Rhuul's Flame (Realms of Possibilities, book 1)

by Nulli Para Ora

  “Much better.”

  After shimmying her underwear back up, she joined him on the other side of the rippled rock. “I’ll need a soap stone. We can bathe in that pool over there.” When he nodded, she led him to the edge of the water.

  To her surprise, he pulled his pants down without hesitation and stepped into the natural basin. Her entire body tingled at the thought of being close to him in the natural pool, but she tried to ignore it. Instead, she concentrated on her magic and pulled two soap stones from the ground. She elected to wade in with her clothes on. She passed him a stone and worked up a lather.

  “Do you usually bathe fully dressed?” She wouldn’t look at him, but she knew he was smirking at her from the tone of his voice.

  “No, but I don’t usually bathe while tied to another person.”

  “Omala are modest? I never would have imagined. The way you speak about life and nature, I’m actually surprised you wear clothes at all. Wouldn’t it be more natural to go without them?”

  “Are you really curious, or are you just trying to get me to show my breasts?”

  His laugh was deep and long, making it hard for her to keep a straight face. “I was genuinely curious.”

  She may have kept her clothes on, but she felt naked. He was so close, his bare body connected to hers by the wrist. She tried to focus on her task, but she couldn’t help but steal glances at him. When her gaze traveled below his waist, she sucked in a quick breath. The light from her flames illuminated the area well enough to see his erection under the surface.

  His manhood matched the rest of him, thick and long with multiple ridges along the length. It stood tall, attached to muscled hips and thighs that promised power in the heat of passion. For the first time in her life, she felt sweat on her brow as she pictured him plunging into her depths, gripping her tight, and…

  “Lea?”

  She forced her gaze to her soap stone and continued bathing. “Yes?”

  “Is something wrong?” When she met his eyes, he was staring at her head, not her face.

  “N-no. Why do you ask?”

  “Your flames. They’re really high.”

  She hadn’t noticed the increased brightness. Now that she was aware her flames were speaking far more than she’d like, she ducked under the water. A knot formed in the pit of her stomach as she offered silent prayers in the hope he wouldn’t know what was going on. She didn’t expect to be lifted above the surface.

  “What are you doing?”

  “I … just wanted to … wash my hair.”

  “You put out your flames.” He ran his fingers through a section of her wet strands, almost as if he marveled at them.

  “I can light it again.”

  “Good. Makes it easier to see your face in here.”

  Every part of her cried out for his touch, but she resisted. He’s really not that bad when he stops trying to destroy everything in sight. But is he for real? Is he just doing this so we can get out of here and go our separate ways? “I’ll do it after we dry off. You know, for a little privacy.”

  “Whatever you say, Omala.” He pulled his fingers from her tresses and led her out of the pool.

  Her dress clung to her like a second skin, but she’d take care of that easily enough. She tapped into her fire, warming her body and evaporating the water from the garment while she smoothed her hair back.

  “Gods! Are you trying to cook me?”

  “Sorry, I was just drying off.” She decreased the heat and adjusted her clothes. She could feel the tension of the rope when he pulled up his pants and hoped she hadn’t actually injured him. “Better?”

  “I’m not fireproof, remember?” He chuckled and interlaced their fingers.

  The rope at their wrists had lengthened, allowing them more freedom of movement, but she held onto his hand just the same, wanting to stay close. She wanted to chastise herself for the behavior, but she couldn’t. She liked being next to him. She was happy he’d recovered and was well. Somewhere along the way, she started feeling good about him being her kan’na. And that was the problem. “Where are you going when we get back?”

  He didn’t speak right away, and she wondered if he’d heard her. “I don’t know, but I need to leave.”

  “If you don’t know where you’re going, why do you have to leave? Tell me the truth.” She couldn’t see his face in the dark. Maybe that’s for the best. She didn’t need light to feel him loom over her. When he stepped closer, she abandoned her plans and shot fire on either side of her, revealing the darkness in his eyes.

  “You want the truth? Fine. I’m leaving because you raise too many questions, questions I don’t have the answers to. I’m leaving because I don’t know what this is between us, and I don’t have time for it even though I want it more than anything. I’m leaving because I have to. I have my own destiny to fulfill, my own realm to rule, and I can’t do it from Akash.”

  He leaned closer still, his breaths caressing the bridge of her nose, eyes, and cheeks. “I’m leaving because something happens to me every time I’m close to you. I need to leave because even as we speak, I’m so hard it hurts.” He leaned in even more, his lips almost touching hers. “Right now, I want to be inside you more than I want to breathe. I’ve looked at all the walls in this cave and I’ve already picked out the one I want to take you up against. So I’m leaving … before I can’t. Was that honest enough for you?”

  Every inch of her skin was on fire. The look of hunger in his eyes matched the intensity of what she felt inside. Somewhere along the way, her mind convinced her body she’d die if she didn’t have him right then and there, and without any other words, she leaned in, bringing their mouths together.

  He returned her kiss, his lips taking possession of hers. Their softness coupled with his insistence made her feel drunk as she snaked her arm around his waist. She held him as close as she could, feeling the hardness of his body against hers, noting the pulse of his arousal against her belly, wanting more than anything to free him from the prison of his clothes.

  She felt a thrumming in her core. Her legs almost gave out, but she held on tighter to steady herself. When she felt the tip of his tongue against her lips, she opened for him, reveling in the way he devoured her, twining her tongue around his, tasting him.

  “Gods, Lea!” He pulled away, gasping for breath. “You’re going to burn me alive.”

  She smiled and took a step back, noticing the strands of her hair were no longer hanging down. He ignited my fire? When he pulled her close again, she shook her head. She really wanted to strip him down, burn his clothes, and ride him like a wild banka bull, but there were things they needed to discuss. “I need to tell you something.”

  “What is it?” He backed her up against a column, lifted her hand, and began to kiss, lick, and suck on the tips of her fingers.

  Oh gods, I’m not going to make it! The muscles of her thighs flexed, her inner walls spasmed, and a soft “mmm” escaped her lips.

  “Tell me, Lea.” He kissed the palm of her hand before running his teeth across it.

  She shuddered, watching the spread of goose bumps up her arm. “Y-you’re…”

  “I’m what?” He nibbled at her wrist, biting down then sucking on the spot.

  A delicious pressure built up inside her, leaving her aching for him, needing him to fill her. She was losing herself, and she reached out to the last bits of her sanity to bolster her for what she needed to say. “Do you want me, Rhuul?”

  “Can’t you tell?” He pulled her close, rubbing his hips against her while moving his hand up her waist.

  “I don’t mean just for now. You’re my kan’na. You’re a part of my destiny, and I’m a part of yours.”

  He stilled his hands and watched her face, as if the fire within him had been doused. “Your what?”

  “Do you remember what I told you about my parents?” When he nodded, she continued, “Just like my father knew my mother was the one, I know you’re the one. The Omala call
it kan’na. It means life mate.” She held her breath, swallowing hard into the back of her throat. “You were honest with me, so I’m being honest with you.” She’d revealed the truth to him and she felt exposed, vulnerable. There was no way to know how he’d react. All she could do was hope he accepted her words.

  “Life mate?” He looked at her with raised eyebrows. “Is that why you make me crazy?”

  “Yes. I feel the same thing. I’m telling you this because if we go any further, we’ll be bonded. I won’t let you just walk out of here like I’m some prostitute.”

  He released a slow breath and took a step back. “Then we can’t do this. I can’t stay here, Lea. There are things I need to do.” His expression was pained, as if it hurt him to say the words.

  “Who said you had to stay here?” She reached up and cupped his face.

  “I don’t understand.”

  “You’re my kan’na. I’d go with you.” She shook her head and did her best to give him a look that screamed, “Duh!”

  “You’d leave here? To go with me?”

  “Your dreams would be mine, but your goals won’t be the only ones between us. We support each other.” She pinched his cheek with firm pressure, watching him smirk. “I know this is sudden, but I’ve known you were my kan’na since I came to you in your dreams. It’s the only reason I could have done it. I’ve shared my flame with Ghena. When he was close to you, he made it possible for me to reach out to you.”

  She released his cheek and readied herself. “You have a choice. Leave and pretend you never met me, or stay with me. I can’t predict the future, but I can promise to be by your side and—”

  In the blink of an eye, he pressed her into the stone behind her, pinning her wrists above her head. “Keep your arms there. Do not move them.” There was a darkness in his eyes again, both alluring and fearsome. She wouldn’t have time to dwell on this phenomenon. He placed his lips on her chest, teasing her skin with swipes of his tongue.

  As he got closer to the swell of her left breast, her hips bucked, as if they could initiate the contact she craved with every fiber of her being. She looked down at the top of his head, watching him nip his way closer to the center of her breast. He pulled the scoop neck of her dress down, exposing her dark areola. “Rhuul…”

  “Shh.” His tongue was hot and wet as he teased around her hardened nipple.

  Tears filled her eyes as need gnawed at her lower lips and chest. She wanted him to touch her everywhere, wanting to feel enveloped by his body.

  His grip on the fabric of her skirt was demanding. He pulled the cloth by the fistful, lifting it to expose her right thigh. His warm fingers teased the outside of her underwear, making her delirious. “Rhuul, please!”

  “Know that I need to be inside you just as much as you want me to be there, but if I am to share your dreams, and you mine, I have to do this.”

  “Do what?” All she wanted him to do was her.

  “Will you trust me?” He looked up at her, his lips glistening with saliva.

  “Yes.” He lowered his head and closed his mouth around her nipple, sending pinpoints of light dancing in her field of vision. He alternated between pulling on her flesh with exquisite pressure and grazing it with his teeth. She was wet before, but now she was drenched. Her underwear felt soggy, but she didn’t care. This was the closest to heaven as she’d ever get in this existence, and she planned to enjoy it to the fullest.

  She lowered her arms to grip his shoulders, but he pulled them away. “Leave them!” The rope between them hung long and loose, giving them more freedom than they’d ever had since being bound together. He pressed her wrists to the wall with the outer edge of his left wing, holding them in place.

  He returned to his tantalizing torture of her breast, making her bleary-eyed with desire. When he slipped his fingers into her panties, he swore, his muscles quaking.

  He rubbed and tugged every inch of her folds, finding every crevice, every sensitive spot, before rubbing her clitoris between his thumb and forefinger.

  It was all she needed to crash headfirst into ecstasy. Her back went rigid and her voice failed her, robbed of air as her lungs stilled. As she crested, she felt a sharp pain in her nipple, but she was too far gone. The sensation added to her pleasure, and when Rhuul’s face filled her field of vision, she couldn’t stop her trembling.

  “Do it, Lea. Share your flame with me.” He pulled his wing away while his hand yanked her underwear to the side.

  She placed a palm over his heart and leaned in, sealing their lips in another kiss. It was hard to concentrate on her magic when she felt the heat of the large head of his manhood at her entrance, but she focused, extending herself into him, taking part of her essence and binding it to his soul.

  The bond she formed with him was different than what she shared with Ghena. It was deeper. He’d be immune to her flames from now on, connected to her in a way no one had ever been. “I-it’s done.” She could barely breathe when she pulled back to look him over. There was a rather unique change in him. Where his head was bald before, he now had Mohawks of fire going down the center of his skull, flickering with orange and green flames. “Rhuul, you look—”

  Her words were ended when he buried his face in her neck, biting and pulling the skin there. He rocked his hips into her, pushing into her in long strokes, stretching her so far she didn’t think she’d ever be able to get any wider. He flapped his wings in bursts, driving him deeper with added force.

  She’d never known the fullness she felt then, each stroke dragging his skin against her most receptive areas, the ridges of his shaft finding every sensitive spot, bringing her closer to him than she thought possible. It was as if he was made to please her, specially formed with her alone in mind. “I’m going to come. F-fill me, Rhuul. Fill me with l-li-fe.”

  “Lea, by the gods!” His thrusts became more insistent, frantic.

  She rode high on the wave of bliss, holding on to the joining of his wings and back for dear life. Loops of carnal delight reverberated from her core to her throbbing left breast and back again in a mind-blowing circuit. She bit her lip to hold in her whimpers, and hoped and prayed nothing would interrupt the sensations she felt.

  Rhuul, however, swore loudly as his hips jerked. She held on tight, luxuriating in the feel of her aftershocks. She was more than surprised when he pulled out of her, erupting against her stomach.

  “Shall we try the wall I’d picked out now?” He gave her oversensitive nipple a tug and flashed a wicked grin as he gasped for air.

  Sparks of pleasure filled her chest, and when she looked down, she was shocked to see a golden hoop through her sensitive nub. “Wh-what is this? When did you do this?”

  “It’s how we mark our dranaiya.” He looked proud as he gave the metal another tug.

  Are dranaiya mates? He’s adorned me as his life mate? She wanted to sing praises to the earth, but she thought better of that. Instead, she allowed her thoughts to settle on the symbol shining against her skin. “I think it’s missing something.” She smiled and touched the gold with her index finger, heating it until it glowed white-hot.

  “What are you doing?” There was alarm in his voice. His grip tightened protectively around her.

  “You’ll see.” She reached for her magic, visualizing what she needed. “There.” She pulled her hand away and watched the wonder in Rhuul’s face. She’d etched a twisting vine design into the gold. “Can you make a little charm for it?”

  Rhuul seemed more than happy to oblige and licked a line toward the hoop.

  “With your hands this time.” She laughed and pushed his face away. “Are you trying to kill me?”

  “No, but I like bringing you close. The way you stop breathing when you come is … Gods!” He conjured a small gold disc and attached it to the base of the ring. “Why did you want this?”

  “Watch.” She touched the new addition, heating up the metal and manipulating it with her magic. This time, she shaped a pair of wi
ngs, reminiscent of his.

  “Lea…” His voice deepened, his hold even tighter. “I need you on that wall.” He lifted her as if she weighed nothing, carrying her across the cave with long strides.

  She held onto the joining of his wings with a firmer grip, and that was when she noticed something different. There were strange ridges in those areas. Raised areas she hadn’t seen before. “What happened? How did you get these?” She wriggled out of his arms and moved behind him, running her fingertips against the thick scars on his skin.

  “What are you doing?” When he tried to turn around, she placed a hand in the center of his back.

  “I can heal these. Just hold still.” She felt her magic as it moved through her hands and into his body, but she felt something else too. She closed her eyes. The scenery around her changed, and she found herself in a room she didn’t recognize. Her wrists were tied to posts, and that was when she realized the problem. These aren’t my hands!

  She looked over her shoulder, seeing the outer curve of leathery wings and realized what was going on. This is Rhuul. How is this happening? When she looked past the wings, she saw a tall Eidon wearing an elaborate crown made of floating purple orbs of energy. In the center of the crown above his head was a single crystal. His clothing looked regal, each item created of leather and cloths embroidered with detailed patterns.

  “Grandfather, please! I haven’t done anything wrong. Please tell him, Father!” It was Rhuul’s voice. Even though it was younger and higher in pitch, she knew it was him just as well as she knew her own name. The fear she felt inside him took her over, and she experienced his quick breaths as her own.

  “The fact that you exist is an affront to all that this family is. If I must abide a Paralta, you will at least maintain a proper form.” The crowned Eidon nodded and a guard approached, sword in hand.

  Gods, no! Her own fear exploded, and she reached for her powers, but they weren’t there. Don’t do this. You can’t do this to him! The guard walked closer, taking slow steps, creating a dread in her that threatened to consume her.

  “Father, please! Please tell him!” Rhuul’s voice dripped with worry. The Eidon to the right of his grandfather stared in silence, unmoving.