Page 140 of Her Dark Promise

My thoughts wandered back to the humans behind me. My thoughts always went back to them, wanting to focus on happier memories. Of cocks buried inside of me. Of soft lips caressing mine. Being held. Desires that ignited whenever they were in a room. Of friendships created out of despair and mutual understanding. It was more than I had ever been given.

Even when I was human, I was never close to anyone my age, having always felt a disconnect between myself and others. I never let anyone in besides my family, Belle and…Circe.

So, just thinking of letting them in terrified me.

But could it be that simple?

Could I trust them? Could I truly let go?

Could I simply decide to change? Wake up and decide to be someone different? Someone loving, caring,trusting? I suppose that was what being human was all about—choosing to be someone different despite your past mistakes. To wake up and choose to be better.

The idea was absurd and confusing.

Soren sat across from me, mirroring my movements. “It has been weeks since you last answered a question of mine.”

I looked at him and chuckled. It was a small laugh, but it was genuine. Not forced. It felt good. “Was my story a few days ago not enough to keep you reeling for years to come?”

“I don’t believe I have ever heard you laugh,” Soren said as wonder sparked in those ocean-blue eyes.

“You may be shocked at this revelation, but I used to do quite a bit of it.”

“You don’t say.” Soren looked outside and then back at me, like he was taking a moment to ponder. “Nope. Don’t believe you. Do it again; I think I imagined it.”

I couldn’t help but laugh again and playfully push his shoulder. He was being playful, and I couldn’t help but notice how his eyes lightened. He had the sleeves of his white undershirt pushed up taut against his lean arms. I wouldn’t say they were slender. No, he was muscular, but not bulky. I wanted to run my hands up his arms and feel just how tight the sleeves were against him, but I refrained. Instead, I looked at his face. He was wearing his glasses, which made him look sophisticated and boyish at the same time. And when he bowed his head down, his golden hair fell into his eyes.

I had to tear my eyes away.

“Your grace, how about we retire for the night? Hearing you laugh has me hard for you.” Callum was at my side, hands racking over my body. He had become more emboldened ever since I kissed him, touching and kissing me any chance he could.

“No need to worry, little bird. Soren doesn’t wish to fuck me; he only wants my mind.”

Callum looked at Soren. “Then he’s a fool.” He lifted my hand and kissed the back of it.

I reached up and patted his face hard enough to make him gasp. “On the other hand, Bastian, you may have to worry about.”

I bit my lip as I gazed at Bastian from under my lashes, and the look he gave me was feral. As much as I willed my body to not react, a pulse shot through me, remembering the delicious way he had choked me against the tree.

“Your grace?”

Callum pulled me from my thoughts, and I stilled when I felt my hand absentmindedly skim my neck, remembering how Bastian’s hand had felt. I forced it down and looked quickly away from Bastian. Smiling wickedly back up at Callum, I said, “Let’s go break a bed, shall we?”

We had barely entered my chambers when Callum was on me, mouth skimming my neck, hands squeezing my ass to his already hardened length. My nipples pebbled at the change in pace. He missed this—us—together, multiple times a day. He was making up for lost time.

I pulled his hair back, and ran my tongue up his neck, tasting him, needing to drink him in.

“Fuck,” he hissed.

I smiled against his neck and turned around, giving him my back. He leaned down and kissed up my shoulder, then nibbled the lobe of my ear while unlacing my dress, letting it drop to the ground. Layer after layer until I was just in my stockings.

I raised a knee and placed it on the bed, leaning over to show him exactly what I wanted him to focus on. I heard him whimper behind me as he got on his knees, lifted my foot, and licked the sole, sucking on each and every toe, taking his time.

He splayed his hands on my thighs, rubbing them up and down as his nose skimmed my inner thigh before spreading my ass and pressing his face against me, inhaling deeply. I had to hold onto the sheets for support, my legs suddenly going weak. The material of myculottewas thin enough for me to feel his hot breath and the lap of his tongue.

He pulled them down over my waist, down my legs, and threw them aside. I turned my head, our eyes landed on each other, and he leaned in to run his tongue from my clit all the way up to my ass. His tongue swirled around my back entrance, making my insides melt.

“Callum.” His name came out in a whisper, unable to speak louder. I reached behind me and grabbed his hair, pushing him closer. His movements turned frenzied, my movements started jerking and I knew I was close. He reached his hand between my legs and circled my clit with his fingers. I couldn’t hold it in any longer and screamed out his name.

We were both breathing hard as he kissed each cheek before standing behind me and grabbing onto my hips. I lifted myself, grabbed his arm, and tugged him until he stood between me and the bed.

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