* * *

Drogath carried Amalia through the torch-lit corridors, savoring her warmth against his chest. She had chosen him. Not just accepted their bargain, but publicly claimed him before her people. His blood burned with pride and desire.

The moment their chamber door closed behind them, he captured her mouth in a searing kiss. She met him with equal passion, her fingers tangling in his hair as he pressed her against the door. Gone was any trace of the timid princess who had once feared him. His mate knew what she wanted now.

“Are you certain?” he asked against her lips, needing to hear the words.

“Yes,” she breathed, arching into him. “I want to be yours. Completely.”

He growled low in his throat and lifted her again, carrying her to their bed. The wedding finery she wore presented an enticing challenge. He undid layers of silk and lace with careful patience, revealing her skin inch by precious inch. Each new expanse of flesh earned his devoted attention, kisses and nips and tender caresses, until she was trembling beneath his touches.

“Please,” she whimpered, reaching for him. “I need you.”

“I know exactly what you need,” he rumbled, settling his larger frame over hers and pinning her hands over her head. “My beautiful mate. My fierce princess. But you’re not in charge. I am.”

She peered up at him, her eyes wide and unfocused, glazed with passion. She worried at her lower lip and nodded. Satisfied, he made himself a place between her thighs, his cock brushing against her core. She rocked her hips against him, trying to bring him closer. Her arousal soaked the tip of his cock and he growled, resisting the urge to plunge deep inside of her in one stroke.

He shifted so she couldn’t move further and claimed her lips in a searing kiss, his tongue surging deep inside to taste the remnants of wine blended with her unique taste. When he finally lifted his head, she was panting, her lips slightly open. He trailed his lips down her throat, his tusks lightly scoring her skin, and nipped at her pounding pulse.

She gasped, “Please, Drogath.”

He nipped her and continued down to the tip of one breast, lifting it to his mouth and sucking it inside. He curled his tongue around the nipple as his fingers played with the other tip, tormenting and teasing, then he switched sides, until she was begging him for release. Her fingers were buried in his hair, tugging at him, holding him close, the prick of her nails a burn against his scalp.

He lifted his head. “I can’t wait to decorate you with jewels and rings.”

Her eyes widened. “On my body?”

He smirked. “Everywhere.”

His fingers drifted lower and buried themselves between her thighs, tweaking her clit sharply. “This would also look pretty all dressed up.”

Her mouth opened, and her eyes were wide with shock. “There?” She almost whispered.

He grinned. “I have the perfect jewel for your pearl. But first, I need another taste. It’s been almost a day.”

He slid down and wedged his shoulders between her thighs and opened her pussy to his gaze. He stared at her for a long moment, at the arousal that generously coated her swollen, pink folds. Then he stroked his tongue through them, tracing every inch of her, tasting her and gathering up her cream until it covered his tongue. He curled his tongue around her swollen nub and teased it, sucking lightly, then nipping it gently.

Amalia writhed on the bed, her thighs pressed to his shoulders, her cries and gasps echoing in the chamber. He rimmed her entrance with a finger, then a second, slowly inserting them partway and stretching her. She cried out, and he felt her channel begin to pulse around his fingers.

His cock ached with the desperate need to be inside of her, but first, she had to come. He needed her soft and pliant before he fucked her. Her first time was going to be difficult enough without his size. He added a third finger and sucked hard on her nub and she came screaming around him, her arousal soaking his face and hand. He kept her coming until she slowly settled on the bed.

He prowled up the bed and notched his cock, now copiously dripping pre-cum, at her entrance. He cupped her cheek and brushed her lips with his, once, twice, until her eyelids fluttered and she focused her slightly dazed gaze on his.

“Look at me,” he commanded softly. “I want to see your eyes when we are joined.”

Her gaze locked with his, full of trust and desire and something deeper that made his heart clench. He eased his way inside until he felt her maidenhead. She tensed for a moment, and he reached down to brush against her clit, tweaking it until she was distracted, her desire rising. Then he thrust, breaking through her virginity quickly.

She cried out, her gasp of pain quickly caught by his lips. When he was fully seated, he stilled, kissing away the salty tears that spilled from her eyes. “It’s only for a moment, only the first time. Then it will be wonderful.”

She focused on him and nodded, still tearful. After a few moments, she moved under him restlessly, as if testing him. He rocked inside of her and she sucked in a breath, her mouth dropping open. “Do that again.”

He obliged, dragging his cock out and thrusting, slowly, back in. Her head fell back, eyes closed, and she moaned. Her legs wrapped around his waist and she lifted her hips to meet him as he drove into her again and again, the sweet clasp of her tight, wet heat sucking him in. The muscles of her pussy clenched at him, pulled at him, trying to keep him inside. All too soon, he felt the flutters of her channel tightening around him.

“Look at me when you come,” he growled.

Her eyes flew open, and she met his gaze, a hint of fear in them, as if terrified by what she was feeling. A few thrusts later, she shattered around him, crying out his name, her pussy milking him like a vise. He followed her over the edge with a roar that probably echoed through half the castle.

He rolled to the side and pulled her close against his chest, both of them covered in a light sheen of sweat. He traced gentle patterns on her back as their breathing slowly returned to normal.