Chapter 20

Chapter

Twenty

NYKO

F or fuck's sake! I march toward Wolfe's quarters, a storm brewing in my thoughts. Just spoke with him about being Sage's true mate, about her attack in the Chamber of Rituals, about her power, yet all I can think about is… Are you fucking kidding me? Those two asses are her true mates, and I'm here obsessing over her but get nothing? Well, that's not going to work.

I burst into Wolfe's room without knocking. Killian jolts to his feet, looking like he's been caught jerking off.

"What the hell?" he snaps, glancing at me as I shut the door behind me. "What are you doing here?"

"Wolfe gave me the rundown of what's going on. It's my turn to watch over her."

His shoulders shoot back. "Like fuck it is. I just started."

I smile, calm as shit, strolling across the room. "You want to be exhausted tonight when you take over watching her? That's why I'm here."

He glares at me, and I stop myself from chuckling, attempting to keep my voice low, figuring she's asleep in Wolfe's bedroom. I throw myself down on the couch, feet up on the small table in front, reclining.

"Off you go." I smirk, waving him off.

Killian throws me death glares. "You think I trust you alone with her? Last time we left you in charge of a shipment, it ended up at the bottom of the seabed."

I snort, crossing my arms. "Hey, that wasn't my fault. How was I supposed to know the damn crates were poisoned? And besides, Wolfe needs your help."

Killian's jaw tightens. "What's so important?"

I shrug. "Just some recon. I think with the scouting team, our path to the kingdom is clear. Can't have any surprises, can we?"

"Recon, my ass," Killian mutters, but he's wavering.

I can see it in his eyes. I might be lying about taking over from him as Wolfe's suggestion, but the recon is hand-on-my-heart true.

"Come on, Killian. You know I've got this," I say, leaning forward on the couch, trying to appear nonchalant. "Besides, you could use a break. You're wound tight as hell."

He stares at me, lips thinning. "If anything happens to her?—"

"Yeah, yeah, you'll rip me to shreds," I interrupt, waving a hand dismissively. "I've heard it all before. Now, go. I'll keep her safe." I chuckle. "All under control."

His fists clench and unclench, his eyes darting between me and the bedroom door. Finally, with a muttered curse, he says, "Fine, I've also got a few people to interrogate about the Sylar, so I'll get that done." He shoots me one last warning glare, then strides out of the room, tension radiating off him in waves. "I'll be back."

"Yep, I'm sure you will," I call after him, smirking.

The door closes behind him.

I glance at the bedroom, my heart pounding. Time to check on our little princess.

As I approach her bedroom, I unfurl my shadow, my monster side rippling down my body, feeling like water washing over me. In a flash, I become a complete shadow, slinking forward and slipping under the thin gap beneath the door and into the room.

Sage stirs on the bed, clearly disturbed by Killian's loud insistence on staying behind, though Wolfe had told me he gave her a sleeping tonic to help her sleep soundly. So no surprise, she hasn't woken up yet.

And now she's mine.

I float in as she settles onto her back, her eyes moving behind her eyelids as if she might still be asleep, but I'm too preoccupied with her being completely naked.

My breath hitches, shallow and uneven, as I take in the curves of her round breasts, the thin waist, and the round hips that call me to the patch of hair between her thighs. Fuck, I can smell her in the air, the fragrant perfume that screams berries and sex. My cock pulses, taking shadow form… The soft rise and fall of her chest and the way the sunlight caresses her skin leave me captivated.

My heart slams in my chest, and I close the distance between us. Her body is intoxicating, and it pulls me to her.

It's unbearable, impossible not to touch her. I float over the top of her, inches above her body, staring down at her face. Her features are delicate, her violet hair fanning across the pillow. The same hair that shimmers like a violet flame, catching the faintest glimmer of sunlight.

Her lips, slightly parted with deep breaths, draw my attention.

Those two bastards wanted to keep her to themselves. Otherwise, why not invite me to see if she's my true mate, too? Never mind. Like most things, I'll do it myself.

My hand reaches out, fingers just a whisper away from her cheek. The warmth radiating from her skin is intoxicating. I hover there, torn between the need to touch her and the fear of waking her.

Every detail of her is etched into my mind—the gentle curve of her neck, the delicate lines of her collarbone, her hourglass figure. I drift lower, my gaze traveling down her body, over the gentle slope of her chest, the curve of her hips. The sight is mesmerizing, and I'm powerless to look away.

The urge to touch her becomes overwhelming. At this moment, she is everything, the only thing that matters, and I will not be denied.

Lowering myself, holding my shadow off her body, floating there, my mouth closes around a hardened nipple. I'm not a Shadowfen who can resist temptation. The vibration of her nipple in my mouth shudders through me, and I can't stop the growl that slides over my throat. Drawing her more into my mouth, sucking on her, I crave her sweetness.

She groans, her eyes still closed, her breaths heavy, so I move over to her other nipple, calling for my attention. Fuck, she's beautiful. The sensation of her in my mouth feels as real as skin to skin, even in my shadow form.

Releasing her, I slide lower, positioning myself between her legs, pressing them wider with my hands, slow enough so she doesn't wake.

Arousal hits me at the view of her pink lips, her scent so vibrant it leaves me hard to the point of pain. It's bound to all my senses, and I'm blinded by her beauty, unable to control myself.

Just one kiss.

One taste.

The anguish of pulling back tugs at something inside me. My mind fogs on the ripe scent of her sweet, berry and musky scent. It's something forbidden, something I'll fight to the death to capture.

Never one to waste a perfect moment, I move in closer.

My shadow tongue pushes out past my mouth and licks the full length of her. The arousal from earlier kicks me so hard I'm lost. My cock is so thick as I wrap my lips around her, unable to stop if I wanted to. And fuck, I don't.

Her chest rises and falls quicker, her violet hair shifting over her face as she tilts her head back, unleashing a beautiful moan.

Shudder after shudder of arousal tightens my stomach and my balls. Moisture seeps out, and I lap it up. My muscles tense as I push myself closer, fucking desperate to be inside her.

My hard-as-fuck cock stands upright, and fire sweeps over my body. I admire how beautifully her tits move with each breath she takes. I flatten my tongue, running it between her lips, tasting all of her sweetness while she's heaving for breath now, writhing on the bed.

Fuck, she's stunning, losing control like this. She moans, her legs spreading wider for me. Her body wants me, craves my dick inside her.

Part of me wants her to wake up, almost to have her fight her instincts as I know she would, for me to push her, to show her why she needs me. But it doesn't stop me from devouring her dripping cunt.

She's breathing heavily now, her hips rocking, and I fucking love her against my mouth. I need so much more. My fingers pull at her hole, stretching her just enough for me to draw back to see the small channel gaping for me.

I smile, my dick hardening, my pelvis bucking forward. Shoving my tongue into her, I taste her deeply, my nose pressed to her clit, rubbing her. My hands cup her ass, lifting her to meet me.

Her moans and my grunts tangle together. Those wicked cries on her throat, hands moving to her breasts, squeezing them, hold me captive.

She smells of the most desirable flower in the world. I'm an animal, eating her savagely while her beautiful sounds escalate, her inner thighs, my face, covered in her juices. I need more… Fuck. I can't stop. I'm completely lost and have never felt this way toward anyone.

She has a pull on me that turns me into a savage… Her body tenses, and suddenly, she springs up into a sitting position, a beautiful scream escaping her throat. The sound pierces the quiet room, raw and filled with pleasure.

In an instant, I pull away, fading back into the shadows. My lips curl into a dark smile as I lick them, savoring the taste of her. The shadows embrace me, hiding me from her sight, but I watch her shuddering from her climax, dripping with her excitement, trembling, her chest rising and falling rapidly.

Her eyes dart around the room, almost fearful. She clutches the sheets, drawing them to her chest, closing her legs, and catching her breath. Even in her fright, she's captivating.

Blinking, she sits there curled up, seeming lost. When she finally gets to her feet, I dart through the sliver under the door, already transforming into my human form. I hurl myself onto the couch, noticing my cock is tenting my pants. Just as the door opens, I snatch a cushion, covering my erection. Acting nonchalantly, though my heart races from the encounter, I glance up at her with an innocent smile.

"Hello, sleepy."

She's wrapped in a blanket, her violet hair cascading over her shoulders messily. She startles at seeing me, pausing midstep.

"Where am I?" she asks, glancing around, sleep still tugging at her eyes.

"In Wolfe's quarters. Apparently, you fell asleep after he brought you to orgasm."

She stares at me incredulously, her cheeks flushing a deep crimson. "Oh… and you're here because?"

"Well, since your incident in the ritual chamber, we're going to keep a close eye on you to ensure no one hurts you again. Consider me your protector."

She blinks, clearly processing my words. "That's kind of sweet, I guess, but also a bit restrictive."

I chuckle, leaning back on the couch. "Sweet, huh? I guess that's one way to put it."

"So, what now? We just stay here?"

"Nope," I state, licking my lips, still tasting her in my mouth. "You are going to shower and get changed. I'm certain Wolfe has some clothes for you in there. He's nothing if not beyond organized. I'm taking you out to get something to eat. Plus, I have something I want to show you."

She doesn't move but stares at me, confused.

"Look," I say, softening my tone, "I know this is all overwhelming, but we're here to keep you safe. I promise we won't let anything happen to you. We're going to find out who attacked you and fuck them up."

She wraps the blanket tighter around herself. "And we'll be safe?"

"Trust me. With me, no one would dare lay a finger on you. I have a rather lethal reputation on the vessel. I don't always play nice."

She nods slowly, her stare never leaving mine. There's a flicker of something there—hope, maybe, or curiosity. It's enough for now.

She hurries back into the room where the bathroom awaits. And I'm left behind, lifting my pillow and staring down at my erection tenting my pants…

Fuck, you better go down, and fast.