Chapter 6
Her heart raced as she felt the softness of the fur blanket beneath her, the cool touch of the crystal bed frame against her skin sending quivers down her spine. Crystalia's breath hitched as Jackson's strong fingers trailed lightly down her back, leaving a tingling sensation in their wake.
The room was lit only by the soft glow of candles and what moonlight filtered through the frost-covered windows, casting a silvery sheen over everything. She could hear the distant howl of the wind outside, a haunting melody that seemed to match the intensity of the moment.
Jackson leaned down, his lips brushing against her ear, sending a wave of desire through her body. She turned her head slightly, her eyes meeting his in the dim light. There was a hunger in his gaze, and a glimmer of satisfaction that almost made her change her mind.
“Can you just get on with it?” she demanded.
He laughed.
“Still trying to control everything,”” he said just before his hand landed smartly against her bottom cheeks. “Let’s see what we can do about that, shall we?”
She tried to scoot away and he laid his body across her, his side holding her firmly in place. Gently his hand stroked her bottom before cupping and weighing each cheek.
“How long have I waited to be able to touch these beautiful cheeks, kiss them, and punish them?” he asked. “Three decades? Four? Five? I’ve lost count, but I never lost my desire.”
“I’m happy to hear that,” she snapped. “I would hate to think of myself as forgettable.”
“My stars, Crystalia, anyone would think you actually want to be spanked. I was planning on warming you up, wanting to excite you with sweet, loving swats, but I’m starting to believe you need this more than I do.”
“Perhaps I do,” she hissed. “Perhaps I need to be punished for all the hurt and pain I’ve caused, for making stupid decisions based on my emotions. I let everyone down, burned bridges that have been nearly impossible to rebuild, and left a trail of ashes in my wake,” she finished with a sob.
Jackson moved his body off her back and stretched out beside her, turning her over and pulling her into his arms.
“Hush, my love. Don’t cry. I can’t bear it,” he whispered into her hair. “Tonight was supposed to be fun and romantic. The spanking was intended to be sexy, and it would have been if I’d only shut up about your past indiscretions.”
“How can a spanking be sexy?” she asked with a sniff.
He chuckled against her and gently patted her bottom.
“Trust me, sweetness, it can be and one night I will show you,” he promised.
“But we only have this one night, Jackson,” she pointed out.
“Yes, well as I said, we’ll see about that. To be perfectly honest I’m in no hurry to let you go,” he admitted.
“What?” she gasped, pushing away so she could see his face.
“I’m not entirely sure. I’d planned to get you out of my system once and for all. Suddenly I’m now inclined to keep you, in my castle, in my arms, and in my bed,” he asserted firmly. He wrapped her long hair around his hand and tilted her head back and met her eyes.
“But I can’t stay here indefinitely! I have responsibilities, obligations.”
“Such as?” He fastened his lips to her neck and sucked gently.
“Um…I have a son who just got married, and I expect to be a grandmother one day.”
“Congratulations,” he murmured, kissing his way along her collarbone.
“And I have a house to maintain, and parents to keep an eye on,” she cried out, pushing her pelvis closer to his.
Crystalia's protestations faded into soft gasps as Jackson's kisses ignited a fire within her that she thought long extinguished. The weight of her obligations seemed to melt away in the warmth of his touch, replaced by a longing she couldn't deny.
Surrounded by the magical beauty of his castle, Crystalia felt a sense of peace wash over her. It was as if time itself had slowed down, allowing her to savor this stolen moment with Jackson.
His hands moved with a gentle urgency, exploring the curves of her body as if trying to memorize every inch. At times his breath was cool and nipped at her skin, but the heat radiating between them kept her warm.
In that suspended moment, Crystalia somehow allowed herself to be swept away by the tide of emotions that threatened to consume her.
She closed her eyes, losing herself in the sensation of Jackson's lips on hers, his breath mingling with hers.
As she melted into his embrace, the weight of her worries began fading away with each tender caress.
Soon she was crying out, arching into his touch aching for release. Separating her legs, Jackson moved between them, his lips covering hers as he entered her with one thrust.
Crystalia lost what little mind she had left.
He was hard as steel, yet soft as silk. His cock was burning and freezing at the same time, unlike anything she’d ever felt or even heard of.
Each thrust was powerful, yet he didn’t hurt her, seemingly able to judge her responses with little effort.
He whispered words in her ear she didn’t understand, seeming to speak in an ancient and mysterious language long forgotten in the Elven world.
His chanting took her higher, unlocking at part of her soul she never knew existed and when she felt as though she were flying among the stars she exploded, bursting into thousands of shards of light and freedom.
Crystalia heard someone murmuring ‘Oh, Jackson’, ‘Oh Jackson’ over and over never realizing the words were coming from her own slightly swollen lips. Her eyes were closed, yet she saw bright lights beaming in the distance.
The oddly weak voice changed to a soft mewling and she turned into his arms, throwing one of her legs over his as she snuggled against his chest. Wondering who else was in the room she fell asleep.
Jackson pulled a fur cover over them and closed his eyes.
He’d always sensed their mating would be special, but he’d never imagined the magical journey they’d shared.
As soon as he entered her his life changed forever.
He would never take another female to his bed; never share his body with another.
It was as though she’d claimed him heart and soul for all eternity.
No wonder he’d never been able to set her aside or let her go.
She was his destiny and had been for centuries.
He’d never had the urge to marry, and now he understood that there was a higher plan in motion.
She felt it too and there was no denying it now.
While he’d been chanting the magical spell of love and enchantment, Crystalia had replied in the same language whether she knew it or not and he suspected she didn’t.
The question in his mind was whom had cast the spell over whom, but what did it matter?
They’d both been caught in the same web, there to stay until the end of time.
Smiling as he dozed off he decided what a very comfortable web it was.
Several times throughout the night they came together, their bodies merging in perfect harmony.
Never had she imagined making love could be so all-consuming, a glorious rhapsody of two souls connecting so brilliantly that it brought tears to her eyes.
She was certain she’d cried against his shoulder, recalling his soothing, if unintelligible words and gentle caresses.
Waking, tangled in his arms and the warm fur covers she finally gave thought to the nearly unimaginable pain it would cost her to part from him, but go she must. Despite giving in to all of his demands, she was still acutely aware of her options and how she’d ignored them.
As an Elven female with powerful magic of her own, she’d failed to use it.
With a wave of her hand she could have sent him flying across the room.
He would have been angry, of course, and extracted retribution in any number of unpleasant ways.
He was powerful as well; actually more skilled than any other, but the fact remained that she hadn’t done a thing.
Instead, she’d surrendered to him, almost without protest.
Why?
Shrugging, she moved the covers aside and slipped out of bed. Seeing his heavy robe she pulled it around her and quietly stepped out into the hallway. An elf, a few doors away was just coming out of another room and she approached him.
“Your Highness would like breakfast brought to his room, breakfast for two.”
“Do you have a preference, My Lady?” he asked with a slight bow.
“Yes. Warm croissants with fresh butter, coffee and hot chocolate, and some fruit will be nice. You may leave the tray in the hallway, and knock twice. I will take it from there.”
“As you wish, my lady, but his majesty typically dines on soft boiled eggs in the morning.”
“Fine, you may bring those as well.”
With another bow, he turned away.
“Wait,” she called after him. “What is your name?”
“It’s Jasper, my lady.”
“Jasper, it would please me if you would offer my apologies to the staff for my deplorable behavior at dinner last night,” she sighed. “I’m truly sorry.”
He smiled before replying.
“Yes, my lady. I wasn’t there, but it has been discussed quite extensively among his majesties’ servants. They were all amused, if I may be so bold as to say so,” he continued grinning.
“Amused?” she asked in surprise.
“Yes, it isn’t often that his highness is left speechless.
The King is the smartest, most revered male in the kingdom, but it’s nice to see him taken down a peg or two now and then,” he chuckled.
“Not that we would ever say so, you understand, but it did bring quite a bit of warm humor into a castle that is typically formidably cold. I’ll bring that tray right away, my lady. ”
Standing in the hall, she watched him hurry away before returning to the king’s suite.
Entering the bathroom she marveled at the lavish appointments. The room was spacious and grand, with marble floors and walls adorned with intricate designs.