Falcon's Mate 1(15)

it down, before grabbing another and offering it to her. Ari drank that

one down as well. She hadn’t eaten too much and the instant effects of

the strong drink in her blood were easy to feel.

“Fifth,” Rurik yelled. “Into dance formation.”

Ari tensed in surprise at the barking order, her eyes round as she

tried to pull away from Rurik. He held her tight, grinning widely.

“Hold on, my queen,” he said, before leaping up into the air over the

crowd. Ari gasped, clutching onto his shirt. As he spun her, she realized

he’d merely moved her out of the crowd to give them more room to dance.

“But my skirt,” she protested, wondering if people would see her

naked body beneath if they looked up.



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“We’ll be spinning too fast,” he assured her. Several of his men had

gone up into the air at his yelled command and she saw the stunned

expression of the other women as they were flown around the room in

the dance.

Below them the crowd cheered, blurring with the sound of the music.

Ari’s head spun from the liquor and she laid it on his shoulder as he

twirled her around. Closing her eyes, she held on, feeling the subtle

movements of his body. It was arousing, yet frightful, to be under his

complete control. Ari couldn’t fly and if he were to let go, she’d fall.

“I’m curious,” Rurik said.

She didn’t lift her head. Unbidden, the deliciously erotic movements

of his body against hers began stirring her passions once more. Wicked

thoughts entered her mind, so arousingly wicked that she didn’t want to

stop and think. Vara had mentioned the idea of having sex while in flight

and she could see how exotic and wonderful such an idea could be.

If they were alone, she would’ve forgotten who he was and would’ve

demanded he have sex with her right where they were. Good thing the

crowd was there to keep her at bay. His earlier words entered her head,

words about wanting her to humble herself before him. Where did that

man go? That impossible, controlling man? The Rurik who held her

didn’t remind her of him. Nae, this Rurik was almost sweet, gentle, fun.

This wasn’t the man who demanded she grovel, or the boy who teased

her mercilessly as a child.

Her breathing deepened. Would it be so bad to explore the scars on

his body? He might think he was punishing her, but it would give her

ample time to explore his naked form. She did want to see him naked.

Her fingers kneaded against his shoulders and she wished she could

remove the shirt off his muscular chest. Every inch of him was solid and

firm, just as a warrior commander should be. The breeze around them

44



Talons: Seize the Hunter

stirred with the wings of Rurik and his men, but the commander’s wings

moved with such light grace that she felt as if she were floating on air.

When he shifted, his body would become compact as his shape

molded into the form of a true falcon. She’d seen the men shift in the

past, for they often entered the palace and left it in such a way. It allowed

them to fly faster and more efficiently over long distances. But she’d

never seen a naked pure blood before. When they shifted, the fibers from

their clothing were absorbed into the body so they’d have clothes when

they un-shifted.

Ari held him tighter, very aware of how her breasts rubbed against

him. Her nipples ached for his attention and moisture gathered within

her thighs, readying her body for his claim. The feelings felt too

wonderful to fight, though she knew she should grasp onto whatever

dignity she could.

“I’m curious,” he repeated. Ari had no idea how much time had

passed since he’d last spoke.

“Yea?” she answered.

“What are your powers, my queen?” he asked. “Word was spread that

you got them, but none have seen what they are besides a select few.”

Ari laughed, but didn’t answer him. “Don’t you worry. They are

great.”

“Show me,” he said.

“Nae,” she answered, not wanting to take her mind off the feel of him

pressed against her. She just wanted to enjoy the moment. “I just want

to dance.”

“Then tell me what they are,” he said.

“I can control water.” It was an oversimplification of all she could do,

but she didn’t want to get into all the little nuances of her gift. She could

snake it through a room, or make it dance, or create a wall that never



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fell. She could call upon the ocean to give her its jewels if she wanted—

though she never would because it would take jobs away from some of

the sailors.