Chapter 16
The calm before the pleasure
LORIEN
Jude stands in front of the window, his pale skin stark against the dark blue backdrop.
He’s stunning like this, and the light and shadows catch every contour, every ripple, every outline of his body.
The man is a tease, and when my eyes wander down to his perfectly formed ass, I have to grip the arms of my chair to hold myself back.
I’m tempted to bend him over whatever piece of furniture comes to hand and fuck him until he screams my goddamn name.
It’s been a few days since we fucked, and he’s been affectionate. Clingy even. He wants reassurance that nothing and everything’s changed, and that he’s safe, especially after Soren’s intervention.
I am far from pleased, even if Soren was right, and what happened between Jude and me was mostly my fault. I could have done things differently, but so could he, and I’ve kept everyone away from my chambers until I’m sure Jude’s settled.
He’s certainly more comfortable.
He walks around naked, entirely at ease. He’s stopped fidgeting with his collar and he’s even stopped pacing.
Instead, he stares out the window, watching the water as it moves before him, completely content to follow the ocean and its tides.
He’s still in its thrall, still in awe of everything he sees.
Right now, he’s delighted because a lanternfish is swimming in front of him, although the poor thing appears rather perplexed if its course is anything to go by.
“The light disorientates them,” I say, walking over to him.
Jude doesn’t flinch, and he’s more relaxed in my presence.
“I thought it was the vibrations,” he replies.
I nibble his ear, and he shudders against me. “Come to bed, Jude. We have time before I introduce you to court.”
My hand slides down his front and his cock is semi-hard already. Jude’s responsive, and I’ve made sure that he hasn’t been denied. I want him to obey me without question and to be ready for me to fuck whenever I want first.
The time for denial will come, but it isn’t now.
Now is the time for pleasure. For teaching him how many ways there are to take it and letting him learn how much I can give.
“You’re insatiable,” he laughs.
“You’re insatiable, Master,” I correct, my claws scraping as they run down his cock.
“God,” he mumbles. “Why the fuck is that so good, Master?”
“Because you’re mine. Now, should I fuck you before or after court, Jude?”
His cock jerks, and his pulse quickens. Jude has let me play with him in every way but that since we fucked, and I’m keen to repeat the experience.
For his sake, so he knows it wasn’t a one-off experience, and the pleasure he’ll get from a damn good fucking is reinforced.
But I crave it too, and the need to come in his ass and claim him as mine is becoming a distraction.
“After,” he mumbles.
I arch an eyebrow. “Are you sure, babe? I don’t care how hard you get or how desperate you become. Your dick can throb and weep for me as you sit at my feet, and I won’t provide you with one second of relief.”
My hand slides over his shaft and he gasps. “Fuck, please.”
Jude’s learning to ask for what he wants and I’d rather he was willing, happy, and confident. I’m prepared to indulge him this time, although on other occasions, I won’t give him the option.
I glance at the couch and control myself.
“I’d better find you something loose to wear then,” I whisper in his ear. “Or the court might see your hard on.”
Jude glances back at me, and the mischievous glint in his eyes is unmistakable. I grab a pair of silk trousers from my dressing room and return, throwing them at Jude. He dresses and I watch, refusing to deny myself the pleasure.
“It’ll be better if I chain you to me.” I don’t miss my apologetic tone. “It’ll keep you safer, for now.”
He nods and I know this stings.
I know he thinks it’s because he’s a disappointment.
Jude doesn’t flinch as I clip the chain to his collar, but his eyes darken and I hope we won’t have more moments like this. I want our steps to be forward, not backward. Pleasurable, not painful.
I keep the conversation light as we walk through the corridors of my palace, pointing out the paintings and telling the story behind them. Jude knows what I’m doing, and I doubt I’m easing his anxiety, and I hear his heart quicken as we approach the large golden doors to my throne room.
“You just have to sit there and smile back at me.”
A smile threatens his lips. “And not answer back.”
I nod, trying not to smile.
“Or interrupt,” he adds. “Or speak first. Or accidentally fuck up, Lorien.”
“Master.”
He nods, and my point is made.
I flick my wrist and the doors open, before Jude can spiral further into anxiety and I walk at a slow, careful pace, with him just behind me.
The eyes of my court bore into us, and while I’m used to the attention, Jude is not and he’s growing more nervous with every step.
He’s doing fine, but the hushed whispers and cold, calculating stares aren’t helping, and I’m relieved to take my throne.
Jude looks less impressed with his seating arrangements.
We’ve discussed this, and the cushion is an extravagance a human wouldn’t normally be afforded.
But he is my concubine and I will start as I mean to go on, and I will not offer him any less comfort than my last. The court can be damned, and while I know Jude has made his feelings about the seating arrangements quite clear, I will not be moved on this. Not yet.
In time, perhaps.
The higher-ranking members of my court move closer, all but spitting venom as they stalk closer to Jude. He glances around and turns back to me, and I tip my head toward his seat.
He sits. Without grace. With not one flicker of elegance.
He couldn’t have been more outrageously out of place if he tried.
And yet, it’s so perfectly him that it’s right.
The court still and they stare at him. And Jude stares right back at them, refusing to cower or show any weakness. Any of them could rip him to shreds in seconds, and he doesn’t care.
Tides, he’s Helena’s heir.
I’ve seen that defiance only once before and it almost killed me then. It might kill me now, and I’d die happy in his arms.
Orlith glances up at me, his predatory gaze as sharp as ever and the storms in his eyes as dark. Soren risks a glance and he’s less outraged, offering me an approving nod, and the patronizing asshole silently lets me know he thinks I’m doing a better job with Jude.
I wait, my claws tapping against the bones of my throne.
There’s no announcement, no roll of parchment today.
There’s only one matter to discuss, and he’s sitting at my feet, refusing to let my court intimidate him.
“Well?” I ask.
Orlith shuffles.
“Don’t tell me we’ve abandoned all our traditions?” I ask, with enough sarcasm to scathe.
My steward looks up at me and his eyes dart to the gathering throng of my subjects, who look increasingly nervous and enraged. The cavernous room amplifies every sound and yet there’s none to be heard, not now that my court is unsure how to proceed.
“Did we wish to discuss something?” I ask. “Or can I return to fucking my concubine?”
Orlith pales. Soren coughs and splutters. Others gasp. One of the more traditional ladies dares to pretend she’s about to faint. She’s a pain in my ass and a terrible hypocrite, and I won’t tolerate this behavior any longer.
“I assume we did not think I was waiting until rings were exchanged before claiming him?”
Jude snaps his head around and he looks startled.
I grin down at him and he forgets to smile back at me, too damn shocked to do anything but gawk at me.
“Close that mouth of yours, before I find a use for it.”
He snaps it shut and I laugh. “See, he’s learning. He amuses me, which is more than any of the rest of you do. Today, you are trying my fucking patience and I have better things to do than waste my time.”
“Lord—”
“Your Majesty,” I correct, turning my attention to the unfortunate soul who’s made such a stupid mistake.
“It is not that he is human that gives us cause for concern,” the noble says, carefully choosing his words.
I lean back, enjoying the merman’s predicament.
Jude is less sure, and I wish I could reassure him that this will be fine. I’ve played this game a thousand times and never lost. Not yet.
“The rumor is he is…”
The noble shuffles, and he’s looking for permission to speak freely. He won’t find it, not when he’s daring to question what Jude and I are. Not when he’s threatening the human who has my protection. And my heart.
“Is he Helena’s heir?” he asks.
“Yes.”
The court takes a breath, and the hushed whispers and gossip begin.
There’s panic spreading through the women and the men look on, concerned we will return to the troubles she forced us into.
Admittedly, they’ve got reason to be concerned, and if I were them, I wouldn’t want that kind of danger to threaten the ocean and their waters again.
I assured them Helena was dealt with.
I gave them my word that she would not bother us again, that her magic would not try to tear our world apart.
Our deal stopped the destruction and devastation that she brought with her, and the war that we fought ended with the single stroke of a pen inked with her blood.
The kelpies were held back, death receded with the tides and the famine that plagued so many of my people ended.
Now, they’re concerned Jude will bring all of this and more.
He’s a threat, and they’re more scared of him than he is of them.
“Is this a problem?” I ask, sounding blasé.
“The reefs are collapsing, the kelpies are returning, and the currents turn towards the dark,” the noble says. “Your Majesty, we realize that he is quite the specimen, and that he is truly gifted, but perhaps it is wise to be cautious when such a threat washes up on your shores.”
“Are you suggesting that my concubine is responsible for these events?”