by Eve Langlais
“How?”
He shrugged. “I don’t know. And I don’t do it often.”
“Why not?” she asked as she kept moving slowly upwards. She used the fact he conversed calmly to keep her own panic under control.
“Because I’d prefer to not go mad like the wizards in the marsh.”
“That’s what makes them crazy?”
He shrugged. “I don’t know. I’m usually too busy taking them out to ask them questions.”
“Can anyone with a Deviant power use that shadow thing as a recharge for their battery?” She tried to pull the root free, but it resisted.
He shook his head. “No, usually it’s quite deadly, which is why I never bothered stationing guards down here. Very few people make it through these tunnels alive.”
“I’ll remember that.” Said most ominously. “Now if you don’t mind, could you help me get down?”
“Are you asking me for help?”
She grumbled, “I swear, if you make me beg, I’ll rip out your spine.”
“Beg? No. But I would like to hear you say please.”
“Please, you asshole.”
He chuckled. “I don’t suppose I’ll get anything better.”
“How has no one killed you yet?”
“Close your eyes.”
She shut them tight rather than ask why. A bright flash of light still illuminated her lids. A moment later she felt herself falling. Not far. Roark was there to catch her.
She landed in his arms, and she opened her eyes to see his face very close to hers.
“Nice catch,” she said, a tad breathlessly, which was odd given she’d not done a thing to exert herself.
“Not that you needed it. I’m sure you would have landed on your feet.”
She would have, but she had to admit it was nice to not have to. The jolt to her knees and spine always sucked.
He seemed in no hurry to put her down and kept staring.
She was the one to look away and squirm. She had to give herself some distance before she closed the gap between their mouths and kissed him. This wasn’t the time or place, but then again, was there ever a good moment?
A root came questing toward her, but not him. She slapped at it.
He laughed.
Whereas she scowled. “Not funny. Why aren’t they bothering you?”
“Because they recognize me.”
Again, not the oddest thing she’d ever heard. “How far to go?”
“To the city, a ways yet, but we’re almost to the surface. So if you’re done talking, time for me to win the bet.”
“Don’t you mean I won? I made it to the tree first.” Or so she assumed given the network of roots dangling underground.
“The actual tree is up there.” He pointed.
When she glanced overhead, she saw a mess of dangling roots of varying lengths, but amidst them, light. “That’s the exit?”
“Yes. The tree is hollow.”
“How do we get out?”
“Very carefully.”
“That’s your advice?”
“Don’t tell me you want me to hold your hand or, better yet, throw you on my back and carry you?”
“You are really tempting me to kill you,” she snarled.
“Don’t tell me you can’t handle a bit of teasing?”
No, she couldn’t, especially since he wasn’t following up with any pleasing. “Teasing is something friends do.”
“Are you saying we’re not friends?”
“I don’t know what we are.” The honest truth.
“I know what I’d like us to be.” He moved closer.
“What?”
He leaned in until his mouth almost brushed hers and said, “Climbing out of here before night falls and the roots start cleaning out the intruders in their lair.”
Of course they were dangerous. Everything was dangerous. “How do we get out?”
“We climb.”
“Climb?” She glanced upwards. “Didn’t you just free me from one of them?”
“Yes.”
She grabbed him by the jacket and yanked him close. “Enough with the games. How do we get out of here without getting eaten or squeezed to death by the tree?”
“By asking me nicely.”
“Please, Your Majesty,” she said sweetly a moment before she hit him.
Chapter 16
He probably deserved the punch to the gut. He’d been intentionally baiting her, mostly because she could handle it. Casey wasn’t one to like being coddled, so he gave her what she said she wanted. And she still got mad.
“Would it help if I said they’re sluggish in bright light?” He formed a ball of it in his hand and used it to look around. While lanterns never survived in this place, the lard he’d left behind— congealed in puddles on the flood—was left alone. He lit it, and the flames emitted a glow.
The roots shivered and retracted.
“I don’t think they liked that,” she said.
“They don’t, so while they’re distracted, we get out.”
“What about the bikes?” she asked.
“I’ll handle the bikes. Watch.” He turned to hers lying on the ground and, with his hands shining with light, grabbed a root and tied it around the frame.
“How’s that help?”
“The tree doesn’t like metal and plastic. It considers it garbage. When night falls and it’s most active, it will clean its den of anything it doesn’t like.”
“Meaning?”
“The bikes will be above ground by morning.”
“In one piece?”
“Hopefully,” he said. He tied his bike securely before eyeing her. “How are you at climbing?”
“Better than your fat ass I’ll bet,” she sassed before she took off running for the closest dangling root. She jumped and, grabbing it, began to climb.
Quickly, too. Meaning she was beating him.
He leaped for his own root and had to move fast, arm over arm. He might have caught up and maybe beaten her if she’d not seen him getting close. She grabbed the lip of the tree trunk, hooked her leg around a different hanging tendril, and dangled upside down. Her braid flopped with her, and her smile was huge as she watched him near. She pulled a knife.
She wouldn’t.
She did. She sliced through his makeshift rope. He didn’t fall far before grabbing another strand.
A good thing he knew she wasn’t trying to kill him. Cheat to win though…that he could respect.
When he emerged from the hollow trunk of the tree into waning daylight, she lay casually stretched on the ground, hand propping her head, smirking as she said, “I can’t wait to brag to my friends that the king made me dinner. Maybe some of that blood gravy you were going on and on about.”
He couldn’t help but smile. “Demanding like a lady, too.”
She rolled and rose to her feet. He ducked before the knife could hit him and laughed. He was still laughing as he dodged the second one. When she would have thrown a third, he grabbed her, her wrists small in his grip. Her irritation emerged in low growl.
“Enough. If you kill me, then I can’t give you your prize. I believe the wager was shelter and food. If my lady will follow me.” He began to move, only to realize she didn’t follow.
Instead she gazed out at the ocean. “It’s so big.”
Her statement reminded him of the first time he’d seen it. “They say you can sail for days and not see any sign of land.” He didn’t mention the sea monsters that made it hard to reach those distant islands.
“In the Wasteland, water is life. We were lucky that for a few years we lived in a place that had a steady supply, but this…” She waved a hand.
“Is proof the world is a huge place.”
“More like proof the world has room for us all,” was her reply. “Which makes me wonder, why? Why is the Enclave so determined to keep the citizens ignorant and locked away?”
“Because if they realized they could have freedom, then
who would serve the Enclave?”
She glanced at him. “The people of Eden are free, and they’re not going anywhere.”
“I don’t demand anything. They make that choice.”
“Somehow I doubt the same would happen in Emerald. The hatred for the Enclave and the domes runs deep.”
“And some of them probably deserve it. But let me ask, if the Emerald leaders were kind to their people, do you think the citizens would be so quick to want to overthrow them?”
She pursed her lips. “Seduce them with kindness.”
“Kindness. Respect. Dignity. And safety. People want rules to follow. Want to know they’ll be treated fairly.”
She snorted. “I highly doubt it’s that simple.”
“Why can’t it be?”
She canted her head. “Because people are selfish.”
“They are,” he agreed, “but even the selfish can accomplish good.”
“The Emerald queen was pure evil.”
“Agreed. But someone like Axel isn’t. He’d have made a good ruler.”
“He doesn’t want it.”
“Which probably makes him an even better choice.”
“Meaning you’re a bad one since you went after your crown.”
“I prefer to see it as being proactive. You should try it.”
“Try what?” she snorted. “Making myself a queen?”
“Making yourself happy is more what I was thinking.”
“I’m happy.”
“Are you?” he asked. “Because I get the impression you’re afraid.”
“Afraid of what?”
“Letting down your guard.”
With those words, he moved away from the hollow bole of the tree, watching for large, jagged stones that jutted from the ground. They’d emerged south of Port City on the bluffs where a thin line of trees edged a deep, impassable chasm that ran to the mountains. Years ago, he’d stared over its edge. The white rapids of rushing water could be seen. Darius had told him to never attempt a swim. The currents would smash even the hardiest iron ship. On the other side was Lazuli, the broken kingdom.
Seeing the landmark he sought, he turned and headed into the woods.
“Where are you going?” she asked.
“You’ll see,” was his enigmatic reply, knowing she’d hate it. He half expected her to tackle him from behind, but he made it to the massive trunk of the tree without a knife in the back. Standing in front of it, he looked up.
She craned beside him. “Is that a house up in the branches?”
“Yes. It’s been here for a while and, given its state when I first found it, has been mostly forgotten.”
“And had we lost, would you have told me it was here?”
“Maybe if you’d asked me nicely,” he said with a grin. “I’ve more good news, too.”
Casey didn’t fawn over the small stream, but they both made good use of it, taking turns watching while the other bathed. They ate rations from their packs rather than hunt.
Returning to the tree house, he didn’t need to point out the handy knobs in the trunk that provided handholds and footholds to climb. In no time, she’d made it to the hatch and flung it open. He set a snare at the base of the tree before following.
When he entered the house, it was to see her examining every nook. There weren’t many. Two rickety chairs lashed together with mismatching rope. A wobbly table. The pile of leaves stuffed into a fabric bag long dried and in need of replenishing.
He didn’t come this way very often anymore. No time.
She glanced at him. “How many hidey holes do you have?”
“A few,” he said with the hint of a smile.
“How safe is it?”
“I’ve never had any issues.”
She prowled the space, a nervous energy filling her.
“What’s wrong?” he asked.
“Nothing.”
A lie, but he allowed it, seating himself and putting his bag on the table. He stripped his boots next and sighed as his feet could breathe.
“Is that a good idea?”
In reply, he also removed his jacket and his shirt. His skin still held a hint of damp from the stream.
She eyed him. Did she even realize she’d licked her lips?
“How far do we have to travel tomorrow?” she asked.
“If we leave early, we’ll make it late afternoon.”
Startlement parted her lips. “What are you doing?”
He couldn’t have said, other than he’d been overwhelmed by a desire that had only been building since their kiss. He reached out and cupped her head.
She didn’t say anything or pull away. He drew her close. Her eyes fluttered shut, and he kissed her.
The soft sigh in his mouth brought heat to his veins. Her mouth parted against his, her breath sweet, her lips plush. He deepened the embrace, letting his tongue slide sinuously along hers, tasting her uniqueness, wanting more.
Her hands slid around his body and pressed into his skin. It seemed only fair he touch her as well. It took only a moment to remove her jacket and shirt. The bandeau on her breasts was a little trickier, and he sucked in a breath when they sprang free, full and beautiful. He cupped them, rolling and pinching her nipples between his fingers. Flipping her around, his lips found the soft skin of her neck while his hands continued to play.
Her breathing hitched, and she gyrated against him, her ass rubbing against his hardening cock. He made a sound against her skin.
She turned herself and pushed at him, and her intent came clear. He sat on the makeshift bed and drew her down with him. They kissed again, hotter and hungrier, the air sizzling and steaming around them.
She shoved him back, and he obeyed her silent command, regarding her through hooded eyes. She dragged her nails down his chest to the waistband of his pants. She unfastened and tugged them down his muscled thighs.
Once she’d removed them, she stood and stripped her own pants off. Her shape was glorious, her slim strength making him growl.
“Come here.”
“Don’t tell me what to do.” She tossed her head, and for a moment, he feared he’d fucked up.
If he had, then he was being punished in the most wonderful way given she nudged his legs apart and knelt between them. What did she think as she stared at his cock? It strained, jutting from his body, aching for her touch.
“You’re bigger than I expected.”
The words to make any man swell with pride. “And you are talking too much.”
She laughed. A true chuckle that lit her features. “Maybe if my mouth were full…”
Surely, she wasn’t implying—
He groaned as she leaned forward, her lips hovering over his dick while her damp braid tumbled over a shoulder and tickled his groin. When she blew on him, moist warm breaths, his hips arched, straining for more. But she didn’t touch it. Not yet. She blew hotly up and down its length. She cupped his balls and kneaded them. Drove him absolutely insane with desire.
“Suck me,” he demanded.
“Not yet,” she teased. “This is for keeping secrets.” She rubbed the moisture at the head of his cock, and he groaned.
“This is cruel.”
“But fun,” she declared before she took his swollen dick into her mouth. She gave him several hard sucks before going down deep. Up and down, deep dips that alternated with wet sucks.
He trembled. How could he not? He also did his best to watch, the sight of her so sexy with her hollowed cheeks and bobbing head. He drew a sharp gasp when she popped him free and spent a moment swirling her tongue around his head before taking him into her mouth again. He shuddered as she deep throated him, her slow pace enough to have him gasping.
And feeling selfish. This shouldn’t be just about him. He’d kissed her because of his need to taste her. A need that now throbbed within.
“Give it to me,” he growled, and in case she didn’t know what he meant, he pushed an image on her. A sensual desire that made her
gasp around his cock.
But she understood and moved until she straddled his face, the lips of her sex hovering over his mouth. He grabbed hold of her and pulled her down. She cried out as he tongued her, running along the slit of her nether lips, tasting the sweetness of her.
He wanted more. He held her close enough to smother, but who needed to breathe when he was in nirvana? He licked her over and over again, and it was a wonder he could function because she returned to sucking him. Her mouth tugging and giving him such intense pleasure.
He flicked his tongue over the button of her sex, teasing it until she began to rock around it, then rubbed it before sucking it between his lips. He felt the moisture seeping from her, soaking him and coating his tongue. She moaned around his cock. He released one thigh only so he could thrust his fingers into her, feeling the wet heat of her clinging to them as he continued to work his tongue on her. She came with a low moan and a shudder that clamped him tight.
Her teeth bit down, not hard enough to hurt, just enough to come. The orgasm intense—for both of them. He could feel it radiating from her as her normal defenses lowered.
Before he could flip her around, and kiss her, the treehouse shook as thunder boomed outside.
It was enough to shatter the moment.
Chapter 17
The crash of thunder reminded Casey where she was and with who. Her brazenness.
Never mind he’d started it. She didn’t stop him. Hadn’t wanted to. But now, with her arousal sated, she pulled away from Roark. She sought out of her clothes, knowing her cheeks burned. Why had she become suddenly conscious of her nudity? It didn’t help she was all too aware of the wet satisfied throb between her legs.
While they dressed in silence, she couldn’t look him in the face. Such an odd thing to feel embarrassment after the intimacy—and pleasure. Yet she knew what they’d done had probably changed things between them. For good or bad? That remained to be seen.
“I’ll take first watch,” she declared, armored once more in garments. She expected him to argue. Waited for him to grab her and draw her close for more hot kisses. Perhaps even a snuggle. Some men liked to be close after sex. Then again, did oral count as sex?
