3013: CHAOS (3013: The Series Book 8)

by Laurie Roma

  Killian stared at her, his glowing silver eyes bright with emotion. “You are our baby sister. There is no one in the entire universe that we love more. There is a war going on here. How could we not come to ensure that you were safe here?”

  The rest of her anger drained away, replaced by the love she had for both of her brothers. This time, she walked into Killian’s arms to embrace him willingly, showering him with her gratitude that they would make the journey to come to see her. Tears stung her eyes as she felt the love they felt for her through their bond.

  She pulled back from Killian to wrap her arms around Ryker’s waist. “Thank you for coming.”

  “Do not thank us yet. We still have to see if we approve of your mate.”

  “You will,” she assured them. “How long are you staying?”

  “As long as needed,” Ryker replied ambiguously.

  “Great,” she groaned. “Come. Let me introduce you to my mate.”

  She tried to pull away from Ryker, but he held her to him, shifting her to the side so she could see that Jaden was standing right behind her. He wore no expression on his face as he met her brothers’ equally blank stares.

  Katra sighed again.

  This was going to be another long night.

  * * *

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  “Jaden, these are my brothers, Ryker and Killian. This is Lord Jaden Tor, my mate.”

  “Is he?” Killian challenged softly, so no one else could hear. “Then why is he still Tarin?”

  “You are not fully mated yet,” Ryker agreed.

  “We are,” Jaden shot back. “Katra is mine.”

  Katra pinched Ryker hard enough to make him wince so he would release her. She walked over to Jaden and wanted to smile as he gripped her hand gently, pulling her so she was standing next to him. She twined her fingers with his, showing her brothers that she and Jaden were united.

  “Jaden is my mate,” she said forcefully. “Do not push me on this.”

  Jaden felt her embarrassment through their bond. It struck him that even though she had said she’d understood his reasons for waiting to be converted, she was self-conscious about him meeting her brothers without going through the conversion first. Jaden was sure she knew he was fully committed to her, but in her brothers’ eyes, he wasn’t.

  Making a swift decision, Jaden said, “Have you ever heard of a Tarin mating one of your kind before? Can I fully bond with her in the Tarin way without hurting her before I go through the conversion?”

  Ryker and Killian’s stances seemed to relax as his question, but he felt Katra stiffen beside him.

  “Jaden, we do not need to explain ourselves to them. You are my mate. Nothing will change that.”

  Jaden touched her face gently with his fingertips. Having nothing to hide, he said, “We need to know if it will hurt you. Once I become a Dragon Warrior, I won’t be able to commit to you in the ways of my people, so we need to do it before I go through the conversion. I love you, and will always ensure your safety first.”

  “Amari Nazira.”

  Jaden frowned at Killian. “What or who is Amari Nazira?”

  “She is a Dragon Warrior older than we are,” Killian explained. “Born to a former Tarin mother and two Dragon Warrior fathers.”

  Katra’s eyes widened. “You know her?”

  “We met once, briefly. Her parents never settled on Arcadia, choosing to travel exclusively, but they did stop by for a short visitation when we were young.”

  “Amari is a female without a home. We have heard tales that she now travels on her own vessel with a menagerie of companions,” Ryker added.

  “But her fathers and mother, were they bonded?” Katra wanted to know.

  “Aye, they were. Truly bonded and all Dragon Warriors. They were an…intriguing clan. But as to how it happened, we do not know. All you can do is follow the path your hearts lay out for you, and trust that the gods have not chosen poorly for you.”

  Katra glared at Killian, but he only smiled in return.

  Jaden gripped Katra’s hand tightly as he stared deeply into her glowing eyes. “There is hope for us.”

  “I always knew it.”

  Katra leaned in to kiss him, but was pushed off balance as Killian shoved her, none too lightly. “Enough of that,” Killian commanded. “That little bit of exercise has made me hungry. Feed us, sister.”

  “And share news of this war.” Ryker rubbed his hands together with glee. “It has been ages since we have been able to kill anything.”

  Jaden barely held back a groan. Releasing two bloodthirsty Dragon Warriors on Tartarus was either going to end the war sooner, or be the biggest mistake ever made.

  * * * *

  It was hours later when Jaden and Katra were finally able to retire for the night.

  “I have only been on Tartarus for a few days now, but it seems like ages,” Katra said as she watched Jaden lock the bedchamber door. “You locked the solar door downstairs…is that really necessary?”

  “The more locked doors between us and your brothers, the better I feel.” Jaden sighed, then turned to smile at her. “See? I already feel better.”

  “Locked doors mean nothing to them.”

  He scowled at her. “Give me something here.”

  Katra laughed. “Whatever you need, mate.”

  “There is something I need.”

  Jaden stalked closer to her, his steps measured. The savage look of hunger on his face gave her a sign of what he wanted, and she felt her heart flutter with anticipation.

  “You’ve been very careful giving me my space. I can feel the way you hold yourself back instead of staying connected to me.”

  Okay, that was not what she was expecting to hear him say.

  “You are still getting used to our bond,” she said carefully.

  “I don’t like it. You’ve given up so much to be with me and—”

  “Nay, mate.” Katra moved to him, framing his beloved face with her hands. “We have not been together long, but know this—you are everything I need.”

  “And you are everything I need.”

  Her eyes narrowed. “Did my brothers say something to make you worry?”

  “No, but they helped me realize something tonight.” He pressed a kiss to the center of both her palms and took a step back, staring at her solemnly. “You are mine, Katra. Mate. Consort. Whatever we call it, we are one. Since the moment we met, you have shown me how dedicated you are to being with me. Even when I’ve held back from you, you never gave up on me.”

  “How could I?” she whispered.

  A soft smile curled his lips. “And how could I have doubted what you are to me for even a second? Coming here, you have shown me your loyalty and courage. Knowing what we face, you have never once hesitated to take on all that being my lady entails. You have made Tartarus your home, committed to my world. By agreeing to live here with me and to dedicate yourself to protecting me and my people, you have given me everything. But I…I have failed you.”

  “You have not—”

  “I have,” he denied forcefully. “But no longer.” He pulled his sword out of its sheath, then sank to one knee before her and held his sword out, the tip of the blade held over his left wrist.

  Katra’s breath caught. Jaden was lord of his palace and should kneel to no one. Instead of bowing his head, he kept eye contact with her so she could see the raw determination in his dark gaze. “Jaden—”

  “Katra. You are my light. I pledge to you that my sword will always be at the ready to defend you. I will use my body to protect and comfort you, and I will never again give you any reason to doubt my feelings for you. My heart is yours, forever, and no male here or anywhere else in the universe will ever love you more. You have become my world, and now, I am ready to commit to everything that means. I love you, Katra. Mate with me fully.”

  He saw the tears shimmering in her glowing silver eyes. “You undo me, Jaden.”

  He rose to his feet, setting h
is sword aside. “Never that, my love. You make me proud to be your mate, and I’ll do my best to prove to you I deserve your love and faith in me.”

  “You have nothing to prove to me, mate. Our love is something that does not require recompense.”

  “That is where you’re wrong,” he countered. “There is nothing that I can ever do to show you how grateful I am that you love me. I will thank the gods every day for granting me the gift of you.”

  Jaden pulled off his body armor, baring his chest to her gaze. He loved the way she ate him up with her spectacular eyes, and felt himself harden as his own hunger stirred to life. He reached down and pulled his dagger out of his boot, holding it in front of him.

  “I know you can bite me, but it is an honored Tarin tradition for a warrior to prove to his consort that he is willing to bleed for her.” Using the dagger, he cut a thin line on his chest, right over his heart.

  Katra’s gaze tracked the blood spilling from the cut and her heart thundered in her chest. “I need to taste you.”

  “Do it. Mate with me, Katra.”

  Stepping forward, she licked at the blood, then used her magic to seal the wound on his chest. When she pulled back, she willed their clothing away, and heard his harsh intake of breath as her bare body brushed against his. Looking up into his eyes, she saw they were burning with a hunger she had never seen before. “I seem to recall making you a promise, mate.”

  “And I made you one as well,” he replied, his deep voice rough with need. “Slow. This time we’ll take it slow.”

  “Who are you trying to convince, you or me?” she asked with a smile.

  “Me, because there is nothing I would rather do then throw you on our bed and take you. But there is no need to rush this. I want this night to last.”

  Jaden’s lips came down to meet hers in a gentle kiss, giving them both the pleasure of sweet intimacy. They both moaned as their tongues met, touching and tasting. The flavor of her was absolutely intoxicating, and he wanted more.

  She wrapped her arms around him, pressing herself closer, and he stroked his own hands up and down her back, loving the feeling of her smooth, soft skin. His cock was thick and hard, throbbing with need, but he pushed aside his own desires for now.

  Lifting her easily, he carried her over to their bed and sat her down, pushing until she was lying flat on her back. He came down on top of her, but was careful to keep his full weight from crushing down on her. He tilted his head, deepening the kiss until they both couldn’t breathe. He tore his lips from hers, moving lower, worshiping her as he used his mouth and teeth to nip and suck wherever he could reach.

  Her body was an unending delight to him. She was perfect in every way, her lithe body taut with muscle packed under flawless golden skin. He trailed his tongue over the swirling design of her intricate tattoos, tracing lower until he reached her lush breasts. Pinching her nipples lightly, he reveled in the sight of her squirming beneath him.

  “Someday, my young will suckle from these,” he whispered hoarsely.

  Katra gasped as he took one peak into his hot mouth. Fire burned in her belly as he sucked harder, causing sparks to shoot straight to her core. The roughness of his callused hands felt wonderful stroking over her flesh, and she shivered in reaction.

  “Spread for me, mate. Let me taste you.”

  When he moved lower, she didn’t hesitate to part her thighs for him, giving him access to her, just as he’d asked. He settled his large body between them, and she all but quivered with anticipation as she felt his hot breath on her. She could feel her desire for him seeping from her pussy, but she felt no embarrassment.

  She was pure need now.

  He gave her no warning, no time to prepare as he put his mouth on her. She let out a scream as he began lapping and sucking her juices from her. Her head shook from side to side as he ate her. His tongue darted deep, parting her tender folds as he continued to sate his hunger. He drove her up so fast she barely had time to suck in a breath before her body came apart, shattering in an explosive climax.

  He moved higher, latching on to her clit, making her jerk beneath him. He didn’t let up, sucking on her small pleasure nub until she came again, then he drank down her release like a starving beast. Katra’s body arched as she cried out his name, begging him to stop. Her body was so sensitive, the pleasure bordered on pain, but he wouldn’t release her. Not until he’d wrung two more shattering climaxes from her.

  Jerking up to his knees, Jaden wiped his mouth with the back of his hand, then licked at it, wanting to savor every drop of her that could. “Your taste is addicting, Katra. I could devour you.”

  “You did,” she panted. “Come to me, Jaden. Fill me with you.”

  Jaden came down on her, pushing her thighs farther apart to accommodate his large body. He guided his massive erection down with his hand, stroking the head of his cock over her slick folds, then up to rub over her clit. He could feel her pleasure through their bond, and it almost pushed him over the edge.

  He lodged his cock at her entrance and pushed in slowly, savoring the feeling of her body welcoming him inside her. When he was halfway in, he thrust hard, driving the rest of his cock deep within her. Her body jolted as he filled her to the hilt.

  Heat radiated from him as if he were on fire and sweat trickled down his face as he began thrusting his cock into her tight pussy. He let out a growl of pleasure before he took her mouth again, plunging his tongue deep, over and over again. Close to losing his control, he reached down between them to lightly rub her clit, wanting to bring her closer to the edge with him. When he felt he was almost ready to come, he levered up on to his knees, continuing to jerk his cock inside her until his climax was upon him.

  “I’m going to merge with you now. Tell me if it hurts you,” he commanded.

  She nodded, and he was humbled by the complete trust he saw in her gaze.

  Making sure the bond between them was open so he would know if what he was doing caused her any pain, Jaden placed his hand on her chest, right over her heart as the fiery jets of semen tore from his cock. His big body shuddered from the onslaught of pleasure, but he focused on releasing all the sexual energy inside of him straight through his palm, right into Katra’s heart.

  Katra’s eyes widened as she felt him inside her. The merging was like being struck by lightning again, without the pain. The sensations she felt were so intense, her body convulsed, clamping down like a vise. She could feel Jaden pouring inside her body, her heart and her mind. It was different than the blood bond, but somehow so similar it only enhanced what was already between them.

  Urgency shot through her, and she used her strength to flip Jaden so he was flat on his back on the bed. Her hips bucked as she rode them both through their mutual release, pushing them hard toward another before their bodies had time to recover. She heard a loud crack, and her body shifted, but it didn’t even make her pause.

  He held her hips in a brutal grip, helping her move over him as he thrust into her from below. When she was ready to come again, she fell on him, her fangs sinking deep into his neck. He let out a startled shout as his body exploded again, his seed pumping into her as she fed from him, taking all he had to give.

  When the fervor was over, Katra released her hold on his neck, closing the wound, but leaving her brand behind. Changing one fingertip to a claw, she punctured her skin, and he took her offering without a word. When her skin repaired itself, she lay on him, fully sated for the moment.

  “That was…intense. Really fucking intense,” he breathed out.

  “Aye, it was, mate.”

  Feeling them sliding a bit, Jaden’s eyes opened, and he let out a laugh. “I didn’t realize we broke the bed.”

  Katra’s head lifted, and she saw they were laying on a slanted angle. The bed had broken during their rigorous lovemaking and had fallen to the floor, but one side was propped up by one of the damaged slates. She closed her eyes, and they were lifted up as she repaired the bed with her magic. �
�I like this bed,” she said snuggling closer to him, simply breathing in his masculine scent until she felt drunk with it.

  “I do, too.” Jaden chuckled. “I have a feeling you will be repairing often.”

  “Or you can.”

  When he remained quiet, her eyes opened, and she looked up at him. “Jaden?”

  “So, it’s done? I don’t really feel any different, except I feel closer to you. I don’t think you can block me out anymore.”

  “I was not blocking you out. I was just trying to give you your privacy.”

  He smiled. “Well, I don’t think that’s possible anymore. Besides, I like feeling you in my head now. Relationship would all be a whole lot easier if every male could read their female’s minds.”

  Sitting back up, she felt his cock surge to life again inside her at the movement. Smiling, she placed both of her palms on his chest. “Can you read what I am thinking now?”

  “Yes. Do it. Mark me,” he demanded.

  Katra let her magic flow from her hands into his body, and watched as the silver tribal tattoo weaved its way onto his skin. She made the lines of his markings a little thicker than hers, but their marks were identical in design. When it was done, she lifted her hands and sat back to watch as he examined his new tattoo. She felt his pleasure through their bond, and it warmed her heart.

  “I like it. No, I love it, just as I love you.”

  “And I love you.” She leaned down to seal her lips on his, pouring all the love she felt for him into her kiss. When he tried to begin thrusting into her again, she shifted lower, letting his hard cock slide out of her as she nibbled at his neck. “The conversion will happen tonight while you are sleeping. But for now…I believe I have a promise to fulfill.”

  Jaden’s breath hitched. “Remind me what that promise was again?”

  “I am going to kiss every single inch of you.”

  His body jerked when she nipped his collar bone, then soothed the sting away with her tongue. “Watch those fangs while you do, will you?”

  Glancing up, she smiled mischievously at him. “That, I make no promises about. Just lie back, relax, and let me pleasure you.”