Downfall: Kingdoms of Sin, Book #1

by Aster, Willow

  “I can see how wet you are. Have you missed me? I can’t wait to sink inside you.” He closes his eyes when he touches me and then plunges his finger inside. “So ready.”

  His tongue dives into my mouth and his finger keeps time, both plunging in and out and making me greedy for more. He puts a second finger in, then a third, his thumb caressing me on the outside. In one second, he pulls out and slides into me instead, filling me far more than his three fingers could. I gasp into his mouth and he never stops kissing me, his hands everywhere, while he thrusts hard and fast.

  “You feel too good,” he moans into my mouth. He leans back and looks at me, his eyes baring his soul and reflecting back what I feel for him. He stills and lowers back on me, chest to chest. “I love you.”

  “I love you too,” I whisper.

  He runs his hands through my hair as he twitches inside me but doesn’t move right away.

  “I don’t want to ever live without you again,” he says, the pain showing up in his face again. “Please stay. Stay with me.”

  A tear rolls back into my hair and he wipes it away.

  “I’m not going anywhere.”

  When I say those words, his shoulders relax and he starts moving again. Each thrust gets more urgent until we’re both sweating and breathing hard. My eyes start to roll back in my head and he’s right there.

  “Look at me, let me see you when you come.”

  I struggle to keep my eyes open. It feels too good. He groans when I clench around him and it sets him off.

  I’m out of breath and so is he, but we still kiss and it isn’t long before he’s driving into me again.

  “I’ll never get enough of you. Ever.” His eyes are resolute and he loves me again and again until I can’t think straight.

  * * *

  The next morning when I go into the bathroom, my lips are red and puffy and my neck and breasts have hickeys. My hair is going in every direction and I look like I’ve been in a fight. Luka comes up behind me and looks at me in the mirror, his arms wrapping around my waist as his chin rests on my shoulder.

  “Ahh, thoroughly fucked,” he says, grinning. “It’s my favorite look on you. You are wearing me everywhere.”

  I put my arm around his head and turn my face to the side to kiss him. “There are probably a few places you missed.”

  “Let me find them.” He picks me up and sets me in the bathwater he ran fifteen minutes ago before discovering places he’d missed then. It doesn’t matter that the water isn’t as hot as I like it. He’ll have me hot in seconds.

  * * *

  Our walk into the dining room is embarrassing. Ava does the slow clap and Brienne can’t stop laughing at that. Mother flushes and doesn’t make eye contact. It’s a good thing Jadon isn’t here or I’d die.

  “Thank you for letting me back into your home.” Luka puts a napkin on his lap and takes the bowl of scrambled eggs Mother offers him.

  “Thank you, thank you,” Ava mimics, and I drop my fork, reminded of the times in the night that I thanked Luka for hitting just the right spot with his tongue.

  I glare at Ava and Brienne loses it again. For someone so stoic, she sure has found her laughter at my expense. I glare at her too.

  Luka nods and grins at Ava, looking pretty pleased with himself. I turn my glare to him.

  “What? I personally love gratitude,” he whispers loud enough for the whole table to hear. “This breakfast is delicious,” he adds when my glare intensifies. “I’ve missed our breakfasts together.”

  “It’s good to have you back,” Ava says, her voice normal this time. “When do you have to leave?”

  “Today, I’m afraid.” He looks at me when he says it and I see the fear in his eyes, even after the night we had.

  “I’m going with him.” I look around the table and see the pride in each of their faces. They’re happy for us.

  “What can we do to help?” Brienne asks. Then, “You know I’m coming with you, right?”

  I grin at her. “You better. I can’t do this without you.”

  I look at Luka and feel the excitement building in my chest.

  I actually feel like I’m going home—with my husband—ready to face the future.

  Chapter Forty-Three

  When we reach the Catano estate in the middle of the night, the house is quiet and I’m glad I don’t have to face his mother or sister just yet. Luka checks his phone as I take off my makeup and slip into one of the gowns I grabbed from my room next door, still set up with all of my things.

  “How did you manage to leave my room intact? I can’t believe Hanna didn’t get rid of it all the minute you came back without me.” I walk into the room and he’s watching something.

  “Look at this.” He holds up his phone and someone else has come forward saying they have more information about Titus. “He’ll be in prison for a long time.”

  I hope.

  He’s deep in thought for a moment and then seems to snap out of it. “I said you’d get suspicious if you came back here and found your things missing…”

  “I’m glad it worked. It meant less time packing at home and more time…in bed.”

  “Come here. I can’t wait to have you back in my bed.” He pulls me on top of him. “Oh, and Hanna was fired once I found out she was the one who planted the bugs.”

  “This just gets more and more bizarre.”

  “Let’s talk about you being in my bed again.”

  * * *

  Cece and Mara steer clear of me the first few days I’m back. The day before the coronation, Luka and I are eating breakfast when we finally see them.

  Neither of them acknowledges me and barely look at Luka.

  “So this is how it’s going to be?” Luka asks. “Father deserved to pay for what he did. Eden is my wife and I love her.”

  “What about Nadia?” Mara asks, picking at her food and sending hate vibes my way.

  “Ask her. She’ll tell you everything. I’ve never loved Nadia. You loved the idea of us more than either of us ever did. I needed her help and she gave it, willingly.”

  He leans his elbows on the table and looks at both of them while they study their food. He slams a hand down on the table and his mother jumps.

  “If I find out either of you had even the tiniest bit to do with any of this, I’ll make sure you pay too. We are not a family of murderers and thieves.”

  “Hear, hear,” Basile chants when he comes into the room. He smiles warmly at me and I return the smile. He’s the one other Catano I’m happy to see.

  “I won’t let you or anyone else destroy our name,” Luka continues. “And if you can’t be respectful and courteous to my wife, you can get the fuck out of this house. That can be my first job as king, throwing you both out of here and banishing you to Baelle.”

  Cece pales and Mara gasps.

  “We just need time to adjust to everything,” Cece says, pressing her lips together. She looks at me and nods. “Eden…welcome back.”

  “Thank you.”

  “Mara?” Luka prompts.

  “Welcome back,” she mutters.

  Luka picks up his fork and we all eat in silence.

  * * *

  The next morning, Brienne joins us for breakfast and when Mara walks in, she comes to a standstill.

  “What are you doing here?”

  “You remember Brienne? She’s been here with me all along, last time too.” I look at Brienne and the coldness on her face surprises me. What am I missing?

  “Oh, I remember her, but she at least stayed hidden in the shadows. You don’t belong in here. This is for family only.” Mara’s lip curls and she sits down, snapping her fingers at Chelsea to pour her coffee.

  “Brienne is my family. Don’t ever let me hear you speak to her that way.”

  Mara sits there and fumes but doesn’t say another word. Brienne looks at me with gratitude, and I vow to get to the bottom of whatever is going on between them later.

  * * *

&n
bsp; The coronation of Luka Elvais Catano is a beautiful and majestic affair. I watch in awe as the crown is placed on his head and he goes through the rituals of the Niapsian people. We’re standing on a cliff with the ocean roaring behind us and there are people standing nearby and in boats on the water, watching him become their king. When it’s official and he’s pronounced King Luka Catano of Niaps, a cheer erupts and the sound is deafening.

  Luka’s eyes find mine and he looks so happy, so complete. I hardly recognize him from the boy I met at Kings Passage.

  “I love you,” he mouths the words to me and I sigh.

  “This is where you can tell me I was right,” Basile says under his breath. “Anyone who can’t see that the boy is mad for you is blind.”

  I smile and he shakes his head.

  “You’re nearly as stubborn as he is.”

  “Oh, you’ve got that right. This should be fun,” Jadon throws in.

  “Don’t you start,” I mutter under my breath. “You’re supposed to be here to show your support, not throw in your two cents about my personality.”

  “I am here for support,” he replies. “And stating the obvious.”

  “I can’t wait to see your children torment you with their bullheaded wills.” Basile claps his hands and then falls into step behind Luka with Cece and Mara flanking him on either side.

  Luka holds his hand out to me and I join him. A crown is placed on my head and I am pronounced Queen Eden Catano of Niaps—Queen! It will take me a while to get comfortable with the title.

  When the applause dies down, we gradually make the procession down the cliff and back to the church. A feast is prepared outside and we eat and drink and dance under the stars. I look for Brienne and find her leaning against the wall. Elias walks by her and says something and she flushes. He throws his head back and laughs and Brienne ducks her head. Mara walks up to Elias and loops her arm through his, pulling him away. He looks over his shoulder at Brienne and the look in his eyes surprises me.

  “Do Elias and Brienne know each other?” I’m in Luka’s arms under a canopy of lights.

  “They’ve probably met at the house. Elias has been there often and will be working with me now.”

  “Hmm.”

  “What are you thinking?”

  “Some of Mara’s hostility toward Brienne is starting to make sense.”

  “I want to talk about us.” He nuzzles my neck. “Do you remember the first thing I said to you?”

  I lean back to look at him, trying to remember exactly what he said. I start to grin and he nods.

  “You remember.” He kisses up my jaw and I shiver.

  “I remember.”

  “Hello, future,” he whispers.

  He spins me until I’m breathless and when the people remaining begin to clap and cheer, he tilts me back and I curtsy when I come back up.

  “Hello, future,” I whisper back.

  This time we seal it with a kiss.

  Epilogue

  Twenty-five years later

  “Are you ready for this?” Luka asks, grabbing me and pulling me back into bed with him.

  “I won’t be if you don’t let me get up.”

  “We just had Selene yesterday, right? It feels like yesterday. I’m not ready for her to get married. There’s still time to talk her out of it, isn’t there?” He sits up and I push him back on the bed, crawling on top of him.

  His hands find my backside and he groans. “You are the best negotiator in the whole wide world, Mrs. Catano. Get me on my back and I will give you whatever you want.”

  I place him right where I want him, deep inside me, and he grins.

  “Anything you wish…” he whispers.

  I rock back and forth, amazed that after all these years, the spark between us only grows.

  “You will give our daughter away today and be nice to George. He’s the love of her life and perfect for her. No more talking her out of it nonsense, okay?” I pick up speed and his eyes light up.

  “You’re playing so dirty. I love it.”

  “Do we have a deal?”

  He flips me over and lifts my knees against his chest, driving into me harder. “You do not play fair.”

  I go still and he frowns.

  “Yes, we have a deal. Now, let’s forget about this wedding for a while. I have things I need to do.” He moves faster and faster, until I can’t remember what we were negotiating.

  He’s sweeter when we’re getting ready in the bathroom later. I think he’s actually excited about this wedding, although he’d never admit it. When he puts his jacket on and helps me zip up the back of my dress, his fingers tickle my neck as he moves my hair back into place.

  “You are the most beautiful woman in the world, Mrs. Catano. I can’t believe I was lucky enough to capture you.”

  “You captured me back then and every day since. Turns out our parents did one thing right,” I tease, turning around to face him. Knowing anything related to his parents will always be a touchy subject, I quickly move on. “I am so proud of who you are and the family we’ve created together. Three kids, a new son-in-law in a few hours, a country who still adores you. I’m grateful every day that we chose one another when we could’ve let it all crumble.”

  “You know when I feel most grateful?” He kisses my cheek. “When you crawl into bed next to me every night. I live for that moment when we’re done with the insanity of our day, ruling the world and keeping this family on track, and we come together between the sheets.”

  I put my hand on his cheek and kiss him. “It’s my favorite too. Keep this up, and tonight, you’re going to get very lucky.”

  “I’ll make it worth your while, I swear.”

  We lose track of time, swaying back and forth in our bedroom overlooking the water.

  He’s my home and I am his.

  Our love has changed the world, one country at a time.

  It’s taken patience and building relationships with people we might not have chosen, had we not forged peace between Farrow and Niaps.

  It gives me hope for our world’s future.

  “Let’s go to this wedding,” he whispers. “The sooner it’s over, the sooner I can take this gorgeous dress off you.”

  I laugh. “I hope you never lose your dirty mind.”

  “Never,” he vows as he takes my hand.

  Exposed (Kingdoms of Sin #2)

  Coming Winter 2020

  Chapter 1: Mara

  Today is the worst day of my life.

  Even worse than the day my father went to prison for murder, which was right up there. Today is the day my brother Luka becomes king and that whiny, pansy wife of his will be crowned right alongside him. This was never supposed to happen, not like this.

  My father might be a lot of things, but he is not a murderer.

  I love my brother, I really do, but ever since Eden, Princess of the North and all that is cold and pale, got under his skin, he has become a different person. He’s betrayed our family, and all for his gain.

  I watch the crown being placed on his head and choke back the tears that threaten to fall. It’s like I don’t even know him anymore. He used to be fun, always up for trouble, and he got a kick out of my presumed bad behavior.

  At least I thought he did.

  He would’ve never, ever turned his back on our family like this.

  It’s all her fault.

  Now he feels like a stranger. Maybe neither of us ever really knew one another at all.

  He’s never known what I’m truly capable of.

  I think my father knew. My mother might know too. It’s why they’ve always had Luka look out for me, cover me, keep me in line. He’s younger than me, but you’d never know it. Technically, I should be mad that he was ever born. It got in the way of me becoming queen, with the firstborn son always taking over the monarch, and the daughter only inheriting the throne should a son not be born. I should hate him, but he was the best thing that ever happened to me.

 
The day Luka was born, I finally had the freedom to be me.

  It might have been used against me at times—this freedom—but I’ve been grateful for it nonetheless.

  And now, with the way my brother has turned against us and embraced his foreign wife, I fear that liberation is over. Forever.

  I feel eyes on me and my skin prickles in awareness. I look up and sure enough, Elias Lancaster is watching me. Sometimes I think he might see the real me too. It’s part of what intrigues me about him and part of what makes me keep my guard up.

  I’ve loved Elias Lancaster for as long as I can remember. He will be mine one day soon, but a couple of things have to change first:

  He needs to be convinced he belongs with me.

  He needs to be more established, more successful than simply being an advisor to my brother.

  Two things that I’m not worried about, not with the way his eyes skate down my skin like they wish they could unwrap me and lay me bare. It’s only a matter of time, dear Elias.

  It’s been a while since Elias has made a move besides being an attentive flirt whenever we’re together. I’m getting tired of waiting.

  He has no reason to work for the attention of whatever woman he wants. He walks into a room and is instantly swarmed. It’s disgusting. He stands taller than the other men in the room, except for Luka. His brown hair and blue-grey eyes and constant smile draw the attention of everyone in the room. The dimple makes sure the attention stays. It’s the only time I wish he wasn’t so beautiful: when everyone else notices it and he’s not by my side. I try my best to stand apart by ignoring him until he finds me. And he always comes to find me.

  He’s wealthy enough to be dangerous but not so wealthy that he isn’t still a bit hungry for more. It keeps him on his toes and he likes playing hard to get.