Virgin (41 page)

Ava’s hands touched his face, her fingers threading through his hair. With an impish grin, she surged closer, nipping him on the chest. Her sharp teeth electrified him, and Dax gripped her hips, pulling her tightly against his groin. Gazing into her eyes, he began a sinuous dance within her succulent core that rivaled the sway of the currents. He let the flowing sea carry them on as they mated, sweeping them first near the shore and then back toward the south. The trail formed a loop there; Dax could see how Ava managed to reach Rhashdelfi so easily, but if she hadn’t swam on toward the beach, the bend in the current would have carried her back toward Mirolar.

On a whim, he swam away from the path. Without the current, they remained stationary, floating just above the reef. Dax rolled onto his back, gazing up at the amazing sea goddess astride him, drinking in the sight of her shimmering skin as it reflected the ever-changing colors of the reef dwellers below. A huge ray swam past, its triangular fins flapping like a pair of wings as it flew through the sea. Ava glanced at it and smiled. Mimicking the ray’s movements, her graceful arms swept through the water, enabling her to rise and fall on his cock. Dax felt a vibration in his throat, and though he could hear no sound, he knew he was purring.

Stretching out beneath her, Dax let Ava direct their flight with little nudges of her knees. His steady strokes carried them onward, his body in complete harmony with the enchanting woman who rode him, enveloping him with her love. Dax couldn’t imagine a more perfect moment.

Power began to build in his groin, and blood surged through his vessels as Ava took him to new heights of ecstasy. He marveled at the way this beautiful creature had drawn him into her world, somehow making him an integral part of it. Still soaring through the depths, he plunged upward, sending his love flowing into her body.

When her climactic cry came at last, Dax felt the pull as Ava’s body sucked him in, fusing them together like never before. Iridescent hues flashed from her skin, and riotous waves rippled through her hair, but nothing could compare with the love he saw shining forth from her eyes. The symbiosis of their spirits was now complete, and together they formed an entirely new entity. She was his, and he was hers. Forever.

***

There was no wedding ceremony; their experience in the Temple of the Aquina was quite enough to prove that Dax and Ava were bound together forever. Though the adoration of the Aquerei was genuine, Ava knew they had to leave and let the people find their own way to peace and tranquility.

She and Dax met with Eantle and other leaders from the newly formed council, which consisted of representatives from both above and beneath the surface of the oceans. The ushering in of the New Age had been a dramatic catalyst for change, and with the keystone returned to its proper niche in the temple, its beneficial influence could now be felt by all.

Ava and Dax promised to return every year on the anniversary of the Great Alignment to remind the people of Aquerei of how close they had come to destroying their beautiful world with hatred and violence. Though the oceans of Aquerei would undoubtedly call to her on occasion, Ava decided that a short annual visit would be quite enough to feed her spirit and was also about as much time as she thought she could stand being treated like a goddess.

The
Valorcry’s
passengers were assembled, waiting to board the
Juleta
, which would carry them across waters that were now peaceful and free of enemies. Ava was already looking forward to another voyage through space to return Quinn and the Kitnocks to their respective homeworlds, and then, after a side trip to Rutara to drop off Threldigan and see Ava’s mother, it would be on to Terra Minor, Darconia, and Earth to visit the various Zetithian settlements. Ava was anxious not only to meet Dax’s friends but also to explore the oceans, particularly those on Earth.

Joss and Eantle were both there to see them off, along with a crowd of fervent admirers—mostly female—several of whom apparently still held out hope that Dax might remain on their world just so they could get a look at him now and then. Waroun was openly sad to be leaving Aquerei. In the aftermath, word that he had been instrumental in helping Dax and Ava to reach the temple had spread, and he’d finally gotten his wish. With a wistful sigh, he gazed longingly at the crowd of women, some of whom were waving at him, smiling coyly. “I’m really going to miss those Aquerei girls. They’re
wonderful
.”

Hearing this comment, Joss laughed heartily, and a beaming Eantle stepped forward to speak. “Our people cannot thank you enough. You are all welcome on this world at any time.”

“Don’t worry, Waroun,” Ava reassured him. “Those ladies will have a whole year to miss you—and you know what they say about absence making the heart grow fonder.”

Waroun brightened considerably, waggling his tongue at a lovely lass whose lavender tentacles curled in reply.

Joss, who had achieved a certain level of stardom for his role in the miracle of the New Age, then made a long-winded speech that had Waroun muttering. “See, I
told
you he would take all the credit!”

When all the farewells had been said at last, Dax climbed aboard. His hazel eyes sparkled with joy, and his oh-so-kissable mouth sported a roguish grin as he reached out to take Ava’s hand. “Ready to meet the family?”

While Ava knew that none of them were actually related to Dax, she couldn’t imagine any clan not wanting to claim him. He might have looked a bit like a pirate, but he had to be the handsomest pirate who’d ever lived. Smiling, she placed her hand in his. “Ready as I’ll ever be. What about you? Are you ready to meet my mother?”

“Absolutely.” He pulled her onto the deck. “Looking forward to it.”

“I’m sure she’ll love you, but be warned,” Ava said darkly. “She’ll expect grandchildren.”

“Hey!” Waroun said suddenly. “I just thought of something. If you two have babies…”

“Oh, here it comes,” Teke groaned.

“They’ll be—” Waroun dissolved into hysterical laughter, barely able to breathe, let alone speak.

“Go on, Waroun,” Ava urged, bowing to the inevitable. “Just spit it out.”

Waroun’s eyes were nearly popping out of his head as he choked out the word. “Catfish!”

Threldigan chuckled while Diokut, who obviously didn’t get the joke, seemed puzzled. Quinn made a sound Ava had never heard from him before. Teke merely shook his head.

Dax shouted with laughter as he hoisted Ava into his arms. “Got a problem with that?”

“None whatsoever,” she replied. “Bring ’em on.”

Acknowledgments

My heartfelt thanks go out to:

Whoever it was at Sourcebooks who said, “No, the series can’t end at six! Cats have nine lives, so there must be nine books!”

My readers and staunch supporters on the Cheryl Brooks Erotic Blogspot, who have given me ideas and encouragement throughout the writing of this book.

To Benjamin Godfre for providing the visual inspiration for Dax. Sorry you didn’t make the cover, Ben!

To my family and friends for their love, understanding, and unwavering support. I couldn’t do this without you!

About the Author

Cheryl Brooks
is a critical care nurse by night and a romance writer by day. Previously published works in her Cat Star Chronicles series include
Slave,
Warrior, Rogue,
Outcast,
Fugitive,
and
Hero
. She is a member of the RWA and lives with her husband, two sons, two horses, five cats, and one dog in rural Indiana. You can visit her website at cherylbrooksonline.com or e-mail her at [email protected].