by Moni Boyce
“You look... you look... words can’t describe how you look.” He said with awe staining his words. Her eyes finally met his and he placed his hand over his heart.
When she leaned in and kissed him, his hands slid up and held her face in his palms as he gave her a lingering, unhurried kiss. He wished they didn’t have to go. As beautiful as she looked, suddenly all he wanted to do was take her to bed and stay there for hours. He broke the kiss and leaned his forehead against hers. He panted slightly. “We should go.”
In the car, they sat close to each other and talked and laughed. He could feel the excitement and curiosity that coursed through her as they sat shoulder-to-shoulder and thigh-to-thigh. Her excitement made him just a bit giddy.
“The ladies who helped me get ready tonight said this banquet is called a bachnal or something like that.” The perplexed look on her face was adorable.
“It’s Bacchanalia... The Greco-Roman god of wine I mentioned earlier, it was in honor of him. It’s come to have a lot of interpretations over the years,” He wasn’t sure he wanted to tell her it was believed to have possibly been some secret cult initiation event that included drunken orgies. “Just think of it as one hell of a party.”
When the car stopped, they got out and saw large white tents in the middle of a valley surrounded by mountains. Walking through the tent, which posed as an entrance to the festivities, they could hear laughter, talking and live music. Once they walked through they could see everything was set up outdoors, underneath the stars. Long, low tables were set up with thick cushions being used for seating.
At the head table, he could see Phaedra and Max on one side and Morgana, Zoriana and Mathilda on one side, with Morgana in the middle of course. Hadrian, Lysander, Arsenio and Ulrik also sat at the table. He noticed the vacant seats that were meant for them were between Hadrian and Ulrik.
This is definitely going to be an interesting evening.
At least he was going to get the opportunity to ask about Ulrik’s past.
As they seated themselves, Max raised his glass towards them. “All I can say is if being part of your entourage gets us this kind of VIP treatment; count me in.”
Morgana and Mathilda giggled at him. Phaedra rolled her eyes while she tried to suppress a smirk.
Hadrian made sure that Willow was seated next to him. “You look lovely.”
“Thank you and thank you for the beautiful outfit.” Even though she addressed Hadrian, she leaned into him. The man looked at her like a lion looking at a snack before he stood and clapped his hands together. Everyone fell silent.
“Invited guests, we’re gathered here tonight in honor of our Mistress of Ceremonies, who will preside over the Pythian Games. The one true Oracle, Ms. Willow Stevens.” The audience applauded and whistled.
Eli looked out at the crowd and wondered who all was in attendance from the supernatural community. He was sure most if not all of these people were in some way affiliated with the supernatural world or Hadrian would have never announced her as the Oracle.
“We are honored to have her with us tonight.” Hadrian extended his hand to her.
Eli could see Willow was nervous when she looked to him instead of taking Hadrian’s hand and standing. It was unlike her. He gave her a quick kiss and reassured her. “You’re going to do great.”
She turned back to Hadrian and took his offered hand. He pulled her to her feet and the applause grew thunderous.
“I’ve been told she would like to grace us with a song.” He addressed the crowd once more, while still gripping her hand in his. Before the applause completely died away, he kissed her on the cheek and released her. After he reclaimed his seat, she was left standing in the spotlight alone.
“Oh wow... I didn’t realize I would be singing right away.” She looked around. “Where’s a microphone?” She directed the question at Hadrian.
“You don’t need one.” He waved his hand over her. “Amplifico. Now your voice is amplified enough for everyone to hear you. Sing.”
Willow looked at him once more and he smiled and blew her a kiss. She turned back to the crowd and cleared her throat before launching into a kickass rendition of ‘I Want You To Want Me’ that got everyone on their feet. Hadrian was right, there was no need for a microphone, because the spell he cast, amplified her voice and allowed her voice to carry out across the hordes of people that had come for tonight’s festivities. People danced and sang along as her voice dazzled and mesmerized them. When she finished the applause was deafening.
The smile she wore was huge. “That was crazy.” She half whispered to him. “They loved it.” Clearly, all the attention she was receiving was taking some time to sink in.
“They love you.” He told her. He couldn’t take his eyes off of her. She was radiant.
“You have the voice of a siren. You could lure a man to his death, my dear.” Hadrian kissed the back of her hand and then he was on his feet again. “Thank you, Willow. Let the Bacchanalia begin.” Hadrian’s announcement was met with more raucous cheers and whistles.
Seconds later, Nyssa, Damaris and what he was guessing were more maenads took the floor. All of the women were very attractive. They wore cropped tops that bared their midriff, flowing skirts and veils. Once they were all assembled, a live band began to play music and the women danced.
The women swiveled their hips in a suggestive manner to the beat of the music. The dance they performed hyped the crowd into a frenzy. Soon people were up and moving. The dancers moved among the crowd, encouraging people still in their seats to get up. No prodding was needed for Hadrian, Lysander or Arsenio to join in the fun. They quickly left the table. He noticed Damaris take Hadrian’s hand, before they were swallowed up by the crowd.
Are they a couple?
He had no time to ponder the thought, because it wasn’t long before someone approached their table and enticed Willow to join the revelry. “They want me to join them.”
“Go. Go have fun. I’ll be waiting right here when you come back.” He looked over and noticed that Ulrik wasn’t planning to join in the merrymaking. “I’m going to have a little chat with Ulrik.” He patted her thigh.
She grinned at him before she stood and ran off with a bunch of party-goers.
“I think I’m going to call it a night.” Zoriana gathered her things.
“Are you sure?” It was hard not to be concerned for her well-being.
“Yeah, I’m fine. Not my scene. Maybe if Alistair were here...” She looked in the direction Mathilda and Morgana headed to join other revelers. “I think I’m going to go back to the villa and have a long soak in the huge bathtub.” She gave him a wan smile. If things were different between her and Mathilda, he knew she would have stayed.
“Okay.” He watched her walk away.
Max stood and tugged on Phaedra’s arm. She looked towards him. “When in Rome...” A small grin lifted the corner of her mouth before she left her seat and followed Max into the throng.
“Tell me about yourself.” His attention returned to the silent vampire.
“You’ve been trying to figure me out since you met me. Trying to see if you need to watch me. Am I a traitor and spy or friend?” Ulrik gave him a look of amusement.
“Well you’ve made this a lot easier.” Eli folded his arms across his chest. “So, which is it?”
Ulrik laughed briefly before he grew serious. “I’ve been a vampire for a long time. Killian wasn’t always king. You’re too young to know of a time when vampires did work and live in harmony with other supernaturals.” He adjusted himself on his cushion so he was facing Eli. “When Killian seized control, it was like watching Hitler rise to power all over again. Only instead of white supremacy it was vampire supremacy.” The look on the Dane’s face was one of distaste and disgust. “His regime is very loyal to him.”
Despite the laughter and pulsing music that surrounded them, Eli was focused on the story Ulrik weaved.
“When relationships and communications between anyone that
wasn’t a vampire became forbidden, I knew I wouldn’t last much longer... you see, my brother is a werewolf.”
It had been a while since Eli had been surprised, but he arched his eyebrows in surprise over Ulrik’s admission.
“Not many others knew, but I knew it was only a matter of time before more found out and they targeted me. I was never a big supporter of Killian, but being an older vampire gave me some clout. With that knowledge, not even my seniority would save me. Someone would trade that information to gain favor. They would force my loyalty and allegiance. It would come down to execution or excommunication. It was an easy decision to make. So here I am.” He drained his wine glass.
“When I arrived here, many wondered like you, whether I could be trusted. It took a while for me to be fully accepted here, but I have been.”
The two of them eyed each other.
“Have I passed your test? Can I be trusted?” He gifted Eli with a wry grin.
Eli pursed his lips and looked over the man as he thought. “For now.”
Ulrik threw his head back and laughed. “Then let’s toast to our new friendship. More wine.” He called out to a passing server, who left a wine bottle. Ulrik poured them each a full glass. They toasted and the blonde vampire tipped his back and drank down the contents.
Eli took a healthy swallow and then sat the glass down. He was a little surprised when Ulrik started speaking again.
“Fanden...” He said the Danish swear word in a low voice to himself before he addressed Eli again. “You know, I thought I’d escaped all the prejudices and superiority bullshit until a few months ago. I overheard some idiots talking about getting rid of hybrid supernaturals. As the saying goes, ‘Everywhere you go, there you are.’ Right? No escaping it. Different location, but the same old shit. I’ve been hearing talk of them calling themselves Supernaturals Against Hybrids or some such nonsense. I want to find those bastards and crack their skulls.” Clearly, the wine was loosening his tongue.
Eli decided to take advantage and ask more questions. In case, sobriety made him clam up later. Despite the party that raged around him, he was all business. “Can you tell me about a female vampire that is of Middle Eastern descent, looks like she could be a model? I believe she’s pretty close to Killian.”
Ulrik snorted. “That would be Katana.” The grimace that sat upon his face told Eli, Ulrik had had the pleasure of her acquaintance. “You’ve had a run in with her?”
Eli nodded.
“Møgkælling. She’s a nasty piece of work.” His expression looked as though he was remembering something unpleasant. “The story goes that sometime during the seventeenth or eighteenth century, Killian wasn’t king yet, but he was still a powerful vampire. A maharaja visited him and gifted him with Katana. She was part of his harem, a concubine it was said. I’m not sure.” He refilled his wine glass. “She was caught being unfaithful. That was the story the maharaja gave Killian. The truth was she had been spirited away on her wedding day before the ceremony because the maharaja wanted her. After being forced into his harem, she tried to escape months later to run away with the man that should have been her husband. They were caught. He was killed and she was demoted and forced to be the plaything for the maharaja’s men.”
Ulrik sipped his wine and glanced at the debauchery happening around them. He turned his gaze back to Eli. “A short while after the maharaja’s visit Killian set her free. She’d come to learn what he was and begged him to make her a vampire too so she could vanquish her enemy. She vowed if he helped her she would pledge her life to him. He turned her. They sailed to India and dined on the maharaja and his entire household over the course of seven days. She’s been by his side, doing his bidding ever since.”
After he finished, Eli drank down the rest of his wine. Hearing Katana’s origin gave him perspective on who she was. He understood now who he was dealing with when it came to her. His eyes scanned the crowd. Most seemed to have lost their inhibitions as the night wore on. Many were intoxicated, whether it was on the alcohol that flowed, drugs or just the vibe the maenads gave off, he wasn’t sure. Drunken dancers still gyrated and moved to the music. Clothes had come off, leaving some in a semi-nude state. Some were having sex on tables, on the ground, in couples, threesomes, orgies. He grew concerned for Willow. Mathilda was with Morgana, so he wasn’t alarmed, knowing that Morgana would keep her safe. He was about to go in search of Willow when she stumbled over.
“Dance with me.” Willow took his hands and attempted to pull him up from the cushion. There was a sultry, seductive quality to her voice that quickly had him assessing her. The maenads seemed to be having an effect on her too. He hoped it was them and not something someone might have slipped her. The maenads effect would wear off after a few hours when they were out of their proximity. He resisted.
“Come on. Dance with me. Loosen up a little bit.” She released his hand and stepped back. Her body swayed to some rhythm only she could hear. A guy wandered up and pulled her back against his body. They needed to get out of here before he beat someone within an inch of their life.
He turned to Ulrik. “Could you see that Morgana and Mathilda get back to the villa safely? I know Max and Phaedra can take care of themselves.”
“Sure. Anything for you, my friend.” Ulrik raised his glass to him.
Eli came over and started dancing with her. He gave the other guy a death glare that sent him scurrying away. Willow put her arms around his neck and he pulled her close. She ground her hips into him and instantly he was hard. Maybe it was the crowd. It was more than likely the mood the maenads created, but he was intoxicated with lust. He was inches away from ripping Willow’s clothes off her body and fucking her right here on the ground. A small semblance of control shined through despite his swelling manhood. “Why don’t we go back to the villa and we can finish what I tried to start earlier?” He whispered in her ear as he ran his fingers up and down her back. She pulled him down for a kiss and he knew it was time to leave.
CHAPTER 5
Willow
They fell into the room groping and kissing. She unfastened her toga as they stumbled down the steps towards the bed. The top part of the dress slipped to her waist. Eli sat on the edge of the bed and watched her undress. She went slowly and enjoyed having his eyes on her. When she went to remove the laurel wreath from her hair he spoke. “Don’t. Leave it on, the sandals too. It will be like making love to my own goddess.”
She smiled at him and walked over and straddled his lap. He leaned back on the bed, bracing his outstretched arms behind him on the bed. For a moment they both just looked at each other. Then a wicked smile took over her face and he grinned back at her. She swiped her tongue across his lips and continued to tease him several times before she finally sunk her teeth into his bottom lip. When the bite elicited a grunt from him, she couldn’t wipe the pleased look off of her face. Once she released his lip she sucked it into her mouth to soothe the sting. He wrapped an arm around her and in a swift movement reversed their positions so she now lay beneath him. It was clear he’d had enough of her torment.
His fingers tweaked one of her pebbled nipples while he kissed her roughly. Something in tonight’s festivities had brought out the animal in both of them. The only word she could use to describe the mood was primal.
Eli backed away to remove his clothes and put on a condom. He left her spread eagle on the bed. This time there was no sexy striptease. Later she would wonder if he used magic to get out of his clothes he removed them so quickly, then he was on her again. His thick, throbbing member pressed into her belly. It felt like he scalded her with his need to be inside of her. His mouth descended on hers in a feral kiss and she scratched her nails down his back in response.
“Ahhh.” His sigh of enjoyment over her clawing his flesh spurred her on. Her teeth sank into his shoulder. The sharp, little bite made him grunt again in pleasure. She smiled against his skin. In a quick maneuver, he flipped her onto her stomach and his body pressed her into th
e mattress. Her sensitive nipples ached from rubbing against the sheet. His cock rested between the valley of her ass cheeks and he stroked back and forth. Both of them enjoyed the friction and the promise of things yet to come.
She was so wet, she was sure there was a wet spot on the sheets beneath her. A low growl left his throat and then he nipped her neck causing her to cry out.
“I’m gonna take you rough baby. I hope you’re ready for me.” His voice was husky and gravelly. It was the only warning he gave before he plunged his throbbing member into her balls deep, in one swift motion. He gave a savage roar at being impaled inside her honeyed walls. She clutched the sheets sure she was going to tear a hole in them, as his cock scythed in and out of her. His hands gripped her hips, near to the point of bruising and he pounded into her over and over.
“Fuck!” he bellowed.
It bordered on pleasure and pain, with pleasure winning out with each drugging stroke. “More.” She pleaded, hoping his answering response would be to continue to punish her with his dick.
He gave her exactly what she wanted. It felt so good and soon she felt herself hurtling towards her climax. She could tell he was close too. If she could have prolonged it she would have. Before that thought could complete itself, she exploded around his cock. Her walls spasmed and milked his cock, sending him over the edge. A long satisfied groan dropped from his lips as he released into the condom. His forehead rested against her back for a few seconds while he collected himself. Then he pushed from her body to discard the condom.
She panted against the pillow, her ass still up in the air, when she heard the rip of a second condom wrapper. Suddenly, she was hoisted up in his arms. “I’m not done with you, baby.” He walked towards the giant bathroom that had a bathing pool in the center. “I’ve been wanting to take you in this pool since I saw it earlier.” He readjusted her so her legs hugged his waist. His hands gripped her ass and he walked down the steps that led into the water. The temperature was just right.