Cantrips: Volume #1: Minor Magics Crafted to Amuse and Entertain

by Joey W. Hill

“Lift your chin higher,” she commanded. “Let me see your desire. I’m going to put the collar over the area I bite you to feed. That way those marks will be part of the scarring pattern. Will you like that?”

  “I like any mark either of you leaves on me,” he said, his voice a determined rasp.

  “Good answer.”

  She lifted the iron. “Hold my gaze, Gideon. Watch it happening.”

  The mirror made that possible, though he preferred to look at the object, not its reflection, because then he could see her, something the mirrors didn’t provide. He wished he could see Daegan, but he was there, body so close, a vivid reminder not only of the physical demands he’d placed upon Gideon earlier, but the emotional ones as well.

  Daegan slid his arm around Gideon’s chest, his other hand curved over his forehead, holding him steady as Anwyn lifted the last set of tongs, the one whose two curved metal pieces were intended to clasp around Gideon’s neck, hold there against the painted blood so he was permanently marked by his vampires. Her hand didn’t waver, and he loved her for it, her understanding of what his soul wanted. Something permanent, that couldn’t be removed. It was too easy for this dog to break his leash. With this, there was nothing to fight. It was there, embedded, his willing submission to them.

  It took all he had not to fight Daegan’s hold, the body’s involuntary and sensible reaction to being burned in a way that would likely be terminal if he was human. He smelled his flesh burning, heard his scream and, after a short blackout, became aware of Daegan still holding him fast. Anwyn had pulled the metal pieces away and dropped the iron back into the fire pit.

  Daegan let him fall forward to his hands and knees, though he stayed kneeling behind Gideon, knee brushing his hip, hand lying in a light caress on the valley of his spine. Gideon breathed hard, working through it, staring at the red, abraded bands around both wrists. D and A. As a vampire hunter, he’d fought for the memory of his lost fiancé. Throughout his life he’d always kept his goal just ahead of him, never attainable. Now the goal was in this room. He’d never expected to end up here, but this was where he wanted to be.

  Anwyn knelt in front of him, lifted his face and brushed her mouth over his, once, twice. Sweet and gentle, where she’d been brutal moments before. Feeling the tremor in her hands, he automatically lifted his to close them over her wrists, though he thought he might be shaking more. “It’s okay,” he said.

  She nodded, eyes luminous, lashes so thick he wanted to kiss them, breathe on them, watch them close and fan her silken cheeks. “The brands will feel better soon,” she said.

  “It feels better now.” He coughed, flinched at the agony to his skin. “Really.”

  “I can tell.” She stroked his brow, his temple, his jaw. He saw her gaze resting on his wrists, then the collar, her attention clinging to it, and it swept through him like heat. He was all hers. The trinity mark did that, but this was something she’d chosen as a Mistress would, and she’d been a Mistress well before she’d been a vampire. The two together made this moment all the more significant.

  He wanted her. Wanted to pleasure her and his Master, while still riding the pain.

  Her lashes lifted, her eyes meeting his. “Please,” he said thickly, and he knew there was a fierceness in his eyes that straddled the line between demand and desire.

  She straightened, slipping the sash of the robe. Somewhere along the way, she’d donned a scrap of bra and a tiny thong panty, thank the lingerie gods. As he watched, the robe pooled around her, and she gracefully folded herself to the floor, then lay back in a supine position before him. Spreading her legs, she teased the crotch of the panties with her long fingered nails, drying up any saliva he had left in his mouth. “Down to your elbows, Gideon. Put your mouth on me and serve your Mistress as you should.”

  The smell of her pussy was nectar. She was aroused, but she’d been aroused for awhile, the heavy musk telling him she’d been worked up well before this minute.

  “You’ve been cheating, cher,” Daegan murmured, proving he was catching it, too. “You’ve been listening in.”

  “There isn’t a woman alive who could resist watching the two of you in that bed,” she said, her lips curving. “And Lady Lyssa will take extra pleasure in her servant, thanks to me sharing that vision. It’s never a bad thing for a vampire queen to feel she owes us a favor.”

  She reached out, tugging on Gideon with impatience. “Now.”

  He dropped to his elbows, ignoring the pain in his wrists as he slid his hands under her, cupping her buttocks to angle her up to his mouth. She had a beautifully shaped ass, firm and soft in all the right ways. It made his cock even more eager, that conflicting message between physical agony and intense arousal. She’d marked him, collared him, they both had, and now they were demanding he serve them as required. It quite frankly made him insanely aroused, no matter how lightheaded he felt or drained from what he’d only recently given Daegan.

  “Drink, Gideon.” The rest of the blood in that chalice was in front of him, and Daegan tipped it, so it ran down over her mound, into the channel and crevices of clit and labia. Anwyn sighed in pleasure, then gasped as Gideon began to clean her and take in the blood at once. She writhed under the stimulation while he suckled, nibbled and licked, and then made a noise of helpless pleasure himself as Daegan’s well-lubricated finger teased the opening of his sore ass. He pushed in slowly, testing that ground, telling Gideon he was going to get well and truly fucked once more, as often as his Master demanded.

  He let go, lost all sense of who he was, pulled into what he was for them entirely. Servicing his Mistress, his Master, the burn of those collar and cuffs on him. It was when he entered this state of pure and perfect service that he didn’t doubt what he was to them. Daegan’s fingers withdrew, the head of his cock replacing them, and Gideon pushed back against him, welcoming him in, flinching only slightly as the flare of Daegan’s broad head pushed through the inner ring of tight muscles, sank deep like a fucking drill.

  The vampire’s satisfied grunt of pleasure, her soft, seductive moans, they sent him spiraling. He worked his mouth over Anwyn, getting every bit of that blood and tasting her honey at the same time. He dug his fingers into her ass, an anchor, as Daegan increased his thrust, bumping Gideon’s mouth up against her, working her clit harder. She was crying out, arching up, arms over her head, scratching at the tile floor, seeking purchase.

  I want you inside her, Gideon. Take her into mindless climax, while I do the same to you.

  He lifted his head as Anwyn’s wild eyes found his. She wanted him to keep going with his mouth, but he understood what Daegan was wanting, and Gideon knew she’d like it as well. Daegan ruled them both when it came to this. That, too, could cause an odd feeling in his chest, and it was one matched by Anwyn; he could tell by the way her gaze fastened on him, her lips moist and eyes bright.

  Shifting, Daegan moved with him, staying in his ass and making Gideon cross-eyed with the friction of that angle. Sliding up her body, Gideon guided his cock into her wet pussy. She arched up to him, her arms banding around his shoulders, forearms making contact with the abraded skin on his throat. He didn’t care. He started to thrust, Daegan’s hold on his hips setting the pace, and he grunted himself, cursed as the vampire worked his cock with devilish knowledge.

  Better get to work, vampire hunter. She will be very displeased if you lose control and come before she does. She’s even more cruel than I am.

  “Well…she’s a girl.” Gideon managed and earned a tight squeeze of her pussy around his cock, a stroke that damn near sent him over. “Jesus.”

  He set his jaw, went the rougher, harder route, knowing she was already pretty hot and worked up. Setting his lips to the quivering pale tops of her breasts over the enticing bra, he licked, finding his way into the cup and to the nipples, squeezing both breasts hard in his large hands.

  “Love your tits,” he murmured, knowing she liked the crude talk at the right times, and this was a right tim
e, if her unintelligible sounds of pleasure meant anything.

  I’ve got you, Gideon. Everything you give is safe with me, remember? Everything.

  He remembered Daegan saying that, and knew they both meant it, especially as Anwyn’s gaze swept back over him at the thought, emotion filling her eyes once more. He meant it, too. They were that perfect trinity, each one caring for the other two, forming a solid triumvirate capable of handling anything, based on the strength of the bonds for each other.

  He stroked inside her, deep, loving the feel of her, the arch of her body, the beauty of it. She was a goddess, an earth bound, blood bound goddess, and he would do anything for her. But, oh, fuck, Daegan was too good at what he did. He’d dug his hands into Gideon’s hips, his thighs flush against him, and Gideon was going to die from the pleasure of it.

  Anwyn let out a cry of release, and Gideon snarled, the frustration of holding back as she spasmed around his cock, but then Daegan’s hand landed on the back of his neck, outlining that collar of flesh as she reached up, even through her climax, and clasped it from the other side, their fingers overlapping, thanks to the size of Daegan’s hand. The pain of it shot through Gideon, pushing his climax back, but the meaning of it, them squeezing down on that collar of ownership, was overwhelming at an even deeper level than a balls-level climax.

  Daegan released then, and Gideon gritted his teeth, bore down on that pain, held onto it even as he reveled in them using him for their pleasure and holding his out of reach until they gave him permission. Just when he thought he couldn’t hold back any longer, the gate to heaven was opened.

  Come for us, Gideon.

  It was in both of their minds, resonating between them. Their fingers tightened on that collar, spiraling him over the edge in a wild jerking intensity, tearing him between overwhelming pleasure and excruciating pain. He came, growling, groaning, cursing. Anwyn caught his mouth with hers, let him cup her head with his hands, dive deep with teeth and tongue. He made another soul-deep sound when her hands left his throat to clasp his wrists, putting her touch on those burns as well.

  As he bucked between them, she milked his cock to the very end and beyond. Daegan kept stroking inside of him. They showed their love of every moment of his helpless, passionate violence, holding him between them, keeping him going and savoring their slave’s reaction.

  He saw that in their minds, that shared delight. Then, at long last, like the aftermath of a summer storm, there was a deep, clean satisfaction as they came back to earth, all twined together. Daegan’s mouth was back on the valley of his spine, and Anwyn was still holding him in her kiss.

  They loved him. It gave his throat that thickness again, because he realized it was the first time he’d really, truly believed it, all the way down to the soul they’d claimed with their third markings. Maybe he wouldn’t hold onto it, maybe it would come and go, because it was an incredible, hard-to-believe thing, but he had it in this moment, and the seed had been planted deep this time. Maybe it would take root, such that one day, none of it would be difficult, accepting this. Accepting their love as a fact, not as something to avoid or push away for fear it wasn’t real. He had their collar, the cuffs, sign of their ownership, and he’d never felt so…right.

  They truly loved and wanted to keep him.

  As long as you don’t start peeing on the carpet and chewing up my very expensive shoes.

  Anwyn chuckled as Daegan sent that thought through their minds. The vampire eased back, catching Gideon’s arms to lift him. “Off your Mistress, Gideon. I want you both in my bed.”

  Gideon rose, and though his legs were shaky as hell, he would have been happy to carry Anwyn. Instead, he was a bit mortified to find the two of them flanking him, guiding him, underscoring how unsteady he felt.

  “You need more blood, love,” Anwyn observed. “We’ll take care of that.”

  He was going to deny it, say they didn’t need to worry about him, but for now he just wanted to be, was floating where words weren’t needed. He was just theirs, to do with as they thought best.

  They took him back to Daegan’s bed. Always before, he and Daegan had put Anwyn in the middle, but tonight, they put him there. Anwyn curled up in his arms, Daegan spooned behind him, brushing his neck with his lips and putting a familiar hand on his ass. Gideon’s cock was nestled against her hip, her leg insinuated between his. Daegan stroked his hair. Gideon felt drowsy, not sure if he’d ever let his guard down so much.

  “I trust you when I sleep, vampire hunter. You can trust me.”

  “You’ll probably…tie me up and shave my head.”

  “I could do that while you’re awake. And listen to you curse me the whole time.”

  “You could try. Anwyn…I taught him to throw a football.”

  “I know.” Her fingers stroked through his hair on the other side as her eyes met Daegan’s over Gideon’s shoulder. “You teach us so many things, Gideon. You always will.”

  A small smile appeared on his firm lips. Anwyn had told him he didn’t smile enough, so he’d work on that. Now that smile stayed, as he let himself fall asleep in the arms of the two vampires he served with all he was, all he would ever be. They’d give him blood in a little while, but for now, there was nothing more he wanted. Not tonight.

  For once, Gideon gave himself to slumber and peace.

  Afterword

  Did you enjoy reading this? Was it a true pleasure to spend time with Joey’s characters? If you feel it was, then she asks that you do one simple thing in support of her future work. Please share that experience with at least one other book-reading friend who hasn’t read her. Or mention her on a Facebook page, at a book club meeting or online forum, on Twitter, in an Amazon or GoodReads review, or wherever you feel comfortable. You, the pleased reader, are the best marketing strategy an author can have. If you do just one of those things to spread the word about her work, she will be very grateful! And thank you again for taking the journey with her characters.

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  About the Author

  Joey W. Hill writes about vampires, mermaids, boardroom executives, cops, witches, angels, housemaids…pretty much wherever her inspiration takes her. She's penned over forty acclaimed titles and six award-winning series, and been awarded the RT Book Reviews Career Achievement Award for Erotica. But she's especially proud and humbled to have the support and enthusiasm of a wonderful, widely diverse readership.

  So why erotic romance? “Writing great erotic romance is all about exploring the true face of who we are – the best and worst - which typically comes out in the most vulnerable moments of sexual intimacy.” She has earned a reputation for writing BDSM romance that not only wins her fans of that genre, but readers who would “never” read BDSM romance. She believes that's because strong, compelling characters are the most important part of her books.

  “Whatever genre you’re writing, if the characters are captivating and sympathetic, the readers are going to want to see what happens to them. That was the defining element of the romances I loved most and which shaped my own writing. Bringing characters together who have numerous emotional obstacles standing in their way, watching them reach a soul-deep understanding of one another through the expression of their darkest sexual needs, and then growing from that understanding into love - that's the kind of sto
ry I love to write."

  Take the plunge with her, and don't hesitate to let her know what you think of her work, good or bad. She thrives on feedback!

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  Also by Joey W. Hill

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  A Mermaid’s Ransom

  Knights of the Board Room Series

  Board Resolution

  Controlled Response

  Honor Bound

  Afterlife

  Hostile Takeover

  Willing Sacrifice

  Soul Rest

  Nature of Desire Series

  Holding the Cards

  Natural Law

  Ice Queen

  Mirror of My Soul

  Mistress of Redemption

  Rough Canvas

  Branded Sanctuary

  Divine Solace

  Worth The Wait

  Naughty Bits Series

  The Lingerie Shop

  Training Session

  Bound To Please

  The Highest Bid

  Naughty Wishes Series

  Part 1: Body

  Part 2: Heart

  Part 3: Mind

  Part 4: Soul

  Vampire Queen Series

  Vampire Queen’s Servant

  Mark of the Vampire Queen

  Vampire’s Claim

  Beloved Vampire

  Vampire Mistress

  Vampire Trinity

  Vampire Instinct

  Bound by the Vampire Queen

  Taken by a Vampire