PrimalHunger

by Dawn Montgomery

  Chapter Fourteen

  Azros strolled down the corridor. Each step was punctuated by the loud argument coming from the other side of the door. Some phrases were creative enough to leave his ears burning.

  Mase lounged against the wall.

  “What’s going on?”

  Mase glanced up. “Chief decided she was well enough to leave the clinic.”

  His mate’s voice cut through the others. Mase opened the door and Azros’ gaze was drawn immediately to Kendra. She stood at the doorway, pale-faced and furious, giving as good as she got…in more languages than even Azros understood. Short curls tumbled around her face in a red halo. He admired the new changes in her body. Her skin showed the first stages of a very special change. Azros and his beast were in agreement. Golden tiger stripes were sexy.

  “What does the doctor say?”

  “Dr. Monroe says two more days and she can be released.”

  Azros nodded. “What did she say when Kendra wasn’t around?”

  Mase laughed. “She’s fine to leave, but must be well-rested.”

  Azros grinned. “I’ll make sure she’s very well-rested.” He rolled up his sleeves. “Who all is in there?”

  “Destiny. Reeva. The shift nurse.” Mase slapped him on the back. “Give ’em hell, Azros.”

  Azros shook his head. “Feeding me to the wolves, huh?”

  “Better you than me, buddy.”

  He sighed at Mase’s refusal to stop calling him buddy. Azros stepped into the room and was immediately accosted.

  Reeva threw her hands up. “Finally. Someone who can talk some sense into her.”

  “To Destiny?” He glanced at her. “What about?”

  “Not me. Kendra.” Destiny’s hands were planted firmly on her hips.

  “You know, I was fully capable of taking care of myself before he crashed into my life.” Kendra glared at him. “He is not my keeper.”

  He held his hands up in innocence. “Don’t bring me into this. I just got here.”

  Kendra’s grip on the doorframe was white-knuckled. He could see the strain of recovery on her face. Her hands trembled, and he would bet she was exhausted.

  “Kendra, be reasonable.” Destiny threw up her hands.

  “If you two weren’t blocking me, I’d be out of this bed and resting in the comfort of my own room!” Kendra’s eyes flashed with frustration while her mind was a riot of fury.

  Azros stepped forward and cleared his throat. All three women turned their glares on him. Azros swallowed, realizing how deadly these three could be to his person. “Kendra, Xavier sends his regards.”

  Kendra’s expression softened. “How is he?”

  “Recovering. Spitting mad, like you. Telling me the doctors are keeping him prisoner.”

  Kendra chuckled. “I knew I liked him for a reason.”

  Azros took her hand and set it in the crook of his arm. “Let’s get your stuff before you head out.” He escorted her back inside. “Don’t bother us.” He spoke over his shoulder, and could hear Mase’s quiet laughter.

  The door shut behind them and he had Kendra in his arms. Her lips grew pliant and warm beneath his. He gently rubbed her shoulders and neck, loosening the tension. She groaned appreciatively, leaning against his body for support.

  “I should have known you had wicked intentions.” She nuzzled his neck.

  “Hmm. You know they’re worried about you.” Azros pressed feather kisses against her forehead. “It’s only been a week.”

  “A week with no word on Skreeta’s whereabouts.”

  The Calypso was Kendra’s by combat, and Skreeta was barred from the ship and the planet’s surface. There were rumors circulating that the queen was excited by Kendra’s reappearance. Other rumors suggested the queen’s assassins were on the hunt. For whom, no one could decipher.

  “Well, you did almost die from poison.” He ran a hand down her spine, pulling her close.

  “It wasn’t that bad.”

  His arms tightened around her, and his heart constricted in pain. “Yes. It was. I’ll never forget the way you looked.” He kissed her forehead. “You almost died. Let the rest of us fuss over you.”

  “There are things that have to be done, Azros.” She pulled back, tilting her head back to match his gaze. Her eyes were lovely and sincere. “Things have been set in motion.”

  He ran his fingers through her hair. It was incredibly soft. “Will you keep it short?” He ached for his mate. Ached to hold her, to love her. To wrap her up and keep her from all harm.

  Kendra blinked and widened her eyes in confusion. “I don’t know. Maybe.” She shook her head. “You’re changing the subject.”

  “I am fascinated with you.” He walked her backward until she reached the bed. “What things have been set in motion?” He tasted her lips.

  She moaned. “Now you’re distracting me.” She stroked her tongue against his.

  He smiled against her lips. “Is this distracting?” His fingers trailed down her arm, and up, caressing lightly against her breast.

  “I don’t know. Maybe you should show me again.” Her eyes dilated and her breaths grew heated.

  He chuckled and complied. Her mouth opened on a gasp. “I could do this all day.”

  Kendra stopped his hands from their exploration. Regret flashed in her eyes. “We have to talk first.”

  Azros’ smile died. Every man knew the death knell of those words. He watched his mate lock away her emotions. He remembered another time, long ago, when another mate had done the same. Then it had driven him to isolation. Now…it would drive him insane. “Tell me.”

  “The queen has sent a message. I’m to prepare for a political alliance.”

  Azros cupped her face. “That’s what us royal-types are supposed to do. Form alliances, trade agreements.” He tried to smile, but the sight of her eyes filling with tears tightened his stomach into knots.

  “You don’t understand. I have to take a…consort.”

  Azros froze, and his heart froze with him. He held his breath, as though afraid the pain would shatter him. “A marriage.” The words were flat…emotionless. He dragged in a breath. Then another.

  “Of a sort. It’s a legally binding arrangement.” Her pulse fluttered against his fingertips. Her hands clasped his. “Most of it doesn’t have to include sex.”

  Azros jerked back as though slapped. “Doesn’t have to include sex? Then what the hell is the agreement for?”

  “I told you. A political alliance. It lasts three years.” Her gaze darted around his face. The near panic of her emotions tightened her voice. “The partners rarely spend more than the required amount of time together.”

  “How much time is that?” The roar of his beast tore through his body. He was amazed his mouth could form words.

  “Enough time to consummate the relationship.”

  Azros dropped his hands. “Oh really, is that all? What do you take me for, an idiot?”

  Kendra threw up her hands. “Is being with me really that bad?”

  “No, Kendra.” He had her in his arms and against the wall. His mouth took hers in a fierce possession. Hard. Demanding. His tongue speared her mouth, tasting and consuming every emotion.

  Her nipples became hard little points against his chest. He cupped the curve of her ass, forcing her body against the hard ridge of his cock. Even through multiple layers of clothes, the woman simmered hot and ready. He broke the kiss. Her eyes glazed with passion and her lips were swollen with his kisses.

  “There will be no consort. Not ever.”

  Kendra’s attention snapped back to the moment at hand. Hurt flashed deep in her eyes. “I will have to take a consort, or spend the rest of my life running from the queen’s assassins. Birthing an heir is my responsibility to the people.” Her mind absorbed his expressions, his reactions.

  “I can’t give you up, Kendra.” He pressed his hands against the wall, trapping her with his body.

  Confusion had her shaking her head. �
��You don’t have to.”

  “I won’t be a kept man either.”

  Kendra sighed. “I was afraid of this. Marriage isn’t allowed until ascension. It gives the royal heirs time to ensure a good match before ruling the kingdom.”

  “I don’t need marriage, Kendra, but I do need commitment. The thought of sharing you with another man…”

  Kendra jerked in surprise. “Whoa there, tiger. Who said anything about another man?”

  Azros shrugged. “A woman, then?” That thought wasn’t so terrible.

  Kendra shoved her hands against his chest. “No other women or men. What kind of world do you come from where consorts cheat on their partners?”

  Azros refused to budge. “Let me get this straight. You have to take a consort for political reasons at a minimum of three years. During this time you have to attempt an heir, and having an outside love interest is forbidden.”

  “Yes. I don’t see the problem.”

  Azros threw up his hands. “Where do I fit in through all of this?”

  Kendra raised an eyebrow, piercing him with a look that suggested he had grown another head or some other ridiculous thing. “As my consort. What else would my mate be…”

  Her sentence ended in a yelp when he lifted her off her feet to swing her around. He buried his face in her hair and cursed, loud and profane.

  Kendra’s hands shook as they slid through his hair. “I won’t trap you, Azros. You don’t have to feel beholden to me, and I’d never force something from you that you weren’t already willing to give.”

  Azros started laughing and he kissed her neck and shoulder before setting her back to her feet. “I misunderstood the entire conversation, and I think you might have too.”

  He stepped back and bowed deeply to his mate. “I would be honored to become your consort, but only on one condition.”

  Kendra’s smile lit up the room. “Name it.”

  “You agree to a life sentence, because I don’t think I could ever let you go.”

  Kendra rushed into his arms, slamming into his body.

  “Easy, baby. Easy. You don’t want to bust those stitches back open.”

  “What did you think I meant?”

  Azros shook his head. “I thought you wanted someone else.”

  Kendra tilted her head to look at him. “Okay, now I know you are crazy. Don’t you know anything? I love you. Why would I ever let you go?”

  Azros hugged her tight against him. “I love you too. So why don’t you tell me what this consort thing means? Do I have to wear a suit?”

  Kendra grinned. “I don’t know…that slave collar and linen pants outfit seemed pretty great to me.”

  Azros lightly smacked her ass. “Minx.”

  * * * * *

  Kendra stood on the dais. Her gaze traveled over the faces, some familiar, most unknown relatives and political emissaries from the many factions in this sector of space.

  She fidgeted with the lace covering the back of her hand. The lace cuff folded delicately over her hand to be fastened around her middle finger, and was the only piece that adorned either one of Kendra’s arms.

  “Stop it.” Reeva’s whisper was tinged with humor. “Nothing. She’s nervous.”

  Mase grinned, and Kendra cursed her team for not allowing an earpiece during the ceremony. Reeva had unplugged her for “her own good”. It didn’t help her nerves any that the entire security team was teasing her through Reeva.

  “He’s on his way.” Reeva grinned and Kendra managed to paste a smile on her face. She was sick with nerves. What if he changed his mind? Her hands fidgeted with the belts and lace that barely covered her body.

  The doors opened and Azros strode down the aisle. His pants were made of rich material in blues and greens. A red sash adorned his waist, and the bloodstone pendant hung from his neck for all to see. He wore leather cuffs similar to Kendra’s, but far more intricate in design. Shyla and an older Valorian with spots adorning his swarthy skin followed close behind him, but she couldn’t take her eyes off of Azros. Her mate.

  Shyla carried a delicately carved box, one that seemed familiar somehow.

  Azros’ smile was all for her. He grasped her hands in his and dropped to a knee. “As is my right, in the tradition of my people, I ask for each line to bless this mating.”

  Kendra started in surprise. What was going on?

  From the front row Xavier stood. “As blood brother and first heir to the future king of the Valorian people, I give my blessing without reservation.” He eased back to his seat.

  Tears filled Shyla’s eyes, threatening to spill over. A tickle of moisture built in Kendra’s as well. “As blood cousin and first heir to the future queen of the Sheon people, I give my blessing without reservation.”

  Azros squeezed her hand, and rose to his feet. The older Valorian stepped forward to place his hands upon their joined ones. “By the blood of our peoples, may peace and understanding flow as far as the universe is long. We bless the union of Prince Azros del Mar, Valorian Prime and Princess Ashamia del Mar, Sheon Prime, and first female Prime in all of Valorian history.”

  The crowd cheered.

  Shyla stepped forward. Her hands shook as she opened the box. She took out a rope made of spun silk. The Valorian elder stepped forward to take the box.

  “In the tradition of our people that we honor a consort with the tying of the hands as a bond between the two that will never be broken.”

  Kendra stared deep in Azros’ eyes. He meant more to her than she ever imagined possible. His emotions were bared for her to see. Love. Honor. Cherish. The words of an ancient tradition.

  Shyla slipped the rope over Kendra’s finger.

  “This ancient silk rope is soft and pliant, yet unbreakable by strength alone.” She wound it around Kendra’s right wrist and began weaving the intricate knots of binding between the joined hands.

  “A consort is not rigid and uncompromising. He is strong and flexible, rising to the challenges that he’ll face at her side. He will be her lover and protector.”

  Azros’ hands tightened over hers. Their love glimmered with fire and passion. She was blessed by the fates to have him in her life.

  “He will be her right hand, and her confidante.” The knots wound in a beautiful pattern, seamlessly moving from finger to finger.

  “He will accept the charge of his office, and uphold the values of the Sheon people.” Azros nodded at each statement.

  His lips twitched in a smile at the word ”values”. Kendra heard a few mumbles among the discontent in the crowd. Skreeta had created many enemies.

  The knotting ended and Shyla ran her fingers over the incredible arrangement. “You are now joined under the unblinking eye of the Sheon people.”

  The crowd cheered.

  Azros kissed her with such tenderness that Kendra’s tears spilled over. They trailed down her cheeks.

  A tremor of heat slid down her spine. Azros’ gaze shot to her. Her blood sizzled. It had been too long since she’d taken her mate.

  Kendra turned to the crowd. “This is a great time in our lives. The Sheon and Valorian peoples have mated, creating a new future of hope and prosperity. I name Xavier Cross, Valorian minister, and Shyla, captain of the Calypso, as the ambassadors of our message.”

  Azros blinked in surprise. Xavier looked furious, and Kendra could feel the outrage from her cousin. Kendra squeezed Azros’ hand, willing him to trust her.

  “You are all welcome to the reception. The Palace has arranged some lovely entertainment.” Kendra raised her voice to be heard over the crowd.

  Shyla quickly untied the securing knots from the beginning and the entire knotted piece slid off their hands. “You shouldn’t have done that.”

  Kendra clapped her cousin on the shoulder. “No one knows the world of Sheon politics better than you, Shyla. Your mother has supporters throughout the known universe. I need them ousted, their funds strangled, and their cause dead by attrition instead of martyrdom. The slaver
trade has to stop.”

  Shyla sighed. “You want me to do this alone?”

  Azros shook his head. “You have Xavier. Find those you trust. Create a network. Do what needs to be done.”

  Shyla glanced over at Xavier. There was a chasm of pain between the two that seemed almost palpable.

  Another flash of heat tore through Kendra’s body. Lust was a tightly coiled spring ready to release in her body. Azros grinned and pulled her into his arms for a breathtaking kiss. They ran down the aisle to the side door of the entertainment room.

  “Where are you going?” Shyla’s voice called as they rushed away.

  “To consummate our contract!” Azros laughed, and Kendra grinned.

  * * * * *

  Kendra couldn’t stop the lust raging through her body. She ached for him to fill her, fuck her, take her. “Azros.” Her desperate plea had him tugging at the mess of buckles and lace crossing her body.

  “Who the hell designed this thing?” His frustrated growl made her laugh. Fingers brushed against her nipples and she groaned. Her pussy clenched in ravenous lust.

  “It’s traditional.” Her nails dug into his shoulders. “Hurry.”

  “Traditional? Try insane.” He pulled a knife from his boot and knelt. His fierce gaze locked with hers and the powerful emotions looking back at her filled her with hope. The lust burning from his eyes sent shocks of pleasure through her body. “Don’t move, Desh’ra.”

  Dear one. She knew the words now. Knew what they meant. They were mated. Truly mated. I choose you. His words echoed in her mind. He made quick work of the belts and lace, slicing the pieces from her body with precision and focused energy. Cool air tightened her nipples to aching points. The knife slid back into the sheath and his mouth latched onto one of her nipples, tugging with sharp teeth and soothing with his wicked tongue.

  “You’re burning me alive.” His fingers stroked over the stripes on her neck. Pleasure arced down her body to clench in her core. Her fingernails dug into his hair. “What the hell was that?”

  He gave a breathless chuckle and licked one of the stripes on her shoulder. “You’ve become a Sheon Prime. The only one of your kind. Your stripes are proof of the mating. Proof of your warrior spirit.” His fingernails ran down the line and Kendra swore it was her pussy he stroked. She moaned. “They have pleasant…” His tongue swiped against the point of a stripe and Kendra’s knees shook. “Side effects.”