by Amy Sumida
“Of course not. He may be an old soul with the power of prophecy, but I want him to enjoy his childhood.” I stared out at my boys as they laughed and swung each other around. “He deserves that and more.”
“He does,” Arach agreed. “By the Flame, A Thaisce; I've never been so proud of him as when he defended himself against Thrud. I'm sorry for Thor's loss, but I rejoice in our son's strength, cunning, and compassion. He will make a good king for Alfheim one day.”
My stare swung to Arach in surprise. He hated the idea of Brevyn moving out of the Faerie Realm to live in Alfheim. It was years away, but what's fifteen years to a faerie? It's the blink of an eye. Arach had spent fifteen thousand years as the bachelor King of Fire before he met me; fifteen years is nothing.
“He doesn't have to live there,” I said gently.
“I don't think he will, A Thaisce.” Arach smiled smugly. “Our sons are too close to bear that kind of separation, and Brevyn's dragon form has proven how attached he is to his family and his home. I think he'll rule from here.”
I didn't see how that was possible, but Arach's happiness was as important to me as my own; just as I'd once vowed. So, I kept my mouth shut and leaned against his side so he could draw me into an embrace. We watched our children play—enjoying their rapidly disappearing childhood—and gloried in it with them. These fleeting moments had to be treasured.
Because, as much as I was certain that we had stopped this latest threat, I also knew that peace is just as fleeting as these brilliant moments of happiness. My star flared inside me in agreement; it had been put there for a reason. I had been formed into this triple trinity being to protect the Realms and a battle won did not mean the end of the war. I shivered as starlight burst through me. My life was about change, acceptance, and love, but not peace. Not for long, anyway.
Chapter Fifty-Three
Later that night, I crawled up Arach's body with a wicked grin on my face. I had to head back to the God Realm soon but first, I intended to celebrate love one more time.
I kissed my way up his powerful legs, nuzzling the curve of his solid muscles as I straddled him. Arach sucked in a deep breath and let it out on a delicious sigh when I licked the tip of his rising shaft. I moved my mouth over him; luxuriating in the taste, feel, and scent of my husband as well as the sounds he made. Sweet faerie dragons; I loved the growls that rumbled up his throat.
When Arach was slick and throbbing, I moved up his body; licking, biting, and sucking his skin as I stroked the line of crimson scales that was further evidence of his arousal. His hands moved urgently over me; hair, shoulders, breasts, hips, whatever he could reach. He was starting to buck and writhe by the time I took a hold of his length and eased him inside me.
Arach cried out as he threw his head back; the cords of his neck standing out. I couldn't resist; I bent over and licked one long line from shoulder to chin. My husband slammed up into me as he clutched me closer.
“Easy now,” I whispered in his ear. “I want to ride my dragon nice and slow before I take him rough and wild.”
“A Thaisce, you're slaughtering me.”
I ground myself over Arach as I sat up and began a tormenting pace. His eyes opened halfway; their glow shining down over his sculpted chest. Oh, yes; the fire was rising in my dragon. I moved his hands to my breasts, and he massaged them obediently; his thumbs circling my nipples. I moaned and leaned back to enjoy the sensations. Arach pushed me back even further until I had to prop myself up with my hands. My thighs splayed wider and my belly bowed, revealing my sex to him. He stared at the joining of our flesh hungrily and then blew a stream of fire over me there.
Electric tingles exploded over my sex and sent me into a screaming orgasm. While I was still reeling from the pleasure, Arach yanked himself out of me and rolled me onto my belly. He settled between my legs and then gently worked himself into that other place with a sexy groan. Once he was firmly encased, he started pumping steadily as his hand slid beneath me and between my legs to rub me in sexy circles.
“I will have my wife as I want to have her,” Arach growled in my ear.
“I should never have allowed Azrael to tell you about this.” I chuckled. “Now, you're literally going to be up my ass all the time.”
Arach laughed low and deep; it vibrated into me. “But what an ass it is, A Thaisce. I can't believe we've never done this before.”
“No holding back anymore, Dragon,” I growled as I shoved up onto my knees and bucked back into his thrusts. “We will explore every path to pleasure that we can find.”
“That sounds so much better than what I said; let's go with that,” Arach mimicked Roarke with a teasing tone.
And we had eternity to discover those paths and explore them. I knew that both love and lust would reveal all of their secrets to us eventually. I would stand beside my men and defend our love and our family until my last breath and afterward, I would lay down beside them—or between them—and revel in what we had protected.
Let the God War rage on; I'm ready for it.
Keep reading for a sneak peek into the next book in the Godhunter Series:
Dark Star
Chapter One
A cacophony interrupted my breakfast. Or perhaps I should say; a cat-ophony. Roarke and Anna had just returned from their honeymoon in the Human Realm. It was my gift to them; a vacation in Greece. Arach had advised against it; saying that Fire Faeries wouldn't want to be surrounded by so much water, but I disagreed. Both Anna and Roarke hadn't begun as Fire Faeries, and I thought they'd be more open to appreciating the island experience. Roarke had been to Hawaii with me, but Anna had never been to the Human Realm, and neither of them had ever been to Greece. I was betting that they'd love it. If for no other reason than it was something they'd never seen before. Plus, it was warm, and I knew neither of them liked the cold.
“How was Santorini?” I asked Roarke and Anna as they stepped into Castle Aithinne's dining hall with the crowd they'd gathered on their way through the castle.
Both of them looked tan and happy. Anna's sun-kissed skin did wonders for her pale looks; making her white hair seem even more exotic. They both had to wear glamours while in Greece but only over their eyes. Their fiery irises couldn't be explained by contacts. Now that they were home, their blazing eyes were on full display, along with their bright smiles.
“It was fantastic!” Roarke exclaimed. “We laid on the beach and swam in the ocean and made lo—”
Anna smacked her husband's chest and then looked pointedly at their son, Hunter, who was standing between them, holding their hands. Hunter looked expectantly up at his father; no doubt wondering what his parents had made. I chuckled.
“We made lots of sandcastles,” Roarke corrected himself smoothly.
I laughed harder.
Hunter had stayed behind, much to his chagrin. His mother explained that a honeymoon is for the couple only, and he finally relented. But he'd missed his parents fiercely, and his relief at their return was obvious. A week must have seemed like an eternity for a child who had never been separated from his parents.
“What are sandcastles?” Hunter asked eagerly.
“You take water and sand and form them into the shapes of castles,” his mother explained.
“That doesn't sound like a smart thing to build a castle out of.” Hunter scowled.
“They're for fun, Son,” Roarke said as he ran his hand playfully over Hunter's mop of ebony hair. “You make them and then leave them for the ocean to wash away.”
“Like my wooden blocks?”
“Yes, exactly,” Anna confirmed. “Except the water knocks them down instead of you. Although, you could if you wanted to.”
“I want to make sandcastles!” Hunter declared.
“We'll go back again,” Roarke promised. “All three of us.”
“Really?”
Roarke nodded.
“Yay!” Hunter looked over at my sons, Rian and Brevyn, who were among the throng that had come in
with them. “I'm going to the greasy place!”
“Yay!” My boys joined him in celebrating.
“It's Greece, Son. Not greasy,” Roarke tried to correct Hunter, but the boys were already running off to plan their sandcastles.
I smirked; now he knew what I felt like with Arach and his endless slaughter of the English language.
Roarke just shook his head and then started regaling us with tales of their adventures on Santorini. That he managed to get into trouble on a tiny island didn't surprise me; it's a Cat-Sidhe trait compounded by Roarke's own wild personality. Plus, I suspected that half the stories were tall tales. Mainly because Anna rolled her eyes through them.
During a particularly interesting story, Rian came up to me to pester me about something. At first, I ignored him—something I never do—but he kept pulling on my sleeve and continuing with the monotonous litany of children everywhere; Mother. Mother. Mother. Finally, I lifted my hand to shove him away. Right before I hit my son, I froze and turned to stare at him in horror.
“Mother?” Rian asked in confusion.
I swallowed my shock, lowered my hand to his shoulder, and pasted on a grin. “Yes, honey?”
“Can Brevyn and me take Hunter flying?”
Brevyn had recently borrowed Arach's magic; his dragon magic. He had shocked us all by turning into a miniature version of Arach's crimson dragon while we were in the God Realm. Brevyn had yet to release the magic in exchange for another so he still had the ability to shift. The boys were loving it; going flying nearly every day. Sometimes, they'd take Hunter with them; clutching his shoulders—one to either side—to carry him along beneath them.
“It's fine with me but ask Queen Anna first,” I said breathlessly.
“Okay!” Rian ran off.
I looked up and saw Brevyn standing at the bottom of the dais steps, waiting for his brother. His solemn stare found mine, and I shivered at the resigned sorrow I saw in it. I gasped and started to get up to ask Brevyn about that look, but he only shook his head and ran off with his brother.
“A Thaisce?” Arach laid a hand on my shoulder. “Are you all right?”
I turned to face my husband and smiled brightly. “Just fine.”
“Good.” Arach grinned back. “You were right.”
“About what?” I frowned at him.
“Greece,” Arach said with his own frown. “They loved it. I'm glad you didn't listen to me.”
“I think I may have to write that down and note the date.” I smirked. “The day Arach admitted that I was right, and I shouldn't listen to him.”
“That is not what I said.” He chuckled. “I knew I shouldn't have praised you. I give you an inch and you take what's mine.”
“I take a mile,” I corrected him as I shook my head. “You give me an inch, and I take a mile.”
“Ah, yes, because of measurements.” He pondered this.
“Besides; I already have everything of yours that I want.”
Arach smirked. “Do you?”
I nodded as I leaned forward and laid my hand over his heart.
Arach sighed deeply. “I was hoping you would lay that hand lower because I think I can give you a little more of what you want, A Thaisce.”
“Naughty Dragon!” I smacked him playfully.
“All I am is yours,” he whispered as he pulled me closer. “And if there's anything else you desire, all you have to do is ask, and I shall give it to you.”
“I know,” I said smugly and then laughed at his annoyed expression. “Because I've seen you in action, honey, and nothing stops my dragon from getting what he wants; especially if he wants to give it to me.”
Arach rumbled happily in his throat. “Nice recovery.”
“I'll be even nicer if you take me upstairs,” I whispered in his ear. “Maybe I'll even let my hand wander lower and you can show me what else you have to give.”
Arach made a growling moan as he surged to his feet; taking me with him. In seconds, I was in his arms, and he was rushing through the hall heading straight for the central stairs that would take us to our bedroom.
“Hey, I haven't even got to the good parts yet,” Roarke called after us.
“I have better parts to get to,” Arach rumbled as he continued on.
Grammar Giggles
And just for a little giggle, here are some grammar mistakes found during the editing of this book.
The Correct Line: I pulled it out and read the text.
The Giggle: I pulled it out and read the test.
The Correct Line: I even went to see her and talked to her about Vervain.
The Giggle: I evil went to see her and talked to her about Vervain. (What? Or should I say; what the hell?)
The Correct Line: The Blood to Mouth vow is an ancient magic; a sacred one.
The Giggle: The Blood to Mouth vow is an ancient magic; a scared one. (This one made me burst out laughing when I caught it.)
The Correct Line: When everyone was settled at the dining table, I gave the lions a nod.
The Giggle: When everyone was settled at thee dining table, I gave the lions a nod. (Thou shalt not use thee instead of the.)
Pronunciation Guide
A Thaisce: Ah Hash-keh
Aalish: A-lis
Aednat: Ey-nit
Aillidh: Ah-lee
Ameterasu: Ah-mah-ta-rah-soo
Aodh: Ee
Aoife: Ee-fa
Arach: Air-rock
Artair: Ar-ter
Bean-nighe: Ban-neeyah
Bean-sidhe: Ban-she
Bearach: BEH-ruck
Bodb Derg: Bo-hid Dar-rig
Bronagh: Bro-nah
Caitir:KAH-te-heer
Carus: Care-us
Ciaran: KEE-a-rawn
Cian: Key-an
Craigor: Kraeg-or
Credne: Creh-d-nyah
Danal: Dah-nal
Daoir: Daheer
Dhumorna: Doo-more-nah
Diarmat: DEER-mit
Disani: Deh-sah-knee
Drachleen-sidhe: Druch-leen Shee
Eilidh: Ael-ee
Ellingran: El-ING-rawn
Erebus: Air-ree-bus
Estsanatlehi(Mrs E): Es-tan-AHT-lu-hee
Farinne-sidhe: Fare-nya Shee
Fearghal: FAR-rell
Fionn: FYOON
Fionnuala: Finn-noo-lah
Fionnaghal: Fyoon-ghal-a
Froekn: Fro-kin
Gobniu: Guh-rev-nyew
Grainne: GRAW-nya
Granuaile: Graw-nya-wail
Gruach: Groo-ah
Guirmean: GOO-rah-man
Hachiman: Ha-chee-man
Huitzilopochtli: Weet-seal-oh-POACHED-lee
Ilmarinen: Ill-mah-ree-nen
Intare: In-tar-ay
Isleen: Is-lean
Kanaloa: Kah-nah-low-ah
Katila: Kah-till-ah
Kirill: Key-reel
Leannan-sidhe: Lah-nan Shee
Lemminkainen: Lem-meen-ki-nen
Macaria: Ma-cah-ree-ah
Meilyr: May-ler
Neala: NEE-ah-la
Nephthys: Nep-th-es
Nyavirezi: Nee-yah-veer-ez-ee
Peig: Paeg
Qaus: Cow-s Like House with a C.
Raiseala: Rash-uh-lah
Roarke: ROAR-k
Ruari: Ro-ree
Scotaidh: SCO-tee
Shehaquim: Shah-ha-keem
Shinno: Sheh-no
Tairhail: Tah-vel
Taog: TOOK
Taran: TA-ran
Thrud: Thr-uh-d or Throo-d depending on if you're family or not.
Tima: Tee-mah
Tlaloc: T-la-lock
Tsohanoai(Mr. T): So-ha-noe-ayee
Vainamoinen: Vi-nah-moy-nen
Vejasmate: Vay-hahs-mah-tee
Veve: Veh-vay
Vilkacis: Vill-ka-seas
Glossary of Characters
This list has gotten so extensive that I've moved it to my website. You may find it on the Godhu
nter Series Page here: https://www.amysumida.com/book-list
About the Author
Amy Sumida is the Internationally Acclaimed author of the Award-Winning Godhunter Series, the fantasy paranormal Twilight Court Series, the Beyond the Godhunter Series, the music-oriented paranormal Spellsinger Series, and several short stories. Her books have been translated into several languages, have made it to the top seller's list on Amazon numerous times, and the first book in her Spellsinger Series won a publishing contract with Kindle Press.
She was born and raised in Hawaii and brings her unique island perspective to all of her books. She doesn't believe in using pen names, saving the fiction for her stories. She's known for her kick-ass heroines who always have a witty comeback ready, and her strong, supporting male characters who manage to be sensitive and alpha all at once.
Author Information
If you enjoyed this book, please let the author know by leaving a review. Reviews help her sell more books and keep her writing.