Mine to Take

  He bit her the same way too. Gian liked to bite.

  She shivered anew.

  As angry as she was at him for his subterfuge, she could not deny the way she had responded to him physically. Towards dawn, she had actually turned it about and taken him. Something she had enjoyed tremendously. As had he.

  She almost moaned aloud as she recalled the way Gian had looked as he lay, sprawled beneath her, watching her with a slumberous expression as he urged her to continue by whispering a multitude of naughty things he expected her to do to him.

  Her initial shock and hurt had abated somewhat with her understanding of his nature, but her resolve concerning their future would not.

  Since the early morn, Jenise had given a lot of thought to her present situation. Gian was reasonable. She would just have to make him understand that as far as she was concerned, this mating of his was impossible.

  It was not as if she did not want him. That she would never be foolish enough to deny.

  In truth, she was quite taken with him. But this had nothing to do with her desires. She simply had a need to be free of any entanglements.

  Once the Familiar listened to her—really listened to her—she knew he would see her side of it.

  “Is it?” she asked. “A sexual stimulant, I mean.”

  He strolled over to the pool, kneeling at its edge. “I will tell you a secret about such things, taja.”

  My queen.

  From what she had learned of him, there wasn’t a doubt in her mind that he purposely called her by that particular endearment. The implication irked her.

  She glared up at him, crystal droplets of water sparkling on her gold-tipped lashes. “And what is that secret, Gian?”

  Before answering, he snapped off a petal of the flower she was holding and brushed its velvety surface tantalizingly across the surface of her lips. “Almost anything can be a sexual stimulant in the proper hands.”

  By way of demonstration, the tip of his talented tongue lapped languorously over the same petal. The handsome Familiar viewed her from beneath lowered lids as he did so. The effect was highly provocative to say the least.

  Jenise drew in a quivery breath. Last eve, he had done much the same to her. With his tongue. Back and forth…

  “I can taste your essence. It is combined with the essence of the tasmin flower. As rich as the tasmin flower is, Creamcat, your taste is still richer.”

  The tips of her ears turned pink.

  “Sometimes,” he continued in a husky voice, “our senses let us ‘see’ taste as colors.”

  The idea fascinated her. “Do you see color now?”

  “Yes.” He purred low.

  “What—what color do you see?”

  He smiled slowly. “Red with a hint of purple beneath a cool wash of white.”

  Jenise fumed. She was sure he was provoking her. “And what does that mean?”

  “It means,” he drawled sexily, “that you are both very angry at me and very aroused for me beneath that cool exterior you are showing.”

  Jenise crossed her arms over her pointed breasts and immediately showed him her back.

  He chuckled, low. “Also an enticing view.”

  Her shoulders hunched; she ducked lower in the water. She did not want Gian enticed! She wanted him to listen to her!

  “I can also sense many variations in your flavor that I cannot describe to you in words.”

  “And do you like this flavor?” she asked quietly.

  “I crave it.” His sexy voice rolled in his throat.

  A shiver washed down her back. She glanced at him over her shoulder and spoke the truth. “As I crave your flavor.”

  “Jenise,” he breathed on a purr. He was deeply moved by her admission. Another strong tremor raced through him.

  She turned away from him again. “But Gian, you must see that this notion you have of us being mated is not realistic.”

  He was silent for a few moments. Completely silent. She wondered what he was thinking. Unable to take the suspense any longer, she peeked over her shoulder at him once more.

  He had folded his arms across his chest and his brow was arched. Apparently he did not agree with her assessment.

  “I mean it, Gian. We are not suited. And I have no desire—”

  He snorted.

  She ignored him. “No desire to be mated. Please do not take this personally.”

  A dimple popped into his cheek. “Of course not. Why would I?”

  “I wish to explore, as I have explained to you. Like the Frensi. I need to be free, Gian. If it were not for that…perhaps…that is, you…”

  Green and gold eyes flashed with amusement. He wasn’t supposed to be enjoying this! He was supposed to be agreeing with her! She cupped some water in her palms and splashed him with it.

  He laughed as he stepped back out of harm’s way. It was that rich, rolling laugh of his that always tingled down her spine.

  “I am serious!”

  Grinning, he held out his hand to her. “I would like to show you our home.”

  He was definitely not listening to her. “It is your home, not mine.”

  “Come.” Smiling, he motioned with his outstretched hand, compelling her to take it.

  Gingerly, she did.

  She would convince him…it would just take a little time. After all, he was a Familiar, used to ensnaring what he desired. This tour would be an excellent opportunity to enlighten him. She couldn’t expect the man to have her elevated sense of reason—he lived by instinct. It was up to her to point that out to him. Loudly.

  Gian lifted her easily out of the water. Her wet body, glistening with water droplets, brushed against him.

  Once again she noticed that a tremor shook him.

  “Here, use this.” He handed her a large, soft cloth to dry herself. She was surprised that he did not do the drying himself, taking advantage of the opportunity to caress her curves.

  Instead, he was looking at the wall, away from her. This was unlike him. Curiously, she observed him. A slight sheen of sweat dotted his upper lip.

  “On my instructions, several krilli caftans, imported from the sacri on Aviara, have been delivered for your pleasure. They are in the next room awaiting your choice. I will await you at the bottom of the stairs.”

  Jenise gave him an odd look. It was also unlike him to leave like this…especially if he thought he could watch her as she dressed. In the past, she had noted that the small task seemed to give him immense enjoyment.

  But then Familiars were so unpredictable; who could fathom what they would do next?

  “During our jaunt, you may try to convince me of your need to wander unguarded through dangerous worlds filled with all manner of unscrupulous beings.” He gave her a very male look that said, “not in this millennium” just before he slipped through the door.

  He knew what she was about! The entire time, he had simply been playing with her! The boot she threw at his arrogant head bounced off the door frame.

  “I am leaving, Gian!” she yelled through the closed partition.

  “Of course. I will see you downstairs, Creamcat.” His voice trailed off as he left.

  Jenise muttered to herself as she grabbed the first caftan she found, putting it on without looking at it. Familiars could be so infuriating!

  As soon as she was dressed she stormed after him. She had no intention on letting up on him. Gian was waiting for her exactly where he’d said—at the bottom of the stairs.

  Gian watched her stomp towards him, amusement highlighting his features as he took in the caftan she had donned. Jenise glanced down at herself, shocked to discover that the beautiful, rare krilli cloth was in tones of red and purple shot through with strands of white. According to him, the exact colors of her present taste!

  “It was an accident,” she gritted out.

  “Mmmm-hmmm,” he drawled.

  “You are impossible!”

  He smiled in an altogether feline way.

  “I
do not understand how you can even think a woman could possibly tame you!”

  “What makes you even think I would wish such a thing?” he whispered back in challenge.

  “Well, you speak of mating and such!” she sputtered.

  “Mating has naught to do with taming. Or other things you have confused it with.” His spellbinding eyes glittered with secrets. “Familiars cannot be tamed, Jenise.”

  “What does mating have to do with, then?” she flung back at him, exasperated with his feline ways. “According to you?”

  “I will let you discover that. Now come.”

  M’yan was a world of delights.

  Everywhere she looked there was something new and fascinating to see.

  The royal abode, she quickly learned, was a structure of impossible angles, levels, convoluted halls, and hidden nooks. It appeared to her as if a tradesman-builder had gone mad.

  Gian explained to her that to a Familiar it was a place of great interest, for there were endless intricacies to explore.

  “But it is so…so odd.”

  His well-shaped lips twitched. “We enjoy such oddities. This being the royal ruling house, you might say it is by far the oddest.” He smiled boyishly at her.

  She gave him a suspicious look.

  “Our people always long to come here; invitations are coveted.” He blinked playfully. “Truly.”

  She could see why. Despite its unpredictable layout and decor, it was a beautiful place. Familiars had an eye for detail and it was evident in the silken fabrics and furnishings, which were rich in both color and design.

  There were all kinds of pleasing places to lose oneself. Hidden alcoves. Secret stairways. Winding halls and mysterious stairwells.

  As Gian continued the tour of the house, Jenise also noted that the chambers were sumptuously appointed without being overbearing or stately. The focus seemed to be on comfort. Beds and furnishings were low and sprawling, with an overabundance of cushions.

  Familiars appeared to be enamored of textures as well; in one chamber she counted twenty-five different fabrics! All of them exquisitely blended. On Ganakari, even the ruling house did not have such wealth, for these fabrics were highly costly, not to mention extremely rare. She had never seen such vibrant colors! They flooded her senses, instantly elevating her mood.

  “It is so unusual, Gian!” An exclamation of delight escaped her lips upon discovering a window garden complete with thick, soft cushions and fragrant spice plants.

  “I will come back to this spot”—she grinned—“if I can find it!” The house, designed for Familiars, who never got lost, relied on their innate tracking ability rather than any logical layout. After the numerous twists and turns they had taken, she truly doubted she could find the spot again.

  Gian chuckled. “We adore such complexity, as I said; but you will eventually learn your way about. And if you should become lost, you need not worry; I will always find you.”

  That was what worried her.

  “What if I do not wish to be found?” she murmured pointedly.

  He raised his eyebrow. “Tell me, in what way do you believe that will affect my actions?”

  Her face flushed in irritation. “Gian, we need to talk about—”

  He interrupted her by pointing out the window to a small child who had fallen asleep in the garden below. Surrounding her in slumber were eight little kittens. He chuckled. “It appears they got tired from their play.”

  Jenise could not help smiling as she gazed on the endearing scene. During their tour, Jenise’s mouth had fallen open as scores of cats scampered about everywhere. She had never seen so many cats. They walked and played among the people, doing as they pleased, some causing great mischief.

  She had observed that they all had two different-colored eyes. They were Familiars, of course.

  “Do the children get into much trouble?” She glanced at two of the kittens, who had woken up and were now hissing at each other in playful sport. One suddenly pounced on the other and the two balls of fur rolled down an incline tangled up together.

  “Yes.” He laughed as he watched them. “They get into much trouble.”

  “But surely you discipline them?”

  He shrugged. “Not too much. We like them to get into trouble. Such mischief-making is part of our attractive nature, is it not, Jenise?” He gave her a beguiling look.

  She scoffed.

  He took her hand and led her to yet another wing of delights. Here she caught the smell of food cooking nearby. Her stomach growled.

  He chuckled. “I thought you might be getting hungry. You will find our food is as varied as everything else here and just as tempting.” He led her out onto a balcony, motioning for her to sit at a small, low table. A trellis of flowering vines secluded the choice spot. A light breeze ruffled her hair.

  “I will be right back.”

  He quickly returned, bearing a plate of delicacies for her. The small appetizers were intricately shaped and of many colors. Her features lit up as she recognized a tiny face painted on one of the round pieces. Until she noticed it was her face.

  “Why—how did they do this?”

  “During our walk, you passed by one of the cooks. She has made these to honor and welcome you.”

  “What a dear thing to do.” She picked up the tiny confection, laughing as she noted the set of the features. The cook had drawn her with her eyes rolling upward. She must have seen her this morning, when she was having her discussion with Gian at the bottom of the stairs. Placing a hand to her mouth, she giggled.

  Gian took the confection from her and, grinning, popped it into his own mouth.

  “Gian! I was to eat that!”

  “You will have your chance, for she is making hundreds of them for the feast tonight.”

  “What feast tonight?” She picked up another confection, which looked suspiciously like Traed, and bit into it. She could not wait to see the dour Aviaran’s face when he realized his miniature head was painted on these tiny treats. Just the thought of it made her giggle again.

  Two dimples curved Gian’s cheek. “You see how it is here, Creamcat? There is always something whimsical to delight you.”

  “Mmm…What feast, Gian?” She noted that he had not answered her question.

  “Ah, that.” He stretched out beside her across several cushions.

  “Yes, that.” She picked up another treat. “Who is this?” She indicated the unknown face.

  Gian looked over her shoulder. “That is my utal, H’riar. He is my first advisor. You will meet him tonight.”

  “At the feast.”

  “Yes.”

  “Gian. What—is—this—feast—for?”

  He smoothed back a strand of her pale, waist-length hair. “It is to honor Traed as a hero of M’yan…”

  “Oh. Well in that—”

  “And to celebrate our mating.”

  “No.”

  “Taja”—he took a deep breath—“it is customary for—”

  “No. I will not.” She placed the treat back on the tray.

  Gian bent over her, lifted it off tray, and swallowed it. Jenise frowned at him.

  “The people are expecting this, Creamcat. There is naught I can do. Already the clan heads are on their way here for the celebration. H’riar approved it without my knowledge.” He did not add that he would have approved it regardless.

  “Is that true?” She peered at him intently.

  “Yes, we always speak the truth.” He looked at her through half-veiled eyes.

  “Then I am sorry for you, Gian, but you must cancel it.”

  “I cannot.”

  Jenise sighed. “Gian, I do not—”

  “I ask you for this, Jenise. Come this eve and enjoy yourself. Be my tajan. If you will do this for me, then you may discuss what you wish with me on the morrow.”

  She stopped. It was a concession. A big concession. And one she was not expecting from Guardian of the Mist. He was saying that he would consider
what she had to say if she did this for him. Once again, the Familiar had surprised her. “Do you mean it, Gian?”

  “Of course.”

  Jenise took a deep breath. She owed the favor to him. He had saved her life countless times; without him she never would have left Ganakari. “Very well. As long as we understand each other. What do I have to do?”

  His green/gold eyes shimmered triumphantly. “Something terrible,” he drawled in a teasing manner.

  Her mouth formed an O.

  He snickered. “Simply be yourself and have a wonderful time…as my tajan.”

  She looked at him suspiciously. “That is all?”

  “Yes.”

  “What will happen when they realize there is no mating?”

  He snagged the same strand of hair that he had earlier smoothed and drew it between his lips as if it were a blade of grass. “Allow me to worry over these matters, hmmm?”

  “Very well. Since you are king, you can worry over everything,” she said, teasing him back.

  “I do, Jenise. I do.” His pulled her over his hip and covered her lips firmly with his own.

  Yaniff and Rejar walked through the forest, following an ancient trail.

  It was late in the day and Rejar was thinking of returning home soon to Lilac. He missed her when he was not near her.

  He smiled faintly. She often teased him about his “kitten” ways. He could not deny that it was a new experience for him. An experience he treasured.

  Foliage carpeted the forest floor and it was cool and green and silent where they walked. Rejar noted the pleasurable crinkling sounds their boots made as they traversed the needle-strewn ground.

  Somehow, it was a good sound.

  The revelation struck him that he liked walking with Yaniff; especially when they were relaxed, simply speaking of this matter or that. Not that he would ever admit it to the old man.

  Unnoticed by Rejar, Yaniff cast the Familiar a small, pleased smile.

  “Yaniff, do you think all will be well with the Familiar people? I vow, I am concerned.”

  “We all are, Rejar. My confidence is in Gian. He will safeguard the Familiars. My real concern lies in what he has told us about this mysterious accomplice of Karpon’s.”