Chapter Fourteen
Nemiah
It was no surprise when a while later, his knot receded and Virion whimpered, pushing his ass back to grind, begging for more. He’d had his first taste of alpha, and his body craved it.
Nemiah wasn’t much better. Like all alphas, he’d cut his gaze off toward omegas and the odd female, but such was his bloodline that a bastard, like himself, wouldn’t be tolerated. Despite his mother claiming him as her own, Nemiah blanched at the thought of leaving an omega disgraced.
Nemiah gave his mate another knot that night, turning him to face one another and lock limber legs over his hips and grind lazily into one another with tender kisses and satisfied, indistinct noises. He’d never had sex with a partner where they weren’t feverishly rutting to be done with it. This slow, lazy grind of bodies with kisses that didn’t end was an experience he’d never known he needed.
With catlike grace, Virion stretched his lithe body and wriggled into the curve of Nemiah’s frame. The squeak that came from his throat made Nemiah’s heart melt. “Goddess, you’re beautiful. I never thought of sun fae as an option before. You are the brightest thing in a room, and I can see you flush so prettily.” Nemiah traced a finger over Virion’s side and nuzzled their horns together with a satisfying clack.
“Same. I find myself rather fond of your skin, like the night sky. I always appreciated the moon. She was kinder to me than the sun.” Virion watched Nemiah’s wandering hand and peered into his eyes, the pinkness in them gleaming with a mild form of lascivious interest again. “Among other… things .”
He bit his lip, staring at Nemiah with that bottomless want.
As much as Nemiah wanted to go ahead, it would be greedy to wear the poor thing out or to let things continue unbridled, like they were in heat. “Calm yourself, my Sugarmoth. I could go for hours yet, but I think we should bathe and pace ourselves.”
Virion’s little pink lower lip, bitten and swollen from kisses, poked out. Nemiah had to strengthen his resolve not to take him right then and there, to give in to that little pleading stare. “You’ll be the death of me. I know it.”
Virion snuggled in a little flusher to Nemiah’s body and grinned. “That would be unfortunate. I have far better plans for you than death.”
“Call me terrified.” Nemiah scooped Virion up, his form lithe and warm in his arms. He fit so well, sliding to the floor with jellied legs and a whimper of surprise. “Let us throw robes on.”
Virion turned in place, his pale form marked from Nemiah’s hard touches, bites, and suckling kisses. The trails in his flesh where his wings would emerge glistened just the slightest with a hint of wing scale. His cock twitched with interest.
“Dress now or I’ll have you again.” Nemiah’s voice came out far rougher than he’d intended, but the threat seemed to titillate Virion more than put the fear of the goddess in him. He swatted Virion’s pale rump, and he squeaked, shrugging into his robe. “The better I have you recuperated, the more we can keep going.” And at that, Virion tied his robe into place and let Nemiah lead the way to the baths.
They rinsed off together, exploratory touches finding home. Their lips brushed, heated bodies rubbed against one another, and when they finally pinned their hair up and slid into the mineral-laden water, the sigh that escaped them both came out as one.
Virion luxuriated in the water, as it was still a new luxury to him. His pale flesh almost glowed in the low lamplight, thalmic power kissing his skin. Tasting it on him had made Nemiah’s core shake and cock surge, though it was anyone’s guess what it’d simmer into with time. He hoped it’d intensify as Virion was allowed to come out of his shell.
The premise of personal space had gone out the window the moment Nemiah had stuck his cock in him. With a gentle hoist, Virion straddled Nemiah’s lap and pressed their noses together, his dainty ridge a cool presence against his own. With a gentle brush of lips, Nemiah placated Virion with soft kisses. The pale vision of him stood out so brightly, like holding moonlight in his arms, cradling it like the night sky. Touching every inch of his body felt right, fingertips rolling into soft muscle and tender flesh. “I’ve been missing all this… I could have had it the whole time.”
“You could have. But sometimes things are worth waiting for. But don’t do it again. I’m not going another night without my husband’s cock.” Virion grabbed onto Nemiah’s horns, forcing him into another lingering kiss. “I’ll have you again this night. Again the next.”
Nemiah stifled a hiss of pleasure, a feral want burning in his chest. “You play with fire, my husband.”
“I play with thalms and make miracles.” Virion hoisted himself, using Nemiah’s horns as leverage. Only a moment of confusion and hiss of rebuttal halted the moment Virion’s hips lifted and brought themselves together. In the hot water of the pool, his slick had washed away. Without as much ease, Virion brought his weight down and cried out a wounded noise before forcing himself down.
“Easy!”
“More.” Virion rolled his hips and kept his leverage on Nemiah’s horns, hips bobbing insistently. “Goddess, I love having an alpha’s horns. I feel… I—”
Nemiah thrust his hips up to meet Virion’s insistent bobbing, earning a snarl of pleasure. “Complete?”
“Better. I’m—” Virion ground his hips down, his cheeks pink and gleaming with the steam of the room. The pink flush in his cheeks grew, eyes misting as his pupils widened. “I need…”
Nemiah was happy to give. He rocked his hips, panting through gritted teeth, each breath hissing wetly as desire and urgency burned its way through him like he held no control over his will. Virion rolled his hips and splashed water about in a frenzy, crying out in sharp bleats of pleasure until the water between them clouded with his lust, cock firing cum into the lazily drifting waters. Still, he didn’t slow. “Tell me what you need.”
“Kn-knot!” Virion worked himself desperately, every muscle in his body shaking. “Knot me, my king. Please. Put your seed in me. I need it.”
“As you wish.” Nemiah rolled with Virion and pulled free, bending him over the shore of the pool and pinning him to the stairs. His hips thrashed until Nemiah’s hand found his still-hard cock pulsing in his grip. Had he known how wound up his mate had been, he’d have made the choice to have pleasured Virion sooner.
Guiding his cock in, Nemiah treasured his omega’s channel, relishing his wanton cries, his arching back, the way a pleasant flush rose over his skin, and horns gleamed in the low light. Every other breath broke free with a growling cry of pleasure, feral with want and need. His channel pulsed and milked over Nemiah’s cock until his knot tingled and he slammed in, drawing forth a louder feral cry as his knot engaged.
“Virion. Precious rabbit. Take me.” Nemiah pumped his hips, his knot filling and pulsing. Each wave of lust brought with it hot seed that spilled into his heated depths. Nemiah cried out, his body jerking as thalms shot through him, power surging between them until his pleasure peaked and he pitched forward, head resting between Virion’s trembling shoulders with a soft kiss. Heaving breaths echoed over the sputtering waters of the spring, taking with it their spend as fresh water flowed in.
Virion, happily sated, groaned so low and soft the noise was mistakable for a purr. His hum of satisfaction drew Nemiah up, his chest puffing with pride. “You are insatiable, my husband.”
“Goddess alive, I do not know why. I wanted that first rut with you badly, but I needed this. That delegate of my father’s there made me want to crawl out of my own skin.” Virion groaned as his back arched.
“The one I snapped at? Delegate? That wasn’t one of the dusk dwellers?” Nemiah’s brow furrowed.
“No. He was an alpha that my father presented to me some time ago. I recall. He has a wife, but she’s barren and he courted me but I—I didn’t care for him then, nor now.” Virion peered over his shoulder, shuddering at the motion. Nemiah’s knot pulsed in sympathy from the motion, refusing to release. Normally, it didn’t last so long.
“Perhaps he’d moved to the area recently.” Nemiah released a long breath, body shuddering. “I’ll ask Mother. She handles the guest list for these events.”
“I never knew knots would feel so fantastic.” Virion wriggled his backside and made Nemiah groan with pleasure.
In revenge, Nemiah stroked Virion’s cock, thumb roving over the sensitive tip to draw forth pitiable little whimpers. “And I never knew giving you one would be so amazing.”
Tracing his hand along Virion’s chest, he circled around to grip onto his slender hips.
“I don’t think I have anything left in me to give.” Virion hummed and his channel pulsed, milking over Nemiah’s shaft.
“If this is you pent up, I cannot imagine how awfully you’ll behave when it’s your begging night.” Nemiah circled his thumb.
“This is more intense than a begging night. I apologize.” Virion’s insides trembled, still keeping his knot full.
“Ah, we’ll see what more yet you have to offer me when the time comes.” Nemiah rolled his hips and sighed with pleasure when his knot disengaged, allowing them to part and soak in the waters once more. “Would you like a late-night repast and to sleep in my chambers?”
“Of course, though I cannot vouch for how good of a bed partner I will be. I’ve never slept with another.” Virion stretched and stood.
“I’ve had the nymphs since I was very little. They say I am a sound and still sleeper. I often recalled them waking me at times to make sure I still breathed.” Nemiah hated being woken up like that but felt absolutely warm with delight at sharing his bed with Virion.
“When I was little, I slept curled tight to my stuffed bear, and when they took it away, I used my pillow. I like to cling to things at times.” Virion’s cheeks were still pink from lust but deepened at the admission. “I never thought I’d look forward to this.”
“Same for me.” Virion tucked at his hair a bit and followed Nemiah’s lead to step out of the hot springs. His pale form amid the steam looked glorious, a ghostly image that Nemiah pulled into his dark arms. Day and night coming together, sharing a soft kiss.
They robed themselves and took the long stroll to the kitchens before diverting to his bedroom with their pilfered treats. Leftover repast from the party stolen away in a tin bowl tasted better than they had warm.
Snuggled up in his room, spilling crumbs on the duvet as they shared bites of savory tarts was one of Nemiah’s new favorite things, he decided. Though…if the heated scent of arousal still wafting from his mate was any indication, Nemiah would perform again soon.
A soft knock on the door squashed the plan as Nemiah gestured for Virion to throw his robe on and did the same, welcoming in the guest.
A timid guard cleared his throat from the hall. “Sir. There is a security matter that needs your attention. Apologies to our Silver Prince and yourself.”
“Needs must.” Nemiah sighed and cinched his robe before struggling into a pair of breeches. Virion took heed and struggled into a pair, too, closing in on Nemiah’s back. “None are to come in or out of my bedchambers. My mate wants for my company and he has enough thalms to leave anyone who thinks otherwise in flames.”
Virion’s little smirk brought a stirring of pleasure to Nemiah’s chest. “Keep yourself warm for me.”
Marching out, the guard glanced back toward Virion before nodding at other guards in place, a few more than necessary. Nemiah gave his coldest, placid expression to the soldier and hid his satisfaction at the male’s recoil. “Sir. We caught… Well, I should say, the nymphs caught a man sneaking about the Silver Prince’s wing and we found something on his person when we searched.”
“Elaborate.” Nemiah crossed his arms, eyes narrowing.
“He had preparatory powders for ah… Arousal.” The guard cleared his throat. “Beyond that, we’re not sure what the blend is, but it’s potent, and certain blends can send omegas into estrus.”
Nemiah’s blood went cold. “Excuse me?”
“Sir, sneaking about your mate’s quarters with that kind of thing isn’t an innocent position to be in.”
“I understand that part, but…” Nemiah glanced over his shoulder, thinking over the night when the male handed Virion the glass of wine and tried a few more times to pull him away. The frenzy Virion was in… “Goddess…”
“Let me see him.” Nemiah’s demand was met before he realized he was asking, being led right toward the male in their dungeons. His mother sat before the cell door, arms crossed and face twisted in disgust.
“I just finished questioning him.” Kiara brushed a hand off on the front of her night robes. “And he’s so very lucky that our Silver Prince has eyes only for my son.”
Nemiah’s gaze traversed to the male he’d suspected, laying prone on the floor, breaths heaving. “He intended to slip away with my mate.”
“King Alluin is furious,” she said, examining her nails. “Want to guess why?”
“That Virion was virginal?” They exchanged a fleeting glance.
“So when our little Virion was but a boy and they tested for potential, he was told three-score and two. So, he’s been bartering his son off to perspective suitors as a six because math isn’t His Majesty’s strong suit. He regrets giving you Virion and not his daughter, and our little rat here decided he’d attempt to take Virion.” Kiara scoffed and brushed her nails on her jacket.
Nemiah took a shuddering breath. “King Alluin is welcome to come—”
“King Alluin will need Virion to return once the rails are done because it seems that your dearest…what did you call him? Sugarmoth? holds the favor of their goddess and is the only one strong enough to bless the springs for Vitalis.”
Nemiah pinched the bridge of his nose, taking a deep breath. “Did you find out the extent of the poison he carried?”
“Aphrodisiac and estrus stimulant.” She nodded at a glass vial of powder on a nearby ledge waiting for his inspection. Not much was left in the vial. “Judging from the chaos the guards heard from your wing and the baths, I’d say you both got a dose. Get back to your mate while I send this pig home with a gift.” The wicked glow in her eyes sparked. His mother was not one to be trifled with at the best of times. In that way, she’d been an excellent match for his father, but her temper was more discerning.
Nemiah stared at the vial for a long, painful moment. “Your gift for him?”
“Castration and nullification. He’ll be lucky to light a candle with his thalmic energy after I’m done with him.” She sighed and tied her hair up tightly. “Have the guards send the healer here. The moment your lips touched Virion, he became mine, too. And I shall show him what we do to those who hurt my family.”
Nemiah swallowed hard and nodded before slipping out, his ears and mind ringing with what she’d said. Virion was in estrus. He muttered to the guard to fetch their healer and blindly made his way back to Virion and into his arms.
“Is all well?” Virion said the moment Nemiah crashed into him. He couldn’t bear to tell him what had been done just yet.
“The guest that made advances toward you was caught sneaking into your quarters,” Nemiah managed to choke out.
Virion shuddered, his upper lip curling. “I’m sure if the guards hadn’t caught him, the nymphs would have done worse.”
“They did.” Nemiah’s voice trembled as he brushed Virion’s robes off his shoulders, kissing his cheek and neck, brushing his fingers down his sides. “My mother is seeing to the rest.”
“Does she need help? I think I feel preemptively violated and would like to personally see to him suffering a little.” Virion hissed under the gentle pressure of a soft nip.
“You have no idea what my mother is capable of.” Nemiah shuddered as he wrestled Virion back into bed. “But we should probably talk before we engage further.”
Virion wrapped his legs around Nemiah’s waist, nosing his way into another kiss. “Talk later.”
“Talk first.” Nemiah pulled his face away and grumbled when his traitorous cock took Virion’s side. “Estrus… Drug.” Nemiah shuddered as Virion ground his cock against Nemiah’s and halted.
“Wasn’t that the whole point of our union? To conceive you an heir?” Virion didn’t appear to be bothered as much as he should. “Talk later. Don’t care. Knot. Please.”
And Nemiah couldn’t argue. The will of an omega won out.