“Tell me, healer, do you trust that treacherous witch?”
Thor waited for him to answer. They had slowed their horses, not wanting to tire them. They didn’t know if they were only riding to camp, or if they would have to travel further still.
“About as much as a hungry dragon.”
Savannah could not believe they were this worried about their enemy. How were they supposed to defeat Signe and save Emma? It seemed almost impossible if grown warriors were worried about their odds.
Her eyes swept over the four men she rode with. They all looked as if they could hold their own in battle. And she knew damn well Chantelle could fight. As well as Arabella.
She had been using sword training to ease Chantelle’s stress levels for years. Her friend was just as proficient with the sword as these men were. The only thing that worried Savannah was Chantelle’s reluctance to take a life.
“Is Signe that formidable of a fighter?”
Arabella patted her shoulder. “She is no fighter.”
When Savannah gave a sigh of relief Tomas added, “She has trained men to do her fighting for her. And whatever you think of her you must remember she will do anything necessary to rid herself of Princess Chantelle.”
Thor grunted in agreement, “I can assure you, she will not fight fairly.”
“In that case let’s hurry back to them.” Savannah dug her heels into her horse’s side and took off like the wind.
Chapter 37:
Chantelle let out a giggle, as she watched the now clean dishes float into the basket they came from. She had been grateful when Loki offered to clean up after breakfast. Her body still ached from their all-night sparring match.
A yawn escaped her lips before she had a chance to stifle it. Chantelle looked up sheepishly through her lashes at Loki. She hoped he hadn’t noticed her lack of manners.
“Do I bore you?” His eyes glittered with mischief.
She stood from her seat letting a nervous laugh slip out. “You may be a lot of things, but boring isn’t one of them. I’m just a little tired after what we did.”
It was Loki’s turn to laugh at her choice of words. Chantelle must have realized the implication of her words, for her cheeks flushed. Just the sight of her like that had his body tightening in response. What he wouldn’t give to see her blush from passion? All at once he was across the tent, crowding her.
Chantelle took a small step back. There was a hint of lust in his jade eyes; it made her unsure. Although her body grew excited at the sight of him, Chantelle was nervous. She wanted to make an excuse for her blush. To somehow defuse the tension, but nothing would come to her. Just when she thought she was lost she yawned again.
“Come, let’s get you into bed.” Loki placed a comforting hand against her back.
She felt her heart flutter at his tenderness. Just his touch had Chantelle wanting more of him. This deep need for him startled her. Never had she wanted any other man the way she wanted the one that claimed to be her mate. Chantelle reasoned that if what Loki said about their bond was true that was why other men didn’t appeal to her. Or maybe it was because her heart had belonged to him since they first shared her dreams.
These new feelings confused her. Loki had gone from someone she needed to keep at arm’s length; to someone she wanted to hold close. They were moving too fast for her liking. What if after all the times she had rejected him he no longer wanted her as she now wanted him? Sure they had shared a heated kiss the day before. But what if he only wanted her so he needn’t pass his years in loneliness?
Even though it frightened her, Chantelle loved him. She didn’t know when it had happened, but it had. Like the blossoming of an orchid, slow and unseen.
Before she knew it, Loki had her under the covers and was turning to go. “Wait.” When he turned to face her she was sitting up in bed. “Aren’t you going to rest?” Her fingers absently ran over the soft blanket that covered her.
He nodded, “I shall be outside.”
Outside? The other evening came crashing down around her and her heart lurched. He thought she was sending him away again. That she was going to be that cruel to him. They had made progress. This misunderstanding would only set them back. Chantelle wouldn’t allow that to happen. Not after she had convinced herself that loving Loki had been what she was born to do. It was her destiny and she would no longer fight it.
Quickly she shoved the blankets from her. Chantelle was on her feet and grabbing his hand in a flash. “Please don’t.”
Loki looked from their hands to her eyes. They sparkled with unspoken emotions. It was there for him to see. And he knew in that instant that he could deny her nothing.
When he did not yield to her gentle tugging, Chantelle sighed. Why was he so stubborn? Was it all the times she had rejected him? Was he trying to teach her how he felt?
“Where would I sleep?” Loki caressed her cheek with his fingertips and Chantelle shivered at the contact.
There was only one bed and although he could call up another, she knew his pride would not allow it. No, if she wanted him to stay, then he would share her bed. Chantelle’s eyes darted between the bed and Loki. She had a tough choice to make; let him sleep with her or make him stay outside like a dog. She felt her heart clench at that last thought.
Like it or not, it was time for her to pull on her big girl panties and deal with this. Nibbling on her bottom lip, Chantelle called on her courage. Because the next words she said would change everything.
“Um…with me?”
It came out no more than a hushed whisper and Loki was sure it was more a question than an invitation. But it still made his hopes soar.
“Are you sure?” Only the tiniest nod of her head was made. “This is a big decision. Once you make it, it cannot be unmade.”
He was giving her a chance to back out. God help him, if Chantelle agreed to share her bed with him there would be no going back. Loki would not allow her to sleep without him ever again. If she gave this to him; he would cling to it, like a selfish child with their favorite toy. He had waited too long to be blessed with such a gift. To feel her soft curves against him as he slept, or the ghosting of her breath over his bare chest as they lay together. The thought of her sleeping in his arms had his body stirring to claim her. Once given she could not take that back from him. Loki didn’t think she would be that cruel. But Chantelle was so beyond his reach he dare not hope for such a gift.
He tilted her chin up, so their eyes met. “I want to hear you say it. To make sure I have not been dreaming.”
She could do this simple thing for Loki. He had given her so much throughout her life. When she had been younger and there was no one there for her, he had been there in her dreams. Even when she tried to push him away and pretend that she was strong, Loki had stayed with her.
So how in good conscience could she allow him to hurt? No, Chantelle could not allow him to be lonely any longer. Not when she loved him and held the key to his happiness in her hands.
“Please, Loki come to bed with me.”
All the trepidation had left her voice. Gone was the little lost girl that needed to be saved; in her place stood a stronger more confident woman. One who was destined to be the mate to the powerful immortal before her.
Chantelle had flitted away from Loki toward the bed. When she realized he hadn’t followed her, she turned to face him with a quizzical look. Hadn’t this been what he wanted? But the way his pupils were dilated told her a different story.
Loki didn’t just want to share her bed; he wanted to share her body as well. The thought of him claiming her sent a shiver of need racing down her spine. Loki stalked toward her; a predatory smile tugging at his lips. She wouldn’t back down from him; not this time.
He gently cupped her cheek, “And what if just sharing your bed wasn’t enough?”
The gentleness of his touch was at odds with the heat of his words. The fierceness of his need was evident in his trousers and Chantelle wanted to ea
se his ache. To ease her own as well.
“Perhaps I want to share more than my bed.”
A deep groan escaped his lips. He had wanted her for so long; dreaming about her, thinking about her. Chantelle had consumed his thoughts for so long and now she was offering herself to him.
Though her body wasn’t all Loki wanted from her. He wanted everything; her heart and her soul. He wanted her love; the only thing that could save his own soul from despair.
“This is your last chance to change your mind. Just say the words and I shall find the strength to leave you in peace.”
Chantelle looked up into his eyes, “I could think of nothing else I want more.”
If it was possible her words strung his body tighter. His clothes were too tight and itchy. The need to shed them and press his naked body against her was strong.
“My brave little mate.” Loki brushed his thumb over her bottom lip; setting butterflies winging around her stomach.
Chantelle’s eyes fluttered shut at his touch. His words wrapping her in a cocoon of warmth. “I have waited longer than you can imagine for you. I shall not give you up without a fight, Chantelle.”
What would he do to her now that he had her? The thoughts of him sating his need had her whimpering and her core clenching in need.
Leaning down he slanted his lips over hers. Melding them together. His scent, his heat… was invading her senses. Chantelle slid her hands over his chest. His muscles rippled in response to her touch.
A sigh escaped her lips and he slid his tongue in. Slowly coaxing her to answer him. He teased and licked her tongue. The friction causing her to moan. Loki was stroking her body into a bonfire with just a kiss. She found herself twining her fingers into his hair; needing to draw him closer.
His fingers grazed her neck, continuing a blazing trail from her throat to the curve of her breast. When he pulled back Chantelle’s eyes were hooded with desire. A wave of dizziness swept through her when he leaned forward and followed the path of his fingers with his lips.
As his lips touched her flesh Chantelle was filled with a longing so deeply arousing she was frightened by her need for him. With just one kiss, one touch, he had shook her world; made it narrow to only the feel of his lips on her skin.
Her breasts had grown heavy, her nipples hard. Chantelle felt the wetness pooling between her thighs.
Loki pulled back from her heated skin, “I need your clothes off. Need to feel my hands against your bare flesh.”
His words were grated out. Loki’s hands fisted in the fabric of her cami. Chantelle pulled back, trying to salvage her clothing.
“Let me.”
All he could do was nod, not able to speak. Loki watched her pull her top over her head; leaving her standing there in just a pair of lace boy shorts. He wondered why she even bothered with them. The piece of lace was so small it barely covered her.
A growl left him as his eyes feasted upon her bare breasts. Reverently he reached out and cupped her. Rolling her nipple between his fingers; quickly he replaced his fingers with his lips.
Chantelle cradled Loki’s head to her, hoping that he kept his hands at her hips. They were the only thing keeping her upright.
He continued his slow torture to her. “Do you like the way I pleasure you?”
Her whimper was all the answer he needed. He took the other nipple between his lips; gently flicking it with his tongue.
“Please.” Her voice was nothing more than whispered words on soft panted breaths.
She was pleading for him to stop teasing her. Chantelle wanted him to taste the rest of her body, the way he was her nipples. More than that she wanted to explore him in the same way. Wanted to set his body on fire the way her’s had gone up in flames.
He kneeled in front of her. His tongue swirling designs against her flat stomach. One large hand sliding over her thigh.
“Touch me, please.” The begging note in her voice had his cock twitching in response.
Loki stood and cupped her round ass, bringing her flush against his erection. While he slowly kneaded her ass, Chantelle frantically worked the buttons open on his doublet. With a triumphant groan she shoved the offending material from him. She placed her palms flat against his chest; exploring the beauty of his taut muscles.
She was mesmerized by the way his abs flexed at her touch. Chantelle’s fingers ran lightly over the trail of dark hair leading into his pants. The man before her was nothing short of perfection.
As one of his hands drifted over her thigh, her’s drifted lower, until she cupped his straining cock. Loki let out a low hiss at the feel of her hand.
He hooked his fingers into the waist of her panties and drew them down her legs. Slowly one long slender finger began to stroke her sex.
“You’re so wet for me, my love.”
Chantelle’s body quivered at his touch, “I want you. More than you could know.”
Loki continued to caresses her; spreading the moisture around her sex. Preparing her for what was to come.
“Please, Loki.” She didn’t know what she was pleading for, but she would take whatever he was willing to give her.
At her plea his hand stilled, his eyes locking with hers. They both knew what came next. This was the point of no return.
Loki scooped her up in his arms and walked the last few feet to the bed. Their bed from this day forth. No matter where they lay their heads down, it would be their bed. Once he laid Chantelle down he made quick work of the rest of his clothing. There he stood before her in his nakedness; tall and proud.
It was then that she had her first unimpeded view of him aroused. His thick shaft jutted out before him. The sleek skin of his crown was stretched taut. Visibly slick, causing Chantelle to wet her lips.
Although the sight of him had her pulse pounding, she feared he was too big. Loki saw the trepidation swim in her eyes. The sight of him was daunting, when she was so small. He moved then, crawling over her body. Pinning her with his weight; easing her worry with soft kisses to her lips. Trying to show her that although he desperately needed her, he would be gentle.
When they broke apart Chantelle whispered breathlessly, “Loki, I need you to make love to me.”
“It will bind us closer.”
He was offering her yet another chance to escape. So help her if she agreed to this. Once Loki bound them there would be no going back. Chantelle would be stuck with him for all eternity.
“I am already bound to you. My soul knows that and so do I. Please make me your true mate.”
A wicked smile played across his lips. So his female was as desperate for him as he was for her. Well, he would do whatever it took to please her.
As he began to kiss a trail down her body Chantelle shivered in pleasure. Loki left little nips and kisses in his wake. His breath ghosted over her center and Chantelle stiffened. Through her lust filled haze she realized no man had ever been where Loki was now.
As his tongue first dipped into her sex, Loki gave a muffled groan at the sweetness of her. He pressed his mouth to her core, thrusting his tongue inside her. Licking her deeply; thoroughly. With a strangled cry she jerked her hips. But Loki held her steady, as he feasted on her. He savored every moment with her.
“Beautiful.” He whispered, then bent back down to suck and lick her once more.
As his large hands held her hips fast his tongue snaked over her throbbing clitoris. One swipe turned into ten. And in a matter of moments Loki had her world shattering around her. Flicking her little bud with the tip of this tongue, caused Chantelle to orgasm.
Loki crawled up her shaking body. Her thighs cradled him; the heat from her entrance scalding him. It took all of his will not to plunge into her. Making himself one with her.
He claimed her lips again, sliding the thick crown of his cock against her entrance. Chantelle’s flesh was hot and slick with her need for him. Just the feel of her caused him to release a feral growl against her lips.
With one long slow thrust he wa
s seated half way inside her. Chantelle let out a small whimper as he stretched her. “I am sorry. Just a moment of pain and then I shall take you to the heavens.”
She nodded. In one sure thrust Loki seated his cock fully inside her. A tear slipped from her eye and he kissed it away. His muscles tensed with his effort to hold still, allowing her to adjust to the size of him.
Chantelle experimentally rocked against him, making Loki let out a low hiss of pleasure as he began to move with her. He rocked in and out of her. Slowly her moans filled the tent and urged him forward.
As her body adjusted to accommodate his size he let Chantelle set their pace. He felt it the instant her body yielded to him and his pace quickened. Loki rose up on his knees, needing to take her with more force. His inner beast was driving him; making him need to mark her as his own. To make sure he claimed her properly.
Chantelle fisted the sheets as a second orgasm took her. Crashing over her like a tidal wave.
Loki leaned forward, whispering in her ear, “I can feel you coming on me.” Chantelle’s core gloved him tighter at his words. “You are mine from this moment forward. You will only ever crave my touch. No other man shall know the wonders of your body.”
He pulled back, their eyes meeting. Loki began to piston in and out of her faster. Slipping one hand down her body to tease her clit. He held her gaze as her body tensed around him once more.
In that instant Loki felt himself tense; his body coiling tight. His eyes burned her with a searing brand as he began to spill his seed inside her. His body spent from their coupling, Loki rolled them over. Her small frame blanketed his own. Chantelle’s head rested on his chest, she was safe in his arms, exactly where she was meant to be.
Loki’s long fingers combed through her chocolate waves and he whispered his claim over her. “You are mine, my wife and my love.”
“Always.” Her words met him in a whisper of their own.
Chapter 38:
Chantelle leaned up on her elbow, trailing her fingers over his chest. Finally, after never knowing where she belonged she had found her home. Here in Loki’s arms her heart could be free.
Mischief's Mate (The Immortal Mates Book 1) Page 28
