Abducting the Princess by Mel Teshco Page A

him.
    He’d given her more than he’d ever know.
    He’d taken her virginity and made her a woman, and in doing so had triggered her first ever shift into a larakyte. The moment she’d discovered she wasn’t a nightmix had been the moment all her self-doubts had faded away.
    How have I ever lived without him?
    Her ears flattened. How was she ever going to live without him? Sooner or later her father’s soldiers would find her and life as she knew it would resume to normal.
    Her tail swishing in sudden animalistic need, she turned and gave him a nip. She tasted blood before Mahaya turned around sharply and snarled warning. Gods, he was so magnificent and huge.
    And dark, don’t forget about dark.
    Somehow his darkness made her want him all the more. And he wanted her too. His primeval response sent arrows of lust straight to her loins.
    But only as people would they unite as one. Larakytes never joined in animal form. Her own body’s lust was forcing her back to woman just the same as Mahaya’s lust was forcing him back to man.
    Agony gripped her as desire triggered a shift from beast to human. She crumpled onto her side, panting and mewling as her bones, skin and flesh once again made the transition.
    Don’t fight it, go with it.
    Mahaya’s recent advice somehow penetrated her subconscious until she surrendered to the pain once again, distantly aware he too was going through the shift. And somehow knowing she wasn’t alone made it much more bearable.
    Even when the pain was no more, she didn’t fully comprehend she was human once again. Not until she looked up to find Mahaya crouched—his shift fully complete—before he rocked to his feet and strode toward her.
    His arms moved around her body and, cradling her, he carried her the way they’d come. His eyes intent, he asked gently, “Are you okay?”
    “I’m not really sure,” she said in a small voice, “so much has changed.”
    His stride didn’t falter. “ Everything has changed,” he corrected. His gaze gleamed in the darkness. “We’re mated now…for life.”
    Her jumbled emotions knotted harder still. Her every atom might burn with agreement at his words, but reality ensured they’d never be more than lovers. She bit back a sudden urge to sob with injustice. “Mahaya, I—”
    “Don’t say anything,” he murmured huskily. “I know it’s a lot to take in. But I know in my heart we can make it work.”
    Her chest ached. Didn’t Mahaya know she belonged to another? She’d made a public vow that she would marry to preserve the monarchy. She wouldn’t, couldn’t go back on her word. No matter how much she wished otherwise. “What you’re asking is impossible.”
    He strode through whatever shortcut he’d taken before stepping into the clearing. The moonlight was blinding after the comparative darkness. And she saw all too easily the hard glitter of determination in his stare.
    “Nothing is impossible, my Mira.”
    He splashed into the waterhole, wading deep. Her hands slid behind his nape as they sank into the water that was gloriously refreshing after the relentless sun and fierce sandstorm. But she didn’t take the time to appreciate the water’s silken touch that washed away the sand and all traces of blood from between her thighs.
    She closed her eyes and sucked in a shuddering breath. It tore at her soul knowing this man was her perfect mate in every way, if only she’d not made the vow to her people to marry Jarvias. Her eyes opened. If only conceiving with this amazing nightmix was possible.
    Even though falling pregnant to a larakyte was little more than hopeful, at least she had a chance. At least her people could have some faith she might one day produce an heir to the throne. One of Mahaya’s hands cupped beneath her chin, drawing her gaze to his. “I know your heart belongs to your people. But it might ease your mind knowing that many of your subjects already love me for protecting their princess.”
    His words rang