The Taming

As She Wishes It

He rose up and she greedily unlaced his breeches and withdrew his hardened length from his pants.

Groaning he kicked from his pants and replaced his finger with his root. Sinking into her heat and feeling her body stretching to accommodate him.

A sweet body unused to the intrusion of man. He was instantly flooded with possessiveness. Wanting to make her his, and mark her so no other man or beast could put a hand on her without grave consequences.

"Get this dress off me."

His gaze fell to the many laces tying down the front and the long layers of skirts.

"Tear it off. Like you did your shirt." She said urgently.

His brows shot up.

"Now, Sebastian."

He complied before surging roughly into her. Desperate with the need to drive into her. Mount her like the beast he was.

But even as he filled her, he yearned for more. Knowing he'd never get enough of her. His tawny hair fell in gold waves down his back as he lifted his head to moan.

She circled her legs around him to draw him deeper into her and she rose up to meet him. Driving him in so far, he wondered if he'd pierce her too deeply.

She screeched in pleasure, and he felt what he'd sought. The damp heat of her ecstasy soaking him.

***

As daylight crested the treetops across Meadow Mountain, Bast found himself standing at the window slit of her chamber, oblivious to the chilly morning breeze across his bare torso. His arms crossed thoughtfully over his defined chest. Feeling the muscles in his body wound with tension.

At some point last night, they'd made it from his library, still in the throes of passion, to her chamber without being witnessed by the whole household.

A miracle in itself.

She'd been warmer than he could've imagined as she responded to his every touch like coming alive. Kissing along his collar and joining his mouth as if she couldn't get enough. Despite that I likely taste like bitter ale.

She was passionate. Loud and beautiful. Generating blissful heat and drowning him in the scent of wildflowers.

I want more. Already thinking of her nipping bites on his chest and shoulder had his body responding in ways that had him shifting next to the window. Ripping his mind away from the erotic images, he refocused on what he saw outside. Unwilling to think about the effects of the decision he currently made.

Somehow spring already crept to warm Meadow Mountain, surrounding WaterRose. Turning grass and the rocky ridge jutting over the slope down to Phalanx Forest, green. Behind the castle was another steep incline that'd open onto the path through Warwood toward Nightway Castle.

Places Bast had memorized every inch of. I could find her again.

But how long would it take? A little voice inside demanded. Making him uncomfortable at the thought of her not being in WaterRose when he returned after bloody brutal missions.

Her mere presence comforting me. He rolled his back along the stone edge of the window, turning to lean against it facing the sleeping woman. She rested on her side, still reaching for him.

I am a coward.

I can't let her go. He knew it as certainly as he breathed. He couldn't imagine watching her leave and never come back. And he was somehow certain that'd be her reaction to last night.

He remembered the promise he'd made her that if she were to open to him as she had last night that he'd let her go. If I knew she could trust and care for other beings enough to bond with them, then what threat is she in Ardae?

None.

Then a hideous thought occurred to him. Perhaps she'd only made love with me to escape me.

He studied the pale flawlessness of her face. As white as the fine pillowcase against her cheek. Her hair folded around in sparkling tresses. Wound with shining silver and glimmering gold lights. Her dark brows delicately arched over her eyes and dense dark lashes were soft against high cheekbones. Small, pointed chin seeming softer in her slumber. Her face absent its passion and rage as she slept.

It was nearly irresistible to return and lay next to her. Wrap my body around hers.

She purred, tucking her cheek more deeply into the pillow he knew was still heated from the hours he'd lain next to her staring at the long boards crossing the black ceiling, marred with white scratches from her claws.

It was still fresh in his mind. She's capable of such hatred for me.

Whenever the occasion arose, she was able to flip a switch and despise him. How many times has she shouted her hatred for me?

Yet, somehow, she made his world brighter. Returning to WaterRose was no longer hollow and lonely. His only sadness in returning, the possibility he might not see her for days if she chose not to emerge from her chamber.

Without that joy in his life, he was unsure he could keep pressing on.

I was so lonely for so many years. My only joy in watching my brethren find their bits of happiness. He'd thought with his animal magnetism putting all women under a spell, none would ever love him for the man he was.

But every moment here with her is excitement, stimulation, laughter. True laughter.

How could I go without that again?

He realized instantly that even if he did let her escape, he'd find himself mercilessly hunting her down to ruthlessly drag her home again.

Home. He understood the complexity of thinking of WaterRose as her home.

Knowing it'd hurt her, and possibly himself, he waved his pointer finger until swirling flakes emerged from around the tip to string out to reach her. Lacing her wrist with a delicate strand which hardened briefly before fading into invisibility.