“I’ve brought you a gift,” he says, motioning towards the tent door.
“Hey.” Viveen smiles shyly at me.
“She can help you heal—at least take the pain away and reduce the bruising. Our Enchantra works slightly differently on Earthbound Fae, but it should help.”
I nod, already feeling my body start to stiffen.
“Watch those roving hands,” Domanikk jokes with Viveen as he moves aside to make room for her.
“Your bruises are coming out fast,” she says in a soothing voice. “I’ll do what I can.” Her hands hover over my cheek, and a warm tingle blooms beneath my skin. I moan softly as the pain eases into a dull throb. Viveen’s Enchantra glows from beneath her top—a soft, bright purple light that’s almost comforting.
“Where else?”
I rub my stomach, and she moves her hands over it. The same tingling sensations as before swirl in my belly, and I start to feel much better.
“That all?”
“My back.”
She gestures for me to flip over, and as I do, the full-body aches almost disappear entirely.
“That should do it. I’ll leave some ointment with Domanikk for the bruising,” she says as she finishes, then leans over and lowers her voice “Though I wouldn’t mind being the one to apply it myself.” Her eyes meet mine, a playful smile curving her lips. “Ceira is a vicious bitch. But you …” She brushes a strand of hair from my face, her touch gentle. “You’refarmore interesting.”
Domanikk’s voice drops low, edged with possessive heat. “Careful, Viv. Keep those hands on her much longer and I might get jealous.”
Viveen’s lips curve up as she trails one last finger along my collarbone. “Oh, I’m counting on it, Dom. Besides …” Her eyes rake over me slowly before meeting his. “Something this delicious deserves to be savoured.” She winks at me, her touch lingering just a heartbeat too long before she saunters towards the door. “See you at the Gathering.”
After Viveen leaves, Domanikk holds out his hand, helping me to my feet.
“What the hell was that with Ceira?” I ask as he unscrews the pot of blue ointment.
“She’s Reth’s Beta—his main mare. She’s always been viciously protective of her role and him.”
“She is jealous?! Of what? That Reth punishes and humiliates me whenever he can?”
He pulls my shirt up and motions for me to raise my arms. He lifts it gently over my head, careful to avoid my damaged face.
“It’s more complicated than that. I spoke to Reth, and he’s going to discipline her.” He purses his lips tightly, his jaw clenching for just a moment before he looks away. There’s something in his eyes—a flicker of hesitation—and I feel like he’s keeping something from me. Whatever they discussed, it wasn’t just about discipline.
His fingers are deft and tender as he rubs the ointment into my cheek—cool and soothing against my skin.
He then kneels in front of me and swirls it over the large bruise on my stomach. I let out a small gasp as his fingers tickle over my skin.
“I like this position. So close yet so far.” His eyes drag slowly up my body, dark with intent, before locking onto mine. Keeping eye contact, he leans between my thighs and takes a deep breath, sighing. “So addictively sinful. A corruption I will gladly savour.”
Rising, he moves behind me to apply the ointment onto my lower back, his touch sending a tiny ripple of pleasure below my waistband. His hand comes up, moving my hair aside, and he trails small kisses from my ear down to my neck—still sore from Ceira’s tight grip.
His other hand snakes around my waist, his palm splaying over my belly and pulling me back against his chest. It slides smoothly up towards my breasts, cupping me as his thumb swirls my nipple. My head tilts back to rest on his shoulder as I moan softly—yearning for his gentle touch.
“You smell so fucking delicious,” he whispers, his hot breath soothing against my ear. “I could devour you right now, but we need to get to the Gathering.”
When he lets me go, my disappointment becomes another weight in that locked corner of my heart.
He passes me back my shirt, which I pull on. Then he laces his fingers through mine, kissing our entwined hands as we leave the tent together.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Alaya
