by Marie Harte
Liam’s guards appeared shocked to hear Liam again. Anson felt nothing but relief.
“Liam.”
Liam clutched his fists, blood dripping from where he’d cut into his own palms. “Not…hurt…Anson.”
A blaze of red glowed around Liam’s body, and a harsh roar echoed inside the chamber. Liam floated off his feet and above the crowd. Anson watched in awe and alarm as Liam seemed to argue with a god.
Then Liam floated back down. His skin turned white once more, but Anson saw Banathmae staring back at him. “The prince speaks highly of you, young one. Enough to bargain for your gentle treatment—at great sacrifice for himself.”
Anson didn’t like the thought of Liam hurting for him. No matter that Liam had put him in this predicament in the first place. “Leave him alone. I can handle you.”
The god laughed. “Such innocence in you. A purity of soul. No wonder Liam would give so much for your claiming.”
Banathmae crawled over Anson and sparked hunger in every cell of his body.
He wasn’t sure he’d survive this ceremony, if that’s what he could call it. But on the bright side, he’d die unmated. He chuckled at the thought and Banathmae paused and cocked his head. Then a familiar scent invaded, and Anson sighed, recognizing the Wolf in the Forest. He’d never seen him—her—before. Had never encountered the Great Wolf, but instinct told him the spirit had come, and she’d offered her blessing, apparently.
“Thank you, Sister. I understand.” Banathmae frowned.
A loud snarl filled the cavern, and the athmae all around cringed. Anson would have too if he hadn’t been bound. That was one loud bark!
Banathmae sighed, then gave Anson a sly, almost evil, grin. “I’m still going to get my way. Fine. We won’t do pain, but we’ll sure as hell do pleasure.”
Liam’s hot, wet mouth engulfed Anson’s cock and drew every bit of his concentration into one precise, hard point. “Oh, fuck.” Scalding delight leeched his will to do anything but feel. Thought, decision, protest, everything faded but the sharp pricks of teeth and the soft caress of full lips around Anson’s aching shaft.
A slick, thick finger shoved deep inside his ass while the mouth over him drew him even deeper into the dark ecstasy consuming him from the inside out. Despite Anson’s initial reluctance with this whole sacrificial mess, he wanted to beg Liam—Banathmae—to never stop. The wicked god felt too good to be bad.
His forearm burned, the light of his mark so bright it hurt to look at it.
“Fuck, Anson. You’re beautiful,” Malem said with reverence and moved closer to Anson’s head. His thick cock bobbed near Anson’s face, the athmae now naked. Hell, all of them were naked, every damn demon that Anson could see.
Malem stood close enough that his fingers brushed Anson’s cheek while he jerked off. Anson should have been upset by this considering Ryder and Zain did the same on either side of him. But he couldn’t think past the insane pleasure consuming him.
They stroked in a rhythmic desire, amping the primal need all around him.
Inside him. On top of him.
Banathmae sucked harder and shoved a second finger inside Anson’s ass, widening him, preparing him for something Anson desperately wanted.
“Fuck. Yes. Yes, take me,” he begged, on fire with the need to come.
Banathmae lightly scraped his fangs over Anson in just the right spot, and Anson screamed as he came harder than he ever had in his life.
Zain, Ryder and Malem exploded into climax, the rush of bright seed landing on his body in warm streams of drugging ecstasy.
Banathmae let go of his cock and crawled over Anson to stare into his eyes once more. “Now that you’ve felt godly pleasure, young wolf, it’s time to give some back.”
Anson blinked through heavy lids, his breathing not yet calm. He glanced down between them to see Liam’s large cock had grown. It was now twice as thick as it had been, the god’s phallus monstrously large and not at all fitting with Liam’s frame.
“Take my pleasure, wolf.” Banathmae panted and pushed into Anson’s hole. The pain that should have been there was not. Instead, a pleasure so intense that Anson had a hard time making sense of anything spread throughout his being. Like a million tiny climaxes going off at the same time. His entire being felt like one huge ball of sensation and paradox, where everything mattered and nothing was important.
Black voids filled with creation and the basic tenements of sexuality converged with the unusual connection of being joined to something not human, demon or wolf, but something much more.
It was too much to handle. Anson couldn’t process anything but Banathmae as the demon god laughed and thrust home. He reamed Anson, the fiery taking adding to Lycos’ power seething inside him. Anson howled in rapture as his balls convulsed. A fountain of seed rushed over Banathmae’s belly. His entire body seized while a demon god fucked him, pushing dark and powerful energy inside him.
Banathmae murmured foreign words under his breath as he shuddered in climax, his balls like stones, his cock like iron.
He’s killing me with pleasure, Anson thought from a distance as he slowly faded into a welcome abyss.
But Banathmae wouldn’t let him rest. The demon god woke Anson with a command. “Feel me, wolf. Feel him.” Banathmae surged once more, pumping and reaching for yet another orgasm, until the god unleashed a torrent of bliss and a mess of seed inside Anson.
Finally, the god withdrew from Anson, of normal size and proportion once more.
“Very good, wolf. The prince’s sacrifice has pleased me greatly.” Banathmae stepped back—out of Liam—his entire body a seething, flaming mass that drew the attention of everyone. To his athmae, he said, “The harvest moon is yours, my children. Enjoy the fruits of pleasure your prince has brought you. And welcome into your folds this precious soul, a wolf like none other, one who bears the mark of future power.” The flames around him vanished, and Banathmae, a writhing mass of dark energy in the form of a man, held out his arms. “Great Sister, I thank you for your gift. I share unto you my child. For their two halves will make them whole.”
The god once again took on Liam’s likeness, one of smoke, but one Anson could see nonetheless. He blinked, crossed his arms over his chest and lowered his chin. A wave of power exploded throughout the room, knocking everyone but Anson to the ground. Liam’s body fell, and Anson realized the god had departed.
Anson wanted to move, to see if Liam had survived a god’s possession, but Banathmae’s touch had indeed taken its toll. The darkness took him under, and he willingly went with it.
* * * *
Liam blinked into Malem’s concerned face. “Anson?” He couldn’t tell if Malem could understand, so he said it again.
Malem nodded. “He’s fine. A bit worn out, but alive and well. Blessed by Banathmae.” Malem had tears in his eyes. “Never have I seen such a sight. Our great spirit took the wolf and gave him something more. Such beauty I never in my lifetime thought to experience.”
Liam blinked, wishing he could have seen it as well. Instead he felt loopy and beyond aroused. Unfortunately, his request—no, demand—that Banathmae have care for Anson had meant that Liam had provided a sacrifice instead. Worse than pain, he’d watched and sensed the great rapture Banathmae had bestowed on Anson, while not sharing in it. Instead, he suffered from a desperate need to come, his desire painful and growing, touched by a god but unable to find his release.
He ached to feel Anson’s tight ass gloving him, but by the look of his wolf, poor Anson had been used readily enough. A rush of seed pooled on the stone between his legs, and bits had landed on his chest and arms as well.
Malem coughed into his hand. “Banathmae wanted us to mark him, that through our possession another link to you was made. As your scent pushes through us, it now pushes through him. Ryder, Zain and I protect you always, and the wolf now as well.”
“I see.” Liam stood with Malem’s help, jealous that his athmae had found release with his wolf
, while Liam had been forced to watch outside of himself. Yet it had been worth it. Anson had experienced godly pleasure. No pain, no harm to the young wolf Liam wanted very much to call his own.
He glanced around at his people, still groggy from their ordeal. “Let’s leave the others to finish their celebration. I for one need a break.” At his nod, Ryder and Zain carefully dispensed with Anson’s restraints and gently lifted him from the altar. “Take him back to my room.”
They left carrying Liam’s wolf. The thought helped settled him. Malem helped him walk, and they followed at a slower pace. “I feel dizzy.”
Malem snorted. “As you should. Banathmae used you hard, Liam. You should have seen what he did to your cock.”
“I’m only interested in what he did for my wolf.”
“Anson will be fine. He’s been blessed by the fires of the demon god.”
“I didn’t mean Anson.” He explained what had occurred, and Malem looked at him with new respect. He flushed. “It wasn’t Anson’s fault he had to be here. It wouldn’t be right to harm an innocent.”
Malem nodded.
“My sacrifice was worth it.”
“Yes, Prince.”
Liam blinked. “You sounded almost…respectful.”
Malem grinned. “You deserve it. Right now, at least.” He chuckled. “To have given up the right to share in such desire, such pleasure, is a sacrifice worthy of a true king. You are a worthy liege, Liam.”
Liam smiled, still hurting with every step, his desire unabated. “Anson is worth it. And so is my own wolf, the one buried deep inside me.” He scowled. “That cursed bitch Danya will have her day. I will see my wolf again.” He clenched his fists and called on the wolf within him, pleading for him to come out once more.
Malem paused with him outside in the corridor, well away from the celebration. “I can feel what you’re trying to do, Liam. Maybe you should wait until your strength returns.”
“I have to know. I need to see if the ceremony helped or hindered my wolf.” Banathmae’s presence had certainly strengthened his dark energy, as well as his appetites. He widened his stance, trying unsuccessfully to ignore the pressure building in his balls.
“The energy was much more this year than the last,” Malem murmured. “Definitely the wolf’s doing.”
“And Mother’s, I think.” Liam rolled his shoulders, praying Banathmae hadn’t overwhelmed the small power of wolf that had been growing inside him. Liam focused and opened himself, trying to see through the wild eyes of his beast. For over a hundred years, he’d been blocked from the whole of his spirit. But with Anson so close, Liam knew the end of his curse had to be near. A gift from both Banathmae and the Wolf in the Forest could only mean success.
His inner wolf snapped and growled inside him, taking him to his knees.
“Liam?”
What the hell is that? Liam hadn’t felt such wild rage since he’d lost his ability to shift. But instead of the joy he wanted to feel, dread overwhelmed him. “I—I don’t know.”
“Oh, hell. We’re in trouble. Not a good time to send the others ahead.” Malem stood over Liam with his sword in hand.
Then the voice that could still make him sweat in fear sounded close. “Ah, William. My sweet boy, it’s been too long. I’ve missed you…”
Chapter Four
Liam’s enemy watched him with clear lust. The evil intent in the sorceress’ soul made his inner wolf come alive, roaring with a need to find Anson and keep him safe.
It made no sense. They’d safeguarded the compound against her kind years ago. Yet here she was, a two-thousand-year-old creature with lusts so perverted even Banathmae wouldn’t touch her.
Danya the Light, a sorceress once beyond the pale, had turned to the black arts and killed her family half a century after her birth. She’d plundered and raided demons far and wide for centuries. Until she’d seen Liam. To get to him, she’d killed his father. She’d taken away the man Liam loved and respected. Then she’d made it worse by smothering the wolf inside him to almost nothing. No matter that he wasn’t yet ready to face her—Liam refused to give her the power to hurt anyone he cared for ever again.
The way she looked at Malem told him she had no intention of leaving quietly.
“Let me play with this one and I’ll leave you in peace for a bit. I’ve always found your kind provides such wonderfully fun playmates.”
Malem sneered. “Unnatural bitch. I wouldn’t have sex with you if it meant dying a hundred deaths.”
“It just might.” She laughed, a grating sound that made the walls tremble. “You know, that’s just what Liam’s father said. And look at him now.” She shrugged. Petite and pretty, she looked like the humans’ version of a fairy princess. Blonde ringlets surrounded a face poets had once written about. Yon fair maiden existed only as a fiction. Her red lips were stained with blood. The blue in her eyes glowed with the glut of energy stolen from the many souls she’d devoured throughout the centuries.
The evil in her soul permeated everything in close proximity. Plant life withered in her presence, and the notion of joyous sexual union with one such as she made Liam’s erection fade faster than a dose of cold water.
She continued in a sing-song voice, “Yes. Poor Wilhelm Masterson is dead and gone, his shell as empty as that puppy inside you screaming to get out.” She hummed, and Liam’s snarling wolf whimpered in pain.
No! I was closer to freeing him than ever before. I can’t lose him now.
The sorceress inhaled and smiled, looking sweet while she soured everything she touched. “You smell so fine, so tasty. Yum.” She flicked her fingers, and Malem’s sword dropped to the ground like a stone. “Come now, Liam. If you won’t play with me, at least let me have this one. He’s a lot friskier than the last one I found.”
The last one she’d eaten. Poor Josiah had died a horrible death a few decades past, when he’d been tricked into visiting Danya’s dreams, thinking her a human in need.
Danya had used him in an unnatural dreamstate. But instead of discarding him, she’d eaten his soul piece by piece, day by day. While Josiah had lain dying, physically and mentally withering away to nothing, he’d described the sorceress’s method of torture. For Danya consumed her prey to achieve eternal life. She stupidly thought that by killing and consuming demons she’d live forever.
Malem cursed her. “Such weak human flesh. You’re nothing without that impure magic. Nothing as grand as the athmae, and you know it. You’re a sad mortal with nothing but dreams for company.”
Danya’s eyes narrowed. Liam knew she didn’t like reminders that no matter what she did, she couldn’t escape her mortal beginnings.
“So pale and plain.” Liam took up the gauntlet and soothed his inner wolf with visions of Anson. “No wonder my father refused you. You’re not good enough for me. And you never will be.”
“You can’t hide forever, William.”
He tensed, ready to spring, and felt Banathmae deep in his bones, another rush of desire filling him from the inside. Ah, blessed god, what good timing.
“Soon, my sweet, you’ll beg for my attentions. And I’ll relish our union. Forever, William. You’ll be mine forever.” She smiled, blew him a kiss then vanished as if she’d never been.
“A projection, I think,” Malem said and helped Liam to his feet. “Otherwise why wait to take you?”
“A powerful one if she disarmed you with an illusion.”
“I know.” Malem frowned and picked his weapon off the ground. “We must reinforce the wards.” He glanced at Liam. “How do you feel? Did Anson help your wolf, or did Danya make it worse?”
Liam didn’t know, but he couldn’t imagine the bitch hurting his golden wolf. It made no difference that he’d only just met him—Anson had a place in his heart. “It’s too soon to tell. Though I hate to admit it, you’re right. I’m weak and tired from Banathmae’s visit. I think I need rest.” Exhaustion suddenly leeched his will to fight, thought it didn’t quell the desi
re firing his blood.
Malem’s touch gentled, and he was kind not to mention Liam’s raging desire. “We’ll get you back to your pet and let you recover from the ceremony.” They walked for a bit and had nearly reached Liam’s room when Malem chuckled.
“What?”
“I just realized something.” The wicked grin on Malem’s face only reinforced Liam’s notion he needed to worry. “Your mother really took to Anson. She called him her son. Sounds to me like you finally got that mate you’ve been wanting.”
Liam tripped over his feet. “Mate? No, I wanted a wolf, not a mate. Someone to break the curse.” He frowned at the satisfaction on his guard’s face. Sex with Anson was all well and good, but mating meant permanence, and Liam had too much to do to settle down. “What do you know that I don’t?”
“Nothing you won’t soon find out for yourself.” Malem put Liam’s arm over his shoulder and walked him the rest of the way back to his room. “I can’t wait to help you on your journey. As your royal guard, I just want you to know Ryder, Zain and I will be with you every step of the way.”
* * * *
Anson woke up with a need to fuck. His cock was on fire, his balls strung tight—full, plump and ready to release.
But the scent that should have been there wasn’t. He growled low in his throat as he caught the smell of familiar demons. “Zain? Ryder?”
“Hey, Liam. He’s awake,” Ryder said in a gritty voice.
He glanced over to see Zain on his knees sucking Ryder’s shaft and taking him to the back of his throat.
Stunned by the show, Anson forgot everything but watching Ryder’s cock disappear between Zain’s lips. The athmae apparently had no issue with sex, and no qualms about privacy. Recalling some of the sexual antics from the ceremony, Anson wondered if they always fucked in public, or if that had been a special occasion. At home, wolves tended to be a private lot. Occasionally, like during a mating ceremony, or if a female was stranded in the forest during a heat, sex happened. But coupling without privacy was rare.