AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“What kind of incentives do you offer?” I asked flipping the topic, intrigued for the first time about the proposition of joining Sarnas. It occurred to me then that up until now I hadn’t cared much about what guild he was here for, my entire thoughts of what came next revolved around this man – scratch that – demon beside me.
“No breeding program for starts,”
“None? Every other guild, even the small ones like Chartin and Martier, had some kind of breeding program.”
“Forced mating is rape, Aeryn.” It registered to me that was the first time I’d heard him use my name, and the gravity of his statement made it hang in the air like some kind of wrongness. “Every caster in Sarnas must follow the same rules as demons. While many may consider us evil, even lust demons must abide by consent.”
I released a heavy breath through my nose praying to Lucifer for patience. “I’m not sure I believe that. What of succubi and incubi that coerce sex for feeding purposes?”
“Even succubi and incubi do not use their powers to force sex where it isn’t wanted,” he replied, his face becoming an impenetrable mask as flames licked beneath the copper of his irises. “Succubi and incubi must be careful to seduce on their own merits but are free to heighten when the party is fully willing.”
I wasn’t sure I believed that, and he could tell. He reached out a hand ever so gently touching the base of my calf before running just the tips of his fingers upwards to a spot just behind my knee eliciting goosebumps. He chuckled softly at my response. “It’s so much better when a person is willing,” he said, moving his fingers to entwine with the ones on his wrist while continuing his trek with the others. He skirted them across the back of my thigh, before running them back down my calf. His eyes continued to heat, and I hoped to the Gods he would continue. Without conscious control my tongue slipped from my mouth, licking lightly at my bottom lip before I sucked it between my teeth. His grin spread, and he chuckled softly before pulling his hand back.
“To return to my point, you would have ended up with us regardless.” It took time for me to register what he was saying, my mind still focused on the burning sensations his touch had evoked. His demeanor had calmed, and it was as if we were talking about the weather.
“Would I have had a choice?”
He understood my question, nodding his head. “Everyone has a choice, Little Thief.” I relaxed a bit at his response before he continued, the glimmer returning to his eyes. “But I would have done everything I could to convince you to join us.” He absentmindedly ran his thumb along the back of my hand in maddening little circles. “And that, my sweet little conundrum, is the fun part.”
He released me to run both hands along the back of my calves again. I relaxed into his touch, leaning back against thread bare pillows. He took this as the invitation it was, following the edge of my dress up to my hip. He kept his touch light, contradicting the dominance he had only shown me thus far. He bent his head, following the trail of his fingertips over the black fabric which seemed simultaneously too thin and altogether too confining. I wanted to feel the way his fingers would splay around my rounded hips, and what would happen if he allowed his wrath to rise, the fire an exquisite juxtaposition to the cool keep air.
He raised his eyes slowly, watching my expressions as he ran his nose up my side. He lifted as he passed my breast, eliciting an ache in my chest at the loss of contact. My nipples peaked and rubbed against the fabric of my bra's suddenly too tight confines. Vaguely my mind registered the plainness of the negligee I wore and I wondered for a moment if he would care. But from the way his lips skimmed the strap as he gently pulled my dress down over one shoulder told me he didn’t care at all.
Tiny licks against the column of my throat brought forth a moan from deep inside me, eliciting another chuckle from him. My cheeks heated as he looked back up at me, and his eyes softened at my embarrassment. He rumbled deep in his chest before nipping lightly just below my chin sending a wave of pleasure and dull pain through my body. I shivered again, and he dipped his head back down, laying gentle dry kisses along a path down to the other side of my throat. It was hard to believe this had been the same man to ravish me up against the wall of his chambers, the gentleness of his ministrations eliciting an altogether different kind of excitement.
Ever so slowly he dropped both of his hands to the hemline of my skirt before drawing them up, applying just enough pressure to my thighs to push up my dress. He stopped as he reached my hips, my simple black cotton underwear now on full display should he choose to look. Self-consciousness hit me again as his fingers touched the outer edges of my panties. Had I planned this I would have worn something sexy, maybe with a touch of lace or thin straps, not that I owned a pair like that anyways. But he didn’t seem to mind, the fingers of his right-hand delving beneath the fabric toward my ass to give it a light squeeze.
I froze as his other hand's fingers dipped beneath the fabric toward the apex of my thighs. Without my bidding a tear spilled from the corner of my eye as I whimpered, a sudden insecurity rising in my chest. I had never done this before, and while he had arguably already done much more sexual things to me, this act seemed far more intimate. My mind fogged with the pleasure of his touch, but hesitation stole my breath. He paused his movement for a moment, seeming to wait for my protest. When none came, he continued to move, his fingers massaging the skin just above my clit.
I whimpered again, my fear coating the air between us. He raised his head to study me again before pulling his hand free of its exploration. I moaned at the loss as he released my ass, and my heart fell at the loss of contact. He seemed to read my disappointment though, raising his hands to cup my face as he leaned down to apply a kiss to my lips. It was chaste but the impact left me breathless. Our lips stuck softly together; the feeling I had never imagined could have felt so good. It felt far more exquisite than thrusting tongues and teeth, especially as he migrated to the edge of my mouth before moving his lips softly over mine again, intermingling between my upper and lower lips as he moved. He seemed to favor my upper lip, sucking it ever so reverently before pulling back away.
My heart sank as he lifted off me, peering down with a studious expression. I felt like a deer trapped in headlights: I registered the danger, knew it was there, but was powerless to move. On a subconscious level I knew this man would very likely hurt me, but for one more moment of him I would risk it all.
He didn’t completely pull away, instead pushing onto the bed beside me. I scooted to make room and instinctually rolled to my side as he wrapped one large arm across my belly and folded it - his massive forearm resting up my sternum and between my breasts. I raised my arms to wrap around him and burrowed into him. This demon was a stranger - I knew nothing about him or his place inside a caster coven. I knew nothing about what had brought him here and had acutely felt the pain he could inflict. He was possessive and dangerous, threatening those I loved if I did not conform with his wishes. But right now, lying on my bed with me, he had taken pity on my virginity, knowing I wasn’t ready for that level of intimacy just yet. He had allowed my body to speak the words I couldn’t and hadn’t pressed for more even though the bulge nestled against my thighs told me he had been more than willing to take me.
“Don’t leave the keep again,” he said, his voice a soft reprimand.
“Why?” I asked quietly, not wanting to break the peace between us.
“The hellcat - remember?” he asked against my hair, pressing the softest of kisses against the crown of my head.
“That is probably long gone by now.”
He simply shook his head in denial before tightening his hold on me as if to punctuate the stupidity of my thoughts. If that hellcat had been willing to preemptively attack me so close to the keep, chances are she was in the area for a reason - and I doubted a bowl of cream would do the trick to satisfy her.
We lay there for a few minutes, the companionable silence from earlier cocooning us again. And as the silence lingered a quiet purring came from deep in his chest, drawing me down into slumber.
Chapter Nineteen - The Trial
Aeryn
I’d awoken alone the next morning, my bunched-up dress and the scents of sandalwood and cinnamon the only signs of Marik’s presence. Ness had still not returned, but the lingering presence of Mr. Coppertone made it easier to bear.
I’d prepared for my upcoming trial in a very ornamental fashion. Outside my door had been a simple ceremonial meal, otherwise known as the jentaculum, which consisted of milk, salted bread topped with nuts, aged cheese and dried fruits - a meal meant to return the candidates to the ancient times of Rome when the cardinal forces of Heaven and Hell first created casters to keep their kind in check. Refusing the meal would insult the guilds and disrespecting the angels who had first created our academy.
Along with the tray of food was a bundle of meticulously folded clothes. The outfit’s focal point was a soft green robe, signifying most healers’ affinity for generosity, with little ostentation save for a soft swirl of brown, signifying the other healer affinity of gluttony, embroidered into the bottom edges. There was also a corded belt to cinch the robes, which overlapped a basic cream cotton shift. The outfit was finalized with a pair of simple linen sandals which cinched tightly over my toes, tying back to the overall themes of humility.
A good caster was a humble caster after all.
