Chapter 23

Chapter

Twenty-Three

ELRIC

T here was a piece of wilted lettuce stuck between Orin—the Cavalry General of the Rebellion's—teeth. His calloused, tanned hand picked up the wooden warrior figurine that symbolized an army of one hundred foot soldiers and rolled it between his fingertips. He placed it over the depiction of Foxglove, a sizable town near the temple of Aither and said, "I will need more to stay, to guard the city from pillagers."

I badly wanted to tell him about the daunting greenery in his teeth, but as he spouted off about keeping more of our fighters back to guard his precious gold and teeming manor, I decided against it.

"There are already two hundred stationed, awaiting any threat to the town and its people," I cut a glare at the lord. Keva was watching him intently too, ocean blue eyes bearing into him despite her trust for the male.

And he wasn't a horrid male by any means.

Orin Malekin came from a long line of nobles within Gambriel and although his ancestors were abominations, this male wasn't them. He and Keva were lifelong friends, their parents both coming from similar backgrounds of corruption, but by some twist of the Fates, they didn't grow up as hateful as their sires. Orin believed in a free nation and had been helping the Rebellion for years at the side of Siofra, one of the Rebellion's founding members.

But that fucker loved his gold, his wild sex parties, and his extravagant manor.

His plain brown eyes narrowed and I held his stare. Faerie lights hung above us, their flickering glow casting dancing shadows in our vast tent. Over twenty other various generals crowded around the generous table, each of differing species of fae and human.

My orders were clear and precise, no room for questions. "We continue our march to Menodore."

The lord scoffed and tossed the figurine back to the oversized map of Ladon, but didn't argue with his Commander. Siofra spoke up next, "Any other movements you would like to discuss, generals?" Her arched ears were covered from top to bottom in golden hoops, some with small gemstones embedded in them. She was short for a High Fae female, only a little taller than five feet, but she could wipe the floor with any one of us.

We didn't boast the news about my relation to the High King in fear of what could happen. However, some of the trusted advisors within the Rebellion were notified at my command, Siofra being one of them.

Silaah, a representative for the King and Queen of Jindera, smiled. "Siraj and Mersana reported they will be there in two days' time with their battalion," her tanned hands rested on the table, a large blade still hanging off her hip.

Cairo, the Jinderan King's oldest assassin and one of our dearest friends, was at her side. The man clapped his hands together, "Well, we've got a long night ahead of us." He looked at me, his dark brown eyes surrounded by crow's feet from smiling, waiting to be dismissed at my command.

"Let's rest up. Bruma is only a few days away and we'll need to march like hell to make it there." I looked back at Lord Orin, his focus no longer on the toppled figurine but directly on me, "We move at first light."

Stepping out of the tent, I let the flap close behind me and walked into the fresh night air. The others filtered out after me while some stayed, their bickering voices carrying on the wind. Their arguing was useless but also ceaseless.

The minute after we lost Phaedra, I mobilized our army of rebels to march towards Menodore and alerted the other troops across the region to do the same. We needed to move and get up to Menodore, with as many people as we could before the Winter Solstice and solar eclipse. We didn't know what we would fight while in the great country of pines and dragons, but we did know that we would be fighting something.

There was no signing up for this war, no sorting through soldiers to find the best of the best. This wasn't a typical war camp like the ones in Gambriel or Argyll, filled with High Fae that had been trained since birth to kill without conscience.

This was a rebellion.

This was an army made up of whoever we could get to join in the hope of a better future. For a better world. We took what we could get because that was our only option. But some of those assholes taking up too much room in that general's tent seemed to constantly forget what this fight was even for. Too worried about land, riches, and who would be ruling over which part of the continent, when the time finally came.

It was beyond infuriating.

"Fuck," I cursed at the wind, kicking a discarded crate with my boot.

We didn't know if we could even win this war, or if there would even be a realm left to rule in its wake. But those power-hungry dickheads couldn't seem to shut up about it. I understood needing to strategize about what came next, but we needed to focus on the present, on how we could keep this continent alive.

Siofra left the general's tent in a haze of fury, spitting at the ground. "A lord of fucking nothing ," she muttered under her breath while running a pale hand through her cropped blonde hair. I couldn't hold back the snort at her title for General Malekin and his excessive need for more. Siofra's deep green eyes met my own as she lifted her arms in the air in exasperation. "That is such bullshit."

Slumping down onto one of the unbroken crates of supplies, I nodded my head in agreement, "Utter bullshit."

"I'll be in my tent with a barrel of whiskey, drinking my sorrows away before we move out at daylight," she turned and walked away, not even waiting for my response in her angry frenzy.

Rainbow-colored braids tied back into a ponytail swished in the moonlight as a goddess made her way towards me. Everything that Keva did was beyond sensual and I didn't think she realized it half the time. The way she walked, how she spoke with absolute sureness in every breath, and fuck, even the way she so mercilessly killed our enemies made my dick hard.

Her deep brown hand wrapped around my lighter, ink-covered one, "He wasn't always so ghastly," she laid her head on my shoulder and I couldn't stop the chuckle building in my bones.

"Ahhh, come on," I traced her jaw with my finger, lifting her head to look me in the eyes. Hers were so deep and blue that I wanted nothing more than to drown myself in them. "They're not all so bad."

Rearing back, the Queen of Gambriel gave me a look of what the fuck . "General Renhart suggested that we give you to the High King."

And that he did, just mere hours ago. He was fully human and a man of Menodore before the siege. He served King Choryrth, Selene's father, and he was a valued and trusted member of our group. King Siraj had sheltered him, along with any of the other survivors during the siege, and now they were taking Menodore back with us.

"He shouldn't have been making suggestions that pertain to your life," Keva arched a perfect brow, the firelight gleaming on her skin. "And that doesn't make him an asshole?"

Shrugging my shoulders, I feigned the confidence I so usually put on. She didn't need to see that the disregard of the others truly got to me. I was nothing but a pawn, something to be used, and after thirty years of being subjected to that, I thought I would be used to it by now.

But it still tasted like acid on my tongue.

"He was just thinking of how to save more lives than just mine, Keva," I sighed while tracing circles on her perfect jawline.

"No." The fierce queen grabbed my chin with an iron vise and I wanted nothing more than to capture her lips in her ferocious moment. "It was a horrible suggestion and it made no fucking sense. It wouldn't save any lives." She was ranting now, getting angry on my behalf, and I'd never been more turned on. "So what? They hand you over to the High King like you're just a fucking sack of flour? Try to trade you to get Emrys back? If Selene would've heard that suggestion, that male would be dust."

Emrys was my brother in more ways than blood. And Keva knew that I would sacrifice myself for him just as he would for me, but I also knew the repercussions of that sacrifice.

Heart warming at the conviction in her voice, I said, "Then I would've been sacrificed, and then the High King would be bound to the Crown of Daemonium." I nodded in understanding. "Then we would all die— but at least with Emrys with us, we stand more of a chance. So I understand his suggestion."

"Or we kill that asshole before he binds himself, and we finish this once and for all," she stroked my scarred cheekbone and I couldn't stop the way my groin tightened at her nearness. It was like this constant tugging at my soul every time she was near and I wanted, no, needed, nothing more than to have her close to me.

Leaning in, I pressed a soft kiss to her plush lips and she melted into it, sighing. "Ric…" she leaned her forehead against mine. "We shouldn't right now. Not right here," but she leaned in again and nipped at my mouth, the little vixen.

Patting the crate of supplies we sat on, I chuckled. "Is this not fancy enough for you, my queen ?" I drawled, my nose running up her throat, inhaling her scent of white peaches and violet and fresh clementine.

Keva laughed up at the stars, and I could've sworn my spirit sang at the beautiful sound. "I fucked you in a pile of mud, right after that fight near Lachus Lake." That memory was seared into my mind, my soul. My mouth started to water, lust overtaking my brain. "You think I need fancy?"

"No," I pulled away from her intoxicating scent. Caressing the dip of her hips, I loved the way her curves gave way to my hands. Like she was clay and I was molding her very body. "But you deserve this world on a silver platter and I want to give it to you."

"I'll take whatever I can get," she climbed onto my lap and pushed against my very hard erection, grinding against it. We were still outside the general's tent, their voices still bickering inside. Keva leaned her flawless face down and kissed my lips gently. "As long as it's from you."

"Oh fuck," she pulled away and I pressed my forehead against her heaving chest. I tried to steady my breath and keep from spilling in my pants like a teenager as this goddess sat on me. Though, I'd rather have her sitting on my face. "You're going to make me come just from this if you don't stop."

Swiveling her hips, I could feel the heat coming from her core and I wanted to bury myself inside of her for all of eternity. "Then why don't you?" the little minx teased before she squealed as I hauled her over my shoulder and smacked her rounded ass.

"Taking me to your silver platter, Ric?" Her fingernails tapped on my back before reaching into my tunic, gliding over the raised ink.

Shivers raked down my spine, making my steps quicker and my cock harder. A loud boisterous laugh left me as I walked into our tent and tossed her onto the makeshift bed.

The Queen of Gambriel smiled at me, soft and serene as she pushed some of her braids over her shoulder. Still fully clothed, she opened her knees and my gaze dropped to what was waiting for me between her lush thighs. "My own personal feast, all laid out for me," I crooned before discarding my tunic quickly, not wanting to miss a second of her presence. "No platter needed."

Keva sat up, leaning against the pillows as she flicked off her muddy boots and started peeling off the riding leathers that formed to her curvaceous body. My mouth watered as she exposed her deep brown skin, her perfect nipples pebbling in the cool air. "Cold, baby?" I withdrew my belt next, letting it clatter to the floor.

The Queen of Gambriel bit her lip and shook her head, "Excited." Her blue eyes looked down as I stepped out of my breeches and bared my hard erection for her. She licked her lips, hunger echoing on her angelic face. " Very excited."

Kneeling on my knees for my queen, I gripped her foot and trailed featherlight kisses from her calves to her soft thighs until I reached her hips and she started shaking in anticipation. "Fuck me," she demanded while moving her hips up and down, trying to get any ounce of friction that I would allow.

She was always so impatient, wanting to get straight to me pumping in and out her perfect channel. But tonight, I was going to savor her, every last drop .

Biting down onto her plush skin, I then licked up her stomach and swirled my tongue around her nipples. She was writhing against me, a horny mess that I wanted to watch explode, but I knew this female secretly loved the teasing as much as I did. "So gorgeous," I sucked hard on her right nipple, lightly biting it as she called out my name. "So fucking sexy, always."

My inked hand traveled down her stomach, lightly caressing her with every soft touch as I switched to her other nipple. Her breathing was erratic, her dark chest reddening as she shook her head, rainbow braids fanning out across the pillows. Keva's fingernails dug into the back of my skull as she forced my head down harshly onto her chest, wanting more from me.

Warmth flooded my veins when my hand connected with her clit, which was wet from her rubbing her thighs together. One finger slipped inside of her hot, tight pussy and I couldn't stop the groan despite her luscious breast filling my mouth.

She was already soaking my entire hand and we'd barely begun.

Withdrawing my head, I latched onto her plush lips and smiled against them. "All this, for me?" I shoved another finger inside of her, causing her back to arch into my chest. Hooking my fingers, I rubbed the rough patch inside of her lightly and she trembled, more wetness flooding my palm. Looking down between us, I nearly came apart just seeing her cunt dripping for me. "Sweet, sweet, love. You're positively soaked ."

Mindlessly nodding her head, she hummed her answer as my thumb rubbed the bundle of nerves between her thighs. Her smooth tongue shot into my mouth and danced with my own before I retracted, kissing down her chest and working my fingers in and out of her core.

"Fuuuuuuck," her head fell against the pillow as I arched her hips up and onto my shoulders.

Staring at her luscious pussy lips, I watched her wetness coat my tattooed and scarred fingers in awe. My tongue snaked out and I lapped at her clit, drinking up her wetness with every stroke of my tongue.

"Oh Gods," she moaned as I sucked that little bud into my mouth. My free hand trailed up her waist and onto her breast before I tweaked her nipple harshly, causing her to cry out again and flood my face with the beginning of her release.

Her body kept shaking the longer I worked her, sucking and nibbling on that bundle of nerves. Fingernails raked over my skull, spurring me on as her heels dug into my neck and she exploded, her sweet nectar coating my tongue.

My fingers kept spearing her channel, milking out her orgasm until she swatted my head away when she became too sensitive. "Please," she whimpered, her core aching and empty. "Inside me."

Without a second to spare, I lined my cock up to her entrance as she settled her legs around my waist. Rubbing the crown of my cock against her soaked clit, she moaned out and tried to pull me closer. I chuckled but didn't fully immerse myself in her tight heat. "Greedy little thing."

Her legs tightened around me, like an anaconda capturing its prey. "If you don't fuck me right now, Elric, I will murder you."

Leaning down, I pressed a harsh kiss to her lips before nibbling on the bottom one. "Promise?" Before she had a chance to answer, I slammed into her to the hilt and she screamed.

"Shit," I ground out as her pussy gripped me like a vice. The silky walls held me within harshly as she breathed in and out. I could barely move, she was holding me captive as I muttered with stars clouding my vision, "So Godsdamn tight."

Every time, it was like this. So good. Too good.

Keva mumbled incoherent words that went over my head because of the roaring in my ears as I started rocking my hips, creating friction between our closely knit bodies. I could barely think, barely move with the ecstasy filling every ounce of my soul from her tight cunt.

She tilted her hips upwards, demanding more from me and I snapped out of my stupefied haze. She wanted to be fucked and who was I to deny a queen's desires?

My hips snapped back and then forward with a clap and she moaned, the sound purely Divine. Slamming into her again, she whimpered and pushed her dark breasts up for me to palm. "Is that what you want?"

"Please," she begged as I pistoned in and out of her, my hips snapping in rhythm. " Please ."

My large hand wrapped around the back of her neck, bringing her body flush to mine and her breasts pressed against my chest. Her cunt tightened its hold on my cock from the new position and I closed my eyes, grounding myself once more. She felt so right, so perfect against me. Every soft curve, every dip of her luscious body was as if the Gods designed her for me.

Staying inside of her perfect pussy, I tilted my body until I was leaning back on my heels and splayed her out on top of me.

Stroking my head, she then grabbed onto the hair that fell loose from my leather strap as I sucked harshly on her nipple that rested against my face. My hips jolted upwards, moving in and out of her quickly as my fingers strummed her clit. Scalp burning from her onslaught, I let that pain turn to pleasure as tingles worked up my spine and her pussy gripped me harder, tighter than should be possible.

"Fuck, babe," I groaned out before switching to her other breast and biting onto it, leaving a mark. Her vagina continued to swell, the walls flooding as she cried out and my balls tightened. "I can't last if you do that."

Her nails dug into my shoulders as she started bouncing on my cock in time with my thrusts. "Come inside me," she panted and my toes curled at her coarse words. "I want it dripping out of me."

This female knew exactly what to say to make me lose control.

My fingers worked her clit harder as I held onto her neck and forced her mouth upon mine. Swallowing down her sweet essence, my hands became slippery as she squirted on my cock, her pussy spasming with every gush of liquid.

She moaned into my mouth and that wetness dribbled down onto my thighs and I couldn't hold back anymore. Her pussy contracted around my cock, her sobs of satisfaction filling the tent as she came apart in my hands.

Her pleasure brought me to my plateau as stars burst in front of my eyes, my scrotum tightening. Keva pushed down again, her cunt still dripping as she whispered again, "Come inside of me, Ric." Her luscious body was still shaking from the aftershock of the intense orgasm as my thrusts slowed and my balls emptied, filling her warm heat.

Keva's body went slack against mine and I held onto her tightly, not removing myself as I laid her down and showered her with kisses. Her cerulean eyes fluttered open as I pressed a kiss to the tip of her nose. "Perfection," I praised her but she started moving her hips against mine once more and I arched an eyebrow. "Insatiable female."

She tried to roll but my arms caged her in, not wanting her to ever leave this moment. "I'm sure someone else will be able to meet my insatiable need," she said with a sassy smirk despite my cock still being inside of her and my cum leaking out between us.

I growled and leaned down, grabbing her lower lip between my teeth. "You won't be able to walk when I'm finished with you."

She pouted against my lips as her pussy clenched around me again. "You know how I feel about unkept promises."

And that was one I would never break.