Page 29 of A Cage of Magic and Darkness

A groan escapes me, and I move my hand up and down my length, squeezing when I get to the base, like I’mmilking myself. I grow even harder, my balls tightening. In my head, it’s Taelyn’s hand that’s working me, and she covers the head of my cock with her mouth and starts sucking me off like one of the whores I used to visit. With one hundred percent effort. She’s moaning and licking and sucking, all the while watching me.

My hips jerk into my hand, and I spill my seed in a gush of intense pleasure. My ass cheeks clench, my thighs trembling. The white fluid splatters my stomach and then comes again and again. All those years of not being able to touch myself means I didn’t last long, and I have one hell of a backup. I’m soaked in my own cum.

Fuck.

I snort laughter and climb off the bed to head to the shower.

One day, I swear to myself that I’ll get to experience the real thing.

16

TAELYN

Instead of callinga meeting and announcing Prince Ruarok’s return to all the members of court in one go, I decide to start small. Everyone is already reeling from the news about the collapse of the tower. Perhaps, in the wake of the rulers’ deaths, the return of the king’s son won’t be such a big deal.

Despite my self-assurances, my stomach fizzes with nerves. I stop by my rooms to change. I’d instructed Skylar to bring a change of clothes to the king’s offices, but I was led astray by the key before she had the chance to find me. She’s probably wondering where I got to.

I believe Cirrus most likely already knows. He saw me with the key. After speaking with Ruarok, it wouldn’t surprise me if Cirrus played his part in ensuring Ruarok remained locked inside that cage. I can’t believe he’s known all this time. Because I don’t have my stepfather to be angry with, I find myself directing my fury and disbelief in his direction.

I find him in the library. He stands at the bookcases, his back to me.

“Cirrus, I need to talk to you.”

He turns to face me.

I realize I still have the key, and I hold it out for him to see. “I believe you know exactly what this key opens.”

“What have you done, Princess?” Cirrus’s face is pale, his eyes wide.

“Righting a grievous wrong.”

He shakes his head. “You’ve made a terrible mistake.”

Anger and disbelief spills from me. “How could you just live your life, knowing the prince was rotting beneath ground? You watched Ruarok grow up, did you not? To grow from a boy into a man, and yet you allowed him to be served the cruelest of punishments.”

It occurs to me that Cirrus and I aren’t the only ones to know this. Ruarok also knows. Is that why Cirrus looks so panicky now? It’s not because he believes Ruarok is any danger to me or the kingdom, but actually fears that Ruarok might get his revenge?

Cirrus’s lips pinch. “He deserved what he got. I can’t believe you’ve released him.”

“If it makes you feel any better, I will ensure Ruarok doesn’t harm you.”

He barks laughter. “You really believe the prince will listen to a single word you say?”

I straighten my shoulders. “Your words offend me, Cirrus. I am the future queen. You do not speak to me that way.”

“Apologies, Princess. I’m just fearful of what Ruarok will do next. He is not a good person. He will come after the throne.”

“No. He understands that I am the person in line to take the throne. He has spent the past ten years inside a cage. He knows nothing of the kingdom as it is. He is too weak to rule.”

“He is the only blood relative to the king.”

“The dead king. Blood means little when the person is no longer alive. I am the next in line for the throne. I am the one who has been here at the castle for the last ten years, learning how everything runs. I am the one who has refused all offers of marriage because it is my destiny to be Queen of Askos, and ruler of Highdrift.”

“Ruarok would argue that he has been here, also.”

“I’ll deal with Ruarok when I need to. I have more important things to worry about right now.”

He lets out a sigh. “I know you believe that, Princess, but Ruarok is as much a threat to you and all of Askos as the rot is. You were young when we had to…deal with Ruarok. You don’t know what he’s like. The things I’ve seen him do—” He cuts himself off and shakes his head. “I can’t even speak of them in front of someone such as yourself.”

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