to use your tongue, wench, I have a better place to put it to use,” he murmured at her ear.

  She immediately pulled it back inside her mouth, afraid she might have an idea of what he implied.

  “Now, you’re definitely the one scaring her. What did you say?”

  “Enough, Gavin. Go. Do what I ask, so we can get back to the mountains.”

  Gavin was the other man. Apparently, the younger of the two brothers, based off how Theo spoke to him. Gavin gave them another look then shook his head, mounted, and rode off.

  “I’m going to move my hand from your mouth. If you scream, I’ll gag you. If you attempt to fight me in any way, I’ll tie you up. Do you understand?”

  Not needing his explanation of how she was to answer him this time, Jo nodded. He slowly pulled away his hand. She turned her head from side to side then moved her jaw. She wouldn’t be surprised if she had bruises on her cheeks. The man had quite the grip. When she remained silent, he gingerly lowered her until her feet touched the ground.

  “Behave,” he warned and eased his arm from her hips.

  She shook out her arms and took a tentative step away, turning to face him. Then nearly swallowed her tongue. She’d known he was huge, but thinking it and seeing it were entirely different. The man was built like a bear. A full grown and well fed one. Or, at least, what she imagined them to be. She’d only seen a bear once in her life, from a distance, and she’d still had nightmares for months, dreaming it would come back and eat her. Jamie had assured her otherwise and promised if it did come back, he’d slay it before it could touch her. Jamie wasn’t here, though. She’d have to find a way to protect herself.

  “What did my brother take of yours?” Jo asked, crossing her arms over her chest while she wiggled her legs. She was going to make a run for it as soon as opportunity presented itself. He might be more than double her size, but she was quick and light on her feet.

  “My sister.”

  “Your—” She shook her head. “You’re Rory’s brother.”

  He nodded.

  “That’s great! She’ll be excited to see you.”

  Theo’s gaze narrowed on her.

  “Your brother is holding her prisoner in his castle. Refused to let me see her.”

  He smiled, but i
t didn’t reach his eyes.

  “I was debating war when the perfect answer wandered right onto my path.”

  Jo gulped, knowing he was talking about her. She also knew from speaking with Rory what Jamie had done. Hell, he’d kept Rory naked and locked in his bedroom. Jo knew since she’d snuck clothes to the other woman. Twice. What did Theo have planned for her?

  “Jamie will kill you if you lay one finger on me,” she warned, and his smile grew.

  “Too late. I’ve already had all of them on you.”

  She growled, putting her hands on her hips as she glared up at him.

  “You don’t scare me, Theo. I’m the sister of a war king, and I’ll bring you to your knees.”

  “I’m sure you will,” he agreed, and something soft moved across his face. It was there then gone so quickly she questioned if she’d actually seen it. “Get on the horse.”

  Her gaze bounced between him and his mount, and she knew if she didn’t try to run then, she wouldn’t get another chance. She pivoted and made it all of three steps before he was on her. She screamed, thrashing and fighting for all she was worth. Her arm throbbed where the bruises from her previous near abduction still smarted. He grunted as her elbow landed in his stomach, but as her arm went numb, she doubted it made much impact on him.

  The next thing she knew, she was face down on the ground with a knee in her back and that damn hand over her mouth again. She heard a rip and shrieked against his skin when she realized it was her dress. He removed his hand and replaced it with material before she could take advantage. He tied it tightly around her head, and other than mumbling, she was unable to speak. Then he pulled her hands behind her back and tied them together. He lifted her as if she weighed nothing, which next to him, she probably didn’t. He tossed her over the front of his saddle, grabbing her ankles and tying them together also while she was still trying to suck air back into her lungs. When he was satisfied, he mounted behind her, placing one hand over her hands at the small of her back.

  “I warned you,” he said, then holding her in place, he nudged his horse forward.

  Jo called him every foul name she could think of as they went farther and farther through the woods. She cursed his blood, apologizing to Rory in her head as she did. She cursed his brother, his family. Wished a blight upon his manhood, so it would wither and rot. All she heard from him was he’d let Jamie see how it felt to have his sister taken captive.

  Jo might be a virgin, but she was far from naïve. She knew her brother had claimed Rory’s virginity. Knew he’d bedded her many times since he’d first stolen her from her keep and brought her back to the castle. If Theo planned to do that to her, he’d kill her. There was no way any part of him would fit inside her. Not easily. Not without immense pain. If worse came to worse, she’d take the dagger from her boot and slit her own throat. It would be far better than anything her captor had in mind.

  Chapter Two

  Theo watched the hellion’s face and wondered if she knew just how much of her thoughts she revealed. She bounced between anger and fear, and he hated seeing either emotion on her face. She wasn’t what most men would call beautiful, but Theo wasn’t most men. Her body was pleasing with rounded hips and an ample bosom. Her lips were lush and full. Her blue eyes flashed fire. Yet, it was her hair that intrigued him most. The thick mass had been braided into some intricate rope, falling to the small of her back, nestled just under her bound hands. He wanted to see it loose. To twist his fingers in the dark strands. To wrap his hands in it and use it to hold her where he wanted her. After the touch of her tongue against his skin earlier, he knew exactly where he wanted her. On her knees with his cock tunneling between her lips, her tongue licking all over his shaft.

  He’d have her that way. He’d have her every way. On her knees, her back, from behind, riding him. He’d know every inch of her. It hadn’t been his plan, though he knew what the Dragon had done to his sister. He’d heard the whispers about the war king’s whore. Then he’d found out it was Rory who’d been taken. After that, he’d seen red. He’d get his sister and put his axe through the Dragon’s chest.

  He’d left Gavin at his castle, putting his brother in charge while he was gone, though Gavin had his own castle on the other side of the mountains. Theo had gone after their sister, and as always, Gavin had been right on his heels. It was something they should have done long ago, but they’d been building a kingdom of their own. Weary of fighting for a king who didn’t know their names, he and Gavin had set out for the Dread Lands, staking claims on parts of the savage lands and fighting to keep them, tame them and make them home.

  It was a constant battle with the thieves and outlaws who tried to make the mountains their hideaway. Unscrupulous men who thought he wouldn’t know who belonged on his land and who didn’t. Theo knew every one of his men and their families. He fought with them, leading instead of sitting in the comfort of his castle while the blood of his people was spilled. He wasn’t a cowardly king like the one his father served. Or his father had served. The fool had attacked one of the Dragon’s villages, killing several and trying to kidnap a woman. Now, the man who’d sired Theo was dead. Good riddance as far as he was concerned.

  He’d gone to King Jamie’s keep, demanding his sister be returned to him. When the man had finally shown up it was to tell Theo no, he stated he’d claimed Rory and he was keeping her. As if she were a piece of property instead of a flesh and blood woman. He refused to admit he was doing the same to the Dragon’s sister. As far as he was concerned, the woman had sealed her fate when she’d wandered alone in the woods. She hadn’t stood a chance against him.

  His glance fell to where she lay in front of him. He’d moved his hand to her buttocks. First because she’d decided to try and fling herself from the horse like a damn fool. The woman would be trampled before he’d be able to do anything. So, he’d given her a firm spank to settle down. Once his hand tapped the full curve of her ass, he’d returned, stroking his palm over the lush mounds, giving them a squeeze that had her stilling completely. Then he’d kept his hand there, partly in warning and partly because he enjoyed the feel of her. His cock had throbbed ever since. He’d have her soon. Let King Jamie deal with the fact King Theo, the Bear, had claimed Josephine, and he wasn’t giving her up.

  He startled. Where the hell had that thought come from? Bed her? Yes. Keep her? What did he know about keeping a woman? His gaze fell over her again. Why did the idea of keeping her have such appeal?

  “Coast is clear.” Gavin’s voice broke into Theo’s thoughts as his brother rode to his side. “Graycen headed back to Montrose Keep to look into what happened. How Rory was taken. He’ll send a message as soon as he has more information.”

  Theo nodded. Graycen had been one of his father’s soldiers. He’d been more of a father to Theo and Gavin than Hugh Montrose had ever been. When Theo had been sent away to another keep to earn his own way, Graycen had watched over Gavin until Theo’s younger brother had followed him. The man Theo had been sent to for training had been brutal, but he’d taken on Gavin, as well. He’d enjoyed having another boy to beat the hell out of.

  Neither brother had been full grown at that point. Nor as strong. As they’d grown, they’d been sent into dire situations that should have seen them dead. Then in Theo’s eighteenth year, after four years of pure hell, he’d taken his brother and left, but not before ensuring his lord knew what brutal meant. Gavin hadn’t shared everything he’d been through, but there was a coldness in his gaze that hadn’t been there prior to him following Theo. A quiet rage that never settled.

  “You going to keep her that way the whole trip back to the castle?” Gavin asked, his gaze drifting over Josephine before noting where Theo’s hand perched on the woman’s body. Then he met Theo’s gaze with a lifted brow.

  “The gods gave me a gift,” Theo stated. “Who am I to be ungrateful?”

  Gavin snorted. “A virgin sacrifice instead of war?”

  “If she’s a virgin, she won’t be for long.”

  Theo’s words had the woman shifting again, wiggling her ass, and he couldn’t resist the temptation to give her another squeeze. This time, it incited her. She tried to throw herself back again, and he used her momentum to lift and turn her so she landed in his lap. Those plump curves cradled his hard cock, and he imagined taking her there, his shaft slipping between her cheeks and filling her. Lost in those thoughts, he wrapped one hand around her waist to keep her where she was, then wrapping the reins around his saddle’s pommel, he cupped one of her breasts, brushing his thumb over her nipple until it hardened, poking against the cloth of her dress. She whimpered behind her gag, and Theo felt that sound all the way to his sac.