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  This wasn’t real. Kardos couldn’t really be here. Kyus would have sensed the portal and been in the room already, and the bond was still dulled—she must be dreaming.

  Once that realization settled in her, she embraced the feel of him as he claimed her mouth. He tasted the same, the heaviness of his body on hers was the same, only his scent was too faint and she found herself desperately breathing in for more of it.

  When he finally rose up, his face was hard and his eyes blazed, but Shaya reveled in it. She couldn’t deny anymore that she loved seeing that side of him, just like on the ship, just like outside the temple. It set her stomach fluttering and her nipples tingling to see that wild, beast-like nature that inhabited him, always just under the surface.

  “Where are you?” he thundered. His thick hand forced her legs open, and he ripped off her panties with a snarl.

  Shaya jumped, automatically trying to squeeze her legs together while her body writhed with elation at the grit in his voice.

  His heavy hand prevented her legs closing, and in a swift move, he drove himself inside her.

  Shaya gasped, tears springing to her eyes at the stinging invasion that quickly transmuted to a tingling stretch, sending a swell of pleasure through her. It was strange that she didn’t feel him just between her legs, but also in the bond.

  Once he was seated to the root, she relaxed a little, her legs bent and opened wide to accommodate his heavy hips, but he hadn’t relaxed one bit.

  “Tell me where you are, Shaya!”

  Even with his face contorted in anger, he was so good-looking. Never in her imagination could she have conjured such a perfect-looking man—his turquoise eyes, his sculpted face, the wiry bushiness of his beard, and the bright sunlight of his hair. Now that she’d met him, no one else would ever compare. And now that she’d left, she would only ever have her dreams of him.

  “Tell me!” His hand returned to her wrist, pressing her into the bed as his hips jutted forward to reach deeper within her.

  Shaya gasped at the depth, but then smiled at his dominating behavior. Even in her dreams he was demanding and prone to punish her in some way, and with her hard nipples aching to be sucked, she couldn’t deny the desire that it inspired.

  “Shaya,” he growled, insistently.

  She ignored his words, gazing up at him as she examined every inch of his face. “You are so beautiful,” she murmured.

  The Alpha froze. “What?”

  “You’re such a beautiful man,” she said, almost to herself.

  The apparition stilled for a long moment, studying her as he hovered above her. “Have you taken something?” His voice deepened. “Are you well, Shaya?”

  Shaya almost giggled. “Am I well?” She didn’t know if she was. She had never experienced the greyness that had dominated her before. She didn’t know how long it would last or what the cause was. But as she stared at dream-Kardos, speared on his length, the grey lifted. Maybe it didn’t exist in the dream. “I don’t know.”

  “Shaya.” His voice dropped dangerously low. “I want to know where you’ve gone. Tell me now.”

  “What difference does it make?” she whispered.

  With a growl, the Alpha pulled out of her and drove back in, rough, blunt, and hard. “You will speak,” he snarled as pulled out and slammed in again. And again. And again. “You will tell me where you are.”

  Gusts of air expelled from her lungs as his hips crushed her, leaving her exhaling hoarsely becoming more desperate the harder and faster he rammed. And yet, for all the brutality, a delicious, primal euphoria took hold of her. It captured her senses and tuned her into him, absorbing his beautifully savage attentions. Yes. This was what she needed—to be pinned down, to be secure, to be owned. Her slick came thick and heavy, sloshing out of her at the working of his hips, and she moaned as the euphoria expanded, intensifying every sense until even his scent dominated her once again.

  “This disobedience will not be tolerated,” the Alpha growled.

  Something jarred in her mind and Shaya’s eyes flicked open. This was a punishment.

  “You think you can take such actions and I won’t find you?” His eyes blazing as his skin furiously slapped hers. “I want to know where the fuck you are, and you will tell me!”

  Shaya tried to fight. She tried to find a way to reject the euphoria—telling her this was right, to calm her mind and focus on waking up—but it was too late. At her core, she needed it from him and her body recognized it. She ached for the wild pleasure he gave her, which drove away the greyness and allowed her to succumb the way she should to her Alpha.

  But as the devastating climb almost reached its peak, he suddenly pulled out, leaving just his tip resting on her bruised opening. Shaya gasped at the sudden change, and the Alpha dug her hands farther into the bed as he leaned in, his nose pressing against hers as his hard, gorgeous eyes held her captive. “Where are you?”

  Shaya could only whimper. The pleasure that dominated her made her tilt her slit up to kiss his sticky tip, seeking the completion of what he started.

  “You won’t get it, Shaya,” he said, darkly. “You won’t get what you want until you do as you’re told. I’ve told you once before.”

  A whine twisted out of her as her mind tried to fight through the fog of need.

  Kardos angled his head to kiss her tantalizing slowly. “I know you are ready to take flight.” His rich, deep voice agitated every nerve of pleasure in her body. “Your pussy becomes so succulent when you’re ready to fly, little bird. The scent of your slick deepens so sweetly; it’s all I want smeared all over me.”

  Shaya whimpered again, her pussy clenching at his words, missing the loss of his length inside her.

  “And smear me you do.” He chuckled against her lips. “I love when your slick drips from my balls. Or from my beard.”

  Shaya writhed under him, trying to shake off the desire clawing her. It was too much. The need for him too overwhelming. Her body tingled on the edge of what she really needed, and she was losing sight of why she was resisting.

  The Alpha licked her mouth, from her bottom lip, into her mouth, and flicking off her top lip. Shaya opened her mouth, eager for his tongue, but he didn’t feed it to her like he usually did. “Are your nipples ready for my tongue?” he added, watching her closely.

  “Yes,” Shaya gasped. All resistance faded as she jutted out her chest for him.

  “Are you ready for my knot?”

  She nodded, whining at how long it was taking for him to resume.

  “Then tell me where you are.”

  “In the Western Lands,” she said breathlessly.

  “Where?”

  “With Kyus.”

  A rumble of satisfaction came from the Alpha a moment before his plunged back into her.

  Shaya howled with relief as his violent pummeling caused a resurge of intense pleasure that seized her completely. Her orgasm came upon her immediately, exploding in a glorious fiery sensation that forced her Alpha’s name from her lips. Then his warm, wet mouth closed over her nipple, his tongue teasing its hardness as he continued to bury himself in her mercilessly. She took flight again, and again, her toes curling as she gave herself to the soaring bliss. Strangely, the feeling was present in the bond also, but it only added to her devastation.

  Finally, his breath became ragged over the wet, fleshy pounding. Grunting, he slammed his knot into her, securing himself in her womb as he spilled his seed inside. He never let go of her nipple, biting and sucking it hard as he came, his throaty growl thick with satisfaction.

  Shaya breathed heavy, her own satisfaction flooding her. She lay limp, no thoughts able to penetrate the lingering sensations, and when he finally lifted from her breast and lay on top of her, she sighed, finally content.

  CHAPTER THREE

  SHAYA

  When she woke the next morning, Shaya was disorientated.

  Although she felt well rested and clear minded, something niggled at her mind that she shouldn’t. While she lay trying to figure out what felt odd, the dream with Kardos came flooding back. A sharp fear shot through her for a moment. She had told him where she was! But before the panic could hit her fully, she realized that it had to have been a dream. Her muscles didn’t have that lovely ache they usually did when she’d been with Kardos, and there was no soreness between her legs at all, no hint that she had been beautifully stretched.

  She took a deep breath as her heart calmed. It had seemed like a dream at first but then became so lifelike. It made sense that Kardos would be angry and demanding, even in her dreams, but it slightly disturbed her that he had forced information out of her by punishing her for disobedience. His behavior toward her was so ingrained that even her subconscious expected it. A gladness resounded through her that she left. All the dream did was reinforce why she had to go—Kardos would never change who he was. Punishment was the way he moved through life—the way he interacted with others. He wouldn’t and couldn’t change. Hopefully, that dream was the last one she would have.

  But even as that thought entered her mind, she couldn’t ignore her own behavior in the dream. She had wanted it. A lot. It had settled her to be dominated by him, and it wasn’t just the domination—it was the way he exerted his will over her. She loved the way he did it. It made her feel oddly safe that he was in control, that he knew what she needed and could give it to her.

  She closed her eyes tight, battling with the distinct contrasts tearing at her, and a slight movement on her bed suddenly caught her attention.

  She slowly turned to see that she wasn’t alone. Kyus sat next to her on the bed, her back against the headboard, her legs crossed and stretched out in front of her, with her hands in her lap. Her eyes were closed but she wasn’t asleep. She appe
ared to be in deep contemplation.

  Shaya carefully observed her, wondering how long she’d sat here like this, most likely worrying about Shaya. Everything had been a blur since she arrived back in the house; she wouldn’t have known if Kyus was sitting next to her.

  Her sister looked tired. Deep lines were now on her forehead. She also looked… worn around the edges, her clothes crumpled, and her hair unbrushed, as though she hadn’t been taking usual care of herself, and that caught Shaya’s attention.

  Although they looked alike, Kyus had always been the better-looking one out of the two of them. Shaya was plain and was barely noticeable, but Kyus drew attention wherever she went, even if she wasn’t trying. Her features were striking, her voice was rich and gorgeous, and her curvy figure was one both men and women admired. She was forced to lean into her attributes and make full use of them as a spy, which meant the upkeep of treated hair, flowing gowns, and stunning jewelry, but when she was at home, Kyus was most comfortable and relaxed in a simple tunic or even bedclothes.

  Shaya shifted to face her and turned the pillow horizontal underneath her head, the way it was supposed to be, but Kyus stirred, opening her eyes and smiling down at her.

  “How are you feeling?” Kyus asked softly, scooting down on the bed, rolling onto one side and propping her head up with her elbow.

  Shaya took a shaky breath. The grey within her had significantly lessened. She certainly felt more clearheaded and capable of focusing. Maybe it was the dream of Kardos that had changed the feeling, but she was ashamed to admit that. “All right,” she replied hesitantly. “How long has it been?”

  “Only two days.”

  Shaya sighed, relieved she hadn’t kept them from traveling for weeks. “Thank you, it was difficult to tell.” She fought to find the words she wanted to say. “I-I’m sorry about my behavior. I can explain…”

  Kyus watched her carefully, her deep brown eyes darting over Shaya’s face. “Tell me what happened.”

  “I thought you said we had to leave,” Shaya asked, a nervousness trembling within her. “We’re still going aren’t we?”

  “Yes,” Kyus said slowly. “But I underestimated that you might need more time to process what has happened to you.”

  “No, I am all right,” Shaya said, a spark of panic and defensiveness rising in her. “I am well. I just have trouble when I’m sleeping—”

  “Tell me everything, Shaya,” Kyus said, her voice firm and quiet. “From the moment you left the room in King Malloron’s castle.”

  Nervousness and embarrassment bloomed so strongly, Shaya wanted to curl up into a ball before her sister’s probing eyes. She couldn’t tell her. There was just no way she could talk about some of it, especially not… No, it wasn’t possible to say the words. Shaya tried to think of every answer she could give to prevent herself from having to explain what happened with Kardos, but even as she considered what she could say, she knew she couldn’t lie to Kyus. She had never been able to lie to her.

  Kyus took her hand and threaded her fingers through Shaya’s. “You are my little sister, Shaya,” she said softly. “There is absolutely nothing you can say—nothing—that will change my love for you and the respect I have for you.”

  Shaya was amazed to see her eyes fill with tears and her nose flare. Kyus had never once cried, at least never in front of Shaya.

  “I’m immensely proud to have raised such a generous, self-sacrificing, and brave Omega,” she continued, smiling. “I have learned so much just from you doing that one thing for me.” She paused. “But I need to know everything that happened so I can make the right choices now that you have returned.”

  Shaya swallowed. If what she said could help them find some way to hide and stay hidden, then she had to be truthful, no matter how uncomfortable it may be.

  Taking a deep breath, she told Kyus everything; from the moment she left her standing in the room in King Malloron’s castle, to the moment she was running along the bridge over the ocean and into her arms.

  For the most part, Kyus listened with a carefully neutral expression, which Shaya knew was purposeful. But even with her extensive training as a spy, she was unable to hide the hardness in her eyes when Shaya recounted some of the torturous suffering Kardos had inflicted on her.

  The urge to turn her face away rose strongly as she described their moments watching the ocean, or any of their sexual and intimate encounters, but she forced herself to hold Kyus’ gaze and continue on, knowing that Kyus would want to know everything, hoping she would understand at least a little why she made the choices she did.

  As she described her escape, recalling her last ride on the tobo, the speed at which she flew across the snow and the bright beauty of the landscape around her, the greyness within her weighed increased but she tried her hardest to push it away.

  When she finally finished, Kyus was silent for a long time. She had returned to her upright position, her gaze fixed across the other side of the room, but clearly not seeing any of it as her index finger tapped on her thigh. Shaya watched her carefully, wondering what was going through her mind. Finally, she decided she needed to be involved in Kyus’ thought process.

  “Tell me what you’re thinking,” Shaya murmured. “I want your true thoughts.”

  “Shaya,” Kyus said, turning to her as she smiled. “I always give you my true thoughts.”

  “You do.” Shaya hesitated. “But sometimes you only stick to the things that are safe and comforting. I don’t want that now. I want the raw truth.”

  Kyus’ smile did not falter. “Let me worry about the raw truth.”

  “No.” Shaya shifted her gaze over Kyus’ shoulder for a moment and gathered her thoughts. “I’m not a child anymore, Kyus. I know you have protected me and tried to keep me safe, I can see that now, but things have changed now. I’ve had to grow up. I look back now and see I was so childlike—so ignorant of the world.” She shook her head. “But I’m not that Shaya anymore. I can’t be, and I don’t want to be. I want us to be real sisters and do this together.”

  Kyus broke their gaze and inhaled as though it pained her. Her full smile fell away, replaced by a thoughtful and troubled expression that Shaya had rarely seen before. She tried not to let it panic her, embracing the turning point in their sisterly relationship.

  Kyus rubbed her cheek, remaining in deep thought for a long while, before turning to Shaya, her voice quiet. “I didn’t realize you would fall so deeply in love with him.”

  Shaya started, a shock bounding through her body. “I’m not.” She clenched her fist together, a frown deepening as she shot Kyus an annoyed look. “Didn’t you hear anything I said?”

  Kyus nodded, lifting a shoulder. “I heard you say that you tried to make him happy, that you try to be everything he wanted you to be. I heard you say that you adore everything that makes him Alpha.”

  A prickling heat rushed over Shaya but she refused to break her gaze from Kyus.

  “I heard you say you claimed him as your own,” Kyus added, “that you entered into his family willingly and found joy in the land he loves.”

  “Then you weren’t listening properly,” she said evenly, as the heat flared. “There is a reason why I did all of those things.”

  “I was listening very carefully, Shaya…” Kyus said gently. “… and observing also.” She squeezed Shaya’s hand. “He didn’t force any of those things from you. No one could. You love him. And now you are lovesick for him. That is why you feel like this.”

  Shaya hesitated, suddenly unsure. “Lovesick?”

  Kyus nodded. “You miss him. You want him so badly you cannot function.”

  Shaya stared at her, shaking her head. “It’s not that,” she said haltingly. “We were bonded. The absence of the bond must have… done something to me.”

  “No,” Kyus said softly. “What you are feeling, how you are acting, it is not unusual, Shaya. It is not the result of your dulled bond. It is the result of you being away from the Alpha you love.”

  Shaya exhaled harshly. “We don’t know what the result of the potion is,” she said, trying to explain. “This could be a side effect.”

  Kyus smiled at her. “I guarantee you, it is not.”