Dragon Lords 4-Warrior Prince (4 page)

Zoran grinned. He couldn’t help it.

Pia was enraged. Was he laughing at her? Her eyes dipped for a moment and she swung her fist, upper-cutting square into his jaw. The force of the hit took him by surprise and he stumbled back. Her plan had worked. The smile was gone.

Pia dipped from the tent, shaking out her fist, without a moment to lose. Soon, she was storming around the sides of the red pyramid, looking for his eavesdropping friends. She found the pathways to be empty.

With a frustrated sigh, she looked all around, even at the sky. She noticed the moon still shone bright and blue. What was going on here?

Pia was glad for the air. It cooled her fiery skin. His touch still lingered on her mouth and she was sure she would still feel it in the months to come. She wasn’t stupid. She could guess that her body was awakening to him. But why him? Why now? It had never bothered to stir with longing before. What had those doctors done to her?

"Come."

Pia trembled in fear despite herself. She heard the rough growl before she’d even heard him approach. As she spun on the backs of her heels to face him, she didn’t let her fear show. Her father had taught her that confidence was half the battle.

Zoran eyed the frustrating woman with narrowed eyes. His chest heaved in controlled anger. The woman actually hit him!

He watched her, secretly stirred by her boldness. Her blonde hair glistened in the blue moonlight as did her hazel eyes. As his body fought to control his anger, another passion threatened him. It rose fiercely beneath the fur of his loincloth, ready to do battle, ready to conquer. She had spirit and fire and a wealth of passion. It called to him.

Pia eyed the warrior and then turned her back on him. Just to irritate him, she began to walk away. Zoran’s voice left his throat in another growl. He sprung forward. She tried to duck from his grasp, but he’d been ready for that. He caught her as she spun away and pulled her hard to his chest.

Pia swallowed in panic. She looked up at his serious brown eyes shining through the mask. Her heart hammered in her chest at the nearness. No one had ever willingly held her so close. She couldn’t speak.

The folds of his hard muscles pressed into her, boldly pushing into the full length of her body. But it was the hot press from under his loincloth that stopped her from screaming. Her hips lurched in hesitant response.

"Your name," Zoran said quietly, liking the softer feel of her skin against him. She smelled like fresh fruit on a warm spring day. He reeled with passion. It flowed into his feverish blood.

"Pia," she answered truthfully, momentarily stunned. "Pia Korbin."

Zoran took a step and then another. He allowed her to feel his desire for her as he moved. Before she realized it, he’d walked her back to the tent opening and was ushering her inside. He kept his large arms wrapped around her, trapping her to him, but not hurting. She felt his chest muscles working as he moved, muscles that could lift her with ease, throw her, crush her, touch her, control her to his will.

Insanity threatened to fog her brain. She wanted to be kissed. She wanted to be touched with affection and longing. She wanted to be held. She wanted it to be his lips and his hands and his body that did it. But he was so handsome, even with his face covered. He couldn’t possibly want her.

Pia knew that she didn’t affect him as he affected her. His heart was steady and sure. His breath was too calm and she was panting like a dog in heat.

Zoran desired her like he had no other woman before her. Her eyes flickered, becoming soft and feminine. Her chest heaved hot, panting breaths against him. Her breasts rose and fell beneath his gaze, tempting his mouth. Her lips parted as he pulled her closer.

Suddenly, he tried to kiss her. Pia panicked, thinking he meant to head-butt her. She dipped her face to the side, whacking him in the cheek with her forehead. Zoran let her go with a start. He was so sure he saw her desire for him, yet she refused.

Pia stumbled back. She tried to smirk but her body was too disturbed to make the look last. "You want some more? You want to get beat up by a girl?"

Zoran glared. Now she was taunting him?

"Choose," he said, desperate to get his own say in. If she wanted to fight with him, fine. Let her face his sharp tongue as well. No more attacking when he couldn’t defend himself against her.

"Choose?" she blinked in surprise, her voice turned as soft as falling snow. She stared at him with a look akin to horror, as if he might carry the plague. Her body shook in fear and hope. Did he just ask her to marry him?

Chapter Three

"What in the--?" Pia began roughly, coming to her senses the moment she saw a smile beginning to curl on his lips.

"Choose." Zoran’s smile faded as he took a step forward in warning. His face turned red. He clenched his fists in anger. Oh, but this was an aggravating wench the Gods had sent him! Surely his brothers weren’t given such headaches. They were all probably cozying up on their beds, talking and kissing. Not him, he’d gotten the shrew of the bunch.

"No," she howled in horror.

"Choose!"

"I can’t marry you!" she shouted back, incredulous. Her eyes shot daggers at him. "Are you mad?"

Zoran darted forward. His naked chest glistened as his bare feet stepped over the floor. Pia ducked and backed away. His eyes narrowed. He came for her again. She’d got one punch in with the element of surprise and thought she could do it again.

With lightening speed, she kicked. Bringing her whole body around as she jumped for his head. Zoran’s fingers snapped onto her ankle with one hand, effectively stopping her foot from striking. Pia landed awkwardly on the ground. As he held her leg in the air, she straightened, rotating her hip as she jerked her leg, trying to set herself free.

"Tsk, tsk, tsk," he held her ankle tight, not letting go. To his pleasure, the position lifted her skirt and he saw the cotton lines of her underwear. Unconsciously, he licked his lips. "Choose."

"No!" Pia was mortified. Bringing her free foot forward, she flung her body back. Zoran had no choice but to let her go as she backflipped out of his arms. It was a foolish move on her part. If he’d restrained her, he’d have broken her ankle. Still, as she landed, he was impressed.

Pia landed neatly, bouncing the cramp out of her liberated leg. Daringly, she looked at him. A light entered her eyes. To Zoran’s amazement, he realized she was enjoying herself. Her eyes sparkled in a way that he hadn’t seen all night.

"Choose," he said calmly.

"No," she repeated. In that one instant, it became a game. Challenge lit in their mutual gazes. Pia relaxed, now on familiar territory. Fighting she could easily do.

Zoran never envisioned he’d be sparring on his wedding night. He never imagined his bride would be so well trained. With a little polishing, she would make a fine soldier, not that he intended on letting her fight in battle. That had been the old way. But, after many men lost their wives and the population dwindled for a generation, they’d changed tradition for the sake of their race. Besides, he planned on keeping his family safe. It was the man’s job to protect.

Pia darted forward, using her arms in swift blows to attack him. He blocked her easily, returning moves only to have them opposed by her maneuvering. He didn’t turn the full force of his energy on her, not wanting to hurt her. But, as the leader in him naturally moved to test her skill, he was impressed beyond words.

Zoran’s hand knocked a bruising blow into her arm. Pia flinched but didn’t stop for an instant as she regained her footing. She didn’t whine in pain or call a time out as he’d seen younger soldiers do at such a hit. He nodded at her pleased.

"Choose."

"No."

They sparred around the room, kicking and punching, circling and gauging. Zoran watched her chest heave, delighting in the flushed color coming to her neck and cheeks. Her eyes sparkled like stars.

Trapping her to his chest, as her punch went long, he held her backside to his fur-covered arousal. Nipping her delicate ear, he murmured, "Choose."

Little ripples of odd sensations prickled her skin. Pia bucked away and gasped, "No."

The fight continued. Pia struck at him, amazed at the grace with which the big man moved. He blocked all her best moves, but, to her credit, she was blocking most of his. Her blood rushed through her body. Sweat glistened on his. Pia became very aroused by his power as he stood up to her. Not many men could.

Kicking suddenly, her foot landed in his ribs. He grunted as he fell to the side onto the fur bed. Pia stopped, her breath heaving as she looked at him. Her muscles were loosened for the first time in a long time. She’d practiced and exercised by herself, but it wasn’t the same as having a live sparring partner.

Pia eyed him warily, hands on hips as she caught her breath. He didn’t move. His eyes were closed.

Wryly, she frowned. "Well that was disappointing. You’re not much of a warrior, are you?"

When he didn’t rise to the bait, she came forward in fear that she’d killed him. She slowly pushed his shoulders back and leaned her cheek over to his mouth to feel his breath. She placed her hand over his heart. It beat steady. To her surprise, he licked her cheek just as his hand grabbed her palm to his chest. Pia gasped and tried to pull back. He was faking it!

Zoran wasn’t wasting such a good plan and he definitely wasn’t absorbing a blow like that for nothing. He instantly wound his arm around her, rolling her over. Her body was trapped beneath the solid form of his. Pia’s eyes widened. He ground his hips intimately into her. Lust fired through her rushing blood, spreading quickly.

This time when he kissed her, she didn’t refuse. Pia’s mouth moved naturally against him without thought. No man had ever taken her down, by ploy or by force. That this man could do so excited her to the point that she forgot who she was.

Zoran was pleased that her passion matched his own. He pressed into her, receiving her kiss. She became gentle as she touched him, soothing the many places she had moments before tired to strike.

She forgot her insecurities as her hand explored his sweaty body, gliding over the ridges of his flesh. She moaned. His weight forced her legs to part for him. His kiss deepened, sucking her breath from her chest. Soon he was pulling her clothes from her, baring her chest.

Wickedly, he eyed her. His breath came in pants, as he moved to taste her flesh. She shivered beneath his hands. Pressing his mouth against her throat, he rumbled, "Choose."

"No," came her instant answer, but she didn’t stop touching him. She didn’t push his kiss away.

Zoran’s growl echoed over her, reverberating along her flesh with pleasure. He kissed his way down her body, taking a ripe nipple into his mouth. It was the most intimate touch she’d ever experienced and her body exploded with pleasure as she discovered nerve endings she’d never realized she had. His teeth bit lightly and his tongue soothed the ache.

"Ah," she moaned, almost afraid to feel what he did to her. Yet, she was powerless to stop it.

Zoran’s body was on fire. The blood rushed in his veins from their sparring, stirred feverishly by the taste and smell of her. She desired him. Her scent filled his head. She pressed into his hard body. However, he couldn’t finish claiming her this night. The council would know if they came together completely. She would be taken away from him and he’d be alone.

Just awhile longer, he thought, suckling deeply at her breast. His groan of pleasure joined hers.

Pulling up, his chest heaving to catch breath--breath that had been steady during their fight but now panted like he’d run five miles full out. Looking into the passion-hazed depths of her stubborn eyes, he said, "Choose."

"No," she gasped as he pressed his arousal into her. The promise of gratification flooded her limbs at the intimacy.

Zoran grabbed her hand in his. Moving her fingers to the side of his head, he forced her to pry the mask from his face, not seeming to notice when she pulled out a few strands of his hair. His hair spilled over her as it was released. He let her hand go. Pia clutched the mask, looking at him in amazement. She gasped to see the excitement he held for her. He frightened her.

Zoran had strong, proud features. He had the face of a devil--a wickedly handsome devil--and he was looking at her without repulsion. His nostrils flared. His lids narrowed possessively.

"You chose," he said, lowering to taste her throat. Groaning against her, he announced, "You are mine."

* * * *

"My King," the blond servant, who Pia had been so keen on following, said. He’d seen the look on the woman’s face. She didn’t trust him. Good thing the other Draig fools did. He’d made his way from her, through the forest of colossal trees. The torches didn’t reach this part of the grounds, but the moon shone bright to light the way in a blue glow. He didn’t need light. He smelled where he was going.

Stopping suddenly, the man stuck his hand over his heart and bowed. He was dressed as a servant, but his eyes looked around with the cunning of a spy. "All the Princes have found brides."

He watched King Attor come forward. He knew the man’s nostrils flared in disgust. He had to wear the Draig scent so they wouldn’t discover him. The King stayed back, avoiding being downwind.

"Very good," the blond King answered, smiling a cruel smile. "Let us wait until they are bonded completely. Only then can we assure the end of their line. Once those Draigs lose their mates they will be done. The new Princesses will die, starting with the oldest son’s bride. The line of the Draig rule will be ended and the Var will once more be the only force in this land."

The warrior-servant smiled, thinking of the blonde Princess who’d been curious about him. It would be a shame to kill her. She was beautiful. But, once bonded to Prince Zoran, she would never choose another man for her mate. Not that he had any qualms about forcing her to choose.

King Attor of Var rolled his neck on the shoulders as he shifted into a more natural form. Hair grew to cover his face and body, claws formed on his hands. His mouth elongated, gnashing with sharpened fangs. When he looked back, it was through the eyes of a wild cat. His voice crackled in slow tones in the back of his throat. Growling, he ordered, "Go."