Page 13 of Stolen By the Barbarian

"I would never let you fall." I hold my hand out for her to take. "You have my word as a Lita Comtra."

She takes a large shuddering breath, her throat working through a hard swallow. I can feel the fear emanating from her as she hesitates before finally grabbing my hand, trembling like a leaf in a violent storm, gathering her courage to join me.

The platform sways a little and she shakes harder. I'm about to call off our journey when she wraps her arms around my waist, clinging to me with all her might. Her body quakes against mine, her knuckles white with tension.

Her voice quavers yet remains firm. "I'm ready," she declares with a newfound bravery.

Zoe buries her face in my chest, her warmth radiating through my body as she holds tightly to me. I work the pulley system, lowering us to the ground, slow and steady to savor this moment. My heart warms as her trusting embrace tightens around me, my scales rippling with a fierce need to keep her safe.

As we reach the ground, Zoe blows out a relieved breath and eases away. I immediately miss the feel of her body perfectly melded against mine.

"Thanks, Mordox," she says softly, her voice now steady. "Sorry I was all clingy. I couldn't have done that without you."

"You're stronger than you think." I reach out, tipping her chin up with my fingertip. "But feel free to cling to me anytime you wish."

Zoe's eyes lock with mine, a deep flush darkens her pale cheeks, and the urge to protect her at all costs amplifies. My muscles tense as my body hums in response to her presence, and I know I will do whatever is necessary to shield her from danger.

I whack the tip of my tail on the ground to stave off the tingles at the base of my spine. The urge to mark her as mine intensifies the longer our gazes linger.

I close the distance between us, dipping my face to the hollow of her throat to better breathe in her delicate fragrance. She shudders in my arms as my lips trail up and along her jaw to settle over her parted lips.

"I won't let anything harm you. I'll keep you safe always," I breathe my vow against the softness of her mouth.

"Mordox," she moans my name, her fingers tangling in my hair.

I swallow her soft sigh, deepening the kiss as I lose myself in her taste. The sound of her soft gasps and the feel of her body pressed against mine fuel my desire to mark her with my scent. My tail slashes at the air, yet my mating gland will not relent. Annoying tingles turn to sharp pinpricks of ardor, and I know I must soon make her mine or go insane with need. My cock thickens, pearly beads leaking from the engorged tip in anticipation.

But I can't give in to my primal instincts yet. Not until I know she is safe.

With great reluctance, I ease away so my mouth hovers over hers in a breathless caress. I brush a soft kiss across her lips, savoring the sweet taste of her for a moment longer before I take a step back and fight for control.

Tris's screech breaks the peacefulness of the moment, and Zoe leaps into my arms.

"It's only Tris," I reassure her. "She's mad I left the house."

"That's an awfully loud sound to come from such a small creature."

"I know. She can be really annoying sometimes," I grin, tempted to keep hold of Zoe, but reluctantly set her on her feet. My hands cling to her waist a moment longer than necessary before she takes a step back, never looking away from me as I let my hands drop, releasing her.

"Where is she?" Zoe turns her eyes up to the forest's canopy.

"Up there somewhere, hiding in the trees."

"Wow. You can't even see your pod house from down here."

"I've had twenty rotations to perfect the camouflage." I dismantle the pulley system and hide the platform in the heavy foliage. Then I cast my gaze skyward and make a clicking noise, holding up my palm as a landing pad for my plurshy companion to land.

Tris is a soundless blur of blue and yellow; spreading her limbs to extend the webbing, she floats down to land with a soft thump. She wraps tiny, clawed fingers around my thumb.

"I'm glad Tris wants to join us. She can hear long distances away. If something is sneaking around, she'll hear it before I can scent it."

"She's so cute." Zoe's face instantly brightens with wonder as she studies the wide-eyed plurshy in my hand. "Can I hold her?"

"Sure. Hold out your hand like this." I demonstrate. "See if she'll come to you. Don't be too disappointed if she won't, she doesn't trust..."

My words die in my mouth as Tris leaps out of my hand and into Zoe's.

"Looks like you've made a new friend." I smirk.

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