King of Khoth: (Dark Warrior Alliance Book 9)

by Brenda Trim

  She loved how he didn’t hesitate to share his emotions. He didn’t care about vulnerability, or how she would react. He communicated freely, even though she’d rejected and pushed him away more than once.

  Unlike the night before, Angus set upon her with sensual determination. He licked at her core voraciously. The incredible feel of his rough tongue shot through her and was surprising. She wanted gentle until he showed how harder could be better. Experiencing more of his intensity was beyond description.

  “More…I need more,” she begged, unable to put into words what she wanted.

  Angus inserted a finger and went directly into a fervid pace with just enough bite as he lowered his body between her thighs, the scruff on his chin rubbing the inside of her legs. As he looked up at her, his tongue circled and pressed on her clit, and she found the edge was closer than she expected. Then he exhaled a heavy stream of steam and sucked the nub into his mouth.

  She gripped the silky sheets as her body tightened. When Angus curled his finger inside her core and added more heat, Keira detonated, coming hard. He continued licking, his tongue going in tiny circles around her sensitive clit. He was relentless and unstoppable, licking and sucking, giving more steam, even when she reached another peak and hurled over. The orgasms rolled one into another. He knew and understood her body better than she did, and she was out of control as her body demanded more.

  After a fourth orgasm, Angus prowled up her body, pressing his lips to her overheated skin along the way. His hand tangled in her long hair and his handsome face loomed above her, his predatory gaze penetrating her soul.

  She reached between them to grab his cock and guide it to her center, more than ready for him. Holding his gaze, she kept her hand wrapped around him as he entered her one delicious inch at a time.

  Expecting him to gradually enter her body, she was shocked when he set into a fast and furious rhythm as his need took control. This was a slice of Angus unleashed, and she wanted more.

  “Harder, Angus. Give me everything you’ve got,” she demanded between pants.

  “Och, you make it impossible to be gentle,” he muttered as he plowed into her and bit the flesh at her neck.

  “I don’t want gentle,” she panted.

  Without a word, he pulled out of her body. “Wha–” she began but was cut off when Angus flipped her over, pulling her hips into the air.

  A wave of excitement rippled through Keira, but she didn’t have time to anticipate his next move when he slammed back into her from behind, and she exploded. Her back arched as her mind blanked, and the most intense orgasm barreled through her body, stealing her breath and incinerating her on the spot.

  When she floated back to earth, she realized she was on that perfect edge of pleasure and pain.

  Angus rested his weight on one hand while his other slid down her stomach and stopped on her fleshy mound. “I…can’t,” she said between panting breaths. There was no way. She was physically depleted.

  “Aye, you can,” Angus promised and ran his finger over her clit. His thick digit became hotter as he rubbed and pressed on the engorged nub. Angus had to be the most considerate lover in any realm. He always put her pleasure before his own and refused to take his release without her. It said a lot about who he was at his core. It was sexy as sin that he put her needs first.

  She had an out of body experience as Angus thrust into her with supernatural speed while rubbing her clit. Momentous pleasure coursed through her as an Angus wrung one last orgasm from her. A second later he joined her, holding her throughout the most intense climax yet, while his cock pulsed deep inside.

  His scalding seed seared her womb, staking a claim. Tears gathered in her eyes as she thought how she was unable to give him children. She had no time to mourn the fact as he withdrew from her and she collapsed against the mattress.

  Chuckling, he got up and went to the adjoining bathroom, and brought back a wet cloth. “Are you sore, love?” Angus asked as he gently cleaned her.

  “A little. It’s been a while,” Keira admitted. She had no idea what sex was like between them before, but she couldn’t imagine it was better than what they just shared.

  “I’ll let you rest a bit before I take you again,” Angus said with a kiss to her temple.

  Fatigue dragged her eyes closed. “Mmm, okay,” she mumbled before oblivion took her.

  Angus rested beside her, rubbing circles across her back. As she drifted off, she thought she heard him say, “No matter how long it takes, winning your heart is worth the wait.”

  Chapter Fifteen

  Keira stopped in the courtyard of the castle. Her body hummed with satisfaction from a night of making love to Angus. The attention and care he had for her pleasure was nothing short of miraculous. It was as if his pleasure was derived from how many climaxes he gave her.

  The slight ache between her legs was a delectable reminder of the night. Feeling eyes on her, Keira glanced over her shoulder and grinned at the massive charcoal dragon standing on the parapet. Light green eyes focused on her as she left the castle for the first time.

  Keira continued her path to the main gate, and butterflies took flight in her stomach. She wiped sweaty palms on her skirt and tried to calm her racing heart. A loud trumpet sounded behind her, and she swiveled to see Angus’s large reptilian head pointed to the sky, bellowing his displeasure.

  A smile tipped her lips as she shook her head. He was pissed about her leaving. That was one possessive dragon, she mused. “Stop bellowing, dragon-breath. You’re going to wake the entire kingdom. No need to worry, Lorne is with me,” she called out.

  Smoky laughter echoed in her mind as Angus’s piercing gaze landed back on her. “Protect my heart, Turquoise. And doona forget, you canna trust Cyril. He is verra powerful,” Angus instructed for the hundredth time, only this time it was more poignant when delivered through his dragon.

  “I remember. I won’t leave Lorne’s side. You, and your knights are the only ones I trust with certainty. There isn’t much else I am sure of in this crazy world, so thank you,” she admitted.

  The dragon’s wings relaxed and folded against its sides. “The Gods have truly blessed me. I may not have your heart yet, but having your trust is just as important. Be safe, love,” Angus murmured, and his words of affection intensified the ache between her legs.

  Heat rose in her cheeks, making her feel more feminine than ever. She didn’t know what the future held, but she was captivated by Angus. She doubted she would mate with him, given eternity was a long time, but she wasn’t ruling out the possibility. Never say never, she had learned, when it came to the dragon shifter.

  Regardless, she’d always have a friendship and connection with the dragon king. Not only was it necessary in her role as Stoorworm Princess, but she genuinely cared for Angus.

  Taking back her life was her number one priority, and she focused on that instead of the turmoil surrounding her feelings for Angus. She was free at last, she thought, as her step turned into a skip.

  Her big, burly bodyguard stepped in front of her. Well, almost free, she amended and stared at the blond-headed male.

  “Where do you want to go?” Lorne asked as he walked backward while facing her.

  “To the beach. I want to feel the water and bury my toes in the sand,” Keira answered immediately, excitement making her giddy.

  Lorne twisted his face then glanced over his shoulder to the parapet. “Take her where she wants to go,” Angus ordered.

  Lorne rolled his eyes and turned to walk beside Keira. “Okay, Princess. But, please don’t shift and return to Saqara. I can’t follow you below the surface, and if anything happens to you, I will be barbequed.”

  “I promised Angus that I would not return to my home until it is safe, although I’m beginning to wonder if that day will come,” she postulated as they left the courtyard behind.

  This close to Tatenen, the city was a bustling mix of modern steel and old-world stone. The citizens were out and a
bout in droves. The biggest difference from the cities on Earth, and here, was the lack of children. Everywhere she went with Cyril, she saw families, and an abundance of children, but here, she had yet to come across one child.

  “Is there a market nearby?” she asked as she returned a smile to a passing female.

  She wondered what species the female was, with slightly pointed ears and bright blue skin. She was beautiful in a striking way with high cheekbones and full lips. There were more than dragons in Duamutef, and the variety of supernaturals was fascinating, given her recent memories which involved mostly humans.

  “There’s a market of sorts. It’s called the shopping district. You can get anything you need there,” Lorne replied as he pointed to the left where people were heading.

  “Can we walk through there?” she asked, curious to see the shopping district.

  “Sure,” Lorne replied, and let her lead the way.

  They wandered to the open area filled with colorful tents. Keira watched as the townspeople greeted Lorne. He was friendly and interacted with them, but he wasn’t there to socialize, and maintained his vigilance.

  They passed a shop, and the window display caught her eye. Stone sculptures of all shapes and sizes filled the space. The place card by one of the pieces said Webber, and she assumed that was the name of the artist. As Keira eyed the beautiful craftsmanship, she immediately thought of the collection she destroyed. Maybe she would purchase one of these to give to Angus, she thought, and then remembered she had no money, or job, for that matter. She would have to address that issue with him when she returned.

  “Ooooh, you have a coffee shop?” she blurted when she saw a sign that read ‘Nolan’s Brewhaus’. She missed the caffeinated beverage. It quickly became her favorite drink on Earth, loving the boost of energy she received.

  “Aye, we do. These coffee beans are indigenous to Khoth. After jackwagon Nolan visited another realm, he made the store sign, tormenting the citizens with the promise of coffee. We finally found a plant we could cultivate in our realm,” Lorne explained as he held the door open for her.

  She inhaled the tantalizing aroma and looked around at the crowded shop. All heads turned their way as soon as they entered. Keira heard whispers from a nearby group of females, gossiping about why the king was interested in such a skinny sea snake.

  “And, he offers other beverages, like the traditional sherulla smoothie. If you haven’t had one since you’ve been back, you should try it. The fruit is unique to Khoth and is pretty fucking good when blended with guava and pineapples,” Lorne continued, oblivious to the chattering females.

  “Never mind,” she hissed. “Let’s go. I don’t need coffee.”

  “Here’s the thing, Princess, if I don’t get you coffee, Angus will geld me. I’ve been instructed to give you anything you want,” Lorne said as he guided her through the parting crowd.

  Shrugging off Lorne’s touch, Keira wanted to die. The whispers made her self-conscious, and suddenly, she wanted to crawl back to the cave that held her captive for so many years. At least, no one glared or judged her there.

  The urge to shout obscenities was overwhelming. Especially, to the females standing off to the side. They didn’t bother keeping their voices low as they sneered about Keira’s dragon resembling an eel with legs. She’d show them her sea dragon, alright. And snap them in two right before she took them beneath the sea to their drowning death.

  A hand on her shoulder stopped her from moving forward. She didn’t realize she was two steps away from the females. “Those skets aren’t worth the effort,” Lorne said louder than necessary. Each of them turned an ugly shade of red and stormed out the door, calling him a scrote.

  “Okay, I know what a scrote is, but what is a sket?” she asked as she followed him to the counter.

  “A sket is a whore,” Lorne explained, and she couldn’t stop her laugh.

  “Good one. I’ll have to remember that term,” Keira said as she glanced around at the establishment.

  Much like the shops on Earth, there were tables and chairs, along with, pictures hanging on the walls. The big difference was the stone and steel that made up the furnishings and the building. It was unlike anything she’d seen. The stone was a unique shade of blue, and the metal was textured. Looking closer, she could see black particles scattered throughout, and she rubbed a hand across the smooth surface.

  “There’s pieces of Mt. Batia mixed with the steel. When there’s an eruption, the ash is used, giving it that hue,” Lorne offered.

  “It’s incredible,” she declared, and her heart swelled with pride.

  Khoth was her birthplace, and it possessed so many unique qualities. She felt honored to be a part of this dragon realm.

  “Good to see you again, Lorne. And, you must be Keira. Are you here for the coffee or my famous smoothie?” Nolan greeted and interrupted her musings.

  “Hey, Nolan. Yes, this is Keira, and make it two coffees. She became addicted to the dark brew on Earth,” Lorne replied.

  “I wouldn’t say addicted, but I do enjoy lattes,” she corrected with a smile.

  “Hey, nothing wrong with addictions, beautiful. I have a few of my own,” Nolan said with a wink. His olive-green eyes sparkled with mirth, and Keira instantly liked him. “Bear with me today. Kyran brought this new machine to me, and I haven’t mastered it yet. It’s far more complicated from my processor, but he claims it will make my life easier.”

  Keira watched the male as he bustled behind the counter, pushing this button and that. It looked like he was an expert to her. Within minutes, they had their drinks and were walking out the door.

  “Come back soon. Next time, I’ll make you my special smoothie,” Nolan called out as they exited the store.

  Keira and Lorne made their way to the beach while they sipped their drinks. It was divine, and unlike any brew she’d tasted before. She picked up hints of nut and a sweetness she couldn’t determine, but she would ask Angus if they could make it at Tatenen.

  Lorne pointed out various stores, landmarks, trees, and flowers as they walked. She’d seen much of it before but enjoyed hearing his stories. Her favorite was the large magenta flowers that grew wild along the path, and didn’t know why she was so drawn to the color.

  The further they traveled from the city, the more stone she saw. The cottages that housed the dragons were made of rock with a glass dome. Lorne explained how the rooftops opened so the dragons could take flight from inside the home.

  Her heart stopped, and her hand flew to her mouth the second she saw the water. Tears brimmed, and she fell to her knees in the soft sand.

  Home.

  “It’s so beautiful,” she whispered as tears fell. Longing surged while a memory tickled her mind.

  “I’ll give you some space, but I won’t be far if you need me,” Lorne murmured.

  She wanted to hug him for understanding. She was overcome with emotion and needed a moment or two. She got up and walked toward the water as she kicked off her shoes. The warm sand beneath her feet conjured the memory again.

  The feel of cool water passing over her dragon scales, followed by the image of a young sea dragon swimming next to her. He was purple and taunting her. Before she could grab more of the memory, it faded.

  Stepping to the water’s edge, she dipped her toes and was about to call out to her family when a male stepped into her path. Expecting Lorne, she was shocked to see the male standing beside her.

  “What are you doing here?” she demanded as she met black as night eyes that caused a shudder along her spine.

  Keira quickly scanned for Lorne and saw him off to the side. He was on the ground, clutching his throat. “Cyril! Stop! He’s going to choke to death,” she screamed and started towards Lorne.

  Cyril grabbed her arm, and spun her around. “He’s alive and can breathe, it’s just taking all his energy. I need to talk to you,” he professed.

  The hair on her arms stood on end as Keira felt a blast of Cyril’s
power. She wanted to run to Lorne, but instinct told her it would be futile. Cyril had cast a spell, and the thought had her yanking her arm from his grip.

  “What do you want?” she demanded, but her voice cracked, belying her bravado.

  “I came for you, of course. I’ve been going out of my mind with worry ever since you disappeared,” Cyril replied smoothly as he reached out to stroke her arm.

  His cold hand sent another shiver through her system. Was he concerned about her? He proclaimed Angus was a danger to her, and she discovered that was a lie.

  Regardless, she couldn’t deny how she felt, seeing the male again. She spent a year with Cyril, and they formed a bond in that time, albeit a friendship by her terms. His long blond hair blew in the ocean breeze, and his piercing black eyes held hers captive.

  “Did you kidnap me, and put me under a sleep spell?” Keira asked, wanting answers now that she was face to face with him.

  Cyril’s expression remained placid, and she would’ve thought him unaffected, except for the vein pulsing at his temple. “So he’s gotten to you. I was afraid of that. Come with me, and I will clear this up,” he encouraged with an outstretched hand.

  A pull in Keira’s chest had her closing the distance, but a memory of her writhing in Angus’s arms stopped her movement.

  Cyril watched her intently, and cocked his head. “Come with me. I will keep you safe,” he tried again and reached up to the stone pendant at his neck.

  It was the same necklace he wore when they were on Earth, and she wondered again at its significance. And once more, she felt a tug but remained firmly planted.

  She glanced to Lorne. He continued to gasp for air, but thankfully was still alive.

  Keira felt Cyril’s emotions boiling, but she didn’t sense danger or menace. She wasn’t sure whom to believe. She trusted Angus, but Cyril had never harmed her. Was this nothing more than a ridiculous rivalry between kings?

  “You never answered my question,” she persisted.