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Cyn was in her chamber, with Felicity and Darcy, getting ready for the mating ceremony. Her stomach was a ball of nerves as Darcy carefully fastened the back of her dress.
“Wow,” Cyn breathed. “This is so beautiful.”
She spun in front of the mirror, and the gold and green in her dress swirled and glittered in the afternoon sun.
Darcy squealed, hugging her. “You look so lovely.”
Cyn was surprised to learn there was a new gown for her to wear. She wasn’t sure where it came from, or how it was made in time, but it was beautiful. When she asked Darcy about it, she’d grinned and said ‘magic’. Cyn wondered if she was serious. It was a strapless gold dress with emerald accents, fitted through her bodice and hips, and it flared into a train which reminded her of a mermaid tail. An asymmetrical line of golden lilies started on one side of the bosom and trailed down, curving over her stomach and thighs, and spread out into more flowers as it reached the ground. And, even better, it fit like it was made just for her. It was the loveliest thing she’d ever worn—even lovelier than the fashions she’d modelled back in London.
“It is stunning,” Felicity said, her tone flat.
“You don’t sound too enthused,” Cyn said, trying to figure her friend out. “You’ve been quiet all afternoon. What’s with you?”
“Nothing,” Felicity said. She got up from her chair and walked over to the window. “A bit envious, that’s all. You know, I was pretty much half-dead during my mating ceremony.”
Cyn winked at Felicity in the mirror, looking cheeky. “Come on, you know what they say about weddings. The honeymoon is always more fun anyway.”
Felicity sighed and turned toward her and Darcy. “I don’t know about that. I don’t quite remember all of mine, it’s a bit of a blur, but I wouldn’t change it for anything in the world. It was me and Niall. That’s all that really mattered.”
Cyn turned away, guilt twisting her stomach. Felicity and Niall had such an easy love—they’d known from the first moment they saw each other. She didn’t want to admit she was jealous, but she wished it were as easy for her. If only the idea of forever didn’t scare the bloody shite out of her. This was the closest she’d come to making a commitment in her entire life. Cyn wished her mum or sister were there to guide her as they always had. She was so close to them, and she hardly knew herself anymore. Loving Fallon meant giving up everything she’d ever known and loved to live in his world... and they’d only just met. Felicity had made that decision, but she didn’t have to leave behind an entire family in London.
“Cyn! Felicity!” Darcy bubbled in excitement, pointing out the window. “Look... The whole clan is here for the ceremony.”
“Bloody brilliant,” Cyn muttered under her breath. And I thought English weddings were over-the-top.
* * *
CYN AND FALLON STOOD together in front of Tomas. And about a thousand bloody other people, Cyn thought. It wasn’t like her to be self-conscious in front of a crowd, but this whole ceremony was a sham. Last night the connection with Fallon had been more real and true than anything she’d experienced with anyone. When they were silently making love and gazing into each other’s eyes, reality crashed down, pinning a heavy weight on her chest. Her soul had been exposed, and Fallon nourished it with his love. That kind of vulnerability was deeper and scarier than anything she’d ever known. Hell, she’d walked down catwalks wearing skinny heels that could catapult her into the crowd if she tripped, and she’d never been as terrified as she was with her soul stripped bare while they made love. Standing next to him in front of every púca on God’s green earth, it didn’t feel real anymore. A soul-crushing loss was breaking her heart, yet it seemed like she couldn’t stop herself from following through with a choice that made her sick to her stomach.
Tomas waited for Fallon to nod before proceeding. Tomas took Cyn’s right hand and Fallon’s left hand, binding them together with a crimson ribbon before saying, “You may now speak the sacred words.”
Fallon met her eyes. There was so much love there she almost forgot they were doing this for show, and that she’d return to her old life once it was over. He spoke solemnly, his eyes trained on Cyn. “I, Fallon, take thee, Cynthia, as my wedded wife, till death do us part, and thereto I plight thee my troth. Deo mo ghrá.”
“She is your mate, and now a member of our clan. Cherish do maité,” Tomas said.
The rest of the evening whirled around her in a surreal blur. Everyone was drinking ale, singing, and dancing in the great hall to celebrate their union. There was a growing heaviness in her heart. Is this it? she wondered, gazing around.
“Hello, mate,” she said with a weak smile, as Fallon approached her.
He didn’t return her warmth. “Aye, my mate,” he said cautiously, before sitting beside her. “There is one final thing we must do before we are accepted as mates.”
Cyn gazed at him, raising an eyebrow. “Oh yeah? And what would that be?”
Fallon leaned over. His lips were almost touching her ear. “We have to mate. And I’m desperate to have you, love.”
Her heart was pounding as she took his hand and followed him to his chamber. It wasn’t like before: there was no tenderness, nothing gentle about it. Just an animalistic, almost savage need to possess her. It was scary, and undeniably sexy. Fallon ripped her beautiful dress. He tore the bodice and yanked the skirt to the floor, making her gasp. He pushed her roughly onto the bed. Fallon pinned her, smothering her with fierce kisses.
“You’re mine, love.”
Cyn gasped. He’d never been this forceful or needy before. She kissed him back, hard, and pulled him closer. She was just as desperate, needing his hard body against her soft curves. His hands stroked her exposed flesh, pinching and rolling her nipples between his fingers until she moaned into his mouth.
“Yes, yes, like that...” she murmured.
Fallon pinched her nipple harder. His erection was prodding her thigh. She needed to feel his massive cock stretching her inside. Her eyes trailed down his rock-hard body. His tanned muscles were flexed as he pinned her down, and there were small scars she hadn’t seen before on the back of his shoulders. Fallon pushed her further into the mattress and spread her legs wide. His fingers slid inside of her, one at a time. Cyn moaned, grinding against his hand. Fallon growled and pulled his fingers out. He rolled her onto her belly and smacked her ass. She squealed, and he spanked her again, harder this time. The way his hand struck her rounded flesh made her sex pulse with desire. Cyn moaned, pressing her face into the silk sheets. His hand traced light patterns on her skin, using his fingernails to drag across her curves. She pushed her sex toward his fingers, hoping he would stroke her again, but instead, the weight of the bed shifted as Fallon positioned himself between her legs. He took hold of her hips and pulled her back. The head of his cock pressed against the opening of her channel, and she pushed back with her hips to entice him further.
He teased her with his cock. “Is this what you want, love?”
“Yes, Fallon. Yes.”
Fallon grunted and slammed into her. His muscles were straining against her thighs as she propped herself on her elbows. He thrust in and out with almost brutal force, and Cyn gasped with every stroke. Her face was hot. Desire rocketed through her. Clenching the sheets, she surrendered to the violent onslaught of sensation. Fallon slipped a hand under Cyn and rubbed her clit. He squeezed and pinched the sensitive bundle of nerves until she came, hard. He fucked her harder and harder, until she could barely keep up. When she came again, stars exploded against her closed eyelids. He slowed down, pumping in and out of her more gently. She loved how he kneaded her hips. Lazy pleasure swirled through Cyn’s body. She could imagine falling asleep in a sex coma. He paused, then thrust deep and groaned as he gushed inside of her, filling her with his seed. Fallon slowly released her, his chest heaving as he turned onto his side.
“Are we mated now?” Cyn asked, her voice shaky from coming so hard. She rolled onto her back and slipped under the covers. From the open window, the sounds of revelry floated into the chamber.
“Yes,” Fallon said in an unreadable tone. “Now, you are mine.”
