by Emma Dean
His eyes were such a deep ruby red, a color she’d never seen before on him, but Mika relished it.
Corbin slid the head of his cock between her legs, letting it rub against her clit and through her folds before coming back to rest right against her entrance. “Nothing and everything,” he murmured, leaning down to kiss the breath from her lungs.
Mika pressed her entire body against his as much as she could, wanting—needing more, but Corbin liked being in control. He liked the slight moan she made as he pushed ever so slightly. It wasn’t enough to penetrate her, but she felt it, felt the way it made her entire body pulse with electricity.
Wrapping one leg around his waist, she used his hip as leverage and lifted her body using every single muscle she’d worked her ass off for, and then wrapped her other leg around him as well. The movement made him slide inside just a little and Corbin bit her bottom lip hard enough to bleed.
She half expected him to scold her or hold her in place to regain control. What she didn’t expect was just how much that one movement would make him lose all sense of humanity.
Corbin released her wrists and grabbed her ass with both hands, thrusting inside her hard. Mika gripped his shoulders and groaned into his neck.
It felt sharp and delicious and filling just like she’d hoped it would.
He held her for a second, giving her time to adjust. Mika kissed his neck and tugged his earlobe with her teeth. “I don’t deserve you.”
Suddenly his hand was around her throat and he held her against the armoire so he could look into her eyes. “Don’t ever say that again,” he growled, eyes so red they were nearly black. “‘Deserve’ has nothing to do with this, with us, and everything to do with want – with choice. I choose you, Mika, because I want to.”
His words sliced through every piece of armor she’d ever erected around herself. It cut through the numbness and the pain until those words wrapped around her heart like a shield.
Tears spilled down her cheeks and all she could do was nod.
They all had free will. They were all choosing her – even if she couldn’t figure out why. They’d proven it time and again, none of them were going anywhere.
Corbin gripped her ass hard, pulling out so he could thrust back in, causing the friction she needed so badly. “Because I love you, too.”
Mika nodded again, holding his gaze the entire time he thrust in and out, picking up speed with each stroke. She was breathing hard, gripping his shoulders as he took her, his hand still on her throat.
It didn’t frighten her, even if he was an assassin. Mika didn’t care. He was a better person than most people out in the world and she would defend him to her dying breath, literally and physically.
Corbin took her hard and fast, and he managed to do it with skill. Her entire body was tingling, and he hit her G spot with every stroke. She grabbed the wrist holding her to the wall, nails digging into his arm as she grew closer and closer.
“Corbin,” she managed, still holding his gaze. Mika wanted to take back some small shred of control, but he held her in such a way it was impossible without his consent.
He leaned forward, his hand still on her throat, but loose and nothing more than a caress at this point. “Let me,” he growled, lifting her up higher, hand squeezing her ass again.
She clenched around him, so close. All Mika could do was hold on as her body seemed to multiply the pleasure over and over until it was all she could feel – his ruby eyes all she could see.
Mika squeezed him with her legs, feeling the pleasure about to explode.
It was too much and her mind demanded she do something.
Her hand snatched out without any conscious thought and she grabbed Corbin’s throat. Mika squeezed slightly as she came hard, his red eyes fading away when her eyes rolled into the back of her head.
She didn’t scream, or cry out, or even say his name. Mika’s eyes flew open and she snarled at him, demanding he come with her in the way he preferred best.
His answering snarl as he came made her entire body shiver in appreciation and Mika watched as he was the one who lost control this time.
When he was shuddering over her, breathing hard, she finally released his throat – feeling an ache in her hand from resisting the urge to squeeze too hard.
Corbin chuckled and let go of her neck, slapping her boots. “These are now officially my favorite shoes of yours.”
Mika wrapped her arms around his neck and laughed. “I can see why.”
He was hot and sweaty and holding her, making absolutely no move to put her down.
Mika licked the sweat from his shoulder to his chin. “Mm, delicious.”
His chuckle rumbled through them both and she gasped when she felt him twitch inside her. His thumb caressed her cheek and Corbin stared at her like he still couldn’t believe she was here, that this had happened.
“Why now?” he asked.
She wiggled slightly, feeling the air on the sweat dripping down her back and between her breasts. “A lot of reasons,” she admitted. “But mostly because I realized how much I love you – how much I need you. It, uh, manifested physically.”
He gripped her tightly and pulled her off the armoire, so she was in his arms in the middle of the basement. “You caught me by surprise. Had I known I would have taken my time.”
Mika snapped her fingers and blankets appeared from that cubby between realms. “I am not disappointed at all,” she told him, kissing the hollow of his throat, and then the tattoo just underneath. “But I will accept round two.”
Without another word, Corbin laid her down on the thick, black fur blankets. Mika smiled up at him, and then flipped him over so he was on his back.
“Like this then?” he asked, one eyebrow raised as he put both arms over his head like he’d done to her.
“I wasn’t going to, but you look particularly divine like that,” she teased, straddling him.
Corbin laughed then, harder than she’d ever heard him laugh before. “I knew you’d be a challenge to keep up with.”
Even without his hands on her, he angled his hips so she could feel he was hard again.
“I doubt it’s going to be much of a challenge.” Mika leaned down and kissed him, letting him slide inside her. His groan was delicious. Everything about him tasted perfect. “I’m pretty sure you have the stamina to keep up.”
“Are you asking me to prove it?” he asked, letting her take control this time.
Mika trailed her fingers over the braids in his mohawk, admiring the trinkets tucked in his hair like the Morrigan had. Then she ran her hand over the shaven sides, following the path of the tattoo that curled around his ear and down his neck into the shoulder tattoo.
“Mm, I think that could be fun,” she murmured. “Who’s going to outlast who?”
His smile made her heart stop and she paused for a moment, taking the time to just look at him. Mika didn’t ever want to forget what this first time with him was like.
“I’m pretty sure this is an unfair game,” Corbin teased, pressing up into her and making her gasp. “Females can have as many orgasms as they want and for as long as they want. Very few males can keep up with that.”
Mika placed her hands on his chest and pushed up into a sitting position. “Maybe, or you could wear me out and I fall asleep before you have to tap out.”
Corbin watched as she rode him slowly, those ruby eyes even more beautiful under the witchlight. “I accept your challenge.”
Before she could respond, Mika was on her back with Corbin’s massive body over her.
“But I can’t win if you’re the one torturing me,” he whispered in her ear, warm lips brushing against her neck.
Mika shivered and her heart raced as she tried to figure out exactly what the raven had planned.
His hand caressed her throat, her breast, and then trailed down her stomach to rest between her legs. Mika gripped his arm as he started rubbing her clit, his mouth over her nipple, sucking hard. T
he dual sensation had her pleasure building hard and fast.
Mika knew he was going to win when he slid two fingers inside her, rubbing her clit just right and making her scream this time. The second orgasm made her entire body convulse and thrash underneath his patient touch.
When he slowed but didn’t stop, she tried to sit up, but Corbin put his weight on her shoulder and Mika couldn’t move. “This isn’t fair,” she said, gasping when Corbin moved to her other breast.
His sharp love bite shouldn’t have felt as good as it did.
“You didn’t set any rules.” Corbin licked the love bite then, still fingering her with patient strokes. “Your mistake.”
She wanted to laugh and strangle him at the same time. “You don’t have anything to prove,” she gasped, arching so her breast was forced into his mouth. “I’m sure you can outlast me.”
His hand stopped and Mika was half relieved, and half disappointed. “Maybe.” Corbin smiled down at her, kissing her softly. “But maybe not. I would like to find out.”
Then he covered her entire body with his, and Mika thought he was going to take her, but he moved downward instead. Corbin used his weight to keep her from taking advantage until he was between her legs.
When he sucked her clit into his mouth, Mika thought she might actually pass out from the intense pleasure. Corbin was gentle though, letting it build slowly and taking his time. Mika was at his mercy and he had every intention of winning.
Her legs were shaking so hard when he licked her from back to front, she couldn’t help but laugh. It was almost ridiculous – until he slid three fingers inside her and licked and sucked her clit unlike anything she’d ever experienced before.
Mika let the orgasm wash through her, unable to fight it or do more than shudder, whispering his name. When he was over her, she felt his hard length inside her again and she held on tight.
Corbin made love to her in the Morrigan’s temple and Mika felt like their first time couldn’t have been more perfect. Somehow this place felt right for them, and Mika watched as he came again.
It was more than she could take, but she kissed his eyelids, his forehead, and then his mouth before hugging him tight. “I think it’s a tie.”
He laughed and rolled them over, so he was on his back with her laying on top of him. Corbin pulled the extra blanket over them both. “Whoever falls asleep first loses.”
“Mm, fair.” Mika sighed and closed her eyes. “You’re going to lose.”
“Maybe.” Corbin’s hand ran up and down her spine soothingly.
Mika should get up and grab her clothes, go back to Oleander House and get cleaned up, but she couldn’t move from this spot even if she wanted to. “I’ll keep your secret, pretty bird.”
He chuckled when she tucked her head under his chin. “I love you, Mika Marshall, even if you did lose.”
It was the last thing she heard before she fell asleep.
17
Her free period in the morning on Mondays and Wednesdays gave Mika the time to start practicing what the witch queens were teaching her. Creating blood beasts was advanced blood magic, and she didn’t think she was ready.
But Mika had the rubies from the matriarch jewels now, as well as the ones she’d inherited from her grandmother and mother. Not all of them had beasts in them, but more than she’d expected.
Aine was the one who’d taught her how to recognize the particular flavor of power that meant something was bound inside a stone, and what that something was. Rubies were easier, but the onyx was a little harder.
Apparently, it was the stone demons had more of an affinity with, which explained why Jessica used them.
“Who else wants to see what’s in these blood stones?” she asked, spreading the rubies out on the same table she’d used to mix the ingredients for Audrey’s naming ceremony.
The roof patio was still warm from the sun. Even at dusk the heat was balmy and humid. Mika couldn’t wait for this northeastern weather to finally fully commit to fall. She hated what the humidity did to her hair.
“I’m in!” Audrey exclaimed, bouncing up and down in her chair with excitement. “Man, I’ve been waiting for you to open these since you found out what they were.”
Ethan considered the various necklaces on the table with apprehension. “I have to admit, I’m curious, but I also don’t think it’s a good idea to open them on campus.”
Lucien shrugged, pulling out a chair and flipping it around before sitting. “I’m game.”
Ethan glanced at Corbin with an eyebrow raised. “Do you think this is a good idea?”
Corbin chuckled. “It doesn’t matter what I think. Mika’s going to do whatever she wants. I’m just here to do damage control.”
Mika rolled her eyes. “You’re both so ridiculous.”
“What about this one?” Malachi asked, tapping the fattest ruby on the most extravagant necklace. “You need to get it to submit to you, right? Maybe the biggest one can help bring the others in line.”
It wasn’t a bad idea, but Mika didn’t know anything about this necklace. She flipped it over and saw the Morrigan’s stamp on the back of the hell-forged iron. “I won’t know how big the beast is until it’s released from its binding.”
“Wait, I thought they were already bound to you,” Audrey said, pulling back from the stones.
“Not exactly,” Mika admitted. “They were created by my blood family so it won’t be as difficult to bind them to me as others will be.” The fattest ruby seemed to glow in the setting sun and reminded Mika of Corbin’s eyes. “But I didn’t create them, so…”
“Er, let me reinforce the circle.” Audrey popped up and walked the border that circled nearly the entire roof. She had the strongest shield magic which was why Mika had asked her to do the circle.
They couldn’t afford to have it loose on campus.
Corbin’s eyes twinkled when he looked at Mika, like this was all going to be chaotic and fun. She supposed for a raven assassin this kind of thing was exciting. Mika couldn’t help smiling back at him, remembering what he’d looked like when she’d woken up next to him this morning.
The raven looked so peaceful in his sleep, but somehow didn’t look soft – even when he was resting.
Mika wondered if the others could tell she’d been physical with Corbin – if there was a change to her scent even after showering.
“Okay, it should hold,” Audrey said, sitting back down. “What should we expect?”
Mika rubbed her thumb over the curved edge of the ruby and considered Aine’s instructions.
Accessing the blood stones was a lot like the crystals, but once they’d been keyed to a new witch, Mika could use a summoning word or a word of power to activate them and they would be hers and hers alone.
“First a ritual to key the stone to me,” she murmured, drawing a pentagram on the wooden table with charcoal chalk. The black lines were thick and clear. Then she started drawing the runes necessary from memory.
One rune for the Marshall clan, one for Mika, one for the stone, and then the rune to bind them together. She got out her witch knife and a quick slice had her blood dripping onto the runes in counterclockwise order.
Then three drops for the stone.
“All right, now to open it.”
Everyone held their breath as Mika whispered the word that would release the creature inside that could slice through enemies like stalks of wheat. She would never forget what she saw them do in the blackthorn’s memory.
Mika felt the power in the ruby unlock, and then something inside woke up.
As she watched, a small creature appeared on top of the stone and Mika squinted, trying to get a better look. Ethan put a hand on her shoulder, holding her back, but he looked just as curious as her.
“What is that?” Audrey asked.
“It’s the ugliest thing I’ve ever seen,” Lucien said, clearly disgusted.
The beast was a little bigger than before and shook itself slightly as if it ha
d fur. But it was completely hairless, with slits for nostrils. They flared as it scented everyone around the table.
Mika held out her hand, the one still dripping blood, and wished this part had more instructions. The beast sniffed her hand as Mika inspected it. It looked like something between a cat, a monster, and some kind of weird alien. She could see the bones pressing against the skin and its red, slick coloring made it look as if it had been skinned alive.
“Now what?” Audrey whispered.
“I’m supposed to bind it to me with my blood.”
But how was she supposed to do that exactly? Aine had said to offer it her blood, and it would become as calm and gentle as a house cat. The one thing she hadn’t explained was how to get the thing to ingest the blood in the first place if it didn’t seem so inclined.
Mika made a face and brought her hand closer to that mouth with so many sharp teeth. The beast was roughly the size of a small dog now and slowly growing without the confines of the stone.
“This thing kind of looks like the monster from that show with the upside down,” Lucien said, peering at it closely.
“Yeah, except it doesn’t have the plant head,” Ethan agreed.
“You two did not watch season three without me and Mika,” Audrey snapped, crossing her arms over her chest, glaring at Lucien and Ethan.
“We had to do something over the summer,” Lucien countered. “It was boring as hell without you guys here.”
“Everyone shut up.” Mika rubbed her hand over the beast’s bony spine, smearing blood against its skin. She tried not to think about the weird sensation – like petting a sea cucumber.
It was a little bit gross if she were being honest.
Then she muttered the binding phrase in Old Gaelic – something along the lines of ‘I’m your new master, your blood is mine, I will protect you forever.’ It sounded way less epic in English.
The beast stared at her and then trilled.
“What the fuck does that mean?” Lucien demanded.
“It’s happy?” Audrey offered.
“Or it wants to eat all of us,” Corbin stated calmly.
