Moonlight Captivation [Moon Shadows Book 1] (20 page)

"I have every intention of making you my wife, sweetness. I wouldn't have it any other way."

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The moon was round and full. It shone brightly down on the open rooftop garden on top of the Moon Temple Casino in Las Vegas. Two days after the epic battle, Neman informed everyone about the wedding in Vegas at his brother's casino. Sin smiled down at her when Neman introduced them. Although an exact replica of Neman, Sin was very different from Neman in his gestures, mannerisms, even his attitude and the feel of the power emanating from the powerful god.

Nessa stood before Thomas Armod in a shimmering silver dress, feeling more beautiful than she ever did in her life—or was it that Neman made her feel beautiful and adored as she gazed up at him? He looked extremely tasty in a black tux with an open collar. His smile told her that he knew what she was thinking and couldn't wait to start the honeymoon. His shoulder-length black hair was pulled neatly back with a black leather tie. In the moonlight, he glowed with a sheen of ethereal beauty which took Nessa's breath away. She pinched herself, several times, to make sure she wasn't dreaming. All this hard-muscled, masculine god-man was hers. The love shining in his golden eyes told her he was, and she was his.

Darren stood off to her left, while Mark stood at Neman's right as Thomas performed the ceremony in ancient Sumerian. The witnesses included Slazzamar, Mona, a disappointed Lord Derkin, Lucas, Draco and Neman's twin brother, Sin. Thomas finished the last of the ceremony and Neman pulled her close to hungrily kiss her.

"All mine, wife,” he whispered into her mouth.

"And you are all mine, husband.” She smiled back. The small gathering broke out in applause and they reluctantly pulled away from each other. She gave Darren a hug, while Mark congratulated Neman before they moved away.

"Another one bites the dust,” said Sin as he approached them, slapping his hand on his brother's shoulder. “It's good to see my brother happy. For too many centuries, he's been a walking misery.” He looked at Nessa with a twinkling, mischievous smile. “Are you going to give your new brother-in-law a kiss?"

Neman growled at him and kept a tight, possessive arm around her waist. “Like bloody hell she will. You're a rogue and a womanizer. Stay away from my wife, brother."

Sin chuckled and Nessa laughed in amusement.

"Wait till love bites you in the butt,” she warned him.

"Oh no, by the mother Goddess, it will never happen to me,” Sin said, in mock horror.

It was Neman's turn to chuckle.

Lord Derkin, Lucas and Draco approached. “Damn shame, lassie—we coulda had some fun together.” Derkin grinned.

Nessa shook her head.

"But there are many questions left unanswered since the battle, lad. Are you gonna tell us what happened?"

"All in good time,” Neman said. “How are things in the Outer Realm?” he asked Slazzamar.

"Unbelievably quiet. So peaceful, it's almost scary."

"And the Lower Realm?” He looked at Derkin. The larger-than-life demon warlord somehow made his horns disappear. He looked almost human, apart from his sheer size.

"Demons are demons—they still have souls ta torture, blood ta drink and are pissed off ya denyin’ ‘em liberal access ta the Outer Realm. Ye gonna tell us what happened now, lass? How canna one mortal woman get so powerful?” He stared at Nessa. “And why dunna I sense any of the power now?"

"You want to explain, love?” She glanced up at her new husband.

Neman cleared his throat and explained what Jezebel did, then how Vanessa safely accessed his god powers, via the twins she carried.

"So, have you repaired the fracture in the Realms?” asked Vladimir, who stood next to Lucas.

Nessa shook her head. “What I did was only a temporary patch job. It will hold everything at bay for a while, but then the cracks will start showing. It should hold long enough, at least until these two are ready to take on their roles.” She gave her stomach a pat.

Derkin looked at her curiously. “What did ya do ta Belshazzar, lass? Not knowing where my enemy is unsettles me. “

"And to Jezebel, for that matter,” Slazzamar added.

Nessa grinned at their audience. “You can take the holiday you want, Derkin, for now, they are sealed inside their own hells. As for Jezebel, I didn't kill her, if that's what you're thinking, but she won't be causing anyone trouble ever again. I left her wandering around up here on earth, stripped of all her powers and cursed to live an ordinary human life."

Derkin threw back his head, barking with laughter. Darren and Slazzamar grinned at her, but the others looked at her in stunned silence.

"I thought it only fitting since her hunger for power was so great. And the best part of the curse is she can never utter a word about her former self to anyone."

"I would have killed her.” Neman's tone was low.

She glanced at him and gave his hand a squeeze.

"Ye are a cruel lass, and I love it. Just remember, if you ever tire of god-boy here, I think ye know where ta find me.” He gave her a wink.

Nessa just smiled at him. “Thanks, but I'm good."

Neman glared at Derkin. “Even though Vanessa does not have any powers, for all intents and purposes, to anyone in the Lower or Outer Realm who even thinks of coming after her again, she does,” Neman told them.

"I gotcha, lad—I'll keep the gossip hovering for as long as possible."

"Keep your nose out of trouble, all of you,” Neman warned all the demons present.

Derkin grinned. “I'm gonna enjoy me a nice long vacation. If ye need me services ever again, laddie, feel free to holla. I'll be leaving ye to enjoy your celebration now. If she be mine, I'd not be wastin’ time with talk.” With a laugh, he charged his powers and disappeared.

"That goes the same for us in the ‘need a friend’ department.” Draco stepped forward. “It has been a pleasure. Not often in this day and age do I get to swing a sword again and kill something."

The werewolf snorted. “Bleeding Toff, you kill brain cells off every day just by breathing."

"He's sore because I won the bet, fifty-three over forty-two.” The vampire's lips twitched up in amusement.

"Just because you cheated.” Lucas snorted, clearly not amused.

"You know, it's not a bet unless you bet on something other than a score,” Nessa pointed out. The two looked at each other.

"I think the lady has a point."

"How about a new wager?” Valknar suggested.

Neman glared at her for encouraging them. She just grinned broadly.

"I appreciated you helping, but take your bickering elsewhere and stay out of trouble. I would hate to have to be forced into hunting either of you or your clans,” Neman warned.

"I take care of my own.” Draco's tone held a warning of its own.

"As do I,” Lucas agreed.

"Careful, you two—it sounds like the start of a beautiful friendship,” Nessa told them with amusement.

"Oh, hell no,” growled Lucas, glaring at Draco.

Nessa smothered the urge to laugh out loud.

"We'll talk about the wager later,” he told the vampire, before giving Nessa a smile which would melt the heart of any red-blooded woman. “Good day, sweet lady. I must say, you always do smell delicious."

Neman growled at him.

"Worry not, I have no designs on your wife. I wish you every happiness.” Lucas's blue eyes glimmered with secrets. He gave a bow to them before vanishing.

Valknar shrugged his shoulders. “It's no fun insulting him behind his back. Good day, lady Vanessa. Neman, it's been a pleasure.” With a wave of his hand and a bow, he too charged his powers and vanished.

Nessa could no longer contain her laughter. “What? I think they're hilarious,” Nessa defended, when Neman shot her a look, but his face softened into a smile.

"So, what's going to happen now?” Mark asked.

"There are still many demons to take care of topside,” Neman told him.

"Something tells me you're not going to be around to lead the charge anymore."

"I may have new priorities, but Moon Shadow Agency will continue normal operations. I was hoping someone else might take a new leading role.” He turned to look at Slazzamar, who took a moment to understand what Neman was saying.

He straightened up. “What, me?” Slazzamar looked bewildered.

"You've got to be kidding,” Mark said, indignantly.

"You're a strong fighter, Slazzamar, and good at getting out of sticky situations. I think you, Mark and Darren would make a good team."

"Like hell. He's still a demon, and you can't trust a demon,” Mark protested.

"Oh, get your head out of your upstart ass...” Darren jumped in to defend Slazzamar. “Half-demon, yes, which makes him perfect for taking lead of the hunt, and he more than saved your ass out on the battlefield."

Neman turned to Mark. “I trust him which should make it good enough for you. Darren can learn the ropes of your job, which will also take the pressure off you—that is, if you want to take it.” He looked at Darren and Slazzamar.

"Well, I'm willing, if you are,” Darren told him. “Think about it—no more Slazzamar the Sneak, but Slazz, the rogue demon hunter and hero.” Darren grinned at him.

Slazzamar smiled in response. “All right, I'll do it."

"My life is going to be hell,” Mark grumbled.

Neman moved to Mark, slapping him on the back, and grinning in amusement. “Think of it as a new adventure, my friend. I'm not vanishing off the face of the planet. If any problems arise the three of you can't handle, call me. Till then, the Zigg is yours."

Mark sighed in resignation.

"Don't worry, Mark. Things will work out fine, you'll see,” said Nessa. She gave Mark a warm smile, pulling away to give him a pat on the arm, then went to talk to Thomas.

"And where are you two going?” Darren asked Neman.

"I think after a few thousand years of demon hunting, I've earned a long break and it's going to start with my honeymoon."

"You don't have to worry about my protection anymore,” she told Thomas.

"I shall ensure her protection,” Neman assured him.

Thomas nodded acknowledgement.

"You do not need to serve the Moon Temple anymore, Armod, but it is your choice, of course. My brother is still the resident Moon God, so you'd best see him."

"Don't palm him off on me,” Sin said with annoyance.

"You would have me sever ties?” Thomas asked, with a touch of fear.

"Of course not. If you wish to contribute to the cause, join Moon Shadow Agency. Talk to Mark and Slazzamar. We can always use a man with your knowledge and resources."

Thomas looked relieved that he would still be able to do something to help. “So, I will still have access to your Ziggurat?” he asked, with the eagerness of a child in a toy store.

"Of course you will,” Neman confirmed.

"Glad that's all settled, then. Now time for the party?” Nessa asked with a lopsided grin.

Neman came up behind her, slid his arm around her waist, then pulled her away from the small group and held her tight against him. “Can't we skip the party, sweet wife?” an exasperated Neman asked against her ear. “We're married. Let's go celebrate, as we should. I can hardly wait to be inside you again."

The words came out in a low growl, making Nessa shiver, her body coming alive and heating under his intense gaze and closeness.

"Well, when you put it that way, let's blow this joint."

"Ahh, guys, we're gonna skip the reception,” Nessa informed the remaining wedding guests, as Neman easily picked her up off her feet. She snuggled into his arms.

"Oh, don't worry about us—you go have fun. I know I will.” Darren grinned, his arm around Slazzamar.

"Play nice,” was Neman's parting remark, as they vanished from the rooftop and the shortest wedding reception in history.

Nessa gasped when the warm liquid oozed over her swollen stomach and down between the lines of her naked breasts. Neman lay beside her and she watched him through half-hooded eyes as he chose a plump, red strawberry from a bowl on the side. He swirled the berry into the melted chocolate, trailing it up and circling her hardened nipple with the brown, sweet chocolate before attending to the other, lathing it across, until both were well coated. Next, he made it journey up the valley of her breasts to her throat, then lifting it to her waiting mouth, and putting it between her teeth.

"Hold it,” came his husky command. Then he bent his head to retrace the path the chocolate created, licking with long strokes of his tongue, cleaning every drop of chocolate, then taking a full nipple into his mouth and sucking on the sensitive bud.

Nessa fought to not bite into the strawberry. She groaned low in her throat and fisted the sheets as he finished with the first breast, then moved to the second. She was dripping with desire, her whole body aflame under his administrations. When he finished with the second breast, he came back to her mouth, covering it and crushing the strawberry. The juice, pulp and chocolate slid into her mouth, making her moan with the combined effect of his tongue probing to taste her, the chocolate and the strawberry.

He pulled back, allowing her to swallow the delectable treat. The smile reaching his golden eyes was pure pleasure and mischief. “Never was I fond of sweets, but you have put a whole new perspective on sweet treats, my lovely wife."

Nessa grinned, licking her lips of the remnant strawberry and chocolate mix. “If I remember, it was you who started it off by smelling of chocolate. Why did the anointing smell like those things anyway?"

"I have no idea. My guess would be they found the one thing we could not resist.” He moved over her, shifting between her legs and looking down on her swollen belly, still half-coated in chocolate.

"Considering how drunk I was at the time, I don't think it would have mattered in the slightest to me. How are we going to explain to the twins that you met me drunk in a dirty alleyway?"

Neman chuckled. “Somehow, I think they will understand a great deal."

Neman chose a second strawberry from the bowl, coating it and his fingers in the chocolate. This time it travelled northward, vanishing between her legs. He pushed them wide, making Nessa gasp once again, as he pushed it deep into her wet, weeping heat. He took another and added it to the first, pushing back her legs. She was suddenly shocked as he bit down lightly on her clit, making her yelp. Her inner walls clenched, crushing the delicate fruit. She could feel the juices starting to seep toward her entrance, and his face vanished between her thighs. Descending on her chocolate-and-strawberry coated pussy, he speared her with his tongue, lapping at the juices. Her delighted moan matched the groan which rumbled from his chest as he indulged in her strawberry-chocolate center. Licking and lapping, he gorged himself. She could only see the top of his head over her swollen belly.