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Zylott Wars (Collection)
Aubrey Ross
All rights reserved.
Copyright June ©2008 by Aubrey Ross
An Authorized Excerpt
This e-book file contains sexually explicit scenes and adult language which some may find offensive and which is not appropriate for a young audience. Changeling Press E-Books are for sale to adults, only, as defined by the laws of the country in which you made your purchase. Please store your files wisely, where they cannot be accessed by under-aged readers.
Lifting a lock of the Veil Keeper’s long blonde hair, Lord Nyx wrapped the strands around his fingers, savored the silky texture, fascinated by the sheen. Moonlight bathed the tower chamber, outlining his captive’s delicate features and the appealing shape of her scantily clad body.
The crisis had passed. Her fever was broken. It was time to begin. He’d prepared her this morning, bathed her body and washed her hair.
Minuette. His mind whispered her name. Still, he wouldn’t allow the word to pass his lips. She was a Veil Keeper first and last. Her name was irrelevant. Any affection he felt for her only complicated his quest. He must remain distanced, focused entirely on his goal.
The Sacred Order of the Veil had forced his hand, shaped the path on which he trod. He’d exhausted all other options and nearly surrendered to despair, then this woman had literally fallen from the sky.
His gaze drifted along the graceful column of her neck. Despite the full, round breasts partially revealed by the bed sheet, her shoulders were narrow, her torso slim.
Should he bind her before he awakened her?
No. There was a better way.
“Why are you sitting in the dark?”
Nyx didn’t turn at his brother’s familiar voice, but he lit the wall torches with a negligent wave of his hand. “The darkness speaks to me.”
“Oh, you’re in one of those moods.”
He ignored Sef’s teasing tone. His brother knew the source of his foul moods. Why did he persist in his attempts to penetrate them? Nyx eased his hold on the Veil Keeper’s hair, allowing it to slide across his skin as it descended.
“How is she?”
“Recovered. I was preparing to release her from sleep thrall.” He pivoted on the low stool and faced his brother. “Did you travel from the palace to verify the health of my hostage?”
A smile tugged at the corners of Sef’s mouth. He clasped his hands behind his back and rocked onto the balls of his feet, his eyes sparkling. “I’ve come to invite you to a wedding.”
“Congratulations on the wedding -- and the impending birth of your son.”
Sef’s eyes widened and his jaw dropped. “How long have you known Dori was pregnant? Are you certain she’ll bear me a son?”
“I dreamt of your son months ago. Why have you waited so long to tell me?” Compassion extinguished the excitement in Sef’s gaze and Nyx’s gut clenched. Pushing to his feet, he approached his brother. “My loss will not taint the birth of your first child. I won’t allow it. You will revel in this event or deal with my wrath. Choose now.”
Releasing an excited laugh, Sef hugged Nyx enthusiastically. “I’m so happy, I could fly.”
“Not without years of training.” Nyx disentangled himself and stepped back. He hated people touching him, but Sef’s exuberance was understandable.
After eight years of dedicated attempts, Sef and Dori had mistakenly resigned themselves to the fact that they would never have children. It was her apparent barrenness that had kept Dori from agreeing to marry King Sef long ago.
“Then you’ll attend?” Sef cast a furtive glance toward the Veil Keeper. Nyx saw pity flicker in his brother’s gaze, but Sef wisely remained silent on the subject. “It’s to be a small private ceremony. I won’t subject you to the royal feast.”
“I will attend the wedding and the royal feast.”
“Truly?” Meeting his gaze directly, Sef grinned from ear to ear. “Dori will be so pleased.”
Nyx returned to the stool and his troubled thoughts. Sef was silent so long it startled Nyx when he spoke again.
“I know the Keepers have demanded her release.” His tone was hushed, wary. “How long do you intend to hold her?”
“As long as it takes.” With another wave of his hand he extinguished the torches, casually dismissing Zylott’s reigning king.
Even after his brother left, Nyx sat and stared at his captive. Emotions rolled through him, each more powerful than the last. How did he accomplish his goal without becoming what he despised?
Rape and brutality had decimated his life. Forcing himself on this woman was not an option. However, seduction, with a healthy dose of deception, held endless possibilities.
* * *
Floating in velvet isolation, Minuette savored the silence. Something warm brushed her arm, summoning her from the void, awakening her senses. Another stroke, more tingles, she fought against the stimulation, craving the peaceful solitude.
Danger loomed, urgent and intense. She’d failed, lost control… The details slipped away. Why was she so sleepy?
“Oh, my love, I thought I’d never find you.” A deep male voice whispered and a warm hand cupped her breast.
Her nipple gathered against his palm, but alarm skittered down her spine. Where was she? Who was this man? Why did she feel so strange?
“Touch me, my love. We have waited so long. Why do you hesitate?”
Strong fingers closed around her wrist drawing her hand to his broad chest. Lost in the sensual haze, she didn’t think to resist. So often she’d tossed in her lonely bed dreaming of a lover’s kiss, aching for the forbidden stroke of his hands, the intimate penetration of his body.
She explored his chest, his shoulders, his thick upper arms. He shifted, bringing his long, lean body close against hers. Skin to skin, of course they were naked. How else would he make love to her?
His mouth found hers in the darkness. She parted her lips, waiting for the bold thrust of his tongue. He licked and nibbled, coaxed and teased. Frustrated, she reached for his head and her fingers sank into his hair. Long and loose, so different from a Mystic Keeper male’s short spiky hair, the strands slid between her fingers, caressed her hands.
“Kiss me,” she whispered against his mouth.
“As milady commands.” He angled his head and claimed her mouth with a slow sweep of his tongue. His taste was exotic and spicy as she sucked gently on his tongue, thrilled by his startled moan.
Her skin tingled and heat gathered low in her belly. Why had he waited so long? She’d battled these yearnings for nearly two years, desperate and alone.
Deep in her sleep-muddled brain a warning chimed. This wasn’t right, it couldn’t be real. Her mystic shield had yet to be dispersed. Sex was forbidden to her.
But her lover’s hands felt real. Warm and solid, his body pressed over and against hers. He rolled her to her side, raised her leg to his hip, and rubbed his cock against her mound. Would he take her now, fill the empty place between her thighs?
Abstinence was a necessary sacrifice and only temporary. She would be free to find her bonded mate once her training was complete.
His tongue moved in her mouth, his warm breath filled her lungs. If this was a dream, she could…
He stroked her breasts, her hips, her thighs. She trembled and arched, grinding herself against the distinct ridge of his cock. She wanted more. She wanted to feel his flesh moving deep inside her.
“Are you real or a dream?” She panted softly, restless and confused by the sensations assailing her. “You must tell me honestly.”
“Which would please you more?”
“I want you inside me and that can only happen if you are a dream.”
“Then I am a dream. Open your mind and I will bring you pleasure.”
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