Vaaden Warriors (Intergalactic Affairs 2)

This is a novel that has three short stories about three different Vaaden Warriors and the slaves they have purchased. We learn about their society and just how horrible they treat their slaves, as many are considered either a possession or a warm body to get sexual relief. Many of the women are mistreated and injured for the least thing if they displease their masters. The men have the right to kill a slave or give them away. They have a society that if men do not have sex regularly, they will sicken and die. The Warriors prefer slaves over their own women as their women are cold, and uncaring–along with the fact that they do not seem to enjoy sex. Many warriors that have married a Vaaden woman have had a horrible relationship. Thus, the profusion of harems, and it doesn’t explain just how the slaves are found but my guess is that they are kidnapped from earth.

The only slightly good thing that there are a few laws that will protect the slaves. A warrior will be fined for the first two transgressions and then he will face banishment. This isn’t the best way to keep the slaves safe as several different men could abuse a woman and be fined while the slave must suffer.

The first story features Rheul and his new slave Darcy and how their lives are changed upon first sight. Most Vaaden warriors go to select their slaves from the slave pens. Those that are not chosen were sent to the Harems.

Rheul’s situation was different as his brother Bastian had picked one out for him. Getting Rheul a slave was partially Bastian’s idea and partially his slave, Enid’s idea. They hope he will fall in love just like they did. Rheul is stuck on the notion that he has to marry eventually since his brother doesn’t want to marry a Vaaden woman and he sees it as his duty to marry and provide an heir to their fortune. The society doesn’t allow slaves to marry their masters, to live in their master’s homes, or to keep any children that are born of the union. So, the slaves are considered second class citizens.

Rheul is a very dutiful male who knows that if he got a slave it would not be fair since once, he married a Vaaden woman he would not see the slave very often. Bastian believes that Rheul would be a good master as he is not violent and would provide the best care possible. I enjoyed his character as he knows his mind and what would be for the best, at first at least. He is also incredibly understanding and is a man of his word.

When he first met Darcy, it was funny because he immediately felt protective. His stomach dropped since he knew that those feelings were not good as he had seen his brother go through the same thing. He doesn’t want to fall in the same trap as his brother.

Darcy is an incredibly sweet but strong woman with a large capacity for love. She is confused and worried about her new life and for a good reason. She is a virgin and had heard horror stories in the slave pen from three slaves that had been returned. She thought she would be abused, expected to do anything that was asked of her no matter how she felt about it. I felt happy for her as her heart swelled at her amazement of how she was being treated, since it was better than she ever imagined. Their intimacy is hot and yet sweet at the same time, both finding so much pleasure together.

The second story features Randar. Randar is an older warrior and, unlike many of his comrades, he really hadn’t thought of getting a slave. He is firm and no nonsense. He knows what he wants and will get it at any cost. He has rather a romantic notion in his head of having a slave around his age that he could hopefully have a companion. He is the most compassionate of all three of the men we meet. This is shown by how he treats Lyssa after he brings her back to the slave apartments and he notices how timid and fearful she was. He used such a soothing and calming tone of voice and actions with small touches. To give Lyssa her time to heal and trust him he decides to use the harem. He has a favorite slave he visits, Sophie, whenever he needs to have sex.

Sophie is a completely different person than Lyssa and is more to his liking. When he saw Sophie’s expression at the thought of losing him, he made a wild decision. He was able to support two slaves and he really wanted Sophie near him. She was an older woman whom he already had conversations with, and a pleasant attitude and he just knew that there could be a deep friendship and maybe he could fall in love. He did not have any wish to marry a Vaaden woman.

Sophie makes it clear that she prefers him over any of the men who have come to her. It was so sweet watching them together as it’s obvious how connected they are. She is a brave woman, not letting on just how much it hurts that she must share him. He also becomes extremely protective once he claims her as his and when she points out that many of the men had seen her body and he state, “But That was before you were mine. No one gets to see your body but me.”

She is just such a tough person and the author is doing a great job of showing how differently people who suffer from tragedy behave. The fact that Sophie did not let herself become jaded and is still able to love and in fact look forward to being intimate with him. Where Lyssa has become withdrawn, bitter and unable to cope, just letting her mind shut down and do what is asked. He is another man of honor who is trying his best to keep both woman happy.

The final story involves Thale, another man who is forced to take a slave from a friend. Yet again, Rheul is stepping in to get a woman who deserves to get out of the Harem to a friend he knows will take care of her.

Thale has a completely different personality than the other two men. He had owned a slave before, and it was not a good idea. He accidentally ended up hurting her. He also blames himself for his wife’s death, even though he had been cleared by the medic. He has lost faith in himself and because of everything he went through he believes he has no heart to give. Rheul is persistent , soThale agrees to visit her but he made sure Rheul knew that he would not decide right away. The poor man is so insecure about love and just will not believe that his concrete heart could be broken into.

Poor Thale is captivated by her eyes first and feels a pull towards her. It scares him as he has not felt a pull like this ever. Moira has been abused also and my heart hurt as she has accepted the fact that these men can do this to her as she is only a slave. Again, the society is showing just how far they need to go to understand that humans have feelings and should not be treated like an object.

Thale well knows his own of his weaknesses and makes sure that Moira knows them. He makes sure that she understands that he won’t hurt her and won’t share her with anyone else. Moira is another sweet woman that seems to be made just for Thale, as she remarks to him, “I have a lot of tolerance so being rude won’t bother me.” All she cares about is that he is not mean. Their sex life is explosive a passionate. Moira is a great character with a soft personality and the ability to know what he wants. Love beats all circumstances.

These stories show us just how horrible sex slavery is, how each woman must take whatever comes to her and not complain. These women were strong enough to take the horrors they faced day after day, but others have been broken, living inside their minds while letting their bodies be used. Each one is considered a possession if they are bought from the harem. They may have a slightly better life, but it depends on their owner. Not everyone is as sweet and caring as these fine men. I’m going to see if there are full stories available as this is only a small sample of what happened to other men.