A Feast of Souls: Araneae Nation, Book 2 (36 page)

“Crystin likes to be licked,”
Brynmor informed me.

“She’s a child.”
I wished I had water to scrub my mouth.
“Of course she doesn’t mind.”

He rolled his shoulders.
“I won’t keep you.”
A toothy smile.
“I know of my son’s plans.”

Temptation led me to scratch his ears the way he liked best.
“You do?”

“Sly girl.”
He sneezed.
“You won’t tempt me.”

“Oh, well. Half the fun is in not knowing.”
Or so I’d heard.

Another smudge from his nose slicked across my cheek.
“I came to say farewell.”

I stammered,
“You’re going—crossing over?”

He barked a laugh.
“I enjoy living far too much to return to being dead.”

“The canis,”
I said.

“The canis have agreed to host me. I can protect this pack, I will protect them.”
He shook his head.
“After what happened today, I think it’s wise to leave the city.”
He looked hopeful.
“You’ll visit? Perhaps tell Nerys where to find me? She could bring Crystin for visits. I’d like some bit of Araneaean contact so I don’t go completely feral.”
He chuffed.
“Crystin has plans. Thinks each of our guards should keep a trained canis. That won’t happen, at least not in this generation.”

“You’re considering her request for the future?”
It was hard to imagine her vision enacted.

“I am.”
His tone was earnest.
“If our pack thrives and learns to live so close to civilization, I will repay the kindness of the Mimetidae. It will be hard with so little food, but perhaps Vaughn might consider a pecora repopulation program now that the clan has funds to invest in such an endeavor. It would supply a secondary food source for them as well. It would be good for us all.
”

“
I’ll speak with him about it.
” He might agree out of respect for his father’s memory.
“But I can’t continue these visits. It’s unhealthy for me to maintain ties to the dead while in this world. I must also consider Vaughn. He was wounded deeply by secrets kept during your marriage to his mother, as were you. I will honor the promises I made to you before I became bound to Vaughn, because I believe no good comes from the mingling of the living with the dead. But I refuse to lie to him any longer.”
His tail drooped.
“I’ll send Nerys and Crystin to visit you. They’re good company. If you decide to cross…I can help.”

“Should I tire of this existence, I’ll let you know.”
He hesitated again.
“What of our bond?”

I examined my hand. The wound hadn’t crossed my mind since it healed.
“I’m not certain it can be severed. Our bond strengthened through use. I believe it will fade if we cease to use it.”

“So we will keep our connection for now.”
He bobbed his head.
“Good. If our bond doesn’t fade, or causes you grief, find me. We will search for a way to give you the peace you deserve.”

“Ah. I thought I smelled him.” Vaughn paused by my side. “He came to apologize?”

“To say goodbye.” I rubbed Brynmor’s ears. “I think he’s tired of pretending to be a pet.”

Vaughn bowed to him. “Brother Canis, your aid was much appreciated. May your pack find peace and prosper on my clan’s lands. You and yours are welcome here as long as I am paladin.”

Brynmor dipped his head.
“May the two gods bless you and your wife. May your reign be great.”
With a flick of his tail, Brynmor trotted into the forest.
“Oh,”
he said in parting.
“You’re welcome to Kira as a companion if you like. She’s young, curious. She was impressed with you.”

I suppressed a chuckle. His offer smacked of propaganda.
See how the maven’s companion animal is so well-behaved? Surely the canis of our forests are good and noble creatures as well.

“Once tempers cool, I will meet with her and make my determination.”

“I will tell her to expect you.”
He sauntered off.
“Remember your promise.”

“Farewell.”
Once he was out of sight, I added,
“May the gods bless and keep you.”

Vaughn raked his fingers through my hair. I sensed his indecision in the absentminded tug at my roots. Before his combing knotted my hair, I captured his hand and pulled myself to my feet.

I drummed my fingers across his chest. “Am I still waiting?”

The evening was young and the air fresh. Life crowded us in the shape of stately trees and throaty canis song. A cool breeze sighed past my cheek and carried the familiar scent of water.

All of a sudden, the rushing noise made sense. So did the dampness of the grotto.

A spurt of anticipation led me to give Vaughn an impulsive kiss.

He touched his cheek. “What was that for?”

While he was dazed, I spun aside and broke into a sprint. “I’ll race you to the river.”

I didn’t wait for his acceptance. Four steps later, hot breath hit my nape.

By the gods, the male moved fast when he wanted.

Soft lights flickered ahead. I used them as my guide. Faster and faster I ran. Vaughn’s hands grasped for me, his fingers sliding down my back without purchase. Laughter was our language. Neither of us had air or words for what we felt beyond exhilaration. Yips and barks rose from all around. Blurs of black and silver, brown and red, sped past. Canis nipped at our heels, herding us nearer to the lights and the rush of churning water. Sound stuffed my ears and sensation reigned.

Sharp barks from a black canis sent the others veering from our trail onto his. Weaving through trees slowed Vaughn enough for me to maintain the lead. One final surge and I burst into a meadow, stumbling as I gaped up at a plunging waterfall.

Thick arms circled my waist and kept me from toppling into the frothy basin.

“Well?” He panted in my ear. “Was it worth the wait?”

I was breathing heavily too. “How have I never heard of this?”

“Old Father knows.” He reeled me closer. “I’m glad he kept the location to himself.”

Of course he’d found his way here. This much cycling energy would have been irresistible.

“I’m used to the river, a steady flow of cleansing energy, but this…” My pulse raced against the flow. “It’s making me lightheaded.” Skin tingling, I held a hand out and energy prickled past my elbow, up my shoulder to jolt my heart. Heady, vital, I was giddy from exposure. “I like it.”

His voice rumbled against my throat. “I thought we could use this place for…meditation.”

“How considerate you are of my spiritual needs.” I tilted my head, giving him better access.

“Your needs are of utmost importance to me.” His fangs scraped my skin. “All your needs.”

Potent as this place was, it paled in comparison to Vaughn. Energy ebbed and flowed, swept me into a warm pool of liquid desire that made my voice go husky. “And if I said I needed you?”

He groaned. “Then I would say a better male would wait until you wore his ring.”

I lifted my hand, wiggled my fingers and his signet glinted. “I happen to have such a ring.”

For a moment, he tensed. I held my breath and waited to see whether he played along.

I needn’t have worried.

His chuckle blew hot along my nape. “Are you trying to seduce me?”

I grinned. “Are you trying to imply it’s not working?”

“Are you ready for this, for me?” His voice softened. “Are you sure this is what you want?”

“Are you always so talkative?” I tested my courage, reached behind me and traced the hard line of flesh pressed against my backside. His shaft was thick and full, and he swore at my touch.

His forehead hit my shoulder. “Gods above and below, you’ll be the death of me.”

I liked the feel of him in my hand, liked that he couldn’t see the furious blush to my cheeks.

In this place, I was bold. In his arms, I was safe. In my life, I would never forget this night.

I licked my lips, scrounging every ounce of brashness I possessed. “Touch me.”

Vaughn’s hands trembled when he set them on my hips.

Lips twisting into a wry grin, I slid his hand upward. “I expected something more intimate.”

He sounded patient. “I’m trying to be gentle.”

I stroked him through the fabric of his pants. “What if I don’t want you to be gentle?”

He pried my hand free and turned me toward him, cupping my face, reading my expression.

“Then I’ll give you what you want.” He was earnest. “I’ll give you everything you want.”

Vaughn claimed my mouth with an edge of hunger that left me breathless. My nails dug into his wrists where I held them, anchoring him to me, refusing to let him give me anything less than all of him. When his kiss turned urgent and his hips rocked against mine, I whimpered for more.

Ever so gently, his lips began a downward glide. His hands angled my face, gave him access to my throat. Teeth rasped over tender skin. With a groan, he struck, melding his mouth over the pulse hammering in my neck. Fire burst from that pinprick of pain to fan white-hot through my chest. My nipples puckered for his kiss. Sweet heat spread through my stomach and settled into a slow throb between my legs. Venom spun another thread between us, binding us closer, tighter.

I cradled his head, welcomed his bite, melted against him as my skin tingled. I was alight.

Feathered kisses soothed the tiny wound. Vaughn’s breath was ragged in my ear.

“I can feel you burning.” He shuddered. “I’ve never felt that before.”

I was pleased to share his new experience. “You’ve never had your life thread tied before.”

“No.” Hazy desire kept his eyes out of focus.

Stretching tall, I nipped at his collarbone, the highest point on him I could reach.

Chills broke along his skin, and I sensed the final strands of his restraint dissolve.

Tracing his way from my hips, up my sides, over my shoulders, he reached my shirt collar. I watched him work the buttons, felt his unsteady hands smooth aside the fabric and cup my breasts, skin to skin, for the first time. His head dipped, lips parted on a kiss my spine arched to meet. Warmth encased my nipple. I clung to Vaughn while he tasted me. Let his hands roam across my curves.

The buttons on my pants were no obstacle. He freed them, shoved the material past my hips, down my thighs. The night was warm, but still I shivered. He nipped his way across my hipbone, tugging clothing past my ankles as he went. Once my feet hit the grass, he spread my legs wider.

His nips grew softer, turned to slow kisses as his mouth trailed downward.

I fisted his hair, his shirt. He hummed as if he enjoyed those things. Gripping the insides of my thighs, he kept them parted as he gave me a different sort of kiss. One that shattered me, left me boneless, slumped down his back. His arms around my knees were all that kept me upright.

Locking his wrists behind my legs, he stood with me slung over his shoulder.

I should have argued. I should have fought. I should have demanded that he set me down. I tired of males toting me around when I had two perfectly good feet, even if my knees were weak.

But Vaughn’s hand slid higher until his finger traced my sex and I forgot my complaint.

He carried me from the basin, where rocks interspersed the grass, to a plusher area beneath a canopy of trees. He set me on my feet while he tossed his shirt and shucked his pants, his boots.

Moonlight filtered through the leaves and dappled his skin. Muscles bulged in his shoulders. His arms flexed when he straightened. He stood silently and let me look my fill. I dared to follow the dusting of hair from his chest, down his taut abdomen. I was breathing heavy, more lightheaded now than ever, fascinated when his erection thickened, lengthened as I stared.

He knelt again, and my legs spread of their own accord. He chuckled, walking me forward. I straddled his hips, and he wrapped an arm around my waist, then bent my knees, leaned me back, followed me down to the ground and covered me with his body. Vaughn braced over me, biting his lip as if deciding where he should begin. I solved his problem by slipping a hand between us.

I found his shaft and let my fingers measure his length. His skin was hot and silken, the feel of him addictive. As I stroked him, his hips rolled against me. Friction made me arch under him, dig my heels into the ground and push to meet his thrusts. He palmed my breast and thumbed the nipple as he rocked with me into oblivion. Ripples of pleasure kept me too weak to ask for more.

“We can stop now.” His gaze was hot, yearning, concerned.

Flutters erupted in my stomach, stoking embers of dying ecstasy. “You won’t hurt me.”

He studied me a moment longer. “I’ve never…”

“Hush.” I grasped his shoulders and nudged him until we lay on our sides. “I won’t break.”

I rested my head on his biceps, and he curled his arm around me. Our gazes held as he lifted my topmost thigh and hooked it over his hip. His erection nudged my core, hot and insistent. Our lips met, and his tongue explored my mouth until his kiss left me breathless. His breath hitched, held, my only warning before he gripped my thigh and surged forward. I cried out, fingernails pricking his shoulder, returning pain with pain. His growl vibrated through his chest into mine. His thrusts gentled, his seeking mouth found my throat. Fangs pierced me. Fresh venom plumped my veins.