Soren's Bondmate

by Mardi Maxwell

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  Later that evening after the plans had been completed and the warriors had trained together for several units Soren walked to the shelter Skye had made for their group. A smaller chamber sat off to one side of the large chamber. Skye stood in the open doorway, beckoning to him before she disappeared inside. On his way across the room many warriors spoke to him, trying to slow him down. He gave them hasty greetings and hurried away until he entered the private chamber and the door closed behind him.

  Soft candlelight glowed, revealing a large krystal tub on one side of the room with a small table next to it that held a tray of food and a tankard of ale. The opposite side of the room was taken up by a thick sleeping mat.

  Skye smiled and with a wave of her hands his clothes disappeared and the room began to fill with the blue mist. She slowly ran her eyes down his body from the top of his head to the hills and valleys of his abs and lower where she paused for a nano-unit that felt like an eternity. When she raised her eyes to his they burned with desire and the invitation in them sent a heated wave of anticipation through him. He paused for a moment then slid into the tub, sighing with pleasure when the hot water warmed and soothed his aching muscles.

  Skye watched him while she searched for his foot and lifted it to the tub's edge. Her eyes remained locked on his while she rubbed bathing gel between her palms until it formed a thick lather. She ran her hands over his foot, pressing her fingers into the aching spots on the bottom before she slid her fingers between his toes. The blue mist moved from him to her, surrounding her.

  A groan of pleasure left his lips as she massaged the muscles in his legs, gradually moving her hands to his hip. A slender finger slid over his belly and circled his navel. He scooted up and his cock poked up from the water. She ran her finger over it, drawing a deep breath from him. Her lips curved in a small smile before she slid her hands away and used them to cup water and rinse the lather from his skin. When she was satisfied his skin was free of gel she lowered his leg into the water, lifted his left foot and repeated the process.

  Soren closed his eyes and relaxed until he felt the water shift around him. He opened his eyes just in time to see Skye's bare belly and breasts pass by as she lowered herself into the water and straddled his lap.

  The water level lowered to his waist as the air around them began to shimmer with the heat from his body. Skye dribbled gel on his chest and ran her hands over it in swirls until she formed a thick lather. She spread it to his shoulders then traced her fingers over the muscles of his chest and belly. She glanced at him and sighed with pleasure before she returned to her task. Two fingers slid around his nipples then down again and again. She pressed harder and ran her hands up to his shoulders, massaging the muscles there before she soothed both hands down his right arm to his hand.

  She ran her thumbs over the calluses on his palms then entwined their fingers and stretched his fingers apart. His fingers relaxed and the entire weight of his arm rested in her hands while she massage his hand then lowered it into the water and moved on to his other arm.

  She maintained the temperature of the air and water while she bathed him. Finally, she slid around behind him, lathered her hands again and washed and massaged the muscles of his back, shoulders and neck. The longer she touched him the more relaxed he became until with a final sigh he leaned back against her with his head resting on her shoulder.

  She ran her hands down his chest and hugged him. Neither of them spoke although their minds were linked and they both knew what the other was thinking and feeling. It was the first moment in their lives together that they were in total accord and one. True mates, forever.

  After several micro-units some of the tension returned to his muscles and his weight lifted from her. But Skye wasn't ready for him to separate from her yet. She slid around him, straddled his lap again and rested her weight on his chest. She nuzzled his neck then slowly began planting small kisses on his neck and face until her mouth hovered over his.

  She stroked his shoulder, neck and the back of his head while she brushed her lips over his. He responded with a soft kiss but before he could take control she moved her lips to his bottom lip, sucked on it then traced the sharp angles of his top lip with the tip of her tongue and pulled away.

  Dark aqua eyes met darkened teal eyes, searched for a response and found it. She lowered her mouth to his and gave him dozens of soft kisses before she increased the pressure. He opened to her when she brushed her tongue over the seam of his lips, seeking entry. His tongue brushed over hers, and gradually, stroke by stroke, they explored each other until he tried to capture her mouth.

  She pulled back, shook her head then clasped his head with her hands and held him still while she nibbled on his bottom lip. When he responded she stroked her tongue over his mouth then nipped his top lip.

  Soren slid his hands around her waist and jerked her against him until her breasts pressed into his chest.

  She covered his face with small kisses drawing a shiver of pleasure from him. Her fingernails slid over his head while she moved back to his lips and kissed him passionately then sweetly again.

  Soren's fingers slid into her hair, holding her captive while he kissed her. She allowed him to take control for a short moment before she pulled away and moved her lips to his ear. She nipped the lobe then stood, stepped out of the tub and walked a few feet away.

  Tiny droplets of water sparkled over her beautiful body then ran in rivulets down her back, over her lush buttocks and slender legs to her feet. She beckoned him with a smile over one shoulder and he stood and stalked toward her.

  "Is this more unfinished business, little heart?" He crowded her, forcing her to step back. Her foot caught the edge of the mat and she began to fall but he caught her and slowly lowered her as he came down over her. Before he could get comfortable she twisted until she was on top then planted her hands on his shoulders.

  "This is new business, warrior." Skye wiggled down until she was on her knees between his feet. With a small smile she leaned down, stroked a line across his foot with her fingers and followed the line with her lips. A kiss here and a nibble there left a map of sensation on his body as she moved up to his hips. She brushed a kiss over the head of his cock and heard him draw in a deep breath so she did it again, and again.

  He grasped her head and held her still for a moment then released her. She took that as permission and licked his cock from the tip to his balls then nibbled her way back up where she took the head into her mouth.

  Skye applied her tongue to the sensitive tip, gently lashing it before she sealed her lips around it and kissed and sucked on it. Soren groaned and shoved his hips upwards. Her lips slid down the shaft a few centimeters. She paused for a nano-unit then licked around it as she slid her lips up to the head and back down.

  The entire time she kept her hands busy, running them down his legs then back up over his body to his shoulders. Now she scratched her nails down his chest and belly to his cock. She wrapped her hands around the girth of his cock and pumped them up and down as she continued to pleasure him with her mouth.

  The sound of his harshly indrawn breathes and restless groans filled the room. He clasped her shoulders and tried to pull her up. She resisted and slid her tongue over the slit of his cock while she cupped his balls and felt them draw up closer to his body. With a final swipe she released him then slid up his body. She impaled herself on his cock and the blast of pleasure from his mind to hers threw her into an intense orgasm. She threw her head back and gasped his name as she wiggled and panted and extended the pleasure.

  He grasped her waist and held her down while he pumped up into her, hard and fast. Another orgasm rippled through her and he came. The blue mist thickened then began to fade.

  "Soren," she breathed his name in wonder. "My love. My mate."

  He stroked his hands over her back and pulled her against him. "Sleep now."

  Chapter Twelve

  Ten cycles later they'd visited and made a
lliances with six of the seven enchantresses Skye knew. They arrived at the seventh enchantress's village during a battle with the Crimeryns.

  Soren landed the ship a kilometer away from the village and they began to make their way toward the sound of the fighting.

  "Lalyn knows we're near," Skye told Soren through their mind link.

  He acknowledge her just as they left a crevice in the boulders and entered a small clearing. Immediately they were assaulted by dozens of white krystal shards. Some hit the rocks and shattered but several small shards cut into their faces, leaving behind stinging cuts.

  Skye immediately conjured a wall to protect them then provided them with krystal while she healed their wounds.

  Soren grabbed her and pulled her back through the shadows cast by the towering rock walls of the crevice. At the other end he, Skye and Berit went to the left while Pelyn, and his two brothers went to the right.

  They searched for another way to reach the village and finally found one when the sound of fighting became louder. They stepped out of the protection of the rocks and shrubs and found a lone warrior and his mate fighting for their lives. The enemy surrounded them and gradually closed in, tightening the circle around them.

  "That's my friend, Lalyn and her mate Magnys," Skye said.

  "We'll go right," Soren said. "Stay behind me Skye."

  Berit moved to the left and they both began casting krystal.

  Soren found a group of closely spaced enemies and threw several small shards of dark krystal. It shattered behind them and small slivers penetrated their clothing and dug into them. Immediately they fell to the ground and writhed in pain.

  He didn't wait around to see them die. Instead he continued to move around the battlefield, looking for and finding groups of the enemy. He cast dark or white krystal depending on whether he could throw it without hitting the enchantress and her warrior mate.

  He caught a glimpse of Berit on the other side of the clearing as he took out two enemy warriors. The krystal he threw hit its mark every time and Soren took a nano-unit to admire his new brother's skill.

  His communication device activated and he heard Pelyn's voice. "We've engaged the enemy and need more white krystal."

  Soren passed on the request to Skye and added another request for himself and Berit. He held his ground, forcing the enemy warriors to attack him. As soon as they did he released a barrage of dark krystal and they fell. Little by little he, Skye and Berit took out the advancing enemy and moved closer to Lalyn and Magnys.

  When they reached them they took up positions back to back. Soren studied the ambush and realized that the enemy had not had time to choose the field of battle. A fact that gave him and his group the advantage until a large group of warriors entered the clearing, hesitated for a moment then joined the battle against them.

  Pelyn and his brothers followed behind them and the enemy slowly realized they were now caught in a trap of their own making. The intensity of the battle increased as the enemy tried to fight their way free to no avail. Within a few micro-units the last Crimeryn warrior fell and the battle ended.

  Lalyn hugged Skye. "Great timing." She turned to face Soren. "Introduce us please."

  Skye smiled and leaned against Soren. "This is my warrior mate, Soren." She pointed to the three brothers. "His first warriors, Pelyn, Delyn and Kelyn."

  Lalyn smiled, greeted them and turned to Berit. "As usual, Berit, you're always in the thick of any battle in your vicinity." She pulled her mate toward her. "Magnys and I thank you."

  Magnys stepped forward and clasped Soren's arm in greeting, then Berit's and the brothers.

  "Our village is half a kilometer from here," Magnys said.

  "We need to retrieve our ship and land it nearer to your village," Soren said.

  Kelyn stepped forward. "Delyn and I will get it if you wish to journey to the village with Magnys now."

  Soren nodded his agreement and they separated. Skye and Lalyn took up a position between their mates and the group walked toward the village. Soren hushed the females once. They looked at him in surprise then laughed and continued chatting.

  Magnys chuckled. "They trust us to keep them safe."

  "They should keep their guard up," Soren said.

  Magnys chuckled. "If there was a conjurer or enchantress within ten kilometers they'd have warned us."

  "There may be enemy warriors between us and the village," Soren said.

  "Without a female they are without weapons. If they see us they will hide or run."

  "Why don't they use other weapons?" Soren asked.

  "They believe using other weapons is beneath them," Berit answered.

  Skye snorted. "I think they're too stupid and lazy to learn how to handle them or even make them."

  "All Crimeryns are warriors," Lalyn said. "They have no females of their own and even if they did they couldn’t sustain them. They're incapable of love." She hesitated for a moment then added, "They killed my entire family including my brother and sister. I hate them."

  Soren glanced back at Skye and thought, "This is how we will defeat them. They won't expect the villagers to fight back with other weapons."

  She grinned. "No, they won't."

  Lalyn smiled at Skye. "I'm so happy you found a worthy mate. You have to tell me how you met him."

  Skye nodded then mouthed, "Later."

  The group crossed a large sandy area of stunted shrubs that led to a slot canyon in a towering cliff wall. Another warrior greeted them and let them pass. After several micro-units they entered a large dark krystal shelter. Healers hurried from warrior to warrior, tending to their wounds while other females handed out food and tankards of ale.

  Just about everyone in the room stopped what they were doing and turned to face Magnys and Lalyn. Magnys stepped forward. "We have guests from Kryscent. Some of you already know Berit and his sister Skye." He pointed to Soren. "This is Skye's mate, Soren, and one of his first warriors, Pelyn. Two more, Kelyn and Delyn, will join us soon. Tonight we celebrate a victory against the enemy."

  Tankards were raised and voices rang out in agreement. Magnys led them across the chamber to a free corner and they settled on thick mats. A few nano-units later they each had food and beverages in their hands.

  Lalyn leaned against Magnys and asked, "What brings you here?"

  Skye launched into their plan to form an alliance and included the names of the enchantresses and their warrior mates who had already joined.

  While she spoke Berit rolled out the map. "We have fortresses planned to go up in each one of these locations." He pointed to the marks on the map that led in a line at the base of the mountains but paused on the one in the center of the line. "This is the headquarters for The Alliance. As we fight and move forward toward the south coast we'll leave behind a series of smaller shelters to guard the area behind us."

  "Who will maintain these shelters we leave behind?" Magnys asked. "Only dark kyrstal shelters will protect the villagers from an enemy who has control of an enchantress."

  Soren smiled. "Constant fighting is exhausting. These shelters will be places for warriors and their enchantresses to go to and rest away from the fighting. Each group or unit will rotate through them as needed."

  Skye swallowed the ale she'd just sipped and leaned forward. "Soren has also had warriors training the villagers to fight with crossbows, spears, knives and swords."

  Magnys sat up straight and Lalyn mumbled, "Now, you've done it."

  Magnys pulled her to him, buzzed a kiss over her lips and turned to Soren. "I've always said they should be trained to fight but I could never get anyone to agree with me."

  "All those things won't protect them from krystal," Lalyn said.

  "What about the cloaks we wear?" Soren asked. "Can they be provided for the villagers?"

  "No enchantress could sustain that many cloaks," Skye said.

  "Then they need shields of some kind," Soren said. "Something light enough to carry that can protect them fro
m white krystal."

  "The only thing krystal can't penetrate is dark krystal," Berit said.

  "It can't penetrate the armor plating of the creature on Tundra," Soren said. "Do you have a creature similar to that here on Krystali?"

  Skye nodded. "Yes, but it's even bigger than the one on Tundra and harder to kill."

  "Then it will take several of us to track them down and kill them." Magnys called a large warrior over and told him to arrange a hunting party. He nodded and hurried away.

  "We intend to return to our village and continue training the villagers," Skye said. "Then on the Eve of the Two Moons when the moons reach their zenith in the sky Bellya and I will create a dark kyrstal fortress large enough to hold up to four hundred people. Our warriors will branch out and engage the enemy from there."

  Soren flipped the map over. "This is the design we intend to use for our fortress."

  Magnys leaned forward and Soren and Berit explained the design of the fortress and the purpose of every wall, chamber and watchtower.

  "We have two more enchantresses and four conjurers in the surrounding area. They all have warrior mates. I'll contact them and ask them to join the Alliance. If they agree we'll move to a village that lies twenty kilometers south of this location and begin training the villagers to fight," Magnys said. "The enemy is thick in that area so it will be a good place to build our first fortress."

  The men stood. "To the Alliance," Magnys said and they raised their tankards and drank.

  Across the room Kelyn and Delyn entered, looked around and moved toward them.

  Magnys pulled Lalyn to her feet. "I need to talk to my warriors and get their agreement. We'll talk again at sun's rising."

  Lalyn hugged Skye. "Make yourselves at home. You're safe here." She glanced at her mate then back at Skye. "We'll talk in the morning while the warriors finish their business."

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  The next cycle Soren and Berit met with Magnys and his warriors while Skye and Lalyn sat in the sun and caught up.