The breath gusted out of him. “Thank fuck for that.”
She laughed as his arms closed around her, pulling her close to his chest. Instead of leaning towards her, he leaned back, dragging her on top of him. No trepidation this time, she relaxed against him, turning her face up for a kiss.
Norrix's fingertips brushed the side of her breast. Tingles radiated through her, adding to the heat she already felt. She needed something more. All these physical feelings were new though, and she didn’t know what.
“Will... will you bite me?”
“Definitely.” His fingers drew lines and circles over her back. “But not yet.”
“Why not?”
“A vampire’s venom for his Dragă is potent and it might affect your thinking. I want you to have a clear head for now.”
Myth stiffened in his arms. He wanted her to be his and take away her decisions, too.
“Your scent is bitter. Don’t be upset. You don’t know all the things we could do. While you decide what you like or don’t like, you should be thinking clearly.” Norrix rubbed his thumb over the pulse in her neck. “I promise I’ll bite you later.”
“Maybe I won't let you.”
“I just want you to—”
Myth sat up, reached for the hem of her dress, and yanked it over her head. She hurled it to the floor and sat naked atop Norrix. “I’m not a child. I can decide things for myself.”
“No, you are definitely not a child. But you should have all the information you need before you decide anything.”
Oh. Her moment of bravado over, Myth felt self-conscious and resisted the urge to cross her arms over her chest. She wondered what she smelled like now when Norrix took a deep breath. He pushed on her back and after a moment of resistance, she bent forward.
Norrix kissed her nose, eyes, checks, lips, and trailed more kisses down her neck. Her heart beat fast and she hoped he didn’t stop. That achey, needy feeling was back and getting stronger. She shifted, brushing his erection with her leg, and he groaned.
His kisses went lower, over her collarbones, across the tops of her breasts, then he licked her nipple. Myth jolted like she’d been stung, the sensation making her whole body tense. He sucked, soft at first, but harder when she pushed her chest at him. He’d awakened nerves that seemed to run from her nipple to her core, and she felt wetness between her legs.
He released her breast and switched to the other one, sliding his fangs across the taut peak and nipping her.
Electricity sparked across her new nerves, and she squirmed against him. “What's happening?”
“I’m starting my apology,” Norrix murmured against her skin. His mouth went back to her breast, tongue licking the underside. He cupped her other breast in his hand and drew his nails up her thigh.
Then he was touching her there, between her legs, and she could feel it. No one but Iqiohr had ever touched her there before, and ever since he became the Scorpion Mage, he always used the gel. Norrix’s fingers slipped over her, spreading the slickness he found.
“How do I smell now?”
Norrix inhaled and blew out his breath across her nipples. “Good enough to eat.” He found a new place that made her body jump and drew lazy circles with the rough pad of his finger. The achey feeling intensified and coiled tight.
Myth dug her nails into Norrix’s shoulders to keep herself upright, rolling her hips to push against his fingers.
“How’s my apology?” He sounded amused.
Why did he think now was a time for talking? “Um.” She concentrated on the spiraling need his fingers were building. It felt so nice, but too much and not enough at the same time.
“Wow. I better keep apologizing. For that, I need you to lie back and close your eyes. Will you trust me and do that?”
“Yes?”
“You don’t sound sure.”
Pushing off his chest, she scooted back, laid down on the sofa and closed her eyes. Norrix shifted around, lifted her leg and kissed her foot. He put her ankle on his shoulder and kissed the back of her knee. His fangs nipped, and she jumped.
Norrix’s warm breath between her legs puzzled her, then he licked her.
Myth shrieked and her eyes flew open. No prince ever did that to his princess in the stories her mother told her. She sat halfway up. “What —”
Norrix’s black eyes watched her. “Relax and lie back down. You’re close, the first one won't take long.”
Myth did as he asked, hoping he’d make this ache go away. He was making it so much worse. “First what?”
“You'll see.”
Myth’s mind spun as his finger and thumb stroked her. Her hips rose and fell in rhythm to his fingers doing such wonderfully decadent things to her body. It was all happening so fast, but all she wanted was to experience more. She ran her hand over the muscles of his chest before dipping down to explore the ridges of his abdomen.
He smiled at her. Helpless to do anything else, she watched, riveted, as his head lowered between her thighs. When his tongue licked her flesh again, little bolts of electricity raced over her skin.
The magic she’d always kept under tight control fought to push her closer to him. Her hands tangled in his hair as he parted her sex and thrust his tongue inside. Her body became boneless, and she fell back. He lifted her bottom in his palms and pulled her closer as he feasted. The sensation of his tongue, his hands, and the scrape of his fangs against her skin had her gasping for air.
She couldn’t breathe. Couldn’t think. She needed... needed him to.... She didn’t know. He took one hand away to rub her clit as his tongue delved deeper. He knew. That was what she needed.
Her back arched, and she moaned as wave after wave of pleasure and passion swept over her. Every nerve ending she possessed came alive. When the sensations finally eased, she collapsed and gazed at the ceiling as she tried to catch her breath. “Oh.”
“How is my apology going?”
Why did Norrix want to ask her questions now? “Better?”
“Wow, sounds like I need to try again.”
“Again?”
He chuckled into her thigh. “Yes, Myth. You can do that again.”
“Well, thank fuck for that.” If this was how a vampire apologized, their Dragăs probably got mad at them a lot.
NORRIX
THANK FUCK FOR THAT was right. She turned as red as the apples she smelled like when she said fuck. It was a turn on to watch Myth discover this side of herself. So shy and brave at the same time.
She smelled amazing. Clean and sweet and perfectly woman. He parted her damp folds and licked, drawing his tongue slowly over her swollen clit. She gasped and whimpered and writhed beneath his mouth. He lashed her with his tongue, holding her in place, taking his pleasure by giving pleasure to her.
“Norrix.” Her body trembled beneath the powerful hold of his arms. He kept one arm across her hips, stopping her from wriggling away, and slid two fingers inside her slick, wet warmth. Slowly, then faster, in and out, mimicking how he’d fill her with his cock very soon.
“Am I forgiven?” He curled his fingers inside her, loving the feel of each shudder and clench of her thighs. He flicked his tongue over her clit again, moving his free hand to her breast, where he pinched and rolled her nipples just enough to make her moan.
No answer was forthcoming as her body tightened again. Her orgasm was close. She panted and dropped her head back, stretching her tantalizing neck as a cry ripped from her throat. He stilled his fingers as her body tightened around them and took her clit into his mouth to give her what she needed.
Myth bucked beneath his hold as she came. The keening cry made him feel more alive than he’d ever felt before. His name on her lips was the most powerful magic he’d ever experienced, even if she never turned strygoi. She shivered and fell back with a satisfied sigh.
“Am I forgiven?” He nipped her thigh to get her attention.
A contented smile curved her lips, and she watched him from half-closed eyes f
ull of pleasure. Sated. That’s how she looked. And sleepy. Maybe he could just keep her in this condition so she wouldn’t think of leaving. “I think so. I forgot why I was mad.” She pushed him back as she sat up. “Do Dragăs get mad at their vampires very often?”
He nodded, watching her move to straddle his thighs. “All the time.”
“I want to feel the rest. I want to feel everything.” Myth untucked his towel and before he could say something to stop her, wiggled in his lap until he pressed against her entrance.
His Dragă’s heart tripped for a fraction of a beat, then picked up in excitement. She leaned forward and laid her ear to his chest where his heart beat for her. Her long mahogany hair spilled over him in a silky blanket. He picked up a stray tendril near his face, running the length of it through his fingers. She froze. Releasing her hair, his hands flew to the couch instead. No touching her hair.
After a moment that lasted an eternity, she exhaled, warm breath ghosting over his skin. She turned her head, pressed a kiss to his chest, and watched him with mischief in her hazel eyes. Her tongue flicked over his nipple. His stomach clenched, and he sucked in a sharp breath. Myth grazed his flesh with her teeth. Lunging forward, she braced her hands on his chest and bit his neck. Electricity shot straight to his dick, his hips involuntarily bucking with the sensation.
Myth trailed her fingers down his body and delicately stroked his erection, her touch so soft he thought it was his imagination. His eyelids fluttered, but he forced his eyes open, gripping the edge and back of the couch so hard they creaked.
She was made for him. He needed her to know exactly how he felt, and that he was every bit as much hers. Another stroke. This time more tangible and with confidence. A bead of moisture gathered on his tip. A moan rumbled up from his chest, and she stroked him again, ending with her hand wrapped around him. “Myth —”
Gripping his cock, she guided him to her center and sank onto him slowly. When she’d taken all of him into her wet heat, her heart beat wildly, but her scent was still hot apples, no bitter or sour tinge to it.
Her gaze locked with his, she rocked her hips, sending searing thrills rampaging through his veins. With her hands on his chest, she rode him, her round breasts swaying with her movements. She was sheer perfection, and the connection he felt with his Dragă ran deeper than he’d thought possible.
Desperate to touch her, he lifted his hands and slid them up her legs, knee to hip. Her apple cider scent made his head swim.
Norrix guided her in up and down motions and she braced herself against his shoulders for balance, picking up her pace as she got used to the rhythm. She let her head fall back, exposing her entire throat to him. His fangs ached with venom. He danced his fingertips up her spine and she arched. When he reached her nape, he pulled, drawing her down to him and running his tongue along her neck.
As his Dragă sought her pleasure, Norrix slid his tongue over the pulse beating in her neck. She caught her breath as he sank his fangs in. Her hot blood filled his mouth, coating his tongue. Her scent was hot and strong, like a bakery full of fresh apple pies in the room. She moaned, tightening around him, his venom in her blood heightening the sensation of her orgasm. Her inner muscles clamped around him, building pressure inside him.
He licked over his bite to heal it. His Dragă sat up. Where before her orgasms had left her sated and relaxed, this one invigorated her and she rode him hard.
Maybe she was part succubus, coming more alive with each orgasm. There’d always been a rumor that Dragă were sex witches, empowered by passion, the more raw the better.
She might be new to pleasure, but she was a quick study.
MYTH
MYTH’S BODY BUCKED against Norrix, surprising her with its wantonness and daring. She felt like her body had become something separate. She didn’t recognize this sensual creature, and she was at its mercy. The mewls and little noises coming from her throat should have been embarrassing. They made her sound needy.
She didn’t care.
There was something liberating about feeling out of control. Everything felt right in a way things never had before. He’d promised to bite her and he had, and it was so much better than she hoped. He may have taken her blood, but he’d filled her with magic.
One hand holding onto her hip, Norrix fondled her breast with the other, thumb and forefinger rubbing over her nipple as he rolled it between his fingers.
He throbbed inside her as her body rocked against his. A tightening started in her lower belly and spread. Again. Now she recognized the feeling of impending release, but this was far more intense and demanding. How many times in a row could that happen to her?
She grasped his shoulders and used them as leverage as she rotated her hips. First one way, then another... then... there. That was the rhythm she needed.
Norrix matched her, thrusting up, going deeper on her downward motions. Was that her growling? Or him? Ecstasy crashed through her. He sat up, and his teeth were on her neck again. He didn’t hold back this time, sinking them in and sucking hard. Her muscles contracted around him, milking his shaft. Her eyes rolled back, and she splintered into a million shards of rapture.
His bite muffled his shout as he shuddered against her. The pulsations radiating throughout his cock escalated her orgasm when he came inside her.
He fell back, taking her with him. Her head settled on his chest as her breathing slowed. Norrix’s hand cupped the back of her head, his fingers tangling in her hair. She waited for the dread, but all she felt was contentment. What a strange feeling. “I think I could sleep for a thousand years.”
“Then rest. I’ll keep you safe.”
Just for a moment. She just wanted this one moment to last forever and closed her eyes.
MYTH SHOWERED AND WAITED for Norrix to clean up. The Book of Thoth lay on a table next to the black knife. She could take it and run now. Norrix had said he knew she wanted it, but he hadn’t said he’d let her take it. What if he didn’t?
She reached for the blade, but hesitated, when she caught sight of the goldfish swimming in a clear bowl placed on one of the bookshelves. How had she missed him before? Norrix had won that for her and she’d abandoned the fish and him yesterday with no explanation. After that, surely she owed him a goodbye this time.
Her hand hovered in the air over the book instead. If Norrix could figure it out, he could see gods and talk to animals. It seemed like everyone could see gods and goddesses in Ashana, but how many of them walked in the regular world? Were there any in Aztlan? What would she see when she looked at Iqiohr?
What would it be like to talk to animals? If she could talk to the lake monsters, maybe they would help her and Fable escape from Aztlan.
“You can read it if you want to.” Norrix's voice slid over her like a caress as he came out of the bathroom. He’d exchanged his tiny towel for a robe.
She stared at the floor. It was one thing learning to read alone in her room with the talking books. But one like this would be too difficult, especially if it didn’t help her figure the words out. “Oh, no. I can’t... couldn’t. It’s your book.”
“I’ve read it before.”
“Is what the leprechaun said true? Can you see gods and talk to animals?”
“I’ve always been able to see gods, at least as far as I can tell with my jumbled memories. Talking to animals, well, maybe I should read the book again.”
“Why are your memories jumbled?”
“I’ve been alive for a very long time. All the things I had to remember were too much and things get a little scrambled sometimes when I try to piece them together.” He held the book out. “I really don't mind if you read it.”
Shame flushed her cheeks. Iqiohr had laughed at her when she asked for a book, saying her only job was to please him. Even at seven years old, long before she knew what pleasing him would entail, it had stung.
“You were never taught to read?”
Myth shook her head.
“There’s
no shame in that.” Norrix curled a finger under her chin and tilted her head up. “I didn’t know how to read at one time. Nabu, the god I work for, had to invent writing first. It was painful to try to read his chicken scratch cuneiform. Even he couldn’t after a while. Humans say cuneiform went through several developmental stages but the truth is, Nabu couldn’t read his own writing and changed it.”
She stared at him. Was he serious? He seemed to be. “Before she disappeared, my mother used to tell me stories. There are so many books in... Where I’m from. I always wished I could have one, but reading wasn’t a necessary skill for an... For me.”
Norrix sat next to her. “This book is written in hieroglyphs. It’s an ancient language from Kemet. Here.” He took her hand in his, opened the book, and placed their intertwined fingers over the hieroglyphs on the first page. He moved them over each depiction as he translated. “This says ‘Thoth, God of wisdom, time, writing, magic, and the moon, offers these words to one who is worthy’.”
Myth snuggled into him as he read to her, wishing this could be her life. The part of her that was always reaching for him pushed hard.
“I like your scent now. You smell like warm apples. When you ran from me in the hall yesterday, your scent was rotting apples.”
“You —” She sat up straight, punched his arm, then gasped at her behavior. “I'm sorry!”
Norrix laughed. “Don’t be. I worded that poorly.” He lifted his eyebrows and winked. “Maybe I owe you another apology. I meant you were afraid.”
“I don’t think I can take another apology right now. I had to leave when we met. There were men watching me like the mage makes me watch him. They see everything I do here, except when I’m in my room. One of them likes to hurt witches. If I’d stayed, they would have told the mage you were touching me.”
“He makes you watch him?”
She nodded. “It makes him calmer.”
A growl rumbled in his chest. “Well, now there’s one less of his men now.”
A pit opened in her stomach. “What? What do you mean?”
Myth's Legend: Norrix Page 18