The Lion's Castle (The Lion Princes Book 1)

by Chase, Leslie

  Anna laughed, though it sounded like it came more from stress than humor.

  "Jealous, Vicky?"

  "Of you being with a lion, Anna? Of course not." Victoria looked genuinely horrified by the suggestion. "But I'm going to do my best to be happy for you, anyway. Now how do we get you out of here safely?"

  Roman still wasn't sure whether to trust her, not after the ambush she'd led him into. Things had changed a lot in the minutes since then, but she was still the woman who'd been willing to shoot him in the back. Of course, that was to save Anna, he reminded himself. That made things a lot better — Roman could forgive nearly anything that was done for Anna's sake.

  "We can fight our way out if we have to," he said, looking Victoria in the eyes. He might be weak from the battle, but he wouldn't let Anna down. A few more rebels wouldn't stop him if he needed to fight. "And my security team is going to run out of patience eventually. I told them to hold off, but if I don't come out, they will come in after me. I don't want it to come to that, and neither do you. Enough people have died for my uncle's ambitions, and your father's men didn't even know what they were fighting for."

  He nodded at the corpse of his uncle, and Victoria followed his gaze. After a moment, she nodded unhappy agreement. "We were all kept in the dark," she said.

  "We don't need to be enemies," Roman continued. "Go upstairs and convince the rest of the rebels to lay down their arms and surrender, and I promise that will be the end of it. They were tricked, just like you."

  Anna slid her arm around him, slipping under his injured arm and holding him tight. Victoria looked at the two of them, looked at the door, and then nodded with a slow sigh.

  "No need for more violence," she said, "not tonight. But there are still issues we need to discuss. There's a lot wrong with this country and its monarchy."

  I can't argue with that, not when I've just had to kill a member of my family for trying to murder his way onto the throne, Roman thought, nodding wearily.

  "We will," Roman promised. "You'll get a chance to talk over your grievances — but that's for another day. I think we all want this to be over."

  They locked gazes for a moment, and Roman could see the anger in her, locked away under cold control. But there was a sincerity, too, and when she turned to the door, he knew that she was going to keep her word. Good, there's been enough fighting tonight, he thought. Right now, the only thing that matters is getting Anna home.

  22

  Anna watched the towers of Lionhead Castle rise in front of them, leaning against Roman's arm as his guards drove them back. Back home, he'd said. She wasn't sure if she quite believed this was her home yet, not deep down. Living in a castle was such a strange thought.

  On the other hand, wherever my Roman lives feels like home, she thought with a smile. The horrors of the last few days fell away behind them as they left the city for the mountain road.

  In the aftermath of the rescue, the guards tried to keep them separated, until Roman's shouting had forced them to let her go to his side. But no amount of shouting had let him get out of the paperwork — someone had to sort out what had happened with the police.

  On the one hand it was frustrating, but on the other hand she'd seen first-hand how dedicated he was to keeping his promises. It hadn't been easy to convince the police to let Victoria go, and eventually he'd had to pull rank as prince and heir apparent to the king. The guards had insisted that she was a threat, but Roman glared at them until they relented and released her. The men who'd surrendered with her went free, too. Victoria had taken charge of them and promised to make sure they didn't cause any trouble, and Anna trusted her sister to keep them in line.

  Anna's father would need time in the secure wing of the hospital, though. The wounds Roman inflicted on him were deep, and the trauma he'd suffered was enough to leave him in shock. Despite everything that had happened between them, Anna hoped that he'd recover. He was still her father, after all, and while he'd have to pay for his crimes she didn't want to see him suffer more than he had to. Roman assured her that her father would get the best possible care, and glared at the guards hard enough to make sure they knew he meant business.

  Only once his promises were kept did he let himself relax and take Anna back to the mountain fortress he called home.

  Lionhead Castle looked beautiful as they approached, tall towers rising above the mountain peaks and flags flapping in the wind. Maybe I could get used to living here, Anna thought. She smiled to herself. I think I could get used to anything, as long as I'm with Roman. The great gates of the castle opened as they approached, and the driver pulled into the courtyard. It was almost painful to let go of his arm for long enough to get out of the car — after what their last parting had led to, Anna didn't want to leave his side ever again.

  Roman seemed to feel the same way, and as soon as they were standing he swept her up into his arms.

  "Hey, I can walk, you know," she protested. "You're the one who got hurt back there."

  He just laughed. The paramedics had looked at his injuries and been confused but relieved — the wounds Augustus inflicted on him had closed almost at once, his shifter body healing itself faster than they could treat him.

  "I know," he said, carrying her into the castle proper, speeding up as he went. By the time they reached a staircase he was running, holding her tight against him. "But this way I get to hold you, and we get to my rooms quicker. I am not feeling like a patient man right now."

  She couldn't argue with that, and his speed was breathtaking. Exhilarating, even. She threw her arms around his neck and clung on for dear life as he rushed through the hallways and up a staircase.

  His body pressed against her, the t-shirt he'd borrowed from a guard thin enough that she could feel his heartbeat through it, almost as if they were skin to skin. The thought of that made her blush and hold him closer, tighter.

  Going through hell apart had left them both needing each other, and she could feel his desire. His longing. It was felt as strong as hers, as though they were two sides of the same coin.

  He pushed open a door and carried her into a room, big even by the standards of the castle. The vast space was dominated by a gigantic bed, a luxurious four poster that looked bigger than some apartments she'd lived in. Her face heated as she looked at it, and she buried her face in the hollow of his neck again.

  So much had happened since they'd been together in the chalet by the lake, so much had changed. But the most important things had only become clearer — she was Roman's mate, they belonged together, and everything else, Anna realized, was just details. Roman slowed, carrying her to the bed and lowering her onto it gently.

  "My love," he said, his voice husky. "I want you."

  Her breath caught as she looked up at him. He might be battered from the fight, but that only made him look better — what could be sexier than the warrior who had gone through hell to rescue her? He towered over her, his eyes alight with love and desire, his blond mane mussed and his smile, finally, happy.

  I could get used to seeing that smile, she thought, reaching up to him. It sent a shiver of delight through her. Taking her hand, Roman bent to kiss it, the touch of his lips making her gasp. It was as though they set a fire burning through her, consuming her.

  "Do you really want me, Roman? Even knowing who I am? Who my family is?" She had to ask. It was hard to believe that he would forgive her, even now.

  His smile widened, and he laughed softly, looking her in the eyes.

  "I have never wanted anything more," he told her. "I couldn't. If you will have me, even knowing who and what I am?"

  There was a vulnerability to him as he asked, and Anna could feel the sincerity of the question. Perhaps he was finding it as hard to believe as she was. Can the rebel and the prince be mates?

  "Roman," she said, and just the shape of his name in her mouth felt good. Good enough that she would never tire of saying it. "Roman, you walked into a trap to save my life. You knew it might
mean your death, and you came anyway. And that's just the latest wonderful thing you've done for me. I don't deserve you!"

  "Anna," he answered, pulling her hand to his chest and letting her feel the strength of his heartbeat. "You risked everything you've known for me, you put yourself between me and a loaded gun. I couldn't wish for a braver mate, and you deserve every happiness I can give you."

  They looked at each other for a moment, and then Anna giggled and blushed, looking away.

  "What is it?" Roman asked, sounding amused at her shyness.

  "Every happiness?" she said, biting her lip, embarrassed. "Are you sure? Because there's something you could give me right now..."

  She felt Roman's chuckle, his chest vibrating deeply, the feeling carrying down her arm. A vast happy amusement. Glancing up into his eyes, he looked as happy as she could imagine. As happy as she wanted to keep him the rest of his life, and hers.

  "There's nothing I'd like more," he said, voice husky and full of desire for her. "As I'm sure you've guessed."

  He pulled off the borrowed t-shirt, flinging it aside, and pulled her hand back to his bare chest. The feel of his skin under her fingers sent a tingle through her, and Anna reached out with her other hand to caress him. Roman stood still, letting her enjoy him, and she savored the moment. As powerful as her need for him was, there was no urgency to it, no rush. They could afford to take their time, and she wanted this to be perfect.

  Roman stroked his hands down her arms, his nails pressing into her skin and sending delicious shivers through her. Up her arms and then over her shoulders, making her regret that she was wearing a top as his touch was interrupted.

  Running her own hands down his chest and across his abs, she marveled at how well he'd healed. After the fight there had been gashes on his body deep enough that she'd worried about them, but he hadn't been concerned. Now she could see why — they had already closed, and though red marks remained, they were healing fast. As she traced them with her fingertips, she shivered, remembering how close Augustus had come to taking her man away from her.

  Never again, she thought as his fingers traced up her neck, into her hair. She bit her lip, moaning softly at the sensations he awoke in her. We'll never let anything do that to us again.

  It was only then that she realized she was thinking of them as a unit, indivisible. The thought seemed so natural she hadn't noticed it, but now that she did, she liked it.

  Her fingers finally reached Roman's waist, and she unbuttoned his pants, looking him in the eye. His smile widened even further, and Anna found herself giggling again, embarrassed and happy.

  The pants slid down easily, underwear coming with them, and he stepped out of them to stand naked before her. Freed, his erection stood hard and proud, and Anna found herself licking her lips at the sight of it. Every time she saw him naked, the sheer size of him was a surprise. She didn't know if, in time, she'd get used to that. She looked forward to finding out.

  His eyes twinkled as he lowered his hands, taking hold of her top and pulling it off her. With a casual grace, he unfastened her bra as well, and it joined the pile of discarded clothing at the foot of the bed.

  "You're so beautiful," he breathed, "my perfect mate."

  She laughed happily, lying back and letting him look at her. Letting him enjoy her as she enjoyed looking at him. What would normally be embarrassing was instead intensely enjoyable, and she felt her body respond to his gaze as he slowly, carefully, looked her up and down. She hadn't realized that she could want him more, but her body ached for his touch with a new intensity.

  It was as though he was memorizing her, as though he didn't want to miss a single detail of her. Of this moment. She could empathize; she looked at him the same way. Her gaze traveled down his body from his gorgeous, strong face, framed by his golden mane of hair. Across his broad chest, marked and bruised from saving her, down over his perfectly defined abs. To his proud manhood, which twitched at her look, as though it was drawn magnetically to her.

  "My gorgeous man," she whispered back. "My prince."

  His hands found her skirt and undid it, pulling it off, casting it aside. Anna arched her back, offering herself to him, and he was there on the bed with her instantly. His body pressed against hers, his hands stroked her legs, and she groaned in happy desperation, needing him more than anything.

  Roman's lips met hers, his tongue pressing into her mouth, playing against hers and making her shudder as his hand made its way up slowly between her legs, teasing across her panties, making her pussy ache even more. She shuddered, pulling him to her, and he broke the kiss with a pleased laugh.

  "I need you," Anna said. "I need you in me, Roman. Take me. Mate me!"

  With one swift movement he tore her panties from her, making her gasp. He laughed again, a joyful sound that filled the room. "How could I refuse you, my beloved?"

  Part of her wanted to snap at him for that, for making fun of her. She settled for a glare which dissolved into laughter at his mock-hurt expression. Roman slipped between her legs, and all laughter stopped. His body pressed to hers, and she could feel the iron hardness of him against her pussy, waiting. Her body was ready for him, eager and wet and aching, and her breath quickened with anticipation as he paused there.

  "I mean it, my love," he said, and there was not a hint of mockery in his voice or face. "I will never refuse you anything. You are my heart, my soul, and my mate."

  With that last word, he thrust. Slow, gentle, but unstoppable, he slid home into her, and Anna cried out with joy as he filled her. It felt perfect, the answer to her prayers, and she wrapped her arms and legs around him, holding him close and pulling him into her.

  They moved together as one, rocking and gasping. A slow rhythm built between them as Roman pulled back and thrust home again, each time a little harder, a little deeper, each time sending a jolt of joy shooting through Anna and making her gasp.

  Arms wrapped around him, Anna felt her fingers tense as he rode her towards ecstasy. Her nails dug into his skin, and she heard him hiss, his teeth nipping at her neck. That drove her wild, a lightning bolt of pleasure firing through her, and she cried out. The sounds of their pleasure filled the air.

  It didn't take Roman long to push her to the brink, and he held her there expertly, knowing her body perfectly. Lifting his head, he looked down into her eyes, and Anna saw the concentration on his face, the effort he made to control himself. His eyes were alight with joy, and as she looked into them she realized that they were the eyes of a lion. They didn't look out of place on her beloved's face.

  "Did you mean it?" he panted the words. "Do you truly want to be my mate?"

  "Yes," she gasped back, feeling him swell inside her. His face blossomed into the most beautiful smile, and he growled happily as his thrusts sped up. "Oh yes, Roman, yes. Mate me!"

  Her words urged him onward and they rocked together, their bodies seeming to merge until Anna couldn't tell where she ended and he began. They were one, one body, heart, and soul. And with that realization, jolts of pleasure shot through her, intensifying.

  Roman roared above her, his body arching as she tightened around him, and with one final powerful thrust, he sent her over the edge. White light exploded through her, setting her nerves on fire with pleasure, and her body shook as she lost herself in the sensation of him. The perfect moment of his love.

  * * *

  Roman gasped, feeling his mate — his mate! What a wonderful thought — tense around him. His lion was close to the surface as they moved together. Their bodies fit together perfectly. Almost as though we're made for each other.

  The thought would normally have made him smile, but it wasn't possible for his happy grin to get any wider. Feeling her under him, around him, feeling her heart next to his and her soul joining him, he couldn't be happier. Her fingers dug into his back as she lost herself in pleasure, and there was no way he could have controlled himself, even if he'd wanted to.

  There was no need to, now. Ann
a's body urged him along and he came with her. Her body convulsed under him, squeezing him hard, and he was lost, the blinding pleasure overwhelming him. It was like nothing he could have imagined, more perfect than any experience he'd ever had, even with her. He lost his sense of space, of time, of self even, merging with her in a moment that felt like centuries. There was no distance between them, no difference - they were mates, and would never be parted.

  It felt so strange, and yet so right. So perfect. Anna was his and he was hers, and that was how the universe worked.

  If someone had told him that the purpose of the universe was to bring them together in this moment, he'd have had a hard time doubting them.

  However long the moment lasted, they came out of it eventually, sighing with joy and hugging Anna tight. She whimpered, and he saw the tears on her cheeks.

  "What's wrong?" he asked, wiping them away with a thumb.

  "Nothing," she said, smiling past the tears. "Nothing at all! That was just... wow. Overwhelming."

  Leaning over her, he grinned and kissed her forehead. "You'd better get used to it, darling. I expect we'll be doing that a lot."

  She laughed at that, a happy sound that made his heart swell. Making his beloved happy was going to be the focus of his life from now on, and the more often he could hear that sound the better.

  Rolling onto his back, he pulled her to him, feeling her snuggle into him. They fit together perfectly, as though their bodies had been made to go together. In a sense they had — she was the woman fate had made him for, and he the man she'd been destined for. Smiling up at the ceiling above, Roman shook his head. There'd been so many difficulties along the way, some moments where it had seemed impossible, but fate knew best.

  "What are we going to do now?" Anna asked, voice dreamy and happy. Her hand stroked across his chest, and Roman purred.

  "I don't know exactly, my love," he said, thinking about his answer. He hadn't been thinking much about the future, not beyond making sure his mate was safe and they were going to be together. That had pushed all his longer term plans aside. Besides, a lot had changed. "I want to help my country, bring us up to speed with the modern world, and I've got more than a few ideas about how to do that. I'm sure you'll have a few, as well. But what exactly we can do will depend on what the Well of Fate has to say about our future."