Warrior's Pain (Cadi Warriors Book 4)

by Stephanie West

  I really should have washed up, Riley huffed as she squirmed, feeling sticky.

  Riley exited the bedroom, found another bathroom, and quickly did her business.

  “He better get me some clothes,” Riley commented as she caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror. All she needed was a whip to go with her knee-high black boots and purple undies, and she’d be the picture-perfect dominatrix.

  Riley was heading back through the sitting room, when the door slid open, and in walked six giant red demons. They were boisterously carrying on until they saw her standing there, like a deer in headlights. The men stopped in their tracks.

  “Here’s the spoils of conquest now,” one Cadi commented.

  “Do you think the general will let us sample his prize?” a longhaired, scarred bastard asked.

  Yep. I really could use that whip, she smirked.

  Riley didn’t appreciate the way the men looked at her. All but one of them stared at her like she was a piece of meat. No doubt they’d all witnessed Cyprian nailing her in the maze of tunnels.

  “Cyprian doesn’t share,” the one decent male stated as he headed for Cyprian’s bedroom.

  The scarred male stalked toward Riley, wearing a lecherous grin. He reached out and ran a finger over her bare shoulder. Riley recoiled. She wasn’t Cyprian’s biggest fan, but he didn’t disgust her like this man did.

  Jesus, I hope that man was right. If Cyprian plans to share me, I’ll kill myself. It’s bad enough being one man’s whore.

  “Adeoda, back off until the general gives you permission. If you hadn’t noticed, his name’s branded on her chest.”

  The scarred man’s hand dropped, but he didn’t back up.

  “I wouldn’t share her if I were him. Look how small she is. We’d probably ruin her in no time,” another male spoke up.

  “Did you see how Cyprian mounted her. She’s probably ruined already.”

  The men chuckled.

  “You want me to stroke your cocks?” Riley asked with mock sincerity. “I’d be happy to. Of course, I’m sure you witnessed what I did to the Ubi, when he let me get my hands on his organ.”

  The demons cringed as they pictured her lopping off their dicks.

  Good. Keep your distance, you sick fuckers.

  “I told you to stay in the bedroom. And you said the slug didn’t touch you,” Cyprian snarled.

  Riley turned around slowly. Cyprian was livid. His eyes were narrowed, as he stared at the group menacingly. The muscle in his jaw was so tense that it stood out. A blood vessel in his neck pulsed rhythmically. For the first time since meeting Cyprian, he was scaring her.

  Maybe I should’ve stayed in the bedroom. He might not want to kill me, but that doesn’t mean he’s above hitting a woman, Riley thought, as she warily eyed Cyprian.

  “Watch your shaft. She grabbed the Ubi’s tongue and lopped it clean off,” a young man warned, as Cyprian wrapped his large hand around her arm.

  “Is everything okay?” the male closest to Cyprian asked.

  “I’ll let you know if it isn’t. See you in the morning, Vintor,” Cyprian snarled.

  Riley had to hustle to keep up, as Cyprian tugged her through the bedroom and into the bathroom. Her heart thudded in her chest as she watched his face, looking for any indication of what Cyprian planned to do to her. Riley couldn’t help but flinch when Cyprian abruptly spun her around, then lifted her onto the counter.

  “I told you to stay in the bedroom. Don’t defy me again.” Cyprian’s deep, angry voice echoed in the small room, as he tugged off her boots.

  Riley glared at Cyprian, her breath heaving out. He wasn’t the only one who was pissed.

  “I’m sick and tired of being threatened,” Riley yelled at the bristling man. “This is such bullshit. You may think I’m your property, and that gives you the right to tell me what to do, but I don’t take orders well.”

  Cyprian’s left brow rose, and his mouth pressed into a thin line, but Riley continued with her rant anyway.

  “What’s more, I’m a grown ass woman. So, when I decided I needed to use the bathroom after all, I found one. And despite what you may think of me, I’m not a moron. I wasn’t going to go wandering outside, or attempt to run away. Where would I go?”

  “I don’t think you are a moron. No, you are a very clever, Little Manx. I knew that the moment I discovered you had cornered the Ubi. However, the only one I trust here, is Vintor. That includes you. You told me the Ubi didn’t touch you,” Cyprian snarled menacingly, as he grabbed both her wrists and began examining her arms.

  “Wrong,” Riley snapped. She didn’t appreciate being called a liar. “I told you, I held my own.”

  “Don’t twist words.”

  “That thing never stabbed me, if that’s what your panties are in a bunch over.”

  Riley attempted to pull free of his grasp, but he held her firm.

  “Forgive me if I don’t believe you,” Cyprian smirked.

  Cyprian grabbed her around the middle and carried her into the running shower.

  “What the hell?” Riley squeaked in surprise.

  Cyprian set Riley on the stone floor, facing the wall. It was unnerving having the intense man at her back. She could feel the heat radiating off him.

  Riley’s breath sped up when Cyprian slipped his fingers beneath the clasp of her wet bra and unhooked it. He pulled the straps down her shoulders and off each arm. Riley could’ve protested, but she didn’t move a muscle, not even to cover her bare breasts.

  Cyprian ran his fingers over her back and down her ribs. Riley shivered as they ghosted along her spine to the waistband of her panties. That he was being so gentle was surprising, given his attitude.

  Cyprian spun Riley to face him. He stood so close, his massive chest filled her vision. He cradled the back of her head, shifting her neck left then right, looking for a stab wound. His fingers paused on the spot where he’d bitten her, before continuing their painfully thorough examination.

  “Does it still hurt?” he gruffed as his fingers ran over the brand of his name.

  Riley quickly shook her head. Cyprian looked so serious as he stared at the mark. The expression was almost more disturbing than the rage she’d witnessed earlier. Riley couldn’t name the confusing mix of emotions she saw reflected in his dark eyes, but they affected her.

  Cyprian’s fingers traced her breasts then lifted them to examine beneath. Riley’s couldn’t help the way her nipples puckered as his warm fingers ran along her sensitive flesh.

  “Who did this to you?” he growled as he grazed her nipple piercings.

  “I did.”

  “You!” He looked at her in shock. “Why?”

  Riley stood with her mouth open, as she debated what to tell him. Did she say that she liked the way they looked? Or did she tell him they brought her pleasure? She certainly wasn’t going to tell Cyprian she occasionally enjoyed a bit of pain.

  “You will answer me when I ask you a question, Little Manx.”

  The demand sent a surge of frustration through Riley. She suddenly remembered this wasn’t a seduction. Cyprian was examining her for the worm’s bite, because he refused to believe her.

  “Why should I tell you? You don’t trust me. Remember? Well the feeling is mutual, asshole.”

  Riley slid under his arm and out of the shower.

  “Put me down,” Riley screeched when she suddenly found herself slung over his shoulder.

  Riley bounced when Cyprian tossed her on the bed. Apparently, he was done being gentle.

  “You will do everything I tell you, when I tell you. Do I make myself clear?” Cyprian snarled.

  “Make me,” Riley growled back.

  The bastard could demand all he wanted. She refused to be a compliant slave.

  “If that is how you want it.”

  When Cyprian walked away, Riley realized how naked he was. His firm ass flexed, and his long, red tail flicked in agitation, as he rummaged through a bag.

  Stop
admiring his ass. You’re angry, Riley reminded herself.

  When Cyprian turned, he was holding a rope.

  “No fucking way,” she snapped.

  Riley scrambled up the bed. Now she really was mad, and freaked out too.

  Cyprian de Praefectus

  Cyprian was already worried Riley was hiding an Ubi puncture wound out of fear or obstinance, then he saw the pieces of metal speared through her nipples. The first time he saw a picture of Riley’s nude body, he’d been angry that someone had tortured her this way. It stunned and disturbed him to learn she’d done this to herself. Cyprian couldn’t understand why the little female would willingly pierce her flesh in such a sensitive place.

  But I will find out.

  As Cyprian was still reeling from the discovery, Riley called him a derogatory name, then evaded him in the shower. He should’ve expected the move, she’d done it to him once before, escaping in the maze.

  Cyprian stormed after Riley, his frustration getting the best of him. She had to learn to obey him. This wasn’t a game. There was a lot at risk.

  Cyprian’s frustration was eclipsed by anger as he thought about the things he’d overheard the smugglers say to Riley. He hated that danger lurked a room away. She should’ve been able to wander the suite unfettered. But that wasn’t the case.

  When Cyprian found himself tying Riley up he realized it was a bad idea. But she was the one who’d tied his hands with her willful behavior. Since Riley refused to mind him, he’d have to make it so she couldn’t disobey.

  His fingers worked from memory. Cyprian hadn’t tied these particular knots since he’d studied under his sire. Cyprian had bound suspects for interrogation more times than he cared to remember. A part of him rebelled at what he was doing, but he didn’t stop till he had Riley restrained.

  Cyprian looked down at Riley and her heaving chest. Even though the rope squeezed her breasts, making them erect, Cyprian knew she could easily breath. He’d never bound a female, but he knew his craft well.

  What Cyprian hadn’t expected, was how erotic the sight would be. Riley’s pierced nipples stood at attention, swollen and pink. The ruddy buds were more tantalizing than he ever recalled nipples being. Maybe it was the contrast of her puckered rosy flesh against the backdrop of her pale breasts.

  Stop staring and check her legs for puncture wounds, Cyprian attempted to shake loose of the compelling sight.

  Riley

  Cyprian lunged for Riley, snagging her ankle. She struggled as he began coiling the rope around her torso in a complex series of knots. The man was a Shibari master, effectively pinning her arms to her sides. The ropes made her breasts stand at attention, her pierced nipples on display.

  Riley’s eyes widened when Cyprian straddled her thighs. She had a clear view of his cock for the first time. Her mouth dropped open at the sight. Cyprian wasn’t just large, he was studded. The series of knots started just behind his thick crown, and extended in concentric circles all the way down his shaft, to a set of heavy, nearly hairless balls.

  Oh, Jesus. Riley took in a ragged breath.

  “You won’t plainly answer my questions, so I’m forced to discover the answers for myself. Not only do I need to know if you were bitten, but now I want to know why you possess these implements of torture.” His fingers ran over the stud in one nipple, drawing her attention away from his anatomy.

  “What do you care?”

  “If you are careless enough to mutilate yourself, then I bet you’d willingly hurt yourself in other ways. I prefer to not have a dead slave on my hands. I went through a lot to get you,” Cyprian growled as he leaned over her.

  “Ah, aren’t you sweet,” Riley retorted. “God forbid your new toy kill herself. Don’t flatter yourself. You’re nothing more than an inconvenient obstacle.” Riley tugged at the ropes as she tried to kick her legs. “A heavy, inconvenient obstacle. You’re putting my legs to sleep, fat ass.”

  Cyprian growled as he shifted off her. He grabbed her legs and wrenched them open.

  “What are you doing?” Riley screamed, as he splayed her thighs.

  “Looking for a puncture wound.”

  Riley’s breath heaved out and her cheeks heated in embarrassment at the compromising position she was trapped in. Riley pulled at her bonds, then grimaced as the ropes bit into her skin. She wanted to swat Cyprian’s hands away, and maybe slap his face as well.

  “Son of a bitch,” Riley growled.

  She clenched her fists in frustration as Cyprian ran his large fingers over her thighs.

  “It would be easier for me to see if you didn’t have all this warrior’s ink,” Cyprian informed her, as he looked at her garter tattoo.

  “You want me to apologize for that too?”

  Cyprian’s brow rose in censure, but he didn’t comment. His finger paused when he reached the triangle of fabric that barely covered her pussy. He shoved it aside and his eyes flew to hers.

  Ah crap.

  Cyprian de Praefectus

  Riley fought and cursed as he examined her legs. He was relieved she hadn’t been stabbed. Although that relief was short lived. Cyprian suddenly found himself in a precarious position, as he knelt between Riley’s splayed legs. Her skin was so incredibly soft and smooth. Cyprian’s fingers flexed, kneading the flesh of Riley’s thighs. Her mouthwatering scent reached his nostrils, making him groan. It was impossible to ignore. It tugged at the bond he created when he bit her.

  Rather than look away, Cyprian’s eyes gravitated to the small scrap of fabric covering her intimate flesh. He could see the shadow of her slit through the useless garment. Cyprian worked to calm his breathing, as his gums itched. He wanted to bite Riley again, to make her soaking wet, then taste the nectar that spilled from her body.

  Cyprian shoved the purple fabric aside, when his curiosity got the best of him.

  What in Kali’s name?

  “Why did you pierce this little button of flesh?” he demanded.

  Riley bit her lip refusing to answer.

  Cyprian’s eyes roved Riley’s intimate flesh. The rounded mound over her pubic bone was covered in short black curls. Cyprian ran the back of his hand over the crop of hair. He liked the way it attempted to hide her modesty.

  Riley’s feminine flesh was guarded by a pair of puffy lips. The pierced button jutted from the top of her cleft. The bar of metal passed vertically through the blushing bead of skin. This eager little button of flesh was new to him. It hinted at what other treasures he might find, when he splayed her intimate folds further, to expose her slit. Riley jumped when Cyprian ran a finger over the piece of metal, and grazed the tip of her swollen nub.

  Cyprian almost choked when he recalled what his friend told him about human females. Not only did they have a pleasure center inside of their sheath but also on the outside.

  Surely this painful adornment doesn’t bring her pleasure.

  Since Riley refused to answer, Cyprian would have to discover the answer for himself.

  “That’s fine, Little Manx, don’t answer me. I was trained as an interrogator. I will learn the answer for myself,” he promised Riley.

  He should leave well enough alone, but instead Cyprian shifted, trapping Riley’s ankles under his calves. His hands were now free to explore her. He tore the scrap of fabric with a flick of his wrist, and tossed it aside. Riley’s eyes flew to his.

  “How dare you,” she screeched.

  Her protest turned to a sharp gasp when his index finger rolled her pink little button, rocking the piercing. He used his other hand to splay the lips of her cleft, exposing her slit. Riley squirmed, but couldn’t close her thighs. As he rolled the pink bead, he noticed how it swelled and turned a delicious deep red hue. At the same time moisture started leaking in a steady stream from her quivering slit.

  Even though Riley bit her lip, he could hear the breathy pants she attempted to repress. Her pupils were also dilated, and her cheeks heated. The gorgeous flush travelled down her chest. Even her bound brea
sts were turning pinker. Cyprian liked the sight of her blunt teeth biting down on her full bottom lip. He felt the lingering sting where she’d bitten him earlier, and wanted to groan.

  “This gives you pleasure, doesn’t it?” he husked.

  Riley glared at him while saying nothing.

  Cyprian was determined to pull the admission out of Riley. Her refusal, tested his patience and stirred the part of him he attempted to repress. His frustration mixed with his building ardor, shoving his better judgment aside.

  “Your body doesn’t lie or withhold the truth,” he informed her.

  Cyprian pressed one index finger into Riley’s wet channel, as the other continued to manipulate her swollen nub. He smiled when Riley’s sheath constricted around his finger in a fluttering motion.

  He licked his lips as the scent of Riley overwhelmed him. He just needed one taste, then he’d release her, even though she hadn’t answered him.

  Just one taste.

  Cyprian swiftly moved, wedging his head between Riley’s open legs. His arms wrapped around her thighs, holding her open. He dipped his tongue into her well, and her sweet flavor exploded on his tongue. Riley bucked but couldn’t evade his marauding mouth.

  Her pants turned into moans when he drew his tongue up the length of her slick cleft and licked her swollen bead of flesh. He sucked the turgid nub into his mouth, and toyed with the metal bar. Her breathy moans turned to gasps when he delved his fingers into her slit and began stroking in time with his assault on her sensitive button. The sexy sounds encouraged him, and he picked up the pace.

  “Oh, oh, oh,” Riley started to chant. Her voice getting deeper and more drawn out with each exclamation.

  Cyprian felt evil as he worked to stimulate both of Riley’s pleasure centers. She was too tempting, squirming beneath him, making such delicious sounds. He could tell the wild little manx was hurling toward a powerful release, and he was eager to experience it. Cyprian had never known a female to be so responsive and wet. The nectar kept spilling from Riley’s body as he fingered her faster and deeper. Cyprian twisted and curled his fingers in her clasping wet channel, while flicking his tongue over her flesh.