Seeing with the Heart Read online

  Though they didn’t have a bond, it was almost as though she heard him anyway. With a low, throaty cry, Molly’s entire body went tense and then he felt her coming, coming so hard it seemed she might shake herself apart. Her inner walls contracted tightly against his fingers and he wished desperately it was his cock inside her instead. But if it had been, he wouldn’t have been in the position to lap up the honey she was gushing as she came, came so hard on his fingers and tongue and face, just as he had wanted.

  Mine, he thought deliriously as he pushed her over the edge and lapped up his sweet reward. You’re mine now, Molly and this time I’m not letting you go!

  * * * * *

  Molly didn’t know what had come over the big Kindred—he was like some kind of sexual madman—not that she was complaining. His mouth felt incredible on her—one minute he lavished her pussy with hot, open-mouthed kisses and the next moment he was lapping her throbbing clit until she thought she would melt from the pleasure.

  His two long, thick fingers, continued to pump inside her, making her moan and gasp and cry as he filled her. They weren’t nearly as thick as his cock but they still felt incredible thrusting into her as Braxx licked and sucked her pussy until she thought she would die from sensory overload.

  He made her come—forced her to it—again and again, first up against the wall and then later, he laid her on the bed and made her spread her thighs so he could get between them again.

  Molly wrapped her legs around his head and held onto his thick hair as he tongue-fucked her hard and long. Every nerve in her body seemed to be on fire—her pussy throbbed with pleasure until she felt like she couldn’t breathe and bright spots danced before her eyes in the dimness of the room.

  Why is he like this? she couldn’t help wondering as he lapped her to yet another orgasm. Has he always wanted to do this, like he said? Or did the Cha’llah change him?

  She had an idea it might be a little of both. Her thought that he was glowing more brightly in her new vision seemed correct. His big body was like a fallen star in the dimness of the Claiming Cottage and she could feel a strange kind of energy pulsing through him—an energy she couldn’t help thinking was spreading to herself.

  I’m changing, she thought helplessly as he lapped her to yet another orgasm. I’m changing but I don’t know how…

  And then the pleasure overwhelmed her and she couldn’t think anymore—could only feel as Braxx palmed her breasts and rolled her nipples while his talented tongue pushed her over the edge yet again…

  It seemed to go on for hours but at last he withdrew, panting. Molly could see the thickness of his shaft jutting out from between his thighs and she felt her pussy clench eagerly at the sight.

  “Are you going to take me?” she asked, hearing the quiver in her own voice. “I mean, are you going to…”

  “Am I going to fuck you?” he growled, his voice inhumanly deep with lust. “The Goddess knows I want to, Molly…” He leaned forward, rubbing the broad head of his shaft over her spread pussy, making her moan as he bumped over her tender clit. “But I can’t.”

  “What? Why not?” she demanded. “Why can’t you?”

  “Because I won’t be able to stop this time.” There was a warning tone in his deep voice Molly couldn’t help hearing. “Won’t be able to keep myself from putting my bonding fist all the way inside you and filling you with my seed—bonding you to me for life.”

  “For life? You mean…it would be a permanent connection?”

  “Yes.” He withdrew from her and sat back on his knees, watching her. “Makes you think twice, doesn’t it?”

  “No,” Molly said, surprising herself. “I know it sounds crazy but…do it, Braxx. I know we haven’t known each other long but I’ve never felt this way before—never been so drawn to anyone. Do it—bond us.”

  For a moment it seemed she had rendered him speechless. Then he shook his head wonderingly.

  “You’re…serious?”

  “I am,” Molly assured him. “Do it. We’ll work out the details later.”

  Deep down inside the practical little voice of her common sense was demanding to know exactly what she thought she was doing. But the voice of her heart was stronger. It told her that though this might be a hasty decision, it was the right one. Braxx was the one for her and she wanted him forever.

  But to her surprise, instead of taking her up on the offer and shoving his long, achingly hard shaft into her unprotected pussy, Braxx shook his head again and moved back.

  “No,” he said hoarsely. “Not now. Bonding sex with a Beast Kindred takes hours and we need to be gone from here. And besides, you do not…do not know all of me yet.”

  “I know all I need to know,” Molly said boldly. “I want you, Braxx. Can you honestly say you don’t feel the same for me?”

  Her heart was beating in her throat as she asked the question. How could she be so bold? So direct? But directness was a skill she’d learned after she’d lost her sight. Since she couldn’t see body language, it saved time to not play games. Molly went for what she wanted and right now, what she wanted was the big Kindred.

  “I have never wanted another female more than I want you right now,” he answered, his deep voice throbbing with sincerity. “But I can’t have you—not until you’ve seen all of me—inside and out—and decided you still want me.”

  “Nothing is going to change my mind,” Molly told him boldly.

  “That remains to be seen.” His voice sounded grim. “At any rate, we can’t do this here. We’ll discuss this again once we get out of the Depths. Agreed?”

  “All right.” Molly couldn’t help the twinge of disappointment she felt. They had been so close to being together forever…she couldn’t help feeling that they shouldn’t put it off. That something might come between them if they waited.

  But of course, she couldn’t force Braxx to make such a big decision on the spur of the moment. They would just have to wait and talk about it outside, up on the surface.

  I’m sure everything will work out okay in the end, Molly told herself uneasily as Braxx helped her to her feet and she began smoothing down her disarrayed top and bottom negus.

  Won’t it?

  Chapter Eighteen

  “May the light of the Cha’llah go with you—but I see I do not have to wish such a thing for you because it has already happened,” the Elder remarked. “Both of you glow brightly with its light.”

  “We do?” Molly looked down at herself uncertainly. Contrary to what the Elder was saying, it seemed to her that her body was glowing less brightly. In fact, all the forms and faces she could see around her seemed to be fading at an alarming rate. What was happening to her vision?

  “You do. And your healing crystal is replenished, Molly from the Stars” the Elder continued. “It shines more brightly than any crystal I have yet seen—even those dipped directly into the Cha’llah.”

  “Oh…” Molly put up a finger to feel the slight warmth of the brightly glowing crystal between her eyes. It had glowed dully when the Wise One first pressed it to her forehead but now, if the Elder was to be believed, it was stronger. But if it’s all charged up then why is my heat-vision getting worse?

  Molly would have liked to ask the question aloud but she knew they needed to get out of the Depths and back to the surface lands before some other male challenged Braxx for her.

  Apparently, the big Kindred was thinking the same thing.

  “We must be going now, Elder,” he said. “I thank you for your fairness and impartiality in your ruling of The Race.”

  “I can only do as the Cha’llah commands me.” The Elder bowed his head briefly. “Go in good health, Braxx from the Sky and Molly from the Stars. Go and finish your claiming.”

  “We will,” Molly said boldly. She cast a sidelong glance at Braxx but with her heat-vision dimming it was hard to read the expression on his face.

  You don’t know me, he had said and had hinted darkly of some kind of secret that would keep h
er from wanting him. Molly couldn’t think of anything that would make her not want him—just being near him set her blood on fire. As many times as he had made her come, she still wanted more—she wanted Braxx.

  She wished there was some way to convince him of that.

  “Go with the blessings of the Cha’llah, Molly from the Stars,” Drogor said grudgingly. “Your scent is the sweetest I have ever smelled. I would have given you a good life here in the Depths.”

  “I’m certain you would have,” Molly said as gently as she could. “But maybe you ought to look closer to home to find a mate.” She nodded at the healer, Llewith, who was standing silently at the big Deep Dweller’s side. “I know some who might be pleased to have your attentions. Llewith for instance.”

  “You mean…” Drogor swung his head to face the healer and Molly could hear the surprise in his voice. “Llewith? Does Molly from the Stars speak the truth?”

  With her fading vision, Molly could still see that Llewith’s cheeks were glowing red as she blushed hotly.

  “She does,” she murmured. “Though I do not know how she knew it.”

  “But your status is highest of any female in the clan,” Drogor exclaimed. “I thought you would wish to be joined with a future Elder or—”

  “I want only you,” Llewith said in a low voice. “I have wanted you since we were children together, playing by the banks of the Cha’llah, Drogor.”

  “By the Cha’llah—if I had known…” Drogor swept her suddenly into his arms. “Then I will pledge to you and claim you at once! I thought you were beyond me but now I know differently.”

  He kissed Llewith, who kissed him back passionately, winding her arms around his neck as he lifted her into the air and swung her around.

  The sight warmed Molly’s heart—she’d always known she wasn’t the one for the big Deep Dweller. It was nice to see that he had found the right woman for him.

  But before she could do much more than offer her hasty congratulations, Braxx had her by the arm and was hurrying her away, out of the Depths.

  “Come,” he murmured in her ear. “Let’s leave while they’re distracted.”

  It was a good idea and Molly nodded and hurried after him, doing her best to pick her way in the darkness which was becoming more complete as the minutes passed. When they got back to the surface village, she would have to ask the Wise One what was going wrong with her healing crystal. In the meantime though, Braxx was right—the first priority was to get out of here.

  * * * * *

  The third time Molly stumbled, she nearly fell into a deep ravine. It ran along the side of the narrow path they were walking to get out of the Depths and was so far down Braxx couldn’t see the bottom. He barely caught her in time to keep her from falling into the pit.

  “Molly? What’s wrong?” His blood ran cold as he gripped her arm and drew her back from the edge. “What’s going on? You keep stumbling—are you all right?”

  “No, I…” She drew a long, shuddering breath and looked up at him, but he noticed her eyes didn’t meet his. “Braxx,” she murmured. “I think I’m going blind again.”

  “What? But how is that possible?” he demanded. “The Elder was right—your healing crystal is glowing even more brightly than before.”

  “I can tell that—I can see its light but that’s all I can see,” she explained. “Remember I told you the crystal gave me a kind of heat vision and I saw everyone outlined in gold and red?”

  Braxx nodded and then said, “Yes,” remembering that she’d said she couldn’t see.

  “Well, I can’t see that glow anymore,” Molly explained. “In fact, I can’t see anything more than a foot in front of me. Outside the range of the crystal’s light, everything is blackness.”

  “We are in a very dark place,” Braxx said. “I would not be able to find my way if Kindred didn’t have excellent night vision.”

  “I don’t know if it’s the darkness or that the crystal has reached the end of its usefulness or what,” Molly said. “I only know I can’t see…again.”

  The last word ended on a broken little sob which tore at his heart.

  “Oh Molly… jalanta,” he murmured and swept her into his arms, cradling her against his chest. “I’m so sorry.”

  “It wasn’t much vision but it was some. More than I’ve had in years.” She sniffed and sighed. Drawing in a deep breath, she straightened her shoulders. “Well, it was nice while it lasted. I just…just wish it could have lasted a little longer. I liked being able to see again. Even if it was just a freaky heat-vision kind of sight.”

  “Of course you did,” Braxx murmured. “And I don’t think you should give up hope. I bet the Wise One can help us when we get back to the village of the Surface Dwellers.”

  “Maybe.” But she didn’t sound convinced. She sighed and stirred against him. “Well, put me down. If I take your elbow I can manage all right.”

  “I’d rather carry you.” Braxx held her closer. “There are…many dangers here. It will be easier to get us both safely to the surface if I don’t have to worry about you tripping and falling.” He eyed the bottomless pit again and felt cold. If he hadn’t grabbed her arm in time…

  He expected Molly to protest and for a moment it looked like she might. Then she gave a little shake of her head and murmured, “All right. But if I get too heavy, just put me down.”

  “You’re not too heavy, jalanta.” Braxx dropped a tender kiss on the top of her head. “You’re just right. Come on, let’s go.”

  He got her settled comfortably in his arms and went on his way, much more swiftly now that he didn’t have to worry about Molly tripping and falling into a hole.

  Molly clung to him at first, then seemed to relax. With a little sigh of pure weariness, she closed her eyes and let her head rest against his chest. Braxx felt his heart clench at the trust she showed in him. Gods, she was so lovely. And she was his—his completely.

  No, not completely, whispered a little voice in his brain. But you can change that…if you want to.

  Did he want to? To claim her completely and tie her life to his for all time?

  Of course I do, he thought instantly. The real question was, did he deserve to—did he deserve Molly?

  That was a murkier issue. He had told her she didn’t know him—and that was true. She hadn’t seen his face…or the inside of his heart. She didn’t know what he’d done when the crash happened…

  But maybe…maybe I could risk telling her, he thought. And even if she gets her crystal fixed, she still can’t see my scars clearly. Maybe it could work…

  He felt a cautious sense of optimism as he walked upward, following the narrow path that would lead them from darkness into light.

  * * * * *

  She must have been asleep because a warm, golden glow woke her up. Molly’s eyelids fluttered open and the first thing she saw was a pink and purple tree. The next thing was some pinkish-green grass. And after that a sky of soft purple.

  What? What is all this?

  She frowned at the strange things she was seeing. It was a trick—a dream. She was dreaming of seeing as she did so often, but this time her brain had decided to scramble the colors. Everyone knew trees were green and brown—not pink and purple!

  Still, even in a dream about seeing, Molly was happy. She looked around, enjoying the strange sights her dreaming brain had cooked up. Then she realized that this wasn’t a normal dream. She wasn’t walking, for one thing—she was being carried.

  Turning her head, she saw a broad, bare chest and then her nose filled with a spicy, masculine scent.

  Mmm, smells amazing! She rubbed her cheek against the warm wall of muscle and inhaled deeply, loving the delicious, tingling feeling the scent gave her. It was a good scent—a right scent, although she couldn’t explain exactly how.

  “So, you’re awake are you?” a deep voice rumbled. “I was wondering when you’d be up. We’ve been back up on the surface for almost thirty standard minutes now.”
>
  The voice was familiar somehow…Braxx, she suddenly realized. That’s right—he’s carrying me. I must have fallen asleep.

  But if she had, she must still be dreaming. Because she could see the worry etched on the right side of his face—which was the side she could see, since he was holding her and her head was pressed to his right shoulder. And his eyes—they were golden.

  The same color as honey, she thought staring into the right one. His hair was thick and black and the lines of his face were stern but very handsome. In fact, he was freaking gorgeous.

  Wow, Molly thought a touch uneasily. And I asked him to bond me to him. But look at him—he’s way out of my league—isn’t he?

  It had been a long time since she’d measured others by their physical attractiveness and even longer since she’d seen her own face, so she didn’t know. But though she’d been pretty enough at sixteen, she was twenty years older now. And she’d never been model-gorgeous, like the big Kindred who was carrying her.

  Maybe he didn’t want to bond her to him because she wasn’t pretty enough for him…

  Then he turned his head down to look at her and his entire face came into view.

  “Molly, are you all right?” he asked, frowning.

  Her only answer was a gasp of surprise.

  The right side of his face was flawless and perfect…which only made the left side look worse. It was twisted with scar tissue—in fact, the skin almost looked melted.

  Without thinking, Molly reached up a hand to touch those terrible scars, her eyes wide.

  “Braxx,” she breathed. “What happened to you?”

  His own eyes widened…and then narrowed. Abruptly he sat her on her feet, putting her away from him.

  Molly stumbled and nearly fell but he made no move to catch her as he had in the Depths. In fact, he took a step back, putting even more distance between them.

  “Braxx?” she asked again. “What—?”