Chapter 18

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

G rabon breathed a sigh of relief as he stepped out of the hospital, relishing the fresh air and warm sunshine. His wound was still tender and he was not back to his usual strength but those things would come. He draped his arm across Vera's shoulders, not so much for support as to feel her against him as they returned to their shelter.

As soon as they were inside she gave him a worried look.

"Sit down," she instructed gently, guiding him to the bed. "Let me check your bandages."

He complied, but as she leaned in to inspect his wounds, he caught her wrist. Their eyes met, and the air between them crackled with unspoken desire. Her intoxicating scent increased and he could see her sweet little nipples pebbling against her shirt.

"I need you," he murmured, his voice low and husky.

She bit her lips, clearly torn.

"But your injuries?—"

"I'm stronger than you think," he whispered against her lips.

"Perhaps I should perform an examination - just to verify that."

"Oh, yes. An intimate one."

He slid his hands under her shirt, relishing the silky smooth skin of her back.

She wagged a playful finger at him

"Don't interfere with the doctor. First, I'm going to check your heartbeat."

She carefully unbuttoned his shirt and although he saw her check his bandages, she didn't linger over them, resting her hand over his heart instead.

"Mmm. A nice and steady resting beat. Let me try increasing it." She leaned closer, her hand still on his heart, and scraped her blunt little teeth over the sensitive peaks of his ears. She laughed when he shuddered and nodded approvingly. "Excellent. Now I'm afraid I'll need to remove your clothing for the next portion of the exam, but I'll do my best to preserve your modesty."

She spoke as seriously as any doctor but her eyes sparkled with laughter and his heart sped up again at the promise of what was to come.

She carefully removed the rest of his clothing, refusing to let him help. She stroked him continuously, and his need grew with each passing moment. By the time she reached for his cock he was painfully erect, the hard length throbbing in her hand.

"And what do we have here? It seems to be an unusually large swelling."

She kept her voice cool and professional, only her heady scent giving away her excitement, and the contrast ratcheted his arousal up another notch.

"Is there a cure for it?" he asked, his voice a low rumble.

"There is, but it is a slow process. It may take multiple applications." She nodded slowly as if considering, and then pressed her body against his, letting her clothed chest rub against his bare one. "I will begin by trying to relieve the pressure."

She rubbed her palm over the broad head, and he groaned at the contact.

"Better?" she asked, her eyes wide and innocent.

"Not nearly enough." He grabbed her hand, and pressed it to the base of his cock. "You'll have to do much better than that."

"As you wish," she purred, a wicked glint in her eyes.

She lowered her head, and he shivered as he felt her hot breath against his sensitive skin. Then she took the tip of his cock into her mouth, swirling her tongue around the swollen head.

He clenched his fists in the covers, fighting for control. She teased him mercilessly, alternately sucking on him and pulling back, then licking him from the base to the tip. His need for her rose until it was a raging storm within him, and his restraint began to crumble.

"Enough teasing," he rumbled, reaching for her but she danced away.

He growled a protest, abruptly cut off as she began removing her clothing. Fuck, she was beautiful.

"I will have to remove my clothing for the next step in your treatment. It can get … messy."

"Whatever you say, doctor."

She returned to the bed, then carefully straddled him, making sure she wasn't putting any weight on his wound.

"I thought perhaps a combination of the two treatments might be best."

"An excellent suggestion."

She pressed the entrance of her slick sex against the head of his cock, then slowly lowered herself down along his shaft, her breath catching as each ring entered her. He felt a surge of pride as she looked at him with heavy-lidded eyes, her skin flushed with passion.

"You feel so good," she whispered.

She rocked her hips, and his eyes rolled back in his head at the sensation of her tight little channel gripping his cock.

He grasped her waist, needing something to anchor him against the storm of pleasure that threatened to sweep him away. She began to ride him in earnest, her pace gradually increasing as she took her pleasure from his body.

"That's it, my little mate. Take what you need from me."

She was like a goddess, her fiery hair a wild tangle around her head, her breasts bouncing with every movement, the sounds of her moans filling the room.

"Grabon, I can't … I need …"

"What is it, my love? Tell me what you need."

"I want … harder."

Her eyes were pleading and he gladly obliged. He thrust up with his hips, matching the pace she set, driving his cock deeper inside her with every stroke. She moaned, and arched her back, throwing her head back in abandon. He licked his thumb and brought it down to the swollen little nub that he knew would be a trigger for her release.

"Come for me, my mate," he commanded, using the same tone she had used with him.

She cried out, her body shuddering, her walls tightening around him in a vice-like grip. The exquisite pleasure-pain pushed him over the edge and he let go with a roar, spilling himself deep inside her.

Afterwards, she lay limply against him, her body still trembling. He kissed her temple and hugged her against him.

"Are you all right?" she murmured.

"Much better than all right."

Even though her eyes were still dazed and heavy with pleasure, she pushed herself up far enough away to check his bandages again, then breathed a sigh of relief as she settled back down.

"Thank goodness everything looks fine. I'm afraid I got a little carried away at the end there."

"You have my permission to get carried away like that whenever you wish," he said solemnly, and she laughed.

Truthfully he had gotten carried away as well and his wound was throbbing rather painfully, but it was more than worth it.

"Was that a part of the healing process?"

"Definitely." She snuggled against his chest. "I have no doubt it will be necessary to repeat it several more times before you are fully healed."

"Many more times," he said firmly.

He was tired and sore, but the satisfaction that he felt far outweighed any of that. For the first time in his life he was truly at peace, with both his body and his heart.

"I love you, Vera," he murmured, his eyelids growing heavy.

"I love you too."

He could hear the smile in her voice, and feel it against his chest, and he smiled as well as he drifted off to sleep.

He was smiling again the next morning as they headed for the village hall to meet with the Elders. They'd played more healing games during the night and they had been worth every single ache and throb. He licked his lips happily, seeking out the last traces of his mate's sweetness. His smile faded as they entered and Vera took his hand, silently offering her support.

"You look much better, Grabon," Maeve said, her eyes twinkling. "It's always a pleasure to return to one's nest, isn't it?"

"Yes it is."

The other Elders also congratulated him on his return to health. They would have thanked him as well, but he cut them off.

"I am happy that we were successful, but my mate and I have been discussing this and we are afraid that it might not be enough."

"Why not?" the oldest female elder demanded.

"Because it could happen again. Oh, perhaps not next year, or even for many years, but without your independence, there is always the possibility of abuse. I believe we need to take your case directly to King Cronan and ask him to recognize your independence."

"You mean give up what he sees as his property?" The old female snorted. "What kind of king would do that?"

"I think Cronan would. He is very different from the last king."

"How do we find out?" Maeve asked.

"I intend to take your case directly to the king. It's time to ensure that no future Farlain will ever threaten your freedom again."

An almost painful hope appeared in their eyes.

"And you are willing to do this for us?" Maeve asked, her eyes thoughtful.

He nodded firmly. "It's the right thing to do. The king needs to understand the importance of your autonomy. Although I cannot guarantee it, I believe he will understand."

Vera squeezed his hand gently, a mixture of pride and sadness on her face as she looked up at him. They'd discussed it at length the previous night - in between lovemaking - and they were both aware of the separation it would entail. The thought of leaving her, even temporarily, made his chest tighten, but he knew it was necessary.

"How very … altruistic of you," a mocking voice drawled and he spun around, automatically thrusting Vera behind him.

A strange male leaned against the back wall, an Autan given his opalescent skin and dark purple hair, but far larger and more muscular than usual for his species. How had he entered without Grabon hearing him? For that matter, he couldn't detect his scent even now.

"Who are you?" he growled.

"Let's just say, an interested party."

"Interested in Elvar independence?" he asked skeptically, and the male's lips quirked.

"Not in the slightest. My business is with a certain slave trader who I have tracked to this area."

Vera gave a faint gasp, pressing closer against his back.

"Why?"

"As I said, it's my business."

They stared at each other, neither one of them willing to yield, until his mate peeked around his arm before he could stop her.

"Are you a friend of his?"

The male raised an eyebrow.

"Hardly."

"What's your name?" she asked.

"You may call me Wraith."

Wraith? A chill ran down his spine. He'd heard enough about the bounty hunter - about both his skills and his ruthlessness - that he gently pushed his mate behind him again.

"You have no business with us."

"No. Nor do I wish to, but if you come between me and my prey, you will become my business."

The threat in the cold voice was quite clear, but Grabon hesitated a moment longer, considering his options. Despite everything he'd ever heard about Wraith, there had never been any suggestion that he dealt in slaves.

"Very well. I will take you there."

"We will," his mate corrected, popping up in front of him again. "I'm the one he tried to take. I think I should be there too."

"Indeed?" Wraith raised an eyebrow, his survey of Vera far too appraising for Grabon's liking.

"And my mate is none of your business," he growled.

The other male gave the slightest flick of his shoulder, but he looked away from her and that was enough to satisfy him.

"Whenever you're ready …"

His mate squeezed his hand encouragingly. He sighed, but led the way out of the village. The walk to the village after he'd been injured had been a seemingly endless blur of agony. He was shocked by how quickly they returned to the ship this time.

He was also surprised by how quickly and silently Wraith moved, much like the phantom for which he was named. The bounty hunter stiffened slightly as they approached the clearing, his eyes scanning the area.

"He's dead," Grabon stated flatly as they reached the clearing, even though it was extremely obvious.

The native wildlife had left very little of the remains. His mate gulped and moved closer to him but Wraith only looked irritated. Without a word, he strode towards the ship, his movements fluid and purposeful.

He watched as the bounty hunter searched the ship, returning with a small data device. Despite his initial annoyance, Wraith seemed satisfied with his find.

"We had no choice," Vera said quietly. Grabon turned to see her addressing Wraith, her tone measured but firm. "He threatened us. And he was trying to steal me."

Wraith gave a half nod, his attention still focused on the data device in his hands.

They silently watched him work, both of them understanding the gravity of the situation. Whatever information Wraith was after, it was clear this was more than just a simple bounty. The other male nodded at last and tucked the data device into his belt, an almost pleased expression of his cold face.

"This should prove useful in my search." He hesitated for a fraction of a second, then retrieved a small communicator from his belt and tossed it at Grabon.

He caught it automatically, frowning at the small device.

"What's this?"

"Just a communicator," Wraith said mockingly. "I suggest you use it to contact the king and pursue your quest."

"I appreciate the offer, but the Western Isles frequently render such devices unusable."

Another mocking look.

"My device will work."

His jaw tightened at Wraith's arrogance, but he did his best to suppress his irritation.

"Thank -"

Wraith was gone.

"I didn't even see him leave," Vera whispered.

"Neither did I. It seems his reputation wasn't exaggerated." He turned the communicator over in his hands. "Shall we give this a try?"

She nodded firmly and he activated it. Wraith has been right, it hummed to life, the signal strong and steady. As he input the necessary codes to contact Cronan, he steeled himself for the conversation ahead. He glanced at Vera, drawing strength from her presence, before turning his attention back to the task at hand. It was time to speak with the king.