Sarim's Scent

by Springs, Juliette

  He watched her digest his words.

  She was gutsy and attractive. Since she wasn’t a pure blood he wouldn’t have ordinarily picked her as his son’s wife, maybe as a vascany. But no one could deny another Taalib Duma his mate, as decreed by the Darvan Gods. A mate who was a Dalili Nakisisa was favored among the Gods themselves. Khafil had a prize. Zanhoden knew because of his encouragement, Khafil had continued to deceive his mate. If his son had come clean when he wanted, his relationship with his mate would probably be better and he would be his usual self.

  Zanhoden continued to study Victoria, becoming aware of the scent of blood, his blood.

  “Have you and my son blood-bonded?” he asked harshly.

  “N-no,” she stammered.

  He sniffed again deeply, cursing himself for not recognizing the cause. Khafil must be seriously distracted. The situation would soon be remedied. Looking up, he found Victoria watching him warily.

  “You may go.” Waving his hand, he dismissed her. Quickly turning, he summoned the two silent guards shielding the door.

  Not giving her a chance to respond, he watched her being led out of the room.

  Chapter 31

  Zanhoden watched the mother of his grandchild walk out of his quarters. Since Victoria and Khafil had not exchanged blood, her breeding was the only other reason he was able to smell his blood in her vicinity. She and Khafil would have to change their status and become true mates immediately. The Code of Ethics left no choice in these matters. He smiled as he realized his plans to be finally rid Sarim as Abuu and place the Chair of Drumhani with the Imvura Brotherhood had worked out better than he had ever dreamed. He summoned Khafil. It was time to tell his son he was about to become a father.

  Chapter 32

  Sitting at the council table, deep in thought, Khafil was blown away by what his father had just told him. Victoria pregnancy was not completely unexpected but was indeed still shocking. He knew it was a strong possibility, given they were mates and they had been having unprotected sex. He shouldn’t have had sex with her last night. He should have known his mate was breeding.

  He cursed himself for his lack of focus on what was important. He’d been preoccupied with the plans for presenting the Imvura case for leadership to the Council.

  The Imvuras already had a good case based on Sarim’s transgressions over the years and the fact he, the Imvura heir, and Sarim’s descendant were mates. Now that she was impregnated, it almost guaranteed the Imvuras would be the ruling brotherhood and he would become Abu. Pushing those thoughts aside, his mind landed back on Victoria. They would have to become true blood-bonded mates and go through the ceremony she referred to as an orgy. He had to convince her of the importance of the ceremony and the importance of becoming blood-bonded mates. Becoming bonded was the right thing to do. He could not fathom bringing his child, an heir no less, into the world as a nafuto. No child of his would be categorized as a bastard. It was unheard of and illegal. The father of the child could be sentenced to death.

  They would bring their child into the world as a mated family unit and work through their obstacles. Becoming blood bonded would change things dramatically between them, however, maybe even easing the obstacles they faced. Rising, he closed the folder on the table. He knew what he had to do.

  Chapter 33

  Someone was shaking her shoulder. “Leave me alone,” Victoria grumbled, her voice still husky with sleep.

  “Wake up. We have to talk.”

  Opening her eyes at the sound of Khafil’s voice, a voice she hadn’t heard in days, she said, “Whatever,” then closed her eyes and rolled back over.

  “Wake up.”

  He shook gently again. Maybe if she ignored him, he would go away.

  “NOW!”

  Victoria jumped up. Frightened by the loud voice she heard, she frantically looked around trying to decide if she was going to run or fight off an attacker.

  A deep chuckle made her turn toward a dark figure sitting at the edge of the bed.

  “Khafil?” she whispered.

  “It’s me.” His somber gaze met hers. “I’m sorry about sending you a mental clap. But it’s important that we talk tonight.”

  “This should be interesting since you have been ignoring me for these last few days.” Sitting up, she pushed her braids out of her face before giving him her full attention. “What’s this about?”

  “Us.”

  Surprised, she peered closer at him. She wasn’t expecting that answer.

  Catching her eye, he spoke. “First, I want to apologize to you for everything, lying about being Ivan, using you to get back at Sarim. I know I’ve hurt you.” He stopped, as if waiting for her to say something.

  Victoria’s back went ramrod straight with shock. Her heart went into overdrive, beating so loud she thought the sound filled their chamber. Still feeling slightly discombobulated, she couldn’t form a coherent reply. She continued to stare at him. Was he really serious?

  “I want to start over.” His intense eyes were pleading. “Give me a chance to prove I’m worthy of being your true mate.” When she still didn’t reply, his frustration became evident.

  “Dammit, Victoria, say something!”

  She was too scared to hope he was telling the truth. She was tired of all the stress and tension between them. She was tired of holding on to her anger and pain. Just turning it loose and wiping the slate clean would be wonderful, however she wasn’t convinced. This sudden declaration sounded too good to be true. Getting a grip on her runaway emotions, she decided she needed more information. She’d traveled this road before when he was Ivan.

  “Where is this coming from, Khafil?” She had to know. Today had been strange, first the impromptu meeting with his father and now this. “You didn’t say anything about this last night?”

  “I hate the way things are between us,” he admitted. “I haven’t been able to concentrate. I’ve snapped at quite a few of my brothers. I—”

  “I know,” she interrupted. “Your father told me about that when I met with him yesterday.” If Khafil was going to apologize for his actions and admit to his true feelings, she had to do the same. “Khafil, there’s something I have to tell you, something I should have told you awhile ago.”

  “No, wait.” He put his hand up, stopping her. “Before you admit anything, let me finish. My father told me he met with you yesterday.”

  “He did?” She nodded ruefully. “It was an experience.”

  “I know my father can be very difficult,” Khafil added. “He wanted me to tell you he apologizes for being an ass.”

  “Why would he apologize now?”

  “He realized something toward the end of your conversation.”

  “What?”

  “Probably the same thing you were about to tell me.”

  “What?” she repeated, still not following where he was going.

  ‘My father smelled his blood when he was talking to you.”

  “And ... that means?” she asked, beginning to get annoyed with the conversation. “Spit it out already!”

  “Since we aren’t blood mated,” he said slowly, like he was talking to a mentally-challenged person, “Smelling his blood around you can only mean one thing.”

  Chapter 34

  Could he already know? Victoria wondered. Could he smell his blood in her baby?

  “You’re breeding, or what you call pregnant.”

  “Damn,” she murmured. “That’s a wicked pregnancy test.”

  “But effective.”

  “Yeah,” she agreed. Lying back down, she was unable to continue facing him. She felt exposed and was too vulnerable to face him with her next question.

  “So what happens next for us?” She didn’t know if she was ready for his answer.

  “The Code of Ethics forbids any Taalib Duma child to knowingly be born to unmated parents or to parents not joined in a union.”

  “But we are mated,” she interjected.

  “Yes, but we
are not blood-bonded mates,” he continued. “The law says we have to become blood bonded since we are bringing a Taalib Duma child into existence.”

  “You mean we have to go through that ceremony you were telling me about? The ceremony that makes us have sex in front of your brothers and drink each other’s blood.”

  He nodded.

  “What happens if we don’t?” She wasn’t relishing the thought of being watched while they made love. However, in the back of her mind, a spark of excitement flared at the thought of being free of restraints and inhibitions, giving herself freely and completely to Khafil. The voyeur aspect might heighten the chemistry between them. Shocked at where her thoughts were going, she turned her attention back to the present conversation and the gorgeous creature in front of her.

  “If we don’t, the penalty is death and the Brotherhood raises the child.”

  A chill ran up her spine. These people weren’t playing.

  “I guess there’s no choice,” she whispered.

  “No, there isn’t.” For all his talk of wanting to start fresh and create a family unit for their child, he acted like he was going to his death. She watched him some time later after their conversation when he was sitting in front of the television in the living room, a brooding expression on his face. It was the same expression he’d been wearing ever since their heart-to-heart talk. He looked about as overjoyed as she currently felt. His solemn air had killed the happy buzz zipping through her at the thought of having Khafil as hers. Not a great way to start a life together. A life that would last how long? Forever? How long did Taalib Dumas live anyway? According to her limited knowledge of mythical vampires, they lived forever. She needed some more answers.

  “What is it you want to know?” Khafil asked before she could form the complete question in her mind.

  “What?”

  “You’re forgetting I can pick up on your emotions,” he said, giving a low chuckle. “Right now they’re screaming burning curiosity. So I figure you must have some questions about things.”

  “Right.” She’d forgotten about their unnerving ability to feel each other’s sentiments.

  “I can’t believe I forgot to ask you this earlier.” She licked her lips, not missing the tightening of his eyes or the balling of his hands into fists. Maybe he wasn’t as morose about their circumstances as she thought. “Do you live forever?”

  “I don’t know about forever but we live a very long time. My father is about six hundred and sixty-six years old.”

  A picture of the coldly attractive Taalib Duma appeared in her mind. Khafil’s father didn’t look a day over forty. She didn’t miss the fact his age was the devil’s number. Not surprising considering the barely concealed threats he’d made toward her.

  “I don’t know of any of us who have lived over a thousand years.”

  “What about me?” she wondered aloud.

  “It’s been a long time since a Taalib has married or mated someone with human blood or a human for that matter. Our mates usually live as long as we do.”

  “How long did your mother live?”

  Khafil’s closed his eyes as his face tightened.

  “I’m sorry for bringing her up if it’s still too difficult for you to talk about her.”

  “No, that’s not it.” He opened his eyes, which had brightened in their intensity. “It’s about time you were told about my mother and how she plays into the hatred between your father and mine.” He paused.

  “Once upon a time, your father and my mother were going to form a union, or what you would call getting married.”

  “Oh.”

  “Yes, their families had sanctioned the union. My mother’s tribe was in need of the protection Sarim’s could offer. Once my mother formed a union with your father, her tribe would become Sogas and would not have to worry about being attacked.”

  “What happened?”

  “Well, obviously they didn’t join, or I wouldn’t be here.”

  “Obviously,” she said dryly, hoping he’d get to the point sometime soon.

  “My father met her one day and fell in love instantly.”

  Victoria choked at the thought of Khafil’s cold father falling in love with anyone.

  “Unbelievable, I know, but true.”

  “Did your mother run away with him?”

  “No, nothing like that. She was an obedient Taalib Duma. She was set to be dutiful and be with Sarim. My father wouldn’t give up, however.”

  Now that she could believe. Zanhoden seemed like the type who would be ruthless and dogmatic if he wanted something.

  “He followed her, trying to convince her she belonged with him and not in a loveless union with Sarim. He even snuck in her room one night, and that’s when things changed.”

  “How?”

  “She was attracted to my father, but believed her duties were with her family and not with her own happiness.”

  “How tragic.”

  “Yeah, but as the story goes, Zanhoden ignored her protests and kissed her. One thing led to another and after that night, they realized they were mates.”

  “How?” she asked, not understanding.

  “The infamous mate’s glow.”

  “Oh.” She felt heat rush to her face.

  “Once that was revealed, the council had no choice but to honor my mother’s request and her family’s that she be mated with my father.”

  “Something tells me Sarim didn’t like that.”

  “Not one bit. They had to go before the council because Sarim challenged my father for taking his intended. My father had to prove he and my mother were mates or face death.”

  “Don’t tell me they had to do the ceremony in front of everyone...”

  “At the council. Yes, they did. Afterward, the promised union with my mom and Sarim was dissolved.”

  “Wow, no wonder there is bad blood between the two.”

  “Yeah, we even think Sarim is responsible for my mother’s death.”

  “What?” Do you think my father would really go that far?”

  “Yes, he would. You forget I have worked as your father’s protector for decades. After what I’ve seen, he is quite capable of anything.”

  Victoria shuddered. She didn’t want to know. But something in Khafil’s tone made her believe what he said.

  “Do you think he will come after me?”

  Khafil stretched out beside her and drew her in his arms. She tried to ignore the heat flowing through her at his nearness.

  “Without a doubt, he is truly capable of it. That’s why you are protected at all times with guards. I shudder to think what you would go through if you ever fell into his hands.”

  Khafil’s words warmed her. She felt safe in his arms and in his world. Snuggling in his arms, she felt his manhood harden and thicken against her. Almost by itself, her butt wiggled against him. She scooted back and felt his hardness between her thighs and against her vagina. Sparks went off in her body. Her lower body quivered and sexual hunger erupted.

  Groaning, Khafil lifted her up and off his lap. He moved further over on the bed. Still in a sexual daze, she gazed at Khafil, hurt and confused.

  He shook his head. “Not tonight.”

  “Why?” she asked, her voice husky with need. The desire to mate was so strong she could taste the muskiness of it.

  “We go through the ceremony tomorrow.”

  “So what?” she said, frustrated. “It’s been days.”

  Laughing again, he leaned over and placed a kiss on her lips. Her vagina clenched, and Khafil groaned. The kiss deepened, and they both rubbed against each other, seeking relief. As they approached the point of no return, Khafil tore his mouth away.

  “We have to wait until tomorrow,” he said, his voice rough with lust. “You and I can’t sleep in the same quarters tonight.”

  As if on cue, someone began knocking insistently at the door.

  “Come in.”

  Victoria watched as her two day guards entere
d the room and stood silent, waiting. Her eyes went to Khafil and back to the stoic guards in disbelief.

  “What’s going on?” she asked when Khafil made no move to explain.

  “They are here to escort you to your preparation chambers.”

  She looked back at the intimidating guards, not sure if she felt at all comfortable with them taking her anywhere.

  “They are not going to hurt you,” Khalif reassured her. “They are just going to make sure proper Taalib Duma ceremony is followed.”

  “They’re taking me to get ready for tomorrow night?”

  “Yes, certain rituals must be followed in order to prepare for our blood-bond ceremony.”

  Victoria’s gaze left the guards and turned to Khafil. She wasn’t sure if she trusted the wicked glint in his eye. The mischievous smile on his face didn’t make her feel reassured either. He said nothing, just continued to stare at her with that irritatingly sexy and mischievous look on his face.

  “Go ahead.”

  Victoria slowly walked toward the guards. When she reached them, they got on one knee and bowed to her. She turned back to Khafil and raised a brow. He gave her a sexy wink.

  “I leave you in very capable hands.”

  Chapter 35

  The preparation chambers looked like something out of a harem movie, Victoria thought as she wandered into an area resembling a scene from Arabian Nights. She was instructed to remove her shoes when she entered the room. The soft lush carpet massaged her feet. Her attendants were dressed in brightly-colored billowy gowns with a head garment covering half their faces, leaving only their eyes revealed.

  They bowed and walked her into the wash quarters and stopped at a tub the size of a pool. Staring at the pool in amazement, Victoria gave a small shriek when she felt tugs on her shirt.

  “You must undress,” a diminutive woman about thirty or so with shoulder length black hair said, tugging insistently on her shirt again.