Niam

NIAM

W ind chimes sang softly in the evening breeze as we approached the enclosure, their crystalline notes weaving through the rustling of feathers and soft calls of birds.

Tharon’s warmth at my back steadied me, grounding me in this strange new place. His fingers brushed my waist with each step, a constant reminder of his presence. Of his protection.

“The aravela are our pride.” Mahra grinned as she gestured toward the cages. “Bred to hunt, they still carry messages faster than any other bird. Perfect for reaching Zashi quickly.”

As we neared the entrance, the wing master turned from her work, silver-threaded braids swaying with the movement. Small bones and feathers wove through her hair, clicking softly together.

“Welcome.” The wing master’s dark eyes sparkled with mischief. “I owe you both a debt. My charges have never had such entertaining playthings before.”

I exchanged a confused glance with Tharon. His fingers tightened at my waist.

The wing master tapped the wooden table beside her. Metal glinted among the scattered feathers and leather straps. My breath caught as I recognized twisted pieces of the Temple’s drones - wings crumpled, sensors crushed, circuitry spilling out like metallic entrails.

“The metal birds you brought with you?” The falcon master’s weathered face split in a grin. “My aravela love to snatch them from the sky. Such sport they’ve had, tearing them apart mid-flight.”

A soft chirp drew my attention to one of the cages. An aravela preened its iridescent feathers, talons still wrapped around a mangled piece of drone casing.

“Beautiful,” I breathed, reaching toward the cage. The bird stretched its neck, investigating my fingers through the bars.

“They know their own worth.” The wing master’s apprentice adjusted her studded gauntlet before opening the cage. “This one has carried messages to Zashi before. She knows the way.”

My fingers tingled where they brushed the metallic feathers. So different from the cold systems of the Temple, yet still a marvel of design. The swift-wing preened under my attention, showing off how her scales caught the light.

“She likes you.” Tharon’s hand settled at the small of my back, spreading warmth through my body. When I glanced up, his eyes held gentle amusement at my fascination.

“The message.” The wing master held out a small leather case. “Be brief.”

I caught my lower lip between my teeth. The words wouldn’t come. How could I explain everything that had happened? The Temple, the pod, the choice ahead of us...

Tharon’s finger brushed my lip, startling me from my thoughts. “Stop that. You’ll hurt yourself.”

I released my lip, surprised by the gentle rebuke in his tone. His touch lingered for a moment before dropping away.

“Start with telling them you’re safe,” he said. “That’s what they’ll want to know first.”

“Safe?” I blinked up at him. “Why would they be worried about me?”

His expression softened, though a hint of exasperation remained. “Because they care about you.”

The thought struck me oddly. In the Temple, connections between acolytes were discouraged. Friendship was a foreign concept, a weakness to be purged.

“I hate asking them for help.” My fingers traced the edge of the crystal case. “They’ve already risked so much.”

“You need their knowledge of Terr.” Tharon’s hand covered mine, stilling my nervous movement. “The real city, not just what you saw through the distorted mirror of the Temple. They can help us find a better way.”

He was right. My understanding of Terr came from data feeds and neural links. I knew its infrastructure, its power grid, its maintenance tunnels. But I didn’t know its people, its daily rhythms, its hidden places where rebels might gather.

“Here.” Tharon took the case from my trembling fingers. “Let me help.”

He drew out a thin stylus and began writing in precise, elegant script. Just a few lines, enough to let them know I lived and needed their aid. Not enough to endanger them if the message was intercepted.

The aravela chirped softly, as if approving his efficiency. I watched his hands move across the surface, grateful for his help when words failed me.

Moments later, the bird launched into the darkening sky, her scaled wings flashing silver against purple clouds. I tracked her flight until she vanished among the stars.

“Come.” Tharon’s hand found mine. “You need rest in a proper bed.”

I let him guide me from the tent, the camp spreading out before us, fires dotting the gathering dark like earthbound stars. Snippets of conversation and laughter drifted on the evening breeze:

“...new ore deposits in the eastern caves...”

“...trading caravan due within the week...”

“...such strange eyes the prince’s woman has...”

My steps faltered at that last comment. Tharon’s grip tightened on my hand.

“Ignore them,” he murmured. “They mean no harm.”

“I know.” And I did. After years of the Temple’s calculated cruelty, mere curiosity held no sting. “It’s just strange, being seen as a person instead of a vessel.”

His growl rumbled through where our shoulders touched. “You were always a person. They just couldn’t see past their own corruption.”

“And you can?” The words slipped out before I could think better of them.

He turned me to face him, one hand rising to cup my cheek. The crystal light painted shadows across his face, but his eyes burned bright and sure.

“I see you, . All of you.” His thumb traced my cheekbone. “The strength that helped you survive. The compassion that makes you want to save others, even after everything they’ve done. The fire that burns in your heart.”

My breath caught at the intensity in his gaze. This close, I could see the beast stirring behind his eyes, protective and possessive in equal measure.

“And what does the beast see?” I whispered.

His pupils expanded, nearly drowning the color. “Mine,” he growled. “My mate. My queen. My heart.”

The word 'mate' sent tremors through my body. So much power in that single syllable - promise and threat and destiny all wrapped together.

A throat cleared behind us. We turned to find Mahra watching with poorly concealed amusement.

“Your tent awaits,” she said, gesturing toward the shelter set apart from the others. “Unless you’d prefer to continue this discussion in public?”

“Everything you need is inside,” she said, mouth curving into a smile that made heat rise in my cheeks. “Sleep well, children.” She turned and walked away, braids swaying, leaving us alone.

I ducked through the entrance first, grateful for the shadows that hid my blush. The space felt intimate - a single sleeping pallet piled with furs, a wooden rack for our gear, a brass pot steaming in the corner. When I lifted the lid, herb scented steam drifted up.

The pouch Mahra had given me lay empty now - the device's work complete once it had led us to the pod. Like so many things from my old life, it had served its purpose and gone quiet, making way for new beginnings

I considered the wine and meat laid out on a low table. After days of travel rations, the spread looked like a feast. But something else pulled at my attention, making food seem far less important.

“I’ll check the perimeter.” Tharon’s words brushed my neck before he slipped back outside.

I sat on a woven mat to tug off my boots, wiggling my toes against the soft weave. The Temple had trained precision and control into my muscles, but now they trembled with an entirely different kind of anticipation.

The tent flap rustled. Tharon filled the entrance, moonlight spilling around his shoulders. “Are you hungry?”

“No.” I rose, took a step toward him.

His eyes tracked my movement. “Thirsty?”

“No.” Another step.

A muscle jumped in his jaw as I drew closer. His fingers flexed at his sides. My fierce warrior prince, suddenly uncertain.

My lips curved. The mighty Valti, flustered by my approach. I caught the thought and drew up short. What right did I have to find him adorable? He was Shakai royalty, heir to Zashi’s throne. A predator who could tear apart Temple guards without breaking stride.

But his fingers trembled when I took that final step.

“Are you tired?” The words rumbled from his chest.

Deliberately, I unlaced my vest and let it fall. “Not tired either.”

The furs beneath my feet whispered as I closed the last distance between us. Even on tiptoe, I barely reached his chin. My palm found his cheek, so warm beneath my touch.

“You’ll need to help me out here.” I stroked my thumb along his jawline. “I can’t quite reach.”

His hands settled at my waist, steadying. “I am yours to command, my queen.”

Then he bent and his mouth found mine. The kiss started gentle, questioning, but need flooded through me - need for more, for everything. My fingers slid into his hair, pulling him closer as his arms banded around me.

A growl vibrated through his chest when I nipped at his lower lip. His hands spanned my ribs, lifting me against him as the kiss deepened. The beast’s hunger bled through, transforming hesitation into raw possession.

“.” He breathed my name against my throat. “Tell me to stop.”

“No.” I wrapped my legs around his waist as he carried me to the sleeping pallet. “Don’t you dare stop.”

His laugh rumbled through me. “As my queen commands.”

When he laid me on the furs, moonlight painted silver across his skin. I reached for the laces of his shirt, but he caught my wrists.

“Let me look at you first.” His thumbs traced circles on my palms. “Let me memorize every detail.”

Heat bloomed under my skin at the hunger in his gaze. The Temple had taught that bodies were merely vessels, tools to be used and discarded. But Tharon’s eyes made me feel...precious. Cherished.

His fingers ghosted along my collarbone, down my arms. Learning me by touch. When they found the scars at my temples, his expression darkened.

“Every time I see these marks, I lose control.”

I turned my face into his palm. “That’s over now.”

“Because I’ll kill anyone who tries to harm you again.” The beast growled through his words.

“I know.” And I did know, with bone-deep certainty. This man would tear apart worlds to keep me safe.

My hands found the hem of his shirt, pushed it up to reveal the lean muscles beneath. He helped me strip it off, then caught my exploring fingers.

“Slow down, little mate.” He pressed a kiss to my palm. “We have all night.”

“I don’t want slow.” I hooked my leg around his hip, pulling him closer. “I want you.”

His control snapped. The kiss turned fierce, claiming, as his hands roamed my body. When I arched into his touch, his growl of satisfaction vibrated through me.

His voice caressed me with reverence: “My mate. My heart. Mine alone.”

“Yours.” The word fell from my lips like a vow. “Always yours.”

His mouth traced fire down my throat as his fingers worked at the laces of my shirt. Each newly revealed inch of skin drew fresh touches, making me writhe beneath him.

“Beautiful.” He nipped at my shoulder. “Perfect.”

When his hands found bare skin at my waist, I gasped his name. He lifted his head, pupils blown wide with desire.

“Tell me what you want.” His voice roughened with need. “Tell me how to please you.”

“I want...” Heat flooded my face. My years in the Temple never taught me how to handle this - wanting so much I ached with it. “Everything. I want everything with you.”

Understanding softened his expression. “Then let me show you.” His palm slid up my ribs. “Let me teach you all the ways I can make you feel good.”

The world outside the tent receded into insignificance as Tharon's touch ignited a different kind of storm within me. His kisses trailed down my neck, each one a brand that seared away the last vestiges of the Temple's control. My breath hitched as his mouth found the sensitive skin where my neck met my shoulder, his teeth grazing lightly, just enough to make me shudder with pleasure.

“Tharon,” I moaned, my fingers tangling in his hair, pulling him closer. His name was a plea, a prayer, a benediction.

He growled in response, the sound vibrating through me. His hands moved with confidence, stripping away my clothing piece by piece until I lay before him, bare and vulnerable. The cool air of the tent pebbled my flesh, but his gaze warmed me, awakening a deep, burning need.

Tharon’s large hands cupped my breasts, his thumbs brushing over my nipples, coaxing them into tight peaks. The sensation was exquisite, each stroke sending jolts of pleasure straight to my core. I writhed against him, desperate for more. He dipped his head, capturing one nipple in his mouth, and I couldn’t suppress the gasp that escaped my lips. The feel of his tongue, hot and wet, was almost too much. He sucked and teased, his fingers mirroring the movements of his mouth on my other breast, until I was a writhing mess of need.

“So responsive,” he murmured, his lips brushing me as he spoke, the vibration of his words sending a fresh wave of desire coursing through me. “I could spend eternity learning what makes you moan.”

His words were a promise, a vow of endless exploration and discovery. I wanted that - wanted him, with an intensity that left me breathless.

As he worked his way down my body, his hands skimming over my ribs, my hips, the sensitive skin of my inner thighs, I felt a moment of vulnerability. I had been a vessel, a tool, for so long. But Tharon’s touch wasn’t clinical or controlling; it was worshipful, adoring. Every kiss, every caress, was a testament to his desire for me, not just as a mate, but as a woman.

He hooked his fingers in the waistband of my pants, his gaze locked on mine as he slowly began to pull them down. I lifted my hips to help him, my heart hammering. When I was completely bared to him, he paused, just looking at me with an intensity that took my breath away.

“You are a vision, my ,” he said, his voice rough with desire. “Strong, beautiful, brave.”

Before I could respond, he leaned in, his mouth trailing a path of fire up the inside of my thigh. My body tensed in anticipation, every nerve ending alight with the need for his touch. When his tongue finally made contact with my core, I nearly came off the furs.

He explored me with a thoroughness that bordered on reverence, his tongue dipping inside me before tracing lazy circles around my clit. The sensations were overwhelming, each lap of his tongue sending me higher and higher. I could feel the pressure building, an intense coiling of pleasure that threatened to shatter me.

And then he slipped a finger inside me, the intrusion both a surprise and a relief, filling an emptiness I hadn’t realized was there. He moved slowly at first, letting me adjust to the sensation, before adding another finger. The stretch was exquisite, the friction of his fingers coupled with the relentless attention of his mouth driving me towards the edge.

The dual sensations were almost too much, my body still sensitive from my recent release. But he was relentless, his fingers curling inside me in a way that made stars dance behind my closed eyelids. His tongue flicked against my clit with precise, maddening strokes, pushing me towards another peak I wasn’t sure I could handle.

“Tharon, I can’t,” I protested weakly, but he just growled in response, the vibration against my sensitive flesh almost too much to bear.

“You can, and you will,” he said, his voice a low rumble. “Let go, . Trust me to catch you.”