Stardust (13 page)

Aurora threw back her head at his touch, her hand gripping his forearms.
“
I have no need of its power,
”
she gasped.

One of his hands moved to stroke the mound of her womanhood. One seeking finger found the tenderness of her body, making her jump with surprise.
“
I believe you do,
”
he whispered.

She grinned sheepishly at his knowing expression. She was still tender from their loving and could not hide it.
“
It is nothing,
”
she murmured. She knew if he continued to stroke her, he could make her forget all her discomfort.

“
But it is important,
”
he said.
“
I cannot have you start at my slightest of touches.
”
With one fluid movement, he lifted her until she sat on the ledge, his strong hands exposing her naked glory to his gaze. He gathered water, trailing the healing liquid over and over her again until his own hand trembled with burning passion.

“
By all that is holy, you are the most beautiful creature in the galaxy. I must partake of your sweetness or I will surely die.
”

Kneeling in the warm pool, he pleasured her in the most delicious way. She cried out in ecstasy as he held her motionless, giving her the most intimate of kisses. His tongue found the sweet inner core of her being and licked the nectar from her body. Within minutes she felt her body tighten and knew her time was near. Aurora felt a burning wave sweep over her body. The firm stroking of his tongue swept the fires higher and higher.
“
With you I die and am reborn,
”
she cried as the waves of pleasure coursed through her quivering body, leaving her spent.

“
Are you now better?
”
he queried lazily, moving until he lay beside her.

“
Yes
.
”
She was
amazed at the disappearance of the tenderness that had accompanied her all day.

“
Then I must make you mine.
”
He bent his head, closing his mouth over hers and entering her with a single thrust.

Aurora gasped at his masterful possession, feeling the waves of satisfaction starting to descend upon her once again. Lifting her hips, she matched his movements, groaning as he expanded and swelled within her. She seized his buttocks, pulling him closer.
“
Please, Darton,
”
she begged.
“
Take me to the heavens and show me the stars.
”

Darton immediately increased the pace, forcing her backward. His powerful body loomed above her.
“
Is that what you want, Aurora? Do you wish to feel the full strength of my desire?
”
He thrust even deeper
.

Aurora gasped as she felt his entire presence. She was completely and utterly loved.

“
Or woul
d my lady prefer something else.
”
Slowly he withdrew from her trembling body.

“
No, you can
’
t stop now,
”
she cried as his body parted from hers.
“
Please do not leave me.
”

He laughed hoarsely.
“
I
would not leave you even if I could so will.
”
Lifting her
in his arms, he moved deeper into the water. He braced himself against the side of the sweet waters, letting Aurora float atop the surface, wrapping her long legs around his waist. Holding her slick body steady, he slipped his powerful organ into her willing flesh. Over and over again he stroked her, the water providing an answering thrust. Aurora cried out as the combined motions of the water and Darton
’
s great body forced the great crest of pleasure upon her. Exhausted, she started to sink below the surface.

“
Come. We must not linger or we will surely drown.
”
With easy strength, he lifted her from the water. Standing her upright, he began to dry her lush body.

As he passed the drying cloth between her legs, she gasped softly.

Immediately Darton ceased the rubbing motion, his eyes flying to her face.
“
Did I hurt you?
”
Concern for her well being churned inside him.
His loving had been much less gentle than coupling they had shared on the ship.

Taking the cloth from his loosened grasp, she flung it away with careless disregard.
“
No. I am quite content.
”
Looping her arms around his neck she stepped closer, pressing her body flush to his.

Darton
’
s breath rasped in his throat.
“
Aurora, what –
?
”

“
Quiet, my mighty warrior.
”
Gently she placed a trembling finger across his firm lips.
“
I have
no hurt, only a great ache which
consumes me.
”
Shifting slightly she rotated her hips against his.

Surprise widened his eyes.

“
Do you have a cure for my ailment?
”
Her husky whisper feathered across his skin like a soft caress.

Surprise gave way to wonder as he fully grasped her intention. He could feel his body respond to the calling of her own. Never had he experienced such hunger for the oneness. Groaning he lifted her once again in his strong arms. Carrying her as he would the most precious of burdens, he placed her upon their sleeping mat.

“
Woman, you will surely be the death of me.
”
Lifting his head, he grinned impishly.
“
But what a way to go.
”

Aurora joined his laughter, quickly pulling him down beside her.

Their merriment soon gave way to rising passion as they gazed into one another
’
s eyes, each seeing their own feelings reflected back.

With a tender hand, he smoothed her long hair from her face, lightly tracing the curve of her cheek.
“
Even though the time of our meeting was not the most opportune, I am glad the orbit of your life moved into mine. You are the one sane thing in this universe gone mad.
”

She traced the long line of his face with her eyes.
“
You are the most wonderful thing that has ever happened to me. I cannot remember what my life path was like before you. And I cannot imagine what it would be like without you.
”

With a muffled moan, Darton lowered his head, capturing her lips in a light caress. His heart pound
ed so fiercely within his chest
he thought it might burst. He had done many brave deeds, had fought and won many great battles. But never had any of those accomplishments come close to making him feel as powerful as Aurora
’
s heartfelt words.

They loved each other silently, neither noticing the burst of light that blazed across the darkened sky, sprinkling their hideaway with a blessing from the stars.

* * *

Bartok stood at the foot of the great Mountain of Life, a bow held securely against his chest, ready for the kill. Instead of releasing the arrow, he uttered a short oath. He had no interest in killing the Japo, an elegant, flowing creature that had been within his sights only seconds before. Throwing the hunting instrument to one side, he moved swiftly toward the small stream, leaning his weary body against the h
uge leafy tree, one of many which
grew at the base of the mountain.

“
What is wrong with me? Why do I let myself wander from the path I have chosen?
”
Bartok uttered the words aloud, but there was no one to answer. The stream continued to gurgle merrily along and the wind whispered mournfully through the tall trees. With a resigned sigh, Bartok lowered his tired body until he was sitting on a flat rock beneath the shade tree. Leaning back, he closed his eyes and drifted into a restless sleep.

“
Bartok.
”

He could hear someone calling his name.

“
Bartok. Come and find me –
if you can.
”

The taunting voice of his best friend brought a smile to his lip
s. With the self-assurance
only a child who is secure and loved can att
ain, he boastfully shouted back.
“
I
’
ll find you alright. And when I do you
’
ll be sorry.
”

His childish laughter quickly turned to fear as the mountain started to rumble. In shock he watched as huge rocks slid down to cover the mouth of the cave into which his friend, closer than any brother, had just disappeared.

“
No-o-o-!
”
he wailed, falling to his knees.
“
No.
”

Bartok awoke with a start, moisture beading on his overheated skin. He had not had that dream for nearly fifteen life moons. And with it came the remembrance
of all which
had happened.

At the time of the tragic accident, no one had seemed to care that Bartok, too, had suffered greatly from the loss of his best friend. There had been no comfort for him from the family he had grown to love as his own. Only betrayal. Renewed determination
surged through him. H
e retuned to his camp and ordered his servants
to pack
. He would go back to Atmos and proceed with his plans. He would never doubt himself ever again.

* * *

When the ship docked from Yulon
, Bartok stood on the landing pad waiting.
“
Where have you been?
”

“
Your uncle sent for me. He has a present to give you.
”
She clapped her hands and two male servants brought forth the young female. She immediately bowed at his feet.

Bartok walked around the kneeling female.
“
My uncle sent her? Why?
”

“
He has become concerned for you.
”

Bartok grasped Selina by the throat.
“
Concerned for me?
”
he growled.
“
What tales have you been carrying to my uncle, dear Selina? I send you to him again and again to drain him of strength and yet he still lives.
”
He shook the helpless female, making her gasp for breath.

She clutched his hands, trying to break his hold.
“
I have told him nothing, my master. But the story from the mountain has returned.
”

“
What story?
”
he demanded.

Selina bowed her head.
“
The servant female,
”
she whispered quietly. She dropped to her knees, gripping the ends of his robes.
“
I feared for you my lord. I thought your uncle would tell me how to please you.
”

Bartok sighed in relief. No one must know his true reasons for exploring the Mountain of life. Let them think it was idle curiosity, a diversion for pleasure. He had less than one cycle of the moon before the secret was revealed to all. He must discover the way before then.
“
Bring her to my quarters. We will teach her the ways together.
”

“
Come. We must prepare you.
”
Selina motioned the female to follow.

Bartok stood in the shadows as the two females bathed in scented water. One held the golden beauty of the sun while the other was as mysterious as the night. Even from a distance the new female stirred his senses. If he closed his eyes, he could imagine Aurora had come to him. He walked closer and the vision faded.
“
What is your name?
”
he asked, as
his hand stroked the wet tresses.

“
Aerial,
”
the young female murmured, keeping her head bowed.

“
Aerial.
”
Bartok repeated the name slowly, as if savoring its flavor.
“
A lovely name for a beautiful female.
”
His hand cupped her breast.
“
Do you like my touch?
”

“
Yes, master.
”