He moved back, then settled himself between her legs. His shaft notched at her entrance and he pushed inside a fraction.
Jazen forced her eyes wide and saw Nanu’s approval. It glinted in his eyes and curved his lips enough to display his sharp, white teeth.
“I love you, Jazen. I want you to stay with me and be my mate.”
Shock blasted her at his words. Her brother would’ve scoffed at Nanu for laying himself open, for displaying weakness to another being. She tested the words in her mind. It was easy to see his sincerity. He meant it, and her barriers crumbled.
“I’m not sure I understand what love is,” she confessed, instinctively offering the same honesty as him. “I like you a lot and leaving the castle and starting again on another planet, makes my lifeforce muscle ache.”
“Close enough, sweetheart,” Nanu murmured, his smile widening to allow her a good view of his teeth. Although wicked and sharp, they didn’t alarm her because his bite had given her so much pleasure. “That’s close enough.”
He pushed deeper into her, distracting her from his teeth. His hair tendrils stroked her breasts, her lips, and she playfully sucked on one, the same honeyed flavor she tasted when she kissed him bursting across her taste buds. Nanu’s groan told her he didn’t mind her actions, his passionate kiss enforcing this idea.
His cock stretched her, the grooves hitting every sensitive spot inside her. He thrust, invading and retreating, sending that elusive pleasure soaring through her again.
Each stroke drove her closer to completion, and when Nanu nuzzled her neck and bit into her again, she jolted, the pull of his mouth pushing her into a shattering climax. Nanu shuddered, pulled back and drove into her rippling channel, his loud groan of pleasure tickling her throat. He licked across the spot he’d sucked on and stilled, embedded deep within her.
She felt the spurts of his seed, splashing from his cock and the sense of rightness, of peace, washed over her. She was right where she wanted to be, and if Nanu pardoned her, then she’d work to forgive herself for the problems she’d brought to Nanu and his friends. Her brother’s betrayal… Now that would take longer to deal with, to work out her emotions. Swallowing, she shoved her brother to a box in the back of her mind and slammed it shut. She didn’t want anything to spoil this perfect moment with Nanu.
“That was amazing.” Nanu kissed her tenderly but didn’t slide from her body. Instead, he wrapped his arms around her and held her tighter, as if he never wanted to let her go. Even his hair tendrils wrapped around her, bringing comfort and a sense of belonging and rightness.
Excitement burst through Nanu. They were locked together. He had no idea how long they’d remain this way, but since Jazen didn’t seem inclined to move, he refused to stress. But he should tell her.
“Jazen.”
“Hmmm?”
He smiled at her lazy satisfaction, content to linger, but he’d learned from experience how much women valued truth. He wanted to start right.
“We’re locked together. I couldn’t separate my body from yours even if someone stormed the castle.”
Her brow furrowed, and she wriggled. The slight tug on his cock prized a moan from him while her eyes widened. “How long does this last? What is the purpose?”
“I’m not sure, but it won’t last for too long. I believe it ensures a fruitful mating.”
“Offspring?”
Caution marched across his face. “Is that a problem?”
“I have a birth control implant in my arm.”
Part of him filled with sorrow, but the truth was he needed patience. Jazen wasn’t certain of him yet. “Would you like to have offspring? Children?”
“I’ve never considered the matter because…”
She hadn’t lived a life conducive to children, and deep down she probably wondered if she’d take after her mother and mystery father. Nanu knew this instinctively and understood. He wondered if she did and decided to push.
“Because?”
“I feared I’d be like my mother.”
“Never. You have a fighting spirit yet you consider others before you act. You’d never spurn your own child or use them for profit like your brother.”
“Thanks.”
“Nothing but the truth. I’d like to have children with you. When we’re both ready.”
She stared at him, clear wonderment blazing across her features. “I’d like a family.”
“You haven’t worked it out yet, but you already have one. You have me, and my friends are coming around. You’ll see.” As he spoke, the slight tension on his cock eased. He waited a tad longer and slowly parted their bodies. “I love you, Jazen. You haven’t agreed to stay yet.”
“Don’t you have to seek approval from the king and queen? Or your friends?”
“I will,” he agreed. “But I seek your approval first.” His pulse roared in his ears while he waited for her reply.
“Yes,” she whispered.
“Thank you.” He spoke the words aloud to Jazen, but in truth, he sent his thanks to the goddess for bringing him his perfect mate. “Would you like one last swim in the hot pool before we join the others for a meal?”
“I’d enjoy that.”
His hair tendrils slid away from her skin, one lingering on her lips before they relaxed against his scalp. Unable to resist, Nanu kissed her and rose before extending a hand to aid her.
“Your neck.” Wonder filled him as his finger stroked the small copper-colored flower adorning her skin, exactly where he’d bitten her. “I’ve left a mark. It’s shaped like a flower.”
“Do you have a looking glass?”
“Not in my gattoc, but I have one in my chamber.”
“Nanu.” Jazen gaped at his hair tendrils. “Your hair is changing color.”
It was. He didn’t recall any mention of the color of hair tendrils altering. As a youngster, he’d seen dreads transform to tendrils and become sentient. The color change—that came as a surprise. He directed one in front of his face and broke into a broad smile when he saw the shade of copper matched the tiny daisy flower on her neck. Relief, swiftly followed by peace, flowed through him.
“I believe that means we’re mates.”
“Really? And what does that mean?”
“My inner beast has chosen you to complete him, and the copper markings are to show our belonging to everyone who sees us.”
“You don’t resemble the depictions in the warrant-taker’s files now.” She cocked her head. “I doubt if anyone would recognize you. Your features are slimmer and your hair is so different.”
“That’s a good thing,” Nanu said. Another layer of safety for him and his friends. “Are you ready for dinner?”
“Starving,” Jazen said.
A series of thumps sounded on his door.
“Nanu, are you done in there? Our meal is ready and everyone is waiting. Queen Jannike sent me to get you.” Kaya emphasized the queen part.
“We require a quick wash. Jazen and I will be there soon.”
“Don’t tell me,” Kaya hollered. “I’ll need to scrub my imagination as it is. Awk! I need a reeb to wash the taste from my mouth.”
Nanu shared a smile with Jazen. “We’d better hurry.” As he spoke, the gattoc and the forest faded away to display his chamber.
Jazen scrutinized his belongings and the souvenirs he’d collected during his travels on the Indy. Curiosity sparkled in her, and she looked forward to learning more about him with no secrets between them.
“This way to my bathing chamber.” He tugged her past their trail of clothes, which was all that remained of the gattoc, to clean up before Kaya beat their door down again.
Washed and dressed, Nanu showed her the way to the communal dining room. He enjoyed seeing the wonder in her eyes as she viewed the various collections displayed by the former queen. These rooms always made him worry about breaking something valuable, and he much preferred the more casual rooms where they spent most of their down time.
/> “They’re here!” Kaya shouted.
“I’m sorry we’re late. What?” Nanu asked. “What’s wrong?”
“What happened to you?” Kaya demanded, circling him and inspecting him like goods for sale. “If I’d understood you’d transform into such a pretty copper, I might have flirted with you.” She fluttered her lashes at him.
“How did that happen?” Camryn asked.
“Is that part of the mating process for your race?” Mogens asked, his face clear and white, his violet eyes inquisitive.
“I didn’t realize my tendrils would color to copper or that Jazen would get a matching mark. My training wasn’t complete when Yep and I left Indra.”
“So you’re mated to Jazen?” Ry asked.
“Yes.” He twined his fingers with Jazen’s and drew her closer, well-pleased with this cycle. “Jazen is my mate and I would ask permission for her to stay with me.”
“And if we don’t give you permission?” Jannike asked.
“I would have to leave with my mate.” Nanu prayed this was his friends’ idea of a joke.
“That won’t be necessary,” King Lynx said, “Jazen will need to swear on her honor not to hurt or injure or betray anyone in my extended family. As long as she does that, she is welcome to stay.”
“Yes.” Jazen never hesitated with her promise. “I will never deliberately hurt, injure or betray any of the beings who make the castle their home. In addition, I promise to live an honorable life and comport myself with integrity. And finally, in front of you all, I wish to swear my affection and loyalty to Nanu.” She faced him and clasped both his hands. “I will accept you as my mate for as long as we both live. I adore you, my Nanu, and with each passing cycle, I like you more.”
Silence filled the rowdy communal rooms after her announcement, and Nanu found his vision misting. She loved him, but she didn’t trust herself to own her emotions after her brother’s disloyalty. That didn’t matter to him. As long as they were together, he didn’t need a declaration of love. He could wait for her to settle her thoughts.
“You may now kiss the bride,” Camryn said with a delighted clap of her hands.
Pleasure and happiness filled Nanu as he drew Jazen into his arms. He pressed his lips to her and kissed her with passion. His hair tendrils hummed and stroked her face and slid to her breasts.
“Whoa, that’s hot.” Kaya fanned her face.
When Nanu released Jazen, Kaya was still flapping her hand in a cooling motion.
“I need to find me a mate. I’m the last man standing,” she complained.
“You won’t have time,” Ry said. “We fly to Narenda in three cycles to complete our contract work for the dragons.”
Nanu wrapped his arm around Jazen and listened to his friends’ chatter. He’d been happy before with his friends and work, but Jazen provided the missing element. He knew that now. “I’m hungry. And we need to toast my enchanting mate.”
“We also need to discuss your freaky hair,” Kaya added.
And chuckling, Nanu and Jazen joined their friends at the table for their evening meal.
Pies And Happiness
Jazen woke early, on the cusp of whitelight, snuggled against Nanu’s muscular chest. During the blacklight, they’d tossed off the covers, and now, nothing spoiled her view. Satisfaction filled her and a lightness of spirit she’d never experienced before. She ran her fingers over his hip because she could, still finding it hard to believe Nanu had claimed her, that he loved her.
“Why are you awake?” he grumbled. “Didn’t I tire you out enough during the blacklight?”
“It’s time for me to go to the market. I told Retsae I preferred to do the shopping. My pies require fresh ingredients.”
“The market? Now?” He yawned, making her smile.
“You stay here. I’ll do my market shop and go straight to the estaminet to bake my pies.”
Nanu pulled away from her and stood, stretching with his hands above his head. Distracted for an instant, her gaze wandered his muscular body, hardly believing he wanted her. “Hurry, lazybones. I promised I’d help you.”
“I’m certain you have other things you need to do.”
“Shush. I want you to follow your dreams.”
She didn’t dissuade him during their hustle to the market or when she bartered for ingredients. She didn’t dissuade him when he hailed a flymo to deliver them and their shopping to the estaminet. She didn’t dissuade him when Retsae opened the door and showed them the kitchen he’d recently added.
Since it was obvious he bore a stubborn gene, she set him to work chopping vegetables and peeling the tart red fruit she intended to put in her pies. She chopped the protein and set it in a huge pot to cook, then mixed her edible shells.
Out in the main customer area, someone thumped on the front door. Retsae must’ve answered it because the banging ceased.
Kaya appeared. “I’ve come to help,” she announced. “What do you want me to do?”
Jazen opened and closed her mouth, shocked at Kaya’s arrival and humbled at the offer of help when Kaya didn’t have to do anything.
Nanu winked at Jazen. “You can help me.”
Kaya washed her hands and set to work with Nanu, good-natured teasing flying between the pair.
The morn passed quickly, but soon the scent of baking pies filled the air. By the time she’d scrubbed the kitchen to a pristine condition, her pies sat on racks ready for sale.
After consulting with her, Retsae wrote a sign and opened for business.
Apprehension slid through Jazen as she peeked from the kitchen into the estaminet. Retsae had told her that in the early whitelight his customers purchased hot drinks while later in the cycle and toward the blacklight, his customers drank alcohol. “What if no one wants to try my pies?”
“Sweetheart, if they taste as good as they smell, the customers will buy every single one.”
“We’ve used all your ingredients.” Kaya studied the finished pies. “I intend to purchase your first one and sit outside with a warm bevy. A meat pie.”
Retsae ambled into the kitchen. “I have orders for you. Four pies. Two of each.”
Jazen’s hands trembled as she assembled the order for Kaya and the new one of four pies. She handed the trays to Retsae and peeked from the doorway.
Nanu stood beside her, his touch comforting and tender too. She sucked in a deep breath and waited, every muscle quivering with nerves because this meant so much to her.
“What if they don’t like my pies?” she repeated.
“Let’s go and see,” Nanu suggested.
Nanu guided her to the outside seating area and laughed when he spotted Ry, Camryn, Jannike and Mogens sitting with Kaya—the crew who’d arrived on Viros with Nanu and made the planet their home.
“Your friends came.” Their support humbled her and filled her with gratitude and delight.
“Because they’re family,” Nanu whispered. “That’s what family does. They help and support each other.”
“These are delicious.” Camryn took another big bite.
“You have more orders,” Retsae said from behind her.
Jazen beamed at him. “Join your friends. I’ll come to sit with you once I’ve completed the orders.”
“Are you sure?”
“Go.” She gave him a tiny push of encouragement before she hurried back to her pies. The orders came quick and fast after the first ones. She served all but her last pie and approached Retsae. “This one is for you.”
Retsae accepted the pie with alacrity and a nod of thanks. “The customers have told me they enjoyed your cooking. I offer you a working partnership. You pay me a rental for using my kitchen and save me a pie every cycle.”
Relief had her smiling. “I accept.”
“We will sign a contract tom-cycle.”
“That is satisfactory.”
“Excellent. Go and spend time with your friends. You should thank them. The scent of your pies drifted to passersb
y and attracted more customers.”
“I’ll see you tom-cycle.”
Dazed, Jazen wandered through the estaminet to the outdoor seating area. Everywhere, customers were eating her pies.
“There she is,” Kaya said. “Tell them. Tell them I helped you make these pies.”
“She did. Thank you for coming to help and for eating my pies,” Jazen said.
Mogens issued a contented hum. “They are delicious.”
A chorus of agreement sounded, and Jazen met Nanu’s perceptive gaze. He grinned at her, blowing a kiss, then pointed at the empty seat beside him. In that moment, her chest struggled to hold the emotions pummeling her. Gratitude. Excitement. Love.
Despite not having much of a family, she’d found her own with Nanu and his friends.
She slipped into the seat and kissed Nanu’s cheek. “The day I met you was the luckiest day for me. I am so happy to be part of your life.”
Nanu smiled and his hair tendrils reached out, caressing her cheek. “My pleasure, sweetheart. It was my pleasure.”
Delight whispered through Jazen. Excitement. Anticipation. Although the future held uncertainties, with this man at her side, she’d face it head on and enjoy every cycle.
Are you curious about Ransom and the dragon shifters on the planet of Narenda? Learn more in the upcoming House of the Cat romance—Enticed & Seduced. If you’d like me to notify you when the book is live, please sign up for an Enticed & Seduced reminder.
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Please turn the page for an excerpt from Snared by Saber, the first book in my paranormal shifter Middlemarch Capture series and also Interplanetary Love, a tongue-in-cheek standalone romance.
Thank you so much for your support.
Shelley
Excerpt – Snared by Saber
Betrayed & Seduced Page 18