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  Jane's sister stumbled across the floor, falling into her sister's arms. "Jane! Oh, my god, Jane," wailed Tamara.

  "What the hell have you done to my sister?" Jane's expression was one of anger as she glared at Tuthal.

  Adalardo did not like to see the women so distressed, or worried.

  "Tuthal, what games have you been playing? "Adalardo demanded, turning his glare on the Kell sorcerer.

  "You're Majesty, I do apologize. No games do I play." Tuthal gave him a respectful bow.

  "Majesty?" Penny gasped. There was confusion in the depths of Penny's lovely brown eyes. "W...who is that and what is going on?" Penny asked.

  Adalardo did not fail to note her tone was edged with fear. Fear was not something Adalardo wished to see in Penny's face, nor hear in her voice.

  "This fucking bastard just tried to sacrifice me to a demon," Tara blurted out.

  "You did what?" Jane gasped in shock. "Is this true?"

  "I know there is much I need to explain to you, Tamara. Understand I would have never let him take you. What I did was very necessary." Tuthal stepped towards Jane and Tamara. The two women backed up.

  Adalardo took hold of Penny's arm as he addressed her. "My apologies, Penny, this must seem strange and confusing to you. Do not fear. You are safe," Adalardo assured her quietly, moving a step back from the warmth of her body.

  "Explain, explain!" Jane's sister screeched at Tuthal, before giving a hysterical laugh. "What's to explain? Who knows what that thing would have done to me!"

  Adalardo had had enough of this confusion. He was about to take command of the situation when a loud banging on the outer apartment door startled everyone.

  "Open up, police, we have you surrounded!" A male voice yelled.

  "Holy crap!" Jane's eyes went wide in panic. "We have to get everyone out of here, right now! Tuthal, open a portal to Kell this instant. There is no time to lose, unless you want to end up in a human prison cell!" Her gaze swung to where Adalardo stood with Penny, regret flashed through her expression. "Your majesty, we're going to have to take Penny with us, and return her when it's safe."

  Tuthal whipped out his staff and opened a familiar glowing blue portal. Jane was half dragging her sister towards it.

  "Hell, no. I'm not going back with him!" Before Tamara could fight her sister, Tuthal strode forward and snatched Tamara away from Jane, holding her securely in his arms.

  Adalardo bent down to scoop Penny into his arms. He was relieved when Penny threw her arms around his neck and did not fight him.

  "Apologies, lady Penny, please believe you are safe, and everything will be alright." Penny gave a startled gasp as he carried her through the portal. He would deal with everything once they were safe in Kell.

  ~ * ~

  Penny stood in a daze; she felt light headed as she gazed around the strange surroundings. She seemed to be in some kind of courtyard. She glanced down at the cool grey stone beneath her feet then up at the walls. Everything sparkled with a myriad of beautiful colors. Crystals of every shape and size caught the light and gleamed. Penny was memorized by the sight, feeling like she had just stepped into a dream world.

  Penny glanced around, startled to see huge men the size of the one who had carried her though a strange swirling mist, advancing on them. Instinctively, Penny tightened her grip on Adalardo. He still had his warm strong arms secure around her. So dazed by all that had just happened, it only just registered that Adalardo had actually picked her up off her feet and carried her despite her weight and size. Gently, he set her on her feet.

  Adalardo was talking to her. She glanced up at him and blinked then shook her head. They were all speaking a language she didn't understand. Except for Jane, and from what Penny could tell, Jane's sister, Tamara.

  "I don't understand you," Penny managed to squeak. The large man frowned; he turned to bark orders at the men around him. The men bowed and scrambled to do his bidding.

  A huge man in what could only be described as warrior dress with a large sword attached to his belt came running forward. Jane turned towards him holding out her arms.

  "Drystan," she breathed. The man lifted Jane into his arms kissing her with passionate reverence.

  "By the moons of Kell, even one day is too long away from you, woman," the large man exclaimed.

  Tamara, who had been dragged through the red mist, was kicking and screaming at the man who had carried her through. Penny watched as Jane's man turned his attention to Tamara and the one called Tuthal. Tuthal let Tamara go. Tamara swiveled around, slapped his face, making even Penny wince, before storming back over to her sister. Penny clued into the fact that the man who held Jane was her husband, Drystan.

  Adalardo said something to Jane and Drystan. Drystan deposited his wife gently on her feet, keeping an arm around Jane's waist as Jane glanced back at Adalardo.

  "She doesn't understand you," explained Jane. "See, I told you the translation stuff works better here in Kell." Adalardo nodded and Jane looked directly at Penny.

  "Penny, I'm sorry there is a bit of a mess to sort out here. If you bear with us for a moment, we can sort everything out and explain what's going on, okay?"

  It occurred to Penny she had just been kidnapped. Penny had no idea who these people where or where she was. Trying to dampen down the sudden urge to panic, Penny nodded her head.

  "Go with Adalardo. He is king here so you'll be safe with him. He's going to give you something that will help understand his language. It's a little white powder, just put it under your tongue. Trust me it's not a drug, and it's not poison. After that he will bring you to the main hall where everyone will get a chance to say their piece." Jane turned her glare on Tuthal.

  Adalardo offered his hand to Penny with a gentle smile; she blinked gazing up into his dark depths. She lifted her hand and placed it into his warm one, something within her made Penny trust him, as she let herself be led away.

  ~ * ~

  Tamara was madder than the hell she had been in. Tuthal had broken her trust, scared her witless, and had used her for his own gain. Tamara was sharply aware of Tuthal's gaze on her back as she walked through the long corridors of the Crystal palace with Jane and Drystan.

  "It'll be alright." Jane patted her shoulder. "Maybe you should rest and calm down before we all meet up in the main hall," Jane advised. "After all that excitement, I sure need a rest."

  "You need your rest, I should have never let you go," Drystan rumbled at his wife.

  "You worry too much darling, but I did miss you terribly."

  "Who was the lady?" Drystan asked.

  "Some unfortunate woman we bumped into at the market. The King is quite taken with her, but she's a married woman," Jane sighed.

  "She is mated?" Drystan asked Jane.

  "Yup, we're going to have to take her home as soon as we are able, because if the police are now onto us, we're in trouble."

  "Police? What do they want?" Tamara asked with a frown. She had been out of touch with things on Earth since she had been living the past month with Tuthal on Kell. Tuthal was still following them through the Palace corridors.

  "Think of it, Tamara, all the women who I have matched up with Kell men are now living here in Kell and no longer living in Tasmania. I told the ladies to make sure they let any friends and family know they were leaving Tasmania. It is now quite clear, not everyone has done that. I am assuming that some of the ladies have been reported missing, and it is obvious the police are going to think the worst."

  "Oh, I see." Tamara, distracted from her anger for a moment, paused to think about the situation. She could see how disappearing women would cause a stir.

  "I'll go find you a chamber," Drystan told Tamara.

  "I don't want him anywhere near me," Tamara told Drystan, who glanced back at Tuthal.

  "Tamara, you need to let me explain." Tuthal was almost growling in frustration. Tamara didn't care.

  Drystan paused to hold Tuthal back from the women. "Sorcerer, you will ha
ve chambers of your own until the meeting in the hall. Then all disputes and arguments can be settled."

  Tamara glanced up at Tuthal who was looking none too happy about the idea. But then reluctantly he gave a nod of his head.

  "Very well, until then." Tuthal turned and strode away.

  Tamar sighed in relief.

  "Humm, baby, I need a bath too; I'm feeling very, very dirty." Jane had moved closer to Drystan. Tamara didn't miss the sly seductive smile Jane gave her husband. Tamara resisted the urge to roll her eyes.

  "Get me a room quickly so you can go to your own. I have no desire to know the details of your sex life."

  Jane laughed. Even Drystan was smiling.

  "I will make haste." Tamara almost laughed as he ran down the hall.

  "The promise of sex is a wonderful motivator," giggled Jane.

  Chapter Four

  Alien. The word rattled around Penny's brain. She was on an alien planet. These huge dark haired and dark eyed men were alien. She had glimpsed a few human women striding casually about as they passed several large open areas of this massive palace. No doubt she would get lost easily if she wondered off by herself.

  Adalardo had given her a little of the white powder Jane had told her about on the end of a small crystal spoon. Despite Jane telling her it was safe, she had eyed it with suspicion, but heck, "When in Rome," as the saying goes.

  A jolting sensation raced through her brain, making it ache. Penny groaned and gripped the sides of her head, sitting down on the end of a very large opulent four-poster bed.

  "Here, drink this; the ache will ease in a moment."

  Penny blinked, realizing she could now understand what Adalardo was saying. She took the crystal goblet from his hand and sipped at the dark purple liquid. Surprised to taste a light fruity wine, she quickly finished off the rest of the wine before handing back the goblet.

  "What was that stuff?"

  "Tellrock powder. It helps us commutate." Well, that was obvious. Penny was bewildered. How could a little white powder make her understand totally a different language? But on an alien planet, she guessed anything was possible.

  "It is a powerful crystal, mostly used by the scholar class. Our lives revolve around the use of crystals here in Kell. They have many uses."

  "Scholar class, Kell." Penny hoped repeating the strange words would help her understand them.

  "Aye, tis the land in which you are now. This is my kingdom, Penny, the land of Kell. As King I welcome you."

  "King? You're a real king?" She gazed at the commanding man in awe and confusion.

  "This may be hard for you to accept, but you are not on Earth any more, but a far distant planet."

  Penny tried to comprehend what he had just told her. "You don't have space ships?"

  The tall King of Kell smiled at her in fond amusement.

  "I do not know of other alien races or how they travel. But we can move to and from Earth via the portal that brought you here," Adalardo explained.

  "That blue swirly thing."

  "As you saw, as you experienced. Do not fear, we will return you to your protector soon."

  Penny frowned in puzzlement. "My protector?"

  Adalardo's smile fell from his handsome face. He reached down, taking her left hand in his. She glanced down to see what he was looking at and realized it was the gold wedding band around her finger.

  "I believe your human word is husband."

  Guilt flooded through her. She snatched her hand back and turned away, as her thoughts turned to Darrel. No doubt he would be madder than hell that she had not returned home.

  Penny knew he would be out searching for her. If they took her back to Darrel, he would more than likely kill her. Even if this whole thing hadn't been her fault, he would blame her anyway. It was always her fault.

  "You are going to take me back to him?" She fiddled with the ring wanting to rip the thing off her finger.

  "When it is deemed safe, yes. An Earth husband is equal to what we call protectors here on Kell, as it is the warrior's duty to protect their woman. I am sure he is missing you greatly." The King's gaze was almost wistful.

  Gently, he reached up to brush back a stray red lock that had fallen forward across her cheek. She didn't flinch as she usually did when Darrel touched her. No, it was quite the opposite. With Adalardo she felt safe. Instinctively, Penny knew this man would never harm her.

  His simple touch made her heart pound in her chest, her skin heat, and awakened her long dormant sexual desire; he made her feel like no one man ever had.

  "Being, protected sounds like a beautiful thing."

  Penny thought over her situation, perhaps this was a blessing in disguise. Hope speared through her that maybe this alien planet was the answer to her prayers. At last an escape from the man who made her life a daily hell of fear and pain.

  "Is there any way to get to Kell other than the portal?" she asked in hope.

  "It is the only way," he assured her.

  Penny swallowed and gathered her courage." Could I then stay here, in your land, and not go back to Earth?"

  Adalardo silently regarded her.

  "Beautiful lady, be it my wish, I would have you here with me for all of time, but I am also a man of honor. I would never take what belongs to another."

  "I beg of you, Adalardo, I mean, your majesty, please do not send me back to my husband. He…he…" Penny struggled with the words to tell him the truth. She had known this strange alien King for less than a few hours and already she was placing her life in his hands. She felt ashamed for doing this to him, for placing her problems on another.

  "No, never beg anything of me, Penny. Ask and it is yours." When she stood up from the bed, Adalardo stepped forward taking hold of her upper arms. His dark gaze held hers captive.

  Penny winced as he had caught the spot where Darren had bruised her. He released her arm. "You will tell me everything in all honesty. Here in Kell we do not harbor secrets, and we protect all those who need it."

  His words gave her solace and assurance that she was doing the right thing.

  "My husband he is a cruel man. My life is a living hell with him. He blames me for every little thing that goes wrong." The words tumbled from her mouth. "He beats me, demeans me; he said if I ever tried to leave him, he would kill me. I have tried to leave him, yet he always finds me. I was thinking if I stay here in Kell, I will be safe from him." Adalardo's face darkened in anger and rage. Penny knew it was not directed at her.

  Slowly, she rolled up the sleeve of her arm, revealing the evidence of Darrel's cruelty. Adalardo's eyes glanced over the yellowish bruises on her arm. Then she lifted the bottom of her blouse to show him the other marks on her lower body.

  "He is an unworthy creature, and has no honor to harm a woman. By the Moon's of Kell, Penny, I swear no harm shall ever befall you again. You will remain here. I decree it."

  Penny wanted to laugh, as tears of pure and utter relief slid down her cheeks. She felt Adalardo's arms slip around her gently, pulling her against his hard chest. "Here in Kell, if a warrior or a man is found without honor, then another may challenge him for the right to become the ladies protector. You must understand if you stay here in Kell, I will move everything under the Moons of Kell to make you my own. I knew from the first moment I touched you in the human market that you are the one destined to be mine. I want you for my queen Penny; I have no doubt of that."

  "You...you want me?" she squeaked, unsure how to take his declaration.

  He placed a finger under her chin, raising her face to meet his gaze. He wiped away her tears with the pad of his thumb. When he stooped down and placed a soft kiss on her lips, she gasped as white-hot pleasure suddenly seared through her with such a simple kiss.

  The king gripped the back of her head tighter as the kiss turned from the simple one of comfort to something more heated and carnal. Her body flamed to life under the touch of his lips. The pressure on her mouth increased. He sucked her lower lip befor
e using his teeth to tug on it then angled her head slightly to allow him better access.

  Penny couldn't stop the soft moan that rose up from her throat when his tongue started exploring the depths of her mouth. Her every sense came alive, and her head spun with the effect he was having on her. Her breasts felt heavy, her nipples tightened into hard buds. She was suddenly craving his touch on her breasts in order to help relieve their aching tenderness. The dampness seeping down between her legs was undeniable. She found herself passionately kissing him back.

  She wanted Adalardo; it was a new wonder, to learn that this man could turn on her body to such a level. No, not man, he was an alien. But hell, she didn't care. He had taken her from Darrel and that all that mattered. Her hand snaked up around his head as the other gripped onto a powerful bicep. She gasped as he lifted her easily in his arms, aligning their hungry, questing mouths. One of his hands brushed the side of her breast. She moaned again, clinging to Adalardo. He broke the kiss; Penny gasped for air she didn't realize she needed.