Chapter 23 Kasimir
KASIMIR
“You look just like an angel,” Ruby babbles from where she’s kneeling on the floor.
Damn it, she’s definitely high. But when did this happen? She looked fine in the main room. Maybe a little out of it when I followed her to Andrick’s office, but I assumed she was just playing the part.
Fuck. I never should’ve left her alone in here for this long. I was hiding in one of the private rooms, but Andrick must’ve slipped past without me noticing and then spiked Ruby with something. Or maybe it happened somewhere else. I don’t know.
Shit.
And now Andrick’s dead too. He probably didn’t deserve to die.
Sure, he was a bit of a sleazeball, and I’ve had more than enough disgruntled ex-employees offering me coins to deal with him.
I could never find a reason to actually do it, though.
Not until just now, when he was moments away from shoving his cock into Ruby’s mouth.
My Ruby.
Fucking prick can rest in peace.
“We need to get you out of here,” I say to her.
Damn the letter, I’ll come back for it later. It’s not like Andrick’s going to stop me while he’s bleeding out on the floor.
Dropping to my knees, I ask, “Can you stand?”
Ruby just smiles, a little lopsidedly. “I can stand.”
Reaching forward, I steady her as she wobbles to her feet.
“And I can dance too,” she adds. “Want to see?”
“No. That’s alright.” I catch her before she twirls, pressing her to my side.
She nuzzles into my neck, giggling endlessly. “Mmm, you even smell like an angel,” she murmurs as we move towards the door. “You’re so lovely.”
“I’m really not.” I kick the door open, holding her tight as we step out to the hallway. “Now you need to try your best to walk with me, okay? I’m taking you home now.”
“Home,” she laughs. “But I’m so much happier here. I feel so free. Like a bird!”
I say nothing to that. Instead, I focus on keeping her upright as we stumble together through the never-ending corridors and bustling rooms.
I’ll never understand why people come here.
Sure, the women are pretty and the rooms look nice, but if you look closely at the golden walls all you’ll see is cracks in the paint.
And the women are only nice because they’re blissed out of their minds.
It’s hard to say no to a pretty girl who seems so willing.
“Can you kiss me like he is?” Ruby asks as we pass a couple sprawled out on a daybed. The girl is so blissed-up she’s barely conscious, while a man, clearly sober, practically chews her face off.
It’s not a pretty sight. Had I known the drug problem was this bad here, I’d have shut this place down seasons ago.
“Let’s just go home, Ruby,” I tell her, turning another corner as we reach the main room. I spy the door and set off, dragging Ruby through the crowds. But a low voice stops me in my tracks, and my stomach dives for the floor.
“Sir Henry!”
Without thinking, I shove Ruby towards an open private room, ignoring her yelp as she stumbles inside. After slamming the door shut, I turn to see the last person I ever expected to be here marching straight towards me.
“What the hell are you doing here?” I seethe at Orion, keeping my hand tight on the door handle.
The prince raises an eyebrow at my tone, but I couldn’t give two shits. I’ve got plenty more than harsh words planned for him.
“No need to be so bad-tempered, dear Henry,” he purrs, eyeing the door. “I have no intention of stealing whatever whore you’ve just locked away in there.” A cocky grin spreads across his face. “I’m only here to celebrate.”
My lips flatten. “And you chose this fine establishment of all places?” There’s no way he just happened to be here – a prince in Night Alley. Almost as unlikely as a blissed-up princess in a whorehouse, I suppose.
“Am I not allowed to leave the palace?” he laughs, tilting his head. “King Sol actually recommended this place. He said the girls here were unlike anything I’d find back home. And my goodness, was he right. I’ve never met such eager whores.”
“Yes, well, they’re all high on bliss.” My eyes narrow. “It’s a drug.”
“Oh that’s plain to see,” Orion chuckles. “I shall have to procure some to take back to the palace. I’d love to try it out on my new fiancée – loosen her up a bit. After we’re wed, of course.”
Fury claws up my throat. He’s not a fool. He knows exactly what his words are doing to me.
If Orion wasn’t already a dead man walking, that little comment would’ve just signed his death warrant.
“That’s exactly what I’m celebrating actually,” he continues with a cruel grin. “Your good King Sol has agreed to let me marry his eldest daughter. Amaryllis and I are due to return to my palace as soon as our negotiations are finished. Let’s just hope her cunt is worth the price I paid for it.”
He laughs as my scowl only deepens.
“Spoken like a true gentleman,” I mutter.
“Now, now, Henry.” The prince smirks. “I merely came over to ask if you wished to join in with my celebrations, but I can see that you’re already busy.
” His gaze drops to my hand, still tight on the door handle.
“Although I ask that you send the little redhead my way once you’re done with her.
” My jaw tenses. “If I fuck her from the back, I can pretend she’s the princess. ”
I swallow down my rage. It burns like hell but I keep it down.
As much as I want to, I can’t hurt him right now. Not when the coward’s almost certainly got a horde of guards in here somewhere, and I still need to deal with Ruby.
Thankfully Orion scurries off before I can no longer resist the urge to bury my fist in his face. But I curse internally when I notice his table is set up right by the main door. We’ll either have to wait him out or find another way to slip out of here unnoticed.
Growling, I barge inside the private room.
It’s small with dark walls, and it takes a few moments for my eyes to adjust to the dim lighting.
But when they do, it’s not the huge bed that first catches my attention.
Nor is it the glittering crystals that decorate the ceiling.
Instead, my eyes – and my cock – fix on the ethereal Princess Amaryllis as she sways in the centre of the room.
Completely naked.
Cursing, I slide the door lock into place.
“What are you doing?” I hiss. “Where’s your dress? Your clothes, Ruby? Where are your clothes?”
“My angel has come to rescue me!” she sings, lifting her arms and spinning.
I rush forward to catch her before she stumbles, trying my hardest to ignore the soft curve of her breasts, the slight dips of her waist. Fuck. Every inch of her bare body is as perfect as I remembered – even when she’s just a giggling mess in my arms.
“You saved me.” She grins. Her gaze drops to my mouth as she wets her lips.
Those damn lips.
“Ruby, you need to put your clothes back on now,” I rasp, voice darkening. For both our sakes.
The princess just pokes out her tongue. “Make me.”
Her defiance makes my cock throb. No. I will not take her like this. Not when she’s too blissed-up to even know who’s holding her.
Closing my eyes, I cup her cheeks and press a gentle kiss against her forehead.
“Kiss me properly,” she pleads, trying to nuzzle her lips towards mine, but I hold her head steady. “Please… please, kiss me.” Her hands fly to my shirt, pulling it out of my breeches as her fingers trail along my bare chest.
I shudder. “Stop that.”
“I know you want me.” Her hand drifts lower, inches from my cock. “I want you too, Kasimir.”
I drop my hands to her wrists. “Do not say that name.” I force her hands away. “You don’t understand what it does to me when I hear you say my name. How badly it makes me want you.”
She blinks at me, her violet eyes glowing with bliss.
“Believe me, I want nothing more than to kiss you right now,” I say in a low voice.
“When I first saw you in that gown today, I could hardly breathe. And now you’re like this, all naked and wanting, I’d give anything to throw you against that bed and show you just how it feels to be taken by someone as fucked up as me.
But you’re not you right now, Amaryllis,” I breathe.
“You’re just… confused. You don’t want this. You don’t want me.”
Her lower lip trembles, and tears pool in her eyes. “But it hurts.”
My breath catches. “What hurts?” I search her shivering body for any injuries I might’ve missed. “Did someone hurt you? Tell me, sweetheart. Was it Andrick?”
“No.” She exhales. “It’s here.” My grip on her wrists loosens as one of her hands slips between her legs.
I swallow down a groan. Just the sight of her fingers on her glistening folds makes my cock throb.
“I feel so hot and it burns, but—” She gasps as she strokes herself, pressing her other hand against my chest. “But I can’t make it stop. I need… please, I need help, Kasimir.”
Something inside me darkens. I shouldn’t help her like this, shouldn’t be standing here letting her torture herself while I stare, my mouth watering like a fucking predator.
It’s just the drug making her feel this way.
The pain, no matter how much she cries, isn’t real, and I need to just focus on taking her home.
But Orion is probably still outside and it could be hours before he leaves.
I wince as another pained moan falls from her lips.
Damn it.
“Forgive me, Princess,” I say gruffly.
Then I hoist her over my shoulder.
Ruby yelps as I march over to the bed and drop her onto the sheets. She lands in a messy heap, her red hair spilling out like strawberry juice against the cream pillows.
For a moment, I stand over her, just staring. With her lips parted, and her whole body flushed pink she looks so helpless. So innocent.
Mine.
Grasping her thighs, I yank her towards me and drop to my knees by the edge of the bed.
“Keep those legs spread for me, sweetheart,” I say, my mouth desperate for a taste of her. “I won’t take you now. Not while you’re too blissed-up to remember this tomorrow. But I’ll still help you. Let me take away your pain.”
“Please, Kasimir.” She’s dripping wet, and her clit is swollen from the bliss – like a little rose bud. Fuck, if I’m waiting another second to devour those sweet petals.
Burying myself between her thighs, I drag my tongue up her hot centre.
Ruby arches her back. “Ohh,” she gasps as her fingers claw the sheets.
“So fucking delicious.” Every inch of her is heaven against my tongue, and I want more. I need more.
Swirling my tongue around her clit, my fingers tease her entrance.
“Stars, that’s good,” she moans. “Mmm, that’s wonderful, that’s—”
I plunge two fingers into her.
“Oh, KAZ!”
My lips twitch. I’d murder a kingdom if I meant I could hear her scream my name every night.
Ruby grinds against my face as I lick and suck, curling my fingers around her sweet spot. I can feel her walls clenching. She’s already so close.
“Oh stars,” she cries, her tits bouncing with each thrust. “Please faster, Kasimir. I need more. I need your cock.” I raise an eyebrow. “I want you to fuck me now, please.”
Slowing my movements, I peer over her thighs. “Those are some filthy words for a princess.”
Ruby groans. “I didn’t tell you to slow down.”
Smirking, I withdraw my fingers. She opens her mouth to protest, but I’m quicker. Before she can argue, I’m up on the bed, straddling her hips and sliding two fingers deep into her mouth.
“You taste that?” I growl, using my other hand to force her lips shut. “Can you taste how much you fucking want me?”
Eyes rolling back, she nods, sucking hard on my fingers.
“That’s it, darling.” I stroke her tongue, stifling a groan as I imagine something else of mine being thrust between those lips. “Now be a good little whore and shut up and take what I’m giving you. Or I’ll find something else to fill your dirty mouth with.”
She tenses. Her gaze flies straight to the throbbing mass beneath my belt.
Dropping my voice, I draw closer to her ear.
“You’re lucky you’re too high on bliss for me to actually fuck you right now.
” I position my hips between her legs. “But just you wait till you’re sober, because this mouth” – I swipe my thumb across her lower lip – “and this pussy” – I grind my sheathed cock against her folds – “will be all mine. Understood?”
Eyes wide with desire, she nods.
“That’s my girl.” Grinning, I drag my fingers from her mouth as she whimpers. “Now let me help you with this needy little cunt.” I drop back to the floor, pushing her thighs wide apart to catch a glimpse of exactly what I’m starving for.
Fuck.
“You’re so wet for me, Ruby.” I marvel at her flower, dripping with need. “And you taste so good too.” Hungrily, I dive forward, licking and swirling my tongue just like I had been before. Soon my fingers join in, until she’s riding my hand, gasping with every movement.
“So. Fucking. Perfect.” I punctuate each word with another suck on her swollen clit.
Ruby arches her back, walls clenching, while my free hand squeezes the soft flesh of her thigh. I just can’t get enough of her.
Fuck the crown. After tonight, I’m never letting her out of my sight again. If she wants a new title, she can be Mrs fucking Verekov.
“Oh, my,” she gasps. Then she screams and throws her head back into the bedsheets.
“Good girl, Ruby.” I drag my tongue up her folds. “Let me hear those pretty screams as you come for me.”
Ruby shatters, melting away into a yelping puddle beneath my tongue. She pants and gasps, rolling her hips with each throb of pleasure. I can see it too, her pussy clenches while I grip her thighs.
Eventually, her screams give way to tired moans and her body softens against the sheets. As her eyes close, I rise off the floor, planting kisses on her belly. She nuzzles into me, her hand stroking the back of my head.
“Thank you,” she whispers, her eyes fluttering open. There’s still bliss in her irises, but it’s fading. She’ll be fine in a few hours.
Touching my lips to her cheek, I cover her with the bedsheets. “Sleep now,” I tell her. “I’ll wake you when it’s safe to leave.”
Smiling, she nestles into the pillows and rolls onto her side.
I leave her to rest, moving to the other side of the room so I’m not tempted to join her. But just as I take a seat in a plush armchair, I catch sight of her gown crumpled up on the floor.
Sighing, I reach for it, but then a page of parchment flutters down from the skirt. I catch it before it falls. My heart skips a beat when I realise just what was hidden in her gown.
“So you found it, after all,” I whisper, my eyes skimming over the lines of the addresses. Glancing back over to the sleeping princess, I tuck the parchment into my pocket.
“My beautiful, clever girl.”
I’m about to elevate my criminal status from assassin to princess-kidnapper, and I dare any king – or smug prince – to try to stop me.