51. Lukene
C limbing on top of her, I remind myself to be gentle, to show her how pleasurable this can be. I want to erase all her bad memories of intimacy and replace them with moments filled with bliss.
Leaning on my hands above her, I gaze down into her loving, lust-filled eyes. She’s perfect, and I silently thank the gods and goddesses that she is mine. Barely holding onto my self-control, I lower my mouth to hers, brushing my lips against her soft, plump ones before sliding my tongue inside.
While kissing her, I align my dick with her slick entrance. Slowly, torturously so, I push in just a bit, halting when she inhales sharply. I pull back slightly, brushing the hair from her forehead, looking for any sign of discomfort. “Are you okay?” I ask softly.
“Yes,” she moans, and I slide the rest of the way in, watching her eyes flutter shut. She tilts her head back, arching her back slightly, giving me the perfect opportunity to lick up her neck.
Pulling out to the tip, I slam back into her, eliciting a loud moan from her lips. She and I fit perfectly together, like a key in a lock. The sensation of her tightness gripping my cock sends waves of pleasure coursing through me as I watch the blissful expressions cross her face.
She leans up, wrapping her arms around my neck and crashing her mouth against mine. Deciding she’s had enough time to adjust to my size, I pick up my pace and intensity. I pull out and slam back in hard, over and over again. Her moans meld with mine, filling the air as I savor every moment. Breaking the kiss, I lean back, then pull out entirely.
Grabbing behind her knees, I lift them up, holding them in place on either side of her ribs. I spit on her pussy, then ram myself back inside her.
“Oh Gods!” she cries out.
“There are no deities here, Reign. If you need to call me one, call me devil, because what I’m about to do to you is absolutely sinful.”
I thrust in and out of her relentlessly, commanding my shadows to wrap around her clit and vibrate. She gasps with each stroke, her breathy moans nearly driving me over the edge. But I hold back. I want to savor this moment, to indulge in the pleasure she brings me, to keep going until the sun kisses the sky.
I can feel her climax approaching. Her chest rises and falls rapidly as she writhes beneath me. “That’s it, Reign, come for me,” I huff between thrusts, and she does. I feel her tighten and clench around me, and it takes everything I have not to spill myself, especially as she screams my name. Never has a word held such power as my name on her lips.
I slow my pace, allowing her to ride the wave of euphoria. When she opens her eyes, a smile brightens her face. “Can I get on top?” she asks shyly.
How could I deny her anything, especially something so simple? “As you wish,” I reply with a smile, lying back as we both breathe heavily.
She climbs on top of me, her uncertainty and nervousness palpable. “I… I’ve never done this before.” Gods and goddesses, she’s adorable. I love this woman with every dark piece of my heart.
“Whatever you do will be perfect. I’ll help you,” I assure her, gripping her lush hips and guiding her down onto my cock. The sensation is overwhelming, and I throw my head back, moaning before leaning back up to assist her.
“Move up and down like this.” Still gripping her hips, I guide her perfect ass as she begins to moan. “Or… do this if it feels better.” I tilt her hips so her clit grinds against me, rocking her back and forth. She throws her head back at the sensation. Oh, she likes that. So, I continue. I rock her back and forth, my dick going in and out of her while her clit grinds into me.
She leans forward, placing her hands on my chest as she starts to bounce. Suddenly, her eyes pop open, and she yanks her hands away. “Luke… I’m so sorry?—”
I place a finger to her lips. “Shh. It’s fine.” Taking her hands, I gently place them on either side of my chest, careful not to touch the center. “Fuck me, Reign. Fuck me before I die, because I need you so badly I might.”
She smiles widely, and it makes my heart ache because she is so ethereally beautiful. I’m so unworthy of her.
Leaning on my chest, she starts bouncing up and down. Helping her, I grab her ass and bounce her, faster, harder, furiously. She starts moaning, screaming my name as she begins to climax again, only this time fire flickers in her right hand, burning my chest over my heart. It burns like the double burning hells themselves, but I take it. My shadows twirl around her, in a loving embrace as her fiery palm continues to burn me.
In that moment, the world seems to blur, and it is just us—fire and shadow, light and darkness… forever intertwined, fated.
Watching her lose control while coming on my cock is worth every ounce of pain. I can’t help but tumble over the edge with her. With my last few thrusts, I grip her ass and slam to the hilt, releasing myself deeply inside her, my moans echoing in the air.
She opens her eyes, immediately jumping off me to inspect my chest. “Oh my goddess! Why didn’t you say anything, Luke?” Panic flashes across her face.
I sit up and grasp her chin. “Watching you lose control of your magic while fucking me is the most pleasurable thing I’ve ever seen. I’ll wear this like a crown, proudly.” I smile at her, but she doesn’t look convinced.
She hops off the bed with shaky legs. “Where are you going?” I ask.
“To get a healer.” She reaches for a new nightgown.
Wrapping my shadows around her wrist, I yank her back to the bed. “Absolutely not—especially not wearing that.” I gesture to her nightgown. Pulling her onto the bed, I lay her next to me. “I don’t need a healer. I meant it when I said I’ll wear this mark with honor. It stays.”
She huffs but leans over to kiss me softly. “Stay here,” I say, jumping off the bed to head to the washroom.
Exiting with a warm cloth, I approach her. “What are you doing?” she scrunches her face as I lean over to wipe her clean.
“Cleaning you up so we can sleep.”
“Double burning hells, Luke. I can do it myself.”
“Open up. I’m not asking.”
She huffs loudly but complies, and I can’t help but smile. After cleaning the mess between her legs, I climb back into bed next to her. We lie on our sides, naked, while the fire crackles in the hearth, casting a warm glow on the goddess-blessed beauty beside me.
“What’s going on in that pretty little head of yours?” I ask.
“I was just thinking…” She hesitates, looking unsure. “That… that was fun,” she lies.
“Tsk, tsk, tsk, Reckless. Don’t lie to me.”
She sighs. “I was just thinking that I am so unbelievably in love with you, Luke.”
My heart swells, feeling full, healed by her words.
Her voice is a melodious ballad. Her eyes, my favorite hues. Her hair, the sweetest intoxicating scent. Her heartbeat is my purpose, and her love is the cure for my tainted soul and unworthy heart. “I’m undeserving of someone like you, of your love, Reign.” I run my hand over her cheek, and she scrunches her brows.
“Why would you say that? I am the one from the Drifts and the Hollows.”
“I am a monster at heart. My childhood will always haunt me and trouble me. I am a man turned beast. I have done horrible things in my life.” I sigh at the confession.
“I have also done horrible things, Luke. If you are the monster under the bed, then I will climb under there with you, and love every broken piece of you until one day, you feel whole again and know that you are worthy of love.” Her words nearly make me emotional, and I swallow hard against the rising feelings. “Does… does that mean you don’t love me back?”
“My world has always been dark. Dark and meaningless, doused in shades of black and morbidity—until you showed up. You brightened up my life with hues of lavender.” I clear my throat. “You thawed my icy heart, Reign.” I cup her face, dropping all my masks as I stare deeply into her eyes, revealing the vast amounts of love I hold for her.
“You’re the first thing on my mind when I wake, the last thing I think of before I fall asleep, and all the time in between is filled with visions of you. You haunt my every thought with those purple eyes I want to drown in.” I lean in and kiss her softly.
“There are not words discovered yet for what I feel for you. They say love is never jealous, but what I feel for you paints love with the color of envy.” I wipe away a single tear that trails down her cheek with my thumb.
“So, to put it simply, yes, Reign. I love you. The moment I saw you smile after getting punched in the Hollows, I knew you would rattle my world. And you have. You make me look forward to the future I never cared about. I look forward to a future with you. You give me hope, give me purpose.”
Reaching behind my neck, I undo my mother’s necklace. “Please wear this. It makes me happy to see my mother’s necklace on you.” She nods as we both sit up, and I clasp it around her neck.
“While we are on the topic of confessions, have anything else you want to get off your chest?” She looks at me guilty but says no.
“Do you…”
“I was there… the night of the first trial with Larah. I killed the Arachnar but seconds too late. I am so sorry I couldn’t save her. I tried. I killed the one behind you too. I cleaned you both up, so you didn’t have to see her like that.” Tears are flowing down her face. “I saw your nightmares too. I showed up at the end. If I would have known what they were doing to you, I would have ended it before it happened.” I lean over and kiss each of her crying eyes. “Like I said, there isn’t anything I wouldn’t do for you, Reign. I’d take a dagger straight through the heart for you.”
Her eyes go wide, and I think she is going to confess something. “Luke, I don’t want to have children.”
A smile escapes my lips at the panic in her words. “I never wanted children, until I met you. Maybe one day I would want one with you, but today is not that day. I’ll go get Dola to mix us up something. I’ll be right back.”
Dola and I enter the room to find Reign sitting by the fire, her leg bouncing anxiously as she rolls her lip between her fingers, lost in thought. The flickering flames cast playful shadows across her delicate features, highlighting the uncertainty etched on her brow.
Dola sets a chalice and several vials on the table next to Reign, pouring water into it before adding the contents of the vials. She turns to me, her expression serious. “I need both your blood.”
I frown in confusion. “You never needed blood for the contraception tonics before.” Suspicion laces my words as I cross my arms, a protective instinct rising within me.
“Do you trust me, Prince Lukene?” Dola asks, tilting her head, her gaze piercing and unwavering. “Have I not kept your secrets and you mine?” I glance nervously at Reign, then back at Dola, weighing the gravity of her request.
“Of course I trust you.”
She withdraws a dagger with steady hands, its blade gleaming in the firelight. I offer my palm, and she slices it open, letting my blood pour into the chalice with a practiced ease. She repeats the process with Reign, cutting her palm and allowing a few drops to fall into the mix, a quiet intensity in her movements.
Dola brings the cup to her lips, murmuring words I don’t understand—ancient and foreign. She hands the chalice to Reign, who accepts it with trembling hands, uncertainty flickering in her violet eyes.
“Only drink half. Prince Lukene, you will drink the rest.” Reign takes a hesitant sip from the chalice, her eyes wide with uncertainty, then hands it to me. I stare at the concoction, trepidation curling in my stomach. Something feels off, but I’ve always trusted Dola. We both have too much to lose if we don’t. With a resigned sigh, I down the rest of the chalice, its contents swirling with an unfamiliar taste.
“Good, get some sleep.” Dola dabs some liquid on our palms before heading out the door, her departure leaving an air of uncertainty behind.
“That was…” Reign begins, standing slowly and looking after Dola.
“Odd?” I chuckle, trying to shake off the lingering unease that hangs in the air like a storm cloud.
“Yeah,” she replies, her brow furrowing as she contemplates the moment, the weight of the unknown settling between us.
We slip into bed, and I wrap Reign tightly in my arms, savoring the warmth of her body against mine. My heart feels fuller than it ever has. For the first time in my life, I look forward to a future, a future filled with her.
As I hold her close, the fire crackles softly, casting a gentle glow around us. I breathe in the comforting scent of her hair, letting it anchor me in this moment. “You’re safe now, Reckless,” I whisper, wishing to erase any lingering doubts in her mind.
“I know,” she murmurs, snuggling closer, her warmth melting away the chill of the night. I can feel her heartbeat, steady and reassuring against my chest, a reminder that we’ve made it through another day.
The world outside may be chaotic, but here, in our small sanctuary, everything feels right. Together, we drift into a peaceful sleep, entwined in each other’s warmth, as dreams of what could be weave through my mind. Images of a life together flicker like the flames, each one brighter than the last, filling my heart with hope.
The sun shines brightly through the windows when I wake, finding Reign still sleeping peacefully in my arms. Happiness envelops me, a feeling of completeness I’ve never experienced before. I decide to get up and prepare breakfast for her when she wakes. As I climb out of bed, I realize that the sting on my chest has vanished. Looking down, I see the burn has healed, leaving behind only a scar—a perfect replica of Reign’s hand over my heart. I smile at the memory of that moment, grateful for Dola’s magical tonic.
Dressing quickly and quietly, I leave Reign a note on the bedside table before slipping out of the room.
As I make my way to the kitchen, I hear a commotion coming from Vanna’s favorite room. Curiosity gnaws at me, and I find myself drawn to the open door, peering inside. I immediately wish I hadn’t.
My heart shatters. My breathing eludes me as I take in the sight before me. Vanna is screaming for help as I see her clutching Lilyana’s hand. She is laying on the couch, covered in blood. A cup of tea lies shattered on the floor, its contents pooling around them.
Lilyana leans over, violently retching as blood spills from her mouth. Panic floods my senses as I rush into the room, dropping to my knees in the blood-soaked mess. I gather my baby sister into my arms, feeling the warmth of her blood soaking into my skin. Blood trickles from her mouth, nose, and ears, and the reality of the situation begins to sink in.
“Go get Dola! Any blood wielder or healer! Now!” I scream at Vanna, who is nearly paralyzed with her sobs. She manages to stand and stumbles out of the room.
I feel Lilyana’s breathing growing shallower and more irregular, each ragged gasp echoing in my heart. “Who did this?” I say aloud, my voice trembling as tears well up in my eyes. She struggles to form words, her throat gurgling with blood. She tries to say it again, but it’s hardly a gurgled whisper, “...N…” It’s a desperate attempt to communicate, but the meaning eludes me. I pull her away from my chest to look into her eyes.
I gasp as blood leaks from her eyes, a chilling realization striking me. If I thought I couldn’t breathe before, I was dead wrong. Betrayal stabs at my heart, a piercing pain that threatens to consume me. Reign poisoned my sister. My heart splinters under the weight of the betrayal, the pain nearly knocking me off my knees. My sister’s raspy gasps bring my attention back to her. I watch the life leave her eyes as I see her take her last breath.
Her eyes shut for eternity. No longer will I see her beautiful hazel eyes that look identical to my mother’s. No longer will I hear her joyous laughter. No longer will my mother’s garden bloom. No longer will plants look the same to me without them being kissed by Lilyana’s magic. No longer will I have family that loves me or truly cares for me.
“No!” My shadows burst out of me, flipping over everything around us until we are in the center of my hellstorm. Bringing her to my chest, I hold my sister’s dead body close to my heart. The moment feels too familiar as I remember doing the same with my mother when she died. Now both are gone, and I am left utterly alone on this continent.
“I should have danced with you!” I sniff. “I should have danced with you that night of the ball when you asked.” I scream a guttural scream that shakes the mirrors. “Lilyana! I am sorry. I am so sorry,” I scream out.
Dola, Vanna, and Vanna’s creepy blood wielder, Sehgrid, show up. Dola drops to her knees and begins to sob. She loved Lilyana just as much as I did. Sehgrid runs over and checks Lilyana’s pulse, but there is no use. She is gone. I felt her leave.
“How did this happen?” My voice booms through the room as I fix my gaze on Vanna.
“Elm! Elm brought us tea. She drank it, and this happened.” Vanna’s voice is filled with panic.
Reign must have given the poison to Elm to kill my sister. I’ll kill them both. My fury ignites as I storm out of the room, intent on finding Elm. As I march down the hall, I catch sight of him trying to escape through the front entrance of the palace. With a wave of my hand, I send my shadows to block his path.
When I reach the grand entry room, he draws his sword, his bloodshot eyes and tear-stained face betraying his fear and desperation.
“You royals took everything from me! Everything!” he screams, his voice filled with rage.
“Elm, normally I wouldn’t kill you because I wouldn’t want to hurt Reign. But today, you both will die,” I say coldly, shadows creeping closer to him, eager for the blood they crave.
“Scared to fight me like a Nomatrab? Scared you can’t win without your magic, Dark Prince?” He taunts, his bravado infuriating me.
I throw my head back and laugh sinisterly. “Let’s see if you have what it takes to defeat this Dark Prince.” Each word drips with malice as I withdraw my sword.
We charge at each other, metal on metal, our swords clashing, ringing out in the air. Elm is fast and strong, but not enough to kill me. I toy with him, letting him think he has a chance before I take it away, just like he took my sister from me.
As we clash, sweat drips down our brows, both of us wearing masks of hatred. I see the determination in his blue eyes. He believes he can win.
“You can’t beat me, Elm,” I chuckle. “It’s cute that you think you can.”
He smiles back, his confidence unwavering. “Why don’t you ask Reign how long we’ve planned all of your deaths?” The fractured pieces of my heart sink at his words.
“Reign wouldn’t plan to kill us,” I say with uncertainty.
“She wouldn’t? Have you asked her?” He laughs. “You don’t know her at all. How do you think we survived the Hollows? We thrived on knowing one day we would get our revenge on all of you.”
His words hurt more than words should, igniting a feral rage within me. I attack, knocking him to the ground. He gets to his knees, panting, and I place the tip of my blade to his throat. He gulps making the blade cut his throat a bit, as a bead of crimson drips down it.
My chest rises and falls rapidly, emotions swirling within me. I want to kill him, to avenge my sister’s death, but he is all Reign has left. Even if she is destined to die, I hesitate. Then, the image of my sister’s lifeless body floods my mind, and I realize I can kill them both.
I pull back my sword for the killing blow, but Elm suddenly juts forward, shock etching his face as he looks down to see a sword protruding from his chest.
Too lost in my thoughts, I don’t notice Kylo behind him until he yanks the sword free. Elm collapses to the ground, panting unevenly and coughing up blood. Good. He’ll be dead in minutes.
“Go sit with my sister, Kylo. I will be there in a minute. I have something I must do.” Kylo looks at me, tears streaming down his face, then nods and rushes off toward Lilyana.
With a heavy footstep and a broken heart, I head off to kill the love of my life.