Ultimate Passage: New Beginnings: Box Set ( Books 1-4) (30 page)

F
inn pushed away
the overwhelming desire to couple with Marissa. A rage lurked in the back of her eyes, a rage like he’d seen in soldiers on the battlefield. And now he had agreed to bring Alithera back.

Maybe that was for the best. If Alithera were Saraz’s captive, then Marissa might not get to fulfill her lust for Alithera’s blood.

He tucked a stray lock of her hair behind her ear. “Stay positive. The baby is due in about six months. After that we go home.” One way or another. Though he didn’t know what another way could be.

“And you get six months with your father. That’s a blessing.”

Finn hoped that he hadn’t done anything that would destroy his father’s chances to join them on Earth. He would have to convince a reluctant Alithera to return to Kormia. And he’d have to do it without upsetting Marissa, who was definitely and understandably not fond of Alithera. He would have his hands full in a few months. He shoved those thoughts away and forced a smile to his face.

“You’re not fooling me, you know. I can see something’s on your mind.”

“Marissa.” He kissed her lower lip. “Just because thoughts cross my mind doesn’t mean they remain there, so do not be concerned.” She read him far too well.

“So, six months or so? Then after the baby comes, we can go home?”

“Yes, home.” And he would see Kal. Hopefully Kal was not having problems with Ali. Hopefully Finn would have no problems with Ali returning to Kormia.

But for now, Finn had six unexpected months with Par. A gift, truly.

And even more important, he had six months with Marissa. Six drama-free, issue-free, Ali-free months with this beautiful hellion who felt the same way he did. He pressed against her, trapping her between his body and a very unmoving tree.

“Finn.” Her voice was thick with desire, and her arms crept under his wings, pulling him closer.

Maybe things would be good for the next few months. He slipped his fingers under the hem of her top, skimming her ribcage, tracing the soft skin on her torso, teasing the side of her breast. “Would it be insensitive if I said I want you, all things considered?”

“Only if it would be insensitive if I said I’ve wanted you since the moment I saw you again.” Her fingers trailed to his chest, down his abdomen, into the waistband of his pants, skimming his hardness.

“Here?” he barely choked the word out, lust making his voicebox virtually useless. Lust or love? He had no doubt what he was feeling. His love for her was what kept him fighting for her.

He kissed her lips, pulling her even closer.

S
he's
a former concubine with desires that she wasn't raised to cope with.

Asazi concubine Taya grew up in an asexual society. She's escaped from being in Saraz's harem, but doesn't know what to think about sex or men.

The icing on the cake?

She finds herself attracted to a Kormic warrior--one of the Asazi blood-sworn enemy. Worse, she's in the Farlands, surrounded by Kormic, staying in their midst, and shocked by their cultural--especially sexual--differences. She is not certain she can comply with their traditions.

He's a warrior that's done with love.

Barz is a Kormic warrior who's given up on love--and women. The last thing he wants to do is have feelings for the Asazi ex-concubine with the red hair, flashing blue eyes, and shimmering skin that betrays her desire.

Tradition dictates that he has to share her with his brother.

He's over the whole sharing thing.

Both Taya and Barz, the ex-concubine and the warrior, are staying with Finn and Marissa, stuck on Finn's home planet, waiting for Saraz to create a portal that leads to Earth. Except Saraz won't create it until Marissa gives birth to the child Saraz claims has been prophesied.

‘
I
want to see you
.’
Saraz voice intruded in Marissa’s thoughts. Even though she was laying down, she flinched, her body jerking, as she always did. It was like being snuck up on.

Marissa glanced at Finn, still asleep next to her, but when she’d flinched, he’d put his arm around her, resting his hand on her pregnant belly, always protecting her. And now protecting their baby. She settled back in, comfortable against his muscled and solid body. His breath warm on her neck, she finally responded to Saraz.

‘Quit that. I told you it freaks me out. It can’t be good to the baby to scare the bejesus out of me.’

‘What am I supposed to do? There is no other way to communicate with you. Unless I enter your camp. I don’t think your Asazi man would be thrilled at my showing up unannounced. I am certain he is not thrilled, anyway.’

No denying that. Yet Marissa wasn’t eager to confirm the animosity Finn felt for Saraz.

‘It’s not me you want to see. It’s the baby.’
Not that she cared. She’d just as soon never see Saraz again. After he opened the portal that would get her back home.

‘I do not want to quibble over minor definitions. The baby is a part of you. So it is you I am coming to see.’

‘Tomorrow is better for me. I’m not 100% today.’

‘Is it the baby? It is fine?’

‘As far as I know, Saraz, but you won’t let me go home, where I can get adequate medical care for me and the baby.’

‘The baby will be fine here. There are plenty who can assist with the birth and the baby’s care. The Kormic in your camp is a trained healer. And she is no stranger to birthing Asazi children. Her own is a half-breed. See you tomorrow.’

She hated that word. HALF-BREED. That was what Finn had called himself, and it seemed so demeaning.

And just like that, Saraz was gone. Out of her head. His method of mind-talking was creepy. It was weirder in the beginning, but now, weeks later, she’d become more accustomed to it. Not that she liked it.

She pushed Finn’s hand off, gently, so she could rise. When he stirred, she whispered, “I’m getting up. I won’t leave the cabin. Don’t worry.”

In his sleep, a smile crept to his lips, as if a pleasant dream or memory were in his subconscious mind.

She got out of their bed, made of pallets of fur, washed her face with a splash of water, then took a long drink. She brushed her teeth with a fibrous brush.

Life was so different now. Was it six months ago, maybe more, when she was a restaurant owner in Houston? In that short time she’d gone from that, to living in a remote ranch house for a few weeks in Arizona, and now . . . She lived in a caveman type of setting, no electricity, no TV, or cell phones, nothing.

At least the Asazi had a few, kinda modern conveniences. Like real floors and buildings. Living the Kormic way meant no advancement whatsoever. How two such different types of people could exist on a planet baffled her. No sharing of technology, no sharing at all. Then again when she thought about it, Earth had the same type of discrepancies. Except there they were called first world and third world.

Marissa shook her head and looked around the rustic cabin she and Finn had called home for the last few weeks. She wished she knew how long, exactly, but there were no calendars in Midland. The Kormic had no need for a calendar, not the way she did on Earth. Billions of people couldn’t be wrong, and yet, she was managing to function fairly well without one. Except she didn’t have any idea how far along she was. And she also had no idea if things were the same during pregnancies with Asazi babies.

With all the uncertainty she had in her life: Like would Saraz keep his end of the bargain and open the portal allowing her to go home when he saw that her baby was not the one in the prophecy? Or like would one of the Kormic tribes or Asazi factions become unhappy that their camp with several races coexisted harmoniously? Or would the baby need the kind of help not available here in Midland?

There were so many uncertainties, but with all of them, one thing was incredible. She and Finn had solidified their relationship. They had never been as close as they were now. This hot, sexy man that swept her off her feet when he entered her restaurant—okay, he entered it to kidnap her, but he didn’t—and he was the most amazing lover and the man she wanted to spend the rest of her life with.

Another thought occurred to her, though she pushed it away because she wasn’t sure she wanted to deal with it just yet. She would be happy wherever he was. Possibly even here. Maybe. Possibly.

A kiss on her neck made her whirl around. Finn. Sexy, his skin a deep, peaceful green, his features strong, all man. “You are deep in thought.” He planted a kiss on her forehead, his hand alit on her stomach, traveled upward, cupping her breast, his thumb rubbing her sensitive nipple back and forth, while he watched her face for a reaction.

Marissa sucked in her breath as a creaminess pooled between her legs. Finn picked her up, sat her on the dresser he and Norn had fashioned out of a fallen tree. He pushed her legs apart, pulled her forward on the dresser until she was flush with the edge, and leaned her back against the wall, supporting her weight. She couldn’t see his head over her pregnant belly, but she felt his lips as they placed a tiny kiss at the top of her folds, in the very place where she was pulsing. Jolts traveled to her swollen nipples.

A small moan slipped out when his tongue separated her lips, then traveled all the way down to her ass, then back up. He licked her up and down, over and over, his tongue coming close to her entrance, but no matter how much her mind and body begged, he steered clear, not penetrating her, just laving her lips, sucking on her clit.

On the wood surface, her fists were clenched with desire, her body begging for him to take her to the next level. “Finn.” Her voice was raspy. “Please.” She was ready to beg, if needed. Even more than she already had.

His tongue traveled back down from her clit, this time dead center, lower, lower, finally poised right at the entrance. He pressed forward, shoving his tongue in her, driving in, over and over, lapping the creaminess that he was to blame for.

Marissa grabbed his head, pulled him up to her face, kissed his lips, tasting herself, tasting what he did to her, her tongue in his mouth, taking it, taking what he wouldn’t give her. “Now,” she murmured into his mouth.

A shuffle sound and then she felt his mushroom head, his velvet hardness pressing against her opening. With a grunt and a brutal, passionate thrust, he was deeply ensconced in her.

Marissa moaned from the sudden entrance. Her muscles tensing and clenching, while she rocked back and forth. Finn pulled back out, the tip of his cock’s head the only thing in her, the agony of his exit was a pleasure in friction. He thrust again, plumbing her depths, then he began a rhythmic in-and-out that pushed Marissa close to the edge of a climax. He put one hand between them, just under her swollen abdomen and pressed on her clit, while moving in circles that matched the tempo of his thrusting.

A roar built up deep inside, like the roar of a tornado she witnessed once, long ago when she was visiting in Kansas. The roar was a vibration deep within, an explosion waiting to happen. She opened her mouth, a yell building in her voice box as the volcano erupted within.

Finn sealed her lips with his, capturing her orgasm and her scream as he shuddered and groaned, releasing. His wings flew out behind him, fanning Marissa. He turned a shade of pink, followed by green.

He collapsed on her, gentle and mindful of the baby between them.

A knock on the door jarred them both, making him jump and whirl toward the entrance.

“Just a minute.” His voice cracked. He looked at Marissa. She suppressed a laugh and let him help her down, wiping their results quickly with a drying cloth Raiza had provided Marissa when she’d first joined the camp.

She pushed her nightshift down while Finn adjusted his clothing. Marissa opened the door.

A bright-eyed Feroz, Finn’s adolescent half-brother looked up at her. “Can Finn come help me with sharpening? I am having problems.” He held up a bleeding finger that had half a dozen tiny cuts on it.

Behind her Finn laughed. “I’ll be right there.”

As soon as Finn had left the cabin, Marissa’s mind flew back to Saraz’s upcoming visit. She needed to tell Finn about it. And to remind him to keep the fireworks at bay.

T
aya rolled over
, she unwilling ready to get up yet. Feeling eyes on her, she opened her own. Cinia in the pallet next to hers, was watching her intently. Her expression confused Taya. Then again, everything Cinia did of late was confusing.

Taya was having no easy task of adjusting to this new life in a camp, surrounded by Kormic and a human. She had none of the conveniences she’d grown up with as an Asazi, nor did she have the luxuries that she’d encountered in Saraz’s care.

She also didn’t have the sex. Her mind still reeled from the changes she’d been through. A year and a half ago, she was an Asazi young woman. Yes, she’d been Bound to Saraz from a young age, and her family had accepted and enjoyed the honors and privileges that came with having a Saraz Bound daughter. She grimaced. They had no idea what it meant, none at all. The sex. The decadence. The madness. It was nothing like she’d expected it to be. It was nothing like any Asazi expected life was to be when Bound to Saraz. It certainly was not meant to be about sex, or so she thought.

Asazi people were not prone to lust. She never had been either. But somehow, after she left her people behind and joined with Saraz, things were different. These desires became a darkness that enveloped her. But Saraz was a god, and she had been sent to his monastery. Now she was out of his grasp and away from him, and things were different again. Taya’s head spun from the changes. Now lust was very different. As if it were wholesome and normal. She’d watched the human Marissa and her mate Finn. She’d watched the Kormic woman Raiza and her mate Norn.

Their relationships, their sexual occurrences, they seemed so much more natural than the outlook she’d had as an Asazi. And they seemed much healthier than her interactions with Saraz.

“You look troubled.” Cinia rose up on her elbows, pushed her blond hair away from her pretty face.

You are one to speak,
Taya wanted to say, but didn’t. Between the two of them, Cinia had become quiet, almost sullen. Taya often worried about what was on the mind of the former concubine.

“I am not troubled,” Taya assured Cinia.
Liar.
Yes. She was lying. She should tell Cinia what was in her heart, but she hadn’t even figured it out fully herself.

Funny, both of them had been concubines, but it seemed they’d come away from the experience very differently. If only Taya could figure out what Cinia was feeling. But the blonde had closed off after the first week. Bottling up her emotions and thoughts.

“Are you happy?” Cinia asked.

Taya was caught off guard. “Why do you ask that?” She couldn’t remember ever having been happy, not since her childhood.

“Because the only time I see you smile is when you are talking to the hum—Marissa or to the Kormic soldier.”

True. Taya was close to Corzine. “Corzine is a good friend.”

“The other one.” Cinia interrupted her.

Barz. Corzine’s brother. Taya shook her head. She did not want to answer any questions about him—Barz.

Barz, the enigma. He was darker, both inside and out. The darkness of his soul tempered his looks. He was unapproachable, unforgiving, and disinterested in talking to former Saraz concubines. Taya was certain he hated them—her for what they’d been, though they had no choice.

Let him hate her. She did not care.
Oh really?
She did not want to admit how much it mattered to her. When she would catch his dark glances from murky yellow eyes, a glimmer within showed her an interest. And she reciprocated the interest. There was something about him, though he tried not to let her in.

He was kind to his sister’s son, Feroz, Raiza and Norn’s child. A few weeks ago, Taya had hated Kormic just as she was raised to, all her life. Until she met the Kormic woman, Raiza, and her two brothers, Barz and Corzine. And now, she shook her head, she did not want to admit it but the Kormic were nothing like she’d been taught. Nothing at all. And she was fond of them.
More than fond of at least one
. True. She had feelings. But that did not mean she had to be a base creature and act on them.

“Taya?” Cinia shook Taya’s shoulder. “I was asking about your thoughts about Saraz. Do you have any? What are they?”

“Conflicted.” She did not want to say hate, disgust, disbelief. There was so much conflict within her about him. About the Asazi people’s belief in him. About their culture and how he fit in.

If one woman, just one of the concubines were to go back to the Asazi people to tell them what Saraz was like, would they believe her or would they cast her into a dungeon and call her insane? Or worse, would they deliver her back to Saraz, where surely the fate she would have there would be horrible.

Taya would rather live with the Kormic, than to face her people or Saraz again.