Dara Joy - Matrix 04 (8 page)

Earlier, the light blue of day sky had slowly feathered
into bands of pink, aqua, lavender, blue- each tint intensifying as night met day.

Later, darker hues entwined with the swirling blushes of pastels. It reminded Soosha of new lovers blending in a caress; their individual beauty merging into a greater sum, a greater brilliance.

Gradually the sky melded into true twilight.

Daxan told her that Aghni was well-known for its extended dusk. "Off-landers often visit solely to witness this splendor."

"I believe it."

Prior to coming to Spoltam, Soosha could not imagine any place as wonderful as M'yan. Yet, in its own way Spoltam was just as resplendent.

Oh, how she wished she could continue to travel! Her heart longed for it. But she was not alone in thinking this; every Familiar on M'yan felt the same way.

Including the King, Gian Ren.

To be safe from slavers, they were forced to make slaves of themselves! For the first time she truly understood the depths of Gian's ruling and the reasons why he had been forced to do it.
Better to choose your own line of control than have others choose for you.

At least on M'yan they maintained command of their options.

With this new insight Soosha gained the utmost respect for the strength that it must have taken to issue such a proclamation. Gian Ren was truly a great king.

But would M'yan cease being a haven for them? A cage is a cage no matter the size. A constricted Familiar could never be a free Familiar.

Such thoughts depressed her.

Tonight was not a night for such thoughts! This might be the only night she had to convince the man walking beside her that he was meant to be with her forever.

It was much to expect from one eve.

It was much to expect from this man.

If she could not woo him to her way of thinking, she would spend her whole life missing him. Every man's face she saw, every lover she took, would not ease that feeling.

Because Daxan was for her.

If he was Familiar, he would then be subject to the same unhappy fate. Since he was not, she had no way of knowing if he would be affected by her in this deeper way.

Soosha squared her shoulders, ready to take on the seemingly impossible task. Familiar woman could be fierce in many ways.

Some of them obvious and some not so obvious.

Soosha's strength was in seizing the chance. She had always believed that those who sit and say they might have done it, never really knew. She had to
know.

It would be up to her to make these precious moments with Daxan Sahain count.

The Spoltam sea rushed to the shore in a chortling gurgle of motion. Under the dance of moonrays, the pale green waters were impossibly clear. Laughing, Soosha lifted her skirts to keep them dry as the cool water rushed over her bare feet.

It felt so good to be free!

Daxan grinned at her, his white teeth flashing in the gloaming. "I have always liked the nights in Aghni best. There is an enchanted quality, is there not?"

"Yes! I love it! It is so beautiful!" The sea rushed out again in a gurgling froth of white-aqua spray.

"When I first came to Aghni I spent many a night walking the shoreline. Feeling the still warm sand between my toes, the cool water intermittently greeting me."

Soosha's brow furrowed. "You are not from here?"

"I am not originally from Aghni, no. But my family is an old one and they supported me in my decision to come here."

"Ah, yes. The Spoltami way you have told me about. Are they very far away?"

His lids hooded. "Yes."

"And do you not miss them?"

"I do."

"Then why-"

He reached out and swept a strand of hair off of her cheek. He stared into her eyes. "Because, Soosha, sometimes there is a calling."

Calling?
Recently, she had felt a similar feeling. It was why she had left M'yan. "I think I understand."

"It seems these things will come when they will come." The corners of his lips lifted in a self-effacing grin. "I never believed that before. I do now."

Soosha studied the man before her. The man who was to be her mate. He was something of a puzzle.
Had he somehow felt the mating pull?

No, that was ridiculous.

Unless.. . Spoltami could also sense their mates.

"Do you
- how do Spoltami mate?" The question was blurted out before Soosha had a chance to think of how odd it might sound.

Caught off guard by her blunt inquiry, Daxan gave her a peculiar look. "I am not sure what you are asking me, sweet adventurer." His golden hair lifted past his shoulders with the breeze as he tried to figure out her question.

Soosha stuck her big toe in a clump of wet sand and flung the moist little load directly onto the arch of his foot. "I am asking if your people... you know...
mate."

Daxan was a master at deciphering reactions. Often words alone were not enough to tell the entire tale. She had flung the sand at the arch of his foot for a reason.

His returning smile was a slow, sensual one. "We mate all the time," he replied. "Sometimes several times in one night."

Soosha snorted. "No. I mean a permanent mating. Is that the custom here?"

"Not always. We sometimes have a series of various connections."

Her brow furrowed. "How long do these connections last?"

"As long as the people who are involved wish them to last."

Soosha wondered if he was referring to play partners. That concept was not foreign to her. Familiars often enjoyed many partners before they mated. However, once mated, they engaged with their mates and no other.

Soosha was not sure she understood the Spoltam way.

As they passed a red spiky plant, Daxan snapped off a thin stalk and placed it between his lips.

Soosha smiled to herself. Worlds apart, yet males still liked to play with blades of plants!

He glanced at her out of the corner of his eye. "What is mating like where you are from?"

Soosha had a dilemma.

She had no doubt that her older brother would be showing up soon to drag her home. Brygar was just
that
way.

What was more he was sure to cause a ruckus; the man
always roared first and purred later. She bit her lip as she played out the coming spectacle in her mind. By Aiyah, it would not be pleasant!

Sometimes Brygar needed to be scratched for his own good.

She loved her brother but he was an intractable handful of stubborn male! He was a huge Familiar with jet black hair and the unusual combination of pale lavender/ pale aqua eyes. In his cat form he looked exactly the way one might imagine; and he considered whatever household he entered,
owned.

To say he would make her situation difficult would be an understatement.

Chances were that even if by some miracle Daxan accepted their mating situation, he would not readily accept her impossible brother.

She was confident that would change, given enough time. Brygar was a potent force to deal with, but everyone eventually came to love him.

Or at least put up with him for short periods of time.

And as lovely as this planet was to look at, she was not at all enamored of its society. Surely even a Spoltami mate would understand and agree with that viewpoint?

After all, she was the female and he must please her!

That was what the women of M'yan expected. . .
and always got.
It was unthinkable not to have an impossible sense of entitlement!

The idea that Daxan would not want to leave his home never took hold in her mind. He
would
come with her.

On the other hand, until the man was ready to do so, she could not simply grab a hank of his golden beaded hair and drag him back to M'yan.

Although the idea did hold great appeal.

He was a comely male.

Unfortunately, she was working without a guide; it was not as if females of her species chose non-Familiars mates every day! Soosha had to figure out how to go about actually joining with him.

Perhaps, she should begin by enticing him into partaking of a few of their rituals?

Yes, then part of her problem would be solved!

He was still waiting for her answer about Familiar mating. She did not want to scare him away by telling him that they were to be mated; however, if she did this carefully, he could act out the ritual for himself.

"We do not speak of our mating to anyone. It is a personal matter for Familiar alone."

"Now you have made me curious."

That was good. "Mmm. As a scholar, I imagine you would have great interest in the process?"

"Indeed I do." He paused. "Strictly as a scholar, mind you."

That was bad. Soosha's shoulders slumped.

Daxan scratched his jaw as he watched her through lowered lids. "I have heard the act is shrouded in secrecy. Rumors abound. Some say you Familiar mate for
days
on end. There are those who fantasize what that could possibly entail. . . if it is true?"

Soosha perked up.
Now we are getting somewhere, Daxan Sahain!
She eagerly leaned forward.

Too eagerly.

Seemingly embarrassed, he cleared his throat noisily. "I am not one of them, of course."

"Of course." She mentally threw her hands up in the air.

This was impossible! A Familiar man would have already been pressed behind her! Hot. Hard.

And ready.

Growling into her throat as he showed her just why he was the man chosen for her...

Yes, a Familiar man would already be licking her from her nape to the back of her heels!

And that would simply be his introductory greeting. His full introduction might be a week in the making.

Soosha flattened her lips into what was definitely a frustrated grimace.

Daxan gave her a sidelong look. "Yet, I would like to know more, Soosha. Can you not tell me anything?"

At last.
"Like so many things, it depends upon our mood..."

"Spoken like a true feline." His dimpled grin was truly engaging. And altogether seductive.

"But who leads the dance here?" she mumbled.

"Hmm?" He blinked slowly, spiky black lashes fanning beautiful golden eyes.
Secretive
golden eyes.

"Which one is your dwelling?" Soosha scanned the top of the cliff wall. Large estates dotted the rocky promontory.

Daxan came up behind her, placing his large hands firmly on her shoulders. He pivoted her position slightly, then pulled her back, close against him.

Very close.

Soosha could feel the pulsing heat of him right through the thin gown she was wearing. A brisk, wonderful scent emanated from his tunic. The fragrance hit her like the waves hit the shore. Forceful. Exotic. Lush. It evoked sea winds and enigmatic, faraway places.

His servants must wash his raiment in Spoltam spices.

The aromatic fragrance was spellbinding! She would have to bring some back to M'yan with her. "What is this wondrous scent in your clothing, Daxan?"

He shifted his focus from the cliffs to glance lazily down at her. His perfectly shaped mouth parted slightly and his eyes seemed to cloud over. "Do you like it?" His voice rolled in his throat with a husky ripple.

"Oh, yes.
I would like to purchase a large quantity in your
sacri
to bring back with me."

"Would you?" His low chuckle reverberated against her back. The warm breath that followed skittered along her nape, enervating the nerve endings.

Strange, but his stance almost mirrored her earlier thoughts; he was right behind her, just as she had fantasized. "Why do you find my request so humorous? Do these spiced oils have some hidden meaning for your people?"

"Shhh."

Unwittingly, she did shut her eyes as he spoke softly in her ear-
in that husky voice.
The low tone sent scalding chills through her. "Do you see that small dwelling next to the outcropping?"

"Y-yes." She eased back against him.

"I can purchase some scents there for you but I do not think they will match; I am told mine is a special blend."

She was disappointed. If she could not replicate the same scent, she was not particularly interested. "Oh. Never mind, then. I thank you anyway."

"Soosha, I am willing to give you as much of my fragrance as you desire."

"But. . . I would not want to take this special blend from you, Daxan."

"You need but ask and it is yours. Whenever you want. To return the favor, perhaps you can tell me something about this mating ritual you Familiar have. . ."

Are his lips nibbling my throat?
Soosha blinked. The touch was so gentle, so perfect, she unconsciously purred. "Ah, I see; you are teasing me for the sake of your knowledge."

"I am teasing you?" His deep voice was hoarse. "Are you sure that is the way it is?" A warm mouth slid down the back of her neck, sending chills of desire up her spine.

It appeared her Spoltami was able to carry certain things along just fine.

Yet there was a delicious torment to this slow game she played. Female Familiars took great pleasure in making their males
work
for their attention.

The feline in her did not want to make it too easy for him.

A small mew-like sound, only made by female Familiars and their cat-selves, issued her lips. It was a cross between a sigh and a cry.

The small utterance signified a myriad of emotions which roughly boiled down to:
'We know we are going to end up doing this but I am certainly not going to let you know I know it.'

The unconscious utterance made Daxan's lips widen into a grin against the back of her neck. His sweet breath teased at her sensitized skin.

Strange, but her body already recognized this man. Recognized and wanted him.

It all came down to him. Every caress she was seeking. Every kiss her lips craved. Every stroke of touch.

The thrusts of his body that she ached to feel. . .

For a Familiar the mating moment was perfectly clear. All others did not matter.

It would only ever be Daxan.

Soosha was so curious about him! She wanted to know everything. She longed to explore his layers.

Yet, there was one question that plagued her above all others. How did she know he was to be her mate when she had not been triggered by the male response first?

Was there something about Spoltami males that triggered the response? If so what did it mean?