Who was this woman the gods chose for him?
Zoran’s darkening eyes grew with heat, threatening a transformation. He wanted nothing more than to shift into his dragon form to relieve the desire he felt simmering inside him. The urge to break free of his constraint was strong, to run wild in the forest as a dragon, or, even more so, to leap across the tent as a man and kiss the beauty before him.
Muscles moved temptingly beneath her skin. Her stunningly tanned flesh glowed in the firelight coming from the torches affixed along the tent walls. He wished to tie her, just like that, with her hands trapped above her head so he could have his way, taking his time as he thoroughly explored the long line of her back.
Closing his eyes, he pictured it vividly. He’d take his knife, cutting the slinky material from her skin. He would peel it back to see the tender peaks and hollows of her body. She’d tremble for him. She’d pant as she tried to remain calm. Once naked, his eyes would study her as his hands tested her response. She would grow hot. She would beg. Her mouth would part in beautiful, soft moans. He’d kiss her and they’d make love just like that, with her long legs wrapped about his waist as he thrust.
Nearly moaning with the agony of it, he opened his eyes.
Pia turned and again stretched her arms, completely unaware of his thoughts. When she looked at him, the pleasant expression caused by the simple act of freeing herself from her hair was lost. She scowled and sighed. Placing her hands on her hips, she studied him.
After a long, tense moment, she asked quietly, “Is this some kind of a joke?”
Zoran’s stomach lurched, only to tighten. She was disappointed by him? She didn’t think he was worthy? As the Captain of the Guards, he’d proven himself to the entire kingdom that he was the worthiest fighter in the land. He led armies, won battles and championed tournaments, both on and off planet. But here was the woman destiny had chosen for him and she didn’t think he was good enough for her. The bitterness of it stung like a blow to the gut. She continued to look him up and down in disdain.
Slowly, he shook his head in denial. No, this was no joke. He found nothing funny about his destined marriage.
Pia ignored his silent answer. “What is it? Is someone outside listening?”
Again, he shook his head in denial.
“I know we aren’t getting married, so you can drop the act.” Turning, she plucked a piece of fruit off the table and stuck it in her mouth. Her mouth full, she said, “I’m contracted to go along with this. That’s the only reason I followed you in here. I know you’re up to something. So you might as well get it over with or give me permission to leave. I’m starving and I want to go back to my suite and drink some green tea.”
When he moved, it was with slow purpose. He passed by her, moving to pull a pillow out from the low table for her to sit. She studied him despairingly.
“I’d just as soon eat on the ship,” she said, frowning.
He motioned for her to be seated.
“All right,” she sighed. Her eyes gave away her suspicion.
Zoran sat across from her. Pia eyed him resignedly and waited. When she didn’t move, he motioned to the fruit. She took up a piece and bit into it. Chewing thoughtfully, she took another bite and then another to finish the piece off.
Zoran watched her in silence. She seemed completely unaware of the effect she was having on him, as she placed another piece of fruit in her mouth and licked absently at her fingers. Every once in a while she would sigh as if she were bored. He poured her wine and handed it to her. She took it and sipped dutifully, though he noticed she didn’t swallow it.
His eyes dipped to her lips, still moist with juice. If her attitude was a test to see what he would do, he would show her he was worthy of keeping her. He would prove to her that she’d never find a better husband than he. The crystal had decided. It glowed as proof of their match and his body lit with the fire of her taste. They couldn’t fight their fates. It had been written before they were even born.
* * *
Pia hated wine. The smell of it made her sick to her stomach. Holding her breath, she pretended to politely drink and set the glass down. She took more fruit, her stomach beginning to stir with delight at finally being fed.
Eating a few more pieces, she nodded her head at him. “Well, thanks for the food. You have a lovely planet. It’s been real...entertaining.”
He didn’t miss the sarcasm. She didn’t try to hide it.
Zoran lowered his head. He whipped his arm over the table so he could gracefully stalk forward on all fours. Pia watched him, wondering what he was up to. Seeing the expression on his face, she stiffened. Her fingers flexed, wishing for the knife. Her mind told her to stand, that whatever he planned boded ill for her. But she couldn’t move.
A trance fell over her, growing with each pulsing beat of the glowing crystal necklace. Firelight gleamed off the gold bracelet on his arm. She’d been trying to feign disinterest in him as she ate, but her eyes hungrily sought to study him. It was torture to want him and know he couldn’t possibly want her.
Pia parted her lips in breath. He didn’t stop until he’d crawled completely to her. His brown eyes bore unflinchingly forward, trying to claim her soul as they explored her. In that moment, she felt him connecting to her. It was strange. It was almost like she knew him and that he wasn’t a stranger at all. But how could she know him? She’d never been to this quadrant before.
Zoran settled his hands on either side of her thighs. He trapped her down without touching her. Pia’s eyes widened as his closed. She swallowed nervously, pressing her lips shut and pulling them tight against her teeth as he neared her for a kiss. The first brush of him sent a shockwave over her spine. She trembled violently, feeling the rough texture of his tongue as he licked over her bottom lip.
Pia didn’t return his peculiar kiss. Zoran took his time, licking the juice from her mouth. He traced the seam with his tongue, prying her lips apart as he pushed deeper.
Her breathing deepened. Her heartbeat quickened. His probing met with the barrier of her teeth. He moved to suck her bottom lip into his mouth. A jolt washed over them both at the intimate act. She stubbornly refused to allow him entrance.
Pia stayed frozen in shock. She didn’t know what to do. It felt wet and wrong, yet so incredibly right. Her head lightened, nearly swooning with the pleasure of contact. His lips pressed closer, trying to get hers to move. She didn’t know how, she had never kissed a man. To her amazement, she realized the doctors had repaired not only her skin, but her delicate nerve endings as well. Before, her whole left side had been dead to the lightest of touches. Why that fact hadn’t registered before now was a mystery. Her mouth tingled with feeling.
Zoran inched forward, his kiss forcing her to lean back. He didn’t look at her. She couldn’t stop staring at him. How could this be happening? How could a man like this want to kiss her? The dark demons of her past reared their ugly heads and she pushed his shoulder violently to stop him.
“That’s enough,” she said. Her whole body ached in protest of the broken contact. The ache had begun to grow, spinning its web within her stomach. Her words were not as strong as she would’ve liked, as she said, “You’ve had your fun. Now point me in the direction of my ship.”
He shook his head. Her hand was still on his shoulder, trying to hold him back from her precarious position. It would be so easy to pull him back to her or push him firmly away. She wanted to pull him close. Zoran leaned over to nip playfully at her wrist. Pia snapped it from him as if he’d tried to sting her.
“Come to the bed,” he urged her. His eyes shifted and flashed with danger.
“No!” she practically screamed. She scrambled back to get away from him before rising to her feet. She should’ve known that was all he wanted from her. Should she really be surprised that on a planet full of men they’d be desperate enough to take her to bed?
Zoran stood, hopping up in one swift movement to tower above her.
“Stay back,” she com
manded. “I’m not a prostitute. I’ll not whore for you.”
That stopped him.
With a scowl, she looked around the tent. Then, storming to the front flap, she was surprised when he was there to block her way. She gasped. She hadn’t heard him move.
He lifted his hand to obstruct the exit.
Pia stared at him hard, ordering, “Move.”
Zoran didn’t budge. His jaw lifted.
“I said move,” she growled fiercely. “Your game isn’t going to work. I’m not staying here and sleeping with you. Now move it.”
He shook his head. Pia hesitated and her brows furrowed.
“Don’t make me hurt you,” she warned.
Zoran grinned.
Pia was enraged. Was he laughing at her? Her eyes dipped for a moment and she swung her fist, upper-cutting square into his jaw. The force of the hit took him by surprise and he stumbled back. Her plan had worked. The smile was gone.
Pia dipped from the tent without a moment to lose, shaking out her fist. Blast, but the man had a hard jaw. Soon, she was storming around the sides of the red pyramid, looking for his eavesdropping friends. She found the pathways to be empty.
With a frustrated sigh, she looked all around, even at the sky. She noticed the moon still shone bright and blue. What was going on here?
Pia was glad for the air. It cooled her fiery skin. His touch still lingered on her mouth and she was sure she would still feel it in the months to come. She wasn’t stupid. She could guess that her body was awakening to him. But why him? Why now? It had never bothered to stir with longing before. What had those doctors done to her?
“Come.”
Pia trembled in fear despite herself. She heard the rough growl before she’d even heard him approach. As she spun on the backs of her heels to face him, she didn’t let her fear show. Her father had taught her that confidence was half the battle.
Zoran narrowed his eyes. His chest heaved in controlled anger as if he couldn’t believe she’d actually hit him.
Well, what had he expected? Meek obedience?
Pia eyed the warrior and then turned her back on him. Just to irritate him, she began to walk away. Zoran’s voice left his throat in another growl. He sprung forward. She tried to duck from his grasp, but he’d been ready for that. He caught her as she spun away and pulled her hard to his chest.
Pia stiffened in panic. She looked up at his serious brown eyes shining through the mask. Her heart hammered in her chest at the nearness.
The folds of his hard muscles pressed into her, boldly pushing into the full length of her body. But it was the hot press from under his loincloth that kept her from screaming. Her hips lurched in hesitant response.
“Your name,” Zoran said quietly.
“Pia,” she answered truthfully, momentarily stunned. “Pia Korbin.”
Zoran took a step and then another. He allowed her to feel his desire for her as he walked her with him. Before she realized what he was doing, he’d walked her back to the tent opening and was ushering her inside. He kept his large arms wrapped around her, trapping her to him, but not hurting. She felt his chest muscles working as he moved, muscles that could lift her with ease, throw her, crush her, touch her, and control her to his will.
Insanity threatened to fog her brain. She wanted to be kissed. She wanted to be touched with affection and longing. She wanted to be held. She wanted it to be his lips and his hands and his body that did it. But he was so handsome, even with his face covered. He couldn’t possibly want her, not like she wanted him to.
Pia knew she didn’t affect him as he affected her. His heart was steady and sure. His breath was too calm. Her lips parted as he pulled her closer.
Pia panicked, thinking he meant to head-butt her. She dipped her face to the side, whacking him in the cheek with her forehead. Zoran let her go in surprise.
Pia stumbled back. She tried to smirk but she was too disturbed to make the look last. “You want some more? You want to get beat up by a girl?”
* * *
Zoran glared. Now she was taunting him?
When he’d followed her outside, he’d been stirred by her boldness. Her blonde hair had glistened in the blue moonlight as had her hazel eyes. She was the very vision of strength and beauty. She looked like a goddess but had the temperament of a demon. What games did the gods play with him?
As he fought to control his anger, another passion threatened his sanity. It rose fiercely beneath the fur of his loincloth, ready to do battle, ready to conquer. She had spirit and fire and a wealth of passion. It called to him.
When he held her he liked the softer feel of her skin against him. She smelled like fresh fruit on a warm spring day. His body reeled with passion. It flowed into his feverish blood.
Zoran desired her like he had no other woman before her. Her breasts rose and fell beneath his gaze, tempting his mouth. He was so sure he saw her desire for him, yet she refused.
“Choose,” he said, desperate to have his say. If she wanted to fight with him, fine. Let her face his sharp tongue as well. No more attacking when he couldn’t verbally defend himself against her.
“Choose?” she blinked in surprise, her voice turned as soft as falling leaves.
She stared at him with a look akin to horror.
Oh, but this was an aggravating wench the gods had sent him. Surely his brothers weren’t given such headaches. They were all probably cozying up on their beds, talking and kissing. Not him, he’d gotten the shrew of the bunch. He’d asked her to marry him and she looked at him as if he carried a plague.
Chapter 5
Choose? Did he just ask her to marry him?
“What in the—?” Pia began roughly, coming to her senses the moment she saw a smile curling his lips.
“Choose.”
She shook her head once in denial.
Zoran’s smile faded as he took a step forward in warning. His face turned red. He clenched his fists in anger. “Choose.”
“No,” she stated louder.
“Choose!”
“I can’t marry you,” she shouted, incredulous, knowing her eyes shot daggers at him and not caring. “Are you insane?”
Zoran darted forward. His naked chest glistened as his bare feet stepped over the floor. Pia ducked away. His eyes narrowed. He came for her again. She’d managed one punch with the element of surprise and thought she could do it again.
With lightning speed, she kicked. Bringing her whole body around as she jumped for his head. Zoran’s fingers snapped onto her ankle with one hand, effectively stopping her foot from striking. Pia landed awkwardly on the ground. As he held her leg in the air, she straightened, rotating her hip as she jerked her leg, trying to set herself free.
“Tsk, tsk, tsk,” he held her ankle tight, not letting go. The position lifted her skirt and she knew he could easily see her underwear. He licked his lips. “Choose.”
“No!” Pia shouted, mortified. Bringing her free foot forward, she flung her body back. Zoran had no choice but to let her go as she back-flipped out of his hold. It was a foolish move on her part. If he’d restrained her, she’d have broken her ankle.
Pia landed neatly, bouncing the cramp out of her liberated leg. Daringly, she looked at him in challenge. Pleased by the knowledge that her new body could fight as well as her old one, she hid her smile.
“Choose,” he said calmly.
“No,” she repeated. In that one instant, it became a game. Challenge lit in their mutual gazes. Pia relaxed, now on familiar territory. Fighting she could do.
* * *
Zoran never envisioned he’d be sparring on his wedding night. He never imagined his bride would be so well trained. With a little polishing, she would make a fine soldier, not that he intended on letting her fight in battle. That had been the old way. But, after many men lost their wives and the population dwindled for a generation, they’d changed tradition for the sake of their people. Besides, he planned on keeping his family safe. It was the man’
s job to protect.
Pia darted forward, striking her arms in swift blows to attack him. He blocked her easily, returning moves only to have them opposed by her maneuvering. He didn’t turn the full force of his training on her, not wanting to hurt her. But, as the leader in him naturally moved to test her skill, he was impressed beyond words.
To his amazement, he realized she was enjoying herself. Her eyes sparkled in a way that he hadn’t seen all night.
Zoran’s hand knocked a bruising blow into her arm. Pia flinched but didn’t stop for an instant as she regained her footing. She didn’t whine in pain or call a time out as he’d seen younger soldiers do at such a hit. He nodded at her, pleased.
“Choose.”
“No.”
They sparred around the room, kicking and punching, circling and gauging. Zoran watched her chest heave, delighting in the flushed color coming to her neck and cheeks. Her eyes twinkled like they carried stars.
Her punch went long and he trapped her to his chest. He held her ass against his fur-covered arousal. Nipping her delicate ear, he murmured, “Choose.”
Pia bucked away and gasped, “No.”
The fight continued. He blocked all her best moves, but, to her credit, she was blocking most of his. Her blood flushed her features. Sweat glistened on his.
Kicking fiercely, she landed a foot in his ribs. He grunted as he fell to the side onto the fur bed. Pain radiated up his side and he closed his eyes.
He heard Pia’s hard breathing. Wryly, she said, “Well that was disappointing. You’re not much of a warrior, are you?”
When he didn’t rise to the bait, she came closer.
“Oh, blasted stars,” she whispered. “Are you breathing? Please tell me I didn’t kill you.”
She slowly pushed his shoulders back and leaned her cheek over to his mouth to listen for his breath. A hand slipped over his heart. It beat steadily. Unable to resist, he licked her cheek just as his hand grabbed her wrist to hold her palm to his chest. Pia gasped and tried to pull back.
Dragon Lords Books 1 - 4 Box Set: Anniversary Edition Page 79