Smoothing the crease from her brow with his fingers, he took her hand and they began to walk again. “Every Klatch has a coming-of-age, both men and women. But you are a princess and have more tolerance. What you experienced from just a small taste of essence is nothing compared to what effects a nonroyal would have.”
“What about the men, do they have a bad reaction to ‘female essence’?”
“Actually, they do. Female juices are just as dangerous for males before that time, but fortunately, males have their coming-of-age at sixteen, not twenty-four.”
She whistled and he stared fascinated with the way her lips worked together to make the sound. “Another sexist society.” She smiled, removing the sting from her comment, and stopped walking, turning to face him. “You said once the ceremony is performed we’ll be able to…finish what we started. We’ll be able to do anything without worrying about me blacking out. Right?”
Stone smiled at her enthusiasm and took both her hands in his, placing a gentle kiss on the back of each. “You are exactly right, Princess. And I can’t wait.” He just hoped she’d still be so enthusiastic once he explained the ritual to her.
Chapter 3
Alyssa’s first view of the city literally stole the breath from her lungs. It was more beautiful than she’d ever imagined. And she knew this place. Her entire life, she’d thrived inside her own imagination and this had been her dream world. Only now, it was real.
Her gaze traced the gleaming white towers and parapets, which elegantly sliced into the cerulean blue sky. Deep purple flags, emblazoned with a curved sword crisscrossed with a red rose, flew from each turret, flapping in the gentle breeze. Almost eclipsed by the castle’s beauty, smaller white stone buildings spread in a pleasing arrangement between large waterfalls and lush green parks. The gurgling of gently falling water sounded all around her and she breathed deep, enjoying the clean crisp air.
Stone stepped behind her, and pulled her back against him. “Wait until you see it at night, Princess. The view from your room is spectacular.” His breath feathered against her neck, making her shiver.
Smiling, she closed her eyes and pictured the room from her dreams. It had a large four-poster bed with purple sheets and spreads, with several fluffy pillows. There was a white stone dressing table with pink crystal seams running through it, a large sitting area with floor to ceiling bookshelves, overflowing with books, a bathroom bigger than her apartment, and a veranda, which overlooked the main bathing pools. She would wait and see if reality again matched her dreams. She turned in his arms and twined her arms around his neck before brushing a kiss over his lips. “I’m ready to see more.”
They walked hand in hand and within minutes, began to see people. People who looked very much like she and Stone. All of them with dark wavy hair and lavender eyes—the women voluptuous and the men muscular. Even though each was individual, she’d never felt more like she stuck out. Everyone dressed scantily in comfortable-looking light cotton clothes and all were barefoot, while she was wrapped in oversized denim and a baggy T-shirt. Alyssa cringed at the thought of showing as much of herself as these people did in public.
When they reached the main grassy pathway, she heard a gasp and turned to see a young woman staring at her wide eyed. “Princess Alyssandra!” The woman bowed her head and dipped into a curtsy before raising her gaze.
“Stone,” she whispered, feeling very much like an imposter about to be unmasked. “How do they know who I am?”
He raised her hand to his lips, and brushed a kiss on the back before answering. “You look very much like your mother. And of course, you’re with me. The entire kingdom knows I’ve been looking for you. They’ve all eagerly awaited the return of the First Princess of Klatch.”
Before Alyssa could reply, several other people caught sight of her. A loud chatter rose around her, her name murmured through the crowd like a living thing. Dozens of men and women bowed and then studied her with friendly and open curiosity.
Stone placed a protective hand on her shoulder and borrowed energy flowed through her body as his deep voice rang out over the noise of the crowd. “The princess must rest and recover before meeting the king and queen. There will be time enough for everyone to meet her later.” As if by magic, the crowd bowed again toward Stone and then parted, allowing them to pass.
“Wow,” she murmured. “I didn’t really buy the whole princess thing until just now.”
His rich laugh flowed over her body like an erotic caress. “I have a feeling all your doubts will be erased very soon.” He chuckled as he led her toward the largest of the white buildings that sat at the foot of the castle.
She swallowed her disappointment—after all, didn’t the princess live at the castle? Her childhood fantasies always revolved around her own room just across the hall from parents who loved her and would comfort her when she had nightmares. So far, this world was everything she’d always hoped, so why did that one difference make her sad? She was a grown woman now, who didn’t need such things as comfort from bad dreams. She squared her shoulders and lifted her chin. “Is this where my room is?” she asked tentatively.
“This is where your bath is.” He squeezed her hand as they stepped through the doors into a large open area with corridors leading off to each side and a large fountain in the middle. “Don’t worry, after we take our baths, I’ll meet you at the dressing room and take you up to the castle.”
Maybe her dream room at the castle was a reality. For some reason, that made her feel better, like the parents part of her dreams would come true too. She smiled at the thought. “You’d better not forget to come back. I don’t know anyone here but you.” She looked around at the smooth white walls. They resembled the creamy marble she’d only seen at museums, but these had lines of soft pink crystals running through them—like the dressing table she’d imagined inside her room. She stepped close to the wall to run her hand over them. When her fingers brushed against the pink vein, warmth pulsed against her skin, where the white parts of the wall were cool as she expected.
“I could never forget about you, Princess. I’ve waited far too long to have you by my side. Just wait, by the end of the day, your pretty head will be swimming with the names of people you’ve met. All of them, happy to see you safe and finally home.” He brushed his lips across hers and energy flowed through their connection, zinging down to each of her nipples then making a beeline for her pussy. Moaning, she melted against him, pulling him closer and tracing his lips with her tongue until he opened for her so she could delve inside. Heat sizzled between them and flashed as she ground her body against his erection.
Stone pulled her away, firmly holding her at arm’s length, his breath coming in labored pants. “I think we both need a bath before I endanger you by fucking you here on the floor and pumping my seed deep inside you.”
Smiling, she enjoyed the pure feminine power of being able to push him beyond the limits of his control. But after her earlier blackout from just a taste of his pre come, she would trust his judgment that tempting him too far would be dangerous. Exciting and erotic as hell, but still dangerous. “How soon is this ceremony?” She couldn’t wait to have all restrictions gone between them.
He smiled and leaned his forehead against hers as if still fighting his urges. “It is on the eve of your birthday.”
A rush of relief flowed through her. Surely she could survive one week. She hoped.
Alyssa stepped through the archway on the left and followed the corridor toward the sound of a waterfall. The sharp click of her cowboy boots against the stone floor echoed around her. Erotic paintings of couples and even groups in varying stages of copulation graced the walls on both sides. All were naked and uninhibited. Totally unlike the world she knew. I wonder how different I would be if I’d grown up here, around these people. There was even a painting of several naked women in a pool, pleasuring each other.