18. Kian

Chapter 18

Kian

V ale gripped the dagger in her hand tighter as her brilliant green eyes lit with the faintest hint of her magic. She had tried and failed to score a hit off of me for the last three days, and I had a feeling it was pissing her off.

Good.

She needed to be pissed off.

It was a fuck of a lot more useful than her being frightened. The last few days had been filled with magic lessons and combat training—each new maneuver she learned making the scent of fear only grow. She was realizing how little she knew, how deep into this world she had been thrown, and it scared the shit out of her.

Join the club, my little witch. Join the fucking club.

I was scared out of my fucking mind because I'd seen her covered in blood, breath stopped, heart stopped, glass stuck in her skin, her wounds pouring blood, and I hadn't known how to help her. Xavier and Freya had flown into action, but me? I just stood there watching them try and put her back together, unable to do a damn thing to help her.

I'd never felt so helpless, so incompetent, so worthless as I had in that moment, cursing Orrus for trying to take her from me. And I begged. I begged every god and goddess, every deity I could think of, just so she would breathe, so she would live, so her heart would continue pumping.

Rune had perched himself on the stone railing of the balcony, nearly clawing his way into the castle to get to her, and honestly, I couldn't blame him. And if she'd have died, I would have begged him to kill me, too.

And when she lived, when she drew that very first breath, I promised myself that no one would touch her, no one would harm a hair on her head. Not ever again. But she had to learn how to take care of herself. Because if the gods forbade me from protecting her, she had to know how to protect herself.

She had to live.

Not for the curse. Not for Idris, not even for me. She had to live for herself because this world deserved to have her light in it. And it would be a cold dark place without her.

That wasn't to say she wasn't a quick learner. She was. She picked up knife skills better than most young soldiers. It was the implementing them with finesse part she lacked. I supposed that made sense. She had been more accustomed to an axe for more years than she'd ever had with a dagger. But her arm was still too weak to use the axes we had, so we'd stuck with daggers for the time being.

"Are you going to come at me, or are you going to flit around like a bird? If you want to hit me, then hit me," I taunted, trying to get a rise out of her.

Those brilliant eyes flashed again, the only tell before she feinted to the left and struck, flipping the knife in the air as she darted past me. She plucked it from the meager inches right in front of my face as she twisted right, bringing the knife down in a move I didn't think she had in her.

Had I not managed to back up a step, she would have sliced through my forearm all the way to the bone. As it was, a thin line of blood welled from my skin, collecting into a single drop before the flesh healed over again.

" Yes ," she crowed, losing every bit of composure she had as she jumped up and down. "I did it!"

I fought off the urge to tackle her to the ground. For the last three days, her scent had been driving me insane. Sharing a bath with her had been a mistake, but I couldn't have stopped myself if I wanted to. Which I didn't. I didn't want to stop touching her. I didn't want her scent to fade from my nose.

I wanted her in my bed and under me. I wanted her moans in my ear and her cream on my tongue. But her healing had taken priority, and she still had more of that to do. I'd been just as happy with holding her until she fell asleep and then staying awake to make sure no one harmed a hair on her head.

Once he returned from the med bay, Xavier and I slept in shifts, each of us taking turns teaching and protecting her while Freya hunted the culprits down.

And each night with her in my bed, in my arms, it was a struggle to forget the night we'd had before coming here. Back when she was still safe. Back when no one knew about her. Back when her shy kisses and soft moans had turned into her screams of pleasure as she melted my brain with her wicked tongue.

Had I known what was to happen, I would have never told her that we were stealing her away until we were already on the ferry. If I would have known…

I smacked the flat end of my wooden spear against her tight ass, reminding her we were in the middle of a fight. Encased in buttery soft fighting leathers from neck to ankle, she was fucking magnificent. Every move she made in them had my cock harder than a rock and aching to get free.

"Get your head in the game, Vale," I growled, crowding her as I plucked the bloody knife from her loose grip. "You think a fight is over after one hit?"

Was that an asshole remark? Yes.

Was it also true? Also, yes.

A frown marred the joy on her face as she lost her beautiful smile, but I kept going, even as she snatched the blade back.

"You think they will stop and let you celebrate as they're trying to kill you? That they'll put down their swords and let you breathe?"

Abashed, she dropped her gaze to the floor, her jaw tight.

Fuck.

"You're right, Kian," she whispered, throwing the dagger down with so much force it embedded into the wooden floor right next to my foot.

An inch to the left, and I'd be missing a toe.

"Any other vital information you need to impart, or can I quit for the day? We've been at this for six hours. If I wanted to be worked to death, I would have stayed in the guild."

She didn't so much as let me say a word after that crippling parting shot as she spun on her booted heel and marched to the training room door without a backward glance.

I snatched up her dagger, the same one I'd procured for her in the town and stowed it in an empty loop at my belt. She now kept it under her pillow as she slept and in the sheath at her hip when she was in leathers. For her to throw it at my feet meant she was really pissed off.

Yeah, I'd been more than an asshole.

Employing the speed I so rarely used around her, I managed to get between her and the door. Vale stopped dead in her tracks, glaring at me hard enough that fire might actually come out of her eyes.

"I'm sorry," I murmured, my hands raised in surrender. "I shouldn't have taken out my frustrations on you."

But that seemed just as wrong as it was right.

"But I'm so fucking pissed, I can't see straight. I knew what you would be facing when you got here. If it wasn't the gods-be-damned dragon under the castle, it was the council, it was the trials, it was everything." My chuckle was mirthless, and I fisted my hands in my hair, trying not to pull it out at the roots.

"Look what's already happened. I wanted to get you off this fucking continent so you would be safe, and now I'm so angry at you because you have no idea what it was like watching you nearly die. No, actually, not ‘nearly' because your heart stopped, and you stopped breathing, and it took all of Rune and Xavier and Freya's strength to bring you back."

My throat nearly closed it was so clogged with tears I refused to shed. I wouldn't because she was alive now, and I was grateful. But damn if it hadn't nearly killed me. "You were dead, and there wasn't a godsdamn thing I could do about it."

"And that's my fault?" she demanded, those gorgeous eyes flaring bright, skirting around me and throwing the door open. "Because I wouldn't get on the damn boat? Your little plan to get me off the continent didn't once take my sister into account, nor did you even contemplate asking me what I wanted before you just put it in motion. You didn't ask me. You told me."

Shaking her head, she moved through my quarters toward the bedchamber, unfastening the clasps of her leather top and yanking it off her arms. Under it was a tight black vest that molded to her curves and did nothing to quell the ache in my cock.

After her attack, she hadn't so much as looked at the entrance of my wing, the carved wooden doors spelled with enough warding to deter nearly everyone. Confined to my rooms, there were only so many places for her to go, and nowhere I wouldn't follow. Plus, this argument had been brewing for three damn days and we were having it.

There was no escaping it now.

"I'm not sorry," I said to her back, her scars peeking around her swinging braid.

"Oh, trust me," she scoffed, throwing her leather top to the ground. "I know you aren't. And I knew you wouldn't be, which is why the first chance I got, I followed Rune's voice and got to the castle."

She slid through the bedchamber directly to the dressing room where she sat on the stool to untie her boots.

"Breaking this curse is more important than my safety," she said, ripping her foot out of one boot before moving to the other. "It means that my sister will never have to stand in my shoes. It means that I can go back and get her with the full force of the crown. Breaking this curse is the fastest way to fucking save her."

Didn't she understand?

"Great. It's the fastest way to save her, but what about you?" I demanded, closing the distance between us. "Did you ever stop to ask that question? What good is saving her if she lives the rest of her life without you?"

I cupped her face in my hands, pressing my forehead to hers, kneeling before her like the queen she was always meant to be. "I've had you for less than a week, and I already know a life without you is meaningless. Can't you see that?"

"That's not fair," she said through gritted teeth, tears spilling down her cheeks. "I'm all she has in the world."

"Exactly, my beautiful witch. Which means you need to stay breathing no matter what. Understand?"

"I'm trying," she whispered, her breath hitching.

She was working so hard, and I was the asshole pushing for more. Gods, could I stop fucking up for five seconds?

"I know you are," I said, drawing away from her. If I didn't, her scent would drive me insane. I was already half-mad, one more second with my forehead pressed to hers and I'd lose it and kiss her.

If I let myself kiss her, I'd end up devouring her whole. I'd give up anything, everything, I'd?—

"Are you going to stop looking at me like I'm glass anytime soon?" she accused, wiping at her face. "I'm not going to break."

"You're healing, Va?—"

"Bullshit. You and Xavier are scared. I almost died, I'll give you that, but you two won't even look at me anymore. I thought…" She closed her eyes tight before shaking her head. Standing in defeat, she let out a mirthless laugh. "It doesn't really matter what I thought, does it?"

Wait… Did she think we didn't want her?

Something inside me snapped. Before she could skirt around me, I had her in my arms with her back to the wall as I pressed my achingly hard cock against her center. Her small but strong hands rested on my bare shoulders, hanging on for dear life.

"Does this feel like I don't want you?" I growled against the tender skin of her neck, aching to sink my growing fangs into the column of her throat.

"I… I…" Then she moaned as she tightened her legs around my hips.

"Wanting you is not the problem. I want you every second of every day, even when I sleep, I want you. Every time I close my eyes, I see you sitting on Xavier's face, I hear you moan around my cock, I feel your mouth on me. I've been hard since you opened your eyes in my bed."

"But I've been in your bed this whole time. I'm all healed up. Why…" She trailed off, the hurt in her voice as if she'd driven her dagger into my chest.

Fuck it.

Fuck Idris. Fuck this kingdom. None of it mattered.

Nothing else mattered except for my mouth on hers. Unable to deny myself any longer, I captured those maddingly luscious lips with mine. Almost instantly our kiss turned hard, fast, consuming. Her tongue met mine, her breaths stuttered, and I fell into the bliss that was my little witch.

I wound my fist in the rope of her braid, only breaking the kiss so I could taste the skin above her pulse point. She tasted like heaven, better than I remembered. A shiver vibrated through her, and it was all I could do not to rip off the rest of her leathers and fuck her right here in the dressing room.

But she needed to know…

"Because you're my addiction, Vale," I murmured against her skin, moving my lips to her jaw, her ear. "As soon as I have you, I'm going to want you all the time. I've merely had a taste of you, and I'm nearly driven to madness. What kind of feral creature will I become once I've had all of you?"

Her sweet moan was music to my fucking ears. And when she threaded her fingers into my hair and guided my mouth to hers again, I was a goner.

Vale's sweet scent surrounded me, invading my nose as her legs tightened on my hips. I needed her more than air, more than the blood in my veins or the promise of tomorrow. Reluctantly, I set her on her feet, the lack of her warmth invading my senses, a loss that speared at my soul.

But I never took my hands from her. No, my fingers were hard at work divesting her of every stitch of clothing she had on. I wanted to taste every inch of her skin, hear her gasps, her moans. I wanted her to beg.

On my knees, I yanked the leathers down her legs, tasting the delicate skin near her hip bone before pressing my tongue at the juncture of her thighs over her underwear. The fabric was soaked through already, making my cock pulse at the thought of taking her.

Vale's hips bucked as she let out a strangled moan, her fingers fisting in my hair. She smelled absolutely divine, and the animal in me wanted more of it. Talons sprang from my fingertips, the ache welcome as I shredded what was still on her skin. Her vest, her leathers, her underwear, it was all gone in moments.

Hooking her leg over my shoulder, I set about fucking her dripping cunt with my tongue. I drank her down as I flicked her pulsing clit, relishing every shudder, every moan as she scrambled to hang on to anything she could reach.

My little witch needed a seat while I fucked her with my mouth?

So be it.

Lifting her off her feet, I spun us, setting her down at the dressing table. Ass on the fabric stool, her elbows rested on the tabletop as those perfect tits shuddered with every gasping breath as she tried to get a hold of herself.

Well, I couldn't have that.

Yanking her to the edge of the stool, my grip was damn near punishing as I brought my mouth right back to heaven. Vale didn't care about my claws, didn't care about my grip. Her hips bucked as she moaned long and low, inciting my answering growl.

"Fucking beautiful," I rasped before attacking her sweet little clit, watching as each touch of my tongue made her tremble, made her flush, made her come undone.

Retracting my talons, I pet her tight opening, loving how slick she was, loving how her scent made me crazed. Vale's moans got louder as I teased her, and then I got exactly what I wanted.

" Kian ," she begged, her hips bucking, seeking her pleasure exactly like I wanted her to. " Please ."

Then I thrust my fingers into her tight little hole, pumping them in time with my sucks on her throbbing clit. I knew she was untouched, and as much as I wanted to make her ready for me, none of that seemed to matter to her right then. Vale tossed her head back as her cunt strangled my fingers, squeezing them so tight I almost came in my pants at the thought of her doing that to my cock.

Then she let out a desperate sound as she rode my hand, her coming release punctuating by the delicate flush racing up her chest, into her cheeks, all the way to her hair. Hands gripping the dressing table, she was laid out like a sacrifice. Head lolled back, mouth open, legs splayed wide, she was so fucking magnificent as she took her pleasure.

"Come for me, little witch," I growled, needing it more than anything. " Now ."

I felt it the instant her release hit her, almost like it was her hands racing down my flesh, touching me everywhere. When she screamed out her orgasm, I knew I'd give anything at all to hear her make that sound forever.

Boneless, her body wilted against the dressing table, sweat dotting her brow, her breaths coming in pants, her luscious breasts rising and falling with each one. And still, I hungered. Her taste was on my tongue, but it wasn't enough.

I needed more.

Lifting her off the bench, I carried her to the bedchamber and ripped back the coverlet, placing her gently on the soft sheets right where she belonged. Running my hands over her soft skin, I met those gorgeous green eyes, the ones that flashed and burned with unspent desire.

She wasn't done either, and I loved how sensual she was, how readily she took her pleasure.

"I want you, my little witch. Will you let me have you?"

Rising up on her elbows, she licked those luscious full lips like she could devour me whole.

"I'm already yours, Kian. I thought you knew that."

Then she reached for me, unfastening my leathers, drawing them down my hips, freeing my cock. I gripped it at the base, giving it a rough stroke just to ease the worst of the ache. She looked up at me as her pink tongue swiped a drop of my need from the head.

If she did that again, I would unman myself down her throat. I backed away, toeing off my boots and yanking my leathers the rest of the way off. She bit her bottom lip, her expression ravenous.

Fuck , she would destroy me, and I would gladly let her.

I latched onto the back of her knees, dragging her ass to the edge of the bed. Breath hitching, eyes wide, she watched as I guided my cock to her slick opening, and gently pressed the head inside. She was so tight, so hot, so fucking wet, I fought the urge to plunge inside her.

"You're so fucking tight ," I rasped, my control slipping by the second.

A soft, surprised gasp gusted from her lips. "I want it. Please , Kian."

That was the only invitation I needed, taking that perfect mouth as I slowly thrust all the way to the hilt. I groaned against her lips, nearly lost in her as I fought for control. I held myself still, allowing her to get used to my size as I watched her face for pain.

A frown puckered her brow, but her walls contracted around my cock, her hips rocking against me. Her hands cupped my cheeks as those brilliant eyes met mine.

"More. I need more," she whispered against my lips, and I gave it to her.

Curling her leg over my hip, I pulled out slowly, her greedy cunt sucking at my cock like her mouth had. Then I thrust forward, burying myself once again.

Her hungry gasp filled my ears as her eyes went half-lidded.

"More, little witch?"

Groaning, she nodded, and I set about fucking her. It wasn't gentle. No, my little witch did not want gentle at all. The harder I thrust, the louder she got, her blunted fingernails digging into my shoulders as she took every single one. I'd thought she was tight, but as her pleasure rose, the walls of her sex only constricted around my cock like a vise.

She was going to come, and if I let her, I'd follow her over the edge.

Too soon.

I pulled out to a moan of protest and flipped her over. Then I brought my hand down on that lush, perfect ass as I climbed onto the bed behind her, loving the way her skin pinked before I thrust back inside.

At this angle, I filled her deep .

Eyes rolling into the back of my head, I set about fucking her in earnest, curling over her back as I took her pleasure for my own.

"Lean down, baby," I growled in her ear, and her chest hit the mattress, the switch in position making her claw at the sheets.

" Ohhh, Kian. Gods, please. Fuck me, please. Please ," she begged, and my control snapped.

Gripping her throat, I nipped at her shoulder, her skin like a drug as my fangs lengthened in my mouth. My claws sprang from my fingertips, my scales raced over my body, and neither of us cared. I pounded into her tight cunt, her screams music to my fucking ears.

"That's it. Come on my cock, Vale. I want to feel it," I ordered, my fangs aching as I fought off the urge to sink them into her skin. " Now! "

My name fell from her lips in a hoarse, ragged cry as her walls fluttered around me, and I couldn't fight it anymore. My fangs sank into her shoulder as pleasure raced up my spine, and then I set out to follow her over the edge with her sweet blood on my tongue.

I'd never felt something so intense, the pleasure and pain melding together in my body. My balls tightened, my cock seemed to get harder, the ache radiating out and then the release hit, washing over me in a wave that threatened to drown me. Bliss flowed through every limb as I clutched Vale to my chest, our heavy breaths mingling.

Sitting back on my heels, I brought her with me, unsure whether I ever would want to be apart from her again. My cock throbbed inside her, my need rising as she melted against my body. Her chest heaved, her breasts flushed from her orgasm, her nipples hardened points as a smile curved her reddened lips.

She was perfection, and I would never get enough.

I wound her braid in my fist, tilting her head back as my hips shifted. "I need you again, oroum di vita ."

My life until death and beyond.

My fated one.

I knew it as soon as she'd screamed at me on that mountaintop. She was mine .

And I'd have to share her at some point, that Fate hadn't given her to just me. And as her hips began to rock in time with mine, I figured I'd be okay with that.

But later.

Right then she was mine .

Only mine.

And I intended to have her.