Chapter 4
BAEZAL
The first brush of her lips against mine renders me immobile.
I’m not sure what I’m meant to do. It is as if I’m a spectator looking down at the two of us from above.
I see my stiff posture as this beautiful, wanton creature crawls into my lap.
The neckline of her dress nearly bares her entire chest. Her skirts tuck up around her waist, exposing her smooth, pale calves.
Delicate hands burrow into my hair and hold me firm as she presses her supple lips against my own.
My hands tremble along her waist. I’m scared to move—to even breathe too deeply—and break whatever spell is at work here.
Surely it is magic, or at the very least a miracle, to have this angel in my lap.
To feel the heat seeping from her core and teasing my raging cock to a painful state.
She gasps against me, the sound as sweet as she tastes.
The touch of our lips is featherlight, and yet it unmakes me on the spot.
I want to snarl and haul her against me.
My fingers itch to shred the satin of her gown until she is naked and trembling before me.
I want to lay claim to her for all the world to see—to know she is mine in every way.
My primal urges reach a new peak as her lips shift against me once more, satisfaction humming in her throat.
My fingers dig into her waist, urging her closer as she continues our chaste kiss.
I have to take care with my urges and not scare this wonderful, beautiful little human who’s crawled into my lap.
Who’s mere presence nearly drives me to madness.
Her breathy confessions of her sin had nearly made me spill in my pants.
Willow is unlike any Sister I’ve come across.
Throughout my time serving the One True Faith, I had, of course, come across unhappy Sisters.
Ones that would leave the True Faith never to be seen again.
There is more than unhappiness in Willow’s plight.
She is a bird trapped in a pious cage, forced to be something that is in direct contrast with her soul.
Desire burns brightly within her—I can taste it on her lips, feel it in the way she touches me.
That is why I must take care of her. Life as a Sister is pious—removed from the world at large, they are forged into innocent vessels who know only what the True Faith teaches them.
They are taught very little of love and absolutely nothing of lust. For someone like Willow, it would be very easy to conflate the two.
She may desire me, as ridiculous as it sounds, but she doesn’t want me.
Not at least in the way she believes she does.
I am not a hero from her storybooks; I am a monster.
One who will worship her for as long as I am allowed.
I will give her pleasure and show her the heights her body can reach.
Then she will learn to revel in another’s embrace—seek out the man she truly loves and begin her life with him once I free her.
That is the only future I can foresee.
Even the notion of her touching another like this makes red mist over my vision.
My chest tightens, and I greedily suck down lungfuls of her lavender scent.
My wings pull tight behind me, flapping sharply in agitation.
Willow is blissfully unaware of my agony.
She merely presses her lips more firmly against mine, nestling as close as she can.
Her dark lashes fan out atop her pink cheeks.
Each shift of her hips brings my seed dangerously close to spilling.
It’s been a century since I last touched another like this.
None of those who shared a bed with me in the past made me feel like Willow does.
My madness for her only worsens the longer she touches me.
It will be a miracle if I can make it through this night with an ounce of my sanity still intact.
Small hands tug at my hair, and I meet her kiss with one of my own.
Our lips dance together, remaining closed.
My claws press harder into her sides, and she shivers.
This fabric is barely a barrier, yet it must remain in place for now.
She is the one who determines our pace and how much she wants from me.
With a sigh, Willow pulls back. Her chest rises and falls rapidly behind the top of her gown.
What I wouldn’t give to taste one of her hard nipples.
They are there, locked in their satin prison, begging me to free them.
My hands remain still, even as Willow lowers her forehead to mine.
Her deep brown eyes are brilliant, highlighted by the flush of her cheeks.
“I didn’t expect this,” she confesses. “Didn’t expect you to…”
Wickedness kindles in her gaze as her pink tongue sneaks out from between her lips. Shifting slightly, her tongue glides slowly against my jaw. My claws embed themselves in her sides, feeling her warm flesh. My groan echoes around the room, rattling her discarded bowl and goblet.
“Taste so good,” she finishes. “This is the best kiss I’ve ever had.”
She licks her lips for good measure, and my restraint hangs on by a thread. I haul her closer. Her lithe thighs stretch around my waist. The scent of her arousal chokes me. I can feel her soaking the front of my pants. One quick tug and I would be deep inside her tight, wet heat.
“Do you want more?” I ask, my voice sounding not like my own.
Willow’s eyes brighten as she nods eagerly.
“Please.” Her lips press against my jaw where her tongue just was. “Everywhere.”
Her wickedness teases my own. Primal possession surges within me. A satisfied grin spreads across my face. The heat in my blood loosens my tongue.
“You would’ve wasted away inside that monastery,” I decree. “A woman as wanton and passionate as you should’ve had your desires satisfied long ago by an eager servant.”
She hums deep in her throat, her lips falling against mine, but I hold back. Looking into her eyes, I let her glimpse my madness—at what her slight touches have turned me into.
“I will become your most ardent worshipper. Even if it is only for tonight, I will kindle the flames of your lust and give you the pleasures you so desperately seek.”
“Please, Baezal. Kiss me again.”
Satisfaction spreads throughout me. Her words about my prowess when it comes to the other males who have kissed her please me. I can only hope that with each touch I bestow on her, the memory of their touches will fade into nothing.
“Here?” I ask, brushing my lips against her throat.
Willow’s head falls back, and the long dark tendrils of her hair brush my hands on her waist. I lick over her pounding pulse. My teeth graze her tender flesh and delight in her whimper. My exploration is slow, measured. I will savor her tonight knowing that our time together is fleeting.
Lavender dances on my tongue as I lick behind her ear. Her breasts rub against my hard chest as I nibble her earlobe. A voice whispers at me to bite her—mark her as mine—but I manage to resist it. My lips trail down her throat again, loving the way she holds me close to her.
Beautiful and trusting, Willow is beyond my wildest dreams.
My teeth graze the column of her pale neck. Her arousal swirls around us and makes my mouth water. For a moment, my control slips, and my teeth press down. Not hard enough to break the skin, but enough to make her gasp. Her eyes fly open—black pupils nearly devouring her entire iris.
“More,” she demands.
I nip at her again, delighting in the shudder that runs through her. My claws skim up her sides, tickling as I go. They linger at the top of her gown, shaking with the need to pull it off her, but I hold off. I must go slow, for both our sakes.
“Would you like a kiss here?” I ask, tongue skimming along her collarbone.
My chest rests against the fleshy swell of her breasts as I taste her soft skin. Willow’s fingers tighten on my head, holding me closer to her chest as I lick and suck my way across. Her moans are soft, pleading with me to keep going.
“Baezal,” she sighs. “I need more. Touch me everywhere. Don’t stop—I’ve never felt like this before. Never wanted another as much as I want you.”
If my ego had been satisfied before, I am fairly certain I am floating.
This glorious angel wants me—even if it is only for tonight, and she will realize the error of her desire soon enough.
Her declaration pleases me. I will take care of her, knowing that her lust for me is misplaced.
She would’ve felt this way about anyone who rescued her.
I am sure of it. Still, I will be grateful for even the chance to touch her.
It’s more than a monster like me deserves.
My lips find her throat, licking into the hollow.
“You are a goddess,” I murmur against her skin. “Bestowing this kindness on a wretch like me, I’ll honor your sacrifice. The True Faith sought to cage you. Tonight I will help free you. I will stoke your passion until you find the one you truly desire.”
Lust and devotion thrum through me. The candor of my words barely registers until Willow stiffens in my arms. I play back what I just said and curse myself for being such a simpering fool. Glancing up, all pleasure is gone from her face. Her dark eyes are hard as they stare down at me.
I want to bash my head against the nearest wall. Why did I have to say anything? She’s clearly coming to her senses now and sees me for who I truly am. The monster she was about to debase herself with—she will be repulsed by me. I don’t know if I will be able to withstand her rejection.
I’d rather be cursed into stone a thousand times over than lose her touch.
However, that is exactly what happens, as Willow gathers her skirts and slides off of me. The loss of her warmth is a physical blow, nearly sending me to the floor. The scent of her pleasure is retreating. The roaring fire paints her lovely face in deep shadows.