48. Chapter 48

Chapter 48

A ugust doesn't need to be told twice. He grabs my thighs and stands with one quick motion. He hoists me up, throwing me over his shoulder, and I squeal. I lightly pound on his back and demand he puts me down until he does, near a wooden door with iron plating.

He caresses my cheek. "Through this door, you'll find a hall. Go left. It will take you past the ballroom, but keep going. There is a set of stairs near a statue of Anwir. Take that up to the corner suite and meet me there."

"Anwir? That's an odd choice."

"It's well done and expensive. Anyway, corner suite. Meet me there."

I nod my head and bite my lip. "You're not coming with me?"

"I need a minute." He gestures to his pants. "And we probably don't want to be seen yet. I may have already crossed a line with that dance. Razenna thinks she knows how to get you out of your deal with Luc, but we need to be careful until then. It doesn't look good."

I follow August's instructions down the hall and find the statue of Anwir. August was right. Whoever cut this beautiful white marble statue was truly a master. The god of chaos and mischief stands before me, naked. His rippling muscles, tight curly hair, and judgmental stare are so lifelike, it's as if he could step off the pedestal and return to his fellow gods.

I climb the stairs and find my way to the bedroom, and a couple moments later, the door opens. August waves his hand, and the hearth ignites, casting warm light onto a mahogany bed with ivory linens and an evergreen duvet. A yule tree stands decorated near the bed, and a bearskin lays in front of the hearth.

August grabs both sides of my face, bringing my attention back to him. He kisses me softly this time, and I feel that melting, pulling sensation again. I return his kiss, sliding my hands into the soft curls at the base of his head.

I step back and confusion flashes in his eyes and then excitement as I slide the straps of my dress from my shoulders and shimmy out of it. His eyes slowly take me in as I stand before him in nothing by my lace underwear. He chuckles again at the crown relic around my upper thigh.

I slide it off my leg and place it on a footstool with my purse.

He frantically strips down to his underwear and approaches me. His muscular frame looks even more powerful in the firelight.

His kiss is gentle but quickly changes from sweet and sensual to lustful and ravenous. He spins me around and kisses the side of my neck while brushing my hair up over the opposite shoulder. Lips graze the nape of my neck, his warm breath igniting a fire within my belly. I feel the hardness of his erection pressing into my lower back as he walks me forward towards the bed.

"Bend over." His low voice is almost a growl. I peer over my shoulder at him, and my hands sweat. It's been so long. I'm just as nervous as the first time, maybe even more so. He radiates power and regal authority. This beautiful high lord wants me.

His eyes darken as I blatantly ignore his command. I wonder if anyone has ever dared disobey him.

"I want to feast upon you." He trails his fingers lightly across my bare skin, up my inner thigh, and around the curve of my butt. "Now, bend over." It's definitely a growl this time.

I place my palms upon the bed and arch my back. "Make me," I whisper the words, and his cock twitches once against my backside. He hesitates, and I nod once.

The corner of his mouth ticks up, and he grabs a fist full of my hair. He bends me over, pressing me into the soft linens. Energy charges the air, and I groan as pure magic warms my bare skin.

He stands between my legs and runs his fingers up my inner thighs before caressing my butt. "If you really want me to make you , I need to hear you say it. Tell me you want me."

My breathing intensifies with the flutter in my chest. He presses his hard cock against my cheeks.

"I want you." I breathe the very words I've been trying to deny.

He steps away, and his underwear hits the floor.

"Are you going to call me a good girl again?"

"No." His rough hands grasp both of my butt cheeks and squeezes them. I shift and twist towards my back, but he gives my butt a quick smack. "You're not a good girl. You don't know how to listen. Maybe if you listen, I will."

I lie back down on my stomach. "That's a good start." He rubs two fingers up and down my center slowly.

"My underwear." My voice is breathy, and I squirm. Why is he tormenting me so?

"Fuck your underwear." His voice is deep and heated. The thin strap bites into my hip as August pulls on them, followed by a snap. He rips them away from me and uses them to tie my wrists behind my back. He lowers himself behind me, and I'm practically panting, my breath coming in quick, shallow breaths. "I know you like it when I tie you up. I could sense it every time we were training in the library."

He spreads my cheeks, and I bite the sheets to stifle my moan as his warm, wet tongue slides up and into me. He licks me up and down until I start to whimper. He dips a finger into me and presses his thumb against my asshole. He teases me with it, and I shamelessly arch my back into his hand. Will he press it in? Why does this feel so wrong and so damn good? My whole body heats at his touch and I'm afraid I'd let this male do anything he wants to me.

August stands and slides his hand to my hip, gripping me firmly. I wrap my heels around him as he slides his head up and down my wet center, teasing me. "August," I groan his name. "Please," I beg him.

He grips my hips with both of his hands and presses slightly into me. I cry out and bite the duvet. I forgot how much the first time hurts. The pleasure and pain combination is exhilarating, and I know as soon as he presses through, pure bliss will follow. He stills behind me and gently strokes my back.

"Are you alright? We can stop."

I look over my shoulder at him. The sight of him entering me releases a torrent of butterflies in my stomach and a wave of pleasure throughout my whole being. My muscles reflexively clench around him, and he closes his eyes, releasing a huff of air. I need him. I need this.

"I'll be okay. Just get this part over with."

He nods once and reaches forward, untying my hands. I place one hand by my face, and he blankets it with his own, lacing his fingers through mine. He brushes his thumb over mine with tenderness and comfort.

August grips my hip with his free hand and pushes in slightly, stretching me, and then thrusts his hips sharply. A small yell escapes me, and he squeezes my hand as he pushes himself the rest of the way in.

He slowly thrusts in and out of me, and I feel absolutely feral. Why have I put this off for so long? He picks up the pace, and I moan loudly over the sounds of him smacking into my ass. Oh, gods, I'm already close.

I squeeze around him, and my toes curl. "Don't stop," I beg of him with my whole soul. He obliges and doesn't change his pace. Instead, he slides a hand underneath me and finds my clit again. The air around me charges sharply, and I pull in as I absolutely crumble around him. I half cry and half moan as he rips the orgasm from me.

A wave of pure magic blasts from me, and he doesn't let up his pace, dragging it out even longer. It's torture: pure rapturous torture, and I want more. I bury my face, and my legs quiver around him as he finally slows down his pace, granting me a small reprieve.

I look up, catching my breath and notice the mage lights in the room have gone out. We are illuminated by nothing but the light from the fireplace.

August withdraws from me, and I climb the rest of the way onto the bed shakily. He climbs up behind me and pushes me gently onto my back. "I've not yet had my fill of you." He kisses me and settles his hips between my thighs.

"I want to see your beautiful face." He strokes my cheek, and something in my heart swells. I can't be falling for him already. Before I can even push the thought from my mind, he slides back into me, filling me completely.

His eyes lock with mine, and pleasure consumes me once again. I bite my lip and hold back a moan as he thrusts his hips into me, finding a tension-building rhythm.

"Let me hear you." He's absolutely wrecked me already. I cannot possibly endure another orgasm. The pleasure I feel this time is tinged with a bit of frustration. I run my fingers through his beard, and he turns his head, taking my finger into his warm mouth. His tongue rolls across the pad of my finger as he sucks on it, and I writhe beneath him. I moan for him, and he nips my finger with a growl.

He lowers to his elbows over me and locks hands with mine above my head. His eyes linger on mine, and the sound of our shallow, frantic breath fills the air. It's incredibly intimate, and the feelings that build within me make me wonder if it's possible for me to curse myself.

A loud knocking on the door startles me, and it starts to open. August throws up a shield, slamming it back shut, and thrusts harder.

"August?" Someone calls through the door, but the shield muffles it. August ignores him, thrusting harder and staring into my eyes.

He leans down and kisses me. "I am so fucked," he says, warm breath tickling my neck.

He presses his lips to mine. His pace increases as he kisses me, and he tenses, letting out a stifled groan against my lips. I feel a slight pulsing within me as he slows his pace.

He kisses me on the forehead before pulling out.

"Face the window." His tone is serious, and I immediately sit up with my back to the door. August pulls his underwear on and then opens the door. I hear one, maybe two people enter the room: guards, by the sound of it.

"We heard a woman yell." I'm torn between the urge to look over my shoulder at who has entered the room and the urge to bury myself beneath the covers in shame, but I listen to August, and I sit facing the window.

Large white, chunky snowflakes blow across the window pane as August explains away the sounds of a woman in a moment of passion. The men in the room seem to accept this and retreat from the room, but I hold in place as the door hasn't shut yet.

The door snaps shut. I stand and turn to find Ciaran at the door next to August. His face reddens as he takes in my naked form. His eyes shine in the firelight, and I grip the bed sheets, pulling them to cover myself. My heart quickens, and I'm reminded of the predator that he really is—the predators they both are. I peer at their fangs as they quickly talk to one another in hushed tones. Ciaran glances at me, and August shifts, blocking me from view.

"Just wait outside for a moment."

Ciaran steps back into the hall and closes the door behind him.

"Go ahead and get cleaned up. We need to return to the dance floor. We've been gone long enough already." August points to the bathing chamber, and I shuffle in, sheet wrapped around my middle.

I quickly wash up and return to August's room. He's fully dressed now and holds my dress up for me. I step in, and he holds the straps as I shimmy my hips into place.

"Go ahead and leave the purse and crown. I'm sending Ciaran with them now. He will look for Lydia when he returns. And before you go, I've got something for you." He walks to a trunk next to his bed and opens it. He pulls out two small, plainly wrapped packages.

I open the first small box and find a thin leather strap bracelet with a small green stone tied in the center of it. "I found it on the beach at Mabon. It's your favorite color, right? You often wore green while you stayed with us in Selene."

The idea of him picking up a rock that made him think of me makes me smile. "It is my favorite. Thank you." I open the second box and find a very familiar hairpin; the gold and ruby phoenix hairpin. "I can't accept this. Wasn't this your mothers?"

He folds my hand over it. "It was. I think she'd be happy to know another siren was using it. The gold and black colored stones in it are fallonite. They block compelling magic. When you return to Selene we can get you something more permanent."

This sounds useful. I thank him, and he pulls me into his arms.

"I'm very much looking forward to having you around again." He kisses me once more and gives me simple directions back to the ballroom. I shove the gifts into my dress pocket and inwardly pat myself on the back for asking my seamstress for deep pockets.

The sound of festive orchestra music grows as I walk through the dark hallway towards the ballroom. I walk onto the dance floor and Rosalind's eyes widen on me before they flick towards the hallway I just exited.

I walk up the stairs towards my designated table and mentally prepare myself. Get your shit together, Bronwyn. You've been looking at artwork in the hallways. You haven't been getting your guts gloriously pounded into oblivion. As much as I try, I can't stop the smile from spreading across my face.

I jump as Luc steps into vision, holding a copper mug up to me. "My lovely emissary." He smiles at me and holds up his own copper mug. I can smell the ale on his breath, and the dark circles under his eyes are back.

"You've done so well tonight; quite the performance." He sips from his glass and sits at our table. It's late, and our floor is empty.

"Several guests left after that strange incident. They say an entire wing of the castle is without mage-power. None of the lights or enchantments seem to be working." He points to the dance floor where just a few couples still dance and weave around one another. "See, they're still cleaning up several of the enchanted candles that just suddenly went out and dropped to the floor. Coincidentally, someone used some of my magic a few minutes ago." He lifts a brow at me. Something doesn't feel right.

I take a sip from my mug, and it relaxes me. I glance at the giant yule tree and the sparkling lights on it blur and swirl in an abnormal pattern. I take another drink and shift my focus to Luc. His gaze on me is stern and startles me.

I walk towards our table, suddenly very tired, and stumble. I plop down in my seat.

How am I this drunk? I slowly look down into my copper mug. Why did we switch from the hand-picked yule-themed crystal glasses? These don't seem to fit the theme of Raynor's party.

The shadow of dread flits through me. I was so caught up in my bliss that I was careless. I dip my finger into the cup and pull it out. A vibrant blue liquid clings to my finger. My mind feels sluggish. I know this is a problem, but I feel so far removed that I don't even panic. I stare at my blueish finger as my well depletes, and everything around me fades to black.