“Take me, husband.” Amy closed her mouth over his and rolled her hips.
Zaureth was lost. He spanned her waist with his large hands to hold her still and pressed his throbbing erection deeper inside her depths. She felt warm and wet and incredibly tight.
He pulled back slightly and eased in farther, continuing the process until his shaft was buried as deep as her body would allow.
The sexy sounds coming from her made him want to enter her all over again. “Are you all right?”
“Better than all right,” she gasped, cupping the sides of his face. “Please don’t stop.”
Zaureth crushed his lips against hers and thrust. Her soft cry entered his mouth along with her tongue.
She matched him stroke for stroke, grinding her pelvis against his. Her nails dug into his shoulders, sending white-hot lust straight to his already tormented sex.
Zaureth could feel his release building, controlling him, racing up his spine with a force he was powerless to resist.
Amy suddenly jerked back, her body stiffening on top of him, his name wrenching from her lips.
Zaureth lost control.
Tightening his hold on her waist, he drove into her again and again. The feel of her vaginal walls gripping him sent him over the edge and straight into the abyss, vaguely aware of the roar that ripped from his own throat.
Zaureth repeatedly shuddered, unable to control the orgasm still raging inside him.
“I love you, Zaureth,” Amy whispered against his neck. “My healer. My Bracadyte warrior. My mate.”
Amy words, coupled with the feel of her surrounding his oversensitive sex, sent him straight into another mind-blowing release.
Minutes ticked by with Zaureth still holding Amy tightly against him. He finally calmed enough to pull back and gaze into her eyes. “I cannot begin to explain how you make me feel. It is as if I cannot breathe around you. My mind will not cooperate, and my heart beats a strange rhythm inside my chest. Do not ever leave me, my mate. I fear that I would not survive.”
Tears sparkled in Amy’s eyes. “I’ll never leave you, Zaureth. I would wither and die without you.”
Zaureth lightly ran his fingertips down her face. “Did I hurt you?”
Amy shook her head and rolled her hips. “In a good way.”
Zaureth could feel his erection coming to life once again, throbbing, aching, and demanding.
With growl of surrender, he covered her lips with his and slowly rocked his hips. This was where he belonged. This was home…
Chapter Thirty
Amy stood next to the bed, basking in the feel of Zaureth brushing her hair. He’d helped her dress after several hours of lovemaking in the giant bathtub.
“Melvin’s men are loading the boat with our belongings. They will be ready to depart soon,” Zaureth informed her, pulling her hair back into a ponytail.
“There’s something about that female soldier that I don’t trust,” Amy remarked. “I can’t quite put my finger on it.”
Zaureth made a sound in his throat. “That is how I feel about Glenn Anderson.”
Amy laughed over Zaureth’s show of jealousy. “You really don’t have to go through all this trouble, Zaureth. Though it feels incredible, I can fix my own hair.”
Zaureth kissed the top of her head. “I enjoy doing things for you. It is no trouble at all.”
With Zaureth’s mind and sight open to her, Amy watched as he placed the brush in a bag along with her toiletries.
Taking hold of her arm, he led her to the door and into the hall where Mallory stood waiting.
“I don’t know if I’m more nervous or excited,” Mallory announced, falling in line with them.
Amy sent her a smile. “I’m nervous about the whole cloak-and-dagger ride to the entrance, but I’m overwhelmed with excitement of seeing Aukrabah.”
“So am I,” Mallory admitted. “I’ve yet to see it myself. I only hate that I have to be pushed in a wheelchair like an invalid. But I understand why I must.” Her hand moved to her slightly swollen abdomen.
Amy touched her on the arm. “You’re going to be a great mother.”
“As are you,” Mallory returned.
Amy thought about how amazing it would feel to give Zaureth a son. To be the one who gave him that kind of happiness. “I look forward to it.”
Zaureth gently squeezed her arm, letting her know without words that he felt the same.
The three of them emerged onto the deck to find Oz tossing a bag to a guy dressed in black.
Tony stood nearby, speaking to a giant of a man wearing colors that Amy had only seen in trees. His hat rode low on his head, hiding the upper part of his face.
“It is called camouflage,” Zaureth stated, reading her thoughts. “Your human military wears it to blend in to the trees.”
That made sense to Amy.
The man suddenly turned, and Amy’s mouth opened on a silent gasp. His eyes were the color of the sky that Zaureth had recently shown her.
The stranger looked up just then as if sensing her. The corner of his mouth lifted.
A growl rumbled in Zaureth’s chest. He pulled Amy in close to his side and wrapped an arm around her shoulders. Amy recognized it for what it was. A show of possessiveness.
With a jerk of his head, Tony broke away from his conversation with blue-eyed man and strode toward them.
“This is Melvin,” Tony pointed out with a wave of his hand. “He’ll be taking us the rest of the way in. The coast guard will be patrolling the waters, making our trip to shore a little hairy. I’m not going to lie to you. What we’re doing is dangerous. Listen to Melvin and do exactly as he tells you. We’ll stand a better chance that way.”
Amy’s heart lurched. What if they’d made it through everything they’d been through only to die as they neared the end?
“I will not let you die,” Zaureth swore, tightening his hold. “I will get you safely to Aukrabah, no matter how many lives have to be lost.”
“I like him,” Melvin stated, nodding toward Zaureth before spinning on his heel. “Get everyone ready. We leave in five minutes.”
Amy, Zaureth, and Mallory followed, coming to a stop at the back of the yacht.
Zaureth scooped Amy up into his arms. “I will carry you down to the vessel.”
“What about Mallory?” Amy blurted, concerned for her sister.
Zaureth didn’t slow. “Vaulcron has her.”
Amy relaxed in the comfort of Zaureth’s arms, resting her head on his massive shoulder and trusting him to get her safely down the ladder.
He continued to hold her long after they arrived on the deck of Melvin’s boat.
Oz appeared, dumping an irate Maria on the floor at his feet. She glared up at him in obvious rage, making muffled sounds behind her gag.
“One more outburst, and it’s lights out for you,” Oz bit out, taking a threatening step toward her.
Maria quieted down, but continued to stare up at him in angry rebellion.
“Where are we?” Amy inquired, lifting her head.
Oz stopped on his way back to the ladder. “We’re docked near a small island off the coast of Destin. It’s better this way, and will make escaping a lot easier if it becomes necessary.”
Escaping, Amy thought with a shudder. Fear of running for the rest of their lives suddenly consumed her.
Zaureth hugged her close. “All will be fine once we reach Aukrabah.”
Amy nodded, some of her anxiety easing. “I’m ready.”
Once everyone boarded, Zaureth took Amy into the cabin and set her on her feet. The engine revved up, telling him they were underway.
The lights of the vessel remained off as they slipped unseen through the choppy gulf waters.
Very little conversation could be heard from the boat’s occupants, each lost in their own thoughts.
They arrived on shore half an hour later. “Climb onto my back,” Zaureth rumbled, helping Amy to stand. “I do not want you in front of me in case we run into dange
r.”
Lowering to his knees, Zaureth assisted Amy in situating herself on his back. He stood in one fluid motion and exited the boat by way of the ladder.
The rest of the crew followed suit.
Hauke slipped up next to Zaureth in the waist-deep water with Abbie clinging to him in the same fashion as Amy.
Vaulcron flanked his other side, and Tony brought up the rear. Amy could see through Zaureth’s eyes that they both carried their mates as well.
“Where is Glenn?” Zaureth inquired, adjusting Amy higher up on his back.
“Lugging this wheelchair,” Glenn sarcastically responded from somewhere in the rear.
Zaureth glanced around. “And the female soldier?”
“Right here,” Fiona barked from somewhere in back.
Oz suddenly appeared in Amy’s vision, carrying his bound and gagged prisoner over his shoulder. And by the looks of it, she was putting up one hell of a fight. Amy sighed.
Chapter Thirty-One
Zaureth stepped onto the beach, keeping his senses open for signs of life. Relieved to find the place devoid of land walkers, he strode up the incline and emerged in the backyard of an empty home.
“Over here,” Hauke whispered, jogging toward a gaping hole in the grass. “Exactly as we left it.”
Zaureth lowered to his knees while Amy slid from his back. The rest of the women gained their feet as well.
“I will go in first,” Zaureth announced. “One of you lower Amy through as soon as I give the word.”
Keeping his sight open to Amy, Zaureth grabbed on to a root that lined the opening and eased his body into the hole.
He dropped to his feet on the cave’s floor and held his arms up. “I’m in.”
Zaureth watched as Vaulcron carefully maneuvered Amy through the opening.
“I have her,” Zaureth announced, grabbing onto her dangling legs and pulling her into his arms.
The cave was dark, save for the flashlight Tony shone from above.
Zaureth could feel Amy trembling against him. He stepped back as the others began filing inside. “Are you all right, little one?”
“Yes,” Amy whispered, looping an arm around his neck. “I’m just weak with relief that we made it this far.”
“As am I.” Zaureth tenderly kissed her lips.
Tony handed out flashlights while Mallory positioned herself in the wheelchair. Hauke and Abbie walked ahead with Glenn and Fiona, while Oz brought up the rear with his squirming prisoner.
Zaureth’s brows lifted as he watched Oz wrestle with his burden. “You are planning to carry her the entire way?”
Oz barked out a laugh. “Hell no, I’m not carrying her. Her hipbones are digging into my shoulder.”
Dumping Maria onto the floor, Oz untied her ankle bonds, removed her blindfold and gag before yanking her to her feet. “Get moving.”
“Screw you,” Maria snapped, stumbling forward.
Zaureth waited for Vaulcron and Mallory to begin moving before turning to follow.
* * * *
“Fili mi!” Laurel cried, throwing her arms around Hauke. “You made it!”
Hauke hugged her back before indicating the rest of the party. “We are all safe, tired, and hungry.”
“Of course, my son.”
Klause appeared with Gryke flanking him. The king’s angry gaze zeroed in on Maria. “What have you done, Nicho?”
Oz brushed passed Zaureth to stand before the king. “I had no choice, Klause. Her brother nearly killed Zaureth by blowing up the yacht. The same brother who shot him just days before.”
“Then why does she yet live?” Klause growled, taking a step forward.
Oz moved to block him from reaching Maria. “Because I need her in order to get Carlito. She’s my only chance at luring him out into the open.”
Klause studied him for long moments. “Gryke will take her below.”
“Very well,” Oz conceded, handing Maria over to Gryke. “But I’m going with him to be sure she makes it there in one piece.”
The king nodded, motioning for the rest of them to pass. He touched Zaureth on the shoulder. “Once you have rested, I would see you in my chambers for a full accounting of what took place after our departure.”
Zaureth nodded, adjusting Amy’s sleeping form in his arms. “I will be there, sire.”
Klause cleared his throat. “What are your plans for the female you carry?”
“I have wed with her in the human custom, sire. I will take her to the mating cavern as soon as she is rested.”
A muscle tightened along the king’s jaw. “Healers do not mate, Zaureth. You cannot disregard our laws.”
“Klause,” Laurel began in a low tone. “We talked about this.”
The king responded to her without removing his gaze from Zaureth. “The laws are in place for a reason, Laurel. I cannot permit them to be broken at will, else disorder will ensue.”
Laurel laid her hand on Klause’s arm, drawing his attention to her. “Zaureth has made his decision. If you continue enforcing this law, I fear we will lose him.”
Something flickered in Klause’s eyes. He glanced back at Zaureth before meeting Laurel’s pleading gaze once more. “You really feel that I am wrong in this?”
“I do,” Laurel softly answered. “You alone hold the power to change it. Look deep inside yourself, my love. And do what is right.”
Klause kissed the queen on her cheek before facing Zaureth. “I hope she brings you happiness.”
“She does, sire.”
With a gentle smile on her face, Laurel took hold of the king’s hand and turned to go.
Zaureth stood rooted to that spot long after the room cleared and Klause followed Laurel in the direction of their chambers.
Turning east toward the catacombs, Zaureth trekked through the halls of Aukrabah, both relieved and exhausted.
He glanced down at Amy’s beautiful face, so fragile looking in her sleep. She would be hungry when she awoke, and he needed to gather the necessary supplies to care for her.
Zaureth came to the archway that led to the catacombs. He turned his body to the side to prevent Amy’s head from bumping the rock wall before descending the steps.
Taking a left into the alcove that housed his apartment, Zaureth gently laid Amy on the bed and pulled the covers up to her shoulders.
He stood there for several heartbeats, watching the rise and fall of her chest. She looked so small in the center of his big bed.
After assuring himself that she still slept, Zaureth secured another knife inside his boot and strode from the room to go in search of fresh food for his mate.
Chapter Thirty-Two
Amy jerked awake, dazed and confused. She held herself still for a moment, realizing she lay on a soft surface with a blanket covering her body.
“Zaureth?”
“I am here,” Zaureth answered, coming to sit at her side.
Amy reached for his hand. “How long have I been asleep?”
“All night and most of today.”
Amy blinked in embarrassment. “Wow. I’m sorry.”
“Do not apologize, little one. You have been through a lot.”
“Are we in Aukrabah?” Amy loved the feel of his warm palm enveloping her own.
Zaureth opened his sight to her. “We are in my apartment in the catacombs.”
“Oh my God.” Amy released his hand and scrambled from the bed as the room suddenly came into view. “It’s amazing.”
Soft, glowing lights lined the walls, resting on rock shelves. “What are those?”
“They are stones that hold the moon’s glow,” Zaureth responded, coming to stand next to her.
Amy could hardly contain her awe as she took in whatever Zaureth’s gaze touched on. “I want to see everything!”
Zaureth chuckled, offering her his arm. “I made you some dinner. Would you care to eat first?”
Amy’s stomach growled. “I am hungry. May I at least see the rest of your bedroom befo
re I eat?”
“Of course,” Zaureth agreed, humor lining his voice.
He slowly moved his gaze around the room, allowing her to take in everything in his path.
The first thing Amy noticed was the size of the crude stone walls that held the moonstones. “It’s much bigger than I imagined it to be.”
And then the bed came into view. “Wow, Zaureth, what’s the bed made of? It’s huge.”
Amy listened as Zaureth explained the makings of his bed.
“So, it’s sand from the gulf’s floor, packed into a sharkskin casing?”
“There is a little more to it than that, but basically, yes,” Zaureth informed her.
Amy ran her hand across the soft surface. “It molds to your body like a memory foam mattress.”
“I do not know what a memory foam is, but I am glad you find it to your liking.”
“It’s very comfortable,” Amy admitted. “Show me the floor.”
Zaureth’s gaze slowly moved over the mostly smooth rock floor before coming to rest on a nook in the wall.
Amy studied it for a moment. “Is that a bathroom?”
“Though it is not as nice as what you are accustomed to,” Zaureth murmured, leading her in the direction of the bathroom. “It is functional.”
Upon closer inspection, Amy noticed the nook was roomier than it first appeared. A stone bench sat in the center with a round opening situated on top. Though too dark to see inside the contraption, Amy could hear water moving from within. “What is that?”
“It is a toilet.”
“Where do the…um, contents go?” She asked, more curious than embarrassed.
“It leads to the gulf.”
“But I thought Aukrabah lay beneath the gulf’s floor?” Amy was sure that she’d heard that before.
Zaureth brushed some stray hair back from her face. “Imagine this. A giant rock is submerged in a pool of water and then covered in sand. The rock is oblong with grooves and small openings running sporadically along the sides. The water, being drawn to the oxygen in the openings, is forced through the sand in places, creating an underflow beneath the rock. The air pressure at the entrance of the rock forms a barrier against the water. It then falls along the opening to start its journey anew.”
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