With a roar of approval from the goblins watching, Theo lifted Lily into his arms, carrying her away from the ceremony. Away from the safety of her pack and their watching eyes.
Away to have his way with her.
***
Despite all Lily had done to prepare herself for this moment, she was shaking by the time Theo brought them to a lonely tree at the edge of the secluded meadow. He kicked open a solid door in the trunk and carried her inside, closing the door behind them and locking them both in darkness.
Theo placed Lily down, and she almost collapsed beneath the weight of her own body, she was so terrified. Instead, she stumbled into the wall while Theo struck a match and began to light candles in the room, illuminating the king-sized bed and the rich, red silk sheets that were turned down, with piles of pillows strewn about.
By the time Theo finished lighting the candles, Lily was still pulling at her fingers anxiously, unable to silence the fight-or-flight response raging through her body. Theo's gaze settled on her, and his smile faltered when he saw her worrying about the leaves adorning her dress, and how her arms trembled as she did so.
"It's okay," he said soothingly. He reached out to touch her, but Lily flinched away from him. Theo's face softened and he withdrew his hand. "I'm not going to hurt you. You're my wife now. I would never harm you."
Lily took a deep breath, trying to calm her racing heart. "I ... I want to believe you, but I've heard stories about ... about what goblins do to their lovers. They hurt them. Use them up until they can't be used anymore."
"The stories are true." Theo tilted his head to get a better look at her. "Goblins are known for being rough and monstrous, but I assure you, I'm not like that." He flashed her a charming smile. "Unless you want me to be."
Despite herself, Lily laughed. "N-no. I don't."
"Then it's settled. We'll take this slow. Go at your pace. We have all night, Lily. Give me a chance to show you that marrying me doesn't have to be all bad."
She wanted to believe Theo, but it was so hard when she was surrounded by reminders of what he was capable of. The bed they were standing next to, the candles flickering in the breeze created by their movement, even the simple act of lighting a match had been done with an ease that spoke of practice and precision.
Everything about Theo screamed danger. She was frozen in place, her eyes glued to Theo as he slowly moved closer to her. When he was close enough that she could feel the heat radiating off his body, he reached for her hands again. This time, she didn't pull away, and he took her hands in his own, gently prying them away from the fabric of her dress. He rubbed his thumbs over the backs of her hands in a comforting gesture, and Lily felt some of the tension begin to leave her body.
"I know this is all very new and scary for you," Theo continued. "But I promise, I'll make it as good as I can for you. Just try to relax and go with the flow, okay?"
Lily nodded hesitantly, and Theo leaned in to kiss her forehead softly. A flush of warmth poured through her body at the brief, chaste contact. His hands squeezed hers, and his mouth hovered over the spot he'd kissed, as if he was fighting some primal urge to do something more to her. Then he pulled away.
"Now why don't you get changed into something more comfortable?" he suggested, gesturing towards the bed. "I'll be back in just a minute."
Theo left Lily alone in the room, exiting through a side door. The moment he was gone, she quickly began to undress, feeling too exposed under the goblin's gaze to change with him in the room. But the second he was gone, it felt as though she could breathe again. Her mind began to work, suppressed thoughts churning again, although she did her best to shove down her fears and worries in preparation to do what she had to do tonight.
If Theo said he wasn't going to hurt her, the least she could do was try to trust him. So far, despite his wolfishness and threats, he had been a gentleman so far, and she didn't want to do anything that could make her situation worse.
And she knew it could be far worse.
Set out on the vanity on one side of the room, there were two silk nightgowns set out for her. One was black as night with lacy sides, and the other was emerald green with a plunging neckline. She slipped into the green one, knowing it would match her eyes, but still managing to feel self-conscious as she pulled the skimpy garment over her head. The fabric was soft and smooth against her skin, clinging to her curves in a way that made her feel both vulnerable and sensual.
The gown was more comfortable than her wedding dress, which now lay discarded on the floor, but it would also give Theo easier access to do whatever it was he planned to do to her.
A moment later, the door clicked open. She turned to find Theo carrying a small tray with two glasses and a bottle of wine on it. He set it down on the nightstand next to the bed before turning to face Lily again.
"Come here," he said softly, holding out his hand to her.
Hesitantly, Lily took a step towards him, the heat of his gaze on her body making her blush. She placed her hand in his, and he smirked pulling her close.
His throbbing erection was pronounced against her stomach, firm beneath his trousers and shirt. With the silk nightgown, she might as well have been naked against his weapon. Her thighs pressed together to suppress the surprising sense of want that crashed through her nerves.
Theo brushed his thumb over the apple of her cheek, tucking a stray hair behind her ear. "That gown," his voice was husky, his eyes dark with desire, "is threatening to break all my restraint, all my plans to help you relax. Do you understand?"
She nodded, unable to move away from him.
"I'm going to kiss you."
He tilted her chin up to him, and his mouth pressed to hers in a soft, tentative kiss. Even gentler than the one he'd given her at the ceremony. A buzz of wanting shivered through her, and Lily found her mouth opening with a quiet moan. Theo's arms circled her waist, pulling her breasts against his chest, deepening the kiss. His tongue slipped the seam of her lips, tangling with hers until Lily couldn't breathe anymore.
She pulled away with a gasp, but Theo wasn't done with her yet. He continued to kiss her, trailing kisses down along her jawline until he reached the crook of her neck. Lily's legs trembled, and he helped her sink down onto the bed. Then, with more restraint than a man should be capable of, he pulled his mouth away from her skin.