CHAPTER 3
“Where are you taking me?!” Nyra shouted, dangling down his long body. “Put me down!”
He smacked her ass again, not bothering to reply.
Her skin lit up, core gushing from his firm touch, infuriating her even more. “Will you fucking stop hitting me!?”
“No. I rather like it.”
“So not only have you abducted me but you’re a brute as well.”
He chuckled, that deep rumble that had her rubbing her thighs together. Damn him and his stupid self.
“You should get used to it, wildling, you’ll be staying with me from now on.”
“Like hell I will!” she squealed, her fists resuming their pounding against his back. His very solid back. “I’m not going anywhere with you. Put me down!”
“You know, your squirming is only making my dick hard.” She stilled instantly. “Keep it up and I’ll show you just how much of a brute I really am.”
Furious, she seethed, “You would force yourself on me?”
Her feet were planted on the firm ground before the last word was even out of her mouth. He leaned down, searching her gaze, silent rage staring back at her. “I may be a beast but I am no fucking rapist. I have never forced myself on a female in my entire goddamn existence, mortal, and I will certainly not start now. Besides, you will spread those pretty thighs for me soon enough. I won’t even have to lift a finger as you willingly give yourself to me.”
Leaning away, she swallowed, forcing her voice to be strong and unaffected as his seductive scent invaded her. “Never.”
“Your mouth says one thing, but your body betrays you, little prey.” He inhaled, groaning low as his fingers curled around her throat, pulling her into his personal space as he leaned in. “I can smell that sweet nectar soaking your folds, can almost taste it on my tongue every time you look at me with those big doe eyes.”
“You’re delusional.”
“And you’re aroused.”
Fists clenching painfully at her sides, she attempted to tamper down the sudden urge to touch him, refusing to acknowledge her body’s treachery as his lips brushed her skin.
Why the hell does he have to smell so good?
“I was thinking of my beloved,” she finally managed, not backing down. What the fuck are you talking about, Nyra? You don’t have a beloved. But he doesn’t know that, does he? Grimacing at her one-sided internal dialogue, she quickly added, “Besides, you may be pretty but you’re not my type.”
“You don’t say?” Two depthless pools of blue bore into her, his thumb playing across her thundering pulse. “Do you always kiss strangers like you want to devour them?”
Her lips parted, the not so distant memory of their heated encounter causing fresh moisture to leak out of her already drenched center.
“Deny it all you want, wildling, but sooner or later, you will be begging me to fill you up.”
The arrogant prick.“You’re disgusting. I would rather eat worms for the rest of my life.”
A fresh wave of laughter burst from the warrior, his head thrown back with amusement. “By the gods, I may just be the luckiest male in existence.” His thumb found her bottom lip, plucking at it mercilessly.
She froze, holding her breath as all kinds of wicked thoughts arose once more. Tongue itching, wanting to swipe across that thick pad of his finger that was resting just there, so close to her open mouth, desperate to see his reaction if she were to be brave and attempt such a blatant erotic move.
Shaking his head of silver hair in bewilderment, he pulled at her lip once more before releasing it and wordlessly resumed his walking, pulling Nyra after him as his strong fingers latched around her bicep.
“Where are you taking me?” she repeated, yanking on her arm, irritated that this infuriating man was not taking her seriously. That even now, she was imagining being naked with him, allowing him to do all kinds of dirty and depraved things to her body. “What do you plan on doing with me? And you still haven’t told me your name, or shall I just call you Brute the entire time?”
Her mind swam. He should repulse her and yet–she couldn’t help but wonder. What would it feel like to be the center of his attention? To be molded to his liking by his skillful hands and thick cock?
“You haven’t told me yours either, little vixen.” He arched a brow, his gaze heated, as if reading her filthy thoughts, shooting her a quick glance before looking away again. “But that’s alright, I have other, more pleasurable ways of finding out.” Winking, his stupid grin was back, causing all sorts of sensations to shoot through Nyra.
Don’t let his pretty face fool you, he’s still your captor.“You won’t be touching me. The kiss was a mistake. One that will never repeat itself.” She just had to remain strong.
“We’ll see.” He smirked, the bastard. “I do not need to touch you to have you spilling your secrets for me.”
“Typical man, thinking he is a walking god amongst us mere humans.”
Two narrow slits stared back at her, his features suddenly stern. “What do you know about gods, wildling? Have you ever met one?”
Nyra’s thoughts flew to the ancient creature, the one that could be anywhere right now, maybe even above them while they bickered, flying on his powerful wings as he scanned the land below for any trace of her.
“Only one that haunts my dreams.”
He stared at her for a long moment, as if choosing his next words, “Perhaps you haunt his dreams as well, wildling.”
Perhaps, but not a day had passed that Raiden hadn’t occupied Nyra’s mind. Years of sleepless nights, the same scene playing over and over before her very eyes, of a magnificent silver dragon soaring straight at her while buildings burned around them. Her heartache, and the agonizing cry that had pierced through the smoke filled air as her spear lodged itself in his powerful chest. The sight of the majestic animal as it had plummeted to the ground, Nyra’s heart finally shattering to pieces as that final, earthquaking crash engulfed her.
It had been the last straw for Nyra, the breaking point of her iron firm resolve. Something inside of her had snapped when the dragon’s body had hit the earth. She had fled the scene in tears, without ever looking back, swearing an oath to herself that she would never again kill a dragon for as long as she lived. Her soul wouldn’t be able to take it.
Yet, here you are, thinking of breaking it just to save your sorry ass.
The realization that she had been the cause of death of the mighty beasts for years on end was too much of a burden to bear, her conscience and humanity demanding she rectify her wrongs. Pay for her sins. Who was she to rid the world of such glorious beings when the gods that had created them deemed them worthy enough to exist amongst man in their mortal world?
Pathetic. Worthless. You deserve the cruelest of punishments for what you are considering doing again.
Lost in her ponderings and self-loathing, Nyra had failed to realize that her captor had released her arm and was now walking a few feet in front of her, as if not at all concerned about her potentially running away.
He thinks I’m some weak damsel. A fucking coward. Her teeth clenched. I’ll show him.
Nyra’s steps slowed, eyes darting around as she took in her surroundings. They were on some type of a narrow dirt path between two rows of trees, a forest if she had to guess, but it was too dark out, only the Full Moon illuminating the space around them, making it very hard for Nyra to distinguish what lay ahead. The fact that she had never before ventured to this part of the kingdom was an added setback to her escape plan, but no matter. She would not let it deter her.
More than ten feet separated them now, the giant warrior not once having glanced back to see where his prisoner was. Heart pounding, she took a step to the side, eyes locked on the male in front of her, then another one, preparing to launch herself into the trees at the first opportunity.
“I dare you,” he said, voice low, menacing, as he slowly turned around to face her. “Give me a reason to chase you.”
She regarded him, all six foot five of solid muscle and lethal calm. Massive shoulders and thighs that bulged and tensed. A fucking giant with hands that were as big as her face. Hands that had gripped her hair and held her tight to his impressive body while his mouth plundered her.
Heat rose in her once more.
For fuck’s sake, get it together.
There was something so unnerving about the way he stood there, observing her. His stare focused, unblinking. Like a goddamn predator that just caught sight of his next meal, his body still, as if not breathing at all.
“I’m smaller than you.” She swallowed, palms sweating from uncertainty as she backed up, fighting her instincts to stay put, to not move a fucking muscle. “Faster. You’d never catch me.”
He cracked his neck, a wicked smile spreading across his full lips. “Try me.”
It had to be some kind of a trick. Or maybe he just assumed his otherworldly presence would frighten her into compliance. There must have been something very wrong with her then, for no such feelings sprang forth as they faced off.
“I’m not scared of you,” she said, doubting her own sanity, heart threatening to explode as the mountain of a man stared at her as if he wanted to eat her alive. And she actually enjoyed it, reveled in seeing him on the verge of tipping over because of her.
Well, shit. I might just be deranged, after all.
He closed his eyes, nostrils spreading wide, inhaling the air like some opiate addict. Or perhaps he was scenting her rising fear. Except it wasn’t fear that she felt, but excitement. Just the thought of this powerful male chasing after her sent a new kind of rush through Nyra, one that ignited her veins and sent her core clenching with anticipation.
His lids snapped open, revealing two shimmering blue orbs, the pupils elongated black slits that froze her to the spot.
Fuck.
He cocked his head. “Run.”
She bolted, rushing through the trees as her mind screamed with danger. Feet pounded against the hard ground, each step faster than the one before, chest heaving from exertion, not daring to look back lest she catch a glimpse of the man hunting her.
She must have imagined those eyes of his.
There was no fucking way that they had turned reptilian. It must have been a play of the dark, a mere trick of the shadows caused by the Full Moon–
A battering ram collided with her, sending Nyra flying forward as she toppled to the ground. Strong arms wrapped around her, fingers cupping the back of her head as if shielding her from the impact. Solid muscle pressed down as a massive body nestled between her legs, rendering her completely motionless as she lay sprawled out beneath. Panting, she became suddenly very aware of the position in which they were in.
“Little prey,” smoke and velvet purred in her ear, “you shouldn’t have done that. You’ve awoken the true beast now, and he won’t rest until he’s fully claimed you.”
Goosebumps erupted over her skin, her nipples turning to two hard beads of stone, painful to the touch where his own chest pressed down on her. Her legs gaped open, her pussy throbbing with need as it ached to be filled up. Traitor.
“You can’t have me.” She pushed on his chest with all her might, struggling against his weight, but it was useless, as if a boulder had taken up residence in place of the stupidly handsome warrior. “Get off of me!”
“I suggest you don’t do that, wildling, unless you’re ready to be fucked into the dirt.”
She froze.
A violent wave of arousal swept over Nyra, already imagining his fat cock slamming into her as she shamelessly begged for more. Deny it, fight it, pretend it wasn’t so, but gods damn it, she would do it. She would beg him like a pathetic human being to use her, to take everything that she had to give and then some, for this was no ordinary male. Just the raw scent of him sent her blood boiling with unbridled desire.
It was savage.
Vicious.
A thrill so addictive that it left her incapable of doing anything but lie there motionless as they stared at each other, panting.
For some fucked up reason, she was immensely affected by him, and she wasn’t ready to accept it. It went against all common sense and logic, everything that she had learned in her short life of twenty nine years.
“Don’t fight it, little vixen.” Soft lips brushed hers. “There’s nothing you can do. You belong to me.”
“I don’t belong to anyone.” She pushed at him again, refusing to give in.
Grinning wildly, he whispered against her mouth, “But you do. You just don’t realize it yet.”
Lips parting, she strained to take in some fresh air but too late realized her mistake. Wood and musk invaded her senses, rushing in as it filled her with the heady aroma, her body burning up as he ever so slowly licked her mouth.
A needy moan escaped her, Nyra’s body betraying her, his massive erection pressing into her pulsing center as he rolled his hips over her clothes. His lush tongue dove in, gently teasing her, increasing in force until it turned into a devouring kiss, so consuming and desperate that she lost all sense of herself and the reason as to why she was running away from him in the first place. It felt right, as if she was right where she was supposed to be.
Arms locking around his neck, she pulled him flush against her, their bodies perfectly aligned, as if made for each other.
The same maddening feeling that she had back at the tavern took over, once more. The absolute need to become one with this male so unbearable, that she thought she would die on the spot.
“Tell me your name,” he said, his voice unraveling the last of her resolve.
“Nyra,” she whimpered, desire clouding her mind. “Please,” not knowing what she was begging for, “please, I need–”
“Shh, I know what you need. But I won’t fuck you here, where others can hear your screams.”
Her pussy spasmed, a thick coat of cream gushing out of her, her body burning up as if hot lava was being poured over her. “I don’t care, please, it’s too much.”
“No,” he growled, eyes aflame, his face strained, as if in great pain. “The first time that I slide into your sweet cunt, it will be in my bed, where I can fuck you properly. Where you’ll be laid out for me like a sacrificial lamb, so fucking desperate for my cock that I won’t even have to prime you before I fill you.” He yanked her hair, baring her throat to him, sucking on the flesh. “I’ll stretch you so completely, you’ll have no choice but to take every hard inch of me. And you will take every inch of me, Nyra. All of me. You’ll beg me for it. Fucking weep for it. I am the only male that will ever give you what you need. You are mine. You belong to me.”
“You’re fucking insane.”
Groaning, he fisted her hair, dragging his tongue up her throat and over her jaw, parting her lips to sweep in and tangle with hers, taking her breath away, yet again.
He pulled away, closing his eyes as his forehead rested on hers. “I’ve been insane, Nyra. For years, I’ve searched for you. Not knowing what happened to that fearless woman, if she was alive or if she had perished in that fire.”
Her head pounded with confusion. Her body feverish and desperate, insides twisting, heart thundering, pussy soaking. “What fire?” she finally managed to ask, half aware of what he was saying.
A moment of silence passed as he failed to answer her, neither one of them saying anything as the air crackled between them, so thick with lust and desire that it became hard for Nyra to breathe.
She didn’t know what to make of him, of his sudden changes in behavior. As if he, himself, was deeply conflicted and didn’t know how to act around her, what to do with her. One minute he was angry and brooding, dragging her after him like some goddamn prisoner, and the next he was kissing her like he wanted to steal her soul for himself, like he would go mad if he didn’t touch her.
She didn’t understand it, this push and pull between them. Didn’t dare to ponder on the true meaning of this inexplicable state that she was in.
Mere hours had passed since their meeting, and yet, regardless of her own conflicting emotions, she couldn’t deny her body’s reaction to him, nor the potent feeling of deeply knowing him, as if they were some long lost lovers that were reunited after many years apart.
The walls which she had erected long ago to shield herself from heartbreak seemed to be nonexistent around him, as if they had shattered at the very first glance into those oceanic eyes of his.
It was overwhelming, the intense feelings swarming her system too raw and unfiltered for her to be able to cope with them.
“I can’t breathe,” wheezing for air, panic threatened to consume her as her limbs began to shake.
“Nyra,” her name was like a plea on his lips, full of longing and pain. “Fuck, I should have known that it would be too much for you.” Lifting his giant body off, he rested on his haunches, concern coloring his features as he pulled her up into a sitting position.
“I don’t understand what’s happening to me.”
Fingers wrapped around her throat, feeling her pulse, the motion instantly calming her, the panic dissipating as if it had never been there to begin with.
He sighed, the sound heavy with unspoken words. “It’s the bond. Your human mind can’t comprehend what your body is signaling.”
“What the hell are you talking about?”
Cupping her face, he leaned in, surprising Nyra yet again when he pressed a gentle kiss to her lips. “There’s no time. I must get you inside before the Sun rises once more.”
“Why? What happens when the Sun rises?”
He straightened to his full intimidating height, lifting her to her feet before piercing her with a steel gaze. “The real monster comes out to play.”
Before she could ask him to elaborate, he was dragging her deeper into the forest, his mask of cold indifference back in place.