by Leela Ash
Kyna put her bare feet onto the floor, startled once again by the strange padding of carpet that she felt beneath them. She swallowed hard before she crept toward the bedroom. She put her hand on the doorknob and hesitated for a moment. When she heard another frustrated groan come from inside, she quietly turned the doorknob and walked slowly inside.
“What are you doing in here?” Cain asked, his voice hushed. He didn’t sound angry, just surprised.
“I can’t sleep alone out there,” she said, looking down at the floor, embarrassed. She was surprised by how immaculately clean he kept his bedroom. It was just like the rest of his home.
“What’s wrong?” he asked, sitting up.
A gasp caught in her throat as the blanket slid down his torso, revealing his perfect body, half naked in the silver moonlight. He noticed her staring, but said nothing.
“I’m not sure,” she said. “It’s so bright. And I feel scared. Lonely.”
“Why do you feel scared? You’re safe here.”
“You wouldn’t believe me,” she said with a sad smile. He frowned.
“Maybe not, but I can help you feel safe,” he said, pulling down the corner of his blanket. “Come on.”
Kyna walked nervously to his bedside and tucked herself under the covers, holding her breath until it burnt in her chest the same way she might have done if she was going to dive into the deep end of the river. Cain smiled kindly at her.
“Now, whatever you’re worried about, just put it away from your mind. I know you think some interesting things about me, but just for now let’s say we’re both only ourselves and nothing else is going on in the world, huh?”
Kyna sighed inwardly. Cain would never be able to understand the danger her people were in. Never be willing to believe in their plight.
All thoughts of Kaldernon vanished suddenly. Kyna inhaled sharply as he wrapped his strong arms around her and her body was surrounded by his warm, masculine scent. It conjured a deep longing within her and she tried to think of anything else. She had no idea what to do with herself as Cain tugged her close to his chest, attempting to soothe her. It was both exhilarating and comforting.
“I know it’s been a long night. If you want to go to the police in the morning, I will drop you off. Could you try not to tell them I was there, though? I can’t afford to get into trouble.”
“Why would I go to the po–?”
The idea was absurd to her. Half the police force were people who had been paid off by the Guardians. The rogue officers had joined their corrupt movement. They would recognize Kyna as a Loni from a mile away and take her into custody. There were surely Guardians left in the world plotting an uprising against the Kersh clan, and there was no doubt that they would love to make an example of her.
“No, I don’t want to go to the police. I’m sure the men won’t find me again. You seem to have taught them a lesson when you started– “
She cut herself off. The last thing he would want to hear was the truth. How when Cain was angry, his eyes had turned from the beautiful human blue-green to the lethal reptilian eyes of a dragon shifter. Kyna had been shocked, just as she was sure the men he had attacked were, but he was completely oblivious. The strength Cain’s temporary shifting lent him had been more than enough to wipe out the men who had been messing with her. And yet, she couldn’t truly thank the shifter for what he had done without him thinking she was crazy.
“I’m sure they won’t do anything like that again,” Kyna said instead, shifting nervously. It felt too good to be so near his body. She wasn’t sure what to do, but Cain didn’t seem to have any expectations.
“They better hope they don’t,” he said, his voice low and serious.
“Cain?”
“Yeah?”
“Why were you out there? Right when I needed you? Like fate.”
“Fate?” Cain said with a nervous laugh. “I don’t know about that. I just couldn’t sleep so I went out for a hunt. I didn’t get anything last time I went out, if you’ll recall.”
“I’m sorry,” Kyna said sheepishly.
He stroked her back gently. “Don’t be.”
Cain wasn’t sure what to think and had no idea what was going on with Kyna, but he couldn’t deny how he had felt for her since they had met. She seemed to unleash something deep within him that he couldn’t get away from. Whether she was a little odd or not, he couldn’t lie to himself about how much he wanted her. Having her in his bed was like a dream come true, but he wouldn’t let himself go too far. He would just try to help her feel better until she could sleep.
Kyna’s back tensed up under his fingertips, and she inhaled softly as the pleasure began to course its way throughout her body. She had never experienced anything like it before and felt frozen as the warm feeling began to creep into areas she had never paid any attention to.
Kyna was dismayed when Cain pulled his hand away and curled up on the other side of the bed. She snuck a glance at him, her body buzzing in a billion different ways. He had his hands behind his head and was staring at the ceiling, his cheek pressed lightly against one of his firm biceps. His eyes flickered back to her and he smiled gently.
“It can be hard to fall asleep in an unfamiliar place. Would you like me to move to the couch instead?”
“No,” Kyna whispered. “I want to be with you.”
She crawled to his side. Cain smiled, though his face was creased with concern. As if following some unseen thread of fate, Kyna found herself climbing on top of him. She wasn’t sure what to do now that she was up there, but he raised his eyebrows and seemed just as surprised as she was.
“I guess I have no choice but to stay right here then,” Cain said quietly, his handsome face staring up into hers. They stared at each other for a moment. Soon, Cain’s eyes grew dark and he gripped her by the waist, flipping her onto her back, reversing their positions. Now he was on top of her and she stared at him, nervous but excited.
Cain didn’t speak any more, but slowly took her lips. They both moaned from the unexpected surge of ecstasy that their lips ignited. Kyna closed her eyes, savoring every sensation. This was nothing like what she had thought would happen when she set out to look for the handsome stranger. But she wasn’t disappointed.
“Are you okay?” he asked when he pulled away from her, breaking the sensual contact. He stared dubiously into her eyes and she smiled.
“Not with you all the way over there,” she said, sitting up and pulling his face close to her own. They kissed again, long and languid laps from their tongues that brought a moan from deep within her. He pulled away suddenly and looked at her, his eyes filled with worry.
“Are you sure you want to do this?” he asked. “I mean…”
“You’re not taking advantage of me,” she said, immediately understanding his reservation. Sometimes it was good to be an oracle. He thought she was some crazy woman. “Even if it’s true that I’m insane like you think I am, I’m still an adult. I can make decisions about my own body.”
“Okay,” he said, though he still didn’t seem convinced. She pulled him back down to her and kissed him again. He seemed to lose his reservation as her touch grazed his body, and they held each other tightly as he began to move himself against her, pressing the hardness of his groin against her middle.
She gasped, surprised by the unexpected pleasure that suddenly electrified her. Her dress was lifted to her waist and their bodies were separated by only thin layers of fabric.
Cain looked at Kyna again, as if looking for approval. She wasn’t sure what was going to happen, but she nodded. She would have given in to almost anything if it meant exploring the feeling Cain gave her.
He gingerly pulled the dress over her head and stripped himself, allowing a moment before moving again so that her eyes could roam him in the moonlight while he did the same. Kyna gasped softly when Cain took her hands in his and kissed them. The small gesture brought goosebumps to her flesh.
Suddenly, Cain was on top of he
r again, devouring her body with his mouth. He kissed Kyna with gentle urgency, and she gasped when she suddenly felt the length of his shaft press firmly against her. Immediately, she bucked against him as her nerve endings were electrified with pleasure, inviting him to see just how far he would go.
Kyna’s body was abruptly pried open as Cain pressed himself gently against her opening. He stayed there, finding her nipple with his hot mouth and sucking gently. A surge of pleasure jolted her and Kyna bucked her hips against him again, forcing Cain to push more of himself inside. He grunted in pleasure as he slipped in deep, and they both gasped as his shaft continued disappearing inside her.
Cain hadn’t expected anything like this to happen, and even more surprising was the fact that he wanted it so badly. He had never been so invested in a woman before. She hadn’t left his mind for more than five minutes since the moment they met. He would protect her. He would pleasure her. Even if she did turn out to be a little mentally ill, he would stand by her.
Kyna was writhing beneath him, her eyes closed as the ecstasy consumed her. Cain tried his best not to grunt in pleasure as her body constricted around him, engulfing him and sending a shot of pleasure through his cock and into his abdomen. It lit him on fire with a consuming need for release. But he wouldn’t give in to it. Not yet. She wouldn’t be able to handle his all.
“Are you a virgin?” Cain breathed as he gently rocked his hips against her.
“Yeah,” Kyna gasped. “You too, huh?”
Cain was surprised by her assumption. Most women, because they were generally so interested in him, figured he was a playboy; even when he denied them. It didn’t matter to him what they thought, but none of them had what he was looking for. Somehow, this woman did, and she could see right through him.
“I’ve done a few things,” Cain laughed. “But nobody’s held my interest long enough to get to this point.”
Still, he seemed instinctively to know exactly what to do to please her. They were both in rapture as her body enveloped him. He was losing his self-restraint, but clung to it desperately. He didn’t want to ruin the moment or make her experience difficult.
“Don’t hold back,” she said as if she could read his mind. Her amber eyes flashed at him and she grinned, challenging him. It brought a rush of adrenaline surging through him and suddenly he was no longer able to control himself.
He pushed her legs apart and rammed himself inside of her. She cried out loudly. For a moment he was worried it had hurt her, but the corners of her mouth were curled in a smile of satisfaction. He took it as a good sign and rammed powerfully into her again.
Kyna’s eyes were closed in ecstasy and Cain held her milky hips as he gave in to the power of his longing. He coaxed the head of his cock as deep inside of her as he could. She gasped with pleasure, panting hard, and he waited for her insides to constrict around him again before he released the first wave of power. Her fingernails dragged hard down his back as he hammered into her, and he could feel himself building her up to what would surely be a satisfying release.
Cain was on the edge of losing himself too, but he wouldn’t spill a drop inside her until he was ready. He liked to be in control. Kyna gasped when he slowed to a more laid back pace, dragging his shaft tantalizingly along her clit and teasing her opening with the head of his penis. She moaned deeply, squirming until Cain finally forced himself hard inside again. Kyna cried out in pleasure at the shocking contrast and held his biceps firmly as he gave in to his most animalistic urges, flipping her onto her knees to get her deep from behind.
Without any warning, Kyna uttered a low groan and she squeezed him from inside as her body began to contract with the final wave of her pleasure. Cain groaned as her orgasm finally brought him to his breaking point. He thrust his strong hips as his climax began to spill out in powerful, volcanic waves. He shoved himself inside, burying himself fully, thrusting slowly so that every last drop of his orgasm could enhance Kyna’s pleasure. Finally, they were both spent and Cain collapsed beside her.
Neither of them spoke. There was nothing to say. Cain smoothed Kyna’s silver-blonde hair from her forehead until her eyes fluttered closed and she fell into a deep, comfortable sleep. They would figure things out. For the time being, they would just have to take it one step at a time.
Chapter Ten
Kyna awoke, startled by her memories of the night before. How had she allowed herself to get so close to Cain without even being able to convince him of his true identity? And did that mean that he would be more likely to help her or less?
She groaned to herself, dismayed by how far she was from home and how badly she had failed at her mission. She gazed at Cain’s flawless, naked body wrapped up in the sheets. Kyna grew wet as she remembered the night before, and felt tempted to climb on top of him again to recreate it.
Cain let out a soft snore and she backed away, her thoughts returning to Kaldernon. She felt a sudden deep shame. Kyna’s mission had been to bring Cain back, not to sleep with him. What had she been thinking? She should have stayed back with the Kersh clan to try to unlock the secrets of the flashing lights.
Kyna didn’t need Cain to save her. The Kersh clan was full of survivors and had been long before he had come into the picture. She felt a surge of nausea as she looked at him, and she wasn’t sure if it was because of her head or because she had succumbed to sleeping with him even though he was sure that she was insane. Kyna couldn’t stand herself. She had to get back home as soon as possible.
Kyna’s body was sore and she squinted in pain as she gathered her crumpled clothes and pulled them back on as quietly as she could. She didn’t want anything else to do with Cain. He was constantly making her feel like she was some kind of an idiot when he was the one who was too stubborn to pick up the pieces of his past and embrace his destiny.
Kyna couldn’t wait for him to wake up to get back to the forest. She slipped out and headed back on her own. She knew Clayton would be disappointed, but if she told him that it was the way it had to be, he would accept it without too much protest. Kyna’s powers as an oracle were revered by the Kersh clan.
When she got to the sidewalk of the city, a group of people pushed past her. Horns were blaring on the road and she covered her ears.
“Love your outfit!” a woman with flowers stuck in her hair said. She winked and rode by on a unicycle. Kyna’s heart pounded and she turned back to the building. Maybe this had been a bad idea. She tried to push the door to the building’s lobby open, but it was locked firmly.
“Shit,” Kyna breathed, closing her eyes. If the door was locked, it was meant to be that she left and didn’t look back. She would have to go where fate took her.
Kyna squared her shoulders and turned left. The truck had approached from that direction; she was sure of it. She wandered through the city, making eye contact with all manner of people. Soon, she realized it was easier to keep to herself and kept her eyes on the ground. Everybody was confrontational and they looked cruel. She was glad they had gone around the city rather than through it when the Loni tribe had been in search of the Kersh clan.
She wandered for about an hour, and found herself in a lush park. It was comforting, a lot like a home amid the unnerving urban jungle. Kyna sat heavily on one of the swings, clutching a flower in her hand. She stared at it as memories of the night before with Cain flooded her mind. He had been so gentle. She had never realized her body could feel so good. It was a shame that things weren’t working out.
Kyna was distracted from her thoughts as a dark shadow fell over her face. There wasn’t a cloud in the sky, so she looked up, frowning.
“Well hello there,” a male police officer said, peering suspiciously at her with his dark, beady eyes. “What do you think you’re doing?”
“Um, looking at a flower?”
“To your feet.”
“But – “
Kyna’s heart began to pound painfully in her chest. It was one of the Guardian sympathizers on the police for
ce. This wasn’t going to end well.
“What do we have here?” the officer asked, dropping a bag of weed on the ground. “Drugs!”
“You know those aren’t – “
“Shut up! You’re going to have to come with me.”
He forced her hands behind her back and she lost her grip on the flower as he handcuffed her. It fell to the ground as the officer led her away, nobody there to witness what happened or help her.
***
Cain was struggling with a fitful sleep. There were images flashing in his head. Things he didn’t understand. A language he had never heard and yet, he felt it resonating deeply within him. It was an unspoken language and he knew that by being with Kyna he had unlocked it within himself.
When he woke up, he couldn’t wait to tell her what he had dreamt. Cain was startled when he pulled his boxers back on and realized that he was alone in the apartment. He ran from room to room, checking to make sure his impression was right.
The search ended with Cain despaired. Where had Kyna gone? He didn’t even have to go to work to distract himself. He showered and dressed. Maybe he could catch her before she got too far.
Cain set off on foot in the direction they had come from, knowing she was probably heading back to the underground burrows where she lived. He couldn’t tell what that dream had been. All he knew was that it had been profound.
He couldn’t deny the fact that he was nervous. It was dangerous to wander around in the city. Especially if other people realized that she might not be all there. He was starting to feel guilty for thinking that. Especially because he was beginning to believe her. Especially after the dream that he’d had after they made love. He thought he was finally beginning to understand the lights he had seen in the sky above the tunnels. Why had she disappeared on him right when he needed her the most?
Cain walked past the park, slowing his gait. There was a wrinkled flower on the ground. He furrowed his eyebrows and picked it up, squinting at it. There was something about it that made him look twice. It made him think of Kyna. Suddenly, he knew beyond a doubt that she had been there. How he knew it, he didn’t know, but he did know he had to find her.