To Seduce An Assassin (The Omaja Series Book 2) Read online

  “Oh!”

  His tongue plunged a little deeper, and he used the fingers of one hand to stimulate her swollen clitoris while he penetrated her in and out with his velvety tongue.

  A climax started to wrack her body, and she convulsed, squeezing him with her thighs. “Oh, Yavi. Oh!”

  He used his fingers and tongue to keep the pressure on while wave after wave of melty-hot ecstasy washed over her body. She felt as if she were being completely wrung out like a dishrag. Like every pleasure point in her body was squeezing and contracting, only to billow out again, stretching toward him, seeking his touch, craving his body, wanting to meld with him completely.

  Eventually he released her from his sweet torture, caressing her thighs and hips a few seconds more. He freed her hands and wrapped them around his neck while he nuzzled her jawline. “Sundarra,” he whispered.

  She found her voice, although it came out low and raspy. “What does that mean?”

  “Beauty that overwhelms. It means when you’re helpless in the face of such beauty.”

  “That was the best thing I’ve ever felt,” she groaned.

  “Me too.”

  “You too? How, when I am the one receiving all the pleasure?”

  He caressed her hips as he kissed her neck, then spoke near her ear. “You are not the one receiving all the pleasure. Feeling you climaxing under me is a pleasure beyond belief, Sheir-zin.”

  She hugged him closer. “How can I love you the same way?”

  “Hold off on that for a moment longer. I want to give you another climax.” He stuffed her left hand under the pillow again.

  “Another? But you—”

  “Hush,” he ordered, pinning her right hand out of the way, under the pillow. He moved lower to trail kisses over her belly again, then spread her thighs wider and covered her with his mouth again. Graciella sucked in a sharp breath at the exquisite thrill of her still-swollen clitoris being even more sensitive to the strokes of his tongue than before. She felt his thumb stroking over the opening of her vagina, rubbing the inside rim gently, letting her get used to the sensation before pushing his thumb inside her just a bit. It stretched her, felt thick and tight inside her, and increased the pleasurable sensation of his hot mouth and tongue on her.

  Within seconds she was moaning and writhing beneath him again.

  He raised his head. “Hold back. Try not to release it yet.”

  She tightened her belly, squeezing her eyes shut tight as he redoubled his efforts, licking and sucking with his lips and tongue. His thumb pressed slightly deeper inside her, and she felt herself contracting on it.

  “I—I can’t…”

  He raised his head, giving her a break. “Hold it if you can,” he urged gently.

  She held her breath, willing herself to calm a bit.

  He blew cool air over her wet clitoris, and she groaned.

  He chuckled. “Are you under control, my sweet?”

  “Barely.”

  He licked her, and she convulsed, her climax right on the edge.

  “Gods, Yavi,” she choked out. “Please…”

  He blew on her again, softly. “Please what?”

  She arched her back. “Please…help me!”

  He chuckled and covered her aching clitoris with his mouth, licked her back and forth with his tongue, and pushed his thumb inside a bit further. An enormous wave that felt like molten lava claimed her body, and she lost all sense of time and space. The wave consumed her, pressing through her core and pushing out through every cell of her body. She arched off the mattress into his arms, moaning his name aloud, pushing herself against his hard frame.

  “Graciella,” he groaned, stroking her back, her waist, her hips. “Beautiful love. Beautiful.” He devoured her neck, pressing her back against the pillows, smothering her with kisses.

  “Gods,” she breathed, straining up against him. “How did you do that?”

  He chuckled against her collarbone and lay on his side beside her. “It gets stronger if you hold back a bit.”

  “Let me pleasure you. I have to make you feel that too. Show me what to do.”

  He pulled her hand down to his cock, wrapped her fingers around it. “Touch me like you did earlier.”

  She stroked him eagerly. “Lie on your back,” she suggested, and he complied. She rose up on one elbow to get better leverage, caressing him up and down.

  He reached down to capture her hand, rubbing her palm over his tip. It was wet with slippery fluid that coated her palm. “Now try it,” he urged.

  She did, sliding her hand up and down his length more smoothly. She gripped him harder, stroking all the way down, loving the way his penis bucked against her hand a little bit. She looked up at his face. “Can I use my mouth like you did?”

  “Yes. Do it.”

  She bent forward to kiss the tip of his shaft gingerly. “This won’t hurt you?”

  “Your sweet kisses? It’s like torture, but of the very best kind,” he managed.

  She smiled and licked him, tasting the salty fluid that continued to seep a bit, then covering him with her mouth. She sucked gently, and he groaned.

  After a few more minutes of her kisses, he shifted away. “I can’t wait any longer,” he said, laying her on her back. He pushed her legs together, then straddled her body and positioned himself so that he could press his cock between her thighs, rubbing himself up against her folds. She was still sensitive and tingly there, and shivered in response to the contact. He pushed himself deeper into the crevice, then pulled out, shuddering. In again, out. His breathing was hot and labored near her ear. One more push, and his entire body convulsed with a groan. Graciella felt hot fluid spill over her thighs, and then he gathered her into his arms, his heart thudding against the wall of his chest.

  She hugged him tightly. “Yavi—just take me all the way. I want you to.”

  “No, sweet,” he rasped, his voice thick. “Not without the bride oil. That is the way I want to do it.”

  “When can we get married, then? We’re in the middle of a war.”

  He nuzzled her ear, her neck. “Tonight. I’ll ask Volkan to perform the ceremony, if you agree.”

  She squealed with delight. “Of course I agree!”

  Hi kissed her. “It means you won’t have a temple wedding, wear a fancy dress, invite guests, or have a lavish banquet, Sheir-zin. Are you certain you want to do it here, tonight?”

  “More than certain. I want to be your wife right now. But where can we get the oil?”

  “I’ll ask Volkan about that too. If he has the ingredients and can make it, good. If not, I’ll ask him where I can buy it in Parvata, the village in the foothills near here.”

  “Yavi, I love you so much.” She snuggled against him happily.

  He held her close, stroking her hair. “Ohkfu shah denahmay. I love you too. Now sleep.”

  With his pectoral muscle for a pillow, she did just that.

  §

  Yavi felt her fall asleep, lying on his chest. He absently reached up to place his hand over the emperor’s ruby, feeling strange to find it absent for the first time in six years. No doubt Uman wouldn’t rest until he had hunted them down again. Even though he now had the ruby, with the Zulfikar line still alive and living in Nandala, Uman’s authority would be tenuous at best. The palace guards, Black Armies, and general populace of Nandala were fiercely loyal to Yavi and his brother. Uman would have to murder many, many innocents with his Vyrkune in order to maintain control.

  As selfish as it sounded, he was tempted to take Graciella and flee—go into hiding somewhere in Villeleia just as he’d suggested to her, be a peasant farmer, and raise a little family in safety and seclusion. But he knew that was impossible. He could not abandon his homeland to these flesh-eating creatures. Whether he was emperor now or not, he was still one of the highest-trained assassins in the Black Armies, with a sworn duty to protect Nandala.

  He stroked Graciella’s soft cheek and the dark swath of her hair drape
d over his chest, touching the silky strands with his fingertips. Whatever it cost him, she must be protected. He knew the right thing to do was to send her back to Villeleia, well out of harm’s way, as soon as he had a chance. But the thought of parting with her now drove a dagger deep into his gut.

  He would consult with Master Volkan when they awoke, ask for his consent to marry them that night. And pray. Perhaps Tejeshwar would speak with him if Jiandra asked him to, here at the monastery, tell him what to do to protect his bride and his country.

  Clinging to that hope, he drifted off to sleep.

  Sixteen

  Uman dropped the ruby to the table in front of his mother’s face, and she stared at it with glee.

  “You did well, my son!” Zelbikan wheezed, scooping it up in her claws.

  “The girl escaped.”

  “I know. My runes told me.”

  “She will not escape again. I swear it, Mother.”

  “I know this, too, from the runes. I will have the pleasure of slitting her throat myself as I take her place as Empress of Nandala. The honor Thakur should have given me.”

  Uman nodded. He didn’t tell his mother that when the time came, he planned to take Graciella for himself, make her Vyrkune, and name her his empress so they could rule the continent together forever.

  §

  Yavi awoke with a start at the sound of a light tap on the door. He extracted his arm from around Graciella, rose from the bed, and donned his robe. When he opened the door a sliver, Eliv was there with a tray laden with flatbread and bowls of rice porridge topped with cinnamon, dried fruits, and pumpkin seeds. There was also tea and fresh apricot halves. Yavi nodded his thanks as he took it from the young monk. He closed the door, and set the tray on the small table near the bed.

  Graciella rolled over to face him, stretching her arms high over her head, causing one sweetly rounded breast to appear above the sheets. His groin throbbed to life at seeing her pink nipple, and he cleared his throat. “Are you hungry, Sheir-zin?”

  She smiled. “Starved.”

  He was just thinking the same thing, only not for food. He picked up the small table, being careful not to topple the food, and moved it closer to the side of the bed. “Here is some late breakfast.”

  She sat up, glancing around the room for a clock. “What time is it? How long did we sleep?”

  “I’m not sure.” He strode around the bed to open the window shutters as well as to avoid leering at her naked torso. He studied the position of the sunlight over the canyon. “It looks to be about one or two in the afternoon.”

  When he looked back, she had pulled the sheet over her chest and tucked it into her armpits to scoot closer to the table. From this angle, he was treated to a view of her beautiful bare backside. Tonight couldn’t come fast enough for his wayward body. He prayed Volkan would agree to the hasty marriage ceremony. He pushed down on his cock through his robe, returned to the far side of the bed, and pulled up the chair to join her at the table.

  He broke off a piece of flatbread and spread it with butter. “You are beautiful when you wake up in the morning.”

  “I am?” she asked with her mouth full of porridge.

  He chuckled, gazing at her long, dark hair in disarray, her rosy cheeks, her bewitching pale-hazel eyes. “Yes. I’m not accustomed to staring at such a desirable sight first thing in the morning. It’s affecting my appetite.”

  She smiled primly. “Well, you’d better eat well today.”

  “Why’s that?”

  “So you’ll have plenty of strength later tonight.” She popped an apricot half into her mouth.

  He laughed at that even as his erection strained upward under his robe. He sipped the tea, trying to ignore his body. “I’ll do my best to feed my strength, then. Speaking of which, the monks don’t eat or serve meat.”

  “They don’t?”

  “No. They don’t believe in eating the flesh of any sentient being. So we’ll have to do without roasted meat for our wedding dinner.”

  “I don’t mind that. I like other foods just as well.” She chewed another bite of apricot. “These apricots are so juicy and sweet. Where do they get fresh fruit?”

  “They have a well-kept orchard up here that never died out from the curse.”

  “Oh. Well. If only we could spread the blessings that surround this monastery to all of Nandala, there would be no problem with growing food.”

  He picked up a spoon, gazing at her lovely face. “We. I like the sound of that.”

  She smiled. “Me too.”

  §

  Graciella smoothed down the front of her borrowed monk’s robe as she waited anxiously outside Master Volkan’s study.

  Yavi squeezed her hand, smiling down at her before knocking on the door.

  Master Volkan opened it. His kind gray eyes lit up when he saw her. “Graciella, welcome.”

  “Thank you.” She beamed. “I am so happy to see you again, Master Volkan. Thank you for inviting me for a chat.”

  “I’ll leave you two alone.” Yavi inclined his head to the elderly monk.

  Volkan motioned her to come inside his study, then closed the door behind them. He indicated a bench across from a low table, then seated himself on the other side of the table as she sat down to join him.

  He folded his hands. “Well, my dear. Yavi has asked me to perform a marriage ceremony for the two of you this evening, but I wanted to speak to you alone before I agree.”

  She nodded. “Yes, Sir. I am pleased to have the opportunity to answer for myself on this matter.”

  He chuckled. “You have the light of optimism in your eyes, child. When you are in the room, everything brightens. Darkness fades, and difficulties seem easier to overcome.”

  She smiled, warmed by his praise.

  “Never lose that gift, Graciella. It will strengthen Yavi, help him to face the challenges to come.”

  She swallowed. “Yes, Sir. Does that mean…you approve of our wedding?”

  “Do you love him?”

  “Yes.”

  “You answer quickly. But do you know what it means to love Yavi of the Zulfikars? To join yourself to this man as his wife?”

  “I think so.” She faltered. “Not really, I suppose. I only know I’ve loved him madly from the first time I met him, just before I turned fourteen.”

  “Yavi’s destiny is and always has been to rule as the supreme Emperor of Nandala. As his wife, you would be named empress of our land.”

  “Yes. I can only hope to become worthy of that title.”

  “You would outrank your elder sister, and alongside Yavi, you would assume the primary burden of governing this troubled nation.” His expression grew somber. “It is not an easy task.”

  “Sir, I haven’t had an easy life. And I don’t expect one. Nor am I looking to climb in rank or grab power. I only want to love and care for Yavi.”

  He stroked his long beard, studying her.

  “Yavi needs me, I feel, Sir.”

  “Yes, he does. In that, you are correct.”

  “And as far as power struggles between me and Jiandra, I would never allow that to become an issue, and she wouldn’t either. She’s my best friend, my surrogate mother, and my closest confidant. We have never been jealous, bickering, fighting sisters.”

  He smiled, the corners of his eyes wrinkling. “You speak truly. I have sensed that about your relationship with her.”

  Graciella hesitated. “If you say I shouldn’t marry him, or if you think I’m not ready, I will wait, Sir. I’ll respect your opinion.”

  He shook his head. “It isn’t that. Not at all. I believe you and Yavi are meant to be together, and that you will bring him joy and strength as well as help him rule prosperously. I think Yavi as well as his nation are lost without you, my sweet daughter.”

  Her heart surged at his predictions as well as his use of the term daughter.

  “My only concern is for your happiness,” he continued. “I would spare you the challenge
s ahead, but even if I advise Yavi to send you back to Villeleia out of harm’s way, our blight would reach you there eventually. Uman will not stop at Nandala. He plans to invade your land as well.”

  “Then we must stop him here, now.”

  “Yes.”

  “Give us your blessing, then. Father,” she urged softly. “I love Yavi and I will stand by him no matter what. I believe that is my happiness.”

  “Then I am satisfied, daughter.” Volkan reached across the table and grasped her hand in his warm fingers. “Come, stand here in front of me,” he said, rising.

  She stepped around the table to face him.

  He folded her hands together inside his hands in prayer, then closed his eyes and murmured something in Nandalan. “May Tejeshwar bless and strengthen you,” he said in Villeleian.

  Graciella felt a surge of warmth and confidence wash over her at his prayer, of a kind she’d never felt before.

  “May you be protected and safe,” he continued. “May your husband achieve victory, and may you rule at his side with wisdom, joy, and love.”

  “Yes,” she whispered. “May it be so.”

  He smiled and released her hands. “Go, my daughter. Soak in the pools today, rest. Tonight you marry, and tomorrow your husband goes to battle. Rest so that you may enjoy this moment of joy and comfort to its fullest.”

  “Thank you, father.”

  He walked her to the door. “I never had a daughter,” he confessed.

  “My father was killed when I was seven.”

  “It seems we are a match, then.” He smiled.

  Graciella turned to hug his neck. “Thank you.”

  He patted her back. “Now go. Do as I say. Take plenty of rest today.”

  “I will.”

  He opened the door, and she hurried down the stairs of the tower to find Yavi.

  §

  Yavi saw her emerge from the archway at the foot of the tower and stepped forward to take her hands in his. He rubbed the backs of her soft hands with his thumbs, staring down at her lovely face. “What did he say?”