Chapter Thirty-Seven #2
“Breakfast.” He made a show of licking his lips, tucking his hands behind his head and noticeably flexing his large arms. His shadow marks seemed to dance with the movement, forcing me to bite back my smile.
“Absolutely not! My chest and lungs still burn, so I know yours do too!”
“After everything you’ve put me through in the last twenty-four hours, you really won’t do this one thing for me? I’m starving.”
“Oh, I’m sure you are. But I’m not doing that.”
“Listen, if there’s one thing I want to promise you, it’s that for every time I cum, you’ll do so three times.
” A gasp slipped past my teeth, my legs clenching involuntarily.
His smile grew wider, his hands moving to cup my thighs.
“Since we’re resting, I’ll make you a deal.
This morning, you’ll only cum twice, but you have to smother me in that perfect cunt of yours. ”
“You’re so vulgar, you know that?”
“I learned it from you.”
“Liar!”
He winked, shoving up my thighs and lifting me. I wiggled in his grasp, squealing until he dropped me onto his waiting face. Before I could lift myself back up, he slipped his tongue inside of me. Groaning, I caved, reaching forward and grabbing the headboard once more.
A hum of satisfaction vibrated against my clit, my body tensing as he squeezed my thighs and began devouring me.
He moved his tongue just as quickly as he did his fingers, the sensation like nothing I’d ever felt before.
Without thinking, I began moving my hips, feeling as his nose and chin began to rub against me too.
“Stars above,” I breathed, shuttering as he gripped my ass and forced me to move faster.
“Fuck my face, Little Void. Just like that.” His words were muffled and raspy, his tongue immediately getting back to work. I swore I could’ve ascended right then and there.
Suddenly, the front door burst open. I screamed, falling to the side and ripping the sheets over my body. Az sat up, blocking me with his body.
“Told you! Sex addicts!” Caleb shouted, laughter following in his wake.
I peeked around Az’s shoulder, spotting Zura by Cal’s side.
She blushed, pursing her lips as she covered her eyes with her hand, using the other to cover Caleb’s too.
The pair wore clothes they must have snagged from Az and I, the outfits not quite fitting. We’d need to get them more soon.
“Get out!” Azazel shouted, taking a pillow and hurling it towards Caleb, who dodged it with a smile.
“Sorry!” Zura said. “Desi told us to come check on you. She’s out in the ruins helping the others with fixing up a couple of the salvageable cottages.”
“No, you’re fine! We…we were just…”
“Getting started,” Az cut in. “So, actually, it isn’t fine!”
“Az!” I smacked his arm, wrapping the sheet tighter around myself and crawling around him. “Really, it’s okay. Are you guys hungry? I can make you all some food and then come help.”
“I’d love some food,” Cal said, walking over to the sofa and flopping onto it.
Growling like a crazed beast, Az stood, covering himself with the quilt. Zura looked up at the ceiling, her pursed lips rising at the corners and her face turning even more red. I let out a soft laugh, rolling my eyes.
“Get out, Cal,” Az ordered. “Now.”
“I’ll bring you all some breakfast once it’s done,” I said through giggles, watching as Caleb winked at Azazel. A short fight broke out, with Az smacking Cal across the head and Cal retaliating by ripping the quilt from Az’s hands. Zura screamed, covering her eyes again.
“Stars-dammit, Cal! Get out!” Az shouted, cupping himself with both hands.
Caleb burst into snorting laughter, laying an arm over Zura’s shoulders. “Come on, Blondie, let’s leave the addicts to their vices.”
“Sorry,” Zura muttered to me as they left.
As soon as the door closed, Az ran over and locked it, pushing his hands into the wood and bending forward slightly. His ass really was so perfectly round.
“You owe me an orgasm,” he said as he stood, finger pointing at me.
I beamed his way, letting the sheet fall to the ground. “I’ve got food to cook.”
Eyes glinting in the stunning mixture of sunlight and tech, he ran at me. I darted out of his way, heading for the bathroom. He caught me around the waist before I made it five feet, swinging me around, my skin aching but my chest floating.
“Four tonight then,” he whispered into my ear, sending shivers down my spine.
We dressed quickly after that, donning as many layers as we could for the cold day.
Once we were dressed, we hastily made as many sandwiches as we could, deciding breakfast wouldn’t be as portable.
By the time we were done, my mind had settled into an odd place.
I knew magic was a problem, and I mourned Elite Bargain along with all who I’d lost before her.
But now that I’d promised Az to stay, I needed to find another way to bring balance and safety back to Dajahim. To make the world right again.
“Before we go down there, I want to give you something.”
Surprised, I cocked my head. He stood there, his black sweater clinging to his torso, the low neckline revealing the brown shirt below. His silver hair was a perfect mess, the haircut he’d given himself a bit choppy but still handsome. Was he the gift? He looked like one.
While I would have taken him anytime, he did hold up his hand, revealing a small, black ring.
It was shaped like a snake, similar to the one I’d stolen from him at Elite Academy.
Tentatively, I reached out for it, grabbing the ring gently between two fingers.
It was heavier than I thought it’d be, and it had been given tiny criss-crossing lines to mirror scales.
“Try it on,” he urged. So I slid it onto my center finger, finding it was an exact fit. The snake appeared to crawl up my digit, the dark surface shining in the light.
“It’s beautiful. Did you make it?”
“I did. Desi helped me source better materials, and she even procured me some texts on oxidizing. We found the sulfur here on the island to make the ring black.”
“Wow,” I said, awe painting my voice. I stroked the metal, feeling oddly nostalgic. Maybe because Celeste used to love to make me gifts.
“I know it’s a snake, and that sort of has implications. But…well…I wanted you to have something similar to the one you pawned like a maniac. You changed my life that night. I don’t think you realize the impact you and your family had on me.”
“I love it. So, so much,” I said, the emotions building in my sore throat. I leapt into him, wrapping my hands around his neck and ignoring the ache of my body. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome,” he mumbled against my hair, holding me tightly. “I have a request though.”
Pulling back, I asked, “What is it?”
“After I couldn’t find you last night, I think I’m going to struggle to be away from you. There are very few reasons I would ever need to be, but I want to have a contingency plan in case. Would that be okay with you?”
“Yes, of course.” Tucking my hair behind my ear, I felt my cheeks heat, embarrassment painting me red. “I’m sorry for what I put you through. You were right, I didn’t think like I should have.”
He shook his head, pressing his lips to my forehead. “Just stay with me from here on out.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Ooo, I like that.” He pinched my side, tearing a yelp from my throat.
“Get off me.” I laughed, pushing him away. “So what does you knowing where I am have to do with the ring?”
“Everything. We’re going to charm them.”
Raising a brow, I asked, “How on Dajahim are we going to do that?”
“Take it off and squeeze it in your hands, along with mine.” He placed his snake ring beside mine.
I did as he said, holding the cold metal tightly in my palms. “Good. Now close your eyes.” Again, I listened, softly shutting my eyes.
Even sore from the smoke, his voice was a beautiful rasp as he spoke.
“Picture my snake ring now. Think of the shape, the color, the way it looks on my finger. Then think of me. Picture seeing me in different places, the ring always on my finger. What would it feel like to suddenly not know where I was? Consider the panic, the fear, the worry. Then imagine you calling to my ring. Imagine yours vibrating against your skin, tugging you towards me. Then, picture your shadows leaking out of your skin where the ring touched, wrapping around you in a cool embrace. What would they feel like? Look like? When you have the image in mind, picture them taking you right to me.”
Following his every instruction, I watched the imaginary scene play out in my mind, my shadows icy and strong as they twirled around me like my ring.
And when his hands gripped mine as my eyes remained closed, the rings began to move.
I felt the shaking, a sort of vibration beginning.
Our magic seemed to sizzle and burn, like the fire from the cathedral.
Opening my eyes, I watched as shadow tendrils danced along our hands, flitting back and forth. And then, as if nothing had happened, the shadows disappeared and our magic ceased. With a heavy breath, I looked up at Azazel. “Did it work?”
“I think so. We’ll have to be separated to test it. I sort of made it up as I went.” He scratched his head, a crooked smile flashing a single dimple.
Shaking my head, I slid the ring back on. “Well, regardless, I love it.”
“I love you.”
“You’re going to make me say it over and over again, aren’t you?”
“Oh, I’m never letting it go.”
“In that case, I love you too. Now grab some sandwiches and tell me where my cat is.”