21. Harven
HARVEN
“Harven,” Eve pants. “Someone could see us.”
Her nails press into my shoulders as I mercilessly slam her into the wall. Her seafoam-colored gown bunches around her waist. My deft hand pulled the small straps down to bear her delicious breasts.
Her nipples are hard and shiny from my mouth.
Eve’s tight pussy grips me like a fist. She is hot and wet and perfect. All mine. Her knees rest in the crook of my elbows as I hold her aloft by the ass. She whimpers, no doubt her flesh is still sore from the spanking she took last night.
I ram my cock as deep as it will go, giving her all of my without reprieve. Despite her protests, she doesn’t push me away. If anything, her sweet little cunt grips me tighter.
Three days. Three glorious days have passed since the celebration. Three days since I filled Eve with my seed and have spent every day since doing it again and again.
I can’t keep my hands off her. The need to fuck her senseless burns in my veins.
After our first time together, I woke her with my mouth before sinking my cock back inside her perfect body. We had spent the entire day wrapped around each other. Only breaking to sleep and eat.
The next day was much the same.
I had my kingly duties to attend to, but thoughts of her distracted me during every report. I smelt her on my fingers, and I had to have her again. Ending my meeting early, I found her painting in the library and took her roughly amongst the stacks.
My hand muffling her screams for more.
Tonight, we promised to be better and try to make it through a meal without falling into bed. We even invited my council to join us, but that was a mistake.
The moment she walked in, wearing her short dress and glowing from the pounding I gave her less than an hour ago, any thought of a civilized dinner was gone.
My council made an excuse to leave before I could snarl at them to get out. I dismissed the servants and closed in on Eve. My prey—my mate.
Now here she was taking my cock so well. Her beautiful face twists in pleasure. I capture her mouth and groan into it. She whimpers, her body tightening in the way that tells me she’s close.
Eve takes every part of me. I was always a dominant lover, but with Eve it’s something else. We don’t have to fully sink into the roles every time I take her. She’s been very obedient these past few times, but that need to defy me burns in her eyes.
I’ll be there to correct her for the rest of her life. She craves my brutal possession and welcomes the darkest parts of me.
She loves me. I love her. Her confession had unmade me. Her heart is the best thing I’ve ever claimed.
It’s more important—more vital—than my throne.
How will I manage being king with her here? My kingly duties have taken a hit in favor of fucking my mate. It’s reckless to be distracted, with so many dangers still looming.
She isn’t pregnant yet, but now that the castle knows I’m bedding her regularly, the rumblings have died down. Still, many seek to take her, and I will not be caught unaware. She is the most precious thing to me. If harm were to befall her, I would perish at her side.
In addition to my duties as king, other important conversations have been left to the wayside.
Namely, about my Pearls and what I shall do with them.
A letter from Nixie arrived for me while I was in Eve’s room last night. My mate grew sad, even as I refused to open it. I was able to brighten her mood by eating her pussy until she screamed, but this wasn’t a topic we could avoid forever.
I had to do something about them. Nixie’s letter, I’m sure, was another plea for me to return to them. This is the longest I’ve ever gone without their company.
Truthfully, the idea of seeking them out holds little appeal. Eve satisfies all of my carnal urges and then some. What’s between us runs deeper than it ever did with my Pearls.
It’s more than release. When I’m inside Eve, I can feel her soul.
My Pearls can never give me that.
Still, to do away with the tradition would be cause for alarm. Many in my court would see it as a weakness. With Eve being here, I’d hate to do anything that would bring more danger—
“Harven,” Eve moans, pulling me from my thoughts. “We should stop.”
The dream-like expression on her face tells me she doesn’t mean it. This is all a game to Eve. One designed to snap my restraint.
If she wants me untamed, then so be it.
My hand loosely snaps around her throat.
“Stop? Your greedy pussy wouldn’t let me out even if I tried.”
“But we’re in public,” she whimpers. “Anyone could—”
“Do you think an audience would keep me from fucking you? They can watch me claim you. Maybe once they see the pleasure I bring you—see my seed dripping down your thighs—they won’t covet you the way they do.”
The mere mention of the traitors makes me fuck her harder.
Eve’s breasts bounce as my hips slam off her backside. My tentacles trail along her chest, sucking her sweet skin. Her blue eyes roll back as I punch deep, tickling the spot inside her that makes her wild.
Eve carries my scent, but her womb remains empty.
I’ll need to keep fucking her until my child takes hold. Her transformation will be complete. She won’t be as fragile as she is in her human form.
“No one is taking me from you, my mate. I’m yours.”
Mate. I love when she calls me that. I love her so much it overwhelms me.
“Mine.”
My tentacle glides between our bodies. Finding her clit, it roughly sucks on the greedy bud. Eve moans low, head falling back against the wall. Her hips seize as her nails scrape my shoulders.
“Come on my cock. Let me fill your pussy again.”
Her cunt clamps down on me. I empty into her waiting depths, loving the way her inner muscles milk me dry. As if they know where my seed needs to go.
I give her every drop, grinning as I slip out and watch it splatter on the marble floor.
I lower Eve onto trembling knees, keeping an arm around her for support. I take her lips, savoring the sweet taste of her mouth with relish.
“I needed that.”
Eve rolls her eyes as we make our way back to the table. Settling her atop my lap, she stirs her cold stew. She dismisses my offer to warm it up and bites into a piece of pale meat.
“You were very busy today. Didn’t even seek me out midday like usual. No wonder you were wound so tight,” she says with mock admonishment. “Needing to fuck me before and during dinner is a bit much. Even for you, my king.”
“Don’t forget about after,” I say. “I’m fucking you after dinner as well.”
“Incorrigible. I’ll never walk without discomfort again.”
My tentacles splay around her. The scarred one snuggles against her lap.
“Being king has never felt like more of a burden when I can’t spend my days how I want. With you. You’re all I can think about, Eve.”
Her smile is more glorious than a deep-sea pearl. Once she’s done with her stew, she leans into my chest. Her fingers shift through my beard and trace over my muscles.
My arms curl around her, the restlessness in me settling.
“What do you want to do tonight, my mate?” I kiss her temple. “I’ve been greedy, and our dates have suffered because of it. I want us to spend real time together.”
She beams.
“You spoil me, Harven.”
“I’m just giving you what my mate deserves.” My eyes snag on a school of fish swimming past the window. The distorted buildings in the back spark an idea. “How would you feel about going into the city?”
“Leave the castle?” she asks. “Isn’t that dangerous for me?”
“My magic can protect you. It’ll keep you in a bubble that will ensure you can breathe and stay warm. We can go to the marketplace. You’ll see what my world has to offer. The castle is great, but there’s much more beyond these walls.”
“I’d love to go there, Harven. Thank you.”
My lips find her ear.
“You’re very agreeable after you’ve come.” She smacks at my chest, pink rising to the surface of her cheeks. “Why don’t we head there—”
The doors slam against the wall as a disheveled sharkin guard comes in. His gills flex as he sucks down air. The hand around his trident trembles.
“Your Majesty, forgive the intrusion.” He bows low at the waist, keeping his eyes off of Eve. Good. “A matter of grave importance requires your attention. Councilman Lord Bane is awaiting a private audience in your study, King Harven.”
Anger burns through me at the intrusion. I’ve given enough of myself today, and they still want more.
Bane is one of my loyalists. He’s proven to be a true ally. If he says this matter is important—
“Go,” Eve says, kissing me softly. “Our date can wait.”
“This won’t take long,” I vow, settling her on my chair before departing with the guard.
Bane is awaiting me at my desk. His blue robes are trimmed in a silver thread that matches the merman’s waist-length hair. The teal scales of his tail glimmer in the low light.
His face is grave as I approach.
“My king, thank you for seeing me. I’ve uncovered correspondence that I thought was best given to you directly.”
Crossing my arms, I incline my head.
“Tell me.”
“Our spies raided a sharkin lair. We discovered a series of letters stored within the walls. They seemed innocuous at first, but upon further inspection, I think you’ll want to read them.”
From his pocket, he produces a stack of coral slates. Their pale pink surfaces have been etched with a fine instrument.
Handing them over to me, I read the sprawling text.
My brows lift. They are love letters. There must be something I’m missing—a code I’m not understanding—as I read the redundant messages.
The evening comes to the garden early, my love. Find it there and then come to my chambers for your reward.
The evening glows brightest through the fourth window on the left. Swim into its glow and snuff it out once I give word. Your bravery shall be rewarded when the night finally falls.
The king loves the evening most of all, but he forgets that his stars need attention. When he comes, my love, be ready.
They are all nonsense. One word remains a constant. The mention of evening. It’s the only thing connecting the letters. It doesn’t make any sense how it’s being used.
The evening comes to the garden, the evening glows the brightest—the king loves the evening most of all. Evening, evening, eve—Eve.
Eve.
My blood runs cold. The fourth window on the left. That’s Eve’s window. This references her painting in the garden. The final message is a warning—an order to strike while I’m distracted.
My stomach feels hollow. The plates crumble beneath my palms. Red mist clouds my vision.
“Who wrote these?”
Bane shakes his head.
“We don’t know, my king. Nor do we know who they are being written to. Sharkins live in large colonies inside their lair. Upwards of fifty were coming and going. The one we caught didn’t know, even under the most astute torture.”
“Someone wants my Eve. Plotting to steal her away.”
Bane runs a trembling hand down his face. His tail flicks in agitation.
“That was my understanding as well. These letters are about her.” He blows out a breath. “It’s clear they are working with someone in the castle. We will remain vigilant, my king. I swear it.”
“I want guards stationed around her room at all times. Inside and outside. Trusted ones only. Patrols will be stepped up immediately.”
“Of course, my king.”
I roll my neck. The peace that being inside Eve brought me is gone. Lethal rage is all that remains. This plot against her life is more overt than the others.
With the conspirator inside the castle, I will need to take more precautions. Eve will hate the extra security, but I’ll make her understand.
Her safety is paramount.
“Decipher these messages, Bane. There has to be a clue as to who wrote this.” My tentacles coil. “I will see personally to their slaughter.”
“My king.”
Bane bows as I depart the study. I fall against the wall and scrub a shaking hand down my face. I need to suck the rage back in lest I scare Eve.
The last thing I want is for her to worry. I hate keeping her in the dark, but it’s for the best. Whoever is plotting to come after her needs to think we aren’t on to them. The additional guards aren’t surprising since I’ve started bedding her.
That won’t raise any additional suspicions.
More than that, I don’t want Eve to carry this burden. Her sole focus should be on getting pregnant and letting me love her. The stress could hinder her ability to conceive.
I will deal with this threat swiftly.
If blood is the price of keeping Eve safe, I will gladly pay it. A thousand times over.