Page 123 of Poisoned Kingdom
‘Should I expect you to share a bed with every Crown mage?’ she teased, shifting slightly to make space for me. ‘I don’t think I’d like that.’
‘No. You see, only a vivamancer can enter the king’s bedroom. We kings should havesomestandards, you know,’ I answered with a wink, pleased at the blush that painted her cheeks. Its colour deepened when I whispered in her ear, ‘There will be no one else but you, Viper.’
The bed creaked when I changed position to lay my head on the pillows, but as I moved, I gathered Sana into my arms, pulling her closer until her head lay on my chest. She sighed, wrapping herself around me, and the world finally felt right.
‘Your heart is racing,’ she said, her ear on my chest while her hand tapped the rhythm on my skin.
‘I’m a man in bed with a beautiful woman. Cut me some slack.’ I laughed, acutely aware of her proximity and my body’s response.
Her eyebrow lifted, but she didn’t pull away. ‘Oh, is that so?’
‘Yes, it’s that simple.’ I buried my face in her hair and inhaled deeply. ‘Standing in front of those fucking doors, knowing you were in pain . . . I’ve never been so scared in my life—and I’ve faced the Lich King’s army.’
She nestled in closer, her hand drawing circles on my chest—slow, mesmerising movements that made my muscles tense. I watched, fascinated, as her hand continued down my abdomen, fingers playing with my belt, so close to my bulging hardness that I struggled to breathe.
This mischievous woman knew what she was doing. If the smile that teased the corner of her mouth wasn’t proof enough, her hands were.
‘Rey . . . did you mean it when you said you’re all mine?’ she asked.
I groaned when her hand drifted upwards to tug the laces of my shirt loose, one after another.
‘Every word, my light. Feel free to explore,’ I said, proud of how casual my voice sounded when all I wanted was to growl my frustration at her moving away from my shaft. Still, if she wanted to touch me, I’d endure her teasing, afraid that a random sound, one badly-placed word, would spoil the moment.
It wasn’t my first time with a woman, but the anticipation rising with every stroke of her dainty hand made me feel like it was. My body was taut with need for her. Pent-up desire burned through my veins, urging me to take action. I hadn’t felt like this for years, and I didn’t want it to end. I wondered if I should shift and capture her lips; they were so close that if I turned my head, I could kiss her.
No, that isn’t why I asked to stay. What bastard thinks with his cock when the woman he loves has just been tortured?I scolded myself, acutely aware she’d snuggled so close to me that there was no gap between her body and mine.
Sana’s hand slid under my shirt, fingers playing with my old scars in the most exquisite of torments. I forced myself to think about military rations and dwarven petitions just to stay in control, wanting so much more but fearing to ask.
‘What else is included in this royal treatment?’ she murmured against my skin, lips brushing my neck as her hands slipped even lower.
‘Whatever you want, Viper,’ I groaned, my hands nearly tearing the sheets when her teeth grazed my skin.
‘How noble of you, rescuing a damsel in distress, then letting her do what she wants,’ she said, straightening slowly, dragging a single nail down my chest until it reached my belt. Her gaze met mine—and whatever she saw there made her smile. ‘Don’t move, Your Majesty.’
‘Fuck, Viper . . .yes.’ My voice broke on a groan. ‘I’ll be as noble as you want, grant you every indulgence, but have mercy, I’m just a man—’ A guttural sound escaped me as she pressed her hand over my cock, squeezing it through my breeches. ‘Sana, please . . . more.’
Her pure, bubbly laugh lit my soul even as my hips bucked, body arching, desperate for more of her touch. But when I reached for her, she stopped me with a hand to my chest.
‘No?’ The word rasped out of me, tangled in confusion. She was the one guiding this—why push me away?I searched her face for an answer, fighting for control, trying to understand. Maybe this wasn’t the time. Maybe I’d misread something. I grasped a shard of my sanity and forced myself to be still.
‘Rey, I . . . I was helpless, so bloody helpless. I-I want . . . I need . . .’ She was as lost as I was, but her stuttered words gaveme the strength to stop, to yield to her needs. My Viper could have all the damn power she wanted. If it helped her forget the geas trial, I would let her tie me to the bed and use me as she pleased.
‘I understand, my light.’ I smiled, easing back and placing my hands above my head in surrender. ‘I’m at your mercy. Touch me, little Viper. All is yours to take.’
And as her eyes darkened, hungry and hesitant, I knew my torment was only just beginning.
Chapter 44
Roksana
Despite the gentle smile playing on his lips, Rey’s intense gaze lingered on my face. Golden light swirled in his eye like molten sunfire, and beneath it simmered something far more primal: hunger.
‘Are you sure?’ I asked, but he didn’t move. Still lying in the same pose, his chest rose and fell in shallow, rapid breaths, hands clenched above his head as if I’d tied him to the bed.
You make loving you easy, Rey,I thought.
How could I not, when this man would face mages for me—when he would give himself so completely, so unflinchingly, to whatever I needed? To be taken as I wanted.
