Chapter Twenty Eight
His control, the immaculate, iron control that he wore as armour, shattered like glass before my eyes. He kissed me. It was not gentle or cautious. Rhael’s mouth claimed mine with heat and frustration that felt dangerously close to desperation.
I felt it in the way he gripped my hips, his fingers digging into my skin tight enough to bruise. He lifted me off the ground one hand sliding from my hip to my ass, wrapping my legs around his waist.
I kissed him back without hesitation, my arms winding around his neck, holding him against me as I dug my heels into his back.
I was vaguely aware of him moving across the room, I could hear the floorboards creak beneath our shared weight, but I did not pay much attention.
My focus remained solely on the feeling of his mouth against mine.
I gasped, separating contact as I was thrown onto the bed.
The hard mattress creaked beneath me as he followed.
I barely had time to register the coolness of the sheets against my back before Rhael was on me, his body covered mine.
I could feel the heat of him, the strength and power that radiated from every inch of his skin.
His hands roamed over my body, pulling at the fabric of my dress, tearing it away until I was bare beneath him. His teeth nipped at my bottom lip hard enough to draw blood. I could taste the coppery tang on my tongue, it should have repulsed me, but it only spurred me on further.
A moan fell from my lips as my fingers trembled, pulling at the rest of the buttons of his shirt, pushing it from his shoulders, my nails raking over his skin. Watching as red, raw lines became visible.
“Fuck!” He cursed his own hands working on his trousers, tugging at the fabric as if he could not wait a second longer. I was glad when finally, he was naked before me. His skin pressing against mine.
It was not the first time I had seen his cock, but the size still surprised me.
The metal of his piercing caught the low light as he rolled to his side, his lips finding my neck.
He peppered kisses over my scar, and for once I did not recoil.
It was different, comforting to feel him kiss the thing I had kept to myself for so long.
“Rhael,” I moaned, pushing my head back exposing more of my skin. The cool air ran along my overheated skin, making me shiver. Goosebumps appeared under his touch.
Slowly his lips moved lower down my body, his hands running up my sides as he took one of my nipples into his mouth. Rolling his tongue over my nipple, a smirk playing on his lips as he caught it between his teeth causing me to gasp.
I could only whimper in response, my body was his to do with what he wanted. It was not lost to me that in this moment, I was more of a slave now than I had ever been. But I gave myself to him willingly, opening my body offering my soul if he decided to take it.
“So sweet.” He praised, his hands moving to spread my thighs as he settled between them. I could feel the cold metal of the piercing pressing against me. His mouth released my nipple as he hovered above me, his eyes looking down at mine, his hands either side of my head keeping me trapped.
“Why are you stopping?” I whispered arching my back trying to get him to move.
“Tell me you want this,” he said, his voice breathy as I watched him over me, his eyes searching mine for any signs of doubt.
“I want this. Don't stop.” I replied, pulling his mouth back down to mine in a bruising kiss. I wanted this, I needed it.
I had been with men before, not all of them had been of my own free will, but I had never felt desire like this. The need to be claimed. To be owned. To completely and utterly surrender.
That was all it took, he thrust inside me in one smooth stroke. My back arched off the bed as a strangled sound escaped my mouth. Everything felt too hot, too much, yet so right at the same time. Even in the dark, dingy room of a slums tavern I would not have wanted to be anywhere else.
“So, fucking wet for me,” he growled, pulling out all the way before slamming back inside.
I could only moan in response, my hips bucking up to meet his thrusts as he fucked me harder and faster.
I could feel the headboard slamming against the wall, hear the obscene sound of skin slapping against skin as he pounded into me.
Rhael’s name tore from my lips as one hand came up to close around my neck. Not squeezing, just holding, claiming me as his as he bit my lip once more.
“Mine, all fucking mine,” he cursed as he pulled back, angling my hips so he could move deeper. His breaths came in pants as both of us dove towards release.
I could not speak. Could not think, my body consumed with pleasure like a fire taking control of everything in its path. My hands ran through his hair and down his back, nails digging into his skin.
“I…I,” I pant words escaping me as I try to find a way to explain how it felt. But nothing came. Nothing but moans and whimpers as he pushed my legs wider apart with his free hand.
“Let go. Come for me.” He demanded, that same commanding tone that used to drive me wild, now pushed me further into pleasure.
That was all it took. I fell over the edge in abandon as I found my release. My legs shook as my back arched off the bed one final time. I could feel him pulsing inside me, finding his own release as his head threw back towards the ceiling, a string of curse words escaping from him.
My body lay limp and compliant as I struggled to catch my breath. Rhael’s chest heaved as he let go of my neck resting his head on my shoulder, his warm breath over my skin.
“Fuck!” I whispered, my eyes fluttering closed as I leant my head against the pillows. Basking in the afterglow of my own release. Rhael only chuckled in response, pulling out of me and collapsing onto the bed. His arms banded around my waist as he pulled me against the sheets and into his chest.
“You know this means right? You are mine now. Not as a slave but mine to keep,” he whispered, his lips brushing against my shoulder as he peppered kisses against my warm skin.
A smile played on my lips as I listened to the sound of his heartbeat returning to normal.
I knew this was only the beginning, there would be more games and more pleasure to come, but I knew I would happily give in to that pleasure every time.
I had known it for months, but now would freely admit it out loud.
We lay there for a while, in blissful, comfortable silence.
Our bodies woven together in a mess of sweat and release.
Before I would have been ashamed, tried to cover myself up or rush to wash off any remnants of sex.
However, all I could feel was the deep primal satisfaction that came with finally taking what I needed.
After what felt like hours, I finally lifted my head, peering up at him as he lay on his back, one arm tucked behind his head. I knew there would be more to come, that this was not where our lives or hardship would end.
“What happens now?” I asked, resting on my forearm against his chest.
“Now, we prepare for war. We have two of the kings on our side. The Siren Queen will make her alliance known when she sees fit.” He whispered, his fingers tracing idle patterns against my skin.
“It is going to be bloody isn't it?” I asked my teeth brushing over my lower lip, almost wincing as a bruise was forming from Rhael’s bite.
“It will be a war. Although I have to ask, does your heart still desire your freedom once it is done?” Rhael asked and I paused for a moment, watching as doubt flicked through his eyes.
“Rhael, I am yours. Freedom comes in many forms. Mine has been granted with my ability to choose you.” I whispered with a small laugh. It was something I had craved for so long, and yet here I was giving it up. No. Not giving it up, redefining what it was that meant freedom.
His lips pressed against mine in a soft sweet kiss as his body sagged with relief. The tension left him as quickly as it appeared.
I knew that whatever happened, the result of this war, no matter how it shaped Alasgad and its people within it, I would do it by Rhael’s side. Not underneath him, not owned by him outside of my own free will. I would be where I belonged.
It may lead to death, my own or others. But I would do it beside Rhael. Beneath the hollowed crown that sat above his head, together.
I just had to hope we both would survive.