Falcon's Mate 1(21)

His fingers ran over her cheek. “Why do you wish for me to love you, Ari?

You have people to love you as a queen. I need to hear you say it.”

“Because I love you, Rurik. I always have. I’m sorry I laughed at your

note. I was stupid, nervous, a young stupid nervous girl and I—”

His crushing lips cut her off as he seared her mouth with his, delving

his tongue to conquer and explore her depths. Ari moaned, grabbing onto

his arms for support as her knees buckled beneath her.

“Ah, Ari?”

She ignored the voice.

“Ari?”

Again, she ignored it. Rurik’s kiss felt so right. Her body stirred to

his.

“Daughter!” her father yelled, finally getting her attention. She

blinked, turning to look at him in stunned surprise. “You want to

finish…” He motioned to a red-faced Lord Cyril.

“I was finished,” Ari glared down at the man.

“But…” Lord Cyril stared at her, his mouth working but no sound

coming out.

“I said get out,” Ari ordered.

“You heard my queen,” Rurik barked. Instantly the man rushed from

the hall.

Ari laughed. “I should be upset that he didn’t listen to me when I

commanded it.”

“Don’t worry,” Rurik said. “I’ll teach you to scare people.”

“Mm.” She wrinkled her nose before leaning forward for his kisses

once more. Rurik loved her. The knowledge poured over her, giving her

more pleasure than she ever dreamt possible. “No need. You can scare

them for me.”

60



Talons: Seize the Hunter

He stepped forward, walking her with him toward the edge, but she

wasn’t scared. Looking deep into his eyes, she trusted him with more

than her life. She trusted him with her heart.

“I love you,” she said. “I’ve wanted to say that for a long time.”

“I love you,” he answered, leaning as if to kiss her.

She pulled back. “Fly us to our royal chambers this time, okay?”

He nodded, laughing softly as he turned directions and walked her

the other way.

“Come on, Gryger,” her father said. “Let’s leave these two alone.”

“Where would you like to go, highness?”

“Old highness,” the old king corrected. “I’m thinking to the country.

There has to be a woman or two out there that doesn’t know I was king.”

Ari giggled, not taking her eyes off Rurik. He leapt, hooking a leg

around hers to hold her close as he carried her through the air toward

their new room.

Rurik landed by a low canopied bed. She smiled, glad that it was

closer to the floor than the mating platform had been in her old

chambers. Paintings of Falconian men hovering above their women as

they took to the sky decorated the top panels of the room. The deep

colors were brilliant in their rich tones. Dark wood from the black trees

that grew in the nearby forest was used to carve the canopy and

matching panels along the wall. Some of the panels would lead to secret

rooms within the palace but she wasn’t sure which ones. The wood was

polished to a black gleam, reflecting the soft light that came from the

high palace windows. An archway led to a similar dressing room.

The air smelled sweet and welcoming, having been scented by the

palace servants. Soft material met her hands as he laid her down in the

bed. The coverlet was new, as was the rest of the bedding.

“I’m sorry for all that was done between us,” she said.



 61

Michelle M Pillow

“As am I, but we were children.” Rurik kissed the corner of her mouth

and moaned softly. He ran his hand over her side to touch a breast

through the material of her dress. “And you have grown into a fine

woman, Ari.”

She giggled in pleasure. “And you make a very fine figure of a king,

Rurik.”

He kissed her again, this time deep and long. His tongue edged along

her lips, begging entrance into her mouth. She sighed, taking him in as

his fingers explored her body. She wanted him and it wasn’t long before

she was aroused and wiggling for more.

“What about those women on your lap? Are you sorry for them?” Ari

asked, breathing deeply. She closed her eyes as he pulled at her skirt.

“What women?” he groaned, kissing her neck.

“At the mating… Oh, that feels really nice.” She parted her thighs,

allowing his fingers access to her slick folds. His thumb pressed into her

clit, rubbing in small circles.

“There are no other women but you, Ari,” he said.

Ari laughed. “That’s the perfect answer.”

“It’s also very true.”

Rurik continued to kiss her neck as he worked his hand against her