Chapter 37
Will you come to bed with us.
Itwas without question the most brazen, most ridiculous thing Louisa had ever said — or done — in her life. Undressing like this, showing her body like this, and propositioning an orc. An orc who was grieving, weeping, lost in his past and his sins, and surely not thinking about her in the slightest.
Butshe was facing it, and she was doing it. Standing here and shaking and doing it, half naked, and clinging tightly to Killik’s hand. Dragging him into this too, but he’d damn well wanted it, he’d all but told her to do it, and…
Andthen Ulfarr… raised his head. Opened his sad wet eyes. And then he startled, and stared, his mouth slack, his gaze darting up and down Louisa’s front.
Louisacouldn’t hide her grimace as she followed his eyes — gods, why hadn’t she chosen a more full-coverage loincloth, and had she really needed the knee-high boots? She looked like some kind of… seductress, especially with that chain and knife still hanging off her dress — and why was Ulfarr still staring? What was he thinking, was he going to refuse, or laugh…
Andcurse it, now Killik had stepped around to look at her properly, too. And if Louisa hadn’t been so mortified, she might have been gratified by the way his brows snapped up, his lips quirking with something like… approval?
“Ach, mark this, Wolf,” Killik said, his voice light, conversational, as his hand gently tugged at the dangling front of Louisa’s loincloth. “She has gone and dressed for you. Looks just as a Skai woman should, you ken.”
Ulfarr’sthroat convulsed, his arm wiping at his wet face, but now it was just confusion, flickering across his shadowed eyes. “But she — you wished — to leave, Louisa,” he said, between hitching breaths. “You learnt — my deep sins — my shame — so why —”
Louisa’sown breath shuddered, her eyes blinking hard, because gods, had Ulfarr not even heard everything Killik had just told her? Had he not followed how little she’d known, how she hadn’t even asked for his side of the tale? But no, maybe not, because beside her Killik shrugged, and reached to stroke his clawed fingers against Ulfarr’s hair, still pulled back in his ever-present braid.
“No, for she has come to her senses, I ken,” he said smoothly. “She knows what a fool she should be, to walk away from the Wolf of the Skai, and the promise of sharing his bed.”
Louisashould have countered that, somehow, but Ulfarr’s wide wet eyes snapped up to hers, looking skeptical, but almost painfully hopeful, too. So she swallowed down the lump in her throat, and smiled, and twitched her own hand toward him, caressed it at his pale, scarred cheek.
“Just so, sweetheart,” she murmured. “And also, today I learned you like chains in bed, too.”
Sheflinched even as she said it, because gods, why would she say something like that? And even if she had slowly been realizing how thoroughly Kitty had set her up with this outfit — down to the chain still hanging from her open dress — Louisa hadn’t needed to say it, to throw that out there too, had she? Even if some fool part of her had hoped it might help, might draw Ulfarr’s attention, might prove something to Killik, just like he’d asked…
Ulfarrwas still staring at her, his mouth fallen open, but beside her, Killik chuckled, and reached an easy hand to tug at her new belt. “If you ken this flimsy trinket shall hold our wolf, woman, you are yet lacking your senses,” he said lightly. “Although” — he frowned, and yanked the chain up to his nose, inhaling deep — “did Thrain forge this?”
Louisafelt nonplussed again, and far too hot and exposed — but yes, Kitty had said something to that effect, hadn’t she? And when Louisa nodded at Killik, that was a slow, devious smile, drawing at his lips — and he casually began tugging the rest of the chain away from her dress, until it swung long and shimmering between them.
“Ach, then, woman, we might as well test this, and have another lesson,” he said. “BindWolf’s wrists with it, shall you?”
What? Here? Now?But the glint in Killik’s eyes was far too meaningful, especially when he glanced down at Ulfarr’s face. At where Ulfarr still looked stunned, blank, not at all sure of himself, and then he twitched, shook his head. “You cannot —” he began, then took a heavy breath. “Cannot yet wish for — for —”
ButLouisa was already nodding, taking the chain from Killik’s hand with shaky fingers, as comprehension kept jostling through her thoughts. Dragging up the memories of the other times they’d done this, all the other times Killik had taken control. Perhaps… perhaps not because Ulfarr was fundamentally oriented toward submission, but perhaps because he didn’t think he deserved to be desired, or cared for. And maybe this was a way of showing him otherwise. Of proving it.
Itached deep in Louisa’s belly, resonated in her chest, and she dropped to kneel beside Ulfarr on the fur, clasping one of his big hands in hers. “If you don’t mind it, sweetheart,” she murmured, “We’d really like to have our way with you. Make sure you can’t escape us.”
Ulfarr’seyes widened, but his tongue brushed his lips — and then he twitched a curt, rapid nod. And when Louisa drew out his hand, he willingly raised it higher, and watched with strange, shifting intensity as she carefully wrapped the chain around his wrist.
“Ach, not thus,” came Killik’s clipped voice, as he knelt on Ulfarr’s other side, grasping for his other hand. “Place his wrists thus together, and then wrap around, and lock the chain. Not too tight.”
Louisafollowed his directions as well as she could, and after a moment Killik even caught her hand in his, guiding her movements, his claws gently scraping against her skin. “Ach, thus,” he said. “Now lock — thus. Good. And let us hope it may hold him for a spell, at least.”
He’dactually grinned at her, and at Ulfarr too, and for a breath, Louisa almost forgot the bizarre convoluted mess of this, and the ridiculous fact that she was wearing a loincloth, and chaining up a grieving, guilty monster of an orc so she could have her way with him. And instead, she found herself smiling back at Killik, caught in the strange crackling warmth, the glint in his eyes.
“Now on your knees, Wolf,” Killik ordered, with a gentle slap to Ulfarr’s hip. “Toward your pretty Skai woman, in her pretty Skai garb.”
Oh. Killik didn’t mean that, surely he didn’t, he was just saying it for Ulfarr… right? But yes, Ulfarr was already nodding, obeying, shifting his big body around to kneel on the fur. And then leaning forward onto his hands, while the chain kept his powerful wrists held tight together.
“Now check the chain again, woman,” came Killik’s clipped command. “You must look each time he moves, for stubborn Skai that he is, he will never speak of pain. And we should never wish to truly harm him.”
Louisacould readily agree with that, and she carefully slipped a finger inside the chain against Ulfarr’s wrists, testing the tightness while Killik watched. And when she nodded, he nodded back, and gave her a smug smile.
“Good,” he said. “Now, woman, for our next lesson — I ken you have not yet learnt the joys of a Skai’s tongue, ach?”
What? Louisa jolted all over, darted a shocked glance between Killik and Ulfarr — but Killik’s eyes were already flinty, and Ulfarr’s looked glazed, and hungry, too. His black tongue sweeping to his lips, and his gaze dropped to Louisa’s loincloth, oh gods…
“Closer, woman,” Killik ordered. “Knees apart. Let your wolf scent you.”
Oh, they were doing this, they were really doing this, now, and Louisa obeyed, hitching closer on the fur, toward Ulfarr’s… face. Toward where his face had lowered, lining up with that front leather of her loincloth, his breath inhaling slow and deep…
“I wonder what you shall find beneath that pretty loincloth, Wolf?” came Killik’s cool question, and Louisa only distantly noticed his hand stroking Ulfarr’s bare back, moving downwards in slow, easy circles. “I wonder how your woman might taste?”
Ulfarr’skneeling body betrayed a hard, sustained shudder, and Killik’s eyes flicked up to meet Louisa’s, a sly smile on his mouth. “I said, taste her, Wolf,” he purred. “Teach her the great power of a Skai’s hungry tongue.”
Andyes, yes, Ulfarr’s face shifted closer, lower, his nose nudging at the hanging leather of the loincloth. Guiding it aside, oh hell, so he could slip his head beneath it, and…
Lickher.
Louisagasped at the slick startling sensation, flashing hot and shivery through her skin, firing deep into her belly — and oh, fuck, Ulfarr did it again. Just touching her with his tongue, light and gentle at the top of her crease, but she again spasmed all over, and clutched a hand to his hair. Drawing out a hoarse moan from Ulfarr’s mouth, while Killik smugly smiled, and stroked his hand further toward Ulfarr’s still-clothed arse.
“Good, ach?” he asked, maybe to both of them, and Louisa frantically nodded, and Ulfarr nodded, too. Even as his tongue kept touching, tasting, seeking a little lower, oh…
“Then tell him how this feels, woman,” Killik said, curt. “When he is using his tongue, you ought to use yours, also.”
Right, right, and Louisa rapidly nodded, drew in breath. “Feels — so good, sweetheart,” she choked, and oh, he was already licking harder, deeper. “Feels like nothing — nothing else — oh gods —”
Itwas too hard to think, too hard to find words in the sweeping swirling chaos, but Ulfarr moaned again, and Killik circled his finger, saying, Keep going. And suddenly there was the vivid memory of Ulfarr speaking to her in that bed at the camp, praising her, offering her such reassurance, such… peace.
“You’re — incredible, sweetheart,” Louisa gasped, between her heavy breaths. “You’re the most incredible lover I’ve had in my life. You’re so — kind, and so generous, and so patient, and you feel so — so —”
Hervoice broke into a moan, because Ulfarr’s kisses had deepened, hotter, closer, oh. And her tingling hands were frantically clinging to his head now, her body shivering, fighting to stay upright, as his slick seeking tongue slipped… inside her.
Louisayelped and swayed on her knees, strong enough that she almost tumbled sideways, and Killik rolled his eyes, huffed a low laugh. “I ken you are already too much for her, Wolf,” he drawled. “Mayhap she ought to lie back and open wide, so you can fully feast upon her, ach? Just as a good wolf should.”
Louisaand Ulfarr moaned in unison this time, but Louisa accordingly shunted herself backwards, so she was half-lying on the fur. But then she stilled, hovering shaky and awkward with her knees clamped together, was she really supposed to open wide, could they really want that —
Butoh, wait, now it was Ulfarr’s bound hands guiding her thighs apart, his body shifting forward and down with astonishing ease, settling on his elbows. So he could again seek his face beneath her loincloth, between her legs, and…
Louisacouldn’t stop her shout, her wildly shaking thighs, because fuck, how that felt. Like a furious flood of sensation, of impossible jangling pleasure, whirling out from Ulfarr’s warm lips, his swirling seeking tongue. His tongue that was still sinking deeper, oh gods, filling her with slick sinuous strength, oh please, please —
“Please,” she gasped, as her fluttering eyes again caught Killik’s glinting gaze, his raised brows, his still-circling finger. “Oh, gods, yes, please —”
Ulfarr’sgroan rumbled into her, juddering and vibrating from the inside out. WhileKillik just kept watching, looking darkly pleased, and now — now shifting around further behind Ulfarr, and yanking down Ulfarr’s trousers. Exposing his bare hips and arse, still raised up in the air, and Killik’s eyes were looking, glimmering, his hand coolly caressing downwards…
“You keep feasting upon her, Wolf,” he purred, “and mayhap I shall feast upon you.”
Louisa’seyes widened, her body shuddering at the next dizzying plunge of Ulfarr’s tongue — but yes, Killik meant that, he was doing that. Licking his own lips as he bent downwards, his eyes hooded and hungry, his hands drawing Ulfarr apart, so he could…
Ulfarr’smoan rumbled through his mouth, rang deep into Louisa’s core, and that was a low, satisfied laugh from Killik as he settled closer, deeper. Offering to Ulfarr what Ulfarr was offering to her, oh gods, and Louisa had never once imagined prickly, angry Killik doing such a thing, freely giving something so intimate, so… so obscene. Something that again shifted the power of all this, the weight of this, because Ulfarr was the bound kneeling monster, and yet — and yet Killik was kneeling, too. Kneeling, and worshipping his wolf in the most flagrant way possible, eagerly kissing and licking and lavishing his — well.
“So good,” Louisa gasped, maybe at Ulfarr, or at Killik, or at both of them. “Oh gods, yes, so good, please, fuck, please.”
Andyes, yes, it was working, both Killik and Ulfarr moaning now, rumbling over the slick sounds of their slurping mouths. SoLouisa kept babbling, kept gasping helpless incoherent praises at them, her hands skittering in Ulfarr’s hair, her impaled body clamping desperately at Ulfarr’s plunging tongue. She needed more, needed him to keep going, so close, please, please —
Andthen, gods curse it, Ulfarr — drew back. Drew his glorious slippery tongue out, away. And gave her one last hot, wet, lingering kiss before shifting around, and — and reaching his hand down to spread against Killik’s head. As if — wait. He’d broken out. He’d gotten free? Of that solid steel chain?
Butwhen Killik lifted his head, he didn’t look even slightly surprised, and that was a rueful smile on his mouth, at such striking odds with the dazed hunger in his eyes, the flush creeping up his cheeks. AndLouisa couldn’t look away from him, and shuddered again as he slowly licked his lips, leaned his head into the touch of Ulfarr’s hand.
“Ach, Wolf,” he murmured. “What do you wish?”
Andin this instant, it was again as though — as though the power had shifted, and spun upside down. As if maybe Ulfarr had been in charge all along, as if even the slightest nudge of his hand could make Killik halt and obey…
“I ken our woman is now soft and open,” came Ulfarr’s deep, rumbling voice. “And ready for your strong Skai ploughing, pup. Should you — both wish.”
Hiseyes darted up to Louisa’s face, searching, questioning — but not flinching or hesitating, either. No, no, this was thatUlfarr again, the easy confident Ulfarr, and the truth of it caught Louisa’s breath, clutched tight between her legs. And when her blinking eyes glanced at Killik, he was — he was looking there, looking at where Ulfarr had opened her for him, oh gods…
Andthey weren’t doing this, Killik didn’t really want this… right? But he was still looking, and then — then glancing at Ulfarr’s face, as that flush crept higher up his cheeks, and his tongue again brushed his lips. As if — as if he — wanted to.
Andmaybe it was just to oblige Ulfarr, just to keep this version of Ulfarr here, looking at him like this, touching him like this. Maybe it wasn’t about Louisa at all. But when Killik’s glittering eyes glanced at Louisa’s face, asking her the silent question, she swallowed against her dry throat, and then — brought up her hands. Signed at him, shaky but fervent, because maybe that was easier, easier than saying it to those stunning asking eyes.
Yes, Killik. Yes.
Andoh, the way his eyes widened, his lips parting, as the flush spread higher up his cheeks. “Curst woman,” he muttered, but yes, yes, he was shifting upwards, following the gentle pull of Ulfarr’s guiding hand toward her. “I shall not be gentle, you ken.”
ButLouisa betrayed a gasp, a nod, and Ulfarr was smiling at Killik, looking fondly indulgent as he drew him closer. SettlingKillik’s knees between Louisa’s spread legs, and then reaching his big hand down, slipping it with proprietary ease into Killik’s trousers. And then drawing him out, exposing that hard grey jabbing length, already leaking white at the tip…
“Good, pup,” Ulfarr said, low, as his hand stroked Killik up and down, and then guided him closer. Closer toward Louisa, toward where his other hand was spreading her thighs wider apart, and then slipping down in between. Gently drawing her swollen heat open, so he could bring Killik’s hard jabbing cock even closer, and… touch it there. Settle it there, easing it inside her, oh hell.
“She is so soft, ach?” Ulfarr murmured. “Well able to bear you, pup, and welcome your strong Skai ploughing for me.”
BothLouisa and Killik gasped at once, because oh, Killik was pushing into her now, slower than last time, maybe because of Ulfarr’s warm hand still between them. But gods, the feel of it, that hard jutting length sinking smooth and deep into her, carving into the slick path left by Ulfarr’s tongue…
Killikhissed as he sank all the way, his hard cock fully plunged inside, his groin grinding against hers. And against that still-present press of Ulfarr’s hand, warm and safe between them, because he’d opened Louisa for Killik, and now he was giving them this, please…
ButKillik was — waiting. Waiting, the flush staining his cheeks, the hunger flaring in his eyes as he glanced between Louisa and Ulfarr…
“Plough her, pup,” Ulfarr breathed. “Find your pleasure with her. Show us what a strong and lusty Skai you are.”
Killik’smoan was shaky, trembling into Louisa’s belly — but then he nodded, and swept himself out again. Held himself there, just at the edge of Louisa’s slick clutching heat, as his eyes found hers, glinted bright and greedy on her face —
Sheshouted as he slammed inside, hard enough to shake her all over — and then he held there, firm and deep, watching her writhe and choke upon him. “Already too much, woman?” he asked, his smooth voice at dizzying odds with the craving flashing in his eyes. “Too much Skai for you?”
Louisashivered, gulped for air, clamped helplessly at the hard flesh jabbed so deep inside her — but wait, that was Ulfarr again, settling his body long and close beside her on the fur, as his hand shifted a little, too. Spreading warm and safe down over the curve of her, with Killik’s cock jutted between his fingers, oh gods…
“Remember to breathe, Louisa,” Ulfarr murmured, his eyes shimmering on hers. “Draw deep from the air, from the earth beneath you.”
Right, this, and Louisa held his eyes, desperately pulled in air, as Killik slowly drew out, took himself away — and then slammed back in. MakingLouisa convulse and quake, clamping hard against it, but she was still watching Ulfarr, holding his eyes, following his breaths…
“Good,” he said. “In, and out. And if my hungry pup ever brings you pain, or you wish him to stop, you shall only speak thus to me, ach?”
Yes, yes, she would, and Louisa nodded, hauling in more air, keeping time with Ulfarr’s slow, steady breaths. WhileKillik drew out again, swifter this time, and slammed back in — and then again, and again. Until he was driving himself in and out of her, his hips pumping, his bollocks slapping with every staggering thrust. JoltingLouisa again and again, until her gasps were more like shouts, and it was taking all her effort, all her shattering focus, to hold her eyes to Ulfarr’s, to draw up his strength, his breath…
“Good, Louisa,” he purred, as his free hand slipped beneath her head, cradling against the base of her skull, so he could tilt her face a little more toward him. “Ach, this is so good. You are so lovely, and so sweet, with such a strong Skai prick ploughing you thus, and drawing up your joy.”
Oh, gods, yes, and Louisa’s glance at Killik’s flushed face found him looking at Ulfarr too, wanting to hear this, wanting more of this, please. And yes, maybe Ulfarr knew that too, giving a gentle approving caress of his hand between them, even as his head leaned forward, his mouth pressing a soft kiss to Louisa’s sweaty temple.
“Ach, just thus,” he murmured. “You breathe, and welcome this good gift my fierce pup grants you. And should you wish, you could even grant him your own gifts in return, ach? You could touch him, or praise him, or beg for his strong Skai seed.”
Oh, yes, Louisa could do that, if Killik didn’t mind that, if he really wanted that — but maybe he did want it, he did, his wild eyes now darting between Ulfarr and Louisa, his breath hitching as his hips plunged in harder. SoLouisa somehow nodded, found more air, breathed into the earth, as she skittered up her shaky hands, and spread them against Killik’s hard, sweaty chest. Felt the warmth of him, the strength of him, the furious rapid pulse of his racing heartbeat.
“So good, Killik,” she choked. “You feel — so good. Look so good. And you’re so — fierce, and clever, and — and — devoted, and I want — I want —”
Shecouldn’t even say it, couldn’t speak it into the light and the power and the maelstrom, the sheer disbelieving need of Killik’s glittering eyes on hers. And oh, hell, that was Ulfarr’s hand shifting, slipping out from between their slamming bodies, so he could raise it between them, and… sign.
“This is fuck me,” he murmured, so soft, as two of his fingers gently jabbed downwards toward her, until they nudged at Louisa’s gasping throat. “And this” — all those fingers spreading, easy and proprietary — “is fill me. And — please.”
Pleasewas his hand flattening, resting just below Louisa’s collarbone, above her jiggling breast. And yes, please, please, and she clutched his hand there, held it there, making it speak for her, making them speak together, as her other shaky hand snapped up, and signed the rest of it. Fuck me, Killik. Fill me, Killik. Please, Killik.
Andgods, the way Killik’s lashes fluttered, his mouth groaning, his hips plunging fierce and furious. So much, too much, and now Ulfarr’s hand was slipping down Louisa’s front again, sliding so easy back between them, and… touching. Touching her, stroking her just there, the way she’d taught him in the hayloft, whipping it harder and higher and hotter, her hands begging please Killik please Ulfarr please —
Louisascreamed as the bliss crashed and thundered, charged through her in great sweeping torrents — and Killik shouted too, all hissing rasping words she didn’t recognize. But then he bore down, holding hard, so hard it hurt, mashing them together, so his swelling stabbing cock could spasm, and spray. Surging into Louisa, spewing out in sharp seizing bursts, filling her again and again with his hot slick seed, while she writhed and clutched it, milked at it, needing more, more, more.
Butthen — then, it was done. Done, because Killik had already yanked himself out, away. Not even looking at her now, just holding his gaze downwards as he swiped for his sagging trousers, and jerked them up. Hiding himself, even as his slick liquid mess bubbled out from inside Louisa, sputtering all over the fur beneath them.
And, oh gods, what was she supposed to do with this, with how Killik’s eyes were now carefully fixed across the room. And damn it, she was even still touching him, and…
Andwait. Wait, Ulfarr’s warm hand had followed hers, found hers, spread over hers against Killik’s chest. Wanting her hand to stay there, held tight against the uneasy truth of Killik’s still-pounding heartbeat.
“Good, Louisa,” Ulfarr murmured, soft in her ear. “This was all so good. And unless Killik tells you to stop, you may yet touch him, ach? It pleases him, when you show him how much you wish for him. And when you show him how thankful you are” — his voice dropped, as his big hand eased sideways, stroked slow and possessive up Killik’s heaving side — “for his hunger, and his wisdom, and his fealty. For his great, great kindness.”
Killik’srigid body betrayed a faint but distinct twitch, his eyes darting back to Ulfarr’s face. To where a twinge of that darkness had passed across Ulfarr’s eyes, fading that hint of a smile on his mouth.
“Such great kindness, Killik,” Ulfarr said, quieter. “I have not thanked you enough.”
Killik’smouth spasmed, and his gaze again flicked away as he shook his head, jerky and dismissive. But the look on his face, the too-bright glint in his eyes, said something else, shouted something else, and oh gods, Louisa wasn’t going to weep, she wasn’t.
“Really?” her fool voice demanded, into the pulsing silence. “Kindness? Him? Not to question your judgement, sweetheart, but do you know how many times this stubborn Skai has shouted and sulked and raged at me, and waved his daggers in my face?”
Andcurse her, what was she doing, what was she saying, snapping Ulfarr’s surprised eyes to hers like that — but wait, yes, that was relief on Killik’s face, maybe even gratefulness, as he bared his teeth toward her, and reached up to yank one of his daggers out of his topknot.
“Ach, for you are the most provoking woman to ever walk this earth!” he snapped, flipping the dagger in his fingers, pointing its tip at her nose. “And you never cease with your trouble and your meddling! You ken I wished to have my peaceful life upended by such a spiteful ungrateful harpy?”
Louisablinked up at him, fought to shove down the instant’s low hurt in her belly — damn it, she’d started this, hadn’t she? And what did it matter if he’d just fucked her like that, and then called her a spiteful ungrateful harpy…
Butbeside her, Ulfarr had tilted his head, and oh, that was his warm gentle mouth, kissing again at her temple. As his hand kept stroking Killik, smoothing up and down his side, as if settling a wild frightened beast…
“Ach, my unruly pup is only barking at you, woman,” Ulfarr murmured. “And only now seeking to play. But even when he falls into a temper, you ken this always passes as quick as it comes, ach? There is naught of true weight or danger in this. When he is truly enraged, he shall smile and speak sweetly to you, even as he plots your doom, ach?”
Oh. Ulfarr’s voice sounded — fond, even affectionate, his hand still stroking at Killik’s side, his eyes warmer again, softer again, as they held to Killik’s unreadable watching face. “And it is the same with his daggers, you ken,” Ulfarr’s low voice continued. “They are part of him, just as much as his claws or his teeth or his temper. But” — his stroking hand paused, gave a light pat to Killik’s flank — “he should never unwittingly cut you or catch you with them, no matter how close they come. For he is mayhap our finest weapons wielder, and if he truly wished to harm you, you should be screaming before you saw him move.”
Louisaswallowed, blinking between them, while her thoughts lurched backwards to that day with Rikard in the forest. WhenKillik had indeed given Rikard that terrifying smile, and laughed as Rikard had staggered away.
“Well, he’s still an arrogant, infuriating tyrant,” Louisa finally managed. “Who can’t even be bothered to hint at his bedmates that he might have enjoyed himself!”
ButKillik rolled his eyes at her, and again waved his dagger in her face, maybe just to prove Ulfarr’s point. “IfI did not enjoy myself, woman,” he drawled, “do you ken I should yet be here? Do you ken I should have put my strong Skai prick anywhere near your grasping human womb again, let alone answered your pleas for my good Skai seed?”
Louisasputtered and glared at him, and then shot Ulfarr a wry, disbelieving look. “How do I sign fuck you?” she demanded at him. “Or maybe, I hope our wolf makes you scream on his strong Skai prick?”
Killikinstantly snarled, giving another furious flail of his dagger, but oh, Ulfarr half-smiled back at her, and then signed it, just as she’d asked. Gently jabbing two fingers at Killik’s bobbing throat — fuck you — and then a touch at his own chest, his hands pressing together as if in a prayer. And then one hand brushing Killik’s bare chest, and then reaching up to tug at Killik’s mouth, while his other hand dropped to his own trousers, and made a very clear, very obscene stroking motion. As if he was caressing a huge prick, and then aiming it toward… Killik.
Therewasn’t even an actual bulge in Ulfarr’s trousers — and maybe there hadn’t been, that entire time. But as Louisa watched him sign it, watched Killik’s eyes sharply widen at the sight of it, it was still too much, too stark and strong, all helpless desperate yearning shouting in her chest. And without at all meaning to, she turned toward Ulfarr’s too-close face, drew in a deep breath against his sweet-scented skin.
“Don’t think I fully got that, sweetheart,” she whispered. “Could you show me again?”
Killikvisibly twitched this time, even bared his teeth toward her, but he was still watching, too. Watching with almost as much raw, quivering longing as Louisa felt, as Ulfarr’s warm, steady eyes looked back at him, and his hands easily signed those too-powerful words. His fingers touching Killik’s throat, then his own chest, then the prayer, then Killik’s mouth — and then that obscene stroking toward Killik, as if aiming at him, longing to be inside him…
Fuck you. I pray you scream upon my strong prick in you.
Killik’smouth opened and closed, his face now flushed deeper than Louisa had ever seen it, and she could see the effort in his slow shaky breath, in how he drew the strength from the floor — and then darted his wide eyes toward Louisa’s face.
“You,” he said, hoarse. “You are a scourge upon the realm, woman. Before you, my days were peaceful! Full of friendly spying and killing and fucking! And now you swan in and shower us with this! Rules, and loincloths, and weak flimsy chains! And now seeking to make sure I shall never walk again!”
Buthe was — barking at her, Ulfarr had said, wanting to play, and Louisa drew up her coolest, sweetest smile, and aimed it toward his disgruntled face. “Oh, rubbish,” she said, as lightly as she could. “Unlikesome people, Ulfarr actually knows how to be gentle in bed, don’t you, sweetheart? SoI’m sure you’d walk again, Killik. Eventually.”
Killiksnarled and gave another furious whirl of his dagger, this time between her and Ulfarr both. “How great a fool do you ken I am?” he snapped back. “Ach, before I should risk putting that cudgel of his anywhere near my rump, I should like to see you try it first, woman. We shall see how you walk after, and then, mayhap, I shall ponder this.”
Louisahadn’t missed that sharp catch of Ulfarr’s breath beside her, his gaze rapidly darting between them. AndKillik shot him a brief searching look, holding an instant too long, and then rolling his eyes.
“Gird your loincloth, then, woman,” he said, jabbing his dagger toward her. “You now have four more nights.”
Four more nights. It should have been a lowering reminder of that time limit, of how this was still only a deal — or how with everything that had happened today, maybe they wouldn’t have four more nights at all. Maybe there were only more punishments after this, more retaliations and regrets, maybe Louisa would never see them again, maybe she wouldn’t want to see them again, either…
Butin this moment, this breath, blinking at Killik’s cool, glittering eyes, it felt almost like… a promise. A challenge. Prove this to me…
“Fine, then, you smug raging snake,” Louisa hissed, low and hot in her throat. “Four more nights.”