“I'm sorry!” I cringed. “I want to help you, but I have nothing to offer.”
Nahel's rage evaporated. “Yes, I see that. It's not your fault, Eliel. And you still have value to me.” He motioned at his men and ordered, “Set a watch and get some rest.” Then he took my hand and led me to a large tent, far larger than the one the Dragon King slept in. This tent had enough space for a bed big enough for a winged person and a brazier to keep the space warm.
Nahel let go of me and undid the ties that held his tunic on.
Watching him, my heart sank. Like Bara, he wouldn't wait to slake his lust. It would begin now and never end. I prepared myself for what was to come. I would survive it. I would endure. And then I would escape him. Somehow, I would be free again. I just needed him to remove the ribbon. I couldn't do it myself, even though it was only knotted on. The magic compelled me to leave it in place.
Nahel removed his belt with his strange weapon hanging from it, his boots, and then his pants. Sending me a possessive look, he turned in a circle. “Look upon me, pretty bird. I am your new master. This is the body you must worship.” He sat down on the bed and motioned me over. “Come here.”
I went to stand before him and swallowed my fear. Next, he'd ask me to undress. I knew what to expect, and that would make it easier to endure.
“Sit down.” He patted the bed beside him.
Wait. What was this? Frowning, I sat down.
“I want you to be comfortable with me.” Nahel took my hand and kissed it. “And I want to be sure that you will obey me even without the ribbon. So, prove it to me, Eliel. Touch me as you would a man you love. Make me feel your desire. Explore my body as if you're eager to learn its secrets. Get comfortable with me. I promise, I won't demand more from you tonight. Just this.”
“Touch you?” I whispered.
“As if you want to.” He cupped my cheek and turned my face so I'd look at him. “You don't have to use your mouth. You don't even have to kiss me. I want you to be comfortable with me. So, relax in the knowledge that I won't touch you in return. I won't take you until you're ready.”
Shock ran through me, vivid enough for him to see it.
Nahel chuckled. “I promised you I would treat you better than him. I know I'm a bastard for capturing you, but it used to be how we found our wives and husbands. It was how we blended the tribes and kept from inbreeding.”
“Not anymore.”
“No, and more's the shame for it. But it's in my blood. My mother was captured by my father, and she grew to love him deeply. I know I will love you, and I'm hoping you will love me in return. So, in the way of the Okon, I give you my body to explore freely. This is how it was done. If you accept me, you will no longer be my captive.”
“Except for this.” I raised my wrist.
Nahel stroked the ribbon. “This is my security. I can sleep beside you without worrying that you might kill me while I'm vulnerable. But if you show me that I can trust you, I will gladly remove the ribbon, Eliel.”
I sighed, closed my eyes, and dropped onto the floor before him. Nahel didn't touch me, even after I took a minute to gather my courage. I opened my eyes and found him watching me. I couldn't hold that insane and yet hopeful gaze. So, I lowered my stare to his feet and set my hands on them.
With that simple touch, Nahel shuddered and lay back. It sent his erection pointing upward, but also removed the weight of his stare. He became a pair of legs and a cock. Easier to look at. I let out my breath and focused on his feet. Taking my time, I ran my fingers over his toes, surprised at how clean they were. Even the nails were cut short and free of dirt. By the time I worked my way to his knees, it was clear that Nahel was fastidious about hygiene. That helped. A little.
I followed the curve of his knees. A sprinkling of black hair covered his calves and went halfway up his thighs. I pushed his thighs apart and stroked the smooth, pale skin that bracketed his crotch. Nahel made an aroused sound, and his cock wept. I froze. My stomach turned. I couldn't bring myself to touch him there. Not with Raven's body so fresh in my mind, the feeling of his shaft lingering in my hands. My mouth. My channel.
With a broken cry, I covered my face with my hands.
I felt Nahel's movement as he sat up. “I'm going to touch you now, even though I said I wouldn't. This is not a part of the knowing.”
I didn't respond.
His hands went to my wings. My wings! He stroked the thickest bones, sending a sensation of comfort straight to my spine. Of course, he knew that trick. He had wings too. Nahel had everything he needed to make me submit. With a whimper, I bent forward.
“That's it, my little bird. You can surrender now. It's all right. I'll be good to you. Shhh now.” He kept stroking my wings until I lowered my hands. His expression was insanely kind,and he deliberately set his palms onto the bed beside his thighs. “Whenever you're ready, you may continue.”
I stared at his cock. Once I got past that, it would be easier. I lifted my hands, my stomach rebelling. It was just a piece of flesh. I could do this. It didn't matter that it was ugly compared to Raven's. Short, thick, and dark brown. It repulsed me. I'd done more repulsive things than this. I would be fine. I reached for him. Nahel smiled.
A roar came.
I jerked my hand back.
Nahel's head spun toward the tent flap.
Sounds came that could only be described as violent—thuds, shouts, bestial shrieks. Nahel's thighs tensed. He was about to stand when the tent was torn away. The entire tent. Just lifted as if by a storm. And what lifted it was a storm, in a way.
