Belle inhaled and waited to see what he’d do next. She didn’t have to wait long.
Ronin pulled her down, placed her butt on the tops of his thighs then slid his hands up the inside her of thighs. His thumbs slid up then down her silky lips parting them. He slipped his thumb inside her then slicked it over her clitoris. She shivered with pleasure.
Gazing at her, he did it again and slid first one, then two fingers inside her.
“Look at me,” he said. “I want to see your pleasure.”
Belle placed her hands on his spread knees and gazed up at him. He thrust his fingers in and out of her while stroking her clit. His fingers pressed over an ultra sensitive spot inside her, drawing a small cry of intense pleasure from her. He added a third finger and stroked the tip of his thumb directly over her, drawing a cry of pleasure from her.
She screamed his name and exploded with wave after wave of exquisite pleasure.
She was still gasping and trying to catch her breath when he slammed into her, filling her, deep and hard. She came again.
He lifted her higher until he was up on his knees and thrust into her. She focused her mind on his and felt his pleasure as he pulled out then thrust back in.
“I feel what you feel. I feel how tight and hot I am around you.” She threw her head back as an orgasm began to build. She couldn’t tell if it was hers or his. Or a combination.
She gasped his name. He tightened his hands on her legs, then pushed in deep, pulled out and rocked against her thrusting deep again.
His eyes blazed with heat and passion. Belle ran her hands over her breasts and down her belly. She touched his shaft as he withdrew from her.
He shuddered, closed his eyes and slammed back into her. They came as wave after wave of their joined orgasm rippled through them. Belle collapsed in an exhausted heap beneath him and he rested part of his weight on her. His hot breathes slowed and his heart rate calmed. The warmth of his breath raised goosebumps on her shoulders and arms.
She wrapped her legs around him, and he grew harder inside her. He slid his hands beneath her shoulders and cupped them, holding her still.
She pushed against him and he began a soft, slow thrusting and rocking motion. Emotions flowed between them—love, contentment and pleasure as a small orgasm slid through them.
Belle smiled, kissed his neck and held onto him. “I claim you Ronin of the Zarronians. My heart is yours to cherish. My life is yours to protect. I’ve willingly given my powers to you for all time.”
Ronin raised up and gazed at her. “I claim you as my bondmate for all time. I belong to you. My body, my heart, and my soul. Never will I leave you.”
As soon as he said the words the blue mist that had filled the room flowed back towards them. It outlined them and gradually faded until only a narrow beam connected them. The color of the mist lightened until it disappeared.
“Is it still here?” Belle raised her hand and slowly brushed the area between them.
“Yes. It will always connect us physically. Just as you connect us mentally.” He kissed her. “We’re one now, forever.”
# # #
That evening Ronin escorted Belle through the corridors of the Venturer. She stopped and investigated every new equipment he showed her, marveling at the Zarronians’ advanced technology.
He showed her the bridge, engineering, and the gym. The last room he showed her was medical where he showed her the med-op. Placing his hand on it he said, “This is capable of healing all types of wounds and diseases.
Belle walked around the unit. “Are you sure it can heal all wounds?”
Smiling, he said, “I should know. I’ve been in it enough times.”
She glanced at him and before he could stop her a krystal knife appeared in her hand. She slashed it across her palm. “Show me.”
“Damn it, Belle,” Ronin yelled, rounding the end of the unit and grabbing her hand. Blood filled her palm and covered his. He grabbed a handful of gauze and held it against the cut. “Why did you do that?”
“I want to see if it can heal a wound made by krystal,” she said. “If it can it would take a lot of pressure off the conjurers and enchantresses.”
He met her eyes and nodded. “If you’d told me that I’d have let you cut my hand.”
She smiled and touched his cheek. “You don’t like to see me hurt.”
“No, and I felt your pain.” He lifted the gauze and checked the laceration. “It’s still bleeding.
“It won’t stop until its healed.”
Sighing, he lifted her, laid her on the med-op surface and reached for the button that would close the top over her. Before he pressed it he kissed her. “It will only take a micro-unit.”
The unit closed and a soft humming sound filled the room. Ronin smiled at Belle through the clear cover. She held up her hand. Blood still dripped from it. One micro-unit passed followed by another and another. After five Ronin opened the unit. “It doesn’t work.”
“I didn’t think it would.” Belle shrugged and healed herself. “It was worth a try.” She held her arms out to him.
Ronin grasped her waist and lifted her. He steadied her and slid his arm around her. “We need to go or we’ll be late for dinner with Valan and Lia.”
In the corridor, Belle blocked him by stepping in front of him. “You know you need to start thinking like a warrior with a mate.” The puzzled expression on his face told her he didn’t have a clue concerning what she was trying to tell him. “You should have told me we’re having dinner with them.”
“Why?”
“Because I would’ve chosen something else to wear. I would’ve fixed my hair and put on some jewelry.” She held out her foot showing him her plain black shoes. “And, different shoes.”
“Just, you know…” he waved his hands in the air.
“It’s not that easy. Everyone has something they can’t do. Even you.”
Ronin shook his head. “No, I don’t. I succeed at everything I attempt.”
She rolled her eyes again. “Well, good for you but when it comes to this,” she held up her braid, “I can’t wave my hands and fix it.”
He grinned. “I wondered why you always brushed and braided it yourself.”
Disgruntled, she said, “Well, now you know.”
Smiling, he kissed her forehead. “Change your gown and shoes.” She did and he nodded his approval then grasped her shoulders and turned her around.
She looked at him over her shoulder. “What are you doing?”
“Fixing your hair.”
She felt him loosen her braid then comb his fingers through the long strands. He let most of it fall down her back but he separated part of it by her forehead and braided it. While he did that a crowd of warriors gathered around them, watching.
Huge and intimidating, they made her slightly anxious. “Maybe we should go back to our quarters and do this,” she said, moving restlessly.
“Be still. Here is fine.” He tugged on her hair. “Give me something to tie the end of this braid.”
She conjured a slender ribbon. He took it and secured the braid then braided the second one. When he was finished she handed him another ribbon. He wrapped the two braids around her hair at her nape and tied them. With a gentle pat on her shoulder he turned her to face him. “You’re beautiful, Belle.”
She smiled. “I’ve never really cared about what I look like, but I’m happy you think I’m beautiful.”
He took her hand, kissed it then led her toward the dining hall with an escort of six large warriors trailing them.
Belle leaned against him. “Ronin, who are these males who follow us?”
“Warriors I’ve fought with,” he said.
“They’ve saved your life?” she asked.
“Maybe I’ve saved their worthless hides,” he said, teasingly.
Male chuckles surrounded her. Belle leaned toward Ronin and asked, her voice quiet, “Are they all level six—like you?”
His expression chan
ged from teasing to unreadable. After several nano-units he nodded.
Belle patted his chest then chose the largest warrior and strode over to him. “Hold your hand out like this.” She held hers out with her palm facing down.
The warrior looked her over, glanced at Ronin then narrowed his eyes and did as she requested. Belle touched the back of her hand to the back of his for a nano-unit. After a moment, she smiled and nodded, then moved on to the next warrior. She did this to all six warriors before she returned to Ronin.
“Their mates are on Krystali. Four in Edyn and two in Crimerryn.”
“How do you know this?” Ronin asked.
Belle shrugged. “It’s a gift given to my family by the goddesses. When I touch someone I can see their future if I concentrate.”
“Have you seen my future?” he asked.
“I can’t see yours or mine because our destinies are entwined.”
“Good, I don’t want to know our future. Come on. They’re waiting for us.
Chapter Fifteen
Ronin took Belle’s hand and led her across the room toward a large table. Valan and Lia sat at either end. Soren and Skye occupied the chairs on either side of Lia with Thorn and Daria on either side of Valan. Taryq and Elyna sat between Thorn and Skye on one side and the two middle chairs between Daria and Soren were empty.
A wave of fear ran through Belle when the occupants of the table looked at them. She stepped behind Ronin and tugged on his hand to stop him. “No. I don’t want to see them. I want to go back to our quarters,” she thought.
Ronin turned, shielding her from her brother and the others. He slid his fingers behind her nape and used his thumbs to lift her chin until their gazes met. “Skye and the other enchantresses performed a gathering to break down the walls of your shelter. You’re one of the bravest people they’ve ever known and they love you.”
Tears gathered in her eyes and one slid down her cheek. He wiped it away then kissed her. “Don’t be afraid. I’ll never let anyone hurt you ever again.”
She nodded then with a trembling smile, said, “Okay. Let’s go.”
Ronin led her to the table, seated her then caught Soren’s attention before he sat down.
Lia motioned to several cadets and they began serving the meal.
“You’re late,” Soren said.
“I was held up by a curious mate.” Ronin lifted Belle’s hand and kissed it. “We discovered our med-op can’t heal a krystal wound.”
“Bad news,” Skye said. “The conjurers and enchantresses will have to create krystal as weapons and heal the wounded as well. Each of us will have to keep our mates or family members close if we’re to stay strong. What do you think, Belle?”
Belle glanced at her old friend. Skye smiled at her. Belle hesitated for a moment then said, “Please don’t talk about anything important around me. I think she’s gone but I can’t be sure she isn’t listening or seeing what I see.”
“You no longer have to worry about her,” Skye said. “The Kouncil has contacted me. They have Arlyn under their control now. They also want to see us.”
“Us?” Belle asked.
“You, along with Ronin, Soren and me, and Taryq. Elyna doesn’t have to appear.”
“Well, that’s a relief,” Elyna said.
Skye laughed. “Now, Belle, what do you think we should do when we clear the peninsula of the enemy and force them back to Crimerryn? We figure they’ll come up with a new way to attack us.”
“Then, we need to take the war to them.” Belle smiled. “We could use the same fighting method we used to free Edyn.”
Ronin sat forward. “On a larger scale.”
“How many fighters do we have?” Thorn asked.
“Two-hundred thousand including your warriors,” Taryq said.
Soren nodded. “We form into battalions of five-hundred warriors each made up of Krystali and Zarronian warriors. Divide the battalions into five companies of one-hundred warriors. Spread them out along the coast of Crimerryn then advance together. We need Rolf’s expertise on where to place them.”
“He’s been sent to Zhang to handle a problem there,” Valan said.
“We’ll have to do without him then,” Soren said.
“Two companies could be on the battlefield with one as back-up. Another rests and renews their mates while the fifth guards the camp,” Taryq said. “The villagers can also stand guard, cook, and do anything else needed to maintain the camp. Any of them who choose to join the fight will be included.”
Valan nodded. “A good plan. Anything else?”
“We’ll send the people we rescue to one of two places. If they’re from Edyn they’ll be sent back to their homes. The Crimerryn people will be placed in refugee camps until we clear the enemy,” Taryq said.
“We can use the shuttles from the Venturer and the Defiance to transport your people back to Edyn,” Soren said.
“What will happen to the Crimerryns when we’ve defeated the enemy?” Elyna asked.
“We’ll leave the people to rule themselves,” Taryq said. “If they’re peaceful in a few annuals we’ll make trade agreements with them. If not, we’ll leave them to themselves. They won’t be allowed to attack Edyn again.”
The conversation stopped while the table was cleared and dessert served.
Skye set her spoon down. “If that’s settled then I have an apology to make to Belle. You were my best friend yet I never questioned why you changed. I just accepted that you were more like your mother than I’d ever realized. That was wrong of me and I’m so sorry, Belle.” Tears ran down her cheeks as she spoke.
Belle began to cry as well. Skye jumped up and ran around to her. Belle stood and they flung their arms around each other and cried.
Soren and Ronin grinned at each other while Lia smiled.
Valan narrowed his eyes. “Make it stop, Lia. Now.”
“It will end soon enough, Valan,” Lia said and smiled.
Daria sighed. “I just love a happy ending.”
Thorn grinned. “Me, too, baby.”
Daria slapped his arm and hushed him.
Belle and Skye leaned back, looked at each other and laughed.
“It’s so good to have the truth known,” Belle said. “I’m free for the first time in so long.”
Ronin tugged her onto his lap. “Not too free.”
She ran her hand down his cheek. “No, not too free.”
# # #
Ronin made sure Belle stood slightly behind him as he surveyed the Krystali Kouncil chambers. Made of krystal, it was stark and barren. The absence of any kind of color or decoration told him a lot about the people who lived and worked here.
Soren and Taryq had warned him to be careful with the Kouncil members. They were emotionless and ruled with great power, and were capable of anything.
A door opened behind the large judges’ bench and six females entered. They each took a seat then the enchantress in the middle acknowledged his and the others’ presence.
“That’s Malyn,” Soren said, his voice quiet.
Malyn looked to the other side of the chamber when a door opened. A nano-unit later a large piece of dark krystal was rolled into the chambers.
Next to Ronin, Belle shuddered and edged closer to him.
Malyn pointed to the dark krystal. “We have captured the traitor Arlyn. She has been judged and will spend eternity encased in dark krystal. Bellya of the House of Arlyn step forward with your mate.”
Ronin squeezed Belle’s hand and led her to the center of the chamber.
“We have stripped your mother’s powers and granted them to you. From this cycle on you are Belle of the House of Nobility.”
Belle’s gasp nearly drew a smile from Malyn.
“It is the first time the Kouncil has granted this title in over five-thousand years. Do not abuse it.”
Belle nodded.
Ronin led Belle back to the other as he felt a burning sensation on his face. What kind of mark would he have now?
He glanced at Belle and saw that her mark had changed. It was now gold and blue and in the shape of a planet with two moons orbiting it. Reaching up, he felt the mark on his cheek. As far as he could tell it matched hers.
“You are excused,” Malyn said. “Skye step forward with your mate.”
Ronin and Belle moved back while Soren and Skye took their place.
“Skye and Soren, are the first of a new generation of warriors. The result of a Krystali and Zarronian bonding. Your son is an enchanter. Your daughter an enchantress. Because of this we return the power of an enchantress to you Skye. Do not abuse our gift.”
Skye nodded.
“You are dismissed,” Malyn said then stood and led the other judges from the room.
“Let’s go,” Taryq said and led them out of the Krystal city and back to the Zarronian shuttle.
“That was something I never want to do ever again,” Ronin said.
Belle laughed. “Scary, but at least Skye got her powers back along with the mark of an enchantress although it has blue in it again.”
“The blue represents Soren’s family house on Zarronian.” Skye smiled. “You received one of the greatest honors ever given to an enchantress,” Skye said.
Soren ran his finger down the mark on his cheek and chuckled.
Ronin grinned. “Are these marks going to happen to every Zarronian who bonds with an enchantress?”
“I’d say yes,” Soren said as they landed.
They disembarked while making plans to meet later with the other warriors and enchantresses.
Ronin took Belle’s hand and led her toward a shady area at the edge of the camp. People waved and smiled at them as they passed.
“This feels strange to me,” Belle said.
“You’ll get used to it,” Ronin said.
They walked into the shadows and Belle waved her hand, creating a large shelter. Ronin picked her up and entered it. Once inside he laughed and laid her down on the bed she’d provided.
“You liked my bed on the starship,” Ronin said as he came down over her.
She smiled, waved her hand, and their clothes disappeared.
Chuckling, he ran his lips along her neck. “You’re going to have to teach me how to do that.”
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