Araton

by Brenda Trim

  Chapter 21

  Natalia checked her hair and looked over her shoulder at her best friend. Xiomara had practically throttled Lia when she told her that she was getting married and mated. She’d debated what to tell her family and closest friend about Araton and decided on the truth.

  She refused to be isolated from those she loved. They were all still stunned by the fact that supernatural creatures existed, but they were there to support her nonetheless. The only piece of information she hid from them was the fact that she was going to be immortal after she mated with Araton.

  They were both certain she already was. His theory was that when his blood mixed with hers through her injury that her DNA started the process and that was what allowed her to withstand Lucifer’s possession which she was fighting even at that moment.

  It had been one long battle for her. She wasn’t able to do much aside from keep the Dark Lord at bay. Araton’s sister and her friends had made minimal arrangements for them to be mated in Araton’s backyard.

  Many of their guests were still recovering from their injuries. Some of them had been hurt severely. When she’d seen Luke’s guts hanging out of his stomach, she thought he was going to die while trying to rescue her. He promised her that he had no regrets.

  Angels had surrounded her since they had returned to Araton’s house two days ago. The only way to sever her connection to Lucifer was for her to mate with Araton and he wasn’t taking any chances of the Dark Lord overpowering her again. Apparently, their presence weakened his connection to her.

  “You ready?” Lia asked Xiomara.

  “Yes. I want to see Araton’s sexy brother,” she replied with a waggle of her eyebrows.

  “Is the archangel Raphael really performing your ceremony?” Her mom asked.

  “He is,” her dad replied before she could. “I just saw him arrive. Can you believe baby girl is marrying an angel, Megan?”

  “Lia deserves an angel and so much more,” her mom declared. “Just don’t let me pass out when I meet the archangel, Doug.”

  “I won’t let you embarrass yourself Love,” her dad promised. “You look beautiful, sweetheart. You ready?”

  Lia nodded and held her emotions in check. Now was not the time to break down and let the tears flow. Xiomara had spent an hour perfecting her make-up. She didn’t have time to shop for a dress and had planned on wearing her nicest skirt, but her mom had surprised her with a simple silk wedding dress.

  It shaped to her figure and had a high collar in the front. There were no sleeves and the straps at the back dipped low behind her. The bottom had to be her favorite part. It was circular shaped and pooled on the floor around her.

  Xiomara and her mother headed out first then her dad took her arm and lead her from the bedroom. As they headed down the stairs, she noticed that the banister was wound with greenery with white flowers and lights. When they reached the bottom and headed down the hall to the backyard where they would have the ceremony, butterflies took off in her stomach.

  Pausing at the back door, she got her first glimpse of the transformation. The effort everyone went to for his mating ceremony touched her beyond words. She didn’t know most of them very well, yet they did so much for her.

  There were hundreds of twinkle lights in the trees, tables set up close to the house and stands with blue hydrangeas set up throughout the area. Araton stood with his brothers in tuxedos. They didn’t bother hiding their red wings and they stood out. Araton was the sexiest guy she’d ever seen. It didn’t matter if he was wearing leather pants and t-shirts or a tuxedo. He looked good enough to eat.

  Araton kissed her mom’s cheek and shook her brothers’ hands. Seeing them together made joy wash through her.

  Glancing up at her dad, she noticed the sheen of tears in his eyes. Lifting to her tiptoes, she kissed his cheek, too then headed out the door. Araton’s deep grey eyes met hers and all of the nerves jumping around in her gut settled. This was exactly where she was meant to be. Her entire life led her to the angel she loved.

  The Dark Warriors were scattered throughout the backyard along with several other angels. Natalia had met them all over the past few days, but they weren’t her friends. Part of her wished more of her friends could have been there, but she knew it was not wise to have more in on the secret. Besides, she hadn’t yet decided what she was going to do about her job on the force. That was a worry for another day.

  Zakara caught Lia’s eye as she fussed with the cupcakes and other treats near the house. Her mate stood there smiling indulgently at her. It still seemed like a soap opera to her that Kara’s mate, Ramiel was married to Elsie, Zander’s mate when they were both human.

  Shaking those thoughts away, she continued to Araton’s side. Lia still felt Lucifer pounding at the edges of her consciousness. He redoubled his efforts at that moment. Not happening asshole.

  With love in her heart, Lia stopped and took Araton’s hand. The instant they touched Raphael stepped forward and lifted his hands gaining everyone’s attention. Close to Xiomara, Lia’s mother stared at the archangel with wide eyes.

  She tried to remember everything Araton told her about the ceremony. Initially, her parents were upset that she wasn’t getting married like everyone else. That was a moot point when they said she was being bound by the highest power outside of God himself.

  The only reason her father hadn’t had a bigger problem with the entire situation was because Araton was an angel. And, also because he was doing it to save her life. Her mother bawled her eyes out when Lia told her she was possessed by Lucifer.

  Angels took their places outside the two of them and the Dark Warriors. Wings lifted to surround them. Red, black, blue, gold, purple, and green wings created a gorgeous backdrop. Her family and best friend gazed from the angels around them to Raphael’s massive white wings. Yeah, it was overwhelming and humbling to be a part of.

  “You definitely have a thing for mating ceremonies, Raphael,” Ramiel called out with a chuckle.

  Raphael chuckled as well. “Like I said before, uniting a couple in love is one of the best blessings in life. It seems we keep getting blessed with strong females that bring Heaven back to its original glory. I thought we had a better handle on Lucifer after he was freed from the lake, but it seems once again we were missing something. I cannot fathom the strength you possess, Natalia to have fought him off for as long as you have.”

  Tears shone in her parent’s eyes and her dad puffed out his chest. “Our little girl is one of a kind,” her dad informed them.

  The archangel Michael stepped forward followed by Gabriel. Both clapped her dad on the shoulder. “You’re right about that. You both have raised an outstanding daughter,” Gabriel told her mom and dad. Natalia was going to start bawling before the ceremony even started.

  “Let’s get on with this joining,” Abraxos murmured, earning a chuckle from the crowd.

  “Always impatient, brother,” Ayil teased as he kissed Kennex then took a position to the left side of her with Abraxos to the right. Raphael stopped in front of them.

  The two Archangels, Gabriel and Michael took positions behind them. She recalled her sister in law, Kennex who she discovered was a freakin’ Phoenix, telling her about the five-pointed star they would form with her and Araton in the center. She turned in a circle and watched as the Angels spread their wings, so their tips touched, enclosing them in a colored cocoon of red and white.

  The second the wing tips joined Lia heard Lucifer scream in her head. A huge smile spread over her face despite the pain she suffered. She hoped it was a million times worse for the Dark Lord. Energy flowed from them and through her. A second later she felt when the veil Araton told her about snapped into place.

  Araton grabbed one of her hands offering comfort as her discomfort grew. She nearly screamed as the energy built around them. The moment each of the Angels surrounding them held out a hand and called a weapon of Light to their palm, her heart raced in her chest and her veins boiled in her bo
dy.

  While agony seared her from the inside out, she was filled with indescribable love from Araton. In turn, she gritted her teeth against the pain hating that sweat drenched her and allowed her heart to fill with joy, love and adoration.

  Raphael extended his weapon above their heads and each Angel touched their Light to his. A flash of white light blasted throughout the sky, sending a jolt right through Lia’s body. A scream escaped and Araton wrapped his arms around her shoulders, holding her close.

  Holding her gaze, Araton let her see his love and adoration as he murmured, “Fate smacked me over the head with you. From the second I met you, you became my everything. The choice to save you was made before I entered the house and I have never looked back. Our souls joined that night and kept pushing us together. I’m a stubborn fool and ignored it until it nearly cost you your life. I will always love you, Dove. You have me, heart and soul. For eternity.”

  Tears blurred Lia’s vision, as she gazed up at the love of her life. Having an angel like Araton love her made her feel precious and cherished. “I had no idea what I was missing until you flew into my life and saved it. You shine as bright tonight as you did that night and I can’t seem to look away. God brought you to me when I needed you most. Without you I would have been lost to Lucifer. I wouldn’t change a thing if it meant I wouldn’t find you. I love you, Araton. You are my choice.”

  Araton called his sword of light and touched it to the other angelic weapons above them. Fire shot into the sky creating flaming fireworks. The connection she felt with Araton became a thick, gold ribbon that wrapped around her heart and ran to his. Lucifer shrieked in her mind firing off more demonic energy, trying to sink hooks into her soul. They struck the thick shield Araton erected around her and her pain disappeared along with the Dark Lord.

  Her back arched with the strength of the bond she had to Araton. His soul touched hers making her body ignite with need. The urge to strip the tux from his muscular body was nearly undeniable. A flush crept over her cheeks when she realized every supernatural in the backyard would be able to scent her arousal and how much she needed Araton. There was no denying how badly she wanted her angel. How bad would it be to skip the party? She didn’t think she could wait.

  Araton had never experienced this much joy in his life. And his sister was an angel of joy. His heart now beat for Natalia. The bond to him forced Lucifer to release Lia. The relief of knowing his mate was free from the malicious fallen angel was palpable.

  And, now he wanted to take her body. He’d heard stories about what it was like when you mated. Even his brother’s description paled in comparison to how deeply the event affected him. Love and need sparked to life the instant his connection with Lia formed. Fervent need for his mate sparked to life from the moment the gold ribbon bound them together. It was something he doubted would ever abate.

  Araton brushed her long black hair aside and kissed the side of her neck. His hands roamed up her back and paused at the zipper of her dress. When Lia moaned and grabbed a fist of his hair, he unzipped the silky dress. It fell to the ground leaving her in a strapless bra and satin panties.

  Trailing his hands over her stomach and up to her breasts, he listened to make sure they weren’t going to be interrupted. Abraxos and several of the Dark Warriors were still downstairs with her best friend Xiomara.

  He had no idea who lit the candles in the room, but he made a mental note to thank them later. He recalled tossing rose petals on the floor and lighting candles after Ayil was mated, so he had asked them to make sure he had those elements in their room.

  Lia stepped away from him and crawled onto the bed while giving him a hungry look. No need to tell him what she was asking. Araton eagerly crawled after her and hovered over her prone figure when she finally stopped moving.

  “You’re finally free, Dove. And you’re mine. The scent of your arousal after the ceremony was done has been driving me crazy all night,” he whispered against her mouth.

  Her sparkling green eyes, lush breasts and sweet scent entranced him. And the smile that hadn’t left her face for the past three hours was the best part of all. It was one that matched his. His highest priority in life was to make sure that she always smiled like that. And that the lust in her eyes never dimmed a fraction.

  “I nearly told my family they could enjoy the food and drinks then drag you up here,” she told him with a groan as she tried to lift her hips and rub her core against him.

  Araton’s mouth went dry when he watched her try to get her pleasure. Spreading her legs, Lia tried to get his shaft to press into her slit. Araton barely stopped his body before it made contact. She lifted her hands and ran them up his sides then lifted her lips to his. Their kiss was instantly explosive and wild.

  The energy between them fed the zeal of their need. The electricity arching between their skin made Araton dizzy as he couldn’t decide where he needed contact more. Taking matters into her own hands, she unbuttoned his shirt at the same time she slid her tongue inside his mouth. The erotic rhythm of their kiss made his cock hard as stone.

  Allowing the fervor to take over, Araton’s mouth devoured hers. Lia arched her back and Araton felt her breasts pop out the top of her bra. Breaking away from her mouth, he lowered his head to suck on her hard nipples.

  The bra rode the edge just under her pert nipples and frustrated him at the same time. When he lifted his head and reached behind her, Lia took advantage and unbuttoned his shirt. Her soft hands ran over his chest, making him shiver.

  When she pushed the fabric apart, he paused what he was doing to shrug out of the top. Her hands were back on him the second he was back in contact with her skin. He groaned and nearly came in his pants when her fingers teased the top seam of his wings. “Do you like that?”

  “God, yes. It feels so fucking good, but it makes it difficult to take this slow,” he admitted.

  His eyes slipped closed when she teased the top of the insertion where his wings left his body. His big body shuddered, and he went back to licking and sucking her nipples while her fingers played with the sensitive skin, making him greedy.

  “Your tongue is pure magic,” she purred.

  “You like that, love?”

  “I never thought it could feel so damn good,” she admitted which made him feel a hundred feet tall. “I need you to stop teasing me,” Lia panted and lifted her core then pressed it against his shaft.

  Reaching between them she fumbled with the button of his pants. Araton pushed her hands aside and pushed her panties down her legs before he tugged them off her legs. Her sweet scent intensified, obliterating everything else.

  His fingers roamed between her legs and slid through her arousal. “Torture is having to make nice with your dad while all I want to do is take you to our room and fuck you senseless. Are you ready for me, Dove?”

  Her arousal soaked through the front of his pants and made him lose all semblance of going slow. “More than ready, Wings.”

  Araton needed to make sure. They hadn’t been together many times and she was so tight it nearly hurt. Araton ran his hand up one leg then slid it between their bodies. Her heat scalded his finger as he rubbed her clit in circles.

  “Yes. Just like that,” she begged.

  His mouth lowered to her breast and he sucked, licked and nipped her flesh. Her hips lifted and moved as she rode his hand. She was the sexiest female alive when she took her pleasure. When her arousal flooded his hand, he inserted one finger then another. Scissoring his thick digits, he groaned against her breast when her core clenched. She was close to the edge.

  Lifting his head, he claimed her mouth and kissed her passionately while he pumped his fingers in and out of her. The heel of his hand rubbed against her clit. Within seconds her body bowed off the bed and she cried out his name as she detonated.

  “I need you to fuck me now,” she commanded on a pant.

  “Your wish is my command,” he told her.

  Lia moved fast and gripped the fly
of his pants. Her fingers grazed the head of his cock. His skin heated as she kept rubbing over his shaft while she unclasped his pants. Lia had his erection out and in her hot little hand a second later.

  She looked between their bodies and licked her lips. It made him want to shove her head down and encourage her to suck his cock in to her hot little mouth. He knew that was going to have to wait for another time but that didn’t stop his shaft from jerking in her grip.

  He nudged her torso back to the bed. She let go of him and stared up at him with the most intense heat in her eyes. This gorgeous female was his. They were bound together for eternity. He was still shocked by the turn of events but didn’t regret joining with her. He knew his brothers thought it was another rash decision on his part. That couldn’t be farther from the truth.

  The evidence of how much she wanted him pooled between her legs. The sight made him grab his cock and slide it through her slick folds to coat his length in her arousal. The contact made her hips surge upward. He knew that she wanted him to sink into her heat and it was impossible to stop himself.

  “I’ll go slow next time,” he promised her.

  “Fast and hard. Now,” Lia demanded.

  Araton pressed his lips to hers at the same time he thrust balls deep into her core in one stroke. He nearly lost his seed when she clenched around his cock. That move broke the dam on their mutual need and he settled into a fast, hard rhythm. Pounding into her with each stroke.

  Addiction was too tame a word for how much he wanted and needed Lia. His heart pounded in his chest and he had to break away from her lips so they could both breathe. They were both covered in sweat as their bodies moved together.

  Reaching between their bodies, he rubbed Lia’s clit and pounded in and out of her body, making her buck uncontrollably. Rising onto his knees, he lifted her into his arms so she straddled his lap and she took control. It changed his angle and the head of his shaft kept hitting against her G spot while she rode him. She quickened her pace, chasing after what they both desperately needed.