PrimalDemand (6 page)

“Yes, Cutta is a gate city. It’s going to take us at least
three or four days to get there on foot though. The river and current made it
shorter.” Leah adjusted her pack and heaved a heavy sigh. “I shouldn’t have
stopped you. He and the others certainly deserve to be beaten after what they
did to Fae.”

“What planet are we on now?” Arron glanced at her.

“You’re still on Acowim. Why would they take you anywhere
when they have almost free rein here? They moved you away from the gate city
where they don’t have complete control, farther inland to Tyrse where they do
have full control.” She focused on her footing more than necessary.

Her scent carried the bite of pain and hurt. He glanced over
at her to make sure there wasn’t anything physical, but knew that it was
probably emotional. As calm as she’d been when she’d answered his questions, he
knew that her brothers’ betrayal had hurt her. Then to top it off, that
bastard, Alon had hit her this morning.

With them coming after her, he might have to kill one of
them. She might be angry with them, but she still cared for them and their
death would hurt her. Arron didn’t want to cause her any more pain, but he’d
keep her safe and with him.

Now, he needed to get in touch with Raven. As his memories
returned, he’d realized why he had such faith in that then unknown voice.
They’d fought by each other’s side. The man was a friend as well as his Achan.
Somewhere along the line the trust had become part of him. He focused his Achan
and began to explain the new situation and the danger following them.

They walked until after dark, wanting to put as much
distance as possible between them and her brothers. She would have gone even
further, but Arron had a point. They needed to rest. If they became exhausted,
they’d make mistakes that would let her brothers catch up to them even faster
than before.

The leaves and twigs crunched beneath their feet with each
step. Every sound seemed louder and even the smell of the trees was unusually
sharp. Insects buzzed and the forest seemed to be coming to life as darkness
fell.

Somehow, he’d caught a small furry animal not too long ago.
She’d been so focused on putting one foot in front of another that she hadn’t
even noticed him slipping away until he returned with it.

He’d built a small fire to cook the meat, but didn’t leave
it burning afterward. She guessed that he didn’t want to chance anyone seeing
it. They sat side by side on the pallet now. She was a little loath to admit
it, but she liked his big, muscular body next to her. His heat and solid bulk
was comforting and reassuring, keeping the worst of the fears at bay. The first
nights after she’d left her home had been almost sleepless because her mind ran
away with thoughts of who or what was out there beyond the flickering circle of
light.

“Do you think they’re actually close enough to see the
fire?” she asked softly and glanced out into the darkness surrounding them.

A little fear crept through her and she hoped they were safe
here. But along with that, desire burned low in her belly. It had flared every
time he brushed against her during the day and now began to build as they
settled in for the night.

“No, I wouldn’t have built one if I thought that. It’s
possible they’ve split into two groups. One on water going ahead to the city
and the other trying to follow us on land. They’d know that in this dense
forest they’d have to get lucky to do that.” Arron’s arm slipped around her and
tugged her closer.

“So, we’ll probably face an ambush in the city.” She
swallowed heavily. Arron was only one man. What chance would he have against a
group of warriors? She knew it would be more than her three brothers. “Maybe we
should turn around and try to get back to Osput.”

“If it were me, I’d have people watching that travel-gate as
well. We’re likely to face some of your brother’s men whichever way we go.
We’ll have help in Cutta. They won’t get to you.” He dropped a kiss on top of
her head.

“How are we supposed to have help in Cutta? We can’t count
on the locals to help. It’s just as likely that they’d side with the warriors
from my village.” She knew he was trying to comfort her, but what he said
didn’t make sense. She’d rather have the full truth than a half-truth meant to
comfort.

“I’m not talking about the locals. Men from my pack will be
there to help us.” He smiled and looked confident.

“How will they be there to help us? If they’d followed you,
I wouldn’t have needed to rescue you. They’re probably still looking for you in
Osput.” She glared up at him.

She didn’t need to be babied. She had enough to worry about
with working out how to get her sister free and still avoid her brothers. Even
if they managed to stop them now, they would keep coming after her. They were
blindly loyal to their warrior clan and nothing came before that.

They’ll know like this.
His voice sounded in her
head.

At first, she stared at him in shock. His lips hadn’t moved.
Although his voice had seemed to flow through her, she hadn’t heard it. Not in
the normal way. It simply filled her head. Her eyes rounded and she shook her
head. Her heartbeat raced as she tried to find some way to deny what she knew.

“How do you do that?” She licked dry lips. Could he read her
thoughts?

“It’s a natural ability for my kind. As for reading your
thoughts, only the really strong ones. Mostly I get flashes of emotions. That
will probably strengthen as you become a full Shadatai Zarain. I know you’re
worried and very anxious, but I can’t pick out why.” Arron’s eyes ran over her
face and his arm tightened around her.

She ignored the most obvious question and her immediate
response to his presumption. He believed they were mates. He had no doubts. She
was filled with them. She had a feeling she wouldn’t like his reaction to some
of them. She didn’t think he’d be violent with her. Although the depth of
certainty of that belief surprised her. She barely knew him. She’d rather avoid
the arguments, because she wasn’t changing her mind. She couldn’t abandon her
sister to those monks.

“So, they can speak to you as you’re speaking to me?” She
tilted her head and glanced at him.

“Yes, they can. They’ll be there to help us. You’re not
going to distract me. Why are you worried?” He cupped her cheek and kept their
gazes locked.

She took a deep breath and lowered her lashes. It was her
only defense against his intense stare. “I can’t stop.”

“Can’t stop being worried?” His fingers stroked over her
cheek slowly before slipping into her hair.

She tried to shake her head, but his hold stopped her. “I
can’t stop looking for my sister. I’ve seen how protective you are. Somehow, I
know that you won’t want me to continue looking for her. I can’t leave her with
those monks.”

“You’re probably picking up some of my concern. The link
between us will increase. It is going to get increasingly dangerous for you to
continue to search for your sister,” he answered slowly.

“My sister is in danger and will stay that way until I find
her.” She stiffened and tried to draw away from him.

“You can’t help her if your brothers catch you.” He scowled
and his voice roughened.

“I can’t let them stop me. She wouldn’t stop.” She shook her
head.

“Just because you’re safe, it doesn’t mean the search stops
for your sister.” He kept her beside him only by curling his arms around her.

“There’s no one else to do it. You don’t know what she looks
like. The only man who might be interested in finding her probably doesn’t know
she’s even missing. I have no idea how to find him.” She felt so alone. Deep
inside, she’d hoped he’d understand and find a way to help her rescue her
sister.

“We’ll find your sister, but I can’t let you risk yourself
unnecessarily.” His expression hardened.

“You can’t stop me. I’m going to find my sister and if you
get in my way, I will leave.” She lifted her chin. He couldn’t stop her from
leaving. As much as he may want to stop her, he couldn’t watch her all the
time.

“You aren’t leaving me. They’ll catch you and take you.
Who’s going to rescue your sister then? How is she going to get her memory
back? Do you know how many people know the secret you possess? I’ve never even
heard of someone regaining their memory after taking that drug.” He hauled her
across his lap and wrapped his arms around her.

“They won’t catch me. After I leave here, they won’t know
where I’m going. They knew I’d have to come here.”

“And they can’t get a list of the places as you did?” He
raised an eyebrow. A growl rumbled in his voice.

She blinked and stiffened in his arms. Worry and fear washed
over her in a cold tide. She hadn’t thought of that. They could get the list of
cities if they knew what book to find. She didn’t think they did, but it was
possible. “They won’t catch me. I’m not giving up on her. I’m going after her
and I will find her. I don’t care what you think you are to me. If there was
any tie between us, you’d care about what’s important to me.”

His muscles bunched and then her head spun a little as he
pressed her to the pallet. He loomed over her. His hands pressed at the side of
her head and his knees caged her thighs. She gasped and her eyes widened at the
sudden move. His eyes narrowed and if she could have, she would have leaned
away to get a little distance from that intimidating stare.

“I am your mate. The tie between us is unbreakable. You won’t
be going anywhere without me. I will protect you.” His head lowered. His lips
brushed over hers once before he lightly nipped at the full bottom curve. Each
word rolled out slowly and utterly clear as if he wanted to make sure she
understood him.

Leah took a deep breath. She felt her muscles loosening and
a hunger begin to simmer low in her belly in spite of the tension, anger and
doubt. Deep inside, she wondered why she was pushing him now. It would be
easier to slip away if he didn’t suspect anything.

Still, she couldn’t stop herself. She had to take a stand
and make him see that this was important to her. That he couldn’t make her
change her mind about it. Why couldn’t he see that she had to be there? Fae had
no memory and wouldn’t even know her real name. Leah was the only one who’d
recognize her.

“No,” she said deliberately. “You aren’t and I won’t stay
with a man who would ask me to stop searching for my sister.”

He growled. The sound rolled over her skin. For some reason,
that deep rumble heightened her arousal. His lips pressed against hers and his
tongue thrust deep. He claimed her mouth, possessing.

Stunned, she didn’t even think about denying him. Desire
leapt to life. Even though anger and distrust filled her mind, her body flared
to life at his touch. Her hands crept up to his shoulders and her tongue
stroked against his. How could she want him so much when there were so many
questions and problems between them?

He drew back with a nip to her lips. “Mine. My woman. You’re
staying with me.”

She didn’t have time for a reply. His fingers worked at her
shirt and the cloth parted. She wriggled, wanting to feel his fingers on her
skin. She didn’t let him entirely take the lead. Her fingers tugged his shirt
up his chest. The fabric bunched beneath his arms.

The feel of the fabric must have irritated him, because he
straightened and pulled off the garment. His lips fastened to hers again. Her
tongue stroked against his. The inner muscles of her pussy clenched and she
felt the hot moisture gathering in readiness.

“I’ll show you that you belong with me.” His voice deepened
with the promise.

His eyes burned with intensity. How could he still be so
fixed on what she’d said when the hunger burned away all thoughts other than
urge for more? He pushed the shirt wide. She arched up. Her nipples tightened
and ached for his touch. She ran her hands over his chest and plucked at his
nipples. She wanted him to be as hungry as she was. He was too in control, too
focused. She had a feeling he wanted something and was determined to get it.

His lips trailed over her collarbone and down her chest. One
of his hands slipped under her and lifted her. He tugged the shirt off her
arms. The moment the fabric fell free, her arms slid back around him. She
pulled him close, wanting to feel his hard chest pressing against her. He held
back. His fingers went to her pants, unfastening them and pushing them down her
hips.

He tugged the pants off one leg then the other before
dropping them to the side. Again she grabbed at him, but before she could get a
grip, he stripped out of his pants revealing his cock, thick, hard and ready.
Her inner muscles clenched as she thought about feeling that pushing into her.
It had felt so good. She wanted to feel that again.

“Arron,” she whispered as she tugged at his shoulders. She
wriggled, lifting her hips in invitation.

His head lowered and he nipped her lips. He didn’t move any
closer to her though. She wanted the heat of his body and the solid weight. The
way he was holding himself away from her made her crazy with the need to feel
him against her.

“I want your word, Leah.” He trailed his lips over her
collarbone and his tongue lapped at the marks from his bite.

She shivered and her nails sank into his forearms. He didn’t
move closer, but his mouth did trail down her chest. His tongue traced a path
up the swell of her breast. She took a deep breath and tried to concentrate.
With his mouth so close to her nipple, it was hard to do. She didn’t understand
why he wanted her word or what he wanted her to say.

“What?” She threaded her fingers into his hair. More words
wouldn’t come.

“Tell me you won’t go anywhere without me.” His tongue
lapped over her nipple.

Her back arched, pressing her breast closer to his lips. He
pulled back just enough that she couldn’t get the pressure she needed. He
teased her nipple. His other hand joined the mix, tracing up the slope of her
breast and teasing the nipple before withdrawing.

“Tell me and I’ll give you what you need. Tell me you’ll
stay with me.” His hot breath puffed over her nipple.

She groaned and tried to focus beyond the need. Her clit
ached and her inner muscles clenched with the desire to feel his cock thrusting
deep. Nothing mattered except getting him inside her.

“I’ll stay with you.” At the moment, she didn’t care what
she was agreeing to do. As long as he fucked her, she’d tell him anything he
wanted.

His smile held immense satisfaction. It unsettled her, but
before she could gather her wits and decipher why he’d be so happy, his lips
closed over her nipple. He sucked it hard. She arched and this time he didn’t
draw back. He worked at her nipple with his teeth and lips all the while his
hand quested down her belly.

His fingers parted her folds. He stroked his fingers over
her clit. She moaned and lifted into his touch. Stroking in slow circles, his
forefinger teased around the sensitive flesh before drawing the tip straight
over it. She shivered, her body tightening with need.

“Are you ready for me? Do you want me,
reha
?” His
tongue lapped at the hardened nipple. His eyes burned as he looked up at her.

“Yes.” She didn’t know how he could doubt it.

His fingers slid down her pussy and two pushed deep into
her. The thick digits slowly pulled out before thrusting deep again. He watched
her face as if he wanted to see her every expression. Her hips lifted against
his hand. If he didn’t move soon, she was going to come on his hand. His
fingers felt great, but she wanted his cock.