We flew toward the golden skyscraper where my new home would be.

Even from afar, I could see it was a great work of engineering—wild nature seamlessly immersed into the sophisticated, modern buildings.

Atlantis seemed to float in the air.

No wonder my father had seized this most advanced mortal city when he and his Reaper Angels had first landed on Earth.

We sailed over the marble bridge above the waterfalls. Ares’ elite warriors lined each side of the wide bridge, raising their long swords to salute us.

The metal gate to the entrance of the palace gleamed in the sunlight, witnessing past, present, and future. One day, it wouldn’t be there either.

My uncle had taught me how to summon my wings. They were a fabulous sight. As formidable as they looked, my flame wouldn’t burn my mate.

Right now, I could fly beside Ventus, but Ares insisted on my staying with him. “A Dragonian never separates from his mate,” he emphasized.

I would have a lot of free time to fly around when he was busy. He would get really busy.

Right now, Ventus was having the time of the century flirting with the she-dragon. She puffed a stream of fire, and he called, “Watch this, Belinda!” and sent his wind to chase her fire.

It was no longer “Freyja, look at this,” or “Witchling, have you seen that?”

It was all about the she-dragon now.

Ventus swooped toward the crystal roof, and the skylight unfolded beneath us. A hundred feet down there was a natural spring creek in a vast basin lit by artificial lights.

I could use a bath.

I leapt from Ventus’ back, my flaming wings whooshing open as I dove. Ares also jumped. He dropped in a crouch and looked up at me with an adoring gaze as I slowly descended.

“It’s a good show, right, Belinda?” Ventus turned to the dragon.

Belinda sent a gentle ring of orange fire toward the guardian of wind.

Ares pressed the device on his wrist armor, and the skylight slid shut in Ventus’ face.

“Wait, Highness,” Ventus shouted from above.

Ares ignored him.

Through the crystal skylight, I saw Ventus and the dragon flying away.

Merlin, who rode the dragon, would join Commander Darken. Ventus would tag along.

I’d managed to piece together some of the events on the way to Atlantis. Before Merlin had come to aid us battling Atlas’ force, he’d been with Commander Darken. It turned out that the Commander had been poisoned by his pure-blood sons. Merlin had used his great healing magic to purge the poison.

The Commander had decided to let Ares ascend to the throne earlier, so he could retire. I would persuade Ares to decline the offer. Who would want the burden of a kingdom? Besides, the Commander was still in his prime. He could kick around for a few more centuries.

I, as his heir’s mate, would have to meet him soon.

I wondered how he would perceive me—an Angel princess.

But I wouldn’t worry too much about it when Ares’ gaze on me was hotter than the flame on my blue wings.

“What now?” I asked, my wings vanishing.

“Now we bathe,” he said, “and then I’ll take you to our bedroom to take a nap. We’ll go see my father tonight. Tomorrow, there’ll be a grand celebration in honor of my future queen.”

I looked at him in horror. “I’m not ready. You moved too fast.”

“Did I?” he asked as he gathered me into his arms.

“You said we’d decide everything together!”

“You’re my mate, my wife, my future queen. That’s a done deal. There’s nothing left to decide on that.”

“I mean the official thing!”

“You mean the party? You love parties, don’t you, my darling Freyja?” 

“I—”

His sensual lips slanted over mine, and his hand cupped my breast through the fabric. Every touch was a song of fire in my veins. My knees buckled beneath me. I could no longer think straight and argue with him when his tongue thrust into my mouth.

That probably was his purpose.

Not liking our clothes getting in the way, Ares tore them apart, until there was no barrier between us. He glided his hand toward my arching flesh and set me ablaze.

“You’re mine now and forever,” he whispered in my ears hoarsely, his erection a steel rod against my belly. “But this time, we’ll go slow.” He scooped me up and strode toward the water. “I don’t care how fiercely you protest or beg for the wildest fuck. This time, we’re going to make love.” 

And we made love under the sun and stars. 

 

 

– The end –