by I. T. Lucas
Gulan sighed, Tula giggled again, and Annani smirked.
Turning to face her maid, she pointed at one of the trails. “I know the perfect place for today’s lesson. You know the one I am referring to—the gazebo next to the fountain with my mother’s statue in the middle.”
“Yes, my lady.” Gulan dipped her head, took Tula’s hand, and proceeded in the direction the princess had indicated.
Annani and Khiann followed with the guards closing the procession.
“How have you been lately, my lady?” Khiann asked.
“Very well. Thank you for asking. And yourself?”
“I have been perturbed. Sleep eluded me and I was restless.”
She arched a red brow. “What troubles you?”
“My father’s expedition. There are many dangers on the road. I hope the most wise Ahn will provide a large armed escort for the caravan. In fact, my father is meeting with him as we speak.”
As Annani’s quick mind caught up to his meaning immediately, her breath hitched a little before she could control the response. “I wish your father much success and a safe journey. I hope my father will do right by him.”
Waterfall sounds greeted them as they neared the fountain, the gazebo with its stone table and two stone benches coming into view. Annani was right. It was the perfect spot for conducting a lesson, but not so much for the other things Khiann had in mind.
How in damnation was he going to steal a kiss?
Khiann refused to even contemplate returning home without one.
Annani took a seat on the bench next to the stone table and motioned for him to join her. “Gulan, Tula, you can sit on the other bench.”
After the girls had done as she’d instructed, Annani turned to the guards who had remained standing outside. “Please go to the kitchen and bring us refreshments. Tell cook to bake the sweet cakes I love. When they are ready, bring them here together with a pitcher of beer and another one of water.”
To ensure the guards' cooperation, her words had been infused with the gentlest of thralls. It had been so subtle that he was sure none of the immortals perceived it. This was not the work of a novice. Annani must have been practicing long and hard to get such a level of mastery. In fact, she was better at it than he was.
Gulan frowned, probably suspecting something, but that was because she knew her lady well and not because she had felt something. Khiann was certain of that.
Tula pulled out a clay tablet and a stylus from her satchel. “Should we pretend to actually do some studying?”
Annani waved a hand. “How silly of me. I forgot to ask the men to bring a tablecloth. Could you girls bring one? Napkins too. And a vase with flowers. After all, we cannot enjoy a repast on an unadorned table, can we?”
This time Annani had not used a thrall. There was no need. Her co-conspirators were going to obey her wishes.
Gulan sighed. “Come on, Tula. Let us get what the lady asks for.”
The little girl giggled. “I will spend the next hour looking for the most beautiful flowers in the garden for your vase, my lady.”
Khiann liked the girl, a lot. “Remind me to buy the sprite a gift,” he said after the girls had departed.
“Tula is a good sport. Poor Gulan, though. She trembles in fear every time I pull a stunt like this.”
He scooted a little closer and wrapped his arm around Annani’s shoulders. “I hope that by a stunt like this you are not referring to arranging clandestine meetings with other male gods.”
Annani leaned away, putting some distance between them before casting a silencing shroud around the gazebo. “It depends. Are you asking about the past or the future?”
It was difficult to shroud a space without walls, and Khiann could feel the ripples as outside sounds filtered through. He wondered whether he should reinforce it with one of his own. Annani might take offense, but it was important to keep their conversation private for several reasons, chief among them the possibility of Mortdh having spies inside the palace.
As Khiann cast the shroud, the bubble he incased them in snapped into place with an audible pop. “Both,” he said, his words sounding as if he was talking inside a sealed chamber, which he kind of was. Now there were two shrouds protecting their privacy. Annani’s was the outer layer, and his was the inner one.
Double security.
The princess did not remark on it, although she was clearly aware of what he had done. Hopefully, it meant that she approved.
Instead, Annani touched a small finger to her luscious lips. “Hmm, let me think.” She tapped her lips twice. “I have only done this once, two days ago. The meeting this evening was your idea, not mine. But I cannot say about the future. That depends on you and your actions or lack thereof.”
What did she mean?
He was doing everything in his power to move forward and get his courtship approved by Ahn. Or rather his father was doing it for him.
“Right now my father is talking with yours, and we will soon know if there is a chance Ahn will approve of my request to court you.”
Annani sighed. “That is between my father and yours, and it is out of our hands. What about what is or is not between the two of us?”
Baffling woman.
Why was she speaking in riddles?
Was it a test of some sort?
Khiann considered himself an intelligent god. He should be able to figure it out. Had he inadvertently offended Annani in some way?
A moment of strained silence passed as he searched his mind and came up with nothing. “Please forgive me, but I do not know what you mean. You will have to be more direct.”
Annani sighed. “I really hoped you would act differently once we were alone. I cannot help but feel disappointed.”
7
Annani
Are all males so obtuse?
Except, it did not matter if Khiann understood her meaning or not. His action, or rather inaction, spoke louder than words.
If he desired her even a fraction of how much she desired him, he would have been ravishing her the moment she had gotten rid of her guards and had sent Gulan and Tula away.
Even though Annani had promised herself to remain passive this evening and let Khiann lead, she had taken the first step by inviting him to sit next to her on the bench. It was a clear signal that she was not only allowing his advances but inviting them.
All he had to do was reach over, pull her into his lap, and start kissing. But had he?
No.
Instead, he was wasting valuable time talking.
“What would you have me do?” Khiann asked.
Shaking her head, Annani pushed up to her feet. “If I have to tell you then you are not the right god for me.”
“Oh no, you do not.” Khiann grabbed her by the wrist and pulled her back down so forcefully that she fell into his lap.
“What are you doing?” Annani asked a little breathlessly. This was exactly what she had wanted him to do, but for the right reasons. Not because he had gotten angry or offended by her dismissal.
“I came here for another kiss, and I am not leaving before I get one.”
Reaching under her hair, his hand closed around her nape. His fingers were so long that he was practically encircling her entire throat, but he was gentle, caging her neck but not hurting her in any way. And as his lips descended upon hers, he stopped right before contact was made, waiting for her to close the remaining distance.
Even in the height of passion, Khiann remembered to seek her consent, which was the way it should be. A male, even a dominant god, should always ensure that his advances were welcome. It did not detract one bit from the intensity Annani sought. On the contrary, it added to it.
With a sigh that sounded more like a moan, Annani pressed her lips to Khiann’s, and by doing so snapped his restraint as surely as if she had severed the tether holding a wild animal.
With her permission explicitly granted, Khiann’s ferocity was unleashed.
And she h
ad thought he did not desire her.
Not only could she not have been more wrong, Annani had never been happier about having been mistaken.
As he devoured her with his lips and his tongue, his hands roamed her back impatiently, urgently, the circles growing nearer and nearer the sides of her breasts.
When was he going to touch her there?
Her nipples hardening into two aching points, she moaned into Khiann’s mouth and pressed her breasts to his hard chest.
“Is that what you want, little girl?” he hissed from in between his elongated fangs.
It was a testament to how much she was turned on that his comment did not bother her. Khiann could call her a little girl, or whatever else he wanted, as long as he kept touching her.
“Yes. More,” she mumbled into his mouth, slipping her own tongue inside and tasting his exquisite male flavor. The effect was like getting drunk. She felt dizzy and lightheaded.
And happy.
So incredibly happy that she could burst from how much happiness was inside her.
Annani could never get enough of this. As soon as her father granted Khiann permission to court her, she was going to take this magnificent male to her bed. Or his. Or whatever bed was available.
Perhaps even before permission was given.
Every moment that they were not joined was a wasted one, and it did not matter that they had eternity ahead of them to enjoy each other.
His hand brushed against the side of her breast, dangerously close to her nipple, and then halted. “More?” he asked.
“Yes. More, more, and more.”
When he palmed her through the dress, they both groaned in unison.
As Annani felt herself grow wet and needy between her legs, she knew what it meant. Her mother had had the talk with her in that matter-of-fact way of hers, which had failed to mention how incredible the sensations were.
It was so much more than Annani had anticipated.
The pleasure was intense, but there was also the ache of an unfulfilled void. She knew what it meant as well. In theory.
“Is that good?” Khiann whispered in her ear.
“It is. But I ache for more.”
“Impatient girl.” He nipped her soft earlobe, the small sting ratcheting her desire to a new level.
Who knew a little pain could enhance pleasure?
The body was indeed a marvelous thing.
“Do it again,” she said, wanting to make sure she had not confused the sensation.
“Did you like it?” He licked her earlobe instead, sending shivers down her spine.
“I did. But I do not understand why.”
His fingers closed around her nipple, and as he pinched it lightly, her eyes rolled back, and more moisture gathered down below.
“Did you like this?”
“Yes,” she whispered.
He palmed her breast, warming her nipple, and kissed her again, his lips soft this time, patient.
“There is so much I can teach you, my beautiful flower.”
The words excited and upset her at the same time. Excited, because she was eager to discover all the wonders of intimacy. Upset, because it reminded her that Khiann had sampled plenty of other females before her.
“Promise me that you will never bed another female. You belong to me.”
He chuckled. “From the moment you kissed me, I could think of no one but you. There will never be another. If your father refuses my suit, I shall take a vow of celibacy.”
Annani rested her forehead on Khiann’s chest. “No, I would not want that for you. If we cannot be together, I want you to find another.” She smiled sadly. “Just make sure it is no one I know. And never bring her to the palace. At least not for a few years.”
He sighed. “You are pure heart, Annani.”
She lifted her head. “Did you hear that?”
Khiann listened for a moment and then smiled. “Now I do. I think Tula is singing to let us know that they are coming back.” His hand closed around her nape again. “One last kiss.”
“Yes, please.”
8
Khiann
Khiann joined his parents in the carriage for the trip to the palace, instead of riding his horse behind it. As much as he loved the stallion, he did not want to arrive with the animal’s scent all over him, or with his tunic in less than pristine condition.
Today's audience with Ahn and Nai was the most important of his life.
“You have nothing to worry about,” his father said.
“What if Ahn does not approve of me?”
Navohn waved a hand, casting a sound barrier to keep their conversation private. “This is only a formality. What is not to approve of? You are a fine young god who any parent would be happy to secure for his or her daughter.”
Contrary to his father’s reassurances, Khiann’s age was a problem. At nineteen, he did not inspire the same respect as an older, more experienced god would. “I am too young. Ahn might want a mature mate for Annani, someone who will help her and guide her in case she has to assume rule sooner than expected.”
His mother laughed. “What on earth could happen that would require the princess to do so? She has thousands of years ahead of her to learn all she needs to know, and so do you. When the time comes, both of you are going to be well prepared.”
Navohn patted Khiann’s shoulder. “As I said before. Unless you mumble like a fool, it is a done deal. Ahn wants Annani to be happy, but he does not want war with Mortdh. Therefore, your courtship would have to be done in secret. Once she announces you as her truelove mate, Mortdh would be bound by tradition to bow out gracefully. He will not lose face, and war would be averted.”
Crossing his arms over his chest, Khiann leaned back against the plush pillows lining the carriage’s back and sides. What did a secret courtship involve?
And how exactly were they going to keep it a secret?
The palace was teeming with numerous immortals and humans who held various positions, and no doubt included quite a few who spied for Mortdh.
Was he going to sneak into Annani’s room under a shroud?
Should he think of a solution or wait for Ahn to suggest one?
But the most important question was whether Annani was going to attend this meeting.
It would be hard to concentrate with her present. For the past two days, Khiann could think of nothing else but the few intimate moments they had stolen in the gardens.
As the carriage stopped in front of the palace’s gates, servants rushed to attend to them and their entourage.
The doors to the palace were open, with Ahn’s personal secretary standing just outside of them and waiting to welcome Khiann’s parents, which reflected Navohn’s high standing with the ruler.
“Greetings,” he said as he bowed deep to the elder gods and only inclined his head toward Khiann. “Lord Ahn is expecting you. Please follow me.” The immortal led Khiann and his parents into a small reception hall. “Please be seated.” He motioned to one of the two long divans flanking a low stone table.
As the three of them waited in silence, it took Khiann a few moments to realize what bothered him about the setup that was otherwise welcoming and not as intimidating as the throne room. With no burning incense to corrupt the air, the chamber was not stifling.
Which meant that there would be no hiding their emotions from the ruler and his mate. It was a well-known fact that Ahn could detect the tiniest variations in scent, and that it was impossible to hide things from him.
By the same token, Ahn and Nai would be similarly exposed. The difference was that Khiann and his parents' senses were not as sharp as Ahn’s, and that put them at a disadvantage.
But this was not about Ahn or Khiann’s parents. This was about Khiann.
He was here to be tested, which was perfectly fine with him.
He was ready.
His intentions toward Annani were pure. Well, aside from a burning need to bed her, but then it was expected of him. A
lack of intense desire for the one he wanted to court would have probably disqualified him.
Gods were lustful creatures, especially toward their trueloves.
A few moments later, when one of the doors opened, Khiann’s gut twisted in anticipation. But instead of Annani and her parents, a flurry of servants entered, holding trays loaded with refreshments.
A long time passed until the doors were opened again by two guards, who bowed deeply as Ahn strode in with Nai at his side. Annani walked a couple of steps behind them.
Khiann and his parents got to their feet and bowed, staying in the position until Ahn and Nai sat down at the divan across from them. When Annani sat next to her mother, Ahn motioned for her to move in between them.
“Please sit down, my friends,” Ahn said. “This is an informal occasion. Make yourselves comfortable.”
With a wave of his hand, their ruler dismissed the servants and the two guards, who bowed and retreated, walking backward until they cleared the room.
As the doors clicked closed, Nai motioned at the table. “Please partake.”
Khiann glanced at Annani, but she shook her head imperceptibly, letting him know he should focus on her father.
Smart girl. He would do well to follow her instructions.
“Thank you, my lady,” Navohn said. “And thank you for agreeing to see us, my lord.”
Ahn waved his hand again, casting a soundproofing shroud around the chamber. Their ruler’s power was immense, his shroud snapping into place and sealing them inside an impenetrable shield. Compared to this, the one Navohn had cast in the carriage seemed like a child’s practice attempt.
“Khiann.” Ahn pinned him with a hard stare. “Your father tells me that you and my daughter have exchanged messages, deciding that you are each other’s destined mates.”
To protect Annani, that was how his father had explained it. But to continue the lie without the benefit of incense to mask their scents would be foolish. Besides, Annani might have confessed already.
Khiann bowed his head. “We exchanged words, my lord.”
Ahn nodded, the small smile curving one side of his mouth making him look cruel. “I see. What I want to know is who snuck to see whom?” He cast an inquiring glance at Annani.