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MARIENNE
The harsh winter winds rushed around me, tearing at my hair and gown. If I were fully human, I would have been half-frozen by now.
But I wasn’t just a woman. My magic shimmered and pulsed through the air, sending trails of heat through my core. Erik’s huge shoulders shifted beneath me, and I moaned at the wonderful sensation of touching him. Could he feel my warmth spreading through his back as he flew? My legs clenched tight around him, and his wings beat the air with renewed force.
Power simmered in my veins. In that moment, I could have moved mountains if I had to. I needed Erik, and I was hopeful that nothing would stand in our way tonight.
I was so caught up in my musings I barely registered when his feet hit the stony parapet of the high North Tower. I let out a breathless laugh when his wings brushed against my back, preventing me from falling off during the abrupt landing.
Such a gentleman.
He released me, and I slid off his back, moving away so he had space to shift back to human when he was ready.
He staggered back from me. The air was already shimmering, and before my eyes the dragon dissolved away, leaving the man, naked and panting, in its place.
This moment—here and now—felt like our first true meeting.
There wasn’t anything between us any longer. No husband, no ceremony, no court protocol to follow. We were completely alone.
Erik was tall and lean, with shaggy hair that fell to his sharp jawline. His stature was powerful; anyone could see at a glance that he was a true dragon king.
He was trembling. His eyes were shadowed, and his face turned away. He wouldn’t look at me.
Was he afraid?
Had he felt my magic as we were flying back to the castle? A shockwave of pain seared through my chest at the possibility of his rejection. Did he think I would hurt him?
I reached out a hand toward him, and he flinched.
“Don’t,” he said, his voice low and gravelly. The words shot right to my core, and warmth spread through my belly, even as a sob caught in my throat.
He didn’t want my touch.
Slowly, I retracted my hand. We stood on the castle rooftop, at a stalemate. Neither of us moved. I was pretty sure neither of us breathed.
Then, his gaze slid to meet mine, just for a second, before darting away.
Oh.
He wasn’t trembling out of fear. He was holding himself back.
I could see it now, the tightness in his strong frame. The way the muscles bunched together in his forearms as he squeezed his hands into white-knuckled fists.
It had been five long years since anyone had touched me.
The day I’d seen Erik, everything changed. From the moment I realized he was my fated mate, I knew I could never give myself to the king again. Magnik declared me barren when I said, ‘no more’, and he lost interest in me completely in a sexual way.
I hadn’t been able to give Magnik heirs, but I could give him the power he sought. He valued the latter far more than anything else. He agreed to the physical separation happily enough. Our marriage bed had been cold ever since.
With Magnik, there had been no intimacy and, for years, I had convinced myself I didn’t need such things in my life.
But I was wrong. So wrong. And standing here in front of Erik, the longing for him drowned me, flooding my senses until I couldn’t think about anything else.
I needed him.
Slowly, so as not to startle him, I crept forward. My steps were feather-light against the flagstones—I could move soundlessly when I wanted to—and I kept my stance loose and relaxed.
I wasn’t afraid.
He wouldn’t hurt me.
We were so close now that I could feel the body heat coming off him in waves. It warmed the air around us and intensified my own desire. Gently, I reached out and cupped his forearm, encouraging it toward my body. His trembling increased. I placed his large, hot hand against my skin, over the neck of my low-cut gown.
My chest heaved beneath his touch, and ripples of warmth spread through me, undercutting the coldness of the night. The ripples became waves, lapping into every corner of my mind and body. Like a prism, the world exploded with light and color.
The images came to me in flashes. A silk canopy. A cheering crowd, flower petals thrown into a blue sky. Vows, an altar. Laughter, wine glasses sparkling in the sunlight. My hands trailing over his bare chest. His arms encircling me, protecting me. A kingdom—our kingdom—bright and thriving. Life renewing, fruit trees blossoming. Our children, running alongside us as we walked together, unhurried. Free, happy, fulfilled.
The visions vanished as quickly as they had come, slipping away into the darkness. All that remained was Erik.
His eyes flashed, and his hand flexed against me. I wanted to close the remaining distance between us, but I waited, mouth parted. If his hand slid down an inch, he would feel how hard my nipples had become.
His mouth crashed against mine without warning. I groaned at the feel of him as his other hand encircled my waist, drawing me up into him until I was on tiptoes and pressed against his hardness.
He pushed his tongue against mine and my legs trembled. No-one had ever held me like this—with such blatant raw need.
He kissed me with single-minded intensity, hands roaming all over my body until I gave up trying to kiss him back and simply clung onto his huge arms.
He gathered up my skirts, his hands spanned over my thighs, desperate, rough, and unrelenting.
I arched against him, impatient. I wanted him. So badly it hurt.
He pulled me up into his arms, fluid and decisive. I pressed my face into his shoulder, trailing my mouth over the hot skin of his neck, the angle of his jaw.
He was carrying me somewhere.
Inside?
I didn’t care. I felt the wave of warmth settle across my skin, felt the motion of his long strides, but I couldn’t bring myself to look up, or even open my eyes. If there was anyone around to see us, I preferred not to know.
We passed through a door, then another. The world spun around as he shifted me in his arms before dropping me onto a soft, warm, surface.
Is this a bed? How thoughtful of him.
I didn’t have time to think beyond that, as he crawled up over me and lowered the entire length of his body down onto mine.
If he had been holding back before, he wasn’t now. I groaned, pinned between him and the mattress. His hot breath huffed in my ear, and when he shifted on me, the hard length of his cock pressed against my stomach.
I rolled my hips up to meet his. He withdrew a little and loomed over me on all fours. He truly was beautiful, especially like this, his eyes slightly unfocused and swimming with lust.
“Erik...” I whispered.
“You want this? As much as I do?”
“Yes...”
He closed his hand around the neckline of my gown; the sheer, gauzy material crumpled in his fist. I moaned as he tugged sharply and tore the fabric in half, exposing my aroused breasts and belly to the air. His groan was deep and lustful, before his hot, damp mouth closed over one of my nipples, and I bit my lip to hold in the cry of pleasure that threatened to release.
He growled against my skin and palmed my other breast. I slid the remains of my gown off my shoulders to give him better access, writhing beneath him until the teasing became too much for both of us.
He reared back, ripping and tugging until the rest of my clothing was gone from the bed, then his mouth returned to my breasts where he laved first one, then the other, of my sensitized flesh with an expertise I reveled in.
“I need more,” I whispered, and dragged his mouth up to meet mine. As he kissed me, deeply, I felt his essence tangle with mine and permeate the air around us. I pulled him down on me, encouraging the contact. My pussy was soaked, and I only grew more desperate when I finally felt every inch of his firm, naked body against mine.
We rocked together, rejoicing in the feeling. I groaned when his hand twisted into my hair and pulled my head back, exposing my neck under his mouth. He laved kisses over my throat, his tongue darting out to taste my skin. I moved again and my center dragged up over the length of his cock. We both shivered at the sensation, and his hands slid lower, bracketing my hips.
He panted hard. Every inhalation and exhalation shot through his body, like he’d been running for miles. I wasn’t in a much better state myself.
Slowly, agonizingly slowly, he lifted me up by the hips and put me into position.
Then he sank into me, inch by inch. We both cried out at the connection. I was so tight, and his thickness felt so unbelievably good I had to take a moment to steady myself. My pussy rippled slowly around him, and I whimpered as I wrapped my legs around his waist, embracing the feeling of fullness.
I could have stayed that way forever. His ragged breaths were hot against my cheek. I bit at the corner of his mouth, and he grunted, thrusting up into me.
And again. And again. He fucked me hard and fast and... perfectly. The intensity of my pleasure shocked me. Sweetness rose like a cresting wave, and when his rough hand worked its way between us, fingers circling around my clit, I couldn’t hold back a scream as a violent orgasm crashed over me.
I shuddered against him, working my hips up and down, urging him deeper with every thrust. Our mouths found each other, tasting, elevating the intensity of the experience.
His cock drove into me relentlessly, and he buried his face into my neck as he came. When I felt him pulse inside me, I gave myself over to the sensation completely. I panted his name over and over as I came again. I couldn’t do anything but cling to him mindlessly as we kissed and shuddered in a mutual, mind-blowing climax.
He was still buried inside me, and nothing else mattered but the two of us, in this bed. Darkness filled the night, but here in his arms, I was completely safe.
The last thing I registered was Erik pressing a soft kiss against my temple, and then sleep pulled me under.
***
ERIK
I don’t know how long I lay there in the darkness, holding Marienne in my arms.
Even though I was exhausted, every muscle in my body wrung out and sated, my mind buzzed. In sleep, Marienne burrowed into my chest, and my heart melted. I brushed her long, dark hair off her bare shoulder and smiled to myself as I tucked her closer against me.
I couldn’t make sense of what had just happened.
My shifter was a powerful one; my royal bloodline made sure of that. I had always been stronger than the other men in my village, and my dragon could fly great distances without tiring.
Sure, I had a reputation for losing my temper. But uncontrollable shifting, and then claiming my half-brother’s wife? That was on a different level. In truth, the lack of control scared me.
There seemed to be one common denominator. One factor that set my dragon off like no other.
And I was currently sharing a bed with her.
If I hadn’t just experienced the most mind-blowing sex of my life, I might have been more concerned. As it was, I couldn’t bring myself to worry too much. The evening had taken an unexpected turn, but not an unwelcome one.
I should probably send Stavrok and Lucy a thank you gift basket.
I almost laughed aloud at the thought, but managed to keep in the sound, fearful I would wake my lover. I ran a hand over Marienne’s soft hair and drifted into sleep.
***
MARIENNE
My eyes, still blurry with sleep, took a couple of seconds to adjust when I opened them.
Unless I was mistaken, I was in King Erik’s bedchamber.
Huh.
The room was large and beautiful, and through an archway I spied a small sitting area with a vista through the window that overlooked the snowy mountains. The silk canopy over the bed exactly matched the one I had seen in my vision.
These rooms at the top of the North Tower had stood empty for years. Magnik and I had never slept here. He preferred to sleep nearer the heart of the castle, where the bank vaults lay filled with gold coins and other treasures.
My old rooms in the East Tower had been at the other end of the castle from Magnik. As far away from him as possible.
Erik didn’t know about any of that.
To him, these rooms likely meant nothing. They were simply the king’s rooms, prepared for him as befitted the man who currently sat upon the throne. The servants had removed dust sheets, polished the candelabra, and swept back the curtains to reveal the rolling hills of the valley below us. Glowing coals slumbered in the grate, and the bearskin rug spread out before the fire looked soft and inviting.
On a whim, I slipped out from between the sheets and padded over to sink my bare feet into the rug. I had always thought of this castle as gloomy and oppressive, but with Erik by my side, I was starting to appreciate its beauty.
A grumble came from the bed. Erik had flung out an arm into the empty space. His face was buried in the pillow, but I could already picture his furrowed, displeased brow. He was no good at hiding his emotions, even in sleep.
With a smile, I crept back to bed. He enveloped me with his long limbs, and I sighed with contentment and relaxed against him, readily submitting to the cuddling.
The king’s bed in the royal suite. I never thought I’d actually end up here.
It was ironic, given I had been Magnik’s wife, but somehow, I felt more like a queen right now, than ever before.
I fell asleep again wrapped in Erik’s arms, with a smile lifting my lips.
When I woke, warm, golden sunlight poured into the bedchamber.
I was no longer within the tangle of his limbs. I lay curled up on my own side of the bed. I could feel the indentation of his weight behind me, but we must have separated at some point.
I suppressed my disappointment and rolled over to face him.
He was already awake. His gaze slid away from mine, his expression guilty, like I’d caught him out on something.
Had he been watching me sleep? My lips quirked into a smile.
After a minute, he grinned back. There was a hint of hesitation, but his expression was warm and genuine all the same.
“Marienne...” His eyes roved over my face, dipping lower before snapping up again. I suppressed a giggle. He had seen much more than my bare shoulders after all. “Last night... I must apologize.”
I tilted my head, confused. I wanted nothing more than to curl into him once more, run my hands over his chest and press my mouth against his. But I resisted.
“I wasn’t aware there was anything to apologize for,” I said, keeping my tone gentle.
Unless...
The room was still toasty warm, but a shiver ran up my spine. “Did you not wish to have me, sire?”
“No!”
My mouth dropped open, and I met his gaze with wide eyes. He didn’t want me? “I...err...” I didn’t know what to say, but he shook his head.
“I mean... yes. I did, Marienne. I...” He swallowed. “I do.”
Relief and pleasure thrummed through me. “Then, sire—”
“Please,” he interrupted. “Don’t call me that.”
“You’re my king,” I said carefully. “I will do as you wish, of course.”
Somehow, he looked even more miserable. My heart sank. I wanted him, and he clearly wanted me.
So why did the space between us in this bed feel as though a chasm lay between us?
“Marienne... I just meant, call me Erik. Please.” He reached out to lay a hand over mine. The touch was sweet and simple. A mile away from everything that had occurred last night.
I stared down at the bedsheets. His fingers over mine were light, as though he was afraid I might throw him off any second. He had big hands, and my smooth, pale fingers fluttered under his roughened palm.
Then the visions came.
It happened without warning. Usually, I got a couple of seconds to prepare before a premonition took over, but this one hit me like a sledgehammer, pulling me under, drowning me in its intensity.
I gasped before reality ripped away from me and I was flung out into the darkness.
The world reformed; solidified. I found myself outside, on my knees, looking up at the castle. The sky overhead was black, but the castle was brighter than I had ever seen. Every turret, every window, everything burned. Hot tongues of flame shot into the sky, lighting up the night, and thick clouds of acrid smoke filled the air. I choked, coughing. I couldn’t speak. My throat was raw from screaming. All I knew was heat and destruction.
The castle melted away. I was in a busy street. A town marketplace. I recognized it with a jolt; this was the village where I first saw Erik.
That day had been bright. The sky was blue, the trees laden with apple blossom, and the crowds cheered for their new young queen. Me.
This time, however, the sky thundered overhead. People ran, screaming, past me. I skittered backwards but they didn’t notice. I was a ghost, powerless to help them, or to stop it. Death hung in the air.
It was then that I realized the flashes in the sky weren’t lightning, but dragon fire.
The image changed again. I was back in the castle, on the rooftop. I knelt, cradling a man in my arms.
Erik gazed up at me. Despite the blood and dirt that covered his face, he looked peaceful. Serene, even.
A smattering of raindrops fell against his cheek. It took me a second to realize that they weren’t raindrops. They were tears. Mine.
He reached up and touched my cheek. The motion clearly hurt him, and with horror I saw the wound in his chest. Beyond healing, even with magic.
“Erik...” I whispered, stricken.
He just smiled. His face was close to mine, and I bent so I could catch his soft words.
“Our baby,” he breathed. “Get as far away from here as you can.”
My breath hitched on a sob, and the vision melted away. I tumbled through darkness for what felt like forever, until I registered arms around me. Strong, solid and real.
“Marienne!” Erik—whole, uninjured, and frowning deeply—cradled my face, wiping away the tears that tracked down my cheeks with his thumbs. “Marienne. What is it? What’s wrong?”
I gasped, trying to get a hold of myself. I ran my hands up and down his arms, feeling his warm skin beneath my palms to reassure myself he was there. That he was alive.
All the distance between us was gone. We were tangled together again in the bedsheets like one body; one being.
I pressed my forehead against his, allowing myself a couple of heartbeats to recover from the vision. I breathed Erik in, feeling him against me, warm and solid. He was safe. Unharmed. He held me against him. It felt so good.
I couldn’t afford to become distracted. Something bad was coming this way and I needed time to gather my thoughts and work out what the visions had meant.
Reluctantly, I slid off the bed in search of some clothes. The ones I’d worn last night weren’t in a state to be worn again. There wasn’t anything in the walk-in wardrobe except large robes, so I slid one around my shoulders and tied the strap around the middle. It was awkward, but better than leaving this room naked.
When I reappeared in the main room, Erik lay exactly where I had left him in the middle of the bed. He looked like a lost puppy.
I walked toward the door.
“Wait.”
I froze, one hand on the doorhandle. When I turned, his gaze was steady. I looked away, cheeks burning with the knowledge that he had just witnessed me in such a state.
“Tell me.” Even from his position on the bed, he still commanded my attention. “Are you okay, Marienne?”
I managed to nod. In the face of everything I’d just seen, his concern warmed me straight to the core.
“Yes.” I bit my lip. I wanted to explain myself, but I needed to make sense of it all first. “See you later?”
I stepped out of the room before he could reply.