The Forbidden

by Jessie Donovan

  "And this is something you can do?" Kason asked, his voice a bit skeptical.

  She shook her head. "Not quite yet, but I'm working on it. Borzet is a good trainer, but to accomplish something so powerful, I need to lean on Ryven via our connection. And I won't do that until he's mentally strong enough to lend me some of his power."

  Kason looked at each of them in turn. "I don't want to push either of you too far too fast. However, my own plans are not going as well as I'd hoped. So if you could focus all of your energies on this project, it would help us all."

  Kalahn glanced to Ryven. "I will do all the training I can, but I won't risk Ryven's life."

  "Don't worry, love. We'll figure it out soon enough," Ryven murmured.

  Kason cleared his throat. "Just make sure your energy isn't wasted taking advantage of my sister."

  Kalahn frowned at Kason. "How about not discussing and dissecting my personal time with Ryven?"

  Her brother grunted. "All I'll say is be cautious, Kalahn. If you end up pregnant before we can implement the plan, even I know that over-stretching your telepathic abilities can harm a babe."

  Kalahn willed her cheeks not to flush and decided to embarrass Kason as he'd done her. "Not that it's any of your business, but I've started birth control hormone treatments. I'm far from ready for a child, no matter how cute they may be."

  Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Ryven's grin. He was onboard with embarrassing Kason.

  Doing her best not to laugh at her brother's wary gaze, Kalahn continued. "I'll update you in code with how things are progressing. But I'd rather not give too many updates, just in case there's a mole within your trusted ranks."

  Kason crossed his arms again. "We're still trying to find the person who cut the branches down, with the intention of having the birds kill Ryven. Every precaution is being taken."

  "Good." She finally moved to Ryven's bed and took his hand. "Then if there's nothing else, I need to tend to my male and then go back to training."

  Kason's face softened. "Just be careful, Kalahn. I know you want to prove yourself, but just make sure not to kill yourself in the process."

  Ryven squeezed her hand before saying, "I'll look after her. I know a thing or two about keeping a stubborn royal from pushing themselves too far."

  Kason made a fist and thumped it over his heart. "Take care of my sister. Her life is in your hands."

  "You know I'm standing right here, don’t you?" Kalahn drawled.

  Her brother raised an eyebrow. "Yes."

  Ryven chimed in. "It's a male thing, Kalahn. And it's not meant to insult. It's almost a statement of approval concerning our relationship."

  She blinked. "Really? There needs to be a manual on male behaviors. That would save me a lot of time."

  Ryven snorted. "Maybe someday I'll try my hand at that."

  After sharing a grin with Ryven, Kalahn looked back at her brother. "I'll be careful, I promise. I'm not about to lose Ryven after I finally have him as my own."

  Kason nodded and murmured his goodbyes. Once they were alone again, Kalahn sat next to Ryven and gave him a quick kiss. "So I take it everything is going to be fine between you and Kason?"

  He snorted again. "I think 'fine' is a long way off, but he's tolerating the idea. Especially after I hinted you could've done much worse, as well as far more scandalous, than me."

  She stuck out her tongue. "If you weren't injured, I'd hit you for that."

  He winked. "But I am and you can't. I need to make sure to live this up while I still can." He sobered. "On a more serious note, I'm happy to hear about the hormone treatments. It means I can claim you as soon as I'm well and you agree to be my bride."

  She plucked at the sheet. As much as Kalahn wanted Ryven, she didn’t think they’d be married when she finally let him claim her, given the laws and her own plans. She’d just have to think of a way to make that happen despite Ryven’s honor. "I hope it's okay I started them. I'm just not ready for a child yet. I know you're older and maybe you are ready, but there's too much I want to do first."

  He touched her cheek and she met his gaze again. "Kalahn, I want more than a baby with you. Would it be nice at some point to start a family? Yes. But I want some time with my bride first. After all, I have to make sure she gets the chance to live out each and every one of her dirty fantasies."

  "I haven't agreed to be your bride yet," she pointed out.

  "But you will." He brought her hand to his lips. "As much as I'd love to keep you all to myself for the day, I know Borzet is waiting for you."

  She gently brushed his hair with her fingertips. Not being able to touch him wherever she wanted was killing her. Ryven couldn't heal fast enough. "I'll come back as soon as I can."

  "And then you can assess my mental stability."

  Searching his gaze, she looked for any doubt, but saw none. She only hoped Ryven’s lack of concern was a signal that he would be fine. She asked, "Are you sure you're ready? It's still fairly soon after the attack, Ryven."

  "I'm fueled by craving your mental touch again."

  She smiled. "Just so you can project sexy fantasies into my head."

  He grinned. "That's only part of it. In all seriousness, I want to explore the mind-bond and test the boundaries. After doing that, I can confer with Borzet and come up with some training exercises."

  "Once a trainer, always a trainer."

  He winked. "And just wait until I train you in the ways of the flesh."

  Kalahn did her best to keep her markings a dark blue as thoughts of Ryven pleasuring her in different ways flashed inside her head. Her on her back, her side, even on her stomach.

  He probably had other things she didn’t even know about, either.

  She was eager to learn, but there was no way she would share those visions right now, or she’d never leave the room. So instead she rolled her eyes. "The horny side of Ryven is out in full force."

  "No, I just want to use every tool available to convince you to be my bride."

  Kalahn wanted to scream yes, she'd be his.

  And yet, she didn't want to put Ryven in harm's way again simply because of him being her lord. Once she took care of her mission surrounding the assassin and knew more about the threats to the royal family, then she'd claim him and never let go.

  She just had to hone her skills first.

  After kissing Ryven goodbye, Kalahn exited the room and headed back to Borzet. She'd been having a hard time concentrating before because of Kason coming to visit. However, now that her brother had accepted them—if only tentatively—she could flex her full mental muscle and get to work.

  Chapter Sixteen

  Five days later, Ryven's mind was finally cleared and he was slowly brought off the drugs suppressing his telepathy.

  His body was nearly healed as well due to Kelderan medicine techniques, and as a result, Kalahn currently curled against his side and snored softly. He gently rubbed her back, more than aware that he'd become attached to her scent and heat at his side. To be honest, it was hard to imagine falling asleep without her next to him.

  Her training was, by all rights, going well. And provided Ryven was strong enough to help her, she could be ready to go back to Jasvar and implement their plan regarding the assassin in less than a week.

  And according to Borzet, after a few years of training, she might even become the strongest telepath in their galaxy.

  As Ryven watched her face slack in sleep, he wished he could whisk her away and protect her. Every day she told him of another way she could die via a mental attack, and each time it became harder and harder to be supportive.

  And yet, he knew that if he put his foot down and forbade anything, fire would flare in her eyes and she'd defy him. Maybe even leave him, bond or no bond.

  So the only thing he could do was support her and do his best to grow stronger. Oh, and try his best not to die when it came time to lend his mental power to amplify her own.

  With each passing minute, the
fogginess of his mental space lessened. Since Kalahn had been training so hard, he would only wake her once he had a clear mind again. Although as he was able to see his mental presence clearer and clearer, it took every bit of restraint he possessed not to instantly reach out and call to Kalahn.

  Even with her asleep, her emotions were starting to filter through because of their bond. Happiness, mixed with excitement, came through. Maybe she was dreaming of another adventure near a waterfall. He'd already promised to make that dream a reality as soon as they could.

  To be honest, almost all of his plans now included Kalahn. Their lives would never be easy, but he didn't care. His princess was worth any trouble. He just needed to ensure they had a future first, and then he could spend his life wooing and making Kalahn happy.

  She murmured something in her sleep and nuzzled his chest. The brush of her cheek against his skin sent electricity racing through his body and straight to his cock. As her breath tickled his chest as well, he tried to keep memories of her mouth on him at bay, too. Otherwise, he would be nothing but a distraction to Kalahn; she'd feel his desire when she woke up and probably act on it.

  Not that he didn't want to be inside her, but they needed to protect her family first.

  So he thought of every mundane training manual he could muster to deflate his cock once more. His princess deserved romance and laughter for her first time, and not a crude awakening in a hospital bed.

  He contented himself with stroking her back and committing her soft form to memory. Eventually he could see his—no, their—mental space clearly, and he stilled his movements.

  And if he were talking, he would've been rendered speechless.

  Gone were the haphazardly constructed walls on Kalahn's half and in its place were some of the most complex shields he'd ever seen, tightly woven into a pattern he'd never witnessed in the past. At first glance, he wasn't even sure how to go about dismantling it. He also noticed that the barrier even extended inside his own walls, to encircle them both.

  Some males might balk at a female protecting them, but Ryven wasn't one of them. After all, Kalahn's skill meant she could better protect herself when the time came.

  If her barrier wasn't enough of a surprise, gone was the empty space of light. Instead, images of both back home on Keldera and scenery from Jasvar danced on different sections of the walls. The floor was in a traditional Kelderan pattern, usually reserved for rugs. There were even plants spaced around the room, too.

  And to think, Kalahn was able to maintain all of it while deep asleep. Maybe she was ready to complete their assignment after all.

  Kalahn's mental presence swirled around his own. You're back.

  I never left, love.

  You know what I mean. She circled him more slowly this time. And the small signs of mental rot are gone, too. I think you might be healed.

  So now you're an expert on telepathic health?

  Not exactly an expert, but it's another thing that comes naturally to me—judging a person's weaknesses on the telepathic plane.

  He retreated from his mind and lightly pinched her bottom. Kalahn opened her eyes and squealed. "What was that for?"

  "I had to ensure you weren't completely invincible in your physical self, too."

  Her gaze turned wary. "Are you intimidated?"

  "Truthfully? Yes." Her face fell, and he turned to face her and take her head between his hands. "But that's not a negative. Don't hide your true strength, Kalahn. It's one of the things that's always drawn me to you."

  The worry fled from her eyes. "I was concerned you might not want to work with me, once you saw all that I did. But there was no way I was going to hold back. After all, the stronger I become, the better protected we both are."

  He gently kissed her and pulled back a fraction to whisper, "As long as you help train me and include me in your plans, we'll be fine."

  She smiled slowly, and his breath hitched at how beautiful she was.

  He should put desire to the side and focus on business. But after nearly a week of being careful and holding back, he closed the distance between their lips and kissed her.

  ~~~

  Even though Kalahn had done her best to improve her and Ryven's mental space and make it more homey, she'd always had a thread of doubt running through her. She'd seen fights and even brawls break out between males over who was the strongest, richest, or most powerful. And those were just inside her father's conference rooms.

  Every day, she'd hoped that Ryven would be different.

  So when he praised her abilities and told her to never hold back, she fell a little in love with him.

  Not that she had much time to think about it, because as soon as his lips touched hers, every thought fled her head.

  With each nip, nibble, and caress, Ryven became rougher. Gone were the gentle kisses and caresses.

  He now pulled her close and rolled on top of her. Kalahn moved her hands to grip his rear. When she dug in her nails, Ryven broke the kiss with a growl. "We should stop."

  Her breathing was as ragged as his. "Don't you dare stop, Ryven. You owe me."

  The corner of his mouth ticked up. "I won't claim you yet, but I'll repay the orgasm without hesitation."

  She rubbed her foot against the back of his leg. "Then what are you waiting for?"

  "Gah, you're like my every fantasy thrown into one, Kalahn."

  Before she could tease him, he kissed her jaw, her neck, and finally kissed her nipple through her dress. The heat of his mouth through the fabric only tightened her nipples further, and wetness rushed between her thighs.

  When he took her tight bud between his teeth and gently nibbled, she cried out his name.

  "Just wait for what's to come, Princess. I'm just getting started."

  He laved his tongue against her, moving the fabric and creating delicious friction against her sensitive nerves. She was torn between asking him to remove the material and letting him make her orgasm just like this.

  His hair was long enough now that she could thread her fingers through it and gently tug. With a growl, Ryven released her and met her gaze.

  Her heart skipped a beat at the heat and desire there.

  Never taking his gaze from hers, he traced the neckline of her dress up to her shoulder. Hooking his finger under the material, he slowly slid it down her arm until her breast popped free.

  But Ryven didn't immediately take her into his mouth. He stared at her face as the cool air caressed her breast.

  Each second that ticked by only heated her skin more. Who knew that a look could drive her crazy and make her want to pluck her own nipples until she came.

  "Do it," Ryven murmured.

  Crap, she must've been projecting again.

  While Kalahn had brought herself to climax on her own, a brief flash of embarrassment washed over her. She hated being so inexperienced with men.

  Ryven reached down and placed his hand on her knee, slowly running his fingers up to her inner thigh. As he rubbed his rough palm against her, Kalahn squirmed her hips like a wanton.

  His husky voice filled the room. "Never be afraid to take or ask for what you want, love."

  He continued stroking her thigh while he stared, never reaching her core or even touching her nipples again.

  Her breasts ached to be touched. With a word, she could have Ryven's mouth on her again.

  But as she slowly brought her fingers to her exposed breast and began to roll and pinch her tight bud, approval and desire emanated from Ryven via their bond and washed over her.

  The combination of his desire and her own nearly made her come right then and there.

  As pleasure built, Ryven gently ran a finger between her thighs and Kalahn bucked her hips.

  Ryven's mental voice filled her head. Tell me to stop, and I will.

  No, no don't stop.

  He continued his ministrations and finally leaned closer to her breast. "Let me make my princess come."

  Her hand fell to the side, a
nd Ryven instantly sucked her tight bud between his teeth. As he worried her flesh with teeth and tongue, she raised her hips, inviting Ryven to touch her there, too.

  One of his long, thick fingers entered slowly. As he moved it, he increased the pressure and pace of his mouth on her nipples.

  Her thoughts were too scattered to talk to him, with a voice or her telepathy, so she moaned and groaned as the pressure built. Ryven touching her was more intense than anything she'd done to herself.

  When lights finally flashed before her eyes, ecstasy crashed over her and she cried out his name.

  After Kalahn finally came down from her high, she smiled at Ryven. He quirked an eyebrow. "So have I paid off my debt?"

  It was hard to concentrate since Ryven still gently moved his finger inside her, but she managed to reply, "I don't think so. You'll be paying it off for years."

  "Good." He removed his finger and brought it to his lips. Watching him slowly lick her wetness off his skin made her insides flip. He finally added, "Because one taste of you will never be enough."

  The way he said it, as if it would be pure ecstasy to taste her, made her shiver.

  She wanted to be bold enough to ask him for more, but settled on spreading her legs. "You could work on your debt a little more."

  After he took her lips in a slow, rough kiss, he murmured, "I will, but not today, Kalahn. I want you in a proper bed, where I can take you as many times as I can before we both collapse with exhaustion."

  He kissed the side of her breast, her chest, and her jaw. His breath whispered against her skin. "My bride will be treasured as she deserves."

  He was all but asking her again to be his bride, and Kalahn hesitated. Whether through body language or the mental connection, Ryven must've noticed and instantly met her gaze and searched it. "What's wrong?"

  She could dismiss it as nothing, curl up next to him, and merely enjoy the moment.