Page 45 of A Seduction Of Death (Umbra Hunters #4)

VALEN

(Four Months Later)

“ S tay quiet, Mi Sol,” I whisper, thrusting deep and making her moan against my palm as I keep her pinned against the wall. The blue gown I had made for today is fisted in her hands, up around her waist, her feet slightly spread as she bends at the waist, moving her hips in rhythm with mine as I fuck her hard and deep. There are dozens of voices just outside the door, the excitement in the air almost contagious as our people rush around, preparing for the large event.

“Valen!” Mi Sol gasps, her lips moving against the hand I have pressed over her lips. She thrusts her hips back, making me sink even deeper into her tight heat, and I can feel my balls tighten with need, my orgasm on the precipice, and I know I only have seconds to get her off before I’m coming deep in her wet pussy.

“That’s it, Mi Sol,” I encourage as she fucks herself on my cock, her body trembling, sweat glistening on her creamy skin as I reach down and slide my fingers down, finding that swollen bud. “Come for me, love.”

“Everyone, out!” I hear a voice growl from the throne room, the sound making Meyer tense as I pinch her clit, and then she screams into my hand. I can hear the sound of retreating footsteps as my beautiful mate falls apart in my hands. Her back arches, internal muscles clamping tight around my cock, and I groan as I lean down and press my nose into her neck, gasping out my release as I fill her cunt with my cum.

“You can’t be serious!” Nox growls as the door bursts open, and my youngest brother, the reason for all this excitement, stands there, his formal clothes strapped to his chest like armor, a small silver crown resting on his brow.

“Deadly,” I groan in response as I squeeze Mi Sol and press another kiss to her neck before pulling myself from her slick pussy.

“Oh, fuck,” she moans as I let the hand I have pressed against her lips drop to my side. “Shit, my legs feel like Jello,” she laughs, standing up straight and letting the gown she was holding fall back around her ankles as she turns, cheeks flushed, and smiles at Nox. “Oh, hi!” she chirps and winks at Nox as the vein in his forehead throbs, and he reaches down and rearranges the apparent bulge in his pants.

“Hi?” he growls, and I laugh, watching their exchange as she smoothes the dark blue silk gown over her legs, then swishes it a few times to ensure it's lying down correctly. Her wardrobe is styled in Dream Walker colors, the black jeweled Crown atop her blonde curls Versipellis. Her way of showing both Demon Races in our Legion. “Meyer, we are minutes… nearly seconds away from our mating ceremony, and you are in the closet of the Throne Room getting fucked by one of the grooms,” he rasps, the words strained as he looks over his shoulder to ensure no one is lingering behind him.

“You act surprised,” she points out, then smirks. “Are you jealous, Nox?”

“You’re damn fucking right I am,” he growls, stepping the rest of the way into the room and slamming the door shut. “Bend over.” I laugh as I move past him, patting his shoulder and shaking my head as I sense the rest of the guys coming closer, Father with them.

“Sorry, man,” I whisper, then look at my mate and wink. “Duty calls.”

“Lennox? Meyer?” Father shouts moments before there is a knock on the door and Nox curses, glaring at Meyer as he reaches behind him and opens the door. Father takes one look at Nox’s tense shoulders, my satisfied face and the blush lighting Mi Sol’s cheeks and sighs, eyeing the three of us with a stern look. “Do we need to revisit the public sex talk I had with the four of you only last week?” he asks, making Mi Sol’s blush turn furiously hot as she shakes her head.

“It wasn’t public,” I defend, smoothing out my blue silk tunic before moving my hand to my hair, and sweeping it back into place. “And I would like to point out that I have never been caught in public, unlike some people.” I look at Creed over Father's shoulder who grins, not looking the least bit ashamed of the fact. Razar growls, cuffing him upside the head while grumbling that he’s nearly killed five servants since returning home.

“It wasn’t like I was trying to get caught. Four of those times we were out in the gardens, my private gardens, I would like to add, and I didn’t think anyone was awake yet! And the last time was karma for all the times you scared us as kids,” he snickers, making Father and Meyer groan and cover their faces.

Creed had taken Meyer for a swim down in the caves and apparently my parents decided to do the same thing only a few minutes after them. Neither couple were paying much attention, too wrapped up in each other to notice that they didn’t have privacy. Mom still laughs about it and has since made a schedule for using the cave to avoid any more embarrassing run-ins.

“Children. It is a big day and we don’t have time for arguments. Meyer, dear,” he beckons, offering our girl his arm. She takes it with a grateful smile and he leads her out of the closet and down the steps. “You four had better hurry to your places. If you ruin your mother's schedule there will be hell to pay.”

All four of us watch them leave before I turn to Nox and grunt. “Are you ready for this?”

“It’s your mating ceremony too. And we are already mated, so the pressure isn’t really there,” he says, hands moving to fix the cufflinks at his wrist.

“Yeah, but it's not just our mating ceremony,” Creed chimes in as he nods to the back door of the Throne Room that is concealed behind father’s throne, soon to be Nox’s throne.

“I know,” Nox says with a groan, the facade dropping and showing the nerves he’s been trying to hide. “But let's try not to make a big deal over this. I honestly thought Meyer ran when I couldn't find her,” he admits, and Razar scoffs.

“As if I would allow that to happen.”

“She’s nervous and has every right to be. I told her she had centuries for this and now she’s getting thrown to the wolves. We need to remain calm and not make a big deal over the coronation.” I nod, instantly dropping the teasing I was about to do with the reminder of how overwhelmed Meyer has been these last few months.

After Jesthren killed Father to resurrect Inanis and Meyer somehow brought him back, things haven't been the same. Father’s magic hasn't returned, only the small spark of it that Meyer had clung to in her dreams remains. Mother’s magic also seems to have diminished from her fight with Inanis. It hasn’t been as bad as Father’s, but the recovery process hasn’t gone as planned, and Father feared a few of the Lords in his court were about to step in and challenge his possession. A challenge to a King would be to the death, and at this point, none of us were convinced he could win.

It had only been four weeks after Inanis’ resurrection and death that Father told Nox he needed him to step forward and take the throne. Nox instantly refused, stating he was too young and unprepared to rule. Not to mention, Meyer was never going to agree to be Queen when we had just convinced her not to kill anyone who called her Princess.

After some negotiations, Nox finally agreed to step in as the public figurehead to protect the throne from challenges, but Father would still handle the day-to-day aspects of ruling a kingdom. Essentially, Nox and Meyer will become the public King and Queen, while Mom and Father would do everything they have been up to this point.

The last problem of this brilliantly hatched plan was convincing Meyer to be Queen. Which is why we are now three months out from the original mating ceremony date. To be fair, she didn't freak out or yell when Nox told her what Orcus needed of them, but she had vomited nearly every time the subject was brought up. Mom had pulled her to the side to talk with her, which seemed to help, but it wasn't until Razar took her out one afternoon after one of her panic attacks that she actually agreed. I’m not sure what he said to her to convince her to agree to all this, but we are all beyond grateful.

“Come on, before Mom kills us for being late,” Nox grumbles, shoving his hands in his pockets as he walks through the small door and down the narrow passage leading to the royal chambers.

“It’s not as if they can start without us,” Creed chuckles, following Nox, with me on his heels and Razar behind, always guarding our backs.

“I heard that!” Mom’s voice echoes through the door as Nox steps into the massive, elaborate rooms that are now ours. Mom used the last few weeks to remodel the Royal Chambers, sectioning off the three large rooms into one big one with four small ones attached. We all have our own space, and Meyer will reside in the main area. There is a bed that I swear can sleep at least ten at its center, and I eye it in appreciation. All five of us can sleep on it without worrying about a knee in the back.

Our parents moved out the moment Nox agreed to take over, stating that they needed to give him the rooms for appearance’s sake. But I think they were excited to move to the quiet wing of the castle. Father has ruled for centuries, and I can only imagine how tiring that must have been. Having a little alone time and silence is something I think he deserves after all this.

Nox bends and kisses Mom’s cheek as the rest of us walk into the room. Razar instantly moves to the corner where his small, orange cat sleeps on a massive fluffy black bed that’s placed directly in the sunlight that streams from the window nearby. At my brother's touch, the tiny terror wakes up with a hiss, yowling at him, making him grin and affectionately scratch behind its ear.

“Razar, leave that annoying beast alone and get over here,” Mom snaps, making Nox roll his lips together to hide his laugh. It turns out that Mom is not a cat person. Which isn't so great considering Meyer gifted a tiny white kitten to Father for his birthday last month. Father adores the thing, beyond delighted with his new pet. Within twenty-four hours, he and Meyer had snuck away to the human realm and returned with a cat bed, silver food dishes with the name ‘Bella’ engraved on them, a tiny pink collar with a bell, plus so many toys that you’d think Father had dozens of cats instead of the single one.

“Are we ready?” Arch asks, stepping through the double doors which lead to the gardens. He’s dressed similarly to us and is our official best man. He has Morya cradled in his arms, sound asleep in a tiny blue gown that damn near melts my heart to see.

“You have the rings?” I ask, and Arch nods, patting his pocket. Since Meyer is human, Creed suggested we do a mixed ceremony, with everything necessary from a Demonic Mating ceremony and some key aspects of a human one. Rings aren't typically exchanged in Demonic ceremonies, but we wanted to surprise Mi Sol with it. It's also why we have a best man, bridesmaids, and flower girl. I grin at Morya, loving her little dress that is almost an exact replica of Mi Sols, and nod at my brother.

“Perfect. Okay, Arch, you go down the aisle first with Mara and Morya—then the bridesmaids.”

“Do we really have to be called that?” Jordan asks in exasperation as Theo grins and bounces on his toes in excitement. Mi Sol doesn't know they are here. It's been over two months since she last saw them, and their attendance is a surprise for our beautiful bride. She was devastated when she heard they couldn't make it because Theo was required to attend a Seniorem meeting in Asia with Victor. Nox managed to work it out with Victor so we could get them here in time for the wedding, and I can't wait to see her reaction.

“As her official ladies-in-waiting, it makes sense,” Theo says with a shrug, readjusting his suit as he grins at Jordan, who glowers back.

“I cannot believe I let you talk me into agreeing to that title. If any of the other Hunters find out about that, we’ll be the laughingstock of the castle.”

“Nah, they’d just be jealous they can't be a part of the Demon Royal family.”

“Damn straight,” Creed agrees as he turns, mischief lighting his face. “Oh, and don't forget your bouquets!” He turns, holding two small bunches of flowers, and the boy's faces fall in unison as they stare at the pink and white flowers with their mouths open in disbelief.

“Get fucked.” Jordan snaps, and Creed snorts, and bites his lips as he hands each boy their flowers.

“Here you go,” he sings, then steps back and claps his hands together as he admires them. “Perfect. Hey, wait… stop that!” he shouts as the boys lunge for him, using their bouquets as weapons and whacking him on the head and shoulders, making rose petals fly everywhere.

“How is this the family I get stuck with?” Nox complains, and I laugh, watching as Mom scowls and steps in front of the three idiots and Arch grins, turning as the music begins before moving out the door to get Mara.

“Boys, it is your turn! Now go,” she chides, shoving Jordan and Theo to the doors. They drop their flowers on the ground, glaring at Creed before disappearing. Mom turns her full attention to him, and he smiles innocently. “Don't give me that look. You will behave for the rest of the day, Credence!”

“Yes, ma’am,” Creed says with a mock salute, making Mom curse under her breath as she spins, her dress moving around her ankles and following the boys.

“Ready?” I ask, and the guys nod as Nox moves to the door, leading our way down the aisle and toward the rest of our lives.

MEYER

“I don’t know how you talked me into this,” Creed complains, sitting back in the worn-down booth of Max and Mags’ Diner. The old yellow Formica on the table is still as ugly as it was almost a year ago, but this time, I smile and let my finger trail over the worn table. “Nox and Raz are going to kill me,” Creed continues, glaring at me as Mags bustles over, her cotton top bun bouncing on the top of her head as she places two chocolate milkshakes topped with whipped cream and a cherry in front of us.

“Thanks, Mags,” I grin up at her, and she chuckles as she wipes her hands on the small white apron she has cinched around her waist.

“Always, my girl. It’s so good to see you again. I was worried when that man stopped by and said you moved back to live closer to your father,” she says, and I frown, looking up at her in confusion.

“A man?” I ask as she looks at Creed, giving him a once over that has my mate looking mildly panicked when she frowns down at him.

“Yeah, big guy. Long black hair with those weird hippy braids in them. Had some damn beads strung in there too. Thought he was one of those tourists that show up for the mountain man contest each year,” she says, and I nearly choke on a big mouthful of chocolate ice cream. Nox had come to the diner? When?

Coughing, I laugh and nod.

“Yeah, I know who you’re talking about. He’s a friend. I asked him to pass the message when I had to leave overnight,” I tell her, and she nods.

“I figured.” The bell above the diner door chimes, and Mags looks over as three more customers enter. “You holler if you need something, Meyer,” she says as she heads over to seat them.

“I will,” I call back and take another big slurp of my milkshake, moaning in delight. “Damn, I forgot how good ice cream is!” When Creed only glares at me, I roll my eyes. “Would you lighten up? Nox won't even realize we’re gone, and Raz was on guard duty, so I doubt he’ll notice. We’ll be back in plenty of time,” I reassure him. “Besides, Orcus wanted a new pillow for Bella to keep in his office.”

“I highly doubt that will save me when Nox realizes I took you here without any guards.”

“You are far better than any guards I could be assigned,” I point out and smirk when Creed perks up at the small ego boost. “Besides, Nox and I have an agreement. I said I would become the fake queen.”

“Real Queen. You are the real Queen, Meyer. You just don’t have any of the responsibilities because Lennox told our parents he promised you time to cope and refused to back down on that.”

“He did?” I ask, feeling myself get all warm at Creed’s words. “ I didn’t know that. I mean, I knew Orcus and Viv would still run the show, but I thought that was because they wanted to.”

“No, Father was ready to hand it all over to Nox and you. But Nox told him no and will continue to do so until you tell him you’re ready. He won’t push you into something you’re not truly ready for. He already feels guilty for having the title added to your name and freaking you out.” I frown at that. I haven't felt any guilt from Nox. Has he been hiding it?

“Hmm, alright. But still, you are the Prince, and I don't see anyone freaking out that you're here,” I point out, and Creed snorts.

“It’s not anyone I’m worried about. Father won't care, and none of the court can control you. You outrank them all. It's Nox and Raz. Even if you and Nox have an agreement and he’s not going to try and kill me, that doesn't mean I won’t have to deal with a mad feral Beastia. And all for stupid ice cream,” Creed says, reaching out and grabbing his milkshake, taking a big swallow, then blinking at it in surprise. “This is really good,” he says, and I grin.

“I know, right!?”

When Creed admitted that he had never had chocolate ice cream, I might have freaked out a bit because who hasn’t had chocolate ice cream before? So, I used the information to convince him to come to the diner and have a milkshake with me. Truthfully, I wanted to check on Mags after being away all this time. I didn't have many friends before I was taken and forced to go up to the Umbra Hunter’s Castle, but Mags had always been there for me, and I felt a massive amount of guilt for disappearing on her.

Creed takes another big gulp of milkshake, then moans as he slumps into the booth. “So good.”

“Good enough to fight off an angry Beastia?” I tease, and Creed holds the ice cream in front of him, studying it.

“It might be.”

“Don’t worry. I’ll give him a blow job, and it will distract him from killing you.” Creed raises a brow and nods.

“That would probably work.” I snort as I drink my own chocolatey goodness, sitting in content silence for a few moments before the bell chimes and Creed groans, eyes falling shut. The next moment, Valen slides into the booth next to me, his arm wrapping around my waist and tugging me close as he looks at Creed.

“Date night?” he asks, not sounding mad from what I can hear, but I can’t tell if he’s happy either. I lean my head on his shoulder and shake my head. After everything settled back down, I had put a rule in place about date night. Once a week, I would go on a date with one of my guys, giving us time by ourselves to strengthen our individual relationships while spending most of our time together as a Legion. It’s worked out great, and I’ve never felt closer to the guys than I do at this moment.

“No. Lemon Drop wanted a milkshake,” Creed supplies, and takes another drink of his as he watches Valen.

“Milkshake?” he asks, looking at the tall glass cup in my hand and then lowering his lips to the straw and drinking. Disgust instantly washes over his expression as he shakes his head. “That is disgusting,” he rasps, and I gasp, tugging the ice cream to my chest dramatically.

“It is not. You take that back!”

“It's so… sweet. Overwhelmingly so,” Valen continues, looking at Creed with a wrinkled nose as he continues to drink his rapidly.

“It’s ice cream. Of course it’s sweet.”

“Ah! Ow,” Creed whimpers, tossing the milkshake on the table in front of him before pressing his hands to his head. “What the hell, Lemon Drop? You didn't say milkshakes can give you a damn brain freeze!”

“It's frozen, Credence,” Valen drawls, and I bite my lip, trying to stifle my giggle as something moves in my periphery. I tense and look out the big windows to the pine trees, eyes scanning the area as I hold my breath.

“Mi Sol?” Valen asks, but I ignore him as something moves to my right, making my heart skip a beat.

“What's wrong?” Creed asks, still wincing, as he looks outside. He curses as Razar steps out from the tree line. “Dammit. I told you so. And you can't even offer a blow job here,” Creed complains.

“Wait, what? Why is Raz getting a blow job?” Nox is only seconds behind Raz, and Creed wilts in his seat.

“He’s not. Because we’re in public, and I’m about to have my ass kicked!”

“They don't know you’re here?” Valen asks, then looks at Creed, who shakes his head. “So tell them you’re on a date night. By the rules, you wouldn't have to explain yourself, and it is your week after all,” Valen offers up, and Creed gasps, sitting up straight and snapping his fingers as the bell tolls above the door.

“You're a fucking genius!”

By date night rules, we can do whatever we want together as long as it's not dangerous for us or the kingdom. “Creed!” Nox snaps, and the three of us look up as Nox and Raz stop at our table, both crossing their arms over their chests with matching worried expressions on their handsome faces. “What the hell are you doing?”

“Date night,” Creed says, then wags his finger at them. “And you all are interrupting.”

“You're not supposed to do dangerous activities,” Raz growls, and I look at my ice cream and then up at him.

“Eating ice cream is dangerous?” Raz purses his lips and doesn't answer my question. I smile, then pat the seat on the opposite side of Valen. “Want some?” Raz looks at the seat, and I try to figure out a way to climb over Valen so he can scootch in and Raz doesn't have to worry.

Before I can suggest the idea, Raz steps on the booth behind us and swings his leg over the back of the booth, plopping down at my side. “Nice,” I say as I hold out my ice cream, letting him taste. He takes the smallest sip ever, then glares at the cup and grunts, taking it from my hand as he starts to drink it down.

“Hey! That was mine!”

“Date night?” Nox asks, running his hand down his face as Creed nods. “Why here? The Hunters are still gathering the remaining Beastia. We have not had the chance to have Meyer send everything back to our side of the Veil yet,” Nox explains as he looks at Razar and sighs. He slides into the booth next to Creed, wiggling to fit in the tight space, and I laugh as he glares at the table. “Why is everything in this realm so damn small?”

“Meyer?” Mags says as she walks over, coffee pot in hand. She looks at the guys in the booth with me and gives me an amused look.

“I think we’ll need a few more menus, Mags,” I tell her as Creed and Nox bicker about elbow room. Leaning into Valen, I watch my guys and grin as I feel his lips press to my hair. Life may not be perfect, and we might have a lot to learn, but I can't wait to figure it out together.

The End