Stone Queen

by Michelle M. Pillow

  “Aye. His horse crushed his body. The witch was the only one who could save him. I knew the risk when I made the trade. I knew the power I was giving her.”

  “Then why did you do it?”

  “Because it is what you would have wanted of me, my queen. As I told you that night long ago when you first came here, I do not rearrange my world for just anyone.” Pushing up to join her in sitting, he cupped her cheek, leaning in so his lips were brushing against hers. “But for you, I would take the very stars from the sky. I am yours, my love, completely and utterly yours. All you have to do is ask it and I will do your bidding.”

  Her heart filled with the perfection of the moment. Merrick loved her. She had always known, but to hear the words, to hear them said so sure and clear, made her body heat and her heart overflow. “I love you, too, my king, my reason for living.”

  Merrick kissed her, crushing his lips to hers. His tongue edged into her mouth, wet and warm. She moaned, needing to feel him. They had spoken of so much since her return, but they had yet to fully touch.

  “How do you feel?” he asked. “Women, after babies are born, they are…”

  “I am not a mere woman and our child was born in a…” She paused searching for the right word. Before she could think of it, he interrupted.

  “So you are saying your body…? We can…?” The wicked grin spreading over his lips said it all. “I have been holding back because methought you ill.”

  “And here methought you wanted to talk.” She gave a pretend frown.

  “Well, aye, I do, but, I also want to…” He looked down her body in meaning.

  Juliana tossed her head back, laughing. They’d been speaking quietly as Kynan slept and the boy now jarred, fussing as he opened his eyes.

  “You said I could ask for anything and you would give it?”

  “Aye, my love, just ask it.” He gazed at her and she felt his desire threading through the air.

  Juliana looked to the side. “How about a bed for him? But make it close. I want him in the room with us, at least for now. I do not want him out of our sight.”

  Merrick smiled, lifting his hand. A bed grew from the stone with sides forming like bars around the edges. The blunt tips reached high, bending inward around the center. In the middle an oval mattress grew, covered with a soft material.

  “A cage?” Juliana asked.

  “A safe place,” Merrick corrected.

  Juliana smiled, standing beside their bed. Merrick moved his hand, motioning toward the bed so she could see how it opened. A door swung forward and she set the baby inside. Kissing her fingers, she placed them to the baby’s head before pulling a blanket over Kynan. She shut the door, latching him safely in.

  Instantly, Merrick’s hands wrapped around her from behind. “Do not worry, the baby cannot hear us.”

  Juliana’s clothes dissolved and she gasped as his hot, naked flesh pressed against her back. His hands brushed over her, one gliding over the soft curls, back and forth, back and forth, pressing deeper into the folds with each pass. The other found a breast, squeezing gently. She opened her mouth wide, gasping as she turned to face him.

  Merrick pulled her onto the bed, his body lying next to hers. Wiggling her hips, Juliana tried to anticipate his movements, forcing him more firmly against her. His finger encircled her sex and she weakly cried out, the sound swallowed by his hovering mouth. He breathed into her, harsh and loud.

  Wet with her cream, he slid his finger along her opening with precision. Merrick thrust a finger inside.

  “Oh,” he breathed, biting his lip. Firelight illuminated his handsome face, giving heavy contours to his chiseled features. “Ah, how I have missed holding you.”

  With a groan, he kissed her mouth, taking it hard as his tongue delved deep only to pull back. The movement mimicked the finger inside her, moving in and out, in and out, faster, deeper. The thickness of his finger grew, as if suddenly there were two stroking her sex intimately. Pressure built and he pulled his mouth back with a soft growl.

  “I need to feel myself within you,” he said.

  “Take me, Merrick, I need you,” she answered.

  He rubbed the tip of his erection along her wet folds, following the path his finger traveled moments before. Pushing her legs open, he swiftly delved into her, imbedding himself fully. She yelped in surprise as her muscles were stretched around his thick arousal.

  “Finally,” he whispered.

  Juliana giggled. Merrick pulled his hips back, rocking in short, deep thrusts. Juliana let him take control as she was left with the beginning sensations of pleasure. His movements became bolder and she sprung into action. She moaned in protest as she wrapped her legs around the backs of his. Using all of her strength she forced him to thrust into her again, this time even deeper. The eager motion brought with it throbbing gratification. She loosened her legs to instinctively do it again. She could not have stopped if she wanted to.

  Driven by the primal need for release, her head turned from side to side on the bed in sweet torment. Merrick grabbed under her knees and forced her legs further apart. His finger moved to her sex, rubbing along the hard bud. Sensation after astonishing sensation washed over Juliana. Her body tensed, building with each of his thrusts. She moaned in encouragement, mindless of anything but the man on top of her. Without warning he tensed between her thighs, pressing one last hard time into her. Juliana’s body joined his, quaking with an inner force so great she swore she fell off the edge of the earth.

  “Sh,” Gorman hissed, crawling past the end of the bed where the king and queen slept. “Do not bother them.”

  “I’m not bothering them. You are the one talking. I am doing my duty. You heard our queen.” Halton put his hand over his heart, even as he poked his hand between two rails. “She wants us to stand guard over the baby. He is our duty now.”

  “Actually, she said, ‘I do not want him out of our sight’,” Gorman corrected.

  “That is what I said. We all—you, me, King Merrick and our sweet Queen Juliana, but mostly me. We are to keep a sharp eye on the baby.” Halton turned his head, staring down at the child with one eye. Kynan slept, completely undisturbed.

  Gorman squeezed through the side rail of the bed, rolling next to Kynan. “Oh, soft.”

  “Aye?” Halton followed suit, curling next to the boy’s other side. “Oh, aye.”

  “I can watch him better from here.” Gorman yawned.

  “Aye,” Halton said. “I can.”

  “I said, I can,” Gorman whispered.

  “I can,” Halton said under his breath.

  “Me. They told me.”

  “Me.”

  “Me.”

  Halton yawned, drifting asleep. “Nay, me.”

  About the Author

  Michelle has always had an active imagination. Ever since she can remember, she’s had a strange fascination with anything supernatural. She is married (madly in love) and has a wonderful family. To learn more about Michelle M Pillow’s Samhain Publishing titles or the Realm Immortal series, please visit her website at www.michellepillow.com. Send an email to Michelle at michelle_pillow@yahoo.com or join her Yahoo! Group to learn of upcoming and current releases! http://groups.yahoo.com/group/michellempillow/join

  Look for these titles by Michelle M. Pillow

  Now Available:

  Realm Immortal: King of the Unblessed

  Realm Immortal: Faery Queen

  Talons: Seize the Hunter

  Talons Print Anthology by Mandy M Roth, Michelle M Pillow, Sydney Somers, Jaycee Clark and Shannon Stacey

  Talons

  A collection of five stories taking you to the height of passion

  Now Available in Print

  Talons: Kiss Me Deadly

  © 2006 Shannon Stacey

  Death is a collective—an unkindness of supernatural ravens with the power to take the form of men and to decide which humans live and which humans die with a mere touch.

  When Khail lays hi
s fatal touch on his next victim and she doesn’t die, he’s faced with a human immune to his deadly power who has seen him shift form–and he’s able to have physical contact with a woman for the first time in centuries.

  Falling for a shapeshifting messenger of Death wasn’t on Bridget Sawyer’s agenda, but things are about to get even more complicated. The Unkind is determined to claim her.

  Talons: King of Prey

  © 2006 Mandy M. Roth

  In a place where realms combine and portals open passages to the unknown, a prophecy speaks of fertility being restored to his people through the taking of King Kabril’s mate.

  The prophecy neglects to mention she lacks something vital to his kind—wings. Kabril, King of the Buteos Regalis has no interest in taking a human mate. His kind believes humans are dirty, vile creatures who rely on machines to lift them into the air. The last place he wants to go in search of his mate is Earth, but he’s left no choice.

  Never did he expect to find love on a planet with one moon, people who lack wings and a stubborn vixen who makes his heart soar. When he does, he fears the truth about who and what he truly is will steal it away. Little does he know his enemies fully intend on doing the taking.

  Talons: Firebird

  © 2006 Jaycee Clark

  Legend has it firebirds bring both good fortune and destruction, Reen has become an expert at both…

  Reen is an expert at destruction and annihilation. She’s a Hunter, an elite, one of their best assassins, she’s also a legendary firebird—a creature of lore. Staker, a member of the Falcon order, is her soul mate from a bloody past she desperately tries to forget, but one that haunts her every moment. The two are thrown together in a desperate search for missing women.

  The Collector is a man who loves the hunt, preying on the unusual, on the special—all to keep these women for his own use. The Collector favors shifters, the rarer the better. He traps them, keeps them, and turns them into his own private collectables.

  Staker doesn’t want Reen to be a part of this dangerous mission, but she has other plans. Unfortunately, so does the Collector…

  Talons: Caged Desire

  © 2006 Sydney Somers

  He’s trapped…she’s suspicious—to earn his freedom all he has to do is win her trust.

  Locked in a cage for almost fifty years ago, Logan has had nothing but time to plot his revenge on those who wrongfully condemned him to spend eternity in the deepest regions of a South American rainforest. But with one look at the alluring vampire who holds his freedom in her hands, revenge becomes the farthest thing from his mind.

  Eve Blake is puzzled by the wooden crate delivered to her door. Even stranger is the large golden eagle inside. It doesn’t take her long to realize the majestic creature is far more than he appears. Finding a man in the cage previously containing the feathered animal gives Eve every reason to suspect the shifter was locked away for a reason.

  Can she trust him when he promises not to harm her if she releases him? Or will her decision cost both of them more than they bargained for?

  Talons: Seize the Hunter

  © 2006 Michelle M Pillow

  Fate is giving her the one man she'd never want for her very own.

  Princess Ari of the planet Falconia knows it’s her time to marry and has picked out several suitable men in her mind—none of which are Falcoan Army Commander, Rurik of the Fifth. The man tormented her as a child, causing her untold humiliations. But there is really no need to worry about such a match. Shifters cannot rule and Rurik is a natural born falcon shifter.

  Trusting destiny, Ari sips from the Marriage Chalice, sealing her future. But things don’t go as planned. It would seem fate is giving her to the man she despises. How can she find happiness with the one man she could never want for her very own?

  Will this Elven warlord be conquered by lust?

  Lords of Ch’i

  © 2006 Ciar Cullen

  Available in Print and Ebook

  Cast out by an usurper to her clan’s throne, warrior Silver SanMartin throws herself at the mercy of her compelling enemy, Jet Atraud. The sexy warlord rules his Elven clan with an iron fist, but Silver finds she lords some power of her own. Jet can’t keep his eyes—or his hands—off his lovely captive.

  In a battle to gain self-control and maintain his ten-year oath of celibacy, Jet tries to focus on the task at hand—conquering the enemy clans. Despite his strong will and best intentions, Jet cannot ignore his growing love for Silver. But can a sworn enemy be trusted?

  Enjoy this excerpt from Lords of Ch’i:

  Silver looked up again, and a shock of electricity ran through her at Jet’s intense stare. He looked from her eyes to her lips, and let his gaze wander to her breasts, pushed high by her gown. His eyes burned as she he assaulted her senses.

  “You’re rather strong-willed, Silver. I don’t buy your apology for a second. And I think I rather fancy that about you. You’ll make a good bodyguard. What do you think of the gown? It’s been in my family for many generations.”

  “Lord?”

  “Yes?” He continued his sexual appraisal of her and her breathing quickened in longing. She let her gaze wander down his smooth stomach to his rigid cock, straining against the black silk wrap. Surely he can hear my heart, it’s so loud.

  “Do you like what you see, Silver? You can’t seem to pull your gaze away for long. Do you know the whole time we’ve spoken, the whole time you’ve cried over the conflict and your brother, you’ve filled the room with your lust. You’ve stared at my mouth and my chest, my stomach, wondering how it would feel, how it would be between us. Am I wrong?”

  “You are quite wrong, Lord.”

  He laughed a little and motioned her to come closer. “I’d like a closer look at you in my ancestor’s garb. You must admit, it suits your figure, which is…” Jetre took in a quick breath. “Adequate.”

  “Adequate? My figure is adequate? Why are we discussing my body? Your oath, your…”

  “Have I broken my oath, Silver?” He worked his fingertips from her collarbone across the swell of her breasts. His touch blazed a fiery trail across her skin and his energy seeped into her veins. Which burns, she wondered—the touch of an elf or the touch of a lord? He slowly unfastened the clasps of her dress until he exposed her breasts. His calloused fingers and palms brushed across her skin like a kiss as he cupped one breast in each hand. His moan stirred her to quivering. He caressed her as if he’d found a priceless treasure he’d sought for a lifetime. Silver fought the sensations he evoked, but surrendered and cried out when he rubbed his thumbs on her nipples.

  “Jetre.”

  “Yes?” He continued his slow circles. “You find this unpleasant? Should I stop?” Jetre looked at her from beneath his dark lashes as he leaned in to suckle on one breast. His hot mouth assaulted her senses, his tongue darting across her nipple, his lips pulling and pinching. A low groaning sound came from far away, and Silver realized in shock it was her moan, her lust filling the air. She laced her hands in an errant strand of his luxurious hair and pulled it towards her face, smelling his scent—dark spices and male magic. When he moved to her other breast, the new pleasure sent her to the brink of orgasm, and he kept her hovered there for minutes. He broke away suddenly and looked into her eyes.

  Silver panted, aching, throbbing, ready to push him to the ground and assault him. “You’re no virgin.”

  “How dare you. Do you understand how you insult me, Warrior?”

  “I honestly couldn’t tell you what I think right now if my life depended upon it.”

  Jetre arched a brow. “It will come to you.”

  Silver’s hands shook at the conflicting, overwhelming emotions consuming her. This man, this gorgeous man, her sworn enemy, now her master—was he seducing her? No, simply playing with his prisoner. No more, certainly. A tiny dagger of regret pierced her heart. Silver shuddered, the memory of his mouth on her still making her tingle, still making her throb and moist and ready.<
br />
  What I wouldn’t give to lay with him, to feel him inside me… She cursed to herself. Too late, he heard it.

  “Tell me, let me hear what you want.” His voice grew low and languid, his eyes nearly hidden beneath his black lashes. “Tell me what kind of lover you imagine me? What draws you? My look? My manner? Or my power?”

  All of those. None of those. Don’t let him hear any more. Thoughts poured out, desire and longing overwhelming her, betraying her.

  You’re the most beautiful creature. Take me now or leave me be. I don’t want to feel this way.

  “Yes you do.” His voice was such a low whisper Silver thought she might have imagined hearing him speak.

  Jet sat up straight, eyes now wide, spell broken. “I’m not one to take advantage of my position with a woman, with anyone. You aren’t required to placate me in a sexual way.” Jetre snorted. “Perhaps that’s only my ego. I couldn’t stand the thought of forcing myself on a woman. I’ve always assumed no woman would reject me, which is quite disturbing. Perhaps you don’t want me?”

  Silver groaned. “Don’t mock me, Lord, you read my thoughts clearly enough. It’s bad enough that I’ve betrayed my kind. Don’t make me betray myself.”

  Jetre ignored her words and stood, pulling the cord from his hair.

  That’s his way? Play with me for a moment, send my world reeling, and dismiss me like a scrap of garbage.

  “You’ll help me dress now, and we will eat and drink with the soldiers and their families. I intend to speak to the crowd of your presence here. Some of it will annoy you, badly, especially when I speak of your brother. Try to show restraint. Understood?”