Chapter 27 #3
"Escort them out," I said, voice devoid of warmth. "From now on, no one from the Gray family is allowed in Hale Manor."
Mrs. Gray's face went white.
"Your Majesty, you—"
"I said, get out," I repeated, staring at her. "Or do you need guards to 'help' you leave?"
Marcus signaled several guards forward.
Mrs. Gray looked at me, then at Elena, then turned and left with her people, jaw clenched.
The hall fell silent again.
Then whispers erupted.
"His Majesty just threw out the Gray family..."
"Good riddance. Everyone knows what they did to the Luna..."
"Poor Luna, abandoned by her own family..."
I ignored the chatter and turned to Elena.
Her eyes were red, but she didn't cry. She looked at me, eyes full of complicated emotions. "Thank you," she said softly.
I pulled her close and kissed her forehead. "You don't need them," I murmured. "Elena, you have me. You have the kids. People who truly love you."
She nodded and buried her face in my chest.
The reception continued.
More people came to congratulate us. Elena and I responded to each one. She gradually relaxed, and though still a bit nervous, at least she could smile and chat with guests. I finished my champagne and turned to Elena. She was watching me, something unreadable shining in her eyes.
"What?" I asked.
"Nothing," she said, lips curving into a small smile. "Just... you were really hot just now."
I froze, then laughed.
"Yeah?" I slipped my arm around her waist. "Should I be scary more often?"
"No." She pushed at me, cheeks pink. "You're terrifying enough already." I leaned down and whispered in her ear. "What about tonight? Am I scary tonight?"
Her face went redder. She elbowed me.
"Lucifer!"
I laughed and kissed her hair.
The reception lasted another hour. When the last guests left, it was past ten.
Elena kicked off her heels and walked barefoot across the soft carpet, rubbing her ankles.
"Tired?" I walked over and scooped her up.
"Lucifer!" She yelped, arms instinctively wrapping around my neck. "I can walk—"
"I know," I said, carrying her upstairs. "But I want to hold you."
Her face flushed again. She rested her head on my shoulder.
"What about the kids?" She tried to wriggle free. "I should check on them—"
"The maids already took them to their rooms," I said, nipping her ear. "Liam stood too long today. He needs rest. Anya's tired too. And you—tonight, you're not getting away—"
"Lucifer!" She swatted me, but I felt the bond pulse in my chest, the golden thread carrying her emotions—shy, nervous, and anticipation.
I couldn't take it anymore. I carried her into the master bedroom and kicked the door shut.
Candles flickered. Rose petals covered the bed and carpet. A faint fragrance filled the air. Moonlight spilled through the floor-to-ceiling windows, bathing the room in silver.
"This is..." Elena looked around, voice trembling.
"Our wedding night," I said, setting her gently on the edge of the bed. "Elena, this is our real wedding night."
She looked at me, amber eyes glowing in the candlelight.
"I'm..." She bit her lip. "I'm a little nervous."
"Nervous about what?" I chuckled, leaning over her. Elena had to lean back until I braced my hands on either side of her, fingers interlacing with hers, pinning her beneath me.
I deliberately brushed my nose against hers, lips trailing soft kisses.
"No." She cut me off, face even redder. "It's not that I don't want to, it's just... It's been five years, I..."
She couldn't finish.
I leaned down and kissed her lips.
The kiss was light, gentle. My hands cupped her face, thumbs stroking her cheeks. Her lips were soft, tasting faintly of champagne. Sweet.
Her hands climbed to my shoulders, slowly returning the kiss.
I deepened it, tongue coaxing her lips apart, slipping into her mouth. She trembled slightly but didn't pull away. Instead, she held me tighter.
My hand slid down her back, finding the zipper of her gown. I pulled it down smoothly. The gown loosened, hanging off her. I pushed it down. It pooled at my feet in a heap of white.
She lay beneath me in white lace lingerie. In the candlelight, her skin glowed soft and warm.
"You're beautiful," I said, voice rough.
Her face turned crimson. "Don't look..." She tried to cover herself.
I caught her wrists and gently pulled them aside.
"Why not?" I said. "You're my mate, Elena. I want to look at you. I want to remember every inch."
She bit her lip, eyes misty, chest rising and falling with her breath.
The lace trembled with it. I could see the curve of her breasts straining against the edges.
I swallowed and shrugged off my jacket and shirt, exposing the defined lines of my torso.
Her gaze landed on my chest, then darted away.
"Still shy?" I chuckled. "Elena, we have two kids."
"That's different..." she said quietly.
"How?" I pressed her down onto the bed, arms braced on either side of her.
She didn't answer. Just looked at me, eyes full of haze.
I leaned down and kissed her lips, one hand reaching behind her to unclasp her bra.
She trembled, fingers gripping the sheets.
"Relax," I murmured against her lips. "Elena, it's me."
She slowly loosened, arms wrapping around my neck. I tossed the bra aside and trailed kisses from her lips to her jaw, then her neck. Her neck was sensitive. I bit lightly, and she let out a soft moan.
"Lucifer..." she breathed my name.
"Yeah?" I continued downward, kissing her collarbone.
"I..." Her voice shook. "Be gentle..."
I brushed her hair to my lips, finding her adorable. "That's not something I can control."
My wolf was howling inside me, clawing to get closer, to claim, to mark.
Every instinct screamed at me to move faster, harder, to make her mine in every way.
But I forced myself to slow down. My breath came heavy, arms trembling with the effort of restraint.
I could feel the tension coiling in my muscles, the primal need thrumming through my veins.
But this was Elena. My mate. And I would not rush this.
I kissed down her collarbone, taking my time, letting my lips memorize the taste of her skin. She smelled like lilies and bay leaf and something uniquely hers, something that made my wolf go quiet and still, content just to be near her.