Ties That Bind: The Bellum Sisters 3 (paranormal erotic romance) (27 page)

Her mind tried to rack through all the letters she'd sent him. She must have sent at least twelve. Had it been the first one where she told him she had a dream of them kissing under a sky that looked an awful lot like the rift's sky? Or maybe it was, no. A dark blush bloomed over her face making her feel warm under his focused scrutiny.

“You remember.” He pressed her fully onto the mattress, his strong hot upper body trapping her, thrilling her. “I recall each little detail. I suppose I could throw it away but I couldn't make myself do it. It kept me up some nights.”

She blushed so hard she had to look away. It was one thing writing to him about her sexual fantasies it was another to hear about it from his own lips. His hands caught her wrists and then he slid down her body like a slinking cat and pressed her hands into the mattress in a way that clearly meant: do not move. Her entire body tightened and her heart raced wildly like a stampede.

“What are you doing?” she asked, breathless. She felt his tongue before she saw it. Warm and wet he pressed his tongue to the center of her stomach and slowly licked a path down to her belly button. Her hips arched, writhing against him at the touch.

“What you said you wanted me to do that day at Lyonis'. I'm going to lick you from your head to your toes.”

Her fingers fisted the sheet beneath. A fine tremble began in her stomach, seeping out to her thighs and arms.

“Relax,” he said gently, his tongue dipping into her belly button. His soft lips kissed a path to each of her hipbones before starting down the top of one leg. His hands held her in place, gave her some stability or else she might shoot up and start making demands. A mixture of wet tongue and warm lips played against her skin, creating a stir of arousal and goose bumps. He made it to her first knee and she could barely catch her breath as he lifted it and spread her open.

A flash of embarrassment caught her and she scolded herself. They'd had sex before. Though he'd never actually been this close to her pussy, he'd been inside of it. Still, she stiffened because he could see her so clearly now. Then a soft moan left her as his tongue traced the seam behind her knees. Her breath caught and let out on a needy sigh; her hands kneaded the bed sheet.

“Oh my god.”

“You have beautiful legs, Lily.” His demonic voice sounded as if it'd dropped an octave. The sound of it unfurled need in her, making her wet and damp. He kissed his way down her leg, then released her hands when he couldn't do both at the same time. “Do not move,” he warned. The growl in his voice made her lock her hands in place. She'd do anything he asked so long as he continued to touch her.

He reached for a foot and pressed kisses to the arch, gently biting on her toe. She undulated as warm pleasure swarmed inside her. She'd never known. Never knew that being touched there went straight to her core making her pant like a dog.

He nibbled the toes on her other foot until she giggled and fought him. Then he made his way back up her other leg with wet tongue and warm kisses. Suddenly, seeing him creep up her body sent a wave of longing through her. She wanted to part her legs and feel his mouth between her legs, just like she'd teased him about a year ago.

“You are soft as silk,” he said as his lips kissed over her knee then inside her leg, moving upwards. She had to part her legs or else he wouldn't fit, but insecurity got the better of her and she didn't. His eyes shot up her body to watch her. “Since when are you shy, Lily?”

Since I'm not juiced up on my meds.
Instead of that honest declaration she said, “I've never done that before....”

His smile positively curled her toes. His hands grasped her thighs then slowly spread her open as he kissed his way up. Lily slammed her eyes closed, her entire body tense like a taut bowstring as she waited for the first touch.

One of his hands left her thighs and he kept her propped open with his big shoulders. A finger passed down her wet lips then pushed inside her needy tissues. A moan left her and when he slowly began to pump his finger even more breathy moans came. His stiff tongue passed over her then delved between her lips to find her clitoris. He barely moved it. Just rotated the tip of his stiff tongue across her excited nerves as if he had all the time in the world while pumping that finger in her slick passage.

“Telal,” she croaked, her head swishing from side to side.

Her entire body was tensing up, coiling, readying to fly apart with something she knew would be earth shattering. Then his tongue left her, and his finger pulled away leaving a heavy, empty feeling inside her. She panted, her hands crushing the sheet in her fists.

“Don't stop, please,” she moaned.

And then his tongue thrust inside her, retreated then thrust in again, fucking her. She moaned high, her hips rocking against him at the slick, soft intrusion. It felt wonderful, incredible but she needed more. Her hands threaded through his hair to tug but he pulled back.

“Touch your tits and don't stop.”

She met his stern gaze then did as he said. She realized she liked touching her breasts like this. Not only did it fuel the passion inside her, bringing her that much closer to ecstasy, but it gave her something to do. Her nipples became the next object of her attention as she tugged and pulled on them.

Only after he watched her play with her breasts with that hungry gaze for a minute did he go back down. He licked her everywhere, tasting every inch of her; even sucking her lips into his mouth in one of the most erotic sensations she'd ever felt.

Her clitoris felt so tight and needy like the barest of touches would set her off. He growled and set his mouth over it, flicking slowly, drawing little circles and zigzags across the nerves. Her breath raked in and out hard. Her hips pumped, her skin burned hot.

The climax hit her hard in a bright explosion that blinded her, robbed her of breath. Everything pulled tight then released in an instant. He never had to move his tongue fast, just that slow swirling brought a scream from her, made her hands squeeze her breasts hard. It faded slowly, leaving her feeling incredibly warm and almost numb. If he asked her to lift her arm it would take great effort to do so.

As her mind drifted back down to earth, she felt his finger thrusting inside her. She was so wet, so much more now from her orgasm, that he easily passed inside. Another finger entered and widened her in an incredibly way. Lily felt a hard pounding ache inside her and she realized the orgasm was only the tip of the iceberg. She needed his cock, needed him to appease the emptiness.

“Telal!”

“Dreenaru gina slinah.”

He slid up her body, pulling one leg onto his shoulder as he did. He looked feral, possessive, and so sexy it hurt. His strong hand ran down her thigh then slapped her bottom. He sat on his knees, his cock dark and golden, hard as steel between them. He gripped his cock in a fist, his other hand massaged the cheek he'd spanked, then he pushed it against her entrance and pushed inside on a hard thrust. All of her muscles eased around him, fitting him like a glove.

He groaned, his head tossing back and then he took her. His thrusts were hard, punishing. Her wet pussy took him easily, smoothly. She felt spread open from his thick cock, the little nerves shooting sparks of pleasure throughout her from the tips of her hair to her toes. Each thrust landed against her clitoris spiking the erotic sensation even more.

His face was drawn in a mask of sensual pleasure. His eyes swept to her breasts and then, as if watching them jiggle with each thrust was too much, he reached forward and cupped one, tugging the nipple.

“I cannot take much more,” he gritted out.

Lily couldn't either. He released her leg then came over her, crushing his mouth to hers, tongue thrusting against hers. She held him tight, her nails digging in at his shoulders. Noises left her throat, muted by his lips and her hips rocked harder, faster as his pounding thrusts built to a crescendo. Her pleasure spiked and she had to tear her mouth away to scream as her entire body jerked against him. He groaned long and hard as her pussy squeezed him trying to wring his release from him. His teeth found her neck and bit down and then he slammed inside and held himself there as a hot wash of liquid jetted inside her.

They stayed locked together for some time. When he started to doze off while still inside her, she shook him and he rolled over, pulling her on top of him. With a soft smile, she fell asleep in his arms feeling good for the first time all day.

CHAPTER 34

Arianna stroked the petal of a blood-red rose. The scents of sultry, sweet, and earthy flowers rose from the garden, teasing her senses. She cut the sharp pricks off the stem of the bloom then cut the stem.

Holding the big bloom to her nose, she pushed her nose into it and sniffed. The delicate scent always brought a smile to her face.

Celine strolled towards her holding several white and pink roses in her grasp. She hadn't smiled in days, not since the theatrics in the throne room. Since the Queen was declared a traitor and banned from the lands. But now a smile covered her face and her eyes glowed. Being around flowers always had that effect on her.

“You seem to be feeling better,” said Celine.

Arianna's brow flew up. “Me? You're the one who's been all dreary these past couple days.”

Celine laughed, shaking her head. “
You've
been depressed. Sure I've been shaken with all the drama going on. I mean how could I not be?” She ran a finger down the stem of her roses. In a quiet voice she asked, “Have you seen him lately?”

Arianna grimaced. She didn't want to speak of Alrik. She felt so conflicted about everything going on. The news of the Queen’s treachery had been like a blow to everyone. Even Arianna hadn't seen that coming. In a sick, demented way it made sense, though. All the dark changes in Alrik that had taken place after the rift closed made sense now.

“I haven't seen him since he banished the Queen. He hasn't called upon me.” She didn't know how to feel about that. She had wanted to go to him to see how he was. A part of her had wondered if his hair would be that beautiful reddish brown again, his eyes that vibrant violet. But she'd stayed away because what if it wasn't? What if he looked the same,
was
the same? She wasn't sure she could handle that.

“Do you think her spell is why he's changed so much over the years?”

Arianna shrugged. “I think so. It would explain it. I thought he had just let his anger consume him. Maybe I was wrong.”
I hope I was wrong
.

Celine watched her closely. Arianna shifted, discomforted under her scrutiny. “You care for the king, don't you?”

Arianna exhaled a shaky breath. “I...I might. I don't know.” She felt torn between the passion he stirred in her and the cruel streak he carried. She wanted to tell Celine about how he'd stolen her journal but kept her lips shut. For some reason, the thought of making him look bad didn't feel right with her.

A tinkling noise brought Arianna around. A servant came forward carrying a silver tray laden with a kettle and tea cups. Arianna directed him to the table and chairs besides the flowers and he set it down.

“Thank you.” The servant bowed then started back towards the house.

“It's all right if you care for him,” Celine said, taking a seat. “Perhaps you can help to change him back to how he used to be. With his mother gone, the black magic around him should fade.”

Arianna nodded in thought. “Perhaps. I think...I think I'd like that,” she admitted. Celine set a saucer and teacup in front of them then poured the tea.

“It could benefit everyone if you did.”

“How so?”

“He might be more lenient. More...right-minded, don't you think?”

Arianna had thought about it. To have the kingdom feeling healthy and positive once again almost seemed impossible to achieve. But maybe. There was always hope. Arianna took a sip of her tea. She recoiled, the burning hot tea stinging her tongue. Hissing, she quickly set the teacup down, sloshing some of the mixture on the saucer.

Celine patted her on the back. “Are you okay?”

Suddenly a stifling energy filled the air. Arianna turned slowly to see Alrik striding for her, his expression almost violent. She flinched at the look in his eyes. Black energy swirled like twining snakes in a bowl in his irises.

“King Alrik?”

He grabbed her arm hard and jerked her to a stand. “Who hurt you?” She blanched at his voice. It was so much deeper than it normally was, almost garbled together.

“No one. No one hurt me.” Her eyes were wide with fear, her breaths coming in pants. The urge to yank her arm back and try to run, even knowing she'd never get away from him, was almost too strong to deny.

“I heard you gasp. You're in pain.”

Celine stood and even her voice trembled. “She burnt her tongue while drinking tea. It was too hot, your highness.” Arianna didn't spare her a glace; she was too caught up in the sight of his eyes. Something was wrong—very wrong. Her heart deflated as hope dried up. She'd really hoped he'd be different, like his old self again. He almost seemed...worse.

“Servant!” he roared, his nostril's flaring.

Arianna gently tugged on her arm, but his fingers tightened until the skin nearly pinched. The servant who served the tea came rushing out. He bobbed into a bow, never meeting the king's eyes.

“Yes, your highness?”

“Did you bring her tea?” He stared into her eyes with all that anger that seemed to be literally coming to the surface of his strong body. The hate and anger pulsed off of him in waves capable of tearing down anyone in its path.

“Yes, your highness. She requested it.”

The hand around her arm disappeared and then Alrik had the servant by the throat, his feet dangling off the ground. The servant latched onto Alrik's wrist, his face turning red, and the veins at his temples protruding from stress.

“Did she request it scalding hot, servant?” he asked in a low voice. Arianna took a step back feeling real fear now. Not only for herself and Celine but for the servant in his grasp.

“N-no, your highness. It was an accident.”

Alrik squeezed tighter and the choking, wheezing sounds of the servant’s throat being closed off were too disturbing to hear.

“Alrik!” she called to him. His head jerked and then he looked at her. “Please let him down. Truly it was an accident.”

His lips twitched with a snarl, the grip around the servant's throat squeezing harder, and then he roared and threw the servant. The servant screamed as he flew back and landed with a bone-crushing whack against the castle.

Arianna screamed and started for him but Alrik caught her arm and pulled her to a stop. “You do not go to him, Arianna. You are mine.” Her skin crawled.

“You hurt him. I just want to make sure he's all right,” she said calmly. She slowly pulled on her arm until he released it then walked slowly to the prone servant.

Celine met her there. The servant bled from his mouth and nose; his breathing came in short, gasping bursts.

“He needs a healer now. I’ll get help.” Celine ran inside and Arianna stiffened as Alrik's hard steps came towards her. Her heart beat a frantic, wild rhythm. How could he make her feel so good one minute then so terrified the next?

He grabbed her hand. “Come with me.” Arianna followed because she didn't have a choice. He took her to his bedroom. The royal suite looked extravagant, rich with tapestries, lush bed spreads and intricately carved statues.

The door closed behind him and she felt completely shut off from the rest of the world. Completely alone with the beast. He took a seat in front of a roaring fireplace but aside from the light it casted the room was dark. Each step she took felt like she was walking to her own death, but she went and took a seat in the chair next to him.

“You care for me,” he said.

Her eyebrow flew up in surprise. “What?”

His eyes locked on her, pulled down low in anger. “I read your journal many times. You care for me.”

She couldn't even be sure how she felt about him, but after seeing him brutally attack a servant for something so miniscule her feelings lent more to fear now than 'caring'. She wouldn't tell him that. Who knew what he might do.

“I am not sure how I feel,” she said after a minute. She carefully chose her words to reveal some while hopefully not sending him into a rage that'd leave her broken and crying against the wall.

“Something is wrong.” He held out his hand, his fingers spread. He looked at his hand as if seeing it for the first time, studying it and turning it over to discover his black palm.

“What's wrong, Alrik?”

“I feel different.” His deep voice, almost hoarse, brought chills down her spine with his odd words.

“How so?”
I want to help you
, she wanted to say.

“I've never attacked anyone before like that. I've never felt so angry.”

She wanted to defend him because even with how messed up he was, she wanted to help him. “You were just coming to my defense. A bit too...strongly, though.” She waited to see if her words would sent him into a rage. But they didn't.

“I wanted to kill him. To crush his throat with my bare hands.” He studied his hands some more then turned to look at her. She was struck by the dark swirling energy in his eyes, so unnatural, yet beautiful in a strange way. “Now I want you.”

She stood so fast the chair rocked back on its legs and fell over. “What?” Her chest rose and fell in a rush.

He stood, too, his broad shoulders and tall form making her feel so small and insignificant in comparison. “I'm going to have your body now, Ari.” He started pulling off his overcoat and shirt, revealing dark, charcoal skin, silver hoops piercing his nipples, and the royal tattoo along his right side.

“Not now.” She backed away. Not after what she'd just seen. Not after her hopes of seeing him changed with the magic spell around him canceled vanquished. His body was gorgeous though. He looked the same as he did when he was younger, before he changed, yet so different. If she focused hard enough, she could still see his vibrant hair and eyes.

“Now.” His boots hit the floor then his pants. He wore nothing underneath and his cock sprang rigid and thick at her. She tensed and kept her eyes trained on his face.

“I'm not ready.” She didn't want it like this. Didn't want to experience sex for the first time with a man she wasn't sure was a man anymore.

But when he came towards her she didn't back away. She felt frozen in place, drawn between two places: one that wanted to run away from him forever and another that wanted to hold him, kiss him and fix everything for him.

“Don't do this,” she begged. It sounded weak, she knew, because she did want this with him, just not now. Not like this. Not with his brutal actions and strange eyes hovering over them like a thunderstorm.

“I must.” He pulled her into his body and turned her around. His hands slowly undid the buttons of her dress, the ties that cinched the dress in at her waist.

His hands gently teased her bare shoulders then slid down her arms as the dress fell to her breasts as it loosened, then dropped completely to the floor. She stood before him, trembling, naked, completely exposed.

“I have to have you at least once Arianna. Before...” his voice trailed off.

“Before what?” she whispered.

He didn't answer. His hands swept over the curves of her breasts and down her stomach in long strokes. Her body started to warm at his gentle touch, she found herself leaning back against his naked chest. His erection pressed hard against her bottom and she felt the urge to rub against it, so she did.

 His hand had been passing over her breast when she did it, and he stopped, his hand cupping her harder. “Do not do that.” She apologized at once and stiffened. She felt him let out an uneasy breath. “You didn't do anything wrong. I'm battling not to take you how I want to, Ari.”

His hands took each of her breasts, working them until warmth spread throughout her body and she grew wet between her legs. When he finally touched her nipples it felt like being zapped with pleasure. Her head fell back against his shoulder and she panted, her whole body swaying in a subtle motion.

She tried to think of some way to reply but her mind slowly started to shut down. She wanted to just feel what he did to her and forget about everything else. Lips and teeth found her neck, biting and teasing. Her body started to burn hotter, her skin pulled tight with that sensation he'd given her before. She wanted him to touch her with his fingers like he did last time and make her feel that incredible climax.

One arm wrapped around her, the hand capturing her breasts and squeezing it while the other wrapped around her waist then trailed down to cup her sex. She moaned a high, needy sound and started writhing.

“Hold still,” he commanded in that deep voice. Then his teeth sank into her shoulder muscle. It felt as if all her muscles went paralyzed, just sitting in place for him with that bite. His fingers slid across her wet lips, circling her tight bundle of nerves, and all she could do was try to breathe in and out in a steady rhythm.

It didn't work. She panted. Her lips parted and cries left her as he thrust a finger inside her, not gently but in a powerful push. In and out he worked his finger until she felt his breathing grow loud and heavy against her shoulder where his teeth pinned her. Then he growled, the sound reverberating through her pores and down to her clitoris, and his fingers swirled fast and hard around her clitoris. In a flash everything tightened to an unbearable point inside her. A fire roared in her blood, through her veins and she screamed a hoarse, raw sound as everything released in a hot, wet rush from inside her.