by Eve Vaughn
“Yes, I’d believe you,” he said softly, caressing the soft skin of her neck.
“Your mistress did this to me. She tried to kill me. She told me she’d take me to your mother’s bedroom because I wanted to help, but instead she led me to the cliffs. I tried to fight her, but she was much too strong for me. That woman is dangerous, and I won’t stand for her being around.”
“I doubt she’ll be trying anything else. She’s been banished. We found out what she did, and you don’t have to worry about her anymore. I’m sorry this happened. I found her amusing at one time, but once I saw you… there was no one else for me,” he said gruffly, still not quite comfortable sharing his feelings.
Cupping her face, he touched her mind with his. He saw it all. Every single thing. “I’ll kill them both!” he roared as he moved to exit the carriage, dropping her to the floor.
“Wait! Where are you going?”
“Did you think you could keep it from me?”
She looked baffled. Could the woman be so daft? “Keep what?”
“What they tried to do to you. I read your mind, Eden. Why did you try to cover up for them and let me think there was something going on between you and that oaf?”
Her full lips pursed into one tight line. “Maybe I wanted you to believe me without question. You’re going to have to learn to trust me. I know there are things in your past that have shaped your opinions, but there’s a little thing called faith and you have to start having more of it. The reason I didn’t want to tell you was because I suspected you’d react exactly this way. Sometimes situations call for mercy.”
“Mercy? You think I should show them mercy when they tried to sell my queen?” When she placed her palm against his arm and looked into his eyes, Rohman felt like slaying several dragons for her.
“Sweetheart, they didn’t realize I was the queen. You had yet to put your cheka on me, remember?”
“Sweetheart? Is that some kind of Earth saying?” It was foreign to his ears but he liked the sound of it on her lips. “What is its meaning?”
Eden smiled, revealing white teeth. His heart flipped. “It means you’re the mate of my heart. It means… well, I know we’ve only been together for such a short time, but it means I love you.”
Rohman didn’t know how to respond to this. She loved him? Could this be just a beautiful dream? “You’re not just saying that are you?”
“Look into my mind -- and my heart.”
Her honesty and love shone through his cloud of doubt. Although he returned her feelings, it would take him a while to work himself up to actually saying the words. Instead, he pulled her to him, falling back on the seat with Eden on his lap again before crushing her lips with his own.
He dug his fingers into her scalp, tilting her head backwards so he could deepen the kiss. “Open your mouth for me, jiharia,” he muttered against her lips.
Eden’s lips parted under the gentle assault of his tongue as she sighed into his mouth. She was so sweet and tempting he couldn’t get enough of her as his tongue explored every crevice of her mouth, tasting all she had to offer.
Her hands slid up and down his arms. His body shook with passion from her touch. She fumbled with his jaytu. Rohman had been with women far more skilled than his wee queen, but no other had ever driven him to the brink of such insane lust.
He tore at the roughly sewn dress, ripping it from her body. “When we get back to the palace, you’ll be garbed in something more befitting to your station. Such beautiful skin deserves only the best,” Rohman said before pressing hot kisses against her neck.
She arched her back, leaning into him. Her hands freed his cock, grasping it in her fist and gently stroking it up and down.
Groaning with delight, he cried out her name. “Dem, woman, you will be the death of me, but I didn’t get to do all I wanted to the last time. I want to taste you.”
Flinging her across the opposite seat, he knelt in front of Eden and pushed her legs apart as wide as they’d go. Already the outer lips of her pussy were damp with dew. Shoving his middle finger inside of her hot cunt, Rohman looked at her face to catch her reaction.
He loved the way she bit her bottom lip, shaking her head from side to side. “Don’t hold back. Let me hear you moan for me.”
“Oh, Rohman. That feels so good. More. Please.”
Unable to resist, he dropped a kiss on top of her pussy, nuzzling his nose in the nest of her pubic hair. Even the womanly scent of her was like none he’d ever sampled. Before this ride was over, he intended to taste every bit of her. Easing another finger inside of her, Rohman ran his tongue along the inside of her thigh.
She wiggled in response, and he placed his palm against her stomach to still her. “Patience, jiharia. Let me take my time with this. You have no idea how long I’ve wanted to do this to you.”
“Not as long as I’ve wanted you to do it to me.”
“Aww, so you’re a saucy wench. Tell me what you think of this.”
Burying his lips inside her pussy, Rohman captured her clit with his teeth, gently nipping the hot little nub. This caused Eden to squirm even more, but he didn’t let up, sucking the core of her desire voraciously all while finger fucking her.
“Yes!” she yelled, mashing her pussy into his face, covering it with her juices.
The heady taste of her essence sent sparks of pleasure through his body and sent him on a journey of rapture. Within him raged so many emotions he could barely contain himself.
“Harder,” she begged.
Eager to do as she asked, his fingers stabbed into her sopping wet channel. It turned him on to know she was getting off from what he was doing to her. Licking and whirling his tongue around her clit, Rohman wanted to taste her even more.
She whimpered when he removed his fingers. “Please, don’t stop… more,” she groaned.
“Don’t worry, jiharia, I haven’t finished yet,” he assured her.
Lifting her hips, he brought her cunt to his mouth. Rohman thrust his tongue into her tunnel. It entered and retreated in long broad motions, moving at the same pace as his beating heart. He enjoyed eating her pussy nearly as much as he enjoyed fucking it.
“That’s it. Give it to me just like that!” she screamed. Fingers dug into his hands, tightening with each push of his tongue.
He wouldn’t stop until her climax was his. His cock throbbed, eager to be inside of her. Words of endearment and love tumbled from her lips, making his heart swell with his feelings for her. He wished he could express himself as freely as she could, but he knew with this rare gem by his side, he would learn.
When her body started to shudder uncontrollably signaling her orgasm, instead of slowing down, he increased the intensity.
“Rohman! Rohman! Rohman!” She screamed her release. Her sexual secretions flowed into his mouth, filling him with its honeyed deliciousness.
She panted, apparently trying to catch her breath, which made him chuckle. “It’s not over, my beautiful one. Now I’m going to fuck you.”
Eden had never experienced anything quite so mind blowing. Just like the last time they’d come together, it was explosive. She wasn’t quite sure she could take any more pleasure, but it seemed like this gorgeous hunk of a man had other ideas.
She still found it hard to believe someone so aesthetically perfect belonged to her. There was a difference in him this time, however. A lot of the anger he’d been holding inside was gone. She didn’t know what had happened while she was gone to change it, nor did he give her time to dwell on it because the next thing she knew Rohman was pulling her onto his lap, her back to him.
Cupping one breast in his palm, he fingered her with his free hand. She leaned her head back, allowing his lips to caress the side of her neck. “That feels so wonderful, Rohman.”
“Not as wonderful as my cock sliding into your tight hole. Would you like that?” he whispered in her ear, grazing his lips against its contour.
She’d come again before he even fuc
ked her if he kept this up. By the time this was over, she knew she’d be a quivering mess.
“Take me inside of you, jiharia.”
Lifting her hips, she grasped his thick member before positioning it against her pussy. She hesitated momentarily, rubbing it against her slit, savoring the blissful sensation of his velvety cock head against her.
“Yes, that’s it. Give me that sweet pussy of yours.”
Moving down his length, she took inch by delicious inch until his cock rested inside of her to its hilt.
“By the stars, you’re tight. This pussy is something special, and it’s all mine.” Rohman buried his face in her hair, grasping her hips to guide her over his shaft.
Her pussy had never been stretched so exquisitely before, and she felt like crying with desire. When his hand reached around to play with her clit, she thought she’d die of pleasure.
A slow buildup worked through her, starting in the pit of her belly. “Rohman, I love you,” she couldn’t help saying. She wouldn’t stop speaking it, even if he never said it back to her. She had to be true to herself, and there was no denying her feelings for him.
Rohman thrust up, meeting her halfway as she bounced happily on his cock. What started out as a leisurely fuck became more intense. Heat flooded through her, igniting the flames of passion. Her breath grew frantic as the pace picked up yet again, her mate grunting his enjoyment.
“Mine,” he moaned. “My pussy, my woman.”
There was something endearing about his possessiveness because she knew without a doubt that just as she belonged to him, he belonged to her. There’d be no other woman in his life besides her, not without a fight there wouldn’t be, but something told her she wouldn’t need to worry about that.
Little electric sparks flickered along each nerve in her body, heightening the sensation. When her climax came, it was like fireworks on the Fourth of July, especially when she felt his seed shoot into her, signaling his own explosive orgasm. Clenching her vaginal muscles around him, she squeezed his cock, pumping him dry.
She fell against him limp and exhausted. Rohman continued to kiss her neck and stroked her hair and face. “Beautiful, so beautiful,” he whispered against her skin.
Eden didn’t want this moment to end, but a thought suddenly occurred to her. “Rohman! Have your men been waiting outside the carriage the entire time?”
“I suppose they have,” he murmured, nibbling on her ear.
“They’re probably wondering what we’re doing.”
“I’m sure there’s no doubt in their minds about what we’re doing, but I see your point. We have to get back to the palace.”
“I’ve been meaning to mention that to you. I don’t think we should go back just yet. There’s somewhere I feel I have to go first.”
“What do you mean? My mother needs you.”
“I don’t dispute that, but I feel a pull to this place. I have to go there. It’s a large white structure, big columns in the front and a bright, almost blinding light.”
Rohman frowned. “You speak of the Temple of the Light. It’s where the Ancient Ones are.”
“They’re calling to me. I don’t know why, but something tells me I must go there first.”
“What if you’re wrong?”
She wiggled off his lap, his cock sliding out of her. Eden knelt down in front of him. “You’ll have to trust me. Can you please do this one thing for me? Take me to the Temple, and I think we may find the answer to this illness that’s devastated your people.”
“You’re the answer.”
“Perhaps the cure, but don’t you want to know why it’s happened? I think our answers lay there.” She looked up at him pleadingly.
He gave her a stony expression before sighing heavily. “All right, we’ll do this your way. But if we don’t find the answers you seek, we’re going back to the palace so you can take care of my mother.”
Something told Eden she wasn’t wrong.
Chapter Eight
Who dares enter the Temple of the Ancient Ones?
A loud voice seemed to surround them as they entered. Rohman pulled her close as though trying to protect her, but she felt no fear. In fact it almost felt like a homecoming.
Before she could speak, however, her husband beat her to the punch. “I’m King Rohman of the Ceyans and with me is my queen, Eden, descendant of the The’Rans.”
She’s your queen, yet she’s dressed in rags, a female voice observed.
Eden felt self-conscious holding the torn dress against her. “It’s a long story. These are not my clothes. We come here to seek your wisdom.”
Tell us, Eden, can you be happy with this king? Again it was the female voice that spoke.
She looked over to her handsome Ceyan King and tentatively slipped her small hand into his much larger one. “Yes, I can be happy with him. I already am.”
Another voice spoke up, a deeper male voice. Has he honored you in the way one of the chosen people should be?
“What is the meaning of these questions?” Rohman asked with a ferocious frown on his face.
Quiet, Ceyan, we are addressing the queen and the queen only. You will remain silent or feel our wrath, the feminine voice roared like thunder, this time making Eden jump in surprise. Well, Queen Eden, does he honor you?
“I… I’m not really sure what you mean by your question, but I do know that it’s an honor to be his mate.” Turning to look up at Rohman, who stared down at her, seemingly anxious for her reply, she smiled. “I also know there’s no one I’d rather be with. It was my honor and privilege to be chosen by him.”
“Do you mean that, Eden?” he asked softly, his hand cupping the side of her face.
“Of course I do. I love you.”
“And I lo… I love you too.”
Tears welled up in her eyes. These were the words she’d longed to hear for so long. “I don’t know what to say.”
“You don’t have to say anything, jiharia. Your eyes say it all.”
“It pleases me to know this is a union of love. I didn’t have that privilege when I mated with my Ceyan,” a woman said as she approached from out of nowhere. The voice sounded familiar though.
As she drew closer, Eden and Rohman both did a double take because standing before them was a woman who could have been Eden’s twin sister. Draped in a flowing white robe, a light emanated from her, the woman possessed a force so great, it was almost overwhelming.
Eden was the first to regain her voice. “Who… are you?”
“Dyshira of Tiearen.”
Rohman’s mouth fell open. “Queen Dyshira? Impossible. You should be…”
She smiled. “Dead? Well, actually I’m no longer of body. You’re only seeing an image of what I used to look like.”
Eden stared in amazement. “I’m not really sure I understand.”
“Did you not hear my voice in the Temple?”
Rohman ran his fingers through his glossy mane. “You’re one of the Ancient Ones? But how? I’ve always understood them all to be older than time.”
“That used to be true, but as the ultimate chosen one, when my spirit passed to the next level, I took my rightful place alongside those who reside in the temple. Perhaps you two would like to have a seat and I’ll explain all to you the best I can.” She turned and walked further into the temple, as though she expected them to follow.
Dyshira left confusion in her wake. It was still hard to wrap her mind around what was going on, but now she’d have answers. Eden wondered if there was a particular reason this woman looked so much like her.
They followed the regal woman to the back of the temple, the light growing brighter with each step they took. She led them to a little room.
“Have a seat on the bench. This is where the chosen people used to come and lay offerings of the land,” Dyshira said, pointing to a large stone altar in the center of the room.
Rohman pulled Eden close to him as they took a seat. Again that warm feeling of love shot thr
ough her just being near him. Glancing up at him briefly, she found him looking at her too. The look within the depths of his silver eyes reflected her love.
“It pleases me to see this is a love match. I’ve been watching you, King Rohman of Zerus,” Dyshira began. “I knew Eden would be what you needed. Now, let me start from the beginning. As you know, I was once The’Ran. We were a peaceful people, the chosen ones. We took care of the Temple of the Light and gave homage to the Ancient Ones. There was a time when Ceyans and The’Rans lived in harmony together.” She paused, as if she were making sure they understood everything she said before starting again.
“A ritual called the Feast of the Flesh, not very different from what you do today, was performed. There was more purpose behind our ceremonies however. You see, there were these shape shifting creatures called the Shadow People who lay in wait to pillage our line. We made a deal with the Ceyans to protect us, and in exchange we’d give them twenty of our women for each ceremony.” Dyshira paused.
“Please, tell us more,” Eden urged.
“Patience, my child. The pact was broken by the man who claimed me for his wife. King Garmonian had evil in his heart. I knew from the beginning he was trouble. If I’d had a choice, I wouldn’t have mated with him, but he blackmailed my people, making it impossible for me to decline. Life with him was far worse than I thought possible, but I endured for the sake of my people.”
Eden felt sad for what Dyshira must have gone through. Understanding how helpless the former queen’s situation must have been, her heart twinged. “I’m sorry.”
Dyshira nodded. “It’s past now, my child.”
“But what happened? What did your mate do to break the pact?” Rohman asked.