Tharon

THARON

M y heart thundered as Niam writhed beneath me, her moans music to my ears. I dragged my tongue across her sensitive flesh, reveling in the sounds she made. Her taste, her scent, flooded my senses, making the beast purr with satisfaction.

“That’s it, let go,” I murmured against her thigh. “Let me show you what pleasure should feel like.”

Her fingers tightened in my hair, pulling deliciously at my scalp. The pain mixed with pleasure, driving my need higher. This woman, my mate, deserved nothing but bliss. Each cry that fell from her lips urged me on.

Like an artist with his masterpiece, I worked her body with careful precision. My fingers curled inside her, seeking the spot that made her buck against my mouth. When I found it, her whole body jerked.

“Please, ,” she begged, her thighs trembling against my shoulders.

I growled my approval, flicking my tongue faster as my fingers moved in time. She clenched around me, coming apart with a strangled cry. I eased her through it, drinking in every drop of her pleasure until her body went limp.

Pride surged through me. My mate taking her pleasure from me. I moved up her body, gathering her into my arms. Her breath came in short pants, her skin flushed and damp with sweat.

But even as I held her, she wriggled against me. Her small hand snaked between us, fingers wrapping around my cock. The unexpected touch made me hiss through my teeth.

“Stop,” I warned, catching her wrist. “You don’t have to-”

“You told me I could command you.” Her eyes sparkled with mischief. “And I want more.”

The beast roared its approval, but I stayed gentle as I lifted her hand to my lips. “Are you certain?”

“Show me everything.” She pressed closer, nipping at my jaw. “Make me yours completely.”

Those words broke the last of my restraint. I sat up, pulling away just long enough to strip off my remaining clothes. Her hungry gaze tracked my movements, lingering on my cock. Was it strange to her? But she didn’t look away.

“Come here.” I settled back against the furs, pulling her into my lap. Her legs straddled my thighs, putting us face to face. Perfect. I wanted to watch every expression cross her face.

My hands spanned her waist, so small compared to my bulk. My mate. Mine to protect. Mine to pleasure.

“Lower yourself onto me,” I instructed, helping guide her hips. “Slowly. Don’t hurt yourself.”

She nodded, determination written across her features. I pressed the bulbed head of my cock against her entrance, letting her control the pace. The wet heat of her made me want to thrust up, to claim her fully, but I held still.

A small frown creased her brow as she sank down, taking me inch by careful inch. Her body stretched around me, so tight it bordered on pain. But the vision of her face - eyes closed, lips parted - made it worth every moment of restraint.

“That’s it,” I praised, stroking her sides. “Take what you need.”

She paused halfway, breathing hard. “It’s big; harder than I thought.”

No. I couldn’t hurt her. “We can stop-”

“Don’t you dare.” She opened her eyes, fixing me with a fierce look. “I want this. Want you.”

To prove her point, she sank down another inch. The sensation nearly undid me.

“Help me,” Niam whimpered, hands gripping my shoulders.

My control slipped. The sound of her need, the heat of her wrapped around me - my sanity threatened to break. The beast howled, demanding I take her hard and fast. But this first time, I needed to be gentle.

I slid my hands to her hips, fingers spanning the delicate curve of her waist. So small, so perfect. With exquisite care, I guided her down another inch, sweat beading on my brow from the effort of restraint.

“Please,” she gasped.

That single word snapped the last thread of my control. I bucked my hips up hard, burying myself to the hilt inside her. Her gasp turned into a cry as she took all of me at once.

For endless heartbeats, I held still, letting her adjust to my full length and girth. The tight, wet heat of her threatened to drive me mad. But I would not hurt her, would not rush this precious moment of claiming my mate.

She rolled her hips experimentally, gasping at the sensation. I guided her movements, showing her how to find the angle that pleased her most. When she found it, her nails dug into my shoulders.

“Yes,” she moaned. “Like that.”

Watching her take her pleasure from my body drove me wild. My beast urged me to flip her over, to pound into her until she screamed. But this was better - watching her discover her own desire, seeing the wonder on her face with each new sensation.

Her pace quickened, confidence growing. I met each roll of her hips with a shallow thrust, careful not to overwhelm her. The sounds she made grew desperate, needy.

“Please,” she whimpered. “I need...”

“What do you need?” I dragged my teeth along her throat. “Tell me.”

“More. Harder.”

Permission granted, I tightened my grip on her hips. My thrusts grew stronger, deeper, making her cry out with each one. The beast rose closer to the surface, demanding to claim our mate fully.

I slipped one hand between us, finding her swollen clit as her whole body jerked at the touch.

“Come for me again,” I demanded. “Let me feel you.”

A few more circles of my thumb and she shattered. Her inner walls clamped down on my cock as she screamed my name. The feeling of her pleasure triggered my own release, my vision whiting out as I filled her with my seed.

We collapsed together onto the furs, both breathing hard. I gathered her close, not ready to let go.

For now, in this moment, she was safe in my arms. My mate. My queen. My everything.

Gray light filtered through the tent’s woven walls, bringing the first hints of dawn. I watched Niam adjust the silk veil Mahra had gifted her, arranging the shimmering fabric to cover her face. My stomach knotted at the sight.

The Temple had forced her to stay hidden, unseen, a ghost in their cursed halls. Now my mate shrouded herself again, preparing to face a world that might reject her.

My fingers curled into fists as she fussed with the drape of fabric. Some part of me raged at seeing her conceal herself. She belonged at my side, proud and free, not skulking in shadows.

“No.” I stopped her hands as she adjusted the material once more. “No more hiding.”

“But the traders, the villages we’ll pass...”

“Let them stare. Let them whisper.” I pulled the veil away, revealing her delicate features. “You are my mate, and I won’t have you skulking in shadows anymore.”

Her fingers traced the scars on her temples, hesitant. “They’ll know your mate is a Frostling.”

“Good.” I gently kissed each scar in turn. “Let them know. You are different. You’re mine.”

A blush crept across her cheeks, but she didn’t reach for the veil again. Progress.

Outside, the camp stirred to life. Voices called greetings, metal clanked against stone as cooking fires blazed to life. The familiar sounds of a Shakai camp waking.

I helped Niam gather our belongings, trying not to hover as she moved about the tent. The night’s passion had left marks on her pale skin - claiming kisses along her throat.

“Stop fretting,” she murmured, catching my expression. “I’m not made of glass.”

“I know.” But the beast disagreed, urging me to wrap her in furs and keep her safe from all harm.

We emerged into the pre-dawn chill to find Mahra waiting, arms crossed and a knowing smile on her weathered face. Her eyes widened slightly at Niam’s unveiled features, but approval warmed her expression.

“The morning brings changes,” she said, inclining her head. “And wisdom, it seems.”

Two villarts stood ready, laden with supplies. The smaller mount shifted restlessly, sensing my approach.

“For your mate to ride,” Mahra explained, gesturing to the second beast. “The journey ahead is long.”

I shook my head. “She rides with me.”

“As you wish.” Mahra’s smile widened. “Though perhaps your mate might appreciate the option of choice?”

Niam’s fingers brushed my arm. “I prefer staying close,” she said softly.

The beast preened at her words. My mate, choosing to remain at my side.

Mahra raised her hands in the traditional blessing. “May the winds guide your path and the earth steady your steps. Return to us when fate allows.”

The sun crested the eastern peaks as we departed, painting the sky in streaks of gold and rose. Niam sat before me on the villart, her body fitting perfectly against mine. Each step of the mount pressed her closer, a sweet torment after the night’s passion.

A merchant caravan passed on the narrow trail, the traders’ eyes widening when they spotted my unveiled mate. One man stared too long - I bared my teeth until he looked away.

“They’re just curious,” Niam murmured, relaxing incrementally as we continued on. “No one’s tried to burn me at the stake yet.”

“Not funny.” I nuzzled her hair, breathing in her scent to calm the beast’s protective rage.

The day wore on as we traveled, my mate gradually unwinding in my arms. When we passed the first Shakai village, the initial shock on the villagers’ faces gave way to cautious acceptance. Perhaps they sensed my claim on her, saw how naturally she moved among our people.

A herd of wild tarnul grazed on the hillside, their scaled hides gleaming in the sunlight. Niam leaned forward, fascination bright in her eyes.

“I’ve only seen them in the Temple’s archives,” she breathed. “They’re beautiful.”

I explained how the beasts lived in family groups, led by the eldest female. How they used their long necks to reach the sweetest leaves in the tallest trees. How their scales changed color with the seasons.

Her wonder at each new discovery delighted me. The Temple had locked her away from the world - now I could show her everything she’d missed.

Something flickered at the edge of my vision - a flock of kaldrini taking flight from a nearby cliff face. Their transparent wings scattered rainbow light across the rocks.

“Look.” I pointed them out, savoring Niam’s soft gasp of appreciation. “They nest in the highest peaks, weaving their homes from the thinnest of strands.”

“How do they survive the winter storms?”

“The whole flock huddles together, creating a pocket of warmth in their nest.”

She turned her head towards me. “You know so much about this land.”

“I’ve spent years exploring these mountains.” My arms tightened around her waist. “Now I get to share them with you.”

A sweet smile curved her lips. “I like that.”

The beast rumbled its satisfaction. Yes, this was right - showing our mate the wonders of our territory, teaching her our ways.

We paused to water the villarts at a crystal-clear stream. While the mounts drank, I pointed out the glowing moss that grew along the banks, the tiny amphibians that changed color to match the rocks.

Niam crouched to examine a patch of star-flowers, their silver petals opening to catch the midday sun. Her fingers ghosted over the delicate blooms.

“The Temple’s archives held so much knowledge,” she mused. “But they never captured the true beauty of things.”

I settled beside her, watching emotions play across her expressive face. “Knowledge without experience is hollow.”

“Yes.” She plucked a single flower, tucking it behind her ear. “I want to experience everything now.”

The simple gesture squeezed my heart. My brave little mate, finally free to explore the world denied to her for so long.

A shadow passed overhead - a hunting skyclaw riding the thermals. Niam tracked its flight, fearless despite our recent encounter with one of the beasts.

“Is that one looking for prey?”

“No, just patrolling its territory.” I pointed out the distinctive markings on its wings. “See the blue stripes? That’s a female. They’re less aggressive than the males unless protecting a nest.”

She absorbed every detail, asking questions that revealed her quick mind and natural curiosity. The Temple might have tried to crush her spirit, but they’d failed. Her eagerness to learn, to understand, shone through.

The beast stirred restlessly, wanting to show her more, to see that wonder light her eyes again and again. But we had ground to cover before nightfall.

“Come.” I helped her to her feet, though she hardly needed the assistance. “There’s a sheltered valley ahead where we can make camp, and reach the inn tomorrow.”

The sun climbed higher as we traveled, warming the cool mountain air. Niam dozed briefly, her head tucked under my chin. I kept one arm wrapped securely around her waist, the other holding the villart’s reins.

We passed another merchant caravan, this one larger than the first. The traders’ whispers followed us down the trail:

“Is that Prince ?”

“But the woman with him...”

“A Frostling? Impossible...”

“Did you see her scars?”

A low growl escaped me, but Niam squeezed my arm. “Let them talk,” she murmured. “Words can't hurt me anymore.”

My brave little mate. The beast settled, soothed by her quiet strength.

A family of tree-leapers swung through the branches overhead, their long tails flashing silver and gold. Niam watched in delight as the youngest ones chased each other, tumbling through the air with impossible grace.

“They look so joyful,” she said softly.

“They are.” I nuzzled her hair. “Like all creatures should be when they’re free.”

She went still in my arms, understanding my meaning. Then she turned, pressing a swift kiss to my jaw.

“Thank you,” she whispered. “For everything.”

The beast preened at her gratitude, but I shook my head. “You freed yourself. I just happened to be there to help.”

“Still.” Her fingers danced across my neck, making me shiver. “I’m glad you were.”

The villart snorted, sensing my distraction.

We passed through a narrow canyon, the walls striped with bands of colored stone. Niam’s sharp eye noted each shade, each pattern.

“The Temple’s archives mentioned mineral deposits in these mountains,” she said. “But they never described how beautiful they are.”

“Mahra’s people mine similar formations further north.” I pointed out a particularly vibrant streak of blue. “That’s where they get the dye for their ceremonial robes.”

“The color of your shirt,” she realized. “The warrior’s blue.”

“Yes.” Pride colored my voice. “Though few know its true source anymore.”

She absorbed this new knowledge with her usual quiet intensity. “Will you teach me more? About your people’s ways?”

“Everything.” I pressed my lips to her hair. “Whatever you want to know.”