Wonderland 2: King of Spades
Page 15
“Not likely,” a deeply masculine voice said from behind them. “I would never let Mikaela near you.”
“Yes, Milord,” Alice murmured, her expression changing to one of pleasure as she lowered her eyes.
Alexi’s gaze cut to the gorgeous man with brilliant green eyes, hair black as nightfall, and a light beard. A heart tattoo crossed his biceps and she realized at once this was Darronn’s brother Jarronn, the King of Hearts.
He studied her as though expecting her to lower her eyes like Alice had. Instead Alexi tilted her head back and glared at him. “What have you done to my sister? How dare you treat her as though she’s subservient to you?”
“May I speak, Milord?” Alice asked before Jarronn could respond.
“Of course, love,” he murmured as he put his fingers under Alice’s chin and raised it so that their eyes met. He brushed his lips across hers and she smiled…a sort of melty-totally-in-love smile.
Alexi gritted her teeth and clenched her fists at her sides. She couldn’t believe that Alice allowed him to treat her this way.
But Alice’s smile was luminous as she turned to Alexi. “I love everything about my life here, Lex. I like being dominated by Jarronn. I wouldn’t put up with it from anyone else. But with him, it turns me on and it feels right.”
“Did he drug you or use that tigri stuff on you to make you feel this way?” Alexi asked, ready to deck Jarronn. “I don’t care if he’s considered a god here, he’ll regret it if he did.”
“It’s probably a good thing you don’t have your can of mace.” Alice laughed and darted a sensual look at Jarronn. “Although I’ve seen you smash a few nuts on occasion.”
“So I have heard,” Jarronn said, the corner of his mouth quirking. “Darronn and Ty gave me fair warning to guard my bollocks before I joined you.”
Alice burst out laughing and said, “You didn’t!” then clapped her hand over her mouth.
Alexi nodded and cast Jarronn a look meant to let him know how serious she was when she told him, “And if I find out this guy has done anything to you that you didn’t want, then he certainly won’t be having any more kids.”
Jarronn winced and Alice snickered behind her hand. The king gave her a commanding yet sensual and utterly adoring look as he murmured, “Is punishment in order, wench?”
Alice bit her lower lip and her nipples grew so hard that Alexi swore she saw the diamond and ruby chain levitate between them. “If it pleases you, Milord.”
The king reached up and tweaked one of Alice’s nipples. “That it will.”
Amazed that her sister obviously got off by all this, Alexi shook her head. “It’s a damn good thing Alice is happy,” Alexi muttered. “A damn good thing.”
Chapter Fourteen
A Tarok week after their arrival in Hearts, Darronn and Alexi returned to Spades to be joined as King and Queen. Not only did Karn, Ty, Kira, and Kalina accompany them back, but Alice, Jarronn, Lexi and Lance, along with a small army of warriors who escorted them.
As Alexi prepared for the joining ceremony, she couldn’t get over the fact that Lexi and Lance were only six Tarok months old. They seemed so much older. In Earth time, the children would be only about nine months old, and probably not even walking yet. Being werecubs, though, they were growing so much faster than if they were fully human.
Home. Alexi ran a brush through her auburn hair as her thoughts turned toward the Kingdom of Spades and her husband to be. It really does feel like home here in Spades. She wasn’t sure she’d ever get used to the lack of “modern conveniences,” but the magic people had here made up for most of what Alexi would miss.
By her own request, she was alone in the king and queen’s chambers preparing for the ceremony. She’d promised Alice and Kalina that she would call for them soon, but she needed a few moments to herself.
I can’t believe I’m getting married.
And Alexi certainly was having a hard time getting used to the idea that one day she would become part of the weretiger family. Every time they fucked and Darronn released his tigri pheromones, she was coming closer and closer to becoming a weretigress. The thought more than excited her. How cool it would be to shapeshift like Darronn, and to live for centuries.
After setting the gold handled brush on the dressing table, Alexi moved before the full-length mirror and studied her reflection. Thoughts of the “wedding” whirled in her mind. She’d never truly believed she would get married. Never thought she would ever meet a man like Darronn. Yet she had.
And he’s all mine.
Yeah, she’d have to agree that she was getting everything wonderful in spades.
Smiling at her image, Alexi’s gaze traveled over the beautiful outfit Darronn had had specially made for her to wear for their joining day. With a few modifications, he’d had the seamstress pattern it after the clothing she had worn when he brought her through the looking glass. She brought her fingers to the sparkly gold midriff top and lightly touched the fringe made of black diamonds and gold beads. The fringe was absolutely stunning and probably worth more than all her assets combined back in San Francisco.
At the thought of her home, she couldn’t help but wish Annie and Awai could be here for her joining day. She shook her head at her reflection as she remembered what she had said to Annie in the bar, “It’s nice to have someone looking after me for a change.” It certainly did feel good having Darronn to watch over her.
Alexi turned slightly so that she could see her image from the side. Instead of cap sleeves, the top had billowy sleeves that were slit along each side, revealing her slender arms. The front of the blouse just covered her breasts and was fastened beneath them with a spade made from a black diamond. Her flat belly was exposed and her gold tiger charm glittered at her navel. The mini skirt was made of the same fabric as the top, and barely covered her ass and her mound. She didn’t have any underwear on, since no one in this world seemed to even know what bras and panties were. Jeez, if she dared to bend over, anyone looking would get one hell of a view.
Not that half the village hadn’t witnessed her Lady Godiva ride the day she arrived in Spades.
She had to grin at the memory of how Darronn’s attempt at “training” her had backfired on him.
The bruise around her neck had faded quickly, thanks to one of the healers in Hearts, and her voice was no longer hoarse from being almost strangled to death. The healers had also treated the claw marks on Darronn’s face, but scars now crossed his stubbled cheek. Apparently they could do nothing for the scars because the wound had been so deep, but Alexi thought they only made him even more dangerously handsome.
Alexi’s gaze moved from her throat, down her image’s length, then rested on her high heels. Somehow the magicians here had taken her lipstick red stilettos and had made them into the same beautiful gold as her blouse and skirt and then had put black diamond spades at the fastening. After that first time together with Darronn, her thigh-high nylons had been put away until now. He loved the way the line ran up the back of her leg, and she couldn’t wait for him to see the accessory she’d added to her wedding wardrobe.
All the gold she was wearing went well with her auburn hair which flowed long and loose about her shoulders, and the gold bracelets she wore at either wrist. Alexi smiled. Maybe afterwards Darronn would fasten her wrists together and then tie her up.
The week that Alexi spent with her sister in Hearts had sped by so quickly that she felt as if she’d just arrived. She loved her niece and nephew, and when she was around them she often felt something stir inside her, like she might enjoy having children of her own, too.
Damn biological clock, anyway.
At first it had been hard getting used to her sister being so submissive around Jarronn. But after awhile, Alexi had realized that Alice and Jarronn’s relationship was truly on equal footing and that both enjoyed their roles. Alice held power over his pleasure and making him happy, which perhaps made her in some ways more powerful than her husband.
Alexi smiled. It was wonderful to see her sister so happy.
The one thing Alexi really hadn’t been thrilled about was when she had learned about the mind-bond thing where Alice had been fucked by all four brothers at once. Knowing that Darronn had participated had really bothered Alexi at first. But once she understood the reason behind it, and that the mind-bond had saved Alice’s life, Alexi was able to let it go. It was a one time deal, and it had happened before she ever met Darronn, so she could live with that.
Alexi heard a light knock on the door, and her heart began to pound. It was time.
She tossed her hair over her shoulder and smiled.
Bring it on.
With a large gathering of villagers and weretigers and weretigresses, Darronn paced the meadow where he had first captured his future queen. If Alexi’s carriage did not arrive soon, he would surely wear a trench through the grass.
Much effort and planning had gone into the day. Darronn had scouts mounted far and wide to detect Mikaela and her bakir should they attempt to invade his realm. His legion of warriors were ever at the ready.
A crisp spring morning breeze invigorated him while thoughts of his woman caused his cock to stir beneath his leather breeches. Smells of sun-warmed grass mingled with the perfume of starflowers and pine. Laughter and conversation filled the air along with feelings of promise, of renewal, and hope.
Although Alexi had once said she never intended to have children. Darronn wanted children of his own with his bride, but he would not force her. He would be happy to have her as his queen forever more.
His gaze rested on the beautiful Queen of Hearts, who appeared quite anxious without her cubs at her side. She had been reluctant to leave them with the nanny and far from her sight, but Jarronn had reminded her that a binding ceremony was no place for children, and Alice had quickly agreed.
The binding ceremony. Keeping with his promise to remain truthful, Darronn had explained the traditional ceremony to Alexi even though he had known she would not approve. She had reacted as he thought she would, her aqua eyes blazing fury and threatening to unman him if he dared such a thing. He had quickly reassured her that he had no desire to share his future queen in any way, including baring her flesh or fucking her before a crowd.
Today he would break with tradition, and damn the consequences.
The clatter of hooves and carriage met Darronn’s sensitive hearing, and he cut his gaze in the direction of the noise. For an eternity he waited, then the gilded carriage came into view, drawn by three golden jul steeds. Voices lowered until a hush covered the land, broken only by the sound of the approaching carriage bearing his mate within. Finally it came to an abrupt stop behind the seated crowd.
Darronn’s heart near thumped through his chest while he waited. Ty approached the carriage and opened the door, and Darronn almost smiled at the thought of his brother taking care to guard his bollocks as he assisted the future Queen of Spades.
But as the door opened and Alexi emerged from the carriage, the crowd gasped in unison and Darronn’s heart ceased to beat. She was more than breathtaking in the golden adornments. Ty helped her step from the carriage then escorted her to the black velvet carpeting that stretched from the coach to Darronn’s feet. Ty bowed and moved away.
Black diamonds glittered and flashed as Alexi walked toward Darronn. Her smile was radiant and confident, her chin held high. Her nipples peaked under the thin gold material and in the sunshine he swore he saw them through the fabric. Waiting for his touch, for his mouth. The lower portion of her clothing barely covered her mons, and dear skies above, she was wearing the black stockings on her legs that nearly drove him mad with desire when he first saw her.
Now he was near to spilling his seed in his breeches, crowd or no.
When Alexi reached him he took both her hands in his and smiled at his mate.
And then he lowered himself to one knee, worshiping his future queen.
Murmurs rolled through the crowd and Alexi’s eyes widened with obvious surprise.
“My love,” Darronn said, his voice carrying across the meadow. Every other voice went still. “I will love and cherish you all my days upon this world. Will you take me as your mate, your king, and your equal?”
Alexi’s gaze filled with wonder as she looked down at him and smiled. In the very next moment she knelt with him and the crowd gave a collective sigh. Darronn’s heart swelled as his woman chose to join him, to show their unity as king and queen.
“Darronn,” Alexi said, her voice clear as she spoke, “I love you more each and every day. I will take you as my mate, my king, my equal…and as the father of our future children.”
Alexi’s declaration in front of his family and his subjects almost shocked him speechless. She had agreed to all that he asked of her—and to bear his children.
Darronn ignored the buzz from the crowd as he held his hand out, hopeful that Alexi would choose to accept what he offered. “My gift to you. Not a sign of ownership, but a symbol of my love.”
A smile lifted the corners of her mouth as she ran her fingertip over the white diamond collar that had spades along it made with black diamonds. “It is beautiful, Darronn. I accept your gift.”
Relief and joy filled his heart and soul. Carefully he fastened the collar around her elegant neck. It glittered in the morning sunlight, almost as brilliant as Alexi’s smile.
Gripping her shoulders tight, Darronn lowered his mouth to hers and kissed her softly, tenderly. He slipped his tongue between her lips, and she took him, drawing him deeper and deeper.
Darronn slid one hand into her silken auburn hair, cupping the back of her head while his other hand moved to her ass and he pressed her closer, tighter, ensuring she would feel his erection against her belly. He clenched his hand in the soft golden material of her skirt, drawing it up above her buttocks when he heard the sound of voices.
Damnation. For that beautiful moment he had forgotten they were not alone.
With a groan he pulled away from her, but for a long moment could only gaze at her. “I love you, firecat.”
The look on Darronn’s handsome, scarred face made Alexi feel like a teenager with a crush on a rock star. Loopy and silly and infatuated and in love. And in lust, definitively major lust.
“Let’s get out of here,” she said, bringing her fingers to the collar at her throat and gently stroking it. “Now.”
That feral gleam returned to his eyes as he helped her stand. In the next moment Alexi shrieked as he grabbed her around the waist with one arm, flung her over his shoulder, and headed down the black velvet carpeting.
Laughter and applause followed them and Alexi grinned. Darronn was asserting his dominance over her sexually, and she loved it. Blood rushed to her head as he strode toward the gilded enclosed carriage, but she had her wits about her enough to realize there was a massive orgy going on behind them. Darronn had explained to her how the weretiger ceremony usually worked, and it always ended in a bout of free love, not unlike San Francisco in the 60’s.
She did see Jarronn carrying Alice off into the woods. From what Alice told Alexi, once all that bonding stuff was over, the High King wasn’t about to share his Queen in any fashion.
When they reached the carriage, Darronn settled her inside on the plush black velvet seat that was wide enough to be a twin bed. He climbed in after her and shut the door. Morning light poured in through the sunroof and Alexi could clearly see the love and lust in her new husband’s eyes.
The carriage started moving and the small bouncing motions caused jolts to shoot through her pussy. Damn but she was hot for Darronn.
“You have made me a king among men this day,” he murmured as he knelt before her and gently pushed her so that she reclined against the black velvet cushions.
“What do you intend to do to
your queen?” Alexi shifted so that her tiny gold skirt slid up a bit, almost showing her mound.
“Reward her.” Darronn purred as he grasped her knees and moved between her thighs. Her skirt hiked up to her hips and her pussy was totally exposed to his gaze. His purr turned into an untamed growl as he moved his face to her mound and sniffed, scenting her.
The mere action made Alexi’s clit twitch and she raised her hips. “Lick my pussy. Now.”
“Such impudence.” He slid his fingers along the outside of her stocking-clad thighs, to the flesh above. His hands pushed her skirt all the way to her waist, the spade tattoo at his wrist dark against her pale skin. “Perhaps it is punishment you require…or desire,” he murmured.
The sensual assurance in his voice set her on fire. “Well you certainly can’t tie me up in here.”
“My little wench must learn to curb her tongue.” Darronn caught both her wrists and raised them over her head.
She glanced at the carriage’s ceiling and saw a loop positioned above her, yet a little back. Spoke too soon. A thrill shot through her belly straight to her pussy.
His movements were quick and sure as he produced a leather strap from thin air, magically fastened her wrists together with her bracelets, and tied her to the loop above.
How did he do that—tie her up so fast she barely had time to catch her breath?
“Arch your back, wench,” he ordered, his eyes focused on her breasts.
Alexi’s nipples grew even harder beneath his gaze as she pulled against her bonds. “Make me.”
Darronn growled and placed his hand to the black diamond pin. It slipped off, releasing its hold on the material, which fell away from her breasts.
It felt wonderfully wanton to have her pussy and breasts bared to his gaze while she was bound. And wearing the diamond collar made her even more excited.