Page 659 of Coal Hearts

“Ah shit,” I muttered under my breath. “I have no desire to perform tonight. Let’s go into the maze.” Grabbing Ily’s hand, I cut across the courtyard where vines crawled up a trellis and a small sala waited for lovers. The familiar hum of energy and awareness sparked between us, making my heart pound faster.

I let her hand go the moment we entered the huge, manicured maze.

I didn’t know if Victor had cameras in here, but I wouldn’t risk it.

I would never risk Ily, even though my fingers craved hers and my heart hurt and my bones throbbed with madness.

Ily remained silent.

She huddled deeper into her beige jumper—the only warm thing she had—her nose pink with cold.

Left then right, right then left, we travelled deeper into the maze, heading toward the centre where another sala and a wishing well had been built. We’d spent enough time wandering that we’d learned the maze’s dead ends and tricks and often came in here to get away from the other Masters.

A month ago, I’d fucked Ily against one of the posts of the wishing well, putting on a show just in case. Our show had turned into truth, and I’d made her come hard enough to reward me with one of her G-spot orgasms.

My stomach clenched as we stepped into the centre of the maze.

“Should’ve brought a few drinks with us.” I smiled at my twin flame. “Gotten tipsy and enjoyed our own celebration.”

“What celebration?” Her adorable nose wrinkled.

“Our four-month anniversary is coming up.”

She cracked a smile all while her eyes pooled with sadness. “So it is.”

Stepping into her, I whispered, “I don’t know if I have the strength to last till Christmas.”

“Ugh, me either.” She pressed her forehead against my chest before stepping back. “But...we will.”

I sighed. “I know. We don’t have a choice.”

Her hands went to her jumper hem, her lashes flirting. “Want to put on another show for anyone watching?”

My cock twitched.

Despite the lifestyle of this place—full of daily sex and games of pain—I never lost the urge for more. Apart from the month where Victor was gone and I’d drowned beneath depression, I took Ily often. I fucked her every night because being inside her gave me just enough strength to survive another day.

“Fine.” I gave her a black smile. “Strip and lean over the picnic table.” Unbuckling my belt, I pulled the leather from the loops of my slacks. “Five strikes before I fuck you.”

She shuddered.

Her eyes glowed as bright as two suns.

Our chill vanished thanks to our blood burning.

“Yes, Master H.” Giving me a sinful smirk, she padded toward the table and went to lift her jumper only—

“Umm, before you play, can we talk?”

She spun around.

I fisted my belt.

The two Masters and their jewels who I’d spied across the lawn, stepped into our sanctuary.

It took me a moment to recognise them.

I hadn’t seen them since Emerald Bruises when I’d interrupted their little game in the first cave.