Page 32 of Needed in the Night (The Fortusian Mates, #2)

ISLA

Rather than arrange for food to be delivered, Mikas declared his intention to cook a meal for us—a very fine and lovingly made gourmet meal that consisted of a half-dozen mouth-watering dishes.

Of course, watching Mikas cook naked might have contributed to how frequently I licked my lips in anticipation. Even with his back to me, he clearly knew I was watching, judging by his smile and the way he flexed his buttocks every so often.

I offered to help with the cooking, but he insisted I relax on the sofa wrapped in a plush robe that was big enough to accommodate both of us, or one generously sized Prylothian.

He brought the feast and a bottle of wine to the sitting area on an enormous tray and set it on a low table in front of the sofa.

“We could sit at the dining table,” I protested.

“If we did, I would not be able to do this.” He sat next to me, drew me onto his lap, and pulled the tray closer. “I am sorry there are no jampas.”

“I guess even as an ambassador Atlath doesn’t have your connections,” I teased. I looked over the dishes in amazement. “I can’t believe you made all this just from what you found in the kitchen. This is enough to feed an army.”

“You said you were hungry. So am I.” He kissed my temple. “This is my first proper meal I have made and shared with my mate. I could not very well bring you toasted bread, a bowl of fruit, and bits of cheese.”

“Thank you for making us this amazing meal.” I leaned my head against his chest. “But for the record, I love bread, fruit, and cheese very much and that would have been fine.”

“ Fine is not good enough for my Isla, especially not on this special occasion.” He made a sweeping gesture over the tray. “Which would you like to try first?”

I sampled each of the dishes, confirming they tasted even better than they smelled.

While many of the ingredients in the kitchen came from Prylothia, there were also staple food items native to Fortusia, and he’d combined them to create absolutely delicious soup, bread topped with layers of meats, sweet sauces, and spicy vegetables, and baked vegetables stuffed with a savory meat and gravy.

Once I’d expressed my approval and appreciation with a long kiss, he began to eat as well. And he ate. And ate. And ate .

When I’d said he’d made enough food to feed an army, I supposed I’d meant an army comprised of one hungry Fortusian male.

Long after my belly was full and I’d curled up sitting crossways on his lap and nestled into the crook of his arm, Mikas finally pushed the now nearly empty tray away and rested his chin gently on top of my head. “You are content?” he asked.

“Very.” With my head on his chest, I listened to his hearts beat in a steady rhythm. “You’re going to spoil me, aren’t you? ”

He kissed my damp hair. “Every chance I get, in every way I can think of.”

Smiling, I dozed for a while, warm and full and wrapped in a ridiculous robe I never wanted to take off.

On the one hand, I was so content and comfortable in Mikas’s arms that I could have believed we’d been lovers for months or years. But in reality, only a day ago I’d been nervously pacing around my apartment, worrying Mikas might not want to leave Onat’ras with me.

I think he will , Brae had said in response to my concern. At the time I’d wondered why he sounded so wry. Only now did I start to wonder if my shadowbat had some kind of inside knowledge.

“Mikas?” I murmured.

“Yes?” he rumbled.

“Did Brae know about you?”

“Yes.” He squeezed me gently. “But I only found out yesterday that he has known for some time.”

I found myself caught between surprise, disbelief, and a little bit of hurt that Brae hadn’t said a word about how Mikas felt.

“What happened yesterday?” I asked.

“He came to my apartment just before my shift and urged me to get you away from Nubo and Onat’ras.

” He laced his fingers through mine. “He said ‘If she is your mate, you need to do what is right for her.’ That is the first time I had ever spoken to him, and the first I knew that he was aware of the situation.”

Confused, I asked, “If he knew all along, or even knew for a while, why didn’t he say something to me?”

“Perhaps he did not think it was his secret to tell.” He stroked my back.

Even through the plush robe, the heat of his hand soothed me.

“And who but you and I could know the right time for the truth to come out? He loves you very much. I am sure he wants only the best for you. Perhaps he thought you were not ready to hear it until now. ”

“He might have been right.” I sighed. “I don’t hold it against him. I had a lot of healing to do after I came to Fortusia. I’m still healing. Maybe it wasn’t the right time until it was.”

“As difficult as it has been, I think you are right.” Mikas squeezed my hand. “I would like it very much if we could heal together.”

That was a lovely thought…but the sudden heaviness in his voice compelled me to tug our entwined hands into my lap so I could cradle his much-larger hand between both of mine.

“Tell me how you came back to Fortusia,” I said. “And about Slug.”

He frowned. “Who is Slug?”

My cheeks heated in embarrassment. “Oh, that’s the nickname I gave the Atolani female who thought you of all people would want to be a raider. You didn’t tell me her name, so I decided she was a Slug.”

He laughed.

Oh, gods, his laugh. It rolled through our suite, rumbly and deep and wonderful. It made me warm inside, but very unexpectedly, my eyes filled with tears.

“My Isla.” He lifted me up so he could kiss me, and then he rested his forehead on mine. “Why do you cry?”

“Because this is the first time I’ve ever heard you laugh,” I said, my throat tight.

He cupped my cheek. “My hearts have been heavy for a very long time—since long before you and I met. The moment you came into Zaa’ga they began to heal, but I ached for you.

And I was full of rage at Nubo for keeping us apart and afraid he might harm you.

I did not have the hearts to laugh until now. ”

My poor Mikas. I kissed him gently. “Tell me about Slug.”

“Her name is Kona Landus.” He took a deep breath and let it out.

“We served together in the Cludian Corps. I had not seen her for two years when she came into Zaa’ga this past week.

” He scrubbed his face with his hand. “We were lovers for a time. I can only say that we were soldiers at war and it was a miserable life. In my suffering, I sought some kind of comfort and meaning.”

“You don’t owe me any justifications or apologies.” I held his gaze so he could see I meant it. “I’m not bothered that you shared a bed with Kona. Of course you would want something good in the midst of chaos and misery. Goodness knows I needed the same.”

“It was never good.” Mikas took my hand and pressed my palm to his jaw. “I do not think I found any comfort or meaning either. At best, it was pleasure.”

“Was it more than that for Kona?” I asked.

“Maybe,” he allowed. “But mostly it was a matter of pride for her, I think.” He rumbled in anger. “I was a commandant. She thought I might advance her career and she was possessive as a result. Regrettably, I tolerated her behavior when I should not have.”

“Understandable under the circumstances.” I snuggled closer so I could tuck my head under his chin. “Don’t be so hard on yourself.”

“I will try, for your sake.” He kissed my hair.

“I was wounded in battle not long before my enlistment ended. Once physicians reconstructed my right leg and the rest of of my injuries healed, I declined to join the raider squad that recruited Kona and instead returned home to Fortusia. The rest, you know.”

I wanted to encourage him to tell me more about his early life, his enlistment, and the circumstances of his injuries, but his hand slid up my bare leg under the robe to grip my thigh and I decided all that could wait. We had time to tell each other everything.

“I think it is time for dessert,” Mikas said, his thumb stroking my inner thigh languidly. “I find myself yearning for something sweet.”

“I’m sure we could arrange to have something delivered to the shop and brought up to the room,” I said innocently. “That bakery near the metaphysical shop has the most delicious cakes.”

His lips traveled along my hairline, and his tongue caressed the ridges and sensitive skin of my ear. I shivered.

“No baker could provide what I want.” His hand moved farther up my leg until I squeezed my thighs together to pin his hand in place. “My tastes are more refined now. I require a singer to satisfy my needs.”

Undaunted by my playful resistance, he slid a single finger between my thighs. Its very tip just barely brushed my slit, but it might as well have been a bolt of lightning straight to my clit. Wetness began to drip from my pussy. I whimpered and squeezed my legs together harder.

Beneath my ridiculous robe, his cocks had hardened to stone. I pictured them slick with his lubrication and dripping precum and licked my lips.

“How merciless you are.” He chuckled into my ear. “You would deny a thirsting man a drink?”

“You can’t be that thirsty,” I countered, breathless. “We drank an entire bottle of wine with our meal.”

“I beg to differ. I am parched.” He caught my earlobe in his sharp teeth, careful not to draw blood. “I need your sweet nectar, my mate. And then I want to see you take my cocks here on this sofa.”

I couldn’t help it; I moaned.

“I want to see you spread your legs and take me fully,” he continued. “I want to give you my knot and pump you full of my cum and hear you scream my name so loudly your voice carries for kilometers. I want you to know what you will have any time you want it for the rest of our days. But first…”

He ran his finger slowly up and down along my dripping slit again, and again, and again, before drawing his hand out from between my legs to show me the wetness on his fingertip. “ First,” he said, smiling to show his fangs, “I need to slake my thirst.” And then he licked his finger clean.