“Ashton has finally summoned the courage to ask for Addie’s hand,” she said. “Unfortunately, so has Anteaus. I need your help, Julian. Get into the solar and keep Anteaus calm. God’s Bones, I wish your father was here. He could settle them down.”
Julian’s eyes glimmered. “You think so, do you?” he said. “Mother, the real commander of Pelinom is, and always has been, you. But I do agree that we are in for trouble if this getsout of hand. I have no desire to spend part of my wedding celebration breaking up a fight between my sister’s suitors.”
An idea occurred to Kellington. “I do not think you will have to,” she said. “Send Cori and Lista into my solar. No man would dare fight in front of them and they’ll be able to calm them down better than anyone else can. Hurry, now. Do as I say.”
Julian did. That greatness he’d finally found, his beautiful wife in her pale blue wedding gown, ended up helping broker a betrothal between Ashton and Addington, and not a drop of blood was spilled. Julian watched his wife, a natural organizer and negotiator, take on two love-struck knights and win.
It was the most amazing thing he’d ever seen.
As Anteaus drowned his sorrows in more wine, having lost out on the last eligible de Velt daughter, Julian finally took his wife to his chamber, high atop the fortress of Pelinom, and retreated from the world. It was the first day of the rest of his life, a life that had finally come full circle in more ways than he could have ever imagined. That bullied boy with eyes of different colors had finally found his greatness in the arms of a woman he loved more with every breath he took. A woman of poise, of grace, and of genuine kindness.
A woman who loved him with all her heart and soul.
Julian de Velt, and all of his inner demons, had finally found the peace he’d been looking for.
On this night, all was finally right in his world.
EPILOGUE
Six years later
Felkington Castle
“Take me now,Julian,” she breathed.
Julian’s hand was on the door latch of their warm, comfortable chamber. It was dawn and he’d been trying to leave for the past half-hour, but Lista wouldn’t let him. At seven months pregnant, she was like an animal in heat at this stage. For some reason, it had happened with every one of their children. Being that this was her fourth pregnancy, he ought to know. Not that he minded, because he didn’t. Not in the least. But they’d already made love twice last night and once this morning as soon as they woke up. He was dressed now and trying to get out of the door, but Lista was on her side, nude, as the soft firelight illuminated her beautiful figure. Her gently swollen midsection drew his lust.
Rolling his eyes and surrendering to the inevitable, he began to strip off his clothing as he made his way back to the bed, but Lista didn’t even let him get halfway undressed before she was on top of him.
“Wait,” he said, trying to remove his boots as she straddled him and latched on to his mouth. “Sweetheart, give me a few moments to get my boots off.”
Lista was already unfastening his breeches. “I do not care about your boots,” she said. “Only your breeches. Remove them!”
She was kissing him passionately and he was succumbing like a weakling, but he started laughing because she was being so forceful. When her hands moved into his breeches, invading warm and intimate places, he was instantly aroused and the laughter stopped. Boots on, breeches down around his hips, he put his enormous arms around her and lay her on her back, covering her with his massive body.
“Take me, my angel,” Lista said breathlessly, parting her legs for him as he wedged himself in between them. “Now, darling. Do not make me wait.”
His mouth moved down her body, to her delicious breasts. “Not yet.”
“Why not?”
Her demand was cut off when his lips descended on a swollen nipple. His hands massaged her, pulling at her breasts and pinching her nipples until she was writhing with passion. His massive hands still splayed on her breasts, his mouth blazed a trail down the center of her torso, losing himself in her scent and texture. Every curve was explored with his tongue, every inch of flesh touched or caressed.
He had to experienceallof her.
Julian’s mouth moved to her tender groin area, tasting and kissing. His hands left her breasts and he moved between her thighs, bringing up both of her legs and spreading them wide.
Lista’s head came up. “What are you doing?”
He lowered his head to her throbbing core, a wolfish grin on his face. His gentle fingers delicately traced the dark curls, tenderly spreading the thick folds.
“You like this,” he murmured.
Lista had her fingers in his hair. “I do not want your tongue there,” she said. “I want your…”
She was cut off when his hot mouth descended on her sensitive core. A moan spilled forth from her lips and she arched her back with the force of her passion, staring up at the ceiling. Frozen in that position, legs spread and over her husband’s shoulders, she felt every lap of his tongue, every suckle, as if nothing else in her world existed.
Julian’s hands held her buttocks, trapping her against him as he continued his onslaught. Her sharp pants of passion excited him terribly, driving him mad for want of her. When she was hot and ready, he released her buttocks and stood up, thrusting his throbbing member into her slippery flesh.
