Chapter Seven
Wren
My world turns upside down, splinters, then shatters like crystal on ice as I gasp for air, my whole body shaking with exertion. “What was that?” I ask when I finally catch my breath. “I’ve never felt so good...”
Thade smiles and the predatory look in his eyes makes me tingle with anticipation from the tips of my toes all the way to my peaked nipples. “You came,” he answers with satisfaction. “It is what happens when our body reaches the height of pleasure and can take no more.”
I feel my brows furrow in wonder but now is not the time for questions.
My release has awakened a part of me that I never knew existed, but having sampled his tongue and fingers, I unashamedly need more.
My body aches for him so desperately that it frightens me, heightening every sense.
“Please,” I beg of him, beckoning with my gaze and empty arms. “Take me. Claim me as your mate and wife. I need to feel you inside of me.”
Thade stalks over me, his beautiful, lithe fae body strong and lean. “How can I deny such an earnest request?” He kisses my lips softly.
I feel his cock touch my entrance, hard and soft, a weapon of pleasure and pain. “Please,” I whisper. “Take me.”
The Royal Bard rests his forehead to mine, then looks deep into my eyes. “Forgive me for this pain,” he says, his tone laced with genuine regret. “It is not my intention to hurt you. But know that I am here and we will weather this storm together.”
My heart soars, overflowing with an unparalleled wave of love.
“There is nothing to forgive,” I whisper, before I feel his cock spear me, his coolness a shock to my warmth, more than the ache left in his wake as he withdraws.
The pain is minimal and more a momentary discomfort, but as he thrusts again, I find myself swallowed by sensation, arching my back on the soft, plush rug as he reaches places no one ever has. “Oh, God,” I moan.
Thade’s brow furrows as he looks down upon me, metering his thrusts. “Are you all right, my pretty bird?” he asks.
“I am,” I assure him, grabbing his face with both hands and dragging him down to kiss his lip.
Emboldened and full of desire, my tongue seeks his and we kiss passionately and irreverently as he picks up his pace.
His rhythm is delicious, and I feel full and whole all at once.
Nothing has been lost, not my innocence or sense of self.
If anything, I am more than I have ever been.
“Thade.” His name spills from my lips, an exclamation of love and lust, a prayer of ecstasy and joy.
“Fuck,” he grits out, his lilac gaze swallowing me alive. “You are so warm and tight.”
My soul fills with pride and without conscious thought I meet his thrusts with my own.
My hips rise in yearning, meeting him as we seal our union, making love in his quarters by the light of the fire.
The sheer, raw beauty of our coupling has my heart ablaze and pleasure spreads through me like icy lightning, searing everything it touches.
Again, and again his cock plunges within me—his ice meeting my fragile mortal warmth—pushing me closer toward bliss with each thrust.
Panting, I trail my hands over his perfect form, appreciating the strength of his shoulders, the flexing of his muscles as he claims me.
I never dreamed I could be so lucky. Before I can think better of it, the words tumble from my mouth with a sincerity that burns with the bright light of peace and truth. “I love you, Thade,” I gasp.
Thade’s lilac eyes blaze with intensity, his brow furrowing deeply as he watches my face, never missing a beat all the while. “I have waited centuries beyond measure to hear those words,” he says, his own breathing labored as he thunders inside me.
“I love you,” I whisper again, before a wicked spark of ecstasy flares deep in my belly and a carnal moan tears from my lips. “Fuck.”
My mate grins salaciously at my curse, obviously pleased with himself—and rightfully so. “I love you, too, Wren. And I will see to your happiness for the rest of our immortal days.”
A tear leaks from my eye even as my pleasure reaches a crescendo that threatens to drown me and leave me breathless.
Every part of me aches and the tension I felt earlier grows, a tightness that begs for release .
.. to be undone. “Thade,” I breathe as my body rocks back and forth on the rug. “I feel it again.”
“Hold on,” he growls, thrusting faster, his expression a glorious mix of anguished pain and pleasure. “Together,” he grits out. “Now, my love.”
Unable to deny his command, my body uncoils, an explosion of reckless warmth flooding through my veins as I contract around him in frenetic, undulating waves. Stars flare behind my eyelids, and I cry out, my back arching as I writhe beneath my mate.
“Fucking Hell,” Thade snarls, his gorgeous, snow-white hair falling over his shoulders.
Then he groans, unleashing an icy torrent inside me, filling my womb with his precious, immortal, fae seed.
He hangs his head, his body stiff as the last of his own ecstasy rages through him.
“That was ... incredible,” he gasps. “You are incredible, pretty bird.”
I lick my lips and wipe my eyes, a wobbly smile on my lips as I reach up to touch his lovely face. “As are you, my love,” I answer.
“I did not hurt you too badly, did I?” he asks, gently kissing my lips, his cock still twitching inside me.
“No,” I say. “The pain was hardly pain at all and very brief. I think our play and the drink made it much more comfortable.”
Thade breathes a sigh of relief and rests his forehead to mine once more. “I am glad,” he says. “I’m going to get myself cleaned up and then I’ll be back,” he says. “Thank you for being mine, Wren.” Then he gently eases back, withdrawing and climbing nimbly to his feet.
I sigh at his absence, keenly aware of the hollow inside me.
But as I lay there, my gaze moving to the dancing flames of the hearth, a thought occurs to me.
He filled me with his seed... I could become with child.
The wisdom of mothers before me returns and my heart swells anew.
I tuck my legs to my chest, wrapping my arms around my shins.
This position is said to ensure a husband’s seed has the best chance of taking root in the womb.
And I could imagine nothing more beautiful now than being pregnant with Thade’s child.
My love returns a few minutes later and observes me with amusement, though he asks no questions.
He merely fetches more drink and sits down beside me.
“So, what happens now?” I ask, turning to look up at him.
He smiles, taking a sip of his beverage. “We await the Winter Solstice and present you to the queen and king and ask for their blessing.”
My stomach lurches, but I nod against the rug. “Do you think they will like me?” I ask, worrying my lower lip.
Thade strokes my hair and leans down to place a tender kiss on my forehead. “I have absolutely no doubt they will adore you—just as I do, my pretty bird.”