From Out Of The Shadows

by Linda Mooney

  “I didn’t know it would be so…quiet,â�� Tora observed.

  Croat tore his gaze away from her lower body. She was crossing her arms over her chest as she continued to stare at him. He started to make a comment when her eyes dropped to his shirt, and he felt her amusement.

  “I may be new at this, but aren’t you supposed to take off your clothes, too?”

  Something had burned away the listlessness she should be feeling from the potion. Unless the potion was not as strong as he’d expected. He smelled her wetness and her silent promise as her body readied itself for him.

  Accept her love, and return it tenfold. Let it lead you where it may.

  He could also sense his grandmother’s hands in this grand design, and inwardly the thought made him smile.

  Quickly, he pulled his shirt over his head and tossed the garment behind him. Tora stared at his chest, at one point reaching out with a wrapped hand to touch a nipple. Her sense of wonder sparkled in the air.

  “Why are you surprised?â�� he asked, tilting his head to one side.

  “Not surprised. More like…comparing.”

  Ah. That explained it. She had seen him nude while he had been Lupan. The differences were there, but she was having to accept them slowly, gradually. She could take all the time she needed. Although his blood simmered, Croat knew this time, this night, they would get to slake their thirsts. Their destinies would meld, and their future together forever forged.

  This was their foreplay. It was also their time to openly profess their love.

  “Tora, whatever you’ve done to me…or not done to me…thank you.”

  Her eyes widened. â��I haven’tâ��”

  “I know. Consciously, you haven’t exercised any sort of control, but maybe you have unconsciously. Or maybe not. Either way, I am yours now. And after tonight, you will be mine. Does that frighten you?”

  He leaned over and held out his arms. She scooted across the bed and eased into his warm embrace.

  “Nothing you do will ever frighten me. Not even when you’re Lupan.â�� She pulled back slightly and looked up at him. â��Later, will you make love to me as Lupan?”

  “Tonight? No. Not until you’re ready. Not unless you want me to.â�� He laughed softly. â��This territory we’re treading is as strange for me as it is for you.”

  “How? You’re a virgin?”

  The remark made him laugh out loud. â��No, Tora. But all my encounters in the past have been simply for the sake of sex. It will be different with you. It will always be different from now on.”

  She wanted him to kiss her. It was an emotion as clear as if she had voiced it. Croat was surprised to discover he enjoyed kissing her. No, he loved kissing her, especially when in the past it had never held much merit for him. It had been a â��had toâ�� sort of thing, one of the preliminary expectations prior to fornication. Kiss here, kiss this, kiss thatâ��now with the perfunctory obligations out of the way, let’s get down to business.

  The feelings emanating from her made his head swim. Her lips were those of a pitcher tilting to pour out her heart and fill him with warmth and joy. Even with her hands swaddled in strips of cloth, the fabric scraping over his skin was like getting caught in an electrical storm.

  He mouthed her, teased her, tasted, tickled, and tongued her with his kisses, and was rewarded with the gentle breath of her laughter. As he slipped his hand down her back, she snuggled closer, until he finally gave up and pulled her all the way into his lap, spreading her thighs until her mound pressed against the bulge in his pants.

  Now he could work his way down her body, licking and delicately teething her skin as he lowered her backwards onto the bed. Her small nipples were erect and as tight as new spring buds. Holding one breast with his hand, Croat lowered his mouth over it, and was submerged in a feeling of sharp desire so intense, his moan vibrated with hers.

  “That feels…so good…Croat…”

  He licked the hard tip, gently nibbled it, and found her trying to push herself harder against him, into his mouth. Croat laved her breast, tonguing it over and over as her need spiked. He found himself torn between continuing this loving form of torture, and reaping the rewards through their connection, or ripping his pants off and shoving himself all the way into her weeping channel.

  He moved to the other breast, but let his free hand continue to manipulate the sensitive nipple he’d left. She shuddered in his arms, rubbing her mound harder over his swollen dick. Croat inhaled deeply, filling his lungs with her rich woman scent. It was too much…too much.

  Lowering her onto the bed, Croat turned. His hands shook as he unlaced his pants and dropped them to the floor.

  He crawled back onto the bed where Tora was watching him under lowered lashes. She parted her knees as he approached. When he stopped just short of her belly, she reached out to him.

  “Don’t go.”

  “I won’t. I can’t.â�� His face hovered just above her dark thatch. The inner skin of her thighs were soft as cream when he pressed them to the sides of his face. He rubbed his cheeks against them, and he got a little cry in response. Her fingertips touched his face. â��Tickle?”

  “Y-yes.”

  He lowered his nose into the swirl of soft, curling hairs and inhaled. Her scent was an aphrodisiac, heady and overwhelming. A low rumble vibrated in his chest. Instinct took over, and he parted her inner lips with his mouth, lapping up her musky juices with his tongue. His hands held her thighs steady as she tried to buck, and Tora cried out his name the same time he felt the shock of his invasion roll through her.

  Her channel wept, making his erection vibrate from the tension. Still, he continued to lick, building her need as much as his. Getting her ready. Her nub was stiff and hot, and Croat couldn’t resist the temptation to suckle it. As he closed his lips over the swollen flesh, Tora arched her back and nearly left the bed.

  “Croat! What are you doing?”

  “Loving you.â�� He was surprised to hear how guttural his voice had dropped. He released her thighs and slowly lifted himself over her. Along the way he mouthed her abdomen, then her belly, continuing to tease and lick his way upward. Once he reached her breasts, he pulled one into his mouth and began to knead the other as he positioned himself. He gave her nipple a little tweak before reaching back into her moistness and began stroking the nub lightly, almost rhythmically, relishing in her increasing wetness and its intoxicating odor.

  It was difficult to think. His animal side was fighting his self-restraint. It struggled to dominate and claim her. While at the same time, the tiny voice of reason kept reminding him she was untouched.

  His erection ached. And when he felt Tora’s ascent toward her climax, he nearly howled for joy.

  Her body grew rigid. Her clit and her nipples hardened. Her breath was nothing more than quick, short pants, without words. No sound but the slowly escalating cry of, â��Ah ah ah ah ah ah ah ah!”

  The moment it hit her, Croat plunged into her depths, breaking her barrier, and subsequently throwing himself into her maelstrom. It was too much. His system was overloaded. He had misjudged the strength of their connection, and in the split-second before he also climaxed, he cursed himself for his stupidity. Her muscles squeezed down on him, capturing him as surely as if she had thrown a net around him. But it didn’t make his release any less sweet. Her orgasm had become his. And when he came, she reaped the power of his climax.

  Croat rammed himself repeatedly into her as he poured out his seed. Tighter and tighter she closed around him, until he also cried out from the intensity.

  How long they lay there, panting and experiencing wave after wave of passion as it gradually diluted, he had no idea. Its sweetness that could not be expressed in mortal words, yet when she placed a bandaged hand to his cheek, his impulse was to kiss it in thanks.

  At some point he rolled onto his side to take his weight off of her. Tora threw a leg over his hip, and together they
held each other until sleep overtook them both.

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  Chapter 28

  Explanation

  Logs shifting in the fireplace awoke him. It took Croat a moment for reality to settle, and another for him to realize he had an armful of warm, sweet woman. He needed to tend to the fire, but that would mean letting her go and separating himself from her silky body.

  Reluctantly, he pulled away, and had just placed his feet on the floor when he felt her awaken. Before she could call out to him, he whispered, â��I need to add more wood to the fire.”

  As he stood, he heard her roll over to watch him. She continued to watch him in silence until he turned to go back to the bed.

  “Don’t hide it, Tora. Let me know what you feel.”

  She scooted over to give him more room. Croat opened his arms to draw her close to him, and Tora rested her head on his bicep. Once she settled, she paused, and like a window being opened, he received what he knew she had been keeping from him all this time.

  Pain.

  Her hands were mostly numb, but they twinged on occasion when she unconsciously moved her fingers. Within her lower abdomen, the loss of her virginity was at last making itself clear. Both were not debilitating, but they were present.

  Hunger.

  After having gorged herself while she was here, her belly had come to realize what her body had been deprived of for so long. Now she was needing something to stave off the worst of the pangs that were coming back.

  Thirst.

  She would need constant encouragement to drink. Her body still lacked having enough moisture to survive.

  Croat could tell she was releasing all her emotions to him singularly, afraid of overwhelming him. Afraid of hurting him if she barraged him with all of it at once, when he was still learning to acclimate himself to these new sensations. She shifted slightly, and allowed him one more feeling.

  Pee.

  He laughed loudly with amusement. Lifting himself into a sitting position, he smiled down at her. â��Can you make it over to the closet by yourself?”

  “I can try.”

  Once more, he got out of bed and waited to see if she could make it over to the other side of the room, and the toilet closet. She was a bit unsteady on her feet, but she waved away his hand of support.

  “Let me do this on my own, please.”

  “Very well. I’ll go see if there’s anything left in the stew pot in the other room,â�� Croat said. Still, he waited until she had gone inside and closed the door before he ambled into the front room.

  To his shock, a tray had been left on the table. It held several small bowls of sliced fruit, some pieces of jerky, a large chunk of cheese, and half a loaf of bread. A pitcher of water sat next to the tray. Croat stared in surprise at the food then his eyes went to the front door. He’d forgotten to put the bar up inside to lock it, but these past few days he hadn’t had any reason to. Not with more important matters pressing for his attention, and people coming and going almost constantly while he recuperated.

  Nevertheless, he knew who had left it for them. â��How would you have been able to leave this behind, old woman, if I’d remembered to lock the door?â�� he murmured with a smile. Shrugging in amusement, Croat carried the tray into the bedroom. When he returned with the pitcher of water and two mugs, Tora was emerging from the closet.

  “Do you have a cloth or rag I can use?”

  “Here.â�� He tossed her his shirt.

  She caught it and stared at it in surprise. â��I need to clean myself.â�� She seemed reticent.

  “Don’t worry. Go ahead and use it. It needs washing anyway.”

  Tora paused. Croat smiled as he climbed back onto the bed, next to the tray, and watched her. â��No more secrets between us, Tora.”

  As soon as he’d said it, he felt her relief. Then, to his surprise, she spat on the material, and reached between her legs to clean up. It didn’t take long. When she was done, she threw the shirt on the floor next to the closet. From where he sat, he could see streaks of blood on the white fabric.

  Tora climbed into bed next to him and reached for the bread, tearing off a chunk. â��That was quick,â�� she commented around a mouthful.

  “It was already in the outer room.”

  “Ah. That’s why.”

  That’s why. Why he had been surprised, she almost said. She had felt his reaction when he’d seen the tray. She would always know what he was feeling. It was like a blessing in disguise. He would never have to explain himself or his decisions to her. He would never have to ask for anything. And he would never ever want for anything again.

  A tiny spear of fear went through him as Croat wondered if he was ready to accept all that she was giving him in return for his love. A hand touched his wrist, and when he glanced down, Tora was smiling at him.

  “What’s this?â�� she asked and pointed to the jerky. Croat picked up a piece and sniffed it.

  “Rabbit. There may be some venison in there, too.”

  She had to use both hands to hold the mug so she could drink. When she placed it back on the tray, he refilled it.

  “What kind of cheese?”

  “Goat.”

  She was amused. â��You have goats around here?”

  “A few of us who live a short distance away raise goats for milk and meat.”

  They continued to eat in silence as the fireplace kept the small bedroom comfortably warm, despite their lack of clothing. Croat continued to marvel at how natural everything felt. He started to comment on the fact when Tora spoke first.

  “What happens now?”

  The question momentarily threw him for a loop. As a result, Tora snorted and threw a piece of bread at him. â��I don’t read minds,â�� she grinned.

  “I’m sorry. I’m trying to get used to this.”

  “I know. And sometimes, even though we’ll know what the other is feeling, we’ll still need to back up those feelings with words.â�� She tilted her head at him. â��Like now. I love you, Croat.”

  He took a deep breath. â��And I, you.”

  “I know.”

  “If you know that much, then you know what I plan to do next,â�� he challenged her.

  Tora stared up at him. Her fear of rejection was gone. Her immediate needs had been met. But something else continued to gnaw at her. Croat tried to put a name to it, but failed.

  We’ll still need to back up those feelings with words.

  Until they were completely united body and soul, and mind and heart, Croat would resort to the old-fashioned method. â��In the morning, I need to meet with my men and the rest of the villagers to discuss my plan.”

  “Which is?â�� She was patiently waiting for him to get to the answer she was seeking.

  “We need to merge with Neabush. We need to work together. Otherwise, Baron Agrino will continue to subjugate us, and use us for whatever he has planned. If we can convince the villagers to join us, we can remove the baron from his holdings. At some point during all this I hope to learn the whereabouts of your brother. Once that’s accomplished, we’ll return home, and I will officially take you as my wife.â�� He raised an eyebrow at her. â��Is that what you’ve been wanting me to say?’

  She gave a half-hearted shrug of her shoulders, but tears glittered in her dark eyes. â��Close enough.”

  He felt a soft rush of happiness, along with a thread of humor. Giving a little growl of pretend anger, Croat shoved her back down upon the mattress and loomed over her.

  “Close enough? Arrgh!â�� Dipping his face to her neck, he started to lick and tease her slightly salty skin.

  Tora giggled and cried out for him to stop. â��You’re going to upset the tray!”

  “The tray can go on the floor,â�� he playfully roared, and reached over to remove it. Tora hurried to stop him.

  “Wait. Let me have a bit more, please?”

  He laughed sof
tly and relented as he helped her to sit back up. She offered him the last of the cheese. He refused and took the last of the jerky instead. �Tell me something now?� he asked.

  “Mmm?”

  “Tell me about being a Beginner.”

  The final gates opened. The last of her worry and doubts melted at his simple request. It was then Croat understood that this had been the last wall keeping them apart. When Tora turned to face him straight on, it was with the sense of absolute trust.

  “When I was little, I used to make people feel things. Usually I did it to make them leave me alone. Or to make them like me.â�� She grimaced. â��I thought it was part of being who I was, until Mummy explained.”

  “Has this ability grown with you?”

  “Yes…â�� She trailed off, and Croat knew she was reliving memories.

  “How strong is this ability to make people feel things?”

  Tora gave him a puzzled look. â��How strong?”

  “Could you…I mean, Tora, how do you make other people feel things? Are they feelings you feel? Or…what? Do you make what they’re feeling stronger? How does it work?”

  “It’s…you know, I’ve never really tested it like that.”

  “Think back. When you wanted them to leave you alone, what did you do? Do you remember?”

  Sitting next to her in bed, with the firelight dancing on her skin, Croat’s eyes were drawn to the way her hair fell like a curtain over her shoulders, until the ends lightly curled just below her breasts. His body reminded him that their first time had been for her benefit. The care he had taken had been for her, to help her seek immediate gratification. To overcome the painful loss of her virginity with the reward of becoming a woman. And although his short thrusts into her had been enough to get him off, he found himself wanting to dive back into the core of her heat and feel her muscles close over him again.

  The first time had been for her. This next time would be for him.