I watched Aemon, daring him to stop me, to contradict me. A grin spread across my face.
“Take her,” I commanded. “Take her however you want. Feast on her, fuck her, drink her blood.” I shoved her forward without warning, watching as she stumbled, and fell to her knees. Immediately I stepped back.
“No—” Parthenay screamed. “No! Aemon! Help me!”
But Aemon didn’t move to stop things. Rhyan pounced on Parthenay, moving with alarming speed. He flattened her to the ground, her back hitting it with a thud. He hissed, baring his fangs, before locking her arms above her head, his knees crushing her legs down, and then apart. His eyes flashed for a moment, looking up at me, asking permission, and I nodded, as Parthenay shrieked, attempting to free herself.
With a growl, he opened his mouth, his claws digging into her skin, as he bit down on her neck. His teeth sank into her flesh with shocking violence. Parthenay cried out. Her blood filled his mouth, dripping down her to her shoulder and onto the ground.
The akadim began to roar and howl, cheering and demanding their turn next.
“Aemon, please!” she begged.
“Is this how to address me?” he asked cruelly.
Rhyan’s mouth moved, sucking and drawing more blood, before he pulled back, just enough to rip her dress open from her chest to the waist, exposing her breasts.
“Maraak Moriel,” she cried. “Please, I beg you!”
And suddenly, another akadim broke from the crowd, too excited by what he saw. He rushed at Rhyan before I could stop him, hauling him off Parthenay, his claws tearing through his arms.
Rhyan rolled off to the side, and sprang back to his feet, a deadly look across his face. The second akadim started to drag Parthenay away, but Rhyan was on him in seconds, slashing his chest open and drawing blood. He expertly dodged a hit, then wrapped his hands around the akadim’s neck, his foot stomping down on Parthenay’s arm, keeping her from running.
The demon’s eyes widened in terror as he tried desperately to break free of Rhyan’s hold. But he wasn’t strong enough. A second later the demon’s eyes went blank as Rhyan ripped his head off, and threw it like a cannonball at what remained of my soturi. His silver collar fell to the ground and a stunned akadim picked it up, examining it, while another kicked the head into the woods. Within seconds, Rhyan had kicked the headless corpse aside, and threw Parthenay back on the ground.
“Mine,” he growled.
Parthenay screamed louder, her feet trying to kick at Rhyan, but they were completely useless under the force of his muscle.He rucked up what remained of her dress, and began pushing his loincloth aside.
“This is between you and your queen,” Aemon said. “Ask her. Beg yourMaraakafor help.”
Sweat was beaded at my neck, my stomach turning. I had meant what I said about forbidding rape. But I needed to make my point. I couldn’t back down from Parthenay’s insolence.
She cried, “Maraaka Ereshya!Please! Morgana! I beg you!”
I held my breath. Waiting just a few seconds too long. To where it had gone too far, but—not far enough.
“Rhyan!” I hardened my voice. “Stop!”
He did. Immediately pulling himself back from Parthenay, his loincloth still covering him. She scurried backwards at once, shaking as she tried to close her dress. No black mark. No invasion of her body. He’d taken some blood, bitten her neck. She’d be bruised all over, but she would be fine.
“Stand,” I commanded, and Rhyan listened, wiping the blood dripping down his chin. “Go stand back with the others.”
His eyes flashed, and he bared his teeth, clearly agitated he’d been denied a full meal. But like the soldier I knew he was, he obeyed. Then he stalked back toward the akadim and took a seat amongst them. Several shifted away, clearly fearing him now that they’d seen how easily he could kill. Good.
“Gods, Parthenay,” I said. “Are you all right?” My voice was dripping with concern. I bent down and swiped my finger across her neck. “You know, I could have let him go all the way. After all, it’s in their nature as you like to remind me. You seemed so adamant that they get to rape I thought you’d be okay with helping them out. But,” I frowned. “You didn’t seem to like it much.” Tears filled her eyes. “Calm down. It’s just a small bite. It’s natural. You’re fine.”
You Godsdamned fucking bitch!Her thoughts screamed at me.
Your Godsdamned fucking Maraaka.
“Parthenay,” Aemon said. “Show your respect to your queen for saving you. Now.”
Her refusal was all across her face and aura, but one look from Aemon, and she obeyed, falling to her knees, her hands out in supplication.
A small scar ran across her right wrist.
“You were saying?” I asked, licking my lips. “I think I demonstrated my control—and his—more than well.”
