The feel of Edward’s warm skin on her palm sent a thrill down her spine. Isabella looked into his eyes, finding deep emotions reflected back at her. She drew a deep breath and turned her attention to the priest. His words were ancient, the meaning everlasting. They would bind themselves to one another for all time, followed by the anointing from The Purifier. Rosalie stood in front of the table the golden sword was set upon, ready to perform her part of the ceremony.
Edward and Isabella exchanged rings etched with runic symbols, and he pressed his lips to her cheek. She swayed in his direction when he pulled away, yearning for far more than that. She smiled, squeezing his hands, and the priest stepped to the side.
“Edward, to finalize your journey of becoming a member of the True-Sworn, I have in front of me the cuff you chose earlier. With this blessing, you are granted eternal life, so long as the Ember Sword remains in our possession.”
Rosalie held up the cuff and then fastened it around Edward’s wrist. She said a few words in a language he didn’t recognize before she looked at both of them.
“Before, you were a member of the household staff. You enjoyed good health and longevity provided by the sword, but now you will truly be bound to Isabella until the end of days. It is of utmost importance that you keep this information to yourself, or others would besiege our home in an effort to take what rightfully belongs to us alone.
The Prophecy of the First Blood declares the True-Sworn as the Blood Protectors, the only clan worthy of the Ember Sword. You must vow to protect it from now on; with your own life, if need be.”
“I so vow it.”
“Isabella, you may now give your mate his battle name.”
Tears hovered in her eyes as she looked upon the handsome face of her new mate. “Edward, you showed bravery and courage in the face of adversity. It is my honor to bestow you with the name Bone-Crusher. It shall follow you into each and every battle, wherein your duty lies with protecting me.”
He lifted her hand and kissed her knuckles. “I accept it proudly.”
“Your belongings have been moved from the attendants’ quarters to Isabella’s chambers.” Carlisle rested his hand on Edward’s shoulder. “A new attendant will be there in the morning to assist you with your needs.”
Esme stepped forward and kissed Edward on each cheek. “Welcome to the family, Edward.”
“Thank you, your highness.”
She grinned and patted his hand. “You’re no longer required to refer to me as such.”
“That will take some getting used to, I’m afraid.”
“I understand.”
She moved aside and allowed Alise, Rosalie, Jasper, and Emmett to congratulate them.
“Now, if you are ready, we will have a celebratory meal in the great hall.”
Isabella nodded at Esme. “Thank you, Mother.”
Just being able to hold his hand as they walked to the keep was enough to make her knees wobble. She’d been so used to denying herself his touch, and now he was hers. She could hardly believe it.
It appeared that everyone was in attendance when they arrived. Food was soon brought from the kitchens, and conversations were lively. Isabella caught Edward looking around.
“He sits with Katrina.”
He looked at her. “Does he?”
Isabella nodded. “She asked him to be her mate.”
His smile was breathtaking. “I’m so happy for him.”
“Destiny is all. It has forever changed your life."
“Aye, but it is everything I’ve ever wanted.”
One brow arched. “Ever?”
“For many years, princess.”
“Now you can stop calling me that.” She leaned close to his ear. “I hated the way it reminded me how far separated we were.”
“No longer.” He turned his head and kissed her temple.
She stared at him, swallowing thickly at what she saw in his eyes. Different from what was in the chapel, now she saw hunger.
Need.
Desire.
She shifted her legs beneath the table. “Do hurry.”
He chuckled. “Of course, princess.”
She quirked her mouth in a wry smile. Perhaps he was as eager as she. She ate as much as her nervous stomach would allow before informing her mother they were finished.
Esme gave her an indulgent smile. “The new attendant will wait outside your chambers in the morn until you are ready to receive him.”
“Thank you, Mother.”
With her hand enclosed in his larger one, Isabella nearly skipped to her chambers. Thoughts and emotions swirled within her until she was breathless. Edward opened the door which led to her sitting room and allowed her to precede him. She only made it to the doorway of her bedroom before she paused. Uncertainty wracked her, and she spun with one hand on her stomach.
“I’m so nervous,” she admitted.
“I am, as well.”
She moved to stand by the bed, waiting for him to join her. Edward walked past her to the attendant’s door and assured himself it was locked before returning to her side.
Isabella looked up at his face, the face of the man she’d had ten years to fall in love with, to adore, and to crave. “I want you.” The admission shocked her, and she popped her hand over her mouth.
He grinned. “I should hope so, for I have waited a decade for you.”
Her heart beat heavily in her chest. “Has it been that long for you?”
He took her hands in his. “It has. In the beginning, when I was young, I looked up to you. When I became older, I developed a crush.” He brushed a tendril of hair from her temple and placed his lips there. “As I grew into manhood, I fell deeply, madly, and excruciatingly in love with you.”
“Will you kiss me, Edward?”
“Aye, Isabella.”
She couldn't decide if she should close her eyes or watch him, in the end keeping them open until he was so close she could feel his breath on her face. His mouth touched hers softy, and she sighed. She gripped his shoulders and let him angle to deepen the kiss.
He pulled back and touched his fingertips to her mouth. “You are exquisite.”
She felt the heat of a blush on her cheeks. “Thank you.”
“May I remove your gown?”
Her breath caught and she swallowed. She nodded, unable to form actual words. Edward had never been tasked with assisting her in dressing; it wouldn't be proper. If a woman was unmated and required assistance, she asked her sister or mother. Too long, Isabella had been doing it all herself.
He untied the sleeves on her gown and pushed it from her shoulders. She stepped out of it and he picked it up, smoothing the fabric before laying it across the trunk at the foot of her bed. The gold undertunic she was left in did nothing to conceal the hardening of her nipples.
“With your permission?”
“Edward, you can . . . you can touch me everywhere.”
His eyes darkened and he placed his hands on her shoulders. Her chest rose and fell in rapid succession, her skin tingling everywhere he touched. He trailed his fingers down her chest to her breasts, cupping them in his palms and watching her face. He rubbed his thumbs across her tight buds and she rewarded him with a low moan.
Edward slid his hands to her waist and drew her closer, kissing her once again. He released her mouth and rested his forehead to hers to catch his breath. Isabella frowned when he circled around behind her, but then she felt him moving her hair.
“Many nights I’ve wished for the privilege of unbinding your braids.”
Edward removed the tie at the bottom of the largest braid, carefully unplaiting each strand. How many times had she wanted him to do this menial task? How often had she yearned for his fingers in her hair?
He was a wall of heat behind her, bringing about a strong ache between her legs. Every touch was gentle. He moved on to the smaller braids, diligently unwinding each until her long hair hung in waves down her back.
He pushed it all over her shoulder and pressed a kiss to the nape of her neck. Her legs wobbled as her desire surged. “Edward.”
It was softly spoken, but he heard. “Isabella.”
“You have yet to remove your own clothing.”
He was in front of her at once, pulling his cloak from his shoulders. He propped a foot on the stool next to the bed and bent to remove his boots. It took him longer to take off his own clothes than it had for him to assist her. He straightened to his full height when he was left in nothing but his linen undergarments. Isabella licked her lips at the sight of his bare chest directly in front of her.
“Would you like to lie down?”
Her head bobbed in response, lacking the words to express her excitement at what was to come. She climbed on the bed, watching him round the end and sit on the other side. When he faced her, she decided to move things along and pulled her tunic off. She held it bunched in front of her breasts for a moment and then remembered she’d recently bared herself to him. She dropped her arms, but his gaze remained on her face.
“I cannot believe how fortunate I am.” Edward scooted closer to her, and she reclined against the pillows.
He touched her breasts first, finally allowing himself to look. She knew not where to focus her own gaze; he was beautiful everywhere. His neck was strong, his jawline sharp. His chest bore no scars, unsurprising for one not yet gone to battle. It was carved from hours of training, as were his arms. She recalled his prowess with the mace and shivered.
Their hands roamed each other’s bodies to familiarize themselves with their new mate. She skimmed her fingers across the top of what clothing remained on his body, and he moved to pull it off. Isabella quivered at the sight of his cock jutting from his body. Her mouth watered and her skin felt overheated. If he didn't touch her soon, she would burst.
“Come here, husband.”
Edward hovered over her body and met her gaze directly. “I know what’s supposed to happen, but I can’t promise finesse.”
She almost giggled, but the hard length pressed to her hip was enough to keep her focused. “It will be alright. I belong to you, Edward.”
“And I belong to you.”
Bending his head, he kissed her languidly, running his fingers over her belly. Finding her soft and slick between her legs, he probed until she cried out, swirling his fingers to hear the way she moaned. Isabella grasped him closer the more he circled just so, and eventually shudders coursed over her body. She sobbed his name into his shoulder, kissing him over and over as her muscles settled.
He raised up and nudged his cock against her entrance, pausing to look in her eyes. She nodded, and Edward pressed forward. Every fiber of her being was begging for their connection, for him to complete her. He moved further inside her, stopping when he met with resistance. She clung to his shoulders, biting her lip and nodding.
She cried out when he pushed fully inside her. He froze, burying his head in her hair. “By the gods, Isabella.”
“Don't move, please. Only for a second.” She took several deep breaths, feeling his heart beating with hers. “I’m good.”
“You’re certain?”
“Aye,” she whispered.
He pulled out of her and thrust back in, holding a second before finding a smooth rhythm. Nothing was pleasant but the feel of him surrounding her, and she prayed to regain the time when it was pleasurable. Still, she could be content with the fact that they were joined as one, that Edward was truly her mate, and that they had plenty of time to practice.
“Oh, Isabella.” With a groan, Edward pressed tightly to her body. The solid weight of him was confirmation of what she’d been thinking.
“I love you.”
He kissed her throat. “As I love you.”
No comments:
Post a Comment