The Fallen Queen: (Gods & Monsters Book 2) (The Gods & Monsters Trilogy)

by Janie Marie

  Finally, he nodded. “Yes, princess, I love your mommy. She is my heart, the reason I live and breathe.”

  His relief at seeing Natalie smile widely had his heart rate speeding up.

  “Tell her, then,” she said. “It will make her smile.”

  His heart sank. “Princess, I have told her. It’s not that simple.”

  Natalie pouted her lips and then huffed. “Tell her again.”

  “Now,” Nathan said. “Now.”

  David closed his eyes, praying for a miracle before opening them. “Nathan, what do you mean?”

  “Now,” was all the little boy said.

  For a few seconds, David watched Jane. She did not seem aware of the conversation they were having, but he knew Jason was. It seemed that he had figured out what was going on with the way his eyes narrowed on David.

  “We want Mommy happy,” Natalie said quietly.

  David didn’t pull his eyes from Jason. “I want her to be happy, too.”

  “David and Mommy happy,” Nathan said.

  The feeling of approval from these little children made his chest warm.

  Natalie looked at her mom and then at David, who was staring down Jason. David could see her watching him in the corner of his eye, but he waited to see if she would say anything else.

  She did. “We want you to make her happy. Daddy hurt Mommy a lot. She doesn’t think we know, but we hear when she cries. Daddy used to yell at her because she was sad, but he just ignores her now.” She took a deep breath. “We want you to love her . . . Like Daddy was supposed to.”

  Slowly, David turned to the twins. “You’re okay with me loving Mommy?”

  Nathan was already nodding, and Natalie smiled sadly. “We’re okay.”

  That was what David needed. “Stay here. I will go see if I can bring Mommy back to us.”

  They nodded eagerly, and he kissed each of their heads before jumping to his feet.

  He heard Jason attempt to stand up, but Gawain was shutting him down. “Let it go, Jason.”

  David didn’t stop; he didn’t even acknowledge them. Nothing was going to stop him from doing this now. When he stood in front of her, he took a deep breath. She wasn’t looking at him or reacting, but he didn’t let that deter him.

  He grabbed Jane’s hand. She jerked and looked at him, but he smiled and pulled her to her feet. Nothing mattered now, just her. He slid his fingers across her chilled cheek, saddened that she no longer held her unique warmth, but he grinned when a serene smile spread across her lips.

  “David,” she whispered, as though she was finally accepting he was real.

  He didn’t say anything and placed one hand on her waist. She looked into his eyes, and he tugged her so their bodies were touching. Her hands went to his chest, and she looked at him, but still not like his Jane. He was going to change that right now.

  Still holding her side, he moved his hand to the small of her back, and with his other hand, he tilted her face up. For a few seconds, he studied her face before he looked back into her eyes. Those eyes had been his salvation, his dreams, his future.

  A faint glimmer of gold shone in both eyes, and he smiled. “Enough of this, baby.” Before she could respond, he pressed his lips against hers.

  She tensed in his hold, but almost immediately she relaxed and gripped his shoulders. Then her sweet lips responded, pressing against his.

  David’s heart pounded, and he gripped her tighter as he kissed her harder. She tightened her hands on his shoulders as well, and he slid his hand into her hair. David nipped her bottom lip, tugging her hair to tilt her face up more. When she was how he wanted her, he pushed her mouth open, and Jane was right there, her tongue meeting his, kissing him just as fiercely as he was her.

  They both let out pleased sounds as Jane pulled him down more. He smiled against her mouth briefly, knowing she was on the tips of her toes already.

  So, not pulling his mouth from hers, he hoisted her up and slid his forearm under her ass. She didn’t let him go either. With one arm around his neck and one in his hair, she held him as though she never wanted to let him go.

  David made sure his kiss could never be replaced with another’s. He kissed her until he knew she needed to breathe, but he didn’t pull back. He rubbed his lips over hers as they caught their breaths and smiled when her lips curved upward.

  “There you are, my love,” he whispered, kissing her softly. She tasted like berries, and he was going to taste them every single day until he died.

  Knowing they had to stop, he leaned away, grinning when her dreamy smile greeted him. Her eyes were closed, but she had never looked so peaceful than she did right then.

  “Open your eyes, baby. I’m here.”

  Those eyes that had been dull or pained all week were now open, and they burned brightly with golden fire. David leaned down to capture her lips one more time, but he kept it brief.

  He was proud. He’d put this happiness on her face. He did make her happy, and that was the best feeling he could ask for. There was something serious to discuss, though. “Jane,” he said, watching her smile falter. “Don’t be sad . . . I just want to make something clear.”

  “Okay,” she said softly.

  “You’re mine now,” he said, watching her carefully. “Do you understand me, baby? No more back and forth. If you accept me, you accept us without any doubts.”

  Jane stared up at him with an alarmed look on her face. He knew she was aware of everyone watching them now, which meant she knew her kids and Jason were watching.

  He shook his head at her and pecked her lips. “Don’t worry about them. This is about us . . . I love you. Only you. It’s always been you.”

  “But you said not now,” she whispered, her eyes still wide and her grip tightening on him.

  “I know what I said before. But I’ve talked to two very persuasive five-year-olds, and they made me realize I’m only hurting you by staying back.” He moved his hand to cradle her cheek. “I’ll never hurt you again. If you want us, like I think you do, say that you’re mine right now.”

  When she continued looking between his eyes, he brought his face closer, touching her nose with his. “Will you be mine, Jane?”

  He waited before he moved any closer and watched her eyes dart between his. He knew she was scared. There was still so much going on, so much ahead of them, and so much after her. She had a long road of recovery ahead of her, but he was going to be there to help her through all of it.

  “I will,” she answered, her voice cracking, but her smile bright and happy. “I’m yours, David.”

  Smiling, he pulled her lips to his, kissing her long and hard. “I love you,” he said, smiling as he kept placing small kisses on her swollen lips.

  She nodded, one of her tears coating his thumb.

  “It’s okay now,” he said softly. “We will work through everything together.”

  She gave him a slight nod of acknowledgement and pressed her own kiss to his lips.

  He sighed and kissed her back, his chest rumbling upon feeling her trying to pull him closer. He knew they needed to stop, though.

  She whimpered again when he stopped, so he kissed her two more times and chuckled as he leaned away.

  “By the way, Jane,” he said with a smile. “You’re it.”

  “Wha—”

  He chuckled and pecked her lips once more before setting her on her feet and darting toward the twins.

  “I tagged Mommy. She’s it. Run!” he shouted, and Natalie took off screaming, Gawain laughing when she ran in his direction.

  Nathan didn’t run. Instead, he held out his arms for David, and he quickly snatched up the little boy before running him to the wooden play-set. He put Nathan up in the tower and turned to see Jane standing there. She blinked a few times and looked over, pausing when Gawain yelped, shouting, “She spotted us, Natalie! Run that way!” Then his friend and the little girl ran to a set of sofas where Arthur and Guinevere sat.

  “Baby,” Davi
d said after motioning for Nathan to hide in the corner of the tower.

  Jane slowly looked over at him. “What’s happening?”

  He chuckled and curled his finger. “Come get us, baby. I’ll show you what’s happening.”

  She looked around one more time before returning her gaze to him, and she smiled.

  “There’s my brave girl. Come play, baby.”

  And she did.

  Jane smiled as she watched David carefully close the door to Gawain’s spare bedroom. That was where her kids had been staying, and she was witnessing, truly witnessing, how much David had become a part of their routine.

  After their day of playing with them, David sneaking in a kiss when they weren’t looking, he’d instructed them it was time for bed. They had jumped up and followed Gawain out of the playroom without any protest. She’d missed all of this. David, the knights, and their wives had smoothly transitioned into a sort of extended family to her babies. And David, he was the best. After they’d marched through the halls to Gawain’s quarters, Jane had watched David take charge of everything.

  He made sure they were bathed, their teeth were brushed, and he even told them a bedtime story about one of his battles in which he and Gawain saved some princess.

  “Are you always going to have that dreamy smile on your beautiful face, baby?”

  She smiled wider and looked up at him. “I just didn’t realize how much you do with them.”

  David placed his hands on her waist. “I enjoy being around them. They make me feel closer to you, and I know you want nothing more than to have them happy and loved. If I can be a part of that happiness, and know it helps make your day easier, I am a happy man.”

  “Thank you, David.”

  He grinned, and she held her breath as he leaned down. “You’re welcome, my love.” With those words whispered between them, he took his twentieth kiss of the day.

  Jane sighed, holding the sides of his face to keep him close as she kissed him back. Always so hot. Always perfect. He was the fire that consumed her without destroying her.

  David took hold of her hands and began to lead her out of Gawain’s suite.

  Ragnelle met them at the door and bowed her head to David. “Arthur asked me to inform you that he and the others are training, and they will be holding a briefing on the upcoming mission. However, he would like you and Jane to spend a quiet evening together. Tomorrow the three of you can go over the details.” She smiled at Jane. “The rest of the men were informed of the news, and they look forward to congratulating you both tomorrow evening.”

  David lifted Jane’s hand and kissed the back of it as he responded to Gawain’s wife. “Thank you, Elle . . . Are you sure you do not mind watching them?”

  “Not at all,” said Ragnelle. “I enjoy caring for them.”

  “Well, let us know if they are any trouble,” David said.

  “Of course.” Ragnelle bowed her head again. “Sir David.”

  “Good night, Elle.” David pushed the door open. “Come on, baby.”

  “Thank you for watching them,” Jane told Ragnelle before David could pull her out of the room.

  “You are very welcome, Jane. Have a pleasant first night as true Others.”

  David chuckled as Jane’s face grew hot, and he tugged her close. “We will. Thank you.”

  “David,” Jane whispered after she heard the door shut.

  “Hm?”

  “This is all really happening?”

  He paused and looked down at her. “Yes, Jane.”

  She nodded, looking away from him. “I’ve just had dreams of similar things happening with you and me, but I always woke from them.”

  David turned and suddenly lifted her. “Put your legs around me, Jane.”

  She followed his command and rested her hands on his shoulders as he got a better hold on her. “You’ve done this in my dreams before.”

  He smirked, gripping her thigh before sliding his hand under her butt. “This as well?” He squeezed her ass.

  “Especially that,” she whispered as she reached out to touch his cheek.

  “Hm . . .” His eyes flashed to a pale blue color. “The creek?”

  Jane gasped and tried to shake her head, but he grinned and started carrying her in the direction of his wing.

  “I have wondered about that.” He lowered his face to the hollow of her neck. “You said it was a very good dream, I recall.”

  She wrapped her arms around his neck, sighing when he pressed his lips against her skin. “It was a wonderful dream.”

  “I promise, Jane, no dream compares to the real thing.”

  “Show me,” she breathed, tightening her fingers in his hair.

  He lifted his head and kissed her softly. “Not tonight, my love.”

  Jane turned her head to the side as a slight pang resonated within her chest. David said nothing else as he carried her to his room. She didn’t know what to think. Everything had been perfect since he asked her to be his earlier; it didn’t feel real. Maybe she wasn’t awake.

  “Whatever you are thinking about, it is probably false,” David said as he placed her on his bed. He loomed over her, but his touch was gentle as he held her cheek. “Stay here. I need to shower.”

  She stared at his back as he walked away. The sound of the water running reached her ears in no time.

  Jane sighed and took off her shoes. There was no point facing him if she was going to wake up and have none of today be true. Maybe that was why it seemed so perfect.

  “Take off your shirt and pants.”

  Startled by David’s voice, and what he’d said, Jane looked toward the bathroom. There he stood wearing only his boxer briefs, with all his delicious muscles on display.

  “What—why?” she asked, frozen in place.

  He walked to her and took the shoe from her hand. “We’re taking a bath. Together. Leave your undergarments on, but take off your shirt and pants.”

  Her eyes darted toward the bathroom as her pulse suddenly thrummed dangerously fast in her ears.

  “Jane,” he said, taking her face in his hands. “I will be with you.”

  “I don’t want to bathe.” Her voice cracked.

  He leaned down and kissed her forehead. “I’m going to help you undress. Just relax. I’ve seen you before, and I have always been in awe of what I see.”

  Her eyes pricked, but she stayed still. She was embarrassed to let him see her, but she was more afraid to go into the bathroom; she hadn’t stopped seeing horrible things whenever they’d forced her into one over the past week.

  David carefully pulled her shirt off before lifting her enough that he could push her jeans down. “I know you fear the bathroom more than ever.”

  “You do?” she asked as he lifted her into his arms.

  He carried her to his bath suite. “I do. That’s why we’re going to make a good memory in here.”

  Jane looked at him, her eyes wide as she searched his handsome face. “How?”

  David nodded to the full tub. “It’s not a creek, but I figured since whatever naughty dream you had was likely too much for now, we could at least reenact part of that night.”

  “David,” she whispered as she took in he’d also lit a single candle and placed it near the tub.

  “I know it wasn’t the best of events that led us there, but it was our first swim together, our first time touching because we wanted to touch. I saw my baby in the moonlight that night . . . It remains one of my favorite sights in my long life.”

  She didn’t know what to say. She’d never thought of making happy memories where she’d experienced awful things.

  “I made it hot, but you can take it,” he said as he helped her into the tub. “Keep standing, I am going to sit behind you.”

  Jane was burning up, and it wasn’t from the hot water as she peeked over her shoulder to see David, still wearing his boxer-briefs, lowering himself into the water right behind her.

  She yelped and turned forward when
he looked her in the eye. It was hard to stand there. At least she was facing away, but she suddenly grew horrified that her butt was right in his face and tried to discreetly slide a hand to hide her backside.

  He chuckled and pushed her hand away. “Don’t hide.” He gripped her hips, and she could feel his breath on her butt cheek. “Mm . . . Sit before I do something I probably should not.”

  Her body was shaking as she situated herself between his legs.

  “How’s this?” he asked, pulling her back against his chest. He kissed the side of her neck. His kiss felt like a brand, and she had to press her lips together to keep from moaning.

  “We’ll keep making good memories in here.” He brushed his lips up her neck before kissing behind her ear. “And then one day you will only see us when you enter a bath suite. Just us.”

  David began washing her with a cloth, and Jane, she was in heaven.

  “Close your eyes, baby,” he whispered in her ear. “It’s okay if you fall asleep.”

  Jane tilted her head so she could see his eyes. “I’m afraid to.”

  He lifted one hand out of the water and held her cheek as he kissed her. “Jane, I am not a dream. I asked you to be with me this afternoon. You’re mine, and I am yours.”

  “I’m yours,” she whispered and received a longer, deeper kiss.

  “Yes, my love. Now, close your eyes. You’ve had a long day.”

  She did, and she smiled sleepily as he lowered his mouth to her ear.

  “My Jane.” He kissed her hair. “I love you.”

  “I—”

  “Don’t say it, Jane . . . Not yet.” He slid the cloth across her neck.

  “My David,” she murmured with a faint smile, “I something you.”

  Jane took in the crowd Arthur was about to address in the main hall. It was the eve of their departure, and it was time to announce their mission to Arthur’s kingdom. She and David had already been informed they were leaving to an undisclosed location to find and rescue the hounds Artemis and Hades had been searching for. Jane still wasn’t sure what the hounds were, but she was more concerned about leaving her children. It was the last thing she wanted, but she knew David was needed, and she knew leaving her behind was out of the question.