Page 27 of A Bond in Blood (Blood Bound Duet #1)

Chapter 27

D ays went in a blur. My heart grew more tormented with each passing hour. Watching the Unseelie King’s odd, hidden behaviors. Longing to know the softer side of him, while also hating everything he was and stood for.

I laid on the new couch before the library window, scribbling with my koal. Smudging the edges, blending the lines and curves together.

Lost in my hate-fueled movements with the silent room as my companion.

“Let me see.”

My shoulders went tense at the sound of Ulrich’s voice above me.

“No,” I replied.

“Now,” he commanded.

I lifted my eyes, challenging the king before me. “Tell me something truthful and then I will let you see.”

He stepped back.

“What do you want to know?”

“Anything.”

His eyes appeared frantic behind his mask. I was sure he would deny my bargain when he surprised me and sat beside me.

“This ink on my skin,” he muttered, pointing to his chest. “Would you like to know what it means?”

I nodded my head.

“It’s a symbol of sorrow. Of remembrance. For me to never forget where I come from and what has made me who I am today. Everything good and vile that lives in my veins.”

“I doubt there is any good,” I whispered.

His laugh shook the couch beneath us. “I doubt it most days as well. But then I remind myself of where it lives.”

I lifted my eyes, finding him staring out across the library.

“It’s in moments when I allow my heart to care for the stories that made this city live.” His eyes met mine. “When I allowed a little bird to remind me I was being careless.”

“Oh.” I dropped my gaze.

“Or when I walk the streets, listening to the small babes and youth in their joy. The noise reminds me of a simpler time, lost in my memories and heart.”

“Ulrich,” I muttered.

“Or perhaps when I allow a bizarre woman to screech at me before my court and I do not remove her head.” He winked.

“You ruined it,” I groaned, standing.

He laughed. “I get to see now.”

With a scowl, I passed him my parchment. His eyes scanned the paper while his fingers traced my work.

“This is beautiful,” he whispered.

I took it back, admiring what my hands had created. The map, a perfect replica of the clock room with intricate details of each individual hallway evident in my depictions.

“You labeled each one,” he stated.

“Yes, to the best of my ability.”

He took the parchment from me again. “ Forbidden? ”

His smile was bright when we met eyes again while his finger pointed to hallway nine.

“It is,” I nodded. “I had no other word to use.”

“It’s fitting,” he replied, then stood from the couch. “It is time for our dinner.”

I let out a breath and set my parchment back on my workstation. He was still waiting for me when I turned around. His expression behind his mask was soft.

“I decided I would like to have our meal brought to the bedroom tonight. If that is alright with you.”

“No, that is not alright with me,” I replied.

He smiled. “The red moon is especially bright tonight. I wanted the view from the bedroom windows to accompany my meal. Olen will be joining us, if that makes you feel any better.”

“Olen is as much trouble as you are.”

Ulrich’s laugh followed at my back while I passed him. “I’m very aware of that.”

We walked side-by-side, and I noticed—once again—there was no music humming throughout the palace.

“What happened to your nightly parties?”

He let out a breath. “I have grown tired of them.”

“Why?”

“Because there is something more interesting to take up my attention,” he replied bluntly.

I snapped my gaze forward, refusing to acknowledge his words. Deciding instead to continue our silent approach.

He opened the bedroom door for me when we arrived, positioning his body in an invitation for me to enter first. I hadn’t expected what I would find when I crossed the threshold.

My hand went to my chest, tears lined my eyes in awe.

The red moon was so bright, so close in the sky, it was as though it were right outside the window.

“How is this possible?” I asked.

“It happens every blood moon,” Ulrich whispered. “Before the cycle ends, and on the first day of spring that year, the moon lowers in the sky.”

“I’ve never seen this.”

“That’s because the blood moon has been in the sky as long as you’ve lived. My bedroom was carved in this exact spot to admire this phenomenon during the rare times it occurs.”

I stepped back, sitting myself on the bed wiping away the tears threatening to fall.

“I feel called to it,” I admitted.

“What?” Ulrich whispered.

“The moon. Like—” My words caught in my throat, but I cleared it. “Like it’s part of me. A force controlling my body and my destiny.”

“I thought you did not believe in Fate.”

I rolled my eyes, turning to him. “Those are two entirely different things.”

“I disagree,” he countered with a grin.

We held our challenging gazes until troll entered the room rolling a round table and pushing carts loaded with food. Three of them went to the plush chairs that sat by the window, dragging them to the table.

The plates and utensils clattered while Ulrich’s staff set our places, but we didn’t pull our eyes away from each other.

I was sure our gazes would melt one another in place when the hidden door slammed open and Olen sauntered into the room.

I broke first, twisting toward the beast-man.

He grinned at me. “Did I interrupt something?”

Ulrich cleared his throat. “Perfect timing.”

The troll left us, closing the bedroom as they went and Ulrich pulled a chair out, motioning for me to sit.

I approached the table, pulling out my own seat and placing myself atop it. Ulrich smiled at me before setting himself in the chair he’d intended for me.

Olen eyed us both nervously.

“I can come back…” His voice trailed off.

“No need,” Ulrich replied, pouring his wine into his glass.

My heart paused at the liquid and my hands gripped the skirts of my gown.

“Just wine,” he whispered, taking a sip to calm my fears.

Olen moved to pour me a glass, but I held up my hand.

“I would prefer to get my own drinks from now on.”

“Yes, princess,” he replied, handing me the decanter full of the dark-red liquid.

Our meal began, silent, tense, and a continued challenge between me and the king. Olen chattered endlessly, words I barely picked up while my eyes held Ulrich’s gaze. But I drank at the same frequency as his right hand. Consuming glass after glass of wine with my meal.

Using the alcohol to wash down each bite I took.

Ulrich did the same.

The red moon continued to light the room. A guest to our dinner, invading us all with its sensual light.

When I was sure my head would sink from the intoxication, I stood. Then immediately, I swayed in my spot. Ulrich and Olen rose to their feet, both grabbing one of my arms to hold me up.

“I drank too much,” I admitted.

Olen groaned, gripping my arm tighter. “I did as well.”

“Am I a coward to admit the same?” Ulrich muttered.

We all laughed together. A sound I was certain echoed down the halls of the palace. An omen in the wind.

The men guided us all to the bed. Ulrich climbed onto the mattress first, reaching for my arms and pulling me next to him. Olen laughed loudly, laying at my side. Pressing me between both of them.

“I may be sick,” I whispered, holding my hand to my head.

“You will not be the only one,” Olen muttered.

I stared up at the ceiling while my stomach knotted with my consequences. The bodies beside me settled further into the mattress and I glanced at them both.

“Have you two really—?” My mouth slammed shut, stopping the words.

Olen was the first to sit up, leaning on his palm while he offered me a grin. “Have we what, princess?”

I shook my head, pinching my lips together.

“No, what were you asking?” Olen pried.

“Forget my words,” I pleaded.

The wine was taking over. Making me insanely more curious than I ever should have been.

Olen leaned forward, his braids tickling my face while he whispered in my ear, “The king likes to watch.”

My head snapped to Ulrich. He didn’t meet my eyes, but the smile under his mask— Gods was it maddening.

Olen gripped my chin, pulling my face to his.

“I like to give him a show.”

My legs trembled.

“We shouldn’t.” Ulrich’s voice broke the silence. “We are all too seduced by the wine.”

Olen kept his hold on my chin. “I think the fact we’re all intoxicated is the best reason why we should.”

I ripped my chin away and sat up, groaning with the room spinning around me. “Don’t I have a say in this?”

Ulrich leaned upward. “You’re the one in charge.”

His eyes held my gaze, and I’d expected him to use that damned pet name. Only, he didn’t. He’d made his statement, remaining silent while he awaited my reply.

Heat ached between my thighs, and I held my legs together. Trying to ignore the need and growing pressure low in my belly.

“I’m not sure if Brenna could handle the two of us,” Ulrich smiled.

“I could.”

Stupid fool .

Ulrich’s eyes went wide, and he brushed my hair from my face. “Always surprising me.”

The heat of them beside me was too much. I rose to my knees before sliding off the bed.

“Excuse me,” I muttered, rushing to the bathing room and slamming the door behind me.

Their laughs were filled with the slurs of their wine-riddled minds, and I laid my head against the frame. My hand went to my heart, and I breathed out.

I needed to calm down. I needed to find logic.

I had consumed too much. Allowed myself to once again become too vulnerable.

But the need…

Gods, did I want it. No—I needed it. The release my body ached for. The thrill of them both admiring my body.

Doing everything I could barely beg for.

I went to the mirror, gripping the sides of the vanity while I stared into the glass. The reflection was of a temptress—a woman with heat burning in her eyes.

I glanced back to the door.

I could admit they were both monsters. Beings and creatures who were used to getting their way. Men who fucked their lives into oblivion.

But Ulrich told me I would be in charge.

The decision was made before I could regret it and I turned back to the bathing room door. Pausing for only a moment before I slammed it open and returned to the bedroom.

Their laughing stopped immediately.

Ulrich was on his feet in an instant, his eyes wide. “Brenna, your clothes.”

I walked further into the room, allowing the light of the moon to cover my naked body.

“Show me,” I whispered.

Olen stood next, joining Ulrich’s side.

“Princess.”

I held up my hand. “You said I would be in charge.” I pointed to Ulrich.

He nodded.

“You will only do what I say?” I asked.

Olen nodded.

“If I do not want to fully…” My cheeks warmed with my embarrassment.

“Fuck?” Olen asked, then grunted when Ulrich elbowed him in the chest.

“Yes,” I whispered. “That.”

“Brenna you are naked before two men. You should have no shame discussing your needs or wants,” Ulrich laughed.

“Don’t ruin this with your stupid jests,” Olen snapped.

I smiled and glanced at the floor, biting my lip.

Ulrich approached, his body pressed against mine. “What do you want?”

I tilted my head up, meeting his eyes behind his mask. “Release and control. A brief reprieve and pause in our war.”

A nod.

The king stepped back and Olen approached, gently brushing his hand over my jaw. His hands ran down my neck, stopping between my breasts.

“Who?” he whispered.

I stared up into his dark eyes then turned my head to Ulrich silently watching behind him. Need ached across my body, but fear was there as well.

I didn’t know. I was terrified to allow Ulrich to touch me. To fall further into the poison of him that I could not rid myself of. But I wanted it. I wanted it more than I wanted my next breath.

Ulrich cleared his throat and passed us, pulling up one of the plush chairs around the table to the edge of the bed.

He sat silently with a wicked smirk across his lips, crossing his legs casually.

“I told you he likes to watch,” Olen laughed.

His hands gripped my wrist while he led me to the bed. He sat with his feet planted onto the floor and his knees bent.

“Sit, princess,” the right hand hissed.

Chills went through my body at the image. The red light, bathing them both in desire. A king in his own make-shift throne and the lap of a man intended to be my throne.

Ulrich’s eyes went to Olen, and he motioned his hands.

“You are in charge,” he whispered.

I nodded. Once. As he was prone to do.

I approached Olen, my hands trembling. My back was turned from Ulrich while I looked into the eyes of my first captor.

His hands grabbed my wrists, and he spun me, forcing me to face the king. His monstrous palms ran over my body, gripping my breasts while he lowered me onto his lap.

“Look at him,” Olen whispered. “Keep your eyes on our king.”

My knees shook while he lifted my legs, spreading them and myself. Exposing me to Ulrich completely.

Ulrich’s expression was blank, but his hands gripped the arms of the chair he sat upon. While his eyes burned.

Olen continued to caress my body, forcing whimpers from my throat.

“Gods,” he groaned against my neck. “More.”

I laid my head back against his chest as his hands continued their descent, landing on the inside of my thigh. I startled then, jumping slightly and he paused.

“I can stop.”

“No,” I moaned. “Please don’t.”

“Look at me, Brenna,” Ulrich said, pulling my eyes from the ceiling while Olen teased closer. “I want to watch the moment he touches you.”

I bit my lip, lifting my head, bolstered by the desire in Ulrich’s eyes.

My hand gripped Olen’s thigh when his fingers brushed against my clit, forcing a loud gasp.

“Oh Gods,” I cried out.

Olen’s fingers circled me, giving me just enough pressure right above the most sensitive part of my body. Expertly bringing forward that tight ache inside of me. His free hand rose, brushing up my body to the base of my neck.

He gripped me, softly, but just enough pressure to make my pulse race with anticipation.

“Such a good girl,” Olen whispered, nipping at my ear.

I moaned again, grinding my hips in his lap. Moving them in circles while his fingers continued his teasing.

“Yes.” Ulrich’s voice broke me from my daze. “She is.”

I realized I’d closed my eyes and returned my gaze to the king. Finding him still unmoved from his spot. But his eyes were staring with intent.

“What do you want?” Olen asked, releasing my neck while his hands traveled to my breast.

I watched Ulrich and my body ached. My hands shook while I gripped Olen’s thigh harder. I could not utter the words. Not with the intensity of Ulrich’s stare holding my soul in place.

“Princess,” Olen whispered, tugging on one nipple.

I cried out and bucked my hips while his fingers continued to circle me but not enter me.

Ulrich did not move. I swear he did not blink once. His chest was still, as though he were holding his breath.

Olen continued his teasing, driving me mad. Yet, I could not close my eyes from the pleasure. I could not break my contact with Ulrich’s burning gaze.

“Princess,” Olen repeated.

“Him,” I moaned.

Ulrich’s chair clattered and he was kneeling before me in an instant. Olen’s hand gripped my thigh, spreading my legs further while Ulrich continued to hold our eye contact.

“You are in charge,” the king reminded me.

I nodded.

“Release,” I begged. “Please.”

Ulrich’s mouth claimed me, sucking on my clit with force and I yelled out my screams. The lights in the room went dark. The curtains pulled shut, blocking out the moon. It was pitch black and the sound of Ulrich’s mask hitting the floor was as much ecstasy as the way his tongue moved against me.

My head went back against Olen again and his hands moved to my breasts. Circling my nipples and flesh while Ulrich’s mouth sucked on me. Their separate movements were somehow in sync, causing my knees to tremble against Olen.

“More,” I groaned. “Please, more.”

“Such manners,” Ulrich whispered while he pulled away and kissed my thigh.

My scream echoed across the room when his fingers entered me, curling upward.

Olen’s fingers returned to my clit, resuming his maddening circles from before.

“Let go,” he whispered into my ear. “Let go, princess.”

I tightened around Ulrich’s fingers while he moved faster, curling upward each time he pulled them out. Bringing noises from my lips I had never made before.

I pressed my back into Olen’s chest while my muscles went tight. The pressure was building so much more quickly than I had anticipated.

My head tilted back but a hand grasped my neck, and my cheek brushed against a rough beard.

“Let go,” Ulrich whispered.

My hand shot out, grasping his shirt and pulling his chest against me.

His and Olen’s fingers moved faster, and I held the king in my grip.

“Let go,” Ulrich repeated.

“I cannot,” I whispered.

“Yes, Brenna, yes you can.”

The command and knowing in his words sent me over the edge. Hitting my heart and soul in just the right way and my limbs went rigid with my orgasm.

Both men let out intoxicating groans while I convulsed on Olen’s lap. Whimpering with my release and pulling at Ulrich’s shirt with all of my might.

Neither of them stopped. Even when I begged. Even when I promised I was done.

They were determined to send me over the edge again, and they succeeded.

The next orgasm was as intense, fogging my mind with bliss and peace.

I couldn’t move when they finally stopped, allowing my body relief after forcing yet another orgasm from me. When Olen picked me up I realized his shirt was drenched in sweat from my back.

“Sleep,” Olen ordered.

“But what about you both?” I protested with little energy.

Ulrich’s arms were pulling me to the bed, right against his chest while Olen climbed in beside me.

“You were in charge tonight,” Ulrich spoke softly. “And it is time for sleep.”

I couldn’t fight his logic as my eyes grew heavy and Olen’s muscled arm draped over my waist.

“Sleep, Brenna,” Ulrich whispered once more.

I allowed myself to nestle further against his chest, my hand resting against his fast-beating heart. It made me wonder if he was contemplating the fever dream we’d just experienced. Or if perhaps it were beating in sync with my own while sleep claimed me. Convincing me I was safe in the arms of the two monsters wrapped around me.