Betrothed

by Lola White

  To keep her in the position that his need demanded—submissive and splayed—Eliasz had to lean to the side and throw one leg out behind him, his weight on his hip. Pushed deep in the pillow above her head, his elbow aided his balance and the position made him feel like some harem master, dominating his concubine. He pressed a hand to her shoulders, holding her down, giving her no leverage to rise up and take more of him.

  She was at his mercy, forced to accept what he drove into her mouth rather than taking it for herself. He kept the power in this position and she knew it, her eyes glowing with the knowledge and her reaction to it. He curved his palm around the back of her skull and lust exploded within him at how fragile she felt under his complete control.

  He loved it, happily trading depth for dominance until he thrust deeper, and she showed him how wrong he was. Proved how a woman like her could wield authority in any position. Too busy concentrating on the glorious slide of his cock through her soft lips, on the pressure, on the sight of watching his length disappear into her mouth, he was caught by surprise by her tongue.

  What she’d done before was nothing compared to the torment she laid on him then. Her tongue moved in alternating pressures, unpredictable, coiling him tighter with anticipation. She sucked then swallowed, letting the hot tissues at the roof of her mouth slide over his tip. She circled and teased, flaying him, lashing him, sucking him.

  She called her magic, letting it vibrate down his shaft until it speared into his balls. The muscles of his groin contracted in the sweetest pain Eliasz had ever known. His spine caught fire, flames licking up into his brain. With a supple flexing of his vertebrae, he slid back and drove forward, fucking her mouth again and again as she took him easily.

  He drove himself crazy.

  His balls tightened and tried to climb up into his body. Vibrating sensation plucked at every nerve in his torso. Knowing that the end was near, he ripped from her mouth and clenched his hand in her hair.

  “Stay right there.” His command was rough, barely understandable as he pushed the sound through his tight throat.

  She licked her lips and gave him a secretive smile, one he’d seen before. She was preparing to challenge him. His cock jumped at the look in her eye. Eliasz took a deep breath, girding his loins, literally and figuratively as his hand wrapped his cock and he forced his need back.

  His body was primed for hers, eager to feel her cream slipping over him, begging to feel her soft walls close around him. He held his dick and hoped his twitching nerves would calm long enough for him to subdue whatever devilish torment she had in mind.

  He rested his hot palm between her shoulder blades, calling his magic and pouring it into her for all he was worth as he swung his leg over her hip. She lifted slightly, arching her back. He looked down and had to close his eyes at the sight of her ass between his thighs, so close to his cock he could feel the heat of her.

  He dragged his palm down her spine in a single long stroke, not bothering to fight the sense of ownership swamping him. He accepted it and wanted to prove it, wanted to share it. He caught her hips, pulling them higher, fingers shifting to clamp on her ass cheeks and spread them wide.

  Honey coated her folds, shining at him, tempting him, a silent siren’s song. He stared at her pussy and watched it spasm as a pulse of need worked through her. More cream slid from her, pleasure for his eyes.

  The longer he stared, the more she wriggled. He held her for a moment more, her ass spread, her hips lifted, the heat of his gaze the only caress he gave her. Her breathing deepened and she turned her head to glance at him over her shoulder.

  “Are you going to fuck me hard, Eliasz?”

  He looked up, met her eyes and saw her need. His stomach pulled tight, nerves going taut to the point of pain. He denied her. “Soft and gentle, until you can’t stand it anymore. Until you’re screaming my name and begging for me to let you come.”

  “I’m going to make you fuck me hard,” she promised.

  He couldn’t stop the slow spread of his smile. “You can try.”

  Eliasz pushed her legs together and slid his cock through the damp space between her thighs. His shaft smoothed through her folds and over her clit, her honey coating him, trailing along with his motions to coat her, too. Slipping and sliding, he let her feel every inch of his length as he thrust gently, the pressure of her thighs against his rigid flesh driving him crazy, stirring the frenzy of need in his balls.

  She gasped and wiggled, pushing back against him, her spine flexing as she worked her wet pussy over him. He refused to enter her willing body, only rubbing his cock over her clit until he couldn’t take any more. Then he pulled back and notched the tip against her dripping entrance. He pushed forward but she dropped her hips. Eliasz growled and hauled her back up, thrusting again, only to have her shift to the side.

  The challenge.

  His heart soared, his inner predator snarled. The world dwindled down to her and her defiance. The game that fascinated him and spiked his lust higher.

  She was slippery with need, making it more difficult for his entry as she squirmed before him. He loved every minute of the exquisite torture, every shift of her body, every roll of her spine. He gripped her hips, trying to hold her still, but gently, desperate not to add to her bruises.

  And she took advantage.

  It was a sensual fight that left his cock throbbing. Her challenge was bold and defiant, courageous and charming, and his appreciation for all she was equaled his frustration. She made him work for her surrender, forced him to claim what was his as the head of his cock slid in her cream and slipped farther, rubbing over her clit.

  Eliasz’s body was on fire and magic rippled over him, his and hers, adding to the sensations. His balls clamored for release, sweat trickling down his back. Neither of them was breathing easily, his groans ragged, her laughs breathless.

  In the end, he won by giving her what she wanted. The head of his cock nudged against her opening and he drove in quickly, thrusting heavily, forcing her to take it all in one, endless stroke. Her breath left her in a rush, shivering over the pillow. His spine melted.

  He rode her hard, fucked her hard, loved her hard. He pushed so deep he knew for sure that she’d never be separated from him. He touched the deepest softness of her pussy and the greatest heat of her soul. He felt her all around him, her body, her emotions, her magic.

  She followed his movements as if she’d been made for him alone. She fit him like a glove, both body and spirit. She challenged and defied, then beautifully surrendered. She arched and rocked, taking him further.

  He slid through her wet depths, his cock dragging against the delicate tissue that closed on him in a brutal embrace. His balls smashed into her ass as he pushed deeper, swiveling his hips, hearing her cry out. He pulled back and hammered in, shifting her on the bed.

  She fractured around him. Her pussy rippled and clamped down, hot and tight. She was flooded, pouring over him, cream leaking out of her around his cock. It spurred him on.

  He had the deep pleasure of thrusting back into her as her body clenched, forcing his way through tight muscles. He struggled against her hold, pulling back, driving in again. Again and again. Making her climax roll on, swelling higher and higher as he stroked the needy nerves within her pussy.

  Until he had to let go, unable to stop the explosion in his balls. Semen boiled up his cock, ripping from his body, flooding her anew. Hot pussy became sweltering, burning beautifully as her walls closed in and milked him of every drop he could give.

  Flames ate his spine, clawed at his nerves, and blew him apart. Somewhere in the void, he found Ileana and pulled her close, taking her into him as she had taken him into her. Merged.

  Magic.

  The sunlight had strengthened by the time he stirred, dragging his heavy weight off Ileana’s back and collapsing at her side. She raised a lazy hand to trail her fingers over his cheek, following the line of his neck to rest a fingertip against his uneven pulse. “You loo
k tired.”

  “I haven’t slept yet. Betrothal agreement took all night, but you’re officially mine.”

  She smiled. “I’ve been yours since I got here.”

  Satisfaction rolled through him, closely followed by the undeniable truth of just how much he wanted her, needed her. She was his.

  “Sleep, Eliasz.”

  She climbed out of the bed. He watched her for a moment, the lean muscles of her body shifting, the full curves of her breasts swaying. It occurred to him that he hadn’t even laid a finger on them, hadn’t kneaded them or tasted her nipples. His mouth watered.

  “What are you doing? Get back here.”

  She threw him a smile as she gathered a pile of clothes. “I can’t. Your mom asked me to go shopping with her today, so I need to get ready. We’re leaving just after breakfast.”

  Eliasz groaned. “Fine. God forbid we make my mother wait.”

  Ileana laughed. “It would be rude, after her generous offer.” She disappeared into the attached bathroom and he heard the shower turn on.

  He rolled off the bed and followed her, leaning against the sink as he watched her through the glass door. For the next ten minutes, he said nothing while he enjoyed the show. Finally, she turned off the water and stepped out.

  “Your mom is strong in magic, Eliasz. Is that where you get your power?”

  He nodded as she shimmied into her clothes. “My mom was a Laurent. Most of the magical talent in this Family comes from the females they marry.”

  “You said something like that before.”

  “The Levy men trade political power for magic.” He grinned. “You’ll fit right in.”

  She laughed as she brushed her teeth, then pressed a quick kiss on his lips. He tried to catch her and pull her close, but she danced away, backing into the bedroom. “Uh-uh. Why don’t you try to get some sleep?”

  “I will, in my room. My bed’s bigger. When you get back from your shopping trip, you can return the favor and wake me up.”

  Her eyes gleamed. “Until later then, when I come with your wake-up call.”

  She looked lighter, happier, like everything in her world was just how she wanted it, in spite of the bruises she carried. Warmth spread through his chest as he grabbed his pants and she slipped out of the door.

  He’d just buttoned them when he heard a sound that speared straight through his heart and ripped his soul to shreds.

  Ileana’s screams echoed through the house.

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  Ileana

  An old couple stopped her in the hall. As they were vaguely familiar, Ileana knew that she’d met them but couldn’t remember their names. She smiled politely and greeted them quickly, moving to slide past them.

  The old woman shifted to block her progress. “Your mother was Amelia Castillo.”

  That startled Ileana into stopping. “Yes, ma’am, she was.”

  “I knew her.”

  “Did you?” Ileana let her smile widen. “I don’t remember her. We were all young when she died. If it wasn’t for a few photos, I wouldn’t even know what she looked like.”

  “You don’t look like her. You look like a Lovasz.”

  “Well, I am a Lovasz. Of course, soon I’ll be a Levy.”

  “Pity.” The woman sighed. “Would you like me to tell you of her?”

  Ileana tilted her head, looking at the woman closely. Her ancient face was lined with deep wrinkles, sadness pulled at her mouth. Her blue eyes were cold and watchful, though, sending a shiver of unease down Ileana’s spine.

  “I’m on my way out with Angeline, but when I come back, I’ll find you.”

  The old woman sighed again. She lifted her papery, fragile hand and her husband immediately shuffled forward to take it. Golden magic flared between them. Ileana froze. She’d seen that particular pattern of golden light before, glittering over the broken links of the chandelier that had fallen in the entry hall.

  “Yes,” the old woman said. “It was me.”

  The gold exploded. Light enclosed Ileana, ripping into her, trying to tear her apart. Pain flared, quaking through her, biting into her heart and soul with sharp teeth. Claws of fire raked down her back and swiped at her knees, taking her to the floor.

  Their magic was nearly perfect. Forged by years of companionship, it was melded into a single, fluid force. Screams of pain were drawn from Ileana’s throat as her vision darkened. She tried to fight, searching for a chink in the golden flow, desperately seeking ease from the spell they were casting.

  The light formed thick ropes and lifted her, shaking her until her teeth rattled. It slammed her back to the floor, dragging her along the carpet, banging her into walls as she threw her hands out to protect herself.

  Ileana’s palms burned from the friction of the rug, her calves contracted with pain as the golden ropes wrapped her ankles and threw her down the hallway. Desperate, she flung out a flare of her own magic before she hit the wall at the corridor’s end, saving herself with a thin cushion of silver that sliced through the gold light.

  Understanding sparked in Ileana’s panicked brain. It was the only thing that saved her in that instant, that moment of blinding unity between the Matched witches. Cold knowledge bolstered her pumping heart, cooling the rush of adrenaline and forcing her to think, to act.

  She was stronger, barely. Ileana’s magic was stronger than most had ever realized and she managed to send out a pulse of her own power before the gold cut her in half.

  It was close. Silver curved around her as she threw up a defensive shield. Golden light coated her beneath her protection, there before she could push it back. Ileana pulled more magic from within, sending it out through her skin in spite of the pain locking around her bones.

  The air was snatched from her lungs, her chest burned, her nerves were shredded. Her skin crawled with the magic warping the atmosphere around her. A great weight settled on her, crushing her ruthlessly.

  She pushed harder, they pushed harder. Her magic was stronger, but they were a pair, able to keep up the assault for much longer than Ileana could hope to hold out against. Her vision wavered as the hot flow crashed against her psyche, their spell working on multiple levels. Her spine twisted and cracked in warning.

  Then Eliasz was there. She felt the soothing sensation of his magic wrap around hers, adding his strength to her shield. They weren’t Matches, but it tipped the scales in Ileana’s favor, letting her gather the rest of her power to throw back at the old couple.

  Dimly, she heard them yelling, arguing, pleading with Eliasz as he roared over their explanations. Vaguely, distorted through the layers of magic, she saw his contorted face, flushed with rage, his blue eyes spitting fire. He rushed them, tearing their hands apart, sending the old man spinning against the wall as Eliasz clutched the woman close in an unloving embrace.

  The magic fell away with a suddenness that left Ileana reeling. She lay back on the floor, staring at the ceiling as the pain ebbed and oxygen returned to her. Her chest eased, but echoes of agony continued to ripple over her nerves.

  “I raised Amelia! Don’t you see? They took her from me. They killed her!”

  Eliasz gently took the woman to the floor, bringing her husband to a halt with a single, steely command when he moved to comfort her. His voice was just as harsh, sharply tinged with fear, when he called out, “Ileana?”

  She fought to answer, but all she could manage was a single word. “Yes.”

  “Alexandru Lovasz killed her,” the woman wailed. “I know he did. My poor Amelia.”

  Eliasz had no sympathy. “That has nothing to do with my betrothed. She was a child.”

  “She’s a Lovasz!” Age-weakened tones couldn’t hide the woman’s hatred. “Like Alexandru. Look at her. She looks just like him.”

  Sound faded, blocking the old woman’s explanations. Ileana blinked as Fredrik’s face appeared above her. His lips moved, but she couldn’t quite make out what he said. Confusion dragged at her, filled her skull wi
th cotton. She worked her jaw and a great bubble of pressure in her ears popped, bringing his words to her.

  “Okay? Ileana? Answer me!”

  “Okay,” she said.

  “What the hell happened?” Fredrik looked to Eliasz.

  “Millie tried to kill her.” His voice was flat and cold, losing even the harsh edge of fear and anger. He was beyond it all, murderous in his fury as he explained quickly.

  Fredrik rushed to take the fragile woman from Eliasz’s arms. Ileana rolled, keeping the couple in her sights as her body slowly came back under her own possession. She forced her spine to cooperate, sitting up and leaning back against the wall.

  “She’s a Lovasz,” Millie screamed, hoping to sway her new audience. “Madness and murder run in the blood! She will hurt us all.”

  “Only Alexandru suffers from that problem,” Fredrik snapped. “And if she could inherit that, surely she could have inherited her mother’s charms, too!”

  Millie cried harder. “I don’t know. I don’t know! She was my girl, my Amelia. The Lovaszes need to pay for taking her from me.”

  The old man broke into his wife’s moans with a scratchy drawl. “She loved Amelia so much. She was like her first child.”

  Eliasz made a harsh noise. “It’s no excuse for murder. Ileana is to be my wife and you almost killed the Davenold heir! How would that have looked for the Levy Family?”

  “They were always together!” Millie screamed. “It couldn’t be helped. When the girl came to talk to us, I did nothing against her. It isn’t her that will weaken this Family with her madness!”

  “You attacked Silviu in the hall below!”

  “All Lovaszes must pay! Don’t you understand what they did? They’re all evil.”

  “Dear God, you’ve lost your mind.” Eliasz shook his head, stepping back from the old woman, leaving her to his father.

  Ileana stared at them all, her brain blank. The old man hovered nervously, seemingly indifferent to his crimes. The old woman allowed herself to be lifted into Fredrik’s arms as if she were a child, babbling about madness passing through the blood and Alexandru’s past offenses.