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I want to be amused that something as silly as a hedge maze exists within the council walls, but there’s an aura about this place, something that tells me this is more than just a maze. There’s a sinister feel to these walls.
Leon brings my hand to his mouth, kissing my fingers before starting down one of the paths. “Somewhat. This maze is one of the tests of mental strength for only the most powerful soldiers. When you enter the maze, you become completely incapable of remembering your sense of direction and become lost. You could wander the maze for eternity, never finding your way out. The only way to leave is if someone who already knows the way comes to get you.”
I frown, suddenly feeling very keen to turn back around. “Then how are the soldiers supposed to get out? The test sounds impossible. Also, why are we in here if this place is impossible to leave?” I dig my heels into the ground, ready to pull Leon back towards the door. I turn, only to remember it closed once we entered and is now impenetrable.
Leon laughs at my rising panic. “Only impossible to leave if you don’t already know the way.” He repeats, tugging me along through one of the turns ahead, choosing a path that leads deeper into the maze. “I designed it, Vivian. Back when I was still a Creator. Building things was one of my specialties. This is one of my creations.” He beams at me.
I’m not impressed. “But Leon, why would you build an impossible maze? And don’t the soldiers just find each other? What’s to stop them from climbing the hedges to get a better vantage?”
Again, Leon grins as if excited to show off his wit. He walks me over to the hedge directly next to us and makes to place a hand on a branch. Immediately, three-inch-long thorns erupt from the branches, threateningly aimed at his hand. “These can penetrate even metal armour. There is no escaping. The soldiers never find each other because if they get close, the maze re-routes them. They are truly and completely alone.”
“But why?” I ask. None of this sounds like any fun, and I can’t imagine why anyone would build a place like this.
“Rydon, the guard captain, wants his elite soldiers to be unbreakable. For even impossible situations to unfaze them. They need to remain calm and focused, even after days of searching for an exit. Most of the soldiers go mad after just half a day. Those are the ones that fail the test. But after three days, any soldier who is still searching and hasn’t lost their mind is allowed to join the elite forces of Rydon’s guard.”
Still, I don’t see how it makes any sense. “Don’t the soldiers just speak to each other? And tell the others the secret.”
Leon gives a dark laugh. “Any soldier who passes the test has their memory altered. They are convinced that they found the exit on their own and have no memory of being retrieved by one of the few who already know the path. It is worn as a badge of honour to have escaped the maze.”
I hum softly at his explanation. It’s well thought out, I admit, but the mention of altering memories rubs me the wrong way. It sets off the same grating sensation atthe back of my mind like someone is scratching at my brain with a fingernail.
Remembering why we’re here, I warily look around. “Is the person who might know where Morgana is trapped in the maze?”
“No,” Leon answers, laughing again at my hesitation. “Rydon said that after Morgana went on the run, they spent centuries removing her spies from the castle and the council. Though there’s likely still corruption within the council members, none have ties to Morgana. They’re likely up to their own nefarious plans. Morgana has no more influence here. Rydon mentioned that while his men have been hunting down all those with ties to Morgana, he’s convinced that she still has allies in the black market.”
I want to ask what the Otherworld version of a black market is, but Leon continues, anticipating the question. “The black market exists at the city's outer edges, near the water’s edge on the south side. It’s a sect of the city entirely populated by dark creatures, and they are self-policed. The council doesn’t interfere with their affairs so long as their doings don’t have consequences that reach back to them. Mostly, they trade in illegal goods, but merchants from all the magical realms frequent it.”
The word ‘all’ catches me by surprise. I’ve tallied three realms now. My own, the Otherworld, and the Shadow realm. How complex can the universe be?
We’re deep inside the maze now, and it’s still deathly quiet. “Are we headed to the black market now?”
Maybe the maze is a shortcut.
Leon grins as we turn another corner. There, hidden in an alcove of the hedges, is a small bench. “The blackmarket won’t be active until past dark.” He says as he walks us over to the bench but makes no move to sit. “In the meanwhile, I believe you have earned yourself a reward.” His tone is back to being low and predatory.
I only have a chance to gasp as the bond between us flares to light, letting me know precisely where Leon’s mind is. The burning need floods through my body as Leon’s hand wraps itself in my hair, pulling me forward as his mouth descends on mine.
He ravages my mouth, and once again, my mind is muddled with a hazy fog, and the bond pulses through us, filling me with an aching warmth. Before I’m entirely overtaken with desire, I only think to ask, “Reward for what?”
Leon’s mouth leaves mine as he places scorching kisses down my neck. “Because.” He starts to answer as he pulls my dress up. As his hands find my bare thighs, he hooks his hands around them, and in one fluid motion, he pulls me up off the ground, wrapping my legs around his waist. My hands come around his neck, and he kisses me soundly again.
With my legs wrapped securely around him, he lets his hands roam hungrily, grabbing my ass and teasing at the junction of my thighs, just close enough to my center to make me moan. Releasing my lips again, Leon slowly sets me down so that I’m sitting on the bench. Goosebumps erupt on my legs from the cool marble that presses directly against my sensitive, exposed skin.
Leon lowers himself even further so that he’s kneeling between my legs. His eyes stay locked on mine as he once again lifts my skirts until I’m fully exposed to him. His eyes darken, noticing that I didn’t bother withunderwear. “I gave you an order earlier. And youfinally.” He pauses, punctuating his words as his hands come to my bare ass. He pulls me forward on the bench, lifting my thighs to rest on his shoulders.
I grab at the edges of the bench to keep from falling backwards as my balance shifts. “Fucking.” His fingers find my center, already soaked with need for him. “Listened.” He spits out the last word, and his mouth descends on my pussy, his tongue sweeping in to taste me.
Pleasure sweeps through me as Leon’s tongue begins its exquisite torture. He starts slowly, tasting every part of me. His tongue rubs circles around my clit, and I arch on the bench.
Feeling me respond to him, Leon repeats the motion before descending further and licking at the edges of my slit. “Leon.” I gasp at the new sensation. His tongue pushes inside of me, and I almost come off the bench. One of Leon’s hands grabs my thigh to hold me in place.
I squirm more, and Leon responds by increasing his pressure on my pussy, his mouth now coming up to suck at my clit. “Leon!” I demand. I don’t know what I want. What he’s doing feels good, but I’m quickly becoming overwhelmed by how my body is responding. The bond between us is still burning hot, and suddenly, Leon’s tongue feels like it’s not enough. I need more.
Leon growls against my center, not ready to stop. Still holding me firmly in place on the bench, he uses his other hand to start fingering me while he sucks and licks at my clit. “Such a good girl,” he says, nipping at my clit. “Your pretty pussy is fucking drenched for me, Vivian.”
Again, I arch into his touch, now tightening my legs around his head. When Leon inserts a second finger, pumping them in and out of my soaked slit, I let my head tilt backwards, allowing myself to get lost in the ecstasy. “That’s right, baby,” he says as he works me even faster now, “give in and ride my hand like the good little slut you are.” My hips start to buck against his mouth as I meet the thrusts of his fingers.
Still, Leon wants more from me. Wrenching his mouth from my center, he hooks a hand around my waist, lifting me and bending me over so that I’m standing with my hands on the bench. His hand doesn’t release me, and I’m grateful, feeling my thighs shake beneath me. My body trembles for release. Leon shuffles behind me, and after a moment, I feel his bare length against my slit.
