“Are you my mate?”
“Yes, sir.”
“You’re very good at telling me what I want to hear. I don’t think you believe you are.” Nicolono sighed in frustration. Jules had been his mate at one point, but not anymore. Nicolono knew that better than anyone. He just wanted to test Jules to see if he would lie.
“Go to your spot. Now.” He would likely hit him if he didn’t make Jules leave. Besides, he liked his punishments to be a bit more…internal.
Jules’ fear wore on Nicolono’s nerves.
Jules turned to leave the room. At least he was obedient, but then very few weren’t. They knew what would happen if they disobeyed.
He dried himself and went into his bedroom. Jules sat against the wall with his knees up to his chin. His cheek rested against the top of his folded legs. He was such a pretty little thing. Nicolono sighed and looked at his soft cock. He’d fuck him even if he wasn’t mated to him, if he could get it up. That would add salt to the wound for Hacen and his two little mates.
Oh, well.
Nicolono dressed, putting on his boots last. They had pretty metal spikes at the end that had seen their fair share of blood in the past. Today would be no different.
When Nicolono finished, he walked over to Jules. “Get up, Jules. You need to know the lengths I go to punish those that disobey.”
Jules sat there trembling for several seconds. Finally, Nicolono grabbed a fistful of hair and lifted him up by it. Jules’ hands came up to his own, trying to alleviate the pain. Nicolono had seen the behavior before, touching because of fear. It was the first time Jules had voluntarily touched him. “You’ll learn to listen, or I’ll find Hacen and the warlock and kill them both. They couldn’t have gotten far. Not without you. Now get some pants on so we can go.” He wouldn’t tell Jules yet that he’d already sent some of his best trackers to find Hacen and Thomas. That little bit of knowledge could wait until he killed them.
Nicolono pushed him toward the dresser drawer that held a single pair of sweatpants in Jules’ size. Jules stumbled a bit as he made his way over and opened the drawer.
“Hurry up. I have little patience today. This persisting problem with the male witch is taxing my nerves.”
Jules dressed quickly and followed him out of the room. “Keep up this time Jules. I really dislike disciplining you.”
Perhaps, he should have sent Jules with the other two after all, to rid himself of the headache. But then there was no fun in that. The separation was torture. He could see it in Jules’ eyes and in the way he slumped his shoulders.
Nicolono made his way to the cells. His heart pounded out a fast rhythm at the thought of seeing Silvia again. Oh, how he missed her.
The door into the small space hid a small prison. The heavy, dark wood had cherubs carved around the frame which fit into the overall décor in the hallway. Nicolono wanted to keep the ugliness of those cells firmly behind closed doors, where he didn’t have to think about it.
Angel already leaned against the wall directly across from the hall, playing a game on his cell phone, as was his habit. He pocketed his phone when he saw Nicolono.
He heard Damian’s footsteps behind them. Nicolono knew it was Damian because the man was light on his feet. It was an odd thing, considering his size.
Nicolono opened the door and walked inside. There were five cells. Five had been all they ever really needed, except for the dragon shifter. When he had come, they had needed a bigger space. Silvia had made sure of that, cursing the dragon so he couldn’t shift. They had a separate space built for the dragon. The cells were perfect for Silvia and now the little human, Shawn, was here as well.
Nicolono pointed to the corner, silently telling Jules to stay there. Jules complied.
Nicolono turned to stand in front of Silvia’s cell. Her blonde hair stood up in places and her eyes were slightly wild as she gripped the bars of her cell. “Let me out, Nicolono, and I’ll be gone from you forever.”
Nicolono smiled. “That is not what I want. I’m not here to bargain with you, wife. What I want is much simpler than deal-making. Tell me how much you love me instead.”
Silvia smiled. “I regret marrying you.”
“We were meant for each other. The warlock showed me that and now, I’ll show you.” Nicolono nodded for Angel and Damian to gointo the cell and get started. Nicolono smiled and then turned his head. “Jules, get the pliers off the table to your left.”
Silvia’s brown eyes grew wide and she backed away.
Jules handed him the pliers with tears in his eyes.
“I would think you’d like this part. She is the one who started the whole fiasco. If she hadn’t cursed me, we’d be mated, and you wouldn’t be pining for two men who will never want you. You’re just a weak human. Don’t you see that?” Nicolono said, patting his cheek right before taking the torture tool from him.
Jules had tears in his eyes. “That’s not true.”
“It is true, little human.”
