Epilogue
IVY
Steam curled from the marble tub, softening the air with the scent of jasmine and smoke.
I ran my fingers through the water, watching ripples chase each other across the surface.
Yesterday's celebration still pulsed faintly in my veins—the laughter, the music, the way every gaze had followed us when Max’s mark flared gold against my skin.
Now the palace was quiet. Finally, blessedly quiet.
My reflection caught in the mirror—a flicker of disbelief that this was my life now. Bound, claimed, chosen. And for once, content.
I reached for the oils Shana had left out, her note still tucked beside them: For the newly imprinted. Try not to set the water on fire this time. Typical. I smiled despite myself, pouring a line of oil into the steaming water.
The scent rose around me, thick and sweet. My shoulders relaxed for the first time in hours. I wanted nothing more than to sink beneath the surface and let the world dissolve.
That was when the knock came—soft at first, then a little more insistent.
Thinking it was Shana with another snarky comment about how my imprinting celebration was ten times more elaborate than any other function in hell, I asked them to enter.
“For the last time, Shana. I can’t help who I’m related to.”
At the sharply inhaled breath, I knew my guest wasn’t Shana.
Turning, I saw Max standing there in all his glory, not a stitch of clothing on that deliciously naked body.
Tall and lithe, he had an athlete's body with the deep Vee leading down to a treasure trail that showed every inch of his massive cock.
Having had the pleasure of riding said cock all night the previous evening, I couldn’t help but feel a twinge of delicious soreness between my legs.
Had it been everything I had wanted it to be?
Let’s just say that my pitfall experience with Gabriel hadn’t prepared me for what it would be like to ride my mated HuBull.
“I can’t believe that I have the rest of eternity to be with you,” he said simply, walking over to the bath. “Let me serve you. I know you are sore.”
I felt my face heating, but nodded and motioned to the small table where bath salts, oils, creams, and scrubs were located. Selfishly, I wanted Max to yank me out of the bath and fuck me again as he had over and over again last night. But I wasn’t quite brave enough to voice that yet.
Lucy called this the honeymoon phase, as if we were newlyweds rather than newly imprinted mates.
Some say there is little difference, but I knew better.
I felt intrinsically connected to Max in a way that I supposed humans would never feel.
My heart yearned to be with him always, and his touch on my skin was like a benediction to the most beautiful service imaginable.
I could say without a doubt that I loved him. His body called to mine, stronger than a siren’s call, and I would have moved heaven and earth to answer.
Max knelt beside the tub and picked up a sponge, lathering it with soap. “Lean forward, Ivy.”
I leaned over my bent knees and allowed Max to scrub my back, the bumps where my wings were housed, and then my hair.
He washed my legs and feet, tickling my toes like the cherubs used to when giving a pedicure.
Then he lathered the sponge again and asked me to lean back against the rim of the tub.
Gently, he took my breasts into his hands and massaged them, tweaking the nipples and then rubbing them with his palms.
I panted and cried out, “That’s more than washing, sir.”
Max laughed. “We haven’t even gotten to my favorite part.”
Without the sponge, Max soaped up his hands and cleaned my most intimate areas. He was gentle, thorough, and all the while I could feel my sex growing hungry for his fingers, his tongue, and his cock.
I rocked against his hand when he slipped a finger inside of me, pumping it softly and causing a moan to escape my lips. But then he removed it, and I tried to grasp his hand, pulling it back to me.
“Greedy, demoness,” he laughed. “I have more in store for you.”
Pulling me from the tub, uncaring for the water that splashed on the stone floor, Max lifted me in his arms and carried me over to where a vast mirror was hanging over a dressing table. He placed me on the table and parted my thighs.
Boldly, I parted them further, holding my knees and sinking back until everything and all that I am was exposed to him.
Max’s eyes shone gold, and he blew out a strong breath through his nose. I could tell his HuBull side was coming to the front. He wanted his mate, and I wanted him just as desperately.
Max’s hands came to my ass cheeks, and he lifted my hips clean off the table, bringing my sex to his mouth, and he licked with the flat of his tongue.
“Dear God,” I rasped.
“Wrong jurisdiction,” Max murmured teasingly against my fevered flesh.
He licked and teased my body until I was a puddle of want and need begging him to send me over the threshold into ecstasy.
Sucking my clit, Max shoved three fingers inside of my cunt and curled them forward until I saw stars exploding inside my head.
My body shattered into a million pieces as he stroked and lengthened the pleasure until I knew nothing but the sensation swallowing me whole.
I was trying to catch my breath when he moved up to slam his cock inside of me. His massive dick stretched me painfully, which only further enhanced the myriad of sensations drowning me with need.
“You are so fucking sexy, Ivy,” Max growled. “I know I should let you rest, but I need you, baby. So fucking much.”
“Don’t stop,” I cried out. “I can rest later. I need you too.”
He slammed inside me over and over again, shoving my head further and further up the table until it hit the mirror.
“Ouch!” I cried out, laughing.
Max pulled out of me, concerned. “Are you alright?”
“Yes,” I grabbed his shoulders, pulling him closer. “As long as I’m with you, I am always alright.”
He bent me over the table and slid inside of me from behind, filling me fuller than ever.
“Fuck me, Max, make me cum,” I commanded.
“Swearing,” he teased before pumping his length inside of me over and over, smacking my ass twice and then rubbing the blossom of pain into a warm, tingly sensation. I could feel my orgasm approaching and tightened my internal walls, hoping to bring him over the edge with me.
“Fuck, Ivy. That feels amazing. God, woman, you are fucking incredible.”
He pumped into me twice more, and then I felt the warm sensation of his spend right as I broke once again, my world fracturing around me as he came as well.
“You are something else, Ivy,” Max said, nuzzling my neck. “I know I should give you a break. But I just can’t seem to take my hands off you.”
“Then don’t,” I replied cheekily. If I had to walk funny for a week, I didn’t care. I’d finally found true happiness with my HuBull, and I’d never let him go. Who could've guessed that Hell would be the key to my happily ever after?