by Emma Dean
It was torture. It was everything she wanted and more. She stared into Varan’s eyes, holding his unblinking gaze as she panted, squeezing her thighs together to ease the ache of her desire. She could feel how slick and wet she was as it dripped down, smearing across her thighs.
Adelina looked up at Nadyah then, seeing her courtesan watch how she watched Varan. It was erotic and Adelina felt utterly consumed. There was a gleam in Nadyah’s eyes and Adelina wasn’t sure what she had planned.
Nadyah picked up her mysterious case of paraphernalia from the nightstand and the click of it opening made Adelina shiver with anticipation. What toy would her lover choose?
When she turned she held a blindfold and Adelina inhaled sharply. Oh, Nadyah had much more planned than simply letting Varan watch them.
Nadyah climbed on top of the bed and straddled her, her clit pressing against Adelina’s. The sensation was electric despite the lack of friction. Adelina lifted her hips, pressing harder into Nadyah, wanting more – needing her touch. Adelina yanked on the wrist restraints, trying not to lose control.
Her courtesan smiled and bent down, pulling the fabric to the side of each breast and licking first one nipple and then the other. Adelina arched into her mouth and Nadyah rolled her hips, rubbing her clit against Adelina’s. She couldn’t help her cry of pleasure as her clit pulsed. The ache built and Nadyah pinched one nipple as she gently sucked on the other.
They ground against each other, speed increasing, and Adelina could barely contain herself – skin so tight and feverish she thought she would burst. The need for release was nearly painful. Then Nadyah grabbed her face and roughly shoved it to the side so she was forced to look at Varan.
He slowly stroked his cock, the tip glistening with precum. Blood dripped from his bottom lip as he bit down to keep from standing and doing something he wasn’t allowed.
“I want you to come for me,” Nadyah whispered in Ilashyan. “I want you to scream my name while he watches. Then, and only then do you get his cock.”
The words made Adelina moan, knowing Varan couldn’t understand – being forced to watch him slowly stroke his shaft up and down. It seemed to get bigger with each roll of Nadyah’s hips, if that were even possible.
Varan’s breathing became ragged as his tempo increased to match Nadyah’s. The entire tableau – it made Adelina gasp and beg, wishing she could grab Nadyah’s hips to grind her against her clit harder, to find that pleasure for her courtesan.
“Only if you come with me,” Adelina said, making sure Varan could understand her. “I’ll scream your name if you come for me first.”
Nadyah managed to hold onto the dominance, but just barely. She gripped Adelina’s face harder, riding against her, breathing hard as the pleasure between them built. “I’ll consider it, but should we see how long the newly minted royal prince lasts?” Nadyah smiled, purposefully speaking in Ilashyan, and Adelina lost her mind at the power play.
Her nails pricked her palms, a taut bubble of pleasure grew so hard and so fast it burst, leaving her utterly at its mercy. Adelina screamed Nadyah’s name, urging her on harder and faster, begging her to come as she endured wave after wave of pleasure.
Varan groaned as Nadyah held out, the sound of his hand stroking his cock faster and faster made Adelina’s eyes roll into the back of her head as she barely held on to consciousness.
“Say my name again,” her courtesan demanded.
“Nadyah please, please come for me.” Adelina lifted her hips up, begging with her body for Nadyah to take what she needed from her.
“Watch him, Adelina. Watch him lose control as I take you.”
Varan’s quick shout as he came made Adelina shudder as she watched the creamy seed spill all over his hand and lap – as he never once broke eye contact with her.
“Come for me before I make you,” Adelina whispered, quickening her pace. “Nadyah…please.”
Still Varan held her gaze – unblinking. It was the most erotic moment of her life as Nadyah shuddered and cried above her, losing control as the orgasm took hold.
All three of them panted as they took a moment to catch their breath. Then Nadyah slid off Adelina with a grin and took up the spidersilk. She slipped the silk over Adelina’s eyes, leaving her wrists tied to the bed.
“Remember when he takes you with his cock that I am still all over you, mixed with your own slickness. Remember that when he licks you clean,” Nadyah whispered in Ilashyan as she secured the blindfold. Her breath was warm on Adelina’s ear and she would never forget how Nadyah had made her claim in front of her husband – or how delicious it had been.
Then she stepped away and Adelina was left in the dark, needing and wanting even more, her orgasm barely sating this unquenchable desire.
Nadyah had a way with words and power that stripped her down to her basest desires.
“Remember how I made her scream, Varan,” Nadyah said. Her voice was farther away, at the door. “Have some fun while I see what Roxy is up to.”
The second the door slid closed Varan’s hand came down on Adelina’s thigh and she gasped, never having heard him move. He squeezed and then released her. “Did you enjoy that?” he asked, voice so low and rumbling she could feel it in her chest.
“I enjoyed making her scream – twice.”
“Is that a challenge?”
Adelina couldn’t help her grin. “Perhaps, but only if you’re up for it.”
Varan growled and shoved her thighs apart. Not being able to see him, to guess what he had planned – every single nerve was on fire, alert and waiting.
Then she felt his tongue lap up the slickness smeared on her thigh and Adelina groaned, thinking how Nadyah had been there only moments before. Then he reached her center and licked long and slow.
“Varan,” she gasped. “Please, I don’t want that. I need you inside me.” Adelina was begging – pleading. She knew she was but she didn’t care.
“Ah, well thankfully you’re all tied up and unable to do anything if I decide to make you wait.” His words were closer, his mouth near her breasts. His breath made her nipples tingle and then suddenly there was a rip.
The lace was gone.
And then his mouth was on her, he feasted on her breast like a ravenous beast. The head of his already hard cock pushed up against her entrance but Adelina was so wet there was hardly any resistance and he slid right in – stretching her so much she shouted and raised her hips to take more of him.
Varan growled against her throat, teeth sharp, his cock filling her and filling her until his hips finally met hers and Adelina nearly wept with the pleasure of it, the feeling of being one with him once more as their scents merged.
“Did you like having me watch you?” he rumbled, pulling out and then sliding slowly back into her.
“Yes,” she gasped, feeling that tightness across her skin once more, the pressure inside building to the breaking point already.
“Did it please you to see me spill my seed?”
Adelina couldn’t even answer as Varan thrust into her harder, his cock hitting the end of her channel and the exquisite sensation made all thought leave her head.
Another rip and the blindfold was gone. Varan gripped her jaw tight enough it nearly hurt but it only added to her pleasure. Adelina’s eyes opened wide as she gasped, staring up into Varan’s hungry gaze. He thrust harder and faster, pounding into her.
“Look at me as I make you come for me,” he demanded.
Adelina needed her hands. Her claws ached and she wanted to grip him hard enough to break, but he saw what she had planned and Varan pinned down her arms. Now she couldn’t rip through the restraints without dislocating her shoulders.
“Tsk, tsk darling, you have to tell me what you want and maybe I’ll grant your request.” Varan’s emerald eyes were dark and his grin was predatory. Here was his wolf, finally fully revealing himself – coming out to play with her.
Adelina felt her sharp canines as she grinned right back at
him. “Harder,” she demanded, arching her neck and exposing her throat. “I want it harder while you take me.”
There was no hesitation. Varan took her throat with his teeth, claiming her – claiming dominance as he filled her with his cock, slamming into her so hard the bed smashed against the wall. Over and over until she couldn’t take it anymore and her orgasm violently ripped through her.
Not a second later he roared, filling her with his seed, gripping her neck with a firm yet gentle hand. Watching him come was like watching pure power rip through its cage. For a moment she saw what he hid underneath charming words and a gorgeous face. His wolf was truly monstrous and Adelina wanted all of it.
It took nothing to rip through her bonds. Then she pulled him down by the back of his neck, pricking his skin hard enough he could feel it through the haze of sex and pleasure.
“Yes, Varan. This, this is what I wanted. All of you.” She nuzzled his throat and Adam’s apple with her nose, holding him close. They were nothing more than two wolves enjoying the release from the weight of humanity for the first time together.
“You’re not afraid?” he asked. Varan’s voice was strange and deep in his throat. It made her shiver with pleasure.
“I am not afraid. My wolf sees your wolf and only wants more,” Adelina told him, nipping his bottom lip.
Varan chuckled and rolled them both on their sides. “A snack first. Then I’ll give you as much as you can take…and then I’ll give you more.”
Adelina grumbled when he left her, but then smiled and closed her eyes as she heard him slip on a robe to gather food from the living space.
More of everything sounded delicious.
Chapter Twelve
Adelina
The Jasmine
The Draga Galaxy
Adelina wandered the corridors aimlessly, checking the schematics on her simulcast every so often to ensure she didn’t get lost. Joslynn walked in amiable silence beside her. They hadn’t had much opportunity to chat since Joslynn had come to Varan’s warehouse except that small moment before the wedding.
They finally had some time to relax and catch their breath.
Adelina had spent the entire first day of their trip locked in her quarters with Varan after Nadyah had left to seek out Roxy. They stopped only to eat or sleep and it was exactly the wedding holiday Adelina had wanted it to be.
After so many days and nights without sleep she hadn’t woken up until late this morning. It had felt so wrong and luxurious to wake when she felt like it, knowing there was nothing she had to do unless she wanted.
“Are you happy to be headed home?” Adelina asked, attempting some form of chitchat to ease the bit of awkwardness between them. She nodded to two crew members as they walked by. Protocol was loosely instated on her ship. It was preferable that way.
“I am, but I am not pleased with the reason. It worries me to leave Pedranus barren and unprotected.” Joslynn crossed her arms over her chest and glared at nothing in particular.
The female was in a relatively casual dress. It was apparent she hadn’t brought much comfortable clothing, having expected to spend all her time at court.
“It is unfortunate,” Adelina said. “But I hope you will leave with your people to Avvis. You are welcome to stay at the palace if you prefer. It will always be available if you wish it.”
They stopped before another floor to ceiling window. The views of space were absolutely breathtaking. The starships were so fast the stars were mostly a blur, but it was still beautiful to watch them fly by like snow. Occasionally there was a flash of color from various different stars, the planets, and the occasional space dust.
Joslynn tugged on her red hair. It was the only thing she’d let go after they’d left court. The curls draped down her shoulders and back exactly as Roxy’s did. “You have no idea what that means to me. I might actually take you up on your offer. It depends on how Masha has handled her new rule of Avvis. She is so young and inexperienced to be Archduchess.”
Adelina clasped her hands before her, glad to be in her hunting boots and leather pants. Her elegant sweater kept the chill at bay. The climate controlled interior of the ship was worlds apart from the heat she was used to.
“She’s no younger than you were when you became countess. Older even, I’d say,” Adelina reminded her. It was odd how uncomfortable Joslynn was about Masha.
“True. She doesn’t have the benefit of my training though. I doubt anyone thought she would ever rule. Indra only planned to marry her off for the most advantageous alliance.” The glare on Joslynn’s face deepened. “Goddess help me, but I’m glad that female is dead where she can no longer harm anyone. She always was a snake.”
Adelina nodded and turned away from the window to inspect the countess. Joslynn looked a bit off. Her skin wasn’t the same creamy pale it normally was. There was even a greenish tint to it. She breathed in and even Joslynn’s scent was different – deeper somehow.
“You’re pregnant,” Adelina said in Ilashyan, noticing the differences in the countess – the flurry of emotions Joslynn hid so well that her courtesan genes gave her the power to see.
Joslynn’s eyes widened in shock as she turned to Adelina and one hand went to her belly. “How did you know? Is that a royal skill?”
Adelina shrugged one shoulder delicately as she tried to decide how to handle the matter. “Perhaps it’s my mixed genes. Courtesans are incredibly empathetic and perceptive, and as a royal I’m closer to my wolf. I can smell it on you if the other signs weren’t apparent.”
Joslynn nodded and looked out the window again at the streaking white stars. She didn’t smile and she didn’t seem pleased about the situation despite Adelina knowing it was something she’d wanted.
“Is it the war?” Adelina asked, placing a hand on Joslynn’s elbow so they could walk through the starship.
Already Adelina’s protective instincts were kicking in. The current status of their personal relationship didn’t matter. Her wolf demanded she get Joslynn back to their living space and feed her something. Pregnancy was such a delicate time regardless of the advancements in medicine.
“It’s the war, the evacuation, that I didn’t find out until this morning and as such I haven’t even told Sirus. I wasn’t sure I was going to,” Joslynn admitted.
They passed the training room on Adelina’s top floor. There were grunts and smacks as Roxy and Varan trained. He’d been at it all morning. When Adelina had asked he’d said he needed to train Roxy within an inch of her life so she could win the competition. She knew it wasn’t just that, but she left it alone.
Then they were at her personal quarters and Adelina placed her hand on the door as she considered Joslynn’s words.
Her reasons were the very same as Adelina’s. It was why she hadn’t activated her fertility yet despite being the heir. If she did end up with child she couldn’t hide it from Varan or Nadyah. They would instantly know without her having to say a word.
Adelina was about to enter a galaxy no one in Draga had been able to see in far too long. She was about to wage war on the Neprijat and rip them from the Khara throne, hopefully with Nash and Kaita at her side.
She had no doubt in her mind she could be just as vicious and cruel and cunning and violent as she needed to be, even carrying a child – but what would that do to Varan? To Nadyah? They would be too worried about her and that would put them in danger and could risk their lives. Adelina couldn’t afford to stay in her gilded cage, or constantly be easing their concerns when she needed to make an alliance and then shred the Neprijat to pieces.
She pointed to the couch and Joslynn obeyed. Then Adelina went to the food processor set into the wall and selected something full of protein as well as a glass of refreshing water. She brought both to Joslynn and sat next to her, watching until the female started nibbling at the food.
If they were to bridge the chasm that was before them…Adelina knew she had to take a step forward. How would she want a friend to a
dvise her in such a precarious situation?
“You should tell Sirus, but tell him the babe is healthy and there’s nothing for him to worry about because once you’ve settled your people you will be staying at the palace – behind three separate shields. My mother will help you with anything you might need, and the royal physicians are the best in the galaxy.” Adelina tapped her bottom lip with a nail sharper than she realized.
She hissed at the mild pain, but didn’t bother retracting her claws and canines. Ever since the Game of the Wolf she’d been easing her wolf closer and closer to the surface, getting used to it as Veri had instructed before the wedding.
And a female without anyone to protect her in such a vulnerable state aggravated that wolf.
“You don’t think it’s too early to tell him?” Joslynn asked, taking another tentative bite.
Adelina remembered her mother saying how the fried meat was the only food she could keep down those first few weeks she was pregnant with William. Hopefully it didn’t set off Joslynn’s morning sickness.
“Have you had a scan?”
“Yes. I went to the medical ward when I vomited this morning – thinking I was sick. A full body scan showed the recent implantation. It’s healthy and looks like it will stick but I’m not even a week along.” Joslynn set the fried food on the table and drank her water instead. “If I eat anymore I will ruin your pretty outfit.”
Adelina smiled at that. “As long as you eat a little throughout the day. You need to keep up your strength.” She had never known anyone during a pregnancy. It was strange now that she thought of it, but other than the children she met as Lina she didn’t know any. The idea that Joslynn carried life was incredible and precious and filled her with awe. “You’re a warrior in your own way; don’t let anyone treat you like a babe, not even me.”
“Good, because you’re hovering,” Joslynn said, smiling tentatively. “I’m fine other than a few normal symptoms. Now tell me, how was your wedding night?”
Adelina laughed loud enough she covered her mouth with her hand at the unexpected question, glad they spoke in Ilashyan in case Varan wandered into the living room. “It was beyond compare.”
