I didn’t look at him, just stared at the screen.
“A full service honoring Lord and Lady Jax will be held in the capital city of Mytikas, and will be conducted by the head of the Clerical Order in a few days’ time.”
What the fuck was going on? She was lying. On camera and in front of the entire planet. Trinity even put a comforting hand on her shoulder. The crowd was eating this up. So was the consort beside me.
“Congratulations, my lord, on your mating,” the consort replied humbly. He fucking bowed, as if I were a royal. Worthy of great honor. “I am sorry for the loss of your parents. They died with honor.”
I couldn’t think. Couldn’t process everything at once. Faith lied. The truth she was sharing with the entire fucking planet wasn’t the truth at all. My mother wasn’t honorable. She was a traitor and a murderer. The Jax name was tainted.
I was tainted.
And yet she announced their deaths as a point of pride in bringing justice to Alera. She claimed me as her mate, boldly and without hesitation. As far as the people of Alera knew, my parents died protecting the royal family and I was not just mate to the new princess, but the son of brave, self-sacrificing nobles who died defending the crown.
What. The. Fuck?
Why? Why would she do this? My blood was tainted. My family dishonorable. Traitors. She should not look at me without hatred in her eyes, let alone claim me as her own. She needed another. A true warrior. A true servant whose bloodline was true and pure, and loyal to the queen.
No. I was not worthy. Faith had to see reason. I had to talk with her. Now.
“As penance for keeping me here against my will, you will release me and let me go stand with my mate. I belong at her side.” If Faith could lie, then so could I.
He shook his head. “I’m sorry, Lord Jax. You may be Princess Faith’s mate, but my orders are not only from Captain Turaya and Captain Vennix, but Princess Trinity herself. She is the final word on all things. Until her mother is set free, she is our leader.”
I groaned. Fuck. Leave it to the weasel to be loyal now, when I needed him to be a bit less strong of will. Resigned to wait, I stared at Faith on the screen once again as her words made every hair on my body rise in alarm. She was baiting a monster now. Putting a target on her back.
“A royal warrant has been issued for the arrest and detainment of Coburt Wyse.” Faith nodded solemnly to her sister and Trinity stepped forward.
“On my orders, the royal guard are, even now as I speak, hunting him down like the rabid dog he is. Coburt Wyse is henceforth stripped of his title of Lord. All of his lands and wealth are passed to his daughter, my cousin, the Lady Radella. Furthermore, Coburt Wyse is stripped of his rank and privilege within the Optimus unit and will stand trial for the murder of my father, the king, attempted murder and kidnapping of Queen Celene, and the murders of Lord and Lady Jax.”
Trinity reached backward and Faith slid her hand into her sister’s as if she needed comfort for the loss.
Liar. She was a fucking liar. But why? Why would she do this?
Oh, Faith. My Faith. She might be intense and fierce, bejeweled and gorgeous with her makeup and styled hair, that fucking sexy dress. But I knew the real female beneath the act. I knew her vulnerable and naked and fresh-faced. Open and spread wide beneath me. I knew her scent, what she tasted like, what she sounded like when she came, the feel of her pussy when it clamped down on my cock, pulled the cum from my balls. I knew her.
And she deserved better than me.
And when I got out of these restraints, she’d understand that, even if it meant she would know the feel of my hand on her ass once more.
5
Faith
Nix was already tracking down Coburt Wyse. He’d escorted me to the palace as he ordered a group of his men to begin the search. Once I was safe in the palace, he’d left to join them. In this moment, as I stood next to Trinity before the citadel, I finally understood what it meant to be royal, to have responsibilities bigger than anything I’d ever imagined. I didn’t belong to myself anymore. I didn’t belong to Thor, as much as I wanted to.
I belonged to them. To all of Alera. I stared out at the people, the children with their beaming smiles, their parents with faces full of hope and horror—in equal parts.
But hope was winning. Trinity and I represented thousands of years of stability and tradition. Of safety and security, prosperity and peace.
And no old, greedy asshole, who happened to be our mother’s cousin, was going to take that away from these people. Even if my mother’s spire went out—the very idea made my eyes burn with unshed tears—there were three of us to carry on the bloodline, to ensure the future of the planet.
To have children and pass on the traditions and our royal blood.
My hand crept over my abdomen. I could be pregnant; Thor had given it a good college try, filling me again and again with his seed. I secretly hoped we’d made a baby. Thor’s child. The thought of a son or daughter with his smile, his eyes, made my heart melt all over again, made me blink back tears for another reason. The dream also hardened my resolve.
I had just lied to billions of people to protect my family. And Thor was mine. End of discussion.
Now I would just have to convince him.
Trinity and I stepped back and disappeared inside the citadel. Per our earlier plan, we met Leo’s father and two of the queen’s guard near the back entrance—Leo’s father knew of its existence, of course—and disappeared into an armored EMV for a quick ride back to the palace.
I knew Thor was there, in my room, waiting for me. Leo had told me as much. I hadn’t quite understood the grin on his face when he’d spoken of shooting Thor with a tranquilizer dart, but my nerves rattled around inside my body as we drew closer.
Trinity reached across the bench seat and squeezed my hand. “He loves you. It’ll be fine.”
To her, I was an open book. She knew I was more nervous about Thor than anything else. The Alerans knew the truth, knew of Lord Wyse’s duplicity. He was being hunted and would be found. Now, I could take a moment and deal with Thor.
“I don’t know. He’s stubborn, Trin.”
That made Trinity throw her head back and laugh. “Have you met yourself? Destiny explodes. I argue. But you? You’re stubborn as a bull, Faith. You look sweet and innocent, but you’re not fooling me. I know you too well. There is no one in the universe more stubborn than you are. Convince him.”
Her words were ringing in my ears when I stepped into my bed chamber to find Thor lying on my bed and a strange young man sitting next to him. “Who are you?”
The younger male stood and bowed low. He took my hand, kissing the back. “I am the royal consort. And I am at your service, Your Highness. Anything you need, you need only ask.”
I ignored Thor’s growl from the bed.
I looked the consort over. He was young, eager to please. I recognized him from the news reports about Trinity’s kidnapping and remembered that he had helped save her on the night of the royal reception, when the traitor Zel had kidnapped her. “Thank you for your assistance in saving my sister’s life.”
He blushed like a teenager. “Thank you, Your Highness. Anything to assist, you need only ask. Anything at all,” he repeated, although he gave a furtive glance at Thor.
Thor practically growled from the bed and I was surprised that he had not risen to greet me. Had not shoved the consort’s hand from mine.
As tactfully as I could, I slid my hand free and placed it behind my back so the young man would not see me wipe his touch from my skin on the back of my dress. “Thank you. And yes, there is something you can do.”
“Anything, Princess.”
“Leave us, and tell the guards to block the door. No one gets in here. Not even my sister.”
His eyes widened and he was quiet for a moment. “Are you sure, Your Highness—“
I cut him off with a wave of my hand, my eyes on my mate now and nothing else. “Leave. Now.�
��
He bowed and scurried out of the room like a chastised puppy with his tail between his legs. I waited to hear the door click, then walked over to lock it before returning to the side of the bed. It was then I saw the restraints, saw the sheet that covered him, the way his cock tented the thin material. I swallowed, my skin heating.
“They had to tie you down?”
“They did.” Thor’s gaze devoured me as if he’d been starving for the sight of me. I felt the same. But him being cuffed to the bed, bothered me.
“Why? Are you so desperate to be free of me?” The words hurt. A lot.
“I should not be here.” He tugged at the ropes around his wrists, to no avail. But he didn’t take his gaze off me. My body. My breasts. My neck. Lips. And finally, my eyes. I caught his gaze and willed him not to look away. The time for games was over.
“You’re mine, Thor.” I put every ounce of royal conviction into my voice. Maybe him being tied up was a good idea. He had to listen, to hear reason, the stubborn fool. If I had to keep him restrained until he listened to reason—well, that wasn’t ideal, but I was desperate. He couldn’t leave me. I needed him.
“You should choose another,” he replied. “I am not worthy. My family is tainted.”
I shook my head, put my hand over my heart. “You’re mine. I need you. You promised me, Thor. You promised me forever.”
He shook his head, and I noticed the salty remains of tears streaking the side of his face. My heart stuttered.
“That was before—“ His voice broke and I choked down pain so I could speak.
“Before what? Before I fell in love with you?” Stubborn, stubborn man. I leaned over and kissed his temple, the remnants of his tears. Then I released the tie on his wrist.
He didn’t move, confusion in his eyes. “You have never spoken of love.”
I walked around the end of the bed, slowly, the gown I wore making me feel like a phantom wearing a shell as his gaze followed me. This royal beauty was not me. I was simple and plain and preferred to curl up in front of a fireplace with a good book. I was not this complicated, seductive, posturing princess. This gown was not me. This made up face was not mine. I was an imposter. A fake that I’d shown to all of Alera.
The only time I felt real was in his arms. With his cock buried deep inside me. With my name on his lips and his heartbeat pressed to my ear. He made me feel alive. Real. Whole. And I didn’t want to give that up.
Regardless, I was not going to force him. This was not going to be a repeat of the dungeon. I was not ruled by the Ardor any longer. There would be no coercion. No more lies or secrets between us. I released the restraint on his opposite wrist and he was free. I held my breath. Waited. He stared at me. His cock tented the sheet but neither of us moved for long moments, staring at one another.
I wondered what he was thinking, but I didn’t dare ask. I’d put my heart on the line, told him the truth, set him free. I was in love with him. That I needed him. If he left me now, he would destroy me, but I would know he wanted honor over me. The Jax name was important to him, but I had to hope I was even more valued.
“Why did you lie, Faith?” he asked. “About my mother. About all of it.”
He spoke of my announcement to Alera. He’d seen it.
“I protected what was mine, Thor,” I told him. “And you are mine.”
He shook his head again. “But what of Trinity? Leo? The royal guard?”
I had to make him understand. Now. There would be no room for error. “And Trinity thinks I’m stubborn,” I muttered, then sighed. “Trinity and Leo know the truth. They support my decision. No one else knows, Thor. And no one else ever will.”
“But the royal guards,” he countered. “I called Nix. He came to my parents’ house to be with you after they died, after I left. Then yesterday, he even shot me in the ass with some kind of… dart and left me here. Naked.”
“Yes. He knows what happened, saw the bodies himself.” I thought of Lord and Lady Jax dead on their dining room floor. “And he believed everything I told him. As for the tranquilizer gun, it worked, didn’t it?”
He frowned, but said nothing. He rose to sit with his back against the headboard at my words. The sheet fell to reveal a very tempting expanse of muscled chest. One small tug, and his cock would be free as well. I curled my fingers in the fabric on the edge of the mattress as Thor spoke. “You lied to Nix? To the royal guard?”
“Yes.” I yanked the sheet and there it was, his cock, thick and long and hard. Mine. “That very night. Kneeling over your parents, I heard what you said. I heard and I understood what was at stake.”
“And what was that?” He didn’t try to cover himself, but let me look my fill, which I took as a very good sign. So was the way his cock bobbed up toward me, hardening even further. A pearly drop of fluid seeped from the tip. I kicked off my shoes, lifted my skirt and crawled toward him.
“You’re mine,” I said. “I protect what’s mine. My sisters will protect us. And my mother. We are family, Thor.”
He still didn’t touch me. “You could have any male on Alera now. You know that. Thousands of males would come if they thought there was a chance you could awaken them. Even the royal consort. He will see to your every whim, no awakening needed.”
“I don’t want them, mate. I want you.” Lifting the skirt to my hips, I closed the distance and settled myself onto his lap. I sighed in relief when his hands found the curve of my waist and he didn’t push me away. His touch burned through the thin fabric of my gown, but the hard top of his cock nestled at the entrance of my pussy made me moan his name. I had purposely decided to be bare beneath the gown, this moment a fantasy I’d held close to my heart since the S-Gen machine generated it.
Lowering my lips, I kissed him. Softly. Slowly. I told him with my lips that I loved him. That he was fragile and precious and protected.
He accepted my touch for a few moments before he took control, his kiss dominant and aggressive, his hands now gripping, holding me to him. Full of lust and love and desperate need.
“Faith.” He groaned as I settled my hot, wet pussy on top of him, taking his cock deep. I was wet. Ready. Eager. “Fuck. Goddess, I can’t tell you no.”
“Then stop trying to push me away and love me.”
“Goddess help me, Faith. I do,” he said against my lips. “I love you. I know I should let you go, but I can’t. Does that make me greedy? Selfish?”
“No. It makes you mine. Stop arguing.” I ground my hips against him, rose and took him deep. He loved me. He’d said the words. Now. Despite everything we’d been through, despite his parents’ deaths and my new responsibilities as a princess. I squeezed my inner muscles and grinned when he moaned my name, his hands cupping my breasts and squeezing my hard nipples through the fabric of the gown. He closed his eyes and I kissed him. Our tongues tangled, the heat of him, the feel of him beneath me, surrounding me, seeping into me. “You’re mine, my lord.”
“Yes, Princess.”
“Forever,” I insisted.
“Forever.”
He crushed me to him and took control, lifting his hips off the bed as he pushed me down, driving deep. I clung to him as he pulled my hips closer, rubbing my sensitive clit against his body. He knew what made me hot, what pushed me over the edge. He may have been a virgin before we met, but he knew me.
My gown pooled around us like dark roses and I loved the image of us entwined, me in the gown, him naked beneath me.
I’d been so primed, so eager for him, I’d been close to coming ever since I took him deep inside me. I shuddered as I came apart in his arms, gasping for air as he thrust harder, pushing me higher. I called out his name on a shout as my head fell back and I gave over to the bliss I could only find in his arms.
My pussy stretched around him, the pulsing stronger. Too strong. His whispered words of praise, naughty phrases of promise, kept it all going. When it was over, I collapsed in his arms, my forehead pressed to his chest, struggling to br
eathe when I knew he was still full, and hard, and thick inside me. He had yet to come.
“I hope you aren’t too attached to this dress.” His comments came as he ripped the delicate buttons down the back and peeled the top half from me, baring my breasts and shoulders. The remnants pooled around my waist, but I didn’t care as he sat up and bent me backward over his forearm. Took my nipples into his hot, wet mouth.
“Thor.” I pulled at him, wanting more, needing him to move again. The hot, wet suction of his mouth though pushed me back into desperate need so easily. My pussy wasn’t satisfied. No. My body was more alive, more desperate than ever. This wasn’t Ardor, but love. The first orgasm was just a warm up and now my body was vibrating with every touch. “Please.”
He lifted me and rocked me backward, followed me down so that he was on top of me, buried deep. It was my hands now that went over my head, one of his hands holding my wrists, restraining me just as he wanted. I cried out as he thrust forward, rocking my entire body with the force of his lust. I could only imagine what the consort and the guards could hear from the door. I didn’t care. He was mine and everyone could know he satisfied me so well.
“Mine. Mine. Mine.” He chanted the words to me between kisses. Mouth. Neck. Shoulder. Nipples. I wanted him everywhere.
He thrust faster, rubbing his body against mine, suckling my nipple, making me crazed.
I came again, but he didn’t stop, driving me higher. Faster. Until I lost control and shattered a third time, my fingers clawing at his back, his neck. My heels dug into his ass, pulling him deeper. Demanding more.
“Greedy little princess, aren’t you?” he growled. He was grinning as he watched me, his gaze locked on my face, drinking me in. Watching me as he brought me pleasure unlike I’d ever known before. There was love in those eyes. A softness I’d never seen, and it made my body spasm again. For him. Only for him.
“I love you.”
“Say it again.” He moved. Just enough, and I gasped, closing my eyes.
Ascension Saga, Book 6: Interstellar Brides®: Ascension Saga Page 5