Healing Hands Read online

  Yes, she’d be a very sweet mouth fuck indeed. And he knew she’d love the taste of him, always begging for just one more drop of his cum.

  “Oh. You’re awake.”

  Her voice was like a silky caress to his shaft, and it thickened in his pants, straining against the tight leather, begging to be released. The tip flared as she gave his body a long, slow sweep and he couldn’t stop the smile from spreading across his lips.

  “How are you feeling?” she asked, using the bed to push to her feet. “Are you sore?”

  Again he heard the words, but felt the reaction in his cock, this time beading a drop of liquid from the tip. He closed his eyes and tried to remember why he’d woken her in the first place, but his head was filled with images of them fucking on the bed behind her. It was all part of his damn curse. It wasn’t often his cock responded to a woman, but when it did…

  By the Gods, it reacted, robbing him of every other coherent thought. But it wasn’t just his shaft. Every sense was heightened. His sight. His hearing. His sense of smell. Even his skin became overly responsive, twitching with the slightest contact. He jumped when her hair brushed over his shoulders as she turned to follow his gaze. When she looked back at him, her brow was etched into a tight vee, as if she were questioning his state of mind. She shifted her weight, her foot tapping against the floor, the hushed sound matched by the thudding of his heart. He wondered what it’d feel like to have that dainty foot perched on his shoulder as he spread her wide, watching her smooth skin part around his swollen flesh. A rumble echoed in his head and it took him a moment to realise he’d growled.

  “Sir?”

  He met her gaze. Her eyes were wide and glassy, and her lips were pursed together forming the most delectable little pout he’d ever seen. He smiled down at her, knowing he’d have to taste those perfect lips before he could do anything else.

  Keegan stepped forward, corralling her towards the wall until her back pressed against the cold stone. He fought to keep his touch light as he cupped his hands around her waist, drawing her close. She stared up at him, her hands timidly reaching for his shoulders as he pressed his cock against the soft mound of her sex. She gasped, but didn’t struggle, widening her stance just enough so she could cradle his shaft between the lips of her sheath.

  The groan he’d been holding back broke from his chest as her sensuous flesh parted for him. Even through both their clothes, there was no mistaking the slide of her juices as he moved along her slit, scraping the rough fabric against her clit. Her mouth opened slightly and the softest of moans caressed his skin.

  He bent over her, licking the fullness of her lips. “Tell me your name, sweetness.” His voice was low and gravelly, and he knew she heard the lust in it. He wasn’t just asking for her name. He was asking what to shout when he came inside her.

  “Mira.”

  Her reply was whispered on a gasp as he brushed his thumb across her breast, flicking her nipple as he dipped inside the bodice of her dress. It wasn’t a flattering frock by any means, but he didn’t care. She’d look far better naked and spread out before him, her glistening sex bared to his gaze.

  Mira inhaled as he pinched the tight peak, exposing it to the cool air, before bending down and laving it with his tongue. She tasted like warm honey and he pulled at the other side, needing to taste that nipple as well.

  “You haven’t told me your name yet,” she said, pushing her breast into his mouth. “What shall I call you?”

  Keegan pulled back, loving how her eyes had darkened. He was finding it hard to concentrate with the smell of her sweet sex tantalising his senses. He’d caught her scent the moment he’d pushed her against the wall, and he knew if he slipped his hand beneath her dress, she’d be dripping her juice down her thighs. He cocked half his mouth into a smile at the thought.

  “Well, my sweet Mira…”

  His voice faded as her name triggered a memory.

  … you will be Mira’s tutor. You’ll spend the next few days bringing her to orgasm with your hand and your mouth, allowing her magic to use chemicals from your skin and saliva to thin her virginal barrier. Once you’ve prepared her properly, you’ll take her maidenhood as a sign of your submission to the Queen of Corand…

  Keegan braced his hand on the wall as more images materialised. His naked body chained to the wall, ripe for their pleasure. They’d tried to coax his cock to attention, but he’d been unable to perform. They’d laughed and beaten him, leaving him alone to die.

  “Sir? Are you well?”

  Keegan broke free from the dream and took a staggering step back. He looked down at the woman standing before him. It was her. The woman he’d been ordered to fuck. And Heavens help him, but he wanted to. Wanted to pound into her day and night, over and over until she accepted his claim. Wanted to watch her swallow his seed, loving the sight of her lips wrapped around his shaft. Wanted to drink the sweet juice he smelt swirling in the air around him. Hells, he even felt the need to claim her in other ways.

  “You!” The word came out harsh and cruel, and she jerked back at the sound of it. He took another step back. “You’re one of them. One of Queen Vestna’s warriors.”

  Mira shook her head, but didn’t try to speak. How could she explain she’d never been part of their world, and never would? She looked away, unable to watch the anger and disgust flicker in his eyes.

  “I demand you release me.”

  She forced her gaze upwards until she was staring into his dark brown eyes. They were hard, unrelenting. “I’m sorry, but I can’t.”

  She shivered as he took a step towards her, his large size diminishing hers. The muscles in his chest flexed as he crossed his arms and measured her with a long, slow sweep of his eyes. The heat in his gaze ignited a fire in her groin, and she had to fight to keep from doubling over.

  She cursed and bit down on her bottom lip, hoping the hurt would ease the ache. Her body didn’t care its suitor no longer wished to continual his sexual game, all it knew was the need. The desire to feel his hard shaft sliding between her silky lips, plunging deep inside her. Filling her where no man had ever touched. She’d felt the hard evidence of his desire move along her slit, and wanted nothing more than to slip it inside.

  “Can’t. Or won’t!”

  Mira shook the sexual thoughts from her head, hoping the pain would clear her mind. “I can’t.” She held up her hand when he growled and took another step forward. “Queen Vestna has imbedded a small crystal in your neck, very similar to the one I have in my naval. It’s guarded by her power. It prevents you from inflicting harm to her, or from leaving the palace. I’m afraid I can’t break her magic…at least not yet.” The warrior glared at her and she rushed to explain. “Since you’re not native to Corand, and Vestna lied in order to justify her use of magic, I might be able to break the spell once the crystal has been accepted by your body.”

  The man snarled again and her body warmed. Damn, she should be afraid of him, but the thought he’d lose control and come at her had her more aroused than ever. Hells, she was lost.

  “How. Long?” He accentuated each word with a huff as his fingers probed the small stone.

  “About three more days. If I try before that, I’ll only hurt you.”

  He snorted and crossed his arms again on his massive chest. “It’s a little late for that, don’t you think?”

  “I wasn’t the one who tortured you. I…” Her voice faded as he turned around and stalked over to the fire. Nothing she said would make a difference. She was the enemy, period.

  Mira straightened and took a step forward, trying to ignore how the firelight danced across his body, illuminating the bronze in his skin. He was simply the most handsome man she’d ever seen. “If you’re hungry…” She stopped when he turned and glared at her, his hatred so blatant she missed a step and tripped against the bed. His chuckle didn’t help.

  “Do you really take me for a fool, Mira? I can go more than three days without food. I’ll not be trickled
so easily, just so you can get your way.”

  “And what way is that?” she snapped.

  He kicked his mouth into a smile that was both sexy and smug. “I remember what your sisters demanded of me while they were beating me. You want me to fuck you.”

  Mira’s heart clenched at the disgust in his voice, as if touching her would be the worst fate he could imagine. While her body tried to propel her forward so he could do just that, she pushed herself back, retreating to the door. “I want nothing from you.”

  “Oh, you want me, sweetness. I can smell your need from here, and from what your sisters told me, you need it real bad. Something to do with a ritual.” He sauntered towards her, caressing the bulge in his pants. “I tell you what. Maybe, if you’re real nice to me, I’ll fuck you before I leave. After you’ve broken the spell.” His gaze swept down her body. “It’s obvious you’re a willing wench. Already given me a taste of those pretty nipples.” He nodded and licked his lips. “Yeah, I’ll fuck you in exchange for my freedom seeing as there’s no one else in this Kingdom up for the challenge.” He cocked his head to one side. “Now I wonder why none of the other tutors want to fuck you?”

  Mira felt the bitter sting of tears, but pushed them back. She’d endured this type of taunting all her life, and wouldn’t show him how much it hurt. He was nothing to her, so why did his words hurt so badly?

  She reached for the door and turned the handle. “I’ll break the spell, but if you try to touch me, I swear I’ll kill you. I don’t need your help to survive the Ritual, so I suggest you go to the bathing area and take care of…” She waved her hand at his groin, “your condition yourself.” She walked through the door and slammed it shut behind her.

  Keegan watched her leave, tears glistening in her eyes as she fought to hold them back. Guilt threatened, but he tamped it down. He hadn’t meant to be so cruel, but, Hells, he’d just been beaten and tortured for two days, and now he was expected to fuck her so she could complete some kind of mystical ritual. Nothing made sense. Especially how hard his cock got just looking at her. It’d been over two years since the damn thing had stirred to life, but he’d never felt the desire to finish a bonding. Never imagined needing to have a woman submit to him in every way possible, as his father had claimed would happen. Yet just thinking about her…

  “Hells. Why am I reacting to her?” What good was the damn curse if it didn’t work? If it allowed him to bond with a woman concealing such…such coldness in her heart? Didn’t the damn thing realise where he was? Despite her subtle beauty, he just didn’t see how a woman from this realm measured up, especially one of Queen Vestna’s soldiers.

  He glanced once more at the closed door, his cock still rigid beneath his pants. There’d been something in her eyes that made him feel worse. Shame, or was it despair. Either way, he couldn’t stop the nagging feeling he was wrong about her.

  He sighed and sank down on the bed, resting his chin on steepled fingers. There was obviously more to Mira’s story than what he’d been told, but be damned if he knew what it was. The Queen couldn’t have known he’d react to her, so why did she want to give Mira a tutor who couldn’t perform his duties?

  “Dark Hells,” he cursed as he rolled off the bed and stalked into the bathing area. He needed to get some measure of relief if he was ever going to be able to think clearly. Who knew how long Vestna would wait before unleashing her ranks on his Kingdom, and he couldn’t chance that either Gareth or Roland would be killed. He fisted his cock, hoping his hand would be enough to ease the ache, as he glanced back towards the other room. Mira had seemed genuinely hurt by his reaction and he couldn’t help but wonder what she was hiding. Why none of the men in her kingdom desired her?

  He sighed and started the rhythmic motion. Whatever the reason, based on the way he’d treated her, he doubted she’d be a willing partner, ritual or not.

  Chapter Two

  Mira tiptoed into the room, closing the door quietly behind her. She’d spent the night in the stables, healing the horses and staring into the dark. She’d even stood out in the rain, hoping the water would wash the scent of his body off hers. But it hadn’t helped. She’d been surrounded by his scent all night. Hells, it even wound through the curls of her hair.

  She closed her eyes, willing him to somehow be gone, but felt the weight of his stare the moment she stepped forward. He leant against the wall, his dark eyes watching her. His long brown hair was wet, the ends still dripping down his shoulders. Her breath stalled as one drop rolled along his chest, clinging to his nipple. The bead distorted the shape, magnifying the tight round bud before falling to the floor.

  Another contraction rippled through her sex and she whimpered in need before she had the strength to crush the soft sound. The warrior’s smile faltered for a moment, before he tilted his lips again.

  “Back so soon, sweetness?” he teased, heading over to stoke the fire. She watched him move, the firm muscles in his buttocks flexing with every stride. Her stomach fluttered, her hands desperate to feel those very muscles bunch as he thrust into her, burying his body within hers.

  “What’s wrong, sweetness? Still not talking to me?”

  Mira glared at him as she stumbled over to the other chamber, desperate to soothe her raw nerves in a cool bath. The heat was getting worse, her need for release so strong she could smell her own scent mixing in the air. She headed for the large tub, stripping her clothes off as she walked.

  “Mira!”

  The woman’s voice was accompanied by a loud banging, making the small hairs on Mira’s arms stand up. She cursed and headed back to the door, ignoring the way her warrior’s eyes bulged as she rounded the doorway and stalked across the room. She knew her shift was transparent, leaving nothing to his imagination, but she didn’t have time to care. No one was supposed to disturb her during the Rite of Passage.

  “What?” she snapped, flinging the door open.

  The woman gazed down her body, a knowing smile tilting her lips. “Oh come now, Mira. Don’t try to pretend. I can see the red tinge to your crystal from here.” She waved towards Mira’s navel. “So don’t try to convince me I’ve interrupted something.” She pushed past Mira, her hips swaying as she walked.

  “Whether you’re interrupting something, or not, isn’t the point, Tiana. Corand law clearly states…”

  “Corand law…” Tiana waved her hand in the air. “Really. Besides, I didn’t come here to challenge you, though your tutor must be begging to be released from his duties by now.” She shot the man a suggestive glance. “I have another use for you.”

  Tiana clapped her hands. Two more warriors entered the room carrying a man between them. He whimpered as they dumped him on the floor, his body contracting in pain. Mira moved to his side, staring at the angry welts covering his legs. “What have you done to him?”

  Tiana shrugged, scraping some dirt out from beneath her nails as she glanced at the man writhing on the floor. “I caught him pleasuring one of the servants without permission, so I decided to teach him a lesson.” She snarled at the man. “I’m starting to think he enjoys men more than women.”

  “Perhaps he sees you for what you really are?” taunted her warrior, still leaning against the wall.

  Tiana glared at him and took a step forward, a red fireball sizzling to life in her hand. “Silence, servant, or I’ll finish what I started the other day.”

  Her warrior snarled and matched Tiana’s step, his eyes fixed on the red flame. Mira realised he was now just grasping the truth. They really were witches…the rumours were true.

  “Stop it,” hissed Mira, stepping between them. “I have enough work without having to deal with the two of you.” She turned on Tiana. “Now stay back or some of my power may touch you as well, and I wouldn’t want you to get burned, sister.”

  Tiana glared at her, but the flame in her hand vanished as she stepped back and waved at her servant. “Now, Mira. I don’t have all day.”

  Mira sighed and knelt down besid
e the man. “These burns are extensive. It’ll take time.”

  “It’s not like you’re busy with something else. Just fix him so I can leave.”

  Mira scowled, but turned away, her fingers finding some hidden marks on the man’s body. Then she closed her eyes.

  “Sweet Heavens,” rasped Keegan, watching a pale blue hue surround Mira’s body and float over the man on the floor, gaining strength as it travelled along his body. Her hair bellowed and flowed backwards, waving in the still air. Keegan took a step forward, unable to look away, as the servant’s skin began to shift, flowing from one form into another until only a layer of pale pink remained.

  “Was she born with this…this…gift?”

  “I suppose,” sneered Tiana. “Unfortunately, we discovered her talent a little too late.”

  “You don’t approve of her being a healer?”

  Tiana glared at him and raised her hand, a new ball of red flame flickering on her palm. Keegan scowled but turned away, ignoring the woman’s glare, as he watched Mira work her magic. By the Gods, she was beautiful. The way her pale skin shimmered beneath the blue light. Her muscles contracted as she moved her hands, weaving the man’s body back together with her mind. And beneath her shift, sweet Heavens, nothing hid her silhouette as she swayed from side to side, as if listening to the rhythm of a distant song. Her breasts were firm, the nipples pressed tightly against the material, the pink hue just detectable beneath the thin fabric. But between her legs. He stifled a moan, unable to tear his gaze from the soft curls of her sex peeking out at him from between her thighs.