Page 11 of Six Burning Candles

“Then spank me,” she giggled, hips bucking up to press her molten core against my lap. “Don’t threaten me with a good time.”

“I can’t spank you here, Trouble,” I scolded but there was no venom or bite in it. My smile was so broad it ached. She hummed with coquettish delight, knowing she’d found yet another weakness of mine. On top of her, on top of my feverish delight in knowing she misbehaved just for me, I was a controlling cleric who craved laying her hands on the bare backside of the Hierophant’s daughter.What a cruel thing to make me, Goddess. Had you made me without desire, without needs, Iwouldn’t be in this position…nor would I if you hadn’t made her with the kingdom’s finest clay. I croaked, “But I can taste the fruits of my earlier labor, I suspect.”

“Please,” she whimpered, fingernails scraping down the back of my scalp. There was an old saying that satyrs were descendants of Eluvia, the goddess of love and passion. I’d bet every coin in the order’s purse and my left foot that, at the very least, Melrose St. Augustine was the direct descendent of the vixen in the ancient forest. My lips trailed her jaw to her throat and the feel of her warm skin against my frosty flesh was enough to send me into oblivion. Then I nipped at her jugular, and the keening sound from her mouth made me bury my fingers in her thighs. I could leave smudges and marks all I wanted there, but I did my best not to bring them where they craved to be. The memory of thrusting my fingers deep into her tingled on my skin.

I kissed down her throat to her collarbone, using my chin to push down the fabric and finally get my lips around her nipples. They perked immediately, then turned to hardened stone with every flick of my tongue. Melrose was forced to cup her mouth with one hand, muffling her desire. I’d love to hear the sound echo off the cathedral walls. Moving from one sensitive bundle to the next, I tormented her till she begged.

“Goddess preserve me, Keida! Please,” her voice cracked. Hips bucking up, begging me to tend to the fire I’d stoked, Melrose was dough in my hands. I chuckled, sliding down till my head poked under her dress. Tiny icicles melted off my scalp and left dribbles all over her body as I kissed her curls. She smelled of citrus and spice. Oranges and grapefruits with allspice and nutmeg, something earthy but tangy. Tasting her was like finally getting a slice of cake that I’d been eyeballing, and I tasted her hungrily.

Her fingers fisted my hair, and I wrapped my lips across her clit. With every tug from her, I increased the pressure in kind.I almost feared for a bald spot till we both found that preferred suction for her. With only the whistle of wind through the bushes in the garden to cover up the sound of her pleasure, I was surprised it was so muffled. Then I pulled back enough to give her a moment of reprieve and found my gloves stuffed in her mouth. It was the silliest thing, but it broke me. Lips dripping with her delight, frenzied delight pumping through my veins, simply seeing her moan through the heavy leather was what did me in.

I laughed harder than I’ve ever in my life. My forehead fell against to her soft belly. I felt her laughter fill the air as she spit out my gloves.

“What are we doing?” I breathed.

“Tasting the fruits of your labor, I think,” she teased, giggles still bubbling up through her chest. “And eating your earlier words.”

My blood ran cold.Oh right…of course…The lie that damned me.

Before I could say anything or correct myself, the sound of full armor knights clanging down the halls of the castle rattled over our heads. I scrambled to right her clothing and Melrose rushed to dust me off from the leaves.

“Ah! Your Lunarence, don’t tell me the garden got you by the robe hem,” a sweet, charming chuckle filled the garden. Swallowing my tongue, I whirled around to see Queen Erinnessa. Her queen’s guard sauntered up from the northern entrance to the garden. I was speechless, mouth flapping like a trout as I realized…I could still taste Melrose on my tongue.

Chapter Seven:

~Melrose~

Thiswasabadidea. I’ve had worse but THIS was a bad idea.I grimaced as the queen nearly walked in on me and the second highest cleric in the kingdom having a moment of delusion. I was still furious with Keida! And yet, kissing her felt right. In the moment I’d do it again, only, maybe I’d finally get to show her even an ounce of what she was missing.

I’ll make you regret lying to me, Keida of the Frost.

“It’s a very intense ritual, your Majesty,” I bowed my head to the queen.

“Ah, Miss St. Augustine,” Queen Erinnessa beamed one of her renowned, all-knowing smirks. The queen stopped everyone in their tracks on a regular day. For the holiday, however, she was gobsmackingly gorgeous. Her deep, umber brown skin accentuated by an elegant updo of curls, made her crown of jewels twinkle with a head tilt. Magic wind curled around her long, pointed ears. She’d worn the emerald gown I suspected she would choose when Ihappenedto see what the tailor was bringing up to the castle the other day.One of the few abuses of power I allow myself…knowing what the queen and princess wear is a must.I didn’t twist anyone’s arm, but definitely insinuated that I should know what gowns the designers were presenting for research.Of course.Queen Erinnessa spoke with a soft, raspy voice that floated on the wind she created. “How goes your Wintersdark?”

“Wonderous as always,” I giggled.

“I adore that dress on you. Though, it can’t be warm,” Erinnessa teased with a singular hand motion at me.

“Thank you!” both Keida and I blurted out in unison. Instantly, we glared at each other while the queen chuckled.She was complimenting my dress!But I knew that Keida was only going to use warm comment to further berate me with demands to dress thicker next time.What part of fur covered legs and hooves did she not understand?Unlike a certain frost fae, I was always warm.

“I came to ensure the blessings were set, but as you both are already cleaning up from the final ritual, I won’t keep you longer. The candle lighting ceremony starts soon, and it’ll take you all the time you have just to get back to the Cathedral. Thank you both, again, for assisting in these matters.” Queen Erinnessa gave me a nod of her head before motioning for her queen’s guard to continue moving. Keida and I bowed deeply until she passed us.

Then, like her words finally dawned on us, we both yelped out loud and sprang forth into action.Shit! Shit-shit-shit!Running was not my strong suit, but I could beat hoof when needed. Arms pumping at my side, skirt hiked up, we flew through the castle’s exterior walls into the city proper.

“She thought my dress was pretty,” I confessed with a giddy hop in my step as we flew around a building corner.

“She was trying to benice—”

I tossed a nasty glare over my shoulder at Keida. “The queen wouldn’t lie about my clothes!”

“I think your gown is lovely too, but it is simply not warm enough!” Keida barked.

I threw my hands up in the air as I finally slowed to a trot. My hands eventually dropped to my hips to help open my lungs. I sucked down air greedily.Ow. Shit. I need to run more frequently.The stitch in my side threatened my livelihood. Speaking in between puffs of frustrated air, “I! Am plenty! Warm!”

“Say that to your frosty fingertips,” Keida grumbled.

“And what wouldyouknow of my frosty fingertips?” I rebutted, a sliver of fury pumping through my veins with the help of my rapidly beating heart. “I’ve yet to touch you with them, but I could sing songs about yours.”