I was ready thirty minutes ago! “Yes, please, please, Seth, just let me come!” My limbs shudder. I have no strength left.
“What do you have to say for yourself?”
He rubs the cool screwdriver tip against my clit, working it back and forth. I choke on a breath. Tears stream down my eyes, and I say with the most contrition possible, “I’m sorry you’re such an asshole. But…I won’t do it again.”
“This will teach you to mess with my things.” He jabs the axe handle in a little deeper, and I gulp at the pressure against my hole, but I know he won’t go too far. He won’t test my opening, which is still swollen and healing.
At once, the tools thud onto the ground. The next thing I feel is Seth untying me. I don’t understand, but I’m too weak to protest. Too worn out to do anything but surrender as he sweeps me into his arms and carries me closer to the fire.
He sits on a wooden chair, opens my pubic lips, and begins to rub my clit with his thumb. His teeth attack the side of my neck. It’s so sudden, so overwhelming, and intense with the firelightglowing on my body, heating me even more. I feel his cock throbbing against my lower back.
“Feel that, Briella Darling? Yeah, we put you through hell. But know we went through hell, too.”
Tingles break out all over, and a chill skates up my spine despite the firelight casting shadows and warmth along my skin.
“But feel how much we want to give you a throne. I’ll build it with my bare hands if I must, my Queen. Just say the word.” He rubs his mouth along my neck. “But only you can take the throne. Until then, I’ll be here in the darkness with you. Won’t leave you until you’re ready to walk through the fire and rise and shine.”
“Seth…” I whisper, then gasp when his other hand reaches up to knead my breast. Never thought he could talk like that.
“I’m not all poetic like Jude. But take it for what it is.” His voice drops to a husky low. “You’re a goddamn diamond, Darling. You’re irreplaceable. Fucking need you with every bone in my body. Even when you mess with all my axes.”
With his thumb trained on my clit, with his two fingers sinking into my drenched opening, where my inner muscles suck the tips inside, and his fingers pinching and twisting my nipples, I clamp down. Waves upon waves of fire and ice crash over me, stealing me from the earth as the orgasm hits me from all sides, tearing through me. Seth tightens his grip on one breast but keeps rubbing my distended clit through it all, curving his fingers inside…just…an…inch…more.
“Oh, god!” I cry as he stimulates that inner knot, pressing down on it and forcing another climax to wash over me. My breasts bounce with the force as I surrender to the orgasm, moans intensifying, body shuddering, and pussy combusting until I’m gushing all over his hand.
He curves his fingers again, driving me to the peak again. “Give me one more, Briella Darling.” He licks the space between my earlobe and my neck, tantalizing me.
But I have nothing left!
And still, somehow, he presses down, rubbing inside and rubbing my swollen clit, circling and swiping it back and forth until I explode. I spiral with stars of pure bliss shooting behind my eyes. I scream from the pleasure spasming through my core and liquefying all my bones. The orgasm goes on and on. It feels like every shade of warm color splits through me. And like a damn fire hose, I explode.
“Fuck, Darling!” Seth exclaims as I squirt all over his hand, soaking every inch.
I’ve never…it’s never happened before. I slump back against him. Sweat clings to my skin. Tears wet my cheeks. Dizziness swirls my vision. The last thing I remember is Seth picking me up, dousing the fire with dirt, and carrying me to his cabin.
Everything goes black before he opens the door.
37
Raphael
“WILL MY NEW HOME BE WITH THOSE BONES IN YOUR PIT?”
Citizen Soldier Playlist
“Burden” - (Projected to Briella)
The cottage is small—the layout of a studio apartment, with the bed sharing space across the kitchen. But it’s hers. Itwashers.
Quaint, it’s tucked amid weathered farmhouses and sloping fields, its edges softened by ivy and old timber, like it’s been part of this land longer than memory. The trees crowd the back of the property, a patch of woods dense enough to swallow sound. It suits her. Or it did.
The first thing she did was change into an indigo corset over a black long-sleeved shirt—lacings in the front—and a dark green plaid wool skirt falling to her ankles. Her belief that she can hide from us so easily is amusing to say the least. If I wanted her to be naked all day, she would. Regardless, she looks lovely in the cottage core outfit, especially with her violet hair in a messy bun, loose curls dangling about her face.
Hands in my trench coat, I stand on the front porch and watch her through the glass, moving slowly, gathering her clothes, a few small things she won’t leave behind. There’s a wistful pull to her mouth as she takes in the few rooms. While I cannot feel her loss, I understand it too well.
I know what it is to leave everything behind. We all do. This loss simply reinforces her place with us. She shares our punishment, our blood, our pain. And she will reap the rewards.
Meanwhile, Jude is loading supplies from her greenhouse into the pickup truck. It will be good for her to have something to occupy her time. The more she contributes, the more she will feel she’s one of us.
