Hers to Command (16 page)

She
had to stop for a moment. Her breath hitched in reaction to his entry.
This hurt
. She looked at him with a pained smile. “I want you so, but…” she panted heavily. “Give me a moment, there’s just so much of you.”

He hissed and swore colorfully under his breath. “I am a brute. Hell's Gate, Fleur, kiss me, little one.”
She leaned forward gingerly and he took her mouth lovingly, brushing her lips with his. Disengaging, he reached behind and uncapped a vial filled with oil. Rising slightly out of the warmth, he coated himself thoroughly. With a strained chuckle, he exhaled. “At your pace, sweet girl, at your pace.”

He shuddered with restraint as she rocked forward onto him, taking the head of his cock within her.
“I will be mentally reciting the seventy-two rituals of the
Lesser Magicks
—backward. I don’t want to set anything on fire.”

She
gurgled with amusement. With their foreheads touching, she hung on him for many minutes while her warlord caressed her sensually, whispering endearments, interspersed with esoteric magical phrases, and occasionally, when her hips swirled in a particular way, explicit obscenities.

“I'm good now, Ari.”
She bit her lower lip as she rotated her hips, working him in further.

He
kissed her tenderly, his tongue exploring her mouth, until he pulled away quickly. “Yes, like that, slow and steady. Goddess, stop…” He blew out a few heavy breaths and his hands pressed on her hips. “Again. Ah, yes, like that. Fuck, that’s good, so tight.” He groaned. “When did you learn to be such a tease? Hmm? Take all of me, love.” In tantalizingly slow increments, she slid down onto him fully.

Her legs wrapped tightly around his waist, her bottom resting on his muscled thighs, she closed her eyes savoring the fullness. “I can feel you in my throat, I think. You stretch me so much
, it hurts. It hurts
good
.” She rocked back and forth in bliss sending little waves to lap the edge of the pool.

“Yes,”
he choked. “Goddess, yes. Do that.”

Holding her firmly around her waist, he began to raise and lower her on his length, rolling his hips and thrusting into her on the downward glide.

“Ah, it has been too long, Princess. You are too much—too good. I am not going to last. I'll make it good for you next time,” his husky voice gasped. “And the next and the next. My word on it.”

Fleur could feel his thighs trembling and
could hear his grunt as he reached the end of her on each upthrust. He spread his powerful hands on her waist, moving his thumbs down to bracket her clit, pressing and releasing as he powered her up and down his cock. She felt the stretch and pull of every inch of his heavy staff as it slid through her wet flesh. The pressure of his thumbs on either side of her tender nub spiked her arousal into tighter and tighter coils.

Just the thought that desire for her had pushed her formidable lover past control fed the fires of her rapidly building arousal. She had lain in bed night after night for
a month dreaming of this. She was ignited by the sparkling waves of sensation pulsing through her as his thick cock stroked and stroked her inner core.

She
moved her hands off his shoulders and cupped her breasts, rolling and pinching her nipples between fingers. Sharp lances of exquisite sensation speared into her pussy and clit. A ragged moan escaped her lips.

Never stopping the pulsing of his thumbs,
he groaned, “Fleur, can you come?”

Soundless, eyes closed, she nodded her head. With a slight whimper, her eyes flew open and caught his. For a breathless moment, she held his gaze before she screamed his name in relief and ecstasy. Her inner muscles massaged his heavy cock with strong, rolling contractions.

With a sound that echoed throughout the chamber, he came, thrusting powerfully into her over and over before clutching her to himself with wracking shudders. The sounds of their heavy gasps and lapping water filled the chamber for many long moments.
What am I going to do? I tried not to, but oh gods, I love him.

“I missed you, Princess.”

She drew back, blinking rapidly. “You did?” She wished she could control her emotions better, but he seemed to strip her of any defense. Slow tears ran down her cheeks.

“Yes.
” He nuzzled his face into her hair, placing soft kisses on the top of her head. “Do you mind?”

She buried her head in his neck.
Her tears flowed freely, now.
Oh goddess, help me. Do I mind?

“Hey, now. What’s this?” Ari lifted her chin and looked at her. “I didn’t mean to make you cry.” His voice lost some
of its arrogant sureness. “I won’t mention my feelings again. I don’t expect you to reciprocate.”

“No! Oh, no, no.” She swiped at her eyes and nose. “I don’t mind.”
I am hopeless.
“These are very happy tears.”

“Ah,” he said with a quiet smile and pushed a lock of her hair behind her ear.

She caressed his face as tears continued to roll down her cheeks. Her warlord wrapped her in his arms and nestled her head under his chin. The couple held each other in rapt silence for long moments before he sighed and gathered her even closer.

“We are doing this again
—in a bed. And I promise, Princess, it will take much, much longer. I am going to tease you until you are begging for me.”

Collapsed against his shoulder, sated for the moment and joyously content, she shivered in anticipation at his sensual threat.

“I am the victim of a conspiracy, Ari.” Her fingers lazily traced the delineation of his bicep muscle, then up to his shoulder and finally stroked his elegant jaw.

“Hmm. It was a conspiracy of those who care for you. Sari and Camilla prepared your bath and
Elder Patricio was to keep you busy when we rode in.”

“Patricio, too?” Fleur pushed away just enough to look at him then nestled back onto his chest
. “I am surprised he helped you.” She laughed softly. “He knows we are responsible for his missing eyebrows. They never completely grew back—just tufts. He looks like a deranged squirrel.” She took a deep, contented breath. “I liked it better when you two were at odds. Now I'm totally outnumbered.”

Lifting
her off his lap, he handed her a washcloth and soap with a courtly bow. “We will never conspire against you again, my Lady. I pledge my solemn oath.”

She
snorted in a very unladylike fashion. “Hah! In the future, you will merely take more care to hide it.”

With a playful growl,
he pounced, submerging them both under the warm water.

* * * * *

Fleur, dry and surrounded with a pleasant cloud of soft sandalwood and bergamot scent, snuggled into Ari’s arms as he carried her to her bed. He laid her down, and joined her, propping his head on one elbow, gently stroking her face. “The joint summit was informative. The League will keep two of their battle cruisers stationed in orbit around Verdantia—ostensibly until such time as we can take over our own defense.” He hesitated for a moment, then continued.

“Admiral Lockwood relayed some t
roubling information about the council. We must address that as soon as possible. We also began discussions on how to organize the recovery of our citizens. On the surface, the talks were cooperation. Underneath the superficial platitudes, they were the usual weary assortment of lies, deceit and ulterior motives.”

Fleur
closed her eyes, enjoying his stroking. “We will need a complete briefing. From your tone, the League is a cause for concern. But for tonight, I would like to hold the outside world at bay. Necessary business for Verdantia has occupied all of our time. So, at this moment, I wish to spend a small portion on just us.” She opened her eyes. “Ari, I have done considerable thinking in the month we been apart.”

“And where have your thoughts taken you?”

“For one, to your knowledge of the bedroom arts. Your reputation is, well, notable.”

He snorted and rolled his eyes. “That is being kind. The word you want is ‘notorious’.” He sighed. “I cannot undo my past.”

“Umm.” She examined his face trying to memorize every detail, every line. If he said yes to her offer, this might be the last time she would have the opportunity. “The limited sexual experience I have had came in performing the
Lesser Rites
. Until you, I never made ‘love’. I don’t
know
how to please a lover. I have never had sex when I wasn’t chanting something. Even then, I have had two partners— Perry and some seventh-level who didn’t give me the courtesy of a first name. What I know about sex is what I read in a book or what I learn from you.”

Ari stroked her softly. “Your inexperience is not unattractive.”

Fleur looked at him in disbelief. “Since going back into society, I heard your name coupled with many beautiful, sophisticated women. I recently met several of them. They are amazing.” She dropped her gaze. “How can I possibly hold your interest compared to
them
? It seems I am like three-quarters of our world, Ari. I am in love with you.” She cleared her throat. “I worry you will find me unexciting, provincial, gauche. Ari, I would die inside if I disappointed you, if I could not keep you happy.”

He made an inarticulate sound of protest but
she continued. She could not look at him.
I have got to get through this.
“Then there is that contract. We will be joined in marriage in the very near future. It seems all Verdantia, with the notable exception of the crown princess, knew how vehemently you despised that contract. If you entertain any second thoughts, any doubts, please tell me now. It would destroy a part of me to discover afterward you felt trapped or coerced.”

She had to force the words out
. “A wedding is not required, Ari. There is no stigma in my having you as a lover. I mean… should you want me, that is…as a lover,” she stammered.

He
drew back, sitting up. “Look at me, Fleur. Listen to me.” His hands cupped her face, gently but firmly, forcing her to meet his earnest gaze. “I don’t
remember
any woman before you. Do you understand my words?” His eyes searched her face.

“I think I understand your meaning.”
She couldn’t stop a smile from playing at the corners of her mouth.

“Where you are concerned, for the first time in my life, I find myself intensely possessive. I want you legally bound to me. There will be no escape for you. You are mine.”

Dear goddess, thank you, thank you.
“Will you please forgive me if I ask you to repeat that from time to time?”

He
cuddled her to him and brushed his lips against hers in a soft, searching kiss. As always, her body responded to him. “I will remind you as often as you need,” he promised.

L
ying quietly for a few moments, he threw an intent look toward her. “I was sixteen, the proud son of a noble house, as wild as the horses I rode. One memorable afternoon, your father, Elder Patricio, and my parents summoned me. They handed me a marriage contract. What they threatened me with to make me sign it you don’t need to hear.” He gave a slight shudder. “No, you don’t need to hear that.”

He caught
her eyes again. “I signed their contract, but a rage burned inside my gut that I could scarcely control. I drowned it between the breasts and thighs of any female who caught my eye.” He sighed. “And there were also men.” Again, he was quiet for a long moment, playing with the fingers of her hand. “Somehow, Fleur, you have brought a peace to me I thought I would never find. It is hard, now, to remember those times.”

Drawing back, he examined her face. “Whose words trouble you? Who has been whispering in your ear?”

“By the Goddess, Ari. If unwound, the list of ladies
and lords
asking for a private audience to dissuade me from making a ’painful mistake‘ would roll across the room, out the door and down the staircase.”

Ari
winced a little at her sarcastic huff.

“It would be easier to list
those who did not seek me out. Just…” She paused, then continued. “Promise you will tell me if I am…” There was a long silence while she considered her words. “If I am ever not enough for you.”

“My feelings about
you are unique in my experience,” he sighed. “With
my
past, you can trust I know my mind.”

Gathering her to him, he lay back and settled her under his arm.

“I will be faithful to you, my Lady. You can trust me.”

They lay there in a relaxed silence for several minutes before
she took a deep breath. “I believe you, Ari.”
But do you love me?

* * * * *

“Your Royal Highness, Conte DeTano. Please, take a seat here. Thank you for attending us so promptly this morning. I apologize for the early hour, but we could not wait any longer.”

Elder Patricio
ushered Fleur and Ari into the council chambers and seated them in the large cushioned chairs facing the horseshoe shaped, stair-stepped gallery. She glanced about and cast startled eyes at Ari. The entire quorum of
L’anziano
was present. The rustle of robes and shush of whispers halted as she and Ari settled into their seats.