Forever Wicked (Castle of Dark Dreams)

by Nina Bangs

  Ganymede had never experienced one of Eric’s fantasies, but he knew others who had. And the raves never stopped. Eric was the best. You simply laid down, closed your eyes, and then you were someone else in a different life. A life so real you absolutely believed everything that happened was true.

  “Let’s hear it.” He leaned forward as Eric explained how they would make Sparkle’s fantasy come true.

  Sparkle was tired of Amaya’s whining. She almost wished the kitsune had stayed a fox. If she still wasn’t determined to hook Amaya up with Mistral, Sparkle would be out of here right now. “Look, I’m doing the best I can.” And it was damn good. Amaya the Ungrateful had a soft bed, a night table and lamp, a comfy chair along with a TV, an e-reader loaded with books, and a small fridge packed with drinks and food. Snacks were piled on top of the fridge. “Be thankful you have your own bathroom.”

  The last residents of the dungeon had taught Sparkle the value of a bathroom. It was a pain having to run next door to bang on a vampire’s door when you had to go. She had called in a contractor to install one shortly after that event. The door was camouflaged to look like part of the stone wall.

  “You can’t cage a fox.” Amaya returned to her favorite complaint. “We’re meant to run free. Besides, I didn’t ask to come here. This is cruel and unusual punishment. Who will I talk to?”

  I’ll show you cruel and unusual punishment. Sparkle eyed the iron maiden. She sighed. No, if she wanted to return to her troublemaker roots, she’d have to be sneaky and manipulative. “I bet Mistral will visit you.”

  Amaya perked up. “You think so?”

  “Of course.” Now Sparkle had to deliver on her promise.

  Mede saved her from having to think about it right then by throwing open the door and striding into the dungeon. He seemed to fill the room and shoved everything else from her mind. He wore a look of sly triumph that reminded her of the good old days, the ones when they’d sat beside the fire at night planning how to terrorize humanity.

  He glanced at Amaya. “Hey, glad to see you’ve shed the fox for a while.”

  Amaya glared at him. “Barbarian. You carried me to this dismal place of punishment like a sack of grain.”

  Mede glanced around. “Dismal place of punishment? Looks pretty nice to me. And I carry my sacks of grain flung over my shoulder. Maybe next time I’ll try that position. See how you like the view hanging down my back.”

  Sparkle thought a view of his spectacular butt wouldn’t be a bad way to travel.

  He walked over to the fridge, opened the door, and rooted around inside. He grabbed a soda, then closed the door. “Will you be ready to leave soon?” Mede aimed the question at Sparkle.

  “Yes. I’m done here.” She couldn’t help a stab of disappointment. They used to hook sweet names to the end of comments to each other. Mede hadn’t given her a honey bucket or sweet candy lady since he’d stormed from the Castle. Just one measly sweetheart.

  Mede nodded before turning his attention back to Amaya. “Maybe my news will snap you out of your bad temper. Mistral asked the Big Boss to free you.”

  “Really?” Amaya smiled.

  Sparkle’s fingers itched for her makeup and hair products. With a few beauty enhancements, Amaya would make a brilliant helpless-maiden-languishing-in-prison. Then she thought of the snapping fox. Okay, so maybe they’d have to work on the helpless look.

  “Believe it. Bourne wouldn’t let you go, but he said Mistral could visit you once a day. He’ll be here at six. Oh, and he was planning to leave the Castle, but he decided to stay.” He pointed at Amaya. “For you. So don’t claim no one cares.”

  Amaya glowed.

  Mede turned to Sparkle. He grinned. “You’re welcome.”

  Sparkle whispered, “Time to leave while she’s thinking about Mistral.” She hurried to the door. Mede took a few swigs of soda before setting the can down. Then he reached around to swing the door open for her. It made the ominous creaking and groaning sounds visitors would expect from a dungeon door. The planners of the Castle had thought of everything.

  Once outside in the dark hallway, Sparkle flung herself at Mede. “Thank you, thank you. Now she’ll be primed for Mistral’s visit. My plan can go forward.” Sparkle wrapped her arms around him and hugged.

  Mede reacted to her spontaneity by crowding her against the wall then tipping her head up to meet his gaze. “Touching has consequences, sexy lady.” He pushed her hair aside to kiss the sensitive skin behind her ear.

  Sexy lady. Finally. He had called her by one of his pet names. The warm pressure of his lips wrung a gasp from her. She tightened her grip on him, trying to drag him closer when closer wasn’t possible unless she stripped him naked right here. Sparkle considered the possibility.

  He massaged the back of her neck as she nibbled a path along the side of his throat until she reached the spot where his pulse beat strong beneath her lips. She flicked her tongue across it and felt him shudder.

  “The darkness weakens my control. This is a place for vampires. They have very little control.” He abandoned her neck to slide his hands beneath her top and splay his palms across her bare back.

  “Then we can be vampires for the time we’re here.” She followed up her statement by nipping the side of his neck even as she forced her hands between their bodies to push his T-shirt up so she could touch the hard ridges of his stomach.

  He sucked in his breath and dropped his hands from her. “This isn’t a good place.”

  “Of course it is.” Don’t stop touching me.

  “Anyone could come down those stairs.”

  Now she was getting mad. “Since when did we care about anyone? Hello, remember the freaking table?”

  He froze in place.

  There it was. The giant striped elephant with pink toenails in the room. They had started to care about everyone. Her anger built. Damn it, they couldn’t lose who they were. “Let’s go wild, be totally selfish and just worry about us for this moment.”

  She knew the instant he relaxed, heard his soft chuckle as he wrapped his arms around her and lowered his lips to hers.

  “You’re right. Let’s do wicked things in the dark.”

  Sparkle felt his lips forming the words against her mouth. Relieved, she returned the pressure, reveling in the familiar feel, the familiar taste of him. This was all she really wanted, had ever wanted.

  He traced her lower lip with his tongue while she wriggled her hands higher until they reached his chest. With an impatient sound he put enough space between them so he could shove the top of her dress and bra down, baring her breasts to his hands and mouth.

  Sparkle shivered as the cool air touched her heated body. She abandoned his chest so she could stroke his face and then guide his mouth to hers again. Mede met her hunger with his own. She closed her eyes, allowing her other senses to wash over her—the warmth of his mouth, the exquisite sensation of his thumb rubbing across her nipple until pain and pleasure mixed, the scent of aroused male.

  This was not going to be a slow, delicious seduction. Sparkle could already feel herself slipping away, spiraling into the funnel cloud that would end with a screaming finish. It was the very real possibility of discovery, the danger that someone would come down those stairs before the “moment” that heightened the excitement, making her heart pound and her breathing quicken.

  Sparkle fought the pull. Something she had to do first. Reaching down, she fumbled with his zipper. Damn. She was the sexual chaos bringer. You’d think she would at least be able to manage a smooth zipper pull. At last he sprang free. She clasped him, felt him swell in her hand.

  His whisper filled the darkness. “Vampires have amazing control compared to me. You shame me, woman.” He didn’t sound ashamed.

  “Control is overrated.” Sparkle didn’t care if Holgarth along with an army of giggling demons marched down that stairs. She raked her nails lightly along the length of his cock and then rubbed her thumb back and forth, back and forth across the h
ead.

  He gasped as he abandoned her breasts to reach beneath her dress and pull down her panties. She stepped out of them.

  “Sorry.” He paused for breath. “Going to pretend I did all the other stuff—teased your nipples, nipped them before drawing them into—”

  “Nipples. Got it.” She moaned as he gripped her bottom and squeezed. “Checked them off my list.”

  “Right. Now check off where I kissed a path over your stomach and then spread your legs so I could use the tip of my tongue to tease—”

  “Don’t know if I want to cross that off just yet. It sounds sort of yummy and—”

  He gave her no more time to consider its yumminess before bracing her against the wall and then lifting her onto his cock. She only had a moment to note the cold stone at her back, the press of his bare chest against her breasts, and the breathless moment of anticipation as he nudged her open. Then he drove into her.

  Sparkle grabbed his shoulders, using them to anchor herself as she bore down on his cock. Yes! Deeper, deeper. If she could corkscrew herself onto him she would. She bit her lip so she wouldn’t scream as he withdrew only to push into her again and again and again.

  She sobbed as she sank her nails into his shoulders. “Now.”

  Mede rose to the occasion with one last mighty surge. She whimpered, mouthing useless promises to whatever gods were listening if they would only let this feeling go on forever. Then all thought ceased and only one sense mattered. The one that carried her into that funnel cloud and flung her up and up and up. When she reached the top and saw the universe, she shouted for him to join her.

  And he did.

  A lifetime later, his voice brought her floating back to Earth. No more funnel cloud, no more stargazing. Only the sound of someone coming down the stairs.

  With a muttered curse, Sparkle dressed faster than she thought humanly possible. Her bra wasn’t completely hooked, she didn’t have time to pull on her panties, and where were her damn shoes anyway?

  A figure stood silhouetted in the faint light at the bottom of the stairs. It peered into the darkness and then spoke in Ky’s voice.

  “Sparkle? Ganymede? Are you there?”

  “Mmmph.” Mede yanked his shirt over his head just as Ky hurried toward them.

  “I was afraid I’d never find you.” Ky’s voice trembled.

  Sparkle tried to pull her mind back to the present. A trembling voice was not a good thing. “What’s the matter?”

  Ky drew in a deep breath then blurted, “Father’s found me.”

  20

  Ganymede cursed as he started to push Ky aside. “How did he get past the gargoyles? How big a force did he bring with him?”

  Ky grabbed his arm. “No. He’s not here yet. I meant that he found me, he knows where I am.”

  Sparkle paled. “How?”

  “I told you before that we’re aware of you in our world. My father is a great admirer of your past times when royalty had the power of life and death over ordinary people. And the temple priests can track the gods wherever they go, no matter how far away. It probably took them a while because we left the pink house, but now they know. We’re forbidden to even attempt to open a portal to your planet. The religion of Momo and Tuna says it’s sinful to wish to be anywhere other than our own world.” Ky shrugged. “But I’m sure the need to save our gods from the evils of Earth would be considered enough of an emergency for our priests to make an exception in this case.”

  Ganymede thought for a moment. “Do they know how to open a door to Earth?”

  “Not yet. But my father suspects that many in his kingdom have probably attempted to open a portal in secret. He’ll assume that somewhere one of his subjects succeeded. He’ll promise them forgiveness and great riches if they come forward.”

  Sparkle moved closer. “And once he has the information?”

  “He’ll kill them. No one defies the king. Then he’ll come here.” Ky shifted from foot to foot.

  “Nice guy.” Total jerk. “Guess he can’t wait to get you back, though.” Or not. If the king killed his subjects for disobeying him, what would he do to a defiant son? Ganymede thought he just might keep Ky here—if he wanted to stay—and kick King A-hole back to his own world. Violence. Had to love it.

  Ky laughed, a bitter sound. “My father wants our gods back, but he’d be happy to never see me again. My younger brother is much more suited to inherit the throne. And once here, the king won’t leave your world untouched. He’ll want to destroy you and everyone else who helped ‘steal’ the gods. My father isn’t a forgiving ruler.”

  Left unsaid was that the king would punish Ky for daring to escape with the gods. Ganymede didn’t have a knack for comforting words, so he simply nodded. Luckily, Sparkle was there to say the right thing.

  “I’m sure you’re wrong, Ky. You’re his son, so of course he loves you.”

  “I’m not wrong, and he doesn’t love me. He has never loved anything except his throne. I won’t ever go back to my world.”

  Ky’s comment was passionately final. Even Sparkle had nothing to say.

  That was it then. Ganymede saw a tragic end to the king’s reign if he tried to force his son to go home. Kings could die like everyone else.

  Ganymede stopped when he reached the top of the stairs. He frowned as guests flowed around him, heading for the restaurant, the beach, or wherever else they went on a hot Galveston day. An attack on the castle by either Ky’s dad or Zendig right now would be a slaughter. He turned to Sparkle. “Maybe you should make some plans in case we have to get people to safety quickly. I’ll talk to Ky, see if he has any more info to add about his dad.”

  Sparkle glanced around. “I always have lots of options ready. I’ll take a look at them to see if they need updating.” She met his gaze, her smile sly and knowing. “Then I’ll take a few minutes to put myself together again.”

  She gave a little wiggle as though she was trying to shake certain clothing items back into place. Ganymede almost smiled. “Guess you didn’t have time to do much of anything before Ky showed up.” Since Ky was standing right there looking confused, Ganymede wouldn’t tell Sparkle he saw her shove her panties down her bra.

  She offered him a sidelong glance. “Oh, I had time for the important stuff.”

  Ganymede did smile at his next thought. He intended to lay waste to her clothes again. Soon.

  Sparkle turned her attention to Ky. “This is a life lesson, Prince. Presentation is everything. I’ll change clothes, refresh my makeup, fluff my hair, and then be ready to face the world with confidence. When you go to war, project the image that fits your needs. I want my staff to accept me as the owner and ultimate decision maker here. So when I finally have to order the place closed, there won’t be a bunch of whining and complaining. Well, at least not within my hearing.” She leaned close to Ky and then smiled as he gulped. “Decide who you are, Ky, and then work that image. See me if you need help.”

  Ganymede watched her stride away, each step a fluid, sexy invite. He exhaled deeply then turned to Ky. “Let’s grab some lunch.” Ganymede hoped the restaurant wouldn’t be too busy this late in the afternoon.

  Ky brightened. “I’m starving.”

  Good. Ganymede appreciated a kid who knew he needed to fuel up before a battle. They left the great hall and crossed the hotel lobby to the restaurant. Ganymede chose a secluded table in a corner of the room.

  They ordered steaks and fries. No healthy green stuff for them. Men going to war needed real food. Ganymede watched while the prince inhaled his meal. Neither of them would need a doggy bag.

  “Now tell me how you know your father has found you and when we can expect him.” With Ganymede’s luck, the king would arrive leading his yellow army at the same time Zendig descended on the Castle. A crappy time would be had by all.

  Ky shrugged. “I don’t know when he’ll show up. It depends on how long it takes him to search out someone who can open the portal. If we’re lucky, he won’t find an
yone. But I know he’s located us because Momo and Tuna told me.”

  “Told you?” Just what Ganymede needed, little yellow creatures chatting up the paying customers.

  Ky called over the waitress to order chocolate cake for dessert. Ganymede ordered ice cream, too. It was that kind of day.

  Then Ky continued his explanation. “Momo and Tuna are smart. The priests taught them to communicate with hand gestures. When I went up to check on them a while ago, they both were panicked. They kept making the sign that meant priests along with the one that stood for door. They might not understand the portal concept, but they knew the priests were behind a barrier. Momo and Tuna could sense their presence in the same way the priests knew where they were. They wouldn’t be frightened if the priests weren’t near. They hate the priests.” His expression turned stubborn. “I won’t allow my father to take them back with him.”

  “Can’t say I blame you.” Something puzzled him, though. “Momo and Tuna are your world’s gods. Why would gods be afraid of your priests?”

  “I told you the king had ordered that they be sacrificed. Besides, they are gods only because my father has decreed it, just as he decrees everything.” Ky picked at his cake without any enthusiasm. “They are yellow, and yellow is our sacred color. The power of the throne has always been the power behind our gods. Father believes the common people need something to worship. And he has made sure the people believe their gods favor the House of Teven.” He pushed the cake away. “He wants Momo and Tuna back, but if he can’t recover them, he will find new gods for the people to worship.”

  If cosmic troublemakers could get headaches, Ganymede would have a bass drum booming away in his head. “Look, go outside with the others and keep practicing whatever it is you do. Tell everyone to keep their eyes open for anything that looks strange. I’ll make sure Zane and Holgarth are ready to close down the king’s gateway wherever it pops up. That’s about all we can do right now. That and hope your father has his people so scared that no one will admit to having tried to open a portal.”