by Lara LaRue
I didn’t know what to think about Raevu’s belief that the gods had meant for us to be together. I didn’t know whether there could be much of a future for us if we couldn’t live together equally and peacefully. But I could at least do the right thing by him and the Juhlians…give them hope for the continuation of their race.
I could give him a child, as promised. I could even go through with this weird ceremony so the child would be legitimate and entitled to his or her royal birthright. I didn’t know about staying on this planet forever or if I wanted to be Raevu’s queen. The possibility of all of those things would be determined if our relationship could get better. But a deal was a deal, and I would damn well do what I came here to do…see if I could help their race survive.
I glared at Raevu. If he thought he was going to control my life because I was giving him a baby, I’d be a divorcée and on my way back to Earth in a flash.
Nodding once, I turned to take the priest’s hand and was led away into the green shadows.
Chapter 22
Raevu
Three hours had passed, and I stood with those I considered family in the grotto of the Sopu tree. Baelon, T’ral, and I had taken the time to bathe and dress in our finest clothing. I smiled to myself at the picture they both made, but I knew they did it more for Eva than for me. The woman had already captured my men’s loyalty and respect.
As shoes were not allowed in the grotto, our feet were bare. I could feel the warm soil under the soles of my feet. I wiggled my toes a bit in anticipation. Finally, a life mate of my very own.
I scanned the area, wondering where Eva was. This was a relatively small space in the very middle of the palace, directly between the palace’s more public areas and those reserved for the royal family. The floor had been covered with dirt, and rocks had been brought in. The Tovari tree had outdone itself on the beauty of the setting for its little cousin. The ceiling, glossy and shining, arched over us in a perfect dome. The rocks had been placed to form stepping-stones leading to a deep pool.
In the middle of the chamber was the Sopu tree, widespread roots buried deep into the water and the earth and joined with the Tovari tree itself. Its silver trunk gleamed in the light that filtered through the Tovari’s branches. Its leaves were broad, and branches filled the room. It was just beginning to bloom. Tiny white flowers hung in clusters at the end of each branch. Their fragrance, a heady honey smell, filled the chamber.
One of the priests entered from the other side, leaf-patterned robes rustling.
“We are almost ready for you, my king.” His voice was low and musical. “We shall bring your lady out in just a few minutes. Do you know anything about the mating ceremony?”
“Only what I have read in the histories,” I replied.
The priest’s reply was dry. “That is all any of us know. There has not been a mating ceremony held in over three hundred seasons. Thank the gods that the trees know what to do. We just have to make sure the two of you are in the right spots and are both willing participants.”
He smiled. “So far, she…is.” I noticed his slight hesitation, but I was filled with too much bliss to stop and examine it, staying quiet as he continued. “My presence here is to make sure that you are as well.”
Absolutely. Let’s get on with it. Bring me my mate! “Aye. I am a willing participant.”
“You do hereby attest that you are taking on a life mate of your own free will? You vow to cleave only unto her until death?” he asked.
“Aye. I do this of my own free will. I will be faithful to her until death.”
He smiled again and gave a brief nod. “I will go summon her. She is a lovely woman, this human. She has a luminous spirit.” His steps echoed as he backed out of the chamber.
We waited. The only sound in the grotto was that of the water being stirred by slowly moving roots. I kept my eyes focused on the door the priest had gone through. What is taking so long?
After what seemed like forever, he returned, escorting Eva proudly.
My eyes widened. She glowed.
She had bathed and changed her clothing. She radiated calm and health as she hadn’t since I had met her. I looked at her, and it took all of my willpower just to keep control of my senses not go to her right then.
She was dressed in a white gown. The material was very thin, almost sheer but not quite. It was long in the front and back but open on each side, held together with several slim bows running from just beneath her arms down to her hips. The neckline was cut wide, exposing most of her shoulders so that her mark could easily be seen. She was wearing nothing else.
The priest led her across the stepping-stones to a spot directly under the Sopu tree and within touching distance of its trunk. He beckoned to me. I followed those same steps and stood on the stone he indicated, which faced her.
She looked up at me, her eyes calm and thoughtful. The priest had me place my right hand directly upon the sigil on her neck. Eva had to place her left hand atop that. We both then put our other hands on the trunk of the Sopu tree.
The priest stepped back and away. At first, nothing happened. I was beginning to wonder if this was all there was to it when there was a surge of power from the two trees. As it radiated up through my bare feet, I could feel the vibrations from the Tovari tree. Even more powerful, through my hand shot a surge of power from the Sopu tree. It felt both tingly, like electricity, and soothing, like a warm bath, at the same time. It was flowing into both of us from the tree and swirling through us and through our joined hands over her sigil, which had begun to glow with an inner light, and then crossed back through our arms into the trees.
For that brief moment, we were one with each other and one with the trees that sustained so much of our life.
We both laughed. I was astounded at the feeling, and I felt Eva relax. Baelon and T’ral were clapping their hands, broad grins on each of their faces. The three priests stood there with large smiles creasing their cheeks as well. One of them stepped forward. “You are now bonded one to the other, to Juhl, and blessed by the trees. Truly life mates. Now the bond needs to be consummated within this chamber. You will be given privacy for a full turn of the day. Sometime during that time period, rinse in the pool. Thoughts for your comfort have been provided as well.” He bowed slightly. “My king. My queen.” The priests turned and left the room.
Baelon and T’ral stood for just a moment, showing honor to the union, then voiced their congratulations before leaving the chamber. Baelon paused long enough to command the guards just outside the door, “They need their privacy. See that no one disturbs them.” He turned and smiled before walking away. The guards secured the chamber doors behind them.
Now, Eva and I were alone with no restrictions placed upon us. Finally.
I dropped my hand from the tree, placing it firmly around her, pulling her forcefully up against my body. She grew very still and intense before her hands trailed up my arms and reached around my neck. Her lips met mine. So soft, so sweet.
There was no hesitation from either of us. I ran my fingers up into her hair, cupping the back of her head and pulling her even closer. I could feel the heat of her body through the sheer clothing she wore. My cock responded instantly, growing hard and throbbing with desire for her.
Finally, the moment we’d been waiting for. The moment we could indulge in each other as we’d only dreamed. I deepened our kiss, my tongue stroking and probing, exploring her mouth. Her tongue joined willingly in the dance. I let my hands travel down her back and hips, cupping her butt cheeks in my hands. I squeezed them, pulling her even closer.
Her breasts pressed firmly into my chest. Her nipples were hard and responsive. She began exploring my neck and shoulder muscles with her hands. I wanted to lay her down and look at her more thoroughly. I pushed my hips, grinding up against her soft body, and broke the kiss to glance down at her.
The thought of her sliding down onto her knees made my cock throb a little harder. I wanted to plunge into her, t
aking her right then and there. With a slow, deep breath, I backed away slightly. She moaned just a bit as if in disappointment. She was killing me. I took both her hands in one of mine and went to explore the rest of the chamber.
“Where are we going? I thought we had to stay here,” she protested, sounding confused.
“We’re staying in the chamber, but I want to do this right.”
A teasing note entered her voice. “Do this right? Sounds promising.”
I turned back to her, pulling her close in for a kiss then I trailed kisses down her jawline and neck while I spoke. “This is your first time. Our first time. I am not going to toss you down onto the dirt. I want to make this special for you because you mean everything to me.” I traced my tongue lightly along the line where her dress and skin met across her breasts. Gods, her skin tastes so good. I felt her shiver.
We continued around the broad trunk of the Sopu. Sure enough, on the other side, spread out between two wide-spaced roots, was a bed of sorts. Blankets had been laid out on a grassy area, with an inviting pile of cushions on them. It was perfect.
I gently tugged Eva to the middle of the space. I dropped to my knees in front of her. This put her delectable breasts easily in reach. I wrapped my arms around her full hips and pulled her in tight against my body. I felt surrounded and comforted by her. I’d never wanted a female like I wanted her right now, and my shaft throbbed with need.
Her thin white slip of a dress revealed more than it covered. I placed my mouth over one straining nipple and slid my hands slowly up and down her sides, unraveling the delicate ties that held the dress together.
She tilted into the pressure as I tugged on her nipple, sliding my hands under the edges of the material and onto her warm, silky skin. She gasped at my touch, and her little sounds and movements were making me harder than I’d ever been in my life. I needed her…and soon. But I would not rush this. I wanted her to enjoy our union and know that I’d worship and respect her as my mate forever.
Releasing her nipples, I gently drew her down to her knees in front of me. She hesitated a moment but then complied. With a swift motion, I whisked the thin dress up and over her head, tossing it away.
I stopped and took a good look at her. She was perfection. Her dark skin glowed on her large, round breasts with perky nipples, and I ached to touch them again. And there, nestled between her curvy thighs, was the darkly tufted treasure that would hold me soon.
I must have paused too long in my staring at her, for she spoke. “Is something wrong?” Her voice came cautiously.
“No,” I answered immediately. “Everything is right and perfect.” I stood up quickly, pulling off my own tunic and leggings and letting her look her fill. It pleased me to see her stare at my body, before reaching my shaft, examining it with wide eyes.
She gulped and then looked back up into my eyes and smiled. “Well…you are huge, but I’ll make it work.”
I chuckled at her sassiness before I picked her up, carrying her over to the bed, laying her back and covering her body with my own. I wanted to touch her everywhere all at once. She continued to gasp and squirm as my mouth and hands roamed freely across her skin. I could feel her heating up underneath me, arching to meet my touches, gripping the covers with her fingers.
I reached between her legs and brushed my fingers across her soft black curls. She shivered, and her eyes widened. I slipped one thick, probing finger between her tight, swollen folds and was greeted by silky wetness as she let out a moan of pleasure.
Her body arched, her head turning with eyes closing in anticipation. Under the tip of my finger, her sensitive bud was all mine now. I gently flicked my fingertip across it and was rewarded with another groan that I swallowed with a hard kiss.
“Raevu,” she moaned when I broke the kiss and let her speak.
“Yes?” I replied with my lips on her neck and my finger stroking back and forth.
“I need you…” Her murmur made my heart pound faster.
Her body was begging for my touch, her hips lifting to meet my probing fingers. Her hands reached up, attempting to draw me in, but I wanted this to last.
Grabbing her wrists with my free hand, I smiled and pulled them up above her head. She gasped, her eyes rolling closed. Her body continued to rock against me, begging for me to make her mine. I felt my cock throb even harder as I watched her body thrash in ecstasy.
Finally, I couldn’t wait any longer either. Releasing her hands, I reached down, resting one hand on her hip while easing the tip of my manhood into the folds of her wetness. Gently pushing her hips down, I thrust in a little and felt her tense slightly.
“Shh. I’ll go slow.” I remained still, nibbling at her full bottom lip. Little by little, her body relaxed again. And inch by inch, I eased my rod into her hot, tight core.
My hands began their wandering over her silken flesh. I again turned my attention to her beckoning breasts, and then she started to move. Gradually, tentatively, she shifted her hips, then rolled them, lifting them toward me. I drew myself back and plunged forward again, feeling my shaft grow harder and more sensitive with each slow stroke. In tune, our rhythm escalated into a sensual dance. Her hips met each of my thrusts hungrily. Loud moans escaped her lips.
Our breathing quickened. The smell of the Sopu blossoms mixing with the sweet, musky scent of Eva filled my lungs. Suddenly, the walls of Eva’s sheath clenched tightly around me.
She cried out, “Raevu!” and I felt her nails dig into my skin as she thrashed against me. She began pulsing and throbbing in waves around my length. My life mate was beautiful and glorious, and I couldn’t hold back anymore. With a final thrust, I emptied my hot seed into her welcoming womb. This was an experience I wanted to savor and remember for the rest my life with Eva.
When I regained my awareness, she was lying drowsily under me. I kissed each of her heavy eyelids gently. She reached a languorous hand up to my cheek, cupping it tenderly. With a slight, mischievous smile, she spoke softly. “Wow. Let’s do that again.”
I pulled away with a chuckle. “Oh, we will, my mate.” I wrapped my arms about her, drawing her into the cradle of my chest. “Every day until death do us part.”
Chapter 23
Eva
“I need something to do, A’dam,” I protested. “I cannot and will not just sit around all day staring at the walls of my rooms.” It was difficult keeping the frustration out of my voice. After all, my restrictions were not on A’dam’s orders, but Raevu’s.
“My queen, anything you wish to learn to do, I can get a teacher for you. Weaving of tapestries, painting, creating of mosaics or pottery, I can have an instructor of any of those here for you within the hour.”
With a very unladylike groan, I rolled my eyes. “Those are my only choices? What if I want to learn about the animals and plants of my new home? What if I want to go out and see the city and meet my people? What about my self-defense classes? I’m good for more than idle hobbies!”
I didn’t know why I was asking. I knew the answer. After weeks of searching, Raevu and his people had not discovered the source of the threats on my life.
I was on “palace arrest” until the threats ceased or the culprits were caught. If what I wanted could be brought to me, I could have it. If not, too bad. Even Baelon and the rest of my Guards were unmovable on that. The palace Tovari tree was the safest place for me, as the tree itself would stand as a kind of backup sentinel and a messenger for Raevu if something were to threaten me.
The gilded-cage treatment didn’t just annoy me. It was creating fresh tension between Raevu and me as he went back into overprotective mode. We had worked hard on building our relationship for weeks after our joining, and we had actually been starting to get closer when more death threats rolled in. I understood his concern for my safety and I sure didn’t have a death wish, but I needed to do more with my time than sit around waiting for them to capture the culprit or culprits of the threats to my life.
Especially
since back home, I could go anywhere and do anything. I had friends to talk to. I didn’t have one job, but several, where I could see people and learn new things all the time.
I desperately sought something interesting to keep myself occupied and from slitting my wrists out of sheer boredom. Besides, when the boredom lasted too long, I began thinking about Acidi and my lingering, gnawing doubts about my new relationship.
On the day after our arrival, due to Brother Etsija’s announcement that I was “the one” and our subsequent hasty and enjoyable mating ceremony, Acidi and her claims had become the furthest things from my mind, especially when Raevu told me about their mate choice theory. I still couldn’t believe that my DNA had more than likely chosen him as the viable mate. The concept empowered me, even more when I’d seen how Raevu worked hard to prove to me that he sincerely wanted to earn his place as my chosen mate. His commitment to making our mating work went a long way in cementing our relationship. It was a beautiful harmony between us, and it had mostly stayed that way. But when I grew bored, thoughts about Acidi crept in. Insidiously. And then I’d start to worry about her persistent maneuvering to break up my happy life.
Any questions about her latest ploys I directed to Raevu, and he didn’t ignore my inquiries—more like he deflected any detailed response by saying she was being handled. I didn’t know what “handled” meant. All I knew for sure was that her regular updates about her pregnancy indicated that it was proceeding at a normal pace, which meant she should be in her last month.
Within the next few weeks, Raevu would be a father. At least, according to Acidi. Raevu had doubts about that, but I didn’t see how the baby could be anyone else’s.
The local Grand Mother, who also happened to be Baelon’s biological mother and one of the many leaders of the jalkavaima Grand Mothers on the planet, kept Raevu apprised of Acidi’s actions and progress.
