Chapter Eighteen
The following morning, while Kerr slept, his fever gone and most of the warm bronze color restored to his skin, Eva felt comfortable leaving him long enough to bathe in the pool. The warm water soothed her achy muscles and tender, well-used parts between her legs. For a man just waking from a coma, he’d demonstrated remarkable recuperative powers, claiming her three times during the night. It had required her being on top, something unusual for her dominant mate. Still, there was no question who had control as he drove up inside her, his fingers curled into her hips pulling her down hard to meet him.
He made an exception the final time when he flipped her, so she straddled his face again, his mouth bringing her to climax—the fifth in a matter of hours—while she bent forward and worked his cock. He’d been in command of her pleasure even then, waiting to take his own until she cried out around his hard length. He’d pulled her off him, flipped her, rolled them onto their sides, hooked her knee over his hip and filled her, his groans of release muffled by their kiss.
After he told her he loved her, neither of them had said much, except Kerr’s orders like spread, suck, and come for me. When he woke next, she intended to make sure he heard her reply.
Smiling to herself, she climbed out of the pool and dried off quickly, anxious to get back to Kerr should he awake. He was far from full strength, and she didn’t want to risk a setback should she be away from him for too long. As she tied her flowing robe around her waist, she was startled by a knock on the door from the private lounge. She opened it, finding Janus.
“Excuse me, Prima. I heard the water and didn’t want to disturb the Princep. Visitors are asking for you.”
She nodded. “Let me get dressed.”
“I think you should come now. They seem, uh, impatient.”
He stepped aside and revealed the three men waiting in the lounge. All wore the red warriors’ tunic, although she had never seen any of them before.
“Prima, we are here to escort you to the Council.” Two moved forward and took hold of her arms.
“But my mate—”
“We were informed by physic Jarlan the Princep has recovered sufficiently to tolerate a two time-cycle separation. You will be returned to him before this has passed.”
“Surely this can wait for Max Kerr to be present,” the chamberlain insisted.
“The Council has summoned you to appear now.”
She looked at Janus, his worried eyes and downturned mouth showing he felt as concerned as she did. With three warrior guards flanking her, she was left no choice except to comply as they took her to face the Council’s judgment.
Recalling Udo’s words—no matter the outcome—and his promise to see her punished, she called over her shoulder, “General Trask!”
They turned down the main hall, the chamberlain scrambling after them. “Janus, get Trask!”
***
They took her to a large chamber on the first floor. When the doors opened, she saw the elders, either seated or standing behind a long table, waiting for her and ready to pass judgment, she dug in her feet. It made no difference to the warriors, who simply lifted her under her arms and carried her in. They set her down in front the empty center chair, which she knew without being told belonged to the Princep, who was conspicuous in his absence.
Valkerr and Aylan flanked Kerr’s vacant seat, staring at her, their concern palpable.
Udo rose and pointed at a round platform with a wooden railing on the other side of the table. She swallowed hard, knowing what it was for before the elder stated, “The accused will stand and await judgment.”
It was like an old Hollywood drama—and she had top billing.
One of the guards moved her forward then retreated, falling in line with the large group of other warriors in the room. She recognized a few: Lothar, Ramekin, and Rothke. None looked particularly sympathetic, but they seemed tense and shifted uncomfortably. Eva scanned the men lining the perimeter of the room, searching for Trask. Perhaps he would remember his vow to Kerr, to protect her, and after last night, change his mind, and not think his duty was done—quite yet. But he wasn’t there.
“Kerr will be enraged over this summons,” Valkerr declared vehemently. “My grandson would insist upon addressing his mate’s behavior himself. In private.”
“He is not currently able, so we must act in his stead,” Udo responded. “Punishment is swift and decisive, as is our way. The Prima should not be an exception to this rule.”
“Nor should she be rushed to judgment to avoid Kerr’s interference, Udo,” Aylan countered as strongly as Valkerr had. “You are acting out of spite because the Prima embarrassed you in front of a crowd. This is also something for her mate to address, not you.”
“She threatened my person!”
“You are bigger and taller than her, Udo. Don’t be petty.”
“It is a crime to threaten an elder,” he hissed. “But the main issue here is our Princep almost died. Despite the Prima’s claims she was taken against her will, we have witnesses she walked to the transport center under her own power. No one had her at gunpoint or dragged her there. His sickness was brought about by his mate’s deliberate actions. It is as severe a betrayal as an assassination attempt would be.”
A rumble arose from the men, some in protest, others in agreement.
Eva couldn’t remain silent. “I didn’t know of the separation sickness. I would never have—”
“Silence, female,” Druan, Udo’s staunch supporter ordered with contempt. “You Earth females don’t know your place and have been nothing but trouble. When you are found guilty, I will happily make a motion for the use of the whip.”
***
Kerr woke, thick-headed and groggy. His mouth dry, he licked his lips, tasting Eva. With a sleepy smile, he reached for her. Instead of soft, warm skin and womanly curves, he found a cold, indented pillow and mussed covers.
He sat up, searching her empty side of the bed. Weakness made his head swim when he swung his legs over the side, intending to look for her. His hand came up to his forehead, rubbing at the dull ache. The last few days were a fog of jumbled images; never had he been so ill.
“How do you feel?” He looked up to find Jarlan sitting in a chair near his bedside.
“Like I’ve been sparring with Trask, Ram, and Lothar all at once, only to be dumped on a mountaintop for a month afterward without food or water.”
“That good, huh?”
Kerr chuckled, groaning as his muscles protested. “Don’t make me laugh,” he said, shooting his healer a quelling look before his eyes swept the room. “Where is my mate?”
Jarlan’s smile faded.
“I can’t have one uneventful morning?” he grumbled. “What is wrong now?”
The door swung open, and Trask hurried in, answering for him. “Udo has summoned Eva to Council on charges of treason against the Princep. She is there now. Without you, they have enough votes for a dispensation.”
“Faex.” He pushed himself up, his body, particularly his legs, as weak as an infant. His lifted his gaze to his lifelong, most loyal friend. “I’ll need your help, brother.”
Trask didn’t hesitate and walked quickly to the closet.
Jarlan approached with his wicked-looking medicinal gun. He pressed it to Kerr’s shoulder, injecting him.
“What are you dosing me with now?”
“Fortifying nutrients. You haven’t eaten and have had no sustenance—except from your mate—these past few days.”
“And I crave her still. I can see to that after I save her from Udo’s vengeance.” He raised his voice. “Trask, we need to go now.” But his friend was already on his way to him with clothing and his boots.
***
She took in the reproachful eyes and hostile stares of most of the council. Their anger was a tangible force seeming to bounce off the walls and ripple in waves across the room, so enraged were they on behalf of their leader. The vote would be overwhelmingly—guilty. Thinking of a whip in the hands of any of these men made Eva’s knees buckle.
Rothke, who stood nearest to her, stepped forward and gave her his arm for support. His low whisper was for her ears only when he advised, “Be strong, Prima. Trask is on his way to Kerr. Aylan and Valkerr will give you their support, as well as the warriors. All are loyal and will intercede, if needed.”
“But the charge is true, isn’t it?” she said, her voice trembling. “He told me we were mates, but I didn’t believe him. If you hadn’t come for me on the Odyssey in time, he might be gone now. How would I have lived knowing I was the cause? And knowing now that I bear his mark, and there were other signs… I should have—” Her voice broke and she shook her head. “It was a betrayal,” she uttered emphatically. “I deserve to be punished.”
“Hush, Eva. Do not give them ammunition.”
“Too late, commander,” Udo said with a grim smile. “She has admitted her guilt before this Council. I call the vote.”
One by one, each elder made his decision by a show of hands. In the end, the vote condemning her equaled nine to two. The nay votes were Aylan and Valkerr, with Mordrun the only one in abstention.
“It is decided. In the square in one hour, forty lashes with a whip will be given in recompense for treason against the Princep. It is not nearly enough for the crime, but it is the harshest sentence allowed by law.”
“No!” Valkerr shouted, rising to his feet, Aylan along with him. “It’s too much, and dispensation for the use of a whip can only be granted with the Princep’s consent, which he has never given for a female. Kerr would object.”
“Kerr does object!”
Leaning heavily on Rothke, she turned, as did everyone else in the room to see Kerr, looking pale and drawn, and swaying slightly in the doorway. Trask stood close by his side, and Lothar moved in to take his other flank, no doubt ready to catch him should he start to go down.
“The sentencing is over, Max Kerr,” Druan stated. “There is no appeal; she has admitted her guilt.”
Kerr’s eyes shot to her briefly then he addressed the Council. “As her mate, it is my right to determine her punishment and no other.”
“Unless her mate is incapacitated, which you were,” Udo rejoined. “It has already been decided, Princep.”
“Undecide it, then. Call for a re-vote.”
“This is unprecedented.” Druan shared a startled look with Udo, whose face was getting red. “There was a clear majority. We would need to vote to change the rule, and the council stands against her, Max Kerr.”
“Then, as is my right as her mate, I shall take her sentence as my own.”
Low and resonant, though lacking its usual strength, Kerr’s voice carried across the gathering. Murmurs and faint protests arose from some of the warriors.
They knew, as Eva did, he was barely recovered, and suggesting such a thing was insane. “No, Kerr, don’t do this,” she cried out in protest. “You can barely stand. I’ll take the whipping.”
Other murmurs and whispers, this time of approval of the Prima, joined the hum growing in the room.
“Come here, Eva,” Kerr’s voice rasped.
Rothke released her, and she rushed to her mate.
“Kneel at my feet and be silent,” he ordered.
Immediately, she fell to her knees. As she did, she felt his hand come to rest on top of her head, concern showing in his eyes. Wanting so much to ask him what he was thinking, she found the second half of his command impossible to obey.
“I’ll accept their decision. I left and made you sick. I deserve this,” she murmured, a quiver audible as she spoke.
“Last night, you said you changed your mind at the last minute. But you went with them initially. Why?”
“I learned you went after the Odyssey.” This was only half of it, however. She closed her eyes at the pain of the memory. “But even more so, I realized I love you.”
His hand slid down her cheek and caught her chin, keeping her face tipped up to him. “Running away is a strange way of showing love, Eva.”
“I saw you with that brunette in the square. And I thought…”
Kerr’s brows slammed together. “What brunette?”
“Zalina. I was told you loved her once, and thought, since we didn’t bond, if I left, you would be free to try with her or to find someone else.”
He snorted, the sound equal parts frustration and amusement. “Romantic bullshit.”
“What?”
“I believe it’s what you call a fanciful love story in your world.”
“You mean It isn’t true?”
“Sprite,” he replied with impatience. “If I loved Zalina and wanted her for my Prima, I had plenty of opportunities to make it happen before I found you. That I did not should tell you something.”
“But I was told you cared for her.”
“I was twenty at the time. A youth who didn’t know what I wanted. I’ve often thanked the Maker we weren’t a high match.”
“Zalina is the one who should be standing trial,” Aylan stated.
Kerr looked up, his uncle’s interruption reminding him they had an audience.
“Her jealous, spiteful nature led her to betray us more so than Eva,” Aylan went on. “She aligned the purists against the Earth females. Further, she orchestrated the fire in the mine as a diversion. She also aided with the teleportation of the females back to their ship.”
“What evidence do you have of such slanderous charges?” Udo demanded to know as he surged to his feet.
“Do not answer that,” Druan protested, also rising from his chair. “Zalina does not stand before the Council—the Prima does.”
“Since the mastermind was your niece, Druan, and your daughter, Udo,” Valkerr accused, “I call for disqualification of you both from all judgement in these proceedings due to your conflict of interest and lack of objectivity. Further, I propose we examine your involvement in this conspiracy closely. A female having the knowledge and access to execute such a well-orchestrated plan is highly suspect, unless she had help.”
A cry of agreement erupted in the room.
“Again, where is your proof?” a red-faced Udo shot back.
“What does any of this have to do with the Prima’s charges?” Druan asked. “A near-fatal crime against the Princep takes precedence. She left him to die.”
“Faex.” Valkerr’s eyes flashed. “You’re like a mongrel with a bone, Druan!” He stalked around the table and approached Kerr. Once at his side, he took his arm. “A moment for a word, Princep.”
Kerr glanced down at her, a silent warning in his golden gaze, then moved a few feet away with his grandfather, speaking too low for her to hear.
***
“Good to see you back on your feet, though barely.”
“Thank you, grandfather,” Kerr said. It was an odd time to be conferring well-wishes, but he understood the impulse. “Due respect, sir, but we’re in the middle of something here.”
“There is another way, Kerr. Your prima is right; in your weakened state, forty lashes would be too much. You could, however, invoke the Codicil of First Consort.”
He paused a beat. “I’m unfamiliar with this rule.”
“It is ancient, although still applies in this case. Call for the lash then follow my lead.” He walked away with unmistakable confidence he had his grandson’s support, which he did.
Kerr moved the few steps back to Eva’s side. On her knees gazing up at him, she looked beautiful, despite the pain of her guilt visible in her liquid-green eyes. He raised a hand and stroked the back of one finger down her damp cheek.
“You said you loved me.”
She gave him a wan smile. “You heard?”
“Did you mean it?”
“With all my heart, and I accept you as my mate.”
Her words buoyed his spirits and sparked the desire he had for her simmering constantly beneath the surface. But he had Udo and Druan’s interference to deal with first.
“Do you trust me to protect you, sprite?”
“With my life.”
“Luckily, we do not take things so far.” He scanned the crowd until he found the Council bailiff. “Bring the leather flail.”
Eva shivered at his order but remained silent, her eyes fixed upon his.
Kerr’s hand remained gentle on her face, and he held her gaze as spoke. “As is my right, I will dispense the punishment myself. Clear the chamber.”
Her only reaction was to breathe in softly between her parted lips.
Udo’s voluble protest came immediately, as he expected it would. “Council ordered punishment by law is in public.”
His grandfather spoke up next. “My grandfather, Maxime Princep Fallan, also had a near-perfect match with his fated mate, whom he loved beyond measure. He had a bit of trouble with his Prima, similar to these circumstances. Like Max Kerr, he could not bear to have her exposed before the masses. He enacted the Codicil of First Consort, which defines public as at least four witnesses. The law remains unchanged today and is all that is required.”
Kerr eyed his clever grandfather with a grim smile. “Like my ancestor, I also invoke the Codicil of First Consort. Trask and Lothar will remain as witnesses, as well as elders Bonum and Lyle. This will satisfy the public requirement. The rest of you will leave, now.”
“I must protest!” Druan exclaimed. “I shall stay to ensure you don’t go easy on her.”
Kerr turned a hard glare on the irksome man, his patience hanging by a slender thread. “As her mate, I choose the witnesses and mete out the discipline of my choice.”
“The people have a right to witness her chastisement, Kerr. You almost died.”
“Are you saying you don’t trust our honored general and his second, or two from your esteemed council?”
Outplayed, Druan didn’t respond.
“You’ve heard my decision. The people will have to be satisfied with it as well.” Kerr gave this assertion in a deliberate brusque tone to end further debate.
Udo would not let it rest. “I must add my objections to Druan’s and do so on behalf of the council!”
“Since when do you speak for all the elders, especially when they presently stand behind you?” Kerr scanned the others who sat at the table, some frowning, others coming to their feet to voice their indignation. “The prima and the other human females represent our only hope for a future. Twenty years of searching for a solution while our population continued to decline should make it evident. Some of our people, including members of our highest council”—he aimed an accusing gaze at first Udo, then Druan—“have cast them in an unfavorable light to promote their purist views because they are afraid of change. If we all adhered to these narrow-minded ideals, it would be the end of us.” He looked at each member of the council in turn. “Times have changed, and we also must change if we are to survive.” Refocusing on the two scowling elders, he went on harshly. “If we have elders so rigid in their thinking they cannot bend or are incapable of representing our people with wisdom and fairness to the detriment of us all, I will personally call for their immediate dismissal.”
The room erupted. He had drawn a line in the sand—side with the Princep or with Udo, Druan, and the purist sect. And the time was now to choose.
“Kerr.”
He would have missed her barely audible whisper if she hadn’t also clutched his tunic and drawn his attention. Kerr bent to hear her over the din. “What is it, Eva?”
“I don’t want to cause more strife. I’ll accept the decision of the elders.”
“You do not know this, never having been in this chamber before, but there is always strife. Another burden the Princep bears.” He gave her a sly grin. “Now hush, my troublesome mate, and let me see to this business and, by doing so, your protection.”
Kerr stood and raised his hands for silence. “Now then, to continue, I believe we have a motion on the table requiring a vote. All in favor of disqualification of Udo and Druan on the grounds Valkerr stated?”
Except for the two red-faced elders, the vote was unanimous.
He signaled the bailiff. “Remove Udo and Druan, please.”
“Remove us!” Druan exclaimed, seething mad. “We have the right to observe.”
Kerr peered at the man in annoyance. “For someone always spouting rules of order, you have a very selective memory of what they are. I’m sure if you think hard, you’ll recall council members under active inquiry are barred from all proceedings.”
Udo became practically apoplectic. “How dare you accuse us of wrongdoing, Max Kerr. We have been honored council elders since before you were born.”
“I dare because it is my responsibility as Princep, a position the Primarian people duly elected me to hold, unlike you, Udo, who are appointed. Maybe this should be the next order of business before this council. How many of those thirty years do you think you would have served if the people decided whether to have your petty mindedness make decisions on their behalf?” His eyes cut to Trask. “I tire of this. General, would you assist the bailiff. If they protest, have your warriors take them to the sheriff on charges of obstruction.”
“With pleasure,” he replied, striding to the outmaneuvered and now powerless older men. With his arm extended to the door, Trask added his own personal invitation. “Leave now, freely, or be carried out. Just know if you choose the latter, I won’t need to call warriors but will enjoy seeing to the duty myself.”
Like most warriors, Trask was strong, confident, and had the size to carry out his promise. And he wasn’t in his position as general of all Primarian forces because he was a pushover or made idle threats. Without protest, the two men scurried out of the room, while the rest of the elders and observers filed out of the room at a more sedate, dignified pace. Passing the flail to Kerr, the bailiff left as well, closing the doors behind him.
In the near-deafening silence that remained, Kerr once again extended his hand to Eva. She took it trustingly. He led her to the wall beside the door, where hooks for outerwear were embedded in the wood.
She eyed them skeptically, plainly unsure how he meant to proceed.
“Look at me.”
Immediately, her gleaming eyes met his, the trust and love she had shown him during the night unmistakable. But he needed more from her. He cupped her face tenderly in his hand.
“Udo was right in one respect. The people will expect discipline for your role in this debacle.”
“Ignorance of the law is no excuse; I take it?”
“I’m sorry, sprite. It is not. Do you accept it is my right as your mate to punish you?”
Without hesitation, Eva nodded. “Yes, Kerr. I accept this punishment as well, because I trust you, and I see no way of winning forgiveness and respect from your people unless I do.”
“And this is important to you, Prima?”
“I didn’t think it possible, but yes. I am a reflection upon you, and want to do what is right, and what is expected of me.”
“My brave little one,” he murmured as his thumb swept gently across her cheek. “Through the wisdom of my grandfather, what must happen will be easier on both of us by clearing the room. I will take care with you, but this will be a true punishment, and I’ll expect you to obey every command.”
“You can take care with a—” Her voice broke, and she had to swallow before she continued. “A flail.”
He bent his head, bringing his face close, blocking out everything and everyone else, so it was only the two of them in that moment. “Like the spankings and the lashing you endured over the couch in our room, you won’t come to harm under my hand. This is my promise, and why I am doing this and not another.” Her eyes were bright and trusting as she gazed up at him. “I’ll have your vow to obey, Eva.”
“I will, Kerr. I promise.”
He stared down at her, hoping after this she would continue to look at him the same way. “I intend to keep my promises to you always, my lovely Prima.” He watched as her tongue peeked out and wetted her lips, indicating her nervousness. Wanting to be with her anywhere else but here, Kerr slid his thumb across the glistening fullness of her mouth. “Before we begin, give me a kiss to seal our vows.” Her hands came up to his chest as she rose onto her toes. Tentatively, her tongue came out and touched his lips. The small taste spurred his hunger for more, and he took her into his arms, his mouth opening over hers, searching the warm recesses with his tongue until she clung to him. His desire for her exploded, but, alas, he could delay no longer.
Kerr raised his head. “Turn and face the wall.”
Her head moved first, glancing at it for a split-second, then the rest of her followed. He stepped in behind her, close enough for her to feel the brush of his clothing and his body heat. His purpose was twofold—to provide her reassurance but also to block her from the view of the other males in the room. It galled him they would look upon her beauty, but Udo’s maneuverings had left him with no other option.
With a tug on the belt at her waist, he slipped the robe off her shoulders. She started, angling her head to the side to look up at him.
“It will be over soon, sprite. Until then, keep your eyes forward, and grab hold of the pegs above you.”
Again, she did as instructed, though her hands shook as she clasped the wooden toggles embedded in the wall. His hand stroked her hip, gently. “Spread your legs.”
As she positioned herself, moving her feet a hands-breadth apart, he leaned into her back, pressing her breasts to the wall, and nudging her legs wider.
“A wide base will help you keep your balance, sprite.”
Next, he gathered her long hair in his hands, appreciating its softness, the scent which was unmistakably his, and the mix of golden colors. It fascinated him, being unlike any female’s in his world. As he swept the wavy mass forward over one shoulder, baring her back, Kerr was reminded of something she’d said earlier.
“You should have come to me and asked about Zalina. Never withhold your concerns from me again. I would have allayed your fears.”
“I’ve regretted a hundred times in the past few days that I didn’t, about her and so many things. But I won’t make the same mistake again, and to prove it, I’ll admit being jealous and wanting to scratch the bi— um, witch’s eyes out.”
“Do you have any idea of how beautiful you are to me, and how much I want you, sprite? You don’t have to worry about Zalina or any other woman catching my eye. Not only will our mate bond not permit it, but because you are the only female who stirs my blood. Do you understand?”
“Yes, Kerr.”
“And you trust me? Enough to take care of you today and every day for the rest of our lives?”
“I do.”
“Good, then let’s get this ugly business done and go home, where I can continue my recovery, explore my mark on your creamy skin, and continue renewing our mate bond with me deeply embedded in your beautiful body.”
As a tremor raced through her, he stepped back and shook out the leather flail. With a flick of his wrist, he sent the three-tailed, medium-weight lash snapping across her bottom. She took it well, the only reaction a slight intake of breath.
His lips tipped into a smile of approval. He didn’t revel in it, however, with punishment still due, and the witnesses would need to attest it had been punishment rather than foreplay to mating.
With each subsequent stroke, Kerr upped the intensity until a loud thwap echoed through the chamber and a rosy blush bloomed on her flawless skin. He eased up slightly on her back and shoulders but lay the tails smartly across the curves of her bottom where the resilient flesh could take more.
He kept a close eye on her reaction, watching as her supple body arched, and she gasped or moaned with each blow.
After twenty, halfway there, he dropped his arm and moved in close. Running his hand down along her spine, across the breadth of her hips, and over each glowing globe of her bottom, he carefully observed her skin and its tolerance for more. At his gentle touch, Eva’s head fell back, sending waves of golden-blonde hair tumbling free. Her sigh, mixed with a low groan, echoed through the room. Kerr stiffened and stopped immediately.
The decidedly masculine groan had not come from her.
He kept his hands on her, running them over her hips, up her sides, and into the mass of her hair as the coiled it and once again moved it forward over her shoulder out of the way. This he did to calm her, and himself.
She was stunning and, despite the circumstance, responded with sensuality and beauty. That the sight of her, naked and writhing beneath his lash, inspired lust wasn’t surprising. But she was his mate, not an object for them to lust over.
It wasn’t Trask; he had too much control and good sense. Of the others, he wasn’t sure, but the next groan would be their last.
Kerr addressed his audience in an angry steely voice, “If the prima can endure this with dignity and grace, I expect the same from you. Further, I will snap the neck of the next man who dares make a sound. Is this well understood?”
“Yes, Princep,” was their softly murmured reply.
His attention returned to Eva as he whispered in her ear. “Forget them. Think only of me and how proud I am to have such a strong, beautiful, self-composed woman as my mate.”
She turned her head, her half-lidded eyes gleaming with passion. “I’m on fire,” was her scarcely audible confession, “but not only from the lash.”
Running his chin along the curve of her shoulder, he licked up the side of her neck until he reached her ear. His teeth claimed the lobe and tugged firmly, closing his eyes as a low moan rose from her throat.
“Patience, anisa. I’ll see to the fire after we are done here because we must get beyond this.”
She nodded. “I understand, Kerr. You must finish it. But please hurry before I combust.”
“So beautiful,” he repeated before he moved back and shook out the tangled laces.
For the final count of twenty, instead of spreading the flails from shoulder to mid-thigh, he flicked an occasional one on her shoulders and thighs but centered his concentration on the sweet padded curves of her behind. His already hard cock turned as rigid as iron while he watched her lean her backside ever so slightly into each stroke. Chemistry and test-matching aside, her response proved she was his.
Except for the soft rush of her accelerated breath, by the time his arm came to a halt, the room was once again silent. The final tally had reached forty, and her skin glowed rosy red, yet without a single welt or cut.
When the flail fell to his side, he swayed slightly from the exertion. He shook his head when Trask took a step forward to help. Holding out the wooden handle, he passed the flogger to his general while asking the collective group, “Is this issue settled to your satisfaction?”
“Yes, Princep,” Bonum answered for them all. “We will make a public proclamation at once. The Prima has paid the price for her crime, and justice is served.”
Kerr nodded, and the four witnesses quietly moved to the exit.
“Trask.” His call stopped his friend at the door. “We’ll need some time.”
“You won’t be disturbed,” he assured him.
Kerr believed him wholeheartedly and knew he would use any means necessary, including his fists rather than allow anyone to enter the chamber.
“Eva,” he murmured. At her side, he wrapped a supportive arm around her waist, in front. Her eyes were closed, her head lolling to one side, resting on an upraised arm. “Can you look at me, sprite?”
The smoldering flame he saw when she did startled him.
“I need you, Kerr,” she groaned. “Please.”
With the fire of desire burning as intensely in him, he buried his face in her neck and slid his hand up her belly to cup her breast.
She hissed, and he pulled away.
“What is it?”
“My hair, it’s fallen down my back. It tickles but is like pins and needles at the same time.”
“The sensitivity will pass quickly. Let me help you.” He removed the band holding his hair in place and gathered hers on top of her head. It took several sweeps to get it all. When he caught the last few loose tendrils hanging down the back of her neck, Kerr froze.
“You bear…my mark.” Reverently, he traced his fingers over the design, darkly beautiful in contrast to her fair skin. “When?”
“I’m not exactly sure, although I think it happened the day I left you. At the teleporter, at the last minute, I was torn. My teammates were pulling me one way, but my feelings for you were drawing me back. I couldn’t leave, worried as I was with you going to the mines and tied in knots over the feelings I had for you. I changed my mind. I felt the burning in the back of my neck. It was so intense it almost doubled me over.”
His head dipped, pressing his lips to the symbol declaring irrevocably she was his by fate. “It’s a wondrous thing!”
“The marking?”
“Yes, a mate’s mark is indeed a miraculous thing, a phenomenon we still don’t understand, but it isn’t what I meant.” With his lips brushing her nape, he told her just how deeply they were connected. “I felt a burning, too. Then, a moment later, a pain in my right side below my ribs, so agonizing it not only doubled me over but brought me to my knees.”
She twisted and looked at him, eyes wide. “That’s where Zalina shot me!”
“Show me the place.”
Her fingers curled around her side in the exact spot he had felt the pain. Her flesh still bore the bruises. “My fated mate,” he growled. “I cannot believe she dared shoot you! Zalina will pay dearly for this, Eva.”
Her nose wrinkled. “Can you exile her to the snowcap at the bottom of Primaria? Or even better, mate her for life to someone repulsive. She is a spiteful bi— uh, shrew, but I think she’s guilty mostly of loving you. Something I can understand. But it still hurt like hell, so I’m good with some payback.”
“You are very forgiving, sprite. More so than I. But I will keep your recommendations in mind while I think of a fitting punishment.” His gaze dropped to the familiar symbol on her nape, still amazed, awed, and more than a little humbled. He’d almost lost faith of ever finding his mate then the Maker bestowed upon him this unique and utterly beautiful female.
He traced the pattern with his tongue, unable to resist, but stopped when he felt her shiver. “Is it sensitive?”
“Only when you lick it. Do it again?”
Kerr turned her to face him, meeting her passion-filled eyes. “I was right all along, mate. Across this huge, limitless universe, the Maker brought you to Ventorcopia specifically for me to find.”
“Yes, you were. But where I’m from, it’s considered rude to say I told you so.”
He blinked, but, upon seeing her teasing grin, he laughed.
Swooping in, he claimed her lips as his hands slid to her breasts, rolling the tips into peaks, before gliding down over her hips and pulling her softness in to cushion the hard ache of his cock.
She broke away from his kiss, gulping in air. “My body is tingling and burning from the lash, and for you. Your touch and your kisses aren’t helping to cool it either. Don’t punish me more by making me wait. Take me here, Kerr. I said I was sorry.”
He nuzzled her neck, pressing kisses into the bend of her neck. “You sound like you have the separation fever.”
“I do. It’s been an eternity since you’ve had me.”
His head came up, and he held her face between his hands, grinning down at her. “By my count, it’s been less than four time-cycles. My kisses should hold you over until we get upstairs.”
“No, I need more, now.” Her hands were everywhere, running over his chest, shoulders, and back, then they slid into his hair, and she tugged, pulling him down for a kiss. “Please, Kerr.”
“When asked so sweetly, how can I refuse?” In seconds, he had his pants undone, had one of her legs hooked around his hip, and surged up inside her. “Will this do?”
Her groan of pleasure ended all thoughts of teasing. He drove into her again and again but needed more. With both hands gripping the heated globes of her backside, he lifted her, wrapped the other leg around him, and plunged deeper inside her.
Eva moaned his name and entwined her arms around his neck, clinging to him.
He took every bit of his strength and poured it into each potent thrust. But he wasn’t at his peak, and his legs quivered.
Feeling it, too, Eva tensed. “What are we doing? You’ve barely recovered. Put me down.”
He chuckled. “I don’t think so.” Turning with her in his arms, he propped her against the wall. She reached above her head and grabbed hold of the pegs again, taking some of her weight from him.
“Perfect,” he murmured as he began moving into her again. Then he remembered the flailing she took. “Your back, is it too much, sprite? We will stop and finish upstairs.”
Her legs flexed around him, and her heels locked behind his back with surprising strength. “I don’t think so, either. If you can power through, so can I, mate.”
Incited by the word from her lips, the first time she’d ever professed he was her mate, he slammed into her in a raw, carnal act of possession. He bent his head and licked up the side of her neck as his fingers lightly stroked over his marking on her. It sent her hurtling over the edge. Her grip tightened on his hair, her arms and legs flexing around him, her inner muscles grasping him hotly, and as she came, a delighted cry of ecstasy brushed against his ear.
Kerr raised his head to watch. Never was there a more beautiful sight than his mate claimed by passion. It was enough to send him over, too.
“Anisa meo,” he growled, and, taking her sweet mouth with his, Kerr drove into her, planted himself deep, and filled her with his seed.