Page 5

They are right to think so.

I shuffle to the study, where Variant researches the ritual. He barely glances up at me as the spell I’ve placed him under demands obedience, forcing him to sift endlessly through the pile of ancient texts.

“Eilish was successful in liberating the fae in theThrest,” he says. “It won’t be long before word spreads through the realms.”

“Don’t remind me.”

“I suppose you also don’t want to hear that Theren has freed himself from your witchcraft?”

I stop instantly, turning to look at Variant. “He what?”

Variant glares at me. “When Eilish knocked you unconscious, it weakened your spell on Theren and he was able to break himself out of the enchantment,” he explains. “A maid found his skin with the rune lying on the floor in a heap of blood and glass.”

“He cut it out of himself?” I repeat, strangely awed.

“Exactly,” Variant responds with a frown. “He’s been arrested and the Unseelie Court has declared him an enemy of Oronrel.” Variant steps away from the texts and walks over to me. “You have no allies in the Unseelie Kingdom. If we let Oronrel slip through our fingers, we won’t be able to recover. Theren’s army was significant even after he failed to secure theVeil. We could use his numbers especially after the mess at theThrest.”

I reach for the ties of my robes and pull them free. Soft fabric pools around my ankles as Variant stares unabashedly at the curves of my naked body.

“Would you be willing to take Theren’s place?” I ask in a sultry tone. “Would you be willing to unite the fae courts beneath one king and lead a force into the Veil?” I ask as I walk to him and reach out, raking my fingers through the long locks of his hair, I brush my lips along his neck as his hands grip my waist. “What do you say, Variant?”

He licks his lips and reaches between us to unbuckle the belt at his waist, his gaze never leaving mine. Then he reaches inside his trousers and frees himself from the restraining fabric. My hands replace his, caressing him to hardness until my fingers ache to hold his girth. Variant cups my rear and lifts me, setting me down on top of the cluttered desk, not bothering to clear it. I groan loudly and Variant doesn’t wait to hear any protests or encouragement as he steps between my thighs.

I shiver as I watch him spit into his palm and slide his fingers between my folds to rub and stroke the saliva into my flesh until my body yields. There’s no other preparation, no soft words of affection, just two bodies uniting. No gentleness exists between us; we are raw and hungry for release, seeking numbness from all the pain. Variant pulls away slightly, but not out of my body as he tilts his pelvis and presses forward harder. He clenches his jaw as my body fights the intrusion. The sweet, sweet burn causes my eyes to roll back.

“This means nothing, Morrigan.”

It hurts so good. Variant seats himself completely inside me as though it’s where he always belonged—more so than any throne. Bucking my hips, I lean up to press a kiss to his mouth, but he pulls away. He turns me around and pushes my chestagainst the desk. He lifts one of my legs and bends it at the knee, spreading me open for his claim. His hands grip me tighter as he slides in and out, moving back halfway before slamming deeper inside, grinding his hips and expertly caressing every sensitive place within me.

“Don’t fight the spell, Variant. This feels so right.”

“I hate you…”

“Then fuck me harder.” I meet his thrusts as he impales my quivering body over and over with his thick and rigid cock. My thighs tremble with a pleasure and I realize I’ve grown addicted to him—to his body, to the way he makes my body sing.

Suddenly, I want to shatter the intense sense of power and defiance he holds dear until nothing else exists in his world but me.

The moans that fill the study are carnal and untamed as Variant’s hand moves to wrap around my throat, pulling my back against his chest. I’m close... so close... hanging on by the tips of my fingers. One final thrust and the world begins to spin. He uses my body for his pleasure, and I enjoy the ride.

Variant spills his seed inside me and then moves away from me with a hiss. I spin around and reach for him, but he brushes off my hold. His eyes blink rapidly as he fights the spell that weaves around him, forcing his submission. I won’t let him go. I’ve lost Theren—now Variant is all I have left.

When he finds calm once more, he bends at the waist and breathes deeply. “I will go to Oronrel. But I grow tired of this game, Morrigan. In the end, I will either submit to your treachery or I will fight free as Theren has.” He glares at me. “I have no love for you.”

But he’s my only hope. I can’t lose Variant.

My magics reach for him. The rune on his left pectoral flares to life. “What you fail to see, Variant, is that I don’t care if you love me or not. I’ve loved and been scorned by forces muchstronger than you and it hasn’t broken me. If you seek to wound me with words alone, I hate to inform you, but you’ll have to try harder.”

I leave him there as I pull my robes on once more. He’s served his purpose for now. I have no other need for him at the moment.

But something unexpected creeps up... Silvanus.

I sense his presence. He is close.

***

CAMBION

Mercenary Stronghold