Fire Pearl Page 12

  Support and shaping had been built into the bodice so Aria was now naked to the waist. Drakkin’s gaze dipped to her breast for just a moment then returned to her face. “This is what you want?”

  She wasn’t sure why he felt compelled to ask, but seeing Lord Drakkin of Hautell, director of the Symposium uncertain about anything filled her with a sense of power. Emotions only trickled into her mind as if he was still hesitant to use their link. She closed her eyes and found the connection then pushed her desire into his mind. She let him feel the bleak loneliness that had been her life before she met him and then the soul-deep ache he ignited in her.

  “I want nothing more,” she whispered, her eyes still closed.

  His warm hands moved from her elbows to her shoulders in a slow, sweeping caress. He leaned down and pressed his lips against her temple, lingering as one of his hands slid up her neck. Then his lips covered hers and he pulled her against his body. Her breasts pressed against bare skin and she gasped, opening her eyes.

  He was naked and so was she. Had he willed their clothing out of existence or moved faster than she could perceive? But wouldn’t she have felt her panties slide down and her stockings—

  He nipped her lower lip with an impatient growl. “Don’t let every detail distract you.” Sweeping her up in his arms, he placed her in the middle of the bed. “Feel my hands, my lips, my tongue, and know your mate adores you.” Heat and intimacy flowed into her mind, reinforcing his words.

  The bed dipped slightly as he lay on his side and demonstrated his claim. He kissed her with gentle patience as he guided her arms up and overlapped her hands. She tensed for a moment, thinking he meant to bind her, but his hands didn’t grasp her wrists. They slid up and down her upraised arms, exploring the sensitive skin on the underside of her limbs.

  His lips wandered from her mouth to her jaw then lower. He traced her pulse with his tongue, following the rhythmic path as it descended along her throat. She started to lift one hand, wanting to touch him, but he pinned her forearms to the bed. His hold was careful yet firm, leaving her no option but to remain as he’d positioned her. Rather than dissect his motivation, she focused on the sensations he created and the emotions they exchanged.

  He propped himself up on one elbow and caressed her with his other hand. His lips closed around one of her nipples as his fingers teased the other. Each urgent pull from his lips drew tingling heat from deep inside her body. She arched into his caresses, feeling achy and hot. So very hot.

  “Your body is a wonder.” His lips moved against her damp flesh as he whispered the words. “Heat radiates off your nipples. They’re almost too hot to touch.” He chuckled as he sucked the tingling peak back into his mouth. Almost.

  Energy twisted through her arousal. She recognized the significance now. His touch had awakened her gift, made her fire pearl burn.

  Find somewhere to store the energy, he urged. You must be able to access it even when you’re not aroused.

  She knew he was right, but how was she supposed to think while her senses sizzled? She closed her eyes and allowed her perception to turn inward.

  This is how your gift works. You must control the flow of energy or you’ll never be able to fuel your actual abilities.

  She could no longer deny that she had abilities. She’d had visions and teleported from one star system to another. Was it really possible that she could learn to do those things at will?

  Watch me, love. I’ll show you how it’s done.

  He drew hard upon her nipple and she “saw” a sparkling current flow into his mouth. He guided the current deeper into his body and spun it into a concentrated ball.

  Now you try it. Picture the fire pearl. See the energy generated by your pleasure.

  His mouth and hands moved over her body and the visualization grew sharper. She pictured a sphere low in her belly blazing like a furnace. Each time a wave of pleasure rippled through her body, the fire pearl burned brighter. She focused on the pearl, pulling tendrils of energy out and coiling them into a tight ball, much as Drakkin had done.

  Put it somewhere safe, somewhere only you can reach.

  He wasn’t referring to a physical location. None of this was physical. She compressed the energy into a smaller, more concentrated ball then stashed it behind her heart.

  Each time you come energy will burst right along with the pleasure. It must become second nature for you to channel the energy into your hiding place. The more energy you store, the more powerful your abilities will become.

  These lessons were imperative to her survival, but she longed to just let go and enjoy her lover’s touch.

  He eased her thighs apart and moved over her, kneeling on the bed between her legs. His gaze descended slowly, obviously enjoying the view. She arched her back and opened herself even farther, offering her body for the pleasure of her mate.

  A thrill zinged through her at the thought. This was the first time they’d made love as mates. She hadn’t expected it to be this liberating. There was security in their bond, freedom in the realization that they would be together forever.

  “You take my breath away.” As if to prove his claim, his tone was soft and thready.

  He trailed his fingertips from the undersides of her breasts, across her quivering belly to her mound. Rather than immediately seeking their target, his fingers teased her inner thighs and knees.

  She clutched the bedding with both hands as anticipation wound within her. Her hips rocked restlessly, trying to draw his attention to her sex. She felt empty and needful. Why wouldn’t he touch her?

  With a wicked grin, he lifted on of her ankles to his shoulder and kissed his way down her leg. He paused to explore the underside of her knee then took forever on her inner thigh.

  “If you don’t touch me soon, I’m going to kill you.” The words slipped out with her ragged exhalation, sounding far too desperate for her liking.

  “I am touching you.” He stroked from knee to hip on the outside of her leg as his gaze sank into hers. “If you want something, all you have to do is ask, nicely.” He grinned.

  “Touch me, please.”

  “Where do you want to be touched?”

  She gritted her teeth. Why did men always want to hear it described in the crudest possible terms. “Just slide your hand down my thigh and keep going. I’ll tell you when to stop.”

  He chuckled, but placed his hand on her inner thigh. Mocking her with his incredibly slow pace, he slid his hand downward. His hand skimmed over her skin, his thumb teasing slightly ahead of his fingers. Her inner muscles clenched as a fresh wave of anticipation made her nerve endings vibrate.

  Tracing the silken crease where her leg met her pelvis, he tormented her with the nearness of his touch.

  “You’re killing me,” she cried, shifting her hips in a vain effort to bring his fingers in contact with her sex.

  Rather than touch her with his hands, he caught the underside of her knees and pushed her legs up then out. He lowered his head between her thighs and guided her heels to his back before letting go of her legs.

  His tongue traced her slit and the smoldering embers ignited in a flare of heat. She moaned, stilling as all her senses came into sharper focus. The scent of her arousal filled her nose and Drakkin’s taste lingered in her mouth. She’d drank a full glass of wine so why was the taste still so strong?

  The pearl intensifies all things carnal. You are a sexual being.

  How could she argue with that conclusion? She’d never felt so uninhibited in her life. He licked her again and pleasure spiraled along the inner walls of her passage. Her womb contracted and her clit tingled, anxious for the tender touch of his lips.

  She cupped her breasts, shocked by the heat of her nipples. He hadn’t been exaggerating. Her skin was on fire.

  He explored her folds with his tongue, occasionally stopping to gently suck. It felt wonderful, but again he was avoiding all her most sensitive places. Her core tightened like a fist and her clit pulsed, echoi
ng her heartbeat, which was pounding like never before.

  She knew rushing him was pointless. Each of his actions was obviously meant to drive her crazy.

  Long moments later, he carefully parted her folds with his thumbs and paused to look his fill. His breath felt cool against her heated flesh as he feathered kisses from her opening to her clit.

  Her thighs tensed and her belly quivered as she waited. And waited. His lips finally touched her clit, but the kiss was far too light and fleeting.

  “Drakkin!” She let out an exasperated cry and bucked, rubbing her folds against his mouth.

  His triumphant laugh echoed in his throat as his mouth closed around her clit. He sucked firmly then let go over and over. The pressure drew urgent heat toward the surface then each rebound drove a spike of sensation deep into her abdomen.

  She came in violent spasms, the sensations so intense she nearly forgot to harvest the energy. And he kept right on going, sucking and licking, then stabbing deep into her passage with his tongue. He held her hips firmly as she came again and again. Her ankles crossed behind his neck as he devoured the liquid proof of her pleasure.

  He was the savage now, demanding her responses and driving her higher with each climax. Her entire body hummed with energy, the prickling in her skin nearly painful. She felt saturated, euphoric, yet hollow and unfulfilled.

  “In me,” she panted out the words as she floated down from another orgasm. “Please, Drakkin, I need you inside me.”

  He raised his head and looked at her, red rings glowing brightly. His inner savage was fully present and yet he was not in control. She quickly unhooked her ankles as he moved upward. Her legs were still over his shoulders as he found her entrance with his cock.

  “Mine.” He growled the word then thrust into her.

  Even soaking wet and soft after multiple orgasms, she stretched tight around him. Wonderfully intense, the fullness tore a cry from her throat. Mine. The word echoed through her mind, but his possessiveness no longer frightened her. She belonged to him and he belonged to her. Unlike a slave collar, their bond worked both ways.

  She opened herself further by drawing up her knees and shifting her legs off his back. He drew back his hips, sliding nearly out before he drove back in. The slide was amplified by his unusual thickness. Apparently his sensual torture had aroused him just as much as it had aroused her.

  His mouth found hers, sealing and claiming. She slipped her hands into his hair, but he pushed them back to the bed and pinned them there by entwining their fingers. His tongue took on the rhythm of his cock and she understood what he needed. Surrender.

  She opened her mind and body, submitting without reserve. He filled her with strong, deep thrusts, each stroke accompanied by a blistering surge of energy. She reveled in his aggression, channeling the continual flow of energy into her secret reservoir.

  Reality faded to black and she floated within the darkness. Drakkin surged into her, through her and around her, but the sensations were no longer physical. She was the fire pearl, pulsing with raw energy, drawing from him and giving to him with each pulse of their joining.

  It could have lasted an instant or an hour but suddenly the physical realm returned. He drove hard. His cock pressed tight against her cervix as he cried out into her open mouth. He shuddered and ground his pelvis against hers, the pressure on her clit triggering her orgasm. Sensations detonated deep inside her, tightening her inner muscles around his twitching shaft. He groaned as her powerful ripples prolonged his pleasure.

  She wrapped her arms and legs around him as they floated in tingling lassitude. He was too weak to climb off her, but he took most of his weight on his forearms and knees.

  “I felt when your consciousness left, but I could not follow,” he whispered into her hair. “Where did you go?”

  “I think it was like when your inner savage takes over. For just a moment I became the fire pearl. I could feel you and yet I could feel nothing. It was very confusing.”

  He finally recovered enough to raise his torso and look at her. “Try to take me with you next time. I would like to understand more about your inner savage.”

  She smiled, feeling sleepy and content. “I think you’ve robbed yourself of your next pleasure,” she chuckled. “I’m not sure when, or if, I’ll be able to move again.”

  * * * * *

  Summoning more concentration than she’d needed since she was a trainee, Noll tried again to penetrate the energy barrier. This was denser and more sophisticated than the shield surrounding the entire palace complex. This dampened her Mystic sight as well as preventing her from progressing any farther down this corridor. Aria was in one of those rooms. Noll could still sense her unique energy signature, but she couldn’t find a way through the barrier.

  She’d wandered through half of the palace, playing little girl lost whenever she came across someone who questioned her presence in a restricted area. She’d found nothing of interest until she came across this barrier. Only two things required security this tight, important people and valuable possessions. She sure as hell had no interest in a Bilarrian treasure trove!

  Taking a deep breath, she drew energy toward the surface and prepared to push.

  Rough hands grasped her from behind. Once covered her mouth half a second before she screamed and the other grasped her waist, dragging her back from the barrier.

  “If you pushed any deeper, you would have triggered an alarm, summoning Prince Indric’s private guards.”

  She didn’t recognize the voice, but he spoke Rodyte, so she did her best to relax. Apparently backup had finally arrived.

  “I’m going to remove my hand and you’re going to remain silent until we are out of the palace. If you understand, nod.”

  Suppressing the urge to bite his hand, she forced herself to nod.

  He spun her around then slipped his arm around her waist and escorted her toward the nearest exit. He was tall and brawny, as most Rodyte soldiers were. And this man was clearly used to command. His glossy black hair had been drawn back into a severe queue and his eyes were so dark the blue rings were barely visible. Though his jacket lacked any insignias or rank identification, his fitted outfit looked more like a military uniform than evening finery.

  “Who are y—” He squeezed her so hard her ribs creaked, reminding her of her vow to remain silent.

  He marched her out a utility door and across a parklike side yard. He released her waist and grasped her wrist as he increased his pace, forcing her to jog. Afraid she’d twist her ankle or worse, she morphed her high-heeled sandals into simple flats. Were they being perused? Was that why he was in such a hurry? Her target was back there, behind that blasted barrier.

  “Where are you taking me? I’m on an urgent mission.”

  He laughed. “Not anymore.”

  Shit. With two words he filled her with dread and snuffed out what little remained of her hope. Quentin either knew of her failure or he’d run out of patience waiting for her report.

  The manicured yard gave way to sand as they entered the surrounding desert. They had to be beyond the perimeter shields, yet she had no idea how they’d passed through. Had he disabled a section or were the shields only designed to keep people from entering? She didn’t know enough about Bilarrian technology to keep her mind from rambling.

  They reached a relatively flat valley between two sizable dunes and he uttered a harsh-sounding word. A sleek, two-person shuttle uncloaked and the tiny hatch opened.

  Should she teleport away and…and what? Endanger the life of her precious daughter? Regret and frustration surged through her, threatening what was left of her composure. Everything she did was for Tanzen. Without her daughter, the rest was pointless.

  Noll had originally offered her skills to the Rodytes out of a lust for wealth and power. And resentment of her arrogant cousin, Lilt. Lilt led the House of Joon with oblivious arrogance. He paid lip service to High Queen Charlotte while he did what he pleased behind her back. Noll didn�
�t care about Lilt’s duplicity. Anyone as trusting as Charlotte deserved to be deceived. But Lilt ignored Noll, considered her irrelevant simply because she was female.

  So Noll sought out Quentin and their first few exchanges had been extremely profitable. It was only as Quentin’s demands became more dangerous that Noll tried to end their alliance. Quentin, however, valued her contributions too much to allow her to walk away. He dispatched a team of his best hunters to shadow her daughter. If Noll displeased Quentin for any reason, he could—and likely would—order his hunters to do more than watch.

  “I’d prefer to meet you at our destination.” She tried to sound imperious, but the trembling in her voice ruined the effect. “Those who can teleport tend not to like ships.”

  He grabbed both her arms and yanked her toward him, gaze narrowed and bright. “Your preference is meaningless. I saw what you did to Faujer. He might have fallen out of favor with the Stirate, but he was still my brother. You had no right to abuse him.”

  She just stared at him, shocked and confused. How had he… Faujer couldn’t possibly have contacted Quentin, so how… This made no sense.

  He sneered then shoved her back. “Did you honestly think Quentin trusted you enough to send you off without supervision? I’ve been shadowing you every step of the way.” He pushed her toward the shuttle. “I won’t ask again.”

  She crept up the narrow stairs and chose the seat obviously not meant for the pilot. He climbed in after her and slipped in behind the controls. If he’d been following them on Earth, it was possible he knew what Aria looked like. Still, Noll needed to make herself indispensable.

  “I know what she looks like and I have a fix on her energy pattern.”

  “Which is the only reason you’re still breathing.”

  He powered up the shuttle and her chair vibrated, though the engines were remarkably quiet. She scrambled for something to say, anything that would minimize the damage. This was Faujer’s brother?