The Empress clasped her hands between her breasts, and tears welled in her eerie colored yes. “You’re wrong. I cannot believe he would do this. And you’re not mated!”
In denial! Maximus allowed Sameya to handle the situation.
“He taunted more than once how he’d like to see me fall to my alpha mate, E’Neskha.”
“You two never got along. Have you found your mate? Is that part of all of this?” The Atlantian leader shot a cagey glance at him and Gabriel.
“I wouldn’t sleep with Lucius even after he tried to force me. When I kicked his ass, it made things worse.” Maximus’s fangs hit his bottom lip and the tiger beside him executed a low grumble of displeasure in the back of his throat. Sameya ignored them. “One day he’d tease that my mate was a vampyr. The next day a shifter. I thought he was being a jackass like always, but…he knew, E’Neskha. I’m certain of it. Even you cannot deny he resents my position with you.”
“Sameya, he is my baby brother,” the words were nothing more than a whisper. The horror etched onto the woman’s face said it all. Confirmed betrayal would rip her soul apart.
“I’m sorry. I wish I could come to another conclusion. But the facts are mounting against him. I raped Tyrone Gryphon’s memories, and confirmed, as we suspected, the traitor resides in Atlantis. But only fuzzy images of the infidel remain in his head.” She motioned toward Gryphon to indicate whose head she referred to. “Adjusting memories is one of Lucius’ gifts. No other. Maybe he adjusted your memory with his power so you’d think he was injured when he really wasn’t. It’d further his cause.” Seemed plausible to Maximus. For the first time, Sameya offered solace and placed her palm on her leader’s shoulder. “If it’s any consolation, I don’t believe he’d harm you. Me, yes, but not you.”
Silence lapsed between them as they stared at one another. Maximus wished he grasped the inner workings of a woman’s mind, but he couldn’t glean what these two were thinking.
“For good or bad, E’Neskha, we must return to Atlantis and—”
“I’m returning forthwith. I’ll confront Lucius.” The Empress sniffled, and Sameya nodded.
“You know he won’t confess his deeds, but I’ll join you.”
“We’re coming with you.” Sameya jerked to face Maximus, while her Empress swiveled toward them, her gaze shrewd. Before his siren could argue, he said, “No way are we letting you out of our sight with your life in jeopardy.”
“Get over yourself, Maximus. I can take care of myself.”
“Made all the more obvious by our recent capture.” He made a show of flashing his fangs. Gabriel would’ve understood it was his silent way of saying ‘that’s the end of the conversation’. Sameya’s violet eyes flared, and her jaw hardened in a clear sign of mutiny. “We need to be there to assist should your secret be turned against you once more.”
“A nick of wormwood brought you down, Maximus. How’s that helping?” Ouch. She hit below the belt with that one.
“It took ten of them to bring me down.” Gabriel stalked to Sameya and got in her face. “You’re not going without us.”
“Don’t get cocky, shifter. With my choker gone, I could serenade you easily. The weakest siren in Atlantis could. Turned against me, you’re a whole shitload of help!”
A rumbling came from deep within Gabriel’s throat.
In case she didn’t get the hint, Maximus said, “So you know, you’ve pissed him off.”
“Which one of them is your mate, Sameya?” The Empress peered between the three of them, her interest obvious in the fine lines fanning from the corners of her eyes. “You said Lucius teased you about a vampyr and a shifter, so which one of them weakened you enough Lucius’ men could bring you down?”
Sameya cast a nervous peek at them, then squared her shoulders and said, “Both.”
Eyes widening, the leader’s mouth parted. “Mated to a shifter and a vampyr?”
“Yes.” Sameya dragged the word out. “I’ve not committed to remain with them.” She glanced between him and Gabriel. “And they know that.”
“Nonsense.” Empress E’Neskha’s chin notched higher. “Only a fool turns down the blessing of multiple mates, even if they are outside your race.”
Maximus grinned at Sameya. Oh, how he suddenly adored her Empress.
“But—”
“No buts.” The Empress interrupted his woman. “They’ll return to Atlantis with us.”
“Thank you. I owe you.” Gabriel chucked their mate’s chin while speaking to the Atlantian leader. “I’m glad to know your Empress is sensible, especially when you’re not.”
“All I ask is that you protect Sameya,” E’Neskha said.
That went without saying.
“This will only incite the propaganda against you.” Sameya rubbed her forehead. “Those who want you out of your seat of power will use this to demonstrate how you’re changing Atlantis. Not for the good either because no one likes foreigners within.”
“What of the witch over there?” Sameya glanced at Kat when E’Neskha asked about her. Maximus had almost forgotten she was present.
Sameya was the one who responded to the leader’s question. “That’s their familiar.”
“Friend,” Maximus corrected.
“She does magic for you for free. In our world, that’s a familiar.” She narrowed her gaze on the witch in question. “E’Neskha, I do have an idea that might rattle Lucius enough to make a mistake, but you’ll have to hold off on confronting him, and I can’t tell you what the idea is because I need your surprise to be genuine. I’ll need to bring the witch with me to set the plan in motion.”
A brief nod from the leader. “Granted.”
“No one said anything about Kat coming.” Maximus shook his head. Placing their friend in danger wasn’t part of any deal.
“Too bad.” Sameya tossed him a flat smile. “The witch tags along, or none of you are part of my plan.”
“See it done within the next hour. I’ll be expecting you in the Hall forthwith.” With a softly spoken word Maximus didn’t catch, the Empress vanished into a green mist that evaporated with her departure.
As Maximus attempted to figure out how the hell the other woman disappeared, Sameya turned to the tiger and became all business. “Gabriel, while in Atlantis, you’ll need to shift to your fur and remain that way when you’re not in my quarters. A siren won’t try to serenade a real tiger, and I’d prefer no one know you’re a shifter. Things will go smoother if everyone believes you’re an authentic tiger. Safer that way.”
“Done. But so long as you understand I will guard you with my life, and I’ll kill anything that even thinks of harming one hair on your head.”
Her expression softened. “Ditto, tiger.”
“Sameya, about Kat—”
“Don’t.” She swiped her hand through the air, cutting Maximus off. He adored her bossiness, but not her willingness to endanger herself. “The witch is strong enough to hinder a few sirens. They won’t expect her to retaliate if they believe she’s been serenaded. Any surprise we can get against Lucius is welcome.”
“You’re endangering Kat’s life.” That wasn’t something Maximus would tolerate. The fact she was so cavalier about her own life bothered him.
Stubbornness set in her jaw, defiance flashed in her violet eyes. Before she spoke, he knew she wouldn’t back down. “Your choice, leech.” They were back to name-calling, and he bit back a grin. “She comes or you don’t.”
“What’s my role to be?”
“You’ll be exactly what you are.” He elevated an eyebrow, not seeing how this helped her position. “But you’ll be collared so everyone will think you’re charmed. I’ll lead you about with a leash.” Her eyes were positively alive with the idea, probably anticipating a little payback. “Kat and Gabriel will be leashed, as well.”
Maximus would follow her anywhere, do anything for her…but he’d never been collared like one of the subs at the local BDSM establishment. Yeah, he’
d put one on her and a few other women over the years. The idea of one snapping about his throat though, that was an uncomfortable thought. “It’s only for show? And only outside your bedroom?”
A black eyebrow elevated. “Worried I’ll use it against you the way you did me, Maximus?”
“Frankly, yes.”
“So little faith.” She made a tsking sound. “The collar won’t really be charmed. You’ll be pretending. I would never do that to you.”
Subtle, but he got her point. He’d charmed her to his will without regret, but when the tables were turned hers was for pretend…and for a higher purpose. “Very well. I consent to being ‘charmed’ by you.”
The fucking truth because he’d never allowed anyone to parade him around like a Goddamn pet before. Pride rebelled against the notion, but he’d degrade himself in front of others for her or Gabriel. If it meant keeping her safe, he’d do just about anything.
Chapter Twenty-One
Kat infused magic into the collar Maximus would wear. Just enough mojo that anyone would believe Sameya had actually charmed a vampyr since she couldn’t serenade one, but not enough to force him to do her bidding if he wasn’t so inclined.
Black, just like the clothes he wore, she ran her fingers over the soft leather as she peered up at him. “If there was any other way, I’d—”
Maximus dragged her against his chest and devoured her mouth in a hot, wet kiss. With his tongue in her mouth curling around hers, he palmed her thigh, slid his hand to the back of her knee, and hooked her leg around his hip. His erection pressed against her pussy, and she moaned into his mouth. The collar all but forgotten, she slid her fingers into his hair and clung to him.
She groaned a protest when he ended the embrace. With his mouth skimming hers and kissing the corners of her lips, he said, “Do it now before I change my mind.”
Sameya blinked, having trouble adjusting from arousal to reality.
“The collar, naleah. My vampyr is protesting, so put it on me immediately.”
Kissing him, she shifted her hands out of his hair and touched the ends of the leather together. The magic imbued into the object did the rest, fusing it into one cohesive piece. She hooked her finger in the ring at the front of the collar. “Thank you.”
“Don’t thank me yet.” Bright green flashed in his eyes, evidence of the vampyr’s wariness. “I’m contemplating how hard I’m going to fuck you when Gabriel and I have you alone again. If I should dominate you, make you beg for release, or if I should allow you to come at all.”
A tiny gasp parted her lips. He went on, describing what he intended.
“I’ll peel your clothes off your body. Give me permission now to disrobe you.”
She bit her bottom lip, uncertain if she should grant his wish. What he described, along with the visions of losing control with him, might send a thrill through her belly, but that was fantasy. The reality might be different…particularly if he found a way to stop her from climaxing.
His voice lowered, turned darker. “Sameya, grant me permission.”
While she’d retrieved her clothing, they’d packed a bag and Kat had created collars for the three of them. Her attire couldn’t be removed without her consent. “Per-permission…granted.”
“Afraid I’ll abuse my power, naleah?” Maximus ran his thumb back and forth along her jaw, his contemplation intense.
“A little.”
He leaned forward, nipping her lobe with his fangs. Then he pressed his lips against her ear and whispered so no one else could hear. “Once naked, I’ll bend you over, have you spread your legs so I can dine on your pussy and ass. Then I’ll ram my cock inside you so hard you’ll scream. Should I let you climax?” She would’ve nodded, but he fisted her hair, halting her movement. “I’ll have to consider if you’ve earned the right to come or if I should punish you because you insist on endangering your goddamn life.”
Appalled he’d prefer she not aid her Empress, Sameya jerked backward, but he held her tight.
“As difficult as your request is for me, I submit to you now.” He pulled back enough to catch her gaze. “But later you must submit to me.”
“Gods, Maximus.” She shivered and he smiled, one that suggested he knew how aroused she’d become by his proposal. Would she really allow him to do all that he said? Certainly not!
Rattled by what he’d detailed and her body’s reaction, she faced Gabriel quickly. The knowing lopsided grin he wore hinted he’d heard Maximus. He confirmed it with, “If he doesn’t let you come, maybe I will.” She inhaled slowly as he stepped closer, his turn to whisper in her ear. “Or maybe I’ll settle for finger-fucking you while he eats your pussy.”
Wetness surged between her thighs. “Gabriel.”
He kissed her hard before shifting into tiger. She ran her fingers through his fur. The soft rumble of a purr sounded in the room. She kissed his head as she fastened the collar on his neck. Then she snapped the leash on the hook.
Facing Maximus with his leash, she squirmed under his studious regard. He caught her wrist and tugged her arm upward toward the O-ring. Metal binged against metal, but latched with ease. The witch was already collared and leashed.
Looping her fingers through the handles of the three leashes, she called up the portal mist. Using a smidge of magic, the cage housing Gryphon elevated off the floor. He gripped the bars as she thrust the stainless steel into the opening, and then she guided Gabriel, Maximus, and Kat into Atlantis.
A small vestibule led to the doorways of the Hall where she knew she’d find Empress E’Neskha. The guards positioned on either side of the doors wouldn’t refuse her entry even if their nervous glances at those in her company hinted they’d like to. Vampyrs weren’t allowed in Atlantis because of their superiority over most species and a siren’s inability to serenade them. Kept Atlantis safer that way. The way Maximus’s fangs protruded over his bottom lip left little doubt as to his ancestry. Gabriel caused little commotion and Kat even less.
She motioned for the guards to guide the crate holding Gryphon. As she approached the doors, they opened. Empress E’Neskha was receiving court. Perfect since it allowed for a bigger audience for what would transpire. And Sameya would bet it was why she held court.
Positioned at a higher elevation than everyone in the Hall, the leader peered down at her. Lucius was at her side; his slack-jawed gape directed toward Sameya drawing a lopsided smile from her. She bet he didn’t expect her to enter the building, much less arrive with one of her mates in tow. And with the way he peered at Maximus, she had no doubt he recognized the vampyr.
Silence descended in a rush, rippling through the crowd like a wave. E’Neskha rose from her throne as those in residence turned toward Sameya. Only after she and her group came to a stop a few feet away from the steps leading to the Empress did Sameya speak.
“Good to see you’re well, Lucius.”
“Why wouldn’t I be?” Pompous bastard elevated his eyebrows and stared down his nose at her.
“I’d heard you were injured in a raid. I was worried your sister would be distraught.”
“But not you.”
As an answer she smiled. Using the side of her foot, she kicked the cage holding Gryphon and turned her attention toward her leader. “One of the traitors set to destroy you, Empress.”
“Impressive work. Quicker than I anticipated, as well.” E’Neskha descended the stairs, her spine straight and her shoulders squared.
“I would request a private audience with you to give you the name of the traitor in Atlantis.” If she wasn’t mistaken, Lucius’ breath hitched. She offered him a lopsided grin. “You will want to join us for that meeting, Lucius.”
He bristled and said in his haughtiest voice, “You do not tell me what to do, siren.”
“If Sameya wants you to join us, Lucius, then you’ll be at that meeting.” E’Neskha had always trusted her strategy and played along with Sameya now. “And the others with you?”
“A gift for yo
u.” She offered the leash strapped to Kat to her leader. The witch snapped a surprised glance in her direction, but offered no objection. E’Neskha didn’t bat an eyelash in shock, but cooperated, her eyes alighting with genuine delight. “A witch with magical promise, Empress. Easily serenaded, but I grant you permission to override my sway and handle her however you desire.”
Kat walked toward E’Neskha in a drone-like state as the Atlantis ruler slowly tugged her leash forward. “I shall treasure her. Thank you.” The Atlantian fingered the witch’s cheek, her dark hair, and then pulled the taller woman down so they were nose-to-nose. “What trick shall I have you perform first?”
“Whatever pleases you the most.” Sameya had to give Kat points, she played the serenaded part well.
“What of the vampyr?” E’Neskha tugged down on Kat’s collar. “Sit, my pet.”
As Kat sunk to recline at the Empress’ feet, Sameya replied, “My new plaything.” She grinned, knowing Maximus wouldn’t like her statement. “He’s charmed, and as docile as a well-fed pussy-cat.”
“Does he bite?”
Often. “Only if I want him to.”
The fair-haired ruler peered at Gabriel, who suddenly began to purr, startling the crowd. E’Neskha chuckled. “You always did have a taste for the exotic, Sameya.”
“They’ll go nicely with my brownie and my pair of Zion.”
“Indeed.” She palmed the witch’s head. “Join me for dinner in three hours, Sameya. Bring your new acquisitions. We’ll discuss the other details you’ve learned then.”
Sameya inclined her head and bowed low. As she rose, E’Neskha said, “That you captured my foe reconfirms why I maintain you as my royal guard. You will be rewarded well.”
“Your satisfaction is reward enough.” She led her men from the room, noting the curious stares and those deep in hushed whispers. She was certain at least one of E’Neskha’s enemies witnessed the exchange.
The walk to her room was short, as she was positioned near her Empress for maximum protection. Magically sensing her as she drew near, her door vaporized long enough for them to enter her abode. As soon as they stepped through, the opening became solid once more.
Taboo Kisses Page 16