InSpire (Spire Chronicles Book 1)

by April Wood

  As she relaxed back into the water she felt him rubbing the sponge on her shoulders. He took his time washing every inch of her. She wanted him to really go slow when he got in between her legs but he didn’t. He just skipped over it and smiled at her. She couldn’t help but show her disappointment. He only smiled at her enjoying the sweet torture he was inflicting on her. It was his way for paying her back for the strip tease. It made him chuckle a little to see her squirm.

  “My turn.”

  “Your turn for what?” He stripped quickly and slid into the tub behind her.

  “Aren’t you going to wash me?”

  “Oh.” The flush of red spreading across her face made him even more excited.

  She took the sponge, moved around to the front of him, and straddled his lap. She felt his already hard shaft against the inside of her thigh. Nothing would please her more than to sink down on top of him, but she was not that forward. She started to wash his body painstakingly like he did hers. When she got to his shaft she brushed it slightly then moved on.

  The look on his face suggested he was disappointed. She smiled at him. His hands gripped her waist tight and positioned her over him directly where she needed to be. Sliding her hands between them, she guided his hard shaft into position. A gasp escaped her. His girth filled her in seconds. As her body adjusted, he cupped her breasts and sucked her left nipple into his mouth. His mouth made her hard quickly.

  She started to rock up and down on him. She loved to feel his entire length entering her. It sent shivers all over her body. The more he sucked on her nipple the closer she got to climax. Her thighs squeezed him tightly and he moaned. Her hand reached between them, cupping him. She knew he was close, so she moved even faster. He put his thumb on her and she screamed out his name as they climaxed together.

  “I needed that.” She collapsed on his shoulder completely spent.

  “So did I.”

  “I love you, Darian.”

  “I love you, Athena.”

  He gripped her butt and stood up. He grabbed a towel and threw it around her. He carried them over to the bed. He laid her down then climbed in beside her. Sleep took her quickly.

  He laid there watching her for a while. It was clear she was dreaming again. He hoped this time it would be happy memories. They were getting so close to getting their lives back. He stared at her for an hour before he fell asleep.

  “You know one of these days this will all be yours.” Athena and her father stood on the balcony of the palace looking out over Spire. There was pride in his eyes.

  “What if I don’t want it?”

  “You really don’t have a choice. You are my only heir, Athena. As such my kingdom will one day be yours.” His explanation should have been enough for her, but it never was.

  “I just don’t know if it is what I want.”

  “You will in time.” He wrapped her up in his arms like only a father could.

  “You know I still miss her.” She wiped a tear from her eye. Thoughts of her mother always made her sad.

  “As do I.” He kissed her forehead attempting to comfort her.

  “Will I ever see her again?”

  “Maybe.”

  “Can you tell me what happened?”

  “I don’t know.” They took a seat at one of the little tables. It was perfectly appointed, just as it had been when her mother was the Queen. She believed in having things beautiful and right.

  “I am old enough now. You promised you would tell me when I was old enough to understand. Please.”

  “Fine.” The servants had laid out some coffee for them to drink. It was his favorite not hers. He brought his up and sipped it while she just stared at hers.

  “So?”

  “Your mother was out on a mission when it happened. She was one of the best captains I have ever had. She led a group after a coven. When they arrived they were outnumbered. Your mother fought the witches off, but was killed by one of their demons.”

  “How could a demon kill her? Wasn’t she the Queen?” It didn’t make sense to her. She knew they weren’t immortal, but they were almost impossible to kill.

  “We are able to be killed. Yes we live for a very long time, but no creature under heaven is infallible, Athena.”

  “Oh.”

  “Now, can we have breakfast?”

  “Sure.”

  “What’s wrong?” Athena was crying uncontrollably. It didn’t seem to matter how many times he called her name. She was in his arms still crying.

  “Just a dream.”

  “What happened this time?” He sat up on the bed and motioned for her to put her head on his shoulder.

  “I remembered the day father told me what happened to my mother.”

  “Oh. And what was his version of reality?” That mischievous almost evil tone was back in his voice.

  “Are you saying it might have been a lie?” She sat up wanting to know why he was behaving this way. Her story was sad, not funny.

  “Possibly. Tell me what he said?”

  “He told me she was killed on a mission. He said she had taken a group to dispatch a coven and that one of the demons got her.”

  “That’s a good one. I guess I should have known he wouldn’t tell you the truth.”

  “And what is the truth?”

  She moved to the edge of the bed and put her feet on the floor. Darian was sure if he didn’t tell her the truth she was going to bolt. He couldn’t let her go when they were this close.

  “Your father killed your mother in a jealous fit.”

  “How do you know this?” He was looking directly at me. The truth was in his eyes.

  “I was one of the royal guard, Athena. I had to know.”

  “Why didn’t you stop him then?”

  “This was before you and me. You have to understand, I took orders. I didn’t question them.” It was almost impossible for Darian to convey to her how it was to be a royal guard. She grew up with the privilege of being royal. She had no way of knowing what it was like to guard one. The secrets he was forced to keep were too numerous to count. The walls in that castle could tell tales of murder, revenge, sex and adultery. And that was just her father.

  “Did you ever try to tell me the truth?”

  “I assumed you knew. The entire kingdom knew what he had done. He was always a very jealous man. Your mother wasn’t even his first bride. She was just the first one to survive birth. I’m sure she wasn’t his last.”

  “Does that mean I am no longer the only heir?” She got up and started pacing the floor. Finding out she was not quite human was bad enough. Now to find out her father actually lied to her, she was thrown.

  “Yes, but you would still be the rightful heir. You are the oldest of all of his children.”

  “I can’t believe I might have siblings!” She stopped pacing and looked out the window. All this was just too much.

  “You may.” He walked over and put her in a tight embrace.

  “Now I have to get back home.”

  “Why don’t I go fix us some lunch?”

  “Is it that late?”

  “Yes.” He walked over to the dresser and put on some jeans. He grabbed a few things and put them on the top of the dresser for her. She wasn’t sure how exciting it was to wear someone else’s clothes but wearing her dirty ones wasn’t an option. The clothes he left out fit her perfectly. It wasn’t like she was the average size, so having clothes fitting perfectly out of someone else’s dresser seemed like an impossibility. Comfortable in her new outfit, Athena walked down the stairs to find Darian setting the table.

  “I thought breakfast for lunch would be a good idea.”

  “I love breakfast.”

  “We have a few hours to kill before we need to head back.”

  “Are we going to be there first?”

  “Of course. I am a constant strategist.” He was confident in his plan. He had also planned out breakfast perfectly. She had hard fried eggs while he ate his disgusting run
ny eggs. It did make her happy to know how well he really did know her.

  “I figured. Did you really mean what you said?”

  “About?”

  “Bringing a compliment to destroy her entire coven.”

  “Certainly. I still have friends. I am not the only Prin to be ostracized from Spire. I have quite a few fellows at my disposal.” He smiled as they buried their heads in the food before them. The next ten minutes were filled with only the sounds of their forks hitting the plate.

  “I hope it doesn’t come to that.”

  “Me too.”

  “Do you think we will be able to head back soon?”

  “As soon as you remember where we need to go, love.”

  “Good. I want to start living my real life.”

  “As do I.” He took her plate and then grabbed her hand. He helped her up and then held her tightly in his arms. This was going to work. He just knew it would.

  CHAPTER FIVE

  “How long do we wait?” Whispering wasn’t Athena’s strong point. They’d been sitting in the woods for an hour. Sheila wasn’t late yet, but it was getting close.

  “Until she arrives.”

  They sat there in silence for another thirty minutes before her stomach started to ache. They knew Sheila had kept her word long before either of them saw her. The amount of rumbling going on suggested there must be at least three witches with her. The strong feeling sucked, but it meant Athena might have a chance at being a Prin again.

  “Okay, we’re here.” Sheila wasn’t even trying to be quiet. She probably figured having her sisters by her side would protect her from most. Darian would love to prove her theory wrong, but not today.

  “Good.” Darian stood up. He grabbed Athena’s hand and pulled her up beside him.

  Sheila threw a spark at the fire and it ignited. The women cackled at the sight. These women were much like the witches found in books. They were ugly, short, fat and cackled uncontrollably.

  “What do you need us to do?” Darian was all business.

  “Well we need to see her first.”

  Darian waved Athena forward. She walked toward the witches slowly. This was her first time feeling this sick. She wanted to double over the entire way. Athena looked a Darian. He was standing rock still. She was amazed at his ability to control the pain. She struggled with every step. The desire to call her sacred sword and eliminate these women in front of her was so strong. She bit her lip. Once she was in front of them the pain subsided.

  “You are right.” One of the witches cackled to Sheila.

  They stood there just measuring each other up for more than an uncomfortable minute. Athena didn’t back down one bit. She was strong and looked down her nose at these creatures. They weren’t her equal and they each knew it. Darian smiled seeing some of his old love bubbling up to the surface. Athena was a warrior and bred to be a Queen. He couldn’t wait to hold that woman in his arms again.

  “This is Athena, first born of Malaicom.” Sheila started with the bowing and then in turn each of the witches bowed to Athena.

  “Did you say first born?”

  “Yes.”

  “Does that mean my father has had a more children?”

  “You can ask him when you arrive. I don’t have time for a history lesson,” Sheila was curt and she knew it. The time was slipping away from them. This had to be done now.

  “Now, now, sister. Don’t be rude to her majesty.”

  “I am not, sister. We need to get to work if we are going to make this happen.” Sheila tried hard to change the tone of her voice. Her life was riding on this now. “Now if you wouldn’t mind, Your Majesty, please take a seat.”

  Athena did as requested and sat down in front of the fire. There were no chairs or stumps, so the ground would have to do. The women circled her and started to chant some words she’d never heard before. They sang and danced for a few minutes then stopped.

  “Drink this.” Sheila put a cup made of tusks in front of Athena’s face. It smelled of rancid garbage and looked even less pleasing.

  “What is it?”

  “A potion to help you change.”

  “It smells disgusting.”

  “I can’t help that.”

  “Maybe next time you cut with something less disgusting?”

  “Next time.” Sheila was placating Athena. She was never going to perform this again. Once was enough. Tempting fate too many times was lethal even for a witch.

  Athena chugged the potion. Their expressions suggested they were surprised by her action. The witches stared at her intently for a few minutes. Athena was working hard not throw up. It was obvious as she wretched forward she was losing the battle. The vile potion and her dinner came out in one fluid motion. Then she collapsed on the ground.

  “What have you done to her?” Darian had his sword drawn and at Sheila’s throat before Athena ever fell.

  “You knew this would be painful. I explained the risks to you in great detail. So put that sword away.”

  “I didn’t think you would try to kill her.”

  Athena could still see them dancing around the fire. Sheila was holding her own against Darian. She wasn’t backing down. For some reason that gave Athena comfort. If she backed down Athena would surely die. No matter how bad it hurt, she was going to wake up from this.

  “I am not. Let the potion work.”

  Athena let go and let her world crash on top of her. Darian could do nothing but pray this was the right thing. His heart hammered in his chest with every second that ticked by.

  “Do you think it’s a boy or a girl?” They were walking through the gardens of Spire again. He was holding her right hand and she was using her left to rub her belly.

  “I don’t know. It’s too early to tell.”

  “You know we won’t be able to hide this long.”

  “I know.”

  “What are we going to do?”

  “We are just going to have to tell my father we are in love. He will have to understand.”

  “You obviously don’t know your father.” Darian let out a chuckle. The things he had seen the King do over the years gave him great pause.

  “Why would he object to you?”

  “Because I am not noble or royal. You are.” Darian couldn’t keep the sadness out of his voice, even for her. He knew this would mean his banishment or worse. He just didn’t know how to tell her.

  “I don’t care.”

  “I hope you know what you are doing.”

  “I do.”

  “Athena.” He was on the ground beside her now. She felt comforted in his arms.

  “Huh?”

  “Are you alright?”

  “Where am I?” Her eyes were only open a sliver. Darian doubted she knew what was going on. He knew. Her wings had ripped through her shirt. The moment they appeared he knew his love was back. It was all he could do not to cry. This was the moment he had been waiting for.

  “You are still in the woods.”

  As her eyes opened further she looked around. Athena wondered why she was in the woods with witches. The last thing she remembered was walking through the garden with Darian. His face was familiar, but nothing else was.

  “How did I get here?”

  “We came together.”

  “Where in Spire is this?”

  “We aren’t in Spire, my love. We are in the human plain.”

  “What?”

  “What’s the last thing you remember?”

  “I was walking with you in the garden. We were discussing the baby.” She put her hand down to her belly. She frantically searched for the bump that had been there. There was nothing. She turned her head into Darian’s chest and began to cry. He remembered that day well. Had he known this is where the potion would take her, he might not have agreed. Their child was lost when she plunged out the window. It wasn’t her fault. She had no memory of the child growing inside her. What her father did to her was evil. The hate grew inside of Darian as he st
roked her hair and beautiful white wings.

  “She’s confused, Darian. Her mind will clear. Give her some time.” The witches were stunned. They stared at Athena while she cried.

  “Who is that speaking to me?” It came out of her mouth like it would a true Queen. This woman was beneath her and as such had no right to address her or speak of her.

  “Her name is Sheila. She is the witch that brought you back to me.”

  Athena turned her head and looked at the woman. She was not impressed with the sight before her. If she had the strength she would remove the woman’s head right now. She was too weak.

  “Here, Your Majesty, drink this. It will clear your mind.” The woman bowed deeply as she handed Athena the cup. It smelled of roses and lavender. It reminded Athena of the garden once again. Slowly she drank, forcing it passed the lump that was forming in her throat.

  “I don’t feel any different.”

  “Give it some time. You need your rest before you complete your journey home.” Sheila bowed to Athena and then left quickly. Darian scooped her up in his arms. She felt very weak and cold.

  “Why am I naked?”

  “Your wings tore your t-shirt off when they appeared. You were writhing so much and kicking your jeans tore.”

  “Where had they gone?”

  “It will make sense soon.” Darian kissed her cheek as he carried her toward the motorcycle. His joy was tempered by an equal amount of fear. His love was back, but that meant she could be tracked by others now. He wasn’t sure how much time they would have. For tonight he could keep her cloaked with the little magic he knew. It wouldn’t be much, but they could at least rest.

  “I can fly, you know.”

  “No. It isn’t safe to do here. We will go back to the farmhouse and rest.”

  “What farmhouse?”

  “I hope your memory comes back soon.”

  “It’s all fuzzy right now. I’m sure once I rest I will remember something.” She wiped a tear from her eyes and looked down at her belly again. Gone was the pudgy woman, in her place was an elegant Prin. Her body was still curvy, but it was more in shape. Prins were athletic by nature. She rubbed her belly again. Darian could see she was missing her child. It had been the one thing to bring her the most joy.