Chapter Eight
Jucai and I had lunch in the park, purchased from a vendor similar to those we had on the streets of Erimbar.
After lunch, we toured the city a little more, Jucai pointing out the construction happening at the edges of the city where they were expanding.
At last, we returned to the palace, crossing an arched bridge over the palace's crops to arrive in a back courtyard.
As soon as we were out of the carriage, Jucai took my hand and sped into the palace, dragging me through corridors and up flights of stairs until we arrived at my guest room. It remained silent until he shut the door. But Jucai wasn't the first to speak.
“Masters.” Bantar stood up from where he'd been sitting, reading a book, and bowed. “Do you need anything?”
Jucai flinched and then straightened. “You may leave. I will see to your master tonight.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.” Bantar bowed and hurried out of the room.
The Sea King locked the door and turned to me again. “I need you, Nadar. Now!” Although he growled the words, his voice sounded strained, almost as if he were in pain.
I laid a hand on his shoulder. “Are you well?”
Past words, Jucai picked me up and tossed me over his shoulder.
I was so startled that I went limp. No one had ever thrown me over their shoulder before.
Not after I reached adulthood. Despite our similar size, Jucai carried me with ease, taking me into the bedroom and setting me on my feet beside the bed.
Still in a daze, I watched as he undressed me.
“Take off your boots.” He unwrapped his tunic and tossed it aside. “Now, Nadar!”
I kicked off my boots, sat down on the bed, and pulled off my socks. No one wants to be naked in socks. It's just not sexy. I stood up, going into his arms, and he shoved my pants down. I kicked them off as he rubbed himself in hress nectar.
He had undressed in the time it took me to remove my socks. “Bend over the bed.”
I paused.
“Don't deny me now, Nadar,” he growled. “Bend over the bed!”
Eyes wide, I bent over the bed, but it was too low. My ass ended up in the air with my head on the mattress. Still, Jucai grabbed my ass and moved to mount me.
“Whoa!” I stood up. “This isn't the right height. Give me a moment.”
Then I froze.
The Sea King's eyes were glowing.
“Hurry!” he hissed.
I scrambled onto the bed and went onto my hands and knees with my lower legs hanging off the bed. Jucai was immediately there, one hand spreading me. I cried out when he shoved himself into me without preparation.
“Jucai, slow down! I'm not ready.”
Jucai went still inside me, his hands clenched on my ass. He was panting heavily. I watched him over my shoulder. His expression tightened, and his eyes closed. He took a few breaths and then met my gaze.
“I'm sorry,” he whispered. “I'll be better now.”
I nodded, not having the words. Inside, though, I floundered under my thoughts.
Was this what happened when he didn't have sex?
Could hibernation really do that to you?
His tight muscles and the sweat running down his chest said it could.
With obvious strain, he pulled out of me and then slowly eased in. Back and forth, he worked me open.
“I'm good now,” I said. “Jucai?”
“Yes?” Jucai panted, his gaze focused on where we came together.
“You can fuck me now. It's all right.”
“Thank the Gods.” He slammed into me. “Oh, fuck!”
Body bowing, Jucai thrust with great power, sending me swaying forward. I gripped the bedding and steadied myself. His hair lashed my flanks, and mine covered my face. I closed my eyes and just felt.
Every slap of flesh meeting flesh sent pleasure through me. My mind spun. My body opened to him. I couldn't even look back at him. All I could do was brace myself and ride the surge of ecstasy to its peak.
Then he pulled out.
I shuddered and floundered, but Jucai soon had me again, turning me onto my back. He crawled onto the bed, settled between my thighs, and yanked my legs up to hook them over his shoulders. I cried out as he thrust forward, impaling me without a hand to guide him.
As slick as I was, he glided into me, going even deeper in this position.
I stared up at him—glorious against a background of the sea.
His savage passion made a sharp contrast to the peaceful swimming of fish.
His eyes had stopped glowing, but they still blazed with lust, and his hands gripped my thighs to pull me to him with every thrust.
I was pleased with myself and the Sea King.
He had opened up to me and helped me understand him.
Now, instead of feeling used, I felt chosen.
He could have quenched his lust on anyone, but he held out for me.
I gazed up at him, seeing how much it had cost him to wait, and wondered if I had gone too far with him.
This was supposed to be about sex and diplomacy. That's all.
As if in response to my thoughts, something inside me shuddered.
Awakened. There was so much emotion in me.
I was bombarded by feelings I shouldn't be having.
Feelings I didn't want. Jucai shuddered as if he felt it too.
Our locked stares became intense, and my orgasm rose, shivering in my pelvis.
It felt different, and fear flashed through me.
For one horrifying moment, I thought I was going to mate him.
Then it just fizzled out. The emotions and the shivering vanished, taking my climax with it.
We gasped together, pulled back from ecstasy and perhaps more.
Jucai fell forward, my legs sliding around him. Inches from my face, he whispered, “What was that?”
“It's been a long day, and you denied yourself for several hours. It's probably just the strain.”
“Yes, the strain.” He didn't look convinced.
I clenched my channel around him. “How are you feeling now? Better?”
Jucai grinned, his cock hardening inside me. “Much better.”
We both ignored the strange event, wiping it away with a fresh passion that rose easily. Soon, we were cresting—first me and then him. It was a relief in more ways than the obvious. When it was over, Jucai pulled out of me and left the bed.
As he gathered his clothing, Jucai said, “I'll see you at dinner. Join me at my table.”
Then he fled.