morning.”
“And Rurik can’t be that person? Ari, have you looked at him? He’s
gorgeous, he’s built like a walking god and he can fly. Can you imagine
being in the arms of a soldier?” Vara giggled, kneeling by Ari’s legs so as
not to sit on the coronation gown. Taking Ari’s hands, she said, “What
more could you ask for in your bed?”
“He’s not the holding kind,” Ari said. “People who… Men like him…
He’s a soldier.”
“Haven’t you ever wondered what it would be like to have sex with a
man who could fly? Hovering above the ground as they take you?”
“You should take a lover,” Ari said.
“I haven’t met any men who appreciate me and I won’t settle.” Vara
shrugged.
“I should have poured it on the floor,” Ari moaned, wanting nothing
more than to hide.
“You should get dressed and face Rurik like an adult. You have
grown up, chances are, he has too.”
35
Michelle M Pillow
CHAPTER FOUR
Ari stared wide-eyed, stunned to silence as Rurik’s bold fingers
pressed between her thighs. Even through the thick red material of her
coronation gown she could feel him rubbing along her slit, stirring her
passions even as she fought to keep them at bay. The dress was a
beautiful tunic gown with a dark red overskirt above a light cream
underskirt. It fitted tight to her waist, held together by thick corded
ribbons that crossed under her breasts, holding them up. Her breasts
were covered with a soft cream material that matched her underskirt.
Suddenly, she wished she had a little more protection against the
onslaught of Rurik’s hands.
Oh yea, she thought sarcastically as she witnessed the childish
taunting in his eyes, he’s really matured.
“If you don’t mind,” she hissed, wiggling to be free. It didn’t work. Her
movements only caused his hand to rub all the harder. “I have a crown
to accept.”
“I’m surprised you didn’t try and have the mating dissolved,” he said,
not letting her go. He had somehow snuck into her bedchambers. Her
guess was he flew through a window in the shape of a falcon before
making himself known. How long had he been there? Watching her
dress? Hearing her conversation with Vara?
36
Talons: Seize the Hunter
Nervously, she laughed. “I am a princess. I hold true to my word,
Commander. I chose to drink from the Chalice and in doing so I have
accepted the fate that is laid out for me.”
“Huh, I thought it was because there was no defense. What, with the
prophecy.”
Her lips tightened in irritation.
Rurik laughed. His voice lowered and his wings spread to the side as
he leaned over to press his face close to hers. “Or was it because you
liked it when I touched you?”
“I don’t…” She couldn’t finish the sentence. His fingers felt too
deliciously wicked against her pussy and he was nibbling at her ear.
“Mm.”
“What was that, princess?” He kissed her neck. His wings came
forward, their dark feathers looming forward to block out light.
“I…” she tried again, only to rock her hips forward into his hand. She
felt safe next to his large body. All thoughts of duty and coronation left
her as he continued his assault on her neck. He still wore the same
clothes as before and she ran her hands over the front of his tunic shirt,
pulling at the laces.
“You felt me when I came inside you, didn’t you?” His soft whisper
was hot against her ear. “You feel my claim even now.”
“Why are you doing this, Rurik? We both know you have no wish to
be mated to me. Why aren’t you trying to get out of it?” Ari bit her lip to
keep from crying out. His fingers curled upward, making for an even
deeper caress along her clit.
“Why else? For the power. Maybe now you will quit trying to have me
and my men killed.”
37
Michelle M Pillow
“What?” she gasped. He pulled back, his hand still intimately wicked
along her sex, working her toward release through her clothing. His dark
eyes pierced her with their intensity. “I nev-er, oh.”
“What was that, princess?” he demanded, keeping her trapped to his
will.
“I said I never tried to have you killed.” She couldn’t think. Ari
desperately wished he’d lift her skirts and take her as he had on the bed.
His touch made it hard to concentrate, and yet she got the strange
feeling that this was punishment as much as it was pleasure.
“I have scars on my body that beg to differ,” he growled. “As do the