soulofawitch_463-9e1.htm

by Soul Of A Witch (lit)

  It wasn’t enough. He wanted to feel her against him, feel her body against his, tangle his hands in that thick hair, and breath in her scent until he was dizzy.

  Pulling away, he sidestepped around the table, watching through heated eyes as Beulah straightened slowly. Her cheeks were flushed a delicate pink, her lips moist and swollen from his kisses. Her black eyes were full of uncertainty, yet bright with anticipation.

  The little witch wasn’t so reluctant after all. He grinned wickedly.

  Her eyes widened at that, and a little devil leaped to life inside Sinya. The charming devil that had seduced wenches with one hot look and charming words. Naughty words. Hedonistic words. Seductive words.

  In this he was a master.

  Enjoying every ounce of that mastery now, he grabbed Beulah around the waist and dragged her close, fast enough that she actually fell against his chest. The motion had her grabbing at his shoulders, which was just what he’d planned.

  "Sinya--" she began.

  He didn’t give her time to say anything else. He took her lips once more, plundering the sweet depths like the pirate he was, sweeping through with a thoroughness that left her breathless. Tangling his hand in her hair, he angled her head to the side so he could run his lips down the delicate line of her throat. At the pulse, he bit lightly, feeling her jump at the unexpectedness of it. Laughing softly against her neck, he laved it with his tongue, taking his time as he dragged the roughness against her silky skin.

  "Sinya..." she moaned.

  Fastening his lips to the pulse, he sucked suddenly, strongly, drawing on her skin. She sagged against him, and he supported her easily, bending over her.

  Fire surged through him, heating his loins, fiery sparks skittering under his skin. Through her bodice he could feel the small nipples puckering, pressing against the bare skin of his chest.

  Deliberately he moved, making her nipples brush against him, massaging them with his movements.

  They budded hard, and he felt Beulah straining into him, pressing forward.

  Trailing his mouth down her throat, he pressed a kiss to the curve where her neck met her shoulders, then slowly moved back up her neck, breathing hotly on her skin, slow and deep and long. Reaching her mouth once more, he kissed her lightly.

  And was taken by surprise when she suddenly took over, capturing his mouth in a kiss so hot and fierce he swore he could feel the very souls of his feet scorch.

  Her small hands rested on his cheeks, holding his head while she, in turn, plundered the depths of his mouth. Sinya felt her little tongue slip between his lips, glide past his teeth, and plunder the depths of his own mouth with a thoroughness that made his knees suddenly turn weak.

  The table was right behind him, and thank the suns it was, because he’d have fallen backwards if it hadn’t been there to prop him up.

  His hands fell to her waist, holding her as she tasted him so thoroughly, it made his senses spin.

  Then he felt it--a flare deep inside him. It arced up with a sudden ferocity, pouring through him, flaring up and out of his mouth, sparking with an answering flare from Beulah’s mouth.

  It caught him, slamming his heart inside his chest. A strong emotion welled up, poured out of him, making him feel like he could never let her go. She felt so right in his arms, so right against him.

  She’s mine.

  The thought came from deep inside himself, echoing through his mind, and he spoke it aloud. "You’re mine."

  The words came out deeper than normal, almost guttural, and throbbing with emotion. It caught him off-guard.

  God above!

  Jerking his head back, he stared down at Beulah in shock.

  She gazed back up at him uncertainly.

  Never mind her uncertainty. His own shock poured through him like a cold sweat, prickling along his skin in chills. A sense of panic nearly overwhelmed him. For a brief second, Sinya actually contemplated fleeing the cabin. But even as his muscles tensed in preparation, he looked down into her face, and suddenly he knew he couldn’t bare to be apart from her.

  To lose her.

  Again.

  He shivered and tightened his hands on her waist. No, he couldn’t let her go.

  She gazed back up at him, and he saw the uncertainty in her eyes, the brilliance of her black irises. Her lips were soft, full. Red.

  Hips resting back against the table, Sinya licked his lips unsteadily, and immediately tasted her.

  Her scent was on his skin, her taste in his mouth. And her beautiful face filled his vision.

  In her face was a myriad of expressions. Nervousness, uncertainty. Arousal. Desire. And something else, something soft and warm. An awakening. An answering.

  "Beulah..."

  She blinked, and started to draw back.

  He stopped her with the pressure of his hands at her waist. This had happened before, this flare of heat and recognition, and now he wanted to know what Beulah knew about it. "Beulah, tell me what the hell just happened."

  "I--uh..." For the first time since he’d met her, she stammered and looked away.

  "Tell me. Now."

  "Sinya, I..."

  "No more hesitations. Tell me straight. What do you know about this... attraction between us?"

  Attraction was a very mild word for what he was feeling, but it would do for now. At least until he knew more about it... and had come to terms with what it meant.

  She glanced up at him. "I was only just aware of it not long ago myself."

  "You know of it, then."

  "It’s not happened before with anyone else."

  It better not have. The thought made his jaw tighten.

  His physical reaction also made her stiffen beneath his hands, and she tried to step back again.

  Sinya was having none of that. He wanted to look into her eyes when she spoke, to have her close to him. Firmly he drew her to him, until she stood between his spread thighs. She looked up at him and swallowed.

  "Tell me," he ordered softly.

  Beulah took several deep breaths before replying, "Promise you won’t get mad."

  His brows shot up in surprise.

  "It’s not something every man or woman wants to hear."

  "Try me." Truth be told, the panic was subsiding, and he was becoming relatively calm, which was surprising in itself. Especially if she verified what he was suspecting.

  Lacing her fingers together behind her, Beulah met his gaze unfaltering. He could almost see her mentally girding herself. The fact that her linked fingers rested upon his own hands at the back of her waist also gave away the tell-tale tremble of her nervousness.

  Interesting.

  "What you felt was a spiritual recognition of us as soul mates."

  "Soul mates," he repeated.

  "Yes."

  When she continued to gaze up at him, he asked, "And?"

  "And what?"

  "And what exactly does that mean?"

  "That we’re meant to be together."

  "Together?"

  A faint blush crept into her cheeks, but her gaze remained steady. "I’m meant for you, and you’re meant for me. Forever."

  "Forever." He thought about that. Forever was a long time.

  "Soul mates."

  "Soul mates." All right, she’s confirmed what I’ve been suspecting. Now what? He waited for the panic to resurface, but it didn’t. He studied her closely. She was beautiful and courageous. She was also otherworldly, with powers that disturbed him at times. A mystery of a woman.

  She belonged to him.

  Sinya rolled that thought around his mind. She belongs to me. She belongs to me. Mine.

  In fact, the more he thought about it, the more he liked it. It was new, fascinating... it was Beulah.

  Lifting one hand, he gently traced the line of her neck with his fingertips, feeling the tingling of her skin beneath his light touch. It was an answering tingle to his own sensations. He traced the curve of her lips, the contours of her high cheekbones, and saw
her catch her breath. The blackness of her eyes seemed to hold the brilliance of stars.

  A sudden thought struck him. At first panicked, he was becoming fascinated with the thought of Beulah as his... soul mate. It felt right. Very right. But what did she think?

  "And how do you feel about this, little witch-woman?" he asked softly.

  Pink crept into her cheeks, and her lashes lowered slightly, veiling her eyes in an action wholly feminine.

  "Do you think I’m a worthwhile companion for you?" He slid his hand behind her neck and up into her hair, tangling his fingers amidst the silky thickness.

  "I... this is new for me, too, Sinya," she whispered.

  "That is not what I asked." Carefully he pulled her face closer to his. "Am I a worthwhile companion for you?"

  "Yes." The answer was low.

  His heart leaped a little. "So you could handle having me around... forever?"

  "Yes." The answer was stronger, but still low.

  "And Beulah..."

  His voice trailing away had the desired affect of making her lift those thick lashes to peer straight at him.

  "Would you welcome me into your home?"

  "Yes."

  "Your bed?" His heart beat faster at the words.

  The pink in her cheeks deepened. "Yes."

  Heat sparked in his veins. Placing his lips just a hairs breadth from hers, he breathed, "Will you welcome me into your body?"

  "Yes." Her answer came without hesitation, her breath hot on his lips.

  His gaze met hers, and he saw the heat smoldering in her eyes. An answering that swept through his own body, and without further words, he pulled her hard against him and claimed her lips in a soul-searing kiss.

  As his lips molded to hers, his hand swept up from her waist to cup her breast unerringly. He felt the desire in her, the pebbling of her nipple against his palm, and she arched into him.

  Fire slid through his veins like molten lava, his loins growing hot and heavy. Now that she’d said it, he ached to bare her body to his gaze, to explore every part of her.

  Where before there was panic and incredulity, now there was desire and anticipation. Even in the midst of arousal, part of him was at peace--a strange sensation amongst the headier ones of desire.

  The other emotion, the highest and strongest of them all, beat at his temples with every beat of his heart. He had to tell her.

  Breaking the contact of their lips, he rested his forehead against hers and took a long, shaking breath. They gazed at each other, breaths intermingling as each breathed deeply, both still shaken by the revelation of what had just transpired.

  "Beulah--" he began.

  Suddenly she stiffened, her black eyes narrowing. Abruptly shoving away from him, her head swung around as she appeared to be listening to something he couldn’t hear.

  Her actions made chills run up his spine. "Beulah?"

  "Something is out there." She started towards the porthole, her steps long and sure.

  Pushing away from the table, Sinya strode after her. Desire fled beneath the sudden tension in the room. The tension that emanated from Beulah.

  "What is it?" He stopped behind her, and peered over her shoulder out of the porthole.

  A planet was coming into view. About the size of a small coin, it didn’t seem overly threatening.

  "Evil," she replied. "So much evil. And pain." She looked up at him, and now her face was devoid of emotion.

  Sliding his arm around her shoulders, he touched his lips to the top of her head. "I won’t allow any harm to come to you."

  "Cap’n." Drake’s voice came urgently across the intercom. "Cap’n, we’re approaching the planet now."

  "Fredrico says we’ve arrived." Ephim’s voice added. "And damn me if he hasn’t led us straight into the devil’s nest."

  Foreboding filled Sinya. "Where are we, Drake?"

  "Middle of the Outlaw Sector, and about to land on the Overlord’s planet."

  ~ * ~

  Beulah followed Sinya from the cabin. His long legs easily out paced her, but she didn’t voice a complaint. She followed him into the control cabin, and waited just inside the doorway.

  Ephim and Drake were seated before the control console. Fredrico’s face was on the viscomm.

  "Well, we’re finally here," Fredrico said cheerfully.

  "You could have told me we were coming here," Sinya replied evenly.

  "No fun in that. Why, you might have decided to ditch me and come straight here yourself."

  "What’s wrong with that?"

  "I’m your escort. Yours and that pretty little witch."

  "We don’t require an escort."

  "Oh, the Overlord seemed to think that you do." Fredrico’s smile wasn’t friendly. "And what he says, goes."

  Sinya leaned one hand on the back of Drake’s chair. "Exactly how much does the Overlord know, Fredrico?"

  "That’s for him to tell you." Fredrico regarded him soberly. "Just a little reminder, Sinya. Mind your manners, don’t make any hasty moves, and be sure not to offend the Overlord. A few simple rules to make life a little easier for you during your visit."

  The presence of evil was growing stronger, and Beulah sensed the push against the white light she’d surrounded the ship with for protection. The darkness was testing her strength. It probed, then receded.

  "Now, land beside us. I’ll take you to the Overlord. You and the witch. I advise you to prepare yourselves. See you in ten minutes."

  The screen went blank, and the silence in the cabin stretched out.

  "Right," Drake finally said. "That was interesting."

  Ephim glanced at Sinya. "Now what?"

  "We go to see the Overlord," Sinya replied. "We were coming to see him anyway so this changes nothing."

  "Except that he’s expecting us now," Beulah stated quietly.

  Sinya looked over his shoulder at her. "Well, it looks like both his and my waiting are at an end." His gaze swept over her once more, and a small frown appeared between his brows. "Do you need to do anything to prepare yourself to meet the Overlord?"

  "No."

  "Some sort of protection... thingy?"

  She couldn’t stop the spark of humor from entering her eyes. "No."

  "I don’t like the thought of you being in that place, Beulah."

  "There’s no choice, Sinya."

  Straightening and folding his arms, Sinya turned to face her and frowned, but he directed his words to Drake. "Get seven of the crew to wait in the hold. That leaves seven on board in case something goes wrong."

  "And if something goes wrong?" Drake queried.

  "You know the drill."

  "Come in firing all cannons."

  "That’s a bit drastic," Beulah commented.

  "Trust me on this, Beulah. These are killers out there. If we’re in trouble, there’s no bargaining. They’re going to kill everyone aboard this ship." His eyes were hard. "If we go, we take as many of them as we can on the way."

  She didn’t like the sound of that. In fact, it went against everything she believed in. The killing of others...

  There was a softening in Sinya’s eyes, but his jaw remained set. "I understand these people, Beulah. They respect only the show of force, of ruthlessness. To walk amongst them, you have to be as hard as they are. Or give the illusion of it. Which is why I’m worried about you being out there amongst them." Walking forward, he placed his hands on her shoulders. "You’re not used to being surrounded by violence and evil. Are you going to be able to cope with this?"

  "I have to be." Seeing the worry blaze anew in his gaze, she added, "I will cope, Sinya. Do not fear for me."

  After several seconds, he nodded and dropped his hands. "Come on. Drake, you stay here. I need you to pilot this ship, whatever happens. Ephim, come with us."

  Down in the hold, Beulah saw that seven of Sinya’s crew waited. Their billowing shirts were every color of the rainbow, bright and gaudy. Tight pants tucked into knee-high boots with the tops folde
d down. Belts were strapped around their hips and chests, from which lasers, machetes and daggers hung. They bristled with weapons, and matched with the fierce expressions on their faces, looked every inch the pirates they were. Handsome, ugly, lean, bulky--they were a mixed crew of men.

  For such a bad bunch, they had been remarkably respectful to her, and she suspected they were not as bad as they made out to be. Oh, she had no illusions that they were innocents. They plundered across the universe with no apologies, and followed Sinya wherever he went. They’d betrayed people for Wes, and would do so again in the blink of an eye. When it came to their captain and his brother, this particular band of cutthroats would go to hell and back.

  Well, they were going into hell right now.

  "No doubt you all know by now that we’re at the Overlord’s home," Sinya informed them soberly. "It isn’t going to be a picnic out there. Say nothing to anyone, refer them to me. I want no trouble, just to find out where Hortra lives, then get the hell out of here in one piece. Understand?"

  They nodded.

  Laying one hand on Beulah’s shoulder, Sinya drew her before him. "Beulah’s safety is paramount here. She’s to go nowhere alone. Don’t allow her to be separated from us."

  The crew rumbled their understanding.

  "Beulah, stay by my side," Sinya instructed her. "But if we get separated, stay with my crew. Understand?"

  "Yes." No fool, Beulah fully intended to do exactly as Sinya said. As he’d said before, he had experience in these conditions. She didn’t.

  "We’re docked," Drake announced over the intercom. "And Fredrico’s crew is getting out of their ship. He’s looking over here now."

  "Righto. We’ll see you later, Drake. Keep us on your monitor."

  "Locked in right now, Cap’n."

  The ramp started to lower, and immediately Beulah found herself surrounded by the pirates. Sinya was in front of her, Ephim by his side. Two pirates stood either side of her, and the last three stood at her back.

  She glanced up at the hulking one-eyed brute on her left side, and he smiled reassuringly at her. At least, she knew it was meant to be reassuring. The scar that pulled his lip up made it look like he was sneering.

  "You’ll be all right, Missy," he said. "Just stay with us. We’ll see you safe."