Chapter 17 – Hex
Chapter Seventeen
Hex
P erhaps Silence is right. I’m fairly sure I’m in Hell, too. Watching the orc devour my wife while she writhes around in ecstasy has my nerves frayed. My monster is smug, knowing he’ll be able to touch her again soon, but I don’t think he understands we’re not going to be touching her like that .
“Atlas, please,” Ali begs, yanking at his hair.
“Nah, not yet,” he growls, pulling back from her clit. He continues teasing two thick fingers inside her. Every time they slide out, my gaze is drawn to how slick they are. “You can wait.” She glares, and he laughs. “That’s an adorable, pouty face, but you’re still not getting your way.”
“I’m going to hurt you.” Her feet bounce against the couch, and it makes her tits jiggle.
“You’re drooling.” Malice pretends to wipe my chin.
“I am not,” I hiss, but he might be right. My mouth is quite literally watering to taste her.
“Our time will come,” Silence says softly. He rubs his thumbs over my forehead, continuing to work his glamor.
“I think I’d like a taste.” Malice pushes himself up until he’s standing, before sauntering over like he doesn’t have a care in the world.
My stomach drops at the way my wife lights up when she spots him.
“Stop,” Silence grunts, shoving me back down. “Be patient.”
I sigh.
I hadn’t even realized I was in motion. It’s not easy watching Malice cup her tits in his shadows.
Atlas buries his face deeper into her pussy.
I briefly consider tossing myself off the roof of the building to make the ache in my chest stop. It wouldn’t kill me, but the massive amount of trauma would likely help offset some of the agony I’m currently experiencing.
It’s the universe punishing us and indicating it’s time to put more effort into our bond.
Malice isn’t her mate. He might eventually be able to claim her in whatever way his species does, but for the moment, the tether between my soul and hers radiates with pure fire any time they kiss.
Luckily, it’s only happened a few times since he took over as Kash. The fact still remains that her cycle will be coming up and the fucker has already taunted us about how he intends to be there if she’ll have him.
Watching how comfortable she is with him, I find it highly unlikely she would refuse him entry into her nest. I’m not sure how to mentally prepare for the level of pain that will cause, especially being in the same realm.
“Are you going to come all over his face, kitten?” Malice taunts.
“Yes,” she whines.
My head tilts, studying the interaction as Malice seals his lips to hers.
My beast wants to hear that sound spill from her lips again, but this time, it needs to be for us. Not either of them .
Atlas growls, lapping at her sex as one huge hand holds her in place and the other works in and out of her. She jolts with electric zips, thrashing around as her scent floods the air.
Suckers break out all over my skin.
“I should have seen that coming,” Silence mutters. “On the positive side, the glamor is holding so far. Go ahead and completely transform.”
I stand, aiming for the corner. Kicking off my shoes, I pull my shirt over my head before removing the rest of my clothing quickly.
The transformation is downright painful, due to avoiding it for so many years. I don’t allow myself to change completely. The little I’ve seen of Laz, he performs in partially shifted form.
“That’s a whole lot of sea monster,” Malice says, chuckling darkly. He looks at Ali. “Are you sure you’re ready for all that?”
“I can’t believe I have to scan the audience to read their minds,” Silence mutters. “All they’re going to be thinking about is railing our wife.” His eyes flick to mine.
“Wow,” Ali says, wiggling until she’s sitting up. Her eyes get wide as they study me.
My shoulders pull back as Malice helps her get comfortable.
I’m yet again hit with a staggering pulse of jealousy that makes my tentacles twitch. Atlas doesn’t help matters, crudely licking his lips like the barbarian he is.
“If you’d like to practice lifting me to make sure we don’t have any issues, then we can probably make time for that before we go.” She gives me a gentle smile that makes my multiple hearts race.
“That doesn’t sound like a bad plan.” Silence steps over, offering her a hand off the couch. Malice chuckles while Atlas rolls his eyes, but she does place her hand in his.
Silence pulls her up, sending her toward me with a slap on the ass.
“Hey,” she hisses, no longer pliant and kitten-like.
“What? Not going to say ‘thank you’ for helping evade the council’s discovery?” He smirks, but I know him well enough to recognize his feelings are hurt.
“Thank you, but that also doesn’t give you the right to?—”
“You’re right.” He nods, linking his hands in front of him. “But I’m afraid I must ask—have you ever felt guilt over the agony you’ve put us through?” Silence takes a step toward her. “Even now, you seem content to continue inflicting it.”
“What?” She crosses her arms over her chest, glaring up at him.
“Have you never bothered to ask why you didn’t feel the same in return?
We may not have claiming bites, but the ceremony in Faere was binding.
We told the council that, even as they pushed for us to consummate.
Which you might have heard if you stuck around long enough to see how fervently we defended you and our union. ” Silence raises an eyebrow.
“Speak plainly. I’m too tired for riddles.” She jabs a finger at his chest. “Unless you’re just talking in circles to make yourself feel better.”
Silence scoffs. “Come now, love. I know your lessons would’ve taught you about what happens when one party steps outside their bond.”
“What does that mean?” she snaps, glancing between me and Silence. “You didn’t bite me, so we technically don’t have a bond.”
I swipe a hand over my face. “They really didn’t prepare you on the same level they did your sister.”
“Malice, can I borrow you for a small presentation?” Silence asks.
“Sure, why not?” His shadows spill around him, and he raises in the air until he’s the perfect height for his feet to touch the floor before sauntering over.
“Spoiler alert—I think your husband is about to kiss me.” He winks at Ali as Silence does exactly that.
He slams his mouth to Malice’s in an angry sort of kiss.
Ali groans, clutching at her chest. She wobbles, and my tentacles immediately stretch out to support her.
Malice and Silence pull back as Ali gasps, attempting to catch her breath.
“That, dear wife, is what we experience anytime you touch someone who isn’t us. Outside of Atlas, since apparently, you’ve also claimed him as a mate.” Silence sighs. “And yes, it’s significantly more painful when it’s sexual contact.”
“I didn’t know.” She takes a step toward him. “Wait, how didn’t I know? Wouldn’t I have experienced the same thing?”
“You would have. Mull that over.” Silence turns on his heel and walks out without another word.
“Gods,” Atlas mutters, running a hand through his hair as he looks at the floor.
“Right.” Malice rubs his hands together. The effect is strange as his shadows swirl around him. “You should very quickly practice positions, because we have guests expecting a show. And I should check on Kash’s shell.” He moves to the dark corner to siphon out with his shadows.
I’m not sure why, but I feel quite strongly that he’s heading to check on Silence. It makes it very difficult to hate him, despite the pain I’ve had to endure so that he can kiss and touch my wife .
Ali spins to face me, and she doesn’t fight my hold as I pull her closer. She opens her mouth to speak, but I bring a hand up, covering her lips.
“Atlas, if you wouldn’t mind? We should practice. We’ll want her visible enough that the audience feels satisfied, but also covered to the point they only have basic access.”
The orc nods his agreement, pushing off the couch and coming over as Ali studies me with a confused frown.
I shake my head.
Now isn’t the time for heartfelt conversations or discussions about where we went wrong.
The Den is fully set up to accommodate aquatic monsters as well as land dwellers. The stage we’ll be on tonight backs up to a water tank.
“We’ll open the curtain at the back of the stage. There will be limited access in the pool too. It’ll appear like any other show.” Saber sighs, watching my wife with a look I don’t like. “Are you sure you’re good with this?”
“Stop,” she says, jabbing a finger at his chest. “I’m not afraid of being on stage. Are you sure the glamor is convincing enough?”
“You look like Vivie. It’s weird as hell,” he admits, swiping a darkly tanned hand over his face. “Oh, by the way. She told me to make sure you put on a good show. She can’t have you ruining her sex appeal.”
Ali snorts. “That sounds like Vivie.”
Saber’s gaze moves to me. “You can go ahead. Get in the tank. Make a show of it. They like it when Laz has a dramatic entry. He wasn’t nearly as demanding with his instructions for you.”
My multiple hearts race. I have a single heart in human form, but in partially shifted and when I’m fully my monster, I have three. Without them, it wouldn’t be possible to pump blood to all my appendages simultaneously.
Saber gives me an expectant look, nodding to the glass.
I’m very much out of my depth with this entire situation, but I won’t fail at my job. Malice seems to think this little display to keep the agents happy is important. He hasn’t betrayed us yet.
“Thank you,” Ali says, gripping my arm and giving it a quick squeeze.
“I’ll see you out there,” I mumble, slithering away before I can embarrass myself. It’s strange to have my tentacles back and so easily at the ready.
I’ve missed them.
There are only two other monsters in the aquatic pond.