by Lena Austin
Tanne switched to the other nipple, and left some of the shreds of his clothing behind. “Oh, no, lovely one. I’ll not be naked alone.”
Magic tingled along her skin, and her pants winked out. It was a reminder of who and what she tangled with. Just as he was aroused by her Vampiric nature, she was aroused to know she was making love with one her people considered a god. Some might feel guilt, but she was beyond that. Tanne’s hand caressed down her belly and touched the heated wetness between her legs. “Tanne!”
He lifted his head from her breast. “Was that a plea I heard?”
Pride made her bite her lip. “No, of course not.” She wanted to beg.
“Really, now? Then I shall try harder.” His lips traveled down her body, licking and nibbling whenever he pleased.
The challenge had been made and accepted. The game was on. She knew she’d lose eventually, because she wanted to. She panted and shut her eyes, forcing herself not to cry out when he nibbled a spot near her pelvic bone that nearly drove her mad.
His lips left her flesh long enough for him to move between her legs. She spread them willingly, even while she shuddered with a tiny spurt of fear. Would it really hurt? It felt so good.
His rough brown hand caressed her inner thigh. “Not yet, Kella. Don’t be afraid yet.”
The soothing tone of his voice calmed her. What was there left to do? She wouldn’t be able to stand much more. “I ache, Tanne. I hurt with this need.”
“Then let me override it with pleasure.” His lips kissed her inner thigh where his hand had been. Moving gently, he kissed closer to the region none had ever traversed.
Now Kella trembled, not from fear, but anticipation. Would he kiss there, too? Yes, he did. Her fingers clamped on the coverlet. The first lick sent her toward madness. Her whole world focused on her aching pussy and the pleasure his lips and tongue wrought.
She barely noticed when a finger slid gently inside, only that more waves of pleasure crashed. The delicious feeling edged perilously close to more than she could bear, until she felt her world collapse into ecstasy.
Her orgasmic screams drowned out the sounds of the coverlet tearing beneath her hands. Now she begged. Pleaded. “Oh, please, Tanne! Please! I’ll die of it.”
He lifted his head and nuzzled her soft curls below. “No, you won’t. But now you are ready.” He licked and kissed his way up her body, every touch causing renewed shudders.
Her hunger made her wild for whatever came next. She didn’t care. “Please! Please! Oh, gods, I beg it.”
His cock pressed where his mouth had been, driving her over the precipice once more. She didn’t care what happened, as long as the burning need was satisfied. Tanne’s blue eyes, glazed with passion, held hers. The pleasure increased to an almost unbearable level. He bent down to kiss her. Kella felt a small jab of pain that was quickly overridden with every increase in the pressure as he filled her.
Tanne ended the kiss, and she knew she was full of him. It felt wonderful. “And now, my sweet, there will be only pleasure.”
“Truly? I’m not sure I can bear much more of this joy.” She felt as if she’d drown in the two blue pools of his eyes.
Tanne moaned softly as she writhed beneath him. “Yes, you can.” His eyes closed and he began to move.
The ecstasy was intense. So intense, she returned to that mindless state without so much as a ripple. And bit his neck.
There was one wild moment where she tasted his blood, and her madness was complete. Then there was pain. Incredible pain. Enough to make her release the flesh between her lips and cry out. The pain receded. She panted for a moment before opening her eyes.
Tanne stood at the foot of the bed. He clapped a hand to his bleeding neck, breathing deeply. “Sorry. I was so surprised, I almost lost control of my form.”
Kella opened her arms to welcome him back. “Then we’ve both lost control. It’s fitting. Still, you have had no pleasure. We must be fair.”
He visibly calmed his breathing. “True. As long as I’ve not harmed you.”
“I’m still in heat, aren’t I? Please, finish me. I long to know what it is to feel a prin…stallion’s pleasure.” She was mortified. She’d almost called him a lowly prince.
Tanne laughed and made his way up her body to kiss her red face. “Then you shall. Prince or stallion, it doesn’t matter. I am still your lover this night.”
This time there was only delight as he entered her again. She relaxed and let him fill her as before. When he moved, the enjoyment increased with every stroke. She began to move with him, lifting her hips to receive him with every thrust.
Now it was clear why bitches ran to mate with princes. This joy was worth any price.
The scent of her blood and his drove her back to the edge of insanity. Her inarticulate cries spurred him to deeper and stronger thrusts. She met them with animalistic fervor.
Tanne’s face took on a half-pained, yet joyous look. His breath rasped in time to his strokes, coming faster, as if he ran the length and breadth of the Valley.
Kella, too, felt the raging storm. She allowed it, and reveled in it. She let it sweep her away on a wild ride beneath a stallion. Minds joined and shared in each other’s pleasure as Tanne gave in to his own orgasm.
Chapter Thirteen
Kella awoke, and was surprised to see the walls of the cavern were so thin that they glowed in the early light. She was tangled in Tanne’s arms, and her hair was caught beneath him. She got free of the embrace, bit her lip, and extracted her hair inch by painful inch.
The bathing room called her to ease the lingering ache between her legs. Lolling in the steaming water, she wondered if it were possible for her to put healing magic in the water to soothe what was left of the soreness.
She called the magic to her, and it came, like bees to the queen. The water effervesced briefly, then settled, and the lingering pain left with the tiny bubbles.
Proud of herself, she manifested a cup of tea to celebrate, and hummed a ribald ditty she’d heard in the village. Maybe the bitches in the village were right, that liaisons were few and of short duration, but she’d enjoy it while it lasted.
Tanne strode in, and she broke her song off. “Good morning.” He bent down to press a lingering kiss to her forehead.
Happiness swelled in her heart. Chirpy as a bird, she grinned. “Good morning!”
She might have said more, had he not turned and taken off his blue robe. She gasped. His back was lacerated and bloody from her nails.
Tanne turned. “What’s wrong?” He slipped into the bath and slid down with a sigh. She made room for him.
Mortified, she forced the words past her lips. “Your back. I shredded it. I’m so sorry!”
“No harm done, Kella. I’ll transform later and heal most of the damage. I wasn’t complaining last night, was I?” He grinned roguishly and winked. “I repaired the coverlet already.” He sank down in the water up to his neck.
Kella shut her eyes and swore to learn to keep her Vampire talons sheathed. Then an idea struck. If she could make the water heal her, she could do the same for Tanne. This time, she’d attempt to do it without the water bubbling.
Tanne sighed and closed his eyes as the magic struck. When he opened them again, his face was sober. “Thank you, my dove. However, it is usually polite to ask before healing anyone with magic. It’s like invading privacy.”
“Oh. I’m sorry.”
He moved over to cup her face in one hand. “You learn so very fast. I forget that I must teach you the ethics to go with your power. Here is the rule. ‘Unless it is a life at stake, or the patient is unconscious, always ask permission. It is every creature’s right.’ Fair enough?”
“Very fair. I should have thought of it myself.” She couldn’t think of an instance where anyone might not want healing, unless they wished to suffer or die. Nevertheless, it was every being’s right to make its own decisions. No one should take that.
“Good. Here’s one more, w
hile we are on the subject. It will be important later. Think on this carefully for now. I will not ask you to never cause harm with the magic I teach you. That would be foolish. Try to make the decision to cause harm not out of malice or anger, but in defense of yourself or another. Moreover, never for personal gain.”
Kella got out, still pondering. She wrapped herself in the linen sheet and then turned to Tanne. “I’ve got a fair temper. I can’t guarantee I’ll always be wise. But I can promise to try.”
“That’s all I can ask.” He reached for the soap. Kella left him to it. Since her new blue tunic was now a shredded ruin, she made her own, braided her hair, and went to see to Le-An’s comfort.
There was a note upon the empty bed. “There was a cat tangled in a briar, I think.” Kella blushed, knowing full well she was that cat. “I couldn’t sleep anymore anyway. Thanks for the honey. Le-An.”
Kella took the note into the kitchen and laid it at the far end of the table, away from the cauldron of now-cool stew. It was not the best of breakfasts, but faster and easier than making bread. They’d had no dinner, as her stomach reminded her. She dipped a bowl for herself and warmed it with a touch of magic.
The stew was even more savory for its rest overnight, and she congratulated herself for a decent meal as she applied her spoon with hunger.
“You aren’t shielded.” Tanne sauntered past her and made straight for the cauldron. “I’m starving.” He dipped his own bowl and manifested a spoon before she could jump up to serve him.
His reminder might be followed with stinging mage bolts, so Kella paused her spoon long enough to do as commanded. This time, she ordered it to be clear as water, and the green haze winked obediently out.
Tanne elegantly managed to hold a conversation and still keep his spoon busy. “Today’s lesson will be on learning other forms. I’ve a reason for it, but I won’t tell you ahead of time.”
“So I might experience it first without your own opinions muddying the waters?”
“Imp. Yes.” He mock threatened her with his spoon. “If you don’t learn to do it on your own to the best of your ability, you’ll come to depend upon me transforming you first.”
Kella bounced up to put her now-empty bowl in the basin below the waterfall. Tanne picked up the note from Le-An, read it, and shrugged. “I take it Le-An was gone when you came out?”
“Long since, I should think.” Perhaps she washed the bowl with a little more vigor than necessary, in her embarrassment. She dried it carefully and put it away.
Tanne finished his own bowl and washed it himself. Before Kella could move away to give him room, he wrapped his wet arms around her and yanked her close. “Before we return to all business, might I persuade you to part with a kiss?”
Kella flung her arms around his neck and gave him as good a kiss as she could manage. It was a promise for later, if she had her way. “Will that hold you until this night, when we might sport again?”
“No, it will not. I’ll demand regular proof of your willingness. But this time, I promise to have sustenance first.”
She gave an exaggerated false sigh. “A price I shall pay, as often as necessary, and not haggle like an old bitch in the market.” She wriggled from his arms, laughing, and picked up her basket to go outside for lessons.
“You won’t need your basket. Today, I’ll acquaint you with our workroom downstairs.”
Though she was in truth only mildly put out, Kella pretended outrage. She put her hands on her hips. “There’s a lower level to this huge place? What else have you not shown me?”
Tanne put his hands on his hips and teasingly mocked her stance. “Much, I’m afraid, but I didn’t want to bore you with a tour of empty back-cavern rooms. I wanted to keep the lower level as a surprise. Some of it is for you, and you alone.”
Kella’s eyes lit up. “You built me a stillroom, didn’t you? Oh, tell me you did!” She all but danced in place. Her joy at knowing he approved of her herbal skills enough to see to it she had the necessary dark, cool place to create her potions and infusions made her want to immediately inspect and begin arranging things in the order she preferred.
“I did, indeed.” He held up a hand and stopped her mad charge to find the stairs. “There’s a reason for my caution. I want no others down there, so I’ve warded it and even put a few traps below.”
Nothing could have brought her up short faster. “Traps? Wards? Why?”
Tanne smiled and caressed her face before taking her hand to lead her out into the main cavern. “I chose the workroom most carefully. It lies atop a major node of power. It also has my entire family library of magic implements and information.”
Kella walked with him willingly, and considered the implications. “You told me that too much power could burn an unprepared individual. Protecting the ‑‑ node, did you call it? ‑‑ makes sense. What’s a node?”
Tanne bent and moved a rug, revealing a trap door with an iron ring. He pulled the ring and opened the door. “A node is like a knot of power. Did you notice that power seems to form streams of energy?”
Kella remembered that, when she used her magical sight, it did seem so. “Yes, it looks like small streams that flow into bigger streams.”
Tanne stepped down onto what looked like a narrow stair and descended below into the darkness. “Good. When two or more of the larger streams meet, they form a knot of power called a node.”
Kella followed down the ladder. She suspected Tanne would build a mage light, and was ready when he cast it. “I’ve seen one, then. There’s a bright knot of power under the old oak in the center of the Valley.”
Tanne merely nodded, and pointed toward a shadowed doorway only a few paces down the short corridor. “Your stillroom. I hope it is adequate. Many things you will have to create, I’m afraid. I just don’t know what is needed.”
He might have said more, but Kella sped to the open door he’d indicated. The darkness didn’t reveal much, but she heard the tinkle of water. “How do I make a light, Tanne? Just tell my ball of energy to make light and float?”
He grinned and laughed. “Yes. That’s how.”
She made a ball the size of a melon and tossed it into the air. It brightened immediately, and hung like a green moon in the corner. Its glow revealed a sturdy table, a fireplace, rows of empty shelves, and a small waterfall with a basin beneath. “Just like a miniature kitchen! Perfect, Tanne! Just perfect! The rest, I’ll want to make myself.”
She clasped her hands to her chest and inspected the shelves. There was only one thing on them: a jar of honey. Each shelf was the depth of her hand, so no jar would be lost in shadow and therefore unused. She began to make a list aloud. “Bottles, several mortar-and-pestle sets, clay jars, waxed linen, a paraffin pot, and vinegared wine. My herbal. A stool.” A quill, inkpot, and parchment appeared on the table.
“Your list will be long, no doubt.” Tanne leaned casually on the doorframe.
Kella fell on the supplies with a cry of delight. “You are, of course, correct.” She scribbled furiously, in a way that would have appalled Sedna, who had insisted on beautiful handwriting. “I’ll pretty this up later.”
“Good. I’m anxious to get our lessons started. But before I do, let me point out something to you.” He gestured down the hall. “I assumed, from your longing looks, that the slope outside the cavern would become your garden. I made you a secret entrance to it.”
He barely stepped out of the way in time as she sped past him and down the corridor. The slight breeze that held the scent of fresh air led her nose to the twist of a tiny vent in the rocks. It would be barely big enough to allow her to pass if she held a full basket. She skidded to a halt as she caught sight of a pulse of energy. “Tanne? Is that a veil similar to what shrouds our Valley over the entrance?”
Tanne smiled and joined her. “Yes, a small one that uses very little power. To anyone looking from the outside in, this opening appears as nothing more than a very small and shallow cave, suitable for a
n animal den, but nothing else.”
Kella studied it, noting the thin line of mage power that led back into the cavern. “Is it powered by the node? Is it trapped?”
“Yes, and yes.” He held her hand. “Ground, and test it.”
She did as commanded and reached out a tentative finger to touch the veil. A mild, stinging shock buzzed up her arm. “Ouch!” She examined the finger, but it showed no sign of injury. “Like the sting of bees!”
“Yes. Whoever comes this way will think they found a nest of bees and will leave.”
“Clever!”
“Good. I’m glad you approve. Now, for your lesson. We’ve dallied long enough.” He turned and strode toward a huge door made of oak and bound with metal.
Kella approached the door with trepidation. Not only did she know it was trapped and warded, but now she felt the frisson of fear. Learning within a room on top of a node, surrounded by the implements of true mage craft, was enough to set her trembling. What if she made a mistake? Out in the meadow, nothing would happen. Here, she might set something precious on fire, including herself!
Tanne turned to Kella. “I hope you’re afraid.”
Chapter Fourteen
Kella stared at Tanne. “You hope I’m afraid? Why?” Here she was, trying to hide her fear, and he wanted her to be frightened?
Rather than answer immediately, Tanne gestured toward the door. “Find the traps. There are two you can see with mage sight.”
Kella looked upon this as a test. She stood in front of the door. “The first thing I notice is that the wood itself glows faintly, but not the metal braces or the hinges.”
“Very good. You are correct. The metal is iron. Deliberately so. Iron does not hold magic, unless the magic is extremely strong.”
Kella studied the wood. “It is oak, isn’t it?” She remembered the ancient oak tree in the center of the Valley. “Oak holds magic well, doesn’t it?”
“Most wood will, but oak is my personal favorite.”
Tanne wasn’t going to give anything away. Kella studied the door again. The handle of the door was not iron, but copper. It, too, glowed. She pointed. “The handle is copper, and it glows.”
