She might have kept going, having orgasm after orgasm, but Ty seemed to recognize that she was getting overloaded. After the second, deeper spasm was finished shaking her, he slowly withdrew his fingers and stopped rubbing her clit with his thumb.
“Easy now, little one,” he murmured as Ellina’s head dropped to his broad shoulder. She was panting, trying to get her breath back as his big warm hands rubbed over her back, soothing her, bringing her back down from the pleasure high she’d been on.
“Oh, Ty,” she whispered breathlessly, still panting. “Oh, that was…that was incredible.”
“I think our experiment was a success,” he murmured back. “I told you that you could have pleasure, Ellina.”
“You were right.” Lifting her head, she looked at him wonderingly. “I can’t believe it, Ty, but even without a third breast and a second sacred mouth you were able to make me come!”
“No, you were able to come—I just helped you along a bit.” He gave her a lazy smile. “And I don’t think either of us will ever forget it.”
Ellina wanted to agree with him but a deep weariness had suddenly settled over her. She had never felt such strong pleasure in her life and now a deep lassitude was dragging at her, making her yawn helplessly and sag against Ty’s broad chest.
“All worn out, little one?” His voice was tender and amused. “Come on, I think it’s time we got you to bed.”
“All…all right,” Ellina whispered and yawned again.
The last memory she had of that night was of Ty carrying her carefully to her sleeping chamber and tucking her tenderly into bed.
“Sweet dreams, my Lady,” he murmured and kissed her forehead.
Ellina wanted to thank him but before the words could leave her lips, sleep claimed her and she knew no more.
Chapter Twenty
“So what’s on the agenda for today? Not another public bathing, I hope?” Ty asked when he entered her apartments the next day. “Although I wouldn’t mind another private one,” he added in a lower tone, the corners of his sensual mouth twitching.
“Oh, hello, Ty. No—the Ritual of Humility is a once a year event.”
Ellina met him at the door, feeling a little shy. She’d been only paying half the attention she ought to the papers and proclamations her ministers wanted her to sign that morning. She’d been too busy remembering the intensely erotic events of the night before to really concentrate.
After finally shooing them away, she was free to spend time alone with Ty, who had slept outside her bed chamber door for safety but given her the privacy of her apartments while she conducted State business. All morning she had been longing to talk to him…but now she wasn’t quite sure what to say.
The big Kindred seemed to sense her uncertainty.
“Are you all right, my Lady?” he asked, adopting a more formal tone. “Is there anything I can do for you?”
“Oh, no. I…I can’t think of anything.” Gods, how she wanted to reach for him and pull him down for a long, hot kiss! But that wouldn’t be appropriate—would it? After all, hadn’t last night been a one-time thing?
Ellina wasn’t sure but she didn’t feel like she could take the chance. She fisted her hands at her sides to keep herself from reaching for him.
Lor, however, showed no such restraint. The little chewchie jumped from her head up to the Kindred’s broad shoulder and chattered happily in his ear.
“Well, hello there, little fellow.” Ty turned his head and smiled down at the tiny fluffy creature. Lifting one finger, he stroked Lor’s fur very gently.
“I think he likes you.” Ellina couldn’t help smiling.
“I think I like him, too.” Ty sounded surprised at his own admission. “I didn’t think I would. My friend, Asher—“
“Oh yes, the Kindred warrior who saved Grandmamma and me from the assassination attempt at the coronation feast!” Ellina exclaimed.
“Yes, that’s him.” Ty nodded. “Anyway, the chewchie he was given is pretty demanding from what I could tell. And it also seems to…” He frowned. “Seems to have undue influence over him in some, uh, areas.”
Ellina frowned.
“Well, some think that chewchies are just an outward display of our own personalities. So if your friend has a forceful personality, his chewchie may echo that.”
“I guess I could see that,” Ty said thoughtfully. “Maybe that’s why I like this little guy so much,” he added, nodding at Lor, who was still sitting happily on his shoulder. “Because he’s like you—quiet but decisive when he needs to be.”
“Well, thank you.” Ellina smiled. “You know,” she said shyly, “Our chewchies often act on our impulses, even when we cannot ourselves. So, for instance, if you see two chewchies squabbling, you can be sure the people they are attached to aren’t feeling very friendly towards each other, no matter what their outer appearances might say.”
“They act on your impulses, hmm?” Ty raised an eyebrow at her. “Does that mean you wanted to come give me a hug this morning instead of standing way over there?” He indicated the distance between them, which was formal and correct.
“Maybe…” Ellina bit her lip. “I wasn’t sure after…after what happened last night where we stood.”
“We stand where we always have,” Ty said firmly. “You are the Potentate and I am your bodyguard. I will protect you with my life and serve you in any way you require or desire.”
“But what if what I desire isn’t…proper?” Ellina asked softly. “What we did last night, Ty…we shouldn’t have done it. You know we shouldn’t. And yet…and yet I want to do it again,” she whispered, looking up at him. “All of it and more.”
He frowned.
“I want that as well, little one. But you’re right—we shouldn’t have done it. I can make all the excuses in the world but the fact is, I
