“What…” She yawned again. “What do you think the other Trials will be about?”
“I don’t know,” Rarev said. “But I do know we will face them together. Now, sleep,” he ordered.
“Would you…will you purr for me again?” Em asked, a bit timidly. “Like you were earlier, when I was crying?”
Rarev smiled.
“If you like. It is a sound my kind makes to sooth and comfort a female. I will make it for you any time you want me to.”
“Thank you,” Em whispered. She buried her face in his chest, breathing in his warm, wild, masculine scent, thinking that she didn’t want to think just now—she just wanted to be held, safe in his arms, and not worry about the future.
Rarev began making the low, soothing purring sound again and at the same time, he began stroking her back with his velvety hands. The crystal panels around them reflected a dim, snowy forest and the simulated fire had died down to glowing red embers.
Em fell asleep, thinking that she never wanted this night to end.
28
Rarev never wanted the night to end.
He stroked Emilia’s back and shoulders, loving the feeling of her small, curvy body pressed against his. She was so beautiful, his lovely Mature Elite—so beautiful and so wounded. He had finally managed to get past her tough outer shell, but he wondered how long it would be before she put her shields back up.
You shouldn’t worry about such things, he told himself harshly. It’s not like you can keep her, after all—not like you can bond her to you. You must not break your vow to the Goddess—it would be wrong—blasphemous!
And yet, he wanted the woman in his arms more than he wanted to draw his next breath. Emilia Oxley was everything he desired in a female—she was strong and courageous and fiercely intelligent. And now he knew she had a bit of a submissive side to go with her other excellent qualities. She was perfect for him, for she meshed well with his own dominant tendencies.
He wondered how she would feel if he tied her down—if he teased her for hours before letting her come? She’d had such a strong orgasm when he’d only ordered her to keep eye-contact with him—how much higher could he push her if he brought a few toys and some light restraints into play?
But no—he mustn’t think that way, Rarev told himself, frowning. Emilia was a gift that was not his to keep.
You could always go to Grandmother Tigris and ask her if the Goddess would release you from your vow, a small voice whispered inside his head.
But that would be dishonorable—once a warrior gave his word, he did not take it back again. Besides, there were other things standing in the way of him Claiming Emilia than just his vow.
She had pointed out—and rightly so—that the human Press would probably go ballistic if they dared to have a relationship. They would claim that Emilia was working for the Monstrum and ignoring the best interest of her human constituents.
Of course, Rarev knew that wasn’t true—Emilia had far too much integrity to allow herself to be swayed from her duty. She would work hard for her people even if she was bonded to him, but that wasn’t how the human Press would paint the situation. And the way they framed the situation mattered—mattered a lot.
Sighing, Rarev told himself to stop wishing for a future that could never be. Emilia was beautiful and bold and the kind of female he had always dreamed of having…but he could never have her.
Except for tonight, he told himself. And if one night was all they got, he intended to enjoy it. He would treasure every moment he had with her, savor every second of holding her in his arms.
He hoped that when he slept, he would at least dream he never had to let her go.
29
Em woke up feeling amazingly relaxed and happy but for a moment, she couldn’t think why. Her body didn’t have the usual aches and pains she experienced these days when she woke in the morning, so that was nice. Also, there was something warm and furry under her cheek that smelled amazing—it was pressed against her entire body, as a matter of fact. Goodness—was she naked?
Em cracked an eye and looked down at herself. She was naked. Why had she gone to bed without her nightgown on last night? Why had she—
“Good morning, my l’eeja,” a deep voice rumbled from just above her head.
Em gasped and sat up so fast she made herself dizzy.
“Oh!” She put a hand to her head and looked around at the unfamiliar surroundings. The crystal panels that surrounded the round bed she was in reflected a marvelous sunrise with orange and pink and purple clouds and a huge golden sun just peeking over the horizon.