CHAPTER 57
Dakleth
I looked forward to any opportunity to see my mate, but watching her dance with that human male was a special kind of torture.
It started innocently enough. My family and I circulated among the dignitaries who were pleased to attend.
None of us had ever seen human dancing before, so this would be a new cultural experience for all of us.
For the wealthy elite of this sector, and the Charonu who we were still negotiating with, such a novelty was coveted.
Gossip about Andie’s piano recital and singing had already reached the ears of the highest echelons of intergalactic society, and this performance was the most sought-after ticket of the year.
I was glad that I was not to suffer a parade of princesses myself.
Mating Andie without prior permission from my father had been a point of contention.
A mating beneficial to our House and to our society had been expected, and I completely ruined my father’s plans on that score.
I had no regrets. Fortunately, Father was nearly as enchanted with her as I was, even if he did not say so.
And now, he could not deny the boost in popularity, both onplanet and offplanet, that our family was enjoying thanks to her alliance with our House.
After they were announced, Leo and Andie took the stage.
Leo was dressed in tight black pants and an orange short-sleeved shirt open to the waist. The orange complemented his dark brown skin.
Andie was absolutely breathtaking. The front of her golden hair was pulled back in a hair tie, but the back was left long and flowing.
She wore a skin-tight black halter-style dress with orange and red ruffles along the bottom.
She took Leo’s hand, and twirled in his arms and then dipped in a curtsy while he bowed.
I could see when she twirled that her dress was completely backless.
My mating claw marks were visible on her back, and my cock practically flew out of its sheath.
I hardened so fast that my knees buckled.
Fortunately, I was wearing my loin wrap, so my erection was not visible through my skirt, but the pressure from the wrap was very uncomfortable.
I straightened, hopefully before anyone saw my stumble. Then, the humans began to dance.
The music was unlike anything I’d ever heard.
They had layered the piano, guitar, and drums together, creating a sensual beat.
Unlike the grinolara or other Ptexari court dances, the humans touched each other constantly.
I found myself growling, even though I knew Leo was mated and that he and my mate were nothing more than “friends.”
“Peace, brother,” Kashtinela said. “You know the humans need constant touch. I swear, they are so clingy. We are fortunate that Andie has adapted so well here. Leo is constantly draped over his mates. It is most unseemly.”
I would not mind if Andie wished to drape herself over me.
In fact, I found that I craved it. Perhaps this was part of the mate bond.
I would never have entertained the idea of touching a Ptexari female in public.
But I was driven to provide my mate with whatever she needed.
And the idea of her in my arms at all times sounded like heaven.
Andie and Leo kept their hands together as they danced close, bodies pressing, then he spun her out, and she twirled around him.
They executed complicated turns, never faltering, with at least two of their hands always connected.
Andie’s voice sang over the music, and while it produced a wonderful buzz along my skin, something about the recording medium kept it from paralyzing me and the other Ptexari the way her live singing did.
Her skirts flared as she twirled, revealing more of the orange and red fabric underneath.
They were visually stunning, moving in and out of each other’s space with flawless, sensual grace.
Leo’s hips were suggestively undulating as he pulled her back into his arms, and I found myself growling again, crest rising as I felt the sexual tension between them.
The movement of Andie’s hips nearly brought me to my knees.
My body always wanted her, but seeing her dance in this manner, back arched, buttocks swaying, was almost more than I could handle.
My cock was throbbing in time to the music, and in my mind’s eye, she and I were doing a different dance. I needed her in my bed.
They moved to a faster number that was more flirty than sensual, and I was able to breathe again.
It was entertaining, and everyone in the room was moving in time to the music.
Interestingly, Leo and Andie were singing in a language that wasn’t able to be translated.
While I could not understand the words, it was undeniably happy, and I was enchanted by the smile on Andie’s face.
She was light embodied. Watching her dance with such joy was a true pleasure.
It was infectious, and I could feel the mood brighten throughout the room.
She did this. She shared that joy with everyone she encountered.
I had never met any being capable of impacting others’ emotions to the extent that she did, simply by existing.
I pulled out of my reverie for the final number.
It was the most suggestive yet, and the crowd gasped when Leo lifted her up and spun around with her in the air.
It was a testament to male power, which I could appreciate, but I hated him for it.
I did not like the way he slid his hands seductively down her body.
How he stared deeply into her eyes as he spun her out of a turn and brought her back in.
In the final moments, she jumped up and straddled his waist, then dropped dramatically backwards from the waist with her head to the floor, back beautifully arched.
The stage lights went out, and the audience enthusiastically hissed.
I could admit that it was artistically impressive and beautiful, but the way their groins were nearly touching, and the way his hands roved her body throughout the dance were driving me insane.
I pushed my way to the head of the crowd, where well-wishers were eagerly waiting to speak to the human couple. I pushed them to the side and grabbed Andie, pulling her away from Leo.
“You are mine,” I said to her as I palmed her jaw, pulled her close, and kissed her.
Andie
The performance was everything we’d hoped.
Leo and I moved in perfect synchronicity.
He may not have the training of a professional dancer, but he’d been dancing to these songs his whole life, and it showed.
We left the stage, sweaty and breathing hard.
My body was still thrumming with excitement.
I knew from experience it would be a while before I came down from the performance high.
At the end of the stage, the crowd surged with audience members who enthusiastically congratulated us and praised the dance. Some asked pointed questions about the backgrounds of the songs and the styles of dance, others simply let us know they enjoyed the performance and moved on.
A commotion drew my eye, and I saw Dakleth storming towards us, face thunderous as he literally pushed the other Ptexari and several offworld dignitaries out of the way. “Uh oh, Tall, dark, and broody’s mad,” Leo whispered.
I stood my ground as several audience members backed out of the way. Dakleth grabbed me by the arm and physically pulled me away from Leo. “Hey!” I shouted.
“You are mine,” he snarled as he pulled me against his body. Then he leaned his head down and swept his lips toward mine.
I completely froze.
He kissed me thoroughly. I had never seen the Ptexari kiss.
I didn’t even know they knew how. But he kissed me like he owned me.
All four arms came around me as he stroked my bare back.
I shivered when he touched the mating mark.
His wings opened and encircled us to cut us off from the crowd.
As soon as we had privacy, he opened his mouth and slid his tongue against mine.
I was enveloped completely by him and under his spell.
My hands, which I’d brought up in defense when he first grabbed me, settled on his biceps, which were rock-hard. I let out a surprised whimper, and he groaned, pulling me even closer. He tilted his head to take the kiss even deeper, and I was lost.
My lips moved of their own accord. My hands squeezed his muscles.
My body came awake, and I stepped closer to him so our bodies were completely pressed together.
I could feel his erection against my lower belly, and it was like the floodgates opened.
I was already turned on from dancing with Leo, but Leo I couldn’t have.
It was as if my subconscious recognized that this was a male who could be completely mine and transferred all the pent-up sexual tension I’d been feeling for the past few weeks to him.
And there was so much of him. He was so tall and broad - strong and muscled.
I felt small and delicate in his arms. He held me close, but carefully, as if I were something precious.
His leathery smell was intoxicating, and he tasted divine.
I swept my tongue alongside his and nipped his bottom lip as I pulled back and looked at him.
“Um, Andie?” I heard Leo call from outside Dakleth’s wings. “Are you ok? ‘Cause even though he’s huge, I will absolutely beat this gargoyle’s ass if he’s hurting you.”
“I’m good,” I rasped out, maintaining eye contact with Dakleth. “We’re ok.”
“Well, then, get it, girl!” he laughed. “Maybe I’ll see you at breakfast.” He snorted and walked away, drawing many of the chatty audience members with him.
Dakleth