He held his arms open. “I’ll hold you. You’re safe with me.”
She
Darron approached and scooped her into his arms, moving them deeper.
Larisa wrapped her arms securely around his neck and enjoyed pressing her body against the warm expanse of his chest. He felt so solid and secure, she could fully appreciate the spring and allow herself to gently float. “This feels wonderful.”
He showered the side of her face with kisses. His hands roamed lovingly over her skin. “I want to do something for you.” He walked toward the far edge of the spring and sat her on a smooth rock.
“What are you doing?” She noticed a bright glint in his eyes.
“You’ve given me so much pleasure, I wish to return the favor.” He parted her thighs. “Wrap your legs around my neck so I can taste you.”
A blush warmed her cheeks. He was putting her first? The thought of his beautiful mouth kissing her sex was terrifically exciting. She lifted her legs and slid them over his shoulders, then leaned back on her elbows and watched as he carefully positioned his face in front of her sex.
His lips lightly brushed against her bud. “I’ve been dreaming of this.” He pressed a soft kiss to her mons. His long, wavy hair tickled her inner thighs as his face slowly moved from side to side. His tongue gently stroked between her lips, searching for her bud with languorous circles, causing thrilling sensations that built in intensity.
Larisa relaxed the grip of her thighs to make herself more accessible. The warm caress of his mouth was stunning.
Darron teased her with light flicking motions—before bearing down to fiercely suck.
She gasped. Her hips arched upward from the overwhelming pleasure.
He lifted his face. “Too hard?”
She shook her head. “It’s perfect.” She guided his head lower and held him captive between her thighs, desperately needing him to continue. “Don’t stop.” Larisa rocked her hips.
As his mouth worked her bud, he slid a long finger inside her and stroked.
She wanted to go wild from the tremendous amount of energy building inside her body and almost needed to scream. Her thighs pressed against the sides of his face as she rubbed her bud hard against his lips.
His lips slowly drew her bud to a peak. He made a gentle coaxing motion with his crooked finger that lured her closer to the edge of climax.
Larisa tensed. For a startling moment she felt as if she were floating, weightless. Her stomach muscles clenched as a strong climax broke and left her face flushed. She panted shallow breaths and rode the sensation for as long as possible. As the last rolling waves of pleasure passed, she had to will herself to relax and release him from her tensed legs.
He rose from between her parted thighs with a proud smile. “I’ll do that every day if you’ll allow it.”
Her mind had gone completely blank. “I’d love it!” she gasped, then laughed. She really couldn’t image Alecto putting her desires first, or even caring if she received pleasure. Darron’s surprising attitude was welcome.
Darron took hold of her and once more lifted her into the spring, turning in a lazy circle. “I’ll try my best to make you happy every day.”
She wrapped her legs around his waist. The sole of her foot brushed against the solid curve of his buttocks, but…
She didn’t feel a tail.
Larisa bolted upright, straining to glance over his shoulder. “Where is it?”
“The tail’s gone.” Darron grinned. “You’re not going to miss it, are you?”
She kissed his lips. “No.”
“The more you share with me, the more human I become. Taking an Earthly body brings great responsibilities.” A note of somberness crept into his voice. “Larisa, I have one more important thing to show you.” He moved toward the edge of the spring once more. “Will you walk to the heart of the labyrinth with me?” He climbed out of the water and offered his hand. “I need your help making a decision.”
She took his hand and allowed him to pull her up. “What decision?” Water sheeted from her body as she reached for her rumpled tunic and pulled it over her head.
“The heart of the labyrinth is a direct portal to Asteria. If I am to stay on Earth in physical form, I must have the Asterion council’s permission to do something that’s never been done.”
He picked up the torch and beckoned her forward. “Come.”
Chapter Four
They walked a sloping passageway that eventually opened into a spacious, domed cavern with a ceiling that soared upward into shadow. The curved walls were embellished with meticulously carved glyphs. The floor of the cavern was covered in an intricate mosaic of twisted knots leading to the center of the design, which held a beautiful star.
Darron pointed toward the star. “That’s the star of Asteria. It’s the gateway home, but this portal has become unstable. The Asterions will not use it again.” He closed his eyes, bowed his head and appeared to fall into deep thought.
A blindingly bright flame appeared in the center of the star and stretched upward toward the highest point of the cavern. The deep, authoritative voice of the Elder spoke.
“Darron, are you ready to return? The council senses that indeed the island will soon be destroyed when Thera erupts. The inevitable is near.”
Darron drew a tense breath. “I wish to stay on Earth.”
“That will not be possible,” the Elder insisted. “This portal will close.”
“I ask permission to open a new portal in a new land.”
“What new land?” The towering flame flashed an acidic shade of yellow and flickered erratically.
“I’m not sure.” Darron’s chin dipped. “I have not yet left the labyrinth to explore Earth.”
“You don’t even know where you’re going?” the Elder huffed. “The portals we currently maintain are controversial enough. We don’t need another. What inspired such a rash notion?”
“A young woman was brought to the labyrinth. I believe her people could benefit from contact with the Asterions.”
The Elder’s flame flickered wildly. “But you’re not certain?”
“No.” Darron hung his head.
“Darron,” the Elder scolded. “You will not be allowed to wander aimlessly. You can stay on Earth only if you have a clear purpose.”
“I wish to be a teacher,” Darron insisted.
“To retain an Earthly body, an Asterion must also take a mate.” The Elder’s height shortened and the light became a soothing shade of pale blue. “Do you have an Earth partner willing to work with you?”
Darron glanced at Larisa. “Elder, may I have a moment of privacy to settle a personal matter?”
“Privacy?” the Elder scoffed. “Asterions do not require or embrace privacy. You are already speaking the sort of nonsense I hear from Hathor. I believe Earth is a dangerous influence on Asterions.”
“Please, Elder. I must speak with Larisa.”
A long moment of silence followed.
“More time will be granted.” The Elder’s light flickered to a warm glow. “The council has suggested to me that you be allowed to take care of this matter in your own way. Limited permission to remain on Earth for one lifetime is granted.”
Darron beamed. “Thank you.”
“Because you are the last Asterion to go to Earth, the council has granted you liberties previously not given. You shall be allowed to live as a man without council supervision. Your victories and mistakes shall solely be your
