Pillar of Light (The Lost Princess Book 1)

by A. Mashburn

  Scarlett eyed him warily, “But you said—”

  He cupped her face and pulled her to him and kissed her gently. “We need to take it slow the first few times. It’s going to hurt because it’s your first time.”

  “Jade—”

  “It is your first time, right?” His eyes flashed the deep forest green of Archer for a moment.

  She smacked his chest, “Jade, are you kidding me?” she laughed, “I’ve been in love with you since the day you saved me. I saved myself for you, you fool. I was only going to ask why it would hurt me and if you would be hurt, too.”

  A frown appeared on Jade’s face. “Well,” he coughed. “It won’t hurt me as it will you, because—”

  Scarlett collapsed next to him and waited patiently as he looked down at her trying to find the words how to explain this. He knew she was inexperienced but Jade noticed a glint in her eyes as she tried to stop herself from smiling. “Ohhh, I see.” He started laughing when he realized she was playing with him. “You had me going. Goddess, you call me a pain in your ass; you’re the pain in the ass in this relationship. Damn it, female.” He ran his hands through his hair as he watched his beautiful mate’s face light up with glee.

  She admitted, “Yes, yes, I know it will hurt the first time. But I know this isn’t your first time—so—I figured you would know what to do…” She trailed off, looking away from him again. She found that she wasn’t fond of the thought of not being his first. What if we're not good enough for him, Koko.

  Just let your instincts guide you.

  Jade trailed his hand down her cheek to her chin and tilted her head back to look into her eyes. “Hey, stop that. Wherever your mind just went, don’t go there. You may not be my first, but I can help you through this; trust me?”

  “With everything I am or ever will be, Jade,” she vowed.

  He kissed her once, then twice softly. His hands caressed down her curvaceous, lean body as he let her explore his. Her hands roamed over his chest, back and thighs. He waited patiently for her to become comfortable with the feel of him this way. Luckily, it didn't take long. She boldly ran her hand down his abs and to the side of his thigh. He gasped as he felt her cup his balls, rolling them gently. Scarlett tugged at his sack while using her other hand to explore his manhood, causing him to hiss. She retracted her hand quickly in shock as her cheeks burned. “Did I hurt you? I’m sorry—”

  A low sexy chuckle rose from his throat, “You can’t hurt me, I promise. It’s just been a long time since anyone has touched me like this.” For some reason, that made her heart swell. Scarlett pulled him to her and kissed him again. Jade’s palms roamed her body, his fingers lightly traced her breasts as she whimpered into his mouth. He trailed kisses down her neck to her collar bone and nipped her gently, causing her to gasp. He moved his lips to her breast and kissed the soft globe tenderly, worshiping her as his other hand moved to her core. He quickly found that tender bundle of nerves and rubbed slow circles around it. Her back arched, and an impassioned cry left her lips. Goddess, she’s so responsive, Archer growled in their mind. Then they moved to her other breast showing it the same tender attention as he slipped one finger inside her. Her breath caught and the feel of her clamped around his thick digit made his body vibrate with anticipation.

  He moved his finger, alternating between plunging inside and rubbing her clit with his thumb. “Oh Goddess, it feels so, so much better when you do this to me.”

  He paused for a moment and growled, “This is not the time to play, Scar,” he frowned down at her.

  “Oh! No, no, nothing like that, no one has touched me, but well, me.”

  Well doesn’t that change everything, he thought. “What did you think about?” He plunged a finger inside of her again, and as he felt her juices wet his hand, he started to add a second, causing her to pant. “What did you think about when you pleasured yourself, Scar?”

  Through the void between them, he heard one word. It was the only word that mattered. “You.”

  He growled in appreciation and leaned over her. “Good, because you’re the reason I haven’t been with anyone in such a long time. Every time a woman would approach me, you were the first thing in my mind. They weren’t you; they’d never be you.” He wiggled both fingers and started to slowly insert them a little at a time, curling them, while continuing his attention on her sensitive nub.

  “Do you have any idea how hard it was to go home without you in my bed? To think about you and wish I were with you, but never be able to have you? Do you have any idea how much your scent tormented my dreams? Goddess Scar—you’re so fucking sexy.” Her back curled and her breasts pressed into his chest as he whispered in her ear. “Now that I have you, I will never let you go.”

  “Good,” she panted, “because I’d hate to have to kill the bitch you tried to replace me with.” He grinned in her hair and kissed where his mark would soon lay. She would be his in every way tonight. Every. Single. Way.

  Her needy pleas were like music to his ears as he continued to probe at her wet opening.

  “I’m going to kiss you there,” he said as he pressed against her clit. Her eyes widened in surprise, but she nodded her head, giving her consent. He kissed down her stomach to the juncture of her thighs and dragged his tongue along her womanhood, tasting her most precious flesh. “Goddess, you taste so good.” He began to lap at her, slipping his tongue into her tight hole. He then moved it a bit further north as he plunged his slick fingers, wet with her juices, in and out of her. A heavy, drawn-out cry fell from her lips and her back arched as heat licked over her skin. He nipped her clit a little with his teeth and then sucked on it gently, easing the little bit of pain into pleasure. Her body began to quake against him as his fingers and tongue continued their languid assault.

  “Oh—Ohh—Ohhhh Jade; oh, my Goddess!” She reached her peak in his arms and what a sight it was to see. He felt her body relax against his hands as he entered a third finger and she looked at him questioningly.

  “I’ve got to get you ready gradually, My Love…” He peered down at his stiff rod and she followed his gaze. Her lips formed an O as her eyes widened in understanding.

  “Jade? Please don’t laugh—but—how will it fit?”

  “You were made for me by the Moon Goddess herself, Scar. Do you think she would match us if it wouldn’t? We’re compatible in every way. I’m not going to lie and tell you it won’t hurt at first…” He had the third finger securely inside her, and she was writhing beneath his onslaught, lost to the rapture. “But, just like this, you’ll feel that stretch and some pain but then there will be pleasure; I promise.”

  He twisted his fingers, wetting them thoroughly as she watched him soak his rather large member with her juices. He leaned over her then and arranged his thick round head at her entrance. “I’ll start slowly at first.” He kissed her lips, and she purred at the mixture of her taste and his. She felt his thick blunt tip press against her as his hips rocked slowly back and forth, letting her adjust to his girth.

  “Jade, you’re so big—” she hissed, wincing a little.

  A wry smile spread across his face as he gazed at her with hooded eyes, aflame with passion. “You say the nicest things—I can feel your barrier, Love.” He frowned. “This is the painful part; are you ready?” She nodded her head and he thrust forward as a wave of ecstasy soared through him, knowing he was her first and only.

  His heated gaze swept over his female, only his. Then he heard her scream of pain as it ripped free of her throat. Her nails dug into his back so deep he was sure there would be droplets of blood. He cupped her face, staying still, waiting for her to adjust.

  “Okay, okay, it’s over, Love—it’s over.” He kissed away her tears.

  Her eyes flew open, “What do you mean over?”

  He shook his head and a low, amused rumble emitted from his chest. He continued kissing her face. “Not over, over. Just the worst part is behind you. You might have a little bit of pain when we
begin moving again, but—” he shifted his hips slightly, pulling out and then inched back inside of her. “You feel that?” he asked, referring to his still aching manhood.

  As he moved slightly inside of her, she nodded her head. “I do,” she murmured.

  “You see, I’m far from done.” He kissed her again, lost in the moment as he carefully pushed inside her again. With each plunge, the pain ebbed and she was emboldened by the pleasure, meeting him thrust for thrust. He growled out loud, grunting against her skin as he felt their spirits begin to unite.

  He could feel her nails raking down his tender back, leaving marks, but he didn’t care. The only thing that mattered was this beautiful, unique woman in his arms—his woman, his female. He wove his hands into her hair holding her close as he thrusted again, burying himself to the root and she threw her head back in ecstasy. As he gazed down into her eyes the unbridled passion between them burned brighter than the sun. Part of him couldn’t believe the blessing the Moon Goddess had bestowed upon him.

  Scarlett’s body began to tremble beneath him as she leaned up and threw her arms around his shoulders, his strong arms wrapped around her slender waist. His heart raced as she began to move her hips against him, her breath coming in short, rapid puffs. Jade felt her core pulsing and clenching around him, and it was nearly his undoing.

  He pulled back and looked at her intensely, she nodded, answering his silent question by baring her neck. He called upon his wolf as she called upon hers, Koko and Archer surged to the surface giving their human counterparts their power to form the mate bond.

  Jade trailed kisses down the slender column of her neck and pierced the tender skin there with his gleaming fangs. Her body tensed for a moment but as she rocked against him, he felt the sharp tip of her canines as she marked him as hers. A sense of pride and completion consumed him, and the pain was soon forgotten as they moved as one, sinking further and further into undiluted ecstasy and closer to their completion.

  Scarlett withdrew her teeth from his flesh and Jade hissed, gripping her thighs as she moved wantonly against him. She threw her head back and clutched to him, his name echoing through the cavern as the force of their dual climax shook them both to their very core.

  Under the Moon Goddess’ watchful eye, they consummated their bond and became a mated pair in the light of the full moon. They felt the mate link form as it clicked into place, their souls united at last, both basking in the shared love and devotion they felt for one another.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Scarlett awoke in the arms of her new mate. Jade’s head was snuggled into the crook of her neck, his soft snores in her ear. She smiled as she looked over the cavern that was now bathed in the sun’s first light. Her lover’s arms tightened around her as he placed soft kisses on her neck. He brushed her hair to the side, languidly trailing his tongue over the mating mark that proved she was his, sending jolts of electricity that excited her in the most intimate of ways. Her heart was filled with the kind of joy she only thought of in her dreams and part of her still couldn’t believe he was finally well and truly hers. His gravelly voice, barely above a whisper, met her ears as he nuzzled her affectionately, “Thank the Goddess, it wasn’t a dream.”

  She turned in his arms to face him and looked deeply into his eyes, searching. “Any regrets?”

  He rested his forehead against hers. “Not a single one. I fell asleep the happiest male in the universe. I woke up, fearing that it was just a dream and yet here you are bearing my mark.”

  She kissed him once, twice, three times and smiled. “And I’m not going anywhere.”

  They laid entwined in each other’s arms as time passed. Jade brushed the hair from her face. “You need to eat, Mo grá.”

  “Nah, I’m not ready to go back to reality. Can’t we stay a bit longer?”

  “We can come back anytime you’d like but we’re going to have to go. Jayce is probably expecting me soon.” Her eyes widened with realization and at the same time he smiled. “Yeah, we’re going to have to tell him,” Jade admitted.

  Fear speared her gut at the thought of how Jayce might react. “You might want to ease him into it,” she said as they cleaned up their things.

  “He will be fine, Scar.” Even as he said it, a distinct feeling of anxiety settled in his stomach. We were caught up in the moment last night, Archer—what if we can’t keep her safe?

  Then we leave and we take Scar as far away from here as possible. We go to the king and queen and explain our side. We’ve got a better chance of mercy if we tell them their beloved daughter is alive and well.

  Jade pointed to the boulder next to the pool. “If you go into that duffle, you’ll find a change of clothes.” He watched as she walked over and began getting dressed. Scarlett moved her hair to the side and his heart leapt at the sight of his mark upon her neck and vowed that she would be safe no matter the cost.

  “You know, I’m going to have to get used to this whole sharing thing between mates.” She squinted her eyes at Jade. “I don’t know exactly what you’re thinking but don’t do anything stupid; we are mated, that means if you die, chances are so do I. I can’t live without you, Jade.”

  He forced a smile he didn’t feel. “What makes you think I’d do something so reckless as to put your life at risk?”

  Shit, he thought to his wolf, you’re right Archer. If Jayce doesn’t take this well, we leave for Scotland—tonight.

  Jade pulled his female into his arms. “No matter what happens, we do it together, as a team—I promise.” He ran his fingers through her silky hair and cupped her face with his hands. “I couldn’t live without you either. I love you, Scar—always have. I was just too stubborn to admit it.”

  She arched on tiptoes and kissed him. “I love you too, bonehead.”

  He chuckled against her lips, “Are you ready to go see my brother?”

  “Sure, might as well get this over with.” They headed towards the exit hand in hand. Jade crawled out first, only to find three guards waiting for them.

  “Malcolm, Gideon, Scott—what’re you doing here?”

  The three men who stood in front of him were Jade’s best and from the scowl plastered on their faces—something was off.

  Malcolm stepped forward, anger seeping from his very essence. “Your brother has been searching for you this morning. You weren’t at your home or answering his links. He’s in a frenzy; he thinks you’ve abandoned him. We were sent to track you and kill you.”

  Jade nodded in understanding. “Well so much for finding him in a good mood. So, are you going to let me go to the castle, or are we to do this?”

  “I will not fight you, Sir.” This time it was Scott who spoke. “You’ve trained me since I was a pup, you saved Malcolm from Talon’s wrath and mended more of Gideon’s wounds than anyone else combined. We owe you more than just our life, Jade. We believe he sent us to prove our loyalty to him. He knew we wouldn’t be able to do as he asked and it gives him an excuse to execute us, which would be a direct blow to your position within our ranks. He knows that your actions over the years have inspired the devotion of your men.” Scott was the youngest of the trio, strong but still learning to control his shift. The other two, seasoned soldiers but their loyalty knew no bounds.

  Jade clasped the boy on his shoulder and nodded at the other two. “You don’t need to worry because you never found me here—I’ll go to my brother now. Please, take Scarlett back to my cabin.”

  At once the trio noticed the exotic female behind Jade and nodded their agreement. Scarlett, on the other hand, had no intention of complying. “You’re not going to your brother alone. We do this together Jade—remember? We’re weaker apart,” she tried to reason.

  “If Talon’s in control, he could hurt you just to get to me; I can’t risk it. If he did anything to hurt you, I’d fucking kill him and I really don’t wish to have my brother’s blood on my hands today.” Jade cupped her face between his palms as he begged her to understand, “You must stay a
t the cabin and pack a couple of bags. If things don’t pan out well, we’ll leave tonight.”

  “Sh-she’s your m-mate—” Malcolm stammered, surprised as he gaped at the new mating mark on each of their necks. Malcolm shook himself from his stupor and held out a hand to his friend. He was like a big brother to Scarlett. “Scarlett, listen to your mate; we must be prepared. If you were to go with him and this news is met with disaster, you wouldn’t have enough provisions to get away successfully. Think about it, Jade is a warrior; you must trust in his ability to take care of himself. If you were by his side, he would worry more about you than himself and would be distracted—when dealing with Jayce in this state having to worry about you could get you both killed. For the benefit of your mate, I implore you to go with us. The three of us will be with you every step of the way to help. If the time comes that you must leave, I’m coming with you; there’s nothing left for me here.”

  Scarlett looked at each of the three soldiers who stood before them, each male placed their fists over their hearts as they pledged their loyalty to Jade and Scarlett. She knew then, that if things went badly, these three soldiers would be loyal to her and Jade until their last breath; they would leave together. “Fine, but you’ve got two hours, no more; maybe less,” she declared in frustration. “I swear to the Goddess, Jade, if you’re not back within two hours I’m coming in after you and killing the bastard myself.”

  Jade approached the castle and he could hear the rampage within already. Talon was most certainly in control at this time and Jade couldn’t help but be grateful that Scarlett agreed to stay behind. Chances were, because of the state Jayce was in, this news could potentially send Talon over the edge and put everyone’s life at risk.

  He would not suppress Archer today and if it came to it, he would protect himself because now he had something to live for. As the mate bond thrummed powerfully in his veins, he knew that he would not allow Jayce to harm his mate no matter what happened.