Her captors turned and walked straight into the tunnel wall.
Natalie screamed behind the hand and her heart pounded inside her skull as she was carried through the wall. Again that sucking feeling and popping noises in her ears. Everything seemed to swirl and blur, blue light sweeping by in a kaleidoscope of sensation. And then a snap and gurgle as they stepped into another passageway.
Immediately the men began jogging, with Natalie bouncing against her captor’s chest like a shapeless rag doll. The same blue glow illuminated the tunnel, but the light was so dim she could see only a few feet in front of them. Her blouse bunched up under her breasts as they moved along, exposing her belly, the air chilling her bare flesh.
Natalie struggled against her captor’s hold, but he had her pinned, and good. The two men continued speaking to each other in their odd tongue as they fell into a rhythmic gate, treating her like she wasn’t even there. She could see the other man more clearly as they went, and he really was blue—a bright royal blue. And so was her other captor, except he was almost navy blue—well, at least what she could see of him was.
What the hell have I gotten myself into now? she wondered as the coarse movements of her kidnappers jarred her teeth. She should have just stayed with Evvan and fucked him, and then she could have had him help her find her way back to New York.
But nooooooo. She’d had to go and throw a fit and stomp off, rather than staying and putting his big barbarian ass in its place. After she fucked him, of course.
Suuuuure she belonged to him. Ha! As if.
Although, if she was honest with herself, the thought of being possessed by such a sexy alpha bad boy had actually intrigued her. Not the idea of being possessed in a demeaning way, like a slave. But giving up control and letting him dominate her sexually…well, that thought more than captivated her libido.
Natalie groaned behind the grubby hand that still covered her mouth. She was really losing it. Here she was, being kidnapped by a couple of blue-skinned weirdoes, and all she could think about was sex with an Elf.
A freaking Elf!
After all that had happened, right up to the point of being carted through a tunnel by blue men, Natalie finally realized this truly was no game. She didn’t know how it had happened, but she no longer had any doubt…she wasn’t in New York anymore.
How did she know? Could have been any number of things, including a dragon trying to make a meal out of her and actually burning her skin, or maybe it was Evvan’s healing of her, or maybe the unusual languages, or good lord, the magic in that orgasm he’d given her. That was definitely not part of any game.
But more than all of that, was a part of her deep inside that knew. Something in her soul had truly known all along that she was on another world, but she’d chosen to ignore it.
The problem now…escape from the giant Smurfs and figure out how the hell to get back home.
The men jogged around a bend and came to an abrupt stop in a large room. She was positioned so that her back was to her captor’s chest, and her feet didn’t reach the floor.
Natalie blinked away the brightness of the chamber as she absorbed its beauty. Ornate designs in gold and silver appeared to be carved into the chamber walls, as if fashioned directly from ore within the earth. So much gold, that the room literally glowed with it.
A rough voice barked a command.
Nat’s gaze shot to the man who had spoken and her face flushed. Damn, he was good looking, no matter that his skin was New York Mets blue.
Cripes, he really was blue.
The devastatingly handsome man strode toward her from across the chamber. Well, he wasn’t as sexy as Evvan, but the blue man was pretty dang hot. He had a cocky umm…smile, and blue-black hair that hung to the center of his back.
The man wasn’t quite as tall as Evvan, but he was just as bare-chested and just as ripped—a guy back home would have to work out several hours a day to have pecs like that. His biceps flexed, and she could see the cut of his athletic thighs beneath his tight black pants. Yet no matter how mouthwatering this piece of blue male ass was, she couldn’t help but compare him to Evvan.
And Evvan won, no doubt about it.
“Echnog udibae,” the man commanded, and Nat felt the pieces of his language about to click.
Like magic.
Her captor continued to hold her tight as the man approached them. When he stood directly in front of her, the good-looking blue guy reached out and caressed the skin around her belly button with his callused finger. Natalie shivered and squirmed, sucking in her abdomen as she tried to withdraw from his touch.
He smiled, as though amused, his white teeth flashing against his blue skin. “Grondih achonate Astral.”
One of Astral’s brightest, Nat’s mind translated as her gift for languages took over.
“Richnod Jarik ena Wachonia.” The man moved his fingertip to the gold ring at her belly button. “Hishna Goan D’euan.”
I am King Jarik of the Dwarves, she interpreted. Welcome to D’euan Deep.
This impressively beautiful blue man was a flipping Dwarf? Damn, they’d never made Dwarves like this in any of the books she’d read. Snow White would have had lots more fun if the seven Dwarves had been anything like this guy.
“Ibudande,” Jarik barked to the man holding her.
Release her, she heard a second before she was dropped.
Natalie’s knees buckled as her feet hit the floor and she pitched forward. Jarik caught her in his arms, pinning her tight to his powerful chest. Her palms were trapped between them, her face tilted up…and the bastard was smiling.
A purely male smile that told her in no uncertain terms that he wanted her. And if she’d had any doubts, there was always that hell of a boner he had as he pressed her hips tight to his.
“Leave us,” Jarik said to the two men who had captured her. “The maid and I have much to discuss.”
Retreating footsteps echoed in the room and then silence. Nat pushed against Jarik’s chest with all her might, but she was hopelessly trapped in his arms. At least he didn’t stink like the other two had. This one actually smelled kind of good, like apple wine.
Although maybe if she puked on him, he’d free her.
“Ibundanti!” Release me, she demanded in his language.
Jarik’s smile broadened and he gave a soft and sexy laugh. “Ah, you do speak Dwarven.”
“I speak many languages,” Natalie replied in his tongue as she struggled harder. “And you’d better be guarding your balls because I’m going to ram them up your throat if you don’t let me go.”
“Fae blood burns hot, indeed.” Jarik’s eyelids lowered and his expression became unreadable. “But you know the rules, wench. Once you land in my realm, wingless child of Fae, here you remain forever.”
Chapter Six
Natalie thrust her knee up, aiming for Jarik’s blue balls, but he blocked her with a simple movement of his powerful leg. Okay, so it hadn’t been such a bright idea to tell him she was going to go for his nuts.
“You arrogant, pompous, son-of-a-bitch,” she said through gritted teeth. “I don’t know what the hell you’re talking about, but you damn well better let me go. I haven’t survived New York City all my life to bow down to some blue underground freak.”
The asshole actually grinned.
Nat’s next rant died in her throat as Jarik roughly cupped the back of her head. He brought her face to his, stopping so that his lips hovered just over hers. “Fucking you, lovely, shall be a treat indeed.”
“You will be dead before your breath fouls her lips, Jarik,” Evvan’s voice bellowed from behind them.
Evvan! Relief flooded Natalie and she again struggled to free herself, but the Dwarf kept an iron grip on her.
Jarik slowly raised his head and gave Evvan a smile that was both feral and amused. “Did you lose something, Devline scum?”
“My woman.” Evvan’s words rumbled out in a fierce growl. “And if you wish to survive this mee
ting, you shall release her at once.”
With a smirk, Jarik eased his fingers through Nat’s hair, but didn’t let her go. “You allow all of your females to have the run of D’euan Deep without accompaniment?”
The way Evvan said my woman had sent a strange, yet wild thrill through Natalie. But Jarik’s insinuation that Evvan had multiple females burned in her chest. Did the arrogant shit really have several girlfriends?
Or wives?
That thought really pissed her off. Something deep and intense stirred her being. Electricity snapped and crackled through every cell in her body.
“Back off, you blue bastard,” Natalie said in a voice so resonant that she didn’t even recognize it as her own. Wishing that she was strong enough to send the dwarf flying, she shoved at him again.
Surprise flashed across Jarik’s handsome face as his grip on her failed.
He stumbled back, the momentum so powerful he might have been shoved across the room by twenty men. Only when his head struck the chamber wall with a loud thunk did he stop.
Natalie’s jaw dropped. What the hell?
Evvan appeared at her side in a protective stance, wielding his sword.
Across the room, Jarik raised his hand to the back of his head. When he brought it back down, his palm was coated with thick blue fluid.
His blood. Chills skittered over Nat’s skin. “He’s bleeding.”
“Your powers are certainly stronger than I expected.” Jarik gave a wry grin and pushed himself away from the wall. “I shouldn’t have underestimated you.”
“I made the same mistake,” Evvan muttered, and sheathed his sword. “Else you would never have gotten your hands on the wench.”
“Huh?” Nat’s confused gaze cut from the Elf to the Dwarf and back to the Elf. “I couldn’t have done that.”
Natalie tensed as Jarik strode up to them, but Evvan appeared relaxed. Friendly even—well for him, anyway.
“She does not know her powers?” Jarik frowned as he studied Natalie. “Most dangerous.”
“Quite.” Evvan sighed. “She is unaware of her heritage as well.”
“Excuse me.” Nat glared from one to the other. “Stop talking like a couple of rejects from Lord of the Rings. Tell me what’s going on.”
“Rejects?” Jarik gave Evvan a puzzled look. “Lord of the Rings?”
Evvan shrugged. “The maid is a bit odd.”
“What?” Bracing her hands on her hips, Nat scowled at Evvan. “Who’s a bit odd?”
“Why don’t we share this one?” Jarik moved closer to Nat. “We can fuck her together,” he added as he slid his palm over her ass.
“Hey!” Natalie yelped and stumbled back.
Evvan growled and narrowed his gaze at Jarik. “This woman I will never share with another man.”
“I’ve had it with this macho bullshit.” Nat clenched her fists at her sides and turned toward the entrance. “I’m outta here.”
A muscle in Evvan’s cheek quirked as he watched his l’tiani march past him and out into the tunnel to where L’th’amir waited. He knew the Elvin horse would protect her, and did not fear for her safety.
“A beautiful but odd creature.” Jarik laughed and shook his head. “I wish you luck, brother.”
“I fear I shall need more than luck.” Evvan gave a quick nod to the Dwarven King. “And do well to remember this creature belongs to me.”
“I would have enjoyed such a treat.” Jarik’s features were almost wistful as his gaze lingered on the exit through which Natalie had vanished. He returned to his usual authoritative demeanor as his attention returned to Evvan. “What brings you to my realm, brother?”
“Voral has returned from exile. He has taken on dragon form and is stalking this Fae creature.” Evvan’s muscles tensed. “We were forced to seek refuge in D’euan Deep where the bastard cannot penetrate the spellwork at the gates, and the magics are too powerful for him to follow.”
“My scouts informed me of a lycidian in Merth Darkling, a beast like no other.” Jarik rubbed his chin in concentration and then gave Evvan a sly look. “The maid would be safe here.”
The scowl that crossed Evvan’s features was immediate. “I trust no one save the Fae to ensure her safety, including you. Especially you.”
Jarik grinned. “To be sure. Too many dangers exist in the Deep.”
“Once she is safely in Astral,” Evvan said, “I will hunt down the bastard Sorcerer and dispose of him.”
“And I will ensure that you have safe passage to Fae from D’euan Deep.” With a smile Jarik clapped Evvan on the shoulder. “Best make sure the wench does not wander into my realm again.”
“Most assuredly she will not.” Evvan turned and strode out the chamber door.
When he had first sensed the Dwarves, he had feared for Natalie stumbling into a pack of Dwarven miscreants who would have defiled her if given the opportunity. Once he realized Jarik’s men had taken her, he had been somewhat relieved—until he saw his woman in the King’s arms.
And then he had wanted to kill the man, no matter that Jarik was Evvan’s brother-at-arms as well as the Dwarven King. Jarik’s death would have meant certain war between the Devline and the Dwarves of D’euan Deep, whose treaty was tenuous at best.
As Evvan strode back to his mate, he rounded the corner and reached his l’tiani. She was glaring as she waited beside L’th’amir who blocked the tunnel. Natalie folded her arms across her chest and raised her chin. “Stupid horse,” she muttered, her green eyes flashing at Evvan. “Won’t let me by.”
“Never put yourself in such danger again.” He kept his expression stern as L’th’amir now moved toward a tunnel exit. “There are far greater risks to you than you realize. Greater, even, than you’ve faced thus far.”
Natalie looked as though she wanted to yell at him, but instead she said, “If Dwarves are so bad, tell me why you were chummy with that blue Conan the Barbarian.”
Evvan raised a brow at the unusual words, but chose instead to answer her question. “Good and evil exists within all peoples, no matter their heritage or race. If you had been taken by a pack of Dwarven criminals, who frequently roam the Deep, likely you would not have survived. After they raped and maimed you, they would have thrown you from some precipice and had done with their games.”
“Oh.” She visibly swallowed as she avoided his eyes and instead looked into the passageway ahead. “Kind of like walking alone in the Bronx at two a.m. Not a real hot idea.”
After leaving the blue Dwarven hottie, it seemed that they traveled for hours, and maybe they did, but Natalie soon lost track of time. The passageways grew bigger and high enough that she and Evvan were able to ride double on L’th’amir. Whenever it would get too dark to see, Evvan would do that body glowing thing that was kind of freaky, but definitely cool.
Natalie became entranced by the underground world they traveled—the ancient stone and glittering rock formations. It smelled old, like the back corners of the New York Public Library—of dust from eons ago, and a smell kind of like the ink used to print newspapers.
Evvan held her protectively against him as they rode, the heat of his arm burning through her thin blouse. Her body flamed for him, needed him, like no man she’d ever touched. What difference did it make that she’d known him for only hours? It felt like she’d met him ages ago.
They talked as they rode—well, Natalie did. She tended to chatter lots when she was in strange situations, which had basically been non-stop since walking into that dang virtual cave. Evvan did ask her questions about her life in New York, her adoptive parents, and other things that were more odd—like had she ever talked to someone who suddenly seemed to lose focus in the conversation and walk away?
Well, didn’t everyone have that happen to them?
Natalie in turn asked him about his life, and learned what it meant that he was an Enforcer for the Devline Elves. His answers were short, and she really had to dig to get the scoop on his life, but the more they talked,
the more he opened up to her.
Although he did ask if she ever stopped talking.
From what she managed to get out of him, she found herself curious about Evvan’s home. His love for his family, his people, and his home was apparent, although he never said it in so many words. It was more the pride in his tone and the way he spoke of them.
Natalie couldn’t help but wonder how these people managed without microwaves, television, and the Internet. How did people communicate without e-mail? Smoke signals or the Pony Express?
As if she could ever handle living in such a primitive world. Yeah, right.
Every step the Elvin horse took as they traveled was torture to Nat’s libido. Despite the fact the ride was smooth, with each movement L’th’amir made, Evvan’s cock rubbed against Natalie’s backside, its rock hardness almost bruising her soft flesh. She yearned for him to move his hands to her breasts, to cup them, to caress them, to suckle them. But he remained virtually immobile, as if he was restraining himself.
She had the impression that he was alert, on guard at all times. Like he expected someone or something to come after them.
Nat’s eyelids drooped as the endless ride progressed, but she came fully awake the moment L’th’amir entered a fabulous cavern. It very nearly stole her breath. She leaned forward in the saddle, her eyes wide and trying to absorb the intense beauty around her.
The cavern was relatively small, but astounding. Crystals glittered like millions of emeralds, as though lit from within by the same freaky glow that had come from Evvan when he used his body to light the tunnels, only this light was green instead of gold. The air felt damp and humid, and held the tang of sulfur.
“Get out of here,” Natalie murmured. “This place is gorgeous.”
“Why do you want to leave if you find it attractive?” Evvan asked as he brought L’th’amir to a stop at the center of the chamber.
Nat looked over her shoulder and almost melted at the way he was looking at her. “It’s just an expression—slang.”
Obsessed Page 54
