Page 107 of Unleashed

“You’re okay,” he rasped.

“I am,” she said, grasping his shoulders. She met his gaze and brought her lips to his. “We did it. You’re all free.”

“Because of you,” he replied. “All this, because of you.”

He reluctantly relinquished his hold on her as Balir stepped into place beside Nina and drew her into another embrace.

Balir trailed his fingers over her hair and tipped his head down, lightly touching his bony head crest to her forehead. Though neither spoke, Aduun guessed that a great deal passed between them in those moments. She smoothed a hand over Balir’s bone plate and down his back.

Quinn approached with a blanket and draped it over Nina’s shoulders.

Nina raised her head and looked at her mother, her smile turning sheepish.

“Sorry,” she said, taking hold of the blanket’s upper corners and drawing it around herself. “I’ve grown so used to…well…” Her cheeks colored.

For the first time in hundreds of years, Aduun was aware of his own nakedness. Even Orishok wore a loincloth. Aduun cleared his throat. “We will have to remedy that. We do not wish to disrespect your customs, Quinn.”

“It’s all right.” Quinn smiled; Aduun noted that she seemed quite intent on maintaining eye contact with him.

There was movement to Aduun’s left, and Nina lifted her head. Tears filled her eyes as she stepped toward Orishok and slipped her arms around him. “Dad. I’m so sorry.”

He held her close, head bowed. “It was foolish to leave on your own. You knew that.”

“I know. I know it was stupid but…I don’t regret it.”

Orishok took her chin between two fingers and tilted her face up. “Despite all the worry your mother and I suffered, all the fear and uncertainty…I do not regret it, either. You have done what none of my kind were able to do. You were brave and selfless, and you risked everything to protect the people you care for. Ineverwant you putting yourself at risk, but I am so proud of you. The old legends cannot compare to what you have done, my daughter. And now, I will not lose you either.”

Nina sniffled, tears spilling over her cheeks. “I love you so much.” She squeezed Orishok again, burying her face against his chest.

Gently stroking her hair, Orishok smiled and closed his eyes. “Child of my heart.”

Quinn kissed Nina’s cheek and touched a hand to Orishok’s arm. “Let’s give them some time. I’m ready for some sleep.”

He nodded and released Nina without any attempt to mask his reluctance. Quinn laced her fingers with Orishok’s, and they walked out of the room together, closing the door behind them to leave Nina with Balir, Vortok, and Aduun.

“You are truly feeling well?” Vortok asked, moving behind her and enfolding her in his arms. He settled a palm over her stomach as though searching for the wounds that had been there only hours before.

“Other than my head aching, I feel completely fine.” She settled a hand over his and smiled when Balir joined them at her side. “There is no pain. It’s…as though it never happened. But I know it did, because Irememberthe pain.”

“As do we,” Aduun said, stepping closer and cupping her cheek. He brushed his thumb over her soft skin and stared into her eyes. More words built in his chest, words of relief, of thankfulness, of love, but they died on his tongue as he lost himself in the depths of her gaze. She did not need to be told; she already knew. But he still intended toshowher.

He leaned down and pressed his lips to hers, pouring everything he felt into that contact, claiming her and surrendering to her at once. What started as a tender kiss soon turned into something consuming. He’d nearly lost her.They’dnearly lost her.

“I need you,” Aduun rasped against her mouth.

“Weneed you,” Balir said, rubbing his nose over Nina’s jaw and into her hair to inhale deeply.

“And I need all of you,”Nina replied, turning her face to brush her lips across Balir’s cheek. She’d never felt as much fear as she did in the moment when Kelsharn had stepped out of the crystal pyramid. All her focus had been turned toward her mates, toward keeping them safe, keeping them alive, no matter the cost to her. But they were here with her now, and she wanted to be as close to them as she could.

Vortok retreated farther into the room without releasing her and sat upon the bed. He lifted her onto his lap and made a deep rumbling sound in his chest. She leaned against him, taking comfort in his solidness, strength, and warmth. His hands slid up from her stomach to cup her breasts, and Nina moaned as his rough thumbs grazed her nipples, arching into his touch. His attention sent a thrill through her, flooding her core with liquid heat. She spread her thighs, hooking a foot behind each of his knees. His cock slid along her back as it emerged from its sheath.

Nina looked up and found Aduun’s hungry, amber eyes staring at the juncture of her open thighs before rising to meet her gaze. She held her arms out to him. He came to her, his shaft already erect, and caught her mouth in another ferocious kiss. His claws delved into her hair as he pressed close, and Nina slipped her arms around him, the tips of her fingers dipping lower to the base of his tail to pull him even closer.

“Now,” she breathed; urgency suffused her. She wanted them now.Neededthem now.

Aduun shifted his hips, and as soon as the head of his cock settled against her opening, he plunged into her. She gasped against his mouth as he filled her. Without pause, he pulled back out and thrust into her again, and again, and again. He claimed her with his mouth, stealing her air and breathing new life into her.

She opened to him, opened to all of them, giving a part of herself she’d never shield from them. Their love consumed her, their lust ravaged her, and their pleasure destroyed her, blazing white hot.

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