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My breath ragged, I let out a cry as my nipples rubbed against the material of his tank in the most irritating sensation. And yet I liked it, in a perverse way. The annoyance set me on edge, heightening the tension.
A flutter began in my stomach as Shade became more aggressive. With one deep thrust, he held me against the wall. His voice rough, he grabbed my hands and pinned them above my head. “You’re mine. You’re my woman. You’re my love. You’re my passion. Do you hear me?”
I held my breath. Something was happening, and I wasn’t sure what it was. And then he grabbed me up and tossed me on the bed, leaping between my legs. And as he plunged back inside me, there was a shift—that’s the only way I can describe it—and I found myself soaring, but I wasn’t alone.
Can you hear me? Can you feel me? The whisper of thoughts filled my mind. I began to drift on the current…my body rocking, every nerve tingling, and then I realized I wasn’t just feeling my own response, but Shade’s, too. And then, someone else was there with us.
Hi’ran. Hi’ran was there, caught up in the passion, his autumn fires shrouding us with the scent of smoke and soot and the dark, pungent tang of autumn. I turned to see him leaning over us on the bed, and he reached out to trace my cheek with his hand. Shade glanced at him and a feral smile crept across his lips as he kissed Hi’ran’s index finger when it came near his face.
“My Lord.” Shade acknowledged him, even while he kept fucking me.
Hi’ran leaned down and pressed his lips to mine. And once again, he sucked my breath out of my body and I went spiraling out of my body, finding myself standing between the spirits of both Shade and the Autumn Lord. Shade took me in his arms and began to run his hands over me as a slow drumbeat played in the background. Hi’ran came up behind me and wrapped his arms around my waist, his fingers tripping over my body. We were all naked and entwined together, and I wasn’t sure who was touching me where, but it was so delicious, so hot, that I didn’t care. And then, someone was in me—or were they both? The heat was so thick that I could barely breathe, but I knew I never wanted it to stop, never wanted this delicious ache to end.
And then the energy of my shadow walker and my liege came tumbling in on me and I could hold back no longer. As Shade cried out, I went spiraling into orgasm, my body one long chord singing in the night as I hovered between heaven and hell.
As I opened my eyes, Shade was sitting by my side, patting my hand. “Delilah, are you all right?”
I blinked, sitting up. “Fuck, what time is it? What happened? Did I pass out?” I grabbed my clothes and began to dress.
He nodded. “Briefly. I think the energy was almost too much for you. Our master is a powerful lord, and he can forget how fragile mortals are. But…did you…Are you…”
I caught his hand up in mine and rubbed it against my cheek, my heart still racing from the orgasm. “I loved it. More than you can know.” And then a thought hit me. “Oh no, I’m not—he didn’t…” The idea that I might be pregnant at this point in the game suddenly scared the crap out of me.
“No, not yet. But it was a test, to see how well you can handle the energy of the Autumn Lord using me as a conduit. I think you passed.” He grinned and leaned down to kiss me. I savored his lips.
After a moment, I pushed my way out of bed and began to dress again. “I never thought I’d enjoy two men at once…but this was…this was different.”
“You never know what you might like until you try it.” Shade zipped his pants and turned to me. “He won’t be with us every time, but we know now that it can work—he can ride me, and touch you in the process. I wasn’t allowed to tell you because he feared you might psych yourself out if you knew. If you showed signs of being overpowered, he was ready to vacate instantly. He would never hurt you. Please know that.”
I nodded. “I understand. I do. I’m…not the little girl I was a year ago. I’ve grown up. And I like the woman I’m becoming. I feel stronger. I’m ready to shoulder my share of responsibility.”
“I love the woman you’re becoming. You know, don’t you, that he had his eye on you from the moment you were born? This—you belonging to the Autumn Lord—was in the hands of fate all along. You were born to be a Death Maiden.” Shade wrapped an arm around me, and I leaned into his embrace.
A shiver of recognition ran through me. “I think I knew. When I saw Arial in the temple of Haseofon, I knew we were both chosen. I still don’t know why she’s there, but…”
“Perhaps you’ll find out soon. Now come, they are waiting for us.” He stood and held out his hand, pulling me up. “And put on your dancing shoes because I intend to wear you out on the dance floor.”
I slapped his butt. “Not a chance. You’ll go down before me.” And then, abruptly, I stopped. “Tell me something. What is your shadow walker side like? What are the Stradolans like?” I’d never asked before, but now it just seemed a good time.
But Shade looked at me and shook his head. “I will show you, soon. But not tonight. Tonight is for dancing. For celebrating. For family.” And, taking my hand, he led me out the door.
The dance floor was rocking. At least two-thirds of the guests were shaking a leg, to a very mixed playlist of rock. Everything from Tempest—a Celtic band—to Lady Gaga to Aerosmith.
Iris and Bruce were in the center, up on the stage where they’d gotten married, dancing the Twist to Suzanne Vega’s “Blood Makes Noise.” Iris was wearing a pair of pale blue jeans, blue espadrilles, and a sparkling silver tank, and she looked very chic. Her hair was braided in a pattern of intricate loops that kept it off the floor. Bruce was wearing jeans and a muscle shirt, and I was surprised to see how buff he was.
As Shade and I found a space and began to dance, Camille cast a sly smile my way and winked. The music shifted to a new song, and yet another, before Menolly jumped onstage and turned it off.
“May I have your attention, please? It’s time to cut the cake and eat! And then, we’ll dance the rest of the night away.” She motioned to Smoky and Trillian, who carried the cake up on stage. They were careful, and it survived intact. I stared at the tiered wonder, suddenly remembering the graffiti across my Jeep. A wave of anger flashed through me, but I pushed it away. I’d deal with my feelings tomorrow, when Iris was safely on her honeymoon.
Bruce and Iris approached the cake, and she pulled out a silver dagger. As she and Bruce prepared to slice into the cake, there was a sudden noise and Maggie came toddling onto the platform, from the back of the stage.
“Maggie! Maggie!” Hanna’s voice echoed from the front of the tent as she elbowed her way through the crowd. “Maggie got away from me! Stop her!”
Iris turned to see the little gargoyle toddling toward her with an unsteady gait. “Maggie, what are you doing, you little imp?”
“I’is? I’is?” Maggie held out her arms and lurched toward Iris. But the next moment she caught sight of the cake, and her eyes grew wide. She grabbed the tablecloth on the folding table and pulled. Apparently, whoever set up the table hadn’t done a very good job, because one leg began to buckle as the cloth slid off, taking the cake with it.
“No!” Iris dove for it and so did Bruce, and in the excitement, he tripped over her, pushing them both onto the table, right across the cake.
