Sword's Call

by C. A. Szarek

  “I know.” She looked down. “I know we all put our lives at risk. There’s nothing I can do to adequately thank you all, but I don’t want anyone else to die, except Varthan.”

  “I don’t plan on it, lass.” Hadrian grinned, making a fist.

  “Me either,” Jorrin said.

  “I’m not going to die,” Avery put in.

  “I feel the same way,” Braedon said, grinning.

  Cera looked at each of them and then at her bondmate, who was wagging his tail. A small smile bloomed on her lips. In seconds, it became a grin that made his heart stutter.

  “Now that we’re all decided on that, what else did you learn, lad?” Hadrian rubbed his hands together.

  Avery continued to brief them as Cera stood.

  “I’ll take first watch,” she said, squaring her shoulders and resheathing the magic sword at her waist.

  Their eyes locked, and Jorrin discarded any ideas of going with her.

  He didn’t need his powers to tell she needed to be alone.

  Nodding, he kissed her knuckles before she slipped away, Trikser on her heels.

  Jorrin caught Braedon’s much too-knowing smile. At least his father had had the tact not to remind her of the highly effective protection spell he and Hadrian had erected, in addition to the masking spell still around their perimeter. They would be more than fine for the night.

  Old habits die hard, my son, Braedon thought-sent.

  One corner of Jorrin’s mouth shot up.

  Avery quickly piped up that he would also take his turn at being on watch.

  Braedon chuckled.

  Staring in the direction she’d gone off to, Jorrin smiled to himself.

  He’d take watch, too.

  Anything to make her feel more secure.

  Chapter Fifteen

  “Jorrin?” Cera called, making sure to watch her step as she walked along the crumbling stone wall in the darkness.

  It was late and true to his word, he was on watch.

  She’d been unable to shut down her racing mind enough to sleep.

  The new information haunted her.

  Her aunt was unharmed, which was a relief, but worry for her uncle and grief for the dozen men of his personal guard were eating her alive.

  I’m responsible.

  Cera had known most of them. She tried not to remember their names or think of the times they’d guarded Avery, Kait, and her when they’d played outside the safety of Castle Lenore’s walls.

  “You’re supposed to be asleep,” Jorrin admonished, hopping down to the ground. He’d been perched on the wall.

  She gave the section a once over.

  How had it been sturdy enough to hold his weight?

  “I couldn’t sleep.” Cera flashed a smile and shrugged.

  Jorrin returned her smile, opening his arms.

  She moved in quickly and sighed as she leaned against him, closing her eyes. His heart beat against hers, grounding her.

  He rubbed her back, and she sank into him, smiling when he tucked her head under his chin.

  Trikser appeared around the corner of the wall, wuffing and running to her. His thoughts to her were a scold.

  She pulled away from Jorrin and knelt, throwing her arms around her wolf. “Sorry, Trik. I didn’t mean to leave you behind.” Dropping a kiss on his furry head, she gave him a pat and straightened.

  He wagged his tail and lay down, accepting her apology.

  Turning back to the man she loved, Cera rested her head against Jorrin’s broad chest. “Sorry.” She felt the rumble of his laugh.

  “I’ll always be jealous of him.”

  “Really?” she asked, pulling away to see his face.

  Seeing the tease for what it was, Cera couldn’t help herself. She pressed her lips to his.

  Jorrin took control, plunging his tongue into her mouth, devouring more than exploring.

  Cera opened for him, rubbing her tongue against his. The fire started where their mouths were fused. Heat consumed her body, making her breasts heavy and settling into her lower belly, burning its way between her legs. She clutched his shoulders to stay upright, pressing closer as her thighs trembled.

  She was lost.

  Her heart pounded, and a shiver made its way down her spine when she felt his hard length trapped between their bodies.

  The pulsing at her core increased in response.

  Cera needed Jorrin’s arms around her. She needed him beside her, always. And right now, she needed him inside her.

  Urgency won out over nerves about virginity. Her body was already leading her; she was more than willing to follow.

  If she could just convince Jorrin, they could make love, right here, right now.

  The dangers of their situation were gone. She had no worries; no actions had to be taken right now.

  There was only this man and what she felt for him.

  Jorrin kissed her hungrily, overwhelmingly, but she was right there with him, anticipating where it would take them next.

  She clutched his arms and rocked, pushing her pelvis into his.

  Jorrin pressed right back, and Cera moaned.

  He ripped his mouth from hers, panting hard. “Hey . . . how can I watch for the shades when you do that to me?” His voice was thick, much deeper than normal.

  Cera’s breathing was ragged as she gathered her voice. “I needed you for a moment.”

  “Oh. Only a moment?” Jorrin arched a dark brow. He playfully attempted to push her away, but she held on tight.

  “No. Not a moment. Forever.”

  Blessed Spirit, it’s true.

  She never wanted to be parted from Jorrin. Her heart pounded, her whole body reliving a head-to-toe flush.

  “Good, because you couldn’t get rid of me if you tried. I love you.”

  Cera closed her eyes. His words washed over her, and she tilted her head, shivering when Jorrin kissed her throat. “I love you, too. And I want you.” Her cheeks blazed.

  “Love . . .” His face was pained.

  “Don’t tell me no, Jorrin. I want this. I want you. I don’t care where we are, as long as I’m with you.”

  Jorrin groaned, shaking his head. “Your first time is a big deal.”

  “It’d only be a big deal if it wasn’t you.”

  Something passed through his sapphire eyes, visible even in the dimness. “You’ll only be with me,” he ordered, glaring.

  Cera grinned and kissed him. That’s what I want. To be with you, she thought-sent as his mouth moved over hers. She melted into his chest as their tongues dueled.

  His fingers tugged her jerkin, and she let him undo the ties, loosening and opening it. Separating their mouths for only a moment to slip out of it, she rushed back into his arms and kissed him with all her might.

  Jorrin wrapped his arms around her waist, and lifted Cera to the section of the wall he’d been perched on. He kissed her harder, moving her tunic and pressing a kiss to her belly.

  She quivered, resting her hands on his shoulders.

  “This has to go,” he breathed, pulling on the linen of her shirt.

  Laughing, Cera cupped his face. “Don’t rip it, my other one’s a mess.”

  He grinned as she raised her arms and let him take the tunic off her. Jorrin let it drift to the ground as she crossed her arms over her breasts.

  Stepping between her legs, he kissed her gently. “Don’t hide from me, love. I want to see you, I want to taste you.”

  Cera blushed to her toes, but she didn’t look away from his eyes. She unfastened her breastbands and slipped it off, shivering as the air greeted her nipples.

  Jorrin wrapped his arms around her. “Are you cold?”

  “No.” Trembling against his chest, she kissed him again, burying her hands in his hair.

  He devastated her mouth, making her want more as her whole body thrummed for him. When he cupped her breasts and spread a trail of hot wet k
isses down her neck, Cera cried out, clutching him as close as she could. She tugged his tunic out of his breeches, running her hands up and down his back.

  “Off,” she ordered.

  Flashing a grin, Jorrin stepped back and ripped his shirt off, tossing it next to hers. He rushed back to her before she could say a word, but she gasped when his bare skin brushed her breasts.

  Warm. Safe.

  Mine.

  “Blessed Spirit, love. You’re going to kill me,” he breathed into her neck, his chest moving against her breasts.

  Nipples tingling, Cera rubbed herself against him, needing more. She wanted to lie with him, have him on top of her.

  Inside her.

  “Where are you furs?” She traced her fingertip up and down the length of his tapered ear.

  Shivering, he met her eyes. “Not far.”

  “I want you now, Jorrin.”

  Cera yelped as he scooped her up, nipping at his chin when he laughed. She scrambled for a grab around his neck.

  “I won’t drop you, love.”

  Trikser stared as Jorrin piled both of their sleeping furs into the most comfortable bed he could muster.

  Her wolf’s thoughts were a mixture of curiosity and understanding. He could feel Cera’s pleasure, but didn’t know how to react to it. He knew she wasn’t being harmed, but he stayed nearby, watching.

  Jorrin kept whispering reassurances Cera didn’t need him to say, but it made her love him more.

  “Uh, love, can you make him . . . go somewhere?” Jorrin asked as he knelt on the furs, raising his hand for her to come to him.

  “Thought you liked voyeurs,” Cera teased.

  He chuckled, but shook his head, tugging her down with him.

  She landed sprawled on his chest, their legs entwined.

  Jorrin kissed her. “Not of the canine variety,” he muttered against her lips.

  She looked over her shoulder, smiling at her bondmate, her love for the past seven turns, then glanced back at Jorrin—her new love. She wanted them both with her forever.

  Trik, I love you, but go. I promise I’m safe with Jorrin. Cera wrapped the thought-send in love for him, showing him a picture of where their horses were tied.

  Amber stare boring into her for a moment, Trik swished his tail and took off at a run, without a backward glance.

  Cera giggled.

  In his own way, Trik understood. He’d accepted Jorrin as her mate.

  “That’s better,” Jorrin whispered.

  “I love him, you know.” She looked down at him, nestling closer and loving the feel of his hot bare skin on hers.

  “I know. He’s a part of you, I understand.” He ran his hands over her bare shoulders, caressing her back.

  Her body warmed and she wiggled.

  Groaning, he pulled her closer. His erection pressed into her hip through two layers too many of leather.

  “I want you to be a part of me, too.”

  Jorrin grinned and flipped them, landing in the cradle of her body.

  Cera wrapped her arms and legs around him.

  He seared her mouth with another kiss as his hands worked her belt, then tugged on the ties of her breeches. Lifting her hips, she helped him pull them down and off. Boots and undergarments soon followed, the soft furs tickling her bare bottom.

  He pulled back, staring down until nerves made her shiver. Jorrin said nothing, and she fought the urge to cover herself, wishing she had four hands.

  “Jorrin,” she whispered, voice shaking.

  “I’ve never seen anything so beautiful in my life.” The apple of his throat bobbed.

  Cera blushed, averting her eyes, but he gently cupped her face and made her meet his gaze.

  “I love you . . . so much it makes me ache.”

  Smiling, she slipped her arms around his neck and pulled him down for a kiss. When they parted, she nibbled his earlobe.

  He trembled against her, his chest brushing her nipples.

  “You have breeches to remove, my love,” she said into his ear.

  Jorrin nodded and pulled back, making quick work of the rest of his clothing, kneeling before her. It was her turn to gasp.

  Gorgeous didn’t begin to describe him.

  Her eyes darted all over, she didn’t know what to look at first. His chest never ceased to amaze her. His thighs were thick with muscle, and she couldn’t wait to feel their legs entwined.

  Cera’s gaze honed in on the trail of dark hair that led to the proud erection jutting at her, and she bit back a gulp. He was larger than she’d imagined, but Jorrin wouldn’t hurt her.

  She shifted on the blankets and opened her arms. “Come to me, Jorrin.”

  “I’d better, because I’m going to be in trouble if you keep looking at me like that.” He settled over her, kissing her into oblivion as soon as his chest touched her breasts.

  She moaned into his mouth at the glorious feel of his naked body against hers. His hips pressed her down into the furs, his erection resting against her sex, searing her throbbing skin.

  Her stomach fluttered and she wriggled under him, but his kisses didn’t stop. Dragging his mouth downward, he nibbled and licked his way to her collarbone, his stubble tickling as he cupped her breasts, kneading them.

  Cera wanted more. She moaned and writhed, shoving her hips upward. Her blood simmered, on its way to a rolling boil.

  Though he groaned against her heated skin, Jorrin didn’t stop his ministrations.

  She whimpered when his hot mouth enclosed her nipple. He suckled and traced his tongue around it, then did the same to the other.

  Burying her hands in his hair, she tugged.

  More.

  She needed more. He was trying to kill her.

  Jorrin laughed, the vibration shooting a tremor down her spine. “You’re not very patient, my love.”

  Cera moaned, thrashing under him.

  “We’re just getting started. I have to make sure you’re ready, so I don’t hurt you.”

  “I’m ready.”

  She jolted when his hand shot between her legs, parting her tender folds.

  He closed his eyes and took a breath. “You’re wet . . . Blessed Spirit.” Jorrin moved hands over her, teasing the bundle of nerves at the top of her sex.

  Crying out, Cera writhed.

  What was he doing to her?

  Pleasure rolled over her and she lifted her hips again.

  Spreading her thighs with his hands, Jorrin leaned down, scattering kisses over her belly, continuing to where his hands were making her feel so good.

  Whatever he was doing, she didn’t want him to stop.

  When he kissed her inner thigh, she whispered his name.

  His rough face only excited her more. Jorrin lavished wet kisses on the other as well, massaging her core with his thumb.

  She gasped at the first swipe of his tongue up the length of her center as his fingertip probed her. Then he did it again, and all thought fled.

  Cera threw her head back, tugging his hair.

  Jorrin sucked her into his mouth, teasing her with his rapidly-moving tongue.

  She lifted, twisted, shifted and moved back and forth until he grabbed her hips with both hands to hold her still.

  Her body tightened, her thighs shook, as a wave of intensity rolled over her and she panted, calling his name over and over.

  “Relax love, let it come.” Jorrin pressed a kiss into the soft part of her belly as his fingers moved over her sensitive nub and slid partway inside.

  She didn’t get a chance to ask him what he meant.

  Crying out, she felt the wall of sensation break, making her inner muscles contract and release continually, her hips rise of their own accord. Pleasure hit her like a pile of bricks crumbling on top of her. Her spine stiffened; her sex pulsed.

  Cera panted and blinked to clear her vision, moaning Jorrin’s name.

  He was in her arms in seconds,
kissing her deeply, his tongue melded to hers. She tasted herself and shivered, grinding her pelvis against his.

  Pulling away gently, he captured her eyes in his gaze. “Are you ready?” His thick whisper was strained.

  She nodded, wrapping her arms around him. Her body was languid from what he’d done to her, but Cera wasn’t done. She still wanted Jorrin.

  “I’ll go slow, and we’ll stop if it hurts, all right?”

  Positioning himself at her sex, he pushed forward slowly.

  Cera gasped as he stretched her and stilled, gripping his arms.

  He groaned, closing his eyes and throwing his head back. Jorrin steadied her, holding her hips with both hands. One last push, and he filled her completely.

  Sharp pain took all her attention. She cried out, tears stinging her eyes.

  Jorrin froze, cupping her face. “Look at me, Cera.”

  She met his intense blue eyes, swallowing hard.

  He frowned, sweat beading his forehead. “I’m sorry.” Leaning back, he started to pull out of her, but she whimpered a protest and wrapped her legs around his waist.

  Lifting her bottom, Cera rubbed against him. The movement made them both moan.

  I still want you, Jorrin, she thought-sent.

  Sucking in a breath, he nodded.

  Bringing his body gently against her, Jorrin propelled forward.

  She bit her lip and moved with him, rocking in a gentle sway as they found a rhythm. His thrusts were tentative at first, but pain faded, pleasure jolting her every time he moved. Cera moaned, tilting her hips to take him deeper. She needed him closer.

  Exploring his back, Cera ran her hands up and down as Jorrin picked up speed. She followed the curve of his rear end, gripping him with both hands as her body demanded a more frantic pace.

  She met him thrust for thrust, moving under him, with him, against him as he pumped in and out.

  Wrapping her body around his, she quivered at the approach of climax. She flattened her breasts into his chest and whimpered, straining against him.

  Jorrin took her mouth desperately, pushing his tongue in time with his hips.

  Physical feelings entwined with magic and emotion made every sensation too much. Pleasure smacked into Cera.