Page 17 of Captured By the Monsters
Confusion pinched my brows together as Axton coughed pointedly, the meaning clear: Shut the hell up.
I nibbled my lip, pondering their meaning. It never occurred to me that the monsters might call their domain something else. In fact, it never really occurred to me to think about them as people. Not humans, obviously, but sentient, living beings who had thoughts, emotions, and feelings. I stared at the glittering jewels, lowering myself more into the warmth of the water.
“There must be a fortune in stones in here,” I pointed out, not that I was any gem expert.
“Yes, these are diamonds, rubies, and emeralds,” Sylan said, walking over to the cavern wall, indicating the white, red, and green stones.
“Diamonds?!” I squeaked, gawking at one bigger than my face.
“Yep, diamonds,” Axton confirmed. “And over here we have amethyst, sapphire, topaz, onyx, and citrine.”
“The whole rainbow!” I joked. “Wow. Can you imagine the jewelry you could make?”
“Jewelry?” Rowen parroted, as if intrigued by the idea. Even though I could make out the general form of him, only his lips and teeth were clearly evident. A rather disconcerting sight, but intriguing nonetheless.
“Yeah, like rings, earrings, and necklaces, you know…”
My monsters nodded, but I wasn’t sure if they knew what I was talking about. Swimming about, I could feel the water relaxing me, making me drowsy once more in its warm embrace, but Sylan came over with a platter of what I assumed was food. Nothing looked familiar, but it smelled heavenly—like bacon and eggs, my absolute favorite comfort foods after mashed potatoes.
Really potatoes in any form were amazing.
“Let me feed you, precious,” Axton directed as I paddled over, and I mulled over whether to allow them such an intimate moment. I laughed internally at the question. I’d let them get far more intimate with me than that already. What would it hurt to allow him to hand feed me?
He lifted something to my lips–an interesting image with a shadowy hand holding food– and I decided to trust him. Opening my mouth, he dropped something salty and savory on my tongue. I moaned at the taste exploding from whatever I’d bitten into—a cross between the most succulent roast beef, smoked bacon, and a hint of garlicky cheese.
This moment felt very tender between us and I once more found myself questioning all of the prior notions I’d had in my head of what these monsters would be like. So far they had been kind and gentle, true to their word of wanting to take care of me, and provided whatever I needed.
The second I swallowed that bite, I groaned theatrically at the exquisite flavor and opened for another. I didn’t realize what a show I was putting on until Axton shifted, stifling a groan of his own. Feeling like a sleepy, naughty kitten, I decided to bait my monster, sticking out my tongue for more meat.
Why was I being so playful with him like we were lovers who knew each other, mentally and physically? The answer scared me.
It felt natural to be this way with them, despite knowing I needed to keep a wall between us.
This time when he went to drop a piece down, I caught his finger, twisting my tongue around the digit coyly. He didn’t bother tamping down his growl, and satisfaction swept through me. I might be inexperienced, but I still could turn on these creatures. I felt powerful and in control with that simple fact.
A part of my brain reminded me that I didn’t want that, but I still felt validated in my accomplishment.
“Stop it,” Axton scolded lightly.
“Make me,” I taunted back, and I heard him suck in a breath. From nearby, Rowen’s lips curved into a smile of acceptance at my challenge.
Fuck. Maybe baiting them wasn’t the smartest move.
“With pleasure,” Rowen purred as Axton moved away, taking the food. “Are you still hungry?”
I nodded slowly, feeling like his question might be a trick.
“Come taste what I have for you,” he enticed, his cheeky tone sparking my defiance. As if he thought I’d back down with ease.
To my surprise, a giant cock was presented as the light from the crystal dimmed, alerting me that its energy was being used. I gasped in shock, losing my footing and landing on my ass with a splash. Rowen laughed, but Sylan chided him to knock it off and be nice.
“I was only teasing,” he chuckled. “Besides, aren’t you curious—have you ever seen one before?”
Only in grainy videos, but they didn’t need to know that.
“It’s okay to be curious. No one’s going to punish you here.”
Rowen’s words stirred something inside of me. For the first time, I felt free to choose. I could explore if I wanted to, with no worry of being caught. I could do whatever I pleased. And even crazier, I felt safe to do so with them. They had protected me and nurtured me so far. I had no reason to think they’d do otherwise for now.
