Aequitas Betrayal

by Mason, a. c.

  A sharp pain in her leg made her cringe. A hypodermic jutted from her thigh and his thumb on the plunger pushed blue fluid into her.

  ****

  Grant pulled the needle from her leg and rose from the bed. A cruel mocking laughter rose from him and vibrated in the room as he shook his head at the pure shock in her face.

  The smell of their lovemaking saturated the air. Damn. That was amazing. No other woman felt like her. Not even close. A heavy breath escaped him as he picked up his clothing and dressed.

  Now he possessed his precious wife. He wouldn’t let her go, though her mind attempted to transport her away.

  “Pointless.” He smiled as he pulled his pants up. “The serum inhibits your abilities.” The scratch of his zipper closing echoed in the stillness, then he did up the button and turned to her.

  She huddled on the bed, hands covering her breasts and genitals.

  “It’s a bit late for that.” A wink to her, then he tugged his shirt over his head. “To be honest,

  I didn’t think you’d live up to last time. But you didn’t disappoint.” He licked his lips. “I still have the taste of your sweet tears on my lips.”

  “Monster.”

  He smirked at her, and adjusted his face into somber expression. “You made me so, sweet precious wife of mine. And all this time, you thought you were a monster.”

  “I am. I created you, didn’t I?” She donned her pink sundress over her head.

  “Yes, thank you.” He took a seat next to her, lifted her onto his lap and stared into her frightened eyes. “You will accept that there never was an Etienne. You will call me Grant.”

  Palms pressed to his chest, she tried to pull away, but only succeeded in amusing him. He steadied his grip. “You are my wife, you carry my offspring, and in the laws of nature, I am solely responsible for your safety. I take that duty very seriously. Understood?”

  Tears filled her beautiful eyes.

  A precious little lamb. He lowered his lips to hers and brushed over them with a light caress.

  The scents of desire and the bitterness of a broken heart mixed in her body, making him erect once more; his vision dulled as her intoxicating fragrance entered his nose. A whimper escaped her as he tightened his grip. “Understood?”

  Not a single tear fell from her eyes when he cast his gaze back to hers.

  “I understand, but that does not mean I will obey you.”

  His jaw clenched at her nerve. “Do not test me, my lamb. I am far worse than the big bad wolf. For if you run, I will come after you relentlessly.” A forced smirk crept to his mouth. “I do love a good game of cat and mouse, but I think you will be extremely displeased with the consequences. Now get some sleep. I will be back in the morning.”

  With that, he rose to his feet and walked to the door. He paused and looked at her, then blew a kiss and exited.

  On the other side of the door, he turned each of the four locks one by one. The click of the mechanism as they caught distracted him from his disgust. Her effect on him was far more dangerous than he had expected. The scent of her lingered on him, a mere hint of her essence which had him wanting to go back in.

  He needed to cleanse himself of her.

  Chapter 16

  As the sound of the locks opening echoed in the room, Auria sat up and waited to see who might come in. Without her telepathic abilities, she felt bare. Stripped, but that was exactly Grant’s point. Wasn’t it?

  The dichotomy between Etienne and Grant was near incomprehensible, yet the duplicity embodied the ancient symbol of Taijitu, the forces of good and evil.

  Usha appeared from the other side of the door. “Come, I will help you escape.”

  Not exactly someone she’d expected to come across here. The tall woman wore the finest of materials, a beige gown hugged her form. Though Usha didn’t smell tainted, she could be sure of nothing. “I can’t.”

  “What? Don’t you see? Grant will never let you go.”

  “Yes, I know. However, the risk to my babies is too great. His retaliation might be aimed at them.”

  “You have to go.”

  “No.”

  “I can’t tolerate you here.” Usha shook her head. “As long as you are here, I will not be able to have him.”

  A weighted breath escaped. “Truly you can. I don’t want Grant.”

  Usha laughed. “You, of all people. I expected better.” Eyes widened, she stared. “You can’t believe in fairytales.”

  She shook her head no.

  “Then?”

  “Nothing. I’m looking out for the safety of mine and Etienne’s babies.”

  Usha’s shoulders slumped. “You’re only fooling yourself to speak of them as two different people.”

  The sun appeared at the window. As she moved closer, dawn cast light over the rocky terrain.

  “I know.” How could she explain what life had been like before, why it didn’t matter that Etienne wasn’t real?

  No. He’d awakened something she’d long left behind, a desire to better herself. She needed to keep facing her inner pain so she could do better. Such fairytale-like ideas would only confuse Usha.

  The sound of the struggle behind her didn’t frighten her. Usha cried out. Grant was part of her, and she knew how he would deal with betrayal. The door closed and when she turned, a pool of fresh blood stained the floor. As a sharp cramp hurt her back, she placed her hand on the wall next to her. Lips parted, she drew a long deep breath. The pain passed.

  This must be related to her weak muscles. She rarely stood for long periods. Making her way to the bed, she sat down.

  ****

  Grant paused outside the room and watched as two servants carried away Usha’s lifeless body. Auria had not bothered to look, but he knew she was aware of what he’d done. Still she thought of her beloved Etienne, the silly little persona he’d created to tame a lioness. But she was his, Grant’s conquest. He had been clever enough to deceive the mighty and powerful General.

  The only woman fit to carry his offspring or be his wife. What a pretty little lamb she’d become now her edge had melted away and been replaced with a vulnerability.

  Grant pulled the door open once more and entered the room.

  His beauty sat on the bed, head lowered.

  Not a sound? He closed the door behind him. Not a word? He’d half expected her to barrage him with scolding for what he had just done.

  “Did you sleep well?” A faint strain quivered in her voice.

  The air in the room felt cool and held a stale odor.

  “Extremely, and you?” As he sat beside her, images of her sleepless lonely night replayed in her mind.

  “I survived.”

  The urge to comfort her surfaced, but he quickly pushed it down.

  Auria lifted her arm and turned the underside up. “We have no need for deception. You may inject me with the serum.”

  Taking hold of her arm, he guided it to his chest. As the warmth of her crept into him, made him want to make love to her again, the weakness for such a desire repulsed him.

  He withdrew the needle from his shirt front pocket, then removed the cap from the tip.

  “Will the serum harm the babies?”

  Fear saturated her eyes. He’d half expected the question, but it angered him. The panic in her gaze touched something protective inside him, which sickened him. Weak. “No.”

  “Thank you.”

  The tip of the needle pierced her skin as he injected the substance, the scent of her rose in the air, tormenting his senses. How he wanted a taste of her.

  “The servants will come to bathe you and provide you a change of clothing.” He stood up from the bed and made his way to the door.

  “Later this evening, I will be back for my conjugal visit.”

  The spike of revulsion from her pleased him, then hurt.

  “Grant.” Auria’s voice sounded fluid and soft.

  “Yes, my lamb?”

  How he wanted her rage, but the
gaze meeting his held no hint of annoyance. She’d always given Etienne her fury, anger he could match with his own contempt.

  “Can you take me out for a walk later? I’m feeling under the weather, and I think it’s being cooped up in this room.”

  “I will think about it.” Grant pulled the door open and left the room.

  Once on the other side of the door, he locked her in, the sound clanking in the stillness of the small passageway.

  Excruciating. Each moment he was near her was hell.

  ****

  As she lay on the bed, dolled up for her husband in a rose-colored gown which fit her curves like a glove and accentuated her round belly, it wasn’t lost on her that he sought to push her emotionally and was succeeding. The light pokes and kicks reassured her the babies were well despite the serum and the recent continuous cramps in her lower back. Smiling, she caressed the taut mound of her stomach.

  “How sweet.”

  Startled by him, she quivered. She took her time shifting from her side and sat upright. Every day she felt heavier, unable to do basic things with her massive belly.

  “Are they moving?”

  Like he cared. She huffed, and the hurt in his eyes pained her.

  Was she too jaded? Why hadn’t she thought he meant it as a question rather than trying to jab at her emotionally? She nodded her head, yes.

  He knelt before her and placed his large hand on her tummy. “The bigger boy looks out for his brother.”

  The warmth of his skin sent a wave of heat through her body she wanted to ignore. No. Not this man. Her heart cried out with displeasure because his mere touch could affect her this way.

  “Yeah.” The connection with the babies weakened without her abilities.

  Grant stood. “Auria.”

  The tone in his voice made her uneasy. “Yes, Grant.”

  “I hope that we understand each other. You are expendable, but my sons are not. If you cause me grief, I’ll dispose of you.”

  A few moments ago, she’d been questioning herself. No, not too jaded. Good thing he couldn’t kill her.

  “That is true, but death would be letting you off easy.” He raised an eyebrow, and a chill ran up the back of her neck at his coldness. She didn’t want to allow her imagination to wander.

  “Why not let your imagination go where it will?” He took a deep breath. “You’ve spent lifetimes tracking down creatures who toyed with the living, tormented and prolonged life. I’m sure you’d have a few ideas I haven’t considered.”

  Head lowered, she gazed at the floor. “This is the only way you can keep emotional distance between us, isn’t it?”

  “I’m not sure I follow.”

  “By attacking me, telling me how bad you are and what you’re going to do to me. I know because I’ve done it all before. When you walked into this room, you wanted to nurture our babies and me, but now you insist on creating wedge between us. We both know the bond we have isn’t one we want, and yet I feel for you despite my disgust and irrational interest in wanting to believe that you are two different people.”

  “Untrue. I’ve always wanted you.” A smile lit his face. “And not the only way. We both know what your worst fear is.” Kneeling before her, he brushed his lips over hers. “Don’t force me to make it come true.”

  As she looked away, he sighed and rose to his feet, hand extended. “Let’s go for a walk.”

  She glared at his hand before placing hers in his, and he helped her to her feet. Each step felt scary without her senses guiding the way.

  The thick wall made her feel trapped as she entered the small passageway. He turned right, walked down the short passage then right again, stepped out into the open and she followed. The sun faded off in the distance and stars studded the darkening sky. She took a deep breath of the cool air and wished in her heart Etienne were there.

  Grant glared back at her. His displeasure came from having read her thoughts.

  ****

  Grant blew an exasperated breath at her bright smile, annoyed by the warmth she stirred in him. She’d just been thinking of another man, someone who wasn’t even real. Right here, he could show her that he was the one who could reduce her to a pure instrument of pleasure.

  “Shall we?” He waited for her to stand next to him so they could walk together.

  “Yeah.” Auria stepped towards him.

  A few yards away, a rock formation with a side passage led into an underground hot spring.

  He’d take her there.

  An ache came from Auria, which stopped him, and she hunched forward.

  “You’re hurting.” He picked her up into his arms, and her displeasure was loud and clear.

  “A little.”

  This wasn’t the first time she’d been in discomfort. “Why didn’t you tell me you’ve been experiencing pains on and off all day?”

  “Because I thought you might not take me on a walk.”

  Displeased, he cast his gaze down at her. He should take her back to the compound, but he continued to the rocks. “Maybe the warm water will help.” Entering the slit in the rock, he maneuvered them both seamlessly in the tight space.

  “You can put me down. The pain has stopped.”

  “I don’t need to do that to undress you.” He arched an eyebrow.

  “Please, I-I...”

  “Don’t worry, lamb.” He lifted her gown over her legs, thighs and belly. Her tummy seemed too small for two babies, and one of his sons’ growth seemed to have stunted. He slipped the dress over her full breasts, then her head, and tossed it to the side.

  Auria pulled away, but he didn’t allow her freedom.

  The water met with his feet as he moved down the stone staircase into the spring. Her nipples hardened as he lowered her into the water, and she slid her fingers around his neck. Surrounded by steaming water, she buried her face in his chest. The heat of her breath penetrated the material of his shirt, warmed the skin beneath.

  “Well, if you insist on toying with me, you might have cause to worry.”

  Her gaze rose and met his. “But I-I’m...not.”

  “I could slip into your mind and bring us both to climax without ever even entering you.”

  He withdrew the arm that cradled her legs and allowed her feet to touch the bottom.

  “Grant, please.” A weighted breath escaped her.

  Her favorite word of protest wore his patience thin. What if it were a plea? “If you insist.”

  The sweet scent of her filled the air around him.

  She tried to back away from him. This time, he let her take her freedom, chuckling as he slipped into her mind.

  “Grant!” Despite her sternness, she feared him.

  “Shh. Isn’t this the game you and Deimos played?” He closed his eyes, backed away until he met with the bench behind him, and sat.

  ****

  Auria didn’t want to play games. The warm water around her eased the tension in her sore muscles. Solitude would provide her safety once more.

  “You’ll never be alone again, my lamb.”

  She despised that he was now in her mind. Why would he want to play the game she and Deimos had used to relieve each other? Relief didn’t measure up anymore for her, especially not under the circumstances.

  “Come.”

  His command was like lava running through her veins. Her legs began to move toward him though she didn’t want to. “Stop, Grant.” In control of her body, he forced her forward.

  “No. I need to alleviate my desire for you.”

  Though she tried to fight, her legs marched to him, and his grin deepened her humiliation.

  She couldn’t stop and worse, her body burned with anticipation as her heart tore.

  Water splashed as he took off his shirt, the cool air creating a mist on his skin. Next, he reached down and removed his pants.

  “But, I can’t!” Her legs bent, lowering her to his lap. “Please.”

  His gaze remained glued to hers as their flesh fus
ed, and he groaned. “You can, you will.”

  He took his time and looked over her body. Beauty embodied. “Kiss me.”

  Hide. Run. A terrible thing to be conflicted by her body and heart.

  “Kiss me on the lips.”

  Her body jolted forward at his stern command, not by his will but her own. Why did she want the ecstasy he’d brought her?

  She pressed her lips to his while he waited. Humiliating.

  “No, not humiliating, my lamb. You are my wife and as such, you should always aim to please me. And I am pleased with you.”

  Peeling her lips from his, she looked into his eyes and let out a soft breath.

  All she wanted as her eyes slid closed was his teeth piercing the flesh of her breast, the hot feel of him devouring her skin as it tore beneath his bite.

  “Auria.”

  Even his scolding tone didn’t matter. She squeezed her thighs together at the thought of his teeth stabbing into her.

  The man had wanted to play this game, and if she would, she’d be satisfied.

  She wrapped her fingers around the length of him.

  “Auria. You’re not to touch.” Grant shook his head.

  “If you don’t want me to touch, restrain me.”

  Eyes narrowed at her challenge, he cocked an eyebrow.

  The feel of his fingers coiling around her wrists caused her to moan. As he forced both arms behind her back, her breasts pressed forward and she allowed her head to fall back, displaying her neck to him, an unbearable throbbing in her clit matching the beat of her heart.

  ****

  The heavy desire within her gripped Grant. Everything in her yearned for his touch, it pained him to withhold what she desired. Fixated on the pulsating vein in her neck, he parted his lips and pressed his tongue to her flesh. “This is what you want?” he mouthed on her skin.

  All he could hear was the gasp in her breath, but she wanted this. As stubborn as ever. His grip tightened on her wrist. “Is it?”

  “Yesss.”

  His teeth scraped her skin as he moved down the length of her throat, and a moan from her penetrated his soul. “Bite me.”

  “Is that what you want?”

  “Yes.”

  “Beg for it!”

  “Grant, please, bite me.” The words came from between her lips with painful force. “Please.”