Ian brushed her wet, flaxen hair back and smiled. “I’ve never felt such warmth from another. You fairly melt me.”
Kyra leaned forward and slid her tongue into his mouth. His dueled with hers, sliding over the softness and thrusting deeper. She shuddered as she felt his cock swell inside her again.
Ian lifted her and cradled her to his chest while he turned a small showerhead on and let it rinse her off. Then he stepped out of the tub and walked into his bedroom.
Kyra looked at the bed, and her jaw dropped. It was a monstrous piece of wooden furniture that took up half the room. She motioned to it. “Custom-made?”
“Aye.” Ian laid her across the patchwork coverlet. “I brought it from home.”
“You are not from here?” Kyra puzzled over that. It would explain why he did not know who she was.
“Hush, woman.” Ian pushed her gently back on the fabric and knelt by the foot of the bed. He spread her legs gently, and Kyra waited breathlessly as he lowered his head and licked her once. She trembled and watched as his head dipped again, and he directed his attention to her aching pussy. She gripped his short hair with a cry and arched her hips to his mouth.
He worked his tongue over her clit expertly. Kyra writhed and whimpered as her body ached for more. She pulled at her nipples while he pleasured her endlessly. Her nerves stretched to the limits, and she shuddered as her orgasm slammed through her.
Ian’s hands gripped her ass and worked her pussy against his mouth until she screamed aloud at the sensation. Her backbone snapped up again at the second orgasm. She came down slowly, blind to everything around her.
He lifted his head and looked at her, utterly satisfied. Ian licked his lips and leisurely moved his bare body against hers. His left hand slid between her legs and stroked her slick flesh.
“I could taste you for hours,” he murmured against her ear.
Kyra sighed as his fingers softly stroked her. Then Ian positioned the tip of his cock against her opening. She strained up against him, but he held her back.
“Tell me what you want.” His arm muscles bunched at the effort he made to restrain himself.
“I want you.” Kyra reached up to stroke his damp chest. She reached down and rubbed the tip of his cock against her. “And I want this. You fucking me until I can’t breathe.”
He shuddered at her words. “You want much, woman.” Ian eased his entire length into her inch by inch. “But I will see that it is so.”
Kyra growled deep in her throat and wrapped her legs around his waist. She trailed her fingernails against his hard muscles and threw her head back.
Ian’s thrusts were steady, and she shifted to welcome him deeper into her body. She had never felt another touch her as intimately as he did. His large hands moved over her willing body, stroking and pleasuring every inch of her sensitive skin.
Kyra inhaled deeply and locked the clean masculine scent of Ian inside her mind. Impossible to feel her body yearning again for the release she had felt so many times already. But she opened herself to all the sensations Ian gave her. And felt the pressure build again.
“Ian,” she murmured.
“Aye.” He gripped her hair and inhaled the scent of her. His cock stretched her to the limit again and again.
She dug her fingernails into his sinewy arms and cried out as the next thrust took her over the edge once more.
He growled and threw his head back. Kyra watched in fascination as pleasure crossed his face and shook his body. She looked at him until he opened his eyes. The orbs shone with an unholy light then dimmed as he focused them.
“You are perfection, Kyra.” Ian rolled to his side and propped his head up with his pillow.
“Not a witch?” she teased.
“I am still undecided.”
Kyra’s eyes widened. “You must be kidding.”
“I am new here. I know not whether there be witches. There were a few in my homeland. Special women with gifts. Are you not the same as these?”
“I am the same as no one.” She scowled and narrowed her golden eyes. “And you would do best to remember that.”
Ian chuckled and stroked her flaxen hair. “How could I forget?”
“Aren’t you supposed to be working or something today?” Kyra mock-frowned. “What happened to all this ‘master’ business you’ve been throwing around?”
“A woman like you does not come along everyday.” Ian arched an eyebrow. “And I finished my rounds before I brought you to my quarters.”
Kyra laughed and snuggled closer. “Somehow, I knew that.”
“You are new here, also?”
She panicked for a split-second before smiling widely. “My assignment is not fixed. I simply wander around to where I am needed.” She hurriedly changed the subject.
“Do you like it here?”
Ian nodded. “It is beautiful. The land and people are tended to with compassion. The animals want for nothing. King Thane seems to be a benevolent ruler.” His eyes darkened when they gazed at Kyra. “And the women are most beautiful and becoming.”
She grinned foolishly. “You have a silver tongue to match your silver eyes.”
“Come here, woman. I will show you my silver tongue.”
* * * *
Kyra hurried home and shimmied up the large oak tree outside the hallway next to her room. She looked down at Ian’s large, white shirt and grinned foolishly. She brought one sleeve up and inhaled deeply. Her body flooded with recent memories, and Kyra nearly groaned. What she wouldn’t give to go back to him.
She opened her door and shut it silently behind her. Her room was pitch black, and she uttered a shriek at the voice that floated from the dark.
“Considering I’ve covered for your ass the entire day, I would appreciate some semblance of an explanation.”
Kyra watched her sister’s pale form begin to glow from her seat by the bed.
Celine stood and walked over to Kyra. “What have you been doing?” Her blue eyes sparkled. “Or should that be who?”
Kyra waved her arm, and her chamber instantly lit with a warm, golden glow. She walked stiffly over to her closet and took Ian’s shirt off and replaced it with a long, sunflower robe. She turned to her sister and raised her chin.
“I’ve been with the Keeper of the Dogs.”
Celine snorted which turned into full-blown laughter. Tears streamed down her face, and she wiped them away quickly. “Good one.” She frowned at the silence that greeted her words. She approached Kyra and studied her face.
“You haven’t.”
“I have.”
“Have you lost your senses?” Celine threw her arms open. “Father will have a conniption. As well you know.”
“I cannot help what I feel.” Kyra rubbed her temple. “It’s complicated.”
“What do you feel, sister?” Celine put her arm around Kyra and guided her to the bed.
Kyra placed her hand on her heart. “Something shifted. I feel different. And I don’t know what to do.” She met Celine’s eyes. “Ian matters to me.”
“Do I know him?”
“I doubt it.” Kyra stood and paced her room. “He only recently accepted the post. He hails from Palma.” She looked at her sister beseechingly. “He is gentle. A giant of a man with a gift for animals.”
“Palma?” Celine’s eyes widened.
“What?” Kyra demanded.
“You should pay more attention to history, sister.” Celine’s blue eyes glowed faintly. “You have mated with a Palman.”
“Yes. And?”
“You now belong to him.”
Kyra blinked twice. Stood up slowly. Looked at her sister. “I don’t believe I’ve heard you correctly.”
“Palman men mate for life. You are his.”
Kyra sank to the bed. “I feel slightly ill,” she said faintly.
Celine hugged her tightly. “All is not lost, sister. Do not return to him. He will never know the difference. You need not sacrifice yourself to him.”
“How can I not?” Kyra lifted her chin. “Honor, sister. What would you do?” She pinned Celine with golden eyes that shifted with each mood.
“The same as you will do.” Celine sighed. “Go back to him.”
* * * *
Kyra bit her lip and gave herself an inspiring talk as she walked down the stone road toward the animal compounds. She hadn’t lied. That was one piece of the mess she could cling to with pride. The other pieces? Not so much.
She and Ian would talk. She would explain that she never meant to hurt him. And she would accept him gladly.
They could live at the castle, and he could travel to his job every morning. Kyra nodded. Yes. That was acceptable. She would no sooner take him from the work he loved than she would expect him to do to her.
“It’ll be fine,” she murmured. “We’re compatible.” Her body flushed at the thought of his mouth and hands on her. “More than compatible.” Even now she ached for him to stroke her body with his hands and slide inside her. And the feelings of tenderness she had for him only grew with each hour.
Kyra shivered in the morning air. She wore only a thin, lemony dress with short-sleeves and matching sandals. She had taken a quick bath and snuck out before her parents could stop her. Her long hair wrapped tightly around her head like a crown.
She kept talking to herself as she approached the kennels and searched out any sign of Ian.
A small boy hurried over to her with a mile-wide grin. “Goddess Kyra.” He bowed and offered her a shiny golden apple.
Kyra inclined her head. “Thank you, Marcus.”
His dark brown eyes widened, and he grinned. “You’re welcome, Goddess Kyra.”
She watched him for a couple of minutes. “Yes, child?”
“What is it like, Goddess Kyra?” He watched her in awe. “To command the sun?”
“I command nothing.” Kyra winked and grinned. “We work in tandem. Our powers rely on each other to survive.”
“Marcus!”
Kyra’s head snapped up as she watched Ian stride across the yard. His chest bare, and his muscled legs clad in black breeches. Her heart raced frantically in her chest.
“You are to feed kennels two and three.” He put his hands on his hips with a frown. “Why do you waste time out here handing fruit to a coworker?”
Marcus’ eyes widened in his dark face.
Kyra held up her hand but couldn’t prevent the words that spilled from the young boy’s mouth.
“I didn’t offer fruit to a coworker, sir. I offered fruit to the Sun Goddess.”
She saw the disbelief etched across in his face before it went completely blank.
Kyra patted Marcus on his head. “Go back to work, Marcus. And thank you for the fruit.” She watched the boy until he disappeared.
“Do you often dally with the help, Sun Goddess?” The words were spoken tightly.
“Ian.” She reached out to touch his arm, and he flinched back.
“Do not touch me.” He looked down at her with a scowl. “I gave myself to you.” His silver eyes glowed as they raked over her. “King Thane’s daughter. What a wonderful kingdom that allows the Keeper of the Dogs to bed a goddess.” He turned on his heel and strode away from her.
“Ian!” Kyra picked up the hem of her dress and raced after him. He didn’t stop. He disappeared into the kennel, and she finally caught up with him.
“I didn’t know about your people!” She pressed her hand to her racing heart. “I did not know of your rituals. But I will marry you.”
“Marry me?” Ian turned, and his whole body tensed. “You think I would have a liar in my bed? A woman who has no principles?” He glared down at her and, with the next words, broke her heart into pieces.
“I would be as welcome in your world as the wolf who mated my bitch.” Ian turned and walked away.
She couldn’t leave the conversation at that. Kyra raced after him again.
“Wait!”
He stopped in his tracks and stood unyielding. Kyra stood in front of him with her palms turned up, beseeching. “We do not have to bicker. I care about you. It matters not that you are the Keeper of the Dogs. It matters not that I am a Goddess. We are bound to each other.”
“I release you from your bond.” Ian turned on his heel and left her standing there.
* * * *
Kyra walked home slowly with little remembrance of the journey. Ian’s words tore through her with vicious claws and raked her dignity to shreds.
He would not have her.
She pressed her hand to her aching heart and told herself it was for the best. What kind of union would we have? The Sun Goddess and the Keeper of the Dogs?
Tears seeped from her eyes and left radiant streaks along her golden cheeks. But the pain didn’t abate. It grew to proportions that left her breathless and wounded beyond the deepest injury.
Kyra stumbled through the gates and into the main foyer of the castle. The guard saluted her, but she walked past without greeting him. She was blind to everything and everyone around her.
She felt someone put their arm around her and lead her to her room. She didn’t care. Nothing mattered. Even when she tried to make the situation work, she had been denied. It didn’t bear thinking about.
“Kyra!”
She looked up blankly at her sister and Kane. “Yes?”
“What happened?”
“He doesn’t want me.” Kyra walked over to her bed and sat down. “I am a disgrace. A liar. He chooses to be alone.”
Kane growled low in his throat. “What man would not adore you, Kyra?” He shook his head. “It makes no sense.”
“I told him I did not know of his rituals, but that I would marry him. I offered to stay with him.”
Kane frowned. “You phrased it like that?”
“Yes.”
Celine sighed and looked at her sister. “Perhaps a better choice of words was in order.”
Kyra’s head shot up, and she glared. “I do not need him!” She stood and looked at the duo in front of her. “This is all your damn fault anyway. You and your two happy asses,” she snarled.
Celine narrowed her eyes to mere slits. “Kane. Leave.”
Kane looked from one woman to the other and backed up. “What are you two planning on doing?”
Kyra held her hands out and sais appeared instantly.
Celine held her hands out and kubotans appeared.
“Holy shit,” Kane muttered and backed up another step.
Kyra circled her sister with flat eyes and a scowl. “You and your stupid boyfriend. Couldn’t just screw his brains out. Oh no. You had to go and want to marry him.”
Celine nodded. “Aye. Kane and I are meant to be. Too bad the same couldn’t be said for you and the Keeper of the Dogs.”
“Ian.” Kyra lunged forward and swiped the air a mere inch from Celine’s face. She spun and attacked Celine with every ounce of strength she possessed. She vaguely remembered Kane retreating to the bed behind a large, yellow pillow.
They battled for at least an hour. Neither tiring. Neither submitting. They circled each other with dangerous weapons and fought with a fury that scared the hell out of the man in the room.
After a period of time, Kyra lowered her weapons.
Celine followed suit. “Do you feel better, sister?”
“Help me.” Kyra embraced Celine and clung to her tightly. “Help me.”
* * * *
Kyra strode stiffly across the canine compound, unerringly drawn to Ian’s presence. She could find him out of a crowd of millions. He had touched more than her body when they were together. She felt an invisible pull even when they were apart.
She stopped in the doorway of the first building and watched him check a pregnant bitch out. He was thorough, and Kyra bit back the sigh at the thought of those hands on her.
Ian stiffened, and she knew he was aware of her presence.
“I beg an audience, Ian.”
He stood and turned to her. His eyes were du
ll as lead. “You need beg nothing, Goddess. I am your servant.”
“Stop it!” Kyra moved closer and touched his bare chest. “I am a woman. You are a man. That is it.”
He swiped at her hands. “What need you?”
“You.” The look of surprise on his face gave her hope. “I need you. Only you.”
“Impossible.” Ian held his head high. “I would rather be alone than with you.”
“And why do you loathe me so, Ian? What have I done to you?” Kyra demanded. “I did not lie.” Her hands clenched into fists. “I gave you myself. You touched me.” She laid a hand on her chest.
“I am not suitable for your mate.”
She could see the words cost him a great deal of dignity. Tears streamed down her face. “I understand honor, Ian. I am bound by it. So I will not beg for that which you will not willingly give. But I need to say the words.”
Kyra looked deeply into his eyes and touched his cheek. “I love you. I was meant for you. And when you realize that, you can come to me.” She turned on her heel and left the building without a backward glance.
* * * *
Celine had more than enough. Her sister simply existed. She no longer enjoyed any of her life. She remained locked up tight in her bedroom and refused to allow any one admittance. It slowly killed Celine to see her sister in pain.
She would talk to her father first. And after that, Ian. Because he would not simply refuse her sister. Hell no. If Kyra could interfere in her love life, the least she could do was to return the favor.
Celine lifted her hand to the door when she heard male raised voices. She put her ear to the door and listened.
* * * *
“You think you can come to my kingdom and demand my daughter?” King Thane growled low in his throat. “I do not know you.” He eyed the large man in front of him with fury. “You will demand nothing of me.”
“Your Highness. There is business between your daughter and I that needs to be settled. I am not going anywhere until it is so.” He sighed. “She is important to me.” His deep voice rumbled through the room.
“Business?” King Thane repeated. “Care to be more specific?”
“No.”
“Your impudence is on my last nerve, son.”
“I have heard of a wager between yourself and your wife, Highness. Let me just say that if I have my way, I could help with that.”
Torrid Teasers Volume 33 Page 4