Primal Quest Page 3

  Caidi was startled when he took her hand away from his large, hard manhood. She could tell that he was enjoying her touch. His cock had hardened and lengthened as she stroked. He had thrust his hips up into her hand as she had stroked him, had groaned his pleasure when she had circled the tip with her thumb. His response had made her feel powerful, magical. He had seemed lost in the feelings. The hard staff had darkened, tiny drops of pre-cum beaded on the rounded tip. Idly, she wondered what he tasted like.

  “I want to be inside of you, taneen,” Raven growled, nipping at her earlobe. The endearment was only the truth. Cate was beautiful.

  Raven lifted her, settling her astride him but on his stomach, with that hard shaft nestled against her buttocks. His hand insinuated itself between his flat, hard-muscled abdomen and two of his fingers slid into the warm heat of her tight cunt while his thumb settled on her clit. His thumb stroked over that sensitive flesh as his fingers thrust into her and retreated. Caidi closed her eyes, her hips rocking against him in counterpoint to his thrusting fingers as she savored the pulsing heat each movement produced. It felt good, but she needed more.

  “Lean down, Cate,” Raven ordered, seeing that she followed his instructions with a tug on her arm.

  Caidi leaned forward, gasping as a burst of fiery longing rushed over her when the fingers within her touched something wonderful as she shifted position. He guided one of her breasts to his mouth, nibbling and flicking at the dangling nipple with his tongue before he enclosed the reddened flesh with his lips and sucked on it.

  Raven smiled as he felt her warm honey begin to cover his hand. She rocked against his hand, moaning and sighing as her excitement built. Her hands fisted in his hair. She was so sensual, so ready to try anything. He released the distended nipple on which he had lavished his attention and guided her slightly to the side so that he could pay equal attention to the other full, waiting globe.

  Caidi’s body trembled with the ecstasy pulsing through her. Raven’s growling encouragement against her breast resonated through her, enhancing every sensation. She ground her pelvis against his hand as the pulling tug of his lips at her nipple threatened to rip her into pieces. The pressure of his thumb against her and the scissoring movement of the two fingers within her sent a white-hot bolt of pleasure to her core and threw her into a shuddering, moaning, arching climax. She soon discovered that was far from the end. His fingers kept stroking her, reigniting the fire within her, even as his lips continued to draw on her breast.

  The stroking of his fingers tightened the pulsing ball of desire within her once more. Soon, she was rocking her hips against his hand again, straining to reach yet another peak, to release the almost painful tension gripping her body. She panted, desperate. She clenched her hands into his hair, willing him not to stop. She wanted, ached. The feel of his fingers thrusting into her pussy drove her wild, right to the edge. He withdrew his hand from her, giving her clit a lingering stroke even as she moaned in protest of the movement.

  Raven released her breast and silenced the disappointed sound of protest with his talented lips as he lifted her and lowered her onto his hard shaft. He moaned as he felt her take his length, sheathe his cock in her slick cunt. He felt her skin stretching around him, gripping him in her tight, wet heat.

  “Ride me,” he urged in a rough, deep voice, his hands gripping her hips urging her into motion even as he tried to gain some control over his own needs. He was blade hard and more than ready to come, but he wanted her to find her pleasure once more. She gave so much and still there was more.

  Caidi lifted her hips, awkward at first, following the guiding pressure of his hands. As she lowered herself with slow deliberation, she closed her eyes at the ferocious delight she felt with each little movement. She could feel all of him and being in control of the pace seemed to enhance every sensation. Soon, she took over the motion on her own, rolling her hips, placing her hands on his wide, hard chest for leverage as she rode him.

  His fingers plucked and flicked at her nipples. He groaned at the fiery urgency caused by the clenching of her vaginal muscles as she raised and lowered herself on his hard cock. He wanted to thrust hard and fast into her, to ease his aching tension. He tried to concentrate on her pleasure. Satisfying her was more important than rushing to his climax.

  He reached between their bodies and stroked the hard bud between her thighs. She moaned and trembled, her hips moving faster, and the pace became frenzied as she reached for the bliss that she knew waited for her. He saw the startled look in her eyes as she reached her peak. He felt the grip of her inner muscles and arched his hips upward even as his hands clamped on her hips and pulled her to him, grinding her against him. He let out a loud roar as he came, filling her with his seed.

  Caidi was stunned, arching her back and squeezing her eyes closed, keening softly as a third climax washed over her before the second had truly faded. Waves of bliss radiated through her, seeming to grow, to intensify as they spread outward.

  Caidi collapsed on top of him, unable to hold herself up any longer. Still shaking, her skin slick with sweat, all she could think about was him, how hard his muscles were, how strong he was, how much she wanted him. She had no doubt now. Tonight had provided proof of the tales she had heard as a young girl. Male Zarain scent was an aphrodisiac.

  She thought about everything she had felt tonight as she lay against him. She knew that this extra orgasm was somehow triggered by his release, shared with her through a psychic link. This was one time where she wished she had more contact with those of her kind. She didn’t know enough about Zarain males in general to know for certain, but she wondered if all male Zarain could cause their sexual partners to have an orgasm by having one of their own or if it was strictly a Shadatai ability. She had never heard of it before, but she and the rest of her pack stayed away from other shifters. It was safer that way.

  Chapter Three

  The man beneath her groaned in satisfaction and cupped her buttocks in his big, calloused palms, hauling her close to him. She closed her eyes and tried to concentrate. She had to get out of here. If she had managed to find a Shadatai, then some of her pack-mates had probably found one as well.

  They had to leave this place. Zarain, even Shadatai Zarain, seldom traveled alone. This man had definitely not been alone. This night was already going to cause trouble. She could only hope that they would all be able to leave here. If even one of those large Shadatai escaped the second drugging, it would spell disaster. It would be almost impossible to take him down.

  “Go to sleep.” Raven closed his eyes, content for the moment, but he knew that he would want her again before dawn.

  Caidi kept her eyes closed, but sleep was far from her. She waited until his breathing had become even and deep. She waited for an opportunity to escape. Within moments, he was asleep and seemed unaware of her not insignificant weight upon him. When she was certain that he was asleep, she carefully removed his hands from her buttocks. Slowly, she lifted herself, raising her body, feeling his cock slide from her.

  “What do you think that you are doing?” Raven’s eyes snapped open and his hands clamped on to her hips hauling her back down onto his body. Surely the woman didn’t think that he was finished with her.

  “I’ve got to go…um…you know,” Caidi invented and dodged her eyes to the side, trying to hide the lie and appear shy of the big man under her when she really wanted to scream and hit him for being what he was, a very large complication in what had been an excellent plan. He was the kind of complication which would create a big, unavoidable problem in the near future. She hadn’t realized how simple life had been until she had met him and realized just what he was.

  Raven chuckled. “That door over there.” He motioned to a door in the corner of the room.

  Caidi took the escape without comment and went to the lavatory. Oshiah’s was one of the better inns, complete with good plumbing and hot and cold water. A real palace compared to some of the other inns in the city.
She prayed that he would go back to sleep, but knew that that wouldn’t happen. This man was an inveterate predator. He would never chance his prey slipping so easily from his grasp. He wouldn’t make this easy for her.

  How long can I stay in here before he comes to get me? she wondered, trying to calm the nervousness that assailed her.

  She couldn’t take the chance of him getting his hands on her again. He was too big, too strong to fight physically. She wouldn’t have a chance against him. Once she was back in that bed, he would ensure she stayed there and if he caught her trying to drug him, he would want explanations. It wouldn’t be a comfortable interview. She knew he was her mate.

  Caidi washed herself while she was in the bathroom and, when she suspected that she was running out of time, she opened the door and left the safety of the small room. She hesitated as she left the bathroom and walked over to her dress, picking it up from the floor as if she were going to fold it. Hanging her dress over the back of a high-backed chair, she palmed the small, flat box that she needed. While her back was to him, as she pretended to drape the fabric just so, she slipped a small metal pin from the box. Concealing it between two fingers and with a deep breath to gather courage, she turned to face him.

  He was awake and waiting for her. He had piled some of the pillows behind his back and reclined against the mound. He watched her, hunger burning in his eyes as she strolled toward him. This wasn’t going to be easy.

  “Come back to bed.” Raven extended his hand to her.

  Knowing exactly what he was, the next part of her plan required untold bravery. Angering a Shadatai wasn’t a healthy or wise pastime. She paced over to the side of the bed where he lounged. She stood there for a moment and then ran her hand across his chest, scratching it with the pin. She knew that the effects were almost instantaneous, but she still jumped back. He moved much too fast to underestimate.

  Conscious but paralyzed by the drug, he still looked formidable. The drug was temporary and lasted only a few hours, but it would let her escape him, at least for a time. By morning, he would be able to walk, talk and even the drug in the tavern’s liquor that had dulled his senses would have faded, with no lingering effects. He would be furious and looking for his mate.

  “I’m sorry,” Caidi whispered, knowing that he would hear her. “I can’t stay. I’m not who or what you think I am, any more than you were what I thought that I would find here. If I had known that you were Shadatai, that there were even Shadatai in the city, I wouldn’t have ever gone near you or come here.”

  You are Zarain. The thought seemed to pop into her head and she could hear his voice, but it was in her mind.

  She looked at him to make sure that the drug worked, that he didn’t merely play with her. She would have no chance if he wasn’t under the effect of that drug. That thought had been from him and, while normal Zarain had psychic abilities, telepathy wasn’t one of those they had been blessed with. It must be a Shadatai ability. It made them even more impressive than she had thought.

  Caidi watched him warily, but nodded. “You would figure it out on your own before too long, so I will tell you. I came here to find someone to father my child. I’m not about to risk the safety of my people on an unknown.”

  There will be no child. In his mind, Raven growled.

  “I realize that I was probably unsuccessful in getting pregnant, even though I am in my fertile time. I remember hearing something in one of the stories about how a Shadatai can control if a woman becomes pregnant from his seed.” She hoped to gain some time, maybe some sympathy. This man would follow her and she had to prepare her people for him, for the Shadatai. She didn’t try to fool herself with the thought that he would be unable to find her. Somehow, he would find her.

  Things will be much better for you if you stay and face my wrath now. Don’t make me hunt you. There was anger and determination in that mental suggestion.

  He would be even angrier when he found out that she was his mate. She was certain that wouldn’t happen until the drug faded from his body. Right now, he just knew that she was a Zarain female who’d drugged him. The drug which suppressed most of his sense of smell hid full knowledge from him. “I never intended to make anyone angry. This was carefully planned. The kind of men, Zarain, who are supposed to be here are those that like city life and plan to remain living here.”

  Your plan failed—face the consequences now.

  “Those men wouldn’t want anything to do with my kind of life, with my people. Your kind wasn’t supposed to be here.” Caidi glared at him. All of their careful planning had been ruined by the presence of the Shadatai.

  We are here. Raven returned the glare, angered by the temerity of this woman. Why couldn’t I sense you if you are truly Zarain?

  “You were given a small dose of a drug to dull your senses. I told you we planned this. You will be fine. The drug will have worn off and your senses returned to their full strength before you are free from the drug that keeps you from coming after me now.” Caidi sighed and shot him an unknowingly pleading look.

  There is more to this than your desire to leave and not be followed, isn’t there? Clear suspicion was prevalent in the angry question.

  “Don’t bother to hunt me. You won’t find me.”

  Try fooling yourself. You played a game with someone who you should have stayed away from. Raven would have laughed at her anger if he could. Tell me why you do this.

  “Find out for yourself when you are free from the drug.” Caidi threw her hands up in frustration before she turned and stalked over to the chair. She pulled on her dress and began fastening it. “You will be safe until morning.”

  Everything in her rebelled against leaving him. Caidi wanted to stay beside him even when she knew he was angry. She put on her slippers and walked back to the door. Resolutely, she opened it a little, peering out the small gap to make sure that the hall was clear. With light steps, she slipped into the hallway, shut the door and slipped down the stairs to the tavern section of the inn. Caidi found Chey in the empty common room, sitting at a table.

  Run as far as you want. I am still with you. Raven’s voice floated into her mind in a taunting, triumphant tone.

  Caidi stumbled to a halt and put a hand to her head. She had hoped that he wouldn’t be able to do that after she had left the room. It was unnerving. She decided to ignore him as she thought about why she could still hear his thoughts. Maybe it was because she was still close to him. With luck, he wouldn’t be able to do this after she had left the building. She didn’t know what she would do if she traveled beyond this world and could still hear him.

  “You will never guess what happened to me.” Chey took a gulp of cider as Caidi sat in the chair opposite hers.

  “It can’t be as bad as what I discovered tonight.” Caidi shook her head. She was certain that nothing could be as bad as what she discovered.

  You know that you enjoyed every moment with me, Raven’s voice chided her with a deep, amused chuckle.

  Caidi propped her elbows on the table and dropped her head into her hands for a moment, wondering if she would survive this with her sanity intact. She could do without that male voice in her mind, laughing at something that had wrecked all of her plans. It was bad enough that she now had to think of a way to make the coming changes easier for her pack.

  “Halfway through my first sexual experience, and it was hot until then, I discover that the man I am with isn’t the mere alpha Feiral that I thought I had chosen to father my babe, but a Daclind Feiral. I swear to both the God and the Goddess that I was appalled, shaken, traumatized and more.” Chey got to her feet and began pacing.

  “I know just what you mean.” Caidi shook her head in commiseration. “Mine was a surprise I could have lived without, too.”

  “The man thought that he had hurt me, because I was so shocked at learning that horrid truth that I lost all desire to mate with him immediately. I tried to scramble off of the bed and flee, but he grabbed me.” Chey paced b
ack to the table and took a big gulp of the cider. “After all of the planning…this.”

  “Never have I had a plan go this wrong,” Caidi stormed. This fiasco was going to be life-changing for all of them.

  “To top all of the indignities and bad news, I know that he is my true mate.” Chey shot a fierce glare up at the ceiling. “A Daclind, everyone knows that they are barbarians, throwbacks to a more violent, primitive time.”

  Caidi’s lips twisted in a wry grimace. “Shadatai Zarain and you know what else he is. Don’t say my name, because the Shadatai have at least one unique ability that normal Zarain don’t have. That damned man is still running around in my mind and I don’t know if he can actually read my thoughts.”

  Your mate, Raven’s thought held a little awe at the discovery he had made, but anger outweighed the awe. Get your little ass up to this room and sit beside me on the bed while I wait for this drug to fade. I just may spank you for this.

  He could read her mind. Caidi tried to ignore his ranting as she poured herself a mug of ale. She looked over at Chey who was casting glances toward the stairs.

  Do you know how rare it is to just find your mate as you did? Men look for years and some never find the one woman meant to be theirs, yet you don’t hesitate to leave when you know that you are mine. Raven’s voice pounded into her head, angry, demanding.

  “It was just supposed to be city men in this tavern. This is where they are supposed to gather and play. Everything that we know of the men in this city told us this. How is it that the fiercest of our kind are gathered here?” Shocked incredulity laced Chey’s question.

  “I have been wondering that myself. I don’t know anything except that the man I was with was here to see if one of his friends had died.” Caidi shrugged, but the questions gnawed at her.