The Choosing (28 page)

J
ERATH
rolls over in their bed to face a sleeping Meren. It’s been six weeks since he left Eladir and he still finds it hard to believe that this beautiful man is his.
His mate.
Meren’s warm, lazy contentment flows through the bond between them. It washes over Jerath, and his whole body relaxes in the soft furs. He doesn’t want to move from this spot. He wants to stay here all day and just be with Meren, but they have guests arriving soon and they both need to get ready.

Meren stirs next to him, and Jerath smiles as thick eyelashes flutter open to reveal striking blue eyes. They focus on Jerath’s face, and Meren’s answering smile is full of love and happiness and Jerath is helpless to do anything but pull him in closer for a soft kiss.

“Hi.” Jerath runs his hand under the covers and along Meren’s bare hip. His skin is soft and smooth under Jerath’s fingers.

Meren raises an eyebrow when Jerath gets teasingly close to his morning erection. “We don’t have time for that.”

“I know.” Jerath just grins and wraps his fingers around the hard length resting along Meren’s belly. He loves the feel of Meren’s cock. It’s hot and heavy in his hand, and he strokes slowly up and down, tightening his grip as it grows that little bit harder.

“Jerath…
oh
….” Meren closes his eyes and drops his head back onto the pillow. “We’re… going to be….” He bites his lip when Jerath disappears under the blankets and takes Meren in his mouth to finish him off. “Late…
fuck
.”

Jerath sucks hard and uses his tongue until Meren’s cursing above him, with his hands fisted tight in Jerath’s hair. Meren comes with a soft moan and Jerath swallows it all down before wiping at his mouth with the back of his hand.

He knows they’re going to be late now, so it really makes no difference if he sits up and straddles Meren’s hips. He watches as Meren’s long fingers stroke him to completion, and they collapse together in a tangled, sticky mess.

By the time they’re washed and dressed, their guests have arrived and everyone is waiting for them. Tonight, the elders of Meren’s village are going to bless their union and Jerath will finally bear Meren’s mark. He can’t wait.

“L
ET
me see it, then.” Jerath gestures for Ghaneth to lift his shirt and laughs when he makes a face. “You can blame your mate.” Jerath looks over at Serim, who just shrugs. “She’s been going on about it nonstop since you got here.”

Serim and Ghaneth have made the journey south to Chastil along with Helan, Kinis, and Mahli. They’re all here to witness Jerath and Meren’s blessing, but Serim and Ghaneth have brought good news of their own, and Jerath is so happy for them he can’t keep the smile off his face.

Ghaneth slowly peels his shirt off and turns around to show Jerath his back. It takes Jerath a few moments to say anything, because the tattoo is breathtaking.

“See, I told you.” Serim positively glows with pride and she walks over to Ghaneth and trails her fingers over the sleek, black panther that covers his skin.

Jerath smiles at the two of them, and his hand automatically goes to rub over his heart through his shirt
.
He can feel the warmth of the bond humming just underneath his skin and wonders how Meren’s getting on over at Torek’s house.

Traditionally, a mated pair only live together after the blessing takes place, but Jerath has been staying with Meren from the moment he arrived back. They’ve only separated now because Malek insisted that at least some traditions should be kept. Torek is helping Meren to prepare, while Jerath has Serim and, by default, Ghaneth too.

“Okay!” Serim claps, making both Jerath and Ghaneth jump in surprise. “We need to get a move on. You don’t want to keep Meren waiting.” She pinches Jerath’s side and he sticks his tongue out at her, but can’t resist pulling her in for a hug. He’s missed her so much.

He’s missed the others too, but he and Serim have an even deeper bond after going through his Choosing and he feels her absence the most. “Missed you,” he whispers into her hair.

“I missed you too, Jerath.” She squeezes him tight, then steps back. “Now get dressed, before we’re late.”

T
HE
blessing ritual takes place in a large, circular clearing in the center of the village. There’s a huge fire burning brightly over to the right and at least four large roasts being cooked over it for the feast later.

Serim and Ghaneth left Jerath a little while ago and now Jerath walks into the clearing alone, dressed in the traditional white flowing breeches and with his chest bare. His tattoo is on full display and he hears some of the gasps behind him as he walks past the villagers present for the ritual. He feels the magic pulse through his veins and he knows the jaguar on his back will look vibrant and alive.

He sees Meren waiting for him, and everything else fades into background noise. Meren stands in front of one of the elder healers and watches Jerath walk toward him. His gaze rakes over Jerath’s body, and Jerath can almost taste the want and hunger coming off him.

The healer directs them both to kneel and face each other and she comes to stand beside them.

She makes a small cut on each of their chests, just above their hearts.

“Let these two be joined in the eyes of the Goddess.” She instructs them to reach out and run a finger through the other’s blood and then taste it. “Let their bloods mix together and form the mark of their union.” She raises her hands to the sky and closes her eyes.

Jerath and Meren stare at each other. Jerath’s body begins to tingle as the magic curls around them and slides beneath his skin. Meren couldn’t tell him where or what the mark would be, because he said he didn’t know. Meren has yet to discover his animal connection.

Jerath sucks in a breath as the cut above his heart starts to heal. The skin on either side of it starts to knit back together, and Jerath winces as it pulls slightly. He glances over at Meren and sees his is healing as well. He’s about to ask if that’s supposed to happen, when the area around Meren’s cut begins to shimmer.

Jerath watches, transfixed, as a tiny, perfect replica of his own jaguar tattoo slowly appears on Meren’s skin. Jerath leans forward to get a closer look. It’s identical, the pattern of the coat, the eyes… everything. Jerath wants to touch it, but he’s not sure if he’s allowed yet. Seeing his own tattoo on Meren, marking him as Jerath’s, makes something raw and primal unfurl deep in his belly.

Jerath looks up and tries to catch Meren’s eye, but his gaze is focused on Jerath’s chest. When Meren eventually looks up, his eyes are dark, almost black. Jerath knows that look far too well.

“Jerath… look.” Meren slides his hand down Jerath’s chest until his fingertips trace over where the cut used to be. “We match.” Meren’s voice is full of reverence and wonder as he looks at his own mark, now etched into Jerath’s chest.

Jerath immediately looks down and gently pushes Meren’s fingers away so he can see for himself. The cut has disappeared completely, and in its place is the sleek, familiar form of a jaguar. It’s not like the tattoo on Jerath’s back, though. This jaguar is crouched down low, its muscles coiled tight and ready to spring into action at any second. As if it’s hunting. The bright-green eyes seem to glow in the candlelight, and Jerath can’t tear his eyes away from it.

The healer is talking to the rest of the gathered villagers. Jerath vaguely registers that she’s telling them all that the Goddess has blessed the union, and the marks have been made. A huge cheer echoes around the clearing and then their family and friends all come forward to offer their congratulations. But Jerath can’t really focus. He nods and smiles, but his mind is still reeling at the discovery of Meren’s animal connection.

It’s a jaguar, like Jerath’s. They match.

Meren is laughing with his father and Torek, and Jerath watches, his fingers still running back and forth over his new tattoo. He doesn’t notice the healer come up to stand beside him until she puts a hand on his shoulder and leans in to whisper in his ear.

“Why do you think the bond took so quickly and is so strong between the two of you, hmm?”

“Because we’re a match?” Jerath asks as he turns to face her.

She smiles up at him and rests her hand on his arm. “Yes. A hunter of the old forest and a shifter—a perfect match.” She closes her eyes and smiles. “Yes, the Goddess is very pleased with this union.”

Jerath has no idea what to say to that, but the healer is gone before he has a chance to even try.

“Hey.” Meren walks over to stand in front of him and slides a hand over the mark on Jerath’s chest. “You okay?” He rubs his thumb back and forth over the tattoo and smiles. “I love this. I love seeing my mark on you.” Meren steps closer and Jerath feels the warmth radiating off his body. “I love you.” He leans a little closer and catches Jerath’s lips with a fleeting kiss.

It’s enough to stir the desire in Jerath’s belly, desire he’d just about managed to push down and out of sight. “Meren….” He growls it out in warning, but Meren just laughs and presses even closer. He’s hard and ready and pushing into the curve of Jerath’s hip. “We can’t leave yet,” Jerath says in protest, but his hands are already settled on Meren’s waist to hold him in place.

“Why not?” Meren nuzzles at Jerath’s neck.

His hot breath makes Jerath shiver and struggle to remember his train of thought. “Because….” Meren licks up the side of Jerath’s neck and nips at the soft skin behind his ear. “Guests.” It’s not what he meant to say, but Meren’s tongue is far too distracting and he can’t focus on words.

Meren laughs softly against Jerath’s skin. “They expect us to leave. The magic for the blessing is very potent, Jerath.” Meren pulls back, looking him in the eye, and Jerath swallows thickly. “It means that we need to celebrate our union, just like you do for your Choosing.”

“So we have to….”

“Yes.” Meren rolls his hips so Jerath is left in no doubt. “I have to fuck you this time.”

“Finally.” Jerath drops his head onto Meren’s shoulder and moans. It comes from deep in his chest and sounds more like a rumbling growl, but he doesn’t care who hears him. “Let’s go now.” Jerath has been waiting for this moment. Meren persuaded him that they should hold off until after the ceremony and now he knows why.

Meren lifts Jerath’s chin and kisses him softly on the lips. He rests his forehead against Jerath’s for a moment or two before stepping away. “Wait here.”

Jerath watches his every move as he marches over to Torek, leaning in and whispering something in his ear. Jerath fights the urge to blush when Torek looks over at him and winks. He claps Meren on the shoulder, and then Meren is hurrying back over to Jerath with a triumphant look on his face.

“Torek will explain our absence.” He doesn’t stop to say more, just grabs Jerath by the hand and pulls him away from the clearing and in the direction of their home.

Meren’s walking so quickly Jerath stumbles a little in his efforts to keep up. “Slow down, Meren.” Jerath tugs on his hand.

Meren turns and pushes Jerath against the side of the nearest building. Nearly everyone is still celebrating at the feast, and this part of the village is deserted. “I need to get you home, Jerath.” He punctuates his words with gentle thrusts of his hips, and Jerath feels all of Meren’s need as he presses against his stomach.

Jerath smiles and pushes back. He kisses Meren hard and fast before shoving off the wall and taking Meren with him. “Come on, then.”

They half run, half stumble the rest of the way, stopping every few moments to kiss and rut against each other. Finally they reach their house and they fall through the doors and into the bedroom.

Jerath stops in the center of the room and slowly pushes his breeches down over his hips. They fall to the floor with a whisper. Meren stares and licks his lips, and Jerath’s cock twitches as Meren’s gaze lingers over him. “Your turn.”

Meren smirks and obediently shrugs out of his own breeches. He steps out of them as they pool at his feet and leads Jerath over to the bed. Jerath wants this, wants it more than anything, but they haven’t done this before and he feels a touch of nervousness start to creep in.

Meren turns to face Jerath and takes hold of his hands. “Don’t worry.” He pulls Jerath closer and whispers in his ear. “Trust me to take care of you.”

Jerath nods and closes his eyes for just a moment. He takes a long, deep breath to steady himself, climbs onto the bed, and then scoots back until his head rests on the pillows. “Come here.”

Meren follows him. He settles in between Jerath’s open legs, and Jerath cups Meren’s face and draws him in for a kiss. It’s wet and filthy, and Jerath wraps his legs around Meren’s waist as he sucks on his tongue. They kiss until they’re both gasping for air. Then Meren trails a path of licks and nips down Jerath’s throat to his chest.

Jerath closes his eyes and shivers as Meren licks over his new tattoo. His mouth is hot against Jerath’s tender skin, and each swipe of Meren’s tongue has him arching and moaning as the pleasure curls and contracts at the base of his spine.

Meren comes back up and claims Jerath’s lips, rubbing his hardness against the length of Jerath’s cock. They’re both sticky and wet with precome and they move together in a delicious slide of warm, soft skin.

“I can’t wait,” Meren whispers against Jerath’s lips, already reaching over to the table beside the bed.

Jerath spreads his legs farther apart in silent invitation. He bites his bottom lip as he watches Meren spread the oil over his fingers and his cock. They haven’t had full sex since before Meren was injured, and the anticipation is almost too much. Nervous excitement floods Jerath’s body and he tenses when Meren’s fingers slide over his entrance.

“Breathe,” Meren whispers.

Jerath takes a deep, shuddering breath and wills himself to relax. He looks up at Meren and smiles softly. “I’m okay.”

Meren leans in and kisses him, licking along Jerath’s bottom lip as he gradually works his fingers inside. He takes his time, keeping Jerath occupied with his mouth as he slowly stretches him open.