I’m close.
So close.
Let go, little moth. His deep voice resounds in my head, and his commanding tone sends a thrill through me.
Just as he increases the swirls on my clit, a rush of euphoria thunders over me, a quaking pleasure that steals my breath and makes me feel weightless. I soar upward, as though he’s flying me through the sky, holding me close as I reach the heights of my desire. My clit pulses against his tongue, and each time he exhales, the chill of his breath makes me ever aware of the wetness that’s coating my pussy and inner thighs.
As the last quaking wave dissipates, he withdraws his fingers from my core, but he doesn’t retract his tongue from my clit. He circles my swollen button until I whimper and push at his head.
Too sensitive, I send down the bond.
He immediately withdraws from my center and peers up at me, his lips gleaming with my arousal. I flush at the sight, and my face grows even warmer when I glance at my exposed nether area. The firelight reveals the glimmer of arousal coating my pussy and inner thighs.
Gideon stares at me with quiet contentment. I know his cock remains rock hard, as I can sense his desire, but bringing me to pleasure filled him with immense satisfaction. Still holding my gaze, he wipes his mouth on the back of his forearm, then he reaches for my nightdress and pulls it down past my knees, covering my nudity. He settles on the bedroll beside me and pulls me close.
I rest my head on his chest, listening to the steady beating of his heart. As he holds me, he keeps sending me waves of affection. I bask in the warmth and the tenderness, and it isn’t long before fatigue starts to weigh me down. Eventually, he pulls one of the fur blankets over our bodies.
But it seems a bit unfair of me to just drift to sleep immediately after he pleasured me. I mean… shouldn’t I see to his needs? Leaning into the bond, I sense that he’s still as aroused as ever. He’s holding me in such a way that I can’t feel the hardness of his cock, not physically anyway, but I know he remains at full readiness. A shaky breath escapes me as I imagine what it might be like to take him in my mouth.
He growls in my ear.Why, little moth, I didn’t know you possessed such a vivid imagination.His teasing voice rumbles in my head, and he presses a kiss on my temple, letting his lips linger.
I can smell my essence on his breath, and gods how it makes me flush. It’s a reminder of the intimacies we just shared… and the line we just crossed. I can’t help but wonder how many more lines we will cross before the night is through.
I try to banish the sensual images from my mind, but they keep coming. I keep picturing myself reaching for the clasp of his pants, drawing his thick appendage out, and taking him in my mouth. I keep wondering what he will taste like and…
He growls again, this time loud enough to make me gasp.
Slowly, I allow my hand to travel down his chest and lower. But just as I’m about to grasp his bulge, he stiffens and looks toward the mouth of the cave. Sensing his sudden alarm, I retract my hand and bolt upward.
“Fucking fires,” he mutters. “It would appear we are about to have company.” He turns me to face him, then I hear his voice in my head.Do not be afraid, little moth. You are safe with me. I will protect you. Always.
Before I have the chance to ask questions, a huge winged fae male lands at the entrance of the cave. He’s quickly followed by four more, all of them massive and fierce looking… and covered in blood.
CHAPTER 14
GIDEON
I scowlat the highborn fae males, comrades of mine from the Winter Court army. One is a fellow commander, and the others are aerial scouts and soldiers. They vanish their wings in a series of flashes and approach the protective ward, a few curious glances passing between them. Clearly, they weren’t expecting to find this cave occupied.
After giving Isabel a reassuring look and sending her a wave of affection, I rise to my feet and face the males.
I step through the protective ward and give Commander Gray a nod in greeting.
“Commander Ashvale!” he calls with a grin. “What a pleasant surprise.” His eyes briefly dart to Isabel, and I immediately tense.
Baring my teeth, I emit a warning growl as I stare at Commander Gray. Still growling, I peer at the other males, making sure to meet their eyes. All but Commander Gray lower their heads in a show of understanding. They know Isabel isn’tto be touched. They know that if they even look at her, I will end them.
“What brings you to these parts, Commander Gray?” I finally ask, and I’m relieved that he’s no longer peering at Isabel. If he dares to glance at her again, I will plunge a sword deep into his gut, commander or not.
“We’ve been tracking some soldiers that escaped Braemar during the battle. As you can see,” he says with a gesture at his bloodied clothes, “we finally found them.”
I sense Isabel’s horror, as well as her unease in the soldiers’ presence. And not for the first time, I wonder how I can bring her with me as I continue to serve in the Winter Court army. What atrocities might she witness? What violence might she be exposed to? I suppress a growl.
“Well done,” I finally say. “Am I correct in assuming you wish to make use of the bathing alcoves and spend the night in this cave?”
Commander Gray grins, revealing his sharp, blood-stained teeth. When I sense Isabel’s shock through the bond, I send her another wave of affection, but I know it doesn’t help much. She’s trembling with fear.
“Yes,” the commander says. “If it’s not an imposition, we would like to stay the night.” He grins again. “Don’t worry, we promise not to bother your pleasure slave.”
