Chapter Forty
Mary sat on the side of the Pool of Enlightenment, her feet dangling in the water, remembering the last time she’d been there.
She’d almost given herself to Rykaur in this very spot.
Her lips twitched as she recalled the many interruptions they’d had at intimate moments.
“Ah, I see I am not the only one who loves this place.”
Startled, Mary turned her head in time to see Kaura sashay into the room.
The Bracadyte female sent her a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes. “Why are you here?”
Mary shrugged. “I like the Pool of Enlightenment too. It holds fond memories for me.”
“As it does for me,” Kaura shot back. “But that is not what I meant. Why are you here?” She waved her hand through the air. “In Aukrabah.”
Indignation rose up in Mary’s chest. “That’s none of your business.”
“Oh, I think it is. You see, you have something I want. Though I have nothing personal against you, your very presence down here is creating a bit of a problem for me.”
Mary narrowed her eyes. “You mean Rykaur.”
“Who else?” Kaura sauntered over and took a seat next to Mary. “Look. I know you want him, but he and I have a history. History that cannot simply be removed by the likes of you.”
Too stunned for words, Mary stared back at her in disbelief. “The likes of me?”
“Well, yes. You are a mere human. You cannot possibly satisfy someone as virile as Rykaur. I doubt you can even copulate with him without crying in pain.”
Mary found her voice. “You don’t have a clue what you’re talking about. And frankly, I don’t give a shit what you think. But I’ll tell you one thing. Rykaur belongs to me, and if you go anywhere near him, I’ll stomp your ass all over Aukrabah.”
“We will see about that,” Kaura snapped, moving to get up.
Rage replaced her early jealousy, spurring Mary into action. Her hand shot out before Kaura could stand and wrapped in her black hair.
Mary gave a mighty heave, yanking the Bracadyte female into the water before going in after her.
Gripping the side of the pool for leverage, Mary held the infuriating female under with every ounce of strength she possessed.
“Mary?” Rykaur blurted, running into the room. “What are you doing?”
“What does it look like? I’m drowning this bitch!”
The corners of his eyes crinkled in humor. “I do not think I need ask who it is you are attempting to drown.”
“I think you know who it is,” Mary snapped, pushing Kaura’s head deeper into the pool.
Rykaur calmly strolled over, bent, and plucked Mary up from the pool, forcing her to release her hold on the bitch’s hair.
“You cannot drown her, Mary. She is Bracadyte.”
In all her anger, Mary hadn’t thought of that. She wiped the water from her eyes with the backs of her hands and faced Rykaur. “I’ll think of something.”
“What is this about?” Rykaur asked Kaura the second she stepped from the pool.
Kaura glared at Mary before shifting her emerald greens back to Rykaur. “I did nothing. I simply came down here to swim, and she attacked me.”
“You lie,” Rykaur growled, narrowing his eyes at the Bracadyte female. “I cannot have my mate upset and up in arms over your silliness. I want you gone from here.”
Kaura’s face paled. “Mate? She is your mate?”
At Rykaur’s nod, Kaura instantly became contrite. She took a hesitant step toward Mary. “Forgive me, Mary. I had no idea that you were Rykaur’s mate. I was told that you were a human prostitute. Had I known, I would never have been so disrespectful. Please accept my apology.”
Mary glanced at Rykaur to gauge his reaction. He simply stood there, showing his support and saying without words that he would abide by any decision she made.
“I accept your apology, Kaura. I know that you have a past with Rykaur, and I suppose I let my jealousy get the better of me.”
Kaura’s gaze softened. “It is true that we had a past. One that I can never return to. I was young and I made a mistake, but it is a mistake I must live with. Rykaur has mated with you, and a mating is for life and beyond. He is lost to me now. You need not every concern yourself with my interference again.”
Mary watched in silence as Kaura trailed from the room without another word.
“You fought for me?” Rykaur growled, his arousal evident behind the lacings of his shorts.
He slowly stalked forward, removing his vest as he came.
Mary’s gaze strayed to his erection and then back to his eyes. “I would kill for you.”
Hopping around on one foot, he removed his boot, tossed it aside, and took off the other one. “You will never have to kill for me, Mary. You are all that I could ever want or need.”
He slowly peeled his shorts down his legs. “Ever.”
Mary took a shaky breath, gripped the hem of her shirt, and pulled it over her head. “Prove it.”
Rykaur was on her before she could gasp. He jerked her off her feet, threw her over his shoulder, and carried her to the pool.
The warmth of the water felt amazing, but nothing could top the feeling of Rykaur’s mouth closing around her aching nipple.
He sucked the hardened tip into his mouth, unzipped her jeans, slid them down and tossed them over the ledge.
Without breaking suction, he backed over to the stone steps, took a seat, and pulled Mary onto his lap.
She instantly straddled him, holding the back of his head as he pleasured her tender nipple.
Mary couldn’t imagine anything better than being loved by Rykaur. Nothing had ever felt so incredible. His scent, his touch, his kiss combined together to create a hunger in her that drove her to madness.
And then he entered her…and Mary was lost, swept away on a tide of passion, found only in her mate’s arms. “I love you, Rykaur.”
“I love you, Mary.” And he proceeded to show her just how much.
* * * *
Mary lay on a towel next to the Pool of Enlightenment, basking in the aftermath of their lovemaking. “How did Melvin’s initiation go?”
Rykaur’s fingers lazily stroked her hair. “It was an intense experience. The ancient ones arrived, which tells me that they were pleased with our choice.”
“The ancient ones?”
The fingers briefly stilled in her hair. “The warriors who have gone on before.”
She thought about that for a second. “Like ghosts?”
“Perhaps.” He paused. “Anthony Vaughn participated in the ritual as well. I know the king will be pleased. Especially since Vaughn is mated to his daughter.”
Mary rolled over and propped her head on her palm. “How long are the Arkadians going to be here?”
Rykaur turned his face toward her and kissed her lips. “I am not certain. But I do know that Melvin will be glad to see them go.”
“I imagine.” Mary yawned. “I saw the way he looked at Zyen. It’s obvious he doesn’t like the blond warrior.”
“Actually, I was thinking more about the way he looks at Kaspyn.”
Mary’s bows lifted. “What do you mean?”
“I am not sure, but there is a certain tension between them that one can barely block out. I cannot decide if it is disdain or attraction.”
Recalling the last time she’d seen Melvin and Kaspyn in the same room together, Mary grinned. “My money is on disdain. Not that Kaspyn isn’t beautiful. She’s gorgeous, in fact. But Melvin doesn’t strike me as the type to be dominated.”
“You think Kaspyn would dominate Melvin?”
Mary laughed. “In a damn second.”
Rykaur reached over and pulled Mary onto his chest. “Perhaps I wish to be dominated.”
Grabbing onto his big hands, Mary pinned them over his head. “Shut up and kiss me.”
~The End~
Coming July 2017 -Thrasher – Book Nine in the Bestselling Enigma Series.
Coming June 2017 – The Billionaire’s Baby – A BBW Shifter Romance.
She left him at the altar, and vanished without a trace…
Coming June 2017 – Fully Engulfed – Book Three in the Scruples Series.
Read Below for a Sneak Peek into the Pages of Ruby and the Beast. A Modern-Day Beauty and the Beast Tale.