My body trembles as his words sink in. He wants me on full display, bound and helpless for his pleasure alone—punishment for wanting to watch the others. I try to shift, but the belt holds tight. His voice rumbles behind me. “Struggle all you want, it only makes it that much better when you touch yourself.”
I’m so turned on, I don’t think I can wait any longer. My fingers slip between my thighs, desperate, reckless. A low sound vibrates in his throat. “Don’t stop until I say.”
The belt digs into my wrists and ankles with every shift, but I keep going. I’m so close now. My body begs for him, for his hands instead of mine, but he only watches. A whimper escapes as my slick fingers circle harder, hovering at the edge. Oh God, yes, just a little more.
“Stop.” His command slams into me and I freeze, my body screaming for the release he denied.Damn him!His fingers move to unbuckle the belt. “You think I’d let you come on your fingers? No, Melita. Your pussy is mine, and it only answers to me.”
I breathe his name as the belt slips free in one sharp tug. Finally, his hands are on me, dragging me against him. “That’s it.” His voice is low. “Beg for me, little mate. I’ll give you what you need.”
Relief crashes through me when he finally does. His mouth is at my throat as I pull his pants down. Nothing exists but the two of us when he pushes into me, stretching me full at last.
A warm touch pulls me from sleep, leaving goosebumps behind. I smile, not wanting to open my eyes yet. Something’s different this morning. I’m lighter, more steady. Last night…God, last night was amazing. “Good morning,” I sigh.
The strong arms holding me loosen so I can face him. Zarreth brings my wrists to his lips and places a gentle kiss over the raw skin. Maybe there’s something wrong with me, but the marks from his belt make mesmile. Actually…no. There’s nothing wrong with me. Last night was exactly what I needed.
“Good morning, sleepyhead.” His gentle voice nearly lulls me back to sleep. But something in the tone pulls at me. Why is he so excited for me to wake up?
My hands explore his bare chest. “Round two already?” Or was it round three…four? I don’t remember. All I know is I had the best sleep I’ve had in a really long time, which is saying something, considering we’re on the hard, ashen ground.
“Look,” he says, opening his wings, bringing us back to the real world.
“Nooo,” I whine, refusing to leave this perfect moment.
He chuckles. “You might think differently if you look around.”
Curiosity pulls me up, and the sight leaves me awestruck. The ground beneath us is no longer barren. Ash and dirt are replaced with something so green it nearly makes me weep. “How did this…”
Is this really happening? Did I do this? I want to cry as my gaze lands on a cluster of fragile white bells. Their sweet perfume clings to the air—Lily of the valley…but that’s impossible.
Zarreth’s voice is low, almost reverent. “They bloomed while you were asleep.” His gaze lingers on the flowers before it finds mine. “It was…magical, like the world forgot where it was.”
I shake my head, almost scared to believe it, but the evidence is right in front of me. My light. My ability to heal. It’s coming back. Please don’t let me lose this.
The dainty petals hold me captive, the world narrowing to nothing but them. Laughter cuts across the courtyard, followed by the scrape of steel on stone. Crap. It’s later than I thought.
“Shit, the time!” I stumble to my feet, heart racing. “Your mom. I’m supposed to meet her for the grounding practice.” I almost don’t want to go. I don’t think I could be any more grounded than I am right here.
He looks toward the village. “They’ll be gathering soon,” he says gently. “I can fly you there.”
CHAPTER 20
Frankie
“Ifelt like a drunk kid in a liquor store, until Graven cockblocked me.” I try paying attention to Jess’ recollection of her night, but my thoughts drift back to the flowers. I’m not sure why I haven’t told her yet. Maybe I’m afraid I’ll jinx it if I speak it out loud. “…‘the human’s too fragile.’ Meanwhile, he and the dumb blonde went at it like they were auditioning for a bad porno. I can’t believe he subjected me to that.”
“Ahem!” The demon leading the session clears her throat, making Jess’ lips snap shut.Sorry,she mouths, then closes her eyes, settling in like she’s been meditating her whole life.
I shift on my cushion, the rough seam of the hide scratching the back of my leg. Okay, I got this. The instructor said to imagine each thought as a cloud and label it so it doesn’t take root. Easy, right? Except my brain doesn’t doeasy.Thought…thought, thought, thought…the clouds multiply until a storm rolls through. I thought I held back my groan, but a light tap on my shoulder tells me otherwise.
I crack one eye open. Anatha stands over me, swaying gently, motioning for me to get up. She leans close, her voice warm. “For some of us, sitting still just makes the noise louder. Sometimes the body needs to move so the mind can rest.”
I smile at her, grateful she noticed me struggling, and follow her lead. With my eyes closed once again, I start swaying to a rhythm of my own. The quiet settles in, and something inside me finally lets go. I could almost float away.
I’m so lost in my own world that I barely notice a strange pull at my spine spreading across my shoulders. But the longer I stay with it, the heavier it grows, like something’s trying to break free.
Heat gathers at my fingertips, but it’s different from the darkness that usually builds there. Instead of the heavy, almost suffocating feeling, it sparks then morphs into a cool relief. I crack open one eye as a white glow fades from my palm. I glance around the room to see if anyone noticed, but no one is looking my way. I smile, afraid to get my hopes up, but I can’t help it. I did it!
A voice from the front cuts through the quiet. “Open your eyes.”
