A Tainted Claim (Beholden Duet Book 2)

by Zoey Ellis

  "It's a very impressive palace," Ana said.

  "The whole kingdom is impressive," Maddoc said, a tinge of pride in his voice. “I have to show you something.” He grabbed her hand and led her through the palace to the library. “Wait,” he muttered. “Here first.” He navigated her to a room at the back that he hadn’t yet explored. Inside portraits hung on the wall. Ana stepped closer examining them. They looked familiar but she couldn’t recall where she’d seen them. It was only when she saw her mother that she realized they were portraits of royals. Similar to the ones in the library in the other palace, but these were so lifelike. It was almost as though they were looking directly, the artwork composed to show the subject’s character.

  She stared at all of the different ruling couples in the royal family and farther along the wall were portraits from the five houses. Ana was surprised that Maddoc would have them up here.

  She stopped in front of a portrait and gasped as she leaned forward. That was Maddoc!

  She looked up at him grinning, but tears stung her eyes. He was just a grinning boy in the portrait. No darkness in his eyes, no beard, just floppy hair and a great, intense smile.

  “I was thirteen then,” Maddoc said from next to her.

  Ana ran her finger over his cheek. “Before everything happened.”

  He made a noise in the back of his throat.

  Next to him was his father, who Maddoc as an adult resembled greatly, and all the members of Sterling who had been murdered.

  "Are you sure you want to keep a record of this?" she asked him, as she walked along. "I am upset about all that has happened. Knowing what my life was about to become because of many of the people on this wall."

  Maddoc encircled his arm around her. "It is still fresh for you, Analisa. One day soon, it won’t feel this way. But we cannot allow ourselves to forget any of this—any of them. It is part of our history. It may be uncomfortable, but it is what made our life together possible now."

  Ana pursed her lips, glancing up at him with doubt. "I can’t see a day when it won’t be sensitive to me. So much of it is horrific."

  "I know," Maddoc said. "But our children will also need to be aware of what happened. If they decide to leave this kingdom and travel to Allandis one day, they must know what they are dealing with.”

  Ana nodded in agreement, trying to hide the flush up her neck. He'd never said anything about children before, but something within her was delighted.

  “Over here.” Maddoc led her back to the library, leading her over to the back.

  Next to one of the shelves was a square platform with rigid sides that looked like a large basket or carrier attached to cords of rope hanging from the ceiling.

  Ana examined it and looked up. "What’s up there?"

  Maddoc stepped on top of the platform and pulled her with him. He touched the rope, and the whole thing lifted up into the air.

  Ana squealed, grabbing onto Maddoc to secure her. Watching as the floor drifted farther away. She looked up and saw that they were heading into an opening in the ceiling that she hadn’t noticed before. She glanced at Maddoc, but he leaned against the edge of the basket watching her, his beard twitching.

  As they ascended through a narrow column, Ana realized that they were traveling up into one of the spheres of the building she had seen from outside. The round circular teardrop structures at the top of the towers of the palace building was what made the palace so unique.

  When they reached inside it, Maddoc stepped off, pulling Ana with him as he took her along the sphere, and opened a doorway to a flat roof. Ana stepped out and gasped at the sight before her.

  They were high above the palace and were able to see in every direction; the kingdom spread out far and wide, beautiful in the afternoon sun. Maddoc pointed out the city where the Moonvale families lived. He pointed to a sea where he wanted to teach her to fish and a forest where he wanted to go hunting, as well as more spaces to expand on their city.

  "We are small, but we will grow," Maddoc said, wrapping her in her arms.

  "This is beautiful Maddoc," Ana said breathlessly. The rush of being so high up made goosebumps flare all over her. "I’ve never seen a view like this before."

  "Yes, and you can read from here," Maddoc said, gesturing to where seats and a low table had been placed for her.

  Ana smiled at him, her tears almost blinding her. "I love it.”

  Ana wasn’t the only one thrilled that Maddoc was in the kingdom. It seemed that the entire palace was in a state of excitement that both of them had arrived, and therefore their life in their new home could truly begin.

  Milly was clearly nervous about meeting Maddoc, but remained composed as he greeted her and asked her how she was settling. Afterward, she admitted she would need to get used to pushing aside the prior memories and knowledge of him, especially from the court hearing that started everything, but she was glad she was here.

  "Do you know," she added, "when you’re together, the two of you are just like your parents."

  Ana smiled but a melancholy mood gripped her. "I know."

  The next few days, Ana got to know the palace and its staff. She discovered that many of the handmaids and household staff were women from Moonvale or Allandis, who had traveled here with their families. They didn’t have any training to work in a palace, which meant they didn’t follow what would normally be expected of palace staff. Ana found it refreshing and finally made some friends, of all ages, who she could laugh with and learn so much from. Of course, Milly didn’t allow too much tomfoolery and scolded Ana along with the staff. As head of staff, she was constantly whipping them into shape.

  The first night Ana and Maddoc spent in the palace, they were able to indulge in each other for the first time without any restrictions. For Ana, it was the first time she submitted fully to being with her Alpha, without any thought of consequence or shame or regret. It was incredible. Maddoc dominated her so thoroughly, taking her in every way possible, twisting her body into a variety of positions so he could sample her pussy in different ways, she became a mindless bundle of instincts. She didn’t let herself think—there was no need to—this was her Alpha. She licked and sucked every part of him, whined when he teased her or didn’t give her what she needed and fed his cock into her pussy at every opportunity.

  It was almost as though they were back in the room at the palace, except there was no limit to how far they could go. Maddoc fucked her all over the room just like he had then, but he really loved when she rode him on her toes, like she did in the healing tent. He lowered her onto his cock, sinking her down so far until she was completely filled with that amazing brutal burn. Ana moaned; her eyes rolled as her head dipped back. Maddoc kept his arms around her waist and worked her on his length, grabbing her ass to tilt her the way he knew she liked, the way he liked. His eyes were trained for when her hips took over, grinding and wriggling of their own accord, seeking that pleasure she needed. It didn’t take long. Soon she was riding him so hard he growled and gripped her hair, leaning her back on him to watch her breasts jolt and sway with each movement. She loved when he watched her, and they fed off each other, both their climaxes savage and consuming.

  The next night was the same; they had sex throughout the night, barely stopping to sleep or rest. The bedroom was saturated with their scents and the more time they spent together, the more they relied on their instincts. Ana woke the next morning in a nest she had build for them in the height of her need for him with blankets Maddoc had pulled from the cupboard.

  On the third night, Ana finally discovered why Maddoc had always wanted his three nights with her. After an entire night being wrapped around each other, smeared in their fluids, buried in their nest, Ana woke exhausted and worn out; she snuggled up close to him only to find he smelled different. Her nostrils flared as his new scent worked through her body, sparking something deep and volatile within her, a primal force pushing her forward and stripping all thought from her mind except for her Alpha.
As she climbed on top of him, he woke, his eyes carefully tracing her every movement. Without saying a word, he sat up and lifted her body, positioning her over his cock.

  He held her there, his eyes so fierce, watching her as she wriggled her hips, seeking a fulfillment she didn’t understand.

  "What is happening," Ana panted, whimpering at her restriction.

  "Just follow your instincts," Maddoc growled in that gritty low voice that made her gush. "Do whatever feels natural.”

  Ana moaned, spreading her legs wider needing more. “Do something,” she pleaded.

  “I think we have to wait.” He glanced down at her pussy, licking his lips.

  Ana pressed her thighs together, realizing he was right. She wasn’t ready yet, but she didn’t know what for.

  It was another few agonizing moments before a pounding ache in her pussy made her gasp, but before she could say anything, Maddoc slammed her down on his thick, blunt length.

  Ana screeched as multiple violent climaxes hit her at once, and at the same time Maddoc bit into her neck. She soared. Propelling through chaotic waves of euphoria and flames of merciless ecstasy, Ana could no longer feel her own body. When she finally came down, Maddoc was on top of her, pounding her into the bed, frantic and frenzied, still latched onto his claiming mark on her neck.

  Ana squealed with delight at the feel of his teeth digging into her skin and clawed his buttocks as they clenched, needing more brutality, more pain, more domination. And he gave it all to her.

  Hours later, they lay languid deep in their nest, hardly able to move.

  "Can you feel it?" Maddoc asked.

  Ana couldn’t even turn her head to look at him, but she could feel the change deep in her chest. “What is it?”

  Maddoc chuckled. “What does it feel like?”

  Examining the feeling closer, it was strong, heated, sensual, and trapped in her ribs. It was powerful, intense, primal, and most definitely Maddoc. “You,” she said in surprise.

  “Good. I feel you too.”

  With great effort, Ana propped herself up on her elbows. “Is this what you wanted to happen on our third night? For us to bond?”

  “Yes.”

  Ana wrinkled her nose. “But I hated you back then.”

  Maddoc drew her to him. “But you wouldn’t have been able to stop it. We both would have had no choice. And you would have known immediately how I feel about you.”

  Ana looked up at him. “I thought bonding could only happen during an Omega’s heat or marriage.”

  “That is true for most people,” Maddoc said, brushing her shoulder with his lips. “But our match was recognized very early. We have a stronger connection than most. If you continue to read the Alpha and Omega books, you’ll see that before the scholar method, this was the method to determine a lot of fated mates. Going by how attracted they are to each other over three days. But it only really works for the ones with strong connections like us, so they refined the method.”

  Ana played with his hair, sinking into deep thought. “So if we had our third night, we would have been bonded? And then you would have convinced me to leave the palace with you?”

  Maddoc lifted up onto his elbow to look at her. “No. Once we bonded, you would’ve been able to feel how much I already loved you. And why I needed to take you. And whatever happened after that, would have started from there.”

  The bond took some getting used to.

  Maddoc’s feelings were so dominant that sometimes Ana mistook them for her own, but she loved that he was so closely connected to her. He could be at the beach while she was in the city and they would know each other’s moods and feelings, sometimes even thoughts. She didn’t have to tell him if she was tired or irritable or content, he just knew. She felt how much he wanted to kiss and touch her, making her blush. Her friends in the palace teased her constantly about it; they could always tell when Maddoc was about to come around the corner in an aggressively aroused state and carry her off to their bedroom.

  Ana found herself happy beyond anything she could imagine. She suspected even her parents never had such a connection, and she wished they had given up the throne so they could truly experience each other the way she and Maddoc did. The kingdom was flourishing each day, and her heat was imminent, which meant Maddoc was making all efforts to get her pregnant. She was looking forward to it.

  Sometimes she found Maddoc on the library roof, looking out over the kingdom quiet and solemn, and she knew he was still processing that dark side of himself he had reveled in for so long. He had spent years killing people, just as brutally as the houses, and Ana knew it wasn’t something he was comfortable with, even if it had been a worthwhile cause. So she sat with him, comforted him with her presence, touch, and sent support and encouragement through their bond.

  “I love that you understand, Analisa,” he said one evening on the roof, as she climbed into his lap.

  Ana snuggled into him. “I spent so long not understanding, Maddoc. It is time for me to do that now.”

  Maddoc rumbled, pulling her closer. “That doesn’t matter. All that matters is that you are with me now. In our kingdom, with our people, in our home. Soon you will be with child. It’s what I always wanted.”

  Ana thought about her parents’ love, how she aspired to have that for so long, and yet she never could have imagined that she would have so much more. She smiled as she looked over the kingdom. “I couldn’t have even dreamed of this, Maddoc,” she whispered. “My eyes were closed to the possibility of having this.”

  Maddoc kissed her, squeezing her tighter to him. “That’s why I dreamed it for you, until you could see.”

  The End

  Thanks so much for reading the Beholden Duet! I hope you enjoyed it. The next couple in this world will be Raine and Ryden!

  Join my reader’s list below for more info on when that story will be coming.

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  Author Note

  Weeelllll. I have to admit that this story was extremely difficult to focus on during the last few months. I’m still not sure if I did the story justice to what I had in my head—I hope so! I really loved writing this couple. Thankfully, the world had already built organically from when I was writing the first book, and I am so pleased with how much it developed. This story started as a simple concept and then grew and expanded at a rate I wasn’t expecting. I loved Ana and Maddoc’s development and growth, and I would love to be able to revisit them. I already have ideas for two more couples in this world, but I’m not going to get ahead of myself!

  Back in April (2020), I wrote an origin story for this world with King Allandis (mentioned in this book) to apply to an anthology, and it was a great exercise that had me thinking about the history of this world. That was probably the spark that made this world so potent in my mind. If that little story is unsuccessful for the anthology, I’ll be expanding it a little and making available to my Halos, so make sure you’re on my reader’s list to find out more.

  The next obvious couple is Raine and Ryden, and when they finally met on page I was already laughing about how annoyed Ryden is going to be that he can’t control fiery Raine. It will be SO much fun to write their story!

  If you liked this duet, try my slighter darker Omegaverse series MYTH OF OMEGA series or my angel PNR series EMPIRE OF ANGELS. Thanks so much for checking this one out!

  My reader’s list Dark Halos is the best way to get news, bonuses, so sign up to hear about what’s coming next!

  Acknowledgments

  Randie: What can I say? You are the most patient, kind, and generous person I’ve worked with. Amazingly talented and just so supportive. I’m so sorry this was all over the place, that’s all on me. Thank you so so much.

  Margarita: Raine, Raine, Raine… changed your mind, yet? Haha! Thank you for all the incredible support helping me through this one. It really made a big difference. Your enthusiasm and positivity and all-round general awesomeness is what helps when I’m flagging. And it makes
all the difference to me. Thank you. We got this one done!

  To my friends and family, I have never appreciated you guys more than in the last few months. I am so thankful for you all.

  About Zoey Ellis

  About Zoey Ellis

  Zoey Ellis is a Dark Fantasy Romance author currently working on completing her M/F Omegaverse Romance series, Myth of Omega. She writes dark-edged romances about tortured, possessive, alpha anti-heroes and the sassy heroines who belong to them (even if they don't want to!). Filled with passionate, carnal steam, Zoey's stories feature couples that go through tough journeys and make mistakes but ultimately have to grow for each other to survive the dark worlds they inhabit.

  Described as 'deliciously dark' and 'unputdownable', Zoey's thrilling, fantastical romances come complete with roller-coaster twists and turns, unique worlds, and happy endings.

  Zoey is a Londoner, cat mama, and proud romance and epic fantasy addict. She loves jealous/possessive heroes, sexual tension that jumps off the page, and memorable, magical worlds. She reads most genres of romance and has a special love for the 'true mates' trope and dark angst.

  When not working on her stories, she is usually gaming, buddying reading with friends or stumbling upon new and ridiculous ways to mess up a date!

  She offers exclusive news, bonuses, and giveaways to her reader's group, Dark Halos.

  Snoop around Zoey's online home for her favorite reads, release news, and bonus media about her fantasy worlds: www.zoeyellis.com