Page 262 of Conquered

He holds out his hand, and I place mine in his warm grip, letting him pull me close, taking me in a formal dance hold, waiting a beat, then setting off in a waltz. My heart races as he spins us around the empty dance floor, the lights and colours of the marquee becoming a kaleidoscope as we dance.

The song swells and ebbs, guiding our moves, but Kai stares into my eyes the entire time, captivating me in his gaze as he expertly leads. Everything that has passed between us is there; the immediate connection, the brief doubt, the coming together again and every revelation. Every declaration. Every iota of feeling that exists between Kai and I flows between us, and I can almost see its light, moving between us until it becomes something continuous and everlasting.

My cheeks feel damp when finally, reluctantly, we slow, eventually standing there, still gazing into each other's eyes. His hand lets go of mine, his fingers brushing my tears away.

“You and I are the stuff that dreams are made of, my darling,” he tells me, his voice strong yet there’s a rasp to it, too. “We are what the stars envy, what the moon longs for, and what the legends of old tell tales of. Our love is more than this world, Lilly. More than a piece of paper with a new surname. And it will remain long after we are gone from the earth.”

A choked sob falls from my lips, and I feel them tremble against his as he kisses me with a tenderness that makes the tears fall faster down my cheeks. He worships me with his kiss, his lips parting mine reverently, his tongue caressing the seam until I let him in. His hands cup my cheeks, holding me like the most precious gem as he fills me up with his love, making me taste the truth of his declaration.

My lips chase his when he ends the embrace, placing a tender kiss on my forehead, before taking a step back.

“One Knight left, darling.”

Giving him what must be a very watery smile, I turn, my heart leaping and breath catching to see Ash standing behind me. He looks sinfully handsome, the grey of his suit matching his eyes to perfection, tailored to his incredible body beautifully. His ink peeks out at his neck and wrists, tantalising as it hints at what’s underneath.

There’s a devilish smile on his lush lips as he stalks towards me, all elegant grace with a touch of restrained destruction. He stops just in front of me, our chests just brushing, and I have to tip my head up to look into those grey orbs.Cuntbucket.

“Did you enjoy your first dances, Mrs. Vanderbilt?” he questions, his brow arched arrogantly.

“Immensely, husband,” I sass back, noticing the glint of possession in his eyes when I call him that. I feel his hand reach around my waist, his palm warming the skin underneath my dress.

“It’s about time that the bride and groom had their first dance, don’t you think, wife?”

“I dunno,” I can’t help but tease, loving the flare of annoyance that flashes in his gaze. “You’ve got a lot to live up to after their performances, don’t you think?” I repeat his own question back to him, and his smile turns positively evil.

He gives a small nod, not taking his eyes off me, and a piano starts to play the opening notes ofYoung and Beautifulby Lana Del Ray. My gaze goes wide as the singer starts to sing, and I twist to face the stage, seeing Lana Del Fucking Ray standing there in a beautiful gown, singing into an old fashion microphone as a miniature orchestra plays behind her.

“Shall we?” Ash asks, his voice full of smug amusement, and I face him once more, unable to say anything. “Not like you to be speechless,wife.”

He pulls my compliant, still shocked body into his, one hand on the back of my waist, the other holding mine in a classicalhold, and begins to waltz me around the floor. Years of dancing has my body moving on autopilot as I no doubt gape like a fish.

“T-that’s…” I trail off, unable to finish my sentence.

“Lana Del Rey? One of your favourite artists?” he asks, full on smiling now, which doesn’t help my short circuited brain. “I know.”

“H-how?” I croak out, stealing a glance at the stage as we spin past.

“I have my ways, Princess,” he replies, still sounding entirely too pleased with himself. I mean, he should be, so I can’t hold it against him really. His face softens. “And I wanted to make today special for you.”

“Ash, marrying you is special enough,” I assure him, following his lead as he spins us. “You are an amazing man, and I’m proud to be your wife.”

The smile he gives me after the words leave my lips would leave the sun in shadow. His hand tightens on my waist, drawing me in closer until our bodies are flush and I can feel his heat warming the front of me.

“Fuck, Lilly. I still can’t believe that you’re mine, let alone that you are now my wife,” he tells me, and the look of slight disbelief on his usually assured face makes my chest tight.

“I still can’t believe that you, all of you, are mine,” I confess quietly. But he hears me, a fierce intensity entering his gaze.

“Forever, Princess. We will always be yours,” he tells me, his deep voice strong and with no hint of hesitation. “We will always love you. Always be by your side, no matter what.”

Tears well in my eyes again, and I blink furiously, whilst at the same time feeling a weightlessness in my limbs at his words. The song comes to a close, and Ash brings us to a sweeping stop, dipping me like a fairytale princess and kissing me like Prince Charming would. You know, if that pansy wasn’t afraid to use tongue and make his princess all hot and wet for him.

My hands grip his lapels, uncaring if I crease them as I pull him closer, deepening the kiss until he growls and pulls me back upright, abruptly ending the kiss.

“Keep that up, wife, and the guests will get more of a show than they have already,” he rumbles out, and I’m sorely tempted to take him up on that offer, but decide to save it for later.

After all, isn’t that what a wedding night is for?

CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN