Taken by Passion: King of Hearts (Wonderland Book 1) (4 page)

“What do you wish for me to do, Milord?” Kalina interrupted from behind them, a trace of amusement in her voice. She had often seen all four brothers clash as men with their fists, or as tigers using claws and teeth, for no greater reason than the thrill and challenge of a good fight.

The High King swung his predator’s gaze to the sorceress.
Fetch Karn and Ty. I will begin introducing the future queen to our ways the moment she awakens.

“Yes, Milord.” Kalina’s fiery amber eyes met his briefly, and he read the pleasure and anticipation in her expression. “I will return at once with your brothers.” She lowered her gaze, a hint of a smile upon her full lips.

See that you hurry, sorceress,
Jarronn ordered, and gave a low rumble.
And I shall see that you enjoy your part in this demonstration.

The sorceress bowed and returned to the castle, her black hair brushing her naked hips as she strode away. The glittering silver chain attached to her collar dangled from beneath her hair, down her back. Yes, most certainly Kalina would enjoy showing the future queen what pleasures were to be had in this kingdom.

The High King’s rumble turned into an untamed purr as he lowered his gaze back to the unconscious woman at his feet. Her white-blonde hair splayed across the grass like a veil of fine silk that glistened in the spring sunshine. Dark lashes rested in half-moons against her pale cheeks, and her full pink lips pursed together in a small pout.

A fierce desire to protect this maid gripped Jarronn, unlike anything he’d known before, and his gut clenched. The tightening in his chest felt as if chains bound his heart as thoroughly as he intended to bind this woman to him.

The wench is beautiful,
Darronn said in thought-words from beside him.
She shall be most enjoyable to train.

Jarronn bit back the rush of possessiveness that flooded him at Darronn’s statement. As if Jarronn alone would touch this woman’s soft skin and feel the warmth of her beautiful curves pressed tight against his length. But that was not the way of Tarok, in any of the four kingdoms.

This wench you speak of is your future High Queen,
Jarronn reminded his twin. But Jarronn’s loins tightened and a thrill of anticipation raced through his veins as he thought of the pleasures he and his brothers would give this woman together during the mind-bond.
Go to the fountain and prepare to initiate my prize.

Darronn snarled, his green eyes flaring with temper at being ordered about like a mere servant. With another growl he turned toward the gardens, his tail twitching as he stalked away.

Jarronn dismissed his brother’s anger and turned back to the maid. Her gentle breathing and the strong beat of her heart met his ears. Above them birds sang from the boughs of the
ch’tok
tree, and the fountain gurgled and splashed on the other side of the slight rise.

The king padded around the woman, even as his keen senses remained aware of all that surrounded him. He sniffed at her clothing, which would most definitely have to go. He would never stand for anything but the finest sheer fabrics to drape his future queen’s voluptuous form—if anything at all.

Another possessive rumble rose up in his throat as he nuzzled the curve of her breasts exposed in the opening of her tunic. She smelled of raspberries and feminine warmth, and it was all he could do to rein in his lust. He could shift back into his man’s form and take this woman hard and fast the moment she woke. She would know only pleasure and he could easily ensure she would beg him for more.

However, as High King, he would never allow himself such a lapse in control, no matter the temptation. His struggle for that control became even fiercer as he drank in her scent. With his muzzle he pushed up her skirt, exposing the soft curls of her mound. Darronn had done his job well when he’d influenced the maid to remove her undergarments. If the woman hadn’t been distracted by the ringing sound of that voice-box she had spoken into, Darronn very well could have had all her clothes off before she came to Tarok.

Jarronn’s nose touched her mound and he inhaled deeply.

One taste.

He allowed himself the luxury of a single stroke of his wide tongue along her slit. His rumble became deeper as he gloried in her sweet flavor, and in the soft moan she gave as she parted her thighs and lifted her hips, begging for more even in her sleep.

Jarronn’s ears pricked toward the rainbow gardens. His three brothers and the sorceress had arrived at the fountain, prepared to treat his future bride to a view of his kingdom’s pleasures.

Lowering his head, the king nudged up the soft material covering her breasts and freed both rosy nipples. With a swipe of his rough tongue, he licked one bud, bringing it to a tight peak. The woman sighed and arched her back, thrusting her chest toward him. He laved her other nipple, determined to awaken his future bride in a way that would have her senses on fire.

It is time.

He rumbled his satisfaction as she moaned again. The woman would be perfect.

So long as she obeyed and submitted to his every demand.

And providing she passed the tests that would allow her to become his queen.

*

This time the fantasy of the faceless dark-haired man was more intense than it had ever been. Alice could almost feel his mouth on her folds and then harsh strokes of his tongue against her nipples. Almost as rough as sandpaper, a feeling that made it even more stimulating and exciting. The ache in her increased and she needed to come so badly she could almost scream.

Abruptly the sensation stopped. Alice became aware of a gentle breeze across her wet nipples and sunshine warming her face. In the distance she heard the splash of water and from above twitters of countless birds and the sound of wind stirring thousands of tree leaves. She blinked, her thoughts somehow foggy and confused as she found herself looking up at the branches of a blue feathery-leafed tree instead of the cracked and stained plaster ceiling of her apartment.

Turquoise sky and flashes of early-morning sunlight peeked through the leaves as a breeze rippled through.

Alice frowned.

What the hell?
The last thing she remembered was sitting in Golden Gate Park on a bench. She scowled as she remembered why she’d been on that bench. That bastard Jon had screwed around on her.

Just like Steve had.

It had been late evening, and Alexi was on her way down to the park on her motorcycle. They’d planned to pick up Thai food on the way back to Alexi’s apartment.

But after hanging up with her twin, Alice had seen a flash of white. She’d left everything on the park bench and followed that rabbit around the tree—and the rabbit had turned into a white tiger…

Alice sat up so fast that her head spun and she thought she was going to hurl. She clapped her hands to her forehead, trying to still the motion of the trees and sky and flowers, as everything seemed to swirl around her. For several moments she could only sit still, holding her head, waiting for the dizziness to pass.

Flashes of memories came to her as she pressed her fists to her temples. Not memories, but a dream. Yes, a dream. Ground giving out beneath her feet… Falling through something as thick and dark as chocolate pudding… Slamming onto the ground… A white tiger…

A gust of wind brushed over Alice’s skin, caressing her breasts and folds as if she had nothing covering them. She chanced a look and saw that her blouse was up over her breasts and her skirt hiked around her waist—and she didn’t have on her panties and bra.

“Oh, my god.” Alice scrambled to her feet, tugging down her blouse and skirt. Her cheeks burned like crazy when she remembered taking her underwear off in the park. What in the hell had she been thinking?

Another wave of dizziness swept over her and she braced her hand against the smooth, glossy trunk of the tree she was under.

When she could finally focus without feeling as though she’d pass out, her gaze moved over her surroundings. It was like no place she remembered ever seeing before. The sky was a brilliant turquoise, the clouds a vivid blue on the tops, shading down into a deep green on the bottoms. The trees around her were unusual, varieties she wasn’t familiar with—and the one she’d been sleeping under had feathery blue leaves.

Dreaming. I’m dreaming.

Flowers in her dream grew in every color of the rainbow. Some were shaped like stars or bells, and others with heart-shaped petals. The air smelled unbelievably clean and fresh, so much so that the flowers’ perfume and the rich forest smells almost overwhelmed her.

It was such a surreal dream. It was as if she’d tumbled down a rabbit hole and landed in Wonderland.

Oh, sure, Alice. And then next thing you know the Cheshire Cat will be hunting you down. You’re dreaming. Just relax and enjoy it.

A woman’s moan floated along the breeze and Alice stilled.

Okaaaay…
The last time she’d heard a sound like that she’d found the beautiful Min with her ex-fiancé, who was then taken in the ass by Stone.

The deep rumble of a man’s voice came next. “Draw,” he said, and Alice’s heart began to pound. As though in a trance, she moved toward the sounds. They came from the other side of the massive tree she’d woken beneath.

Alice pressed close to the glossy trunk and peered around it. Her skin flushed with instant heat and arousal.

Before a gurgling fountain were three incredibly gorgeous and very naked men. A black-haired man with scars and a diamond tattoo on the right side of his upper back wielded a leather flogger in one hand as he tucked away three playing cards with his other. But where did he put them? He was naked for cripes sake.

A blond with a club tattoo on his abs, and an amused twinkle in his blue eyes, reclined on the lush grass. The third man, a dark-haired rogue with a feral look in his green gaze, practically growled as he stood by with his arms folded across his chest. A large black spade with flowing lines around the design was tattooed on his thick wrist, somehow making him look all the more dangerous, like a naked pirate stranded ashore.

A brief thought went through her mind. These men with their tattoos—one of a spade, another with diamond, and a third with a club—represented all but one of the suits of cards. Was another man around with a heart tattoo?

The thought faded as she continued watching.

“Ty won the draw,” the man with the flogger said in a rich accent that sounded European. The blond grinned and the man with the spade tattoo most definitely growled this time.

In the midst of the men stood a beautiful naked woman with long shimmering black hair that reached the base of her spine. She wore a red leather collar and sparkling red hearts dangled from her nipples. Her head was bowed in a position of subservience and she’d clasped her hands behind her back.

They were all just feet away from Alice, so close she swore she could smell testosterone coming off the powerful muscled bodies of the men, along with the woman’s honeysuckle perfume. The men were all barbarians in appearance—long hair loose about their shoulders, tattoos, sculpted bronzed bodies, and fierce, almost feline expressions.

All three men had impressive erections, much thicker and longer than anything Alice had viewed before. Hell, bigger than the dildos she’d seen.

Alice was mesmerized. She couldn’t have moved away if she’d tried. Just the thought of experiencing the feel of those cocks inside her made Alice’s insides tingle.

“Kneel, Kalina,” the black-haired man ordered the dark beauty as he snapped his flogger in the air. “Beside Ty.” He gestured with the flogger to the blond with the satisfied smirk, who was still kicking back on the grassy slope. “I wish for you to ride him.”

“Yes, Master Karn,” the woman called Kalina responded, her accent as beautiful and unusual as Karn’s. She gracefully lowered herself to her knees, keeping her eyes downcast. Her hands—they were actually bound behind her back by metal bracelets attached to a chain. A chain that glittered beneath her long black hair as it trailed up to the back of her neck.

The chain was attached to her red leather collar.
Kalina must be the man’s slave,
though the expression of ecstasy on the woman’s face suggested she had chosen the role. She looked positively enraptured.

Alice caught her breath as Karn slowly walked around the woman, trailing his flogger over her breasts and then around her shoulders. The pounding in Alice’s heart reached San Francisco earthquake proportions. She was watching a Dom and his sub…and he was going to share her with other men.

Oh. My. God.

What would it be like to be in the woman’s position—bound, subservient, and dominated by such a powerful man? The thought was exciting and somehow freeing, and Alice was amazed at how turned on she was by picturing herself in Kalina’s place.

When Alice had first heard about bondage and domination from her young aunt Awai, she’d been horrified at first, then intrigued. The more Alice had read about it on the Internet, the more she’d been fascinated by the idea of being dominated. But she’d never been able to talk to Jon about it—he would always tell her no when she’d ask something like,
Would it turn you on to spank me when we have sex? Wouldn’t it be fun if you tied my wrists and ankles to the bedposts?

And no wonder he hadn’t been interested in tying her up.
He
had wanted to be dominated, too.

Alice pressed closer to the tree, trying to control her breathing as she watched the man tease his sub. What if they caught Alice watching them? What if they wanted to punish her for spying, and use the leather flogger on her?

The excitement that raced through Alice’s body at the thought of being punished by these men was so great that it took her completely by surprise. She swallowed and ran her tongue along her lower lip. She struggled to keep from slipping her finger under her skirt and stroking her clit as she watched.

“Straddle Ty.” Karn lashed Kalina’s ass cheeks with the leather straps.

Alice flinched, but the woman arched her back and moaned.

“Faster, wench,” Karn demanded, and flogged her again.