InSpire (Spire Chronicles Book 1)

by April Wood

  “It was my mother’s favorite room.” She admitted walking to the closet. Athena found many of the gowns she remembered her mother wearing in the closet. Apparently her father was far more sentimental then he let on. She found her favorite purple high collar gown. In the human realm she always went for comfort, but that would not be fitting of her new status. Her father always wore royal garments. She couldn’t remember ever seeing him in relaxed clothing. Thankfully the bodice on this gown could be loosened. She couldn’t handle another round of pressure on her belly. She finished dressing and walked back out to the bedroom.

  “Can you lace me up? Don’t do it very tight, please.”

  “Certainly, but why not too tight?”

  “Pregnant.”

  “I have been meaning to ask you, how do you know you are pregnant? I mean I didn’t see you buy a test or go to the doctors.”

  “I didn’t and it isn’t like I could do that now. You know our chemical make-up is different than the humans. Their tests would show nothing. I know because the witch told me before she made me drink the potion.”

  “I didn’t hear her tell you.”

  “You wouldn’t have. She told me telepathically. It was actually a question. She wanted to make sure I really knew what I was headed toward. I knew it as soon as we stepped into Spire.”

  “I can’t tell you how many times I have prayed that our son would be returned to you.” He spun her around and kissed her passionately.

  “I would never choose a life that separated me from you. Even if I weren’t pregnant I would have still taken the potion. My life is nothing without you.”

  “Good.” He wrapped her up tightly. It was moments like this he knew his life had a purpose. He was hers as she was his.

  “I love you.”

  “I love you.” His hands wandered around her body. He loved the feel of her soft curves. Her body could drive him crazy. When she looked into his eyes they were fast approaching a deep purple.

  “That is going to keep us from the throne room for a while.” She spun out of his arms and swatted his back side.

  “So will that.” He grabbed her hand and pulled her back into his chest.

  “It would be a shame for you to have to undo all this work.” She spun around showing off the lacing he had just tied up.

  “No need.” He hiked the skirt up to her waist. He pulled her undergarments down quickly and picked her up. He walked them over to the wall and pressed her back firmly into it. He undid his jeans quickly. Then he slammed himself into her hard. She let out a cry of relief and agony. He filled her up. She looked deep into his eyes as he thrust in her. They didn’t kiss or say a word. They both just focused on making love. Her legs were wrapped tightly around him pushing him to go harder and faster. She felt her orgasm building. After the last few hours she needed to release. Darian’s jaw clinched and she knew he was almost there. She closed her eyes and put her head back as her orgasm slammed her hard. She screamed out his name as he clinched and let go inside her. He leaned all his weight into her as his body lets go nearly as violently as hers. They embraced tightly and then passionately kissed each other.

  She leaned on his shoulder and then turned her head toward his ear. She let out in small whisper of breath, “Feel better?”

  “If I could live inside you, I would.”

  She smiled and laughed. He released her from the wall and slid out of her. She pulled her undergarments back up after a quick wipe off. She adjusts her gown and messes with her skirt as he darts to the closet. By the time she was all straight he was back out and ready to rule beside her. He was wearing one of her father’s robes. It was dark red and black. The color was amazing on him. It made him look menacing and sexy at the same time. He unfurled his wings and gave them a good shake. Athena had to catch her breath. She could have him again right now. He looked over at her.

  “Now, now. We had our fun. It’s time to be rulers.” He winked at her.

  “Then don’t do that.”

  “This?” He winked again and then raised an eyebrow. Her eyes were dancing between green and purple. She was struggling to keep control of them. Her lust for him was strong, but her desire to keep things in Spire calm was more potent.

  “Shall we?”

  They walked back to the throne room hand in hand. Before the crier announced their entrance she straighten up Darian’s crown.

  “Presenting their royal Majesties, Queen Athena and Prince Darian.” Darian squeezed her hand as her eyes were red. He knew she was angry at the announcement. It didn’t bother him in the least. He never aspired to be King. She was the Queen and that was all he needed. He knew she would punish whomever was responsible for the mistake. For now he needed her to be calm. These people couldn’t see her anger. They only needed to see the polished calm woman he knew and loved. She looked at him and slowly her eyes faded back to green. When he was confidant she was under control they walked in. She took her seat on the main throne. Darian sat beside her without letting go of her hand. She wasn’t sure how he kept constant contact with her, but she was grateful he did. It kept her centered.

  “Who comes before my royal court?” Athena was surprised she remembered the pomp and circumstance of court. It was her least favorite thing to do when she was a Princess. Her father encouraged her to run the throne room once a month. She understood why for the first time.

  “Lord Garrin of the Prison camp is first to be heard,” the crier announced.

  “I had not expected to see you soon.” Athena smiled pleasantly at him.

  “Your Majesty, I must have a royal warrant to add guards to the duty roster. I assumed this was of high importance to you.” He bowed deeply to her. She wasn’t sure he knew how to be this formal. It was all informal in his office.

  “You will have it.” Ubrene brought her a document to sign.

  She did so and gave it back to Ubrene. He handed it to Garrin, who bowed then left the throne room in a hurry.

  “Next to be heard, Lord Malvaroy of the lower guild,” the crier announced.

  “Lord Malvaroy, I have not seen you since I was a child.”

  “Your Majesty has a good memory.”

  Lord Malvaroy was a short, fat gray haired man. He was a blacksmith and led the members of the guild. The guild were the workers in their society. They weren’t servants, but they were just above. They did the things the palace required to survive. The last time Athena saw him she was still a very young Prin. He helped her when her blade broke. Her father had given her first blade only a few days before. She used it on a rock. She never did that again.

  “I hope there is no problem with your business.”

  “I have come in my official capacity as the leader of the Guild. There are fears of a raise in taxes on guild members.”

  “I have no designs on raising taxes presently, but I can’t swear this will not happen. As you know there have been recent developments which will require a strengthening of our defenses. If we need funds for this taxes will be raised for all. I will not punish the men who arm my soldiers and keep them safe.”

  “Thank you, Your Majesty.” He bowed deeply then slowly backed out of the room.

  “We will most defiantly have to raise taxes, Your Grace.” Ubrene was standing close to her so no other would hear him speaking.

  “I’m aware of that, but I refuse to make them feel as if they must shoulder the burden alone.”

  “Lady Elizabeth of Hiver,” the crier announced.

  Athena looked to see a beautiful woman with long white hair. She was wearing it straight and it nearly hit the floor. Her ice blue gown and pale features confirm what her name had already suggested. She came for the land of winter. Her people were not Prin’s but a close similarity. They were called Indries. They commanded any cold or water. They also had wings but didn’t hunt the demons Prin’s did. They mostly controlled things of nature in the human realm. Darian stared at the woman with intensity. He was leery of other beings being in Spire. Rarely did
it mean anything good. Athena looked at him and cleared his throat. He looked at her and she could see the tinge of red around his blue eyes. She knew he didn’t trust this woman.

  “Lady Elizabeth, how may we be of service?”

  “My Queen, I have come to honor the long pack between our people. Your father had a peace with us that we hope to extend with you. If you need them our powers are at your service.” She bowed her head and curtsied.

  “I will uphold my father’s treaty and do offer to keep your people safe when they travel through Spire.” All of this was an act for both parties. There had been a long standing peace, but they didn’t completely trust each other. Prin’s were manipulative by nature. Indries were sneaky by nature. It didn’t inspire trust either way.

  “You are a gracious Queen.” She bowed and backed out of the room.

  “That is all for today, Your Majesty.”

  “Good, Ubrene. I’m extremely hungry.”

  “Set the royal dining room.”

  Athena stood and took Darian’s hand. The court bowed to them and they moved out of the room followed by Ubrene. When the doors closed to the throne room she spun on her heels and confronted him.

  “Why was Darian referred to as Prince?” She wasn’t as tall as Ubrene, but he could feel every inch of her anger. It was taller than the ceiling.

  “Because that is his title. He can’t be called King unless he is of noble blood.”

  “Then is he just to be arm candy for me?”

  “No, Your Majesty. He has power too. Just not as much as you do.”

  “So it makes no difference this title offends me?” Her hands were on her hips and her feet were firmly placed in the tile. She wasn’t going to give an inch. Darian simply chuckled by her side. This was her battle. He could care less what they called him. He only wanted to be her husband. That was the title he cared about.

  “It does, but we are simply sticking with tradition.”

  “It makes no difference to me.” Darian decided he should join the conversation before Athena killed Ubrene.

  “I will think on it.” She waved Ubrene off. He bowed and walked away with his wings tucked between his legs. He learned right there never confront the Queen. She could kill you without giving a second thought.

  They walked together to the dining room. It was the second door on the left in their new wing. When they opened the door they found the servants busy setting the table and lighting candles. It was all very romantic even though the table was long enough to seat twenty. The servants had put the two chairs on the very end side by side. Athena smiled. She remembered her father would sit on one end and her mother would sit on the other. She would split the difference. It was nice she could sit next to her husband. She hated being parted from him and didn’t understand why her father had always separated himself from his loved ones.

  Darian pulled out her chair as the servants started bringing food in. Athena was starving, but when they put the food down she couldn’t eat. She sat there watching Darian load up his plate. When he looked up to see her with an empty plate he became concerned. She put her hand up to her mouth and held back a wave a nausea. He put his hand on her other hand and looked into her eyes.

  “Are you alright?”

  “I’m feeling a little sick.”

  “Is that okay?”

  “It’s pretty normal for my condition.”

  The servants placed bowls of soup in front of them. It smelled good and gross at the same time. Darian waited for her to eat before he did. It was the custom, but he was worried there me be something more wrong. He was experienced with human pregnancy, but Prins weren’t the same. She took a spoon and brought a sip of soup to her lips. The look on her face could have been amusing if he wasn’t so upset. She sipped it slowly. When it didn’t come back up he tucked into his food as well.

  She was able to eat one or two of the five courses. Darian, naturally, ate everything offered to him. All the flying had created a fierce appetite in him. Not to mention the vigorously love making earlier. When Athena started to pat her belly he knew it was time to head to the room to try to sleep. Darian took her hand and led her back to their chamber. Darian started to undo her lacings before the door to the bedroom was closed behind him. She grabbed the front so it wouldn’t slide to the floor.

  “Thank you.” She turned and kissed him and then skipped off to the closet.

  “You better pick out something sexy.”

  She smiled and looked around the closet. She found a stash of sexy lingerie under the normal sleeping gowns. There was a black mesh baby doll. She dropped her dress and slid the baby doll on. Her breasts had already started to swell a little. They looked enormous in this. It was shear so he would be able to see every detail of her body. She stretched her wings out and looked in the mirror. In the human realm she never liked looking at her body. Her it was a wonder to behold. She could stare at her reflection for hours and never tire of it.

  She walked back out to the room to see him bending over the bed. He was in his boxer shorts and his magnificent black wings were spread wide. She cleared her throat and tried to strike a sexy pose in the door of the closet. He turned around and his body responded to her immediately. She licked her lips as she sized him up. He walked over to her and wrapped his arms around her. He buried his tongue in her mouth barely letting her breathe. When they came up for air he took a silk handkerchief out from under his waistband.

  “Close your eyes.”

  Darian ties the silk fabric around her eyes. Not too tight, but tight enough she needed to be helped. He walked her to the bed. He spun her around and let the back of her knees touch the bed. The he helped her back slowly. She scooted until her head was on the pillows. He could see through her skimpy nightie she was already excited. Her nipples were hard and she was glistening. He licked his lips in response to the sight. Her pregnancy was making her more responsive to his touch.

  “Spread your legs.” She spread them eagerly. He wrapped a rope around them to keep them held a part.

  “Now your arms.”

  She gave them to him willingly. The soft silk around her eyes was repeated at her wrist. He didn’t tie them tightly, but they were not going anywhere. He moved them above her head and secured them to the head board. Her body was alive. She wanted him to touch her badly. She felt nothing for a few minutes. She could hear his ragged breathing beside her but not too close. Then she felt a brush against her toes. It moved slowly up her body. When the object reached her breasts it circled her nipples making them painfully hard. It moved up to her lips. The soft silky feel and smell told her it was a rose. She bit her lip loving all the attention and ready to burst. He could make her climax without even laying a finger on her.

  His lips touched hers gently. They moved steadily down toward her breasts. She felt his teeth pull the mesh off of them. At first he kept up the punishment of not using his tongue. Then she felt just the tip of it rubbing her nipple. It sent shivers down her spine and an electric current straight to her core. Her back arched up in pleasure. He licked from one breast to the other and used his teeth to uncover the nipple on that one. He sucked it until it became a hard mound. She wanted him to touch her but he didn’t. When he was satisfied with that nipple he moved his lips down her torso. He brushed over the top of her heated core and blew gently. Her bound legs were twitching and moving. Darian smiled knowing he could put her through such sweet torture. It was a mere sample of the torture she put him through on a daily basis. She had no idea how wild she drove him.

  He spent little time there and moved quickly down her legs. Then he started to kiss back up her body. She wanted him inside her so bad it almost hurt. When he got back to her pubic bone he latched on with his mouth. He sucked and licked there until she nearly combusted. He was so skilled with his tongue. It took seconds for her to climax. Her release was violent because she couldn’t close her legs.

  “Mmmm.” He was lapping up what her body offered like a greedy dog.


  “Take me.” Her body was primed and ready for him.

  “In time.”

  She let out a moan as he continued his sweet torture. He licked his way back up her torso and onto her breasts.

  He assaulted her nipples. They were getting sore but it was a good kind. She wriggled her body beneath him until she could feel him pressed against her thigh. She wanted him inside of her now. She arched her back and tried to move toward him, but he deftly moved away. She knew he was smiling broadly at her display. He straddles her body. She felt his full length resting on her belly. He moved slightly letting her feel the entire girth. He was careful not to put too much weight on her belly. He watched her as she licked her lips. She wanted him. That made his eyes turn shockingly purple. He could hold back no longer.

  He slid in between her legs and teased her with the tip of his shaft. He rubbed it slowly in circles just on her wet opening. He didn’t penetrate her. He slid it up and down driving her closer to yet another orgasm. He bounced the tip a couple of times before slamming hard into her. He remained still for a moment to let her body adjust to his girth. She felt him stretch up and grab a hold of the head board. He used it for leverage to pound her harder. The harder he slammed the closer she got to orgasm.

  “Yes, Darian, take me hard!”

  “I love it when you talk dirty.” She loved the deep growl he used when they were making love. It turned her on.

  He pulled himself into her with all his might and she exploded in the most violent orgasm she had experienced. Her body convulsed and jerked beneath him. Her back was arched tightening the gap between them to nothing. Her wings were curling up trying to touch his. His panting was pushing her abdomen. He was getting close to releasing. The tips of her wings reached his and he growled louder.

  “I love you, Athena.”

  She felt him spill his seed deep inside her. He collapsed on her then slide his hand up to untie the rope around her wrists. She wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him in tight for a kiss. Her wings completely encapsulate them. He was still inside her and she felt him harden again as she deepened the kiss. Her muscles were screaming for rest. He pulled out and untied her ankles. Then he pulled the cover off of her eyes. He was standing over her glistening from head to toe. He looked like a god.