“I've been prepared for this moment my entire life,” Brida replied. “It's not as strange as you might think.”
Cynric glanced up. “I suppose not.” He cleared his throat. “Is it not bad luck for me to see the bride before the wedding?”
Brida blushed and giggled. “I just wished to see that you were well, and you are. I'll see you this afternoon?”
“You will,” Cynric replied. “I promise.”
She left him to continue his rounds, glancing over her shoulder as she walked back to the keep, seeking comfort in the garden. She wasn't afraid, but she was nervous. Knowing what to expect was different from actually experiencing it. She had never missed her mother more than right then, but Brida knew that she would have been proud.
Furniture that had long sat in storage was cleaned and painstakingly taken up to the tower room that had been granted to Cynric while Brida prepared for the blessing and binding of their hands in marriage. Judith's presence was comforting. She did up Brida's hair, loose enough that it wouldn't prove too much trouble that night when she and Cynric were alone, and laced her into a dress of pale yellow, the closest to white she had.
There was no pomp or ceremony, just a small gathering in the chapel, including Brida's brothers and father to bear witness. She was shaking as she approached Cynric at the altar, wearing clothes that looked borrowed from Eldric and leaning lightly on his cane.
He took her hand in his, his fingers warm. “Do you always feel this hot?” Brida asked before the priest spoke.
“You could call it a perk,” Cynric replied. He squeezed her hand, and looked like he was going to say something more, but the priest began reciting verses and they both fell silent.
Brida threaded her fingers firmly through Cynric's and took a deep breath, in through her nose and out through her mouth. Cynric rubbed his thumb against the inside of her wrist, just once, but it was enough to still her nerves. To keep the event as quiet as possible there was no feast to be had after, but there were rings to be exchanged, two simple bands of gold. Brida's fit snugly on her finger and was as hot against her skin as Cynric's flesh. His kiss missed her lips just by a hair, landing just at the corner but making her whole body tingle.
“There's food waiting for us I think,” Cynric said. “I'm famished. Shall we?” Brida could only nod.
A fire had been started in the room and a rug laid out. Some of Brida's things had been brought up, but the most impressive feature was the large bed that dominated the room and was covered in blankets and furs. A small table with two chairs by the fire held two plates piled high with meat and potatoes, complimented by a bowl of fruit. Cynric pulled her chair out for her and in a surprisingly companionable silence the two of them ate. Cynric finished his food quickly and threw back a cup of wine.
“Are you feeling all right?” he asked.
“I'm fine,” Brida replied. “Nervous, perhaps.”
“There's no reason to be,” Cynric replied. “All the gold in the world couldn't add up to how much you are worth to me. I'd never lay a harsh finger on you.”
“No,” Brida said and watched Cynric get to his feet. “No, I know you wouldn't.”
He smiled at her and held out his hand. Brida hesitated, only briefly, then took it and let him pull her to her feet. Slowly he reached up and took the pins out of her hair and set them by their plates, then ran his fingers through her hair. Brida's eyes slipped shut. She felt Cynric kiss her cheek then pull away. When she managed to open her eyes again Cynric had removed his tunic, revealing the already healing scars on his torso. The taut flesh glinted in the firelight.
“Oh,” she murmured, and before she could stop herself her fingers were crossing the distance between them and tracing along the scars. His muscles rippled under her touch, and she met his eyes again.
He was nervous, too. She could see it in the way he moved to pull her closer against him, feel it in the gentle kiss he pressed to her lips. Somehow, his gentleness settled her own nerves, and she reached up to sink her fingers into his hair, stroking softly. Cynric grunted at that, a deep, throttled sound, and she shivered.
“Come to bed,” he murmured, and within moments his fingers were undoing her dress, letting it pool onto the floor, along with the rest of his clothing. In the dim light of the crackling fire, she was tempted to hide herself under the blankets... but then Cynric’s hands were on her, running up her hips, over her stomach. A soft moan tumbled from her lips, and he smiled into her skin.
“Your hands...” she began, then faltered.
“Hmm?” The word was not so much heard as felt, rumbling against her neck.
“They’re so warm.”
He chuckled, and pressed the full length of his body against hers. Brida gasped softly into his lips as he kissed her again. The heat in his skin seemed to coil in her stomach, streaking lower like lightning. He was ready, and with every kiss she knew she was ready too.
Cynric’s hands stroked her thighs, parting them gently. His eyes searched hers, waiting, and she nodded. When he hesitated further, she reached down and touched — it was true. He was hot as a blazing iron, even there. Her fingers wrapped around his manhood, squeezing, and he groaned, hips canting forward.
She could wait no longer — the next time he kissed her, she flicked her tongue, urging him on, and wrapped a leg around him. He drifted down, pressing up against her, and Brida rubbed against him, testing.
“Careful...” he murmured, “I don’t want to hurt...”
“Shh,” she said, kissing him again. “I know you won’t.”
It began slowly, and true to his word he sought not to hurt her. He entered her, agonizingly slowly, and after a long, slow thrust Brida pressed against him, urging him on. The heat rose in her stomach as every breath caught in her chest, she released them with moans and sighs that matched Cynric’s.
She could feel the end too quickly, the heat boiling over, desperately clinging to him with every thrust, and at long last crying out into his shoulder. He followed quickly after, kissing her roughly, desperately, until at last he lay still on her, nose nestled in the crook of her shoulder.
Her fingers found his hair again, stroking gently. He pressed his lips to her shoulder.
“I have many regrets in this life,” he said as he rolled to the side and Brida curled up and pressed her ear to his chest to listen to his heart. “This is not one of them. I hope you feel the same.”
“I do,” Brida whispered. She traced a finger along the line of Cynric's scar. “I never thought this is where my life would take me, but I do.”
Cynric kissed her brow and pulled her closer, enveloping her with his warmth. “I will always protect you,” he said. Brida groped for Cynric's hand and held it tightly, letting the beating of his heart send her to sleep.
THE END
Bonus Story 20 of 40
Lion’s Pride
“Bye Miss N! See you next year! I’ll be taller again!” Nora chuckled as she hugged little Bo Reynolds. She’d miss him over the summer vacation. He was the funniest second grader she’d ever had and that was mostly because he didn’t even know he was being funny.
After she saw all her kids out she went about cleaning up her classroom for the summer, taking down decorations and leaving the room pretty much bare. Even though she definitely needed the break of summer, she always felt sad at the end of the year to see them go.
“School’s out already?” his voice rumbled through her, comforting, enticing, and exciting her all at once. Nora turned around and smiled at Safir, who was leaning against the wall just inside the classroom’s back door. He was a tall, sturdy man, with not one ounce of fat on him, and was as sharp and protective as a guy could get. But he wasn’t just any ‘guy.’ He was a lion shifter, the local pride’s leader and he was all Nora’s.
“I think it is actually… but maybe I just lost my kids again,” she joked, causing him to chuckle. He walked over to her. He was wearing his characteristic blue jeans and flannel shirt, rolled up at the sleev
es. His curly blonde hair was always shoulder length and framed his GQ-worthy face beautifully. Nora often couldn’t believe she lucked out with such a perfect guy.
“You’re the worst teacher ever,” he said and instead of embracing him when he reached her, Nora punched him in the arm. Of course it was like hitting a rock and he didn’t even flinch. Laughing, he pulled her in for a kiss and encircled her waist with his arms. “So I was thinking that this summer we can spend more time together. As in…you have no excuses to be with me night and day. No ‘grading spelling tests’ and ‘picking up Suzan Lancaster from home because her mother’s car broke down.’” Safir was being sarcastic only because Nora did have a tendency to run away from him a little and make excuses to put some distance between them. They’d only been together for a few months and she had trouble believing Safir was real, that he really wanted her and her alone.
“Alright, alright. I give, so what do you have planned for us this summer, pray tell?” she asked. He smirked and pushed a lock of her mahogany-colored hair behind her ear.
“So much romantic stuff that you’ll have no choice but to marry me come August.” He gave her a charming grin and pressed another kiss to her lips.
“Romantic ‘stuff?’” she giggled.
“Yup, absolutely. You like watching hockey right?” she rolled her eyes as he laughed, a fond smile on her face.
“So are you staying to help me pack up the classroom or what?” she asked him, stepping out of his embrace to fetch a nearby box.
“No I’m just here to look pretty and watch you do all the work. You know…sit back, watch you bend over and…put stuff away,” he said slowly in some trying-to-be-sexy voice. Nora couldn’t help but laugh.
“You’re such an idiot,” she said, still laughing. He simply flashed her a toothy grin and walked over to the pile of boxes, grabbing one for himself.
“Of course I’m here to help you baby, then we can go grab some lunch,” he kissed her on the temple before they got to work. They pulled down decorations, emptied out desks, and pushed them out into the hallway. Of course Safir was the main one doing the heavy lifting and Nora was the one to sit back and watch. It was dusk by the time they were done and Nora felt as though she could use a bath and a glass of wine.
“So where are you taking me to eat?” she asked him, knowing he’d most likely had their entire evening planned out.
“To my place,” he smirked and slid an arm around her waist as they walked to Nora’s truck out in the school’s lot.
“You own a kitchen?” she teased, making him laugh out loud.
“Yes, I do own a kitchen and I cook sometimes,” he admitted. All the time she’d known Safir, she’d always been the one to cook dinner at her place. In fact, the only parts of Safir’s unnecessarily large house she’s seen were his bedroom and the family room.
“Will you finally give me a tour of your house? Or are you actually hiding dead bodies in every room?” he simply smiled and held his hand out for her keys.
“Well I was a private guy before, but now I’ve decided to share things with you,” he admitted. His sudden honesty took Nora a bit by surprise.
“Okay then…” was her only reply.
“Like I said, married by the end of the summer,” he winked at her and held the passenger door open for her to get in.
“So what’s the rush to marry me all of a sudden?” she asked him as he started up the truck and pulled out of the parking lot.
“Well I’m one hundred percent sure that you’re my mate so…why wait to marry you?” he glanced at her briefly, flashing a smile. She reached over to slip her hand in his. Honestly she couldn’t have dreamed up a better future husband.
*****
“Safir, are you sure you know how to cook?” Nora was watching him with amusement. She was sitting at the breakfast bar while Safir was about to cook steaks for them both in a cast iron pan.
“You laugh now, but just watch. When you eat this you’ll be doing more than kissing the chef.” He glanced at her with a wink, and she giggled before taking a sip of wine. Safir glanced over at the kitchen door before Nora even heard a knock. He opened the door and his second, Rafael, walked in.
“Hey Nora, how you doin’?” he asked, not even greeting his alpha yet. Safir growled and Nora hid her laugh.
“I’m good Rafael, what’s up?” she asked.
“Yeah why are you here? We’re on a date,” Safir practically growled, Rafael simply grinned at his closest friend.
“There’s a bonfire party out on the beach. I wanted to see if you guys would stop by,” he glanced over at the stove, smelling food, but Safir got in his way before he could steal a bite of anything.
“Fine, we’ll come later. Now leave,” Safir said, pushing Rafael back out.
“You look great by the way Nora, I’ll see you at the party,” he grinned and she winked at him, which Safir saw. With a growl he shoved a laughing Rafael out and shut the door soundly behind him.
“Don’t flirt with my lions,” he said in that dominant tone he sometimes used with her.
“Rafael’s harmless,” she said with a small smile. He quirked an eyebrow at her and walked over to pull her chair out from the bar a little, closer to him. She bit her lip to hide her smile.
“Don’t flirt with the lions…” he reiterated, his mouth only a breath away from hers. She nodded without comment. Safir kissed her, softly brushing his lips over hers before he set her chair back to normal and went to focus on the steaks.
“What if…what if the only way you could have me was if you had to share with someone else?” she asked him, half testing, half teasing. Nora knew she ran the risk of really upsetting him though with her question.
“And you’d be happy with being shared?” he asked her with a quirk of his brow.
“Yeah, like say for instance the only way I could be happy was if I had you and someone else in my life…” she posed the question with a hypothetical tone.
“Come again? You’re joking right?” he said, pointing a fork at her. She shrugged, instantly regretting posing that question in the first place. Safir stared at her for a moment with an intent stare before he sighed, shaking his head. “I wouldn’t share you with anyone Nora, you’re mine and I’m yours.”
“It was just a…hypothetical question,” she said, trying to appease him.
Safir took a deep breath and she saw him relax, though only a little. “Yeah well…you know if you want a threesome all you have to do is ask,” he said, giving her a wink. Nora’s jaw dropped and she threw a cube of cheese at him, which he dodged even with his back turned.
“Can’t you be normal for just five seconds so I can hit you?” she asked which made him laugh of course.
“No darling, I can’t,” he answered blithely. “These steaks will be ready soon,” he added.
Nora hopped down from the breakfast bar to go wash her hands, fix her hair a little and make sure she still looked presentable. Safir never seemed to care if she had bedhead or if she was having a bad hair day. Nora never really put much stock into her looks, normally. She knew she was attractive; her classically feminine features were what one would often see in any fashion magazine. Her big eyes were a bit cat-like, especially with their almost yellow tint. She had curves in all the right places and wasn’t too short or too tall. But since she chose to work with small kids she tended to wear practical clothes and have practical hair. That was until she met Safir. These days, Nora put more care into looking nice, as he often popped up unexpectedly throughout her day.
It was strange when they first met, Nora had forgotten that stuff like having the radio on and making phone calls bothered lion shifters since her grandfather passed. Each shifter had their own sort of weakness. Strangely enough the lions had such sensitive hearing that they were able to pick up on the actual sound of radio waves. It wasn’t harmful, per se, but enough of an annoyance that the lions never even carried cell phones around. Safir had made sure she knew very early on to
have her phone turned off around him because, ‘those things are always making that metallic static noise even when you’re not talking to anyone.’ Hell even Safir had deconstructed the radio in his truck to simply include a CD player and that’s it.
“Are you pooping in there?” Nora almost laughed as he called through the door and she rolled her eyes.
“I was washing my hands, sheesh,” she said as she stepped out to find him leaning against the wall.
“Washing your hands and being a girl?” he quirked an eyebrow at her and she smirked. Safir could be seen as an ass to others or annoying. But Nora always found his sharp wit to be endearing, that and she had an extremely tolerant sense of humor.
“Would you rather I was washing my hands and being a boy?” she stuck her tongue out at him and he chuckled.
“You know I love you right?” he said as they walked back to the kitchen. The food smelled amazing as they got nearer to the breakfast bar.
“Yes I know, you’d be a fool if you didn’t,” she said cheekily and he growled under his breath before catching her around the waist and pinning her to the wall. His mouth was on hers before she could laugh or give another sarcastic remark. As soon as she started to squirm against him he let her go abruptly and walked casually over to his plate of food.
“Tease,” she muttered under her breath, Safir laughed out loud and simply winked at her. When she took a bite into her steak Nora closed her eyes. It was tasty, tender and perfect. “Safir…why don’t you own a restaurant?” she asked him, making him laugh again.
“It’s good right? See, your man can cook,” he grinned and gave her a kiss on the cheek. “So that’s incredibly handsome, well off, leader of the pride, can cook, dependable, good sense of humor, and great in bed…ready to get married?” Nora cracked up.
“Safir you’re too much,” she chuckled.
“Nope, I’m everything you’d want,” he said confidently. But it was true, Nora was sure of it, though there was no harm in wanting to see his full plans for the ‘summer of romance.’
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