“Hah.” She wiggled her hips against him. “I think you’re into PDA, and you haven’t admitted it,” she teased. “Let me up.” She bit his chest. “I’ll go find some likely spectators and suck your cock for them.”
Bee-Dee squealed as Kulla flipped her over again. This time he gave her a wicked smile. “You’re going to be far too busy for the next couple of hours to be looking for spectators. And after that, you just might not be able to walk,” he warned cheekily. “And if you do have anything left by the time I’m through with you, any potential audience will be long abed.”
The witch writhed underneath her man. “Well then, since we have no admirers, we’d better do a good job of entertaining each other,” she whispered, and nipped the skin at the side of his neck.
His cock surged anew at her proclamation. “I don’t think we’ll have any trouble with that, my fresh little witch.”
Chapter Twenty-Six
Obedience stretched and purred like a cat. She felt good all over. Kulla stirred and she wiggled her bare behind into his crotch. Covered by a thin sheet, they spooned on the small massage bed where they’d fallen asleep after hours of glorious activity last night. She felt her god harden against her and marveled that he could be ready for more.
“Good morning, sweet man.” Her voice purred, husky and replete, her body more than willing to go again.
“Good morning to you, my petite witch.” Kulla surrounded her waist with his arms and gathered her back, tightly. He rooted through her hair and nuzzled beneath her ear, laying hot kisses against her skin. The rough growth of several days beard scraped Bee-Dee’s sensitive neck, and her nipples hardened in response.
“We’re going to wake up like this every day,” she whispered. Kulla went still behind her, stopped his ministrations, and moved back.
“Right,” he growled. “After we’re mated. I just remembered I’m supposed to be angry with you.” He lowered his arm and gave her a delicious spank on one rosy ass-cheek. She wiggled harder, re-seeking Kulla’s warmth and he drew in a breath as he relaxed against her once more.
“Seriously Bee. What were you thinking? You’re still married to a human, and the board of witches won’t look lightly on us sleeping together.”
“Tough patooties,” she scoffed. “What they don’t know won’t hurt them. Or us.” She grabbed his hand and placed it over one breast. Kulla squeezed, obligingly.
“You think after all the noise we made last night, Dorian won’t know what went on in here?” Kulla flicked her nipple then pinched.
Bee-Dee had all she could do to attend to the conversation.
She chewed the inside of one cheek, trying to ground herself, and remembered that Dorian―along with all the others―had stayed in nearby rooms for spa treatments. Could her cousin have heard them? She pursed her lips. So what. The witch flopped over onto her back. “We weren’t that loud,” she assured her mate. “And if we were, Dorian won’t tell.”
“Well, if you’re sure about that.” He ran a finger between her breasts. “Maybe we should do it again.” He threw his leg over hers, and she felt his heavy balls against her thigh; his cock, insistent at her hip.
“What a good idea.” Bee raised her lips in acquiescence, when a booming voice broke the spell.
“Rise and shine you two.” Marduk called out. He sounded both pleased and smug. “I gave you half an hour more than everyone else this morning. In consideration of the fact that you were up most of the night.”
Shit. So much for not being heard, Bee-Dee sighed.
“Now get your asses up and join the group. Nergal’s ready to transport us back to the compound.” They heard him turn to go.
Obedience could see the sudden joy in Kulla’s face at the thought of home, then the frown that quickly replaced it.
“What’s the matter?” she asked.
“I may have been tortured and out-of-it for a while, but I’m pretty sure I’ve spent fewer than two days in Hell. My contract always calls for three.” Kulla tightened his grip on Obedience. “And that’s without a friend.”
Bee-Dee sat up, clutching the sheet to the front of her. She wouldn’t let this happen. “Marduk,” she called out. “Get your ass back here.”
The thunder god’s footsteps stopped. “Excuse me?” His wry tone told Bee-Dee he wouldn’t tolerate being addressed in quite that manner.
She didn’t let it stop her. “Is Kulla allowed to go home?”
Her mate placed a kiss at the base of her bare spine, chuckling at her boldness. He also, she knew, approved her use of the word ‘home’.
Marduk sighed loudly, letting her insolence pass. He must have figured she’d been teetering on the edge with all that had happened to Kulla, and this last possible obstruction just couldn’t be borne. Good call.
The thunder god stepped up to the plate. “Let me clear it with Nergal.”
Bee-Dee got cheeky. “Thanks god-boss.” She heard a snort, then settled down to wait.
A long silence ensued. Did an argument take place? A negotiation? She turned and caught the smile on Kulla’s face and punched him lightly on the shoulder.
“What?” she asked.
“There’s a lot of head-speak going on.” He grinned. “Nergal’s a little put out, but our dear Doctor Dani is putting the screws to the king and telling him she needs to do a complete neurological workup on me back at the compound.”
Bee-Dee started to speak, but Kulla held his hand up to stop her, and continued.
“There’s some input from various brothers that my neurons sounded like they were firing perfectly throughout the night.” He smirked. Bee-Dee blushed. “But Dani’s insisting, and Kabta makes the point that continued stimulation can only hasten the balance of my recovery. Gotta love that brother of mine.” He leaned down and put teeth to Bee’s lower back. She yelped.
“Who’s stimulating whom, here?” she giggled, moving her posterior closer to his magic mouth. He shushed her again, doing some more listening.
“Ereshkigal is on our side. She’s reminding Nergal that we have unfinished business to attend to with the witch council.”
That acted as a splash of cold water on Obedience. She’d almost been able to put that out of her mind. Of all the obstacles she and Kulla faced, gaining permission to divorce her human husband could be the kicker. Of course, it didn’t hurt to have an influential cousin, or the support of many gods. But witches could be fickle. She didn’t look forward to the confrontation.
“Bingo. We’re good. Nergal’s waiving my penalty.” Kulla sat up slowly behind his mate, drawing his tongue all the way up Bee-Dee’s spine. When he reached her neck, he tugged the sheet from her grip, baring her chest, and cupped both hands around her full breasts. “Don’t worry,” he whispered, kneading her flesh. “It will all work out.”
It would or it wouldn’t, but one thing was certain she thought as she swung her legs off the table. There wouldn’t be time for any more sex this morning.
Minutes later, fully dressed, the entire contingent of Blue Hills’ bound bodies amassed in the throne room. Everyone looked rested, despite teasing from many sources that the sounds of ecstasy coming from various of the chambers had kept all the singles from sleep. Marduk, and Tess―who’d pumped and left milk for her wee-one―looked like they’d completely enjoyed a honeymoon night away from their demanding baby Girin. Dagon and Holly seemed loathe to leave some of the glowies who, when the pair had been in Hell some months ago, had become their good friends. And most oddly, King Waylon acted decidedly awkward as he said goodbye and thanked Lavarette, the tiny glowie Champion for all her help.
Obedience tapped Kulla on the arm, letting him know she’d be right back, and walked toward Queen Ereshkigal where she stood next to Nergal. Time for a little interference. Bee-Dee had never spoken to the goddess directly, and remained unsure how a witch needed to address an Underworld deity.
“Your Worthiness,” she dared, before being interrupted by Eresh’s tinkling laugh.
&
nbsp; “You’re kidding, right?” The queen came back. “You are not my subject, yet,” she teased. “You have leeway to wait until you mate with Kulla before you do any groveling.” She eyed Obedience speculatively. “What can I do for you?” she questioned, clearly curious.
Obedience cleared her throat. “My future with Kulla is not quite yet assured.” She winced.
The queen interrupted. “Ah. That’s right.” She pondered before brightening. “Of course I’ll be more than happy to intervene on your behalf with the bitch-board…uh…witch-board. Oops, sorry,” she corrected smoothly. Clearly she was not.
Obedience smothered a giggle, amused and touched. “Thank you, Ereshkigal,” It felt strange calling the queen by her first name, but then again, everything about life lately had defied normalcy. Even for a witch. “And although I’ll take you up on that, there’s another piece of business I’m wondering if you could help me with.”
The queen’s eyebrows went up. “If I am able,” she stated. “Ask.”
Bee-Dee sidled up to the queen in an inconspicuous way, and canted her head in the direction of the Lauernley king. “I think Waylon might have the hots for your head of security,” she murmured, loud enough for the queen, but also for Nergal’s ears. “Lavarette saved his life in the caverns and then fought with him, back to back. Very impressive. I don’t think Waylon’s ever seen anyone like her. He told us all before the fight that females back in his home village are never warriors, and now he’s clearly confounded.” She nudged the queen. “Look at him. What do you think?”
Waylon’s whole posture of upright self-sufficiency and aloofness seemed to have undergone some amazing transition. He leaned over the glowie champion. Tuned in. His normally tight smile revealed a few teeth.
Understanding crept across Ereshkigal’s lips, but Nergal responded. “So our buttoned up blue friend has developed a little glitch in his indifference.”
Bee-Dee nodded, although indifference seemed a fairly harsh term. No one could say that Waylon didn’t act as a team player. He’d helped tremendously wherever and whenever needed. He just didn’t embrace the closeness and teasing that ran rampant through everyone else in the compound. Nor did he seem to integrate personally with his own team of blue men. His guys had begun to lighten up, but not Waylon. Would that soon change?
“I think Lavarette might need a new assignment,” Nergal smirked. “She’s going to need more…physical training. With different types of immortals. Yes.” The king stroked his chin. “That’s it. Her experience has been limited to battling Underworld fiends. I think she needs to branch out.”
Nergal turned to Bee-Dee. “I’ll send her up after she and I have a chat. Thank you for pointing this out.” He bowed his head. “Waylon and I go way back, and haven’t always seen eye to eye, mostly because he never unbends. If he has a tendresse for Lavarette, it might be just what he needs. I’ve never seen it from him in all the years we’ve been acquainted.” He beamed knowingly at Eresh. “This could be very interesting. Our glowie Champion is warm and sweet, but also quite the prankster. Waylon could be in for an enlightening awakenment.”
Bee-Dee beamed, positively luminous that she might be putting a new couple together. What did humans say? People newly in love wanted others to find the same joy? Her smile stretched. It had to be true. She thanked Nergal and moved away as Marduk approached to make final preparations with the king, for departure.
Minutes later, the group gathered back in the great room at the Blue Hills. The commotion they made alerted the few who had been left behind that the wandering gods had returned home. Angie, Addie-May and Kate, with Girin and Maity in tow, made effusive with their greetings. Glory came down the stairs, wan but smiling as Enten moved from the group and reached up to wrap his arms around his pregnant wife.
Tess went forward and scooped her baby from Angie’s arms, hugging and sniffing Girin’s little head. And Angie, with hands suddenly empty, launched across the room at her man, Tiny, who caught her mid-air and twirled her around, kissing her soundly.
Maity hugged legs wherever she could, limiting not just to her mother or Absu. She bestowed her joy at their arrival on everyone equally, squealing when she was finally picked up and tossed in the air from one pair of arms to another, some visible; some not.
Such a happy and worthy homecoming, made all the more joyful now that the god’s perimeters were no longer surrounded by demons. The whereabouts of Beletseri and Matthew were unknown, and without their evil entourage, everyone would be able to come and go as they pleased to do everything from run errands, to finding the rest of their Chosen.
Absu had just prepared to head toward the kitchen to create a celebratory feast, when Addie May clapped her hands for quiet, asking him to hold off for a few moments while she made an announcement.
All gazes turned to the older witch, who seemed different every time Bee-Dee’s questing gaze lingered. A new hairstyle? Had the witch lost a few pounds? She couldn’t put her finger on it. Bee-Dee would figure it out, eventually.
Obedience could see that although Addie’s message had been meant for the entire group, and her words were all inclusive, she did a good job of avoiding Dorian’s scrutiny, ducking between a couple of the larger gods to hide from his view. Whatever she had to say, she stayed wary of how Bee-Dee’s cousin would take it. What the hell?
“First of all I want to welcome everyone home.” Addie took a deep breath. “This house is too quiet without you. And I mean all of you.” Her gaze darted to Dorian, very briefly, but he ignored her. Addie scorned the slight, and sought out Obedience in the crowd. She moved smoothly to take the other witch’s hand.
“I also want to assure you that while you were gone, I’ve been busy too.” Obedience heard Addie’s words, then glanced at Angie and Glory, both of whom had knowing grins on their faces.
What?
“All of you probably know by now that the mating ceremony between Kulla and Obedience can’t take place until she’s dissolved her sympathy marriage to the human.”
Bee-Dee saw nods. Of course everyone knew. Gossip spread like wildfire throughout the house, with the gods being just as culpable as the goddesses for perpetuating stories.
“You also know that we’ve had a very distinguished guest with us for several days.” People glanced around, wondering who she meant. She got right to it. “I’m referring to Mamitu, your goddess of oaths, but she’s gone now. She needed to rest because the two of us had a very busy day yesterday.”
Now eyebrows went up all around. What could the witch and the Overworld goddess possibly have in common that they worked together?
“I don’t know how many of you have had to deal with the witch council before, but the old term ‘an eye for an eye’ really did originate with them. Those biddies like to keep everyone dancing to their ordinances, and love to extract tough promises for boons they deem to give. I knew that Obedience would have a terrible time trying to extricate herself from her marriage, regardless of her cousin’s backing.”
She didn’t look toward Dorian again. “Whatever they would demand, it probably would not have behooved the god’s needs to get all your Chosen up and mated. So―” Here, Addie paused and drew in a gulping breath. “I had an idea, and ran it by Mamitu. She did some checking, and found that my plan was not without precedence and could be legally accomplished with a small amount of paperwork and a few signatures.” Addie-May visibly shook at this point.
“She initiated some documents, and went so far as to appear in front of the board with me.” She swallowed, hard. “The illustrious ladies, after making me squirm a bit, agreed that my idea appeared sound, and gave their approval.” The witch tried to smile but came up with a lame twitching instead. “So the good news is, that except for a couple of signatures from Dorian,” she coughed, “the paperwork is complete.”
Addie cleared her throat. “As soon as he signs, Obedience will be free to get a divorce from her husband. Kulla will have the approval to compel the human howe
ver it needs to be done, and Bee will be free to marry her architect.” She turned to Obedience with a real smile now. “The council members want you to know that they relish this imminent witch-god bond. Yours will be the first full-blooded marriage of witch and deity in many centuries, Lenore being only partially blooded.”
Obedience met Kulla’s gaze, but registered Dorian edging through the crowd, intent on getting to Addie-May. His raised voice snapped her full attention to him, before she could grab Kulla to celebrate.
“What have you done, Addie?” Dorian knew, better than anyone, what hoops Addie-May must have had to jump through to sway the board. “What is it that I have to sign, and what would make those bloody witches so giddy that they would actually unbend enough to send good wishes?” His tone emerged suspicious…and imperious.
****
Kulla did not turn a blind eye to the undercurrents between the two, instead placing his arm around the older, trembling witch.
“Why don’t you put your wariness aside, Dorian, and be happy for us. Addie accomplished something that Bee-Dee was terrified to face. We should all be thankful, no matter what she had to do.” Kulla’s tone warned Dorian to lighten up, but the warlock ignored him.
Dorian’s eyes narrowed as he moved closer to Addie-May. “Is that right, Addie? Should we all be thankful?”
Everyone watched carefully as the witch shifted from foot to foot, before she worked up courage and actually reached out to take Dorian’s hand.
Kulla’s mouth fell open in shock. Not once since they’d been together, had he seen them touch. Words that clearly wanted to be flung, refused to come out of Dorian’s mouth, and his lack of motor control seemed to give Addie strength.
“That’s up to you, Dorian.” She looked him squarely in the face. “The paperwork is not complete until your signature is affixed in two places.” She turned the hand that she grasped face up, and in a rare act of conjuring for a witch whose talent lay in scrying, she made two scrolls appear across his palm. Her voice rang out clearly.
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