Vanquished Page 10

  He rubbed a hand over his head. “It’s possible we are here for a reason.”

  Before Kat could question him further, Leucothea returned with a food tray. She set it down on the floor between the beds and sat down beside it. On the tray were slices of some kind of fruit. The sweet smell wafted up Kat’s nose. Her stomach growled in desperate response.

  Leucothea smiled and handed both her and Hades a small clay plate. “These will help you heal.”

  Hades touched a thin orange wedge. The corners of his mouth lifted. “It’s an orange.”

  “Yes, we grow them in the trees.”

  Kat picked up a wedge and sniffed it. The smell made her mouth water. She had never eaten an orange before. She had heard of them, and had seen pictures in a book when she was a child. But her family had never had the kind of money that was needed to buy such rarities.

  She put it in her mouth and bit down. Sweet tangy juices squirted on her tongue. Closing her eyes, she savored the glorious flavor.

  “I had an orange once,” Hades said as he chewed slowly on a piece, staring at the floor. “I must have been around ten. My dad and I were at the market, trading beef for vegetables and other things we needed. We came across this old beggar. He asked us for some money. My dad gave him some coins. He was generous, my dad. The old man gave us an orange. It had a few brown spots on it, but we didn’t care. After our marketing, we sat by the old creek and shared that orange. Best damn thing I ever tasted.”

  As she listened to the story, Kat stopped chewing. She could see the regret and longing on his face, and wondered why. By his stories of his past, she could tell that he’d had a good childhood, a good family. She pondered what had changed in his life that would bring that expression of hurt and sorrow to his handsome face.

  Granting him the respect and privacy he deserved for his painful past, she moved her gaze to Leucothea. The girl was watching Hades with rapt attention.

  “Why is it that you have hair, and the others don’t?”

  Leucothea turned her innocent face toward Kat. “I have not undergone my Rite of Passage yet.” She smiled and seemed to bounce on her knees. “But I have passed my eighteenth lunar cycle, and it is now my time.”

  “What is the rite of passage?”

  “You will see. That’s if you will honor me by attending this evening?” She looked at both of them, eagerness on her face.

  “Sure. We’re not going anywhere,” Hades answered as he popped the last of his orange into his mouth.

  Leucothea bounced to her feet. “I’m pleased to hear this.” She stooped to pick up the tray. “I have to go now and start preparations, but I will send someone to help you get ready.” She bowed and bounded out of the room.

  Kat scoffed, “Like hell I’m going.”

  “Relax, Kat. Could be culturally stimulating.”

  “I don’t give a shit about culture. I want to get going.”

  Hades reclined against the wall and closed his eyes. “Hell will be waiting for us. Let’s enjoy this little piece of heaven for as long as it lasts. Besides the two of them aren’t going anywhere.”

  Kat swallowed the last of her orange, as she stared at Hades. He wasn’t telling her something. She saw a flicker of doubt on his face before he leaned back. Doubt or…possibly fear. But what could Hades possibly fear?

  Chapter Thirteen

  Kat and Hades had both slept on and off for the rest of the day. After Kat had demanded a robe from Leucothea, she got up from her bed and checked on Damian. Through the night, he had moaned often, but made no sign of waking.

  Sitting at his side, she brushed his hair from his sweaty brow, and murmured to him. Movement gave her pause, and she glanced up to see Hades watching her. “Do you mind?”

  “No.”

  Kat shifted her gaze from his intense stare and back to Damian’s crinkled face. Dipping a finger into a bowl of sweetened water, she trailed it along his lips. They parted in response and she was able to dribble a small amount into his mouth.

  “Do you love him?” Hades asked.

  She sighed. “Not the way you mean.”

  “Have you ever loved…the way I mean?”

  “No.”

  “Could you?”

  Kat’s eyes lifted to his then, the implication of the question evident on his face. Though he leaned against the wall, his demeanor relaxed, the look in his eyes was intense. She could feel the weight of it on her, feeling its way over her, into her.

  “With so much death and destruction in this world, why would one want to?” she asked, returning her attention to Damian hoping that Hades would let the conversation end.

  Before Hades could respond, two female Nerieds came into the room to prepare them for the upcoming ceremony. They both carried white strips of cloth hung over their arms.

  * * *

  “I am not wearing this,” Kat exclaimed for the second time. She had a short cloth wrapped around her generous hips, like the villagers, and a thin halter wrapped around her breasts.

  “At least they gave you the halter.” Hades smiled as he took in her barely there attire. “You could have been walking around bare breasted like the rest of the tribe.”

  Kat resisted the urge to punch him. He was grinning at her like a fool. But damn if his smile didn’t make her feel warm, especially in her intimate parts. Besides, he didn’t look too bad in the short wrap the Nerieds had dressed him in. It left nothing to the imagination.

  She turned to one of the Nerieds. “Where are my clothes? I’ll wear those to the ceremony.”

  “I am sorry Katarina, but tradition demands that you wear the tribal uniform,” the youngest Neried explained.

  Kat sucked in a breath. “What did you just call me?”

  “Katarina. Is this not your name? Leucothea told us this, that you muttered it during your restless sleep.” The girl bowed her head in shame.

  “No, it’s fine.” Kat could feel Hades staring at her. She turned. “What?”

  “Katarina?”

  “Yeah, so?” She put her hand on her hip indignantly.

  “It’s…a beautiful name,” assured Hades.

  Kat smiled. She didn’t want his compliment to move her, but it did.

  “Too bad your mother didn’t realize what a hellion you’d turn out to be.”

  Kat’s smile faded. His mocking remark stung her in places she didn’t realize had any feeling, like her heart. Damn him! Damn him for making her feel things she had no business feeling. Damn him for making her crave compliments and soft looks. Damn him for making her want to say that, yes, she could love. Yes, she desperately wanted to.

  Closing her hand into a tight fist, she punched Hades in the mouth. He stumbled back, his face a mask of shock. Blood dribbled from his cut lip.

  “Oh, she knew,” Kat retorted.

  The two Nerieds watched on in stunned silence.

  Kat turned to them and smiled innocently. “Shall we?”

  They bowed and led the way out of the room and into the sultry night.

  * * *

  Kat and Hades followed the Nerieds down a path through the trees that eventually opened up onto the beach. The ocean spread out in front of them like a great big blue blanket.

  As Kat gazed over its enormity, she sucked in a breath. She had seen pictures of the ocean, but she never thought it would be so beautiful, so tranquil. She had images of a great raging titan of water forever foaming and swirling waiting for the next opportunity to swallow the entire Earth. While she watched the gentle swells and waves caress the soft sand, she realized how wrong she had been.

  Glancing at Hades, she noticed the same wonder on his face. Wanting to share this moment with someone, she smiled at him. He returned her look and reached for her hand, squeezing it gently.

  She didn’t resist the touch, nor did she pull away. His hand felt warm and comforting in hers.

  More of the Neried tribe stepped out of the trees and onto the beach. Soon every man and woman stood in a circle around
the soft sand, a stone altar in the center.

  When Nemo stepped into the center of the circle, the murmur of the crowd dimmed. “We gather here on this sacred ground this night to celebrate a rite of passage. A passage into age, from child to adult, from girl to woman.”

  The group parted, and Leucothea stepped into the sacred ring. She was completely naked. Her pale skin shone like pearls in the moonlight. She moved next to Nemo. Smiling at her, he helped her up onto the altar, laying her down on her back on the flat carved stone.

  Kat squeezed Hades hand and leaned toward him. “I don’t think I like this.”

  “Just wait, it’s not what you think.”

  “How do you know?”

  “These are not an aggressive people. They’re not sacrificing her to their Gods. She’s sacrificing something to her descent into adulthood.”

  “What?” Kat asked, concern making her voice tight.

  Hades raised his eyebrow in answer.

  “Oh.” Kat looked back at the altar as a young man stepped up next to Nemo. He was lean, muscular, and completely naked. His arousal was already evident in his stiffening cock.

  Nemo handed him a knife with a white, intricately carved handle.

  Kat stepped forward into the circle. Hades pulled her back. “Wait.”

  The young man stepped up to the altar and took Leucothea’s long hair in his hand. He sawed at it, tossing the strands into the ocean. Soon her hair was cropped close to her head. She gazed up at the young man and smiled. He bent down and placed a gentle and soft kiss to her lips.

  Another Nereid rushed into the circle carrying a clay bowl. He placed it gently on the altar beside Leucothea, and then departed without pause.

  The young man dipped his hands into the bowl. When he lifted them, they were covered in a transparent gel not unlike the substance the Nerieds smothered their skin in for protection.

  In rapt awe, Kat watched as he spread the substance over Leucothea’s head and massaged it into her scalp. He gently rubbed a finger over each eyebrow. He then dipped his hands back into the bowl. This time he smeared the gel over her arms and up and down her legs, gently and sensuously massaging it into her skin.

  Kat glanced up at Hades. He was watching the ceremony intently. Surveying the attendees, Kat noticed that the cloths at the men’s waists rose. She glanced down at Hades and noticed he too had a hard on.

  “Interested?”

  Her head snapped up catching his eye. She saw the barely controlled lust swimming in the dark blue depths.

  “Maybe,” Kat responded, even as desire swirled low in her belly.

  He leered down at her. Kat’s knees went weak, and her heart pounded fiercely in her chest that she was sure all could hear.

  “Now be cleansed of your impurities and be born a true Neried.” Nemo’s voice rose to a tremendous pitch.

  Kat turned back to the ceremony as Leucothea descended from the altar and walked hand in hand with the young man into the ocean. They both dived into the swelling waves.

  Only moments passed, before they emerged from the waters, fingers still entwined together. When Leucothea walked into the light of the moon, Kat noticed that all her hair had vanished. Her head was smooth and bald, as was the mound of her sex.

  Drums began to sound. Steady rhythmic sounds resonated over the beach and the circle began to move to the beat. Leucothea and her young man began to sway to the music. Soon, he was pressed up behind her, his hands trailing over her body. He gently caressed her breast, while his other hand cupped her sex. Leucothea leaned into him and spread her legs in sweet surrender.

  The throb at Kat’s center pumped to the rhythm of the drums. Soon, it hurt deep inside her belly. Pain so exquisite she moaned unable to keep her legs together. She spread them apart to ease her ache.

  Hades squeezed her hand and pulled her out of the circle.

  As soon as they were in the woods, he had her pressed up against a tree. His hands were rough as they yanked and pulled at the flimsy halter covering her breasts. He ripped the material away and satisfied his hunger by lowering his head and sucking in one peaked nipple into his eager mouth.

  Pleasant sensations vibrated through her body. Groaning, Kat closed her eyes in ecstasy as Hades devoured her breasts. He rolled one nipple between his lips and then gently bit down. Kat cried out and dug her fingers into his powerful back.

  He moved his hands down her body and cupped her ass. As he lifted her up into his powerful arms, Kat wrapped her arms around his neck and her legs around his waist. He spun her around and brought her down to the forest floor.

  The stones on the ground bit into Kat’s back, but she didn’t feel them. All she could feel was the sultry heat between her legs and the rock hard body pressed intimately against her.

  Hades ripped away his loincloth and nestled his cock against the soft folds of her sex. Already wet and open he pressed into her with ease. Kat raked her nails over his skin when he filled her completely, stretching to accommodate him.

  As he slid back and forth, Kat moaned loudly into his ear. He felt incredible inside her, filling her emptiness. Emptiness she had been hell-bent on claiming and making her own; a decision she was starting to regret.

  Hades licked the side of her neck, moving his mouth over her flesh. He nibbled on her chin and found her eager mouth with his own. Bringing his hands up, he buried them in her hair while they kissed.

  Every nerve in her body responded to him. To his touch, to his taste. She moaned into his mouth and nipped hungrily at his lips. She wanted to devour him. Raw animal need consumed her. Something she had not felt before. Not with Damian. Not with anyone. With Hades, it went beyond the physical longing. Deep inside her soul, she yearned for him.

  The deep ache in her center scared her. She didn’t want to desire like this. It was frightening to her very existence. She had prided herself on being alone. Being strong and independent. The need she felt building inside for Hades would threaten that. Threaten all she had worked for. The wall she had built around her heart quivered under the strain.

  Kat wrapped her arms around him and rolled him over onto his back. “Too slow. I have a need for speed.” Hades chuckled as she straddled him.

  She started to rock on him, slow at first then gaining her rhythm. As flickers of pleasure surged up her body, she started to pump faster, harder. Slamming herself down onto him. The sounds of flesh against flesh reverberated around them in the trees.

  Hades reached up and molded her breasts in his hands, flicking his thumbs over her peaked nipples. He trailed a hand down her torso, caressing her skin to where they joined. His fingers found her wet cleft, cleverly nudging his knuckle against her clit.

  Jolts of fervent sensations rang up her body. She could feel her orgasm tightening inside. It wouldn’t take much more to drive her over the edge.

  Hades gripped a hand around waist and stilled her motions. “Not so fast. I want to feel every inch of you.”

  Kat pushed his hand away and slammed herself down hard.

  With both hands, Hades encircled her hips, slowing her movement. He lifted her up slowly along his cock, held her still with just the tip of him inside, and then brought her down inch by excruciating inch.

  Kat could barely contain herself. All her muscles and nerve endings began to hum and vibrate. His slow, exquisite torture on her insides was sending her spiraling to the edge, hovering in mid-air. Her muscles contracted around him as her climax slammed into her with an explosive force.

  Crying out, she fell forward to bury her head into the warmth on his neck. He wrapped his arms around her and continued to pump bringing him to orgasm soon after. She could feel every surge of his seed inside her.

  Clamping her eyes shut against the tears that welled there, she felt like a dam burst inside her. Liquid leaked from all her parts, as emotions she didn’t know she had spilled free.

  Hades kissed the side of her neck as his orgasm subsided. She could feel his hot breath on her sensitive skin. By th
e intake of breath, she could tell he wanted to say something, but instead he resigned himself to kissing her on the cheek and resting his head against hers.

  She was relieved for that. She didn’t think she could handle any words. The unwanted emotions alone were enough to handle. She definitely couldn’t cope with any words that went with them.

  Chapter Fourteen

  From the beach, Kat and Hades made their way back to the long, thatched house. The Nerieds still celebrated out on the sand, so the village was near empty and quiet. Hand in hand, they walked in comfortable silence. Kat still felt warm and languid from their lovemaking.

  She had expected the sex to be great – mind-blowing actually – but it was the emotions welling in her that she didn’t anticipate. With Damian, it had always been uncomplicated and relaxed. She didn’t feel jealous when he fucked other women. Kat knew it was only to scratch an itch, and that he would return to her bed the next day. His leash was on a long tether.

  But with Hades, everything seemed different and foreign. Kat knew she’d never tolerate a wandering eye or hand from him. Rage filled her just thinking about him with someone else. Unwillingly, she’d branded him. Marked him hers.

  In return, he had his mark on her. She could almost feel it seared into her skin like a burn. Without her knowledge, she’d gone ahead and started to fall in love.

  Damn treacherous heart!

  As Kat entered the makeshift hospital, she pulled Hades through the doorway. She came to an abrupt stop and released his hand. “Damian.”

  Damian sat in his bed, his feet on the floor, and his head in his hands. He looked up as they neared him. Narrowing his eyes, he shook his head. “I still must be dreaming. I swear Kat, that you’re walking around nearly naked.”

  “I am. Long story.” She moved across the room and sat down next to him on the mattress. “How are you feeling?”

  “Pounding headache. Severe nausea. Stiff and aching joints and muscles.”

  She patted him on the back. “Good.”

  He glanced at her sideways. “That’s good?”

  “Yeah,” she assured him. “You’ll be feeling better in a day or so. Time enough for us to get supplies and get going.”