Chapter 10
Sybil
Calloused hands were on me, brushing trails of flames down the planes of my stomach.
My skin felt sensitive, so sensitive against that tender touch.
Soft lips slowly followed behind, tracing a line along my jaw and down my neck, each kiss adding tinder to the fire.
I tipped my head back, moaning when those lips wrapped around my nipple, pulling it in, sucking and nipping.
I whined when they moved, but the noise caught in my throat when a finger slid against my center, slowly dipping inside.
A dark chuckle rasped against my breast. “Already so wet for me.”
I opened my eyes, peering down at the deep, rumbling voice.
Crimson eyes stared back, dark and wanting.
I watched Kieran kiss his way down my stomach, his fingers slowly pumping in and out.
I wanted more. I wanted him deeper in the places where I ached for him to go.
But he wouldn’t give me the satisfaction.
He wanted me begging for more, refusing to give in unless I pleaded.
His warm lips traveled lower, but too far from where I needed him. His fingers were still moving slowly, opening my legs wider until I was completely baring myself to him. He kissed the inside of my thigh before moving to the other side.
“Are you ready to give in yet?” he asked, his voice like velvet against my skin.
I whimpered, feeling every word vibrating to my core, but I didn’t say a thing.
I couldn’t, not when need consumed my entire being.
I watched him slide those lips down my thigh, edging closer to my center.
Pleasure flickered in his eyes, and that sinful smile of his spread across his face before he traced a line with his tongue against my clit.
I groaned, my skin feeling too tight, my body an inferno. He pressed a small kiss against that bundle, and sparks jolted through my veins.
“Well?” he asked, giving me another small kiss.
But I couldn’t take it anymore; I couldn't take this teasing. I needed him, and I needed him now. “Please,” I whispered.
The word had hardly escaped my lips before his mouth was on me.
I cried out, my back arching off the bed.
I tried to move against him, but his hand held me firmly in place while those deft fingers pumped faster, deeper, working me into a frenzy.
He sucked and licked as if I were his last meal, like I was the best thing he had ever tasted.
I ran my hand through his hair, pushing him further against me.
He groaned, unleashing himself on me. His touch grew wilder, more feral.
The tension built up, higher, until finally my climax crashed through me.
I bowed off the bed, yelling out, holding him still against me as pleasure washed over me, wave after wave.
I fell back onto the bed, and Kieran looked up, his eyes so intense. “Next time, you’re mine, Princess.”
I jerked awake, my heart and core pounding furiously.
My skin felt hot, slick with sweat. I could feel myself dripping with lust. Swearing, I jumped out of bed, rushing to the bathtub.
I turned the water on, making it as cold as I could.
Once the tub was full, I dipped into the frigid water, the cold taking my breath away.
Flashes of Arianna and the dungeon rushed through my mind, seizing my lungs, but I pushed through the queasiness that followed, forcing myself to breathe. I wasn’t there with Arianna. I was safe.
Dewy light streamed through my windows with the morning sun. I would need to leave soon, and I couldn’t have myself hot and bothered on a two-day journey. So, I sat there, letting the cold water cool my scorching skin.
After a few minutes had passed, I was just about to stand when the door to my bedroom flung open. Yelping, I sank further in the water, using my arms to cover myself when Ivara came into the doorway.
“Taking a little bath, Sybbie?” she smirked, her eyes dipping to the water.
“What?” I breathed. “No, get out!”
Ivara’s silky laugh echoed through the bathroom. “Oh, come now. It’s nothing I haven’t seen before. I promise I won’t bite.”
“Ivara!”
“Oh, fine,” she huffed, pursing her lips into a pout. “I’ll give you some space to dress. But hurry, we’re leaving soon.” She laughed again, leaving me alone in the bathroom.
“For fuck’s sake,” I whispered to the water, my face burning. I leaned forward, making sure she was truly gone before stepping out of the tub and getting dressed.
Dressed in my black leathers with my bag hanging from my shoulder, I stepped out of my room, my cheeks still pink after Ivara’s intrusion.
I glanced around the room, hoping to find the shadow cat, but all I saw was an empty room.
After entering the palace last night, the cat hid itself within the darkened walls, disappearing from sight.
Even as I dressed myself, it never reappeared.
Once I was ready, I found Daelan, Ivara, and Samian waiting for me in the hallway.
Daelan wore a uniform like mine, his powerful muscles on full display, while Ivara wore a set of traveling clothes.
Her creamy pants were loose but cuffed near her ankles, and her light blue shirt looked as if it wrapped around her body.
She wore a belt with a small metal rod hanging down from her hip.
My eyes paused on the rod that seemed so out of place. “What is that?”
Ivara pulled it from her belt and pressed a hidden button along its smooth surface.
The rod shot out, growing into a long spear with a small, sharp blade at the end.
My eyes widened as I studied the beautiful designs carved along the metal.
“I never go anywhere without it,” she smirked, her eyes sweeping along my body.
Ivara chuckled, the sound velvety soft as she threw an amused glance toward Samian. Catching her stare, Samian smirked and tilted his head to the side before his eyes met mine. “Have any interesting dreams last night?”
My mouth gaped open while Daelan glanced between the three of us, his eyebrow raised in question. My face turned a brilliant red when I realized he must have seen my dream, and I looked away, cursing. But I bit the inside of my cheek, fighting my smile.
I felt Samian walk up behind me, the pull of the mating bond tugging at my soul, wanting to draw us closer.
When I turned to him, he rubbed the back of his neck.
His body was tense, and he looked nervous.
My heart cracked, my stomach twisting in shame.
I did that. I was the one who caused him to feel so uncertain about us.
I could still hear Vivi’s soft voice whispering in my ear.
Follow your heart, she said. You need to follow your heart to survive what’s to come.
When she said those words, too soft for anyone to hear, it was all I could do to hold back my tears and keep the fate Queen Cassia told me to myself.
But I still wasn’t ready to tell them. Not yet.
I still needed to face it myself, though I would rather hide away and hope that it never came.
My guilt doubled when I noticed Samian’s throat bob before he spoke. “Be safe on your journey,” he said. There was a slight crack in his voice, as if it was destroying him to stay behind.
“I will,” I murmured, giving him a reassuring smile. I stepped closer to him, rising on my toes and pressing my lips against his cheek. It was too soon for anything more, but I could at least do this.
Samian’s eyes were wide when I stepped back.
I wasn’t even sure he was breathing. But before he could say anything else, Ivara laced her arm around mine and led me down the hall.
When I glanced back at Samian, Daelan had his hand on Samian’s shoulder, speaking in a low voice.
Samian nodded, his eyes meeting mine before I turned the corner, leaving the hallway behind.
We stayed linked by the arm until we made it to a hallway filled with servants.
To keep up with our guise, Ivara unlinked her arm from mine, stepping in front of me.
Her face slid into a soft, pleasant look, one worthy of her noble title, though she gave several of the ladies a flirtatious smile, making them blush as we passed along the way.
Daelan stayed behind me, however, and by the way the court ladies giggled, he was probably flashing them the same charming smiles. It was an effort not to roll my eyes.
We finally made it to the front, where a unit of soldiers waited, along with two carriages. They looked so pristine, reeking of power and money. A servant came up to us, taking my bag and Ivara’s, though Daelan kept his on his shoulder.
We followed the servant to the last carriage, watching them strap our bags to the back, my nerves eating away at me at the thought of this journey.
The door to the other carriage swung open, and Ambrose stepped out, his eyes immediately finding me.
I froze, keeping my face as blank as I could.
My palms prickled under his perusal, but I fought against the urge to move them.
Ambrose made his way toward me, his lips thinning, his eyes cold and pointed.
His face was paler than usual, more sunken in, as if he hadn't slept in days. “Since these carriages hold only two at a time, you’re to ride with Lady Ivara,” he said flatly.
I nodded, but kept my mouth shut, which only seemed to provoke him more.
He roughly grabbed my jacket, pulling me to him.
My heart leapt into my throat, and I could feel his breath, hot and wet, against my ear.
“Remember what I told you about letting others touch you.” Pushing me away, I swallowed down my revulsion and stepped into the carriage.
Ivara climbed in behind me, dropping into her seat with a sigh. I sat opposite of her but didn’t dare look at her. Instead, I looked down at my hands, frowning. The black bands around my wrists poked out from the cuffs of my jacket. Disgust churned in my stomach at the sight.