CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE
33
Elara
The night terrors. The crippling fear. They were all just monstrous shadows cast by doubt, shadows that clung to me relentlessly.
Even when I felt like I’d fled their suffocating den, their viperous grip remained etched on my skin, on my very being.
And what could be more agonizing than reliving that nightmare, that paralyzing fear, not once, not twice, not thrice, but countless times? I’d lost track, these phantoms I desperately tried to outrun circling back with a vengeance. This time, they weren’t confined to the recesses of my mind, to the dusty shelves of memory. They’re here, right now, present with me.
“Xul, this is insane,” I muttered, the words meant to be a scream hurled at the encroaching shadows, but they withered into a mere whisper on my lips. Oh, for crying out loud. Snakes. I could still recall it all with terrifying clarity: the frantic thoughts, the searing memories forever branded into my soul. Like ghosts, my past voices resurfaced.
“Ugh, I hate snakes! Stop it, Loretta!” My younger self’s voice echoed, a desperate plea directed at my tormentor, Loretta. She was the sixth born of our chaotic brood – twelve daughters, a testament to Mom’s seemingly endless capacity for procreation. My aversion to snakes was no secret. Mom knew, all my siblings knew, yet who did they choose to terrorize with my deepest fear? Me, of course.
“Elarabeth, grow up,” Loretta sneered, the others erupting in laughter. She dangled the writhing snake by its tail, using it as a grotesque pendulum to terrorize me. My body recoiled, seeking refuge in the familiar embrace of the old oak tree.
“Stop it!” I shrieked, a primal cry laced with terror.
“Loretta, you better knock it off! Mom won’t be happy,” Bethany chimed in, her head buried deep in a book. She was always my knight in shining armor, the one who intervened whenever my siblings decided to exploit my phobia. They feared Bethany’s wrath – one complaint to Mom, and punishment was swift and absolute. Mom believed Bethany’s word over mine every single time.
Loretta’s face contorted in annoyance. “Ugh, Bethany, why do you always have to ruin my fun?” Her voice dripped with saccharine sarcasm.
“I don’t see anything fun—” The retort died on my lips as Loretta yanked the snake back towards my face with a cruel glee. I flinched, tumbling backward onto the unforgiving grass with a painful thud. The air whooshed out of my lungs in a surprised gasp.
“Hahaha!” Loretta cackled, the hyena-like sound echoing through the clearing. The others, emboldened by her display, joined in the chorus of cruel laughter. “You should’ve seen your face, Elarabeth...” Loretta started, contorting her features into grotesque parodies, further fueling their amusement.
Bethany sauntered over, a hint of a smile still lingering on her lips. I scowled, muttering, “Don’t laugh at me.”
“I’m trying not to. It’s just... funny,” she chuckled, a glint in her eyes. “You know, you should learn to get over your fears someday,” she added. “Here,” she offered, extending her hand to help me up.
I took her hand, and she pulled me to my feet while I brushed the grass off my clothes. Addressing her earlier comment, I muttered, “I doubt that—” but stopped short as I turned to see two snakes slithering through the grass toward me. I nearly shrank back in disgust.
But then, Bethany did something bizarre. She knelt on the grass, her hand outstretched towards the slithering creatures. To my utter disbelief, the snakes didn’t strike. Instead, they docilely approached her, allowing her to gently stroke their heads. A giggle escaped her lips, her dimples deepening. “Snakes are always so misunderstood,” she chirped. “Everyone thinks they’re deadly, venomous...”
“Well, they are!” I interjected, my voice laced with exasperation. My eyes rolled back in my head, incredulous at her naiveté.
A shiver ran down my spine as Bethany continued, her voice laced with a disconcerting calmness. “That’s why they’re misunderstood, Elarabeth. Friendly, even, if you get to know them. Deadly, of course, if you cross them.”
Her words, meant to be comforting, only made my eye twitch violently. Especially when, as if on cue, a slender serpent, emerald green with scales catching the dying sunlight like scattered jewels, slithered across the back of her hand. My stomach lurched. Oh gods, I think I’m going to be sick.
“Nature makes them that way, Beth,” I countered, forcing a semblance of composure. “They’re instinctually dangerous.”
Bethany rose gracefully from her kneeling position, the snake unfazed by the movement. “And here we are,” she countered, her voice laced with a quiet defiance that always managed to irk me, “half-witch, half-vampire. Hybrids, some might say. But are we inherently dangerous, El, or simply misunderstood? Popular narratives paint vampires as bloodthirsty fiends, devoid of compassion. Witches... well, according to page sixteen of that forbidden tome, ‘Tales of the Beginning: Shadows of Styxfall,’ they’re capable of far worse atrocities than any bloodsucker. Yet, do we judge them by their presumed nature, or by their individual actions? A witch can choose the path of light, just as a vampire can choose darkness. Even our parents, defying the natural enmity between their bloodlines, found love and built a family. Mother, a powerful witch, wouldn’t hesitate to eradicate a vampire… if that was truly her nature. And Father, no doubt, would reciprocate the sentiment.”
There it was, that infuriatingly reasonable tone. Bethany, ever the prodigy, the gifted one amongst the twelve of us. Her voice softened further. “See, El, it’s not about what we are, but what we choose to be. There are good witches, and evil ones. The same holds true for vampires, mermaids, fairies, witches, angels, demons and even…” – a mischievous glint flickered in her eyes – “snakes!”
I threw my hands up in exasperation. Here she was, once again, using some bizarre creature analogy to prove her point. The woman lived in her own little world of nature worship and creature empathy.
The difference between us? It wasn’t a chasm, but a canyon. She adored all things wild and crawling, while I wouldn’t share a campsite with a field mouse.
Animals, for her, were companions; for me, potential threats. Then there was the family dynamic. She, the undisputed golden child, bathed in Mother’s affection. Me? Lost in her shadow. And of course, the not-so-minor detail of her being the magical prodigy amongst the twelve siblings.
We were twins, yes, but alike in name only.
“Preach all you want, Bethany,” I spat, the words catching in my throat like dust. “It won’t change my mind about those slithering abominations.”
“Oh, come now, Elarabeth,” Bethany purred, a saccharine sweetness that sent shivers down my spine – not the good kind. “Just a touch. I can teach you a few simple spells.”
“So tempting. Really scraping the bottom of the barrel there. But that isn’t working on me.”
“I noticed you always wanted to learn how to cast spells, so I’ll be your teacher and you’ll be my pupil—as long as you can touch this snake,” Bethany said, almost making my body flinch.
“Ha ha, Beth, am I supposed to miraculously say ‘I accept’ or what?” I retorted.
“It’s a simple choice.”
“Well, a hard one.”
“Touch it.”
“Absolutely Not.”
And to this day, I never touched one. But the hiss of snakes still does something to me, making my body tingle.
I’ve managed to stay away from anything snake-related for a long time, and just when I felt I could resist them, Xul intends to punish me with one now. Fuck him. And when I mean ‘Fuck him’ I mean fuck him not the other way of actually fucking him.
In a fearful whisper, I said, “Xul, you’re insane.” He absolutely was. If he really wanted me to feel his wrath, he could’ve done it without...snakes. Oh lord. I promised myself if I utter the ‘S’ word again, I’m going to go crazy. I bit my tongue, hard, in fear. Xul wasn’t replying. Why wasn’t he replying?
When I heard the snakes coming closer, the hissing feeling as if it was right by my ankles, my body nearly lost it again. “You crazy son of a bitch, Xul, let’s get out of here—” I needed to get the fuck out. This so-called location was literally killing me, and the snakes were tormenting me. I was horny, but the fear of snakes was making the heat radiating off my body burn in a different way.
Silence. That’s all that greeted me. Why wasn’t Xul responding to me? Everywhere was dark, that much was certain, but I could still see a little bit with my vampiric sharp eyesight. His face seemed to smirk at my words, the perfect outline of it in the dark looking so hot that I wanted to touch it. I needed to feel it. I shook my head. No, Elara, he’s enjoying watching you lose your mind over some snakes.
“Xul, are you even registering a word I’m saying?” My voice rose a notch with each syllable, frustration prickling at my skin. Gods, the urge to smack that perfection he calls a face was a burning sensation. “You’re such a dickhead, Xul. Get me out of here. Now.” My voice wasn’t a plea anymore; it was a command, edged with a threat. I wasn’t one to make threats, and I didn’t even know how my tone had shifted, but who cared? I needed to be out of here. Now.
“Ooh, getting feisty, are we?” Xul drawled, his amusement dripping like honeyed venom.
“I’m fucking serious, Xul. Get me out—” I swallowed my words as I felt something slither against my skin. Oh fuck, no. It was exactly what I thought it was—a fucking snake had crawled up my leg. Panic seized me, a tremor running through my body. I vibrated my leg frantically, the sensation of the serpent tightening its grip only intensifying.
“Ahhh!” I screamed. “Get the fuck off my leg!” As if the snake could understand me. Panic surged through me as I turned my words back at Xul. “Get it off! Get it off! Get it off!” I pleaded, my voice trembling.
He smirked.
“This isn’t fucking funny, Xulin!” I snapped, not realizing I had used his full name.
“It’s not... Elarabeth,” he replied, mirroring the use of my full name with mock sympathy.
“Get ittt offfff!” I screamed, my voice hoarse, the words echoing uselessly in the confined space.
“It’s not even biting you, El,” Xul murmured, his voice a low caress that sent shivers down my spine. I glanced down, belatedly registering his words. He was right, of course. The serpent wasn’t biting, merely tracing a disturbing path across my skin, likely another facet of his infuriating enchantment. Even without the sharp nip of fangs, the creature’s slithering presence on my leg sent a wave of revulsion through me.
“So,” he continued, his hand tracing a languid path through my hair until his fingertips brushed the sensitive skin of my scalp. “...relax.” he urged, pulling me back into his embrace until the insistent press of his erection burned against me. A confusing mix of heat and discomfort ran through my body—the intensity of desire mingling with the irksome presence of the snake.
I wasn’t calm, and I certainly wasn’t relaxed, but his lingering touch had a cryptic, almost hypnotic effect on me. I tried to relax, hoping I could sustain it.
“...Now kiss me,” he commanded, his head dipping towards mine. The outline of Xul’s lips stood out against the inky blackness surrounding us. No matter how dark it was, I could never forget or resist Xul’s captivating aura. His lips, an object of constant obsession, beckoned me closer.
Damn it. I craved the press of his lips against mine, a yearning fueled by a potent mixture of desire and frustration.
However, the metallic tang of blood, a lingering reminder of Xul’s earlier bite, still clung to my own lips. Intriguingly, the wound refused to heal. As a half-vampire, cuts typically mended on their own, swiftly and effortlessly. This one, however, remained stubbornly open. The lack of sustenance – years since I’d indulged in blood – and the restrictions on my powers imposed upon me undoubtedly played a role.
Yet, the truth remained: I ached to kiss Xul, a potent cocktail of fear if another bite from him and desire swirling within me. His lips, oh those infuriatingly sexy lips... I succumbed to temptation, meeting his kiss with a single, tentative press of my own. It felt…incomplete.
“Really? Is that all you can do?” Xul’s voice, a husky murmur against my lips, held a hint of mockery.
A feverish urgency coursed through him. Xul dipped his head, his hungry lips claiming mine in a searing kiss. “This,” he rasped, his voice laced with possessive pride, “this is how you get things done, Elarabeth.” His tongue danced a demanding exploration against mine, mirroring the relentless rhythm of his thrusts. A fervent heat bloomed within me, spreading like wildfire. Fuck.
“This,” he growled, his previously gentle touch on my hair tightening into a bruising grip, “this is how you kiss... how you ignite a thirst so deep it consumes me.” My neck arched involuntarily, surrendering to the intoxicating storm brewing between us. The only thing that mattered was the frantic press of his lips against mine, the desperate exchange of unspoken desires.
When he finally broke the kiss for a fleeting moment, a playful challenge danced in my eyes. “Taking a breather already, Xul?” I purred, mimicking the mocking words he’d once used to taunt me.
A slow smirk curved his lips. “Not a chance, darling,” he murmured, his voice husky with desire. “Step back a little further, El.” My body, attuned to his every command, instinctively obeyed. I took a few hesitant steps backwards, the ground cool beneath my bare feet. My progress was abruptly halted by the unforgiving edge of a forgotten table.
“Sit on it, El,” he instructed, his voice a seductive rasp. Compliance flowed through me like a potent elixir. I perched precariously on the small table, the cool surface a stark contrast to the inferno raging within. “Legs up,” he commanded, his voice a low, urgent growl. I did as instructed, struggling to maintain my balance on the table’s limited surface. A soft whimper escaped my lips.
“I’m uncomfortable, Xul,” I murmured, the awkward position a delightful kind of torture.
Xul stretched languidly, the movement drawing a low growl from his throat as his gaze met mine. “What are you implying then, Elarabeth?”
Damn it. He knew exactly what I was hinting at. “I was hoping we could—” My voice caught in my throat as Xul’s lips descended on mine in a searing kiss, effectively silencing me.
When he finally pulled away, a husky whisper grazed my ear. “I rather like this position better, Elarabeth.”
Heat flooded my cheeks. “But I’m not quite—” I started, then backtracked. “Actually, I’d prefer to shift positions.” The words felt ridiculous tumbling out of my mouth. Why did I need his permission to move on this rickety table? Embarrassment pricked at me as I instinctively crossed my legs.
A dark chuckle rumbled in his chest. “Remember, darling, when I said to find something sturdy to hold onto?”
I nodded like a lovesick fool, of course I remembered.
“So, Xul,” I hedged, “can’t I use something else? This table…”
He raised a finger, tracing a slow line up my jawline, his thumb applying a firm pressure that sent shivers down my spine. “Consider yourself lucky, Elara. This godforsaken place offers very little by way of furniture.”
Wait. No furniture? Did that mean… nothing? Just this rickety table and the ‘S’ word I so dreaded to say. The very prospect that sent chills down my spine?
“Where exactly are we, Xul?” I questioned, now eager for answers.
“The middle of nowhere,” he replied with a cryptic smirk.
“I’d like to see it.”
“You already are.”
Frustration bubbled up. “Are you serious?”
A flicker of amusement danced in his obsidian eyes, which seemed to ignite with an inner fire. Was it magic? Those flames, burning so brightly in his irises, felt like gazing into the heart of a volcano. Burning need, desire, hunger – all reflected back at me with an intensity that stole my breath.
“You’re looking at it, Elara,” he rasped.
“Is it your eyes, or…”
He cut me off smoothly. “The darkness itself, darling.” My memory jolted back. Right. We were shrouded in complete darkness, the kind that promised doom, especially considering my current aversion to slithering companions.
“I get it now,” I finally said, understanding dawning at my voice.
He smirked. “And this is where both our desires are going to burn,” he murmured, his gaze burning with an intensity that mirrored the flames now dancing in his eyes. Before I could even begin to decipher his words, a low command rolled off his tongue. “Spread your legs.”
Damn. It was happening far sooner than I’d anticipated.
“Spread them,” he repeated with a hint of impatience, noticing my hesitation. My traitorous body, as always, obeyed his every command. A tremor ran through me as my legs parted on the unforgiving surface of the table.
“Wider,” he rasped, noticing my legs weren’t spread wide enough.
Perched precariously on the unforgiving surface of the table, a sliver of fear snaked through me.
The wider I spread, the closer I teetered on the edge of losing my balance altogether.
Yet, my traitorous body, forever susceptible to his allure, obeyed.
My legs trembled, inching further apart until a satisfied smirk spread across his face.
“Good girl,” he praised, his touch lingering along my jawline before trailing down my neck. His hand dipped lower, brushing over my breasts and then my stomach, finally slipping inside the open front of my gown to explore the bare skin of my lap. Raw and Exposed.
Just as my gaze instinctively flickered upwards, his voice, sharp as a whip, stopped me through the rising tide of arousal. “Don’t!” he growled. “Keep your eyes locked on mine. That’s all I crave to see.” His words struck a chord, and I found myself willingly complying, surrendering my vision to him entirely.
“You haven’t been wearing anything under there, have you?” His voice was a low rumble, laced with a hint of amusement and lust.
I swallowed, my breath catching in my throat. “Only sometimes,” I managed, a gasp escaping my lips.
“And when were those ‘sometimes’?” he pressed, his voice a velvet caress laced with a dangerous edge.
My throat tightened. “Whenever you were around,” I whispered, the admission a helpless confession.
A guttural groan escaped Xul’s lips as his hand brushed the sensitive skin near my vagina, a deliberate tease that sent shivers down my spine. “So, Elarabeth,” he rumbled, his voice a low caress, “you’ve been playing the seductress all this time, huh?” I nodded, unable to form words. My body burned with the heat of Xul’s touch and the embarrassment of my confession.
“You’re one naughty virgin, Elarabeth Vance,” he murmured, his voice dripping with wicked delight. “Such a pity I couldn’t claim you the moment you graced my sight.” Too bad I’m enjoying how Xul’s making me feel now because I’m completely losing my mind, forgetting that a goddamn snake is still coiled around my foot.
Fuck.
His hand roamed over my vagina, teasing me, heightening my senses. Xul was going to finger the freakish hell out of me. But as usual, it was just a tease, my body and core aching for more.
His hand moved up again, and his magic took over, lifting the gown from my body.
The remaining unloosed zipper slowly unfastened under his spell, the fabric cascading upwards as if levitating by an unseen force.
It ascended, brushing against my skin, until it reached my head, then vanished in a puff of displaced air.
A gasp escaped my lips, a mixture of awe and surprise at the ease with which Xul wielded his magic. It sparked a yearning within me for my own power, the mischievous spells I used to weave, the playful tricks I cast on Mom, Aric, and Lady Jen, all a distant memory now.
His gaze, molten and intense, burned into me. Though instructed not to waver, my eyes remained locked on his. But the heat of his scrutiny intensified my blush.
Unlike most Chimeran, I’d always reveled in concealing my form, a shield against the unwanted attention the Brothers of Sin inevitably attracted.
Yet, here I stood, utterly bare before Xulin, and the raw vulnerability of his gaze was strangely… intoxicating. A wave of heat washed over me, a physical manifestation of his desire reflected back onto me.
There was no denying it. I was naked. Every. Inch. Exposed.
A devilish glint flickered in Xul’s brooding eyes. “So this is what I’ve been denied, Elarabeth!” His gaze devoured me, lingering on the expanse of bare skin exposed by my gown.
A tremor ran through me as his cold hand drifted possessively upwards, its path a searing brand from my stomach to the swell of my breasts.
The touch sent a jolt of electricity through me, sparking a shiver that danced down my spine.
When his hand finally cupped my breast, the heat of his touch met the cool air, sending goosebumps erupting over my flesh.
He dipped his head, his lips brushing a searing kiss against the exposed peak.
Oh fuck.
“By the gods, Elara,” he murmured, his voice a husky caress against my ear, “you’re a goddess yourself.” A sharp nip at my left nipple sent a gasp escaping my lips. “This body,” he rasped, his voice thick with desire, “I could worship it forever.” His lips trailed down, finding purchase on the other peak. He took me in his mouth, a slow, deliberate suckle that sent shivers spiraling through me.
My body arched against him, a delicious ache blooming in my inner thighs. This was the god I craved, the one who could ignite a fire within me with a single touch.
I yearned for him to fill me completely, to explore every hidden pleasure, both earthly and perhaps even divine.
A soft moan escaped me as the bite returned, a counterpoint to the exquisite torture of his ministrations.
He alternated between gentle suckling and sharp nips, the sweet torture driving me to the edge.
Each gasp, each moan, was a desperate plea for more, for the release I desperately craved.
Yet, the bite, the sudden shift from pleasure to pain, was intoxicating.
It was a delicious paradox, a push and pull that sent my senses reeling.
Lost in the whirlwind of sensation, I clung to him, drowning in the exquisite agony he inflicted. I never wanted this moment to end. Fuck.
A delicious warmth pooled between my thighs the moment he stopped. The cessation of his touch was a tangible absence, a yearning for its return. I didn’t want this stolen moment to vanish. Never.
His gaze snapped to mine, “Elarabeth,” his voice a silken command. I met his eyes, their depths burning with flames.
“Yes, Xulin,” I replied, a tremor weaving through my voice.
“I’m hard,” he confessed, his admission sending a blush scorching my cheeks. “So fucking hard,” he added, a hint of lust dancing in his eyes.
“Me too,” I breathed, a sheen of perspiration gathering at my brow. “I’m wet, Xul.”
A devilish smirk played on his lips. “Already? I haven’t even begun your exquisite torment, Elarabeth.”
“Torment?”
“Don’t tell me you’ve forgotten so quickly, love,” his voice teased. A flash of movement, and his hand closed around one of my nipples, a firm pinch that sent a jolt of both pain and unexpected pleasure through me.
“That fucking hurts, Xul,” I gasped, biting my lip to stifle a whimper. The only tears escaping my face were those of ecstatic release, but Xul thrived on the exquisite edge of pain.
“Then cry out for me,” he commanded, his grip intensifying. A single, sharp nail dug into the tender flesh, the sting both agonizing and arousing. A moan, laced with a hint of whimper, escaped my lips.
“Good girl, Elarabeth,” he murmured, his voice a husky caress. “I know you revel in what I do to you.” His hold lessened, and his hand trailed down my trembling legs, finally settling against the core of my femininity.
Instinctively, I flinched, squeezing my thighs together.
I ached for Xul’s touch, yet the intimacy of his fingers there sent a wave of shyness crashing over me. Was I truly ready for him to explore that forbidden territory?
A tremor ran through me as Xul’s voice, a low rumble tinged with ravenous hunger, scraped across my ear. “Open your legs, El,” he murmured, his breath hot against my neck.
Heat flooded my cheeks, a familiar scarlet bloom. “Don’t touch there,” I whispered, the words barely a breath.
A playful glint entered his eyes. “But my mission, my dearest Elarabeth,” he countered, his voice dropping to a husky caress, “is to explore every delicious inch of you. To feel the echoes of the pleasure you’ve created, just for me.”
My gaze darted away, unable to meet the intensity burning in his. “I... I’m not used to this,” I stammered, the confession a blush in itself.
Xul chuckled, the sound a low vibration against my skin. “There’s nothing to be ashamed of, love. It’s just you and me.” He cupped my face, his thumb gently stroking a stray tear that escaped. “Now,” he murmured, his voice a silken whisper, “show me the wonders my goddess has crafted for me.”
My breath caught in my throat.
A delicious tremor snaked through me as I parted my legs, the vulnerability both thrilling and terrifying.
He knelt before me, his gaze reverent as it traced the path down my trembling thighs.
“Beautiful,” he breathed, his voice thick with awe. His touch was feather-light as he grazed his fingertips across the damp heat between my legs. A jolt of electricity shot through me as he lingered, savoring the remnants of my release.
With a slow deliberateness that sent shivers down my spine, he brought a single finger to his lips, the glistening pearl a stark contrast against his skin. He licked it clean, his eyes never leaving mine. The silent reverence in his actions ignited a fire within me, a desperate yearning to bridge the space between us.
“Delicious,” he murmured, his finger returning to explore. It circled the entrance to my pleasure center, sending a jolt of heat through me. Gods, this was happening.
“Surprised you’ve managed to stay a virgin for so long, El,” he mused, his voice husky. Then, with a slow, deliberate motion, he breached my untouched gateway. A gasp tore from my lips as his finger stretched me, a delicious ache blooming in my core. “This pussy of yours is fucking tight. It’s just a matter of time until it loses its elasticity.”
I moaned at his words. It was so fucking good.
His touch mimicked the rhythm of a lover’s possession, sending shivers of pleasure cascading through me. “How does that feel, El?” he asked, his voice a low rumble.
“G-good,” I stammered, the pleasure stealing my breath. “I... I like it,” I confessed, my voice barely above a whisper.
“It’s so fucking slow, El,” he drawled, the single finger he’d embedded in my warmth picking up its pace to match his vampiric speed. The sensation was both intense and rough, sending shivers down my spine, both pleasurable and a touch alarming. “Now this,” he purred, his voice a low rumble, “this is what I’m talking about.”
My moans escalated, eyes fluttering closed as the feeling intensified. A gasp escaped my lips as he leaned in, his lips capturing mine in a heated kiss that swallowed my protests whole.
Just as abruptly, he pulled back. Then, a teasing glint appeared in his unseen eyes. “Enjoying yourself, Elarabeth? Can you guess what comes next?”
The question hung in the air, unnecessary as my moans provided the only answer he craved.
“Snakes,” he uttered, the word sending a ripple of unease through me. Only a moment later, the meaning sank in. Then, a tremor ran through my body as I remembered the loathsome serpent residing within my leg.
“No!” I gasped, the word escaping my lips before I could filter it.
His finger, still embedded within me, hesitated. Though a part of me craved his touch to continue. But another, stronger part recoiled. He withdrew his hand, leaving a delicious void behind.
“No snakes,” I repeated, my voice husky with a mixture of desire and trepidation.
“I insist,” he purred, his voice laced with a seductive persuasion.
A strangled gasps escaped me. “Absolutely not,” I countered, my voice firm despite the fluttering in my stomach. “I will not have that…reptile…near me.”
“But you have one on your leg, don’t you?” he countered, a hint of amusement coloring his voice.
“Well, it still irks me! I loathe it, and I want it out. And I am not letting you put snakes on me—”
He chuckled, a dark, husky sound. “Remember, Elara, you granted me access. My invitation allows me certain liberties.”
“You can have your desires, Xul,” I conceded, my voice laced with steely resolve, “but my body remains a snake-free zone.”
A sardonic smile played on his lips, barely visible in the darkness. “I’m the one who decides, and I decide the next step in our desires.”
Even though I liked that he said “our,” the thought of snakes on me still made my skin crawl. It was a nightmare I never wanted to face.
“Xul, no sna—”
“Shhh, El!” Xul shushed me mid-sentence before I could finish as he repeated his words. “I decide, not you.”
This was the price of letting Xul in.
The man thrived on pushing boundaries, his brand of intimacy a delicious blend of danger and desire that left me breathless, both in frustration and exhilaration.
My body, still navigating the uncharted territory of intimacy, was a battleground between fear and a strange, exhilarating thrill.
“And that is...” He trailed off, and I silently prayed, please not snakes, please not snakes, please not snakes. But who was I kidding? Xul’s brand of intimacy definitely involved torturing me with my greatest fear: snakes.
When he said, “...Snakes,” my heart felt like it had already exploded. Fantastic, just fantastic. More nightmares to add to the overflowing collection.
“You absolute sadist,” I muttered, teeth gritted. Then, a sound. A hiss. Not just one, but a chorus of them. Dear gods, please don’t be a hundred. I swear, if I die from snake-induced anxiety, it’ll be the most ridiculous obituary ever written. “So, what then? You’ve summoned snakes. Are you going to command them to bite me, or are they just going to watch us have sex?”
A low chuckle rumbled from Xul’s chest. “I’m going to be the one watching.” he said, his voice a low purr that sent a conflicting jolt of fear and apprehension through me. “Just watching.”