23. Athena

23

ATHENA

C old stone presses against my back as Uriel towers over me, his massive frame blocking out the dim light of the workshop. His golden curls catch the glow from nearby forges, creating a halo effect that makes him look deceptively angelic. The metal and citrus scent that always clings to him fills my senses.

"Nothing to say?" His voice carries that edge of cruelty that feels so much like the first night we met.

I shake my head, though I do start to feel the flickers of irritation in me. How dare he act like this when I know I mean nothing to him.

His eyes flicker down my body and back up, and he frowns. "Pity. You were so much more fun when you'd fight me." He sighs but doesn't pull back. "I guess I'll need to find new entertainment."

The heat of anger rises in me. I know it's what he wants and still I can't reign it back In. It surges up through me, both at being called entertainment and at the thought of being replaced.

"You want a fight?" I slam my palm against his chest again. This time he lets me push him back a step, probably more from surprise than my actual strength. "Fine."

I duck under his wing and yank a vase from a nearby table. I hurl it at his head, trying to ignore just how much it really does feel like the first time we met.

He catches it with insulting ease. "Throwing things? Really?"

My blood burns hot in my veins. Everyone always sees me as the soft one, the weak one, the one who needs protecting. But now, I'm not even worth that. I'm easily replaceable, and that coupled with his dismissal a few days has fury and embarrassment burning through me - but I know the hurt is lingering underneath, waiting to escape.

I need to get away from him.

Turning away, I try to stalk toward my room, needing distance between us. His wing sweeps out, blocking my path. The feathers brush my skin like steel wrapped in silk.

"Running away?" His smile grows crueler. "How disappointing."

"I'm choosing my battles." I spin to face him, backing against the opposite wall to keep space between us. "That's not weakness - it's strategy."

"Strategy?" He stalks toward me, each step deliberate. "Prove it."

I wait until he's almost on me before grabbing a pitcher of water from the same table and hurling it at his feet. The glass shatters, spreading the liquid across the stone floor. His next step falters.

Taking advantage of his momentary loss of balance, I shove past him. His hand catches my arm, but I manage to twist just enough for me to slip free.

"I don't need magic." I back away from him, my chest heaving. "I don't need to be a demon. I can think my way out of trouble."

His wings flare wide, casting strange shadows in the forge light. The perfect angles of his face sharpen with interest. "Maybe there's some fire left in you after all, little demon."

"Stop calling me that!" He backs me up to a wall and my blood is now pounding through me.

His smile shows teeth. "Make me."

It's so unfair how gorgeous he is, how he scrambles my mind. It's unfair how he makes me want to prove myself and makes me feel worthless at the same time.

But I know there is one way for me to come out on top, the only time that Uriel has ever seemed to be as out of control as I am.

I grab the front of Uriel's shirt, tugging him down as I rise onto my tiptoes. Our lips crash together, a violent clash of teeth and tongues. His lips are firm, demanding, and I meet his force with my own. It's a battle, a fight for dominance neither of us is willing to concede.

He growls against my mouth, one hand gripping my hair, the other sweeping under my legs to lift me. My back hits the stone wall, his body pressing against mine. I wrap my legs around his waist, locking my ankles to pull him closer. His wings spread wide, cocooning us in a world of soft gray feathers and dim forge light.

His scent fills my senses, and I sink my teeth into his lower lip, a challenge, a dare. He responds with a nip to mine, harder, pushing the boundaries. A gasp escapes me, and he takes advantage, deepening the kiss, exploring my mouth with an intensity that makes my heart race.

Fuck, I've wanted this. I've wanted him.

And that's why his dismissal hurt so bad.

I cling to him, my hands gripping his shoulders, feeling the hard muscle beneath his shirt. His gold curls brush against my forehead, their softness a stark contrast to the roughness of his kiss. Those perfect, cruel lips curve into a smirk against mine, and I bite down again, refusing to yield.

He pulls back just enough to look at me, his golden eyes molten with desire and something darker, hungrier. "Little demon," he murmurs, voice rough with need. "You're playing with fire."

"I thought you wanted fire," I retort, breathless.

His hand tightens in my hair, tilting my head back. His lips find my neck, teeth grazing the sensitive skin. I shiver, a gasp escaping me as he trails hot, open-mouthed kisses down to my collarbone.

He pulls me away from the wall, his lips still moving as he walks. Each step jostles me against him, sending sparks of sensation coursing through me. I know I should stop this, but I don't want to.

He can think I'm worthless. I can hate him.

But just…not tonight.

We reach my room, the door standing ajar. He kicks it open, the force sending it crashing against the wall. Inside, the space is small, cozy, filled with the soft glow of enchanted lamps. My bed sits in the corner, covered in blankets and pillows. It's a sanctuary, a place of comfort and healing.

Uriel pauses at the threshold, his eyes scanning the room. There's a curious softness in his expression, a moment of vulnerability that surprises me. Then his gaze lands back on me, and that softness is gone, replaced by raw hunger.

Uriel kicks the door shut behind us, the sound echoing through the small room like a promise. He sets me down on the bed, his golden eyes never leaving mine. The room is bathed in the soft glow of enchanted lamps, casting warm shadows on the walls. I watch him, hungry, as he starts to undress.

His leather vest hits the floor first, then his tunic, revealing a broad chest marred with scars. Each one tells a story of battles fought and won. His muscles ripple with every movement, a testament to his strength. Next, he unlaces his pants, pulling them open harshly as I watch. A cruel smile tugs at his lips.

"Nervous, little demon?" he taunts, kicking off his boots.

I lift my chin, defiant. "Not nervous. Impatient."

He chuckles, a low sound that sends a shiver down my spine. His pants join the rest of his clothes on the floor. He stands before me, unapologetically naked, his body a masterpiece of scars and muscle. His wings spread wide, the light gray feathers catching the light, creating a halo effect around him. He looks every inch the angel he's named for, except for the wicked intent in his eyes.

He kneels on the bed, crawling over me, caging me in with his arms. His lips find mine, rough and demanding. I meet his force with my own, nipping at his lower lip. He growls, a sound of approval, and deepens the kiss. His hands roam my body, pulling at my leathers, impatient.

"Off," he commands, pulling back just enough to speak. His voice is rough, breathless.

I obey, struggling out of my leathers. His hands are everywhere, helping and hindering in equal measure. He sucks in a breath as I lie back, bare before him. His eyes roam over me, possessive, hungry.

"You look so damn good it hurts," he says, his voice a low growl. His hand cups my breast, squeezing, claiming. His lips follow, sucking and biting, leaving marks. I arch into his touch, a gasp escaping me.

His mouth moves lower, trailing hot, open-mouthed kisses down my stomach. He pauses at my hips, his breath hot against my skin. He looks up at me, his golden eyes molten with desire.

"Tell me you want this, little demon," he demands. His voice is rough, commanding. "Tell me you want me."

I shiver at the intensity in his voice, in his gaze. I should ask for the same, but I don't want to face the rejection. So I do what he says.

"I want you," I say, my voice steady despite the storm of sensation inside me. "I want this."

A satisfied smirk curves his lips. He lowers his head, his mouth finding the heat between my legs. I gasp, my hips bucking as he sucks and bites, his tongue exploring, claiming. His fingers dig into my hips, holding me in place as he devours me.

It's violent, passionate, a storm of sensation that threatens to drown me. I cling to his shoulders, my nails digging into his skin, leaving my own marks. He growls against me, the vibration sending waves of pleasure coursing through me.

"Uriel," I gasp, my voice a plea, a demand.

He looks up at me, his chin glistening with my desire. His eyes hold mine as he slides a finger inside me, crooking it, finding a spot that makes me see stars.

"Come for me, little demon," he commands, his voice rough with need. "Show me what I do to you."

And I do. I come apart in his hands, on his face, my body convulsing with pleasure. He growls in satisfaction, his eyes never leaving mine as he wrings every last drop of pleasure from my body.

"Please, Uriel," I beg, my voice a husky whisper. I don't want to feel that emptiness again, that void he left behind. "I need more."

"More?" He hovers over me, his golden eyes feral, a cruel smile playing on his lips. "Little demon, you don't know what you're asking for."

"I can take it," I insist, my nails digging into his shoulders, pulling him closer. "I want it."

A growl rumbles in his chest, and he crushes his lips against mine. It's a savage kiss, all teeth and tongue, a battle for dominance. I meet his force with my own, nipping at his lower lip, drawing a groan from deep within him.

He breaks the kiss, his breath hot on my face. "I won't hold back," he warns, his voice rough with desire. "I want to see what you're made of, little demon."

"I can handle it," I promise, my voice steady despite the storm raging within me. "I want all of you."

He shifts, his hands rough as they spread me open. I feel him, hard and hot, pressing against me. He's massive, and I gasp as he pushes in, stretching me, filling me.

"Uriel," I moan, my body trembling with the intensity of it.

"Beg for it, little demon," he demands, his voice a low growl. He pulls back, leaving me aching and empty. "Tell me you want me."

"I want you," I say, my voice a desperate plea. "Please, Uriel. Please fuck me."

He thrusts into me, a harsh, dominating force. I cry out, my body struggling to accommodate his size. He stills, his eyes locked onto mine, a wicked smirk on his lips.

"More," he commands. "Tell me what you want."

"I want you," I repeat, my voice trembling. "All of you. Harder. Deeper. I want-"

He thrusts again, deeper this time, and I gasp, my nails digging into his back. His mouth finds my neck, teeth biting down, marking me. I buck against him, a cry escaping my lips.

His hand grips my chin, forcing my gaze back to his. "Fight back, little demon," he taunts, his eyes gleaming with cruel pleasure. "Show me what you've got."

I do. I meet his thrusts with my own, my body writhing against his. My teeth find his shoulder, biting down hard. He growls, his body shuddering with pleasure.

"There's that fire," he purrs, his hand sliding down to my breast, squeezing, pinching. I arch into his touch, a gasp escaping me.

His mouth finds mine again, his kiss violent, demanding. His body moves against mine, each thrust a claim, a conquest. I meet him, challenge him, my body aching with pleasure and pain.

He breaks the kiss, his breath coming in ragged gasps. His hand slides down, his thumb finding the sensitive spot between my legs. He rubs, his touch rough, demanding.

"Come for me, little demon," he commands, his voice rough with need. "Show me how much you want this."

I do. I come apart in his hands, my body convulsing with pleasure. He watches, his eyes burning with satisfaction.

"You look so good listening for once," he growls, his body moving faster, harder. His hand grips my hip, his fingers digging into my flesh. He pulls me against him, his thrusts deep, punishing.

"Bite me," he demands, his voice rough. "Mark me like I've marked you."

I sink my teeth into Uriel's shoulder, hard enough to draw a groan from deep within his chest. His body shudders against mine, his grip on my hips tightening, bruising. I don't care. I want it. I want him.

His wings spread wide, casting shadows that dance on the walls with each brutal thrust. The scent of citrus and metal fills my senses, a heady mix that makes my heart race. His golden curls brush against my forehead, damp with sweat, and I reach up, grasping a handful, pulling him closer.

"More," I demand, my voice a husky growl I barely recognize. His eyes flash, a cruel smile playing on his lips as he slams into me, harder, deeper. My body aches, covered in bruises from his rough touch, but I revel in it. This is real, raw, unyielding.

"Your little body wants me," he growls, his voice rough with need. "You can fight me all you want, little demon, but you can't hide this."

I can't. I don't want to. I meet his thrusts with my own, my body writhing against his. Each movement sends waves of pleasure and pain coursing through me. I'm lost in him, lost in the storm of sensation.

"Please," I beg, my voice a desperate plea. "I want you to mark me. Really mark me."

His eyes burn into mine, molten gold with desire. He understands. His hand slides down, his thumb finding the sensitive spot between my legs. He rubs, his touch rough, demanding.

"Come for me first," he commands, his voice rough with need. "Show me how much you want this."

I do. I come apart in his hands, my body convulsing with pleasure. He watches, his eyes burning with satisfaction. Then he leans down, his mouth finding mine in a brutal kiss.

"You're mine, little demon," he growls against my lips. His body moves faster, harder. His hand grips my hip, his fingers digging into my flesh. He pulls me against him, his thrusts deep, punishing.

"Please, Uriel," I beg, my voice a husky whisper. "I want to feel you come apart."

A growl rumbles in his chest. His body tenses, his grip on me tightening. He thrusts deep, and I feel him, hot and pulsing inside me. It's incredible, feeling him come apart, feeling him mark me as his.

His body shudders, and he collapses on top of me, his breath coming in ragged gasps. I wrap my arms around him, holding him close. My body aches, bruised and battered, but I've never felt more alive. I've never felt more wanted. I've never felt more like myself.

I am so fucked.