Broken Kingdom

by Stephany Wallace

  After a moment, the Dragon Lord straightened and strutted towards the altar. We followed. He stopped in the center of the cupola overhead, and as though responding to him, a light shone from above us, illuminating our bodies and engulfing us all. I lifted my gaze and found that it originated from a small opening in the mountaintop.

  “Join hands.” Avra instructed and we did, facing each other. “Today you become one. Your essences forever connected, your magic eternally intertwined.” His voice resounded around us with power, his magic swiftly falling over us.

  He pursed his lips and the next second, a white glimmering mist shot out, it whirled around us as it cooled our skins. Our bodies tingled, and our eyes glowed while the energy once again slammed over us, but this time it seeped through our pores.

  “I am Avra, Dragon Lord to this realm and all others, and with the Goddess as my witness I untie the bond once intended between Zeph and Avrielle, and transfer it to the woman who shall now be his fated.”

  Avrielle gasped at the same moment that I “felt” something leave her. An all consuming, overwhelming energy fell over us and I pulled her into my arms. Her body trembled against mine as we both experienced the true power in our bond, now free of the magic that had held Zeph to her.

  “You belong to no one but one another, you shall love no one but the other, and exist only for your bond. Avrielle’s every pain and happiness shall now be yours, and Kyr’s purpose will become your purpose. You will find strength in each other and be from now on, one in peace, one in power, one in love.”

  The light above us increased until it was almost blinding, our eyes were closed as our bodies shook from the emotions we now shared, but the light still seeped through our lids, then it disappeared. Our breaths gently calmed as our heartbeats slowed, and the humming of the magic, although dimmed, remained in our bodies. We opened our eyes and realized the glow still lingered in them. Avrielle’s glowed a soft purple and the image of her left me breathless. What I had felt for her, her scent, her bond to me was a million times stronger. I could sense her even deeper, feel her in each one of my cells and I knew that she could feel me the same.

  “You are now tied to one another as king and queen. The Goddess and I have blessed this union. No one shall ever tear it apart.” We turned towards the Dragon Lord, still holding each other, and found his eyes brimming with emotion. “Well, aren’t you going to kiss your queen?”

  I grinned and my lips crashed onto Avrielle’s. I cradled her neck as I held her to me, listening to the applause that erupted behind us. Ora and Kah had witnessed our Mating Ceremony, and I briefly thought of my brothers and how much it would have meant for them to be here.

  “They’ll be by your side, sharing your happiness, and you theirs, soon enough.” Avra assured, sensing the ache in my heart.

  I deepened the kiss, overwhelmed by the emotions and my tongue softly grazed Avrielle’s. The Dragon Lord forcefully cleared his throat and I pulled away, chuckling. Ora and Kah also laughed rejoiced, as Avrielle blushed. I kissed the tears off my queen’s cheeks, although I was certain these were of absolute happiness.

  A sting of pain suddenly reached me and my hand flew to my forehead. My eyes began to glow as Avrielle gasped. I felt the lines of my royal markings slide over my skin, forming a new pattern. Panting breaths left me as realization dawned on me, and my wild eyes went to Avra. His lips stretched into a pleased smile and he straightened to his full height. Pure pride illuminated his eyes.

  “Kneel to your new king.”

  The walls of the temple quivered with his decree, Ora, Kah and Avrielle knelt before me.

  ASH

  * * *

  I entered my apartment and threw on the floor the horde of stuff animals, and wrapped cotton candy bags that Gaby had me get for her at the fair. We had spent all day playing and enjoying the attractions. It took a while for her demeanor to change after the way she had closed off to me this morning. She was still a bit hesitant but I had used my natural charms to get her to respond to me again. I didn’t want her to be around me if that wasn’t what she wanted. Still, I was almost certain she felt what I felt. Gaby craved to be near me almost as much as I did her. I wasn’t sure why she was so intent on fighting it, but I would find a way to get her to drop her guard. To open up to me completely, even if it was the last thing I did.

  I whirled around as she closed the door behind us, and grabbed her by the waist, pressing her roughly against the wall. She gasped, as I lifted her thighs, wrapping them around my waist, and pressed my body to hers intimately. I looked into her eyes. “Is this wall good enough?” I grinned, wiggling my eyebrows, and she blinked, reality returning. She smacked my chest, mortified.

  “Will you stop? I was drunk when I told you that.” Gaby squealed, embarrassed, her cheeks flushed ruby red.

  I brushed my lips against hers—I missed kissing her, she hadn’t let me anywhere near her mouth since breakfast. “Actually, you told me that this morning. You were already lucid, remember?” I smirked, and brushed my lips against hers again.

  Gaby blinked. “Be that as it may—”

  Her words cut off as I took her glasses off and claimed her lips. I couldn’t hold back anymore, and apparently neither could she. Her arms wrapped around my neck, pulling me closer. And there it was, I knew she wanted me, although she could put on one hell of an act. The question was, why was she fighting the attraction she felt for me?

  I carefully placed her glasses on the console next to us, while our lips danced together. When our tongues touched, she moaned in my mouth once again. Damn it, she was going to kill me. I pulled away, just enough to rip my shirt off, and my lips crashed over hers again. The kiss was desperate, filled with the need I felt for her, it increased as her hands frantically roamed my chest. I pulled off her t-shirt and it fell to the floor silently, while she devoured my lips. Gaby wanted me as bad as I did her, there was no denying that, and she needed to realize it soon because I was going mad.

  Gaby’s hands traveled over my back and she whimpered, feeling my muscles contract for her under each touch. I deepened the kiss just as her hands slipped under my jeans and she cupped my ass. Fuck. I was gone. She squeezed and it was my turn to moan into her mouth. My fingers reached for the closure of her bra, swiftly opening it and throwing it to the floor, she began to unbutton my jeans. I pressed my hips to hers and she whimpered again, her nipples grazed my chest. I had already hardened for her and I wanted nothing more than to be inside her.

  She hasn’t asked you yet.

  The wrong head spoke, while she pulled my pants down.

  She spent all day avoiding your kisses, and touch… It’s easy to get carried away, but it doesn’t mean she’s ready…

  Fuck you! I was going to beat the hell out of my brain somehow. I pulled my lips from Gaby’s and tried to stare at her as our ragged breaths mixed.

  “Do you want me to make you mine, Star?” I asked, looking into her eyes.

  Sure enough, I saw clarity slowly return to her. The sensual haze disappeared as she realized what we were doing just a second ago. I set her down, knowing I had no chance even though my pants were down to my ankles, uncovering the extent of my need for her to her gaze. She looked slowly over my body and whimpered, then blinked, pushing the last of her desire away.

  “I’m sorry. I can’t,” she whispered, and I cradled her cheeks, encouraging her to look into my eyes.

  “That’s fine.” I gave her a small kiss and felt her tense under my touch.

  Damn it.

  “Maybe I shouldn’t stay here. I can call a friend and spend a few days with her,” she said, avoiding my gaze. She had lied, and I cursed myself.

  “No. I’m sorry. We just got carried away, that’s all. It won’t happen again. I swear. Your staying here is in no way contingent on you having sex with me, Gaby. That is the last thing I want you to think. We both know there is no friend you can call, or you would be there right now. And I certaintly won’t have you sleeping in your
car. I can leave you the apartment and rent a room. I don’t want to make you uncomfortable. I just want you to be safe, in here. Can we just forget about this?”

  Gaby’s eyes watered as she looked at me. She held my gaze for a few minutes and I remained silent. I knew she could see the truth in my eyes.

  “Okay,” she finally agreed and side stepped me.

  I pulled up my pants again, and picked up her shirt and bra from the floor. “Do you want me to leave?”

  “No,” she answered right away, turning to face me. She looked half scared that I would do it. What had happened to her? Taking the shirt from my hand she put it on, covering herself from my eyes. “I just… I don’t want to be left alone, please.”

  I let out a heavy breath and pulled her to me. I embraced her tightly, feeling her shrink in my arms. “Why are you closed off to me? I know we just met, but I also know you feel the same attraction I feel for you. It’s intense and inexplicable, I am aware, but it is also familiar and comfortable. I feel it now, holding you in my arms like this, and every time I kiss you. I felt it since I saw you take the stage and begin to sing. So please don’t fight it, Star.”

  “It’s not that simple.” Gaby walked out of my arms and towards the window.

  “Why? Is it because of him? The man that left you?”

  She whirled around, tears instantly gathered in her eyes. “What did I say? What did I tell you about him?”

  I shook my head, already regretting mentioning him. “Nothing. Just that he left you and that is why you were sleeping in your car.”

  She nodded, relieved. “There is nothing more to it. And I don’t know if it is because of him. I just—”

  “It’s okay. I promise.” I extended my hand to her, afraid I had pushed her away for good this time. I breathed when she accepted it and took a step towards me. I met her half way, wrapping her in my arms again. “Let’s take a bath and go down to the restaurant for dinner. We can listen to the pianist, talk, and have a nice time.”

  I lifted her chin and looked into her sparkling chartreuse eyes, she nodded. I tentatively leaned closer, stopping only an inch from her. To my delight, Gaby reached for me. Her lips closed around mine and I savored her kiss.

  “When you said Let’s take a bath, you meant me first and you later, as in separately, right?”

  I laughed. “Not particularly, no.”

  Gaby narrowed her eyes at me and wrenched the bra from my hand, walking towards the bathroom. I cupped my crotch, grimacing. Damn, that hurt.

  * * *

  “Mr. Winston!” someone called from the front desk while Gaby and I walked through the lobby. I looked over my shoulder and found a woman waving her hand.

  I held Gaby’s waist, leaning close to her ear. “I need to check something for a moment, why don’t you wait for me at the restaurant?”

  “Sure.”

  I gave her a brief peck on the lips and stared after her like an idiot, while her hips swayed towards the door. The usher opened it for her as I turned around, approaching the woman who had called me.

  “There is a recorded message for you, Mr. Winston.” I nodded grateful, moving towards the phone she indicated. “Just lift the auricular, and press your voicemail code.”

  I did, and listened as the policewoman talked about joining her for dinner at her place sometime this week. I was about to hang up when the name Lorcan reached my ear.

  “I’m sorry to inform you that it appears your friend has disappeared from the face of the Earth. I reached out to a friend that works in the department for naturalization and name changes, to check if perhaps he changed his identity throughout the years, and of course no need to worry, I will let you know if something comes up. Don’t forget to call me about that dinner. You are going to love my cooking, and I’m especially good at dessert.”

  I sighed, hanging up the phone. I normally wouldn’t have hesitated to accept that kind of offer from a beautiful woman. After all, that was the one reason I loved coming to Earth, and the policewoman was sexy as hell, but surprisingly enough, I couldn’t care less. I took a moment to think about what she had said concerning Lorcan. It didn’t make any sense. The Bloodcroix Witch wouldn’t have sent me here to find him if he wasn’t here anymore. He had to have changed his name. There was no way I had been dropped here and the Elf had returned to our realm.

  If he did, I was going to kill him.

  Chapter 7. Through Her Eyes

  ASH

  * * *

  The second I walked in, my eyes settled on the beauty that stood by the bar.

  Long, hazelnut brown strands fell softly over her back and shoulders. She looked incredibly enticing in the white fitted dress she wore. It hugged her curves deliciously, over her hips and around her thighs, reaching her knees in a sexy pencil skirt. It had a slit on the back, which gave me a glimpse of her lightly tanned skin as she adjusted her weight, shifting from one foot to the other. I walked around a table, placing myself directly across from her, allowing my eyes to continue their appraisal. The draped neckline of her dress, made me want to weep like a child. The silky material fell elegantly over her breasts, giving me a glimpse of the most alluring cleavage I had ever seen, and that was saying a lot. Those dark burgundy lips had returned, and I wanted them all over my body.

  Gaby smirked knowingly, as I walked towards her. She was enjoying every second of the torture she was putting me through. I had seen that little number between her clothes when I placed them in the closet, and I basically begged her to wear it tonight. Silver, four-inch pumps completed the outfit. Gone was the comic book loving, nerdy girl with glasses that I had spent the day with, and back was the mysterious seductress that had entranced me with one look last night.

  “How many personalities do you have?” I asked, stopping before her, my hand settled on her waist.

  Her lips curved into a full grin. “Well, I’m a woman, so… five?”

  I chuckled. “Have I told you that you look dangerously stunning tonight?” I whispered, kissing her cheek.

  “It wouldn’t hurt for you to say it again.” She winked, eyes twinkling.

  I took her hand in mine and followed the host who had just ushered us to a table. I pulled the chair out for her, and walked around to take the spot directly across. I smirked, taking her all in. “Star, you look dangerously stunning tonight.” I repeated, like a good boy.

  “Really? That’s so kind of you to say,” she grinned naughtily, looking towards the pianist while the music danced around us.

  “Good evening, may I start you off with some drinks?

  “Can we have two glasses of Armand de Brignac Brut Rose champagne, please?” I looked at Gaby, reaching for her hand. “Or would you prefer the bottle?”

  Her eyes widened. “Oh no, a glass is fine, maybe two. I don’t want a repeat of last night.”

  I chuckled and my gaze returned to the waiter. “Two glasses then.”

  “Coming right away, Mr. Winston.” He handed us the menus and frowned looking into my eyes. “Is there something different about your eyes, sir?”

  I blinked confused, until I remembered I had promised Gaby not to “wear my contacts” anymore, if she let me look at her brilliant chartreuse eyes all day long. I didn’t want her changing her eye color for anyone, it was truly gorgeous, so neither would I. My ice blue eyes were out for everyone to see. “Oh, I normally wear dark contacts.” I answered, shrugging.

  “That color favors you, sir.”

  “Thanks.” I smiled, looking at Gaby.

  “Right away, Mr. Winston,” Gaby said, mocking the waiter. “Everyone is going crazy over you. I wouldn’t be surprised if he bends over.”

  I looked at the man appreciatively and raised an eyebrow. “I guess I could give him a chance.”

  “Ash!” Her hand connected with my arm from across the small table.

  “Nah, he’s not my type.” Her lips twitched, and she narrowed her eyes at me. I loved that she got my humor. “Unfortunately for all other wom
en in the vicinity, I’m rather captivated by a certain green eyed woman that I recently met, and I can’t seem to want anything but her. She’s even managed to have me following her around like a lost puppy. Her words, not mine.”

  Gaby smirked, her gaze shifting to the waiter as he placed the flutes in front of us.

  “Thank you,” she said sweetly, and waited until he left to look at me. “Can you stop acting like you are God’s greatest gift to women?”

  “That’s their general reaction to me, yes.” I answered with a shrug, and she hit my arm again. I chuckled. “I’m not lying, women love me. They don’t hesitate to throw themselves at me.”

  “Oh, shut up!”

  I laughed, if she only knew. Taking a deep breath, I raised my glass to her. “To you, Star, and every minute that I miraculously convince you to spend with me.”

  A gorgeous deep berry hue rushed over Gaby’s cheeks, and the craving for her grew. I leaned in, reaching for her across the table and kissed her lips, then took a sip of the champagne. So did she.

  “So what exactly do you do—I mean besides being a prince—for all of these people to fawn over you like this?”

  “No one knows that I’m a prince except you. I only told you, Gaby.” She blinked, taken aback by my words. Although I sensed she was hesitant to believe me. “I know somehow you can see I’m telling the truth, but even if you can’t, I’m not going to lie to you, I promise.”

  She nodded. “So why do they treat you like they do? Like you are the most important man in the world.” Her gaze settled on mine as I leaned closer, resting my forearms on the table.