Diana’s chair stopped rocking and she peered down at him where he was sprawled comfortably on the woven rug on the floor. One eyebrow raised at him as she flicked the back of his hand with her tail. He chuckled and attempted to snag it, but she snapped it away quickly, a snort of amusement leaving her.
Growling playfully, he lunged again, his smile widening at her squeal. As she attempted to evade his hand, she slipped out of the seat of the rocking chair just enough that, with a firm hand wrapped around her calf, he yanked on her leg and brought her sprawling over him.
The warm, rich scent of summer flowers and musk surrounded him as she fell into his arms. Taking advantage of the situation, he rubbed his cheek against hers. Chortling mirthfully, Diana pushed herself up just enough to peer down at him through her softly glowing eyes. He gazed up at her, his heart so full that the words slipped through his lips.
“I love you, Diana.”
Her laughter died and she drew back further to peer down at him in surprise. “You love me, or do you just want everything to fall into place easier with Cacus?”
He shook his head. “Cacus is nothing. I have barely thought of him while I’m with you. I love you, Diana. Fate, Eternal Forest, Cacus… None of that matters to me as much as you do. You make my heart and soul whole. You are my one and only light.”
Diana melted against him, her arms looping around his neck as they continued to lay sprawled together. He felt her fingers sifting through his hair to caress his ears and trail down the sides of his face to his jaw.
“I feel like I have waited forever to hear those words from you. I tried to tell myself what we have is good and that as long as we are both happy, that is what matters most. I didn’t realize how much I needed to hear the words,” she chuckled weepily. “I love you too, Silvas.”
His heart leaped in his chest and he drew her against him, his mouth capturing hers with a growl. His tongue swept in her mouth and she rose up to meet him with a sound of contentment. As they kissed, their tongues twining together, power raced between them. He felt it, white-hot light shooting from within her into him. It ran through their bond, fracturing the block with a hundred points of light in his mind’s eye before shattering it, flooding his mind.
Releasing her mouth, his head tipped back, and he cried out as memories came rushing back. He remembered the fear in her eyes when they met, her stubborn resilience when he challenged her in the palace, her strength as they traveled through the mountains. Every smile, tear and pained cry came back to him. Even the tears that fell when she reached her limit. They battered at him, overwhelmed every sense.
His heart broke, and he curled in to hold her close, savoring her brightness and the warmth of her attention, even the flicker of her surprise along their bond.
“I remember,” he whispered into her hair.
“Thank the fucking gods,” she replied seconds before she pulled back and punched him square on the chin.
Yelping, he brought his hands up. “Okay, I deserved that,” he mumbled.
Diana laughed and yanked him up to claim his lips once again.
Chapter 45
Curling her fingers into his tunic, she worked it up over his body, taking care not to tear it with her claws. Unlike her, he didn’t wear any extra clothing. He refreshed the same pair with a bit of magic that made her envious. They broke their lip-lock long enough for her to whip it off him, exposing the hard muscles of his abs and pectorals that rippled as he shifted his body to help her. Carelessly, with one hand, she tossed it across the room.
The flickering light of the fire played off his velvety skin and she leaned down to press a kiss against it. Making love on the floor in front of a roaring fire seemed a bit Hallmark special cliché, but she couldn’t care less. She moaned as his hands aggressively swept over her. Even as her fingers were eagerly fighting to remove the clothing from him as quickly as possible, Silvas’s claws tore at her clothes, shredding them from her body. She arched against him as his claws light scored her skin, his tail wrapping tightly around hers after he divested her of what was left of her pants.
Naked, their bodies rubbed against each other, their tails tightening and stroking together. Teeth nipped and Silvas pitched sideways, taking Diana beneath him, his cock sliding against the puffy folds of her sex as he stretched her out on the floor. She strained against him, her breasts rubbing his chest as an eager, breathy sigh slipped from her lips.
It was how she remembered it, how she dreamed of it—and yet it was better as his mouth claimed her body with heated kisses of adoration. She squirmed against him with every brush of his cock as he rocked against her, teasing her body with his until she writhed. The sting of his teeth was light, but the nips were strategically placed as he moved down her body.
Diana gasped out a moan as he attacked her breasts and her belly, nipping and sucking on her skin until she whimpered and pled as he worked his way down, warm floods of arousal wetting her thighs. The heat of his breath fanning her sex as his tongue stroked over her folds, laving, nipping and sucking at her slick cunt, sent her hips twisting into the air.
Arching against his questing mouth, she wrapped her fingers around his antlers. The bone beneath her fingers was oddly bare without all the jewels he used to have gilding and hanging from his antlers. She almost missed the way that it dropped in a cold shower against her hot body, but it didn’t matter. She tugged on his antlers, feeling the press of the new shorter horns against her knuckles where they swept back from his brow.
Holding onto Silvas like a lifeline, wave after wave of electric heat swamped over her, sparking at her nipples and her clit where his cock teased her with every brush of his body rubbing against hers, need pulsed through her demanding to be satisfied. Having her wrists pinned to the floor on either side of her by his large hands made it boil deep within her belly. Through the bond, she could feel the same desperation in Silvas as he waged his sensual attack upon every inch of her. With one last hard suck at her clit, she went over, her orgasm bursting behind her eyes as her thighs clenched from the force of it.
Silvas moaned as he lapped her clean before licking and kissing his way back up her body. Her hands broke free from his antlers as he loomed over her, his glowing eyes, brightened with passion, staring down at her as he pressed his pelvis against hers. With a tilt of his hips, he speared deep in one firm thrust.
Her pussy rapidly stretched around his thick phallus, Diana jerked against him, sending him deeper into her. Silvas growled in response, his tail twisting and tightening around hers to hold her against him as he pulled back and drove deep again. She choked and drew in a ragged gasp, wrapping her legs around him to give her leverage as she rocked against him, wanting more of him within her.
A growl rumbled from her mate, his tongue slicking along her neck as his hips picked up a rolling rhythm that sent her jolting with every deep thrust. Her next orgasm powered through her after just a handful of thrusts, her pussy squeezing him, making Silvas snarl as heat bathed her insides from a release of precum. The sensation against her still sensitive flesh as she came down from her orgasm had Diana hissing as she canted her hips. The position forced him to drive harder into her, their breath coming out together and mingling in rapid bursts.
Diana strained against him, needing more. Silvas’s dominant growl echoed in her ears in response. She felt a pleasant chill zap up her spine, and she writhed as he transferred both wrists to be pinned beneath one hand. His free hand stroked down her body as he stroked into her before curling his fingers tightly around her thigh.
Lifting her leg, he adjusted his angle, his hips snapping aggressively against her. His cock tapped within her, every bump stimulating the walls of her sex with each thrust. His breath panted in her ear as she felt his cock swell, the friction increasing to send her into another quick orgasm. As her body quaked, she felt the pinch of his cock sealing against her that sent him immediately grinding deeper into her. She shivered under the rough pummel of his hips as his breath
panted against her skin, each exhalation a possessive growl.
The roar that broke from him echoed through the living room as his seed burst through her, spraying hot jets within her. Diana arched against him, and another orgasm lit through her as he held himself deep within her.
His arms quivered, and very gently he lay her down on the rug, his body still joined to hers. Curled together, they snuggled, their cheeks brushing, his lips trailing against hers and along her face and neck. She snuggled comfortably into his embrace, her body relaxed and her heart full. When his cock finally slipped out, Silvas sighed and snuggled closer against her, the dying fire warming their sides as they dozed in each other’s arms.
A content feeling swept through Diana as she nuzzled Silvas sleepily. Although the future loomed over them like a twisted shadow, for right now they had this. They had each other, and that was going to make all the difference.
Chapter 46
Selvans kept a firm grip on his mate as they descended through the corridors of Arx. It hadn’t taken much convincing to get Diana to return to the palace. Part of him had been worried that she would never wish to return to the place, considering the horrors that she had witnessed there and their own painful history in the cavern of the vegoia. Instead of being reluctant, Diana had readily agreed. At least the halls and grounds had been cleaned of all remains, and even Arx appeared to be rapidly recovering from its damage. There were still several broken areas that were leveled, or half rebuilt, but it looked far less of a sad case than it had months prior.
If he were truthful with himself, he hadn’t wanted to bring her back to Arx until the palace had been rebuilt and the grounds repaired. Yet, they had both agreed that they would have a better chance of finding and defeating Cacus if they caught him while he was still aground. Diana had pointed out that the method had served them well with the strix, and he hadn’t been able to argue with her logic.
The fact that he didn’t want his uxorem anywhere near Cacus was another matter. He had spent considerable time the night before trying to work out a way to keep her out of it. He thought of leaving her with Larce and Cassia, but when he suggested it to Diana, she refused to hear it. She had taken a little too much pleasure in throwing back at him that Dorinda had emphasized that they were both were needed, and reminding him of the fact that his sister was refusing to so much as speak to him without Diana.
He was less than thrilled with the situation and didn’t bother to hide his feelings on the matter. He hadn’t cracked a smile since they entered the palace grounds, though he had nodded respectfully to everyone who had greeted them. The one bright moment was when the crocotta clan came rushing around the ruin of the gardens to greet them.
“Silvas, I had a thought,” Diana murmured at his side as they drew close to the exposed hidden courtyard.
Although it always had open-air access, it had been well concealed, but the outer walls had fallen, leaving the staircase visible to anyone who happened by. He was surprised that Arx had not yet started rebuilding there. He frowned at the crumbled stone and grunted as his uxorem’s elbow jabbed him.
Selvans raised an eyebrow in silent inquiry.
Now that she had his attention, Diana fidgeted and gave him a warm smile. “I know that you and Dorinda have a strained and difficult history together, but what if you did not rebuild the hidden courtyard. The garden could be expanded in place of walls. We could even tap into her pool and raise a fountain to the courtyard where she can choose to spend time outside of her cavern. It’s just that… well… she really misses contact with the outside world and, despite your intention to protect her, feels imprisoned down there.”
“She told you this?” he asked.
“She did,” Diana said, her free hand stroking the back his. “She hates that she is missing everything, and the world passes her by without her seeing it anymore. It is not fair. And I think it would go a long way to mend your relationship if you tried to meet her halfway.”
“You are suggesting complete surrender to her,” he grumbled.
“She’s not your enemy,” Diana laughed. “And I’m thinking more of a compromise. You keep the staircase going down to the cave, and we can partially block it in with garden hedges to give her some privacy. Should there be any danger she can drop back down into her cave easily from the fountain.”
“I suppose this compromise can work,” he said sourly. “I still dislike that she gets exactly what she wants when she has been nothing but a thorn in my side.”
“Technically, what she wants is for part of Arx to be moved, so you can rest assured that she’s not getting exactly what she wants.” Diana’s eyes sparkled with laughter as she hugged his arm against her, her tail coiling comfortably with his. “Consider it a peace offering. Wouldn’t it be better to have the vegoia on your side rather than tormenting you at every given opportunity?”
“I could just hang her by the tail until she decides to behave,” he suggested. He was only half-joking. Perhaps less than half.
Her refusal to speak to him and her endless grudges didn’t exactly make him inclined toward acts of goodwill. However, he had to admit that his uxorem had a point. If the changes could improve her disposition, he would follow Diana’s lead.
Their footsteps sounded loudly on the stairs as they descended. The only other sound was the whining of the crocottas from the top of the staircase. They wouldn’t come down. Dorinda didn’t allow animals into her domain and had an unknown way of encouraging them to remain out of her cavern. In all the time he had known his sister, he had never known her to make an exception to that rule until Keena hauled Diana to safety.
As they walked toward the pool and the spraying fount of the spring, Selvans looked for any sign of the vegoia. As usual, Dorinda was characteristically absent. He frowned, wondering if his sister would once again ignore his summons. She had done a fine job of ignoring him so far, so he didn’t really expect it to change.
He scowled at the water and opened his mouth to demand her presence when a soft chuckle filled the air.
“Finally, you stubborn ass. I’m pleased to see that you finally listened.” With a twist of the waters, she slipped out of the deep fissure in which she had been hidden. Her crimson eyes settled on him as a smile pulled at her lips. “Or did you figure out the meaning of your own personal prophecy?” She touched a finger to her lips, amusement bright in her red eyes as she tilted her head to the side. “No, I am pretty sure that mother tracked you down.”
“All of the above,” he growled impatiently.
Her eyebrows raised, impressed. “I confess that I didn’t expect that. In fact, I had a private wager going that Cacus would waken long before you returned with your uxorem.” She turned a smile on Diana. “I am so pleased to see you again, quite healthy and furry. I highly approve of the tail, everyone should have one,” she said cheerfully as she lifted the tip of her own tail out of the water.
The change in his sister’s attitude with Diana’s presence was nothing short of astounding. She was cooperative and pleasant.
“Why aren’t you being your usual foul-tempered self?” he demanded.
His sister pinned him with an impatient look. “Because Diana is kind and considerate toward me. Something you are not,” she said.
He tossed a bewildered look to his mate. “For this you want me to compromise with her? She is impossible! A scheming, manipulative…”
Diana rolled her eyes and folded her arms over her chest as she turned her attention to Dorinda. “We are going to provide you with access above ground and reduce the protective barrier so that you can enjoy some measure of freedom while still being able to get safely within the ground if you are threatened.”
The vegoia blinked at her. “I did not foresee this happening,” she mused. She turned to him, eyes narrowing. “Is it because you are just telling your mate what she wants to hear to gain my cooperation? I recall that you are a tricky one when it suits your mood.”
He gave her a disg
usted look but grunted. “No, it is the truth, as much as it pains me after all the trouble you have caused over the years. But you are my sister, and you did help my uxorem. Diana said that she believed it would be for the best, and I find that I agree with her logic even if I don’t necessarily agree with the sentiment behind it. Still, it is logical to give you some measure of freedom and put our relationship to some semblance of rest and cooperation for once,” he said grudgingly.
Dorinda raised an eyebrow. “That was perhaps the least gracious offer that has ever been extended to another being… ever… but coming from you that means it is a genuine one and is borderline sweet.” She smirked and adjust her seat on her rock. “I am guessing that you are not here just because you miss me. You want to know about Cacus.”
“If it wouldn’t be too much trouble,” he muttered.
Diana slapped his hip with her tail and smiled kindly at the vegoia. “Yes, we need to know where to find him before he comes up again from beneath the ground. Your help will determine whether or not we succeed.”
“Not that you cared to oblige earlier,” he added, and scooted out of the way before his mate could lash him again.
“Stop that,” his uxorem hissed.
Dorinda snorted. “Pay him no mind. I don’t. And you, brother, had I given you the information you sought earlier without your queen tied heart and soul to you, you would have succumbed to Nocis and ultimately failed. I foresaw it and therefore refused your entreaties to spare you that fate. You’re welcome.”
“As you see, now I have my uxorem by my side… and my memories restored. Please,” he bit back the wince at having to politely ask for a favor from his sister, “instruct us in what you foresee. Where might we find him?”
Forest of Spirits Page 30