Dreamwater by Chrystalla Thoma Read Free Book Online Page B

to his face and gasped. His hair rose in a blinding crest, and his fangs lengthened like some saber cat’s, arching down toward her.
    “Azer?” Her body shivered and cramped, then began to lose solidity. “What in the Shadows is going on?”
    Azer leaned over her, his oversized fangs inches from her face. “Feel the joining?”
    The bond burned and spread like burning liquid, filling her up. “What are you doing to me?” She knew she should panic, but he felt so good, like a part of her she hadn’t know was missing. She clutched at his hips. “Gods.”
    He laughed then, softly, and moved faster inside her.
    Mara gasped as her body broke into particles, losing solidity, and flowed against the sheets. Her link to Riffa buzzed. The pleasure still built inside her. How was that possible?
    He threw his head back and howled. She saw it then, the mark appearing on his chest, the crown. “You’re not a lone wolf.” She knew now who he was, and anger filled her. “You used me. You tricked me.”
    But she wanted him, wanted this. 
    The king of the werewolves said nothing as her body flowed like a cloud around him, half-solid, half-liquid. His eyes closed. He pushed deeper, and the pressure inside her rose to a towering crest. She cried out when it broke, and she splashed like a wave, dissolving into pleasure.
    She had lost all control.
    And so did he. His essence spread inside her, hot, imbuing every particle.
    She wasn’t sure what exactly had happened. Her body tried to solidify again, to reform.
    But he was still inside her, and she couldn’t pull together.
    As he stared down at her, his eyes narrow, she realized she didn’t want him to leave her alone inside her body.
    He smiled then, as if he knew her thoughts.
    The bond filled her up like a glass, spilling over the edges. The pack’s will, the pack’s thoughts filled her mind. She smelled wet earth and rotten leaves and small animals burrowing in the ground. The full moon sent energy through her, made her skin tingle.
    Her link to Riffa and the Shadow world resisted, but the pack’s will was strong, their leader’s will was overwhelming, and it enveloped the link like a velvet sheath, quieting it.
    “You are mine,” he said and she knew it to be true. Relief, fear and anger warred in her.
    He left her body, and gave her a hand up.
    She sat, solidifying, not sure what she was now or what to do. “Why did you do this?”
    His fangs receded until his smile looked almost human. “Don’t you feel it? You are stronger now. I have woven my power within your body.”
    Mara stared at her hands, wondering if he told the truth. “Again, why?”
    She sought her connection to Riffa, and instead of the familiar ache, she found a window through which she could reach out, observe, and maybe… Maybe even control Riffa. She tugged her mistress’ link, then recoiled. Swallowing hard, she slammed the window shut.
    “You feel it, don’t you?” Azer bent over her. “You are stronger than Riffa. You can make her obey you.”
    Mara blinked. “Can I? She’s a ghoul queen now, she rules any shifter she chooses.”
    “Yes. And through you, I control her, and with her the shifters of the world.”
    Oh hells . He’d let all shifters loose, had even killed others of his pack, to lure her in, to reinforce the bond, to win total power. Twisted .
    “Riffa never thought I would come out to play the game myself.” He smirked. “Now I’m at the top.”
    Was Riffa now his pet? Laughter bubbled through Mara at the irony of it. “And what about my soul? What about my contract with Riffa?”
    He stroked her hair, a possessive gesture. His eyes flashed with amusement. “Your soul is safe. Your soul is mine.”
    That wasn’t reassuring in the least. “Wait.” Anger flared. “Am I your pet now, too?”
    He leaned closer until his lips all but touched hers. “Would you like that?”
    “Hells, no!” She’d been Riffa’s pet for far too long.
    He chuckled. “You are a