Read Mauled by Destiny [Tales of the Citadel 17] for Free Online

Thoola, my body fought the healing according to the medics there.
    They could only keep me stable and watch over me as the transformation ran its course.” He nodded and got to his feet. In that moment, his nudity went from casual to intriguing, but she suspected that her body was now an object of disgust or pity to him.
    She slumped her shoulders and turned away an instant before he gripped her arms and kissed her.
    She was held in place by his hands as his mouth and tongue duelled with hers. Her instincts roared within, and she followed them, twisting and tackling him to the bed.
    The wildest moment in her life began, and she had to admit that instinct was a powerful teacher.

Chapter Seven
    P riina was unsure of how to begin a conversation after they had spent hours exploring every inch of each other. She slid out of bed and crossed to get a pot of tea from the dispenser.
    “It was your first time.” His voice was as low and husky as it had been during his whispered instructions.
    She blushed and looked down. “Of course it was. I was raised at an all-female Citadel. I will take a shower.”
    There was a rush of fabric, and he was behind her with his arms around her. “I did not mean to embarrass you. It is just unusual for a Lyran female to be untouched at your age. Biology is a powerful motivator.”
    She shrugged but leaned back against him as his arms wrapped her in warmth and his scent surrounded her. “Among the Cial, biology is a matter of necessity. We breed for the sake of the whole, not for individual entertainment.”
    “You found it entertaining?”
    Priina chuckled. “At times. Frustrating at others.” She sighed and relaxed. “Does this mean I can skip tomorrow’s exercise?” He snorted. “No. You have to learn to hide yourself in dangerous situations, and with me on your tail, the situation will be dire indeed.” The image in her mind sent a quiver through her. She shook her head to dispel it and placed her hands on his to break his grip. “A shower, I think, and then some fresh sheets. I won’t be able to sleep with that scent in my bed.”
    “Then, sleep in mine. We can worry about the bedding tomorrow.” He pressed a kiss to her shoulder.
    She looked up at him and came nose-to-nose with him. “Is that appropriate?”
    “With only you and me here, who else is to know?” He stroked a hand over her hip.
    Her eyes crossed with the effort to meet his gaze at such close range. “I will know.”
    “But, the true thing is, do you mind?” Rhanos had it in one. She didn’t really mind, but she was not sure how she felt about her lack of concern. She should be more circumspect, shouldn’t she?
    “I don’t think I do mind. That is confusing in and of itself.” Priina scowled. “This is a very new situation for me.”
    He kept his arms around her and walked with her to the lav. He coached her into the shower, putting his body between her and the spray until it heated. It was strange to be bathed like a child considering that those hands had definitely acknowledged her grown form just an hour earlier.
    She let him shampoo her hair and finger comb the tangles out, she rested her forehead against his chest and let the water run over her back, unknotting muscles that were unaccustomed to intimate activity.
    Rhanos turned off the taps, wrapped her in a towel and lifted her off her feet. She wrapped her arms around his neck for balance. She hadn’t been carried since she was a child.
    He took her through the adjoining room and set her on the pristine dark blue bed.
    She looked around her. “Your room is very…neat.”
    He chuckled. “I would apologize, but it is part of me. Everything must be in its place, and you now officially belong in my bed.” She scowled and shucked off the towel as she crawled under the sheets.
    He took the towel and wrapped it around his hips.
    “That is rather high handed of you, Rhanos.”
    He bowed from the waist. “I know. I would claim Lyran tradition, but it