Crown of Chaos (Legacy of the Nine Realms Book 4) (Amelia Hutchins)

Aden stepped up to her other. Once Knox had finished helping Sabine, he walked me to a boulder, sitting me down before he secured me in chains. My stomach tightened, and I fought the need to rant, rail, and throw an adult size tantrum. Kinvara came through next, rushing toward the children. She laughed with them, kissing their brows before moving back to the group. I watched from where I sat perched on a boulder, touching my flat stomach, gazing at them. My eyes slid to the children, frowning as Aden picked up the boy and tossed him into the air. Knox turned to say something to me, but I couldn’t hear what he said. When I tried to move closer, silver chains clanked, holding me in place. Then he moved toward the others, smiling while everyone sat away from me. I was on the outside, looking in. “Fuck this shit.” I groaned, folding my arms over my chest. “There’s no way out of this for me. I get it. Either I’m evil as fuck or locked into being nothing. Everyone else ends up happy, and I am nothing. Point taken!” I yelled, but I watched as the boy ran over to where I sat and handed me a flower. “It’s for you, Mommy,” he whispered as the other version of me smiled, unable to touch him, even though it was clear she wanted to. “Is it pretty?” “It’s beautiful, Dragar,” I whispered, leaning over to smell it since they’d chained my hands to my waist, preventing them from rising. “Thank you, baby boy.” My eyes slid to Knox, who was watching the exchange. His angry stare landed on Aden, who plucked another flower for the girl to bring over. He smirked wickedly at Knox, who moved closer, preventing the girl from reaching where I sat. “Go back to your father, Luna Reign. Dragar, come. You know the rules. Your mother isn’t to be touched or spoken to,” Knox ordered before settling back down next to Kinvara, who placed a soft kiss on his lips. “Yeah, fuck this one!” I screamed, turning to look at Elias. “Hard pass.” “Do you want to know what you did to get here?” “Nope. Let’s get on with it. Only I can decide my destiny and fuck the fates who think otherwise. I won’t settle for this, nor will I become the monster you assholes continue to show me.” “You know we can tell you how to avoid this from happening.” I raised an eyebrow and waited. “In the first one, you kill your father. In the second,

you kill your mother. You choose a path, and once it’s chosen, only one ending is available.” “So, I don’t kill them? Sounds easy enough, but it’s not. I want my mother to feel what she wanted me to suffer through. I want her to know the pain of what she allowed to happen to me. But in order to prevent this, I’d have to forgo that.” “Is your revenge that paramount? I took revenge, and I’ve spent an eternity without a woman. Hecate took out her revenge for my refusal by forcing me to endure my endlessly growing hunger. She denied me the freedom of madness from descending. She wanted me to feel that ceaseless craving and know that it would never end, never be sated. But I got revenge and regret doing so. I slept with my father’s wife to make him understand how it felt when he slept with mine. He sired children with my wife and then paraded them around, knowing I’d know they weren’t mine. The queen, his wife I’d fucked, was executed for treason soon after. Of course, he chose another to take her place. My wife, who he married and declared his queen so long as she denounced me, and didn’t argue against sending me away. I was handed over to Hecate, and entombed here, where I couldn’t cause issues for the newest queen. It wasn’t worth it, if you were wondering.” “I wasn’t wondering,” I muttered, turning to glare at Knox, who was kissing Kinny’s shoulder. “You slept with your mother?” “Stepmother and she was a wild one. I wasn’t suspecting her to be so . . . knowledgeable.” I grimaced and gave him serious side-eye. Still gross. We appeared back in front of the altar, and I closed my eyes to stop the world from orbiting violently around me. Elias caught me before I could stumble sideways, holding me steady until I gave him a small smile of thanks. “You’re weakened already. If you fail, we both die.” “Only if I fail,” I muttered crossly. Elias didn’t trust me, and I didn’t blame him. There was blood crusted to my chest, face, and hair from fighting Hecate. It wasn’t a pretty sight, and if I were him, I’d worry about failure too. “Try not to fail, please,” he mumbled worriedly. “Trust me, I don’t know how to fail. Plus, I intend to save the world, and I can’t do that if I’m dead. I also need to figure out a path that doesn’t have me becoming the queen of fucking skull cemetery or chained up and forced

to watch the people I love betraying me on a constant loop. Whoever decided that shit is pure evil. Besides, your vision can’t be correct because I’ve taken precautions to prevent becoming pregnant unless I wanted it to happen.” He blinked, frowning as he stepped back. “You think I would lie about the vision?” “I think you would play tricks and try to manipulate the outcome. I think you all do that because, if I stay my course, there won’t be many thrones left within the realm. Nine Realms stand, but I intend to destroy one. That means others may fall as well. You want to be returned because you still want revenge, which will probably be something like overthrowing you father. So, I’ll help you, but only if you agree not to persecute innocent people.” “You’d help me take the throne from my father?” he asked carefully. “You don’t know me.” “No, but you weren’t the prick who was banging his son’s wife simply because you were a king. If that is true, and your only crime was sleeping with his wife because he slept with yours, then this punishment didn’t fit the crime. I’m not even going to touch on the Hecate issue, since she’s a huge fan of forcing herself on those who turn her down. He allowed you to be sealed with an element and allowed the entire world to forget you. He sounds like a self-serving prick. And since I don’t like those types of people and I need allies, yes, I’ll help you take the throne.” “You’re not from this world, are you?” He twisted his lips to the side as he studied me. “Nope, but I sealed the portals and made sure we’re stuck here together forever,” I admitted. “We can either make the best of it or live in a war-torn world. Decide,” I snapped, growing weaker by the moment. “Deal, but first, you have to live long enough to claim it.” He pulled me against him. “I can’t ease the pain, but I can give you strength.” His lips crashed against mine, and he delved between my lips, sending his tongue dueling against mine. His kiss wasn’t violent or forceful. It did, however, create an ache between my thighs that was growing, spiraling up through me with heat pulsing and thundering against my clit. My pulse hammered, and a soft groan of regret escaped my lips as he pulled away. Electric-blue eyes slid over my face before turning to where a rattle was echoing through the field.

“Ready?” he asked, stepping back to grab my arms and hold them out. I pulled on the wind, fighting to remain upright. My pain level wasn’t lowering, and my knees threatened to give out. I fought harder, struggling to accept the power of the element rushing through me. My eyes caught on Esme, who looked worried, but then the wind slammed into my body, forcing me to jerk back almost violently. Warm arms wrapped around my stomach, and I sagged as my eyes closed and everything stopped. My body seemed to float for a second before it sank into the warmth that the Nine Realms provided. My mind clasped onto the panic hushes rushing through the women. Siobhan shushed them with reassurances that I was healing. She explained what had happened last time and told them to gather around me. I couldn’t hear Elias, but if he was like the others, he’d vanished the moment I’d freed him. And inside me? The wind churned like a tornado rushing through the fields, destroying everything it touched.

Chapter Fifty-One The sensation of freefalling lasted for a handful of seconds before I collided violently against the ground, abruptly forcing me awake. Pain exploded from every inch of my body, and I groaned. I felt like someone had run me over and then backed up a couple of times before abandoning my body in the dirt. My heavy eyelids were crusted shut, and the residual taste of blood sat stale in my mouth. Something poked into my side, and I swatted at it weakly. “I think she’s alive.” Esme’s softly spoken mutter forced one of my eyes open to glare at her. “Can’t I just have five minutes to sit here and contemplate where I went wrong in life?” The words left my lips in a mumble, and no matter how much I wished I actually could take five minutes, it was a terrible idea. So, I tried sitting upright, but I didn’t get far. “You realize that the actual fucking world healed you. Right?” Esme asked, her violet-colored eyes wide and sparkling. “I’ve never witnessed anything as amazing as that before, Aria. Bright light shot up from the ground and surrounded you. You were floating! We touched you, and it let us help mend you. It was amazing! In all my time alive, I’ve never felt that much power or pureness. I felt joy and happiness for the first time in forever. It was so insane.” She pushed her fingers through her hair, sparkling with her excitement. The last time the land had healed me, Aurora had snapped at the girls and told them that if they touched me, I’d die. Apparently, that had been a lie. “You touched it?” I blinked, lifting a hand to block out the blinding sunlight. Her head bobbed. “We did, and it recharged us, too. The longer I touched you, the more I understood who you are to become. I was certain before, but I hold no doubt about you anymore, Aria.” “It was pretty amazing,” Soraya agreed as she handed me a bladder filled with water, her gaze roving over my face. “Although, you still look like shit.” “It doesn’t heal everything. It just stops me from dying,” I said, wondering if I was still so sluggish because I’d almost fully drained myself

fighting Hecate before I called the keeper of the element. The water element hadn’t been like this, but he’d wanted me to take it from him. He’d dragged my ass into the depths and forced the issue. Elias hadn’t made it difficult either, which I was thankful for. Esme helped me sit upright and then settled in behind me to help keep me steady as I sipped the water. It was then that I realized a small crowd had formed just outside the open gates of the stronghold. “They’re the ones who came out once the battle died down,” Soraya offered. “Most are witches who were being held here.” The witches were easy enough to pick out. They were the ones who looked underfed and had bandages on their feet, legs, or wrists. “Avyanna ransacked the castle and brought out supplies to treat the ones who were being tortured. They seem to be okay enough to move, but a few are heavy with child. Apparently, the lord here was trying to breed the evil out of the lines’ and took liberties with a lot of them. He didn’t die, by the way. He was hiding in the garderobe. Esme almost ate him while we were waiting for you to wake up from your power nap.” I laughed at Soraya, sliding my gaze to a man who had his hands tied behind his back. He’d been badly beaten, and his face was a mixture of dark-purple bruises with angry blue ribbons through them. One eye had completely swollen shut, but his other one was open enough for him to glare at us. Dismissing him outright, I turned to Knox. It didn’t look as if he’d moved from the same spot all night. His eyes weren’t back to their normal oceanic blue, and I allowed myself one moment of weakness, but then Sabine’s hand touched his shoulder and rage shot through me. That burst of emotion fueled the effort it took to stand and turn my back on them, but that was it. I was on my feet, but my legs were so weak I didn’t dare trust them to have the strength to move me forward. So, I closed my eyes against the pain and reminded myself that I survived. I’d faced off against Hecate, and I hadn’t died. Of course, I’d not made it out unscathed, but I hadn’t died. Behind me, Aurora began demanding my attention. My concentration, however, was on the sea of unfamiliar faces the girls were keeping back from me. They’d protected me at my weakest moment, and that realization had me battling past the wealth of emotions. They could have easily walked

away, leaving me vulnerable, but they’d chosen to stay beside me. My eyes were swimming with tears by the time I sought Esme out. Her thin shoulders shrugged, and a look of discomfort played on her face. And it was enough to pull my emotions back under control. “Has he argued against his crime?” I questioned once I was sure I could speak without my voice cracking. “Besides screaming profanities at us? He has said little to argue what’s being said or to defend himself against the accusations. If you’re asking me, I’d say he felt entitled to rape witches and breed out the bloodline. How do you feel?” Esme took the bladder of water, which I hadn’t realized I still held, out of my hand and gave it to Soraya. “Like a bus ran me over and backed up on my unmoving body to let the passengers off it.” She had no idea what a bus was, so my hyperbole was lost on her. “Like a herd of horses ran my ass over and then stomped on it some more for good measure.” She chuckled, and a lopsided smile spread across her full lips. “That’s a lot of mouths to feed,” I pointed out, hating that there were easily over one hundred people waiting to find out what we would do next. “It is,” she admitted. “But it isn’t as if we can leave them here. They’re all victims of abuse at the hands of that asshole. Some are pregnant, and they’re close to their”—a groan ripped through the crowd—“close to giving birth.” Avyanna jumped to her feet and rushed toward where a woman was on her back with her legs spread apart. I peered around, wincing that she was about to birth her babe in a field flooded with people all watching. My stomach tightened at the memory of that pain, but I was quick to shove those thoughts away. “Shit, the baby is already crowning!” Avyanna snapped, barely getting her hands between the babe and the ground before it was being pushed out. My eyes widened, and I blinked as Avyanna held up the babe. It wasn’t crying or moving. Fear rippled through the crowd, and my lips parted as I caught sight of the mark on her hand. There was also the faint outline of the mark of Hecate on her forehead, which made me frown deeper. She was a descendant of one of Hecate’s children, but a rather watereddown version from the weak outline. The fact that she carried the mark meant Hecate either had children we weren’t aware of in the Nine Realms, or one of her daughters had sprinkled little witches around. It left more

questions and worries in my mind. Chills rushed over my arms, and then down my spine at the reality of what I was seeing. I’d seen a few others with the mark in the Nine Realms, but our family bible didn’t mention any other direct descendants. So which sister had birthed daughters, and abandoned them to the mercy of the realms? “She’s a descendant of Hecate’s bloodline. She carries enough blood to bear the mark,” I announced. “No shit? I thought she was a unicorn.” Esme chuckled. “She’s a witch, and that is a tiny penis,” I amended and Esme finally understood what I was pointing out. Avyanna continued holding the babe, as the baby’s mother begged, her words jumbled together as Avyanna shook her head. Moving closer, I took in his tiny red face and the goop in his mouth. He had a face! “It’s a boy,” Avyanna whispered, as if everyone hadn’t already heard. I shifted the baby out of Avyanna’s arms so that she could cut the cord. Using my finger, I cleaned out his mouth as the entire field watched in utter silence. Once I was sure his airway was clear, I worked his round belly with my palm, and then I placed my mouth over his nose and mouth and blew air into his lungs. I did it several more times as whispering rushed through the crowd. Some of them insisted it would be hopeless for me to try, but I could see the mark of the witch on his forehead, dull but present. That alone was a sign that I hadn’t gone through hell for nothing. He had a face and was the first boy born baring Hecate’s mark that I’d heard of. His lips opened, and a loud squeal of displeasure cut through the air. His eyelids fluttered to reveal dark eyes, and he screamed as he flailed his arms. Smiling, I turned to Avyanna, and warm liquid splashed in my mouth. I gagged, holding the babe away from my body as he pissed everywhere. Esme broke into gales of laughter as I continued gagging. Avyanna accepted the babe, though she was also laughing at me, and I stepped away, gagging loudly as my stomach threatened to empty what little food it held. “It’s in my mouth!” I explained in horror. “Oh god. I can taste piss!” Esme howled louder, bending at the waist as if to hide the tears that rolled down her cheeks. Her shoulders shook, and Siobhan was right there with her. They were all laughing, crossing their legs as they hooted at my expense.

“Oh, why didn’t anyone warn me?” I demanded, wiping my hand over my tongue. “I fail to see how this is even funny!” “Drink this,” Soraya offered, laughing boisterously as I continued dry heaving. I tipped the bottle of whisky up, filled my mouth, swished, and then spit. After doing it a few times, I drank it to ease my stomach. “No, he is not mine!” the mother screamed as she sobbed. “It is the work of evil. He is not mine!” I handed the bottle to Soraya and moved back to where Avyanna and the mother were. Avy plopped the babe, who had thankfully been swaddled in a blanket, into my arms and knelt to tend to the mother. He was tiny, but had everything he needed. His eyes peered up at me, and I smiled down at him. “You’re much safer when that thing’s covered, sir,” I muttered, unable to keep the wide grin from my lips. I folded my lips between my teeth, gently rocking him in my arms. “You comfort it when it peed on us? It’s like a dog, which marks his territory. I don’t think we should have boys. They are not nice to us. That tiny thing was like a sprinkler system!” “Look at him, Ember. He’s absolutely perfect.” My gaze moved toward the mother, watching as she stared up at me, holding her son. Aurora’s tone forced my attention to where she stood, excitedly announcing that she’d done it. She’d removed the curse. My eyes rolled, but Knox’s possessive stare made me hesitate. His eyes were on my face, but they lowered to where I held the babe. Was he thinking about the ones we lost? A soft smile spread on his full lips, and I lowered my nose to the babe. He didn’t smell like blood or gore, which still covered his crumpled features. He had a full head of hair, and I gently ran my fingers over it, pushing the long hunk of it away from his forehead, where the mark faintly glowed. “She says he isn’t hers,” Avy whispered once she was standing next to me again. “From what I gather from her sobs, she says the monster who sired him and broke the curse may handle him. She wants nothing to do with the boy.” My attention moved to his mother, finding her staring at him with open curiosity. Gradually, so she didn’t rush away, I kneeled by her so she could get a closer look at her son.

“I broke the curse on the line,” I explained. “I used my blood and the souls of a thousand witches I’d murdered upon entering the realms, and used them to end the curse that Hecate had placed upon us, ma’am. He’s beautiful, and he’s very much alive. You pushed him from your womb, which makes him your son. Would you like to see how perfect he is?” I asked, watching her trembling as she refused. “I am a bloodline witch, and I cannot birth boys. It is forbidden,” she whispered brokenly. “But you did, and he is flawless. He has a cute little nose, two eyes, and a mouth. When witches birth boys, they are born without a face. Your son has one, and he is yours,” I confirmed, uncovering his head for her to see him. “He has your hair and your nose. He has all his fingers, and toes, too, along with working boy parts, as witnessed.” Her hand lifted, but she hesitated, so I slid her son into her arms and slowly backed away. Smiling, I crossed my arms over my chest, staring down at her as she brought the crying babe closer, peering at his red, crumpled face. “Is he cursed?” she asked, tears pouring from her eyes. “How can he be? He was born with a face. He is the first, living male born to witches that I am aware of. That’s a miracle in and of itself, but that he was born on the day after the goddess of magic lost her first fight. I’d say he’s a symbol of hope. As witches, we know our daughters are the future, but our sons? Our sons are the silent strength that’ll always stand beside us and become warriors who’ll protect us when we are weary.” “I have a son.” She sobbed. “I have a son!” My chest shook, and I fought the tears that burned my eyes as I nodded. The cheers moved through the crowd, and I slipped my gaze over them with pride rushing through me. “I have freed us!” Aurora screamed loudly, which caused the entire assembly to pause and look toward her. The Hecate symbol on her forehead glowed, and the group of witches inched closer to her. “Join me, and I will offer you sanctuary! You’ll live freely with us and help us overcome the destruction and pain of the past.” I snorted, stepping back, allowing the crowd to do as they wished. My eyes roved back to the mother, watching her rising to her feet with the tiny mewling infant in her arms. They didn’t question it, merely accepted the

Hecate symbol as strength, which caused Aurora to smile triumphantly as her arms lowered. “Faithless assholes,” Esme muttered beside me. “No loyalty, even though you saved the child. You literally brought him back from death.” “It was CPR and not as much of a miracle as you think it was,” I admitted, watching them huddling against the barrier, which was still in place. The lord screamed, begging for someone to free him, and a smile playing on my lips as Ember perked up. Esme followed my gaze, her eyes slanting languidly with hunger. “You hungry?” I asked, smirking as she nodded. “Let’s eat, shall we?”

Chapter Fifty-Two Esme hunted him from one side, and I prowled toward him from the other. Ember peered through my eyes, unimpressed at being forced to share a meal. I inhaled, noting her softer scent, which gave me pause. The man screeched, and his wide stare filled with panic as he implored the army for help. Clearly, he didn’t appreciate that we’d untied his hands, which was the only help anyone was going to give him. Knox’s enticing scent was distracting Ember, and my attention kept flickering to him before gliding back to Esme. A soothingly soft purr rolled up through my lungs and tickled my throat. Esme made the same noise, but it was weaker. I could read her anxiety and the need to back down from my beast. Not that I blamed her because it was Ember who was creating the trepidation. Purring echoed from my chest, and Esme twisted to look at me. I keened, and she copied the sound. Her dark head bowed, and her spine arched with defeat. My focus roved over her, marking each weakness that I could use to fight her. There weren’t many discernable ones besides her need to bow to my creature. “Earn it,” Ember hissed, canting her head before turning toward the lord, who’d begun running away as if he had anywhere to go. Esme backed up, and I rattled loud enough to force her to her knees. Her spine slithered against the constraints of her dress, and I rattled louder. Ember dropped to the ground without warning. Inwardly, I gasped in shock as she arched her spine and released a deafening rattle that had Esme bucking her hips. Knox’s men were watching us from behind the barrier, but it wasn’t Knox whose eyes were on me. It was Lennox, and the rattle he released had my pussy clenching and my nipples hardening with need. Hissing escaped my throat, which was a warning for him to back off and let me assert my dominance over Esme. Lennox continued as his lips twisted into a dark smirk that matched the wickedness that burned in his gaze. My hips flared, causing his eyes to blaze with his ravenous hunger. “Come here, Little Monster,” he ordered in a deep, raspy tone. Ember bared our teeth because Sabine stood beside him, making our vision filter to red. “Aria, come to me, and I’ll soothe that discomfort.”

It took a lot of willpower to rein her in and not murder Sabine. My claws extended, and the sound that left my lungs had Knox pushing her away from him. The action was weeks too late to matter. “Hard pass,” I said through the multitude of teeth that had slipped free from my gums. “Hunt with me,” I demanded of Esme, which had the monster she held shivering. “No, I concede the meal to you, alpha,” she whispered. I blinked at her trembled reply, rattling with frustration as the man tried to dash away. I pounced, colliding against him before kicking his legs out beneath his feet and forcing both palms against his chest. He slammed against the ground, expelling his breath with a whooshing sound. Backing up, I studied Esme as he climbed to his feet, gasping for air. I made a sultry sound that had the sick bastard spinning to look at me through pupils expanding with lust. Methodically, I yanked my shirt off and tossed it aside. As his eyes grew heavy and hooded with lust, I moaned, moving my hands over my belly, which caused Lennox to rattle a threat. Lennox leaned against the barrier. His palms were applying enough pressure that his nails had torn through it, ripping it from the sheer strength he used from merely pushing his weight onto the obstacle between us. The low, angry tones he created in his throat were playing hell on my insides, and the embers in his eyes glowing with warning. I could smell his desire to take what I was offering another, which had me growing bolder and more reckless. His pheromones were taunting and seducing me at the same time. He was also ruining my dinner plans because I had to fight to keep Ember on track. She was all about deviating from the plan to mount him. Esme rose, and I grinned at her as she moaned huskily. She mimicked me, echoing my sounds while learning how I hunted. It wasn’t a human sound in the slightest, but then he wasn’t human. He was a shifter, and they ran off one basic need—to rut bitches into the ground and be the alpha they assumed women needed. I roved my hands over my breasts, and he closed the distance between us. As I rolled my hips, I heard Lennox spitting with anger. He made deep, loud warning sounds to the alpha, who was inching closer to me. The man’s eyes slid between Lennox and me, and I continued rocking my hips and touching my body until he couldn’t refuse me. His hands slid to my back, and I peered at Esme over his shoulder, issuing my invitation to join. Her razor-sharp, needle-like teeth lengthened

even more as she moved up behind him. She was cautious as she approached me, but I made the same chuffing noise from deep in my throat. Slowly, Esme pressed against his back, running her arms up his sides. The male groaned, and the deeply rich sound had Ember sneering at his weakness. Esme’s monster watched me, waiting for the cue. We removed his shirt, freeing a wealth of muscles that were toned and hard beneath our fingertips. We cradled him between our bodies. His noises grew more urgent as we both stroked and played with him. Finally, he’d had enough and pushed his hands into my hair, trying to force my mouth to his. Before he could claim my lips, though, I turned and smiled at Lennox, whose eyes were crimson from the fury burning within. My hands lowered, cupping his cock, which was already hard and ready to breed us. The fabric of the pants he wore shredded under my claws and fell around his ankles. I locked gazes with Esme and smiled against his throat before my claws grazed the skin beneath his ribs, teasingly skimming over the flesh. He shuddered while grinding against my belly. Lennox continued to make the loud, threatening sounds, but I ignored him. The length of my nails grew. He grabbed one of my breasts, causing a soft groan of pain to escape my lungs. I shoved my hand into his chest, smiling coldly at the squelching noise that filled the air as I dug for what I wanted. Warm blood coated my fingers, and the beating organ continued to pulse as I wrapped my fingers around it. The lord howled in pain as I yanked the organ free, and I laughed at the horror that rounded his eyes before death claimed him. Esme backed up, shoving him on the ground. I settled on his stomach, chewing a bite of the bloodied organ I’d stolen while I grinned at her. She preened, purring loudly in approval. Blood dripped from my chin to my chest, creating a morbid picture that emboldened me as I took another bite. Esme’s fear was making me antsy and uneasy—or rather, it was creating those emotions in Ember. I was pissy that Esme wasn’t sitting and eating the prick with me. I growled loudly in warning, and she whined as if she didn’t comprehend. She wasn’t stupid. She knew I was telling her to eat. I made a garish, unsettling noise, and she finally moved closer even though her entire body hummed with terror. Then she lowered awkwardly, turning her head from side to side, as if she feared I was luring her into a trap.

Ember paused as if she were against letting her eat from the kill we’d made, and I grumbled. “We killed it. It is ours! I’m starving, and I know you will not be riding dick. Can’t a girl just eat? It’s been a rough day for us. We almost died twice, got pissed on, and now you want me to share with her? You’re really asking a lot right now, Aria.” “She’s our friend. Friends share . . . dead shit together. You eat, and she eats. She’s totally a beta, which means she needs us! Do not attack her, or I’ll not agree on getting dick until honest-to-god cobwebs grow on our lady bits. Understand? She normally hides in the bushes and eats what we leave, and that shit cannot continue. It’s below her.” “It is how it is supposed to be! Alphas eat, and then betas eat what we leave behind. Alphas don’t eat with betas, Aria. You’re ruining my reputation by allowing her to eat with us.” “Have you been paying attention? That ship has sailed. My reputation was ruined the second you stripped naked and pranced around an entire village of men with our ass in the air. You begged them to fuck us like some bitch that needed dick so bad she’d settle for anything.” “I was making them feel safe! Did they touch us? No. Did we eat them? Every mother-fucking one of those assholes.” She snickered, sending warmth through the link we shared. “Knox smells so good.” She twisted, leveling him with a come-hither look as she purred huskily. This had him lowering his head, peering at us through heavy eyes. His nostrils flared, and he stepped closer, slamming a hand against the barrier. “Do not make that sound—” Ember purred in a multilayered tone. The sound had Knox and his men complaining as they tensed and their thick, erotic scents filled the air. Ember smiled victoriously and turned to Esme as her feminine scent filled the air in front of us. Esme grunted, reaching over to angrily rip the entire arm off the male. A strangled noise of frustration escaped her lips, and her teeth shredded the limb. Smiling at her, I took another bite from the heart, groaning at how good it tasted. She rattled, and I rattled back. I frowned, chuffing as she did it right back. She ripped a chunk of meat away from his chest, and Ember mirrored her, forcing more into our already full mouth. I choked, sputtering and then coughing around the mouthful. Esme smirked, gnawing on her meal. “What the fuck are you doing?”

“Making friends,” Ember replied in a pissy, irritated tone. “I don’t think you’d like me eating her, and she’s upset we made her orgasm. She says it was not welcome. Now I sort of want to do it again just to show her how much we don’t fucking care.” “Play nice, Ember. I only have a few friends.” “I’m best friend! I am always here, and I always have your back.” “Stop being petty, and we actually share the same spine, which means you literally don’t have a choice in the matter. You stab me in the back; you’re going to feel that shit, too, Ember.” “Do I need crayons for you?” “You did not just crayon line me. I came up with that line!” “Fuck around and find out who is the wittier one, woman. I’ll have you waking up on ogre dick if you think she can be your best friend better than I can.” “You’re jealous?” I asked hesitantly, watching as Ember and Esme’s beast warred over the pieces of the male that dwindling to little more than bones. “No.” Ember grunted, silently studying Esme’s beast. Esme paused as the meat became less, backing up as Ember glared at her through narrow slits. “She is hurting and wounded. Isn’t she? Something happened that made her confidence low. She needs dick. Dick fixes everything.” “Unfortunately, I think that was what broke her. They drugged her and held her in a permanent breeding cycle. She had no choice in who was between her legs, and it made her terrified to become that helpless again.” “Well, one cannot stop getting dick. I mean, we fight against it, but we want Dicker to wreck us. Even now, you want him as hungrily as I do. And within the next few days, you’ll either go to him or we’ll be vulnerable in our time of need. So, figure out how to get him or find Aden.” “He’s marrying my sister!” I snapped, watching from within as Ember pushed the skeletal remains toward Esme. She purred softly, grabbed a femur, snapped it in half, and then sucked the marrow from it clean. Her noises were loud and unladylike, but hell, at least she was eating. It wasn’t like Ember was clean when she feasted on severed penis and left me gagging on the damn thing. “I didn’t say marry the dick. I said ride it. Tremendous difference, get it? Also, she’s not your sister. She’s a treacherous bitch who is after our mate.”

“Your days as a comedian were short-lived. We shall hold the funeral tomorrow.” “Ha! I’m a hoot!” “You’d have done well at Hooters, but you’re pretty dry most days.” “That’s because you forget to touch it, and no one comes. You are a waste of a very active, very healthy libido. I bet the nuns you used to watch get more dick than you do.” “They’re nuns. They don’t get any dick.” “I smelled it, sister. They were banging the priest, all of them. Save me, Father, for I have sinned!” “Oy vey, that’s enough.” “You shared,” Esme muttered, dropping the pile of grisly remains as we viewed each other. “I hunted with you.” “Yes, you did. I’ve never hunted with anyone else.” I twisted, looking at the others, who were all as far away from us as they could be. “I think they’re afraid of us.” “Maybe it’s the blood dripping down your chin and onto your tits?” she offered, grabbing her discarded shirt and pulling out a scrap of a bloodied cloth. We laughed, and I shook my head. The husky growl that erupted forced my eyes to where Knox was pacing, his eyes locking with mine. I rose and unhurriedly moved toward the barrier. Sabine was still standing at his side, and I let my steps slow to a stop as I glared at them. My palms pressed to the barrier while I inspected the spell as it shimmered. He slammed his own palms over mine, sending lust rushing through me and purring huskily. “I don’t like you,” I spat out, glaring at him. He grinned, remaining mute. His smokey gaze and heady smells held me in the trance created by the masculine scent of spices and erotic pleasure that his body pledged to fulfil. The sultry moan that slipped from my lips had a deep, wickedly hot chuckle escaping his throat. “You don’t have to like me to take what you need from me, Aria. I can smell you. You’re so fucking close to losing the fight that your pussy is soaking wet just being close to me. Come take what you want, Little Monster.” Anger ripped through me, and I sucked the edge of my lip between my teeth, holding his glowing stare. “I don’t fuck other people’s fiancé’s, Knox.

Go crawl back to your traitorous bitch and leave me the fuck alone.” “Sabine is marrying the king of Norvalla,” he stated firmly, watching my face. “And?” I snapped out in frustration. “Use that brilliant fucking mind of yours to think past the jealousy and anger.” “Fuck off.” Briefly, I allowed him to see the pain he’d created before shutting it down, hard. “And here I thought I meant something to you. I assumed that I’d at least earned a fucking heads-up about what was coming. Nope. I got to read it on a fucking flyer the day after you saved me and held me while I was weak. During that time, you could have been honest and told me what you’d agreed to do. You told me I’d have to find you and trust you. How can I do that when I can’t even trust you to tell me the truth?” “Use your head,” he instructed, turning toward Aurora, who walked up beside him. “You think you’re so fucking powerful right now? Don’t you? You think you can walk in and take Hecate’s power now? It won’t be that easy, Aria.” She sneered, folding her arms over her chest to stare me down. “No, I don’t. I honestly don’t give a fuck about being powerful or ruling anyone, for that matter. I did what you couldn’t do, and that is something I am proud of. You can keep the fame, notoriety, and kingdoms, Aurora. I just don’t have it in me to fucking care about you or political agendas you have while you reach for that throne you’ll never be able to hold.” That statement did not shock her, which told me more than I wanted to about her intentions. “Do you think I don’t know what you’re seeking to do here, Aria?” Her eyes blazed with malice, and it filled the air thickly. “Murder your bitch of a mother and weaken you and the other witches who intend to drain the realms and those who live in it of their magic because you’re a bunch of greedy cunts? I think that should be pretty obvious.” Lore hooted with laughter, smothering it when Aurora hissed. “Daddy’s getting a hard-on, and not because of Aria rocking out with those titties out! Rawr! Is it getting hot in here, or what?” he asked, slowly backing up to rock his hips while my eyebrows pressed together, trying to figure out what the hell he was doing. “Initiating warm up and preparing for that ass to be mine!” Aurora made an irritated noise in her throat, and I

rattled a warning that Lennox echoed. “Did you hear that? She likes me, she really fucking likes me.” “Lore,” Knox warned sternly. “Kill-joy, I was getting my flirt on,” Lore pouted, shuffling away as Killian patted his shoulder, turning to smirk in my direction with something wicked glittering in his dark-cyan blue depths. “If you think my mother won’t seek revenge for what you did here, you’re wrong.” “I don’t give a fuck,” I stated bluntly. “I just kicked your mother’s ass, and weakened her. It won’t matter how many witches she sucks down, or how hard she tries to steal magic from the realms, she won’t be able to heal before I track her down and eat her. What do you think? Ember wants to eat her, and shit the bitch out. I think it would be, rather . . . fitting? I mean, she is a rather shitty person.” “You do not know what you did, Aria Primrose Hecate.” “You must be getting senile because we’ve already covered that.” “You had a sun on your head, Aria. You exposed it to Hecate.” I tilted my head, deliberately sliding my focus toward Knox, who silently stood alert beside Aurora. “How did you get it? You’ve placed me in great danger because of that mark!” “You think I gained the mark by doing something? You’re who rode the dick that made me, so why don’t you tell me how I got it? Or did you just ride all the dicks until one spit up enough stuff to make a baby-shake? You got fucked, and then I was ejected from your worthless, poisonous womb. The only one who knows who the fuck got fucked was you, right? I mean, sure, I got fucked because you got fucked and blah-blah who fucking cares. But why don’t you fucking inform me how I have that mark? I know, I know, you will not say shit, but here’s the thing. I don’t fucking care if Hecate rips you apart and flies your entrails and limbs from her battlements. Understand? Fuck you. Fuck your mother. Fuck all the faithless bitches who stand with you. Fuck this asshole, too,” I stated, nodding at Knox. “And fuck anyone else who gets in my way.” The color drained from Aurora’s face, causing me to realize the issue. “It’s not Hecate you’re afraid of. Is it? No, you’re afraid of my father finding out I exist.” I laughed outright at the green shade she turned. “You do not know the danger you’ve placed yourself in because of that mark, Aria.” Aurora stepped closer, pressed her palms against the barrier,

and then yanked them back when it shocked her in warning. “If you want to live, come with us. If your father learns you bear his mark, he will rip me apart for concealing you from him.” Snorting loudly, I rolled my eyes at her fake, forced unease. “My father knows I exist and has invited me to come meet him. And if you think I would ever protect you from him—or anyone, really—then clearly you haven’t been paying attention.” She trembled visibly, which turned my smile wolfish. Her blue gaze flickered with fear as big, fat tears pooled on her lashes and she worried her hands together. “I didn’t know that I’d love you, but I do.” Her stare pleaded for me to understand, and I merely rocked on my heels, smile still in place. “Spare me your fake, pathetic, motherly love.” I slammed my hands against the barrier and she jerked back, screaming in fear. “If my father wishes to murder you, I’ll be the one standing beside him when he comes for your head, Mommy Dearest, because at least he hasn’t tried to murder me. If he does, I’ll deal with him like I do everything else. In violence does she reign, and she’ll do so in total chaos. It was nice seeing you, and I hope you have a nice day and shit.” My eyes flicked to Knox. “I’ll see you when I return? Maybe you’ll be married by then, asshole.” “Before, Aria,” he demanded, anger and something else flashing in his eyes. “Hmm, I don’t think you’re in a position to argue it anymore, Knox.” I chuckled, turning on my heel to head to where the girls were opening the portal. It took effort not to look back, but I wouldn’t give him the satisfaction of knowing he’d hurt me. My piece was said, and it was enough. I’d taken one more element, allied myself with the demons, and brought Hecate down a peg, ensuring she wouldn’t be able to attack anyone or add witches to her grid anytime soon. I only had one thing left to do before Esme and I could head to the cave and complete the trial that would bring me to my father, which was figuring out how to ease the tension steadily growing in my vagina. No pressure. Sounded easy enough. I doubted it ended well, but I wasn’t a quitter.

Chapter Fifty-Three Days had passed in an eerie calmness and unnerving silence that made me hesitant to trust it. I had gathered things we may or may not need. We still did not know what we would face or if we would be there for an allotted amount of time. We’d begun our shopping for real-estate so that Siobhan, Soraya, and Avy could protect the kids while Esme and I were gone. We’d finally settled on a small castle, which was a little stack of rubble on the outside but livable on the inside. It had a porch and a few rooms scattered above the sprawling, lavish basement, which led to an impressive web of tunnels that snaked out to the forest behind the structure. The only thing not settled was the current state of my body, which was driving me bonkers. It was why I was outside, hiding from the children as my hormones raged and my flames threatened to consume everything they touched. It was snowing, and a fine layer of it was peppering the mountains, but the cold didn’t touch me. The air at this altitude was thinner, and a cold front had long since moved over whatever realm we’d ended up in. I still had no idea, but only certain realms saw winter, and Norvalla was one of them. The place was calming and magical in appearance. Now, if I could settle down and ignore the need rioting through me, I might actually enjoy it. My skin felt as if it were crawling, and I was having hot flashes, which were straight-up ridiculous. “You keep that up, and you’ll have a fire started beneath your feet.” Esme smirked when I turned my glare on her. “Are you upset that they did not invite you to the party?” I hadn’t been able to go anywhere without seeing the posters announcing the upcoming nuptials of the king of Norvalla to the princess and crowned heir of the Hecate bloodline. “You know, I probably should’ve let Ember eat you.” Sitting on the cold stool, I exhaled the uncertainty of leaving the others alone so that I could rush off to learn about what I was. “I doubt I’d taste very good.” She chuckled, but when I remained silent, she bumped her shoulder against mine. “Spit it out, Aria.”

“He kept telling me to use my brain.” I had been turning his words over inside my head repeatedly, getting no closer to figuring out what he meant. “You have one?” I cut her a sideways glance, telling her I was being serious, and she sobered. “I don’t understand him. He said she was marrying the king of Norvalla. That’s him, even if Brander is his proxy.” “Wait, he called in a proxy?” Esme sat up straighter, placing her elbows on her knees. “You’re sure?” “Yeah. He named Brander as his proxy before we got married because, if he died, he didn’t want me to become the actual queen of Norvalla. “Is he still the proxy?” “As far as I know,” I muttered, frowning. “I cannot see why it matters.” “A proxy is the king while he holds the kingdom in another’s stead. Therefore, if Brander is currently holding the title, even by default, he’d be the king.” I blinked slowly, turning to face her fully. “Son of a bitch!” I slapped my forehead. “How would I know if Brander is still holding the title?” “You’d have to go to Knox and ask him that yourself.” “He’s at what may or may not be his engagement party with the heads of the Nine Realms in attendance. I’d have to be insane to go to him there.” “We leave at the first sign of daylight for the passes, Aria. It’s now or never,” she stated, making my forehead crease. “I think if you can fight Hecate and come out on top, then getting away from Knox and the council if you need to should be child’s play. Or is it you’re afraid to talk to him and find out the truth?” “It’s not so much fear—well, maybe a bit. But you don’t think it’s a trap?” I considered it but would he expect me to crash the party after what I’d said to him? “It could be, but do you think whatever they tried would stop you from escaping?” Esme asked, peering up at the stars. “There’s a dress inside and a mask for you to wear since they were thoughtful enough to make it a masquerade ball. It’s almost as if they were inviting you to show up.” She grinned and winked at me. “I also scrounged up some of your old shampoo that hid your scent. I found it in your bedroom at the sanctuary. The only thing I couldn’t get was shoes.” “Why would you get me all that stuff?”

“You mean, other than the obvious?” I nodded because the obvious was that I was going to show up at that party dress or no dress. “You can’t go through that trial and then to see your father while you’re in heat, Aria. Desperately horny is a terrible first impression.” “Very unflattering, indeed.” I paused before adding, “If anything happens there, I will get us out and back here. I promise you that, okay? We will escape if they seek to cage us.” “I know, which is why I trust you to get me there for the answers we both need. You’ve already proven that you won’t leave me behind, and I trust you. You’re the most stubborn, boneheaded, and loyal person I’ve ever met, Aria.” “I’ll take that as a compliment.” “I did not mean it as one.” She lowered her head and scratched the back of her neck before facing me again. “Look, I’m glad I took a chance on you in that alley when we first met. You’re a lot to deal with, honestly, but I’m thankful that you came into my life.” “Same, and even though you’re the worst best friend in history and still won’t admit it, I’m glad you’re mine,” I admitted, enjoying her awkwardness. Pursing my lips, I fought the queasiness of what I was considering doing tonight. “If I go to the party and am captured, I’m screwed.” “Really? You went there?” She shook her dark head, rolling her eyes before addressing the worry I’d expressed. “If that happens, I’ll come for you. I may not be as savage or as deadly as you are, but I will come to get you back. Hell, I’ll bring Hecate straight to their fucking door as a diversion so I can sneak in and get you out.” “Wow, straight to the sadistic bitch card. Didn’t see that coming.” I joked even though her sentiment caused warmth to spread through me. “Few care what happens to me anymore, Esme. I’m glad you are one of them. In a world full of people who wait for a moment to strike and betray you, it’s nice to know someone is in my corner.” “Don’t go getting all sentimental. We’re still not best friends. I won’t help dig ditches to bury bodies in.” I burst out laughing. “We’ve already had this conversation, Esme. There’s no ditch and no body to bury. It’s about trusting the one person who you know you can always count on to be with you when they’re needed.”

“Still”—she huffed as if the conversation made her uncomfortable —“I’m not your best friend.” “Noted.” I grinned, knowing that she was totally my bestie. When Esme and I walked back into the castle we’d commandeered, Avyanna glanced up from the dress she was sewing. She grinned and nodded toward the room I’d claimed, which wasn’t much of a room. There was a hole in the ceiling that didn’t keep the cold away or snow out. The bed, which was more or less a small nest of blankets, was as far away from the hole as I could get it. It wasn’t as wondrous as the one I’d made in the library, but we hadn’t been able to go back there. Not after the barrier had weakened to the point that I could put my hand through it. I could hear Jasmine and Siobhan laughing with the children in the basement below me, and the sound made my lips curl. For just a moment, I closed my eyes, trying to remember what that carefree laughter felt like as a child. Back then, I had little to laugh about. Sabine and Kinvara had been the ones to teach me how to fit in. They’d tried to include me, even though I’d preferred to stand in the background and watch. And now they’d both turned on me. My eyes popped open, and I gazed at my reflection in the broken silver mirror. To the left of the mirror, Esme had hung a soft silverish-blue dress. With it was a silver jeweled mask that had silver ribbons attached to the sides. I gently ran my fingertips over the soft material of the gown before picking up the mask and watching the jewels sparkle in the moon’s illuminating light. It was breathtakingly beautiful, and unlike anything I’d ever seen before. It looked as if they had placed a million tiny diamonds into it and then lined the whole edge with chips of dark onyx. “I thought it would take the attention away from that silver mop of hair you’re stuck with,” Esme stated from where she leaned against the warped doorframe. “The dress will also help.” “Where did you get the dress?” I pulled it down from where she’d hung it. “Don’t ask.” She shuddered before making a strange face. “You needed it more, and tonight was the one time you needed to look pretty. If nothing else, maybe you looking like the right choice will keep him from removing your head.”

“Thanks, that’s encouraging.” I calmly turned, scowling at her before she shook her head. “Best friends.” “Not best friends.” A pink hue burned her cheeks, and I silently smiled at the sparkle and glow to her face, which hadn’t been there when I’d first met Esme. “Now, get changed. Your magical portal is waiting to take you to your beast.” She gave me a once over and then turned to leave, but I stopped her. “But I can take it any way I want to take it,” I returned. “You’re infuriating.” “Endearing,” I countered, which made her lip twitch. “Just put the damn dress on and go get what is yours.” I shooed her from the room and couldn’t stop smiling. Quickly, I changed into the beautiful dress with laced straps that covered my chest and stopped at the waist which flowed down into a full-length tulle skirt that dragged over the ground. At least it hid the fact that I didn’t have the right shoes. “I’ll do your hair up, Aria,” Siobhan announced as she strode into the room. “It needs to be up so we can spell it, and place the laces for a backup, in the event they’re preventing magic from being used tonight. It won’t hide the color, but it should make it look less silver in the dim lighting.” Siobhan did my hair into an intricate updo with just enough loose tendrils to frame my face. When she was done, she had me hold my mask in place so she could tie the ribbon for me. Peering into the mirror, I found a beautiful stranger looking back at me. The silver lace made my hair appear lighter and added contrast to the mix. The jewels on the mask sparkled, which made my eyes appear more vibrant. “You’ll need this too.” She handed me a slip of paper, and I took a second to read the elaborate calligraphy scrawled over it. “Mistress of Fire and Water?” I questioned, wondering who Esme had eaten to get this invitation. “So she refers to herself as that, but her name is Lynderia, and she can make fire or water balance in her palm. I suggest when they ask you to make one as proof, use fire. It’s harder to conjure, and make sure it’s not a huge display. I ensured the intended recipient of the invitation was unable to cast until the sun sets tomorrow evening, so you don’t have to worry about

her crashing the party.” Esme shrugged, smirking before her brows wiggled. “And her outfit was pretty. Ready?” I nodded, sucking my lip between my teeth and fidgeting. I followed Esme out to where she’d hidden the portal. Outside, the cool air bit against my flesh, reminding me that the fire hadn’t been lit. “The girls need a fire. I should get the wood before I go.” Pausing, I heard her snort. “They’ll be cold without it.” “Siobhan built one already. They’re fine, and you’re in a dress. Next excuse keeping you from leaving?” she asked without so much as missing a step. “You’re an asshole.” “Exactly why you shouldn’t be my best friend.” We paused in front of the portal, and I closed my eyes. “If I end up dead, this is your fault.” “If you can die, then we’re all fucked anyway. Go get him and remind him who the fuck you are. Show him why he’s a total idiot for not telling you the truth.” After a slow, deep breath, I stepped through the portal. I felt it closing behind me to prevent it from being detected. Swallowing my unease, I looked up at the castle that was lit up. Normally, I assessed them to figure out how I’d bring them down. Tonight, I was trying to gain access to it, and it felt strange to just walk right up to the front door. I made my way down the path and joined the queue of guests waiting in line. Men and women bowed their heads in hushed conversation. Each one spoke of the match hoping to land one or benefit from the union. If I had someone to gossip with, I wasn’t sure I’d be able to, so I just moved with the crowd, slowly getting closer to the door. I handed the card off to a guard. He read the invite and carefully and then glanced at me. “Water,” he stated, and I barely contained the groan. “Fire is harder, isn’t it?” I asked, wondering if Esme had gotten it wrong as I lifted my fingers. The tips of them danced with flames, and I prayed they went out easier this time than they had the last. “Beautiful flames, mistress. Enjoy your time tonight.” He smiled tightly as he stepped aside and allowed me to move past him. My heartbeat was thumping wildly against my rib cage as I ascended the stone steps, and I told myself to focus on my feet so I wouldn’t trip. At

the top of the stairs, I followed the woman in front of me through the massive double doors that were bracketed by guards and brightly lit torches. Inside, the palace was already crowded and “Haunting” by Halsey was playing, revealing that my family was here. With silent strength steeling my spine, I moved deeper into enemy territory and toward the main ballroom. Picking up the skirt of my dress just enough to avoid tripping, I descended the staircase that led into the large room that was decorated elegantly. Instead of waiting to be announced at the bottom of the stairs, I slipped behind the men and blended in with the crowd. Couples danced or spoke to one another, and I passed them. All the while, I scanned the masked faces, looking for familiar oceanic-blue eyes. I found him standing by Killian, Brander, and Lore against the farthest wall, all of them looking as if they’d prefer to be in a field of battle rather than here. They were easily the tallest creatures inside the room, and I kept my eyes on Knox’s black domino mask covered in midnight jewels as I wove through the crowd separating us. A few feet short of them, I stopped and waited for his eyes to find me. His nose lifted into the air, and his predatory gaze was pinned on me. A wolfish smiled lifted his lips, and I started past him, heading through the doorway to his right. I could sense him slowly following. The hallway I walked down were wide, brightly lit, and had several offshoots that I passed before finding one that looked promising. I hurried down it, sensing and hearing heavy footsteps following behind me. It wasn’t only Knox pursuing me. Fear made my entire body tremor, and I fought the panic rushing through my mind, taunting me I’d had been foolish and reckless to come here. What if he caught me and turned me over to Aurora to be detained? What if he was marrying Sabine, and my coming here to throw myself at him was a huge mistake? My steps hastened as I tried to put more distance between us. At the end of the hallway, a doorway came into view, and there was just enough light coming from beyond it to let me know someone had left the door ajar. I pushed inside, and closed the door as quietly as I could before searching for a window to escape through. There were several options, including another door off to the left, but I wouldn’t reach any of them before Knox caught me. If I erected a barrier, the entire party would feel the

power and know I was here. I was the biggest idiot alive for even entertaining this damn idea. I felt his overwhelming presence, which sent butterflies rushing through my belly. His enticing scent enveloped me in calmness. Knox had a way of making the world fade away, and all of my anxiousness and fear vanished with it. He dominated the space, washing away the tension as he stood in the doorway, choosing what happened next. I’d done as he instructed and not allowed anything to prevent me from getting to him. What happened now would define how we went from here. He’d either betray me or protect me. I was giving him trust, and he was aware that I feared nothing that threatened me. Not even him. Unhurriedly, I strode to the wide wooden desk that sat in the middle of the room. The moment I placed my palms flat against the wood, I felt him behind me. His deep sultry purring slid over my skin, and then fingertips slowly drifted up my arms. “Guard the door,” Knox ordered. “No one comes in here.” His hot breath fanned against my neck, and then his mouth touched the curve of my shoulder. “You’re afraid? Is it because you don’t trust me or because you think I’d betray you, Aria?” “You’re not marrying Sabine,” I whispered, unable to admit that I feared both options. “No, I’m not.” His husky laughter vibrated against my shoulder. He leisurely slid his lips from my shoulder, kissing my spine at the bottom of my neck. He brushed a few strands of hair out of his way, gently running his fingers against the skin. One hand slid around to my chest, slowly moving higher until his palm pressed against the base of my throat, forcing me back into the heat of his body. “I have a mate, and she’s brilliant and beautiful inside and out. There’s not another creature in this world who burns brighter than she does. Now, I’m going to remind you of why you chose me, which we both know wasn’t because I was kind to you, wife.” Tears swam in my eyes as he kissed his way to my ear. My entire body trembled with anticipation instead of fear. It was a relief that he hadn’t betrayed me. At least, not in the way that it mattered most. “You are mine, now and forever more, woman. Without you, I will become the monster this world fears you to be. You’re my light, and I will always fight for this thing between us. And no, I no longer think monsters wage war. Love makes them because it’s something that we become as we

fight to keep it, and in the end, it is what will destroy us. I know that now because I’d bring this world to ruins and claim you within the ashes if you ask it of me.” “Hold on to me, Knox,” I whispered. “Not only in this moment but also when the world becomes cruel and war ravishes it. Don’t give up on me. I need you to hold me and not allow me to become a monster. Just don’t let go yet.”

Chapter Fifty-Four Knox’s hungry lips eased the tension, fighting to pull me into the deep abyss. The hand against my throat wasn’t preventing air from reaching my lungs, but it held me in place, prisoner to his hungry lips that gently dragged over the white scars his teeth had left during the claiming. His touch and the way he leisurely explored my skin with his lips was causing my thighs to clench. Lava rushed through my veins, gathering to pool at my core. I moaned, unable to contain the sound of pleasure. The log in the fire snapped, sending confetti of embers dancing, and the pattering of rain that had started outside sought to soothe my frazzled edges. I lifted my head, gazing toward the window I’d thought to use to escape him, and paused at Knox’s heated stare reflected in it. His mouth curved into a smile, and he reached up, untying the mask I wore. It dropped from my face, which had not a trace of magic on it tonight, and landed next to where he’d abandoned his own mask. “You are so beautiful, Aria,” he growled next to my ear, fanning the surrounding skin teasingly. His hands lifted to the thin straps that held my dress up, untying them. My stomach tightened painfully with desire, and there was a soft, needy throb to my clit. “Is your pussy wet for me?” “Always, Knox.” His rich, husky laugher vibrated against my shoulder, sending shooting sparks of fiery lust into my pussy. Knox kissed and licked the skin over the white scars of his claiming marks before drifting his nose against the curve of my throat. He stepped back, allowing the dress to pool to the floor with the subtle movement. His deep rattle of approval had my body tightening and arching. The look burning in his oceanic depths made me bolder, and I no longer cared if he knew how badly I needed him or hungered to be ravished and wrecked by his savage brutality. I wanted him. Nothing else mattered except him easing the tension coiling in my belly. “Spread your legs, hold on to the desk, and don’t fucking move,” he instructed, watching me without touching me like I needed him to. I leaned over the smooth surface, spreading my legs wide, and when he growled with satisfaction, my whole being shivered. He ripped off the thin panties I’d worn, causing a gasp of shock to slip from my parted lips. His

hands gripped my thighs, forcing them farther apart so he could take in the sleek, drenched state of my pussy. “Such a messy girl for me, Aria.” He teasingly pushed his fingertips against the seam of my body. “I love how wet you get for me. You’re fucking drenched with this deliciousness that begs to be savored and devoured until your body weeps it all over my fucking face. This is mine. Every fucking drop of this is for me, isn’t it?” “Yes,” I whimpered, rocking my ass to encourage him to go faster. Knox’s dirty words and heated gaze was sending every nerve ending in my body haywire. Goose bumps pebbled my flesh as he teased my aching need relentlessly. Butterflies were battling in my belly, competing against the tension he’d created in my abdomen. He continued running his finger over the seam of my pussy as he released a rumble of need before he slowly dipped into the heat of my body. “You’re so fucking beautiful, and perfectly built to be savaged. This pussy is already trying to suck anything I’ll offer it into its heated, tight walls. Isn’t it? Can you feel it pulsing, begging me to stretch it until you cry from the ache of it? I fully intend to ensure you fucking hurt when you leave here, Aria. If I can bring myself to leave your haven, you’ll be so filled with me that it’ll leak from your sore cunt for days, reminding you of what I unleashed on your pretty tender pussy. Is that what you want? Is that why you’re here? You want me to destroy this tight cunt until you feel me for days after I’ve finished?” “I need you, Knox,” I whimpered, pushing farther onto the fingers that teased against my opening. “I came here for you. Please, fuck me until you’re written inside my walls and no one else will ever fit right within me. I want it all, all of you. Now, I need you to fuck me, right now.” “Plan to, but first, you need to be punished for making us wait for what we both wanted,” he growled hoarsely, slapping one ass cheek hard. “Who denied us?” I breathed. “You did, and then I did, regretfully. Allowing you to choose this? One of the hardest things I’ve done in my life. I need you to know and realize that it’s not just me pulling us together,” he rasped as he began massaging the sore, pink cheek. I moaned wantonly against the abuse. The heat on my ass cheek ached, but his hand running over it created pleasure. Arousal shot to my opening,

and I blushed as it pooled there. He spanked the same cheek again and again before he rubbed over the delicate flesh. “I think you just love the idea of being caught. And I know you enjoy the thrill and adrenaline that comes from fucking me, your enemy, in some stiff’s office.” I could barely form coherent words as his breath hissed from his lips and he pushed his fingers through the sleek, soaking wet cunt. “I love how sloppy wet your tight, silken cunt gets for me.” His tongue slid through the mess, and I shook from the intense pleasure he delivered with the simple taste. “This is mine,” he continued biting my ass cheek where he’d punished it moments ago. Knox’s hands slid to my breasts, squeezing them tight enough that I moaned loudly. “These are mine.” He roved his finger over my womb, and then the other hand rested above my heart. “These, too, are mine, Aria. And this,” he rasped huskily, touching my temple. “This is what I like most and crave to be inside of. For now, I’ll settle for wrecking your body until it weeps for me. I’m a patient man, and eventually, every part of you will belong to me, and only me.” He forced two fingers deep into my pussy as he kissed a path up my spine. “Knox,” I hissed. “Holy shit, I need you now.” “You’re such an impatient little wanton creature. I assure you, even if I have to slaughter every single mother fucker here and fuck your tight, needy cunt on their lifeless faces, I will. You understand me? This will not be a fast fuck.” Knox turned me around, nipping my lips until I gasped from the shock of pain he inflicted. My knees were precariously close to giving out. My breathing grew shallow as Knox hoisted me onto the desk, placing my ass on the edge. His palms slid beneath my knees, lifting them until my feet went flat on the surface of the desk. The position forced me to lean back, exposing my core to his ravenous eyes. Knox pushed my thighs open and made a deep, rumbling noise as he took in the mess he was creating. His heated breath lowered, and his tongue slipped over me, tasting my arousal. He groaned in pleasure, as if he had tasted the most delightful meal he’d ever indulged in. When two fingers pressed into my needy flesh, I threw my head back to release a loud noise of pleasure. Knox pushed them in to my heat, expertly finding the G-spot as if he had memorized a map to every part of my soul. He chuckled, watching me fucking his fingers with my messy sex. The sound of my wet pussy sucking him into my body filled the room.

“Good girl,” he growled, and then another finger entered my core. I groaned as he forced my body to stretch to accommodate him. “You’re so fucking hot, Aria. You want me to fuck you, don’t you?” He slowly withdrew his fingers to lift and turn me so I was staring up into his oceancolored eyes. I curled my fingers into the hair on the back of his head and yanked his mouth to mine, claiming it in a soft kiss. The tenderness only lasted a moment before it became feverish with need, and I kissed him with every emotion I felt—anger, resentment, pain, and loss—as he kissed me right back, giving those same emotions back to me. He growled against my lips, and his hand lifted, curling around my jaw before applying pressure, demanding more while reminding me who was in control. I opened farther, allowing his tongue access to mine. The kiss ended, and then he was fucking me hard with his fingers, pumping them into my body while he lifted, and I watched the pleasure on his face. I clamped down hungrily around them, taking them deep. He groaned, watching me dancing on the edge of the orgasm he was driving me closer to. “You better not come until I tell you to,” he warned, but I didn’t care because he was curling his fingertips within me. I was shuddering from the way he worked them against the one spot that attached to every nerve within my body. Knox withdrew his fingers moments before I’d have tumbled over the edge. I whimpered as he backed up, eyes fixated on my aching pussy. He smirked, unhurriedly undoing the buttons of his shirt. I needed him to feed my cunt his thick amazing inches until I couldn’t take anymore. “Who do you belong to, Aria?” he asked as his thumbs lowered, flicking open the button of his dress slacks before he fisted his cock. “You, Knox,” I admitted in a voice that belonged to a goddess. It was sultry and filled with need. I leaned back, resting my elbows against the smooth wood. The position spread my legs farther and showed him how badly I needed him. A satisfied smile played on his lips before he lowered his head, licking against the arousal he’d created. I groaned, rocking my hips against his sinfully skilled tongue. His hands hooked around my thighs, lifting my cunt higher, burying his mouth against my aching flesh. My fingers slid through his hair, holding him against me so he couldn’t escape. Knox licked, kissed,

and stroked the fire within me as he dined on my naked pussy. His mouth lifted, claiming my clit before his tongue began flicking hard and forceful against the delicate tissue. He brought me to the edge of the cliff and then pulled away, watching my head thrashing against the desk as I pleaded for him to end the merciless teasing. Once the threat of my exploding against his skilled tongue eased, he resumed his endless torture. The wet sounds of him fucking me with his mouth were erotic and sinful. Each time he brought my body back to the edge and denied me, I ended up twisted tighter and tighter with desperation. Releasing my thighs, he kissed higher until he clasped his mouth over one nipple. His tongue roved in a lazy circle before his teeth slowly scraped over the delicate rose-colored tip. His breath fanned the valley between my breasts, and then he explored the other at a leisurely pace that drove me crazy. “You’re so fucking delicious,” he growled in a tone heavy with gravel. He claimed my lips, gliding his hand beneath my back and shifting me until I balanced on the edge of the desk. “You’re so wet that you’re dripping with your need to be fucked. You’re a messy, dirty girl, aren’t you? Your pussy is ravenous for me to stretch it, isn’t it?” He grabbed his heavy cock to run it over the wetness he’d created. “I need you,” I whispered, barely able to get words out past the anticipation. He pushed the thick tip of his cock into my opening, but when I tried to take more, he pulled away. His eyes held mine, and then he forced my head back as he softly kissed along my jaw, nuzzling my ear before he lowered his lips against the pulse beating erratically with the need churning through me. “You’re mine, Aria.” His declaration vibrated through me as he claimed my throat and entered me at the same moment. I exploded, shuddering intensely against the pleasure he delivered. It was violent and beautiful and not nearly enough. My pussy clamped down, and my arms wrapped around him, keeping him against my throat. Purring exploded from my lungs, and the noise grew louder. Knox pressed his palm against my mouth to quiet the sounds of pleasure while he rocked against my opening and sank his teeth in even deeper. The sound that left my lungs wasn’t human, but it rattled with the bliss his bite and thick cock filled me with. Neither moved once he’d buried

them in me. I gasped, feeling Ember fighting for control as my body clenched down hungrily on his hardness. His feverish tongue slipped over the marks, sealing and showering his claim with fever while I shuddered from the sensations rocking through my entire system like fireworks on the Fourth of July. Knox released my throat, kissing the mark he’d left. Leaning back so he could watch my body sucking him deeper into the constricting, pulsing walls of my sex, Knox withdrew a little, only to thrust back into my pussy harder. His focus lifted, and his hand curved against my cheek before his thumb drifted over my trembling lips and sank into my mouth to stop the moans from escaping. I sucked on it, roving my tongue over his thumb while he watched. “I love it when you sing for me as I ruin your pussy, Little Monster. I wish we were in the library so that you could scream so loud that the entire kingdom knew I was fucking your supple body.” “You fuck me, and I’ll sing any song you want me to, asshole.” I moaned as he pulled out, watching me until his gaze lowered, taking mine with it. His cock swelled, and my eyes rounded, lifting to find flames beckoning me within his. “Pretty little monster,” he whispered. “Lennox,” I whined, feeling him come to the surface. “Who are you?” he whispered, entering me roughly. His cock was thickening to a painful level. I whimpered, rolling my hips to accommodate him, to take more of him into the haven he craved. A gasp of pain escaped my throat, and he smiled, not relenting or showing mercy, as if the way I fought to take more pleased him. “I’m the softness to your hard edges. I am the glue that holds your broken shards together and makes you whole again. I am the one who will carry your children and nourish them with my body. I’m Aria, Queen of Chaos, and your mate. I am your flame, which will keep the fires within you burning. Who are you?” “I’m your strength when you’re weakened. I am the one who will always pick you up if you fall. I’m the one who will plant my seeds in your womb. I am the balm that soothes your soul when you are weary and will protect you when you have need of me. I’m the high king, to my true born high queen. I’m the man who fully intends to fuck you until you plead and beg me to have pity on your sore, swollen cunt. So with that said, I hope

you’re prepared for me tonight?” he asked, slamming into my body until I trembled around his thick cock. “You fit me perfectly, mate.” “They made me for you, Lennox.” I moaned, wishing Ember would take the lead instead of merely watching him stretch me. “So they did, and you are mine, Aria. I promise you that, sweet one. Ember, I see you,” he beckoned her closer to the surface. “Before the night is over, you and I shall meet in passion and finish what we promised to do together. If you refuse to leave the shelter of her, I’ll rip you out of her flesh until you’re the only part of her left. Do you understand me?” I shivered in dread and disbelief As Ember forced me into the back of our mind, baring her teeth at him, unafraid of the beast threatening to end my life. Her hands lifted, cradling his face between her sharp, deadly claws. “I’ll keep my end of our agreement, but you’ll not harm my Aria, Lennox. You want me? Then you’ll let her enjoy his impressive cock before we have our time tonight. If you wish to keep me, you’d do well to remember to never threaten my Aria again. I don’t respond well to violence against her.” He rattled vociferously, which bowed our spine as we yielded to him. Arousal drenched my opening, and this time, Lennox purred his appreciation, pushing in deeper. He released another sound, richer and soothing while his size reduced, easing the tension he’d created on my insides. “Aria,” Knox purred, and I tried to steady my exhale so it didn’t shake with my relief. I grinned demurely, tilting forward to claim his lips in a sweltering kiss of need. Lennox scared the shit out of me sometimes, and Knox perceived that clearly. The soft purring he continued to release supported that thought, and even though I was fighting to keep him against my mouth, I pulled back in shock when his cock began expanding again. Knox’s hand lowered, and he leisurely worked his thumb in a circular motion against my clit. “Come for me. You’re going to need to be soaking wet for what I’m about to do to your pussy. You better scream my name when you come, or I’ll spank your clit until you come from it alone, Little Monster.” “Is that supposed to be a threat or incentive? Because I’m going to come and see if you hold up your end of that punishment,” I breathed, unable to prevent the huskiness of need from slathering on every word I’d spoke. “Dirty girl. Try me. I dare you.”

He didn’t need to tell me twice. Knox worked my clit, forcing friction against my cunt with his gentle and deliberate thrusts until I was whimpering his name and tumbling over the edge. His lips slammed down against mine, cutting off the scream he’d just demanded, and his tongue fucked my mouth with the same exquisite movements as his cock. The kiss was erotic, and had my body careening over the edge again before I’d even come down from the first orgasm. He chuckled, pulling back to cradle my face between his palms. “Again,” he crooned in a raspy, wickedly sinful tone as he continued pumping into and slamming against my silky flesh. “Fuck you’re so wet. You take my cock like a good little slut, don’t you?” he probed, teasing me about what he’d heard me say to taunt Hecate. “Come on, let me see that naughty pussy take more of me. Fuck me like your life depends on it, Aria Karnavious,” he demanded through a guttural purr that had my pussy clamping hard against his intrusion. “Knox, holy shit,” I hissed, lost in the pleasure that rushed through me. My vision blurred, and stars blinked in my field of sight. He didn’t ease up. Instead, he forced me to feel the full magnitude of pleasure he was giving me. Knox was fucking me to prove a point, and I didn’t care what point it was, so long as he didn’t stop. “Fuck!” I felt the next orgasm rushing up, preparing to release, but he reached down, pinching my clit until I whimpered in pain. “Not yet. You’re not using your words. Shall I ease up, or go to war against this messy cunt that’s weeping all over my cock?” I moaned loudly, groaning as he withdrew before slamming into my quivering channel. “You’re such a good girl for me.” He lifted me from the desk and moved until the icy wall pressed against my spine. Knox pinned me there with his hips and stretched my arms above my head, trapping them there in one of his. I tried to chase his mouth, but he laughed off my attempt. “Look at your starving, needy pussy, taking me so greedily that it’s milking my cock, Little Monster. You were built for me. Everything about you calls to me, not just your scent. Your beautiful eyes, they swallow me whole. That bratty, smart mouth of yours, it was made for me as well. It’s like they plucked you from my fantasy and brought everything I’ve ever wanted to life.” His words had tears pricking behind my eyes. His free hand gripped my hip painfully, and I gasped at the delicious sensation of him slamming into my pussy so hard it would leave me sore

long after he’d left my core. He moaned, and I lifted my gaze from where he fucked me to where he viewed himself sinking into my body. Arousal coated his cock, slick and wet with my pleasure. He slowly punched his hips, slamming into my core before pulling out, glistening with even more covering him. His eyelids grew hooded until they closed while he released a tortured groan, purring a rumble of pleasure that vibrated against my skin. “You’re so fucking perfect. How the fuck did I end up with something as precious as you?” “Because our broken pieces fit perfectly together, Knox,” I answered, rolling to meet his thrusting hips. He moved in hurried motions, rocking his hips, pounding me into the wall. Emotion rushed through us, and before I was ready for it, he moved us to the couch. Knox sat with me still tightening around his cock, and the position forced him deeper into my aching cunt. His growl vibrated over my flesh, before he grabbed my hips to use them to control my body. My hands braced on his shoulders, shoving him back against the sofa. I lifted my feet onto the cushions, pushing up until I rocked over his thick, monstrous tip. When I dropped back down, I didn’t give either of us a second to appreciate how he felt seated wholly inside me before I was lifting again, which earned me his deep rattle of pleasure and approval. I leaned forward to lick his throat, mewling against his warm skin. My teeth sank deep, and I slowly rocked on his cock, growling against his neck as he moaned loudly in pleasure. Ember added to the bite, rattling a warning to him to keep him from fighting against her marking his flesh. She pulled back, peering at him with eyes of turquoise and gold, which reflected in his. Blood dripped down his throat, and he grew thicker inside of us, holding her in place. “Wait your turn,” he rattled, slamming harder into my aching cunt. “Lennox will handle your needs later. For now, I want her, and only her.” “You’re getting smarter, Knox.” She leaned over, kissing his lips before slowly relinquishing control, even as she sucked on his throat. “Be gentle with her, as she’s barely holding her pieces together. I won’t let you, or Lennox ruin her.” She sank her teeth into his neck and purred a loud, sultry tone that ripped through the room and had grunting sounding in the hall. “Fucking hell, woman!” The sound he made almost sent me over the edge. His hands slid into my hair, holding my mouth against his throat. My lips tasted the coppery tang that covered his throat as my tongue skated over

it, healing him while he took control of my hips, using them to drive me down faster and harder onto his thick length. He thrust into my body, forcing the threat of another orgasm to rock through me. My head dropped back, and he leaned forward, sucking one nipple into his heated mouth before his teeth sank in. I screamed, coming around him as he hefted me up, walking us back to the desk. His head lifted, and he smiled, watching as I wrapped my hands around his waist and struggled to sit up. I felt him growing within me, which froze me in place, and he chuckled. “You’re so fucked, woman.” He rolled his hips to get deeper into my aching core. “More,” I demanded, holding his stare. Whimpering, I adjusted my ass on the edge of the desk to fit more of him into my body. “Fuck,” I whispered breathlessly, clenching around the painful length growing still. “I ache from you, Knox. I want all of you within me.” Pleading a husky tone, I fought against the tension and pain his cock caused. “You’re so fucking amazing,” he rumbled. He threaded his fingers through my hair, forcing my eyes to where my pussy took it all. “You see how perfectly you take me, mate? Your pussy is sucking on me, demanding my come to empty and spill into your heated cunt. Beg me to fill you with it,” he demanded, mercilessly pumping into my body, even though he barely had room to move. “You’ll fucking give me what I need, Knox.” I laughed huskily, inviting him to where only he would ever belong. He groaned when he felt my womb opening for him, and then he tensed, grunting he emptied his cock into my aching body. His hand slammed against the desk, his chest pressed tightly to mine, and he moaned against my throat. I slipped my hands around his neck and laughed with satisfaction. I hadn’t ever been more turned on and fully fucked in my entire life. His lips slid over my pulse, kissing it tenderly, as he hooked my legs over his arms and continued to come undone inside me. A rattle built in his chest, and his hold on me tightened painfully. His dark head tilted toward the sound of voices rising in argument outside of the door. Something thumped against it. He turned his attention to the sound of Killian, Brander, and Lore speaking loudly. And then they shouted, and he exhaled. Knox peered down, staring at where we joined. “Lennox, let her go,” he growled sharply.

Someone started pounding on the door that held back the people who were arguing, and the other door swung open just wide enough for Sabine to pass before she was shutting it behind her. I groaned with embarrassment as Knox rattled in warning, but she held her finger to her lips while glowering at him. “No time, asshole,” she whispered, grabbing the dress I’d worn and the discarded mask to hide behind the desk. “That’s Aurora outside that door. You want them demanding Aria? Or you want me to play blushing bride-tobe who was eager to fuck the groom who they assume is you? We do this right. She’ll stop fucking demanding this shit happen so quickly.” She pushed Knox forward as heat flamed my cheeks because Knox still had his cock in my womb. Sabine settled on the desk behind me and then pressed against my back. My face flamed redder, and I buried it against Knox’s sweat-slicked chest while tucking my arms between our bodies. I bent my knees, which forced Knox deeper into my body, causing a whimper of pain as the bulging knot within me refused to release. Sabine yanked my legs farther up, bending my knees so that she could cover them with her own skirt. Once she was satisfied with her position, she slid her hands around his waist, holding the dress in place to conceal me. Knox turned us until only her feet were visible from behind his back, and then he started moving. The door burst open, and Sabine gasped, moaning loudly. Knox rocked his hips, and I forced my fist to my mouth to keep the moan of pleasure from escaping. The wet sound of him moving in my body filled the room. “You like that?” He didn’t need to fake the sound of pleasure escaping his lips. “You want more, pretty witch?” Knox murmured against my ear. His scent flooded from his pores and smothered the room until my head spun, and I almost issued a purr of approval. Ember, however, was threatening violence within me. He chuckled, pumping harder into my pussy while Sabine made wanton noises. “Either strip and join us or get the fuck out,” Knox demanded. My eyes rounded at his offer, and I smothered the urge to fight my way off the thick cock stuck in my body to escape. “Sabine?” Aurora’s voice filled with surprise. “Unless you intend to watch me come on my fiancé’s magnificent cock, you should leave,” she stated in a thick tone, heavy with lust. “Apparently, the union’s welcomed by both of them.” A man chuckled, and then the sound of feet shuffling filled the room.

“You could at least wait until after the wedding to offer him your cunt, Sabine. You should leave some intrigue and mystery before selling him the entire cow,” Aurora stated indignantly. “I’m merely making sure the sausage is worth the trouble to obtain. Besides, I’m showing him exactly why he should marry me and stop pining for Aria. My pussy’s good enough to entrap any male. Isn’t that right, King Karnavious? Don’t you think it’s a pussy worth marrying?” Sabine cooed. “I’d marry this pussy just to have it any time I wanted it.” Knox grunted, but he did so against my ear. “Now get the fuck out because I’m about to come and fill it up even more. I’m claiming this one forever.” His rattle sent the warning through the room, which caused the men to rush toward the exit. As soon as the door slammed shut, Knox linked his arms around me and backed up, hissing in warning to Sabine, who slid from the desk hastily. The door she’d come through opened, and I watched over the crest of Knox’s shoulder, as he protected me in the strength of his body, as my sisters started into the room. “Get out,” he snapped. “No.” Kinvara stepped forward, but her eyes were bright with worry. “We just saved you both from being discovered. We will say our piece and then we’ll leave.” Knox grunted, and I burrowed deeper against his chest. I felt him growing within me, and winced at what had to be Lennox’s possessiveness showing. It was the most embarrassing moment of my entire life, and even though Knox was purring to reassure me, tears were still threatening to escape my eyes. His hand stroked the length of my naked, vulnerable back, and he rubbed his nose against my cheek, soothing me. “Say what you need to quickly and then leave.” Knox wasn’t a fan of them, obviously. “Let her go for five minutes so we can see her, King Karnavious,” Tamryn demanded, but Knox bared his teeth, moving with me still attached to him. He retrieved his suit jacket from the floor and wrapped it over my naked backside. “I can’t, so you can either speak to her now or leave.” “Are you stuck together?” Kinvara examined us and then snorted. “You are, aren’t you?” Kinvara asked and then puffed air out as she continued.

“And here I thought only wolves like Aine, and Luna could do that! That means you’re . . . compatible, but what the fuck are you?” Knox chuckled with pride that he’d filled me so full that I couldn’t escape. I clamped hard around him, and he hissed through his teeth, rattling with approval. Ember issued a warning rattle to the women, and Knox smoothed his hand over the back of my head, purring in reply while Ember, the sadistic bitch, clamped down even harder, which shouldn’t have been possible. “Say whatever it is you need to say to her, but it doesn’t appear as if she cares to hear it,” he snarled, holding still either to prevent any more of my embarrassment or so that neither one of us came undone again in front of them. “She has the others, Aria. If we leave her side, they’re as good as dead. We don’t know where she’s holding them or if she gave them to her mother, but they are the only reason we did what we did. Aurora was the one who tore the portal open in Haven Falls, and it was how she got the others here before us. If she didn’t have them hidden here, we’d have chosen you. Do you hear me? She has them, and they’ve been here for a while. Once we locate them, we will join you,” Sabine announced in a fierce whisper. “You’re our blood,” Kinny stated with such conviction I almost believed her. “I love you the same, even if you’re not my sister. You’re one of us, Aria. You’ve always been one of us.” “Blood is thicker than magic, brat. We’re with you always and forever,” Tamryn muttered. “Once they are safe, I promise that we’ll find you. We know we lost your trust and have a lot to make up for because of the choices we made when you were little. You were just an infant, and you deserved to be protected. I failed you time and time again, but I was young, too. If I’d been older, I could have taken you all and run, but I was afraid of them. I love you, we all do. I won’t fail you again, Aria. Do you hear me?” Sabine stated, her voice echoing with reassurance I neither needed nor wanted. “Leave,” I whispered, the single word broken and thick as I fought back a sob. I heard their exhales and soft footfalls of them exiting the room. Knox sat me back on the desk but kept his jacket wrapped around me. “You’re stuck in my vagina, and that was the most embarrassing moment of my entire life.”

“I’m in your womb, woman,” he purred huskily, rocking so I could feel him there. “I enjoy being stuck in your tight pussy.” “How about you get unstuck?” I whispered, fighting the moan that threatened to explode as he continued moving. “I couldn’t even if I wanted to. I’m not the one controlling it, not any more than you are controlling the clenching muscles that are locked around it. It’s how Ember and Lennox come together. This is how we mate one another in our true forms, but you and I can’t accomplish it, so they do it for us. You’re being knotted, Aria. Something I didn’t think was possible in our forms, not even with them controlling it for us. We didn’t get this far last time, but fuck me if you’re not taking it all and this tight pussy wants more.” “Like a lock and key?” I probed, releasing a sultry whimper as my muscles tightened. “Exactly like that,” he stated, purring soothingly while he pushed the hair away from my face and beamed with pride. “Your mind is so quick, and fast to understand what I say.” “Which means you’re not leaving my pussy any time soon?” I breathed, rocking slowly to adjust his thickness within me. “Never,” he promised, cupping my chin. “I am never leaving you, Aria. Do you understand? You’re mine, and this is where I belong. I don’t know how I got lucky enough to get something like you. It doesn’t matter, though, because I never intend to leave you. I know I haven’t been kind, but I will prove that I am not that man.” Tears spilled from my eyes at his sweet words. He held my hips as he pulled out an inch, showing me the issue. I gulped loudly down at how thick he’d grown. My entire body quaked, and he carefully forced himself back into the tight opening. “You are taking it all, mate. Every swollen inch of me, and you’re milking my cock like you own the thing.” He chuckled as I slowly lifted my eyes to his. “You’re not getting any sleep tonight. I can guarantee that right now.” He moved us back to the couch, where he sat and I moaned from the pressure he was creating within me. “You’re mine now forever, Aria Primrose Karnavious. You’ve changed everything. Me. My world. My needs, and so much more that isn’t visible to see from the outside. I don’t know why or how, but you brought light into my darkness and set me on fire the moment I peered into your pretty eyes. I was broken, but you kissed

me and filled every crack until you became the essence within my soul. I can’t quit you. The harder I try to do so, the clearer it becomes, and I don’t want to. You’re my quicksand, and if we are to sink, let it be together.” “So what now?” I whispered huskily, fighting against the hope his words sent through me, wrapping around my heart. “Now? Now I figure out how to sneak you into my chambers so I can fuck you on a soft bed. I’ll need to alert the men, but it can wait. I just want to hold you for a moment and let your touch close out the world.”

Chapter Fifty-Five Ember Stretching my limbs, I purred at the soreness between my thighs and then glared down at where the huge organ remained seated in my pussy. Turning to look at Knox, I jerked him out of the abused channel, frowning at his slumbering form. I pushed him over before sliding back on, riding him in reverse while my hands clamped his powerful thighs. The loud growl that escaped his throat told me he’d awakened, and I slowly rocked my sore pussy over the base of him. “Aria,” he rumbled, leaning up to force us down onto our stomach. “Ember,” I corrected, rocking against him. “Good.” He added more into my already stretched channel. I purred, slowly swiveling my hips, adjusting around him. I felt the change more than I saw it. His nails grew and bit into my flesh, and the huge round tip within me expanded. Lennox grew until I was whimpering, fighting to take the agonizing intrusion of his substantial cock that was swelling to seal my entrance. He chuckled at my distress, forcing my legs excruciatingly wide, and began driving into me with punishing thrusts. Lennox yanked me back, sliding his hand against my throat. His mouth ghosted over my arm, and he didn’t stop hammering into my sore, stinging pussy. The hand collaring my throat tightened. His heated lips skimmed over my shoulder, kissing his way to where Knox had marked Aria. Then his teeth broke through the skin. It sent me careening over the edge and slamming onto his engorged cock, which was wrecking my soft flesh. His clawed hand slid to my clit, rubbing the lengthened nails over it until I was a mewling, whimpering mess. Releasing my shoulder, he licked over the wound before speaking. “It’s about time you allowed me to fuck you, Ember. You take me so eagerly, and this pussy is gushing to take me deeper, isn’t it? It’s as ravenous as you are, clamping on to my lengths to steal what you need. Open your womb for me and let me in, mate. I need to be deeper to fill your haven with what you

crave. Open for me or I’ll make you, and you won’t like me when I do,” he snarled. Clearing my mind and shielding Aria from what was happening, I opened for Lennox until he made a keening sound that had me mirroring him. “Fucking hell, that’s so perfect. I’m buried so deeply in your needy, starving cunt that I feel it begging me to fill it more. Do you want me to fill your womb and tight pussy until you ache from being stretched on my cock?” “Yes, fuck, yes. I need you to wreck it and satisfy my hunger. I am finally in control and here for this shit! I almost wish Aria could see you so she could understand my need to be fucking savaged, Lennox. I’m going to need you to shut up and fuck me now!” Lennox chuckled coldly. “I don’t think your gentle host is ready for that, Ember. Aria barely took a fraction of my cock, and it hurt her. I tire of hearing Knox’s incessant whining about how delicate she is. He fears I will rip her delicious, tender cunt open. He’s yet to understand that you’re mine as surely as Aria is his. You were made to take me here, and I hope you’re not as whiny as she was because you’re about to take me into that snug, blistering channel.” “Fuck, yes! Show me how wicked you are, and I’ll sing while I ride that dick. Now stop talking and ruin it for real, okay? Limited time here, and I want my vagina to rejoice and scream your praise before my host wakes and begins screaming at the sheer size of that monstrous cock.” He lifted, sliding his hand around my belly to ensure I didn’t move or feel the pain of his cock leaving, but it still ached and created a sensation of loss. I whined, bucking my ass for him to mount me, and lips brushed against my flesh before his tongue jutted out, licking my skin. He gently nipped my shoulder where he’d already bitten me and began rubbing his girthy lengths against my pussy. I groaned, not willing to peer between my thighs to see how red or swollen my core was becoming. Lennox recalled his claws before pumping his fingers into my opening. A groan built in his chest and slowly turned into a purr of approval as my body released its scent for him. Arousal coated my pussy, and the walls clamped down with impatience. I rattled for him to return and fill me with his essence.

“You’re such a needy thing, Ember,” he growled, pushing his fingers deeper into my core until I was fucking them hard. “You’re sucking my fingers, and your womb is weeping for my come and begging me for more, isn’t it?” “I’d suck on more if you’d start fucking me, mate.” I pushed against his fingers, clenching around them, knowing it would drive him wild. He growled loudly, the sound vibrating right into my clit and curling deep inside my womb. “Please, Lennox. I need you to fill me because I ache without you.” I pulled away, which had the razor-sharp tips of his claws threatening to break the skin on my hips where he held me. Turning, I found him standing over eight-feet tall with tattoos pulsing over his flesh. Inky tendrils began at his claws and covered his arms in a soft, obsidian hue. His hair was darker, but it was still a soft shade of dark caramel. The hair on his body had vanished, making his thick, erect cock appear larger than life. His teeth had sharpened, and they caused my shoulder to throb with the need to have them sink into the meat and claim me brutally. In this form, he was a fierce predator, and I wanted him to hunt me, throw me on the ground, and ravish me until I knew nothing else but him and the sheer dominance he exuded. His scent was much more noticeable in this form. The spice was yummy, but the masculinity, hint of whisky, and sin collided, pleasing my senses. Lennox didn’t move, simply allowing me to take his form in leisurely. I allowed my features to shift, revealing my form to him. His mouth lifted on one side, and his eyes grew hooded with lust and pride. I had similar nails and black coloring that moved up my arms, stopping just below my elbows. His ravens had spread out as if they surveyed the surrounding area and were prepared to fight for their beast. He reached up, testing the softness of my hair between his black talons. The raven-colored tips at the bottom of the silver strands pleased him. His palm touched my cheek, and he purred with satisfaction as the mark Aria had revealed reflected brightly in his eyes. “My beautiful mate,” he growled, lowering to kneel before me. “Our babies, Lennox. I rid them from our womb and feared it would anger you,” I admitted carefully. Aria had said I’d been cold and indifferent about their passing, but she felt with human emotions I lacked. I’d wondered if he was like me and hadn’t minded them being lost because of the taint they’d held.

“You did what you had to do, Ember,” he reassured in a soft tone, pushing my thighs apart to stare at the proof that his host had truly and thoroughly fucked Aria. “Such pretty, soft flesh you offer me to feast on.” I smiled while reaching forward and sinking my fingers into his hair. He licked the inside of my thigh, uncaring that his essence painted my skin. Creatures like us? We didn’t care about such things. Lennox tasted his way up one thigh and then the other before I felt him nudging against my core, scenting my need. Fear that he’d not approve of our scents mixing exploded through me, and his deeply rich laughter vibrated against my pussy, forcing my eyes to narrow. I struggled to sit up, but his tongue slipped through my sleek slit, and I panted with need. A rattle slowly turned into loud purrs of approval as he ferociously tasted my cunt. His tongue grew longer, wider, and more brutal as my body released arousal for him to taste. Knox was good at this, but Lennox was the fucking king. He fucked and nipped, sliding his tongue straight to the one spot within me that shot pleasure rushing along my nerves. My fingers pushed through his hair, and he growled his approval, sating his hunger to feast on my core. The noises he made were predatory and raucous, but I didn’t care. He could take it all and never leave where he was. Aria would get over it after he made us come for days. Withdrawing his tongue from my depths, he lifted his mouth higher, flicking my clit before sucking it between his teeth to nibble on it teasingly. Lennox watched as my hands lifted to my breasts, pushing them together, and he climbed my body as if I were luring him. My foot lifted, pushing him back. “You promised to tell me what you know. You’ll provide me the information of what we are and what you know in exchange for me opening her womb for you to fill, Lennox.” “You’re a dragon or a phoenix. Now spread your pussy and let me fuck you as they created us to do, female.” I snorted. “I knew that, but that doesn’t tell me what I am. Tell me, Lennox. What are you?” He was losing his patience with me, but I wasn’t backing down. “I am what Knox is, and when he’s ready to tell Aria, he’ll do so. You’re not naïve enough to think I’ll betray my host any more than you would yours, Ember,” he warned, forcing my leg over his shoulder while he rubbed his cock against my opening. “Now lie back, and don’t think to stop

me, either. The first time will hurt, but you’ll grow accustomed to it eventually. I suggest you prevent your host from awakening because I no longer intend to shield her from what she’s been fucking.” He’d grown, and I gaped at the large appendage he thought to force into my tender flesh. Knox had spent hours taking Aria through the night, using us to ease the mutual hunger we all felt after being denied for so long. Lennox apparently had missed the memo that Knox had been brutally delicious to the same place he was about to pillage and plunder. Or, he didn’t care, which I had no intention of complaining about. His thickly rounded tip slipped into my opening, and I moaned huskily. It was a good thing Aria had succumbed to the oblivion that Knox had fucked her into, or she’d be screaming right now. Last time, he’d gone very easy on her pussy, but he no longer resembled her mate, and neither did any part of him. He forced the tip in deeper, and I felt her stirring. A strangled scream built in her throat. I didn’t remove my stare from where he was forcing his hard, beautiful cock into my naked, wet sheath. Lennox hadn’t even given us a hint about how massive he was last time, and even though we didn’t have access to the ability to shift, we could still use what the gods gave us. And a very generous god blessed this bastard. Lennox withdrew, rubbing his cock through the wetness of my pussy. He growled, catching and holding my eyes with his soulless ones. Embers danced within them, and then he forced his cock halfway into my body without warning, causing my body to jerk and a scream to rip from my throat. Aria’s own scream was brutal within me. Her labored breathing built while she tried to figure out what was ripping us apart. She bucked, fighting me for control to escape what was hurting us. I snorted, which caused Lennox’s eyes to narrow. “I would go back to sleep, little Aria. You’re not prepared to feel me yet. I let you fuck him, and now, you’ll let me fuck Ember,” Lennox warned, leaning closer to hiss against my lips before he turned and nibbled along my jaw, working his way to my throat. He hefted me up, slowly shifting us while he spoke to Aria, who was still screaming within me. There, he laid me back and rubbed my clit in slow, soft circles. “Son of a monster cock!” Aria howled as he forced another inch into my wet, weeping pussy. “Get that thing away from my vagina, Ember! Oh

my God, it fucking burns, bitch!” “If you can’t handle my mate, go back to bed. As he said, it’s our turn, Aria. I listened to you grunting and begging Knox to fill us, and I didn’t complain once!” “That was because he was not fucking us with that monstrous thing! That’s not a dick you idiot. It’s a weapon of mass vaginal destruction! Oh fuck—run! Fight or something—oh shit! Fucking hell, that fucking aches. It’s not meant to go there! He’s going to rip us apart, you daft bitch, run. What the fuck’s he trying to do? Bruise our fucking lungs, or empty that one-eyed woman cleaver in them? Are you insane? That thing isn’t right! It’s not right, I tell you. Damn it, Ember, do something or let me out so I can scream like a bitch, so he at least knows it fucking hurts!” “He won’t wreck it too badly. If he did, he’d be stuck with a broken vagina, and no one wants a broken vagina, right?” “He’s fucking murdering our pussy. Lennox is destroying it as we speak, you idiot. Oh my god, what is fucking happening? He wasn’t like this before.” “He was being easy on you. Lennox has decided it is time to unleash our true forms and fuck like wild animals. He’s so vicious and perfect, isn’t he?” “Monster sex, we’re having actual monster sex. You know that after his so-called gentle sex, I couldn’t walk right for days, correct? This hellish world doesn’t have ice packs to shove down there, bitch.” Lennox thrust furiously into my pussy, forcing his cock in until he filled every part of me with his deliciously solid length. I moaned, blinking past the pain he created as he started unleashing hell on my cunt. He wasn’t using human-ish motions. Instead, he was fucking rutting me into the mattress. Lennox paused, flipped me onto my stomach, and slammed back into me I lifted my head, howling as he battered against my uterus. He was brutally taking what he needed, and the noises he made were to encourage my cunt to accept it, to not fight him. Only he was fucking huge and still growing. His tip swelled inside me, and it pulsed, sending the message to my womb that he wanted in and would use force if I denied him. He rumbled, hissing as he thrust without stopping. Wet sounds of bodies meeting in a breeding frenzy echoed in the room, and his hands clawed my