He glanced up and saw Jag had claimed her lips. Her hands slid up their arms and she gripped his shirt by his shoulder when Jag deepened their kiss. Rock slipped his hand over her shirt and cupped her breast and continued to press kisses along her collarbone. He’d love to take her to the floor and bury his cock deep inside of her, but both he and Jag were filthy from the fighting earlier and needed to bathe before getting her dirty, too.
He lowered himself to his knees in front of her and lifted her shirt, pressing his cheek against the soft skin of her belly. He kissed the skin above her belly button and then darted his tongue into the small indentation. She moaned, and he felt a shiver beneath his lips.
“Ahem, Nohchils.” IxChel’s voice echoed around them. “Destiny must be made ready for the Ook-at. You don’t want to deprive her of this, do you?”
Yes, yes I do, Rock thought to himself as he lifted his lips from the taste of pure pleasure.
“You’re ours, Destiny.” He heard Jag’s muttered words as he stood up, mentally cursing IxChel’s sense of timing.
“We’ll never give you up,” Rock added before claiming her lips. They parted sweetly and she slid her tongue along his, inflaming him further. His cock felt as though it was about to rip through his pants. The need for her coursed through his veins. He wanted to brand his name on her soul right next to Jag’s as she’d done to him. No matter what happened at the Ook-at, he would carry her in his soul.
“What’s going to happen to me?” Destiny’s eyes looked glazed and hooded as she looked up at him. It made him want to holler to the sky, scoop her up, and take her to bed, traditions be damned.
“Nothing you won’t enjoy, Atan.” Jag pressed a kiss to her temple. “I’m sure IxChel will take great pleasure in filling you in on the details as you get ready.”
Rock clasped her hand and brought it to her lips, kissing the back of it as he’d learned was an old Earth tradition. Her cheeks pinkened and the smile she gifted him with made the odd gesture worthwhile. “We will wait for your decision, Atan.”
“Come, Destiny.” IxChel waved her forward and both he and Jag stepped back to give her room. She gave them each a worried glance before going to the healer. “Don’t worry, child. You’re going to love this. It’s an old tradition that everyone has been waiting years to take part in again.”
Destiny turned and pressed her fingers against her lips and then blew on them. Jag repeated the gesture as did Rock, which made her giggle. They watched IxChel lead her out of the room and Rock pressed his hand against his rampantly hard cock. Her giggle almost had him soaking the fabric that covered his groin.
“What did that mean?” Jag asked as he, too, rubbed at the bulge in the front of his pants.
“I’ve no idea, but I hope she tells us later.”
“They’re going to do what?” Rock heard Destiny’s exclamation echo down the hall. IxChel hadn’t wasted any time filling her in on the ceremony. “And I have to do it with all of them?”
Chapter Eleven
IxChel smiled at Destiny, but it didn’t reassure her in the slightest. “What you do mean they will all try to seduce me?”
“The Ook-at is part of the Cha’an. I take it those two didn’t tell you anything about it?” The older woman shook her head. “I knew they were avoiding the subject and didn’t want to do it.”
“Why not?” Destiny squashed the inner voice telling her it was because they were embarrassed of her and she wasn’t good enough to be with them. That was her insecurity and nerves talking.
“They’re afraid of losing you to the others, especially since they knew you were angry at them, and they worried that you would choose otherwise.”
“So it’s my choice? No matter whom I choose they will accept my final decision?”
“Yes, they will.” IxChel nodded but leveled a serious look at her. “It would kill them inside to do so, but they would abide by your decision. A warrior can be certain that they’ve found one of the chosen, but it’s the woman who knows her iicham, her husbands. Ook-at is a warriors’ dance and a public event to attract your attention. Only the men chosen by the gods will have the ability to enchant their Atan by their movements.
The claiming is a private ceremony witnessed only by the warriors present. Our people do love their traditions and this is one of the oldest. The men spend every moment of their day with each other for the majority of their lives. They were raised to be our protectors and have sacrificed everything for that cause. The stories of the Atan gave them something to look forward to, knowing that there is a woman destined to be theirs. It is written that each woman will bring her own strengths to her men and they are stronger as three than as two. They will share the energy created during the claiming with each other. As warriors and protectors they’ve witnessed many things that would break a man’s soul, but legend has always given them hope for the future.”
Destiny stopped and pressed her hands to her flaming cheeks. She could feel the heat against her palms. IxChel’s description of this ceremony both aroused and intimidated the hell out of her. “I don’t have to do them all, do I?”
“No, of course not, they’re far too possessive. A warrior will only share his Atan with his brother. But they will share the energy the three of you create during the claiming with each other. When Rock and Jag claim you in front of the other warriors, it bonds you to them as well, their family will increase by one and if the gods are generous then the Atan will birth the next generation of warriors.”
Destiny remembered the first time she’d been in the baths and when she realized that other men had entered and were watching her pleasure Rock. It was embarrassing then, but now she thought of it as more empowering. “What about the Raxka?”
“They’re there for the warriors’ pleasure only and have no part in their private ceremonies. They should know better than to approach a claimed warrior, but times have changed and it’s been many generations since we’ve lived under the protection of Sacred warriors. It all depends on your preference. If you don’t mind sharing your men with them…”
“Hell no,” Destiny snapped before IxChel finished. “I’m sorry, that was rude.”
“Not at all, Noonsa.” IxChel smiled and slipped her arm through Destiny’s. “It may be premature in calling you that, but I think you’ve already made up your mind who you want.”
Without a doubt, Destiny thought to herself but still feared she might be wrong. What if two of the other warriors were meant for her? She didn’t worry about Falcon, Wolfe, Blade, and Thunder. She’d spent enough time with them and not felt any attraction other than a healthy dose of female appreciation for them and friendship.
IxChel showed her to a private bath and told her that she would be allowed some time alone to collect her feelings and prepare. There was a tray sitting to the side with a variety of creams and she was to pick her favorite. One particular jar was for removing any unwanted hair and IxChel assured her it was instantaneous, painless, and would prevent any regrowth.
Destiny looked around after IxChel left. It felt like a sauna in there. A wall of blossoms grew on thick vines along one side of the pool and scented the air with a heady, sweet tropical scent. Destiny quickly stripped down and slipped into the water. She swam across and took a close look at the blooms. They were like overgrown carnations, but the petals looked like small tiger lilies.
The pool was pie-shaped with a wall of windows on an angle to the flowers and the front bowed out in a gentle arc. There was more than enough room for her and a dozen friends and at the moment Destiny wished she had someone to talk to. IxChel was a sweet woman, but she felt like a mother figure. Destiny would’ve loved to be able to gossip with a girlfriend and share her worries and anticipation with her. Rock would probably tell her this was her duty, but then whisper all sorts of decadent things in her ear. Jag would grin at her and tell her not to worry, and she’d be too busy screaming in orgasmic delight to care what else was going on.
She swam around and
ducked under the water to see if she could touch the bottom. When she was unable to she swam to the surface and then started to stand up. Instantly the bottom formed under her feet as she walked. Laughing at her own silliness she pushed off and paddled to the edge. There was a silver tray with all sorts of bottles and creams on it.
A ledge-like seat formed for her and she kneeled on it and opened the containers, exploring their contents. A couple of them smelled medicinal and one smelled like French vanilla and mandarin oranges. She set that one aside as her favorite. The depilatory cream smelled like curry and cayenne pepper.
I’m not putting that on the kitty! Destiny experimented with a small bit of her leg where some stubble had developed over the last few days. She rubbed the cream on her skin and the hair instantly disintegrated and the cream turned to a dust on her skin. Feeling braver she took care of her entire legs, underarms, and bikini line. She wasn’t certain if she wanted to remove it all, so she left a small triangular patch on her mound. I can always change my mind later.
Another quick swim in the luxurious water and she rinsed all the dust off her skin. When she came up there were two women dressed in simple gowns holding up a towel for her. IxChel stood a few feet away holding a goblet. Destiny felt her anxiety skyrocket. She’d been having so much fun she’d been able to put aside her concerns about the upcoming ceremony.
“Time to get out, Destiny. I brought you something to drink. It will help relax you.”
“What is it?” As much as she wouldn’t mind a little numbness, she wanted a clear head for this.
“It’s simply wine and nothing else.” IxChel waved her hand. “Don’t be shy. Come on out and let’s get you ready.”
Destiny had never been one to be nude in front of other people. When in Rome…She climbed out of the pool and the two women wrapped the absorbent fabric around her, then led her over to a small bench. While one dried her, the other opened the jar and sniffed at the contents. “Perfect choice,” she whispered and then began to massage the cream into Destiny’s skin.
IxChel handed her the goblet and Destiny took a healthy gulp of the contents. Liquid courage seemed like a good idea at the moment. The two servants didn’t leave a single inch of her skin undried or unmassaged. By the end, Destiny felt more relaxed than she ever had in her life. The gown they draped over her body was made from a fabric that whispered ethereally over her skin. It was strapless and hugged her breasts, lifting them up to the point they almost spilled over the top. They secured an intricate belt made of turquoise and silver at her waist. The dress flared out below it around her hips and legs. The belt was the most gorgeous piece of jewelry Destiny had ever seen. The silver looked paper thin and she was afraid it might break.
“This piece has survived thousands of years,” the serving woman said shyly. “You won’t hurt it. It looks lovely on you.”
“Thank you both. I feel much better,” Destiny replied to the servants as they rose and turned to leave. They both nodded their heads and smiled at her before scurrying from the room.
“That was thoughtful,” IxChel commented. “Many in your position would’ve accepted the care as due them.”
“I’ve worked too many crappy waitressing jobs, serving ignorant people who treated me like crap. They both were doing their best to make me feel better and I wanted them to know I appreciated their attempt.”
“You’re a natural, Noonsa.” IxChel placed a band over her hair and then held out her hand for Destiny.
“What does Noonsa mean, IxChel?”
“It’s a term of respect for the Nohchil’s Atan.”
“But what if they…” She couldn’t finish that thought. The idea that somehow she might end up with someone else after this ceremony filled her heart with dread.
“I’ve lived a very long time, Destiny. I’ve known those boys since the moment they emerged from the protection of their mothers. I’ve no doubts that you will stand between them.”
“Thank you, IxChel. I appreciate your honesty.” Destiny considered the older woman. She’d always wanted to have her own quiet business and live a simple life. If Rock and Jag were to take a position of leadership after today her life might be anything but simple. Her men were very military minded and she wondered if she could be a kind of liaison for those who might be afraid to approach them. Also if what she’d been told was true, then more women from Earth would be arriving here and be as or more frightened than she’d been. Perhaps this was the responsibility she’d been looking for but never realized it. She could make a place for herself here, make a life with the two men she knew loved her.
“Come with me now and the Cha’an can begin.” IxChel’s voice snapped her out of her thoughts.
“I can’t go out in public like this!” Destiny lifted up the thin, iridescent fabric that pooled around her legs. Her nipples were clearly visible through the material as was the small patch of hair between her legs. “I might as well be naked.”
“You Earthlings are so modest.” IxChel lifted what looked like a long tunic vest made out a shimmering silver material. It was sleeveless and covered her breasts and then flared out as the dress did around her hips. It won’t be difficult to hold the material together in front and hide that view. Destiny felt more confident once she wasn’t bared for the entire world to see.
IxChel pointed at a pair of sandals that looked like they’d come right out of Victoria’s Secret catalogue. I’m going to be Cinderella in glass slippers. The platform looked like glass with silver and turquoise inlays. They were beautiful and despite Destiny’s initial concern, the shoes were very comfortable. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d worn shoes like this and it took her a moment to balance herself and be comfortable walking. Thankfully it was a skill not easily forgotten. The shoes had to add at least five inches to her height, but considering both Rock and Jag were well over six foot five, she knew they would still tower over her.
She paced back and forth a few times to make certain she could walk without making as ass of herself. “Okay.” She nodded at IxChel. “I’m ready.”
“Then let’s go meet your future.”
* * * *
A choir of women sang and chanted in perfect harmony as they entered a building that reminded Destiny of the Coliseum in Rome. She didn’t know what to expect, but sitting on a dais on a backless throne-like seat was not it. IxChel led her out and helped her arrange her skirts. She felt exposed with everyone staring at her, making her pull the vest tighter across her body.
The warriors all stood in an arc in front of her, their heads bowed. Neither Rock nor Jag looked at her, but their presence made her heart skip a beat. They looked more powerful than she imagined and she remembered the feel of their hands on her skin, the way their tender touches lit her up and made her burn.
There was a massive crowd of people a few feet behind her. She turned and noticed the two servants that had helped her at the bath. She smiled and gave them a wave. Both women returned her smile and waved back. A group of partially nude women stood off to the side. The black markings drawn along their arms and chest reminded her that they were Raxka. Most of them smiled at Destiny, but a few of them gave her openly hostile glares, especially the one who’d tried to hump Jag outside the bath.
Destiny’s stomach twisted bitterly at the women’s open hostility. But what if I’d been a bath girl and fancied myself in love with Jag, would I feel any differently? That thought went a long way to helping ease the tightness in her chest. She gave the Raxka the same smile she’d given the other women and turned around and tried not to think of them.
The women’s voices grew in power and then suddenly stopped. Destiny could feel the energy snapping in the air around her. The hair on the back of her neck prickled and her nipples hardened beneath the sheer material of her gown. All the warriors stared at her, but instead of making her uncomfortable, she felt empowered and bold. Sitting up straighter she arched her back slightly and let the vest slip off her shoulders and catch on her
elbows. When in Rome…Resting her hands on the arms of the chair, she swallowed a nervous giggle and smiled, knowing that they were seeing everything but the public behind her couldn’t. Her gaze fell on Jag and Rock. Only for them would she do this. If this was an important ceremony to them, she wasn’t going to let her hang-ups ruin it.
A low hum filled the air and then a pulse from some sort of instrument. Blade and Thunder looked up first, walked up to her, and bent at the knee at her feet. “Thank you, both.”
Each man captured one of her hands and pressed a kiss against it. Thunder winked at her but Blade wouldn’t meet her gaze. She heard some twittering behind her from the direction of the Raxka and Blade’s posture stiffened and he stood up and let go of her hand. Thunder’s expression darkened and his eyes flicked in the women’s direction before he stepped back.
Destiny didn’t know what was going on, but she owed Blade her life and she would kick those bitches’ asses if they made him uncomfortable. Blade wasn’t as classically gorgeous as the other warriors. The scar on his face marred that, but his eyes were gentle and she was willing to bet he was a big cuddly teddy bear under that grizzly exterior. The two warriors moved back and positioned themselves behind her, allowing Destiny to focus her attentions on the rest of the group. Their large presence completely blocked the public’s view of her and she breathed a sigh of relief.
IxChel had told her that the point of this ceremony was so the men would entice her and draw her attentions. That at some point she would know who the gods had chosen for her. Her attention drifted back to Jag and Rock. She didn’t need any mystical event to tell her who she was meant to be with. Those two men had done more than anyone else to draw her attentions. Her heart was unequivocally theirs and she believed they loved her as deeply, but what if this ceremony changed that? What if something unexpected happened to change her plans? Fear clawed at her throat. This was how her life went. She would be so close to what she wanted only to watch helplessly as it slipped through her fingers.
Davies, Corinne - Claiming Destiny [Midnighter Seductions 1] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) Page 14