Chapter 4 Rhianelle #2
This time, his thrusts cease halfway, avoiding where I want him most. He keeps sending me close to the edge, but the relief does not arrive.
By the third time he does that, I can’t stand the sweet torment any longer and my hips begin chasing for his touch.
I nudge his hand deeper before the anticipation kills me.
He chuckles quietly to himself, but he doesn’t give me more.
I realize he’s doing this on purpose. This is too cruel. I open my eyes to glare at the stranger, but it only seems to amuse him. “You’re a monster.”
“Maybe. But I’m yours, little fawn,” he whispers, the heat in his voice ripples through the cold air, warming me. “You just have to tell me what you want.”
My core throbs, craving whatever he gave me earlier. I feel like I might cry if he refuses me in the midst of this high. No, I think I may die.
“Please, touch me more,” I whimper, begging for sweet release. His pace quickens and I close my eyes, slumping my back against him. I’m at the mercy of his hand now. Each thrust sends a wave of heat cascading through my body.
My nails claw into his arm with a desperation I’ve never felt before. “Don’t you dare stop.”
“I won’t,” he vows. “There’s no one here but us. Go on.”
He drives harder into me until I’m bucking against his hand. I’m moaning uncontrollably as my head spins into oblivion.
“Come for me,” he says, nipping the crest of my ear, and I know I am done for.
Sparks of pleasure shoot through my spine like a bolt of lightning.
My cries of delight fill the night shamelessly as I shatter into a thousand pieces.
I ride out the orgasm until I am utterly spent, my hands falling limp at my sides.
“There we go,” he praises with a groan of approval. His fingers slowly ease from me, allowing me to come down from my high. I open my eyes to find him staring at me.
A heavy look of satisfaction fills his gaze from watching me fall apart. He licks my arousal from his fingers like it’s some kind of reward.
I can barely summon enough breath to ask him, “What did I steal from you?”
“A kiss.”
If I was not so addled with the pleasure coursing through my veins, I would’ve rolled my eyes.
Fair enough.
I lift my head so he can claim it back. He cups my face and crushes his mouth against mine. An exquisite rush of sensation goes through me when his tongue tangles with mine in punishing strokes. This man doesn’t kiss, he conquers. I completely surrender myself to him.
“You don’t play fair,” I protest, adjusting my position until I’m straddling him. I reach for his breeches, tugging the laces. I want him to see himself unravel the way I did. The stranger suddenly snatches my wrist, bringing it to his mouth. The movement is so abrupt it surprises me a little.
I giggle at the feel of his tongue and teeth against my soft skin. “That tickles.”
He pauses from kissing or biting my hand, or whatever it is he’s about to do. His face contorts with a sudden confusion. The intensity of that stare is freaking me out.
“What’s wrong?” I ask him.
“You seem like a real person,” he says in utter bewilderment.
“I am a real person,” I say defensively.
I wiggle on his lap to switch position, shifting to sit on his thigh instead of his crotch. He is quiet for so long that it surprises me when he speaks again. “Is this not a dream?”
“Well it is…But it’s my dream,” I say with a frown.
He sets his elbow on the armrest and rests his head on his knuckles to study me. I draw my knees to my chest to feel less vulnerable.
“How did you find me, little fawn?” he asks.
“I followed a song. Were you singing to me?”
He seems mortified by the very idea. “I would never do something that absurd.”
We stare at each other for a long, heavy moment. Something bright catches my eyes. There are twice as many stars in the night sky as usual. And they’re falling to earth. Everything finally clicks in my pleasure-addled brain.
“I think it makes sense for our paths to cross,” I mutter with awe. “It’s Merafall. The sacred anniversary when the Goddess Mera descends from the heavens to save the world.”
He settles back on the throne. “I’ve never heard of such a thing.”
“Sometimes two wandering souls bump into each other on this holy night,” I say, my eyes straying to the desolation and despair around us. “Although, we could have picked a better place, like a cafe or something.”
He quirks an eyebrow. “What’s a cafe?”
“It’s a place where people gather to eat and drink,” I answer nervously. I’ve never actually been to one. My description is purely based on the things I heard from Tallula and Lenna.
“Like a tavern?”
“Yes! But there are books and it’s quiet. It smells nice too.”
“It sounds like a nice place,” he says absently.
“You’re supposed to take me out on a date, spend time with me before—what we did.” Once again, heat sears my cheeks.
He stares at me with that dark gaze until a smile tugs his lips. “I would love to court you, little fawn.” His deep, alluring voice fills the night. The fear in my chest eases at the sound of that.
A long silence stretches between us as I stay on his lap.
I don’t know what kind of spell he has cast on me, but I feel perfectly comfortable.
He gathers me closer to his chest to keep me warm.
I love the way I fit in the crook of his body so perfectly.
It feels so wonderfully right, like I’ve always belonged here.
I reach my hand to catch one of the falling stars and close my eyes.
“What are you doing?” he asks.
“Making a wish. Prayers are answered on this holy night,” I share with him. “Go on, try it.”
He glances to the distant sky before reaching a hand to grasp at the stars like I did.
“I want an end,” he announces his wish.
“A happy ending?” I ask.
His mouth lifts a little. “An end to my sufferings.”
Oh.
I peer at him quietly. His dark eyes seem to hold all kinds of secrets. There is something deep and haunting buried in them. I reach up to grasp his raised hand, threading his fingers with mine.
There’s a small look of surprise on his face as I bring his knuckles to my lips, kissing each one.
“What did you wish for?”
“For your wish to come true,” I say with a smile.
It quickly falters when his dark gaze flickers to me. I almost squirm under that scrutiny until he kisses the top of my head. Warm flutters spread inside of my chest when he trails his lips to my neck.
“Can we make more than one wish?” he asks.
“Of course,” I answer, along with a nod. I start greedily snatching every fallen star in the sky. I have so many things I want, so many dreams to fulfill. The stranger doesn’t raise his hand, content with watching me.
“You have to catch the stars for your wish,” I whisper, pointing to the sky.
“It’s fine. I’ve caught mine,” he says, drawing his arms tighter around me. I let out a small laugh at the gesture, snuggling closer to him. A sense of safety washes over me being in his embrace.
“I’m curious. What were you going to do if this was just any other dream of yours?” I dare ask. It looked a lot like he was about to devour me. In fact, that raw hunger has not faded. He is still staring at me like I’m a juicy rabbit he captured in a meadow.
He seems to consider his answer, “I would lick and taste every inch of you. Then I’d bend you over the throne and plunge my cock into you all night long.”
His expression barely shifts over the filthy, seductive promise. I’m glad my mouth doesn’t fall open. All night long sounds incredibly dangerous, but I’m feeling brave tonight.
“So do it,” I challenge.
He barks a laugh. The sound is foreign to him, as if he doesn’t do it enough. “I would love nothing more than to fuck you under the stars. But you’re real and too damn sweet. Maybe next time we’ll meet somewhere nicer.”
“There won’t be a next time,” I mutter under my breath.
His face falls a little.
“Because I’m going to find you,” I tell him. I try to wink, but I end up blinking both eyes like a fool.
Stupid, stupid, stupid.
The stranger doesn’t care about my silly act as he presses his forehead against mine. Something deep and profound passes between us and the longing strikes me again. I pull his face down desperately to claim his lips.
He gives me a sweet, gentle kiss. It’s almost as tender as the feeling that settles over my heart. My breathing turns erratic over his delicate movements. He slants his mouth over mine, swallowing the soft moans I make. The kiss is a little scarier this time knowing that he is real.
Another wandering soul.
I try to commit every inch of his face to memory. I hope I won’t forget him again when I wake up.
“You are so soft and delicious everywhere,” he murmurs against my skin, palming my breast with his hand. I jerk upright over the sizzling shockwave of pleasure coursing through my body over the firm squeeze. But it’s not enough. I want more.
I keep trailing kisses along the edge of his jaw. I realize his chest is trembling and his hand grips the armrest with restraint.
He is trying desperately not to lose control.
So, naturally, my mouth continues teasing and exploring him more viciously in retaliation for earlier.
A deep groan spills from his throat. Molten desire unfurls in my belly at the sound of that.
It must have been too unbearable for him because he pulls me in for another kiss.
“Hold me tighter,” I whisper against his mouth. I know I’ll be waking up soon, but I keep kissing him, unwilling to let go.
There is no burden of a crown over my head here. It’s just me and him under the glittering stars.
“I don’t want to go.” To a world where I have to count every step and every breath and pretend to be someone I’m not.
His hot lips move down my throat like a brand on the very fabric of my soul. Wait—this heat I feel is not from his fiery kisses. My skin is scorching from actual embers in the air.
“What is this?” I mutter, breaking the kiss.
I leap from his lap and run towards the edge of the roof for a better view. The temples of the seventy-seven Elven Gods are burning. I recognize the shields scattered on the ground from House Trenton, House Elwood, House Clayborne, and the knights of Volundr.
I don’t understand…there are elves among the slaughtered warriors in the field below. A shiver goes through me.
My head whirls to look at the stranger but he suddenly grabs my jaw between his thumb and finger, forcing me to look at the raging flames and destruction.
His breath is hot against my ear as he whispers, “Come find me.”