Page 9 of Witch’s Ruin

Rixon gave a tight nod. “See that a liquor cabinet is purchased and stocked for this room. It can go over there.” He waved a hand in the general direction. I glanced at the empty span of wall near the bookshelves.

Ansel and Florian exchanged surprised looks. “Tonight—?”

“Tomorrow, obviously. There will be no more disturbances tonight. My lady witch and I have unfinished business.” He finally released me, producing a couple coins, handing them over. Both male servants nodded vigorously, their eyes darting downward to the clear evidence on display, Rixon’s pants, then scurried away.

I pressed both hands to my mouth, sniffling my laugh. A moment later, the soft click of a door meant we were alone. “I knew you were bossy, but—”

Rixon moved. He hoisted me up level with his mouth and attacked it. A squeal left my lips as my legs wrapped about his hips. He marched me towards the door, slamming my back against it none too gently. A predator’s smile spread across my lips. I felt the darkness living inside me rise up, blackening my eyes. His lips were on mine again, forcing my mouth wide as his tongue swept in, claiming.

My low groan hardly sounded like me. I squeezed my thighs tight around him, the urge to clamp them together intensifying. My hands lifted, fingers curling, ready to rip his tunic to shreds. I needed his bare chest. Needed him.

Instead—

“Stop,” I commanded, pulling on the bond. He froze. He would have stopped had I simply asked him, but…well, I was in a mood. I let my legs slide down his body, slowly, achingly slowly, so that I rubbed against his hard length. He groaned, his breaths irregular.

“We will continue this shortly. First, I must ward the door. Then you’re going to give me a bath, Lord Wielder. After that, we’ll have our dinner.” My voice was hardly my own, full of needy want and something…darker.

Rixon’s pupils blew wide, his eyes growing desperate. “Yes, Lady Witch,” he rasped, his chest rising and falling more rapidly.

There was a time when he’d hated, even feared the bond. Now, he positively craved my control. Went wild for it. I glanced down, noticed the way his hands strained to reach for me, fists clenching, unclenching. Like a rabid animal pulling on a chain, desperate to break free. Desperate to continue ravaging me.

We were back on common ground. In this, we could meet in the middle, no matter what demons lurked in his past. No matter how strained things might be as a result of coming here. This was the place we came back together. A place where our bodies created the bridge that knit us back together.

A pleased huff fell from my lips. I rose onto my tiptoes, placing my mouth against the shell of his ear. He shuddered at the wisp of my touch. “I love seeing you unhinged, Rixon, darling.” Such a soft endearment for such a strong male. “I love seeing you desperate and needy for me. Shall I make you work for it tonight? Shall I force you on your knees?”

“Yes, anything,” he rasped. “All of it—whatever you wish. Let me please you.”

A low growl of a laugh rumbled up in my chest. I came back down on the flats of my feet. “Hmm…we shall see.” I left it at that, left him wondering just what tonight’s games might hold. Left him to his imagination as I turned my back on him and began warding the door.

Chapter 4

Rixon

Rixon took one gasping breath after another, pushing against the bond restraining him. The pressure in his pants, the ache, was near unbearable. Damn this woman of his, for being so fucking irresistible, for driving him mad with need. The moment she released him, he would rip her free of her garments and bury himself deep—

A loud knock scattered his thoughts. Mina froze where she’d been finishing with the wards.

“I explicitly said I was not to be disturbed,” he bit out. He tugged again, uselessly. The bond held.

“For…forgive me, Your Highness,” came a hesitant voice. Another servant. “His Majesty, the king, has summoned you.”

The muscle in his jaw ticked. He took a deep, calming breath. “Well, you can tell His Majesty the king, my father, that I intend to see to my lady witch’s needs before I attend to him.”

A long silence followed. Perhaps the servant had gone— “And how long will that be…Your Highness?”

He growled low in his chest. Couldn’t he have one fucking night? Was it too much to ask?

Were he a better male, a stronger male, equipped to stand up against his father, he’d have outright refused. “I do not know. We will proceed once we are settled.” There was a time he dropped everything for his father, jumped when summoned, do exactly what was asked. That time was long gone. And yet, he couldn’t quite free himself.

“Of course, Your Highness. Of course.”

He waited another moment, then exhaled. The leash holding him disappeared, but he didn’t move. “Well, so much for our fun tonight,” Mina pouted.

He lunged for her, lacing his fingers through her hair, tilting her head, forcing her to look up at him. “We are hardly finished, my little witch. I believe you said something about me on my knees? I will happily comply—no need for the bond.”

Before she could react, he dropped to his knees and made quick work of the ties holding her pants in place. They were around her knees in seconds as he pushed her against the door, slipping a finger between her lush thighs, sliding it along her slit. He hissed, spreading her wetness up and around her clit. She groaned, going limp against the door, tangling her fingers into his hair. It came free of its tie, thick locks falling around his face.

Holding her gaze, he lifted the wet finger to his mouth and made slow work of licking it clean. Chills spread over his skin—a response to her eyes as they blackened, dark veins spreading outwards. His heart began to race. Was it fucked up that he enjoyed claiming her like this? Enjoyed how powerful it made him feel? Enjoyed watching her lose control of the thing lurking inside her?