Brides Of The Kindred: Targeted Part 29

"The Elders are both male and female and they are chosen by the G.o.ddess to guide her Khallas." Saskia looked a little shocked at her no-doubt blasphemous words. "Don't worry, Emily-they'll send you where you're most needed."

"Send me where I'm needed? What does that mean?"

"Well, if there's a region with drought or famine...or one where many have been injured in a war or ravaged by disease...some Khalla's have even been known to go into the Deep Blue if they are needed there."

"What?" Emily demanded. "What do I look like-the freaking Red Cross? I mean, I'm all for pitching in if there's a disaster or something but I don't want to spend my whole life going from one disaster to the next like some kind of weird mascot! I teach kindergarten-I work with children."

"And so you will-there are sure to be some orphanages where healing is needed." Saskia stroked her arm soothingly. "I'm sorry I got you all riled up, so I am. Forgive me, Emily and please don't worry about the future."

"Of course I worry about the future-I'm turning into a whole other person! Someone I don't even know is going to take over my body and live my life and it won't even be my life apparently-it's going to be whatever a bunch of dried up old men tell me to do," Emily snapped.

Saskia's eyes widened.

"Do you really feel that way about your Kit'tara? But Emily, she is just another part of you. And a Khalla must go where her duty takes her-that is the life of one who is blessed and chosen by the G.o.ddess."

Emily put her fingertips to her temples and rubbed, trying to push back the tension headache she could feel building.

"I'm so sorry-I shouldn't have said all that! I just had such strange dreams last night and I feel all weird and out of sorts this morning."

"Strange dreams?" Saskia looked troubled. "What kinds of dreams?"

"I don't even know." Emily shook her head. "I just woke up feeling wrong."

"You're worried about your fate, so you are," Saskia said. "But you don't need to be, Emily-you're in the hands of the G.o.ddess."

"Right, the G.o.ddess." Emily sighed. From the time this whole mess had started, she'd heard about the G.o.ddess, first from Tragar who seemed to think he had abandoned the Kindred deity and was now d.a.m.ned by her, and then from his old master, Xen'dex who seemed to think the G.o.ddess had some kind of hidden agenda Emily had to fulfill, and now from Saskia, who wanted her to put all of her trust in a being she had never seen-one she doubted strongly was anything but a figment of the imagination.

"Yes, the G.o.ddess." Saskia smiled at her. "She is always close to her Khallas-they are her special children, the daughters she loves the most because they represent her in a mortal form."

"Yeah, well I don't feel much like a G.o.ddess," Emily muttered. In fact, she felt exactly the opposite of divine. Aside from the disturbing dreams she'd had all night, her b.r.e.a.s.t.s were full and aching again and she felt strangely sensitive between her legs, which was making her irritable.

The full b.r.e.a.s.t.s were her most immediate problem. Emily had been hoping against hope that Tragar was wrong when he had guessed that her nectar wouldn't flow without help. Not that she wanted her b.r.e.a.s.t.s to gush like a fountain but in a way it would have been easier if they had. Because she felt really awkward about asking the big Kindred to suck her nipples again.

Of course, he hadn't seemed to mind helping her the night before and it had been the most erotic experience of her entire life. But Emily knew he believed tasting her nectar was an act that might d.a.m.n him although she didn't fully understand why. She felt weird about asking him to commit such a grave "sin" again, even if she didn't believe in the G.o.ddess he was sure he was sinning against. So no matter how much her b.r.e.a.s.t.s ached, she was determined to keep it to herself.

They were boarding his s.h.i.+p and setting a course for Rageron today, she reasoned. Maybe once she was there someone else could tell her what to do. Of course if what Saskia was saying was correct, the Holy Council might want to tell her exactly what she could and couldn't do the rest of her life-not a pleasant prospect at all.

But by then the other will probably be in control so that'll be her problem, Emily thought grimly. I wonder when she comes out again? In the third stage of Tenrah? What did Tragar call it again? Let's see, I've already been through Kalor and I'm in Scintil. Next comes Vlammen and then Hel right? Will I even know who I am by the time I get to the end? Or will my whole personality be completely gone?

"Are you ready, my Khalla? It's time we were away." Tragar's deep, rumbling voice interrupted her morbid thoughts.

Emily forced herself to smile at him and squeezed Saskia's hand one more time.

"I'm ready. Just saying goodbye."

"Farewell, Khalla, chosen of the G.o.ddess," Xen'dex said formally. He came to stand beside Saskia and put an arm around her slender waist. "You are ever welcome in our domicile," he told Emily.

"Thank you." Emily tried to smile at him but she was feeling stranger by the minute. Her b.r.e.a.s.t.s ached and there was a growing urgency between her legs that made it hard to think.

"You have your coordinates?" Xen'dex asked, turning to Tragar.

"I do." The big Kindred nodded firmly. "We'll take the Gatspian wormhole-it comes out only a few pa.r.s.ecs from Rageron. From there it should only take one solar night to get there."

"Very good," Xen'dex said gravely. "But Tragar, a word of advice...even once you bring Emily before the Holy Council, you cannot consider your duty done. The voice witch-"

"You mean Grandy See-er?" Emily asked. She felt a cold finger of dread run down her spine though she didn't know why. "How can she hurt me? I mean, now that I got rid of her, er...devices." Her face felt hot as she spoke but the tickle of unease at the back of her mind wouldn't go away.

"I don't know if she could affect you from so far away or not." Xen'dex looked troubled. "I only know that she has very potent magic."

"Surely even the most powerful witch cannot hold sway from such a distance," Saskia protested, frowning at her mate. "Don't frighten Emily by making her think that awful old female still has power over her!"

"Forgive me, my love-I just want her to be safe," Xen'dex said.

"You need have no fear about Emily's safety," Tragar said, lifting his chin. "I have pledged my life to protect her. I'll keep a watchful eye on her-you may be sure of that." He put an arm around Emily protectively and she pressed against him, glad for the heat of his big body. G.o.d, why was she so cold all of a sudden? It was as though the mention of Grandy See-er had sucked all the warmth out of the room.

"See that you do," Xen'dex said. He clasped arms with Tragar and they squeezed each other's forearms tightly in a warrior's grip. "Be well my student," he said to Tragar. "Remember that the G.o.ddess loves all of her children-even those that have strayed."

"I doubt she'd care much for one who has strayed as far as I have," Tragar growled. "Still, I thank you for your thought-and for your hospitality and advice, my old Master. Be well and may Fortune favor you."

"You as well," Tragar's old master said. "Go with the G.o.ddess."

The ride up to the s.h.i.+p was a silent one. Emily was biting her lips and looking out the window at the fast retreating planet. She could feel the big Kindred glancing at her from time to time but she kept her eyes averted. She didn't want him to ask why she was so fidgety and nervous. All she could smell was his warm, spicy scent and every breath she took seemed to make the throbbing ache between her legs worse until she thought she would go crazy.

As soon as the shuttle docked with the s.h.i.+p, Emily was up and through the airlock in a flash. She had to get away from the big Kindred and his maddening scent. Her b.r.e.a.s.t.s ached-they were fuller than ever-but they were no longer her primary concern. Now she just wanted to get to the bedroom as soon as possible and see if she could figure out what was wrong between her legs.

She hurried down the long metal corridor to the bedroom Tragar had put her in before-his bedroom which was probably the last place she ought to be but Emily didn't know where else to go. Her jog down the corridor irritated the affected area and jiggled her full b.r.e.a.s.t.s painfully but she couldn't slow down-she had to find out what was going on now. The door slid shut behind her and she went over to the huge bed, barely noticing that the fire bubbles in the fireplace had turned a tranquil blue.

G.o.d, I'm so sensitive! She winced as she raised her long pale green skirt and looked down at herself. What's wrong with me? Is it the aftereffects of that star-silver d.i.l.d.o thing kicking in?

Whatever it was, the problem was certainly severe. Her outer p.u.s.s.y lips were full and swollen and the little pink pearl of her c.l.i.t was thrusting out prominently, as though begging for attention. The aching need she felt seemed to center there, in her c.l.i.t.

Looking at herself, Emily felt that if she could just have an o.r.g.a.s.m, she might be able to alleviate the strange craving she felt growing in her. Come to think of it, maybe an o.r.g.a.s.m would help her nectar flow too. She felt so pent up inside-like a bomb waiting to go off. She needed to release all this tension and then she'd feel better.

Eagerly, she reached between her legs, ready to take care of all her problems in one fell swoop. But the minute her fingers came in contact with the swollen folds of her p.u.s.s.y, she gasped in pain.

"Ow! What the h.e.l.l?" The sharp burst of agony was so unexpected her knees almost buckled and she nearly fell off the side of the bed. What was going on? Certain that it must have been a mistake, she tried again-more gently this time.

But the moment her fingertips made contact with her p.u.s.s.y she cried out in pain. It felt like she'd been stung by a bee and the stinger was still in her, making every touch pure agony.

"Khalla? Are you well?"

Tragar's deep voice behind her made her jerk and gasp. Quickly, she smoothed down her skirt and turned to face him.

"I...uh..." She cleared her throat, trying to think of an explanation and hoping he hadn't seen her groping between her legs.

"Are your b.r.e.a.s.t.s full of nectar again?" He frowned at her, eyeing the way her round globes were thrusting out under the pale green flower petal top. Her nipples were especially prominent-tenting the gauzy material and showing clearly through the ultra light fabric in a way that was both p.o.r.nographic and painful. Honestly, her b.r.e.a.s.t.s had gotten so sensitive that even the light fabric hurt them but Emily had been so preoccupied with the pain and urgency in her p.u.s.s.y she'd barely noticed until now.

"I...they are. Yes, they are," she said quickly, forgetting she'd been trying to conceal this problem earlier. Now she was more concerned with hiding what was going on between her legs-it was so d.a.m.n embarra.s.sing.

"Why did you not tell me?" Tragar demanded, coming to sit on the bed beside her. "Are you in pain?"

"A...a little," Emily confessed, biting her lip. This close to him, his warm, spicy scent was really hard to ignore and it made the throbbing between her legs so much worse she could hardly stand it.

"You should have asked for help." Tragar was already slipping off the bed to get on his knees before her. He was so tall this was much easier than if he'd simply tried to bend down while they were sitting side by side. But it put him between her legs, or it would have if Emily hadn't closed her knees and s.h.i.+fted her hips to one side. The action put almost unbearable pressure on her incredibly sensitive p.u.s.s.y but she couldn't help it-suddenly she would rather do anything than let him between her thighs.

"Emily, are you all right?" The big Kindred looked at her, eyebrows raised questioningly.

"Fine just...just my b.r.e.a.s.t.s hurt. That's all," she lied quickly. Part of her knew she ought to tell him something was wrong between her legs-he would probably understand it better than she would. But it was so embarra.s.sing and weird and she kept having flashes of memory-Jason from high school saying that they should try something new...that she would like it...No! She pushed the thought away hastily. To distract Tragar, she fumbled clumsily with the adjustable straps on the pale green top, shortening them until the hem of the light garment was well above her nipples.

The big Kindred's expression darkened.

"Your b.r.e.a.s.t.s are even fuller than they were last night! They must ache, my Khalla." He cupped one full globe and traced the swollen pink peak very gently with his thumb.

Emily bit back a moan at the answering surge in her swollen p.u.s.s.y. G.o.d, he was driving her crazy-even more so than he had the night before! And with every breath she drew in his maddening scent which made her squirm with unrequited l.u.s.t. G.o.d, this was torture!

"Are you certain the nectar build-up is the only thing bothering you?" Tragar was watching her restless movements with a skeptical look in his golden eyes.

"Of course." Emily forced herself to hold still, even though his light touch on her nipple and his warm scent were still driving her crazy. "I just didn't want to ask you for help because I know you feel like it's wrong...wrong to, you know, suck the nectar out of me."

"It is considered a grave offense," he said, nodding. "But I believe it is a worse offense to leave you in pain..." He sighed. "Which I am guilty of doing. For that, I must ask your forgiveness."

"What? What do you mean? You didn't know," Emily protested.

"I suspected. But I hoped I was wrong."

"Why? Because this is a sacrilege-blasphemy? Isn't that what you called it?" She nodded down at her full b.r.e.a.s.t.s. There was a tiny golden droplet on the one he was cupping now-it was almost as if her body was antic.i.p.ating his touch, as if her b.r.e.a.s.t.s were ready to give up their nectar but only for his touch.

"Not for that reason." Tragar looked troubled. "You have never asked me why it is considered blasphemy to drink a Khalla's nectar. It is because draining a Khalla's b.r.e.a.s.t.s and swallowing her bounty forms a very strong emotional bond between a Khalla and her chosen mate. So strong that it makes him jealous and overprotective-unwilling to share her with anyone. But a Khalla must belong to the whole world-all of Rageron must benefit from her healing ways."

"I see." For some reason Emily found she had to blink back tears. "And you...you don't want that kind of bond with me. I understand." She looked away, unable to meet his eyes.

"It's not that I don't want a bond with you," Tragar said fiercely. He lifted her chin so that she was forced to meet his steady golden gaze. "It is only that you deserve better than me, Emily. I didn't want to form a bond for your sake."

"Right. It's not me, it's you. Never heard that one before." She shook her head. "Look, you don't have to do this. We're almost to Rageron and I know I'll find help there so just...just go drive the s.h.i.+p."

He frowned. "Just go and leave you aching and in pain? Is that what you mean?"

Emily s.h.i.+fted uncomfortably. G.o.d, he smelled so good.

"I'll be fine, really."

"No, you won't. Not until I drain your nectar." He leaned forward and placed a gentle, open mouthed kiss on each of her nipples in turn. Emily felt a surge of l.u.s.t and her p.u.s.s.y throbbed so fiercely she could barely bite back the cry that rose to her lips. G.o.d, if he only knew what he was doing to her!

"All right," she whispered breathlessly, thrusting her b.r.e.a.s.t.s forward to give him easier access. "Go ahead...do it." Maybe if she just let him get it over with, he could go back to the command center of the s.h.i.+p and she could find a way to take care of her other problem-although she didn't have any idea how. But anything to get the big Kindred and his maddening scent out of here!

Tragar slipped her right nipple into his mouth and took a deep pull, sucking hard to get the nectar flowing.

The answering pull in her p.u.s.s.y was more than Emily could bear. She threw back her head and cried out in painful pleasure, her fingers fisting in the bed's coverlet as the overwhelming sensation rushed over her.

"Emily? Khalla?" Tragar stopped sucking at once and looked at her with concern. "What is it? What happened?"

"I...I just..." Emily knew she couldn't hide it anymore. She parted her thighs, releasing the pressure she'd been putting on her swollen p.u.s.s.y. "I'm having a problem. Here." She nodded between her legs.

"What's wrong?" Tragar was between her knees at once, examining her with a look of concern on his dark face.

"It hurts," Emily whispered. She could feel the tears building in her throat but she tried to hold them back. G.o.d, this was so embarra.s.sing. But it was painful too-so painful she couldn't keep it a secret any longer.

"I can see why you're in pain." Tragar had pushed up her long skirt until the top of the slit was almost at her waist. Bending his head to get a better look, he scanned the area between her wide-spread thighs with anxious eyes.

"You can?" Emily whispered. "I mean...I thought maybe it was just me. I woke up feeling so weird this morning and then it just kept getting worse. Especially when I smelled-"

"When you smelled what?" He looked up sharply.

"When I...I mean..." Emily fumbled, trying to find the right way to say it. "Well, you keep telling me that I have a scent that's going out everywhere but all I can smell is your scent. It's dark and spicy and amazing-way better than any cologne I've ever smelled." She gestured emphatically with one hand. "And it's driving me crazy all of a sudden! Even worse than it was when you first brought me up to your s.h.i.+p from Earth."

Tragar sat back, looking troubled.

"You smell my bonding scent, I fear."

"Your bonding scent? What's that?"

"A pheromone Kindred males put out to attract females to them. It only manifests when a warrior wants to bond with a particular female. It...draws her to him, sometimes even against her will."

"Well, at least I know I'm not going crazy," Emily said. "But...I thought you said you didn't want to, uh, bond with me. Whatever bonding entails."

"I never said I didn't want to-I said I don't deserve to," he said in a low voice. "But my body clearly thinks otherwise. This is what comes of tasting your nectar I suppose."

"Then maybe you shouldn't-"

"No, don't say it." Tragar raised a hand to stop her. "I cannot help it that my body reacts to you this way-any more than you can help reacting to my scent. Usually when a Khalla is on the verge of Vlammen she is already in the Holy Mountains surrounded by the elders and accompanied by her chosen mate. We are in unusual circ.u.mstances here and doing the best we can."

"Wait-back up..." Emily shook her head. "Did you just say I'm going into Vlammen? Isn't that the third stage of the Tenrah?"

He nodded gravely. "It is."

"But...I'm still producing nectar!" She nodded down at her full b.r.e.a.s.t.s. "I thought that meant I was still in the second stage-Scintil-right?"

Tragar shook his head. "Not necessarily. Some Khalla stop producing nectar as they near the end of the second stage and enter the third but some continue all through their Tenrah."

"But then...how can you tell I'm going into the third stage?" Emily demanded.

"By this." He nodded down between her spread thighs to her swollen p.u.s.s.y. "By how sensitive you are and the fact that your p.u.s.s.y has begun to reject your own touch just as your nipples did earlier."

"Let me guess-only my chosen mate can touch me there now?" Emily tried to sound sarcastic but her voice came out breathless instead. She couldn't help remembering the feel of his c.o.c.k sliding against her, the broad head rubbing against her sensitive c.l.i.t...

But Tragar was shaking his head.

"Even my touch might be more than you can bear. Look..." Very, very gently he cupped her swollen p.u.s.s.y mound in one large, warm hand.