Page 52 of Witch’s Ruin

“All right, all right!” She walked over, ripping the sheet back and climbing atop his naked body, straddling his hips without lowering herself. “You are insufferable.” Her tender expression mitigated her words. She leaned forward and kissed him, gently, then reached for his cock. With one hand pressed against his chest, the other rubbing the head between her slit, she began to ease him inside of her.

He growled. Sensation erupted, racing up the length of his shaft, burying deep in his center. That brought a mischievous grin to her lips. He shivered as he watched her work, as she buried him to the hilt.

Mina rode him the same way she rode her horse, with all the experience and agility, all the grace and wild abandon he’d come to love. “You are exquisite,” he said between gasps, unable to keep his hands from her hips, unable to keep himself from thrusting up into her. They climaxed together, breathing hard, eyes wide as they watched each other. His heart flapped, watching her wring every last drop of himself free inside her. Then, she collapsed on his chest.

It had lasted mere minutes, but those minutes felt like a lifetime. She shifted slightly, and his cock gave a torturous spasm, still rocked by the aftershocks of his orgasm. His fingers stroked the smooth skin of her back.

“Good girl,” he purred, pleased. She nuzzled closer, rubbing her nose against him before kissing his skin. “You’re going to win today,” he said. “I want to see the look on my father’s face when he loses to you. Do whatever it takes.”

She snorted, peeling herself up enough to look at him. “I was already planning on it. But thanks.” She tilted her head. “Don’t you have a council meeting or some other matter you’re missing?”

He shrugged, his movements lazy. “Wouldn’t know—don’t remember. My father’s going to have to get me my own personal assistant if he hopes I’ll keep my responsibilities sorted.”

She huffed. He watched her, sitting up now, still wrapped about him with her wet heat. The light made her pale skin glow. Her black hair was a mess of tangles, falling nearly to her waist. She’d let it get longer since they’d first paired.

His heart squeezed. He was struck then, as he often was, by her beauty, her grace. By what he felt for her. Love didn’t do it justice. They were tied together by so much more than that. By more than their bond. It was as if their very souls were entrenched within the confines of each other, rooted, tangled, the way her two magics were.

“What’s that look for?” she said, studying him.

He made a sound in the back of his throat.

“Oh, come on. Tell me.”

He hesitated and then, “You mean more to me than anything in the world. There is nothing I wouldn’t do for you, to keep you safe, to keep you for myself.”

Her eyes darkened. She bit her lip, studying him. Then her hips gently rocked and he was aching again, desperate to move inside her. In one smooth motion, he flipped their positions and made love to her as he’d done the day before—a record, perhaps. But he needed to show her exactly what his words meant.

* * *

“Riders, in position!” came the cry that had everyone’s attention snapping upright. Rixon’s heart kicked up, pounding against his chest. The arena was nearly empty, save for those in the king’s circle, permitted to take part.

“Shall we take bets?” Trudy asked him. He shot his father a glare. Trudy clasped her hands in glee. “I do so love a good wager.”

“Then, by all means,” he drawled, “don’t let me stop you.”

Her face flushed. She turned her attention back to the matter at hand, his dismissal clear. A pinch of guilt needled his skin. It wasn’t her fault she’d been roped into this, but he certainly took it out on her when he could. He inhaled, letting his breath out slowly.

Earlier, he’d walked with Mina through the city, leading Jarrow by the reins. She’d donned a pair of cropped riding breeches tucked into tall boots, and a sleek white tunic that fitted her curves perfectly. Her hair was tied back, the long black tail cascading down her back. The sight of it earlier had his fingers itching. He’d exercised control to keep from wrapping it around his fist. So many dirty thoughts in his mind…

His eyes remained fixed on her, even now. She was mounted in her saddle, Jarrow perfectly motionless beneath her. She’d spent the entire walk whispering things to him. “He’s never done a race like this before,” she had explained, when they’d gotten him situated behind the gate. And yet, Jarrow seemed to know exactly what was happening. He didn’t show a single measure of discomfort, getting closed inside the bars with her.

Rixon’s chest swelled. She’d win. On a horse that wasn’t bred for this, with a rider that had never partaken in an official race. It would be impressive. He intended to show her exactly how much, later.

“Riders, at the ready!” the announcer called. He tensed, on the edge of his seat. Everyone seemed to tip forward, leaning in towards the track—

The gong sounded. The gates were thrown wide. Three finely bred horses shot onto the track.

He surged to his feet, heart in his throat. The small crowd burst into screams of delight. Before he realized it, Jarrow’s name was on his lips, shouted at the top of his lungs.

Chapter 17

Mina

I knew how to ride. I’d seen my father train jockeys at our ranch. I’d even participated a time or two, for fun. But nothing, nothing, prepared me for the exhilaration that came as the gates burst open and Jarrow shot free.

My pulse pounded in my ears, mingling with the screams from the risers. Faintly, I thought I heard Rixon, too, shouting for Jarrow. My body flooded with warmth. I couldn’t imagine what it would be like on a real race day, the stadium packed, thousands of voices screaming. It was infectious, those voices, my adrenaline, the sound of pounding hooves as we broke free.

I lifted in my saddle, adopting the sleek positioning of the other jockeys beside me. My body remained loose and fluid, absorbing the movements as Jarrow swallowed up the ground beneath him. “Makka! Makka, Jarrow!” I cried, urging him on. Faster!