His face was slick with sweat and release, but he wiped it on his sleeve and grinned. “You are welcome to test that theory at your convenience.” As I began to slowly rub my hand up and down, his shoulders dropped and his mouth hung open, eyes turning glassy.
“May…fuck…”
“I do not even need a collar to have you at my mercy,” I laughed, leaning forward to kiss and nip at his neck.
“You need nothing at all for me to be at your mercy.”
“Hush, you monster.” I gently bit down on the side of his ear, causing his entire body to shudder. The noise he made sounded almost like a whimper, and it senta surge of pleasure through me, so I moved faster. But when his hands found my waist and he tugged me into his lap, I froze, suddenly unsure of just how much I wanted. This was as far as I’d ever gone with Will, and I was certain Devil had much more experience. Not to mention, we were sitting on the grass, out in the open where anyone could walk by. I slid my hands beneath his shirt, running my fingers over the cut of his muscles, then took a deep breath so I could explain myself.
But he spoke before I could, whispering, “It’s alright.” His arms wrapped around my back and I melted into him. “Let’s get cleaned up, shall we?”
“The falls?”
He shook his head. “Far too busy right now, I would imagine. I want you all to myself for a while longer.”
“I amnottaking you home with me like this,” I giggled, glancing down at the bulge beneath his trousers.
“No one need ever know,” he said. “You can take us straight to your room. Lock the door. Block out the windows.”
“And then…” I said softly, finally meeting his eyes and searching them, trying to figure out exactly what he was imagining or expecting.
“I told you before,” he breathed, placing a single, gentle kiss on my jaw, “I would fetter myself in iron just to sleep beside you, May—to wake up with you in my arms. Please. I could not bear being away from you now…” He brushed a sweat-stiff curl from my face, and I immediately softened, then relented.
“Justto sleep,” I said, and he nodded, trailing a few more kisses along my neck before I stood up.
Once we were both somewhat presentable again, I pulled us through the Arden’s river of magyk back to the Bower. Sir Toby was waiting on my bed, and he growled until Devil let go of my hand to scratch all his ears. I quickly locked the door and cast a shadow barrier over the archway, just in case. After washing my face and hands in hot water from the kettle, I told Devil to stay out of sight and trouble, then went down to the kitchen. Ceres was busy preparing supper, humming to herself as usual, and she startled when I came in.
“Heavens, child! You walk so quietly!”
“I’m sorry,” I laughed. “I was hoping to see about…some extra food for supper. I was training all day and I’m famished.”
She raised an eyebrow and I instantly knew I’d given up the ghost. Having the power to lie didn’t mean I was good at it. At least, not all the time.
“Certainly, that isn’t a problem,” Ceres said smoothly. “Anything else? An extra tea mug in case you find yourselfterriblythirsty?”
I gave her a sheepish smile. “No, that’s alright. But maybe…one of your delightful hot rain clouds?”
“Ah, yes. Training all day certainly does make one sweaty. I’ll make you one when I bring supper.”
“Thank you.” I slipped out as quickly as possibly and practically flew back up the stairs to my room, praying I didn’t run into Oberon or Simeon.
“What on earth are you so worried about?” Devil asked when I nearly slammed the door behind me, then bolted it. “You aren’t in the Abbey anymore. Oberon isn’t going to toss you out into the gutter for bringing me here.”
I frowned at him. “No, but I do not want to risk him punishingyou.”
“You would not defend me against him?” His fingers traced along my jaw, then over my collarbone, and I leaned back against the edge of my desk.
“Of course, I would. I already have. But…”
“You have far more power than you can even imagine, May, and you should not be letting anyone in this forest dictate what you do. Not even Oberon and Titania.”
“I am notthatpowerful, nor that brave. Not yet.”
“Would that you could see yourself through my eyes,” Devil said. “Not as a meek, obedient girl, who must earn a place at the table, but as the storm—as a goddess, answerable to no one.”
“Blasphemy,” I laughed.
“What must I do,” he growled, sliding his hands beneath my thighs, then lifting me onto the desk, “to make you forget your weak, paltry gods?” He pressed his lips to the side of my neck as his hands roamed over my hips and waist. Even through the haze of desire quickly settling over me, I knew what the answer was.
