The Quest III: Return to Volter Read online

  No, Meka! Do not die! He lifted his head skyward. Please save her! I will do anything…give anything…my right to the throne of Tern Terra. Please save her.

  It is all right, my cub. Now you are here, I will no longer fight entering the misty place.

  No! Slayer lifted his head and called out angrily. Macak! Hear me! I will dispatch you in the most vicious manner!

  No, my cub. You must not hurt him. He meant no harm!

  He led you into a trap and deserted you! For that he will be dispatched slowly!

  No, Slayer. This is the last thing I will ever ask of you. He is but a cub and longs to rule the prides. Promise me you will not dispatch him. He is your sibling. You must not hurt him…if you value me…promise me so that I may enter the misty place with an easy heart. Promise me, my cub.

  I…I promise.

  Unable to bear the scene playing out between Meka and her sire, misty eyed, Wynter looked at Totter. The cat at Totter’s feet attempted to rise. Totter swatted him with a sheathed paw. Remain as you are or die. Without waiting for a response, Totter padded over to her and licked her face. My lady. You are injured. I will dispatch the remaining coward slowly for this.

  Ayanni stiffened and Wynter tightened her arm around her. Totter was as big as Slayer and Wynter knew he must be a fearful sight to Ayanni. “Do not be fearful, Mother. This is Totter. Totter, this is Ayanni, she who bore me.”

  Totter immediately drew away and bowed his head. My lady Ayanni.

  The sounds of Slayer’s grief were more than Wynter could bear. She closed her fingers in Ayanni’s hair. “Mother, please. He needs you. Go to him and comfort him as only you can now.”

  To her surprise, Ayanni immediately rose and ran across to Slayer. Wynter watched as Ayanni lay at his side and stroked her hands along his flank, whispering softly to him.

  Totter moved closer to her and lay by her side. Wynter.

  She felt his concern, and more, for her. She reached up and wrapped her arms around his neck, burying her face against his beautiful, glorious mane. Oh, Totter. I thought I would die without knowing your kiss again.

  He wrapped his tail around her and although she was dizzy and weak, she felt safe and warm. She turned her head and brushed her lips against his. To her delight, he kissed her back, running the tip of his tongue along her lips. A flood of delight and ecstasy danced through her. Mating hunger filled her. I would feel you inside me again…this time in my mating tunnel…when we are not so sad.

  His answer delighted her. I look forward to cunt mating with you, My lady Wynter.

  They shared another brief kiss before he pulled away from her and returned to the cat still cowering on the ground where Totter had left him.

  She looked over towards her parents and saw Ayanni holding her sire in her arms, kissing and comforting him as he grieved for Meka.

  A sudden, regal roar filled the air. Confused, Wynter watched as both Slayer and Totter lifted their heads. Slayer rose to his feet and wailed in answer. Moments later a huge Carnivore with a beautiful bronze coat and a dark golden mane, flanked by several other cats trotted into the clearing. Wynter sucked in a breath. She knew she was looking at the magnificent cat who had sired Slayer. Hunter, future ruler of Tern Terra.

  Totter bowed his head. My lord, Hunter.

  Slayer rushed to him. Sire. She who bore me has been dispatched.

  Hunter brushed his head gently against Slayer’s. My cub, do not despair. Sheela is here. She will do what she can.

  A smaller Carnivore went over to Meka. Ayanni let out a cry of fright and Slayer immediately returned to her side. Wynter saw with satisfaction Ayanni’s arms slip around his neck. He kneeled and she slid on his back, her face buried against his mane.

  Hunter looked at her and then Slayer. We will leave Sheela to do her work. Come introduce me to your cub.

  But sire, Meka has been dispatched.

  The grief in Slayer’s voice brought fresh tears to Wynter’s eyes.

  Do not be so sure she is beyond help, Hunter told him. Sheela is a powerful seer and healer. Come. I would meet your cub.

  First I would have you meet her mother.

  Hunter inclined his head. Who even now clings so fiercely to your neck you are in danger of being strangled?

  She is shy, sire. My lord Hunter, this is Ayanni, she who bore my cub. Ayanni, this is my lord Hunter, elder offspring of Seeker, who rules Tern Terra.

  Ayanni lifted her head and bowed it. “My lord, Hunter.”

  Wynter watched as the future ruler of Tern Terra bowed his head to her mother. Ayanni, she who bore my only grandcub…I am honored.

  And now sire, meet Wynter. She felt Slayer’s pride as he padded over to her. Sire. This is Wynter, my eldest offspring, born of Ayanni of Volter. Wynter, this is Hunter, my sire, and the most majestic and regal of all the Great Carnivores.

  Hunter sent a warm wave of affection towards her. Wynter…future ruler of Tern Terra, I am honored and humbled, my cub.

  My lord Hunter, I am…I am… She struggled to her feet, blinked rapidly at him, felt herself falling, and then was surrounded by darkness.

  * * * * *

  Ayanni felt Slayer’s grief as if it were her own. It was unbearable. It tore at her heart and made her long to comfort him. The seer, Sheela, had not been able to save Meka. Slayer and Hunter had wailed in grief at her passing while Sheela had tended to the unconscious Wynter as she and Totter had hovered over her.

  Finally the seer shifted into humanoid form had looked up at her and nodded. “She will be sufficient once she wakes. For now we must let her sleep undisturbed.”

  Totter had shifted into a tall, handsome humanoid with blond hair and dark eyes, and carried Wynter back to the hut. He had laid her on her bed and turned to look at Ayanni. “If my lady will allow me to stand watch over her, I would count it a favor.”

  “She will sleep for sometime, my lady,” Sheela informed her. She looked over her shoulder out the door where Slayer could be heard wailing in grief. “If I might suggest, my lord Slayer has a greater need for you at the moment. My lady Wynter will sleep and wake with some head discomfort, but nothing more. Go to my lord. Please.”

  Ayanni bent and kissed Wynter’s cheek and looked at Totter. She knew she looked into the eyes of one who truly valued Wynter. Although there was something in Sheela’s manner towards Slayer that trouble Ayanni, she knew that both the seer and Totter had Wynter’s best interest at heart.

  “I will go to him, but if she should awake and need me… “

  “She will not awake for some time, my lady. I have instructed her body to sleep the pain away. It will be close to sun shining before she wakes. Please see to my lord.”

  After making sure Wynter slept soundly, Ayanni left Totter to stand watch over Wynter and went out back where Slayer lay with his head buried in Hunter’s flank, wailing in grief. Several Carnivores stood watch at a respectful distance.

  Although she was still nervous around so many huge Carnivores, she felt a need to comfort Slayer that she could not deny. His pain was like an ugly gaping wound. She slowly approached, stopping several feet from the grieving Carnivores.

  Hunter looked up at her. She saw a pain in his gaze. Come. He needs comfort that only you can provide.

  Looking into his gaze, she knew what he meant. What he wanted her to do…mate with Slayer. That was something she had promised herself she would never do again, even though it was the one thing she longed for. She shook her head. “I…I can not.”

  You must. His grief is great. He needs you. Come! Please!

  It was more of a command than it was a plea and Ayanni found herself stumbling forward. We will leave you alone, but we will be near should we be needed. Hunter rose and padded slowly away. After a moment he and the other Carnivores disappeared into the surrounding foliage. Ayanni turned back to face Slayer. He lay with his head on his paws, shudders shaking his body. His misery rolled over her, infusing her with sorrow.

  Ayanni’s heart felt
as if it would break with Slayer’s. She stretched out beside him, pressing her body against his. I am so sorry. I grieve with you. She stroked a hand down his flank. He turned and buried his head against her, making a low, anguish cry.

  I am so sorry, Slayer. She was brave and unselfish. She gave her last bit of strength to save us. And it was not the first time. She has come to my rescue on a number of occasions.

  It is my fault she has perished. I should have been here for her. This should not have happened. I should not have failed her.

  No! You did not fail her. She pressed her face against his. You must not blame yourself.

  Meka was she who bore me. It was my responsibility to safeguard her. I should not have gone to Tern Terra and left her. Had I stayed in Volter, I would have known what Macak planned and stopped him.

  She kissed his mane and pressed closer. Enough! I will not listen to any more of this!

  But she who bore me has been dispatched and I have been forbidden to seek my rightful vengeance.

  The Gods of the Mountains are just.

  She felt him stiffen against her. Then he turned to face her, his eyes troubled. You believe that, after all you have endured for so many seasons through no fault of your own?

  She was silent for several moments before deciding that she really did mean it. After all, because she had met and mated with him, she had Wynter, the sun in her life. And although she had suffered much, she could not wish Wynter unborn. And though she was reluctant to admit it, she was lying next to the only male she would ever value. It amazed her that he who would one day rule Tern Terra still found her pleasing after her years of toiling. She could feel his need for her. In fact, it mirrored her own.

  Yes, my lord Slayer, she answered quietly and lay her head against his upper underbelly.

  You must not address me as lord.

  Tantalizing remembrances of their one afternoon together teased her senses and love-starved body. She did not enjoy bottom mating and her only source of pleasure had come from losing herself in sweet memories of their coupling so long ago. That had sufficed in the past but not now. Not with him so close and in such obvious need of her.

  Now she wanted so much more. She sucked in a breath. She wanted him. You always have and always will be my lord, she whispered and reached a trembling hand down to rub over his sheathed cock.

  She felt it immediately begin to swell under her fingers.

  No! He surprised her when he drew back.

  She lifted her head and looked at him in confusion. What is it, my lord?

  He rose to his feet and gave an angry shake of his head. I have already instructed you not to call me lord.

  His obvious anger confused her. She sat up, twisting her hair in her fingers. What have I done to displease you?

  You offer yourself to me as a sacrifice because my sire commanded it. I do not want or require such a sacrifice from you!

  Chapter Nine

  She felt her face burn. She bolted to her feet and stalked over to him. Raising her hand, she slapped his face so hard her hand stung. How dare you imply that I can be ordered to couple with someone I do wish to couple with. You think because I have not known pleasure since you coupled with me that I am easy and—

  I think no such thing and I intended to give no insult, he said quickly. He brushed his mane against her shoulder. Why can you not look into my heart and know how I feel? How I have always felt. How can you not know how I have longed for you? There has never been a sun rising or setting since I left you that I have not longed for you. The hunger and ache for you has eaten away at me for all these seasons. I have never stopped longing for you or valuing you. I never will. You are one…the only one I have ever valued. For me there will never be another one to take your place with me, Ayanni. Never.

  His impassioned plea tore at her heart. She knew in that moment that for herself, she could and would forgive him anything. She did not know if she could forgive him for all Wynter had been denied for so long. But that was something she would consider later. She had needs that only he could satisfy…needs that would no longer be denied.

  Excitement building, she slipped off her dress, revealing her bare body. It was no longer as slender and shapely as it had once been, but she could feel his rising excitement as he looked at her with dark eyes.

  Her legs trembled as she walked over to the nearest tree. Slipping her dress behind her, she leaned back against the tree, parted her legs, and waited for him.

  He made a low growl deep in his chest cavity. He padded slowly over to her. Her heart thundered in her chest as she noted his cock sliding out of its sheath. It had been so long. Moisture and heat filled her mating tunnel.

  His tongue flicked out and he gently, quickly drew it along her outer lips, making her stomach muscles tighten and clench. Hmm. He allowed the rough edge of his tongue to lap at her, then as she gasped, he leisurely thrust it forward and deep inside her, filling her with his warmth.

  “Oooh!” she moaned. How she had longed for this moment. It has been a lifetime since she had known such delight. “Slayer…” she whispered. “My lord, Slayer. “

  He withdrew all but a quarter of his tongue and then thrust in back inside her.

  Pleasure sliced through her as he began a sweet, intoxicating motion inside her. Each time he began the descent into her, the tip of his tongue touched her interior clit, turning her body into liquid heat. A flutter of desire and passion flared in her, spreading through her entire body. Oh, this was why she had been born…to be this handsome, powerful male’s vassal…to be his slave…his humble and grateful servant.

  Giving in to the hunger and need she had suppressed for so long, she gripped his mane in her hands and began thrusting herself roughly forward on his tongue, grinding her groin and her pussy into his face and mouth. She could feel the edges of his teeth lightly brushing against her clit as she mindlessly rutted herself on him.

  Pleasure danced along her nerve endings and she burst into a blaze of heated passion and a release that was so sweet and so intense, that tears streamed down her eyes. She wrapped her arms around him and wept softly as she came…again and again.

  He kept his tongue buried deep in her creaming body and sent soft words of value to her as she shuddered through her final explosion. I love you, Ayanni. Only you. Always and only you. For me there will never be anyone I love half as much. I am your humble servant and slave, my Ayanni. Forgive me. Forgive me and take me back!

  Still trembling, she wiped her damp cheeks against his mane and slumped back against the tree. To feel such pleasure again was wonderful beyond her memories, but she longed for more still…she had to have more.

  She unwound her arms from his neck and he backed slowly away from her, using his tongue to lick her juices off his face. Her legs gave way and she slid down the tree and sat on the ground with her legs parted, exposing her heated and still moist passage to his gaze.

  His cock, now fully erect, was still outside its sheath and she slowly licked her lips as her gaze settled on the object of her desire. Slayer…please, she whispered softly, rubbing a hand against her channel.

  Panting softly, he padded over to her and lowered his head. She closed her eyes as his tongue touched her breasts. He sucked gently but insistently at her breasts until they were both hard peaks. Then he took turns biting into them, his incredibly powerful teeth sinking into them enough to break the skin but not draw blood. Her passage flooded again and again.

  She lay writhing on the ground, longing for fulfillment. Finally she could bear no more. She raked her fingers through his mane and stared up at him. Take me! Now! I can wait no longer! Do not tease me any longer, my lord. Please!

  You are sure this is what you want?

  Yes! she screamed at him. It is what I have wanted and longed for since you left! Please, my lord.

  Rise, my Ayanni. I need you on your feet for this first time.

  Her mouth went dry and her legs shook as she rose and leaned back against the tree
. He rose on his hind paws and moved forward, his cock, thick and long, exposed and erect.

  He laid his big body against hers. She reached between them and guided his cock to her entrance. He eased forward. His cock, hard and hot, slowly began to pierce her.

  She caught her breath and gasped. “Oooh!”

  He halted his forward motion.

  Don’t stop. Please.

  As you wish, my Ayanni. His hips moved gently forward.

  She nearly held her breath as he slowly filled her. The feelings assailing her were totally incredible. She had forgotten how enjoyable his entrance into her was. She closed her eyes and allowed her senses to be overwhelmed. Every part of her shared in the joy of his slow possession of her body.

  She wanted him to drive his cock in quickly even as she wanted him to make the experience last for an exquisitely long time. Finally her need to be completely filled with him won over. Clutching his flanks in her hands, she thrust her hips forward. After a brief hesitation, he slid his big body forward, sinking deep inside her, filling her as only he could.

  “Oooh!” She bit her lip and trembled, her body on the brink of an explosion. She fought to control it, but lost the battle. A delicious orgasm washed over her and she surrendered to it, rutting herself wildly on his cock as she came.

  Fully seated in her and motionless, he allowed her to enjoy herself. That’s it my Ayanni. Feel my devotion and value for you…feel my love for you. Come for me and know how much I love you…how much I will always love you.

  She moaned and laid her face against his underbody as the last shudder left her body. She had to press her lips closed together to keep from telling him that she valued him too. That was so good, my lord. So good. I had forgotten how wonderful mating was with you. I had only my memories and they had begun to fade. She rotated her hips so that she could feel him, still hard and huge inside her.

  A tremor passed through his body and she realized how selfish she had been. She had been pleasured several times while he had yet to come.

  Sighing softly, she stroked her hands down his body. His skin felt soft and warm under her fingers. Now, my lord Slayer, it is your turn. She gave a gentle squeeze around his cock. Mate with me. Take me. She kissed his belly. Mate with me and fill me with your seed.