Lake, Ciara - Xihirah [Xihiran Shifters 1] (Siren Publishing Classic)

by Ciara Lake

  On the morning of the Joining Ceremony, Saleeya was a nervous wreck. In the spirit of what she considered tradition, Saleeya had asked Kael if he would sleep elsewhere the night prior to the ceremony. Kael had regarded her as if she were insane and given her a definite no. That morning the sun came into the room. It shone on Saleeya’s face way too early for Saleeya. She had hardly gotten any sleep. Her excitement made her toss and turn all the night.

  “Saleeya, wake up,” Kael whispered next to her face as she lay on her pillow. “I’m going to see to some security issues. I’ll join you later for our morning meal. Then we’ll get ready for our Joining Ceremony.” Kael got out of the bed and dressed.

  Saleeya asked Kael, “How did I get pregnant?” Kael stopped dressing and turned a seemingly amazed glance at Saleeya.

  “Saleeya darling, first you ask me to sleep elsewhere the night before our Joining. Now you’re not knowledgeable of where babies come from. I’m aware you’re an innocent, but I thought for sure you understood certain basic things.” Kael looked perplexed.

  “Don’t be funny with me, Kael Braeden.” Saleeya pointed her finger at him. “I’m not stupid. I’m being serious.”

  “Okay, we had sex. My seed joined your egg, and we made a baby. That’s how it’s done all over the universe last I was aware, at least for natural born children,” Kael said as he turned his back to her to finish dressing to make a quick exit.

  “Kael Braeden, don’t walk out until I’m finished asking you about this. You didn’t take the birth control shot when we returned from the relaxation house. I’m right, aren’t I?” Kael turned around, came to the side of the bed, and got down on his knees. He took her hands in his. He kissed her palms.

  “Saleeya, you’re the only one who can actually make me feel fearful when you call my full name.” Kael chuckled. Yet Saleeya could see perspiration gathering above his upper lip. “Yes, I forgot to take the shot. It was so hectic around here. Plus, I never had to think of such things before in my life. I simply didn’t remember. It wasn’t a priority to me. Please don’t be upset. Let’s enjoy our day, love our child. Let’s be blessed that the child still thrives within you. I’m certain that Xian has a great purpose for our child.” Kael’s bright eyes pleaded with her. He kissed her neck and the side of her face.

  “Kael, it’s all right. I only wanted to know what happened. I needed to know. I didn’t mean to bring you to your knees or alarm you,” Saleeya teased and ran her fingers through his silky hair. “Although, I’ve got lots of power.” Saleeya winked at him and continued to play with his damp hair.

  “Saleeya, everything about you brings me to my knees in a good and wonderful way. We’ll both be on our knees, you in front of me, tonight when I take you to our private place,” Kael promised Saleeya with a twinkle in his eyes. “I’m going to leave to see to some last minute details. I’ll be back for our sunrise meal. Get some more rest. You look tired. I’m going to fuck you so hard tonight; you’ll need all of your energy to keep up with me.” Kael kissed the tip of her nose.

  “I look tired? What do you mean I look tired today, of all days?” Saleeya sprung up from the bed.

  Kael seemed to realize that Saleeya was having a “Saleeya” moment, and he replied soothingly, “No, Saleeya, you look beautiful. I only know you didn’t sleep well. Now, rest until I return.” Kael tried to escape their suite without further incident.

  “Where are we going tonight?” Saleeya asked before he made it to the door.

  “We’re going back to the relaxation house for tonight. I thought you enjoyed our first stay there. Is that a good plan? If you don’t wish to go there, I’ll take you wherever you wish.” Kael turned to regard her.

  “Yes, we can go there. That sounds wonderful. I love it there. How long can we stay?”

  “As long as we need. Your wish is my command.” Kael bowed in her direction and quickly left their room.

  The Palace was aflutter in the early sunrise with final preparations. Carlista and Sandria were up and scurrying about directing the floral arrangements, table arrangements, food, and entertainment. The Xian priest was busy talking to Kael’s brothers and sisters regarding the ceremony. His father was already working with security to guarantee no problems. The aroma of delicious foods wafted down the hallways. Kael’s stomach growled in response.

  He could hear his twin, Kalista, busy in the kitchens issuing orders. Kael had never seen so many flowers inside before. His sister Kalinda was in the middle of the flower discussions with the merchants as if she was in charge. The musicians were setting up to play music for the guests. Kaie was directing them to their locations.

  “I hope that all of these people have been thoroughly checked,” Kael shouted across the Great Hall to his head of Palace Security.

  “Yes, Admoncor Braeden, your father has given directions this morning. Everyone has and will be patted down and scanned before they can enter the Palace or the Great Hall. We’re watching everything very closely. All will be well for your family.” The Security Head pointed in the direction of the scanner.

  “It better be or I’m going to rip off more heads. The universe is on notice,” Kael loudly replied. “I’m known as the raging beast. I guess I’ll have to repeat that if someone hurts my mate or our family again.”

  “Yes, Admoncor Braeden, we have all things secure. Your father has issued similar warnings.” Kael finished his rounds and ended up at his father’s offices.

  “Kael, go and spend the morning with your mate. Your mother and sisters have arranged for a nice sunrise meal for you and Saleeya. This is your special day. If your mother knows or finds you here working and not following her plans, I’ll be hearing about it. I don’t like her displeasure. I’m capable to handle this without you today. Go now. That’s an order,” Kliven sternly informed Kael.

  “All right, I have to get something first, my special gift for Saleeya I’ve kept here. I’ll go take morning meal with Saleeya.”

  * * * *

  Saleeya wasn’t able to fall back to sleep. Her mind raced with images of the exciting upcoming events. The pleasure of the upcoming evening she would share with Kael occupied her mind, too.

  “Saleeya, I’m back to eat morning meal with you. Are you ready to get out of bed and eat with me? The kitchen staff is here. They’re ready to come in with the special sunrise meal Mother and our sisters have arranged for us. Get up, my sleepy-headed mate. It’s time to start this new day.” Kael approached his resting mate. The kitchen staff quickly arranged the meal trays in their dining area. When they left the door clicked loudly behind them.

  “Kael, come here and get under the covers with me,” Saleeya beckoned to him seductively.

  “Why, I thought you didn’t want to have sex last night and not until after the ceremony,” Kael replied and added, more to himself, “Which is the strangest thing I’ve ever heard. Now you’re changing your mind. You want to fuck the morning of the ceremony? You’re for sure a female. Now I completely understand why my father and my mated brothers are always spinning in circles over their females. People say the males are the difficult ones to understand.” Kael had a huge smile as he lay down next to his confusing mate. “Now, tell me, mate, what am I allowed to do? I need to be sure. You continue to confound me.”

  “Well, I decided the not-having-sex thing was not such a necessary thing. Besides, it really doesn’t matter at this point. So, let’s make love quickly and go eat our meal. Then you’ll have to leave and you can’t see me until the ceremony,” Saleeya explained to Kael in her bossy Saleeya manner.

  “Yes, my liege.” Kael kissed her nose. “You want to make love quickly. I never thought I’d hear those words from a female. You mean give you a quick fuck. Will that do, my demanding Saleeya?” Kael teased as he jumped up to remove his uniform.

  “Okay, Kael, whatever you want to call it. I’m nervous and need something from you,” Saleeya honestly answered. Kael moved to the side of the bed with something hidden in his large hand
.

  “Saleeya, I’m so pleased I’m the cure for your nerves. I can always give you something for your needs,” he teased her some more. “Sit up, I want to give you something else first. Then we’ll have the quick fuck you asked for before our meal gets too cold.” Saleeya sat up next to Kael. Her hair was a mess all around her gorgeous face. Her gown was falling off her breasts. “You smell of sleepy female. I love your scent. I’m addicted to your scent. I’m addicted to your manner, your voice, your everything.” Kael nuzzled her breast. “Saleeya, your mother was telling me that some Earth cultures exchange rings that signify their intention to join and as a symbol of their joining. After I learned of that, I had this ring made for you. The green stone represents your beautiful eyes, the amber stone my eyes. The clear stone is the clarity and purity of our love. Your mother helped me design it for the jeweler.” The ring was breathtaking. It was made of the same metal material as her hair clip he had given her.

  “Oh, Kael, it’s gorgeous. You’re such the romantic. You continue to surprise me with your romantic qualities and gifts. I love it. Please, put it on my finger. Thank you so much. I love it.” Saleeya gushed on and on, threw her arms around his neck, and kissed him passionately.

  Kael returned her enthusiastic kisses with ones of his own. His mouth worshipped her breasts with hot kisses. He pushed her silk gown out of his way as he bathed her with kisses all over her body, her gown bunched around her waist.

  Placing his knee in between her thighs, he spread her legs apart to accommodate him. Saleeya wrapped her legs around his back above his buttocks and pulled him to her. Saleeya held him tightly to her. She welcomed him between her thighs and into her body for her requested quick fuck. Kael thrust in and out of her wet warmth until they were taken over by their seizures of pleasure. Saleeya screamed his name as they came together in rapture that only they could share.

  “Saleeya, you’re so beautiful. I want you so much. I could do this all day and night. If we don’t stop and take our meal now, we’ll miss our Joining Ceremony and our mothers will come and get us out of our bed. It could prove to be embarrassing for you. I knew it would be hard for me to do a quick fuck with you,” Kael said in his sex-roughened voice while still joined with Saleeya.

  Chapter Sixteen

  Kael in his ceremony attire was every part the storybook handsome Prince. He looked regal waiting for Saleeya. He stood next to the Xian Priest at the head of the Great Hall. His eyes were on Saleeya as her father escorted her down the aisle of to be handed off to him and into his safekeeping, as was the old Earth custom.

  Saleeya felt as if she had materialized off the pages of an ancient Earth fairy tale. “You’re as a Princess in every way,” her father whispered in her ear. He gripped her hand and placed it on his arm. The audience silenced as she walked down the aisle. Every eye watched her. She felt confident in her long, flowing, blush pink gown. She had pinned her dark auburn hair up in a loose bun. It hung around her face and down her back in long ringlets of curls with part of it caught up with the clip Kael had given her that first night as their mating gift. She had pained for an hour getting her hair just right. Her eyes held his as she walked from her father’s side to Kael’s side.

  “You’re gorgeous, my sweet Saleeya.” Kael looked stunned. “I’ve never seen a more beautiful woman.”

  Her father acted out the transference of his protection to Kael and placed her newly ringed hand into Kael’s hand. Kael took her hand to his mouth and kissed it. The ceremony was a very special mix of their combined traditions. Their mothers worked hard to appropriately combine the traditions to illustrate the melding of their worlds. The Xian priest stepped forward to stand in front of Saleeya and Kael.

  “We are here to join this couple as one,” the Xian priest began. “My Lord Kael, state your intentions to your mate.”

  Kael turned to Saleeya. He held both of her hands in his, “Saleeya, my love, I offer you my protection and my love for all time. You are the treasure of my heart and soul. You are the only one for me from this day forth. With you, I am one.”

  “Kael, my love, I offer you my love and obedience for all time. You are my heart and soul. You are the only one for me from this day forth. With you, I am one.”

  “May Xian bless your joining and gift you with many children. May you live together in bliss until you are of a very old age.” The priest took Saleeya’s left hand and Kael’s right hand. He held their hands up, joined, and prayed softly to himself.

  “It is done. You are one.” The cheers came from the crowd.

  “My people, I give you my Alpha Prime Son and his mate,” Kliven announced, completing the ceremony.

  The celebration party was fabulous. The food was excellent and Saleeya stuffed herself with sweet meats. After eating her fill, she danced until her feet burned. Everyone was having a wonderful time. Saleeya had never laughed or danced so much. She danced with everyone, even Kalinda. Kael taught Saleeya how to dance some of the traditional dances with him. She was a quick study, and they lit up the floor. By the end of the evening, her feet burned. Kael changed into a more comfortable shirt and pants, and he danced with his brothers. Just watching made Saleeya tired. At the end of their last dance, Kael had to nearly carry Saleeya, her feet hurt so bad. He kissed Saleeya so amorously she almost forgot where she was.

  “Hey, Kael.” Kliven tapped Kael on his back. “Take your beautiful mate and go off to your private place,” Kliven suggested.

  “Of course, Father. You’re right. We need to be alone.” Kael separated from Saleeya. For a moment, he just stared at her. He seemed in a daze of passion. Finally, he took Saleeya’s hand and yelled his goodbyes. The crowd cheered again. Kalinda bounced over to Saleeya and hugged her. Kael led Saleeya from the Great Hall to their prepared transport. Before they reached the transport, he swept her up into his arms and carried her abroad.

  * * * *

  This night was similar to the night he had first taken her to the relaxation house. It was raining hard on the hull and windows of their transport. Kael flew the transport smoothly into the jungle toward their private place. The hum of the engines combined with the wearing of the day’s events caused Saleeya to drift off to sleep.

  “Saleeya,” Kael called to her to wake her as he unbuckled her from her guard belt. “Saleeya, wake up my sleepy mate. You can’t sleep tonight. I want to make love all night long. I’m ready to burst with desire. I need you,” Kael whispered into her ear as he picked her up and placed her on his firm lap. Saleeya wrapped her arms around his neck and moaned his name. Kael softly kissed her closed eyes and lips. He moaned her name. His loving adoration completely woke Saleeya. She returned his kisses with vibrancy.

  “Be careful of my gown, Kael. I like it. I want to keep it forever,” she whispered back as she attempted to open his trousers and release his bulging cock into her hands.

  “What are you doing, my sweet mate. Are you eager for me? Do you want me to take you in here?” Kael helped her undress.

  “It’s raining too hard. Let’s make love in here. We’ll go into the house when the rain slows.” Saleeya unbuttoned his silky shirt and rubbed her hand over his muscular chest. “You feel so nice.” Her hands roamed all over him. In a few moments, Kael had Saleeya out of her joining gown and undergarments. He held her naked on his lap. After he pushed his trousers down past his knees, he kicked them off. His silky shirt fell fully open, revealing his masculine splendor in the dim transport landing light. The cream of his silk shirt emphasized his tanned skin. His eyes were bright amber and his pupils elongated with passion. Everything about him resembled the predator she knew he could be. Happily, she was his willing prey.

  Saleeya rose onto her knees, straddling his thighs, kissing his hair, his face. She bathed him with her kisses. She loved to kiss him and taste the mating hormone that he produced specially for her. His cock was ripe and enormous between their bodies. Wet with desire, she could hardly wait to take him inside her. Saleeya guided him into her body a
nd seated herself fully onto his cock. “You feel so wonderful to me.” Saleeya gazed into his Wolfton eyes. “You’re so handsome, my lover.” She remained perfectly still and she stared into his glowing eyes.

  “You’re beautiful beyond all words.” He kissed her lips so gently. “Saleeya, move for me.” Kael stared back into her eyes. Their gazes held. The language they spoke had no words. Saleeya rotated her hips against him in slow, deliberate movements. Kael groaned and moved his hips up to encourage Saleeya to pick up the pace. “You move so nice.”

  “I want to savor this,” Saleeya said, attempting to slow him. She hugged him close to her, arms around his neck she caressed his hair. It was so silky. Abruptly, Kael stood, lifting her with him. They remained connected. Saleeya squeezed him; he paused and inhaled deeply. He crossed the transport to the rear, and positioned her on a pile of blankets that had been placed in the transport for emergencies. “Kael, what are you doing?” Saleeya looked around in surprise.

  “I want you, my sweet Saleeya. I need to…” He laid her down and quickened the pace, pumping in and out of her in a frantic motions. “I couldn’t go slowly. You were torturing me and challenging me.” Kael grunted out as he pumped and pumped into her wet core. Without warning, he pulled out of her and rolled her over onto her stomach.