Royal Pride

by Zelda Knight

  I unglue my lips from hers with a smirk. “I know a way you can make it up to me.”

  Blaire chews on her lip. “How?”

  I don’t answer. Instead, I sweep Blaire out of the water and into my embrace. Wrapping her arms around my neck, she giggles as we glide over to the shore, and I lay her down on a slab of rock. Her body is on display for me. Admiring every beautiful curve, I am unable to resist trailing my hands down the length of her body. Her pert nipples harden from the crisp air and my touch, and reaching for her sweet spot, I lightly circle around her nub with my finger. “Let me have a taste.”

  Closing her eyes, she shudders underneath my touch while I skim my finger up and down her slit. “I can’t.”

  “Yes, you can,” I hiss, moving her panties aside, the only barrier between me and her heat.

  Blaire closes her legs. “I’ve never done this before.”

  Her confession makes my cock as solid as this slab of rock. Although my tiger yearns to fuck her, the hopeless look in her bright eyes simmers down the beast. I can’t bring myself to take advantage of her. Not now. “Don’t worry, my love. I only want a taste. Do you trust me?”

  “Yes, Dorian, I trust you.”

  You shouldn’t. “Good. You won’t regret me fucking you with my tongue.” My words make a soft moan escape her quivering lips. Eyeing her panties, I rip them from her trembling body, allowing her honey-like smell to find its way to my nostrils. I inhale deeply, absorbing her sweet essence into my lungs, getting high off the fragment of her lingering inside me. “You smell so good, but I bet you taste even better.”

  “Oh, Dorian,’ she whimpers. “Please. I want to feel your tongue.”

  That’s my girl. Blowing air on her clit, I tease her.

  “Dorian, please.”

  “You’ve never been touched, yet I can tell you have a greedy little pussy, don’t you, Blaire?”

  Biting her lip, she squeezes her breasts for me. “Yes, please. I need it.”

  With a growl, I dive my tongue in, lapping up the wetness already there. A scream rips from her throat as she grinds against my tongue, calling the beast to come out and play. I dig my nails into her thighs, drawing blood, and locking her in place—diving in deeper, I mark her tight channel with stabs of my tongue.

  She is too high and distracted to notice my claws as her stomach contracts, an orgasm ripping through her like sharp fangs through flesh.

  “Blaire!” I hear Melanie scream, and I groan as I see her running up to us. My claws retract back into my hands as I stand up and bend over to help Blaire off the rock.

  Melanie's fist clocks me square in the jaw. “I remember. I remember because I found this.” Melanie shoves a picture into Blaire’s hand.

  Fuck! I was hoping the spell would last longer.

  Blaire glances down to the picture then back at me. “This is a photo of you from 1942. You haven’t aged a day. How is that possible?”

  “Blaire, I can explain.”

  “No need.” The voice I dread sounds from behind me. The Goddess emerges from the shadows, her glowing yellow eyes appearing before the rest of her. The train of her golden robe fans out behind her. Blaire and Melanie's jaws are hanging wide, utterly speechless. “Take these girls to the ritual site.” My men appear from the jungle and surround us as they shift into tiger form.

  “Wait, just give me a minute…Blaire.”

  She frowns at me, a tear falling from her eye. “You’re a monster. You are all monsters.”

  Flex and Cade grab them by the arms and drag them into the jungle, as their screams echo around me. My heart constricts. I didn’t want my time with her to be over yet.

  “Tsk, tsk. Did you really think you were getting out of this? You’re mine for all eternity.”

  I regret the day I ever stepped foot in that volcano filled with gold. I’d only planned to take a little, but I got greedy, and my punishment for stealing from the Golden Goddess was a lifetime of misery for my soldiers and me as guardians of her volcano. Tiger shifters. But to maintain our strength, we need female blood. Lots of it. “Let’s just get it over with.”

  She pats me on the head. “Good boy.”

  She vanishes amongst the trees, and I reluctantly follow. The other side of the island is painted with blood. Screams penetrate the air. Huge tigers run rampant, feeding on succulent flesh. As much as I detest it, I know none of these girls will make it off this island alive. I spot Blaire and Melanie tied to a tree. Their death will more ritualistic but no less cruel. The Goddess chants to the Blood Gods to accept our offering. Blaire and Melanie’s lives hang in the balance, and for the first time, it pains me to see. They don’t deserve having their lives ripped from them—all because of my mistake. My bones break and rejoin as I shift into my tiger form one last time. Running forward, I pounce on top of the Goddess, knocking her down to the ground with my heavy paws. I swat her repeatedly, allowing Blaire and Melanie some time to wiggle themselves free.

  “You fool,” she grumbles as she struggles against my weight. I chomp into her neck, ripping skin and muscle from bone and blood squirts in every direction as she fades underneath me.

  I look up to find Blaire and Melanie surrounded by Hunter and a few of the others, and the sight makes the rage flowing through my veins boil over. I must save them even if it means the death of me. Running full speed, I jump in front of them, shielding them from the tigers ready to tear them to pieces. If they want them, they’re going to have to go through me first.

  “Dorian, don’t. There’s too many of them,” Blaire cries.

  They close us into a circle, and I bare my teeth, ready for the fight of my life. Flex and Cade jump into the circle, but instead of attacking me, they stand alongside me and face the ambush. I charge forward. They follow my lead. Diving into the fire is the only way we’ll be able to give Blaire and Melanie an opening to run. I hope they can run fast!

  Chapter Seven

  BLAIRE

  Bora Bora should be renamed Hell. It’s a place where humans can shift into tigers. Seeing rows of searing teeth snap in my direction, the foggy parts of my memory return, and I relive the horror in my mind as Melanie and I make a break for it through the crowd of ravenous tigers. We run over the torn limbs and heads of the less fortunate and sprint toward the ship. A group of tigers stalk us through the jungle but get picked off by Dorian for he is three times bigger than them. We make it to the port before turning around.

  Dorian watches us from afar—the other tigers gaining on him. I want to run to him, tell him goodbye, but I know if we don’t get on this ship now, we never will. Tears well up in my eyes, knowing he didn’t have to save us but was willing to risk his life and betray his people. “Thank you,” I cry out.

  His roar echoes into the night sky as a streak of tigers pounce on him from all directions.

  “Nooooo!” They tear into him like they did those poor girls. No restraint. No remorse. My heart bangs inside my chest like a tiger raging against a cage. I try to run to him, but Melanie tugs me back.

  “There’s nothing we can do for him now.”

  As we board the ship, the muscles around my chest grow tight. Even though his roar fades in the distance, my love for him continues to grow. “Goodbye, my tiger.”

  A Year Later…

  I graduated at the top of my class and even convinced Melanie to reapply to college. Right now, we are celebrating our bright futures. Ones we wouldn’t have if it weren’t for Dorian. Ever since the day he saved us from being sacrificed, he’s all I think about—like I have left my heart back on that island, and I’m walking around as half a person—half a soul, just going through the motions. Now, that I have graduated, I feel I have no purpose, nothing to keep me motivated to get through the day, and nothing to look forward to. I thought I had found the one. But of course, the man of my dreams is dead.

  “Hey, little lady, you look good enough to eat.”

  It can’t be. I watched him die on that island. I close my eyes for a
second. I am so drunk I’m hearing things now. An arm of solid muscle brushes against mine, and the electricity I once felt, so long ago, shoots through me in tidal waves. I open my eyes to a pair of amber eyes. They are still as hypnotizing, even without the gold swirling within them. Has he lost his powers? Without another thought, I don’t hesitate to jump into Dorian’s arms. “How? How are you here right now?” Teardrops spring from my eyes as I cling onto his muscular body draped in an Armani suit. The man of all my fantasies, the reason I breathe, has returned in the flesh. It’s a goddamn miracle. Something that only happens in fairytales is happening to me.

  “Did you really think I was going to let some tigers stop me from being with you?”

  “No.” I beam.

  “Holy shit. Well, if it isn’t Mr. Dreamboat back from the dead. Now, I’ve seen everything,” Melanie chimes in.

  He laughs. “Not everything.” He motions behind her, and we both turn to see Flex standing there holding a bouquet of red and pink roses. He is even wearing a tailored suit, too.

  “Awe, for me?” Melanie squeals. She doesn’t hesitate and jams her tongue down his throat.

  Dorian and I roll our eyes and laugh. My bestie has always been the girl the guys couldn’t tame. Maybe Flex will be the guy to get her to settle her ass down. The thought makes me smile.

  Dorian’s hand caresses up and down my back. “Hey, while those two are preoccupied, there’s something I have to show you.”

  “I’d go anywhere with you.”

  He winks at me and ushers me outside the bar into the humid summer breeze. He walks me around the corner and opens the passenger door to a blue Jeep. “Your chariot awaits, my lady.”

  His charming, bright smile makes my heart do a backflip. “Once a Jeep man always a Jeep man.” I giggle.

  “You know it.”

  I slide into the passenger seat, folding my sundress underneath me so he can close the door. He jumps into the driver seat and puts the key in the ignition, and the Jeep roars to life as if it were a tiger.

  I bite my lip, feeling the vibrations through my seat.

  “If you keep making expressions like that, we won’t be making it out of this parking lot.” His eyes darken.

  “Are you threatening me, Mr. Dorian?” I raise an eyebrow. My skin is aflame, aware of the intense desire in his eyes.

  “I don’t threaten. I do. But first, prepare yourself for a grand adventure.”

  “Oh, man, if it is anything like the last one, I don’t think I can handle it.” I laugh even though I have many questions. I can only imagine the obstacles he faced getting back—back to me. However, I don’t want to ruin the joyous occasion. I figure that he will tell me when he is ready.

  He joins in, laughing too. “Trust me, this adventure will be more fun.”

  We cruise down the street and get onto the highway, driving away from downtown and into a charming and salubrious part of Edenborough, Louisiana. A Victorian-style home painted white, nestled in the middle of a landscaped lot, comes into view.

  To my surprise, we park in front of it. “What is the meaning of all this?”

  A sly grin spreads across his face. “You’ll see.”

  The next thing I know, he is on my side of the Jeep, opening my door. He offers me a hand.

  I eye him suspiciously, but I take it, and we walk farther onto the property. The lights on the covered porch flicker on, and he stops by a large oak tree next to the gazebo. “Wow, this place is incredible.”

  He turns to me, his hold on my hand tightening. “I’ve been watching you from afar for quite some time, Blaire. And I must admit that during my reign as King, I had gotten used to everything being handed to me; had people do my dirty work. But, since I lost my power, I’ve been struggling to find my way as a normal human being. Seeing how hard you worked in college inspired me. I want to be the person I used to be. I wanted to be a better man for you. That’s why I’ve been MIA since what happened on the island. I was working two jobs to save up every penny to buy this house. For you—my future wife—if you will have me.

  “Wife?” Butterflies swirl in my belly. Did he just say wife?

  “Yes—” Dorian gets down on one knee. “Blaire, from the moment I felt you in the vicinity, smelt the scent of your skin, I knew you were special. Deep down, I knew you were my mate. If I had to do everything all over again, I would choose you over my powers every time. You are my world. You make me the happiest man alive. Be mine forever?” He looks up to me longingly, caressing the top of my hand.

  I blink several times, the blood rushing out of my face. I have dreamt of a moment like this ever since I was a little girl, pretending to be Cinderella looking for her Prince Charming. I never thought I would be lucky enough to find me a king instead. He may not rule over Bora Bora anymore, but he most certainly rules my heart. “Yes.” Tears cascade down my cheeks. I’m so elated that I may just spontaneously combust from all the excitement.

  “Damn, I am the luckiest man in the world.” He slides a beautiful sapphire ring set in a gold band over my finger. “You are my Golden Goddess now. I love you so much, Blaire.”

  “Oh, Dorian. I never thought I could love someone as much as I love you.” I jump into his arms, pressing my lips fiendishly against his, eliciting a heady moan from his mouth. He walks me backward until my spine is flush against the banister of the gazebo. He lifts me, and I wrap my legs around his waist.

  “Ever since that day by the waterfall, tasting you is all I can think about.” His lips make a sensuous trail down my neck to my collarbone. “Every inch of you.” He continues his seduction, moving down my chest and rips my dress open, the buttons flying in every direction. My bra goes next, and my nipples stand to attention from his breath, as he captures one at a time in his mouth.

  “Oh, Dorian. Take me. I’m all yours. I always have been.”

  His growl heats my skin more, spreading a tingling sensation throughout my whole body, landing in between my thighs, where I yearn for his touch the most. He continues his descent, lifting me higher until his head is between my legs, his strong arms holding me firmly against the banister. He rips my panties away with just his teeth—his growling reverberating against my swollen and sensitive skin.

  I moan into the night sky as his wide tongue glides across my nub.

  “I can’t wait to fully claim this pussy on our wedding day.” He may have lost his powers, but he hasn’t lost the power to sweep me off my feet.

  Two Years Later…

  “How are you still attracted to me?” I study myself in the mirror, looking at a belly full of stretch marks.

  Dorian appears behind me and glides his hands over them. I flinch with disgust. Sometimes I still find it hard to believe this gorgeous, loving, and loyal man is mine.

  “They are beautiful.” He takes me by the hand and leads me to the nursery, where our triplets are sleeping peacefully: two boys and a girl. “You did that,” Dorian whispers with a heart-stopping smile.

  “You helped,” I smirk.

  “But you did most of the work, nourishing them into healthy cubs. You need to look at these marks as a badge of honor—your tiger stripes.”

  “You’re right. You always know what to say to make me feel better about myself.” After we’d had a double wedding with Melanie and Flex in Barbados, Dorian didn’t waste any time knocking me up. The thought of one baby was utterly terrifying enough, then we found out we were having triplets. Although they are such a blessing, every now and then, I question my ability as a wife and mother. Plus, it’s been a struggle trying to lose this baby weight, so my self-confidence isn’t where it should be.

  Work in progress.

  “Before they wake up for their nighttime feeding, I am going to remind you how irresistible you are to me.” With a sly grin, Dorian backs me into the hallway, flipping me around and pushes me against the wall with his body of solid muscle. Dorian's hand strikes my ass, creating a lip-biting sting that spreads all over my body. “Never question
my love for you or this sweet ass. You’re all I ever want. You’re my mate for life.”

  “I promise…never again.”

  “Good.” His hand laces through my hair, giving the strands a tug before tightening his hold with his wrist. “Now, go to our bed and bend that ass over for me.” He slaps my ass again—harder this time.

  With a whimper, I do as he says, removing an article of clothing one after another to tease him. He stops to pick up each one, inhaling a whiff. My scent drives him completely wild. “Oh, woman. You are really going to get it now.”

  I squeal quietly—a game of predator and prey, as he chases me to the bedroom. I barely make it on top of the bed before he shoves my head down into the mattress and pulls my backend into the air. “Ass up, just how I like it.” He slaps me again, and I moan into the mattress, evidence of my desire trickling down my thigh. His hand ventures in between my legs, and his finger slides in between my slick folds, my eyes rolling toward the sky. “Damn, my wifey is so ready for my cock, isn’t she?”

  “Oh, yes. So ready.”

  With our triplets being three months old, we don’t have much time for foreplay like we used to. Our entire lives are based around their schedules, so we’ve got to squeeze in time for us whenever we can.

  He grips my hips, pulling me back to him and plunges into me with a hard thrust, and I turn my face into the mattress to scream. My whole body shakes in the anticipation of his next perfectly-executed stroke, proving to me that his desire for me is as pure and raw as it was the first time he fucked me on our wedding night.

  He threads his fingers through my hair, getting a firm grip as he pumps faster and harder into me. “Even after birthing triplets, this pussy is. Still. So. Fucking. Tight.” He moans.

  At this point, he is pounding into me so hard, I’m afraid he is going to break the bed frame.

  Again.

  I moan his name on an endless loop, the pressure rising in my core. He must sense I am close because he lifts me, so my back is flush with his front. He kisses me with fervor, snagging my bottom lip in between his teeth, and his hand slips down my stomach, going lower and lower until his finger is playing with my clit.