Free Knotted by Viola Grace

put his helmet and gloves back on. Shadows surrounded him and he left her rooms the same way he had entered.
    He was barely out the window before there was a knock. She sat up and tied her robe, trying to ignore the throbbing of her body.
    She looked at the door monitor and asked, “Who is it?”
    “I am the tattoo artist, Lady Nakkua. My name is Devnin.”
    Rowen opened the door. “Please, come in. Pardon my lack of dress. It was a long and hot day.”
    He smiled. “It will make my job easier. If you don’t mind, I don’t mind.”
    She cocked her head. She knew that voice, and when she looked closely at him, she jerked in surprise. It was Fire Fall. Fine. If he could tattoo, she wouldn’t complain.
    “Where would you like the sampling to be done?”
    “What would be the best match for my back?”
    To her amusement, he blushed. “I have researched your species. Under your breasts would be the best match. It is close to a lymph system, sensitive skin, ribs, muscle and fat. A microcosm in a small space. If it goes wrong, a contact healer can flush it from your system if he tries.”
    “Are you going to be able to do this, Devnin? I have no idea what position you would want me in.”
    He sighed. “Lie on your back, hold your breast with your opposite hand and tell me when you are ready. Do you have a preferred design?”
    She smiled and darted to her bag, pulling out a diagram of the Terran solar system. “Here you go. This should give you enough material to do several samples, and if they all are accepted, it is a marking that I would enjoy.”
    “Well thought out. Fine, you get situated and I will prepare my samples.”
    She got settled and held her breast up and out of the way as requested. It was indeed a modest pose. No nipple was visible and only the curve of her breast was obvious.
    He cleaned her skin and began his work with a steady hand.
    She jumped when he started but soon gave in to the hot kiss of the ink. It took two hours because he had to stop and change units for each mineral. When he was done, she was sore but the image was adorable and made her tear up. “Perfect. Thanks, Fire Fall.”
    He jerked in surprise. “You knew?”
    “You have a fascinating mouth and a distinctive voice. I am not good with people but even I could manage that.” She smiled.
    He put the small regenerator into his kit. “Skorin was right. You do seem very alert to your surroundings. In turn, you will also meet Pleska and her husband Uadon. They are curious to meet you in a normal social setting, so be prepared. I think you might have some visitors to the reveal of your family marking when it is done.”
    “It will be hard to explain to my own family, but my sister has many a stupider thing on her body, so she can’t really talk. Will you be doing the larger marking?”
    He smiled. “Would you like me to? It is a long procedure.”
    “I think I would.” She gave him a hug. “I know you have his back, but thank you.”
    Devnin shook his head with amazement. “I have got to order one like you.”
    “Ah, Devnin, there aren’t any like me. All Terrans are individuals. You deal with them as they come.”
    “I look forward to one coming for me.” He winked when she blushed at the double entendre.
    He took his kit and left, leaving her with a throbbing torso and an amused smile at the thought of a human woman dealing with this Guardian. She knew that it happened, but it wasn’t something that came easily. She wanted her damned gardening time.
     

Chapter Eleven
     
     
    She felt a tickling at her nose and batted at it but cool air was all that met her swatting. A delicate stroke between her eyebrows and she frowned and turned to see Skorin in her bed.
    He wasn’t wearing armour; he was wearing shadows and nothing else.
    She opened her mouth to tell him off, but his lips brushing against her in a building frenzy that overwhelmed her.
    His shadows were all over her, touching, arousing and creeping inside her. Her