Sarazen's Vengeance: Book 1.1 Read Online Free Page A

one.”
     
    Ohlen came back with a tray filled with all the foods she had tried at least twice so far and set it on the small table in front of her. Offered her a quick smile when she stared at him in bewilderment.
    “Why does your commander always rub his nose along Clary’s?” she blurted. Hurriedly, as though she worried he would be displeased by her curiosity. He was very pleased to answer her. Beyond pleased, because she was speaking to him.
       “It is our way of showing affection, tenderness, and desire. Also to press a bit of our scent onto our mate’s skin.”
       “So, the Sarazen version of a kiss?”
    He tilted his head at her inquisitively. “Is that why humans kiss their mates?”
       “It’s what they say. I’ve um, never done it.” she looked away shyly.
     
    He moved back to kneel in front of her. Gave her time to pull away in case it frightened her. He brushed his nose up the length of hers, offering a soft rumble of sound meant to reassure and calm her. The sound he would only ever be able to make for her. For his mate.
    Andi was very stiff at first. Stiff enough that he almost pulled back. He worried he had gone too far until she let out a slow, shuddering breath and relaxed. Allowing his caress. Leaning into his touch. He rubbed up the other side of her nose. Let his brow rest on hers, murmuring to prolong the sweetness of the moment.
    “Then when you are ready, it will be ours alone. I need to dress. Eat.”
     
    Andi ate a third of what he desired her to, but she ate. She seemed to take amusement from him clearing the rest of the plates himself. Asking him where he put it all in a timid little voice. He was delighted by her continued inquisitiveness. His thoughts focused foremost on his body language, doing his best to give her time to watch him. To grow more accustomed to his nearness, now that she wasn’t suffering the immediate aftermath of watching her former tormentor, die an extremely painful death.
       She was exhausted emotionally. Ohlen could see her body beginning to wilt with the tiredness born of such relief. Such release. He suggested she move to the bed and the scent of her fear immediately flooded the room.  Her eyes rolled a little too wide, a little too white. He moved to crouch in front of her again and she flinched back. Then was mortified to have done so.
       “I’m s-sorry,” she stammered. Trying to get hold of herself. Instead of taking her hands or curling his arms around her like he desired, he wrapped his fingers gently around her ankle. Rubbed up and down the fine bones there with his thumb,
    “You have nothing to be sorry for, my one. The bed is all for you. I will sleep here.”
    Ohlen tried to use the gentlest tone he knew. Unfortunately, it still came out as somewhat of an order. She still recoiled. He could hear how hard her heart pounded. Raced like a frightened animal trapped within her chest.
       Andi looked at the lounge she sat on, then sideways at the bed. Looking anywhere but at him it seemed. She again licked the soft swells of her trembling lips. The need surged to taste such soft curves. To taste all of her. He restrained himself. Shoved his beast down and forced it to heel.
    “I’m smaller. I should take the couch. You’ll barely fit, and it’s your bed-” she murmured. Shuddered when he growled his displeasure,
    “It is our bed, my one. Where you will sleep, alone, until such time as you give permission for me to share it with you.”
       “But-“
    “No, Andi. Your comfort and well-being will always be my first concern. These quarters are ours until we reach Saraz. You need not ask permission to do anything within them. I will clean up our meal. You, get ready for sleep.”
     
     
    ****
     
    Andi woke up twice in the middle of the night. Her mind hemorrhaging every horrific moment spent suffering at Ethan’s hands.
    The first time Ohlen woke her. She nearly fell off the bed with how fast her body moved. Lurching back