by Ana Meadows
Since no other woman had shared Johan and she was forbidden to ask the Grand Mistress, Tani leaned toward Ziki and breathed, “Will it hurt?”
The woman nodded but, seeing the fear flood Tani’s face, quickly added, “Only for a minute. I hear that our chief is built like a bull.”
For a moment, Tani thought she would be ill. Another older woman slapped Ziki’s arm and said, “Do not scare her.” She soothed Tani’s hair, urging her to eat and said, “Ye are not yet bonded. Chief Johan will not ask that of ye. He will ask for ye to lavish him.”
Both of the women’s eyes widened. Neither had a clue what that meant. Blinking in confusion, Ziki started to ask but her bond mate growled nearby, “Taste of him, my mate, taste him well. A phoenix descendant’s seed is precious brew indeed.”
Tani swallowed the lump in her throat at the lust on the warrior’s face. He grinned, “Afterward, I will surely plant a babe in ye.”
Blushing furiously, Tani’s eyes rose to find Nikoli studying her with similar lust on his face. She squirmed and jerked her eyes back to the fire. A shiver ran down her spine. The women attending them giggled and said, “We must bathe ye but not before the marking. Watch how the new warriors gleam in the firelight. They cannot wait to bear the Jihn mark.”
They spoke the truth. The two warriors had a glow about them, beaming over their kill and chance to wear such a sacred symbol. Tani could not tear her eyes off them. Fantasies of Nikoli in the future and how handsome he would be with the same glow sent goose bumps over her flesh. Her attention was ripped back to the present when Johan stood.
He beckoned the new warrior’s chosen mates to his side without looking at them. The women knelt and rubbed the colorful ochre over both of Johan’s feet. Raising his fist in the sky, he said in a booming voice, “I, Grand Chief Johan of Clan Zajihn, pronounce ye warriors. Wear my Jihn mark proudly for the night and may the Gods and Goddesses bless many kills upon ye.”
All the warriors cheered, standing in unison. The women rose on their knees, heads bowed with respect. The two new warriors stepped forward. Johan signaled for their selected mates to rise. The two women stood with hands covered in the colorful dust.
Johan spread his arms, allowing them to trace his marking. After imprinting the outline of the phoenix in their mind, the women turned to their chosen bond mate and drew the Jihn mark from memory onto their partner’s chest. When the outline was complete, a warrior cry rang through the air.
The new warriors swept their mates into their arms. Once Johan declared them bonded for life, he bid them a fruitful night and turned to signal Tani and Ziki.
Both froze but the clanswomen pulled them to their feet, “We must bathe ye now.”
They stumbled after them into the night. Asta could hear them splashing in the tiny stream. On one level, she was happy for them but her pride still stung severely.
Johan made his way to Asta’s side as the clansmen, all in higher spirits than he had ever witnessed, disbursed and headed toward their individual shelters. Having chosen Tani on purpose, he glanced toward the stream while knowing Asta watched him out of the corner of her eye.
Even though she was stung by his request, Asta refused to let him know how much. Lifting her chin in the air, she gazed at a star in the distance while watching the firelight flicker over his face. So focused on keeping her expression neutral, she failed to notice everyone ducking into their respective dwellings. Johan’s hand whipped out and caught her around the wrist as he growled, “Are ye ready to watch your Grand Master and learn your true place?”
She pulled her arm, trying to break free, “I will readily watch ye Master over others. There is no need to bind me when our vows are enough.”
He yanked her to him and called out, “Our vows bind us but ye still rebel. The ropes will surely help ye remember that ye are a Gojicia, Grand Mistress Gojicia of Zajihn, and not a warrior. Tani, bring the rope forth and kneel before me, The Grand Master of Clan Zajihn.”
Caught in his tight grasp and held by his challenging stare, Asta’s pride demanded that she not make a scene in front of her un-bonded friend and the chosen female. Noticing her jutting jaw and prideful stance, Johan lowered his face to hers and breathed, “We are well-matched in pride as well as spirit. Ye are Mistress of my heart, Asta Gojicia, and I intend to have ye submit no matter what it takes.”
She quickly lowered her gaze, fearing that he would detect her hurt pride at the coming scene. She had spoken the truth to Tani when declaring that she cared deeply for him. Asta could not begin to understand her own reluctance to surrender completely to him. Despite respecting him more over the years, there was something still missing that she could not pinpoint. Knowing the imminent punishment would not be diverted no matter what she said, she remained quiet as Tani handed him the rope.
In no time at all, she was bound to a tree with a clear view of them in front of the fire. With heated cheeks, she avoided looking upon the trio as Johan commanded the kneeling females to disrobe. Seeing that she refused to look in their direction, Johan did something unheard of for someone of his status.
He knelt beside her and explained, “Ye surely cannot expect me, your bonded Master and the Grand Chief of Clan Zajihn, to ignore such disobedience.” She still refused to look at him so he snapped, “Look me in the eye, my Grand Mistress, and explain your actions to your Master.”
Her gaze lifted to his and, with fury in her voice, asked, “Why must your tone always be apologetic, Grand Master Johan Gojicia-Zajihn—Jihn Ruler by birth of the Great Shire?”
Hearing her defiantly spit his complete title back at him, raw anger and confusion leapt into his eyes. Asta immediately regretted her words but could not take them back. He quickly rose and shed his own clothing, barking at the nude females in the process, “Crawl on your knees and lavish me. I tire of women who disobey.”
Both women’s palms slapped the dirt. Knowing their future bond mates were watching, they scurried to obey his every command. Ignorant of mating rituals with a Master, Tani had chosen Ziki because she was already bonded. She followed the female’s lead, rising on her knees at Johan’s feet and dropping her gaze to the ground.
Despite her injured pride, Asta was unable to rip her gaze off Johan’s massive chest. Firelight danced across his rippling muscles, making the birthmark appear even more like a phoenix with wings proudly spread.
Memories of her father’s lessons about Jihn, pronounced Heen and meaning phoenix within the Shire Clans, flooded her mind. Very few warriors bore true phoenix markings throughout time. It was no wonder that everyone treated Johan as if he were a God since he was the last warrior to bear the phantom’s mark.
Asta watched Ziki shake with suppressed desire while asking, “May I be graced by The Grand Master’s touch?”
Johan stopped between them, thrust his hand into Ziki’s hair, and pulled her face toward his lengthy member. With anger snapping in his eyes, he glanced back at Asta and said, “I forbid ye, Great Mistress of Mine, to shield your sight. Ye shall learn from the eagerness of these lowly ones.”
As Ziki’s cheek lovingly rested on his muscular thigh, Johan’s gaze returned to Tani’s bowed head, “I grace ye also, Tani. Now, look upon your Master’s face.”
Asta’s eyes widened. Tani whimpered at such a rare honor and raised her head. The worship in her gaze was not lost on Asta or Johan. With a single nod, he told Tani, “I can see that ye are smitten with Nikoli. He honored ye today with a worthy kill. Rest assured that your innocence will remain intact. Your obedience will place ye high in Clan Zajihn’s favor.”
Tani’s awed gaze remained on his face. He looked at Asta once again, “Perhaps an innocent one could teach a rebellious Grand Mistress a thing or two about disobedience and pleasing her Master.”
Asta had never seen him this passionate. Johan was normally a peacekeeper, wisely advising his clan on various matters instead of letting his emotions get the best of him. Gazing upon him now, she grew aroused in spite of
her hurt pride. With hands still thrust into their hair, he turned them toward Asta, which perfectly aligned the females’ mouths for his pleasure.
Asta’s eyes darted down to find his splendid cock hard and ready. The women did not dare touch him before he commanded such. Asta’s tongue darted out on its own accord to wet her lips. In all the time she had been his bond mate, he had never offered himself to her in this fashion. The brew of a descending phoenix warrior was to be savored within the wound of a chosen Mistress.
Completely aware of this, Johan loudly growled, “Did I command ye to look upon my proud cock, Grand Mistress of mine?”
Her title, normally spoken with a loving tone, mocked her now. She almost closed her eyes but, at the last minute, hid her pain and jerked her gaze back to his. His eyebrow arched over an intense expression she had never seen him wear. Feeling her own wetness trickle between her legs, Asta dragged in a lungful of air.
Johan held her gaze, challenging her to defy him again. He twisted his hand in Tani’s hair and growled, “Your mouth may grace my splendor now, Tani of Clan Zajihn. I command my Mistress to look upon me as I spill future leaders upon the tongue of a lesser one.”
Unable to resist even if the Gods had deemed it so, Asta’s gaze dropped as Tani opened her mouth. Johan thrust half of his cock inside and fisted his hand in Tani’s hair when she moaned. Against all efforts to subdue her rising emotions, Asta’s arousal leapt higher.
Johan’s muscles rippled in the firelight from the effort of holding Ziki back while Tani whimpered at his feet. He was well aware that Tani would have slid to the ground without his firm grip. Ziki’s tongue curled uselessly in the air, waiting for her turn at him. Still locked in an intense gaze with Asta, Johan finally breathed, “The chosen shall warm my seed for its journey.”
As soon as he loosened his grip, Ziki fell on him and licked at the bottom of his long shaft. Even though the men of Clan Zajihn were all well endowed, Johan’s cock was so long that Tani’s mouth was full but half his shaft remained naked. His hand tightened in Ziki’s hair, instructing her as he watched Asta, “Future leaders rely on your expertise. Do not ignore them.”
He refrained from calling the female by her given name, knowing that his use of Tani’s name was not lost on Asta. As Chief and direct descendant of Erik the Mighty Jihn, only Asta and warriors of select clans were honored by the Chief’s attentions…until now.
Ziki’s tongue curled under his balls. Asta was mesmerized. She had never witnessed this type of act, much less done to her own partner. She could feel the weight of Johan’s gaze but could do nothing to stop her rising passion or rip her eyes away from the mouths pleasuring him. Tani’s eyelids fluttered as her staccato moans drenched the air. An unwanted whimper escaped Asta at her friend’s arousal.
Observing Asta’s every twitch, Johan pointedly threw lust into his tone, “Mmmm…that’s it, Tani. Your future bond mate will surely be proud of such skills.” Firelight danced in Asta’s wide eyes. Johan shifted his legs further apart, pushing Ziki’s face closer, “Lavish my sack so that ye both may taste the future of our great clan.”
Watching Asta, Johan knew his Grand Mistress had no idea that his stiff cock was a result of her chewed upon lip and the raw hunger in her gaze. He pulled Tani off his cock before thrusting back into her throat. Tani’s broken squeaks mingled with the crackling fire, feeding Ziki’s arousal into a frenzied state. Asta squirmed against her bindings, murmuring a curse as her back arched away from the pole.
“Look into my eyes, Grand Mistress of Mine.” Asta ripped her eyes from the pleasure both women found from sucking at her Master. With the fire behind them, the trio appeared to be a lesson from the Gods themselves created just for her. Her fingernails dug into her palms as fierce arousal gathered low in her belly.
“Ye attempt to defy me again and again but fail to see that ye deny yourself a pleasure that lesser ones would kill for.”
His strained tone and intense expression held her attention. He suddenly released Tani and rode her to the ground, thrusting into her mouth as Ziki’s lips clung to his balls. As a Chief, he knew the significance of his next move.
Johan’s hand closed over Tani’s breast. Tani’s body melted under him. Asta’s gasp trickled through the air. His touch was akin to that of a God, bestowing Tani with such great joy that she would have gladly died in that moment.
He thrust into her mouth repeatedly, driving his cock further into her throat despite her gags. Unable to control herself, she heaved under him as her staccato sounds rent the air.
Ziki’s wet tongue never stopped lapping even though she hit the dirt with jarring force. Feeling Johan’s balls tighten, she knew this lone descendant of The Mighty Jihn was ready to spill. Shoving at Tani, she managed to disengage her but Johan’s intent was for them to share. He pulled his member out while bringing their cheeks together.
His prized fluid hit their faces and open mouths. Tani learned quickly, fighting for every last drop of his precious seed. When his cock jerked one last time, she fell on him and licked him clean. Amused, Johan pulled her off him and said, “Indeed, Tani, look to Nikoli’s abode. See how he watches ye.”
Dazed with desire, Tani spotted Nikoli watching them. A nervous smile teased her cheeks before Ziki tackled her. A hot wet tongue lapped Johan’s warmth from her face. Not to be outdone in front of her future bond mate, Tani’s outraged cry sounded. Rolling over the ground, Tani managed to pin the woman and smear the remainder of future leaders from Ziki’s face onto her own chest.
Ziki threw her off, attacking immediately. Panting at the very sight of them fighting for her Master’s seed, Asta glanced over to find men gathering with Nikoli. Shouts rang through the air, urging the victor while others watched to see if Johan would slip inside and grace their bond mates.
Johan’s gaze came to rest on his wife’s face. What he saw convinced him that she was more passionate than she let on. His eyes narrowed while his thoughts formulated plans for the next day.
If punishment is what raises the passion in your blood, my beautiful and stubborn Mistress, then I shall mete out a punishment that will surely gain your lasting respect!
Chapter Two
Asta was oblivious to the raw lust on her face. She watched the two women writhe in the dirt as if Johan had graced them with the most potent of aphrodisiacs. The sight made her yearn to shed the rope and join the fight to taste of his seed. Her focus was so intense that she jerked when Johan knelt down to untie her.
“Clan Zajihn wants more of ye.” Shocked at her own words and awed tone alike, Asta was even more stunned when he growled over his shoulder at the clan, “Leave us…now!”
Asta searched his face as his gaze swung back to hers. Without another word, he finished untying her and stood with the rope trailing from his fingers. His shaft was still partially stiff and so close to her face that she lunged forward for her own taste. He backed away and motioned toward the clan, turning as he hissed at her, “Do ye wish to dishonor yourself?”
Desire for the forbidden act dulled her mind. She crawled forward and called, “Johan, my Grand Master…wait!”
The uncharacteristic desperation in her tone made him pause. Determined to show him and any who watched that she could please him more than any lesser female, she boldly launched herself into his arms. He caught her before she bounced off his solid chest and hit the ground.
Sliding her arms around his neck, she knew she should wait for an invitation but was too aroused for such pleasantries. Although kissing was reserved for the parting of mates, not their joining, Asta stared him straight in the eye and whispered, “I shall kiss ye now, Great Master Johan of the Shires.”
Amusement leapt into his eyes. In spite of doling punishment for disobedience, he knew he would never crush her strong fiery nature and, if truth be told, loved her all the more for it. Her mouth closed over his but he refused to kiss her back. After all, she was defying him again with her insistent touch.
Determin
ed to wipe the touch of lowly females from his mind, she nipped at his bottom lip with her teeth. Instead of relenting, he held her gaze and denied her. Despite his refusal, she felt a rumble within his chest. Her mouth left his and, with her pride shattered, growled against his cheek, “Please, Jihn Master of mine, will ye allow me to please ye in a forbidden way?”
Asta’s own desperate plea almost sobered her arousal. For Johan, her words and tone alike jarred him like none other. The thought of her hot mouth and tongue lavishing him, waiting to drink down his royal seed should have angered him. Instead, visceral lust made his cock throb for release.
With one rip that mingled with his heated grunt, he tore her clothing from her back and threw the scrap into the fire as he dropped to his knees. The jostling broke her hold on him, sending her sprawling backward into the dirt.
