35. CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE
CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE
Astaroth
T he faraway look in Calista’s eyes was a telltale sign I said the wrong thing. Humans couldn’t fathom eternity with their limited minds and internal clocks ticking away their degradable bodies. I tried to imagine her smooth skin with wrinkles and her supple body deteriorating as she lived in it. It was a depressing thought that I didn’t want to think about. I pushed it from my mind. I was going to lose the chance to bond with her tonight if I didn’t do something.
I reached over and opened the drawer on the bedside table. Nestled inside was a short vine of everberries I stowed away for tonight. Euphoria would help us relax and stitch our life sources together. She squinted at them as I took them from the drawer.
“This will help.” I plucked two and held them up to her mouth.
“Are you going to eat them?” she asked, then bit her lip nervously.
Without hesitation, I put the remaining two between my teeth and pulled the stems loose. She watched curiously as I chewed them and swallowed, her gaze locking on my bobbing throat.
Calista opened her mouth, and I popped them inside. She closed her lips around my finger then lightly sucked the tip before pulling back and chewing them up. My cock jerked inside her hand and her lip quirked before giving me a gentle squeeze.
“How long do these take to kick in?” she asked, running her thumb over my tip.
My breath hitched as she stroked me. “Not long.”
Calista released me and crawled up my body, the pendant swinging between us. Anticipation wound tight in my gut as she came eye level and stared down at me. My hands had a mind of their own, roaming up the backs of her thighs to the curve of her luscious bottom. I sank my fingers into her flesh as her lips met mine. The taste of everberries lingered on our tongues as they danced. I could kiss her all night and be satisfied… after the deal was sealed.
With little nips, she traveled along my jaw to my ear and licked my lobe, teasing it with her teeth. My legs spasmed, and my hips thrusted as I pulled her closer.
A throaty laugh rumbled in my ear. “Someone likes that,” she said, then licked up the shell of my ear to the pointed tip before kissing down the side of my throat.
“I like anywhere your mouth touches,” I breathed.
Calista raised her head, her hair coming loose from its twist. I wanted to fist it in my hand while she did filthy things with her mouth, then turn her around and bury myself deep inside her.
The tingles from the everberries began as she kissed and rubbed down my chest, intensifying every sensation. I loved watching her explore me and finding out what made me squirm. When her bottom touched my cock, she shifted up just enough to glide over it. Her hips moved back and forth in a slow torturous movement, rubbing her wetness against me. I couldn’t tell if I moaned or growled as my head fell back on the pillow. Every stroke made me harder to the point I thought I would burst.
My eyes popped open when I didn’t feel the weight of her on me anymore. Suddenly, I felt her tongue flatten against me and lick me from base to tip before sucking me into her mouth. Fingers gripping the blanket, I pushed myself into the bed to keep from thrusting deeper. She would surely choke if I didn’t control myself.
With every pass, she took a little more of me between her stretched lips. Before I knew it, my hand was buried in her hair as her head bobbed, and I was lost to the sensations of her mouth and the euphoria. She teased me like I had teased her, bringing me higher and higher and then stopping and bringing me crashing down.
When she brought me too close to the edge, I yanked her off me, spit stringing from my cock to her mouth. She wiped it off with the back of her hand and smiled. That weird feeling in my gut spun circles as I sat up and pulled her to me, kissing her and running my fingers through her hair until it fell in wild waves around her shoulders.
I was about to have everything I wanted. My future lay within the palms of my hands, moaning into my mouth with every thrust of my tongue. It had taken patience, more patience than I had ever exhibited in my life, and I was finally obtaining it. Once we secured the bond, she would feel the depths of my devotion, the lengths I would go to make her happy, and vice versa. The latter troubled me, but I could change her mind, given the opportunity.
I pulled her hips down and slipped against her entrance. She sighed as we kissed and ground against me, teasing us further.
“No more of that,” I growled and bit her lip.
Calista’s head tilted to the side, the light from the fireplace highlighted the lashes dusting her cheekbones as she giggled. I wanted to touch them, feel them fluttering on my skin as her eyes rolled and toes curled. It wouldn’t be much longer before euphoria set completely in.
Lips rounding into an O, her giggles became a moan when I pushed inside her. She clenched around me with a whimper the deeper I tried to go, halting my progress.
“Relax,” I breathed.
She winced. “I’m trying. Just… let me do it.”
I reclined and put my hands behind my head. “By all means.”
She glared at me, and I chuckled. That was until she wrapped her hand around my base, lifted one of her cheeks, and shifted her hips. I almost came as she worked herself on my cock, until she stretched enough to take me. Once she settled, she placed her hands on my tense stomach, closed her eyes, and took a breath. Our bodies trembled as she adjusted to my size, hers squeezing the blood out of my erection. I pushed my hips up to sink the remaining inch inside her and bumped into a wall. She fell onto my chest and gasped.
Leaning toward her, I took her mouth with mine and slowly began to move. She hummed against my lips, the sound vibrating through me and working me into a frenzy. I moved faster until I slid in and out of her body with greater ease.
Unintelligible words fell from her lips mixed with keening moans.
“Don’t stop,” she panted as I slowed. She grabbed my hair and pulled me to her when I tried to lay back, gripping it at the back of my head.
“I told you what I wanted, Cali.”
She nibbled at my mouth. “Say it again.”
“I told—”
“No, my name.”
I smiled against her lips. “Cali.”
She groaned as I thrust into her. “I love it.”
“Cali.”
Head tilted back, she moaned again. Her fingers gripped the back of my neck as she started to move her hips.
“What is my name?” I asked, slipping my fingers between us and rubbing her as she rode me.
She bucked against me and cried out, “Roth.”
My mouth crashed against hers, one hand building her higher, the other grabbing the pendant. I opened up all my senses, found the magic trapped within the stone, and unleashed it. Power surged around us, lifting all the fine hairs on my body. It coursed over my skin as if to say “Hello again” before encircling Calista. Her eyes flew open, fear reflecting in their glassy depths, and latched onto mine.
“Keep your eyes on mine.”
She nodded frantically.
“Do not orgasm until I tell you.”
They grew wider.
The magic penetrated my chest, zipping along all the threads of my tapestry on the search for the main string all the others were connected to. I focused on my life source, illuminating its thread, and called to the magic. Power burst along the cord like wildfire, unraveling it to form two strings. I kept my attention on Calista and gritted through the pain so she wouldn’t see how difficult this was for me. Maybe Mergle was right. If I killed myself doing this, Calista would be trapped here in my place.
“Roth?” Her fingers dug into my tense jaws as her concerned gaze flitted back and forth.
I focused on her, gripped her hips, and moved her on me in a soothing rhythm to distract me from the chaos raging inside. She kept the pace, worry etched into the lines of her face. The pain eased some, and I took a breath as the thread finished separating. I closed my eyes and went inward. Twin strings thrummed to the same vibration. They seemed to echo each other. A continuous feeding cycle.
“Roth!” Calista ran frantic hands over my face and down to my chest. Her palm stopped over my pounding heart.
I covered it with my own and laced our fingers together. “I’m okay.” She let out a relieved breath as the magic swirled around us, waiting for its cue. “Ready?”
She shook her head and squeezed my hand. “I’m scared.”
I turned my magic toward her and opened my eyes. Her grip relaxed as she stared into my swirling gaze. “I won’t let anything happen to you.”
“I know.”
My heart raced from her words. I wrapped an arm around her waist, gripping her bottom, and rested my forehead to hers as she lost herself inside their depths. When the euphoria finally peaked, she ground her hips against me and moaned. I couldn’t wait for this to be done so I could feel her emotions while I was buried inside her.
I tugged on the frayed thread and gave it over to the magic. It swooped in and collected the loose end, pulling it through my chest. It glowed in my peripheral as it stretched between us and touched the skin over her heart.
Her chin dipped, and I gripped it to keep eye contact. “Ride me.”
She pulled my mouth to hers and did exactly that. The magic pierced her chest, taking the cord along with it. On the flesh of her heart was the stitch I left behind when we were younger. The day I ended her life and brought her back with my magic. It sizzled when the cord connected, branding the muscled wall where the stick had impaled her. I could feel her heartbeat as if it were my own. It thudded erratically as my life force wrapped around it. She ripped her lips from mine and cried out when the power tore through her.
“Almost done, love,” I panted. “Don’t stop.”
Tears rolled down her cheeks. I wished I could take the pain away, bear it for her, but I couldn’t. Magic surged along the cord between us. Every time it entered me, I felt more of her. Her pain, her confusion, her arousal. I grounded myself, hoping what she felt from me would bring her peace and security, until, finally, it slowed and made its final stitch.
Magic erupted through our life force. It sent waves of heat through us, burning us inside and out with the need to complete the bond. I rolled Calista to her back and lost myself to the dizzying effects of the moment. Staring into her teary eyes, I promised her a forever of forevers. Anything she ever desired, I would provide. If she required vengeance, I would be her sword. I would hoist the weight of the universe onto my shoulders and carry it for her if she but muttered the word. All I asked in return was for her to let me.
My emotions flooded through our newfound connection, heightened by the magic I hadn’t reabsorbed. Tears welled to overflowing, rolling down her temples to soak into her hair laced between my fingers. I reined in my overwhelming adoration when she released a sob and blocked myself from her. She deserved some privacy while processing our union. That’s what I told myself. Truth was, I ached to know but feared the worst.
Stroking that spot between her legs that drove her wild, I said, “Come for me, Cali.”
I worked us to the point of breaking until we shattered. Instead of coming undone, the magic wove us together. If only I could convince her to weave her love with mine.
Light snores filled the room when I came to. Blinking, I licked my dry lips and focused my vision. Calista’s breast rubbed my nose with every breath she took. I turned my face into her chest and took in her scent. All I could smell was our coupling. When I moved, her loose hold tightened around my shoulders. I smiled against her and lightly kissed her breast. She shivered and arched into me.
The steady thrum of her heart pressed to my ear lulled me into a peaceful state. That and the lingering effects of the everberries. I stroked her skin as she held me and pictured a future with her as peaceful and satiated as this one. Leisure days wrapped in each other’s arms with the sheets askew, tangled hair and swollen lips, fucking to exhaustion and napping only to start all over again. I grew hard imagining all the ways we’d bring each other to the brink of insanity and delight in its ecstasy.
“Your Highness?” Ziggy whispered outside the door, then gave it a light thud.
I sighed, not wanting to get up, but we would need energy to fuel the next round. As gently as I could, I unwound myself from Calista and peered down at her flushed face. She was a sight to behold. An arm draped over her ribcage and one leg lay open, bent at the knee as if welcoming me back between them when I was ready. Faint hints of blood spotted the sheet between her legs. A streak farther down resembled my cock. I needed to be gentler with her.
The light thud came again, breaking my trance. I covered her with the discarded blanket and went to the door.
Cracking it open, Ziggy stood with a platter of food and drink in his arms, and two servants on either side of him were doing the same. Behind them, the maids were weighed down with clean sheets, towels, and water, attempting to keep their gazes on my face.
He cleared his throat. “You missed dinner. I thought you two might like refreshment.”
I glanced back at Calista to make certain she was still covered. Her sleepy eyes cracked open and met mine. “Hungry?”
Lips curling, she stretched and purred, “Famished.”
I couldn’t help but stare at her as her arms came over her head, back arched, and knees drew up. The blanket slid achingly slow until it reached the peak of her nipples and fell from their tips. Her head lolled in my direction, and she screeched, yanking the blanket up to her chin.
Little, excited faces stacked atop one another filled the growing gap in the door. I quickly stepped in the way of their view, and they scuttled backward, picking their items off the floor. With a stern look, I opened the door and let them in. Keeping their heads down, they went straight to work. They set the food on the table and deposited the sheets and towels on a nearby chair. Then they filed out, pursing their lips to keep from smiling as they took quick glances at their future queen curled up in a ball with the blanket hiding everything but her wide eyes and wild bedhead.
When the door latched, I strolled to the bed and snapped my fingers. The table covered with food appeared at the foot. I grabbed the platter I knew Calista would like best and put it on the bed between us. She sat up, trapping the blanket under her arms and blocking my view of her. I frowned and went about pouring us drinks.
“Ziggy and his fascination with pizza.” She laughed and picked up a slice, shoving it in her mouth and humming.
“You gave him a new passion. I’ve never seen him so….”
“Happy?” Calista finished for me.
“Yes, I guess so.” A lot of the staff appeared lighter, more energetic since Calista arrived. “Your presence has brought an immense amount of joy to my brethren.”
Her jaws slowed as she chewed and inspected the slice pinched in her fingers. I lowered the walls to our connection and felt a mix of guilt, nervousness, and curiosity.
“And you?” she inquired, picking a piece of the toddling ninny biter off and putting it in her mouth.
I gave my emotions a gentle shove through our bond to ease her insecurities. She gasped and clutched the blanket over her heart as my joy, contentment, and love washed over her, along with the image of us entwined on the bed. “There is never a need to question how I feel. I share it with you always now.”
Calista blushed and quietly ate her pizza. Taking the last bite, she covered her mouth as she spoke around it. “Are you going to join me or watch me eat?”
I took a piece and moved to sit next to her. She scooted over an inch when I brushed against her and tugged at the blanket. I didn’t keep my frustration locked down. Wrapping an arm around her, I pulled her flush to my side. Calista regarded me out of the corner of her eye as I ate and stroked her hip with my thumb. It was hard not to be smug, but I kept a straight face as she battled her desire for me.
“What happens next?” she asked when we finished our meal.
I knew exactly what she meant. She worried I would focus on breeding with her, using her body as a lust-driven dumping ground until I impregnated her and forced her to bear my spawn. Forced her to raise them. Forced her to do it again and again. Although I would like children with her, that is not her sole purpose here. One day, she would remember. And on that day, I hoped she chose to forgive me.
I snapped my fingers. The platter disappeared from the bed and reappeared on the table. “We visit the four corners.”
“As curious as I am about all that, that’s not what I meant.”
My brow furrowed. “What did you mean?”
She scratched behind her ear and took a deep breath before motioning between us with her finger. Her worry plopped heavy on my gut. “With us. What happens next?”
“I strip that blanket from you and make you scream my name again.”
“Ast—” Calista clamped her lips shut when I squinted at her and squeezed her hip, daring her to disobey me and call me the wrong name. “I’m being serious, Roth.”
“So am I.”
I gripped the blanket beneath her hand. Her breaths quickened as I tugged it from her grasp and tossed it down by her feet. This time, I went slow and gentle, savoring every inch of her flesh and inhalation as I suckled, stroked, and teased her. Like an adventurer, I traveled her body with eagerness and stitched every freckle to memory, taking note of what made her back arch, her legs tremble, and what caused her to make all those lovely little sounds.