Four Bonds Read online

  I felt another orgasm building as I wrapped my legs around him, changing the angle where he met me and pushing my orgasm to fruition as he hit the perfect spot. I screamed his name as he relentlessly thrust in me, drawing my orgasm out until I thought I would break in half. I could tell when he started giving in to his own, his eyes closing as his body began tensing up. I reached for his face, urging him to open his eyes as he came inside me, completely filling my empty womb with his hot seed.

  At my last checkup the doctor had asked me about birth control, and although the thought was still a little terrifying for me, I had ultimately decided I didn’t want anything to prevent a potential pregnancy. The kingdom had waited long enough for this curse to be lifted, and I felt too selfish to not give them what they deserve, seeing as I was the only one that could determine whether their children would be born as humans or shifters. This went so far beyond my own personal wants, and if I was truly to become the next queen then I really needed to put the needs of the people first.

  I had also decided not to let the men know what I had decided, maybe letting them continue to think that I had wanted to wait awhile to get pregnant. I knew they all supported me making my own choice and knowing that I had one was really all I needed to feel comfortable turning the birth control down. I hoped that if I was able to get pregnant in the foreseeable future then I could surprise them. They had given me everything and I knew how long they had waited to end the curse. This felt right.

  I shook myself out of my reverie, trying not to give away where my head was at. As Declan came down from his high, he was shaking a little as he sunk next to me and pulled me in tight, burying his head in my chest and wrapping his arms around me. I wrapped one leg around his hip, needing to feel our bodies connected everywhere they weren’t.

  “Are you okay? Did I hurt you?”

  “God no. That was incredible. Thank you for making my first time so perfect, Declan. I love you so much.”

  He stilled at my words, smiling up to me another mega-watt smile.

  “I don’t think I’ll ever get over how amazing it sounds hearing you say that to me. I love you, Isla. You looked so beautiful tonight, it was torture kissing you in those alcoves tonight knowing what was coming after, and also seeing you dance with my brothers. I wanted to run out of there the second our dance was over and make love to you. I think you’ve bewitched my body. It knows nothing but how to crave you.”

  I smiled at his words, feeling so content. This marriage was getting off on the right foot.

  I knew Declan didn’t want to push me too far on my first night, and I appreciated it because as amazing as it felt to connect with Declan on such a deep level, I could already tell that I would probably be sore tomorrow. I didn’t want to ruin my night with Atticus by completely wrecking my body tonight. There would be plenty of nights in the future where we could make that happen. Maybe with some of his brothers involved? Hey, if a girl was going to have four husbands, she better damn well use that to her advantage.

  Declan brought me into the bathroom where we shared a steaming hot bath together. After climbing back in bed we relaxed and cuddled for a bit, but we both stared to fall asleep after the long day. Clean and sated, we fell asleep in each others arms.

  Two

  Waking up after yesterday’s events, it was difficult not to feel blissfully happy, and why would I fight it? Declan’s arms wrapped around me and the knowledge that I’d get to be with Atticus tonight was an incredible feeling. I wasn’t sure when I had gotten so greedy, I know I would be more than happy if it was only Declan and I in this marriage.

  Marriage. Shit, I was married. Less than a month ago I was living my normal life, alone, existing merely as an outcast in my small town. Now here I lay, in the arms of royalty…Ah. That’s what Maalik had meant when he said that I’d be a princess soon enough. I suppose being married to a prince made me a princess. The realization kind of knocked the air out of me for a second.

  “Holy shit.”

  “Good morning to you too.” I could hear Declan’s smile in his words. “Do you always start your days with profanity? Is it some sort of ritual or something?”

  “Hardly. I just realized that I’m married to a prince and about to be married to three more. Shit. I’m kind of like, a princess now, aren’t I?”

  “Not kind of like, you are.”

  “Shit.”

  “Tell me how you really feel.”

  “It’s just weird I guess. Hey. Did we really get married last night? I feel like I just stepped into somebody else’s life.”

  “Get used to it, this is your new reality, babe. You exist solely to pleasure me now.”

  I flipped over so I could chastise his chauvinistic response, but all I could do was giggle at the ridiculously pleased expression on his face.

  “I see. I guess I better get to work then?” I shot him my best attempt at a seductive look before wriggling my way down his body, intentionally dragging my body along his very awake lower member ending with my mouth illustrating what exactly I could bring to the table in our marriage.

  Not to be outdone, Declan flipped me over soon and gave it right back to me, treating me gently but thoroughly enough that we both passed out again. Before I knew it, it was lunchtime and I had to start getting ready for the next ceremony.

  The hair and makeup team arrived soon after that, glamming me up again as Declan watched with eyes that looked like they wanted to devour me. Of course it had taken him all of twenty minutes to don his suit and tame his hair. So unfair.

  “So tonight is basically just a repeat of last night, yeah?

  “More or less. Except that I get to see you with Atticus knowing what you look like naked and squirming underneath me. Advantage: Declan. While you’re at the ceremony this place will get cleaned up and reset. Atticus will stay here tonight and I’ll be back at the house with my other brothers bragging about what I got to do while they were sitting there probably enjoying their hands.”

  My face flushed at the image.

  “You know I’m right.”

  “I do not know that. Don’t torture them. This is all still so weird. You seriously don’t feel jealous knowing we just got married last night and that tonight there will be another man in my bed?”

  I wrapped my arms around him and tilted my head towards his face, careful not to disturb the elegant updo the stylist had managed with my crazy curls.

  “Honestly? No, I’m not. He’s not some random guy. Sure I wish I could be here with you, and now that I know how good it is first hand it’s going to be rough as hell to be away from you all night, but I love Atticus too and I’m happy for him. I know how much you mean to him and I’ll be there cheering him on when you stand up there together and exchange vows.”

  I couldn’t think of anything to say to express how his words warmed me, so I settled for kissing him instead. I hadn’t put on my dress quite yet so I was just wearing a silk robe while I had spent the past few hours getting ready.

  “Thank you. I’ll miss you too, and as fun as these parties are I’m looking forward to seeing what normal life looks like with all of us. Lounging on the weekends, movie nights, shared living spaces. Now. Help me get into this dress.”

  ✽✽✽

  Walking into the party that night on Declan’s arm, I felt completely different. Being named an official princess to the kingdom might have been part of it, but I think being an official Damani now was most of it. It had felt so good greeting Lander and Maalik when we arrived back at the castle, and I felt like a goddess in my shimmery gold dress.

  They both gave us smirks that said they knew exactly what we had been up to and I blushed as they stared into me. I felt like they were trying to get inside my mind and see what I felt and exactly how well my first time had gone. One skill these guys definitely didin’t lack in was the ability to make me instantly wet. Damn. Breathe, Isla, breathe.

  To match Atticus’ golden dragon, I had chosen a gorgeous strapless dress with a
sweetheart neckline, sparkling gold embellishments on the bust and skirt. My hair was swept up, my makeup was perfect, and I was anxious to make my claim on Atticus official. I knew he was inside the ballroom waiting for me and I was ready for another public claiming. He made me excited.

  Atticus had definitely been easy to fall in love with given his playfulness and devotion, and he was just so damn sexy with that dark hair that always swept into his eyes and his tattoos that peaked through his collar a little no matter what shirt he wore. I felt his brothers around me, their reassuring touches guiding me through the crowds as I made my way to the dais where he was standing.

  Like with Declan, Atticus came forward to accompany me up onto the stage, and his father greeted me quickly before starting the ceremony. There was no facing outward to deliver speeches this time, and Atticus was ready the second the crowd quieted enough to hear us.

  I wanted to be Atticus’ as much as I wanted him to be mine, and it still seemed crazy to me sometimes that a girl from nowheresville, USA was now here, marrying four smoking hot princes. But more than that, it seemed crazy to me that it felt like destiny and even though they really hadn’t been in my life that long, I know them in my soul and already I was completely certain that my love for them was as strong as any great love in history.

  “You’re gorgeous.” Atticus kissed me on the cheek and grabbed my hands, his eyes more serious than I had yet to see. He sank to one knee in a gesture of respect and I knew I wasn’t going to make it through this ceremony dry eyed. I was just so damned happy.

  “Isla, I hadn’t realized I was broken until you showed up and fixed me. I hadn’t realized how meaningless life was without you there beside me to brighten it. Since you’ve arrived you’ve completely ensnared me, making my soul lighter than it’s ever been. You’ve brought out sides in me I haven’t seen in years and had forgotten existed. I know you were created for me, everything about you fits perfectly into my life.

  You’ve endangered yourself by agreeing to take on this new role, and so far we have failed to keep you safe. The last week has been hell and seeing you so broken was the worst torture. From this day forward, you will only be alone if you wish it. You are the catalyst for all the good things that will happen to me and I love you so wholly it feels impossible. Will you, Isla Damani, agree to take me on as your husband in front of our kingdom, and to bind your soul with mine so that we might share everything together in life?”

  Atticus held out another rock, similar to Declan’s but of a different shape and on its own chain. I am pretty sure I said something affirmative because soon the two rocks side by side against my skin. Seeing them together made me smile.

  Tonight, it was King Andre’s turn to officiate, and the familiar words from last night excited me because I knew our official declaration was soon to come.

  “Isla Damani, if you accept Atticus as your husband in front of the eyes of this kingdom, to grow with and to experience life with, to love and to be a partner to, forsaking everyone outside of your marriage, so say it.”

  “I do.”

  “Atticus Damani, if you accept Isla as your wife in front of the eyes of this kingdom, to grow with and to experience life with, to love and to be a partner to, forsaking all others, so say it.

  “I do.”

  “Isla, please place your ring on Atticus so that everyone will see his commitment.”

  As I slid my ring onto his hand and heard his father in the background declaring us official, I was more than ready for the kiss he grabbed me for. There were some chuckles, I wasn’t sure he had actually waited for permission to kiss me but there was no stopping that train.

  We spent the night dancing, his brothers trying their best to cut in and get their time with me but Atticus was oddly possessive and I felt that he was just ready. The bond between us was incredibly strong and after weeks of fighting our chemistry it was such a relief to be able to just let it all go and breathe into it. He took me out of the party early and led me down the same path I had travelled last night with Declan.

  As we got to the foot of the stairs, Atticus stopped me from walking up by putting his body in front of me and getting on one knee again, this time just the two of us there to witness it.

  “Isla, seeing you walk through that ballroom tonight, knowing you were there for me, I just wanted to you know, that whether there is a crowd there to bear witness or just the stars above, that having you in my life, tying yours to it, is the greatest thing I’ve done. My heart beats because you own it, and with all that I am, I promise you that I will be the husband you deserve and will support you, always. I love you.”

  I stared at Atticus for a minute, soaking in what he was telling me and then sank to my knees beside him so that I could kiss him.

  “I love you, Atticus. Thank you, I know you didn’t say what you said earlier simply because there were people there to hear it. I’ll always hear you.”

  Atticus carried me bridal style up the stairs and into the cabin, then went to pour us some champagne. The treats had been wasted the previous night, and even though it felt weird to be here to consummate another marriage in the same place I had with Declan, the place really was cleaned up thoroughly and I had to admit that sharing one house to unite all my marriages actually made a lot of sense.

  Atticus had spent the night monopolizing me from his brothers, keeping me to himself. He had jumped the gun on the kiss at the altar, but now that we were alone and it was quiet, it seemed he rather wanted to take his time. We spent awhile talking and laughing, feeding each other sweets and getting a little giddy off the champagne. There was a fire going in front of us as we sat cuddled on the couch, and as I stood up to face Atticus, he lifted an eyebrow at me, his skin glowing from the firelight.

  I reached behind me, slowly unzipping my dress as he took my form in. I kicked of my shoes, cussing the heels as Atticus chuckled at my antics. I laid my dress over the back of the couch and the fire glowing in his eyes back at me had me scorching inside. He was an expert at getting me worked up without me realizing it, constantly giving me little touches throughout the day so that I knew he was always there, always feeling me. I could still feel the whispers of those fingers on me but now I needed to feel them without the barricade of fabric.

  I removed my bra, my breasts standing at attention under his lustful gaze. He might look unaffected to someone else but I could see his labored breaths and the feral look taking over his eyes. As I removed the last piece of clothing on my body he slowly stood, approaching me with a look of absolute worship. He traced his fingertips all over my skin, across my collarbone, up and down my sides, up my spine, ghosting over the sensitive skin of my breasts. They ran across my stomach, over my hips, following the curve of my ass as he walked around me, taking in every inch.

  I slowly undressed him, reveling in each inch that I exposed. The glow from the firelight and the candles softened everything and when Atticus was finally bared to me he sank onto his knees one more time but this time with highly different intentions.

  “You. Are. My. Wife.”

  I nodded at him like an idiot, but not feeling self-conscious about the watery eyes he induced.

  “Husband.”

  “Say that again.”

  “You, Atticus Damani, are my husband. You have promised to love and protect me, and I vow the same. You make me the best version of myself and officially having you delcared mine officially is everything.”

  Atticus broke eye contact to nudge my legs apart, pulling me down in front of him to lay me in front of the fire. I was completely bared to him and I freaking loved it. The second his tongue ran up my slit I was on edge, my skin buzzing as usual after a day around him. His mouth devoured me, making me arch my back and whimper. My orgasm came fast and strong and without warning, leaving me feeling empty when he removed his head from between my thighs. He kissed up my torso and then pulled back to look at me, looking so damn happy to be with me. I ran my fingers across his chest, memorizing the way
his skin felt.

  “You’re so fucking beautiful. I’ve wanted you from the day I saw you.”

  I let my eyes wander over his tattoos, reaching up to sweep his hair out of his eyes.

  “I’ve wanted you from the second you took my hand and kissed it. You’re something special. You know that, right?”

  His response was to spear his hard cock into me, sliding right in after his previous oral ministrations. Once he was buried to the hilt he held still, eyes in wonder at our bodies being connected. Words were lost as he took me in front of the fire, cementing our vows as we lost ourselves. Sometime later after we had made it to the bed, we lay there wrapped up together.

  “How am I supposed to do this two more times the next few days? This is exhausting. Why on earth did your mother feel the need for FOUR sons?”

  Atticus chuckled at me.

  “I mean, if Me and Declan have worn you out too much, I’m sure Maalik and Lander would understand. Although, I will have to tell you that Maalik is something you’re probably not going to want to miss.”

  “The hell is that supposed to mean?” I propped myself up on my elbow to glare at him.

  “Well, being twins, Maalik and I are pretty close. We’ve shared women before and I can tell you that the boy has some moves.”

  “Oh my God. Are you seriously bringing up other women on our wedding night??”

  Back to the whole Atticus-is-a-puppy analogy, his tail was between his legs now. I could tell he was preparing to grovel. I wasn’t actually that offended, I knew what he was getting at but it was still kind of fun to see him squirm.

  “That was a long time ago. I don’t mean to disrespect you, I just gotta wingman my brothers. Although, if you’re not up to it….”