49. Vexxion
49
VEXXION
I sensed when she freed Amronth, the only other surviving Eratis dragon in both faerie and the worlds beyond.
Standing near the wall inside the red parlor, I tried not to appear bored while voices droned around me.
I wouldn’t chide my fury for giving in to her heart. She had to do it. I’d known that even before I saw Iasar protect her yesterday and heard the words he hissed by her ear.
Things were rushing too fast, and while a part of me ached to hold everything back, to slow this, I would not intervene.
May she forgive me.
May she still love me when this was over.
I cast a spell on the front door, placing an image of Amronth writhing there in the gap. No one would realize the dragons weren’t still trapped within the magical fold—except the king, and him only if he purposefully sought them, something he hadn’t done for ages. After he placed them there, he’d chortled and grinned, his face heavy with gloat. He’d called for a chair and sat, gazing at them raptly, savoring their pain while announcing to anyone who passed that he’d done this. That only he was powerful enough to bind such magnificent creatures.
Over time, the king appeared to have forgotten they were there, and may he continue to do so until it no longer mattered.
After dinner and holding court in the throne room, Ivenrail retired to this sitting area, insisting I join in on the festivities. Even now, as he sat in a formal chair near the fire, rocking the glass holding his drink on the table beside him, his face remained pleasant. He spoke with Brenna in a low voice, leaning close enough to whisper in her ear. Reaching out, he took her hand, squeezing it while giving her a smile that only made his face appear craven.
I sensed the tension within her, displayed only by the slight sheen on her face and the heightened color that did not come from the fae wine she’d sipped. Plus in the way she kept shooting glances through her lashes at Zayde, who sat on a sofa nearby, studiously avoiding looking her way.
Tempest flitted to our suite. I wanted to join her, but I was stuck here for some time yet.
What have you been up to? I purred.
Nothing much.
You’ve been naughty.
Her breath caught. I have .
What do you think I should do about this, Fury?
What would you like to do about it?
So many things.
Remove your clothing, I said, the upward twitch of my lips the only reaction I gave away, and then for only a fraction of time before I smoothed my mouth.
Will you join me soon, my wicked high lord? she drawled. I sensed her lifting her tunic up over her head. Tossing it aside. Her trembling fingers reaching for the fastening at the top of her pants.
I want to. A thought, and her bath waited, steam rising from the surface to swirl around candles flickering in the welcoming darkness. I’m stuck here a bit longer, but I must address your most recent behavior.
Yes. Yes, please do. She ripped off the rest of her clothing and strode to the bathing area.
I sensed all this rather than saw it. While I knew it was possible, I hadn’t yet been able to spy through another person’s eyes, only from a few rare beasts like her crow.
Do exactly what I tell you, I said sternly.
I’m yours to command.
Such a good girl. Please get into the tub.
A fae woman seated on a sofa straight ahead had spent most of our recent meal leaning away to avoid one touch against my side. Now, she flicked a glance full of interest my way. She’d drained three glasses of wine since we entered the parlor, fortifying her spine enough that she dared acknowledge I existed .
A ball would commence soon. I would not be there.
“Will you dance tonight, Controller?” she asked, only the vague slurring of her speech revealing that the wine had gone straight to her head.
“I shall.”
Her hand trembled where she laid it on the cushion beside her thigh. “Please save one for me.”
“You would not survive a dance with me.” I said it easily enough, projecting the image of the bored minion of the king.
With a catch of her breath, she tucked her hand beneath her leg before turning back to the high lord seated beside her.
Flirting, are you? my tiny storm asked as she settled in the tub. Steam coiled around her neck and kissed her pretty cheeks.
Only with you. Wash your hair.
She did as I asked, her movement languid as if she drew this out for my pleasure. If only I could stand near the wall and watch her like I did that time when she bathed in the river.
Join her. Touch her.
My hair’s done, she said in a throaty growl that purred across my bones.
Wash your breasts. Pay close attention to your nipples.
A high lord standing near the lit fireplace glanced my way before his gaze dove to the table in front of the cluster of sofas. Only the high advisor had chosen not to join the group standing near the king. He hovered inside the arched entrance, his fingers tightening to fists before releasing again at his sides. He was upset about Selitta. About Delaine .
I understood the need for vengeance, how it boiled within you, scalding your flesh each time your mind reminded you of what happened. He wouldn’t find it with me or my fury. I’d make sure of that.
My breasts are clean, my very good girl said. I adored how breathless she sounded.
Pinch them for me. Roll them. Do it hard enough I’ll feel the moan in your throat.
As she did so, her groan echoed in my mind.
I believe your sweet pussy needs washing, I said. If I was there, I’d do it for you, but unfortunately, the king will not allow me to leave his presence yet. Stroke between your legs, my fury, and do it slowly.
Vexxion. Not a hint of hesitation came through in her voice. She was panting, shifting in the tub with growing need. Craving my words and my touch.
Put a finger inside yourself, I said. Stroke your clit at the same time. Pump your finger. Close your eyes and pretend I’m lying behind you, that it’s my hand giving you pleasure.
Her moan tore through my mind as she thrust her hips up to meet her hand. The water sloshed in harmony with her movement, cresting the lip of the tub and splashing onto the floor beyond.
Such a good girl.
Vexxion. I need you.
Soon.
The puzzlement on Zayde’s face sent a spark of humor through me. He knew me, though not well enough to see what I was doing with my fury. I toyed with the drink in my hand, tipping it back and forth without taking a sip, and his gaze fell there before snapping back to my face. Then he looked at Brenna. The longing in his eyes was quickly masked.
I walked the wire stretched across the cavern, but so did my half-brother. Was Brenna standing behind him, clinging to the back of his tunic?
Vexxion, Tempest growled. She was so close; I could taste the sweetness of her passion on the tip of my tongue.
Stop.
Her breathing stuttered. Nooooo.
Do you want me to join you?
Yes. She projected a subdued demeanor, though I could feel her will slashing around, a storm growing in power and volume. If I was with her, her eyes would shoot daggers my way.
Remove your fingers from your pretty pussy. No dragging them across your clit now. Until I arrive, you may touch your breasts only.
Fucking bastard. High-pitched laughter bubbled in her voice. You’re going to pay for this and pay well.
I look forward to it.
When? She snarled out her frustration.
Shortly. Stay hot for me, Fury, because I’m going to show you exactly what you mean to me soon. I’ll make you come and then I’ll do it again. Are you ready to scream my name?
I’m not sure, she said, a pout coming through in her voice. Touching my breasts might not be enough to keep me enthralled, you wretched fae lord.
My low laugh rang out, startling the woman seated on the sofa. She shot me a wild look before rising to dart across the room.
You’re not stroking your breasts well enough, I said. Close your eyes. Picture my mouth on your nipples. Sucking them. Rolling them gently with my teeth.
Vexxion. I want the real thing, not pretend.
Get out of the tub.
She sucked in a breath. Just like that?
Dry yourself. Lie on my bed on your back and spread your legs for me. You may continue to touch your breasts, but do not put your hand near your pussy or clit. I’ll know if you do, and you’ll be in trouble.
I want to be in trouble.
My laugh snorted out again. Zayde frowned. The king kept staring into the flames.
When I arrive, I’m going to drive my cock deep inside you , I said. Will you hold that thought in your mind?
Don’t make me wait long. She quickly stacked boulders around her mind, blocking me out.
Pride expanded inside my chest, bruising my heart against my ribcage. She’d learned quickly and well.
My fucking cock was on fire. I’d made her tease her body to the point she ached for me, but as it always was with us, it was never one-sided.
I scanned those in the room, but no one appeared to be watching me. They remained lost in their conversations, their wine, and the jovial company they’d missed while they were away. The king rarely held formal events, and while many chided him behind his back for the lack, none would do so to his face.
They prided themselves on being invited, being included when so many were not.
All I wanted was to take my fury’s hand and lead her in another dance in Weldsbane’s ballroom.
Finally, the conversation slowed. Drink glasses remained empty.
The king hadn’t survived this long or risen to his current position of power without occasionally indulging the needs of his most favored high lords and ladies. He stood. “The ballroom awaits.” Drawing Brenna up from her seat, he led her around the sofa, toward the arched entryway. “Join us.”
With excitement—most of it barely scraping the edge of pretend—the other guests followed him, none daring to flit while he walked.
Finally.
Ivenrail didn’t meet my eye. He didn’t request my presence. This meant I was free until he called again.
My fury waited in our suite.
Naked.
Wet for me.
I flitted there and stripped as I landed, stalking over to stand beside the bed. My gaze raked across her lush body still rosy from the heat of the water and the tease I’d played with her mind.
“Are you wet for me, Fury?” I growled, my stiff cock ramming against my abs .
Her lips pursed. “Stick your finger in there, and you might find out.”
This woman might play compliant, but she was anything but. I loved her even more for that fact.
Climbing over her, I caged her with my arms and my body, kissing her. Consuming her.
How should I punish you some more for being naughty? I asked as I left her mouth and kissed along her jaw to her chin.
You knew I was going to do it. Now was the time.
I don’t want you in danger.
As I remain inside this castle, danger chokes off my air with every breath I take. They’re together. Finally. It was beautiful.
How could I deny her this moment where everything was perfect if only for one instant?
I’m going to release the rest of the creatures before the wedding, she said. I figured out how to hide that they’re no longer trapped.
She was building her strength so fast; I could barely keep up.
Be careful.
It’s too late for that, isn’t it?
Sadly, it was.
“Enough talk. Kiss me here,” her fingertip traced down her neck. “That’ll show me the error of my ways.”
I dragged my tongue down the path her finger had forged, stopping at the junction to her shoulder to kiss.
“And here.” She lifted her breasts, running her thumbs across the rosy buds. “I believe you’re creative enough to mete out my supposed punishment on my flesh.”
“Fury,” I growled, kissing down to her breast. I traced my tongue across one nipple then the next, going back and forth until they’d hardened, and she was bowing her spine up to meet my mouth.
Leaving her breasts to my threads, I kissed her quivering belly. When it tickled, her husky laugh burst out. If only I could hear that sound every day of my life.
I parted her thighs, kissing each one, running my tongue softly over the new scars on her right. The wounds Delaine gave her had faded to nearly nothing due to my aid in healing, plus her own.
I kissed up to the juncture between her thighs, licking from her saturated entrance to her clit. This precious treat, I sucked into my mouth, flicking my tongue across it while she moaned and jerked her hips up to meet me.
Her legs hitched up onto my shoulders, her fingers threading into my hair. She held on while her body quivered, and I showed her how precious she was to me.
My cock was on fire, battering my abs, but it could wait. This moment and this woman’s pleasure were all that mattered.
I stabbed my tongue into her, over and over, her guttural cries echoing around me. She was mine but it was so much more than about possession. She’d given her heart and her body to me, and I would spend whatever time I had left showing her how much her gift meant to me.
As her hips thrust up to meet my mouth and my fingers rolling her clit, I hummed and growled.
Come for me, I said. Let me taste it. Feel it. I need it. Need you.
Yessss .
Her thighs quivered against my head as I increased the thrust of my tongue, rubbing her clit harder, faster.
I lost all awareness of everything around us; it was all I could do to shelter us with my threads. There was only my fury and the pleasure spiraling through her.
Waves crashed through her as she crested and tumbled down the other side. I grinned against her flesh and drove my tongue harder, tasting everything she gave and demanding more. She shuddered and cried out again, her voice hoarse and full of bliss.
When she collapsed on the bed, I rose up over her, kissing her, sharing the joy I’d found in her body with her alone.
She hitched her heels on my hips and thrust up against me.
I didn’t need any further invitation than that to slide into her welcoming heat. As I moved within her, riding the rest of her climax and building another, I was crushed by my feelings.
I gave her all I was, all I’d ever be, and she still didn’t turn away.
She only clung tighter.
In no time, she was writhing beneath me, meeting each of my thrusts with equal power. Her tight fingers on my arms demanded I give her everything. How could I refuse?
I lived for this woman alone.
I stared into her eyes, finding myself there, plus hope and power and the promise of a future I wasn’t sure I deserved. I’d done bad things. If anyone should be punished, it was me.
Yet her love for me remained unshaken. I was struck deep by the thought. Despite everything I’d done, the ways I’d manipulated her into acting and feeling, she still looked at me as if I was her world, her reason for existing. In her touch and with her words, she forgave me for the unforgivable.
She dismantled my hard-won defenses with one stroke of her finger. Secured her place in my heart with her smile. The gift of her heart and her trust both humbled me and made me love her even more.
“You’re perfect,” I growled against her throat, pulling out and rocking back inside her.
“Perfectly imperfect, like you,” she whispered. “Right now, when we’re together, we both are.”
“I love you. I always will.” Did she hear the desperation in my voice?
Tomorrow, everything would be over.
Would she forgive me for holding back my biggest secret?
I rolled my hips, driving myself deeper, and her guttural cry rang out.
Her core tightened. She was close, and so was I. I wanted to feel her come around me. Only after that would I let go.
Give it to me again, Fury, I said. It’s mine.
“I’m yours.” Her voice both soothed my soul and drove me to push harder, faster, pummeling her as her nails dug into my arms.
Kissing her, I could taste her pleasure about to erupt. Let me feel you come, feel your joy wash over me.
She whimpered and jerked her hips up to meet each of my thrusts, her gaze locked on mine.
When I stroked my threads across her clit, she gave way, roaring in heavy waves toward something much too divine for this world. The quiver of her body around my cock drove me into a frenzy.
My control snapped, and I shifted my hips hard, slamming into her welcoming body as my own orgasm coiled tight inside me.
I came all at once, roaring as I shot all I had deep inside her.