“You wish for blood?” He laughed softly, a small smile curling the side of his mouth for a brief second, so brief she wondered if it was just hopeful wishing on her part.
“Nae, yea, I mean your blood, pure blood. I mean,” she took a deep breath, “love me.”
He took a step closer, tilting his head to the side. “Did you just say…?”
She nodded. “Yea. Love me, Rurik.”
“As my queen?” he asked, his expression guarded as if he was purposefully misunderstanding her.
“As my mate,” she said, only to backtrack. “Unless… Yea, as a queen.”
Finally, he touched her, and she felt her entire being freeze in wonder. Leaning forward, he shook his head. Her heart dropped. “Foolish little feather, don’t you know? I’ve loved you since we were children.”
Ari gasped. “You’re just saying that. You could barely stand me as a child.”
“Then why did I write that note for you?”
“You? That note was from you?” She gasped in surprise. “But, you said…”
“I remember what I said, but you laughed at it. What else could I do?” His fingers ran over her cheek. “Why do you wish for me to love you, Ari? You have people to love you as a queen. I need to hear you say it.”
“Because I love you, Rurik. I always have. I’m sorry I laughed at your note. I was stupid, nervous, a young stupid nervous girl and I—”
His crushing lips cut her off as he seared her mouth with his, delving his tongue to conquer and explore her depths. Ari moaned, grabbing onto his arms for support as her knees buckled beneath her.
“Ah, Ari?”
She ignored the voice.
“Ari?”
Again, she ignored it. Rurik’s kiss felt so right. Her body stirred to his.
“Daughter!” her father yelled, finally getting her attention. She blinked, turning to look at him in stunned surprise. “You want to finish…” He motioned to a red-faced Lord Cyril.
“I was finished,” Ari glared down at the man.
“But…” Lord Cyril stared at her, his mouth working, but no sound coming out.
“I said get out,” Ari ordered.
“You heard my queen,” Rurik barked. Instantly the man rushed from the hall.
Ari laughed. “I should be upset that he didn’t listen to me when I commanded it.”
“Don’t worry,” Rurik said. “I’ll teach you how to scare people.”
“Mm.” She wrinkled her nose before leaning forward for his kisses once more. Rurik loved her. The knowledge poured over her, giving her more pleasure than she ever dreamed possible. “No need. You can scare them for me.”
He stepped forward, walking her with him toward the edge, but she wasn’t scared. Looking deep into his eyes, she trusted him with more than her life. She trusted him with her heart.
“I love you,” she said. “I’ve wanted to say that for a long time.”
“I love you,” he answered, leaning as if to kiss her.
She pulled back. “Fly us to our royal chambers this time, okay?”
He nodded, laughing softly as he turned directions and walked her the other way.
“Come on, Gryger,” her father said. “Let’s leave these two alone.”
“Where would you like to go, highness?”
“Old highness,” the old king corrected. “I’m thinking to the country. There has to be a woman or two out there that doesn’t know I was king.”
Ari giggled, not taking her eyes off Rurik. He leaped, hooking a leg around hers to hold her close as he carried her through the air toward their new room.
Rurik landed by a low canopied bed. She smiled, glad it was closer to the floor than the mating platform had been in her old chambers. Paintings of Falconian men hovering above their women as they took to the sky decorated the top panels of the room. The deep colors were brilliant in their rich tones. Dark wood from the black trees that grew in the nearby forest had been used to carve the canopy and matching panels along the wall. Some of the panels would lead to secret rooms within the palace, but she wasn’t sure which ones. The wood was polished to a black gleam, reflecting the soft light that came from the high palace windows. An archway led to a similar dressing room.
The air smelled sweet and welcoming, having been scented by the palace servants. Soft material met her hands as he laid her down on the bed. The coverlet was new, as was the rest of the bedding.
“I’m sorry for all that was done between us,” she said.
“As am I, but we were children.” Rurik kissed the corner of her mouth and moaned softly. He ran his hand over her side to touch a breast through the material of her dress. “And you have grown into a fine woman, Ari.”
She giggled in pleasure. “And you make a very fine figure of a king, Rurik.”
He kissed her again, this time deep and long. His tongue edged along her lips, begging entrance into her mouth. She sighed, taking him in as his fingers explored her body. She wanted him, and it wasn’t long before she was aroused and wiggling for more.
“What about those women on your lap? Are you sorry for them?” Ari asked, breathing deeply. She closed her eyes as he pulled at her skirt.
“What women?” he groaned, kissing her neck.
“At the mating… Oh, that feels really nice.” She parted her thighs, allowing his fingers access to her slick folds. His thumb pressed into her clit, rubbing in small circles.
“There are no other women but you, Ari,” he said.
Ari laughed. “That’s the perfect answer.”
“It’s also very true.”
Rurik continued to kiss her neck as he worked his hand against her sex. Ari grabbed onto his shoulders, pulling at his shirt but unable to get it off.
“Undress for me,” she ordered, eager to see and feel him once more.
He quickly obeyed. She watched him, squirming restlessly on the bed. As he reached for his pants, she hurriedly pulled at her own gown. Naked, she tossed the dress aside and lay back down. He was glorious, with his dark hair and eyes, his impressive wings spread behind him. With a wickedly playful gleam in his eyes, he reached behind him and pulled out a feather. Angling it toward her, he grinned as he brought it to her leg. The light, tickling caress made her jolt as it worked its way up her inner thigh. He stroked it over her sex and circled her breasts in tantalizingly flawless sweeps across the nipples.
She touched his naked thigh, loving the feel of his flesh on her palm. He was hot, firm yet smooth. Lids lowered over her eyes as she looked at him—strong muscles forming the perfect man. Ari fisted her hand over his shaft, stroking the hard length. Rurik dropped the feather on her chest and instantly drew his hand down to her pussy.
Ari licked her lips and wiggled lower on the bed. Opening her mouth, she angled it toward his cock. Rurik gasped as he got her meaning, but didn’t hesitate as he came above her, straddling her head with his thighs. His thick shaft was close to her mouth, and she eagerly drew it to her lips, darting her tongue out over the tip to lightly lick him.
With a small sound of pleasure escaping her, she spread her thighs wide. Rurik latched onto her clit, sucking vigorously as he made love to her with his mouth. His tight body flexed above her, but he was careful not to smother her with his weight as he rocked his hips back and forth, urging her to take the tip more fully into her mouth.
She kissed him gently, twirling her tongue around the ridge, before sucking him deeper. His groans became louder. She pulled back, using her hands to guide him where she wanted him as she nibbled her teeth up and down the sides before latching onto him once more.
Her mind warred with itself, torn between the pleasure of his lips and concentrating on giving as good as she got. He was too large to take comfortably in her mouth, so she used her hands to help stroke the extra length.
Rurik jerked. Ari gasped as he flipped her over, taking her with him as he maneuvered onto his back. The position made it a little easier to breathe and move. He kept her flush to his
mouth even as he rocked his hips up toward hers. It was empowering, giving and receiving gratification at the same time.
He grabbed her hips, moving her body against him. Rurik moaned, softly begging her to stop before he exploded in her mouth. Ari greedily refused to let up, wanting to taste all of him. Her lips rolled faster, sucking harder.
“Ari,” he growled, pushing her hips up and away. She fell over to the side, and he was over her before she could catch her breath. His tight body pressed her into the soft mattress.
Spreading her legs, he brought his cock to the apex of her thighs, nudging her open wider with his hips. Rurik closed his eyes and groaned as he thrust forward, burying his cock deep inside her in one confident push. She cried out at the tight fit, the sound joined by his muffled groans.
Rurik smoothed his face between her breasts, massaging both mounds enthusiastically as he began to rock back and forth inside her. He played with her nipples as if fascinated by them, rubbing at the hard peaks only to take them deep into his sucking mouth.
Ari drew her legs up along his sides, allowing for deeper thrusts. It felt good, the way he moved his hips, working them along hers, thrusting within her as he continued to drown her breasts in kisses.
Rurik pulled back, leaning up on his hands as the pace quickened. He kept moving, hooking his arms beneath her legs to pull them over his shoulders. Closing his eyes tight, it was as if he was savoring each stroke of their flesh.
The man definitely knew how to move, and each rhythmic push was punctuated by the graceful flap of his wings as he propelled himself forward.
“Yea, oh, yea,” she moaned, arching up into him for more. “Just like that. Yea. Yea!”
Ari tensed, her body building into a climax. He didn’t stop thrusting as he reached for the pearl hidden in her slick folds. Her body jerked, tensing on its own accord as she was taken over by the force of her release. Rurik’s fingers continued to stimulate her, even as her clit became so sensitive she thought she’d explode if he kept touching her there.
He slowed his pace, and she came down for the briefest of seconds, before he was building her right back up again. It hit her hard, just as good as the first. She tensed, crying out his name in pure ecstasy. “Rurik!”
Suddenly, he grunted, stiffening as he came deep inside her. Ari’s body went numb, and her limbs fell to the side. Rurik fell next to her, breathing as heavily as she. Her heart hammered in her chest. Weakly, she wrapped her arms around him, holding him close, liking the feel of his body next to hers. He was safe, and she felt small and protected next to her commander mate.
“I can’t feel my body,” she whispered.
Rurik chuckled in manly satisfaction, running his hand lightly over her hip. As the back of his fingers glanced near her sex, she jerked in sensitivity. “It feels just fine to me, my queen.”
“Mm,” she moaned. Even now her body tried to stir him to passion. “Are you going to regret living here at the palace, away from the battlefield?”
“I like the freedom of fighting,” he admitted, “but I love you, Ari. Wherever you are, that is my place.”
“But what if you come to regret palace life?”
“Then you’ll have to make sure it stays interesting.” He kissed her shoulder, as he rested his hand against the mound of her sex. Lightly, he wiggled his fingers, tapping them against her slit.
“I’m sure I can come up with something,” she teased, mimicking his movements by moving her hand to rest along his inner thigh, right below his shaft. “I know the decision is officially mine, but I’d like to defer the placement of your men to you. I’d like for you to pick your successor.”
His eyes met hers and he looked so proud she couldn’t help but kiss him.
“Thank you,” he said, nodding once.
“There is something I want you to do since we’re on the subject of soldiers,” Ari said.
“What’s that?”
“My cousin. I’d like for her to join the Fifth.”
“Her?” Rurik repeated in obvious surprise.
“Vara, my cousin,” Ari said.
“A woman in the Fifth? It hasn’t been done in a long time.”
“So? It’s been a while since a pure blood has been on the throne. I think it’s time we shook this planet up.” Ari smiled.
“When you look at me like that, how can I refuse? It’ll be my last standing order with the men. Vara will get her chance, but she’ll have to prove herself just like any other soldier.”
Ari nodded in pleasure. “Oh, she will. I’ve seen her fight.”
“Now, enough talk of battles, unless you’d like to discuss this soldier right here.” Rurik grabbed her hand and slid it up his thigh to his shaft. He kept his hand around hers, moving it up and down over the growing length. It hardened in her hand, and he groaned in satisfaction.
“So many wasted years,” she mused. “If only we hadn’t been so stubborn. We might have come together sooner.”
Rurik rolled onto his back, lifting her so she sat on his stomach. He rubbed her thighs. “Nothing could come of us before. I think fate knew that.”
“Why’s that? Why would fate deny us the last years?”
“I had to make myself worthy to be your king, and you had to prove to yourself and your people that you could rule. If we had gotten together back then, it would’ve made these long years harder to bear. Carrying the faint hope that we might someday be was hard enough. If I’d have known you’d be mine, I would have died from the agony of waiting.”
She smiled as she leaned over to kiss him. “For a soldier, you’ve got a most romantic view of things. I like it.”
“For a queen, you’ve got…” He stopped, grinning.
“What?” she laughed. “Can’t think of anything?”
“…the most amazing breasts I’ve ever seen,” he finished, pulling her forward so his face was buried between the large mounds. Taking them in hand, he smothered his face. “Mm, I murphm memm. I murphm mu oo.”
Ari laughed, understanding him perfectly. “I love you, too, Rurik. I love you, too.”
The End
About the Author
New York Times and USA Today Bestseller
Michelle loves to travel and try new things, whether it's a paranormal investigation of an old Vaudeville Theatre or climbing Mayan temples in Belize. She's addicted to movies and used to drive her mother crazy while quoting random scenes with her brother. Though it has yet to happen, her dream is to be in a horror movie as 1. A zombie or 2. The expendable screaming chick who gets it in the beginning credits. But for the most part she can be found writing in her office with a cup of coffee in pajama pants.
Michelle Online
She loves to hear from readers. They can contact her through her website.
Website: http://michellepillow.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorMichellePillow
Twitter: @MichellePillow
Newsletter: http://michellepillow.com/newslettersignup/
To join Michelle’s Facebook Reader Group: The Pillow Fighters, please visit
https://www.facebook.com/groups/MichellePillowFanClub/
Complimentary Material
The following material is free of charge. It will never affect the price of your book.
To be informed about new releases, preorders and sales, join the newsletter: http://michellepillow.com/newslettersignup/
The Playful Prince
By Michelle M. Pillow
The Playful Prince
Lords of the Var Series
Bestselling Shape-shifter Romance
To play…
Prince Quinn, royal Ambassador, isn't looking for a serious relationship. In fact, he's never even considered it. Hopping from lover to lover, he's content to enjoy himself, never taking anything but his work seriously. However, when Dr. Tori Elliot is sent to the palace to test for biological weapons, he can't seem to stay away from her.
Or not to play…
To
ri Elliot has just finished her last assignment and is on her way to a much needed vacation. But when the Human Intelligence Agency stops her ship and demands she heads up a team on some remote planet, she knows it in her best interest not to refuse. Ever serious, she knows she's there to do a job and no matter what, she's going to act like a professional.
Meeting Prince Quinn, his body pressed against another woman in the palace halls, she knows he's not the man for her. Too bad he's the Ambassador and too sexy for his own good. Fighting her desire, Tori must try to do her job while not succumbing to the playful Var prince.
The Playful Prince Excerpt
His sudden movement caught her attention and she realized he stepped toward her. He lifted his hand, as if to touch her. Tori flinched and took a step back.
“Sir,” Tori stammered. “I mean, my ... ah?”
“Quinn,” he supplied with a rakish smile.
“Yes, my Quinn... wait, no.” She took another step back as he moved aggressively forward. The look on his face made her heart flutter in excitement.
“Your Quinn?” he mused in a low tone that sent chills over her spine. “You wish for me to be your Quinn?”
“Stop!” she demanded holding out her hand. He paused in his quest to get to her and grinned, waiting. Tori swallowed, nervous and distracted. “Prince Quinn. I am Dr. Elliot with ESC ... well, actually the HIA, well, not really, technically with HIA or ESC except—”
Was she babbling? Tori was pretty sure it sounded like she was babbling. Scientists didn’t babble. It wasn’t appropriate. Her scowl deepened. Oh, why was he continuing to look at her like that?
“Well, Dr. Elliot not technically with the HIA or ESC,” Quinn said, lowering his jaw as he leaned forward. “I’m H O R N Y and you’re extremely pretty.”
Falcon’s Mate: A Bird-Shifter Novella (Seize the Hunter Book 1) Page 6
