14. Olivia

CHAPTER 14

OLIVIA

I blink rapidly, trying to clear the spots from my vision.

Now where am I?

The musty scent of damp stone and - is that kibble? - fills my nostrils. Definitely not the archives.

"Mia?" I call out, my voice echoing in the dim space. No answer. My heart sinks as I spot her bracelet on the ground beside me. What does this mean? I scoop it up though and slip it on for safekeeping.

"Mia!" I call again, a little more insistently this time.

Where the hell is she?

Before I can follow that train of thought too far, a sound catches my attention. Soft crunching, like ... I squint in the low light, making out two feline shapes hunched over a bowl. Cats?

Oh, right.

As my mind refocuses, I remember.

It's the tabby and Mia's calico.

Somehow, I am sure it's Othrix. And what was hers called again?

Mary Poppins .

I chuckle to myself in spite of the circumstances.

If I don't laugh, I will cry.

This new reality of minotaurs and teleportation is downright bonkers.

Kalen...

Suddenly aware of my presence it seems, the felines finish their snack and dash through a small flap at the top of the wall.

The top of the wall?

I realize I am in a basement.

But a basement in which world?

That's the question.

I cross the room to a set of access doors overhead. They must open to the street.

Moment of truth.

I push one open and crawl out onto a cobblestone street.

But still, I'm not sure as I look around. It's dark but I am almost surprised at the wave of relief that washes over me as I begin to suspect where I have ended up this time. I look at the shop I just emerged from.

Murks Magical Menagerie.

My jaw drops. "This is crazy, I'm back in Fablewood!"

The quiet, lamplit streets of the magical town stretch out before me. Gas streetlights cast a warm glow over the empty cobblestones. It seems the two places are at least aligned as far as time of day.

Interesting ... same time zone at least it seems.

Still, my mind is reeling. Yet another portal? If that's even what that was. I'm so lost in my thoughts that I almost miss the unmistakable silhouette at the end of the block - a certain muscular minotaur!

Oh my god.

But how can this be?

My knees literally go weak, but I keep my footing.

"Kalen!" I cry out, my voice cracking with emotion .

He whirls around, his eyes widening in disbelief. "Olivia?"

And then I'm running, and he's running, and we collide in the middle of the street in a tangle of limbs and laughter and tears.

"I suddenly got an urge to take one more walk around town. And then just now, I thought maybe I'd heard something ... but I ... Gods, I thought I'd lost you!" Kalen wraps his arms tightly around me.

"I'm so sorry," I sob into his chest. "I never should have wandered off. I was just so caught up in the mystery and-"

"No, Liv, it's my fault," he interrupts. "I should have been paying attention, not showing off for some stupid elves."

"No...Mo! I love your charming side. It's my fault. I was just being stupid!"

But then I pull back, meeting his gaze. "I am more important than those elves, right?"

He chuckles, pressing his forehead to mine. But then he pulls back and brings a hand to his chin. "I mean, it is close..."

I slap him on the chest playfully.

"You are all that matters to me Olivia."

As we stand there, holding each other in the empty street, I feel something shift inside me. All my carefully constructed walls, my lists and plans and need for control - they crumble away. Because this, right here? This is what matters.

"But I just don't understand, where did you come from? Where did you go?"

"There's time for that later. Right now, I just want to feel you hug me again."

He pulls me in for another squeeze.

"I love you Kalen," I blurt out, surprising myself with the intensity of the words. "I know it's crazy, we barely know each other, but I do. I love you. When I was apart...I mean, God I have to tell you about that, and I will ... but all I could think of was that I might never see you again. If that ever happens ... I want you to know... "

His eyes widen, and for a heart-stopping moment, I think I've made a terrible mistake. But then his face breaks into the most beautiful smile I've ever seen.

"Olivia," he breathes, pulling me close. "You have no idea how much that means to me. I..." He trails off, his brow furrowing slightly as if searching for the right words.

I wait patiently for him to tell me he feels the same ... but nope.

Men.

For an instant, I feel a tiny pang of disappointment that he doesn't say it back.

You're supposed to say the words!

But then I see the intensity in his eyes, the way he's looking at me like I'm the most precious thing in the world, and I realize - some things go beyond words.

Kalen's expression turns serious. "There's something we need to do," he says, his voice low and urgent. "Something I should have done right from the start."

I raise an eyebrow, my heart racing. "Oh?"

He takes a deep breath. "I need to claim you. Properly. As my mate."

"I have no idea what that means," I admit, a thrill of excitement running through me. "But yes. Absolutely yes."

Kalen grins, scooping me up into his arms. As he carries me towards his cottage, I nestle against his chest, feeling safer and more cherished than I ever have in my life.

Who needs words when you have this?

"Let's go home, sweetheart," he rumbles. "We've got a ritual to perform."

A ritual?

"That sounds exciting."

"I think you will enjoy it ..."

No sooner do we reach the tavern than he takes he around to his private entrance. Before I know it, we are through the door and he is carrying me up the stairs to his expansive apartment above.

"I guess this won't be as fancy as I had hoped."

"Fancy?"

"When I thought about it, I imagined candles, and maybe rose petals ... you know, fancy."

Now we are bursting into his apartment, and now his bedroom.

"I don't need fancy Kalen. I just need you."

With that he gives me a gentle toss into the center of his soft bed.

As he unbuttons and removes his shirt, revealing his rock-hard chest and abs, I can't help but stare.

I don't think I will ever get used to that body.

Which is just fine.

"Maybe a few candles would be nice?"

"Absolutely."

As he lights a few around the room, I lay back in the pillows. This is his ritual, and I am happy to have him in charge.

With the room suitably lit by candlelight now, Kalen begins to undress me, his touch gentle yet purposeful.

"We really need to get you some new clothes."

"Why don't you get me out of my old ones first?" I raise my arms as he pulls my torn blouse off.

He throws it across the room as he kisses at my bare neck, even as he removes my bra.

I close my eyes, savoring the sensation of his hands gliding over my skin. His fingers trail along my arms, and then down to my waist, as he kneels before me on the bed. I shiver, a mix of excitement and anticipation.

"You're so beautiful, Olivia," he whispers, his breath warm against my neck. "I could spend forever admiring your body."

I blush, feeling a rush of desire. "Kalen, you make me feel ..." I pause, searching for the right words. "I feel alive when I'm with you."

He smiles, a proud smile, and continues to undress me, pulling down my skirt and then panties. As my clothes fall away, I lay back for him to see, vulnerable yet feeling completely empowered in my sexuality in a way I could have never imagined. His eyes roam over my body, taking in every curve, every inch of my skin.

I close my eyes and fully surrender my naked body to him.

"Take me baby."

A soft chuckle reverberates in his chest. "Hold your horses. I'm getting there. This is to be savored."

"Is this part of the ritual of claiming?"

"No, this is the ritual of Kalen wanting to caress, explore, feel and lick every inch of your incredible body."

I instantly feel a warmth spread across my flesh as a zing of pleasurable heat blooms deep in my core. I feel my sex grow wet.

"Oh ... um, well that works too."

He chuckles again. So much for feeling completely empowered and owning my sexuality. I feel a blush coming over my body. No one every desired every curve as he does.

Worships. That's what he is doing.

Another surge of wetness hits me as I feel his strong, rough hands gently taking hold of my feet.

Oh, I see.

He wants to touch every part of me. He begins to massage my soles, his thumbs pressing into the arches, sending shivers up my legs. I moan softly as pleasure washes over me.

"Oh, Kalen," I breathe, my voice filled with longing. "That feels incredible."

I am completely surrendered to being pampered as he continues his journey up my legs, his hands caressing every muscle, every contour. As I lay on my back, I feel his hands coming up to grip my thighs, first one and then the other. His touch is both gentle and firm, as he kneads the tension out my muscles. I can't help but gyrate my hips as caresses to either side of my soft and yearning lady parts. But no matter how I try to twist my body, he only teases. He brings both hands to grip one leg, and then the other, his fingers gripping tantalizingly close to my sex as he massages my inner thighs. Again, I try to get him to touch me there, but he only pulls away, continuing his exploration up onto my hips and now waist. I arch my back, my hands pressing into the bed and he grasps my hips now, but only to apply a heavenly pressure across the muscles there.

As I drop back my body is on fire, feeling him now grasp one arm and then the other, pulling out the tension of my latest inter-dimensional travels ... or whatever they were.

I still have no clue.

I push all thought out of my mind.

My brain tries to interject.

I need to make a list of my favorite places to be touched ...

Liv ...

I surrender again to this pleasure. It is almost like torture. The waiting. He already has me so hot I can barely take it.

He is gently caressing at my shoulders, and now either side of my breasts ...

Oh god! Please just take em in your hands and squeeze them already! Now, do it now!

I am not sure if I am pouting, as he is now tracing gentle circles around my bared chest. My nipples feel like hardened little pebbles.

I feel a fresh thrill shoot through me as his breath comes hot on my nipples. And then the faintest lick. I try to press it up into his mouth, but he is gone.

I want to pull him on top of me, but I am actually enjoying this too much. To be completely seen. To be ...

Cherished .

It's intoxicating in and of itself.

I feel his hand on my belly, again, rubbing lower. And lower still. His fingers trace down toward my waiting pussy, and dodge to the side, only to caress my inner thigh. I must be dripping.

"Roll over Fuzzy,"

I giggle. That's a nickname I would have never seen coming before the events of the last few days. That's for sure.

As I roll on my belly, I am immediately rewarded with his strong hands firmly on my back. But then he pauses for a moment.

My face is buried in the pillows but I turn to find where he has gone. But before I even have a chance, he is back on me, and I realize what he was doing. I can feel his powerful legs as he kneels on either side of me. I feel his heat radiating from his naked sex even as he sits back over my legs as he practically floats his hands down my back, sending a wave of shivers throughout my body.

I press my ass up toward him as he grips, rubs and massages my naked flesh. Again, he grips my thighs, one at a time, this time his hands pressing right up against my core. He must feel how ready I am for him. He strokes me there at that tender flesh. Now I am beginning to pulse my ass up at him, spreading my legs as best I can to better entice his touch. I am not disappointed as I feel him begin to stroke at my clit with one hand even as I feel what must be his thumb beginning to explore my opening.

I let out a moan he playfully slaps my ass gently with the other hand.

"Yes baby, does that feel good?"

"Oh my god, so good."

"Good, cause I want you to feel good."

"I like the claiming ritual."

He laughs. "Oh right. That's what we are supposed to be doing. Sorry I got sidetracked .

"There really is no rush,"

With that I feel him lowering his head as he kisses my ass, first one cheek, and then the other.

"No there's not, but I don't know how long I can hold back either,"

With that, and with one powerful movement he carefully lifts and spins me around, even as he plunges his tongue deep into my wetness.

"Oh my ..."

"You taste amazing my darling."

He licks and sucks until I am practically writhing on the bed. My hands grip at his horns, pulling him closer. I want his tongue to taste and explore every part of me."

"Oh, my...Kalen ..."

I am so close ... but rather than push me over the edge, he withdrawn his tongue and lips and grips my hips instead. As he raises himself up on his knees, my body and legs spread before him. Ready, willing and god, but wanting ... so wanting – I see he is rock hard. His powerful cock is ready.

Ready to claim me.

I angle my hips and lift my legs for him even as he gazes down into my eyes.

"You are sure you want this, Olivia? Sure you want me?"

"Are you kidding? Take me Kalen."

"We will be inseparable. You will be mine forever. And I will be yours."

"Isn't that already the case? We are mates, right? Soul mates." I gaze up at him.

"Fated mates."

"Right, that. We must be fated, the way you keep popping up every time I turn around." I look at his hard member as I say it, and we exchange a look.

"I will always ‘pop up' for you sweetheart."

"You better. Now how about you come over and claim me once and for all before the candles all burn out? "

With that he lowers himself and I press my sex forward to meet him. As he angles his hips he grabs my legs behind at the knee easily with his powerful hands. I spread myself for him, even as I feel him press the head of his glorious cock into my waiting core. A glorious pressure and pleasure erupts from my sex, as I feel my pussy stretching for him.

"I want you so bad, Liv."

"And I want you baby. I want you to claim me already!"

I begin to buck my hips toward him, even as he begins to exert even more pressure with his thick manhood. With each of our thrusts he drives deeper inside me.

"Oh yes, Olivia, my one. My mate!"

"Yes Kalen." I reach to grab onto his hands even as he grabs as my legs still. I feel him driving deeper and deeper into my core. I feel so full, but I want more. I want all of him.

"Give me all of you Kalen. Drive in deep!"

"Yes, Olivia." And he does. As he enters me deeper with every thrust, I begin to feel his balls slap against my ass with every penetration, until he must be driving in right to his hilt. Each thrust practically takes my breath away, but it only makes me buck against him harder, trying to will him even deeper still.

"Yes Olivia, you are my one chosen mate. Before all the ancients ... before all that is.

"Yes," I feel the pressure building in my core as he slams into me again and again. As I look up at this beast. My powerful minotaur. My fated mate. My one. I can feel his release building, the tension in his muscles growing even as we quicken our pace in our final frenzied convulsions. My own breath is coming in grunts now, our sweat running off us in little drops ...

"I claim you now and forever! With that I feel his hot seed shoot deep inside me. With it, my pussy convulses as my own orgasm hits. He releases my legs as we press our hot bodies together, almost trying to will ourselves to be one. I feel another jet of his seed shoot inside, and another, even as the pleasure ripples and rocks through my body. He is practically a part of me and I of him as we ride the waves of ecstasy. We lie there, breathless, our bodies still joined, as the aftermath of our passion envelops us. He kisses at the top of my head as I cling to his powerful muscled frame until little by little the wave begins to dissipate, until finally, he collapses at my side.

"You are mine, Olivia," he declares, his voice filled with love and possession. "My mate, my love. I claim you, forever."

I smile, a sense of peace washing over me. "And you, Kalen, are mine. My minotaur, my heart. I claim you, body and soul."

Suddenly I feel a faint sting on my chest just above my heart.

"Ouch!" It is more a yelp of surprise, rather from any real pain.

"What the ..."

"Oh right ... sorry ... the claiming mark"

"The what now?" I look down and notice a faint little design appearing on my chest ... it's a heart ... in black and white.

"Oh, that's pretty!"

"What is that other thing?" He brings his face closer to see. A little swirl is forming within the heart now.

"A bee I think."

"A bee in a heart?" Kalen looks confused.

But I understand it perfectly and it fills me with a warm calmness.

"It's perfect."

"But what is it?"

"I explain later. Right now, I just want to snuggle here with you."

And just ‘Bee in my Heart'.

Most definitely not in my head.

Perfect .

As we drift off to sleep, entwined in each other's arms, I know that this is where I belong. Fablewood has become my home, and Kalen, my love, is my forever. The claiming ritual has sealed our bond, and I feel a sense of completeness I've never known before ...