The journey passed by pleasantly under a blazing, late-summer sun. Song and laughter filled the air, as well as frequent prompts for the married couple to kiss. Stellan was more than happy to oblige.
A few miles from the peak of Eastender’s Road, the party stopped to rest and eat in a verdant clearing scattered with birch trees and lichen. After the meal concluded, Edward bid them farewell and returned to Aldebaran. Stellan and Clarysa headed west, arriving at Vandeborg several hours later.
Once in the great hall, Stellan turned to his wife. “Close your eyes,” he said.
She dutifully complied, and he led her up the wide central staircase. When he allowed her to see, she gasped, for the royal bedroom suite had been completely refurbished. The mahogany bed, now restored to its former glory, lay draped in swaths of rich red linen. Brightly colored pillows, throws and rugs accented the ornate furniture pieces scattered about the wide room.
Stellan built a fire in the hearth while Clarysa explored the room like mad. She squealed with joy upon discovering the myriad amenities of the washroom. Polished stones surrounded a large sunken tub. Stellan proudly demonstrated how to work the pipes. They were carved into a dragon’s head motif and hot running water gushed out of them with the turn of a handle.
“Hot springs are under the castle,” Stellan explained. “We discovered them during the renovation!”
Clarysa turned to him with arms outstretched. “It’s incredible! You did all this work for me?”
He enfolded her with his cape, for the air would remain chilly until the fire’s warmth spread. “I did it for us, if it pleases you, my beauty.”
She stared up at him, eyes shining. “You’ve done nothing but please me,” she whispered. “I love you, Stellan!”
“And I love you.” Sighing contentedly, he kissed her. After a moment he pressed his lips to her ear. “I think we should try out the bath.”
Clarysa’s breathing quickened, resulting in a delicious tickle against his cheek. “You mean now?”
Stellan removed her cloak and shot her a wicked grin. “Yes, I do,” he said, his gaze dipping southward as it drank in every one of her curves. He delivered another soft kiss before turning his attention to the bath. First he lit several thick, red candles, and then he manipulated the pipes until steaming water swirled into the basin below.
Satisfied, he turned around. Now it was Stellan’s breath catching sharply in his throat, for Clarysa stood before him completely nude. She shivered, perhaps from the cold, perhaps from the desire glowing in her face. Her beauty overwhelmed him, especially as she didn’t seem to know what to do with her hands. They fluttered like dainty hummingbirds against the hollow of her throat. Full lips parted with an urgent plea for him to hurry; the bath was ready.
Stellan realized with a start he’d been staring at her for quite some time. Blood rushed to his member, and primal urges–echoing from their tryst in the cave–coaxed it into a tight, thick erection. Finally, he could finish what he had started.
Crossing the short space between them, he set to work undressing. When had his clothes sprouted so many laces and knots? Clarysa smiled shyly while helping him to disrobe, and then, finally, they were skin to skin. Now she shivered steadily, clinging to him and feeling cold to the touch. He carried her into the tub. The water encased them in a warm embrace.
The liquid covered Clarysa up to her shoulders, teasing him. He could only see the faint outline of her body. In between fervent kisses they washed each other, sloughing away the dust from the journey using soft cloths and walnut-scented soap. Occasionally the hot water sloshed aside, revealing a tantalizing glimpse of a breast or knee. But underneath it was a different story. His hands learned the intimate language of her smooth back, dainty feet and the slight curve of her belly. Stellan could hardly believe his senses. How soft and supple was her skin!
Clarysa grabbed one of his hands and wrapped her lips around his forefinger. At the luxurious sensation, a memory flared–recollection of the time when he had fed her a piece of that roll before the curious eyes of his men. As she sucked his finger with slow, deliberate precision and sly glances, Stellan recalled how he had wanted to shove more than just a roll into her hot mouth.
“Would you…like to try out the bed?” he murmured. Rising from the water, he leaned against the basin’s edge. Water cascaded down his chest and abdomen. Clarysa was intently watching the flow.
“Clarysa?”
“In a moment.” She dove toward his midsection, sloshing water everywhere.
“What are you–gods of fortune, Clarysa!”
Stellan threw his head back. The way her mouth fondled his swollen shaft shocked him into happy delirium. She licked him from tip to base, her tongue sliding warmly against every hard inch. Her delicate hands closed around his erection, and she experimented with a few pumping motions. Closing his eyes and burying his hands deep into her golden tresses, Stellan envisioned the tub overflowing with his seed if he allowed her to continue unabated.
He was panting by the time she drew the whole length of him into her mouth. Hot. Wet. Tight. Rampant arousal made the contact almost painful. He fantasized about what could be accomplished with a well-aimed thrust. Or should he take her to the bed first? Stellan couldn’t decide.
As if in response to his thoughts, Clarysa broke from him. “Didn’t you want to try out the bed?”
She glided through the water to the stairs and left the bath. Glancing behind her every few steps, she ran to the bedchamber leaving a trail of wet footprints and giggles in her wake.
Grinning, Stellan quickly followed. Upon reaching the master chamber, he found her buried beneath the covers up to her eyes. In the dusky light from the fire, they glittered like gems. He was so heavy with need. Would he last long enough? I must. The woman before him deserved all the pleasure he could give her.
Stellan joined her beneath the bedding. First, he captured a breast in each hand. He devoured each taut peak in turn, eternally grateful he was ravishing the breasts of the naked woman from the Elysian River. He had never imagined such a compassionate and spirited woman could love a dark maverick like himself.
As he massaged her clean, fragrant skin with his hands and mouth, Stellan was grateful for Lionel’s eternal wisdom. During a stolen conversation before the wedding, he had confided his inexperience to the worldly duke. Lionel had been most forthcoming, and so Stellan learned that if he touched Clarysa with a finger thusly and probed with his tongue there it would have a transformative effect.
Only he didn’t think there would be a gush of moisture so quickly. Her musky essence coated his lips and tongue. Driven by curiosity, Stellan lifted his head. Clarysa’s eyes were shut as her body convulsed. After the episode subsided, she gazed at him with a drowsy, happy expression. Then she reached for his hand and guided it back down between her legs. Stellan understood he should continue by pressing his hand to her just so. He lost count of how many times she arched her back in wanton delight.
The earthy, indescribable scent of her drove Stellan to the brink. It was time. He was ready to make her his own. A deep, delicious ache made him tremble. Despite the frigid clime, despite the snow and ice and chilly winds, he would not be alone. He was wanted.
His heart swelled with joy. From now on there would be only love and happiness in Clarysa.
Beautiful, sweet Clarysa.
* * * *
Clarysa stared lovingly at her Dark Prince. He parted her thighs with his strong arms and then anchored himself above her. A tickling sensation exhilarated her sex as he settled himself into position. She marveled at her aroused state. Traces of his delicious touch lingered in every hollow and crevice. He was such an attentive lover, and so patient.
So different from the beast.
But then again, Stellan’s blood had been running through the beast’s veins. It had shared Stellan’s desires. Clarysa braced her hands against his shoulders, stroking them, squeezing them, giddy with anticipation.
How
many times had she been lectured about how wicked the Dark Prince was? That she should shun and avoid his perilous kingdom and nefarious ways? Yes, he was so wicked that he had saved Aldebaran almost single-handedly. He deserved her trust and love more than anybody. She rubbed a tear away. I’m the most fortunate woman in all of the Five Lands.
He held himself so still above her, yet in the region occluded by shadow and mystery he pulsed hotly with life. Clarysa couldn’t help but recall their wayward tryst in the cave. Gratitude filled her heart because they could now complete each other without the ravages of macabre sorcery. This was a moment long in coming, though they had known each other less than a year.
“Dearest, when will you…oh!” She arched her back and raised her hips in response as he joined with her. “Stellan,” she whispered as he sank into her, “there’s so much of you!”
He grinned wildly. “I’m not done yet.” Holding her gaze, he pushed himself in even farther.
Clarysa moaned. “That’s…oh…” Her swollen folds enveloped his hard, hot flesh. The feeling prompted a fresh wave of arousal.
Stellan swept his gaze over her bosom, apparently fascinated with the agitation spurred by his thrusts. But then he slowed. “Does it hurt?” Concern lined his sweat-dampened forehead.
“There’s some tenderness, but mostly it feels wonderful!” Still, he hesitated. Clarysa slipped both legs and arms around his waist in a feverish grasp. “Harder, my love, as hard as you like!”
He thrust anew. His long, low moan filled her ear. As he pushed, she pulled, and the momentum built with a delicious rush of blood. As her pleasure swelled beyond all reason, Clarysa found it impossible to maintain any semblance of ladylike airs. She grunted lustily in response to his thrusts. When her foot slipped and dragged across the linen, she felt the thrill of her climax reverberate all the way to her toes. Shortly thereafter, Stellan bucked so hard it rather did hurt, but it was a pleasant kind of ache. Nothing was more thrilling than being this close to him.
“Clarysa!” he exclaimed, his voice constricted with urgency. “I’m going to release!”
“Oh yes! Anything you want!”
His hand enclosing her right breast tightened. Clarysa arched up against him as he slammed into her. As her pelvis met his, another orgasm ripped through her.
Stellan roared with such force the walls seemed to tumble down around them. Even the very air crackled with energy, as though they were in the midst of a lightning storm. Over his shoulder, Clarysa thought she saw streaks of ethereal fire leap across the room. Ah, but it’s just my excitement! She writhed in pleasure as Stellan spread hotness in her so volcanic the linen below became sodden, warm and slick to the touch.
As his body slowed, she hungrily sought his lips and smothered them with her own. He returned the affection and stroked her breasts for a long time. By now, the fire had devoured its last smoldering embers and waned. Clarysa was glad of Stellan’s thoughtfulness to wrap the blankets tightly around them, even though he hadn’t pulled out of her yet. Then his lips were at her ear.
“I could… I mean, we could…have each other again.” He swallowed. “If you’d like.”
In the dark, in the master chamber of Vandeborg Castle, in the middle of the frozen wasteland that was the Snowflake Kingdom, Clarysa smiled the happiest smile of her entire life.
Chapter 44
“Stellan, wake up!”
Sprawled across the bed, Stellan turned over, pushing aside the blankets. Drowsiness lapped at him like a friendly kitten.
“Hurry, Stellan, come here! Come look!”
He passed a hand across the mattress. Where was his wife?
“Please, Stellan, get up!”
He cracked open an eye. For the first time in years, perhaps since his youth, he felt relaxed upon waking. And warm.
In fact, very warm–almost hot, even. Had Clarysa built the fire? How thoughtful!
Rubbing his face, he located Clarysa standing at a nearby window. She had wrapped the white, gauzy curtain around her naked body, inducing blissful memories from the night before. He became rock hard within moments. The woman had such appetites… Sleep suddenly eluded him. “Clarysa, what are you doing? You’re much too far away. Come here.” He smiled and reached out an arm.
Shaking her head, Clarysa shot him an urgent look. “No, you have to see this! Please!” She bounced up and down in her eagerness.
Stellan moaned at the sight and rolled out of bed. Standing behind her, he pushed aside the curtain and wrapped his arms around her waist.
“Look at the view,” she cried.
He grinned as he looked down, devouring her neck and shoulders with his lips. “Breathtaking,” he murmured. Reaching down, he parted her thighs, pressing his palm against the place that had given him so much enjoyment mere hours before. His hand came away moist. Gods! He would simply have to take her right there, right now.
Clarysa wriggled. “Not me, silly! Out the window!”
His gaze followed her pointing finger. The sight that met his eyes was enough to momentarily distract him.
The sun shone.
Water cascaded down the glass.
Patches of green spotted the castle grounds.
Stellan’s heart skipped a beat. The snow is melting.
He barely had time to assimilate it all when a loud knock sounded at the door. Clarysa squealed and sprinted away to put on some clothes. The knocking continued, followed by a pair of excited voices.
“Have patience. We’re coming,” Stellan said.
As soon as they had dressed, Clarysa threw open the door. Gretchen and Ghyslain stood there, laughing and grinning like a pair of drunkards. They pulled Stellan and Clarysa with them, and all four ran down the passageway.
They arrived breathlessly at the main entrance. Froll stood there, rubbing his belly and beaming. He pointed to the floor, which lay buried under several inches of water. Wading through the miniature pond, Stellan led Clarysa outside. He shielded his eyes against the bright, yellow sun as it shone in a clear, deep blue sky. Water dripped and plopped all around them as the snow surrendered to the morning heat.
Gretchen dragged Clarysa and him to one part of the outer castle wall. “I think you should see this,” she told them, and pointed to a small brass plaque embedded in the stone.
Stellan and Clarysa leaned forward to read the inscription it bore:
I found true love yet still I paid the price
And now this castle rests in snow and ice
When bravest love arrives at last to stay
At once the snow and ice will melt away
–King Darius the Seventh of Vandeborg
Heather Massey
Heather Massey is a lifelong fan of science fiction romance. She searches for sci-fi romance adventures aboard her blog, The Galaxy Express (www.thegalaxyexpress.net).
She’s also an author. Indeed, she wrote a fairy tale romance in addition to her sci-fi romances. Why? Because, honestly, who can resist an opportunity to reinvent a classic tale like “Beauty and the Beast”? Certainly not Heather Massey!
Her stories will entertain you with fantastical settings, larger-than-life characters, timeless romance, and rollicking action. So sit back, relax, and pour yourself a cup of space java as the stories unfold. You deserve it.
When Heather’s not reading or writing, she’s watching cult films and enjoying the company of her husband and daughter. To learn more about her work, visit www.heathermassey.com
Also by Heather Massey
Iron Guns, Blazing Hearts
Lyrical Press books are published by
Kensington Publishing Corp. 119 West 40th Street New York, NY 10018
Copyright © 2013 Heather Massey
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means without the prior written consent of the publisher, excepting brief quotes used in reviews.
Lyrical Press and the L logo are trademarks of Kensington Publishing Corp.
First Electronic Edition: October 2013
ISBN-13: 978-1-61650-495-3
Lord of Snow and Ice Page 29