by Nina, Tara
“What?” Deveney managed to eek out. “Why?”
Maven looked as if she didn’t want to answer, then did. “If you touch that animal, you will return home. Be sure it is what you wish, for once you return here you shall never go back to the Isle of Avalonia.”
“But I want to go home.” Deveney’s voice cracked.
“Do you?” Maven asked. “Search your soul. You were destined to be where you are. Find the animal that called to your heart and led you on this journey through the Mirror of Azure. Find him and you’ve found the match to your magic, your lifemate.”
“But…”
Maven vanished. Her voice reached Deveney’s ears on a hollow echo from within the mirror. “I sense Tor is coming. If you need me, stand before the mirror alone and call my name. I will come to you but no other.”
“Maven,” Deveney whispered hurriedly. “Please let Tiara know I’m okay.”
“I’ll tell her you’re on a little business trip for me.”
The sight of the latch turning made Deveney dash to the chair and resume the position she was in when he left. What had she gotten herself into? What would happen to Tiara?
Deveney swallowed hard, closed her eyes and prayed. Lord, please keep Tiara safe.
Not sure what to expect, Tor eased the door open and peeked around its edge. Wide, bright eyes stared at him when he met her gaze. Good. He released the breath he inadvertently held as he stepped inside and locked the door. She followed orders and stayed where he left her. That was a good sign. At least one female listened. Considering Maven wasn’t in her chamber, he felt certain his suspicions were right.
He walked to the desk, laid down the case he carried and opened it. Brilliant shades of red, blue, purple, pink and green sparkled in the light as he lifted the amulet from its resting place. This was the first time he needed to use the magi’s magic to communicate with another. Would it work without the magi’s presence?
The amulet looked small in his hands and his fingers shook as he fumbled with the magnetic clasp that connected the solid silver, two-inch round choker. Located in the center of the choker’s front were three precious gemstones. Each stone cast a different shade and held a precise magic. Tor fingered the smooth round surfaces in the same manner he’d watched the magi touch them in order to call their magic to the surface.
First, he rubbed the stone left of center. The deep red rhodonite glowed and he knew he was on the right track. Second, he rubbed the center stone. The tri-colored watermelon tourmaline consisted of layers of purple, pink and green, which sparkled from the heat of his touch. Last, he rubbed the stone right of center. The blue topaz glimmered and the three gemstones melded into a circle of multi-colors. Each different in its magical properties but combined to aid the person wearing it, giving them the ability to perceive, understand and speak the language of the world around them.
Tor tugged the silver circle apart wide enough to fit around the woman’s neck. When he tried to place it on her, she leaned back and grabbed the amulet, wrapping her fingers around the large stones.
“What are you doing?”
It was the first words she’d spoken he understood. Even though it wasn’t around her neck, the magic worked because her fingers were wrapped tightly around it.
“Woman,” he stated in the gruff authoritative tone he used with his men, “this is the Amulet of Perception. Wear it and we shall communicate.”
Her eyes widened, she gasped and he knew she understood him. She released the amulet as she rose to her feet. At first he saw the confusion in her face as she stared at him and the glowing jewelry in his hands. Moments passed as they stood silent, each watching the other, sizing up the situation.
No man in his ranks ever defied a direct order. But this foreign female did and that heated his blood. Not in a bad way either, he decided as he waited. No. Her presence created this desperate need to mate and ignited this fire within his veins, though he did not understand why.
Deveney couldn’t believe the immense beauty of the necklace in his hand. Surprise gripped her. He’d left the room and came back with a gift, but why? Maybe she wasn’t such a bad kisser after all, she mused.
Watching the way he caressed the stones made her wish he touched her breasts in such a tender manner and not some necklace. Each gemstone glowed then seemed to blend into one glamorous color. Her eyes widened. What magic did he possess?
When the gentle giant of a man turned to her with the necklace held open as if he intended to place it on her, she panicked. Would it control her? If she let him put that thing on her, would she ever escape this world and return home if she decided to? Fears flashed through her brain faster than greased lightning. On instinct, she’d grabbed the necklace, lacing her fingers tight around the three round stones, and demanded to know what he was doing.
When he actually answered and she understood, her mind warped. A whole new fathom of magic whirled around her. How did she understand him? How did he understand her?
He’d spoken. Did she understand? Yes, she realized, thinking through his rough words. Amulet of Perception. Wear it, communicate. Was that a lie or the truth?
Maven’s voice reiterated in her head on a whisper. Learn the ways of the people. Your survival depends on it.
Deveney swallowed hard, took a deep breath, gathered her resolve and stiffened her spine. She landed in this world for a reason. Until she knew why, she couldn’t go home. Scattered thoughts speared her brain. Find the animal that called to your heart—whatever that meant. Find your match to your magic, your lifemate. In order to accomplish any of this, she needed to understand the language and if that glowing thing helped, then so be it. Apparently it was a way of this world’s people. Determined not to fail the mission given to her by her mentor Maven, Deveney forced her legs to work and stepped forward.
She lifted her hair off her neck and slowly turned, giving him her back. Hopefully he understood. If not, maybe he’d just put her out of her misery and kill her where she stood, because she’d rather be dead than live in this world of hunks without sex. That would be sheer torture, to be surrounded by gorgeous men and not be able to control her magic long enough to complete the sex act at least once with the large buff blond behind her. Deveney chewed her lower lip and waited.
Tor’s slow smile couldn’t be stopped when she lifted her hair and turned her back to him. His cock throbbed as he stared at the milk-white skin hidden beneath her thick hair. A vision of him taking her in the natural mating position of his kind, from behind, had him hungering to nip at that sensitive flesh while delving his cock deep within her heat, claiming her as his.
Tor swallowed hard and forced the erotic vision from his thoughts. She couldn’t be his. It wouldn’t be right. Not when there were others ahead of him in more desperate need of a mate. Spine straight, he closed the gap. The heat of her radiating off her back warmed his flesh through the thin material of his clothing.
His height easily towered her shorter frame. When he reached over her head to place the Amulet of Perception around her neck, the clean essence of her hair filled his senses. The soft texture tickled his nose, making it twitch. Every ounce of him tuned in to this beautiful creature.
When his fingertips brushed the soft flesh of her neck, its delicate feel taunted him. It shook him to the core to rein in his desire to guide her onto her knees, bend her forward and take her. The visible throb of her life force in the vein transcending her neck had his mouth watering to lick its length and feel her blood pump beneath her skin as he claimed her for his own.
Tor fought his inner beast. With a shake of his head, he tried desperately to clear his thoughts as he set the clasp and released the amulet to lie perfectly around her throat. Never had his legs trembled as they did now, stepping away from this creature of pure erotic temptation. In three strides, he settled on the corner of his desk, with his arms crossed over his chest and gaze leveled on the foreigner. With the amulet in place, the interrogation began.
“Tell me,” he commanded. “Who are you? Where are you from?”
The moment the necklace was around her neck, heat filtered through her entire being. Tingles skittered the length of her spine, along her arms to the tips of her fingers, skimmed her legs all the way to her toes and bounced back to pool in her pussy. The phenomenal sensation pulsating in her clit made her shiver.
Wow. Deveney hovered on the edge of orgasm, locked between climax and reaching the ultimate goal. Her body hummed. Her breasts throbbed and it was all she could do not to turn and ravish him. But a little voice at the base of her brain reminded her it would end in disaster. With the strange amount of power rippling through her at the moment, she feared that if she touched him, he’d explode into a million pieces.
When he spoke, the tone of his voice didn’t agree with her, yet the deep rich timbre thrilled her. Slow and deliberate, she turned to face him, tugging the cloak tight to hide the renegade reaction of her body. No need for him to see her rock-hard nipples and think she was easy—even though she did grab him by the cock earlier. Deveney shrugged that little mishap off and prayed he didn’t mention it. She took a deep inhale and concentrated on selecting her words carefully so as not to let slip she’d spoken with Maven. For some reason, Maven wanted that bit of information kept secret.
“If you wish to speak with me,” she stated in a calm, controlled tone, though nothing on the inside equaled the definition of calm or controlled. Her gut knotted and it took a great effort to keep her voice from cracking. “You will do it in a nicer manner. I’m not exactly sure how I got here, where I am or who you are. The least you can do is pretend to be hospitable.”
Deveney squared her shoulders and hoped she hid her fear. Until now, she hadn’t truly noticed his massive size. Even though he leaned against the desk, she estimated his height at well over six feet tall, maybe even closer to seven. His shoulders were broad and his biceps were huge, especially flexed in that crossed-arm position. If he meant to intimidate her, it worked, even if he was dressed in a short golden robe that reminded her of an ancient Roman warrior. Her insides quaked and her leg muscles quivered as she forced another step in his direction.
Refusing to back down, Deveney tilted her chin and held her gaze level on his. Survival instincts kicked in. Think of this as just another transfer to a new juvie home. She drew on the strength Tiara shared with her each time they’d faced another set of foster parents. She’d be damned if she’d let some overgrown, ego-driven male enforce anything on her. He’d change his tone or she wouldn’t answer.
Her jaw tightened to the point of pain as she refused to blink.
“Who are you? And where is here?” she demanded.
The fire in her spirit surprised him. It caught him off-guard that a woman spoke to him in such a disrespectful manner. Plus, she didn’t answer his questions. She’d hit him with a few of her own.
As ruler of this world, he commanded the right to interrogate first. Tor swallowed his dismay and made the decision to start the conversation by any means possible. He wanted to know where to find the magi, and without this creature’s help, that might not happen.
Tor stood, extended one hand and stated in the friendliest manner he could muster, “I am Torbjorn Artur, leader of the Morphionian clans of Eximius Mundus. You may call me Tor. You have teleported through the Mirror of Azure and landed in my bedchamber on the Isle of Avalonia.”
A delightful red hue shimmered up her neck to pool in her cheeks as she glanced around. Obviously, she hadn’t realized she stood in his bedchamber until now. He swallowed the smile that threatened to split his lips. It wouldn’t do to embarrass the creature any further. He needed information and if he mortified her, he wouldn’t get it.
“I have given you my name and the location where you landed,” he continued in as nice a tone as even he could handle. “May I have the pleasure of knowing your name? What do the creatures of your world call you?”
The sight of the largest bed she’d ever seen came into view as she scanned her surroundings. Oh god, his bedroom. King-sized back home matched nothing near the size of this thing. Large black pillows were scattered near the tremendous granite headboard of the unmade bed. Thick covers the color of gold trimmed in black lay tangled in a mess. The sheets matched, gold with black trim.
The bed’s location astounded her. It sat dead center in the room and stationed on a sort of dais with three steps leading up to it on the sides and at the foot. The footboard matched the deep-green granite headboard. It seemed sturdy enough to handle a two-ton truck parked on it. A beautiful golden canopy loomed above the bed. Sheer panels hung down the four tall bedposts and were gathered around each post with a solid black sash. Looking around, she realized not only was the man large, but so was everything else in the room. The huge desk was ornately carved wood with an oversized wooden swivel chair.
Why hadn’t she noticed this before? Must have been dazed or hit my head during the teleportation, Deveney speculated. Had she landed in a world of giants? Were the women just as big? Oh god, it was true. He’d reinforced the location Maven gave her earlier. She’d landed in another dimension.
Deveney tugged her gaze from the furniture. Amusement shone in his eyes. Did he find her discomfort at being in his bedroom funny? Hell, in any other instance she would have found it funny too, considering her lack of sexual experience.
“My name is Deveney,” she managed to force from her dry mouth as she clasped his extended hand. There were things she needed to know and he held those answers. “Deveney Dupree and I’m from Prescott, Arizona, which is on Earth. Am I still on Earth? Does this dimension parallel Earth’s?”
When he lifted her hand, the heat of his lips on her knuckles nearly buckled her knees. Moisture formed in her panties and her heart skipped a beat. What was wrong with her? Was she that desperate for a man? Deveney chewed her lower lip. Yep…yep she was.
“Earth. I know nothing of this place called Earth.” The heat of his breath across her skin sent chills up her arm.
But the admittance in his words cut her to the core. He didn’t know of Earth. Maven’s words faded as she tried to sift through what she’d been told by the magi. But her brain froze. Where the hell was this place that didn’t know of Earth’s existence? Fear seized the last of her strength. Deveney’s knees gave way.
Before she hit the ground, Tor gathered her in his arms. Immediately he realized his mistake. Touching her reignited the fire in his blood. He swallowed hard, trying to steady his nerves as she squirmed. Each brush of her hair to his arm and the rub of her body against his fanned the flames of lust that ravaged him to the core. Did she have any clue as to what she was doing to him? Looking down at her, he determined she didn’t. His world and customs were foreign to her as hers were to him.
Not knowing what else to do and sensing the situation overwhelmed her, he walked to the bed and placed her on it. She wasn’t unconscious and protested. But he managed to keep her on the bed without much effort.
“Deveney, you’ve had a rough experience. I’ve never traveled through the mirror but I’m certain its magic is draining of the spirit. You need to rest.”
Her hair spread on his pillow tugged at his desire to twist his fingers in it. The rise and fall of her breasts as she lay upon his bed made his mouth water and his groin tighten. He wanted nothing more than to crawl beside her and make her his mate.
No, he reminded his raging libido. She came from another world. The trip through the mirror had been taxing and he needed her well if he wanted to find the magi and send her home.
“We can talk later,” he added as he tugged the covers up and tucked her in. “Rest. I’ll return with some food and drink.”
She grabbed his hand before he turned away. Heat shot up his arm and spearheaded its way directly to his soul. Tiny pinpricks of energized sensations riveted him and elevated his sexual desire by ten notches. Something wasn’t right. He shouldn’t be feeling this way for this woman. She wasn’t a Morphionian.
It took tremendous strength to stand in place and not crawl into the bed. Those big blue eyes seemed to plead for reassurance and comfort. But he wouldn’t bend in his decision. The throb of his shaft gave evidence he’d chosen wrong. When she spoke, her voice shook and tore at the thinning invisible shield of defense he held between them.
“Tor, where is this place?”
The distress in her voice didn’t fall on deaf ears as he replied, “I don’t know where we’re located in conjunction with your Earth. But I promise you, I will find out. I will help you return home.”
The sudden need to calm her surprised him as he held her hand to his lips and pressed a warm kiss to her knuckles. A delectable flavor from her skin coated his tongue when he lifted his mouth from her hand and licked his lips. Fierce hunger roared to life in his gut and his cock twitched, heavy with need for the beauty in his bed.
Tor steeled his resolve as he forced himself to turn and leave.
Deveney lifted to rest on her elbows as she watched him walk across the room. Pure determination filled the tone of his words. Though she didn’t know him, something inside told her he wouldn’t let her down.
If nothing else, Deveney allowed herself the hope that Tor would help her find her way home. Confusion muddled her brainwaves. Did she truly want to go back? One thing popped from the fog in her brain. Maven suggested she didn’t. Was she right?
At the door, he shot her a look of, if she read it right, pure desire mixed with indecision. Did he want her as much as she wanted him? If so, what stopped him? Even though she’d thought it was a dream, she had boldly grabbed his cock in her hand. Didn’t that warrant some form of sexual action on his part? Heat seeped into her cheeks as the phantom feel of his solid cock resurfaced in her palm. It made her hand itch with a need to caress it once again.