Chapter Four

 

Darac tried to calm the nerves jumping in his stomach. A warrior did not feel nervous. Especially over something as simple as a mating ceremony. There was no reason for this tightness in his gut. Willa was his. The mating ceremony merely solidified their mating. A declaration to their family and friends.

So why did he feel nervous?

Perhaps because he had a secret.

Over the past two days, he’d had to cut himself off from Willa multiple times to keep her from learning his secret, which went against his protective instincts. He reminded himself that Willa was a strong, capable female. She could look after herself. And there was little danger here on Zerconia. However, while Darac knew Willa could take care of herself, his whole being was geared towards protecting her. If he could keep her by his side always, he would.

Would he have been this protective had he met Willa earlier, before falling into madness? Perhaps. He would never know.

This is who he was. Luckily, for him, Willa loved who he was.

Locking his secret away in his mind, he reached for her.

Uncertainty. Fear. Unhappiness.

Darac dropped the vest he’d been about to pull on. He rushed out of the room and into the passage.

“Darac?” Thor called out as he rushed past. “Where do you go?”

“Willa!” he yelled back.

Thor caught up to him. “Is she in danger? Is she harmed?”

“No, I don’t believe so.” He raced towards his house.

She was upset. That was most unusual for his Willa.

“It is your mating ceremony in an hour. Could this not wait?”

“No.” He ran into his house. Willa had insisted that they couldn’t get ready together. Something about seeing her before the ceremony being bad luck. A human custom that did not make much sense to him. They were already mated; so how could it be bad luck?

However, he would do anything for Willa’s happiness. So he had agreed to get ready at Thor’s house. Now he wished he had not.

“Willa!” he roared. “Willa!”

“What? What is it?” She moved down the stairs, looking so beautiful his breath caught in his throat. Her body was encased in a long, flowing, dress. It was a beautiful yellow color that suited her perfectly. Strapless, it left her arms completely bare.

Her hair hadn’t grown back from when she had to cut it to hide from the Coizils. But he thought the short style suited her. Her eyes appeared larger, her cheekbones more pronounced, and the graceful arch of her neck was bare.

“You look beautiful.”

She paused, a light blush filling her cheeks. “Oh, thanks. I’ve never really owned anything like this before.”

Mila had convinced Willa that she needed a dress for the ceremony. Darac thought she had agreed merely to please Mila.

But he was grateful for Mila’s perseverance. He thought Willa beautiful no matter what, but this image of her was one that he would remember always.

“What are you guys doing here? And where are your clothes?”

Darac gazed down at himself, realizing he was dressed only in a pair of pants.

“Is something wrong? Is it Zoey? What’s going on?” Panic filled her face as she strode down the stairs until she reached them both.

“You are unhappy. You are concerned about the mating ceremony. I sense your uncertainty.”

“I will wait outside,” Thor told them. “Let me know if you wish to delay the ceremony.”

Delay the ceremony? Darac’s stomach clenched. “Do you no longer wish to mate me?”

To have Willa’s love was everything to him. But had she come to the conclusion that he was not worthy of her love?

“What? Of course I want to be mated to you. But do you still feel the same about me? Have you changed your mind?”

“Changed my mind? Never! When I felt your uncertainty about the ceremony, your unhappiness, my heart stopped. I thought you might reject me.”

Her face softened, and she moved closer. Reaching up, she clasped his face between her hands. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean for you to feel that.”

“What is wrong?”

“It’s silly.” She pulled back, turning her gaze away from him.

Darac grabbed her chin gently, turning her face towards him. “It is not silly if it upsets you.”

“I haven’t seen you much these last few days. You’re up early, and you come home late. Today when I reached for you through the bond, it was closed off, and I realized that’s happened a few times lately. It hurt. We’ve barely kissed in days. If you’ve changed your mind, if you no longer want me, please tell me.”

Shock filled him, paralyzing him for a moment. Then he swept her up into his arms and strode up the stairs with her.

“Darac! Darac, what are you doing?” She hit him on the arm. It was no harder than a swat from a small child, although he didn’t tell her that. She didn’t like when he pointed out how much weaker she was to him. He had learned that the hard way. “Darac, talk to me!”

Only the tension in her voice got through to him. He glanced down at her as he entered their bedroom. “I am going to show you what you mean to me. Not want you? I am burning for you.”

He gently threw her on the bed.

“What? Darac, we can’t do this now.”

“Why not?”

“Because we have hundreds of people expecting us in less than an hour.”

“Let them wait.”

He stripped off his pants, gratified when her gaze grew hungry. She bit her lip, staring at him.

“We should talk.”

He knelt on the bed. “After. I must have you. I must show you what you mean to me. How much I desire you. I will always want you, Willa. I am sorry I have not shown you that lately.”

“It’s okay. I know you’re busy—”

“Hush.” He placed a finger on her lips. “There is no excuse for neglecting you.”

“Well, I wouldn’t say neglected.”

“I would. You needed me, and I was not there. Whatever you need, I must provide. Lie back, let me love you.”

“Wait.” She moved off the bed and stood. He wondered if she would reject him. But she merely reached for the back of her dress.

“Allow me.” He helped strip off the dress, placing it on a chair carefully. She stood before him, completely naked.

His shaft pounded, ached. It had been too long since they had joined. Two whole days. His fault. “Lie back and spread your legs.”

Her breath hitched, a flush of arousal covering her skin as she lay back on the masic.

“Hands over your head.”

“Darac. I want to touch you.”

“Later. It is my turn to touch and taste you. Bend your knees and place your feet flat on the masic.”

 

Willa bent her knees. This position opened her to his gaze. A shiver raced over her as he watched her, gaze intent.

“I always want you. I cannot look at you without wanting you. Thinking of you has the power to arouse me. Sometimes that is not always a good thing.”

She grinned. She understood exactly what he meant.

He knelt between her thighs, covering her body with his as he rested the majority of his weight on his hands. He brushed her mouth with his, reaching out with his tongue, he licked her lips before slipping it inside her mouth to duel with her tongue. Her clit throbbed, and she brushed her hand through his hair. Darac drew back his head to frown down at her.

“Did I give you permission to move your hand?”

“Hardass.”

“Hand back. No more warning.” Arousal etched his face into hard lines. Intent gleamed in his amber-colored eyes as he narrowed his gaze.

He kissed down her neck. Stars, she loved when he took charge in during sex. He moved to her breasts, nipping at each nipple. Arching, Willa cried out softly. “Darac!”

“You are everything to me. Everything.” The fierceness in his voice pulled at her.

“I love you, Darac.” She didn’t say it often. But she hoped he knew it.

“All I want is your happiness.” He kissed down her stomach.

Willa clenched her hands together. She desperately wanted to touch him. Darac clasped hold of her legs behind her knees, pushing them back towards her chest as he took a long lick of her pussy.

A low whimper of need escaped her. Her body tightened as her orgasm built. D1arac swirled his tongue around her clit then flicked it. Letting go of one leg, he circled her entrance with a finger.

Higher and higher she spiraled. Sweat coated her body, her breath grew quick, her heart beating so hard it almost hurt.

Darac thrust one finger deep, and she cried out as she clenched around him.

“More. More.”

Another finger entered her. In and out. He continued to run his tongue around her clit until she knew her orgasm was close. So close.

Suddenly, he pulled away, letting her leg go. His breath came heavily as he watched her.

“No! I was so close.” She glared up at him as he grinned.

“Yes. I know. But I wish to come with you.” He licked the fingers that had just been deep inside her, and she shuddered. How the hell was that so sexy?

Darac flipped her over onto her hands and knees. He settled behind her. His cock slid through her slick warmth, knocking against her clit and making her shudder.

Slowly, he entered her. Inch by staggering inch.

“Faster!”

“I will not harm you.”

“Darac, please, I am not delicate.”

“No.” He nipped her neck, and she cried out. Finally, he settled inside her. “But you are mine. Precious to me. Mine to protect. To love. Mine.”

He pumped his hips, moving in and out of her. Faster. Faster. Heat swamped her, filling her from the inside out.

“Darac!” Reaching around, he flicked her clit.

She exploded. Air rushed from her lungs in a huge whoosh as she dropped her head. Behind her Darac paused, letting out a loud cry of release.

Shuddering, her skin so sensitive it almost hurt to be touched, Willa attempted to bring herself under control as she collapsed to the bed. Darac curled around her back, running his hand over her arm.

“Never doubt my need for you.”

Worry gnawed at her. “Why have you been so distant lately? I’m usually the one telling you to give me some space. But the last few days, I’ve hardly seen you. So what’s up? What is going on?”

He stilled his hand. “I am sorry if I have not been around enough.”

“You only block me when something is going on that you don’t want me to worry about.”

“It is not that.” He rolled her to face him. “I am keeping something from you.”

“What?” She held her breath.

“It would be best to show you.” Standing, he reached down for her, picking her up in his arms. He carried her down the stairs and walked towards the front door.

“Ahh, where are we going? Cause if we’re leaving the house we could really use some clothes.”

He paused, glancing down at her. “We also need to bathe. I will put pants on then speak to Thor. I will join you soon.”

She nodded. “All right.”

When he entered the bathing area a few minutes later, he was frowning. “Thor is bringing it.”

“Bringing what, Darac?”

He simply shook his head then took over bathing her. When they were dressed, he led her down the stairs. She enjoyed having their own space. A place where they could be alone. There wasn’t much room on Betsy for privacy. Her brothers and crew mates were always close by. The only privacy available in her small village on Joyadan had been in her tiny cabin. Even then her brothers had been known to walk in without knocking.

Darac stopped outside the door to one of the store rooms. She couldn’t believe how many rooms this place had considering there was just two of them.

“I have kept it at Thor’s, not wanting you to discover it.”

“What is it?” All sorts of scenarios ran through her head. What had he done? What could he possibly be keeping a secret from her? Was it illegal? Was it a dead body? Did he need her help to get rid of it?

They could carry it down to the ocean after the ceremony when everyone was busy. Borrow a boat, weigh the body down and toss it over.

She needed to sort out his alibi.

Darac turned giving her a strange look. “It is not a dead body.”

“Ahh, caught that thought, did you?” Sometimes he caught her thoughts through their bond.

“I would not bring a dead body to our home. And I certainly would not expect you to help me get rid of it.”

She shrugged. “Well, if you ever do have a body to get rid of, you know where to come.”

He simply shook his head. “I do not know what to say. You are an unusual woman.”

Unusual wasn’t bad, right?

“I got you a present.”

“Huh. Really?” A present? That was unexpected. Were they supposed to get presents for each other for the mating ceremony? What the hell could she get him? There was no time to run to the marketplace, even if the stalls were still open.

Plus, she had no idea what to get him.

“Stand back. It has to be trained.”

Protective as always, he placed his large body in front of hers. What the hell had he gotten her?

Darac opened the door, and something tumbled out in a whirlwind of fur and paws. It bounced against Darac’s legs, landing on its ass on the smooth floor and spinning. Even sitting the top of its head would nearly reach her waist. The creature had white, shaggy fur, four legs and a thick tail that swung with enthusiasm. It stood, running around the two of them. Darac reached for it, but it flew out of his hold.

“Sit,” Darac commanded. The animal stared up at him and farted.

“Oh God.” Willa pinched her nose, her eyes watering as the scent of rotten eggs filled the passage.

Darac grimaced.

The animal scratched at his ear, unconcerned at the stench.

“What is it?” she asked. Was this her present? A woolly, clumsy, farting animal?

“It is a dog,” he said proudly.

It was? She stared down at the animal, still itching at its ear. It was like no dog she’d ever seen. Not that she’d seen one in person.

But she was pretty certain dogs didn’t have thick horns sticking out of their heads, or large, bright yellow tongues. She walked over and put out her hand. The not-dog stopped itching and sniffed her hand. Finally, it gave her hand a huge lick. Staring up at her, suddenly it let out a loud whine then pounced.

Willa slammed back onto the ground as Darac yelled out. The not-dog licked her face enthusiastically, even as Darac dragged it back. She lay there for a moment, eyes closed, just getting her breath back.

“Willa, are you all right?” Darac knelt beside her as the not-dog let out a mournful yelp.

“I’m fine.”

“Do not move. I will get Thor.”

She grabbed his hand. “Darac, I’m not hurt.” She glanced around as Darac helped her sit.

“Where is it?”

“I put it back in the storeroom. I am sorry. I will return it. I should never have gotten one so large. I shall ask for a smaller one. Who will not jump and hurt you. I—”

Willa threw her arms around him. “Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.”

“You like the dog?” he said hesitantly.

“I love it.”

“But it pushed you over.”

“It was just enthusiastic.”

He watched her skeptically.

“Darac, it didn’t hurt me. Promise. You know I’m tougher than I look.”

“You do not want me to get rid of it?”

“Get rid of it? No way.”

“It is much too large. It could hurt you.”

Lines of worry crossed his forehead. Reaching up, she smoothed them. “So he needs some training. I can handle that.”

She stood then opened the door to the storeroom again, bracing herself as the not-dog raced out at her. This time, she was ready for his enthusiastic greeting. She pushed him down, giving him a stern look.

“Sit,” she ordered in Zerconian. She’d found the language relatively easy to pick up, and now used it most of the time when talking to Darac. “Do you know what sex it is?”

“I was told that he is male. I must admit he looks different from what I expected, but the traders assured me he is a dog from Earth. They said many dogs have their horns clipped and that is why he looks different.”

Uh-huh, and she bet those traders sold magic beans and flying pigs.

The not-dog lay down on the floor, his huge tail swishing from one side of the hall to the other. He stared up at her, then let out another loud fart.

“He could use some diet changes.” She waved her in front of her face. “Do you guys have dog food?” Would he even eat dog food?

“No, I was told to feed him raw meat. He arrived two days ago, and I hid him at Thor’s. I have not been around because he does not like being alone. He cries a lot.”

“Aww, poor boy.” She sat next to him. Immediately, the not-dog climbed onto her lap like a hundred-pound baby.

“When you reached for me, I must have been with him. I blocked the bond because I wished to keep his presence a secret.”

This was so not a dog, but as she looked up at Darac, she didn’t have the heart to tell him. What did it matter if it was a dog or not? He had remembered what she’d said about wanting a dog as a child. What other man would do something so sweet? She wasn’t a girl who wanted jewelry or flowers. One who needed romantic picnics or gestures.

What Darac had given her was so much more special.

“You are crying. Do not cry. This was supposed to make you happy.” Panic filled his face as he dropped to his knees beside her. The not-dog growled at him.

“Stop that,” she scolded gently before turning to Darac. “These are happy tears.”

“Happy tears? You cry because you are happy?”

“I know, it sounds stupid.” She wiped her eyes. “I can’t believe you remembered. I can’t believe you did this.”

“You are certain you are happy?”

She nodded. “Give me a minute. I’ll be good in a minute.”

“And you like this dog?”

“He’s perfect.”

“What will you call him?”

“Hmm.” She stared down at the not-dog. “Norman. He looks like a Norman to me.” Leaning over, she gave Darac a soft kiss. “I love you. Thank you for the best present anyone has ever given me. I wish I had something to give you.”

His gaze grew purple, an indication of his happiness. “I have you. That is worth more than any gift.”