Areo’s eyes grew round as saucers at his words.
“I was too young before, too weak to stop him, but never again. Never again will I let anyone take you from me.”
Sev located her entrance. He slipped enough inside her to make Areo gasp and pull away. Sev secured her in place by wrapping her hair around his fists.
He lowered his mouth next to hers and said, “Where do you think you’re going?” He held her gaze. “This is where you belong…underneath me…with me impaling you…for you are my mate…my wife… my soulmate!” With a loud growl, Sev claimed her.
Areo’s eyes popped open as he forcefully entered her. His mouth eagerly absorbed her painful cry. Feeling her barrier tear sent him reeling back through time and space. His soul left his body to soar amongst the stars. When met by Areo’s, the two separate spirits fused in a magical display of sparkling lights and exploding stars.
Areo gasped for air. “Sev.”
“At long last, we are one,” he spoke in her ear. “Our bodies are joined.” He paused and then groaned.
His brows met. Areo was small and tight. Sev could not breathe. He had to escape. His hips lifted high. He took his necessary breath but sensed he had lost something in exchange. His soul trembled in fear. Sev took another breath. The air held the answer. Areo, his soul cried. He dropped low and his soul was appeased. His body grew weak.
Sev lifted his hips and lowered. His fingers clutched Areo’s hair tighter. Reality was better than fantasy. He felt his strength returning. Up and Down. His eyes closed tightly. His desires grew wild. Up. Down. Up. Down. His temperature rose. His strokes lengthened. His speed mounted.
Areo bit her bottom lip. Her hips tilted, begging Sev for more. She whimpered and closed her eyes in ecstasy. “Oh, Sev.”
Sev could not understand how anything could feel as perfect as when he was fully embedded in Areo. He believed in his heart that each time he pulled out, he took a part of her essence with him, only to replace it with a part of himself when he returned. It was the ultimate exchanging of souls.
Relief. Peace. Harmony. Tranquility. Completion. They all swarmed within Sev. He had never dreamt it was possible. He had never considered or believed that such combinations could be obtained. He would never again live without those feelings.
Sev forced Areo’s mouth to open wide. He inhaled deep and then sent forth his breath along with his soul, taking possession of her will. He held Areo in place, allowing his soul to take complete dominance over hers before he sucked with all his might, retracting his essence, which was now mixed with hers. As both souls entered his form, Sev savored the feel of their union.
It was time to show the others what had happened. The time for two opposing worlds to join had come. Their gazes locked. Sev grabbed a firm hold of Areo’s bottom and pushed deeper, harder into her yearning body. They growled. Their sweat-covered bodies glistened beneath the moon as they strained closer, higher.
Their glowing eyes intensified. Sev snatched Areo’s lips. He lifted her off the mattress, positioning her securely on his spread thighs. His claws extended to their fullest without his awareness. His senses were wrapped up in Areo’s responses. Areo’s arms snaked underneath Sev’s arms and reached for his upper back. His chest flattened hers, yet she was not close enough.
Sev broke their impassioned kiss and spoke between gasps of breath into her flushed features. “After all these lifetimes…after all these years…you are finally mine!”
Retaking her mouth, Sev greedily absorbed Areo’s powerful, orgasmic roar. A white-hot fire sliced his back just as a bright light exploded behind his closed lids. A mighty roar escaped his soul. He missed Areo’s second cry as gigantic shockwave after shockwave rocked his convulsing body.
As his last tremor subsided, Sev raised his head from Areo’s neck. His eyes were still a copper glow and his panting kissed the curls plastered against Areo’s moist forehead.
“From the moment I looked into your eyes, I knew you were my soulmate.”
“What did you say?” Areo fought to catch her breath.
Sev mischievously smiled. “That I yearn to join with you again, soulmate.” He lowered her onto the bed and began to move within her. “I will care for your wounds after I make you cry out my name a second time.” Before she could respond, Sev snatched her tongue.
Areo lay next to the man of her dreams, crying silently. She felt the end of her happiness was near. She had always known in her heart that Sev was her soulmate, but with everyone telling her the contrary, she had started to second-guess herself. At least, up until Sev’s claws had torn into her tender flesh, marking her his wife.
And now she would have to leave Sev, never to be with him again, never to experience his passions for her. Areo bit her bottom lip, stifling a whimper. Sev laid with his bandaged back to her. She watched his blurred torso lift and lower in a steady rhythm.
I love you so much. I pray that you know that. I also pray that I didn’t ruin your life by what I placed on your beautiful back. Please forgive me if I did.
Areo crept off the bed. She picked up her robe and slipped it on her aching body. This was the second part of her problem. On silent feet, she exited the room. Not once did she glance back. She feared that if she did, she would never be able to leave him.
The doors closed with a soft hiss. Sev released a long, vicious growl and opened his eyes. He did not want to alert Areo that he had seen her sneak away. It enraged him that she would dare do such a thing after placing her soulscar on his back.
Does she honestly think she could mark me and then leave? Doesn’t she know what a soulscar means? Sev sat up in bed. A thought came to him, which made him angrier. Blast-it feline. She does know what these scars mean. He hurried to get dressed. Grabbing his bags, he left his chambers after a nostalgic look at his bed.
Sev was unaware that after he had left his room, someone else arrived. The feline stood rooted in the doorway, viewing the mess of torn and bloody sheets.
Just as Sev reached the middle of the ship’s extended plank, he was halted by a male’s angry voice.
“And where in the blazes do you think you’re going?”
Sev calmly turned around. He did not flinch at the sight of the broadsword’s shiny black blade pointed at his nose. “I am coming with you.”
Mike’s pale-gray eyes scanned Sev’s form. The authentic Oceanan garb Sev wore did not impress him. In fact, he thought it looked cheesier than the garment Sev had worn the night before. What interested him were the three bags the cat carried.
“You have got to be kidding me. Why on Earth would you want to come with us, purebred? And where are your friends?”
“They are no longer my friends. And I assume they are still sleeping. As for why I’ve decided to join you, well, let’s say that I feel I can be of assistance to you in defeating Daehog.”
Mike was never one to take what anyone said at face value. He smiled. “Let’s not.” In the blink of an eye, his sword was pointed at Sev’s carotid artery. “I will not hesitate. I have no love for you, cat. And please, don’t think that you can move faster than me.” He chuckled. “Because you can’t. So this time tell me the truth. Why are you here?”
With an icy glare, Sev bared his teeth. “I told you the truth, Seacat. I want to help you defeat Daehog.”
“That can’t be the only reason why you’re here.” Mike kept his thoughts from showing on his face. “Why did you say the others were no longer your friends?”
Sev cocked his head sideways. “So, you do listen.”
Mike’s pale eyes sparked with hatred. He pressed the blade against the artery he sincerely wanted to slice, but the image of his dear cousin Areo came to mind. She had fiercely fought him to protect Sev.
On a long, forced inhale, Mike pulled his sword away and snarled back. “Return to your castle, purebred. We don’t need your help. Nor do we want your kind amongst us.”
“That’s too bad, since I’m not leaving, except aboard this ship.�
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Mike’s inquisitive side was piqued. “So, you consider helping us defeat Daehog more important than your life ending at such a young age?”
Sev did not answer.
Mike slowly circled him. He recognized the feminine perfume mingled with the scent of blood emanating from Sev. The savage beast within Mike almost escaped. His fingers closed tighter around his black hilt as he fought to restrain his anger.
“Perhaps there is another reason why you have decided to turn your back on your pureblooded friends and travel back with us half-breeds.” He noted that Sev stood taller. I knew it.
“Please refrain from using that word.”
“What?”
“I don’t like that word,” said Sev with a steely look.
“Half-breed?”
Sev gave a quick nod.
Mike grew more curious. “Tell me the truth, Oren’s son. Why are you here?”
“I told you the truth.”
“The whole truth!” snapped the half-blood Seacat. Pausing in front of the scowling man, Mike kept Sev in place with his most menacing stare. “Or shall I spell it out for you? A-R-E-O.”
“I have nothing more to say to you.”
“You don’t? Very well, then.” Mike stepped aside. “Good-bye. Have a nice life, purebred. I hope to never see you or your kind again.”
“I told you, I’m not leaving.”
“And I told you that you are not welcome here. Nor are your services needed, so off with you.” Mike pointed toward the castle.
“I am not leaving!”
Mike was losing his patience. He grabbed a hold of Sev’s arm. “I said you are.”
Two bags were dropped. Sev’s left hand made to strike Mike’s grip, his right to strike Mike on his right shoulder. Both of his lightening moves were dodged.
Mike stood an arm’s length away from the heated cat, laughing. “I told you. You’re not faster than I am. I played with you the last time, but I tire of games very quickly. And I rarely play the same game twice.”
Sev let out a challenging growl.
Mike smiled broader. “Growl at me all you like, but you are not boarding my brother’s ship.” His smile vanished. “And you are never going near my cousin again.” Gray ice relayed unspoken knowledge.
“No one comes between my mate and me, not even a Seacat!” Sev took a step forward.
“That’s it!”
Sev stopped, confused.
“That’s the reason why they’re no longer your friends. That’s the reason why you’re here so early trying to board our White Star. They told you that you couldn’t be with her, didn’t they?”
Sev clamped down on his teeth.
“Well, I’ll be.” Mike shook his head. “You still can’t come with us, though.”
“Try and stop me.”
“You are the Lord of the Seacats, Sev. You can’t pack up and leave this planet.”
“You are wrong on two accounts.”
Mike’s forehead wrinkled.
“Not only can I pack up and leave if my mate is departing from this world, but I am no longer the King of Oceanica.”
Mike’s head jerked back as if someone had slapped him across the face. “What did you just say?”
Sev stood toe to toe with the young warrior who was two inches shorter than he was. “I said, not only am I departing with you, but I’m no longer king.”
“How is that?”
“It’s simple. I renounced my throne.”
Mike’s eyes could not have opened wider. “You gave up the throne of Oceanica?”
Sev nodded once.
“Because they wouldn’t let you take Areo as your mate?”
“No.”
Mike frowned in confusion.
“There is no law stating I cannot take a mate. I could have easily taken Areo to my bed and mated with her if that was my choice. They never would have protested that.”
The grip Mike had on his sword tightened. He gave Sev a killer look.
“I renounced my throne because they did not accept her as my permanent mate.”
Mike was shocked. “Your… wife,” he coughed.
“You know the law. I was the king, the upholder of that law. I had to choose a pureblood and create a life, an heir. That’s something I couldn’t do. My heart belongs to a half-blood feline. If I ever create a life, it will be with her and no one else. And we both know they will never place a feline of mixed blood on the throne.”
“Oh, I know that for certain.”
“That’s why I’m here. Areo will not be taken from me a second time. Not by you. Not by them. Not by anyone.” Sev dropped the third bag he carried on his shoulder and braced himself for combat.
Mike gravely weighed Sev’s actions and words. “What you’re saying is that you are giving up your role as ruler of this planet for a woman.”
“No.” Sev paused. “I have consciously renounced my title as ruler of Oceanica. I have relinquished my birthright. I have handed over my Seacat insignia and my sword to the newly appointed ruler. And I have done all this for the female who is my soulmate. If I had anything else to give, I would do so gladly if it meant that I could spend several lifetimes by her side.”
Mike gaped at Sev. He had never believed Sev would grow up and keep his promise not to turn his back on Areo or let her go to another man. His family had felt it was a childhood crush. They had believed that when Sev and Areo matured, it would be over. And with Oceana’s destruction, they had thought Sev was dead. Now after meeting the woman Areo had become, along with his amnesia, Sev still wanted her. This was the last thing Mike had expected to hear.
Could he really love her? Is he really Areo’s soulmate, or is he just… Mike’s eyelids lowered suspiciously. “How many women have you been with?”
Taken off guard, Sev stared in response. As the meaning dawned on him, he answered, “Do not confuse love with lust, Mike. I do not lust after anyone. But I do love Areo.”
“Do you really?”
“Have I not proven myself enough?”
Mike did not respond.
“Let me board, and I will show you and everyone who doubts me just how much we were meant to be together.”
Amazingly, with only a moment’s hesitation, Mike stepped aside to allow Sev to board. Without saying another word, Sev picked up his bags and calmly headed up the plank.
Before he reached the entrance, Mike’s words of warning rang loud and clear. “I am allowing you to board, Sev, but don’t think you’re out of the woods yet. Areo has a very—and I mean a very— large family. And amongst all the men, I am the easiest one to get along with. Don’t think for a second that this trip of yours is going to be a picnic in the park.”
Sev faced him.
“We have for many, many years lived with the memories of Oceana and its citizens in our hearts. None of us has forgotten the hospitality bestowed upon us by the king. Being the son of that blessed, righteous king will not make things easier on you. Tread carefully, cat, or you will be banned from ever laying your eyes on her again.”
“Then you will have to kill me and make certain that I am dead, because that is the only way anyone will ever take Areo from my side again.” Sev entered the ship.
Mike stared at the entranceway. I wonder how the others are going to react when they find out I allowed Oren’s son to return home with us. He chuckled. Better than when they find out the reason why. He raised his sword over his right shoulder and slipped it into its casing. He thought of Areo’s mental link to her twin and shook his head. “Mathew must have flipped.”
“I’m sure he did.”
Mike spun around. “Jugar? What are you doing here?” He noticed the bags Jugar was carrying and moaned. “Don’t tell me. You want to come with us as well.”
“I made a promise to your sire that I would keep an eye on that kitten. Which means that wherever he goes, I go.”
“But he’s no longer a kitten, godfather. And he claims to be in love with Areo.”
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“I know. For the past year I’ve tried everything short of tying Areo up and hiding her in a cave to keep those two apart.”
A lopsided grin appeared on Mike’s face. “I hate to be the one to tell you this, but, uh, you failed.”
Feigning shock, Jugar replied, “No! Whatever gave you that idea?”
Mike chuckled.
“When is liftoff?”
“As soon as I shut the doors. I was making my last rounds when I found you know who sneaking on board.”
“I see.”
“If you’re coming with us, then who’s the new ruler?” asked Mike during their climb.
Jugar handed a bag to him. “Why do you ask me that?”
“Well, I figure you were the best candidate for leadership after Sev. But if you’re here, then who’s the king?”
“Miko.”
“Miko!” Laughing, Mike closed the doors. “Sev isn’t going to like that.”
“His displeasure will be nothing compared to Miko’s or the other Seacats’ reactions when they wake up and find out.”
Mike laughed harder.
Areo leaned against her chamber’s locked doors. She felt the ship move underneath her feet. Her eyes filled with a new torrent of tears. The ship dipped on a turn. Areo covered her face and crumbled to the ground.
Outside, Sev leaned his forehead against the closed doors and listened to the sound of Areo’s sobs. They caused him great pain. Straightening up, he rang the bell.
“Go away!” she cried. The bell continued to ring. Her crying eventually slowed. After a handful of more rings, she decided to open the door. “I said, go away!”
Sev stepped inside her room, replying, “Never.” He dropped his bags and yanked her into his embrace.
Her greedy mouth granted Sev access with no resistance. Sev gently lowered her onto the floor and opened her robe. With her help, he removed his belt and opened his pants.
“Don’t try leaving me again, female,” he vehemently stated in her ear. “You are my wife, my soulmate!” He pushed inside her, making Areo gasp. “You are never to leave me. Never!”
Sev’s thrusts were forceful, demanding that Areo acknowledge him. When she did not, he thrust even harder. Areo never answered. Not in the way Sev wanted, though she did match him in urgency. By the time Sev realized that Areo’s need surpassed his for her, he was flung over and straddled.
A Forgotten Kitten (Sea-anan Saga Book 2) Page 15