With a strong enough blast of magic, that shield could be destroyed—a lighter blast could rip it for a small time. The problem was that if she generated even the small ripping surge of energy on her own she wouldn’t be conscious to use it. Hopefully, she wasn’t the only one trapped here. If another Elemental had been trapped here, they could burst through the shield and still have the energy to leave.
“Which way should I go?” Karissa turned in a circle, surveying the land.
A mountain loomed on one side, forest on two others and grasslands stretched as far as she could see in the final direction. There was no sign of habitation or indication that there had ever been anyone else on this planet. She decided to use an elementary finding spell to make her decision easier.
Powers of Sea, Rain, and Snow heed my call.
The sun is sinking and night will soon fall.
Show me the path which I must race
To find another and flee this cursed place.
Sparkling prisms of light began to move away from her. Karissa dashed after them, following the lights into the forest. The flashes of luminescence raced ahead, testing her ability to keep them in sight. She sprinted to keep up, taking no notice of the path or the noise she made as she ran. Trusting her magic, she focused on the lights.
She burst from the forest into a clearing and smacked into an invisible wall. The spell grabbed her, lifting her feet off the ground. Held there—suspended above the ground—she had only a moment to realize the danger. Power pulsed into her, knocking her back. She tumbled to the ground and blinked hazily. The light green sky seemed to spin as she blinked, trying to focus. A moment later everything faded to black.
* * * * *
Callan cursed when he saw the woman fall unconscious to the ground. Just one glimpse had been enough to assure him she wasn’t one of the Royal Guards they’d been expecting or an enemy. The woman now lying on the ground wasn’t even from the Fire Realm.
By the Fires, she was beautiful. Her silver-blonde hair was secured at the back of her head and the spiraling curls trailed down her back. The golden glow of her skin spoke of health, vitality and strength. His eyes tracked over her softly rounded face, lingered on her full, inviting lips. Although her eyes were closed now, he’d glimpsed them as she was held by the spell. They were green, a deep green.
She was dressed in an icy green tunic and pants of a slightly darker green as well as cream-colored boots, the emblem on her shirt identifying her as an Aliara. There was no doubt she was Frejan. The Ice Realm was the only realm that had a feminine version of the Aliar. The Aliar were negotiators, diplomats and trusted messengers. They loyally performed whatever duty they were assigned.
This tall, lushly built woman drew him even when she was unconscious. His eyes slid over the full mounds of her breasts and then lower to where he could see the slight, rounded swell of her stomach beneath the tight tunic. She would be a luscious handful.
His mouth watered as he surveyed her from her head to the tips of her boots. He was a man who liked a woman with curves—loved to feel their soft skin against him, accepting him as he moved against them. He wanted to take that tunic off and feast on those full breasts and taste the nectar of her desire. His cock stirred at the thought.
His eyes moved to her wrists. Would she like being bound? He longed to touch her skin to see if that flesh was truly as soft, as smooth as it looked, but he knew that he couldn’t. Although she was unconscious, the situation had become very dangerous. He could see the mist rising around her.
Her Ice Spirit was materializing to guard her from further attack while she was unconscious. A boiling cloud of blue and green poured out of her. The Ice Elemental was long and lithe, her form hazy, but he was under no delusion that she was defenseless. The binding shield spell the Frejan woman had triggered had bound her magic, but not her Elemental symbiote’s powers.
“Come near her and I’ll turn you into a Sobrin icicle,” the Spirit warned.
“No harm was intended to your host,” Callan rushed to assure the Ice Elemental. “The spell was set against our enemies. We had no idea who was coming down that path.” It wouldn’t do to get on the bad side of this Spirit.
Tahvir stirred inside of him. The Elemental’s interest rose, but he didn’t materialize. Callan didn’t sense any defensive intent. In fact, to his surprise, he felt amusement and intense awareness coming from his Fire Spirit.
She’s beautiful, Tahvir mused.
Tyral came running into the small clearing in the forest. He took in the situation with a mere glance at the woman lying on the ground and the Ice Spirit hovering over her in a defensive posture. “A Frejan Aliara, eh? It’s unusual to see anyone from the Ice Court here.”
“Well, she’s here,” Callan grated.
“She has to be from the Volirian Realm. You think she was sent to look for us?” Tyral paused, then followed Callan’s gaze to the enraged Ice Spirit. We have to calm her down, brother.
Callan resisted the urge to roll his eyes. He was trying to think of a way to soothe her. All Elemental Spirits are naturally highly sexual. Appealing to this Elemental’s lusty needs might be one way of relaxing her.
“She volunteered for reasons of her own,” the Ice Spirit sneered. “For her efforts and the simple mention of your names in a tavern, she was attacked and catapulted to this prison planet.” Even in such harsh lines, her features were undeniably sexy.
“That would do it if they were afraid that someone would talk to her.” Callan thanked the gods that the attackers had such faith in their shielded prison planet.
“Then she casts a simple spell to find someone to help her leave this planet and she ends up unconscious, with her powers bound. I will protect her. Don’t think that you’re safe from me when she is conscious. If you do anything that I consider threatening, I’ll have no qualms about putting you in Ice, Prince or not.” Ice and snow swirled in the air along with the threat.
“We won’t hurt her,” Tyral shot a glance at Callan, “but we can’t give you a promise to keep our hands off of her when she is conscious. She’s very beautiful.”
“She’s young.” The Elemental gave them an assessing look. “She doesn’t understand or acknowledge most of her needs.”
“We’re capable lovers.” Callan’s eyes never left the Ice Spirit as he spoke. “She’ll find no fault with us—and think of the energy we could produce with sex magic with her as part of the generation. She’s a powerful Frejan woman.
In spite of the tense situation, he could feel his own Elemental reaching for the female Elemental, bonding with her. He could feel his fangs pushing through his gums. There wasn’t a doubt in his mind that the symbiote’s beautiful host was his woman. She was the reason Advisor Nacain had told them to wait. They wouldn’t have met her if they’d left the planet. She wouldn’t have been searching for them.
The Ice Spirit is aware of us and the link, now that she’s calm, Tahvir was telling him. Oh, yes, she’s ours. Keep talking and don’t upset her.
“A blast of sex-based magic could easily destroy the shield here,” the Ice Elemental acknowledged. “But not so fast. That won’t be possible until her powers are freed from the binding spell.”
“That release will take a few days. She’ll have time to become familiar with our touch, to trust us.” Callan edged closer just a step, careful not to make the Spirit nervous. He smiled wryly, wanting to sit next to the unconscious woman and touch her hair. She was definitely theirs. He almost wanted to thank the Royalists who’d sent them to the planet. It could have been years before they met her if she hadn’t been sent here, probably until she began searching for her mate.
“She wakes. Remember my warning.” The Ice Elemental sent a wave of sleet down on them as a reminder as her misty figure faded to a foggy vapor that then entered the woman’s body. The silver-blonde woman groaned softly, placing a hand to her head before her eyelids slowly fluttered.
Chapter Two
Karissa could fee
l Ijina within her, could sense her need to speak. She turned her attention inward as she blinked up at the pale green sky. She was safe. She knew Ijina would have stood guard over her and would never leave her in a dangerous situation. The Ice Spirit—her Elemental symbiote—would want to relay any crucial information.
Within her, Ijina gave the telepathic equivalent of a snort. You’ve found your Sobrin Princes. They’re the ones who created that spell wall. They didn’t know if the person running down the trail was friend or foe.
And? Karissa knew from her Elemental’s tone that there was an “and”.
The spell also contained a binding on your powers. It will remain in effect for a few days, but I can still protect you if there is the need. Ijina radiated icy confidence.
Why are they still here? There are two of them. They could rip a hole in the shield and leave with ease. Karissa was confused over the Princes’ continued presence on the planet. She wouldn’t have lingered if she’d been capable of leaving on her own. They were strong. They wouldn’t have needed any help freeing themselves from this place. As sons of the Volirian Kings, their bloodline was strong, powerful.
You’ll have to ask them that question. Ijina’s unconcern was typical. She didn’t care why they were here, just that they were. They’re very handsome. And their Spirits aren’t the usual arrogant fools that you’d expect to encounter.
And how is that? Karissa had to smile.
They didn’t try to make an appearance when I told the Princes I would Ice them if they hurt you. I could feel them, understand them. Their Spirits understood and respected my right to protect you.
That was high endorsement from her Elemental. Karissa could understand why Ijina had been impressed. Most male Elemental Spirits would have reacted to the threat with a counter-threat, maybe even a show of force.
Karissa slowly pushed herself to a sitting position. Her head pounded, throbbing from the flood of power that had engulfed her when she’d hit that wall. The pain would pass quickly. She just wished a headache was the extent of the effects from the spell. She could feel an impenetrable barrier between her and her magic. Separated from the power she’d had since she was a child, she felt vulnerable and exposed.
She’d run right into the shield. She burned with embarrassment. She should’ve sensed some hint of the power from that spell before she came close to it, but she hadn’t felt a trace of it. Now she had to pay the price for her negligence. A few days without her abilities would be a very effective lesson in paying more attention to her surroundings.
She couldn’t blame them for putting up a shield to protect themselves. Considering that they’d probably landed here exactly the same way she had, there was more than enough reason for a shield spell and even stronger defensive spells. She wasn’t afraid of them. They weren’t a threat. Well, not to her physical safety. The interest she saw burning in their eyes was another matter. This promised an interesting introduction.
She shook her head and focused. That spell had taken her power and they hadn’t even said “I’m sorry.”
She turned her head and, as she slowly rose to her feet, looked at the two men—the Princes from the Volirian Realm. They weren’t the first Sobrin men she’d seen, but they were the first Sobrin twins she’d encountered. By the Waters, they were gorgeous.
The two were almost identical. Their skin was blue-green, the most common Sobrin skin color, but these two men definitely wouldn’t get lost in a crowd. Purple hair hung to just below their shoulders. One man had it clubbed back and the other let it hang free. Their slanted, amber-colored eyes glittered as they returned her assessing stare. Her eyes ran over their faces in utter feminine fascination. Angles and planes combined with curves to arrange into visages of predatory beauty.
Both men were of the same height, very tall. Their broad, muscled chests and corded arms drew her eyes. The man on the right wore a red tunic and the one on the left a muted brown one. Both tunics were skin-tight across their chests.
Her eyes skimmed down, switching from one to the other and back again as her interest was sparked. Her gaze slid over their abdomens to powerfully muscled thighs. Both men wore tight black pants and she savored the view. Judging from the bulges at the crotches of those pants, they were well-endowed. For a moment, she allowed her eyes to linger. Her time here definitely wouldn’t be boring.
The only differences she found came in their faces. The man on the right had a slight bump on the blade of his nose. The man on the left had a dimple in his left cheek and the line of his jaw was squarer than his brother’s.
Karissa drew in a deep breath, watching them. They were tempting, but there were two of them. In the Frejan Court, she’d heard of ménage affairs as well as ménage bondings. She didn’t think she was ready to try handling two men just yet. And choosing between them wouldn’t be easy. Sin and temptation in flesh. That the two of them happened to have purple hair and blue-green skin was irrelevant. They were a woman’s fantasy come to life.
Yes, tall, blue-green and packing. Ijina’s sultry purr rumbled through Karissa’s mind. Your mind might say “They are Princes of another Realm. It’s our duty to make sure they return home safely,” but your body says, “Jump them and let’s have fun.”
Karissa managed to restrain the laugh that bubbled within her, but couldn’t contain the smile that curved her lips. With a few sentences, Ijina had managed to lighten her mood. She had been on the verge of anger, ready to rail at them for binding her powers.
“I am Karissa Moshen of the Tengan House of the Frejan Court, Aliara to the Frejan Court.” She curtsied to the two Princes, bowing her head in respect to their titles.
“I am Callan Forain, Prince of the Volirian Court,” the man on the right stated formally in a deep, resonant voice. “This is my brother, Tyral Forain, Prince of the Volirian Court.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Aliara Karissa.” Tyral stepped forward, his smile wide as he greeted her, flashing his long, sharp canines. The dimple again appeared on his cheek, tempting her to explore it with her tongue.
The sight of those fangs surprised her. As far as she knew, their sharp teeth only appeared at times of high stress. But she really didn’t know much more than the basics about Sobrin twins. They certainly didn’t look upset.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Prince Callan and Prince Tyral of the Volirian Court,” she responded formally. A whiff of spicy scent swirled around her. Rich intan spice. She had no idea if it was cologne or their natural male scent, but she felt the strong desire to snuggle up to one of them and find out. “Tell me why you’re still here. There are two of you and you both have great power. You didn’t need the aid of another to help you leave.”
“You took a long time to get here.” Callan’s smile was easy as he stepped up beside her.
“What are you talking about?” Karissa was thoroughly confused by that cryptic remark. She doubted she’d have ever come to this planet if they hadn’t gone missing. “And why are you ignoring my question?”
“We were following the suggestion of one of our fathers’ advisors. He told us to wait for something valuable. And I have to agree that you are beyond compare.” Tyral briefly took her hand between his large palms.
“You were waiting for me.” She stared at them with wide eyes. Why would an advisor from the Fire Realm tell them to wait for her? She certainly didn’t mind meeting them, but she didn’t understand it.
“Yes.” Callan’s hand cupped her shoulder. “Come. We’ll take you to our temporary home.”
The warmth of his palm seemed to burn through the fabric of her shirt. His fingers brushed down her arm and in spite of the high-quality thick cloth, it felt as if they were actually touching skin to skin. Forcing herself to focus, she nodded.
She took Callan’s extended hand. Her mind was racing. Why were they waiting to return to Vinganis?They were both extremely powerful. Even without her aid, they could rip a hole in that spell and get to a friendly world. They’d be able
to take her with them without any difficulties. Once on a safe world, they could contact her family.
Karissa stopped questioning what only they could answer. She decided to relax and enjoy her time here. In this situation, having sex with one or even both of them wouldn’t be seen as strange by even the staunchest matron. It wasn’t likely that she’d be given much more time before being sent on her Ra’Asien. She’d take what freedom she could find and revel in it. Ijina was always telling her to relax, to follow her passions. This was one time that she intended to try.
* * * * *
Their temporary home on this little prison planet was in an underground network of caverns, much like the Volirian Royal Palace on Baezid. Although she’d never been there, she’d heard tales of it from Frejan Aliars who had visited Volir.
“We only use this room, a bathing room and a bedroom,” Tyral offered as they led her into the large main room. “We only furnished these three rooms. Anything that you need, we’ll provide.”
The main room had been scattered with colorful rugs and lamps hung on the walls and from the ceiling to dispel the darkness and the appearance of darkness caused by the dark stone of the ceiling, walls and floor. A large, round, walled fire pit occupied the center of the room and the smell of roasting meat that permeated the air around it made her mouth water. There was a red couch off to one side and also a few cushions as seating. Everything here had likely been conjured. If they needed something more, they could just conjure that too.
Karissa knew they were watching her as she paused in the doorway to the bedroom. The bed area grabbed her attention. When she’d first glanced over, there’d been two separate beds. Now, a moment later, a huge bed had replaced them. Draped in silky black, red and yellow coverings, it had to be the largest bed she had ever seen. The rest of the room was furnished with a spare hand. Shelves for clothing stood along one wall. Scattered around the room, a few red and yellow rugs added color to the near-black stone of the floor.
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