Looking at the family in front of us, I feel shame for tricking them. They deserve better than this.
It’s an hour later, andnight has fallen. We were shown the washroom that is just outside the main home before Dorene showed me to the small room where we will be sleeping. I look at her, realising this is their room.
“This is your bedroom,” I say softly. It’s just the two of us; Kai is with Alfren, who wanted to show him something outside.
“It is, but it’s slightly larger than the girls. You will be comfortable here. Alfren will sleep in the main room, and I will sleep with the girls. You’re pregnant, and if I can offer you a few nights on a comfortable bed, then I am more than happy to do this for you.” She smiles at me, placing a hand on my shoulder. Guilt washes through me, but I smile instead.
“Thank you,” I whisper, hugging the older lady. I mean it.
“Oh, it’s nothing, dear. I’m glad I can help.” She smiles, despite how tired she clearly is from the day’s work.
Once she leaves, shutting the door behind herself, I sit on the thin mattress that is on the stone floor. They have a small, humble home, but their hearts are big. Tucking my legs to my chest, I wrap my arms around them and rest my head on my knees.
What can we do to make the world better for everyone? Why does Father think he has a right to rule the land and hold access to water over these innocent people like a weapon?
The door opens, and I blink, coming out of my thoughts. I look up as Kai leans down to step through the doorway andstraightens, sliding the flimsy lock in the door before removing his shirt and taking a seat on the mattress as he begins to remove his shoes.
The dim light from the lantern flickers.
“What happens when you claim this land for Varkhazan? What will Varkhazan do for its people, for people like this family? You want to kill Morcant, and I know your kind hate sea sirens, but what will you do for the sea sirens? They would still be your subjects, right?”
Kai looks at me; he’s silent for a moment, looking down at his boots before he yanks them off. “Varkhazan wants me to rule in his stead. Once I kill Morcant, I will be responsible for these people, and I assure you, I’ll do a far better job than Morcant ever has.”
“Better than those Varkhazan sent the first time?” I ask softly, not expecting him to be the one who will rule over this land. His eyes flick back to mine, and he gives me a curt nod.
“Yes.”
A sliver of hope fills my chest, and I nod. “Will you listen to everyone, regardless of species?” I ask. He turns towards me, and my eyes dip to his chest. My stomach clenches as I involuntarily move back slightly, but he simply leans closer.
“Yes. Are you satisfied now? Or do you have more questions, darling?” Kai asks, raising an eyebrow as his eyes trail over me, causing my core to clench.
“Yes…” I think I did. I think I wanted to clarify if that included the sea sirens, but… I’m not sure right now. Not with the way those liquid gold eyes are burning into me.
“Oh? And what might that be?” His tone dips low as he reaches for me, his thumb brushing the corner of my mouth. Thegesture is almost lazy, yet it steals my breath.
I meet his eyes, searching for something I cannot name. “What do you want from me?” I whisper.
For a heartbeat, silence hums between us. Then his jaw tightens, and something raw flashes in his eyes.
He cups my face tighter, his touch both a warning of who he is and a dangerous invitation. The air thickens. I can feel his pulse, fast and steady, and it pulls at something deep inside of me.
I want him! Gods, I want him so much…
“Since you asked the question, allow me to show you,” he murmurs, and then his lips meet mine. The world seems to blur, and pleasure dances through me.
Suddenly, I find myself on my back on the bed with Kai straddling me as he pins my wrists to the bed. “Kai…”
“It’s too late to change your mind now, darling. When you play with fire, you get burned. You’re mine now.”
His words shouldn’t excite me. They shouldn’t make my pussy clench with desire, but they do. Far more than I will ever admit.
I hold his gaze, arching my back, wanting to feel him against me, but for a painstaking moment, his eyes simply roam over me, darkening before he leans down, his tongue flicking across the corner of my neck, making my eyes flutter shut. And then he’s ravishing me.
It’s passionate and intense, a collision of everything unspoken between us, everything forbidden, and in this single breath, nothing else exists.
Just us.
Beyond Desire
