Des'Tai: Book Two

121: Tyron

I grinned happily against her lips. Her soft, plump, delicious and real lips. Faye's oh-so familiar floral scent engulfed me like a blanket and I relaxed against her almost instantly. This was my home – she was my home. No matter where on this planet she was, or any other for that matter, that's where I belonged.

Faye dabbed her mouth against mine again and again, her fingers combing into my messy, unkempt hair. "I don't think we should do that again." She whispered against the corner of my lips.

Begrudgingly, I let her legs slip from my waist, but I didn't release my hold on her. I was pretty damn sure I was going to be touching her in one form or another all night. Stroking my hand down her arm, I wound my tattooed hand around hers; our fingers entwined as felt a gentle tremor run through me at the connection.

I bent down to rest my forehead against hers. "You're never going a world away from me again." I shot a side-eyed look toward Luna and Artemis. "Ever."

As I offered my lips to my Mate for another kiss, Rune dismounted his Weaver beside us and gagged. "Goddess, that's got to be the sickliest thing I've ever witnessed."

"Leave them be, Rune," Luna chided him with a smile. "Time to hand him back to his Mate. I'm so happy to see you both, safe and sound." She touched the side of his face tenderly, earning her an answering smile. "I trust all went well?"

"The pick-up was easy; it was the getaway that was a little trickier."

I lifted my head from Faye and looked toward the Difoda's. "They never saw our faces, not once. They only stopped us because their cameras had caught us coming and going."

Artemis smiled happily then clapped us both on the shoulder. "I am so proud of you, gentlemen! You did a fine job. As far as I can tell no-one is even aware the Hilara Orb is gone – only that wine was stolen...?"

Rune had pulled the satchel from the compartment of his Weaver, holding it between his hands as he flipped it open, revealing the clouded red Orb inside. "Yeah, that was me. We'll all be enjoying them with dinner tonight."

Faye peered around me, her fingers gripping mine. "It's smaller than I thought it would be."

Artie, continuing to grin happily to himself, took the bag from Rune's outstretched hands. "The World Orbs aren't as large as the Helath is; less power, you see."

"Tyron!"

A loud, excited cry sounded from down the pathway, leading from the front door. My Malanai nearly burst her way between Artemis and Luna to get to me, her arms locking around my torso in a tight hug. Faye loosened her hold on my hand, but I held steadfast, instead returning my Mali's hug with one arm and pressing a kiss to the top of her messy brown hair that was looped up into a hasty bun at the top of her head.

She stepped back, her hands at my face and then unzipping my jacket, as she conducted a search for any injuries. "Are you hurt? Rune mentioned burns?"

"We shall see all of you at dinner." Luna nodded, then with Artemis at her side, turned away and walked towards the gardens.

I couldn't help but laugh as my Mali pulled my jacket from me, forcing me to drop my hold on Faye, if only for a few seconds. This time, I took her hand with my left, knowing that the small burn on my right would be quickly discovered.

"Ah-ha! There it is! It's gone right through your tattoo!"

Faye perked at that, pulling my right arm towards her. "Does that mean our link is-"

I cut her off. "No, it's fine, no permanent damage done." I turned to my Malanai then. "Can you stop fussing? I'm okay. See? Everything is where it should be."

"You need a bath!" She scolded me with a brisk shake of her head. "Actually, you look a mess! Your hair is standing up all over the place, you're covered in mud and dust and Goddess knows what else. Have you been wearing those clothes all week? Don't even think about coming to dinner looking like that."

"Y'know what, Mali? That's the best idea I've heard all week!"

Scooping my bags from the Weaver, I shot my Malanai a quick wink and dragged Faye along behind me as I headed down the path. "I'll see you at dinner!" I called behind me.

Faye caught up to me, her free hand gently gripping on to my arm as we entered the parlour. All the usual smells of the palace hit me at once; the sweet air freshener that Willa liked to use, the distant allure of Senna's cooking, freshly picked flowers adorning the bottom of the staircase. I instantly felt a wave of comfort wash over me.

Quickly followed by the happiness emitting out of my blonde Mate next to me.

I looked down at her at the same moment she looked up. Faye squeezed at my arm, her blue eyes bright as her gaze flickered across my face. "I've missed those eyes," She sighed.

With our joined hands, I brushed my knuckled against her chin and led us up the stairs. It was only when we reached our floor that I spoke again. "You look beautiful, Katinar."

Faye looked down at her dress and grinned back at me. "Something I bought on Earth. I was hoping you'd like it."

When we entered our sitting room, I dumped my bags onto the couch and turned to face her. Now free to give her my complete and undivided attention, I reached out, resting my hands on her waist as I stepped her back against the wall, my body flush against hers.

Feeling her against me again, all her warmth and softness, nearly had me groaning out loud. "I'm going to like taking it off you, too, love."

Her lips parted as I caught at her chin, lifting her head up for easier access to her mouth. The kiss I gave her was scorching, burning both of us to the core. Our lips melded together, tongues danced, as her hands wandered around my body, taking extra time to grip at my ass.

I grinned against her mouth. There was something about my butt that she liked – a stray thought often floated through her mind, and I knew whenever I was naked she couldn't help but stare at it.

And to think she called me a boob guy.

I moved my lips to her neck, where I nibbled and kissed at her soft skin. "Did you get my texts?"

"Mhmm," Faye breathed and I could tell without looking at her that she was biting her bottom lip.

As quickly as I'd started it, I stepped back, breaking our embrace, a chill hitting my body in all the places she'd been touching me. "I bought you something."

Faye reached for me, gripping at the hem of my t-shirt as she tried to drag me back toward her. "Show me later, Ty."

"You're going to like it," I told her, shooting her a full grin. "But it can wait, I suppose. You want a bath with me?"

Faye blinked at me a few times, "Huh?"

"A bath. I've been surviving on cold showers all week." The thought of getting home and sharing a hot, bubbly bath with my beautiful Mate had been a driving force.

She shook her head and I felt the disappointment hit me like a runaway Weaver. "I had a shower like an hour ago."

"Oh." I looked down to the floor then quickly back up to meet her gaze. I shrugged, "Okay. I'll only have a quick one then."

Gripping at the hem of my t-shirt, I tugged it over my head and dropped it to the sitting room floor, then I kicked off my boots and slowly unbuttoning my trousers, I pulled them down my legs, my boxers going with them.

I stood in front of her, semi-hard and naked. "I won't be long. No peaking inside the bag while I'm gone." Sauntering off into the hallway, I left her leaning against the wall, her cheeks slightly flushed and her lips red from our kisses.

I typically made sure to leave the bathroom door open, the sound of the filling bathtub echoing into the hallway. Luckily, I turned the water on with my essence when we'd entered the sitting room, so by time I'd walked in it was full. Grabbing a handful of whatever salts were closest, I scattered them into the water and watched them lightly bubble against the flowing current, then shut the tap off and climbed it.

I couldn't stop the sigh that passed through my lips as I immersed my stiff body into the hot water and the tingling of the salts against my skin. There was only one thing missing to make this a perfect bath.