“What are you doing?”
“Relax, my flower. I am merely learning about your body and how it responds to my touch. Enjoy.”
Enjoy. By the god’s blue eye, she was enjoying it all right, but how could she relax with his fingers touching her in ways no man had ever taken the time to attempt? L’Garn’s hands warmed her blood as well as her soul. She felt him lean forward and kiss her neck and shoulders, while sliding his hands up and under her chest to fill his palms with her breasts. Instinctively, she picked up her head and shoulders to allow him better access.
“Ah, so full and heavy you are, Feenix. Your breasts are magnificent, and the nubs so responsive to my touch.”
His warm breath tickled against her ear as he continued to lick and nuzzle her neck and ear lobes. She began to tremble in his arms. An urgent pressure started to build deep within her womb. Moisture collected at her woman’s flesh and the need for him made her moan.
Again he shifted, this time to the side so her entire body was now open to his sight and touch. His mouth never left her skin. He licked and nipped a lazy path to her waist.
Not content to simply lay passive, Feenix snaked her hand down by her side and touched his leg. It seemed to surprise him, for she heard him suck in his breath. With a smile, she began to explore the flesh within her reach.
His skin was cool to her touch; the fine hairs along his legs and thigh tickled her hand. She knew her touch excited him, but she was unable to do more than stroke and tease his leg due to her position.
His lips reached the swell of her buttocks, and she gasped as he gently, but firmly bit the left side.
“You are mine, Feenix. Never forget that. Mine.”
His hand smoothed down the back of her thigh, before he slid it between her thighs and under her pelvis to cup her moist mound. She moaned again and thought she had never felt anything so wonderful in her life.
At his silent urging, she rose onto her knees to allow him free access.
“Yes,” he breathed on the flesh of her thigh as his fingers slid inside her hot body. His other hand returned to her tender breasts, teasing and caressing her nipples, rolling the tips between his fingers. The combined sweet torture was almost more than she could bear.
“L’Garn,” she moaned as her body began to sway with the rhythm of his fingers. She had never felt anything so intensely delicious; even her toes tingled from his silky ministrations. Soon the pressure building within had her writhing and moaning like a wild beast. She sensed that L’Garn, too, was finding it more and more difficult to take a slow pace to ecstasy.
Feenix rose completely onto her hands and knees. In this position she was able to bring her head around to kiss his side. He shifted to allow her full access to his chest and flat stomach. She used her lips and tongue to good advantage; two could play at his game.
“Do you know how beautiful you are, Feenix?” He was panting as if he had run a long race.
She didn’t think he really required an answer, so she licked his chest and made a slow progress to his waist. By the time her lips found his arousal, they were both trembling from need.
She kissed his hip—then bit him as he had done her.
“By Mc Lir’s ears, L’Garn, put me out of my misery!”
Again she found herself on her back with his mouth covering hers. The kiss was deep and demanding. Their hands were everywhere, dipping into slippery crevices and sliding over smooth raised areas. The hard ridge of him pressed against her moist softness. Feenix could wait no longer.
She raised her legs and captured him before he could do more than moan with pleasure. Then with a powerful thrust of his hips, they became one being.
“Wrap your legs around me and hold on, my flower.”
Feenix complied without a comment, as she was too busy sucking and nibbling on his neck and shoulders to answer.
In a fluid motion, L’Garn stood, his manhood buried deep within Feenix’s hot body. The feeling was more intense than any she had ever experienced, and she was no untried maiden, she admitted.
L’Garn kissed her again as if he needed to draw her soul from deep within her. As their mouths melded, he carried her to the large padded chair. With each step, Feenix felt him impale her body over and over, and the sensation was beyond her comprehension. She was going to fall over the edge into pure bliss any moment.
“Put your feet down,” he murmured as he sat in the chair and leaned back. Feenix found herself in a position that allowed her complete control of the situation. She could ride him like a prized stallion while he had free access to her aching breasts.
He put his head back and closed his eyes. As she moved against him, his groans of pleasure filled her heart with love. There was no other word for it. She loved him. She wanted to please him in ways she had never considered with other men.
But there was not a single reason in the Seven Cella Worlds why she couldn’t please him on her own terms.
The pleasure mounted for them both, and she felt her heart fuse with his, just as their bodies fused in a way that was meant to be. No other male completed her like L’Garn. No other had touched her heart and soul as he did. She was meant to be with him forever. He was her destiny.
With a final lunge, L’Garn held her hips tightly, straining with an intense release. Feenix herself felt as if she had been thrown to the stars and was now floating back to the loving arms of Tylana.
For many moments they held each other in silence as their galloping hearts slowed, and their breathing returned to normal. As the sweat on her body began to evaporate, she shifted in his arms. They needed to talk.
“If I become your mate, half-elf,” she mumbled against his sweat-coated chest, “you had better resign yourself to a few things.”
“And what would they be, my flower?” His voice was rough and raw from the great yell that erupted from him the moment he had climaxed in her arms.
“First, there will be no experimenting with other women or female elves! Got that? I don’t care how much you want to learn about humans and their behaviors. You will keep all your experimenting right here with this human!”
She felt him smile against her hair.
“I would not have the stamina to experiment with other females, Teela. Learning about you takes all my strength.”
His fingers were busy releasing her long hair from its braid.
“Also, I am a warrior, first, last and always,” she continued, “I don’t want you telling me what I can and can’t do a few months from now! I’m my own woman and come and go as I please.” Her fingers were enjoying the feel of his crisp beard and the way his silvan ears tipped.
“As long as I am by your side at all times, my flower, I will not quibble with that.” He licked the hollow of her throat and fondled her breast with warm hands. “Is that all?”
“No, by Mc Lir’s toe, that’s not all. However,” her breathing became erratic as he licked her nipple and then drew the hard tip into his mouth where his tongue played tag with it. “I, um...I’ll draw up a list and give it to you later.”
“It will have to be much later, Feenix,” he mouthed against her breast. “Right now I need to do some more experimentation on your human body.”
By the god’s beard, he felt good! She squirmed in anticipation of the next bout of love making.
“Just one thing.” He leaned back and looked at her with a stern and serious look on his face.
Oh, gods! What now, she wondered?
“I’ll expect you to do a better job at taking care of my garments than you have in the past, or I will regret the loss of the royal treasure to replace the clothing you insist upon ruining.”
For a heartbeat she didn’t see the twinkle in his eyes. Then she pulled back her fist and punched him in the stomach.
L’Garn accommodated her efforts with a satisfying grunt when her fist connected with his hard abdomen. Then, claiming her lips with another soul-shattering kiss, he proceeded to further his studies of the human body in
his arms.
EPILOGUE
The mating ceremony between Prince L’Garn of the House of Meedrion and Captain Feenix of Port Marcus resembled a battle more than a celebration.
The Sea Elves of Shalridoor were represented by the newly returned Lord J’Laris Hiloris, head of the Ruling House; Elawae, his beautiful and wise bond-mate; lords and ladies from each of the Five Houses, as well as Lord Mithris, chief commander of the Shalridoor Army.
The Night Elves of Cragimore were represented by the young King Balrin; his father and co-regent, Sarnett; various nobles from the noble families, as well as Lord Katizink, supreme commander of the Cragimore Army.
Scattered about the wooded Illoytae, or Glen of Peace, were the combined armies of the two Elfin nations. An uneasy truce and peace had been forged between the old enemies after three nights of difficult negotiations.
Feenix had played a large part in those negotiations as Mac Lir’s mediator. L’Garn and Rendolin had also had a large part to play. Now that the treaties had been signed and witnessed, it was hoped by all that the life-affirming ceremony that was about to take place would help meld the two nations, and solidify their determination to thwart the demon god’s evil plan.
“By the Seven Cella Worlds, in the presence of these witnesses, and in the name of Mac Lir, I seal this pair—L’Garn of Cragimore and Feenix of Shalridoor—mates together for life.”
Feenix startled at the way Rendolin used her name. To claim her as a member of Shalridoor was a great honor, and one she had not expected.
L’Garn gave her hand a quick squeeze and smiled at her. He looked as if he had known that Rendolin was going to claim her as a member of the Sea Elf nation. The pride on his face meant more to her than all the jewels in Cragimore’s treasury.
By the god’s ear, she finally belonged to someone. And he belonged to her. In all her years, Feenix would never have believed this day would come about. She had never even allowed herself to dream of it!
In a ritual similar to that of a Binding, L’Garn crushed aromatic herbs into a chalice of wine that Rendolin held. Ancient silvan words were spoken, and Feenix smelled Rendolin’s magical scent of rosemary mingle with the other herbs and wine.
She had been present at the Binding of Korrene and Rendolin and remembered that they had shared more than just herbs and wine. They had been required to mingle their blood for the mystical Binding to take place. It had been effective, she was sure, but Feenix preferred to confine her bloodletting to the battlefield.
“Prince L’Garn. Lady Feenix.” Rendolin’s voice held the energy of Power, and the skin at Feenix’s nape crawled, as it always did in the presence of magic. “Drink and seal your lives together.”
The half-elf prince raised the goblet to his lips and drank, his ice blue eyes never leaving her face. Without a word, he handed the chalice to her, and she drank without hesitation. Her heart warmed at his approving smile.
It was done. Feenix was now mated to L’Garn. She had never felt so happy and free in her entire life.
The celebrations lasted all night, and into the dawn. The shade of the Darkening Wood provided safety for the Night Elves from the deadly rays of the sun. While the people from the two nations ate, drank, danced and sang, a few select members from the combined forces met to discuss much weightier things.
How would they stop Tuawtha?
“Mac Lir was firm that the three Elfin Nations needed to combine forces to defeat the demon god,” Rendolin said, for the hundredth time, Feenix was sure.
His Bonded mate, Korrene, stood at his side looking radiant and happy. They had announced earlier that she and Rendolin would be parents in the spring. They were constantly smiling and touching each other.
By the god’s toe, they should retire to their tent, Feenix thought, wishing she and L’Garn could sneak off, too.
“A company should be chosen to journey to the Wood Elves’ home, Ashilor,” suggested Lord J’Laris.
“They will never come out of their trees if they see Night Elves in the party,” Lord Katizink laughed. “We have put the fear of the gods into them!”
“The idea is to talk with them, commander, not terrorize them.”
“L’Garn is right,” Rendolin spoke up. “Unfortunately, so is Lord Commander Katizink. If Ashilor sees Night Elves returning to their glades, the Wood Elf nation will simply disappear and we will not be able to speak with them.”
“But there must be a representative of each nation to prove our good faith, my son.” J’Laris never seemed to pass up the opportunity to acknowledge his family, Feenix noted. It must be a glorious thing to be part of a family, and she was looking forward to experiencing it herself with L’Garn.
“Might I make a suggestion?”
Thelorin, eldest son of the House of Hiloris, and until the return of his father, Lord of Hiloris, spoke quietly from the shadows. Feenix had forgotten his presence, so quiet and reserved had he been. It wasn’t wise to forget about Thelorin.
“Speak, Thelorin.” As a regent of the Night Elves, L’Garn presided over the discussions, despite the fact that young King Balrin was also present. The youth was merely there in a learning and observing capacity. Everyone knew that Prince L’Garn held the real power in the Night Elf nation.
“Thank you, Prince L’Garn,” Thelorin bowed formally. He always was a formally correct slave to protocol, Feenix remembered. She was not going to miss Thelorin Hiloris, now that she was mated to L’Garn.
“The solution is quite simple, it seems to me,” Thelorin began. “The Wood Elves who had been slaves in Cragimore should be equipped and given rations to return to Ashilor. They will advise the Wood Elf council to expect us.”
Murmured assents and heads nodding encouraged Thelorin to continue.
“I suggest we send a proclamation and treaty signed by all of the silvan leaders here, so Ashilor will know who and what to expect. The negotiations party sent to Ashilor should be a fairly small one, and since Captain Feenix is the god’s mediator, she of course is required to go. Her new mate, Prince L’Garn, should go with her, representing the Night Elves. He is, after all, the royal prince and co-regent.”
“Not to mention half human, and so not a threat as a Night Elf, is that what you are saying?” L’Garn’s face darkened with anger.
“Peace, your highness.” Thelorin held up his hands in a non-threatening way. “I meant no disrespect. However, you must see that, for a number of reasons, you are the best representative for your people.”
“He’s right, L’Garn,” Feenix agreed. “Besides, I would really like you to come. After all,” she dropped her voice seductively, “we’ve only just become mated. Think of all the possibilities on the road...”
She was rewarded with a sensuous grin.
“Very well. I will accompany Feenix as the representative of the Night Elves.”
“I will represent the Sea Elves.”
Thelorin’s statement caused everyone around the table to pause.
“But your father has just returned to us,” Elawae said. “We have not been a complete family for many years because we thought him dead. You must stay and get to know him again.”
“A few more days will not matter, Mother,” Thelorin reasoned. “Besides, you and Father need time alone to discover each other again. Even if I stayed, you do not need me to do that.”
“But Thelorin, you must to be here to inform him of everything that has transpired since you have been acting as the governor of Sasheena. He can not be expected to resume control of the government overnight.”
Feenix thought she saw tears in the lovely silvan lady’s eyes.
“J’Laris is quite capable of discerning the situation for himself. All the records are complete and up to date. The transfer of power does not need me to be complete. Moreover, as I have been functioning in the capacity of the Lord of Hiloris for so many years, I am the logical representative to go.”
When Elawae would have protested further, her lord intervened.
“Thelorin is right. He is the logical choice. I will renew my son’s acquaintance when he returns from the journey.”
“Then it is settled,” Rendolin decreed, after a brief silence. “The freed Wood Elves will return to Ashilor with a treaty from our two nations. The peace negotiation party will consist of Thelorin of the Sea Elves, Prince L’Garn of the Night Elves, and Captain Feenix as Mac Lir’s mediator.”
Wonderful, Feenix thought as she watched all the elves around the table nod in agreement. She was going to be plagued by the biggest pain in the ass Shalridoor had ever produced, while simultaneously trying to enjoy a trip with her newly mated love. Mac Lir, you son of a sea whore, I’ll bet you think this is funny, don’t you?
Feenix didn’t expect a reply, and wasn’t disappointed when the god remained silent.
“Agreed,” L’Garn said. “However, I refuse to leave in the morning. Feenix and I will enjoy one full day and night before leaving on what could be a very dangerous journey.”
Ah, she loved her half-elf! At times like this, they thought alike.
“Very well,” J’Laris said. “In two days’ time, the party will set off for the forest of Ashilor.”
“And may Mac Lir protect and guide them,” Rendolin prayed.
“Come, my flower,” L’Garn whispered in her ear, as the participants of the discussion began to wander off to their own sleeping quarters. “Let us do some more exploring before the sun comes up.”
Yes, she thought again. At times like this, they most definitely thought alike.
~*~
The sea god, Mac Lir, looked upon the gathering of his children, those of the night and those of the sea. The only children missing were those of the woodlands, but his plan was progressing. Soon even those wayward children would be embraced into the silvan fold once more, if the plan remained on course.
THE CHOOSING Page 36
