Awakening the Beast (18 page)

“It worked,” she whispered.

“What about your eyes?” Belik asked.

“I faced what I needed to and it was resolved. You don’t have to worry about the elements taking control of me ever again. I’m okay.”

“Are you sure?” Christopher inquired.

She turned to him and placed a kissed on his lips, too. Christopher slipped his arms around her and held her close. Belik felt the jealously spike him, but he had always been able to handle it. Seeing them together was like the past had come back to life. He touched Illiana’s shoulder and saw Christopher meet his gaze, but he did not push him away. Illiana turned and looked at Belik.

“Are you sure about this?” Illiana asked.

Belik glanced at Christopher who nodded. It seemed they were picking up where they had left off. “What about the others?”

“They have time to sleep, I think we deserve some time alone with one another. Let’s go.” She grabbed both of their hands and led them away. Belik felt the passion rising within him and could not believe that this was happening. He hoped that Ohanzee would not be jealous.

* * * *

Illiana led them a little ways into the forest and felt her heart beating erratically in her chest. Knowing that she was going to be with the two of them again was almost like she had never left them. However, a year had passed and many things certainly had changed between them. It did not seem that their chemistry had changed because she still felt the charge and the electricity between them.

Once she arrived far enough away from prying eyes, she took a moment to catch her breath and strip out of her clothes. She let her dress fall to the forest floor and felt the air wrapping around her in a light hug as though welcoming her back to her land. The energy of the earth tickled the soles of her feet and kept her grounded, but all she cared about were the two men before her. Christopher’s lips widened in a smile. He quickly shimmied out of pants and pulled off his tunic to let it join her own garments.

“Little eager, aren’t we?” Belik asked Christopher.

She giggled. “You two are incorrigible.”

Christopher and slid his arm around Illiana’s waist and drew her close. Feeling his body next to hers she knew this was where she belonged. He claimed her lips in a rough kiss and plunged his tongue into her mouth. She tried to keep up with his hungry kiss, but had to pull away and rest her forehead against his chest. He lifted her chin so she could gaze into his blue eyes.

“We’re just trying to make up for lost time,” Christopher said.

She nodded and felt Belik’s hand, trailing down her spine. With each small caresses she shivered and it stirred the fire in her soul. He kissed along the curve of her shoulder while his other hand gripped her left ass cheek. Christopher feathered his hand down her stomach until he cupped her sex, parting it with his fingers. She drew in a hissed breath and pressed against him. Belik pinched her butt cheek. She jumped and when Christopher began to rub her clit, she let herself surrender to the pleasure that awakened inside of her. It all was coming together.

Belik’s firm cock pushed into her ass. Belik slipped his hands along her sides until his palms. Her nipples tightened at the thought of them together. It had been so long. Her body tightened at the pleasure raised within her from Christopher’s manipulations.

“It’s been so long. I missed this,” Belik whispered in her ear.

She nodded, the words hidden from her tongue based on the bliss the claimed her. She closed her eyes and knew her two men would hold her up as her knees weakened. Christopher claimed her mouth, sucking on the bottom on until it was swollen. A cry was ripped from her lips when Christopher slipped two fingers inside her. Her hips thrust forward without her command.

“I agree with Belik. I missed this,” Christopher said to her.

Illiana ran her hand down Christopher’s chest to his dick when she was able to think again. She gazed into his blue eyes and saw them roll into the back of his head when she squeezed it. “Such a beautiful cock.”

“I know.” Christopher chuckled. He slid another finger inside of her and she lost her head.

She released his dick and felt Belik nibble at her shoulder. He slid his fingers along her jaw and moved her head so that she could feel Belik’s lips as well. Her raven lover met her lips and pushed his tongue into her mouth. He tasted sweeter than Christopher. Her wolf drew her breast into her mouth and bit down on her nipple. Illiana arched her back. Belik swept his tongue across her lips, drawing it into his mouth until she felt he was engulfing her. A small moan burst from her lips. Christopher ran his finger down her cheek. Illiana turned back toward him and saw the passion burning in his eyes.

They had been apart for so long that she was losing herself already. Christopher pushed his fingers inside of her, but she did not want them inside of her. “Stop toying with me and fuck me. I need both of you.”

Her wolf lover squeezed her nipple hard. The sudden shock sent her over the edge into an instant orgasm. It took all her resolve to keep her eyes open and not surrender to the pleasure.

“Then let us oblige you.” Belik plunged his tongue into her ear.

Belik’s dick pushed into her back. The heat of his body radiated against her skin. She placed a hand on Christopher’s chest to put a small space between them. He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her down to the ground. She straddled her wolf while he dragged his fingers down her chest and pinched her nipples. Her skin was on fire. He leaned up and ran his tongue over her nipple, circling it until he drew one of her nipples between his teeth and bit down. A loud cry came from her lips.

Illiana dug her nails into Christopher’s scalp and held him at her breast. While he sucked on her, Belik moved her hair from her shoulder and kissed her nape. Christopher looked up. His eyes glowed amber. Fire blazed along her soul and consumed her. She could not hold back any longer she needed them inside of her.

Illiana guided her wolf’s cock inside her. She shuddered at the feeling of having him inside of her once more. Now there was one more piece to the puzzle. She turned a little and wiggled her ass at Belik. The other man ran his hands over her mounds.

“Such a beautiful thing,” Belik said.

Belik slipped his hand around her side and cupped her breast. She felt his cock settle between her ass cheeks. Christopher seized her lips with his while he thrust his shaft into her. She pushed her hips against his, and Belik also sank against her, using her clenched ass for friction. The three of them found their rhythm. Illiana cleaved to Christopher while he kissed her and pushed his length into her. Belik’s nails dug into her flesh. The ecstasy that bathed her body raked her mind. Bursts of ecstasy ran along her veins. Each element that shared her body enhanced her senses. The fire burned new pathways along her nerves. The air that caressed her heightened her sense of touch and made her aware of her body. The animals she shared her body with were each in accord. Nothing could upset the balance. Belik moaned in her ear. He clutched her breast. Her nipple hardened between his fingers. Christopher placed his hands on her hips controlling their rhythm. Illiana saw white spots appearing before her eyes. Everything was blotted out of her mind except the sheer joy of their coupling. It was what they needed, what she needed to cement the bond between them again.

Simultaneously, Christopher dove into her one more time and Belik slid against her. Illiana felt his hot seed spill onto her back, bathing her in his love.

“Yes, that’s it,” Belik cried out.

Christopher drew in a breath and dove into her one last time, hitting her clit. Illiana heard herself scream as she came. Both men moved with her. Belik stayed with her as she rested on Christopher’s chest, listening to his racing heart. With a contented sigh Belik squeezed her shoulders before rolling off her and settling on ground near her. She sat up and ran her fingers along Christopher’s jawline. His eyes were filled with complete satisfaction and joy. She smiled and settled between the two men she loved, inhaling the warm scent of the pine needles she lay upon. The earth helped to ground her.

“Are you happy?” Christopher asked.

“Very,” she said.

“As am I,” Belik replied.

“We are reunited. That is all that matters.” She placed her hands on their chests and summoned the fire within her. It was a gentle warmth that filled her and shared with her two lovers. She watched Belik close his eyes and arch his back as he received the warmth. Christopher moaned and she could feel their pleasure. Illiana drew them closer and snuggled between her two men fulfilling part of her soul.

The sun rose and warmed her flesh along with the two men she was between. It was a good feeling to be back with Christopher and Belik, but part of her was missing. Ohanzee was not there. When she tried to search the future, there were too many branches. Too many decisions were grayed out because the future also hinged on what decisions others would make.

Her two men slept on, but she needed to clear her head and to wash. Her bones lightened and the air carried her away. She spread her arms to feel the currents of the air spill over her fingertips. The ocean was below her and the trees thinned out so she could see the cliff. The waves crashed into the rocks below, but she landed on small beach a little ways down she had not seen before. The wind threatened to take control of her body because the currents were battering against one another. Illiana kept focused, sunk the few hundred feet down the cliff face, and settled on the beach. The sand squished between her toes. Multicolored shells littered the shore. She gathered a few and placed them in a pouch she had at her waist before taking her clothes off and dipping into the ocean. It was turbulent, but when she laid her palms on top of the waves the massive energy of the ocean stretched forever. When she tried to connect with it, the voice was so powerful it rocked her thoughts and made her pull away. Instead, she decided it was better to wash than to try and entice the sea to see if it would bend to her will.

After bathing, she swam back to the shore. Glancing at the cliff face, she saw it was lined with birds tending to their nests. Several caves dotted the landscape in various shapes and sizes. When she turned back to gaze at the horizon, she saw a ship. It did not surprise her that there would be a town or other people living by the sea. She had never thought of it before all of this happened. The land was filled with all different kinds of people. Daruk had shown her that. So did Rama. Not all of them were good and not all of them were bad. It all depended on the person. As she swam and studied the caves, a large black nose emerged from a cavern at the edge of the beach. It was Daruk.

Illiana swam back to the shore and met him. He came out into the light and grinned, showing her his teeth. “Where have you been?”

The dragon chuckled. “I did some exploring and discovered this cave. The heat drew me to it. It’s a deep cavern that connects to a river that flows out to sea.”

“Well, I’m glad that you found something.”

“It was a distraction while you were busy. You’re calmer now. I can see it in how you move.”

“I am. I reconciled with the other element and…” An idea popped into her mind. In that second she knew what she needed to do. “If I asked you to take me into the village, just you and me, would you do that?”

His purple eyes brightened. “Do you think that’s a wise decision? The others won’t appreciate you going by yourself.”

“I know, but it’s my home. And I want to meet with their leaders. Besides, one blast of your fire and what’s left of the village will be reduced to ash. I don’t think they’ll kill me with you by my side.”

He rolled his eyes. “I’m such a pushover. If only you weren’t mated, I’d steal you away from the world and make you mine.” Daruk came out of the cave while she dressed and held the shells she had gathered in her pouch. She would find a way to drive the outsiders out of her home. Illiana climbed onto his back and held on while he lifted into the air. As they flew closer to the village she saw the green canopy give way to the charred remains of the devastation the fire had wrought. Great patches of forest were burnt ciders. It seemed like another world. Closer to the village, she saw the Mother Tree still stood, but the damage to it was great. Below people had gathered, and there were vultures circling, staying away from Daruk. Cougars leapt from tree branches onto the ground. With Daruk’s great wingspan, he was able to land in the large patch of forest that had been burned. Illiana stayed atop Daruk while the others gathered.

Illiana slid down Daruk’s side and stood before the dragon, feeling all eyes on her. The ones in the trees and the ones on the land were not the ones that should be there. It reminded her of her dreams. It was all wrong. She took in a deep breath and glanced around the glen and noticed how large the vultures were. She had not expected it. They were twice the size of the ravens and understood how they could take down the ravens with one of their claws.

“Who is this woman before the great vulture and cougar clans?” A man stepped out from the shadows. He was well over seven feet tall with short blond hair, and when he talked she could see his teeth were pointed. He wore a necklace of wolf teeth and raven claws. His torso was all scarred. She gritted her teeth knowing this was the man who had waned to eat her heart.

“My name is Illiana and this is my home. You were the ones who took it.”

“And I’m Vorhan, the leader here now. Are you here to negotiate some kind of terms for those who are remaining?”

“I’m here to tell you to leave this place. Go back to the lowlands where you belong. Leave now and there’ll be no repercussions.”

Vorhan laughed. “You’re giving
me
orders, little girl. Thanks to you, we got the invitation into this fine paradise. And what a paradise it is. So much better than our regular hunting grounds. Don’t you think?” he asked those gathered.

They smiled and nodded. “It’s wonderful. Thanks,” someone said.

Illiana gritted her teeth but kept her temper. She looked into the future and had to tread carefully. “I’m glad that you’ve made yourselves at home, but this isn’t your land. It’d be in your best interest to release the rest of the flock and the wolves you have captive before my friend here decides to eat you.” She looked at Daruk. He smiled and showed them all his big, sharp teeth.