11. Lexa

Chapter 11

Lexa

I stared up at Arim, my lover, with as much distrust as cautious affection. How he slipped beneath my safeguards repeatedly, after all the hurt he'd caused, remained a mystery. A testament to his power, I supposed.

He flexed within me, and I had to bite my lip not to moan at the pleasure of his touch after so many years. Like magic, we flowed together, our passion just one more thing linking us together.

Arim felt as if he'd been made just for me. If it were as simple as having great sex to solve my problems, I'd be in the bliss of the Next right now, contemplating an afterlife full of wonders. Instead, I felt my Darkness withdraw and hoped I hadn't let anything slip in a weak moment.

Good Night, but my orgasm had completely shattered me. My Light Bringer had learned a trick or two since we'd been together.

I had to fight the jealousy I had no right to feel.

Once young lovers eager to experience only each other, we'd loved completely in ignorance of another's touch. In the time since, I'd had my share of lovers. He certainly hadn't been abstinent, not with that incredible performance. What he'd done to me with that tongue…

With a groan, Arim withdrew and lay down on the couch. In seconds, he had me in his arms on top of him. He pressed my head to his chest and settled his chin on my head. Warmth spread through me, affection that fought the tight constraints of protection I'd spent years forming.

"The Djinn means nothing to you, does he?" he asked with a contented sigh.

For a minute, I had no idea who or what he was talking about. Then I recalled his probing questions about Jonas. "Why?" Why ask me that now?

"Because you were so tight, so hungry for my touch."

The jerk sounded way too arrogant, and I took the offensive, refusing to act the fool. "Oh? And you weren't hungry for mine?" I slid a hand down his body and centered a cool blast in my palm, surprised when my magic actually worked. Perhaps the spell over us was fading already.

Arching the small energy over his shaft, I smiled at his exclamation and the firmness growing there. "Most men like what I can do for them."

Arim tensed. " Most men?"

I shrugged, wishing we could go back to the calm press of our bodies, where the Netharat, Sin Garu, and Light versus Dark didn't exist. But that would harm more than help, especially since just one taste of Arim and I was losing my perspective.

"Jonas is handsome. And very Dark, you know."

Arim rolled us over before I could blink, and I found myself flat on my back, looking up at him. "But it wasn't his Darkness you were just clinging to, was it, sweet? It was my mouth tasting you. My cock filling you with Light Bringer seed."

I pushed at his arms, and he lowered himself, practically crushing me with his weight. Instead of feeling threatened, for some odd reason, I was incredibly turned-on. His jealousy pulsed like a warm wind, caressing me, as if readying me for another round of carnal pleasure.

"You know, Blue, back when we were young, we were innocent in the ways of pleasure and the games people play." His eyes flashed with color as he focused on me. "Seems like we've got nothing better to do than reacquaint ourselves. Since we're both without magic, it's my strength against yours." He grinned, a mean smile that made me ache anew. "Your house, but my rules, my way. I have some questions I want answered. And you're going to satisfy me."

"Right." I huffed at a hank of hair suddenly in my eyes, disturbed when he caught both my wrists and held them over my head with one hand. With his other, he cupped my breast. My body hummed with pleasure. Like a switch that had been thrown, I responded to his dominance. Which scared me to death, because my heart didn't understand that sex and love didn't necessarily go hand-in-hand.

Panicked at the thought of losing myself again, of going through the pain of rejection, I blurted, "Is this how the great Arim Valens treats women these days? Forcing them to have sex? Maybe you're not as different from my brother as you like to think." It was a low blow and totally off the mark. But my comment had the desired effect.

He released me as if I were toxic and leaped off the couch, immediately putting distance between us. "I am nothing like that curse that infects all it touches." He scowled at me as if I held the same taint. "I thank you for reminding me just where your loyalties lie. And for the incredible fuck. Apparently, you're only a frigid bitch when you're fighting, because that pussy was hot enough to melt ice." His eyes glittered. "Sure were hungry for it, weren't you, Blue?"

Anger burned. Had I been able, I would have scalded him with blue flame, the cold searing his flesh from his bones. This was the Arim I'd left behind all those years ago. The same sorcerer I'd been battling all these years. One mind-blowing orgasm and I'd forgotten all that?

"Yes, I was desperate." I stood and eyed him up and down, as if I found him lacking. It was all I could do not to dwell on the hungry part of him rising again. No man, especially no Light Bringer, should have a body that tempting and a mind that infuriating. "But then, you'd know all about frigid bitches, hmm, Arim? The only way those Light Bringer women will touch you is if you pay them. Too much Darkness in you, I'll bet. Such a shock from Tanselm's legendary Light Bringer."

His expression blanked, and I smiled, pleased the information I'd learned about him proved correct. In the many years since we'd parted, I'd kept abreast of his conquests. To my surprise, he'd formed no lasting attachments. Only short flings with indiscriminating women who demanded nothing more than a favor or two and Arim's coveted body.

Under an enchantment of truth, the women had admitted that Arim had a habit of bringing Dark energy into the bedroom with him — an energy I now recognized as familiar. Funny, but at the time of our initial pairing, I had been too innocent to know how similar he and I truly were.

Arim stepped forward, his anger a palpable force that had the air around him warming. Surprised he could manage that with Sava's shield in place, I refused to budge and stood my ground as he stalked me. Then that part of me that was missing — the piece of me soul caught and held by the demons — cried out from the demon plane.

I was reminded again of what I'd sacrificed for this man and realized what a terrible mistake I'd made.

"Too much Darkness for the ladies of my world, yes," he hissed, stopping a few feet from me. "But not enough for the Ice Bitch of Malern." Inwardly, I winced, always hating that name. "Sin Garu's little sister certainly knows how to fuck."

Then he tossed me over his shoulder and leaned down to grab something. As if I weighed less than nothing.

"What the hell are you doing? Put me down ."

"You want me to keep my distance?" He laughed, an ugly sound that promised retribution. "Why should I? As you so clearly stated, I'm much more like your brother than I'd thought. Do what I want with you? Why the hell not?" He carried me into the bedroom.

For the first time since I'd known him, I felt genuine fear toward the man I'd once loved with my whole heart. Just moments ago, he'd gazed at me with tenderness, and now… this.

As much as I struggled, I couldn't free myself from his steely grip. He leaned down again, and I fought like a wildcat when I noticed what he'd picked up. A length of Dark-hide rope to match the one he'd fetched from the living room.

Once bound, I'd be helpless before him.

"Arim, stop. Let me —"

"Shut. Up." He threw me on the bed and captured my hands. No matter how I fought, he easily tied my wrists together to the headboard behind me. Then he grabbed one flying ankle and secured it to the footboard, leaving my other leg free since he'd run out of rope.

I was breathing hard, fear and a strange excitement filling me. The fear I understood, the excitement not at all. I'd never had rough sex before and had never wanted to try it. But my fear transformed into a darker, headier feeling as I watched Arim seethe with Darkness.

As much as I wanted to be repelled by his strength, the Dark Lord within me reveled in his power and in his willingness to use it. Yet the small, innocent girl from the past grieved the loss of her once compassionate lover.

"Go ahead then. Do your worst, Light Bringer." I couldn't help but tense when he leaned close. I closed my eyes and lifted my chin, not wanting to appear weak while he conquered me, taking what I didn't want to give.

My control. My self-respect. My last shreds of affection for memories of the man I'd once treasured.

Seconds ticked by. A minute passed. He did nothing.

When I opened my eyes, he was nowhere to be seen.