by Lynn Carmer
Chapter 13
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Fighting the urge to jump to her feet, Caprice examined the log she sat on and the floor of this strange place. She gasped; she couldn’t have controlled it if she’d tried. The place was alive. Crawling, searching, moving, racing over her feet, inching up her hands, they were everywhere. Creepy crawlies! She jumped up, brushing the colorful creatures off as best she could, praying they hadn’t gotten inside her dress.
What had he said? There were bigger versions of these things living here? With pincers? She fought for control. How she wanted to scream to the heavens. She had never felt so uncomfortable in all her life. She was soaked, her dress was plastered to her body, and the liquid falling from the sky stung her. Too warm! Gods, to think she had prayed for warmth. Her skin looked blotchy and red, as confused as she at this strange land.
Looking at the giant in front of her, she wondered at why she had help set him free. She had actually felt sorry for him, sorry for what her father had done, sorry for The Trade… And how had he repaid her? By kidnapping her in turn. She felt equal parts fury and pain. Then she got mad all over again at the idea that he had any effect on her at all.
“Are you coming or not?”
Narrowing her eyes, she cocked her head to the side and studied him. His fists were clenched and he seemed distracted, not meeting her in the eye. Was he telling her the truth? Were they really trapped in an unknown land?
What choice do I have?
She walked forward, bypassing his hand. Taking a few steps beyond him, she stopped and waited. She had no idea where to go and had to allow him to take the lead; the idea of it made her blood boil.
For once, he didn’t say a word, but she heard a long sigh as he passed. He began thrashing through the brush, pushing away the vegetation to make a path for them to walk through. Sounds began to creep in, as if the place had grown silent, studying them at first, and now found them inconsequential. Cackles and caws, and high-pitched screams echoed through the air. Flapping and buzzing sounds scraped against her ears.
And by gods, the smells. They were… intoxicating. She didn’t have the words to describe the sweet perfumes permeating the air. If she weren’t so furious, she would have stopped to enjoy some of the colorful flowers peeking through miles of green.
“Wait here.” He’d led them to a stony structure, dilapidated, but it still had four walls and a roof. It was no bigger than her room at home. She turned her back on him, refusing to acknowledge anything he said. In truth, she wanted to see more of this beautiful land. If it just weren’t so loud, and so warm and so… wet.
“It’s clear. We can wait out the rain in here.” He spoke through gritted teeth and then growled when she refused to turn and acknowledge him.
Glancing at the sky, feeling the large drops of water hitting her face, she knew she had to enter. A break from the rain would be welcome, but she didn’t want to deal with him a minute longer than she had to. But this place, now this was different. She was curious. If it weren’t for Addy and the ache that sat in her chest from missing her, she might relish this adventure.
Addy. Reality slammed back at the thought of her friend. That Addy might be harmed, that the Pre-Dom might have her cruel hands upon her, it made Caprice want to scream.
Storming through the entryway, she noticed a sheet of water streaming down the back wall of the hut. Most of the roof was missing, so the kidnapper sat upon stone steps running along the front of the room, as far away from the waterfall as possible. Knowing what the Pre-Dom, and now her father, were capable of gave her strength, and for once she forgot proper decorum and conduct. “Do you understand what you’ve done?”
He glanced up and the heat of his stare made her stomach drop. The full weight of his eyes always affected her so.
“Do you understand that the death of my friend might be on your head? Does that mean nothing to you?” Her voice caught on a hitch, and she felt the cold rise up and coalesce in her hands. Just one touch, one touch, and she could punish him, punish him for hurting her like all the other men in her life.
He sighed and threw his pack aside. If he came just a bit closer, he would take the decision from her. He would walk into her cold embrace. Her heart fought against the idea, but fury rode her hard.
“Princess, I never meant to hurt your friend. There are circumstances—Gods, this is bigger than me, and I had to do what was best for my kingdom.
“Your kingdom?”
“My people. They are days away from death. My kingdom is dying, about to be consumed by a volcano. I came through the portal in the hopes,” he laughed bitterly. “In the hopes that your people would actually help me. Imagine that.”
Refusing to lower her guard, she asked, “But what has that to do with me? I helped you, felt sorry for you—”
“Save your pity.”
“But I did! I wanted nothing to do with The Trade. I saved you. And this is how you repay me? There are plots and schemes you would never understand going on in my palace, and Addy, the only person in the world who loves me, is caught in the middle of it. Why? Why did you have to take me?”
“Because I need you!”
The words branded her. “Why?”
He paced in front of her, limping slightly but still commanding in his presence. “It’s because of the heat. My people call it a fervor, and you received only a taste of it back in the cell with me. Don’t you remember how it felt?”
His deep voice danced along her skin. She watched, fascinated at the ripple and flow of muscle that flexed and relaxed in his back as he paced. Never had she seen such a broad expanse of bronze flesh. Memories rushed through her mind, the silky heat of his erection in her hands only a short time ago, the pulsing stream of fluid… The passion of the images cooled the ice in her palms and she allowed her hands to drop to her sides. “I—”
He stopped walking and stared at her, his whiskey eyes taking her in. “Once it starts, once it has chosen, it can’t be stopped. The fervor between us will only grow, and if we were to part too soon, it would… It could do permanent damage.”
Alarm skidded down her spine. “Damage? What do you mean, damage?”
His eyes dropped away. He resumed pacing. “Look, I assume you want a normal sex life again one day. We have to complete the cycle, usually the length of the rise of a full moon. After that, well, that’s up to us. But if we part too soon…”
“What, what, what? Why must I pull every detail from you? You have obviously entangled me in some mess. Some fervor I know nothing about and have no control over, and you won’t even give me the full truth. Just tell me, or I will fight you, every second of every minute we’re together. I have nothing to lose.” Her voice broke and she hated the weakness but she didn’t care, she just wanted the truth.
He looked agitated, restless. For the first she noticed his chest rose and fell as if he’d run a long race, reminding her of the times he’d lost control. But his eyes remained brown. “The truth? Should I give you the truth as I know it, as it’s been explained to me, or the new truth that exists between you and me?”
Why was he so angry? He had no right to be taking any of this out on her. Oh, but he was beautiful in his fury. The cold had completely receded and now a new heat grew in her chest. Ignoring it, she pushed on. “Tell me everything.”
He blew out a breath and ran a hand through his hair. Acting as if he couldn’t help himself, his eyes roamed her body, pausing at her chest. Then he growled and started pacing again. “The males of our race covet the rush of the fervor for many reasons. The most important being, we come into full strength.”
Strength didn’t look to be one of his problems, but Caprice didn’t interrupt.
“I had thought the fervor lost to me. I’ve lived a long life, a good life. I didn’t think I needed the fervor. I had honed my strength over the years, and I had yet to meet a man who could best me. Most dared not try.”
“You’ve kidnapped me to make yourself stronger?” The
pounding of the rain slowed, and the oppressive heat grew. The air in the room closed in around them, making her feel as if they were alone in the jungle.
His bitter laugh filled the space. “If only things were that simple. I am stronger, but … I’m… Nine hells …Nothing like this has happened before! I don’t know who I can trust.”
She paused, considering his words. She ached to know the truth, but was he worthy of her trust? “If this knowledge does not endanger me—or my people—then you can trust me. Does it?”
“I don’t know. I don’t know.” His agitation grew and tiny sparks lit the air. “The fervor has given me strength, but nothing… I—I possess an energy now. When I’m agitated or excited or needing, it overtakes me, as it did with the guards.”
“Is that what that was? The energy that came from your hands when you… when you hurt those men?” Fear crept in, the memory of blackened bodies fresh in her mind.
“Yes, but the worst part is, I can’t control it. I have never had that happen before; my people are known for their physical strength. We have no power over lightning that bursts from the clouds. I… I can’t control it. It leaves me powerful yet … blind.” For a split second he appeared helpless.
She was lost as to what to say. The warmth grew in her chest as he paced closer. The heat swirled and went further down, and this time there was no confusion. It was just as it had happened back in the dungeon. Soon she would be lost to the sensation, but she needed answers, had to know. “But I…”
“You’re the catalyst. When I’m near you, the ache… Gods, it is the sweetest thing I’ve ever known. That’s the second part of the fervor, the part most coveted by our women. Once it begins, it doesn’t end. It needs to be completed in order for the bond to be created. For the women, they have a man who is their virtual slave, ready to do anything to ensure her happiness, her pleasure, because she is his sole focus. He can have no other, want no other until the fervor has passed.”
She sighed, her heart fluttering an erratic beat in her neck. Is that how he felt about her? But how could that be? They weren’t of the same race. Were they bound by the same rules? “What happens after the time is up?”
He glanced outside, watching the last drops of rain pelt the ground. “If it’s interrupted before the full cycle of the moon—the couple, or perhaps the man, well… there are rumors he can go mad. Die. Kill. It’s…”
“Why do you sound so unsure of this? Will I go mad as well? I don’t understand.”
“I don’t either!”
“Why not? What aren’t you telling me?”
“I’m not keeping secrets. Don’t you understand? No one ever denies the fervor. This feeling is so overwhelming, promising so much passion, no one thinks to fight it. So I don’t have the answers you seek.”
“Have you heard of the fervor affecting people from other races?”
He let out a frustrated growl. “We are an isolated tribe, living on the southeastern most part of the ledge. Before the discovery of the Bicullis, travel was difficult, so no… I do not know how it affects non Fiera.” He couldn’t stop moving, wouldn’t stay still yet he ran his eyes over every inch of her body.
“Why can’t you just explain what is happening? I don’t think it is so unfair for me to ask this of you. Your fervor has irrevocably changed my life! I need—”
“I’m trying!” His shout made her jump, and she would have been scared if she hadn’t been obsessed with every tiny expression and gesture. He ran the heels of his hands against his eyes, then through his tousled hair. “I’m trying to tell you everything, but the fervor is growing in me, even now.”
Gasping for breath, she felt her breasts strain against her wet dress. A wave of energy drifted off of him toward her, and it felt… heavenly. Stumbling backward, she leaned against the wall, reveling in the feeling. Warmth, light, heat… It encompassed her, and right before her eyes drifted shut she saw the hair on the giant’s head begin to rise and fall as if rustled by a gentle wind.
Sparks flew behind her closed eyes, and she knew she should finish her conversation, knew she had some important things to discuss, but not now. Later. There was time for all of that later. Now, she needed to feel. What if she ran her hands down her skin, would it feel even better?
“You feel it, don’t you? Tell me you feel it!”
“Yes. Gods, yes. I feel you. I feel you everywhere.”
He roared, filling the small space and Caprice felt an arm encircle her waist. Instead of placing her against the stone steps, he carried her toward the waterfall.
“Wait. What are you…?”
“I need to touch you. Won’t hurt you.”
She gasped in shock as he ripped off the billowy bottom of her dress, exposing her legs from the knee down. He wet the cloth and pushed her gently toward the water. The cool fall of liquid was welcome relief, running over her hair, her exposed arms and legs. Gently, so gently, he took her torn gown and ran it down her limbs. It didn’t hurt. The glass had been treated for quick removal after the ice bath she would have received after The Binding. It sloughed off her skin, and she could concentrate on the warmth of his hand through the satiny material.
His callused palm pressed against her cheek. It made the humming increase and the pleasure double. Now the current of his desire wrapped all around her, and she decided to succumb, ready to feel the heady warmth of him.
Sensitive nerve endings that had never been touched, never stimulated before, jumped to life. She moaned with the sheer joy of his weight as he moved her to the side, pressing her against the dry stone wall. His bulging erection found its way through her billowing gown, hitting her just in the right spot.
The breath left her lips and she whispered, “Thank you. Thank you for taking away this pain.”
“Have to touch you. Need you.”
Once he had washed every exposed inch of her icy skin, he tossed the white cloth behind him. Soon his hands were replaced by his mouth. His firm lips traveled past her collarbone straight to her pebbled nipples. He latched on through her gown, sucking and pulling through the silk of the dress.
Pleasure speared through her, straight between her legs, making her sex clench. The sensation was overwhelming. No one had ever touched her there. Anywhere. So much bliss, so much she didn’t know. Addy had kept so much from her.
“I have dreamed of putting my mouth on your beautiful flesh since we came through that gods-forsaken portal. I’ve seen your beautiful breasts straining, begging me to suck on them. I need more… need more.”
Allowing her head to float back, Caprice ran her fingers along the silky heat of his shoulders, her fingers dancing on his bronzed skin, scraping the leather bands that crisscrossed his back. To have the freedom to touch another. It was like nothing she’d ever known. When he sucked particularly hard, her hands found his hair, sunk in and held him in place. A swirling pleasure grew, centering between her legs and she felt as if she neared something. “Yes. Please, yes. I want—”
“Say it. Tell me what you want.”
Frustrated because she didn’t have the words, she simply replied, “I want more.”
“More of my mouth on your nipples? But I want you to say the words. And I want my name on your tongue as you demand it from me.”
She paused, fighting through the pleasure. His name? She didn’t know it and a part of her had held back from asking. It was too personal. She felt that would acknowledge the connection, the fervor between them, if they shared such intimate information. There was no trust yet between them. A trace of the anger she’d felt only seconds before started to creep in, so she squeezed her fingers tighter. “I do not know it.”
His teeth grazed her nipple. “Ask me. Ask me for this one small piece of myself.”
His lips stilled, and she wanted to scream. More, more, more! The plea sat at the edge of her lips, and she almost said the words, suddenly desperate to know. But after everything he had taken from her, her body might be a slave, but she still had po
wer. She could still control her mind, and after he had kidnapped her, she refused to ask anything of him.
She looked away.
“Do not turn away from me.” The whispered words were all the more powerful for their softness. “Know this. I will have all of you, even if I have to take it piece by piece.”
She cried out as she heard him tear more of her gown. Fear sped up her heart that was already beating impossibly fast, but still, she wanted him. She wanted more.
Chapter 14
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The fire that scorched him went straight from his lips to his pulsing cock. Never had he been so hard, so ready, and so furious, all at the same time. She won’t even ask my name. Did not want to share in any part of him. He wanted to walk away, leave her panting—no, begging for more. But he couldn’t. He was a slave to the sensation. He craved her touch, her skin, and gods… her smell. He longed to be inside of her.
He tore at her gown, ripping away more of the fabric, to free her, to allow his gaze to wander over every inch of her. He fought the urge to strip her naked, but he knew he couldn’t humiliate her. Had no urge to do so. He just needed a release and her dress was an easy outlet. The gown now fell to mid-thigh.
Her legs went on for miles. Perfectly formed, long, porcelain-white, he imagined them wrapped around his waist, his cock pounding inside of her waiting warmth. What would his princess feel like, would she be soaked for him, heated, or would she feel as cool as her skin, a burning cold that set him on fire?
His head felt like it would explode, the energy growing inside of him. He fought for control, he must not succumb again, he couldn’t make himself vulnerable in this strange place. But to do so, to prevent blindness, would he have to step back, stop touching her?
No! It reverberated through his mind, even as he stepped back. Her hands tightened in his hair, the nerves popping and sending a current down his spine. Every action, every touch seemed to trail down to his erection, making it swell harder, stronger. Fury and passion fought for supremacy. The whole time, he tried to hold onto his control. Caprice leaned back, her eyes closed, her head resting against the wall, exposing the alabaster white of her skin. Perfect. She was perfection.
