by Ava Walsh
Erdal heaved a sigh of relief as he gazed at the now confused and scared faces of the council members. Half an hour earlier, when he got back to the meeting room, there was chaos among the council heads. Ornek had already briefed them about the situation and showed them the documents that proved Erdal was the true heir to the throne.
They wanted some time to think it over, but as Ornek said, there was no doubt about it. They had no choice but to agree.
Epilogue
Erdal sat by the bed in the sickbay and watched her sleep. He had almost lost her, again. His chest constricted at the thought. If something had happened to her or the baby, he would not have forgiven himself.
Natalie stirred and her eyes fluttered open.
“Erdal,” she whispered his name, and he felt the familiar pull toward her.
“I’m here, my love...” he bent down and planted a kiss on her soft lips.
“Oh, Erdal!” she cried, as he took her in his arms. “I thought I would never see you again!”
“Hush,” he whispered into her hair, taking in her sweet scent. “I rule this land now, so everything will be okay.” He smiled down at her, and then kissed her deeply. “And you will be my beautiful queen,” he said pulling apart.
“You have claimed the throne?” she asked, ever so softly. “What happened to Zutaar?” She saw the side of his face was still slightly swollen, and she could only imagine what he must have endured.
With Dr. Barca’s treatment, his wounds had healed fast.
“He’s dead,” Erdal said darkly. “You don’t have to worry about him anymore.”
“Even if he’s gone, don’t you ever leave me alone...” she said.
“I promise you, I will always be at your side,” he said, as he gazed deep into her eyes. “And as my queen, I will lay the world at your feet. I will make you feel loved like no man has ever loved you. I will mark your soul with my touch so deep, you will crave for nothing more. I will ensnare you with my love, touching you in those secret hidden places you don’t even know exist. Only then will you know what it means to be my queen.”
She gasped, speechless, as her heart beat faster.
He kissed her again. “Oh, and Dr. Barca tells me that it’s a boy,” he said, smiling his gorgeous smile, as he placed his palm on her belly.
“Really? What should we name him?” she asked, smiling.
“Arion,” he said, “he will be Arion Erdal Bu’rak Urquiorra.”
***
Six months later, he stood waiting at the steps leading to the pavilion that overlooked the sea. It was draped in gold and white, with ivory flowers all around the gold columns. He wore a dark suit with dark pants, and he wore the royal cape draped over his shoulders. He gasped and couldn’t stop gazing at the beautiful woman who walked toward him.
She wore a low-cut, backless, gold silk and Chantilly gown with intricate ivory and gold designs. She held a sleek, gold staff in her hand, a tradition of their race. Her hair was swept up in a loose bun, and she wore an intricate, gold tiara on her head. She ambled up to him with a civilized grace and she gazed into his eyes. The women from the harem were the bridesmaids. They had been set free. Many of them had volunteered to work at the palace, while others left for their home planets. One of the bridesmaids held their two-month-old son as she stood by, watching.
Natalie took his hand as she stepped up and he slid a large sapphire onto her finger. They exchanged their vows and Ornek declared them man and wife.
After the ceremony, they stood alone at the far end of the pavilion, gazing at the beautiful sunset over the sea. He held her hand, and she rested her head on his shoulder, gazing at the horizon awash with golden and purple hues. He turned and gazed at her, his emerald eyes full of love and warmth, and she blushed. He could still do that to her. She bit her lower lip, and he bent down and claimed her mouth with his, his tongue demanding and wanting all of her. As always, he took her breath away, and she wondered what she had done to deserve such a man.
Their hearts beat as one, and the calm sea reflected the peace within their souls. Together they ruled their kingdom, and their people loved them, and remembered them long after they were gone.
*****
THE END
Bonus Book 27: The Cowboy's Virgin
By: Ava Walsh
Description
He asked if he could kiss me. Who does that?
After her dad died, curvy 19-year-old Lauren Jones is ready for a change. Taking up her best friend Jane’s offer, she moves from Atlanta to a small village in Colorado to live with Jane and her boyfriend. They seem very happy, but Lauren’s decided that love just isn’t for her.
Too bad that Jane’s a notorious matchmaker.
Cole Harmon is a cowboy who looks exactly like Lauren’s favorite actor, Dermot Mulroney. He always hangs around Jane and Adam’s house so he’s hard to avoid. His lean muscles, tight abs and the V that disappears into those worn jeans are sending hot flashes through Lauren’s body, even though she’s determined she’s not on the market.
But when Lauren gets to know Cole better and hears about what happened to him, she realizes that she could develop feelings for this cowboy with a wounded heart.
There’s just something about a cowboy, isn’t there?
Slowly but surely, Lauren finds herself falling in love with the village and the cowboy. Is it too soon to want him? What will he say when he finds out she’s still a virgin and doesn’t know what she’s doing? Can she find room in her heart as she makes a new start for herself?
Chapter One
Lauren Jones pulled her backpack from under the seat in front of her as she waited for everyone else to exit the plane. She was young, just nineteen, and starting over after her father died six months ago. Her best friend Jane Reynolds had asked her to come live with her. Jane had recently moved to a little town in Colorado that revolved around farming and the outdoors and Lauren had never seen her happier. Not seeing any reason to refuse Jane’s offer, Lauren had packed up her belongings and left her home in Georgia.
Lauren brushed her soft red hair back and walked towards the door of the plane. She was ready to start her new life and thrilled to see her friend, but there was one thing she was not looking forward to too much. Jane was a notorious matchmaker and had mentioned a certain cowboy in town to her several times. She’d allowed it and didn’t protest too much, but she’d have to somehow make clear to Jane that she wasn’t interested in a relationship right now. Lauren was bigger than most girls and men hadn’t always been nice about that. Right now, she wanted to focus only on herself and on positivity.
Lauren walked into the airport and to the escalator taking her to the baggage claim. She thought fondly about Georgia and what she’d left behind. Once her father was gone, Jane had jumped right in with her invitation, but Lauren had taken some time to make a final decision. It wasn’t easy to leave everything she knew behind. But here she was, ready to start her new life.
Lauren looked over the crowd of people and saw her pixie-like friend waving. Her blue eyes lit up. She smiled and rushed forward to hug Jane.
They’d been friends for years, ever since elementary school. Jane had moved with her family from Georgia to Colorado and now lived on her own with her boyfriend, Adam. He was a cowboy who worked with cattle as well as riding them on the rodeo circuit. Jane still had the same black hair cut into the cute bob around her face and she was glowing today. “Hi! I am so glad that you’re finally here! It took you long enough,” Jane teased Lauren as she looked her over. “Come, give me your bag and let’s head back to the cottage. I can’t wait for you to see it!”
“Are you sure that Adam doesn’t mind me taking up the guest room?” Lauren asked as they made their way through the airport.
Jane waved her hand and laughed. “No, not at all. He works a ton so he’s happy that I’ll have someone to hang around with.” Jane leaned closer to her. “It’s not crowded like this, Lauren. It’s small and close knit and beautiful.”
Lauren had to admit that she liked that idea as they walked into the parking garage, where Jane led her to a chunky Jeep that had its share of bumps and bruises. “This is a long way from your little yellow Jetty in Georgia, Jane.”
“Everything is a long way from Georgia in Julesberg, Lauren. It’s like a breath of fresh air,” Jane said, as she opened the back and slid the suitcase inside of the car, laughing.
“You only say that because of Adam,” Lauren teased, but Jane looked at her with a thoughtful gaze.
“No, I mean…he’s the reason that I moved there. But I just love the slow way about the town and the quiet when the sun goes down. There’s a peace about it that you have to see.” Jane smiled and stared at her. “Let’s go. I want to show it to you.”
Jane paid the fee, and they hit the freeway to go home.
Home.
“So, about Cole,” Jane said slowly. Lauren looked over at her with her nose wrinkled up. “Look, he’s Adam’s best friend, and they’re on the circuit together. He’s a great guy and let’s be honest, Lauren, you still haven’t dated too much, right?” Jane asked as Lauren took a deep breath.
“No, I haven’t. Nobody struck me back home and who’s to say that Cole will? Just because you fell for Adam on the first night doesn’t mean that it will happen to everybody,” Lauren told her. Jane gave her a long stare since they were at a stoplight. “I don’t want to be that girl that gets set up like this.”
“You’re not. It’s just something I thought of when I knew that you might move here, and my imagination went a little crazy,” Jane defended herself, smiling. “He looks like Dermot Mulroney, you know.” That was Lauren’s favorite actor and she rolled her eyes.
“Great,” Lauren said, as she settled back for the hour drive and stared over at the green mountains. “It’s pretty here.”
The girls chatted about childhood memories as they drove and laughed over some of the funnier times they had with Lauren’s father, Kevin. Jane had loved him as much as Lauren and had come back to Georgia for a full week to help Lauren through the funeral.
Lauren watched as they pulled into a small town that featured the main stores for survival but nothing fancy like Target or Costco. She didn’t know how to feel about that, but as they drove down a small street and parked in the driveway of a cute yellow cottage, she changed her mind.
It was beautiful. There was a green lawn with flowers and a big porch that was set up for guests and time outside. Lauren got out of the car and stared at it. “This is amazing.”
“It is. The house is small but cozy and I think you’ll love it,” Jane said as she took Lauren’s luggage out of the Jeep. They walked into the house and almost bumped into two men who were just coming out.
“Hi, you must be Lauren. It’s good to meet you,” said a sweet looking guy with green eyes and dark hair, who Lauren assumed was Adam. He reached out his hand and she shook it as he continued, “We were waiting to grill some burgers, and here you are. Oh, and this is Cole Harmon, my best friend.” He gestured towards the other man. Lauren looked at him and realized that Jane was right. Cole looked just like Dermot Mulroney.
“It’s a pleasure, Lauren. Welcome to Julesberg,” Cole said, before he offered his own hand. Even though she’d told Jane she wasn’t interested in dating, she felt a bit self-conscious as Cole smiled at her. She liked his subtle drawl though and she smiled back at him.
“Thank you, Cole. I have to admit that I like it here. It’s very charming,” Lauren assured him as he grinned and nodded.
Adam took her suitcase to the guest room while Jane went into the kitchen and grabbed a plate of burger patties to bring to the back yard. Lauren was hungry after the flight, but she needed to fresh up a bit first. She looked from Jane to Cole and then excused herself to use the restroom. “Where is it?”
“Just at the end of the hallway.” Jane gave her a reassuring smile and watched as her friend turned and left the room. Lauren went into the little room and stared in the mirror at her hair that hung down to her shoulders in soft curls. It was messy, and she needed a shower, but with the party waiting outside, that was going to have to wait.
She settled for using the facilities and ducking into the guest room beside the bathroom to change into some fresh yoga pants and a sweatshirt since it was cooling down outside. She pulled her hair back and forced a smile on her face before she returned to the living room.
The guys were outside by the grill and Lauren looked around the living room for a moment. It was a spacious room with soft couches and some tables scattered about, as well as a pretty stone fireplace. She could see through the back window to the backyard where there was a deck and the grill, as well as a gorgeous sky on the horizon. “Wow, it’s so beautiful here,” she said as Jane came over to stand beside her. “But Jane, really, Cole already?”
Jane frowned and walked into the kitchen. “I know it must look like that, but I didn’t plan it. They’re friends and they always hang out together. This is usual,” Jane said as she pulled out a bag with some vegetables marinated in spices and oil.
“Babe? Do you have the asparagus and zucchini?” Adam called from outside.
“Right here,” Jane answered. She went to get a plate and the veggies and gave both to Adam with a soft kiss on the lips. She came back into the kitchen. “I didn’t invite him the way that you think I did. He’s just always here,” she said as she put her arm around Lauren and smiled at her.
Chapter Two
Lauren followed Jane to the table in the little dining room. There were tons of windows and she took it all in with wide eyes. It was stunning here and Lauren picked up on the peace that Jane had been describing to her. The guys came in with the cooked food and Lauren sat between Jane and Cole as she sipped her sweet tea.
Dinner was light and fun as they talked about the town and their lives. Jane worked as a writer for a few online websites and thought that Lauren could do the same. There weren’t a lot of jobs outside of the ranching world and Jane was making plenty of money with her writing.
The guys were cowboys through and through. It reminded Lauren of a movie, the way the men talked and laughed as Jane sat there with stars in her eyes. She was in love and Lauren smiled at her best friend as she watched. Cole looked at her as he sipped his can of beer and smiled when their eyes locked. She blushed, then looked away and took another bite of the salad before Jane brought in the watermelon.
Adam and Cole excused themselves after everyone was done eating, Adam hitting the sack and Cole going to his own home. Jane started to clean up and Lauren helped her as she took in the mood of the house. It was so peaceful. Jane told Lauren that the men started work at five in the morning, so they typically went to sleep early.
Lauren and Jane stayed up talking for a while before Jane told her friend to get some rest and a shower after the flight. Lauren stepped back into the small bathroom and rinsed off quickly before she dressed in some pajamas and walked into her new room. It was cute. It had a full sized bed with a worn dresser in the corner. Lauren knew that this was temporary, but she thought that she’d like it here.
She left the window open so that the moon could shine through it onto the floor. She thought about her new life. She’d have to get a job, a car and a place to live. Despite all the help that Jane had offered her, she needed to do some of this on her own. But first, she needed to get some sleep.
***
Lauren woke up late the next morning and looked outside over the grass and fields. She could hear the birds singing and smiled as she got out of bed and walked down the short hallway and into the dining room. Jane was working on her computer with a cup of coffee in front of her. She pushed her square glasses up her small nose when she saw Lauren.
“Morning, Jane.”
“Hey!” Jane greeted her, as she looked up and grinned. “I was letting you sleep, with the time difference and all.”
“Thanks. I think I needed that.” Lauren walked to the window and shook he
r head. “You wake up to this every day?”
“I do.” Jane got up and poured her friend a cup of coffee. “Here,” she offered, and Lauren took it. “It’s beautiful, isn’t it?”
“It’s a bit remote, isn’t it?” Lauren could see that there were neighbors, but each house had a few acres surrounding it, whereas Lauren was accustomed to one house next to the other.
“Well, we all have each other’s numbers. We’re close and we help each other. It’s cool and, better than that, it’s nice and quiet.” Jane grabbed a cup of coffee and some cream from the fridge and handed both to Lauren.
Lauren sat at the table and sipped her coffee as she looked around for a moment. “Yeah, it is.”
Jane showed her the website that she’d gotten her work on and Lauren decided that she’d set up a profile and see what she could find. She spent a good part of the morning doing that, until she heard a car in the driveway and saw Jane pulling some food out of the fridge. “Who’s that?”
“The guys come here for lunch, since it’s so close. Sorry, I forgot to tell you.”
“The guys are here?” Lauren jumped up and ran to her room to change into some jeans and a big t-shirt before she pulled up her hair into a messy bun and walked back into the kitchen.
Cole and Adam were at the table eating hearty sandwiches and Lauren blushed as she realized that her profile was open on her laptop right beside Cole. “Oh, I’m sorry about that.” She went to move it and saw his eyes twinkle as he looked at her.
“From what I saw, you have an impressive resume. Not that I read everything, of course,” Cole told her, giving her a crooked grin and drinking some soda. Jane and Adam were sitting together eating and talking and weren’t paying any attention to their friends. “Think you’ll make something of it like Jane?” Cole asked.