Why didn’t you tell me riding this beast was like straddling a small summit?” Riley slid off the camel and arched her back, bending her butt and thighs to get the blood flowing. “My lady parts feel like they road piggyback on Quasimodo’s hump.”

Jag tied the camels to a palm tree, grinning as he watched Riley’s antics. “I told you to move with the sway of the animal. Camels aren’t horses. Their gait is totally different, and it takes getting used to.”

“Yeah? Tell that to my ass.” She winced, rubbing her butt.

He laughed. “Your ass is just fine. A soak in the hot spring will make all your thoughts drift to something much more pleasurable.” He moved to rub her shoulders, placing a kiss on the back of her neck.

She angled her head, giving him total access, but voices pulled their attention. Jag tensed, moving quickly to push her behind him for safety.

“Royal Highness?” a man asked, coming from the shadows.

Jag squinted in the darkness. “Ranat? Is that you?”

The man walked from the cover of palms into the moonlight, and Jag’s mouth spread in a grin. “What are you doing here?” Jag said, walking to take the man’s hand.

Ranat met him halfway. “I could ask the same for you, but seeing your lovely friend, there’s no need.”

“I thought your clan would have made camp at the foot of the mountains by now.” Jag turned, motioning for Riley to come. “This is Riley Parks. She is one of the queen’s friends from Earth.”

The man touched his forehead and offered a short bow. “I’m honored, pretty lady.”

“So,” Jag asked again. “What brings you here at this time of night? The queen told Riley about the oasis and we were out for the night already and decided on a little detour to watch the sunrise.”

Ranat glanced past her shoulder to the clamor beginning in the distance. “It’s our avowal, Jag. The location changes with the moons, so we find ourselves here tonight.” He looked from Jag to Riley and back. “You’re welcome to join us as honored guests, of course.”

Riley’s eyes glowed with interest. “Is an avowal some sort of celebration? A rite?”

Ranat looked at Jag before answering. “Yes and no. It’s a Galaxan courting ritual. Tonight is the last night.”

“A courting ritual. Cool.” She linked her arm with Jag’s elbow. “Back home we call that asking permission to keep company with a girl. Of course, now that’s considered way old-fashioned.” She shrugged. “Still, I think it’s sweet. Wooing a girl and making an effort.”

Ranat grinned as if getting a kick out of her. “Well, it’s a little more complicated than that for us, but you’re welcome to watch.”

He led them across the low natural bridge to the opposite side of the oasis. The trees were sparser here, more desert like. A bonfire burned at the center of a ring set up with folded blankets like seats. Dusty tents dotted the perimeter, and Ranat pointed to one and nodded before Jag shook his hand. The man then showed them where they could watch the festivities, giving the prince a prime view near the epicenter of everything.

“Wow, ringside seats,” Riley teased.

Jag nodded. “Ranat said this lasts all night, so he’s given us a tent just in case.”

“In case of what?” she asked.

He brought his lips to hers, lacing their fingers in his lap. “In case I want to call in our deal. You said if I came with you now, I would get to come later.”

“Is that all you remember me saying?” Her eyes flicked to their joined hands and back.

Jag shook his head. “I remember everything, Riley.”

The tribe drums began at that point, ending their conversation. Tribesmen took their places, sitting along the wide perimeter of the bonfire. Another man, ornately dressed in flowing robes and scarves, exited the largest tent and stood outside the break in the ring of seats. He raised his arms and the drums began a simple rhythm.

“Who is that?” Riley asked, leaning to whisper over the rat-tat-tat.

Jag glanced to the tent and the man standing outside. “I think he’s some sort of shaman. I’ve never seen this rite, so I don’t know for sure. My guess is the women are inside preparing. There’s more than one clan here, but he must be the one elected to guide the festivities.”

The tent flap behind the shaman opened, and twenty young women filed out. Their bodies were painted with brightly colored symbols, and they wore long slit skirts and narrow bandeaus over their breasts.

The shaman led them inside the ring of men, and with another raise of his arms, the drums changed to a pulsing, steady beat. The women swayed, their bodies slowly undulating with the rhythm.

“There’s something very strip-clubby about this.” She watched, taking in the faces of the men as they stared. “I half expect the men to start waving dollar bills at the girls.”

Jag shook his head. “Keep watching. It’s nothing of the sort.”

As the pulse quickened, the pace of the dance did as well. The women moved frenetic and sensual, circling the fire, their eyes as intent on the men as the men were on them.

Older women watched in groups behind the ring of suitors. Riley turned at the weight of their eyes on her. One of the women smiled, and Riley nodded, smiling back.

“I think I’ve caused a bit of a stir among the married ladies,” she said gently nudging Jag’s eyes from the firelight and gyrating bodies.

He glanced back for a moment. “Let them wonder. It’ll give them something to gossip about later.”

“Wonder? About what?” she pressed with a chuckle.

He looked at her. “About who you are to me.”

Riley caught the older woman’s eye again and with a nod, she let go of Jag’s hand. “Well, like the song says, let’s give ’em something to talk about.” She got up from the folded blanket and took the older woman’s outstretched hand.

“Riley! Wait. Where are you going?” He got up, taking a step toward them.

The older woman shook her head, and lifted a hand waving him back to his seat. Riley grinned, doing the same. “Don’t worry. I’ll be right back.”

Jag watched the dancing, glancing over his shoulder waiting for Riley to get back. What was taking her so long? Impatient, he moved to get up again, but caught Ranat’s eye and the man grinned, nodding.

Jag turned, and there was Riley walking through the perimeter opening to join the dance.

His lips spread as he watched her follow the steps, moving her hips and swaying to the frenetic drumming. She was caught in the moment almost immediately, losing herself in the beat. Her mocha flesh was sheened with sweat from the fire and the exertion, and the painted symbols on her skin seemed to glow.

She moved in a circle, spinning as the women ringed the fire. Riley stopped in front of Jag, her body undulating as her eyes held his riveted. The drums stopped. Breasts heaving, the women stepped forward, each with an arm stretched toward the man directly in front.

Riley stepped forward with them, her hand reaching for Jag. He rose with the others and slid his hand into hers. The shaman said words in a language she didn’t understand, but Riley repeated them along with the other women.

The drums started again, but this time the beat was a steady thump, and the men scooped the women who chose them into their arms and turned, walking off into the shadows.

“Well,” Riley said, still breathing heavy. “I could use that dip in the spring about now.”

Jag’s mouth took hers, stunned at the wild and free woman in his arms. He slipped past the others and carried Riley back toward the natural bridge. Finding a private grotto hidden behind thick trees and shrub, he waded with her into the cool water, letting her slide into the depths over his hard body.

“It’s my turn, Riley. I’m going to fuck you, you splendid, sexy tease.” He pulled the wet bandeau from her breasts and tossed it to the grassy bank. His hands found her tits and squeezed. Dipping his head, he took her nipples into his mouth one at a time, sucking and biting while hands roamed her curves.

She moaned, and he released one hard bud with a pop. “That’s it, baby. I know you want me. But you have to wait. I’m going to work your sweet pussy until it’s soaked.”

He thumbed her nipples, circling the taut flesh. She reached for his hard member, but he shook his head. “Not yet, baby. I want you drenched for me.” He pinched her nipples harder. “I want you begging for my cock.”

Her breath came in short, hard pants. “Jag—”

“I hear you, love.” He chuckled, as his hands slid around to cup her ass. “You think I filled you before? Just wait, Riley. I held back. Held myself from taking you raw and making you come so hard, you’ll never want another man.” Her eyes found his and held.

“You know what this means, right? You understand what I’m saying.” She moaned, nodding as one hand swished through the water to her hot sex.

“Yes!” she groaned. “Only you. I want only you.”

He lifted her to a boulder covered in soft moss and pushed her knees apart. He licked her slick, swollen folds, lapping at the sweet musk. His teeth grazed her clit, and he sucked her deep and she cried out, but he pulled back. “No, Riley. You’ll come when I let you. It’s not time.”

With a single move, he lifted her to her feet and turned her around. Her hand hit the stone as Jag spread her legs wide. He reached for her pussy, dipping his fingers deep into her wet juice, spreading it back to her tight hole.

“Your ass is so luscious.” He stepped closer so his legs pressed against the back of hers. He reached around to cup her pussy, working her clit until she arched, raising her hips and her ass for more. Jag let go and spread her even wider, and grabbing her soft flesh, drove his cock deeply into her slick cunt. “But that’s next!”

He thrust, pounding balls deep. His animal wanted more, his xenos lion clawing for freedom and release. His plunges turned rougher, pushing harder into her. Her soaked pussy swelled with each raking thrust, his barbed cock forcing her body to suck him deep.

She threw her head back, spiral curls brushing his chest adding another sensation. “You’re so slick, Riley. Hot and tight, my dick is squeezed in a succulent vise.” Her muscles locked up on him. She was close. “Tell me you’re mine, Ri.”

“Jag...” she choked.

He thrust again. “No, baby. I need to hear you say it. Tell me you’re mine. Only mine. Tell me and I’ll make it so.” She whimpered, and his body tensed and her muscled clenched, crying for release.

With a force he never felt, she ground her pussy back, driving into his cock. “Yes! Jag! I’m yours! Take me. Take all of me. Make me COME!”

He pulled back, reaching around to cup her clit, catching the hard bud between his thumb and forefinger. He pinched, driving his dick deep. Flaming wetness coated his cock as her muscles clenched hard around his member.

Riley cried out, her body tense. Every muscle tightened as waves of pleasure and release crashed. A low growl started in Jag’s throat, thundering forward. His incisors lengthened as his cock swelled, ready to blow. There was no holding back this time. Pleasure exploded, shooting from deep in his gut through his balls to his cock. Hot jets shot deep.

With a roar, he threw his head back, his fangs fully descended. He was one with his xenos. His cock held her body captive, and as the last of her climax soaked his member, his fangs pierced the soft flesh between her shoulder blades. Mine. The word reverberated in his skull as her blood coated his mouth even as Riley’s body tensed at the drop between pleasure and pain.

He sealed the wounds, releasing her body, but holding her close as she slumped against him, exhausted.

“What the hell was that?” she gasped, pushing her damp curls from her face to look at him past her shoulder.

Jag tightened his grip around her waist before turning her in his arms to face him. He kissed her lips first. “That, my love, was my xenos.”

She exhaled. “Holy fuck! Literally.”

“I warned you. I told you I held back before,” he replied, brushing her hair from her eyes.

Reaching behind her for the boulder, she eased herself down. Jag let her go only when sure she wouldn’t collapse.

“No offense.” She chuckled. “But if that’s the way it’s going to be from now on, you’re going to have to build in recovery time.”

He cupped handfuls of water and gently washed her tender parts, letting the cool water pool over her breast. “You’ll get used to it.”

“Did you—” she hesitated.

He froze, water cupped in his hands running through his fingers. “Mark you?” He finished her sentence for her.

She nodded.

“Yes. You said you wanted me and only me. I had to hear you say it, or I could never have claimed you.”

She took his hand, toying with his fingers. “Does that claiming go both ways?” She looked up at him. “I mean, if I’m yours and only yours, does that apply to you, too?”

A huge grin swept his face and he scooped her up, laughing as she winced. “You bet your sweet ass it does.”