The edge of the knife cuts along her tunic, splitting it down the middle. My cock rises in anticipation, but it’s not as hard as I expected, because the shadow of fear returns to her face as she glances over my shoulder at my men. I’m failing her. The entire point of the ceremony is to prove not only to my men that she’s worthy of me, but to prove to her that I’m worthy of her.
“You keep shredding my clothing, Atox. Do you know how hard it is to find clothing to fit me?”
“I will get you whatever you need, mate. But I would not object if you walk around naked.” My compliment doesn’t ease the concern in her face. “Tell me how to guide you. This ceremony is for you as well as me. To bond us as one.”
“We’re not alone,” she whispers. “Distract me. Make me forget they’re watching.”
“Watching? Mate, there is no one here in our chamber but the two of us.”
“Our chamber?” her eyes look up at the brilliant stars above.
“I’ve added a skylight,” I say, helping to take her mind off of where we truly are. “And I’ve made sure there is light for you. No darkness.” I point my knife to the nearby fire. The flames lick at the sky, sending a soft glow over Paloma’s face as I peel the remnants of her tunic off her beautiful body.
“Skylight, huh?”
“So you may see the stars and know I’d give them to you if I could. You need only ask.” That gains me a smile. And her eyes now focus on me. Not the warriors watching us. Not even the stars.
“This bed is harder than I recall,” she says, playing along.
“Ah, well, that is my fault, mate. I forgot to place the furs down to make it soft for you. I will correct this behavior next time.”
I cup her breast in my hand. Heavy, fleshy, beautiful. With a simple tug from two fingers, her nipple hardens for me. My thumb runs over the dusty pink peak as brown eyes lock on me.
“Tell me, Paloma, what shall we do tonight?”
This isn’t supposed to be an exchange. I’m to take her in the traditional manner, from behind, then knot her, keeping all my seed inside while my warriors witness. But for her, I will alter tradition enough to help her enjoy the ceremony. And she will enjoy it; I will find a way to ensure that.
“I don’t know,” she says.
“Then I will decide for you.” I part her legs and press my mouth against her folds. To my surprise, she’s wet for me. I lick her from her core to the bundle of nerves that control her pleasure.
When my female digs her nails into my hair, I tilt my headback to look at her. “Open your eyes, Paloma.” This part is non-negotiable. My warriors need to see into the soul of my female, to know she’s true and pure.
“Atox…”
“Do you trust me, Paloma?”
“Yes,” she says without hesitating. It warms my heart. A grak shouldn’t need a female, shouldn’t have to depend on her, and yet I find myself inexplicably falling under her spell.
“Look at them, Paloma. Each warrior here has sworn his life to me, and by extension to you. They are mine to control, as I am yours to control.
CHAPTER THIRTY
PALOMA
“Show me who you are, my graka,” Atox says.
I’m guessing graka is the female version of a grak, a queen essentially, if women held true power in this culture. Regardless, Atox calling me graka is a compliment, as if he’s calling me a queen. Maybe to him, I am.
My head spins with the implication, even as my body thrums from his tongue licking my most intimate area… in front of others. As I wrestle with the meaning of his words, he sucks on my clit.
I gasp, then shudder as an orgasm overtakes me. My eyes snap open, looking out into the night… and I find the eyes of a warrior I don’t know. A warrior whose green eyes lock onto me as if he sees right through to my soul.
To my utter surprise, I feel no fear or shame, only the power that Atox has given me. In more than the orgasm that lifts my body. I feel strong, despite the fact that he’s stripped me bare and is holding my legs open for everyone to see my pussy and what he is doing to me.
My eyes glide to the next warrior where I know I’ll see a similar expression on the male’s face. Confusion.
Perhaps a male going down on a female isn’t routine. Or these warriors expect me to cower as their grak fucks me. Except this isn’t about sex, or even power and control.
