Chapter Nine
Skylar Cathal
Laughter and boisterous music filled our wedding reception. Fire’s crackled with flowing spirits and delicious fresh game, roasted vegetables, and decadent desserts prepared in the kitchens made my stomach groan in delight.
I’d be lying if I couldn’t help myself from tasting every single dish.
“It’s almost time, Spitfire,” Daxton whispered in my ear as I licked my finger free from a sweet cream dessert. “You have five minutes until I whisk you away for our evening alone.”
“Thank the gods above,” I said, my core melting as his knuckles skimmed across my ribs, while his other hand played with the sheer fabric along my lower back.
“How much longer now?” I asked.
“Four minutes and thirty-six seconds.”
I bit my lip, anticipation curling in my chest at the thought of spending the entire evening alone with Daxton. Imagining what else his talented fingers had planned.
“Tonight, you belong to me, and me alone, Spitfire.”
“Are you sure we can’t leave now?” A rush of need flickered between our bond.
“Patience, wife. You have four minutes. Quickly say your goodbyes, and I’ll do the same.” Pressing his lips to my temple, he released me before fading into the crowd.
Forcing myself not to follow him, I looked out onto the reception full of laughter and music. I wandered along the outskirts, taking a moment and letting it all sink in.
Gunnar’s laughter was light and carefree as he talked with Magnus over cups of ale.
Rhea twirled along the flames of the bonfire with Talon in tow, the pair looking happier than I’d ever seen them.
Then there was Shaw and Zola watching from the outskirts of the chaos, their quiet smiles saying more than words ever could.
Everywhere I looked, someone I loved was laughing, dancing, living fully in the moment.
Shifters and High Fae were no longer separated.
I allowed myself to savor this one night where every worry had melted away, leaving only laughter, love, and the magic of being together.
“So, you clean up nicely after all,” Castor taunted, coming to my side with Nyssa tucked under his arm.
“I’m surprised we didn’t make it a double wedding,” I said, giving Nyssa a swift wink.
“Oh, please,” Castor scoffed, waving a hand. “I wouldn’t dream of—”
Nyssa playfully smacked his chest to cut him off, her fingers already moving. “I wouldn’t allow it,” she signed with a smirk. “This is your night.”
I raised a brow, chuckling. “Oh? Well, I’m glad someone can reel you in, Cas.”
“This whole thing was my idea, though,” he said, slipping an arm around Nyssa’s waist and pressing a kiss to her temple. “I won’t allow Daxton to steal all the credit.”
I smiled, my heart lighter. “Thank you for suggesting the ceremony, Castor. I didn’t think much of it at first. I even grumbled all day—”
“Why am I not surprised?” he cut in with a saccharine grin.
“But I’m very happy we did this.”
Nyssa’s gaze drifted over the celebration, her eyes softening as she signed, “Shifters and High Fae are reunited. Just like our ancestors.”
I sighed with a gentle smile. “I agree.”
“Sixty seconds, Spitfire.”
I jumped, startled by the low growl in Daxton’s voice that stirred something primal within me. My phoenix awakening in a rush of heat through my core.
“I believe this is our cue to leave,” Castor whispered to Nyssa as he led them away.
“And then what?” I asked, my heart fluttering, eyes scanning the celebration.
“And then the chase begins.”
Chase?
I whipped my head around, searching for my husband. Across the way, I found his silver gaze locked on me, sparking with a dangerous glow that made my breath catch.
“In thirty seconds, Spitfire, you… are going to run.”
I blinked, swallowing heavily. “Run?”
“Yes. And when I catch you—”
“You mean if you catch me?”
He smirked. “Cute.”
“If you catch me, then what?”
I couldn’t look away. The predatory gleam in his gaze was dangerous—and it excited me.
“Then, I'll prove to you why I’m the only male who can and ever will claim you. You. Are. Mine, Skylar.”
My throat tightened as a fierce wave of desire pulsed deep within me.
“Ten seconds.”
Lifting my skirt, I spun away from the crowd and dashed into the trees, heart pounding with every breath.
“Five.”
This was exhilarating. I never thought a chase like this would be so thrilling.
“Three.”
I made it to the riverbank, turned, and darted for the rolling hills.
“One.”
A rush of excitement tangled with a deep carnal desire that nearly stopped me in my tracks. Daxton was on the hunt, and I was his prey.
“I’m coming for you, Spitfire.”
“Bring it on, Silver Shadow.”
Branches clawed at my arms while the underbrush bit at my ankles. A loud rip stretched through the night air as my skirt tore, but I didn’t stop. I wanted him to chase me.
The forest was bathed in moonlight, casting a glow on our arena.
It painted the trees in a silver hue as I darted through the forest of pines, heart pounding like thunder in a storm.
The essence of his magic trickled along my spine, but I couldn’t hear him.
The anticipation of his hunt was winding me like a spinning top.
I paused to assess my surroundings, reaching toward our bond to sense him.
He wanted me to think I’d lost him. That I was alone. But nice try—I was not that naive. I knew he was watching, picking the perfect moment to strike.
Gods above, I loved this.
A twig cracked somewhere to my left. I whirled, eyes wide, scanning the brush, and then I ran again, teeth bared in a grin that was full of adrenaline and aching anticipation. He was playing with me, testing how far I’d go.
I dodged a low-hanging branch, leaped over a fallen log, and released a laugh into the night. He was letting me get ahead, letting me feel free.
My eyes darted ahead to a clearing, and suddenly, the advantage turned to me.
Heat roared through me as the trees became a blur.
My skin split into flames, my bones cracked before they bent, and in a breath, I was gone, soaring skyward on wings of pure flames.
As the clearing fell away beneath me, the air caught under my feathers like freedom itself.
I released a triumphant call to the night as I flew into the sky.
I heard his boots skidding to a halt in the brush, his frustrations pouring through our bond.
The wind caressed my wings as I circled overhead, my smug victory unmistakable.
“If you can use your gifts,” he said in a dangerous tone, “then I will too.”
I banked hard, rising higher into the sky toward Starfall Island, but I could feel it, his determination settling in. He was far from done, intent on coming after me.
Good.
Soaring along the cliffside, fire trailed in my wake.
The ocean crashed below, but I didn’t stop to admire its beauty.
My wings ached from the high of the chase, but still I pushed on.
Along the southern tip of the island, I saw a hidden alcove tucked into the cliff’s curve, overgrown with moss and shadow.
I landed, talons curling over stone as I tucked my wings into my sides.
The heat within me simmered as my flames retracted, feathers morphing into skin.
I shifted, barefoot and breathless, as the wild air kissed my bare skin.
I sighed, leaning against the rock, allowing myself a moment to catch my breath.
Gods, Idris is going to kill me for ruining that dress.
I closed my eyes for a moment, letting the spray from the ocean below cool the heat still lingering on my skin.
“Hello, Spitfire.”
My breath caught as I spun toward the back of the cave.
Daxton stepped from the shadows. His gaze dragged over me—slow, deliberate, and utterly intoxicating.
Then that damn smile curved across his lips, revealing the dimple on his cheek that weakened my knees.
He moved with a fluid, godly grace, like he hadn’t chased me through the forest and across Silver Meadows.
“Shit.” I sucked in a sharp breath.
Before I could blink, he moved, pinning my wrists above my head, his body caging me against the stone wall of the cave.
Ice trickled across my skin where his magic reached out to touch me.
It was cold and possessive, pinching my nipples before migrating down my ribs, stomach, and then lower…
stroking the aching throb between the apex of my thighs.
He chuckled darkly. “You’re caught.”
“Seems I am.”
He bit his bottom lip, and I couldn’t look away.
“Now what are you going to do with me?” I teased.
His grip tightened just enough to make my breath catch. His eyes glowed with a magical silver hue, burning with something ancient and wild.
“You’re going to surrender every ounce of control, Spitfire. You’ll do exactly what I tell you… and nothing else.”
I lifted a defiant brow, even as my racing heart betrayed me. “I’m not very good at following rules. You know this.”
“Which makes this all the more enjoyable.” The rumble from his baritone voice brushed against something primal inside me, something wild and wanting, causing me to melt. “Trust me, Skylar. I know what you need. Have I ever left you unsatisfied?”
Words stuck to my throat, and I barely rasped, “No.”
He leaned back, and his smile grew with a sinful, delicious charm. “Good. Now, release control. You’re mine.”
Shackles of ice formed between my wrists, binding me to the wall. Fingers traced my arms and along the column of my neck, until rough palms fondled my breasts.
My head tilted back as a breathless moan escaped my lips.
“The sounds you make are delicious,” he said, leaning in, palms skimming along my middle, admiring every inch of me. “I wonder if I can make you sing.”
Lowering to his knees, Daxton hooked one of my legs over his shoulder, kissing and biting the inside of my thigh as he made his way higher toward my center, to where I was desperate for his touch.
My thoughts scattered as the world disappeared, and I could only focus on his lips, his tongue, inching closer and closer toward the height of my arousal.
But… he was taking his sweet time getting there.
“Daxton.” My voice was breathy, heavy with need.
“Yes.” He paused, leaning back.
My legs quivered with anticipation. “You… are pure evil.”
Daxton laughed. “Stay still.”
Veins of ice formed around my middle. The bite of cold added a sting of pain that enhanced the pleasure rolling through my core.
His fingers pressed harder into my inner thighs, spreading me wider, before he brought his mouth to my apex.
His tongue finally… finally found its mark, gliding over my sensitive bundle of nerves.
I moaned into the darkness of the cave, my cries of pleasure echoing off the rocks and diving into the surrounding seas.
Daxton worshiped me from his knees, slipping his tongue inside me while one hand moved to continue stroking my clit in delicious circles. I jerked at the sensation, but his ice held me captive, thickening when I tried to break through.
I could melt the ice away, but where would the fun be in that?
Every nerve was firing in my body as my husband brought me closer and closer to the edge of my release—right before he pulled away.
Looking down, a wicked gleam shone in his eyes. The damn male knew how close I was.
“Eyes on me, Spitfire.”
I obeyed the only male I’d ever allow to give me a command.
“Good,” he praised.
His ice calmed my fire magic, allowing me to release all control. I released a loud gasp when he slipped two fingers inside me.
“You will only look at me while I pleasure you. If you close your eyes or look away, I’ll stop.”
I nodded in understanding, chest heaving.
He rewarded me with the return of his tongue, and in seconds, I shattered around his fingers, my eyes never leaving his.
Before I had time to come down from my haze, Daxton’s ice restraints retreated, and he pulled me against him, lips crashing in a fevered need.
I stripped his shirt free. His pants fell to the ground, and he pushed me against the wall.
I jumped into his arms, locking my legs around his waist as stone bit into my back, but I didn’t care.
All I could think about was this male between my thighs.
“On your knees, my queen,” he growled against my lips.
In a flash, he grabbed my waist and flipped me onto my stomach, pulling on my hips to bring my backside into the air.
He trailed a hand down my spine, leaving goosebumps in its wake.
Then, the blunt tip of Daxton’s cock brushed against my arousal.
Reaching around, one of his hands toyed with my nipple, rolling it between his fingers and tugging, as his other hand drifted lower, finding that bundle of nerves in my center once more.
“Daxton!” I rasped as fire raged across my skin.
“Beautiful,” he groaned. “You’re so fucking beautiful.”
Gripping my hips, he lined up and slammed into me in one hard thrust. His cock stretched me in all the right ways as my moans echoed along the cavern walls.
I allowed myself to drift in the pleasure of him, in this moment that belonged to only us.
I met each of his thrusts with perfect rhythm, bringing us both higher and higher until we teetered on the edge.
Daxton groaned behind me as his body began to tense.
I let my head fall forward as I moved with him, coming undone as his fingers stroked me in tune with his movements.
His thrusts were wild and all-consuming. I moved with him, matching his pace with my own rising hunger. Reaching between my legs, I cupped his balls in my palm, fondling him before I gave them a small tug.
He gasped. “Oh, gods.”
I felt his balls tense in my hold as I cradled them once more, pushing back into him before moving forward. Slowing the pace and letting the pleasure build.
Heat began to smolder at the base of my spine as Daxton filled me again, and again.
He pulled me up, palms splayed over my breasts, holding me close as he continued to fuck me from behind.
His teeth nipped at the claiming mark along my neck as his fingers migrated between my thighs, causing a scream to erupt from my throat along with my release.
Roaring, Daxton came soon after, his chest heaving as he held me close. His hands made languishing strokes across my body that belonged entirely to him.
“You did well,” he whispered.
“The night is far from done, husband,” I said with a sinful grin.
“Thank the gods,” he rasped. “I’m far from done with you tonight, wife.”