CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
Caspen
Caspen spent the days after biting Kronos having sex.
It did not matter who he fucked; he did not care who was placed before him.
He only cared to gain as much power as possible before the Ranking.
The king chasers were already vying to be his guest, eyeing him up and down every time they passed him.
Caspen let them work for it; there was hardly a moment when he did not have one of them on his cock.
Always, Harmony watched, circling just out of his eyeline, smirking.
It was infuriating. Usually he could not get her out of his bed, and now it was impossible to get her in it.
She still had not given him an answer on whether or not she would be his guest.
He had just finished fucking someone in the courtyard when another woman approached him, took his cock in her hand, and began to stroke.
He was not adept at resisting, but he did so now, holding back the imminent urge to finish, refusing to give his approval to anyone unless they deserved it.
Eventually, another woman replaced the first. Then another.
Somewhere in the daze of pleasure, he saw Harmony sauntering up to him slowly.
Even the familiar tilt of her hips was enough to nearly take him there.
It took all his self-control not to shove the current woman before him aside, grab Harmony, and pull her down onto his cock.
Yet somehow Caspen knew if he waited long enough, she would do it herself.
Finally, Harmony was before him, her eyes wide and bright, her lips parted.
Why must you always make me wait for you?
Harmony smiled. She placed her palm gently on his torso, pushing him back until he hit a stone ledge, forcing him to sit. Because you always get everything you want.
I do not want anything but you.
She straddled him but did not ride his cock. His hands found her hips.
Anything? Or anyone? I am not an object, Caspenon.
It was true she was not an object. But she was not only a person either. She was an enigma, a mystery, a puzzle he could never seem to solve. And above all, she was not his. Caspen was beginning to think she never would be.
You are the one who told me to be king. The only way to do that is for you to be my guest.
Who knew I held so much power?
His fingers dug into her flesh, and she yelped.
You know you do.
She was still not riding him. Behind her, he saw Apollo was watching them, his face a mask of fury. Caspen resisted the urge to laugh. It was his turn now. He had Harmony’s attention, and he would not waste it. Get on my cock.
Why should I?
Because you want to.
Your brother’s cock is just as hard. Why should I not get on his?
Because you like mine better.
Do I?
You know you do.
Harmony took his balls in the palm of her hand and squeezed. He asked me to be his guest, just the same as you.
That does not surprise me.
What would you do if I told you I said yes to him? Her hand moved from his balls to his shaft, as if to prevent herself from riding it.
I would not believe you.
Why not?
He did not write your name yet.
The name of each guest had to be written in their own blood at the base of the vials. It was an ode to the bloodletting—a way to reclaim an act of violence. It was also a vow to Kora. The blood sealed the host to the guest, binding them together for the entirety of the Ranking.
Harmony smiled. Slowly, she tilted her hips, angling his cock toward her center at the same time. Caspen held his breath as the tip touched her pussy. She was warm and wet and tempting, as always. He needed to be inside her.
Come closer.
She smiled wider. Not yet. Tell me why I should.
Because you want me inside you.
That is not a good enough reason.
Because you want to be queen.
Now she paused, her eyes flicking up to his.
Caspen saw the thirst in them—the desire.
She was just as power-hungry as his father; she always had been.
It was part of the reason why she took both his and his brother’s virginity—to solidify her position between them, to guarantee her proximity to the throne. Apollo knew it as well as Caspen did.
Finally, Harmony slid herself onto his cock.
If this was her apology, he would gladly grant forgiveness.
Caspen arched his neck with a moan as she rolled her hips, taking him all the way inside her.
He held her hips as she rode him, alternating between watching her and watching his brother, who was staring at them with hatred in his eyes.
He felt a wild urge to make this even worse for Apollo—to cement his superiority in a way that would force his little brother to acknowledge it.
Without thinking, Caspen lifted Harmony, turning her around so that Apollo could see her face while he fucked her.
Nothing gave Caspen greater satisfaction than this: displaying the woman they both wanted on his cock.
Apollo’s eyes darkened. Caspen smiled. He did not bother taunting his brother with his mind; he knew the view would be taunt enough.
Instead he touched every part of Harmony he could reach, squeezing her breasts and her throat and her waist, making sure that Apollo knew exactly who she belonged to.
He was going to come inside her, and he was going to enjoy it.
Harmony was close too; he could feel her body tensing as he thrust up into her center.
She was the first to break. The moment she came, Caspen came too, releasing himself deep into her pussy, feeling the way their cum mingled together.
He gave her two more thrusts just for good measure, earning himself a surprised gasp from her lips. Caspen nipped at her ear.
Now was that so difficult?
Harmony leaned back against his chest, her breath still coming quickly. Your brother watches.
I do not care.
I suppose you think this means I will be your guest.
I do not think. I know.
It was the confidence she was always wanting from him.
Not if, but when. Harmony twisted her neck to look at him.
Caspen stared into her eyes, seeing nothing but two bottomless pits of desire.
There was no end to her want. Perhaps he would never satisfy her.
It did not matter; he had accomplished what he needed to today.
Carefully, he hoisted her off his lap. She stood slowly and arranged her hair over her shoulders before giving him another lingering look.
Well?
Caspen smiled. He held out his hand and she took it.
They walked together through the passageway, heading for the vial room.
A shallow stone basin had been placed at the base of the vials, a small stone knife resting on its edge.
Caspen took it first, slicing his palm without remorse.
A splatter of crimson spilled over the stone.
He handed the knife to Harmony, who did the same.
She placed her injured hand over his, combining their blood.
Then Caspen leaned forward, tracing a name into the basin with his finger:
Harmony.
Their wounds healed a moment later. A moment after that, Harmony was gone. Caspen stood alone, wondering whether this was finally the year Kora would decide he was worthy of the throne. A glance at the basin told Caspen that Kronos had not yet chosen his guest.