Chased by Darkness: A Reverse Harem Academy Romance: (Four Kings Academy Book 1)

by Taylor Spratt

  My nipples burned for his tongue. They wanted him to taste, suck and devour them whole and they refused to wait.

  “Go on and do it Luca!” I cried.

  “Go on and do what?” He teased, still tugging at my nipples from behind, reveling at my distress. “You’ve got to be more specific.”

  “Just suck them already!” I demanded boldly and his pinching intensified to a punishing tightness. I squirmed against him.

  “You want something, beautiful. You have to ask nicely,” he admonished like a scolding master.

  “Please, Luca,” I whimpered, my voice fit to break. “Will you suck my nipples for me?” I bit my lips and he grinned, releasing my nipples to spin me around and pull my belly right up against the force of his erection.

  My head fell back of its own accord and he eyed my nipples hungrily. He licked his lips, looking pleased as hell. “Anything for my beauty.”

  He shot me a wicked grin and inched his head closer and closer to the puckered peaks. The warmth of his breath arrested them, selfishly captivating them till they wanted nothing but him.

  I imagined his warm wet tongue gliding over them, softly, licking them raw. His teeth nipping roughly, pushing my peaks to their breaking point and then past the point of no return.

  Out of nowhere, robbing me of all I’d been waiting for, a deep threatening voice called out from beside us.

  “Luca, you done yet?”

  The color drained from my face and I turned to see Bane precious feet away, getting a front-row seat to my naked breasts.

  Oh my God!

  My hands flew over my chest and I flung my head away. Luca pulled me into his chest, shielding me from Bane’s eyes.

  "What is it?!" Luca spat, sneering at Bane. His usual princely demeanor drained away in a fit of territorial rage. “This had better be good, Bane!”

  “They called me out of class, said it’s an emergency. You’ve been out here almost an hour, how’s it looking?”

  How’s it looking? How’s what looking? What the hell is going on?

  “I need more time,” Luca said.

  “You’ve got 5 minutes, Luca,” Bane boomed, turning to walk away.

  “Wait, what did he mean by ‘how’s it looking?’ Is Bane in on this Queen thing? What the hell is really going on here?” I bit out, anger mounting in my voice. I pushed off from Luca’s chest, bending down I grabbed my bra to redressed myself.

  “Beautiful,” Luca said, raising his hand, concern in his eyes.

  “Don’t beautiful me! First Alexander, now you. Why does every king want me to be their queen suddenly? I’m not stupid, Luca. Something’s going on here.”

  His expression went cold. “Alexander huh, he asked you to be his queen already?”

  I nodded.

  “You must listen to me, beautiful. You, Raiden, and Alexander were never meant to be. They are not your destiny. They may have been for a time, but things have changed.”

  "What the hell are you talking about, Luca?” I questioned. “What do you mean meant to be?”

  Okay, now I know for sure there’s something they’re not telling me.

  “All you need to know is I am who you belong with, me and-”

  “Belong? You talk as if I’m a commodity. What are you kings up to? And what in the hundred hells do I have to do with it?” I yelled, buttoning my blouse.

  His gaze dropped, eyes focused on the ground. “I can’t tell you that yet. There are so many things I want to tell you, to help you understand.” He gripped both my hands and held them in his. “I can tell you everything the minute you agree to be my and Bane’s Queen.”

  “Wait! Now I’ve gotta be Bane’s queen too!?”

  I have no plans of being anyone’s queen, period, but me and Bane? I stifled a laugh. We’d be a match made in hell.

  “Look Luca, I have no interest in being anyone’s queen. I’ve got a home of my own and it sure isn’t this shit hole,” I said pointing at the wall. “The sooner I graduate, the sooner I walk out of this place and get the hell away from all this war and fighting drama. Out of all the kings you seem to be the most decent but I want a normal and peaceful life and from what I can tell, every time I get near one of you kings, things only get a hell of a lot worse for me.”

  Okay, so maybe I didn’t have a home anymore. But the forest had always provided me with everything I’d ever needed to feel safe and secure. It gave me clay and wood to build my hut once before and it’d do it again. Just as soon as I got out of here.

  He stared down at his hands with dull eyes then back up at me.

  “I’m afraid a normal, peaceful life is no longer possible for you, beautiful. From the moment you entered this school, you became a prize unlike any other. I would never hurt you, but if you don’t agree to be my queen, I can’t protect you from what Bane might do to secure you for our side.”

  I froze, speechless. What is this? Void catching season?

  “What the hell are you talking about? Secure me for your side? What do you and Bane think I can do for you!? I’m no Queen, I’m just the daughter of poor villagers. I can barely even control my power! I can’t tell you how to win your stupid war.”

  “No, beautiful. You’re Queen, whether you like it or not. For you there is no escape.”

  Bane reemerged, arms folded, the thin scars on his face drawn up into a scowl.

  Luca rested a hand on my cheek, a warning in his eyes. “Please reconsider my offer, before it’s too late.”

  “Well?!” Bane asked, giving Luca the once over. Luca turned away from me, his head down in disappointment. Bane’s harsh glare whipped in my direction and I jumped.

  This guy wanted me to be his queen, too? He looked like he’d sooner kill me than kiss me. If he wanted me, it sure wasn’t because he felt anything for me.

  The two men turned and walked back down the hall.

  There was something much more sinister happening here. There was something they needed from me. Something all four kings needed from me and it sure wasn’t my pretty hair or sparkling blue eyes.

  This had nothing to do with love. It was my powers, pure and simple. I balled my hand into a fist and squeezed till it ached. Those assholes planned to use me for something terrible, I just knew it. I’d rather die than be a pawn in their stupid war. And by the look of things, it might just be the former.

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  Luca

  “This better be good Julian!” I yelled, ripping the office door open and storming inside. It was a pig sty in here. That’s what I got for giving Bane the office for the afternoon. He left the furniture strewn far and wide, the coffee table was on its damn face in the corner and our brand new tv was still in pieces from the last soaring boars’ game.

  “I’m terribly sorry King Luca, but this couldn’t wait.” I flung my back hard against the bay window on the other side of the room as Julian rushed inside, his hand flipping nervously through the pages of his notepad as he stopped in the middle of the carnage.

  “Well, get on with it then!” Bane growled striding past him to fling himself onto the couch, throwing his legs up onto the footrest and folding his arms.

  I was finally alone with her. Finally, had a minute to talk to my beauty and what did they do? They ripped me away before I could get anywhere with her. Maybe if I’d had a few more minutes, I could have gotten through to her, convinced her of our marriage.

  I seethed, glaring in Julian’s direction and he jumped, never having seen me this angry.

  Christ! The moment I first saw her in the gardens, I knew she was the one, my soul bond. Why does she resist the connection I know we share? Why does she…

  “Um, yes!” Julian said interrupting my thoughts. He adjusted his glasses, thumbing his current page.

  “The stats are in from this year’s orientation recruiting. This year we received ten percent fewer recruits than the Floodquakes, factoring in all collateral damage from last year, this puts them at a significant advantage in manpower.” />
  “And?” I said, standing stiffly.

  “Well,” he adjusted his glasses again, looking somewhat afraid. “Isn’t it essential we maintain the balance of power, my Kings?”

  “You pull me away from my beauty, for this…” I quarreled, flinging my arms in the air. “This nonsense?”

  “For once I agree with you, Brother,” Bane said, jumping from his seat to stride over to Julian. Julian was trembling now, dropping his head to hide behind his clipboard, preparing for the impending doom.

  Bane faced Julian, his back tall and rigid, his head held high with pride. “Did you just say that ‘We’, the great and mighty Flamenado could be at a disadvantage to the likes of those Flamenado scum?” Tiny flames sprouted in Bane’s hair like birthday candles as his rage soared.

  “Well, I...” Julian squeaked.

  “That your King,” Bane interrupted, raising a silencing hand, “could play second fiddle to the likes of Alexander and Raiden?”

  “No, my King, I-I didn’t mean,” Julian sputtered, and his bulging eyes darted over to me, a silent prayer hidden in them. He was desperate for my help, my mercy.

  Bane took a step closer to Julian, the temperature in the room rising so rapidly, the edges of the carpets began to char.

  “Because if you even dared to suggest that, then I’d-”

  “Take it easy, Bane,” I pleaded. “Now’s not the time.”

  He glanced over at me and his shoulders lowered slightly. “You’re lucky the old softy’s in here,” he spat. “I’ll say this real slow in a way even you could understand, Julian.”

  Bane pointed a finger straight at Julian and his head flew back, sweat rolling off his face.

  “They could have twice the men we do and we’d still win! They get all the weaklings anyway. The real fighters always choose Flamenado.”

  “Yes, my King.” Julian nodded as Bane continued his pointless rant.

  I peered through the crystal window and into the garden.

  Christ! I clenched my teeth and planted my legs wide to keep myself from saying anything. They’re at it again. This stupid faction fighting. There must be a hundred of them out there. Running around, casting wicked magics at each other. Punching each other, hurting each other like animals. I could hardly bear to watch it.

  I wondered who set this evening’s entertainment into action. I angrily glanced back over at Bane, the king of mischief and mayhem himself, then back to the window.

  Gee, I wonder.

  Outside, a Flamenado was cornered like a trapped animal, caged in by four Floodquake dogs. They were tall, big and stupid, just like most of those who chose to bully in the gangs.

  The solitary Flamenado ducked for cover, his horror-stricken eyes tearing up. They charged at him all at once and I turned my head away, unable to watch anymore.

  But I did look back, drawn irresistibly to the sound of his screams. All that remained now was a boy, beaten to a bloody pulp. His body so mangled you could hardly tell he was even a person. The medics came rushing through the field toward him and I prayed it wasn’t too late.

  The sight of him, slowly reddening the grass, sent me back to a time not so long ago when I myself stained the grass red. Back when I was smaller, weaker and so afraid, just like he had been.

  Steel cages banged as jeering fans ugly as sin hit them with dirt-stained fists. Their grimy teeth as black as their souls, they demanded the show they’d paid for.

  Bane and I, orphaned wizards no more than ten or eleven, were shoved into these filthy underground holes. Night after endless night forced to fight for our lives against the most dangerously savage creatures our masters could find.

  I bit my tongue; the pain grounding me in the present so I didn’t get dragged in too deep. If I ever went back there, I wouldn’t come back completely sane. Whenever I did go back there, I always lose a part of myself. As if a piece of my soul would forever live in a cage. My mouth filled with the metallic taste of blood but I just kept biting.

  Pain was all we felt back then, the scratches and bites forever burned into my back. Our elemental magic kept us alive in that hell. Bane’s Flames and my Winds, saving us from hellhounds, Basilisks and worse. Till they chanted Flamenado every time we took the cold muddy stage. And with every chant, I felt the life spew more and more from my pores like black sweat, melding with a dark eternity. And worse, I saw the humanity drain more and more from Bane’s fragile soul, leaving him a broken and cold shell of the brother he used to be.

  Until one day they came, six men dressed in red cloaks, their faces veiled in shadow. They broke our chains, bringing their light and our salvation. By their prophecy, our lives would never be the same. Because now, all we needed was her…

  The door slammed and Bane trailed up to the window.

  “He’s finally gone, Luca. Dang! They’re at it again?” Bane said, feigning surprise, looking out the window.

  “Cut the crap, Bane. As if you didn’t encourage this. You practically bribe the men with privileges to beat up every Floodquake they see.”

  “Think the Floodquakes don’t do the same?” Bane said, getting defensive as usual. “We’ve got to defend ourselves here and besides, do you think power grows on trees? Sometimes a little blood’s has to spill if you want to stay on top.” Bane raised his chin proudly and turned away from the window.

  “Have you forgotten why we’re even here?” I asked. “Who even cares if their faction gets stronger than ours?”

  Factions? Wars? What is he thinking? Has he gotten so used to this school and this baby crown that he has forgotten the real prize? Has he forgotten what we came to this damn school for in the first place?

  His head fell back as if I’d punched him with my words. “Forgotten why we’re here?” He said, hot smoke rolling off his tongue. “Wasn’t it your bright idea to distract Alexander and Raiden? Make them think were here to fight over this stupid school? So they wouldn’t suspect what we really want?” Bane jerked his finger in my face, marching right up to me.

  “Yes,” I said whipping my hand at the window to show outside, “but look at all the bloodshed out there! Don’t you think this is all going too far?”

  Bane threw his shoulders back in exasperation and rolled his eyes, as if not seeing the big deal.

  I rose both hands to cup his shoulders. “Listen, Bane. When the seers came and freed us, they gave us a sacred mission. Do you remember that?”

  Bane’s eyes softened in contemplation. “It’s all I think about every day of my life. Being Grand Lord. You know that.”

  “It’s true. Raiden and Luca were originally fates chosen for Aria. They were to wed her as her soul bond. But fate made a mistake, Bane. The seers made a mistake. That’s why they came for us. Because we are her true soul bonds, her true husbands.”

  Bane nodded, and I continued, “As the future Grand Lords, we have a duty to be worthy of Aria. A duty to be worthy of replacing Alexander and Raiden for her hand and for the throne.”

  Bane laughed heartily.

  “Those rich spoiled Adelgriefs! When we first arrived here, I almost pitied them,” he said. “Making such a fuss when we challenged them for this school, taking half the student population from them. Never knowing we were just biding our time till she arrived.”

  I frowned, my hands falling from his shoulders.

  The Adelgreifs, even without fate on their side, there still seemed to be some lingering connection between them and Aria. I felt the sickly presence of it in the hall.

  “What’s wrong?” Bane said, seeming to sense my distress.

  “Even if they are no longer her chosen, I worry Aria may feel something for Alexander. I wish I could just come out and tell him. Tell him she is no longer his. Tell him to leave my soul bond the hell alone! But no, it’s better if they don’t know our superior claim. It will be easier to take her.”

  “Don’t worry,” Bane boasted, his lips curling up into an evil grin. “It’s my turn to retrieve her now. She’ll be ours by tom
orrow.”

  I sneered at him, my face twisting with anger.

  “If we want to claim her and secure the throne, we must be good to her, Bane. That’s the only way!” I said and his expression soured.

  He folded his arms and fell back to lean against the glass. “What are you trying to say, Luca?”

  “I’m saying that you always go for the jugular, but Aria is more than just our ticket to power. Don’t you feel that rush whenever you look at her? Don’t you feel that surge in emotion?” I asked, my fists balled tight in front of me, shaking with emotion.

  “Okay, so she’s hot. So what, man?” Bane said waving a hand dismissively, but I knew that look, he was downplaying it. Even he had to notice how his body reacted to her. It was as if a magnet tugged on my very soul. I knew he must have felt it too.

  “A sexy ass and nice thighs aren’t going get us what we want, Luca. Do you want to go back to being weaklings? So broke we have to eat scraps? Fighting to survive on the streets? Or do you want to rule the fucking world?” Bane yelled, raising his flaming fists high in the air. Passion hot in his eyes.

  Thoughts of the cage seeped in, darkening my vision and my heart shook in my chest.

  My head hung low, fear digging deep. “No, I never want to go back there,” I said under my breath. “However, I will not let you hurt this girl!” I bellowed, the adamance wet in my throat. “Can’t you see how vulnerable she is? All she needs is some time and-”

  “Let me guess,” Bain interrupted. “Romance? Kisses? You tried your stupid flowers, and you failed! She doesn’t want your ‘wooing.’” Bain marched over to the couch and kicked it on its side. “A girl like her needs to be told what she needs!”

  “By what? Scare tactics? There are other ways to make her come to us, brother.”

  “This Void User girl is making you into a damn fool, Luca. We don’t have the time for petty sentiment. And, as agreed, it’s my turn to secure the girl. You lost. I won’t!” His words hit hard to the pit of my stomach and I gave a deep frown.

  If only she were mine alone, I would never have to compromise. But the prophecy was clear. She was just as much mine as she was Bane’s. Just like me, he had every right to press his claim however he chose. And whether I liked it or not, my plan failed.