Sūnder (Darksoul Book 1) Read online

  “Please, Sūnder, I need you.”

  “What do you need? Ask and I shall give it to you,” he rumbled, barely holding on to his control by a thread.

  Lube was shoved into his hand. “Fuck me.”

  Growling, aroused beyond measure, Sūnder flipped Gabe onto his stomach and grasped his hips, pulling him onto his hands and knees. Kissing and nipping down Gabe’s spine, Sūnder came to the cleft of his ass. With each suck and nibble, he laid claim to Gabe. Ignoring Gabe’s yelp, he continued to lick his way down to the place he’d eventually slide into Gabe.

  “Oh, God, so good. Don’t stop,” Gabe rambled, and groaned, pushing his ass back as Sūnder prepared Gabe to take him.

  When Sūnder finally pushed home, he knew Gabe was his. There was no question of it. The tight heat engulfed him, beckoning Sūnder to spill his seed, mark Gabe on the inside as he had marked Gabe on the outside.

  “I need you, Sūnder. Hard and fast, please.”

  How could he tell Gabe no? Tightening his hold on Gabe’s hips, he thrust deep, staring at the place where Gabe’s ass stretched around him, pulled him in and held him in a snug embrace. He’d never forgive himself for hurting Gabe, so, despite his plea, Sūnder set an easy pace, gradually pushing harder as he assessed Gabe’s ability to take what he gave, keeping a firm hold on his Panthrÿn strength.

  With what sounded like a growl of impatience, Gabe grabbed the headboard and shoved back into Sūnder, panting, “More, more, more,” until Sūnder fell forward and covered Gabe’s back, one arm sliding under Gabe’s chest to grasp his shoulder, his other hand gripping the headboard next to Gabe’s.

  Burying his face in Gabe’s nape, Sūnder snarled and let go, losing himself in the scent, the feel, the taste of his Gabriel.

  “So big, so full. I need… I need…” Gabe keened low and long.

  Sūnder snaked his tail between their thighs and found Gabe’s cock long, hard, and leaking. Coiling the end around Gabe’s shaft, he squeezed.

  “Oh! Shit. Goddamn. That’s…” Gabe’s head dropped. “That’s your tail!” Gabe’s heady scent burst around them until Sūnder could smell nothing else.

  He grinned against the skin of Gabe’s shoulder. “You like my tail? Do you want me to fuck you with it? Would you enjoy that, my Gabriel?”

  “Oh, fuck, you kinky bastard.” Gabe growled well for a human.

  “Are you going to come for me, my Gabriel?”

  “Stop calling me that. I’m no one’s.”

  “But you want to be mine.” Sūnder ran his teeth over Gabe’s skin.

  Gabe hissed, his response garbled.

  The magick Sūnder had kept bottled up since entering Gabe’s home burst free from his core to envelope them. Heat built until Sūnder thought he was on fire.

  “Give me your seed,” Sūnder snarled.

  He loved how Gabe screamed his name, his body seizing around Sūnder’s cock. He fucked Gabe through his orgasm and then let go. The Panthrÿn within Sūnder took over and he bit down on Gabe’s shoulder, holding him in place as he lost control, thrusting fast and hard until he spilled, further marking Gabe with his scent.

  Keeping them joined, Sūnder turned them onto their sides, still hard, still in the throes of needing. But he stayed unmoving, trying to be content. Instead, he explored and petted Gabe’s body. The muscular planes spoke of Gabe’s diligence in keeping fit. Gabe’s sweat-slick skin held a stronger mix of their intermingled scents.

  “I’m discovering new kinks tonight.” Gabe glanced over his shoulder, the moonlight causing him to glow. “You’re purring, and I’d never have believed what a turn-on that would be.” Sūnder hadn’t even realized he was vocalizing his contentment. “And your tail squeezing my cock… that was amazing.”

  He palmed Gabe’s half-hard dick, loving how it lengthened in his hand. “I need,” he whispered in Gabe’s ear.

  “I noticed you didn’t go soft.” He wiggled his ass. “Normally I have to wait a while before getting hard again.”

  “You haven’t had a lover like me.”

  Gabe huffed a laugh. “You think so?”

  “I know so, because you’re hard in my hand.” Sūnder gently squeezed the firm shaft.

  The moan Gabe released ended in a gasp when he thrust into Sūnder’s palm, then pushed back on Sūnder’s cock.

  “There you go. Fuck yourself on my dick,” Sūnder encouraged, greedily watching every nuance that crossed Gabe’s face.

  Increasing his speed, Gabe demanded more. Sūnder readily complied, pounding into Gabe, his claws scoring soft human skin as Gabe clutched the sheets in his efforts to shove back. No finesse, only raw, uncontrolled need. Gabe’s body gripped Sūnder tightly as he slid his hand up and down Gabe’s shaft until he spilled into Sūnder’s palm. Clutching Gabe to him, he roared his own completion, his cock finally depleted. For the moment.

  Leaving Gabe panting face down on the bed, Sūnder went in search of a lavatory and returned with what he needed to care for Gabe. When he’d finished, he crawled back into the puny bed and pulled Gabe into his arms. Too exhausted to think, he fell asleep with Gabe’s scent filling his nose.

  7

  GABE LEANED AGAINST the doorframe to the master bath, drying his hair. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d felt this content. He’d woken surrounded by Sūnder. How he hadn’t been crushed, he didn’t know. As he stared at Sūnder, an unexpected possessiveness clawed at him. He’d known bedding Sūnder could cause problems, but he hadn’t foreseen this visceral need to make sure everybody understood Sūnder belonged to him. For now.

  How could Sūnder be comfortable? The queen-sized bed was about a foot too short for him, his feet hanging over the edge. The morning sun bathed Sūnder in pale light. Never had he seen a sight so beautiful it took his breath away. The blanket and flat sheet pooled on the floor, leaving Sūnder fully exposed for Gabe to drink in. The smooth plains of taut skin over rippling muscle. The shimmering, dusky gray rich against the stark white of the linens. The spill of crimson mane decorated Gabe’s pillow. Black spots that resembled a leopard’s rosettes started between Sūnder’s pecs and flowed down to Sūnder’s navel. The skin from the bottom of Sūnder’s ribcage to the top of his hips was striped. At first Gabe thought they were marks like the rosettes, but when Sūnder moved the skin pulled apart slightly.

  Gabe was familiar with Panthrÿn anatomy, and full-blooded Panthrÿns didn’t have the stripes. Was that an L’fÿn trait? He didn’t recall any specifics from his general studies of L’fÿn biology that described such features. What were their purpose? When he had time he would look it up. Or he could simply ask Sūnder. Perhaps the subject would open an avenue of discussion that led to Gabe learning more about Sūnder, his family, and where he came from. He wanted to know everything about the male who had shaken up his carefully constructed world.

  Last night had been the best sex of his life. Sūnder was an insatiable and generous lover. His ass might still be sore but in no way was Gabe sorry. Idly he wondered if Sūnder would take turns bottoming, but wasn’t comfortable outright asking the question. That Sūnder’s guard—knight?—had witnessed Gabe’s slutty behavior embarrassed him enough. He’d completely forgotten the Chándariān was there when he’d straddled Sūnder’s lap and rubbed all over him as if he were a cat in heat. Even with the bedroom door closed, he and Sūnder hadn’t been quiet. At least Gabe hadn’t torn his clothes off at the table like he’d wanted to.

  Noise from the living room reminded him that he’d been rude to Sūnder’s guards and hadn’t offered them drink or food the night before. Dressing quickly, he quietly left the bedroom. The same knight, Paulo, he thought the name was, stood at the window peering out the drapes. He didn’t look at Gabe, for which Gabe was glad. He wasn’t sure he was ready to see a sneer or condescension. How had he forgotten someone watched them? Gabe wasn’t an exhibitionist; he’d never once thought about having an audience while kissing Sūnder. He’d just forgotten about it completely. Gabe would love t
o blame Sūnder for his odd actions, but that wasn’t fair. The more he thought about it, the more unease settled over him.

  The mess he and Sūnder had left the kitchen and dining areas in had been cleared. Since Gabe was sure Sūnder hadn’t left the bed—he was clingier than an octopus—that meant Paulo had a hand in cleaning up their dirty dishes and leftover food. Setting the coffee machine to brew, Gabe rummaged around for something to make for breakfast. Whipping up some scrambled eggs, Gabe put bacon down to fry. Once the food was ready, he sucked in a breath and carried a plate and a cup of coffee over to Paulo.

  “Thank you for picking up. You didn’t have to.”

  Paulo stepped away from the window, staring at the plate and cup.

  “I made breakfast for Sūnder, but there is enough for you guys as well.”

  Without warning, Paulo bowed deeply. “I am honored by your gift. And thank you.”

  “For what?”

  Paulo accepted the drink and meal gently. “I have served with the commander for ten seasons, and watched him grow into the male he is today. In all that time, he has never smelled as happy as he did last night.”

  What? “Surely he’s had lovers before.” Sūnder was excellent and knowledgeable in bedplay. He smothered the frown that threatened to surface at the thought of others who’d shared Sūnder’s bed.

  “In the past, his company was only sought out by those who wanted to use him for a night or two. Then they went about their merry way, bragging about how insatiable Prince Sūnder is in bed. They were selfish. Not one thought beyond what he could do for them, and because he is half Panthrÿn and half L’fÿn dròw, none ever considered keeping him. Those of us in his personal guard have chased off many a fickle courtier who saw him as just another conquest.”

  Shame made Gabe’s insides run cold. His intentions weren’t any different. The male in the other room deserved better, was worthy of more. Even as he chastised himself, anger at how Sūnder had been treated heated Gabe’s blood. Both he and Sūnder knew what it was like to be unwanted, to be discarded. Did Sūnder yearn for a mate but refuse to hope one would accept him? At the same time, Gabe couldn’t see Sūnder shying away from something he wanted. No, Sūnder would pursue whatever—whoever—he desired, not taking no for an answer. But even if that was true, it didn’t give others the right to take from Sūnder.

  Gabe turned his attention back to Paulo. “Why are you telling me this?”

  “Prince Sūnder walked away from those halfwits uncaring. You, on the other hand—”

  “Captain!”

  The knight jerked to attention as much as he could while holding the cup and plate. Sūnder stood half-dressed in the bedroom doorway, thunderclouds in his expression.

  “Thank you,” Gabe whispered before heading back to the kitchen. Over his shoulder he said, “Sūnder, go back to bed and I’ll bring you food. I’m going to feed the guards in the hallway first.”

  A couple of seconds passed before Gabe heard the door snick closed. Paulo’s words kept cycling through his thoughts as he prepared the other guards’ plates. Sūnder smelled happy when he was with Gabe? He could only imagine what Paulo would’ve said if Sūnder hadn’t interrupted. Would Sūnder have a hard time walking away from him? Would he stay if Gabe asked him to? Did Gabe even want him to stay? If Gabe walked away, would Sūnder be hurt? Sūnder’s pain was the last thing Gabe wanted. Perhaps he should separate himself from Sūnder now…

  He shook his head. Last night he’d been up-front with Sūnder and the male had stayed, still wanted him.

  Opening the outer door to the hallway, he surprised the male and female guards with platters of food, a couple bottles of water, and hot coffee. Gabe ignored Paulo’s intent gaze as he made up a platter for Sūnder, understanding part of the message. Do not hurt Sūnder. If Paulo thought he could chase Gabe off, then he had another think coming. The only person who could tell Gabe to leave was Sūnder.

  Carrying the food-laden tray to the bedroom, he didn’t have to worry about how to open the door. Both of his hands were full but Sūnder waited, the door cracked enough he could see Sūnder peering out. When Gabe approached, Sūnder opened it for him to slip through. If he’d still entertained thoughts of breaking things off and ushering Sūnder out of his home, he would have changed his mind when he saw the uncertain expression Sūnder wore. As big and alpha male as Sūnder came across, the thought of hurting Sūnder made Gabe sick to his stomach even as the knowledge he could unsettled him.

  “Sit against the headboard so I can put this over your lap,” Gabe commanded, softening the bark with a leer. Sūnder gave a small smile and complied. Engaging the legs of the tray, he settled it across Sūnder’s thighs before climbing onto the bed on Sūnder’s other side.

  “Gabe, what Captain Paulo said, it wasn’t his place to relay such things.”

  Gabe nudged Sūnder’s lips with a fork full of fluffy eggs. “He’s your friend and cares about you. I took no offense.”

  “You should have. He compared you to those who’ve sought my bed in the past. You’re nothing like them.” Sūnder hissed softly, brows furrowed.

  “I don’t think he was comparing, instead pointing out that I wasn’t like them because you like me more.” Gabe gave Sūnder a small, teasing smile before sipping his coffee.

  Sūnder grinned, his eyes lighting up. “Much more.”

  After crunching on a strip of bacon, Gabe asked, “Why don’t you have a mate, if you don’t mind me asking?”

  The smile slipped from Sūnder’s face. “On my planet… I don’t know how to explain this without you thinking poorly of my people. I’m one of a few called faeborn, which is just a fancy name for an L’fÿn dròw born with magick. Until about thirty seasons ago, all male faeborn were culled at birth.”

  Gabe’s stomach rebelled. He swallowed convulsively to keep from losing what he’d just eaten. “That’s terrible! Oh my god, why would anyone murder innocent babies?”

  “Some five hundred seasons ago, the L’fÿns were embroiled in a terrible civil war. It is said that faeborn males were the cause. For some unknown reason, the magick they were born with grew dark and they became bloodthirsty warmongers, supposedly without warning. Faeborn males almost killed the whole L’fÿn race, only stopping when the Chándariāns came in and put an end to the war. We absorbed E’drijān into the Chándariān kingdom. Thereafter, L’fÿns secretly put all faeborn males to death to keep something like the Scarab War from occurring again.”

  Gabe tried not to be judgmental of a people he barely knew and now seemed to not understand. However, five hundred years was a long time to hold a prejudice. “But didn’t Captain Paulo say something last night about you being faeborn? Or did I misunderstand? I mean, you weren’t killed at birth…”

  “King Valiant rescued me shortly after I was born, and made the practice of infanticide illegal. Princess Válora took me in.”

  “Why didn’t your father keep you?”

  Sūnder glanced down, and for the first time, pain flashed through Sūnder’s eyes. “He wasn’t allowed to.” After clearing his throat, he continued, “As of the last count, there are only twenty-some faeborn males in the kingdom. Because of the L’fÿns’ rumors that we shall eventually become darksouls, most give us a wide berth. Except for Faelÿns. They live alongside the faeborn males in harmony, so far. I’m the only faeborn who is both Panthrÿn and dròw. As a halfling, I’m not as outcast as the others, but I’m still not considered mateable because no one wants to taint their bloodlines with a magick that may turn malevolent.”

  Gabe was so pissed off his hands shook. “What a crock of shit! Anybody who knows you would be able to see that you don’t suffer from a mental illness. There are ways of testing for such things, even here on Earth. You’re more technologically advanced than we are, and would have to know of ways to monitor such things without sacrificing children to superstition. Yet it seems your people are content to assume the worst!”

  Sūnder’s grin returned. “So it
’s your professional opinion that I’m of sound mind?”

  Why wasn’t Sūnder taking this more seriously? Perhaps because he’d lived with the false accusations all his life? Gabe blew out an angry breath before returning Sūnder’s smile. “Although I haven’t known you for long, I’ve seen no hint of instability that would make me question your sanity. But really, there are sure to be ways to test for this ‘darksoul’ effect, although perhaps not for a magick-driven dementia. Is magic really a thing with your people?”

  “A thing?” Sūnder frowned.

  “Humans have fables about magic; we don’t possess any. We have sleight of hand, tricks, but no spells or potions…” Gabe noticed Sūnder’s confusion. “I’m not making any sense, am I, which means what you call magick and what I call magic are two different things.”

  “I could show you later, if you wanted to see.” Sūnder turned shy, and Gabe wondered if Sūnder had made the offer before. Probably not, with all the people climbing into his bed simply to use him.

  “I would love to, but first…” Gabe lifted the tray away and set it on the floor. Straddling Sūnder’s hips, he said, “First I want a good morning kiss.”

  “My pleasure,” Sūnder whispered against Gabe’s lips.

  Gabe licked across Sūnder’s bottom lip, tasting coffee and salty bacon. Sūnder still smelled good, this morning even more so. He’d meant what he said about wanting to lick Sūnder all over. Last night was a blur of aching need. Now he wanted to savor. So he did. Tasting his way down Sūnder’s neck, he kissed each rosette, tonguing the hard nipples. Panthrÿns had eight to ten nipples but Sūnder, just like L’fÿns, had only two. When he ran his hand over the stripes, Sūnder moaned and writhed. Gabe glanced up, not sure if that was a good or bad thing. Sūnder’s expression told him he had nothing to worry about.

  Interestingly, Sūnder’s scent was strongest across the stripes. Gabe couldn’t help but rub against them, imagining the smell seeping into his pores. More than that, Gabe loved the sounds Sūnder made, how he responded as Gabe slid along Sūnder’s body. Working the fastenings of Sūnder’s pants, Gabe pushed them down to reveal Sūnder’s hard, leaking cock.