Kyra laid her hand on his shoulder. “I shall be careful in my movements. I, too, cannot visualize his intent. But I shall not let my guard down.” She moved closer. The snake upon his chest stared at her above the opening in his tunic. Kyra hissed beneath her breath.
Eris studied her closely. “Is something amiss, Kyra?”
She shook her head once. “At least tonight I should surely rest secure and safe from harm.”
The implications were clear. Eris inhaled sharply. The invitation would not go unheeded. His snake drew back expectantly. Kyra eyed the creature. “I had thought we would do away with fancy illusions and overwhelming distractions. We shall forfeit glamorous bathing chambers and extravagantly provocative apparel, and simply be…as we are.”
Eris swallowed hard. He felt the urge rage within him, to turn his face to the heavens and shout, “At last!” Finally she was allowing herself to see him as himself, allowing him to be himself. He glanced down at the creature, clearly aroused on his chest, and stilled. He spoke quietly, “Allow me to come to you when I am ready. Be it late tonight or early tomorrow, but I shall come.”
Kyra glanced a last time at his beast, nodded, and turned away slowly. “I shall await you.”
It took Eris practically the entire night to force his beast to rest. It hungered for battle, sensing the danger in the air. The shift was undeniable. The night appeared more somber and dark. The skies lay bare of stars and glorious moonlight. The enemy was close, stirring and preparing. Eris lowered his weapon. He had spent the time training almost to exhaustion. His beast was slow to retreat. But he had not surrendered until it lay fully in slumber. Then he went to her.
He found her asleep already. The night air kissed her skin lovingly, leaving her bathed in the soft light of the low torch. He leaned in close and inhaled the breath of her deep slumber. Slowly, he drew the covering rug back and settled beside her. Her skin was hot and slightly damp. Eris swallowed hard. She had fallen asleep, aroused and heated, and she slept naked. Perhaps he could forge a way for himself into the dreams she had created. His lance stirred, encouraging his thoughts. His lips kissed the back of her neck softly. He feathered a slow, leisurely path down her neck and exposed back. Kyra moaned in her sleep and arched her back.
Eris continued his exploration. Her skin was soft and tender beneath his lips and tongue. He lapped at her, nipping and teasing as he continued lower and lower. He found her lower back to be extra sensitive as she arched and stretched in pleasure. He lingered here, slaking his need for her taste and her obvious hunger for his touch. Finally he reached the dimples on her bottom. Not ready to release her of her sleep, he changed directions. He once again traveled a slow, decadent path up her spine. He slid his tongue along the side of her neck. Upon the first tender nip at her earlobe, she moaned deeply. He explored the delicate curve of her ears thoroughly, using his teeth to feast upon the secret flesh.
* * * *
Kyra muttered in her sleep and turned unto her back. The nibbling at her ear was deeply arousing. It dragged her from her dreams and lured her into an equally pleasant land of hazy fantasy. She went willingly. She stretched her neck in invitation as she felt a hot moist tongue travel the length of her throat.
She arched her back as she felt the journey proceed down her chest. Cool air touched her beasts as the rug was gently lowered. The first touch of his lips had her sighing in desire. His mouth closed over her nipple, hot and wet. Teeth grated against the hard, erect point as a lapping tongue soothed the sensitive area. She arched her back, begging for more as he swirled round and round, feeding the vortex within her. She whimpered softly as she felt him grasp her breasts and squeeze them gently together. His mouth closed over both nipples, tightly pressed. She wriggled and thrust gently under the assault. His tongue slipped between her nipples and around. His teeth chaffed both hardened peaks at once. She keened softly in delight as sparks of heat shot from her bosom straight to her most private places. Her knees came up, clamping down against the pulsing heat between her thighs as she rocked against the unrelenting assault of his mouth. Her eyes opened slowly. “Eris.”
“I am here.” He grasped the rug and tossed it to the floor, exposing her body fully. He took the time to admire her lithe curves before lowering his head. His mouth kissed a decadent path lower and lapped at her navel, teasing and tasting. Kyra arched into his mouth. Her hands closed over the top of his head and pressed him closer.
He moved lower still. She held her breath as his kiss fanned against the thatch of blonde hair. She spread her legs invitingly as his fingers parted her nether lips. He tongue lashed out, a quick darting taste of her bud. She screamed and lurched up.
Eris held her down firmly and covered her completely with his mouth. His tongue dove in deep into her wet channel, and his teeth scraped her swollen love bud. He sucked and lapped hungrily, noisily. Kyra felt her limbs tremble. Her climax was upon her before she could hold back. She grabbed his hair and pressed his heated mouth hard, desperately to her pulsating pussy. As she keened, Eris continued to stroke and drank greedily of her overflowing juices. He feasted on her satisfaction. He devoured her hungrily. She fed him gladly.
As the last tremors subsided, Eris traveled up the length of her body. He kissed and nipped, suckled and bit as he went. Finally he reached her mouth. His breath feathered across her lips, parted and welcoming, he whispered, “My beautiful, delicious Kyra.” Kyra caught her own scent on his lips, heady, musky. His tongue greeted her with the taste of her, spicy, creamy. She wrapped her legs around him, imprisoning him tightly to her. As her tongue dove into his mouth, she thrust her hips harshly against his throbbing shaft.
Eris rose off her on bent elbows. “Do not rush, Kyra. Allow me my leisure.”
His words cut through her hazy mind. She was doing it again. She was enticing the beast. Find the man. She nodded and swallowed uncertainly. Eris smiled and kissed the corners of her lips. His breath mingled with hers as he whispered huskily, “Relax. I shall not leave you wanting.”
Eris centered himself and entered her slowly. He kept his weight off her as her hips lurched up. He pushed his throbbing cock slowly, inch by stiff inch, into the moist, clenching muscles, forging a path deep within her. As his base reached her entrance, he withdrew just as slowly. He continued his long, leisurely strokes. Kyra watched him. Wonder and fascination filled her.
He smiled and picked up the speed of his plunges by a notch. He angled his hips, pumping slowly into her from various directions. The scorching, blunt head of his cock touched her in corners, crevices, that until now had been unexplored. Kyra’s mouth opened in a growl. It remained silent as her voice caught at the back of her throat. She was impatient and greedy, and she could not bear this torturous lesson on restraint.
Eris shook his head as he bid her, “Stay with me, Kyra. Do not rush ahead.”
Kyra bit her lip. Her eyes took in the splendor of the raw power above her. The view that greeted her stole the breath clean out her lungs. The air lodged itself tightly in her throat. Eris’s body was wonderfully stretched, arching inwards ever so agilely with each measured thrust. She watched as his body bent forward and drew back. His muscles clenched and bunched, contracted and relaxed. The sight was wondrous, sensual. She explored the stretch of his neck and shoulders as they strained and corded beneath her fingertips.
His strokes never wavered, they never slowed, but they never quickened. He plundered at the same measured pace, not hurried, not urgent. Kyra frowned. She had never before had the pleasure so slowly stolen from her body. Each plunge of his stiff erection sent a jet of moisture, lathering the velvety linings of her passage. Each withdrawal, she savored with weeping need as her muscles clenched and clung desperately. Never before had she been so hot, so wet. Never before had pleasure come so blissfully slow and bittersweet.
Her eyes moved up to his face. He watched her with brilliantly shining eyes. But it was his mouth that entranced her. His bottom lip was firmly bitten on, the bands of mus
cles clenched at his jowls. Moss-green eyes swirled with an inner storm, showing her fully the intense pleasure he was deriving.
He quickened his pace by a single notch once again. Kyra gasped in shock as her inner muscles quivered. A second climax was about to take her. She stared at him uncertainly.
“Let go, Kyra.” His word, a soft, compelling demand, resonated deep within her. She closed her eyes and let herself go yet again. Moisture flooded, and yet he continued at his steady pace. She arched and jerked against him, raking her nails across his back. Her scream was torn out of the very center of her breast as her orgasm was reached, violent and deliciously drawn-out. She screamed long and hard and finally fell back, trembling and whimpering. That was when Eris took his advantage.
His loins pumped harder and faster. Kyra was still caught up in her release. Her muscles, still throbbing from her previous orgasm, convulsed tightly again as his hardness slid mercilessly. A loud, harsh shout burst from her lips as a powerful release burst forth once again.
Eris roared his pleasure and pumped into her, impaling her. The tip of his shaft swelled against her quivering folds, and he poured himself into her. Each hard jerk triggered a fresh spurt of steaming, shooting seed. Her womb constricted as her inner walls sucked and milked him. He fell. He crushed her beneath his weight and breathed harshly against her neck.
Kyra stroked his back gently. She welcomed his weight and reveled in his hot wetness in her. Her thighs were sleek, soaked in their moisture. A thrill coursed through her. The snake has not reared its head. This was the true man, patient, dominating. He had control and drew out her releases with patient strokes and subtle commands as no one had before. Thus far she had only known of frenzied, thrashing climaxes, but this had been so divinely drawn-out, a sweet and merciless satisfaction. He had not simply mated, he had made love. There was such a world of difference. Kyra felt her body float, replete and complete.
He stirred within her. She stared at him in shock, and she bit her lip in mirth. Eris narrowed his eyes. “Are you laughing at me?”
Kyra shook her head and pressed her lips together. Eris nodded curtly. “That is good because we are not done yet.”
Kyra gasped as his words triggered a reaction in the quickly hardening of the semi flaccid cock within her. It jerked eagerly. She stared at him in disbelief. “Again?”
Eris chuckled as he kissed the side of her neck. “I did say we were not done yet.”
He lifted himself off and grabbed her sides. Flipping her onto her belly in one deft move, he spread her legs wide and settled against her behind. He leaned over her and whispered in her ear, “Not nearly done. Now, lift your delightful ass for me.”
Kyra lifted herself on bent knees. She trembled with anticipation as Eris leaned back and rubbed his lance along the length of exposed crevice. She shivered as he pressed his moistened tip into the tight opening, lubricating the tender opening with his juices. Without entering farther, he leaned down and again whispered, “I have been told about your lust for numerous partners.”
Kyra moaned and pressed her bottom against him urgently. Eris hissed, “Now you are warned, while the beast is easily satisfied, a gladiator’s lust is never quenched. My lance would plunder and gorge you until you scream. And even then I would not stop.” With that he thrust into her.
Kyra screamed. His hand wound around her middle, securing her position as his fingers quickly plunged into her pussy. His plunging fingers moved in perfect harmony with his cock piercing at her anus. She strained against him. She was stretched, gorged, and she loved every decadent, unrelenting stroke.
She screamed many times that night but never the word “stop.” Eris never tired, pleasuring her welcoming body even as her eyelids drooped and her mind drifted. His ministrations varied, smooth and patient to hot and ruthless. But he never left any part of her wanting. He plied her, at all times, with his divine tongue and expert fingers. Her pleasure had come at multiple, mind-blowing stimuli at the same time. Her hot snatch, tight anus, throbbing nub, her secret passion spot, nipples and even her mouth had been used and abused and suitably rewarded. Kyra learned the difference between partners and a lover. She learnt the difference between the stiff, body-arching, exploding climax and the melting, toe-curling, weeping orgasm. Eris had opened himself to her, bearing himself before her completely. And through it all, through the night, the snake slept. She had found the man.
* * * *
The vision returned the same as before. Eris stirred in his sleep. He knew what would happen next. Kyra’s eyes would widen in horrified terror and the beast behind him would strike. But suddenly he took note of her mouth. It seemed to be moving in clearly articulate motions, quick and hurried, but soundless. Eris strained to hear her words, but her earlier scream reverberated through his mind, blocking off all hearing. The attack came as before—fast. He lay as before, still, as the beast sought out to distinguish first the light in his heart, Kyra, before unleashing its fury on his body.
Eris’s eyes opened suddenly. The remainder of his sweat-drenched body remained motionless, except for the harsh rise and fall of his panicked breaths, the frantic pumps in his chest of his pounding heart. He stared at the ceiling, sightless, still submerged in the horror of his dream, his vision. A whistle hissed through the silent, dark room as the air wheezed out of his chest. He clenched his fists in frustration. His mother Negara had bid him rely on his visions. But how could he rely on what ultimately saw him dead, what saw Kyra lifeless? What purpose could such a vision possibly serve other than to undermine his own strength and deter his courage? No. He would do well to ignore the distressing vision. He would rely, as he had always done in the past, upon his own intuition and confidence. This vision did his confidence no good.
He gave the deeply slumbering, sleeping figure upon the high kline a final look before he slipped stealthily out the room. The door whispered softly as he exited. His body raged for the comfort, the bliss, that lingered on the bed for the remainder of this night. He stood now a man who had had thorough and complete enjoyment of a woman’s body, his woman. But he was not a mere man.
The beast within him stirred, restless and fierce. His duty called to him. Pleasure had only a small, allocated portion of his life. He recalled Kyra’s exuberant screams under his ardent ministrations. His footsteps faltered as he remembered her stunned, beautiful expression each time her body was overtaken by a violent climax. She had taken him in again and again, a man complete. No beast had reared its intrusive head and sent her fleeing, panicked and afraid. She had seen him as a man and accepted him, and she had screamed for more.
The sigh that fell from his lips was heavy, laced with tension and remorse. He could not feast on more of her heated body, at least not this night. His feet continued on his steady course, away from her. He never paused again as he made his way back to the barriers of the plantations. This was where he was needed, not beside an alluring mate as he wanted.
* * * *
Kyra came awake with a gasp. She was sure she had heard nothing. The night was unnaturally still, the shadows unnervingly darker. “Eris.” His name left her lips in a whisper. She got no response. Her hand groped the space beside her for comfort. She found nothing. Kyra lurched upright with a jerk. Her panicked gaze quickly scanned the room. What she found left her shivering and uncertain. Eris was nowhere to be found. Her feet found the cold floor with a shudder. This night felt unholy, evil. She had to find Eris. Something felt terribly wrong.
The flame of the torch she held wavered as she moved through the dark, silent passages. All the doors she passed remained closed, the occupants blissfully submerged in sleep. Their sleep and dreams cradled them in comfort, providing them blessed ignorance of the evil that lurked. Kyra forged on. Whatever roamed this unholy night sought only one thing—Eris. She would not lie in her bed, a quivering mass of gooseflesh, while his life was in peril. She had finally seen the man beneath, and she was not willing to lose him. Holding that thought firm in the fore
front her jumpy mind, her feet continued forward, silent, determined. A cold wind was all the warning she was given. It wisped against her face. An icy, fetid breath, which could only be possessed of death’s gaping jaws, blasted against her stunned face. The flame flickered and her torch went dark.
Kyra gasped and reached out before her. The darkness suddenly resembled a living being, swirling around her, feeding off her fear. It caressed her with cold fingers and taunted her shivering body. Kyra stared down at her feet and could see nothing. It was as though she had stepped into a void of nothing. Nothing existed, not even her body. She saw nothing and felt nothing but heart-gripping dread.
The voice came soft and deceptively sweet, familiar. She knew then she had made a grave error. She should have never ventured outside the room. “The foolish lamb has wandered outside the protective pen. Does she perhaps seek her noble protector? Alas, she has found the hunter instead. You have made this much too easy for me, Kyra.”
A swift gust of rushing air was all she felt before a searing shriek of pain. The club struck her head at the side. As she slid to the cold ground and her pain-laced mind began to fade, a medallion flashed menacingly. Its metal was shiny, cold. The eyes sparked a fierce red—a scarab. Kyra breathed out as the darkness overcame her desperate mind. “Thyone.”
Chapter 9:
SAGA Enn`ea
Eris shouted fierce, harsh orders as he exited the palace doorway and strode to the stables. His feet keep steady pace with the blood pounding within him.
Tangles and Temptation Page 22