“Like you’re sick?” Sadie sounded empathetic.
“No, not sick, just broken. Our people are living longer than on Earth. We’re stronger. Healthier,” he tried to reassure her fears. “But we’re also not producing female children. At first, they thought it was a…I believe Princess Eve said the word was flute, fluke?”
“A fluke,” Sadie supplied. “Eve is your sister-in-law, right?”
“Yes, she married my brother.”
“You were saying your scholars thought your reproduction issues was a fluke?”
“Yes, at first, our scholars thought it was a fluke, and couples were encouraged to produce large families, to have as many children as they could in hopes that females would appear again. Only, it didn’t work. Now, we have even more men and no women for them to mate with. As this vast generation gets older, they want what our parents have. They want to create families and have wives. They want love. And, as a member of the Draig royal family, it is my responsibility to help them find it.”
“You can’t be held responsible for biological abnormalities. You didn’t cause this,” Sadie defended him even though he did not need it.
“But, I am responsible. As is my brother, Kyran, and my parents, and Princes Rafe and Ivar, and their parents. Just as you, as my wife, are now responsible. They look to us to lead. For their sake, we must find them brides. Draig and Var historical documents indicate that humans are reproductively compatible. We unearthed the portal and went back to our former planet to prove this correct.”
“You expect me to…” Sadie frowned. “What? How in the world, or planet, or universe, can I help an entire population of dragon-shifters find wives? It’s not like the Earth government is going to listen to me when I try to tell them the idea.”
“We are not contacting the Earth government.”
Sadie gave a small nod. “Yeah, after my little portal trip, I didn’t think so.”
“I regret the way you were treated,” Finn said. “Prince Ivar and I were having a disagreement, and you were not meant to see that.”
“I’m sorry, but this secret can’t be revealed,” Sadie whispered.
“You’re right. We cannot tell anyone about—”
“No, that’s what Ivar said to me before he threw me here,” Sadie interrupted.
“What else did he tell you?” Finn leaned forward, desperate to figure out a way to help Ivar, to know that he was safe.
“Nothing. Just that he was sorry.” Sadie bit her lip and slid her leg off the couch, she stood, putting distance between them. “I don’t see what you need me to do about any of this. I operate a food and travel website. I live off the advertising. I’m not a matchmaker. I’m not about to go through a portal to other worlds to help you grab women purely for sex.”
“We have made mistakes,” Finn allowed. “A day is not much time to find a woman and convince her to come home with us. I admit we knew the plan was extreme, but we were overly optimistic when we started this project, perhaps too hopeful. We never meant to kidnap anyone against their will. We would never go against the will of the gods in such a way. Our plan was to sneak to Earth, walk around, find our mates and come home. Because of the controversy surrounding the idea, Kyran, Ivar, Rafe, and I were to go through and find brides. We were to prove this could work. We watched your television transmissions and sent scouts through to gather information. We thought we knew what we were doing. We have since learned that we were making fools of ourselves. Our first night through we told everyone we were drag queens. We thought it meant royalty.”
At that Sadie chuckled. The sound caused the ache inside of his chest to lessen. It gave him a small hope that she might understand the importance of what he was saying.
“And you see no other way?” she asked.
“The few alien species that have come here to make contact have not proven themselves to be proper mating material. They’re either incompatible or have conflicting customs that are not harmonious with our ways, or they simply have no desire to live on this planet.” Finn stood before her, wanting to close the distance between them. Every part of him was pulled in her direction, like a driving force that recognized her importance to his survival. “Many of the elders, including Lord Montague, are not happy with the portal being open. They keep reciting examples from the old days, spreading fear amongst any who would listen. They wish to close the portal permanently. They have been looking for any excuse to make that happen. With only half of the princes showing success, and then the fact that several of the dragon-shifter people have sneaked away to Earth never to be heard from again, well…” He gave a helpless gesture. “It took decades to put this plan into motion. We can’t stop it now.”
“What about the Var?”
“The cat-shifter people are not as frightened about interacting with aliens as the dragons are, and they seem to have accepted the idea better than we have. However, the portal is on Draig land, and many of my people feel this gives us the right to control it. The Var aren’t happy about that. Relations have become strained between our people. Now, with Prince Ivar stranded on Earth…”
“You’re afraid this will start a war?” Sadie nodded. “I can see that. Historically speaking wars have started over less.”
“No, no, not a war. That can’t happen,” Finn shook his head in denial. “But this will not help tensions between both sides.”
“So I ask again. What do you expect me to do about any of this? Do you want me to tell your parents that it wasn’t your fault? I already did that. I told them Ivar hit you and threw you in. I can say the same to Ivar’s parents if you think it will help.”
Finn felt a sadness wash over him. “You must promise me you will never repeat what I am about to reveal to you.”
Sadie looked worried, but she nodded. “Ok.”
“When shifters find their mate, it is said something happens inside of them. One look and they know as sure as anything. We had thought exposure to many women would make our task easy. Only two of the four of us found wives in such a way. The elders are calling this plan a failure and are going to close the portals. I convinced Ivar that we would go one last time and find women, any women, willing to marry us—true mate or not. What I didn’t tell him is if that didn’t happen, I planned on staying behind on Earth. With me there, they couldn’t close them down until the portal reopened where I was stranded. It would buy time to come up with a better solution.”
“That’s what you were fighting about. You wanted to stay. Ivar wasn’t having it. And he got trapped, left behind because I interfered.” Sadie walked toward the fireplace and rested her forehead against the mantel, and stared into the flames. “So, it’s my fault everything is messed up. I should have minded my own business.”
“You thought you were doing the right thing. You faced a great warrior because you thought someone needed help. It was very noble of you. I am proud to call you my wife.”
“But you didn’t feel that thing when you saw me, did you?” Sadie glanced up at him. She looked sad. “When it comes down to it, that’s what you’re too scared to admit to me, isn’t it? You want me to stay here as your wife, but you don’t feel connected to me as a shifter should.”
“I’m sorry,” Finn shook his head. “I like you. I am very attracted to you, but I worry that part of myself may be broken. I’m sure we can come to love each other. I will make you a good husband, Sadie. I will give you everything I have. I will be loyal. I will search the galaxies to fulfill your every wish. Please, stay with me. Make everyone believe that this marriage is ordained by the gods and that you’re happy. Help me keep the portal open. Help me save the dragons.”
9
Sadie stared at Finn, unsure of which emotion gripped her more. Was it disbelief or disappointment? Finn was offering her a marriage of convenience. The notion went against every convention of a modern woman. After all, that was what her parents had, mostly. Sure, they had loved each other, but her mom was a military wife who, as her father o
ften explained it, “kept the home operating like a well-oiled machine,” while he, “protected our nation, our values, and our way of life.”
Bestowed with the same sense of responsibility, probably even more so than her dad, Finn had a lot of the same qualities she’d been raised to believe in—he talked of duty, and of preserving a way of life.
Besides the guarded front door, Finn’s home was comprised of a series of doorless rooms joined by open arches. The windows were narrow, too small to fit through, but wide enough to get a view of the mountain range and treetops beyond the castle. The furniture appeared carved and sewn by hand, with an attention to detail that usually only the wealthy could afford. Weapons hung on a wall like a museum display that belonged behind velvet ropes. All the swords, axes, and knives sharpened to a gleam as if ready for battle.
Through one arch was a small kitchen. It had a stove grate over a fire pit, and an array of odd appliances she couldn’t wait to figure out how to use. The refrigerator was through a hatch in the floor. The counters had been carved from stone and merely appeared an eccentric version of Earth homes. She couldn’t say the same for the bathroom. The long bench that served as a toilet had been a little daunting. And the bath was an indoor natural spring that never seemed to stop bubbling.
She was living inside a fantasy movie set.
Only it was real.
Staring at these rooms for two days, watching sun after sun pass over the top dome, seeing exotic birds land on the other side of the window looking in at her as if she were an exhibit, it had been hard to deny that she was indeed on another planet and staying with royalty. She’d even found Finn’s crown amongst his belongings. Not that she’s set out from day one to snoop, but the days were long and drawn out with little or nothing for her to do.
“You’re not speaking,” Finn observed as if he had to break the long silence.
“I was thinking how big your home is,” she said. “And it is only one part of this palace.”
“I know it is the smaller of the royal rooms, but I did not need more space. My brother, as the future king, had need of the large suite. Where I have a bedroom, he has an office. His room is reached by stairs to separate it from the rest of his home. That way when visitors wish to meet with him, he never has to worry if the servants have tended his bed or not.”
“You misunderstand. I’m not saying it’s small. I’m saying it’s huge. It’s bigger than any apartment or extended stay hotel I’ve ever lived in as an adult. I’m sure it is larger than any of my childhood homes. Though, I will say I like having someone else make my bed for me. That’s why extended stays are so great. Housekeeping.”
“You wish for smaller? I can find you smaller,” Finn offered. “I meant it when I said I want to make you happy.”
“For me to even consider giving this a shot. There is one thing I need from you.” Sadie crossed over to the large pull strings hanging down from the center dome and pulled one to close the curtain overhead. It cast the home into darkness.
“Anything.” He stood. The orange light from the fireplace illuminated him in a way that was all too sexy. Watching him sleep had been torture, seeing the curve of his hip molded by silky blankets, memorizing the slope of his nose, and recalling the feel of his lips to hers. The loose shirt hid more than it revealed.
Sadie pressed her hand against the center of his chest. The steady beat of his heart beneath her fingers reminded her of how real this moment was. She wasn’t scared of sex, or dragons, or alien worlds. Change did not frighten her. It was permanence that terrified her—staying in the same place, talking to the same people who would eventually learn all her secrets and annoying habits and in the end reject her because of them.
First meets are easy. Staying is hard.
Finn offered her very noble reasons to be his wife, to remain on this planet, to become a princess who never had to worry about where the next meal or advertiser would come from. But he didn’t love her. Perhaps that was all right though. Would she have believed him if he said those three words under the current circumstances?
“What do you need?” he asked.
Sadie lifted on her toes and kissed him. Her hands glided into his hair to hold him close. Being with him felt natural. The loose shirt moved seductively between them as she pushed her body against his chest.
Finn made a small noise of approval and wrapped his arms around her back. Hands cupped her ass, and he lifted her from the ground and carried her the short distance to the couch. He set her dangling feet back on the floor and then pulled away to tug his shirt over his head and toss it aside. His muscles danced erotically beneath his skin as he reached for her gown. He pulled it over her head just as enthusiastically.
Sadie reached behind her back to unlatch her bra. The warm fire felt wonderful against her naked flesh, but not as nice as when her breasts touched him for the first time. A shiver ran over her, causing her knees to weaken. She lost her footing and fell back onto the couch.
Finn took her lack of grace as an invitation and leaned over her. His hand and knee pressed into the cushion, bracing his weight so he could explore the length of her body. Fingers glided over her side, touching her skin as if memorizing her curves. He caressed down her thigh before moving upward.
A tingling sensation worked over her body, and her breath caught. Her hand ran over his chest, feeling the solid thud of his heart. Pleasure erupted everywhere he touched. His scent surrounded her. When he looked at her, his eyes shifted and changed, the gold flash in their depths mesmerizing her.
His finger hooked onto her panties, and he gently pulled them off her hip. He watched her face as if waiting for any show of hesitancy or doubt. Sadie pulled the material on the opposite hip and dragged the lacy underwear down her legs to help him undress her.
He leaned back, pulling them off her feet. Firelight added both eroticism and romance to the moment. It softened his features while highlighting the effects of his arousal. Finn lifted her foot and kissed the arch before trailing his lips along her leg. Each worshipping caress was carefully placed.
Her eyes roamed his body, looking for anything abnormal. Aside from his flashing eyes, he looked very human—a sexy, smoldering hot human.
“Come here. There’s time for play later. Right now, I want you.” She reached for his neck, urging him to crawl along her body. He kissed her hip before moving up.
“Whatever my lady wishes,” he said before rubbing his lips against hers. “Your wish is my command.”
She wiggled until his legs were resting between hers. His thick arousal bumped her thigh as he maneuvered his hips forward. There was a slight moment of fear overshadowed by anticipation as the tip of his cock slid along her wet opening. Desire had never felt like this, like lava in her veins, like stars bursting around her vision, like… like…
“Finn,” she whispered. She pressed her hips up, desperate to be filled.
His primal growl answered her weak cry as he slid deep. The fear left her. This was what she wanted, this feeling, this moment, the aching climax just beyond her reach. Sadie clawed at his ass, keeping him deep when he would withdraw. He circled his hips.
She wanted to make it last, but her body had other plans. The days spent staring at his sleeping form had taken their toll. She needed this. She needed him.
“Finn,” she gasped, barely able to form the word. The muscles inside her clamped over him. He thrust deeper. She orgasmed hard, the mindless drive too much to resist. Within seconds, Finn was coming with her. He looked almost surprised by the suddenness of it, but there was no stopping fate.
Weakened in the aftermath of pleasure, she dropped her legs to the side and endeavored to catch her breath. “Wow, Finn, I mean, wow.”
He leaned back, with only a smile on his features. His lips parted to answer, but a knock sounded on the door. She braced herself at the interruption. The door began to open, and someone spoke in the Draig language.
Finn yelled something in response. He shot up from
the couch and grabbed her dress. He tossed it over her body. “The food.” He rushed to the door naked.
Stunned, Sadie pulled the gown over her chest and watched as a naked Finn gathered the tray. She gave a small laugh when he turned. “That was close.”
The door pushed open behind him. Her laughter died to see the queen behind her son. The woman slammed the door and began to speak, only to stutter to stop when she witnessed Finn’s ass. She made a strange noise and turned. Sadie didn’t need to speak the language to know when someone was being scolded.
“Would someone mind translating for me?” Sadie asked.
Finn gave her a half smile. “She told me to dress myself. That this is no way to answer a door.”
“Good, you’re both here,” the queen said, not turning around as she still faced the door. “Maybe one of you could tell me what it is you’re thinking, though I think it’s obvious that neither one of you have given much thought as to what this arrangement looks like. People are saying this marriage is cursed because—”
“What people?” Finn asked.
Sadie hastily dressed. The woman’s appearance worked better than an ice shower.
“Everyone—the servants, the elders, the guards,” the queen answered. “They all saw what happened. I mean, honestly? What possessed you to get married like that? In that… that… rag.”
“No law says the marriage tent needs to be of the finest quality,” Finn defended. He set down the tray and grabbed his pants. As he slid his legs in, he continued, “It just needs to be a tent, a symbol of shared household.” He tied a drawstring at his waist. “You can turn around now.”
The queen peeked over her shoulder before moving to face her son fully. She glanced over him and gave a small nod. Finn returned the gesture. The queen pointed her attention to Sadie who stood by the couch. Sadie smoothed down her hair, conscious about how she must have looked in such an awkward moment.
Mischievous Prince Page 7
