Dee's Hard Limits (16 page)

“You don’t even like my dogs,” she teased her mom, who rolled her eyes.

Not moving, the room grew quiet as the animal sniffed and nudged her hand. “What does he want?” Dee looked over at Todd.

“He wants to feed from you. When a
Ghor
takes the blood of his family, he opens up a link. You’ll be able to read him, talk to him inside your head. Will you allow him this?” Todd asked.

“You have nice eyes.” She turned over her wrist, a little nervous but trying to reassure the animal and herself. “And yes, I’ll feed him.” Dee looked down at the animal and flinched, trying not to yank her arm back as the creature buried his fangs into her wrist. She was lucky they were smaller, thinner than her cat, but after a few seconds something strange happened.

Talhrn was there beside her kneeling on her other side. He glared at Todd. “You should have prepared her skin, she’ll be bruised now.”

“I’m fine, it’s nothing compared to what you did earlier,” she defended Todd, but Talhrn wasn’t having it.

“No, he’s earned 10 strokes. You are not to feel any pain and he knows this.” He stood as if the subject was over, but she was about to rip him a new one when Todd put his finger to her lips.

“He’s right and I’m sorry. It’s one thing for a punishment, but this I could have stopped. Forgive me, Little Kitten.”

A small jolt of what felt like heat rushed inside her head, beads of sweat formed on her skin, and she took a deep breath. It wasn’t so much as talking to the animal as it was feeling the animal’s emotions. He was scared, but curious about her. Sand really wanted to play with Missy and Boo.

The animal was lonely. Releasing her wrist, Sand used his small silk-like tongue to seal the holes in her arm.

She stood petting the animal’s head. “There is nothing to forgive. You did nothing wrong as far as I’m concerned.” Dee whistled and waited, but her dogs didn’t come.

“Okay, where are my dogs?” She put her hands on her hips and stared.

“They are in their room. We kept them there since people were coming and going. We didn’t want them hurt while things were moved.” Both dogs came flying into the room and stopped when they saw Sand.

“Don’t even think it, Boo. He’s lonely and needs some company so you both be nice to him.” The dogs circled Sand and sniffed. Sand didn’t move at all and waited.

“Now all you need is kids,” a female said, coming into the bedroom. She frowned at her attire. “What are you wearing? You dishonor our rajah.” Dee was about to rip this woman apart when her mother stepped in front of her and snarled.

“Who the hell are you to talk to my daughter that way? And why are you in her bedroom?” She growled. Fur started to cover her skin and it was only a matter of time before she ripped the woman apart.

“Mom, it’s okay.” Dee tried to step up to her, but Marquis held her back and Akaos stepped in front of lady.

“Maya, pull the cat back in please. This is your daughter’s new companion and servant. I won’t repeat my request.” Her mother’s gaze lifted to his and she hissed.

“You are interfering with my daughter again...” She didn’t get another word out before Akaos wrapped his arms around her and disappeared from the room.

The girl looked down at the ground, nervous. Dee stepped forward. “I’m sorry my Mother got a little upset, but she is very protective of me. As for my nightgown…” She shrugged. “When I’m not feeling well or upset, I wear it. I would never wear anything out in the open to embarrass my mate. But if this is my bedroom? She turned to Talhrn who nodded.

“Then I can do what I want in here when I’m alone as long as I don’t harm myself. I also expect you to knock before you enter my room, if you are going to work here.”

Before the woman could say a word, Talhrn came up to her and put his arm around her bringing the lady closer. “Sena, this is my
meru,
Dee...”

He stopped and frowned. “Why are you hurting?” Talhrn stepped towards her, and Dee moved back.

“Little Kitten, come here.” He crossed his arms over his chest and waited.

Two steps and they were the hardest she’d taken in a long time. He’d actually touched the woman, putting his arm around her. The cat inside wanted to rip her head off.

“Keep her back, I don’t know if I can control the cat,” she hissed, looking down at the ground. “Maybe it would be better if she left.”

“There is no reason for her to leave, just because of your insecurities,” Marquis snapped and held out his hand to Sena.

She spun around and got into his face. “Ever since I’ve gotten here you’ve done nothing but egg me on. Well, if you want her so bad, so be it, then you fuck her, because you’ve just lost me, asshole. You won’t hurt me again, none of you will!” Dee was livid. Talhrn had once more stripped her of her power. She couldn’t even shift to her cat as the three of them surrounded her.

“Sena, would you please wait for us in outer room. We’ll be out in a few moments,” Talhrn stated, but never took his gaze off of her.

Being like her mother, the cat inside clawed to try and get out. It wanted to hunt and Sena was its target.

Dee fell to her knees, grabbing her stomach. Never had the cat been so furious. She arched as the tiger swiped at her back. “Stop, please.”

“What’s going on?” Talhrn fell to his knees beside her. Marquis ripped her nightgown from her body.

“She’s got claw marks running down her back.” He carefully tried to pull her hand away from her stomach, but she held on.

“Let go! You’re the one who wanted to touch her... No, stop.” She placed her hand on her breast. “Not going to last long.” The room started to spin, the pain was so strong. No matter what change her body went through earlier. The cat was still a part of her and if it wanted to. she could tear her apart.

“Todd bed... Please.” She looked to him and reached for him, but Talhrn smacked her hand down, picking her up.

Without words, he scooped her up and made it half way to the bed when the cat smelled the other female on him. Talhrn stopped, his eyes got big, as she screamed. Running to the bed, he placed her down, before leaning over her and holding her face between his hands.

“Here me, cat, the woman meant nothing. She is my niece, Marquis’ sister’s child.”

Taking a deep breath, the cat stopped clawing at her insides, sensing the truth of his words. Dee just wanted to sleep. She was so damn tired of fighting for everything she wanted.

“Little Kitten, look at me.” She turned her head and tried to focus on Talhrn. “Has your cat ever done anything like this before?”

She shook her head, but winced when it hurt to move. Then everything went black.

***

“She’s passed out,” Maya said, turning to glare at them. “I agreed to stay out of your bonding. I promised Akaos, but if you keep hurting my daughter, I don’t care if you’re king or not, I’ll rip you a new ass.” She held up her hand at Akaos.

“Don’t. In the last two days I’ve seen my daughter die and now this. I will leave you and take my daughter away if I have too, but I won’t see her hurt again. The cat needs to be claimed. If you can’t do that, then get the fuck away from my Dee! And you!” She turned on Marquis. “Stop the torment! Now, get out of here so I can get her to shift. I don’t know what she’ll do to you two, but I won’t have you whipping her again.”

He nodded and each man left the room as his mother-in-law ordered. She was right. In the last two days, they’ve treated their
meru
horribly. It wasn’t only Todd that needed the whip, but all of them.

Upon entering the living room, Marquis’ sister and mom stood next to Sena. “Did your
meru
threaten my daughter?”

“We’re not fully bonded yet, sister of my
weru
. She believed Sena was...well...” He nodded to her and all three of them gasped.

“You didn’t tell her that Sena was family?” Helena’s voice raised and she glared at Marquis and then at him. “I would see my daughter now. You three should be ashamed of your selves.”

“I’m afraid you can’t see her now. Her mother is trying to heal her,” Marquis looked away from his mother ashamed as he was.

“We didn’t know her cat was separate from her and that it was tearing her apart inside her wanting out.” He looked at Akaos who leaned against the wall with Tesuss. “Why didn’t you tell us?”

“How was I supposed to know you would bring another female in front of her? But Maya is right. As soon as she is healed you’ll need to finish this bond. It’s the only way to totally control the animal.” Akaos held his gaze. “I’ve never gone against anything you’ve said and stood beside you, but if Dee is hurt again under your care, I’ll personally take her with me and leave. All this ceremony should have been put on hold until you claimed her. She should have been introduced to your family and not treated like an outcast. You need to open yourself, all of you do. Dee told Maya she tried to reach you twice, but you blocked her.”

If he hadn’t been a friend, he would have torn Akaos apart, but every word he said was right and that was what hurt the most. “Marquis, get hold of the council and inform them that we will do a quiet ceremony here now. We’ll hold the celebration after our
meru
is fully ours.”

Helena stepped forward. “May I make a suggestion?”

He nodded. “Please, any help would be appreciated.”

“Maybe combine the two, make it a party for everyone.” Talhrn smiled and leaned down, kissing her cheek.

There was a snarl behind him, and he spun around to see Maya barely holding on. “Maya, may I introduce Marquis’ mother and mine.” He pulled Helena forward.

She held out her hand. “It’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m so sorry about the misunderstanding earlier. My granddaughter just wanted to help. It can get real lonely here when the men have to leave.”

“Thank you. I’m sorry if I came off rude. My daughter has been hurt so much and I’m afraid I was part of the problem. I just want her to be happy.” Maya took her hand and smiled at the woman. She looked over Helena’s shoulder. “Sena, I want to apologize to you too, sweetie. If I would have known who you were none of this would have happened.” Maya turned her gaze on Talhrn and he nodded.

“Yes, it was my fault and it won’t happen. How is Dee?”

“She’s healed, but it took everything out of her. I’m afraid she won’t make your party...”

“I’m here,” Dee said holding onto the wall. Dark circles were under her eyes and she kept shivering.

Reaching her before Marquis or Todd, he lifted her up in his arms and moved back towards the bedroom. “You’re going to curl up in that bed and rest. We’ll have the ceremony at another time when you are well.” He made his way back to the bedroom and placed her into the bed, pulling the covers up over her.

“I understand, you don’t want them to see me.” She sounded so lost as his Little Kitten turned away from him. Missy, Boo and even Sand looked up over the bed, whining.

“Todd let everyone know I’ll be out in a little bit. I need to hold my
meru
.”

His clothes disappeared and he climbed into the bed and gently spooned her body. “That wasn’t the reason why I canceled the ceremony. How can I celebrate anything when I’ve hurt the one person who holds my hearts? In the past two days, you’ve been hurt by my people and by me. I’m not being a very good
orak
, but that is about to change.” He nuzzled her neck and kissed her shoulder. “I’ll say the words later tonight, but the celebration will be held as we celebrate our joining. Marquis’ mother was right, we should have the two parties together so everyone can see what a special woman we have. I’m afraid many of the elders already have a crush on you. I’m afraid you didn’t totally hide yesterday and many of them caught a glimpse of that perfect ass of yours.”

She stiffened and turned to look at them. “I didn’t mean to do that. Oh my God, it was my fault Janek came in the bathroom, wasn’t it?”

“Stop! No, it wasn’t your fault. His mind is fragmented right now. We are monitoring him and giving him a special formula to help ease the effects of not being bonded. Hopefully it will help until his
orak
can find their mate.” He kissed her lips softly. “And don’t you even worry about the council honey. You gave them hope that our kind will find their
meru.”

With a sigh, his Little Kitten laid her head on his arm and snuggled up to him. “Hold me, Talhrn. Just hold me till you have to leave.”

“Shh, my pet, I’ve got you. Sleep.” Her breasts pushed against his chest as she cuddled closer to him. Dee’s skin was soft. The spanking and the strokes of the whip were already bruising her skin. She now carried his marks, but Talhrn had to admit he hated giving her those few strokes.

Their Little Kitten had taken her punishment well, but it still didn’t sit right using the whip on her. They’d have to find a more creative way to get their point across. Her breathing evened out and Talhrn knew his pet was asleep. The claw marks on her body were already starting to fade as she rested.

One thing about their species, rest always healed them unless the injury was severe. By tomorrow morning, their woman would be completely healed and it would be time to seal their bond.

He must have closed his eyes for a few minutes when Marquis was beside them. “
The council is here and they are ready for you.”

Careful not to wake Dee, he slipped out of the bed. “
Stay with her. I want one of us with her as much as possible until this fear of hers is gone. She needs to know we will never leave her.”
He watched Marquis stiffen, but nodded.

“
Why are you so hesitant around our meru? She was right. You do have a tendency to pick on her.”
Talhrn dressed himself as Marquis stripped and took his place cuddled next to her.

“She requires reassurance all the time. You know how I hate to repeat myself. I don’t have the patience you two have and I’m afraid...I’ll hurt her.”
He glanced up at him.

“You know I’m rough, what if I hurt her? She’s been through so much. It would be safer to keep her at a distance,” Marquis said in a whisper, but his actions did not match his words.