by Desiree Holt
In this moment, he was hers to please.
Releasing her persuasion on him, she moaned in the back of her throat, the vibrations traveling along his erection, causing his hips to buck and him to thrust deeper into her mouth.
His hands threaded through her locks, his strokes urging her on. “Ekho.” He thumped his head against the tree behind him and panted her name again.
She fluttered her lashes at him and flicked her tongue across his tip, sending a spike of ecstasy through him with her nymph abilities.
“Sweet nymph,” he thrashed his head, “I can’t take any more.”
Slowly, she withdrew, sucking and licking him. His chest heaved in relief and he peered at her, dark desires crossing his features.
He dropped to the ground, spread his legs, and crooked his fingers, beckoning her.
Swaying her hips, she strolled to him.
He seized her waist, tugged her between his legs, and pressed his mouth to her bud. His tongue lapped at her, nipping and teasing, the wetness between her thighs growing slick with yearning.
Unbearable flames of passion she wasn’t certain could ever be quenched.
Though she hoped that wouldn’t stop Petraeus from trying.
* * *
Petraeus grunted into Ekho’s core, laving his tongue across every inch of her sweet sex. She tasted so damn succulent, a feast he couldn’t consume enough of.
Silken flesh spread like velvet across his tongue. Nymphs were fashioned to be irresistible, yet as his mate, she was doubly so.
She danced between his legs, whimpering while he sucked at her. After one more long lick, he spun her around, urging her to straddle his lap. Her back to him, she sank onto his length, that tightness enveloping every inch of him in a slow, steady claiming.
He angled her body to the side, cupping her cheek to kiss her. She undulated, rising and lowering herself onto him. Gently, he rolled his hips, pumping into her and savoring her tongue flicking across his.
He made love to her like he had all the time in the world, knowing he had none. She wasn’t his, and might not ever be. This moment could be the only one he’d ever have with her.
Instinct told him, soon, she would leave him, broken and wandering, his soul never to mend or quench its thirst for her again.
So he drank, imbibing of the fiery nymph he couldn’t survive without.
She rode him, mewling and quivering, until her sheath convulsed around him and she screamed, high and airy. But, oh, he wasn’t finished with her yet.
He nudged her limp body forward, the beast in him done waiting.
Still joined, he hunched over her, one arm wrapped around her body and holding her weight off the ground while he thrust into her. Her body was light and pliable, so much so he could bend her and toss her around like a doll. She arched into him, her breathless cries tempting him to slake his every craving upon her.
Petraeus plucked them to their feet and continued to press into her, his hands wrapping around both her breasts. His hips swung into hers in a steady, augmenting rhythm.
He pumped into her with relentless abandon, each stroke heightening his need instead of slaking it, until he couldn’t possibly pound any harder, drive any deeper, or thrust any faster.
A blast of white heat coursed through his veins as his release seized him, clenching his muscles, and he spilled his seed inside her.
An offense, to be certain.
If this was the only time he’d ever have, he’d accept any punishment just to be able to be with her once.
She gasped and bucked against him, her climax pursuing his, until they both collapsed onto the mossy ground, panting and drained.
His cock, however, remained rigid inside her, refusing to part from her. Tenderly now, he rested on his side behind her, one hand sliding across her hip to caress her bud.
“I know I’m not the male you deserve, or even wish for, but no matter what you choose, I will always be devoted to you. For all of eternity.” Sighing into her neck, he inhaled her delicate fragrance. “Even more, Ekho, I am falling in love with you.”
He uttered the words, despite his fear she would never reciprocate. The only thing he was certain of was that if he didn’t declare his intentions, he would regret it until the end of his days.
“Petraeus, I…” she breathed, then paused, as though unable to complete what she’d intended to speak.
Closing his eyes in resignation, he slipped from her, rolling over to dress.
He would fight for her love through anything.
Except her indifference.
* * *
Ekho’s throat closed in on itself. She shivered from the removal of Petraeus’s warmth. Or perhaps, from the declaration of his affection.
Her instincts drew her to him, yet her will prevented her surrender. Ekho couldn’t love him even if she wished to.
Oh, no. She shot up to sit. A somber recollection poured through her veins. She did wish to love him. Equally, she wasn’t capable of the emotion.
Sweet gods, I cursed myself.
Pressing her hand over her mouth, she swallowed back tears. The memory crashed into her mind. Years ago, after witnessing Minthe’s birth mother forsake her life because of a male, Ekho had determined not to succumb to that same fate.
She’d compelled herself never to fall in love.
It had worked.
Beside her stood the most worthy male she’d ever encountered, and she wasn’t able to reciprocate his affection.
What have I done? A tremor shook her hand; she lowered it before Petraeus observed her agitation.
Once uttered, her persuasions couldn’t be undone.
She would never love him.
What would he become if she agreed to be his mate yet never loved him? She would kill him.
Though it would shatter her soul, there was only one remedy.
Petraeus must never mate me. He must forget.
Everything.
* * *
The mood shifted to a dreary, sullen gloom as they trekked to the nymph camp the next morning. Ekho didn’t speak to Petraeus, and likewise, he avoided her.
This was for the best. Once they informed the nymphs of their discovery inside the cavern, he would seek out a solution to his situation with Ekho.
They passed the meadow and the stream, and this time, they entered the nymph encampment without a spear prodded into his neck.
He parted from Ekho, marching through the crowds toward the cluster of white tents. Apparently, not every nymph had returned to her rightful home, if she even had one anymore. Any nymph residing in Lapith territory would have been forced to abandon her home. The hundreds of chiming females made perfect sense to him as he waded through their ranks.
What caught him off guard was the sight of his eldest brother, merrily conversing among them. As Cheiron’s heir, didn’t Hector have a Kingdom to help rule over?
“Hector?” If ensuring to the comfort of nymphs was part of his Kingly duty, then Petraeus just might seek a Kingdom of his own.
The image sank straight into his gut, eroded away by his feelings for Ekho. Aye, perhaps his old self would have done so, but not now.
Not after her.
“Petraeus?” Hector frowned at him, his smoky-hued eyes widening. “What are you doing here?”
“I might ask the same of you.” He stiffened, but welcomed his brother’s firm pat on the back.
“Nymphs.” Hector swept his arm across the crowd of females. “It was just as you said, brother. Follow Delia.” He scruffed Petraeus’s locks until he scrambled out of his eldest brother’s grasp. “Brilliant lad.”
The light-hearted, blazing smile on Hector’s face was a display Petraeus had never witnessed. A tall, golden-haired female stepped to his side and pressed her lips to his cheek. He kept grinning like a damned fool, until she poked him in the side.
“Aren’t you going to properly introduce us?” The female twisted toward Petraeus, her dark eyes assessing.
He
recognized her, or thought he did, but she was…changed. “Delia?”
“The true Delia.” Her lips curved in amusement and he flicked his gaze to Hector, but his brother merely winked. Aye, very well. He’d ask for their tale another time.
He’d bet it was a lengthy one, too.
Ekho had been right. Every traitorous task she’d compelled him to commit had led his brothers to their mates.
To their happy fates.
What about me? He shook off his musings, recalling his purpose here, and cleared his throat. “Hector, we must speak.”
A knowing gleam flashed in his brother’s eyes as he nodded. “Aye, that we must.”
Chapter Ten
Having delivered the message about the cavern of vials, Petraeus and Ekho departed the nymph encampment. Night fell as they crossed the boundary into Agrius’s lands, trekking through the new tunnels his brother had dug near his castle.
He ought to congratulate Agrius on his new state of matrimony, and apologize for missing the wedding, and coo over his new niece, but not tonight.
Tonight, he had other amends to make.
An hour later, he halted outside the Portal leading into his castle of Austere Pass. He scooped Ekho from his back and into his arms, carrying her through the Portal and inside.
Asleep, she seemed so vulnerable. Until the waters completely cleansed from her, mayhap she wasn’t capable of reciprocating his affections. He could pass an amusing time with her and part ways long before her frozen heart had thawed.
But what of his heart?
He laid her gently upon his bed and she curled onto her side. Unable to counter the urge, he crawled onto the bed behind her, molding his front to her back.
Did his yearnings arouse because of the bonding? He frowned at the thin black band beneath his skin. Great Meteoron was the place he ought to bring her to. His father would offer him sound advice.
The last thing he craved was reason.
After their discussion about the vials, Hector had informed Petraeus of several interesting tidbits, including some rather useful information about a nymph named Antiope. An idea formed in his mind, but he wasn’t certain he’d have the strength to carry it out.
Lying beside Ekho, his heart and his will thumped in unison, both desperate for the same thing.
One more taste of her.
Sighing, he nuzzled her neck and closed his eyes.
A delightful pressure stroked along his cock. His eyes shot open and he grunted, rocking his hips forward. He must have fallen asleep, and this was by far the best manner in which he’d ever woken.
Ekho’s slender hand rubbed across his length, enticing a long groan from his chest.
“Nymph, don’t poke the beast, for he will surely poke back.” He thrust his hips suggestively against her bottom.
Instead of stopping, she gripped him tighter, a whimper vibrating in her throat.
This was wrong. Accepting pleasure from his mate without pledging himself would be viewed as a transgression among his people.
Yet she’d tossed aside his proposals, refusing him.
In every way except this.
A strange disappointment surged inside him. He should be elated that such a beauty would choose him to warm her bed. In truth, this arrangement was precisely what his old self would have preferred.
Which only begged the question—had he changed? Was he so different from the selfish rogue who’d first claimed Ekho? Had their time apart taught him new goals to strive for?
He snorted and rocked against her lush curves. Only a fool would step from the embrace of a nymph.
A second later, he untangled from her grasp and did just that, scoffing at the absurdity of his actions.
“What are you doing?” She rolled over and frowned at him.
“Not in the mood.” He shrugged.
One brow arched, she cast her perusal toward his rigid and clearly eager shaft.
He crossed his arms and willed his body to relax, to no avail. Every inch of him craved her, including his soul.
Aha, that was his problem. A quick romp in his bed wouldn’t satisfy him.
Though undoubtedly it would gratify her.
“You’re not still clinging to that horrid bonding, are you?” She reclined on her stomach, elbows raised, and her breasts plumped ever so delightfully.
His palms itched to grab them, so he clasped his hands behind his back. “Is the idea of mating me truly so terrible?” He grimaced at the words spewing from his mouth. What was wrong with him? A few months ago, he would have wholeheartedly agreed with her.
“I’ve made my stance clear, Petraeus. I will never be yours.” She lowered her lashes and crawled from the bed.
Dragging his trodden ego behind her.
* * *
After a restless sleep, they’d gathered supplies and set off again. Outside the Portal at Austere Pass, Ekho shifted away from the hand Petraeus extended and instead followed after him. They’d decided to offer their aid at Great Meteoron. Some of the nymphs had already traveled there, in search of new homes.
Petraeus had also stated he wouldn’t mind checking in on the centaur Rhoetus, to ensure he’d kept his word.
And his hooves to himself.
They stepped together into King Cheiron’s grand Great Hall. Morning sunlight gleamed off the alabaster stones encasing the chamber. The imposing centaur king poised atop the high throne. Several figures gathered around him, males and females.
As they approached Petraeus’s father, a wave of snorts and shuffling hooves ebbed through the grouping.
She stiffened while their curious stares narrowed upon her and Petraeus.
He tensed as well, but swiftly recovered, thrusting his shoulders wide and his chin high.
“My son.” Cheiron inclined his head at them both. “What brings you here?” His grey gaze slanted to Ekho. “With your mate.”
Oh. How did his father sense this?
“A temporary situation,” she answered drily, amid the muttering of their audience. Well, they would see about that.
“Ah, yes.” Petraeus coughed into his fist. “We’ve come to offer our aid to the displaced nymphs.”
To his credit, the wise centaur didn’t flinch. “They have gathered in the courtyard. Be well, my son.”
The prompt dismissal proved a relief, for the prying tongues of his siblings wouldn’t have much to gossip about.
Petraeus must have concluded the same, for he snatched her hand and led her from the chamber, down an ivory staircase, and out into a sprawling courtyard buzzing with hundreds of spritely nymphs.
Minthe sprinted to her and embraced her fiercely. “Mother, it’s so good to see you again.” She eased back and cast a sly smile at Petraeus. “Please don’t worry about me. Everything is fine here. More than fine.” Minthe pressed a kiss to Ekho’s cheek and fluttered away, swallowed again by the humming crowd.
The dashing centaur Rhoetus stood among them.
Ekho smiled at the pair, then sighed as she tilted her face to Petraeus. “What now? These nymphs don’t require our aid. Somehow, I sense you had a different purpose in bringing me here.”
He shrugged, gazing at the crowd. “That’s true. I think we ought to remedy the terms of our partnership.”
“How so?”
“You don’t wish to be bonded to me, and aye, mayhap you’re right. We’re a mismatched pair if ever one existed. Fortunately, I know a cure.”
“I thought one didn’t exist.” She pursed her lips.
He leaned in and winked. “That’s why it’s a secret.”
Hesitation pulsing through her, she followed Petraeus to the village below. He knocked on a cabin door and a lyrical feminine voice called them to enter.
Ekho strengthened her resolve and followed him inside. Whatever Petraeus had planned, she prayed it would set things right between them.
* * *
“Come, come, darlings,” the enchanting voice beckoned them deeper inside the dim cabin. T
he hairs on the back of Petraeus’s neck prickled, but this was the right decision.
Ekho didn’t want him. She’d made that abundantly clear.
The last thing he would do was bond to a female who’d hate him for it. The gods were as capable of mistakes as mortals. While some bonded couples cherished their union, not every match would be a perfect one.
Hence, the visit to Antiope. The nymph had aided his brothers, and he hoped she would offer her services to him, too. If this plan didn’t work, he could imbibe of Nysa’s waters should any pangs of grief remain.
“Antiope.” He swept his arm out and bowed. “I have come to beg you for—”
“Yes, yes.” She waved him off and glared between him and Ekho. “You should know the risks before we begin. First, the spell might not work. Second, if it does, the procedure will bring him great pain. And third, the enchantment will be irreversible. Once you are unbonded, you cannot be united again.”
“Done.” He brushed off the warnings. He’d never heeded them anyway.
“Are you certain?” Ekho frowned at him, lips thin.
“Aye, never been more.” He plopped into the chair Antiope indicated and shrugged out of his left sleeve, baring his arm.
The nymph padded to the hearth and stabbed a poker into it, then removed the glowing rod. “Brace yourself, milord. This will hurt.”
He stuck out his arm and gritted his teeth, jesting, “Not more than being chained to a mate for eternity.”
“Petraeus, you don’t have to—” Ekho hitched her breath.
He howled as the brand flamed across his arm, the hiss of scorched skin filling his ears and the singe of charred flesh crossing his nostrils. Plugging his mouth with his free fist, he nodded her onward, to sear the entirety of the band from his arm.
To erase all trace of Ekho from his body. His soul. And his heart.
From this moment onward, she would be lost to him.
* * *
Ekho blinked back tears while Petraeus grimaced at the next stamp of the brand. Strong and fierce, he bit his fist, sweat beading his forehead and trailing down his face.
