Charm Of Sensuality

Chapter 15

Kane held onto her hand, his thumb running soothing circles over her soft skin. She was anxious and afraid. It was obvious. The subtle warmth usually radiating off her skin was slightly cold. Her eyes were wide and almost star struck.

He grit his teeth. Once they were on the other side, there was no coming back. Once they were on the other side she would be assigned her mate and he would likely never be able to talk to her again.

He shook off his thoughts, knowing that they were going in the wrong direction. He squeezed her hand softly and she reciprocated, her grip tight.

He lifted his hand, flicking his wrist, "Prope."

Wind swirled around the small living room, knocking furniture backward before everything froze. A blinding golden light flashed, spiraling open to form a large circular portal.

Eden's heart began to pound, her chest rising and falling in rapid procession.

"You can do this, sweetheart." Kane whispered gently. She swallowed nervously but she nodded.

Her voice was shaky as she repeated his words, "I can do this."

He pulled her close and walked forward, the portal engulfing them. It was like being enclosed in a tight, frigidly cold place. Every direction was filled with blinding light that made her squint, her body shivered in response to the Antarctic like breeze that brushed over her skin. And suddenly she was warm again, there was no more blinding golden light or tight passage ways.

Her eyes widened.

"Welcome to the dark realm." Kane said, slightly pushing her forward.

It was much like a large, ominous city. The sky was a light purple hue that screamed mystery novel cover. There was something seductive about the air. There were tall buildings, and brick roads. An animal cawed and she turned in the sounds direction, only to be thrown into wonder at the sight of owls freely flying around.

The air smelled sweet and musky, her stomach churned at the scent.

"Don't concentrate on the smells," Kane said, as if he had read her thoughts, "it's an aphrodisiac."

She frowned, "What's an aphrodisiac?"

He grinned, though it didn't reach his eyes. "Something that arouses you."

Her eyes widened, "Oh."

He watched her for a moment, enjoying the child like curiosity on her face. The wonder in her eyes was apparent. Every intake of breath when she saw something knew made his chest feel tight.

Bringing her here felt wrong. Bringing her here felt almost like he was leaving a doe out to be slaughtered. But he knew he had no right to stop this. He had no say in her future.

He clenched his fist at the thought.

And then he realized that he was doing it again. Dwelling on her. Something he shouldn't have ever been doing in the first place. He walked forward, locking an arm around her waist.

"We have to go," he told her, pulling her forward beside him.

She stayed silent, following him as he led her through the empty brick streets. They walked on in silence for what felt like forever until they came upon a large castle like structure. She stared up at it, her heart pounding.

The door flew open on its own, beckoning them inside. They walked on, entering the castle.

Their footsteps echoed, their breathing loud enough to be heard and suddenly another door flew open, a dim white light visible.

They walked inside and she gasped.

There was a stage and rows of people all dressed seductively in black dresses and body conforming suits. It was like a Gothic underground fashion week.

All eyes fell on her and she hugged herself against Kane. Terrified beyond belief.

His arm tightened around her waist. He closed his eyes for a brief moment,  before pulling her into a hug. He knew he was doing something deviant. To embrace her in front of anyone when she already had a mate was nothing short of a defiant act. But he didn't care. He'd never be able to touch her again after this. He hugged her close, breathing in her sweet, sensual smell before grabbing her face in his hands.

He kissed the top of her head before stepping back, pushing her away.

"Kane?" She whispered at being pushed so harshly.

He swallowed the lump in his throat but said nothing. This was where they would part.

Suddenly a slow hum began to sound in the room, the sound of drums slowly pounding, building in crescendo caught her attention. She turned, her heart pounding as the people in the room all seemed to be singing a deep, dark song, almost lulling her forward.

On the stage stood several men and women, each dressed immaculately, each holding a gauntlet and standing before a cauldron.

One of the women on the stage walked forward, beckoning her over. "Come. Your ceremony begins now."

She hesitated but the strange song and the beat of the drums was like a spell all its own. Her feet moved forward of their own accord. Each step felt as if she had run a mile to get there. She was breathing heavily by the time she reached the stage, sweat was cascading down her skin, her body was humming and tingling.

She had never felt anything like this before.

The woman before her ushered her further on the stage, close to the cauldron. The contents of the giant cauldron was a thick, slushie like liquid with a strange red glow. It smelled fruity, like berries and sour candies.

A man stepped up beside her. He, like everyone else, was wearing a black cloak, except his hood was up, covering much of his face. Leaving only his lips to view.

Lips that looked so very familiar.

He dipped his gauntlet into the cauldron, filling it. And then he offered it to her. "Take a sip."

Something about this felt so wrong. But strangely... she wanted to drink it. She had a pressing urge to please the man before her. She wanted the man before her to hold her. To kiss her. To help ease the growing ache inside her.

She reached forward, her hands trembling as she took the gauntlet, placing it at her lips. She took a sip, surprised to find that it tasted sweet. She drank it down, tilting her head back to get every single last drop.

And then everyone on the stage began to talk at once. Chanting, "You desire, you are free to desire, fall into the lust you harbor within with ease. Be held by seduction, sexual interaction, free your inhibitions, be one with the you that you hide, have no shame in your sensuality, embrace your needs, your wants... become one with what is dark, let it embrace you."

She shivered wrapping her arms around herself. Every inch of her skin was sweating, her body felt weak and needy. She needed... something. Anything to help her feel whole again.

There was an ache that was spreading throughout her body. Radiating between her legs, seemingly gripping her breasts, grazing the sensitive skin of her neck.

One of the men on stage turned and raised a hand, "Your ceremony ends, only when you have had the first taste of sexual satisfaction. You will indulge, you will know lust and most of all, you will know bodily pleasure."

He stepped toward her and removed his hood. Her eyes widened.