Flower Queen (Flower Readings Book 3) Page 5

  She heard the rabbit bounce angrily out of the room, then completely forgot about him as Braklen slipped his hand under her dress, gliding his fingers along her thigh. Her body trembled with pleasure, wanting more, knowing that it was coming but not wanting to wait any longer. She released him and put her hands around his waist, feeling his toned muscles as she gripped him tight, bringing their bodies together.

  His lips were warm on hers, with a hint of salt, and she wanted to taste more. She wanted to feel more of him, now that he was here in the flesh beside her and they were finally alone.

  He undid the clasps on the front of her corset, working upwards. She felt the pressure ease around her chest, but then it was replaced with a different compression as he released the final catch and the decorative girdle fell to the ground.

  Her chest heaved, waiting for him to touch her, skin on skin. It seemed to take forever before he slipped his hand under her shirt. He brushed his fingers over her nipples. They responded, causing a pleasant ache. She leaned backwards, moving with the shiver of pleasure that he had set in motion.

  He began to undo the cord of the neckline of her dress. It gaped open. His hot breath caught on her breasts, tickling them, causing her nipples to tighten. With one finger he pushed the material away and glided his tongue over her budded breasts. She gasped. Her lower abdominal muscles contracted.

  He flicked her nipple with his tongue, sending a sharp tremor of pleasure through her core. Then he did the same with her other breast, causing the same response. She found it hard to keep focused as pleasure flooded her body.

  This is so much more than what we did in the Energy Field. She loved how he felt in the flesh under her fingers, his salty taste and the heat from him melted her so much more than the last time they did something like this. She remembered how they’d joined in the Energy Field. That was when she’d begun to forgive him for leaving her alone.

  He pushed the top of her dress off her shoulders and it slipped away. He pulled her in close. Their skin met with a burning heat that fueled them with urgency. He lifted her. Her legs wrapped naturally around his waist. She felt him hard between her legs and ground into him, causing him to moan. He set her down on the bed, knelt in front of her and unlaced her boots, slowly. She was going to burst if he didn’t hurry. She wanted him, on top of her, in her. Her thighs clenched and moisture pooled.

  He pulled off her boots, then ran his hands up her legs, parting them so he’d be between them. He reached up and kissed her mouth. She was ready and met his lips with just as much passion, their tongues circled each other.

  She felt him slip his fingers over the elastic of her tights and rolled them down over her legs, slowly, enjoying running his fingers over her thighs. Then he came back again. He pushed her back onto the bed and hooked his fingers in the top of her panties.

  She raised her hips to help him remove the last barrier between them. She closed her eyes as he lay beside her. Heat radiating from his body flooded around her. His hand moved along her inner thighs, circling closer to the part between her legs. He brushed over her mound and she gasped.

  His fingers slipped between her intimate folds and she felt herself begin to blossom. Her muscles contracted and she ached to have him inside her, to have something to grip as she rode the tension that was close to bursting inside of her.

  She bit her bottom lip to stop herself from begging him to enter her. The rhythm he set with his fingers gradually built. She moved her hips in time with him adding to the pleasure, increasing the friction, until it naturally opened, gently like a maturing bud. Her body shuddered.

  He nibbled on her shoulder. “Want more of that.”

  She breathed heavy, hard and groaned. “Yes.” The pleasure he created clouded blissfully in her mind. She allowed the ripples to ease through her body.

  He stood up, shimmied out of his trousers and jocks, and then lay back next to her. Triena felt him hard and hot against her thigh, which spiked her energy despite the euphoria fluttering through her.

  He rolled on top of her and rested his weight on his elbows. She felt his weight on her, crushing her breasts pleasantly into his toned chest. She lifted her hips to meet him. His erection went inside her, gliding in her moisture and they groaned together. She dug her fingers into his waist as she held onto him.

  They moved together, kissing, hips rocking. Once more the energy built between them. The friction intensified towards bursting. She felt him shuddering inside of her, which tipped her over the edge in her own orgasm. Their souls met for a moment in ecstasy before tumbling back to earth.

  Braklen rolled to the side, panting. Triena folded her naked body around his, locking him into place next to her. Where he belongs.

  “At least we can manage sex without arguing.” She caught her breath, thinking out loud.

  “We sure can.” Laughing, he turned and kissed her. “I think we should stick to what we do best.”

  She smiled and kissed him back. “What? You want to do this 24/7? You’ll get worn out.”

  He pulled her on top of him, kissed her hard and passionately, suggesting he’d go for another round. “You want to make a wager on that?”

  “Sure.” She felt him harden again under her, and her body responded. She knew exactly what she wanted right now. “Let’s get started now.”

  “You’re on,” he answered, a glint in his eye. “Hope you can keep up.”

  “You’d better believe it.” She pushed him down on the bed. “I’m a woman of my word.”

  Chapter 4

  Braklen looked at Triena sleeping next to him. His heart pounded. I can’t believe it. He stroked her hair gently. I’m in love. It wasn’t simply the hot passionate sex that completely exhausted them.

  Of course, it was great. Yet, he couldn’t deny the beat in his heart was different now. They had such a rocky history, and it didn’t help that she’d tried to kill him. Now, he could forgive all that. Lying here in the aftermath of their lovemaking, it was easy to see a future together. He hadn’t allowed himself to think of it or even consider it before.

  There was something about her, lying peacefully next to him that drew his heart to her. And there was more. On the edge of his mind, he remembered a dream that he had, a choice that he made. That’s it. I put on the crown.

  Ever since he’d done it, there’d been less pressure. He swallowed hard. The crown scared him. More than Triena did when she was holding a particle gun. His memories grew stronger now. Must have been all this great sex. The pieces were falling into place. The fragments that the Queens made of his mind were re-joining. He’d always loved Triena. And one thing he was certain was that he wanted to make them pay for disrupting their future together.

  She stirred.

  “Hello, sleepyhead.” Braklen wasn’t sure what time it was, or how long they’d been here. He didn’t care.

  She made soft cooing sounds and opened her eyes. The intensity caught him and his heart fluttered. He wrapped his arms around her. “I love you.”

  He saw her eyes widen and she pulled away. Great. I’ve acted too rashly. But, then she came closer and kissed him. Her soft lips ignited a fire inside him and his body responded.

  “I love you, too.”

  Braklen couldn’t believe it. His body surged as he kissed her, relieved she felt the same. If there was any doubt, her kisses pushed it away.

  A knock on the door startled them. She grabbed for the sheet to cover her naked body.

  “Not decent,” yelled Braklen.

  “Don’t care.” Rangit thudded into the room. “This ain’t the love boat so you two better get up. You’ve got some serious training to do, Braklen.”

  No one had mentioned any training. He was pretty sure that what he’d been doing with Triena for the last hours couldn’t be considered that. “What training?”

  “If you ain’t up in two minutes, I’m coming back with a bucket of cold water. You two need to cool down,” said Rangit. “If you want to know a
bout training, ask your girlfriend. We’ve got bigger problems to handle. There’s no room for distractions.”

  Braklen was about to argue that Triena wasn’t a distraction but he swallowed his words when he received a one-eyed glare from Rangit.

  “We’ll be ready in two minutes,” said Triena hurriedly. “Just give us some privacy.”

  “It better not lead to anything. Get dressed and come to the reading room, pronto. Otherwise the deal is off.”

  “We’ll be there.”

  Rangit harrumphed on his way out.

  “What was that all about?” Braklen turned to look at Triena.

  She hesitated. “You’ve got to learn how to read the Energy.”

  Braklen burst into laughter.

  “Braklen, this is serious.”

  “Me read the Energy? Yeah, right.” He stood up. He saw her eyes widen as she glanced at his groin, which caused him to harden. Despite the numerous releases he could go again with her. He waited, tempting her.

  She looked away. She scrunched up the sheet around her as she stood from the bed. “You need to be able to read the Energy. We need to try and teach you. It will give us a better chance to defeat the Queens.”

  Braklen was disappointed not to see her naked, and more disappointed that she hadn’t given in to him. “Must be big if you are not tempted with this.” He put his hands on his hips and thrust his groin forward. His erection pointed exactly where he wanted to go.

  She looked at him. Her cheeks flushed. He thought she was going to come to him. Instead, she picked up her dress. He caught a rewarding glimpse of her tight behind and smiled. They’d shared a lot, declared their love and now, now life was, as usual, getting in the way.

  No, it’s the Queens’ fault again. Triena wanted to stop them, and he did as well. That was the priority now. He looked at her curves, wishing that she wasn’t going to cover up.

  “I am tempted,” her voice was soft. “But we have one minute now before Rangit’s going to come in here with cold water.”

  Braklen grumbled, “Fine, then.” He began to dress. “But, you better tell me what you two have in store for me.” He’d always relied on his brute strength to get out of tight situations, not the airy-fairy use of the Energy.

  Already dressed, Triena tied up her boots before he managed to find the tangled mess of his trousers. He pulled them on, then his shirt. Braklen didn’t know how Triena managed to get dressed so quickly especially with all those layers he’d spied her putting on.

  “Hurry up.” Triena twisted her hair back out of the way. “Or you’re going to get a cold shower.”

  Braklen fumbled doing up his shirt as he tried to put his feet into his boots. “I’m practically ready.” His body swayed before he regained his balance and his foot slipped into his boot.

  Triena stepped out the door and he rushed to catch up, leaving his shirt partly done up as well as a boot only half on. He stopped abruptly at the doorway just managing to avoid bumping into her.

  “Did you think we weren’t coming?” Triena eyed Rangit who stood holding a bucket of water.

  “You’re still late.” Rangit lowered the bucket.

  “What’s a few minutes?” Triena stepped through the door. “Especially when we’re all ready to go into the reading room now.” She started to walk down the corridor.

  Braklen followed her, but his stomach rumbled at the thought of food. He’d completely been distracted about meals while getting intimate with Triena. “I could do with some breakfast first.”

  “Best get started on an empty stomach,” mumbled Rangit.

  “I need to eat. I’ve been doing some serious physical work.” Braklen buttoned up his shirt.

  Rangit glared at Braklen. “You sure you’re ready for this?”

  Braklen squared his shoulders. “Sure,” he lied. How hard can it be?

  “You’re in for a real treat then.” Rangit turned and headed after Triena.

  Braklen wasn’t so sure about that. He had a feeling Rangit was being sarcastic. It didn’t make sense for him to learn how to use the Energy. Triena did that. When they stood against the Queens, he’d use weapons. It didn’t need to be any other way.

  He sighed. He’d spent the last hours not using his mind and it was struggling to switch gears. All he wanted to do was to sleep and wrap his arms around Triena. His stomach rumbled a reminder. After I’ve eaten.

  “You know if you just give me some of that plant, then I can understand the rabbit.” Braklen stepped into the reading room and a shiver ran down his back. Readings weren’t something he ever wanted to experience again.

  The newly formed fragments of his memories threatened to break at the thought of being read. The reading that Triena started back in her tearoom when he first arrived on Oberon was incomplete. The last two nearly killed him each time. Somehow, he’d clung to life. There was one more tea he needed to drink. “Wouldn’t that be enough?”

  Triena turned to look at him. “What plant?” She remembered that she hadn’t found the Jesleuma plant for Rangit.

  “I dunno.”

  “Jesleuma,” said Rangit.

  Braklen sat down on the nearest chair. “I guess. The rabbit will know. Ask him. That way we don’t need this lesson, or whatever this is, and I can go get something to eat. Bacon and eggs would be nice.”

  “Good luck with that.” Rangit stood leaning against the wall, arms folded in front of him, his one eye moving between them.

  “You’ve had Jesleuma before?” Triena began pulling out small pots of dried flower-buds. The rabbit sat nearby cleaning his metal ears.

  “Only what the rabbit gave me.” Braklen looked between Triena and Rangit. The silence made him uncomfortable. He guessed they used the Energy to speak to him, or to each other, and he didn’t like not knowing what they were saying. “No need to say those things to me.” He tried to make it seems like he could understand them.

  Rangit shook his head and Triena laughed. “He has no idea.”

  He detected disappointment in her voice.

  “He’s not going to like this,” said Triena.

  “Nope,” said Rangit matter-of-factly.

  “This is going to be difficult.” Triena turned back to smelling the dried flowers.

  “Yep. Told you it would be, but you insisted he was taught,” said Rangit.

  “Don’t I get a say in this?” Braklen didn’t like the way these two talked about him, even though he was sitting here in the same room with them.

  “No.” They both answered together.

  “Do you really need me to be able to use the Energy so that we have a chance of standing up to the Queens? Yeah, right.” Braklen looked at the single white china cup on the table, complete with a small chip on the lip. The hairs on his skin stood on end. No way am I having another reading.

  She went back to the side table to the rows of jars containing dried flowers she’d taken out. “Yes. Like I told you before. You’ll be a secret weapon.”

  “One that might jam in a fight, so I think this is a waste of time.” Braklen started to stand.

  “You wouldn’t go into battle without preparation.” Rangit pushed Braklen back down in the chair. “Consider this your preparation. You don’t know how this is going to help you.”

  Braklen swallowed hard. The longer he sat in this room, the more nervous he became. “You’re not going to kill me, are you?”

  Triena looked up from running her hand over the jars of dried flowers. Her eyes glazed over, as if she wasn’t really present. “Of course not.” Her voice sounded distant.

  Braklen squirmed in the chair. “I guess that’s a good thing.” His stomach churned as he remembered the purging he endured each time he’d drunk one of the juices from the flowers. He’d fought hard in the darkness, clung to a tiny spark of light. But there was more.

  He had chasms in his mind, put there from when the Queens manipulated his memories to remove Triena. Some of those closed due to the reading she
gave him, but at a cost. He wiped his hands down his trousers. Sickness crept up from his stomach and he swallowed the acidic juices.

  He couldn’t do this. He knew the pain of closing the gaps and even if reading the Energy wasn’t as painful this time, it was still going to hurt. He was done walking into the path of pain.

  “You’ll help me.” Braklen reached down to scratch the rabbit behind the ears, forgetting about the bite he received earlier. But the rabbit bounced out of the way.

  “Thanks, buddy.” Braklen sat back in the chair and folded his arms over his chest. “This isn’t going to work, you know.”

  “We have to try,” said Triena.

  “No, no, I don’t believe we do.” Braklen remembered some things, but a chilling blackness crept into his mind when he thought about each flower tea he had drunk, Wing Leaf and Gaia’s Tears. There was one more. He shivered.

  “Don’t be such a baby,” said Rangit. “This won’t hurt and won’t take long.”

  Braklen looked at Rangit. “You’ve had one of her readings?”

  Rangit simply glared back at Braklen with his one eye. The answer obvious. He had, and he’d survived.

  “Maybe you should stop her …” Braklen’s voice trembled as Triena rolled a dried bud from her palm into the cup.

  “Thanks for your vote of confidence, dear.”

  “Your reputation precedes you now. What else can I say?” Transfixed by the bud lying in the cup, Braklen was unable to look at her. She might well be the woman he loved, but she was also a powerful user of the Energy which he’d felt even if she hadn’t meant for that to happen. It had. He took a deep breath to get control of the fear building intensely inside of him. If only we could’ve stayed in bed.

  “You should keep thoughts like that to yourself,” said Rangit.

  “You shouldn’t listen in on something that’s private.”

  “Isn’t that a good reason for you to learn more about the Energy? You can shield your thoughts from us.” Triena placed a pot of boiling water on the table and sat down opposite him.

  “No.” Braklen would’ve reacted angrily if this wasn’t triggering him to remember the previous readings. He’d ended up unconscious and fighting for his life. “One bud? This really is a reading, isn’t it?”