by Rory Miles
I jolt awake the next morning, or at least I think it’s morning. Through the curtains covering the patio doors, I can see the shadow clouds still obscure the sky. The sleep didn’t help with my energy; Lady Thana took much more of my essence than I realized.
Another day awake means another day with Jasper gone. No more jokes, no more late nights together. I choke back tears. I’ve never been comfortable crying. It’s such a human thing to do—being so overwhelmed with emotions that your eyes leak.
Two black, wraith-like beings appear and start setting the table. A small trolley they pull in from the hall has several plates of food, a tea pot and cups, napkins, and silverware. Whatever the creatures are, they’re more solid than the shadows that covered me yesterday. One picks up a plate of food and pauses as it turns to place it on the table. I can’t make out a face, but I think it’s staring at me.
“Good morning,” I say, not wanting to be rude. This strange encounter is a welcome distraction from my sorrow.
Of course, neither one acknowledges me. I grumble a bit at the slight, then wonder if they have the ability to respond. One moment a wraith, the one I’ve decided to name Betty, is picking up a tea cup, and the next she’s shoving it into my hands. I grab it before the hot liquid spills over the rim.
“Devil below, Betty; simmer down.”
“They don’t have names.”
Draven’s voice startles me, because I really hadn’t planned on seeing him before I could fix myself up a bit, and I swallow a curse. I glare at him standing in the doorway, hating how good he looks this morning. He’s wearing black jogging pants, a white T-shirt, and hasn’t shaved the stubble that grew in overnight. Creator, why do men look so hot in those pants?
With a sniff, I take a sip of the tea. Hibiscus or something of the sort. “How do you speak to them?”
He shrugs. “I don’t.”
“Well, that’s rude. They’re your progeny.”
With a snort, he enters the room, coming to stand next to the bed. “They’re not progeny. They’re manipulations of the shadows I’ve gathered.”
He snaps his fingers and the wraiths evaporate. The fork Betty was holding clatters against the floor.
“Bam-ba-lam.” I chuckle at my own joke, because it’s quite funny, even if Draven’s looking at me like I’ve lost it.
He furrows his brow. “Sometimes I don’t understand your humor.”
“It’d be funnier if you were human.”
With a hm of disagreement, he moves to a seat and pulls it out. Realizing he’s waiting for me to join him, I toss the luxuriously soft comforter off of me, taking care not to spill the tea, and strut over to the table in my day-old clothing. His eyes race down my body, and the unmistakable feel of his lust rises in the air.
When I sit, he rounds the table in those delicious pants, and takes his place.
“Did you sleep well?”
A wraith reappears, I’m certain this one isn’t Betty, and begins portioning food onto our plates. He smiles when I narrow my gaze at his theatrics.
“I did.” No reason to tell him I’m exhausted and in desperate need of a recharge.
So far, he’s been forthcoming, but I suspect there is some ulterior motive for his interest in me. Power is the most likely reason; it’s what everyone else wants from me. Having a powerful succubus in your back pocket is an ace for any political goals. A heavy dose of my allure, and he could practically have whatever he wants. Yes, his power is strong, but he’d have to fight to get his way. My methods would be a bit more discreet and less likely to ruffle feathers.
“That’s a lot of deep thought for so early in the morning.”
Lifting a shoulder in a carefree shrug, I say, “Faerie is more complicated than I anticipated.”
“Oh, how so?” His eyebrows are raised as he takes a bite of egg, watching me with rapt attention.
“Well, the whole demons must be accepted bit. I didn’t expect that. Also, Lady Death is intriguing, though I suspect you are more powerful than her.”
I nibble a bit of my food, considering what I know. They’re both Unseelie, meaning their inherent nature is cruel and merciless. I can’t fathom what an Unseelie fae lord wants with me.
“Why do you say that?”
Clearing my throat and taking a sip of the morning tea—one I’m sure has some added protection benefit I’m unaware of—I explain, “Death can only go so far, but shadows are everywhere. Even in the depths of the dead they lurk, hidden beneath the pain of their end. Everyone has a darkness within them, and I doubt your power is limited to the shadows that can be seen.”
He sets his fork down, steepling his hands together and resting his elbows on the table.
When he doesn’t respond, I continue, “Lady Thana is death. She can speak to and command the dead.” I look to him for confirmation. He dips his head and I say, “She can even suck the life out of things. That much I know, but whatever dark secrets she has are a vulnerability.”
I pause, taking a bite of toast because I’m famished. Draven is watching me with an intensity I can’t understand. I don’t think I’m wrong, which means he may not appreciate me knowing the truth. Zero fucks given by the demon succubus. He literally stalked and stole me from Earth knowing full well my ins and outs.
When I swallow, I voice the thought that’s been bouncing around in my head. “You can command someone’s darkness. Mind control?” I tilt my head, watching him for any signs that I’ve hit the mark.
His green gaze is darkening, but he does not have any other response to my question.
“No, that’s not right then.” I sip some tea, picking up my toast and gesturing at him to spit it out. “Go on then, fill in the gaps. I know I’ve got most of it figured out.”
Lips twitching into a smile, he lets out a noise somewhere between a sigh and chuckle. “I’m beginning to see the appeal of having you as an ally.”
As if being a sex goddess wasn’t reason enough?
My teeth bite through the toast more aggressively than necessary.
He drops his arms and leans forward. “I mean, having a powerful mistress of seduction is benefit enough.”
Thank you.
“But you hardly know anything at all about Faerie, and yet here you are piecing it together.”
I scrunch my eyebrows together and give him a weird look.
“It wasn’t very hard to figure out. Devil, are all fae this condescending?”
His loud burst of laughter startles me. “Some are worse, if you can believe it.”
“Hm.” Poking the weird gelatin-looking pyramid on my plate, I decide to stick with the eggs and sausage.
Draven grows serious once more. “You’re right. It isn’t mind control. What I do is more subtle; I can bring out the darkest desires and urges in a being. Making them lose sight of who they truly are and submit to a darker beast, one I can influence.”
“Oh. That’s sort of like mind control.”
“Similar, but distinctly different because what I do brings out something that was already there. My influence can only bring them to the end of their desires.”
Nodding, I wash down the last of the eggs with the tea. The food helped, but I’m still tired. Only one type of feeding will help me with that particular problem.
“So, you’re like the devil.”
He chokes on his tea. “I’m not like the devil. I’m the Lord of Shadows.”
“Hm, right. Except you can tempt people to fulfill their darkest desires, which are usually what humans consider sinful. That’s the devil.”
A thoughtful look crosses his face. “I guess that’s not entirely wrong.” Glancing at my plate, he sits back and says, “Are you ready for the field trip?”
“Why do I have a feeling it might be dangerous?”
“It’s only dangerous if we get caught.” He winks. “Lucky for you, the shadows are on your side.”
Suddenly, the same heavy shadows from the day before are covering my body, and a funny
tugging sensation pulls at my middle. I try to catch Draven’s eye to see if I should be worried, but he’s wrapped in his own cloak of shadows. The pulling sensation grows stronger and the darkness thickens until I can’t see the room. My body lurches, and a weightless feeling takes over my body for a few moments until I land upright on my feet next to Draven. The shadows around us join to form one large covering.
“What—”
His hand smothers my words and I glare at him. He places his finger to his mouth and points toward the space in front of us.
The door to a small meeting room opens, and in steps a regal-looking fae. A crown of vines twines together over lush auburn hair. He is warmth.
Crap, what are the courts of Faerie?
Warmth is not an Unseelie trait. This male is Seelie. Seelie has four courts. . . Court of Life, Wind, Water, and Fire.
He’s definitely hot enough.
Court of Fire then.
Draven nudges me, drawing my attention to another person entering the room. I’m relieved when I see it’s Levia. Still unsure of what the game is, I didn’t want Verrina to be the one conspiring with the fae.
The demon princess saunters to her chair, oozing smug confidence, and sits like the wooden seat is a throne fit for a queen.
The male, Lord Vukan I presume, greets her.
Levia waves him off, glancing around the room. “Did you not bring it?”
A flicker of fire flashes in Vukan’s eyes, but Levia doesn’t see the warning. He’s angry.
“You promised me the succubus would be on our side. The odds are not as promised if she is not in hand.”
Levia smirks. “The succubus is well in hand.”
Vukan’s face hardens. “Then why did the Lord of Shadows bind his life to hers? She’s now Unseelie-claimed. Even if she wanted to, she could not betray him because of their bond.”
I tuck that interesting little bit of information into the back of my mind. It seems Draven and I need to talk about the specifics of this fae vow.
Levia’s mouth opens, and she’s speechless for a moment. “That’s impossible.”
Vukan gives her a grim smile. “The essence of Faerie is altered by the vow. I can feel the strength of the bond. Mother Faerie accepts her as his.”
Mother Faerie accepts me as Draven’s? What does that mean?
I shoot him an annoyed look, because he’s greatly distorted and omitted the truth of the fae vow, and am surprised to see him watching me and not Vukan and Levia. There is an unconstrained possessiveness in the way he watches me, and I’m not ashamed to admit I like it.
Or is that the fae vow influencing me? Draven’s power could be pressing upon me as well. I shake my head, trying to clear my thoughts and focus on the most important thing happening at the moment.
Levia has pushed back from the table and is glaring at the Lord of Fire. “I want that dagger.”
Vukan is not pretty when he scowls. “There was a price and you have failed to pay.”
I expect her to reach for her demon power and use it to hurt him, but I remember Mother Faerie has to accept her in order for her to access it. Based on her lack of reaction, I assume that has yet to happen.
“I’ll get you a succubus.”
Vukan shakes his head. “I don’t want the other one.”
Levia narrows her eyes. “I’ll bring you the incubus as well.”
The lord considers her offer, and begrudgingly agrees. “Both are required as payment for the weapon. Do not disappoint me again.”
She scoffs before turning and leaving the room, snapping the door closed behind her.
Vukan curses in fae, but follows after her.
Well, shit.
Chapter Fourteen
“What dagger does Levia want?” I ask when Draven’s shadows transport us back to my chambers. The table is cleared and other than the lingering scent of food, there is no visible evidence that we just ate there.
“A blade forged in the depths of Faerie. One strategically placed strike delivers true death.”
True death is fae for final death. Like demons, they’re immortal. Killable, but able to regenerate unless the heart is completely destroyed. Most regular weapons won’t kill a demon or fae, much less deliver a final death.
“She wants to use it to cut out Lucifer’s heart.”
“The dagger will destroy all muscle, fiber and core essence of whatever it strikes.”
Levia can’t get that weapon; who knows who else she’d kill? “We have to warn Naomi and Dante.”
Draven stands from the table and pulls his shirt over his head.
“That’s not exactly what I had in mind,” I say with a little laugh, eyes riveted on the planes of his stomach. In his true form, Draven is a masterpiece. My glamour drops and my allure shines bright red.
“Traveling back to Earth will take more energy than you have.”
Oh. When he tugs at his jogging pants, I swallow and a deep scarlet blush crawls up my neck. I’m not a blusher, but Draven has thrown so much at me in the past day; I’m not sure what to think of this fae.
With nothing but tight, revealing boxers on, he sits back on the bed and leans on his arms. The heat of his gaze scorches my skin. I can’t look away from him. It’s as though I’m the one under a thrall.
Does he have some sort of fae allure? Fae are known for their charms, but my reaction to him is ridiculous. I’m a succubus.
“There’s not enough time, we have to warn Naomi and Dante.”
He licks his lips and uses his shadows to bring me over to stand in front of him. One tendril of darkness caresses my inner thighs and heat pools in my core.
Geez, what does it say about me that I’m turned on by a fucking shadow?
“There is plenty of time to get back and warn them.”
Right, more freaky fae shit. Earth’s time moves slower than the fae world’s.
Another brush from a shadowed hand has my core clenching with need.
Shaking my head, I ask, “Why are you affecting me this way? I’m attracted to you, but there’s something else.”
Using both hands, I pull off my top and drop it to the floor. I’ve decided I’m going to sleep with him, regardless of his deception.
He sits and uses one hand to tug me closer. His lips are soft against my stomach and the other hand helps my shorts move down my hips. Draven’s touch is like a cool glass of water on the hottest of days. The first taste is soothing, but I immediately want more.
Trailing his mouth up between my breasts, he whispers, “The fae vow. My feelings can influence your mood.”
A shiver rushes down my spine. All this want and desperate need is his?
I’m standing in my underwear and bra while his hands trace over the curves of my body.
“Don’t be so surprised by my desires.”
“You can read my mind?”
That is not good, not good at all. What have I done? If I can’t trust him, this link will be difficult to get around.
He shakes his head, burying it against my chest. My fingers dig into his hair. I glare at the traitorous appendages.
“No, I felt your uncertainty.”
When I don’t answer him, he tugs on my legs so I fall into his lap. His hands rub up my back and down my arms.
“The fae vow I gave binds you to me.” He pulls his gaze from my chest and looks me in the eyes with a devilish smirk. “You’re mine.”
“I hope you like to share. Succubus, remember?”
His chuckle is dark, but he says, “I will share if they are worthy of you.”
Deciding to address that statement at a later time, I give in to my desires and kiss him like it’s the very thing I need to survive. A slow drag of his essence fills the void in my being, and I feel a sweeping sensation inside of me. Like the shadows within his being have made a home inside me. I’m not sure if I like the thought of pieces of him burrowing within me, but I’m too distracted by the hand tugging my underwear down.
Without
any prep, he pushes a thick finger inside me, chest rumbling in approval when I gasp against his mouth. My chest is pressed against his, and he holds my hips still as he eases another finger inside.
My hands grapple at his boxers, urgently trying to get closer to him. Pausing to help me, his fingers leave my core and he lifts his hips up to pull them off. I’m unfastening my bra when he settles me against his lap; his hardened length teases my slit.
I don’t need foreplay, so I grab him and align our bodies, holding his shoulder as he fills me. The second I feel his pleasure and desire ramp up, I lose control of myself. What comes next is driven by starvation; our joining is not pretty or nice. He guides me into a feverish pace, savagely kissing me as my allure thrusts his desires and mine down his throat. The power turns him into a man seeking salvation and I’m his deity.
His essence is only slightly Tainted, which I find odd for an Unseelie fae, but all I can think is how I want more. Need more. I’m gripping his chin and holding his mouth to mine when a pressure builds within me; every stroke of his slick cock inside of me pushes me closer to an orgasm.
When he squeezes my hips hard and uses his hold as leverage to work my body against his, I gasp at the little bite of pain and grind in his lap. When I rock against him, the dam inside me bursts and I cry out as we come together. My head drops to his shoulder and I move slowly, taking in the aftershocks of the fastest and wildest orgasm I’ve ever had.
Any fatigue I felt before taking his essence is gone. I realize that I’m completely full and lift my head to check him over. His lazy, satisfied smile reassures me that I haven’t taken enough to hurt him.
Sensing my concerns through the bond, he says, “In Faerie what you just did is okay. On Earth, I’d be near death. The mother provided you the energy you needed.”
“Mother Faerie gave me some of her essence?” I ask.
He shakes his head. “No, you took mine. She just made sure you didn’t deplete my being, refilling what you took with her essence.”