by Ann Denton
Declan rocked me, using one hand to trace my spine. “Shh, Peace. It’s okay.”
I shook my head, “No. It’s not. I watched you get tortured. I watched you die, Dec!”
He hugged me tighter and I cried until my throat was raw.
When I was quieter, he raised one hand and gripped my neck tight at the base of my skull. He pressed in then down. Then he repeated the motion, petting me. Pulling the tension out of my body. The movement gradually turned my muscles limp. I took a number of long shuddering breaths.
I swiped at my swollen eyes and met his steady blue gaze. “Why didn’t you fight back?”
He gave a sad half-grin. “I was trying to give you all a chance to get there. Trying to get as much info as I could. I didn’t see the ice—”
I punched his chest lightly. “That was stupid shite. You’re supposed to keep yourself safe.”
“No. I’m supposed to keep you safe.”
I shook my head. “You should have used your power.”
“And let them know it was me? That they already had exactly what they wanted?” Declan shook his head fiercely. “Sard them.”
“I agree. Sard them all.” I pressed my hand against his chest and realized I was covered in blood. “Oops. Sorry.” I pulled my hand back and stared at it.
Declan shifted and pulled me up. “Let’s get cleaned up.”
He moved toward the subterranean stream. But I balked. “I’m not getting in there,” I said. “That’s where she came from.” The nameless sea sprite who’d killed him.
“Shh,” he calmed me. “We won’t get in.”
He brought me over to the edge, and we followed the water down, away from the cavern filled with death. We wound our way along the narrow ledge for a bit until the cave opened up again into another cavern. This cavern looked as though it belonged to fairies. It was breathtaking. The roof was full of tiny, twinkling blue lights. They looked like tiny stars or chandeliers.
I looked up to see Declan’s response and saw the same awe reflected in his eyes. When he noticed me watching him, he turned toward me and smiled.
“May I?” he gestured at my invisible cloak.
I shrugged, grinning but still sniffling from my crying fit. “You don’t like me as a floating head?”
“I love you—any way I can get you,” Declan replied.
I smiled and the tears threatened again.
“Except for crying, Peace. No more,” he scolded as he stripped the invisible cloak off me and laid the plush fur on top of the rock. The inside was visible when it was laid out and I could make out the different shades in the gray rabbit fur. When he saw I only wore a stained man’s shirt beneath the cloak his eyebrows lifted.
I shook my head. “Later. I’ll explain later.”
Declan pulled off my shirt. Then he dipped it into the water, letting the current pull out some of the worst stains.
“Sit down,” he told me.
I sat on the soft fur of the cloak.
Declan wrung out the shirt and came over to me. He cleaned me gently, wiping away all traces of blood and grime. He took care even to clean the beds of my fingernails with small swipes. Declan moved from my hands to my torso. He dragged the makeshift rag slowly up my stomach, circled my breasts, and then back down. Goosebumps followed in his wake. He wiped my hands, held out my arms and swiped all the way to my armpits, tickling me slightly. He swiped from my feet upward, tracing lazy circles on my calves, under my knees, and then up higher.
“Shouldn’t you swipe down?” I asked as he brought the cloth up my inner thighs.
“I don’t know, should I?” Declan asked, his eyes burning into me. He leaned closer as he swiped the rag up over my hip and around my inner thigh. He braced himself on one hand and leaned into me as he wiped the other hip and thigh in the same, slow seductive manner.
My breathing started to become shallow. He was so close I could feel the warmth of his body. It contrasted the chill of the water that had raised goosebumps on my skin and pebbled my nipples.
Declan’s eyes stared into mine as he cleaned my most intimate spot gently. One swipe then another. A small circle.
My lips opened in tiny silent moans.
He never broke eye contact. He never touched me, other than with the rag. He just softly swiped again and again until I thrust my legs open desperately.
When I did that, Declan sat back on his knees and said, “Now you do me.”
I swallowed hard and took the rag from him with shaking fingers. Declan had said he wanted our first time to feel special. That he wanted me desperate for him. I’d nearly lost him. That had driven desperation to a whole new level. Torture. And he’d sent everyone away. Did he … was he ready?
I dipped the shirt into the seawater and my mind was made up. I needed him. I needed to feel him, alive and thriving and whole. I needed to warm my heart with him. I needed to see his eyes flicker and close in ecstasy. I needed to erase the pain. I was going to do my damned best to show him that he meant everything to me.
I wrung out the garment and made my way back over to him.
I started with his feet, knowing that once I got too close, I wouldn’t be able to stop myself. I tried to massage his foot with my fingers through the cloth, working out any soreness.
I washed his legs, using every excuse I could find to touch him. I dragged my finger along the edge of his quadriceps. I washed his hands, kissing each palm after it was clean. I washed his arms. Then I rinsed the shirt and cleaned his back. When the pale muscular expanse of Declan’s back was clean, I pressed my aching breasts against his scars. I traced one and kissed it, before coming back around and straddling him.
I smiled softly at him as I stroked the rag over his neck, his pecs, down the flat plane of his stomach.
My heart filled so much I thought I might burst. The emotions were as airy and multicolored as soap bubbles. Adoration, affection, longing. So much tenderness.
Tears filled my eyes again and I sucked in a jagged breath.
Sard! I hadn’t even finished cleaning him and I was going to melt down again.
“Bloss?” Declan’s hand came up to cup my cheek.
I stared at him. “I’m sorry. I was trying. I wanted to show you how much I love—I’m just still shaken up. I can’t lose you, not ever.”
Declan brushed away a tear that escaped down my cheek. Then he kissed me, gently. “I know you love me. I can feel it.”
My tears continued to flow but I shoved my sobs down, tossed away the shirt, and pulled him roughly into me. This was what I needed. This. A physical reassurance that he was here. That he was mine. That he still loved me. I yanked at his hair and pushed myself closer, mashing my breasts into his chest. Our kisses grew fiercer. He sucked on my tongue. Then he released it and bit my lower lip so hard I gasped.
I pushed him back on the rabbit’s fur cloak and leaned over him. I skimmed my teeth along his neck and lightly over his collarbone. “You’re mine, Declan,” I whispered.
“Yes.”
“No, say it!” I ordered. “Tell me.” I bit his pec savagely, letting my teeth dig into his pale skin. I marked him. Claimed him.
“Argh! I’m yours!”
I grabbed his hand and licked it, from the base of his palm to the tip of his middle finger. “Touch me.”
Declan slid his hand between our bodies as I leaned back down over him and bit his earlobe lightly. I circled the spot with my tongue and then started tracing a path up the shell of his ear.
His finger traced an oval around my opening, teasing me just right.
I leaned up on my arms and stared down into his eyes. “Tell me what my body likes best,” I breathed, as he moved his finger in, spreading my lips slightly and sending a shudder up my spine.
“You like your pussy lips touched gently,” Declan’s eyes were blue fire. “Your clit likes to wait, to be swollen and aching first. I need to touch your nipples first.”
His free hand traveled over my ribs and across my br
east. His fingertips latched onto my nipple, pulling lightly in a steady motion that drove me crazy. After a minute, he started flicking my nipple with his nail. Then he pinched hard and twisted. At the same time, he dragged the finger he’d soaked in my juices up across my clit.
I clenched my teeth and mewled as my orgasm rippled up my spine. It was one of those softer, teasing orgasms. Openers. The kind that left me desperate for more.
“Again,” I moaned at Declan, taking control of his mouth.
He complied, circling, circling down near my core. His fingers at my nipple went back to a light latch.
I knew what was coming. And my anticipation grew with every lazy circle. I grew so wet that I could hear his finger as it circled.
“Now,” I said.
Declan shook his head. “Not yet.”
I smacked his side with my hand. “Now!”
His fingers wrenched my nipple and he strummed my clit. There was nothing teasing about this orgasm. It ripped through me like a tidal wave. I bit down on a scream. I didn’t want anyone running down here. I wasn’t done with him.
Declan drew my orgasm out by fading from direct contact to circles that lightly stimulated my clit every few seconds. The orgasm faded gradually to a shiver.
“Gods, you’re amazing,” I kissed him gently. “I can return the favor, or you can—"
Declan thrust up into me without another word.
I was so wet that after a few thrusts my thighs were coated in my own slick. I sat up and ground down, riding my knight. He bent his legs behind me, planting his feet on the floor.
“Lean back,” Declan murmured. I leaned a bit and he pushed me further. “Now plant your feet and ride me, Peace. Use me. Make that beautiful body come apart on top of me.” I slammed down and realized what a genius Declan was. Leaning back was exquisite. My insides became molten as his shaft hit that perfect spot. Again, and again and again I moved, throwing my head back.
Declan’s magic hands snaked up to my breasts and grabbed them, pushing upward, doubling their bounce. It made me feel even more wild. My eyes opened, but I couldn’t see as the next orgasm surged up through my head. I was awash in bliss. I floated for endless moments, limp and unmoving until Declan yanked me back down to him.
I expected him to rut me hard, but what he said left me gasping. “Now, I’m going to show you your very favorite position.”
More? My brain was dazed. I was getting more orgasms?
Declan gently lowered me to the cave floor so that I laid on my back. Then he laid down on his side with his body perpendicular to me. He moved forward and lifted my legs so he could scoot underneath my thighs. He lined up our pelvises at a ninety-degree angle. He thrust into me at that angle. Then he let go of my legs and ordered, “Plant your feet on me. One on my thigh, one on my ribs.”
I followed his instructions. Once my legs were propped up and out of the way, Declan grabbed onto my hips and started to move. He stroked in and out slowly. And with every stroke, he set me on fire. Then he did something I didn’t expect or anticipate. He reached his hand through my legs and started rubbing my clit. With this position, he had unfettered access.
“Hump me,” Declan told me as he reached for a nipple with his free hand.
I used my feet on his side to thrust. And I nearly collapsed. I saw stars. It was perfect. The hot warm press of his member inside, the circles his hand made, the tingle that shot down my spine when he pinched my nipple—I was trapped in a constant rolling orgasm. I keened, unable to help myself. I drew it out as long as I could. But eventually, I felt like I was going to pass out. I collapsed. My body was liquid. Declan had melted me.
Declan quickly moved on top of me with a proud grin. “Now, aren’t you glad I had so many years to get to know this hot body?”
I nodded lightly, still unable to focus my eyes. “So, so sarding glad! Gods, you can do anything to me. Anything. My ass if you want.”
I starfished.
Declan laughed and leaned over me. “Maybe another day, Peace.” He swiped a gentle hand over my cheek. “Now, is it my turn?”
I nodded again, still enjoying the afterglow.
Declan lined himself up and then he rutted me like an animal, pressing my shoulders down so hard I could feel the shapes of the stone under the rabbit’s fur. Every stroke hit my cervix. He was so deep, but my insides were soft and compliant and more than willing after all the orgasms.
“Say you love me,” Declan panted.
“I love you more than anything,” I reached up and caressed his face. And those damned tears resurfaced. “So, so much.”
Declan leaned down and kissed me as he came inside me.
He collapsed onto me, wrapping his arms and legs around me in a giant prone hug.
And then I heard a round of applause.
“Let me comfort, Bloss, she’s crying. I’m using that excuse next time, you tricky bastard,” Ryan teased.
Declan laughed and leaned up, still inside me as he bit his thumb at Ryan. “Sard off.”
“Is that an invitation?” Connor asked.
I arched my head back and saw all four of my other knights in the cavern. I gave them an upside-down glare. “Leave him alone. He just died!”
“So did we,” Connor gestured at the group.
I rolled my eyes, which was ineffective upside down. I slid away from Declan, gave him a wink, and stood. “You weren’t tortured.”
Blue raised his hand immediately.
I rolled my eyes, “Fine. If you’re hungry …” I gestured between my legs.
Quinn and Connor ran forward, both slapping and elbowing each other.
I laughed. “You’re both idiots.”
“Your idiots,” Connor grinned. And, like always, that grin turned my insides to mush.
“My idiots,” I agreed. “I’d love nothing more than to make love to all of you right now. But we have a castle that was attacked and is under a freezing spell that lasts seventy-two hours. We have two insane nations and a sea sprite about to launch an international war. And we still haven’t found Avia.”
Quinn rolled his eyes and projected to everyone: Fine. I guess we can take turns with you.
“Is there a dance card?” Blue asked. “You know, like a sex signup sheet?”
I laughed until my ribs hurt, and my throat was raw.
Blue pouted, “Well, that would be the fair way to do it.”
Connor patted him on the back. “Try it. You’ll realize, you’ll just be giving Quinn a schedule, so he knows exactly when to pipe up and ruin your moment.”
Quinn grinned. I like this idea. Signup sheet it is!
I laughed. And laughed. And laughed until Ryan came over and scooped me up because I wasn’t capable of standing on my own two feet.
I looped my arms around him as Declan threw me my cape.
“Ready to go take on the world?” my giant asked.
I smiled. Because with my knights back at my side, I was ready. I looked at each of them, holding each man’s gaze long enough to show him what he meant to me. Then I said, “Let’s go do impossible things.”
Epilogue
We all went up to the main cavern. When we reached it, Donaloo and the dragon and Cerena were gone.
“Where’d they—”
“Outside. Apparently, after Donaloo’s paw ended up wet, there were some words about dragon toilet-training,” Connor shook his head and looked at me. “You realize the world’s gone insane since you came back?”
“You can’t blame me for that!”
Declan narrowed his eyes and studied me. “Statistically speaking—”
I hopped out of Ryan’s arms and punched my scholar. “No. Statistical nothing. I didn’t start this war!”
The guys looked at Blue. He shrugged. “My father tossed my full djinn brother to the sea creatures before you came back. And then Syan—that’s his name—turned my other brother into a dragon to steal your sister before you were back—”
My knights groaned as
I smirked … until Blue added, “But … technically, I was only turned into a bird once we heard about you. So, my life was technically, officially ruined because of you.”
The men all cut up laughing.
I put my hands on my hips and marched over to Blue, naked except for the invisibility cloak draped over my arms. His eyes darted to my breasts.
“You wanna repeat that?” I glared up at him.
Connor doubled over. “You look exactly like your old nanny!”
I gasped and turned to glare at him. “That was low.”
Declan asked Connor, “You saw your nanny naked?” which led to a round of chuckles.
Apparently, death experiences made us all a bit giddy in the aftermath.
Ryan stripped some clothes off a guard for me as he asked Blue, “So, you said your father tossed your brother to the wicked fairy. But you still haven't explained how you became a bird."
“Syan had some wizard turn us into animals so he could control us more easily.”
I shook my head. “Well, thank goodness that didn’t work out for him.”
Blue grinned, “Thank goodness for me.” His eyes roamed my figure as I pulled on a tunic that fell to mid-thigh. “At least he got me engaged to a hot queen.”
I laughed. “You’re married now, sir.”
He bowed, “My Lady.”
I rolled my eyes. “Yeah, that’s never gonna work for me.”
I turned the topic back to his brothers. “I guessed the dragon was your brother from the beginning,” I said, glad I was right about something in this debacle. “What are the others? Who the hell was Shiter?”
Blue laughed. “Nath’s the dragon. He’s always been the most easy-going of us, so he was probably easiest to control. My brother Harsh was your rabbit friend. I’m pretty sure he’d be offended by that cloak you have.”
I petted my rabbit fur cloak and laughed. “Harsh. Well, Shiter’s name isn’t too much worse then.”
Blue cracked a grin. “Sedarth was the bear.”
“Why animals?”
Blue’s eyes twinkled. “How else do you think the Elven chain was smuggled into your palace? Sedarth carried it. Harsh burrowed under that spell your mage made. It doesn’t extend underground. Then I was forced to alert him when it was ready.”
