Sliding her hands from his hair, she grabbed the bottom of his shirt, pulling it up. Chase broke the kiss and let her pull it over his head. She continued biting her lip while looking him over. Her hands came up and lovingly traced the contours of his muscles. Holding himself up over her, his eyes watched her face as her fingers gently traced his muscles. Under her light touch, she could feel his muscles quiver.
Chase looked around the room. Standing up, he reached his hand down to help her up. With a wicked grin, he pulled her shirt up over her head, tossing it on the end of the couch. “Much better,” he whispered before pulling her closer to him.
A small giggle escaped Violca as she felt his hands slide around her waist, pulling her close. Chase kissed her deeply, his tongue instantly dueling with hers. Violca felt Chase’s hands gliding up her back, undoing the clasp of her bra. His touch was feather light as his hands drew up her back, then she felt him pull the straps off her shoulders.
Smiling against his lips, she broke the kiss and began to kiss along his neck as her hands went back to his chest. Working her way down, she traced the muscles until she got to the top of his pants. Her fingers quickly worked at the button of his jeans. She moaned against his neck when she felt his cock spring free and into her hand. Stroking the length of him, she heard him moan and bit the base of his neck, her teeth scraping her mark.
Chase’s breath on her ear caused a small shiver to run down her spine. “Are you enjoying teasing the dragon, my witch?”
Violca smiled, her tongue licking her mark, enjoying the way his cock bucked against her hand. “And if I was enjoying teasing the dragon? What could possibly happen?”
Chase growled and took a step back. Violca looked up into his eyes and noticed that his golden eyes were virtually glowing. She loved being able to feel his dragon, and when he gave her a wicked grin, her breath caught in the back of her throat. “You should know by now, if you want to tease the dragon, prepare to get burned.”
He let out a low growl and Violca squealed, turning to run. Chase easily reached out and grabbed her by the waist, pulling her back to him. He held her while his free hand slid along her stomach to the top of her pants. Tilting her head to the side, she felt his teeth scrape the sensitive skin on her neck. His fingers found the zipper of her pants, and the only thing louder than the sound of him unzipping her jeans was the sound of her breathing.
“Are you afraid, witch?” Chase asked and she could feel his lips curve up in a smile against her neck.
Violca bit her lip and felt him slide her pants past her hips. “Never afraid,” she purred, wiggling out of her jeans.
His arm went around her waist, lowering her to the floor. Chase rolled Violca onto her back before settling between her thighs. His cock pressing against the thin material of her black thong made her bite her lip to keep a moan from escaping.
Her eyes fluttered up to his face and her breath caught when she found him watching her. “I love you,” he whispered before leaning down to kiss her gently. His hands gently teased along her skin; her stomach muscles quivered under his touch.
Sitting up, he reached down and grabbed the sides of her thong, slowly rolling it down Violca’s thigh as she arched her hips and shivered in pleasure. He then, kissed along her calf before nipping at her knee before softly running his lips up her inner thigh.
Violca looked down at him, her breath catching as she watched his tongue run up her wet slit. She bit her lip her head going back as he continued to tease her. When his tongue found her clit she bucked under him as he sucked it into his mouth. Chase licked his lips and shot her a very wicked grin. “So wet and ready for me.” He nipped at her stomach right below her belly button.
Rolling her hips up, she smiled down at him and cupped his cheek. “I’m always ready for you, my dragon.”
With a mock growl, he climbed up her body and entered her in one deep thrust. Violca wrapped her legs around his waist, holding him tight as her hips came up to meet his. Chase propped himself up on his arms and looked into her eyes as their hips began to move in unison.
Reaching up, Violca slid her hands around his neck, entangling them into his hair. “I love you,” Violca managed to pant, her pleasure building with each hard thrust.
Chase put his forehead against hers, his breathing just as affected as they continued to move together. “I love you,” Chase whispered.
Matching him thrust for thrust, Violca tightened her hold in his hair as her pleasure built. Chase dipped his head and she felt his tongue flick back and forth across her nipple. Shaking, her body arched up, her release was so close. Little mewling escaped her as she tugged on his hair. When her movements became less and less controlled, she felt Chase suck her nipple into his mouth before his gentle bite sent her over.
“Chase!” Violca screamed as wave after wave of pleasure rolled through her, her head thrown back as her core spasmed around his thrusting cock. She distantly heard his grunt as he thrust deep into her before she felt the warmth as he found his release.
Holding him tight as they both came down, Violca sighed with pleasure. She felt his lips glide across her shoulder to her ear. A giggle escaped her when he whispered, “Yep, it’s definitely time someone made an honest woman out of you.”
FOURTEEN
THE DAY BEFORE THE WEDDING, Chase sneaked into Violca’s room to find all five sisters asleep in their bed. Eva and Kati had decided that Chase needed to vacate the room, so they’d kicked him out to sleep in the west wing. He watched them for a moment before returning to his borrowed room.
A knock sounded at the door and he called out for whoever was on the other side to enter. He was surprised to see Viktor standing in the doorway. “Couldn’t sleep?” Viktor asked as he walked into the room.
“Not tired just yet,” Chase replied, closing the small box he held in his hand.
Viktor walked into the room and leaned against the dresser. “Kassandra’s been busy adding the finishing touches to your wedding, but I think she’s looking forward to learn more about those twin wolves you told us about.”
Chase saw Viktor checking out the box in his hand and he tossed it to him. Viktor caught it easily with one hand. “I made some changes to my mother’s ring.”
Viktor opened the box and Chase saw him smile. “Are you going to tell your mate about the changes?” Viktor tossed the back to Chas.
Chase shrugged and put the box back in the nightstand. “Maybe later. She wants to go to my family home and see where I grew up.”
Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Viktor grin. “Is that where you’re taking her for your honeymoon?”
He hadn’t told anyone about his honeymoon plans. He told Angyalka if she saw anything not to tell anyone. Chase’s family had an estate in England and one in Louisiana, and he and Violca would be visiting the latter. After the wedding, the couple would be spending the night in a fully stocked and recently cabin just outside the grounds–something Viktor had arranged as one of his gifts. Chase had every intention of taking Violca under the full moon. The next day he had planned to fly her to St. Thomas, then on a boat ride to a small private island. “That wasn’t the original plan, but I thought we could stop for a day or two on the way home so she could see my home.”
Viktor nodded. “I’m going to have a few guards go down to Louisiana just in case someone is waiting for you. Are you sure you don’t want any guards to go with you on your honeymoon?”
Chase snorted, making a face at his friend. “Would you like someone to go with you on your honeymoon?”
“Point taken, but it’s better to be safe than sorry. Are you sure you two will be okay?” Viktor asked. Chase heard the concern in his friend’s voice.
“I’m sure. Everything’s been paid for with cash and the names are fake. The place is pretty isolated and I’ll be able to see or sense someone coming for miles.”
Viktor nodded and Chase saw his friend’s head tilt as if he were listening to something in the other room. Chase didn�
�t even try to listen, and since the room belonged to Viktor and Aithne, he assumed whatever he was listening to might be private. “Just make sure to check in. If you change your mind…”
“I know. Go get some sleep. Kassandra messaged me earlier and apparently I have a long list of things to do before the wedding. I’m probably going to need your help.”
Viktor chuckled at that, leaving Chase alone with his thoughts. Knowing he wouldn’t be falling asleep any-time soon, he lay on the bed, crossing his ankles. He found it hard to sleep without Violca in his arms. She calmed him and his dragon in ways he never knew another person could. She also irritated him and challenged him and with one look, she turned his entire life upside down, but for the better. Chase officially understood those loving looks his parents had shared and wished he could have introduced them to her. They would have loved her and she them.
The day would start with both of them doing a cleansing ritual. A big part of that was the white candles that had been placed everywhere. In the morning he was to light those candles in the bathroom before he showered. Eva and Kati would be lighting the ones in the church before the ceremony. Chase was secretly glad that Violca had only chosen to pick a few traditions from both the witch’s book and the dragon’s book. Apparently, their ancestors enjoyed ceremonies that lasted all day.
Chase found himself excited to recreate the binding ritual with Violca, which would take place outside and under the full moon. This time it would be just the two of them. No demons hunting them, no family or friends, who had a tendency to walk in on them. The cabin where they were going was one of a few that had a wraparound porch and a Jacuzzi out back. He fully planned to enjoy the night with just her before they left to check out his old family home and their private beach.
Eva was going to be staying at the house while they were gone just to help Aithne out. Kati said she could handle it, but Violca thought it would be good for them all to be together. When Chase told her that they would be gone for two weeks, Violca went into panic mode. Since the death of her parents, Violca had taken care of her sisters and Chase doubted she had ever willingly been away from them.
Since proposing, he couldn’t help but imagine how beautiful Violca would look with their baby. Chase knew that their first would be a girl. Her eyes would be violet, just like her mother’s, and she would be stunningly beautiful. She would be the spitting image of her mother and there was no doubt in his mind that she would have him wrapped around her finger. Chase grinned as he stared up at the ceiling. Violca would be a beautiful mother and he counted his blessings every day for the Fates bringing them together.
FIFTEEN
WITH THE BATHROOM CANDLES LIT, Violca leaned back in the tub. The water was filled with different oils meant to help cleanse her for her wedding day, according to her mother’s book. She could hear her sisters outside in her room getting up. There was a loud knock followed by Eva’s voice. “We’re going downstairs to eat breakfast. I’ll bring you some breakfast in a little bit.”
“Thanks, Eva,” Violca said, loudly enough to be heard through the door.
She could hear the sound of the girls leaving the room and the door closing behind them. Violca had woken up early, excited and nervous for her wedding. Sinking lower in the tub, she took a deep breath, exhaling slowly with excitement at the start of this new chapter with Chase.
Chase refused to tell her where they would be spending their honeymoon and had Aithne pack her bag for her. Violca was having a hard time not being in control of the last-minute details, but all the girls had promised to take care of things and she wanted to show Eva and Kati she trusted them with more responsibility. Aithne and Kassandra were there to help as well.
She stood up from the tub grabbed a towel, and wrapped it around herself. Another soft knock sounded on the door. She was surprised to hear Chase’s voice. “So are you naked, wet, and thinking about me, my future wife?”
Biting her lip and grinning, she walked toward the door. But didn’t open it. “I admit to being naked and wet; the rest you’ll have to imagine.” She grinned at the sound of his moan. “What are you doing over here? It’s bad luck to see me before the wedding.”
“I know. Eva told me you were in the tub so I thought I would sneak over and bring you something to help keep your strength up.”
Curious, she finished drying herself as she talked to him through the door. “Oh, and what makes you think I need my strength today?”
“Because I plan on keeping you very busy the second I’m finally able to get you alone. I’ll see you in a few hours. I’ll be the very handsome man in the front.”
“I love you,” Violca said, and leaned against the door as she heard him say those same words back. She heard him leave the room and wrapped herself in a robe in case one of the girls came back in.
Stepping out of the bathroom, she saw a tray full of food with a mimosa-filled champagne flute. She grinned, looking over what Chase had brought up: eggs, bacon, toast, and on the corner of the tray, a box with a ribbon and an envelope addressed to her. She opened the envelope first and read:
Since meeting you, my life has changed for the better. Every day with you is an adventure and I am looking forward to what the Fates have in store for us next. I have been yours since the moment I saw your picture and today we make it official before our family and friends.
All my love, Chase.
Violca sat down on the chair and brushed away the tear she felt sliding down her cheek. Eagerly picking up the box, she opened it to find a heart-shaped necklace with the engraving of a black dragon on it with golden eyes. The necklace looked like an antique and she gently traced it with her fingers. It was beautiful.
She put the box down and took a bite of her eggs. It was so sweet of him to bring her breakfast. She knew Kassandra had a big long list of last-minute details that he was going to have to help with, and Chase had still found a moment to make her feel loved and cherished.
She sipped her mimosa and was finishing up her breakfast when she heard yet another soft knock on the door. Eva came in, a devilish smile on her face. “Kat has the guys working on the giant list and she’s barking orders to all the delivery men. It’s funny as hell watching them all jump every time she yells.”
Violca laughed. “Yeah, she needs to teach a class on how to get people to do what you want.”
Eva grinned and Violca shook her head, noticing that familiar mischievous twinkle in her sister’s eyes. Eva was enjoying her first year of college. She was beautiful and smart; plus Kassandra and Brandon, one of Violca’s best friends from elementary school, had taken the time to work with her in blocking others’ thoughts. This made it easier for her to be a normal girl--well, normal-ish.
Eva told her about how school was going and how she was excited that Brandon was going to walk her down the aisle. He was supposed to have arrived a few days ago, but a court appearance had gotten moved up to yesterday, and instead he was taking a red-eye flight that was expected to arrive any minute.
Viktor had volunteered to send his plane to pick Brandon up, and Violca had smiled at a dragon who could fly having a private plane. Viktor had just shrugged and pointed out that in these times it was convenient. Eva’s roommate Eryk had eagerly offered to go fetch Brandon. Eva had told Violca that he if did so, he could avoid Kassandra. They had both laughed at the confession, but hearing how Kassandra had all the guys running around downstairs, Violca knew that Eryk had done the smart thing.
The rest of the morning was a blur to Violca. Kassandra’s friend Mary showed up with a friend to do everyone’s hair and makeup. Violca didn’t normally let Sari and Angyalka wear makeup, but since it was a special occasion she allowed them each to wear lipstick and blush. Violca couldn’t believe how grown-up the two looked. Violca had almost cried when Sari had her thirteenth birthday a few weeks back, officially making her a teenager. Less than one year to go before Angyalka joined her. Violca smiled to herself, thinking that as hard as it was for her, Chase act
ually seemed to be taking it worse.
The girls finished, and Mary took Violca’s curlers. Leaving the back of Violca’s hair down, Mary used clips to pin up the front. The pins had purple and white silk pansies on them to match the dress. As Mary applied Violca’s makeup, Mary’s friend added more silk flowers to the back of Violca’s hair. They refused to let her see herself in a mirror until she was done and dressed. Taking off the robe, she let them help her strapless dress and Mary carefully laced up the back.
The dress was white except for the ribbon used to lace up the back, and the silk collar lining, both of which were violet. The violet was a few shades darker then Violca’s eyes. The bottom of the dress was layered, making it broad at the bottom. At the wais there was a purple pansy a larger version of the silk ones currently resting in her hair.
The girls were wearing dresses of the same color violet. Eva, who was the oldest and maid of honor, had on a strapless bodice. Violca watched them as they stood by the window, watching the guests’ arrival. Violca was having a hard time standing still, and when the girls all let out happy squeals, she smiled, fighting the urge to run to the window herself. She knew Brandon had finally arrived. Sari tapped the window and when the girls started waving, it was clear he had looked up at them.
Mary went to uncover the mirror in front of Violca; it was the first time Violca had seen her reflection since they’d started getting her ready. She found herself in awe of the job that they’d done. Everything was perfect. She felt like a princess. Mary smiled at her, and Mary’s friend held a mirror behind her so she could see the reflection of the violet pansies in her hair. Breathless, she finally whispered, “Thank you; you two have done a beautiful job.”
Mary cleared her throat, a big grin on her face. “Chase is going to fall over when he sees you; you look breathtaking. We’re going to go and leave you girls alone; we’ll meet you downstairs to help put the veil on before you walk down the aisle.”
Shadows and Stars Page 31
