by Bianca Cole
“Oh, God, Aiden.”
“That’s it, baby. I want you to come all over my cock.”
She starts to shake in my arms as I let my teeth sink softly into her shoulder. I feel her tumble over the edge, as her pussy clamps down hard on my shaft. It feels like she’s milking me for all I’ve got.
“Fuck,” I roar as I explode deep inside of her, marking her as mine with my seed. She’s mine, and she knows it, but everyone else would if she was big and round with my baby.
It’s all I want—to start a family with the woman I love. A family that will be all about love and acceptance—the opposite of what my father provided Elaine and me.
We are both panting as we come down from our mutual climax. “Oh, look at that, right on time, love.” I glance at the clock.
She punches me softly in the arm. “I can’t go straight down. I need to shower.”
I shake my head, hating the idea of her washing my mark off of her. “No way. We don’t have time, and we’re the hosts.” I pull her into me. “I don’t want you washing me off you.”
Her cheeks turn a deep red. “But Flynn and Rhys will smell you on me.”
I nod. “Exactly, and everyone will know you’re mine.”
She lets out a sigh, but nods. “Fine, you’re so overly possessive.” She rolls her eyes.
“You love it, really.” I fiddle with the box in my jacket pocket, knowing that this is going to be unnerving. Proposing, in general, is nerve-racking, but maybe worse in front of family and friends.
My mom insists it is a royal tradition to propose to your future wife at a gathering. I’m not sure it’s what Ilsa would want. She hates all the attention on her.
Ilsa slips into a stunning lace embellished red dress that matches the color of my scales. She’s mesmerizing. “Will you do me up?” she asks, spinning around.
I smile, knowing she’s only asking to feel me close to her. I’ve seen her do up countless dresses with her magic. “Sure, love.” I step forward and let my fingers tease her skin before slowly doing up the zip. “All done. Shall we make an appearance at our own party now?”
She smiles at me. “If we must.”
I lace my fingers in hers and lead her out of the room and down toward the ballroom—the room where I first set eyes on her. It is the perfect place to propose to her—the place we first saw each other—the place where our crazy journey started, and it’s only just beginning.
Ilsa looks magnificent on my arm as we step into the ballroom.
Everyone is already here. Flynn gives me a nod as I enter. I never thought I’d have such an easy friendship with a faerie, but I owe him everything. Without him, I wouldn’t have found Ilsa’s family or my mother.
The entire council is here as well as our family and friends. I feel uneasy when I meet Vladimir’s gaze. I can’t deny I’m surprised when I see a human woman on his arm.
My stomach twists as I wonder if she’s one of these blood bags they lure into their clutches. Rumor has it that some humans are stupid enough to volunteer themselves as blood bags, hoping that they will find a way to be turned into vampires.
It’s not illegal, because the humans are willing. If they wish to leave, they can.
“Thank you all for coming to our party. I hope you have a good time.”
A few people cheer and most clap as we come down the steps onto the main dance floor.
I give Vladimir a wide birth as the guy gives me the creeps and head toward Flynn first. He holds his hand out to me. “Good of you to turn up to your party.”
I take his hand and shake it. “Sorry, we lost track of time.” I glance at Ilsa. She turns bright red.
“I’m sure you did. Don’t worry, Lucy and I have been in the same position as you. A month together.” He sighs. “Those were the days.”
Lucy clears her throat as she approaches. “What are you talking about, Flynn?”
Ilsa hugs Lucy, and I kiss her hand as a greeting. “Lovely to see you both again, and who is this?” I ask as a little boy with glowing blue eyes stares up at me.
“This is Killian, and...” Lucy searches behind her. “Niamh, come and greet our hosts.” A young girl comes rushing over. “And, this is Niamh.”
“A pleasure to meet you both,” I say, crouching down and shaking Killian’s hand before kissing Niamh’s hand.
I stand up and clap Flynn on the arm. “Enjoy yourself. I better greet the rest of the guests.”
Flynn smiles. “I know how you feel. It’s nice to be the guest at one of these things for a change.”
Ilsa and I make the rounds, unfortunately, having to have an uneasy conversation with Vladimir. It’s like he enjoys making people uncomfortable. He seemed oddly protective over the woman on his arm, whose name he wouldn’t even tell us.
When she went to speak, he shot her a look that could kill. I don’t want to know what’s going on between them.
My mother clinks a spoon against a glass, and I know it’s almost time. Her eyes meet mine, and she gives me a small nod.
“Everyone, I have a very important matter to address before we can have dinner,” I say
Our guests turn silent, eyes on us. I can feel Ilsa’s gaze burning into me. She will be wondering what I’m playing at, and she’s about to find out.
I’m scared. I can’t deny it. The thought of Ilsa refusing me makes me sick to the stomach. I turn to face her.
She gives me a questioning look. “What are you doing?” she breathes.
I smile at her and then pull the box out of my jacket.
Her eyes widen as I fall onto one knee.
“Ilsa, you are it for me. My soul mate, my savior, my world.”
Tears glisten in her eyes.
“I’m so glad I found you. This adventure is only starting, but I want to ask you if the rest of it you will journey as my wife.” I flip open the top of the box to reveal my grandmother’s engagement ring. It’s ruby and diamonds since blood-born Jeremiah children have always been red dragons, it seems fitting. My mother wasn’t the original royal, hence why she is emerald green when shifted. “Will you marry me, Ilsa?”
She clutches at her chest, eyes wide. For a moment, I wonder if she’s even going to respond.
“Of course, Aiden.”
I stand, pulling the ring out of the box.
Ilsa watches as I slip it onto her finger. It fits perfectly. She smiles and launches herself into my arms, kissing me passionately.
Our guests erupt into cheers and applause as we kiss. Finally, she breaks free and turns deep red. It’s as if she just remembered where we were. She’s adorable.
I can’t deny, sometimes I do forget. When she looks at me, it feels like we’re the only people left in the room or on this planet. I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life feeling like that with her.
20
Epilogue
Ilsa
“How are you feeling, sweetheart?” my mom asks as I stare at myself in the mirror.
I draw in a deep breath. “Nervous as hell.”
My mom smiles and squeezes my shoulder. “It’s natural to be nervous.”
I sigh. “Why couldn’t I have fallen in love with a recluse instead of a king?”
She laughs. “You two are soul mates, that’s why.”
Thousands of people wait in the castle’s grounds, ready to watch me and Aiden tie the knot. I rest my hands on my belly, knowing that soon, I’ll have to tell Aiden.
We’ve been so busy with planning this wedding, I haven’t found a moment to tell him I’m pregnant. I found out last week.
Someone knocks on the door.
“Come in,” my mom calls.
Lucy appears at the door and slips into the room. “You look stunning,” she says, dragging her eyes down my dress. “They are ready for you when you are.”
I swallow hard and glance back at the mirror. “Will I ever be ready?” I mutter.
Lucy comes to my side and slips an arm around me. “I know how you feel. You don�
��t want to walk out in front of all those people.”
I raise a brow.
“I had a royal wedding, too, remember.”
I nod, knowing that Lucy has had many similar experiences to me. “Yeah, I know. How did you get the courage to step out there?” I ask.
She smiles. “The moment I saw Flynn, everyone else just seemed to fade into the background. It felt like—”
“You were the only two people in the room,” I finish.
“Exactly. You’ll be fine.”
Her confidence fills me with some. “What would I do without you, Lucy?” I ask, hugging my maid of honor.
She has been a real friend through all of this—something I’ve never really had until I met Aiden. We’ve been too paranoid as a family, keeping everyone else out. There’s no need for it now. The witches and warlock’s population will revive now Aiden’s father isn’t trying to oppress us. There are rebels, but that’s natural with change. In time, I hope all of us can work together to make this world a better place for our children.
“You’d be just fine, although the wedding wouldn’t be as much of a success.”
I laugh. “That I agree with. You’ve done such a good job helping to plan everything.”
My dad pokes his head through the door. “What’s the hold-up. It’s time.”
Butterflies beat around in my stomach as I nod. “Okay, I can do this. I hope.”
“Of course you can. Now, where are Killian and Niamh? See you there.” She rushes out of the room, searching for the flower girl and page boy.
My dad steps inside. “Are you ready?”
I glance back at my mom.
She gives me a reassuring nod.
“Ready as I’ll ever be.”
“I best go and get in place in the procession. You’ll be just fine, Ilsa.” She squeezes my hand. “I’m so proud of the woman you’ve become.”
I watch after her as she slips out of the room, leaving me with my father.
He steps forward. “You look amazing, Ilsa. Come on. We don’t want to keep the king waiting.” He holds out his arm for me to take.
I take it, thankful that I’ve still got my family here for this. If I hadn’t come after them, they’d be dead now, and I would have never met Aiden. I push the thought from my mind and focus on what has happened. We saved my parents, and we’re together.
I’m sad that I never got to meet his sister, Elaine. From what Aiden and his mother have told me about her, we would have got on. Her husband is here today. He took it hard, especially since she was his mate.
I can’t fathom how he must feel—it would be like someone taking Aiden from me. A lifetime isn’t long enough to spend with him.
“How are you feeling, sweetheart?” Dad asks.
I draw in a deep breath. “Nervous as hell. You know how bad I am with crowds, especially with their attention on me.” I sigh. “Don’t let me make a fool of myself.”
“I won’t let you do that, but all you have to do is walk down an aisle.” He frowns. “I’m not sure what can go wrong.”
I shake my head and laugh. “You know how much of a klutz I am. Anything could go wrong.”
He chuckles softly. “You’ll be fine.”
I feel the nerves building as I gaze down toward the lawn where they’ve set up the aisle and a massive flower arch. We’re too far away for me to see Aiden, but I’ve got no doubt he can see me. His vision is better than I ever could have imagined.
I clutch my dad’s arm as he walks me down the steps of the castle. If it weren’t for him steadying me, I’m pretty sure I’d be flat on the floor right now.
I can feel my body shaking as we approach the arch, and I see the thousands of bodies seated beyond it. For a moment, I seriously think about turning and running the other way. I’m not cut out for this queen shit.
Then our eyes meet. Aiden’s staring right at me before the music even plays—before anyone else knows we’ve arrived.
He smiles and gives me a nod of encouragement.
It’s all it takes to still the nerves firing inside of me. I smile back, feeling my heart swell at the sight of him in a stunning red suit—his family’s color.
The music starts to play as my dad pulls me to a stop. My mother is at the front, and she starts the procession, walking slowly to the music.
All eyes are now on the aisle, and shortly they will be on me.
Anastasia follows next, as my bridesmaid. Shortly after is Lucy, my maid of honor, followed close by her children. Killian and Niamh both look adorable dressed in their outfits.
My dad gives me a nod and a gentle tug to get me moving.
I step onto the aisle, glancing around at all the faces. There’s not only dragons and witches but many faeries, vampires, and humans in attendance.
I almost stumble on my next step, feeling the heat shooting through my body—too many people watching me. I feel like I’m about to have a breakdown.
I focus forward and meet Aiden’s gaze again. Keeping my eyes on his is the only thing that’s going to get me down the aisle. Our eyes remain locked, and all the other people here fade away. It’s as if we are in our own little world.
Lucy peels off to the left with the two children, leaving nothing between us.
My dad pulls me to a stop in front of the officiant.
“Who gives this man to this woman?”
“I do,” my dad says, passing my hand into Aiden’s.
The moment we touch, it takes away any nerves. His eyes hold pure adoration as we stare at each other.
I hardly hear the officiant as he runs through the traditional royal ceremony until I need to speak.
“Ilsa Black, do you take Aiden Logan Jeremiah to be your wedded husband?” he asks.
I smile at Aiden. “I do.”
He turns his attention to Aiden. “Aiden Logan Jeremiah, do you take Ilsa Black to be your wedded wife?”
He pauses for a moment, and it feels like I’m suffering a cardiac rest while he drags it out. “I do.”
The officiant smiles. “Then, by the power vested in me by the royal court, I pronounce you husband and wife.” He glances at Aiden. “You may kiss the bride, your highness.”
Aiden steps forward and kisses me deeply, setting my veins on fire. At that moment, I do forget about the thousands of people watching, letting my arms wrap slip his neck.
When we break away, I’m a little breathless.
Everyone is cheering and clapping, and that’s when it all hits me again. Heat floods through my cheeks, as Aiden starts to lead me through them all.
Did I seriously just survive that without making a fool of myself?
Aiden leans towards me. “What are you looking so surprised for?”
I smile. “That I managed to pull that off without falling over or being a klutz.”
“You were perfect, love.” He kisses my cheek softly as we head through the arch. “This is the start of the rest of our lives together.”
My heart swells in my chest, and I feel my throat close over slightly. The emotion this man makes me feel is indescribable.
Aiden dances with Niamh, letting her stand on his feet. I can’t help but smile as I watch him, keeping my hand on my belly. He could be doing that with our daughter before I know it.
I know it’s a girl, being a witch, I have powerful foresight.
Anastasia sits by my side. “That man will make a great father,” she says.
I nod and glance at her. “Yes, he will.”
She tilts her head. “You’ve got a glow about you, even before this wedding. Is there something I don’t know?”
I bite my bottom lip and grab her hand. “Please don’t tell Aiden. I only found out last week, and I haven’t found a moment to break it to him yet.”
She shakes her head. “Of course, your secret is safe with me.” She glances around to makes sure no one can hear. “If I were you, I’d tell him tonight. When I told Rhys I was pregnant, we had the night of our lives.” She winks. �
�Just a little tip, as wolf shifters love getting their mates pregnant. I’m sure it’s no different for dragons.”
I laugh at that and nod. “Thanks for the tip.”
She glances over at the stroller, where her son is fast asleep. “I never expected to be a mother to four children.” The other children are playing close by. “I wouldn’t change it for the world, though.”
I clear my throat. “Four?”
She meets my gaze. “No, surely not?”
I bite my bottom lip and nod. “You are pregnant again, another boy.”
She sighs and then smiles. “A little playmate for Lewis. Rhys will be delighted.”
Aiden comes back with Niamh, and her father takes over, taking her to dance. She loves dancing.
Anastasia leans toward me. “I’ll leave you to it,” she whispers, as Aiden approaches.
He sits down next to me, and Anastasia slips away. “Hello, wife.”
I smile. “Hello, husband.”
He takes my hand in his and kisses the back of it. “We need to leave for our honeymoon shortly.”
I look into his bright orange eyes. “Where are we going?”
He smiles. “Not far, but somewhere you will love.”
Nerves flutter in my stomach as I consider telling him about the baby. We haven’t even talked about children yet. Although, I know he needs an heir being royalty.
“What’s on your mind?”
I meet his gaze again. “I’ve got some news.”
He squeezes my hand tightly. “What is it?”
I shake my head. “Not here, let’s go somewhere—”
“We’ll set off for our honeymoon now then. We’ll inform everyone.” The concern in his voice makes me guilty. He stands, dragging me with him.
“Aiden, wait, it’s not urgent.”
He turns around and kisses me urgently. “My need to consummate this marriage is, and you’ve just given me the perfect excuse to leave.”
A shiver runs down my spine at the tone of his voice. “Okay.”
He heads up to the stage in the marquee and intercepts the band. “I need to make an announcement.”