Rain’s head swept down and his lips found hers.
He held still, waiting for her reaction. Waiting for her to hit out at him, scream at him to free Meghan.
But she parted her lips and let him deepen the kiss.
A kiss that sealed things for the both of them.
To him, a willing wife.
To her, freedom.
He moved over her, like a beast ready to devour its prey. Strengthening the kiss, he ran his hands along her arms, up to her wrists, then cinched.
The fur sheets grazed her back, but the touch didn’t compare to the sweet warmth of his tongue that left her scrambling for focus.
Callie wasn’t afraid of casual sex. She was a big supporter of it, in fact. But an untold aged fae who kissed like that had Callie’s nerves tingling with doubts.
Rain sensed her hesitation and turned the kiss into a chain of chaste ones that shaped her mouth.
“What if—It might not be good...” She stumbled over her words.
“Do not doubt what you do to me.”
Rain drew back just enough for his eyes to search hers. There, in his gaze, were flames of rose-gold, flickering with the desire that pressed firmly against her core.
“It will be pleasurable for us both,” he said.
Callie thinned her lips in doubt, but managed a brief nod.
Quick, before I change my mind. Before I chicken out and fuck up any chance I have of getting Meghan out of there.
His dark brows naturally arched over his molten eyes. She turned her gaze down, to the pink bow of his lips that felt like silk against her own.
“Callie.”
It was a question. He needed to be sure this was what she wanted.
And for that, a hidden part of her wanted him all the more.
“Rain,” she said with a sly smile, slowly spreading her legs wider to graze over his. “Are you waiting for a written invitation? Because last time I touched the paper at your desk, it threatened me, so I wouldn’t wait long if I were you.”
Rain’s wicked grin caught on a laugh.
Warm mouth on hers, kisses charged with unleashed desire, Rain pushed the hem of her dress up her thigh. His fingertips brushed her skin.
As the dress bunched at her waist, her core clenched—expecting. Anticipating. But his hand dipped under the dress and travelled up to her waist, tracing the natural curve of her body.
Rain’s lips didn’t leave her body as he pulled away from her mouth. He travelled down.
A nip of the collarbone, down; a caress to her breast, down.
This is it. It’s happening.
The beat of her heart felt like punches against her ribcage, and it only went wild when Rain’s warm breath brushed over her thighs. He guided them open with the softest kiss to each, and a gentle brush of his hand from her bottom to the back of her knee.
Abruptly, he hiked her leg up and settled it over his shoulder.
Callie’s throat caught on a rushed breath.
For a still, quiet moment, he didn’t move. He stared.
Rain gazed at spot between her legs for such a pause, that she almost wondered if he had ever seen one before.
Impatience itched at her fingers.
The urge to buck was too strong to resist, but it was the reminder he needed. Before she could touch back down on the furs, Rain had scooped her lower body into his arms, and buried his face at her core.
His strong hands gripped her ample bottom firmly, keeping her in place for his magical mouth.
And it was magical.
Every flick of the tongue along her slit was like silk skimming over her, and in perfect sync with her deep aches, Rain whispered a kiss over her bud.
He moved that way, once, twice, thrice—and on, until the shivers started to rattle in the bones of Callie’s weakening legs.
“Tha—that’s it.” Her words came out in husky breaths. “D..on’t sst—”
“Stop?” Rain grinned against her, a pause that jolted panic through her.
Just as she made to protest, Rain had done it. His mouth found her bud, a finger sliding into her silky walls, and he suckled.
“Oh!” A spear of sweet suffering jerked her body. “Oh—oh...”
Other words tangled in her mind, but she was falling ... falling deeper with every suck and lick, and—
Callie’s back lifted off the bed. “Fuuuuuuuck!”
Toes curled, spasms shuddered her body, furs tangled in her clenched hands. But Rain didn’t stop. He went harder.
Callie was so lost in the chasm of sensations that she didn’t realise how practiced it was. Her fears weren’t welcome in the cries tearing through her.
He swiftly pulled away, then fitted himself against her. He lined up with her honey, and dragged his tongue over his grinning lips.
Pride brightened his eyes into glowing orbs she’d never seen before, shining even through her daze. The head of his cock pushed against her slick folds, but stilled—and didn’t go any further.
Rain watched the haze drift from her hooded eyes and the heavy breaths slow into soft melodies. Not only did he watch, he worshiped.
Callie didn’t mean for it to go this far. She planned on all the way, but now—now it felt like more than enough for her plans.
But the ache...
Callie ran her hands down his back to his hips, then gripped. Slowly, she guided him closer, relieving the gap between them.
Wearing a wicked smile, Rain pressed his hands into the bed and let her guide him. Halfway, she locked her ankles at his tailbone and jutted him.
Rain slammed into her, to the hilt. A groan, so animalistic that her tummy soared, rumbled through him.
He dropped his forehead to hers, keeping a wedge of space between them, and shoved himself upwards. Callie grunted as her legs were jerked back, knees almost touching the furs, and he lowered his full weight onto her.
Sheathed inside of her, Rain swept his mouth over her jawline, and she could feel his smile. Callie let out a raspy breath and shut her eyes against the sensations—to feel so full.
“Look at me, human.”
Callie’s eyes snapped open. The glare was unmissable.
Wearing a sharp grin, Rain threaded his fingers through her hair.
“Callie,” he corrected himself.
She ran her fingers down his spine. “Why aren’t you moving?”
“I want you to feel it.”
Her face twisted. Talking himself up was turning her all the way down.
But then, Rain whispered an unearthly sound—his language. Instantly, something unfurled in her chest. A fist she hadn’t realised was there, until it was unravelling, banished.
The rose’s grip on her was gone.
Callie snatched a fistful of his smooth hair and crushed her lips against his. Together, they merged.
His pace started slow, experimental, gaging how Callie liked it most. And it wasn’t long before he found it—long, smooth strokes pistoning in and out of her; lips locked; one hand pinning her wrists to the bed, the other gentle on her breast.
Callie’s legs were twined around Rain’s hips, twisting, writhing, like disturbed snakes in a pit. Desperate bucks took hold of her hips as she tried, breathlessly, to meet his rhythm, but through the building tension, she could only claw at him. Her wrists broke free of his grip, and she was grabbing at every inch of his skin, nails scraping—and the tension exploded deep in the pulse of her sex, heat unfurling in her chest, shudders wracking her body.
Callie threw her head back and, lips parted, released a silent cry.
Rain picked up his pace, face buried against her neck, and hit at a new angle. Through the buzzing air swallowed her whole, she felt every hit. And a moment later, when a fierce groan ran through his chest, like a vicious hum, she felt him pulse against her walls and—
Warmth spread through her core.
Breathing hard, Callie let her hands slide off his back and slap to the feathery mattress. Her legs started to go limp, and before Rain peeled
his face away from her neck with a gentle chaste kiss, her legs had hit the furs and she sprawled, exhausted, beneath him.
Rain ghosted his lips over her temple. “I hope we are not finished yet.”
A startled laugh caught in her chest. “You can’t be serious.”
“I am usually serious.”
Rain didn’t lie, and to prove it, he stayed stiff and full inside of her.
It brought a lazy smile to her lips.
“And,” he added with a breathy brush of his lips over hers, “I have waited too long for this moment with you for it to be so brief.”
“Again?” Callie arched her brows, lost to her motives.
“Again,” he echoed, a wicked smirk on his devilish lips. “And all night.”
In Rain’s arms, under his body, in the sweaty sheets, Callie learned that fae were vicious creatures out of the bed. But in the bed, they were sensual, generous ... loving.
Maybe it was the effects of the rose’s fulfilment, the death of the bond, or finally feeling wholly safe, but Callie suddenly understood. She realised why so many of the fae had willing humans in their beds. They were skilled, generous lovers.
And she hated herself for it, for each time she groaned his name, raked her nails down his back, sought his lips like a woman starved.
Callie hated herself for doing what had to be done ... and liking it.
Dawn seeped in through the ceiling window by the time they had each had their fill.
Callie was sprawled on her front, her hair tangled around her, limbs splayed as though they would never move again.
Rain dressed beside the bed, buttoning up his black doublet.
She could feel his calculating gaze on her bare back, grazing up to the knots in her hair. His trust wasn’t complete in her yet, and with what she had given him that night, she wondered if she had done more damage than good.
But her thoughts were dampened by the need to sleep, and she just watched him out of one eye.
“Where are you going?” she moaned.
Rain’s eyes found hers as he pulled on his gloves. He looked like a prince that morning, so she knew that battle wasn’t calling him, and the court wasn’t expecting him either.
“I have matters that need my attention,” was all he said.
Callie managed a lazy nod, half of her face sunken into a pillow. “Ok. That’s how it is.”
Rain paused, his fingers stilling over the clasp of his glove. A frown pulled at his brows for a moment, then he moved onto the bed with her.
He crouched over her and ghosted a kiss over her temple. “I treat you with suspicion when I should show you only kindness.”
“Is that an apology?” Her voice was a muffled groan against the pillow, and she rubbed the ball of her palm over her open eye. “It’s hard to tell with you.”
Rain ignored her question, and travelled his lips down to her shoulder, before he settled on her collarbone. “Tell me something true, Callie. Something honest.”
Her lips pulled into a crooked grin. “You’re the best I’ve ever had, and I think that makes me question my sanity.”
Rain grinned against her skin, then lifted his head to look at her.
“Your turn,” she said. “True and honest—go.”
“While I could confess to the pleasure your body brought me,” he said, his grin slipping into a sincere ghost of a smile. “It might be more appropriate to admit that my feelings for you have grown more than I had ever anticipated.”
Callie wanted to steer clear of that. She was never one to mix feelings with sex. And it wasn’t just sex—it was a move in their game. One that brought her so close to the end.
With a wicked smile, she buried the brewing panic in her and nudged him away from her. “You’re interfering with my rest. Go away.”
Rain’s grin returned as he drew back from the bed. “Sleep, human. Tonight, we go to the court and you will see your precious friend.”
Callie forced a smile as he finished dressing, and suffered his sweet kiss before he left. Once he was gone, Callie let the smile fall off her face and stared at the wall.
Tears came before sleep.
21
Callie swept between bewitched humans on the podium, searching for the fiery strands of Meghan’s hair whipping through the air.
She had seen them from the dais moments before, but as she rushed through the dancers and waiters, she began to doubt the power of the choker around her neck.
Had she been deceived by the magic of the hall, she wondered?
Then, just as the thought popped into her head, the naked waiter appeared in front of her and offered the tray of drinks. No, the choker worked just fine. What had once looked like glasses of wine and spirits, were now revealed to be potent brews that sizzled and hissed up at her, desperate to poison her.
“No, thanks.” She pursed her lips and gathered her blue skirt—all ruffles and petticoats, a gown too extravagant and just right for her plans.
But before she could leave, the naked waiter smiled a wicked grin and purred into her ear, “I did enjoy the prince’s fury when he destroyed his first wife and her lover. He watches you always, no matter where you are, he watches you. He cares for you.”
The waiter drew back, and the pasted evil over his face made Callie’s stomach turn.
“I can only imagine what his wrath will be like when he delivers it unto you. For love and hatred are so closely entwined, are they not?”
All the colour drained from her face, and she was sure that even the silver streaks of glitter on her lips and eyes had shrivelled under the cruelty of the waiter’s words.
With a hard swallow, she looked to the dais, and sure enough Rain watched her.
He sat on his throne, his chin raised and glittering eyes fixed on her.
Two thrones down, a fae woman with hair as red as blood—redder even—toyed with a tiny pixie, by picking off its wings and cackling.
A human man knelt at her feet, wearing a crown to match the woman’s. Only, he looked...content.
Callie frowned.
He wasn’t supposed to be content. Even if the fae princess was so beautiful that it could have knocked the breath from anyone who looked at her, he was supposed to be afraid—and desperate to flee.
Callie ducked back into the crowd and hunted for Meghan before Angus could find her. She’d convinced him to play with a human girl—a ward of a fae woman—for an hour, but the crowded podium ate away at her time.
The hour was almost up when she spotted Meghan by the wall. The one that gave the briefest breath of sanctuary.
Callie shoved her way through the dancers, not caring that she’d sent a half-fae flying into a waitress. The collar meant she was untouchable. The fae was brave enough to hiss, but Callie made it to her friend without injury.
“Meghan,” she breathed and yanked her into her arms. “Meghan, I did it. I found a way to free you.”
Meghan slumped her weight onto her body, so much that Callie’s legs buckled. But she held strong and tugged her closer still. And even from the wall, she could feel Rain’s eyes burning into her.
“I’ll free you tonight,” she promised. “I’m sorry it took so long, and I’m sorry to ask for more time.”
Callie still had to find her bag before demanding the Dowry be paid. She didn’t think another chance to retrieve it would come soon after what she was going to do that night—or even if she would survive it at all.
“Free me,” said Meghan, her voice broken like static. More distant than a faraway tune. “And do me one more favour.”
“Anything.”
Callie should have known better than to speak that word ever again. But to Meghan, she would have given everything. If only to make up for their differences in torture.
“Never speak to me again.”
Callie reeled back. The sudden loss of support made Meghan stumble, but the dance swept her into a circle.
Callie caught her quickly. “You don’t mean that. It’s
the curse talking—”
“When I see you, I see him.” Neither of them had to look to the dais to know who she meant. “I see you bathed and in pretty dresses. No bleeding feet or torn skin. I suffer here. You don’t.”
She couldn’t bear to tell Meghan how much she had suffered. Because in comparison, she suddenly felt that Rain was a blessing next to the dance.
“I can’t promise that.” Callie held onto her with arms tighter than vines. “Meghan, look at me.”
She wouldn’t. Not even as Callie dipped to the side and tried to catch her gaze.
“Every time I look at you, I hate you. I hate you, Callie, because you left me.”
“I haven’t. I’m here, I’m right here, Meghan. You’ll be free tonight. I won’t be.”
Callie grabbed Meghan’s cheeks and forced her gaze to hers.
The move jolted Rain from the throne, and he stood, tall and simmering with rage. Callie didn’t care about his crack of jealousy. She only cared about her best friend in that moment.
“Meghan, he might kill me for forcing his hand. But I have to free you. You can’t hate me—I’m risking my life for you.”
“That’s why I hate you,” she whispered, and rested her forehead on Callie’s shoulder. “I would have left you behind.”
Callie stiffened. “I know it’s the dance talking, but it still hurts to hear that.”
Meghan slumped against her, as if melting into her. They danced in silence.
Callie’s eyes found Rain on the dais. He’d sat back down on the throne, but was rigid, an uncertainty in his eyes that hadn’t been there before.
Did he suspect more than friendship between Callie and Meghan, or was he sniffing out the beginnings of her plan?
Callie decided she didn’t have much longer. Angus would be looking for her, and Rain’s watchful stare wasn’t leaving her anytime soon.
With whispered promises, Callie left Meghan in the dance and slipped through the crowd to the entrance. She ducked into the alcove she’d first visited, but not before she caught sight of Rain striding down the walkway towards her.
Callie threw herself down to the corner and ripped apart the curtains lumped together in heavy piles. Her hands dug through the layers, scraping over the stone floor until she felt the familiar graze of rough material scratch her skin.
Feared Fables Box Set: Dark and Twisted Fairy Tale Retellings, (Feared Fables Box Sets Book 1) Page 27