21. INSTINCTS AND INDULGENCE
Chapter twenty-one
INSTINCTS AND INDULGENCE
Leaving was much more difficult than Daemonikai had expected.
He had been in the woods for a while now, their towering pines looming over him, their earthy scent of moss and decaying leaves mingling with the crisp tang of pine resin, filling his nostrils.
Daemonikai would like to tell himself that he was out here hunting his best friend, but he was a male who rarely lied to himself.
You left her in her first heat, all alone.
She is not alone. Her male is right there with her.
His beast snarled. That ugly feeling of jealousy rose again.
He squashed it yet again. The girl had him so distracted, he could barely see straight.
Daemonikai could not remember being so out of control. It had been so long; it felt really strange right now. Strange and uncomfortable.
His chest felt tight, painful, as if he were feeling someone else’s agony. Ridiculous.
His family was gone; he had no personal attachment to anyone else. Rubbing his chest absently, he rounded a grove of ancient oaks trailing Vladya's scent.
His rut was getting in the way of his tracking. The girl’s scent was all he could think about.
Stopping, he squeezed his eyes closed, filling his lungs with deep fresh air, attempting to think of what could be wrong with Vladya. Daemonikai tried not to worry, but it was becoming hard not to.
Even when breaking the laws he helped create, Vladya would typically confess his wrongs bluntly, leaving Daemonikai to clean up the mess.
Was Herodis around?
His eyes snapped open. He had left in such a hurry, fighting his instincts tooth and nail, that he hadn't even stopped to confirm the Lord of Agriculture’s whereabouts.
Of course, he's at home . His female is in heat; where would he go?
But you took her away. What if he is off to his duties? He expects her to be in good hands, after all.
Now, he was also arguing with himself. Great. Very mature.
Daemonikai exhaled, walking and sniffing. The girl had him wound so tight, even the smallest task was difficult. Never before had he experienced such uncertainty leaving a female after her heat.
But this is not after heat, was it? What if the heat waves were back? What if she was suffering right now?
"I can smell you, Wegai," Daemonikai’s voice cut through the silence of the woods. "You can stop hiding in the trees now."
The rustle of leaves and the snap of a twig preceded Wegai’s appearance from behind an oak tree. His expression stoic and impassive, all professional, as usual. "Your Grace.”
Daemonikai resumed his stride, hands clasped behind his back. "You have become rusty. You used to be able to tail me for a few hours before I caught you. I thought I instructed you not to follow?"
"I apologize, Your Grace." Wegai's voice was steady, betraying none of the defiance Daemonikai knew simmered beneath the surface.
"Are you sorry?"
"No, I'm not," Wegai replied, coolly.
His general was a stickler for laws and order, but he tended to disobey direct orders when they involved him staying put while Daemonikai moved around unprotected. It was a familiar dance between them. Daemonikai was used to it.
"You were keeping guard all night at the high lord's estate?" Daemonikai asked.
"Yes, Your Grace."
"Is Herodis home at the moment?"
"No, he left early this morning. There was a fire in one of the barns at Brookwood. He has gone to investigate."
Daemonikai's muscles tensed, as he came to a stop. "What? Who is with the girl?"
Wegai hesitated. "I wondered if I should bring it up," he began cautiously. "The girl was in a lot of pain after you left. I think it's the heat waves."
A vice-like grip tightened around Daemonikai's heart. The usually familiar landscape blurred around the edges, and his beast roared. Jumping and banging its head against the walls of his chest, snarling like a rabid dog.
The image of Galilea, alone and suffering a heat contraction, filled his mind, igniting a rage he could barely contain. He hurt .
Daemonikai whirled around, starting back towards the estate before he could think.
His pace quickened with each step.
Then, he was running.
Emeriel could hear the moans of anguish in the air as she rode another wave of excruciating pain.
It felt as though an iron fist clenched around her organs, squeezing tighter, twisting, and crushing without mercy.
Tears streamed down her face, forming a pool where she laid. She’d pounded on the door, begging anyone within earshot to end this torment, before the next surge had thrown her to the cold, hard floor, tearing through her.
It felt like a hundred galloping horses were trampling and leaping within her lower belly.
It hurt so much. Surely, this pain was not normal.
Her stomach convulsed violently, and she retched, the taste of bile sour in her throat. Expelling the contents of her stomach, Emeriel continued to vomit, again and again, each one leaving her weaker, emptier.
So much pain.
A vague figure hovered over her, lips moving soundlessly. Who was that? Was she finally meeting her creator?
Emeriel hoped so. Blinking, she struggled to focus, but her vision swam.
Her senses dulled, fading into numbness.
Nearing the cottage, Daemonikai was gripped by a growing unease. The absence of sound was disturbing. Concern twisted in his gut. Was she dead?
A shudder went through his frame. For the first time since his return from madness, he felt so much pain in his heart that wasn't from his grief.
Dread he had not known in ages, filled him. But when he pushed open the door and stepped inside, staggering relief replaced dread. She was alive.
But the state Galilea was in, twisted his gut. Vomit surrounded her, her vacant eyes, and endless spasms wracked her small body. The girl had gone into heat stroke.
"Oh, little one. I am so sorry. I should never have left." He knelt beside her, his hand reaching out to touch her knee.
She whined, recoiling from his touch.
The rejection felt like a sharp blade twisting in his soul. Her movement was sluggish, muscles slack with exhaustion. His beast growled, pained by her suffering.
I know. I feel the same.
He should never have left. The irony didn't get past him. He had left to avoid succumbing to his instinct to kill her, and in doing so, had nearly caused her death.
Daemonikai rose, shedding his clothing until he stood as bare as the day he was born. He lay beside her, pulling her trembling form against his own, despite her body's feeble protests. Holding her close, he surrendered to the raw emotions surging through him.
"Fear not, darling. I am right here, by your side," he cooed, rocking her gently. "I am profoundly sorry. I should never have left."
Another violent spasm seized her. Merciless. Brutal.
Her exhausted body jerked, mouth opening in a soundless scream before she dissolved into whimpers, fresh tears spilling from her unseeing eyes.
Heavens . The pain in those sounds reached deep within him, resonating with emotions he had long suppressed. Emotions he had locked away behind impenetrable walls in a desperate attempt to cope with his own grief.
Yet here she was, dismantling those barriers one by one, each cry tearing at his defenses until they crumbled, leaving him raw and exposed.
Daemonikai was helpless, he couldn't mount her until the heat stroke passed, or his touch would be excruciating for her.
He settled for touching her, running his hands repeatedly all over her face and arms, letting her body become aware of his return. He whispered words of comfort, telling her how strong she was, how beautiful she was.
Galilea slumped against him. She no longer tried to get away from him, so he pulled her closer, cradling her,
"You're alright. Such a strong little one. Are you here with me now? I'll wait as long as it takes for your return, my strong one." He kept coaxing her, rocking her gently, as one would soothe a troubled youngling.
Gradually, the heat stroke waned, and the deep red marks on her skin began to diminish. Her eyelids closed, then fluttered open, revealing blue eyes that slowly regained focus.
"Your Grace," she whispered, hoarsely. "You came back."
"I should have never left." He pressed a tender kiss to her forehead, unable to believe the strong relief that washed over him. “Come, let us rise from this floor together, shall we?”
Tears filled her eyes, and she nodded weakly.
He rose and lifted her. She was featherlight, weighted nothing, yet felt so good in his arms. Her soft skin and delicate curves fitting perfectly against him.
There was no time for a bath as the waves would return soon, really soon, if he was not inside her, knotting her.
Laying her on the bed, he tried not to let his eyes linger on her alluring naked body. On her breasts rising and falling with each breath. Her scent was distracting as hell—intoxicating and heady. Daemonikai was breathing too hard, struggling against the tremendous urge to spread her legs and thrust into her until she howled his name. To hold her open and stroke against her—
Focus. You are stronger than your rut.
Daemonikai wet a washcloth, the cool water dripping onto his hand, setting to quick work of cleaning her up, lapping the cloth against her skin.
"Give me your manhood, Your Grace. I beg of you. I have need of it." She moaned weakly, eyes glazed with lust.
Galilea parted her legs so every part of her was exposed to him, her core wet, glistening. Her musk had become even thicker, almost choking. "Give it to me, please. I cannot handle this pain, it is too much."
"I shall give it to you, sweetling."
"Please.” Her breath came in short, shallow gasps. “Please. I need it inside me."
Daemonikai cursed as the breath was punched out of him, his rut skyrocketing tenfold. Lust pumped into his system like wildfire spreading through a dry forest. His manhood so hard it hurt, and hurt, and hurt .
Throwing the washcloth aside, he covered her with his body, his weight pressing her into the mattress. A growl erupted at the feel of her body, her soft curves fitting perfectly against him, her scent enveloping him. Ukrae .
She was small, and so delicate-looking, yet somehow, the girl fit. Not only did she feel so good in his arms, but she fit him in all the right places. As if she was made for him.
"Yes, yes. Get inside me. Now, please. Fill me up. Give me your seed. Your kn-knot. I want it." She was delirious with the heat, all inhibitions forgotten.
Somehow, hearing that usually shy, hesitant mouth spout all those entreaties pleased him on a primal level. She wanted him, his dick, enough to beg for it.
Kissing her cute little pointed nose, he lined himself up, his manhood brushing against her soft folds. Taking hold of her leg, he raised it, adjusting her the way he desired.
"Now. I want it now," she cried, her head shaking side to side, her black mane fanning out around her like a dark, silken blanket. Her eyes were closed, her face, a picture of raw hunger. "Give me now . I want it so much. So much."
He plunged inside her, cursing as her body closed around him like a drooling, warm glove.
"Yesssss," Her eyes closed in pleasure, nails digging into his skin. "Thank you so much."
Galilea's body welcomed him in a way that made his head spin, hugging his manhood like it wished to keep him there forever.
She felt incredible. Home.
"More." She moved desperately. "Give me more ."
He gave her more, thrusting deeper. Watching the way her eyes danced, her head lolling to the side, her lips slack in absolute ecstasy. Her hair fanned out around her like a silken halo, damp with sweat.
Virgins on a spike, she was unbelievably sexy. No one had the right to be as beautiful as Galilea.
"You feel me so good. 'Tissss good," she slurred as if intoxicated.
He stroked deep, brushing against the soft, spongey barrier. Daemonikai growled at the onslaught of pleasure coursing through him. Her womb had descended, her heat at its peak.
Plunging in again, he stroked her there again, her womb's mouth fluttering, attempting to suck his dickhead in.
She jerked under him. "Oooooh yesssss. I need it, I need it. Love your m-manhood inside me." Her face bare with pure enjoyment, her slack mouth making a droll. Ukrae, he had not seen anything more attractive.
"Good girl. You are taking me so well." He leaned forward, giving her more of his weight, as he kissed her open mouth, tasting the sweetness that was her.
She hummed, kissing him back. It held desire and enthusiasm but also innocence and inexperience. Galilea was like a pure sunflower, blooming amid roses.
He began to thrust harder, letting his hips rise and fall in a steady pace. Each plunge caressed that spongey mouth, pressing against it with perfect pressure.
Galilea tore her lips away and keened as she fell over the edge. Her hands clutched his shoulders, nails digging into his skin as tremors rocked her body. Daemonikai buried his face against her neck, breathing in all of her—a thick mix of musk and natural scent—as he kept plunging, brushing that part of her that caressed his dickhead just right.
This female tested his ironclad control. It was the first time any female who wasn't his bondmate had ever come close to making him lose control, but Daemonikai gritted his teeth, determined not to let it happen. Holding control on a tight leash just as he had the night before, he slammed into her over and over again.
Unleash, his instincts whispered.
Crippled devils, this female tempted him greatly. He could feel the wildness lurking...
"Heavens, you are so big," she moaned. "So big. You fill me just right. Don't stop."
Daemonikai fucked her until the orgasmic tension left her body, and she slumped against him, rippling in aftershock.
Only then did he give her a few inches more, pushing deeper until the pressure gave and he breached her womb. Daemonikai swore and stilled, to stave off his climax as the tiny, tight space clenched around his phallus head.
She yelped, eyes bulging wide. "That f-feels..."
"I know." Regaining a semblance of control once again, he pumped once, gliding against that bundle of nerves even more sensitized by her heat. Pulling back, he plunged in again.
A weak scream tore from her throat as another orgasm slammed into her. A full-body overload of sensation. Eyes rolled back into her head as she flailed, muscles locking tight.
Her legs wrapped around his waist shook, body bulging. The scream cut off, her mouth remaining soundlessly wide open.
She was so enthralling. So sensual, sexy, she made him burn .
"'Tis too much. Too much," she cried. "Oh, by the stars." A long hiss followed the spasms of pleasure as he massaged her most sacred part thoroughly with his dick.
Fuck, the girl felt too good. All his instincts told him to fuck that fragile little opening, hard and deep. He wanted to wreck it. Ravage her, have her screaming endlessly from one blind ecstasy to another.
But he ceased his thrust, knowing she was overloaded. Daemonikai did not want her to pass out on him. Not yet, anyway.
Holding back on his release, he savored the feel of her, groaning as he rolled his hips again, pleasure beating through him like the drums of war. Growling. "You feel incredible."
Her body clenching and unclenching around him, Galilea seemed to be stuck in a long orgasm. He tried to hold out, but the tight suction around his head became too much, pushing the grand king over the edge.
Throwing his head back, he let go with a deep groan that echoed through the cottage, as he thrusted unsteadily. He didn't stop moving, pounding her overstimulated walls as his knot grew. Swelling from the base of his shaft, expanding further with each thrust.
Her cries escalated into a loud, unladylike shout, he found utterly sexy. Pleasure cascaded through him in powerful waves, each surge a strong force of pure sensation.
Cramming his knot inside, her small body twisted and contorted beneath him as his sperm shot directly in her womb, hot and plentiful, each spurt making him moan with satisfaction. Daemonikai could not remember ever feeling this good inside a female.
"Please." Tears of harsh ecstasy mingled with the sweat glistening on her flushed cheeks. " Too much ,"
Daemonikai took pity on her and held still, making an effort not to press too hard against her sensitive glands, until finally, his knot enlarged fully, locking him inside her. Then, he collapsed against her, his body overcome with raw pleasure.
Inside, his beast emitted a low, contented purr of lazy satisfaction that vibrated through his chest.
Galilea's release waned and she lay boneless beneath him, dragging in breath to her lungs. She was half-dead to the world.
His usually solitary beast, always reluctant to engage, was now purring for this girl, as mellow as a kitten. It reached out to the front walls of his chest, as if to caress her. Tenderly.
The usual emptiness that plagued him vanished. The raw, aching pain that lived deep in his heart was nowhere to be found. Wrapped inside her like this, Daemonikai felt a peace he hadn't known in a long, long time.
As he watched her fall into sleep, the world outside faded away, leaving only the warmth of her body, the sound of her still erratic breathing, and her overpowering scents.
His instincts clawed at him. The single word that disturbed him greatly formed in his mind yet again.
Mine .