I pressed myself against him as his hand explored lower, gripping my thighs and lifting my hips against his. I braced my arms around his shoulders and pulled myself up to wrap my leg around his hips, his feathers tickling the side of my ankle. I settled the line of his half-hard erection against the ache in the apex of my legs, breaking our kiss with a gasp as I rocked my hips against him, smiling as I felt the cool puff of his hungry breaths against my wet skin.
He gripped my thigh with one hand and I braced my foot against the side of the shower, feeling the calluses of his fingers give my clit a firm stroke through the soaked cotton of my underwear. I pressed into his touch, the sound of my soft groan muffled around a mouthful of his muscular shoulder.
The muscles of his arms began to quiver and I let my feet touch the rushing water at the bottom of the shower once again, my body still close to his.
“Can we…? Do you want to…?” I heard Luke’s husky voice rumble against my neck. I nipped at his earlobe, my hand grabbing a handful of his hair.
“Fuck yes.”
Chapter 25
I let myself tumble onto the soft sheets of Luke’s bed, pulling him on top of me as I fell. We fit together, the lines of his body complimenting mine perfectly. He supported his weight on his arms on either side of me, looking at me with wonder in his gorgeous blue eyes, his face somehow too close and too far away at the same time.
“It feels like I’ve loved you forever.” He marveled, his voice breathy. I felt my heart soar, tingles going through my body and into his and I smiled. He beamed back at me and I had to pull him into another deep kiss. We broke apart slowly, our foreheads still touching.
“Forever it is.” I affirmed and I smiled as he pulled me into another kiss.
He peppered kisses across my jaw and down the side of my neck and I arched up into his mouth, reaching behind him to stroke his wings, coaxing them to lay flush against his back like a second skin. I took in the firm muscles of his waist with my hands before I hooked my fingers into the elastic of his boxers and pulled them off his hips, moving them down his thighs. He groaned against my shoulder as I eased his cock free of the fabric. I gave it a firm stroke from where it was curved toward his stomach, my palm moving haltingly on his damp, velvety skin. He hissed, stuttering his hips into my touch. I gathered the dewy pre-cum gathering on the tip and spread it down his shaft, making my movements smoother. He grunted and the muscles of his stomach twitched as my hand slid up and down the shaft, my gaze heated against his.
I rolled us until he was on his back and he surrendered to me readily. I pulled his boxers all the way off and tossed them to the floor before I climbed on top of him with my knees straddling his waist. He moaned when the tip of his cock grazed my lower back and his hands immediately gripped my hips as I grabbed the hem of my camisole and peeled it off, the cool air of the room ghosting across my skin. I leaned back down and kissed my way across his shoulder, feeling his firm grip on my thighs as he pressed his hips up against me, making heat bloom in my stomach.
“Do you…” I gasped, my teeth skimming the skin of his chest, dusted lightly with dark hair. “Do you have…?”
“Yes. Yeah. Bed-bedside drawer.” He answered from the back of his throat, his head thrown back into the pillows. I leaned over and pulled the drawer open, feeling inside until my fingers closed around one of the foil packages inside. He took the opportunity to switch our positions again, a growl rumbling in his chest as he tossed me against the soft sheets of the bed and I went with a breathy laugh, gripping the nape of his neck and pulling him to me, the kiss sloppy and sweet. I felt his hands move up my sides and I groaned, the rough calluses of his thumbs dragging across my nipples as he massaged the swell of my breasts. I raised my arms above my head and worked on opening up the condom wrapper by feel, tipping my head back and closing my eyes, lost in his mouth and his hands. My fingers fumbled blindly until the foil gave way, making my fingers slippery from its lubricated contents.
He supported himself on his hands resting beside my head and kissed up my neck until he reached my ear, grazing the skin behind my jaw with his teeth. His cock dragged against my stomach as he offered himself to me. I pinched the tip of the condom and rolled it on him, feeling the flush creep up in my neck at his attentions behind my ear.
He leaned back and crawled down my body laying sloppy kisses between my breasts and down my stomach until he reached the fabric of my underwear, looking up at me as he caught the elastic between his teeth and pulled them off, his limbs graceful as he crawled down my body, never breaking eye contact with me. I groaned at the electric wave of searing heat that coursed through me at the sight. I lifted my hips to help him, gripping the sheets on either side of me at the feeling of his mouth against my skin and the intensity of his gaze.
He leaned up briefly to grab my panties from between his teeth and toss them aside and I spread my legs as he settled between them, nosing the crease of my hip before he gave my labia a long, lazy lick, tonguing my clit with a touch light enough to be gloriously tortuous.
“Luke…” my voice was a gasping whisper with how close I was as I felt my fingers grip his shoulder, my eyes rolling back into my head. He kissed his way back up my body and settled his hips in between my legs. I locked my calves around his thighs to keep him there, leveling him with a hazily stern look. He rumbled a laugh that melted into a moan as I moved his cock against my slick skin.
I reached down and my fingers wrapped around him, leaning my head to the side so he could lave kisses against my neck as I guided him inside of me. My jaw went slack at the feeling of him filling me and I wrapped my arms around his body to brace myself. He sank down so he was supporting his weight on his elbows, leaning against the pillow under my head.
“Danny…” he moaned deep in his chest, the vibration of his voice tickling my breasts and he slowly rolled his hips, sinking into me up to the hilt. I pulled him in for a kiss, my fingers sliding between his wings and his back, dragging my fingernails across the skin as he began to move in measured thrusts. My gasps and his grunts mingled with the wet sound of flesh against flesh as we moved together.
My heart pounded hard against my chest as his movements started to speed up. I urged him on with harsh gasps against his lips, too lost to do anything other than taste any part of his skin I could reach. His deep groans were music to my ears. I pulled our bodies still closer as I felt the energy surging between us, stretching an instant into an eternity until I couldn’t remember anything but the touch of his hands, the caress of his lips, the heat of his skin against mine, the feeling of him inside of me.
“Yes, come on. Yes.” I babbled as his movements became frenzied, reaching down with one hand to rub two fingers over my clit, so close it felt like my heart was going to burst.
I gave a choked gasp, curling my toes and clutching onto his broad shoulders hard as I felt myself fall over the edge, wave after wave of all-encompassing pleasure swept over me as I felt my muscles constricting around him, drawing him even further into me.
I opened my eyes to see him follow a few thrusts later with a punched-out moan. His jaw was slack as he buried himself deep in me, his wings burst from his back, large and magnificent, the feathers shuddering as I felt him pulse against my sex-sensitive skin.
He relaxed against me, holding my body against his, giving me a long, slow, luxurious kiss, deep and full of promise.
“Forever.” He whispered against my lips before I answered him with a kiss of my own.
The thought that I had no idea how long ‘forever’ was going to be nagged annoyingly at me. I pushed it aside and sank further into the warmth of Luke’s arms.
The end of our forever was coming sooner than I cared to think about.
Chapter 26
Patrick had kept his eyes closed as much as possible for the last few days.
He felt no cold metal holding his wrists behind him, no unforgiving leather restraint across his chest keeping his wings trapped painfully against his bac
k, no bone-deep ache radiating from the cuts and bruises that now littered his skin from the beatings, no cold tile he had slumped against when he’d been thrown back into his cell.
The sound of a once trusted friend screaming demands that he betray the family they were both members of had fallen on steadfastly deaf ears.
Instead he retreated into the soft, warm folds of his memory.
The wedding had been a private affair, but not lacking in the finery that came along with Royal nuptials. Such frivolities weren’t something that Patrick really paid much attention to, which was probably why it had taken he and Theo so long to get officially and legally joined, according to human law. The Heavenly bond between them would always mean more to him than anything, but he had agreed with Theo that it was time for them to be married.
His suit was painstakingly pressed, a few of his many honors and the insignia of his rank as General pinned to the lapels, dark wings carefully groomed and displayed regally behind him. A team of stylists made sure he was neat and polished for the occasion. He allowed himself a quiet grumble once they had all finally left him to his thoughts, afraid to sit down lest he rumple his pants and get attacked with some sort of flat iron again.
He could have made the argument that he didn’t know what he was getting into when he felt that shining light flow between himself and Theo the instant they had touched hands as children, but any argument he made would simply be noise.
There is nothing he would not endure for his Prince.
Patrick took a deep breath and looked in the mirror at his pressed appearance, feeling the butterflies begin once again.
He was getting married today.
“Aren’t you looking like the most handsome gentleman I’ve ever seen.”
Patrick smiled when he heard the Princess’ voice come from behind him and turned to face her. Her usual business suit was replaced with a sleek gown, the fine deep scarlet fabric hugging her body flatteringly. Her hair was swept out from her scalp and fell gracefully around her ears, a few flowers that matched the color of her dress pinned into the dark blonde strands, surrounding her delicate circlet.
“Thank you, Highness.” Patrick said.
“All hairsprayed up and ready to get married.” She smiled broadly at him. He chuckled and looked down, resisting the urge to touch his carefully styled hair, some of his nerves eased at her teasing. He always felt comforted by her easy presence, her smart leadership, her empathetic understanding. She had become one of his closest friends over the years and he trusted her implicitly, proud to be joining this family.
“I guess that is an apt description.” He agreed.
“Plus, who doesn’t love a very handsome hairsprayed gentleman.” She reasoned. “Are you ready?”
Patrick gave his jacket one last tug to straighten it, taking a deep breath.
“Always.” Patrick said confidently, offering Danny his arm. Danny smiled even more broadly as she took it.
“Your Prince awaits, General.”
Patrick and Danny pushed their way through the handsome double doors, headed to the roof of the Beacon.
It was a gorgeous day. The sky was a clear blue, speckled with fluffy white clouds, the sunlight gloriously warm against Patrick’s wings. The world around them shined as if Heaven itself were smiling down on them. The see-through material of the tents that the guests all sat under billowed in the uncharacteristically gentle breeze, decorated with flowers and ribbons. Patrick felt Danny’s distinctive flair in the protection spell around them and knew she had set the shields herself to make sure the rooftop gale was tamed down to something more manageable for the occasion.
Patrick and Danny paused in the tent that hid the rest of the congregation from view, the flap that led down the aisle closed so the guests couldn’t see them. The Queen, Cale, Talia, and Theo had already made their way to the front, leaving Patrick and Danny alone. Patrick had a sudden feverish wish that he could at least catch a glimpse of Theo. His Witch’s presence always soothed him.
The Princess turned to him with a smile and pressed a light kiss against the General’s cheek. She leaned back, wiping away any trace of lipstick she had left on his face.
“I’m so glad you two found each other.” She said, grinning and blinking tears from her eyes. Patrick nodded, smiling back, touched by her words.
“Thank you, Princess.” Patrick whispered. Danny cleared her throat.
“Oh, it is also my duty to tell you if you hurt him, I will fight you.” Danny told him with mock seriousness.
“Of course, Princess.” Patrick replied dutifully.
“And I’m super bad at fighting, so you’ll look really mean beating me.” Danny explained further in the same serious tone.
“I’m sure I will, Princess.” Patrick answered. Danny grinned at his dry tone.
They both looked up as the sound of the soft violin music swelled.
“That’s my cue.” Danny said, turning away from him. “See you on the other side.”
Patrick watched the tent flap flutter close behind her and took a deep breath to center himself, his heart beating hard against his chest. It was a tortuous moment, there by himself, both somehow looking forward to and dreading the next few minutes. A ceremony of empty fanfare, but would allow him to declare his love for Theo from on top of the world.
He was never quite the romantic that Theo was, never really felt able to give his Prince the affection that Theo had no problem showering over him. However, that fact never really stopped him from feeling desperately grateful for his Witch, grateful for finding him so early, grateful for Heaven gifting him with the strength to defend the whole life they would spend together. He felt his heart leap in his chest and he suddenly couldn’t wait to see Theo again.
The music flowed into the phrase that was his cue and he pulled the flap open and stepped through into the sunlight.
His eyes were drawn to Theo’s immediately where he stood in front of the Queen, beside his siblings.
Theo’s suit hugged every beautiful curve of his body perfectly, the dark material flattering his gorgeous skin, his hands folded neatly in front of him. A pure white shirt opened at the collar framed Theo’s throat, the cotton moving gently in the breeze. Patrick could see Theo swallow, blinking his misty eyes, his smile dazzling when he met Patrick’s gaze. The Prince’s body positively vibrated with excitement, his circlet resting atop the graceful swoop of his hair.
Patrick was filled with the overwhelming desire to take Theo in his arms and never let go.
Which, he supposed, was exactly what he was doing.
Patrick barely remembered the walk down the aisle, barely remembered the words Queen Anna had said, barely even remembered saying ‘I do’.
He remembered the feeling of Theo’s hands in his, the power of Heaven and Earth pulsing between them. He remembered the rugged texture of Theo’s stubble as Patrick cradled his now husband’s jaw, the soft feel of hair at the nape of Theo’s neck against his fingers as Patrick pulled the Prince to him.
He remembered the kiss.
“I love you.” Patrick breathed against Theo as the guests applauded.
Theo smiled dreamily, warming Patrick’s heart.
“I love-“
“Bring him.”
The cold, hissing voice ripped Patrick violently from his happy memories. He opened his eyes to see three knightmares come into his cell. He was still slumped against the cold concrete and faded mint green tiles, handcuffs still tight around his wrists and the wing restraint around his chest, painfully pinning his wings and keeping his power out of his grasp.
Patrick’s cell used to be a room used for interrogating uncooperative enemies, a remnant of a time when the Royal Family was less…enlightened. It had lain in disrepair for as long as Patrick could remember, forgotten with a more benevolent rule in a rarely used corridor of the Beacon.
It seems Cale had found a use for it.
“Calen issss assssking to sssssee you.” One of the knightma
res sneered as the others laughed cruelly, advancing on the captive General.
Patrick bared his teeth as their tentacles wrapped around him and wrenched him to his feet.
Chapter 27
This is it, isn’t it? This is what falling in love is like.
…
It’s much more terrifying than I thought it would be.
Shit.
I lay on the soft sheets of Luke’s bed, my legs tangled with his, his wings wrapped, warm and protective, around us. I had tucked one arm behind my head and played with the strong fingers of Luke’s hand where it lay across my stomach. His breath brushed across my throat where he was nuzzled into my shoulder, fast asleep.
To answer your unasked question: yes, there were feathers fucking everywhere. It was less of a problem than you’d think.
I just had some top-shelf sex, damn it - with my Angel no less…and I couldn’t even really enjoy the afterglow. No matter how hard I tried, my eyes wouldn’t close. How can love be warming my body and my heart so much, but have no effect whatsoever on the shadows in my head?
This is some annoying bullshit.
Because – and this might surprise you – everything was still a fucking mess.
Knightmares were coming into this reality in droves. Stewardship of the Throne of Witches was in shambles, I had no idea if anyone else was still alive, and it was only a matter of time before Cale found us. Found Luke.
Kind, gentle, loving Danny…spineless piece of shit.
I winced at the sound of Cale’s cruel voice ringing in my ears and I stared more intently at the ceiling.
It’s all up to you now.
Patrick…oh, god, Patrick…He sacrificed himself and I let him down so badly.
Kill her now!
The Witch's Angel Page 11