by Meg Xuemei X
“He’ll never do that to you,” he said matter-of-factly. “Nor will I allow him or anyone to do that to you.”
There was no lie in his words, just simple truth.
“Lorcan—none of us—will ever hurt you or try to control you beyond reason,” he said.
“Which means you’ll try to control me within reason?”
He smiled and kissed my cheek, causing my pulse to spike. I wanted more. I gazed up at him through my lashes. I want him to devour my mouth.
“A certain degree of control is healthy,” he said. “We’d want you to keep us on our toes as well.”
“I can keep you on your big toes?”
He brushed his lips across the tip of my nose before stepping back and shifting to his panther form.
Come on, Cass baby, he said in my head. We gotta run. The day isn’t waiting.
“The day isn’t going anywhere, either.”
He laughed lightly in my head, and the sensuality echoed in the chamber of my skull.
We raced northwest together.
Once he saw I could easily keep up with him, he pulled out his top speed. I ran beside him and we soon passed the rocky terrain and whisked through the meadow.
Everything around us became a blur as I raced beside the panther, feeling utterly free for the first time in my life.
I threw my head back and roared with joy.
Reysalor suddenly shifted back to fae, flung me over his shoulder, and sprinted with me laughing. He murmured a string of ancient fae words, and golden mist appeared in front of us. He didn’t slow down, but shot into the mist.
I was spinning within a band of stars.
When the world returned to me, lush green, purple, and blue zoomed toward me, until Reys and I stopped in front of a two-story mansion enclosed in an overflowing garden and forest.
“Will you let me down?” I asked. “I have legs, you know.”
“And they’re shapely and beautiful.” Reys put me down with a grin.
I swayed on my feet, my legs wobbly. I wasn’t sure if it was because of his sexy grin or something else. I was a little annoyed at both him and myself. I was Cass Saélihn. I shouldn’t falter or stumble.
“You’d better tell me what this place is,” I said.
Five figures—four men and one woman—in gray armor zoomed toward us. They all carried swords and crossbows and they looked badass.
“Incoming!” I shouted at Reysalor, even though it was unnecessary. He’d spotted them before they’d emerged.
I immediately adapted a battle stance, my hands out in front, ready to throw shit.
“Don’t attack them, little Cass.” Reysalor laughed at my pose, his arm wrapping around my waist. “They’re my men.”
“Don’t call me little,” I hissed. “Especially in front of others. I have an image to uphold.”
He arched a brow, laughter deep in his light turquoise eyes. “And what image is that?”
He thought I was trying to amuse him? I should probably stomp on his toes and wipe that smug look from his face.
He pulled me closer, as if staking a claim, his heat melting me. But as I’d said, I had an image to uphold. I broke free of his grip with a bit of a struggle, my face a little flushed. I took a couple of steps away and schooled my face into a stern expression. I braced my hands on my hips and looked up at the five fae before us, waiting for them to report.
The five warriors with different shades of blonde hair all towered over me—though I stood on the top step by the front door—which wasn’t cool.
“Prince Reysalor.” They bowed.
“Three of our scouts have returned,” a warrior with scars on his face said. He seemed to be the leader of the ones before us. “The gods have been quietly lately. No one has spotted your twin.”
I scowled at them. They flicked a glance at me, a nearly identical, shocked expression flitting over each face. They subdued it quickly. I could tell they were trying not to sniff at me, but their nostrils still flared subtly.
I’d heard that supernatural beings could detect subtle scents mortals couldn’t. Could they smell their prince’s scent on me? We’d fooled around just a few hours ago. Even so, I didn’t want to let anyone think I was Reysalor’s bitch. He was a prince, the heir to the crown in Sihde. Women probably flocked to him, and people, especially his household, would assume I was one of his groupies.
“Thank you, Hector,” Reysalor said. “We need to find my twin as soon as possible.”
Hector nodded solemnly.
The door swung open, and an older man, dressed like a house manager instead of a warrior, appeared at the foyer. He also bowed to Reys. “Your Highness.”
“Who are you?” I asked the older man, needing to take some control of the situation. “You’d better tell me whose house is this.”
Reysalor smiled. “It’s my house at the edge of the mortal and immortal realm, near the Academy.”
I landed a punch on his biceps with a grin. “No kidding, Reys. You kept your promise. We’re going to visit the school.” I actually wanted to be in a school. It was one of my unfulfilled dreams.
Reysalor flashed me a doting look, and I entered the house, passing the older man like a rush of wind.
“Lady Cassandra Saélihn is mine,” Reysalor said to his men. I wheeled around to face him, ready to counter him. “My honored guest,” he said in a half-hearted correction. “You can call her Cass. Don’t tell her any house rules; she’ll break every one of them.”
“That’s not true,” I said. “I have manners. I just don’t bother with them because I’m powerful and dangerous.”
Reysalor chuckled and a few of his men joined him, believing I might be a comedian. They saw only my size. But at least they didn’t snicker like the vampires.
“Hector, Rainer, Victor, Luke, and Ambrosia are my elite guards,” Reysalor said, walking beside me as I sauntered into the vast living room where a full glass wall faced the garden of lush greens and purples.
I liked windows. They reduced my claustrophobia.
“The entire house is warded,” Ambrosia, the female fae warrior, said behind me.
I turned to her with a sharp grin, my teeth showing. “I’m not worried. By the way, do all fae have blonde hair? Is it genetic or some kind of fashion statement?”
“It just a coincidence with us five,” Ambrosia said, eyeing my hair of platinum, blue, and sunset red. She frowned, probably thinking I’d dyed it. “Humans often can’t tell the difference between us.”
“Oh, I can tell,” I said. “You all have blonde hair, but each one is a different shade.” I pointed at the warrior who was slightly bulkier than the others. “That dude’s hair is called dirty blond.”
He glared at me. I guess fae didn’t like being associated with the word dirty.
The other warriors laughed and Hector patted the glaring warrior’s shoulder. “We’ve got a new name for you: Dirty-blond Luke.”
“We’re warriors, the best of the best,” Luke said. “Why are we even discussing hair? We’ve never discussed it before.” He shook his head. “Humans.”
He didn’t like me, which suited me just fine, for I’d just found my punching bag.
Hector sniffed the air. “She isn’t a human.”
Now they all sniffed at me. I didn’t appreciate that.
“What are you?” another warrior with curious green eyes asked.
I wish I knew.
“Your scent isn’t like any species I’ve encountered,” the green-eyed warrior persisted.
“What’s it to you?” I asked. “Why should I give you free information? What can you offer me in return?”
He blinked, as if he couldn’t understand why I wouldn’t answer him.
Reysalor chuckled. “I see you’ve all gotten acquainted. Cass baby, cut them some slack, will you? They’ll be around a lot. Their loyalty is unquestionable. Boone, who so kindly opened the door for us, is the head of the staff in my household.”
“Welcome, Lady Cass.” Boon
e bowed, his eyes bright and intelligent and his manner humble. “It’s an honor. If you need anything—”
“Do you have food and something strong to drink? I didn’t finish my breakfast today.” My face flushed a little at the reason, but I quickly recovered. “And I fought a good, hard battle on an empty stomach. By the way, don’t call me lady. Call me Cass.”
The warriors darted a glance at their prince then at my bloody and tattered clothing.
“Yes, Cass,” Boone said with a smile. “We’re prepared. I’ll have the servants bring refreshments to the dining room.” He gave me a quick glance. “If you’d prefer to have a bath first, I’ll have the servant girls ready the tub.”
I nodded in approval. This was the way to treat a special guest, not just empty words of “It’s an honor, blah, blah, blah.” As long as he fed me well and didn’t try any funny business, I’d get along with him well.
“Fine, I can compromise,” I said, as if I was doing him a favor. Attitude was everything. “But the water must be hot and the soap must smell amazing. I don’t like doing anything half-assed. If you insist on lighting candles in the bath chamber, putting on music, and bringing me a glass of wine, I won’t object.”
Boone stared at me, as if making a mental note of everything I said. So I offered him more instructions. “On second thought, I’m not picky, but the wine should arrive with naturally-grown grapes, cheeses, and crackers.”
He blinked and nodded.
“What kind of cheese do you have, Boone?” I asked.
“Uh,” he said, evidently not finished taking notes. My mind worked faster than his. “I’ll have to check with the chef.”
“You do that,” I said. “Tell him goat cheese is the best, and I’d like it cut into small cubes. That’s all.”
I strode toward the spacious corridor but halted after two steps. “Oh Boone, I forgot to mention one more thing.” I looked over my shoulder and spotted his eyes flashing in amusement. He must have sorted out my orders. “No carrots. I hate them.”
Most of my meals from Jezebel had had carrots, and now they were prison food to me.
I resumed my stride. “This house is so big. Can someone show me the bath chamber?”
Reysalor was at my side before the words had even left my mouth, his arm sneaking around my waist, “Let me show you,” and led me toward a broad swirl of stairs.
I had a feeling Reysalor wasn’t pure in his intent. The prospect of getting in the bath with him was enticing, but I needed to establish my status here, and I didn’t want to be seen as Reysalor’s plaything.
“This is my bath,” I said firmly, standing my ground. “I don’t share.”
“I’m sad and disappointed to hear that, my little Cass,” he said. “You’ll have to learn to share one day. It’s all about sharing.”
I turned to glare at him.
He laughed. “I’ll give you a tour of the house while the servants prepare your glorious bath.”
We climbed the stairs to the second floor.
“That’s the library,” he said, waving a hand to the left.
The open library took nearly half of the floor with shelf after shelf of books. My heart sank a little. I didn’t know how to read, but I couldn’t let Reys or anyone know that. It was a weakness, and I was done being weak. So I was more than cooperative when he led me up the stairs to the rooftop garden.
Blossoms the colors of the rainbow dangled from the exotic trees.
But what truly caught my eye was the colossal courtyard in the distance. A group of students were running laps around the perimeter. In the center of the square, groups had gathered, some practicing sparring, some listening to an older man in the center of the ring and hanging onto his every word, and some deploying magic with one another.
No one looked in our direction.
As if reading my mind, Reysalor said, “They can’t see us. We’re concealed by my twin’s and my magic. The whole house is glamoured.”
“What else you can do other than shifting and glamouring?” I wanted to know.
“You’ll have to find out for yourself, Cass.” Reys winked at me. “I’d like a little mystery between us.”
I rolled my eyes. “You know, I could see the house just fine when I first arrived, so your glamour isn’t as mysterious as you think.”
“Because you’re mine,” he said. “I didn’t even need to lower the ward when you passed the threshold. It recognized you.”
“I’m not yours,” I cried in outrage. “I’m no one’s. I’ll never be anyone’s. I won’t be in any kind of cage.”
“I’ll never cage you, my Cass,” he said softly, yet power rode his every word. “Over my dead body will I ever let anyone do that to you again.”
I swallowed, tears pricking my eyes. No one had ever said such nice things to me and meant them. And I knew Reys would keep his word. I snuggled closer to him.
He draped an arm around my shoulders.
“What about I’m yours?” He chuckled.
Unlike Lorcan, who was always serious, scary, and hard ass, Reys laughed easily when he wasn’t furious and fierce and killing. As my thoughts flickered to Lorcan, my heart tugged in pain. Why did I even miss him? Would he be able to find us? The house was glamoured, and Reys hadn’t even left him a note to tell him where we were going.
“You aren’t mine, either,” I said. “You’re a fae prince, the heir to the throne. And you’re rich!”
“My riches can be yours,” he said, the amused laughter in his voice. “You used to call me your panther. You claimed me as yours.”
“I prefer you in your panther form. You were never annoying then.”
“You can’t enjoy me in some ways if I spend all my time as a panther.”
I flushed, pretending I hadn’t heard him as I turned my gaze back to the courtyard.
His chest shook as he tried to contain his laughter.
My eyes were drawn to a magical group. One girl threw a ball of fire and a boy conjured a stream of water to put it out. Then someone sent dirt and leaves into the air. Each of them seemed to have only one kind of magic.
My pulse raced in excitement. That was my kind of crowd. I wanted to join them. But could I? I stared at them with envy. I’d missed out on my childhood and teen years. I could never have what they had.
Reysalor must have seen the shadow pass over my face. While I watched them, he was watching me.
“Come, little Cass, time for your bath,” he said, kissing me on the cheek.
I growled at him, but I followed him down the stairs. I was looking forward to a bath, and then some food.
17
The bath was exactly what I’d requested: hot water, lit candles, a glass of wine, a plate of fruit and cheese. I sipped at my wine and enjoyed the snacks. At some point, I must have dozed off.
A knock sounded on the door.
I slipped into the water and jerked awake. I peeled open an eye and wiped the bubbles off my face.
“Cass, you okay there?” Reysalor asked outside the door.
I was annoyed that he disturbed my nap, so I refused to answer him, but I didn’t expect him to push the door open.
He strode in wearing a clean shirt and trousers. Everything about him screamed sex. He smelled so damn delicious. Had he used a better soap than I? Probably. He was the prince, so he must have gotten the better treatment. I didn’t like class separation or species discrimination. I’d have a word with Boone soon.
My gaze tore from Reys’s powerful legs to his face.
“Some privacy?” I asked.
“You’ve been in the bath for over an hour. I was getting worried when it was too quiet in here.”
“My usual style is quiet. I was taking a nap.”
“Nap time is over, baby,” he said. “Let’s get some solid food in your stomach.”
That sounded good, too. I inhaled and the mouth-watering smell of stew wafted into the bath chamber.
“Fine,” I said as my stomach growled. �
��I’m getting out now. You need to leave.”
He grabbed a large green towel from the rack and unfolded it. “It’s not like I’ve never seen you naked. Now, come on. Time to get you nice and dry.”
My heart fluttered, the image of our joined flesh replaying before my eyes.
I wasn’t going to be shy and demure. I bolted up, water pouring from my body. The soapy bubbles still coated my breasts.
Reysalor wrapped the soft towel around me, patting me dry. When he wiped the bubbles from my tits, his eyes grew so heated that my pulse started galloping. He looked like he wanted to pluck my nipples into his mouth. I would let him suckle my left nipple first, then right, and then….
My already wet pussy grew slicker with want. My tongue darted out of my mouth, wetting my lips. My breasts grew heavier with every look he gave me.
My gaze flicked to the counter. I would let him set my ass there, and he could get between my thighs and fuck me. I had never had an orgasm in my life and I craved one after having a taste of what it might feel like earlier today.
“Reys,” I murmured, my hands falling on his shoulders, ready for him to pick me up and fuck me on the counter.
He swallowed audibly. “I’ve dried your front,” he said, his voice nearly harsh. “Now turn around.”
Liar. He hadn’t dried my pussy. He’d simply swept the towel over my legs, though his gaze had darted to the flesh between my thighs.
I didn’t expose his lie, though. I was curious to see what he would do next, even though my skin burned with carnal need. I turned as he’d commanded.
He started to dry my hair, then my shoulders and back. The towel slowly moved toward my butt. I parted my legs, bent forward a little, and bared my pussy for him.
If he’d prefer to fuck me from behind, I’d take it.
He stiffened behind me. A swath of the towel got between my thighs, rubbing back and forth with his large warm palm beneath it. I swayed my hips a little.
“Don’t move, Cass,” Reys said huskily and roughly. “If you move again, I’ll have to fuck you.”
A smile curved my lips and I swayed more to challenge him. I couldn’t wait for him to thrust his cock into me. I needed more than he had given me this morning. I remembered the feel of his manhood filling me and stretching my narrow passage. I loved the weight and hardness of it inside me.