“Oh my God, it’s true. I thought Roxy was bullshitting me, but your cock really does vibrate.”
“Yes, there are—”
He didn’t get a chance to finish his explanation of the pleasure ridges because Lacey muttered something about ‘fuck it’ a moment before she closed the distance between them and pressed her lips to his in a kiss.
Shock held him immobile for a moment, and he sensed her hesitation then disappointment when he remained still. That snapped him out of his stupor, and with a low, animalistic growl that came from the pit of his soul, he wrapped both of his arms around her tight and pressed their bodies together. She pulled back from their brief kiss with a startled sound, but he didn’t let her get far. With one hand clasping her delicious, tight little ass, he used the other to fist her hair in his hand and bring her mouth to his.
Joy exploded from him as he kissed her, and she let out a needy moan. Feasting on her lips, he distracted her as he sliced open his tongue on his emerging fangs. The ache in his upper jaw was somehow erotic, those sharp teeth descending only for battle or mating. Nipping at her lower lip, he thrust his tongue between her pouty lips when she opened for him, her moans growing louder while she rubbed herself against his vibrating cock.
Brilliant passion and the aching need to be filled echoed from her side of the bond, the mental seduction just as good as the physical. Gwarnon let out a silent roar of victory as her tongue rubbed against his, taking in his blood that would—hopefully—begin her transformation. Gripping her tight rear end, he ground her against his cock, their kiss turning savage.
Her climax drew closer and closer, like a gigantic wave growing in the distance, different from the intense fire of his release. She sucked on his tongue, those lovely little sounds of pleasure she made driving him crazy. His balls tingled, growing tight when the fire of his lust met the huge wave of her release, mingling and crashing together.
Lacey tore her mouth from his with a scream, her back arching so much, he had to steady her with both hands as she writhed with pleasure on top of him.
Right before he went over the edge, a terrible, razor sharp pain screamed through his bond with Chel, making him cry out in shock as his own soul absorbed his blood brother’s agony.
Her scream turned from pleasure to pain, and she stared at Gwarnon in horror as she yelled, “What’s happening?”
“Chel,” he grunted, absorbing another psychic blow to his soul that left him reeling. “Under attack.”
“Help him,” she yelled, then curled into a tight ball with a groan of pain and moaned out. “Help him.”
“Stay here,” he growled at Lacey as he stumbled to his feet, then ordered the room to use all defensive measures against anyone who tried to breech it.
Her protests followed him out the arena, but he ignored her orders that she come with him. He had no idea what kind of threat they faced, and his imagination kept wanting to show him images of his beloved blood brother dead or dying. Racing as fast as he could through the NevShoo ship to the portal leading to his vessel, Gwarnon ran through the various diagnostics and could not find any indication of a breach of any kind. A quick check with the NevShoo and his own crew confirmed that they showed no signs of either craft having been breached.
Sprinting through the doors of the medical quarters where Roxy was currently recuperating after her transformation, Gwarnon stumbled to a halt, mentally canceling the distress call he’d sent out to the crew. At least for the moment. Chel leaned against the table next to Roxy’s bed, shaken but okay. Chel’s gaze met Gwarnon’s, and he sent a wave of calming emotions to Gwarnon, helping him fight back the dark anger that wanted to annihilate anyone who harmed his blood brother.
Roxy stood nearby, her cheeks pale against her dark hair as she stared at Chel, then Gwarnon, then back to Chel again with her hand over her mouth. Behind her stood a very worried Nosa, his amber gaze focused on his bride. At his side, Roxy’s blond future bondmate, Cormac, gave her a deeply worried look. Neither Warrior was injured and showed no signs of having fought anyone or anything.
Frustrated at Chel being hurt and being torn away from Lacey at the worse possible moment, he snarled, “What is going on? Chel, are you all right? What happened? The ship didn’t detect any intruders, and the Baladium swears no one approached or boarded our vessel.”
Chel allowed Gwarnon to help him to a couch, more of his soothing calm attempting to ease the rage and worry burning in Gwarnon’s heart. “I will be fine. Lady Roxy unintentionally used the dreshentah on me.”
His stomach bottomed out as he stared at Roxy, instinctive fear making him take a step back.
Dropping her hand from her mouth, Roxy turned to her men. “What? Someone tell me why you’re all freaking out right now, please.”
Giving himself a slight shake that made his dark skin gleam with purple highlights, Nosa said, “There has not been a Kadothian Matriarch who can cause soul pain since the Great Sorrow took our females from us.”
“And that’s bad?”
He slowly nodded. “Until now, it has been a gift only the Hive possesses.”
Roxy clutched at her middle with one hand as if she’d been hit in the stomach. “That’s bad.”
As Gwarnon got over his initial shock, his ever calculating mind worked out that this new development was in their favor. “This is also good.”
Chel stared at him, “Meaning no offense to my Lady, but how can this be a good thing?”
“You are viewing the situation the wrong way.” Gwarnon ignored their skeptical looks and continued, “The gift is not evil; it is the intent of the wielder which makes something bad or good. Before the Great Sorrow, it was celebrated when a Matriarch possessed the gift of soul pain. In the right hands, the gift is a great tool for order and justice, a way to punish without death. Roxy is an honorable woman, a Warrior who shed blood to protect the innocent. The Lord of Life was wise in giving her this gift. It will certainly enhance their odds of winning, and that is the only thing that matters right now.”
“But others will fear her,” Nosa said. “It will give her enemies fuel to cause dissent.”
Gwarnon shrugged. “They may, but having the dreshentah gives us a great tactical advantage. None of Roxy’s potential opponents have any idea about what she can do. We know that Lacey and Roxy will be pitted against humanoids of a similar size and physical prowess, but other than that, their abilities are a mystery.”
Cormac knelt next to Roxy, his voice heavy with emotion as he said, “You should only use this gift as a last resort.”
Watching her closely, Nosa said, “It would help if we were fully bonded. The bondmarks she will bear are visible proof that the Lord of Life blessed our union. It would make it harder for her enemies to use her abilities against her.”
Gwarnon shook his head. “No, you cannot bond her until after the Baladium.”
Nosa snapped, his teeth bared in anger as he snarled, “You would dare try to forbid us from bonding? On what grounds?”
Gwarnon held up his hands as he backed away from the enraged male. “Easy, Warrior. I forbid you nothing. It is in Lady Roxy’s best interest to wait. If she fights in the Baladium as a Matriarch, she will be subjected to stiff fines and punishments by the Kadothian High Congress. They could even try to ban her from her Territory. You know there are Council members itching to have a reason to make a negative example of an Earth Matriarch. Most will understand the circumstances, but some are threatened by the Earth Matriarchs and the power they possess. However, if Roxy is still a bride when she fights, then she is breaking no laws. The ruling by the High Congress to forbids Kadothian Warriors and Matriarchs from participating in the games. It says nothing about brides.”