42
EVERYTHING YOU WANT
HENRY
A nother scream pierces the quiet and it’s a cry of devastation and pain. It’s a cacophony of hurt, a symphony of sorrow. It’s the howl of the wolf that’s lost its pups. It’s the crash as the world splits apart when not all the men who went to war return. It’s a thousand wails of grief and it’s coming from my wife.
This is far too close to call and I’m far from fucking happy. Ryan’s taken over running the coven and Matt’s been dealing with the remnants of the other two. I don’t have time for anything except Ivy and every time the Brotherhood asks to speak to me, I impolitely decline.
I refuse to let her go. I won’t leave her for a second. I won’t make the mistake I’ve made too many times before. This is Ivy’s crucible, this is her test. She’ll burn or break and I’ll be damned if I let her turn to ash.
I should have turned her earlier .
I should have explained this to her.
I should have done a thousand other things differently, but I didn’t and now she’s paying the price for my mistakes.
Her little body buckles and curls into a ball, clinging to itself as pain rips through it. I’d give anything to take this away from her. Do anything to spare her this burden. I’ve failed her again and I screw my eyes up when her knees hit her chest and she shudders, reacting to the horrors reeling through her mind.
There wasn’t time to prepare. There wasn’t even a second to order my memories and Ivy’s dealing with the disarray of my disordered thoughts. She’ll struggle to understand most of it and the constant waves of my existence will break on her and threaten to turn her to driftwood, ever lost on a sea on uncertain tides.
“I’m here, Ivy.”
My voice is soft. A balm of comfort to soothe her pain. And me.
Her fingers reach for me and dig into my thigh, clinging on like she’s holding on for dear life. Whichever memory is taking hold is potent, and my wife’s caught in its thrall. It's carrying her in its streams as they turn to torrents, washing away her senses as it consumes her and she screams, shaking as the violence of my life tears hers apart.
“I want it to end.”
My heart shatters as I curse myself for being a selfish asshole who did this to someone so pure. So perfect. So finnocent my memories are a torture from hell.
“You’re going to be fine.”
Please, let her be fine .
Please, Ivy .
For me .
“I can’t…”
She’s giving up and I cannot allow it.
Ivy needs to find her fight, and I need to rouse her temper. Even if it hurts me. Even if it goes against my nature. Sometimes the fight is the only thing left and that’s what drags you forward. It’s the call to survive and the light that won’t fade, even when hope has been pried from your grasp. Ivy needs to survive the darkest hours of the morning, endure their cold, and then she’ll rise like the sun and the colors of her dawn will be more startling than any seen before or after.
I haul her onto my lap, and her skin is drenched in sweat. She’s cold and clammy, shivering as terror and the transformation take hold. Ivy dares to open her eyes, and their brilliant emerald has faded to dull moss, their sparkle gone as their gleam turns dim.
“Take from me, lea.”
Ivy shakes her head and tries to drop it, and I grab her chin, forcing it up. She needs this and I’d rather she took it willingly, but if she won’t, I’ll force her. Our eyes meet again and there’s little resistance in hers, leaving me mourning the loss of her fight that used to drive me insane.
“I can’t.”
She’s pitiful and I won’t let her be this.
“You can, Ivy. You can do this. For me.” I pause. “For yourself.”
I turn my head and offer her my neck, knowing it’s a temptation she’ll struggle to resist. So far, she’s refused to feed herself and I’ve resorted to feeding her when she slept or making her drink from me. But I’ve left her a few days without food and that’s part of why she’s struggling.
Ivy needs to feed, and the thirst is taking over her senses. It’s pulsing through her and flowing into me through the bond tying us together. She’s hungry and her breathing quickens as she leans forward, dragging her fingers down my neck.
She wants this.
She needs this.
She just has to give in to this.
Her mouth plays over my neck and her sucks become more fervent. More demanding. She’s testing the waters, afraid to take the plunge, terrified of what she’ll discover. I’m prepared to give her time to grow and learn, but too much is a dangerous delay.
Ivy nips, and it’s a start. A poor one, but better than none.
“Harder, Ivy.”
“I can’t do this, Henry.”
My jaw ticks. “I’m not doing it for you, pet.”
Her body stiffens and her fire returns. “I’m not your fucking pet.”
“Then stop acting like a pathetic, needy kitten and be the lioness I know you are.”
My wife growls at me and I fucking love it. She bites my neck and the rumble of her moans deepens as her nip turns into something stronger. Something with some fucking teeth and I hold, refusing to do anything more than be passive as I make her take this step.
Her teeth cut my skin and she sucks, tentatively. Agonizingly. Ivy’s hesitation won’t last, and her excitement builds rapidly as the craving for blood takes hold. She’s tasted its iron and the lust for more will take over, letting me relax now I’m certain she’s going to take the meal she needs. My eyes shut as her feeding becomes furious and I let her take happier memories, pushing moments of calm into her.
It's a moment of manipulation, but she damn well needs it.
Ivy’s fangs pierce deeper as she loses control and she feeds well, taking what she needs and more as blood lust takes over. New vampires are vicious and they have little control once they begin, unaware of where the limits lie or when enough is enough.
I run my fingers through her hair, soothing her until she’s had her fill I fist her hair, dragging her off my neck and ignoring the snapping, hissing protests as she fights to return to the blood making her high. Her features are sharp, her eyes vermillion and her fangs drip with blood as my wife snarls at me for denying her the pleasure she’s taken from me. From my blood.
“Better?” I ask.
Ivy scowls and the fight I thought she was losing returns with a vengeance. Her weight shifts as she adjusts herself on my lap and her color returns, her body and mind rejuvenated by my blood. She’s alert and desperate for another high, chasing anything that will take the edge off the craving coursing through her.
“You’re a fucking asshole.”
I smirk and nod. “There are other pleasures, Ivy.”
She has little inhibition and I’d hoped we’d get here when I offered her my neck, eager to fuck until she knows she’s mine and some fucking balance is restored. There won’t be much of it until Ivy works her aggression out, but it’s a small price to pay for the pleasure of fucking my wife, and I’ll remind her of her place before we’re done.
Ivy’s eyes flash scarlet and they’re as dazzling as her ruby collar. She won’t be taking it off, even now she’s turned, especially when it looks so stunning around her precious, perfect neck. Her teeth draw back as she fidgets, trying to ignore the arousal burning through her body as she wonders what to do about the blood around her mouth.
My smirk widens as I tighten my hold, leaning forward and teasing her with my proximity. We’re so fucking close she’ll feel my breath on her skin and I lick her face, tasting my own blood as I clean it away. Her lips move, parting and pleading for more as her back arches and her tits press into me, trying to tempt me to kiss her.
I’m keen, but I want her to fucking take from me.
Ivy needs to accept her transformation. That’s why it isn’t taking hold and why she can’t complete the change. She needs to give in to the thrall of the darkness and all its desires, and if I have to modify mine to let that happen, then it’s a price I’ll willingly pay.
For her.
And her alone.
She whines and hisses, and I ignore every fucking sound driving me wild as her tension builds. She’s fraught. A needy hot mess of arousal ready to unleash itself and sate the fire burning inside of her.
Ivy’s right: I’m an asshole.
And I’m going to make her wait until it’s unbearable before I let her take what she wants from me. Her whines grow more frantic as she pulls against my hold, ignoring the pain spreading over her scalp as her mouth searches for mine.
“Almost there, lea.”
She growls and her eyes narrow, infuriated with the game I’m forcing her to play. I lap slowly, drawing out her agony as Ivy claws my arms, threatening to dig her rapidly sharpening nails in.
“Behave, or you won’t get my cock.”
“You’re such an asshole. ”
My eyebrow arches. “That’s not behaving, pet.”
Her pupils dilate as her brows furrow, and she’s fucking pissed at being made to wait. On any other day, I’d punish her for being fucking disobedient, but today is a day for other pleasures. Today is hers and I need her to turn, and I’m doing everything I can to rile the predator inside that’s trying to take hold.
“You don’t deserve it.”
My eyebrow arches. “Maybe you don’t deserve to come, Ivy.”
A startled gasp rolls off her chest before she tenses, readying herself for whatever she has in mind. I dip my head as I move hers into position, making it damn clear who the fuck’s in charge. In a moment, I’ll allow her to think it’s changed, but as soon as she’s had her fill, I’ll snatch every ounce of control back and my wife will remember her fucking place.
At my side. In my bed. Underneath and above me. As my pet and equal. A vampire destined to eternally walk with me through this world and witness all its horrors and glories.
I release my grip and Ivy moves.
She’s fucking fast and her mouth slams onto mine before I blink, chasing the high she’s been denied until now. Her kiss is aggressive, deep and needy, full of danger and desire and everything in between. She still tastes of honey and amber, of roasted chestnuts and nutmeg, of chocolate and its sin.
I rest as she pushes me back. Ivy grinds her body against mine, and I relish the sensation. Every fucking inch of her. Of the hardness and softness I could have lost. That I might still lose if she doesn't pull through this fight. The chances of losing her have narrowed, but Ivy needs her fire more than ever and the spark in her eyes returns, flooding my dark despair with the light of hope.
I move my hands up her sides and she growls again, aggressively acting on her impulses. Her hands slap mine away, moving back to pawing at me with a need I know and feel. Her claws tear at my clothes as she tests them out, shredding my top more slowly than I would in her position. She scrapes her nail down my chest and shudders, reminded of her time with Marcus, and that's okay. I'll catch her every fucking time she falters, from now until our days are done, no matter the size of her misstep. She's facing her demons and helped me face mine, and I rise to meet her, acknowledging her as my equal.
Ivy's moans deepen and her hands find my belt, undoing it quickly and without hesitation.She's giving in to her urges and accepting her cravings, letting her craving for blood send her hurtling into the heady torrents of lust.
She pulls back, lifting off her top and removing her clothes with a speed matching her desire. Ivy's stopped thinking, stopped questioning. She's started doing and that's fucking good. It's needed. It's what I wanted. And she looks fucking stunning as she takes what she wants from me.
Her body glows and her chest heaves as she moves back into position. She's beautiful, free from the constraints of her mind and the bars containing her aspirations. Her tits move seductively as she sweeps her long blond hair back and I stare up at my wife, more in love than ever.
Her thighs spread across mine and the slightest touch makes my cock so fucking hard it hurts. I'm weeping precum and it's mixing with her wetness as she rubs herself against me, giving us both a modicum of relief from the heat rising inside.
“Ask nicely, Henry.”
Ivy's fucking pushing it and she damn well knows it. I growl and nip her neck playfully, reminding her not to take on more than she can fucking handle .
“Sit on my cock, lea.”
Her hips roll over mine and we groan in unison. “That's not asking nicely, Master.”
“Such a brat,” I hiss back. “Now be a good girl and fuck me like you want to. Like we both need you to.”
Ivy kisses me, and her need is as desperate as mine.
“Please, Ivy.”
Her smile returns, and it lights her face like a rainbow on a dreary day. It's starlight in the heavens, and its soft lines and curves contain all my hopes and dreams. Ivy sighs with a contented moan as I lift her hips and she rubs her clit on the tip of my cock, making us both moan in pleasure.
She's teasing me and I wait, certain I've got more fucking patience than she does.
Her hips roll again and she lets my dick slide back, finding her entrance. I'm achingly close to slipping into her and our eyes meet, silently exchanging a thousand unspoken words of devotion and desire. She smiles again and sinks onto me, dropping her weight as my cock finds its home. She's warm and wry, tight and safe, and the pleasure rippling through me is perfection. Such perfection.
“I've missed this, Henry.”
“It's been a little over a week, Ivy.”
She smirks and I want all her fucking grins. “We're never waiting this long again.”
Ivy moves and I do nothing, barely thrusting as she chases the high she so desperately craves. Her rhythm is fast and erratic and I love every fucking movement her body makes as my cock fills her cunt and drives her towards ecstasy. Her breathing turns frantic and color spreads over her breasts while her hands grab my shoulders for support.
I kiss her neck and she lolls her head back, free-falling toward ecstasy as her body starts to shake. I'm right behind her and my core heats, dangerously close to achieving my climax. She meets my gaze and keeps her rhythm and my balls tighten, drawing up as I come so damn hard I practically lose consciousness.
Ivy's claws dig in as she finds a purchase she needs and her cries turn into screams. She's not letting up, even after my dick floods her cunt with come.
“Ivy...”
“I need more, Henry.” She drops her head and keeps grinding on me. “I need more, Master.”
My dick ignores its pleas for a pause as I thrust my hips, fucking her through my orgasm and toward the next one. The feeling is like no other and Ivy's pussy contracts hard and fast around my cock, chasing a release of its own. She's alive and her arousal soars as she surrenders to the sensations sweeping through her.
Her movements fade a little as she tires, but she pushes through it, kissing me as her thighs take on more of the work. I cup her ass and take her weight, thrusting harder and deeper until we're both so damn close it hurts.
“Come with me, lea.”
I take control and my cock finds the spot that sends her wild, striking it every time I slide down her front. It throbs and jerks again as my pleasure burns too damn hot to handle and I growl, holding myself back for Ivy.
“Come for me, lea.”
She moans as her eyes glaze over, and her daze carries her away. Her pussy tightens and she shudders before she screams and shatters. My movements lose all meaning as my orgasm breaks and sends me hurtling through reality as wave after wave of heat hits my core .
Ivy collapses onto me and whimpers, lost in her ecstasy and her exhaustion. I lift her off me and lie her on my chest, pulling the covers over us. She pants and mews, purring against me as I draw circles on her back like the perfect creature she is.
“Better?” I ask.
“Much,” she says, still smiling.
She lifts her head and stares at me, wondering if she should ask the question that's bothering her. She damn well knows the answer and my jaw tightens, anticipating another pointless argument about something that doesn't need to be fought over.
“There's so much fire and smoke, Henry. Men screaming and women wailing. Buildings collapsing and so much noise. Too much noise. Then none and cacophony of pain.” She's trying to understand my memory, the one that haunted her before I dragged her out of it. “It's like you're staring down on an apocalypse. It feels like the end of time itself.”
“The fall of Rome,” I say so softly she startles. “Do you want me to tell you about it?”
She nods, then bites her lip and stops. “Is it painful? To remember?”
I wrap my arms around her, pulling her against me. “It used to be, but time heals most wounds, lea. It gets easier. You just have to keep going.”
Ivy's lips curl into a straight line. “Will you? Please. Tell me all of it.”
Her head falls as we both relax. I'll tell her anything and everything, as many times as she needs to hear it. About the fall of Rome and what came before and after it. My memories are hers, as hers are mine, and I'll do whatever I can to take the pain away. Her transition will be fraught and its agony will linger, but I won't shy away from this, as she didn't shy away from me.
“Anything you want, lea. Ask me for anything and I'll give it to you.”