by Sadie Carter
The masic dropped slightly as Dex settled himself beside her. His hard thigh rested against hers, the heat of his body chasing away the chill left by the nightmare.
She opened her eyes, staring up at him. “I tried to wait up for you.”
“I am sorry, my own. I had a meeting. I tried to finish it early but still, I returned later than I had hoped.”
She screwed her nose up. “And I was asleep.”
He ran a thumb under her eyes. “You need your rest. Do these nightmares happen often?”
“I don’t know. I’ve had one or two.” Each night.
“And what are they about?”
“I don’t really think we need to talk about it,” she told him, leaning her head against his arm.
“Zoey, tell me. Now.”
Damn his stubborn ass anyway. “It’s always about Elodie.”
“Elodie? What about her?”
“I worry about something happening to her. That she’ll get hurt or sick, and I can’t protect her. I know it’s crazy, and that I can’t protect her from everything, but she’s so small and tiny. I can’t help but worry about her.”
Rather than make light of her worries, Dex nodded seriously. “Yes, I understand. I have the same worries myself. About you and Elodie.”
“You don’t have to worry about me.”
“But I do. Constantly. And I worry about my people. About protecting them. Keeping them safe, from the outside world and the mating fever.”
Zoey held her breath, she didn’t want to do anything that might interrupt him. This was the most he had spoken to her about how he was feeling in a long time.
“But you are helping them. We have a treaty with Earth. There is a ship filled with humans coming to visit here in the next month. Your people are safe, Dex. Elodie and I are safe.”
He shook his head. “There is also an outside threat.”
“From the Coizils?”
“Yes. I must ensure that they do not ever attack my people again.”
“How?” He wasn’t planning to go to war, was he? That would have a devastating impact on them all.
“I am following Rye’s suggestions and have plans to interrupt their trade agreements.”
Nerves bounced through her stomach. “Won’t that anger them?”
He turned to stare down at her, his face stone cold. “They need to pay for what they did. I will weaken them. I will not destroy them, but I will make them realize that they should not cross me or those I hold close.”
His hands were clenched into fists, and she covered one of them with her own. “The loss of your father was terrible and a shock.”
Dex glanced away. “I must live up to his legacy. I did not always agree with his decisions, but he was a great Emperor.”
“He would be proud of you.”
He looked skeptical.
“You cannot do everything at once. You need to give yourself time to adjust, Dex. Let people help you. I know that’s not really something you like doing, but you don’t have to do it all yourself. I can help you.”
“You have enough to do, my own. You need rest, not more work. Now about these nightmares.”
She rubbed her forehead, trying to ease a headache developing. “They’re silly.”
“Nothing that affects you is silly. It is my job to take care of you, Zoey. I cannot do that if you do not talk to me.”
And when was she supposed to do that? He was never around. Zoey bit back the angry reply and nodded. “All right.”
He drew her onto his lap. “I should have known about these nightmares. I should have been here to soothe you. It is hard not to worry about Elodie. She is so small and important to us both. But you will make yourself ill if you constantly worry about threats that are not there.”
“I know that logically. But it’s harder than it sounds. I don’t want to be the crazy parent who wraps their kid in bubble wrap, even if I have fantasized about that once or twice.”
“Nothing will happen to Elodie. I would not allow it. I will always protect you both.”
She leaned into him. “I know you will.”
His cock hardened against her thigh, and her heart stuttered.
“You should return to sleep,” he told her, even as he cupped her breast through her loose shirt. She wore nothing underneath.
“I’m not tired.”
“No?”
“No. Perhaps I should do something that might ease my tension and help me sleep.” Boldly, she reached down between their bodies and grasped hold of his firm shaft.
Dex let out a low groan and thrust his hips up. She wiggled down his lap and perched on her knees between his open legs.
“Zoey,” he started to say.
She held a finger to her lips. “Shh. Let me, please.”
Finally, he nodded, and she took the tip of him into her mouth. Warm and salty. Delicious. Her insides pulsed with need as she sucked on him. Clasping her hand around his wide base, she squeezed gently and bobbed her head. With her other hand, she cupped his firm balls.
“Oh, Zoey. Stars, what you do to me, my own.”
He ran his hand through her hair as she continued to suck on him, determined to bring him pleasure.
“I want you, my own.”
And she wanted him, desperately. Her body hummed with desire, her skin was tender and in urgent need of his touch. But she wanted him to come, wanted him to release into her mouth, wanted to give him this pleasure.
“I am going to release.”
She moved her hand up and down the base, sucking as strongly as she could until he came into her mouth in soft spurts. She drank him down, delighting in his groans of release.
When she pulled back, the tension had bled from his body, his face almost soft. He lifted her up, laying her back on the masic with a devilish grin.
“My turn.”
She smiled as he started kissing up one leg. He ignored her mound, moving to her other leg and starting at the ankle, kissed his way to the sensitive skin where her thigh and pussy met. She let out a protest as once again, he ignored her soft, dewy lips to lay kisses on her stomach.
“You are so beautiful.”
She still felt self-conscious about the changes to her body, but she smiled at his words. Dex was right, this was the body that had held their daughter for nine months. It might not ever be the same again, but that was okay. He kissed up her stomach and then placed butterfly kisses around her breasts, ignoring her hard nipples.
“Dex,” she protested as he picked up one arm, kissing the wrist.
“Yes, my own?” he asked.
“Touch my breasts, please.”
“I did.”
He made his way over her collarbone, nibbling at the base of her neck as she shivered with desire.
“You didn’t touch my nipples,” she complained.
“All in good time.”
She whimpered as he kissed and nibbled down her other arm. Damn the man, he was driving her nuts, and he knew it.
Then he took her lips with his and all complaints died on her tongue as he ravaged her mouth with a passion that took her by surprise. Her head spun, her breath trapped in her lungs, and it wasn’t until he pulled back that she remembered to breathe again.
“I need you,” he told her.
“Uh-huh.” Her brain still hadn’t reconnected to her body. He dropped his mouth to her right nipple and sucked on it until Zoey felt her eyes roll back. Then he bit her nipple gently, and she let out a deep cry.
He moved to her other nipple, biting down on it, then soothing it with his tongue. Back and forth, he tortured her, played with her, teased until her pulse was so rapid she thought she might pass out, her breath sawing in and out of her lungs.
Sweat coated her body lightly as he parted her lower lips with his fingers and strummed her clit lightly.
“Dex, Dex!”
“Shh, my own. You do not wish to wake the little one.”
Christ. Elodie. She bit her lip. Then he thrust
one finger in deep, and she let out another long, low cry.
Dex shook his head in mock-disappointment. “I think I’m going to have to gag you.”
Her eyes widened. “You wouldn’t dare.”
“There are many things I would dare.” He disappeared into the dressing room area and returned with a silk scarf.
Zoey shook her head frantically. “I’ll be good. Promise.”
He eyed her for a moment then placed the scarf down on the masic. “All right. I trust you will be or I will need to ensure you are.”
Damn, that arrogant, commanding voice had the power to make her tremble with need. Her stomach tightened deliciously as he dragged her to the end of the masic.
“Rise,” he commanded. The masic rose until she was high in the air, her pussy level with his mouth.
“Pull your legs up to your chest and hold them there. No coming until I give permission.”
“God, Dex. When did you get so mean?”
A dark chuckle was her only response before he sucked her clit into his mouth. She nearly came right then and there. Reaching for a pillow, she pulled it over her face to muffle her cries as he feasted on her. With two fingers, he thrust inside her.
“You taste so delicious. I should feast from you every morning.”
Holy hell. She wouldn’t complain. Zoey desperately tried not to come as he played with her. It was a test of her endurance not to come immediately. She clenched her jaw, straining, trying to think of something else, anything.
“Lower,” he barked at the masic.
Thank heavens. Breathing heavily, she drew the pillow away from her face to stare up into his. His gaze was hot and heavy as he grasped hold of his firm cock. His shoulders were wide, his arms thick with muscles. His stomach rippled with toned abs. Her mouth dry, she swallowed frantically.
“Dex.”
“Do you want me inside you?”
“Yes. More than anything.”
“Lower your legs.” She let them go, and he lined up his cock with her pussy before thrusting deep. Zoey arched her back, barely managing not to scream out. Her pussy rippled around his cock, the need to come so strong she thought she might shatter.
“Come for me. Come.” He placed his thumb over her clit, flicked it back and forth as he drove himself inside her, faster and faster.
The dam broke, and she came, so hard she actually wondered if she passed out briefly, because when she came back to, Dex was letting out his own groan as he released inside her. He leaned forward, collapsing on her briefly. She lay there, loving the feel of his hot body against hers, his cock inside her body as the last ripples of release rode her body.
Then with a moan, he rolled. She snuggled in against his side.
“I love you,” she whispered just as Elodie let out a cry. With a sigh, she sat up. Dex grasped hold of her arm.
“Stay here. I will get her.” He moved into the small room to grab the tiny baby, returning with her snuggled in his arms.
Zoey settled her in to feed her as Dex watched on. It was an intimate moment that she knew she would remember for years to come. The tiny, warm bundle snuggled in her arms, her mate looking on, protecting them both. Loving them.
When Elodie was finished and asleep once more, Dex returned and climbed onto the masic, pulling Zoey into his arms.
“I feel that everything is settled now. You will concentrate on resting and taking care of Elodie. I will look after everything else.”
She frowned.
“Oh, and I have sent a message to Hagartha that she will take over organizing the celebration of Christmas.”
She rolled over to gape at him. “You did what?”
He yawned. “You are exhausted. You do not need the added stress.”
“You can’t do that, Dex.”
“Do not worry, my own. She will liaise with Willa and Mila to ensure it is organized properly. I do not wish you to stress or exhaust yourself. This will work out much better. You will see.”
***
“That woman is a total bitch.”
The words weren’t shocking. Hagartha was a bitch. But the fact that it was Mila who’d said it was surprising. Normally, she was much more diplomatic. But right now, her eyes were flashing fire, her face filled with indignation as she paced back and forth across the living area of Zoey’s quarters.
Willa nodded. “She won’t listen to us. She’s vetoed all our suggestions. Basically, she’s turned Christmas into this formal, boring party. No presents. No lights. No tree. It’s not Christmas at all.”
Both women had turned up about twenty minutes ago, full of complaints about Hagartha.
“Zoey, why would Dex do this?” Mila asked.
Zoey curled up on the sofa. “He thinks it’s too much for me to take on.” And didn’t that sting? But she couldn’t make him believe in her.
“But that’s bollocks,” Willa stated. “Has he hit his head? Does he know who he’s dealing with?”
“Doesn’t he remember everything you’ve done? Everything that you’ve been through?” Mila asked.
“You’re one of the strongest people I know,” Willa added.
Zoey smiled even as tears threatened. “Thanks. But Dex seems to think that I can’t be anything more than a mother and a mate.”
“Then show him otherwise!” Willa stood and paced alongside Mila. The back and forth motion started to make Zoey feel ill. Even Elodie stopped smiling and was staring up at the two women.
“What’s the point?” Zoey asked tiredly. “I’m sure Hagartha will do a much better job.”
“Seriously?” Willa gaped at her, and even Mila was frowning.
Zoey felt bad for letting them down, but she didn’t feel like confronting Dex right now. Everything she said landed on deaf ears. He was making more of an effort to spend time with her and Elodie. That should be enough.
Should be.
“I need to visit Liula, we haven’t been this week yet, and she misses us when we don’t come.” Reaching down, she scooped up Elodie, grabbed the nappy bag and with Giz following her, made her way out of the door.
Looking morose, Willa and Mila followed.
“This isn’t over,” Willa warned.
Zoey said goodbye then made her way to Liula’s rooms, Boris walking silently beside her. “I suppose you have an opinion about all this?”
He shrugged.
“You think I need to talk to Dex as well?”
Another shrug.
“You know, I really wish you’d stop talking, you’re hurting my ears with all your senseless chatter.”
He gave her a calm look then nodded at the Zerconian guard standing outside Liula’s door. Zoey huffed out an irritated breath then made her way into Liula’s quarters. Aran was back on duty, and he smiled at her.
“No change?” she asked, as she always did.
“No, Empress.”
“Aran, seriously, call me Zoey. I keep expecting to find Liula standing behind me whenever you call me that. It gives me the creeps.”
“I do not wish to give you the, ahh, creeps.”
“Good.” She grinned at his confused expression. “Then call me Zoey. Come on, Elodie, time to make Granny pretty.”
She sat next to the masic and set out a blanket on the ground for Elodie to lie on then opened her make-up case as Giz settled in next to the old bat.
“Let’s see, I have a lot to tell you today. Let’s find our program first, though. Don’t want to miss another dating disaster.”
As the hour wore on, she found herself spilling everything out to Liula. She was a good listener, or at least a captive one.
“So, that’s it. That bitch, Hagartha is taking over everything and Dex is treating me like I’m made of glass.”
“I did…not take…you for…a coward.”
Zoey sat back in her chair, her heart beating rapidly as she stared up at Liula. Her eyes were still closed, and she hadn’t moved.
“Great. Now I’m imagining things. I’m going cra
zy.”
“Not crazy. Rude. Rash. Foolish. But not crazy.” Liula opened her eyes, blinking rapidly.
“Oh God, you are awake.” Zoey ignored the insults. She stood excitedly. “Liula, you’re awake.”
“Yes, I am aware,” she said dryly. “You are yelling that at me.”
“Sorry,” Zoey whispered. “I’ll get the healer.”
She raced out and grabbed Aran, who came running. He checked the older woman over and gave her a drink before turning to Zoey with a smile. “She is well. Weak and in need of nourishment, but awake. I will inform the Emperor and Thor.”
Within ten minutes, she’d been pushed out of Liula’s bedroom and into the living area. Healers had rushed in, including Thor, and were now checking Liula. The door slid open and she glanced up as Dex walked in. His face was impassive, unreadable, but when he looked at her, she saw the hope blazing in his eyes.
“Is it true?”
She nodded, blinking back her own tears. “She’s awake, Dex. She spoke to me.”
Thor stepped into the room.
“Thor?” Dex demanded.
Thor smiled. “She’s alive and surprisingly coherent. She said she was aware most of the time while in the coma. It seems she had to make the decision to come back to us or to fade completely.”
“Is she ready for visitors?”
“Yes.” Thor held his hand up as Dex moved forward. “But she wishes to see Zoey first.”
“Me?” Zoey stood in surprise.
“Yes. She is most adamant. She wishes to speak to you and Elodie. Alone.”
Zoey avoided looking at Dex as she nervously entered Liula’s bedroom.
Liula watched her as she moved into the bedroom and over to the woman’s side. I did not wish to awaken. I wished to follow him into the afterlife, but you would not let me go.”
“Oh, umm, sorry.” Zoey sat, feeling a bit defeated.
“But it is not my time. Now when I am needed here. Let me see my granddaughter.”
Zoey picked up Elodie and held her up in front of Liula. She could swear the older woman’s gaze actually softened.
“Hello, little one.”
“Say hello to Granny.”
Liula frowned. “I do not know this word.”
“It’s a title on earth that grandchildren call their grandmother,” she explained.
“She will call me Liula.”