heaved a mighty sigh. “If you won’t remain in line,” he called loudly, “I’ll be obligated to hold you in place.”
“Keep your hands to yourself! I don’t want to be touched. I’ll never want to be touched.”
Nymphs recoiled in horror.
A wave of triumph swept through him. “Broderick,” he called.
“Yes, my king.” The warrior stepped forward, excitement radiating from him.
“As second in command and leader of the elite, you are granted first choice.” Valerian loosened his hold on his captive so that her movements were more obvious.
She squirmed, her murmured curses and grunts filling the air.
Broderick grinned and approached the females, starting at the far end. Feminine twitters and purrs echoed throughout the spacious enclosure.
A new chorus erupted. “Pick me, pick me!”
“What have you done to them?” Shaye demanded.
Full disclosure. “We produce a potent pheromone all...well, most women find pleasing.”
She stiffened. “By pheromone, do you mean drug?”
“The word drug implies wrongdoing on our part. Just as humans have no control over the way they perspire, we have no control over the way we pheromone. And it doesn’t drug. It frees hidden desires.”
Broderick slowly edged his way down the line, stopping here and there to study a woman more closely—even to touch. But he didn’t ask questions, getting to know the women better, and it clearly irritated Shaye, who mumbled under her breath.
By the time he reached her, the warrior had yet to make his selection.
He reached out to touch her.
Valerian had to swallow a harsh rebuke.
She reared back, calling, “Shaye Octavia Holling. That’s my name.”
Shaye. Valerian rolled the name over his tongue, savoring its delicacy. “I like your name.”
“Thank you,” she snapped. “I got it for my birthday.”
Funny girl. “Kick him.” He breathed the command straight into her ear. “As hard as you can.”
Without hesitation, she slammed her knee between Broderick’s legs. The stunned warrior hunched over, gasping for breath; the rest of the army burst into gales of laughter.
“I’m not your chattel,” Shaye grated. “You disgust me. I hope your testicles have to be surgical removed from you intestines.”
Valerian bit back a grin. His second in command quickly selected the curviest woman in line. The pair rushed from the dining hall without a backward glance.
One down...
“Dorian.” Valerian nodded to the man often referred to as the sexiest male in Atlantis. “You’re next.”
To Shaye—would he ever get enough of her name?—he whispered, “When he approaches you, ignore him. Don’t even look at him.”
“You’re sure?” she whispered back.
Valerian had expected the process of elimination to infuriate him. Instead, he and Shaye were working together, and he loved it.
“I’m sure.”
* * *
SHAYE COULDN’T BELIEVE she stood in a line of singles, being ogled by nymphos while relying on Valerian to ensure her safety. He’d gotten her into this mess in the first place! But she could think of no other alternative. Letting one of these barbarians “claim” her and drag her away to do who knew what to her held zero appeal.
“Won’t ignoring him bring out all his caveman instincts?” she asked softly.
“Anyone else? Yes. Not him.” Valerian sounded amused. “His pride will demand immediate soothing—from someone else.”
Well. Consider him ignored.
The one named Dorian had onyx hair and irises so pure and blue they rivaled the ocean. His mouthwatering beauty was something out of a fairy tale, his features somehow even more perfect than Valerian’s....but he didn’t make her ache.
He didn’t fill her mind with X-rated images of naked, straining bodies.
As Dorian followed Broderick’s example and considered every woman in line, Shaye’s hands curled into fists.
How would these men like it if the tables were turned? If they were the ones being looked over and judged?
Who was she kidding? They would love every second of it.
There had to be a way to override the nympho pheromone and convince these women they did not sexually desire their captors.
When Dorian reached Shaye, he made sure to remain out of striking distance. He studied her, his intense gaze lingering on her every curve.
Just as before, Valerian stiffened.
She peered down at her cuticles as if she hadn’t a care.
“You intrigue me, female,” Dorian told her.
She faked a yawn. His intrigue? Probably nothing more than the pride Valerian had mentioned. Winning the one others had failed to win would come with a side of bragging rights.
“Female?”
Another yawn.
The warrior expelled a frustrated breath.
Maybe she had a cruel streak, because she liked upsetting him.
“Look at me,” Dorian commanded, reminding her of a petulant child.
She brushed an invisible piece of lint from her arm.
He tangled a hand through his hair and eyed his boss. “Valerian. A little help, if you please.”
Valerian lifted his shoulders in a shrug. “I can’t force her eyes on you unless I remove them.”
“But—”
“Is she the one you want or not?” The words lashed from him, abrupt and harsh. Filled with impatience. “Others await their turn.”
A scowl darkened Dorian’s features before he spun from Shaye and stalked to an Asian sweetie with a lily in her hair. “I choose you.”
Lily actually cheered.
“If you guys are going to select women based on their appearance,” Shaye muttered, “you should first make sure you’re Chris or Liam Hemsworth.”
A growl rose from him. “Who
