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Inez placed her hand on Varyk’s brow and smoothed back the sweat dampened green hair. She needed his help finding whoever broke into Rylin’s home, but something was clearly wrong here. When Varyk had fallen from the rope she’d fought the urge to leap after him and endanger her own life. Dracol healed remarkably fast from many things, but they weren’t invulnerable by any stretch.
“Varyk, tell me how to help you.”
Warm breath teased her palm as she caressed his jaw and face. “Larz. His name is Larz and he’s one of mine.”
The person who stole the shell. Inez leaned over on her knees to hear Varyk better. He lay stretched out on the ground and night’s darkness kept her from a clear view of him. “How do we find him?”
“I will, not we.”
At least his arrogance hadn’t diminished. “Varyk, you need me.”
Distinct green smoke leaked from his mouth as his lips parted to speak. Inez veered back from the deadly vapors. Direct exposure and inhalation of the poison a Green released was dangerous. “It’s King Varyk and I don’t need anyone.”
How he managed to say that when it was clear he was far from alright Inez would never know. “Explain to me for once and all how you ended up here and why you can’t port, shift or climb out.”
He glared up at her. “Larz caught me distracted. He shot me with a poisoned dart and pushed me into this sinkhole.”
“Poison is the mainstay of the Green.” Which shouldn’t affect him at all. Especially as their King.
Instead of answering, Varyk’s body heaved off the ground, spine curved and a pain filled shout poured forth. Shit! Inez held him down with one hand to his chest and planted the other by his head.
“Varyk, how can I help? Please.”
“K-k-king Varyk.” He was shaking all over, body on the verge of collapse yet had the audacity to correct her.
“Fuck you!” Inez snapped, true fear filling her. She wasn’t used to feeling this way and couldn’t pin down the elusive reaction to seeing him injured.
Varyk’s head titled to the side and his amber stare brightened. “Yes. That’s what I need.”
Inez fell back on her haunches. Amazement had her hands drifting away from him. “What?”
“If I sleep with you, my Dracol will rise and help burn off the poison faster than I can absorb it.”
Shock silenced Inez. His meaning sunk in. “Let me get this straight. You want to have sex with me?”
“Need to.” The emphasis wasn’t lost on her. “Don’t have the strength to break down the poison on my own,” he gasped.
She’d heard of a lot since her First Fire, the time when most Dracol went through uncontrollable sexual exploration and craving. Males came up with all sorts of claims to convince a female to have sex with them. In fact, Inez bet Varyk commanded more than his share to his bed.
His dislike of the Black was well-known, but there wasn’t much anyone knew about him personally. His people didn’t gossip—not lightly, and not at all when it pertained to their King.
Inez could summarize in three short sentences what she did know about Varyk. He had a twin sister, an uncommon occurrence because no other living Dracol had shared a single shell. He assumed the mantle of leadership two years before Rylin. And he kept the names of his lovers secret.
She focused on his strained features. “What makes you think that will work?”
He arched a brow and his mouth twisted up.
Right.
She ignored the devastating half-grin. Sex brought out their deeper nature and the other half from within. Inez knew this from her own experiences. Digging in her pack, she pulled out a light stick. She slammed the end on the ground until its brightness flared from the tip then stuck it into the ground beside them. The flickering glow provided the dark hole with more light.
It also allowed her to see his face and read the look of torment. He was in pain and doing a good job of hiding it, but lines carved deep grooves into his cheeks. His skin didn’t have its robust tanned tone and the amber stare which mocked many held a sheen of weakness.
Sympathy pulled at her. Inez considered all the options. If he was telling the truth, there wasn’t many alternatives. In the past, she’d shared her bed for less noble reasons. She nibbled her bottom lip in consideration. It wasn’t like she didn’t find his arrogant self attractive.
Curiosity and desire won out. Inez began undoing the buttons of her shirt. This would be for her as well, but she’d bargain to get more from him. “If I do this, you will owe me a favor. Varyk.”
He tried to shift to his side, but she pushed him to stay on his back using a firm palm to the chest. With his build and strength, he should have been able to resist, but he flopped onto the ground, adding to her growing concern for him.
“What favor?” His body shivered and the arm he attempted to lift to undo his own vest trembled.
Inez tossed her top behind her then brushed his hands away and removed the torn green vest over his head. Heat seared her cheeks as she glided her hand down the fine planes of his chest to untie the laces holding the closure of his leathers together.
“W-what favor, Inez?”
Stubborn and determined. Apparently, he thought to take charge. Good luck because Inez was fairly certain in his condition she could have her way with him. She definitely planned to enjoy this.
A deep rumble rolled from her chest and the tips of her breasts pebbled. Desire rattled her limbs and Inez froze in the act of tugging the dark leathers down his hips. She needed to slow down. Lust was one thing but she couldn’t get carried away. Damn Varyk. He was too...everything.
Her gaze rove over the lean form spread out like a feast before her. His cock pressed insistently at the opening she’d created, thick and pulsing.
He was hurt. Poisoned. Was she really considering this? Inez pushed back on her heels and slanted her legs to the side as she sat on the ground to ponder what she’d been about to do.
In a surprising show of strength, Varyk grabbed her thigh and squeezed. Command blazed at her from his eyes. “Don’t back down now, Inez. Whatever favor you ask, I’ll agree. As long as it doesn’t go against my family and those I protect. I won’t allow you to harm them.”
Until she pledged to her lira, nothing actually forbade Inez from giving in to Varyk. Lovers came and went. Sex was a necessary function. The essence of all Dracol craved physical contact. This meant nothing. They were both getting what they wanted.
“The favor is open ended until I claim it.” She made a demand of her own.
Relief crashed over his features and his lids lowered on a sigh. They sprung open again, the light of triumph flaring from within. He released her thigh. “Done.”
Decision made, she stood and toed off her boots, her pants joining the other clothes on the ground. Complete skin to skin contact would probably work best. Now that she planned to do this, arousal unfurled like a new bloom in her belly. Moisture gathered between her thighs. Maybe she had a thing for tough males trying to do the right thing. There was no denying her sudden eagerness to fuck him.
Along with the slow fire growing, curiosity poked. Arrogant and commanding described Varyk easily but what did that mean about him as a lover? She guessed she’d find out.
Completely nude, Inez helped Varyk out of his boots and leathers. Her hands touched and stroked, noting the extreme heat emanating from his body in some concern.
When he was as naked as she, Inez stretched out atop his body, her legs straddling his upper thighs. Varyk groaned, his hands coming up to clasp her hips. “This does not mean—”
Inez leaned forward, pressing her fingers to his lips to stop the flow of words which would surely kill her mood. “Let’s limit the talk to...appreciation, for lack of a better word. We both know why we’re doing this, but nothing says we can’t enjoy ourselves.”
***
Warm heat from the apex of her thighs sent Varyk’s hips surging up. He swallowed what he’d been about to say as his cock slid against silky skin and thumped. The body gliding over his was curved in all the right places. An aroma of sweet musk filled the air around them.
Of their own volition, his hands slid over her firm, plump ass then up the line of her back and down again to guide her in a rocking motion. Inez arched over him on a gasp, head dropping forward. Waves of long black hair teased his chest and shoulders, each strand a caress in itself.
Rarely did Varyk welcome females to his bed. On the few occasions he gave in to his urges, Varyk kept a part of himself distant. He satisfied them, then took his relief later in the privacy of his rooms.
It prevented anyone from getting close to him. If he cared for no one and showed no preference, then he didn’t risk his heart. Milana was the only exception to the rule. His love for his sister was without question and all knew to tread lightly around her or face his wrath and that of her lira.
Another seizure racked Varyk’s body. He gritted his teeth, claws springing to his fingertips. Inez winced and Varyk gaped in horror at his hands about her waist. He tried to pull back but couldn’t let go. His fingers refused to uncurl as the poison boiled in his blood.
“Sorry, sorry, sorry,” he chanted as his neck thrust back and his inner Dracol let out a loud screech. Rage, pain and fear pummeled at his senses.
Muscles and limbs heaved violently. Bones cracked, twisted then realigned. Agony ricochet within. Varyk’s breath came in rapid pants. Again and again his body attempted to shift to rid itself of the chemicals bubbling through his system.
“Varyk, I’m here.”
Soft hands planted over his, soothing, stroking. Lips touched the edge of his jaw, nibbling. The small bites brought him back and Varyk’s weight settled on the dirt once more as the spasm faded.
“All the fires!” He jerked his hands away and rammed his fists on the ground. Harming women was a line he never wished to cross.
“Shh.” Inez continued to kiss her way across his face, lick his ear and rock on his lap sliding her wetness over the throbbing length of his shaft.
Varyk inhaled. Blood combined with the scent of arousal. He’d hurt her. One more thing to blame on Larz. Varyk wanted to rip into him and would. As soon as he got the chance.
“Are you steady?”
Inez’s question wisped along his cheek. He lifted a hand to cup her face. The light stick enabled him to see her better. Something trickled from his nose. Varyk swiped at his face. Blood. From him this time. He wasn’t sure how long he’d last before the next episode. The poison spread fast. Without control of his Dracol half, they both were at risk. “We need to hurry.”
Laughter fluttered. “I’m not sure I’ve met a male yet who didn’t say that. I expected more from a King.”
Lips twitching, Varyk reached for her. This time he kept his hold on her sides light. The swell of her full breasts touched the tips of his fingers. “I’ll make it up to you.”
“You definitely will.”
At another time, he would have accepted the challenge and showed her why he was a skilled lover. Action soon replaced words and Varyk was ashamed to admit he let her do most of the work. His weakened body could barely stay conscious. Inez ran her fingers through his hair, the touch easing some of the pain in his head.
“He won’t get away with this,” she murmured right before she lowered herself onto his straining cock.
Pleasure and ecstasy exploded. They both cried out as her wet depths welcomed him. Groans and moans poured forth. Inez clutched his shoulder and undulated her torso. Each swivel of her hips brought forth a muffled groan. Frenetic moves as she sought the right pace left him short of breath and cycling closer to the edge.
Focusing required a well of strength. Varyk worked to give her a sliver of what she gave him while not forgetting the reason for this desperate joining. As she drove herself on him over and over, he pulled on the power of the mantle. Sluggish and with none of the natural force he’d become accustomed to, it responded. Swirling energy pooled from deep.
Varyk massaged the swaying mounds above him, thumbing the brown tips. Inez cried out, her mouth parted in passion. Her lower walls contracted, locking his cock in a warm sheath. Choked growls broke through and Varyk leaned up to tongue the tempting buds. She was ripe and full.
Voices nudged at his senses. Fuck yes! The mantle gained strength as release drew close. He urged her faster, his words a throaty demand. “More.”
“Feels good. You’re harder, thicker than I expected.”
Pride swelled his chest and other parts. Varyk tongued her with flicks and licks, his hands squeezing every inch he touched.
“Yes, Varyk. Like that. Don’t stop!” Desperate pleas mixed with begging. Never had a female called to him in such a manner.
If only. No! There were no if only. He reached harder for the mantle and wrapped his arms around Inez. Power began to sing in his veins. A ball of light shimmered at his core. She rode him for all she was worth, comfortable in her femininity, power and grace. The sight of her sleek form rocking above him tore another deep groan from Varyk.
“More. I need more.”
More of her rich wetness and tight clenching flesh as it rippled around his engorged erection. Pure pleasure pulsed through his veins, burning the poison in its path.
“That’s it. Give it to me faster.” He muttered the instructions while locking his arms about her waist and pulling Inez closer. The tips of her breasts brushed his chest, setting off another flurry of small shocks to his core.
Faces close together, Varyk watched her brows crease, her nose crinkle and her lips part with every breath. She noticed his stare and buried her face in his neck where her tongue danced over the sensitized taut skin. Stronger now, Varyk flipped them over, his hips never stopping as he pounded into the body under him. Inez looped her legs over him, her feet kicking his back, her nails biting into his flesh. He sucked in air and hissed at the exquisite torture.
The mantle. The mantle. Hundreds of lives rushed to connect to him, aiding their king without thought or question. The poison sizzled, slicing through the fabric he sought to weave together, but strength slammed into him. His people. His essence. The mantle.
Rejoicing, Varyk pushed up to his elbows, staring down at the whimpering female in his arms. His knees scraped the rough ground as he continued to grind into her sleek vise.
“Varyk! Varyk!” Her eyes closed, her upper half leaning back as her lower half jammed up. She came with a flurry of pants, whines and gasps.
Enthralled, he couldn’t break his gaze away until suddenly the tide caught and dragged him along. Varyk threw back his head and yelled. “Inez!”