She raised an eyebrow. "Since I don’t have a swimsuit, you must mean we’re going to swim naked. It seems I’m not the only one with dirty fantasies."
Heat flashed in his eyes, and Kalahn did her best not to let it affect her. At least not until she knew the full extent of his surprise. Then she would embrace her desire and hopefully jumpstart her plan. The waterfall was the perfect location for it.
His voice was gravelly as he said, "That wouldn’t fit with your dream." He reached into the rucksack and produced two small bits of white material.
A memory of Kalahn wearing a bathing suit that barely covered her body flashed into her mind.
At first, embarrassment sparked. She could refuse him and the skimpy swimming outfit.
But the thought of wearing so little in front of her male stirred heat low in her belly. Maybe she could convince him to do more than kiss or fondle. After all, Kalahn wanted her male to claim her now that she was physically strong again. That had been her plan ever since the doctor had cleared her.
And since Ryven was honorable and would state never until they were married, she needed every trick she could get to change his mind. She might want to marry him eventually, but not until things were safe and the law was changed.
And there was no way she wanted to wait that long to be claimed.
Decision made, she took the bathing suit and twirled the top piece around her forefinger. "Face the other way and let me change."
Ryven raked her body from head to toe slowly, each inch making her body flush and her markings flash red. Desire coursing through their shared mind-bond only made her hotter. By the time he reached her feet and then met her gaze again, the smirk on his face told her he knew exactly how much he affected her.
Well, two could play that game.
Once his back faced her, she quickly put on the swimsuit. The entire time the spray from the waterfall caressed her warm skin, which made the fabric cling to her body.
Good. Maybe it would make Ryven’s jaw drop. "I’m ready."
Ryven turned. But unlike before, his gaze never wavered from hers.
Kalahn frowned. "You all but undressed me with your eyes earlier. Why the chivalry now?"
His voice was tight as he said, "Because if I see your beautiful body mostly bare, I may never allow you to jump into the water. I’ll be too busy holding you close and making you orgasm with my hand."
Her breath hitched. However, she found her voice again, otherwise she’d never carry out her plan. "I wouldn’t mind that, except that you have too many clothes on." She moved toward the edge of the pool. "Join me when you’re ready."
Since the air was warm, Kalahn dove right into the pool, the cool water brushing against her skin. She wondered what it’d feel like to have Ryven inside her while they were still in the water, the sound of their lovemaking rivaling that of the waterfall.
Maybe she was a slightly dirty princess after all.
After stroking forward a few times under the water, she surfaced and looked for Ryven. But he was nowhere to be found.
He would never abandon her, and there weren’t any negative emotions coming through their bond. If only she could reach out to him via telepathy to discover where he’d gone.
Before she could debate whether or not to defy the doctor’s orders, something grabbed her waist from behind. She squeaked as Ryven whispered into her ear, "I think we still have a lot of defense training to do. I snuck up on you far too easily."
She tried to turn, but Ryven pulled her back against his front and held her there. Judging by his erection against her lower back, he was naked.
Good. One less obstacle for her to overcome and convince Ryven to claim her.
Looking over her shoulder, she said, "I may not be able to use my telepathy right now, but if there were a threat with you near me, I’d feel your concern through the mind-bond. Since there wasn’t any, I had no reason to worry."
"You and your logic." He took her earlobe between his teeth and worried her flesh. Rational thought fled her mind and Kalahn resisted a moan as she rubbed her rear against his cock.
Ryven finally released her earlobe and spoke again. "I may have to find someone else to help with your training then because I see now that you’ll never be able to concentrate when I do something like this." He moved a finger to one of her breasts and lightly moved the fabric against her taut nipple. Kalahn bit her lip and tried her best to focus on Ryven’s words as he spoke again. "But I’ll have to lay some ground rules because if any other male ever tries to touch you like this." He tweaked her nipple. "I will kill him."
A fierce protectiveness flowed through their bond and Kalahn smiled. "Good. Because if any female tries to do the same and touch your marvelous body, I will find a way to harm her."
With a growl, Ryven quickly turned her around and possessively placed his hands on her rear. "You’re the only one who can touch me, Kalahn. You’re mine as much as I’m yours."
He closed the distance between their lips and kissed her. Between his licks and nibbles, as well as the love coming down the mind-bond, Kalahn surrendered and pressed herself as close as she could against Ryven’s muscled body. She wanted him more than ever before.
To give Ryven some encouragement, she moved her hips. However, Ryven immediately broke the kiss. They both breathed heavily as he growled, "Stop, Kalahn. I’m too close to the edge."
She cupped his cheeks and ran her thumbs against his late day whiskers. "But I don’t want you to stop, Ryven."
He shook his head as much as he could with her hands on his face. "No, I can’t. We should be married first. That’s the honorable thing to do."
"And what if it takes years before the law changes? What then?"
"Then I’ll wait."
"No."
Ryven frowned. "Why are you so persistent in this, Kalahn?"
"Why? Oh, I don’t know. Maybe because we both came close to death recently. And that being cautious and holding back may be honorable by Kelderan standards, but we’re no longer on Keldera, Ryven." She searched his eyes. "I want you. Isn’t that enough?"
He leaned closer, but then moved his head back again. "If I have you once, I’ll want you over and over again. And the longer we go unmarried, the worse it’ll be for you. The colony may include more open-minded Kelderans, but not everyone will accept an unmarried female living with a male."
Ryven’s thoughtfulness was one of the things she loved about him, but sometimes he took it too far.
Shaking her head, she replied, "I don’t care about that. And since I’m on hormone treatments, there’s no chance for a child, either, if that’s another of your concerns." She moved her head closer to his. "I love you, Ryven. Won’t you claim me properly right here, right now, and make my fantasy come true?"
Indecision warred in his eyes and via the bond. For a second, she worried she’d pushed him too far. Ryven may be open-minded about many things, but sex before marriage might not be one of them.
Then he growled and ran a hand up her back to tangle his fingers into her wet hair. "Never doubt how much I want you, Princess. And now I’m going to show you just how much."
He easily lifted her butt with his other hand, thanks to the buoyancy of the water, until her core was against his waist. Kalahn hooked her arms around his neck and wrapped her legs around his middle. She expected him to kiss her, but instead he ordered, "Hold on, but lean back."
His voice brooked no argument, and she obeyed, the action making the water brush against her body. The odd combination of the heat of her own body and the coolness of the water only made her nerves more sensitive.
Ryven took his time, but finally lowered his gaze to her breasts. She had no idea if the material were see-through or not, but she didn’t care. The longer he stared, the more her nipples tightened and pulsed with desire.
Ryven finally lowered his head and took one of her tight buds into his mouth. The contrast of his hot mouth with the coolness of her skin made her cry out. Taking the
sound as encouragement, Ryven nibbled and swirled. Every caress made her lean her head back a little more and rub her hips against his erection, the water adding a third caress to her actions.
Yes, this was definitely a dream she had wanted to become reality. She’d have to ask Ryven for more of them in the future.
However, Ryven bit a little harder and she groaned. Other dreams could wait. Right now, she simply enjoyed Ryven’s attentions on her nipple. When she was close to crying out in pleasure, he released her and moved to her other breast.
The man had a talented tongue and knew how to use his teeth. Each nibble and stroke pushed her a little closer to the edge.
At that thought, a little reason returned to her brain. If she didn’t do anything, he’d probably make her orgasm and resist claiming her.
Ryven increased the pace of his attentions, banishing her last coherent thought. Ryven’s evil yet delicious nibbles and licks continued unabated. Within seconds, she crashed over the edge and dug her nails into his neck as she came.
~~~
Ryven did his best to ignore his pulsing cock and simply watched Kalahn’s face as she orgasmed. Her soft cries and surrender were better than any dream he’d ever had.
And he was only getting started.
Once Kalahn opened her eyes and smiled at him, he kissed her gently before murmuring, "Ready for more, love?"
She purred. "Yes. I was hoping you wouldn’t back out." She moved her hips and he hissed at the friction. "It’s your turn now."
He kissed her jaw, untying her top as he did so. He met her eyes again. "Soon. First, I need to prepare you."
"Yes, yes, I know it’ll hurt at first. But don’t take forever about it, Ryven. I want all of you."
While Ryven had never bedded a Kelderan virgin, he’d heard a few horror stories of how the female ended up in so much pain upon penetration that she sobbed.
No. He wouldn’t lose control and rush things. Besides, even if Kalahn tried to keep it from him, her emotions would filter through the mind-bond.
Once her top was off, he undid the ties on either side of her bottoms. Rubbing slow circles on her butt, he kissed the side of her neck, her jaw, and finally took her lips in a quick, rough kiss. "Hold on to me, love. I don’t want you to float away."
Playfulness danced in her eyes. "Maybe not now, but just think of all the things we could try in this pool."
A picture of Kalahn sucking his cock under water only made more blood rush to it. "Later. Right now, I want to come inside you."
Kalahn adjusted her hold on his neck and tilted her head. "Then do so. I’m waiting."
All the males who’d dismissed Kalahn for being outspoken and rash clearly didn’t know what they were missing. Which suited him fine, because Kalahn was now his.
He kissed her as he untangled his one hand from her hair and inched it down her chest, her belly, and finally to her hot center between her thighs. Never ceasing his kisses, Ryven gently thrust one finger in and out, both loving how tight she was and afraid of what he might do to her.
Kalahn broke the kiss and murmured, "Don’t worry about me. I’m stronger than I look."
As if to prove her point, she moved against his finger and squeezed. Ryven groaned. "You’re so tight, though."
"Not for long. I’m sure my thick, long warrior will stretch me out with lots and lots of practice."
"Kalahn," he murmured.
"If you’re going to say princesses don’t say such things, keep it to yourself. Because this princess does."
At her bold, confident tone, Ryven decided to trust her and added another finger. Kalahn made a little noise of pleasure, and he lazily moved his fingers. "And I’m glad she does, and hopefully she tells me every dirty little fantasy she has so I can fulfill them all." Her markings flashed red, and Ryven added, "But before we get to those, let’s finish this one, first."
Removing his fingers, Ryven took his cock and positioned it at her hot entrance. "Ready, love?" Kalahn nodded without hesitation. Taking a deep breath, he kept his eyes trained on Kalahn’s and slowly entered her.
Damn, she was tight. As he inched inside her, it took everything he had not to close his eyes and start thrusting.
He reached her barrier and stopped. "Last chance, love."
She cupped his jaw. "I want this. I want you. I love you, Ryven. Don’t stop."
He sometimes wondered how he deserved her. "I love you, too." Clenching his jaw, he pushed through her barrier. Pain radiated down the mind-bond the same time as Kalahn cried out. He kept still and rubbed her back, kissed her lips, and murmured, "As long as I live, I’ll never hurt you again."
She answered through clenched teeth. "I know. Just give me a minute and I’ll be fine."
As Kalahn curled against him, he contented himself with holding her close. The realization that Kalahn was his now and forever crashed over him, and a sense of rightness came over him. Woe betide anyone who tried to take her from him in the future.
He didn’t know how much time had passed before Kalahn raised her head and nodded. "I’m ready. Make me forget all about that, Ryven. And don’t you dare hold back."
Taking her lips, he moved his hips slowly at first. But with each moan and groan from Kalahn, he increased his pace, loving how she gripped him tightly.
Later he would find the strength to last and take his time. In the present, he could barely hold on. Merely being inside his princess was enough to drive him crazy.
As if reading his thoughts, Kalahn also joined him with her own motions, the water splashing around them. The sound created a memory he’d never forget.
Pressure built at the base of his spine. When Kalahn gripped him tighter than before, he cried out and stilled, spilling his seed inside her.
After the last spasm of pleasure wracked his body, Ryven release Kalahn’s lips and laid his forehead against hers. Kalahn was the first to speak up. "So what do you think? Was it worth it to defy tradition?"
He smiled. "I want to say I should’ve waited, but you’re addictive in so many ways, love. This is just another one." He kept her pressed against his body and he moved to shallower waters. When the water was low enough that he could sit down without it covering more than his shoulders, he did so. "But while we may have defied one tradition, I’m not going to eschew them all. You deserve the ritual cleaning after the first time."
He half expected Kalahn to protest, but she slowly backed off his cock and turned to sit on his legs. She spread hers, and she raised her eyebrows. "Be quick about it, though. I have a few more ideas to try while it’s still warm out."
Chuckling, Ryven gently washed between her legs. Even though the pool of water should’ve done it already, he wanted to take care of his female. No one would ever say he didn’t think of her needs even with his cock hard. With her scent surrounding him, it made him more than raring to go another round.
Finished with his task, he cupped her cheek and kissed her once, twice, and three times. He asked, "So what does my princess have in mind to do next?"
She grinned and glanced at the waterfall. "We’ve done it in front of it, let’s do it behind."
"As long as we can do it a third time, with you floating on your back and me between your thighs."
Her markings turned red and stayed that way. "My warrior has a dirty mind, too."
He winked. "Good thing, as we’ll never run out of ideas."
Ryven kissed her once more before they made their way to behind the waterfall and he had the chance to treasure her all over again and again until they were both exhausted.
Chapter Twenty-Three
In the coming weeks after Kajala had given birth, Kalahn did her best to rest and resist looking into Pelryka's memories. She couldn't help anyone if she hurt her mind again and never fully healed.
So far Keltor and Kason hadn't been able to find a link between the antimonarchist groups on Keldera and the one on Jasvar. However, thanks to Kason and Taryn making a joint statement that all people on Jas
var, regardless of heritage, were welcome as long as they followed the rules and laws of the respected colonies, the female assassin's lord had begun talking a little.
Of course, Kason and Taryn needed more than one person's cooperation if they were to ever neutralize the threats to the royal family. As a first step, the pair had even gone as far as having a public signing within each colony, to solidify the offer of acceptance and show they meant it.
In the beginning, no one else had come forward. But as soon as Thorin Jarrell stood up at the Kelderan colony meeting and announced his half-Brevkan heritage, others had slowly come forth as well.
Kalahn doubted all of the non-full-blooded Kelderans had come forward, but even a handful doing so was a move in the right direction.
However, while the public statements were a good start, there were still too many unanswered questions for Kalahn to rest easy. Especially when it came to who was driving the campaigns to kill the royal family.
That was something she hoped to rectify as soon as she could sort through the memories she'd collected. While Pelryka's lord had begun to share information, his female was still keeping quiet. Mostly because she'd been unconscious a great deal of that time, ever since Kalahn had interceded and stopped her suicide attempt.
Maybe with time, Pelryka would be forthright as well. Although the window for any sort of deal was closing. As soon as Kalahn could sort through the female's memories, her cooperation wouldn't be required.
Not that Kalahn wanted to have anyone else's memories inside her head. If she never had to do that again, she'd be happy. However, if the female assassin didn't talk, it was their last option to find out what they needed.
Kalahn adjusted her position on the bed for the tenth time and let out a sigh. She couldn't wait to do something, anything, to help. Borzet clearing her and deeming her mind healed enough to use telepathy again couldn't come soon enough.
Ryven lay next to her in the bed and began rubbing her upper arms. His voice filled the room. "Fretting to the point you don't get enough sleep will only make your recovery take longer."
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