by L C Taylor
Chapter 8
Onika let the sheet flutter to the floor as she walked toward the shower. Lucas gasped, nearly stumbling over the chair as he raced after her. Wrapping his fingers around her arm, he spun her to face him. Lucas lifted her off the floor, her legs immediately wrapping around his waist. Their mouths met in a cataclysmic union, demanding their passion be set free. Her hands fisted his hair as she drew him in. Luca walked them to the bathroom, setting her on the vanity. His body wedged between her thighs as he explored the delicate skin below her ear.
Stepping back, Luca turned on the water and stripped his boxers off. His cock jutted up, bouncing against his navel as he pressed into Onika once more. Lifting her from the porcelain counter, Luca carried them into the stall, the warm water needling their entwined bodies. Onika slipped from his hold, dropping to her knees before him.
Her hands splayed against his flesh, rubbing the tender skin as she ran her hands up his legs. Gripping his ass in her palms, Onika leaned forward and licked his erection. Her tongue traced the thick vein throbbing along the length of his cock. Precum beaded at the tip, begging her to taste him.
Luca weaved his hands through her hair just as she swallowed him down her throat. Her hands dug into his backside, urging him forward. His salty taste made her crave more as she bobbed and sucked. Luca groaned, his muscles flexing beneath her palms.
“Fuck, Onika…” he hissed as she took him completely in her mouth. Her chin rested on his balls. Every cell in his body lit up like the fourth of July. His legs quaked as he neared his release. “You need to stop or I am going to come in that pretty mouth.”
Onika glanced up, from behind her hooded gaze, Luca saw a wicked grin. Her hands tightened more, pressing his hips forward as she sped up her rhythm. Luca pulled her hair as he continued to fuck her mouth. Even if he wanted to stop, it wasn’t possible. Every muscle craved the warmth of her mouth. His body tingled, his balls ached.
“I’m going to come now, baby.”
His whispered breath was the only warning she got. His legs locked and his stomach tensed. Every working nerve was firing on full throttle. His cock swelled between her lips and then burst with an orgasm that rivaled striking oil. His seed spurted down her throat. Onika bobbed her head, sucking him dry.
Reaching down, Luca pulled Onika to stand. He pressed his hand to her chest, forcing her against the tiled wall of the shower. Dropping to his knees, he suckled the pert nipple into his mouth.
Onika moaned and leaned into the support of the wall. Luca drew a path from her nipple, swirling around her belly button, until he stopped at the apex of her thighs.
“Open your legs.” His voice demanded entry.
Onika stepped wide, giving him access to her most private parts. Holding her thighs in place, to keep her from slipping on the slick tiled bottom, he buried his face between her legs. Onika gasped, the warm water spilling over her body as Luca devoured her. She wasn’t sure how he wasn’t drowning, but she didn’t care. Every fiber of her body was tingling.
Luca licked her slit from bottom to top, drawing the sensitive button between his teeth. Applying a slight pressure, he sucked on the pink flesh. Onika jerked against his mouth, telling him he was doing something right. His tongue sought refuge inside her moist center, plunging in and out as he drove her further and further over the edge. Her nails dug into his scalp. The pressure hurt, but in a good way. Sliding his hand between them, he shoved his fingers through her folds. Curving his digit, Luca pressed against her g-spot. Her body quaked as he drove another finger inside.
The shower stall filled with steam, as Onika careened toward her release like a speeding freight train toward a mountain side.
Luca alternated his tongue and fingers, demanding she give him her honey. “That’s it, baby. Stop fighting it. Give me that cream of yours. I want you to come all over my tongue.”
Onika lost all sense. Caught between reality and timeless void, her body responded to every touch. The tremor started in her belly, slowly spreading across her body like an earthquake, until her cunt tensed around his fingers and spasmed. It was the most powerful orgasm she’d ever experienced in her life. For the first time, blacking out would not have been from her magic. No, it was from the overwhelming pleasure ripping through her body.
Luca swallowed every drop she gave him. Licking her pussy clean, until he couldn’t get any more. Looking into the spray of the shower, he smiled seeing her so enervated. Her body held a sheen, and it wasn’t from the water droplets running down her skin.
“Damn, Luca…” Onika purred.
“I’m just getting started, baby.”
Chapter 9
Standing in front of her, he tugged her body to him. His lips captured hers in a heated kiss.
“Turn around and put your hands on the wall.”
Onika smiled as she complied with his command. She felt his hand slide down her backside, then the pop of his hand across her ass. Onika grunted, her pussy quaking with need. Luca ran his fingers down her butt, parting her cheeks as he massaged her tight hole.
“One day this will be mine,” he rubbed moisture around her hole, then slipped his finger inside. It felt foreign to Onika, her muscles tensing on their own. “Relax, Onika.” His voice soothed her, causing her tension to leave her body. He pulled his finger out, making her miss the fullness it provided. Arching her ass against him, silently pleading for him to fuck her.
Luca must have sensed her need because Onika groaned as he pushed his cock through her tender lips. Her womb craved his presence, latching on to his dick like she never wanted him to leave. With his hands on her hips, and her arms bracing her against the wall, Luca began to pummel her. He drove his shaft into her, fucking her hard. Their skin slapped as the water splashed around them. Luca braced his foot on the small shower bench, changing the angle of penetration. It was enough to set Onika’s orgasm in motion. She could feel the tip of his cock in the very depths of her cunt. Every thrust hit her g-spot, sending shock waves through her veins.
“I’m going to come,” she breathed out as her legs stiffened with the oncoming orgasm.
Luca’s nails bit into her flesh as his thrusts became faster and harder. Finally, with nothing left to hold her screams back, Onika burst. Tiny lights danced across her vision as her walls clamped down on Luca. His cock filled her to the brink as he dumped his seed inside her. Dropping his foot to the floor, he braced his hand against the wall. His cock, now worn out and flaccid, slipped from her pussy.
His breathing was ragged as he tried to catch his breath. Pressing his lips to the small of her back, “It gets better every time I touch you,” Luca helped her stand, “You’re like a drug my body needs to survive, the oxygen my very soul needs to sustain itself… I can't get enough of you, Onika.”
Onika turned, wrapping her arms around his neck, “I know what you mean, Luca. I think I’m falling in love with you.”
“Good,” he pecked her lips, “Because I am in love with you. Now,” he grabbed the soap, “Let’s wash up for real before we run out of warm water.”
Chapter 10
Onika sat on the creek’s edge, watching the water flow in a steady motion. Two months had passed and she was still struggling with her emotions. Her mind told her it was time to move on, but her heart couldn’t seem to grasp what it was saying.
Her magic swirled in her palm, the darkness moving across her skin like a living being. This was new, her magic usually altered the environment. To hold it in her hand, like a puff of smoke, scared her. More than that, her heart raced, begging her to unleash the bitterness that accompanied the mist. She couldn’t tell Luca what was happening. Just last night she’d unleashed the buildup in her system – something she did often at home. Only this time the ground around her withered and died.
“Onika,” Luca stepped out from behind the trees, “What are you doing out here?”
Onika closed her fingers and tucked her hand beneath her leg. She wasn’t ready to tell Luca about the changes she
was feeling. Changes that frightened her to her core.
“Thinking… what about you?”
Luca sat on the cool dirt beside her. Clutching a stone in his hand, he tossed the smooth pebble into the stream. Onika leaned her head against his shoulder, and sighed.
“Talk to me, Onika. Let me help you. I know I said I wouldn’t push…” he took a breath, “but we’ve been here for two months. How much longer are you going to hide from the truth?”
Onika started to speak, but he placed a finger over her lips, “Shhh… I know. Your entire world has been upturned. But don’t you think you should talk to your parents. See why they felt it was best to keep this from you?”
She stared into the water’s reflection, “You’re right. I just don’t want to be mad when I see them. It’s not their fault.”
“Perhaps it’s no ones fault. You know, as well as anyone, that you can’t help who you fall in love with. When an Elemental meets her compliment, no one else matters. What would you have done if you were involved with someone when we met? Or pregnant for that matter? Can you honestly say you would have walked away from me?”
Onika cupped his cheek, “There is nothing that would have kept me from you. Eventually I would have caved and given in to this impossible to beat need.”
“Exactly, my love.”
Onika sat up, “I’m ready to go home,” she drew her knees to her chest, “I think I need to talk to Emersyn and Sarifena. But first… I have some questions for my parents. Will you come with me?”
“Mountains could not separate me from you, Onika.”
Standing, Luca held out his hand. Onika wrapped her fingers around his outstretched palm and allowed him to tug her to her feet. Enveloping her in his strong arms, Luca pressed their bodies together.
“I love you, Onika.”
“Can I use your phone when we get back to the cabin? I need to make a few phone calls before we head out.”
Luca held her hand as they walked through the trees. He couldn’t help but sense something else was going on with her, but knowing how stubborn she was, he elected to wait. She would tell him in her own time, he hoped.
“You make your calls. I’ll get us packed up.”
Onika watched as he began gathering their things. She couldn’t help but smile as she remembered how he came here with nothing. They had to buy him all fresh clothes once they got settled. Shaking her hair, she cleared her mind. This phone call would not be easy. Her mother would be grateful, but angry, seeing as she just up and left. Luca had convinced her to allow him to call Commander Fritz when they arrived. He was worried they would think something nefarious had happened to her. Aside from Queen Perse and Constable Graham, no one other than Commander Fritz knew they were here.
Onika took a deep breath and dialed her mother. Her gut churned with uncertainty as the phone rang. Hearing the line pick up, she swallowed.
“Mother, it’s me.”
Chapter 11
Luca held her hand as their car traveled across the land. It was a beautiful day outside, yet he couldn’t stop the worry creeping up his neck. When they’d woken this morning, Onika was moody and distant. When he’d asked her if she was worried about going home, she flew into a rage. He’d never seen her so mad, it was like her body and mind were consumed with an anger so powerful, she’d lost control.
“We’re here, Your Majesty.”
“Thank you for giving us a ride home, Officer Stokes. Tell the Queen I will call her later.”
Onika climbed from the car and froze. She took several deep breaths, trying to keep her heart from beating out of her chest.
Luca’s hand pressed into the small of her back, “You ready?”
“Yes. Let’s get this over with.”
Every step she took, the darkness inside seemed to grow tendrils, wrapping around her until she felt damn near explosive.
“Breathe, Onika, I can feel your tension.”
Nodding, she pushed open the heavy door and stepped in. Her mother and father were waiting for her in the foyer. Onika looked at their faces, both wore a mask of trepidation.
“Onika,” her father spoke.
“Let’s go in the living room to speak.” Onika pointed toward the space, waiting for them to move ahead of her. Turning to Luca, “I think I should do this alone.”
“I’ll be in the kitchen. Call me if you need me,” he tilted her chin up and pressed his lips to hers, “remember, I love you.”
Taking a deep breath, she stepped away from the safety of his arms. Closing the distance between her and her parents, Onika stood in front of her mother.
“Why, Mother?”
She hadn’t meant to be so blunt, but her rage was palpable, leaving her short sighted and quick to act.
“Onika,” her mother sighed, “sit down, this is going to take a moment.”
“I’ll stand if you don’t mind.”
“Fine.” Queen Alexis threaded her fingers with her husband, “Dax, the Emerald King, and I were involved briefly. It was a passing fling between two friends. We were all friends, Onika. Queen Stephanie, hell, even Queen Emmalyn. I met Dax first – he was at a local market… and we struck up a friendship. He was a ladies man… some call a player. Once he met Stephanie, I knew she was lulled in by his magnetism as well. I wasn’t angry, I knew what our relationship was – a fling. Not too long after he ended things to be with her, I was blessed with true love. I’ll never forget the moment I met Dane.” She smiled at her husband, “it was instant. When we meet our complement, we see no one else. The same happened for Dax. When he saw Emmalyn, his playboy ways came to an end. He loved her – mind, body, and soul. Stephanie knew she’d lost him. She tried not to be bitter, but their time was so short and she hoped to have him longer. We were happy he finally found the one to tame him. He was a good man. Shortly after he married, Stephanie found out she was pregnant. She kept it secret for some time, but eventually it all came out. At least, to the three of us. You see, when I met your father, I was also pregnant with Dax’s child. I didn’t tell Dax, but I did tell Dane. He knew from the very start that you weren’t his. I struggled with depression during the pregnancy. I felt overwhelming guilt hiding it from my friends. Dane urged me to tell Dax and the Queen. Emmalyn wasn’t mad, she knew I’d been involved with him before her. The pregnancy… well it was a blessing and a curse. Dane cannot have children of his own, Onika.”
Onika listened, her heart cracking with every word. She knew she shouldn’t be angry, but she still felt the heavy slice of betrayal.
“Why did you keep this from me? I’m almost twenty-three, Mother… if that damn journal hadn’t show up, I’d never have known.”
“You’re my daughter.” Dane stood, stepping towards Onika, “I felt you inside your mother’s belly. I was there when you came into this world screaming mad and I’ve been there ever since. I’m sorry we kept this from you, but it doesn’t change the fact that You. Are. My. Daughter.” Dane laid his hand on her arm.
“Why the lies?”
“It was messy. The Emerald King had three daughters, the people wouldn’t understand, Onika. We buried these secrets hoping it would never seep out. Looking back, I see that was wrong. I’ve often wondered lately if keeping these secrets is what got Dax and Emmalyn killed.”
“Is there anything else I should know, Mother?”
She pulled from Danes grasp, putting distance between them. She could see the hurt in his eyes and a part of her felt guilt, he was just as much a victim as she was.
“No. That’s everything. At least all that I know. Have you spoken to Emersyn or Sarifena?”
“No. I need to digest this, then I’ll call them.”
“You three were close growing up. We made every effort to get you guys together.”
“It’s not the same, Mom, they are my sisters. My entire life I have looked at them as just another royal. So much time lost that can’t be taken back. I’ve got to go. I’ll talk to you later.”
“Onika,”
Dane sighed, “Please remember we love you. When you're a parent you will understand you’ll risk it all to protect your child. Even if it means losing them one day.”
Dane sat beside Ophelia and held her as she cried. Onika gave one last look and stormed from the room. Hearing the reasons hadn’t helped ease the madness inside her – instead, the darkness seemed to double.
Chapter 12
The call to the Sapphire Kingdom hadn’t been as bad as she expected. She spoke with Commander Brady and explained that she needed time to talk with her parents again and requested a meeting in a week.
Onika sat on her balcony, the sky was filled with amber hues as the sun began to rise. A bird sat on the ledge, staring into the sky. Onika reached out to touch it, but the bird bounced and flapped his wings at her. Onika’s forehead furrowed, as she reached out again.
“I’m not going to hurt you,” she attempted to coax him into her hand. The bird chirped, tilting it’s head in apprehension, then final hopped into her palm. “There ya go.”
She ran her finger over the smooth feathers, amazement and wonder filled her as it moved against her skin. Just as she reached to pet it again, the bird squawked and snapped his beak at her fingertip.
Onika was blinded by an unnerving need to retaliate. Her hand heated as darkness swirled around the bird. It let out a piercing cry and then tumbled to the ground. Onika stared at her feet at the unmoving creature. She couldn’t blink, the erratic thumping of her heart pounded against her ribs.
She’d killed it.
“Onika,” Luca stepped out startling her.
Kicking the dead bird behind her, Onika tried to hide the confusion in her eyes, “Luca, you were gone early this morning.”
“I met with Commander Fritz,” Luca stared at her, “You ok?” he cocked his head.
“Yes… of course. What did you meet with him about?”
“We went over everything we had about Dimitra’s kidnapping. I offered to help out in whatever way I could.”
