A Fey New World (The Godhunter #32) - Amy Sumida Page 0,77

he carried me to the expanse of green velvet in the center of the room. A cooling breeze played over my bare skin even as the flame-leaves flared on the golden trees. The water in the pool roiled and the thick trees around the bed—that sacred bower—held their breath as Azrael laid me down on the velvet. The scent of crushed grass rose around me as if the fabric were made of nature itself. As the faerie god moved over me, the canopy of shadows descended around the trees, sealing us within its protective embrace.

“Azrael,” I whispered.

“Vervain, my beloved,” he whispered back, against the flesh of my stomach.

Those golden antlers were inches away from my hands and I couldn't resist stroking them, then pulling Azrael's head to mine with them. He chuckled and allowed it, then covered my lips with his. He tasted of basil leaves and smelled of vanilla orchids. Still my husband. He was still Azrael. But Life now lived with Death inside him and the change was obvious in more than just his appearance. I could feel the magic racing through him—pulsing just beneath his sternum like a rapid heartbeat. I laid my hand over that pulse as I kissed him and peace settled inside me.

My star wouldn't shine. My ring had spoken. This was meant to be.

Azrael reared up suddenly and lifted me with him. He spread me across his lap, on my knees, and I reached between us to guide him home. As I sank upon his hard length, we both cried out—not just from pleasure, which was profound, but also from the feel of the magic. As I began to rise and fall upon him, the magic ebbed and flowed from his pulsing shaft into my core, vibrating through me. Azrael took my lower cheeks in his hands and guided me into a slow rhythm, his fingers clenching as my body clenched around his.

I wrapped my arms around Azrael's shoulders and met his gaze. It started to glow and the glow entered me as well, seeping down to meet the magic rising from my middle. My breasts grazed his sculpted chest as we moved together in a way that felt ceremonial. Our heavy breaths mingled and our stares held. I pushed onto him until he was fully encased and began to arch my hips, moving over him without releasing him. Churning him inside myself. Azrael's hands squeezed my ass before sliding up to my shoulders. He pulled me down even more firmly as he met my grinding hips with his thrusts.

Those sparkling wings spread behind Azrael, stretching out to the sides like his antlers. I didn't stroke them even though I wanted to. I felt locked into the primal movements, taking my husband into me with steady beats that were mirrored by our hearts. Firelight flickered through the film of darkness and I could hear a distant echo of drums guiding us. Our bond bloomed brighter and I felt Azrael inside my mind as well as my body.

I am yours and you are mine. Forget your past, beloved goddess, and embrace our future. I claim you for the Earth. I anoint you as Queen of the World in the way of the wild magic—with my essence and love and complete devotion. Do you accept me? Do you accept the magic and guardianship of this world?

I do.

With those two words, ecstasy erupted over and within me. The Faerie God roared in triumph and lifted onto his knees, thrusting upward powerfully as he held my legs around him. He emptied inside me and it surged deep. I felt his power swirling within my core, sparking and setting off little climaxes—small deaths—that collected into a second release and then a third. Golden light glimmered over our bodies as I roared with him, again and again, my hands reaching up to grasp those golden antlers as my back arched and I tossed my head in abandon. My whole body convulsed around his until, at last, Azrael laid me down gently, our bodies still joined, and rested his forehead on mine.

“Now, it has truly begun,” he whispered.

I felt Azrael's body slide free of mine as he rolled onto his back and cold reality slapped me in the face. My hand went to my belly. Was I pregnant? Were our sons even now starting to grow inside me?

And if they were, what the hell would they become?

Chapter Forty-Two

All through the night, we made love. After that first union, my body