Zander placed a finger lightly against her lips. “Shh. For the love of God Draka, Kitrina, I need you to listen. I need…” He lifted his head and looked her straight in the eye. “It’s going to take a lot more than just words to convince your sweet, stubborn, sexy little ass to see this from my point of view, isn’t it?” He turned with her in his arms, flipped the coverlet back, and gently deposited her upon the bed. “Well, then, let’s just see if I’m up to the task.”
Zander stood, pulled his tunic up over his head, tossed it to the side, dropped his breeks to the floor, and quickly stepped out of them. His cock was already hard and heavy, aching for her touch, aching to fill her with his seed, claim her, brand her as his own, for always.
“I’ve been told I’m better at show than tell,” he whispered. “Shall we see if that’s true?”
Climbing onto the bed beside her, Zander wrapped his arms about her waist and nuzzled her neck once more. He breathed in deeply the ever-changing fragrance that was Kitrina. Today, she was a subtle mixture of spice and lust, courage, and…and…tangerines. It was a heady combination, and his cock spasmed in response.
“Let me show you, Kit,” he pleaded. “Let me show you all the reasons why we’re not only meant to be together, but it’s our destiny.”
****
She was on fire. A burn that scorched her soul and incinerated her heart, leaving in its wake a pile of unfulfilled ashes mixed with regrets.
Though she’d loved Zander Hammerstrike for as long as she could remember, Kitrina had never, ever, experienced this depth of both pleasure and pain while in his arms. Pleasure, because his was the one and only touch she’d ever craved, ever wanted, needed, lived for even. And pain, because, like it or not, this simply had to be the very last time she’d give free rein to her carnal desires with this man…ever.
After this one last time, she’d give him up. She’d finally push him away forever, even if it killed her to do it. She told herself she would. But first, she’d make sure Zander wasn’t the only one participating in this little show and tell game of his.
She’d show him with every kiss, every touch, just what he meant to her, and she’d tell him with every single sigh, every cry of his name, just how much she loved him. And she’d do it without letting him see how much her heart ached. Hopefully, in the end, this one last time would be enough to see them both through.
Then he whispered close to her ear, “Remember the first time I was in this room, Kitten?” He kissed her nose. “Remember what I said about ravishing and how it can be quite barbaric and only for the experienced?” He kissed her forehead, and Kitrina smiled. “Well, my love, you and I are no longer strangers to the many facets of lovemaking, and I don’t know about you, but I’m in the mood for a session of touching and tasting, kissing and fondling, pounding and plundering, and just downright, good old-fashioned fucking, of epic proportions. What say you?”
Kit leaned up and kissed the cheek of the man she loved as she made a grab for a handful of his rock-hard cock. Wrapping her fingers snugly around it, she stroked slowly, and he shivered beneath her touch. “Epic proportions? Hmm. Bring it on if you think you can, barbarian.”
She lay back and sighed.
He chuckled, and his eyes twinkled in the low light of the room. Tingles of delight rippled through her belly in anticipation.
“Just relax, my lady, and prepare to be ravished, barbarian style.” Zander smiled against the tender skin of her neck. He took her mouth in a kiss that made her forget to breathe and turned those very same ripples deep in her belly into outright explosions of intense desire between her thighs. Oh, yes, there was no doubt about it, Zander was definitely capable of bringing it.
His fingers, his hands, his lips, his tongue, and even his toes at the end of his wonderfully big feet attached to his long lean legs seemed to be everywhere all at the same time.
Kitrina gloried in the feel of so very much barbarian over her, touching her, melding with her, becoming one. And though he cocooned her within the safe confines of his arms, at the same time, he overstimulated every single nerve ending her body possessed with his very thorough exploration of her person. Spirals of pleasure ricocheted throughout her chest and belly as her pussy ached to be filled. It was an overstimulation Kit thanked the gods for.
His cock rested hot and heavy against her belly instead of where she wanted—needed it—as Zander took his frustratingly good old-fashioned time kissing first her lips, her neck, and then the cleft between her breasts before latching onto one or the other of her nipples and sucking. She bucked her hips against him in a silent plea, and he chuckled.
“Patience, sweetheart. Ravishing is an art form. We’ll get there. We have all night.”
She bucked against him once more and held his face between her two hands so he had no choice but look her straight in the eye. “I don’t want art, Zander. I want, I need you inside me now.”
Something in his eyes changed. Wariness perhaps? “Are you sure you’re ready for this, Kit? Because there’s something I very much need to tell you. When I—we do make love in a few heartbeats from now, I mean to take you for the first time as your husband.”
Kitrina sucked in a breath. “You can’t—we can’t—not ever. You’ve a throne to consider, people counting on you, remember?”
In response, Zander suddenly spread her thighs with one of his own and positioned himself at her opening. Kit squirmed to get away but couldn’t budge the big barbarian.
He leaned his head down until their foreheads barely touched and whispered, “All the thrones of Albrath would be cold as death without you by my side. It’s already done, Kit. I’ve abdicated.”
“No,” she cried. “There’s still time. You can take it back.”
He shook his head. “I don’t want to. What I want is to take you, now and forever.” He held up his hand for Kitrina to see and pointed to the small slice in the middle of his palm. “I’ve already taken the Paladin of Albrath’s oath with Obsidian. We’ve shared blood and words. All that’s left is to make this union official with you. I hope you’re ready to commit, because here I come.”
With that, Zander thrust his hips forward until his cock was buried deep within her pussy, knocking upon her cervix. Her eyes crossed with the pleasure, the sweetness of it, and she couldn’t help but answer his knock with an invitation of her own. She lifted her hips toward him.
He looked at her again and what she saw in the depths of his gaze had Kit holding her breath. Slowly, he moved, in and out, and with every stroke of his hot, hard, wonderful cock into her more than ready and willing body, he spoke the words of a promise she thought never to hear, let alone from him.
“I, Zander,” thrust, “take thee Kitrina,” thrust, “to be my lawfully wedded wife,” thrust…thrust, “to have and to hold,” thrust, “from this day forward,” thrust, “for as long as we both shall live.” Thrust…thrust…thrust. “So help us God Draka.”
He grinned, and all Kit could manage to do was gulp as he plunged into her again and again, quicker each time and deeper if that was possible.
Her toes curled. Oh, my God Draka, he loved her, really loved her. And not just loved her a little bit but loved her enough to give up a throne. Could she live with herself if she allowed it? He thrust again, and icy-hot sparks of excitement shot all the way down her spine, exploding right between her legs. Her pussy clenched around him, the tender membranes of her sheath quivering along the path his cock forged. Her heart skipped a beat as a blinding white ball of euphoria formed in the pit of her belly, spreading outward, gathering momentum.
She kissed him hard, glorying in the salty-sweet essence of the man she knew Zander to be. The scent of that same essence filled her nostrils and clouded her brain to anything but this moment, this man, this version of their future together. This promise of the many nights to come spent in his arms, in his bed, as his wife. Nights of passion, nights of pleasure, and days filled with laughter and sunshine.
“What s
ay you, Kit?” he demanded, his breath coming heavy, his cock stroking her very soul. “Will you have me as your husband?”
She couldn’t think, let alone reply. Alex Zander Hammerstrike, the man who should’ve been a king, seemed determined to pledge his future to a mere human instead. She shook her head. Could she do it? Did she dare?
There would be so much to answer for and so many to answer to. But together, they’d get through it, wouldn’t they? The alternative was too horrible to comprehend now that Zander had said the words and made the vow. Without him, life would be nothing more than a very long, very lonely, very miserable passage of time.
Kitrina stared straight into the eyes of the man she would love until the end of her days and said only two words, but they were the only two words that needed saying. “I do.” She sighed.
After that, there was no talk, there was only his pounding into her, fast and furiously, his lips kissing hers and his sweat mingling with her own as she rose to meet each of his thrusts and kissed him back with the freedom only a wife knows. The freedom to touch and taste and pleasure at will. The freedom to love with abandon. Safe in the knowledge that never again would she be alone.
Only a handful of grains of sand had time to trickle through the hourglass before with a roar of satisfaction, they both shattered with ecstasy. Together, forever, just as destiny intended.
Epilogue
The first early morning beams of light filtered through the window of Kitrina’s bedchamber, and Zander sighed. Soon they’d be forced to rise and face the challenges of the coming day. He wished he could put off what needed to be done for just a while longer. He’d much rather stay right where he was, snug within his bride’s arms, and make love to his beautiful wife once more, and then again and again and again until neither one had the energy to even blink.
He smiled.
Had it really only been a matter of a few turns of the hourglass, and a few more bouts of intense lovemaking since they’d returned to the great hall, faced their parents, and declared their intention to wed, immediately?
Kit’s mom, Lady Briarlarn, and his own mother, Queen Lizbeth, and even Aunt Lark had been amazing, and Zander had to give them kudos for carrying out his and Kit’s wishes so swiftly, efficiently, and without question or comment. It was as if they’d all three known that if they didn’t act with haste, the skittish Kitrina might yet attempt to bolt and run.
Zander chuckled. They hadn’t given Kit the chance to consider fleeing. They’d kept her mind and hands busy with details and tasks. Not that he would’ve let Kitrina Dragonheart, now Baroness Hammerstrike go anywhere without him at her side. Not ever again.
But the mothers and the aunt, they’d all made quick work of pulling together an absolutely lovely little wedding, and they’d made it look remarkably easy. A man of the cloth had been hastily procured from the village, the hall had been cleared and righted back to its former greatness, stout ale had been brought up from the cellars, and food for the wedding feast had been prepared.
Even the fathers, Adan and Uthiel, along with Uncle Sarco and Uncle Leeky, Talon, and all the cousins had joined in the preparations. His father, King Adan himself, had taken up an ax and chopped wood for a fire to warm the hall. Sir Uthiel had gathered all of the Paladins of Albrath together to be witnesses, and Uncle Leeky, with the help of Obsidian, rounded up the dragons.
The cousins, Asla, Talon, and Kit’s sisters, Lara and Tawny, probably had the worst job, but even they’d done what needed to be with smiles on their faces. They’d scrubbed every inch of the castle’s main floor until it shone, and not a trace of battle or bloodshed was left behind to mar the festivities. Even Gareth, with Malachite by his side, had helped.
Though Zander appreciated all of their efforts, it was the look on Kit’s face, the gleam in her eyes, and the strength of conviction in her voice when she’d finally said “I do” once more, but this time before their onlookers, that had truly mattered.
He leaned over and kissed his wife’s forehead as he nudged her body with his hardening cock. God Draka, she was beautiful, beyond beautiful, exquisite, gorgeous even. It still surprised him how much he loved her, desired her, needed her, had to have her again, already.
She slowly opened her eyes and smiled. “Put that thing away and go back to sleep, Baron Hammerstrike. You’ve worn me out.”
Zander laughed. “I’d almost forgotten. I really am the Baron of Halla now, and you truly are my baroness. Who would’ve thought?” He nuzzled her neck. “It’s going to take some time to get comfortable with these change of titles, wife.”
Kit gazed up at him, and it wasn’t happiness he saw shining back. It was tears.
“Do you… have regrets?” she whispered. “I’d understand if you did.”
He pondered the question for a moment. Did he? The thought of waking up beside this woman every morning, and falling asleep with her in his arms every night for the rest of his life filled him to overflowing with warmth. The thought of her growing round with his children, feeding them at her breasts, holding them upon her lap, and teaching them her rogue skills brought tears to his own eyes. The thought of a lifetime spent in her company, of hearing her laughter, of knowing her love, of belonging at her side, brought a sense of complete peace to his soul. Zander Hammerstrike knew he was exactly where he was meant to be.
He smiled and shook his head as he kissed his wife soundly. “I have no regrets, my love. Not about us. Never about us, Kit. Someday, we’ll embrace our destiny completely and lead a brand new generation of Paladins of Albrath, and we’ll do it together.”
Kit sighed. “Not me, my lord. Only you can be leader. You’re male. But I’ll be proud to stand by your side.”
Zander shook his head once more. “Times change and so do laws.” He pointed toward the door for emphasis. “Just look at what’s already transpired in the space of a day, let alone years. The Paladins of Albrath are no longer an all-boys club comprised of just humans. A whole slew of others, including barbarians, elves, gnomes, halflings, and even a troll or two have taken the oath. Not to mention the fact that, after today, the dragons will no longer reside only within the caves above Castle Kuropkat, they’ll be scattered all throughout Albrath.”
Kit opened her mouth to speak, but Zander stopped her with a quick kiss before continuing himself. “Though Carnelian is determined to stay here with your family and most of the older dragons, Obsidian and Jade are just as resolved to reside in Halla with us. And let’s not forget, that purple female dragon, Amethyst, has already left for the halfling kingdom with Ten, Levin, and Asla. And of course, Malachite’s going to follow Gareth to Landis.”
Kitrina laughed then. “A dragon in the capital city of the high elves. Will wonders never cease? Though still just a dragling, I’ve no doubt Malachite will take Landis by storm.” She sobered. “But Gareth…oh my God Draka, Zander, I…I feel awful about what happened to Gareth.”
He rubbed her back. “Me, too, but it wasn’t anyone’s fault. Gareth chose his path and his own destiny when he put himself between Marquart and Malachite. He’s strong, Kit. Stronger than we give him credit for. Gareth will come through this. Just watch and see if he doesn’t.”
He hugged her close. “What I was speaking of earlier, what I truly regret is that, instead of us going directly to Mia and explaining face to face why the burden of the throne now rests upon her small shoulders, we must travel to Halla and see to the castle, see to the people counting upon us, see to our new home, set it to rights.”
Kitrina nodded. “She’s going to be so angry with us, Zander. Mia was always happy and content being just the spare. She never, ever wanted the throne for herself.”
Zander laid flat on his back and stared up at the ceiling. “I know she didn’t, and I do feel bad for her.”
He turned back toward Kitrina and pulled her within his arms until her cheek rested against his chest. “But, like it or not, want it or not, the throne of Alaria is now Mia’s destiny, not mine. I’ll
do as my parents ask and give them time to speak with her, make her comfortable with the situation, and then I’m going to send Talon to her.”
Kitrina pulled away. “Talon? Do you really think that’s wise? We both know his reputation.”
Zander chuckled. “Mia’s going to need Talon’s unique skill set. She’s going to be required someday to choose a mate, and who better suited to help her with that choice than Talon? I trust him, he’s my friend. He’ll protect my sister with his life.”
It was Kitrina’s turn to chuckle. “But my dear husband, I think I probably know Mia even better than you do since we’ve shared confidences all our lives and she’s my very best friend in all of Albrath. My question to you is who’s going to protect Talon from Mia?”
A knock on the door prevented Zander from answering. Instead, he stood, pulled on his breeks, strode across the room, and yanked the door open.
There stood Pierced, his gay Goth gnome pseudo cousin, stark-ass naked with Baabette, the blow-up sheep, situated so as to appear to be sucking his tiny gnome prick.
“Surprise!” Pierced shouted.
Zander simply shook his head and closed the door.
On the way back to their bed and his wife, he couldn’t help but overhear Uncle Leeky. “What the purple-painted pasties glued ta the nipples of an ogre pole dancer’s hanging-ta-the-bellybutton boobies do ya think yare doing, son? Ya call being nakey and covering that less than impressive willy of ya’s with a cheap piece of plastic a proper surprise? Come on over here and sit down. I’ll instruct ya on how ta really surprise folk.”
Zander and Kitrina giggled. They had no idea what stories Uncle Leeky would tell Pierced, and they didn’t care. They were too busy writing their own.
About the Author
Hi, my name is Maxine Mansfield, and I write fantasy, erotic romances. I live in the far northern state of Alaska where the summer days are long and the winter nights even longer. I have one very special man, his three equally special children, and our six delightful grandchildren in my life. Not to mention a very bossy African Grey parrot named Gabriel. Oh, and Gnomes! Many, many Gnomes!
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