Part 8 (1/2)
”Sure.” His voice was low. ”I'll gladly tell her why she has our talisman and what it represents.”
”Your father wouldn't approve.”
”Then it's a good thing I stopped heeding his advice long ago. If anyone has need of me, send Fallon for me.”
Fallon. ”He's your brother, right?”
”I see you've been learning of my family. I trust Nalla's delighted in telling you many stories of my foolish youth.”
I wished that was the case. The woman had offered nothing.
”I will, now that I see you approve.”
Stephan chuckled and touched my arm. The contact made my skin tingle. ”Let us go before she starts now.”
His arm rested on my back just above my waist. Cool air whipped through my hair when we exited the home I'd been locked away in. Unable to contain my glee, I paused and took a deep breath.
”I should've come sooner, but Nalla kept telling me you needed to heal.”
”She's very protective.”
”It's in her blood. Women in my clan have been healers for many generations.” His hand fell away from me when we began to walk through his village.
Everyone halted their activities as we pa.s.sed. I found their scrutiny disconcerting. The first few moved to their knees as if about to undertake a ch.o.r.e I didn't understand. All the homes we pa.s.sed resembled one another. Most displayed a talisman on the entry.
I tried to study them without being obvious, but decided it best not to when Stephan drew me closer to him.
”Your people don't like me.”
”They're unaccustomed to strangers. There's a difference.” The sincerity calmed my nervousness even though I doubted it was the truth for everyone.
”I've heard some of them yelling at Nalla.” I winced when his jaw twitched. ”She tries to hide it, but I hear them. They want me gone.”
”She should have told me this. I would've dealt with their meddling myself.”
I shook my head. ”They have a right to be upset. I'm doing nothing to earn my keep and am not of your pride.”
We continued our path toward the woods and my pulse quickened when I realized he didn't intend to remain within the village. A few awkward smiles greeted me once we neared a group of homes with the same talisman that I wore around my neck.
”This is your family's area?”
He nodded. ”On my father's side.”
”Why isn't Nalla here? She displays this talisman, yet is on the other side of the village.”
”She's on my mother's side, but may display whichever talisman she feels within her soul since she's a healer. She's chosen this one since it's stronger than her other option.”
”Do all your kind get that option?”
”Only the healers or those within the royal line.” His hand returned to my back and drew me toward him until my thigh brushed his as we walked. ”You gather information well.” My mind swelled with his admiration.
He paused and turned me to face him. His attention moved to the village, now a good distance from our secluded cove. I was fascinated by the large tree misshapen by time. Its trunk was hollowed near the base. A small sitting stool rested within the area.
”This is my retreat.”
”It's beautiful.”
His fingers grazed my cheek. My heart flailed in my chest. He'd brought me here-trusted me with his private spot. Could he be feeling the heat between us as I did? My breathing became ragged. My nipples ached with a hardness my naive mind couldn't deny. My entire body yearned for Stephan.
”You have no idea what hunger you incite in me, Hannah.” His breath fell against my forehead as he drew me forward until my hips collided with his groin. ”Your thoughts drive me mad with the need to possess you.”
I stumbled on his statement, but any attempt to understand it vanished when his hand wrapped in my hair and he drew me to his lips. I closed my eyes. Unable to breathe, I prayed my pounding pulse wouldn't explode with the turbulent flames of antic.i.p.ation burning me.
His lips caressed mine and his tongue tasted my mouth, tracing the contours before foraying to my tongue. I swallowed his groan, thinking it more of a growl. My arms wrapped around him.
The kiss was unexpected and unlike any of the wayward advances village men had made-not that many had tried. I followed his lead and clung to him, my body burning with a need I didn't understand or know how to sate. All I knew was Stephan would absolve me from my raging desires.
His kiss grew more demanding, more consuming. I relished his body crushed against mine. Heat spread through my legs as he lifted my dress. I moaned when he guided me toward the tree until my back was pressed against it. His hand ran up my thigh while his mouth claimed mine.
His other hand rubbed an aching nipple through my dress. I longed to strip and feel his fingers on me there. A growl echoed around us and mingled with my gasp as his fingers found my p.u.s.s.y.
Hot lips moved to my ear. The huskiness of his voice rumbled through me. ”You're so wet for me, Hannah.”
The darkness in his soul could claim her love...or her life...
Savage Kingdom 2010 Deanna Ashford Freygard, a world where women rule and men are slaves, would seem to be a female Nirvana. Not for the warrior Nerya. So far her required visits to the coupling chambers have been awkward and embarra.s.sing. Until Jaden. Despite his chains, the defiant slave's expert pleasuring satisfies her body-and sparks a determination to defend him from her cruel queen.
Jaden couldn't be in a worse position. Nerya has not only claimed his prized white stallion, she's somehow managed to abscond with his ability to resist her s.e.xual appeal. His escape attempt is disastrous, until Nerya intervenes with an unheard-of deal. In exchange for guiding her to an unmapped kingdom to find the sister she never knew she had, she will free both him and his men.
On the journey, Nerya's determined to resist her powerful attraction to Jaden melts away in the heat of his desire. Leaving her wondering just who is in control-and what it is about him that bothers her. When they are forced to face a soul-stealing mage, his secret is revealed.
He is warrior of the feared Dai's.h.i.+-en, legendary for the dark magic that fuels their violence...and their l.u.s.t.