Praise for the writing of Jet Mykles 

 

 

Dark Elves 2: Mastered 

 

 

Dark Elves 2: Mastered is a sensational book that I highly recommend to others who also 
enjoy reading terrific stories of fantasy and hot sex. 

-- Susan White, Coffee Time Romance 

 

Her stories literally take flight and weave a sensual spell among her readers. This is a 
reviewer who is enchanted and anticipating the next in the series of Dark Elves. 

-- Dawn, Love Romances 

 

Jet Mykles has constructed an amazing race of people who love hard and fight for what they 
believe in. This second book in the Elves series is as good as the first one. It will keep your 
attention from beginning to end. 

-- Claudia McRay, Romance Junkies 

 

Dark Elves 2: Mastered by Jet Mykles is a sensual feast of decadent delight and luscious 
intent… It is a delicious world that Ms. Mykles has created and her illustrations just make it 
that much easier to leave our cares behind and step fully into it with her creations. 

-- Keely Skillman, eCataromance Reviews 

 

Dark Elves 2: Mastered is a riveting fantasy tale that will snatch you from the very first page 
and keep your eyes glued to every word. The pacing of the plot is perfect, the characters are 
attractive and engaging, and I can barely wait for the next book in this fantastic series. 

-- Mireya Orsini, Just Erotic Romance Reviews 

 

 

Dark Elves 2: Masteed is now available from Loose Id.


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DARK ELVES 3: 

SALVATION 

 

 

 

 

Jet Mykles 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

www.loose-id.com


 

 

 

Warning 

 

This e-book contains sexually explicit scenes and adult language and may be considered 
offensive to some readers. Loose Id 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. 

* * * * * 

This book is rated: 

 

 

 

For substantial explicit sexual content, graphic language, and situations that some readers 
may find objectionable (ménage, homoerotic sex, voyeurism, exhibitionism).


 

Dark Elves 3: Salvation 

Jet Mykles 

 

This e-book is a work of fiction. While reference might be made to actual historical events or 
existing locations, the names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the 
author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or 
dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental. 

 

 

Published by 

Loose Id LLC 

1802 N Carson Street, Suite 212-29 

Carson City NV 89701-1215 

www.loose-id.com 

 

 

Copyright © January 2006 by Jet Mykles 

All rights reserved. This copy is intended for the purchaser of this e-book ONLY. No part of 
this e-book may be reproduced or shared in any form, including, but not limited to printing, 
photocopying, faxing, or emailing without prior written permission from Loose Id LLC. 

 

 

ISBN 1-59632-218-7 

Available in Adobe PDF, HTML, MobiPocket, and MS Reader 

 

 

Printed in the United States of America 

 
Editor: Raven McKnight 

Cover Artist: Jet Mykles 


 

 

 

Dedication 

 

Even though they’ll never read this -- and I don’t want to know if they do! -- this one’s 
dedicated to my parents. Not once in my entire life have I doubted their love and their 
support, and I’m profoundly grateul for that. 


Prologue 

 

“I’m going to die of boredom.” 

Gala didn’t even glance up from her needlework. “There’s plenty to do.” 

Diana snorted, glaring distastefully at the array of sewing and needlework strewn on 
the pillows between them. “This is not what I want to be doing.” 

Gala smirked. “No. It never was.” 

Diana grabbed a lock of her snowy-white hair and toyed with it, twisting the strand 
around one of her glossy black fingers. “It’s not your type of thing, either. You never did 
anything beyond simple mending when we were on the road.” 

“True. But I find it rather relaxing.” 

Diana puffed. She pointed a finger at her friend. “Do not try to tell me that now that 
you’re pregnant, all this appeals to you. I know you better than that.” 

Gala sighed, putting down the hoop on her distended belly. They sat on a wide, low 
platform in the middle of the main room of Gala and Hyle’s suite. The room was bright and 
cozy, a far cry from the scattered mess it had been before Gala had found her truemate. The 
stone walls were mostly hidden behind gaily colored tapestries that reflected the yellows and 
oranges of the fire within the broad hearth. The pillowed platform sat in the middle of one 


wall, covered with furs, colorful blankets, and pillows to create a comfortable seating area. 
Small tables set beside it provided places to set food or drink or, in Hyle’s case, dozens of 
scrolls to be read. 

Both women lounged comfortably, propped against the wall with pillows to support 
them. They wore very little by way of clothing, both having adapted to the raedjour habit of 
dress, or lack thereof. Each woman wore a loose skirt wrapped around her waist and soft-
soled slippers. Diana also wore white leather restraints about her wrists that matched the 
high, laced collar about her neck, but these she wore more as jewelry than for their obvious 
intent. 

“I do enjoy it,” Gala said, smoothing a hand over her bare belly, “but it does get to be a 
bit tedious after awhile.” 

One whole cycle and a half of seasons they’d lived among the raedjour. According to 
what they’d been told, they were now more than halfway through their pregnancies; 
perhaps the equivalent of a human woman at seven months. The extra constitution they 
gained from the raedjour traits that had taken over their bodies helped them to endure the 
length of their pregnancies, but it didn’t help much with the awkwardness. Diana, who had 
practiced with Salin on sword work a full four seasons into her pregnancy, was now quite 
close to going insane from boredom. And, since she didn’t get along well with any of the 
other women, Gala was the one who heard about it. 

“Let’s go to the main arena,” Diana suggested. “Maybe Fallil is performing.” 

Gala smiled. “That might be nice.” 

“Or maybe there’ll be wrestling!” 

Gala laughed. Diana did so love to see the elves wrestle. Namely because they did so 
naked and the winner was rewarded by publicly fucking the loser. Gala had been shocked 
when she’d first seen it, but Diana had been entranced. Although she wouldn’t admit it, she 
looked for any and all opportunities to see the matches. 


Gala was about to agree when the main door to the suite opened. She and Diana looked 
up to see Hyle enter. 

Gala could not help the wide grin that curved her lips. It was always the case when she 
beheld her truemate. Her man was not as tall nor as slimly built as most of his race and he 
seemed to have the roundness of youth despite his four hundred cycles of age. As per usual, 
his waist-length snowy-white hair fell loose down his back except for twin braids at his 
temples, which kept the hair from his face. His slanted red eyes focused warmly on her as he 
stepped across the threshold. 

Diana’s truemate, Commander Salin, entered the room behind him, his huge, muscular 
body dwarfing the younger man. Before him was a human girl. Of a height with Hyle, she 
looked perhaps fifteen cycles of age, with long brown hair pulled back from her face except 
for the long bangs that shadowed dark blue eyes. Salin propelled her gently into the room, 
one big hand planted on her shoulder. Her pert little mouth was drawn into an uncertain 
frown, the bottom lip caught between her teeth. A halter top was tied about her 
underdeveloped breasts, and snug trousers covered her coltish legs, tucked into soft-soled 
boots. 

Gala’s interest perked. She began the arduous task of pushing her pregnant body from 
the platform. Hyle rushed to help her. “Who’s this?” she asked, smiling up at him, then back 
at the girl. 

“You bastards!” Diana cried. Gala winced, clutching Hyle’s arm at Diana’s outburst. 
“Don’t tell me you kidnapped a girl? That’s low even for you.” A pillow went sailing across 
the room. 

Salin caught it and glared at his truemate, flipping his head to clear his eyesight of the 
heavy fall of his silver-white bangs. On anyone else the glare might have worked, but Diana 
only met him glare for glare. “Sweet, I’d appreciate it if you’d once give me and our race the 
benefit of the doubt.” 


“Benefit of the doubt? What for?” 

He grimaced and threw the pillow back at her, catching her in the face. “Because, in 
this case, your obvious assumption is wrong. This is Irin. Nalfien rescued her when she was 
just a babe. She’s lived -- unmolested -- among us since then.” 

Diana scraped the pillow aside, sneering. “Unmolested? Here, in the pit of perversity? 
How could you randy sons of bitches keep your paws off her?” 

Salin sighed, exchanging glances with Hyle. He gestured toward Diana. “And this is 
why I said I’d have to come with you.” He gave the girl at his side a familiar pat on her 
shoulder as he rounded her and approached his truemate. Even Gala had to admire his sleek, 
predatory grace as he stalked Diana. Firelight cast a golden sheen on his glossy black skin. 
“Let’s start this over,” he suggested, voice low as he knelt on the platform before her. He 
caught her feet as she kicked at him, pinning her ankles to the padded platform. He never 
looked away from her glaring green eyes. “Diana, Gala, this is Irin. Nalfien found Irin when 
she was just a babe, and she’s been with us ever since.” 

Diana growled as he crawled forward. He kept her legs braced with his hands until he 
was sitting on her knees, leaning forward so that one of his arms was braced on the wall over 
her shoulder. Ungainly in her advanced pregnancy, she couldn’t move fast enough to evade 
him, so she didn’t even try, although she made a point to show that she was not daunted by 
his huge body moving to cage hers. Salin hooked one long finger in the metal loop at the base 
of her collar. He tugged and she hissed. She shot her hand up to grab the wrist above her 
shoulder, hooking her fingers into the restraint Salin wore to match his truemate. 

Gala exchanged smiles with Hyle and waited. As one might suspect, Salin excelled far 
more than anyone else at subduing Diana. 

“Now,” Salin continued calmly, nearly nose-to-nose with her, “you might wonder how 
such a thing could happen since we’re a rather sexual race. We are not --” He tugged her 
collar for emphasis. “-- molesters of children. That practice is as distasteful among us as it is 


among humans.” He released her collar and sat back on his heels, still trapping her legs. 
“However, Nalfien knew he couldn’t trust that. So he, Radin, and Hyle devised a spell. Irin’s 
been under the protection of that spell since she was a tot.” 

“What kind of spell?” Gala asked Hyle when Salin paused, since Salin and Diana were 
engaged in a silent staring war. 

Hyle went to stand beside Irin and smoothed a hand over the girl’s hair in a very 
brotherly gesture. “It dampens the lust of anyone in her presence. Even if one of the raedjour 
were to want to molest her, they could not.” 

“Interesting.” Gala thought about it, studying her own lusts, but decided she couldn’t 
tell. A raedjour pregnancy had that effect on a woman and her truemate anyway. The 
rampant sexual desire that had led to the pregnancy was quelled during the final moons 
before birth and, Gala was told, for about the first cycle of the child’s life. Not that the lust 
went away, Gala thought, looking to Salin and Diana, but it certainly wasn’t the all-
encompassing need that it was during the heat. 

Gala turned to the girl, smiling warmly as she took pale hands into her dark ones. Irin 
looked up at her, not at all affected, it seemed, by Gala’s near nudity nor the discussion at 
hand. “I’m sorry; we’re being very rude. I’m Gala.” 

Blue eyes blinked, and an uncertain frown melted into a hesitant smile. “I know. I’ve 
heard lots about you.” 

“You have?” Gala glanced at Hyle. 

He smiled, scratching his scalp sheepishly. “I may have said a little about you.” 

“But you didn’t tell me anything about Irin!” 

“Don’t be mad at him,” Irin said, coming quickly to his defense. “I’m not allowed 
around any of the women until they’re well into a pregnancy.” 

Gala looked back to Hyle. “Oh?” 


He nodded. “We don’t know how long the sex is necessary into the pregnancy. We 
can’t take the chance that having Irin in the vicinity quells desires necessary for the baby’s 
health.” 

“She knows more about it than we do,” Diana grumbled. 

Gala glanced back just in time to see Salin -- who now sat amiably beside his truemate 
instead of over her -- pinch Diana’s arm. Diana yelped. “She’s been around longer than you 
have. And she listens.” 

“Oh, fuck you! I listen.” 

“Since when?” 

Gala laughed, taking Irin’s arm and leading her further into the room. She ignored the 
girl’s apprehensive look at the bickering couple. “Then we’ll just have to keep you around to 
answer the questions that the men forget to answer.” 

“Or kept from us. Ouch, damn you!” 

Salin’s gaze hooded, and he leaned toward Diana. She swatted at his broad chest 
without any effect. He overpowered her and eventually got his kiss. A completely chaste, but 
drawn-out kiss. Gala, meantime, offered Irin some wine or a sweetmeat. 

When Salin disengaged from Diana, both were a tad mellower. “We brought Irin to 
you so that you could all try and keep the boredom away.” He smoothed some of Diana’s 
straight white hair back from her face. “I know it’s difficult for you.” He flattened the same 
hand over her belly. “It’s hard for Irin, too. Getting to know each other can only help.” 

“How wonderful!” Gala happily kissed Hyle. 

Soon after, the men left, promising to join them later for a meal. Gala noted with 
interest that both men were careful to say fond farewells to Irin. 

“How fascinating,” Gala decided, lowering herself back to her seat beside Diana. “You 
grew up here?” 


Chapter One 

 

“And so, I’ve lost another son.” 

Savous glanced sidelong at his father’s profile, then at Radin’s carefully blank face, then 
back into the gaping black void before them. “It’s only been two nights.” 

Valanth continued to stare at the vetriese, his icy-blue-white hair and the white 
markings on his obsidian skin flickering in the light shed by the lightning ring surrounding 
the void. “He’s not coming back.” 

They sat on carved stone benches that lined two walls of a warm, natural stone cavern. 
Here, unlike in most of the rest of the underground city, few improvements had been made 
to the stone to make it more habitable. The benches on which Savous, Valanth, Radin, and 
Betaf sat were roughly hewn from natural shelves of rock. The seats and the ground beneath 
their feet were smooth only from the countless feet that had trod upon the stone. The only 
light in the cavern was provided by the faintly glowing green moss that thinly coated the 
walls and the eerie magical blue lightning that circled a black opening. 

The opening wasn’t just black. It was a void of color. The lightning that surrounded it 
was a reaction of the natural world to the supernatural gateway. The hole itself was a tall 
oval, tapered at the top. It was just tall and wide enough to admit the largest of the raedjour. 


Stone seemed to make up the walls to either side of it, but the hole was not truly in the stone 
setting. 

It was called the vetiese, and it was the raedjour’s direct connection to their goddess, 
Rhae. By stepping through the opening, a raedjour entered a place where it was possible to 
commune with Rhae. A man who thought to better himself, prove himself, or who had no 
other reason for living might pass over the threshold of this portal and let Her judge him. It 
was not a decision taken lightly. Even a portion of the realm of the gods was not safe. On 
average, only three out of every five men ever reemerged. Of those who did, none returned 
exactly the same as they had entered. Some men would enter only to emerge twice as large 
and twice as thick in muscles, but without a sex drive. Such men became the guards for the 
women and took their tasks seriously. It was thought that this was a punishment, but the 
guards rarely spoke of it afterward and didn’t seem unhappy. Most who entered and emerged 
came back with white designs etched in their skin. Although the designs could usually be 
interpreted by others, the men themselves always knew what they meant. They would 
emerge and announce what Rhae had chosen for them. The rhaeja, as Her chosen, would 
confirm it. Of all the raedjour, only the rhaeja and the most powerful of the sorcerers 
typically re-entered the vetriese. And if they did, there was always a valid reason. Not even 
they knew if She would allow them to return. 

Salin had gone into the void and emerged a warrior, justifying to Nalfien his choice not 
to become a sorcerer. Hyle entered at a premature age and emerged as the youngest sorcerer 
in raedjour history. Radin entered to emerge with both the marks of a sorcerer and that of a 
wanderer, Rhae’s acknowledgement that he could not be tied to the confines of the city. The 
rhaeja entered the portal time and time again, and each time emerged with another marking 
to symbolize his connection to Rhae. 

Valanth stood after a silent moment. “It was Gilbran’s choice, but I will miss him.” 

Savous lowered his head, allowing his hair to fall forward and obscure his doubtful 
look. Gilbran had not been happy or even content. Marked as a sorcerer and at the right 


hand of the rhaeja, by rights Gilbran should have reveled in the prime of his life. Instead, 
Savous had seen his talented brother atrophy. Since emerging from the vetriese as a sorcerer, 
he had been attached to Valanth’s hip alongside Betaf. In over two hundred cycles of seasons, 
Savous couldn’t recall seeing Gilbran without either Valanth or Betaf close at hand. Savous 
had watched from afar as his brother grew silent and withdrawn and finally became a 
complete recluse. On the few times he had made the effort to try and speak with Gilbran, 
Savous had the distinct impression that his brother desperately wanted to tell him 
something, but was somehow prevented from doing so. It had made their few conversations 
strained and ruined what had been a good relationship, even if it hadn’t been a bosom 
friendship. Savous suspected his brother had re-entered the vetriese to ask Rhae to remove 
their father’s mark, although he didn’t know it from Gilbran’s own words. The removal of a 
mark had never happened in the past, but it stood to reason that if Rhae could create the 
marks, she could also remove them. 

Savous glanced toward the cavern entrance to where his last remaining brother stood 
sentry. Vikart was not a sorcerer, unlike Savous and their six other brothers. He’d been born 
with some of the gift -- evidenced by the dark red eyes he had been born with -- but it was 
not enough to be that of a true sorcerer. Vikart had entered the vetriese over a hundred 
cycles ago. He’d emerged with a guard’s bulky, muscular build and black eyes. Savous 
couldn’t recall Vikart speaking a word since. 

One by one they had all been marked, and one by one they had all been changed. As 
Valanth had stated, Savous was the last of his father’s sons. The last he’d ever have unless 
Valanth’s prophecy was what some rumored it to be and, when fulfilled, brought back his 
truemate. 

Valanth stood, breaking apart Savous’s thoughts. Savous schooled his features before 
raising his head. Valanth stepped toward him. His pristine white robe swirled about his bare 
legs. Behind him, Betaf rolled up the cloth upon which Valanth had sat to keep those robes 
pristine. Valanth stopped just in front of Savous and stared deeply into his son’s eyes. 


“You should take Gilbran’s place at my side.” 

Savous couldn’t catch the sneer before it wrinkled his nose and curled his lip. Quick as 
a snake, his father caught his chin, preventing him from turning away. 

Valanth’s frown wrinkled the intricate white band etched in his forehead. “You are 
powerful, Savous. However, you are woefully trained. I could help you be stronger. If you 
would apprentice yourself to me instead of Radin, I could insure that you are strong enough 
to face the vetriese.” 

Savous jerked his chin away and stood, unwilling to continue looking up at Valanth. 
He took a few steps away, which put him farther away from the vetriese as well as put Radin 
between him and Valanth. “I’ve already chosen my master, Father, and I couldn’t be more 
pleased with my training.” 

Radin sat in uncharacteristic silence between them, without a comment on the direct 
insult to his training. He leaned back so that his shoulders were against the mossy wall. 
Casually, he stretched out his legs, crossing his feet at the ankles, creating a barrier of himself 
between father and son. 

Valanth did not deign to glance at the younger sorcerer, keeping his full attention on 
Savous. “And yet you remain an apprentice after nearly two hundred cycles. What testament 
is that to your training?” 

“As I’ve told you, Father, my not entering the vetriese has nothing to do with the 
quality of my training.” 

“Then it is fear. Which is understandable. If you are not up to Her standard, She will 
not allow you to return. Which is why you’re in need of my training.” 

Savous avoided grinding his teeth. This was an old argument and the most obvious 
source of the very public rift between father and son. Even now Betaf listened avidly, 
prepared to spread talk of every word to anyone who would listen. 

“I have my own reasons, Father.” 


“And yet you refuse to disclose them.” He gestured at Radin, still without looking at 
him. “Does your so-called master know your reasons?” 

“Yes.” 

Silence -- so full that it was another presence within the small chamber. Savous 
watched Valanth’s carefully blank face and suddenly realized that the subject of whether or 
not Radin knew why he didn’t present himself to Rhae had never come up between them 
before. 

“I see. At least you have shared your reasoning with someone.” Finally, Valanth turned 
his head to look down on Radin. “I trust you agree with these reasons?” 

Radin slowly raised his gaze. “Not all, no, but I respect them as valid.” 

Valanth’s gaze shuttered. He looked again to his son. Savous knew that he would dearly 
like to force the issue, but he couldn’t. Although the rhaeja was the leader of the raedjour 
and the chosen of their goddess, the elves remained mostly autonomous. They looked to 
their leader for guidance and general leadership, but they were largely independent and 
made their own decisions. Boys selected their own masters for their desired trades, and men 
lived among the far-flung caverns as they chose. Rules were enforced largely by mass-rule 
and tradition. In times of necessary arbitration, the vetriese was often the form of judgment, 
not the rhaeja. 

Valanth nodded. He turned on his heel and strode for the door. Betaf, with one long 
glance at Savous, hurried in his wake. The rest of Valanth’s entourage soon followed. 

Alone, Savous and Radin sat in silence. Savous stared at the vetriese, watching the 
worms of blue-white light squirm about the perimeter. He asked himself if he could step 
across that threshold now and felt the familiar, intense reluctance to do so. It was not the 
right time, and all his motives for not doing so were foremost in his mind. 

He lowered his glance to find Radin peering up him from behind a long fall of snowy 
hair. After another moment, Radin smiled and stood. 


“Let’s go to the brothel. You look like you need some exercise.” 

Savous followed Radin from the cavern, feeling the ominous sense of wrong lift from 
his heart the further he got from the vetriese. “No.” 

Radin glanced at him as they walked. He scraped aside the fall of hair that hung loose 
to his ass, tossing it behind his shoulder, out of the way. “Not in the mood for a woman?” 

Savous shook his head, eyes trained forward as they entered better-lit passageways. 
“Not right now.” 

Radin slung an arm about his shoulders, pulling him close. “Rather find someplace just 
the two of us?” 

Savous considered it. “Yes. Do we have enough time to go topside?” 

They entered one of the main caverns. In the middle of the wide space was a fountain 
with an obsidian statue of a woman in the center. She held a bowl at chest level before her, 
and in the bowl was a flame. The woman represented Rhae, and the flame in the bowl was 
magical. It reflected the time of night to those who rarely left the underground. When the 
flame was bluish violet, it was deepest night in the world above. When the flame was yellow, 
it was midday. The flame blended through the color-spectrum throughout the rest of the day 
so those who knew how to read it could approximate the time. 

“We’ll make it,” Radin confirmed, looking at the currently bluish-green flame, “but we 
won’t be able to go far.” 

Savous nodded. “Let’s go.” 

They turned down a side cavern that led to a series of tunnels. Although each tunnel 
was marked, Radin and Savous were long past the need to heed the signs. They walked along 
increasingly less-lit tunnels until they came to passages of rough stone. Here, their brisk pace 
slowed a bit as they had to navigate the twists and turns that would confound any outsider 
who might make it through the forest and this far into raedjour territory. These tunnels had 


existed since the time when Rhae was a physical presence among them, before She imbued 
Her awareness and protection for Her elves into the Dark Forest and the Rhaen Mountains. 

After a time, they ended up at one of the openings to the outside world. Savous led 
Radin out from stone into moonlit trees to one of their favorite places. The small overhang 
was suspended above an uneven ravine. The effect raised them up above the main treeline 
and exposed the world to them. From beneath the branches of a spreading oak, they could 
see for miles over a sea of trees and rocky outcroppings. 

Radin settled down on the grass, his back against a huge boulder that was half 
embedded in the ground. “I take it you don’t want to fuck?” 

Savous squatted next to him, picking up pebbles and tossing them over the edge. “No.” 

Radin sighed, lacing his fingers behind his head. “Your father seems to do that to you. 
Nasty side-effect.” 

Savous continued to toss pebbles, staring at the moonlit ocean of trees. “I won’t take 
the chance and be marked for him.” 

“You don’t know that will happen.” 

“Not one man in the last century has come back the same. I did some checking in the 
records. The odds in just that time are only three in ten that you’ll come back.” 

Radin frowned, his lips parted in surprise. “Does anyone else know that?” 

“I don’t know that anyone else has looked that closely at the records. Hyle maybe, but I 
haven’t asked him. I only thought to check recently” 

“We knew it was bad ...” 

“Worse. All who have come back have either been guards or marked for Valanth.” 

“All?” 

“All.” 

Radin whistled softly. “How could we have missed that?” 


“Fewer and fewer are choosing to go to Her. I’m not the only one.” 

Radin heaved a bigger sigh. “I suppose we’ve all chosen to turn a blind eye. We don’t 
want to see.” 

“But we have to. She’s killing us off.” 

“I don’t think it’s fair to go that far.” 

“I do.” 

“What would She gain? Without the raedjour, She has no substance.” 

Savous nodded. He knew that. The gods had been forced from this realm, but their 
existence still depended on it. A god needed a people, needed the belief system of a large, 
collective group, to have any form or coherence. Without a people who believed in Him or 
Her, a god unraveled and became part of chaos. 

“Why would She choose him?” Savous spoke slowly and in a low voice. He even used a 
touch of magic to shelter his words and make sure only Radin heard him, even though they 
were quite obviously alone. “Why does She allow him to do what he does? To make puppets 
of the men who serve him closest and to slowly kill any woman he takes to his bed? How can 
She let him live?” 

Radin studied him for a long moment, all trace of levity gone from his normally 
smirking features. “There’s more to this. Tell me.” 

Savous slowly lowered himself to sit beside Radin with his back to the boulder, using 
the time to think. He’d given Radin his reasons, yes, but not all of his reasons. Some were 
dark enough that he’d kept them to himself all this time. “He killed her.” 

Radin stilled. “Her?” 

“My mother.” In all their seasons, Savous had only once uttered those words, very early 
on in the apprenticeship, when he was still a young lad and his mother’s death was still 
recent. “I don’t know how, but he killed her. Just like he’s killed the women ever since. And 
She’s allowed it. She’s sanctified it! That ridiculous prophecy promising him salvation ...” His 


anger brought a hiss to his softly spoken words. “He doesn’t lead. He sits there and serves his 
own purposes. He barely pays attention. He’s stifled our growth. He ...” 

“He’s rhaeja.” 

Savous shut his eyes and pressed his forehead to his knees. “And what does that mean, 
when he’s allowed to act -- to not act -- as he does?” 

Radin’s voice was carefully bland. “He’ll continue to be so until someone replaces him.” 

Savous breathed in harshly. He shook his head. “It’s not me.” 

“Who else?” 

“You don’t know it.” 

“No. We won’t until you go to Her.” 

Savous bit the meat of his knee to keep back the keening cry of anger. “I won’t submit 
to a goddess who chose him!” 

And there it was. He didn’t deny the fact that he could be the next rhaeja. In fact, it 
was an unspoken thought among the raedjour. He saw it in the way others addressed him, in 
the way they looked at him. The thought would only grow in strength now that Gilbran was 
gone. 

Valanth was the fourth rhaeja in their nearly four thousand cycles since Rhae had left 
the earth. In that history, he was only the first son to take the father’s place. Rhae had 
selected the three rhaeja prior to him from among the eligible sorcerers of the time, long 
before the death of the ruling rhaeja. Each of the other rhaeja had a time with his 
predecessor to learn to rule and to give the raedjour time to become accustomed to the 
change. Each of those successions had proceeded smoothly, one even before the death of the 
old rhaeja. Valanth’s father, however, had died unexpectedly, long before Rhae had chosen 
his successor. The raedjour had endured a brief but trying time without a ruler before 
Valanth finally emerged from the vetriese, marked as Her chosen. 


No, the fact that Savous was Valanth’s son was not the reason others assumed he was 
the next rhaeja. It was, however, very likely him because there was no one else capable. 
Nalfien, Radin, and Salin were the other most likely candidates, but all three had already 
been passed over by Rhae. No other unmarked man of the likely age was fit to lead. Only 
Savous, the apprentice who should long ago have been made a sorcerer in his own right. 

A warm hand slid over Savous’s shoulder. Radin didn’t push. “I think,” he said, his 
voice taking on a dreamy quality, “that it’s time we took a tour of the east woods.” 

Savous took a breath, reining in his emotions. “Get away?” 

“Yes. It’s been a while. I think we both need the change of scenery.” 

Savous nodded. “Sounds good.” 


Chapter Two 

 

“Thank you, Trev.” 

Irin looked up from the floor where she was playing with Tykir. The boy in the 
doorway paused in surprise when he saw her. He bobbed his head, dislodging long, unruly 
white curls from behind his ears. “Hey, Irin.” 

Trev. She recognized his pointed chin and sweeping, somehow overlong eyebrows. She 
nodded and put on a weak smile. “Hey, Trev. How are you?” 

“Good. Fine, thanks.” The boy swallowed, then bobbed his head at Gala, who stood 
holding open the door, the basket he had given her in her hand. “Lady,” he said with respect, 
then turned and ran. 

Gala turned interested eyes to Irin as she shut the door. “You know Trev?” 

Irin bent back over the sweet little obsidian-skinned baby lying on the blanket spread 
between her sprawled legs. Gala’s son gurgled up at her, tightly gripping a lock of her hair. 
“Trev and I were playmates for awhile. Cycles ago.” 

Gala froze. She exchanged glances with Diana, who sat on a plush divan, breastfeeding 
her own son, Brevin. 


“Oh, my. Until now I hadn’t really realized how much faster you’ve grown up than 
they do.” 

Irin shrugged, keeping her face down and hidden by her hair. 

Gala and Diana exchanged another glance. For the past cycle and a half, each of the 
women had spent a great deal of time with Irin and had become very fond of her. So they 
noticed when the girl became abnormally quiet and moody. “Do you stay friends with 
them?” Diana asked, keeping her voice casual. 

“I’ve always been friends with the boys for awhile, but I outgrow them. Best they’ve 
figured, as a human I age twice as fast as the raedjour. So, when I turned six, the boys I’d 
played with as a toddler were still toddlers. When I turned ten, the boys I’d played with 
were still really young. When I got to about thirteen, Nalfien started to get worried that 
something might happen. Sex-like.” She shrugged, smoothing a fond hand over the sparse, 
downy white hair on the baby’s head. “Even with the spell. Nothing did. None of the older 
boys will come near me. They all know about the spell.” She turned a brief, mildly nasty 
smile up at them. “It scares them that when they get near me, their cocks go soft.” 

Diana laughed, and Gala shook her head. “Irin, you really shouldn’t learn nasty habits 
from Diana.” 

“From me? What do you mean?” 

“I saw that gleam in her eye. Laughing at boys because their cocks go soft is not nice.” 
Gala didn’t quite succeed in hiding her smile. 

Diana tried to be offended. “How did she get this from me?” 

Gala blinked innocent eyes at her. “She certainly didn’t get it from me. And I doubt 
any of the men in her life would find humor in that particular situation.” 

Gala turned shining eyes on Irin as she knelt on the floor beside the girl and her son. 
She set the basket Trev had brought beside her. “It just isn’t nice manners, Irin. The raedjour 


take their sexuality very personally. It would scare the boys to even feel a little of that go 
away.” 

Irin chuckled. “Oh, I know. But it’s so funny to see the looks on their faces sometimes.” 

Gala rolled her eyes toward Diana. “And you still think she didn’t get this from you?” 

“Don’t blame me. She’s nasty in her own right.” 

They all laughed at that. 

“So I’m curious.” Diana raised the baby to her shoulder, rubbing his back. “How much 
do you know about sex?” 

Irin played her fingers over Tykir’s chubby belly. “I know the basics. They let me 
watch the sex shows as long as I stay way in the back. You kiss. You hug. The woman gets 
wet; the man gets hard. He sticks his cock in, and you both rub around until he comes.” 

Diana’s eyes went wide; then she broke into fits of laughter. Gala giggled behind her 
hand. 

“Well, yes, that’s the basics,” Gala said, turning to rummage in the basket. She lifted out 
the various bowls and platters and the food within. “But there’s so much more to it.” 

Irin smirked. “That’s what they say.” 

“Who is ‘they’?” 

“Radin. Savous.” 

Diana rolled her eyes. “Oh, that figures. And you blame me when she’s been under the 
influence of those two?” 

A thought occurred to Gala. Something which had occurred to her before, but that 
she’d never brought up. She abandoned the food and went to kneel beside Irin and Tykir. 
“How old are you, Irin?” 

Irin babbled nonsense at the baby, getting a sleepy giggle from him. “Nalfien thinks I 
was about two when they found me. I’ve been here for seventeen cycles now.” 


“That would make you at least nineteen.” 

Irin nodded. 

Gala frowned. “And you’ve never had your moon time?” 

“The bleeding? No.” 

“Doesn’t Nalfien think that’s odd?” 

“Is it?” 

Gala’s mouth dropped open. “Well, yes! It’s ... Doesn’t he know that?” 

Irin frowned. “What?” 

“You should have started your bleeding cycles ago.” 

“Really?” 

“Don’t you know that?” 

Irin shrugged. “You two are really the only women that I spend a lot of time with. I 
haven’t spent much time with Iana since I was really young.” 

“But surely Nalfien ...” 

“Think about it, Gala.” Diana sneered. “Why would he have thought it?” 

“But Hyle? Or Radin?” 

“How much experience have they had with human women growing up?” 

“Iana?” 

Diana just gave her a pointed look. Nalfien’s truemate was a bitter woman who tended 
to stay away from almost everyone except for her two or three close friends. 

Gala stared at her friend. “I think it’s time I had a talk with Nalfien.” 

 

Irin sat on the floor in her rooms, playing with one of her cats when a knock sounded 
at the door. 


“Come in,” she called without looking up. Stripes, on his back before her, batted at her 
hands with his furry white paws. Even though he was fully adult, Stripes still loved to 
wrestle. 

The door opened. “Hello, kitten.” 

Irin swallowed and allowed herself the brief moment when her face was obscured by 
her hair to school her features. Radin’s voice always managed to tickle her spine somehow, 
and the effect was disconcerting. When she had control, she raised her face, smiling for him. 
She was proud that her face didn’t falter when she saw Savous trailing into the room behind 
Radin. In her humble and narrow opinion, these two men were the most handsome, most 
wonderful beings in existence. Radin stood slightly taller than his apprentice, with snowy 
white hair that hung loose and flowing past the waistband of the garish red trousers he wore. 
Savous leaned on one shoulder in the open doorway, arms crossed over his bare, unmarked 
chest and ankles crossed. His honey-kissed white hair was pulled back into a loose tail that 
hung just below his shoulders. 

“Radin!” she greeted enthusiastically, holding up a hand to him. He took it and easily 
drew her to her feet and into his arms for a fond hug. “When did you get back?” 

“Just today.” He nudged a toe at the cat, who had flipped onto his belly, looking up at 
the man. Radin had given her Stripes as a half-starved feral kitten, and the cat had adored 
him ever since. 

Irin squeezed Radin’s waist, then went to greet Savous. She kissed him sweetly on the 
mouth, trying not to pay too much attention to the warm, glossy skin beneath the palms she 
spread on his bare chest for balance. 

“I missed you!” she said with a grin. 

She always did. They were the only two unmated males who ever spent any time with 
her, and she appreciated them, even more so because she knew that the spell on her made 
them uncomfortable. Not that they’d ever show it, but she couldn’t imagine that having their 


natural lusts dampened would be comfortable for them. Aside from that, they were just plain 
fun to be with. 

“What did you bring me?” 

Savous snorted and rolled his eyes. “Always a gift.” 

“What can I say? You’ve spoiled me. Diana says so.” 

It was Radin’s turn to snort from where he now knelt, petting the cat. “And, of course, 
Diana would know.” 

“Diana knows everything.” 

This made them both snort, and Irin laughed gleefully. 

Savous straightened from the doorway. He reached and took her hand, his long fingers 
lacing perfectly with hers. “Gift later. We came to fetch you.” 

“Oh?” 

Radin nodded, tossing a fall of his hair back over his shoulder as he stood. “We’ve been 
called to a meeting of minds.” 

“Huh?” Irin frowned as Savous pulled her into the hallway. Radin followed, careful to 
shut the door with the cat inside the room and not following, as Stripes had intended. “What 
do you mean?” 

“You’ll see when we get there.” 

Irin rolled her eyes. “I hae it when you don’t tell me things.” 

Radin chuckled. “Soon, kitten. Soon.” 

“Fine. Then tell me where you went this time. Were there panthers?” 

Radin and Savous told her of their impromptu trip as they took her through hallways 
she well knew. Within this one tower, she was allowed to roam without a constant guard. 
But if she went to any of the three entrance doors, at least one of the burly guards would peel 
away to trail her. They had standing orders to make sure that she never left unaccompanied. 


Irin had almost giving up trying to give them the slip. Her only consolation was that any 
woman received the same treatment. It was insurance, she was told, against the darker 
intentions of some of the elves. 

Their trip turned out to be a relatively short one. Down one flight of stairs and through 
two hallways and they arrived at Gala and Hyle’s suite. The door to the suite stood open. As 
always, the room was gaily furnished and pleasantly warm. A grand fire burned in the 
fireplace, and mirrored sconces illuminated the tapestried walls. Irin’s soft-soled boots sank 
into the thick, loose-woven rug as Savous pulled her in. Gala sat with Diana and Salin on the 
padded platform that dominated the room. Little Brevin was tucked into the bend of his 
father’s arm, looking terribly tiny but utterly content. Hyle stood to one side of the room, 
dressed in his typical short robe and trousers. Nalfien stood with him, dressed in one of his 
voluminous robes. 

“There you are.” Gala rose to greet them, kissing Irin’s cheek fondly. 

“Did you think we wouldn’t bring her?” Radin mocked, passing into the room. 

From the platform, Diana smiled and reached for her son. “Here, let me put him in the 
other room with Tykir.” 

“Have a seat, kitten,” Savous murmured, walking her to the pillows. 

“What is this all about?” Irin asked. They were arranging themselves around her, and 
even if these were the people she trusted most in the world, it was unnerving. Hyle, Nalfien, 
and Gala remained standing. Savous sat beside her, and Diana returned to sit on her other 
side. Salin and Radin sat with their backs against the wall on the platform behind her. 

Diana patted her shoulder. “Don’t worry, Irin. It’s a good thing.” 

Gala giggled. “Are you hungry? Do you want something to drink?” 

“No. What’s going on?” 

“I suppose there is no sense in waiting, now that we’re all here.” Nalfien knelt on the 
floor before Irin, arranging the voluminous folds of his black robes about him with practiced 


ease. “It’s been brought to my attention that you are nearly twenty cycles of age, by our 
nearest reckoning.” He took her hands, resting both his and hers on her knees. “Has it been 
so long?” 

She blinked, glancing at Gala. She remembered Gala saying she had to talk to Nalfien, 
but that was nearly a moon ago. “Yes.” 

“I’m also told that’s quite old for not having started your woman’s bleeding.” 

“That’s what Gala and Diana said.” 

“Oh, come on, you old bastard,” Diana muttered. She subsided when Radin slung an 
arm about her shoulders and pulled her back against his chest. She struggled until he 
muttered something unintelligible in her ear. She frowned, but stayed quiet. 

“Gala thinks --” Irin had to tear her jealous gaze away from Diana in Radin’s arms and 
back to Nalfien. “-- that it might be our spell that has delayed this.” 

“The spell?” 

“Yes. It’s possible that by suppressing both your natural desires as well as those around 
you that we’ve also stunted your sexual maturity. You’re perfectly healthy,” he assured her, 
no doubt to ease the look of alarm she felt on her own face, “but now that Gala has pointed 
this out, we think there may be more to this.” 

“Oh. So. What can we do?” 

“We’ve decided to try lifting the spell.” 

Irin’s heart stopped; her eyes and mouth went wide. She’d always known it would 
happen. She’d looked forward to the day. But now that it was actually here, she was stunned. 

Nalfien brushed tender fingers over her jaw, his red eyes watching her carefully. “Is 
this acceptable to you?” 

Irin nodded. She kept her attention focused on Nalfien, desperately trying to hide her 
weirdly cold excitement. She didn’t know if she was thrilled, or horrified. 


Although he surely felt her emotions on some level, Nalfien thankfully did not 
comment on them. “We’re not positive how lifting the spell will affect you. Because of this, 
Hyle and Gala have agreed to watch over you. If it’s also acceptable to you, your things will 
be moved into their suite.” 

Irin tore her gaze from Nalfien to look up at Hyle. His tender smile did a lot to quell 
her nerves. “Really?” 

Hyle nodded. “If it’s all right with you.” 

Irin glanced at Gala, who nodded avidly. 

She smiled at the other woman. “Oh! I ... Thank you!” 

Nalfien continued. “Lifting the spell will most definitely have one effect. Your natural 
urges will finally surface, as will those of any men around you.” He stared at her seriously. 
“It’s imperative that you stay away from any unmated males.” 

Without thought, her gaze went to Savous. Those sleepy red eyes gleamed at her over a 
knowing grin. 

Radin’s voice sounded behind her. “Don’t fret it, kitten. We’ll see you soon enough. I, 
for one, fully intend to take part in your virgin contest.” 

Savous chuckled, his gaze roaming over her face. The hungry look in his eyes had 
never been there before. At least, not that she’d seen. It made something behind her heart 
flip. “You’ll have to fight me for her.” 

Irin’s mouth fell open. Truly? She’d harbored childish hopes, but ... 

“Don’t look so shocked, kitten.” 

Radin’s hands closed gently over her shoulders from behind. She started and glanced 
back into his equally hungry eyes. “Did you think we’d let anyone else be your first?” 

Irin dissolved into a smile so wide it hurt her face. 

“I thought you said the spell tamped their lusts,” Diana said, sounding amused. Irin 
could only go by sound because she couldn’t make herself look away from Radin or Savous. 


“Physical, yes,” she heard Nalfien say. “But not all lusts are physical.” 

“You’re all such randy dogs. You raised her from a babe!” 

Savous’s fingers caressed the side of her neck, distracting her from Radin’s gaze. Savous 
grinned. “She’s not a babe now.” 

Nalfien took hold of her chin, turning her back to face him. Savous and Radin stayed 
close, distracting her, but she tried to pay attention. “We’ll have your things moved tonight. 
It is imperative that you don’t leave these rooms. This is mainly because we are not 
immediately going to cast the spell to start your change to raedjour.” 

She shook her head, trying to shake her thoughts into coherence. “Why not?” 

“We’re concerned that you haven’t had your woman’s bleeding. We want to make sure 
that you have before we attempt the spell. That particular spell has been cast on young girls 
in the past, and the results have never been positive.” 

Diana gasped. “You never --!” Something -- or someone -- cut her off abruptly. 

Nalfien ignored the comment, still focused on Irin. “Staying in these rooms is for your 
own safety. Hyle is, of course, already truemated, so his personal interest in you should be at 
a minimum. He is also exceedingly good at tamping his own lusts. Gala will also be present 
and ever-watchful, so she can help see to your protection.” 

Irin blinked. Other than Savous and Radin, she hadn’t really considered what her 
presence would do to the men she’d known and cared for her entire life. She glanced at both 
Hyle and Gala again, but their smiles were reassuring. 

“Irin, do you understand why you must stay in these rooms?” Nalfien asked. 

“Yes. I’ll stay. I promise.” 

He nodded. “Good. You’ll stay here until you’ve bled at least twice.” 

“Twice?” 

Gala spoke up. “We just want to make sure things are normal for you, Irin.” 


Irin scowled. “What if I’m not? What if something is wrong?” 

Nalfien squeezed her hands in his. “Please believe, Irin, that we had your best 
intentions at heart. I’m sure I can say with all authority that every person in this room will 
do anything necessary to ensure your health and happiness.” 

The murmurs of agreement from the room flooded Irin’s heart with love. Some of that 
flood filled her eyes with tears. Although she had sometimes felt isolated growing up and had 
often felt odd in her surroundings, she had never had cause to doubt that the sorcerers who 
had saved her loved her. 

“OK.” Voice husky with emotion, she nodded. 

Gala stepped forward and gently kissed the top of her head. “We’ll be right here with 
you, Irin. I promise.” 

Irin nodded. 

Radin’s hands, still on her shoulders, squeezed. “You’ll be fine, kitten. Two moons, and 
Hyle will announce your virgin contest.” 

As he’d surely intended, that thought and the reminder of his touch distracted her 
from her emotional weep. 

“And what’ll the contest be?” Savous asked, playing along. “It’ll give me time to 
prepare.” 

Nalfien smiled at their banter. “That will be up to Hyle.” 

Radin growled. “Don’t make it a reading contest or something!” 

Savous grinned mischievously at Radin. “Why not, O master of mine? Have you 
forgotten how?” 

Radin reached over Irin’s shoulder to grab Savous’s throat. “Keep it up and you may not 
be able to participate.” 

Nalfien sighed, shaking his head. “I think that’s about as much damage as I choose to 
witness for tonight.” He looked to Irin, eyes twinkling with mirth. “Are you ready?” 


She stared at him, wide-eyed. “You’re going to lift it now?” 

“There’s no time like the present.” He smiled fondly, brushing the back of one finger 
across her cheek. “I must apologize to you, little one, for not thinking of this sooner. I’ve 
been woefully neglectful of you these past cycles.” 

“No, that’s all right.” 

“No, it’s not. If Gala had not been perceptive enough to see, it might have still been 
some time before I realized something could be wrong.” He placed a hand about the back of 
her neck and pulled her gently forward to press a fatherly kiss to her forehead. “Please 
forgive me.” 

Irin wound her arms around his neck for a firm hug. “You saved my life, and you 
allowed me to be raised in love rather than as a slave. I’m forever in your debt. There’s 
nothing to forgive.” 

Nalfien returned her hug fiercely. “If we could have daughters, I could not wish for one 
to turn out better than you have.” 

A muffled squeak interrupted them. Irin peeked out of Nalfien’s embrace to see both 
Salin and Radin subduing a struggling Diana. 

They all laughed as Nalfien set Irin away from him. He put his hands on her shoulders. 
“Hyle. Radin.” 

Savous took Irin’s hand and placed a quick kiss on her knuckles before rising and 
crossing to the other side of the room. Radin shook a warning finger at Diana -- who only 
glared at him over the hand Salin had planted across her mouth -- and crawled back across 
the bed to kneel behind Irin’s right shoulder. Hyle stepped forward and knelt by her left 
side. Once they were settled, Nalfien began to chant words that seemed to be in the raedjour 
language, but they were none Irin knew. She looked up at him and became lost in those 
glowing red eyes. Radin and Hyle joined the chant, using similar but different words in a 
weird sort of harmony. A warmth rose up and spread from the pit of Irin’s stomach up 


through her chest, suffusing her limbs. It crept up her neck, flushed her face, and made her 
entire head feel muzzy and warm. She squirmed, closing her eyes, trying to adjust to the 
feeling. It was as though the warmth was filling her up or bubbling to the top, trying to get 
out. She felt ready to burst and couldn’t decide if the feeling was painful or not. Then, with a 
sharp command from Nalfien, it popped and all the pressure evaporated, like the air in a 
floating soap bubble. 

Irin blinked. And blinked again. Her mouth fell open as she stared at Nalfien. His black 
skin gleamed in the bright candlelight, and his gray-white hair glistened. She gaped. He was 
beautiful! 

Beside her, Radin grunted. She turned and froze. A tangy, tasty smell assailed her 
nostrils, and the sight of his black tongue darting out to wet his lips held her captive. She 
didn’t know she was leaning toward him until Hyle caught her shoulder and pulled her back. 
Nalfien’s hand slapped on Radin’s chest, stopping his advance. 

Radin blinked, then shook his head. “Mother of us all, that’s potent!” 

Nalfien chuckled. He rose gracefully to his feet, firmly gripping Radin’s arm to pull him 
up and away from the padded platform. For his part, Radin was having trouble looking away 
from Irin. He reached a hand toward her, his fingers brushing the hand she raised to his. 

Nalfien slapped Radin’s arm down. “Salin, I’ll need your help to get Savous and Radin 
away.” 

“Just one little kiss?” 

Irin swiveled her head and caught sight of Savous. She was squirming in Hyle’s arms 
without thought. Savous’s normally sleepy eyes were wide open, and that hungry look was 
back tenfold. He stepped toward her, heedless of anyone else. 

Salin caught him about the waist and hauled the smaller man toward the door, 
laughing. “Oh, no, you don’t.” 


 

 

Savous struggled, but Salin was far stronger. Irin whimpered from the cage of Hyle’s 
arms as she watched Nalfien and Salin drag Radin and Savous from the room. Neither of the 


unmated males took their eyes from her until the barrier of the walls and doors separated 
them. 

Diana emerged from the doorway to the second room, her sleeping son in her arms. 
She chuckled as she crossed to the outer door of the suite. “Oh, this is going to be 
interesting.” 


Chapter Three 

 

Many times in his life, Radin had found it useful to have a secret mind-to-mind link 
with his brother, Salin. It allowed them to have a potentially dangerous discussion in 
complete safety, even in public. After hundreds of cycles, they were both so used to the link 
that they sometimes forgot to speak aloud when others were present. 

Look at him. 

Salin, leaning on the stone balustrade above the arena, casually lifted his eyes from the 
melee below, knowing exactly the him Radin meant. 

Valanth stood on a similar balcony nearly on the other side of the arena from the one 
on which Salin stood. His entourage of five flanked him. Ever-present Betaf stood to his 
right, more like a pet than a companion, despite his ostentatious red robes. Vacant-eyed 
Brin -- the latest in the line of Valanth’s lovers -- sat on the balustrade, naked, seemingly 
oblivious to the world. Her side pressed against Valanth’s chest, her head resting on his 
shoulder. It seemed only Valanth’s hold about her waist kept her from falling back and over 
the railing. Three burly guards stood behind, one of them his son Vikart. Valanth’s attention 
was focused hungrily on the naked combatants below, his smile excitedly cruel. He didn’t 
seem to be paying any attention at all to the fingers he had buried between Brin’s legs. 


He’s not the only one enjoying the show, Salin pointed out mildly. Diana’s just as 
bloodthirsty. 

Beside Salin, his truemate was nearly bent double over the balustrade as she screamed 
encouragement for her favorite combatants. Smiling, he reached over to caress the curve of 
her buttocks, so nicely defined by her snug trousers. Rather than incite the combatants 
below further, she was clothed. Scantily, yes, but she was covered in trousers, boots, and a 
halter top. 

It’s not the same. 

Salin glanced at his brother. Radin stood on Diana’s other side, arms crossed over his 
bare chest. 

Below them on the hard-packed arena floor, a dozen naked men wrestled for 
dominance. Their black skin glistened with oils, both olive oil and the natural oils from their 
bodies. This type of melee was a common pastime for the raedjour. There were few rules -- 
proved by a few casualties in the past -- and only one goal: to fuck and not to be fucked. 
Three or four dozen men would start, naked and oiled. The aim was to pin an opponent and 
fuck him. Doing so disqualified him. The last man to occupy the arena was the winner. The 
fun came in the fact that the men got carried away in a sexual frenzy. Coming rarely helped, 
because that meant one’s cock wasn’t ready to penetrate the next opponent. 

Watch yourself, Salin cautioned, thinking of the look of disdain on Radin’s face as he 
glared toward the rhaeja. 

Radin nodded, shook himself, then leaned forward on the balustrade. To anyone else, it 
looked like he was enjoying the show. Only Salin, linked to his brother’s mind, knew that he 
barely saw the melee below. 

This wouldn’t be necessary i he hadn’t curtailed raiding, Radin pointed out. 

Ah. That’s what this is about. 


It’s about that and many other things. If he’d let us out of this cursed city more, we 
wouldn’t need this for an outlet. 

Hypocrite, Salin scoffed. I thought you were in favor of sparing humans more often? 

I am. 

By keeping us in the city, the humans are safe. 

Radin darted another hateful glance at the rhaeja. That’s not why he does it. 

And you know why he does it? 

No. 

Couldn’t it be that he wants to be cautious? The humans’ caravans are getting larger 
and better equipped. Their weapons and magic are superior to when we were younger. Much 
as I hate to admit it, we barely took the last few. 

Mentally, Radin grumbled. Why are you making excuses for him? 

Why are you blindly opposed to him? 

Radin didn’t answer. He didn’t have to. They both knew why. Ever since Savous had 
chosen Radin as his mentor over his father, Radin and the rhaeja had been at odds. In the last 
few cycles, the antagonism had gotten worse. 

When Radin again projected his thoughts, they were calmly modulated. Do you agree 
with all he’s done? 

Not all, no. But I also can’t see that all he’s done is wrong, either. 

Radin glanced at the woman squirming in excitement between them. He raised his 
gaze to his brother’s. Would you be able to survive her death? 

Salin froze, the very idea making his blood run cold. He wasn’t conscious of shifting his 
position until he felt the warmth of her buttocks pressing against the front of his thighs. 
Diana grinned over her shoulder at him, wiggled her ass against him, then turned back to her 
entertainment. 


You’re one with her, Radin pointed out, sliding his hand down her back. You couldn’t 
survive without her. What has surviving his truemate for so long done to Valanth? 

A few cycles ago, Salin could only speculate. Now, with a truemate and a child of his 
own, his outlook had changed. He honestly couldn’t answer Radin’s question. 


Chapter Four 

 

Irin peeked out the door to her bedchamber to see Gala happily humming to herself as 
she lit various candles about the main room of the suite. A low, wide table was pushed up 
against one wall, set with plates of dried fruits, meat pasties, and a few bottles of wine. The 
padded platform was piled high with furs and pillows. A fire burned merrily in the fireplace. 
Irin sniffed and detected incense in the air although she couldn’t decide on the source. 

Gala caught her peeking and grinned. “Come out, naughty girl.” 

Irin grimaced, stepping into the room. “Can I help?” 

“No. It’s all done. We’re just waiting on Hyle.” 

Irin’s heart raced. Hyle. Her friend. A man who was more like a brother to her than 
anything. Tonight he’d become more than that. Tonight he would set the changing spell on 
her. A spell which could only be cast through sexual contact. 

The last three moons had been an interesting time. Irin’s first bleeding had begun the 
night the spell had lifted. The lust for Radin and Savous that had clogged her mind after the 
spell was removed had faded into the pain and discomfort of the bleeding. Gala had stayed 
with her most of the first night, providing hot water and towels to press against her twisting 
belly as well as helping her with the absorbent cloths she would need to wear until the 


bleeding stopped. Those first few days had been agony, and she frequently asked Gala to just 
end her misery. After those first, agonizing seven nights, the first flow had stopped, but Irin 
had succumbed to a dizzying fever that had worried all of those close to her. For two weeks, 
she was bedridden and barely able to care for herself. Again, Gala and Hyle were blessings 
from the gods, each of them taking turns to see to her needs. No sooner had the fever died 
than Irin began bleeding again. This second time was not as awful as the first, but it still had 
not been comfortable. Thankfully, she had not succumbed to the fever again afterward, but 
Nalfien, Hyle, and Gala all thought it would be best if they waited for another bleeding to 
pass before trying the change spell. 

The third bleeding had passed the previous day, and Irin felt fine. After an inspection 
by one of the healers and by Nalfien himself, it was declared that tonight the change spell 
would be set. 

And the following night, her virgin contest would be held. 

Irin knelt by the table and picked up a mug to pour some wine. “Where is Hyle?” 

“Getting last instructions from Nalfien. He’s never set the spell before, and he’s 
nervous.” 

Irin nodded and gulped some wine. 

“Irin.” 

Irin finished pouring her refill. 

“Irin.” 

Mug poised before her mouth, Irin turned. Gala sat back among the pillows, watching 
her. The woman wore her usual outfit of a simple gossamer wrap about her hips and nothing 
else whatsoever. Irin rarely noticed that the woman was half naked. But tonight, she was 
quite aware. 

Gala smiled and patted the pillow beside her. “Come here.” 

“Wine?” Irin asked, disgusted that her voice cracked. 


Gala shook her head. “Just come here.” 

Clutching her mug, Irin went to kneel beside Gala. Gala sat up and took the mug from 
her hand and placed it on the floor a safe distance from the pillows. She returned to kneel 
before Irin and took the girl’s hands into her own. 

“Don’t be nervous.” 

Irin swallowed. “I’m sorry for the trouble I’ve caused you.” 

“You haven’t been trouble.” 

“I know what my being here has done to Hyle.” 

Gala chuckled. The time between Irin’s second and third bleedings had proved to be 
the most interesting. It was during this time that Hyle’s basic raedjour instincts kicked in. 
Despite the fact that he was truemated, he wasn’t immune to the presence of a ripe, unmated 
female. Irin often caught Hyle staring at her in a hungry way that she’d never seen on him 
before. It was very like the looks she’d seen on Radin’s and Savous’s faces the night the spell 
was lifted. 

“Please don’t be,” Gala said, laughing gaily. “Your being here has reminded Hyle about 
sex. I couldn’t be more pleased.” 

Irin gaped, which only made Gala laughed harder. 

“You’ve know Hyle longer than I have. Surely you know that he’d never had another 
woman before me?” 

Irin shook her head. “No. I didn’t know that.” 

“Hmm. I suppose you were a bit young for that. Well, you know Hyle. He tends to get 
distracted. I happen to find it perfectly adorable, but it does get frustrating. He’s very good at 
ignoring his lust. But with you here and me here and the fact that he had to stay around to 
watch over you and not get lost in his workroom, he hasn’t been able to hide.” Gala sighed 
dreamily. “I haven’t been fucked so well or so often since I was in heat, and I hadn’t thought 
that I would until I went back into heat.” She gripped Irin’s hands tightly, grinning madly. “I 


might have to find another unmated woman to stay with us after you’re gone, just to keep 
him going.” 

Irin’s eyes went wide. Then she giggled. Then she laughed. She did so love Gala! The 
woman always knew how to put her at ease. 

Gala laughed with her. She leaned over to retrieve Irin’s wine and took a sip before 
returning the mug to the girl. 

“Now,” she said as Irin’s laughter subsided, “I have a question to ask of you.” 

“What?” 

“It’s more of a favor, actually.” 

“Anything. You’ve been so good to me; I’ll do anything I can for you.” 

Gala patted her knee. “Thank you, love, but I want you to feel free to say no to this 
one. You can and I won’t take any offense. All right?” 

“All right.” 

Gala’s blue eyes fastened on Irin’s. “You know some of what Hyle has to do to set the 
change spell, yes?” 

Irin blushed, dropping her gaze momentarily. “Yes.” 

Gala’s fingers played on Irin’s bare knees. Like Gala, she wore a simple wrap about her 
hips, but she also wore a tie about her breasts. 

“Do you mind if I stay?” 

“Stay?” 

“Watch? Maybe ... participate?” 

Irin blinked. She didn’t know details of what Hyle would do, only that he would touch 
her sexually. He couldn’t penetrate her, for that would take her virginity; but the touches 
would definitely be sexual, and by all accounts, she should enjoy it. To have Gala with them. 
Watching. Maybe touching also ... 


Her flush deepened, and she stared into the depths of her wine. “I don’t mind.” 

Gala’s hand slid up her bare arm to her shoulder, gripping it firmly. “Are you sure?” 

Irin lifted a small smile for Gala to see. “I’m sure.” 

“Oh, good!” Gala went to retrieve her own mug of wine. “So. Have you thought of 
what kind of virgin contest you’ll have?” 

“Do I get a say?” 

“I don’t think other virgins usually do,” Gala admitted, folding herself back into the 
pillows beside Irin. “But you’re not the normal virgin, are you? You already know and accept 
what’s going to happen. Most don’t. Well, I’ve only known one woman who went through 
the virgin contest, but Suza certainly didn’t know what was going to happen.” 

Irin lay back, making herself more comfortable beside Gala. “I haven’t thought about 
it.” 

“Well, let’s. We know it’s a contest of some sort. Who do you want to win? Maybe we 
can come up with some ideas to make sure he does.” 

Another flush took Irin’s cheeks. 

Gala chuckled. “Oooh! You do have someone in mind. May I hazard a guess?” 

Irin just sipped her wine. 

“Would it be Radin? Or Savous?” 

Irin shrugged. “Both.” 

“Mmm, very good choices. You do have good taste.” 

Irin shrugged. “I know them. I trust them.” 

“Absolutely. It makes perfect sense. So, let’s see. A sorcerer’s contest, then? Are there 
any other unmated sorcerers?” 

“Rhicard and Betaf are the only ones.” 


“Hmm. Not much of a contest. I wonder if that’ll be a problem. Besides, if Savous is 
Radin’s apprentice, it would stand to reason that Radin would win. That’s not much of a 
contest.” 

“Savous is strong,” Irin jumped to his defense before she could think. 

“I know that, dear heart. But he is an apprentice.” 

Irin settled back and sipped her wine, unwilling to further voice her thoughts on that. 

“Maybe there’s another type of contest. What are they both good at?” 

The two women happily discussed men for a while until the chamber’s main door 
opened. Hyle walked in and stopped when he saw them. Irin wasn’t sure he even heard the 
breathy moan that escaped his mouth. 

Gala settled in closer to Irin with a coy look at her truemate. “Welcome home, my 
love.” 

Hyle’s normally guileless eyes drooped to half-mast in a sultry look. A few tendrils of 
his long, straight white hair framed his round, youthful face, and his full black lips pulled up 
into anything but an innocent smile. As he stepped closer, Gala snuggled up against Irin’s 
arm, one breast lightly brushing her forearm. This particular sight seemed to fascinate Hyle. 

“Irin says I can stay.” 

Hyle dragged his gaze from his truemate’s breast to Irin’s flushed face. “Are you 
certain?” 

Irin remembered to breathe. She had never, even in the past few moons living in his 
suite, seen Hyle look as he did at this moment. She didn’t know how to define it. It wasn’t 
quite confidence and it wasn’t quite lust. It was more of an ... assurance? A certainty. Perhaps 
this was the look that a man got when he knew sex was in his near future. Or maybe it was 
the expression of a happily mated male. 

Irin gazed into those red eyes and suddenly wanted him. Very much. This man who 
had helped to raise her, who had been more of a brother to her than anything. She finally 


saw him in a different light. As a very beautiful man with the potential to make her feel 
incredibly good. She nodded. “I’m sure.” 

Gala laughed softly as she knelt up before her truemate. “Let me help you out of those 
boots, my love,” she offered innocently. 

Hyle placed a hand on her shoulder to steady himself as he lifted a foot. Gala helped 
him out of first one, then the other boot as well as the stockings underneath. Once he stood 
on his bare feet, she hitched up higher on her knees, putting her face on level with the bulge 
in his trousers. She slid her hands up his shins, his thighs, skirted his groin, and took hold of 
his belt buckle. He let her take the belt, but stopped her from unlacing his trousers. 

“Wait,” he answered her pout. He knelt on the pillows before Irin. She took the hand 
he held out to her and let him pull her up to kneel facing him. “You know what has to 
happen?” 

She shrugged. 

“Would you like me to explain it more?” 

She smiled. One of the reasons she loved Hyle was that he was always willing to 
explain, as best he could. His best was usually very good. “Please.” 

He nodded and closed his eyes briefly. He took a breath. When his eyes opened again, 
some of the lust had been tamped and his face and eyes were closer to their normal state. 
“The spell is actually not that dissimilar from the one that was on you most of your life. Like 
that one, I’ll cast a web that will touch every part of your body and will alter you. Unlike 
that one, this one is far more permanent. The other touched one particular aspect of your 
body. This one will touch many more. You very likely won’t feel anything. In fact, you 
should be distracted. Because the time I’ll set the spell will be during an orgasm. It’s the time 
when your mental and metaphysical shields are at their weakest between you and the one 
who gives you pleasure.” At his last few sentences, a small smile took his lips and the hot 
heaviness returned to his gaze. “Do you understand?” 


She nodded, suddenly impatient to get on with it. She didn’t care how it happened 
anymore. She just had a fierce desire to devour his mouth. 

His smile grew and he leaned in, one hand raised to slide into the hair behind her ear. 
He didn’t pull. He didn’t guide. He merely steadied her as he leaned in until his lips were a 
breath away from hers. Then he stopped. The next move was hers. 

She swayed forward that extra breath and pressed her lips to his. They were soft and 
warm. At first it was just a meeting of lips, breath caressing each other’s cheeks. Irin’s hands 
fisted in her waist wrap as she lost herself in sensations she’d never considered receiving 
from Hyle. 

He tilted his head and tugged ever-so-gently on her hair to urge her to do the same. 
The angle allowed a better fit, especially as his mouth opened partially and his tongue slid 
out, swiping hers. Startled, she parted her own lips and sighed as his tongue slid past her 
teeth to entice her own tongue to come out and play. How odd! How wonderful! Hyle tasted 
of heavy cream and some deep, dark spice she couldn’t identify. Without realizing, she 
leaned fully into him, raising her hands to grip his shoulders. 

She didn’t know how long they kissed. At some point, he pushed up farther on his 
knees, forcing her to do the same or lose contact. She wound her arms around his neck, 
loving the feel of his bare, smoothly muscular arms sliding around her waist and back to 
support her. Her breasts and belly mashed against his chest was a heady feeling that made 
her wiggle, anxious to feel more of his hot skin against hers. 

She was lowered to her back in the pillows. Hyle deposited her there, then sat back, 
breathing hard. He threw back his head, and it pillowed nicely on Gala’s shoulder, as his 
truemate was wound about him from behind. He turned his head and met her lips. Their 
tongues dueled briefly before he reached up to grab hold of her ponytail and pull her off to 
the side. 


She giggled as she fell to the pillows. He mock-glared at her. “I need a moment to 
concentrate.” 

Gala giggled again and crawled up to lay beside Irin. She propped her head on her 
hand, her elbow in the pillows, the better to see Irin. “That was beautiful,” she assured Irin, 
her eyes shining. She reached over with her free hand and trailed her fingers lightly up Irin’s 
bare belly, then over the fabric that covered her cleavage. “Isn’t that confining?” she asked, a 
mischievous twist to her lips. 

Breathless, Irin couldn’t protest as Gala dug under her neck and found the tie to her 
halter. Knot undone, Gala trailed her hand back to Irin’s front, bringing the fabric with it. 
She hummed happily when Irin’s breasts were exposed, echoed by Hyle’s moan. Both 
truemates leaned in, and each suckled a nipple into their mouth. 

Irin cried out at the sudden spikes of pleasure. She gripped the pillows and furs beneath 
her, throwing her head back with a moan as they eagerly assaulted her breasts. Tongues, lips, 
and teeth nipped at the sensitive peaks, driving Irin insane. Hyle dropped most of his weight 
down atop her, pressing his belly to her groin. She ground against him, delighted to find 
something hard to press against her aching center. 

Hyle released her nipple with a pop, then edged down to nuzzle the hot crease beneath 
her breast. He tongued the sensitive skin, making her quiver, before continuing his journey 
down her belly. Irin was hard-pressed to concentrate on his actions with Gala still torturing 
her other breast. She bit her lip and whimpered, helpless beneath the dual assault. Hyle’s 
tongue traced her navel, sucked at the slight swell of her belly beneath. Her wrap was gone, 
victim to his nimble fingers. Those same fingers found the curly hair at her mound and 
stroked. Petting. Tracing. He bit the strong muscle inside her thigh as his fingers continued 
to explore her softly, gently. He skirted around that ache, and Irin rolled her hips, 
encouraging him to find and appease her ache. His fingers found her drenched nether lips 
and parted them. He dragged his tongue through them. Irin screamed. 


 

 


“Amazing. Beautiful.” Gala’s words were murmured against her throat. Gala’s breasts 
were pressed to Irin’s side, her lips nibbling at the sensitive skin behind Irin’s ear. She kept 
talking, but Irin lost the sense of words as Hyle’s tongue finally found the ache. 

She screamed, her hips bucking against his mouth. He caught her hips with strong 
hands to still her, opened his mouth, and sucked her between his lips. Irin cried, whimpered, 
bucking into the amazing feeling that Hyle’s tongue presented. Gala held her close, the 
fingers of one hand tugging hard at her nipple. The twin sensations ruled Irin’s world for 
precious, agonizing moments before she could stand no more. The most amazing feeling 
burbled in the pit of her belly and spilled down and up at the same time, heating her blood 
and firing every sense she had. It exploded outward in a wonderfully horrible burst. 

The feeling subsided some, but they kept at what they were doing and the feeling 
rebuilt until Irin shattered again. And again. 

After the third, Hyle tore back from between her legs. Languid and amazed, Irin could 
only watch as he grabbed Gala’s legs and hauled her onto her back. She released Irin 
willingly, her hands scrabbling at her wrap while his tore at the laces of his trousers. His 
cock, thick and hard, sprang free, slapping his belly. He grabbed it and fell on Gala as she 
spread her legs for him. Irin watched him aim and slam home into Gala’s cunt and gasped 
with Gala at the move. The frantic, urgent pumping that commenced was entirely unlike 
Hyle and amazingly beautiful to watch. Gala’s cries could have been pain but were clearly 
pleasure as she slammed back at her truemate as hard as she could. It took only moments 
before Gala cried out, her entire body seizing. Hyle whimpered, his thrusting slowing to 
deliberate, precise pumps. 

Hyle collapsed with a sigh onto Gala. Gala panted, then giggled, then laughed. She 
hugged Hyle, then reached out to take Irin’s hand. “Oh, Irin! I must keep you around more 
often!” 


Chapter Five 

 

Garn thumped his chest. “How could she possibly deny me?” 

“The list of your faults is too long,” Trachon declared. 

Savous laughed along with the five others who sat with him, up to their chests in hot, 
bubbling spring water. The men were enjoying a good soak before the virgin contest later 
that day. Around them, the air in the main bathing cavern was thick with moisture. The men 
occupied a pool in the heated corner, still within the main cave and not within one of the 
secluded caves just through a tunnel nearby. Farther into the well-lit cavern were cooler and 
larger pools for all sorts of bathing and recreation. 

Garn rolled his eyes. “You’re all mad because I’m going to have her.” 

“You?” Savous’s eyebrows crowded his hairline. “You’ve never noticed her before.” 

“She was just a girl then, Savous! From all I hear, she’s a woman now.” 

A part of Savous was offended by the remark, although he wasn’t sure why. He chose 
to overlook it and chuckled along with the others. 

Dreidon appeared in the entrance to the caverns and made his way to the group as 
Garn and Trachon continued their outrageous assumptions. Savous saw him and stopped 


teasing, clued to something wrong by Dreidon’s expression. The other man slipped into the 
pool and sat quietly at Savous’s side. 

“What’s wrong?” 

Dreidon looked up at him. “Brin’s dead.” 

All talk stopped. No one said a word. No one but Dreidon looked at Savous. Here, 
amongst his friends, his feelings toward his father were known even if they weren’t 
discussed openly. 

Savous growled, instantly furious. He stood in the water. Dreidon caught his arm. 
“Where are you going?” 

“I need to take a walk.” 

“There’s nothing you can do.” 

“I know that.” 

He left the pool, found a drying cloth, and ran it quickly over his skin. He stalked to 
the stone bench where his trousers and boots lay and angrily put them on. 

He left the bathing chamber, alone with his thoughts. Brin was the latest in the line of 
unmated women whom his father had taken and ruined. “Ruined,” in Savous’s opinion, was 
the only word for it. They were normal women when they went to him, unmated despite at 
least a cycle of seasons among the raedjour. But after a time with the rhaeja, they grew 
withdrawn and, inevitably, ceased to speak, at least in public. Their eyes took on a vacant 
look, like their minds were gone. It was not long after that look appeared that they would 
die. So everyone had suspected Brin would die soon, but no one acknowledged it. How could 
they? Valanth was rhaeja. His word was Hers, and Her word was law. If he saw fit to take a 
woman after his truemate’s death, so be it. If he saw fit to kill her slowly, there was nothing 
to be done but watch. As Savous understood it, Nalfien had objected when the first two had 
died, but he could never prove that it was something the rhaeja did. Besides, the typical 


punishment for such things as murder or theft was to have the accused enter the vetriese. 
Valanth had done that and emerged unscathed. 

Savous found himself at the main entrance to the tower that contained Valanth’s 
personal suite. No guards were posted, but Savous could feel the tingling awareness of 
Valanth’s personal shields shimmering in the air. His father was upstairs. 

Without much thought, Savous turned and mounted the four large steps that led to the 
thick, wooden outer door. Politely, he lifted the heavy knocker and let it drop with a bang. 

Betaf opened the door. As he always did, Savous wondered if there was any menial task 
Betaf would not perform for Valanth. Betaf smiled, but there was no substance to it. “Come 
in, Savous. Your father expects you.” He bowed low, which Savous thought was just an 
excuse to show off his new embroidered robe. 

“He expects me?” 

Betaf’s smile twisted. “He is always expecting you, Savous. He knows someday you’ll 
come to him.” 

Savous scowled, passing the other sorcerer. “I’m not here for that. I heard about Brin. I 
thought he might be in mourning.” It was as good an excuse as any, although he fully 
suspected Valanth did not mourn Brin’s death. 

Betaf straightened and met Savous’s deadpan gaze. The other sorcerer blinked. “Her 
passing is indeed sad.” There was little inflection in his voice. His gaze plainly told Savous 
that he couldn’t care less. “But life is a fluid process.” 

Disgusted by the man, Savous turned away. He headed toward the left and the wide, 
curved staircase that led to the upper level. “Is he in his suite?” 

“No. He’s in the workroom.” 

Savous hesitated at the bottom of the stairs. Then headed up. 

Valanth’s workroom was on the top floor of the five-story tower. It lay directly above 
his sleeping chambers. It also lay embedded within the rock ceiling of the cavern that 


encased the tower. Savous had only been in the workroom a few times, and all those had 
been over two hundred cycles previous, when he’d been a child and his mother had been 
alive. 

He wound round and round the circular stairwells, up and up to the fifth floor. That 
final floor was guarded by an ironwood door. He hesitated on seeing the door ajar. Steeling 
himself, he mounted the last few steps and entered. 

The circular room was as big around as the tower that sat beneath it. The floor was 
wooden, but the windowless walls were all natural stone, complete with shining mineral 
deposits threaded throughout. A large firepit was set in the middle of the floor, circular in 
shape and surrounded by more stone to protect the wood planking. The bowl of the pit was 
iron, laced with magic to prevent the metal’s heat from catching the floor afire. Sconces and 
candelabra were scattered along the wall, but as he remembered it from before, the firepit 
provided the only illumination. For a “workroom,” surprisingly few shelves and tables lined 
the walls, with only a spattering of scrolls and vials set about. These items seemed more 
decorative than functional. One oddity was what looked like a bed platform, piled high with 
blankets and pillows, which sat to one side in the dark by the wall. Was Valanth sleeping 
here now instead of in the suite below? 

Valanth sat on a massive, throne-like divan on the opposite side of the firepit from the 
entrance. His long white hair draped his naked form like a cloak. The white markings on his 
skin stood out and glittered in the firelight. 

“Welcome, my son,” he said, eyes opening to reveal orange irises every bit as fiery as 
the pit before him. 

Savous stood in the doorway, staring at the man who had fathered him. Had he ever 
known him? Even as a child, had he ever loved him? He seemed to remember happier days, 
when his mother was alive, but most of his memories were of her specifically. Of the man 
who led the raedjour, he could scarcely recall any personal memories. Since his mother’s 
death, he certainly couldn’t remember an occasion when the rhaeja’s actions and words had 


seemed anything but wrong. He hid something behind that imperious, cold demeanor, and 
that something was dark and dangerous. 

“Come in, Savous. I’m delighted you’ve come to see me.” 

Savous stepped into the room even though every instinct screamed at him to leave and 
to leave now. The very air around the rhaeja crackled, and it wasn’t with divine fire. 

“I hope I’m not intruding on your grief.” 

Valanth had the grace to bow his head, briefly closing his eyes in an expression that 
was meant to be sadness. “You heard of Brin’s passing.” 

“I did.” Savous stopped at the opposite side of the firepit from Valanth just as the 
rhaeja’s eyes reopened. “It must be very hard on you.” 

“It is. I will miss her.” 

Liar! He stared at the man, debating his next words. But he had to try. “Father, don’t 
take another.” 

One of Valanth’s snowy brows lifted in question. “Another?” 

“Another woman. Please, don’t take another. Leave them be.” 

“You would have me be alone? Bereft in my grief?” Valanth’s voice was carefully cool. 

“I would not see you ruin another woman.” 

“Ruin?” 

“Kill.” 

Valanth opened his mouth in a good parody of shock. “You accuse me of Brin’s death?” 

“I do.” 

The brows dropped, crowding those half-lidded orange eyes in a dark frown. “And 
how, pray tell, was this accomplished? The woman was in perfect health.” 

“She was not. Her mind was gone. She wasted away.” 

“You know this? You examined her?” 


“You know I didn’t.” 

“Then how do you know this?” 

“I only had to look at her ...” 

“And how often did you see her?” 

Savous cut himself off. It was no use. He’d known it wouldn’t be. 

Valanth spread his hands wide, palms up. “I spent most of every night with the woman. 
I assure you, her mind was not gone. She was healthy, until the end.” 

“How did she die?” 

“Her heart, poor thing.” A common enough ailment for the women who became 
raedjour. After centuries, even with the change spell, some of their organs would succumb to 
human ailments. Valanth’s look at Savous turned to admonishment. “You should not assume, 
my son, that just because the woman chose to be a recluse that she was suffering in any 
way.” 

Savous ducked his head, a vain attempt to hide the contempt he knew burned in his 
eyes. “My apologies, Father, but you must see things from my perspective. From the raedjour 
perspective. Brin is only the last of a long list of your lovers who have met a similar end.” 

“And because of this coincidence, I am guilty of murder?” 

So calm. So assured. If Savous hadn’t been sure, he might have been swayed. “But 
surely you can see ...” 

“I see that my son and my people wish for me to be bereft of a lover.” 

“What of Betaf?” Everyone knew the younger sorcerer was Valanth’s willing toy. 

“There is no substitute for a woman’s body.” 

“Father, it’s not right that you take unmated women. Your truemate is gone. You can’t 
have --” 


“I am, far more than anyone else, aware of Gwenyth’s departure from this realm.” 
Savous held his breath at the crack in Valanth’s voice. He expelled it when Valanth 
continued in a more measured tone. “And you do not know that I cannot have more 
children. There is the prophecy.” 

“Your prophecy says nothing of children.” 

“No. But that could be what it meant.” 

Savous gaped. “You don’t really believe that it means you’ll have another truemate!” 

“And why not? What else could I be saved from other than my loneliness?” 

Savous shook his head. “None of the women you took were mages.” 

“A mage has not come to us in all this time.” 

“Then wait for your mage. Leave these other women be!” 

“I will not have my life dictated by you, whelp!” 

Savous staggered back as the fire between them suddenly erupted to touch the seared 
ceiling. When it died down, Valanth was standing, his knee-length hair floating about his 
body on angry currents of air. 

“I tolerated your accusations because you are my son, but I will not have you dictate 
my actions. There is only one who could do this, and She remains silent. She has chosen me 
for my role. She gave me the prophecy of which we speak. She has given me hope to 
continue. I am still alive, and I will not be brought down by the death of one woman.” 

Savous glared. That “one woman” was clearly not Brin but Gwenyth, his mother. He 
dropped to one knee, bowing his head in a gesture of the respect he wanted to display but 
didn’t feel. “My apologies, rhaeja.” 

“Not accepted. I see now that you came only to berate me. I had hoped you came to 
apprentice with me.” 

That again? “I have a master.” 


“As you continue to remind me.” 

The sounds on the other side of the firepit indicated that Valanth had resumed his seat. 
Savous kept his head bowed. 

“You’ve accused me of murder.” 

Savous’s blood ran cold. Valanth wouldn’t force him into the vetriese?! How could he 
not have thought of that? 

“However, I am aware that yours is not an uncommon opinion. It seems my people 
have an unfavorable opinion of me of late. This means that I will keep your punishment for 
this between the two of us rather than a public declaration.” 

Which, Savous thought spitefully, would work in my favor. 

“You must perform a task for me, my son. Only then will I excuse your words.” 

Savous’s heart resumed a steady beat. He stayed on his knee with his head bowed. 
“What is this task, Father?” 

“I require some galpa fruit. You will leave tonight to fetch me some.” 

Savous jerked his head up. “Tonight?” 

“Yes.” 

Galpa fruit could only be obtained from one section of the forest, a day’s travel away. 
One day to reach the galpa grove and one day to return with the fruit. “But Irin’s virgin 
contest is tonight!” 

“And you have accused your rhaeja -- your father -- of murder! You do understand that 
if there were witnesses, I would demand you be thrown into the vetese.” 

Savous ground his teeth. It was true. Fetching the galpa was far preferable. Judging by 
the look in Valanth’s eyes, his father knew exactly how much it pained him not to 
participate in a chance for Irin’s virginity. That was his real punishment. 


Stupid fool! He berated himself, even as he bent his head again. “Of course. My 
apologies. I will do as you ask, rhaeja.” 


Chapter Six 

 

Radin was shocked. He what? 

Salin’s next thoughts held the equivalent of a mental shrug. I thought you might want 
to know. 

Galpa fruit? 

That’s what I was told. 

Radin let his brush drop to the table at which he stood, staring blankly at the wall as he 
digested Salin’s words. Whatever for? 

I haven’t a clue. 

When did he leave? 

Not long ago. He probably hasn’t even reached the surface yet. 

But why did he go? 

I’m not sure. All Garn said is that when he heard of Brin’s death, he went off on his 
own. Salin paused. Radin sensed his reluctance to go on. Dreidon thought he’d go see the 
rhaeja ... 

What?! 


You haven’t heard about Brin, I take it? 

What about Brin? 

She died thi evening. 

Wearily, Radin scraped a hand over his face. That will teach me to meditate. 

Salin chuckled dryly. 

Radin’s thoughts roiled. Hearing of Brin’s death would likely have upset Savous. He 
took the deaths of each of his father’s mistresses hard. But would he have confronted 
Valanth? No. Surely if he had, the rhaeja would have killed him. Or thrown him into the 
vetriese. 

As they sometimes did, Radin’s mental musings must have seeped through to Salin, 
because his brother answered. Which would have been a good thing. 

The vetriese? No, it would not. 

Why? 

Because he’s not ready. 

Salin sent the silent equivalent of a snort. Please. 

He has his reasons for not going to Her. 

All of them selfish and childish. He could have ended this long ago. 

We don’t know that. 

Stop fooling yourself. Who else but him? 

Radin shook his head. There’s no sense in going over this again. 

True. 

Is he all right? 

Salin sighed, clearly perturbed. As a warrior, Salin preferred to make things happen, 
rather than wait. He didn’t understand or approve of Savous’s hesitation. As far as I know, 
yes. He was seen leaving of his own volition. 


Good. Radin glanced at the time statue. It was time to go. Does Irin know? 

No. Should I let Hyle know? 

Radin sighed. Yes. 

 

Suzana sat toward the front of the low platform, her violet eyes eagerly taking in the 
gathering. Radin stepped up on the ground beside her, catching her off guard. She jumped, 
her long white hair falling over her eyes as she nearly tumbled over the side of the platform. 

Radin caught her. “I’m sorry, little bird.” He steadied her back on her pillows. “I didn’t 
mean to startle you.” 

She smiled up at him, brushing hair from her round black cheeks. “That’s all right, 
Radin.” 

Behind her, Krael snorted before taking a sip of his wine. “He meant to startle you right 
into his arms, Suza.” 

The smile she aimed at Radin grew. “That’s all right, my lord.” 

Radin laughed and helped right the tiny woman on her knees. Her hair spilled loosely 
over her shoulders and full, bare breasts. The wrap she wore about her hips was silvery blue, 
and a thick, gem-studded choker encircled her slim neck. 

“You’re excited,” he observed. 

She clasped her hands together, beaming. “Of course! There hasn’t been another virgin 
contest since mine. Now I get to see what it’s like.” 

Suzana had been the first virgin to be found by the raedjour in many, many cycles. 
Before Suzana was found, Nalfien had predicted that Irin would be the next virgin. Suzana’s 
virgin contest had been decided by Radin himself and had been a battle of brawn. Krael had 
been the one to win her and, surprisingly, had also turned out to be her truemate. Before this 
couple, the raedjour had come to believe that no truemate ever happened with the first man 
with whom a woman mated. 


Lounging behind her, Krael casually picked through the assorted sweetmeats set on a 
tray beside them. “You won’t see much.” 

She twisted to throw him a questioning gaze. “Why not, my lord?” 

He smirked. “I’ll have all your attention before it’s through.” 

If a blush could have shown on her gleaming black skin, Radin was sure she’d be vivid 
red. She put fingertips to her full lips and averted her eyes coyly. “Of course, my lord.” 

Radin hitched up to sit on the edge of their platform beside Suzana. “You’ll see some,” 
he told her casually, surveying the growing crowd about them. “And Irin’s contest will be 
somewhat different than yours.” 

“How so?” 

“She’s a different woman with different needs.” Radin cast a sly look back at Krael. “It 
may surprise you to know that not all women want ill-mannered, wooden-brained louts like 
Krael.” 

Faster than he’d thought possible, Krael lashed out and kicked him off the platform. 
Radin laughed as he gained his feet, dusting off his trousers. As though nothing had 
happened, Krael was again tasting the sweetmeats. 

The look Suzana gave him was admonishing but amused. “Radin! You cannot say such 
things about my lord!” 

Radin exchanged looks with a very smug Krael. “She’s far too good for you, Krael.” 

“And yet, she’s mine.” 

The eyes Suzana turned to gaze upon her truemate were testament to that and more. 

Suddenly uncomfortable, Radin turned away to gaze at the crowd that was filling the 
arena. Irin and Gala sat on a low circular platform in the very center of the wide space. 
Pillows were piled high around them, with bear fur underneath to provide cushion and 
warmth. Four burly guards stood about the platform, their backs to the women, facing the 


audience that surrounded them on all sides of the brightly lit arena. The crowd -- like Suzana 
and Krael -- stood or lounged on platforms that circled the sides of the arena. 

“Will you be competing, Radin?” 

He turned to face Suzana. She eyed him curiously, fingering her necklace. 

“Actually, I will.” 

She smiled. “Oh, good!” 

“Good?” 

“Yes. Krael’s told me something of Irin ... recently.” She threw a slanted glance back at 
her truemate. Radin got the clear idea that Suzana would have liked to have heard about Irin 
sooner. “And he’s told me how you’ve helped to raise her. I’m sure having someone she 
knows and trusts as her first will make it better for her.” 

Krael stared thoughtfully at his truemate’s back, but her attention was on Radin. 

He smiled down at her open, honest face. “There’s no guarantee I’ll win her.” 

She tilted her head, a look of mock amazement on her face. “Could someone possibly 
best you, Radin?” 

He gaped. She was teasing him, the little minx! Krael collapsed in laughter. 

 

Gala grinned at Irin. “Comfy?” 

Irin gave her a nervous grin back, fiddling with the edge of her short skirt. “As much as 
I can be.” Aside from the fact that this was her virgin contest, this was also the first time Irin 
was in public and the center of attention. All during her life, her protectors had kept her safe 
on the outskirts. Any public outing she attended, she stayed toward the back and was 
surrounded at all times. Tonight, although she was still surrounded by protection, she was 
certainly the focus of everyone’s attention. 


Gala chuckled. “Don’t worry. You won’t be comfortable long.” She glanced over her 
shoulder at the eager looks focused on Irin. “Not if they have anything to say about it.” 

Nervous, Irin wouldn’t look and the group of bachelors awaiting their chance at her. 
She kept her gaze flitting from Gala to her skirt, intensely aware of the fact that she was 
finally dressed like a woman. She only wore a filmy skirt and sandals. Her breasts were bare, 
and she couldn’t even cover with her hair since Gala had insisted on pinning it back for the 
occasion. 

Blushing, she cast her gaze about the arena again. “Where’s Savous?” 

Gala’s gaze lowered on a frown. “I should have known you’d notice.” She sighed. “It 
seems he’s not going to be here tonight, Irin.” 

Irin gaped. “He’s not? Why?” 

“He asked Rhicard to give you the message, but he passed it on to me. Savous wanted to 
apologize to you, but the rhaeja sent him away for a few days.” 

“Why?” 

“I’m not entirely sure.” 

Irin could only stare. “Why would he go away tonight?” 

Gala shook her head. “I don’t know, sweetheart, but it must have been a good reason.” 

“But ... why would ...?” 

“I know. I know. But it can’t be helped. He’s already left. Radin’s here.” 

Irin didn’t look. She knew where he was. Had known since he walked in the room. 
Radin did not stand with the group of bachelors. Instead, he chatted with Krael and Suza, 
perched on the edge of their platform. He looked positively edible in bright goldenrod 
trousers and matching knee-high boots with bold black trim. His waist-length white hair 
was bound in a tail that hung in loose waves down his back. She pouted at that. He knew she 
loved his hair down. 


She put thoughts of Savous reluctantly aside. She was too nervous to think on it at the 
moment. “Can’t I just choose now?” she muttered at Gala. 

Gala laughed. “Oh, come now, Irin. Look at the gorgeous banquet being offered you.” 
She waved her hand to indicate the waiting men. “Don’t limit yourself. Besides ...” She 
leaned in to whisper in Irin’s ear. “... if you let men work for it a little bit, it’s worth it in the 
end. Believe me.” 

“Work?” 

“I know you’ve decided on him, but don’t let him win too easily. Especially since 
Savous isn’t here. If he’s not quite sure, he’ll work harder and he’ll want you more. And 
anyway, it’s about time Radin had to work for something!” 

They shared a giggle over that. 

A silence descended as Betaf entered through one of the four entrances. The sight itself 
was a rare occurrence, as the sorcerer was rarely seen away from Valanth. “The rhaeja will 
not be in attendance tonight,” Betaf announced, drawing his formal robes about him. He 
looked to Irin, and a cool smile curved his lips. “The rhaeja extends his best wishes to the 
virgin as well as to the man who wins her favors.” With that pronouncement, he turned and 
left. 

“Well. Should you feel offended?” Gala’s murmur was not the only one to follow Betaf 
from the room. 

Irin stared after the sorcerer. “Actually, to be honest, I’m kind of relieved.” 

Gala squeezed her hand. “I understand the feeling.” 

Hyle stepped up on the platform by their feet. “It’s time.” 

Gala nodded and smoothed a hand over Irin’s bare shoulder. “It’ll be fine. I promise.” 
She leaned in and kissed Irin very softly on the lips. Irin didn’t imagine the murmurs of 
approval from around the room. 


Gala stepped back and off the low platform. Hyle stepped forward to kneel in her place. 
Irin gladly focused on his calm, sweetly handsome face. “Are you ready?” 

She took a deep breath. As soon as she said yes, it would begin. 

She nodded. 

He smiled and reached out to run his fingers in a brief caress over her cheek. Then he 
stepped back off the platform. With a gesture, he sent the guards away so that only he and 
Irin remained in the center of the arena. He stood still, studying her. Then the spark of red in 
his eyes began to glow faintly brighter. He lifted his hands slowly from his sides. A soft 
orange glow hovered above his upturned palms. He turned them toward each other, and the 
orange glow burned redder as he seemed to squish it into a sphere. When the sphere was 
about a handspan in width, he gave it a shove and the ball drifted toward her. She watched, 
wide-eyed, as it stopped a thumb’s length from her heart, then burst. There was no sensation, 
but she blinked anyway. By the time her eyes were open again, the sphere was much larger. 
It surrounded her platform and was perhaps her height if she’d been standing. It was mostly 
transparent and only visible as a faint, reddish haze. Strangely, she felt it. 

Hyle turned toward the waiting men. “The shri has been cast, and the keys are lus vet 
fallon.” Lust and interest. 

A few thoughtful looks at that. The announcement of the second key was what they 
were waiting for. The shri was keyed to two emotions. Lust was always a factor and was the 
basis for this and many other raedjour spells. The other key was the variation and changed 
with each person the spell was cast upon. Or each time the spell was cast on the person. The 
spell was sometimes used for sport and could be cast on men, as well. 

After his announcement, Hyle left her side, taking his place with Gala not far away. As 
her guardian, it was his duty to keep her safe, but he couldn’t be right beside her. 

They approached. Some cautiously, some eagerly. One ran forward and planted himself 
at the shri’s edge, right before her. He leaned in, hands and chest pressed to the shri, and 


smiled. She knew him and had always thought he was marvelously handsome and very 
charming. She matched Dreidon’s smile. Her eyes widened in surprise when his hands sank 
into the shield slightly, like a thumb pressed into a soft apple. He had to push, but it did give 
way. Curious, she flicked her attention to the man beside him to notice two interesting 
things. First, the other’s hand had not sunk into the shri. Second, the instant her gaze swayed 
from him, Dreidon’s hands popped back to the edge of the shield. 

Irin giggled into her hand. Oh, this was going to be fun! 

 

Radin hovered back, allowing other men to vie for Irin’s attention. He watched, 
amused, as they would gain her attention and slowly step into the shield, only to be shoved 
back when another snagged her fancy. It was a well-known game, and most of those who 
took the first try knew they weren’t likely to win. But, by showing an interest, they made 
themselves known to Hyle, who would likely remember and put them on the list of Irin’s 
lovers. Also, they helped to fan the flames of Irin’s lust, which spread out to affect the 
audience. 

The initial onslaught subsided in good-natured rivalry as the men jostled for attention. 
Only one fight broke out, and it was minor. 

Gradually, the more serious contenders stepped in. These were older men in their 
prime, far more intent on actually accomplishing the goal of the virgin. Radin watched these 
carefully. These men were more vocal and far more seductive, calling to Irin and murmuring 
dark promises. Radin had to smile at the becoming blushes that heated Irin’s round cheeks. 
Likely she’d heard it all before, but never aimed at her. 

Still Radin waited, watching closely. He could feel her growing arousal. The virgin 
spell let everyone in the vicinity feel it. Behind Radin on the viewing platforms, already 
dozens of couples -- and more -- were engaged with each other, no longer interested in the 
outcome of the virgin contest. 


Three men remained. Each one of them had succeeded in getting her attention enough 
that, at different times, they’d stood on the platform. 

Radin stepped forward. He was off to her left, so she didn’t immediately see him. She 
lay mostly on her back within the pillows, eyes fixed on Khavya as he stepped carefully onto 
the platform, murmuring sweetly. The man’s hands slid over his chest, drawing her gaze to 
his tight-fitting trousers. 

With a casual gesture, Radin reached up and released his hair from its tie, making sure 
to let it fly. By shaking it out, he caught her attention. Khavya cursed and stumbled as the 
shri pushed him back to the border. 

Irin’s big blue eyes fastened on Radin’s smiling face. Her pupils were wide, and her 
breath came in short pants. He wondered if she realized that her hips were squirming. Her 
hands pressed a little too hard in her lap. The scent of her was intoxicating. 

He let his hair fall forward to obscure most of the left side of his face, peering at her 
through the long white fall he knew she adored. “Hello, kitten.” 

“Irin!” Khavya called. 

Her eyes snapped to the other. Radin rolled his eyes. Wasn’t she tired of this by now? 

Khavya sank into the boundary of the shri, his eyes trained on her, holding her captive. 
Radin scowled. She couldn’t possibly be tempted? 

He sauntered toward Khavya, studying the man casually as he passed behind him. 
Equally casually, he shrugged out of his vest, exposing his bare torso. When he reached 
Khavya’s other side, he tossed the vest toward Irin. The shri only prevented the passage of 
living bodies, not objects. The vest landed half on her lap. She looked down at it and away 
from Khavya. Khavya sneered good-naturedly at him as she fingered the vest. The rules 
stated that they had to keep boots and trousers on, nothing about shirts or vests. Radin 
wasn’t the first of the night to distract her with clothing, but Khavya had not. 


Grinning for Khavya, he turned back to Irin. He placed a hand on the shri, exploring 
what felt like warm ice, wet and hard and slippery. He ran his hand over it slowly, caressing 
it. The move caught her eye. Irin watched his fingers smooth over what was visibly thin air. 
He leaned his whole body against the shri as he felt it give, pressing his chin to the back of 
his hand. “Let me in, kitten,” he murmured. “It’s time for our next lesson.” 

 

Make him work for it, Irin tried to remind herself, but the reminder was weak, and the 
desire to feel that hand on her flesh was much more convincing. 

This was Radin. Red eyes burned and focused hungrily on her, one of them partially 
obscured by the fall of white hair she knew personally was silky to the touch. Gold hoops 
twinkled merrily along the entire rim of his right ear, begging her to trace them. With her 
tongue. The idea made her squirm. 

Make him work for it, she tried again, telling herself to look away. Khavya, after all, 
was a stunning man, even if he didn’t have red eyes and long hair. Surely his lips would be 
every bit as tasty as Radin’s. And his body was even more muscular than the sorcerer’s. 
Khavya was certainly worth looking at. So why wasn’t she? Why was she captivated as Radin 
sank slowly to his knees just a foot beyond her feet? 

Her eyes snagged on the bulge in those blazing yellow trousers, and she swallowed a 
whimper. Who was she fooling? She wanted him. There was only one other man who she 
could possibly want more, and he’d chosen to absent himself. She wanted Radin. He was 
offering. She was taking! 

Following the rules, she didn’t reach out. She just raised her gaze to his eyes and kept 
them there, allowing herself to smile. He matched it and crawled forward. Maddeningly, he 
didn’t touch her. He crawled up her body, straddling her legs, bending over her torso, until 
his arms were braced on the fur to either side of her shoulders. She breathed in gratefully, 
filling her lungs with the heated scent of him. 


 

 

“You’re mine, kitten,” he murmured, bending down, hair falling forward, so that his 
lips against hers was the touch that dissolved the shri. 


His lips brushed hers, an almost familiar touch. She’d kissed him countless times 
before. But this was different. His lips explored the outline of hers, caressing the corners of 
her mouth. He caught her lower lip between his and sucked it gently. His tongue quested 
into her mouth, seeking her tongue, drawing it out and coaxing her to explore his mouth. He 
tenderly devoured her, and she lay beneath him, a willing meal. 


Chapter Seven 

 

When he lifted his head, she was breathing hard. Her hands were filled with fistfuls of 
white hair. He grinned as he pulled back, taking her hands in his. “Come with me.” 

She stood and only then became aware of the audience around them. Wide-eyed, she 
watched them for a brief moment, all those naked or nearly naked bodies writhing together. 
She couldn’t fully focus or grasp any details and could only associate writhing movement 
with the chorus of moans that filled the air. 

Radin tugged her hand, and she turned. He stood on the ground now, waiting to steady 
her as she stepped from the platform. The height difference put her almost on eye-level with 
him. 

Suddenly, she grinned. She couldn’t help it. This was too precious a moment. She could 
only enjoy it. Radin chuckled and tugged her hand again. She went willingly, following him 
from the room. 

A boy she recognized -- Alrek -- met them outside of the arena. He eyed her hungrily 
for a brief moment, then grinned at Radin. “I knew you’d win,” he said, turning to lead the 
way. 

Irin gaped. Radin laughed. 


“Am I predictable?” she groused. 

“No. I’m just that good.” 

“Are you?” 

He glanced down at her and smiled darkly. “I am.” 

She shivered. For a while they followed Alrek in silence, her hand secure in his. 
Glancing up at his profile, she saw his grin. Knowing she watched, his grin grew broader. 

“Nervous, kitten?” 

“No,” she said, knowing he’d see through her bravado. 

“Trust me?” 

Grinning her own grin, she leaned into his arm, hugging it. “Always.” 

He released her hand, only to put his arm about her shoulders, pulling her into his side. 
“I promise you nine days to remember, kitten.” 

She walked like that, securely tucked under his arm, and refused to think of the end of 
the nine days. The play of muscles underneath his slick skin made her own skin tingle. She 
couldn’t get enough of the smell of him. This feeling was more than what she’d felt around 
Hyle. This had a wild and dangerous taste to it while still feeling perfectly right since Radin 
was there. She was sure that if she just let go, this feeling would get away with her. And she 
wasn’t sure if she didn’t want it to. 

They arrived at the room. Alrek led them to the bedroom and shut the door behind 
them. The fire was already lit, and the sheets on the bed platform were already down. 
Dozens of furs and pillows nearly hid the blankets. 

Radin led her to the bed and peeled her from his side. Gently, smiling, he pushed her 
onto the furs and onto her back. As he crawled up onto the bed after her, she giggled and 
tilted her head, expecting a kiss, but he didn’t oblige her. Instead, he took her hands and 
pulled them up above her head, pressing them to the furs. “Keep them there.” He straddled 
her thighs and traced her arms and then the sides of her body as he sat up. 


Goddess, he was beautiful! Loose, long hair fell in soft waves about his shoulders, across 
his chest, to his waist. As she watched, he slid off his belt and tossed it on the floor behind 
him. 

“I said, keep your hands there,” he warned, holding out a finger when she moved one 
down. 

“But I want to touch you.” 

He purred. “We have nine days together. Trust me, kitten, you’ll get to touch me all 
you want. Now put the arm back.” 

She grimaced but obeyed. Didn’t he know her body was singing? Then again, of course 
he did. He’d done this many, many more times than she. 

“Good girl.” 

Grimace turned to glare, which just made him chuckle. Seemingly idle, he trailed his 
fingers over the exposed skin of her belly. “You never used to scowl like that before you met 
Diana.” 

She snorted. “She says I learned every bad habit of mine from you.” 

He was too distracted to be teased. “I imagine she would.” 

He flattened his palms just above her navel, then slowly slid them up. Her skin heated 
beneath that constant touch. She held her breath when he reached just beneath her breasts. 
He stopped with each breast just within the curve made by thumb and forefinger, the rest of 
his fingers closing over her ribs. 

His eyes, half-lidded, raised to meet hers. “Frightened, kitten?” 

“No.” 

“Truth.” His eyes held that amazing kindness that not everyone saw. She knew it. She’d 
seen it. Others saw the man who liked garish clothes and who made a joke of everything. 
Others saw the wanderer who could never settle down for long. No one doubted his 


intelligence, but many doubted that he truly cared about anything. She knew the truth. He 
did. 

She couldn’t lie to him when his eyes were like that. “A little.” 

He nodded. For reward, he moved his hands and cupped a breast in each hand. He 
thumbed her nipples, bringing them alive. She gasped. 

“You know I love you,” he murmured, bending in. His hair fell down, curtaining them. 
“You know I won’t do anything to hurt you.” 

She bit her lip and nodded, finding it hard to concentrate with his fingers gently 
kneading her flesh. The words came so easily to him. She knew he did love her. He always 
had. But the love of which he spoke wasn’t the same kind of love she’d seen between Gala 
and Hyle. At least, not yet. 

He plucked one nipple, and she gasped. Unconsciously, she writhed, but her hips, 
trapped between his legs, couldn’t move far. Her hands fisted and opened reflexively. 

“Feel good?” 

“Yes.” 

Fingers left her breasts, and she hissed in annoyance until she saw him leaning in 
further, bracing his hands on either side of her body. Smiling red eyes descended toward her, 
and a black tongue flickered out to moisten his lips. 

“Patience, kitten,” he soothed, just before touching his lips to hers. 

She tried to push into the kiss, but he pulled back, restricting their contact to the 
lightest of brushes. Frustrated, she defied his earlier command and went to reach for his 
head. He anticipated her and caught her hands with his. All four hands were pressed to the 
bed above her head. And still he didn’t deepen the kiss. 

“Radin.” 

“Time, kitten.” His tongue swiped over her upper lip. “I want to savor this.” 

“Savor later.” 


“Can’t. The first time only happens once.” 

She sagged back, frustrated, but touched by his care. Not that she’d ever doubted he 
cared. 

Tenderly he sampled her lips, tongue darting out occasionally to taste her, but only her 
lips, never farther. Intrigued, she began to mirror his movements. He held back his own 
explorations, allowing her to sample him. 

Finally he moaned softly and pressed his lips to hers. She gasped. His tongue plunged 
into her mouth. She opened beneath him and again mimicked his actions. She heard little 
moaning sounds coming up from her chest and gave vague thought to squelching them, but 
gave up in favor of tongue-dancing with Radin. 

He slid away from the kiss, rubbing his smooth cheek against hers before slowly 
drawing her earlobe between his lips. She clutched her fingers about his as he traced her ear 
with his tongue, the softest of moans riding his breath. He dipped his head, and she stretched 
her head up and to the side to give him full access to the side of her neck. He nipped lightly 
at her racing pulse, then laved the inconsequential hurt with his tongue. 

“Radin,” she sighed when his lips reached the base of her neck. 

“I’m here, kitten.” He squeezed her hands in warning, then slid his hands down her 
arms, caressing every inch in their slow descent to her shoulders. With mouth and hands, he 
explored her shoulders and sides. Again his warm hands closed about her breasts. “Beautiful,” 
he murmured, kissing the top swell of one breast, then the bottom curve. He laved the side 
and circled the tip of his tongue around the dusky center of her breast before lovingly taking 
the nipple between his lips and nipping firmly. 

She jumped, whimpering. Her eyes closed, the better to allow her to enjoy the heady 
sensation of Radin suckling her. He nipped and pulled and bit softly before he lifted his head 
just enough to switch to the other breast. She squirmed beneath him, arching up into his 
mouth. 


Lips firmly latched onto one breast, he slid his hands down to her waist. He held her as 
he spread his own legs, allowing his hands access to her groin. His large hand pressed against 
the apex of her sex, making her cry out. Letting her nipple go with a loud pop, he crawled 
lower down her body, bestowing kisses to her ribs, her belly, her navel, and the soft curve 
just below her navel. 

He paused there, and she had to pry her eyes open and peer down to see why. She 
caught her breath at the sight. Crouched over her, facing up, his chin hovered just above the 
wrap she wore about her waist. The broad expanse of his back and shoulders was partially 
visible beneath a sparse blanket of snowy hair. “You all right, kitten?” 

She whimpered. “No. More.” 

He grinned, then glanced down, a finger tracing the top of her wrap without touching 
skin. “I could stop.” 

“Don’t you dare!” 

He chuckled and untied the wrap. He kissed the bit of hip that was exposed by the 
fabric falling. “Are you sure?” 

“Radin!” 

That made him laugh. He pulled the wrap fully aside to expose her to his sight. He took 
a moment to smile at what he saw, then met her gaze. “You’re exquisite, Irin.” 

She blushed, insanely pleased by the compliment. 

He kissed her other hip, then the top of one thigh as he maneuvered so that her thighs 
were no longer trapped closed beneath him. She spread them for him, watching avidly as he 
settled on his belly and elbows between her legs. He kissed the inside of her other thigh, 
then lapped at the hot crease between thigh and groin. He nuzzled and nipped at the curly 
hair protecting her sex while sliding a single thumb upward through her drenched folds, 
spreading them. She caught her breath as the second thumb joined the first; then, together, 


they spread her sex apart. Radin stared for a moment, licking his lips, then leaned forward to 
bestow the sweetest of kisses to her sex. 

She moaned, caught between watching him and simply falling back to enjoy the 
sensation. She opted for the former and saw his impish glance toward her. Then he leaned in 
and dragged his tongue from anus to clit. Her hips rocked into the motion of their own 
accord, pressing in when he did it again. And again. 

“Radin!” 

He took that as a sign and finally took her clit between his lips and sucked. She 
groaned, her thighs trying to close on the sensation. He caught them, then slid his hands 
nearly to her knees and pressed them back almost to her chest. He pulled back and licked 
again. Laving her. Wetting her. She clutched her hands in the furs above her head. Her eyes 
had fallen closed somewhere along the way, and she could only feel the hot press of his 
tongue as it danced over her sensitive skin. When he settled in to seriously suck her clit, she 
writhed beneath him, unable to help the churning of her hips as she scrabbled for climax. 
Almost there. So good! Almost there! 

“Ahhh!” she screamed, body clenching as molten pleasure shot from her sex through 
the rest of her body. 

“Delicious, kitten,” Radin purred, rubbing his chin through her pulsing sex, watching 
her as she came down. 

“Mmmm,” she sighed, settling her sated body in the furs. 

At least, she thought she was sated. His fingers toyed at her entrance, petting the lips 
apart as he extended his tongue so that just the tip nudged her clit. She squirmed. He 
chuckled, pushing in just a bit more to caress her inner walls. She groaned when he pressed 
in further, two fingers exploring. 

She hissed when he hit a particularly sensitive spot. He purred and rubbed it again, the 
flat of his tongue against her clit. Goddess, he was devouring her! She churned, she moaned, 


driven by the fingers that stretched her and the tongue that lashed her. The fingers matched 
her rocking rhythm, and two became three, and she felt almost full. Another rocking climax 
seized her body, and again she happily melted into the furs. 

Radin’s warmth left her, and she cracked an eye to see him standing, hands at the ties 
to his trousers. She quickly pushed up. 

“Didn’t I tell you to stay there?” 

“But I want to help.” She pouted, moving to kneel before him. 

He sighed. “And after I did so much to make you stay put.” But he didn’t tell her to sit 
back. 

She reared up to press her lips to his, surprised and excited to taste herself on his lips. It 
distracted her enough that she lifted her arms to wrap them around his neck, sucking and 
licking at his lips to taste their combined essence. 

She almost missed that his hands were busy between them, but was aware when 
something hot and hard pressed against her belly. Pulling back from his mouth, she glanced 
down to see his cock, thick and already gleaming from the natural oils from his skin. 
Fascinated, she unwound one arm from his neck and dropped her hand to circle the thick, 
black rod. Radin leaned in to nuzzle her ear, causing waves of silky hair to fall forward and 
obscure her view. The silk of his hair brushed her skin, and the velvety, hot silk of his cock 
slid through her hand. 

“Squeeze harder,” he prompted her, reaching up to push his hair back behind his 
shoulder so she could see. She squeezed and he groaned. He closed his hand around hers and 
guided it up toward the head, then back down. She watched the loose skin bunch and pull, 
wondering how that could feel good. But his groan assured her it did. 

He pushed his trousers down farther until they fell of their own accord to the floor. 
When had he taken off his boots? Sometime when she wasn’t paying attention. Stepping out 
of the trousers, he was now fully naked to her gaze and touch, and he was no longer telling 


her to stay back. She took full advantage, digging her fingers into his hair to cup his skull as 
he nibbled her ear. She kept her grip on his cock. 

Without warning, he caught her hand, startling her into letting go. When she had, he 
shoved to tumble her back into the furs. She squeaked indelicately, but subsided when he 
dropped on top of her. An amazing, exciting feeling of anticipation and, oddly, of safety 
thrilled through her. She felt wonderfully free, sure she could leap to soar from the heights 
and Radin would not only take her higher, but would also see her safely home. 

He propped himself on one elbow, curling that arm beneath one of her shoulders while 
the hand cradled her neck. With the other hand, he traced her lips gently. “Ready, kitten?” 

She squirmed, spreading her thighs wider to more firmly settle him there. She could 
feel his cock pressed to her sex, lengthwise. It felt wonderfully good, but she just knew 
something better was coming. 

“I’ll take that as a yes?” 

“Fuck me, Radin.” 

He caught his breath, and she thrilled at the surge of lust she saw cross his face. Those 
glowing red eyes narrowed in a mock glare. “Such language.” 

She grinned, squirming again. “Learned it from you.” 

He laughed, trailing his fingers down her neck and over her breast. “True.” The hand 
continued until she felt it gripping his cock. He shifted his hips, and finally she felt the blunt 
head at her entrance. “It might hurt.” 

She nodded. “I know. I trust you.” 

He kissed her softly. “That’s all I ask.” 

He pushed in, just a bit, enough that he could let go and grip her hip. She wiggled and 
managed to get him inside a bit more. 

“Oh, Radin.” 


He pushed in a bit more, then pulled out. In, then out. Each time a little farther. She 
clutched his neck, spanning her fingers over the nape to pull his lips to hers. She led the kiss 
as he was distracted by the movement of his hips. She moved with him, enjoying the 
wonderful fullness, the hot brand. 

He stopped, pulling back his head to look down at her. “Are you all right?” 

“I’m wonderful.” 

“Didn’t hurt?” 

She blinked. He was in. All the way in! She lifted her legs and wrapped them about his 
hips, and he sank in just a bit more. “I’m wonderful.” 

He grinned. “Lucky kitten didn’t have the pain.” He mock glared at her. “Sure you’re a 
virgin?” 

She rolled her eyes. “You know I am.” 

He nibbled her chin. “Was, Irin. You were.” 

“Mmmm, yes.” She shifted her hips, loving the friction as he moved inside her. Inside 
her! “Do we move now?” 

“Yes.” He pulled his hips back, and she hissed at the feeling. “We most certainly move 
now.” 

He braced on both elbows above her, his hair a curtain shielding them from reality. 
The only true light for her world was the glow of his eyes as they locked gazes. He pushed 
back inside her wet depths, endless, wonderful friction. He set a slow rhythm that steadily 
increased, his hips rocking, her hips matching. Soon he was grinding hard against her, his 
hard body pressed so tightly to hers that her clit scraped delightfully against muscle. She dug 
her nails into his back, struggling to gouge at the tough, satiny skin. 

“Radin. Radin. Radin,” she chanted his name as a mantra, mind leaving her body as his 
fused with hers. 


Her mind let loose the reins, and her body escaped, tumbling into his. She buried her 
face in his neck, biting his shoulder against the moans that he pushed from her lungs. Again 
and again. More and more. Rolling. Tumbling. More. Radin. 

Her body tore apart, and she screamed. Her hips fought to push into him, ever harder, 
ever more as the rest of her body froze in suspended time. Whimpering, panting, she bit him 
hard over the screams, then collapsed in a heap beneath him. 

When she could open her eyes, she blearily saw him grinning down at her. He wasn’t 
moving, just staring. When she fidgeted, she gasped to feel him still hard deep within her. 

Her mouth fell open in shock. “There’s more?” she asked, voice ragged. 

He laughed, briefly kissing her cheek. “Oh, my, yes, kitten. There’s so much more.” 


Chapter Eight 

 

Radin returned to find Irin standing unabashedly naked before the table on which 
Alrek had laid a meal. Her soft brown hair fell straight about her shoulders and back, tickling 
the top of her sweetly rounded ass. Radin was quite thankful that Irin took Salin’s training 
seriously and practiced with weapons on a regular basis. In addition to increasing her safety, 
it also kept her body nicely honed and muscled. He smiled to remember the tight grip of her 
thighs about his waist. 

Chuckling at how the very fact made his cock stir -- or maybe it was the view? -- he 
closed the door behind him. She turned to him, one end of a meat pasty sticking from 
between her lips. “Hungry?” he asked. 

“Where’ve you been?” she demanded over her bite of pasty. He noticed she was not the 
least bit self-conscious in her nudity. 

“I went to report on your progress to Nalfien and Hyle.” 

She blushed then, a very pretty flush to her cheeks and neck. “I’d forgotten that.” 
Recovering, she chewed, arching a brow at him. “And how am I doing?” 

He shrugged, stepping up beside her to pick up a crunchy, sweet bite-size tuber and 
pop it in his mouth. “You’ve made a good start.” 


She sniffed, finishing off her pasty in one unladylike shove into her mouth. “I think I 
did very well.” 

He couldn’t help but laugh. She was so much the child he’d known, but also this 
delightful young woman. She pretended to ignore him, bringing a mug of wine to her lips to 
wash down the pasty. He took the opportunity to take in the sight of her body, lean and 
strong, like a young doe in her first season. He slid his hand over the curve of her rump, 
letting his fingers trail down the center seam. She shivered, sidling a step closer to him. 

When she put down the mug, he reached out to twine one finger in the necklace she 
always wore. He used it to pull her mouth toward his. “You did very well. Let’s see if you can 
do better.” 

He sampled her mouth, struck by the heady taste of her. An overwhelming warmth 
suffused from her to him and made him fully hard in an instant, his erection pressing into 
her side through his trousers. It had been so long since he’d taken a woman for a full nine 
days. Why ever had he stopped? She turned into him, eagerly wrapping her arms around his 
neck. Radin held her close and deepened the kiss as she busily worked to free his hair from 
the band that kept it in a tail down his back. He walked her back toward the bed and gently 
pushed her onto it when her calves hit the side. She dropped gracefully, sweet round face 
turned up with an expectant grin. He matched it. 

“Still hungry?” He gestured at the table casually. “Should I make a plate for you?” 

She snorted, hands landing on the ties of his trousers. “No. What I’m hungry for is right 
here.” 

He laughed, amused at her straightforward eagerness. He let her untie his lacings and 
gasped when she barely shoved aside the fabric to get at the cock within. “Patience, kitten.” 

She paid his words no mind. Her eyes were big and round, watching her own hands 
palm and encircle his length. She could wrap both hands about him, side by side, and still the 


head of his cock was exposed. “So big,” she breathed, using a thumb to gently press back the 
loose skin and expose the head. 

Vain creature that he was, Radin couldn’t help the surge of pride at her innocent 
admiration. “Thank you.” 

“Are they all the same size?” 

He chuckled. “No. I’m a tad longer than most.” Carefully, he pushed at the waistband 
of his trousers, freeing more of his groin to the warm air. “Here.” He placed one of his hands 
over hers at the base of his cock, squeezing to let her know she didn’t have to tread so 
lightly. The thumb of the other hand he slid along the top of his cock to the head, gathering 
the lubricating oil that already shone on the skin. He swiped the thumb lastly through the 
drop of pre-come oozing from the eye, then lifted the thumb to her lips. 

Her eyes went wide, watching his actions, then flashing up at him when his thumb 
reached her mouth. 

“Taste.” 

Her lips parted, perhaps more in surprise than anything, but she accepted his thumb 
willingly enough. They both groaned, she at the taste and he at the exquisite feel of her little 
tongue lapping at him. 

 

She suckled Radin’s thumb, nearly forgetting the hands she still had wrapped around 
his cock. He tasted so good! Warm and tingly on the tongue. He started to pull back, and she 
actually bit his knuckle to keep him from escaping. His chuckle broke into her enjoyment. 
Raising her eyes to his, she released his thumb with a wet pop. “You taste good.” 

“Oh?” He threaded his fingers in her hair and tugged slightly. “It tastes even better at 
the source.” 

Her eyes dropped to the head of the huge organ that pointed at her. First she licked her 
lips; then she darted her tongue out to lap at the tiny ooze of white seeping from the head. 


Radin’s rumbling sigh of pleasure goaded her, and she licked the head, swiping it as though 
to clean it of the delicious oils that covered it. She let the tip slip through her lips, exploring 
the heated, satiny texture with just lips and the tip of her tongue as she kept both fists 
wrapped about its length. She hummed, pushing forward to circle the rim of the head, 
fascinated by the combination of firm and soft. 

Radin gasped. Irin glanced up. His eyes were closed, and a grimace painted his dark 
features. His head was tilted forward so some of that wealth of silky hair spilled forward to 
shroud his shoulders. She hummed again, entranced by the sight. She let go of his cock with 
her near hand, giving her mouth more room to slide forward. He filled her completely, 
nudging the back of her throat. The taste of him coated her mouth, and she closed to her 
eyes, the better to savor it. 

 

Bliss. Pure, sweet bliss. Radin held Irin’s head lightly, encouraging her in her 
maddening explorations. She nipped and sucked so delicately, sampling him like a delicious 
treat. Even untutored, her obvious enjoyment spread a nearly tangible warmth through his 
groin, down his legs, and up his body. It was the most delicious feeling and one he was 
wholly unprepared for. He stood for long, exquisite moments, letting his mind go to just 
enjoy. 

His body would not put up with it for long. Delicately, he cupped the back of her head, 
threading his fingers through her hair. He used the hold to pull her back, allowing her lips to 
slowly slide along his length. She opened her eyes to meet his gaze, and he smiled. “Suck,” he 
suggested, hearing the dark promise in his own voice. She did, and he nearly squirmed like a 
boy at the jolt that tingled in his balls. “Oh, yes,” he sighed, guiding her head forward, then 
pulling it back again, just as slowly. “Do that.” 

She smiled as best she could around his girth, then took over. She gripped his hips with 
both hands, using them to guide him back and forth into the sweet haven of her mouth. That 
tingling sensation danced underneath his skin, shimmering through his entire body to 


coalesce in a burning ball just in front of the base of his spine. One of her hands slid forward 
to tentatively explore his balls. He gasped at the fiery sensation that nearly made him come 
down her throat. 

He pulled her head away and laughed breathlessly at her confused pout. “That was 
exquisite, kitten,” he assured her, placing a knee on the platform between her thighs. “But if 
I let you go on, this would be over too soon.” 

She grinned, happily scooting father back at his slight gesture. She spread her thighs 
willingly, and he settled between them, nestling his cock against the heat of her sex. He 
pressed his lips to hers, tasting himself on the tongue she extended to mate with his. She was 
perfect for him. 

Truemate? 

He put the thought aside in favor of enjoying the moment. 

She murmured against his lips. “Radin.” 

“Yes, kitten?” 

“Do we have to go slow this time?” 

He chuckled. “You didn’t like last time?” 

She bit his bottom lip. “That’s not it and you know it. It’s just ...” 

He raised his head to see her entire face, curious where this was going. “Just?” 

She smiled, somewhat embarrassed. “Every time I’ve seen sex, it’s been fast and ... 
hard.” 

He grinned. “We did that.” 

She tugged at a lock of his hair, grimacing at him. “I know. But ...” 

He took pity on her. Abruptly, he pulled back to kneel. He grabbed her shoulders. “I 
know what you want. Turn over.” 

Her eyes rounded, but she squirmed to obey. 


He groaned at the sight of that pert little ass turned toward him. He placed both palms 
over her rounded cheeks, spanning each with his long fingers, and squeezed. She moaned, 
peeking at him over her shoulder. 

Grinning at her, he slipped his thumb between her cheeks and tickled her anus. “We’ll 
save this for another time,” he promised, just to see the wicked surprise in her expressive 
blue eyes. 

He put one hand on her back, pushing. Off guard, she fell forward, cheek to the furs, 
which made it easy for him to nudge her thighs farther apart. The bright pink of her sex 
unfolded before him. He aimed his cock and slid all the way inside. 

 

Irin gasped at the sudden invasion, loving the stretch of her inner muscles to 
accommodate him. She moaned, gripping the furs beneath her as he pulled back and shoved 
forward. 

“Is that what you want?” he purred above her. 

“Mmmm! More!” 

She braced herself as he shoved again, parting her when she wasn’t quite ready. Wet, 
but tight. He hammered something deep inside her, something she could only assume was 
her womb, and the agony of that was another sort of pleasure that she didn’t bother to try to 
comprehend. She squirmed and pushed back, eager to accept any and all that he had to give. 

His hands closed around her shoulders, pressing her to the furs and bracing him for the 
hard, hot pounding that had her crying out. Tears seeped into the sweat that now shined on 
her skin. She couldn’t move enough, and she couldn’t fathom staying still, squirming and 
fighting his hold although she was exactly where she wanted to be. 

She reached back to him with all she had, physically and mentally. She needed to 
consume him whole and focused every ounce of her being to that goal. The very air she 
breathed coalesced about her, suffocating her with heat. She pushed that back at him, 


covering him, merging with him. Her life expanded until she couldn’t contain it, and she 
screamed her release. 

 

Radin shouted, unable to stave off the release Irin’s tight little body pulled from him. 
Heat imploded, sucking from his skin, down his spine and into his balls, then shot out of his 
cock as he came in endless spurts into Irin’s choking grasp. 

He fell forward with a gasping cry, collapsing her below him. Mindful, he gathered her 
to his chest and rolled to his side, hugging her to him. They both panted into the oblivion of 
sleep as their heated release dwindled away. 


Chapter Nine 

 

Radin lay on his side, watching Irin sleep. She curled in the furs, very much like the 
kitten he always called her, with her hands in loose fists tucked beneath her chin. Her long 
legs tangled with his, one soft thigh pressed warmly beneath his balls, his mostly soft sex 
nestled against hers. The fire behind her was banked to mere coals, and as it was the sole 
illumination in the room, it was only his night vision that allowed him to watch her. He kept 
his body close, letting his heat keep her warm so she didn’t need a blanket. He idly 
wondered what that little round face would look like when her skin turned gleaming black. 
The thought itself made his cock twitch in interest. 

She sighed, almost as though she sensed it. She settled farther down in the furs, one of 
her hands escaping to search for and blindly find his chest. In her sleep, she smiled. 

Radin. 

Radin blinked. If he hadn’t been staring straight at her, if he hadn’t seen that her 
mouth never moved as she cuddled by his side, he would have thought his name was spoken 
aloud. 


His blood ran cold, quenching any lustful feelings he was starting to entertain. 
Cautiously, he probed his magical sense toward that inner place where her voice had 
sounded. Soft and sensuous, but definitely heard. Irin? 

Hmmm? 

He sat up abruptly. She yelped, eyes flying open and hands clutching as he pulled her 
up with him. His hands gripped her arms, forcing her to face him. The fire in the fireplace 
flared to life at a thought from him. 

Eyes wide, she met his intent stare. “What?” 

“You spoke in my mind.” 

She frowned, still battling the sleep that had just held her. “I did?” 

“Do it again.” 

She shook her head, mouth dropping open. “I ... I don’t ...” 

Do you hear me? 

She gaped. “Your mouth didn’t move!” 

His gaze narrowed. He released one of her arms and reached out to snag one of the 
candles from the stand beside the bed. With a thought he lit the flame. He held the candle 
between them. “Watch.” Carefully, slowly, he used a bit of magic to extinguish, then relight 
the candle. This was among the easiest magical tasks to perform. “Can you do that?” 

“What? What’s going on?” 

“Question me later.” He shook her slightly and played the candle again. “Can you do 
that?” 

Wonderful girl that she was, Irin held her questions. She looked at the flame, frowning 
hard. She didn’t succeed in relighting the wick, but Radin saw what he needed to see in her 
attempt. It was faint. So faint he could have missed it, but it was there. 


“Sweet mother of us all!” He gasped, dropping the unlit candle in his lap and gripping 
her shoulder again. “Irin, you’re a mage.” 

“What?!” 

Radin shook his head, then impatiently swiped a lock of white hair from his face. “I 
don’t know how, and I don’t know when. Maybe ... Well, magic comes to you at maturity. 
Fuck! How much did we cheat you with that damn spell?!” 

“A mage?” 

“Don’t you feel it? The air, the power around you?” 

“I ... I just thought it was the lust. The changing spell. Everything’s so new ...” 

Radin’s jaw dropped. The heat during their lovemaking. It hadn’t all been imagined! 
“Mother of us all!” 

She clutched his sides, searching his face. “Radin ...?” 

He squeezed her shoulders. “Kitten. Great goddess!” 

She giggled, a slightly hysterical edge to it. “I’m a mage?” 

He left her have her bit of joy. He didn’t tell her what had already occurred to him. But 
he had to act. “Yes.” He wound some of his power around her even as he wound his arms 
about her body, shielding her both physically and magically. Only when he was sure he had 
her encompassed did he shout. “Alrek!” 

A few heartbeats later, the door opened and the boy stuck his head in. “Radin? Do you 
need something?” 

Radin fought to keep his voice level, almost lazy. “Yes. Send for Savous. Bring him 
here.” 

The boy blinked. “Savous?” 

“Yes. Now.” He wanted to add “hurry,” but didn’t. Word of Savous’s presence would 
get out. It would spread sooner if Radin sounded desperate. 


Irin picked up the candle from between them, staring at the wick. “What’s wrong, 
Radin? Why did you call for Savous?” 

He cradled her loosely as she tried the candle again. “I need his help.” 

“Why?” 

He searched her face. Searched the aura that surrounded her. Yes, it was there. It was 
faint now, but it would grow and, he suspected, grow fast. Magic rarely consented to being 
hidden for long. When it was unleashed, it was usually with a vengeance. He could only be 
thankful that hers had not been introduced with a flare of magic. 

Or had it? What exactly had he felt that last time they made love? He hadn’t passed out 
after sex since he was a much younger man, and then only in the beginning. Had he felt the 
first of her magic then? If so, how lucky that it was couched in sex. 

“You’re coming into your powers. Fast. The first spurts of magic use are always, shall 
we say, ‘loud’ and barely controlled. Even with a mentor. If I’m to guide you through it, I 
need his help to shield us.” 

She raised a hand to clutch over her breast. “Am I likely to hurt someone?” 

He rubbed a thumb over her knuckles, seeking to soothe her. “Not with my help, 
kitten. But Savous can keep anyone else from sensing you.” 

“Sensing ...?” She was a quick girl. She’d grown up among them. She figured it out. 
Horror took over her face. “The rhaeja!” 

Grimacing, Radin nodded. He tucked her head under his chin, seeking to envelop her 
in safety while he still could. 

Irin clutched Radin’s hand. Panic pulsed in her aura, pushing her fledgling power at 
him. She knew the prophecy. “Radin, you don’t think I’m ...” 

“It doesn’t matter what I think, kitten. It matters what he thinks.” He smoothed a hand 
over her head and exerted a bit of power to soothe her aura. To contain her. It was as much 
as he could do without Savous there. To do more might draw unwanted attention. 


“Radin!” 

“Shhh, kitten. Don’t think about it. Savous will be here, and he’ll shield us. I’ll lead you 
through this first burst of power and teach you to handle it. That’s the first thing. Then we’ll 
figure out what to do.” 

Unconvinced, she huddled in his arms, burrowing into his embrace. He felt her 
shudder, felt the tears, but she did her best to contain the panic. 


Chapter Ten 

 

Savous lay on his back in the dark of his room. The cold didn’t affect him, nor did the 
dark, but he wondered at the fact that he had lain wide awake in the same position for half 
the day. He’d returned late in the night from his quest for the galpa fruit. The spiny fruit was 
piled in a sack on the floor near the door, ready to be taken to the rhaeja. 

Perhaps that’s what kept him there. He knew that his next task should be to see his 
father and complete his supposed punishment, but his angry resentment had yet to die 
enough for him to face Valanth. 

Dreidon had told him that Radin was with Irin. He told himself he was glad. If either 
of them was her first, it really ought to be Radin. He had two hundred cycles more 
experience on Savous and a far keener interest in the ladies. Although Savous did appreciate 
women, he’d spent too much time with his history and calculation scrolls to have become 
the true connoisseur that Radin was. Irin deserved for her first time to be the best. 

That’s what Savous told himself. 

A knock on the door roused him finally. He pushed up and crossed the room easily in 
the pitch black. 

“Hello, Trev,” he greeted the boy who waited outside. 


“Savous.” The boy grinned. “Radin sent for you.” 

“Radin? Isn’t he with Irin?” 

The grin grew. “Yes.” 

Savous blinked. Then laughed. “Well, if he needs help with her, who am I to deny him, 
eh?” 

The boy laughed with him. 

“Oh, Trev. I need you to do something for me.” He leaned down and gathered up the 
sack of fruit. “Deliver this to the rhaeja for me.” 

The boy’s eyes widened, but he accepted the sack with a nod. 

Savous wondered if Valanth would let him get away with not delivering the fruit 
himself, but he pushed the thought from his mind. Both he and his father knew that the true 
punishment was missing Irin’s virgin contest. That was over. 

He stopped, glancing the way the boy had gone. He wondered if he should have told 
Trev not to mention that he was going to Radin and Irin. With a sigh, he shrugged. It was 
too late now. 

 

Alrek let him into the outer room of the suite Radin and Irin were sharing for their 
nine days. The boy couldn’t quite contain his knowing grin. Savous had to match it, 
wondering what Radin was up to now. 

Begin Radin’s apprentice was rarely dull. 

Savous opened the door. “What’s wrong, old man? Irin too much for you?” He frowned 
as he closed it. Irin sat in Radin’s lap, tucked tightly against his chest. They were both naked, 
but there was nothing remotely sexual about their embrace. She was frightened, and he was 
in protective mode. It made Savous’s scalp itch. “What’s wrong?” 

Radin jerked his chin at him. “Shield the room.” 


“What?” 

“I’ll explain after you shield the room.” 

“From what?” 

“Magic detection.” 

He wanted to ask, but two hundred cycles as Radin’s apprentice had taught him that 
tone. Rarely used, it was always better to do what he asked first and question later. The spell 
was a familiar one, so it didn’t take him long. Radin had set it early on in their 
apprenticeship every time he was going to teach Savous a new spell or twist to his power. 
After a time, Savous had learned to set it himself for their sessions. He drew in power and 
sealed the walls with it. “All right. Done.” He stepped up to the bed. “What’s going on? Just 
why couldn’t you cast a simple shielding spell on your own?” 

“All of my concentration is going to shield Irin,” Radin snapped. “She’s a mage, and her 
powers just woke. I couldn’t take any chances.” 

“She’s what?” Savous felt the trickle of power as Radin lowered his guard. 

“She’s a mage. At least. Maybe a sorcerer. I can’t tell yet.” 

“She can’t be! We’d have known.” 

Radin shook his head, scooting both Irin and himself further toward one side of the 
bed to make room for Savous to sit. “My best guess, her power was suppressed along with her 
lust and her bleeding.” 

Irin peeked at Savous through her bangs, her face barely visible behind Radin’s arm. 
The lost look broke Savous’s heart. He knelt beside them and reached out to smooth a hand 
over her hair, nearly breaking into tears himself when he saw the moisture brimming in her 
eyes. 

“He’s going to take me,” she whispered. 

No need to ask who she meant. Savous forced a grin, deliberately misunderstanding 
her. “Who? Radin? Hasn’t he taken you yet, kitten?” 


She didn’t respond to the teasing. “No. The rhaeja. If I’m a mage ...” She trailed off 
unhappily. 

Radin unwound one arm from Irin and used the freed hand to brush tears from her 
cheeks. “Don’t think about that now, kitten. Let’s give you some control over this power of 
yours. Then we’ll worry about other things.” He lifted his gaze to Savous. “I’ll need you to 
stay here. You’ll need to make sure that no one knows what’s happening.” 

Savous cocked his head. The first mastering of the power could take awhile. Depending 
on the student, it could take days. “There will be talk.” 

Radin shrugged. “It can’t be helped. Our only consolation is that it’s me. Everyone 
might just dismiss it as one of my whims.” 

“Are you ...” He glanced at Irin, but decided he had to ask. “Are you sure you can do 
this? Human magic might be different than ours.” 

Radin took a breath. “We don’t have a choice. It’s similar enough. I saw it ... belatedly.” 
Savous heard the self-disgust in his master’s voice. Radin being Radin, however, he brushed 
it off in favor of the situation at hand. “Can you hold?” 

Savous considered it, now that he knew Radin’s reason in calling him. He studied Irin, 
aware of her nudity, of her beauty, but he tried desperately to put it aside. “Give me a 
moment to settle the shield.” He glanced across the room. “Looks like Alrek’s yet to stock 
you for the day.” He looked at the time statue, the orange-red flame indicating it was barely 
past dawn. “Should we have him fetch it now?” 

Radin considered it, then nodded. 

Savous leaned over the bed and quickly discarded his boots. Before rising, he leaned 
toward the still-embracing couple. He grinned at Irin. “Give me a kiss, kitten.” 

“What?” 

“Alrek’s going to expect that we’ve started something. We’ve got to make this look 
good.” 


Radin snorted, smiling softly. “Always thinking.” He nudged Irin. “Kiss him, kitten.” 

She bit her lip, but pulled from Radin’s embrace, kneeling on the furs. Savous saw the 
drag on Radin’s aura, saw his master keeping her magic in check. Smiling for her, he reached 
out to cup her chin in one hand. He purred for her. “Lucky me. I thought I’d have to wait for 
this privilege.” 

She flushed, and a smile teased at her lips. 

While she was smiling, he leaned in and touched his lips to hers. She responded 
willingly, opening under the tongue he swiped over her mouth. He plunged inside and 
instantly forgot his surroundings. The taste of her was finer than wine and sweeter than any 
dessert he’d ever sampled. Groaning, he slid a hand up and into her hair, securing her mouth 
to his. With his free hand, he reached around her hips and hauled her against him. In a 
simple twist of his waist, he had her straddling his lap, pressed against him. Her strong arms 
wrapped around his neck, her fingers tugging at his hair. 

Radin’s groan brought him back to reality. Reluctantly, he pulled his lips from Irin’s, 
but couldn’t quite force himself to release her. “Sorry,” he muttered, his lips brushing hers. 
She tried to press forward, but his hand in her hair prevented the movement. “Radin, I ...” 

“Forget it. Fuck her.” 

Irin shuddered in his arms, an exquisite little mewl squeezing from her lungs. 

He fought for reason. “What?” 

“The lust is too high.” Savous recognized the deep, rumbling tone of Radin’s lust. 
“We’ll need to take the edge off just to get anything done.” 

Savous managed to turn his head to face his master. Irin did her best to distract him by 
nuzzling his ear. Radin’s eyes were half closed, his hand already wrapped around his cock. 
Radin smiled at him. “Fuck her.” 

“But ...” 

“You didn’t think you’d get through days here without it, did you?” 


“I haven’t had much chance to think.” 

 

“Don’t think!” Irin pleaded. She scraped her fingernails over the sleek skin of Savous’s 
shoulders. She barely heard anything they said past Radin telling Savous to fuck her. Yes. She 
fought his hold on her hair and managed to get a bit more give. She found his ear and sucked 
hard on the lobe. His body shook. “Fuck me,” she demanded, breathing hotly into his ear. 

He groaned, twisting his head back to take her mouth again. She matched the sound, 
squirming excitedly against him. She scraped her nails from his shoulders down over the 
hard muscles of his chest and belly until she found the waistband of his trousers. Anxiously, 
she pulled at the fastening, breaking something in her haste. She freed him and clutched the 
hard length, pressing the head into her belly. He gasped from their kiss, then bit down on 
her bottom lip. She moaned, pumping him as his fingers clutched her bottom. 

“Fuck me.” The command was harsh. Later she’d explore him, she promised herself. 
Now, she just needed him inside. 

His strong hands lifted her. She positioned his cock once she was high enough. Then 
his hands abruptly slammed her down. 

She screamed, only barely hearing his echoing groan. It was painfully good. She 
wrapped her legs around his waist, pressing her ankles into the small of his back as she 
clutched at his shoulders. That wondrous, frightening feeling boiled in her belly, in that 
place deep inside that his cock kept hitting as he lifted and slammed her back down 
repeatedly. 

“Wait,” he muttered, stilling his hands. Breathing. 

“No!” she cried, rocking her hips. She was so close. 

“I won’t last.” 

“I don’t care. Now!” 


An agonized moan ripped from his throat, and abruptly his hands were gone. Blind and 
desperate, Irin took over. Bracing her hands on his shoulders and folding her knees to either 
side of his lean hips to get leverage, she lifted and dropped in his lap. She screamed again, 
trying to release that storm, trying to trigger that -- 

She tensed and exploded. 

It was precious moments of heavy breathing before Irin could open her eyes. She saw 
now where Savous’s hands had gone. Radin knelt behind his apprentice, gripping the 
younger man’s wrists behind his back. Savous panted now, his back supported against Radin’s 
chest. Those beautiful, blazing red eyes were closed, and honey-kissed hair webbed his face. 

Irin met Radin’s amused gaze. Brief worry crossed her mind. This was, after all, 
supposed to be their time together, and she had quite ruthlessly taken Savous without a 
moment’s hesitation. 

But the worry faded in the face of his amusement. He didn’t seem remotely upset. 
Tenderly, he brushed the hair from Savous’s face and slid his other hand around to rest on 
the man’s chest. “Feel better, kitten?” 

She smiled, a huge, lazy grin. She rotated her hips and jumped at the unexpected 
pleasure as Savous’s still-hard cock moved inside her. “Much,” she assured Radin, placing her 
hand just below his on Savous’s chest and rocking again. 

This time Savous arched, a look near pain scrunching his features. He rocked his hips 
beneath her, digging his fingers into her thighs. “Wasn’t I supposed to be getting Alrek for 
food and drink?” he groaned, eyes still closed. 

Radin chuckled. “Later.” He bent his head and nipped at Savous’s earlobe. A lock of 
Radin’s hair fell forward over Savous’s chest, almost obscuring his hand as he idly plucked 
Savous’s nipple. “Will your shielding hold for Irin’s first lesson?” 

Irin gasped, halting with her groin locked tightly, perfectly with Savous’s. “Now?” 


Savous peeked at her and chuckled. Or was it a groan? “Radin almost always teaches 
through sex.” 

Radin glanced up at her from beneath snowy-white lashes. “Makes it much more 
enjoyable that way.” 

She gaped, then laughed. “Everything they’ve said about you is true, isn’t it?” 

“Perhaps.” He brushed his lips over his apprentice’s temple. “Savous?” 

“Yes. The shield will hold.” 

Radin teased the tip of Savous’s pointed ear with his tongue. “Will you hold?” 

Savous groaned as Irin languidly lifted and sank on his cock. “Not if she keeps doing 
that.” 

Radin chuckled. “Try and hold for a while.” He reached up to cup Irin’s chin, meeting 
her gaze fully. “Fuck him slow, kitten. Feel him inside you. It’s comfortable. It’s safe, yes?” 

She groaned, shutting her eyes as the feeling started to mount again. “It’s not exactly 
comfortable.” 

He laughed. “But it’s good, isn’t it?” 

“Oh, yes.” 

“He’s surrounded by you.” 

“Mmmm.” 

“Savous, turn around and put her between us.” 

Savous reached out to pull her against his chest. Holding her, he twisted without ever 
losing his place deep within her cunt. The two men quickly had her arranged between them. 
Her back was cushioned by the hard muscles of Radin’s chest and belly, his cock a hard 
brand against the small of her back. Savous gathered up her thighs and wound them around 
his waist, leaning in so he could nuzzle her neck as he commenced a smooth, even glide in 
and out of her pussy. 


“Now,” Radin continued in a calm voice, as though Savous was not slowly driving her 
to distraction, “you’re surrounded by us.” Radin kissed her temple and ghosted his lips over 
her ear. “Do you feel safe?” 

“Y ... Oh! Yes.” 

“Good. Concentrate on it. Memorize it. Decide how it feels, and hold that in your 
mind.” 

“Concentrate?” 

He chuckled. “Yes. Concentrate. It’s easy. Can you really think about anything else but 
how it feels to be surrounded by us?” 

Truthfully, no. So she did as he asked. She memorized the warmth, the press of bodies. 
She squirmed under Savous, trying to speed him up, but he seemed to be in tune with 
Radin’s calm voice and kept up the slow, measured pace. 

“That’s it, kitten. Now, go to that place where you spoke mind to mind to me earlier.” 

Savous gasped. “Mind to mind?” 

Radin ignored him. “Can you go back there, kitten?” 

She frowned. She still wasn’t sure how she’d done it, so she wasn’t sure where to go 
“back” to. 

Radin’s hands smoothed over her cheeks. “It’s all right, kitten. Don’t try so hard. It’s 
not something you can look for. Go back to feeling safe.” 

She followed his instructions, feeling safe, then searching for the elusive something 
inside her. All the while, Savous distracted her by building a fire in her belly that began to 
boil through her blood. She squirmed beneath him, trying to concentrate, trying to focus on 
Radin’s words. She couldn’t stay still. 

“Savous, more,” Radin murmured. 

“Finally,” Savous grumbled and picked up the pace, slamming hard into Irin. 


She came on a scream, clutching Savous’s shoulders. But he wasn’t done with her. 
Radin murmured in her ear, holding her, tweaking her nipples as Savous dove into her, 
catching her before she landed with the first climax and quickly building her toward 
another. She built, she soared. 

Savous! she cried. 

Savous’s eyes went wide, and he lost hold of his control. His body convulsed over hers. 

There, Irin! said Radin in her mind. 

Goddess! Savous cried as he came. 

Savous braced over her, panting. She lay warm and lax beneath him, but Radin caught 
her chin, shaking her so she’d open her eyes. “Remember it, Irin?” The urgent tone in his 
voice woke some sense in her. 

“I ... No.” 

Radin grinned. Savous groaned and fell to the bed beside them. Radin pulled her up 
farther on the bed and arranged himself so that he lay atop her, his hips cradled in hers. “It’s 
all right, kitten. No one gets it the first time.” He nuzzled her jaw. “But we have days to keep 
trying.” 


Chapter Eleven 

 

“What will you tell Nalfien?” Savous’s voice was low in an effort not to wake the 
woman curled against his side. 

Radin stared at her for a long, silent moment as he tied his trousers. “I have to tell him 
the truth. If we’ve any hope of keeping her from ... him, we’ll need Nalfien’s help.” 

Savous nodded unhappily, nuzzling the top of Irin’s head. “You’re probably right.” 

“I’m always right.” 

Savous sniffed at the old, shared joke, but the smile didn’t come to his face. 

Neither did it come to Radin’s. “Will you be all right?” 

Savous dug his hand into Irin’s hair, gently massaging her neck. “If this wild woman 
doesn’t break me in two, yes.” 

Irin gave up the pretense and opened her eyes. “You wish.” 

“I hope.” 

Her eyes turned up to meet Radin’s from where she was tucked up underneath Savous’s 
chin. “Will he come and get me?” 


“Nalfien? I doubt it. He and the rhaeja haven’t been on the best of terms for tens of 
cycles now. He’s not going to let you go without a fight.” 

“That might be worse,” she muttered. 

Both men chose to overlook her statement. 

“All right, you two, don’t have too much fun while I’m gone. Remember, this is my 
nine-day.” Radin left. 

Savous and Irin were silent for a time, simply lying side by side, sharing warmth. Then 
Savous had enough of the maudlin feel to the air. He slid his hand down Irin’s back, shoving 
furs and blankets out of the way to expose her backside. 

“Savous ...” 

“Shhh.” He caressed her back, determined to enjoy her smooth skin. “Don’t think about 
it.” 

“But what if ...” 

“Stop. We’re doing all that we can.” He used his other hand to tilt her chin so that she 
looked at him. He smiled into those huge blue eyes, feeling his heart shudder at the fear he 
saw there. “I won’t let him have you, Irin. I promise.” 

“You can’t promise that.” 

He sighed. She was too quick and too smart. “I can promise that it’ll be over my dead 
body.” 

She reached up to clutch at his neck, frowning. “Don’t say that! I couldn’t bear it if you 
died.” 

He pressed a kiss to her open lips. “And I couldn’t bear it if he had you.” 

She kissed him, but refused to be comforted. “Why do you hate your father so, 
Savous?” 


She’d asked before, many times when they’d been alone during her younger days. He’d 
always evaded the question. But then she’d been a child. Now she was a woman and in 
danger. She deserved an answer. 

“He’s supposed to be our icon. Our leader. We don’t follow for the same reasons 
humans do. We follow because She who made us chose. She chose him. And he’s chosen to 
serve his own ends rather than see to our needs.” He shut his eyes, kneading her flesh to 
comfort himself as well as her. “He was hurt by my mother’s death, and he turned inward. I 
don’t know how, but he’s used his magic to cause the death of each of the women who have 
come to his bed since then. He’s used his magic in other ways that I can’t prove, and he’s 
made the raedjour as a race weaker.” He shook his head, staring into her eyes as he cupped 
her jaw. “I’ve stood by and done nothing. The one time I spoke out, all it earned me was 
missing your virgin contest.” Her eyes went wide. He sighed. “I confronted him. I blamed 
him for Brin’s death. He punished me by making sure I missed your virgin contest.” 

“Brin’s dead?” 

He nodded, unhappy to be the one to tell her. But he could see why that had been kept 
from her just before her virgin contest. “I blamed him for her death and for the others’. I’m 
just lucky that he was in a relatively good mood and no one else was around; otherwise he 
would have sent me to the vetriese instead.” 

“Would that be so bad?” 

He paused, wondering how much to tell her. “Yes.” 

“Why?” 

Seeking to distract her, he twisted to his side, pulling her up against his chest. “It 
doesn’t matter.” 

Again, she allowed the kiss, but wouldn’t be distracted. “Why won’t you go into the 
vetriese, Savous?” 

“My own reasons.” 


“But everyone says you’ll be marked as the next rhaeja.” 

He froze, staring at Irin’s chin. Radin and Nalfien were the only others who had spoken 
the words to him. 

Irin, in her innocence, clutched at his shoulders. “Savous, I don’t understand. If you 
want to stop him, wouldn’t being the next rhaeja give you some say?” 

He closed his eyes. 

Soft, caring hands caressed his cheeks, tilting his face toward hers even thought he still 
wouldn’t look at her. “Savous, please. I just want to understand.” 

He swallowed. “She chose him, Irin.” His words were soft, pulled from his heart. “She 
chose him, and She’s let him do this to us, Her people.” He licked his lips and opened his 
eyes. “How do I trust a goddess who entrusted us to that man?” 

 

Irin’s eyes went big as she stared into Savous’s tortured face. His words sank in, and 
they made perfect sense. Rhae. How had She allowed this to happen? 

Irin leaned forward and pressed her lips to Savous’s, eager to wipe away the pain she 
saw there. She couldn’t stand it. 

He seemed just as happy to cease their conversation. He gathered her into his arms, 
inserting a leg between her thighs to open them. She spread readily, tucking her leg up and 
over his slim hip. It opened her wide enough that his searching cock found her opening. 
Together, they eased closer, the connection sealed when he was seated deep inside her. 

They stayed still a moment, locked in embrace, locked in each other. A perfect union. 
A perfect moment. She felt that something within her, that burbling stream that Radin had 
turned her attention to, come to the surface. 

Irin, Savous murmured in her mind, nuzzling her lips. His awe at the ability to speak 
mind to mind laced his thoughts along with a deeper, warmer feeling reserved only for her 
and this beautiful moment of perfect connection. 


That something in him brushed against that something in her, and the contact was 
amazing. She tried to control the bit that she shared with him, but it proved to be impossible. 
Whatever she was wanted to mesh with him, and her very soul reached out to twine with 
his in a more intimate embrace than the one in which their bodies were locked. 

“Savous, I can’t control it,” she whimpered as they began to rock in a dark, primal 
rhythm. 

“It’s all right,” he soothed. “I have you.” 

“But you’re shielding us. What if he senses ...?” 

“He won’t. It’s all right. It’s just us. I have you.” 

She had to trust him. He knew far more about these things than she. She could only 
accept when he turned them so she was tucked beneath him. She could only hold on, 
wrapping arms and legs around his muscular body as he took hers. She could only accept the 
blinding heat of the lust that burned in her blood. And she could only experience in awe the 
awareness that a mystical, magical other part of her mated similarly with him. 

Climax was almost lost in the sensation of utter completion. 


Chapter Twelve 

 

Nalfien sat back, staring confounded at Radin. “So you brought Savous in on your nine-
day to help shield her.” It was a statement, not a question. “I had wondered ...” 

Hyle leaned forward at the table, dumbfounded by Radin’s revelation. 

Radin nodded calmly, well familiar with Nalfien’s pattern of addressing small issues 
when the larger had taken him by surprise. “I didn’t have much choice in the matter. I 
couldn’t contain her and guide her at the same time.” 

Nalfien nodded, intently studying the hand he had spread out before him on the table. 
Hyle sat back, still stunned. Radin allowed them time. 

“We cast a spell that not only delayed her sexual maturity but also delayed her mage 
powers?” Hyle finally mused. Radin smirked. Trust Hyle to find the wonder in the spell and 
its inner workings. “What else could we have suppressed?” 

Nalfien threw a glare at him. “Let us not borrow trouble by supposing more. What we 
have is enough.” He looked to Radin. “Were you and Savous successful in teaching her to 
shield?” 

“No. She’ll get the basics soon, but she can’t do it yet.” 

“And is she shielded from notice?” 


Radin shrugged. “Can you detect her?” 

Nalfien sat back. His red eyes flared for a brief moment before he closed his lids over 
them. Beside him, Hyle did the same. Radin felt the tingling awareness of their power at 
work, but didn’t bother to try and follow their spells. Instead, he rose to fill a mug of wine 
for himself. He had returned to his seat and was halfway through the cup before Nalfien 
opened is eyes. Hyle was only a moment behind. 

“You’ve done well with Savous.” Nalfien’s voice was calm. “His control is flawless.” 

Radin shrugged. “He’s a natural at it.” 

“He should no longer be an apprentice.” 

Radin glared into his mug. “Let’s not start with that argument again. He has his reasons. 
And that’s not our problem here. The fact that he’s still my apprentice has helped us.” 

Nalfien snorted. “As though anyone would question your inviting him to a tryst.” 

Radin shrugged. “It lends credence.” 

Nalfien sighed. “That it does.” He rose to retrieve his own mug of wine. “So, we have a 
situation. When he finds out what she is, he’ll demand she go to him.” 

“I won’t allow that to happen.” 

Nalfien looked hard at his ex-apprentice. Nodded. “Understandable. And, in this case, I 
share your conviction. She’s obviously a very special case and should be protected from ... 
being wasted.” 

Radin sneered at the euphemism, but he let it go. “Do we keep her a secret?” 

“We must. Else we directly defy the rhaeja and a goddess-given prophecy.” 

“How can we possibly hide her?” Hyle asked quietly. “It would be for her entire life.” 

Nalfien and Radin both stared into their mugs. “Indeed. It would seem an impossible 
feat.” 


“We could take her from the city,” Radin suggested. “There are places on the far side of 
the mountain or on the edges of the forest. He might not detect her there.” 

“Would you go with her?” 

“Yes.” 

“No hesitation?” 

Radin stared at his former master. “Irin is special to me.” 

“Your truemate?” 

Radin balked only slightly. “Perhaps. In all that’s happened, I haven’t thought to 
check.” 

“But you feel differently about her?” 

“Yes.” 

“And if she’s not your truemate?” 

“She still needs to be protected.” 

“But she must stay in the city for at least a cycle or until her truemate is found. Do you 
propose we shield her until then?” 

Radin glanced at Hyle. “We could. Between Savous, Hyle, and me we should be able to 
keep track of her.” 

“And lie to her truemate?” 

“Only until it’s proven he’s her truemate. Then he should know.” 

Nalfien looked from one ex-apprentice to the other. “Hyle, do you agree?” 

“I do,” the younger man said softly. 

Nalfien sat. “Rhae help us, so do I. When did things go so wrong as we defy our rhaeja 
and our goddess?” 

Radin had an easy answer. “When Gwenyth died.” 


Nalfien nodded, closing his eyes. “Just so. Who would have thought ...?” He shook his 
head. “But at the time there was no other.” Radin stood, turning away, but Nalfien spoke the 
words he had been expecting anyway. “Now there is a possibility.” 

Radin froze, his back to Nalfien. He shut his eyes. “It’s his decision.” 

“Yes. But can he not see ...?” 

“If he doesn’t feel the time is right, then no one can or should force him. We could all 
be wrong and he might not return.” 

“But then we’d know.” 

Radin rounded on Nalfien. “At what cost?” 

“Most likely, none. I don’t believe there is a single man among us, the rhaeja included, 
who doesn’t believe that Savous is his successor.” 

“Which is why he’s been trying to lull Savous into being his apprentice for cycles. Yes, 
we know that. Savous knows that. And he doesn’t trust him. Which only makes their 
relationship worse. And what happens if Savous does take to the vetiese and comes out 
marked? Do they battle? Does he sit around waiting for Valanth to die? I doubt Valanth 
would stand still for that.” 

Nalfien stayed silent. There was no precedent for this. All other successions had 
happened when the current rhaeja was ready to relinquish his position. Responsibility had 
passed to the new rhaeja without contest, and the elder rhaeja had become a trusted advisor 
until his ultimate death. But Valanth was only the fourth rhaeja since the gods left the earth. 

“No,” said Nalfien, “you are very likely correct. Savous may still not yet be prepared to 
contest his father. But, in light of the new situation, can he afford to wait any longer?” 

Radin glared, but said nothing. The same thought had occurred to him already. 


Chapter Thirteen 

 

Radin lay back on the soft furs, eyes closed and hands folded calmly over his chest. The 
soft moans and sighs of Irin and Savous gently making love were a soothing undertone, 
fitting music for him to doze to. 

If only his mind would consent to doze. Instead, his thoughts were in turmoil. As they 
had been since discovering Irin was a mage. She’d made some progress in shielding, but only 
modest. Such was to be expected in a beginner, but they didn’t have time for her to be a 
beginner. There was a remote chance that if she could shield well enough, Valanth might not 
notice her powers for a while. It might give them time to, if nothing else, increase the chance 
that she would truemate. 

Radin frowned, fighting the mental image of Irin in Valanth’s control. How soon 
would the familiar effects show on her? Would Valanth wait until her skin had at least 
turned and toughened before he asserted his particular brand of ownership? 

Radin’s eyes opened in panic. He stared at the ceiling, fighting to mask his sudden fear 
from the lovers beside him. He managed, only barely, to calm himself and close his eyes 
again. Judging by the sounds beside him, they hadn’t noticed. 


Valanth liked pain. His truemate, Gwenyth, had purported to love it. This wasn’t 
surprising. Although this wasn’t Radin’s particular preference, he’d seen evidence that such 
relationships could work. Krael and Suzana couldn’t be happier. Then again, Suzana liked 
anything that gave Krael pleasure. Radin suspected Irin was not built that way. She didn’t 
seem to mind rough sex, but he couldn’t see her enjoying being at the business end of a whip. 

Needing the reassurance of another, solid mind, Radin let his thoughts drift outside of 
himself. Gently he prodded at that other mind and waited. 

Shouldn’t you be busy? Salin asked at length, amused. 

Are you? 

Salin’s amusement sobered somewhat at Radin’s serious tone. We’re watching Fallil 
perform. What’s wrong? 

Why does Krael enjoy pain, do you suppose? 

What? 

I know that he enjoys it, but I’ve never bothered to think of why. 

Why are you wondering now? 

Radin hesitated, shielding most of his thoughts. There are reasons? 

Is Irin a submissive? 

No. 

Then why ...? 

Radin chose his words very carefully. I’m trying to understand why someone could 
enjoy causing pain. 

Why? 

Bear with me. 


Pause. Then a mental shrug. With Krael, I don’t think it’s pain so much as it’s control 
and trust. To him, the fact that Suzana will willingly submit to being hurt by him is an 
amazing show of tust. 

So it’s not punishment? Or just cauing pain? 

I don’t believe so, no. Although I think he does like the loss of control of emotions. She 
seems to crave it, as well. 

Salin waited. Radin thought. 

Do you suppose the rhaeja’s reasons are similar? 

Valanth? Why would you think about him? What’s wrong 

Radin hesitated, then let go of the careful control he had on his thoughts. Irin’s a mage. 

What?! How? 

That seems to be the popular question. Regardless of the answer, she i. 

So that’s why Savous is with you! 

Let me guess, there are rumors flying? 

Quite. Everyone is amazed at the confirmation that you and Savous are that close. 
Everyone is also wondering if you’ll form a threesome. 

We could. 

That caught Salin off guard. Truly? 

I care for her. So does he. 

Have you tuemated? Either of you? 

Not that I can tell. But we’ve a few days yet. 

Does Nalfien know? 

Yes. 

Mmmm. And you’re asking questions about Valanth ...? 

We all know that it’s a slim chance that we can keep what she is from Valanth. 


Don’t borrow trouble. She won’t go to Valanth. Salin’s thoughts were ominously cool. 

Radin frowned at the conviction in his brother’s thoughts. Salin, there’s not much we 
can do. 

There are things we can do. 

Such as? 

Don’t think about it. You do what you must in the next few days. Maybe we’ll get 
lucky and one of you will plant her. 

Radin tried not to succumb to a new panic. What was Salin thinking? He tried and 
failed to break through the barrier Salin put before his real thoughts. Despite the fact that 
Radin was the trained sorcerer as well as more powerful, Salin was exceedingly good at 
shielding himself. Radin sometimes wondered if he’d shielded away most of his power on 
purpose. Salin, what are you going to do? 

Nothing. Yet. 

Salin ... 

You do what you must. I’ll do what I think is best. She’s my kitten, too. 

But ... Radin’s eyes flew open when soft lips slid around the head of his cock. The 
amazing warm flow of Irin’s presence settled like a cozy blanket over him, seeping into his 
skin. He focused on Irin bending over him, busily swallowing his mostly softened cock. 
“What ...?” 

Radin looked up at Savous, who knelt behind her. He aimed his glistening cock at her 
entrance and slid easily inside. Irin moaned. The vibrations around his cock made Radin 
shudder. 

Savous grinned down at Radin, his hair plastered to the sides of his face. “She wanted a 
change of position.” 

Irin let his cock go with a loud pop. She smirked up at him, squeezing with one hand to 
keep encouraging his cock to waken. “Do you mind?” 


 

 

Salin laughed inside his head. Cheeky little devil, isn’t she? 


Irin’s mouth dropped open as she stared at Radin’s face. Both she and Savous froze, 
staring at him. 

“Was that Salin?” 

Radin blinked. Before Irin, he’d never had occasion to have anyone but Salin privy to 
his thoughts. He hadn’t even thought to shield. “You heard him?” 

She heard me? 

“That was Salin!” 

“Goddess, Radin, you can mind-link with Salin?” 

Radin gaped at Savous. “You can hear him?” 

“Distantly.” He frowned. “Through Irin. How long have you been able to do that?” 

“All my life.” Radin focused back on Irin. “How well can you hear him?” 

“I ... pretty clear.” 

“Could you hear him a few moments ago when you were fucking?” 

“Well, no. Not until I was looking at you.” 

And you knew it was me? 

“Well, yeah. It sounds like Salin.” She shrugged. 

“I didn’t think Salin used any of his magic,” Savous said. 

And why do you think you should know everything? 

That’s a pretty big secret, don’t you think? 

“You will not have arguments inside my head!” Radin snapped. He glared at Savous. 
“How did you do that?” 

“Uh ... I don’t know. I just did.” 

“It felt like it was through me.” They both looked to Irin, who had pulled away from 
Savous and now knelt by Radin’s thigh. An amazed little smile curved the corners of her 


mouth. She reached up to gather sweat-soaked hair from her face and neck and threw it 
behind her back. 

“This link between us is stronger than I thought,” Radin mused, studying Irin. “I 
wonder if it’s a talent of your own, or something you picked up from me.” 

“I didn’t pick that up from you,” Savous pointed out. 

“Good point. But Irin’s powers seem to remarkably follow along either your or my 
particular talents.” 

Salin’s mental voice sighed. And this is where I lose interet. I’ve done enough damage 
for today. I’ll leave you sorcerous folk to figure out the details. His thoughts trailed away, and 
Radin let him go. 

“That’s amazing!” Irin gasped. 

“Isn’t it?” Savous grouched. 

Radin frowned at him. “Don’t start.” 

“That’s a huge secret to have kept from me!” 

“It wasn’t something you could share. There didn’t seem to be a need to let you know 
about it.” 

Savous turned hurt eyes from him. “Me or anyone else.” 

Radin’s hand darted out to grab Savous’s wrist. He yanked hard, and although the 
younger man resisted, he managed to tumble Savous onto his shoulder beside him. 

He dug his free hand into the hair at Savous’s temple, holding the younger man’s head 
steady. “There’s plenty that I’ve shared with you that I’ll never be able to share with anyone 
else.” 

Rebellious red eyes glared at him, but saner thoughts prevailed. Slowly the anger 
dwindled to a light pain. “You’re right. I’m sorry. It’s just a surprise.” 


Radin nodded and bent to join his mouth with Savous’s in a deep, thorough kiss. “Don’t 
doubt my feelings for you. Not now, not ever. We can’t afford it.” 

The pain had subsided further. Savous nodded, squeezing Radin’s wrist for emphasis. 
“You’re right. I’m sorry.” 

 

Irin watched the exchange with hunger. They were so beautiful! Long, muscular bodies 
pressed against each other. Gleaming black skin rubbing gleaming black skin. Kissing, they 
were a bounty for the eyes. Unable to resist touching, she reached out and stroked the inside 
of Radin’s thigh and the outside of Savous’s hip. So warm. 

The move turned them back to her. She felt their attention like a warm flicker around 
her heart. If she gave it a visual, it was like thick golden bands of luminous light that 
connected them. When they were all three this close, it was just a great ball of golden light. 
A light and a feeling she never wanted to be without. 

I love you. She let the thought project, aimed at both of them. 

She saw them both struggle to hide the pain, the fear. They were frightened for her. 
Sadly, the same wonderful gifts that formed this amazing union were what put them at risk. 

“This is what he’ll want me for, isn’t it?” she asked bitterly. “Will my magic respond to 
him as well?” 

“No,” Savous denied immediately. 

“We’ve no way of knowing,” Radin told her truthfully. 

He held out his hand and she took it, allowing him to draw her down until she was 
tucked safely and happily in the heat between their bodies. She let her hand drift down 
Radin’s belly, following the markings that pointed toward his cock. She held it and stroked 
it, more for comfort and just because she could. At her back, Savous nuzzled her neck, sliding 
his still-wet cock through the crack of her ass. 


She accepted the kiss that Radin tipped her chin up for. She let Savous lift her leg so he 
could ease his cock into her dripping passage. She needed to be held and comforted, and she 
eagerly didn’t want to think of what might happen if either one of these men was taken 
away from her. 

Feeling adventurous, kitten? Radin asked mentally so he didn’t have to release her 
mouth 

Yes! 

Savous chuckled as he leisurely slid in and out of her pussy. Are you thinking double? 

Yes. 

Double? 

Radin did pull back then. He cradled her jaw with one hand, gazing deeply into her 
eyes. “Would you take both of us at once?” 

Irin gaped. “At once? You won’t fit.” 

Savous’s hand slid over her hip to her back so he could slide one long finger mostly into 
the crack of her ass. “You have more than one opening, kitten.” 

She gaped. “I didn’t think you did that with women.” 

“Why not?” 

“Well ... because a woman has a cunt!” 

They both laughed. “If men can enjoy it, why shouldn’t a woman?” Radin asked. 

“Besides,” Savous murmured in her ear, “it would be the closest the three of us could 
possibly be together.” 

That thought made her shiver. “Oh, yes!” she heard herself say. 

Radin reached for her and lifted her away from Savous, dragging her until she lay on 
him, belly to belly. 

“Hmm,” Savous mused. “Seems I don’t get a choice?” 


Smiling, Radin maneuvered Irin and, with her help, lowered her slowly onto his cock. 
“No. You don’t. Still my nine days.” 

Savous rolled his eyes, but gave up the fight easily. He crawled down until he was 
positioned behind Irin as she writhed atop Radin. 

“You’re both talking too much,” she growled, pushing up so she was braced on Radin’s 
chest. 

Radin chuckled, tweaking her nipple. 

She moaned as Savous again ran his wet cock down the crack of her ass. This time, 
however, he used both fingers to spread her, stretching her wide. He lapped at her shoulder. 
“Stop me if it hurts, kitten.” 

In answer, she opened the floodgates of her feelings, willingly sharing. 

Both Radin and Savous gasped. 

What? she thought. 

We’re used to feeling the emotions of our partners, Radin explained. She could almost 
taste the pulse pounding in his neck. But this i so much more! 

They all felt the hot drag of Savous’s cock as he slid it down into position. They all 
gasped at the sharp bite as he pushed forward. 

They didn’t so much think in words as in emotional encouragement to her. Under the 
onslaught, she could do no more than relax her body and push back at Savous, 
simultaneously pushing down on Radin. It was tight. She was full. It hurt. He stopped. She 
adjusted, and Savous pushed forward more to assure her that she wasn’t yet full. She got a 
hint of a memory from one of them of this feeling of being filled, of what it should feel like. 
One of their memories showed her how to relax and accept. 

It was all a wonderful confusion of bodies and minds. Pushing, pulling. Filled and 
empty. Swelling and, finally, bursting into a burbling, entangling ooze that melded them all 
into one. 


Chapter Fourteen 

 

Salin stood to the side of the practice arena, arms crossed and critical eyes on the men 
who sparred across the open expanse before him. The air was filled with the music of 
weapons clanging and singing against each other and the grunts of men intent on subduing 
each other. 

Krael stood beside Salin, his eyes on the men just as critical, if not more so. His long 
white hair was braided down his back, and his whip was coiled at his waist. Occasionally he 
would crack it as a signal that each man should find a new opponent. 

Though the arena was crowded, the commander and his captain stood alone. They 
were silent observers, as well as a constant focus of attention. Each of the young men before 
them sought their approval. These were not seasoned warriors. These were youths new to 
the training grounds. Many had only recently left their time of service within the kitchens, 
dining halls, and cleaning crews. Each was anxious to join the ranks of the warriors who 
served the commander. 

Salin’s voice when he spoke was casual. Low enough not to be overheard by any except 
Krael. “A fine gathering of youth.” 

“Yes. They’ll do.” 


“A worthy gathering. I wonder how many of them will ever truemate.” 

Out of the corner of his eye, Salin saw Krael turn just his head to study him a moment. 
He then turned back to the arena. “Not many.” 

“So true. It’s a shame that there are those who believe that the few unmated women 
among us are expendable. Don’t you think?” 

A long silence between them. Salin waited, trusting Krael to catch his meaning. 

“Or believe that unmated women are their sole purview. Yes. It is a shame.” 

“Do you think these men also think it’s a shame?” 

Krael took a deep breath and let it out slowly. He kept his eyes trained forward. “I 
think they might.” 

“What of our seasoned warriors?” 

“I believe they think it more of a shame. A travesty.” 

“A travesty?” Salin kept his tone light, as though they discussed the color of the sand. 

Krael matched his tone. “Yes. There are those who still wonder if one of those 
expendable women, with whom he’d never been, just might have been his truemate.” 

Salin nodded. It was a common fear among the raedjour. There were some men who 
convinced themselves that they didn’t want a truemate -- Salin had been one of these 
himself, before Diana -- but deep down each man had an ingrained need to seek his 
truemate. Like all living beings, they sought to procreate. 

Salin pursed his lips. “How much of a travesty might this be, do you think?” 

“Enough to fight to end the travesty.” 

Salin allowed himself a small smile. Trust Krael to find the heart of the matter. “Truly? 
Even against such a ... longstanding practice?” 


“Longstanding practices grow stale. Especially if there is no benefit in them. Life should 
go on.” Krael cast him a sidelong glance, an evil smile curling his lips. “Occasionally, life 
needs a little help.” 

Yet again, Salin had cause to be glad life had granted him Krael. “Agreed. It would be a 
good time to remind the men of these things. Casually.” 

Krael drew back a muscular arm and snapped it forward, cracking his whip. He drew 
the weapon back, expertly curling it with both hands. “Times are changing?” 

“They are, my friend. Faster than we’d imagined.” 


Chapter Fifteen 

 

Valanth stared at the apparition hovering above the flickering flames of the firepit 
before him. A woman’s face and some of her upper torso, blurry and indistinct. Her black 
skin was dark and glossy, and her long white hair trailed from the image of her head to fade 
just above the flames. She had a strong, patrician nose, a full, lush mouth, and heavy-lidded 
eyes he knew only from memory were a deep, rich brown. It was easy to see the resemblance 
between Gwenyth and Savous, her youngest son. 

“Would it please you to see Savous?” he asked the apparition. 

No response. He didn’t expect one. He had learned long ago that Gwenyth in her 
current state did not -- could not -- respond. He could see her. Within the vetriese, he could 
almost touch her, but he could not talk with her. 

Yet. 

“I’ll have him by my side, my heart. You’ll see two of your sons with me when you 
return to me.” 

The sensory spells set throughout his tower warned him of Betaf’s approach up the 
stairs. He regarded the image of his wife for a few more brief moments, then banished the 
sight. 


The door opened, and Betaf entered in a flourish of violet and lavender robes. 

Unaffected, Valanth waited until the other man stood on the other side of the firepit. 
“Well?” 

Betaf frowned, displaying his confusion. “Savous is with Radin, my rhaeja.” 

Valanth frowned. “With Radin? Isn’t Radin in a nine-day with that girl? The virgin?” 

“Yes, rhaeja.” 

“Why is Savous with them?” 

“That seems to be the question, my rhaeja. As far as I’ve been told, Radin called for him 
two nights ago, and he’s been with them ever since.” 

Valanth sat back in his chair, eyes on Betaf, but thoughts elsewhere. “Isn’t Radin 
generous to share his time with the virgin with his apprentice?” 

Radin again! Always Radin. Such a mistake he’d made so long ago to allow his youngest 
son to apprentice with the inveterate wanderer! At the time, still grieving for his truemate, 
Valanth had allowed it to happen. How he now rued his lack of attention! 

“And this was two nights ago? That would be why he sent the boy with the fruit.” 
Valanth fumed, the flames before him blazing to reflect his temper. “Do you suppose, Betaf, 
that they might form a threesome with this girl?” 

Betaf took a steadying breath. “Judging by their conduct, I would think it is possible, 
my rhaeja.” 

“At which time, Radin would certainly turn him against me once and for all.” 

Betaf did not voice his thoughts. 

“He is my son, Betaf. His place is by my side. Under my control.” 

Betaf bowed his head, most likely to hide the jealousy in his eyes. Valanth knew of the 
man’s possessive feelings toward him, but did not allow Betaf the luxury of thinking the 
feelings were mutual. “Yes, my rhaeja.” 


Valanth’s mind spun. He was about to lose Savous. He could feel it. He had hoped to 
lure the boy to his side during his apprenticeship. He berated himself now for waiting. His 
only excuse was that there had been no urgency and it would have been so much sweeter, so 
much easier, if Savous had come to him of his own accord. Valanth could now see that was 
not going to happen. 

“This has gone on long enough.” Icy anger laced his voice. “That boy has avoided me 
for too long. I have been tolerant. Too tolerant. I will not put up with his avoidance any 
longer. Go get him.” 

Betaf’s eyes opened wide. He spread a beringed black hand on his chest. “Rhaeja?” 

“Get him. Go pull him away from his tryst with Radin and that girl. I’ve allowed him 
too much freedom, and I’ve allowed him to be influenced by Radin long enough.” 

Betaf’s jaw dropped in horror. He quickly pulled himself together, bowing low. 
“Pardon, rhaeja, you want me to take him from Radin?” Savous was one thing. He was 
younger and an apprentice, too frightened to trust his life to the goddess and take to the 
vetriese. Radin, however, was an entirely different matter. Despite his bravado, Betaf was 
well aware he was not of Radin’s caliber, although he would only admit that within his own 
head. 

Valanth considered Betaf and realized what he was asking. Although he valued Betaf at 
his side, there were drawbacks to keeping another sorcerer under one’s thumb. Betaf might 
be able to take on Savous alone, but Radin was an entirely different matter. It wasn’t so much 
that the younger sorcerer was more powerful than Betaf, but he was certainly smarter. 
Betaf’s ideas and actions rarely strayed far from the same track as Valanth’s surface thoughts. 
This, ultimately, made Radin too much of an opponent for Betaf. “No.” He stood and turned 
toward a stand to the right that held his robe. “I’ll get him.” 

He left his tower with Betaf, Vikart, and four others trailing behind him. His mind 
continued to whirl. He had spells at the ready for this encounter. He would not take no for 


an answer. Savous would come with him. As for reasons ...! He growled to himself. He was 
rhaeja. He would rule! 

His mind roared with such thoughts until he stood in the well-lit hall. He paused just 
outside the door and felt ... nothing. That, in and of itself, was odd. His senses would usually 
detect at least the presence of others. He could sense the six men who flanked him, waiting 
on his orders. He could sense the presence of people within the rooms down the hallway. He 
caught the brief feel of the boy in the outer room of the suite before him. From the nearby 
bedroom, however, nothing. 

Orange eyes narrowed. He hurled power at the door, shattering the lock with a 
thought. 

 

Irin lay in a sweaty heap, happily sated and blissfully achy. Radin’s body provided a 
full-length pillow beneath her, and Savous collapsed panting beside them. Each of them 
vibrated with excess power from their explosive union. A warm, lingering connection still 
linked their minds and hearts. She visualized the union as the thick golden bands, winding 
from their heads, hearts, and deep within their bellies to mesh in a beautiful, intricate knot. 

“Very good, kitten,” Radin murmured, stroking her hair. “The visuals you’re using are 
working. But you need to pull it inside you. You need to fix that power within you.” 

She sighed, smoothing her cheek against the slick skin of his chest. “But it’s so much 
nicer to bind with the two of you.” 

He chuckled. “I understand the sentiment, kitten, but we can’t stay like this forever.” 

She burrowed closer. “Why not?” 

His voice took on that “teacher” tone. “Kitten, you know that ...” 

Suddenly, Savous sat up, a look of horror on his face. He stared at the door. “He’s here!” 

Radin sat up, catching Irin to his chest to keep from tumbling her to the stone floor. 
“What?” 


Savous shook his head slightly, mouth slightly open. “He’s in the hall. He’s probing. 
He’s ... damn it!” 

Irin felt his panic through their link. Without thought, she reached to him along that 
golden band, questing while offering all that she had to help him. She felt something big 
pushing at him, prodding his handiwork. 

No, Irin! Savous cried in their link, desperately trying to push her away and sever it. 

She clung, tenaciously. Savous! 

The shield was ripped from his control with a savage tear that temporarily stunned 
Savous. He fell back with a cry of pain, falling off the bed as the door exploded inward. 
Power rebounded through their link, stunning Irin, as well. 

“What are you hiding?” Valanth demanded from the doorway. His pristine white robes 
settled gracefully about his frame as he raked them with his orange gaze. Behind him, a half-
dozen men stood sentinel. It took him mere heartbeats to focus on Irin. His orange eyes 
widened in instant, white-hot rage. “That’s what you’re hiding!” 

 

Salin! Help! 

Salin fell back from a kiss with Diana, head thumping against the back of his chair. 

“What ...?” he heard her demand. Felt her hands on his jaw, but he’d temporarily lost 
control of his body in shock. 

I need a witness! came the abrupt response in Salin’s head. 

“Radin,” he gasped for Diana’s benefit. 

Brutally, Radin pulled. Diana saw blind eyes, blazing an abnormally strong red for 
Salin, but Salin saw through Radin’s eyes. 

The rhaeja stood in the middle of the room, white robes and white hair wafting on a 
breeze of invisible power. Sneering, he lifted a hand and slammed Savous against the wall 
with a blast that stirred a whirlwind in the room. Instinctively, Radin twisted, protecting 


Irin’s naked body with his as he gathered a spell of his own. He knew it was too late, but he 
had to try. 

I’ll be right there! Salin said on instinct. 

No! Just watch, then tell Nalfien. 

But ...! 

“Give her to me!” Valanth demanded, now a terrible shadowy presence over Radin’s 
shoulder. 

“No, rhaeja. I won’t let you kill any more women. Especially not this one.” 

Salin only felt an echo of the unnatural pain that flared from the rhaeja’s hand to 
Radin’s body. His brother’s spell evaporated in the face of the onslaught. The pain was 
enough to make Salin gasp through their link. “That is not your say, boy. She is mine. 
They’re both mine. You have interfered for too long.” 

Radin convulsed in pain, falling to his side. Irin screamed. Her strong little arms wound 
about his neck; her lips pressed to his temple. “No, please! Radin!” 

Radin was helpless, able only to keep his eyes open to keep his witness, as Valanth 
shoved him back and snatched Irin away. 

The rhaeja hauled her to her feet at his side. “Silence! You were mine from the start, 
and they’ve kept you from me.” 

Irin struggled madly, but the rhaeja’s attention focused on Radin. Valanth struck 
Radin, a nearly mortal blow that almost shattered the brothers’ link. Irin’s shriek of pain 
echoed Radin’s cry. Valanth noticed. He frowned down at the girl for a heartbeat. “You’re 
linked?” he raged, shaking her. His orange eyes apparently saw the weave of golden magic 
that stretched between Irin and Radin. Between Irin and Savous, who was just now pushing 
groggily to his knees. “How is that possible? All three of you! How dare you!” 

Valanth grabbed Irin’s chin, forcing the girl to meet his gaze. She cringed and managed 
to tear her face from his grasp once, but he was far stronger than she and managed to 


recapture her. She winced in pain as his black fingers dug into her plump cheeks. Orange 
eyes blazed nearly white-hot, and she again struggled, screaming. The golden connection 
between Irin and Radin quivered and looked like it started to fray, but although strained, it 
remained intact. 

“Rhaeja.” This was Betaf, who came forward to stand behind Valanth. “Please.” His 
eyes were wide and panicked. “Perhaps this should be done elsewhere.” 

Valanth snarled, and his eyes settled back to their normal orange. He sneered at Radin 
on the bed, then Savous, who groaned from the floor. “I could kill you both for this! How 
dare you defy me! You would deny the salvation of your rhaeja?” His eyes narrowed. “But I 
can’t do that, can I? You’ve linked yourself to my prize.” 

Her upper arms trapped in Valanth’s cruel grip, Irin nonetheless struggled for freedom. 
“I’m not your prize! Let me go!” 

“Silence, girl! You’ve lived under my permission all of your life. How dare you repay 
my kindness so!” 

Irin gaped. 

Valanth’s entourage in the doorway remained as statues, physically present, but it was 
as though they didn’t see. One held Alrek’s limp body in his arms. Radin couldn’t tell if the 
boy was still alive. 

Valanth snarled at the burly guards awaiting him. “Bring them all.” 

“Rhaeja!” Betaf cried in panic. “Please! This is most unusual. How will we ...?” 

“Silence!” 

Through Radin’s eyes, Salin saw the rhaeja literally shake with rage. Irin’s face was 
drawn in pain, the skin of her upper arm white from where Valanth clutched her. 

Valanth glared at Radin, sending another flare of pain through the younger sorcerer. 
“So be it,” he said, turning toward the far corner of the room. He tucked Irin’s struggling 
form under one arm. “I’ll put you away and deal with you at my convenience.” 


“Rhaeja!” Betaf gasped. “Please, no!” 

Valanth paid him no mind. He muttered. Eyes blazed. He raised a hand and made 
intricate gestures in the air. 

Radin’s shock nearly subdued the pain. What ...? 

A vetriese opened in the corner of the room, eerily splitting the very air and hovering 
over the middle of the stone floor. Gaping, Betaf eyed it, stepping back toward the room’s 
entrance. After settling it, Valanth turned. Salin could feel the echo of his brother’s horror 
through their link. Creation of a vetiese should not be possible! The one in existence had 
been there since the gods had left the earth, and no more -- at least, none for Rhae -- had 
ever been created. 

Valanth grabbed Radin’s arm. Radin would have struggled, but another surge of pain 
left him limp and barely able to maintain his connection with Salin. Like a rag doll, Valanth 
dragged him from the bed. Irin cried out, reaching for Radin. Valanth growled and barked a 
word. Irin went instantly limp in his other arm. 

“Vikart, get Savous,” Valanth ordered as he dragged Radin across the room. 

“Vikart!” Betaf snapped. 

Valanth turned as he reached the vetriese, twisting Radin around as well so they both 
saw that the large man had not moved from his position in the doorway. 

“Vikart,” Valanth began, impatient anger lacing his voice, “get Savous.” 

On the floor, Savous had just struggled to his knees, shaking his head as he leveled a 
glare at his father. 

Still, Vikart didn’t move. Expressionless, he stared back at his father’s glare. 

Betaf slapped one of Vikart’s meaty arms, then stepped up to Savous. He wrestled the 
younger man up halfway before he had to call on one of the other guards to help him. The 
other guard pushed past Vikart’s motionless form. 

“Vikart, I will remember this,” Valanth promised. 


Vikart nodded. 

Radin heard Valanth’s growl as he turned back toward the vetriese. Radin tried to 
muster a spell, or at least some strength in his limbs in order to push away, but his muscles 
wouldn’t obey. His gaze filled with the sight of the vetriese as Valanth hauled him toward it. 

Valanth shoved. Boneless, Radin tumbled into the void. 

Salin gasped, shook as his sight through Radin’s eyes abruptly severed. Diana still 
straddled his lap, but all amorous intent had drained to furious panic. She held his face, 
staring at his eyes, waiting for sanity to return. 

“What happened?” 

Salin stared at her, shock still holding him immobile. 

“Salin?!” 

“Radin!” 

“What happened?” 

Salin shook his head, his fingers tightening on her waist. “I don’t know, but ...” 
Something was missing. What? His link with Radin, a constant presence in his mind and 
heart since his younger brother had been born, was gone. He stood, easily lifting and setting 
her on her feet. “I have to go see Nalfien. Radin’s in trouble.” 

“I’m going with you!” 

“No, I ...” But then he thought about it. Abruptly, he didn’t trust his mate’s safety out of 
his sight. He had a nearly irresistible urge to fetch his son. “Get dressed.” Brevin, he quickly 
reasoned as he fetched his own trousers and boots, was likely safer in the nursery. 


Chapter Sixteen 

 

“How is it possible?” Hyle asked, standing beside Nalfien. “How could he open a 
vetriese?” 

Nalfien stood in the corner where Salin said the vetriese had opened. At this particular 
moment, he felt every one of his over nine hundred cycles of age. In less than a night, he had 
discovered two magical talents he had not previously known existed. Commander Salin had 
rudely roused him from his bed to let him know Radin, Savous, and Irin were in jeopardy. 
When asked how he knew, Salin had reluctantly told Nalfien that he had -- and had always 
had! -- a mental link with his brother. Nalfien wanted to be outraged that he’d known 
nothing of this, but then Salin had added that Valanth had not only taken Irin, but that he 
had disposed of Radin and, apparently, Savous in a vetriese that he created. 

Nalfien had been content in his knowledge before this night. He was not pleased to 
have that contentment shattered. 

The room in which Radin and Irin, then Savous, should have shared nine days of 
sexual abundance lay empty. The furs and blankets on the bed were rumpled, and platters of 
food still lay on the table. The boy Alrek, who should have been waiting on them, was 
missing. 


Nalfien rounded on Salin, who stood with Diana in the doorway. “Where is it?” 

The commander’s sharp eyes scanned the room. “I don’t know. I lost Radin when 
Valanth shoved him into it.” 

“A vetriese,” Hyle murmured. “And you saw this through Radin’s eyes?” 

“Yes, damn it!” Salin glared at the sorcerers. “What are we going to do about it?” 

“I don’t know what we can do about it,” Nalfien admitted. “We can’t very well prove 
what you’ve said without confronting the rhaeja.” 

“Then confront him!” Diana demanded from just behind Salin’s shoulder in the 
doorway. “He might have killed them, for all we know.” 

Nalfien frowned. “You overestimate me. I’m not as powerful as Valanth.” He stared at 
the empty corner. “Especially not if he’s done as Salin described.” 

“So they closed the room and just left?! How does he expect to get away with this?” 

Nalfien shook his head, desperately trying to think. “I don’t know. Radin’s nine days 
aren’t over for three more nights.” 

“That gives him three nights to cover his tracks!” 

Nalfien nodded sadly. 

“Isn’t Radin supposed to report to you daily?” 

“Not necessarily. He’s one of us. He’s perfectly capable of reporting to us at the end of 
his nine days. If he hadn’t shown up, I wouldn’t have thought twice about it.” 

“What do we do?!” 

Nalfien looked to Hyle, then Diana, then settled his focus on Salin. The commander 
held his gaze with coolly furious intent. “What can we do?” 

Salin’s gaze narrowed. “What are you willing to do?” 

Nalfien’s blood chilled. “What do you mean?” 

“Are you willing to let him get away with this?” 


“What do you propose?” 

“A revolt.” 

“A revolt?” 

“We’re not the only raedjour who aren’t happy with the rhaeja and his behavior.” 

Nalfien’s blood chilled. He had seen this catastrophe approaching, but had vainly 
hoped it would never come to pass. “What are you saying?” 

“I’m prepared to take a stand. I’m prepared to confront him.” Salin stood tall, crossing 
his arms. “And I have the backing of most of my men in this.” 

Nalfien spoke very carefully. “A revolt against Rhae’s chosen?” 

Salin flipped his head to clear long bangs from his face. His dark red eyes smoldered. 
“Rhae’s chosen has turned his back on us. He hasn’t truly led us for cycles, and everyone 
knows this. We tolerate him because he is Rhae’s chosen. But this ...?” He gestured at the 
room. “Two of our most powerful sorcerers and a girl we’ve raised as our own, and he simply 
takes them? Yet another unmated woman that he’ll let wither and die?” Salin shook his head. 
“We’ve reached the end of what we’ll put up with.” 

Behind him, Diana beamed savagely. Her love and support of her truemate shone in 
her face. 

Nalfien glanced at Hyle. His eyes widened to see his normally quiet, distracted son 
keenly focused on Salin’s words. His stoic expression made it clear that he agreed. 

Hyle faced Nalfien. He shook his head. “We can’t allow this any more, Father.” 

Nalfien sighed. “Are we prepared to deny our own goddess?” 

Salin nodded curtly. “She has clearly denied us a true leader. It’s time we showed Her 
that we don’t approve of the current one.” 

Nalfien shook his head sadly. There were historic details he knew about Valanth’s 
succession, about the young man who had become rhaeja. But none of those excuses made up 
for Valanth’s lack of leadership. Salin was right. The time had come to act. 


He gathered his black robes around him and faced the others squarely. “Very well, I am 
with you. Go, Commander,” he said. “Gather your men. And hurry. We’ve no idea what 
Valanth has done while we’ve been talking.” 


Chapter Seventeen 

 

Irin gasped a desperate breath, her whole body arching from where she lay as Valanth 
brought her roughly out of magic-induced paralysis. Blindly, she tried to scrabble backwards, 
away from the rhaeja’s overwhelming presence above her, but he had a grip on her 
shoulders, and from the thighs down, her legs were trapped under a blanket and his thighs as 
he straddled her. The room around them was dark save for the glow of what had to be a large 
fire somewhere behind him. 

“Let me go!” she cried, panicked. 

Valanth cracked a palm against her cheek, snapping her head back and momentarily 
stunning her. “Silence, girl! You’ll obey everything I say if you don’t want your lovers to 
suffer.” 

She whimpered, staring into the curtain of her own hair. Desperately, she sought that 
golden weave that linked her to Savous and Radin. She almost let out another whimper, this 
one in relief, when she touched it. The weave was intact. She could feel them, even if it was 
barely and even if they didn’t seem to be quite conscious. Radin! Savous! 


Valanth struck her again, then used two hands to grab her hair and force her to face 
him as he hovered over her. “You call to them. I can feel it. But your lovers can’t help you 
now. They’re mine. Or they will be as soon as I make you mine.” 

“No.” 

He shook her so hard that her brain rattled inside her skull. “Whether it causes you 
pain or not, I don’t truly care. You are a means to an end. Let them go, girl.” 

“Where are they?” 

“Alive, for now. In safekeeping.” He paused, glancing sideways for a moment. His glare 
seemed uncertain, but she couldn’t know for sure. He faced her once more, angry purpose 
again painting his sharp features. “You, however, are mine. The answer to my salvation.” 

“No! I don’t ... I’m not.” She screamed when he hauled her up until they were nose to 
nose. Up close, his orange eyes were far more disconcerting. They were so different than the 
warm, glowing red of any of the other sorcerers she knew. She could almost swear she saw 
flames flickering in the rhaeja’s irises. 

“You are a mage.” His questing power swarmed over her, enveloping her and trying to 
press inside. “I have been waiting many long cycles for one such as you. You are the answer 
to my prophecy. You are mine.” 

“Never.” She shook her head as best she could. “I don’t love you!” 

“We have time for that.” 

Even though it was hopeless, she fought. Desperate not to let him have her, hurt her. 
Take her. “No! No one will believe it. How will you cover Radin and Savous’s disappearance? 
You won’t be able to convince anyone that they just vanished.” 

That angered him enough to slap her again. “That is none of your concern. I won’t be 
denied.” 

“You can’t make me love you.” 


His eyes blazed, and a strange lust surged in her body, making her quake. It was 
unnatural, nothing like the warmth she felt with either Radin or Savous. This lust was skin-
deep only and centered in her groin. The rest of her remained cold. She felt the want, 
recognized the trickle of warmth between her legs, but it wasn’t backed by emotion. She 
groaned, straining against the false need. “You can make me want you, but you can’t make 
me love you.” 

He fell atop her, his naked body hot against her skin. His lips hovered over hers. Her 
fingers scratched at the bare skin of his arms with no result other than pain to her fingertips. 
“All in good time.” 

“No!” 

He pressed his mouth to hers. She expected a brutal kiss. What he gave her was 
nothing of the kind. The kiss was warm and exploratory. It fanned the heat he’d sparked in 
her groin and nearly made the heat expand. She squirmed, unwilling to feel any desire for 
him, but he held her securely, his larger body encasing hers. She whimpered, feeling her 
hard nipples scrape against his slick skin. 

“You see?” he murmured into her mouth, brushing her lips with his. 

She panted, willing her hips not to rock and press her aching clit against him. “I don’t 
want you.” 

“You will.” 

“I don’t love you.” 

He ignored her. He switched both of her wrists into one hand and pressed them up 
above her head. His free hand he pressed at the base of her throat, pushing just hard enough 
to threaten her breath. “I’ve yet to be denied,” he told her, his voice a dark purr. “Your will is 
nothing matched with mine.” 

She felt it. Nothing physical, but he was worming his way under her skin. Into her 
mind. The distraction of the kiss had given him the crack he’d needed in her woefully 


inadequate, immature shields. She cried out, trying to fight the icy fingers invading her 
person, weaving their slow way toward her soul. 

 

 


 

No! A surging blast of heat exploded from her core, nearly like an unexpected orgasm. 
It shot toward that worming ice and melted it. Expelled it. 

Valanth gasped in shock, jerking away from her. Beneath him, Irin could only lie and 
try to catch her breath as her body tingled from a familiar touch. 

Valanth growled, eyes narrowed. “Savous.” 

Savous! Radin! Irin burned with their combined energy, even if it did feel distanced 
somehow. They were with her, and she felt their determination to do anything it took to 
save her. 

Valanth stared at her for long, calculated moments. Thoughts made his orange eyes 
pulse. His scowl made her skin crawl. She forced herself not to move. To meet his gaze 
steadily. Within her thoughts, Radin and Savous shored up her shields, ready for the 
onslaught. 

As though a new fire had suddenly been lit, Valanth’s eyes widened. His black lips fell 
open partially, and she barely made out his murmured words. “‘A mage’s love ...’” His dark 
expression did nothing to put her at ease. “Your love. Is it them?” He shook his head in what 
looked like denial. “That couldn’t possibly be what She meant!” 

Irin had no idea what he was talking about. What was this “she”? Rhae? 

Growling, he stood. She tried to sit up, but found she could not. Invisible bands held 
her immobile on her back against the furs. Calmly, Valanth crawled onto the bed platform 
beside her and pulled something from the wall. She heard chains. He picked up her hand 
easily and clasped it in a padded manacle. She watched, dumbfounded, unable to move, as he 
did the same to the other wrist. When he stepped from the bed, she could move again, but 
the bonds kept her on the bed. 

He paid her no heed, striding toward a huge firepit in the middle of the largely empty 
room. His workroom, Savous supplied for her. 


What is he talking about? she asked desperately. 

But the weak links with Savous and Radin only radiated with confusion, both for her 
situation as well as their own. 

Facing away from her, Valanth lifted a hand. The flames before him banked halfway so 
that they were even with the rim of iron that surrounded the sunken pit. Above them, a 
vetriese materialized. Irin’s link with her lovers strengthened slightly. She tingled with 
awareness. They were beyond that portal! 

Valanth turned to gaze at her over his shoulder. “‘A mage’s love to save the rhaeja.’ 
Perhaps you’re not the key after all. Just the catalyst to expose the key.” 

“Wait! No!” she cried. 

Too late. Valanth stepped over the flames into the void. 


Chapter Eighteen 

 

Savous. 

Savous hung suspended in darkness. It was like nothing he had ever felt before. There 
was no sense of falling or floating, nor did he truly have a sense of being. He could tell his 
body was with him. If he moved, he could feel himself. But it was an odd feeling, almost as 
though his limbs belonged to someone else. He could see, taste, and smell nothing, which -- 
for a creature highly developed in all three senses -- was frightening. 

Savousavous. 

Something buzzed around him, but it only touched him lightly. He got the distinct 
impression that it was exploring him and wouldn’t hurt him directly. He clung to that 
instinct as he concentrated on helping Irin avoid his father. He sensed Radin near him, but 
distantly. He couldn’t pinpoint Radin’s presence, nor could he communicate with his master 
directly, but he could feel Radin through Irin and sensed the other man’s equal 
determination to protect her. 

Irin. He loved her. He knew it. He had known it. She was a warm beacon, an extension 
of his heart and thoughts. He knew what she saw without seeing it, and felt what she felt in a 
distant way. When she panicked or feared, he sought to comfort and protect even through 


this strange distance between them. He was almost certain she was his truemate. He had 
wanted to check, but had hesitated, unsure what to do about Radin if his suspicion was 
confirmed. 

Savousvousavousavousavous. The chittering voice nagged at the outer limits of his 
senses. Brief caresses, like puffs of wind, wafted over his skin. What was it? 

“Wait! No!” 

Irin’s scream marked the moment Valanth became a towering presence alongside 
Savous in the void. The chittering increased, crawling over Savous’s body like ants. 

“Was this part of our agreement!” Valanth roared. 

Suddenly, strange visuals ripped into Savous’s awareness. He saw perfectly well, but 
everything had an eerie edge to it, and distances were hard to judge. He still floated in a sea 
of black that was so much more than black, but there were others with him. Radin hung 
suspended like him, trapped within a strange sphere of lights. The sphere looked almost like 
a writhing blue-white web with layers and layers. Valanth seemed to stand between them, 
but he also floated in the darkness. His hair hung in a weightless cloud about him, and his 
orange eyes glowed fiercely. Savous also now saw the little pulsing pink lights that scattered 
about him. When they darted closer, he felt the strange little puffs like air over his skin. 
They came near, but never quite touched him. The chittering seemed to come from them. 

Mage’slove. Savetherhaeja. Yes. 

“He’s what you meant? Why didn’t you say that? This could have ended cycles ago!” 

The twittering lights spun about him, agitated. No! Needthegirlneedthemage. 
Bringthegirlheregirlbringherhereneedhernow. WithSavous. 

Valanth scowled, focusing on the lights that surrounded Savous and the chittering 
presence that echoed through the void. “Why? Why do you need the girl, when he’s what 
you’ve wanted?” 


Bringthegirl! the voice demanded. It was vaguely female, but larger than anything 
Savous had ever experienced. Was this Rhae? Was this presence the goddess the raedjour had 
followed for centuries? Bringthemagegirlmagegirlbringherhereneedherhere. WithSavous. 

Another presence sprang to light just behind Valanth. Savous gasped. An image of his 
mother was suspended in a gossamer web of blue-white strings. The strings extended, 
weblike, out into the darkness that surrounded her. Her heavy-lidded eyes -- so like his 
own -- were closed. 

“No!” Valanth pointed to his truemate. “You have what you wanted. I’ll not give you 
more until you bring her back!” 

The lights around Savous agitated. Willbringherback! Bringthegirl. Needthegirl. 

“You don’t get the girl until you bring her back.” 

Savous scowled. “What are you talking about?” 

The chittering focus turned to him. Hewantstokillyourlove. Replaceyourlovewithhis. 

“What?!” 

Valanth’s gaze narrowed, refusing to acknowledge his son as he argued with the 
presence. “That was our agreement! We’ve helped each other. Now deliver on your 
promise!” 

“What did you do?” Savous demanded. 

“It’s none of your affair!” Valanth roared. 

The pink pinpoints of light settled nearly on his skin in a very strange caress. 
Madeadeal. ReplaceRhaeforreunitingwithtruemate. 

“Replace Rhae?!” 

“Talk to me!” 

The presence continued to focus on Savous. ReplaceRhae. Makearhaeja. 

“Make a rhaeja?!” Valanth demanded. 


The pinpoints coalesced somewhat, almost fusing. Bringthemage. 
Willreuniteyouwithlove. 

“You will not make a rhaeja! I am rhaeja.” 

Bringthemage. 

“Bring Gwenyth back!” 

Needthegirl. 

“You’re lying.” 

Can’treunitewithoutthegirl. The chittering lights danced around Savous. He had the 
distinct impression that this being -- for it was a singular being despite the multitude of 
lights -- was laughing at his father. 

“What have you done?” Savous demanded. 

Valanth sneered, his hands clenching and unclenching in frustrated rage. “None of 
your affair.” 

“It is my affair. You’re talking about Irin.” 

“What of it?” 

“Are you seriously thinking of replacing Irin with my mother?” 

“Replace? Ha! No one could take your mother’s place. But She insists She can use that 
girl to bring Gwenyth back.” 

Reunite! 

“No!” 

“Yes.” 

“You are mad! You can’t do that! Even the gods can’t bring anyone back to life.” 

Amagod! 

“Were a god,” Valanth sneered. 

Amagod. Wereagod. Will beraedjourgod! 


Valanth tore his sneering gaze from the lights that surrounded Savous and focused on 
his son. “Your mother never reached the realm of the dead.” 

“What?” 

“I caught her soul before she left completely, with the help of the lost goddess you’ve 
been speaking to. We saved your mother!” 

Savous glanced at the suspended form of his mother. “How?” 

“The vetiese. It is so much more than a doorway to Rhae. I’ve had centuries to 
discover this.” 

“But ...” 

“If you had joined me, I could have shown you this long ago.” 

“At what cost?” Savous gaped. “You’ve tried to do this before? With each of those 
women that you took!” 

Valanth didn’t confirm Savous’s words, but his grim gaze said it all. 

“You bastard!” 

Bastard! Toldhimheneededmyhelp. Toldhimitwouldn’tworkwithoutamage. 
Withoutamage’slove. Bingthegirlbastard! 

“No! You can’t have Irin. I won’t let you.” 

Savous! The chittering lights swirled at the desperate tone. No! Lethimbringthemage! 

“What are you planning?!” Valanth demanded. “You don’t need the girl at all! You 
never did!” 

Do! Bringthemage! 

Savous drew in his own shield against the twittering lights that started to bite at him as 
the voice went on about him. Nothing painful, but enough of the little pinpricks were 
wearing at his defenses. 


Valanth sneered. The orange glow from his eyes bled out and surrounded his whole 
body. Even his hair sparkled, the icy-blue turning to fiery flames. “I suspected you had more 
in mind. It was him. That’s why I’ve let him stay away.” 

Bastard! 

“You want him just like the bitch goddess wanted him. You want to replace me with 
him!” 

Chosen! 

“I am chosen!” 

You’reHERchosen! Notmine! 

“Bitch! You did lie to me!” Valanth swelled, losing substance in the fiery ball of his 
rage. “You can’t have my help without returning Gwenyth to me!” 

He struck, lashing out with some of that raw rage. The chittering lights solidified 
around Savous, shielding him from the brunt of it. But the protection wasn’t complete, nor 
was it directed, and some of it caught Savous. 

Willprotectyou! LoveyouSavous! the chittering voice promised even as the lights 
continued to battle Valanth’s rage. 


Chapter Nineteen 

 

Radin heard every word of the scene first between Irin and Valanth and then between 
Valanth, Savous, and the unnamed goddess-that-wasn’t who hovered around Savous. He was 
paralyzed within the web of light strings, but he was fully aware. If he concentrated, he 
could share some of his power with Irin, but the effort nearly rendered him unconscious. 

Methodically, he explored the web that bound him, searching for a way to escape. This 
was nothing like the vetriese should be. He remembered very well the warm, sensuous hold 
that Rhae had woven around him during his own time within Her vetriese. Her embrace had 
been orgasmic, with thousands of fingers, tongues, mouths, and cunts rubbing, lapping, and 
enveloping his entire body as She explored his soul. She had shaken him to the core in an 
experience his mind could only recall as divine, and then She had gently released him. This 
embrace was cold, like sitting on a block of ice, with no thought to comfort, physical or 
mental. He was aware, he couldn’t move, and he hurt. 

The battle raged around Savous. Radin could barely make out what was happening 
between Valanth’s orange glow and the glittering pin lights. 

He gathered his power and watched, seeking a chance, anything he could do to break 
free from his prison and help Savous. 


 

Betaf had only to shore up Valanth’s existing shields to hold back the mob outside. He 
had never seen such a large gathering of his people and had certainly never stood in front of 
such a crowd. He stood within the main doorway of Valanth’s tower, staring in trepidation at 
Nalfien, Salin, and the hundreds of elves ranged out in the cavern behind them. 

“Let us in, Betaf,” Salin demanded. “We’ll talk to the rhaeja.” 

“What is this about, Commander? Why do you come in mass? Are you threatening the 
rhaeja?” 

“Not if he shows himself now.” 

Betaf noted the uncertain looks on many of the men’s faces behind Salin. They darted 
looks at the commander. Clearly, they were gathered because of him. Betaf searched his 
brain, trying to decide how to use that bit of information. 

“You dare challenge Rhae’s chosen?” 

Some of the men shifted on their feet. 

“We do,” Nalfien interrupted. He stood at the edge of Valanth’s shield. Betaf felt him 
pushing at the invisible barrier. Felt hands of some of the warriors toward the sides pressing 
against it as well. “Let us in, or bring out the rhaeja.” 

“And bring out Radin, Savous, Irin, and Alrek,” Salin added. 

Betaf couldn’t school his features fast enough. How did they know? “Radin? Savous? 
They aren’t here.” 

“Liar!” 

Betaf fell back a step. He scowled. “Commander, how dare you! In this I speak for the 
rhaeja, and they’re not here! Now, you should leave. To be sure, the rhaeja will hear of this.” 

Vikart stepped up behind Betaf, a hulking presence that gave the sorcerer heart. 

“Don’t be stupid, Betaf,” Salin shouted. 


“I? Look to yourself, Commander!” 

He jumped when Vikart’s huge arm darted around him from behind. “What are you --
?” A huge hand gripped his hair, pulling it back, exposing his throat. He barely saw the 
dagger that stabbed into the tender skin under his jaw and up into his skull. 

 

“The shield is gone,” Nalfien said as Vikart pulled Betaf’s lifeless body from the 
doorway. “That means Valanth is otherwise occupied. Tread carefully.” 

Salin and Nalfien exchanged a glance. Salin nodded, then surged forward, Hyle at his 
side. Men flowed in a wave behind him. They found Vikart at the end of the hallway within. 
The huge man pointed up the far stairs wordlessly. Salin clapped a hand on his shoulder as he 
ran past. 

Hyle paced Salin, up the stairs. Salin trusted him to give a warning of anything magical, 
but nothing was forthcoming. 

They reached the door at the top of the stairs and, after a go-ahead nod from Hyle, 
burst inside. The vetiese above the firepit caught Salin’s attention first. Hyle stopped with a 
gasp when he saw it. Leaving the magical portal to the sorcerer, Salin scanned the room just 
as Irin cried out. 

Salin barked an order to Krael at the door to keep everyone else out. Hyle stepped up to 
the firepit, staring at the vetriese as Salin rounded the fire to Irin. He hissed angrily at seeing 
her bound. 

“Hyle!” he called, kneeling before her. “Kitten, are you OK?” 

“Yes. No. Salin, he took them into that!” She pointed as best she could with her wrists 
manacled. 

Salin nodded. “I know.” 

“You know?” 

“I saw.” 


The question flashed in her eyes before understanding dawned. “Through Radin?” 

He nodded. 

Hyle dropped to his knees beside Irin. He gripped the manacle in one hand. When he 
released it, it fell open. He did the same with the other. He twisted around, his eyes again on 
the vetriese. 

Nalfien now stood at the side of the firepit, also staring at the vetriese. “I don’t know 
how to get them out,” he admitted. He turned to Irin. “Are you sure they’re in there?” 

“Yes! I felt them.” She struggled to her feet. 

Absently, Salin helped her, standing as well. “We go in after them!” 

“No! We don’t know what he’s done to ... Irin, no!” 

Too late. As soon as she dropped Salin’s hand, Irin sped toward the firepit and the 
vetriese. Before anyone could stop her, she hurled herself into it. 


Chapter Twenty 

 

Cold froze Irin’s veins for an instant before it was replaced with immobilizing warmth. 
She hung in what her mind told her was midair, but it was tangible air. She opened her 
mouth to scream. 

Shhhh! The voice was female, and the embrace felt feminine. Irin’s mouth froze open. 
Shhh, little one. I have you. 

You’re not Valanth. 

Amused irritation. No. I am not. 

Who are you? 

You would know me as Rhae. 

Do You have them? Savous and Radin? 

Sadly, no. They have them. 

They? 

Valanth. And her. 


Irin didn’t have time to try and understand the disdain in that tone. Nor could she fully 
appreciate that she spoke with a deity. Her mind was bent on one task and one task only. 
Can You save them? 

No. With her help, he’s managed to block most of my acces and influence on your 
realm. And they’ve taken over my portal. I’ve only managed the bare crack that they’ve yet 
to notice. That is what I pulled you through. 

But You’re a goddess! 

So was she. 

She? 

There is another involved. She was a goddess once, but she lost her people long ago. 
She managed to find Valanth when he defied me and chaos after the death of his truemate. 
She made him a promise to reunite him with his truemate if he helped her overthrow me. 
She lies. It’s not possible. But, unfortunately, he’s chosen to believe her. 

But he’s Your chosen! 

Of that, I am well aware. But he was never completely mine. Her sadness was evident 
in the tone of Her voice. At the time, he was my only choice, and he knew I would not have 
chosen him, given another option. By the time a better candidate wa ready, Valanth had 
already deceived me. 

Irin’s mind whirled. The rhaeja had forsaken Rhae? She didn’t have time to think about 
it. What can we do? He has them. 

I know. We will do all we can to save them. I promise you that. Together, we might be 
able to break her hold. We must. Or she’ll replace me as the goddess of the raedjour. 

Irin’s head spun. Was such a thing possible? The scope of such a feat escaped her. 

Will you work with me? Will you help me? 

I’ll do anything to save them! 

Savous and Radin? Or the raedjour? 


Irin hesitated. What was She asking? 

Warmth spread around her body, hugging her with comfort. It’s all right, my dear. 
You’re young. It is understandable that the lives of your two loves are more important to you 
than an entire people. Luckily, in this instance, the two are nearly the same. We need to save 
one of your loves to accomplish our goal. 

One? 

Unfortunately, you may not be able to save them both. 

No! I have to save them both! I love them! 

Savous is your truemate. 

Shocked, Irin gaped into the darkness. 

Given just a little more time, he would have planted his seed in you. The goddess 
paused. Her voice was stern, but gentle. Very much the tone of a mother. Does that change 
your feelings? 

Did You arrange it this way? 

No, child. I do not choose truemates. That’s the purview of another. But I do recognize 
the matches when they are formed. Had anyone been able to ask, I could have revealed this 
cycles ago. 

Irin bit her lip. Savous. Her truemate. The one man in all the world destined for her 
alone was one of two men she had loved her entire life. 

He is also my chosen. Would you share him with me? With his people? 

Irin frowned. What kind of question was that? Of course. Often she’d thought of 
Savous as rhaeja, and never in her childish dreams had she thought to deprive the raedjour of 
him. Nor his goddess. 

Ah, yes, you are his truemate. You know and accept his destiny. For that, child, I will 
give you a great gift. 


Irin heard the words, but her mind rolled frantically. What of the other? Despite this 
truth, she couldn’t abandon Radin. I can’t have both? Even to herself, it sounded petty and 
childish. 

No, child, it doesn’t work that way. 

You’re a goddess. Can’t You ...? 

Yes, I am, but I don’t have that kind of power. We gods ae far from omnipotent. We 
are forced to live by rules that were bargained long ago, jus as you are. 

Silence. 

All I want is Savous and Radin alive, Irin declared. For that, I’ll do anything. Share 
anything. 

And if we can only save one? 

I have to save them both. 

Even if it means losing them both? 

Irin clutched hands she could neither see nor feel to her eyes. I can’t choose! How can I 
choose Radin’s death? 

Do not choose now, child. But know that at the moment of truth, you may have to do 
just that. But we will do all that we can, won’t we? I don’t wish to lose Radin, either. So 
listen closely, child, and learn well. Here is what must be done ... 

 

Irin burst from Rhae’s hold like a ray of sunshine through a thundercloud. 

“Let him go!” she screamed, aiming her burning golden power at the chittering lights 
surrounding Savous. 

Caught off guard and fully occupied with Valanth, the goddess-that-wasn’t did not 
defend against the new invasion. When Irin hit Savous, her power spread over him like 


thick, hot liquid, burbling over and into his skin. She wrapped around him, anxious to 
envelop every bit of him in her goddess-aided shield. 

“No!” Valanth roared. “What are you doing?!” 

Savous! Irin meshed with his thoughts as she sought to mesh with his body. Savous, 
please help me. Merge with me. Hurry! We’ve got to save Radin! 

Mention of his master seemed to rouse Savous, but he was slow to grasp her meaning. 
She tugged at him, body and soul, searching for that perfect fit, that melding of souls, that 
Rhae had said she’d know when she felt it. 

Savous! An angry squeal of thousands of feminine voices pummeled Irin, seeking a hold 
on Savous. Nonononono!Minemineminemineminemineminemine! 

“Fuck off!” Irin screamed, finally feeling Savous’s understanding, relieved as he 
clutched her back. “He’s mine!” 

No! 

There! Just as Rhae had said, Irin felt her connection with Savous complete. He was 
inside her, around her, within her, just as she was inside, around, and within him. 
Reminiscent of sex, but on a profoundly divine level. Irin could barely comprehend it and 
couldn’t help the moment of awestruck enjoyment shared with the other half of her soul. 

Savous! 

A thousand screams brought her back to what was happening around her. Panic 
shredded her bliss. The pinpoint lights of the goddess-that-wasn’t whirled, trying to escape 
the larger cloud of angry crimson red that was Rhae. Pinpoints shot toward Savous, only to 
muddle when the red cloud coalesced about them. Inexorably, Rhae’s red cloud gathered the 
pinpoints of the goddess-that-wasn’t into a small space, a space that reduced even as Irin 
concentrated on it. Trusting Rhae to dispatch the other deity, she turned to the others. 

“Savous!” she screamed. “We need to help Radin!” 


Valanth had turned his rage toward the younger sorcerer. Radin floated free before 
Valanth, surrounded by his own pulsing violet power. But that power was clearly losing 
ground. 

“Radin!” Both Irin and Savous screamed, reaching for him. Their combined power 
slammed into him, boosting his defenses. 

“Ha!” Valanth crowed. 

Irin and Savous screamed as one when Valanth sheared through their shield. The 
shield they had themselves weakened by lending help to Radin. Pain of the soul bled from 
them. Irin felt Savous slipping from her grasp, that perfect union crumbling. She was unable 
to grasp at it, her own ability weakened by the pain. 

“Radin,” she whimpered. She’d failed. Just as Rhae had said, she’d lose them both 
because she couldn’t choose. 

A keening cry filled the void about them. The orange hot that sought to cleave Irin 
apart faltered as a swelling storm of violet shot with crimson attacked from behind. Radin 
wasn’t visible as a being, more of a color and a storm. As the storm surged, she felt her 
connection to him draining. 

“Radin!” 

Let go, kitten. 

“No,” Savous denied beside her. 

Yes, damn it! This is your chance. Look at you. Look at you both. Take the chance to 
rid yourself -- to rid the raedjour -- of the man you’ve hated, and take the woman you love. 

Valanth screamed, his anger surging toward Irin and Savous. Radin held him back by a 
mere thread. The surge of the goddesses took on gigantic proportions behind him. Irin 
gasped. Rhae had warned her to get Savous and get out. If they were still within the vetriese 
at the final moment between the goddesses, they were dead. The backlash of either one of 
them banishing the other would kill the mortals. 


She thought it. Radin heard it. An awful peace took him. 

Let go, kitten. 

Valanth howled, abandoning his focus on Irin and Savous to turn on Radin. Orange 
lashed violet, and she felt the shudders of the impact through their bond. Radin’s very being 
was being torn apart. Unthinking, she reached ... 

NO! Abruptly, Radin shoved at her. Save him. 

RADIN! Irin screamed, echoed by Savous. They both felt Radin give up his sense of 
self, abandoning his soul to the maelstrom that surged to swallow Valanth’s rage. As his soul 
shattered, so did his link to them. 

The lock of souls snapped soundly back into place between Savous and Irin. They spun, 
clinging to each other and to the tether Rhae had given Irin to their own realm. 

 

Irin straddled Savous’s lap. Her arms were wound tight about his back, her legs around 
his waist, and his cock was buried deep inside her. She felt his thighs, secure and real, 
beneath her buttocks and knew the pain of his fingers digging into her back. Her face was 
pressed to his neck, his face similarly pressed to hers. They shuddered as one. 

She opened her eyes and lifted her head. She saw a darkened room, but made out 
details in strange clarity. They knelt in the cold ashes of the firepit in the midst of Valanth’s 
workroom. People she knew -- her brain struggled for precious moments to recognize them -
- ringed the pit. 

Nalfien. He gripped the edge of the pit, his glowing red eyes anxious on them. 

Hyle. He knelt not far from his father, his expression uncertain and his hand extended 
toward them. 

Movement to the side kicked up some of the ashes beneath them. She coughed. A 
warm hand clasped her arm. She looked up to see Salin’s sharp features over Savous’s 
shoulder. 


“Irin?” His features revealed his confusion. 

Desperate to touch someone else, to verify that they’d escaped the vetiese, Irin 
reached out to him. She froze at the sight of her own arm. 

A flame flared somewhere to her right, lighting the room better and confirming what 
she’d seen in the dark. 

Her arm was glossy black. Raedjour skin. 

“Irin?” 

The repeat of his question broke through Irin’s shock. She looked up at Salin. “Yes. It’s 
me.” 

He cupped her chin, staring into her eyes. Beneath her, Savous lifted his head. They 
both stared at her in wonder. 

“Are you all right?” Salin asked, gripping Savous’s shoulder with his other hand. 

She dropped her gaze to meet Savous’s. The bond between them was nearly visible, as 
hard and vibrant as his cock within her. Their hearts beat as one, and their love was all-
encompassing. As was their grief as they both broke into incoherent sobs. 


Chapter Twenty-one 

 

Radin was gone. 

Much later, after Irin and Savous had been moved and had rested, Nalfien had told 
them. Valanth’s vetriese had imploded, taking with it the fire in the firepit. In the brief 
heartbeats it had taken the men in the workroom to focus after the blast, Savous and Irin 
were already kneeling in the cold ashes. Alrek had been found, alive but unconscious, in an 
anteroom off Valanth’s workroom. Of Radin and Valanth, there was no sign. 

The vetiese was gone, Valanth’s as well as Rhae’s. Near as anyone could tell, they’d 
both imploded at the same time. 

There had yet to be any sign of Radin. 


Chapter Twenty-two 

 

“There you are!” 

Savous chuckled as he closed the door. No sooner did he have it closed than he leaned 
back against it, braced so he could lift his foot to remove his boots. “I informed Salin that, by 
your direct command, he wasn’t to keep me late again, but he claims not to be frightened of 
you.” 

Irin rolled onto her back amongst the pillows and blankets that covered their wide bed, 
letting her legs fall open to fully display her naked body to him. She sniffed. “He should be. 
Diana listens to me.” 

Momentarily distracted by the fingers Irin trailed over her full breasts, Savous had to 
shake himself as he tossed his second boot to the corner and pushed to his feet. “Which is an 
amazing feat in itself.” 

She chuckled, watching avidly as his hands went to the ties at his waist to loosen his 
trousers. Already, an obvious bulge tented his crotch. Irin licked her lips. “Did the council 
meeting go well otherwise?” 

Savous laughed. “Other than the fact that the rhaeja was eager to get back to his 
truemate? Yes, everything went as well as can be expected.” 


Irin tore her gaze from the erection he revealed, an erection decorated with a white 
band marking that matched the same design across Savous’s forehead. “‘As can be expected’?” 

He dropped his gaze as he dropped his pants, shrugging. “We knew it wasn’t going to 
be easy.” 

Indeed they had. Even with Rhae’s markings clearly dubbing him rhaeja, there were 
those among the elves who blamed Savous and Irin for the disappearance of the vetriese. 
Once they’d had a chance to think on it, not everyone, it turned out, believed their story, 
despite the fact that Salin, Nalfien, and Hyle all supported them fully. For the first time in 
over four thousand cycles, the elves were in open discord under the rhaeja. Since he was 
without direct access to Rhae’s counsel, due to the absence of the vetriese, Savous had 
created a ruling council in an attempt to give the elves a better feeling of representation. It 
had helped, especially since Salin and Nalfien -- both already well respected -- were the first 
members. But just the previous day, a faction of elves had left the main city, declaring their 
independence from the man who had severed their ties with their goddess. 

Irin sat up and scooted to the edge of the bed. She reached out and placed a hand on 
either side of Savous’s slim hips and urged him forward. When he was close enough, she 
placed a loving kiss on his belly. “I’m sorry.” 

He placed his hands on her head, gently sifting through her pure white hair. “Don’t be 
sorry, love. Change of this scope is usually painful.” 

She slid her hands down his hips to his thighs, bending her head to nuzzle the cock 
that brushed against her cheek. His touch and his scent worked wonders to distract her. She 
nipped the flared head of his cock, grinning when it twitched in reaction. Slowly, she laved 
at the spicy oils that lubricated it, letting the taste release the lust she’d been forced to tamp 
while he was away. 

Because of the severity of the situation with the raedjour, Savous and Irin were forced 
to spend time apart, unlike other newly truemated couples, who were left alone for near-


constant fucking during the first moon they were together. Rhae seemed to have anticipated 
this. According to Savous, although their lust was hot, it was not nearly as all-consuming as 
he’d seen in other newly mated couples. Although it was there, they could suppress it for a 
portion of each night, which allowed Savous to concentrate on other things. 

But he was here now, and Irin intended to make the most of it. She bent further and 
used her tongue to gather one of his balls into her mouth, rolling it gently with her tongue. 
Savous sucked in a breath, his fingers clutching her hair, his thighs tightening beneath her 
palms. She lost herself for the moment in fascination over how soft he was there. How 
wonderfully fragrant. She savored the taste of him, released his balls from her mouth in 
order to nuzzle even farther, trying to reach that sensitive spot between balls and anus. 

She protested when he gently pushed her away. 

He chuckled, lifting and shifting her further on the bed, forcing her onto her back by 
hovering over her. “My turn,” he murmured, brushing her lips with his. 

She sighed happily and opened readily for his tongue. He sampled her leisurely. First 
whisper-brushes of his tongue on her lips, then a more thorough exploration as he lowered 
his body to press atop hers. She readily accommodated his weight, cradling his hips with her 
own. She suckled his tongue, which had an equally intriguing but far different taste than his 
balls. So many tastes to him, and she now knew them all, but she had yet to get her fill of any 
of them. 

She hoped she never got her fill. 

His lips left hers to trail over her chin, then down her neck. He paused just below her 
collarbone, lifting his head. She watched as he freed one of his hands to trace the design that 
spanned her chest, just grazing her breasts. 

She chuckled. “You simply won’t rest until you know why, will you?” 

He glanced up, grinning. The white, winglike marking that banded his forehead 
gleamed in the firelight. “It’s just that She’s never marked a woman before.” 


“So you all keep telling me.” 

Irin had emerged from the vetriese not only already changed to raedjour in skin and 
hair color, but also marked with the tattoo-like markings that Rhae etched on the men who 
emerged from Her vetriese. In Irin’s case, the stylized wings on her chest matched the same 
on Savous’s chest, clearly blessing their union even if Irin’s pregnancy hadn’t sealed their 
truematch. Irin had an additional marking that Savous did not, however, in the form of a 
circular pattern just below her navel. According to Nalfien, the wing patterns on both 
Savous’s and Irin’s chests symbolized change. No one knew what the circle beneath Irin’s 
navel meant. 

Savous bent his head and used his tongue to wetly trace the design. “We’ll need to 
figure it out eventually.” 

She sighed, spearing her hands into his hair to guide his lips to her nipple. “Can we do 
it some other time, please?” 

He laughed, breath gusting over her skin. Skin that gleamed in the firelight and was 
surprisingly sensitive for how tough it was. Obediently, he nipped at her nipple, his white 
teeth a striking contrast to his black lips and her black skin. 

She watched, quivering, as he laved the peak of her breast. She loved him so. The only 
thing that could make this more perfect was if Radin ... 

Deliberately, she put the thought from her mind. She and Savous shared their grief for 
Radin, openly acknowledging their third, but she was tired of grieving. Radin wouldn’t want 
it. Of that, she was quite sure. He’d made the sacrifice for them to live, not for them to spend 
the rest of their lives wracked with grief. 

When Savous released her breast and moved to descend her body, she caught him by 
the hair. He looked a question up at her. She stared into his eyes. So red. So smart. So loving. 
He was the perfect choice to lead the raedjour, and he filled her heart to bursting. She 
needed him to fill her body. “Explore later. Fuck me now.” 


He raised a brow, grinning, but pushed up to his knees. She raised her thighs, and he 
hooked them over his elbows. She reached down to take hold of his decorated cock, already 
wet and slick with his skin’s oils, and guided him to the deep crimson lips of her pussy. He 
slid forward in one long, slow glide that had her back arching in sheer, wanton pleasure. 

His name escaped her lips on a whoosh of breath. She did so love the feel of him filling 
her. 

His hands closed around her hips, anchoring them as he pulled out and pushed back, 
making her groan. 

She canted her hips, trying to help him shove inside her. She lifted her hands and 
flattened them on the wall above her head, bracing herself. “Harder.” 

Smiling, he leaned forward, adjusting his legs beneath her hips to give him proper 
leverage to pound her harder. 

She scratched at the stone of the wall, desperate cries pushing from her lungs. “More.” 

He grunted, leaning yet further in. He put his hands to the mattress. Her legs, still 
hooked over his arms, were spread wide to accept him. He shoved forward, pausing at the 
end of every thrust to grind his groin to hers, pressing and taunting her clit. He bent his 
head, and a wealth of his honey-white hair fell to mix with the oily sweat that wet her chest. 

“Goddess, Savous!” she cried, desperate now in her efforts to lunge at him. 

They almost fought, despite the fact that their goal was the same. Bodies struggled to 
press, to slam, urging and pushing each other until that burning shock burst within Irin and 
she screamed. Her body clenched and shuddered, yanking away Savous’s control and 
pitching him over the rim to join her in burbling bliss. 

He settled atop her with a heaving sigh. Slipping his arms from under her legs, he slid 
them under her shoulders to tangle his fingers in the hair at the base of her skull. She 
moaned happily, meeting his languid kiss. 

I love you, she spoke directly mind-to-mind so there was no need to break the kiss. 


I love you, he responded readily, his thoughts relaying far more than simple words 
could. His love for her, his grief for Radin, his fear for his people, and his hopes for the 
future. She knew it all, absorbed it yet again, determined to help him bear the burden an 
absent goddess had laid on him. 


 


Epilogue 

 

Irin gave one last push. Gala cried triumphantly as she cradled the wet newborn. 

Savous cradled his truemate’s exhausted body, gladly providing support now that her 
task was largely done. 

From the foot of the platform, Gala gasped. “Mother of us all!” 

Irin pushed up from Savous, her maternal instincts shoving aside her exhaustion. 
“What? What is it? What’s wrong with him?” 

Gala’s shock turned into a stupefied grin. “Nothing. Nothing at all is wrong -- with 
her!” 

Savous gaped. “What?” 

Giggling insanely, Gala laid the drenched newborn on her mother’s belly. Fluid gurgled 
from the baby’s lips, and she uttered her first cry before the astounded adults. 

“That’s the meaning of the marks!” Savous cried, finally understanding. He traced the 
patterns on Irin’s belly. 

Rhae’s words echoed forth in Irin’s memory: For that, child, I will give you a great gift. 

 


 


 

 

 

 

Jet Mykles 

 

As far back as junior high, Jet used to write sex stories for friends involving their 
favorite pop icons of the time. To this day, she hasn’t stopped writing sex, although her 
knowledge on the subject has vastly improved. 

An ardent fan of fantasy and science fiction sagas, Jet prefers to live in a world of 
imagination where dragons are real, elves are commonplace, vampires are just people with 
special diets and lycanthropes live next door. In her own mind, she’s the spunky heroine 
who gets the best of everyone and always attracts the lean, muscular lads. She aids this 
fantasy with visuals created through her other obsession: 3D graphic art. In this area, as in 
writing, Jet’s self-taught and thoroughly entranced, and now regularly uses this art to 
illustrate her stories or her stories to expand upon her art. 

Only recently, through the wonders of the digital age, has Jet, a self-proclaimed hermit, 
been able to really share this work with others. It was through a series of images posted to 
the erotic art website Renderotica and encouragement from the fabulous Angela Knight that 
she finished and submitted a story to Loose Id. 

In real life, Jet lives in southern California with her boyfriend of nine years, his 
daughter and father and nine cats. She has a bachelor’s degree in acting, but her loathing of 
auditions has kept her out of the limelight. So she turned to computers and currently works 
in product management for a software company, because even in real life, she can’t help but 
want to create something out of nothing. 

Visit Jet on the Web at www.computerotika.com.