“I do.”
“Good. Hang on.”
Light swirled, the wind howled and the sea thundered against the shore. Berry locked eyes with Ashko, and her fingers gripped his as tightly as his gripped hers. The maelstrom whirled around them, and finally, the fire settled in their blood.
Melwiss let them go, dismissed her glowing orb and shuffled away with the eyes of her slippers lighting up with every step. She mentioned over her shoulder, “I will send the info to Teal and Tony. You can get your official records when you sign your mate agreement on the way out.”
Berry and Ashko were still staring at each other, their magic swirling under their skins.
“You are really powerful.”
They both blinked and laughed when they spoke together.
She bit her lip. “I guess we underestimated each other.”
She stepped toward him and wrapped her arms around him. The hug was natural, relaxed, and it started a fire in her blood.
He whispered, “Melwiss told me that we have to lock this in. Her magic, her rules.”
“What does the locking involve?”
He whispered to her in great detail, and she was fairly sure that it was more involved than it had to be.
She shuddered in his arms. “So, swim or walk?”
In a voice that promised everything he had just whispered, he said, “Ride me.”
She stepped aside as he shifted, and their magic swirled under his skin. She looked down and saw the same energy coursing through her own body.
She stroked her hands down his head, neck and flanks. She grabbed a handful of his black and green mane and pulled herself onto his back. She settled her dress gracefully around her, leaned forward and dug her heels in.
He shot forward, and his hooves had sand flying as he bolted down the beach. He seemed to be motivated to speed to the tower.
She leaned down as far as she could and was unsurprised when the doors to the tower swung open. She was shocked when the horse she was riding headed up the stairs and charged upward to her bedroom. The doorway accommodated them both, and she was sitting on his back, looking at the bedroom that had expanded into a wide suite.
She tried to get off, and she couldn’t. “Ashko, this isn’t going to work in this position.”
He shrunk under her and twisted around, lying on his back while she sat astride his upper abdomen.
He grinned. “That was fun.”
She snorted but admitted, “It was. Now, I don’t want to rip this dress; give me a hand.”
“Giving orders already? Excellent.” He rose to his feet, carrying her with him. He seemed taller.
“So, do you have some kind of degree for carrying girls around?”
He winked and set her on her feet. “Yes, but you don’t want to imagine the final exam. It was brutal.”
He untied nearly invisible connections and eased the dress off her shoulders.
“You spend a lot of time putting clothes on and taking them off.”
Ashko knelt and eased the dress over her hips. “It is an amazing new hobby. I think I need to get into it completely.”
He brushed his lips against the base of her spine.
She shivered, turning to face him. He was back on his heels and as naked as she was.
Berry threaded her fingers through his hair. “So, you talked a good game on the beach.”
“Oh, I never exaggerate.” He smiled and pressed his lips to her abdomen, looking up to her as he licked slowly at her skin.
She watched him as he rose on his knees, pulled her in close and scraped his tongue over the underside of her breasts before sucking at her nipples in turn. He held her with one arm wrapped around her hips and slid his other hand up her thigh.
Berry leaned her head back and closed her eyes as she lost herself to the feel of his hot, wet tongue stroking her while his fingers delved into her with consummate care.
She moaned and increased her grip on his hair when his fingers curled inside her and stroked the front wall of her channel. He moved his hand in a short, fast flurry of strokes, and her body curled around him. The air left her lungs in a whoosh, and she mewled when her body spasmed and her legs gave way.
She heard him laugh, and he carried her to the freshly made bed with its pristine sheets. He set her down with care and took her hands in his, kissing each one.
With a grin, he pulled her hands upward and folded them around the spindles of the headboard. “Hang on.”
Ashko smiled at her as he glided back down her body with a strangely exotic motion. He was sliding down like the tide was pulling him. She watched for a few seconds until she felt his breath against her sex and his tongue parted her.
Wet, throbbing heat took over her consciousness, and she held onto the spindles of the headboard until her next climax couldn’t be held off.
The wood cracked, Ashko lifted his head and moved up her body, sliding his cock into her deep and fast.
She replaced her death grip on the headboard for wrapping her legs around him and clutching his arms, pulling her torso to his as he rocked inside her.
The energy between them built, swirled and peaked. Power burst free and rocketed around the room. Berry locked eyes with Ashko, and they rode out the storm that filled her chamber and their bodies.
The power surged out of them, and when they were locked in the firestorm, it sought them out and burrowed under their skin once again.
The sun was high when Berry woke up. Ashko was still on top of her, and he groaned as she stroked a hand down his back. She could breathe, but that was just luck. He had fallen off to one side, but they were still connected.
He lifted his head, and his irises had expanded to a tremendous size. “You are staring.”
She touched his cheekbone and traced the line of his lips. “You look a little different.”
“So do you. You look fey. Not completely but more than half.”
She frowned and touched her ears. “Damn it.”
“They look cute. You look like a classic selkie from the ancient stories.” He leaned down and rubbed her nose with his.
He started to move his hips, and she lifted hers to meet him halfway. It was slow and lazy with none of the burn of power that had struck them at dawn.
She held onto him, stroked his skin and rubbed her fingers over the small tattoo. “Any other markings I need to know about?”
He nibbled at her lips and continued to thrust into her. “You will be the first to know if I add anymore.”
Berry smiled and ran her fingers up and down the deep groove in his spine. They rocked together for what felt like hours and probably was.
She shivered and held her breath when her orgasm struck her. One moment she was on the path of gentle arousal, and the next, she was digging her nails into him and shaking like a leaf in the wind.
He grunted softly, and he kissed her softly, licking at her lips and rubbing her cheek with his.
“Good morning, mate.” She ran her fingers through his dark hair.
“Good afternoon, mate.” He grinned. “So, shall we go to your place or mine?”
“Well, if you can teach me to transport, we can do yours.”
He sighed happily. “I would be delighted to have you do mine anytime you want.”
She giggled and blinked at the sound. “That was weird.”
He laughed and separated their bodies. “I hope that you will feel free to be yourself with me more often.”
She ran her fingers down his body and trailed them over his cock. “I think being free with you might just be my new hobby.”
He laughed, and they got out of bed, sharing a shower and preparing to mesh their lives. This was not going to be a day for the weak hearted.
Chapter Eight
Her brother and his wife were delighted to come to the small castle for a visit the moment that Ashko confirmed that the transport wouldn’t hurt the baby.
Ashko managed the transport and brought her family to her afte
r a week of settling in. Lasia and Devlin looked at her in shock the moment that they saw her.
Berry walked toward them with a smile, trying to ignore the medieval-style gown she was wearing. Ashko preferred her to dress like a lady at home, but the moment she was off on guild business, she was all jeans and leather.
Since she was showing her new physique and characteristics to her family, she thought it was better that she appear in the manner that they needed to get used to.
The dress highlighted the changes.
“Berry? Wow. You look...” Lasia trailed off.
Devlin simply came forward and hugged her. “Damn, you are taller than I am.”
“Mom won’t be impressed.” Berry hugged her brother. “I can’t fit into the family wedding gown. Oh, darn.”
He laughed and gave her another squeeze. “I am sure that she will recover.”
Ashko had offered to alter the dress for her, but Berry had threatened his sex life and that had been the end of that. Polyester had its place, but that place wasn’t in a wedding gown.
Devlin leaned back and smiled. “You look amazing and very happy.”
Ashko came over and slid his arm around her waist. “We are down to eleven curse words in the last twenty-four hours. She is getting into the spirit of the thing.”
Berry chuckled. It was less than that. She only cursed when she dealt with the mages. Her new situation confused them, so after the first two calls, her phone had gone silent.
Ashko was recommending her as an investigator for the fey court, and she was only two interviews away from having something else to do aside from her mate.
He had spent the first few days crafting clothing for her. The fey court could manage her nearly human seeming, but her fashion sense had to be on point.
Her new form had also taken getting used to. Her seal was still with her, but it was maturing now, as if it had only ever been waiting for an influx of magic. The new form moved differently and would be fun to show her brother.
First, they would have a light lunch, and then, they would head to the water.
Lasia came up to them while slowly turning around to take in the carvings inside the keep. “Can I get a tour? I love historical buildings.”
Ashko nodded. “Of course. Come with me.”
Berry went with them, just to listen to Ashko talk. He had lived in the building for over a hundred years, and he knew every brick and beam.
When Lasia saw his drafting table, she paused. “What is this?”
Ashko came over, and he nodded to the design. “I am creating an alteration to my tattoo to incorporate Beryl’s beast. It has been tricky to make a corresponding design with a tribal style.”
“Well, if you are looking for interest, can you get UV ink? It will glow blue-white and is definitely a good marker for Berry’s particular beast.”
Berry looked over to Devlin. “I did not know that your wife has tattoos.”
He sighed and got his wife’s purse, pulling out a UV light.
Lasia grinned and extended her arm. There, in glowing light, were two seals frolicking on her skin.
Devlin was embarrassed when Lasia used the light on his arm and the same tattoo was on his skin.
Berry sighed. “Wow. The secrets you keep from your own sister.”
He gave her a dark look. “I didn’t want it standing out when we shifted. You know how the herd feels about visible tattoos.”
Berry grinned. It was true. The herd was deceptively subdued when it came to bodily expression. Prudes.
Anything different in the herd was something to be feared. Berry was now officially very different.
After lunch, it was time to show them the lake and the nearby inlet that attracted all kinds of sea life that now included Berry.
On the beach, she had a sheltered cabana that let her carefully remove her dress and hang it up before walking to the water and shifting.
Her beast had matured a little, though still looked cute and fluffy. She flopped into the water and twisted as she dove.
When she saw her brother and sister-in-law, she turned and played with them a little before she found the solid current that called to her other beast. With focus, she followed the current, and her flippers turned to hooves as she galloped through the waves.
She was a kelpie, with the colouration of a spirit horse. Her white hide gleamed in the darkness, and the current moved where she wanted to run.
She circled and returned to her family. Their seals were simply floating in place, in shock. She nudged them, her limbs slowly churning to keep her in place.
They examined her new body and played in her mane and tail. When they were done, she ran with them through the water, gradually rising toward the surface.
Running on water was a definite thrill. She ran until she was at the surface and then headed for the beach.
She could finally run around in a shifted form with complete confidence. There was no need to hide as a kelpie. She was now part and parcel of the fey and their agreements with humans. It was a heady thing to finally fit in while standing out.
Shifting in public would be a definite benefit to being a fey’s mate. Humans simply took the magic as a normal side effect of her being what she appeared to be—a fey with magic to spare.
She stood on the beach and watched over Lasia and Devlin.
Ashko’s beast came to stand at her side, and she touched his muzzle with hers.
He rubbed shoulders with her, and they stood side by side and watched out for larger predators in the surf.
Devlin and Lasia eventually flopped onto the beach and stood, holding hands as they walked toward the others.
Berry took a few steps toward them and lowered her head so that they could look her in the eye.
Devlin smiled and stroked her nose. “This is a good look for you.”
She snuffled his hands, and Lasia stroked her neck.
“I hate to say this, but I really want to try riding you.”
Berry snorted and butted her with her head.
She wasn’t up to being ridden if it didn’t involve roses and soft music. Ashko had gotten on there twice, and her urge to drown him had kicked in immediately. Fortunately, he could hold his own underwater. The urge to kill had been surprising, but he had started to show her techniques to deal with it.
Berry left her family and walked to the changing area where she could get back into her gown. A quick change later and she was back with those she loved.
Ashko was standing and talking to the two naked shifters while Berry wandered back to them with a smile. Everyone got quiet when she walked up to them. “So, what do you think of the changes?”
Devlin hugged her, and Lasia followed suit. “You look good and happy.”
Berry smiled in relief. “You think Mom will be upset?”
“Dad will talk her down.”
Lasia rubbed her hands together. “Great. Now, can I help with the wedding plans?”
“Well, I did want you to be my matron of honour. Stacey is a bridesmaid, so that is the sum and total of my part of the wedding party. I don’t need a bridal shower. Ashko has a fully tricked-out home.”
Lasia grinned and hugged her again. “Yes, I will be your matron of honour, and you have no say in what does or doesn’t happen before the wedding.”
“The wedding is in three weeks, and you will have access to a transporter for all your needs. Stacey has volunteered her time to take you wherever you want to go.”
Lasia smirked and ran off to get dressed. The moment she returned, she rounded on Ashko and started to pelt him with questions until he shifted to his biped form and answered her.
Devlin walked off to get dressed, and when he came back to Berry’s side, Lasia was still at it. “She has been hoping for this day.”
“Really? She wanted me to get married?”
“Oh, no. She wanted to plan a wedding without a budget. This is huge for her.” He laughed.
They stood and watched the deta
ils being shared and hashed out. She had the best bits of her family with her, and they were excited for her. Berry was having another very good day.
Weddings were designed to be stressful, but with Lasia as her general, all Berry had to do was show up and look pretty. Oh, and she had to agree to marry the fey at the end of the aisle. That part was key.
Cameras, flowers and pearls were the theme. The gown that Ashko had made for her was all the colours of the sea.
The beach wedding was appropriate, and they said their vows in front of members of her herd, her family and friends, and highborn members of the fey court who were getting into going to the shifter-fey weddings.
There was a lot of power in the audience, and it was focused on wishing them well. Berry could feel the bright energy at the shoreline, and it filled her with a sense of well being.
When the vows were spoken in English and the liquid language of the fey, they exchanged enchanted bands and turned to the audience. The fey were subdued, but the shifters hooted and hollered, applauding wildly.
Eventually, the raucous energy of the shifters started to effect the fey, and the happy couple took to the dance floor two minutes before an unusual mix of couples swarmed them.
Hromir, the giant and best man, was dancing with Berry’s mom. Berry saw her dad dancing with an elegant, courtly fey, and she relaxed in the knowledge that at least her people were having a good time. The fey looked startled at the beginning, but that much good will would take down the hesitancy in short order.
Berry smiled up at Ashko. “This party is going well.”
“You are the jewelled centrepiece. I am glad you are happy. Your sister didn’t leave any detail to chance. Seals are surprisingly fierce.” He swayed with her in the crowd, steering her through the bodies with amusing skill.
“As you know, the cute and cuddly is only skin deep.” She winked.
“I must say that I do enjoy the wild ferocity that lies beneath.”
Berry felt heat in her cheeks as she met his gaze. In his eyes, she was naked and under him. It was her favourite spot. He did all the work, and his enthusiasm indicated that he enjoyed it. She occasionally acted as the aggressor, but she had to be take-charge when on assignment for the fey, so it was nice to relax at home where she was sure that she was safe.
Sealed with a Kick Page 5