Burning Ceres by Viola Grace Page A

way or the other. In fact it would serve my father right if you kept our children exclusively in your bloodline. It would certainly be easier for them.” When he released her hands she wrapped her arms around him and simply breathed him in. He returned the embrace, warm and solid around her.
    He murmured against her hair, “Children?”
    “If I am able and you are willing.” Ceres leaned back in his arms and met his golden eyes. His smile was blinding.
    “I am willing.” He began to laugh and picked her up to spin her around and around. She was dizzy and caught up in his joy. He finally put her back on her feet and kissed her.
    “Can you do me one favour, Raanan ?”
    “Only one, you can ask for a hundred. And I will grant them all.”
    “Tomorrow, when my father arrives, let me mislead him a bit to punish him for his lying to you. It really gripes me that he told you that you were the reason that I left.”
    Another soft kiss on her lips. “Done. I will make myself scarce until you give me a signal.”

 
     
     
     
     
     
    Chapter Eleven
     
     
    "So, Father. You decided to come visit after all.” Ceres poured tea and gestured for him to take a cup. As the lady of the house, she was not required to greet him standing. “ Raanan has passed along some interesting information to me.”
    “Ceres, it is good to see you so well, my daughter.” He sat across from her and his eyes devoured every hint of his child.
    “ Raanan Adonai . He would have been my choice you know.”
    Her father looked ill. “He would?”
    “Yes. I always got along well with him, we share some Azon blood, and he is very easy on the eyes.”
    “Yes, but I didn’t think you would be swayed by a handsome face.” He sipped his tea with no awareness of the steaming heat.
    “But he danced with me at my coming out party, was always in the palace trading and always had a pleasant word for me. Why wouldn’t I?”
    “I thought you would insist on matching rank.”
    “No, that was always mother’s concern, not mine. I just wanted a good father for my children and I have that now. Even if I have no legal status myself.”
    “What?” He looked positively green now.
    “By being sold at the Grand Arena, I was declared a slave by the Imperial house. I am in Raanan’s custody as his slave, and any children I have will only carry his name, but inherit my properties. Technically, you will have no grandchildren.”
    His mouth opened and closed for a few long moments. “Excuse me, I have to go find Adonai .”
    She watched him practically run into the great house and looked over her shoulder at the column that hid her mate from view.
    He strode forward with that cocky attitude she loved. “You know that I am going to petition for a reversal of his decree before the child is born.”
    “Do you want your child to bear a title? We could get one. I usually have more than I need.”
    “We don’t need one. But what the hell. Duke of Zenier . I own practically the whole mountain range anyway.” He sprawled in a chair and poured himself some tea.
    “How long do you think it will take him to make a lap of the property and find you?” She sucked lightly at her pinky as her mind traveled down a familiar path.
    “At least five minutes. What are you thinking Ceres?”
    “That for telling you I didn’t want you, he deserves to find us exercising our freedom of choice.” Her fingers were tugging at the lacings on his tunic and with gentle pressure she coaxed him into an upright posture in the chair and had his cock freed in a manner of seconds.
    Her own skirt lifted easily and she simply straddled him, taking his rapidly hardening cock into her with a small smile. She looked at his face and smiled at the flare of passion that took over his features, pulling the skin tight and giving him a cruel appearance. She simply rocked against him, neither in the mood to rush their union.
    With the mating fever over, slow and steady was going to be the new rule