Chapter 12

He woke as the light of morning broke over the horizon. Snow drifted down from the mountain, falling like dust. He lay on his back, his muscles throbbing, a dull ache between his thighs. The pain had subsided if only a little, and he felt a tingling up his spine and warmth in his stomach.

Beside him, Oza was curled up, dozing soundly, half hidden under the covers. Carefully he pulled back the blanket to witness her naked sleeping form. He watched her for a long moment, still trying to come to terms that she was really there beside him. He could watch her for hours if no one stopped him.

Eventually his eyes drifted away and down his body. There was a sheen across his stomach and when he grazed his fingers over, he knew it to be the result of his release. It finally dawned on him that the wicked dream he had last night had not been just that. In the deep of sleep, he felt the incredible pressure, the heat building, felt soft hands work him, take him to the height of ecstasy.

And then he remembered another part of the dream. Her mouth on him as she sucked at his tip while the fires consumed him.

Only now he realized that had been real.

He winced as the pain returned and his cock hardened instantly once more. By the brightburn gods, that had been real. She'd done that to him.

He sat up slowly and peered down at her. There had been a look in her eyes, a fierce hungry look. She wanted him too. She was just too afraid to show it.

He smiled. I'll coax you out, my sweet Oza. In time.

Relishing inthe discovery that she had given in and explored him as he had so desired, he leaned down over her and put an arm around her.

"Oh, Oza." He nuzzled her head, trying to ignore the growing ache, the fire rising again in his lower belly. How badly he wanted to take her, to consume her and be consumed by her. He hadn't thought it in his nature to be so gentle or sweet, but she brought that side out of him. Still, another side felt that instinct, that drive to devour. It took all his will to keep that animal at bay, to not lose control no matter how badly he wanted to.

Oza stirred and he heard her sigh, her little breath blowing against his chest. She slowly turned her head up, and a quiet but noticeable gasp escaped her. He removed his arm, and they locked eyes.

Her eyes were like two dark gems, black but not like an ashora's, they shined as if a star was caught in their depths. She blinked up at him, her expression hard to read.

"Um, good morning," she said, her mouth curled to one side, and he saw the color along her cheeks darken slightly with a hint of red. He wasn't sure what it meant, but he got the impression she was feeling slightly embarrassed. He wondered why.

"It is good," he said. Then he grinned, unable to help himself. "And you had a good night, didn't you?"

The skin reddened even more. "Yes," she said quietly. But not so timidly, he noticed.

He couldn't help the little hiss of laughter that escaped him. "I knew you couldn't resist, but you are very lucky I didn't wake."

She shrugged her shoulders, then to his delighted shock, reached out her hand and pressed her fingers against his hard stomach. "Curiosity got the better of me I guess."

"I'm glad it did." His stomach clenched at her touch, heat swirling, remembering again where her fingers had gone only a few hours ago and how he'd like to feel them there again only this time awake and fully alert.

Unable to help himself, he drew his hand down and pushed a lock of silky dark hair from her face.

She didn't flinch away or even tense like she normally might but instead closed her eyes and leaned in to him. "Can I ask you something?" she said.

He let his fingers trail down her face and along her neck. "Of course."

She opened her eyes and looked back at him. "Are you…are all sidonions like you?"

He hummed, thinking. "What do you mean? Like physically? Or emotionally?"

"Both?"

He smirked. "Mmm, physically, I'd say I'm a little bigger than some but not by too much. Besides my skin and eye coloring, my traits are very similar to others."

"Green isn't common?"

"Most are blue or gray, only ones more uncommon are purple I think."

She shifted, her eyes drawing down to his chest where her fingers circled him. "Interesting."

"What of your kind?" he asked.

"Our traits tend to blend together when we intermingle but not always. But yes, there are all different kinds."

"Very interesting," he said. He traced his hand over her arm, along firm, smooth skin of a deep brown with warm undertones that he was tempted to nip and bite. She had wide hips and a muscular frame despite her being smaller than him, and he liked the image of her flushed against him. He found her to be lovely, just as he had the first time he'd lain eyes on her. "I like yours very much," he confessed though he wished to explore more of her. "Do you like my traits?"

She smirked, and he could guess what she was thinking. "Yes."

He hummed, satisfied. "As for emotionally, most sidonions tend to be on the more aggressive side. We are also very driven but can get egotistical very easily, especially with power."

She smiled. "Sidonions and humans do have things in common then." Her hand stilled on his stomach. "Do you consider yourself that way?"

He thought it over. "I can be aggressive at times. Very self-driven. Egotistical…ah, yes. But I'm learning patience."

Her eyes searched his face. "Is it hard for you?"

"Harder than it has ever been," he said honestly.

She stared at him, then started laughing though he wasn't sure why. He traced the bandage along her shoulder. "We should take this off and see how you fare."

She started to nod as if to agree, then she jumped, her knees almost slamming into his stomach. "Ah!"

He tugged her close, wrapping an arm around her. "What's wrong?"

"Something touched my foot!"

He shoved the rest of the blanket off the bed and saw Crik crawling on the edge.

"What is that?" she said, curling her legs closer to her.

He laughed. He released her so he could pick Crik up and show him to her. "Ah, just my little pet. He's harmless, I promise."

She looked down at him with wonder. "He looks kind of like a mole."

"He eats the rocks and dirt. Fascinating little thing I found in one of the tunnels."

She touched his little head. "He's pretty cute actually." Crik wiggled his nose at her, claws scraping along Draka's hand.

Draka rose from the bed and placed Crik back in his pile of rocks. "As I said, harmless but curious." He returned to her and sat back on the bed. "Now for your wound." He reached for her, then hesitated. "May I?"

She glanced at his hand, then nodded.

Carefully, he peeled off the bandage. Her skin was a little shiny from whatever medicine Serbril had put on her, but the wound itself was sealed and already smoothing over.

"Wow," Oza said. "It looks…"

"Nearly healed, yes. It's good we have someone like Serbril," he remarked, lightly grazing his fingers across the tender skin. "I say it no longer needs wrapping."

She shivered at his touch. Her gaze moved past him to the basin behind him. "I could use a bath. It's been longer than I care to admit."

He turned and looked at the basin, and funny, his first thought was that they both wouldn't be able to fit. But that was part of his deal, to give her space, wasn't it? She deserved privacy as much as he. Still, a devious thought hit him.

"I can gladly have a bath drawn for you, my sweet Oza." He gave her a playful smile. "Or I can offer you something far better."

She gave him a suspicious look. "Better how?"

"Mmm, cleaner water, more space…" He continued to trace his fingers along her shoulder, feeling bold as she let him. "A lovely view."

Her eyes widened. Then they darkened. "Your plan all along?"

"I admit I'd have liked to see where things had gone if you hadn't run," he said honestly.

"I think a little different," she said.

He snickered. "You're right. But I'm glad it's this way instead. I will do whatever pleases you, it's only an offer."

He watched her chew her bottom lip, thinking it over. "Okay."

"Okay?"

"Take me."

His gaze flicked up to hers, his spinefibers rising, the warmth stirring in his belly, the dull ache returning. He grinned. "Perfect."

He led her to the pool which was not far from his room. She wrapped herself in one of his blankets as she followed him, while he hadn't bothered to put his pants on, uncaring of his own nakedness and whoever saw.

He couldn't help being amused as she kept the blanket tight around her, eyes shifting around in search of others. His sweet Oza, always trying to hide.

He could tell she was still a little cautious, a little uncertain.

"Will it only be us?" she asked.

"If there are others, I will kick them out, don't worry."

That seemed to make her feel better. Quietly she followed after, through one tunnel, up a set of stairs, then down a short passage.

When they came to the entrance, Draka pulled back the covering which hid the passage from the outside.

The pool was empty, a still surface of dark, clear water with wisps of steam rising into the chill air.

He went out first, checking the outer ring. When he deemed it safe, he beckoned her to the pool's edge. Hesitantly, she approached, still keeping the blanket tight around her. The icy air bit at him but he hardly noticed. He kept his eyes on her as he slunk down into the water. He backed toward the center, then waited for her to join him.

She stood there watching him but didn't yet move.

He swirled a claw through the water, his eyes narrowing, mouth tightening. "Not still afraid are you, my pretty little Oza?"

She pursed her lips, her gaze unlatching from his to peer at the other side of the pool where the other passage lay. The one that led down the side of the mountain.

He drifted a little closer to her, muscles tensing. "Do you think you could outrun me this time?" he said in a hushed voice. "Because trust me, woman, I would delight in the chase. And I wouldn't let you slip away."

She bit her lip but even then he saw her mouth curl to one side. Oh, he liked that.

"I don't think I want to repeat the last time," she said.

"Then come join me."

Slowly, she let the blanket slip off her shoulders, sliding down her arms till it fell at her feet. Pausing briefly by the edge, she crouched down, then carefully slid into the water.

A low hiss escaped her. "Man, this is so good. I didn't think I'd ever get to experience this again."

He smiled. "You would have enjoyed it for much longer if you had trusted me the first time."

She made a little noise. "Yeah, right. You looked ready to split me open." She backed to the edge as he crept toward her. "Like you might eat me alive."

He stopped an inch before her, tilting his head. "Even though I said I wouldn't?"

She shifted, tilting her head up at him. "It was in your gaze. And I was scared shitless."

He hummed. He brought up his hand and traced a lock of hair, curling it around her ear. He watched her shiver as he said, "I still wished you hadn't run."

She blinked twice. But without looking away, she said, "I'm glad I did."

He felt a sharp pain at her words. "Glad?"

She nodded. "If I hadn't, I would never have known you like I did as Oza. I don't think you would have ever let me see that side of you."

He frowned, letting his talon slide down her neck and across her shoulder. "In time I think I would have."

"Do you miss him?"

He locked his gaze to hers. "Who?"

"The Oza you knew."

He searched her face then said, "No. Because you are right here. You are the same person, and I get to have both now." He waited for her to fight that remark. When she didn't, his pain eased. "Maybe…it was good you ran," he confessed.

She stared at him, and he wished he knew what she was thinking. Quietly, she separated from the wall, inching closer. She traced a finger over his heart. "I wanted to tell you," she whispered. "That it was me."

His heart flipped. "Still too afraid even when I confessed so much to you?"

She nodded. "I feared you would change as soon as you saw me. I thought I was crazy for coming to you in the first place. I didn't think my disguise would work so long. I thought I'd give myself a couple of days, steal a pack, and head north. But then I…I got to know you, and I didn't want to leave. I liked what we had. I liked…being by your side."

He gave himself a moment to let those words sink in. He cupped the sides of her neck with his hands, tracing the underside of her jaw with his thumbs. She tilted her head back, her thick lashes hiding her eyes, her mouth parting as she exhaled. Unable to resist, he lowered his head down to hers. "You couldn't stay away," he whispered. "You felt the pull too." He slid his tongue out and brushed it across her lips.

She flinched back and then laughed softly. "Is that a sidonion kiss?"

"Hardly."

"How about this?" She pulled him closer and brought his mouth to hers. She flicked out her tongue, brushing against his fangs, and the heat turned in his belly, pain settling again between his thighs. He moaned, a low growl deep in his chest. He tugged her closer, claws gripping the back of her head. His tongue trailed along hers as he tasted her. So sweet, he thought.

She broke the kiss, but he saw the fire now in her gaze, matching his own. He held her, keeping her head tilted up at him.

"Let me taste you," he said, trying hard not to beg. "Let me show you why you have nothing to fear. Let me make you sing."

She closed her eyes, letting out a shaky breath. He feared she didn't trust him, and maybe that would take time, but he wouldn't take back his words because it was what he craved, what he wanted since the beginning.

He waited for her answer. When he feared she wouldn't give it, he started to say, "If your answer is no—"

She quieted him by putting a hand on his chest. She opened her eyes and stared up at him, studying him as if trying to read his honesty. Then she let her hand slip and he saw that fierce fire pass in her gaze once more. "Where do you want me?"

He didn't miss a beat. He loosened his grip on her and let his hand slide down to her face, holding her jaw, his thumb grazing over her lips. He slid his claw between them, letting his finger roam over her tongue. He hummed in satisfaction. He lowered his face again close to hers, then he grinned, showing her his fangs. "On the edge."

He backed her up to another side of the pool, shallower than the rest. To one side was a flat rock. He set her on it, where the water barely lapped across the surface. "Lie back," he commanded.

Without a word, she did, bringing herself down to lie against the rock, water lapping across her backside, while the rest of her was exposed to him.

"Good," he purred. "Now open for me."

Hesitantly, she did, revealing her pretty center to him, soft and wet. He caught her scent, and it nearly made him lose control. He started to salivate just at the sight and smell of her.

"Oza," he breathed. "My little goddess." He lowered his head down between her legs. "Let me worship you." He slipped his tongue out and trailed a slow path along her slit, his forked end dipping down between the small, sensitive flesh at the end, gliding across it.

Her breath hitched, her back arching, hips rising to meet him. "Draka," he heard her moan.

Her taste in his mouth was exquisite, more intense than the little sip he'd gotten from the pool. It would have sent him into a frenzy, but he wanted to savor every bit. He forced himself to keep a measure of control as he spread her legs farther and pinned her in place. He explored her, seeing what made her react the most, delighting in every whimper and moan that escaped her mouth. He swirled around her, the tips of his tongue sliding along the nub which made her cry out, telling him it was the core of her pleasure. He circled and sucked around her, feeling her growing hotter. She writhed under him, and it was like the first time he'd seen her touching herself, her starting to lose herself to a growing release.

"Draka!" she called his name, pleading for him to go faster, but he refused. He slid out, then dipped back in, trailing his split tongue across her so that he brushed around her core. She was incredibly wet, and he sucked again, her taste sliding down his throat.

He released his mouth from her and licked his lips. "So sweet," he said. "You like when I eat you don't you?"

"Y-yes," she breathed.

"What do you call this sensitive part of you that makes you react so well?" he said, brushing along the little nub.

"My clit."

"Clit." He traced his tongue along it again and watched her shiver, whimpering. "It is sensitive like my tip, isn't it?"

She nodded.

He hummed as he brought his mouth back down and sucked gently on her clit, twisting his tongue one way then the other. He wanted to feel her release against his mouth, and he knew she must not be far. He could feel her tensing. She threw back her head and tried to clamp down her cries that were growing louder, echoing off the rocks. Surely others could hear, but he didn't mind. Let them know she screamed because of him.

He traced up and down her slit and then found her entrance. He circled around that too, then slid deep, curious to see how far she went. She was small and rather tight there, but a little coaxing and he was sure he could stretch her to fit him. He moved his tongue in and out, exploring the inner muscles, feeling them clench around him. She was wet on the inside too, sleek and hot. Perfect. He needed to feel his cock inside her, knew he'd lose his mind if he didn't.

As he slid his tongue along the inner wall above her center, she cursed. Her body spasmed without warning, growing tighter. She screamed as he continued to eat her, his claws coming out to prick her skin as he kept her in place even as she bucked.

She found her release against his mouth, her scent and taste overtaking him, little bumps trailing over her skin, rising like his spinefibers. It was a beautiful sight and made the heat stir worse inside him.

Carefully he pulled back, watching her center pulse, her own natural wetness trailing down her thighs.

"Incredible," he whispered. Unable to resist, he bent back down and curled his tongue along her again, lapping up some of her wet heat.

He would have continued on eating her, but she finally kicked out her legs as soon as he found her clit again. It was just as well because he was aching to feel his cock pushed inside her.

He got up on the rock while he dragged her closer. He pulled her onto his lap, seating her on his thighs with her legs still spread. He moved to the edge, dipping his feet back into the water, curling his clawed toes against the wall of the pool for support. "I need to be inside you, Oza." Looking down above her head, he could see his cock, hard and erect between her legs. Wrapping an arm tight around her, he pressed the side of his cock against her slit, moving along it. "I don't think I can stop myself," he groaned.

She was quiet, panting against him, her hips moving so that her center glided along him. "Just go slow," she said, breathless. "Please, I don't know if you can fit."

"I will try to be gentle." He took hold of her thighs and lifted her. With her back flush against him, he moved so that the tip of him touched at her entrance, dipping in and out just as he had with his tongue. Cautiously, he lowered her onto him until the head of his cock slid inside her, then slowly, little by little, he stretched her until she reached the bulb at his middle.

She lifted her head back, resting it against his chest. He saw her hiss through her teeth as he slid out then back in. Just as he imagined, she was tight around him, but still so warm and wet. Even if he couldn't fit yet all the way in her, he still shuddered at the feel of her clenching around him.

She cursed again under her breath, another little moan passing through her lips. "Draka, I don't know if I can take more—oh, fuck." He twitched inside her, and she arched her back, shifting her hips.

He nuzzled her head, trying to sooth her. "You are doing so well. You feel so good, just like I dreamed." He slid out again then in, repeating the movement in a steady but slow rhythm. He could feel the heat rising, the pressure building along the base of his cock as her inner walls brushed along his bumps and ridges. He concentrated on the movement, feeling her gripping him. He growled low as he curled his claws around her flesh, almost breaking the skin. His eyes narrowed in on their connection, even if it was not all the way, it was enough to send him to the brink.

Heat rippled inside his lower belly as his release came, his cock pulsing, and a low snarl tore up his throat, through his teeth. His vision blurred for a mere second as he was washed in the waves of his fire. His body trembled against hers, his toes clawing at the rocks. By the brightburn gods, she felt amazing. And she was his at last.

She grew still as he let the waves take him and his release spilled from inside her down the base of him, dripping into the water.

He huffed, his muscles tightening. When the last wave subsided, he lifted her off him and sat her back on his thighs with his cock once more between her legs.

He wrapped one arm around her while his other hand cupped her neck. He breathed heavily across her head as she rested it still on his chest. She looked up at him and he could see stars in her eyes.

"I told you…I wasn't sure," she said, breathless.

"It still felt good, you can't deny that." He squeezed her throat gently, smiling against her hair.

It was her turn to tremble against him. "Yes."

"You want more of this, don't you?"

He felt her swallow. "Gods help me, yes."

"We are perfect together."

He felt her chest rise and fall. "Except for the size…maybe."

He thought it over, his claws brushing against her skin. "This may not have been the best position to find out. If I could just see…"

She snorted, her chest shaking with laughter. "Um, I'm sorry, see what exactly?"

His eyes narrowed as he stared at the water. He could just make out the bottom below.

A sudden wicked idea popped into his head, and he smiled, fangs slipping from his upper lip. "I have an idea of what might help."

"Oh?"

He pulled her up with him onto their feet. "A neat little experiment."

She gave him a curious and slightly suspicious look.

"Don't worry, it will be fun." He drew her back over to the passage, covering her with the blanket. "And I'm not finished with you yet."