by Olivia Ash
The ifrit bowed her head. “Of course, Your Highness.”
“Can you do me a favor?” Sadie asked.
“What is it, Your Majesty?”
“I need more ifrits.” Between Zagan and, now, these cretins, she needed to start building her own army. “Take two of your comrades to help you. Bring as many as you can from all the nearby villages.”
The female ifrit bowed again and left, walking as calmly as if she hadn’t just been in a fight. Sadie smiled to herself, thinking how lucky she was to have found reliable soldiers.
She turned her attention to the crumbling pillars blown up by the explosion, wondering what kind of artifact triggered it. Those demons must have come from Mara’s own soldiers. She thought about Kiana and the other ifrits she had sent on the search for Mara but set the thought aside. These things took time. They would return with reports eventually.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Sadie
Sadie unlocked the bars of Mordecai’s cell. Not that they did anything to keep him in the cell in the first place.
“What’s this?” he asked. “You’re here to interrogate me, or for more training?”
“Neither,” she said. “Come with me.”
Instead of going through the entrance of the cell, he shifted to shadow and bled through the bars. She snorted.
“What?” he asked. “I like doing it.”
She shook her head and walked out of the dungeons.
“Where are we going?” he asked as he followed behind her.
She sighed. “To your bedroom. Unless you miss your cell. In that case, stop following me.”
“Good to know I’m no longer a prisoner,” he said. Even though she couldn’t see him, she heard the smile in his voice.
“I’d love to keep you there,” she said, halting in her steps to face him. “But you earned it after the fight today.”
He didn’t answer, so she turned her back on him again and they walked to the east wing in silence. When they reached his room, Sadie opened the double doors to his chamber, revealing a king-sized, ebony bed filled with soft cushions. The dark sheets and pillows were similar to hers. Dark grey and black silk fabrics hung from the ceiling, serving as the bed’s canopy.
Sadie allowed Mordecai to step into the room and take a look around. When he faced her, she smiled and said, “Thanks for saving my life.”
She turned to leave but stopped when he grabbed her elbow. She faced him again.
He smirked. “Thought you were supposed to help me break in the bed?”
“Or...” She glared at him, though she didn’t think she did a convincing job because of the blush creeping up her face. “I can just send you back to the dungeons.”
She tried to take her elbow back as Mordecai wrapped his arms around her. She twisted from his hold and tried to wrench his arms that locked her in place.
“What do you think you’re doing?” she asked.
In answer, he opened his wings and flew them toward his bed. He pinned her to the mattress with him on top of her.
She yelped. “Mordecai!” She thrashed in his arms and tried to escape, but it didn’t seem to do anything but burn energy.
Mordecai lifted his arm out to the side and flicked his wrist. Smoke shifted. It solidified, pushing the door closed. A spiral of smoke clicked the lock. She gaped and took in this handsome man’s eyes, realizing he kept his eyes on her the entire time and not the door.
She should leave. But even though she kept moving and hitting his arm, trying to make him let go of her, a part of her didn’t want him to.
This was madness. She shouldn’t be pinned under him, completely at his mercy. Her body shivered with the way he looked at her. Even though she yearned for him to draw nearer every time he touched her, and even though being with him felt intoxicating, she teetered on the edge of darkness.
But he made her feel powerful.
He smirked. And she felt like he could see her internal struggle. That annoyed her even more.
She stopped thrashing and began to think of another way to get him off her, since she obviously couldn’t move him through sheer strength. But when he brushed away stray locks of hair away from her face and kissed the corner of her left eye, she froze.
“Is this part of some weird training?” she asked, trying to make her voice authoritative, but the words came out breathless.
“Maybe,” he said, voice husky. “Maybe I want you to give in.”
He cupped her cheek with a warm hand. “I know you want this.”
He leaned close and whispered, “Let go, Sadie.”
His deep voice sent a shiver down her spine. She shut her eyes and took in a steadying breath. The darkness surrounding Mordecai felt familiar. It was a darkness that lingered within her, too. She had felt it since she arrived in Bitterthorn.
Maybe that was why she resisted him. Because being with him made her feel closer to that darkness within her. She knew the demon queen title had a history of cruelty and ruthlessness. But that wasn’t her. She worried if she got close enough to touch the darkness that came with the amulet, she might change. And she might never come back.
As if he knew what she was thinking, Mordecai caressed her cheek with his thumb and looked at her so longingly. “Let go.”
Her eyes softened with how he gazed at her. In that moment, she trusted him. So, she let go.
When his lips met hers, she felt herself fall toward that darkness. She let it consume her. The magic. The power thrumming in her veins. She gave in.
And as this energy enveloped her, she didn’t feel any different. She didn’t feel cruel or ruthless. She only felt like herself. Maybe even better. She smiled against his lips, knowing in her heart and feeling it in her soul the magic didn’t change her. It made her stronger. A darker aura seemed to surround her now, but she felt the same.
Mordecai’s lips left hers to spread kisses on her cheek, her jaw, her throat. She wrapped her arms around his neck, wanting more. She moaned. His kisses drifted upward, and he nibbled on her ear, biting it softly, making her gasp.
Sadie hooked one leg on his hips and placed her arms on his chest. She guided him so that he lay under her. She kissed him the same way he did, spreading light kisses on his lips, his cheek, his jaw, because he should know how it felt, too.
Their lips met again and, this time, Mordecai’s hands drifted to her breast, kneading, pressing his thumbs on her erect nipples. She whimpered needing more of him. His tongue explored her mouth. Sadie moaned again and clenched her thighs, trying to gain even the slightest release from the throbbing between her legs.
Mordecai’s hands wandered down her side and slipped under the hem of her robe. He caressed her butt while playing with her underwear, stretching the fabric with his hands. She wanted to press against him, even closer than they already were. But before his hands could wander farther than they were now, Sadie took his hands and pinned them above his head. She looked at him with a teasing smile and pecked the tip of his nose.
Without a word, she sat up and left the bed. Mordecai growled, and she laughed under her breath. She smiled as she left his room, knowing he wanted more. She sauntered to her chambers with her head held high, very much so feeling like the queen she was.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Steele
Steele strutted through the room, finalizing every minute detail to make sure his date with Sadie went off without a hitch.
The dining table was set with a lavish spread of roasted chicken and potatoes, wine, and a selection of cheeses that compliment his choice of pinot. Noir of course. The darker, the better.
Rose petals were scattered along the spread, with a sizable bouquet standing near center where Sadie would be sitting.
Standing back, he propped his hands on his hips and narrowed his eyes, scrutinizing every detail.
A throat cleared behind him.
Steele turned, finding Sadie looking ravishing in a midnight blue gown with a plunging neckline that showed of
f not only her pendant but her rather delicious cleavage. Her cheeks warmed, and Steele smiled.
So beautiful.
He wanted her. Bad. His gaze drifted back to the table as he considered taking her to the bedroom before dinner, but as things would go, Sadie pushed passed him and sat herself down in front of one of the plates.
“You’ve really outdone yourself, Steele. Everything looks wonderful.”
“You look better than anything on that table.” He approached her side and leaned over. “Care for an appetizer?”
Without waiting for an answer, he lowered his lips to hers, moving his mouth in the way that makes her moan every time.
And she did.
His hands slipped under the seam of her dress to cup a breast and massage it in the way that would make her come for him. It satisfied him when she crossed her legs and clenched them tighter.
Sadie pulled back, stopping Steele with a laugh. “I’m ready for the main course.”
Steele groaned. “What are we waiting for then?” He held out his hand for her and she looked at it with a confused expression.
Her eyes widened as she blushed even more. “No. The food.”
“It will happen, Sadie. And when it does, you will beg for more.”
“We’ll see,” she said as she picked up a cube of cheddar and plopped it into her mouth.
“Care to place a wager on that?” he asked, taking his own seat adjacent to her.
“Is everything a game that you have to win? Are you not serious about anything?” She asked and took a sip of her wine. Her eyes rolled, and she let out a soft “mmm.”
The look of pleasure on Sadie’s face took control of Steele’s already out-of-control sex drive. He had to get her soon. Else he would lose his mind. “I take plenty of things seriously. And I am serious when I said it will happen and you will beg for more.”
“I’m sure.” She smiled and set her eyes on the spread. “Nice touch with the rose petals.”
“My pleasure.”
She sat straighter. “So, what else do you take serious? Besides that.”
He shrugged. “Things.”
She shook her head. Her eyes focused on something on the table as she thought of something apparently dark. This wasn’t what Steele was thinking when he had a romantic wine and dine type of date in mind.
She set her gorgeous black eyes on him, and his heart stilled for a moment.
“I’ll make a bet with you then. Tell me the darkest thing you can handle, and if I can show you something worse, I win whatever I want.”
“And if you can’t?” he asked, leaning forward, itching for the challenge.
“Let’s cross that bridge when we get there.”
Steele shook his head. “Nope. If you get whatever you want, so do I. And I think you know what I want, Sadie.”
She narrowed her eyes on him, a thin smile toyed with the edges of her lips. “For me to choose you. I know. Not happening tonight however.”
Steele shook his head. A chuckle rumbled in his throat. “Yes, there’s that. But—”
“Oh, Damien and I found a hellhound in the forest. Did I tell you?”
Changing the subject didn’t sway his goal for the evening. He played along. For the moment. She took a sip of the wine and licked her lips. Steele’s pants grew even tighter. He groaned and fought to take her right then and there, show her the promise of what he could bring.
Damn, those lips. He wanted to lick them for himself, but he played the moment cool. Collected.
“Oh?” he asked, yanking his eyes from her lips to look her in the eyes.
“Yeah, such an adorable creature,” Sadie said.
Not as adorable as you…
“Too bad he left not long after he showed himself.”
He grabbed a cheddar cube from the cheese platter by the toothpick and ate it. He figured if he didn’t attempt to eat something himself, she would probably think he poisoned her or something. It’s not something he hadn’t done before, but there was so much more to Sadie than he initially gave her credit for. If she didn’t choose him—no, he wouldn’t think of that. “Probably means Damien’s going to die soon. That’s good.” He finished chewing the cheese and added, “One less competitor.”
She smacked him on the arm. “And you wonder why I say you don’t take things seriously.”
He laughed, rubbing the spot, though it didn’t hurt. Shrugging, he said, “Guess you’ll just have to reconsider my end of the bargain.”
“What about the stuff with your dad,” she said. “What do you think I should do?”
Steele wiped his lips with a napkin. “Why don’t we just run away and leave my three dork brothers to fend for themselves?” He smiled. “We could go to Ibiza. Party all night long.”
Damn, he missed Ibiza. Maybe he could really take her there one day. But Steele disregarded the thought. He wanted to be chosen, more than returning to Ibiza. He just didn’t want to get his hopes up on taking her with him.
Sadie shook her head, laughing under her breath. “Again. Not taking things seriously.”
“Still waiting for you to agree to me getting what I want. Sure, I want to be chosen, but…” he settled his eyes on her and inched into her mind with the image of him satisfying his craving for her. The way he could make her feel.
She clutched the arms of her chair, eyes closed and leaned her head back.
He smiled, pulling away. Some things were better done than just shown.
She sat straighter again, panting for breath, setting her eyes alight with desire for him.
“Fine,” she said through pants. She stood and walked to one of the massive halls.
He watched her walk through the door into the hall, eyes on her sumptuous hips as she walked and stood, stopping in the middle of the doorway to look at him.
“Chicken?” she asked.
He laughed, stood, and followed her, pulled by more than just the desire to win the bet, but by the need to be constantly near her. He was confident this fortress had many dark things to show him, but dark enough to unsettle him? Never.
They made their way to the south wing. Gloomier and darker compared to the rest of the fortress. Lion heads carved of stone silently roared from the top of each arch lining the walls. A massive metallic door stood at the end. It was colder, too. Steele tried to hide the shiver that quaked through him. He wouldn’t admit that this place concerned him. Winning the bet wasn’t his biggest concern for him anymore. Protecting Sadie was.
Sadie calmly led him inside the metallic door. She seemed unperturbed. But when they reached the entrance to what seemed like a dark, misty courtyard, her hands became uneasy. Her fingers fidgeted with her clothes. He took a hand just to help steady her, and it gave him the chance to touch her soft skin.
He thought she would lead them to the courtyard since he felt it deserved to be the darkest place in the fortress, but they passed it, and she hastened her steps. Steele drew his eyebrows together. He wondered what could possibly have been there that would cause such a reaction from her. Perhaps he would bring that up later. For now, he wanted to enjoy the dark things she wanted to show him. Besides, the courtyard concerned him as well.
Definitely bringing that up later.
Sadie stepped into another hallway instead, and they entered a vast, shadow-covered room with a ceiling ornamented with alcoves. Tall shelves filled with cobwebs lined the walls. The room lacked furniture, except for a lone couch covered in a white sheet stained with dust in the middle of the room. The one chandelier that hung from the ceiling was in complete disuse.
“What is this place?” Steele asked, his voice quiet though piercing the silence.
Sadie shrugged. Her face seemed inscrutable, but she pulled her hand from his and crossed her arms, betraying the discomfort she obviously felt. Steele went to put his arms around him, but she moved on, taking him out of the metal doorway, back into the hall that led to the south wing.
The air lightened and Steele sucked in
a deep breath, warming up as they departed from the unsettling air from the south wing.
She kept walking along the south wing’s hallways to another area he had never been before.
“Have you had enough?” Sadie asked. “You’ve kept your composure fairly well so far.”
Steele looked at her. “Enough what?”
“Dark stuff.”
He smirked. “Only if you’ve had.”
She smiled at him. With that smile and her dark waves framing her face like that, he subdued the urge to run his hands along her cheek and pull her to him. He wanted to press her against the wall and take her right then and there. He wanted to grab a fistful of that beautiful hair and make her cum until she couldn’t take anymore.
He wondered what she was thinking now. Quelling the guilt he felt for even thinking about breaching her privacy, he peeked into her thoughts. Just a little bit of insight.
The tiny piece of guilt he felt transformed to jealousy with Sadie in Mordecai’s bed, his hands touching parts he shouldn’t have touched. Steele left her mind immediately, unable to stomach seeing more of the images. He needed to step up his game. He was already losing. To Mordecai, no less.
Screw his imaginations of pressing her against the wall. He should turn it into reality. Steele approached Sadie, his hunger for this woman annihilated his practical sense. He wanted—no, needed— her. He needed her to himself. Sadie gently bit her lower lip as she stepped back until her back hit the wall, looking up at him through her long lashes. He couldn’t take it anymore.
He pinned her to the wall and leaned down, pecking her on the side of her lips. “You’re too irresistible for my own good.”
“Not my fault you can’t control your impulses,” she said.
Her body arched against him.
“Good point,” he said, voice low. “At least you understand my need to do this.” His fingers traced her nipples through the fabric of her dress.
She leaned closer to him. He nudged her neck with his nose and planted another kiss on the side of her jaw. This woman.