“I want, more than anything, for you to be my friend first, and lover second. I will do everything in my power to prove it’s more than your body I crave.” He caught her hand, twining his fingers in hers.
“I’m pleased.”
“I want your full trust before I do more than taste your lips. I want your heart, your love, before I claim you as mine.”
Blushing, she looked down at the basket.
“Say something,” he pleaded.
“You have a lot to prove, Endiscott. Your reputation,” she shook her head with a small laugh, “is tarnished.”
“I’ll polish it to a luster for you. Give me a chance to prove myself worthy.”
“No other women for you? How will you survive?”
“A kiss now and again will tide me over until you believe.”
She leaned in and sucked his bottom lip into her mouth before sitting back. “Our supper smells wonderful.”
“I did promise to feed you.” He opened the basket, serving them dinner.
Chapter 2
Several months later…
Endiscott paced his favorite clearing, wringing his hands. Nerves wracked him. By morning, hopefully he would be engaged to the woman who held his heart.
Toryn let out an amused sigh. “Are you really going to ask Jayde to be your bride?”
Elondril shot Endiscott a smirk. “The very minute he has the ring, I’d imagine.”
“Tomorrow. The jewelry smith assured me the ring would be ready in the morning.” Endiscott rubbed his jaw. “I’m nervous. Why in the bloody abyss am I nervous? I spend all the time I can with the woman. Being around Jayde satisfies my needs, on all levels. This is real. We’ll bond the moment we come together as one.”
“Love is a powerful thing, and you are on a path very few nymphs manage to find.” Toryn looked away with a smile.
Endiscott laughed. “Aye, but you’ve never believed in love.”
Toryn shrugged, looking him straight in the eye. “It’s not that I don’t believe in love. However, I doubt there is a person who can hold my attention long enough to form a true bond.” He drew in a breath and grinned. “You, my friend, are meant to be with Jayde. Don’t downplay your connection because I am happy being a free man with no ties.”
Elondril nodded. “Truth. He has never tried to talk you out of Jayde once you set your mind on her.”
“Why would I?” Toryn asked with feigned offense. “Endiscott is happier than I have ever seen him. He hasn’t so much as glanced at the endless stream of women who crave a night with him, after his chance meeting with Jayde.”
“No reason to look. Not a single one compares to my heart’s desire. I’ve been ready to claim Jayde as my mate for months. I’ve already arranged a meeting with Janessa after my appointment at the jeweler. The plan is to be engaged by nightfall tomorrow. As long as she accepts.”
“She will,” Elondril answered.
Toryn nodded. “Good luck, my friend. Let the nerves go, she’ll be yours.”
“I truly hope so.”
Elondril slapped him on the back. “Now go. Prepare. You obviously loathe being away from her.”
* * * *
Saressa stormed through her stony castle. Banished from her family home, her mother accused her of trying to tear the Throne of Flames out from under her brother. It was true. She did indeed try to take the throne. She was older, more powerful, better equipped to lead.
Her mother was convinced she would bring ruin to the Fire and Water Realms by combining them as one.
Wrong, she would strengthen both kingdoms. But first she needed to control both. The Water Realm wasn’t enough. She wanted all the realms, but that possibility hinged on obtaining each piece of the puzzle. Enough of the future had been revealed she could map out every strategic move.
She slammed the door open and found Aeremaius staring out the window in her bedroom. Perfect. I can claim the first now.
“Darling, you came,” she purred as she crossed to him.
His deep, dark eyes latched onto hers. “Saressa, are you finally willing to let me in on your plans?”
A toe or two perhaps, but he was another tool, a pawn, not a partner. She would always remain in control. “Tell me, Rem, what can you offer me?”
“You still want the nymph?”
She couldn’t resist a smile. No lie, she craved the nymph in a way that bordered on obsession. Mainly because he managed to thwart every advance she made. Sooner or later she would lay claim to her prize. Preferably sooner, before he sealed a bond with the young Paineater.
“I told you, he is vital to my plans. I need to keep him away from your obsession’s daughter.”
“Oh, I want to break Janessa. The woman thinks too highly of herself. I want to make her realize her place is to worship me, not deny my every advance.”
He would break his toy before he properly enjoyed her, or took her power. However, Saressa wouldn’t be the one to warn him. “We can help each other obtain our desires.”
“How so?”
“Janessa has pushed Endiscott into properly courting Jayde. He’s spent every available moment with the girl, away from me. I need you to send him to my private lake on the Dark Forest border.”
“It may take some time to arrange.” Remus trailed a finger along her collarbone. “I’m curious, though. How will his defection help me attain my Paineater?”
“With Jayde distraught over losing her intended, Janessa will be busy helping her daughter put herself back together. She’ll be distracted. Consider it a two-for-one deal. You can have both Paineaters and I’ll have my nymph.”
“And if I want you as well?”
“You know how this works, Rem. I’ll fuck you, because I like to play, but you can never truly have me. No one can.”
“You bring me to that edge, between pleasure and pain, which no one else can manage.”
“Because your threshold of punishment is far higher than most.”
“And you do savor drawing every ounce of sensation from me.”
She would, and in the process, test her method of bonding him to her without forging it both ways. The more influential people she could control, the firmer her hold on power would be.
* * * *
Jayde stood at her bedroom window, waiting on Endiscott to walk up the path. Her heart beat excitedly in her chest. He’d gained her trust, his friendship had proven true. His love was bright, tangible. She could feel it roll off him anytime he was in her presence, even from across a ballroom.
The nymph every woman wanted had chosen her.
The brush slid through her hair in soothing strokes, thanks to her mother. “Relax,” she cooed. “He has fallen for you. It’s only a matter of time until he asks for your hand.”
“It’s been months. I wish he would ask already.”
Mother patted her shoulder. “Of course you do. But darling, he is a nymph. I needed to be sure what he feels for you is pure before I grant him my daughter. Nymphs, once they find their other half, won’t stray. But if he simply wanted you for your body, that would never last.”
“You think I may be his true mate?”
“I know so.” Mother pulled the brush through her hair one last time before setting it aside. Then she nodded to the window. “Here he comes.”
Endiscott strolled up the path leading to the house.
“Go. It won’t be long before you can have all of him, forever.”
Her heart fluttered. She turned, hugged her mother, then hurried to the foyer to open the door.
His smile widened, dimples popping. “I missed you every second I was away.”
“Come, let’s walk.” After months of kissing and not much more, she was ready to burst. She needed his hands on her body, his mouth lower than her collarbone, his thick length filling her.
She walked beside him, leading him down the path to the thickest grove on her family’s lands. Ready to throw caution to the wind, she stopped and turned toward him. His s
mile heated, and his eyes darkened.
Unable to resist another moment, she shoved him against a tree and reached for the laces of his buckskin pants.
He groaned low in his throat, sounding torn. “Jayde, I’ll have you properly as soon as our vows seal us.”
“Don’t want to wait. Couldn’t care less about a ceremony. You’re all I want. Now, forever. Please, I will beg.”
His hands delved into her hair before pulling her in for a bruising kiss. Having breached the tightly laced fly, her hand slipped around his thick length and she moaned, hungrily circling her hips against him.
He tore his mouth away and captured her wrists, spinning them to pin her against the trunk, her hands locked above her head in his grasp. “No, not like this.” His chest heaved. “I promised you better. You will have better, even if it kills me.” Endiscott panted. “You’re everything, and I will worship you until the end of eternity.”
The promise seared her, his body tempted her. Yet, she nodded dumbly, lost in the heat of his eyes.
“Soon, so soon.” His thumb caressed her cheek. His words came out a plea. “Little longer, Jayde, just a little longer to wait. I’ll make it worth your while.”
Impossible to deny him. “Can’t survive much more knowing you crave me the way I feel for you, when you won’t relieve this ache in my loins.”
“Love, is that what you feel?” He beamed at her. “Because, Jayde, I love you brighter than a thousand suns burning over the Blazing Reaches.”
“And I love you deeper than the Infinite Sea.”
“Mine, now and always,” he vowed, and her heart thundered in time with his. Endiscott captured her mouth once again, pressing tight.
* * * *
“A’hem,” someone coughed, claiming Endiscott’s tattered attention.
His head jerked toward the sound. A sneer stole across his face when he met Aeremaius’ dark gaze. Endiscott growled, “Leave. Now!”
“Oh, come now. You lost a bet, and you must pay up.”
“And what bet is that?” He released Jayde to turn and stalk toward the slimy bastard.
“Your pants,” Jayde whispered.
He hastily shoved his cock in and yanked the laces tight, tying them in a knot.
“You vowed to bed Lisanna before me. Well, I have news for you, I had her first.”
His brow cranked down. “That was months ago, and of course I didn’t bed Lisanna. I found the other half of my soul. I told you that day, I forfeit. You wait until now to claim your prize?”
“Ah, but I had no need of you until tonight. You will pay.” Aeremaius gave Jayde a dark look and licked his lips.
Endiscott stepped closer, blocking his view of her. “Oh no. You will not lay a hand on Jayde. The stakes were for our actions alone, not the actions of another. I will not allow you to dictate what Jayde does.”
His eyes snapped back to Endiscott’s. “Don’t worry. I have no ill-intentions toward Jayde at present. You, however, I need at the lake bordering the Dark Forest at midnight. Come alone and walk into the waters. You have my oath, Jayde will not have any part of this.” He held out his hand with an evil grin.
Endiscott took his forearm, possibly squeezing too tight, but he hated the man, and didn’t trust him.
Aeremaius’ voice was cold. “I vow, I will be nowhere near your precious Jayde tonight.”
“I’ll be in the waters near the Dark Forest at midnight.”
With the words off his tongue, vines sprouted from his forearm, then separated, winding and twining up Aeremaius’ arm. Wind swirled around them. The vines latched onto Aeremaius, pressing into his flesh, absorbing into his skin as the air rushed into Endiscott’s lungs.
Magic bound them both to do as they’d said.
An evil laugh burst from Remus before he vanished into thin air.
Endiscott knew better than to assume he was alone with Jayde. There was a very good chance Aeremaius lingered, watching.
She shook her head, anger burning in her eyes. “I wish you hadn’t done that. I don’t trust him.”
“Neither do I. Unfortunately, I did bet him. I haven’t touched her, and I wouldn’t now, no matter the circumstance. Even then it was a stupid bet. She’s like a sister.” He rolled his eyes.
She let out a laugh, her eyes twinkling. “Is that so?”
He nodded. “I wanted to keep Aeremaius from going after her. Hoped if I took Lisanna to bed, he would lose interest.”
“He wouldn’t,” she said distastefully. “He still covets my mother, regardless of her obvious disgust. His attempts at seducing her have never stopped.”
“He’ll stay away from you. I won’t ever allow him to harm you.”
Her head dipped as she looped her arm through his. “If I can’t convince you to make love to me now, then I suppose we should move before I attempt seducing you again.”
“I promise, soon you’ll have to fend me off when I try to keep you in bed all day and night for months on end.”
Her eyes lit up. “Oh no, I’ll be urging you to continue.”
Chapter 3
Midnight was moments away. Aeremaius had sent word Endiscott would be in her lake tonight. Initially the scoundrel made it sound like it would be months, which would have been too late. The bond was already forming between Endiscott and Jayde. Much longer and one of them would push the boundaries, sealing their fate and hers.
Endiscott cast a glare over his shoulder as he strode to the water’s edge with fury on his face. He whipped off his shirt and tossed it in the sand, then pulled the laces of his pants before sliding them down his legs. Bending, he pushed off his boots and pants before stomping into the water.
Another piercing glance over his shoulder and a huff escaped his lips. The wind shifted his hair as he stopped. He turned back to the shore.
Silently, Saressa morphed into steam and reformed behind Endiscott with a smile.
He slowly turned back. His eyes darkened with lust even as he backed away. She knew his body reacted to her presence. He always did, but never failed to resist.
Not this time, my love.
She floated closer, wrapping her hands around his wrists. Her control over the water kept her rooted to her spot as she dragged him back to her. She willed the sand beneath his feet to become slippery, easing her pull.
His hard length grazed her stomach, a hot brand. She stared into his eyes, watching the battle between disgust and desire.
“I should go,” he stated in a rough tone. He renewed his efforts to pull his wrists from her hold, but slipped closer in the liquefied sand, his body pressing against hers.
“Stay,” she commanded, infusing the word with a spell.
He fought, oh did he ever. “I’m going,” he insisted, even as his hips rolled against her, seeking friction. As much as he supposedly loved Jayde, he clearly desired Saressa.
Endiscott believed he wanted a meek, respectful woman. She would prove him wrong. Soon, he would forget the girl and fall in love with her.
Pouting, she blinked up at him. “Why won’t you give me a chance, Endiscott? I could make you a king.”
His eyes slammed shut, screwing tight as his head jerked away. Tension rolled off him in waves. She couldn’t blame him for being intimidated, but he’d learn she was everything he wanted and needed. As long as he fell in line, she would reward him greatly for standing by her side.
“Don’t want to be king,” he growled. His hips continued their slow rocking as he didn’t realize how desperately his body craved hers. “Let me go, Saressa. You are not the one I want.”
A cruel smile lifted her lips. “Your body tells a very different story.” She let go of his wrists, set on proving how strong his desire was. Locking her hands on his shoulders, she wrapped her legs around his hips.
His cock slid against her sensitive heat. He ground harder, but didn’t enter her. She needed his release within her body to redirect his bond from Jayde to her.
“Don’t resist.” She grabbed the
back of his neck with one hand, angling his length with the other. His blunt crown delved inside as he shook his head.
Still fighting his body’s need, he grit his teeth. “A night with you isn’t worth the trouble. You are beautiful, no denying that, but I won’t have you.”
He tried to shove her away, but she wove a spell, paralyzing his body while allowing him to experience every sensation. Strangled grunts escaped his lips like a wild beast.
A million ways to torture the girl who enthralled Endiscott rolled through Saressa’s head. She leaned in and whispered against his ear, “Imagine her, your beautiful Paineater. Pretend it’s her body welcoming your seed.”
A whine keened from him. “Free me!”
Too late for that. She would have him. He’d gone so long without sexual release, his body was starved for it.
This one time, and only once, she would resort to Jayde’s guise, and punish Endiscott later. If he were a pawn she wouldn’t mind, but he’d managed to deflect her advances for more than a century. As much as she hated herself for it, she fell in love with the nymph long ago.
A breathless groan, then a moan rumbled through him as she fucked him harder, pushing the pleasure to maddening heights.
His eyes warmed as they opened, finding Jayde before him.
This once and never again will you think you’re with your precious Paineater. I will be the only one you want, no matter what I have to do to burn her from your mind.
His desire came roaring to life and the paralysis snapped. Strong hands gripped her ass with bruising force, moving her body against his. Delicious friction like she’d never felt rolled up her spine. Her hands twined in his hair as she crushed her mouth over his, thrusting her tongue with the same rhythm of his driving cock.
Saressa’s magic flowed out of her, the water spinning around them both, before focusing on him and then seeping straight to his heart. She blocked all others, including his precious Jayde, and connected his soul to hers.
Changing Destiny Page 2
