Chapter Forty-Three
REXTON
CASSIA’S HAPPY. ELATED. Fucking ecstatic.
The emotions slam into me, so intense and potent that my footsteps momentarily falter. I’m relieved, and I fight back a smile as her feelings travel through our bond.
I fear that some of the hostility between Cassia and Aziel is my fault. My return to Wrath has thrown Cassia’s life off-balance, and Aziel hasn’t supported her wishes to have me killed. They’ve been at odds for a while now, and it’s nice to see things shifting.
Relief tumbles through me as I push open my office door. I haven’t been here since joining Cassia in Raum’s war camp, and I fear the work that’s built up in my absence. The fear mounts as I step into my office, and I groan as I eye the comically large stack of paperwork on my desk.
I’ll worry about it later.
My entire body aches, and I’m almost entirely drained. The spear did more damage than I’d care to admit, and I’m in desperate need of rest. I can barely stand, let alone focus on my work.
I’m doing my best to keep my pain from Cassia. She’s too unpredictable. If she realizes my discomfort, it just might be enough to set her off. She’s already trying to sit me in chairs like an injured pet.
Her excitement continues traveling through our bond. What has Aziel said that’s made her so happy?
Several minutes pass before she finds her way to my office, her smile wide and genuine.
She’s on me within seconds. Her lips find mine, her kiss forceful and eager. Her mouth is soft, and I ignore the pulsating pain in my chest as I cup the back of her head and drag my tongue along hers. I was wondering when she’d force her kiss on me.
She held out longer than I expected.
I want Cassia. I’ve wanted her since I first laid eyes on her, but I’ve been trying hard to ignore those feelings. She made it more than clear she wanted nothing to do with me after learning my true identity, and nothing good ever comes from lusting after a woman who wants you dead.
But now she’s bitten me. I’ll never forget the feeling of her teeth in my neck, the sharp pain and her immediate panic as she did it again and again. She was desperate to save me, to force a bond and shove her power into me.
I was never at risk of dying. I would’ve told her that had she taken a moment to listen to me. Cassia doesn’t listen, though. She acts, and she does so quickly. In this particular situation, I find I don’t mind.
She moans, pressing her chest against mine. I wince, unable to stop myself as she inadvertently applies pressure to my wound.
“Fuck!” She pulls away. “I’m sorry.”
I’m happy to endure the pain if it means having her mouth against mine.
Cassia beams. “Aziel wants to give me more responsibility. He said it’s ‘about time I take a more active role within Wrath’s leadership.’”
Raw excitement funnels through our bond. Cassia’s unable to hold it back. I feel something similar. Cassia will make a strong queen. She loves Wrath, and she’s more than proven she’s willing to fight for it.
I’m pleased Aziel finally recognizes it.
Does he see the bite on my neck as a betrayal?
I’ve spent some time worrying about it, but not much.
My relationship with Cassia doesn’t involve him.
Charlie is the only person I owe an explanation to.
I’m not looking forward to that, but I won’t prolong it.
I’ll speak with her soon. It’s the least I can do.
“You’re going to make an excellent queen,” I say. I mean it, too. “I’m happy for you.”
I leave our bond open, letting Cassia prod. I want her to see that I’m not upset by this advancement in her position. I have no interest in leading Wrath. This is her endeavor, and while I enjoy my work, I have no intention of overstepping.
“You are Wrath’s rightful leader,” I say. “I respect that.”
She gulps, her throat bobbing. “I’ll kill you, Rexton.”
“I’m aware.” I lean in, brushing my lips against hers. “When do you want me to bite you?”
I’m eager to bite her, to claim her as mine.
Cassia palms my chest, careful not to touch my wound. “Not now. You need a bed.”
She doesn’t mean that in a sexual manner, but my mind still travels there. I enjoyed touching her earlier, enjoyed her soft skin and the feeling of her relaxing against me. I don’t suspect that Cassia lets her guard down around many people.
She was shocked when I brought her into my bedroom earlier. Even with our bond, she still finds it odd that I showed her where I sleep. I think the fact that she thought it was strange is odd.
She teleports us directly into my bedroom. I’m relieved she didn’t make me ask for it. Between my injury, blood loss, and subsequent meetings, I’m exhausted. Teleporting is impossible.
“Strip,” Cassia orders.
Her fingers shake as she tugs at my top, removing my shirt. She’s panicking again, and my heart lurches as I place my hand over hers.
“Breathe, Cassia,” I say. “I’m healing, and I’m going to be okay.”
I’ve never taken a spear through the chest, but I’ve faced worse. I spent months in the pits of Wrath, killing and gaining power, before traveling into Greed. There were several times when I was convinced I was going to die.
I wasn’t strong enough, not then, and I paid the price.
By the time I gained enough power to travel into Greed, I’d lost count of how many demons I’d killed. There were no rules in the pits, no consequences. Cassia would never look at me the same if she knew the things I’ve done.
I rest my forehead against hers, inhaling her scent. It’s not as potent as usual. She must be drained, too.
Her hands slide to my waist, and I resist the urge to roll my eyes as she begins tugging my pants down my legs. She’s so demanding.
“Are you hungry?” she asks.
Is she offering to bring me food? It’s kind, which is awfully unlike her. She’s trying.
“No,” I say.
I help her remove my pants, then pause. Cassia wants to see my wound, and I remain still as she circles me. She does so three times, her fingers carefully stroking the edges of my injury. My healing has slowed, but it’ll speed up once I’ve rested.
It’s hard not to react to her seeing my scars. I’m ashamed of them.
I suspect Aziel gained access to my medical records and uncovered my parents’ abuse once I began working for him, and he wasn’t pleased. We’ve never directly spoken about it, but he took care of the situation.
My parents were stripped of their wealth and titles, and now they live in shame on the outskirts of Wrath. It’s enough for me. I don’t think about them, and I don’t want to. I hope Cassia doesn’t bring up murdering them again. I want her to forget it.
She doesn’t acknowledge my scars as she examines my wound, which I’m grateful for.
She clears her throat before pulling away. “Stay here.” She hurries into my bathroom, returning a few moments later with a wet washcloth. I cleaned myself while stuck in the infirmary, but that was hours ago.
Cassia’s nerves are flooding our bond, and if this is what she needs to settle, then who am I to deny her? She wipes at my skin, and several minutes pass before she deems me clean enough.
“Lie down.” She points to my bed. “Sleep.”
Her crazy eyes are out. I brush my fingers over her eyebrows, subtly signaling for her to lower her eyelids. She opens them so wide when she’s upset, and as endearing as it is, it’s a dead giveaway to her inner emotions.
I’ve noticed people reacting to it.
Cassia relaxes, her eyelids lowering to their natural position.
“I don’t have crazy eyes,” she mumbles.
That’s not an argument I’m looking to engage in.
“Lie down,” she repeats.
I bite back a laugh as I follow her instructions. I’m capable of putting myself to bed, but Cassia seems to be enjoying this. Who knew she could be nurturing?
I explore her through the bond as I settle into bed. She practically bit my head off when I tried earlier, which is exceptionally unfair, considering how often I’ve caught her prodding into me.
I’m careful to keep my searching surface level, not wanting Cassia to convince herself that I’m trying to trick her. She loves thinking the worst of me. We’ll have to work on that.
“Why’d you bite me?” I ask.
A flair of panic, then calculated emptiness. “Because I wanted to.”
I hum. She’s afraid of admitting she has emotions.
“Are you upset I bit you?” she asks.
“No.”
I figured it was only a matter of time. We’d placed our teeth on one another. We were playing a dangerous game, and we knew where it was heading. I wasn’t anticipating our bond happening so quickly after that, but I’m not disappointed.
Maybe I should be. Cassia and I don’t know one another that well, and most of our relationship has been spent with her hating me. She’s still convinced I’m out to steal Wrath, and she teeters between affection and murder with startling speed.
I’ve never been with a woman like Cassia. She’s complex and confusing. I don’t particularly enjoy her attempts to kill me, but the moments where she lets her guard down are addictive.
“Go to sleep,” she says. “I’ll stay here.”
“You can sleep with me,” I offer. I want her to.
She looks around, disgust written plainly across her features. “How many people have you welcomed into your bedroom?”
I’m not answering that.
Cassia smacks her lips. “Exactly. I won’t be sleeping in this room.”
“The sheets are clean.”
“I don’t care about the sheets. I care about not being attacked in my sleep. I’ll have your things brought to my place tomorrow.”
What? I blink. “Are you suggesting I move in with you?”
“Well, I’m not left with much choice,” Cassia says. “You’re my mate, and you need my protection. We’ll figure out the logistics tomorrow.”
I’m too tired to deal with Cassia’s particular brand of crazy right now. I don’t have the energy to navigate it, not like I usually do.
I shut my eyes and settle into bed, trying and failing to ignore her looming presence on the opposite side of the room. Is she planning to stand over me the entire night? Several minutes pass before Cassia huffs, drawing my attention. She sounds annoyed. I can’t fathom why.
Cassia inches closer, and the bed shifts as she sits beside me. “Why aren’t you sleeping?”
“I’m trying.”
“I know how to make you sleep.”
I crack open an eye, curious. “And how’s that?”
Her gaze trails down my body, lingering at my waist. “Are you too injured?”
“No.”
Even if I were, I’d lie.
Cassia slips a hand underneath the sheets. I wait for her inevitable evaluation. Cassia has a staring problem, and while I’m not ashamed of how I look, her calculating, drawn-out gaze is intimidating.
Less than a second passes before she sticks her hand underneath my underwear and pulls out my half-hard cock. Fuck. She’s not wasting any time, nor is she easing into anything.
Her palm is warm, and I quickly grow hard under her scrutinizing gaze. Does she like it? I’ve never had any complaints. I’m thick enough to stuff a cunt, and I have good length.
“You’re large,” she says. I’ve heard that before.
It’s usually a breathless, excited statement. Cassia is merely observant.
I resist the urge to sigh when she begins swiveling my cock around, inspecting it from all angles. “Cassia…”
She looks up, meeting my gaze. “What?”
“It’s not a toy.”
“I beg to differ.”
Despite her words, she tightens her grip, beginning to stroke. I hiss, my hips twitching. I’m not sure what I was expecting, and I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised by Cassia’s efficiency. She doesn’t tease me, doesn’t warm me up.
She immediately begins jerking me, her pace fast and movements efficient. It’s good—there’s no question about that—but it’s mechanical. She has a goal, and she’s damn well going to achieve it.
I groan. “Slow down.” Cassia twists her fist, her grip tightening with each upstroke. “Cassia!”
Her lips curl, and I internally curse. She’s doing this on purpose.
“Have you been thinking about me while you touch yourself?” she asks.
“Obviously.”
“You don’t sound pleased about that.”
“I’m not.”
I try hard not to think about Cassia, but she’s consumed my every waking thought. She drives me crazy, and I suspect she knows that.
I stroke my cock only for her, and I’m not proud of it. I fantasize about fucking her, of her moaning underneath me, her nails digging into my back as she begs me to make her cum. She’d be mine, even if just for a moment.
“I heard that you never allowed the succubi to put their mouths on you during the Lust shows you participated in.”
I choke, nodding. Who told her that? I suppose it’s not much of a secret. I’ve always been uneasy with teeth, fearful of being bitten while distracted.
“You’ll enjoy it with me.”
Cassia’s statement is full of confidence, no doubt or question to be found in her tone. For as insecure as she can be, she’s one of the cockiest women I’ve ever met.
“Fuck.” My hands twitch with the urge to grab her. “Please.”
Cassia bends, taking me into her mouth. Her tongue is velvety soft against the underside of my cock, and she uses her hand to stroke what doesn’t fit. This is going to be quick. I could try to prolong my orgasm, but I have a feeling that would anger Cassia.
She’s a woman on a mission.
My hips jerk and Cassia moans, her throat vibrating around my length. I twitch inside her mouth, my knee bending as pleasure swirls up my abdomen. I’m so close.
The injury in my chest screams for me to stop. I ignore it.
I cum with a muffled grunt. Cassia swallows everything.
Then she continues licking me, cleaning every inch of my cock, before pulling away and tucking me back into my underwear. I slip my fingers through her hair, absentmindedly petting her head.
She’s probably going to kill me someday. I’m going to die a happy man.