Chapter Twenty-Nine
Eskil walked through the warm halls of Uppsala while ignoring the odd stares he received from the elderly men who resided there. Despite his nudity, he proudly carried himself through the temple as he made his way towards Libelle. He could sense her, feel the hurt that wreaked havoc through her soul as her mind carried her through a horrific nightmare. The images of her assault would haunt her for a long time, and he wanted to do everything in his power to prevent that.
His lifemate needed him, and he wanted to be by her side. Even if it was just to hold her, to let her cry and silently comfort her. He had left Theron and Vegeir in the courtyard, relishing in the newly discovered ability to change between forms with little focus. His brothers had tried to taunt him, to tease him; yet he turned and stomped through the snow towards the building. Leaving Theron to mercilessly laugh at his ‘small tail.’
Hesitating behind the heavy door, he inhaled and exhaled slowly before pushing against the wood planks. It groaned open, and in the dim candle light he saw Libelle asleep on a pile of blankets and animal skins. The simple life of the priests brought them little luxury, and apparently a soft bed was too much to ask for.
Her wounds had been healed with skill, her life was no longer in danger, yet she was still bruised and in pain. Beads of sweat had formed on her forehead, her skin was pale, beneath her eyes were dark. She was moving about in her sleep, quiet mumbles passing her lips as her nightmare progressed.
Eskil knelt down beside the make-shift bed, lifting the heavy bearskin from her before resting on his side next to her. He wrapped one arm behind her back, gently pulling her closer to him. Even in her sleep, she sensed his presence and he felt the tenseness within her fade ever so slightly. Rolling onto her side, she rested her head on his arm and her nose brushed against his chest. He heard her sigh and he held her tightly, laying his head down onto the pillow and listening to the crackle of the fire in the room.
The pain in her body, her mind, her soul; gradually faded as she relaxed in his protective hold. He knew she had endured so much, and it was all because he had failed to protect her. He had failed as her lifemate. It was his duty to protect her, to keep her safe from all harm, to make sure that she spent every day in blissful happiness with him.
Instead, he fell prey to the hands of a bastard dark elf and he had allowed himself to be defeated by the man. If he had chosen to fight the pain that shook his body with each one of his attacks, if he had chosen to snap his neck earlier, Libelle never would have had to experience such a traumatic event. She never would have had to suffer through rape, by a man she considered a friend and ally for years. She never would have been hurt by the men of Edinburgh. She would have only needed to be happy and by his side.
He ground his teeth together, clenching his eyes shut. He had failed his beautiful lifemate, and the feeling crushed him.
“You didn't do anything wrong Eskil.”
His eyes fluttered open and he saw Libelle staring up at him, the swirling colors of her eyes made his heart skip a beat; he wrapped both his arms around her and pulled her onto his chest while he rolled onto his back. She nuzzled the skin of his throat, twisting her arms behind his neck and simply watched him. He was fighting his own demons, his own emotional turmoil.
“Eskil, you did not fail me. You saved me, you’ll always save me. That is what matters.”
For the first time ever, she heard his voice break. His golden eyes squeezed shut, and a single tear fell from the corner of his lashes. Libelle unwrapped her arms from around him and pushed herself up, cupping his cheek in her hand and kissing his pinched lips.
“What happened, happened. There is nothing you nor I can do to change it, we can only move forward from here. I am not angry, I don’t think you did anything wrong and you could never disappoint me.”
“Libelle, you're too good to me.” He said slowly. “If I hadn’t… If I had fought against him, you wouldn't have these horrible memories. These nightmares, I could feel your turmoil. I could see what you dreamt, it's all because I couldn't protect yo-.”
She kissed him again, interrupting his sentence. “Then make me forget those memories, make me forget his touch.”
His eyes widened with surprise, her words shocking him and making him lose all trail of thought. She would never blame him for what happened, but she was offering him a way to make it better. Even if all the gods tried to stop him, he would do anything to help ease their pain.
He sat up abruptly, causing her to stumble backwards away from him. He wouldn't tolerate that, she wouldn't be away from him, not even for a second. He grabbed her arms, pulling her upwards and into his lap where her bare waist straddled his. She stared into his eyes, her pouty lips tempting him to capture them; and he did, his own lips seeking hers in a rough and hot kiss that caused his loins to stir.
Her fingers dug into in hair, scraping against his scalp and a soft purr passing her lips when his tongue slipped into her mouth. The warmth of his hands running up and down her slender back, leaving trails of fire from his touch. He kissed her chin, her cheek, down her neck to her collarbone.
The sensation of his touch, his steamy kisses, sent a shiver down her spine. She could feel his desire for her, his lust making her own even stronger. The slight pinch on her skin when he nipped her, then when his tongue eased away the sting made her moan. Her nails dug into his shoulders when he lifted her upwards by her hips, allowing him room to adjust himself beneath her.
His hands rubbed her outer thighs towards her waist, when his touch eased closer to her core she tensed. Eskil froze when he felt her grip on his shoulders tighten, she sharply inhaled and her eyes widened. How could he take away her pain, if she panicked when he touched her?
“Libelle.” He said gently.
She shook her head, “I’m sorry. I didn't mean to.”
He rubbed her cheek, “Don’t apologize.”
She wanted him, he could feel that; however he needed to work past the fear that Gaalin had instilled into her. He laid back down onto the pile of blankets with a sigh, glancing over the features of her face while she stared at him confused and concerned. Libelle didn't know what to do, but she felt the warm tingle in her core that told her what she wanted.
“Beloved, I want you to do something.” Eskil said.
She tilted her head to the side, silently questioning him.
“Touch me.” He said gently. “Touch me however you want, wherever you want. I want you to be in control.”
Her eyes widened and her cheeks turned red, “I, I am not sure I can.” She said embarrassed.
“I won't touch you, I won’t do anything unless you tell me to do it. You will have control over everything.”
He knew it would be difficult for her, difficult to take initiative and make the first move. However, this was the only thing that made sense to him. Libelle had her control taken away from her when Gaalin forced her to endure something, something that no one should ever have to experience. He could give her control here and now, and perhaps she would begin to feel more than fear.
She bit her lip, her palms resting on his abdomen. “I don't know what to do.” She whispered.
He smiled, “Whatever you’d like. If you want to do something, do it. If you want me to do something, tell me.”
She looked like she was near tears, “I want you to,” She paused. “-kiss me.”
His smile widened, sitting up and tenderly kissing lips. “What next?”
Libelle pointed to her cheek, glancing away while he kissed her cheek. She tend pointed to her chest, over her heart. Another warm and gentle kiss. Her hands shook as she pointed to her abdomen, and each place she pointed, he kissed. She still straddled his waist, and when her trembling hands pointed to between her legs he snickered.
He slid himself downward, his eyes remaining locked with hers until he was positioned between her legs. His hot breath teasing her inner thigh. “What would you like me to do?”
“Touch me.” She whispered.
“Just touch you? With what?” He asked, challenging her to find her words and speak up for herself. To express he wants and needs.
Libelle stuttered, “Yo- your tongue.”
Despite the urge to have her fast, he forced himself to slowly tease her. To build up her courage, her strength, her desire. His tongue flicked the already soaking tissue of her sex, sliding between her lips and sinfully torturing her entrance. She stifled a moan while biting her knuckle, her arms pinned against her chest. He twisted his tongue around her entrance before pushing inside her, relishing in the heat from her core. The sweet, berry-like taste of her that made him want more of her.
His fingers followed, rubbing his thumb over her clit gently at first; then harder and faster until he felt her constrict around his two fingers that were slowly moving in and out of her. She groaned, leaning forward and resting on her palms. Eskil knew she was already getting close, her breathing had quickened and she wasn't holding back her moans.
Eskil moved his fingers against the sensitive part of her core, feeling the intensifying ache of her sex inside of himself. Her clit had hardened into a tight nub, and the feeling of his calloused finger rubbing her there made the pressure within her core increase.
She struggled to find her words, gasping with each one. “Eskil, st- stop!”
Instantly he did, and he heard her groan. The sound was not one of pleasure, but rather disappointment. He chuckled, and she shook her head.
“Never mind, don’t stop.”
Eskil plunged his fingers inside her, twisting them back and forth, moving them in and out of her until he brought her back to the brink of climax. His tongue teased the sensitive nub and pinched it between his teeth, sucking on her clit and easing the stinging sensation away. She hissed, her head arching back when her fingers twisted into his hair. Her sex spasmed around his fingers, and the taste of her sweet juices hit Eskil’s tongue. He moaned, his fingers slowing while he kissed her inner thigh.
He gently called out her name and she looked at him with a dazed expression, “What do you want next?”
She curled her finger to him, signaling him closer; he slid himself back up and positioned his waist beneath hers. Her plump lips found his, her tongue slipping into his mouth while her hands locked with his. Images of her riding him flashed through his mind, and he smiled wickedly.
“If that’s what you want to do Libelle, by all means.”
She snickered, it’s still strange to not have private thoughts anymore.
“I have to disagree, because I can see exactly what it is you want to do to me.” He released her hand and rubbed her lower lip to her cheek, “Libelle, beloved. You can always do whatever you want to me.”
She bit her lip with another dark blush on her cheeks, looking down between them at his pulsating member that rested between her legs. She rubbed her wet sex along the length of his hard and thick shaft, enjoying the growl that erupted from Eskil’s mouth and repeating the motion again for good measure. She lifted her hips, resting on her knees so Eskil could reach between them. His large hand wrapped around his long cock, positioning the head of his member at her entrance.
She moaned when the head of his cock slid inside her, stretching her tight sex further as she lowered herself down onto him. The moment his large member filled her, she was incredibly satisfied. Having Eskil with her, inside her, she felt peace. Her lifemate made her feel so safe, and the connection they had made her feel so strong.
Her servant and friend had hurt her, however he never would be able to touch her, not again. Her lifemate, her partner, the love of her life was easing away her pain. Her eyes fluttered and she rocked her hips against Eskil’s, clumsily moving against him and thoroughly enjoying his throbbing member inside her tight sex.
He groaned, his hands on her thighs while his eyes clenched shut. “Beloved…” He whispered.
She felt the increasing tension within her core once again, she was satisfied by having Eskil with her. Yet the urgency within her told her she hadn't had enough of him yet. Her movements quickened, sliding back and forth against him while moving her hips up and down; twisting and thrusting his cock inside her where his magnificent cock hit all of the right spots.
“Eskil,” She gasped. “I need you.”
“I know beloved, I’m here.” He growled.
She shook her head, her sex was spasming around him and she could hardly focus. It was becoming harder to move, the burning in her sex was overwhelming and she wanted to cum. Except, reaching her climax was proving difficult as the closer she got the more intimidating the feeling became.
“Eskil, please.” She whispered, her hooded eyes seductive and pleading. Take me. I need you to take me, hard and fast. Please.
In a second he flipped her over, pinning her beneath him and never leaving her tight sex. She gasped when he pushed himself deeper into her, burying himself to the hilt of his cock while he nipped her collar bone. He withdrew slowly, then slammed himself into her, exciting a high pitched moan from her.
If this is what she wanted, if this is what she needed: he would give it to her. His cock thrusted in and out of her harder, her nails digging into his biceps and her legs wrapping around his waist. She cried out, calling his name as she got closer and closer to climaxing.
He groaned when her sex constricted around his cock and she moaned in pleasure, her juices leaking from her core and moments later his seed mixing with it. Her blue eyes filled with satisfaction and exhaustion, her body reaching a point that she could only do one thing: sleep. Eskil kissed her forehead when her eyes closed, his lifemate drifting off in slumber once again. This time sated and bound to have pleasant dreams. His cock was still inside her, and he was thrilled by the sensation: he didn't want to separate himself from her.
The heavy bear skin that had been pushed to the side looked tempting, and slowly he reached for it: pulling it over their bodies to shelter them from the cool air within the room. He laid down onto his back, carefully maneuvering Libelle onto his chest and comfortably resting her head against his chest. Her soft breaths tickling his skin while his hands caressed her back.
“My beloved.” He whispered, kissing the top of her head. “I’ll love you always and forever.”
In her sleep she mumbled back, “I love you too.”
He chuckled, gently smiling. “Goodnight.”
Theron and Vegeir pushed themselves up from the spots they had decided to sleep in, shaking the snow from their backs and stretching their wings. Theron chuckled as Libelle and Eskil stood beside the monastery doors speaking with Davyn, the pair dressed in heavy wool robes obviously provided by the priests. They spoke for several minutes, before they held each other's hands and walked towards the pair of dragons.
“Sleep well?” Theron asked, smirking at Eskil.
Eskil’s eyes flashed as he glared at his brother. “You’ll keep your snide remarks to yourself.”
Libelle blushed, stepping closer to Eskil who protectively wrapped his arm around her shoulder. He kissed the side of her head as they reached the center of the courtyard, standing between the two dragons who smiled at the two of them.
Eskil sighed, “I have something I need to announce.”
His brother, Vegeir tilted his head. “What is that?”
He looked down at Libelle with a grin, “The war between dragon and man will be over, I will not fight their kind anymore.”
Theron laughed, “Your mate already has you trained, heh.”
Libelle laughed as well, taking a step towards her red scaled friend. She placed her palm against his snout, “Theron, I need to thank you for all that you’ve done for me. You're a good friend.”
The red dragon snorted, looking away from her. “Your welcome.”
She looked at Vegeir, “Thank you too Vegeir. We never would have gotten to this point if I never met you.”
He nodded at her, “You're welcome Libelle. However, I must ask. What will you two do now?”
Eskil shrugged, “Find some place to live in peace.” He winked at Libelle who was walking back to her side. “Perhaps work on making a few hatchlings.”
Theron laughed again, “I don’t foresee that happening anytime soon. If and when it does, call for me. I’d quite enjoy seeing this fool trying to be a father.”
Eskil growled at Theron, then shook his head when his brethren bellowed out a farewell and took to the skies. Vegeir nodding at them again, expressing his relief to see Libelle was well before returning to the throat of the world.
Libelle looked at Eskil curiously, “What now?”
His grin turned wicked as he pulled her into his arm, playfully grinding his pelvis against hers and squeezing her buttocks. “What about starting on those hatchlings?” He asked nuzzling her cheek with his stubble covered face.
She chuckled, wrapping her arms around his neck. “About that…”
Eskil stared at her puzzled, “About what? Hatchlings?”
She sheepishly grinned at him, “I believe we are already expecting one.”