Chapter Thirteen

Wyatt Cain was tired. Physically of course, as he'd spent the better part of the past few weeks helping around the park. What he didn't expect-or to feel quite so fatigued by-was his emotions draining him almost dry. And it wasn't any one thing he was feeling that he could pin down as the culprit. He was worried that their little haven would explode the second the Season began and the tourists started to arrive. Would anyone recognize the princesses? That thought alone was enough to make him want to haul them all back to Central City.

Or to the Otherside, which was looking more and more like a possibility.

He was disappointed in himself that he hadn't known what the Emerald Isle had turned into. He knew, that technically, he couldn't have known. But when it came to the safety of his family, he should have made more of an effort. Much had changed while he was in that damn suit, why did he think the seaside town would be any different?

So far, everyone seemed to be settling into their new, humble lives with ease. Az seemed to need the solitude the shore provided. Jeb seemed to enjoy the camaraderie with the other men his age and Wyatt was happy to say their relationship seemed to be a lot less strained.

DG…

…and there was the main reason his emotions were in such a state.

Wyatt sighed and rubbed a weary hand over his face. He absently thought he needed to shave as the image of his young wife shifted through his mind. Immediately, he felt his body respond. Another sigh exploded from him, this one full of frustration. He wanted her. Not a strange thought for a man to have for his wife. But it was more than that.

As much as his hands itched to touch her soft curves, to learn the gentle slope of her ever ripening body, they also itched just to push a strand of hair away from her cheek. His eyes were almost desperate to drink in the miles of milky skin she had hiding beneath those long skirts and shirts she had to wear here. They were also desperate just to see her. Smiling at him when he came into the room, or that look she got on her face that let you know she was listening to every word.

Wyatt was sinking fast and he didn't quite know how to deal with it.

The halls were dark as he moved through them. He was already so used to the trek, he didn't even really look around. He almost dreaded the day when the place would be crawling with people, taking away even the illusion of peace he'd wanted. It was so comfortable right now, even if the living quarters were a little tight. Sleeping next to his wife and not being able to touch her, to see if she'd be receptive to that touch was excruciating.

At this rate, he was going to hyperventilate he was sighing so much.

Pushing as much of his turbulent emotions away as he could, Wyatt unlocked the door of the suite he shared with entirely too many people and pushed it open. He walked inside, pausing just inside as darkness engulfed him. Usually, a lamp burned softly in the main living area, unless Jeb was asleep. Since he'd just left Jeb down at the diner flirting with one of the local girls, he knew that couldn't be the case.

"DG?" He called, moving into the space. It felt empty, like the inhabitants had picked up and left. He flicked on a light in his and DG's room and realized that they had done just that. She, as well as all of their things, was gone.

Confusion knit his brows together and he walked over to Azkadelia's room. He gave a cursory knock before turning the knob. Again, empty. It didn't take long to find that Jeb's things were gone as well.

"Oh, Carl. I'm sorry, did I forget something?" Wyatt jerked at the sound of Jenna's voice and he turned to face the older woman.

"Forget something?" he asked.

"Yes. When I changed your rooms, did I leave something behind? Dotty assured me I didn't." Realization dawned on him and he felt an unexpected tightening in his stomach.

"No, no. Not that I can see. But, eh, Dotty forgot to tell me we were moving."

Jenna chuckled at his admission and set down the clean linens she'd been carrying. "That's easy enough fixed. You're one floor down. Room's not quite as big as this one. But don't suppose it needs to be bigger with just the two of you." She gave him a knowing look that would have had him blushing were he a younger man. It was bad enough that despite himself, his eyebrows shot up in surprise.

"Zelda and my son?"

'They both have their own rooms, now, as well. I offered to let them stay here, but they preferred to be alone."
Wyatt thought that was a bit strange. He'd thought his son and Az had been getting quite close. Then he realized that she'd said Jeb knew about the move. And didn't warn him. He might have to have a word with his child about all this later. If anyone knew Wyatt didn't like surprised, it was Jeb.

"We shouldn't be taking so many rooms from you. You're going to need them soon."

Jenna waved him off and handed him a key she'd produced from the pockets of her apron.

"Room 210. Your lot is welcome here. You're good people." Then, she picked up her linens and left him to stand alone staring down at the brass key in his hand.

****

DG had been nervous plenty of times in her life. The first day of kindergarten, although, she couldn't really remember that too well. That time she'd had to perform a Christmas poem in front of the whole school in Sixth. There was graduation, which aside from elation also has the sense of terror that you might trip and fall off the stage. Telling her mother, the Queen, that she was pregnant. Her wedding day. Her wedding night. And she was sure there were many, many more she was just too agitated to remember.

Because right now, as the suns crested the horizon and darkness kissed the edges of her new room, DG had never been more nervous in her life.

Deep breaths, in through the nose, out through the mouth. DG practiced her advice, pressing a hand to her belly as she felt a flutter in response. You stay out of this, she told her stomach. She didn't need him twitching about in there and making her nerves worse.

"What's taking him so long?" DG grumbled, trying not to look at the door, again. She scratched the back of her neck, her fingers tangling with the tendrils falling from the sloppy ponytail she'd tied it up in. Thankfully, with much grumbling from her husband, she'd packed a few pairs of the pants she liked to sleep in and tank tops. Among those pants, she'd slid in a pair she'd chopped off into shorts. Cain had seen her wear them once back in Central City, and she'd never quite forgotten how his eyes had lingered on the length of her thigh. That was, before his sense of propriety had kicked in and he'd actually tried to order her to change.

And they were married for Glinda's sake.

But, she had those on right now. She'd even taken the time to hem them properly. Now, instead of a jagged edge with unsightly strings hanging down, there was a neat crease that looked almost like she'd known what she was doing.

And the fact that she was obsessing over that proved just how loopy she was.

Too bad she couldn't blame this roller coaster of emotion on hormones. Well, it was hormones, but not the pregnancy kind because this was all about getting naked with her husband.

With Wyatt.

OHMYGODI'MGOINGTOGETNAKEDWITHWYATTCAIN!

Panic seized her and she almost threw on her robe and ran down to Az's room to hide.

Almost, as Wyatt chose that exact moment to finally show up.

He came through the door, one hand pressed flat on the surface and the other still on the knob. The steel blue of his eyes locked on her, his body pausing in its forward motion as he took her in. The look in those silvery orbs reminded her of a starving wolf. The heat generating between them made her skin feel suddenly too tight and her blood raced through her frantically beating heart.

She felt vulnerable under that gaze, the skimpy tank and shorts no kind of defense against it. Finally, after what must have only been a few heartbeats, he moved into the room. The door closed behind him, the quiet click sounding like a sonic boom to DG. Suddenly, the space seemed very small as with the bulk of him inside. She'd never really realized how big he was. How…male.

If there ever was an Alpha Male in the world, Wyatt Cain was that male.

"DG." He rasped, his voice a husky mix of desire and uncertainty. Warmth spread through her at the sound; so intense she thought she might combust from it. She didn't answer. She couldn't. She just took a step forward, her legs moving of their own accord. Fear was an amazing rush, thrusting through her system as she walked toward him. What she was so afraid of, she wasn't sure. Maybe she was afraid, that now, with this final step, she'd be completely laid bare for him.

Maybe, and more like probably, she was afraid his obvious desire for her would never be more than that.

With a shaking hand, DG reached up and placed her palm against his stubble-roughened cheek. His eyes drifted closed and he turned his face into her touch. She felt his fingers skim against her stomach; the fluttering that caused nothing to do with their son. She moved easily into his arms when those fingers curled around her waist, tugging gently. When she was flush against him, his eyes opened again, the blue on scorching her with their heat.

She sighed when his lips closed over hers. Relief smoothed into the desire, melting the fear as his mouth moved over hers with warm familiarity. Her fingers traced up to his hairline, the tips tangling with the softness they found there. Her other hand came up to tighten in his shirt, the only thing besides his grip on her waist keeping her standing. Her knees were weak, her pulse throbbing and she just needed to get closer.

Wyatt kissed her slowly, tasting her, teasing her by holding back. She could feel the desire simmering beneath his skin, feel it in the way his mouth moved over hers. He was savoring her, taking his fill before moving on.

DG moaned, a sound that vibrated the back of her throat when she felt the first brush of his tongue against her lips. She opened her mouth eagerly, allowing him access. He dipped into the hot, wet cavern again taking his time exploring the recesses before tangling languidly with her tongue. Her breathing was shallow, her skin practically threatening to tear with the hypersensitivity of her nerves.

She felt his fingers skim under the hem of her top, the calloused digits brushing against the skin and making her shiver. Her fingers twitched, her knees turned to jelly and she pressed even closer to him. She wanted him to touch her, everywhere. To possess every inch of her and finally, truly make her his wife.

The only problem was, she didn't know how to express any of this.

"Wyatt, please," DG gasped against his lips, saying everything and nothing in that desperate, raspy plea.

Rough fingers closed around her sides, the instant of pain almost as thrilling as the ragged groan that burst from Wyatt's mouth. He buried his lips in her neck, his teeth nipping at the soft flesh. Chill's raised over her as that clever mouth moved lower, nipping and licking to the soft swells of her breasts above the tank top.

DG arched against him, her hands curving around his head to cradle him against her flesh. His hot mouth closed around the cotton-covered nub as he sank to his knees before her. His hands slid over her legs, her buttocks, her back as his lips and tongue teased her nipples until she was mewling like a cat.

Her stomach was fluttering, heat coiling tighter and tighter with each pull of his mouth on her breasts. Then, when the cotton was gone and she felt that moist heat on her skin, she bit her lip to keep the shriek inside.

One, large hand splayed out over her stomach as his mouth moved lower. She wanted to protest, to draw him back to continue the amazing things he'd been doing to her breasts. But, the trail of pleasure his kisses left had her letting him have his way. He lingered over her stomach, tenderly running his hands over the rounded flesh, his lips brushing reverently over the area. The touch seemed so…intimate. So strange and wonderful, even with all he was already doing. She felt another flutter in her stomach, and she knew she loved him. Now, she felt no fear.

Insistent fingers dug into his shoulders as she brought him back to his feet. Her eyes locked with his, the pair of blue orbs, one like blue fire, and the other like a stormy, morning sky. She pulled him toward the bed, her patience snapped with her realization. She needed him, now. There would be time for finesse later.

Wyatt seemed to sense her need. His touch became more aggressive, his kisses more searing as they fell together onto the mattress. His hand slid into her shorts, blunt fingers delving into the wetness at the apex of her thighs and making her let out a high keen. She convulsed around his thrusting fingers, the unexpected pleasure pouring over her like the sea outside. Then, while she was still pulsing, he was suddenly between her thighs, his eyes boring into hers.

She reached between them, her fingers finding the fastener of his pants and quickly tugging them open. Her hand snaked inside, her tiny fist closing around the hard thickness of his cock and gently stroking. His hips thrust into her touch, his eyes drifting closed.

"DG, it's been a long time…" he let the sentence drop as his eyes opened once more. She understood. He was ready and he wanted to be inside of her. Now.

In seconds, her shorts were gone and his pants were shoved down his hips. Instinctively, her legs wrapped around his waist, pulling him closer. Their mouths fused together as Wyatt settled himself between her thighs. DG moaned when the thick head of his penis bumped her entrance.

Then she knew, when he slid effortlessly inside, filling her more completely than anything she'd ever felt before, she knew. This was what all the fuss was about.

With a gasp, Wyatt broke the kiss, his eyes boring into hers as he trembled with his fight for control. She traced her fingers over his face, wiping the sweat from his brow and easing the tension of his mouth. She struggled herself, to keep from moving, allowing him to make the first move. She thought it a heroic effort on her part.

Several minutes later-several long, throbbing minutes-Wyatt finally started to move. With his forehead resting against hers, and their gazes locked, he thrust his hips. The sensation was overwhelming to DG, the intensity almost too much. She moved in time with him easily, their bodies rocking together like they'd done it forever. Friction, heat, pleasure built with each push of his hips, each rise of hers. Faster and faster, stronger and wilder they went, each chasing the chasm but both determined to go over together.

It was almost a surprise when bliss broke over them. DG felt like she was coming apart, the ecstasy too much for her tiny body to contain. Her fingers convulsed in his back, her nails digging into his skin to find purchase, to keep her grounded. His breath was harsh and ragged in her ear, her name a hoarse cry from his lips. Her name, she realized through her haze. Hers.

And that's when she realized she was crying.

"DG?"

DG pried her eyes open to focus on his face. That handsome, weathered face that showed the scars of a thousand years and the hope of just as many. He was staring down at her, concern drawing his brow into a frown. She felt his thumb draw across her cheek, gathering the moistness leaking from her traitorous eyes.

"Did I hurt you?"

"God no." she managed around the lump in her throat. And I hope you never will, she added to herself. She immediately felt bad about that. It wasn't his fault her feelings went over the top. "Can we do it again?" She asked with a breathless laugh, to divert his concern.

A flash of white teeth in a tired, but somehow still lecherous grin was the beginning of her answer. "I'm not as young as I used to be, darlin'. But yeah," a brush of lips across her collarbone made her shiver. "We can do it again." This was said against her ear, raising goose bumps on her skin.

"Awesome." She pulled him down to capture his mouth with hers. No sooner had their lips touched, than a knock sounded on the door.

"I'm going to kill someone." Wyatt growled, gingerly extricating himself from her arms.

"At least they didn't knock five minutes sooner."

"Hold on!" Wyatt yelled when the knock came again. He finished pulling up his pants and adjusting his shirt as DG rolled off the bed and quickly hunted down the dress she'd taken off earlier. Luckily, it was thrown across the back of a chair. She quickly slid it on, grimacing that she'd have to forgo underwear.

DG was still trying to untangle her hair from the remnants of her ponytail when Wyatt opened the door. Irritation melted at the sight of Jeb and DG felt an uncomfortable shot of embarrassment when the eyes so like his father's flitted over her. Whether or not he knew what had just happened between her and his father didn't show, but she had no doubt he did. It made it hard to meet his eyes.

"What's wrong?" Wyatt asked, angling his body to shield her from Jeb's view.

"I think you two should come down to the front desk."

"Why?"

"Just…" Jeb ran a hand through his hair and shook his head. "Just come down. You'll see." The younger Cain stepped away from the door. DG and Wyatt shared a puzzled look then she looked for her shoes and shoved her bare feet in them. A quick glance in the mirror made her grimace, but there was nothing to do about it now. She grabbed her husband's outstretched hand and followed the two men down the hall.

A few minutes later, the trio emerged into the lobby area. DG almost ran into the back of Wyatt when he came to a sudden stop.

"Son of a Bitch." He hissed, stilling DG's annoyed quip. Hesitantly, she peered around her husband's body and felt her heart slam against her chest. She could feel her eyes bug and she was sure her mouth had dropped open. Jenna was standing behind the front desk, her smile firmly in place as she chatted up the pair in front of her. The older woman glanced over and her smile brightened when she saw DG, Wyatt, and Jeb.

"Oh, Dotty, Carl and David. Please, come say hello to our first guests of the Season. Mr. Andrews and his man servant."

For some reason, seeing Raw standing there, with a bemused, almost embarrassed smile on his face, dressed in a lovely coat of blue and gold, wasn't near as disturbing as the sight of his companion.

Looking for all the world like he owned the place, standing as straight and tall as she'd ever seen him, Glitch leaned against the counter. His hair was actually neat and there was no evidence of the zipper from what she could see. He was wearing a coat that matched Raw's in color, if not in fineness. From what she could fathom, it looked like a dress uniform that generals and such on the Otherside wore, just without the medals.

DG stepped forward, her head tilting in confusion as she took in this stranger that was her friend. Raw shook his head slightly when she met his eyes for a brief moment.

"Oh, it's all right, my dear. We know each other already. I believe we met on a train ride…through the Blue Hills, wasn't it? Why Carl, I think you were on your way to see your sick mother. And dear, Dotty. You're practically glowing." Glitch stepped forward, his voice a loud boom that had DG fighting a grimace.

"M-Mr. Andrews. How nice to see you again." She stammered, allowing Glitch to take her hand to brush a kiss across the back. His eyes showed nothing as she looked into them other than a fair amount of good humor. The zipper was gone, but he wasn't acting the way she thought Ambrose would. He wasn't acting the way Glitch would for that matter.

"Yeah, Andrews." Cain said, pulling DG back a bit to grip the man's hand. Something was off, the small group knew that, but with an audience, they couldn't delve to deep.

"Isn't that lovely," Jenna cooed. She reached into her apron pocket and pulled out the massive ring of keys she always carried and motioned to Raw. "I'll show you to your room, then you can all catch up." Raw dutifully picked up the pair of cases on the floor and bowed his head. DG felt sick at seeing her friend look so subservient, especially after all he'd been through before the eclipse.

"Of course. Once I'm settled, we'll be sure to find you. Carl, Dotty." Glitch gave them a large smile, nodded to Jeb then followed Raw and Jenna down the hall, leaving the others to do no more than watch and wonder.

A/n-Erm…Merry Christmas? Lol. Hope you enjoy, and please, leave me some love. :D Tell Santa I've been good this year so I find Diamonds in my stocking and not coal. Hee. Just kidding. Reviewing will be enough. I hope to have Gentle Not the Heart updated before Christmas. Thanks for everyone that is holding on for updates of this. I really loves ya all. :D Toodles Doodles.