The wedding came and went with joyous fanfare from everyone in attendance and Alex found herself back in the bower, unable to stop thinking about it.
Her dress was lovely, a gift from Vasilis as it fell in voluminous waves of white silk and fine lace to the ground. The train was fifteen feet long and her veil fell in a soft wave over her face. He dressed in his regal prince attire and she was never more nervous walking toward him during the ceremony. If not for his steady gaze pinned on hers, she wouldn’t have made it across the courtyard.
Her stomach jolted as she recalled the wedding kiss. When his mouth had touched hers, she’d nearly melted. It was warm, firm and the crowds had cheered when he’d placed his arm around her and had drawn her close, deepening his kiss.
Alex stared at the exquisite diamond pendant in her hand, another gift from Vasilis. Ariel reached for it.
‘Can I see it again? Please.’
Alex laughed. ‘Okay. Here, you can wear it for a bit, but then we have to put it in its box.’ She clasped the pendant around Ariel’s neck and smiled as her little sister stared in the mirror.
‘Do you want some water, honey?’ Alex asked.
Ariel nodded.
Alex walked to a jug and poured water in a glass. She gave it to Ariel. ‘Bedtime in a few minutes, okay?’
‘Okay.’
Alex’s nerves rushed forth. She was going to sleep with him tonight. It may not have been the same as saying she was going to bed him, but the thought still made her nervous. She was attracted to him and sleeping next to him in her nightdress with his muscular body only inches away from hers brought a rush of heat to her cheeks. That morning in his tent swam before her eyes and her heart skipped a beat. She wanted him and she knew he wanted her. Would they make love tonight, she wondered nervously? If he wanted to, she was going to let him, she decided.
After the wedding ceremony this afternoon, he’d reminded her that marrying him requested she retire to his bed every night, even if they were wed in name only. She’d responded with a calm nod even though she had been a mess inside.
Heat warmed her face and she drew in an unsteady breath. ‘Carla will be here soon, honey. It’s time for bed,’ she said. Carefully she removed the pendant from her little sister’s neck and placed it in its box on the dresser. Ariel climbed into the massive bed as Carla knocked and entered.
Alex smiled at her. ‘She’ll be sleeping in a few minutes. The day tired her out.’
Carla smiled back and went to Ariel. ‘I hope you’ll be able to stay up for at least one story?’
Ariel giggled. ‘Two stories.’
‘Okay. Two stories.’
Alex loved Carla. She was so good with children…and so patient. ‘Are you going to be okay?’
‘We’ll be fine. Have a good night, Your Highness.’
Alex was uncomfortable. She still had a hard time getting used to her new title. ‘Goodnight, Carla. Goodnight, sweetheart. I’ll see you in the morning,’ she said to Ariel, reaching across the bed to kiss her.
”Night, Alex. Love you.’
‘I love you, too.’
She left them and walked down the long winding corridor to the west wing where the prince’s chamber was. The castle was so huge it took her a few minutes to arrive at his massive double doors. She swallowed and knocked gently. Nothing. She knocked again. Again nothing. Frowning, she turned the knob and opened the door. The room was lit with candelabras and she gasped as she stepped inside its opulence. Her gaze went immediately to his bed. It was just as huge as the one in the bower, but his bed was raised a few inches off the ground on a platform and was covered by a canopy draped in blue silk.
‘Vasilis,’ she called softly into the soft lighting. ‘Are you here?’
Silence ensued. Disappointed, she went closer to the bed and noticed a large white box on the blue covers. The box had a large red ribbon around it. She walked to the edge of the bed and saw a card.
For your wedding night. Vasilis.
Curiously, she undid the ribbon and lifted the lid. Tissue paper covered what was inside the box and she pushed it aside, lifting the most beautiful nightgown she’d ever seen. It was a long, white flowing mass of sheer silk with exquisite straps and lace around the bodice. A wave of guilt rushed through her veins. He’d given her so many gifts in the last couple of days and she had given him nothing.
She went into the bath chamber and changed. She came out a few minutes later and looked around. He still wasn’t here.
Alex stomped down on the flash of nerves rising inside of her.
Where was he?
Was he downstairs in the great hall drinking with his guards, or…or was he in another bedchamber with a young wench he picked up from the village? Alex sat on the edge of the bed and waited, wondering if she should just crawl into it and go to sleep.
An hour later of pacing and sitting and staring out of the window, she gave up. He was with another woman. He must have been if he’d kept her waiting all this time. Humiliated, she began removing her nightdress. She wasn’t going to wear it. Naked, she walked to the dresser and opened the drawer where she saw a long cotton nightdress.
At that moment, the door opened and Vasilis strode in. Alex froze and stared at him from the corner of the room. She watched him pause, his hand still on the door and look around until his gaze rested on her and she heard him draw in a harsh, strangled breath. He’d seen her!
Quickly, she grabbed the nightdress from the drawer and held it against her body. Without saying a word, he slammed the door behind him and strode toward her, removing his armour and tunic as he approached, letting them fall to the ground. He stood in front of her, bare-chested and grabbed the dress from her clutches. He threw it on the ground behind him as he ran his gaze over her naked breasts and lower to her femininity. Alex couldn’t move.
‘Don’t cover yourself,’ he rasped and dragged her into his arms.
His kiss was punishing and she welcomed it as she ran her hands through his hair. Her senses flared to life as his hands circled her waist and he dragged her lower body up against his hard member. She was weak kneed and returned his kiss passionately.
Before the kiss started, it ended as he grabbed her by the shoulders and withdrew. He looked down at her with unconcealed hunger on his face and she marvelled at the effect she had on him.
‘Why did you stop?’ she asked breathlessly.
‘I want you to be sure this is what you want.’
She pulled away, gasping. Oh my God! He was with another woman and he wanted to know if she was fine with the fact he would never be monogamous! Humiliation and rage made her grow cold. Without thinking, she swung her hand to his face, but he was quicker than her and he caught her hand before she slapped him.
‘Damnation, woman! What is wrong with you?’ he growled.
‘Where were you?’ she asked.
His breathing was laboured and he frowned, momentarily confused.
‘The sun will be up soon. Where were you all this time?’ She hated that she sounded jealous, but she couldn’t help it. She didn’t want to share him with anyone.
His brows came down and his mouth tensed. ‘I was with Katya.’
She felt her legs grow weak. She tried pulling her hand out of his grasp and failed. ‘Which lover is Katya?’
His expression darkened. ‘Katya is the She-Lycan you didn’t want me to kill.’
‘Oh,’ she replied in a small voice. Ashamed, her gaze wavered under his and she stared at his chest.
‘Hesta came to get me just as I was coming to you hours ago,’ he explained. ‘It appears our Katya is from the Lycan pack in the mountains and she was giving me information on them. Where they hide. How many are in their pack.’ He paused, the silence deafening. ‘Alexandra,’ he said quietly. ‘Look at me.’
Slowly she raised her gaze and their eyes locked. ‘I’m sorry, Vasilis. I…I thought…’
He grimaced. ‘I know what you thought.’ He ran a dark, passionate gaze over her bare breasts before looking back into her eyes. ‘And I don’t blame you, but that was my reputation in the past, before I met you. Right now, the only woman I want to be with is you, dammit.’
She parted her lips and exhaled a breath she didn’t know she was holding. ‘Then be with me,’ she whispered.
He looked visibly shaken as he stared into her eyes. ‘What are you saying?’
‘I want you to make love to me,’ she said softly.
Desire flared on his face and he immediately lifted her in his arms and carried her to the bed. He laid her down and stood back, his gaze never leaving hers, as he removed the rest of his clothes. Alex couldn’t take her eyes off him as she devoured every inch of his magnificent body. When she looked down to where his male sex was, a thick, long, steel shaft, she blushed. Every part of him was all male, sexy and strong.
Her breath caught at the predatory glint in his eyes as he walked to the bed and stretched his long frame beside her. He ran his gaze hungrily over her naked body. A sudden attack of shyness made her bring her hand up to her breasts, but he stopped her with a tender touch.
‘Don’t. I want to look at you. You’re beautiful, Alexandra. More beautiful than you realise.’
Slowly, he lowered his head and trailed hot kisses along her shoulders, her arms, her breasts. She closed her eyes and let the moment sweep her away. His mouth was heaven on her skin and her body reacted instinctively to his touch.
He slid his hand over her shoulder, down her arm, over her flat belly, making her moan softly, her eyes still closed. Her stomach quivered as he slid his hand from her belly around to her hip and then to the top of her thigh.
She gasped sharply, opening her eyes. His hand was on her mound, caressing her gently. Her breathing quickened and she turned and buried her face in his neck. She inhaled his male scent, squeezing her eyes as he continued his sensual exploration of the top of her mound.
Instinctively, she spread her legs. He dipped his hand further down and caressed her most intimate spot. Alex moaned, biting into her lower lip as an ache pulsated and grew in her limbs. His fingers slid over her moistness, circling, pulling, kneading, until he slipped one into her and she threw back her head and released a strangled gasp.
She closed over his finger and convulsed with spasms, digging her nails into his back, as racks and racks of ecstasy cascaded over her body. She felt spent as she waited for her exquisite spasms to subside. She couldn’t believe what had just happened to her. It had been so sudden, like waves upon waves crashing over her, thrashing her back and forth in the ocean.
He withdrew his finger, slid his hand back up her body and cupped her breast. Then his mouth was on hers and she wrapped her arms around him, kissing him. He groaned deeply and she moaned as he moved and covered his body over hers. He brought a knee in between them and opened her legs. Instinctively, she spread them further and she felt his hard member press against her moist warmth. She knew what he was going to do and she braced herself knowing it would hurt for a brief moment.
He lifted his head and looked deeply into her eyes, his expression taut with desire. He found her entry and plunged himself deep inside her.
A blinding, hot flash pierced her as he stretched and filled her. She threw back her head and stifled a scream in her throat. She felt him stiffen violently and she looked up at his face.
He was staring at her with a possessive glint in his eyes.
‘You have been with no other,’ he stated hoarsely.
All she could do was shake her head as she felt the pain subside.
‘And you will never be with another,’ he said roughly, his expression a mixture of pride and desire.
She gasped as he began to move. At first, he withdrew and entered her slowly. Her body responded and she moved in harmony with him. He moved with more urgency and she met his moves as her body began to quiver and shake. She felt like she was soaring, higher and higher, to a point in the sky where she could find release.
All of a sudden, she splintered into a million pieces as wave upon wave of ecstasy fell over her and she screamed her climax for the second time that night.
Vasilis stiffened violently, threw back his head and roared his release as he spent his seed into her womb.
He lay silently over her, his hands braced on her sides so she didn’t feel his full weight on her, their heavy breathing slowly subsiding. After a few moments, he turned on his side and with one arm under her, brought her close to him.
She closed her eyes and marvelled at all the sensations in her body. She was tingling all over and her heart swelled with feeling. This was love, she realised. It must have been if he was able to make her respond so intensely to his touch.
‘Do you remember when you asked me why I wanted to marry you?’ he asked.
‘Yes,’ she replied softly.
He turned to her and looked into her eyes. ‘I love you, Alexandra. I have loved you from the first moment I saw you standing on that boulder pointing your arrow at me.’
His declaration filled her with elation, staring at his ruthlessly handsome face. He loved her. She couldn’t believe it.
‘Say something,’ he continued, his tone hinting desperation. ‘Say anything. Tell me you’ll be with me forever. Tell me you love me, too. Tell me I’m not crazy to think a beautiful woman like you could ever love a beast like me.’
Slowly, she rose on her elbow and looked down at him. She brought her hand to the side of his face and stared at him with all the love she felt shining from her eyes. His expression lit with hope.
‘I will be with you forever,’ she began slowly. ‘I love you. And you’re not crazy.’
He brought his hands up and cupped her face, bringing her head down as he lifted his head from the bed.
‘I love you,’ he murmured, trailing kisses all over her face. ‘God, how much I love you.’
She slid her body over his and he growled appreciatively. He was aroused again and she gasped softly as he brought his hand between them and guided his member to her opening. His face darkened passionately and her stomach jolted at the look of desire on his face as he pushed his hard tip a bit past her opening.
Then, with a grim face, he slid his hands to her waist and lifted her over him, pushing her down hard on him, impaling her. Alex gasped loudly, throwing her head back, as a rush of intense heat coursed through her body. Instinctively, she closed her womb over him and watched him grimace in sheer pleasure.
‘You’re so deep,’ she whispered hoarsely.
He was gritting his teeth, his eyes hooded, his mouth tense, as he tightened his hold on her waist and lifted her slightly from his sex. He pushed her down and then repeated the process when she realised what he wanted her to do. She rose and fell over him, her pace rising in speed and he threw his head back on his pillow and squeezed his eyes, growling. Then his hands were on her breasts. She was moving faster, her hands on his chest and they both climaxed at the same time, leaving each other spent and sated.
She fell over him, gasping for air.
