Page 32 of Owned By the Fae
He rolls his eyes. ‘Grow up, Kallum. It's been a long time since we were here. I’ve merely been getting to know the lay of the land again.’ His gaze bores into me. ‘So, you’ve seen the Harbinger.’
I nod slowly.
‘What else have you done?’
I grin. ‘You know me too well,’ I drawl.
‘Is she—’ He stops himself and turns away.
‘She seemed well, if that's what you're asking. Though I don't know why you'd care.’
He stiffens but doesn't say anything as he leaves the room.
I hear him go up the stairs to his own chamber and close the door.
I go upstairs myself. It's getting later, and the sun is setting. I look up at the keep, and I see a light in Lia’s chamber.
I stare at it for a long time until the moon is high and the light blinks out. Only then do I get into my own bed and try to sleep, planning for the next time I'm going to visit my human.
I think I’ll make sure she’s awake for me next time.
Chapter Five
Lia
It can't be real, but as my body forgets the pain and leans towards the pleasure of my dream, I wish it was. I might hate The Cunty Betrayers for leading me here, but I can't forget the way that they, Kallum and Grey specifically, made me feel.
I imagine it's Kal between my legs, licking me slowly, savoring me, and taking his time just the way he did when we were stuck in Rondorai.
My heart aches even as my body begins to succumb to the pleasure. I miss them, I realize with a sinking feeling. I miss Kal’s playful banter, his laugh, and the fact that he seemed to understand what I needed better than I did. I miss Grey's growly, animalistic nature and the way his presence made me feel secure. I even miss Dane's aloof, know-all attitude. That he was always in control. I felt safe with them, which is ridiculous. I know that. I have only to look around at where I am, what they've done to me.
But my body doesn’t seem to care. I let out an audible moan, moving my legs further apart and imagining his tongue is lapping at my core. It feels so real, and it’s a welcome distraction from my grim reality.
The blanket falls away, and I come with a small cry. It washes over me gently. It's the first pleasure I've felt in weeks, and it brings tears to my eyes.
I had missed that as well, I realize, as the sensations ebb. I think I feel something brush against my breast, and I sigh contentedly even though I know I’m alone. I pretend that Kal is next to me, imagine that I’ll wake up with his arms around me, even though it makes me want to cry because it isn’t real. Nothing good here is.
I sink deeper into my dreams, and I find myself at the Black Lake with the dark version of myself. It looks even more like me now though its flesh is still black and grey. It’s shiny, too, as if it's me but covered in the tar-like substance from the lake. Its eyes are bright but solid black. It’s as Dark Realm as they come. I would have said pitiless before the cell. But I know better now.
‘Where have you been?’ I ask, stumbling toward the Harbinger, readily admitting that I’ve missed it.
‘This binding that's been put on us … it's making me weaker than the ones before. It’s different. Much stronger.’
It clicks its neck, its mannerisms seeming more human than before, and it sits abruptly on the ground, lying down and looking up at the inky black sky above us.
‘It feels heavier,’ I say, in understanding.
It nods. ‘For me as well.’
‘You need to find a way like you did before,’ I murmur. ‘We can’t do anything but what he wants if we can’t free ourselves.’
‘How things have changed,’ it says with a small smile. ‘Only weeks ago, you would have been overjoyed at finding a binding that would work on me properly.’
I don’t answer, not quite ready to face the past we share nor the crushing guilt I’ve always felt at the deaths caused by the Harbinger … by me for harboring it. But the truth is, my anger with it was misplaced. Borne of fear. There was noresisting Varrik once he found my weakness, irrespective of the Harbinger’s murderous temperament. I regard it thoughtfully. After all it’s done since we were brought back, the friendship that’s materialized between us, I don’t believe that it’s anywhere near as bloodthirsty as it was at the beginning. Is it a trick? Perhaps. Or, perhaps its nature truly has changed as it’s seen through my eyes.
‘But things are different now,’ it says, almost echoing my thoughts.
I frown. ‘What do you mean?’
