Page 27 of Crown of Draga

‘Mekhi’ had tawny fur and stripes along his back. The saddle was already in place and she gave it a quick check as she inspected his legs and his reaction to her touch. As her hands travelled over his back he began to purr and butted his head against her. She nearly fell over with the force of it and she laughed.

Veri gave his front legs a hard tap and he knelt down for her. Her hands wrapped in the fur on his neck and she swung herself up. With a yank on the reins she turned them in a tight circle until he faced the open door of the stall.

With a bound he ran towards the entrance of the stables. There was a shout behind her and Veri glanced back to see Prince Asher and Nova hot on her heels. She pressed her thighs together briefly and Mekhi increased his speed. Hostlers jumped out of their way and her feline snarled at them in delight. As soon as they crossed the threshold the sun shone down hot and bright on their backs.

Veri pulled slightly on the reins and directed her mount towards the forest where she could let him run as fast and wild as he wanted. All she would do was hold on and enjoy the air whipping her hair, the smell of the plants and trees, and the quiet rhythm of Mekhi’s paws on the rich dirt.

She looked back and saw Asher and Nova closing the distance. The grin on his face as he leaned forward, egging her on made Veri laugh with joy. She had never seen him look so happy before. The wild freedom of the galina ran through her veins and made her feel more alive than she had since she left Priea. Veri threw her head back and laughed as they broke through the line of trees into the shadowed forest.

“Don’t slow down, lady, or you might lose the race!” Prince Asher called as he caught up to her. The loping run of the galinas required skill to stay on and he looked so good doing it. It was effortless for the prince and he even had one hand on the reins, not two. He was born to ride the felines. There was no other explanation.

Mekhi snarled at Nova and then Nova swiped in return. Thankfully her mount dodged in time and the only thing damaged was her skirt. There was the sound of ripping and tearing, but it could have been her leg. Veri leaned forward and pressed her legs into Mekhi’s sides again to urge him to run faster. He launched himself forward and leapt over a wall of fallen logs.

She let him go where he wished as long as he kept his speed. Asher kept pace with her and managed to pass her a few times. The forest was a blur, the sun shooting through the leaves and flickering so quickly she was nearly blind. Veri trusted Mekhi’s superior senses of the forest. When he moved she let her body move with him, leaning into the sharp turns and bracing herself just enough when he leapt.

Nova was getting ahead of them and they were losing ground. Her longer legs had a huge advantage and Mekhi slowed down as she felt him pant. Veri may not win the race, but she could win the game. She allowed Mekhi to slow down even further and then fell back far enough that Nova and Asher disappeared among the trees.

As soon as she couldn’t see either of them anymore she gave Mekhi a tug and then held on tight. The feline hunched down and then leapt straight up. His claws dug deeply into the bark of a tree. He climbed up the trunk until he was high among the branches and stayed about midlevel where the strong ones would hold their weight.

Silent and deadly, her mount went after the prince and Nova. The leaves hardly rustled as he prowled from branch to branch and tree to tree. Finally they caught up to the two where Asher had stopped to search the forest for her and Mekhi. He called out her name a few times, but she stayed quiet as Mekhi stalked out to a branch directly above Nova and Asher.

Veri gave her mount a tap and he dropped from the tree as silent as the gentle god himself. He grabbed onto Nova and they rolled to the ground. Veri jumped from the saddle before the large felines could squash her. Asher yelped in surprise and followed suit. She laughed and rolled until he was on his back and she straddled him.

“I win,” she said with a grin.

He growled and his large hands gripped her waist hard, and then he tossed her to the ground. Asher rolled over her and pinned her arms above her head, his hips pressing into hers hard enough to bruise.

Asher smiled then and her breathing hitched at the look of possession on his face. “I believe you did win.” He bent down and rubbed his nose along her jaw down to her neck, breathing her in. “You’re extremely clever, Veri,” he murmured against her sensitive skin.

She shuddered at the vibration in his voice and closed her eyes. Asher did terrible things to her. He set off every part of her that wanted to be possessed and dominated. His whole being demanded she relinquish control and Veri was so tired of always being the dominant. It exhausted her at times, and Asher seemed to sense it.

Hayden had always let her take control in everything; in their relationship and in their lovemaking. She thought she had enjoyed the dominance until she met Asher.

The prince nipped her neck and Veri gasped in surprise. Liquid heat settled in her belly and sparked an ache between her legs. She could feel herself become wet as he pressed his hips harder into her and his hand fisted her hair tight enough to sting.

“Do you like this?” he asked roughly, tightening his one-handed grip on her wrists.

Veri could only nod. She did like it and wanted more. Her hips lifted and she couldn’t help the almost animalistic reaction she had to him.

“Tell me you like it,” he growled, demanding and harsh. Asher’s gentle kiss on her jaw was so at odds with the rough way he handled her that she moaned, and then she felt his cock harden.

“I like it, mia principe; my prince.” Her breath hitched and she bit down on her lip to keep from moaning again as she throbbed with need.

His lips finally reached hers and he gave her the softest of kisses before running his hot tongue across her bottom lip. “Tell me I won,” he demanded.

“You won,” she gasped, arching up against his chest.

With a grin he released her and left her panting on the ground. The ache between her legs demanded release but she ignored it. Veri wanted the prince more than she was willing to admit, but she wanted to gain his confidence and trust before anything else. She cleared her throat and sat up, straightening her skirts as the prince went to round up the felines.

There was a darkness to him she liked even if it scared her. Every time Veri thought she had the upper hand he surprised her. Perhaps she wasn’t the one seducing him. Maybe he was the one seducing her.

Veri picked the leaves out of her hair and tried to ignore the dampness she could feel between her legs, dripping onto her thighs. Her skin was tight and her control was in shreds. She told herself the physical reaction was because she enjoyed these games, not because Asher’s hard cock and dominating attitude made her soaking wet.

Once the felines were secure, Asher left them to play and then rejoined her on the ground with a pack. Asher pulled a blanket from the bag and laid it out. Then he held his hand out to her.

Veri smiled. “You weren’t planning for me to join you, were you?” she asked playfully. She took the prince’s hand and let him help her onto the blanket.

Asher didn’t respond as he turned back to the pack. He pulled out a bottle of wine and some fruit and cheese. “What if I did?” Asher handed her the bottle. “I didn’t bring glasses, but I have a feeling my wild female doesn’t need them.” He gave her that small smile again and her belly fluttered with the knowledge she’d only seen him smile for her and his sister.

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