Marek (The Vartik King Chronicles Book 1)

by Liza Probz

  She had no doubt.

  Chapter 38

  Marek groaned as her fingers slid down the swollen flesh of his erection. He needed to be inside of her, marking her again and reminding her that he was her hope. He would open the universe up planet by planet until Caleb was found. There was nothing he wouldn’t do for the beautiful woman before him.

  He moved backward and nodded. “Come get in the tub with me and let me hold you. I have more to tell you if you want to hear it.”

  She nodded and took his hand as he extended it to her. He moved them toward the bathroom, the steam from the hot water flowing out of the opened door. He paused by the tub, turning to her and sliding his fingers into the small string that stretched across her hip. He tugged her panties down, stopping only to press his lips against her sex, his tongue dipping in and lapping twice at the wet center of her.

  She whimpered and slipped her hand into his hair, before tugging softly. “I need you inside of me. We can take more time later.”

  He kissed her again and stood, moving to step into the tub before pulling her in with him. “Let me wash you and get you to relax and then I’ll make love to you until you fall asleep in my arms.”

  “Please?” She glanced up at him as she took his hand and got into the water with him.

  He sat down and moved to the back of the bubbly mass before reaching up and helping her down. The small curve of her once flat stomach caused his heart to beat faster. He needed to tell her, but first thing was first.

  He positioned her to lie against his chest, her back and butt tucked against him. He dragged handfuls of warm soapy water up her stomach and released it after moving above her breasts. His other hand rubbed soft circles along her stomach. She let out a long sigh and relaxed against him as he leaned over and pressed his lips to her forehead.

  “We met a week ago and I feel like I’ve known you forever,” she whispered, her words sealing his resolve.

  “When fate determines that two people should be together, it’s rather relentless.”

  “I agree, but I know you’ve been pledged to another, Marek. I don’t want to cause any more trouble than I already have. Your parents are going to be upset when they find out I’ve been in the southern tunnels. They will believe me to be a thief, which I guess is fitting.”

  “Hush, woman.” He ran his fingers down her sides, over her hips, and massaged her upper thighs before sliding one hand up to rest on her stomach and the other to rub deep strokes between her legs. “I need you to know something.”

  She turned her head a little, glancing up at him. The innocence in her eyes stole his breath. She might have lived a hard life, but goodness still clung tightly to her.

  “I love you. I want you to be my wife. Tell me that you love me too, Jaz. Tell me that you want to be a part of this world that I’m in.”

  Tears filled her eyes and she turned her body until her chest lay flat against his. She leaned in and pressed her lips to his, Marek sliding his soapy fingers into her hair and deepening the kiss. Her tongue tasted of grapes and lust.

  He brushed his tongue by her lips and dove into her mouth, wanting to remind her that she only had moments before he would spread her open wide and take pleasure from the center of her passion. He would spend the rest of his life assuring her of the good things to come. Tonight, he simply wanted her to feel ecstasy so deeply that she never questioned his feelings or intent toward her again.

  She broke the kiss, pressing her fingers to his lips. He sucked them into his mouth, closing his eyes and lifting his hips a little to brush his cock across her. She reached between them and began to stroke it slowly. Her fingers tightened as she nipped at his lips, her little pink tongue darting out to lap at him.

  “I love you more than I thought it possible for me to love someone. I don’t want to take anything from you, but if you can give me forever, I want it.” She moved back, sadness brushing across her features.

  Marek reached up and ran his fingers down her cheek. “My parents see the love between us and have granted me the right to choose you as my bride. Will you join me here and help me rule Vartik, Jazmine?”

  She glanced down, her fingers slipping from his need. “I want to, Marek, but I don’t deserve happiness until Caleb has it too. The night he was taken…”

  Marek pulled her closer as she let out a painful sounding sob. “Tell me, Jaz. Expose that hurt and let me share it with you, baby.”

  She took a long breath and opened her eyes, the shifting of their color to mimic his almost shocking him into silence. He slipped on a tight façade as to not give anything away. His woman didn’t need anything else to deal with that night.

  “We had a huge fight and I told him to basically fuck off, that I didn’t need him.” She let out another sob. “When I got back, he was gone. If I had only been there.”

  “They would have taken you too, Jazmine. Because of you, we have a fighting chance. I know you’ve not lived a life that allows you to trust, but I need you to work with me on it. I’ll do anything to earn it, and I’m going to start by getting Caleb back.” He brushed her hair from her face.

  “Are you going with your brothers and sister on the rescue mission?”

  “No. Neither are you.” He leaned in to kiss her, but she pulled back.

  “Yes. I. Am. I have to, Marek. The jewel is right here and I can do nothing to get it. I’m not sitting here idle. It would be the death of me.” She moved back in the tub and pulled a handful of bubbles toward her large breasts, rubbing it over them slowly as she washed herself. He followed her movements, unable to help himself.

  “You didn’t answer me. I’ll get your brother back, but will you marry me? Be mine forever?” He moved to his knees and pulled her to hers as well. Pressing himself against her, he leaned in and ran his nose along her chin before pressing his lips to her ear. “Tell me, Jaz. I need to know.”

  “Yes. I love you too much not to.” She turned toward him, capturing his lips and stealing his heart.

  He pulled back as she frowned, the expression far too cute for such a serious moment. “I have one more thing I need to tell you. It’s really the reason why you can’t go on the rescue mission.”

  “I’m going, but if it will make you feel better, tell me whatever you think might stop me.” She lifted her eyebrow, her hands running down his chest and over his sides to his lower back.

  Marek groaned, wanting her to touch every part of him. There would be time for that later. All the time in the world. The rest of his life.

  “Jaz.” He reached out and ran his fingers over her stomach as his eyes moved down to the soft swell of her abdomen. “Nojan verified the results of the testing, baby. You’re pregnant with my twins.”

  “What?” Jazmine moved back, a frightful look on her face. The water splashed violently around her. “No. I can’t be a mother. I don’t know how. I didn’t have one… this is… it’s…”

  Marek moved toward her fast, pulling her into his arms and forcing her face to lift so that all she would see was him.

  “It’s the greatest gift I could ever, in all of my life, beg for. You have no clue how much you bless me. You honor me with your ability to carry our children, Jaz. I am so in love with you and this gift is one we will share together for eternity. They have your powers and my blood. They are the next gods of our time. I’m so proud of you, of us.” He pressed his lips to hers, not letting her pull from him.

  She sank into him a few seconds later, her surrender all he needed. He broke the kiss and reached down, lifting her from the warm water and stepping out of the tub with her in his arms. She rubbed her fingers over her stomach several times as her darkened gaze filled with tears. He didn’t speak until she did, her words so precious that he would forever treasure them.

  “Do you think the gods are giving me another chance?” She glanced up at him as he laid her on the bed, not worried about them making a wet mess. It was going to happen one way or the other.

  “I might be s
elfish, but I was thinking this was my second chance.” He chuckled. His heart warmed as a smile lifted her lips. Her eyes were still wide with a mixture of trepidation and awe. He hoped they always would be, where their life was concerned.

  “Push your power over me, Marek. I need to feel it flow through me tonight.” She reached up, brushing her fingers along his chest.

  He released himself to it, the long groan she let out giving him full awareness of her letting down her guard. She was submitting fully to him. The thought caused his cock to swell in anticipation of bringing her over the edge until she begged him to stop.

  “Hold on tightly, Jaz. I need to feel you clinging to me.” He moved onto the bed, hovering over her as she nodded, reaching up and wrapping her arms and legs around him. She tugged him down, her strength something to behold.

  “Fuck me hard and make everything disappear,” she whispered as her lips pressed soft, wet kisses down his neck.

  He grunted softly as he slid into her, her body so tight and wet. Marek brushed one hand over her forehead, pushing her hair back as the other moved down her taut flesh, cupping her ass and squeezing softly. He drove into her once with force, pausing to see if she needed him to be a little more careful.

  “Tell me if I hurt you. I don’t want to upset the babes.” He kissed her neck and moved down to suck at her nipple.

  She moaned softly. “I need it hard. They’re fine. I almost thought there was life inside of me, but I’m not worthy of that, so I didn’t want to hope.” She let out a soft cry as he realized that she didn’t need to think anymore but simply drown in their lust.

  He moved up and pressed his mouth over hers, his other hand moving to cup her thick curves. Marek began his assault, the time for talking over. He pumped in and out of her, willing his cock to swell more in order to leave her feeling stretched, filled, just enough for the man on top of her. She flung her head back and arched her back a moment later, her cries filled with deep desires.

  Marek panted softly against her skin, continuing to massage her body with his. He licked and sucked at her neck, tugging her ear with his teeth and whispering against her flesh as his voice grew rough, his own need almost too great to bear.

  “So damn good, Jaz. Tight little pussy taking every bit of me. Tomorrow night, you’re riding me so I can watch you take this dick the way I know only you can, baby girl. Take it tonight for me. Ask for more.”

  “Give me more. I need more.” She groaned and reached up, grabbing the sheets above her head as another orgasm broke through her.

  “Such a greedy little thing.” Marek panted softly, fucking her fast and hard as she rode the orgasm for a while. She went limp and he pulled out, moving quickly to press his tongue against her center. She pushed at his head, urging him to stop, but he forced her hand away, lifting her ass a little with his hands.

  He ate at her, drinking every bit of her sweetness as she whimpered louder and louder. It didn’t take long as she provided him with another opportunity to taste the depths of her lust, her body contracting tightly as she buckled. He pressed his tongue deep inside of her, sucking the swollen tissue of her sex and groaning as he felt his own orgasm coming on fast.

  She pushed hard against his head and he pulled back, moving to his knees and tightening his hand over his cock. He began pumping it hard and fast, the monster bigger than he’d ever seen it. How she had taken him inside of her was almost stunning.

  “No. Come inside of me. Bind us together again. I’m yours and you’re forever mine.” She reached up and pulled him down with force.

  He reached out, stopping himself from falling on her. He pressed back inside of her, his body exploding into a million pieces as he held himself in place. He was too locked in the moment to fuck her the way he wanted to. She jerked her hips over and over, milking him from beneath him. He opened his eyes and let out a long breath, the vision of watching her give herself fully to him staining his soul.

  He lay down on top of her, stilling her frantic jerking. He reached up and cupped her face before brushing his lips across hers. “Let’s find Caleb and then we will hold our wedding here with him beside us.”

  “Yes.” She leaned up and kissed him again. “I trust your brothers and sister to go after him. I trust you.”

  Chapter 39

  Jazmine moved out from under the large man above her, the smell of their sex making her crave more of him. Could her life actually be turning out for the better? Marek wanted her to be his forever, his twins settled deep in her womb, and his family seemed to accept her.

  The road would be a hard one, but he was willing to help with Caleb. He wanted to offer hope for a better tomorrow than all of her yesterdays had been. She was going to accept his offer fully. Nothing could be more promising than living beside him forever.

  “I know you’re tired, baby, but I have to go down to the center of the activity tonight. My parents are giving the closing speech and part of it is to celebrate me as the next king. I would love to have you beside me, but I understand if you need to rest.” Marek pulled her tightly against the front of him as they lay on their sides.

  “I’ll go with you. We can sleep when we get back.”

  “Are you sure? No pressure. Seriously.”

  “Is there food involved?” She chuckled and rolled away from him before moving to sit on the side of the bed. Her body ached from his deep fucking, but in a good way. She smiled and stood, turning to face him as she wound her long hair into a messy bun.

  “Loads of food. Karnz has been working all afternoon. I do believe you might just see one of his newest creations.” Marek smiled and got up, walking toward her and brushing his hands up the sides of her neck. “God, you’re beautiful.”

  “Don’t tell me he’s bringing sandwiches?” She smiled and Marek nodded. Ignoring his comment of her beauty, she moved back and reached for the dress before walking toward the closet. “Should I wear this?”

  “No. Put on something blue. It speaks of royalty, as you will soon be.” He moved in behind her, kissing her shoulder softly. “I’m going to my room to change. I’ll be back shortly. You’ll be okay?”

  “Of course. I love you.” She glanced over her shoulder as his hand slid down and cupped her butt.

  “I love you more. I need more of your wicked hot body later tonight too.”

  “All yours, lover.” She turned back to the closet, the world all of a sudden seeming right. A confidence she had never known swept through her, the warmth of her mother’s gifts racing along the veins below her skin. The closet illuminated blue around her and she closed her eyes, giving thanks for all she would become because of her mother’s sacrifices.

  “Blue looks good on you,” Marek spoke softly, pulling her close to him as they walked down the dusty road outside of the castle.

  The yellow moon sat high in the sky, the coolness of night brushing along her skin as they walked toward the noise. Large leafy trees hovered above them, swaying back and forth. The lights ahead of them gave an exact pinpoint of where the main party was happening. Nervousness rolled over Jazmine and she snuggled in closer to Marek.

  “Where are your brothers going first in their search for Caleb?”

  “They have heard mumblings on Vanfia.” He glanced down at her quickly. “Nojan might need details on your night with the king.”

  “Fuck no,” she grumbled and swatted at him. No way was she reliving that nightmare.

  Marek laughed, the sound of it lighting her heart on fire. She squeezed him softly and looked up as Nojan approached, a huge smile on his boyish face. He had to be drunk.

  “Greetings to the upcoming king and queen of Vartik. What say you?” He stopped in front of them, bowing low.

  “You’re drunk as a skunk.” Marek shook his head and released Jazmine. “I’m going to go wish my parents well on their speech. Come to the center stage and bring Nojan with you? You’ll see it.”

  “Of course.” Jazmine watched him go before turning her attention back to No
jan. “What did you drink to put you in such a good mood?”

  “Tea. I’m not drunk. I figured he would rush off if he believed me in need of help. He doesn’t do well with intoxication.” Nojan smiled and reached out, taking Jazmine’s hand. He reminded her so much of the brother Caleb would be if he wasn’t overburdened by the life they were handed. “Marek told you of the results?”

  “He did. Thank you for supporting his decision to be the one to tell me of the babies.”

  “Of course. I wanted to tell you that you will soon be one of us. There isn’t anything we won’t do to bring Caleb back to you, Jaz. Hold tight and trust Marek until you learn to trust us too.” He took a step forward and Jazmine sunk into his arms, hugging him tightly.

  “I will. Thank you, Nojan.” She moved back, wiping at her tears as she slipped her arm into his.

  “No more tears. It’s the biggest party of the year. Hurry. I see my father ascending the stage. Let’s find Marek.”

  Jazmine rushed forward with Marek’s brother, her eyes moving about as she searched for her future husband. She spotted him near the stage, his hand in his mother’s as he helped her onto the platform. His mom gave him a quick kiss on the cheek and swatted him away. He moved to the edge of the stage and dropped down in front of them.

  “All set. You guys good?” Marek moved in beside Jazmine, putting an arm around her and glancing over at Nojan. “Hands off, dude.”

  “Brother.” Nojan rolled his eyes. “Let’s hear what Mom and Dad have to say and then we’ll stuff our bellies full.”

  “Sounds good.” Jazmine snuggled into Marek, ignoring the stares of the people around them. All would soon know. If Marek was good with their affection being on display before that time, she was too. She turned her attention to the stage as Marek’s father began to talk.

  “Firstly, we thank each and every one of you for being in attendance tonight. It has been a good year for Vartik. Please know that change is in the air. We have only one choice as the greatest race of beings ever created. We will embrace it and be agile.” He paused and looked to the queen, who took a step forward.