Blood Ties (9 page)

Mikel remained motionless inside her, letting her get use to the feel. Using small sinuous circles, he stroked her clit gently and deepened his kiss until desire moved over and through her. Soon her body opened up to him and before she realized what she was doing, she began to rock her hips, ever so slowly at first, until the erotic sensations overtook the pain. Her movements became quicker, faster, her breathing turned rapid.

Her eyes widened. “Mikel, it feels so good.”

A half smile lingered on his lips. “You feel no pain?” There was a note of amusement in his voice.

She smiled. “I only feel pleasure.”

He gripped her hips, lifted her until her sex was poised at the tip of his head. In one quick movement he powered upward and impaled her. She gasped as her fingers clawed at his flesh. “And now?” he asked, his voice rough with desire. “What do you feel?”

He kept up the action until her whole body went up in flames. Speech was no longer possible. Her skin grew so hot she thought she’d burn from the inside out. Dari ran her hands over the hard contours of his body, unable to get enough of him.

Squeezing her thighs, she hugged his hips and moaned against his throat. She soon found herself moving, pressing against him, seeking something more.

Her hunger became so raw, so carnal it frightened her. His low growl of satisfaction rumbled like distant thunder. She threw her head back, closed her eyes and rode him. Sliding up and down his cock, taking what she needed and offering him everything in return. She was so close to release. Her muscles undulated as her orgasm pulled at her.

“Dari, look at me.”

His voice brought her attention around to him. She lifted her gaze and stared into his eyes. What she saw made her breath catch.

“It is what we are, Dari.”

Mikel ran his tongue over his sharp fangs. Her tongue mimicked his actions and came into contact with her own pointed teeth. She opened her eyes wide in surprise.

“Now that you are aware of what you are, you are changing.” Her mind whirled, but as Mikel continued to pump into her, coaxing her release, all thoughts except for the pleasure between her legs consumed her.

Mikel’s eyes glazed with heat and hunger as he changed the rhythm and tempo of his thrusts. The pressure continued to build in her body. Hot blood flowed through her veins as her sex muscles gripped him.

A cry lodged in her throat at the precise moment her cunt clenched around his cock. Her heart raced from exhilaration. Mikel put his arm around her and pulled her against him as her orgasm took her by surprise. Her hard nipples crushed into his chest, branding him with her heat. She took deep gulping breaths and gave herself over to the sensations. Her body shuddered and convulsed; her hot flow of release dripped over Mikel’s cock, bringing forth his own orgasm.

“You’re on fire, baby.”

His mouth found hers for a soul-stirring kiss. Dari pressed against him and deepened the kiss, her entire body quivering in delight. His cock throbbed and pulsed as he spilled his seed deep inside her. The heat from his release flowed through her veins. He held her for a long time while he rode out the last fragments of his climax.

Minutes later, she let out a sigh of contentment and collapsed against his chest. With her sated body craving sleep, her lids slipped shut.

The touch on her cheek roused her awake. “Dari. Ayden is back.”

She inched back, opened her eyes and met Mikel’s glance. A curious stirring, like an awakening of some sort, began in her bloodstream.

“Yes, I know, and he has a woman with him.”

Mikel smiled. “You are changing very quickly.”

She slid off Mikel’s lap and climbed from the tub. Mikel handed her one of his robes. “Come, let us go greet them.”

Ayden probed Mikel and Dari’s mind as they descended the stairs. He was pleased to see they’d been mating and hoped that it would help them develop the ability to block their signatures. Over the last few years, every time they’d mind melded, it had brought them closer and closer to acquiring the skill. Unfortunately they hadn’t developed the talent before they physically united, or before Grayson had found either of them. Being together before mastering such technique was dangerous, and now he had to work to speed up the process. But such skill took time. Unfortunately, with Grayson now breathing down their necks, time was something they didn’t have.

Ayden was optimistic that the more Mikel and Dari engaged in lovemaking the quicker they would acquire their special powers. Both he and Janaa were going to see to it that they spent many hours in each other’s arms. By the looks on their faces, Ayden suspected it wouldn’t be a difficult task. Ayden also wanted Mikel and Dari to mate with him and Janaa. As Nallie elders, he prayed their experience and abilities would speed up the process.

Mikel nodded his greeting to Ayden and turned his attention to the woman at his side.

“This is Janaa,” Ayden said. “She is my partner and has brought clothes and supplies for Dari.”

Even though Mikel seemed surprised to see a female with Ayden, Ayden suspected Mikel would openly welcome Janaa into his home without question, and would undoubtedly feel Janaa’s calming effect on Dari.

“She has your
abilities
, Ayden,” Mikel whispered, the look on his face conveying both his astonishment and his pleasure.

Dari smiled and Ayden could tell she felt an immediate connection with Janaa. And so she should. They were all family, though neither Mikel nor Dari knew it.

“Welcome to my…” Mikel stopped and glanced at his soul mate. “
Our
home,” he corrected. “I am Mikel and this is Dari.”

Janaa stepped closer to the petite woman. “Would you like to come with me, to try on these clothes?” Dari accepted Janaa’s offered hand and the two disappeared up the stairs.

Ayden turned his attention back to Mikel and immediately felt the tension rising in him. He placed his hand on Mikel’s shoulder in an effort to draw it away.

“Come. We need to prepare.”

Mikel shook his head. “We can never be prepared enough for Grayson or his army.”

“You are a Nallie, Mikel. Don’t ever forget that. You and Dari are much stronger than Grayson.”

Mikel gripped the dagger hugging his thigh. His thumb stroked the cold steel that concealed the wood underneath. “The odds are not favorable, Ayden.”

“Then we shall need to train twice as hard.” Ayden pulled his dagger from his sheath and poised it in front of his chest. “And you and Dari must continue to bond, repeatedly, Mikel. This might be the only way to grow stronger. It might also help you acquire the skill to block your signature and shield your thoughts. Once you’ve mastered the talent, Grayson will be unable to find you.”

Mikel mirrored the action. “How can I ever thank you enough for your strength and support?”

Ayden grinned and clashed his weapon against Mikel’s. “By defeating Grayson once and for all.”

Chapter Seven

The next evening, after the dinner dishes had been cleared, Mikel and Dari sat across from one another at the long oaken table overlooking the hearth while Janaa and Ayden made their way to the village for supplies. As Nallie, the human parts of them needed sustenance and were able to enjoy food and drink.

His heart clenched as he watched Dari take a sip of her wine and smooth down the new floral dress Janaa had given her. Her long dark locks tumbled in disarray over her creamy white shoulders as candlelight glistened in her seductive brown eyes.

Mikel reached for his own glass. His muscles ached, reminding him of the vigorous training session he’d had with Ayden earlier that day.

A burst of dark fury rushed through him as his thoughts fast-forwarded to the dangers that lay ahead. He fisted his hands and clenched his jaw. He would not let Grayson get his hands on Dari. He would do whatever was necessary to protect her at all costs, even if that meant giving his life for hers.

Anger poured from his body and formed an aura around him. Suddenly as though she sensed his distress, Dari glanced in his direction, a frown tugging at her lips.

Everything in him reached out to her. His gaze softened as he glanced into her concerned eyes. They had made love several times since her arrival the day previous, but no matter how many times they’d engaged in intimacy, they’d yet to develop the ability to shield.

Dari took another small sip of her wine and brushed her long dark locks from her shoulders. She carefully placed her glass on the table, stood and reached out to him. “Come, Mikel. Let’s sit by the fire.”

Mikel slipped his hand into hers and followed her to the hearth. He stretched out on the sofa and Dari cuddled in next to him. Her long locks fell over his shoulders, stimulating his flesh until goose bumps pebbled his skin.

A comfortable silence settled over them as they sat there for a long time. Each absorbed in their own thoughts. Fire crackled in the hearth, the light spilling over them, warming their bodies. Mikel glanced out the window at the dark night sky hugging the mountains as he absently stroked his thumb over Dari’s cheek. She blew a contented breath and wrapped her arm tighter around his stomach, hugging him to her.

“Dari?”

She glanced up at him, her lids heavy, her voice deep, gravelly. “Yes?”

His gaze skirted over her face. “You felt my distress earlier, didn’t you?”

A quick nod of her head confirmed what he already knew. She could now read his thoughts, as he could read hers. The transformation was happening, but neither had learned the talent to block their signature.

Long lashes fluttered over her dark eyes and she voiced his thoughts. “Our signal is growing stronger, isn’t it?”

“Yes.”

“Do you suspect he will find me soon?”

Instead of answering, Mikel pulled her in tighter.

Dari lowered her head and stared into the fire. Mikel could feel her mind racing with a thousand thoughts.

“There is only one way for us to defeat Grayson.” She spoke slowly, with conviction. “You and I both know it.”

Every muscle in Mikel’s body grew stiff, his pulse kicked up a notch. Dari reacted to the sudden change in his demeanor. Physically retreating, she sat up. She met his glance, gauging him, waiting for his response, as though daring him to deny it as the truth.

“It’s too risky, Dari.” He crossed his arms and thinned his lips to a fine line. His tone and body language indicated the issue was not up for debate.

She stood, linked her fingers together and walked over to the fire. Turning back around to face him, she said matter-of-factly, “There is no other way, Mikel.”

“There has to be,” he bit out between clenched teeth. “I’m not willing to risk your life.” In one quick motion, he climbed from the sofa and met her near the stone hearth. He gripped her hips and pulled her in close, until every inch of her body pressed against his. He leaned over her, in a protective manner.

Expression solemn he said, “Combining blood is not an option. You know there is a possibility that the volatile energy created is deadly.”

She gave a defiant tilt of her head. “And there is a possibility that it won’t.”

Mikel lowered his head and buried his face in the crook of her neck. He held her for a long moment, breathing in her scent, letting it swirl around his senses. A rush of love washed over him. “Now that I have you with me, I don’t ever want to lose you, Dari.” Emotion made his voice crack.

Her body went slack in his arms. “And I don’t ever want to lose you, Mikel. But I’m afraid we have no choice. There is no other way to defeat Grayson. He will be here soon. Too soon for either of us to develop the exceptional strength or speed required to combat his army.”

He drew her impossibly tighter and combed his fingers through her hair. His lips closed over hers. “You belong to me and I won’t lose you.” His heart beat in a mad rush as she melted against him.

She kissed him back, with all the love inside her. “I belong to you, Mikel and only you.”

He touched her all over, as though it would be his last time. God, he needed her, to be inside her, to stay there forever. He listened as her breathing changed. It grew labored, needy and urgent. He pulled back to look at her. Desire reflected in her eyes.

His heart nearly burst with the love he felt for her. He wanted her so much he felt dizzy. He hungered to lose himself in her, forever. “Dari…”

“I know. I feel it too, Mikel.” She opened her mouth, offering herself to him completely.

He pressed his lips to hers for a slow, simmering kiss, a kiss so deep and passionate he was certain he could feel the ground move beneath him. A moment later, he inched away and rained kisses over her cheek and neck. Moving to her creamy shoulders, he inhaled her sweet-scented skin as his fingers worked the buttons on the back of her dress. Once complete, he pulled it away and let it slip to the floor, then took a moment to admire her beauty and her perfect supple curves.

“You are beautiful.” Needing to feel her naked skin next to his, he made quick work of his own clothes and hastily pulled her to him. He moved his hand to the small of her back and anchored her body to his. It amazed him how she fit so perfectly against him.

Suddenly, she stiffened in his arms.

“What is it?” he asked, brushing her hair from her face.

She snuggled in closer as her eyes darted to the archway. “Ayden and Janaa are back.” Her voice thinned to a whisper.

Mikel nodded. “I know.” A movement behind Dari’s shoulder caught his attention. Mikel smiled at his closest friend and glanced back at Dari. “It’s okay, Dari. I have no secrets from Ayden.”

She smiled tentatively as Ayden and Janaa walked into the room and touched her shoulder. Mikel probed her mind and soothed her concerns. “Ayden cares for you as much as I do. Do you feel it?”

He watched her relax as Ayden drew away her apprehension.

“Yes.”

“You have no reason to be shy with him,” Mikel continued. “Those I allow into my home, my bed and my heart, I also allow into yours. If you agree.”

A sudden smile tugged at her mouth as Ayden’s love rushed through her. She nodded her consent and opened her dark eyes wide as she accepted Ayden into her heart. “I feel your love, Ayden.” She twisted sideways and glanced at Janaa. “I feel yours, too.”