The Warlord

by Gena Showalter

  “I’m sure you did, but it doesn’t matter. I’m immune to poison.”

  “Yes, but which poison?”

  “Every.”

  How was that possible?

  Gaze steady, he glided his hands up her arms. As she struggled to catch her breath, he settled palms against her nape and toyed with locks of her hair. “We can use the time to get to know each other.”

  Seriously, what had brought about his attitude adjustment? “You want to know more about the pre-General you plan to kill?”

  “Why wouldn’t I?” His voice dipped, his lusty smolder intensifying. “I’m fascinated by everything else I’ve learned about her.”

  “You are?” No, she did not just ask that. And so needy, too! What was even happening right now? He was messing with her head, screwing with her plan, and she wanted it to stop. To get them both on the right track—her track—she asked, “What’s a gravita?”

  He jerked and released her, looking to the table. “Let’s talk of more important things while we eat.” With three long strides, he reached the pillows and eased down.

  Subject closed.

  “May I prepare your meal?” he asked, already spooning multiple pineapple rounds onto her plate.

  Now the Commander served her? “You may tell me what’s going on, that’s what you may do.” Taliyah marched over with a huff. “You are Roc-blocking yourself, and you don’t even know it.”

  He blinked and said, “I’d rather you tell me more about your life. I’m willing to exchange information, however.”

  “The big, bad Roc bargains with a lowly bride? I thought I had no leverage,” she quipped.

  He hiked his shoulders, adorably sheepish and utterly unrepentant. “I distinctly remember you finding leverage in my pants.”

  He did not just say that. “Okay, I’ll take the bait. We’ll exchange info.” She kinda sorta wanted to know more about him, too. For the cause...mostly. “Drama queen’s first. What do you want to know about my life?”

  He flicked her a narrowed glance. “Tell me about your hobbies.”

  Easy enough. “I don’t really have hobbies, because I don’t really have downtime. I used to spend my few days off bailing my sisters out of jail, but that’s a chore for their consorts now.” And she wasn’t jealous that the girls had found their other halves. She’d never let herself entertain the idea of a permaguy. Why waste time longing for what you couldn’t have?

  Kaia, who’d grown up to be the cruelest, sweetest sister, paired up with a warrior possessed by the demon of Defeat. Strider couldn’t lose a single battle without suffering for days. Bianka, the wild one, shocked everyone by falling for a by-the-book Sent One of immeasurable power named Lysander. Her youngest sister, the indomitable Gwen, went for warmonger Sabin, keeper of the demon of Doubt. Odd pairings, certainly, but her sisters made it work. They’d never been more satisfied.

  Since meeting Roc, Taliyah had sampled her own satisfaction. There was no denying it. But it was a temporary thing, and it meant nothing. Roc wasn’t her consort. A harpy had to trust her partner enough to sleep in his presence. The day Taliyah slept near Roc was the day she signed up for another beheading. But. Man, she really hated that word. For the first time, she almost saw the...appeal of a consort.

  “Nowadays,” she said, picking up where she’d left off, “I stay busy running interference for my friend Neeka. She’s evading a phoenix king out to gank her.”

  Roc handed her the plate he’d prepared, and she noted he’d chosen the best, most unmutilated slices for her. A surprisingly solicitous and respectful gesture.

  “Shall I kill the phoenix for you?” he asked.

  “What? No! Are you kidding? If I can’t take him out, I don’t deserve to be General. I protect what I love.”

  He tilted his head. “Family and friends are important to you?”

  Hold up. “If you’re about to threaten my family—”

  “You’ll hear no threats from me tonight,” he interjected, all innocence.

  Why no threats tonight? “Is family important to you?” Wait. “Do you even have a family? Besides twenty ex-wives, I mean.”

  Did he flinch at that? “I have two sisters and a brother,” he said, his expression softening. The boyishness from before came into clearer focus. “You’ve crossed paths with my brother, a fellow Astra, as well as a sister.”

  Who... “The witness.” Ahhh. His rebuke during the marriage ceremony suddenly made more sense.

  “I miss her and the other,” he admitted.

  Ugh, what was going on inside Taliyah’s chest all of a sudden, causing some kind of terrible, amazing tightening sensation? Realizing this larger-than-life enforcer might have a gooey candy center inside his hard outer shell? But, but...that was ridiculous! “You don’t get to see them often?”

  “Not nearly as much as I’d like. I see them no more than a handful of times every five hundred years.” He popped a piece of pineapple into his mouth with sensual grace. As he chewed and swallowed, his brow furrowed. “I detect no poison.”

  “So?”

  “So.” He skidded his gaze down her dress, different emotions warring for rights to his face. Incredulity won the battle. “You didn’t poison me, but you did dress up.” A roguish smile grew, making her heart skip. “You’re seducing me.”

  Her cheeks burned. “You believe I’ve thrown in the towel and shifted my objective? No more fighting, only banging to get rid of my virginity? Well, go on. Keep believing it.” He would discover the truth soon enough. “You won’t see my next trick coming.”

  “You don’t want sex. You want an orgasm.”

  Ignore your stinging pride. Don’t mention Hades. Teeth clenched, she asked, “What’s the problem with your family? Are you too busy conquering worlds to visit your sisters?”

  His smile vanished so quickly, she almost felt guilty. “There are few times I’m allowed to see them. The day of my wedding and the day of the sacrifice are guarantees. Any other sightings happen at random.” A hint of sadness crept into his irises, making her chest do that weird tightening thing again.

  “Allowed? You don’t strike me as the type to follow someone else’s orders.”

  “Do you think I’m the first Astra Commander? I once served others. I serve Chaos always.”

  That kind of loyalty was so rare. So precious. How would it feel to be the recipient of Roc’s? “What do you do between weddings?”

  “Hunt Erebus and his phantoms.”

  Reveal nothing. “Your war with Erebus has stretched across the eons. Why haven’t you killed him a second time, if you’re so tough?”

  “I have killed him a second time. And a third. A fourth. He always revives.” Roc arched a brow. “How would you slay him, o great and marvelous pre-General?”

  Good question. How might she murder her own father? “I’d probably start by inviting him to a delicious dinner,” she said, motioning to the pineapple dishes.

  Roc made a pft sound before taking another bite.

  They lapsed into silence for a bit. Not awkward, but not comfortable, either. She watched him, captivated by his movements. Every action served a distinct purpose, his control unwavering.

  As she stared, he blasted intense amounts of heat. The warmer she grew, the more she...tingled. If she could just put a little more pressure on the metal plate...

  The corners of his lips twitched. “Problem, snarpy?”

  He knew his power over her. So irritating! But snarpy? Dude. Neeka had tried to warn her the stupid name would catch on. A crude hand gesture served as her only response, and Roc chuckled outright. Then he shocked her.

  “Ask me nicely, and I’ll remove the belt for a night.” His voice dipped once more, and her pulse spiked.

  Ask an enemy for a boon, even if it was the boon she’d sought? Not just no, but never. He just—Whoa. Hold up
. A startling comprehension dawned. Did he want her to ask him to remove the belt? As sweet as he’d been since entering the bedroom, he clearly wanted something from her.

  Well, then... “What if I want to keep the belt?” she asked. “Maybe I’ve grown to love it.”

  Determination flowed over him, tightening his expression, his chest, fisting his hands yet again. If he’d come here with a game plan, he’d just tweaked it.

  She was in trouble.

  “Well, then,” he rasped, “I suppose I’ll have to do my best to make you hate it.”

  Blink. He was on his feet. Blink. He yanked her body to his. Blink. He eased onto his pillow, pulling her onto his lap.

  She could have resisted. Instead, Taliyah straddled him. If he wanted to help with his own surrender, why complain? “So far, I’m not even feeling mild dislike.” For balance, she rested her hands on his shoulders.

  With a hooded gaze and wicked intent, he readjusted her to press her metal plate against his erection. A puff of air parted her lips, every ache intensifying.

  Maybe if she adjusted just a little...to...the... Stupid chastity belt! The ache worsened more than expected.

  “There. That’s better,” he said with lazy indulgence.

  Get your mind in the game, girl. “Tell me, Roc.” Taliyah leaned closer, letting her lips hover over his. “Do you hope I’ll ask you to remove the belt so you can gloat...or because you’re desperate to finger me?”

  “A man can’t have two reasons?” he asked in a mimic of her. Cupping her backside, he rocked her against him. “I’ll make you come so hard my army will hear your screams. All you have to do is ask me to remove the belt.”

  Do not moan. This was a contest of wills. She’d set out to prove she had the skills to seduce him, and he’d oh, so clearly set out to prove he had the skills to seduce her. Tricky, tricky Astra. Did his poor little Commander pride need assuaging?

  The game played on!

  She brushed the tip of her nose against his. “Roc?”

  His fingers flexed on her. “Yes, Taliyah?”

  “Will you, pretty please, with cherries on top of me...leave the belt on me forever?”

  His pupils did that cool pulsing thing, a galaxy of stars seeming to swim inside their depths. The first time she’d seen it, she’d wondered if it happened due to fury or passion. Now she knew. Passion. Her Astra was intensely aroused...

  He rocked his straining erection against her with more force. “You want me to remove the metal. Admit it.”

  A shot of pleasure momentarily robbed her of sound. Drawing on iron control she’d honed on the battlefield, Taliyah ultimately countered, “You want to remove it. Admit it.”

  “Just for that,” he said, his face almost brutal in the candlelight, “I’ll make you beg for me.”

  Do not squirm. “You’ll try. Others have. All have failed.”

  “I don’t lose battles.” As his gaze held hers, aggression charged the air between them.

  With the gentlest, most shocking of touches, he grazed his hands up her sides and stopped beside her breasts. With his thumbs, he drew lazy circles around her nipples. Both drew tight; the lucky piercing made her ache. “I’ll make you scream my name.”

  Taliyah fought another moan.

  Circle...circle... In the firelight, he was a painting come to life. A fabled king who ruled with an iron fist. And his scent...his scent deepened, becoming richer. He smelled like her most fevered dream. He was temptation made flesh, and she was panting. She must be soaked right now.

  Circle, circle... He picked up speed.

  Goose bumps spread, and she rocked herself against him. “Keep trying. I’m sure I’ll scream sooner or later.”

  He nipped her bottom lip. “You want me to see your breasts. Show them to me.”

  Yes... “I’ll do it because you believe you’ll die if I don’t.” Hands shaking, she unhooked the gown’s collar. The top fell, baring her breasts to his blistering gaze.

  Air hissed between his teeth. “Exquisite.”

  Had any man ever looked at her this way, as if he’d never beheld such beauty? “You want your mouth on me,” she rasped. “Do it.”

  “Yes...because you need me to.” Appearing dazed, he lifted her, placing her piercing at the same level as his mouth. But he didn’t lick. He stared, hard, his entire being promising wild, wicked things.

  Taliyah hovered at the razor’s edge of suspense? Would he? Wouldn’t he?

  Would she stoop to asking?

  “Roc,” she said, as much a command as a complaint.

  “Yes.” At last, he stroked his tongue over the piercing.

  She gasped, inundated by an avalanche of sensation. All the heat, all the wet, all the pleasure.

  When he sucked the distended crest into his mouth, he wrenched a hoarse groan from her. Taliyah was too far gone to care. “Harder.” No mistaking the command this time.

  Releasing a deliciously rumbly sound, he flipped her to her back, splaying her across the pillows and trapping her wings. He pinned her arms overhead with a single hand, positioning himself above her. A warrior without equal. So big he eclipsed the rest of the world, keeping her attention centered on him.

  His breaths turned choppy, his gaze fierce. With lips wet and puffy from suction, he looked wonderfully lewd. He was...what...that scent. What was that? She whimpered. Had anything ever smelled so scrumptious?

  If he smells this good, how good must he taste? Mmm. A sip. Just the tiniest sip... A soul-light glowed from his pores, growing brighter, leaving her dizzy.

  “You snarl and you shout, harpy,” he said with a husky chuckle, “but the right touch makes you mewl like a little kitten.”

  Both the statement and the chuckle dripped with wonder. Slowly she opened her legs to cradle his lower body against hers.

  Upon contact, they both moaned. He was a furnace, his warmth a sublime drug.

  She wanted to kiss him... She needed to feed... Desires warred. “Touch me, Roc.”

  “Yes.” With his free hand, he traced the column of her neck, then her collarbone, leaving a trail of tingling heat.

  “More.” She tilted her head, granting him better access.

  “The things I plan to do to you...” He stroked between her breasts, so tender. Was this how he treated all his lovers? So...irresistibly?

  A flare of jealousy surprised her.

  He kneaded her bare breast, his skin like fire, branding her as surely as the iron. Taliyah reveled, the jealousy torched.

  Rubbing her knees up his legs, she croaked, “Tell me everything you want to do to me...and maybe I’ll let you.”

  “I’ll start with—” He frowned, his gaze glued to the area he’d just touched. His head tilted. His eyes widened. Rearing onto his haunches, he lifted his hand into the light, then did the same to the other. His gaze returned to her, sweeping over every spot he’d caressed.

  Her pulse leaped with confusion. And maybe, just maybe, a pinch of vulnerability. “Roc?”

  Almost crazed, he jumped to his feet. “You... I... Do not leave this room, Taliyah. Do you understand? You will remain in here or you will regret it.”

  “What happened?” Colder by the second—angrier by the second—she eased upright. Fix her gown? Hardly. Let him look at what he wouldn’t be seeing again. Had this been his plan all along? To get her worked up and leave her to suffer?

  He shifted his gaze. “I’ll return in an hour. Two hours. Possibly tomorrow. You’d better be here.” With a final glance at his hands, he stomped from the bedroom, slamming the door behind him.

  Stay here? Screw that! Taliyah jumped to her feet and stormed into the bedroom she’d claimed as her own, where she donned a tank top and shorts. Forget waiting until he fell asleep to visit the Realm of the Forgotten. Something had happened to him, between them, and she needed to kno
w what. Then she would feed.

  Nothing—not even a shockingly sensual Astra—would stop her.

  15

  A jumble of emotions, Roc headed for...somewhere at a clipped pace, his stomping steps seeming to shake the entire palace. He needed to burn off excess energy and fast.

  Taliyah was... She... He hadn’t wanted to believe it when he’d been in the room with her, and he hated to believe it now. But he could not deny the evidence staining his hands.

  He flinched as he brought his palms into the light. A glittery powder coated his skin. Stardust.

  Chaos hadn’t sought to teach him a lesson: the god tried to warn him. Taliyah was his gravita. The woman who challenged him at every turn belonged to him, body and soul. No wonder she’d drawn him so strongly, so quickly.

  Where was he supposed to go from here? How was he supposed to treat her? Ignore her? Enjoy her while he could? Attempt to build an immunity to her charms? Was resisting her appeal an impossibility now that he’d tongued those pretty pink nipples, sucked that piercing and heard her soft cries of pleasure?

  He remembered the advice he’d once offered Solar, when his Commander had faced this very situation. Starve your body, feed your duty. The desire will go away.

  A snarling laugh left Roc. He doubted lust this all-consuming ever faded.

  As he stormed down a winding staircase, he rubbed the spot above his heart. The awful, horrific things he’d done to acquire the missing alevala teased the edge of his mind. Actions he’d taken against Solar and his siren gravita.

  Taliyah must be payback.

  Roc didn’t understand how he’d found her. Why now? Why her? What had broken past his defenses and summoned the stardust to his palms? The sight of her in that slinky black dress? Finally getting his hands on her curves? Conversing with her as equals, enjoying her wit and flavor? The nipple ring? Those wings? Was it the way she melted for him while challenging him?

  Whatever the reason, something had changed for him. The second he’d flipped her onto those pillows and run his hands over silken skin fevered by his touch, he’d simmered with heat like never before. To cool down, he’d needed to overcome more of her chill. To touch more—all—of her. But everywhere his fingers had traveled, a sheen of something glittery remained behind.