I take a swig of whiskey and amble back into my quarters, starring at the looming custom-made armor that has seen far too much bloodshed. It grates on me. The loss of so many souls through the years. The ones fated to torture, and even the ones blessed enough to live their days out in Elysia were all tainted with grief. It never gets easier. Maybe if I had shared my burdens with my wife, this wouldn’t be happening. I’d thought I’d been sparing her from the ugliness that haunts me, but instead I’ve been driving her away this whole time. Maybe if I’d let her raise Skye down here with us. But what a place for a child to grow up. I’d made the right choice having Salem and Skye finish out their lives in the mortal realm. Watching over them in the only way I could.
When I met with Persephone three years into her mortal life, I thought I finally convinced her to come home. Instead, I left her pregnant and running back to her allotted time above. The heartbreak of her choice drove me into a witch’s arms. They’d both given birth nine months later.
Persephone was intent on living out her hard-won bet, thirteen years in the mortal realm. I thought she was just being head strong, as usual. I shake my head. How little I’d paid attention. Everything I had done was not enough. I should have granted her freedom long ago when she first asked. I was too proud. Too sure of myself and my abilities to make her fall in love with me. I’d convinced myself that I could be everything she needed if I could just have her as mine. But if this is the cost, then it is far too great.
I down my drink and dress in my armor. They’ll have to pry this kingdom away from my cold dead hands before I hand it over. Mark my words.
CHAPTER57
Chapter Fifty-Seven
SKYE
SONG: DANGEROUS WOMAN BY ARIANNA GRANDE
My lower stomach feels like knives are stabbing me. We’ve been training all day, learning how to defend ourselves in a battle and my muscles are sore from swinging a sword repeatedly at a stationary dummy. Now, we’re spread out in a sea of tents, Persephone and Chaos’s army marching our way.
I go to relieve myself and find that on top of everything else, I’ve just gotten my period. I search around the tent and find some cloth to stuff in my undies. Of all the times for Flow to show up, she picks now.
The guys are sitting around a campfire, bonding with demon soldiers that showed up to fight along side us. I lay down on the bedroll, tucking my legs up near my stomach.
Lukas pokes his head through the tent’s flaps. “Hey. You okay?”
“Yeah, just dealing with some cramps.” I say gesturing to my uterus.
“Mmm. He comes up and lays down behind me. I feel him hook his hand around my stomach, the warmth seeping into my skin.
“That feels good. Like a mini heating pad.”
He chuckles, “You know what can help with the pain?” He kisses the shell of my ear.
“Ibuprofen? Do you think the Underworld carries that?”
“No.” I feel him roll his hips against my ass letting me feel how hard he is.
“Lukas, no way. I’m on my period.”
“So? What’s a little blood? I want to make love to my girl the night before we fight in a fucking battle. Besides, it’ll help with the cramping.” I feel his hand move down my front as he starts stroking my clit.
“Lukas, you’re going to make a mess.” I find myself widening my legs for him to give him better access.
“So, there’s showers here.” He dips his fingers inside of me, pumping them while rubbing his thumb along my clit. I arch into him needing more as I rock my hips against his hand. He pulls my pants all the way down, setting the cloths I’d found underneath my ass.
“You’re insane.” I laugh shaking my head. I watch as he takes his shirt and pants off.
“If I’m crazy for wanting you, then I’m okay with that.” He hooks his hands around my knees, opening me up to him. “It’s natural, baby. Nothing to be ashamed of.” I feel him run his cock through my wetness before he sheaths himself inside me. As he pulls out, I can see that he’s completely coated in my blood. “What a fucking pretty sight. Painting my cock with your blood makes me feel fucking feral. Like you’re claiming me.” He reaches down between us and rubs his fingers through the blood. I watch open mouthed as he wipes it against his chest like he’s applying war paint. I love how he pushes my buttons, making me do things I would never even consider. He dips his fingers again and does the same to my chest, trailing his fingers down to my breasts with a squeeze.
“Do you remember the first time we met?” He pistons his hips against me, sending jolts of pleasure through me.
I nod my head. “In the art room. I thought I’d never met anyone more attractive in my life.”
A smirk comes over his lips. “You awoke something in me that day. I didn’t know you, but I knew I wanted to. I fell for you in an instant, but ever since then I find myself falling for you more and more every day.”
“You scared me, you know?” I run my fingers through his hair. “I didn’t want to feel as much as I did for you, but you worked your way into my heart and I’m grateful for that.”
He hovers over me on his elbows and leans down to kiss me. I open for him and suck his tongue into my mouth. He picks up his pace filling the tent with the sounds of our bodies wringing pleasure from each other.
“Come for me, baby.” He demands, and I can feel myself clenching around him, every piercing rubbing against my walls making my eyes roll back into my head. “That’s it. You’re so close. I can feel it. Just let go. Come all over my cock.”
