We have not really had time to talk about how that will work, but I feel just as sure about my decision as I did when I made it. There is no other option for me. She is mine. I knew it the moment I scented her. I just did not know then how fiercely she needs the others, but that has become plain to me over the last few days.
Like it or not, I must accept it.
“You are certain you wish to visit my brother?” I ask Yalina for what may be the hundredth time. “We may not get a warm reception, especially if word has reached him about what happened here.”
“I agree,” says Jah’ruud, folding his arms across his chest. I turn to him, surprised. “It is too dangerous, and there is only one wish left.”
“Let us not argue.” Yalina gives us all a pleading look, and I restrain my urge to wipe the sneer from the wind spirit's face. “Let us begin our journey. Our supplies are running low. No sense in lingering here.”
We have to double back as it is, to retrieve our horses. I could easily fly all the way from here to my brother’s palace, but Jah’ruud claims he cannot expend enough power to get him and Kaelun to the palace, and while that bothers me not at all, it bothers my mate.
Diverting to the road saves us time, but it still takes them far too long crawling along below me. It is almost sunset, and we have only made it a little way past the dam.
Frustrated, I catch an updraft of hot air and float higher, scanning the horizon to gauge how long this journey will take. From what I can tell, it will be another two days yet before they make it to Tarquenor on horseback. We cannot travel much longer today. My mate is tired. She has barely slept in the last day and night.
Just having the luxury to think about her as my mate brings a smile to my face. It is the one consolation which must make up for all of the other injustices I am to face. It is lucky she is worth it.
As I think this, I spot a patch of vivid green ahead of us. The rich colors of the oasis stand out against the barren harshness of the dry desert plain. It is a bright plash of green and blue. This is the perfect place for us to spend the night. Perhaps she will be pleased with me if I can show her I can provide well for her. If I know my rhkash, she will love the pretty little yellow flowers and the sweet fruit of the prickly pears.
Diving down I fly low to the ground so I can call to her. “There is a place up ahead I think we should stop for the night. There will be water for the horses and for bathing.”
Yalina’s eyes light up. “Bathing! I would love a bath. Is it an inn?”
“Another oasis. We will have the place to ourselves.”
“This is a good plan,” Jah’ruud chimes in.
“Thank you.” Yalina’s smile is enough to smooth some of the bruises to my ego as I fly ahead to ensure there are no nasty surprises waiting for us and wait for the others to arrive.
I take the horses and feed them after they dismount, leading them to the fresh, cool water where they drink enthusiastically.
Even the air here is cooler than it is on the road. The water wells up from deep underground, cool and clean and sparkling in the last of the day’s sunlight. As Kaelun and Jah’ruud dig through what remain of our supplies, I lead Yalina toward the water. There is one thing I am starving for, and it is not food. I strip off my clothing, thinking to wash off the sweat and dust of our journey. I reach for Yalina.
She hesitates, looking behind at the others. I growl low in warning. “My mate should not refuse my touch.”
With a sigh she puts her hand in mine, and I lead her to the edge of the water. She draws her loose traveling dress over her head and discards it with my clothes. The sight of her, naked and beautiful, makes my mouth water. I stand there, simply staring for a moment, until she takes my hand again and steps in to join me.
She wades in as I walk backward, sucking in a breath at the difference between the cool water and the hot air of the lingering desert sun. It fires my blood in spite of the cold water, hearing the little sounds she makes as it kisses her skin.
I need her in my arms, but when I drag her against me, she protests with a little cry.
I hate that. I know she is still angry with me for the stolen bite.
I will just have to work harder to make her moan with delight so she forgives me.
“Do not be angry.” I lean in to lick at the bite mark I left on her neck. She shivers in my arms, and I grin.
“I am not… angry,” she gasps as I graze my teeth over it.
“Yes you are. I feel it. Punish me if you want to. I am not afraid.”
She sighs, but when I lift my head she is smiling. “You never give up, do you?”
“Never. I will never give you up.”
Finally she wraps her arms around my neck and lets me lift her so she can wind her legs about my waist and bring her luscious pussy flush against my hard cock. I suppress a groan at the feel of her there. How am I supposed to share her when I want my hands and mouth on her every moment of the day? When I want to sink inside her sweetness and never leave.
I’m hard and throbbing at the entrance to her body. She uses her grip on me to drag her slick cunt over me, and I nearly lose my cool. “Yalina, do not tease me. I need to make you cum at least a few times first.”
