Mortal Flames_The Magical

by Averi Hope

  The jagged cut on her forehead had healed, leaving nothing but a pale shadow of a scar that would soon fade. Her skin was a soft blue, and the clear rings of blue around her eyes sparkled like stardust. His manhood rose, demanding that he take her. But then, he realized he was still dirty and bloody from the accident. I need a shower myself.

  When he took her again, he would not be covered in the grime, sweat, and blood from the accident. It took all his willpower to walk past her and into the bathroom, stripping off his boxers before he stood in the bathing chamber.

  Instead of the rainfall setting, he put it to bath. Warm, dark liquid filled the cube quickly, massaging his body and cleansing it all at once. Ah, I’ve missed this. Something tugged at his heart. But showers with clear, cool water hold a whole different appeal.

  When he finally strode from the bathing cube, he quickly dried himself and then prowled from the bathroom, searching for his mate. Ready to tear off her clothes.

  As it turned out, he didn’t have to. He found Saura lying naked on the bed, eyes closed, one finger sliding in and out of her womanhood.

  His cock rose, giving a painful throb.

  Watching her, he held his breath. His gaze never left her finger as it entered the space between her legs. Mine. She was wet, ready. Spread and swollen. His eyes traveled down her legs, her smooth belly, and up to her perfect breasts. The dark blue tips of her nipples were hard, waiting for his eager mouth.

  He crossed the room to stand beside her. She must have sensed the movement, because her eyes opened wide.

  Her cheeks heated a deep blue with embarrassment. “I thought…you might not be well enough to…and I couldn’t wait any—“

  In answer, he pushed her hand away and climbed on top of her, kissing the side of her neck. She felt so small and delicate beneath him, but he knew how powerful she was. In his bed, she’d been a wild animal. When she’d defended him, she’d fought like an Elementa warrioress defending its mate.

  She impressed him. Immensely. She was nothing like most Elementa females. It was as if she didn’t realize she was supposed to be the weaker sex. Perhaps because there isn’t anything weak about her. The thought brought a strange feeling of pride. He was lucky to have been matched with her.

  Her chest rose and fell rapidly. “But your injuries…”

  “Are better,” he whispered, taking her earlobe between his teeth.

  She shivered beneath him. “You left your earring on.”

  He froze. How long have I worn it? It seems like a part of me after all this time. “Do you…want me to take it off?”

  She slid her fingers through the back of his hair, smiling. “I want to see you. The real you.” Her smile faltered. “Unless you don’t want to…”

  “No. It’s fine,” he said, perhaps too quickly.

  But for some reason, he felt confused as he stood and unclipped the earring. Staring down at himself, he watched as his flesh slowly shifted from the pale, tan color of his human form to the deep red of an Elementa male.

  “Gods,” she murmured, sitting up. Her eyes devoured him hungrily. “This is how I imagined you.”

  He set the earring down, watching as her eyes darkened further with desire, her gaze hungry.

  Moving closer to her, he froze as her small hand curled around his cock. He opened his mouth, to say what he wasn’t sure, when her tongue slid out to flick his tip. His blood boiled, his need for her like a living creature. Needing. Demanding.

  Her small hand pushed him slowly back on the bed, her breath warm against the tip of his cock. It was impossible to take his eyes off her as her lips parted and surrounded his manhood. He groaned, thrashing his head, hands curling as he struggled to control himself. Her mouth was so wet, so warm, just like her pussy.

  Digging his hand into the back of her loose, still-wet hair, he led her as she sucked up and down the length of him. A pressure built deep within his bones. A need to explode, to have her swallow his seed. But he held himself back as she tortured him. His head spun as he moved faster and faster.

  “Saura!” he finally cried out in warning.

  His cock twitched in her mouth. So close. Too close.

  “My turn,” he growled, pulling free of her mouth. He wanted to taste every part of her.

  But then he saw the desire swirling through her startling eyes, and he caught his breath.

  She pushed him back on the bed and climbed on top of him, positioning herself over his manhood. She impaled herself, riding him with smooth, rocking motions that were driving him crazy. Her hands moved over her breasts, her fingers squeezing her hard nipples. Her head was thrown back as she worked her breasts, and he found himself too aroused and shocked to do anything else but watch her lithe body move.

  Finally, he couldn’t take the sight of her touching herself any longer. He pulled her hands away and sat up, keeping himself inside her, taking one of her sensitive buds into his mouth. She cried out, then plunged herself down on his shaft.

  They both gasped together, but it lasted only a moment before she was taking him in and out once more. Riding him as he sucked her breasts. She seemed almost unaware of anything but her pleasure. But somehow, the fact that he’d caused her current state drove him wild. He thrust his hips in time with her movements, feeling her inner muscles clench him harder and tighter as her passions rose higher.

  Suddenly, his Mating Muscle slid down his cock. He closed his eyes and focused, using it to stroke her clit as she thrashed over him, screaming his name. Moving to her other breast, he sucked and used his teeth.

  Her hands wrapped around his head, pressing him closer to her chest, so he obliged, taking as much of her into his mouth as he could.

  Willing his Mating Muscle to follow his commands, he used it to flick her clit, hard and fast. The feeling of her wet tight pussy was becoming too much for him. The taste of her skin. Her firm ass as he clutched it, squeezing and pulling her down harder and harder onto his cock.

  His breathing was ragged. His blood racing. He was so close, but he couldn’t let go, not before he’d satisfied his mate. And then her inner muscles squeezed him, and he groaned as she climaxed. Moving on top of him faster and faster.

  “Yes! Oh gods, yes!” she screamed, clenching him to her breasts as she spiraled over the edge into spasms of delight, her pussy tightening around him so he had no choice but to let go.

  He exploded up into her, his seed filling her. But her womanhood continued to milk him, driving him into madness as she continued to come. His voice shouting along with hers. His cock pressing fully into her and filling her to the hilt.

  At last, his manhood gave a final satisfied twitch, and he fell back onto the bed. She came down with him, her head resting on his heart. They lay together for a long time, breathing hard, neither one speaking.

  For several minutes, he felt only contentment. His still-hard cock was encased in her wet, warm pussy. His muscles were drained of all tension, and the idea that he finally had Saura filled him with complete joy.

  But unwanted thoughts began to slide through his mind, no matter how hard he tried to push them away. You can never give Saura up. She is yours, now and forever. If she makes you choose, you will stay on Hope. But could you really be happy there? His muscles tensed and she lifted her head, looking down at him.

  “What’s wrong?” she asked.

  He looked up at her wide eyes. “I was just thinking of what will happen when we get back.”

  She nodded, her expression saying she knew what he refused to say. “We’ll pay our respects to your father, announce our bond, speak with the council, and likely be crowned Khar and Khara as quickly as possible. Kaemon will try to stop us, but he won’t be able to. Blood rules the throne.”

  “Blood rules the throne,” he repeated, automatically. Perhaps I haven’t changed as much as I thought.

  She reached up, cradling his cheek in her hand. “I didn’t understand before what… what you were giving up by leaving Erth, but I think I understand
now.” Pressing a soft kiss to his lips, she gave a sad smile. “But no matter how wonderful it was, our people must come first. Always. They need us.”

  Closing his eyes, he tried to fight the wave of sadness that swept through him. She’s right. I hate it. But she’s right. In a few short hours, I will be Khar.

  My days will be filled with responsibility and misery, all while living in my father’s shadow. What could be better than that?

  Chapter Eighteen

  The ship had supplied them with traditional clothes. They were not white clothes of mourning, as was most appropriate, but the sacred gold color was still fitting, somehow. Saura’s throat felt unexpectedly constricted by the high neckline, while the low back, revealing all of her back and the sides of her breasts, felt far too revealing. I will need to grow accustomed to the gowns of a mated female…sexy and stunning all at once.

  Her gaze slid to Raiden, who was closing the final button at his throat. His finely made clothes emphasized his every muscle, the cords that strained his arms, his wide chest and shoulders, and his narrow waist. He looks like the Khar. Our new leader. Her heart sang.

  But when she saw his expression reflected in the mirror, it nearly broke her heart. So sad. The responsibility of caring for the largest surviving faction of Elementas must weigh heavily on his shoulders.

  She wrapped her arms around his waist and he placed his hands over hers, their eyes connecting in the mirror. “Are you still planning on returning to Erth?”

  He shook his head slowly. “No, I remember my responsibility now.” His voice was heavy, but certain.

  For some reason, she felt as though she was stealing his dreams. It hurt. “This is the right choice, Raiden. It’s the only choice you could make for your people, and to continue your father’s legacy.” She nibbled on her bottom lip, thinking. “But if you want, when we’re alone, we can talk about Erth, about your favorite things and experiences there. We can even discuss what life would’ve been like if we stayed.”

  His smile lightened the red rings around his dark pupils. “Thank you. I think—I’d like that.”

  The computer’s deep voice interrupted. “Please secure yourselves. I shall begin the two-minute countdown for docking with Hope.”

  Numbers flashed on the screen overhead, beginning the countdown. They moved to the two seats at the front of the ship and buckled themselves. Then, she reached for his hand, and he curled his larger palm around hers as Hope slowly became larger and larger in their viewscreen, along with the two dozen smaller ships that surrounded it.

  The communicator screen blinked. Raiden reached forward and clicked it. The head of transportation came into view, his eyes on the board in front of him. “Who is requesting docking with…” His gaze connected with Raiden and his eyes widened. “Permission granted, my Khar.” He bowed his head, and the screen vanished.

  “Khar,” Raiden said slowly, as if testing it out. “Before I was the son. The heir. Raiden. Now, and until my death, I will be Khar alone.”

  He no longer sounds human. He sounds like the young man I remember.

  She squeezed his hand. “No, you won’t. You’ll be Khar…with me.”

  He turned grateful eyes to her. “I can endure almost anything with you by my side, and sharing the responsibility with such a capable female will lighten the burden…perhaps even make it bearable.”

  She tilted her head, searching her thoughts and emotions. Was she upset about the responsibilities that would soon rest on her shoulders? The answer came easily: no. But she was afraid of what trouble Kaemon might have stirred up for them since they left.

  “How will we handle Kaemon?” she asked, voicing her concerns aloud.

  His expression darkened. “First, we will find a way to prove that he was the one to poison my father, sabotage my craft, and try to murder us. Then I will allow him to fight to clear his innocence. And because the gods know the lies that poison his heart, I will win, and he will die.”

  A fight to the death. My Raiden will be a good and just ruler, like his father before him. In the Days of Blood, Raiden’s grandfather had simply beheaded anyone he suspected of treason, never allowing the chance for the accused to show their innocence before the gods in a battle to the death. She was proud to be Raiden’s Khara.

  “Your people will be glad to see such mercy after the loss of your father.”

  He was quiet for a moment. “It’s important you remember that our mating isn’t technically completed.”

  “It isn’t?” she questioned, frowning.

  “What I meant is that…usually at this point we would still be locked away together to complete the mating. But we have to complete our duty, so we don’t have time to finish the ritual. But unmated males still can’t be allowed around you because you are still in your mating frenzy. So, while we and the council may speak of you as my mate, we all know that, technically, you aren’t.”

  She clenched her teeth together. “And why is it important I know that?”

  Turning to her with surprise, he raised a brow. “So you will stay close to me. Don’t go off on your own. We can’t allow you to be accidentally mauled by an unmated male…it would destroy everything you’ve worked so hard to bring together. And we can’t discount the fact that Kaemon also knows this. We have to be prepared for whatever he and his cronies might throw at us.”

  Her annoyance cooled. “You are aware that I understand the basics of mating, right?”

  To her pleasure, he chuckled. “Sorry, I’m nervous. I just don’t…don’t want to lose you.”

  She flashed him her sweetest smile. “Never, my love.”

  His hand squeezed her. “Promise?”

  Pressing her two fingers to her lips, she murmured, “Promise.”

  For one second his heated gaze lingered on her lips, before he looked back at the viewscreen.

  They both sat in silence as they docked with Hope. To her surprise, her heart raced. When the docking melody played overhead, they unbuckled and went to the door, taking each other’s hands once more. She felt Raiden’s flesh heat beneath her touch, and looked at him, surprised. He was calling his magic to him?

  Because he fears who will be here to greet us.

  Maybe he’s right.

  Her breath came in ragged bursts as she called her own weakened powers to herself. Steam rose where their hands touched.

  The doors slid open, and she was shocked to find the room on the other side filled with people. All of them quiet. All of them staring.

  Her gaze slid from the six faces of the council members, all wearing their scarlet robes around their ancient bodies, to her father and uncle also in their council robes. She wanted to run to her father, but held herself still beside Raiden as Kaemon shoved to stand in front of the old men.

  His eyes narrowed as they slid over Raiden, then turned to her with obvious desire darkening his expression. “Raiden and Saura, welcome home.”

  Some of the council members’ voices rose in irritation.

  Her father stepped beside Raiden. “Boy, I think you forget yourself. Kneel before your Khar and Khara.”

  To her shock, Kaemon stood unmoving. “Councilman Moro, I think you are the one who forgets yourself. Just a short time ago, it was decided that I would assume the mantle of Khar.”

  Her father growled in the back of his throat. “Even if you had actually been crowned, blood rules the throne.” He looked back at the council members in support.

  Jetri, the oldest of the council members stood forward and bowed before them, his long, white hair sweeping the floor. “My Khar and Khara, you do not know how our hearts warm at the sight of you both back safely from the primitive world. Kaemon has forgotten himself in greeting you before the council, and in discussing such things before your time to see your father. All else, including what is best for the future of the Elementas, can wait until then.”

  What is best for the Elementas? The hairs on Saura’s neck stood on end. That didn’t sound good. Not at all.
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  To her surprise, Raiden reached out and took Elder Jetri’s hand in a gesture that was both intimate and unexpected. “Thank you. I will take my time to mourn, and then we shall arrange a meeting between the council members, your Khara, and myself.”

  “And me,” Kaemon shot in, crossing his arms in front of his chest.

  Raiden dropped the elder’s hand and Saura’s. He moved to stand so close to Kaemon that barely a breath separated them. Raiden dwarfed the other male, both in height and sheer size.

  “Cousin of my blood, I am going to assume your disrespect comes because you are heartbroken over the loss of my father. But know this, in any other circumstance, I would burn you to ash for such talks of treason.”

  The deep blue of Kaemon’s skin shifted to a pale blue so light it was almost white. “I understand.”

  Raiden gave a curt nod. “I wish to see my father.”

  The guards surrounded their entourage as they were led down the hall and through the ship. Thankfully, all unmated males seem to have been better warned of my arrival. They saw only a few females, who gasped and knelt before them as they walked past.

  At last, they stopped at the entrance to the Temple of the Gods. No one spoke as Raiden stared at the door for one minute too long. At last, he pressed his thumb into the golden square and the metal doors parted.

  He entered, with her behind him, as was customary. Golden pillars lined the walkway up to the dais at the end. On both sides were areas that looked far too similar to the Garden of Virtue. Pale blue, orange, and yellow trees surrounded bathing pools that steamed.

  They walked slowly along the golden path, grass creeping between the squares, saying nothing. Behind them, the doors slid shut. Sounds filled the massive room, the sound of running water from the high waterfalls flowing into the bathing pools. Birds with soft, stunning melodies sang from the treetops.

  Saura inhaled sharply, realizing belatedly that she was trembling. The room smelled familiar, like the gardens. She’d always thought it was a beautiful smell, not that much different than what their planet had been like. But now, she realized she’d been kidding herself. Beneath the scent of green life, metal lingered like a poison. Erth was real. This is fake. Something to keep us from realizing all we lost. To keep us happy until we reached our new planet.