Rookery Cove: The Keythong’s Blaze Emma Ray Garrett All rights reserved.
Copyright ©2006 Emma Ray Garrett
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Prologue “More.” The hot, wet haven of his lover’s mouth drove all thought from Branimir’s mind. The erotic glide of nubile tongue from the base of his cock, up and around the crown, stuttered his breath. His lover focused his movements, pausing to undulate against the sweet spot where head met shaft. Waves of sexual delight rippled over every inch of Branimir’s body and he moaned softly. His head fell back and his hands thrust into thick, blond hair. Long fingers slid into familiar positions, holding the mouth suckling his thick cock exactly where the greatest satisfaction would be found. Branimir groaned and tightened his hands, hips thrusting forward until his balls rested against a smooth chin. I love your cock. Harsh arousal pounded through Branimir’s body and echoed in his mind, growing exponentially while the talented mouth swallowed him down. Teased him. Tortured him. Branimir felt his partner’s lust as clearly as his own. Hungry need flowed through his lover’s blood, each swipe of tongue, and graze of teeth, proof. The connection he and his lover shared was precious and unique, allowing them into each other’s hearts and minds. They’d been oath-bound since childhood, had loved each other as friends, and comrades, and then finally as lovers, as mates. A pang of remorse closed Branimir’s throat and burned behind his eyes, pulling him out of the pleasure and hurtling him toward dismay. He was leaving in the morning and it was quite possible this would be the last time he’d share this kind of intimacy with his beloved. The wet sound of his cock being released from his lover’s mouth reminded him that this time was for them. He opened his eyes and looked into a set like his own and not. The bright, hot amber of Viktor’s pupils churned with lust, and fear, and love.
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“Branimir.” Viktor’s low, raspy voice shivered up Branimir’s spine and he moaned, the barest hint of his desire in the sound. “I’m sorry, Viktor. I didn’t mean to ruin everything. I’m having second thoughts about Rookery Cove.” He held out his hand to Viktor and helped him rise from the floor. He looked down the strong, marred line of his partner’s nude form and felt his half-soft cock fill with blood once more. Viktor pressed his body to Branimir’s, the erotic friction of their cocks sliding against each other pulling a grunt from Viktor. He slid his right hand around the back of Branimir’s neck and pulled his face close. Viktor wasn’t the patient type and he took Branimir’s mouth in a harsh, almost desperate kiss. Their minds were open to each other, and Branimir was overwhelmed by the love, the hunger, the despair, pouring from Viktor. Rolled under by the onslaught, all he could do was wrap his thick arms around the heavily muscled body he loved so well and hold on. We’ll find a way, Viktor. I won’t give you up so easily. The rush of emotion cascading from Viktor dizzied Branimir. Then he stopped thinking about what if as Viktor’s large, rough hand wrapped around Branimir’s cock and stroked hard. His balls throbbed and pre-come wept from the tip while Viktor continued to ravage his mouth, his tongue thrusting deep, mimicking what Branimir wanted so badly. Gods, Viktor. I want your cock buried deep in my ass. Then get on the bed, Branimir.
Chapter 1 “I quit.” Okibi Rowe leaned against the door to Manx’s office. A low growl, a sound that hinted at what he was, rumbled from his chest. Manx raked a hand through his obsidian locks. “Look, Okibi, I know you’re pissed. I told Phillip not to do it, but he wants…” “I don’t give a fuck, Manx!” Okibi stalked further into the room and dropped into the oversized leather chair opposite Manx’s desk. “I’ve been protecting this island for the better part of a hundred years. Christ on a crutch!” She blew a breath from her pursed lips, making the spikes of her short hair dance. “Bernard, not Phillip, asked me here when he first settled this place! I don’t know who Phillip thinks he is, but he isn’t my Master. Rookery Cove is my responsibility, first and last. Perfumes for Rookery Cove Aphrodisiacs are something I do for fun, end of conversation. I won’t be pressured or undermined in order for that greedy pup to get what he wants.” “I told Phillip it was ill advised.” Okibi ignored his comment and straightened in the chair. Thankfully, she’d moved past royally pissed off, otherwise the room would probably be burning now. She was entering her Kokugen Nenshou. This whole mess was tied into her reproductive cycle. If Manx hadn’t encouraged her to create a unique perfume, Need, from the pheromones she produced during this time, Okibi wouldn’t be pinned between a rock and a hard place now. What’s done is done, Okibi. Right now, you have to figure out how to keep the keythong far, far away from you. Okibi sighed and scrubbed her eyes with her palms.
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Going into her fertile time, when a male of one of the two species she could mate with just happened to be on Rookery Cove, was unacceptable. Since she couldn’t stop her cycle, she’d have to make sure she didn’t run into the griffon. Manx gave her his trademark bad-boy grin. “Bet you’re wishing we’d just kept fucking, instead of me having a moment of genius.” Okibi couldn’t help it. She laughed out loud. Though it had been at least sixty years since they’d been lovers, both she and Manx remained close friends and companions. “Well, it did occur to me that I oughta kick your ass for starting this whole thing. But really, though we were hot between the sheets, I’m glad you thought of it. We’re much better off as ex-lovers. Neither of us could have stood being tied to the other for long.” It was Manx’s turn to laugh, self-deprecating though it was. “Well, maybe it worked out for you, but I still have to deal with your pheromones every twenty years.” Okibi snorted. “Please! Do you think I’ve missed your orgies? Even if I could miss the ladies’ arrival, no one on the island could miss hearing their orgasmic screams!” Okibi scooted forward in the chair, finally feeling relaxed. They enjoyed a few minutes of quiet, before she sighed. “I’m gonna head out. Felix said the flue was getting clogged up again.” “I cleaned it out already.” Okibi leapt from the chair and whirled on the new voice. Her hands burst into flame and she readied herself for battle. “Whoa, whoa! I’m not armed.” The male threw his hands up. A small smile softly curved his mouth, though wariness showed in the rigid set of his body. Okibi narrowed her eyes. The griffon.
Chapter 2 Branimir Symon took in the flame-fingered phoenix before him and his pulse kicked hard. She was as magnificent as he’d known she’d be. Okibi Rowe was the most sexually alluring woman he’d ever seen. Her pixie-like face, the pert nose and pointed chin spoke of her Japanese heritage. Her face appeared delicate at first glance, but after closer inspection he noticed the stubborn clench of her jaw. Okibi’s eyes were larger than he’d expected, their almond shape enhancing their size, but the obsidian color pulled him in. Her lips were dusky pink and full, too full for her face, but they begged to be kissed. Or to be wrapped around a hard cock, his sexual mind commented. Her jet-black hair was short and spiky, but then he hadn’t thought she’d wear it long. Branimir slowly took in the rest of her body, from the strong set of her shoulders, down over her full, pert breasts, all the way along the length of her legs. The jeans and tank she wore emphasized her femininity and her strength, displaying Okibi’s feminine musculature, her creamy skin and curves, to the fullest. He’d been listening to her conversation with Manx, and now, Branimir wanted to kick himself. He should have known Phillip Quinn was playing a power game with the phoenix. But honestly, when Maddox, headhunter for Rookery Cove Aphrodisiacs, had approached him with a job offer, Bran had accepted, hoping at last to meet the one woman he prayed could be his queen. Branimir felt a spark of ire flare. He wanted to be angry with Maddox, but he was sure the Wood Elf had no more idea what was going on here than he did. The Council of Advisors hadn’t been thrilled with the idea of their king being in the employ of humans. But Branimir’s word was law and there wasn’t anything they could do to
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stop him. Besides, Viktor served as Regent-In-Absence and Branimir knew his lover could handle anything needing attention in Branimir’s stead. For years Branimir had wanted to meet the unattached phoenix. Although he’d been reluctant given what he might have to give up to have her. The Rowe line was powerful, dedicated, and highly respected and from what he knew, Okibi was even more so. He sighed internally and almost wished his birth had been different. If it were, he wouldn’t be here, facing a woman who’d like to set his body on fire for real, a woman who had managed to get him hard and wanting, burning for her figuratively within seconds of meeting. He wouldn’t be wondering if she’d go against the ways of her people and take two mates. Branimir, and Viktor, were unique among keythongs. They’d been born with wings, which had entitled them to prince-hood. The wings didn’t, however, guarantee Branimir a throne. He’d fought his way to kingship, as was the griffon way, with Viktor at his side as his friend, then bodyguard, and now as the heir presumptive. As a ruler, Branimir led his people into the new world of human technology and business. Now the gold and jewels the griffons had hidden away and protected for so many centuries were finally able to be used to better the race, to help protect them instead of making them a target. He was proud of what he’d accomplished, but still felt unfulfilled. Instinct told him it was time to mate and breed. So, he’d started looking for a match. But he’d found no excitement, no interest burning in his blood for the court females. Only a particular kind of woman could be the mate he needed. This mystery woman must understand what it meant to be a protector and defender. A partner whose strength and dedication would match not just Branimir’s, but Viktor’s as well. She had to be both warrior and diplomat. And she did not exist among the available, or willing, women of the court.
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“Just so you know,” the Master of the Hunt growled, “no one enters my territories without permission and an introduction.” Branimir watched, impressed, as Manx cloaked himself with shadow until all he could see of the man were his glowing red eyes. Branimir wasn’t about to be intimidated, but when two massive, barrel-chested beasts appeared from out of nowhere to flank him, he seriously considered throttling Phillip Quinn. “I’ll let it go this time. But keep in mind, my Pretties nearly dined on fur and feathers this night.” Manx gave an odd whistle and the dogs moved to his side. He moved from behind his desk to Okibi’s side, his body pressed close to hers, his mouth to her ear. When her lips lifted in a slow, seductive smile, jealousy roared through Branimir. A soft chuckle burst from her lush mouth as Manx stepped away. Okibi said something to him, low and intimate, but Branimir missed the words. Manx gave a slight nod and headed for the door. He smirked at Branimir as he moved past him and out of the room. She’s mine! Branimir couldn’t stop the thought from forming. Branimir looked hard at the woman who’d fascinated him. She’d be a handful, but she would make a perfect queen. He had two questions, but only one of them was of any import. Though he wondered why Quinn would have asked him against Okibi’s wishes, what he had to know was if she could love two men. When he caught her scent, his first question was answered. She was in heat. It was low, Quinn’s bringing him here purposely to fuck the phoenix, knowing that once Okibi bred, she’d be forced by natural instinct to rear her children to maturity. It all made sense now. According to his information, the female phoenix would never put the protection of an object before her own offspring. While rearing her young would take precedence over protecting the island, it would leave Okibi plenty of time for other things. Like developing profitable perfumes.
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Of course, her mate would take over Okibi’s obligations, as well as protecting her and their young with his life. Though Branimir was no phoenix, he’d be a definite asset as a sentinel of Rookery Cove. Phillip Quinn had a deft business mind, for sure, but he needed some lessons in proper etiquette. Even as disgust moved his conscience, his cock made a decision. Regardless of any moral argument, he’d smelled her and he had to have her. He’d deal with Quinn later. For now, one way or the other, Okibi Rowe was his. She just didn’t know it yet.
*** “Keep my office in one piece.” Manx stepped close to Okibi to whisper in her ear. “It was hard enough to create this dark and dreary decor, let alone replace priceless pieces of my art from my Fatherland.” Okibi laughed softly. She had no intention of fighting the keythong here. In fact, as long as he kept his distance, she would simply ignore him until he left. Okibi put on a good face for Manx. “Don’t worry, Manx. I’ve got it covered. Go, I’ll be fine.” She gave his hand a brief squeeze before he exited the room. She’d felt the call, the alarm Manx followed when the island was in jeopardy. He was off to hunt and may the gods help his quarry. No one escaped the Great Hunt, the Gabriel Ratchets. She watched him go, watched him smirk at the griffon, and saw the spark of jealousy flash across the shapeshifter’s face. Her body reacted with a hard surge of lust, which in turn released the intoxicating pheromones of her breeding time into the air. No, no, Okibi. Don’t do this now! She chastised herself to no avail. Her body took in the size of the griffon, his masculinity, his strength, and found nothing to reject. His hair was a soft brown, like dark brown sugar, slightly wavy and just a tad long. His eyes were a piercing orange, like the sun when it sets, and Slavic in shape. They were faintly upturned at the corners, a bit like her own, with thick lashes and brows that drew her eyes. His lips were thin yet kissable, and his nose and jaw were strong. An immensely masculine face, full of determination and confidence, and Okibi felt a lurch in her chest. Don’t give in, Okibi. You have free will, her hopeful side chimed in. In the back of her head, though, the bells of warning tolled, loud and deafening.
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Both of them were in their human forms, and the griffon’s was definitely appealing. He stood several inches over six feet. His chest was deep, his shoulders broad and his arms thick. He was built like a brick shithouse, with thick, ropy muscles covering long limbs, a body type Okibi found infinitely pleasing. She could see coarse dark hair peeking from the neck of the khaki polo shirt he wore, and as she took him in from head to toe, his reaction to her pheromones was blatant. She tore her gaze from him, closing her eyes and taking a deep breath. She needed to master herself. Wanting to avoid any contact with the griffon, Okibi turned fully toward him and reignited her hands. “We aren’t going to have any problems are we?” The griffon clenched his fists and narrowed his eyes, but he stepped aside. “Not while you’re a living torch, no. Look, I apologize for the unprofessional way Phillip brought me in, but I intend to stay, at least for now. It seems like you could use an extra set of hands. Can we call a truce?” “Just stay out of my way, Keythong.” Okibi winked at him, before allowing the dancing orange, yellow, blue, white and red tongues of flame to encompass her entire body. She was careful not to let the fire leap from her and into the room, remembering Manx’s request. The griffon backed away further. With a wide smile, Okibi left Manx’s office, feeling cocky and herself once again.
Chapter 3 Branimir stood aside and watched her leave, his cock screaming at him to grab her, throw her to the floor, and brand her his. His earlier assessment of “magnificent” was paltry and pitiful. She took his breath with her power, her strength, her scent. He was going to get burned, in more ways than one he feared, but still he couldn’t deny her allure. Shaking his head, he left Manx’s office and made his way from the security building to the outdoors. Branimir needed to familiarize himself with the island. He knew Bernard Quinn, an extremely wealthy recluse, had built the company, Rookery Cove Aphrodisiacs, and named it after the island. The enterprise was unbelievably profitable, offering special sexual toys, lotions, and paraphernalia to humans and nonhumans alike. The company wielded a lot of power and influence in human business, and Branimir had a few ideas regarding the griffon fortunes and Rookery Cove Aphrodisiacs. As he strode over the rocky shoreline, listening to the sound of surf crashing against land, Branimir felt relaxed. In fact, he was nearly giddy. The mantle of leadership temporarily removed, Branimir could be himself and indulge his senses, himself, here. He liked the island very much. It was peaceful and quiet without making him feel lonely, as he did so often at court. A low, throaty scream broke into his comfortable ruminations. So much for quiet, he thought and smiled. The odd tone of the cry, though, raised his curiosity. So, he stilled, listening for another cry. As if on cue, it came again, the sound ricocheting off the craggy cliffs behind him, obscuring its source. Something in the resonance made the hair on his neck rise. Branimir dropped his human shape, body reforming, changing, in the blink of an eye.
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Enormous golden wings burst from his back. A serpentine tail, barbed with sharp spikes, and massive leonine hindquarters took the place of human legs. His arms and hands became the heavy lower limbs, complete with mammoth, razor-sharp talons of an eagle. What had been a strong, masculine face became a raptor’s, a large curved beak flashing obsidian in the sun’s light, and his ears stood tall and equine above his head. Feathers, fur, and iridescent scales rippled across his delicate human skin, completing the transformation. Branimir gave a predatory cry and launched into the skies, searching the ground with eyes keen enough to see a mouse in grass from a mile into the heavens, and began the search for the being that’d given the furious call.
*** “Yes! Yes! Oh, gods!” The thick cock slipped through the slick lips of her sex, pounding its way deep into her blazing cunt. Faster, harder, deeper it took her up and up, so close to the brilliant culmination hovering just out of her reach. Okibi took one pert nipple between her thumb and forefinger, twisting the swollen bud savagely. Her body exploded, the orgasm ripping through her. Her cunt clasped the thick cock deep inside, each low hum from her inanimate lover sending strong aftershocks skittering over her skin and pulling a loud scream from her mouth. She lay there exhausted, the release flooding her body with endorphins, and realized she wasn’t satisfied. Okibi growled and screamed again, this time in frustration. Slipping the vibrating dildo from her body, she fought the need to roll over and cry. Okibi slid from the bed, grabbing up the deep ruby red kimono from the footboard. She slipped her arms into the lightweight silk, so wrapped up in her own misery, she missed the telltale bell chime of her security sensors. “Why did I ignore my mother’s good advice? She told me to keep a lover so I could control the need. I shouldn’t have blown her off!” Okibi grabbed a fistful of her hair in irritation. The cry of a bird of prey, merged with the distinct roar of a lion, tore through the air. Okibi jerked around, her body alert, readying for a possible attack. Her heart was thumping so hard she could barely think straight. She stumbled into the center of her
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home, looking up through the enchanted opening in her roof. High above, sunlight glinted off golden feathers, and Okibi gasped. Branimir was coming. She shrugged the kimono off her shoulders, not worried about burning the delicate silk, since everything she owned was adapted to her pyrokinetic nature. Magical protection against fire, though, wouldn’t save the material from being shredded when two massive wings burst from her skin. Inhaling deep, Okibi closed her eyes and embraced the flame that lived, breathed, and danced in her soul.
Chapter 4 Branimir, in griffon form, dove from the clouds, his body plummeting toward the house set amidst the forest below. As he neared the home, slowing his wing beats and preparing to land, Okibi’s scent enveloped him, rising on the breeze to thicken his cock and dry his mouth. Branimir’s beastly form shuddered with intense and immediate arousal. He landed and shook himself, much like a wet dog would once it was out of the bath. His wings melted away, as did the fur and feathers and scales, the claws and talons, until he stood gloriously naked in the doorway of the phoenix’s house. “You aren’t welcome, Griffon.” Branimir hesitated in the doorway, both because Okibi was nude and because, well, she was ablaze. “My name is Branimir. You can call me Bran, if you like.” Taking a deep breath, he squared his shoulders and entered. She was perfect, every bare inch of her. Blue and white flames licked across her hairless body, the fire shivering with each heaving breath she took. Her breasts were tipped with nipples the color of hot embers; so different from any other woman’s he’d seen. Branimir fought the overwhelming urge to see if they’d burn his mouth, his hands, if he touched the rock hard nubs. Her obsidian eyes glowed from her face, a faint reddish hue gleaming from deep within them. Those lush lips parted, her mouth shiny from the sweep of pink tongue across dry flesh. Branimir clenched his fists to stop himself from touching her. The flame of her need, her anger, didn’t hurt her. Branimir knew he wouldn’t be as lucky. Not yet, anyway. His head buzzed from the effect of her pheromones as he slowly stalked toward her. The only place she wasn’t burning was her head, but it shone with sweat. Sweat,
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which matted her short hair to her scalp. Okibi’s body shook, making her fiery attire dance. At first he thought anger shuddered her body, but underneath the alluring scent of her heat, Branimir detected the delicious flavor of Okibi’s musk. Arousal made her limbs weak, and armed with that knowledge, against his better judgment, he reached for her. Bzzzt, kerthunk! “What the hell?” The strange noise whipped Branimir’s head to the side. His ears honed in on the soft humming sound, his sharp eyes scanning the room. His mouth turned up at the corners and he raised a brow. So, his little firebird knew how to take care of herself, did she? “Well, look at that.” Branimir dropped his arms to his sides, and stepped away from Okibi, striding toward the dildo. It had landed on the floor just in front of the little bedside table. Bending over, he picked it up and lifted it to his face, inhaling deeply, locking the aroma of her lust into his lungs. Branimir turned the dildo over in his hand, found the switch to turn it off, and turned to face her again. Her eyes were wide, her pale skin flushed, her mouth frozen in a tiny “o”. Branimir smiled and looked past her, searching for and finding a sink behind her. He walked to it, ignoring the gasping sound she made as he passed her, and proceeded to wash her toy. Branimir looked down at the fake cock in his hands. He bit his lip to stifle a moan, images of Viktor’s cock in his hand sending blood rushing to the rail spike between his legs. As the soft plastic slid through the soapsuds on his fingers, he thought about his beloved and Okibi. He imagined watching Viktor’s thick cock slide between the slick flesh of her sex, while Branimir wrapped his tongue and lips around her straining clit. The thoughts were so vivid he could taste her lust on his lips and feel the hot steel of Viktor against his face. He groaned softly. Branimir didn’t want to lose Viktor, but he knew he’d have Okibi. They were too attracted not to have sex. Taking her was one thing, mating with her another. Phoenixes were monogamous.
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A voice in his head told him this woman was his queen. He hoped the voice knew something he didn’t. Hoped the resonance of instinct saw something in Okibi that said she wasn’t interested in a single partner, not simply because the thought of her luscious form pinned between Viktor and himself made Branimir’s head spin, but because he sensed something within her he knew would match his lover flawlessly. “Excuse me.” Okibi cleared her throat, but the husky quality remained. “I don’t think I need your help caring for my toys. I want you to leave. And stay the hell away from me.” “Oh, you need my help, phoenix. And I’m more than ready to give it.” Branimir turned the water off, shaking the excess from the false phallus, and setting aside his worries. He turned from the sink and walked back to her. His cock bobbed proudly, and he watched with satisfaction as Okibi’s gaze focused on him. She shook her head slightly and tried to close her eyes, but it appeared his erection bespelled her. He stopped in front of her, the heat of her body making his tingle. The tiny flames fascinated him. Branimir stepped closer to her, and slid his eyes to half-mast as the fire of her need reached for him. She raised her face to his, her black eyes defiant and proud, almost hiding her fear. “I asked you to leave.” Her tone was throaty, low. The threat of violence under her words was unmistakable. Thanks to Viktor, Branimir had learned all he could about Okibi’s race. He didn’t delude himself that he knew everything, but he was better informed than most. Her Kokugen Nenshou was wildly strong. Sweat shone on her face. The dampness of her short, black hair, the sexual frustration he could almost see rolling off of her, the strength of her scent, gave Branimir a light bulb moment. Okibi hadn’t succumbed to her Burning Time in at least two cycles, probably three. Something else Viktor told him surfaced from the depths of his memory. It isn’t just sex, Bran. A female phoenix will only mate with a male who can best her in combat and survive her fire. She may take a lover at any time, but a mate must be the strongest, most intelligent male among her suitors. Basically, it was fight or fuck Okibi at this point, and
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while Branimir would prefer the latter, he wanted the former as well. He wanted to see what kind of a warrior she was. “How long has it been since you’ve been fucked, Okibi? Forty years? Sixty? Your need is palpable. I can taste your hunger on my tongue. I see it in the shivering of your body. We can fight first, if you want, but we will fuck. You know it and I know it.” His cock twitched as her eyes narrowed. The fire flared to life, singeing his skin. Instinct moved his body backward. Okibi used the space to move away from Branimir. Closing her eyes, she doused the flames, and pulled a scrap of red silk from the floor. Her arms slid into the kimono and she savagely tied the belt. “You’re right. We probably will fuck. But it will be on my terms, when I want. I don’t like you, I don’t want you here, and I’m not looking to settle down.” Branimir licked his lips. Though she was covered, her appeal was no less. He put every bit of desire, of predatory dominance, into his eyes as he met her gaze. “We’ll see about that.”
Chapter 5 Okibi seethed. What an arrogant ass! “We’ll see about that.” She snorted and turned her back on him, saying without words that he posed her no threat. “Look, I don’t know you. I only know the basics about your race. I don’t know how much clearer I can be. I do not want to pair up with you and raise a clutch of hybrid kidlets.” Okibi’s body clenched as she said the words, but her mind rebuked it. Her life was protecting Rookery Cove. It was integral to her being, the need to guard and defend those in her keeping. The Rowe family was one of the most well-known and ancient families of the phoenix nation. She was the last of the line, the only offspring in the Rowe family to make it to adulthood. Both of her father’s brothers had mated with humans, and while her cousins were remarkably gifted beings, none of them were phoenixes. So that left Okibi as the only child to carry on, if not the name, the legacy and power of the Rowe line. She knew her parents loved her more than anything, but they also pressured her constantly to reproduce. Okibi, dearest, the island can find someone to replace you. Her mother’s crisp voice echoed in her mind. Okibi huffed loudly and made her way to the small kitchen, lost in her thoughts and ignoring her visitor. “Yeah, sure, Mom. I’ll go ahead and forget all the years you regaled me with the tales of my ancestors. I’ll just tell Manx that, hey, I need to go continue the bloodline. No one will mind if I’m an oath-breaker.” She growled the words low, unconsciously speaking out loud. Her frustration and anger pushed aside her base needs, though a small part of her brain worried a few moments were all the reprieve she’d get. She paced the kitchen, bickering with herself, and only remembered Branimir when she smacked into the solid wall of his chest.
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“Damn! Don’t do that! Gods, give me some space, will you!” She stepped back from him, but it was too late. She’d already recognized his power, his masculinity and his viability as a good mate. Well, the phoenix in her realized this. The woman in her wanted more. She looked into eyes of fire orange and saw desire there. And Okibi knew at least part of that hunger had nothing to do with her heritage and everything to do with her femininity. Need blossomed, hot and strong, in her belly. “I apologize. It seems like I do that a lot around you.” Branimir gave a selfdeprecating chuckle and took a couple of steps back himself. She gave his cock a pointed look. It was hard not to notice its solid, straining length. He sighed. “Do you have something I can cover up with?” Okibi nodded and moved to a drawer beside the sink. She pulled out an apron and handed it to him. He slipped it over his head and tied it around his waist. She couldn’t stop a small giggle from escaping her lips as she read the words across the chest of it. “Charcoal briquette anyone?” was printed in white letters, blue flames dancing around each character. It had been a birthday gift from Baen, the ecological guardian of the waters around Rookery Cove. Fitting, since the last time she’d attempted to cook over an open flame, he’d had to come put out the fire and her meal had indeed been charred beyond edibility. The apron also featured a picture below the words of a man standing in front of a blazing barbeque, a bag of charcoal in one hand and a plate of burnt meat in the other. Branimir looked down and shook his head, chuckling softly. “Nice. I prefer my food a bit less done. I guess this means you don’t cook?” He raised one thick eyebrow at her and Okibi snorted. “Only as a last resort.” She sighed inwardly. The attraction between them snapped and sparked, but he wasn’t pushing. It was hard to stay angry with him when he was being so charming. And considerate. They both knew he could have pressed his advantage, Okibi couldn’t argue he had one, and fucked her into oblivion. She didn’t trust him, but his choice to back off definitely earned him brownie points.
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“Can we start over? Well, okay, so we can’t pretend I’m not hot for you --” he gestured to the tenting apron, “-- but I want to get to know you, Okibi. I’d like to let you get to know me.” His voice caressed her in places she hadn’t been touched in too long. It was warm, open, and oh so masculine. She shivered in response, and gave him an honest look. She knew her eyes spoke of her wariness, of her ever-present lust, but she was also curious. “I thought you wanted to fuck, griffon. Trying a different tactic?” She expected him to get angry, but instead he laughed, his orange eyes sparkling with mirth. “I do and no. But I understand the compulsion you just spoke of to keep your oath and protect this island.” Okibi stifled a groan, embarrassed her ranting had been aloud. “Really.” She couldn’t keep the sarcasm from her tone, but her curiosity was piqued. Plus, focusing on his words, instead of his body, helped keep the throbbing between her legs at a tolerable level. She moved to the small dinette and pulled out a chair. Sitting down, she motioned for him to join her. Branimir pulled out the seat opposite hers and sat down, finally concealing his erection. “Well, to condense a hundred thousand years of history, griffons are an interesting race.” “And?” Branimir kept his explanation succinct, covering what made him different, how he’d become king. Okibi nodded, honestly interested. “So why haven’t you paired up yet?” Branimir paused, mulling something silently. She felt frustration churning through him. “I need a mate who wants to protect my people, to see them thrive, as much as I do. As much as I have to.” “And love? Does that play a part in your choice? And why me, specifically?” Okibi watched his face as she said “love.” His fiery eyes softened and grew a little unfocused. “You already love someone, don’t you?”
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The peacefulness of the situation fled as Okibi’s anger rose. “How dare you! What do you think I am, an heir making machine? That I’ll be content to bear young and be mate in name only?” She growled the words and jumped from her chair. Branimir stood just as quickly, his large, calloused hand flashing out to grip her upper arm. “It’s not what you think, Okibi. If you’ll let me explain --” “I don’t want excuses, griffon.” She jerked her arm from his grasp and moved to the middle of her home. She looked up at the sky through her open roof. A light rain had begun to fall. The tiny droplets collected on her sheltering spell. They looked to be suspended in mid-drop, the magic keeping her home dry merely stilling them in the descent. She took a deep breath and dropped her robe. I should have known he wouldn’t be here for me. He’s here for what I can do for him. “Okibi, wait. Please, listen to me. Yes, I’ve loved, am in love with someone else. But that person can’t give me children.” She turned to look at him, the truth of his words reflected upon his features. “I’m sorry to hear that, Branimir. But I won’t be used. Not by my parents, not by Rookery Cove Aphrodisiacs, and not by you.” Hoping to burn off her anger and disappointment, Okibi slowly started the process of shifting shape. She called the flame of rebirth, watching as blue fire danced along her skin until her body was engulfed. She closed her eyes and tilted her head back, savoring the heat, the burning sensation growing inside her body. The inferno swallowed her flesh. Her human skin blackened and turned to ash, but since the flames were more metaphysical than true there was no pain or horrible smell. Okibi cried out, the phoenix song rising through her body, its magical sound both haunting and compelling. Power coalesced and Okibi’s energy folded inward, condensing into a tiny prick of magic. From far away she heard Branimir’s voice. “My lover isn’t barren, Okibi!” A flit of confusion nagged her brain, as if she was missing something, but Okibi ignored it. When her magic had become a tight, hot pinpoint of energy, she released it outward.
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Her shape exploded in a blast of flames, the phoenix rising from the floor of the house and into the sky in a shower of sparks and ashen rain. “Okibi, my lover is a man!”
Chapter 6 Branimir groaned out loud, shocked at what had come from his mouth. He looked up into the air at Okibi, tensing when the enormous scarlet-feathered bird tumbled in the sky. He breathed a sigh of relief when she got her wings under her once again. Okibi was magnificent, circling the house with long, graceful beats of her beautiful wings. The light danced, fracturing into every shade imaginable and more, across her plumage. She took his breath. The phoenix landed a few paces in front of him, but didn’t take human appearance. Branimir tried to swallow, but his mouth was dry. He was no match for her as a biped. The sound of her razor sharp claws clicking against the wood floor made Branimir shiver. For a second, he felt like prey. You’d better explain yourself. He wasn’t surprised Okibi could psychically project her thoughts, though the strange vibration her words resonated on made his ears buzz. Without hesitation, she invaded his space, putting her avian visage startlingly close to his human one. The phoenix’s black eyes bored into his and her curved, golden beak brushed across his lips. A tingle passed through the sensitive flesh and Branimir fought the urge to lick them, certain any quick motion by a shiny, pink object was not a good idea. “I think I should clarify that I’m not looking for a breeder. Both my lover and I want a mate. Both of us prefer females, though we’ve had our fair share of men as well.” Her head cocked to the side before her next thought manifested. “Greedy much?”
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He swallowed a laugh. “No. I told you there weren’t many females interested in commitment. Keythongs often share female mates.” “Okay, but…” Okibi trailed off. “Yes, some of us commit to males. Sexual preference, on the whole, isn’t something we think about.” Her liquid eyes blinked slowly, the nictitating membrane sliding over the cornea, and she stepped back a pace. She ruffled her feathers, squawked loudly at him, and turned away, forcing him to step back or be knocked over by her body. This time, her shift was quicker. Flames exploded outward in a blinding flash, and then she stepped from the cloud of smoke and ash with two legs and arms once more. “So, when were you planning to tell me about this, griffon?”
With measured breaths, Okibi managed to control the lust curling her toes. Two men. Two. Long hidden fantasies pulled at her focus, as she struggled to maintain her irritated façade. The gods have it in for me. There’s no other way to explain Branimir coming here, conveniently already in love with another man. Only the gods know how much the thought of two men as mates appeals to me. Okibi tried not to sigh as the flicker of hopeful lust was doused by shame. Her parents would die if she mated with two men. It was considered unseemly. Regardless that it made perfect sense to have more than one sexual partner during the Burning Time and more than one mate to carry the burden of raising young. Okibi had her family’s good name, not to mention lineage, to consider. She began to sweat, as ignored needs reared their ugly heads. She felt, rather than heard, the answering rumble of masculine interest. Her head spun. She was tired of fighting her body and her attraction to Branimir. Each passing second doubled her arousal, but his secret was enough to make her fall to her knees and beg the gods to stop punishing her. In short, she was overwhelmed. Strong, rough hands cupped her shoulders. Okibi tried to pull away, though not with any real dedication. Branimir pressed his rock hard body to hers, the thin cloth of
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the apron less a reminder for her to regain her sanity and more a seductive call to fall deeper into the madness torturing her. “Viktor, my lover, and I spoke at length about the real possibility that we would not share you. I wasn’t going to mention it at all unless I thought you were receptive.” His lips moved against the shell of her ear, his words soft yet burning hot. Okibi couldn’t stop the whimper from escaping her throat. Her body was already aroused, the added stimulation of his touch making her knees weak. Her empty core contracted and the liquid of her desire wept onto her labia and inner thighs. “I don’t --” “Shut up, Okibi. You do. We’re going to fuck, and then we’re going to continue getting to know each other.” “Uh…” Okibi knew there was something she should say, but the jut of his hard cock, the warmth of his hard muscles, the way he made her feel small and delicate, not to mention the fire of her Burning Time, confused her thoughts until all that remained was the animal inside and its needs. He nipped her ear, the sharp contact sending erotic shivers cascading through her body. “I’m going to take you, hard and fast because I know it’s what you need. The first time.” Branimir’s mouth slipped from her ear to the curve of her neck. He pressed teeth to the erogenous spot, and Okibi arched into him. Her nipples drew tight, her breasts tingling. “This is such a bad idea.” She shuddered as she spoke. “I can’t take more than one mate. It’s never happened. It isn’t done.” “Perhaps. In any case, Viktor will be here in the morning.” Okibi’s body reacted to his words with a jolt of need and a choked gasp. “And, Okibi, I’m going to share this experience with him. Right now. He’ll know how tight your body is around mine, he’ll feel your heat, your power, your release, through me.” “Gods!” Her knees gave and Branimir’s arm came around her, one large hand cupping a full breast, a long finger circling the swollen tip. Her clit throbbed and she
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felt herself grow wetter. He was going to kill her with desire and Okibi didn’t think that sounded too bad. “The gods have nothing to do with this.” Turning her in his arms, he pinched her nipple, not too hard, but firmly. His touch was perfect, as if he knew exactly what to do to swamp her with need and drench her body with desire. She moaned, her hips pressing back against him, her clit straining, wanting to experience what her breasts already knew. Branimir’s touch was magic. “Please. Please don’t make me wait.” She struggled to whisper the words, to force her lips and tongue to form the shapes necessary for speech, the Burning Time tearing away all inhibition. She needed his cock between her legs, driving her toward orgasm, stretching her body to painful limits. Terrified and relieved at the same time, Okibi suspected what was about to happen would tie her to Branimir as certainly as iron chains. She’d never felt this pull for a male before. Whether it was just the griffon or some kind of punishment for ignoring her Kokugen Nenshou was beside the point. Events were set in motion, changing everything. Okibi gasped when Branimir pulled her tight against his body, his strength pushing the air from her lungs. The granite thrust of his cock pressed into her backside, setting her teeth on edge as need exploded through her. She cried out when his large hands claimed both breasts and his hot tongue swept inside her ear. A shift of his body here and a lift of hers there put his cock firmly between the wet, swollen lips of her sex, the thin material of the apron only heightening the sensation. She reached behind her head with both arms, sinking her fingers into his thick hair. She curled her fingers inward, pulling the strands tight. “Now, griffon. Fuck me now!” He bit her earlobe, harder this time, painfully, and released her breasts. She eased her grip on his hair and he turned them back toward the kitchen. It took but a few steps for him to reach the table. Branimir slid her off his cock and put her on her feet. “Get on the chair and lean over.” His voice was low and harsh, his desire just as palpable as hers. Okibi stumbled and strong hands steadied her as she
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did what he bade. The sound of tearing cloth was loud in her ears, louder than her pulse, louder than the screaming rage of her hunger. She gasped when Branimir’s large hands gripped her hips, hard. He jerked her backwards, and she widened her stance, tilting her ass up to reveal her swollen pussy. Branimir growled low in his body. She felt him tremble as he moved closer. He squeezed the soft flesh beneath his hands and Okibi sighed brokenly. Releasing one hip, he skated long fingers over the top of her ass, slipping them down the sensitive cleft before dipping first one and then two digits into her molten, aching core. “Mmm.” She couldn’t stop the pulse of her body around his any more than she could stop the needy sound escaping her lips. Branimir teased her cunt and Okibi wiggled, wanting him deeper, needing him to fill her. His fingers slipped from her and she felt the light hair on the back of his hand tease her bottom. And then Okibi screamed as he plunged home, deep, his balls slapping her clit as he seated himself so far inside she thought he’d come out her throat. His unrestrained thrust had her pussy burning, stretching to accommodate his girth. But he felt so gods damned good, she couldn’t hold back her scream. “Branimir!”
*** Viktor! Give me strength! Branimir sent the thoughts beyond the island, across the churning waves of the ocean, ricocheting through the mountainous peaks of his homeland, and straight into the mind of his most beloved friend, confidant, and partner. He felt Viktor’s shock at the unbidden intrusion. Being oath-bound, united by blood and psyche, had saved their lives a million times in battle. It came in handy when they discussed matters of state, keeping out prying ears. They’d even used it in bed, an intimate way of sharing their pleasure without screaming it so anyone near could hear their exultation.
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But they’d never used their telepathic link quite like this before, and he knew Viktor was both enraged and enraptured by the feelings, thoughts, and images Branimir had just pounded into his mind without warning. Branimir, what are -- Is that the phoenix? Gods, you want strength? I’m in the middle of a meeting with the Council of Advisors! Viktor’s exasperation, and arousal, beat at Branimir, giving him the control he’d nearly lost the moment he guided his cock between the red lips of her cunt and filled Okibi’s body. It was an agony of ecstasy being sheathed inside of her silken cunt. Her body seared his. The intensity of her grip, the heat of her need, made his balls pull close and sent electric shocks of impending orgasmic bliss waltzing up and down his spine. Being one with Okibi felt perfect, right, glorious. He’d found his mate. He knew it. Viktor’s grounding force gave Branimir some room to breathe, to savor the sensation without being overwhelmed. He tightened his grip on Okibi’s hips and slowly withdrew, his cock getting hotter and hotter each moment he spent inside her. She whimpered as he pulled out, her pussy clutching at him, rippling around his rigid length. A sound rarely heard outside the African plains rumbled from his chest. He chuffed his pleasure, sharing with both Okibi and Viktor the measure of his gratification. He opened his eyes and looked at her body, quivering on the end of his. Her spine was arched with sinuous grace. Her hands were balled into fists, which slowly pounded the wood supporting her arms and upper body. As he pushed himself into her cunt again, her neck arched and her back bowed. He grunted when he saw her hands flash out and slam palms down on the tabletop. “Damn it!” She hissed the words at him, and Branimir felt them against his skin, a sensual lash to spur him on. She fought his grip, grinding herself back against him, taking him impossibly deeper. “That’s it. That’s where I want your cock!” She’s so unrestrained. Viktor’s dark voice sifted into Branimir’s mind. His friend’s desire was thick in the heavy tenor of his words.
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She’s perfect. Her cunt is so hot, the fluids of her body heat my skin, raise my hunger unlike anyone or anything else. I know. I feel what you feel. Bran, you have to break the link between us. My cock is so hard I couldn’t stand up if I wanted to. My balls feel like they are going to explode. I’ll be there as soon as I can, but if you don’t free me, the Council of Advisors will know how deeply our oath binds us. She wants two mates, Viktor. I could smell how much two males appeals to her when I told her my lover was a man. The surge of Viktor’s lust made Branimir cry out. It was savage, rampaging through him, pushing him to the edge of sexual frenzy and filling him with a dark satisfaction. It works both ways, Bran. I should sever this, I will. But I want to hear her scream. Make her scream, Branimir. Branimir shook, his control shattered by Viktor’s need and Okibi’s passion. He looked down at her shapely ass, hiding his cock from view. His patience was shot, and with the raw hunger of his lover goading him on, he let himself go. Her pussy was so wet he knew his cock must have shone with her desire though his vision was too hazy to know for sure. Spreading his legs farther apart, he pushed her off his cock and rammed himself back in as fast as he could. She gasped, but he didn’t ask if he hurt her. He didn’t need to; he heard the slap of her hands on the wood again. All the way out of her tight cunt he withdrew, before plunging back in to the balls. Branimir slid his hands from her hips and around to cup the front of her thighs, lifting her knees from the chair and spreading her legs a bit, giving himself more room to maneuver. Holding her tight against him, he angled his cock, making certain the thick head and uncut shaft rubbed against her most sensitive spot. Three hard strokes, four, five and she gave Viktor what he wanted. “Fuck yes, Branimir! Gods yes!” She screamed the words, her voice cracking at the end.
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I’m coming, Branimir. Whether Viktor meant he’d be at Rookery Cove before morning, or whether he meant he’d found release, Branimir couldn’t determine. His second brutally severed their link as soon as the words were sent. And Branimir didn’t care, either. Okibi’s visceral responses left no space for any other focus. Branimir lifted her higher and pounded her hard, holding nothing back, joyous when she took all of it and begged for more. Okibi’s body tightened around him and he knew she was close. He had to see her face when she came. He wanted her to see his. He slipped free of her body, the telltale fluttering of her pussy entreating him to take her over the edge. “No! Don’t stop!” Her head whipped to the right, her furious gaze clashing with his. He didn’t stop to explain or pacify her. Instead, Branimir grabbed her left upper arm and jerked her from the table. She tripped, but his hands were already under both of her arms, and he lifted her into the air as if she weighed nothing. He slid one arm around her back as she wrapped her legs around his waist. The arm at her back glided higher, pulling her face close. His eyes and hers collided, neither blinking, as he used his other hand to guide his cock to her dripping cunt. Okibi thrust against him, her eyes widening when the thick meat of his prick funneled back inside her fiery body. Branimir tilted his head and took her mouth, harshly, his lips sliding against hers, his tongue plunging into her mouth in counterpoint to the savage friction of his cock. Okibi sucked his tongue deeper into her mouth, her own nubile flesh swirling around the invader. He groaned into her and she swallowed the sound, and then gave it back to him. Her humming cry built in volume, her pussy seizing around his straining cock, as she wavered on the brink. “Come, Okibi!” He slammed violently into her pussy, the rippling of her cunt becoming chaotic around him. The length of her body, long slick from her sweat and the aphrodisiac oils she produced, seemed to melt onto him. Her skin became slicker, and her scent overwhelmed him. His hunger tripled and his body lost any rhythm, each stroke faster, harder, than the one before. Her legs tightened around him, and Branimir
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grabbed her waist in a vise-like grip. The muscles in his arms and back screamed as he crammed himself into her in a mindless cadence. His breath bellowing, he lifted her up and slammed her back onto his cock as hard as possible. His eyes locked to hers, he fucked her with everything he had. As Branimir watched, her eyes, her beautiful obsidian eyes, exploded with azure flame. The electric blue spark ignited deep in her pupils, quickly expanding outward to consume the whole of her iris. Her full mouth opened wide in a soundless scream as her body contracted tighter than any fist and she found the ultimate satisfaction. Okibi’s release poured from her cunt, coating his cock in thick cream and making each thrust of his hips audible. Branimir watched the fire in her eyes dissipate as he continued to fuck her shuddering body. He let go of her waist, lowering one hand to hold her ass in a punishing grip and burying the other in her hair. Okibi’s breath returned and she screamed incoherent words, continuing to come, her pussy flexing, pumping his cock, tearing his own orgasm from his body. Branimir wanted to hold off, but the electric sensation blasting from his cock, to his brain, and back again, meant he was beyond the brink. He reached for the culmination shining so brightly in Okibi’s face, in her eyes, and found it. The intensity of his ejaculation forced his eyes closed for a moment, but he opened them quickly. Branimir stared hard into her unfocused eyes as his balls exploded with pleasure. Watched the satisfaction light them when he bellowed her name. “Okibi!” He ground his pelvis against hers, guttural sounds accompanying every spurt of his hot seed into her welcoming cunt. His cock jerked three times, four, and finally a fifth time, emptying his balls of come and taking the last of his strength. With what was left of his logic, Branimir staggered to Okibi’s bed and collapsed on it, turning so he bore her weight, his cock still imbedded in the fluttering bliss of her sex. They lay there, breath heaving, bodies aching. Her hand stirred against his chest, ruffling the hair. She sighed heavily before slowly lifting her head to look at him.
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“I’m well and truly fucked.” Worry struck him when she said nothing else, the words hanging heavy between them. Then her lips quirked and she laughed huskily. He wasn’t sure if he hid his relief, so intense was the rush of it. But Branimir hugged her close and chuckled, happier than he’d ever been.
Chapter 7 Okibi stirred, hunger of the ordinary kind making her stomach growl. She stretched, wincing a bit when her right knee groaned. She lay there next to Branimir’s thick, firm body and mentally replayed the most intense sexual experience she’d ever. His body was perfection, no doubt. His cock was just to her liking, too, long, weighty, and broad. When he’d linked with his lover, though, things had turned remarkable. Okibi could have tapped into their connection -- she was an adept telepath -- but she’d been too afraid of what she’d hear or feel, to do it. Regardless, she’d felt the power of the other in Branimir’s mind. His cock had throbbed inside her, becoming like granite buried deep, his unforgiving length only spurring her body to excrete more pheromones and her sex to flood with need. Okibi choked on a moan as she recalled Branimir’s possession. He’d been rough, yet gentle, making certain she was pleasured by every thrust, every withdrawal. The grip of his hands, the touch of his mouth, it was as if he saw inside her and gave her everything she wanted and couldn’t ask for. She’d meant what she said. She was well and truly fucked. With a muffled sigh, she rolled away from him and onto her back. Instinct told her the next phase in the mating process had already begun. Kokugen Nenshou was more than estrus. It was literally a burning time. The Kokugen Nenshou was both an intense drive to have sex, as well as the only time a phoenix could mate. Okibi could reproduce anytime, though the urge to do so was maddeningly powerful during her heat, but Kokugen Nenshou was the only path to a life pairing. As long as the second phase of the ritual wasn’t initiated, the urgent compulsions went away for another twenty years and that was that.
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The second stage, called Charenji Nenshou or Burning Challenge, was uncharted water for Okibi. She’d never allowed a lover to trigger it, but with Branimir there’d been no stopping. The intensity of her orgasm had roused the phoenix, setting off a chain reaction that had to be followed through to the end. Charenji Nenshou consisted of her partner or partners battling Okibi to prove they could be mate to a phoenix. The Charenji was a test of fighting skills, both defensive and offensive. The art of war was an instinct buried deep in the core of a phoenix, and a partner must be able to fight. If I don’t tell Branimir what’s happened, maybe I can get through the next ten days intact. As soon as she thought it, she was ashamed. Okibi’s honor wouldn’t allow her to lie, regardless if it was by omission. I really nailed it when I said I was fucked. Her stomach grumbled again, but Okibi’s appetite was gone. Thinking about the third stage of Kokugen Nenshou would do that to anyone. The idea of turning your lover into a giant hunk of charcoal was quite unappetizing. Fennikusu Setsuzoku. The Phoenix Link, the last step. If it went right, an irrevocable bond formed. If it went wrong, the phoenix would burn the male or males trying to become her mate, leaving only a charred corpse and ash as testament to their life. And no two potential mates have ever survived Fennikusu Setsuzoku, which is why we’re monogamous. The voice in her mind that lured her into dark fantasies and dreams spoke up in a seductive tone. If they both survive, you can have them. The phoenix will have chosen them and it won’t be denied. True words, but they didn’t offer her any respite. Her family, her people, wouldn’t be able to refute what happened, but she’d probably be shunned, leaving a black mark on an untainted name. Her belly cramped and Okibi rolled fully away from Branimir. She was too awake now to ignore her need for food, and her thoughts continued to move onward. Worrying wouldn’t get her anywhere. It was too late for worry now anyway. If Branimir didn’t know the intricacies of phoenix mating, he would soon enough.
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Irritation tried to get a foothold in her mind, but Okibi pushed it aside. The griffon had been straightforward from the get go, honest in his intention to find a queen and a mate. Yes, he’d neglected to tell her of his sexuality up front, but she couldn’t fault him for it. Instead of trying to find someone to blame, Okibi accepted her responsibility for the path this relationship, for want of something better to call it, was taking. Slowly she sat up, careful not to wake the sleeping man beside her. She turned her head, opening her eyes to day’s early light, and simply watched him. His breathing was deep and even, his longish hair falling across his forehead. She felt the stir of desire in her stomach, but there were other feelings rising, too. She wasn’t in love with Branimir, but she could be very easily. Talking with him yesterday had been fun, freeing, and natural. He was an animated conversationalist, his orange eyes dancing with humor, his gorgeous mouth smiling often. He moved his hands when he spoke, not in an audacious way, but in the way of someone whose mind works faster than their tongue. “He’s beautiful, isn’t he?”
Chapter 8 Instead of jumping off the bed and blasting the owner of the smoky whisper, Okibi drew a deep breath and held her anger in check. She knew who spoke. She suppressed the sensual shiver those quiet words evoked, instead focusing her energy on slowing her pounding heart and squashing the sudden burst of nervousness in her abdomen. Turning to face the voice, she bit her tongue to stop a gasp. Viktor was light where Branimir was dark, and dark where he was light. He had a golden mane of hair, thick and long, hanging well past his shoulders. It framed his square, craggy face, making his amber fire eyes glow. They were orange, too, though unlike Branimir’s. Their color was muted, dappled with mystery and filled with shadows. This man was dangerous in a way most men wanted to be and were not. Okibi couldn’t hide the erotic shudder this time. His aura alone seduced her. Here was a man who would best her. Though Viktor’s face was as bold and sharp as Branimir’s, it was obvious he’d seen the rougher side of life. A scar bisected his left eyebrow, his nose crooked slightly to the right, obviously broken at some point and not perfectly reset. The fullness of his lips drew her gaze, their lushness so obviously sensual when the rest of his features were hard, unrelenting. “I’m nowhere near as attractive, phoenix. There is no reason to let your eyes linger.” He’d pulled one of the kitchen chairs to her side of the bed. Slowly, he unfolded his length and stood, reaching his hands over his head to work out the kinks of a long sit. Okibi stopped herself from saying he was wrong, she had every reason to linger. Her impulse to soothe him, for that was what it was, disturbed her. She didn’t know
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Viktor. What reason did she have for wanting to make him feel better? She disregarded the impulse and continued taking in the man before her. Though not quite as tall as Branimir, Viktor still stood a good six inches taller than she. And while he wasn’t as tall, he made up for it in breadth and sheer mass. His shoulders were wider, thicker, the muscles bulging as he worked out the kinks in his back and chest. His musculature was the same over his entire body. She could see the bold definition of his chest beneath the simple blue T-shirt he wore. Her tongue darted out and wet her lips when she caught the impressions of his tiny nipples through the fabric. Trying hard not to make a complete fool of herself, she tracked her gaze onward. Down his powerful legs, to his feet, and then back up. She blinked several times when she passed over his groin. Yes, Okibi, that is one very hard, very BIG cock you detect behind that denim. She swallowed hard and stood up herself, hoping to hide both her interest and her embarrassment by fully revealing her wares, so to speak. “You are stunning.” Okibi looked straight into Viktor’s eyes, pleased to see arousal burning there. She held herself still and let him look his fill, feeling the fire inside grow as the seconds ticked past. She felt his gaze, the slow movement of his eyes over her skin as vivid as fingers and flesh. Her nipples pebbled when he stalled on her breasts. Her skin flushed and her breathing grew rapid. She sensed the unfurling of her nether lips, the slickening of her pussy. Blood rushed to her sex, bringing her clit to vibrant life, making it hum with need. She fought not to press her thighs together to ease the ache building between them. When he grunted, she moaned. Perspiration beaded on her forehead. She curled her fingers into the palms of her hands, trying to control the sudden urge to reach out to him. She watched his nostrils flare and when his eyes met hers again, the impact was primeval. Hunger exploded and she growled. He bared his teeth, shining white against the deep pink of his lips.
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Viktor stepped toward her and broke the spell, somewhat. Realizing she was on the verge of fucking a man she’d just met shocked her into action. “Stay there.” His body tensed until she thought he’d break, but Viktor stayed where he was. His alluring eyes narrowed and he gave her a dark look. “You won’t have us both then.” Viktor kept his voice low, but his contempt and anger couldn’t have been clearer. “I didn’t say that. I don’t know you, Viktor.” His body jerked as if she’d hit him and Okibi’s pussy clenched. Just saying his name brought the hunger flooding back, into both of them she suspected. Distract yourself, Okibi. She tried to think of something, anything, and Manx popped into her head. Oh, shit. I have to let him know Viktor is here, or he’ll flip. Overjoyed at the chance to pull herself out of the downward spiral her conversation with Viktor had taken, she searched out Manx’s energy, surprised to find him back on the island. Manx, Branimir’s second in command is on the island.
I know. If I weren’t so busy with my Frau, I’d have already been there. Do you need me?
Okibi wanted to say yes, but she couldn’t. It was cowardly and unacceptable. No, I’m good. Congrats on finding the Frau. She interjected true warmth into her words, happy for Manx. I can handle them. I’m sure you can. If you need me, just call. “Fantasizing about me?” The arrogant words severed Okibi’s connection to Manx. She clenched her jaw and glared at Viktor. “Not hardly! More like saving your dumb ass. You do know the Master of the Hunt protects this island as well? And neither of us particularly cares for surprise guests. I was letting him know you were here. I don’t want you here, so you should be thankful I even told him. He enjoys fresh fowl.” She quirked an eyebrow at him, and he smirked. “You want me, don’t deny it.” The words slipped from his lips, soft in strength yet carrying an enormous weight. His eyes flashed, and the flame Okibi tried to ignore flared back to life, growing hotter, spreading through her body, uncontrollable.
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“I want anything with a cock.” She looked at the bold proof Viktor had straining his jeans. “You’re pleasingly endowed, I must say. Is all that for me, or for your lover on the bed? Do you only fuck men?” The antagonistic hiss was unlike her, but Okibi couldn’t stop it. I’ve lost my fucking mind! Viktor’s jaw clenched and irritation colored his features. Instincts long dormant awoke deep within and Okibi struggled to control them. She wanted to push him further, to break his control and force him to attack. Shit, I wish my parents had explained this Charenji phase in more detail! “You know this --” he cupped his erection through his jeans and a part of Okibi melted, turning into a pile of wanton goo, “-- is for you alone. The Charenji Nenshou has already started, hasn’t it?” “Obviously!” She spat the venomous word. “Too much of a coward to come to me on step one, eh? So sad, you don’t know how to use the weapon between your legs!” Okibi was mortified by her words. She wanted to clap her hands over her mouth, but her body wouldn’t comply with her brain. The phoenix was awake and gaining control over Okibi. So while her humanity writhed with embarrassment and indignation, the firebird dug deep and added kindling to the fires of lust and rage. She wanted a fight, and by the look on Viktor’s face, she might just get one.
Chapter 9 Viktor could not believe what had just come out of Okibi’s sexy mouth. He went from unsure of where he stood with her to incensed, in a split second. His hands curled into tight fists at his side, he closed his eyes, and he calmly counted to ten in his head. He took into account the fact that the challenge stage of her mating cycle had begun and drew strength from the knowledge that if she didn’t find him appealing and worthy partner material, she wouldn’t be provoking him. “I’m going to pretend you didn’t say that, phoenix.” He opened his eyes and looked her over once more. She was a little more muscular than he preferred. Her breasts were perfect, though, the strange shade of her areolas and nipples a beacon in the expanse of creamy exposed skin. They looked as if they were burning, and coupled with the sheen of perspiration on her body, he wondered if they were. Her face was lovely, her eyes fascinating, her body lithe yet lush, and her smell hypnotic. Images, the sounds of her supplication, filtered through Branimir, had been enough to bring him to orgasm in the middle of the Council of Advisors. He’d never been so overwhelmed in his life. Viktor had been embarrassed by his reactions, furious at his loss of control, and determined to get to Rookery Cove as quickly as possible. Remembering how Branimir had felt buried balls deep in her cunt sent a flash of jealousy through Viktor. Honestly, he didn’t know who he was jealous of, Branimir or Okibi. Which only pissed him off more. He rumbled, unconsciously. She laughed, a sarcastic, demeaning sound. “What’s the matter, griffon? Worried you won’t measure up to my lover? He was spectacular.” The barb struck deep and Viktor lunged for her.
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She laughed again, easily side stepping him. Viktor whirled, claws bursting from his nail beds as his animal instincts rushed to the surface. Strong arms wrapped around him, locking at the front of his chest. “I’m not hers. Not yet.” Viktor tried to break free, but Branimir tightened his hold, bringing his body flush against Viktor’s. The strong, thick press of Branimir’s cock against his hip calmed Viktor, set lust free to override his anger. Soft lips caressed the shell of his ear, hot breath bringing his cock to painful life. He called back the beast, and wrapped human hands around Branimir’s forearms. “Bran, it’s good you awoke. The Charenji Nenshou has begun.”
Remind me what that means. It’s hard to think with you so close. I’ve missed you, Viktor.
Branimir’s presence filled Viktor’s mind and he smiled, inside. The Burning Challenge, the part of the phoenix mating ritual when potential mates must prove themselves in battle. It’s not about controlling her, but about proving ourselves as warriors. We don’t have to beat her, but we do have to achieve a draw. I knew she was spoiling for a fight. I thought she’d already gotten to this point. Branimir’s curiosity, and the sarcastic lilt in his tone, only made Viktor want to smile harder. His lover never took anything completely seriously and he was constantly reading and learning, his thirst for knowledge unquenchable. Maybe you aren’t as charming as you think.
Charming enough. I got you, didn’t I?
You can’t count me, I wanted to fuck you since we came into sexual maturity. You’ve got
a great ass. Branimir was the only one who could bring out the playful side of him and Viktor loved him more for it. “Stop doing that, damn it. I can feel you talking to each other and it’s pissing me off!” Viktor had almost forgotten Okibi. He felt Branimir’s focus shift to her and his followed. “Feel us? Well, that’s something we didn’t know. So you aren’t just pyrokinetic, but you’re telepathic as well.” Viktor let Branimir talk, sure if he opened his mouth she’d spew another cutting remark.
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“I’m so much more than that. Wanna see?” Viktor felt Branimir tense around him. There was something dangerous in her eyes. Next to them, the bed began to shake. The heavy wooden frame trembled like a dry leaf in the autumn breeze. The shaking grew more violent, the mattresses leaping from the bed and hurtling into the wardrobe. The heavy piece of furniture exploded as if the bedding were made of stone and not feathers. Viktor lifted an eyebrow, impressed but refusing to let her see it. She’s fucking telekinetic. Awe and wariness filled Branimir’s comment. Interesting. I think we need to distract her before she decides to toss us into the wall. What do you suggest? Viktor smirked inwardly. He had an idea, though it was treacherous at best. Get on your knees, Branimir. Let’s see if she likes to watch. Branimir loved the idea, a lot, if the jerk of his cock and the desire pounding into Viktor were any indication. “I told you to stop that!” The bed’s empty frame stopped rattling as her scream tore through the house, tearing books from shelves, sending dishes clattering to the floor to shatter, and making Viktor and Branimir stumble. Viktor saw fire glow in the depths of her black eyes. He yanked Branimir’s arms from around his waist, pulling his lover to stand in front of him. Her fury set Viktor on fire, bringing his darkest desires to stunning life. Here was a woman who could take his savagery and give it back without shying away. Her rage wasn’t out of control. It was hard, merciless and completely focused. He watched Okibi physically seethe and felt his balls draw up and his cock throb with excruciating need. She was breathtaking in her fury and Viktor rejoiced. This woman had darkness in her. It called to him. She was strong, powerful and beautiful. But she understood the cold, calculating mindset of a true warrior. She wouldn’t flinch in battle. No, Okibi Rowe would kill without a second thought. Looking more closely, Viktor recognized the taint of ending a life clear in the icy glare of her eyes.
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Without breaking eye contact, Viktor put his hands on Branimir’s shoulders, and shoved him to the floor. She growled and he bared his teeth. He brought his left hand to the button of his jeans, and watched her black eyes track the motion. With a flick of his thumb, the clasp released and the large crimson head of his cock surged from the opening. He unzipped the fly, tugging here and shifting there, completely freeing his “weapon” to Okibi. Her mouth dropped open and she stumbled backward, her rage disintegrating. Vicious satisfaction surged through him when the aroma of her lust invaded his senses. Lips curling in a feral grin, he looked away from her and down at Branimir. His lover’s eyes were at half-mast, their orange glow shielded. His pink tongue slipped from between his lips and Viktor reached for his hair. Thrusting long fingers into the thick, soft strands he grabbed a handful and pulled Branimir to his knees before him. “Show Okibi how to properly suck a cock, Branimir.” A sound of surrender escaped from Branimir, his intense lust rolling into Viktor through their link, as he slid his palms up Viktor’s legs. One large hand settled around the base of Viktor’s cock, while the other reached around to cup his ass. Branimir looked up at Viktor, a wicked smile on his mouth, before his tongue traced the faintest caress along the shaft of Viktor’s engorged cock. He heard a moan, thought it his for a moment, before realizing it was Okibi. Viktor glanced away from Branimir, muting the sensations flowing between them. He wanted to watch Okibi and being fully linked with Branimir would get in the way. Viktor smirked, and knew cruel delight showed on his face as he scrutinized Okibi’s reactions. She whimpered as his lover teased Viktor’s aching shaft with deft motions. She shook, her eyes glued to Branimir’s mouth, her vantage point offering her an unobstructed view of his talents. Viktor groaned and pulled Branimir’s hair, telling him without words that he was done with foreplay. He wanted to feel the hot, moist embrace of lips and tongue.
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Branimir’s hand tightened on his ass, long fingers sliding into the crease between his cheeks, teasing his asshole and making Viktor shudder. He glanced down in time to see Branimir press the width of his tongue to the underside of his cock and drag it over the weeping tip. He hummed with pleasure at the taste of Viktor’s arousal and Viktor jerked his hair harder. “Suck it, Branimir.” The words tore their way up from his gut, carried out on a dark, hungry growl. Branimir’s eyes widened and so did his mouth. He slipped the bell shaped head of Viktor’s cock past his lips, tongue undulating around it, along it, and slowly consumed every inch. When Viktor was all the way in, Branimir swallowed, his throat flexing around the sensitive head, and Viktor nearly fell to the floor. “Please, stop. Please.” The thin, whispery comment wrenched Viktor’s concentration from Branimir’s talented mouth and back to Okibi. She struggled with herself, but for or against what, Viktor couldn’t tell. Regardless of her distress, he continued to enjoy Branimir’s mouth, thrusting his hips, plunging his cock further down his lover’s throat. Branimir moaned, the sound rippling along his pulsating cock and Viktor found his voice. “No. You like it. You love it. Watching me fuck his face. I bet you wish it was your mouth servicing me.” She clutched her belly, and Viktor knew his comment had hit home. “You don’t know what you’re doing, griffon. Please, if you stop now, neither of you has to get hurt.” Viktor heard her words, but Branimir chose that moment to slip the tip of his finger into his ass and Viktor forgot whatever he might have been about to say. “Branimir! Yes!” He spread his legs apart, giving Branimir better access to the hidden spot that brought so much pleasure. Lacing his other hand through Branimir’s dark hair, he pulled his cock from the adept mouth pleasuring him and plunged it back in, rapidly shafting in and out of glorious heat and greedy flesh. Viktor felt the jolt of release electrify his body and pulled his granite length free before he spent himself.
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Dropping to his knees, Viktor looked deep into Branimir’s orange gaze. He loved this man more than anything else in life and in that moment, he had to show Okibi how he felt. Branimir leaned in and covered his mouth with lips soft as any woman’s. They fell into each other, their minds open, their emotions and needs flowing and ebbing in a perfect rhythm. Viktor plunged his tongue into Branimir’s mouth and Branimir swirled his own around it. They ate at each other’s mouths, teeth meeting, lips sliding, tongues dueling. Branimir ran his hands up Viktor’s back, testing the strength in his muscles, before gliding his palms around to his chest. He teased Viktor’s sensitive, tiny nipples through his shirt until Viktor tore his mouth free and moaned loudly. Turn around, Bran. I need to be inside you. Branimir smiled seductively, then trailed his lips over Viktor’s chin, down his neck, and finally across his left nipple. His tongue made a dark spot against the T-shirt, but the small bud beneath became painfully hard. With a mischievous hum, Branimir sank his teeth into the hard flesh beneath the soft cotton. “Fuck!” Viktor threw back his head, his need exploding. A small mew of sound from close to his ear startled him and he whipped his head around.
Chapter 10 Okibi’s face was inches from his own, her skin glistening. She knelt, her legs splayed wide beneath her, one hand buried between them, at Viktor’s left side. Her eyes were glued to Branimir’s every movement. The distinctive fragrance of her body filled the air. He took a deep breath and his head spun, Okibi’s potency irresistible. Her scent intoxicated him. He was so close to the edge of his control because of it. Viktor’s hands fell from Branimir’s head, one slipping along his lover’s cheek to cup his chin, and the other moving slowly toward Okibi. I see her. Don’t push too hard, Viktor. I don’t want to ruin this. A spark of irritation flared, but Branimir bit tender flesh harder and Viktor jolted. Branimir’s lips moved across the firm, male chest covered with thin fabric to the other nipple. Viktor slowly laid his left hand on Okibi’s thigh. She jerked, wild eyes flashing to his as she tried to pull away. He dug his fingers into her flesh, holding her in place. She stilled and Viktor eased his grip, flattening his hand and slowly, carefully, sliding it to the inside of her leg and upward. Okibi’s hand stilled, falling away from her pussy the moment his fingers caressed it. Viktor eased his fingers between the swollen lips of her sex, his cock jerking, his heart pounding at the copious amounts of fluid drenching her body. Branimir teased his nipple and Viktor’s fingers curled against Okibi as pleasure roared through him. Branimir, turn around. I can’t last much longer. Gods, she’s so wet! Branimir mumbled something against Viktor’s shirt and nipped the responsive flesh beneath his lips. Viktor growled. Branimir laughed softly in response and slowly moved his body into position. He paused in shifting to bring his face close to Okibi’s, and Viktor watched as he took her mouth, licking her full bottom lip, waiting for her to open wide
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and give him entry. She did with a loud moan, the hand still wet from her body sliding along Viktor’s forearm, sharp nails digging into his rigid flesh. Branimir ended the kiss and pulled away from her, settling himself on elbows and knees before Viktor. Viktor dipped his index finger into Okibi’s cunt, feeling her flutter around him, her juices and pheromone-laced oils collecting in his palm. Rising to his knees, Viktor moved his thumb through her sex, finding her erect clit and pressing against it. She tightened her hold on his arm and Viktor experienced a tiny prick of pain as her nails broke the skin. She keened and more of her juices flowed into his hand. Viktor took his fingers from Okibi’s body, moving slowly to make certain she watched him. The proof of her need shone in his hand, not overflowing it but apparent nonetheless. He wrapped his hand around his cock, lubricating it with her desire. Viktor gasped as sensation bombarded him. His cock felt like it would burst into flames, but in the most pleasurable way he could imagine. He took a moment to enjoy the feel of her desire wetting his cock, before he focused on Branimir. She whimpered when he guided the thick head to Branimir’s waiting ass. There’s not much lube. It’ll hurt a bit. I don’t care, Viktor. I’m about to explode here. She’s so fucking hot I can taste her. Fuck me, damn it! Viktor fit his head to the opening of Branimir’s body and pushed forward, both hands moving to his lover’s hips as he eased his way inside. Viktor bit the inside of his cheek to stop the bellow that fought its way to his throat. Whether from the heightened state of his arousal, or from the addition of Okibi’s potent excretions, Viktor didn’t know, but Branimir had never felt so good wrapped around his cock. Branimir thrust his body hard backward, impaling himself on Viktor’s shaft. “More!” Branimir flexed his sphincter muscles and Viktor dug his fingers into the sleek hips beneath his hands. This would be over quickly, but Viktor wanted to last as long as possible. He withdrew from the sweet haven of Branimir’s body and plunged back deep, his balls slapping against Branimir’s, pulling loud cries from them both.
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Okibi echoed them and Viktor swiveled his head to watch her. Her breasts were shivering so rapid were her breaths. She lifted one hand to a taut nipple, pinching the flesh and twisting it savagely. The other hand once more danced between her thighs. The sounds of her fingers swiftly plunging in and out of her body accelerated Viktor’s movements, his hips pumping in time with her fingers. His eyes didn’t leave Okibi as he plunged deep and hard into Branimir’s ass. He took savage pleasure in the wanton sounds spilling from Branimir with every stroke, delighted the noises spurred Okibi, too. Using the muscles of his back and hips, Viktor worked his cock in and out of Branimir in shorter, faster strokes, feeling his impending orgasm collect in his balls. He released one of Branimir’s hips, searching for his lover’s cock and taking it into his hand. Two strokes done in counterpoint to the rhythm of Viktor’s cock was all it took to bring Branimir to a screaming release. “Oh fuck, I’m coming!” Viktor’s jaw clenched when Branimir’s ass clamped down on his aching cock. Branimir came hard. His hot, sticky come covered Viktor’s hand and dripped onto the floor beneath them. His ass closed painfully tight, and Viktor grunted, the pain only enhancing the pleasure. He forgot about making it last, releasing Branimir’s still jerking cock to grab his hip once more. Okibi was close, her hand flashing, her wet cunt making slippery noises, her free hand ravaging her nipples. Her milky skin was flushed, her hair was soaked, and every muscle in her body was taut, standing out in gorgeous relief beneath her sleek flesh. He pounded Branimir’s ass and reached for Okibi. His fingers found her dripping cunt the moment he couldn’t hold back any longer. He plunged into both of his partners savagely deep, felt Branimir come a second time and watched with awe as Okibi detonated. “Ahh!” Her voice broke on a shriek as their fingers tangled inside the molten clasp of her pussy. Viktor’s eyes slammed closed with the power of his orgasm. He bellowed, a wordless sound of pure ecstasy. His balls throbbed violently as he emptied himself deep inside Branimir. Over and over again, Okibi’s body contracted around his
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fingers and hers. Each time, his body spewed more come into Branimir, until he jerked himself free from her and collapsed on Branimir’s back, his release finally finished. A few seconds of deep breaths and Viktor slipped his cock from Branimir’s body, both of them quivering at the torturous sensation on their raw nerves. Branimir’s knees slid from beneath him and his body collapsed to the floor under their combined weight. Viktor cracked his lids and found Okibi still shuddering, crumpled on the floor. Her eyes were closed, but somehow, he knew, she knew he watched her. Worn out from mind-blowing sex and his rush to get to the island, Viktor laid his head on Branimir’s back and passed out.
Chapter 11 Okibi sensed the moment Viktor joined Branimir in exhausted sleep. Her pussy was still contracting, and her orgasm continued to seep from her body. Exhaustion pulled at her, but Okibi fought it. What had happened was better than any fantasy, but despite the release still coursing through her body, fear grew. When she’d come, for a split second she’d been thrust into the connection between the griffons. The phoenix had taken over then, drawn by the powerful emotions flowing between the men. It had looked at them and decided. Branimir and Viktor would be tested, and gods help them if they weren’t ready. As her eyes fluttered closed and her breathing deepened, a single tear slipped from beneath one eyelid. She’d felt their love for each other, and she was jealous. She’d ached to feel that kind of unfettered love her entire life, a love for her and not her power or status. Okibi realized a hard truth then. Taboo or not, if Branimir and Viktor could love her as deeply, as strongly, as they loved each other, she’d go against everything she’d ever known to keep them both.
*** Vicious cramps ripped Okibi from sleep. The sun was low in the sky. She jerked up from the floor in shock. The entire day had come and gone! Painful throbs of her heart stole her breath. Terrified of what she’d find, she slowly looked over her shoulder. The fading rays of light caressed the sleeping men entwined by her side. Thank the gods, neither of them stirred. Okibi had to choke off a nervous, relieved laugh as she got off the floor. Her body complained loudly, from the kink in her side to the tenderness in her back. Note to self: do not sleep on floor. The bit of sarcastic humor was so welcome, she almost lost her grip on the giggle. Drawing a slow, calming breath Okibi grinned so hard her cheeks hurt. She felt like her normal self for the first time in days.
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The yearning need in her gut was quiet. That could be because your bladder is about to explode and you’re starving. She shook her head at the inner voice and carefully turned toward her bed. The thrashed remains of her mattress and wardrobe lay in a chaotic heap. Okibi rolled her eyes at the destruction her tantrum had left. Calling magic, she closed her eyelids and undid what her fury had wrought. It took nothing more than a focused image of what she wanted in her mind. When she opened her eyes, her mattress sat repaired and re-stuffed on the bed frame. The room was spotless. Not a speck of debris cluttered the floor. All of her clothing was put away, the wardrobe again in one piece. Okibi hurried to find clothes. Grabbing a light tank and matching sleep shorts, she headed into the bathroom at a near run. Her bladder still thanking her loudly, her body scrubbed and refreshed, Okibi left the bathroom ready to face what was next. A stab of disappointment cut through her chest when she saw the fellows were still unconscious. Her stomach cramped again and Okibi shrugged. If the smell of food didn’t wake them, they weren’t really men. She rifled through the fridge, pulling out a package of venison chops and Kobe beef filets. She was in the mood for game, but she figured Viktor and Branimir would appreciate the exquisite flavor of her native country’s famous steak. Not inclined to tempt the fates, she pulled out one of her mother’s recipes for broiling meat. She lost herself in mixing the marinade, setting the oven, and putting the food in to cook without her help. Okibi made coffee and tore up greens for a salad, the mundane actions giving her time to assimilate some of what she was feeling inside. Being caught in the flow of emotions between Branimir and Viktor still stunned her. She’d never been that intimate with anyone. Sure, she expected to be with her mate. It was part of the binding during the Fennikusu Setsuzoku, but the three of them weren’t partnered. Yet. Time had stood still during that interlude. Her fingers had twined with Viktor’s, buried deep inside her violently aroused cunt, a brilliant orgasm hovering just out of
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reach. Then she’d been in their heads, and she’d felt Branimir’s savage delight at the massive length of Viktor’s cock buried in his ass. Her entire body had seized when she felt the power of Viktor’s need, felt Branimir’s tight, hot grip around his aching shaft. Then Viktor had focused on the rippling silk of her own body and Okibi had surrendered. Her sight had vanished, becoming not something external, but internal. A blinding light had burst from Branimir and Viktor, carrying their ecstasy into her body, and she’d spilled over. Okibi ran a shaking hand through her short locks, her body tightening in remembrance. In the aftermath, she’d made a choice that now seemed hurried. Knowing the griffons loved each other didn’t mean they could love her. And while she was undeniably attracted to them both, could two or three days really be enough to fall in love with someone? With more than one? And virtual strangers at that? What if they really didn’t want her but the phoenix? And why wasn’t the Kokugen Nenshou beating at her? The second phase had begun, so why wasn’t she spoiling for a fight? Okibi was confused, tired, worried, and terrified. All the shit churning in her gut was making her nuts! She sighed heavily, looking down and seeing the salad prep finished without any thought from her. Well, at least you got something completed. The thought made her want to laugh. It made her want to cry. She had to do something to relieve the tension and anxiety building inside. The giggle was out before she realized it was coming. The sound shot through the house, so loud in the quiet. Her eyes widened when Viktor leapt from the floor. And promptly fell flat on his face. His pants were still tangled around his knees. Okibi clapped her hands over her mouth, sure her eyes were bulging from her face, but she was laughing so hard it did no good trying to keep quiet. “Damn it!” He growled and tore the jeans from his body, tiny denim confetti dancing around him by the time he’d completely shredded the material. He stood up again and whipped around at her loud snort of mirth. The T-shirt he had on barely hid his cock, but she was laughing too hard at his fall to pay much attention.
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Okibi’s eyes watered, every breath chopped up by her outrageous chortling. She looked down at his feet, and had to grab the island to stop from collapsing on the floor. White tube socks boldly contrasted the warm caramel color of his legs, but it was the black loafers on his feet that did her in. Such a masculine male wearing loafers was too much. “What the hell is so funny? Woman, you should know better than to startle a man awake!” Viktor’s deep voice boomed, ire and indignation flashing in his amber eyes. He growled and put his hands on his hips. The huffy display sent the tears in her eyes spilling down her cheeks. “Ack! Stop! Stop! I… can’t… breathe!” She tried to compose herself, she really did. But each time Okibi thought she might have a handle on things, she’d look at his feet and double over with hysterical laughter again. “Shoes! Oh my gods, your shoes! With tube socks! Aaahhh!” Her voice faded to a gurgle and she choked on spittle. Her nose ran, her eyes wept, and her stomach ached painfully. “What’s going on?” The husky sound of Branimir’s voice drew her blurry gaze. He ran a hand through his brown hair, dislodging several flecks of denim. “What the hell?” He looked at Viktor sleepily. “What happened to your pants?” “They got in the way!” Viktor spun around to snap at Branimir. “He t… t… tripped over them! And tube socks with loafers!” Branimir quirked a brow at her. “Yeah? Who doesn’t?” “What? Oh, my gods!” Okibi dissolved into uncontrolled guffaws. Her knees gave way and she slipped to the floor, the island hiding her from Branimir and Viktor. She snorted, choked, snotted, and absolutely delighted in the unfettered glee the whole scene produced. It might have been days, though more likely a few minutes, but finally the laughter faded. Okibi hiccupped loudly, thinking that laughter was a much better way to release the chaos that had been building inside than tears. “Are you done?”
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She tilted her head back, her eyes meeting Branimir’s over the edge of the island’s top. His voice sounded stern, but his lips were turned up and his flame-colored eyes sparkled with mischief. Sniff. “Uh, yeah. I think so. Wow, I haven’t laughed like that in…” Okibi stopped. “Forever.” Branimir’s eyes filled with understanding, but his mouth continued to smile. “Yeah. Forever.” She realized she was falling into his eyes and Okibi looked away. “Um, hey. I made some food. How about you and Viktor set the table while I get it. There’s some stuff you two should know. Let’s just hope all this lightness in my blood lasts long enough for me to tell you.”
*** Dinner had gone very well, in Okibi’s opinion. Her body had behaved, mostly, and she’d enjoyed herself. The Kobe beef was a hit, just as she’d hoped. The guys had wolfed down all six steaks, and then asked for some of her venison. She shook her head and forked it over. Branimir
and
Viktor
were
highly
intelligent
and
made
excellent
conversationalists. She’d learned Viktor’s last name was Karkrakovich, which was a tongue twister but fit him. They’d told her about their childhood, what it was like to be a griffon. All three of them had laughed over some of the old myths their species shared, namely the eating of humans. “I mean, really! In the past they had no idea about cleanliness and now they cram so much shit into their bodies who would want to eat them?” Branimir had sounded so indignant, neither Viktor nor Okibi could stop from laughing. They’d talked about Need and what all went into making the perfume. Branimir had deftly maneuvered the conversation to avoid mentioning Phillip Quinn. Okibi suspected he’d puzzled out the truth behind Quinn’s offer, but she was glad the griffon avoided discussing it.
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When she’d explained the most basic ingredient of Need, both men had grinned at her lasciviously. “She has good taste in toys.” Viktor lifted his marred brow at Branimir. “Branimir,” Okibi warned him off, but he ignored her. “Yeah, an eight-inch vibrating dildo. That’s it, there.” Branimir pointed to the fake cock on the counter. Okibi raised her eyes to Viktor’s, saw his nostrils flare. Her body tightened. It was always tight around them. She looked away and stood from the table. “How much do you know about the Kokugen Nenshou?” Okibi picked up her empty plate and walked to the sink. Wrapping her fingers around the rim of the basin, she leaned forward and called on her strength. “I know what’s next. We have to prove ourselves in battle.” Branimir kept his tone light, belying the seriousness of his statement. “It’s not that part that I’m talking about. It’s the final phase, the Fennikusu Setsuzoku. In order to truly mate with me, you have to survive the phoenix, in all her fiery glory. Literally.” “Viktor!” Startled by Branimir’s outburst, Okibi turned to face the men. “Bran, it was the only way. You’ve already been through all our women and you wanted none of them for your queen.” “Fuck! I don’t care! I’d have settled!” Branimir’s hands tugged at his hair and he shoved away from the table. Okibi was confused, but when Branimir turned accusing eyes on her, she felt anger start to simmer. “What? I have no idea what you’re talking about. Don’t look at me!” Viktor stood as well, and moved between his king and Okibi. “I was burned as a child. Some villagers found me in griffon form, sleeping on a mountain ledge and they set me on fire. I almost died, and my human form was permanently disfigured.” He pulled his T-shirt over his head and Okibi gasped at what he revealed.
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The skin of his chest was a mass of slick, white scars. They covered his breadth from just below his collarbone to a couple of inches above his navel. The right side was worse, the disfigured skin spreading over his shoulder, and down the biceps and triceps of his right arm. The underlying musculature was undamaged, surprisingly, but the skin would never be right. “The scars continue onto my back. Do you want me to turn around?” Okibi shook her head and tried not to throw up everything she’d just eaten. “I disgust you.” The pain in Viktor’s voice shook her. It wasn’t the way he looked that bothered her. “No, no. That’s not it. It’s just… I’ve seen… Gods, Viktor, you could burn to death! And there’s nothing anyone could do to stop it! Why would you? Why?” Displaced ire coalesced in her gut. “Because I love him. I want to be with him, to raise a family with him. Because I would have stepped aside if you’d refused me. And because now I have hope that both of us have found a mate in you.” Her eyes locked to Viktor’s. Driven by intuition long ignored, Okibi flexed her telepathy, sending a tendril of energy into Viktor’s mind. He sensed her and threw up walls. She intensified her assault, but he redoubled his efforts. Finally, silently screaming with rage, Okibi sent psychic fire roaring into his head and Viktor hit his knees. A painful cry tore from his mouth, his defenses crumbled. Images of the past flickered through Okibi’s consciousness, but she followed her instinct. When she found what he was hiding, rage exploded. “Oh, you’re such a fucking martyr! I’d give him up, I want him happy, blah, blah, blah. You’re a liar!” “You’re wrong, phoenix.” Black menace burned in Viktor’s eyes, his tone ice cold. “Why don’t you tell him your secret?”
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“Okibi, what are you talking about?” Branimir’s calm tone soothed her a bit, but Okibi’s phoenix rattled the bars, so to speak. Test them. Fight them. Set them against each other and then take them! Okibi tried to fight instinct, but it was a losing battle. “You’re not enough, Branimir. And he’s not enough, either.” “Viktor?” Branimir’s brow creased, worry darkening his eyes as he looked at his closest friend, his lover. “I don’t understand.” “Stop now, Okibi.” Viktor’s feral response quickened her body and infuriated her even more. She should have known they’d been too good to be true. Someone always wanted something the phoenix could give him or her and the griffons were no different. “The two of you are Geminati. I don’t understand it all, but I bet you do.” Somewhere deep inside, Okibi realized Branimir probably had no idea about Viktor’s secret, so she softened her tone. Her eyes narrowed and she watched the fight drain from Viktor. Yes. Weak now. Attack. Okibi curled her fingers and held back the rising fire. “Geminati, Viktor? How could you keep this from me?” Branimir’s body tensed and Okibi smelled his anger flare to life. Viktor looked up at Branimir, lost for a moment. Then his face shuttered and he got off the floor. “It’s nothing but a myth, Branimir. She’s looking for a way to set us on each other so she can attack. If you want to survive this next test, I suggest you forget what she said and prepare yourself.” “You asshole.” Viktor could have avoided the blow. Okibi knew it. But he took the punch to the gut. It doubled him. Now! She exploded, a scream of rage and power tearing through her as Okibi the woman disappeared in a ball of sparks and flares and the phoenix rose up through the black smoke, launching itself toward Branimir and Viktor. The men were taken off guard, just as the phoenix had wanted. When her thick black talons wrapped around their upper arms, lifting them from the floor of the house and out through the roof almost instantaneously, neither had time to react. She felt their
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arms scrabble for purchase, but the oil of her Kokugen Nenshou prevented them from gripping her legs. Okibi’s wings beat hard to gain altitude, and the human part of her wanted to beg the phoenix not to do this, but that part had no control. Over the trees and high into the sky she flew, heading for the rocky shores of the island.
Chapter 12 Dangling from the razor sharp claws of an enormous, legendary bird of prey wasn’t exactly on Branimir’s list of shit to do in this life. He stopped struggling. The phoenix had a plan, so he might as well enjoy the ride. Ignoring the excruciating pain in his shoulder, he turned to face Viktor. What the fuck were you thinking, keeping this from me? For fuck’s sake, Bran. I was like three when the Sage of Secrets told me I was Geminati. I didn’t even meet you until I was seven. At the time, I thought it was cool. Then I thought it was bullshit. When I realized it wasn’t, what the hell did you want me to do? Gee, I don’t know, tell me? Viktor shook his head. He felt Branimir’s anger leaving, a wave of humor rising up to wash it away. In his relief that Branimir wasn’t angry with him, he missed the subtle sarcasm coloring Branimir’s words. Viktor sighed and looked at the ground so far below. They’d been played but good. The phoenix was smart. Lifting his eyes back to Branimir, Viktor continued the conversation. Yeah, I can see that conversation. Hey, Bran, we’re Geminati. The same soul split between two bodies, one of darkness and one of light. Capable of unbelievable magic, gaining unimaginable power, but unable to realize any of it until the soul melded once more. I kind of thought we’d already covered that, so why even bring it up? You’ve certainly gained unimaginable power. Okibi swooped low. Viktor clutched his gut, sure his stomach would erupt from his mouth. His ass was freezing, and Viktor groaned, realizing his bits were flapping free and he’d lost a shoe. Damn it! I lost a shoe.
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Branimir’s white teeth gleamed, the wide grin Viktor adored curling his lover’s mouth. Forget the shoe. And it’s not melded, Viktor. It says MEL-TED. As in heat, as in we can’t sire offspring until we “find a womb of fire to plant our seed within.” And I don’t know where you got that realization bit. It’s not in the definition of Geminati. Viktor’s mouth fell open and he swung his free arm at Branimir. The griffon king laughed and managed to avoid getting hit. “You knew? Then what the fuck did you punch me for?” Viktor bellowed in outrage. His shout echoed through Branimir, clearly heard over the whistling wind. I didn’t know for sure. I suspected, a long time ago. Besides, I know that’s not the only reason you want to follow this thing with Okibi to the end. The other things you said were true, too. Viktor snorted, though the sound was lost to the air whipping between him and Branimir. He had spoken the truth, going so far as to reveal his hopes. Branimir sensed his lover’s embarrassment. It was difficult for Viktor to be open, but Branimir loved him as he was. As for why I punched you, we had to get the show on the road. The Charenji Nenshou has to be fulfilled and she wasn’t getting mad enough fast enough. She was looking for an opportunity to attack so I gave her one. I want her, Viktor. I know you do, too. All that fire, no pun intended, her strength. She’s so alive! I think I’m already falling for her. Hell, I know I am. You are such a dickhead. You’ve known her two days, half of that time spent asleep and half of the rest fucking. You’re thinking with your cock. The green dragon of jealousy roared to life, but Viktor refused to succumb. He knew if he spent more one on one time with Okibi he’d fall for her, too. She was so open, so easy to talk to, so quick to burn. His lips twitched as he thought about her all pissed off and horny. Gods, she could turn wet spaghetti into concrete with the flash of her black eyes. Both men looked down as the edge of the island appeared. They had to be a thousand feet up. Branimir remembered the sharp rocks of the coast and sent a warning to Viktor. I hope you’re ready. Don’t get killed. His friend smiled, cocky as can be. Branimir
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shook his head, and then gasped when Okibi let them go without so much as a flex of talon to warn them. “Shiiiiiit!” “Fuuuuck!”
*** “Don’t kill her!” Both men shouted the same warning to each other a split second before unleashing their beasts. Branimir’s golden wings caught an updraft, lifting him into the sky. His eagle eyes spied Viktor several hundred feet below him. Come on, Vik. Shift! Branimir whipped his tail through the air, the cutting movement cracking loudly. Suddenly, massive silver wings burst from Viktor and his partner rose in the air until they faced each other. Branimir had wondered if they were Geminati. He’d never had the guts to ask Viktor about it, but there was no denying the truth. They were like photo negatives of each other. Every golden thing on Branimir was silver on Viktor. The violet iridescence of his scales shone red along Viktor’s back and tail. Amber eyes met orange and locked. A cry of outrage screamed through the air, and the griffons swooped around as one to face its maker. They dodged the fireball Okibi sent at them, flying away from each other and flanking her. She pulled up, turning back toward her home, and they followed. Looks like we passed the flight test. Viktor laughed darkly. Great. What’s the next part, oh learned one? Branimir shot back. Hand to hand combat. Viktor’s dark laughter drew a chuff from Branimir’s lionlike chest. His best friend had a dark sense of humor.
*** Okibi landed in the large open space in front of her house. She’d cleared the area when she’d built the home, per her father’s instructions, specifically for this purpose. It was an arena of sorts, cleared of flora, the ground leveled, the perfect place for testing an opponent’s tactical skill.
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The phoenix partially shifted back into human form. She kept her wings and talons, but took on a bipedal shape. Looking upward, her eyes tracked the gold and silver blips headed toward her. Foils of each other, the massive beasts called out as they circled above. Viktor’s silver wings, flashing tinsel light to mercury dark, beat in short strokes as he landed. His lion fur glittered, as bright as the snow that covered the peaks of the Chubu Mountains of her homeland. Colors spanning the palette of gray shimmered over Viktor’s body, and his beauty stole her breath. He screeched, jerking his eagle’s head at something behind her. Okibi whirled. Branimir had landed behind her, massive wings folding to lie against his furred back, serpentine tail flicking to and fro. Though she’d already seen the splendor of Branimir’s golden spectrum, she took a moment to appreciate his grace and power. Looking from one male to the other, the phoenix silently sung its approval. Either of the griffons would make an ideal mate, but together there’d be no better choice. Both human and phoenix hoped the challengers would match her in battle. “Come on, boys, let’s see what you’ve got,” Okibi taunted, keeping both males in sight. She felt the telltale buzz of telepathy, and glared, pursing her lips. “Oh, now where’s the fairness in that? Well, if you can cheat, so can I.” The phoenix struck both men, using her mind to attack. The harsh, electric zap of telekinetics snapped out, striking the griffons, hurtling them back and away. Branimir struck a large pine tree some sixty meters behind him, cracking the thick trunk. His breath left in a rush, and he fell to the ground stunned. The crack and groan of collapsing timber flooded his system with adrenaline. But before he could move, the hum of Okibi’s telekinetic energy wrapped around the falling conifer, easily settling the ruined tree on the ground without a sound. In less than a second, she’d knocked him on his ass and managed to stop the huge pine tree from slamming into her home or crushing him. With a beak, he couldn’t smile, but inside Branimir was grinning the dumbest smile he could. She wasn’t going to make this easy.
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She’s good. Really good. Viktor’s voice sounded rough in Branimir’s head. He looked to where his partner had fallen. The other griffon rose from the furrowed earth Okibi’s psychic slap had driven him into. Yeah. Lust surged through both of them. Branimir got off the ground, and moved toward Viktor, careful to keep his distance from Okibi. Should we shift to match her? Viktor chuffed. I don’t know that it matters. Got any ideas? Branimir’s thoughts immediately went to thoughts of sexual Olympics and Viktor growled. Bran, focus. Two on one should be easy, but the phoenix has quite an arsenal. Unless we can strip her of her talents, I don’t know how we’re gonna get close enough to do shit. Sometimes, Bran, you’re a genius. Viktor stalked toward Okibi, shifting his body into human form as he did so. Branimir had no idea what Viktor meant, but he followed suit. Side by side, naked as the day they were born, they moved to stand before Okibi. She didn’t attack, but her power danced in the air around her. Viktor bowed to her at the waist, as did Branimir. She returned the gesture, her eyes never leaving their faces. “Phoenix, the terms of the challenge aren’t set. In an effort not to destroy your island, your home, or innocent creatures, the griffon king and I request a battle of human forms only. No other power or talents.” Branimir and Viktor held their breaths, each tense second ticking slowly past while Okibi considered their appeal. Finally, her wings and talons slipped away, leaving only the creamy expanse of her skin. “Agreed.” The phoenix was pleased by the request, but the human ground her teeth. The only advantage she had now was her speed and surprise. A small part of her wanted to giggle as images of the three of them fighting naked flashed in her mind, but the phoenix’s focus was complete. Thwack! Her fist shot out, connecting with Viktor’s nose too quick for human eyes to follow. Okibi followed the punch through, leaning to her right, and pulling her left leg up and bending the knee. Muscles rippled along her thigh and calf as she extended her
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leg, foot flashing through the air, and landed a swift, hard kick to Branimir’s chin seconds after striking Viktor. Okibi snapped her body back into a standing position before spinning away in a flurry of flips and twists designed to keep her attackers from getting close. Her opening blows and maneuvering were over in less than a minute. “Son of a bitch!” Viktor cursed, lifting a hand to wipe the blood from his nose. Branimir rubbed his jaw, working it about. A trickle of blood appeared at the corner of his mouth, and Okibi smiled. First blood was hers. She smirked. “I’ll kiss it better, if you want. After you lose, of course.” “Damn straight.” Viktor’s cock twitched and thickened between his legs. He looked to Branimir, watching the other man’s cock engorge with blood. Maybe this wasn’t such a good idea. What if she tears off our cocks? Branimir laughed out loud. “Then we’ll be in a lot of trouble.” Pheromones rolled off Okibi, lifted on the breeze, encircling Viktor. He saw Branimir’s nostrils flare and knew he’d caught her scent, too. A powerful surge of testosterone through his blood took Viktor by surprise. His inner warrior wanted to pound his chest, proving himself in such a bestial way filling him with pride and desire. Regardless that this test wasn’t about dominance or submission of the sexual kind, Viktor’s cock pulsed and his blood ran hot. With a sidelong glance to Branimir, Viktor rushed Okibi. She whirled, as he’d expected, and he stifled a groan when the side of her hand struck him hard at the base of the neck. He took the blow and fell to his knees, his left hand wrapping around her ankle and pulling her off balance in the process. She hit the ground with a thud, but didn’t stay there. Another flash of her arm, and her fist struck him just above the elbow, releasing his grip. She kicked her legs out and up, whipping herself off the ground and back upright before his arm started to tingle. Viktor growled, jumping to his feet. They faced each other for a moment before arms and legs flew in a flurry of blows, parried and returned. Viktor nailed her in the stomach, but Okibi barely flinched, a guttural grunt
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and a soft hiss her only reactions. She retorted with a harsh backhand to his right cheek, snapping his head to the side. “Bitch!” She laughed and danced away. Right into Branimir. Branimir had watched her attack Viktor, impressed with her form and fluidity. Viktor was better at hand-to-hand combat, so while he’d kept Okibi distracted, Branimir had planned an attack. While her attention was diverted, Branimir swooped in and caught her about the waist. Before Okibi could react, he spun her around and threw her over his shoulder, like a sack of potatoes. She squealed in outrage, her legs and arms thrashing. Branimir tightened his arms around her thighs and slid her higher onto his shoulder, hoping her position was awkward enough to gain him some leverage. Her fingers dug into his sides, her nails tearing his skin, but he held on for dear life. His back exploded with pain when she landed two solid blows to his kidneys, but Branimir refused to let go. Then he saw stars and hit the ground, out cold. “Damn it!” Okibi roared her outrage. She’d connected a lightning strike with her elbow to the back of Branimir’s neck, knocking him out, but in the process she’d failed to move clear of his bulk. Now, she was trapped beneath his body, the air forced out of her when he’d fallen to the ground and squashed her. On her back, her face in the small of his back, she levered her hips off the ground and rolled, using all of her strength. If she’d had her telekinetics, getting the oaf off would’ve been simple. Finally, with one last shove, Okibi rolled Branimir away. Only to be covered by Viktor. “Get off of me!” Okibi bellowed her rage, and Viktor hid a smile. He trapped her wrists in his hands, his fists tightly wrapped around each one, pressing them hard to the earth beneath them. He slammed his weight atop Okibi’s wildly bucking form, riding each roll of her pelvis and jerk of her limbs with careful balance. Losing his advantage now meant losing the whole thing.
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Viktor spread his legs, pinning her calves to the ground with his heavily muscled thighs. The difference in their height meant his groin wasn’t nearly close enough to press to hers, but he also didn’t have to stretch uncomfortably to hold her body pinned beneath him. Okibi looked up at him, seething and unwilling to surrender. Branimir groaned and she snarled at Viktor. “I beat him.” There was truth in her words, but neither the phoenix nor Viktor agreed with it. Yes and no. Didn’t finish. The dark-haired one is a draw. The fair one bested us. Okibi fumed, so pissed off and squished, she couldn’t breathe. She lifted her head from the ground and snapped her teeth at Viktor. He pulled back but didn’t release her. “Maybe for a moment, phoenix. But you didn’t finish with Bran. And I’ve bested you. Submit.” She opened her mouth, determined to tell him where he could stick his submission. “I concede.” The phoenix spoke. The air rang with a soundless knell. Power flowed through Okibi, draining the fight from her before shimmering over Viktor and outward to Branimir. One more test passed. Only the fire remained.
Chapter 13 Branimir shook his head to clear the muzzy feeling. He looked up to see Viktor straddling an infuriated Okibi. Viktor smiled roguishly and Okibi went limp beneath him. Branimir struggled to a sitting position before crawling the few feet to his lovers. Lovers. That word struck him deep, the rightness of it filling him up. A wave of power rolled out from Okibi, and the hair on his body stood at attention. They’d passed. Jubilation and fear crowded Branimir’s thoughts. He needed to prepare himself for what would come next. “Okibi.” “What?” The warmth of Branimir’s voice tripped all her triggers, turning the rush of anger and adrenaline into a churning storm of lust. “Tell me about the final stage of Kokugen Nenshou.” His long fingers sifted through her short hair, soothing and stirring. She shook her head to dislodge him, wriggling beneath Viktor to no avail. “It’s simple. The next time we have sex, you have to draw the phoenix out, basically dividing my soul and raising the phoenix alone. If she finds you lacking, you’ll burn to death. If not, she’ll take a bit of your essence and leave some of hers behind, and we’ll be bound, mind and body and heart.” “That’s it?” Viktor’s warm eyes burned into Okibi. “Yeah. That’s it. You live or die. And there’s not a damn thing I can do about it but watch. And smell the acrid, disgusting odor of burning flesh.” Okibi’s breath froze in her chest. Her eyes welled and she was overcome with the feeling of being trapped. “Get off.” Viktor eased his grip, but didn’t release her. “What’s wrong?”
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“Nothing. Get off of me, Viktor.” She held back unshed tears and tried to jerk her hands free. Though loosened, his hold was still firm. She needed room to breathe, to try and assimilate the chaotic mix of feelings rising in her chest, her mind. “Just calm down, phoenix. Nobody wants to die, but Branimir and I are big boys. We accept whatever happens.” Viktor’s eyes were kind, his tone soothing, and Okibi couldn’t take another minute. The battle was done; she was free to use her powers once more. Her eyes flashed and Viktor sailed through the air. She was careful not to slam him down, rather controlling his descent and settling him safely on the grass a hundred or so feet away. Leaping to her feet, she focused her ability on Branimir, freezing him in place when he’d have reached for her. “I’m glad you’re so accepting! But I’m not! Gods damn the two of you! I can’t stand the idea of watching one of you, both of you, die!” Fat, hot drops of emotion slid down her face unchecked. Knowing she’d said too much, fearing what Viktor and Branimir might infer -- emotions she wasn’t sure she felt yet -- Okibi turned and ran. “Okibi, wait!” Branimir tried to get off the ground, but his body might as well have been glued to the earth. It wasn’t until after Okibi had completely disappeared into the tall pines that her power lifted and he regained mobility. “Damn it. I’m going after her.” He dusted his ass off, growling to himself as he moved to follow her. “No, Bran. I’ll go.” Viktor’s strong palm pressed to Branimir’s chest, holding him back. “I need to go.” “Okay. But why?” Amber eyes met orange, a shadow passing through them before Viktor looked away. “Because you don’t understand what’s eating her like I do.” “What the hell is that supposed to mean? I understand loss as well as anyone.” “It’s not about loss. It’s about having no control.” Branimir opened his mouth to retort, though nothing came out. Viktor was right, he didn’t know anything about losing control, or about wanting it but not being able to find it or retain it.
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He nodded to Viktor, his own warm hand covering the other man’s on his chest. The tension between them thickened and Branimir wiggled his eyebrows lasciviously. Viktor laughed before leaning close and pressing his lips to Branimir’s. Strong arms and thick muscles wound around broad bodies, as the two enjoyed a carnal embrace. The rough caress of Viktor’s five o’clock shadow against Branimir’s smooth jaw pulled groans from both of them. Two dominant tongues dueled for supremacy, each man mimicking, with subtle strokes and deep thrusts, the strength of their need for each other. Viktor pulled away first, his breath unsteady. “When we return, you should be ready for the final stage.” “Be careful, Viktor. You know…” “Yeah, I do too.” Love shone in his eyes, bright and clean. Branimir gave the emotions back tenfold to his lover, watching Viktor head into the forest. Gods, please. I can’t lose him. If one of us must fail, let it be me.
*** Okibi ran until her legs burned, her throat was raw, the metallic taste of blood flooding her mouth, and her lungs couldn’t bellow another breath. She sagged against the trunk of the nearest tree, the rough bark abrading her uncovered flesh, and wondered how far from home, from the men, she was. Rookery Cove wasn’t a very large island, but the thickness of the forest surrounding her offered no glimpse of homes, people, the manufacturing plant, or the ocean. She let the bubble of emotion burst, unable to hold back. The tears fell while an agonized roar of uncontrolled rage and desperation tore itself free. Okibi wailed in an earthy, elemental way, trying to relieve the pressure, hoping to regain her focus. Floundering was new to Okibi and she didn’t like it one bit. Sinking to the damp ground, she laid her forehead against her knees. She dug her fingers into the earth, body shuddering until she’d released enough turmoil to come back to herself, at least nominally. Exhausted, she sniffed and opened swollen eyes to find Viktor standing opposite her, quietly watching her meltdown.
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“Go away.” Okibi winced at the whiny tone and hid her face in the crook of her right arm. “No.” Viktor shifted slightly on his feet, crossing his arms over his chest. “You know, I’m getting tired of hearing you say that.” Okibi swiped her palms over her eyes. “Maybe you haven’t heard it enough.” His low voice rumbled, tickling her senses. She narrowed her eyes at him. “Maybe you’re a little slow. I want to be alone. Are you in such a hurry to burn again?” Viktor’s nostrils flared and Okibi’s mouth turned up in a nasty grin. “I don’t think I’ll burn.” A part of Viktor laughed at the phoenix. Her reactions were absolutely predictable because they were identical to what his would be in her place. When backed into a corner, one must lash out, get angry, vent, fight, then cram the cork back into the bottle once more. “I’ll buy that. You don’t think. Neither of you think. Why the hell did he come here? Why did you let him?” “Our women --” “I don’t want to hear the statistical facts of male to female ratios. Cut the bullshit and tell me the truth!” “He’s been fascinated by you for a long time, Okibi.” He laughed softly. “Humanity may be clueless, but supernatural beings keep track of each other, more or less. Your family’s power and nobility is well known. When Bran heard you’d chosen to come here, he was determined to find some way to get on this island.” “But why?” “You have all the qualities a keythong looks for in a mate. Strength, intelligence, grace, but most of all you have honor and dedication. You’d be right there by his side, defending our people, offering guidance. And he’ll do the same for you.” “Say I buy your bullshit. What the hell do you get out of it?” She wasn’t sure she believed Viktor, but she couldn’t deny he had integrity. She noted he seemed uncomfortable answering her, yet he trudged on.
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“I get a woman who mirrors my passionate nature, who understands that in battle we do horrible things. Who’ll fight with me and forgive me when I lash out, because she does too. And I get the man I’ve loved since I was a boy.” Inside Okibi preened at his words, but outside she sneered. “Wonderful.” “What is it that’s really bothering you, Okibi? The fact that you’ll most likely be mated in the next day, possibly to two males, or the fact that you have no power to stop it?”
Chapter 14 “Fuck you, Viktor.” “Gladly.” Okibi narrowed her eyes at him. His cock stood at attention, so the possibility of fucking was there. But his observation of what was really tearing her up stung her pride. She wasn’t easily read. More than that, Okibi Rowe never buckled under pressure. She never gave in. Viktor was right, though. She had no control over what happened next and it thoroughly pissed her off. “No thanks. Since you can’t take the hint, I’ll go.” Pulling herself off the moist earth, Okibi dusted her derriere and turned away from Viktor. Without looking back, she started deeper into the greenery. “No.” Two massive hands wrapped around her upper arms, jerking her off her feet and back into an equally impressive chest. Her temper, ever on the edge of boiling over, flared and she lashed out, her right heel landing with a satisfying thud against Viktor’s shin. “Damn it, Okibi!” Viktor shoved her forcefully into the nearest tree, pressing his body to hers, holding her firmly in place. Rough bark scratched her bare skin, the little pain only heightening Okibi’s passion. When he thrust one powerful knee between her slightly spread legs, making room for his large body, fitting his throbbing cock into the cleft of her ass, Okibi melted. Her pussy liquefied; sweat broke out on her upper lip, pheromones pouring from her flesh. She couldn’t give in without a fight, but in her current position, Viktor had the advantage. Sliding his hands down her arms, Viktor yanked them over her head by the wrists. He wasn’t careful when he locked one hand around both of hers, effectively
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immobilizing Okibi from the waist up. She screeched, trying to escape his hold, to no avail. He’d held Branimir in this position more than once. Viktor sensed her calling on her telekinetic power. Leaning forward, he pressed his lips to her neck before biting the place where shoulder met throat, sinking his teeth deep enough to mark her without drawing blood. Her entire body went limp and Okibi whimpered. The smell of her musk ascended amidst the heat between them, and Viktor growled in response, slipping his cock from her ass to the slippery space between her thighs. “Sometimes when it seems like you have no control at all is when you actually have all the control. Tell me what to do, Okibi, and I’ll do it. Open up to me.” He whispered the words against her skin, squeezing his eyes closed when her body shivered, the slick lips of her sex gliding along the aching length of his cock. “Make me forget.” Her broken voice affected his desire more potently than any come hither look or insinuating motion. Viktor ground himself against her heat, his chest pressing hard to her back. He brought his free hand up, savoring the texture of her silky skin, moving it between her body and the tree to cup her breast. Shifting, he laid a trail of kisses along her shoulders to her other ear, plunging his tongue inside, nipping the lobe with strong teeth. “Yes.” Her husky sigh made the world hold its breath. Viktor found her engorged nipple, circling the taut skin of the areola before taking the hardened nub between his thumb and forefinger. He pulled it, twisted it gently, pinched it, felt his mouth water to taste it. Okibi moaned and thrust her hips as best she could back at Viktor. Her clit bumped against the head of his cock and desire wept from her body. A sharp, biting edginess tore through her. She needed more. Before Viktor totally wiped her brain, she flicked a mental rope around his mass and jerked him from her. “Hey!” Viktor landed with a soft oomph a few feet behind her. Before he could get angry, though, Okibi leapt onto his prone body, sinking her fingers into his hair and covering his lips with hers.
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Passion, savage and sublime, consumed them. His hands gripped her scalp, pulling her short hair as he plunged his tongue deep into the warm recesses of her mouth. Okibi met him stroke for stroke, her nails scoring his neck and shoulders as she tried to climb into him. The animalistic fervor that had gripped them in the first moments they’d met roared back to life. Viktor rolled them over, his cock riding against her cunt, their bodies pressed so close not even air slipped between them. Okibi drew her hands down his back, digging her nails into his tight ass and lifting herself toward the piece of him she wanted so badly. “Viktor!” She tore her mouth free to bellow his name. He buried his face in her chest, his mouth ravishing her breasts, eating at her nipples, sucking them into his hot mouth, his tongue dancing over them with ecstatic delight. He lifted his pelvis away from her, moving one hand to his cock, guiding the thick head to her aching cunt. His mouth still locked to one nipple, Viktor planted both palms on the forest floor -- slowly, maddeningly, pressed his cock home. Okibi’s grip on his ass had been lost when he’d shifted to enter her body. She sank her hands into her own hair as Viktor’s body stretched hers. Need rocketed through her and she wailed. “Harder, Viktor! Give me your cock!” His sharp teeth grazed her nipple before he left the breast. Pulling his body up and over hers, Viktor looked down into eyes blacker than the abyss. Her body clenched around his and he gritted his teeth to hold back his groan. She was excruciatingly tight, the wet fire of her cunt gripping him tighter than any fist. It was beyond his imaginings, sliding through the copious moisture of her desire and seating his cock to the balls in Okibi’s body. Viktor moved his hands up, one at a time, taking one of her smaller ones in each of his and pressing them to the damp litter of leaves beneath them. Her beautiful eyes locked to his, her legs wrapping around his waist, and he gave her what she wanted. Pulling back until only the head of his cock stretched her opening, Viktor flexed the powerful muscles of his thighs and ass, slamming his girth back into Okibi. Her
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eyes rolled up, and he squeezed her hands hard. “Look at me.” White teeth pressed into a full bottom lip, onyx eyes refocusing. He grunted as her cunt contracted around him. Repeating the motion, slowly withdrawing before plunging back in with barely controlled force, Viktor brought them both to the verge of orgasm. But he wasn’t finished. Freeing her hands, he grabbed her hips and rolled them, dry leaves and broken shafts of grass falling from their bodies as he pulled her up and over to straddle his cock. “Ride me, Okibi. Take what control you can.” His guttural command pulsed through Okibi. Rising onto her knees, she used one hand to hold his girth steady. She fit the slippery head against her labia, parting the slick folds, and engulfed him in one quick downward thrust. “Fuck!” Viktor’s shoulders left the ground, his hands digging into the flesh of her hips. She took no prisoners, rising onto her knees and slamming back down with force enough to press the breath from his lungs. Her slick body gorged itself on his rampant cock and Viktor roared his pleasure. “Yeah, baby. Gods, Okibi, take me!” He lifted his hips into hers, pounding into her every downward plunge, abs burning as he continued to hold his upper body off the ground. Viktor watched, enthralled, as Okibi arched her back, moving one hand between her thighs to furiously rub her clit as she took them both upward, fire building, passion frenzied, into a white hot explosion powerful enough to obliterate the memory of anyone else. His body burned everywhere, every muscle tightened, every cell focused on what was to come. Okibi’s head snapped up, her black eyes open wide, her mouth opening as she tried to drag in lungful after lungful of air. His eyes met hers, seeing the frantic, crazed look, and somehow Viktor knew what he had to do. “Let go, Okibi. Burn me. Take us both into the Fennikusu Setsuzoku.” Drawing his legs up, he let his hold slipped to her waist, his shoulders touching the ground. He held
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her over his cock, his eyes never leaving hers, and he shafted into her weeping core as hard, as fast and deep, as his supernatural strength allowed. Okibi’s hands fell to Viktor’s chest, her fingers curling into the thick musculature of his pectorals. Her entire world shrank until all that mattered was the primitive, uninhibited savagery of Viktor’s body. He became everything. Her pussy burned, her nipples burned, her blood burned. The phoenix rose within her like a mountain being born, tearing its way free from her soul, from her body. Riding the hard edge of a violent orgasm, Okibi tried to stop the phoenix, but it was too late. Gratification exploded through her blood, her cunt clamping down on Viktor’s cock, her nails drawing blood, her body igniting. “Viktor! No!” Okibi screamed as fire broke from her, consuming them both. Chaos clouded Viktor’s mind. His balls were drawn tight, release moments away, and then Okibi came and fire erupted from her skin. Terror turned his raging blood cold. When the white fire of his lover spilled onto his body, Viktor thought life had ended. Instead, his pleasure increased threefold. He was burning, but the fiery blanket invaded his body like air. His flesh glowed but there was no pain. Relief flooded through him, then awe, as he saw the phoenix rise from Okibi in blue fire relief. He heard Okibi cry out, felt her convulse around him again. “Yes!” The phoenix’s form hovered between him and Okibi for a moment. He felt the first jerk of his body, the rush of come from his cock, and opened his mouth to roar in triumph. As soon as his lips parted, the phoenix plunged inside, bringing the fire on his skin, and Okibi’s, with her. Viktor was thrust into Okibi’s mind without warning. Her soul laid bare to him, he felt her in his own, seeing everything, feeling everything, knowing him as well as herself and vice versa. Sounds, images, thoughts, and emotions tore through him. The pain was unimaginable, yet it didn’t decrease his pleasure. He came harder the second time, his head feeling like it would explode, his heart beating so fast Viktor thought it would tear free of his chest.
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Okibi’s body continued to cream, harder and faster as the phoenix assimilated Viktor, tying them together until death. She’d watched the firebird plunge into his open mouth, drawing the fire into his body, with a sense of rightness. He’d swallowed her down, not fighting what happened, and the bond was forged. Okibi was Viktor. Okibi saw Branimir through his eyes, saw herself, felt the violent passions he worked so hard to keep in check. She felt her body rippling around his cock, his pleasure, his pain. His love. With one last lurch of his hips, he planted his seed deep inside her body and collapsed beneath her, but the connection, the transfer of emotions and memories, continued unabated. The phoenix rose from Viktor’s body, leaving him undamaged, and dove back into hers. Okibi gasped as her soul melded together once more. Good mate. There was no more energy in her physical form. Okibi’s eyes fluttered, her body still throbbing. Her arms shook and she dropped her chin to her chest, breath heaving. Are you all right? Viktor’s voice was soft in her mind. His entry was tentative. The trickle of fluid from her pussy tickled and Okibi shifted slightly. He moaned, his hands grabbing her hips. “Don’t do that.” A dry chuckle escaped from his lips. Sorry. It tickles. I know. Stop thinking about it. My cock can’t take it. Despite his words, they both felt his shaft thickening inside her cunt. Viktor, I have to go. Please, don’t follow me. He wanted to argue, but being bound to her he couldn’t. He knew her reasons, felt her need to be alone. As her mate he could do nothing else but let her go. A flutter of shock tightened his gut. Gods, they were mated! Yes, we are. Okibi felt his jubilation, but it was bittersweet. What if Branimir didn’t pass the test? She slid from Viktor’s body, fighting the part of her screaming it was the wrong choice. With unsteady breaths, and shaky legs, Okibi pulled herself off the forest floor. She drew on what earth magic lived in the wood, manifesting clothing, and then slipped through the trees and away from her mate.
Chapter 15 “Here you are.” Okibi didn’t turn to watch Manx approach. She’d felt him coming, had been arguing with herself as to whether she wanted company. “You know you do, or you wouldn’t have hung around.” She glanced up at him and snorted. “Hell, Manx, I’ve gotten myself into a hell of a mess. Viktor --” “The griffon who just showed up?” “Yeah. He’s Branimir’s lover.” Okibi left out that Viktor was her lover too. And your mate. Okibi dropped her forehead to her palm, sighing as the sea breeze ruffled her hair. “And that’s a problem?” Manx’s voice held no judgment. “No, it’s… I was taught, all I’ve ever seen, are phoenixes in monogamous pairs.” “Ah, I see. You’re worry about bringing shame to the Oh-So-Honorable Rowe name. You know what I’d say, Okibi.” Manx reached a hand out and lifted her face so he could look in her black eyes. “Fuck ’em.” Okibi chuckled softly. “And then eat ’em.” He smiled broadly at her. “Seriously, Okibi, I’ve met your parents. They want you to be happy. Do you think the griffons can give you that?” Okibi was at odds with herself, something that was becoming irritatingly regular. Only this time, the phoenix was fighting the humanity. The morals she’d been raised with went against what the phoenix seemed to want and need. “Yes.” She felt the truth of her answer deep down. “And they passed the Charenji Nenshou didn’t they?” She nodded.
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“Then what the hell are you sitting here sulking for? Okibi, go to them. That’s where you want to be.” Manx’s voice had an edge to it. The hardness kicked her right in the ass. “You’re right. And since when does Okibi Rowe run away and hide?” She stood and squared her shoulders. Her men were aware of what could happen, but they were ready to meet what would come. Okibi refused to continue worrying about things that weren’t even problems, yet. A sense of agreement tickled her mind, as if the phoenix chimed her approval. Manx gave her a pinch on the ass, laughing when she yipped. She smacked him on the arm before trotting toward the tree line. “You might want to move.” Mischief danced in her eyes. Manx shook his head and moved to the side. “I hate it when you do this.” Okibi felt so light, she briefly wondered if she could float away. With a wiggle of eyebrows at Manx, and a deep breath, she broke into a sprint, running full tilt toward the cliff’s edge. As she leapt from the land and into the air, her body exploded with fire, metamorphosing from human form into phoenix in the blink of an eye. From within blue flames, her massive red wings spread wide, catching on the air current and lifting her high into the sky.
Chapter 16 “She’s coming home.” Viktor looked at Branimir. The mirth that usually flickered in his lover’s orange eyes was missing. “I really should kick your ass, Viktor.” Branimir was still reeling from Viktor’s admission that he and Okibi were mated. Having his second in command comment on her whereabouts only irked him more. “Perhaps. Though, Bran, I can feel you’re hiding something from me.” Viktor kept his tone light. He wasn’t sure if it was rage his king hid, or something more welcoming. Thus far, Branimir had been irritated, but not truly angry. Yes, he was normally less reactionary about events, but the monumentality of Viktor’s bond with Okibi should have gotten a bigger response. At least, Viktor thought it would. Branimir’s lips curled in an impish smile. “We’ll wait until she gets here before I tell you my secret.” Right on cue, the movingly lyrical sound of the phoenix song lilted on the air. Branimir stood next to the bed, which Viktor reclined upon, both of them watching for her appearance. Her wings beat loudly, the short rapid flaps signaling a landing. Down through the open roof she came, scarlet feathers and opalescent tail fluttering. As her taloned feet touched the floor, the phoenix slipped away, pale skin and human form returning in a soft cloud of smoke. Both men rumbled not just at her shift, but also the ease with which she did it. “You told him.” Okibi didn’t bother with greetings or questions. Being in the same room with Viktor it was impossible to keep him from her mind or her from his. The depth of the bond between them was difficult to acclimatize herself to. She honestto-gods felt a piece of him inside her.
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“I wish I could pick the piece you feel.” Viktor smiled, a genuine smile free of any weighty emotion. It lightened his features, making him almost boyishly handsome. He blushed softly and Okibi laughed, knowing he’d heard her thoughts. Branimir cleared his throat, dispelling the humor. “So, what next?” “I’m not sure. Viktor and I are mated. But…” “But you don’t feel back to normal yet.” Branimir crossed thick arms over his chest. Okibi hadn’t thought of it like that. “No, I don’t. What I was going to say is I feel like something is missing.” “Of course something is missing. We…” Branimir motioned between Viktor and himself. “… are Geminati. You’ve only mated with one half of our soul.” “So that’s what you were hiding.” Viktor pursed his lips at Branimir and shook his head in exasperation. “Hey, I had to let you stew for a little while.” Branimir gave him an obnoxious grin. “That may be, Bran.” Okibi blushed at the use of his familiar name. “But the phoenix is unpredictable. She may not care.” She looked into eyes a color so familiar it was integral to her person and waited for him to respond. “Maybe. But if I’m going to die, may I beg a boon?” “Of course.” Okibi held herself stiff, unsure what the griffon king would ask of her. “I want to make love to you, to both of you.” His voice fell to a husky whisper and emotion burned in his gaze. A surge of sensations from Viktor swamped her, but Okibi didn’t need to know what he wanted, to know her answer. “Yes.” Branimir rewarded her with a broad smile and held out his hand. She walked the few steps to him, placing her slightly shaky palm in his. He guided her to the bed and Viktor moved over to make room for her. Viktor’s broad chest sported the partially healed gouges from her nails and she blushed harder.
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“My human form heals quickly, but not always flawlessly. I’ll bear scars from you and I’m happy to do so.” Okibi smiled at the satisfied male sensation Viktor shared with her. She slid her knee onto the bed, twisting to lie flat on her back. The thick hard ridge of his cock burned her thigh and lust unfurled in her belly. She looked up at Branimir, watched the masculine grace of his body as he settled himself on her other side. It was difficult to separate Viktor’s thoughts and feelings from her own, but Branimir’s hard, sculpted physique stirred them both. Okibi closed her eyes and breathed deep, letting the sensations of her body drown out Viktor. They’d get better at dealing with the merge as time went by, but for now, she wanted to feel her emotions and no one else’s. Each man took an arm, and raised her delicate wrists to their lips. Soft kisses spread over her pulse points, up the sensitive skin of the inner arm, finally brushing along her collarbone and over her jaw. Without opening her eyes, Okibi knew the first lips to touch her own were Viktor’s. His lips were fuller than Branimir’s, his kiss bolder, harder, more primal. Electric lust zinged through her blood, tightening her nipples, and making her clit tingle with delicious jolts of hunger. She moaned softly, parting her lips for his tongue, savoring the dark flavor that was Viktor. Just as she melted into him, Viktor moved away and Branimir’s mouth replaced his. His tasted fresh, a bit like citrus, and clean. Branimir sucked her lower lip into his mouth, grazing it with teeth and tongue, making her purr with excitement. Okibi thrust her tongue past his lips, swirling it around his, drawing a hum of pleasure. Branimir pulled back, bussing her cheek before moving to the hot button spot behind her right ear. She giggled as his hot breath tickled her skin, but the slow glide of rough fingers over her breast turned it to a gasp. Viktor let Okibi wash over him, her growing lust feeding his own. He circled her nipple, flushing the turgid flesh with blood, making the natural ember hue darken. She mewled, and he looked up to see Branimir’s gaze meeting his across her chest. In perfect sync, he and his lover touched their tongues to her begging nipples.
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“Oh!” Okibi pulled her hands free from her men, running her fingertips over their skin, up to their heads, burrowing her fingers into the cool strands of their hair. Viktor’s hair was thick and slightly coarse, while Branimir’s was silky soft and smooth. Their tongues teased her breasts, the exhalation of their breath creating a riotous coolness in contrast to the heat of their mouths. Her lower body tightened and Okibi felt the rush of fluid seep from her pussy, slickening her thighs, her sex, arousing her further. Two masculine hands stroked her stomach, the muscles shuddering in anticipation. Two different textures of skin parted the lips of her sex. One smooth finger encircled her clit while the other, slightly rough, dipped into the wet mouth of her cunt. She gasped again, her hands tightening in their hair, her legs and hips moving, shifting with restless need. Viktor and Branimir took their time, stoking her need until Okibi writhed between them, moans, sighs, and whimpers spilling from her mouth. She’d never been more aroused, more ready, more attuned to her lovers. Branimir bit her right nipple, making her pussy clench around Viktor’s invading fingers. “Please!” Okibi wanted everything, all at once, the single word more telling than a litany of phrases. “I want to taste you, Okibi.” Viktor nibbled her left nipple, his thick finger continuing to thrust slowly in and out of her sopping cunt. He rumbled his approval of Branimir’s request, plunging harder, making Okibi’s hips lift from the bed. Branimir kissed his way down Okibi’s torso, pausing here and there to lick or nip her flesh. He swirled his tongue into her navel and slid his large form over her leg, settling between her thighs. Viktor pulled his fingers free from Okibi, and Branimir latched on to the damp digits. He licked every bit of her flavor from Viktor’s skin, pulling a raw groan from his friend. “She tastes like fire and earth.” Branimir spoke the words against her heated flesh, and Okibi shivered hard with need. His broad shoulders spread her thighs wide.
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He traced long fingers over the swollen lips of her pussy, collecting moisture and spreading it over her skin. She keened and lifted herself to his mouth. Branimir leaned close and inhaled the addictive aroma of Okibi, his cock throbbing, his mouth watering. Reaching out with his tongue, using his fingers to pull the heart of her open to his gaze and his mouth, Branimir tasted her and found bliss. He swiped his tongue from creamy opening to clit and back again, savoring the slightly metallic and sulfur taste of her need. Okibi wiggled her hips, trying to press against his mouth, but Branimir pushed down with his forearms, keeping her ass pinned to the bed as he learned every nook and cranny, learned every hot button spot that made her cunt contract and leak more fluid. He lapped up every drop, plunging his tongue deep into her core, undulating it around the sensitive opening, until her body shuddered and she cried out, on the edge of orgasm. She’s close. Branimir sent the thought to Viktor, fully opening their link.
I know. I’m on the edge because of it. This is for you, my love, what do you want?
Viktor’s blood pounded, his cock ached unbearably, his groin and Okibi’s thigh wet with his pre-come. I want to be inside you. I want to swallow her orgasm and feel her swallow yours. The position Branimir wanted burned through both men’s minds. Branimir thrust his hips into the bed, trying to gain some relief from the pleasure beating between his legs. Viktor bit Okibi’s nipple hard, moving his other hand to torture the other, growling low in his throat. “Viktor!” Okibi tightened her hand in his hair, glimpses of pleasure and bits of the conversation her lovers were having amplifying her hunger to a nearly painful point. Oh, Bran, she wants it. Hard satisfaction forced thick pre-come from Viktor’s cock as he released Okibi’s breasts and moved away. He watched Branimir lick her cunt a few more times, before rising over her and reaching to the bedside table. He opened the
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drawer and removed a small jar of lube. Passion exploded between Branimir and Viktor as their gazes collided. Viktor pulled Okibi into a sitting position, bending his head to take her mouth in a hard, punishing kiss. She yanked at his hair with one hand, drawing the other down his chest, her delicate fingers slipping around his cock, squeezing the base hard, then sliding up the thick shaft to tease the head. Viktor moaned, pulling back from the kiss to nip at her lower lip, swiping his tongue over the small pain. He surged into her palm and turned his gaze to her face. Okibi’s lips curved in a sultry, knowing smile. Her eyes were black, but in the depths of the colorless orbs, a flicker of light grew. Viktor felt the phoenix rise inside her, calling the fragment of fire inside his own soul. They were close. “Okibi, come here. Straddle my face.” Branimir’s husky request pulled her attention from Viktor. The King of Griffons lay in the space she’d vacated, his cock standing at magnificent attention. The head of it glistened, veins standing out in ropy relief, his cock pulsing with each pound of his heart. Okibi reached for his cock, but Branimir caught her hand in his and pulled her up his body. “That’s for Viktor.” A hint of a roguish grin played on his face. She came to him, pausing to taste a hard male nipple, scraping her teeth across his flesh, savoring his gasp. She twisted and turned her body until her hips hovered over his head, her hands planted on either side of his waist, hard nipples rubbing against the light fur of his body hair, arms supporting her weight. The smell of lavender and vanilla tickled her nose, and Okibi looked up to see Viktor generously coating Branimir’s cock with the contents of the jar. He put the lid back on, and set the jar on the floor. She opened herself to Viktor, watching with bated breath as he moved his slick hand to his own ass, lubricating the tender opening, readying himself for Branimir’s hard, thick cock. Dark pleasure coursed through her mate, forcing Okibi’s eyes closed, swelling her sex. The bed shifted as Viktor moved to take Branimir inside his body. He used one hand to hold his aching balls out of the way and the other to guide his king’s cock into
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his hungry ass. The thick head still made Viktor burn as it slipped past the tight muscle of his sphincter and into Viktor’s welcoming heat. He hissed, the pleasure/pain wondrous in its contrast. Slowly he sank all the way down, taking all of Branimir deep inside. Viktor clenched his muscles, releasing a spurt of pre-come as Branimir’s cock throbbed against his prostate. A strong hand grabbed his cock, and Viktor cried out. He opened his eyes, watching Branimir smear opalescent fluid over the bulbous head of his cock, before taking his hand away and lifting it to Okibi’s lips. Viktor’s body shuddered as he watched her pink tongue lap off the remnants of pre-come from Branimir’s palm. Viktor reached for her, both hands digging into her short locks, pulling her face toward his pounding cock. The head barely bumped her mouth, before lush lips parted and took the responsive head inside, hot, talented tongue tracing every ridge and hollow. Inundated with pleasure, Viktor threw his head back, tightening his hands in Okibi’s hair and his body around Branimir’s thick cock. Branimir lifted his hips into Viktor, the taut glove of his friend’s body tightening his balls. Lifting his arms, he wrapped his hands around Okibi’s thighs and pulled her soaking cunt to his mouth. No longer slow and languid, he stabbed his tongue into her humid core, burrowing deeper, covering his face with her juices and rubbing his chin against her swollen clit. She shouted her pleasure around Viktor’s cock, pulling another loud groan from the man riding his body. It was almost too much, and not even close to enough. Viktor raised himself onto his knees, feeling Branimir’s cock slide out of his body, and then dropped his weight back down, ramming the rock hard shaft deep. He wanted to drag things out, should this be his last time with his love, but the intensity of feelings pouring from his mate and his king overwhelmed him. He pounded his hips into Branimir and slammed Okibi’s mouth down the shaft of his weeping cock. Her talented tongue danced over the length, her throat opening to his violent thrusts, the constant hum of her pleasure making his balls contract painfully. Images of his come on
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Okibi’s lips, fantasies of her throat working his cock as she swallowed his release, pushed him to the teetering brink. Branimir sensed how close to exploding Viktor was, inundated with dual sensations as he was. He himself was close to filling Viktor’s ass with come, the rapid fire pace of Viktor’s movements ecstasy beyond comprehension. Sliding his hands from Okibi’s hips, Branimir spread her labia wider before shoving both of his index fingers as deep as he could inside her. Fingers and tongue worked her cunt until Branimir heard her muffled screams, felt her body contract rhythmically around him. He replaced one index finger with the middle and third fingers of his other hand, trailing the now free pointer through Okibi’s copious juices up to her rosy ass. Okibi started to come. Her body contracted on Branimir’s fingers, her pussy reduced to liquid fire and aching need. Viktor’s cock filled her mouth and throat, while Branimir’s fingers plunged in and out of her body relentlessly. He added more fingers, and she felt him reaching for her anus, teasing the delicate skin between her pussy and her ass. When his smooth, hard finger circled her asshole, she whimpered. Then he slipped inside the virgin opening and Okibi detonated. Okibi screamed around Viktor’s cock. She felt the shivering sensation as it danced over his body, thrusting him up, up, to the brink of release. Viktor roared, pulling her head tight to his groin as he rammed himself down on Branimir’s body. Okibi held tight to his hips as the pleasure broke, thrusting her into oblivion as Viktor came, shooting white-hot load after white-hot load down her throat. She swallowed voraciously, intent to catch every bit of his essence, overwhelmed by his pleasure and her own, out of control. The phoenix erupted from within Okibi without warning. Caught in the delirium of the ultimate ecstasy, she couldn’t warn Branimir of the coming fire. Split between two minds, her body writhing, pulsing, contracting, she saw the flames race from her body to his, consuming him in the space between heartbeats. Branimir’s hands were busy thrusting in and out of Okibi in counterpoint, when he felt the first tickle of heat on his flesh. He dismissed it, but the temperature increased
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until he felt like he was burning. He pulled away from Okibi’s clenching body and opened his eyes. White fire in the shape of a bird and flames covering his body greeted him. His mouth opened in a gasp of shock, instinct-induced because the fire didn’t hurt, and watched, terrified as the fire-made bird dove toward his face, shoving its way down his throat and into his chest in an instant. The bird tore through him, bringing with it fire, memories, and a piece of Okibi’s soul. Lightning burned down Branimir’s spine, igniting his release, spewing it from his balls, into Viktor’s tight ass. He screamed as the phoenix imprinted itself in his spirit, in his mind, before exploding from his body and taking a fraction of his soul with it. He watched with unfocused eyes as the flame creation slammed into Okibi, her spine arching impossibly at the blow. A physical snap ricocheted through Branimir, repeated in Okibi, and they were bound. All the pleasure, built between the three of them, rose up to crush them beneath bliss. Viktor inside Okibi, Branimir inside them both, Okibi holding their merged souls together, the three bodies twisted, ground, clenched, bucked and eventually collapsed. Satiated and replete, Okibi pressed between the bodies of her mates, they slept.
*** They’d been awake for a while, talking about Okibi’s parents and discussing what the Council of Advisors would have to say, when Okibi finally decided it was time to get up. “I’m sticky and hot. And this bed isn’t big enough for all of us. You two are huge!” Both Viktor and Branimir’s thoughts immediately went to sex and Okibi laughed on a sigh. “Men. You’re --” “So predictable,” her mates chimed simultaneously. Which dissolved the trio into chuckles. So many things swirled in Okibi’s head. What would happen next, what about Rookery Cove, what about her perfumes? The buzz of Viktor and Branimir inside her body distracted her, making worrying difficult. “Don’t stress about the future, Okibi.” Branimir leaned over to kiss her lightly on the brow. “Between the three of us, we’ll find a way to balance your duties here and our
Emma Ray Garrett
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duties. As for your perfumes, the griffons have a cache of scents from around the world. Some of the essences are so ancient the plants that produced them no longer exist. You can offer them to Rookery Cove Aphrodisiacs or not, as you see fit.” Branimir’s thoughts of a business relationship danced through Okibi’s mind, and she smiled broadly. The king was a shrewd businessman, as well. “As for Phillip Quinn,” Viktor continued, “perhaps we should send him a thank you note?” Okibi growled. “Very funny.” “Let’s worry about tomorrow, tomorrow, shall we?” Viktor brought his hand up to trace lazy circles around her navel. “For now, I like the idea of filling you with my come, then watching Branimir do the same.” Branimir surged against her hip, his cock already rampant. “Me too, and I know just how to start things off.” He looked at Viktor, then to her bedside table. Grinning wolfishly, Branimir rolled over and opened the table’s drawer. Bzzzt…
Okibi grinned. I might have to send Phillip a thank you note, after all.
Emma Ray Garrett Emma Ray Garrett says of herself: I took the road less traveled by, and let me tell you it's a wild rollercoaster, this life I live. Through it all, though, writing has kept me (moderately) sane. I'm the ultimate alpha female and my husband loves me anyway. I have three beautiful children who keep me busy but I always find time to get words on paper. Fans can contact me at
[email protected]. I love reader feedback!
