The servants had the mother and child well in hand—the afterbirth was brought to the village square. A cheer rang through the village and it was then that Myka realized the passage of time. Dawn had arrived—the full connection of the two moons had passed.
It was time to return to the palace of the High Prefect.
Chapter Eleven
Myka was exhausted, mentally and physically, when she and D’hai left the household. She breathed a sigh of relief. “That was a rough one. Thank you so much for coming with me.”
“It seemed a little long. Was there a problem?”
“Not a serious one, not with me there. But with the women of this generation, they seem to have a defect that keeps their bodies from beginning to clot after delivery. They will bleed to death if there is no Healer trained to seal the blood vessels off.”
“So Berengit…”
“May have died, may have started to heal herself. I don’t know. I am just glad that Healers have been coming here.” She leaned heavily against his arm. “How are we going to get home? I don’t have enough energy left to shift.”
“I do. When I transform, stand still until I grab you. I promise not to drop you.”
He was true to his word. He shifted into dragon form and she blinked up at him. He had seemed much smaller the first time she saw him.
I was. Your magic and mine are combining. I can draw on your resources when you are not using them. He gripped her in a clawed hand that easily surrounded her and lifted off in a smooth surge of magic.
She tried to orient herself as they flew off, but D’hai didn’t seem to be flying back to the palace. “Where are we going?”
I thought that we could revisit that pool. If we are to be wed as soon as we return to the palace, I want one night with you as the woman I first met. I will enjoy a night with you as my wife soon enough.
“Sound thinking. Fly on.” She spread her arms out and revelled in the feel of wind wrapping around her and being surrounded by the magic of the man she loved.
She was on him the instant that he transformed back into a human. She barely gave him time to summon a tent before she was flinging her blouse and skirt off. Her shoes stayed on until she was at the foot of the bed, dragging him by the open edges of his robe.
He placed his hands on her shoulders and pushed her back onto the bed.
She kicked off her shoes and lay naked under his quicksilver gaze. She flipped her hair out from under her and slowly caressed her breasts under his watchful eyes.
He kicked off his boots and let his trousers fall while he shrugged off his robe. When he was standing in front of her, naked, aroused and looking like the embodiment of wild magic, she leaned up to taste him.
On her knees in front of him, Myka cupped his balls in one hand while she moved him into her mouth with the other. The head of his cock was dripping with precum. She laved away this sign of eagerness by flicking around the tip with her tongue. She fought a smile as he groaned and mimicked that moment when they had been sharing the creme dessert. She sucked, licked, slurped and flicked at him, cataloguing his groans and grunts of pleasure in her mind as he started to tremble with tension.
“Enough.” He pushed her back and swooped down to kiss her pouting mouth. His body covered hers in a warm blanket of scent and desire. The cock that she had so recently been toying with was now nudging inside her, entering and retreating as her lubrication flowed more easily with every motion of his hard-muscled body.
When he was fully inside her, he held still until she made eye contact. Her blue gaze locked with his silver one and he began to thrust. Her hands gripped his shoulders restlessly so he simply took her hands in his and pressed them to either side of her head. This arched her breasts into his chest and she whimpered at the feel of him against her with every slow press and retreat. When she began to cry for more, he picked up his pace, slamming into her with feverish groans. Each stroke stoked a tension in her that was drawing tight enough to burst. She wanted to touch her clit to end the torture, but his grip on her hands was not releasing her.
She leaned up and bit his shoulder. He snarled, bit her back with his pointed teeth and groaned as he spurted into her with savage motions of his hips, the sound of flesh against flesh keeping time to their groans, sighs and moans. Myka shrieked her release as his final thrusts shifted him to drag across the sensitive nub that was engorged with sensations.
Her body clenched around him, startling a groan and several more thrusts from him. She held his hands tightly as her body tried to milk his again. She slowly let her arms and legs drop back to the support of the bedding.
D’hai dropped his weight onto her, licking gently at the marks he had made on her shoulder.
When she pushed at him, he moved to one side and curled her against him.
Myka was exhausted, “Do you mind if I sleep?”
“Sleep all you want, I will be here when you wake.”
With that promise murmured in her ear, she slept. One more Dremarai was in the world and it had been a good day.
Heat was licking at her core, a talented tongue was working its way into her and flicking at her clit as it withdrew. She burned with a liquid fire and when she came, fire spilled over her, him and the room they were in.
Her scream had passed through the curtains to echo on the nearby rocks and as he kept at her with his fingers and tongue, she could only whimper when her body climbed to the peak of sensation rapidly and then dove off.
Chuckling, D’hai rolled her to her stomach, placed a cushion under her hips, parted her thighs and drove into her, picking a steady pace of deep thrusts that left her mewling into the bedclothes. The shocks of her climax pulsed through her with every thrust becoming the longest personal orgasm on her record.
His body covered hers completely, draping over her back, his breath in her ear. He whispered words to her in Dremarai. Her Alliance common was nowhere near that liquid language and she didn’t know what it meant, but the instant that he finished, she felt a rush of sensation through all her nerves. Cheater. He had turned the sensations he was giving her to the max while restricting her ability to cum on her own.
She didn’t know how she knew it, but her body understood it better than she could and started to buck back against him, fighting for relief. The instant that he roared in satisfaction, she shrieked her own release, a blaze of sensation pouring through her and shooting sparks behind her eyes.
Sweat trickled into her eyes and when she felt him move. She opened her eyes to see him lying right next to her, staring at her.
“Did you just…”
“Tied our release together? Yes. It isn’t permanent, but it will make for a fun wedding night.”
Tired, she looked out the parted panels of fabric that made up their tent, “What time is it?”
“Almost sundown. I have been trying to ignore my father’s commands to come home, but I feel we must.”
“Can I bathe first?” She remembered the initially cool water and knew it would wake her.
“Of course. I will join you, or they will know what we have been up to.” The wink that he gave her was just adorable.
Myka hoisted herself on her arms, taking stock of her pleasantly sore body. “You think that anyone won’t be able to guess why we disappeared?”
“They can guess, but they won’t know. We will be the only ones sure of the activities of today.” He picked her up and set her on her feet.
Walking slightly bowlegged, she made her way to the pile of rocks, climbed about six feet up and then screamed, “Cannonball!” while making her way through the air and into the icy water.
She enjoyed being under the cold water as it rapidly woke her up. A splash nearby indicated that D’hai had joined her. She surfaced and swam to him, dunking him in play and then swimming away.
He chased her, cupping her breasts from behind and rubbing his body against her spine, then swam away. Teased and shocked, she treaded water for a moment before chasing him for an
other dunking.
They played that way until the orange of the sunlight turned red.
Myka redressed away from D’hai to stop any stray caresses. Her hair was a little tangled, but she hoped that she could just blame it on the wind.
When they arrived at the palace, the High Prefect was waiting for them, arms crossed and a scowl on his face. “Follow me—you need to change before the ceremony.”
Myka’s stomach rumbled violently and she covered it with her hand in reflex.
“You won’t be able to eat until after the ceremony, so drink some water and prepare for a long evening.” Prefect D’lon was a little irritated and Myka could bet that they were the cause.
Maids pulled her away from D’hai and she was soon swarmed under scented silks and her hair was being combed until her scalp tingled.
When she was ready, a very bemused Berengit opened the door. “I have you to thank for this?”
“For what?”
“My father insisted that my husband, son and I came to my brother’s wedding. He would never have thought of it if you hadn’t mentioned me.” Berengit may have sounded stern, but there was a smile on her face. “I knew you were good for the family the moment that I saw you.” She took a necklace off her body and clasped it around Myka’s neck.
“The necklace was my mother’s. It was supposed to go to D’hai’s bride, but my father got tired of waiting and had a courier bring it to me a year ago. I believe that it belongs with you now.”
Tears came to Myka’s eyes as she touched the necklace. “Thank you, Berengit. I don’t know what to say.”
“You have thanked me and you brought my son into the world. I believe we are even. Now, let’s go and get you married to my brother. I can hardly wait to call you sister.”
Myka straightened her shoulders and went with Berengit finally to become one with D’hai in the eyes of the Dremarai.
The court was attending, the High Prefect was officiating as Myka walked toward her lover in a gown made of blue and silver silk. His robe was a deep blue velvet, his trousers black and his boots were embroidered with silver. She practically floated to him and took the hand that he held out to her, trembling a little as she did.
The High Prefect muttered a few syllables and made a sharp gesture. A window opened next to his head and in it was the face of the Terran Representative, Amy Tyrell, Empress-Consort of the Haldis Imperium. She nodded that she was ready to witness and he began the ceremony.
“Myka Michaels, Healer of the Alliance Protectorate of Terra, first Terran phoenix, do you take D’hai Bosun, first son of the High Prefect, Master of the Elite, as your husband?”
“I do.” She was relieved she had gotten it out around the huge, nervous lump in her throat.
The High Prefect continued, asking D’hai the same question and when the answer was, “I will.” Myka started to tear up. That was it. For all intents and purposes, from that moment on, she was married.
She was married to a man who could turn into a dragon and could turn her heart to jelly with a look. He made her knees weak, made her pulse beat faster and brought her to a giddy laugh when he took her hand.
They were looking into each other’s eyes while his father spoke about the duties of marriage when D’hai got a peculiar look in his eyes. He began darting looks to his father and eventually the High Prefect sighed. “What?”
“Myka’s talents are needed in Daru.”
She laughed. “Vaskai?”
“Indeed. I do hope she got that chair back from Shastha. She was only off by two days.” He was smiling. “If you will declare us official, we will be on our way to Daru for the delivery.”
With his lips quirking in a half-smile, he stated, “You are now husband and wife, be kind to each other and to others and may you be blessed with many children.”
The courtiers echoed the sentiment and Berengit threw flower petals over them.
Myka walked to the window and looked quizzically at D’hai when he sent a servant running.
“Just a minute, my love. I will fly you, but I thought you might want to keep that gown for a sweet memory.”
The servant rushed back and handed him a smock. Myka laughed. He was adapting to life as a Healer’s husband and they had only been wed for minutes.
She walked into the garden and waited for him to shift, standing calmly as he picked her up and levitated to clear the walls. As soon as they were clear, they were off.
* * * *
The bemused courtiers could only watch as the High Prefect played with his first grandson, making cooing noises and stroking his downy hair. Berengit and Mashu stood by watching indulgently as the rift between them drew much narrower.
The Master of the Elite and his wife were out of sight, off to deliver a baby. If it survived, it would be the third this week and that was a record for their dwindling population. A new age was coming to Dremarai and it was being bourn on the hands of a Healer with an affinity for infants.
Epilogue
Myka flew into her home through the window, shrinking to fit at the last moment. She regained her human shape as she always did—remembering her husband’s touch. Her open robe flowed around her, framing her deep blue breast band and long silvery skirt. It had taken her years to earn the mark of the Elite, but she had suffered through D’lon’s instructions until she succeeded.
“I’m home!” She used magic to boost her voice. Her senses picked up on D’hai striding through the halls to her, a frantic beat right behind him.
Her beloved reached her first, bending her back into a kiss that threatened to stop her heart. She loved him more and more every day. The horde arrived after him, crowding around their parents’ embrace and jumping up and down for attention.
Three sons and two daughters had made their way into Dremarai via D’hai and Myka. She was so proud of them and the magic they would carry. She had promised D’lon that she would keep having children until one of them had her talents and she had a feeling that number six was the one they had been waiting for.
“Yes, my lovelies. Mom loves you one and all, but I was only gone two days. What is all the ruckus?”
“Prefect Grandpa is here!” Her excited eldest clapped his hands.
Myka sent a questioning glance to D’hai.
“He wants me to consider taking over as High Prefect. Teaching you was an illuminating experience for him. He wishes to teach the Elite full time.”
She hoisted her two littlest onto her hips and walked down the hall. “What did you tell him?”
“That I am married to our world’s busiest Healer and we will discuss it.” His lips twitched.
“So, essentially you would be trading titles. He would become Master of the Elite and you would become High Prefect?”
“Basically.” He scooped up the other three little ones and walked beside her.
“Then, my dearest husband, become High Prefect. The title suits you.” She leaned sideways, dodged her middle child and kissed him again. “Call yourself anything. It will never change the man inside and it is that man that I love.”
“And that is why I love you—you always know the right thing to say, whether it’s a woman in labour or a husband on the horns of a dilemma—you always know what to say.”
“Don’t fool yourself, sweetie, you often sound like a woman groaning in labour.” Another quick kiss with the children cuddled against them and Myka had a lovely idea. “Kids, why don’t you go jump on Prefect Grandpa? Mommy and Daddy need to discuss your next brother or sister.” She put the little ones on the floor and watched as the older took their hands to lead them down the hall.
“We are going to discuss?” D’hai crossed his arms over his chest and raised an eyebrow.
“Well, technically no. The next one is already underway. I just thought we could go over some of the finer points.” She laughed with joy as her beloved caught her in his arms and carried her off to their bedroom. Together, they tangled in the sheets and wove the sweetest of enchant
ments.
Author’s Note
This was the book that wouldn’t shut up. I had the idea and it kept hopping up and down in my mind until I got it all out. It is why I love writing the Terran Times series. No matter what comes into my mind, I can always write it and see if it meets with reader approval.
The characters stayed in my mind until I ran the course of their courtship and having done that, I had to write the epilogue. These were characters who were going to stay in love and keep the playing in their lives.
Enchanted is the third in this set of the Terran Times, the first two being Entranced and Entwined. Enthralled is next in the set with Enraptured bringing up the rear…so to speak.
Thanks for playing with me,
Viola Grace
http://www.violagrace.com
http://www.extasybooks.com
http://www.devinedestinies.com
About the Author
Viola Grace was born in Manitoba, Canada where she still resides today. She really likes it there.
She has no pets and can barely keep sea monkeys alive for a reasonable amount of time. Her line of day job tends to be analytical which leaves her mind hopping to weave stories. No co-worker is safe from her character analysis.
In keeping with busy hands are happy hands, her hobbies have included cross-stitch, needlepoint, quilting, costuming, cake decorating, baking, cooking, metal work, beading, sculpting, painting, doll making, henna tattoos, chain mail, and a few others that have been forgotten. It is quite often that these hobbies make their way into her tales.
Viola’s fetishes include boots and corsetry, and her greatest weakness is her uncontrollable blush.
Her writing actively pursues the Happily Ever After that so rarely occurs in nature. It is an admirable thing and something that we should all strive for. To find one that we truly like, as well as love.
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