Sūnder (Darksoul Book 1) Read online

  Rolling to his side, Akirá guided Ronan to grip him low on the shaft. The skin was moist, similar to that under a foreskin, and had a different, softer texture than Ronan was used to. The girth filled the cup of his palm, and when he moved his hand up, the head was stiff under his thumb, as if there was cartilage underneath. When he rubbed, his skin caught on something rigid but not quite sharp under the tip.

  “Hold me below these.” Akirá indicated a series of raised knobs that started beneath the head and ran down the shaft about an inch. “Covering them is uncomfortable to me, like someone putting a thumb over your slit when you are coming. The base has the most sensation. We don’t thrust like humans do. It’s more of a rocking motion to stimulate the female.”

  “There are no females here, Akirá,” Ronan said with a smile as he moved his hand back down the shaft and wrapped his fingers around the base. Akirá’s hand covered his, showing him how tight to grip and how to move. A quick study, Ronan was soon pleasuring Akirá without guidance. Soft, little mewls filled the air, the sounds urging Ronan on, and Akirá rocked his hips, the motion quickly becoming fervent, sharp jabs. Soon Akirá spilled, not from the end of his penis as a human would but from the knobs circling the upper shaft. Unusual though it was, what truly enthralled Ronan was Akirá’s expression of bliss, the yowling noises Akirá made at completion, and the way his name rolled off Akirá’s tongue. So much so that they held him captive until Akirá’s sex retreated into its sheath and Akirá seemed to melt into the mattress.

  The cabin didn’t have its own bathroom so Ronan compromised, drawing off a pillowcase and using it to hastily wipe first Akirá, then himself clean. Leaving the bed, he rummaged around in his duffle for a pair of sweatpants and a hand towel. Akirá had rolled to watch Ronan, his eyes half lidded. Unlike Panthrÿns, Faelÿn didn’t purr when happy, and Ronan didn’t know how to tell if Akirá had enjoyed what they’d just done. Sure, Akirá came, but Ronan did know of species that only had sex to procreate, not for pleasure.

  Not wanting to make a fool of himself by asking too many elementary questions, Ronan moved to the door instead. Turning to Akirá, he said, “Stay here, ’Kira. I’ll be right back,” then stepped out of the cabin and rushed down the corridor to the lavatory. Quickly washing himself, he then dampened another towel for Akirá. He barely kept from running back to his cabin, secretly afraid Akirá would be gone.

  Gods, he was seriously messed up. First, he worried about whether Akirá drew pleasure from their intimacy, so much so that he’d left the room in order to put himself together, and then he worried that Akirá would take the opportunity to slip away. He needed to get his head on straight, because although he’d never been one to stick around after sex with his human lovers, he couldn’t think of a better way to spend his evening than with Akirá.

  The doorway to his cabin swished open. Ronan released a pent-up breath in relief. Akirá still lay on his side, his legs tucked up against his body and his head on the crook of his arm. Suddenly, Ronan felt shy, hesitant, his face growing warm. Thank goodness his dark skin hid the blush.

  “I brought something to clean you properly with.” Ronan cursed himself for stating the obvious as he crawled back into bed. Akirá slowly straightened his legs.

  Fondly tending Akirá, Ronan found his mind terribly blank when he searched for something to talk about that would break the weighted silence. In his haste, he blurted out the first thing that came to mind. “Gabe always told me that there was a difference between sex and intimacy, but I never believed him. I think it’s because I didn’t really understand what he meant.” Ronan nervously glanced through his lashes at Akirá, startled to see those bright green eyes watching him intently. “I’ve never experienced anything so intimate or erotic before.”

  Akirá gave a low noise of pleasure. “My gain then. You are exquisite with your dark, smooth skin. I’ve never had a lover writhe so unashamedly beneath me like you did.”

  Ronan flushed hot at the compliment. Until Akirá, he’d always been the one to make a lover squirm, too untrusting to give himself completely over to the pleasure. What made Akirá so different from the others? It couldn’t just be his Faelÿneän nature… could it? No, he’d been first drawn to Akirá at the galas, sensing a similarity between him and Akirá that made him curious to know more. Akirá’s sharp wit and intelligence drew him in further, fostering an ease in the banter between them that sometimes made Ronan feel as if he’d known Akirá all his life.

  He slid off the bed and hung the towel to dry before returning to Akirá, acutely aware he considered Akirá more than a simple acquaintance. Their budding friendship had taken a sharp turn, and now Akirá was his lover. What did that mean for their future? Where did they go from here?

  Akirá pulled him close using the waistband of Ronan’s sleep pants. Eager to feel his bare skin against Akirá’s, he kicked them off and spread his legs to straddle Akirá.

  “What are you thinking, Ronan?”

  He stared into Akirá’s eyes, trying to read Akirá’s expression, hoping he would see something that would assure him that he wasn’t the only one sensing this connection between them. Akirá’s warm, curious gaze encouraged him to be honest and not shrug off Akirá’s question.

  “All my life I’ve done what others asked of me. I became a nurse and joined the Green Sentinels because that was expected.” Ronan paused, holding Akirá’s gaze, wanting Akirá to see him. “I didn’t really mind because I never had much to lose. Only Gabe, and they dared not demand I walk away from him. I think my parents didn’t know who I’d choose. But in the last year I’ve aligned myself with the Movement to return to Slorèx, and people are depending upon me and the other sentinels to keep them from harm. I’m now separated from my family, lost to them, and though it’s hurtful, I wouldn’t undo anything.

  “But…” Ronan reached up and affectionately stroked up Akirá’s cheek, his brow, and finally along the rough texture of Akirá’s horn. “Now I’ve found something I selfishly want to keep for myself, yet I don’t know if I can. You’re the Holy Paladin, responsible to the Temple of the Stars, and I’m a green sentinel tasked with returning faeborn and guardians to the Jade Forest and protecting them there. Could this thing between us even work?”

  Akirá pulled them into the center of the bed, turning to settle down on his stomach next to Ronan, draping an arm across Ronan’s chest. Ronan gave in to the need to nestle in close to Akirá’s side, and was thrilled when Akirá tightened his grip. “We shall find a way. You are not the only one who is selfish.” Laying his head down in the crook of his arm, Akirá closed his eyes, a soft smile playing on his lips.

  Clasped as close as he was, Ronan felt cherished. Hopefully Akirá was right, that they would work it out, because Ronan could quickly become addicted to sleeping next to him at night.

  21

  WHEN GABE WOKE, his head pounded and his mouth was distinctly fuzzy. Sūnder wasn’t in the cabin with him, for which Gabe was grateful. He was embarrassed at how quickly he’d passed out and, knowing Sūnder, he’d been carried to their cabin. But his embarrassment quickly gave over to guilt. He barely recalled the trip from the infirmary to their room, but he did remember the sound of Sūnder’s voice, how terrified he had been, and it was Gabe’s fault. He’d only meant to help Shaefer after sensing they didn’t have time to wait for a more experienced guardian.

  Rising from the bed, he stumbled to the lavatory, washed his mouth out, and then stepped into the shower. Sūnder had explained that while they remained in orbit, with access to fresh water if they needed it, they would have water for cleaning, but once they left for Slorèx they would switch over to a chemical spray. Gabe was not looking forward to the experience.

  He didn’t delay, just washed any trace of the vile taint from his skin. He knew nothing lingered and the oiliness was a figment of his imagination, but he still scrubbed his hands and arms until they were bright pink. He was back in the main cabin drying his hair when Sūnder returned, resp
lendent in his officer’s uniform.

  Gabe wrinkled his nose in distaste. “What is that smell?”

  Sūnder brought his cuff up to his nose and sniffed. “Oh, that would be the others.”

  “The others, who?” Gabe moved closer. The reek became stronger. “It’s all over you.” A pang of jealousy shot through him. Who had hung all over Sūnder like a limpet, spreading their scent as if they had a right to mark Sūnder as theirs?

  “The first of the faeborn and guardians have arrived. You needed your rest, so I went to meet them with Paulo, Akirá, and Ronan. Some of the guardians had questions.

  Gabe raised his brows. “Oh?” Sarcasm dripped from the word, not that Gabe tried very hard to prevent it. “Did they have to climb you like a tree to ask their questions?”

  Sūnder looked confused as he unbuttoned his jacket. “No one climbed me.” Then his gaze snapped back to Gabe and he smelled the air, a playful smile twisting the corners of his delicious lips. “You’re jealous.”

  He couldn’t deny it, not when Sūnder could scent him so clearly. For a second, he was embarrassed. He’d never felt jealous over anything or anyone before. Then the mixture of scents clinging to Sūnder tickled his nose again, and he could distinctly parse the yearning of those who’d touched Sūnder. Possessiveness rose within him, shoving its way to the forefront, causing every muscle in his body to tense. Gabe turned his back and shook out the fists his hands had become, not wanting Sūnder to witness his immature reaction. “Perhaps you should take a shower,” he said as calmly as he could manage.

  Thankfully, Sūnder didn’t argue, only moved swiftly across the room, a smirk on his face and a line of clothes left behind him.

  This new possessiveness was strange. Were his reactions due to the Guardian side awakening in him? This need to stamp his scent on Sūnder, announcing that Sūnder wasn’t available to romantic pursuits, was overwhelmingly strong. Unable to cope with having the strange scents in the place that should only smell like him and Sūnder, Gabe grabbed the clothes and shoved them down the Panthrÿn equivalent of a laundry chute. The need to claim Sūnder in some way, reaffirm their connection, pushed at him.

  It had never occurred to Gabe that other guardians would desire Sūnder. Of course they would. He was faeborn and handsome, and had a respected status on Slorèx. He would be quite a catch. But shouldn’t they know Sūnder was already taken? Perhaps their senses weren’t as good as his own. They had to have human genetics mixed with their L’fÿn, and human senses weren’t anything near as good as a full-blooded L’fÿn’s, whose sense of smell was excellent but not as good as that of a Panthrÿn’s or Faelÿn’s. So it made sense that they couldn’t scent Gabe on Sūnder.

  But that reasoning was crap because Gabe was cut from the same cloth, wasn’t he? Wouldn’t they have the same senses he did? But then again, his own senses hadn’t really taken off until he met Sūnder. Would not having a faeborn affect a guardian’s senses? Regardless, he hadn’t been there to establish boundaries when they arrived, which must have created doubt about Sūnder’s availability.

  He found his data pad on the lounge chair. Sūnder must have removed it from his pocket while he was unconscious. He checked the date and time; he’d been out for almost twenty-four hours. Tomorrow was the Festival and, as far as he knew, he and Sūnder needed to go. Gabe also wanted to check in on Shaefer and meet with the other guardians, but all that could wait until after he and Sūnder made love. The guardians might not have been able to smell him on Sūnder when they arrived, but by the time they left this room Sūnder would be covered in his scent. If he had any say, neither of them would ever go a day without smelling like each other. Plus, being with Sūnder would definitely settle his pre-Festival nerves.

  The sound of running water came from Sūnder’s lavatory, the bright light casting a harsh slash across the soft shadows of the main cabin. With his plan in mind, Gabe settled back on the bed, pulling the sheet over him as he waited for Sūnder to finish.

  Being on a spaceship orbiting Earth still seemed surreal, more so when the water cut off, leaving behind absolute silence. He’d always thought people could hear something—the hum of the ship’s engines, the buzz of conversation from other people aboard the vessel, something—when on a spaceship, and had never realized how much background noise occurred in a city. The silence of the suite was deafening, making even the slightest of noises, such as Sūnder drying off, clearly audible.

  Sūnder appeared in the doorway, his silhouette outlined by the light. If Gabe didn’t know him, he would have said Sūnder’s form and size were intimidating. How strange that he’d never found Sūnder terrifying.

  “I wondered if you’d fall back asleep.” Sūnder toweled his mane dry and Gabe sat up, letting the sheet pool around his waist. He couldn’t see Sūnder’s gaze; instead he felt it like an invisible caress.

  Turning, his expression filled with excited anticipation, Sūnder switched off the lavatory light. Watching Sūnder prowl toward him, Gabe moved to rest on his knees with rising expectation. Sūnder crawled onto the bed, his movements hesitant, almost shy, and Gabe caught his face between his hands, loving how Sūnder sucked in a breath before Gabe kissed him long and slow.

  “What is it?”

  Sūnder glanced down as if he couldn’t bear to look at Gabe. He’d never seen Sūnder so vulnerable. “Would you… I want you to take me.” When Sūnder glanced back up, the heat in his gaze was searing. “I want you to spill within me, mark me with your scent so others know I have been claimed.” Sūnder licked his lips nervously. “That is, if you want to claim me. The mark isn’t lasting. If you stay with me, you will need to renew it.”

  Want to? Holy hell! The possessiveness burning within Gabe flared to life. “What do I need to do?” Gabe’s question came out low and guttural.

  “I need to be on all fours, and you have to hold onto the base of my tail.” Sūnder gulped audibly, and by the way the red ring of his iris expanded, the thought turned Sūnder on. “It will release a hormone that will blend with your seed. It changes my scent, intermixes it with yours.”

  That Sūnder would smell like him, and others who encountered Sūnder would know who Sūnder belonged to, had Gabe aching to bury himself in Sūnder. “And if I wanted to make sure that you carried my scent always?”

  Sūnder’s small whimper spoke of his need. “You’d need to take me every couple of days.”

  How had he missed this desire Sūnder carried? He couldn’t resist anymore. Gabe took Sūnder’s mouth, plundering deep, nipping those dark, sensual lips. To have what he’d secretly wanted handed to him so easily… Gabe had thought he’d have to slowly convince Sūnder to let him eventually top. Sūnder was dominant in bed, and yes, Gabe loved every second, but he also wanted more. He’d been fighting an increasingly possessive need to take Sūnder since they’d boarded the ship. Now he set it free, making Sūnder pant and writhe under his touch. He licked and bit, grasping the column of Sūnder’s cock and squeezing gently until Sūnder begged for more, harder, and for Gabe to never stop.

  Gabe watched every nuance of Sūnder’s expression, determined to burn the moment into his memory. Sūnder didn’t have to tell him that no one else had taken him. From what Paulo and Sūnder had both said, there weren’t any who wanted Sūnder enough to keep him. Except for Gabe. He wanted all of Sūnder. Every single bit. As he carefully worked to open Sūnder, he remembered how there had been a time when he couldn’t understand why anyone would want to fall deeply, madly, crazily in love. Now he knew. Because against all odds, Gabe had fallen for Sūnder. Moreover, when they walked out of this cabin, no one would have any doubt about how Gabe felt.

  Sūnder is mine. I will break anyone who tries to take him away.

  “Roll over,” Gabe snarled, need and want combining into a heady mix that pushed the boundaries of his patience. Sūnder quickly complied, ass in the air as his tail lashed impatiently from side to side.

  Gabe was too short. He wanted to cuss. “I need you
to move over to the edge of the bed.” Grasping Sūnder’s hips, Gabe situated him where he needed to be, Sūnder’s little yowls filled with desperate want. “When we return to Earth, you and I are going to shop for supplies. The next time I take you, I don’t want to worry about our height difference getting in the way of me burying my dick in your ass.”

  Sūnder’s whole body shook. Somebody liked the sound of that. When Gabe grasped the base of Sūnder’s tail, Sūnder’s ass hitched up too high, and Gabe smacked his nicely rounded cheek. Sūnder’s hiss and his convulsive grip on the sheets made Gabe grin ferally. He swatted the other side, and Sūnder released a low moan. Carnal delight filled Gabe as he continued to spank Sūnder’s upturned butt. He listened to the delectable sounds Sūnder made, making sure he didn’t push Sūnder too far even as he thought of the other things they could pick up on Earth.

  “Sun and stars! Please, Gabe, fuck me,” Sūnder pleaded when Gabe ran a soothing hand over his darkened cheeks.

  He wanted to prolong the moment, make Sūnder beg a little more, but spanking Sūnder already had Gabe on edge. Reaching down, he tugged on his balls to stave off his orgasm. He didn’t want to come before he was fully seated inside Sūnder. He wanted, needed, this to be perfect for Sūnder. Slicking up his cock, he grabbed the base of Sūnder’s tail again and tested Sūnder’s readiness. Sūnder pushed back on his fingers with a snarl.

  Tightening his grip on the tail and pulling up sharply made Sūnder groan loudly. “Yes, like that. Claim… My Gabriel, please.”

  Sinking into that gripping heat, Gabe tried to go slow, but Sūnder wasn’t having any of it and shoved back hard, arching his spine and letting out a yowl of pleasure. Something deep within Gabe exploded outward, a bestial growl escaping him. He withdrew and slammed back into Sūnder only for his mate to ask for more. He wanted to claw and bite, leave his mark on Sūnder’s skin, and grew frustrated that he couldn’t. The magick within Sūnder responded to the animal rising in Gabe and wrapped around them, tickling over Gabe’s skin even as it contributed to the heat in his blood. Gabe held onto Sūnder’s tail, his grip on the base helping keep Sūnder exactly where he wanted him. Sūnder twisted and thrashed, all the while chanting “yes” at the top of his lungs. Only Gabe’s newly discovered strength kept Sūnder from breaking away, and he reveled in his ability to give Sūnder what he needed. All the while, through the growls and snarls, Gabe claimed Sūnder as his.