Chapter 5 #2
Heat floods through my entire body. I’m pretty sure my face is the colour of a tomato. This is too much. Way too much information.
“I don’t have to do anything invasive,” Hex continues, clearly enjoying my reaction. “I don’t have to hurt you or take anything you don’t want to give. I just have to make you feel pleasure. The more intense, the better. The more drawn out the better. And I’m very, very good at that.”
The confidence in his voice makes my stomach flip. The promise in his words makes my skin tingle.
“So when you say feed,” I manage, my voice coming out embarrassingly breathy, “you mean...”
“I mean I would worship every inch of you,” Hex says, his eyes blazing. “Learn what makes you gasp. What makes you moan. What makes you forget your name. And I would feast on every delicious moment of it.”
Oh my god. Oh my god. Oh my god.
I’m going to combust. Right here. Right now. Just spontaneously catch fire from embarrassment and arousal and complete overwhelm.
“And you wouldn’t get anything out of it?” I squeak. “Besides the feeding?”
Hex’s laugh is low and rich and does absolutely nothing to help my current state. “Oh, I would get plenty out of it, Adam. Watching you fall apart would be its own reward. Knowing I’m the one making you feel that way. The only one.”
The possessiveness in his voice should worry me. Should set off alarm bells. Instead, it makes something warm unfurl in my chest.
“But I’m a terrible kisser!” I blurt out. Immediately cringing at my own words. Why did I say that? What is wrong with me?
Hex tilts his head, studying me with renewed interest. “Who told you that?”
“My ex. He said I was too eager. Too sloppy. That I needed to learn some technique.”
The temperature drops even further. The shadows around Hex darken, writhing with barely contained anger.
“Your ex,” Hex says slowly, each word clipped and precise, “was an idiot.”
“He wasn’t wrong though,” I mutter, pulling the duvet higher.
“Yes, he was.” Hex’s voice is firm. Absolute. “Enthusiasm is not a flaw, Adam. Neither is passion. Your ex was trying to make you small. Trying to control you by destroying your confidence.”
I blink at him. That’s exactly what my therapist said, the one time I went. Word for word, almost.
“How do you know that?”
“Because I can see you,” Hex says simply. “I’ve been watching you for years, even from the Shadow Realm. I know you better than you know yourself.”
That should be creepy. That should be stalker behaviour that sends me running for the hills.
But instead, it makes me feel seen. Known. Like someone finally understands.
This shadow being is better than a therapist. Much better. And that is so spectacularly messed up I don’t even know what to do with myself.
“So if I let you feed,” I say slowly, trying to wrap my mind around this insane conversation, “you would kiss me. Touch me. Make me feel good. And that would give you energy?”
“Yes.” Hex’s eyes are locked on mine. Intense and unwavering.
“And I would enjoy it?”
“Oh, you would more than enjoy it.” The promise in his voice makes me shiver. “I would make sure of that.”
“And there wouldn’t be any side effects?”
A smirk spreads across his face. A truly mischievous one. “Your throat will be sore from screaming. And your knees might get a little bruised.”
I gulp, and the sound echoes around the bedroom. I’m not deigning to reply to that. I’m going to rise above it, ignore it and move on.
“And then what? You’d just leave? Come back when you’re hungry again?”
“That depends entirely on you.” Hex leans against the barrier, his form flickering slightly with the effort. “I could visit only when I need to feed. Quick and transactional. Or I could stay. Keep you company. Make sure no one walks all over you. Teach you how to use those claws properly.”
He’s offering companionship. Not just feeding. He’s offering to actually be present in my life.
My heart is racing so fast I’m worried it might actually explode. This is insane. All of this is completely insane.
I’m considering it. I’m actually considering letting a shadow creature into my bed so he can feed on my pleasure.
What is wrong with me?
“I need to think about it,” I manage, my voice barely above a whisper.
Hex nods slowly. Like he expected this answer. Like he’s perfectly content to wait.
“As you wish,” he says. Then his grin turns wicked again. “But these wards won’t last forever, Adam. Eventually, they’ll fade. And when they do, I’ll be right here. Waiting.”
The promise in his words sends a shiver down my spine. Not entirely from fear.
“Now get some sleep,” Hex says, his form already starting to dissipate. Shadows pulling apart like smoke. “You look exhausted.”
“Whose fault is that?” I mutter.
His laughter echoes through the room even as he fades completely. “Sweet dreams, little human with claws.”
And then he’s gone. The temperature returns to normal. The lamp stops flickering. The shadows retreat to their normal corners where they belong.
I’m alone in my bedroom, surrounded by crystals and salt and the lingering smell of sage.
I flop backwards onto my pillows and press both hands over my burning face.
He wants to kiss me. Touch me. Make me feel good. And all I have to do is let down the wards and invite him in.
It’s the worst idea I’ve ever heard. It’s also the most tempting idea I’ve ever heard.
I grab my pillow and scream into it. Long and loud and full of frustration.
This is fine. Everything is fine. I’m just having a complete mental breakdown while a shadow prince tries to seduce me into being his personal snack bar.
Totally normal. Completely reasonable.
I roll onto my side and stare at the crystals on my nightstand. They glint innocently in the lamplight.
How long will they last? A week? A month? And what happens when they weaken? What happens when Hex can reach me again?
The thought should terrify me.
Instead, a small, traitorous part of me is already looking forward to it.
I’m so screwed.