by Kelsey Soliz
Copyright © 2020 Kelsey Solliz
All rights reserved
The characters and events portrayed in this book are fictitious. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is coincidental and not intended by the author.
No part of this book may be reproduced, or stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without express written permission of the publisher.
ASIN:B085ZGDJSQ
Cover design by: Designrans
Printed in the United States of America
Contents
Copyright
One
Two
Three
Four
Five
Six
Seven
Eight
Nine
Ten
Eleven
Twelve
Thirteen
Fourteen
Fifteen
One
After spending the morning in the arms of Lander and Maalik, the afternoon flew by in a flurry of hair and makeup. I was catered to hand and foot by staff members there to help get me ready for my first wedding. Declan’s . I was nervous to see the kingdom in an official manner, to be presented as Declan’s wife. I was so damn proud to be the one with that title though, and anticipation drowned out the threatening anxiety.
When my dress was zipped up finally, I stared at myself in the mirror. My shoulders were bare, lacy red fabric covering my arms and torso. I had a full skirt, deep crimson to match Declan’s dragon. The gown had a lace overlay that floated above the skirt, a pattern reminiscent of flames bordering the bottom that flounced around as I moved. My hair was pinned behind one ear, curled and framing my face on the other side. I felt dangerous and sexy, ready to take on the world.
There was a knock at the door and soon Atticus was there, his eyes wide as they took in every detail of my dress.
“Damn, Isla. Declan is a lucky bastard tonight. That dress. Shit. Declan is going to lose his mind. Hey, you know that’s almost the exact shade of his dragon?”
I blushed, feeling satisfied that he understood my selection.
“Ah ha! Clever.That’s going to drive him even crazier.”
Atticus spent a few moments simply checking me out, validating how sexy and wanted I already felt.
“Well, let’s get you to the party, shall we? You look gorgeous and I can’t be held responsible for my actions if I’m allowed to remain alone with you for too long. You’re supposed to be Declan’s tonight.”
I sauntered over towards Atticus, taking in the sight of him in a crisp gray suit. His shirt was unbuttoned at the top just enough that some of his tattoos were peaking out, and he looked so damn sexy. As soon as I was within touching distance, I wound my arms around his neck and leaned into him. The last few days had been a shit storm and standing on the other side now almost made me forget about it all. I was so damned happy.
“Tomorrow….” I let the statement hang in the air as I cocked an eyebrow up at him.
“Tonight, Declan is the lucky bastard. Tomorrow, I get to make you mine.” A shiver of anticipation ran through me.
I stood there for a moment, just inhaling his slightly smoky scent. It was like the remnants of a really good campfire with a slight note of citrus in the background.
“Ugh you smell so good.”
“You ready for tonight? This kingdom will be blown away by your beauty.”
“I’m ready to start my life with you guys. I never thought I’d be in such a position. Now that I’m here, being claimed by you all is an absolute need.” I buried my face in his chest, then gave up on the temptation and started kissing the small triangle of skin exposed at the base of his throat.
“I’ve waited my whole life for this, Isla.” Atticus leaned further into me and kissed me so strong that my knees trembled.
“But I’ve got to wait one more night. Let’s get you to your groom.”
It was still a little weird to me how open all the guys were with discussing my relationship with their brothers. They had grown up knowing that they’d all marry the same woman, but it was still a pretty foreign concept to me. I was still trying to get over the fact that I didn’t have to choose, replaying the conversation from the other day in my head where they told me how their kingdom worked. All sons born to the current monarchs are destined to marry one woman and rule together so that there is no infighting to claim the throne.
I’m not sure how that woman was normally chosen, but I was the only dragon shifter of age in the kingdom that escaped the awful curse wrought upon the kingdom years and ago. My parents managed to escape the country before a powerful mage enacted the curse, which prevented any further offspring in the entire kingdom from being born with a dragon eye mark on their hip, an indication that they would fall in line with the rest of the kingdom and shift into a dragon when they came of age. Crazy, right?
I was one lucky bitch. All four of the princes I was engaged to were incredible, but my new life in the kingdom of Nogalia hadn’t been easy since I arrived. I wasn’t aware of my destiny when I got off the plane, but my connection to the four brothers Declan, Atticus, Maalik, and Lander went beyond being a solution to kingdom’s curse. I had dreamt of them before ever knowing they existed, they had dreamt of me. Fate was involved. I knew that they were meant to be my mates. My dragon knew it too, and even though she hadn’t made her grand appearance yet, she was ready to claim all four Damani brothers publicly and seal herself to them.
I shook my head to dispel my musings as Atticus pulled me out of the room, leading me down the stairs where Lander and Maalik waited by the door. The both of them were just as handsome in their suits and my lady parts were demanding they claim me. It took every ounce of self control not to tackle them and have my way with them.
Lander let out a low whistle when I came into view and I felt the familiar presence of a blush on my cheeks. The parties over the next few days were the public celebrations of me bonding myself to all four Damani brothers. It’s where they would lay claim to me and I would accept, and in front of the entire kingdom we would be bound together. We were given a honeymoon night, but the formal mating process happened alone after I was publicly bound to the guys. Once there, we underwent a much more intense ceremony where our souls would be bound together. I still wasn’t sure exactly what that entailed as it was a highly protected tradition, but I had been reassured that nothing crazy would happen.
After a quick kiss on the cheek from Maalik and Lander, we walked out the front door and into the waiting limousine. I gave pause. The last time I’d been in the limo I was kidnapped and assaulted. Lander sensed my hesitation and went to the driver’s side to talk to the driver. When the driver stepped out and showed me the front seat was empty, I relaxed a little and let Maalik assist me inside. I still had some cracked ribs from the attack but the bruises were healing. I think the deepest injuries still were on my psyche. I hadn’t been left alone for more than a minute since my guys found me and although some people might feel stifled by that, it was exactly what I needed to feel safe again. I trusted the four of them implicitly. Being around them was the best way to heal.
It was a short ride to the palace, and I could already see that there were hundreds of people here. Cars were parked in every possible place, flowers covered every inch of non-walkable space and there was an aura of magic and intrigue floating around the castle. When we stepped inside, there were candles lining the walkway and I could hear the soft din of voices echoing off the walls. Lander, Maalik, and Atticus escorted me all the way down the main walkway of the palace and into a small room right next to the large gold studded doors that led to the ballroom where the ceremony was about to take pla
ce.
Josephine, my adopted sister, was already in the room when I entered, sipping on champagne and talking to the driver I remembered from our first trip here from the airport. Adrian or someting? I wasn't sure of hsis name but they seemed pretty relaxed, leaning in towards each other.
Josephine grinned at me when she saw me. “Hey sexy lady, you ready to trade in the 'v' card?"
I had known Josephine since I was little, we had been through everything together. She knows how I’ve never quite felt like I belonged, and also knows how quickly I’d fallen in love with my mates. We had just lost our Grandmother a few days ago, and even though it was a staggering loss, we both knew she would have wanted us to enjoy this moment of peace where my life changed. She wouldn’t want me to be mourning her when I joined my life to the Damanis. We had already had an intimate celebration of life for her and although I missed her like crazy, I knew that being here in Nogalia meant that she’d always be with me. I knew she was proud of me for where I was and for what I was about to do.
“Wow you're not shy at all, are you? I'm completely ready to marry that guy out there waiting for me.” I leaned into Lander as he wrapped his hands around my hips. I needed to steady myself for a few minutes before I faced the kingdom. Feeling Lander’s warm breath on my neck and his hands firm on my hips took away all my insecurities and reminded me why I was here. I turned to face Lander, Maalik, and Atticus and with a deep breath motioned for them to give the signal.
Josephine and her date left the room, walking into the ballroom to find their place. Lander led our procession as Atticus and Maalik guided me on either side, standing in the doorway a minute so everyone knew it was starting. I looked down the middle of the ballroom to see Declan standing in front of one of his fathers, crisp blue suit and happiness in his eyes. Once the crowd had quieted and made way, the four of us started our walk towards Declan.
I felt eyes on me from everywhere, people curious and excited. I was shaking a little at the thought of being the focus of so many people, I really preferred to be unnoticed and left alone. But Declan was definitely worth feeling unnerved and anxious for. As we got closer to the raised platform that Declan was standing on, he stepped down to grab my hands and help me up to stand beside him. The crowd was whispering a little but at the King’s command they all quieted instantaneously.
“We have searched for over 20 years for a way to restore our kingdom to what it once was. We have endured sorrow and broken dreams to arrive here today, with a beacon of hope. May I present to you, the kingdom of Nogalia, Ms. Isla Gramer.”
Declan clasped my elbow and spun us around gently so we were facing the congregation. I felt my cheeks flushing and fought myself to keep my eyes facing the people instead of averting my gaze to the floor like I really wanted to do.
“Isla is the answer we have searched for, and after a few weeks spent in Nogalia, she has agreed to become your next queen by marrying into my family. Isla will need your love, support, and guidance as she becomes accustomed to our ways, and friendship as she builds a new life here.”
Declan tugged on my hand so I was facing him now and slowly sank onto one knee, keeping my right hand firm in his grasp.
“We owe you everything, Isla. Though you have been here but a few weeks, your presence has overwhelmed me completely. You have invaded my very bones, captivated every ounce of my soul. We stand here together in front of our kingdom, and I wish to publicly ask you if you would do me the extraordinary honor of binding yourself to me. I love you so much I forget myself and I wish to spend my life making you happy. Will you have me?”
Tears streaming down my face, I couldn’t speak but managed to nod as Declan rose and kissed me fervently.
“Then I present you with this rock, mined from our sacred cave, for us to join ourselves together with after the closing ceremony.”
Declan fastened a long gold chain around my neck that had a single rock, sparkly and gray like the one the slime ball Jasper had, but this one polished to be a little smoother and attached to the chain. Once it was around my neck, Declan looked at me proudly and grabbed my hands once more.
One of his fathers, King Elias, begain speaking again once the rock was on me. “Isla Gramer, if you accept Declan as your Husband in front of the eyes of this kingdom, to grow with and to experience life with, to love and to be a partner to, forsaking everyone outside of your marriage, so say it.”
“I do.”
“Declan Damani, if you accept Isla as your wife in front of the eyes of this kingdom, to grow with and to experience life with, to love and to be a partner to, forsaking all others, so say it.”
“I do.”
“Isla, please place your ring on Declan’s hand so that everyone will see his commitment to you.”
I took the ring proffered by his father and slid it onto Declan’s hand, loving how it looked on him, knowing he was wearing it for me. I smiled at him, knocked back by the emotion he was giving to me in his eyes.
“Then I pronounce you to be husband and wife, engaged to be soul bound. Kingdom of Nogalia, I present to you your future king and queen. Declan, please kiss your bride.”
Declan pulled me in for a kiss full of heated promise. Promise of his steadfastness and his love and promise of what tonight would hold. The gathered crowd broke out in applause as the orchestra started playing, and Declan led me off the stage so we could accept congratulatory hugs from his parents and brothers and Josephine. Then we were in the middle of the dance floor, swaying together and lost in our own world as we soaked each other in.
The rest of the night flew by in a blur, each of my men claiming me for a dance and keeping me company as I rested in between. Declan had cornered me a few times to kiss me away from everyone else and by the time he pulled me to my feet for us to leave my body was pulled taut with anticipation.
We did not exit through the main entrance I came through earlier, but instead Declan brought us through some smaller hallways until we were behind the castle in the cool of the night. After walking for a few minutes in comfortable silence, he picked me up to carry me the last little bit of the trail until we were walking up the steps of a good-sized log cabin. It was glowing from within, cozy and welcoming. Declan carried me across the threshold and we were finally alone, surrounded by yet more candles and flowers everywhere.
There was champagne and dessert spread out, but I couldn’t focus on anything besides the man holding me. I wrapped my arms around his neck, leaning in to kiss him deeply. His answering kiss was full of excitement, and without any further preamble he carried me through the cabin and to the back bedroom where he slowly put me down without losing eye contact.
We stared at each other for a moment, neither of us really sure what to say that would mean as much as what we were feeling. Instead of insulting the moment with brash sounds, I instead started to slowly undress Declan, also shedding any self-consciousness I felt. This man was now my husband and I was ready to share myself with him. My body felt strong and heart was near bursting.
Once I pushed his shirt off his shoulders, I stood there just running my hands over his brilliant chest, loving the way his hair tickled my fingertips. He kicked of his shoes and socks, then spun me around to unzip my gown. As it floated towards the floor, I stepped out of it and Declan knelt to unbuckle my shoes.
Running his hand slowly up my leg, Declan rose and pulled me into him.
“You’re so beautiful, and I’m so damn proud that you’re mine.” I could hear the admiration in his voice as I kissed up and down his neck, branding him. Once I did away with his pants he picked me up and wrapped my legs around him and slowly backed us up onto the bed.
His eyes were a gorgeous rich brown. I lay underneath him, fixated on his face as I ran my fingers through his air and absorbed the enormity of the moment. Soon he was kissing down my neck, reaching underneath me to unclasp and discard my bra. After lavishing some attention on my breasts, he continued his slow torment lower where he removed my panties a
nd kissed every inch of intimacy I had. When his tongue shot out and tasted me I felt sparks shoot through my body, and my body started begging for more.
I don’t know how long he kept at it, but I was completely lost in sensation. When my orgasm hit I cried out and while my body returned to the stratosphere he kicked his boxers off and made his way back to my mouth. Once my breathing had calmed down I rolled to my side to face him, and spent several minutes simply kissing this man that was now my husband.
“I can’t believe I have a husband.”
Declan’s answering smile was heart-stopping. He looked so insanely happy.
“Believe it. You’re my fucking wife now, Isla. That’s incredible.” His kisses intensified as he positioned himself between my legs.
He pulled back to gauge my reaction, poising himself at my entrance. I expected there to be a little pain my first time, but I wasn’t prepared for how whole I felt once he started slowly pushing himself into me. He hissed out a breath as inch by inch he sunk inside of me, pausing when I winced. Once my body started adjusting to him, he moved further in, stopping only when he was fully seated.
“Fuck, baby. You’re so tight. I’m so damned happy right now that I was born first and that I get to claim this night with you before my brothers.”
Feeling Declan completely fill me was incredibly satisfying. Yes, it felt good, but more than that the way our bodies felt when they were thus connected grabbed a hold of that chain I always felt between us and strengthened it tenfold. I started squirming under him, needing to feel friction. Declan took that as a go ahead and began moving against me, languorously filling me and then pulling out. It was such a delicious feeling, knowing we were married and that we could finally give into the intense attraction that’s been there since day one.
I couldn’t get enough of kissing Declan, wrapping my arms around him like a vice and moaning at the way his body was lighting mine on fire.
“Declan…yes. More. I need more.” His name on my lips seemed to spur him on, his hips picking up speed as his throbbing shaft frictioned against my walls. I kept crying out, hypnotized by the way our bodies sounded as they met over and over.
