“He kissed Aida.”
Kaos growls.He understands.Dragons do not share, are deadly possessive and protective of their mates for as long as they have them. And I know, when it comes to human females, we will have them forever.
Growing antsy, my gaze goes to the hut Aida entered.Where is she?
Issa is gone too. Kaos must sense my unease.“Do not worry. She will be out soon. They are preparing her.”
I glance his way. “What do you mean?”
“Just wait and see. It will not be long now.” Before I can inquire further, he rises and returns to his previous seat. My attention returns to the hut. My brow furrows.
An eternity passes before the door opens. Or maybe several lengthy minutes. And it is then I realize that the entirety of Aida’s tribe is around me and the bonfire.
The three other females appear first. Milaye I already know, and Tulia I believe to be second. Kaos’s mate is third, smiling big. Her bright eyes find Kaos and she goes to him.
I wait for my Aida to emerge.
Preparing her for what?
When she doesn’t appear, I rise, planning to seek her. But then a shadow fills the doorway and I see her.
My feet stop mid-stride, stunned.
Aida steps from the threshold and into the evening glow. Awes fills me to see her in such a mesmerizing way.
Enchanted, her dark eyes catch mine, and I am lost. The firelight spark and even a glint of red shine in her gaze, all framed by black chalk that goes from her eyes to her hairline. My mouth waters.
Her long, beautiful hair is pulled away from her face, sharpening her features, hanging down her back in enticing waves. A twilight goddess of golden sands. Or a seductress coming from the deepest fires of the earth.
My eyes slip to her body. Her skin has been donned in glittering shells, gold and twinkling. Adornments go up her arms, her legs, even her fingers and toes have accessories—intent to seduce my gaze everywhere at once.
I wipe my mouth with the back of my hand. I do not even try to hide my shaft, threatening to slip from my loincloth. She is dressed in dark green snakeskin that barely conceals her sweet parts. White pearls are sewn over her breasts and the crux of her sex. Pearls I want to tear off with my teeth.My water nest was filled with pearls.Forcing the thought from my mind,I vow to procure new ones.
Aida takes a slow step my way, her teeth bite down on her lip, and I am paralyzed. My nostrils flare. Her pheromones flood into me. I realize everyone else is watching her too.
We should have never left the caves!A rumbling grows in my throat.
My shaft grows painful, and I want to throw her over my shoulder and take her away at this very moment.Or remain here, in front of all, so they might witness my mastery.My mind clouds with lust.
I hear laughter. I do not care. Clenching my fists, I straighten, ready for my human to close the distance between us. But when she is only a few yards away, she is interrupted.
“Wait!”
Holding back a scowl, Delina runs up and forces Aida’s attention from me. Breathless, the younger sister raises something in her hands.
“I’m sorry,” she whispers, offering the object.
Aida glances down at it, back to her sister. Forgiveness softens her striking face. My mate nods and lowers her head. Delina lifts the object and places it on Aida’s head.
The headdress,I note, realizing what it is.
Delina positions the piece and ties it into my mate’s hair. Their brows touch, and then Aida turns back to me. Delina slinks away.
I do not wait any longer—can not wait without going mad—and storm across the clearing and take her in my arms, slamming my mouth over hers.
Like shrugging—no, it’s better than shrugging—Kissing her is such a human mannerism. One I enjoy immensely. Something I will enjoy every day for the rest of my life.No one will ever again kiss her but me.I nip Aida’s plump lip, and she pulls back with a gasp.
The tribe breaks out in hollers and laughter, and without caring of whatever human ritual we are in, I pick my mate up, throw her over my shoulder, and steal her away.
