Chapter 19

CHAPTERNINETEEN

Ezra’s body might not have been in pain any longer, but her muscles and skin throbbed with the memory of it. She sat in the deep bathtub that smelled of jasmine and slowly washed the blood from her freshly healed skin. She was shaking in the hot water, shivering like she would never feel warm or safe again. Tears fell down her cheeks before she quickly washed them away.

For all of her magic and self-defense training, Ezra hadn’t been ready for an actual attack. Ezra tried to push away the feeling of the whips of magic ripping into her, hoping that her trauma’s response would make her forget.

Instead, she focused on the glittering, colorful roof above her. It was beautiful for purely aesthetic and not designed for practical purposes. It was very Zahir, like the rest of the bathroom. Rich, colorful towels, soaps, and artwork decorated the space, all chosen to complement the shining copper tub and fixtures.

Ezra went through the little soaps until she found one that smelled like her usual myrrh and scrubbed herself. The scars on her back felt tender from their healing, but not painful. No, he had pulled that clean out of her body like it was a loose tooth.

How does he contain such power?Logically, Ezra knew that djinn didn’t just have magic; they were magic. She also knew that boats floated on water but didn’t understand the how of it. Both djinn and boats were so common in Venice that she’d never really thought about it. She was thinking about it now.

Zahir had been a vortex of power when he’d landed on the ship. It had radiated through her bones and scorched her magic. Despite the agony she was in, it had frightened her. It didn’t make her want to run screaming away from him. No, it made her want to run screaming towards him. He made her feel safe, and logic said he was anything but.

Since magic had come flooding back into the world hundreds of years beforehand, it had become like another form of currency. Whoever had the most magic had the most power. The djinn—Zahir alone—could have snapped his fingers and ruled the Republic. He didn’t though, and neither did any of the other djinn. He was their king because he was the strongest and kept them all in line.

And you almost fucked him on a rooftop after teasing him for fun. You really are a fool.

Ezra had woken after the best night’s sleep in months. She had blushed when she realized one of the tattooed lines marking the nights of their bargain had vanished. She had eaten the breakfast he’d left her, sheltered in a tent that looked like it belonged in the Sahara somewhere. Her heart had gone erratic at the pots of sunflowers all over the roof. For a moment, she had been so happy and in awe of magic like she was a little girl again.

Ezra had planned to do some work before messaging Zahir, and then her entire day had become pain and fear. She swallowed down a mouthful of bitter tears.

You’re safe now, she tried to tell herself. But for how long? She didn’t know how to go home and feel like she wouldn’t be attacked again. Ezra would change all the wards as soon as she went back and would hope that they were strong enough to keep people out.

Ezra could feel the ghost of the manacles around her wrists, and new resentment flowed through her. She would do everything she could to find her way to the Cabal and get her freedom. If there was any justice in the world, she would watch them hang and spit on their corpses.

When the bath grew cool, Ezra stepped out of it, dried herself with one of the thick towels and put the gold and indigo robe back on. She wanted to feel like she had that morning, in awe of magic and the Djinn King who created it. She didn’t want to feel afraid.

Ezra stepped out of the bathroom and found Zahir sitting in a plush chair next to a table laden with food. He looked furious, with gold flickering in his eyes like a banked fire. As soon as he saw her, it faded out, and he smiled.

"Are you feeling any better?" he asked, holding a hand out to her. Ezra moved by his side, and he took her hands and kissed them.

"Thank you again for healing me," she said.

"Never thank me for that, sparrow. I’m so angry you had to go through that. I’m so sorry," he replied, resting his forehead against her stomach.

Ezra threaded her fingers through his dark hair. "It’s not your fault. We will find these bastards, and I will get revenge," she replied, steel in her voice.

"That I will promise you with no bargain at all." Zahir pulled her gently into his lap before offering her a cup of tea. "Drink this. It will help with your blood loss and the adrenaline crash."

Ezra drank the dark tea and her insides stopped churning. "You are not like I imagined, you know that?"

Zahir smiled. "It’s better, isn’t?"

"The ego is on point," she teased, and her heart lightened a little. She placed the empty teacup on the table. "I never expected you to be this kind."

"You are easy to be kind to." Zahir looked thoughtful. "I never expected to like you as much as I do. It’s strange and vexing, but I can’t seem to stop."

Ezra pressed a soft kiss to his cheek. "Don’t stop."

Zahir’s eyes heated before kissing her. His hands stroked feather light down her back before pulling her even closer. Ezra’s hands went back to his thick hair, the silky strands so soft between her fingers. Her tongue stroked his lips, and he opened for her.

Ezra was burning up, and she didn’t want it to end. Zahir’s hands dropped to her ass, squeezing it as she ground against him. The night before, he hadn’t physically touched her, and it had blown her mind. His actual hands on her made Ezra lose it altogether.

Zahir’s hand slipped into her robe and cupped her breast. He groaned before pulling away from her so he could kiss his way down her throat.

"Are you sure you want this, Ezra?" he asked softly.

"Yes. I need you," she said, hands in his shirt. "Make me forget it all. Please, Zahir. I need to feel alive again."

"Your wish is my command." Zahir opened her robe, gently leaning her back so his mouth could suck on her brown nipple. Ezra moaned softly as another invisible mouth sucked on her other breast.

"Oh fuck, you’re going to play those games too?" she gasped.

Zahir chuckled. "My darling, there are so many games I want to play with you." He opened up her robe so she was fully exposed to him. She tried not to squirm, fighting the urge to cover herself again. It wasn’t that she hated her body, but the intensity of his gaze made her feel raw. His dark gaze was a hot touch as it traveled over her breasts, the roll of her belly, and down to her pussy.

Zahir leaned in to nuzzle her neck. "I honestly don’t know where to start. Do you have a preference?"

"Anywhere," she whispered, her cheeks going red. "Everywhere."

"Hmm, how about here?" His fingers slid over the tops of her thighs before one knuckle brushed down her pussy. She whimpered, her legs tightening. Zahir chuckled, low and dirty. "My little sparrow is wet already." He moved his finger over her again, torturously slow, spreading her wetness in delicate patterns that had her hands gripping his shoulders.

"Holy fuck," she gasped.

Zahir only smiled and added a little more pressure. He was watching every one of her movements, figuring out what made her squirm and shake. Ezra’s orgasm was shivering through her, the soft winding patterns making her body hum.

"So fucking good."

Zahir’s eyes flashed with power. "Be a good girl and come for me."

Ezra was helpless under his command. She kissed him, smothering her cry of release against his lips.

"Such sweet sounds," he purred. He lifted his finger from her, admiring the glistening come on it before rubbing it on his lips and licking it. His eyes flashed. "I must have more."

Ezra clung to him as he stood, carrying her over to his bed and laying her down. She was still blissed out, content to let him do whatever the fuck he liked.

Zahir unbuttoned his shirt, and she got her first look at his gorgeous bare chest. It was well muscled in a lean, powerful way, his golden-brown skin covered in a fine dusting of black hair. Ezra noticed the scars on him and wondered what could possibly be powerful enough to mark a djinn.

Zahir stroked her from her lips, down her throat and breasts. "So beautifully made. So much power in you. I want to tie you to this bed and never let you be in harm’s way again."

"Don’t you dare," Ezra replied with a smile. She didn’t know how to take his soft, possessive threats or whether they were spoken in the heat of the moment.

He kissed her stomach, bringing her back to him. His hands widened her legs so he could move between them, kissing his way down. Zahir’s hot mouth closed over her pussy, making Ezra bite her lip hard. Her fingers tightened on the sheets, needing something to hold on to as his pierced tongue flicked against her clit.

"Fuck… me…" she said breathlessly. Zahir didn’t stop. His clever tongue danced, his fingers spreading her so he could move lower. Ezra didn’t think she could handle much more. She was so wrong.

Zahir’s tongue fucked into her, and she arched straight off the bed. He chuckled against her, his hands gripping her ass and holding her up to his mouth. A pillow appeared underneath her.

"What a delicious sight you make like this," Zahir mused, his fingers tracing over her legs. "Maybe I could keep you like this when I’m doing paperwork, so I have something worth looking at."

"You seriously overestimate my ability to stay still," Ezra replied, her voice shaky.

Zahir hummed. "I could always tie you in place with silk scarves." Ezra’s core burned at the thought. She’d never been into any form of bondage, but if Zahir did it…

Zahir seemed to know exactly what she was thinking because his grin widened. "I think my little sparrow likes that idea," he said before licking the inside of her thigh. "Perhaps another time. I want you just like this right now." He put his mouth back over her clit and sucked hard. Ezra cried out, her toes curling tightly into the sheets, and she lifted her pelvis higher.

"Oh god, please just fuck me," she begged.

Zahir released her. "All in good time. You wanted me to make you forget. By the time I’m done with you, you won’t even remember your own name."

Zahir moved back and undid his pants, letting them slide to the floor. Ezra’s eyes went to his cock and grew wide. He was long and hard and gorgeous, like she had suspected, but he was also pierced. A small golden bar shone through his tip.

"Like what you see?" he asked teasingly and gave himself a few strokes.

Ezra nodded. "I need a closer look."

"Read my mind," he said. He surprised her by climbing onto the bed and placing his legs on either side of her head. "Better?"

Ezra nodded and licked the tip of his dick. "Doesn’t that hurt?"

"No, habibi. It feels amazing. You’re going to think so too when it’s buried inside of you," Zahir said with a wicked grin.

Ezra opened her mouth for him, and he slid inside. Under his instruction, she tugged and toyed with the piercing until a fine sheen of sweat covered him. She couldn’t look away as he fucked her mouth, his body moving sinuously like he knew exactly how to make it look as erotic as possible.

"Fuck, Ezra, your mouth is so good," he said, his hands gripping the headboard, and looked down at her. "I want to make you feel good too." Ezra gasped around him as she felt hands moving all over her again. Her hands gripped his thighs, and he pulled free of her mouth. "Breathe, my Ezra."

"I can feel you everywhere," she said, eyes blowing wide. Hot mouths covered her breasts, sucking her as others appeared between her thighs.

"That’s right. I’m going to have all of you tonight. I’m going to ruin you for anyone else, and I’m too selfish to care," Zahir said, running a thumb over her wet lips. "Now, open up for me so I can come down your pretty throat."

Ezra opened her mouth, and he thrust inside. She was burning up, her pleasure reaching another place. She gripped Zahir’s ass, holding onto him and trying not to lose her mind. The invisible hands and mouths caressed her breasts, her pussy, her ass, and everywhere else until she was coming again. At the same time, Zahir cried out, and her mouth flooded with come. She swallowed it down as he moved back.

Zahir’s expression was wild as he kissed her deeply, like he needed to taste himself in her mouth. He was still impossibly hard as he moved over her.

"Now, I will fuck you," he growled and pushed inside of her with one hard thrust. Ezra couldn’t stop the sounds coming out of her as he pounded into her. Her nails clawed down his back and sides, spurring him on. Her insides were liquid fire, and she let him set the pace, unable to do anything but hang on.

Ezra’s magic flared unbidden, and Zahir let out a breathless laugh above her. He brushed her tangle of curls from her face.

"Yes, Ezra, let the power be free. Let me in," he begged, and her magic obeyed. It crashed into him, making them both gasp. "Fucking perfect. Yes, more Ezra." Something inside of her cracked open and magic roared out from behind it. Strength infused her, and she flipped Zahir onto his back. He stared up at her with a shocked expression, his black hair a wild mess around him. "What are you?"

Ezra didn’t answer—couldn’t—she needed him, and that was all she knew. Zahir laughed wildly and gripped her ass hard enough to bruise.

"Take it all, ruin me," he said, and Ezra did. Her fingers clawed into his chest as she rode his cock, moving until it hit the perfect spot inside of her. Hands gripped her bouncing tits while Zahir’s own moved to stroke her clit.

Ezra was possessed, a voice in her trying to make her realize that this would drive her to madness. She pushed it away and let the magic and pleasure and Zahir’s beautiful smiling face demolish her. She screamed his name as her orgasm tore her in half.

Ezra blacked out, Zahir quickly sitting up and catching her before she fell backward. He kissed her back to consciousness, murmuring something in a language she didn’t know. It sounded worshipful. She knew the feeling. She rested her face against his neck, trying to get enough breath in her lungs.

"Who… Who am I again?" she panted. Zahir kissed her shoulder, holding her tight to him.

"Mine," he said, lifting her chin with his finger. His eyes were all wild djinn, magic, and lust. "That’s who you are. You’re mine."