Chapter 26
Lucie smiled. The feeling of being wrapped in Derrick’s arms was incredible. She felt contentment she never had before. It was like being in a safe, warm, cocoon. But there was also something else … deep desire. The scent from Derrick was somehow more intoxicating than before.
She opened her eyes to look at his sleeping face. His eyes were closed and his face was right there. Her focus went to his lips, which were deliciously right in front of her.
She would be leaving his side soon. She was about to be forcibly put on a mate diet.
And she wasn’t sure how long she would have to go without him.
How long would it be before she tasted his lips again?
How long before she would bear his mark?
If you know you’re going on a diet tomorrow, would you not have one last dessert today?
Derrick was her dessert. She knew she couldn’t have all of him right now, but his lips were fair game. She’d tasted them before and was going to taste them again.
She leaned in closer and gently brushed her lips against his.
The sweet, tingling sparks ignited where their lips touched, and her breath hitched at the sensation.
That was all it took. His lips covered hers immediately, and he pressed his body into hers, holding her captive beneath him.
He kissed her like he’d been starving for it, his hand gripping her face possessively, tilting her exactly where he wanted her.
She reached up and brushed her fingers through his hair, tugging him into her.
The groan that rumbled from his chest vibrated against her lips, and the sound did something dangerous to her resolve.
He deepened the kiss, dipping his tongue into her mouth with deep, slow, massaging strokes that made her toes curl.
Her fingers tightened in his hair, and the kiss shifted.
His slow, deliberate rhythm quickened, turning fiery, desperate.
He kissed her like he was claiming her, like if he stopped she might disappear.
She gasped as she felt his teeth graze her bottom lip.
He bit down lightly, pulling on it before a low growl poured into her mouth.
The sound sent heat rushing through every nerve in her body.
Her back arched into him on instinct, and she felt his grip on her tighten, his fingers pressing into her skin like he was fighting to keep himself in check.
Their breathing was getting faster and faster, Lucie’s cheeks flushing from their passion. His warm kisses explored her face and down to her neck, where he began to tease a special spot. He licked and pulled on the soft skin, growling into her as his other hand wandered over her body.
He returned to her lips and desperately kissed her, growling and claiming her lips.
She clutched his shoulders, pulling him deeper into her, the tingling sensation and sweet jolts of electricity overtaking them both.
She arched into him again, and his low growl of approval made her body shudder beneath him.
He pulled away, gripping the pillow on the side of Lucie’s head while they both panted for air. His eyes were fixed on hers, and he growled lowly. “Mine”. Then he kissed the tip of her nose very slowly before he forced himself into a sitting position.
Lucie grabbed his hand and he pulled her into a sitting position beside him. She snuggled into his chest as his arms came around her.
“Don’t you think you should leave your mark on me now? I’m liable to change my mind.” Lucie teased and felt his chest tighten against her.
“I’ll kill anyone who touches you.” He listened as Lucie laughed happily. “I’m serious. It’s our nature. If anyone touches you, whether with your consent or not, they’re dead. So you may want to tell me now so I can chalk it up as the past … has there been anyone else?”
Lucie smiled. His voice had shifted from low and angry to almost meek.
She looked up into his eyes and brushed her fingers through his hair.
“What do you think?” She giggled, but then she noticed his very serious reaction.
“Seriously?” She raised up on her knees and wrapped her arms around his neck, leaning her forehead into his.
“I was betrothed since before I was born. No one messed with me. I was the girl who was always alone. No one to go to parties with, no one to take me to dances, because no one wanted to waste their time with someone already taken.”
“But there was one guy recently …” Derrick growled lowly.
“That was the first time that ever happened. Ever.” Lucie shrugged. “Honestly, it was the first time anyone ever looked at me that way before …”
Derrick growled and grasped her sides. “You are mine to look at, Lucie. Only mine.”
“What about you? Going around as Ryan … no one knew you were unobtainable.” Lucie pushed back and sat on her heels, quirking a brow at him. He smiled at her, his hands still resting on her sides.
“Were there girls interested in me? Yes. I won’t lie, there was a lot of interest. But I refused them all.
It was always you, Lucie. I told you this, and I meant it.
I have loved you for a long time now. You were the only one who occupied my thoughts.
I just wasn’t interested in anyone else like that.
I went to parties and hung out with others, but never as a date.
I only went to get to know my peers better as a future leader.
But I’ve never been with anyone else, Lucie.
” He held her gaze to show how serious he was.
“In my eyes, no one else existed but you.”
This lined up with what Tonya had told her. Lucie leaned into him, wrapping her arms around him so she could hold him close. “I don’t want to leave you,” she breathed out.
“I won’t be washing these sheets or pillows. I’m going to need to keep your scent there.” Derrick tilted his head into the crook of Lucie’s neck as he took in gentle whiffs of her scent. “I’ll give you my shirt, so it’ll help you sleep without me by your side.”
“Oh, I’m sure Jasper will pat me to sleep.” She bit her bottom lip and smiled as she listened to his frustrated groan.
“If it helps you sleep, I can tolerate it for you, my little mate.”
She was surprised to hear this from him. She was just teasing him, but it warmed her heart that he was suppressing his jealousy for her.
“You know there’s nothing at all romantic between Jasper and me, right?” Lucie wanted to make sure he knew this. She didn’t want him to feel like he had any rivals to worry about.
“Mm-hmm, I know. I trust you both.”
Lucie leaned forward and took his earlobe in her teeth. She tugged on it lightly and felt him grip her tighter.
“I went to talk to your parents again last night,” Derrick managed to mumble out to distract himself from ravishing her.
She pulled back and looked into his amber eyes. “You did?”
“After you fell asleep. They were waiting for me. They expected me to come out and talk to them again.” Derrick chuckled.
“I told them how conflicted I was, and that I wanted to keep you with me. I told them how I wouldn’t leave you if the situation was reversed …
how it would take a direct order from my parents, like what your father gave you.
Separating mates isn’t easy.” Derrick smiled sadly.
“Our conversation led us to the conclusion that Beryl is only after your family. Her goal is to kill the four of you, no matter what the cost.”
“I thought about that earlier, how it was a suicide mission.”
Derrick sighed and cupped her cheek in his hand.
“Someone that desperate to kill you … I can’t let you near her.
Your parents plan to send you and Aedan to either Elysia or the West Dragon Kingdom.
They want you both to be somewhere where the witch can’t get to you.
Your father said that if I want to visit you, I can come to them and they’ll open up a portal to you. ”
Lucie listened to him quietly. At least they planned to send Aedan, too.
Most likely Justice would also come along.
It would at least be fun in Elysia or the dragon kingdom.
They would get to spend some rare time with their family and cousins.
Maybe that would help distract her from not being with her mate.
“How long?” Lucie asked, biting her inner bottom lip.
“I don’t know exactly.” Derrick looked into her pooling green eyes.
“I hate this too.” He chuckled and frowned, shaking his head.
“It’s killing me, Lucie. It’s killing me to think about …
the only thing that keeps me going is that I’m protecting your family.
Protecting you. I don’t know how long it’ll take.
But I promise I’ll visit you. In a few weeks after you’re settled, I’ll come to see you.
And … with the vervain completely out of your system …
” He cleared his throat slightly as he looked at her smooth, unmarked neck.
“I guess I should probably get ready,” Lucie said sadly.
“Hey, I forgot to tell you. We’ll be accompanying you. You’re my soulmate. The vampires here will recognize my claim on you above the prince’s. It’s taboo to break up soulmates, so it would be natural for me to escort you back to your pack, since you’re my mate.”
“Will you have to leave immediately after we get back?” Lucie felt his breath on her skin as he leaned closer.
“Depends on how we travel. If we hike to the vehicles, we can save some time. So maybe I can stay with you for a few hours before heading back.”
“I’d like to introduce you to my brother. Now that he’s older, you can get to know who he is now.”
“I’d like that.” Derrick pulled her in closer to him.
He brushed her nose with his and covered her lips, kissing her very softly, very sweetly.
He wanted to show her in this kiss just how precious she was to him.
He wouldn’t have many opportunities to kiss her without prying eyes.
Not that he needed to hide his kisses. She was his mate.
But some kisses were not meant for public eyes, and this was one of them.
His hands trailed over her sides. “Mmm, Lucie,” he mumbled against her lips.
“You taste so sweet. Your scent … is addicting.” He licked her lips and nudged her nose lightly as he pulled away. “I love you … my little mate.”
“I love you too,” Lucie whispered shyly.
Derrick smiled as he watched her cheeks redden with her confession. She was simply too adorable. “Come on. If we don’t get moving now, you won’t have time for breakfast.”
“I can think of something we can have for breakfast without leaving this room,” Lucie said coquettishly.
Derrick’s eyes darkened, and a low, agonized groan escaped his lips. “You’re like a rabbit who jumps into the fox’s den on purpose.”
Lucie shrugged. “Some rabbits just want to get eaten. Just waiting for the fox’s instincts to take over.” She grinned and bit her bottom lip. She watched his gaze move to her lips. The color in his eyes changed back and forth rapidly as he fought his vampire instincts.
“You’re everything I’ve ever wanted, Lucie.
Everything I could possibly want in a mate and more.
” He reached out and drew her up to her feet, holding her tightly against his chest. “How am I going to do this, Lucie? I feel like I’m drowning already.
I’m weak. I never realized how weak I was until you. ”
“Derrick, you’re not weak. It isn’t supposed to be this way.
We aren’t supposed to be separated.” Lucie leaned up on her tiptoes and kissed his jawline.
“I’ll be waiting for you. Kill the witch and come for me.
” She smiled and leaned up to his ear. She let her hot breath beat against him as her lips brushed his earlobe.
“And we’ll see if you ever figured out how to make a baby.
” She gave him a crooked smile. She was told when she was a baby that Derrick had asked how to make a baby.
He wasn’t a child anymore, and she was certain he’d figured it out. But it was fun to tease him about it.
Derrick chuckled lowly. “Mmm, we’ll see if I can figure it out.” He playfully pulled her hips into him and lowered his lips to her neck, nipping her neck lightly and flicking his tongue against her skin.
Lucie couldn’t help the moan that escaped her lips when she felt his arousal pressed against her. It was evident how much he was holding himself back.
“Just because you aren’t marking me now … doesn’t mean …”
A deep growl reverberated from his throat. “Don’t think I haven’t thought about that too. But I want it to be special for both of us. I want to mark you the same day we …”
“Derrick.” Lucie lightly pressed her lips against his. “We can wait. I’m yours. And I’ll be waiting for you.”
He wrapped his arms around her tightly. The two stood there quietly, holding one another.
Both hoping that time would freeze just for them.
But time stopped for no one. They had to reluctantly part from their sweet embrace and begin the journey back to the Black Ice Pack … where they would have to say goodbye.