by Stacy Reid
Desire poured through her like molten lava.
His cock sprang free, long and thick, and she purred in satisfaction. Wanting to see the beauty of him, she lunged and ripped the shirt from his body. A sensually cruel smile curved his lips.
Even now my heart pounds at the thought of you hurt, he growled, the rumble an intimate caress against her mind.
Then he leaned in and fucked into her in one savage stroke. She cried out hoarsely at the biting pleasure-pain. For an instant they both lay unmoving, then he dipped his head and pressed the softest of kisses at the corner of her lips. He fisted her hair in his hands and claimed her mouth. Without releasing her from his devastating assault, his hips snapped and recoiled in a wild, inhibited rhythm. She arched into him, a scream exploding from her and into his mouth. He took her with an unbridled rawness, sinking her hips deep into the bed, sliding her across the mattress. Her beast stirred, wanting to devour, and she bit into his bottom lip, drawing blood. She moaned, violent hunger roaring to the surface.
Ours. Claws burst from her nails, and they punctured the muscles of his back where she clung to him. Lust and blood-thirst hazed her mind. Charka escaped and coated them in darkness. He shifted, pushed her legs back so that her bent knees were pressed into the bed on either side of her shoulders. He withdrew and thrust, hard. Her body flushed with heat, wetness dripped from her core, and she gloried in the delicious stretching of her flesh by his thick cock.
The carnal creature in her stirred. “Harder,” she breathed, undulating, riding his shaft even though she was beneath him.
His hips snapped down hard between her thighs, burning her with the erotic lash of delightful pain. With every touch and deep stroke into her convulsing body, she relinquished more control to Ajali, until she surrendered. He burned her with the raw fire of his lust, and she lost the ability to scream. Desire erupted to devour his taste. Fangs burst from her mouth, and she struck deep into the veins of his throat. He groaned a deep primal sound of lust. She sucked, and blood, hot and spicy, rushed down her throat. Everything was bliss—the decadent flavor of his blood, the icy burn of his Phoenyx—as she consumed a fraction of its fiery essence. The powerful strokes of Ajali’s too thick cock shuttled in and out of her with relentless force.
You are my consort, he whispered, his tone rough, sensual and possessive.
She clamped down on his length, shuddering under the onslaught of pleasure. She splintered in a burst of exquisite flames, and with a roar in her mind, he released inside of her.
He nuzzled her hair, and she sighed in contentment.
If you take another woman my retribution will be etched in Nuria’s history.
He stiffened atop her, and then relaxed with a low, rough chuckle.
Noted, consort.
He pulled from her, and she stifled a moan. She ached all over. He twisted, and she shifted to trace the deep grooves in his back, made from her claws. I hurt you.
They mend even as you touch me.
And they did. Orange flames coated his skin, and she felt the cold touch of his Phoenyx as it healed him.
He gathered her in his arms and flashed with her to an opulent bath chamber. They sank into a massive tub, fashioned with marbles and gems.
She said nothing as he cleaned her, not even when his fingers lingered over the swollen folds of her still soaked sex.
Hunger stirred in him, and she arched a brow. I see rumors of your insatiable appetite are proving to be true.
Intimidated, consort?
She sent laughter to his mind and allowed her charka to leak from her and curled over his hardness. She fisted his length and slid her mouth over his cock. He stumbled, a virulent curse slipping from his lips. He was thick and hard, hot and demanding. Ajali groaned, as she licked beneath the head, before taking him fully again. His hands threaded through her hair, clenching on the strands, then he began to fuck her mouth with smooth, powerful strokes.
“Tehdra.” His voice was gravelly with lust.
She scraped her fangs over his length and gently pierced him at the base. A hoarse rumble erupted from him. His shaft throbbed, pulsed, and he jetted thick streams of his release in her throat. Tehdra hummed in approval.
Ajali pulled her close to his chest, wrapped her into his arms, and it felt natural to relax into his simmering heat.
Do you remember your attack?
I bid my brother farewell, I started to eat…and then they came for me. With my beast buried under the light of the sun, I was unable to scent the poison. Where was I being taken?
His arms tightened around her hips, and she leaned more into his chest.
Your kind betrayed you to the Mevians. A force of a thousand warriors waited in the empty lands to escort you to the dungeons.
Are they all dead?
His chuckle was an intimate stroke in her thoughts.
Not many would ask me that with such obvious relish. Some fled. I identified the grand general of the emperor’s army. I doubt he remained as I unleashed my Phoenyx. After I suppressed my flames only ash remained. I was unable to identify anyone.
She smiled.
I claimed you as my consort as is my right. I have already sent missives to Nuria while you slept, announcing my decision to my kingdom, the Darkage, and to my realm of alliance, Aria.
Tehdra tried to imagine her king’s reaction to such a missive. You wasted no time.
I would have you protected. Mevia now knows you belong to me. Whatever spies they have embedded in my castle will take the news to the emperor.
Pleasure filled her veins. She knew it was not a light decision he’d made. She was hated by his people…but he’d wanted to protect her. A sweet ache filled her chest. I am now bonded with my demon. The dungeon of Mevia would not have been able to hold me once the sun lowered. I can now summon my Dracan to corporeal form.
A hiss of violent approval vibrated from him.
Have you uncovered the spy in your midst?
“My blades investigate, but the betrayer is well-hidden. We suspected poison, and Ruxia questions the servants and all the warriors with access to my wing. We have uncovered nothing thus far. The rooms are cordoned off until we find something.”
She summoned the shadows and, in a blink, they were in his chamber.
She dressed in a simple caftan, and he clothed himself in trousers and a flowing shirt. Tehdra winked, an action she’d learned from the human priest in her kingdom. Ajali’s eyes darkened with lust…and love. Her breath hitched.
Life with you will prove to be…interesting, consort Tehdra.
Follow me, my mate.
Chapter Twenty Five
Ajali flashed with Tehdra to the chamber from where she had been taken. As she entered, she inhaled deeply, and malevolence slithered from her and stroked against his senses. She was different. Harsher. Cruelty edged the slant of her lips and her eyes. The wickedness that lurked was no longer teasing. She wore strength and violent sensuality like a second skin.
Intrigue burned in his gut.
Let’s go.
The mire of darkness cascaded over him, and then he was in the northern wing where his blades dined with his high chancellor, Uriah, his lady, Princess Xian, Lady Sascha and several province rulers.
What do you sense?
The stink of the one that handled the poison.
He’d forgotten a Darkan possessed unparalleled sight and scent.
She allowed the shadows to slip from them, and the laughter and chatter tapered off as the others in the room realized they had entered. Acheron rose, his eyes swirling as he noted the changes in Tehdra.
Ajali blinked as she appeared by the countess’ side. He frowned. The House of Assia was loyal to the realm.
Tehdra drew Sascha from her chair, slamming her onto the table, scattering dishes and food.
The room leapt to t
heir feet on a collective gasp.
“What is the meaning of this, Ajali?” Uriah snapped.
“Ajali!” his high chancellor barked as the many countesses, earls, and dukes received their first look at his Darkan consort.
Her darkness was contained, but there was no doubt she was…more.
Tehdra inhaled from Sascha’s neck as chakra pulsed from her, roiling with menace. “This is the hand that poisoned my food.”
“What?” Lady Shae exclaimed, disbelief heavy in her tone. “Uriah, this…this…thing lies.”
The gaze that Tehdra swung her way was filled with such malevolence that Lady Shae flinched and moved behind Uriah.
Gavyn flashed from the room, and within seconds, returned with Ruxia.
“Ajali,” Lady Sascha gasped, anger distorting her features. “Why are you allowing this barbarian to touch me, a high countess of the realm?”
Sascha surged, gathering fire that lived a short death as Tehdra lifted her with one hand and crashed her into the table once more. Shadowy tentacles gripped her by the throat and held her immobile.
“Stop her, Ajali!” Xian yelled as she drew her swords.
“You draw a weapon to attack my consort, Xian?” he asked with such menace, her eyes widened, and she paled.
He strode further into the room, and ignored Acheron’s pointed stare at his bare feet.
“She speaks madness, Ajali. Jealously has clouded her thinking. She threatened my life because I slept in your bed, and now she plants foul lies against my house. I demand justice,” Lady Sascha shrieked, anger shaking her voice and body.
“Ruxia?” Ajali commanded. He had no doubt of Tehdra’s skill, but with the Serangite’s aid, Lady Sascha’s accusation would hold no sway with the other peers of his realm. They would not be inclined to believe a Darkan over one of their own.
“Truth. She demands justice for the Darkan placing its hands on her.”
“Is there anything else?”
“No, my King. Her barriers are fortified. I cannot access them.” The Serangite sounded surprised.
Claws sprouted from Tehdra’s hands, and she plunged them into Lady Sascha’s thighs, ripping through flesh to bones, then she twisted. Blood gushed, and the countess screamed. Tehdra hummed in apparent pleasure, and a visiting high duchess fainted.
“Her barriers should be weakened now, Serangite.” The menace in his consort’s voice had Ajali smiling.
Ruxia’s eyes flickered as she read Sascha’s thoughts.
“The House of Assia holds no loyalty to the House of Haddin. The Assias’ work with Mevians. As fulfillment of their bargain they are promised rule of the throne. The Assias, Sascha and Ceran, are traitors to the crown.”
Painful silence descended, punctuated by the countess’ pained gasps.
She will die by my hands. Tehdra’s voice was implacable.
“Impossible!” the high chancellor snapped, marching towards Ajali. “Ceran was attacked by traitors.”
Ajali suppressed the burn of betrayal as he sifted through their strategy. “No, he battled with the spy of Nuria I had embedded in Mevia. My spy would have discovered Ceran was a traitor and hastened to tell me. They fought, and he killed our informant. He was badly wounded and crawled to us with his tale. Arrest all in the House of Assia,” Ajali intoned as betrayal sliced through him.
My mate…shall I kill her?
No. She will be tried for her crimes and imprisoned. Leave her to my blades. Come with me.
Tehdra released her.
Then Cadmus lunged and drew Tehdra to his side, placing the sharpest of blades against her neck. Then Julius, another of his blade, aided Lady Sascha and armed her with a double edge sword. A piercing cry echoed from Cadmus, and more than two hundred of Ajali’s deadliest warriors filed into the room, weapons drawn, all willing to die for the house of Assia, Ceran leading them. From the sound of stomping feet outside the doors, hundreds more warriors awaited their command.
This was a coup. The burn of betrayal deepened.
Ceran walked to his sister’s side and examined the wound. “Your whore will pay for harming my sister,” he hissed.
Ajali ignored him, seeking the gazes of Julius and Cadmus. He’d trusted them with his life, his kingdom. “Why?”
“The House of Assia is the rightful ruler of Nuria,” Sascha snarled, hobbling. “I am the firstborn, the rightful heir and I will be Nuria’s queen. I was willing to spread my legs and allow you to fuck me, until you made me your kala. But after months of being in your harem I quickly realized your heart was hardened, and I had no hope of seducing it. The emperor of Mevia recognizes my bloodline legacy, and with their aid, I will claim my rightful inheritance. I have many houses in Nuria loyal to me. We command many from your army, and we have high dukes and duchesses by our side. The Assias will no longer stay in your shadow.”
Ajali strolled further into the room, even as his loyal blades moved to flank him in a protective barrier.
“Are you holding a two thousand year grudge, countess? If I remember correctly, you are only two hundred years old. You were not alive when my house slaughtered your line and took the throne.”
A growl of rage slipped from Lady Sascha.
I will not allow them to hurt you, he said to Tehdra as Cadmus angled the blade deeper across her carotid artery.
She chuckled…aloud. Unholy amusement danced in her eyes.
Do you wish for me to spare the lives of your blades?
A sibilant hiss of darkness overlay her voice.
Ajali met her gaze.
I can feel your Phoenyx stirring, and you are suppressing it because you fear hurting your people.
Before he could answer, she acted. Tehdra spun in Cadmus’s arms, her action allowing his blade to slice her neck open.
A roar of denial slipped from Ajali. His blades followed him in a protective circle as he rushed to her. He jerked to a halt as Cadmus crumbled, blood pooling at his feet. Then Tehdra shifted, facing Lady Sascha and her followers. The gaping wound at Tehdra’s throat was already closing, and her fangs dripped with blood. She had ripped out Cadmus’s throat.
“What in the king’s name is she?” Bastien said softly beside him.
The situation called for anything but amusement, but a smile tugged at Ajali’s lips. She turned her head, and the cruelty stamped on her features was terrifying and beautiful.
“Do not leave your king’s side,” she hissed at his blades, and then darkness descended.
Cries of terror and the clashes of swords filled the massive dining hall.
He flared the power of his flames, burning the darkness.
Acheron inhaled from behind Ajali. “She is magnificent.”
Yes, she was. Faster than they could track, she laid waste to the warriors. Amid swirls of black chakra, she broke bones and incapacitated dozens. Instinctively, Ajali knew she had a tight leash on her demon.
The darkness collapsed.
“Impossible,” his high chancellor choked.
All of the warriors lay on the ground, some unconscious and others groaning in agony.
I leave them alive for a trial.
You disapprove.
She harmed you…they betrayed you, only death will suffice.
Lady Sascha flashed away with a limp Cadmus, Julius and only a handful of warriors.
“Should I retrieve her?” Tehdra asked, gliding over to Ajali, ignoring the bald, fascinated stare of the dukes and countess that remained—the ones displaying their allegiance to his house.
No….
“She will come back and rise against you. With the support of the Mevian emperor, she will feel invincible,” Acheron interjected.
“I know…and that is what I am counting on. I never expected my blades and so many of my warriors to be a part of the plot to take my throne. I ne
ed the countess to amass her army and come for me. Then I will know who is with the House of Haddin and who is with the Assias.’”
The fight for his throne was only beginning.
Tehdra moved with the shadows to his side, wrapping him in it so it appeared as if they disappeared from the dining room. She transported them to the highest turret of his castle.
“You have entered my life at a turbulent time, Tehdra El kyn of the Darkage,” he murmured as they overlooked his kingdom, bathed in ethereal beauty under the stars.
Her laugh rasped inside of him, soothing the sting of betrayal.
I am a warrior and blood letter. I do not scare easily.
He tugged her to his side. War visits Nuria.
No, my mate, war threatens Amagarie.
We must prepare…
We must.
Mevia had to be stopped and their moves blocked at all turns. Traitors to his kingdom needed to be uprooted. Amagarie could not survive another Great War.
I love you, Tehdra.
And I you, my mate. And I you.
The End
Thank you for grabbing a copy of Eternal Flames! If you have not read book one as yet, Eternal Darkness, you can grab a copy here!
When I released book one a few months ago, I received several emails from readers who wanted to know about my future heroes and heroines. I should be releasing at least three more books this year from the series! They will be Lachlan’s and his Serangite whom you met, Acheron and Kismet, and the hunter that had travelled to take Tehdra’s head! There is a high possibility I may also release Gavyn and Xian’s story as a novella!
Feel free to sign up for my newsletter or follow me on Amazon or on Bookbub, to know about my latest releases!
Glossary
Ageni: The order of death placed on a person by the King of their nation if judged a traitor.
Chakra: Life-force used to form mystical techniques by molding and releasing the physical and spiritual energy present in the body—gained from training and experience.
