Wicked Ties (The Tether Trilogy Book 2)

When we arrive in Moon Village, my eyes move to Willow who is now being offered a fruit basket from Carra. When Willow takes it, Carra drops to her knees and begins massaging her feet. Willow looks around, clearly uncomfortable, but too kind to tell her to stop.

I soften a bit, my guard wavering as I watch her. She’s so stunning in that dress, the yellow making her brown skin more luxurious. I want to take her somewhere and lay kisses all over her body, but it’d be rude of us to just disappear while Kessel has taken us in. Still, just five minutes with her, and we’d both be satisfied.

Carra smiles up at Willow, stroking her heels. Seriously. What the hell is up with that woman?

“Do you all massage other people’s feet as a custom thing here? Like Carra is doing?” I ask because I’ve never seen or heard about this in my studies.

“Hmm.” Hassha ponders it. “Depends on the person, and if they can benefit us. Don’t worry. It’s a gesture of great respect.”

I look to Willow again as she eats some of the fruit. She places a hand on Carra’s, politely thanking her while pulling her feet away.

“Why don’t you do something fun with Willow?” Hassha offers. “Take her for a stroll. Perhaps that’ll ease your mind and you can discuss the situation to her about our prisoner.”

“A stroll?”

“Yes, women love that, don’t you know?” Hassha asks, her eyes lighting up. “Walk near the ocean, play in the water. Take a swim. It’s romantic.”

“Hmm. Well, there you have it.” I shift on my feet. “Romance isn’t really my thing.”

“Romance requires vulnerability. You care about her, don’t you?”

“Of course, I do.”

“And you want to see her happy?”

“Always.”

“So be vulnerable with her. Don’t hide it. Let it all show. As a matter of fact, after tonight’s feast, you can take her to the Cave of Stars. It’s quite beautiful. I should know. I made the cave myself—a place for my women to escape when they need to have a swim, unwind, and breathe. I’ve not tried being romantic there, but some of my colony has.”

“Wait. You mean…” I can’t even finish the sentence.

As if Hassha reads my mind, she says, “Some of the girls kiss and lick each other here. My women, they love to serve one another in many, many ways.”

Holy shit. My eyes grow wider, and I slide my gaze to Willow. Carra is now massaging Willow’s shoulders. Now I have the urge to walk over and tell her to get away from my mate. No wonder she’s been all over her, giving her tea and fruit, doing her hair, and even inviting her to her damn bungalow. She’s attracted to her—I see it now. It’s in her eyes, the hungry way she looks at her. That woman wants to kiss and lick my mate. I could tell her to back the fuck off, but who am I to do that? A man jealous over a woman? Any man would die for that, I’m sure, but man or woman, Willow is mine, and I don’t ever want to share her.

As if she senses the unease coursing through me, Willow finds my eyes and tilts her head. What’s wrong?

I throw up my mind’s wall, and Hassha laughs beside me. “Aren’t you the jealous creature?”

“Don’t even,” I mutter before Hassha can say another word. If anyone is going to be doing any licking or fucking Willow, it’s me, so I ask, “Where can I find this Cave of Stars?”

“It’s a short journey from the bungalows. Take the path toward the hill where the moon lilies grow. When the sun sets, you’ll see them. In fact, you can’t miss them. They turn a soft lavender, very beautiful in the night. Follow the trail of lilies, and it’ll lead you to the cave. But fair warning—Cave of Stars is a magical place. Anything is possible there. Any desire you or your mate have, it’s theirs while in the cave.”

“Anything?”

“Absolutely anything,” she says, then she moves closer, whispering something into my ear that causes my jaw to go slack.