Ceremony of Seduction (27 page)

Her pussy clenched as she envisioned all the things she would do to her husband as soon as she got him alone and she licked her lips as his swollen cock sprang free from his ripped pants. It jutted out proudly from his body and another appreciative murmur rose from several throats in the crowd.

Witch!

Annara tried unsuccessfully to hide her open perusal of Stone’s cock and smiled up at Alyssa, then shrugged before gesturing for them to step forward, now that Stone was naked as well. “King Stone appears before you today, stripped of pride and material barriers. He has successfully proven his ability to amply supply the queen with energy and to impregnate her with an heir.” Annara turned back toward Alyssa and Stone. “Turn and face your people as you receive the wedding mark.”

A quick sizzling jolt against her hip told her it was complete.
Wow, if getting a tattoo on earth were this easy, everyone would have several.

She and Stone turned an about-face so everyone could see the tiny curved sword crisscrossed with a red rose emblazoned against their hips. The Klatch didn’t do something so temporary as wedding rings, but something permanent and lasting. Just like her love for Stone and her home.

Annara stepped forward again. “I officially declare the king and queen wed. Let the celebrations begin!”

Alyssa threaded her fingers with Stone’s and they walked down the steps together toward a special tub that had been set up just for this purpose. The tub was a full head taller than Stone, large enough to hold four people and made of solid
balda
, so no one could see inside. Apparently, now that they were officially married, they were afforded at least the illusion of privacy. Wooden steps led up the side of the tub to allow entry.

Immediately surrounding the large tub were hundreds of tables also made of pure
balda
. Every table was laden with food and drink to allow all assembled to celebrate while the king and queen prepared to share their energy with the people.

Heat suffused Alyssa’s face at the thought of what they were about to do. Sasha had explained that the tub and all the tables were
balda
, so all the energy she and Stone generated during the celebration would carry out to all the tables. No royal couple had ever supplied all the tables with energy, even though her parents had come close. However, due to their past history, Sasha was confident that Alyssa and Stone would be the first.
I’m extremely thankful the tub is made of solid balda, so no one can see us.

Stone’s amused chuckle sounded inside her head.
We’ve already shared energy in front of a roomful, surely a crowd of thousands can’t be so different.

Alyssa snorted as they reached the stairs, and didn’t bother to answer. She started up the wooden steps with Stone close behind her. The scent of vanilla hung heavy in the air and she wondered briefly where it came from.

When they reached the top, she sat down on the wide edge of the tub, allowing her legs to dangle into the warm liquid, and then she stiffened as she realized exactly what the liquid was, as well as where the vanilla scent had originated. “No one told me this thing was going to be filled with oil!” She glared back at Stone and he only smiled. The possibilities intrigued her, but she wished someone would’ve told her.

“Did I forget to mention that, love? Oil is a great conductor of energy as well as wonderfully slippery.” He sat next to her, dipping his legs down into the warm oil before pushing off the side and slipping down into the deep tub. When he landed, his lips were even with her crotch since he stood on one of the several different levels of seats cut into the side of the tub. He grinned up at her. “Are you going to come join me, or are you going to be the first queen in history to let the entire population watch the king bring you to orgasm?”

Heat flowed into her face and she slipped down into the pool, trusting Stone to catch her. He didn’t disappoint her, and her breasts rubbed against every oily muscled inch of him as she slid down in front of him. She anchored her arms around his neck and smiled. “Hmm, maybe all this oil does have some promising possibilities.” She nipped Stone’s bottom lip and laughed as his cock hardened against her stomach.

“I think you’re absolutely right, my queen.” Stone’s eyes darkened with passion and promise. A shudder of anticipation flowed through her as he stepped down into the bottom of the tub, the warm oil teasing just under her breasts.

The sounds of revelry outside the tank carried to them on the wind, but cocooned in the
balda
tub, it seemed like they were in their own private room. Latticed sunlight glinted off the oil, as the branches of the towering trees overhead slowly swayed in the breeze.

Alyssa wriggled against Stone, enjoying the silky slide of skin against skin and the resulting awakening of her hurricane of energy. “I think we should generate so much power that every table lights up like a Christmas tree.”

Stone’s brow furrowed. “What kind of tree?”

She laughed. “Never mind. How about we generate so much power that every table lights up like a…lightning storm?”

Understanding dawned as his full lips curved up into a sexy grin that melted her heart and fired her blood. “I think we’d better get started.” Without warning he slanted his lips over hers, dipping inside her mouth to plunder and claim.

Alyssa tightened her grip around his neck, meeting his passion with fire of her own. Her tongue dueled with his and she pressed her body closer, rubbing herself against him with the help of the slick oil. Her hurricane of energy howled like a beast about to be fed and whipped through her body causing every hair to stand on end—even inside the thick oil.

When Stone grabbed her ass in his two large hands, she leveraged her grip on his neck and lifted herself until she could wrap her legs around his waist. The swollen tip of his cock touched against her core and thanks to the oil, he slipped easily inside her, impaling her and filling her completely. Stone backed her against the wall of the tub and thrust into her in long slick strokes.

She groaned into Stone’s mouth and rhythmically flexed and loosened her grip around his waist, bringing him fully inside her hot core with every thrust. The thick oil sloshed between them, wetting the ends of her hair and slowing their movements. Alyssa rubbed against him, working harder to achieve the friction they both wanted.

Without breaking their rhythm, Stone lifted her and set her on one of the seats carved into the side of the tub. She leaned back, spreading her legs wide. He leaned over her, wrapping his arms around her thighs for leverage and plunged back inside her, deepening the angle and ripping a scream of pleasure from her throat. Power sizzled along her skin to flow up the side of the tub, bringing a chorus of cheers from the crowd and coursing even more power throughout her body.

He pulled out of her and she cried out from a sense of loss and emptiness. Stone firmly turned her on the ledge until she faced away from him, her legs braced apart. He pulled her back until her weight rested on her shins. Alyssa looked back over her shoulder and her eyes widened as his thick cock slipped easily inside her ass, filling her completely.

Even the
ponga
during the ascension ceremony didn’t slide Stone’s cock inside her this easily. The exquisite friction built inside her body in an ever-tightening spiral. Alyssa matched his rhythm, slamming back against with every thrust, groaning as her arousal arrowed higher and pink ribbons of energy whipped around them like a sudden electricity storm.

The sloshing oil teased against her swollen clit and nipples, adding to the erotic sensations arrowing through her. A sudden image flashed into her mind of being sandwiched in between Stone and a nameless Klatch Adonis while they fucked her from both sides while the warm vanilla oil sloshed around them.

Stone stiffened as his hot seed emptied deep inside her. He called out her name, the feral sound bouncing off the walls and echoing around them.

As soon as his essence touched her, a nuclear explosion of power flung outward, sizzling along the
balda
seams and shooting pink tendrils of power into the air over the tub. The remains of Alyssa’s orgasm flowed through her in rolling waves of contractions until it released her to slump forward against the side of the tank.

When enough blood returned to Alyssa’s brain, she realized that the only sound around them was her and Stone’s harsh breathing.

“You and your visions are going to be the death of me, Alyssandra. But I have to say, that one may be worth trying out in reality—including the oil.” His deep chuckle reverberated through her body and out into the oil. Stone slowly slipped his softening cock out of her and turned her on the ledge so he could gather her against his chest.

He brushed his lips against her forehead, the gentle warmth causing her to burrow deeper against his chest. “Shall we go out and see our handiwork, Alyssandra?”

Heat burned into her cheeks and she buried her face against his neck. “Do we have to?” Her limbs were jelly and she wanted nothing more than to curl up against Stone and sleep. It had been an exhausting, although erotic, few days.

“The faster we get out of here, the faster we can go up to our room and be totally and blessedly alone.”

She pulled back to look into his amused lavender eyes and sighed. “All right. Let’s get this over with.” She forced her lips into a small smile even though she was still caught in a golden languid haze.

Stone’s lips curved causing the adorable dent next to his mouth to catch her attention. She traced it with her finger before she turned to stand and then lift herself up onto the highest seat cut into the tub. As soon as she peeked over the top of the tub, Ryan and Grayson stepped forward to grab her under her arms and lift her easily out and onto the top wooden step.

Ryan winked at her before going back to help Stone. She lifted her head, looking out at the array of tables assembled and for the first time realized why there was a sudden silence. The top of every table held the smoking remains of charred food, while a few stray pink sizzles popped and fizzed along
balda
seams. A few nearby trees were still smoking and had angry burn marks up the sides of their trunks. The Klatch stood clear of the cooling tables smiling up at her and waited for Stone to emerge.

Stone threaded his fingers through hers and held their joined hands high. As if they’d flipped a switch, a wave of cheering assaulted them.

Annara stepped forward and bowed her head toward both of them before holding up her hand to quiet the crowd. After several seconds, where Alyssa was sure they would ignore Annara’s signal, the sound finally died away.

“An impressive display of power, Your Majesties. More food is on the way so the celebration can continue. Prince Ryan and Grayson will escort you both to the baths where you’ll be attended by the queen’s lady’s maid.” She stepped back and then raised her gaze to meet Alyssa’s. “Congratulations on your very successful wedding, not to mention a very…attentive king.”

A
s soon as they were out of sight of the still-cheering crowds, Grayson slipped a robe around Alyssa’s shoulders and she shot him a grateful smile. “Thanks, I think enough people have seen me naked for one day.” The soft cotton cloth stuck to her oil-soaked body and she looked forward to a very thorough bath.

Mischief sparked in his lavender eyes and his lips curved in a lecherous grin. “And let me be the first to say how much all of us appreciated the very clear view of our new queen.”

She punched him on the shoulder and he laughed and stepped quickly out of her reach. “What? No comments about the new king’s muscular body?”

“Thanks, but I must admit, I didn’t even glance at him. However, I’d be happy to take another look at you, if it’s at all helpful.”

She shook her fist at him, but couldn’t help the giggle that escaped through her wide grin. “Don’t mess with me today, Grayson. I’ve had a hard week and I’m covered in oil.”

“Stone told us how dangerous you are when riled, my queen. I’ll make sure not to push my luck too far.” As usual, his features showed only good-natured teasing, with no trace of remorse.

“I appreciate the escort, but if you two don’t mind, I think Alyssandra and I would like some time alone.” Stone glared at both his friends, neither of which seemed to take the not-so-subtle hint.

Ryan rubbed his thumb absently over the bottom of his scar and shrugged. “We promised the king and queen we wouldn’t let you out of our sight until you were both safely tucked away in your bed chamber. I think Darius is still worried about the Cunts trying to take Alyssandra, now that she’s tied to the planet. She would still make a valuable hostage.”

Fear trickled down Alyssa’s spine as she realized the truth of Ryan’s statement. She and Stone would have little or no privacy in return for their continued safety. She sighed as they entered the bathing chamber where she and Sasha had their ill-fated
ponga
overdose.

“I remember this place,” Stone said as he pulled her against him, both their robes an unwanted barrier between them. “Something to do with
ponga
and your lady’s maid, wasn’t it?”

Alyssa narrowed her eyes, shooting daggers at her new husband. “You promised not to tell anyone!”

He covered her mouth with his, even as his words echoed inside her mind through their empathic connection. “I haven’t broken my promise. I was only sharing fond memories with my new wife.”

She laughed as she pushed him away. “Semantics, husband.” The word husband rolled off her tongue easily and she smiled.

“I would love to hear about this in more detail.” Grayson’s deep voice echoed around the room as he studied them.

“As would I,” Ryan chimed in.

“Your Majesties?” Sasha stood just inside the large bathing chamber, her head bowed, her half top and string bikini underwear sticking to her skin from the humid air of the cavern. “I have news I think you should hear immediately.”

Alyssa stepped forward toward her maid. “What is it, Sasha?” Her brow furrowed at the concern in Sasha’s tone.

Sasha tipped her chin up to look at everyone around the room in turn before answering. “As you know, I have been spending some time with Shawn when you don’t need me for my duties.”

Stone stepped up beside Alyssa, placing a hand on her shoulder, which she immediately covered with her own.

“Has Shawn hurt you?” Stone demanded.

The maid’s eyes widened with shock. “No, my king, of course not.” She swallowed hard before continuing. “But he has news of the Cunt’s plans that I think you should both hear—without the council’s knowledge.”

Unease snaked down Alyssa’s spine like ice, chasing all her exhaustion away. “Bring him to us immediately.”

Before Alyssa’s last word echoed away inside the chamber, Sasha had ducked back through the dressing room and returned with Shawn, who was now dressed in the white tunic and breeches of the Klatch. He immediately bowed before them, carefully looking everywhere but at Alyssa.

Grayson and Ryan ranged beside her like overprotective guard dogs ready to pounce and Stone stiffened beside her. “
This had better be good, my love, or I’ll kill him myself.”
Apparently, Stone still hadn’t forgiven Shawn’s part in the attempted false ascension.

“What information do you have for us, Shawn?” Looking at him, she waited to feel fear, unease or even anger from her ordeal, but none of those emotions came. Her eyes widened as she realized she actually pitied Shawn. They’d both been raised on the Cunt’s lies, but his actions because of those lies had almost cost him and his entire race dearly. It would probably take him much longer to come to terms with his past than it had Alyssa.

After a long moment, he finally raised his gaze to hers, his shoulders squared, his manner proud. “Hello, my queen. It’s good to see you again under better circumstances. I want to apologize for…everything.” Shame etched across his expression.

Grayson took a menacing step forward and Alyssa held up a hand to stop his progress even as she noted Shawn hadn’t moved an inch or shown any sign of flinching away. Maybe his spirit hadn’t been broken after all. “Thank you, Shawn. Sasha said you had information for us.”

He nodded and gripped Sasha’s hand in his, a quick look of tenderness passing between them before he returned his gaze to Alyssa. “I overheard Sela speaking with someone several months before you were taken. I got a glimpse of them as they left through a portal and just saw them again this morning in the courtyard.”

“Our traitor.” Stone’s hard voice could’ve cut granite.

Sasha nodded. “Shawn pointed them out to me. It’s the Council Head.”

Shock slapped at Alyssa and when she looked at Stone, Grayson, and Ryan, their stunned expressions mirrored her surprise. Tense silence filled the chamber as she assimilated the information. She’d known the council didn’t see eye to eye with the throne, but she didn’t think the Council Head would plot with the Cunts. “Are any of the other council members involved?”

“Not that I gathered from the conversation I overheard. She told Sela she’d erased all references she could find within the queen’s archives to something called the triangle.”

Alyssa exchanged a quick glance with Stone, his handsome features drawn and angry, before she gestured for Shawn to continue.

“Apparently, Sela was convinced you were the princess mentioned in a legend and that due to the volatility and the intensity of your power, she had some way to harness it to her benefit. Although, I didn’t hear any more details. I never trusted Sela. I’d planned on completing the ascension and then bringing my new bride back to Klatch to overthrow what I’d been told was a corrupt government.” He shook his head. “I never planned for Sela to come into power. I’m sorry I almost…”

Alyssa shook her head. “You and I both have a lot to overcome from our past among the Cunts, Shawn. You can stop apologizing and repay me by taking good care of Sasha. She told me you asked her to marry you this morning. You do realize that only the royals are required to marry on Klatch?”

He smiled as he looked down at Sasha, his gaze tender and loving. “I think that’s the one earth tradition that’s stuck with me. I need no other woman besides Sasha. I want to make her my wife if she’ll have me.”

Stone stepped between Shawn and Alyssa and a long tense moment passed as the men simply stared at each other. Alyssa was a heartbeat away from calling off the testosterone pissing contest when Stone held out his hand to Shawn.

Surprise flashed in Shawn’s eyes before he reached out to shake.

Stone kept a firm grip on Shawn’s hand and pinned him with an intense stare. “Take good care of her, or you’ll have one very unhappy king to answer to. Not to mention a queen I wouldn’t want angry with me.”

Shawn’s lips curved into a smile and he gave a small nod to Stone. “Understood—on all counts.” He turned to Sasha and brushed his fingers over her cheek in a tender gesture that made Alyssa smile. “When your duties are done, do you want to join my parents and me for dinner?”

Sasha nodded and watched him leave until he disappeared from sight before she turned back, a blush burning into her cheeks.

Figuring Sasha would welcome a subject change, she turned to Stone. “What do we do now? Is there any way to find out for sure if any of the rest of the council is involved?”

“I think we can leave that to Ryan and Grayson.” He raised his eyebrows in question toward the two men.

“He’s right,” Ryan said. “We have a little more freedom than the two of you. We’ll find out something before the scheduled council meeting next week.”

“Anything you can find out will help.” She puffed out a sigh and looked up at Stone. “Now I’d really like to wash off all this oil before this robe is permanently stuck to my skin.”

One week later, Alyssa paced the throne room impatiently waiting for Grayson and Ryan to tell her the information they’d found. Her stomach roiled with a combination of morning sickness and nervous knots. She’d spent the past week scouring the queen’s archives for any information they may have missed regarding the triangle. Nothing else had surfaced, but she’d read account after account of queens who had to be brave enough to make tough decisions for the well-being of Tador. Alyssa just hoped she could do the same when she met with the council.

“Alyssandra, you’re going to wear a hole in the floor. They’ll be here.” Stone sat on one of the thrones, his long legs stretched out in front of him, crossed at the ankle. “They told us they’d be here, and they’ve never let me down.”

“The council meeting is due to start in ten minutes.”

“You’re the queen, remember? They can’t start without you.” He leaned forward and smiled. “I say let them wait. It will keep them off balance for the discussions to come.”

“Somehow I don’t think what will be going on can be termed as ‘discussions.’ How the hell am I supposed to accuse the Council Head of treason without starting a riot?”

The large double doors opened and Ryan and Grayson strode forward before the majordomo had a chance to announce them. Ryan startled her by brushing a quick kiss over her cheek as he walked by toward the council chambers. “I’ll tell them you’ll be a few minutes late,” he tossed over his shoulder along with a cheeky smile.

Alyssa held her arms out at her sides, palm up. “What the hell’s going on? Where’s Ryan going?”

Grayson flopped down on the queen’s throne as if it were his own. He poured himself a glass of wine and drank it down while Alyssa resisted the urge to shake him. She knew that would only make him draw out the suspense further, so she bit her tongue, crossed her arms under her breasts and waited.

Stone shook his head and glared at his friend as Grayson refilled the goblet before turning to face Alyssa. “Our little investigation has yielded some results. It seems there are two conspirators among the council. The Council Head and her son.”

Alyssa remembered the Council Head’s son. She’d never heard the man actually speak, he only stood behind his mother and nodded at everything she said. It didn’t surprise her she’d dragged him into the conspiracy. “Do you know if there’s any more to it than the meetings with Sela and the spells on the queen’s journals?”

Grayson shook his head. “Unfortunately, without alerting them of our suspicions, we were unable to find out. Perhaps once we expose them in front of the citizens, the guards can question them further.” He set down the goblet and held up his index finger in front of his face. “But beware, my queen. If they are in league with the Cunts, I would be ready for anything—even in front of the entire council and the population. Their lives won’t be worth much on Klatch once they are exposed, and desperate witches often do take desperate measures.”

Alyssa rubbed her hands over both arms against a sudden rush of goose bumps at what she was about to do. “Thanks, Grayson. Thank Ryan for me too. Don’t worry, I’ll be careful.” She looked up at Stone, his strong presence lending comfort. “Can you tell them the king and I will be a few more minutes?”

Grayson unfolded his lanky form from her throne and stepped forward to put his finger under her chin and tip her face up to meet his gaze. “You can do this, Alyssandra. It’s time to bring out that woman who is comfortable being queen. Think about what they almost stole from you—not only Stone and your parents, but Tador as well. Don’t let them get away with it.” He leaned down and brushed a tender kiss across her forehead.

When he turned to walk away toward the council chamber, Alyssa’s gaze met Stone’s. A flood of emotions ran through her, reminding her of the torrential flow of energy that constantly flowed through her body and awakened like a sleeping dragon every time Stone provided her with sustenance. She placed a hand over their growing daughter and took a deep breath.
I won’t let you down, little one. When you ascend, the council will be there to help you, not fight you!

Two trusted Klatch Council members had betrayed their own people and even more personally, endangered people Alyssa loved. Her anger opened like a flower blooming in direct sunlight and she squared her shoulders and lifted her chin. Grayson was right, it was definitely time to become the woman who was queen. Tador deserved nothing less.

“I need a minute to erect my energy shield and then I think I’m ready to take on the council.” She heard her words, strong and almost regal and when Stone’s smile widened, new confidence surged through her.

“
We
are ready to take them on. You’re not in this alone, Alyssandra.”

She brushed a kiss over his lips and then stood back and closed her eyes, concentrating on awakening her power. The sleeping dragon of energy surged to life inside her and she directed it to form a barrier around her, especially around her stomach to protect their daughter. As her energy shield snapped into place around her, she opened her eyes and held out her hand to Stone.

He rose gracefully and closed the few steps between them to take her hand.

“I know I’m not alone. I’m counting on it. I just wish I took acting classes in school, because I’m going to need to give the performance of a lifetime in the next few minutes.”