The Duke's Rose (Completed)

Chapter 9. 1814 

The following week, Olivia was all smiles as she danced across the ballroom of Sutherland Park. The ball held at Nathaniel's home was nothing short of perfect. It was intimate, only 50 people in attendance, which made the ballroom not so stifling.
Olivia felt as if her heart was dancing right from her ribs. She was twirling across the Dancefloor with Nathaniel, and only Nathaniel. From the moment they realized they were bonded to one another, everything had changed.
Nathaniel smiled brightly, holding Olivia close. "You look beautiful my love."
Olivia smiled, blushing a soft dusty pink, the same shade as the silk gown she was wearing. "Thank you my dear. And you look very handsome."
Nathaniel. "Thank you. I am glad we are dancing with each other this evening and no one else. Now that we know we are bonded, I wouldn't want to lay eyes on anyone but you."
Olivia. "Nor would I want to lay eyes on anyone but you."
Nathaniel smiled, his eyes sparkling. Then he paused his eyes gazing into hers. "May we go somewhere more private? There is something I need to tell you."
Olivia nodded. "Of course."
Sliding her hand through his elbow, Nathaniel escorted Olivia out of the ballroom. He came to a stop before a massive spiraling staircase. He stopped at the bottom step, taking her hands. "Olivia my love, I do hope I am not rushing into anything by saying this, but I wish to become bonded with you this evening."
Olivia's eyes widened. "Do you?"
Nathaniel nodded. "I do. I cannot stop thinking of you. I want to become bonded with you, completely. I do not want anyone else to come between us. I want to make you mine."
Olivia felt her body ignite with fire that nearly scorched her skin. Nathaniel wanted her to be his, just as she was wanting him to be hers. Glancing around to make sure no one was watching them, she pressed her lips to his. "I want nothing more than to become yours, and for you to become mine."
Without another word, Nathaniel scooped her up into his arms and carried her with quick steps up the staircase. He carried her down the long hallway until they reached the last door on the left. Snapping his fingers, he magically opened the door to his bedroom.
Olivia gazed around the large and luxurious room, drinking in the gold and red color palette of the walls. There was a tall glass window overlooking the countryside, a blazing fireplace, bathing chamber and closet, chamber pot and bed. She noticed that the mahogany wood of the headboard and footboard had dragons carved along every surface.
Nathaniel placed her carefully down onto her feet, his arms intertwining around her waist as he pulled her to him. His lips came down on hers with a kiss of fire and passion. His tongue licked at her lips, softly coaxing them to open.
Olivia moaned, intertwining her arms around his neck, her lips opening with pure submission. At last, they were alone, with no one to interrupt them. Her eyes closed as her tongue became intertwined with his.
Nathaniel came away after a moment, his eyes wild and burning. He took her face between his hands. "I want you."
Olivia stared longingly into his eyes with the same heated gaze. "I want you as well."
Pressing a deep and passionate kiss to her lips, Nathaniel stepped back, waving his hand and allowing his clothing to magically disappear. His wings unfurled from his back. He stood tall, like the Duke he was.
Olivia felt her body become inflamed as she stared at his magnificent figure. He was very muscular, his entire body rippling with crevices she couldn't wait to kiss and touch. Realizing that Nathaniel was waiting for her to become naked, she snapped her fingers and felt her clothing disappear. Her wings unfurled from her back a moment later.
Nathaniel felt his body sizzle with fire as he stared at his beloved. She was magnificent, her entire body screaming with curves he couldn't wait to devour. His voice was low and seductive. "You are beautiful."
Olivia smiled. "You are ravishing."
Nathaniel stepped forward, taking her face between his hands. "After tonight, we will never be alone again."
Olivia smiled softly. "We will be together for all eternity."
Nathaniel. "We certainly will."
Their lips came careening together for a deep and scorching kiss, passion consuming them as they fell to the bed. They paused they're kissing to gaze into one another's eyes, feeling their combined magic swirl around them. This was it, the moment that would change everything.