Nerves were not something that usually filled me in situations like this, but I had never known the person I was touching before. Most times it was just a name, sometimes not even that.
“We don’t have to do anything you don’t want to do,” Ryder whispered, as he trailed kisses along the insides of my thigh, “and I don’t want to have sex with you for the first time in a public bathroom. But I’m down for anything else…”
It shouldn’t have been romantic for him to say that, but my throat tightened and the butterflies in my stomach were dancing along to the faint sounds of the bathroom’s music.
“Well, I kind of owe you one anyway, the last time we did this you never got a thing.” I leant forward, slowly running my fingers through his hair and down his back, where another tattoo of a sword sat upon his pale skin.
“Nah, you don’t owe me shit. I was an asshole to you beforehand, and I don’t keep score.”
As if to prove his point his teeth dug into my flesh, nipping along a trail of fire all the way up to my centre. Ryder paused, kissing me gently over the thin material that separated us and sending a ripple of pleasure up along my spine.
“Well then, I guess we should hurry up, so nobody notices us gone…”
“You’re right,” He tugged my thong aside, “keep your eyes open baby, I want to see you enjoy yourself.” I barely had time to nod before he kissed me once more – and not on my mouth.
There was no way to describe how it felt having Ryder between my thighs without being entirely vulgar. But it was safe to say it was damn good. His tongue was rough and hard, his pace steady and right. I found myself slipping down against his body and leaving half-moon imprints of my nails on his shoulders as I moaned and shuddered against his heady touch.
Sex was usually a little awkward with someone you didn’t know. Neither of you knew how each other worked, and what specific tastes you had. But that didn’t seem to apply with us, as I didn’t have a single complaint about Ryder at all.
“Non fermarti. Oh cazzo. Ti prego, non fermarti.” Don't stop. Oh fuck. Please don't stop.
I moaned into my shoulder, trying not to be too loud for any listening ears. But Ryder chuckled at the words he didn’t understand, and only made me swear louder as his movements vibrated against me, sending me spiralling over the edge with a scream I had to bite down. I panted against the wall, refusing to budge the sharp grip of my fingers until my heart rate well and truly settled.
Ryder never complained. He stayed down there, gently kissing along my thighs once more, and leaving a single love bite right up against my hip bone, on top of a strawberry shaped tattoo.
“Ow.” I laughed, smacking him away playfully.
“Sorry; you’re just so tasty.” He grinned, flashing his pearly whites. “You taste like berries.”
I was a little shaky, my legs still seeming to tremble with the aftershocks of orgasm, but I climbed gently to my feet, making Ryder swap places with me with a dirty smile.
“Keep your eyes on me baby, I want to see you enjoy yourself.” I mimicked his own words back as I undone his belt and yanked his jeans and boxers over his hips in one fell swoop.
I had never understood it when people said male genitalia was good to look at. Don’t get me wrong, there was nothing inherently wrong about body parts that made people who they were, but I just never got it when people looked down and got excited at the idea of shoving a cock into their mouth. Especially when it was rather large in size like the one I was dealing with.
But now that I was bent over, kissing along Ryder’s bare thighs, and nipping him with my teeth, I kind of got the whole excitement. The gasps and moans that left his mouth as I took him in my hand were nice to hear, but the second my mouth came down upon him he began to curse so good it was hard not to enjoy myself; who didn’t like being told they were the best fucking thing in the world?
Ryder tasted like lemons, a flavour I had grown to associate with him already. I swirled my tongue around him, trying not to get over excited and accidentally use too much of my teeth. Guys were a lot easier to pleasure than girls, all I had to do was slowly bring my mouth up and down as deep as I could, and pretty soon I would achieve my goal.
Ryder didn’t need any fancy tricks or – heaven forbid – an ability to take a dick right to the back of my throat without gagging just a touch. A steady pace of up and down with the tiniest bit of tongue was enough.
“Fuck me baby,” he purred, knotting his hands in my hair, and holding me tight, “you feel so good.”
I hummed appreciation, always happy for a compliment, and Ryder began to push himself against me in response. It was kind of nice letting him fuck my mouth instead of me putting in all the effort; it saved me a bout of lockjaw once we were done. Plus, I didn’t totally hate the way he pulled my hair and whispered sweet words to me. Not that I would ever admit that.
But I couldn’t let Ryder take all the credit, so when I could feel him upping the pace, close enough to his release that it wouldn’t take me long, I held him down a little and took over once more. A couple bobs of my head and a squeeze of my hand, and he was putty underneath me. Ryder groaned my name as he finished in my mouth, allowing me enough time to swallow and retreat for some much-needed water. It was thirsty business sucking dick.
Neither of us spoke for a few minutes, both too busy using some of the complimentary mouthwash and letting our hammering heartrates return to some semblance of normal.
“That was really… fun.” Ryder muttered, as he fixed his clothes and chucked me my skirt. “But I’m afraid we do need to go pick you a Guard.” He grimaced at the idea.
I dressed too and wiped away the last of my lipstick, so I didn’t look like a clown. Most of it was now situated around Ryder’s now so I could hardly complain.
“Do I really need one? The only Guard I like is you so I don’t see why I should go out there and pretend to find someone. Can’t we just hang out?” I offered, wondering if he would indeed like to stick around now that we were done.
“I’d love to hang out with you,” he began nervously, “and I’m not sorry I’m the only Guard you like.”
I stuttered my reply, not expecting the eager acceptance, or Ryder wrapping his hand round mine until our fingers were entwined.
“I told you I was done being a dick; I have no intention of going anywhere so long as you want me.” He said, tugging me close enough for a hug. “And if you really do want me, then maybe you could possibly consider the idea of having me as your Guard?
I didn’t hug people often, so it was rather nice. His chest was strong and his presence comforting me far more than words ever could. But I hadn’t been expecting his question, and so the hug was ended far too quick as I replied.
“I didn’t know you could be my Guard.” I had joked to Kaida I was going to pick him, but I hadn’t been serious.
“It’s probably going to get me in trouble with my family,” he muttered, “but I don’t care. I want you to know how serious I’m going to be from now on. Plus, I don’t like the idea of you bonding yourself like that to another dude.”
Is he jealous?! I happily accepted his offer, the idea of him being jealous making me beam a little too much.
“We can’t tell anyone about us though; not even my sisters.” I whispered, running my fingers across Ryder’s sharp jaw as the wide grin refused to leave his face.
“I know, we have to be careful. At least until my time as a professor is up, and there is less drama with your crown.”
I didn’t bother mentioning he had said my crown.
“In that case though, all you need to do is ask me officially…” Ryder said, kissing me gently on the top of my head.
“Okay then.” I replied nervously, “Kyan Ryder, would you do me the absolute honour of becoming my Guard? I can’t promise to be nice to you all the time, but I can promise to make it up to you afterwards.”
Ryder chuckled deeply, before dropping to one knee and turning his expression entire
ly serious.
“Princess, I would gladly accept your offer,” he said, picking my hand up and sliding down until our hands were locked around each other’s wrists. “And I swear upon the God Nakoa that I will follow you until the end of time, and never stop trying to prove my worth. Because you deserve everything in this world Dari, and I am more than happy to help you get that.”
As he finished his speech a burning sensation that wasn’t unpleasant shot around our joined hands. Once the flicker of pain subsided I was left staring in awe at my new tattoo.
“It’s our mark,” Ryder said, trailing around it on his own wrist, “the silver line is a gift from Nakoa to say he approves of this union.”
“It’s pretty.” I said.
“You’re pretty.” He replied as we began to continue our afternoon fun and stayed hidden in the bathroom for a rather long time.
Kaida
The rest of the afternoon flew by in a haze as I stayed firmly in my seat. Max made no attempt to serve anybody other than me, and nobody said a word to him about it. I guessed being a Princess had a lot to do with the lack of supervision and nobody would dare say anything to Max so long as I was here.
“I think your other sister has chosen her guard.” He said, pointed behind me to Dari and Ryder who were sneaking back into the room from God knows where.
The pair did not make any announcement, nor could I see how Max had deduced what he said.
“I can see the silver wring around their wrists,” he said when I asked, “they’re trying to hide them, but I have bat vision.” To his credit Ryder looked happy. I didn’t know why he would be, considering who his brother was, but if he seemed pleased with his choice then I figured I couldn’t moan too much.
“What do you mean bat vision?” I chuckled, making a note to talk to Dari later on and see what she was thinking.
Max didn’t answer me right away, a nervous smile flickered on his face first.
“If I answer your question do you promise not to hate me?”
“Sure…” Oh Gods is he about to tell me he’s a creep or something.
“I’m a Vampire. That’s why I can see the Guard mark on your sister.” My heart stopped in my chest and for the briefest moment panic soured through me.
I knew it was wrong to judge him, especially considering he had been nothing but nice so far. But Caleb had set a standard for Vampires in my mind and so I was a little wary.
“Why did you think I would hate you for being a Vampire?” I asked slowly.
“Because I saw how Caleb Nash bit you that first night, and I recognize the panic in your eyes when he touched you. It was the same one I see in my own. And if that was your first encounter with my kind then I doubt you think highly of us.”
I didn’t ask any more questions, but Max didn’t seem to mind. He continued talking at a lower volume, managing to both fill me with fear and peace at the same time.
“I was hurt by woman I trusted as a kid, and well, I kind of saw that same fear in you when Caleb grabbed you, or when any other man went near you.” He swallowed nervously, like he wasn’t entirely sure why he was telling me this. “I wasn’t being a creep by watching you; I swear I was just concerned.”
“You’re very observant.” I mused. “But don’t worry. I won’t hold it against you.”
He chuckled darkly, offering me a small smile I returned. It wasn’t his fault I hated Vampires. And I figured if anyone was going to change my mind about them, then why not the pretty, nice bartender who had been keeping me company. After all, Dari seemed to be friends or something with Ryder and he was a Vampire too. So, if she could bring herself to trust one, enough to make him her Guard, then I could be friendly with one too.
Max loosened his tie as he spoke, and I spotted the faintest of tattoos around his neck that sent a shiver down my spine.
“You seem bored of the day. Let’s change subject.”
“What’s your tattoo?” I asked, tilting my head slightly to get a better view, “and I'm just bored of pretending to want a Guard. I can look after myself.”
Max undone some of his buttons and showed of more of his torso as another strange feeling entered my body. The head of a snake was clear as day as it bit into his chest above his heart. I could see the rest of it disappearing round his body… the same way mine does.
My finger reached out without my consent, tapping the eye of the snake with a confused stare.
“If I hadn’t lived in the mortal world for the last eighteen years I would have sworn you had copied.” I mused, noticing the slight flinch he gave under my touch. “Shit sorry; I shouldn’t have touched you without asking, but you have the same tattoo as me.”
Without thinking I yanked the top of my dress down a little, showing off the top of the snake head that was in the same space as his. Max stared at it a moment and then laughed.
“No worries, but I hate to tell you what this means.” He teased.
“What?” I asked, a slight bead of sweat forming on my skin.
Max took another shot of vodka before he answered, his blue eyes twinkling with mischief. His blue eyes that looked the colour of the God damn ocean…
“It means we were fated to meet each other Little Dragon. The God of the Guards you hate don’t seem to hate you.” A wicked plan came to my mind.
Max had been right in saying we did seem fated to meet, so why not take this opportunity into my hands, and control it myself again? Clearly the Gods were going to continue meddling with my life, and I refused to stand aside and let them. No, I would control things myself. I climbed up onto the bar with a dark laugh as Laina’s words echoed in my mind. Follow the ocean to your fate, you won’t be complete if you try and wait.
Her message was clear as day now; Max was the blue, with his eyes like an endless ocean, and he would be the only one here who fate would deem a match for me, and I would actually want.
“Listen up fuckers.” I shouted, ignoring the tuts and chuckles from the audience at my call. “I have an announcement.”
The room silenced immediately and all I could do was grin like a lunatic as I turned to face Max, who stood bewildered on the bar below. He ran his hand through his dark hair nervously and I tried to offer him my most calming smile. I didn’t want to scare the boy.
“Maximillian Mori, do you accept my wonderfully generous offer of becoming my guard. On the promise that you supply me with as much alcohol as I can handle, and never ever get in my way. Will you swear to give your life to me as my bitch for eternity, and do anything I ask, even if it’s to steal cars at the crack of dawn, or burn down the fucking world?”
I hated to admit a small thrill rocked through me at my own words. It was nothing to do with the handsome boy who was jumping onto the bar to face me, and everything to do with our current situation. My soul seemed to know I needed Max, that I needed him for something good. I didn’t know what for just yet, but who was I to deny my soul. And Laina said I needed him…
Max got to hit feet next to me, towering over me with a huge smile plastered on his face.
“I happily accept your offer Kaida, and all its conditions. And I willingly vow to follow you to the ends of the earth, and if you want to burn it then I will light the damn match if you ask me to.” He held out his hand to grab my wrist and I did the same, the bright silver light I saw earlier wrapping itself around the pair of us just like it had for my sister.
The power between us surged higher, bringing to life every sense inside my body, and covering me in such strength, that I knew in that moment I really could take on the world. The voices I was used to for company were banished, their presence no longer required.
“You ready for the ride of your life Maxy?” I teased.
“I'm ready to ride or die with you, Little Dragon.” He replied, as the bond between us finalised with a bang, the colours vanishing as the tattooed line found its home around our wrists.
The cheers for us were the loudest of all. Praise rang down for Max from me
n who couldn’t believe an untrained child had taken their place. To his credit Max didn’t shy away, he took every single jibe and glare, until the crowd died out and the losers finally departed to lick their wounds, leaving my sisters and our Guards as the only ones still behind.
“Well as fun as this was,” Dari said with a pointed look at Ryder, “we have a party to attend.”
I made a mental note to ask her about him when she was alone; Dari was never good at picking men and messing around with her lifetime guard didn’t seem like the best idea to me. But she was right. Our Guards had to go home and prepare to move to the school with us within the coming week. And we had Allie’s party to attend. Which surprisingly I wasn’t all that nervous for anymore…
Dari
The small dorm party Allie promised was quite probably the most opposite to what I had thought. For starters, she had moved it to the Green Room, on account of the sheer number of guests. Then there were actual bartenders, not just drinks handed out in red plastic cups that were filled with liquor stolen from the hosts parents.
I thought I had dressed fine enough for the occasion, in my yellow t-shirt dress and white sneakers. But there were some boys here in shirts, and some girls in full on party gear. It was a bit strange in my opinion. The whole point of a party was to get wasted and have fun with your friends. Yet majority of the people in the room where just standing around talking to each other, looking less like they were at a party and more like they were just in the library on a casual Tuesday.
CONVICTION OF THE DAMNED: SUPERNO ACADEMY BOOK ONE Page 30
