by Ciara Lake
“I cast a spell?”
“Yes, my dear.” Eros nodded. “I will inform Zeus’s council of this incident. They will want to know what it is she hides which corrupts her beauty so. It’s rare for a god to be so effected. There will be an investigation.”
“I’ve learned nothing new. I’ve suspected for some time Amuliana was up to something not good. Now I know it was not my imagination.” King Arach walked to where Clayne and Arianna stood, raising his goblet. “We will continue in our celebration. I’m feeling festive. You two go now, find pleasure in each other’s arms. The rest of us who remain will eat and drink until well past dawn. We will make merry without you.” The king winked.
“Yes, Sarah and I will retire as well. We will have our private celebration. I cannot wait to hold her in my arms.” Draconi smiled at Sarah. “I leave Krilata MacDagon as my hostess. She’ll see to all of my guests.” He nodded in Krilata’s direction. “Now come here, Clayne and Arianna, I have another gift for you.”
“My lord, it isn’t necessary.” Clayne stepped closer to Draconi with Arianna in his arms.
“Clayne MacDagon, you don’t need to tell me what is necessary,” Draconi chided. “I arranged a most beautiful place for you to spend this night and several others. It’s also a gift from the Enchanted Forest. Close your eyes. I’ll send you there. It’s a luxurious cabin within the Enchanted Forest. We’ve stocked it with all you will need. It is yours to use from this day forward. The Wood has opened its arms to you to enjoy all the pleasures within.”
“Thank you, God Draconi. We really appreciate all you’ve done. You’re very kind. Thank you for making Sarah so happy too.” Arianna hugged Sarah and kissed Draconi on the cheek.
“My song spinner and dracvipen, I’m happy to have you as part of my family. You’re under my protection. I take care of those who are mine. Go now, enjoy your mate.”
Arianna blinked, her environment swiftly changed. Disorientated, she leaned into Clayne.
“It’s fine.” Clayne rubbed her back in a soothing motion. “We’ve been transported. Draconi was anxious to leave with Sarah. He wasted no time. When he’s ready to do something he moves fast.” Clayne chuckled. “I was more than ready to leave with you too.”
Arianna knew she stood within the Enchanted Forest. It was dimly lit, except for rays of light filtering through the branches above. To their right, an enormous waterfall emptied into a crystal clear lake. Rays of waning sun illuminated the waterfall. She could see multicolored fish swimming about. Beautiful, colorful stones made up the lake’s bottom. Turtles were playing by the water’s edge. About thirty feet from the side of the lake was a two-story cabin made of gray stone. They sparkled as if gems were within them. The quaint cabin was adorned with an assortment of colorful flowers all around and in window boxes.
“Let’s go inside and get comfortable. It’s been a long day.” Clayne took her hand and led her inside the cabin.
It was every bit as lovely inside as outside. Fresh flowers were in vases on every table. Candles and lanterns were lit, making it welcoming. The furniture was elegant yet comfortable. The house smelled of cedar.
Arianna let go of Clayne’s hand and walked through the cabin, looking all around, investigating each room.
“This is so romantic.” She clapped her hands together in excitement. “I love it here. I hope we can stay here often.”
“I’m sure we can.” He kissed her lips. “No Amuliana to bother us here. Thanks to the Wood.” He grabbed her hand and brought it to his lips to kiss.
She pulled away to look some more. By the time she’d finished her tour through every room and closet, the moon was out. Clayne had patiently watched her as she looked all about. He had a smile on his face the entire time.
“Does it meet with your satisfaction, princess?”
“Oh, of course.” She smiled. “It’s fabulous. I just had to see everything.”
“Now the moon is out.” Clayne walked over to the front picture window.
The moon’s silver light spilled through the treetops into the forest, lighting the yard in front of the cabin.
“Let’s go to the bedroom and see how romantic it can be.” Clayne swept her up in his arms and took her up the stairs to the loft. He tossed her onto the huge bed in the center of the room. She bounced, giggling.
“Oh, Clayne, what are you doing?”
“What do you think?” Lifting his eyebrows, he made a funny face. “I’m going to have my way with you.” He pounced upon her. “We dragons love to pounce.” He growled. “I’ve got you now, my mate.” He nipped her ear. “Let’s take off these clothes so I can see my treasure. I want to feel every inch of you against me.” He helped pull her dress over her head, tossing it on a chair next to the bed. “We’ll take care of it later.” He smiled down at her. “Now to take care of me.” Quickly, he removed his clothes.
“This place is amazing, a place out of my dreams.” Arianna smiled up at him as he discarded his shirt, pants, and boots. He was magnificent. His muscles were slick and smooth. Then he was upon her again.
“I’ve got you,” he teased.
She inhaled his scent. It was clean, masculine, and familiar. “I love the way you smell. You can take off your clothes quickly no matter with or without magic. I like to watch you take them off the normal way. It’s seductive.” She pushed his hair back from his face. “You’re so handsome.”
“You think so?” Clayne kissed her neck.
“I do.” Arianna giggled some more.
“You’re out of my dreams, my beautiful princess.” Sweetly, he nipped her shoulder. “You walked right into my dreams. I never want to wake up. You’re my treasure, and you know dragons love their treasures.” He nipped her again.
“Oh, you bite.” She gently pushed against him.
“I do.” He winked. “I have sharp teeth.” He smiled, flashing his pearly whites. “You’re so sweet I want to eat you up.” His hands ran over her breasts and arms. “You’re so lovely.” He lightly squeezed each of her firm globes. “I was in awe as you sang to us. Everyone was. It made me want you all the more.” He kissed her neck, shoulder, down to her nipples.
Running his tongue over each of her nipples, he made her shiver with anticipation. Putting his knee between her legs, he separated her thighs, resting between them.
“I like your weight against me.” She ran her hands through his hair.
“Wrap your legs around me.” He kissed her lips. Arianna placed her legs around him, hugging him to her. His hard cock pressed between them. “I love you.”
“I love you too.”
He kissed her, silencing her. “I’m going to show you how much.” Gently, he pushed inside her. “I’m going to make love to you tenderly and slowly.”
Arianna relaxed, allowing him full access.
“You feel so tight, so wonderful.” He seated himself deep within her. His eyes flashed, showing flames in their centers. The room’s temperature began to rise. “You make me hot.”
“I like how you burn for me.” Arianna bit at his lips.
He moved in and out of her slowly. Arianna moaned, pulling him closer. Gripping him tighter with her legs, the bed moved with them. Clayne stopped to withdraw from her.
“Roll over,” he coaxed.
Arianna rolled over, exposing her backside to him. He helped her to her knees as he kissed her neck and back, moving her hair out of his way. She rested her head on a pillow, and he shoved into her. He fondled her breasts as he rhythmically pumped in and out of her. Grabbing her hair, he lightly pulled, kissing her shoulders.
“It feels so good. Oh, oh, Clayne.” Arianna pushed back against him.
He shook all over. “Arianna,” he yelled.
Collapsing together, they fell to their sides. Clayne held her in his arms. For several minutes, they just lay there. He played with her hair, running his fingers through it. At times, his touch made her shiver. Silver light from the moon shined in the windows, lighting up the entire
cabin. Rain began to fall, hitting the tile roof.
“I love the sound of rain.” Arianna cuddled up against him, holding his hand.
“I do too.” Clayne kissed the side of her face. “Goodnight, my love.”
Soon she surrendered to sleep.
* * * *
“Dracvipen, wake up, little witch,” a male’s voice called.
Arianna startled at the call of her name. Jerked awake, she sat up in the bed. The moon had gone behind the trees or clouds. The room had become much darker. For a moment, she’d forgotten where she was. However, she saw her mate was soundly asleep next to her, and her recollection returned. She felt lightheaded, dazed. The room seemed to be spinning. When she went to move out of the bed, she couldn’t make her body obey. She was captive, frozen in place. She realized she was not sitting up at all.
“I’m asleep. Wake up,” she told herself.
Again, she tried to come fully awake, but she remained frozen, prostrate in the bed. A dark shadow moved from the top of the stairs near the end of the bed. Her heart fluttered in her throat with fear. Arianna opened her mouth to scream, but nothing came out.
“I can’t let you scream, my dear. You would call the armies to your rescue,” the dark figure said.
She attempted to push on Clayne’s shoulder but again she couldn’t move.
“Stop struggling, child.” The shadow waved his hand. “It’s fruitless. It only wastes your energy and mine.” He sighed. “I am but a shadow of myself. I couldn’t harm you if I wanted to. I want you to hear me out. You won’t wake until after I’m gone.”
“Who are you? Are you from the underworld?”
“No, I fear I am not a shade yet. I’m imprisoned on another realm. I have no peace. Amuliana has seen to that.” The shadow walked closer. “I know you are acquainted with the goddess.” He snarled.
“Please stay back. How is it I’m asleep and talking to you? You aren’t real.”
“You’re in a dream state. I’m speaking to you through your dreams. This is very real. I was able to form a connection with you through your song. You are very powerful, but you don’t understand your power. You cannot control it.”
“Who are you?”
“I’m Saltar.” He bowed. “Kin to you, we share the same blood, Forsaken one.”
Arianna’s mind attempted to break the hold this dream had.
“Our blood relation combined with your magical song amplified by Maud’s jewels is the reason I can speak with you in this way. Those jewels are also very powerful. Guard them well, they will be useful.”
Arianna could feel tears running down her face.
“I’ll make this brief.” He smiled. A stench came from him. It was as stale as seawater or sulfur. “It takes too much of my waning energy to maintain this contact, especially here in the Enchanted Forest. I despise this place.” He looked away from her, taking in his surroundings. Suddenly he refocused on her. His red eyes glowed. “You will release me from my prison. You have the power.”
He walked closer. Arianna could now see his face. She wanted to gag from his foul odor. He had sharp fangs hanging over his bottom lip. The area all around his mouth was blood stained. His eyes were red and menacing. He looked like a monster from the depths of hell. This was what the church had taught her Satan would look like. The thought made her skin crawl.
“I will not release you. You are the devil,” she spat.
“You will free me.” He pointed a twisted finger at her. “I will be restored. You, my kin, will be the one to restore me.”
“I will not.” Arianna was barely able to shake her head. “I’m not your kin.”
“We waste time arguing. I’m telling you what will need to occur. You must release me. At least, if you know what’s good for you, as well as your loved ones.” He laughed wickedly. It sounded demented. “The Enchanted Forest weakens me.” He moaned.
“Are you threatening me?”
“Hush, child.” He laughed again. “I’m merely telling you what must and will occur. I will be freed, restored to my full strength. It’s your destiny to release me. Once Forsaken, but now free, to free your elder.”
“Get out of here.” Arianna’s heart pounded. “Get out of here.” Her strength was coming back, she could almost wake up. “Get out of here.” Arianna woke up, sitting fully erect in the bed. Furious, she tore at her sheets. “Get out of here,” she whispered as she realized she was fully awake.
“Arianna, are you okay?” Clayne sat up next to her. “What’s wrong, my love? Did you dream?” He put his arm around her shoulders and kissed her face. “You’re burning up. Your face is wet with tears.”
“Oh, Clayne, I had a very bad dream.” She hugged him, crying against his shoulder. “It was terrifying.”
“It was only a dream. I’m here now.” He rubbed her back in a soothing manner. She was shaking. “We’ll talk about it in the morning when the sunlight chases away bad dreams.”
“Okay.” Arianna wiped her face with the back of her hand.
“My love, you’re safe here with me. Come, let’s sleep.” They both laid back. “We’ll play in the forest tomorrow. All will be joyous. Amuliana won’t come here. This is a safe haven.”
“Yes, all will be joyous,” she mimicked him as if in a daze. “Amuliana can’t come here.”
He kissed her sweetly on her lips. “You taste so good.” He licked his lips. “But what’s that odd odor?” He looked around her. “It reminds me of old sea water or sulfur. Maybe it was one of those candles.”
Arianna tensed in his arms.
“Oh, don’t worry.” He caressed her arms. “It’s nothing. It’s my imagination or a candle. I don’t smell it anymore.” Placing his hand under her chin, he lifted her face so her eyes met his. “The Wood wouldn’t allow anything bad in here to hurt us. Go to sleep, my lovely wife. Our new and improved lives will begin tomorrow with the sunrise. Your Forsaken days are over. The curse has been broken. Your dragon has rescued his treasure. My treasure is you!” He pulled her into his arms, laughing. His sapphire eyes sparkled with happiness. “We’re together forever. We have many blessings.”
About Ciara Lake
In sci-fi, fantasy, and paranormal stories, I can invent wonderful places and people. Anything is possible in these genres, it’s limitless. I love to create special worlds filled with unique and fantastic things.
By day, I work in divorce court, so erotic romance is a great escape. There can be true love and happy-endings, at least on my pages.
I live with my two children and two good-humored dogs. I have traveled and lived all over the world, and these experiences have given me great creative ideas. I look forward to creating many more adventures in romance.
Ciara’s Website:
www.ciaralakeromancebooks.com
Reader eMail:
[email protected]
About The Forsaken Series
Book 1: Forsaken Heart by Elise Whyles
Now Available
Book 2: Curse of a Dragon’s Claim by Ciara Lake
Now Available
Book 3: Forsaken Paradise by Elise Whyles
Coming Soon
Book 4: Forsaken Norse Wind by Ciara Lake
Coming Soon