The Coming Dawn Trilogy

by Austen Knowles

  He leaned in for another kiss. She met him with a tongue as wet as the rest of her. He was inciting her to unequivocally decide she needed him for a lifetime of pleasure and satisfaction with his persuasive touch.

  His kiss was brief, but he kept his lips on her as he traced her skin, following her crimson swirls, to her nipples. He made a point to linger on her neck as he breathed in her scent and gave her soft love bites. “That was five pleasure points,” he whispered, and his breath was felt through the fabric of her dress. He sucked in cool air around her erect nipple, toying with her as he paused. “I’m trying to decide if I should undress you or please you through the fabric.”

  She expelled air, finding his words erotic. She tangled her fingers in his hair, while blown away by how his attention intensified her feelings and made her swell with devotion. She was captured by him, with help of the union, and she willingly let her attachment grow to unfathomable heights.

  Cobaaron pressed his tongue against her dress, wetting the fibers until she felt the moisture. He licked her in slow circles before once again making her dither as cool air aroused her when he breathed in. He let the cloth deliciously chafe her as he flicked her nipple, and each time he lapped she shook with unexpected thrill.

  Ky didn’t know how much more she could take but then he reached behind her while he continued to lick her. He pressed her sacrum, letting her weight provide the pressure. With his other hand he massaged her belly, two inches below her navel and worked her pleasure point, stroking down. With two erotic zones heating her core, every doting caress was bliss. She was throbbing, knowing he would soon explore the inside of her, now that he’d marveled and worshiped her curves.

  He removed his hand from her back. “That was six and seven.” He slid his hand down to her wrist, and brought it up to his mouth. He began nibbling, kissing, and sucking her wrist. She could no longer think of anything but her longing for him. She melted into his kiss. Warm lips on her wrist was sweet torture. She whispered her craving, “I want you to make love to me.”

  He stiffened at her words, looking glazed and overtaken. He slid his nose along her skin, breathing deep. Her aroma was all the union needed to persuade him, he cupped her hips, and abruptly tugged her forward on the table. She bit her lip, excited by his masculine dominance in the sudden jerk. His gruff touch was that of a warrior and she yearn to be reminded of his authority. His impressive power and beautifully sculpted body made Cobaaron incredibly sexy and desirable.

  “Calm down,” he growled at himself, which seemed to evade the compulsion of the union long enough that he knelt, having her place her legs over his shoulders. Ky gasped when his fingers found her opening, and his tongue explored between the folds of her sex. Ky tremble, pulling him closer by pressing her feet against his back. His moist tongue crisscrossed and circled her clitoris.

  Air filled her lungs, it was the only thing cooling her overheated body; each refreshing breath kept her from boiling over each time his tongue flicked, tasted, and caressed her. Something about his wet tongue undid her; she was lost in his touch.

  She wanted nothing more than him losing himself with her while they made love. This man, this strong, passionate lover between her thighs, was her everything, and strangely the intensity that she needed him didn’t frighten her. She gladly gave herself to him completely; she belonged to him and would willingly submit to any loving command he asked her.

  His finger quickened, but his tongue released her. He released her legs, stood, and removed his scale skirt with one hand while he continued to please her. “Tell me you want me more than anything, Ky. Tell me you’ve never felt so convinced of anyone.”

  “I’m certain I’ll never get enough of you, not if I had a thousand lifetimes to share.”

  He exhaled, and for a moment he savored her confession while his thumb brushed along her partially open lips. He smiled, and then slowly he exposed his hard shaft that was proportionate to his tall, wide body. His impressive physique in the buff was perfect, the sight of him was as thrilling as his touch. Wanting nothing more than to please him, Ky wrapped her fingers around his erection and gently slid her hand up toward the sensitive head. With a soft squeeze, she tenderly glided across the ridge to the tip. She watched him hoping she pleased him, but there was no mistaking his elation. Cobaaron breathed heavily as he circled his finger inside of her, letting her know the pace he desired.

  “Look at me,” he murmured while lifting her chin. “I need your eyes on me, or I feel like I’m unraveling.” They gazed at each other with intensity while he searched for something within her eyes, maybe he was determined to see the emotional connection as if it were tangible. But then he spoke nervously. “You’re the most beautiful, erotic creature... I have to have you, Ky. I can’t fight it anymore. Touching you isn’t enough.” He slid his finger out, and then leaned into her, easing her back against the table. He skated his hands down the length of her arms, locked his fingers to hers. “Watch me as I watch you.”

  He pressed his erection against her, and began to rub her slick folds. Ky wrapped her legs tightly around his waist without meaning to. She was determined to have him with greater need now that the union was somehow aware they were close to fulfilling the bond; she wasn’t letting him get away from her.

  Without warning the doors to the study hall opened. They froze, as two councilmen and a Star stepped into the room. The two warriors that let them in immediately spied Cobaaron and Ky. The five stood stunned at the sight of her dress hiked up and Cobaaron naked between her thighs. Then a councilmen quickly ushered the men from the room, pushing them out. “They’re completing the bond. Flee! Hurry!”

  When they left, Cobaaron jumped back in a hurry. He picked up his scale skirt and belt, and put space between them.

  “What are you doing?” Ky could feel the union urging her to stand and undress completely. But she sat, and watched him dress while he refused the union’s need to keep them together.

  “I may need to change you to a better warrior once we’re outside. I can’t let you be vulnerable. I want you safe. It’s my job to ensure you’re protected in all ways. I can’t do this.”

  “I change at your wish, Cobaaron. Desire me to be able to fight, and I’ll change. We don’t need to be outside for that. Wish it, and then make love to me. Please don’t take the warmth of your body away from mine. I’m…I’m desperate for your closeness.” Not of her own free will, she stretched out her arm for him to take her hand, but he refused to even look at her.

  “I do want that; I do wish it. But sharing more of your blood has made me wild. I don’t want to make love to you because of the magical lust that was building in me. Let me calm down. I worry I’ll be too vigorous. It’s not wise for me take you right now, Ky. Trust me, I know how eager I am.

  “Besides, as long as we don’t make love,” he paused, but then reluctantly went on, “you could come back if you change your mind; you may hate life outside of a city. It would be selfish of me right now to bond you to me. We need to be smart about this. You’re life is still fragile. Let’s allow the union to slowly change our feelings from lust to love. I want you to care about me, and me alone.”

  “You would never live in the city with me?” she asked.

  “I’m a warrior, Ky. It’s all I’ve ever known. I’m strong-headed and set in my ways. But I’ll try for you. Just...wait for me. Give me time. I may change my mind but for now, let’s wait and see. I’ll try for you, if you try for me. You attempt to like the outdoors and I’ll strive to like the city.”

  Ky smiled. “Okay.”

  “It’s best if I’m not in the same room with you. I’ll see you at your ceremony, Ky.”

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  All eyes were on Ky for the ceremony. Several warriors ushered her to a stage, while several women carried the heavy dress she wore. The train was so large it filled a quarter of the room with its billowing folds of fabric. Four thin, very long strips of fabric were fashioned together with crisscros
sing ribbon as the satin twisted around her body covering only what needed to be hidden. Most of her skin was exposed, revealing her cleavage, navel and one of her hips. But women here flaunted their feminine curves, and it seemed a way of life in her new world. There was no such thing as modesty. If she was covered properly, she wouldn’t have been so nervous.

  Ky wasn’t alone on the stage. The moment she stepped onto the platform, all the Stars encircled her. Nep, the Star who sat across from Ky during the feast, was the first to approach. He handed her a large glowing orb. When he placed it in her hands he announced to her and the room, “This is the light of my patience. May I pass it on to you.” The ball splashed into liquid light like dripping plasma. The drops that hit floor shattered and shot off sparks like a miniature firework. Ky flinched, not expecting the explosion, and then before she recovered the ball flew into her stomach.

  The female baby blue Star approached her next. She cupped her stomach with both hands, and then painlessly drew an orb out. She held it in her hands a moment before placing it in Ky’s, she stated, “Light of my joy. May I pass it on to you.” Once again, the ball became liquid before bursting into a colorful array of sparks then zipped into her stomach.

  Each Star approached her, drawing glowing orbs from inside themselves. She was given wisdom, hope, faith, kindness, and courage.

  The first of the last remaining four Stars held up a globe that shone bright yellow, which contrasted his purple glossy eyes. Curiously, he never met her eye, and Ky wondered if he was blind. He bellowed out, “This is the light of my insight. May you have the sight, seeing what others do not. May I pass it on to you.” The ball hovered and then in a blink of an eye flew into Ky’s heart. For a split second she felt a terrible heat, and then it vanished. Ky felt her body change. Then she heard something inside her head.

  “You must never tell anyone who gave you this dagger,” a female voice said, and then her words trailed off.

  “Do you hear that?” Ky asked the Star.

  “I heard nothing. But it’s normal to hear voices, if people talk about you. When they say your name, and the topic is life-changing, you will catch part of the conversation. However, this gift is weak. You may never hear anything again. All Stars feel their gifts most in the beginning, but only the strongest lasts. You may lose all gifts, but eyesight is better than insight,” the Star said, and then slowly backed away.

  The second Star also had the same glossy eyes, but they were blue. The globe he pulled was the same bright hue. “This is the light of my instincts. May you sense your surroundings as I do, and what is to come. May I pass it on to you.” The blue ball zoomed into her heart. It threw her backward, knocking her to the ground. The Star scrambled to help her to her feet. He steadied her, gave a small smile and then slowly backed away without a word.

  The third Star formed an orange orb, much smaller than the others, and was little enough that it fit in the palm of his hand. “This is the light of my power. Let strength not be determined by size, but courage of the heart. May I pass it on to you.” The small ball hovered before swiftly shooting into her body, as fast as an arrow. Ky flew into the air once again, and slammed hard into the nearby wall. The room gasped. Nep was next to her and immediately helped her stand.

  “Are you okay?” he asked her. Ky nodded, but she wasn’t steady. She smiled weakly, trying to show she was fine. “It happens sometimes,” he said. “Don’t worry about it, as long as you’re not hurt.”

  “I’m fine.”

  He helped her back to her position once again. Ky cleared her throat, embarrassed that so many people were watching.

  She gave a feeble attempt of a smile as the last Star approached her. He formed a green orb from his stomach. “This is the light of my truth. May your enemies always be known. May I pass it on to you.” The orb hovered, and Ky braced herself. It flew into her, but nothing remarkable happened. Ky smiled relieved.

  The other Stars left the stage; she stood alone on the podium. Ky wondered if she should also leave the stage, but then the doors opened. A long procession of warriors marched into the room, followed by a councilman who was carrying her crown. Behind the councilman was Cobaaron. He held a long staff with an opal-like gem glowing at its end. They smiled at each other when their eyes met.

  The councilman walked between the two long lines of warriors who split into rows to usher him in. The councilman finally faced Cobaaron and bowed. Cobaaron halted. The councilman came to Ky’s side, and then displayed the crown to the cheering spectators. Then he placed the heavy tiara on Ky’s head. Their applause became louder, the hall vibrated with the ovation. The councilman exited the stage, and as he did, all the warriors bowed as Cobaaron marched toward her.

  Ky watched him, and smiled when his gaze met hers. A smile tugged at the corner of his lips as his eyes swept over her body. He raised his staff and set the gem on Ky’s forehead. The stone began to glow, and it became warm against her skin. He held it there until it cooled. “You are now a Sterling, and a Star citizen to the City of Sterlings.” When he lowered the staff, everyone applauded as they surrounded in cheering. Ky was unexpectedly lifted into the air. Women detached the impossibly heavy train before warriors ushered her away on their shoulders.

  The crowd followed her down the tunnels heading to the dome. They celebrated by clapping their hands in a rhythmic pattern. The citizens gathered at the city center waiting to see her. The square was filled with thousands of townspeople and they quickly joined in the clapping until the noise was so loud that it reverberated from the rock walls.

  The Stars gathered in the middle of the square and pointed to an enormous chandelier slowly descending. It burst into a brilliant light as the Stars somehow lit it. “Set the torch ablaze, Ky. It’s very sensitive and will comply with your attempt,” Nep told her. “Point to it. That helps.”

  When she lifted her finger, a flash of light ignited. Not a second later, the chandelier roared with blue flames. The dome lit with a bright, white radiance, and then all went dark. “What happened?” she heard Nep ask. People began to nervously whisper. “She did something to my light. It shouldn’t go out!” Nep’s voice quivered, sounding panicked.

  Suddenly the chandelier exploded into millions of tiny specks of illuminating glitter that slowly fell.

  “Oh, it’s beautiful!” Ky heard a woman croon.

  It was beautiful. Like colorful fireflies, they drifted toward the floor. Before long there was glowing glitter everywhere. An endless shower of flecks fell. People began kicking up the shimmering dust as they played in it. The floating specks illuminated faces with whatever color was passing by them.

  “It’s different from last time,” a young man stated, and someone else responded saying that was because Ky was making it happen. Ky wasn’t sure if she believed that. She didn’t feel like she was doing anything.

  Once again people began to clap. It started with one person, but spread till everyone was clapping to the beat. Then Ky saw why. The crowd separated as a small group of men danced her way while kicking up glitter off the floor.

  They lifted their hands high to clap, and it took Ky a moment to realize they wanted her to as well. She smiled, and joined in without delay.

  The men surrounded her, closing around, as they continued clapping. The singer stood in front wearing a playful smile. He assessed her a moment, spun in his spot and burst out a loud note:

  “I want to boom, boom, boom.

  That’s what came to my mind when I saw you.

  It hit me, and I’ve set my sights to woo—

  I want to boom, boom, boom.”

  The men disturbed the glitter dust around her and it looked like glowing, splashing water. With hands in their pockets, they kicked their feet. The singer pumped his hand on his chest like a beating heart as he continued:

  “For you, Star, my heart is quickly pounding.

  But then your beauty is quite astounding.

  I’ll be obvious with my intentions.

&nbs
p; I’ll gladly relieve your sexual tensions.”

  All the men spun around and light swirled around them. Everyone cheered.

  “You look at me, I can see in your eyes.

  You want me, be free and improvise.

  I’ll sneak you away, and love you tonight.

  Make you moan, make your light in you ignite.

  I cannot help myself, I want to touch.

  Am I asking you, Star, for far too much?”

  He pumped his fist in the air while walking backward and then moved toward her. He grasped her hand and spun her into him. She smacked against his chest. He cradled her close to him, and then dipped her. He leaned down and kissed her. Ky was shocked he took the liberty. The glitter dust shot into the air. He released Ky. She grinned sheepishly from embarrassment, because the crowd excitedly rooted for the singer to kiss her again.

  He tugged, lifting her upright. Ky put her hand on his chest, keeping him at bay; determined he wouldn’t steal another. When he was denied, he grinned as if she was toying with him. He cried out in song:

  “Now that you have my complete attention.

  How I feel is beyond comprehension.

  Please be kind and don’t ask me to refrain.

  I cannot stop dancing inside your rain.

  I like the taste of your soft honey lips.

  I like the sway of your wide, curvy hips.

  I’ll tell you what I think is eternal bliss,

  That you will allow me one more sweet kiss—”

  He grabbed her and pulled her toward him. Ky shyly looked down so he wouldn’t kiss her again. She started to glow. He serenaded:

  “You’re making it hard for me to obey.

  The silent request that you do not say.

  ’Cause Wow. The way you turn me crazy on,

  I could make love to you, till early dawn.

  I cannot deny you are my desire;