[Atlantean's Quest 03] Redemption (13 page)

You’ve lied to me, seer
. His voice was harsh, his body demanding.

I’ve never lied to you. I simply withheld the facts. There is a difference.

His gaze pinned her as he shifted his hips so she could feel his growing erection.

The time for games is over.

Ariel’s eyes widened. Coridan, we must not perform the energy bind, remember our people.

This is no longer about our people, seer.
He reached between their bodies and untied his loincloth, pulling the material away until they lay skin to skin.
This is about a warrior and his mate. You know it and I know it.

Ariel held up her hand, gently covering his lips with her fingertips. I want you, but you’ll have to promise me there’ll be no energy bind or I won’t be able to go through with this, no matter how much I long to do so. You know, as I do, if we joined and anything happened to either one of us it would be like sentencing the other to death.

Coridan felt his face harden. She still denied him the final step in their ultimate joining. Yet he knew she spoke the truth. He knew that whether they joined or not, if anything happened to Ariel, his life would not be worth living. Coridan didn’t want to consider what Ariel’s life would be like on Zaron if he didn’t make it through this battle. Would her pain be as great? If they joined, he knew that would be the case. He debated whether to stop their physical pleasure before it continued any further. Just then, Ariel shifted her hips, taking all his decision-making abilities out of his hands.

You have my word.
He groaned, nuzzling her neck, nibbling her lobe. Her body burned like lava beneath his fingertips, his lips. Coridan traced the gentle dip of her waist as it flared into full hips. He ran his palms along her outer thighs, relishing the feel of her long legs, the slight trembling his touch ignited.

Her breath came out in short, gasping pants as he found her rock hard nipples and rolled them between his thumb and forefinger. Gold filled the air and energy sizzled around them. Coridan closed his eyes, shutting out the temptation of claiming all. He didn’t want to force himself on his mate. He wanted Ariel to come to him willingly.

Ariel spread her thighs wider, enveloping him. Coridan’s cock dropped, immediately immersed in the slit. His body shook. He had to taste her. He released her earlobe and slid down her body, palming her rounded globes one last time before settling between her legs.

* * * * *

Coridan’s tongue snaked out, taking Ariel’s breath from her lungs. He undulated the muscle, teasing closer to her clit. Her body screamed in anticipation, tightening to a razor’s edge, where she remained, balanced and waiting to fall. This was it. In a few moments, she would know what it felt like to embrace a warrior and hold him deep within her cunt.

Coridan dipped his head, and began to nibble on her clit like he’d been nibbling on her ear only moments ago. His lips were excruciatingly soft as he feasted upon the tiny bud, building her need, driving her desire. He flicked his tongue once, then twice before plunging inside her saturated channel.

Ariel bit her lower lip to keep from screaming aloud. Energy pulsed within her, dancing and caressing the sensitive inner walls of her woman’s center. Pressure began building inside, unlike anything she’d ever experienced. If felt bigger than herself, than them, greater than all the things she’d ever accomplished for the tribe.

Coridan pulsed energy, sending it rippling through her pussy, vibrating her clit at the same time. Ariel shattered as wave after wave of delicious release roared through her. As soon as the last pulse fluttered her body, Coridan’s weight was upon her, his thick cock sliding to her entrance.

Ariel’s eyes widened, locking to his as he slipped the tip of his cock inside her pussy. The sensation scalded as her body gripped him, drawing him deeper. Sweat dotted Coridan’s forehead and his aqua eyes turned molten like an underwater lava flow. His gaze held hers as his hands slid away from her body, his palms brushing her skin, electrifying her as he neared her hips. Ariel tilted her pelvis instinctively as Coridan slid his cock an inch deeper into her cunt.

Her breath caught as he nudged the natural barrier guarding her innocence. Coridan’s gaze never wavered.

I am honored to be granted this gift you give me now, seer.

Ariel… My name is Ariel.

Ariel.
He repeated, smiling down upon her. Pure male satisfaction rumbled in his voice, sending shivering darts of pleasure over her skin.

After this, no other warrior will be able to pleasure you. Know this, Ariel, for ‘tis the truth I speak.

Coridan…I—
Ariel shrieked.

In an act of dominance, Coridan thrust forward, tearing through her feminine barrier, imbedding himself to the hilt.

* * * * *

Her body fisted around his cock, gloving him. The time for arguments was over. Coridan’s breath strangled in his throat as he tried to speak.
You are mine, Ariel.
He punctuated the statement with a roll of his hips.

Ariel’s lips parted, as her body stretched to accommodate him.
I belong to no man.

Coridan arched a brow.
That is correct.
He smiled once more into her determined face.
You belong to a warrior—not a man.
Ariel’s jaw set. Before she could say anything to deny his words, Coridan started to move, taking all protest away.

Their bodies merged and melded, twisting in an act men and women have performed since time immortal. Nails raked, skin scraped, and still they fucked until all energy from the universe converged and exploded, sending them into eternal orbit. By the time their bodies separated, their position in each other’s lives had solidified. An hour later, they departed the tiny sanctuary sated and ready for battle.

Ariel and Coridan worked their way through the jungle, taking care to remain undetected. Rumsinger’s men stalked through the vegetation, flushing out all living creatures from their hiding places in an attempt to locate them. Trees were felled and animals killed as the guides’ search became frantic.

Worry creased Ariel’s delicate brow as they neared the transport. Coridan stopped, halting her movements.
From here, we’ll take to the trees.
He pulled a liana free, cupped his hands to give her a leg up, and waited for Ariel to climb. They reached the treetops safely.

I want you to go south for seventy-five yards. There you’ll find the missing stone hidden in a rotting tree stump surrounded by wild ginger. The flowers disguise the stump and I’ve covered the top with dried leaves.

Ariel nodded.
What are you going to do?
Worry crept into her voice.

I’m going to diminish their numbers, giving us a better chance of escaping with our lives. Once I’ve accomplished that, I’ll come in from the north, meeting you in front of the transport.

Okay.
Ariel hesitated, glancing over her shoulder one last time. Her gaze caressed Coridan lovingly before she grabbed a liana and swung away, heading in the direction of the stone.

Coridan watched until she’d disappeared. His heart slammed against his ribs as the call for battle rushed through his blood, burning his veins. It was time to end the professor’s reign of terror for the last time.

* * * * *

Ariel found two men resting nearby the stone’s hiding place. She debated whether to call Coridan assistance, but decided against it. She was an Atlantean woman, more powerful than a human male and at least ten times smarter. Her thoughts turned to her warrior. He already had his hands full with the men guarding the transport and with Rumsinger.

The men lingered, in no hurry to continue their search. Ariel knew she didn’t have time to wait them out. She needed a plan. Her gaze scanned the area, looking for anything that she could use as a weapon. She couldn’t afford to waste an energy blast on these two, and besides she was going for stealth. Locating the perfect item, she swung silently to a nearby tree, which possessed exactly what she’d been searching for a moment ago.

Ariel plucked two coconuts, weighing their heaviness in her hands, before deciding they’d make the perfect weapons. Not too heavy, yet not too light, she’d easily be able to hurl her makeshift weapons at the unsuspecting targets. Ariel launched the first coconut at the native man closest to her. The fruit made contact, slamming into his head. A strange hollow thud sounded a second before the man dropped to his knees.

The other man rushed forward to help his friend, not suspecting foul play, only to be on the receiving end of a coconut to the face. Ariel heard a crack and then saw a gush of blood as the man’s nose rained crimson. He too fell a moment later, a look of shock clearly etched in his wide-browed features.

With the two guides disposed of, Ariel dropped from her hiding place and rushed toward the leaf-covered stump. Her heart raced in her chest as she uncovered the stony prize that she and Coridan were prepared to die for. Ariel strained to hear any sign of struggle, yet the jungle remained ominously silent as if holding its collective breath.

She gathered the stone near her body, tucking it into her ribcage as she made her way toward the clearing. If all went well, there would be no men surrounding the transport. If not, she would be walking into her execution. She stood taller, throwing her shoulders back as she prepared to face either possibility. Ariel knew that she and Coridan were all that stood between their people’s destruction. Ariel did not fear death.

Her stomach clenched as she realized what she feared most was something happening to Coridan. That possibility ate at her insides like scavengers picking over bones. She threaded her way through the jungle, taking care to ensure her footsteps remained silent. She imagined herself as the wind, gently rustling leaves while leaving no trace behind. Ariel reached the clearing within moments.

Blood coursed through her veins, almost deafening in its thunderous journey. She kept to the tree line as she worked her way to the transport. The area looked as if she’d just left it—deceptively undisturbed. Her heart tripped, then stuttered. If all went as planned Coridan should be waiting for her.

Fear sliced through her, freezing her in her tracks. With instant clarity, Ariel realized despite her resolve to return to her people, she couldn’t leave this planet unless Coridan came with her. If he chose to stay, then so would she. Leaves skipped across the open area as a warm breeze stirred the air. Ariel swallowed hard, listening. Silence ensued. Forcing herself to move, Ariel stalked to the transport. It only took a minute to figure out where to place the stone, but it felt like an eternity.

The second the missing piece slid into place the machine began to rumble. Like a giant puzzle, it needed all of its pieces to create the entire picture or, in this case, place. The center dimmed, turning the once see-through space into what looked like growing clouds. The mist thickened again, churning like a killer storm. Ariel stared entranced, forgetting for a moment why she was here. A thunderous noise cracked behind her. Ariel jumped. She spun around, her hands fisting at her sides in preparation.

Coridan swung down using a thick brown liana, rivulets of blood streaming from one massive bicep. Angry shouts came from behind him as the professor and a few of his men followed in close pursuit.

“Run,” he shouted aloud.

The noise shocked Ariel and gave testament to how critical the situation had become.

“Stop them!” Rumsinger bellowed. “Don’t let them get through the transport or it’ll be your heads.”

Shots rang out. Coridan dove for Ariel, taking her to the hard ground. The air rushed from her lungs as he rolled, attempting to shield her with his body. It took a moment before Ariel could catch her breath. It didn’t help having a warrior’s body resting upon her like a leaden weight.

Coridan’s face was a mask of undisguised rage as he leapt to his feet and prepared for battle. Ariel scrambled to her knees in time to see Santo raise a gun and point it at Coridan’s back. There was no time to think or scream, only act. Her hand flew up and energy burst out, knocking the man and herself to the ground at the same time.

She lay there momentarily stunned. Coridan spun for a second, noting the scene long enough to grit his teeth. He then turned to face the professor once again. Ariel knew what he was thinking without him having to utter a word. She also knew she’d never hear the end of this if they made it out alive.

Atlantean women were forbidden from fighting, not because they couldn’t fire an energy burst, but because it took such a physical toll on their health. She’d rendered herself defenseless, but Ariel knew she’d do it again in a heartbeat if it meant saving Coridan’s life.

Ariel floundered on the ground listening to the sounds of Hades raining down upon their heads. Pows and zaps slashed through the silence of the jungle as bullets made contact with bark. Coridan fired burst after burst from his hands, until they glowed a constant yellow. Men screamed, their sounds unnatural as the energy bursts hit their targets. Gunfire cracked and popped, sending animals scurrying for their lives.

What felt like an hour was truly only a matter of minutes. Ariel was finally able to rise, and although weak, she could at least warn Coridan of any other sneak attack.

“Get to the transport, it should be ready,” he hollered over the cacophonous noise.

I shall not leave you
. Ariel whispered in his mind.

Coridan growled.
We had a plan. Stick to it, seer.
His arm shot out and Raoul fell.

Ariel shook her head; it mattered not that he could not see her. She took a step toward Coridan at the same time Rumsinger raised his pistol and fired. She never saw the shot coming. The bullet ripped through her shoulder, tearing the tender flesh to shreds. She screamed and reached for Coridan as the world dimmed around her.

Chapter Ten

The scream shattered the ice surrounding Coridan’s heart. He turned, catching Ariel a second before she dropped to the ground. Blood was everywhere, striking terror in his heart. Crimson flowed freely from the wound, dotting the ground with a splash of vibrant color. Fury clouded Coridan’s vision as blood covered his hand.