CHAPTER 19
Frankie
At first, I thought joining all of them might excite me—the moans, the bodies moving together, the sheer thrill of it all.
But when he slams me against a tree, his eyes already lit with flames, I know I’m wrong.
His claws slice into the deadwood, sending a vibration through my back as splinters fall to my feet.
He doesn’t mean to scare me, but my pulse jumps anyway.
He rips his belt free and uses it to bind my wrists behind the trunk.
His wings shudder the way they always do when he’s on the verge of losing control, making my stomach knot.
Fingers squeeze my jaw, tilting my head, until naked demons grinding on one another come into view.
“Is this what you wanted to see, little mate?” His voice is so low I can’t tell if he’s truly angry.
I close my eyes, shaking my head. His grip tightens, then slowly slides down my neck. “Are you lying to me, little mate?” His face is so close now, I can feel his words on my lips.
I swallow, trying to get the lump down. I want to tell him the truth, but I’m not sure how stable he is at the moment. Inhaling through my nose, I remind myself that he would never hurt me…not really. I nod my head this time, hoping it doesn’t push him over the edge.
He circles me, slowly, not uttering a word.
Sweat drips down my face while I fight to steady my knees.
Taking a deep inhale, he shuts his eyes, a low rumble vibrating out of him.
“I can smell the fear on you.” His eyes snap to mine when he leans in.
Heat radiates from his skin, a reminder of the fire lurking below the surface. “Are you scared of your own mate?”
I shake my head, not hesitating this time. It’s true, there’s a survival instinct somewhere deep inside my body telling me to run when he’s like this, but I know with every inch of my soul that he would never hurt me.
The flames in his eyes turn black, revealing a different type of hunger—the kind I so desperately want to feed. “I want to hear you say it.”
I drag the tip of my tongue across my lips, not to steady myself this time, but to bait him. I’ve come to crave the thrill of what he does when I challenge him. “You don’t scare me, though I like it when you try.”
A wicked smile spreads across his lips, dark enough to make my stomach flip, while he works to remove the belt from around my wrists. Maybe baiting him wasn’t the smartest move. He studies me for a moment, then takes a step back. “Undress.”
I slide the tunic over my head and let it fall to the ground, revealing my bare breasts. He wets his lips, his gaze roaming over my body. “Good, now your pants.”
My eyes drop to my leather boots. Shit! I crouch, my face heating while I fumble with the laces, tugging them off. Pulling off my pants, I glance over. I hope he doesn’t see how clumsy I am. But he just stands there, patiently waiting while I bare myself piece by piece.
I stand before him, completely naked. The belt stretches between his hands, his eyes darkening. “On your knees.”
I do what he says, anticipation clawing through me. I can’t wait for the fiery taste that belongs only to him. He steps closer and I reach for the top of his pants. He catches my wrists with one hand. “Did I ask you to touch me?”
I immediately bow my head, trying to hide my smile. “No…sir.”
His chuckle tells me that he likes it when I tease him with the ridiculous title. “What a fast learner you are.”
He scoops up my discarded clothes. “Keep your hands tucked between your thighs,” he orders, laying them in a bundle not far from my knees.
I listen, wondering what he has planned.
He guides me forward, making sure I don’t fall on my face, as he rests my cheek on the clothing, protecting my skin from the ground.
My ass is straight up in the air, just the way he likes it.
I expect him to spank me for wanting to watch earlier, but he doesn’t. Instead, he crouches behind me, looping one end of the belt around my wrists, pulling it tight until the leather bites. Then he threads the length down to my ankles, cinching me together until I’m completely restrained.
The ground crunches under his boots. “You wanted to watch them fuck? Watch their bodies writhing as they lose control? I don’t think so, little mate. You’re the one being watched now.”
My body trembles as his words sink in. He wants me on full display, bound and helpless for his pleasure alone—punishment for wanting to watch the others.
I try to shift, but the belt holds tight.
His voice rumbles behind me. “Struggle all you want, it only makes it that much better when you touch yourself.”
I’m so turned on, I don’t think I can wait any longer. My fingers slip between my thighs, desperate, reckless. A low sound vibrates in his throat. “Don’t stop until I say.”
The belt digs into my wrists and ankles with every shift, but I keep going. I’m so close now. My body begs for him, for his hands instead of mine, but he only watches. A whimper escapes as my slick fingers circle harder, hovering at the edge. Oh God, yes, just a little more.
“Stop.” His command slams into me and I freeze, my body screaming for the release he denied. Damn him! His fingers move to unbuckle the belt. “You think I’d let you come on your fingers? No, Melita. Your pussy is mine, and it only answers to me.”
I breathe his name as the belt slips free in one sharp tug. Finally, his hands are on me, dragging me against him. “That’s it.” His voice is low. “Beg for me, little mate. I’ll give you what you need.”
Relief crashes through me when he finally does. His mouth is at my throat as I pull his pants down. Nothing exists but the two of us when he pushes into me, stretching me full at last.
A warm touch pulls me from sleep, leaving goosebumps behind. I smile, not wanting to open my eyes yet. Something’s different this morning. I’m lighter, more steady. Last night…God, last night was amazing. “Good morning,” I sigh.
The strong arms holding me loosen so I can face him. Zarreth brings my wrists to his lips and places a gentle kiss over the raw skin. Maybe there’s something wrong with me, but the marks from his belt make me smile. Actually…no. There’s nothing wrong with me. Last night was exactly what I needed.
“Good morning, sleepyhead.” His gentle voice nearly lulls me back to sleep. But something in the tone pulls at me. Why is he so excited for me to wake up?
My hands explore his bare chest. “Round two already?” Or was it round three…four? I don’t remember. All I know is I had the best sleep I’ve had in a really long time, which is saying something, considering we’re on the hard, ashen ground.
“Look,” he says, opening his wings, bringing us back to the real world.
“Nooo,” I whine, refusing to leave this perfect moment.
He chuckles. “You might think differently if you look around.”
Curiosity pulls me up, and the sight leaves me awestruck. The ground beneath us is no longer barren. Ash and dirt are replaced with something so green it nearly makes me weep. “How did this…”
Is this really happening? Did I do this? I want to cry as my gaze lands on a cluster of fragile white bells. Their sweet perfume clings to the air—Lily of the valley…but that’s impossible.
Zarreth’s voice is low, almost reverent. “They bloomed while you were asleep.” His gaze lingers on the flowers before it finds mine. “It was…magical, like the world forgot where it was.”
I shake my head, almost scared to believe it, but the evidence is right in front of me. My light. My ability to heal. It’s coming back. Please don’t let me lose this.
The dainty petals hold me captive, the world narrowing to nothing but them. Laughter cuts across the courtyard, followed by the scrape of steel on stone. Crap. It’s later than I thought.
“Shit, the time!” I stumble to my feet, heart racing. “Your mom. I’m supposed to meet her for the grounding practice.” I almost don’t want to go. I don’t think I could be any more grounded than I am right here.
He looks toward the village. “They’ll be gathering soon,” he says gently. “I can fly you there.”