by Calista Fox
Dragging her tongue from his base to his tip, she elicited a shudder from him.
He said, “You don’t even have to do anything and I want you.”
Her mouth closed over his head and she sucked him hard. He grunted.
“Okay,” he conceded. “You make your point exceptionally well.”
She took him deep into her mouth and his hips jerked. Her head bobbed up and down and her fingers rolled his balls and tugged lightly.
“Damn it, Jade.” His body tensed, as though he fought a wave of sensation that just might take him over the edge.
She sucked harder. He moved in time with her and she could sense when he reached the point where he could hold on no longer. He called out her name as he came, his body trembling.
As his orgasm ebbed, she released him but didn’t untie him.
Her lips slid over his skin, across his corrugated abs. Then she kissed her way down to his legs, alternately licking and nipping at an inner thigh.
His voice was gruff as he said, “Remove the sash now or I’ll tear it.”
She lifted her head. “No, you won’t.”
Continuing her path downward, she crooked his knee and kissed the underside of it, then teased the sensitive area with her fingertips. He responded to the light touch with a low groan.
Shifting on the bed, she straddled his waist and pressed her naked flesh against his.
He said, “Now you really need to let me use my hands.”
“Not yet.”
She planted her forearms on either side of his biceps. Her body stretched over his, her breasts nestling below the ledge of his pectoral muscles. She kissed his neck as her hips rocked slowly. Her pussy lips, already dewy with arousal, slid easily over the warm skin on his belly.
Rocking against him heightened her arousal. But she also wanted to make him crazy with desire.
She flattened a palm on the mattress and ran her other hand over her ass cheek and to the cleft. Reaching far as she arched her back, she pushed a finger into her cunt and stroked her inner walls.
Darien said, “I should be the one doing that.”
“Doesn’t it turn you on to watch?”
“Everything about you turns me on. Especially when you’re rubbing your pussy against my stomach.”
“How selfish of me to use your body for my own pleasure.”
He laughed, though it was a short, tight one. “Use me, sweetheart.”
She kissed him and then worked a second finger into her tight canal. Her clit rubbed against the rigid muscles of his abs and the sensations evoked, along with the fire that flashed in his eyes, excited her even more.
“You want to fuck me, don’t you?”
His jaw clenched briefly. “I want you dripping wet and in desperate need of me.”
“I am always in desperate need of you.”
“Then let me make love to you.”
“Soon,” she whispered. Her breathing picked up as she continued to rock against his hard body and finger her pussy. A tremor ran through her body. “Just being so close to you—just thinking about you—gets me going. I want you more than you can imagine.”
“So do something about it.”
“Patience, my king,” she whispered, sensing how desperately he wanted her.
The feelings welling within her were erotic and exquisite, intensified by the lust in his voice and the fire in his eyes.
“Move up a little,” he told her.
She did and he captured her nipple between his lips. Jade moaned. His tongue toyed with the puckered point and she felt the climax expand deep inside her and then explode.
A sharp cry fell from her lips as she came. Darien’s warm breath teased her nipple as he let out a sexy growl. She hadn’t even gotten her breath back when he shredded the satin sash around his wrists and whipped her onto her back. He settled between her parted legs and excitement rushed through her.
“Neither one of us are capable of keeping our hands to ourselves for long,” she said as his swept over her body.
He kissed her, then cupped her breasts, heavy with desire, and caressed them. He tongued her nipple again and erotic sensations flooded her veins once more.
One hand left her breast and skimmed down to the apex of her legs. He rubbed her clit aggressively, making her writhe beneath him.
“That’s so good,” she whispered on a ragged breath.
He continued massaging the swollen knot of nerves, and just when she was about to come, he pushed two fingers into her wet pussy, filling her.
“Oh!” Her back bowed and her eyes squeezed shut. He only had to pump a few times and she came. “Darien!”
Her orgasm was a powerful one that stole her breath. Her pulse raced and her inner walls clutched his fingers as she savored the release.
Eventually, he withdrew from her and took her by the hand. He led her to the sofa and he sank into a plush cushion. Guiding her to turn around and straddle his thighs, he gripped her hips and brought her down onto his lap, positioning her so the head of his cock nudged her opening.
“I do enjoy how quickly you recover,” she told him.
“I have inspiration.”
She smiled, though he couldn’t see it because she wasn’t facing him. Lowering herself and taking him fully into her body sent a ripple of delight down her spine. He settled against the sofa, and her back pressed to his chest. His large hands covered her breasts, squeezing them and toying with her nipples. Her hips rocked with his as he thrust into her. His teeth grazed her neck. She cataloged every sensation, thrilling over each one.
“You feel so incredible inside me.” Jade loved how his thick cock stretched her, how deeply he pushed into her. But mostly, she craved the intimate connection they shared. The sense of belonging to one another and wanting to give pleasure.
Darien kissed her neck as one of his hands moved between her legs and he rubbed her clit while his cock massaged her inner walls. She felt the familiar fiery stirrings and the heady surge of desire. It still amazed her that she had an eternity to experience this heated passion with her immortal lover.
So as he made love to her with assertive strokes, she allowed the fire to blaze bright and then erupt, knowing she wouldn’t have to wait long to drown in sexual bliss all over again.
She squeezed Darien’s shaft as she came, milking him as he thrust upward, until his body tensed and he erupted inside her with a satisfied grunt. He wrapped his arms around her and held her tight as they both reveled in the afterglow.
* * * * *
The wedding date arrived three weeks later. Jade learned it was to be held near the cottage, though the details were still a mystery to her. She and her maid of honor, Sheena, and her bridesmaid, Lisette, gathered at the small house to help her prepare for the evening.
Jade stood in front of the full-length, oval-shaped mirror encased in rich cherry wood that Sheena had given her as a wedding present. She surveyed herself from all angles, finding the white silk gown the perfect complement to the Star of Nadia, which Lisette had secured at her throat.
The strapless dress had a sweetheart neckline and the bodice flowed cleanly and seamlessly over her body, into an A-line skirt that flared at her feet. It was precisely as she’d imagined—sophisticated and elegant, fitting for a queen, yet simple enough to allow her stunning piece of jewelry to take center stage.
She’d pulled her hair up but left long, loosely curled tendrils to cascade over her shoulders and back. Lisette accented the updo with strategically placed sparkly beads that snapped onto strands of hair without the need for pins. She’d offered the glittery concept to one of Sheena’s many designers, who’d crafted the tiny enhancements.
The bridal party’s gowns were also simple and elegant, in silver satin. Jade wanted nothing to diminish the radiance of the necklace she wore. Unfortunately, Sheena was capable of stealing the show on her own.
She said to Jade, “You look sensational.”
“I look like I should be the maid of ho
nor and you should be the bride.”
“Hardly.” Sheena beamed at Jade’s reflection in the mirror as she stood behind her. “You just can’t accept how beautiful you are, can you?”
“When standing next to you? Not in a million years.”
With a soft laugh Sheena moved away. “Your groom will back me up on this.”
Butterflies took to flight in Jade’s stomach at the thought of Darien. He would look sexy as hell in his black tuxedo, she had no doubt. She was also giddy over the fact she was actually marrying him.
Although there’d been plenty of protocol preached to her about being the queen, she’d found that Darien’s biggest goal was promoting their unity. Despite the fact she was a demi-demon and now immortal, the plight of humans was still her top priority and he felt it acceptable for her to continue that stance, knowing she had a comprehension of demon life as well.
On this particular evening, as Sheena handed her the single, long-stemmed red rose she’d requested—a perfectly full and fragrant bloom—she considered her marriage to Darien was more than the joining of two people in love. Rather, it was symbolic and represented hope for a stronger future between two races that inhabited the same continent.
This was further demonstrated when she, Sheena and Lisette left the cottage and Jade followed the winding path, dotted with red rose petals and lined with lit candles in oversized glass hurricanes. She paused at the end of the grassy trail and stared out at the humans and demons gathered on the opposite riverbank.
“The ceremony will be on the king’s side of the village’s border,” Sheena told her. “And the reception will be held on your side.” She gestured to the tables and chairs set up, all beautifully decorated.
“Maybe someday,” Jade said, “there won’t be a border.”
The vampire beamed. “That might actually be a nice change of pace. I’d like to spend some time in Lisette’s library, and I also find the idea of your local tavern inviting.”
“It’s a very lively place. You’d enjoy it. I’ll take you there sometime.”
“If anyone can bring together the kingdom and the village,” Lisette said to her, “it’s you.”
Jade turned to her human friend and emotion welled within her. “I’ve learned so much from you, Lisette.” Tears suddenly sprang to her eyes. “You’ve been a mother to me, without making me feel disloyalty over the replacement.”
The older woman gently squeezed her hand. “And you’re the daughter I’d always hoped to have.”
Jade hugged her. She was grateful to finally be of the frame of mind where she could not only accept the friendship and love surrounding her but also give something of herself in return.
When Jade pulled away, Sheena dabbed at her cheeks with a hanky to make sure her makeup hadn’t smudged. “Both of you stop, or I’ll be crying too and lose all credibility with the king.”
Jade laughed softly. “Never. He’s very appreciative of everything you do and he admires your strength and determination. He seems to like that in females.”
“Please continue to remind him of that, if you wouldn’t mind.”
“Between the two of us, we might be able to keep him in line?” Jade quipped.
“Not a chance. But I like the false sense of hope that thought offers.”
Lisette cleared her throat to break up the conversation. “At the moment, the only thing Jade should be thinking about is getting married.”
She drew in a deep breath as the crowd stood and turned to watch her entrance.
“Try not to say or do anything that offends anyone on your way down the aisle,” Lisette added with a wink. She and Sheena fell into step behind Jade as she crossed the clearing and then the arched bridge over the river.
It was easy to follow Lisette’s direction. The people gathered faded into the background as soon as she rounded the corner of the last row of chairs and saw the Demon King standing before an enormous lattice archway, dripping vines and red roses. She was a magnet, pulled to the solid steel that was Darien.
Her heart fluttered at the sight of him, even more gorgeous than she’d dreamed in his formalwear. He still exuded strength and power but also a refinement and sophistication she found titillating. And yes, Lisette had been right. He was ridiculously handsome. Impossible to take her gaze from.
Not surprisingly, she was anxious to get the evening over with so they could be alone. Conversely, it was such a lovely affair, she tried to commit every detail to memory.
There was no distinction between bride and groom factions when it came to the setting, save for the three stewards of the continent’s divided regions, who obviously stuck to demon droves.
Other than that, both sides of the aisle were occupied with humans and demons alike. While she noted more than a few looks of concern from the villagers, the overriding emotion seemed to be delight—they were happy for her, for finally finding her way.
When she reached her groom and his groomsmen—Morgan and Tanner—Jade couldn’t have been happier for herself, in turn. There truly was a sense of unity forming. And she was marrying more than a king. He’d become her heart, her soul, her lifeblood. She honestly could not imagine a day without Darien in it.
She smiled at the men, then breathed deep again, inhaling the fresh spring air. The moon overhead was full and shimmery, casting glittery rays over the clearing and the forest beyond. More candles and a few torches lit the area, but with a warm, inviting illumination that made the entire event cozy and intimate, despite the mass of people in attendance and many more spectators who stood on the ridge, not far from the castle.
Jade knew that not every creature, human or demon, fully embraced the new direction in which relations had turned, but she couldn’t deny there was support formed by curiosity and optimism—a clear foundation that could be built upon.
The village’s chaplain, who administered service at the meeting hall on Sundays, had agreed to perform the ceremony. A nice touch. Jade gave her rose to Sheena so she and Darien could join hands before him.
“You take my breath away,” Darien told her as she faced him.
More tears of joy pricked the backs of her eyes.
“I hope you know this is the happiest day of my life,” she said.
Emotion flickered in his amber gaze. “There will be many more to come. I’ll make sure of it.”
She had no doubt.
“I’m so glad we finally made it to this place,” she told him. “I love you so much.”
“We were meant to be together,” he assured her.
Traditional vows were exchanged. They each slipped a ring onto the other’s finger, and Jade basked in the excitement and pleasure in Darien’s eyes as she took him as her husband.
When the chaplain pronounced them man and wife, Darien leaned in for a kiss before the words even left the officiant’s mouth. This caused a ripple of laughter through the crowd. He didn’t seem to notice. His civil kiss turned passionate and that led to gasps and hooting—and a lot of clapping and cheering. Darien’s arms encircled her waist and he kissed her deeply before releasing her and grinning down at her.
She fanned her face with a hand, the flush of public embarrassment not quite rivaling the heat of the moment.
“I think you’ve just given everyone a glimpse at our wedding night,” she teased.
One corner of his mouth lifted in a devilish way. “No one knows about the sashes.” He winked at her and the flush of her face turned vibrant.
Swatting playfully at him, she said, “Behave.”
He pulled her into his arms again, and said, “That’s not at all what you want from me.” He was right, of course. Then he turned to the group gathered and announced, “My chefs at the castle have worked with the chefs in the village to prepare tonight’s dinner. And there’s plenty of champagne for everyone to enjoy.”
Linking Jade’s arm with his, they led the way to the riverbank on the Ryleigh side. The feast was outstanding, and the villagers were obviously impressed.
After the dishes had been cleared away, music and dancing ensued. Jade could not remember such a lively occasion taking place in her twenty-six years. And she was pleased to see Walker had recovered enough to dance with Lisette.
Sheena, crafty vampire that she was, had paired up the castle’s seamstresses with those in the village, the butchers from both sides of the border, the candle-makers and hand-blown glass artists, and so on. This broke the tension but also opened discussion for sharing trade secrets that might assist with advancement on both sides.
Jade had no idea what the future held, but Jinx Cromley had once predicted the human world would be restored. What he didn’t realize, she believed, was that the demons were friends of Mother Nature and that modern improvements could be made while paying particular attention to the environment. A win-win, she thought, might truly be in sight.
The wedding night was another affair to remember. The party wound down in the wee hours of the morning and Darien lifted Jade into his arms and carried her across the threshold of the cottage, that being the place she’d wanted to spend their first night as husband and wife. He hadn’t put up a single argument.
Sheena and Lisette had set the decor on the sly, lighting candles and leaving rose petals everywhere, as well as opening the windows to allow a gentle breeze to float through the small house. The sound of the water rushing over the rapids outside added a soothing element to the sensual ambience.
Darien took her straight to bed. She didn’t complain.
As he thrust slowly and deeply into her, she whispered, “Thank you for loving me.”
“I waited nearly nine years for this day to come.” He kissed her, then added, “And now you’re finally mine.”
“For all of eternity,” she vowed.
Epilogue
The next day, following brunch at the castle—to further celebrate the marriage with those who hadn’t come down to the river the night before—Jade took her red rose to the south woods and placed it on Jinx’s grave. She had another bouquet for her parents’ burial place.
Despite having an eternity in front of her, she swore to herself she would not forget her past, her friends or her family. They were, after all, the people who had helped to shape her life and make her the person she’d become. Along with the people still presently involved in her daily activities.