by Ruby Dixon
All I know is that it all feels amazing.
“You’re mine,” he whispers as I cling to him and try to set pace with his rhythm. He moves so fast that all I can do is hang on to him while he fucks me. As he moves, his hands go back to my hips and then he’s drawing me down with rough strokes even as he spears into me, making each thrust as hard and fierce as he can.
And oh god, it’s so good that it doesn’t take long for that tingle to spiral through my belly. He’s not even rubbing my clit and I feel as if I’m going to come. “Aron,” I pant. “Fuck, Aron, I need—”
“I know,” he murmurs, and then, impossibly, shifts the angle of his thrusts.
I cry out as it rubs something inside me, something white hot and so good that my legs jerk like a puppet’s, and then I’m coming, everything clenching and growing tight as he fucks the hell out of me. He growls low in his throat again, and his thrusts change, becoming hard and rough, and thunder crashes overhead as he comes, burying his face against my throat as I gasp for breath.
We rest against the wall, panting and breathless, until I’m vaguely aware that the insides of my thighs are sticky with come, both his and mine, and I’ve thrown my head back so often that half of my hair feels stuck to the spiderwebs on the wall. Aron lazily kisses my neck, pressing his lips to my pulse. I’m not ready to move yet.
My stomach growls.
Aron chuckles. “Hungry?”
“Always,” I admit.
He leans in and kisses me again, this time softer, gentler, and then he eases his cock out of me, leaving me feeling as hollow as one of those chocolate Easter bunnies. I wonder if anyone would notice if I walked bow-legged back up to our rooms? Probably.
Aron sets me down gently on the ground and my knees wobble, and I have to lean on him for support. This time, he frowns. “You are weak?”
“Aron,” I say, exasperated. “You just fucked the shit out of me. Of course I’m weak in the knees.”
He studies me, as if to reassure himself, and then the look he gives me is definitely post-coital smugness. “I was excellent, wasn’t I? Not rusty at all.”
I roll my eyes. “I’m not giving you a trophy, if that’s what you’re aiming for. Don’t think I’ve forgotten that your other Aspect slept with Yulenna. You’re not as unskilled as you pretend.”
Aron grunts at that and helps me adjust my skirts. “I thought about it for a while, because she holds no interest for me and I tried to understand my other Aspect. Why he would do that.”
“What was the reason, then?”
“The wizard must have wanted her. I—that Aron—would have taken her just to prove he could.”
“Well that sounds dickish.”
“I never said I was a nice man, Faith. Or that I was a just god. I am a god of battle.” He caresses my cheek, gazing at me thoughtfully. “And of storms. That means I have a temper. I rush into decisions. But I will never touch another human, not when I have you. So you need not worry over such things.”
“Oh, I’m not worried.” And I’m not. Aron could have had Yulenna a hundred times over. It doesn’t matter that she’s upstairs messing around with Solat. She’s made it quite clear that she’s here for Aron’s pleasure and no one else’s. As for Aron? He’s pretty much looked at her like he’s looked at the others - as people to be tolerated, not enjoyed. Strangely enough, I’m not threatened. I smile fondly as he carefully pulls my hair free from the spiderwebs on the wall, because even now he’s taking care of me.
“What made you change your mind?” I have to ask. “You said it was a bad idea for us to get together.”
“It is.” He frees the last bit of my hair and then puts an arm around my waist. “It’s a mistake for any warlord to focus on anything but the battle at hand. You are a distraction I don’t need, but I am already lost.” His gaze moves over me possessively. “When I thought the Spidae had sent you home, I realized how much I need you with me if we are going to win.”
My heart gives a painful little squeeze, because I know there’s no winning this. Not the way he thinks. “I want you to be the last Aspect standing.”
“With you at my side.” Aron grins at me.
I try to smile back, though it feels forced. “Can we eat now? I’m starving.”
He pulls me against his side, holding me close against him as he walks. Hell, he’s half carrying me, but I don’t mind. I like leaning against him as we head back up the winding ramp. “There is food back in the bedchamber. We’ll send the others packing and then I will feed you so you’re not weak the next time I take you.”
His hot look promises a very toe-curling taking indeed, and my stomach flutters. Even though I ache in all the right ways, I totally want to do that again. I’m still wet with his seed from a few minutes ago, and I can feel it slicking my pussy and inner thighs when I walk.
I think of the bed upstairs, where I’d slept next to Yulenna. Yeah, they’ll definitely have to find somewhere else to sleep. “Maybe there’s another room the others can set up in.”
He grunts. “No need. We’ll be leaving once I get answers from the Spidae. Tomorrow, hopefully.”
“Tomorrow?” I echo, and I’m suddenly exhausted. I don’t want to leave tomorrow. Suddenly, I don’t want to leave, ever. I want to stay right here, in this creepy, spider-infested tower, because it means I’m here with Aron and the outside world is a billion years away…or at least over the other side of the mountains. Here, we can be left alone.
No wonder the Spidae said I’d request time to relax. Right now, that’s what I want more than anything. I stop walking and turn to Aron. “The Spidae told me where we need to go.” I don’t want to withhold the information from him, because that seems wrong. “I know where we need to go, but Aron, can’t we stay here for a while? Rest? Relax? Enjoy ourselves for a few weeks?”
“Here?” He arches an eyebrow, surprised, and those mismatched eyes study me. “Are you that tired?”
“Yes. No. I mean, if I have to, I can keep up. I’m just so tired of racing from one place to another.” I sigh and lean forward, and he pulls me against him so I can cuddle against his chest. “It seems like ever since I met you, we’ve been running from someone or to someone. Can’t we just relax and take a break for a few weeks? Do you have a deadline? Is there a time you have to be back by?”
I can feel the laughter rumble up in his chest. “A deadline? No. There are some gods who never returned from the last Anticipation. Kassam, the lord of the wild, is still missing. And Tadekha remained here in the mortal realm in her Citadel. You met her.”
Oh, I can’t forget good ol’ Tadekha. “I remember. So this doesn’t have to be done soon?” I look up at him. “I don’t care that this tower is weird. I just want to relax and wake up knowing I don’t have to do anything that day except spend time with you. That sounds like paradise.”
“You have an odd idea of paradise,” he murmurs, and strokes my hair. “Very well. If you want to stay for a while, we will stay.”
“Thank you.”
My stomach growls again, interrupting whatever he was going to say next. Aron chuckles, and presses a hand to my stomach. “We had better feed my anchor before she fades away.”
“God, yes, I’m starving.”
“You have eaten nothing since you awoke?” His tone becomes angry.
“Actually, I cleaned out Solat’s lunch. And dinner,” I admit. “And then I went looking for more. The Spidae gave me a pod but…” I glance around, because I must have dropped it at some point. Probably when Aron crashed into me from the other room.
He shakes his head. “You probably don’t want to see what was inside it.”
No, I probably don’t.
“Come,” Aron says. “We will speak to the others and I will have you fed.”
“You make me sound like one of the mounts,” I mutter. Have me fed, indeed.
“If you mean to imply that you will get ridden, then yes,” Aron says slyly, and I blush for what feels like the first
time in ages.
65
“We’re staying here for a while?” Yulenna echoes, her nose wrinkling slightly as she toys with a bit of meat in her bowl. She’s only picking at her food, which makes me absolutely crazy, because I would totally throw down right about now.
Actually, I am throwing down right about now. Ever since we returned to the others, I’ve been eating. Well, no, first we ushered everyone out of the room so I could quickly clean up with a sponge bath. Once all traces of Aron’s release were washed away, I swiped a fresh cloth over my face and arms, and changed into one of my Novoran gowns.
Then I started eating. I haven’t stopped eating since. The stew bubbling in the fireplace (who knew there was a fireplace? Not me). Hard bread from Novoro. Fruit. Dried meat. Grain cakes. More meat. More fruit. Another helping of stew. I wash it all down with cup after cup of Novoran wine. It seems that while I was recovering-slash-sleeping, the woales and all our supplies were mysteriously retrieved and brought to this side of the lake. That means I don’t have to eat whatever is in the spiderweb-wrapped pods, and for some reason, I’m weirdly thankful for that. So I eat, and eat, while the others pick at their food and listen to Aron’s plans.
“Faith needs to rest. She is tired and I don’t want to risk my anchor.”
I can feel the gaze of the others on me, but I don’t care. I tear off another hunk of bread. “What? We stayed in Novoro for a few days. Why can’t we stay here for a few weeks?”
“Weeks?” Kerren asks, clearly shocked.
“Why is everyone freaking out?”
“This place is not natural,” Yulenna whispers. “We don’t belong here.”
“I know that. But the Spidae said we can stay for a while, so that means we’re safe here. I’m sure there’s another room you guys can set up and—”
“Two rooms,” Aron says. “Yulenna is not sleeping with Faith any longer.”
“I’m not?” Yulenna echoes, blinking her big eyes. “Did I do something wrong?”
A piece of bread lodges in my suddenly dry throat and I cough. Why didn’t I think of this before? Aron and I slept together with Yulenna in the room before, but we weren’t really sleeping together. He was just holding me. Of course she’s going to wonder why things have changed.
“Faith will be sleeping with me,” Aron says firmly, and I blush bright red again. I chug more wine, trying to be cool about things, but everyone stares in my direction. Porn music plays in my head.
“Yeah, we’re doing it,” I admit. Best to get it out in the open. “If you’ve got a problem with that, tough titty.”
Solat laughs. No one else does.
“You are Aron of the Cleaver, Lord of Storms. We serve you in all ways.” Markos bows stiffly. “I will make sure quarters are available for both Yulenna and your remaining men.”
I flinch at that. Is that a jab about Vitar’s death? I haven’t forgotten it. I don’t think I’ll ever forget it. I take another gulp of wine, sad that the mood is so tense. I watch quietly as the others gather their things and leave the room, and then I’m alone at the small table near the fire, the fluttering web curtains falling over the doorway and giving Aron and me privacy.
“They’re not happy,” I murmur as I set down my cup.
“They do not make the decisions. I do.” Aron paces slowly, his hands clasped behind his back. “If you want to stay here for longer, we shall.”
“Do you think it’s a bad idea?”
“No. It will give me time to think, to plan for when I meet my next Aspect. I tried to think ahead in Novoro, but that foolish Lord Secuban would not stop nattering for a moment.” He gives an irritated shake of his head. “At least here it is quiet.”
“Are we safe?” I finally ask. There are a few pieces of fruit left, and I idly pick one up, toying with it and deciding if I want to eat it. I might save it for later, but I could definitely eat it. I flip the round, orange-red fruit in my hands, back and forth. “Here, I mean? There’s spiders and the Spidae, and that thing in the lake—”
“—all guardians controlled by the Spidae. If they do not mind us staying, then we are quite safe. If they wanted us to go, we would know it.” He glances over at me. “You must intrigue them.”
“Me? I thought they were helping you.”
He snorts. “You have seen their method of helping.”
Ugh, he’s right. Hiding me away for two days just to see how Aron would react. Dicks. I can’t imagine what they’re thinking, other than they just like to toy with us. “They did tell me where we’re supposed to go,” I offer. “You’ll never guess.”
“Yshrem?”
I point at him, taking another sip of my wine. “That’s it.” The fruit in my hands smells heavenly, and I’m still a little hungry. I put down my wine cup and sniff the skin, enjoying the tease. I mean, I’m totally going to eat this, but I’ll give it a little foreplay first. “Yshrem. He said you would meet your destiny there.”
Aron nods thoughtfully. “The Cyclopae are warriors dedicated to me, and they conquered Yshrem years ago. I believe their king rules from there now, so it does not surprise me that I will meet my other Aspects on the field of battle before Castle Yshrem’s gates.”
Field of battle? I don’t like the sound of that. “Is it safe to go there?”
“Do you mean, will the people of Yshrem try to kill me as my own priests did back in Aventine?” His lip curls with the memory. “There is only one way to find out, but the Cyclopae king is an honorable warrior.”
“Whereas the prelate was a corrupt asshole looking out for himself. I gotcha.” I nod and nibble on the skin of my fruit. It’s so juicy that a droplet dribbles onto my hand, and I absently lick it up.
Aron watches me, his gaze intent on my actions. For some reason, I immediately think of sex. The way he’s watching me tells me it’s not about the fruit. Not anymore.
Flustered at his intense scrutiny, I try to keep the conversation going. “So you don’t mind staying here until we head out to Yshrem then?”
“Staying in bed with you for a few weeks? It does not seem like such a chore.” He slowly gets to his feet, and his gaze is devouring me.
I feel all fluttery and weak. Does he really want to spend the next few weeks in bed? “You know, for a guy that didn’t want to touch me for the longest time, you’re pretty gung-ho now.”
“I told you.” He stalks toward me, like a predator chasing prey. “I am already lost.”
I watch him, fascinated and breathless. “What are you doing?”
“I find that I need to eat as well,” Aron murmurs.
Confused, I automatically hold out the fruit in my hand. Sure, I’ve taken a bite out of it, but it’s really the only thing left to eat. I’ve cleaned out everything else.
“That’s not what I hunger for, Faith.” And he slides to his knees before my chair, his hands moving to my hips.
I whimper.
With slow, methodical movements, Aron opens the slit of my Novoran wraparound gown and exposes my pussy. He stares down at it for a moment, and I squirm in response. Did I think the way he looked at me before was intense? It’s nothing compared to how he’s looking at me now.
His hands grip my hips and he tugs me forward, ever so slightly. When I remain completely still, he glances up at me, at the uneaten fruit in my hands. “Don’t let me interrupt you. My anchor needs to eat and keep up her strength.”
Oh.
It feels like the world is in slow motion as I put the fruit to my lips and lick away a bead of juice. Even as I do, Aron leans forward, his face moving between my trembling thighs.
And he licks me.
I can’t stop the moan that pours from my throat. This is the first time he’s put his mouth on me, there, and the spark that ripples between us feels like foreplay. I lean back in the chair, panting, as his tongue moves over my folds, dragging over my most sensitive spots, before he sucks lightly on my clit, drawing it into his mouth.
I’m whimpering with full-b
lown lust and need even as I raise the fruit to my lips and take another small bite. My mouth fills with juice as he works my clit, and it’s the most erotic and insanely filthy thing I’ve ever done.
He strokes a finger deep into my core, and I sink my teeth into the red fruit as he does. Instead of thrusting into me, using his finger like he would his cock, he doesn’t move. I’m confused, and in the next moment, I feel it.
Oh fuck. He’s tickling something deep inside me and oh fuck, it’s the most amazing thing I’ve ever felt. My hips surge off the chair and I cry out, the fruit forgotten. It slides out of my grip and slaps wetly on the floor as my hands go to his head. Impatiently, he lifts one of my clamping thighs and pushes it over the arm of the chair, making sure that I remain spread wide for his pleasure.
Because even though this is turning me inside out with ecstasy, I know this is for his pleasure, too. He rubs my G-spot as his mouth moves over my clit, and I’m babbling his name and clutching at his long hair even as he makes me come so hard that it feels like the thunder crashing outside is in my veins. He continues to lick and suck at my clit, finger working inside me as my hips buck with the force of my orgasm. Aron’s determined to wring out every bit of pleasure from me, and it feels like he makes it go on forever, beyond the point of comfort, but he won’t pull away, no matter how many times I tug on his hair or pant his name.
Aron finally listens for my pleas for him to stop, that I can’t possibly come any longer, and lifts his head to give me the most arrogant, most Aron smile ever. “I liked that.”
Oh god. I’m totally going to melt into a puddle at the sight of that smile. “Yeah,” I manage breathlessly. “That was pretty good.”
He arches that scarred eyebrow. “Only pretty good?”
He starts to lower his head again and I squeak, grabbing his hair before he can go down on me again. “W-wait! Wait. I need to catch my breath.”
I love the rumble of his laughter. He merely kisses the inside of my thigh, slides my legs together, and gets to his feet. He takes my hand and pulls me to my feet, then tugs me into his arms and kisses me so hard that I’m left dazed. The taste of my orgasm is all over his mouth, and I find it strangely erotic to taste myself on his tongue. I cling to him as his mouth lazily explores mine, lost in the play of our lips.
