Relentless Fire

by Michelle Howard

  “I can’t reach him at all along the mantle. I spoke with his lira and he’s blocked her as well.” The poor female. “Mina had no idea what was going on. She’s worried Rylin will strike at us without quarter.”

  Inez couldn’t reassure on that point. Everyone should be worried he’d retaliate. “Where can I take a quick shower?”

  Though it was subtle, his nostrils flared as he inhaled. Inez flushed. No doubt he’d picked up on the remnants of her arousal. The linen probably carried a trace as well and the evidence definitely remained on her sticky thighs.

  His greedy gazed roved over her body, allowing no courtesy for her naked state. Attempting to hide was a waste. Inez let him get an eyeful, then repeated, “Shower, Varyk?”

  He exhaled and their eyes clashed. Undeniable heat flared. “You have no intention of calling me King, do you?”

  “You’re not my King.”

  “It’s a matter of respect.”

  “If we hadn’t slept together, I’d consider it.” She left the obvious unsaid.

  Varyk snorted, the corner of his lips curling upward. “Stubborn. The shower is behind the door to your left.”

  He folded his muscled arms over his chest, making it clear he had no intention of leaving or granting her privacy. Inez shrugged. She took pride in her body and felt no shame as she walked in the direction he indicated. Each step was calm, not hurried, Varyk’s gaze burning her back all the while until she shut the door behind her and leaned against the panel on the opposite side.

  What had she got herself into?

  ***

  Darkness hadn’t allowed Varyk the opportunity to fully appreciate Inez’s body before. Now he couldn’t help but notice her curvy form and its array of subtle muscle tone. Round breasts, high and firm, thrust forward, the slight bounce enhancing their fullness. Her narrow torso flared to hips which swung with every step, the flex of her ass cheeks holding his gaze hostage until he ripped his eyes away.

  Adjusting the thick erection which seemed to be a direct response to the annoying female, Varyk cursed as the door closed behind her. Or maybe Inez wasn’t as annoying as he wanted her to be. Last night his dreams had been filled with images of the two of them in the pit, sex constantly on replay until it drove him to take his cock in hand for release.

  While he stroked his shaft, he replayed the way she rode him over and over. Each caress, kiss, the drag of her tongue over his chest caused him to spasm in remembrance. He’d tried to recall the taste of her dark nipples, but the poison stole that from him because he’d been focused on staying alive.

  Nothing could wipe the feel of her luscious grip on his cock, though or the way she’d clenched on him with every pump of her hips. She’d rippled around his cock and he’d reveled in her heady response. In the end, it was Inez’s name on his tongue as he cried out and climaxed on his sheets.

  Against his will, she was getting to him. Perhaps the low volume of females he slept with had something to do with it. No female should be capable of drawing this intense a reaction from him. At any rate, Varyk needed to end his growing fascination. There was no point to it. He wouldn’t risk opening himself to the pain which came with exposing his heart to another.

  “Why such deep thoughts, dear brother?”

  Varyk spun around. The only being capable of catching him unaware poked her head through the door then eased her body in.

  “Milana, you’re up early.”

  She tended to spend the morning hours with her lira before he went to work on patrol in the evenings. Seeing the two of them together always calmed any fears Varyk had for his sibling. Santos treated Milana as precious to him and protected her to the same extent Varyk would.

  “I worried for you. You came home late and you never stay long among the Black.”

  Reddish-brown hair swished about her shoulders, her smile full of relief as she reached him and wrapped her arms about Varyk’s neck. She was tall, almost his height, which gave her a few inches on Inez.

  “It’s a long tale.” He tugged on her hair as they parted.

  Amber eyes narrowed. “Nonsense. What are you up to?”

  Varyk tucked several flyaway strands of her hair behind her ear and released a weary sigh. “We have a big problem.”

  “The Green will stand behind whatever you need or want.”

  He appreciated her support. “No one can help if I can’t resolve it peacefully.”

  “Not even me?”

  “Not even you.” Milana flinched and he tugged her back into his arms, hugging her as he’d done when they were children. “I’ll tell you the rest in a bit. Right now, I want to intro—”

  “Am I interrupting?”

  ***

  “Am I interrupting?” Inez cleared her throat, drawing their gaze.

  Showering was a priority, but Inez made quick work of it and dressed in her clothes from the night before. When she walked out to find Varyk hugging a red-haired female, her heart dropped. Regret was a vicious cut to the chest. If she’d known he had someone, she wouldn’t have crossed an unwritten line and had sex with him. Inez didn’t share lovers.

  “Who is she, Varyk?” Territorial possession laced the woman’s question.

  Inez stiffened and casually reached for the hilt of the sword strapped to her back. Neither jumped apart in guilt. Instead they separated slowly, the female regarding Inez in puzzlement.

  “This is Inez of the Black. Inez, this is Milana.”

  Breath whooshed out and Inez loosened her grip. She recognized the name. His sister. Twins born of the same shell. Now as she took in their similar features, she noted the resemblance.

  While Varyk’s form adhered to masculine lines, muscles and an undeniable air of authority, his twin was built along a more delicate frame, with feminine curves carrying an air of elegance. Her dress was a pale shade of green, the flourishes at the ankle length hem meant to deceive with its overt femininity.

  Milana was no light weight though. There was steel beneath the grace hidden behind a façade of gentility. But like recognized like and Inez sensed a kindred spirit.

  If rumors were correct, Milana was the rare and probably only female who could partially shift. The ability saved her not long ago when a member of the Black went on a rampage killing liras. All the more reason to respect her as a worthy adversary if they ever pit their strength against one another.

  “You wished an explanation for my tardy return. I couldn’t psychically reach you because Larz drugged me with a poison of his making. Inez saved me.” Varyk curved an arm about his sister’s shoulder, sending a jolt of envy through Inez. Their closeness was evident.

  “Impossible,” Milana scuffed and tipped her head back to face him.

  “True. Larz also stole a shell filled with the essence of the Black king.”

  Milana gasped at this revelation. She glanced from her brother to Inez then back again. “This is...I have no words. How could he poison you?”

  A question Inez would love the answer to as well. Varyk eased away from Milana and Inez breathed an unconscious sigh of relief. Varyk’s gaze was shuttered as he responded. “I’m not sure, but I plan to get to the bottom of that issue, among other things.”

  Showing great wisdom, Milana nodded and patted her brother on the shoulder. “I’ll leave you to your...guest.”

  After one last glance, the redhaired beauty left them alone.

  Chapter 11

  Instead of taking Inez through the vast halls of his home where she’d be gawked at, Varyk led her toward the platform balcony off of the bedroom. As soon as he opened the glass doors, the fresh breeze whipped inside, taking the rich scent of her arousal with it. Varyk’s steps slowed but Inez walked through.

  Ahead of him, her round ass perfect for grabbing teased with each stride. Long, black waves swayed about her shoulders, the curled ends taunting him with every bounce. Unfamiliar regret nagged at his conscious. Once they resolved the problem of Larz and returned Rylin’s unborn, Inez would be gone. Va
ryk wished he’d had the forethought to warn his household staff not to change the bedding in the guest room then he could have swapped it with his own and at least slept tangled about her fragrance.

  His cock throbbed, the minor twinge of pain demanding he satisfy himself with her once more. They didn’t have time though. No time for him to lead her back into the room where he’d join her instead of returning to his own. No time for him to slide into her warm sheath and show her his true appetite without the influence of drugs.

  Varyk could let go with Inez. Free his true dominant nature without worry she’d flee or cringe. Inez didn’t fear him. She didn’t bow to him or give him the automatic obedience he’d grown used to.

  Was that the attraction? If he kept telling himself it was that simple, Varyk could move beyond the inconsolable hunger. His gaze settled on her retreating figure.

  Maybe a kiss. One small kiss to ease this growing obsession for a female with challenge in her eyes and knowledge in her smile.

  His essence rose and combined with the power of the mantle to fill him. He felt completely revitalized, no trace of the poison left.

  The ends of her hair lifted then settled about her shoulders. Dressed completely in black, the colors of a male he didn’t like and desire still compelled him to reach out and touch. To take what he wanted to command.

  Inez glanced over her shoulder and her lips parted in surprise. Snagging his arm about her waist, Varyk jerked her toward him. Her body flowed with the movement and her hands fluttered before landing on his shoulders.

  “A kiss. One kiss,” he said to the silent question in her eyes.

  Varyk expected protest, but she softened against him, sliding her hands up into his hair and rocked her hips on the obvious hardness between his thighs. It was all the agreement he needed. Varyk took her mouth with pent up frustration and the longing which had built through the night.

  Sweet, slightly damp, but giving, her lips pillowed his. His mouth moved over hers, tasting, teasing. His hands eased beneath her shirt and up the sweet curve of her spine. Her skin was like the softest of cloth. Inez returned the caress, except her fingers paused on the visible sign of the mantle. Light brushes grazed the row of defined scales trailing up the center of his back and ending at his nape.

  Varyk moaned, unable to leash the sound. The section of skin also acted as an erogenous zone. He palmed the back of her head with one hand and flattened the other at the middle of her back. It allowed him to deepen the contact.

  Hunger exploded, taking the simple kiss to another level. As she smoothed her hand up and down, Varyk nipped at her bottom lip then buried his face in her neck, taking in her enticing aroma.

  She eased away as her lashes lifted to reveal glazed eyes. “Varyk, what are we doing?”

  He had no idea. All he knew was that his essence stirred in her presence, his need for her blatant and without reason.

  Because he didn’t know what to say, Varyk took her lips again. His tongue glided into her moist opening in welcome, fingers tangling in the strands of her hair. Inez cried out and arched more, the bite of her nails on the mantle driving him higher.

  “Oh, Varyk.” The murmur feathered across his mouth as he bit down on her bottom lip.

  He swallowed the next sounds she made, reveling in how hot she got him. He pumped his hips, wanting to tear the clothes from her body and splay her before him. He’d feast on her, starting with the juicy folds between her thighs as he worked his way up and sucked her pouty nipples. Not once would he relieve the ache until she reached the point of begging, then he’d satisfied them both.

  Inez moved her hands and gripped the ends of his hair. “Varyk, yes. Varyk.”

  Varyk’s connection to the mantle heaved violently. Instinct had him reaching out to check even as he spread reassurance to those who took notice of the disturbance on the mental plane.

  Larz. Hazy images and muddled thoughts dipped about but all of it pointed to danger. A red overlay of rage twisted about and Varyk worked harder to calm his sect.

  “What is it?” Inez lost her slumberous look, attuned to his slightest change.

  She would make a worthy lira, an admirable mate at his side. If he sought one. Which he didn’t. “Larz has done something, but I can’t see it clearly.”

  More violent emotions poured into Varyk through the mantle. He tried to contain it, but as fast as he blocked pathways more poured in and members of the Green startled before funneling their strength into him.

  Varyk lost his hold on Inez as he stumbled back under the deluge of mixed input. He dropped to one knee under the onslaught.

  “Varyk? Tell me how to help you.” Inez’s hand touched his shoulder. Varyk reached up and gripped her wrist tight, needing some tangible to cling to.

  The physical link to another grounded him. The knot building in his chest loosened. Inez’s other hand stroked through his hair. Once. Twice. “Take whatever time you need, Varyk.”

  She had to realize he battled for stability under the strain of the mantle. Perhaps she’d witnessed something similar with her cousin. It didn’t matter. She alleviated the bulging pressure in his head and chest with her touch alone. He clung hard to the small mercy.

  Slowly, Varyk breathed through the torment, eyes closed. Amidst the confusion, he pinged on Larz’s location and straightened. His next words were spoken through gritted teeth as he relaxed his hold on Inez. “We have to go.”

  The words of thanks stuck in his throat unspoken. Inez studied him with a bemused look. Once she satisfied herself with whatever she searched for in his gaze, she nodded.

  Growling because his own feelings were in a muck, Varyk summoned his Dracol half and shifted. When he reached to pick up Inez, she shook her head and grasped at his elbow joints. He tensed as she placed her feet on his front forearm and climbed until she was seated, legs about his neck and hands on his neck nodules to secure her place.

  Varyk hesitated and growled again. He didn’t let anyone ride him. The intimate position implied trust because the scales at his throat were thinner and vulnerable to the sharp edge of a blade.

  As if sensing his discomfort, Inez leaned forward. “Argue next time.”

  Would there be a next time? Varyk leaped over the edge of the platform and flapped his wings, taking flight.

  Part of him hoped so, while the other part fervently hoped not.

  ***

  Surprised at her boldness, Inez held tight as Varyk flew at a speed which didn’t take into consideration her precarious seat. She thought he’d protest her positioning but again Varyk showed he wasn’t always as set and stubborn as he portrayed.

  She wasn’t sure what had happened to him during their kiss, but she remembered enough lessons about the mantle of leadership to see how he struggled to contain the force of energy held within his body. Being King wasn’t always as smooth a walk as many assumed.

  Even if Rylin wasn’t family, Inez sensed his daily fight to contain such a large quantity of power. The enormity of it was difficult to grasp but not hard to believe. An entire sect reliant on the strength housed in one male. It was bound to have repercussions and Inez firmly believed she’d just witnessed one.

  The connection of the mantle bound Varyk to his people. Surely everything with Larz was tearing at the fiber of his being. She’d reached out to touch him on instinct, her goal only to soothe his evident pain.

  Inez pressed her face to his skin, loving the rasp of scales against her. As a male on two legs he swaggered, arrogance and cocky attitude surrounding him. The thin veneer of civility kept him from being truly frightening, but beneath it all one had only to stare into his eyes to see his true measure. Dangerous.

  In this form, he was rough and intimidating. Dark smooth green skin overlaid with shimmering scales and muscles, which bunched as he flew. Between her thighs she sensed his power, a never ending well of strength.

  Most Dracol carried themselves with the manners of a predator. Tempers flared and fights often included cla
ws and razor sharp teeth. The displays were riveting and Inez admitted to watching a minor skirmish or two, enjoying the sight of battling males raw and gritty.

  Winners of those fights went home with the female of their choice. Not that Inez blamed any of them. Fire and blood was a part of them. In their nature. Resisting was a waste.

  Which begged the question why she currently felt the pull of the Green King yet dug her heels in. The kiss they’d shared moments before had been unexpected, but she’d lit up like a night time sky during a storm. On the flip side, she’d felt closer to him with her hand on his shoulder and stroking his hair. It had felt like the two of them were contained in a circle of intimacy.

  Rylin reached for her along the mantle of the Black, disrupting Inez’s thoughts. He made no attempt to disguise his fear and worry. Inez hated that her cousin suffered. Shouting to be heard over the wind, she had to let Varyk know. “Varyk! Rylin grows impatient. We have to find Larz.”

  The vibrations from his chest rolled up her legs and Varyk’s head tipped back in acknowledgement before he spewed a stream of thick green vapor. Inez held her breath, fear causing her to clutch him tight.

  He rumbled, the sound deep in Dracol form, a lower register than she was used to. Her traitorous body responded with a lightning sharp bolt of desire.

  Bending low over his neck, she prayed to the Goddess of Fate they’d find Larz and little Finley. As Varyk folded back his wings and dove toward a copse of trees, Inez locked her legs and arms as much as she could about him. One minute she prepared for impact and the next they were on land. Her body went weightless before Varyk caught her about the waist as he shifted. He set her down then waited until she was steady before releasing her with a soft stroke on the curve of her hip.

  Inez couldn’t help staring. Not even Rylin could manage a transition that fast and smooth. Varyk smirked then dressed himself in a familiar green loincloth that left the rest of him bare.

  “Why are we stopping?”

  Frustration flashed then doused in a minute. “Larz is blocking the mantle again. I lost track of him.”