14. Willow #2
Rhune leaves the room and returns with three “cups” and a crystalline canister full of a blue-colored substance.
There’s a loud pop as Rhune pulls the stopper out, and he begins filling each of the cups with a generous amount of the drink.
Despite the name, the viscosity is closer to blood than sap, and as it flows, the liquid shimmers as if someone dumped a ton of baker’s glitter into the vat.
I have to use both my hands to grip the massive demon-sized cup Rhune passes to me, and I’m surprised at the warmth emanating from the stone. Bringing it close to my face, I inhale deeply through my nose, but it doesn’t appear to have a scent—at least, not one detectable by my human nose.
I slide my tongue out to sample it. Hmm. No taste, either. “Is it like alcohol?”
“It’s an intoxicant. It heightens emotions, dulls inhibitions, and generally gives you a good feeling,” Nyx explains.
“So just like alcohol.” Now, I’m feeling brave enough to go in for a sip.
There’s no real flavor, but the liquid flows across my tongue like warm honey, soothing my throat on the way down and warming my insides.
Within moments, I feel a buzz that’s akin to taking two tequila shots in a row, and decide it’s best to pace myself.
“Do you not like it?” Rhune asks as I place the cup down on the floor beside me.
“It’s not that. I think it affects me more than you guys because… you know.” I hiccup, my eyelids lowering as my head fills with a pleasant warm numbness. “I gotta take it slow.”
“That’s probably for the best.” Rhune nods in understanding. “How do you feel?”
“Good. A little loopy. A little giggly. Somewhat sleepy.” I shrug, my lips spreading into a wide grin. “I’m just happy to be here.”
Nyx raises his brows. “You really are feeling it.”
“Mhmm.” I nod, patting the space next to me on the furs. “Come on! Don’t just stand around looking awkward. Come sit with me.”
I know it’s the welwig drink that’s got me feeling so open, and it’s honestly nice to turn my overthinking brain off for a bit and just enjoy the moment.
Nyx and Rhune seem to be on board with my plan. They take their places on either side of me, each of them working hard to adjust the furs to the exact way I like it. Once I’m nice and cozy, Rhune offers me my cup of welwig drink, and I take another large sip.
“I will miss this,” Rhune whispers. “Getting to hold you like this. Watching you smile. Hearing your voice.”
“Don’t forget the beautiful sound of her laugh.” Nyx’s gaze heats my profile. “The most wondrous melody there ever was.”
“I’m going to miss you, too.” I whisper, leaning back into their embrace. More than I want to admit.
Some time later, when I’ve had a little too much welwig drink and I’m nice and warm and cozy, I’m lulled into another deep slumber. And just like the other times, I dream…
There’s a slight pressure on my chest, waking me from my sleep—but try as I might, I can’t get my eyelids to open.
A warm hand caresses my face, soothing the violent thrumming of my heart and filling me with a deep sense of calm.
The tips of the claws brush my jaw, tickling me and bringing goose bumps to the surface of my skin.
My mouth curves in a smile, but then the hand wraps around my throat, and my grin turns to a wince. The hand tightens, forcing the air from my windpipe until my mind is swimming and desperation is clawing through my veins.
My eyes finally spring open, and I’m shocked to find Rhune crouching over me. His grip loosens, allowing me to take a shallow breath, but he doesn’t let up. His eyes are wild, his expression crazed, and with each passing heartbeat, I watch the last threads of his control snapping.
He leans down, licking up my neck, and I cry out as liquid fire courses through my system—a heat that is only dulled when Rhune peppers my chest and shoulder with kisses. Just when the fire begins to die, his teeth snap out, and he bites my shoulder—hard.
I gasp, arching my back as pain and pleasure mingle, driving me mad with desire. My mind blanks, shatters, fills with a million different voices and screams. And at the very back, rising above the others, is a voice I know well. But it only says two words.
Wake up.
I try to ignore it, but it gets louder, followed by a cacophonous thudding that shakes the world around me. Incessant and desperate, it screams, demanding I bid its will. Forcing me to comply.
Wake up!
My eyes snap open, and I’m greeted with the familiar sight of the lair’s luminescent ceiling. My heart is thrumming like I just ran a marathon, and the space between my legs is wet, reminding me of my dream.
Too real. It felt way too real.
I look over at Rhune, but he’s sound asleep. My eyes trace his features, the strong set of his jaw and full lips. The proud swoop of his horns. Suddenly, I’m struck with the desire to reach out and touch them. To run my tongue over the ridges.
I jerk, shocked at those uncharacteristically dirty thoughts. Pushing them to the back of my mind, I force my gaze away from Rhune, left ashamed and wanting.
It’s just because of the dream. That’s it. I just need to have some normal, non-sex-dream sleep.
With a deep sigh, I settle back into the furs, forcing my eyes closed as I listen to the deep snores of the demons at my sides. However, just as I’m about to fall back asleep, there’s a distinct rustling sound coming from the doorway.
Cracking an eye open, I gaze toward the exit, noticing that the covering is moving. Like a breeze has blown in. Or a creature…
The tugging sensation in my chest decides now is a good time to activate. The invisible chord pulls against my heart muscles, stealing my breath with its insistent yanking and flooding my veins with fire. Only, it doesn’t hurt. It kind of feels good.
What the…
Clutching a hand to my thumping heart, my eyes sweep the room. Looking, searching for… something.
There’s a gentle nudge at my side, and I gaze downward, my eyes widening in shock as I take in the sight of Rhune’s pink capybara. His flat snout is pressing firmly against the back of my hand, soft lips twitching and tickling my skin and he scents me.
I let out a sigh of relief. So much better than a blood-thirsty creature sneaking in to eat me while I slept…
“What are you doing here, cutie pie?” I keep my voice soft so as not to wake the demons. “You want some snuggles too?”
I reach out to give it some scratches, but as soon as my fingertips brush his coarse fur, Sasu snaps his head up, glowing pink eyes burning into my soul.
What the…?
Before I have time to react, Sasu whips his head, sinking his blunted teeth deep into the flesh of my palm. His bite is powerful enough to break the skin, and I let out a small yelp as a sharp stab of pain travels up my arm.
Just as soon as it happened, Sasu releases me, sitting back on his haunches like the action never occurred. And maybe I am going crazy, because it almost looks like he’s… proud.
Rhune’s arms curl protectively around my stomach, his fingers splaying over the spot where my heart is beating erratically. Rising up on one arm, he pulls me onto my back, searching my expression with a look of deep concern.
“I heard you yell. What’s wrong, pup?” he whispers, reaching up to caress my face. “Did you have a bad dream, like Cin?”
I shake my head, then cast a glance toward the capybara. “Sasu… he bit me.”
“He what?”
“Bit me. Just opened those chompers wide and sunk them into me.” I clutch my palm to my chest. “Don’t be mad at him.
It was probably my fault for spooking him…
” I suck in a sharp breath through my teeth as a fresh wave of agony travels up my arm.
It’s like the spot he bit is on fire, and it’s growing worse by the second. “It fucking hurts, though…”
“I’ll help you, my willow.” Rhune reaches out for my hand, pulling it up to his face to inspect the wound. As soon as his eyes lock on the spot I was bitten, his entire body tenses, and a pleasurable shudder runs through him..
“Willow… you chose me…” His mouth tips into a manic smile, baring his bright, pointed canines. At the same time, his eyes flare, coloring the walls a beautiful shade of magenta as the last thread of his control snaps.
“What are you talking about?” I whisper.
Silently, he flips my hand so the back is toward me. Instead of the typical pale skin I’m used to seeing, there is now a large, glowing pink rune—just like the one painted on the front of his bedroom door. The same one glowing on the back of his palm.
“Mine,” he repeats. “My mate.”