Page 17 of Omega Sanctuary

"I'll get your Nan." Sabine paused. "If there's anything I can—"

"Just get us set up to leave tomorrow." I forced myself to roll over to my side, even though my muscles screamed in protest.

"Very well. I will see you in the morning."

Sabine left.

Kivai touched my shoulder. "I am sorry."

"For what?" I snorted. "Apparently, the hot guy I'm hallucinating is right."

"I'm a spirit, Zara. You're not hallucinating."

"What does that even mean?" I huffed. "Every time you show up you stick around long enough to confuse me and then leave again."

That wasn't entirely fair. He also helped with life changing information.

I grabbed his hand and tugged him closer. He hesitated, and I dropped his hand. "Sorry," I mumbled into the pillow.

"Do not be. I want more than anything to comfort you, but you are unstable right now." He brushed his hand against my shoulder. "I could set you off."

"Okay." I settled for focusing on the feeling of his hand on my shoulder, the warm press of it.

Nan came and brought food and tea. She helped me upstairs to my bed.

Sometime in all that, Kivai slipped away.

The trip to Penrith hurt, and I was sore by the time we arrived. Sabine told me it would get better once I had an alpha bond.

At least the Temple was beautiful. Long, white columns stretched up to the air, and thick green vines draped over the courtyard. Something stirred inside my soul. It was serene here, calm. I could get lost here.

I thought maybe I'd see more spirits, but if anything, I felt them less.

Jaiyen smiled and took my hand. Fire burned bright inside me. My skin prickled, and I leaned into his arm.

We followed an attendant down a wide, candlelit corridor to a big open room. The bed was gigantic, and I blushed. Small alcoves ran along the wall, long white candles sitting inside. With the magic of our union, we would light the candles, and they would feed into the great flame in the temple.

I sat down on the bed, hands on my knees, sweating. Butterflies fluttered in my stomach. What if I messed something up? Part of the reason why they trained omegas as soon as they showed signs was to teach them how to bond.

I bit my lip and looked up at Jaiyen. He was already devouring me with his eyes. I tugged at my shawl, my pretty dress feeling too tight against my skin.

"It's okay." Jaiyen dropped a kiss on my shoulder. "You'll feel so much better."

Desire spread. We'd spent so much time touching and kissing. I had dreamed of this day, for him to look at me with reverence and hunger.

I craved it, feared it. The odd fever, my coming heat, sank into my bones, filling me up until my body was loose. Heat pulsed from my core, over my legs, up my belly.

Jaiyen leaned forward, and nibbled my neck. He sucked on the skin between my neck and my shoulders, and the liquid feeling filled me up. I sighed, leaning my head to the side. It was dark with bright patches of candlelight, making everything feel like an erotic dream.

"I want to make you feel good." Jaiyen whispered. "I'll take care of you, and you'll be my omega."

I didn't want to just be an omega.

Jaiyen moved his hands up my stomach, and thought went away, replaced by the thick syrupy feeling. He moved them up to cup my breasts, and I whimpered. His chest was hard behind me, and he kneaded my breasts until I was panting. My core throbbed and pulsed, almost in time with the pressure from his hands.

Exquisite need raced through me. I turned to face him and grinned. I pushed him onto his back and ran my hands up his chest. I worked his tunic off and licked up his stomach, like I pictured a hundred times before.

"Zara, yes," Jaiyen gasped, his hands digging through my hair.

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