by Wendi Zwaduk
“You lie.” She aimed the gun at Lomax. “Shut up.”
“Darling.” He reached for her and swiped at her ankle. She kicked him in the mouth instead.
“You used me. You threw me away and now you want me back? Now I’m your darling?” She kicked him again. “You’re worthless. I never loved you and only said I did because it kept me alive.” She jammed her foot into the stake, pushing it deeper into his body. “Go to hell.”
Lomax opened his mouth, but instead of answering, a screech emulated from him as he evaporated. All that remained was the stake.
Casey clutched her shoulders, and Raine trembled. She’d seen Lomax disappear. She kicked at the spot where he’d been.
“Goddess, what an asshole.” Jon brushed himself off. “Good thing he’s gone.”
She stared at Jon. He might be the prince, but he was making a fool of himself. “You’re the king, or prince, or whatever. You could’ve helped us and you just stood there.”
Casey said nothing but held on to her.
Why wasn’t Casey speaking up? Out of reverence to the royal? Please. “You let us handle that all alone,” she said, her voice stronger. “I could’ve killed either of you.”
“I believed in you,” Casey said. “I knew you’d do it.”
“See?” she snapped. “Even he thought you’d help.” Why wasn’t Jon understanding? She fixed her gaze on him “You didn’t help at all. Why were you here?”
“Where do you think those bullets came from? How about the gun?” Jon asked. “Casey’s magic provided the weapon, and I created the ammunition. Look at the poor Chippendale cupboard and the wall. You hit those instead of him.”
“He changed the trajectory of the bullets to hit Lomax and destroy him,” Casey said. “You needed the reason to shoot and you did.”
She sagged into Casey. He hadn’t been talking about Jon. He’d meant her—she’d spoken out of turn, but she’d also faced her demon. She’d slayed Lomax, and he’d never hurt her again. Did it really matter that she hadn’t done it alone? “Thank you.”
“I had to stay back because I’m only the prince of the Fae. Rachel would say king, but whatever.” Jon shrugged. “This is the fringe of the Fae realm, but Lomax didn’t know that. I had to let him believe he had the power over you. You had to believe you could win against him. If I zapped him, it wouldn’t have done anything to prove you’d slayed your demons. But I refused to let him have too much power.” He laughed. “I need my court in order and both of you on it. Sabra and Alyx would like to meet you, Raine, and see you, Casey.”
“Thank you, my prince.” Casey bowed. “I’m in your service.”
She processed what had happened and what Jon had said. She’d killed Lomax. Yes, she’d had help, but he was gone. Now, she had a place to belong—with Casey and as part of the court. She could explore her kinky side without worry and she’d survive. She snapped her attention to Jon. “Are you sure? I’m not Fae. I don’t belong on any court.”
“I’m sure.” Jon flicked the stake into oblivion. “I expect you both at court in three days. You’ll still have your residence here and you’ll have Jerome. We’ll have a proper send off for Atell, too—if my other option isn’t successful.”
“Thank you, my prince,” Casey said. “Thank you.”
“Call me Jon. You don’t have to be so formal,” Jon said. He opened the portal. “I’ll wipe Jerome’s memory of the murder. He’s been through enough. Let me get the others.”
“Thank you,” Raine said. She had more questions, but she needed a break. She held on to Casey’s arm as Jon disappeared through the portal. “He helped us.”
“He did.” Casey embraced her. “You could’ve done it on your own. I just needed you to divert his attention so I could stake him.”
“You did.” She stood on tiptoe and kissed Casey. “I’m glad.”
He slid his hands into her back pockets. “You’re free.”
“From what?” He still owned her. He held her heart in his hands, too.
“From him, for one,” Casey said. “And you don’t need me. You’re a warrior.”
She touched the collar around her throat. “This means I belong to you. Not because of any payment or because you rescued me. It’s because I want to be with you. I want you to use me, help me fly and love me. It’s quick and there has to be magic involved, but I don’t want to leave you. I’m falling in love with you, just like I said.”
“You’re sure?”
“I am.” She touched the collar again. “And I want this to be permanent. We learn together, play together and fall in love.”
“Yes.” He kissed her. “That’s what I want, too.”
“I never doubted you.” Sure, she had originally, but not now.
“Sweet.” He kissed her.
Applause broke out behind her. She peeked over her shoulder. Jon and the girl he’d been with in the portal before were there, plus another couple and Jerome. All five individuals were clapping. “We’ve been found out,” she whispered.
“I want everyone to know.” Casey kept her close but turned her around so they both faced the crowd.
“We’re happy to have you,” the dark-haired woman said. She rushed forward and hugged them both. “I’m Rachel. Welcome to the family.”
“Jon’s mate,” Casey murmured. “Hi and thank you.”
The other woman and man held back, but both smiled.
Jon grinned. “Casey, do you remember Alyx? This is his mate, Sabra.”
Casey nodded and kept his arm around Raine. “Hello again.”
Raine clutched Casey’s arm. Her cheeks burned, and she wanted to hide behind him. The attention wasn’t pleasant. “Hi.” She fought back a whimper. These people were too beautiful, and she didn’t fit in. Besides, they were magical.
Jerome stopped applauding. “Sir? Miss?” He jolted forward and hugged Raine and Casey. “Oh my. I’ll get to cleaning up this mess.” He left them and returned from the kitchen with a bucket.
“Atell?” Raine asked. They’d left him outside where he’d fallen and they’d acted like he wasn’t even there any longer. “We forgot him.”
Jon held up one hand. “We have a necromancer now. Callie?”
A third girl stepped through the portal. The paleness of her skin made her damn near translucent. Her dark eyes were so stark against her white hair and frail frame. A black dress covered her from the neck down but showed off her thin body. If Raine didn’t know better, she would’ve thought the woman was dead.
“Go.” Jon nodded.
Callie said nothing and left the living room.
“Jon?” Casey frowned. “What—is she going to raise him?”
“She will.” Jon sighed. “He’ll stay at the castle with her until he’s strong again. Then you’ll get him back.”
“I wasn’t worried about that.” Casey embraced Raine tighter. “Thank you.”
Callie returned a moment later with a limp Atell in her arms. “I will bring him back.” She stepped through the portal and disappeared.
What a strange woman. Raine never would’ve thought Callie could lift Atell, much less move him into the other portion of the realm. She’d never seen a necromancer before, so she had no frame of reference, either.
“She’ll take care of him.” Jon smiled and reached for Rachel. “We’ll see them again in three days’ time.”
Sabra winked. “See you.”
“Enjoy your mating,” Alyx said. He left with Sabra through the portal.
Only Jon and Rachel remained. “Goodbye for now,” Jon said and winked. He and Rachel exited into the other realm and the portal closed.
“I’ll stay here and clean,” Jerome said. “Thank you, Sir. Miss.”
Casey scooped Raine into his arms. “We need to make up a contract.”
The rumble of his voice sent shivers down her spine. “Yes.” She couldn’t wait.
“Go to the guest room. I want you naked.” Casey placed her on her feet, outside of the pl
ayroom.
“Yes, Sir.” She had no idea what awaited her this time, but she wanted every single second of Casey for the rest of her life.
Chapter Eight
Casey waited for Raine to enter the guest room. Once inside, he left her there long enough to check on Jerome. He might be ready to play, but he had duties outside of the guest room, too. He had to be sure Jerome was okay. The gnome had been traumatized. Magic could take away some of his pain, but not all.
“Jerome?” He found his butler in the mudroom.
The gnome put the bucket away and stood. “Sir.” His hands shook. “Will Atell be all right?”
“I don’t know. I’ve never dealt with a necromancer before.” He knew they existed, but they didn’t come out in public often.
“Is she all right?”
“Raine? Or the necromancer?”
“Raine.”
“She will be. Lomax is gone,” Casey said. “As for the necromancer, Jon trusts her, so she must be good at her job.”
Jerome sighed. “Will Paloma come here?”
“No. She belongs to the clan and had her partner in Durban. I mean nothing to her.” Not that he’d meant much when he’d thought he’d fallen in love with her. She’d done her bidding, wrecked his life and moved on at warp speed. He removed his suit coat. “She never wanted me. She wanted to please Lomax.”
“But he’s gone. I cleaned up after him.” Jerome draped the rag on the edge of the washtub. “Jon wiped some of my memories, but not enough. I remember what she did. I remember that he killed my friend. If she comes back, I will not be a happy, jolly gnome.”
“I wouldn’t expect you to be.” He clasped his hands together. He should’ve guessed the situation with Jerome would be touchy. Paloma had done a lot of damage. She’d been beautiful and intoxicating, but dangerous. “She means nothing to me, and I mean less to her. She won’t return and neither will Lomax.”
“Atell? Is he coming back?”
“I hope so.”
“Very good.” Jerome wiped his hands on the towel. “You have a wonderful woman here. She’s a good human.”
“She risked a lot for us. Without her bravery, I wouldn’t have disposed of Lomax.” He nodded. “Without your warning, I wouldn’t have known about him, either.”
“I do my best.” Jerome smiled. “Go mate with the human and keep her.”
“I will.” He started to leave, then turned around. “Oh, and Jerome? We’re part of the Fae court now. We’re included in the Fae realm, meaning we’re safe. Our land is in Fae space.”
“We are?” Jerome’s eyes widened. “No more worrying about vampire attacks or the possibility of being eaten?”
“None.”
“Sir.” Jerome sighed and rubbed his belly. “I’m relieved. Thank you.” He shook his head. “I can’t begin to tell you how relieved.”
“You’re welcome.” He hesitated another moment. “If you need me, let me know. I realize the memory wipe didn’t take as fully as Jon said and you’ve been through trauma. At least we know there’s a chance Atell will make it. Who knows? Maybe the necromancer is his mate and this was what fate intended all along.”
“That’d be nice.” Jerome waved. “Now shoo. I still have cleaning to complete and I don’t want to be working on it all night.”
“You love to work, but thank you. Good night.” Casey ensured the alarm had been set, then headed down to the guest room. He missed having Atell on watch outside, but something in his gut said going with Callie had been the best thing for Atell.
Casey focused on what he was about to do. He and Raine would be able to play unencumbered. She was his mate. She loved him. They could fall for each other and nurture the connection he’d known was there all along. They’d continue to forge trust, and everything would fall into place.
He opened the door. Light bathed the room. The sense of stillness wrapped around him. The only sounds were the buzzing of the light bulb, the cadence of her breathing and her heartbeat.
Raine sat on her feet on the floor in the middle of the room. She had her back to him and wore nothing. She’d pulled her hair into a ponytail.
He studied the view of her body. The swell of her hips, her curves and the strength within her.
He loved this woman. She’d been broken, and he’d spend the rest of his existence building her up again. He selected one of the softer floggers and tucked the handle in his pants pocket. “Sweet, do you wish to play?”
“I do, Sir. My safe word is purple, but I don’t want to use it.” She folded her hands behind her back.
“Good girl.” He touched the collar around her throat. “This means you belong to me. You will do as I say and abide by my commands. It also signifies I belong to you and will keep your trust and safety in the forefront. It shows my love for you.”
“Sir.” She glanced up at him as he walked around her. “You do?”
“I do.”
She whimpered and a contented smile curled on her lips. “Thank you, Sir.”
“You’ve been a naughty girl. You didn’t believe me. You should be punished.” He turned the wooden chair around and sat on it. He pulled the flogger from his pocket. “Girl?”
Her lips parted, and she visibly relaxed. Her nipples beaded. “I do, Sir. I should be punished.”
He toyed with the flogger. “I want you across my lap. Show me your ass.”
“Yes, Sir. Thank you, Sir.” She scrambled into place, wriggling her butt as she arranged herself on his thigh. The placement granted him access to her body.
He swiped the handle over her pussy. The leather glistened with her cream. Goddess, yes. He wanted her craving him. “You’ve been naughty by not letting me watch you masturbate. You’ve hidden your needs.” He brushed the falls of the flogger over her butt.
“I’ve been so bad. I thought about you, wishing you were the one in me while I used the vibrator.” She flipped her hair over her shoulder. “I know you will protect me and wanted you with me.”
He spanked her with the flogger, more for the sound than the sting. He needed to ease her slowly back into the lifestyle. “I told you I’m a bad guy.”
“You’re not.” She flexed her spine, arching into the swats. “You’re good.”
“Am I?” He continued to spank her. The tender skin of her ass reddened.
She shivered. “You’re very good to me. Thank you, Sir.”
He swatted her a few more times, then draped the flogger over her bare back. “You’re mine to command.” During their next session, he’d make her count the spanks.
“I am.” Her voice dropped an octave to a seductive tone.
His mouth watered, and his fangs dropped. He needed to bite her, but he also wanted to draw this out. Why rush when they had three days? He reached into the drawer of the table and withdrew a plug and bottle of lube. “Who does this belong to?” He tapped her asshole with the head of the slender plug. “Tell me.”
“You, Sir.” She shivered. “All of me does. Please, Sir. Do it. Use me.”
He squirted lube down the crack of her backside. “I intend to.”
She parted her legs. “Yes, Sir.” Her foot bobbed. “Love it.”
He eased lube over her pucker and onto his fingers. “Breathe.”
Raine relaxed more, allowing him into her ass. He pushed one slick digit into her. Damn, she was snug and she pulled his fingers into her hole.
“Have you been taken here before?” he asked.
“Only toys.” She pushed upward on him. “I need more. Love it.”
“You’ll get it.” He pushed deep again. She was so tight, but welcoming. He added more lube and worked her open. In and out. She needed time and prepping. She rocked into him. A moan erupted from her.
“Enjoying it?” He spanked her with the flat of his hand. “Tell me.”
“I do, Sir.” She groaned and writhed on his lap. “Love it.”
He pumped his fingers until he worked into a steady rhythm. “Ready for the plug?”
“I am, Sir.” She shuddered. “Please, Sir?”
Soon. He wanted to ensure she was truly prepped. Once he had her where he wanted her and had added extra lube, he withdrew his fingers. He coated the plug with slippery lube. “Breathe.”
She sighed as he pushed the toy into her body. A shiver ripped through her. “Thank you, Sir.”
He nudged the toy to the hilt. “Beautiful.”
She wriggled her hips and she glanced over her shoulder. Glee filled her eyes. “Thank you, Sir.”
“Up.” He swatted her. “On your feet.” He wanted the moment to last and to make her happy.
She managed to stand, then turn and face him. Pure joy radiated in her lazy smile.
“One day, I’ll cover you in wax.” He palmed her breast. “The hot wax on your skin, then the kiss of the flogger will remove the hard shell. You’ll love it.”
“Yes, Sir.” She parted her lips.
He pinched her nipple and toyed with her breast. He loved the fullness and weight of her in his hand. So luscious. When she whimpered, he tugged harder on her tight bud. “All mine.” He still needed to bite her. He should do the mating ceremony, too. He loved her, so why not make it permanent?
“I am.” She leaned into him. “More, Sir. Please?”
Casey played with both breasts, rolling her nipples between his thumbs and forefingers. Each whimper and cry elicited from her turned him on.
As she stood, she flattened her palms on her thighs. “Sir.”
“Yes?” He wasn’t done learning about her. “Girl?”
“Fuck me.” She trembled—not in fear but desire. “Please?”
He placed her on the bondage table, spreading her out on her back beneath him. “Do you wish to be my mate? To belong to me and no others? To be loved, cherished and pampered?” He parted her legs. “To be marked as my mate?” Goddess. The need damn near overwhelmed him.
“Yes, please?” She propped herself up on her elbows. Her dusky rose nipples stood out against her pale skin. Her chest rose and fell with each breath, so full of life. “I want to be yours.”
“Raine, I declare you to be my true mate and beg you to take me as yours,” he said. He palmed her thigh, gaining access to her femoral artery. “Sweet?” He needed her to agree and declare him to be hers in return.