Chapter Six
Chapter Six
Sierra
“It doesn’t matter that you’re mated and claimed. I promised to protect you and I take that vow seriously,” Ander practically growled at me.
Farah, Ander, and myself were in Lucius’ bedroom. Open luggage was on the floor, and the bed was piled high with gowns, cloaks, and shoes. The past two days, Ordelpho’s seamstresses had been working like busy bees, trying to get as many garments made for me in time for our trip to Utilla.
So far, those leaving with us were Pateus—Lucius secretary— two guards, and several Beta servants. Lucius would meet up with the rest of the Odessia entourage once we met up in Ghypsom City, he’d said.
Now Ander wanted to come with us. Lucius had said there was no need, and I had agreed, more so because I knew we’d be in Odessia for the better part of a year, according to my husband—gods, was still so insane to call Lucius that! So, the thought of Ander being away from Neil for so long… No, I couldn’t condone it.
“And I rather you stay here, as I’ve said for the hundredth time, Ander. A year is too long.”
He let out a huff and practically threw one of my gowns on the bed. “Then let me at least see you to Odessia, stay a few days, then I’ll come back.”
I bit my cheek in consideration and set down the thick brocade tunic I’d been folding.
Farah caught my eye and nodded in the direction of the door. She wanted us to have some privacy. When I smiled back at her, she quietly left the room. I knew she’d return soon, though, because we had way more to pack before bedtime.
Already the hour was late, and I hadn’t seen Lucius since early this morning. He had been too busy with last minute see-tos with his men and dozens of checks with the captain of the Freedom.
I looked at Ander, taking in his stance. From his Alpha scent alone, I knew he wasn’t going to budge. “What does Neil say?”
“What does that matter?” he asked, honestly befuddled by that question.
Laughing at his expression, I touched his arm. “He’s your mate, Ander. He should have a say.”
He looked like I’d hit him on the head with an iron pan. “He’s—he’s… well, damn, I guess he is.” He shook himself and waved a hand, dismissing this revelation. “I’ve already told him I was going. Was he happy about it? No. But he understands.”
Sighing, I gave in. “Fine.” I reached up on my tip toes and kissed his cheek. He smelled like cinnamon and apples—probably an after-dinner snack he’d found in the kitchens. “Only if you stay in Odessia a few days, no more. Then back here, okay?”
“Okay. Thank you. I need to pack, oh, and you need to convince Lucius to let me go with you two.” He smiled brightly, eyes wide.
I smacked his arm and groaned. “Thanks a lot.”
Just then, the door opened. “Finally, I’m—” Lucius looked at the two of us and growled. “Out, Trajan.”
“Was just leaving, Oh Obsessed One.” Ander grinned and left us, staying close to the walls before sneaking out and chuckling under his breath.
Lucius just glared at him.
Now that the rut had abated, Lucius had been mercifully teased by all the men here at the manse. He took it well, though. Most of the time.
I had barely parted my lips to say hello to my mate when he crossed the room in two seconds flat and took my mouth in a passionate kiss. My hands went to his chest for balance, and I felt laughter bubble up inside me.
The laughter won, and I couldn’t hold it back. Lucius pulled away, giving me a dry look.
“I’m sorry!” I spat out, laughing. “You have to admit that title is a good one.” I deepened my voice and said, “Oh Obsessed One.”
Instead of replying, Lucius took my hand and placed it on his breeches. The hard bulge there had me sobering instantly.
He smirked. “That’s right, little dove. Feel that?”
I nodded, my mouth open.
“It’s been at least twelve hours since I’ve been inside you.” His eyes were silver fire as he pressed his hardness into my hand. “On the bed.” His expression brokered no argument—not that I had one to give.
My body responded to his words. I quickly made space at the foot of the bed, pushing clothing aside, some falling to the floor, then splayed my hands out on the coverlet, leaning forward, breath held.
I could hear the whisper of clothing being removed, then Lucius was behind me. His hands went around my front, to where the tie to my silk robe was. He brought it down, kissing my shoulders and naked back, and I released my hands so the whole garment pooled onto the floor at my feet.
“My beautiful bride,” he crooned, his voice deep and alluring. Warm, strong palms rubbed down my body, stopping on my bottom. “This ass. So fucking sweet. Lean forward, little dove.”
I was already panting with desire for him. Lucius was insatiable, but so was I, and I happily did as he commanded, sliding my arms down the bed, breasts pressed against the soft blankets, my sex now exposed to his view.
He nudged my legs so that I would widen them, and with his fingers, parted my wetness. I moaned.
“Always so wet for me, aren’t you, mate?”
I nodded, biting my lip. “Yes.”
“Mmm, I can’t wait to taste—”
A knock at the door had him stopping.
“What?” he snarled so gruffly I almost giggled.
“I can come back, Chieftain,” Farah called through the closed door.
I grinned and called back, “That would be best. Thank you, Fah—” I squeaked as Lucius plunged at least three fingers inside me. “Oh!”
A deep purr greeted my ear. “That’s right. Ignore her.” He placed a hand on my back, then removed his fingers, only to replace them with his thick length. He didn’t give me any chance to prepare as he rammed inside me. My bottom was pressed tightly to his pelvis as he touched the very root of me. When my back tried to arch off the bed, his hand stilled me with a firm press.
Then he began to move. Tortuously slow but deliciously deep. Little by little, his rhythm picked up. The pace was maddening. The sounds of us, my wetness, our skin slapping skin, had my eyes rolling back, and I groaned. “Oh, Lucius. You feel—you… ah!”
He grunted and slapped my rump. “Yes, my dove. So good. So hot. So wet.” Losing control, he slipped an arm under my breasts and pulled me back against his chest, now rutting me with vigor, his hand gripping my hip hard enough to bruise. I was barely able to stand on both feet as he took me hard.
Turning my head, I captured his mouth, and we kissed, lost to one another’s pleasure. Before I knew it, he had withdrawn, only to push me gently down onto the bed and onto my back. He got between my legs and mounted me again, but this time we were face-to-face. This position was always so much more meaningful. This wild, beautiful man above me, lost to his desire for me, took my breath away. I witnessed so much depth there in his eyes as he looked down at me in adoration, like I was the very world.
With just our breaths, we spoke a lifetime of words that only our souls could hear. Everything that he was and everything that he would become was there for me to witness. And what I saw was beautiful.
I wrapped my legs tightly around him, my hands on his strong arms as he drove into me. Around his neck was the necklace I had given him. When I’d had it made with him in mind, I had no idea how insanely sexy he would look wearing it. Each time he thrust inside me, it hit my chin in tandem with his pumping hips.
I was lost.
“Ready for my knot, baby?”
“Uh huh… yes, I’m—I’m… oh gods…” I drifted off into the unknown, where only pleasure and ecstasy lived. Lucius swelled inside me, and he took my mouth as he gave me his seed, filling me up to the point where I could feel it leaking out. Another climax came upon me, and I saw stars.
Lucius kissed my forehead, my eyelids, my cheeks. He was like Fadon, in that way, I thought. Always worshiping me with kisses.
Still lost to the ending waves of climax, my face heated at the thought of both Fadon and Lucius kissing me. Together.
Gods.
“Is that right?” Lucius asked with a smile, looking down at me.
Could he read my mind through the bond? No. It had to be my scent or something.
We were still joined, his knot locking us in, and I felt his cock pulse.
I knew that there was no way on Titus I’d divulge what I had been picturing in my head—he still wasn’t quite ready for that development in our relationship—so instead, I pulled him closer and nuzzled his neck. “Have I told you how much I love that necklace on you?”
“You have, my little wild cat.” The smile on his face was downright sinful. “You also love it when it hits your face when I’m fucking you hard.”
So crass, my mate. But I secretly loved it. Even now, my toes curled.
I kissed him softly, and by the time the kiss was through, his knot had abated, and he withdrew himself from inside me.
“I’ll send Farah in for some bath water. Tonight, I’ll be giving you one.” He picked up my robe and helped me put it on once I got to my unsteady feet.
“That sounds lovely. But first, you might want to hide that,” I teased, pointing at his fully-erect cock that was pointing directly at me.
Lucius washed my hair and body thoroughly, and after a while, I found myself lying back against his chest. Farah had straightened the room as quickly as possible and had left with a promise to return early in the morning so we could finish packing.
The room was dim with candlelight, and the fire in the hearth burned as we silently touched each other in the bath.
“Ander will be going with us,” I said on a yawn. I was so relaxed, and it had been such a full day, that I was seriously contemplating falling asleep right here in the water.
Lucius idly caressed my throat. My osnat was on the vanity. Whenever it was off, I felt more naked, especially when his fingers wrapped around my neck, which he loved to do.
“That’s fine,” he said distractedly.
I rolled my head so I could see his face. “No argument?”
He shrugged. “No.”
I pulled a face. “What’s on your mind? Or are you just tired?”
Silver eyes gazed down at me. “Just content.” He nuzzled my ear and cheek with his nose, inhaling my scent. “I missed you today.”
Seeing Lucius’ tender side was like seeing the sun come out after days of rain. I melted in his light.
“Did you?” Looping my arm around his neck, I pulled him to me and took his bottom lip into my mouth. His tongue found mine, and with lazy strokes, we kissed.
“Very much.” Underneath me, I could feel his hardness.
“Again?” I asked with a laugh as he flipped me over so I could straddle him.
“Again.”
The snow was soft on my bare feet as I ran through the courtyard, laughing. Wind blew through my hair, sweeping it in waves down my back and tickling my lower spine. The cold air on my arms and legs was barely a thought in my thin satin shift as I picked up speed. Fadon was getting closer.
Finally, I made it to the giant doors that led to the main hall of Goth Mor Helle. I couldn’t decide whether to head right or left, or maybe straight, to the north wing.
Where to hide, where to hide? I asked myself, my face split in a smile.
I went right, to the east wing and up the stairs, where the throne room was. Servants pulled up short as I passed them by, my laughter echoing in the hall.
I pushed at the heavy door and went inside, my feet damp on the stone floor of the massive room. Banners of purple and black hung from the walls and the dark rafters above. My eyes tracked all the various places to hide. When they landed on the throne that sat in semi-darkness, I paused with a frown, my laughter forgotten.
The throne was occupied. Instead of Mari, Lucius sat upon it, looking very much like a king, even asleep. His shiny boots gleamed with wealth, and the furred purple mantle draped around his shoulders made him appear twice his normal size. He was bare-chested, and his tattoos were stark in contrast to his candlelit skin.
I could hear footsteps behind me, coming closer. Fadon would find me in seconds.
Hiding behind a sleeping Lucius would be the best option, I said to myself, and with that, I ran to the end of the room. But as soon as I passed the throne to tuck myself behind it, Lucius woke and grabbed me, hauling me onto his lap, my back to his chest.
“Where do you think you’re going, my queen?” he said gruffly in my ear. He placed his hands on my wrists and brought them down to my sides. Then with a rip that echoed all around us, he tore open my shift, exposing my breasts to anyone who’d happen to walk in. With his legs, he hooked my feet, spreading my legs open, preventing me from closing them. My sex swelled with heat and wetness at such a display.
“What are—” I began, confusion reigning inside me, but the sound of the throne room doors opening had me pausing.
Fadon walked in, a grin on his face. “Come out, Sierra. I know you’re—” He halted several paces, facing us. The excitement on his face turned to anger. “What the fuck are you doing on that throne, Lucius?”
Behind me, Lucius chuckled. The sound vibrated against my back like a mighty thunderstorm. “This throne is mine, as is the omega on my lap, Trajan. She is your new queen now.” Then with a lazy stroke of his fingers, he cupped my sex before probing it, dragging the pool of slick that was suddenly unleashed as Fadon’s eyes took in the scene before him.
“The fuck it is. And she sure as shit doesn’t belong to you, you reprobate.” He pointed at the floor. “Sierra, come here. Now.” Fadon stood feet away now, his stern face tight with command. But his dark eyes were glued to my sex, and I could see his breath hitch as Lucius’ played with me.
For some reason, I wanted to cry. Instead, I just shook my head. “He’s my mate, Fadon. My husband.”
The look of hurt on Fadon’s face as he met my eyes was devastating. “What?”
Another chuckle at my back. “She’s mine now. As is everything around you,” Lucius said. Triumph peppered each syllable.
Fadon, shirtless and fierce, looking like everything an Ongahri male alpha was said to be, lunged forward, knocking the throne back off its legs. I screamed around Lucius’ hold. My legs were now free, but before I could get up, Fadon grabbed me and pulled me up, throwing me over his shoulder.
“Guards, kill this intruder!” Fadon shouted.
I heard the sound of boots marching in as Fadon removed us from the room. I raised my head and looked back to the throne, where Lucius was now standing, a sword in his hands. He was attempting to fight off House Trajan’s men, but their numbers were too great.
As the door shut behind us, I could see Lucius falling to the horde. I pounded on Fadon’s back, crying in earnest now, as the throne room was shut to me, leaving Lucius inside to fight for his life.
“Lucius! No!” I screamed, hitting Fadon’s back over and over. “Let me—”
I blinked my eyes open and felt the splash of tears there. The room was dark, not even the remaining embers in the fire were enough light to see by. Beside me, Lucius slept on, on his stomach, an arm resting high on the pillow, one leg bent. The blankets were off to the side of the bed for some reason, and goosebumps covered my body as I shook away the nightmare.
What a horrible, terrible dream, one I hoped never to have again.
Knowing sleep wouldn’t come for some time, I got up and walked over to the chair where I’d left my robe draped over the back, and put it on, tying it tightly around my waist.
I hadn’t dreamed about Goth Mor Helle in… I couldn’t remember. The dream had been downright awful, and I could still feel the effects of it as I tip-toed to the door and closed it shut behind me.
In the kitchen, I filled a kettle and got it heated, then reached for a mug and the tea box.
“Can’t sleep?” Farah asked, fully dressed and hair brushed.
Startling, I almost dropped the mug. “Gods, you scared me.”
“Sorry, my lady. Bad dream?”
I nodded. “What are you doing here? You didn’t go… home last night?” I had no idea who Farah was mated to, knew nothing about her at all, really, and I frowned at that knowledge. Ever since I’d stepped foot on Ordelpho all I’ve thought about was myself. The summation made my stomach feel raw.
“Actually, I just got here. I came to get you.”
I turned her way, setting down the tea box. “For what? It’s the middle of the night, Farah.”
The kettle whistled high and she walked over to it, grabbed a cloth, and took it off the fire. She poured the water into my mug and added the tea. The scent teased my nose.
“The Sapera would like a word.”
I must have made a face, because she added dryly, “She’s coming here, don’t worry.”
Indeed, Lucius still hadn’t forgiven the woman—let alone Farah—for taking me away from him that morning I went through the rite, which to this day I barely remembered. Although I do remember Lucius’ torment and his taking me right in the middle of the dirt path outside the Sapera’s gates, rutting me in front of all and sundry.
Smiling, I focused on Farah. “Any idea what it’s about?”
She handed me my tea and took a seat at the table. I did the same.
“No, but probably because you’re leaving us for Odessia.”
I checked to see if she was saddened by that fact, or whether she disapproved. Farah was already hard enough to read, so of course I saw nothing.
A knock at the back door alerted us that the female elder was here, and Farah went to let in the Sapera, who came strutting into the kitchen like it was her own.
“Sierra Dega, good to see you again, child.” She took the seat Farah offered her and reached for my hand. “You are a hard woman to get a hold of. Trust me, I’ve tried.
I held no animosity towards the older woman, but I was wary of her. I didn’t particularly like the rite she had invited me to take, and I still had no idea what it was supposed to have accomplished, if anything. And what with Lucius, the wedding, and the Longest Night taking all my focus, I hadn’t a chance to ask.
“What can I do for you, grandmother?” I squeezed her hand before relinquishing it.
“I want you to change your mind about going to Odessia.”
Startled at the unexpected question, I shook my head and frowned. “What? Why would I?”
Her bright blue eyes bored into mine. “Because I’ve come to warn you.”