by Aubrey Ross
“You’ve never done this before?” He sounded doubtful.
“Does it matter?” Anxiety heightened her restlessness as he righted his clothing. He was sated. Surely he didn’t intend to leave her wanting. “You seemed to enjoy it.”
He spread his legs, helped her to her feet, and pulled her between his thighs. “I enjoyed it very much. Now it’s your turn to be devoured.”
Chapter Three
Jarek stared up into Felise’s flushed face, breathless and torn. He longed to shed his disguise and tell her the truth. As soon as her brother granted him permission, Jarek would start courting Felise. With the Setti threat escalating, it was imperative the Mystic Keepers and the Kingdom of Zylott join forces. Their treaties and governmental declarations were to be reinforced by the union of prominent parties.
Several such alliances had already formed. Lord Nyx had bonded with Minuette, an elite Veil Keeper; and his brother Tye had recently joined with Elita, Princess of the Order of Light. The Kinson men were snatching up Keeper females, and the Steering Committee wanted to balance the equation.
Tilden refused to consider such a match, so Jarek came to Zylott in disguise to scout out the possibilities.
“Are you going to do more than stare?”
He smiled at her lightly mocking tone. A similar comment had led to this exchange. “Infinitely more.” He unlaced the front of her gown. Felise’s subtle beauty appealed to him far more than Adara’s smoldering sensuality. From the first moment he’d seen the sisters, Jarek had gravitated toward Felise. Her hair might be the color of flame, but innocence surrounded her, adding to her mystique.
With the laces loosened, he eased the bodice from her shoulders and down her arms. The garment beneath scooped low over her breasts, her nipples creating distinct peaks in the thin material. “You’re so beautiful, little firebird.” He circled her nipple with his index finger. Her eyelids lowered and her lips parted. Did she enjoy light teasing caresses or would she welcome a more commanding touch?
“Firebird?” She whispered the endearment. “I like that.”
He watched her expression and her body’s reaction as he explored her soft flesh. His lovers called him Master not because of his political station, but because of his command over their pleasure. If Felise required a gentle hand, she would never be content in his care. He could be patient and creative, but his mate’s passion would have to burn as brightly as his.
Unable to free her breasts from the undergarment, Jarek captured her nipple between his lips, suckling through the thin material. She grasped his shoulders, low mewling sounds escaping her throat. The harder he drew upon her nipple, the more she squirmed. Oh, she liked it firm.
Her fingers tangled in his hair. “Please. I can wait no longer.”
Desire wound around him like a snake, tensing his muscles, constricting his chest. Despite his recent release, his cock hardened, ready for conquest, eager to feel her pussy stretched around him.
He buried his face between her breasts, shaking with the need to take her. This was neither the time nor the place. She didn’t even know his name. He would not claim her maidenhead on a cold stone bench. When they joined for the first time, it would mean more than mutual release. She would accept who and what he was.
Slipping to his knees, he drew her skirts up along her legs, prolonging the motion, building the tension. Her sheer stockings ended at mid-thigh. He paused to savor her smooth skin, dipping his thumbs between, easing her thighs apart.
Cream had already soaked her panties. He rubbed her mound through the damp material. Her thighs flexed and shifted, and her hands clutched his arms. Pulling the insubstantial scrap of material aside, Jarek leaned in and inhaled her fragrance. Hairless and plump, her mound begged for attention. He stroked her with his tongue, relishing her silky skin without disturbing the dusky folds peeking out at him.
“Stop teasing me,” she cried. “I need to come so badly it hurts.”
He recoiled from the demand in her voice. His dominant nature surged. She would learn to revel in anticipation, to soar as intensity built. But the lesson must wait for another night, and a more appropriate setting — a set of fur-lined restraints.
Lifting her leg to his shoulder, he cupped her bottom with one hand and parted her folds with the other. After tracing her crease twice, he settled over her clit, circling and rubbing with a distinct rhythm.
Her nails bit into his biceps as she rocked her hips. She’d received pleasure before. Other men had touched his little firebird, perhaps even tasted her. Jealousy flared at the thought, hot and consuming. He wanted to devour her so completely she would think of no one else. Lifting her hips, he fitted his mouth over her pussy, licking and sucking her essence. He couldn’t get enough. He wanted more, more than she would allow, more than he had a right to demand.
Pushing his tongue into her cunt, he felt her shudder. There! He wanted to be there, deep inside her. She lifted and canted her hips, taking him deeper. He thrust in as far as he could, fucking her with his tongue. Her cries thrilled him; the ripples of her inner muscles told him she was close.
He didn’t want it to end. If this was all he could have, he wanted to make it last. Her hands moved to his hair, holding him against her as release shook her body. A fresh rush of cream coated his tongue. He savored the salty-sweet taste, the proof of her surrender.
Her knee buckled and he caught her in his arms. Easing her leg from his shoulder, he cradled her against his chest. Her bodice still gaped, revealing her hardened nipples. Stars, she was glorious.
“What must you think of me.”
She pulled her bodice together, but he covered her hands with his. “I think you’re incredible. There is no shame in pleasure. Is that not the Fahroni way?”
Glancing into his eyes, she paused to lick her lips. “I’m only half Fahroni. My father was a Mystic Keeper. I’m not usually so wanton.”
Stroking her cheek, he placed a soft kiss on her lips. “I rather enjoyed your wantonness.”
“I’m not ashamed of the pleasure we shared. I’ve just never allowed —”
“You said you’d known release before. You must have allowed at least one other.”
She stood and finished lacing her gown. “What do you know about the Drahbin?”
Jarek stood as well. They should return to the assembly before they were missed; still he hesitated. He would much rather take her some place private and finish what they’d begun. Not until King Sef agrees to let you claim her! Back on track, Severn. “The conflict between the Drahbin and the Fahroni goes back as far as recorded history. The tide changed from time to time, but the Fahroni controlled the Drahbin for the most part.”
She nodded. “Many centuries ago, during one of the rare periods when the Drahbin were in power, the Fahroni made a pact with the Setti.”
“Please go on.” He knew nothing of Setti involvement in the conflict. She returned to the bench, so Jarek joined her there.
“Full-blooded Setti are unable to leave their dimension. It is only through breeding with other species that they are able to overcome this weakness. At the time of the pact, Fahroni and Drahbin physiology were nearly identical.”
Tension gripped Jarek’s gut. Her tale had just begun and already he dreaded what would follow. Anything involving the Setti was bound to be horrific. “What sort of pact did the Fahroni make?”
“They captured as many Drahbin as they could and delivered them to the Setti to use as breeding stock.” She paused. Jarek didn’t rush her. He took her hand in his and waited for her to go on. “The Setti provided the Fahroni with another advantage. By infusing them with Setti essence, they triggered powers within Fahroni males that hadn’t existed before.”
“That’s why so many are leery of the sorcerers. Anyone with unusual abilities has been — empowered by the Setti.”
Again she nodded. “The abilities are a permanent part of Fahroni genetics now, but the prejudice remains.”
“What became of the
captive Drahbin?”
“Unfortunately for the Setti, the majority of the Drahbin didn’t survive long enough to produce offspring. The original pact backfired in several ways. The Setti realized by empowering the Fahroni, they made them strong enough to survive the transformation, while the Drahbin were all but useless to them.”
“So the Setti captured empowered Fahroni despite their supposed alliance?”
Pushing to her feet, she paced before the bench. “Nothing so simple. The Setti demanded better breeding stock. In exchange they promised a means of vanquishing the Drahbin once and for all. The Fahroni leaders turned over thousands of their own people knowing what the Setti intended. As a reward, the Setti transformed the Drahbin, making them easy to control.”
“How were the Drahbin changed?”
“The Setti stripped them of the ability to feel sensual pleasure, then heightened their empathic sensitivity. They created a race of slaves utterly dependent on their masters for anything resembling pleasure.”
“I’ve never heard of such a thing.”
Felise shuddered. “It was a form of slavery that’s hard to comprehend. The Setti taught the Fahroni leaders how to use emotions to manipulate and control the Drahbin. What makes it even more deplorable is the Drahbin can only produce children with other Drahbin.”
“How is that accomplished if no Drahbin is capable of feeling desire?”
“They must find someone willing to act as an emotional surrogate.”
What did all this have to do with her sexual experience? Or had she completely lost track of the original topic? “I was told slavery was abolished with the formation of your father’s kingdom. Are the Drahbin still considered subordinate?”
“No. But they are still imprisoned by the transformation. The only way they can experience pleasure is through their empathic link.”
Fighting back a smile, Jarek realized where the story led. “So the Fahroni selflessly allow the Drahbin to bring them to orgasm so the Drahbin can experience sexual pleasure?”
She gasped. Her eyes widened, then narrowed. “You make it sound tawdry. The Drahbin are treated with respect and dignity. They are highly sought after as consorts and companions. My mother hired Drahbin bathing attendants for Adara and me upon our maturation. It is only with our bathing attendants that I’ve…”
He stood and pulled her into his arms. “I meant no disrespect.” Pressing a gentle kiss against her lips, he eased her frown. “There must be more of your father in you than your mother. It doesn’t sound like your mother would have been embarrassed by what we just shared.”
Smiling, she lowered her lashes. “I suppose you’re right.”
“We should return.”
“I know.”
Still they lingered. Jarek stroked her back and breathed in her scent, longing — just longing.
“There you are!” They sprang apart at Adara’s anxious tone. She stood at the break in the hedgerow, hands on her hips. “Everyone is looking for you. Why did you run out like that?” Her gaze moved from her sister to Jarek and back again.
Felise cleared her throat before she spoke. “I felt stifled by the heat. Ambassador Tork was concerned and followed to make sure I was all right.”
One corner of Adara’s mouth quirked in a knowing smile. “Do you feel better now?”
“Much.”
“Sef would like to speak with you.”
*
Concealed in Light Keeper illusion, Odele watched the Zylott princesses walk toward the palace.
Is he the one?
She couldn’t determine Cef’s exact location, though she could hear his voice clearly within her mind. No. I don’t know what game that one is playing, but he is not my slave.
Why do you delay? Let’s go to the hall and find him.
We must be careful if we enter the hall. This illusion renders me invisible, not intangible.
His chuckle made her glower. You must be careful. I am intangible.
She picked her way across the garden, her annoyance simmering.
Is it true what you told Hakon? This Keeper you control is unaware of his enslavement?
Unlike Gibrath, I’ve found it more useful to keep my slaves happily infused. My Keeper slave is unaware of the addiction because I never allow him to feel his need for my Setti essence. His arrogance prevents him from questioning the source of his power. They reached a massive door, which had been propped open to catch the evening breeze. Odele stopped in the opening, her gaze searching the sea of people.
How do you control him if he is never desperate for your essence?
Each infusion strengthens my authority. I activate our mental link and he obeys my compulsions. It’s as simple as that.
And all the while he remains unaware of your control?
His skepticism grated on her nerves. At times he resists the compulsions, but he has never failed to obey and I remove the memory of everything he does for me. He is oblivious, I assure you.
We shall see.
*
Felise strode down the elegant corridor, her anxiety mounting with each step she took. What was so important Sef commanded her presence during his bonding festival? In his presence chambers no less. Couldn’t he have told her in the ballroom?
The guards flanking the doorway snapped to attention as she approached. They each opened one side of the entrance, leaving her framed by the threshold.
“Ah, Adara found you. I was about to dispatch my guards.” He had dressed in a fitted tunic that reached mid-thigh. His auburn hair appeared tousled and she didn’t trust the gleam in his green eyes.
“Couldn’t this wait until —”
“I’ll come right to the point.” He used an imperial tone that brooked no refusal. This was her king addressing her, not her brother. “You know I’ve been negotiating with the Mystic Keepers. I honestly feel a marriage between you and one of their leaders will strengthen the alliance.”
“Nyx and Tye are not enough?”
“Their bondings gave Zylott a vested interest in the Keepers. We need the Keepers to have a vested interest in Zylott.”
Felise knew about his plan, so she didn’t pretend to be surprised. “Why now? What makes the situation so urgent it must interrupt your bonding celebration?”
“He is here.”
“Who?”
“The Keeper I have chosen for you.”
She paused, tension knotting her stomach.
“Dori reminded me of an ancient Fahroni custom.”
Heat spread up Felise’s neck. “I think everyone here is aware of that.”
He grinned. “Have you heard of the Ishaunti Tiri?”
She shook her head.
“When a bonding is proposed but one of the parties is reluctant, the other party can instigate an Ishaunti Tiri. The couple is locked in a room alone together. The instigating party has until sunrise on the third day to convince the reluctant party to accept them as bonded mate. Nothing can be forced upon the reluctant party, but a reasonable level of cooperation is expected.”
“I presume I’m the reluctant party in this case.” His ambiguous description didn’t obscure his meaning. “The Mystic Keeper has three days to seduce me.” Anticipation tinged with fear tingled down her spine. Who had Sef chosen? When would she meet him?
“An Ishaunti Tiri tests attraction and basic compatibility. If you spend three days alone with someone, no distractions, no interruptions, it’s amazing how much you can learn. At dawn on the third day, you’ll announce whether or not you accept Master Jarek as your bonded mate.”
Jarek, Master of the Order of Shadow. According to Elita’s description, he was preferable to the Death Master. Still Felise’s heart sank. She would have three days to make a decision that would affect the rest of her life. Not just her life, for Jarek’s proposal was part of the ongoing negotiations. If she spurned him, the ramifications could ripple beyond her own happiness. “Why are we talking about this now?”
“I want the Ishaunt
i Tiri to begin tonight. It will run the duration of these festivities. If you find the Shadow Master acceptable, we will conclude my bonding celebration with your joining ritual.”
Tonight! Sef intended to hand her over to a complete stranger intent on seducing her. What was wrong with a friendly introduction, followed by a leisurely courtship? Nothing can be forced upon the reluctant party, but a reasonable level of cooperation is expected. His words echoed through her mind, mocking her. He could expect whatever he liked. She would not be bullied into this preposterous custom!
“I must return to my guests. Your chamber is being prepared. Tye went to find Master Jarek. You will be provided with —”
“There is no reason for this.” She took a step toward him. “I’m not opposed to bonding with one of the Mystic Keepers. I understand the importance of the alliance, but why the haste? If I had time to —”
“Jarek has asked permission to bond with you. It is my intention to grant him permission. This will give him the opportunity to convince you he can make you happy. Dignitaries from every province in Zylott are here. I want your joining witnessed by as many as possible.”
“I am not having a traditional joining!”
He laughed. “That’s not what I meant.”
Burying her fists in the pleats of her skirt, she forced her jaw to relax. “What do you know of this man?”
“He is Master of the Order of Shadow, accomplished and powerful. His ancestors are all elite. He is respected and well liked. He has achieved much despite the fact that he is two years my junior.”
Accomplished, powerful, elite ancestors, were these the characteristics Sef thought she cared about? Was he kind? Did he have a sense of humor? Would he treat her with tenderness?
“Dori described him as brutally handsome just before she suggested the Ishaunti Tiri.” Sef shrugged and straightened his tunic. “The rest you must determine for yourself. Ultimately the choice is yours.”
He kissed her on the cheek and left her stunned and silent in his presence chamber. She heaved a frustrated sigh and released the stranglehold on her temper. This was ridiculous! After a reasonable courtship, she might agree to join with Master Jarek, but she was not spending the next three days locked in a room with a “brutally handsome” stranger.
