Atlantean's Quest Volume 2

by Jordan Summers

  So you’ve told me, but it doesn’t explain how you can reach me on my private channel of communication, when we both know only true-mates can do so.

  I do not have a true-mate. And I will not stay here and listen to this.

  Coridan snorted. It seems to me that until I free you that you have little choice. He purposely allowed his gaze to wander to the vines binding her.

  Ariel growled in warning. Coridan grinned down at her.

  Answer my questions, Seer, and I will be happy to free you. He pulled out the knife latched to his loincloth.

  No!

  He shrugged. Well then it seems to me we are at an impasse.

  Goddess bless, Coridan, release me. Ariel knew she sounded desperate and she didn’t care.

  He moved closer to the bed, his gaze roaming over her ample curves, mapping, memorizing. He froze when he reached the side of her neck, where she’d been bitten the night before. You bear my mark, as I bear yours. Coridan twisted just enough so Ariel could see the claw marks on his back.

  Ariel’s breath caught at the sight. This still means nothing. Her voice quaked.

  Your stubbornness is showing, Seer. Perhaps there is another way I can get the answers I seek.

  Don’t even think about it. Ariel glared at Coridan with every intention of making him back down, but she couldn’t stop a quiver of excitement from coursing through her body, racing through her veins. And from the look on his face, Coridan had noticed it, too. Damn his warrior heart. Coridan, listen to reason. You know my power is based on the fact that I have not joined with a man and experienced the energy binding.

  You had better not have joined with another warrior. Menace laced his words, causing Ariel to start. He sounded determined, possessive—all warrior.

  You must listen to reason. She begged him, half hoping he ignored everything and claimed her. Her body writhed against the restraints, a womanly invitation if there ever was one.

  Coridan’s eyes flashed as if he fought his baser instincts. Do not worry, Seer. I will not join with you while we are dependent upon your powers.

  We will not join—ever. Ariel’s voice quavered in her mind.

  Never is a very long time. Do not make vows you will not be able to keep. He shifted, his gaze releasing her.

  You heard me. We will not join. Ariel realized her mistake too late. Her words smacked of challenge to a warrior’s ears.

  Coridan simply smiled, and then moved to the end of the bed.

  Ariel bit back a moan as she remembered her vision. His head had been buried between her thighs, feeding from her, devouring her. She tried to squeeze her legs together to ease the sudden ache, but it was impossible with the vines binding her feet.

  Her body recalled the pleasure and her skin flushed. Her nipples resembled ripe berries, ready to be sucked into an eager mouth. Ariel gazed at Coridan from beneath heavy lids. She had never been so aroused in her life. It took all she had not to beg him to fuck her.

  From the hungry expression on his face, Coridan had been following her thoughts. He dropped to his knees between her spread legs. His gaze left her face, gingerly traveling south over her gently rounded belly, sliding to her mons, and then down to the moist crevice below.

  You may say otherwise, Seer, but your body calls to me. I hear it. My body recognizes yours as my other half. In the end, I will not be denied.

  His vow made her tremble.

  Coridan leaned forward until his mouth hovered mere inches from her, his moist breath licking over her skin. Ariel couldn’t seem to think clearly. Her thighs trembled, and her desire rose to a level bordering madness.

  Tell me what you desire, Seer, and I shall give it to you and more.

  Let me go.

  Coridan blew hot air across her sex and Ariel’s back arched.

  Tell me what you desire. Do not think to deny this. To deny us.

  I can—

  Coridan’s lips pressed against her moist slit in a tender kiss. Ariel screamed inside her head.

  Please…

  You taste as I remember in my dream. My back still burns from the scrape of your nails. Do you recall what we were doing when you marked me, Seer?

  Please, Coridan.

  Please what?

  Ariel’s lungs heaved. Please pleasure me…warrior.

  Coridan exhaled heavily as if he’d been holding his breath, waiting for her response. His tongue swept along the slit of her entrance, enticing. He moaned. Ariel’s sole focus zeroed in on the man between her thighs. Her body thrummed as his phallus-like tongue dipped beneath her folds, finding her clit, stabbing it once in promise, before retreating.

  He was trying to kill her. There could be no other explanation for this torture. Her mind splintered as he entered her, his stiffened tongue surging forward, caressing her woman’s barrier then swirling a second before repeating the process. Ariel’s fingers dug into the fur, gripping, hanging on as her body soared toward completion.

  His tongue flicked over her clit again at the same time he reached for her breasts. This time Ariel did moan aloud. Luckily, Raoul and Santo were used to her strange noises and seemed to purposely ignore anything that sounded sexual since the day the Professor had discovered them pleasuring her. Ariel thought back on the men’s untutored groping. How could she have compared their actions to what Coridan was doing to her now?

  She had been a fool.

  Coridan speared her once more, a second before he sent a power surge bursting through her. Ariel cried out as her body convulsed in an orgasm. Her womb pulsed, raking her with pleasure and pain. It took several moments before she returned to any semblance of normalcy. Once she had, Ariel realized Coridan had waited, watching her every movement.

  Ariel opened her lids wider to keep a better eye on him. As soon as he captured her gaze, Coridan stuck out his tongue. Slowly, ever so slowly, he licked her from clit to anus, circling the back orifice a couple of times before retracing his path. Ariel shuddered at the erotic sight and came again.

  I must go now, Seer. I have to locate the rest of the Professor’s men, so I can determine how best to plan our escape. Sleep well. Coridan gave her a knowing grin that told her without words he knew she’d be thinking about him tonight.

  You can’t leave me like this. She whimpered, pulling at the vines.

  He moved up her body, his hard muscles gliding across her soft flesh, nearing her mouth.

  What are you doing? Ariel hated the fact she sounded breathless in his mind.

  What does it look like? He stopped, his brows furrowing.

  No! We mustn’t kiss. I mean… Ariel jerked her head away as panic filled her. If he kissed her, she didn’t think she’d be able to hold to her resolve and resist him. Worse yet, he’d know. He’d know she was lying about her feelings toward him, about the depth of their connection.

  Why not? His voice sounded suspicious.

  Because…I said so. She knew it wasn’t a valid reason. She knew she sounded petulant, but as Seer, she didn’t need a reason. Now untie me, so we can go.

  No. Coridan paused, his questioning gaze straying to her lips a moment before he slid down her body, resting once more between her thighs. If they discover you’re missing without us developing a plan, it may be more than difficult to escape this planet. It may be impossible. He lazily stroked the fleshy area on the inside of her thigh with one hand, while holding her gaze. I will return as soon as I can. I must ensure the transport is fine. Rest assured I will not leave you. I promise you this upon my honor as a warrior.

  If I remember correctly, you have no honor. The words were out of Ariel’s proverbial mouth before she had a chance to think. She closed her eyes for a second, before seeking his gaze once again.

  Coridan’s jaw had locked. He stood stiffly and quickly stepped away as if her nearness caused him physical pain. Ariel’s stomach clenched, along with something that felt suspiciously like her heart.

  Remember, Seer, you called me. His eyes flashed fire. I will return.

/>   He left the same way he’d come, like a whisper on the wind. Ariel shivered at the loss. There was no sense berating herself, but why had she said that to him? She hadn’t meant it, yet it had fallen from her lips like the rain tumbles from the sky. She’d purposely hurt him, callously done so. Why?

  She sighed. Maybe it was for the best. This way they’d be able to focus on what was important, saving the Atlantean people—their people. There was no time for physical pleasures, although her sated body told her otherwise.

  This way they could both move on.

  Unfortunately, the ache in her heart didn’t agree.

  * * * * *

  Anger coiled around Coridan’s chest, choking his breath until he had to stop his descent from the trees or risk falling. Ariel had purposely thrown the shame he’d brought upon his family name into his face to enrage him. Coridan was most certain. Yet had she not spoken the truth? His heart clenched, refusing to accept the emotions bombarding it. Had he screwed up so mightily that his own true-mate would want nothing to do with him?

  Coridan didn’t like the answer he received. He had no idea what he could do to redeem his behavior, but he had to change her mind. Convince her that he was not the same man who’d so foolishly endangered Ares. He had to let her see and experience his growth for herself.

  Did that growth include returning to a people who’d shunned him? If it meant being near Ariel, then the answer was yes.

  However, there would be no point of him stepping through the transport if he could not change her mind enough to get her to give him another chance. Not that he’d decided one way or the other whether to return. He may be a man without a people, but he wasn’t without a mate. The sooner she accepted that fact, the better off they’d be.

  In the darkness, he wound his way through the vegetation, locating several guides along the way. As he neared the transport, he felt the energy shift. No one had disturbed the portal—yet. But it wouldn’t be long. The Professor’s men camped only five hundred yards or so away. The only reason they hadn’t spotted the stones already was because of the dense trees growing around the clearing. In a day or less, they would find the secret Ariel fought so hard to protect and lay siege to his people.

  His people… Despite Ariel’s assurances, he wasn’t convinced his people would welcome him back with open arms. If they did, would Ariel go back to her rightful place as Seer, leaving him to walk the planet Zaron alone, unmated? Ariel was his true-mate. He was sure of it. All signs pointed to yes, but he’d been wrong before. Only an offer of an energy bind could confirm his suspicions. And he wasn’t altogether sure she’d be forthcoming on that front either.

  Coridan’s emotions stilled. He couldn’t bear the thought of Ariel turning him away. At the same time, he would not allow his past deeds to cloud his judgment. He sent out an energy burst, scaring away the men nearest the location. In their minds, they’d only see wild beasts and spirits from the beyond. That would only hold them at bay for a short while. He needed to get Ariel and escape, but not before she answered his questions. Those answers were as imperative to his life as his next breath. Whether they joined or not, he had to know the truth. There could be no other way. He would not allow her to escape to Zaron without revealing her secrets to him. He could not. His heart, his very soul, depended on her answers. Coridan replayed her words. They had been said in haste--in fear.

  His mind stilled. Had he gotten too close? When he’d stroked her body, she’d been ready to comply with his every whim. He knew he could have pressed her to give herself to him and she would have accepted, eventually. She may not have wanted to logically, but her urges and need were stronger. Ariel had wanted his cock as much as he’d longed to give it to her.

  Coridan stared into the darkness. Ariel was a complicated woman, who would not be easily controlled. Not that he intended to do so. Yet in order for them to mate successfully and raise enough energy to perform an energy bind, she’d have to compromise. Yield her body and mind. Open for him so he could bury his shaft in her body and plant his seed.

  The thought of Ariel carrying his child sobered Coridan for a moment. Tenderness and fierceness collided in a firestorm of emotion, causing his body to tense. He rolled his shoulders until the muscles eased. He needn’t worry about what didn’t exist. She had not agreed to become his mate yet, much less bear his children. First came convincing, then he’d continue from there.

  A grin split across Coridan’s face as he imagined all the ways he could go about convincing Ariel to see things his way. As long as her body remained bound, she was at his mercy. She had to listen to whatever he had to say. Ariel had no idea what power he could wield if necessary. And the more he considered the situation, the more necessary he found it to be. He might have left his people a boy, but he had come back a man. The Seer had met her match whether she realized it or not. Now all he had to do was convince her of the fact.

  * * * * *

  Chapter Six

  Coridan didn’t return that night. Ariel waited as patiently as she could. She had no idea what he’d done for the rest of the night, while her body had thrummed in need, but she’d hoped he’d been just as uncomfortable.

  He was an arrogant, self-centered bastard. Jac had it right when she’d called Ares the same thing. Ariel now finally understood how Jac had felt. Being dominated was not something she had any experience with at all. Coridan had left her tied here all night. He could have easily untied her and they could have made their escape, but no, he wanted his questions answered. It didn’t matter that he’d said he was doing surveillance. If she weren’t tired of all this crap, he’d be waiting for the answers until he rotted.

  Of course, that was not only illogical, it was impossible. She’d give just about anything to wipe that smug smirk from his handsome face. Ariel fisted her hands. How that man could infuriate her and inflame her at the same time she did not know.

  Birds chirped, heralding morning. Confused, frustrated, and horny, Ariel was in no mood to put up with the Professor’s torture today. If he gave her too much trouble, she’d figure out a way to castrate him.

  Excited voices reached her ears and her muscles tensed. Santo and Raoul threw the hide flap back and stepped inside the small hut, their faces ripe with excitement.

  “They’ve found it.” Their eyes gleamed and smiles split their faces.

  “Release me! Release me now!” Ariel panicked.

  “I’m afraid, senorita, we cannot do that.”

  She tugged at the vines, willing them to break.

  “Going somewhere, my dear?”

  Ariel didn’t have to glance up to know who stood in the doorway. The patronizingly droll voice could come from no one but the professor.

  “No.” She glared. “I’m not going anywhere. I’m tired of being confined.”

  “We’ve found your little secret.” He smiled and stepped deeper into the room.

  Ariel’s stomach rolled and tears threatened to spill from her lids.

  “It will be quite a discovery, once you tell me what it’s used for.”

  Ariel choked, strangling on her tumultuous emotions. The fool had no idea what he’d found. “I’ll tell you nothing.”

  “Don’t be like that. You know how much pleasure I derive from your pain.” His thick lips separated slightly to expose yellowing teeth. “Perhaps my men could convince you to cooperate.”

  Santo’s and Raoul’s expressions perked with interest.

  Fear clutched Ariel, sending its needle-like tentacles burrowing into her flesh. Her mind raced to Coridan. He’d kill them all if they touched her, destroying himself in the process. She couldn’t let that happen, not as long as she drew breath.

  * * * * *

  They have discovered the transport. Coridan’s voice boomed in her mind.

  I know. The Professor is here now inquiring about its use.

  What do you want me to do?

  Stay away. Ariel’s voice sounded defeated.

  He snorted. You know I
cannot do that. You are my tru— He let the words die, knowing she was not ready to hear them. She had yet to admit the truth. I have managed to remove a stone from the transport. I did so after I realized they’d discovered the sacred crystals. I know not whether that will be enough to stop its use.

  Coridan, you bring your family name great honor and justice. The transport is disabled. You have done well.

  He smiled, even though she could not see him do so. Her words touched him deeply. I will come and get you. It may take a while to dispatch so many men, but I will. Know this, Seer.

  No! Stay in hiding. I may be able to convince the red-devil I know nothing.

  Has he harmed you?

  No…

  Coridan heard the unspoken not yet, it hung in the air like the humidity. He couldn’t force Ariel to tell him what the Professor was doing. He growled in frustration. She was too stubborn for her own good. She would not be able to keep pain from him. If the Professor touched her, he’d know it instantly. Coridan knew himself well enough to know he wouldn’t be able to hide in the jungle while Ariel was tortured. The warrior in him would fight to the death.

  He may be labeled an outcast, but some things were ingrained. Protecting the Atlantean women was one, even if it turned out to be the Seer. Coridan pressed deeper into the jungle, searching for a hiding place to conceal the stone he’d removed from the transport. He didn’t want the stone to be too far from its rightful place, but he couldn’t afford for the precious item to be discovered.

  Coridan found a hollowed out tree stump three hundred yards from the transport and placed the stone inside, concealing it from prying eyes. He covered the area in leaves, then carefully removed all trace of his presence. If only Ares were still here. He could use some assistance, although it would kill him to ask for help from his mentor, he’d gladly accept the mighty warrior’s skills now. Everything Coridan had learned about fighting had come from Ares.

  The warrior had taken him under his wing and raised him as if he were part of his family. Coridan had repaid him with jealousy and deceit. If he ever laid eyes on the fierce, raven-haired warrior again, he’d beg his forgiveness. For Ariel’s sake, he would do anything…including give his life.