He ground his teeth as though he were holding back more. The whole time he paced in front of her in only a pair of green and white striped pajama pants.
As he walked he’d squeeze and then stretch out his hands, causing his sleek biceps, triceps and peck muscles to flex. Venus couldn’t help but be captivated by him. Magnificent. He was right though. She hadn’t gone to him. She’d done what she wanted, when she felt like it.
“I’m s—”
He came over to the bed and sat next to her, placing a finger to her lips. Fresh lemons and honey—the fragrance on his fingers. Venus imagined tasting those flavors on his lips. He loved tea, like an old man. How old was he in kelarian years? One hundred? Maybe not that old.
He chortled. “I’m seventy-eight. Hardly an old man.”
His intense green eyes locked on hers. Once again a stirring tugged at her. Zaren was hers! All mine! Her body sang with the physical desires of a human. She’d never understood, before coming to Earth, what humans went through. Now, with all of the physical needs she experienced, she’d begun to appreciate, to some degree, why they did the crazy things they did. Problem was, she knew most of the time it wasn’t love, though obviously humans used that as an excuse. Everything she’d felt in the past two days appeared to be purely physical.
What is true love? Venus had no idea. Perhaps she should find out. See what it looked like. At least read up on it.
Zaren shook his head.
“Were you following that?” She laughed, nervous, hoping he’d read her mind this time.
He nodded. “Yes. Sorry, I’ll try harder not too.”
Venus shook her head. It didn’t matter.
“I want to show you something that I think—hope—will help. May I?” He appeared to be anxious, but determined to demonstrate.
Venus kept her eyes on his face. “Yes.” The word came out a throaty whisper. She had on only a light blue cotton tank and matching boy shorts, but she wasn’t cold. Quite the contrary, she felt warm.
“Lie down and close your eyes.” Venus did as he commanded. Excitement raced through her veins.
The bed squeaked with the pressure of his body. He drew near causing her heart to beat hard, fast—it drowned out everything else . . . until his lips touched her wrist.
It was as though he’d struck a match. Zaren placed a hand under her arm and moved his lips, gently grazing his teeth against her skin. Slowly, he moved up her inner arm until he reached the crease at her elbow. Her body shuddered. As he moved, with each touch, like kindling, the fire in her body grew stronger with need. Venus wanted to sit up and touch him, but he had his other arm across her body, holding her in place, stroking her face, her hair. Finally she couldn’t take it anymore, thought she’d burst with pleasure.
“Zaren.”
He stopped, his eyes raking hers.
Venus sat up, grasping his shoulders and then moved her hands down his arms.
“Princess.” The word came out ragged with hunger, need.
Venus shifted to her knees so her face was above his, her long hair a curtain surrounding them. His eyes kept shifting back and forth, searching hers, looking for what, she wasn’t sure. All she could think about was his lips on hers, her body touching his and his arms around her.
She stroked his full lips with her fingers, felt his breath against them. Venus lowered her mouth over his . . . and he slid away.
“Zaren,” she whispered, feeling her heart wrench in pain. He held her at arm’s length, as though she were poisonous. Her heart wrenched again.
“Why?”
“I’m sorry. I’m not trying to toy with you. I . . . need you to understand the difference between physical attraction and emotional connection.” He rubbed a hand over his face. When he moved it away, he appeared calmer.
She sank back onto the bed, her body still throbbing. Aching. But she was also annoyed. “I see. So what you’re saying is that any guy can make me feel this way given the right circumstances? And, that I don’t feel anything but physically attracted to you?”
He gazed at her, steady. Strong. A reminder of the Formytian she’d come to rely upon over the years. Unwavering. It angered her further. Slapping his perfect face crossed her mind. How’s that for strong? Before she could, he turned and picked up a t-shirt from the floor and put it on. The shamrock green shirt appeared worn and was probably dirty. Venus stared openmouthed. That was so not Zaren.
“Are you feeling okay?”
He turned back to her. The shirt he’d put on said Lucky across the chest. She resisted the temptation to snicker and searched his face, waiting.
His features softened. “I’ve been better.” He gave her a half grin, which she found irresistible and continued, “To answer your questions, I don’t think any guy could make you feel that way. Take, for instance, Dervinias. Would he be able to come in here and do what I did to you and have the same results?”
No way. If he ever tried to touch me that way, I’d kill him. To Zaren, she snapped, “I don’t know, you tell me.”
He chuckled.
Meddling mind reader. “This is ridiculous. Tell me what you’re getting at.” Venus sat back on the bed, her shoulders slumping.
He sat next to her. The closeness of his body increased her need to touch him. She reached over to grab his hands, but he moved them. With one hand he slowly pushed a piece of her hair out of her face. Embers of longing seemed to chase his fingers. Each place he touched—her forehead, down her cheek—waited for the fire to re-start. Venus felt her pulse quicken, her breathing jagged gasps again. She touched his face. “I feel more—”
He seized her hand and set them back in her lap.
“Cret,” she cursed, watching her hands tremble. She knew her face had bloomed red.
He placed a finger on her chin and lifted her face. Without a doubt, he reciprocated what she felt. But, determination rested in his serious eyes as well. There was a point to all of this. He’d said so. Impatience coursed through her.
Get to it already. She huffed irritably.
After a moment, he cleared his throat. “We can be attracted to someone for many different reasons. Humans are more sensitive than most. They have good reason, which is this; they don’t have the luxury of immortality. Physical attraction helps continue their species. This is a guess, but with you, I think part of the reason you’re feeling physical attraction with such force, is because you haven’t become immortal yet.”
That was probably true. She hadn’t experienced anything like this before. “Okay. So how do humans sift through all of the physical attraction and get to the emotional connection?”
“The attraction is a very small part of the big picture. Again, take Dervinius. Before you got to know him—his charming personality—you found him physically good looking. Now that some time has passed and you’ve spent time in his company, he makes you crazy. You tolerate him.”
A snort came from the other room.
Loudly, to make sure Dervinias heard her with his ears, and not just his perverted mind, she said, “You can say that again.”
“You also hold an attraction for the human, Michael.”
He knew what’d happened at Michael’s house. Ah helker, mind-reading was annoying. “I guess. Maybe. I don’t know. It was strange. Out of my control.” Venus had been trying to avoid all recollection of what’d happened. At the mention of Michael’s name, though, a bud of hunger for him entered her belly. More dancing butterflies. Great, I really am an emotional wreck.
“Many humans claim the same reasoning all of the time.” He studied her until she looked away.
After a few minutes, he went on. “A human can also become attracted to a person for who they are. Their likes and dislikes. Their personalities and views, the way they treat others. That connection is usually much bigger and lasts longer. It sustains the physical attraction, compliments it.”
That made sense, she supposed.
“Can I share one more thing with you?” He appeared
unsure, but resolute. Evidently it was important.
“Yes, as long as you aren’t going to kiss my skin again and then back away.” She’d said the words in mock severity, but they both knew she meant it. Her body still vibrated with longing.
He tenderly pulled her around to face him. “Venus, if or when that happens, it’ll be because you instigate it. And be prepared, because I won’t be able to hold back again.” His beautiful eyes bore into hers with such intensity she wished the next time was right this minute.
Did that mean Zaren felt attracted to her? Could physical attraction be as strong, as pleasurable, on Kelari once she’d become a kelvieri? Did Zaren have those types of feelings even though he was immortal? What about an emotional connection? Obviously he did. She knew he read her mind. Venus watched his face, trying to gauge his answers without asking the questions aloud. Truthfully, deep down she didn’t know if she was ready for the answers.
Venus nodded. “Go ahead.”
29. Still Loving You
Zaren had been in love with Venus since she’d turned fifteen. He’d cared for her much longer . . . as a friend, a Formytian and his queen-to-be. Given his station in life, there’d never been any hope for more. He’d accepted his lot and loved her from a distance. Now they were on Earth. Everything had changed.
Venus had released him from his vow, as her eternal guardian, which meant he could pursue her as a potential suitor. There was still the issue of Palmo. Joining the countries had been a desire of his king and queen for many years. Zaren knew Venus would abide her duty and marry him. On their planet, love hadn’t meant anything to her. Of paramount importance to her were the needs of the people. They mattered most. Her honor ranked highly as one of many traits he loved about Venus.
On this foreign planet, she’d been experiencing real feelings. Sure they were over the top, more than normal, but that she felt at all, filled him with happiness. He’d wanted her to understand what she’d been missing. Zaren wished to give her all of the love, pleasure and joy she deserved.
He knew there was affection between them. Zaren also knew she wasn’t sure what that meant, especially since she harbored feelings for the human, too. He wanted her to realize the beauty of love and everything the word meant.
Turning her on, but resisting the urge to kiss her lips, as she so clearly craved, had taken all of his effort. It was possible, though, because he wanted their first kiss to be when she had control over her physical desires, when she really wanted only him. He’d wait for that day.
Venus watched his face, intently.
Right now his greatest desire was to share the most beautiful love story—ever. The account of the Gods, Ith and Aetha, and how they came to be together. Allowing her to experience the way their love began, and grew even now, would help her understand the exquisiteness of finding and loving your soul mate. And someday, perhaps he and Venus could find that same splendor with each other.
“Lie back down and close your eyes.”
“Okay.”
When she’d situated herself, he lay next to her.
“Clear away your thoughts. Relax.”
He expanded his mind, pouring his thoughts into hers, like spilling grape juice over a clear countertop. Once it’d covered hers, he felt a ripple and knew their minds were synched. Then he released the story into her mind. A breaking dam, he felt the memories of the Gods rush through her. And, as though a movie turned on, the images began to flow. Except they weren’t viewing the memories. They were living them, as the Gods.
Zaren breathed in, smelling death and decay. He peered down at his body—the body of Ith. Then he searched the smoking countryside. He let the air in his lungs rush out. Next to him stood his eternal lover—Venus, in the body of Aetha.
“C’mon,” he said with a smile, grasping her hand and pulling her forward. “We’ve a world to save.”
30. Broken Wings
Cheverly lived on one of the largest cattle ranches in Cheyenne. That’s what Dervinias had told them on the ride over. Suitably named after their family, it was called The Hartford Ranch. It’d taken almost an hour to get out there, but once they arrived, Venus saw it’d been worth the wait. Vast was the one word that described the ranch.
It spread out over hundreds of acres. Two training corrals were out in front, each enclosed by a wooden three-rail fence. Behind those sat a gigantic south-looking mansion. Made of wood, it’d been painted yellow. White columns stood grandly on either side of the front steps.
The door looked unyielding as a thousand-year-old Wekking tree from home. It’d been stained a beautiful dark color. The porch stretched the length of the house on both levels. Dark green shutters framed the windows. There were eight on top and six on the bottom.
Pine trees adorned the landscape throughout the ranch. The top layers of the branches were covered in snow. It looked like a picture she’d seen in her Earth Studies book on different holidays celebrated by diverse religious sects. The only thing missing: a horse-drawn sleigh decorated in red bows.
There hadn’t been any snow within the city of Cheyenne. Up here, drifted snow rested against fence posts and trees. A crisp layer crunched underfoot as they made their way to the house. Cheverly didn’t give them a chance to go inside. Instead she met them on the porch.
“Hi guys. You ready to ride.” Chev beamed excitement, though Venus sensed an underlying nervousness.
“Absolutely,” Venus said. Zaren and Dervinias agreed, too. Venus had noticed right away that Michael’s car wasn’t there. She wondered if Cheverly told him she’d be coming and he’d declined. Nausea hit her stomach. The eggs and toast she ate for breakfast rolled around.
After what Zaren had shown her, by entering her mind, and the plan they’d discussed on the drive over to help Chev and Michael get together, Venus had a lot to think about. She’d seen so much and realized how little time she had. The Gods . . .
Dervinias turned to face her. She closed off her thoughts the best she could, reflecting instead of pancakes, pretty clothes, and the radiant sun overhead.
He smirked.
Exactly. She glared.
“If looks could kill. Cheese, Vinny. What’d you do?” Cheverly asked.
Dervinias scratched his nose with a gloved hand, faking innocence. “No idea. V is in a mood.”
“Oh.” Cheverly had on a red puffer jacket and a red and black scarf wrapped around her neck. A black cowgirl hat adorned her head, making it difficult to see her face, but her long black hair curled down the back of her red coat. She had on black jeans that said Wrangler with a black leather belt. It’d been braided and held together by a huge silver and gold belt buckle. A rider held tightly to a bucking bull with one hand while the other was raised in the air. On her feet were red cowboy boots. She looked completely at home here on her ranch.
Venus, on the other hand, wasn’t nearly as prepared. Zaren had tried to warn her that it’d be cold, but at the time she figured she’d be fine. Such a doof!
Her boots were great for horse-back riding, and she had on a pair of jeans, but she didn’t have a coat warm enough. Nor did she have a hat, scarf or gloves. By the time they reached the barn, Venus couldn’t stop shivering.
Zaren, on the other hand, looked cozy in his black parka. Gloves had appeared from somewhere and were now on his hands.
Where’d he get those?
Venus wasn’t sure she’d make it until the end of the day, especially if they had to saddle their own animals. She’d no idea how to do it. Dervinias had given them a quick run through, but she still worried.
When they reached the barn there were two stable workers who’d readied the horses.
Zaren went to Cheverly and whispered in her ear. She giggled. “Sure.”
“Hey, guys. Zaren and I are going to run up to the house for a quick second. We’ll be right back. K?”
Venus gave him a questioning look. He took Chev by the arm. “Give us a few minutes.” The two of them left the barn and headed toward Cheve
rly’s house.
Dervinias groaned, turned to Venus and winked. “It’ll probably be more than five . . .” He paused and glanced over at Zaren and Cheverly. Shrugged. “Maybe not.” He let out a rough laugh. “I’m going to get started. Wanna come?”
Venus was pretty sure the frown she shot him said, “No way.” Just in case, though, she spoke aloud, “Yeah, thanks for the offer, but I’d rather check out the barn.”
He shrugged again. “I’ll meet you at the halfway point.” He took one of the horses, un-tethered it and walked out.
“Are you sure, Vinny? We’ll be right back.” Cheverly spoke with nonchalance, like she didn’t care either way. Dervinias told Zaren and Venus on the drive over that he’d been riding out here before.
“Yeah, laters.” He jumped on his horse and took off at a trot.
That left Venus to admire the horses, her first time seeing the creatures up close. Anticipation surfaced. Except for the cold, she felt at home. The barn loomed large, well lit and clean. She loved the sweet stench of the hay, nutty oats and the dirt. A horse whinnied and Venus walked to the stall. Peering over the gate, she determined the animal as female.
“Hey, girl.” Venus let the horse smell her hand, which had turned a bright red. The horse’s nose was soft, excluding the whiskers. They tickled.
The horse blew out, hot. Nickered. Stomped her hoof and shook her head. “What’s the matter?” Venus touched the supple white triangle of fur between her brown eyes. So deep, they appeared to be filled with untapped wisdom. The horse pressed her head into Venus’s hand.
“Hey,” one of the stable hands yelled.
Venus turned. “Yes?”
“That one doesn’t usually like to be touched. Be careful.”
Immortal Essence Box Set: Aligned, Exiled, Beguiled Page 14
