by Ines Johnson
“If so,” said Chryssie, “then that would make you twenty, maybe closer to twenty-one.”
Cardi sat bolt up. “Twenty-one? Are you kidding me? I’m not only legal, but I’m of legal drinking age? This changes everything.”
Cardi crawled off the bed and headed out the door. Chryssie shook her head.
“Is she off to boink Kimber?” Poppy asked.
“I doubt it,” said Chryssie. “She’s probably going to raid the liquor cabinet.”
The two women giggled. Elek shushed them, pointing to the television set where the fraggles had begun another song and dance routine about accepting each other’s differences.
Poppy lowered her voice. "I was trying to find Beryl. I thought he might be in the mines."
"He's out in the back training for the fight."
Poppy had forgotten about the fight. She didn’t like the thought of Beryl fighting those massive lions. "Would you mind showing me where?”
"I'll take you." Chryssie kissed Mom.
The older woman’s eyes opened and focused back on the television screen.
"What’s wrong with her?" asked Poppy when they were out of the room.
"Unlike us, she doesn't have fire in her blood. Many sacrifices died after giving birth. Corun and Kimber's mother lived a few days and died. The triplets—Beryl, Ilia, and Rhoyl's mom—barely made it to the end of her pregnancy. They had to cut the babies out."
Poppy felt sick at Chryssie’s words. Looking down at the small bump on her belly, Poppy swallowed. She wouldn’t ask. But it looked like Chryssie anticipated the question.
"It was a gruesome existence being a sacrifice,” said Chryssie. "But things are different now. You, me, Cardi, we're part dragon. So, we'll survive.”
Poppy wasn’t even sure if she wanted children. But she also knew she wouldn’t deny Beryl if he told her it was what he wanted. She would give him everything, anything. Wasn’t’ that what love was?
It had to be. Because she knew with certainty that she loved Beryl. Enough to die for him if it were necessary.
“Look, there he is,” said Chryssie. “I’m going to head to my room to lay down for a bit. See you later, okay?”
Poppy nodded as Chryssie turned to go, or at least she thought she did. They had come out to the back of the castle. Many pieces of equipment she’d seen in the workout room had been brought outside in the crisp day. Beryl was rhythmically hitting a boxing bag hanging from a tree. His shirt was off, his muscles gleaming under the sun. He looked magnificent.
Watching him, Poppy was brought back to the other night when he’d rocked her body with pleasure. How did hands like meat cleavers deliver such bliss? How did a mouth, cruel with concentration, make her shiver with complete satisfaction?
"Is he just as powerful in bed?"
"Even more so. I thought he'd tear my petals off."
Seated on the grass were three fairies. They were each breathtakingly beautiful with full lashes, pastel skin, and long limbs. On top of that, they each smelled like honey on a stick.
“Beryl always wants sex after a fight. I’ve had him three times now.”
“He likes it after working out, too. I’ve had him five times.”
“I’d like to have him at least once before he’s off the market.”
“Off the market? Oh, you mean because of the human? If he wanted to claim her, he would’ve already had sex with her.”
“She’s right. What virile shifter can withstand a human sacrifice? There must be something wrong with her. I wouldn’t be surprised if Beryl threw the fight and let the lions have her.”
“Great, then we could have more of him. I bet he’ll take all three of us at once when he’s done with his workout.”
The saccharine in the air turned Poppy’s stomach. Her worst fears had been right. Beryl didn’t want her sexually. Not only that, he would be getting it from other women, and right here under her nose.
Poppy hadn't escaped her past at all. It had followed her here. She was just as undesirable as she’d been on earth. Only this time, it actually hurt because she was in love with the man who didn’t want her.
Chapter Nineteen
The fight was gathering more attention than he'd anticipated. Previously, Beryl would've loved the hype. He would've welcomed the rigor of training. But all he wanted to do was get back to his mate.
He couldn't wait for the sun to set so that he could climb into their bed and burrow between her thighs. It was now his favorite place in the world, the only place he wanted to be.
He was happy to only use his tongue and his fingers for now. Maybe even forever. Getting Poppy pregnant wasn’t a goal. The Valkyrie said that Chryssie, Cardi, and Poppy would survive because they had fire in their blood. But Beryl didn’t care to chance it.
He'd already murdered one woman. He'd been the first to claw his way out of his mother's belly. He could remember the sound of her heartbeat. And then, after he'd drawn his first breath, the rhythmic beating that had put him to sleep every night had stopped.
Beryl knew the sound of Poppy’s heartbeat. He’d awakened to the feel of her pulse in his hands as he’d held her wrapped in his arms. He'd tasted the breath of life on her lips. He would not allow any harm to come to her. He'd promised. Not only her, but he'd also promised himself.
His beast was in turmoil. He wanted his mate, but he was terrified of what he might accidentally do to her.
"Need a break, Great Hulk?”
Beryl frowned at the sound of the familiar voice. He turned to find Aster rising from a seated position in the grass. Her purple skin gleamed in the sunlight. What was she doing here?
“I seem to have come down with a case of Berylmania.” The wanton fairy sauntered over to him. “I was hoping you might have the cure."
Beryl watched her lithe body swaying in the breeze. How had he ever found pleasure in something so slight? He knew how. He’d been in a desert with no poppies around. Upstairs was an oasis. So, why was he standing down here?
Beryl opened his mouth to turn the fairy down. Before he could, his nose caught something sweet-smelling. A scent that far surpassed the saccharine of the fairies.
Poppy.
She was backing away from the door. Her head was down, but he could see something coming from her eyes. Were those tears?
He was torn. He wanted to find who hurt her and rip them to shreds. But he also wanted to gather her in his arms and comfort her. The need to comfort her won out.
"Poppy?”
She startled, coming to a standstill when he caught up to her in the doorway.
Beryl turned her to face him. “What's wrong?"
"Nothing, I'm fine."
The world tinged green with those words. He gripped her shoulders. "Do not lie to me."
She shut her eyes and winced. Beryl froze. All around, everyone in the yard stopped what they were doing to look over at him. He saw it on the flowers’ faces.
Brute. Beast. Hulk.
But worse, he saw it on his mate’s closed eyelids which were scrunched tight. In her tensed shoulders. In her small breaths. She was waiting for him to strike out. At least this time she didn’t raise her hands. That’s what broke him.
His mate would’ve taken the assault if he had decided to dole it out to her. He knew he needed to let her go, but he couldn’t. Not yet. First, he needed to get them away from prying eyes. He didn’t care what anyone else thought about him besides her.
Beryl swept Poppy inside. She closed her eyes and rested her head on his shoulder. Her tears dried up, and her breathing calmed. He was not gratified. It was clear she was still ready to receive her punishment.
Punishments must mean something very different on the other side of the Veil. Here, when a male punished a female, it was only to take away her say in her pleasure. Not to take away any actual pleasure.
It would appear human males inflicted actual pain on their females. That was something Beryl would never understand. He’d accidentally hurt his mothe
r, and that shame would stay with him for the rest of his life.
Climbing to their room, Beryl sat Poppy down at the edge of the bed. She scooted back slowly. When she reached the headboard, she lay back and spread her thighs. She turned her head to the side and lay still.
Beryl felt sick to his stomach as he watched her submit in this manner. Forget the fight with Ari, he would be traveling to Valhalla to find the bastard who had abused her. He’d steal him away and use his head as a punching back.
“Sit up.” He’d meant it as a gentle request, but it came out as a growled command.
Poppy did as she was told. She still wouldn’t meet his gaze.
“You tell me you’re fine when clearly, you’re not.” Beryl took a deep breath to calm himself and the dragon down. "It breaks me when you lie to me. I crave your trust."
His words must have sparked something in her, because she turned to him, her eyes flashing. "You want my trust when you've invited other women over to take care of your needs?”
Beryl opened his mouth. Then closed it. Then tried again. “What?"
Poppy bit her lip, seeming as surprised as he was at the words that came out of her mouth. But then she opened her mouth and continued, raising her chin a little higher. “You tell me I can't go anywhere. You leave me alone to go and do your work. Now you're bringing other women around me to fuck."
“Other women? To fuck?” How could she think such a thing? He’d cut off his dick before he put it anywhere near another woman. How did she not see that? He needed to make her see.
Beryl lunged for her, needing her close so that she could understand the depth of his feelings for her. He grabbed her arms, and she gasped. She shut her eyes and turned her cheek, tense once more. Regret on her brow. Fear in the flare of her nostrils.
“I am a monster,” he breathed as he released her.
He sank to his knees, his head low. He’d never been in a position of supplication before. But this felt right, to kneel before his treasure and beg her forgiveness.
"It's hard for me to be gentle with you,” he said. “I’m still learning how. And when you lie to me, it drives me crazy. When you say things that make no sense, like me wanting anyone but you, I don't know what to do?"
Poppy looked as startled and uncertain as he did.
"I'm supposed to know what to do, and I don’t,” he said. “I’m so terrified of hurting you because I'm stronger. If I don’t hurt you physically, I hurt you in some other way.”
“It’s fi—”
“Don’t.” He held a finger to her mouth. “Don’t say fine. It’s a lie. Tell me the truth.”
Poppy pursed her lips together. She chewed at her lower lip as though she didn’t know what to say.
“You have to understand that when you hurt, I hurt. I’m used to being strong. I don’t know how to handle weakness. I would do anything for you. But I need to know what hurt you so that I can crush it. Even if it’s me.”
"I don’t want you to touch any other women,” she said finally.
"I haven't," he said. "I wouldn't. You are it for me. I'll never want another woman now that I have you."
"What about those fairies?"
“Fairies?” He’d forgotten about Aster and the other fairies that had been watching him work out. He hadn’t even noticed them until Aster approached him. “They are my past. Would you like me to tell them to leave?”
"I ..."
He let her go and marched back out the door, but Poppy caught his arm. “I don’t want you anywhere near them.”
“Fine,” he said. “I’ll never talk to another fairy. Will this please you?”
She searched his gaze. Beryl wished he could open his eyes wider so that she could see straight into his heart. Finally, she nodded, but the bob of her head was still a bit uncertain.
“What else can I do to please you?” he asked.
“You can take me to bed.”
“Done.” He scooped her into his arms and headed to the bed. This was what he’d wanted all along, to put his face back between her thighs.
“And you can have sex with me,” she said. “The real kind.”
His steps faltered. When he looked down at her, her face crumbled.
“I knew it,” she said. “You don’t want me.”
“Don’t want you?” he repeated. Was that what she thought? “I want you. I want you more than anything in the world. But if I claim you, if I penetrate you, I would forfeit Ari’s challenge. By right, he could claim you.”
“He doesn’t have to know. I wouldn’t tell. Sex is what I need to know that you want me.”
Beryl took a deep breath. All that filled his nostrils was Poppy’s sweet arousal. It fogged his brain and hardened his dick.
“We can’t.” That was the right answer. So, why did it feel so wrong?
“It’s because I’m not good in bed, isn’t it? But I can learn. I will learn. I’ll do whatever you tell me.”
Beryl sat Poppy down on the bed. Then he took a few steps away from her. Those words had riled his dragon up. The beast was straining inside his gut. If he got out, he would happily attack Poppy.
Beryl couldn’t let that happen. What if she got hurt? No, there was no what if. He’d definitely hurt her.
“All I know how to do is lay there,” Poppy said.
She pulled her legs up under her. She looked miserable. His dragon wanted to reach up and punch him in the face.
“I don’t know how to move or any tricks. I can’t even give a decent blow job. But I’ve never really tried hard. I’d try hard with you.”
It was too much. He had his dragon roaring in his ears. His pants were too tight. The smell of her arousal was thick in the air. It was three against one. Four, if he counted Poppy making her pleas. That’s when Beryl realized this would be the first fight that he would lose.
Chapter Twenty
There it was, written all over his face; hesitancy. What man hesitated when a woman offered up her body for sex. One that didn’t want her, that’s who. Those fairies were right. There must be something wrong with her.
She turned away from Beryl, needing to put distance between herself and the man who was now stuck with her. Maybe it would be best if the lions won her. Since there was no way she could win the man she wanted.
“Poppy, I haven’t had sex with you because I’m afraid of hurting you.”
She paused, running his words over and over again in her mind. Nope. They didn’t make any sense no matter how she reordered them.
“You’re so small. You’re human with flesh and bones. What if I break you?”
Poppy turned back and stared up at the big, strong man before her. "You haven't had sex with me because you're afraid of hurting me?" The words sounded ridiculous as they came out of her mouth, but Beryl nodded.
"Look at me, Poppy." He lifted his arms and held out his hands. "I could crush you with a flick of my wrist."
"But you wouldn't." It wasn't a question. She knew it to be true.
Beryl confirmed by shaking his head. A look of anguish washed over his handsome features. "You have no idea how much I want you."
"You want me?"
"Of course, I do. Since the first second I laid eyes on you, I've wanted you."
"To soothe your beast?"
"I thought I needed to claim you to gain control over my dragon. But that wasn’t the whole thing. Taking care of you, providing for you, protecting you, that’s what has brought me balance. I don't need sex to be in control. I just need you to be with me. You are my center."
Words left her. Along with her breath. Along with her balance.
Poppy lost her center of gravity at the sound of Beryl's words. What was up was down. What was left was right. What was wrong was now solved.
Beryl's arms came around her. "I think this is what they call love."
She'd never thought she'd have love returned to her. A girl like her, born from a prostitute in a trailer park. Poppy had been used all her life. She'd taken hi
ts and kicks and insults just to survive. But today, she had become the center of someone else's life.
Beryl didn't want to use her for her body. He didn't want her services on her knees in any manner. He didn't use words to hurt her or put her in her place. He was afraid to touch her because he thought he might cause physical harm.
"I don't want anyone else but you," Beryl continued. "No fairy, no other woman, not even my own hand. I want you to never feel obligated to lay with me. You might be the sacrifice, but I would do anything for you."
"Anything?"
"Name it."
"I want you to claim me."
He sucked down a breath. With that inhale, he seemed to grow bigger before her eyes. His chest inflated. His hands balled into fists. Poppy was pretty certain his pants fit tighter.
He looked to her like Bruce Banner transforming into the Incredible Hulk. Would he bust out of those pants? Oh, please do.
"Actually,” she said. “I take that back. I want to claim you."
Now, it was Beryl taking a step back from her. As he did, his eyes changed from brown to emerald. The dragon was near the surface. It was clear to see that the beast inside of him liked that prospect.
“I thought I was a victim after all I've been through,” she said.
Poppy stepped forward. She came toe to toe with Beryl. Her head only reached up to his chest. She put a hand there. His heart pounded at the touch of her palm.
“Now, I see that I survived everything in my life to get this prize. To get to you.” She wrapped both of her hands around him. He was too large for her fingers to meet at the back, so she rested them on his ass. “I claim you, Beryl. And I'm getting my booty right now."
He cracked a smile, and that's when she knew she had him.
"Take me to bed,” she demanded.
The hesitation on his face lasted for less than a fraction of a millisecond. Then she was in his arms. Everything blurred and before she blinked they were on the bed.
