Chapter 10
Fists banging on the door first thing in the morning dragged Inez from a deep slumber. After she tossed and turned all night in the unfamiliar surroundings, sleep had finally come. The memory of sex with Varyk teased, giving her erotic dreams which left her panties drenched and her body craving.
One mere time together shouldn’t have this sort of impact on her. Lovers before hadn’t warranted a second thought from Inez unless she wanted to continue the relationship on her terms. She’d yet to find anyone she wanted long term, not that she was opposed. Now after one encounter with Varyk she found herself thinking and dreaming of him.
“Come in,” she called out and pushed herself up to a sitting position.
Varyk entered through the double doors of the guest room he’d assigned her, flinging them wide open. Inez couldn’t deny the thrill of excitement. Today his green waves were pulled back from his face in a loose nub. The traditional green vest clung to his body, the high collar drawing attention to the sharp cut of his jaw. His black pants appeared painted on and it took will to pull her gaze from the noticeable bulge in the front.
“Time to get up.”
Looked like the autocratic ruler was back. If he’d ever left. “Well, aren’t you upbeat in the morning.”
Nothing but sweetness and light in her voice. Inez had no intentions of starting the day upset.
“Larz is deteriorating.”
In a flash, her good mood vanished and Inez climbed from the bed, grabbing at the clothes she’d tossed haphazardly onto the floor last night. “What happened?”
“I can’t reach him at all along the mantle. I spoke with his lira and he’s blocked her as well.” The poor female. “Mina had no idea what was going on. She’s worried Rylin will strike at us without quarter.”
Inez couldn’t reassure on that point. Everyone should be worried he’d retaliate. “Where can I take a quick shower?”
Though it was subtle, his nostrils flared as he inhaled. Inez flushed. No doubt he’d picked up on the remnants of her arousal. The linen probably carried a trace as well and the evidence definitely remained on her sticky thighs.
His greedy gazed roved over her body, allowing no courtesy for her naked state. Attempting to hide was a waste. Inez let him get an eyeful, then repeated, “Shower, Varyk?”
He exhaled and their eyes clashed. Undeniable heat flared. “You have no intention of calling me King, do you?”
“You’re not my King.”
“It’s a matter of respect.”
“If we hadn’t slept together, I’d consider it.” She left the obvious unsaid.
Varyk snorted, the corner of his lips curling upward. “Stubborn. The shower is behind the door to your left.”
He folded his muscled arms over his chest, making it clear he had no intention of leaving or granting her privacy. Inez shrugged. She took pride in her body and felt no shame as she walked in the direction he indicated. Each step was calm, not hurried, Varyk’s gaze burning her back all the while until she shut the door behind her and leaned against the panel on the opposite side.
What had she got herself into?
***
Darkness hadn’t allowed Varyk the opportunity to fully appreciate Inez’s body before. Now he couldn’t help but notice her curvy form and its array of subtle muscle tone. Round breasts, high and firm, thrust forward, the slight bounce enhancing their fullness. Her narrow torso flared to hips which swung with every step, the flex of her ass cheeks holding his gaze hostage until he ripped his eyes away.
Adjusting the thick erection which seemed to be a direct response to the annoying female, Varyk cursed as the door closed behind her. Or maybe Inez wasn’t as annoying as he wanted her to be. Last night his dreams had been filled with images of the two of them in the pit, sex constantly on replay until it drove him to take his cock in hand for release.
While he stroked his shaft, he replayed the way she rode him over and over. Each caress, kiss, the drag of her tongue over his chest caused him to spasm in remembrance. He’d tried to recall the taste of her dark nipples, but the poison stole that from him because he’d been focused on staying alive.
Nothing could wipe the feel of her luscious grip on his cock, though or the way she’d clenched on him with every pump of her hips. She’d rippled around his cock and he’d reveled in her heady response. In the end, it was Inez’s name on his tongue as he cried out and climaxed on his sheets.
Against his will, she was getting to him. Perhaps the low volume of females he slept with had something to do with it. No female should be capable of drawing this intense a reaction from him. At any rate, Varyk needed to end his growing fascination. There was no point to it. He wouldn’t risk opening himself to the pain which came with exposing his heart to another.
“Why such deep thoughts, dear brother?”
Varyk spun around. The only being capable of catching him unaware poked her head through the door then eased her body in.
“Milana, you’re up early.”
She tended to spend the morning hours with her lira before he went to work on patrol in the evenings. Seeing the two of them together always calmed any fears Varyk had for his sibling. Santos treated Milana as precious to him and protected her to the same extent Varyk would.
“I worried for you. You came home late and you never stay long among the Black.”
Reddish-brown hair swished about her shoulders, her smile full of relief as she reached him and wrapped her arms about Varyk’s neck. She was tall, almost his height, which gave her a few inches on Inez.
“It’s a long tale.” He tugged on her hair as they parted.
Amber eyes narrowed. “Nonsense. What are you up to?”
Varyk tucked several flyaway strands of her hair behind her ear and released a weary sigh. “We have a big problem.”
“The Green will stand behind whatever you need or want.”
He appreciated her support. “No one can help if I can’t resolve it peacefully.”
“Not even me?”
“Not even you.” Milana flinched and he tugged her back into his arms, hugging her as he’d done when they were children. “I’ll tell you the rest in a bit. Right now, I want to intro—”
“Am I interrupting?”
***
“Am I interrupting?” Inez cleared her throat, drawing their gaze.
Showering was a priority, but Inez made quick work of it and dressed in her clothes from the night before. When she walked out to find Varyk hugging a red-haired female, her heart dropped. Regret was a vicious cut to the chest. If she’d known he had someone, she wouldn’t have crossed an unwritten line and had sex with him. Inez didn’t share lovers.
“Who is she, Varyk?” Territorial possession laced the woman’s question.
Inez stiffened and casually reached for the hilt of the sword strapped to her back. Neither jumped apart in guilt. Instead they separated slowly, the female regarding Inez in puzzlement.
“This is Inez of the Black. Inez, this is Milana.”
Breath whooshed out and Inez loosened her grip. She recognized the name. His sister. Twins born of the same shell. Now as she took in their similar features, she noted the resemblance.
While Varyk’s form adhered to masculine lines, muscles and an undeniable air of authority, his twin was built along a more delicate frame, with feminine curves carrying an air of elegance. Her dress was a pale shade of green, the flourishes at the ankle length hem meant to deceive with its overt femininity.
Milana was no light weight though. There was steel beneath the grace hidden behind a façade of gentility. But like recognized like and Inez sensed a kindred spirit.
If rumors were correct, Milana was the rare and probably only female who could partially shift. The ability saved her not long ago when a member of the Black went on a rampage killing liras. All the more reason to respect her as a worthy adversary if they ever pit their strength against one another.
“You wished an explanation for my tardy return. I couldn’t psychically reach you because Larz drugged me with a poison of his making. Inez saved me.” Varyk curved an arm about his sister’s shoulder, sending a jolt of envy through Inez. Their closeness was evident.
“Impossible,” Milana scuffed and tipped her head back to face him.
“True. Larz also stole a shell filled with the essence of the Black king.”
Milana gasped at this revelation. She glanced from her brother to Inez then back again. “This is…I have no words. How could he poison you?”
A question Inez would love the answer to as well. Varyk eased away from Milana and Inez breathed an unconscious sigh of relief. Varyk’s gaze was shuttered as he responded. “I’m not sure, but I plan to get to the bottom of that issue, among other things.”
Showing great wisdom, Milana nodded and patted her brother on the shoulder. “I’ll leave you to your…guest.”
After one last glance, the redhaired beauty left them alone.