“I guess,” she said.
“Tell me something.”
She perked.
“When I touched you, you felt the connection between us, yes?” he asked.
A hand went to her hair. She twirled it absently. “Yes.”
“Did you not enjoy the feeling?”
“I did.”
“And answer me this—when you felt threatened by your date, what did you do?”
She was quiet a moment before looking directly at him. “I stayed close to you.”
“And when you were celebrating your brother being unharmed…”
“I went directly to you,” she finished. Shelby took a step closer to him. “You’re pointing out how even though I only just met you, I’m drawn to you and that I trust you on some baser level.”
“Yes.”
“Because of the destiny thing?” she inquired.
“I believe so, yes.”
Chapter Six
Shelby bit her lower lip, moisture welling in her eyes.
The sight did him in. He moved quickly to her, pulling her into his embrace as she broke down sobbing. Aeson wasn’t sure how to respond. The thought of being his mate pushed her to this point.
Shelby trembled in his arms, holding tight to him. “Aeson, this night has been a nightmare.”
He stiffened.
She lifted her head, her gaze meeting his. “All but the parts with you.”
Unable to help himself, Aeson lowered his head, his lips finding hers. She resisted only slightly before her tongue greeted his. Aeson’s body stirred to life, his cock hardening. He wanted this woman. Wanted to push her against the wall and fuck her until she too admitted she desired him equally.
He drank from her sweet lips as he dragged her against him. She trembled in his arms, her body pressing tighter to his. It was a sign of surrender. He dragged his hands over her shoulders and down her arms before stopping at her hips. He squeezed them, grinding his body against hers as he continued to kiss her.
Shelby held the sides of his face, whimpering as she returned each of his kisses. He was surprised at her level of passion. She was timid yet fiery all in one. It was much welcomed.
Aeson eased a hand down her more, resting it upon her bare thigh. Her flesh was warm to the touch and silky smooth. His cock beat at his trews, wanting free. Wanting in her. Shelby tipped her head and he kissed her neck, his hand skimming over her thigh, easing up to her panty line. She stiffened briefly and he waited for a sign it was all right to proceed.
She surprised him by putting her hand over his and lifting her panties open to him. Aeson smiled against her neck as he trailed kisses over her. He slipped two fingers into her panties and was greeted instantly with heat and moisture.
Shelby ran her hand over his abs and to the top of his pants. She tugged and unlaced the front of them as she moaned lightly. “Aeson,” she whispered, her fingers entering the top of his pants.
There was nothing between her fingers and his cock. Her fingers skimmed his distended flesh and he nearly came then and there. He jerked as she wrapped her hand, as best she could, around his dick. She squeezed and then drew her hand up, seeming taken with the head most of all.
Aeson stroked the pad of her pussy. He eased open her slit and pressed a finger into her heat. He met instantly with resistance and halted at once. “Shelby?”
She rocked in place, her gaze hooded as she stared up at him, her hand still wrapped partially around the head of his cock. “Hmm?”
“You are untouched.”
“Yes,” she whispered before kissing his chest.
He caught hold of her, moving his hand from her panties at once. He would not take her like a savage in this manner. He would make their first joining memorable and as perfect as she was.
She whimpered as he eased her hand from his cock. He chuckled. “Trust when I say it hurts me more to stop than it does you, my sweet sparrow.”
She leaned against him. “Aeson, touch me.”
He stiffened. “I will. You have my word but not here. Not like this. I shall take you to my home. We will explore every inch of one another there, Shelby. And when you gift me your maidenhood, I will assure it is with the layer of protection—me claiming you as my mate.”
She pushed gently on his chest. “No. No claiming me. Not yet. We need time to get to know one another.”
He grinned. “We shall know every inch of one another before the night is out.”
She groaned. “That’s not what I meant and you know it.”
“So, you wish for me to promise to take your maidenhood but not your freedom?” he asked, amused with her reasoning.
“Yes.”
He had no intention of honoring that wish. “Very well. We shall speak no more of it at the moment. Let us prepare for travel. Yes?”
She tugged at her lower lip. “You mean to the bird realm?”
He nearly corrected her terminology for it but decided against it. “Yes. Have you ever been there?”
Her eyes widened. “Oh, no. Daddy used to tell us stories about it but he’s never ever taken us there. Well, he almost did once when I was little and got really sick. He couldn’t take me to the doctors here. He nearly took me back home, to your realm, to your healers. He was afraid it would mean our deaths.”
Aeson touched her cheek. “I wish I had known you then. I would have talked him out of such nonsense.”
“So, you’re saying when I was little, had he taken me home to your healers, no one would have punished him for having an affair and children with a human woman?”
Aeson thought more upon it. “In truth, our minds had not yet been opened to the idea. But, that being said, we would have been so taken aback by children, even children of mixed lineage, that we would have found it in our hearts to welcome you all.”
She gifted him a smile. “Can I tell you something?”
“You may tell me anything you wish.”
She went to work trying to tuck his long, thick cock back into his trews. He assisted and refrained from commenting since she seemed to be doing it without paying much attention to the action—it was as if she were taking care of him. Like a mate would.
“I have dreams of a place I think might be the bird realm,” she said softly. “There is this giant castle that is more browns than grays. Behind it there are moons setting. More than one. I see men flying from the tops of the castle, circling it. There is this large home off to the side.” She motioned with her hands, looking far away in thought. “It’s made of the same stone as the castle. It’s tucked into a bunch of trees, making it hard to see.”
Aeson gasped when he realized she was describing his home. She’d had visions of his home?
She lifted a hand. “There is an emblem on the door. It’s carved into the wood. A hawk on a coat of arms.” She bit at her lower lip more. “There are other small things but that’s what I have dreams of most of all. Is it real or did I just imagine it?”
He hooked a finger under her chin. “It is real.”
She smiled wider. “It is?”
He dipped his head, kissing her lips gently. “Yes.”
“Can you take me there?”
“Of course.”
“Now?” she asked, sounding eager.
He chuckled. “First you must change. As much as I enjoy the sight of you in this, it will not work for a long flight. It is cold at that height and I am able to warm you only so much. Since I do not believe you are able to regulate your body temperature on your own, we should assure you are dressed warmly.”
“Aeson, how do I pack for going to another realm? And where in the world would I even carry a bag?”
He laughed. “Take only what you wear. I will have dressmakers come to my home and fit you for all you will need while with me. Then, we shall return here and you can decide which items hold most value to you and must come. I have men who will assist in bringing them forth.”
She tossed her arms around his neck and squealed. “I
’m so excited.”
“Then let us find you warmer clothing.”
Shelby allowed him to lead her through her home, to her room. It was strange having a man in there, but she overcame the oddness and found a warm sweater, a knit cap and a pair of gloves. She turned to face him and an odd expression came over him. Confused, Shelby tipped her head. “What? What’s wrong?”
“You.”
She blinked. “Me what? What did I do?”
“You look…”
She blushed. “Like a dork. I know.”
He shook his head. “I know not what a dork is. I was going to say, you look beautiful.”
She lifted a brow. “Uh, okay. Sure.”
Aeson approached and drew her closer to him. “I do not think this will be warm enough for you.”
“It’s a wool sweater,” she protested. “I’ll be fine. Promise. Ready?”
He took her hand in his and they made their way down the stairs and to the balcony area. She held up a finger, indicating that he should wait a moment. “I need to set the alarm system.”
He perked. “Alarm system?”
“Yeah, you know, an electronic monitoring system that alerts of danger and contacts help if you need it?”
He seemed lost in thought a moment. “Ah, it does what a sentry does?”
“I have no idea what you just said,” she commented.
“And now you know how I feel,” he returned with wink. He waited as she armed the system and returned to his side. He eased his shirt off and pulled it over her head gently. It was huge on her.
He smiled. “There.”
She inhaled. “It smells like you.”
“Is that a good thing?”
“Very,” Shelby said, blushing more. “What now? When Dad or Shelton carry me they…”
He didn’t allow her to finish. He extended his arms and she watched in stunned silence as giant, brownish wings uncurled from behind him. They spanned nearly the width of the balcony. She gulped. Even his wings were huge. She couldn’t help but glance downwards, her gaze centering at groin level.
Aeson reached out, hooking her chin and forcing her to look up. A wicked grin was firmly on his handsome face. “Ready?”
“No.” She jerked slightly. “I mean, yes. Maybe.”
“Maybe?” he echoed with a laugh. “You amuse me, sweet sparrow.” He eased closer to her, his arms going out more. “Come.”
She stepped into him, leaning against him. Heat flared through her and she sucked in a big breath, unsure she really was ready to take the plunge with a man like Aeson. He was too much man for her.
“Sweet sparrow,” he whispered against her ear. “I can sense your urge to run from me. You would be like prey and me the hunter.”
Swallowing hard, she fanned her face with her hand and rethought her sweater choice. At the rate she was going, she’d burst into flames before they even took flight.
Aeson tossed his head back and laughed more. The sound was so purely masculine that Shelby’s inner thighs responded. She clutched his arms, digging her nails into them, fighting the urge to open for the man before her. This wasn’t like her. She didn’t toss herself at men. She was quiet, reserved—a friggin pre-school teacher, not a temptress.
He wrapped his arms around her gently and they launched into the air. Her breath caught. It was far from her first time flying with someone, but this felt vastly different from having her father or brother fly her. The wind bit at her face but she ignored the sting, deciding instead to savor the feel of being in Aeson’s arms. She felt safe, secure from the world and its problems.
Safe from Roland.
She stiffened.
Aeson kissed her shoulder. “You are well, sweet sparrow?”
“I’m fine,” she said, snuggling against him, enjoying the ride so to speak. “What about you? Are you cold?”
His hand splayed over her lower stomach. He caressed her gently. “I am fine. Thank you for your concern.”
Shelby fell silent, enjoying the view as Aeson flew effortlessly high above everything. There was a tiny change in the air pressure around her and for a split second mist seemed to swarm in around them. Fearful he’d crash, unable to see where he was going, she gasped and gripped tightly to his forearm as her back remained against his front.
“Shh,” he whispered. “We are passing through the veil. The portal between realms.”
“Oh,” she mouthed, dumbfounded by the events surrounding her. While her father spoke often of his home realm, he never took her there. The mist cleared and she could scarcely believe what was before her eyes. It was as if she’d been transported in time—to a place where castles thrived and the world’s beauty remained untouched by the taint of modern roads and buildings.
“Welcome home, Shelby,” Aeson said.
She stared wildly around, trying to see everything at once. She wiggled so much in his arms that she wasn’t sure how he didn’t drop her. He chuckled, flying in a partial circle for her so she could see more of the realm from above.
“It’s… it’s beautiful.”
“This is just a tiny portion of it. It holds much more hidden beauties,” he said, dipping low, heading in the direction of a large brownish colored castle.
She thought for a moment he’d land directly on one of the battlements. He overshot it, continuing onward, just past the castle, to a tiny clearing near a wooded area. He landed flawlessly and set her on her feet gently.
She turned to face him and he took her hand in his. “Let us go to what will be our home.”
She yelped.
“Would it scare you less if I referred to it as my home for now?”
She nodded.
He chuckled. “Very well. My home… for now.”
Chapter Seven
Aeson sensed the toll flying and the day itself had taken on Shelby. She needed sleep. He knew he should usher her straight to his room, relinquish his bed to her and leave her be. That being said, the flight with her had been sweet torture. Her lush ass had been pressed against his cock the entire way, tempting him, teasing him. Already he was on the verge of exploding. He needed release and as selfish as it sounded, he wanted it to be within her.
He still couldn’t believe she was here with him. His mate. In his home nonetheless. He closed his eyes a moment, making a silent prayer to the bird gods for the gift before him. A question formed in Shelby’s eyes and Aeson bent, kissing her forehead. “You need rest,” he said.
She offered a slow smile. “I need you.”
“Shelby?”
“You made me a promise,” she supplied. “You said you wouldn’t do anything to me that I didn’t want done.”
He nodded. “And I intend to keep it. Follow me. I will show you to my room. You will rest there. I will sleep in the guest quarters.”
She laced her fingers through his. “Kiss me.”
“Shelby?”
She exhaled loudly. “Kiss me.”
He bent, doing as she wished. Gods above, her lips tasted divine. So sweet. So pure. She would be like heaven when he took her, he was positive of as much. He skimmed his hand down her arm, his tongue still caressing her. She touched his chest, exciting him more. He bent, lifting her in her arms, cradling her to him.
She gasped, their kiss slipping for a moment as she wrapped her tiny arms around his neck. He stared down at her. “You are not ready for this. For me. For all of me.”
“I’m ready,” she said.
He was thankful for her response because he wasn’t sure he had it in him to wait. With long strides he covered the distance to his sleeping chambers. He used his foot to shut the door behind him. He smiled at her shocked intake of breath. “Still wish for this?”
“Yes.”
He eased her onto the large bed and it seemed to swallow her up in its greatness. She stared up at him, her lips too tempting to resist a moment longer. He climbed up and over her, bending and sampling her tender mouth once more. Aeson’s breathing was off the charts. I
t was as if this were his first time bedding a woman. In a sense, it was.
It was his first time with his mate.
The word scattered around in his brain before landing in his chest. It tightened. He’d gained so much in a day yet now stood to lose even more. Before Shelby, he’d lived each moment by the moment, never caring about the future or what it might hold. Now that she was with him, all that needed to change.
He sighed against her mouth. “Rest, my sweet sparrow.”
She tugged at his shoulders, pulling him down onto her more. “Aeson, please.”
Shelby lifted her head and captured his mouth with hers. She was possessive in her quest for kisses and Aeson’s cock responded at a frightening rate. He eased his body against hers, his covered cock rubbing against her thigh. He wanted in her. Denying it was pointless. He shifted more on her, his swollen cock pressing to her mound. There were too many clothes between them. Too much material. He began yanking, pulling, shredding everything between him and his prize.
Shelby.
She squeaked, arching her back to him, her eyes wide. She bit at her lower lip, nodding, helping him remove the last of her clothing. She lay beneath him, fully exposed and his breath caught. A more beautiful woman he’d never seen. She was his and his alone. He didn’t deserve one such as her.
She reached between them, her hand finding his shaft. She eased her fingers around him but they didn’t meet. She gasped. “Aeson… you’re huge.”
A satisfied smile crept over his face. “I am.”
“Will it hurt?” she questioned.
“Only slightly, my sweet sparrow.”
An expression he couldn’t read passed over her. She kissed him again, wiggling beneath him. “I’m ready.”
“You are?” he asked, laughing as he ran his hand down the length of her, to her pussy. He touched her slit and found she was indeed ready. Wet and welcoming.
He rubbed her clit and she nearly came straight up and off the bed. She grabbed hold of his shoulders and he eased her legs apart more. He rubbed again and she panted, arching to him, grinding her hips just right.
“Ah, ta’konima,” he uttered softly. “I can wait no longer.”
Master of the Hunt: (A Bird Shifter Novella) (King of Prey Book 3) Page 5