Chapter 10

CHAPTER 10

H elheim

Aria

The Dark King reached for the pair of cuffs, unlocking them and setting me free. I didn't move.

I waited. He was unpredictable, and I didn't trust him.

His eyes locked on mine and a cold smirk tugged at the corner of his lips.

"What will you do with me now?" I demanded.

"Everything, sweet Aria," he replied, and I grimaced as his fingers brushed along the expanse of my cheek. I wrapped my arms around my knees, pulling them into my chest as my body continued to shake with aftershocks. I swallowed past the lump in my throat, trying to keep a level head despite the heat still surging through my veins.

I reminded myself that he was dangerous. That he was cruel. That he was a monster, yet there was something about him that made me want to understand him, to know more about him so that I understood the man he had been and the man he was now.

He smirked at me and climbed out of the bed, adjusting himself. With a gasp, my gaze jerked down to see a very obvious bulge. He was just as aroused as I was.

I expected him to free his cock and take me right then and there, but he didn't. Instead, he took a step back and cleared his throat.

"The servants will be in presently with your next meal. Make sure you eat your fill. I'd hate to have to spank you before bed. Actually, that's a lie. I'd enjoy it very much," he warned, and I snarled in his direction at the same time that my clit pulsed.

I hated that his threat aroused me.

"Careful, sweet Aria. I've been gentle with you thus far. I'd hate to have to change that," he said, his voice dark and full of painful promise.

"Understood, my king ," I scoffed.

"Good girl," he answered, and I loathed how my core jumped at his praise.

He walked out of the room without looking back and a strange sense of emptiness washed over me as soon as he was gone.

I was alone and even though he had only just left, the silence seemed louder than usual, almost deafening. I crawled beneath the covers and pulled them over my head, trying to block out the world, but it did nothing to quiet the racing thoughts in my mind.

" I'd hate to have to spank you before bed …"

His words echoed in my mind. My clit thrummed and I pressed my thighs together.

What was this man doing to me? Why was I letting him get to me so?

My pussy clenched.

Why was the thought of him taking me over his knee before bed so tantalizing?

I slipped my hand beneath the covers and trailed my fingers down my belly, along the length of my hipbone and then between my thighs.

I was slick, wet, and aching.

I pressed two fingers between the folds of my pussy and rubbed small circles around my clit. It was hard and swollen, and a sharp shock of pleasure radiated from the nerves throughout my body.

I stopped, ashamed of myself. I shouldn't be doing this. I should be thinking up ways to get away from the Dark King and escape Helheim, but my clit was throbbing too hard for me to give anything else any credence.

With a sharp, frustrated huff, I gave up fighting myself and pressed my fingers to my clit. The first touch sent a jolt through me and a little mewl of need escaped me. I closed my eyes and pictured him leaning over me, his long black hair tickling my naked chest as he pinned my hands to the mattress and kissed his way down my body.

Right before he took me over his knee and spanked me for being so naughty as to touch myself without permission.

What was wrong with me?

The fantasy was too much, but I couldn't deny my clit or the orgasm that was building rapidly inside me. I rolled onto my belly and slipped my other hand between my legs, pressing my fingers over my needy bundle of nerves and grinding my hips against them.

The silky sheets felt good against my nipples and the pressure of my body on top of my hands felt like being restrained, like his body was against mine as he pinned me in place and made me beg for release.

Or worse, slipped his giant cock inside my virgin pussy.

Maybe even my virgin ass.

Desire surged through me like wildfire, consuming every rational thought and burning away everything else. It was a fierce, primal need that grew with every breath, building and building until it threatened to overwhelm me entirely.

My vision blurred, turning white-hot as the intensity of my longing blazed within me, searing through my veins and leaving me trembling with an all-consuming heat that demanded to be quenched.

I came hard and fast, my pussy and ass clenching in unison. My mind was a blur of lust, and I barely recognized what I was doing, only knowing it was dirty and filthy and wrong.

But oh, how right it felt.

After what felt like an eternity, the spasms of ecstasy finally faded away and I collapsed into the bed, utterly spent. My body felt heavy and languid, but also relaxed and content.

Finally feeling sated, I closed my eyes, falling into a restless sleep, only to be awoken by a knock on the door. It opened a moment later, and a group of servants swept in with several platters of food. I squeaked in shock, but then I relaxed, pulling up the sheets to cover my nakedness.

Relieved to see Liora amongst them, I offered her a soft smile.

"Good evening, Lady Aria," she said, and I pulled the covers up a bit further, covering my breasts. "The king sends you gifts," she added, holding up lace-lined gown of deep purple.

The dress was exquisite, the deep purple fabric shimmering in the soft candlelight of the room. It was adorned with intricate black lace that framed the neckline and sleeves. The bodice was fitted, designed to accentuate my curves, and the skirt flowed gracefully, cascading to the floor in delicate folds. It was a garment fit for a queen, and yet it had a sense of dark elegance to it that was tempting even for me.

"Come. Let me help you dress," Liora said softly, and I nodded once.

With a shy smile, Liora set the gown aside and helped me out of the bed. Still naked, I stood before her, feeling vulnerable and exposed, but she was gentle and respectful as she guided the dress over my head. The fabric was soft against my skin, more so than I expected. She adjusted the fit, smoothing out the wrinkles, and stepped back to admire her work.

"You look lovely, my lady," she said, her smile growing.

"Thank you, Liora," I replied, feeling a little more like myself again. I chewed my lip for a moment and glanced at the well-slept-in bed, trying to contend with what I had done beneath the sheets just a little while ago. Quickly I pushed the thought aside and jerked my gaze back to Liora.

I hesitated for a moment, then looked at her. "Would you join me? Eat with me?" I asked, my voice quiet and hopeful.

Liora's eyes widened in surprise, a faint blush creeping up her cheeks. "Oh, my lady, I couldn't…"

"Please," I insisted, offering her a warm smile. "I'd like the company."

She glanced at the other servants, then back at me, her bashfulness evident. Finally, she nodded. "If it pleases you, my lady."

"Thank you, Liora," I said, genuine gratitude in my voice. "And please, call me Aria. Don't make me remind you again," I warned playfully, wagging my finger, and she smiled a little bit at me.

We moved to the table, where the servants had laid out a feast. There were a few platters of roasted meats, several bowls of fresh fruits, and an array of cheeses, breads, and pastries. The scent of spices filled the air, making my mouth water. I sat down and gestured for Liora to join me.

She hesitated for a moment, then took a seat across from me. The other servants bowed and left the room, leaving us alone. I glanced at Liora and gestured for her to begin, and she smiled shyly.

"I hope you're hungry because I'm not going to be able to eat all of this," I proclaimed.

"I haven't eaten since breakfast," she murmured, and I grinned.

"Then eat up. There's plenty to go around," I replied. She protested when I served myself several heaping portions, but I waved her aside. I could certainly feed myself.

I'd done it all my life.

We began to eat. From the very first bite, the flavors burst in my mouth. The roasted meat was tender and seasoned to perfection, the fruits were sweet and juicy, and the cheeses were rich and creamy. I savored each bite, feeling the warmth of the food spread through me.

"This is delicious," I said, looking up at Liora. "Thank you for joining me."

She blushed again, looking down at her hands. "Thank you for inviting me, Aria."

And then something occurred to me. Maybe, just maybe Liora knew something about the castle, any secret passages that I could use to escape the Dark King's grasp or even more information about the king himself. I opened my mouth, hesitant at first, but then I closed it.

"What is it, Aria?" she asked, and I took a deep breath.

Well, here goes nothing…

"Do you know anything about the castle? I mean, its layout, any secret passages, things like that?"

Liora's eyes widened slightly, and she hesitated, glancing around the room as if to ensure we were alone. "I-I'm not sure if I should…"

"Please," I urged, lowering my voice. "It could be important. I need to understand this place if I'm to survive here."

She bit her lip, clearly torn. Finally, she sighed and nodded.

"There are a few passages I know about. But you must promise to be careful, Aria. The king is the only one who frequents them, and if he finds out I told you…"

"I promise," I said earnestly. "I'll be careful."

Liora took a deep breath, then began to speak in hushed tones.

"There's a passage that starts behind the large tapestry in the main hall. It leads down to the dungeons. Another one is hidden behind the bookshelf in the library. It opens up to a narrow stairway that leads to the tower. And there's a third passage through a trapdoor in the armory, which takes you to the underground tunnels beneath the castle."

I listened intently, my mind racing with the possibilities. "How do you know about these passages?"

"I've seen the king use them," Liora admitted. "And I've had to clean some of those areas. But Aria, you must be careful. The king uses them to move about the castle without being seen, to keep an eye on everything."

I nodded, absorbing the information. "What do the passages look like? Are they easy to navigate?"

"They're narrow and not very well lit," Liora said. "Some parts are very old, with crumbling stone and uneven floors. You have to be careful where you step. And there are hidden doors that blend into the walls, so you need to know where to look if you want to get out, or need to, anyway."

"Do you think there's a way out of the castle through these passages?" I asked, my heart pounding with hope.

"I don't know if I should say," she frowned, albeit politely, considering the question.

"I just want to understand the world I find myself in, and who else would I ask other than my only friend?" I pressed, drawing in a deep shaky breath all while trying to stay calm and not push her too hard.

With a sigh, she nodded, and I nearly sighed in relief.

"I'll tell you, but I don't know for sure. The tunnels beneath the castle are extensive and could lead outside, but they're also dangerous. Some parts are flooded, and others are infested with creatures best avoided."

"What kind of creatures are in the tunnels?" I asked, curiosity and fear warring within me.

Liora's face paled slightly, and she glanced around nervously before answering. "There are many dark things in this castle. Shadows that move on their own, and whispers that aren't from human voices. But in the tunnels, there are creatures—things twisted by dark magic that wander there."

"Like what?" I pressed, wanting to know what I might face should I try to escape through the tunnels.

She took a deep breath, her eyes wide with fear. "There are wraiths, spirits of those who died in agony. They're drawn to warmth and life, and they'll try to drain your energy if they find you. There are also hellhounds and werewolves. They're swift and silent, perfect hunters in the dark."

My heart pounded as I imagined these horrors lurking in the shadows. "Anything else?"

Liora nodded, her voice dropping to a whisper. "The worst are the darklings. They're small, humanoid creatures with sharp teeth and claws, and they're incredibly fast. They hunt in packs and can overwhelm their prey quickly. They're almost impossible to see until it's too late."

She rubbed her wrist and then I noticed there were several bite marks on her arm. When she noticed me looking, she pulled it back and slipped it under the table, hiding the white scars from my view.

I gulped past my nerves, my hand shaking a little as I reached out and took a sip from my goblet of red wine. I swallowed and put it back down on the table before asking what I wanted to next.

"And outside the castle walls?" I pressed.

"There's too many to name," she replied, and I pursed my lips, needing to know more.

"Try me," I pushed.

She took a deep breath, her voice low and serious. "The most common are the wargs. They're wolf-like creatures with scales instead of fur. They're cunning hunters and can be incredibly dangerous if they catch your scent."

"Wargs," I repeated, shivering at the thought. "What else?"

"The infernox," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "There are also gargoyles perched upon the ramparts of the castle. There's the army of orcs that follow the Dark King. I've even seen a stone giant and an infernal drakewing on my errands outside the castle. Honestly, there are far too many terrifying creatures to name, but the most fearsome one amongst them all is the king."

I started.

"And why is that?"

"Because he's a dragon."