Chapter 5
Unlocking the Past
Staring at his naked mate, Toreen felt need shoot through him. Moving to her, he picked her up and laid her in the center of his bed. He moved on it then he was on top of her with his legs between hers. Kissing her softly at first, he slid down licking and nipping her throat as he worked down to her breasts. Once he made it to her nipples he sucked on them one at a time before he moved down even further. It wasn’t long before his face was between her thighs, where he took a deep breath of the sweet scent of her arousal.
When he let his warm breath out, it hit her pussy heating it. Now Cretia squirmed and whimpered. His tongue, which was rough unlike a human’s, licked her nether lips parting them and sliding inside her. She groaned loud and long.
His dragon groaned too as she arched up against him. His tongue moved out as a finger took its place before his tongue moved up to find her clit. Cretia jerked as his tongue slid over the little bundle of nerves. It was sensitive as he added another finger sliding into her channel and she moaned needy. Toreen worried her clit relentlessly. He felt the tension growing while he kept drilling into her and added a third and final finger. As his tongue continued to lick greedily, she was stunned a second before she exploded, her sweet juices drenching his hand.
Now he moved up her body sinking deep inside her. His mate’s legs slid around him holding tight. Slow and easy was his pace, but he couldn’t keep it that way long. He was only going slowly so that he will not climax like it was his first time. Cretia was perfect so he sped up until he was hammering into her and she encouraged him. “Harder, faster, now!”
Toreen’s dragon screeched as his cock unloaded all its seed into his mate. Nothing felt as perfect as when he rolled to his side as his arms wrapped around her. Right now they would take their rest with nothing between them. Tomorrow would take care of itself.
He woke and realized his mate was already gone. She’d left him sleeping to get started on her work. Their guests would arrive at lunch so Cretia would be cooking breakfast and lunch right now. Toreen hated that she worked so hard, but she was the only one that could see all these things done. Others could help, but seeing to all the details was something she had to do.
As he thought about what they were doing, dread rolled over him. This wasn’t something he would ever had done on his own. There was danger in seeking out Mabest, no one knew what her magic might be. It was too late to stop their plan, but he’d kill that female if she tried to do anything to his mate. He went to work in the fields for two hours then came back where breakfast awaited him.
Once he ate, he cleaned up and dressed properly for a lord of his position. Now it would be his job to wait for his father and Mabest to arrive. He would introduce his new mate. It would look like mating had changed his attitude or so the others seemed to think. Looking at the clock he saw that they were scheduled to arrive in less than an hour now.
The king had sent extra help that would act as spies. Only those happily mated and strong willed had been selected. Cretia was dressed like a lady and they lounged in their formal dining room talking about nothing of importance. It was what they both imagined lords and ladies did when there was no need to work.
The butler the king had loaned him stood at the door announcing his father and Mabest. He then stepped aside as he motioned for them to enter. They seemed to know exactly what they were supposed to do and they stepped on in. “It’s good to see you, boy.” His father said as Toreen stood and found himself pulled into his arms.
“Good to see you too, Father.”
“Where’s your mate?”
“This is Cretia, Father.”
His father barely paid attention to Mabest until she made a noise to get their attention. “You remember Mabest, Toreen.”
“Yes, of course. Why don’t you two sit and I’ll have something brought to you. What would you care for?” Toreen asked.
“I want some white Shavner tea.” Mabest demanded. It was one of the most expensive teas available. That was when it was actually available.
“Very good mistress. What do you want sir?” The butler asked.
“I’ll take an ale.” His father said.
“Me too and bring my lady a light wine.” Toreen said.
“It will be done.” The butler said as he hurried away.
His father helped Mabest into a seat then he sat closer to Toreen. “How goes things?” He asked completely ignoring Mabest.
“We’ve planted some new crops. I’m thinking of raising fish in huge tubs.” Toreen admitted. He and his father got into a discussion on the value of fish as a product.
“Lord Haversham made an attempt to raise them that failed so you might want to buy the used vats from him. Just keep in mind he failed terribly.” His father mentioned.
The females weren’t talking and Mabest looked bored. It was important to keep her interested enough to be here. Luckily the butler returned and it seemed they did indeed have rare tea varieties. Maybe she was known to drink that type so it was stocked.
Mabest took a sip. “This is quite good.” She commented as she continued to sit and sip.
Small talk wasn’t something Toreen was good at and luckily his father seemed truly interested in crops things that mattered to running lands. Mabest only seemed interested in parties and there were none until tomorrow night when they would all go to the castle. Cretia didn’t seem to know what to say to Mabest as she seemed to sip her wine and listen to the male conversation. This was getting them nowhere.
“Are you excited about the festivities at the castle tomorrow?” Toreen asked. Everyone looked at him. “Cretia and I are attending since we’re a couple now. I’ve not attended there since I was young.”
“They are the same as they were then.” His father assured.
“The parties are fun and there will be dancing.” Mabest observed. “Your father is a stick in the mud.”
Toreen’s father shot an unhappy look at his mate. “I enjoy the things most dragons do.”
“You enjoy those things alone.” Mabest said. Her answer was a shrug.
Toreen and Cretia exchanged looks. This was an odd visit. Even more so than they’d originally expected. Mabest was extremely girly, but she was quiet. His father acted as if he’d recently left Toreen’s house. He also didn’t act like a mated male. The behavior was more like a guard. Nothing was going the way they’d hoped.
“Perhaps our honored guests would like to rest before supper?” Gavos, the butler, asked. Toreen didn’t think Gavos was truly a butler. Perhaps a spy or someone with abilities to deal with people.
“That sounds good.” Mabest admitted. “The trip was tiring since we came a long way.”
“Let me escort you to your room. I’ll have some of the males bring your bags.” Gavos suggested. He led them away with two males behind carrying bags.
“Why don’t we go rest before supper?” Toreen asked since they were now alone.
Cretia’s cheeks turned pink as she nodded. He took her hand and led her to their suite. Goddess, he loved the time he had alone with his lady. The day was not going as he had planned. It seemed that they would have to wait to get anything on Mabest. How had they lost all control of the situation?
And that didn’t matter right now. They were in their room and somehow they were halfway naked. Cretia’s shoes were still on, but her shirt was off and skirt and panties were near her ankles. His hardness was pressing against her and it was monstrous with need. Her eyes widened as she felt it against her. His hips arched over and over as need consumed him.
He picked her up, taking her to the bed where he pulled her shoes off then stripped her the rest of the way. Toreen felt a tremor of desire run through her. His hands moved over her body with his mouth following every step of the way. When he got to her nipples, he pulled one in tugging on it hard. Her arousal scented the air as he felt moisture coating her thighs. His finger slid into her channel as he felt a rush of honey covering it. He groaned in enjoyment and anticipation.
After he sucked on both her nipples until they were pink and sensitive, Toreen moved down making her ache in anticipation. The touch of his soft lips tickled slightly while his hands continued to stimulate her. When his face reached her mound, he breathed on it with his heated breath. More moisture slid down her thighs as he continued to finger her, but now he added a second finger.
His tongue flicked out to taste her essence and he moaned in delight. “You taste so good.” He praised.
Cretia’s fingers slid into his hair hanging onto him as his face lowered to her clit so his tongue could work her clit. His second hand moved under her ass to tilt her into a more open position while the one hand continued to finger her. He used two fingers, but added a third and last one quickly.
He felt her passion spiral out of control as her channel tightened on his fingers. She threw back her head, screamed his name and her body bucked against him in wanton abandon. Moisture poured into her channel and her release rocked her.
Toreen didn’t hesitate, he moved up her body, putting his cockhead at her entrance. Her completely soaked sleeve welcomed his cock as he impaled himself balls deep inside her. He groaned, from the effort of freezing for a moment letting her body adjust to his size. He didn’t stay still long. In seconds, he pounded in and out of her with passion.
Her need seemed to be building again. Toreen coaxed the response from her body. He slammed in so deep, he felt her womb. “Come for me, Honey,” he whispered and that was all it took. Cretia’s legs wrapped around him pulling tight as she pressed up against him. Her channel clenched him so tightly, he never thought it would let go.
What she did, set him off and he roared like a dragon. He stared at his mate so happy to have her here in his arms. They were both soaked in sweat, tired but sated. His mate was asleep before he eased out of her. As she slept, she looked cold so he reached for a blanket pulling it over both of them.
Pulling her into his arms, he watched her as she slept. His hands rubbed her belly where their dragonlet rested as he imagined a good life for them as a family. He worried that this plan the king had would yield little or no results. Toreen truly wanted to know what had happened so many years ago. He just hated to stir up the past without finding out the truth.
Toreen realized he must have fallen asleep, but it wasn’t suppertime yet. There was still time to get ready once he woke his lady. Cretia looked like an angel lying there deep asleep. She did so much for him and his people, she needed this deep rest. He went ahead showering and dressing before he woke her.
She startled, when he spoke to her. “It’s alright, Sweetness. You just need to get up and be ready for supper. Have no worries, everything is fine.”
His lady calmed as she got up, naked and lovely. Heading to the shower, had there been more time he’d have went with her. It was sad that responsibilities always seemed to get in the way of their time together. Once this was over, he hoped to take her on a trip that she would enjoy. Maybe they would go with Garulto and his mate to the large shopping fair outside of town.
For now, they had much to do and the time was never there. At least now the money was accruing and things would get better a bit at a time. Toreen would be able to give his lady and their children some security financially regardless of what happened here with his father and Mabest. Maybe if he kept that on mind this whole thing wouldn’t make him so nervous. Then again, maybe not.
If he was honest, he wanted to know if someone poisoned his mother and he wanted them punished if they did. If his father was bespelled or whatever it was they had discovered Dannia could do, he wanted it stopped and the person punished. Right now he had his doubts that it would happen. Mabest didn’t seem as evil or dangerous as she had before. Sure, he’d not seen her since he was a teenager, not close up anyway.
Did she not seem as strong because he was mature now? Or had the sadness following his mother’s death and the responsibilities dropped on his shoulders made things seem different? The king was investigating others with similar happenings so maybe regardless of what happened here, all would be revealed.
“You look sad.” Cretia observed.
“It just doesn’t seem as clear as I expected. Mabest seems kind of ordinary.”
“That’s a good disguise to hide under. People learn with time and she’s had a while now.”
“You’re right and this has just begun.”
“Everything is not on your shoulders now. Let the people Erak sent do their part.”
“I know your right. Erak?” Toreen asked.
“I’ve been around him when he was at Dori’s. He said in private I could call him Erak. I just need to remember around the public he’s the king.”
“He’s spent time with Tomi?”
“They are dating.”
“Yes, that’s what the Earthers call it. I’m glad for him. She was giving him a bad time.”
Cretia smiled wickedly. “Oh she still is, but at least she’s spending time around him.”
“You ladies give a male both the hardest time and the best.”
“I can’t deny it. But you males don’t make things easy either.”
“Since you’re dressed, should we go?”
“Not going to comment on that statement? Yes, let’s go.”
He escorted his lady to the formal dining area. His father and Mabest seemed to have just arrived. Servers were bringing them drinks. Toreen motioned to them to bring him and Cretia a drink as well.
“It seems you and your lady took some time to rest too.” His father observed.
“That was the perfect time for a brief rest. I hope you found your suite satisfactory.” Toreen inquired. Drinks were set in front of him and Cretia.
His father looked at Mabest who nodded. “Yes, it was quite satisfactory. Tomorrow is a big day what with the festival.”
“Yes, I rarely go to them, but now that I’m mated I will be attending.”
“It will help you to be prepared for when the young come.” His father pointed out.
“Is that when you first attended as an adult?” Toreen questioned.
“No, I never missed a festival. We common males have little entertainment and the festivals give us a chance to enjoy ourselves. The lords, the king, and the emperor all support the festivals and much of the entertainment is free. Once each season, any and all can cut loose and eat the best foods, try the latest wines and ales and attempt to get more spending money by competing in whatever contest one is best in. That’s how I met your mother.” He admitted. Mabest made a nasty face.
“By winning a contest?” Toreen asked.
“No, if only. I lost a contest. It was a fight and the male I was against was as big as a tree and twice as broad. I considered dropping out, but my buddies would have teased me mercilessly. Losing, I decided couldn’t hurt as bad as the hard time they would give me for quitting. Of course, I was wrong. Losing was extremely painful, but had I not lost, I might have never met your mother. My adversary picked me up and dumped me unconscious at her feet. I had two black eyes, a busted lip, and a broken nose. Your mother helped me come to, then she gave me her hand to pull me up. She led me to a table where she fussed over me and helped clean up my face. When I finally got a good look at her, I thought her a handmaiden of the goddess, she was so beautiful.”
Toreen knew his father had loved his mother. He’d never doubted that. It was what he’d done when she’d died that had caused concern. “That’s when you ask her out?”
“No, I didn’t feel deserving, but I did find out who she was and where she lived. When I couldn’t forget her, I finally knew I had to present myself to her and hope she would be interested in me. It amazed me when she was willing to see me.”
“You never told me about how you met mother.”
“Fathers don’t want their young children to know they lost a fight.”
“You told me now.”
“You’re an adult. I think you see it differently now. Ma and I laughed over it years later, but neither of us was ready to share it with you or your brother.” His father observed.
Toreen wondered if he would tell his son, if he had one, if he lost a fight. Honestly, he would be in no hurry to share the story. “I see your point.”
“I thought Niku and his mate might join us. I wondered about the dragonlets I’ve heard he has.”
“Niku is busier than usual around festival time. I’ve not seen him in over a week. His mate hasn’t been here long either. They mated shortly after she arrived and she got with child almost immediately. She’s from Earth so it’s an adjustment for her.”
“I can see how that would be the case, but she brought half her family with her.” His father pointed out.
Nothing his father had mentioned was a secret, but it surprised Toreen that he knew so much. Did he care about them as family should, or did his female want to try to use them to elevate her position? If only he knew. The servers now began to load the table with food. They offered each person present something from the plate, but left the plate in the center of the table in case anyone wanted seconds.
Mabest and his father were served first. Next was his mate and he was served last. Guests were always first because that was polite. If the meal was less formal, they would all have served themselves. That’s the way family meals usually were served. This formal dining room hadn’t been used since his mother was alive. Even had he and Cretia had a get together, they would have held it outside. They weren’t formal people and their friends weren’t either.
“This food is different.” Mabest declared.
“Do you like it?” Toreen wondered.
“I do. Have you a new cook?” Mabest asked.
“We have one trained to cook Earth style. They have many flavors and spices they use.” Toreen explained. Cretia wasn’t talking much and he guessed she was unsure what to say.
Mabest might remind her of Dannia, he really wasn’t sure. It wasn’t like Mabest had tried to talk to her either. If anything, she seemed to prefer to speak to males. That was much like Dannia’s behavior. The question was, did she speak to them because she could influence their behavior?
“I know little about the Earth females that are here. All I know is there aren’t very many and some are not mated. Usually females from our planet only came once a mating was arranged.”
“That is true. Some of the females were intended for particular males, but it didn’t work out. Others came with family and most of those have found their mates. The Earth females look for fated mates and many find them.” Toreen explained.
“Is that not unusual?” Mabest asked.
“There are some fated mates from your planet as well. It is just the percentages aren’t as high.” Toreen explained. He’d always thought his parents and Romo’s had been fated mates, but his father said nothing. Maybe he was wrong. What he’d seen might have been what he’d wanted to see.
“I hadn’t heard of any that were. You and Cretia?” Mabest asked.
“Yes, we are. I am well pleased with our mating.” He added.
“How lucky for you both.” Mabest commented. Toreen wasn’t sure she really meant it.
“Thank you.” He said because he wasn’t sure how to respond to her.
This female was one he’d hated for years. Now, looking at her she didn’t seem as strong or as important. There was a hint of gray in her hair and wrinkles around her lips. Never had he found her attractive and he still didn’t, but she didn’t seem as bad either. His father didn’t seem as smitten with this woman now. Their relationship confused him. Had his fear made him see things that weren’t there?
If only Niku were here to observe and they could discuss their thoughts. Tomorrow at the festival ball, Niku would be there. Finally, he’d know what his brother thought and see how the king and emperor reacted. There were a couple others like her in this kingdom and they would be watching them too. Toreen didn’t know who they were nor did he care. He only wanted to know the facts. Were these women influencing the males they were with?
Everyone was done eating and the food and plates were cleared. Those servers and other employees as well as the boarders would eat now and dessert would be served to them. The desserts looked wonderful, but worries affected his appetite. He hoped Cretia would be able to eat since she needed to gain at least a little weight and she worked so hard. Mabest had no trouble with her appetite taking large servings of several desserts.
“This is delicious.” Mabest praised. “I might try to steal your cook away.”
“I doubt she’ll be interested. Her family lives here.” Toreen observed.
“Too bad.” She said. “Are you and your mate ready for the ball tomorrow? Have you selected your costumes?” Mabest asked.
Of course she would wonder. It was a masked ball where the participants dressed up in interesting disguises. There would be a prize for the most intriguing male and female. Since most attendees were either rich or nobles, the prize would be something like breakfast with the king. That was considered a prize worth more than money.
Toreen had no idea what he or Cretia was wearing. She’d taken charge of their costumes, both designing and crafting them. In truth, as long as they weren’t uncomfortable, he could care less what he wore. His lady on the other hand was excited and had done much work to prepare their outfits. He would praise her hard work on them.
“Yes, we are ready.” He replied.
The table was finally cleared once everyone had eaten their dessert. Drinks were brought and they retired to the formal living room to talk until bedtime. No one seemed to have much to say. They sat there sipping their drinks and looking around at everything, but each other.
“I suppose we’ll retire if no one has anything interesting to talk about. Tomorrow, we’ll all have to prepare for the ball.” Mabest announced.
He was thrilled she’d said that since it was rude to turn in before ones guests did. Now he could take his tired lady to bed so they could get some rest. “That sounds like a great idea. Tomorrow will be a busy day.” Toreen agreed. He watched as his father escorted Mabest from the room toward the guest suite. “Come, my lady. Let us get some rest.”
“I won’t mind that. She’s right about tomorrow. We’ll be up early and busy the whole day. Especially if we go to the festival for a couple hours.”
Toreen had forgotten they’d planned to do that. He’d cancel, if he didn’t know how much Cretia was looking forward to it. It was his own fault, really. She’d asked about the festival and he’d told her about it. His memories of going with his parents when he’d been young had been marvelous.
The fights had been rousing, the foods had been amazing, the items for sale had been stellar, and watching the crowd with people from all over the planet and some from other planets had been satisfying. His lady had never been and of course, after his description of his last festival, she couldn’t wait to attend.
It wasn’t even that he didn’t want to take her because he did. The problem was this festival was full of worries and they had so much to do with company at the manor house in addition to everything else. Still, he’d promised to take her for at least a short visit and he would. Toreen led his lady to their suite so they could turn in for the night.
As always, his passion soared, but the circles under her eyes even with the nap they’d shared worried him. Even though his body craved hers, his dragon understood her welfare came first. “Don’t you want me?” Cretia asked softly as she stared at him.
“More than you can imagine, my lady. But I look at you and see that you’re tired. I know the child that rests under your heart takes much from you. What kind of lover would I be if I didn’t see to your rest? No matter how much I want you, I want you well and vigorous more.” Toreen explained.
“Perhaps making love would help me rest easier?”
“If you can’t sleep after a few minutes of having your head on your pillow, I’d certainly help you to sleep.” He agreed.
They laid down and he wrapped himself around her. His need almost hurt as he waited to see if she would find her rest. The slow and regular breathing told him she had. Tomorrow he would tease her, but for now he was glad she would be rested in the morning. At some point, he fell asleep too.
It was early in the morning when he woke so he slipped out of bed leaving her resting just a little bit longer. She and the baby needed it so she would carry without trouble. He didn’t know much about a female carrying young, but the stories Romo, Garulto, and Niku had told him were terrifying.
Even Romo whose female hadn’t had much trouble while she carried, found the delivery to be painful and hard. That wasn’t a part he was looking forward to even though he couldn’t wait to see their dragonlet. It suddenly occurred to him he’d never checked to see if Cretia had changed any. He didn’t expect the full changed which only a few Earther females had managed and maybe one female from Cretia’s planet years ago. What he expected was some small changes. She might even turn to a wingless dragon. That would be a big change because her senses would improve and she would be tougher.
For that change, he thought she would be resistant to poisoning except for what had been used on his mother. Regardless of who did it, he’d become certain his mother had died of poisoning. Niku’s mate was an herbalist and that was what she believed. Betty said it would have been the first thing she looked for. Toreen had always thought there was little to no crime on his planet and especially his territory. Now he feared there was crime, but they hadn’t known enough to recognize it when it happened.
He suspected the king and even the emperor had drawn the same conclusion too. They’d all been so busy looking at their world from behind rose colored glasses, a term Dori used, that they’d not seen what was right in front of them. Toreen hoped they would learn what they needed to know before the festival ended.
Taking a shower, he dressed and tried to decide what to do next. When he left the bathroom, he looked at the bed and saw his lady looking back at him. He’d hoped she would sleep longer, but it wasn’t to be.
“I’ll get ready and we’ll go to breakfast together. Is that okay?” Cretia asked.
“Of course. I’ll wait for you.” Toreen said then sat at the desk in their sitting room and went over some paperwork until his lady was done.
Toreen had never thought he’d have a mate. Sometimes he hadn’t even been sure he’d wanted one when he thought about his mother. It surprised him how much he enjoyed having Cretia in his life. Love rolled over him whenever he looked at her. That was wonderful, what he felt whenever he looked at his lady. Already he could easily imagine her ripe with his baby.