Fire Pearl (Beyond Ontariese 5) (10 page)

“You had no reason to doubt them. You knew
nothing but captivity.”

She sighed and glanced away from his handsome
face. “That doesn’t keep me from feeling like an idiot.” Before he
could reply, she said, “Indric hypnotized me with that voice of
his. Now I feel almost dreamy.” It wasn’t a lie, more of an
exaggeration.

He smiled and supported her back as she lay
down. “Let’s take advantage of your calm. I want to teach you a
basic skill.”

Will you kiss me if I get it right?

He chuckled and shook his head. “You’re
trouble, no doubt about it. I was going to offer to release your
hands, but if you’d rather be kissed…” Cupping the side of her
face, he brushed his lips against hers. He only indulged her for a
moment before he pulled away. “Indric’s spell won’t last long. We
really should get started.”

“What do you want me to do?” She raised her
arms above her head and arched her back, knowing it thrust her
breasts against the thin fabric of her gown.

“Close your eyes and allow me to link with
you.”

She grinned and lowered her lids. “I’ve been
trying to get you to link with me since we got here.”

“Soon.” He paused, shifting so he lay beside
her. The pressure around her wrists disappeared, but she left her
arms raised as if she were still bound. “The metaphysical plane is
that place inside you and around you where Mystic energy can be
gathered and manipulated.” He spoke the words aloud, but his mind
reached out to hers, reinforcing his speech with thought. She
welcomed him, craving the intimacy of having any portion of him
inside her. “That’s right. Now think of a place where you’ve known
only joy, a safe place where you are happy.”

Without conscious thought, she imagined a
wide stage and the tiered seats beyond. He chuckled and she paused.
“Is this not acceptable?”

“This is a starting point, a visual aid to
help you focus your power. Before long you won’t require the
visualization. Let’s push a little harder. Picture me there with
you.” Picturing him was easy. He was never far from her mind. He
walked out from stage left and she held out her hand, offering him
a smile. “You learn quickly.” He kissed her knuckles then nodded
toward the lights. “Let’s try some control exercises. Raise and
lower the lights. Once you can do so effortlessly, try changing the
colors.”

The rest became a blur of repetition and
concentration. They spent hours on the metaphysical plane as she
worked to control the flow of energy. Brighter lights required more
power. Dimming the lights taught her how to maintain a slow, even
stream. When she tired, he kissed her, passing energy across a
“liplink”.

They slept in each other’s arms, staring up
at the stars. It took her several days to realize he pushed her
until they were both completely exhausted before he allowed her to
release the visualization. Though attraction arced between them
each time they touched, the sexual cravings hadn’t returned. Aria
wasn’t sure if she was relieved or disappointed.

Toward the end of the third day, they sat on
the edge of the stage, his hand absently stroking her back. “Are
you ready for a new exercise?”

“Does this one involve orgasms?” she said
with a half-smile.

He curved his finger beneath her chin and
turned her head until she looked into his eyes. “Your power is
still unstable. If I make love to you now, we could bond
unintentionally. Bonding with a Bilarrian is a lifelong commitment.
I won’t enter into it until we’re both sure of our feelings.”

She accepted the explanation with a stiff
nod. He was right. It was better if they waited. Still, sleeping
with him, touching him every night without consummating their
attraction was testing the limits of her sanity.

“What’s the new exercise?”

“Picture every door in the theater, even the
ones backstage.”

“All right.”

“Are there any windows?”

“No.”

“I want you to lock them, seal them. Let
nothing in or out.”

She did as he instructed, channeling energy
toward the exits to form the seal. “Now what?”

“I’m going to try to push through. Your
thoughts are shielded naturally, but this is different.” His hand
moved to the nape of her neck and pressure built inside her mind.
“Can you handle more?”

She nodded, bracing herself for an increase
in pressure. Mist swirled toward the exit on her right, seeping out
around the door. She diverted energy, intensifying the seal and the
mist evaporated.

“Very good.” Taking her hands in his, he
pulled her to her feet. “Not everyone will attack with a battering
ram. Many will use stealth and trickery.”

Drakkin watched Aria sleep, aching to claim
her with every molecule he possessed. The savage within him
twisted, agitated and ravenous. Only through strict discipline and
four hundred years of training had he been able to control his
elemental power and temper his primal urges.

Mine!
The savage howled. How could
such a fragile female create such brutal desire?

His search of the archives had been far less
helpful than he’d hoped. A union between an Ontarian and a Rodyte
had never produced a
jumanna
before. He’d studied every
entry about the
jumanna
and cross-referenced it with similar
abilities in Ontarians. He found nothing. She was unique.

He trailed his index finger along her
hairline and across her smooth brow. One thing was certain, her
power would spike each time she found release until her gift
stabilized. She was learning quickly. He just wasn’t certain she
could withstand a sudden blast of Mystic energy. Unfortunately,
they were running out of time.

If Noll had sensed the temporal distortion
when she was in Aria’s dressing room, the Rodyte spy might not be
able to locate them, but she’d know where they would emerge. Unless
they were willing to remain out of sync forever, he needed to push
on, to complete Aria’s awakening.

He stroked her velvety cheek with the backs
of his finger. This night would test his control as never before.
Could he arouse her, feel her tremble and hear her moan without
succumbing to his instinctual need to claim his mate? He knew she
desired him physically. Still, he wanted her to be comfortable with
her true self before she considered becoming his life mate.

He disintegrated his linen pants with an
impatient thought then focused entirely on her. She wore a filmy
gown that drooped off one shoulder and exposed the upper swell of
her breasts. He smiled as her indignant expression replayed through
his mind. She’d demanded something less revealing until the
gossamer material settled against her skin.

With a small tug, he drew the material down
and revealed one of her nipples. Even in the moonlight the soft
peak appeared red. He lowered his head and caught the bud between
his lips. Curving his fingers around the fullness of her breast, he
breathed in her scent and felt her nipple harden against his
tongue. Her skin was soft, her nipple warm and delightfully
responsive. She stirred at his gentle sucking, threading his hair
through her fingers and whispering his name.

“Is it finally time?” she murmured
sleepily.

“I think you’ll like this exercise.” He
released her nipple long enough to blow warm breath over her moist
skin. “Let’s see how much your control has improved.”

She shivered and unfastened the straps,
freeing the top of her gown. “Just don’t stop touching me.”

He lowered the material to her waist and
paused, mesmerized by her beauty. She arched into his touch, her
nipples hard little points. He cupped one breast and bent to taste
the other. The savage stirred, hardening his shaft and urging him
onward. He suckled one nipple then the other. Her skin flushed and
her nipples grew hot against his tongue.

“Kiss me, Drakkin,” she whispered.

The thought of
kissing
her had haunted
him ever since Indric planted the suggestion in his brain. He knelt
beside her and took the bunched material in both hands. “Lift your
hips, love. I want you naked tonight.”

Her breath hitched and her eyes widened,
still she obediently lifted her ass. He swept the gown down her
legs and pulled it free. Tension banded his chest and tenderness
clogged his throat. He wanted everything all at once, yet he wanted
to please her most of all. For years she’d been treated like an
object and then a novelty. He wanted to make her feel special,
cherished and safe.

After thoroughly exploring her lips, he
kissed his way down her throat, between her breasts and onto her
silken belly. She quivered and gasped, her hands balled at her
sides. Realization unfurled and anger stabbed into his heart. That
bastard Faujer had never done this for her, had never seen to her
pleasure before he selfishly sought his own. Drakkin shouldn’t be
surprised. She’d warned him that sex with Faujer had been an
obligation.

He eased her legs apart and moved between
them. She watched him, uncertainty shining in her eyes.
I know
you’re not ready for a full joining. We’re going to try something
new.
A stilted nod was her only reply.

Lifting one leg and then the other, he
positioned her feet against the furs and parted her thighs. Her
eyes grew wider and wider as he pushed her legs apart. Her faint
musk sent desire slamming into his gut. How was he going to keep
his savage nature leashed? He’d never wanted anyone this badly.

His fingers trembled as he stroked her inner
thighs. Softer than the gown she’d been wearing, her pearlescent
skin begged to be touched and tasted. He pressed his lips against
the inside of one knee. She licked her lips, her breasts
heaving.

Do you ache, sweetheart? Do you feel empty
inside?

Her laugh shuddered into a sigh.
I’ve felt
empty since the last time you touched me. No, since the first
time.

A pang of confusion followed her words. He’d
only touched her intimately once before. Unwilling to sacrifice the
sensual momentum, he tucked the question away in the back of his
mind.

Kissing his way down her thigh, he hovered
over her smooth mound before working his way up the other side. He
would never tire of her warm softness or the urgent little sounds
escaping her throat. By the time he started down again, her legs
were trembling. He pressed his hands against her inner thighs and
parted her folds with his thumbs. He watched her face as he lowered
his mouth to her slit. She gasped. He licked. She covered her face
with her hands and he delved deeper.

Do you
want
to do that
? She
sounded breathless and uncertain even in his mind.

Stars, yes. I could live on your cream.
Relax. Let me play.

She lifted one leg to his shoulder and arched
into the kiss. He grinned then demonstrated his approval with
ruthless enthusiasm. Licking and sucking, he worked his way from
her opening to her clit and back. His lips tingled and heat spread
through his chest, sinking into his belly and lower. Indric had
warned him that her cream would be different, more potent. Drakkin
stroked her slowly, savoring her taste and delighting in her
uninhibited response.

His head spun and light danced before his
eyes. He flicked his tongue against her swollen clit. Each of her
breathless cries launched a tingle through his abdomen. He circled
the tiny knot of nerves then caught it between his teeth and rubbed
the ultrasensitive tip. She tossed her head and rocked her hips,
lost in the sensual spell.

He slipped his hands beneath her ass and held
her against his mouth. His tongue thrust into her core over and
over. She gasped and arched, her inner muscles rippling.

Yes, love. Let me feel you come.

She whimpered, unable to hold back her
orgasm. Sizzling power swirled around his tongue, filled his mouth
and flowed into him. He groaned, his cock bucking against the furs.
Reaching for her mind, he tried to calm her, but his heart felt as
if it would burst from his chest.

More! He needed more of her. He needed all of
her.

Dragging his mouth away with a throaty moan,
he surged up along her body and positioned himself at her entrance.
“Aria, look at me.”

She opened her eyes and he gasped. The mauve
rings had expanded, consuming the lavender. The highlights in her
hair blazed, emitting heat as well as color. “Now,” she demanded,
her lips taking on the same ruby red as her nipples.

His fire pearl was burning. It had to be now.
He entered her slowly, trembling as her body opened for him,
stretching around his thick length. Tight, hot, perfect, she
gripped him with strong rhythmic pulses. “Better?”

“No. Move.” She bent her knees, her
passion-drugged gaze consuming his.

Pulling back just as slowly as he’d pushed
in, he concentrated on the snug heat of her body wrapped around
his. Nothing had felt this good in his entire life. Her vibrant
energy pulsed into him, triggering tingles and random bursts of
pleasure.

He thrust to the hilt, capturing her gasp
with his open mouth. His inner savage writhed and clawed, demanding
his mate. Drakkin stubbornly drove him back. Tension built with
each firm thrust. He needed more than this physical connection. He
wanted to blend with her body, mind and spirit. No! She wasn’t
ready for a permanent bonding. She deserved more time.

Her knees pressed against his ribs, her hips
lifting into each downward thrust. She squeezed him and sucked his
tongue into her mouth, easily matching his aggression. He wrapped
his arms around her and pressed her tight to his chest. Then he
rolled, taking her with him. He arranged her on top of him,
straddling his hips.

“Ride me.” He showed her how to move. “Take
all you need.”

She braced herself against his chest and
threw her head back, her hair brushing his thighs with each rocking
motion. “More,” she panted. “I need more.”