Chapter Thirty-Six
B ellamy scouted out the best area he could find about a mile from the forest edge. When he finally decided on a spot, I promptly sat in the grass, hugging my knees to my chest and trying to resist thinking. Or feeling. As much as I hated to admit it, Bellamy was a good companion. He let me be, content with giving me the space I needed. The demon asked nothing of me other than to drink water.
I sat there, staring at the star-filled sky while he made a fire, casting a dull light to break through the darkness. Then I watched as he somehow wove shadows into shelter and bedrolls. Words were inadequate to explain my utter shock at the magic. Bellamy must have noticed, because he let out a low chuckle and a quick explanation.
“Think of it like portaling, but rather than using the raw magic to transport myself, I am calling onto items I have laced with my essence.” He smirked, the first smile I had seen from him since we entered the forest. It seemed he was over my near-death experience now that we put some distance between us and the battle grounds.
In fact, the demon looked almost energized. As if the fight had recharged his spirit. Or maybe, based on the way his eyes raked over me, it was the fact that we were alone. He was sorely mistaken if he thought anything would happen between us again. Ever.
“You better stop looking at me like that. If not for the fact that I have the distinct urge to murder you, then simply because I have somehow vomited more in the last couple of weeks than in my entire life, and I just might do so once more.” Bellamy’s stare suddenly felt heavier, full of concern. I could not stand seeing him look at me that way, with fake compassion. “Do not think I am unaware that you are the common factor, demon.”
It seemed nothing could break his mood. Instead of responding, he simply pointed to the largest tent in the clearing. I looked over at it, raising a brow.
“Are you telling me to go to my room, Your Highness?” I asked with an eye roll.
“Merely suggesting. If not to rest, then to wash up. As much as I would love to clean every inch of you with my tongue, I imagine you would prefer the hot water.”
His gaze raked over me once more, making my skin flush and my stomach knot. Then he was up, walking over to the tent right next to mine. I counted five in all, which meant I would likely be sharing with someone, but as long as it was not him, then I would be fine.
“There is warm water inside,” he said over his shoulder.
I got up, my body cracking with each movement. The training had left me sore, but the fighting had done no favors. It seemed Ranbir’s power did not extend to discomfort. I made my way to the tent, parting the fabric and stepping into a wonderfully warm enclosure.
There was a cot on either side, furs piled on top of both, and a small bath in the center. I struggled to see with the lack of light. I would need to either bathe in the dark or take a chance with allowing the flap to remain open. Unwelcome thoughts tended to find me without the light, so I opted for leaving them open.
I made quick work of the bath, which had warm water as Bellamy had said it would. My stare stayed trained on the opening of the tent, not trusting the demon to keep his eyes to himself. But he did, not once walking by the entrance.
When I was done, I dressed myself in the long-sleeved tunic and thick trousers that were folded in the corner, both all black. I could not find any undergarments apart from a small band that would support my breasts, which would have to do. I laced up my boots and latched my cloak before once more finding my way outside. Bellamy sat there, facing the fire with a small pile of dried meat next to him. I quickly swiped a piece as I passed, opting to sit across from him. Every part of my body cried out when I bent over to sit, a groan leaving my lips.
“The only moans that would escape that pretty mouth would be of pleasure if I had anything to say about it,” he said, standing and moving towards me like a predator on the hunt. My eyes grew large, his insinuation sparking a fire in my core that I had been steadily snuffing out.
Stupid demon was being far more bold tonight than normal.
“In your wildest dreams you would still never have me beneath you,” I hissed at him. Of course, that wicked smile appeared, as if he enjoyed the chase. Despite that, he still seemed to be assessing me, checking my wellbeing. Was he distracting me with banter?
“Well I can definitely confirm that you are wrong, but that is beside the point. You owe me your thoughts,” he said, closing the distance between us and sitting beside me.
Black smoke curled around my shoulders, the smell of him stronger. For a moment I thought he was going to dump me somewhere, but then the smoke suddenly had weight to it. As it disappeared, a blanket emerged, covering my body.
I looked at him, noting the crinkles at his eyes and his soft smile. Who admits to having sexual fantasies about someone to their face, and then smiles like that? His confidence with me was jarring, as if he was just waiting patiently for me to submit.
Clearly, he thought that he was some irresistible prince that even his prisoner would fall for. He was sorely mistaken. Two could play at that game, and I did not plan on losing.
“You want to know what I am thinking?” I asked in a sultry voice. I allowed my eyes to float down to his lips, not having to fake the response of my body. I had tasted him before, and I knew that if I did it again, I would not be able to stop.
The demon gave a nearly imperceptible nod, his body otherwise stiff. Arousal radiated off of him when I leaned in, my own breath quickening. I maintained a slow pace, stopping just inches before our lips touched.
Heat filled the air between us, and I knew that I had him, though I also had myself unfortunately. A quick glance down told me that he was eager to see what I would do next, his leather pants straining against the size of him already.
“I am thinking of things that do not require talking,” I whispered against his ear. A shudder ran through him, and his erection grew impossibly larger. I grabbed onto his chin, tilting his face down to my own. His eyes were burning, a blue flame of desire.
Once more I brought my face to his, this time our lips brushing together. Closing my eyes, I took in one last breath.
“Such as this,” I rasped. And then I brought the meat I had snagged earlier between us, ripping a piece off with my teeth, before backing away with a smirk.
Bellamy’s eyes bore into me, his stunned expression quickly morphing into one of need. He launched himself towards me, grabbing the nape of my neck and pressing his body into mine until my back was against the dewy grass. Gasping for air, I looked up at him with wide eyes.
Moments ago, I had told him I would never be beneath him, and yet, I did not think I would let him move off if he tried. His tongue darted out, wetting those tempting lips. I could feel the cool bite of the many rings on his fingers against my skin, and somehow it was a temptation rather than a discomfort.
Over and over again I reminded myself that he was the enemy. I told myself that he had kidnapped me, lied to me, betrayed me.
He was evil.
He was wretched.
He was The Elemental, the demon prince.
He was…so beautiful.
“Tell me to kiss you. Tell me you want this—that you want me. Give yourself to me, Princess,” he demanded, fist tightening in the hair at the nape of my neck.
I swallowed, struggling to get the food down with the lump in my throat. Somehow the nausea had subsided, though a part of me wished it would return and act as an excuse. I would not, could not, give in to him.
He ground his hips into me, likely annoyed by my reluctance, that bulge creating a delicious friction against the wetness between my thighs.
Gods, if I did not stop this now, then I was doomed. I pressed my hands to his chest, my breath coming in strained pants. Bellamy stilled, waiting for me to push him off. Waiting for the rejection he expected from me.
I pictured the last time I was touched, kissed, held. None of them were joyous, in fact the memory brought pain. Sterling had been the last to taste my lips, and I had not wanted it. Perhaps he would always haunt my dreams, but I did not have to let him have that ownership of me. To be my last.
Acknowledging that allowed me to let go of the anger and betrayal I felt towards Bellamy, at least for the moment. Without those negative feelings, there was nothing stopping me. So I did something I had promised myself I would not do. I gave in.
My hands fisted the demon’s cloak, pulling him down and crashing his lips onto my own. At first he did not return the kiss, though he also did not make a move to back away. Aggravated by his sudden hesitation, I wrapped my arms around his neck and bit down on his bottom lip, eliciting a husky growl from him.
Then he was everywhere. His tongue, his hips, his chest, every part of him touching every part of me to the point that I was no longer sure where he ended and I began. I struggled my way free of the boots that I had, thankfully, tied loosely. In response to my wiggling, his free hand moved to my own, bringing it above my head and securing it there. The one pressed against the nape of my neck followed suit, his thighs trapping my legs. I was left unable to move, and enjoying every second of it.
Bellamy broke the kiss, tracing his way down my throat, stopping at that sensitive spot above my collarbone. I moaned, a loud and untamed sound. I felt his fingers undo my cloak, tugging it from below me and tossing it to the side. No rational thoughts entered my mind, the need for him drowning me. All I could think was that his touch was electric, an intoxicating pleasure, and I never wanted him to stop.
“You are everything, Asher. The beginning and the end and every moment in between,” he whispered against my skin. I had no idea what he meant, and the way that my head was spinning at the flick of his tongue stopped me from attempting to. His mouth began lowering ever so slowly, shivers following in his wake.
He made his way down my torso, stopping at the hem of my top. I peered down at him, catching the raise of a brow and nodding in silent confirmation. He flashed a devilish grin, and then ripped the fabric in half, exposing my bound chest. The cold air was a shock, and nearly enough to pull my wits back to the front of my mind. But this time, he did not ask for permission, opting to latch onto the garment with his teeth. The edges of them grazed my skin as he slowly tugged my breasts free.
His mouth was on me in an instant, sucking in a peaked nipple. I gasped at the heat of his tongue, which managed to make the chilly night a sensual caress. Every nerve in my body was alight with the very fire that ran through Bellamy’s veins. The tips of his fingers tickled and warmed me, that same flame kissing me as well.
I wanted more. I needed more.
Grabbing his other hand, I brought it down my stomach and rested it on the button of my trousers—a demand. Bellamy’s laugh vibrated against my nipple, sending waves of pleasure through my body. I leaned into him, far too tired to resist my natural response.
“I thought I was eager,” he teased.
I opened my mouth to offer a sarcastic retort, but the damned male was faster. His hand shot into my trousers with a kind of efficiency that told me he was fairly practiced, fingers meeting flesh in a way that made the stars seem to shine brighter. My back arched up as he explored slowly around that throbbing bundle of nerves. I was horribly uncontrolled, a consistent low thrum of sighs leaving my lips.
“So wet,” he purred as his fingers sped, then slipped lower to tease my entrance. Never had someone’s voice threatened to bring me to the edge, but this cursed demon’s did.
His lips met mine at the same time I reached between us, stroking the bulge in his trousers to tell him with actions rather than words that I wanted this—him. The moan that he offered my lips was erotic, a deep melody of longing and hunger.
He froze for a moment, then pulled back, separating our lips. There was something in the way his stare bore into me, as if he were peering at my soul and did not mind what he saw. I felt my heart skip a beat, a bit of panic finding its way into my chest. That look was more than simple lust.
“Choose me, Princess,” Bellamy breathed. His hold on me tightened as he pulled me up, fingers slipping out of my pants and our bodies pressing together. The tone of his voice was more of a plea than a demand. A second passed before I registered what he had said, tensing at the request.
I had no words for him. My thoughts were utter chaos, my pulse a beating drum. Nothing and everything were being said at the same time with my silence. Still, Bellamy pressed on, as if the pain of rejection hurt far less than the agony of not trying.
“I can give you everything. I can make you happy. Stay with me, and I promise I will always be yours. Choose me, and I vow to never stop choosing you. Be mine, Asher,” he rasped against my ear, his hot breath a tickle and his words a dangerous promise. My head was spinning with the need for him, my heart racing from the fear of what he was asking of me.
I could lie, placate him just to have this moment. But for some reason, I was unable to form the words.
That hesitation was all it took.
Bellamy kissed my shoulder softly.
“I think you should get some rest,” he whispered.
He let me go, fixing the band for my breasts before leaning away from me to remove his top and place it over my head. The view of his exposed chest and arms was no help. He was all muscle, looking as if he were honed for a never-ending battle. Those strange tattoos stood out in contrast to the white of his skin, as if someone had taken kohl and drawn on him lazily.
After I pulled my arms through the sleeves, he reached down beside us, snatching up my cloak. He wrapped it around me, placing a soft kiss between my collar bones. Then he grabbed my boots, putting each one on my feet and lacing them before standing once more.
He made his way to his tent, his back flexed and emotions barely locked down. I waited for him to look back. To explain. To say anything else. But he did not.