A Price for a Princess Read online

  He rolled over me as we kissed and I couldn't vocalize the need that was welling up inside me. My bear was rolling around in my mind, desperate, and the only sounds I could make were soft growls of need.

  The thick head of his cock pressed into me and he paused, tapping gently on my cheek. I opened my eyes, not even realizing I'd closed them after the kiss had stopped, and he held my gaze as one arm snaked under me to hold me close the other hand grasped mine and squeezed tightly. I returned the firm grip, losing myself in the depths of his eyes as he pushed into me. The pain was brief but the ache lingered, slowly overpowered by the throbbing heat of his cock buried deeply inside me.

  As he began to move, sliding out and in slowly, my body adjusted to the ache and the odd feeling of having a man pushing into me. I slid my free hand through his thick hair, fisting the strands and pulling him down to my mouth for more kisses, until his increased thrusting pushed the breath from my lungs and I had to pull free. Heat pooled in my belly and my limbs tingled as I held him close to me with my legs against his hips. I began to rock with him, tentatively at first, until he groaned in pleasure and it boosted my confidence.

  One leg slid down his thigh and the angle opened me up and his pelvis began to rub against my clit. The sensation was wonderful and I began to rock against him harder, panting and making small noises. My stomach fluttered and my hand tightened against his as we rocked together in perfect tempo.

  "Tell me," he said gruffly, "tell me how to get you off."

  His tone was demanding but loving and I moaned, "F-fuck me, harder, just like this."

  He increased his thrusts but held the angle and my hips met his as my clit rubbed harder and faster against him. I threw my head back and cried out as my body clenched around him and he let out a harsh, choked breath and I felt his cock spasm inside me as he thrust quickly a few more times. He held himself just slightly off me and kissed me in between our attempts to catch our breath before he rolled to his back and took me with him.

  He cuddled me very close, kissing my forehead before tipping my chin up to press kisses to my eyelids, nose and mouth. "I didn't know, sweetheart, what the difference between sex and love was, but you just showed me."

  "Thank you, for taking your time with me." My voice rasped with overuse.

  "It was entirely my pleasure," he winked, brushing a strand of hair away from my face. "Let's take a shower and clean up and then we'll rest. It's been a long day, and a very sweet long night."

  My legs ached and although I stumbled a bit on wobbly knees, Perseus didn't let me fall. He stripped the bed of the sheets and dropped them into a laundry basket in the bathroom. He flipped a handle and steamy water poured from a showerhead over a drain in the corner of the bathroom.

  When the oil lamp was turned up higher and the room was well lit, I noticed that his hands were dark. I picked one up and looked at it and then realized it was blood. I glanced down at myself and saw streaks and fingerprints, dark on my skin, and blood smeared between my thighs. My eyes widened in surprise. Well, that answered my question about blood.

  I could have been embarrassed by it, but in truth it was just a testament to my virginity. I only had it to give away once, and I was glad that one of my mates was the one who got that gift from me. I smiled up at my husband, "Thanks for the shower idea."

  Returning my smile, he pulled me under the hot water and poured a generous amount of sweet smelling gel into his palm. Lathering quickly, he began to slowly stroke his hands across me, cleaning my skin. "Well, I didn't think you'd like to sleep on the wet spot," he chuckled, "and besides, it's part of taking care of you." He was quiet for a few minutes as I joined in the soap play and ran my lathered hands across his impressive body. "Was it, uh, did you like it?" He asked suddenly, when I was mesmerized by his tiny brown nipples.

  "Like what?"

  He smirked in response.

  Oh. "Of course I did. Did you like it?"

  He placed my soapy hand on his cock that had gone erect again. "I liked it so much that I can't wait to do it again. But later, after we rest a little."

  I stroked his cock, marveling at the mixed textures - both hard and soft, firm and yielding - until he removed my hand and suggested that sticking to his plan of resting for a while first was going to go out the window if I didn't stop playing. I rather liked the idea of having some control over my new husband's pleasure.

  When we were rinsed and dried, I helped him make the bed with fresh sheets and blankets and we fell asleep, tangled together.

  He woke me up several hours later by going down on me, fingering my pussy and sucking my clit into his mouth gently at first and then with increasing intensity. When the pleasure thundered down on me, I shrieked and clawed at the sheets, crying out for him with wordless mutterings. We made love again and when he pulled me on top of him and showed me how to ride him, I knew as I watched his eyes roll back in pleasure that he was reveling in being the first for so many things for me. And I was reveling in it, too.

  Chapter 7

  "I'm just wondering if the wizard won't be able to use me for his ceremony any longer because I'm not a, you know, virgin?" Two days after our marriage, we were finally seeing visitors and Rysk and Tyrant had been waiting on the doorstep first thing. We sat together at the kitchen table and I poured a generous dollop of honey into my hot tea and swirled the spoon to distribute it.

  Rysk frowned. "Why would it matter if you were a virgin or not?"

  After taking a sip of the perfectly sweet brew, I put the cup down. "Because when my brother interrogated Bastion, the bear that the wizard had collared and was going to use to bring me to him, he said that he was told to bring the 'virgin bear' to him." I shrugged. "I just assumed that it was important to the wizard that I stay a virgin."

  "I don't know the answer to that, princess," Rysk frowned further, glancing at Tyrant who was rubbing his chin in thought.

  "The prince will know. If it turns out that you are not useful to the wizard because you are married now, then that is wonderful news for you, and the kingdom." Tyrant said.

  Uh, yeah, wonderful news was an understatement.

  "We need to continue our journey." Rysk said.

  "Daeton needs another day to heal. We'll leave tomorrow at sunrise." Perseus rested his arm across the back of my chair in a possessive way. Growing up in a den full of bears who were possessive with their mates, I was used to the gesture and liked it.

  They both looked like they would protest, but I just stared at them until they closed their mouths and said nothing. Perseus' family joined us for breakfast and after the meal was over and the kitchen was clean, Perseus went with his father and brothers to get the two Centaurs who were traveling with us ready and prepare satchels of provisions for the trip.

  I took a long, relaxing bath and spent the afternoon talking to Elektra about being a Centaur wife. We visited the other wives in the settlement that I'd met during the wedding feast, including the woman who made the purple dress I'd wanted the guards to buy me in town. Her name was Persephone and she was a native of the Medes Realm, the child of a human and a fairy who lived there.

  She brought me the dress that had gotten dropped during the scuffle with the Vehsi and a selection of other garments. When I questioned the other beautiful things, she smiled, "Centaurs take very good care of their mates, Daeton. Although your clothing was appropriate for your realm, it drew unnecessary attention to you. Your husband asked me to put together some things for you that would be comfortable and easy to clean as you travel."

  Four dresses of varying shades from light green to dark blue were among the garments, loose and flowing from the shoulder straps to the gathered waists. There were two cloaks, both midnight blue, that were much lighter in weight than the one I'd been wearing. Two pairs of leather moccasins completed the selection. I hugged Persephone, who insisted I call her Perri, and thanked her for everything.

  The little boy that I had saved in the market was named Rion, and he trotted u
p to me while I walked with Elektra and gave me a bracelet he made of dried herbs woven together. It smelled sweet and spicy and I put it on my wrist and kissed his cheek in thanks, watching him scurry off to his waiting mother, who waved at me again, a thankful smile on her face.

  The settlement that I would call home was a sprawling open space. The Centaurs lived and worked in the settlement, and those that had goods that could be sold in the market, did so with the herds' blessing. Everyone helped everyone, the men working together to build and repair, to guard and help, and the women taking care of their husbands and homes, and each other. It reminded me of the den, and the sudden thought of my family made me sad. What were my parents doing right now? Would Elizabeth know that I was safe? Would they worry about me?

  Within the settlement, the men and women had specific jobs. There was a large garden near the lake that was tended by many men and women. Orchards provided fruit during the summer months. Some men were hunters, using bows and arrows to take down their kill in the forests beyond the hills. Eventually, when I was able to shift, I'd be hunting in those woods, too, and knowing that Perseus would be with me made me smile. The settlement had guards and an army that was always ready to pick up swords to fight. The Vehsi rarely attacked the settlement. They were apparently only bold enough to attack in the marketplace, preferring to pick off Centaurs that were alone and not take on the whole army. Perseus was a leader in the army and I couldn't help but feel proud that I'd married a warrior. My father would be very happy to know that I'd met someone who could protect me.

  Once more, my thoughts turned to the wizard. I had broached the subject of me staying with the Centaurs and letting Rysk and Tyrant go on to the palace and speak to the prince on my behalf. I agreed with Cosmo that the wizard would be a fool to come against the Centaurs. But the guards were insistent that they would not leave without me, so rather than have a supernatural standoff, I decided to go on to see the prince. The prince wanted me in his palace so he could see that I was safe while he sent his armies out to find the wizard. Perseus believed that once we met with the prince and he realized that I wasn't meant to be his mate, that he wouldn't have a problem with me coming back to the settlement. At least that was what we were hoping for - that the prince's interest in my being close at hand was powered by his hope that I was his truemate.

  We ate dinner together and later that night, when I was snuggled against Perseus' side after we made love, I thought that I'd almost touched heaven. There was only one more part of my heart that was missing, and since being with Perseus, I'd reached the simple conclusion that finding my other mate would make me feel complete. I was already developing serious feelings for Perseus, and he promised that he was willing to be in a multiple mating with me. In their realm, what was often unusual or taboo in my realm, was normal. Although Centaurs didn't usually share brides, other supernatural groups did, including the Leonemen. I was sure it would be hard to adjust to at first, but as long as everyone was willing and patient, I knew it would work out.

  By morning, my feet were entirely healed of the blisters and aches and although I would have been perfectly content to stay in the settlement and not go anywhere, I wanted to get back on our journey. Not so much to see the prince, but to hopefully find my other mate. Since coming into the realm I'd stopped having the dreams, and I figured it was because I'd actually found Perseus.

  The Dire Wolves, who I hadn't seen once since we'd come into the settlement, were split so that half were in their human form and half were in their wolf form. Those in their human form were dressed like Rysk and Tyrant with dark trousers and boots, no shirt, and a cloak tied at the throat. Swords hung from their belts. It was a bit like looking into the eyes of a robot. They appeared completely human but there was nothing in their eyes that spoke of humanity or compassion. They were, as I'd been told from the beginning, simply supernatural guards and nothing more. They had no emotions, their only thought process was protecting those under their guard and nothing else.

  Odin and Finn were Centaur brothers and warriors in the army under Perseus. They were the same age as Perseus, friendly and outgoing. Odin had bright blonde hair and Finn's hair was a chestnut brown, but they both shared the same forest green eyes and strong chin, and their horse bodies were palomino gold. They each carried satchels across their backs as did Perseus, and when he swung me up on his back, I snuggled against him, the satchel behind me.

  We said goodbye to his family and promised to be safe and return as soon as we were able and began our journey.

  "How many days until we reach the palace?" I asked, calling out to Rysk and Tyrant who walked ahead of us.

  Rysk looked back, "Six days."

  I wrinkled my nose. "That's a long time."

  Perseus laughed and patted my hands that rested at his sides. "It will pass quickly. Odin and Finn are fantastic storytellers and I'm sure with some coaxing they'd be willing to tell you all about their childish exploits."

  "And yours," Finn laughed. The two Centaurs trotted on either side of us.

  "Don't believe anything they tell you about me," Perseus warned and I promised I wouldn't. I could see how close he was to the two men and I was glad that they were joining us. Not just for extra protection, but because the herd was very important to Perseus and being away from it for who knew how long would be hard on him.

  We stopped for lunch under some shade trees near a stream. My legs ached from riding his bare back, but it wasn't as if they used saddles. And it was much better than walking, that was for sure. We got back on the road quickly, the next town from Cholas nearly three days journey.

  That first night, we moved back through the woods to a clearing that travelers used. Rysk and Tyrant set up a fire to cook our evening meal while we set up makeshift tents by stretching hides between trees and laying blankets out on the mossy ground. The Dire Wolves spread out around us to stand guard while we slept, Perseus and I in our own small lean-to, Finn and Odin to one side and Rysk and Tyrant across the fire.

  The fire died down until it was bare red embers, casting a flickering glow across the small clearing. I was laying next to Perseus, his bicep as my pillow, when his hand snaked up the dress I'd insisted on wearing to bed so I wasn't naked with so many other men around. I grabbed for his hand to stop him from exploring and he chuckled as he ignored my push against his hand and teased the juncture of my thighs. "Finn and Odin are asleep already, listen to them snore." He whispered, nuzzling under my ear. "And the guards won't care and you shouldn't either. We're married. Married people have sex like mad."

  I turned onto my back with a soft laugh. "Do they?"

  His hand slipped between my legs, his thumb caressing my pearl, "I'm no expert, but yeah, I'm pretty sure."

  "What if I can't be quiet?" I whispered, my fingers slipping down towards his cock. He'd had no trouble going to bed naked in the woods. Although I had no problem with nudity in general, were-animals were pretty fast and loose about that, it felt different now. I was Perseus' wife. I didn't want anyone else to see me naked but him.

  "Then everyone will know how well I loved my bride."

  My fingers moved along his length, spreading the drop of pre-come around the velvet soft head while his fingers moved inside me and his thumb deviled my clit. He drove me to a fast orgasm and I buried my face in his neck to cover my gasping moans as he slipped over me and eased inside. His teeth tugged on my earlobe while we rocked together in near silence, the only sounds in the dark forest were of the blanket covering us shifting as we moved and our panting breaths. He came inside me, biting back a groan and I hugged him close. He kissed me, tilting my face so he could reach my mouth. "I think we were made for each other, Daeton. You're just perfect." He pulled out of me and we moved back to where we'd been before.

  As he curled around my back and held me close, I drifted off to sleep, ignoring the exaggerated whisper from Finn, "About fucking time you let the poor girl rest."

  In the morning, we cleaned up in a nearby
creek, using small squares of cloth to wash up. We ate on the road, drinking water from skins and chewing on jerky and rounds of cheese. The second day on the road passed much the same as the first. Rysk and Tyrant walked ahead of us and the Dire Wolves surrounded us in both their human and wolf forms. Perseus, Finn and Odin kept me entertained with tales of their rambunctious childhood and teen years, and I shared with them about the technology from my realm. All of them had been to the mortal realm to visit the Centaur settlement in Canada, but the settlement there was similar to the one in the Medes realm, and other than vehicles to drive back and forth to the cities, they stayed away from technology.

  "Do you miss it? The, uh, screens with the pictures?" Finn asked, pulling apples from his satchel and handing one to all of us.

  I took a bite of the sweet fruit. "TV? Not really. The den was a lot like your settlement. We had TV and stuff, but we were pretty removed from the cities. My older brothers Ash and Axe, they lived outside of the den and had jobs with humans in large cities. But my other brothers Lynk and Tavian live and work in the den."

  We spent the night in our lean-to, and we made love again and I fell asleep splayed across his chest, the beat of his heart soothing me quickly to sleep.

  "We approach the town of Netic Springs," Rysk said, pouring water over the campfire after we ate a breakfast of wedges of dark bread stuffed with egg and cheese.

  "What sorts are in this town?" I asked, stretching with a yawn.

  Perseus looked up at me from where he rolled our blanket. "It's a fallen city, sweetheart, which means that it's full of those that aren't welcome in their own homes any longer."

  "Or are hiding out." Finn added, tying up the bundle of hides that made up our lean-tos. "It's a place where people go to not be found."

  "It wouldn't be safer to go around a place like that?" I chewed on my lip.

  Rysk smiled slightly, for the first time since I found Perseus. "It is the very safest place, princess. No one in Netic Springs cares what anyone else is doing as long as it doesn't infringe upon their own activities. We'll stop for mid-day meal in town and stay the night at a small inn."