Mortal Flames_The Magical

by Averi Hope

  Stepping toward his home, she stared into the night. On the ship, it was never this dark. There were always small lights, even in the dark spaces. But in this place, only stars and a single moon lit the night, their light made weaker by a haze of clouds, leaving her feeling strangely vulnerable.

  Her bare feet crunched woodland debris as she inched closer to his home. The night’s chill suddenly seemed to radiate up through her feet. Her skin tingled from the oddness of the cold. Here, there is wind. Like on Falaytious. How long has it been since I felt the oddity of a breeze?

  She held still, the hairs on her nape standing on end. All of this was surreal. She’d been so consumed by her mating frenzy before that she hadn’t noticed the many incredible things about being planetside. If the other Elementas feel this, it’ll be impossible to get them to spend another twenty or thirty years hoping to find another livable planet.

  She jumped as his hand pressed lightly into her lower back. “Come on.”

  Moving forward, she cried out as something struck the bottom of her foot.

  “What is it?” he asked.

  “Nothing.” She tried to take another step forward, but winced at the unexpected sharp pain that went through her foot.

  He swept her into his warm arms with a speed and strength that left her gasping, then started toward the cabin. The bare skin of his chest beneath her hands felt impossibly hot. And hard.

  “I don’t need—“

  “You’re my betrothed. It’s my responsibility to keep you safe.”

  She struggled to think of a response, even as her blood heated at his nearness. I’m not your betrothed. You betrayed me. But the words were lost as his smell seemed to engulf her. It was like the scent of freshly cut wood, but accompanied by something else that seemed…manly.

  Everything in the Garden of Virtue smelled sweet or flowery. Completely the opposite of Raiden. She inhaled again. Deep. Masculine. I like his scent.

  He climbed the small steps leading up to a porch with two wooden chairs. When they reached the door, he shifted her onto one arm, and pulled out keys, unlocking the door. It swept open into darkness.

  She stiffened as he entered the room, closing the door behind them. The darkness of the cabin was even deeper than outside. And it was colder. Her breathing hitched.

  “I’ll light the fire,” he said, his deep voice seeming to rumble through her.

  To her shock, her body responded to the sound of his voice in the darkness as if he’d run a hand up her thigh. Every nerve seemed to awaken. Wanting him. Again.

  He set her down on something soft, and shamefully, her hands slid slowly down his chest.

  He shivered beneath her touch. “Saura…”

  “Yes?” The sound of his racing heart seemed to fill her ears.

  Do we really need each other? Again?

  His lips brushed hers, his warm breath caressing her mouth.

  At least this time he knows who he’s mating.

  At that thought she pulled back, frantically pushing away from him.

  “I…” His arms tightened around her for a brief moment before he slowly released her. “I’ll light the fire.”

  Goose bumps erupted across her flesh as his warmth left her. Seconds later, a fire awakened, lighting the room in its soft glow.

  She stared around his home, crossing her arms angrily over her chest as she avoided his piercing gaze. It was rustic, as she would expect from a human dwelling. Animal heads decorated the walls. Seating was arranged around the fire where Raiden knelt by a hearth, flames still leaping from his hand as he kept it emerged in the orange-and-gold fire. A small area that was clearly a kitchen, if not a strange one, rested to one side.

  She realized she sat on a massive bed in the back of the room. Of course. How convenient. One door sat open, seemingly leading into the bathroom.

  The cabin was simple. But, even though she was loathe to admit it, she liked it.

  He rose from the large fire and went to the bathroom, exiting a moment later with a small white container. “Let’s take a look at your foot.”

  Frowning, she turned her foot so she could see the bottom of it. She’d forgotten about the pain. Something had pierced the flesh on the ball of her foot. It left a small cut and an even smaller amount of blood, but didn’t seem to be lodged in her foot any longer.

  “It’s nothing.” She tried to put her foot back down.

  “I’ll be the judge of that,” he said, settling next to her on the bed, grabbing her leg to keep her foot aloft.

  With gentle hands, he held her ankle and turned her foot so that he could look at it better.

  She dug her hands into the blankets on the bed, willing herself to hide the wave of need pulling at her. Closing her eyes, she took deep breaths as he slid soft fingers over the bottom of her foot, never quite touching her injury.

  “I’ll put some cream on it.” His voice held the same need she felt so strongly it was almost painful.

  “It’s fine,” she said, forcing herself to open her eyes.

  Their gazes met, and they both inhaled as one.

  “It’s my job to keep you safe. If an infection—“

  She laughed, glancing at her foot. “It’s already healed. I think you’ve spent too much time with these humans.”

  He looked at her foot with a frown, then released it. Shifting on the bed, he stared down at his hands, some of his dark hair falling onto his forehead.

  The need to brush the hair aside was almost painful. But what hurt worse was his uncertainty. Doesn’t he want to touch me?

  This was not how she’d expected their reunion. Part of her wanted to just forgive him and move on, but the truth was she still felt betrayed.

  I need a few minutes away from him. To think.

  “Do you have a bathing pool here?”

  His head jerked up. “I have a shower.”

  “A…shower?” she asked, brows furrowed.

  He nodded and rose, reaching out his hand. “I’ll show you.”

  Again, she ignored his hand, and he dropped it after a moment. The corners of his mouth turned down, and she realized she was hurting him.

  As he led her to the bathroom, she felt less certain of her anger.

  When he showed her a strange glass enclosure, she noted his enthusiasm. He likes human things. Maybe being human is not an insult to him as it would be to most of us. Using knobs on one side, he pulled and twisted. A second later, jets of water rained down from above.

  “Is it warm?”

  “It will be in a second.”

  She nodded, reached for the hem of the shirt she was wearing and froze. “I’ll need some privacy.”

  “Of course,” he nodded. “I’ll go look for some female clothes for you.”

  Stiffening, she clenched her fists. “I will not wear anything from another of your lovers.”

  His hand tugged her chin up to meet his angry gaze. “I told you, I have been faithful to you.”

  Her eyes narrowed. “Do not bring me another female’s clothing.”

  “Fine.” The word was cold. Turning, he strode from the door, slamming it behind him.

  He has no right to be angry with me, she thought as she tugged off his shirt and tossed it on the ground. Stepping into the water, she gasped, and then groaned as the warm water rushed over her. This is exactly what I need.

  Unfortunately, the warm water had consequences. Her inner muscles tightened as her pulse sped up. Images of her first sexual experience flashed through her mind. Of Raiden.

  The gods must have been aroused the day they crafted him. Every part of him was made to be touched. To be tasted. His powerful body was large and muscular, corded and tight. Hairless except for his manhood, nestled in dark hair.

  And what a specimen! She’d never seen another cock, but it didn’t matter. His was perfect. And his taste. Who could’ve imagined just wrapping my mouth around him would arouse me in such a way?

  Her fingers slid down her body as she thought of him
. At the mound of her womanhood, she hesitated for only a moment, but the aching inside was too much to ignore. Curious, she slid one finger inside to find herself wet. Acting on instinct, she slid her fingers along her lower lips, gasping as her fingers reached the spot Raiden’s Mating Muscle had discovered.

  Feeling brave as need sparked within her, she slowly slid one finger inside herself. In and out she moved the finger. It felt good. So damn good. But it’s not enough, I want Raiden’s cock inside me.

  Steam rose all around her as she slid the finger in and out, faster and faster, before adding another finger. Groaning, she leaned forward, her hand reaching out to steady herself on the knobs of the human bathing pool.

  The knob slid unexpectedly beneath her touch. Icy water hit her as she cried out in shock. Stumbling back, she slipped and a scream tore from her lips as she crashed onto the ground. Stupid human technology, she chided herself as she lay crumpled with icy liquid spitting at her and her fingers still buried deeply inside her pussy.

  A second later, there was a bang and Raiden appeared above her. “Are you all right?”

  Heat blossomed in her cheeks. “I—“

  To her horror, his gaze strayed down to her fingers buried deeply within her.

  “Shit,” he swore.

  Kneeling down, he pulled her hand away, leaving her hot and wet. A second later, his mouth replaced her fingers. She cried out, twisting beneath him, but his mouth only entered her more deeply, kissing and licking as she thrashed beneath him.

  She twisted her fingers into the back of his wet hair, even as the still-cool water struck her flesh. Her nipples hardened into two painful points. As his tongue flicked her magic spot, she took one hand and gripped her nipple, pinching it as her need built higher and higher.

  A moment later, she knew she was on the edge again. Shoving him back, she stared at him, panting. “No.”

  His eyes filled with regret as his mouth opened.

  On trembling legs, she stood. “I need you inside me.”

  It took him one second before he was undoing his pants and pulling them and his underclothes off. A moment later, he stepped into the shower. Grasping her ass, he pulled her up, her legs wrapping around his back.

  His skin was on fire. She was on fire. The water hissed as it struck them, steam filling the room. His manhood slowly breached her opening, then entered her in one powerful movement.

  Need exploded within her core, and she rocked against him, shouting his name. He followed her rhythm, moving faster and faster. His massive cock seemed to fill her, a hot, pulsing pole of pleasure. As she got closer to the edge of her orgasm, his Mating Muscle started its cruel assault on her magic spot. First it flicked, then wrapped around it, pulsing.

  She rode the wave over the edge, her vision growing white as every nerve in her body sang. She continued to buck and scream as his hot seed shot into her, his fingers digging into her ass as he shouted her name in return.

  Sinking to his knees, he brought them both down to the ground. His hot breath warmed her face, and then he took her lips. She parted her mouth, and his tongue slid inside. His kiss was hard, demanding.

  But he wasn’t done; his mouth left her lips, moving to her neck once more. He sucked and licked, her inner muscles clenching around his hard cock as her need grew once more. She arched her back, shocked as her inner muscles held him tighter.

  His hot mouth closed around one of her nipples and sucked. Hard. She cried out, and suddenly, they were thrusting again. Desire built, higher and higher until she leaped from the edge once more. Trembles racked her body as she clutched his shoulders, enjoying feeling him come inside her. His thrusts slowed, until at last they both clung to each other, hearts racing.

  One of his hands left her ass, and suddenly, the water was soothingly warm.

  She groaned, enjoying the feeling of his cock buried so deeply inside her as the warm water fell.

  “Thank you, Saura,” he whispered, drawing back.

  Their gazes held, and she found it impossible to still be angry with him. What if he really didn’t betray me? “You really haven’t lain with another female?”

  His grip on her ass tightened. “Never. There’s never been anyone for me but you. Even worlds away from the last place I saw you, tonight was the first time I saw a woman and wanted her.”

  Pride swelled in her chest. I believe him. This male, her male, not only had been faithful to her, but he wanted her as badly as she wanted him.

  “What now?” she asked.

  “Now?” He smiled. “Now I am going to feed you something amazing. And then we are going to try out a human bed.”

  This is the Raiden I remember. But is he still fun to tease?

  She grinned, choosing her response with care. “The food sounds great.”

  His brows rose. “Just the food?”

  “Well, it depends, what kind of food will it be?“ she asked, as innocently as she could.

  “Something called a burger,” he said, slowly climbing to his feet, his cock still firmly inside her.

  “Is it good?”

  He growled low in his throat. “It’s delicious, but only half as delicious as you. Next time, I’m going to make you come with my tongue firmly inside you.”

  She shivered, her body growing wet around him. But I’m not done quite yet. “That sounds perfect.” She paused. “I’ve never had a burger before.”

  He thrust himself deeper inside her as her nails left more grooves in his back. “Oh, Saura, this isn’t like when we were kids.” His teeth nipped her ear. “Now if you tease me, I can punish you the way you deserve.”

  A shiver raced down her spine.

  Tossing her on the bed, he spread her legs with his big hands. “Get comfortable, love. I’ve changed my mind. We’ll eat later, and this will take awhile.”

  Chapter Eleven

  Tayker grumbled as he made his way to the door of his suite, wearing nothing but a black silk robe lightly tied around his waist. Who in the three moons could be bothering him at this hour? His gaze slid back to his bedroom door. And interrupting me when I’m enjoying myself.

  The irritating beeping of his buzzer was relentless as he finally came to the door and hit the button. His door slid open on Kaemon. The young man’s skin had darkened to a deep red, even the tips of his dark spiked hair held a red tint. He’s angry.

  Damn it.

  “What took you so long?” the younger man shouted, striding into the room. “When I am your Khar if you ever keep me waiting so long I’ll have your head!”

  Tayker sighed. “Kaemon, it is late.”

  The younger man rounded on him, fist clenched. “How can you possibly be sleeping when our entire plan could be unraveling right now?”

  Does he really need to be comforted like a small child on an hourly basis? I’m going to need a drink for this. I can’t believe I have to reassure him yet again.

  The older man walked to his bar and poured them both a glass of his second-most expensive drink. But when he handed a glass to the other male, Kaemon smacked it from his hand. The fine crystal shattered, shards of glass and dark liquid making a mess on his rare rugs.

  Not another glass! He acts as if we’re still on Falaytious, where anything we desired was at our fingertips. We’re in the middle of space! I’ll have to stop allowing this fool in my chambers, or else I’ll be drinking out of poor-man’s porcelain before too long…

  He clenched his teeth. “Our plan has changed, but it’s certainly not ruined. As I have already explained.”

  Countless times.

  “And what if Raiden is mating my future Khara right now?”

  With each hour that passes his mind creates more doubts about my plan…

  Tayker settled himself on the couch and took a sip, feigning a calmness he didn’t feel. “Unlikely, but possible. But why would that matter?”

  The red rings around the younger males eyes deepened to a scarlet that was nearly black. “I will cut his hands from his body if he
’s touched her.”

  How naive can he possibly be? The instant Saura finds her betrothed, they will be mating. Surely he must know this.

  “There will be no need for that when the Spyres are activated.”

  Kaemon kicked the table over like a petulant adolescent. “I didn’t say I needed to do it. I’ll want to do it if he’s touched her.”

  How nervous should I be that the man I’ve chosen to make our future Khar has the temper of a toddler? I may need to make some changes to this plan…

  “What I meant was that the Spyres will do more than cut his hands from his body. Once they catch his scent, they won’t rest until he’s dead. And knowing Raiden’s skill as a warrior, his death will be a slow and painful one.”

  Kaemon unclenched his hands slightly. “So, when exactly do you intend to activate them? Every time I speak to you, you say ‘not yet, not yet,’ but my patience is growing thin.”

  Clearly.

  Tayker took another sip of his drink, swirling the dark liquid in his glass afterward. “Soon.” And soon you will be gone, so I can enjoy the rest of my night…

  “Soon,” the younger man repeated, as if tasting the word.

  Then, without warning, Kaemon moved toward him, striking like a snake. He caught the older man around the throat and squeezed.

  Tayker’s shock lasted only a moment before he began to struggle, his drink falling from his fingers. As he flailed, realization poured through him.

  Kaemon is insane! This man can never be the Khar.

  His hands scratched at Kaemon’s powerful one, reminding him in the worst possible way that this man might be younger and more foolish, but he was far stronger.

  Suddenly, Tayker felt heat near his crotch. Freezing, he slowly looked down. Flames leaped from Kaemon’s fingers, inches from his exposed manhood.

  “Maybe now would be a better time to activate it.” A strange light lit his eyes.

  He’s mad. He’s got to know that without me he has no chance at stealing the throne.