“Thank Thanas,” he almost roared as he began to thrust in and out of my body at a rapid pace.
I tightly wrapped my legs around his hips, and my arms around his neck. I adjusted my hands to his shoulders when each powerful thrust sent a spasm of ecstasy up my spine. I dug my nails into his flesh, and it drew a roar from him and only encouraged him to pound into my pussy harder, faster, deeper. So much deeper.
The build-up of ecstasy was different from the pleasure I felt with Kol’s mouth on me; it didn’t just consume the body; it also consumed the mind and soul too. It was like my very existence was on the line rather than a soul-shattering orgasm. I tried to pay attention to Kol, but my body had a mind of its own, and its only focus was getting to the euphoria that was promised as soon as possible.
“Kol!”
Seconds after I gasped his name, my breathing halted, my mouth opened in a silent scream, and my back arched off the mattress. For a moment, I felt numbness before a bliss I had never experienced flowed through my veins and touched my every nerve ending. Molten heat fell over me like a blanket, and it covered me completely. It soothed away every ache, every pulse, and every worry I had ever had.
Heaven.
I was vaguely aware of a sharp sting pinching my neck, but that soon turned to pleasure. Though it was nothing like the wave to just wash over me, it was nice and caused my toes to curl in delight. I hummed for a long moment and wondered how long I would feel like this.
I feel so good.
I heard soft male laughter.
You do feel good, shiva.
Kol’s comment would normally bring a blush to my cheeks, but now it only drew a lazy smile from me.
Do you feel like I do? I hummed. I hope you do because it’s so good, Kol.
I gasped when the pleasure that started at my neck suddenly burned hot and drew a hiss from my lips.
Hush, shiva, only a few more seconds and our bond will be in place.
I didn’t realise my eyes were closed, so when I opened them, and my surroundings came back to me, I was wondering why Kol was flush against me with his face buried against my neck. I had the intention of asking him, but the burning heat I felt at my neck suddenly attacked my core and spread outwards. It dragged a strangled cry from my lips.
“Kol,” I whimpered and dug my nails into the skin of his firm back. “It hurts. Please, stop, it hurts.”
Kol, who was still between my thighs and still inside me, didn’t move a muscle. When I positioned my hands on his chest and began to push him away—to no avail—he growled, and it vibrated against my neck, and quickly after, a sting followed. Now that I wasn’t swept away in pleasure, it didn’t take me long to realise the sting I felt was from Kol’s teeth … They punctured my neck with a bite.
Please, shiva, let the bond take place. This is just my essence you’re feeling.
His essence fucking hurt.
For a moment, I wanted to tell him to go and fuck himself, but then it dawned on me that not only was Kol biting me, but he spoke clearly to me, and I heard him when I shouldn’t have because his mouth was a little preoccupied.
Calm, Kol suddenly ordered. Do not panic; this is our bond. Our mental link is normal, shiva. I feared telling you we’d share a mental link because you were so worried about my essence. I didn’t want to scare you further.
The burning pain in my core continued to spread outward to my limbs, and like my mind-blowing orgasm, it touched every nerve and filled my body completely. I had heard my scream before I felt myself let it loose, and what was even more odd was that I felt how tore up Kol was that I was hurting so badly, and he could not stop it.
I felt his emotion, and I heard his voice in my head.
Why are you doing this to me? I am your intended!
For a moment, I wasn’t sure if I asked the question aloud or in my mind.
No, Kol growled as he slowly withdrew his teeth from my flesh. You’re my mate.
One moment, I was hurting so badly that it caused all my joints to lock into place, and then the next, I was pain-free and more relaxed and physically satisfied than I had ever been in my entire life. I closed my eyes and fought off the urge to fall asleep, but it was extremely difficult.
I was vaguely aware when Kol withdrew his still rock-hard length from me only a few inches before he thrust back inside my body, causing the pleasure I felt earlier to leer at me with jealousy. The new sensation felt more heightened and more toe curling. My eyes flew open, my legs tightened around his hips, and my hands gripped Kol’s muscular biceps.
“Our bond is in place, shiva,” he said as he hovered over me. He was panting but had the biggest smile I had ever seen on his face. “You’re mine. Forever.”
Chapter Eleven
Mate.
I kept thinking of the word and its meaning since Kol said it to me four days ago. Since the moment we officially became husband and wife, so to speak, it felt like I was on autopilot. The Maji way wasn’t simple, and marriage to the Maji certainly wasn’t as simple as saying ‘I do’. It was something like a sacred ritual that tied individuals together for life. That terrified me because I didn’t have time to wrap my head around the fact that I was beginning to fall in love with him before his saddle was hitched to mine.
We had a bond now—a chemical bond that allowed us to share a mental link. We could speak to one another through our minds. As if being claimed by an alpha male wasn’t daunting enough, I had to have him inside my head, too. I didn’t know where to begin to describe how I felt about the turn of events that had taken place in my life. On the one hand, I was extremely grateful for the new life being offered to me and my people, and on the other hand, I couldn’t believe any of it was real.
The fact I was safe felt too good to be true, and the fact I was an alien prince’s wife was something I couldn’t even begin to comprehend. I’d had a few days to adjust since I became a married woman, and the only thing that I was used to was the Maji themselves. I barely noticed skin colour, height, or sharp teeth anymore or even acknowledged the company I kept was a different species. That all felt too trivial to focus on in light of my new status.
Not only was I married—mated—but I was also now a princess. Me. A skinny little runt from Earth who didn’t know the first thing about being anything other than a peasant let alone a member of the Maji royal family. I felt like I was trapped in a dream. At times, it was the perfect dream, and at other times, when my worries became too much, it was like a never-ending nightmare I didn’t know how to wake up from.
How did I find myself here?
I jumped when I felt a hand on my thigh.
In the mess hall? Kol asked.
I turned my head and glanced at him.
No, I told him. In this situation. None of this feels real, and I’m beginning to wonder if it ever will.
“Do not worry yourself, shiva.” Kol winked. “You’re the first female of your kind to mate with a Maji. Many males and females have shared sex aboard the Ebony, but we’re the only pair to form a bond. It’s all happened so fast for you that it will surely feel strange for a while. Once we reach Ealra and settle into our life, that will change.”
You don’t know that.
“I do.” Kol nodded.
“I wasn’t saying that to you. I was just thinking it in general.” I groaned and turned my attention to the food on my tray. “You have to teach me how to block my thoughts from you. I feel like I’m never alone … not even in my head. It’s stressing me out, Kol. I’ve always been on my own, and I didn’t realise how much I liked the peace and quiet until I heard your voice in my head.”