He pulled out slowly, teasing his woman as well as himself. Every muscle quivered in his body and he struggled for control. A quick thrust reseated his cock and made Deveney gasp in ecstasy.
“Is this what you want, my lady?” his husky voice whispered across her face.
“No,” she growled in an erotic tone. In a feat of unimaginable strength, she flipped him off her. He landed on his back, laughing as she crawled over him.
Those sexy eyes penetrated his soul and pierced his heart. “I want you to fuck me in the proper Morphionian mating ritual way.” Pure desire laced her words.
When Deveney crawled over him and situated herself on all fours, dead center on the bed, pure heat cascaded over him. She lifted her chin and stared directly at him across her shoulder. “I want you right now, Tor. Right here, right now. Claim me as your mate. Make me yours.”
The ripe scent of her musky mating aroma filled his hypersensitive nose. He had to have her. The sight of her on her hands and knees with her legs parted waiting for him captured his heart and guided his cock home. He needed no other request. But he had to make sure she understood the gesture completely as he wrapped himself around her.
“You do understand this is eternal.” His cock hovered at the entrance to her sex. “There is no turning back. You can never return to Earth. Your magic is bonded to mine. You are mine and I am yours forever.”
She tilted her chin and met his gaze. An unstoppable smile split her lips. “I hold no regrets. I have no wish to return to Earth. Eximius Mundus is my home, now and forever. You are my love, my life and my soul.”
Tor’s restraint shattered. He plunged into her heat. Sparks shot in the air around them. Vibrant colors filled the bright-blue bubble that encased them as they succumbed to the magic within their chakras. The harder and faster they pumped, the wilder the magical colors swirled around them.
Heat sizzled with each stroke. In and out. Harder. Faster. The blue bubble grew. Deveney bucked against him, taking him in deep. Tor grasped her hips as he gained momentum. His inner beast roared inside him. His cock grew. But the beast never surfaced. Deveney’s mentally whispered words prevented the bear from escaping.
You are my man, my love and my soul. It is you I wish to make love to, Torbjorn. Not the beast. Back down, bear, and leave my man alone.
The beast disappeared, leaving Tor to finish the job. Joy spread through him. For the first time in many years, he felt in total control of the magic. His focus fell to the glorious back of the beautiful woman bucking on his cock. It was because of her. Her refusal to let him send her back and deny their mating existed. Deveney was his greatest strength.
There was one thing left to complete this ritual. One thing he’d refused to do each time they mated. Tor plowed his cock deep, leaned forward and brushed the hair from her neck as he wrapped himself around her. He kissed her ear, licked the salt from her skin. He hovered a breath away from the rapid throb of the life vein in her neck. “I take you, Deveney, as my lifemate. Now and forever,” he proclaimed the words that sealed the magical circle around their hearts, then captured her neck in a loving embrace with his lips.
The power of their unified orgasm fused their chakras. Every muscle spasmed from the tip of his toes to his scalp as Deveney shivered in his embrace. But he refused to release her neck. In a steady caress, he suckled, nipped and licked her lifeline. His balls tightened and her inner muscles tugged him in deep. The release of his seed filled her and soaked him in a heated mixture of their love. Visions filled his brain. Her and him, together.
They fell onto their sides with his arms wound around her. Tor still caressed her neck with the tip of his tongue. He held her exhausted body protectively. One hand cupped a breast while the other cradled her head. When the pounding of the magic slowed, another vision filtered to the forefront of his sated brain.
A cub, a child. He was going to be a father. Tor stiffened against her back and let his hand trail slowly down to her lower abdomen. Palm flat, he caressed the tender flesh.
Deveney’s hand covered his. Her tone hinted of sheer exhaustion as she whispered, “Yes, Tor.” She snuggled against him, keeping his cock cocooned within her sex. “I’m pregnant.”
Many questions poured into his head. Would it be human or Morphionian? Would it have the ability to shift? His heart skipped a beat as fear sliced through him at one solitary question that flashed through his brain. Looking down at the wonderful woman in his arms, he tried not to let the worst fog his happiness. But it did.
Would she survive the birth?
Deveney twisted in his arms and stared up at him. It astounded him that she knew his thoughts. “I don’t have all the answers and neither do you. In this case, no one does. You and I and our little one are the first of our kind.” She cupped his cheek in her hand. “Tor, I’m scared just like you. I’ve never given birth. Just the thought of another person depending on me for life…”
Tor cut her off with a tender kiss to her lips. In as reassuring a tone as he could muster, even though his insides swirled with concern, he said, “You will be a wonderful mother. We’ll get through this together.”
“Promise?”
“I promise,” Tor replied and placed a kiss to the tip of her nose. “Now get some sleep. I’ve exhausted you. You should’ve told me before we mated. I wouldn’t have been so rough.”
Deveney laughed, shifting into a more comfortable position in his arms. “I wouldn’t have had you any other way. Look around you, Tor. Our magic is strong.”
Tor lay against the pillows with Deveney in his arms. One look around the room and he understood her meaning. The energy of their lovemaking coated the entire room in a brilliant, blue glow. Items that were once on his desk were now scattered on the floor. Even the desk chair was knocked over. The only item not scathed by their magic was the Mirror of Azure. It stood boldly bathed in the light of their combined magic.
He knew the moment Deveney slept. The tight contraction of her inner muscles around his cock relaxed, but he didn’t pull out. Instead, he chose to linger, sheathed in her heat and love. The glow dimmed and slowly diminished as he watched. He smiled, holding her close. Their intertwined hands on her lower belly hovered over the child they created.
Pure joy filled him. He’d found his mate. Lifting his eyes to the mirror, he knew the truth and the path he needed to follow to save his people. Others must come to replenish the dying population.
If Deveney were any proof of the strength of the women from Earth, then this would work. Tor pressed a tender kiss to her hair and relaxed. Tomorrow, he’d send
tabellaes
to the clans and call for an emergency gathering and announce his decision at that time.
But for now, he needed to sleep. For in the morning, he knew his woman would wake with a voracious sexual appetite. And Tor knew he’d be breakfast. He sighed, snuggling even closer to Deveny.
* * * * *
Deveney woke to find Tor gone. A note lay in his place on the pillow. She shifted into an upright position, lifted it and read.
My love,
I hated leaving you this morning. But duty called. A pertinent issue with one of the clans needed my immediate attention. Please forgive my absence. Believe that I
will
make it up to you.
Tor
A thrill of anticipation shot through her core at his proclamation. Her imagination took flight with the many possible ways he’d make it up to her.
Sitting up, she saw a huge tray of food. Her stomach roared and she giggled. She slid from the bed and walked straight to the desk. Food became a priority at the moment. Finding Tor and making him pay for his absence was a little further down her list of things to do today. But she would make him pay.
Repeatedly.
Chapter Fourteen
“You’re sure of this?” Tor asked Gawyn Rapier, the leader of the Redtail Hawk clan.
In the early morning hours, Gawyn arrived with an urgent message for the ruler of the clans. It took great strength to pull himself from the warmth of Deveney’s arms, but he had no choice. Rapier didn’t demand council without cause.
When he learned the unexpected visit was in relation to the shield that divided Eximius Mundus from Dystopia, Tor immediately summoned Visuvius, Sven and Griswaldin as well to meet in his office.
Gawyn squared his shoulders, tilted his chin and leveled his dark-brown eyes on Tor. His steady gaze as he spoke gave Tor the reassurance his word was truth. Though in his recollection, he’d never known Gawyn to lie. It was one of the reasons Tor considered him to be a friend and trusted advisor.
They moved to a huge map on a wall in Tor’s office. It showed all of Eximius Mundus, including Dystopia. Every clan had a section of land they claimed as their own. Those were marked on the map by name and shaded the color of each clan. The Isle of Avalonia sat dead center on the map. The Diabhal River divided the map in half. The river split and its waters flowed around the Isle of Avalonia. Both sides of the river were touched by a portion of almost every clan’s property at some point along its length. The river and its tributaries gave the water of life to the lands and belonged to all. No one claimed ownership of the river.
Dystopia ran the perimeter of the entire scope of Eximius Mundus. It bordered the properties of almost every clan with the exception of the Isle of Avalonia. They were considered badlands, wild and untamed, perfect for the exile of uncontrollable men who were trapped within their inner beasts. Centuries prior, the Goddess Nirvana created a magical fence of sorts that separated and protected Eximius Mundus from Dystopia.
“Tor, I would not have believed it if I had not seen it with my own eyes.” Gawyn’s head shook. He tapped the spot on the map where the boundary shield was damaged. “I have stationed several of my best men on watch. If the opening spreads, we shall know immediately.”
“My concern isn’t if it spreads,” Tor stated in a sad tone. “It’s if any of the
Proprius Bestia
discover it and enter Eximius Mundus before it can be sealed.”
“That is a problem we’ve suffered through before. My men stand at the ready to fight and protect as always,” Gawyn replied in a cold tone as hatred colored his eyes. Tor understood. Gawyn lost several good men from his clan during the last
Proprius Bestia
attack. One had been his younger brother.
Several months had passed since the last weakness in the shield occurred. At that time, the
Proprius Bestia
slipped in through a similar tear in the magical force field. Why these rips took place, no one knew. Visuvius researched the reasoning behind these occurrences. So far, he’d found no definitive answer, just several hypotheses.
The new damaged spot bordered the Redtail Hawks’ land and Dystopia. Another attack and… Tor hated to think what might happen to the Redtail Hawk clan. His friend lost the last of his family members during that battle. And from the look in Gawyn’s eye, he hungered for revenge.
“At least you located the weakness in the shield before the
Proprius Bestia
found it. But it’s only a matter of time before one of them stumbles upon it and alerts the rest. Can you take me there?” Visuvius asked as he resituated his glasses. “I want to get a look at the tear in the shield. It would help if I could actually see what I’m dealing with.”
“Of course,” Gawyn answered with a curt nod. “We leave at your ready.”
“Thank you. I’ll gather my things and be back momentarily,” Visuvius replied, turned and walked out of the office. The words he muttered under his breath Tor heard, though he knew he wasn’t meant to. “Wish Maven was here to help with this again.”
Tor wished the same. The shield was a magical force. Without the magi around, he doubted their abilities to fix it. At the sound of a throat clearing, he turned to face his Officer of the Guards, Griswaldin Grizzly. Though the oldest man in the room, he maintained a healthy size. He stood eye to eye with Tor and outweighed him by at least fifty pounds. Gray streaked his once jet-black hair and his black eyes hinted of wisdom. No one on the training court outmatched his fighting skills. He’d even taken down Tor on several occasions in practice bouts.
“At your command,” Griswaldin stated in his direct-to-the-point manner. “I readied the troops and placed them in strategic locations surrounding the area.”
“Together, we shall help protect our brother clan the Redtail Hawks,” Tor said as he took a seat on the edge of his desk. He had hoped to call a Gathering of the Clans to discuss the extinction problem, but this took precedence at the moment. “We need to notify the leaders of every clan. They should be on high alert. All clan troops shall be made ready in case of a
Proprius Bestia
attack. Security at every clan’s palace must be heightened and breeds living in the outer villages need to be temporarily relocated within their clan’s palace walls. This should be taken care of at once.”
“It will be done,” Griswaldin said with a nod. As he turned to leave, Tor caught his elbow and stalled his movements.
“Griswaldin,” Tor added as he held the older man’s stare. “I want the guards kept doubled here as well.”
Griswaldin had served his father and should have long retired. With the death of his mate, he claimed he had nothing better to do and stayed. Tor was thankful he did. No other matched the military experience of this man and he’d earned the Officer of the Guards, the highest rank given. Griswaldin commanded and trained the palace guards as well as their battle troops.
“That’s a given,” Griswaldin replied. The look he gave Tor issued a silent message he understood without Tor having to ask directly about whether the women within the palace would be safe. “The palace guards have been doubled. Our troops are many in number and itch for a good fight. You will be notified when Visuvius’ transport is ready to proceed.”
“Thank you.”
Tor released Griswaldin’s elbow. The older man nodded, then turned and left. He snorted heavily through his nose. He knew Griswaldin’s men were ready. The man kept those troops in top form. Many a time, Tor practiced with Griswaldin and knew the tough taskmaster firsthand. The readiness of the troops wasn’t what worried him. The
Proprius Bestia
concerned him. They held no remorse and knew no limits.
The possibility of losing lives to them irritated and frightened him most.
The moment the door closed behind Griswaldin, Sven moved closer to his brother and inhaled in an over-exaggerated manner. One eyebrow arched and an odd look plastered his face. Tor readied for the verbal attack from his brother. Instead, his brother’s next words surprised him.
“Do you feel you should go at a time like this?” Sven asked. “Send me in your stead.”
It amazed Tor that Sven offered. Shouldering such responsibility didn’t fit Sven’s nature. His brother never walked away or backed down from a fight. He was not a coward. But he never chose to take the lead either. Tor stared him up and down. Had he changed? Sven’s offer touched him.
“No, brother. As ruler, I must go and see to the breach in the shield.”
“The clans would understand your absence,” Gawyn interrupted. “It’s not every day one of us is lucky enough to mate.”
Tor straightened on the edge of his desk and stared wide-eyed at Gawyn. How’d he know? He’d done everything magically possible to mask his scent. Gawyn laughed and held his hand out to Tor to congratulate him.
“Do not think only bears can smell your mated stench. We hawks have a great sense of smell as well and at the moment,” he made a face as if a foul odor filled his nose, “I could use some fresh air. You’re potent.”
“I…” Tor was at a loss as he stood and reached for Gawyn’s hand. He had wanted to share the evidence that the magi Maven’s idea of bringing females from the outside equaled a plausible theory at the Gathering of the Clans. But now his smell revealed the secret. After a few seconds, he found his voice and said, “Thank you.”
“Who is she? Where did you find this woman? Last I heard, there were no new female additions to the bears,” Gawyn questioned as he and Tor held their right hands in a fisted grip, tugged each other close and clapped each other on the back with their free hands in a brotherly greeting.
“She’s not from here,” Tor explained. “Deveney is from a place called Earth.”
“Earth?” Gawyn’s brows furrowed.
“Yeah, we’re not quite sure where that’s located,” Sven said as he settled on the edge of the desk beside Tor. “But I for one am sure glad she’s here. She’s proof Maven’s idea works.”
Gawyn straightened. Hope filled his eyes and his expression. “This Deveney…” He paused as he seemed to gather his thoughts. “She traveled through the Mirror of Azure?”
Before Sven answered, Tor cut him off.
“She did,” Tor said. “There is a possible way to save us. But right now,” he laid a hand on Gawyn’s left shoulder, “I need your word this does not leave this room. Think of the chaos this would cause if not done properly. As it is, I fear for her safety. Her existence has become known by another clansman whose intentions are unclear.”
“Obinu,” Gawyn guessed immediately. Tor didn’t need to answer, but simply nodded. The snake clan brought many of the hatreds from the other clans upon themselves with their actions. The Redtail Hawks were no exception.
Gawyn laid his hand on Tor’s left shoulder. “You have my word and can count on me to protect the new female of Bjorn Palace until my dying breath.”
They fisted a hand over their hearts to seal the promise, and then released each other. Tor knew Gawyn’s word was solid. The mic on Tor’s desk beeped and when he answered it, Griswaldin informed him that all was ready. Tor turned to Sven. “I leave my mate in your care, my brother. Keep her safe.”
Sven clapped a hand on Tor’s left shoulder and fisted his other hand over his heart. Standing tall, chin lifted, he replied, “With my dying breath.”
Heaviness settled in Tor’s chest as he followed Gawyn out of his office. He hated not being able to speak with Deveney before he left. But there was no time. This matter had to be handled immediately. It was imperative the shield be sealed before the
Proprius Bestia
found the hole.
As he descended the front palace steps, he looked up at the wing that housed his chambers. In silence, he issued a prayer.
By the Goddess Nirvana, keep her safe. Please give Sven the strength to protect her should harm fall in their path while I am gone.
He turned and boarded the golden
snàmh-cèaird
and stood beside Griswaldin at the helm of the flying machine. The hatchway closed behind him, sealing the clear bubble that encased the large golden disc. Visuvius sat beside one of his assistants, Sirius, pouring over notes and surrounded by odd pieces of equipment and gadgets. Tor hoped Visuvius had a method to repair the tear. In the past, Maven used magic to seal the rips. But now… Tor exhaled on a deep breath. He wasn’t sure there were enough magical resources left to make the vital repair. As it was, they were stressing the magic by using the
snàmh-cèairds
, which depended on magic to fly.
Gawyn chose not to ride with them. Instead, he shifted into a huge Redtail Hawk and led the way. Tor inspected the
snàmh-cèairds
around him. On either side, there were two others filled with a dozen warriors. Behind those, there were four more golden
snàmh-cèairds
and ten others in a multitude of colors. Pride filled his chest as he took stock of the battle troops. The different breeds among the Bear clan united quickly and each sent warriors to help.
At the sight of a silver
snàmh-cèaird
with red streaks down its sides, he snorted. The Kodiaks sent warriors. If any of the Bear clan breeds were merciless killers, it was that breed. Gladness filled him to know they were on his side. A thin smile graced his lips. With any luck, they’d succeed without having a confrontation with the
Proprius Bestia
. But he doubted it.
* * * * *
Deveney touched the door and smiled. Not locked. No longer a prisoner. He’d finally accepted her as his mate. Warmth spread through her on that thought and made her shiver. The realization she had a family, a husband and a baby on the way both scared and thrilled her. A dream come true. She sighed and wished the door open. No more magical mayhem. She grinned, staring at her hand, amazed at the power it held. Maven was right. Finding her mate gave her total control.
Now to find Tor and have him make good on his promise
, she decided. Anticipation filled her. Hunger for his touch fueled to life in her core. But a second later, as she stepped into the hall, a cold chill graced her skin.
Something wasn’t right in the palace. No one was present that she noticed as she made her way toward the kitchen. A strange mood lingered in the air and stirred fear to life. She sensed Tor wasn’t in the palace. On instinct, her pace quickened. Instead of turning at the base of the stairs and going to the kitchen, she hurried to the huge, golden double doors at the end of the entrance hall.
With a swipe of her hand, one of the doors swung open, nearly knocking a guard on the outside to his knees. She ran down the wide, marble front stairs and came to a halt at the base. The sight of a fleet of strange-looking vehicles floating in the air stole her breath as her jaw dropped and her eyes widened. Never had she seen anything like it except in a sci-fi movie.