Rolfe wanted to come inside her, but if he did that, he would probably scare her. He curled his hand around her neck and hissed. As he had predicted, he couldn't last long. He came soon all over her belly with a bellow he stifled against her skin. He snarled and snarled until he had ejaculated arc upon arc on her belly. "Iona!" he said her name repeatedly. "You will be the death of me." She would if she didn't marry him or if she left him even for a day.
He slumped and buried his face in the crook of her neck. She was exquisite and now that he had got her taste, he would never leave her. He felt her tiny fangs graze his shoulder and he stifled yet another moan. He knew she wanted to mark him and he was so ready, but he had to take it slow. He pulled his tunic and then wiped her belly. Before he slumped next to her, he pulled her to his chest, feeling like he could conquer the world with her beside him.
Too tired from all the emotions surging through her body, Iona closed her eyes. She fell asleep in his arms and he laid there with her head on his one arm and the other arm behind his head, staring into nothing… just remembering it over and over and over as to how he spent the last half an hour with her. She curled against his chest and he watched her by pulling her closer. He thanked every demon and fae deity in the world for bringing his mate to him and he couldn't help thanking Anastasia. The girls were unique. He traced her tattoo along her spine and wondered what it meant.
He was sure that Iona might want to put her clothes on, but his lusty little mate didn't. He realized she must be loving his closeness as much he was loving hers.
When Iona woke up, she found herself still in his arms. She loved the feeling of him against her and didn't feel shy. Her wolf found it very natural and she went with her instinct. There was no point in denying that she belonged to him. Her wolf had behaved only because she gave in to him. She realized that if she resisted her wolf's instincts, she would have shifted. The revelation was mind blowing. It meant that whenever he would approach her, she would have to give in, else she would shift! She giggled at the thought.
Rolfe looked at her. "Iona! You are awake," he said with a shine in his eyes. "Why are you giggling?" he asked playfully.
She shook her head. "Just like that," she murmured. Then suddenly becoming aware of the closeness, she distanced herself and he bit a curse. Her curvy body in his arms fitted so well against his, that he hated to be devoid of her presence. "I am ravenous," she said.
Rolfe sprang up. "Then I have to make something for you right now!" He pulled her up to stand up as he gave her a heart-melting smile. "Even, I am so hungry that I want to eat a whole pheasant!" He placed a kiss on her forehead and then slapped her buttocks. The action made him think of tying her to the bed and fucking her senseless through the night.
Iona clenched her buttocks when he slapped her and suddenly, she wondered how it would be if he spanked her. Her appetite for him was growing and he hadn't even got inside her.
By the time they reached the kitchen, it was early night. It had begun to rain on the outside. There were some cooks in the kitchen who scurried away the moment they saw him and Iona. She saw the pots bubbling and meats being barbecued. Rolfe held her on her waist and made her sit on the counter. "Watch me as I prepare a dish for you," he said and pressed a kiss on her lips.
"Let me help you," she said.
"No!" he declined her request. "You are supposed to rest and watch your male." Ah, it was such a good feeling to say 'your male.'
Iona had once again taken a bath in the tub in her room, the water of which he had warmed with his magic. And that was because she couldn't use her magic—a fact that was gnawing at the back of her head. She wanted to discuss it with her brother. It could be momentary too… But she was a half witch. And she could always use her magic. Iona took a deep breath and shoved the thought away. She looked at Rolfe who was chopping onions like an expert. When he had prepared it for her, she had it heartily as he dug his teeth in the roasted meat. He had made her a radish and carrot stew in mustard seeds. He said that it was a very common dish in Galahar and she devoured it. It was delicious as hell. While she was eating, he had the urge to pull her in his lap and feed her, but he resisted the urge. They still had a long way to go, but it was a great start. However, how could he resist the need to touch her on a constant basis. So he wiped her lips or tucked the strands of hair behind her ears or simply rubbed his hand over her thigh.
It was not long that they walked hand in hand out of the kitchen and found at a dozen people standing there, keenly hearing what they were doing. As soon as they saw them, Iona's cheeks flushed red. As for Rolfe—he proudly walked with her, his chin high and chest broader. In fact, he even said, "You need to eat more, Iona. Those curves of yours—they need to fill up."
Iona was… mortified at his statement. What a shameless way to show his claim over her? She shook her head and quickly walked away. They reached the main hall when they found Ileus, Anastasia along with the two Generals and Kaizan, studying the design. Shock flitted through Rolfe when he found Anastasia conversing in demonic language with Arel. Gods, the woman was a fast learner.
"If you don't want the attention of the king, then we would need a lot of magic!" said Ileus.
Arel looked at his prince and the girl whose hand he was holding and gave them a satisfying look. When Anastasia translated it to Arel, he said, "King Edyrm is too powerful. He can detect any magic that is not his in the kingdom and that is why the prince hasn't used his magic in the previous projects."
Ileus narrowed his eyes. "Then we need to use illusions and only one person I can think of for that."
"Who?" asked General Yion. "Tell me and I will get him or her!"
"We need a sorcerer who can create an illusion that everything is fine. The only man who can cut through Edyrm's magic is my cousin, Caleb." Ileus took a deep breath. His cousin, Caleb had ascended the throne after Sedora, but he had gone hunting for his wife, Elize, who was turned into a vampire by none other than King of Vampires, Lazarus. He didn't want to disturb Daryn because Dawn was pregnant.