Forgotten Fates

by S J Doran

  Cassius was growling and in a blinding rage when he set his sight on her. The scent of her lust hit him, obliterating what was left of his rationality.

  She refuses to be with him- yet Levistus saunters in- He could smell Levistus’s essence all over her. Something had transpired between them.

  Mara’s eyes widened with surprise, then softened as she looked him over, resting on his swollen face.

  It was possibly pity in her gaze, but it wasn’t registering. Nothing was.

  They had entered a pact together first. Levistus had no right to her…

  He picked her up, hands under her ass, and pressed her against the wall. Her legs wrapped around his waist as though this were a long-practiced move between them. A moment of passion instead of one fueled by mindless fury.

  “He can’t have you.” Cass bared his teeth. “We have a bargain, you and I. You bound your fealty to me, you are mine.” His voice softened, “and I’m yours. Until our agreements are fulfilled.”

  Amara gasped, ire flashing in her eyes, her hand going up to his throat, softly for a moment, some inexplicable emotion flashing in her eyes before she dug the tips of her claws in. The mingling scent of her lust and Levistus pounded through his brain, stealing his rationality.

  “I should just take you.” His voice broke as she squeezed his throat.

  Cass hissed in a breath as her hand tightened over the fresh bruises, but leaned in closer anyway, lips nearly touching hers. “Have it all.” His tongue dipped out to touch her lower lip and her entire body stiffened. “If you’re going to be with anyone…”

  “I’ve been with him for more than a century, Cass.” She cut over his hoarse murmurs. “This is nothing new, nor have you ever cared before.” Her own words came out with a shaky breath.

  He paused, taking a moment to process what she was saying. A moment to breathe. She couldn’t be speaking of Levistus, he’d not been freed. He shifted his grip, registering her softness, pliant against his rock-hard erection. His fingers dug in and he rocked against her, her soft gasp audible enough to send heat blazing down his spine.

  Her scent, her lust was taunting him; familiar, addictive...

  “You don’t touch her like that.” Levistus shouted from the entrance of the portal.

  He felt a hand grip his shoulder, wrenching him back, allowing Amara to slide down between his body and the wall.

  Amara’s angry black death glare moved from Cass to Levistus standing over his shoulder. Then back to Cass. “You ever speak to me like that again, sin-eater, and I’ll be reconsidering our bargain.” She finally released his throat, her claws tracing a path down his front, coming to rest at the top of his rib cage where the bandages started.

  He grabbed her hand, and licked up her fingers, sucking his blood off them one at a time. “Don’t have sex with him, Mara. I have very few allies and wouldn’t want to lose any.”

  “Are you threatening to kill my sexual partners now?” The anger in her voice had been replaced by a different kind of heat, as she watched his tongue run over each of her fingertips.

  “Just... not him.” Cass kissed the tip of each finger and pressed his thumb to her bottom lip. “If I can’t have you- just not him.”

  He backed up directly into Levistus, sidestepped him, unravelled the bloody bandages from his chest and tossed them on her desk as he made his way to the door.

  “You’re leaving now?” Levistus said, his tone void of emotion. “You are rasher and more impulsive…”

  “Going out to the temple to find a few warlocks to fuck.” He cut over Levistus and shot a hurt, angry glare at Amara before walking out into the temple.

  CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR

  and he DOES half half a mind, at least

  Cass pulled his fingers from the warlock’s mouth, after she greedily sucked off her own juices. She sank back down on his cock, and he grabbed her hips to thrust roughly, nearly unseating her. His power greedily fed, yet his thoughts remained detached.

  He didn’t want either of these females, he was distinctly craving one. Not a healthy spot for a demon that feeds off lust.

  He pulled the other female over his face, leaving her chest to chest with the one riding him, his tongue delving into her slick folds, feeling the twitching of her building orgasm across his flattened tongue.

  The scent of Mara’s desire fixated his thoughts, stole his concentration. His enjoyment of this. Been with him for a hundred years.

  He heard them kissing each other, moaning into one another’s mouth, and growled against her flesh, bucking his hips up to keep up the momentum of the other, trying to remain in the moment. Her sheath started clenching around him, and with a rough groan, he pinched his teeth over the other’s clit- it was like a little game to him, to see if he could get them off at the same time.

  Mara hadn’t been speaking of Levistus. She’d meant the Huntsman, and in no way did he have any rights to be angry about that. They’d been together for almost as long as he’d known her.

  The one on his face screamed first, grinding herself over his mouth, his own orgasm burning through him at the same time as the other screamed her release to the rafters.

  He tapped the ass of the one on his face, easing her off, and lifted the other one off him. Both were sweating and trembling, collapsing onto the settee beside him. He swiped his arm across his face, gave them each a kiss and sauntered off to the shower.

  He could freely breathe and think again, it occurred to him that perhaps he’d jumped to conclusions.

  And perhaps, that rage that still simmered in his gut was jealousy. The Dark Fae didn’t deserve to have her. He was betrothed to another.

  Perhaps, she wasn’t averse to a demon suitor and he just needed to be on his best behaviour. She was cursed, but he was haunted and broken- both unable to love. Of course it made sense.

  He made quick work of cleaning himself, wrapped a towel around his waist and walked back into her bedroom, both her and Levistus turning to watch him.

  With a wicked grin, he grabbed Amara by the waist and tossed her on the bed, following to land on top of her. She snarled and pushed his chest, the menacing sound eliciting a soft rumble of laughter from him.

  “Mara.” Nuzzling her neck as he hid his smile, sure it would only encourage her to follow through on her threat. “I was in a shit mood.”

  “Bit of an understatement I’d say”

  Her hand went up to his face, gently cupping his cheek. The warmth of her touch easing pain he wasn’t even aware he had been feeling. “I owe you no explanation for my actions, demon…”

  “Mara, I’m sorr…”

  A slender finger was pressed to his lips “I did meet with Levistus earlier this day, and you must know there is old animosity between us which I cannot freely discuss. All you need know is that a truce was agreed upon between the old goat and myself in honor of a mutual interest, that of keeping your fine ass seated upon that uncomfortable looking throne.”

  “Someone's all healed up.” Levistus commented from the other side of the room. “and priestess, I may be ancient, but I am in no way to be compared to a goat.”

  They both turned to stare the demon prince, or more precisely, at the dark goatee which adorned his face. She almost smiled then, but it faltered when his own gaze met hers once more.

  “I recognize the signature of those injuries, you’ve met with your father.”

  She also knew most of his secrets.

  With a sigh, Cass rolled onto his back, slipping his arm under Amara’s neck, forcing her to slide in close. He tugged off twisted up towel and tossed it over the side of the bed.

  Levistus cleared his throat and Amara pulled a blanket over his waist, shaking her head as she began to pull away.

  “Stay…please.”

  Recognition flared through her gaze. Instinct had him reach for her, his fingers finding the curve of her neck, his thumb trailing along her pulse. She swayed, he pulled, coaxing her to him until her head came rest upon his shoulder
, the feel of her weight upon it as though it were the most natural thing in the world.

  Things had shifted between them since the night they slept tangled up in each other. The night she eased his dreams. The line had been moved, perhaps it could be pushed further still?

  “My father summoned me again.” He picked up a piece of her hair and examined it in the low light of the room. He liked the blue she had chosen this time, it made her eyes brighter. “Never actually seen him outwardly in a rage. He’s usually so cold about it.”

  “He just summons you at his whim?” Amara tensed, her words seething.

  “You saw the shape he was in. Asmodeus goes too far.” Levistus piped in.

  Amara shot Levistus a bemused look. One that clearly read ‘you don’t know the half of it, fucker.’

  She fought out of his hold and sat up. “We need to find a way to bind you from his summons.”

  Cass smiled. “Oh but of course. Why didn’t I think of that?” He snapped his fingers to accent his sarcasm.

  Amara’s eyes glinted, an odd expression flashing within their cyan depths. Their color had always invoked images of the sun glinting off the Caribbean seas at the shoreline.

  “I see you fed well. Are the courtesans still standing?”

  Cass licked his lips in remembrance. “Curious acolytes this time, and they might not be walking properly for a while.”

  Amara rolled those tempestuous eyes. “Demon, you prove ruinous to productivity within your own temple.” Levistus coughed, turning to pour himself a drink

  He caught her looking down at her hands, picking at her tiny claws, hiding her expression as soon as she had discovered him staring. “Why did he strike you this time?”

  She knew, probably better than anyone about his relationship with his father. He’d visited her near daily over the span of an entire decade, she’d never asked about the bruises and broken bones— and he’d found out early on that she could feed off his pain and ease him. One of the many secrets that remained unspoken between them.

  Not that he was of mind to let her keep that secret to herself for much longer. Even while having been fully sated, his body stirred at the memory of feeding her with his misery, and her delectable response to it.

  “Sin?”

  Cass pulled his free hand behind his head while trying to recall what her question had been. “I got myself a Herald. Turns out that my selection did not meet his approval,” he tapped a finger to his lips, “as a matter a fact I believe it has met with no one’s approval.”

  The small smile she shot him caught him off guard, his chest filling with… something unfamiliar, something pleasant, caused by the pride which had flashed through her eyes, pride for him.

  “That only means you selected a Herald who is not within your father’s reach, or that of anyone within the demonarchy. Well played demon.”

  “Do you have a way to block him from summoning me?” Dread was seeping into his chest once again, his jovial mood plummeting as he recalled his circumstances.

  To be summoned at his father’s whim, no better than powerless in that realm…

  “I do know of an object.” She leaned down on an elbow, her eyes running over his bare chest. “A ring held by the Blood Lord.”

  “By all the Hells.” Cass sighed, running his hand down his face. “Are you suggesting we steal from a vampire?” The smile spread slowly across his face.

  “No, I’m suggesting we go steal the ring, the fact we would be taking it from the Blood Lord is merely a bonus.” Amara’s malevolent grin matched his own.

  “You’re smarter than this, Cassius.” Levistus stood and walked over to the bed. “Investigate other possibilities before you run off and instigate conflict with a known ally of your father. The vampire is ancient. Therefore, powerful.”

  Cass and Amara were both looking up at him, “and I’m not? Powerful that is?” Cass asked, his tone edging on belligerent.

  “Perhaps after some rest, we will have thought of a better way.” Levistus nodded to Amara. “I’ll leave you to your… sleep and see you both in the morning.”

  He sighed deeply and pulled the blankets up to his chin. “Will you sleep beside me?” He mumbled as his eyes got heavier.

  She didn’t say anything, but didn’t pull out of his hold either. So he just kept holding her close until sleep consumed him.

  CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE

  because it's the most fun

  “Amara is this really the best option?”

  “Are you backing out?” Amara topped off two glasses with potion, “this ring is the only object I’ve found mention as having the ability to block a summons.” One she could have used for herself.

  “It’s not that bad.” Cass looked up at her from beneath the thick fringe of his lashes, “I can handle my father.”

  That was the problem, the only reason she’d give up her chance at being able to block a summons. Because he couldn’t handle Asmodeus. How does one deal with a psychopath?

  No, she didn’t know the answer to that either, the best way she could think was to keep Cass out of his grasp. The demon may have forgotten the damage his father was capable of, but she remembered every last incident with clarity. Recently even had opportunity to revisit them nightly in her nightmares.

  “Cassius.” Aza tapped his cheek again, “I need you to tell me what happened.”

  Cass blinked, then blinked again, closing his eyes tight and opening them with a squint.

  “I touched the Ruby Rod.” Cass whispered. “He left it on top of my book, I only meant to move it,” he swallowed audibly. “He hit me with it?” His voice raised as though he were posing a question instead of stating a fact.

  “Hit you where Cass?” Aza was grinding his teeth, his anger vibrating in the air surrounding them. “Cass! Stay with me.”

  She fought off the memory of Cassius beaten and bloodied, shot him a cheeky grin while handing him the foul looking potion, which even she to admit, somehow managed to smell even worse than it looked.

  “Smells like week-old death.” Cass said, holding the back of his hand over his nose. “there’s no other way?”

  “Do you have a better idea how to sneak into a master vampire's home unnoticed?”

  Cassius grumbled before putting the glass containing his share of the revolting potion aside with a grimace. “Just because transfiguration is our best bet, does not mean I have to like it. Look at me, any alterations to my natural appearance are a crime against creation itself.”

  Levistus chuffed softly from his seat in the corner of the potion room they had all gathered in “Your humility is exemplary my king.”

  Cassius turned to him, his usual cocky grin in place. “There is no need to be humble when one is speaking the truth.”

  Dominus Oberith came into the small room, carrying a pile of clothes within his arm. “I have secured the items you requested Sarratum, but if I may be so bold, I do strongly advise against this plan.”

  Levistus instantly chimed in “Finally. One other sensible being in this godsforsaken place, you two are acting more like teenagers rather than monarchs and rulers of your own realms. Can we not try to go about this more sensibly?”

  “Where is the fun in that? And for your information demon, Asurim is anything but gods-forsaken, in fact, we require regular banishments to keep them from loitering about rather than returning to the ether.” She grimaced, the death god in particular had a nasty habit breaking the wards.

  “Please, do tell us your suggestions,” Cass raised a brow, a condescending smirk on his face as he addressed Levistus. “If not, let us get this over with.”

  Levistus’s mouth snapped shut and he turned to busy himself with mixing a drink.

  She quickly snagged the items out of Oberith’s hands, while Cassius grinned at her, mischief lighting up his eyes. Their excitement a stark contrast to the exasperated look on the faces of both advisors.

  Oberith helped Mara sort through the pile of clothing, her face scrunchi
ng up in distaste at the sight of the lively pinks and collection of ruffles her outfit consisted of.

  “Did you rob a beauty pageant for this stuff?”

  Oberith’s expression revealed not the slightest hint of amusement. “A what?”

  “Just… never mind.” She heard Cassius chuckle from behind her and quickly tossed him his selections “Quiet you, you didn't get off easy either.”

  He caught the items, and Mara laughed at the sight of the demon’s expression as his smile turned into a grimace of his own.

  “Corduroy and flowers? come on!”

  Oberith moved to stand before them, “Those outfits belonged to Dimitri and Teresa DiSilvestro, husband and wife and progeny of the Blood Lord himself. As long as the potion does not wear off, and you do not attract attention to yourselves, you should have free range throughout the vampire’s mansion.

  “You chose velvet and neon pink clothing, then expect us to keep a low profile?” She eyed the fabric again; suddenly not so convinced this had been one of her more brilliant ideas.

  “Should be easy enough,” Levistus said, his tone dripping with sarcasm, “just don't do anything you two would normally do— at all.” Levistus took a seat, Oberith giving him an amused smile in response before moving to stand before Mara.

  “The item you search for was moved from the exhibition hall at the New York museum in Gaia to the Blood Lord’s estate in the night realm of Nuit. Robbing the museum would have been a far easier feat than breaking into his private vault.”

  “And yet, not nearly as gratifying as stealing it from under Jareth's own nose.” Cassius quipped from behind her, earning him a smile as his fingers closed around the nape of her neck.

  He must have picked up on her hesitation, as his thumb moved to reassuringly stroke along the curve of her neck, before reaching for the platinum clasp holding her robes together.

  “We need to get ready, you two, outside.” Cass said, not even turning to address them, expecting his orders to be obeyed without question.