Chapter Eighteen
My skin stung with the bitter cold and my knees ached. I hadn’t even noticed it while in the process of worshipping Dianus.
He’d said crawl and I had.
It was freeing. I’d known I wanted to make a bold move before I’d arrived at his throne. His request had been simple, effortless. Loving this god was easy. He was kind, charitable, and loyal. I’d gladly pledge myself to him, be that my body, mind, or soul. I was his.
Now I knelt before him, melting on his strong thighs and lapping up his cum like a sleepy kitten as he played with my hair, twirling it around his finger as he stared down at me adoringly. “My greedy little godfucker,” he murmured.
Godfucker . I liked that. Sure, it was just a tease, but I’d claim that title with honor.
“You’re just that good.” I held his still-hard cock and licked up it once more. “You taste incredible. I want every drop of you I can get.”
I recognized I was riding a high again. It was undeniable how being intimate with him blissed me out, but I knew I wasn’t imagining how good he tasted.
“You like my essence on you?” he asked.
“Yes, and I think you like mine on you.” I delved my hand to my dripping pussy and presented it to him.
His eyes flashed gold as he seized my offering and licked and sucked my fingers clean.
“Get up here and ride this cock.” He grasped my ribs, hoisting me up on his lap, smoothly putting me on his length. I wiggled, letting him hit even deeper while we shared a wry smile before he possessively held my torso, brushing his thumbs across the front of my ribs as he chanced a glance down at where we connected. “Your body was built to worship me.” Without warning, he smacked both of my ass cheeks before squeezing them, helping me roll atop him.
“Fuck, that feels good.” I whimpered, grinding myself against him.
This close, I couldn’t help but stare at his antlers. Wanting to thrill him, I wrapped my hand around one, gripping it near his head. His eyes shot wide then narrowed, like he was clearly amused by my audacity. I tugged him closer, kissing him until we both came.
I woke up naked in a buckskin again, with Dianus cupping my pussy and holding my throat.
“Hi, baby.” I yawned.
He released my throat, straightening his arm so I could turn over and snuggle up on his chest. He was back to his human form, no antlers in sight, just his glorious naked body next to mine. My Yule crown was perched on one of the log posts at the foot of the bed, and beyond that, a steady fire crackled. It was now nighttime, and by the sound of the pitter-patter on the windows and roof, another storm had settled over the forest.
“Hello, lover.” He sweetly brushed the squishy bit of my tummy that pressed into him. “Are you well? I healed your knees.”
“I’m great. Thank you.” My stomach gurgled as if seizing the opportunity.
Dianus chuckled, hearing it. “Ah, it sounds like someone needs a Yule feast.”
“Before we get to that, can we talk about . . . us?”
“Of course.” He pressed me even tighter to the side of his body.
“I meant what I said. I don’t want to leave you. You’ve been stuck here too long. If I’m what you need to go home, then I want to help. I’m going through that portal with you on Yule.”
“Shea.” His eyelashes fluttered while he cast a downward glance at my lips. “You have already done so much for me. I am stronger than I have been for two centuries. Your arrival in this forest has saved me.”
He tucked a piece of hair behind my ear and cupped my face. I leaned into his hand bashfully.
He went on more fervently. “Truly, lover. I mean my words. Your devotion has given me strength. But even if I were to leave this place, I would need people to remember me here. As a god, I must maintain a connection to this realm. I need faith in this forest.”
“I have a plan for that. Trust me.” I covered his hand with mine.
“Shea, once we go, we cannot come back. If I bring a mate through the portal, it will close up because my presence in the Earthly realm would no longer be needed. You must know, if I intend to stay in the Otherworld, you would have to come with me as my mate to sustain the energetic need. To do so, there is immense sacrifice.”
I brushed my hand over his brow, gently moving a curl back from his handsome face. “I know. I’ve read enough myths and faerie tales to guess. When you say sacrifice, you mean my own life, don’t you?”
“Yes.” His answer was barely audible. “That is what I fear. The ritual only works with my seed and your blood.”
“I’m ready.”
His eyes searched mine before he whispered tenderly, “I believe you.”