"The mating ritual has to be performed before the ceremony then reaffirmed afterward." Kai reaches out and runs a finger along my bare thigh, tracing a path over my knee and down the calf. "There is nothing more significant, more vital or emotional, more erotic or primal than the mating of a fated pair."
I swallow hard, my heart in my throat and panties wetter than I'll ever admit, but somehow I find the ability to continue this conversation.
"What… what happens during a mating ritual?"
Kai's gaze becomes hooded as he runs his finger down my leg again. "The most important thing you need to know is that during a mating ritual the pair join in every way imaginable. Mind. Body. Heart. Soul. It is an unbreakable bond, an unshakable connection that remains for the rest of their lives." His hand wraps around my ankle and he pulls my leg into his lap. "It is primal and sensual, animalistic and beautiful, the way a mated pair ruts and possesses the other. And finally, their mating is sealed with his mark, a final act of claiming what is rightfully his."
"His mark?"
"A bite to the area just here." Kai leans and traces the hollow of my shoulder, that sensitive area of skin that pretty much brings me to orgasm when he touches it.
I shudder, hard, and just when I think he's going to kiss me and possibly get that ritual started, Kai's goddamn phone rings.
His eyes flash white and he growls just before turning to his phone on the coffee table.
"It is Andrej."
I nod and take my leg off his lap, his very happy lap by the feel of it. Nothing like a cock-block from a big brother.
Then I frown. "You knew it was Andrej before you saw the ID?"
Kai nods. "We share a link, my brothers and I. Siblings and parents cannot speak to each other telepathically but we sense each other, can send something like a smoke signal in our minds, each unique to the individual. Another protective trait bred into our genetics."
"A smoke signal?" I giggle. "Was that a little bit of a dragon joke, Kasimir?"
He growls and leans toward me, captures my lips in an almost indecent kiss. "It was but I find it difficult to laugh when my given name sounds so beautiful coming from your lips."
I smile, kiss him again then push him back before I do something we won't be able to stop. "You better call him back then. If it was Milos I'd tell you to send him to voicemail but since it's Andrej it must be important."
"Agreed." Kai sits up and dials, rests his hand on my thigh and begins drawing lazy circles with his finger. "My brothers were given strict instructions only to call if needed, if it only pertains to something of the utmost importance."
My dad flashes in my mind but Kai looks at me tenderly and shakes his head. "Henrich would be calling if your father needed you. Andrej has been tasked with other things."
I blow out a breath and nod. "Thank you." Then I grin. "At some point you're going to need to explain how you always seem to know what I'm thinking."
He nods. "I will, beloved."
I watch as Kai hangs up and redials his brother, frustration creeping into his features and when he finally connects he starts speaking Slovakian.
It probably shouldn't turn me on to hear him use his native language, especially when he's probably talking about something that apparently makes him tense but it totally does.
Hell, everything about Kai turns me on so it's not surprising in the least. But I should probably go be turned on somewhere else though because now he's staring at me with dark eyes again and I don't want to distract him.
"I'm going to go up and brush my teeth," I whisper then get to my feet. "Come up when you're finished or come get me if you need to."
I press a kiss to his temple, inhale that spicy, rich scent that is all Kai then leave him to his conversation that hopefully won't ruin our getaway.
I might be going a little too far with this whole selfish thing.
Oh well.
If there is anything in my life worth being selfish over it is most definitely Kasimir the Chosen of the Dragovihk Clan.
Jesus, what am I getting myself into?
Seems Right
Iset my phone on the table with a gruff sigh and rub my temples, eyes closed while scenes of war and extermination play through my mind.
