Mystic's Touch (22 page)

Danet shivered in anticipation.

Their last coupling had been about bonding and healing. This
time she wanted to know how much he truly desired her.

She stopped in the middle of the room and faced him. Beneath
her dress, she slipped her feet from her sandals.

His struggle to maintain control was evident. His jaw was
firm and his fists were clenched. Even his eyes had darkened to a muddier gold
color. The tension practically vibrated off him in waves.

“I certainly don’t want to have this lovely new robe that
you left for me ruined.” She hooked her thumbs under the front edge of the
robe’s opening and pushed the fabric over her shoulders, making the garment
slip off and puddle on the floor behind her.

“And this gown is made of far too delicate fabric for you to
handle right now.” She held his gaze. “Perhaps it would be best if I took it
off too.”

Ceros watched, almost in thrall.

With a few tugs, she loosened the tie at her waist. Then she
slowly pulled the fabric up, using one hand against her thigh.

His gaze followed the movement of the fabric as it traveled
up her leg.

Danet rejoiced in her ability to captivate him. It bolstered
her confidence and spurred her on.

With one swift movement, she pulled the dress over her head
and let it drop onto the floor with the robe. She stood before him with nothing
but a small scrap of fabric covering her most intimate place. His eyes roamed
every inch of her, from head to toe.

The stark desire she saw on his face made her heart rejoice.
Knowing she was very likely playing with fire, she beckoned to him with her
finger as she backed toward the bed.

When he reached her, she stopped him by placing one hand on
his chest before he could grab her.

“Will you allow me, my prince, to disrobe you?”

He seemed unsure of her question and she could tell his
impatience almost won out. “Very well,” he said reluctantly.

“Thank you, my prince,” she said sweetly, silently rejoicing
she had an opportunity to worship his body the way she had dreamed of doing.

She placed both hands on his chest and slid them under the
edges of his robe. She eased the fabric up and over his shoulders then down
both of his arms, pushing the garment off as she moved. Her movements were slow
and deliberate. She knew if she didn’t remain in control, he would seize the
reins and she wouldn’t be able to hold a clear thought for hours.

She circled around to his back, letting her fingers trail
across the lines of muscle as she went.

His skin was heated but softened from the oils he had
applied earlier in the day. She felt ripples in his muscles as if he fought to
remain in place.

To get it out of the way, she loosened the latch that
secured his necklace then reached around to his front and gently lifted the
heavy gold piece. Knowing it was a valuable family heirloom, she placed it on
the table next to the bed.

When she returned to his side, she found he had kicked his
sandals off.

She lifted one eyebrow in question.

He shrugged. “One less thing for you to do.”

“But it pleases me to touch you,” she said, reaching for him
once again. “And I had so dearly hoped to touch you…” She dropped her gaze to
the lower half of his body. “Everywhere.” When she raised her eyes to meet his,
she allowed him to see how much she desired him.

The muscle in his jaw jumped. “Danet,” he warned.

“I will continue,” she said matter-of-factly then dropped to
her knees in front of him. His cock jumped in response beneath the linen cloth
he wore.

She untied the knot of his belt then worked the pleats loose
that held the cloth in place. When both pieces fell to the floor, she looked
her fill.

His fully engorged cock stood proudly before her, daring her
to bring him under her spell.

She reached for him, placing both hands on his thighs. As
she slid them up, she leaned in and nuzzled his member with her lips and cheek.
Her fingers moved all the way up to his ribs then back down to his thighs
again. When she slid her fingers once more up his thighs, she licked the entire
length of his cock and swirled her tongue around the tip.

She heard him take a deep breath then release it.

Instead of sliding her fingers up his body, she caressed his
sac with one hand and held his cock steady with the other. She slowly took the
head of his cock into her mouth, making him suck in a ragged breath.
Remembering what a married friend had told her, she flicked her tongue back and
forth as she bobbed her head up and down.

Ceros gripped her hair, slowing her movement.

She peeked at his face to gauge his reaction.

His head was tipped back and his eyes were closed. But just
as he started to piston his hips, he pulled back, out of her mouth.

With a growl, he reached for her and swept her up in his
arms.

“But I wasn’t finished,” she protested.

“No, we most certainly aren’t finished.” He put a knee on
the bed then crawled to the center, holding her. He laid her on her back but
before her head hit the sheet, his lips had descended upon hers.

She wrapped her arms around his chest and held on as the
world tilted.

All that she knew was him. The blood pounding in his veins.
His scent filling her senses. All that mattered was him. That his lips were on
hers, his flesh met hers and their bodies were entwined. All she needed was
him. His touch. His breath mingled with hers. Their hearts beating as one.

His spirit called to hers. Or maybe hers called to his.

As their bodies joined, so too did their souls.

In the back of their minds, two golden lights twisted and
turned and swirled around and into each other until neither could tell where
one ended and the other began. With one last turn, time stopped and everything
slowed. Finally the two became one in a great burst of light.

When Danet became aware of her body again, she was lying
beneath Ceros. His face was buried in her neck. Their breaths were fast and
shallow, as if they had run up the side of a mountain.

Even though she had little inclination to move, and even
less energy to do so, she ran her fingers up and down his spine in a gentle
caress.

Finally Ceros lifted his head. His brow was furrowed in
puzzlement. “Did you notice anything unusual when you came?”

She chuckled. “Define unusual.”

Somewhat reluctantly, he asked, “Did you see a really bright
burst of light and feel as if your world exploded?”

“Yes, actually, I did.” She poked him in the ribs to try to
make him roll off her so she could talk to him easier.

“Other than blindingly exceptional sex, what just happened?”

“Unless I am very much mistaken, that was a soul meld.” She
poked him again. He grabbed her hand and pinned it above her head.

“A what?” he asked.

“A soul meld.” She sighed. “I need to read through
Grandmother’s diary to make sure of what I am telling you, but that’s how I
remember her describing it.”

“But what is it?”

“It’s just what it sounds like.” She tried to twist and roll
him off her, but he wasn’t budging. She sighed. “Two souls coming together.”

When he didn’t burst into laughter or begin cursing, some of
the tension drained from her.

“So what does that mean exactly?” he asked, drawing the
words out.

“If our souls really did meld, then we are forever joined.
The mental connection we share will probably be stronger and it’s most likely
that we’ll be able to sense where the other is. At an extreme, I’ve even read
that couples who have melded their souls cannot live if one of them dies.”

“Well then.” He kissed her gently on the lips. “I guess
we’ll just have to take very good care of each other so that we live very long
lives.”

Danet felt tears gather in her eyes again. “Are you sure
you’re okay with this? I mean, it’s not as if we tried to do the meld. It just
happened. But neither of us knew what we were doing and you didn’t ask to be
tied to me for all eternity. And—”

He cut off her ramble with another kiss.

She sighed against his lips.

“Danet, I love you. I’ve already told you I want you as my
mate and my queen. And if this bond means you’re mine for all eternity, I
couldn’t ask for more.” He dropped another kiss on her lips.

She wrapped her arms around him. “And I love you.” She put
all of her love into that kiss. Finally he rolled to the side and pulled her
with him so she ended up sprawled across his chest. “I’ll go home and dig out
Grandmother’s diary so we can find out more about this meld and what it’ll mean
for us.”

“This is your home now. And while I’m somewhat curious to
know more about this meld thing, I think we can find out what that means for us
together. But I had an idea about your lack of knowledge of your heritage.”

“Oh?”

“Once mystics are no longer forbidden in Licosia, I think we
should track down one or two of your relatives and ask them to come. Either for
a visit or an extended stay.”

She didn’t think it was possible, but her smile grew. “Do
you really think we could find one of them? I’ve had no contact with Mother’s
family. I doubt Father has either.”

“I know people who can track anyone to any place they might
have gone.”

“Why does that not surprise me about you, my prince?” she
said as she pulled him closer for another kiss.

He gave in to her lips’ demands before asking, “When are you
going to stop addressing me as prince?”

“When you become king.”

“I don’t want anything that formal between us. I see you as
my equal and I never want you to believe otherwise.”

“What did your mother call your father?”

He paused, thoughtfully. “If I remember correctly it
depended on who they were with. Formal occasions, she tended to address him as
Dear or Highness. If it were just family, she used his name.” He shrugged.
“Sometimes Dear.” He shook his head. “But I have no idea what she called him
when it was just the two of them.”

“I don’t believe it would have been intended for anyone
else’s ears anyway.”

He mock shuddered. “I’d rather not think about my parents
being intimate while we’re naked, so stop that thought right now.”

She giggled. “I don’t blame you.” She pressed a quick kiss
on his lips. “I will think on what I want to call you. But I suspect that as we
spend more time together, it will naturally fall out.”

“Does ‘Keeper of My Heart and Master of My World’ have any
appeal for you?” His eyes twinkled in mirth.

She wrinkled her nose. “It’s a bit long, don’t you think?”

“Perhaps a bit. But I think with practice you could become
fluent with it.”

She poked him in the ribs. “You are terrible.”

“You are delectable.” He bent his head and licked her neck
and collarbone, sending a shiver down her spine.

He nibbled, licked and kissed his way across her shoulder
then down to her breast. When he sucked the nipple into his mouth she arched
off the bed, silently begging for more. His hand grasped her other breast and
pulled it toward the center of her chest so he could quickly switch his
attentions between both nipples.

She gripped his arms and tried to pull him closer but he
resisted. He continued to suckle her breasts, driving her mad with sensations.
She squirmed and writhed beneath him and her breaths became pants.

Ceros grabbed her hands and pinned them against the mattress
above her head. The intense look on his face ratcheted her desire even higher.

“Ceros. Please.”

“Please what?”

“I want you inside me,” she urged.

He shifted both her hands to one of his. The other slid down
her arm to her ribs then over her hip. He nudged her thighs open with his knee
and slipped his hand between them.

She squirmed even more when his finger found her clit. With
just a few strokes she was hovering near oblivion. He eased the pressure and
slowed his movements and lured her away from the edge. Just as her breathing
became easier, he renewed his efforts.

“Oh Gods,” she pleaded.

He guided his cock to her opening and eased inside her, inch
by agonizing inch. When he was all the way in, he held still. “Open your eyes
and look at me.”

The words barely registered through the haze of sensation he
had created. It was a struggle to lift her heavy lids and meet his gaze.

“I want you to see me as I ride you to the end.” He slid his
cock back and hovered near the edge of her opening. “Don’t close your eyes or
I’ll stop,” he warned through clenched teeth.

She struggled to lift her hips and increase the friction he
was creating, but he kept her pinned in place. She was at his mercy to prolong
or grant her pleasure.

Every fiber of her being burned for him.

It was exquisite torture.

“Ceros.” His name was a plea and a sigh on her lips.

She dropped her mental defenses and let him feel what he was
doing to her. How she craved him. How much she needed him to fill her
completely.

His eyes widened in surprise. With a growl, he released her
hands then found a solid foundation on the mattress near her waist. He buried
himself in her body like a man possessed.

Once, twice, three times he pistoned into her, making her
pussy quiver and ripple around his cock. Again and again he rode her hard until
she bowed up and cried out in pleasure. As she crested, he stiffened and fell
into the same tidal wave of sensation.

Their hearts beat against their chests as they slowly
floated back to reality.

Ceros shifted and took most of his weight off her, but kept
her within the circle of his arms. “You know, I could do this every night,” he
mumbled.

“Oh really?” Her words slurred because she was so drained.

“Absolutely.” He pulled her closer to his chest. “I think I
will have my schedule permanently blocked.”