His finger pressed against her wetness. "Is that for me?"
Rin narrowed her eyes. "You know it’s not."
"Then tell me, who the fuck is it for?"
"Lucien… and Cyrus."
Rhyden just grumbled, lowering his head—just like Lucien had done in the pool as he’d moved inside her. She felt his fangs graze her neck.
His fingers continued to tease her, and she gave a soft, pleasant sigh as he used firmer pressure. She felt him trace the space around her entrance, and she held her breath as he slowly sank a finger inside her. He groaned, but the sound was short and cut.
Even though she’d just felt pleasure, she found herself already reaching that peak once more. Easier this time, as she was languid and already wet.
One fang skimmed the line of her throat, and she felt only the softest bite of pain in the wake. A mere scratch. But he’d broken skin nonetheless. His tongue traced the cut.
"I should drain you dry on my bed. They wouldn’t find you in time," Rhyden groaned out.
She stiffened, yet her hips worked instinctively, urging him to finish this—finish her.
"Do it, then," Rin dared. "I’ll just find you in the next life and make you miserable."
Rhyden said something against her neck, but she couldn’t hear the words, only felt the rough vibration of him speaking.
Then, he pulled his finger out of her, standing in a flash. Cool air teased over her exposed body, and she sat up, tucking the towel back around her with shaking hands. She clenched around nothing,wanting.
Rhyden stood by the windows, the holo-sight at his back. "Get out," he said.
Rin stood, far more slowly than he had. "What?" Her voice was husky.
"Get out. Go shower, like you wanted."
Rin ground her molars, feeling like her teeth would crack from the pressure. She wouldn’t beg him. If he didn’t want her… well, she knew who would. She wouldn’t go to Lucien or Cyrus again. She didn’t want to be dependent on anyone but herself.
"Fine." Rin turned to the door. "I never wanted you anyway. I think the Celestials were stupid for tying us together."
Rhyden’s eyes followed her as she slammed the door behind her. She didn’t look back, even when hurt bloomed uncomfortably inside her chest.
Atlas watchedfrom the shadows as Vesperin leaned her back against the tile wall of the large shower in one of the guest rooms.
She had called his kindstupid? The word falling from her lips had made him want to laugh.
Water cascaded down Vesperin’s body as her hand moved between her thighs. There was a soft blush on her skin from the temperature of the water.
She came with a moan, chest heaving as she caught her breath, the action making her small breasts lift.
For a brief moment, the Celestial felt that his watching of her waswrong. She was his, however, and she always would be. If she… remembered—Atlas felt his own breath catch—she would not turn him away.
Vesperin’s hand fell to her side, fingers glistening, and she pushed herself off the tile, stumbling for a moment.
He saw how her young, human mind worked to brush it off as nothing—as heat from the shower or exhaustion from her swim, though he knew better. And she did, too.
Atlas let the shadows take him away, to flower fields and a castle for his queen.
12
STARLIT
Spring had arrived.
