Arawan looked at her like she had lost her mind, but she didn't see why. Gwyn was hot and scary, and some women were into that.Ginormous dickage,her brain provided unhelpfully.
Gwyn sheathed his other massive sword again. "The Hunt's magic is fading. Part of it is because it is run on the belief of humans, and they have forgotten us, not just in Wales but throughout the world. I have been watching the fae's return to this world and how they grow strong once more. I see consorts,or mates, as the key to that. They have helped rejuvenate the magic."
"But isn't the Hunt made up of bad people? It's a punishment, right?" Imogen asked. It had been a long time since her mother had schooled her on Celtic legends.
"It is not punishment, but atonement. My Riders are taken to make up for the deeds they have done in life. The worlds, magic, everything is made up of a balance. The Hunt takes who they were, strips it from them, and makes them feed the balance of magic that way," Gwyn replied.
To Imogen, having all the pieces of who you once were stripped away felt like a punishment. Luckily, she knew when to keep her mouth shut. Well, most of the time.
Arawan rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "Have you tried recruiting more Riders?"
"I have, but sometimes, when I find a suitable candidate, they can't perceive us. It has gotten better since the fae returned, but not much."
Imogen hummed. "If everything is about balance, you think the love of a good woman, or man, or whatever, is going to help? Is that what I am hearing?"
Gwyn nodded. "It is worth a try. I thought I would be able to barter for partners for my Riders, but you have made it clear that you aren't available even for me."
"Well, there are lots of people out there better suited than me. I'm suited to Arawan, but I'm sure if you look, you never know, the universe might throw a mate in your path?" Imogen said. A thought occurred to her, and she put her hands on her hips. "You can't go around stealing other people's partners, Gwyn. No matter how good your intentions are. You need to give your Riders like, time to go on some dates. Courting rituals or whatever. That's how you get them partners."
"Imogen, my love, the Riders aren't people you just let loose on the world," Arawan said, his tone dropping into a warning.
"She has given me much to think about. Thank you, consort of Arawan." Gwyn swung back up into the saddle. "If you ever tire of him, you only need to call my name to a waning moon three times, and I will come for you."
"You most certainly will not come anywhere near her—"Arawan began, but Gwyn turned his horse, summoned a portal, and rode through it.
Imogen let out a long breath. "Well, that was weird."
Arawan turned on her, his face furious. "You made him show you his dick! He was going to try and fight me for your hand!"
"He was also going to give me a throne of bones, which is rather flattering, don't you think?" Imogen added.
Arawan let out a sound of utter fury and tackled her to the soft moss and wildflowers.
"You are a menace, Imogen Ironwood," Arawan growled as he pinned her down. "I clearly need to remind you who you belong to."
"Oh no, I guess you must," Imogen said dramatically.
Arawan snarled in frustration and kissed her hard, every furious nip of his teeth and stroke of his tongue designed to dominate her.
Imogen reached for his pants, but his silvery power snatched her wrists and pinned them over her head. Oh, yeah, he was pissed, and she had to try really hard not to smirk about that. She could still goad him so easily. Embarrassing for him, great for her.
Arawan reached for the tie holding up the top of her halter dress and freed her breasts. He made another growling noise, this one of horniness. He kissed his way over them, covering them with love bites.
Imogen had sensitive nipples, and every rough suck and caress sent her back arching and body squirming until hopeless little sounds were coming out of her. She wasn't proud of the fact he could make her moan like a porn star with just some titty action, but she was enjoying herself too much to care.
"That's right. You make sure you remember that there's no one else that can make you feel like this, Ironwood," Arawan hissed. His hands went under her skirt and tore her panties off. His long fingers found her pussy and stroked expertly through the wetness gathered there. Arawan smirked as she wriggled. "That's right. You feel how wet this pussy is? That's because it knows who its master is."
"Fuck...you. Its only master is me. Jerk," Imogen groaned. Not her finest comeback, but he knew exactly how she liked to have her clit toyed with to make her lose her fucking mind.
Arawan's laughter was silky darkness in her ear. "Lie to yourself all you like. I care not." He licked the sensitive curve of her ear as he thrust his fingers inside of her and ground them against her G-spot. She let out a strangled cry and came hard and hot.
"I hate you so much," she muttered.
"Another lie," he chided, lifting her wide hips and thrusting his dick inside of her. It was rough and taking, but Imogen loved it. Loved that he still could get a bit possessive and jealous over her even after years of being together. Imogen wrapped her thick thighs around his lower back and held him tight.
"You really are an idiot if you think I would have gone with Gwyn," she said between gasps. "I would be the one slaughtering worlds if he tried to take me from you."
"Oh, yes? Because you seemed pretty interested in having two gods fight for your hand...when I had already won it," Arawan snarled, his own big hand closing around the side of her throat.
