Page 12 of A Fate of Wings (Autumn Court #1)
Chapter eleven
Thea
The Autumn Court
I placed my hand in his, effectively shackling myself to the Rage Demon. It was too late now, anyway. I’d accepted him into my body. Let his demon seed fill me and claim me as his along with those faintly muttered demonic words and the bite to my neck. Is that how demons mated? It was scorching hot. He was delicious to look at, muscular body, mighty wings, and a face any woman would be happy to gaze at for eternity. His skills in the sky were beyond anything I’d experienced. A lover intent on pushing me to the limits.
We walked through the shimmering portal he’d created with such ease, and into the Autumn Court right where we’d left from. The courtyard was quiet since it was now the middle of the night. Guards patrolled the perimeter, but they didn’t dare glance at me in my nakedness with the towering naked demon by my side.
“At least it’s night,” I grated out through my tense jaw.
“Day or night, who cares? If anyone looks at you wrong, I’ll burn their eyes out of their head.”
If that wasn’t sexy, then I wasn’t a siren.
“Be that as it may, I’d like to make it to my bedchambers without crossing paths with anyone.”
“Lead the way, my little queen.”
I scowled even though his little nickname sent flutters to my heart.
“This way.” I nodded my head toward the large wooden door that led into the castle.
Guards opened the door for me, wisely averting their gazes to the ground. The second we stepped inside, Raelin, my handmaiden, rushed up to me, a robe of golden silk in her hand.
“My queen.” She dipped a curtsy and held the silky garment out for me.
“Thank you.”
The Beast’s hands grabbed the robe before my handmaiden could help me into it. He placed the garment around my shoulders in a tender gesture. I slid my hands through the sleeves and tied the belt at the waist.
“Apologies, I don’t have a robe for your…” Raelin inclined her head at the Beast.
“Her mate,” he said with so much conviction I couldn’t dispute his claim.
“Shall I draw you a bath?”
“No, we’ve already bathed.”
“Refreshments?”
I glance at the Beast. He nodded.
“Yes, carry up cured meats and dried fruits. Mead as well.”
“Yes, your majesty.” Raelin dipped another curtsy before walking through the hallways on silent feet.
I led the way up the grand staircase, our footfalls nowhere near as quiet as my handmaiden. As we reached my bedchamber door, the Beast’s hand was there before mine, opening the door for me. I ducked inside under his massive, muscular arm. He closed the door behind us. I spun around to take in his expression as he gazed around my room. Our room now.
It was too feminine for him with the bright yellows and gold I favored as decorative fabrics and wall hangings. The Beast crossed the room and threw a flame from his hand at the fireplace. The stacked timber burst into flames, crackling and spitting embers into the chimney.
He sat in the wingback chair before the fire and placed a leg over his other knee, completely at ease in his nakedness. I strode to my bed, ripped the throw blanket from the foot, and tossed it over his crotch.
“What’s the matter, little queen? You can’t stare at my cock without wanting some?” He slanted an eyebrow.
I rolled my eyes and settled in the wingback chair across from him. It was strange having a man in my bedchambers, my inner sanctum. I only allowed my sister and my handmaiden in here. I’d taken lovers, but never in my room.
“A little decorum, if you please.”
“And if it doesn’t please me?” He threw his arms wide and placed his palms on the back of his head.
I rubbed my brow to ease the tension he created in me with such ease. It was almost like he enjoyed my displeasure. I angled my head, studying the demon.
A gentle rap of knuckles sounded on the door, alerting me to my handmaiden.
“Enter,” I commanded.
Raelin cracked open the door enough to slip inside. She walked on her silent feet to the table between our chairs. The Beast observed my handmaiden with a critical eye. I sensed him sizing her up, evaluating if she was a threat. Raelin was my most trusted siren in this castle, but I’d let him come to his own conclusion. It would be another test for him. She ducked her head, her blonde braid not moving one inch with how tight she’d woven the strands. She backed out of the room. I rose and walked to the door, turning the key in the brass lock before returning to my seat.
The Beast had already helped himself to a mug of mead and he chewed a strip of cured meat.
“Your manners are atrocious.” I crossed my legs and placed my hands on my knee.
He shoved the rest of the meat in his mouth and chewed.
“Let’s set some things straight. You will address me with respect. You will show everyone I am your superior in every way.”
He threw back the cup of mead and wiped his chin. “It that right, my little queen.”
“See that right there. You can’t talk to me like that in front of my subjects.”
“I’m not an imbecile. There are none of your subjects here right now. What’s with your handmaiden?”
“Raelin? What do you mean?”
“She’s quiet and sneaks up without me hearing. Will she decapitate me in my sleep tonight?”
I laughed. “Not unless I gave her the order to slice off your head.”
“Will you?”
I fought the smile wanting to form on my lips, but I couldn’t hold it back from the Beast’s question. “No.”
“Good. I’m quite fond of my head. It’d grow back, but that’s not the point.”
“The point is?”
“Do you trust her to be in your bedchambers when you don’t know where the threat is coming from?”
“Raelin is worthy of my trust.”
“I’ll make sure of it. As your mate, I must protect you.”
I ran my gaze over his massive form. He was more than capable of protecting me. He’d proven his skills during the trials.
“I have no doubt you’ll defend me.”
“So in front of your subjects, you want me to appear the obedient mate?” He threw the rug off his lap and slid to his knees at my feet. “Is this better?”
“It’s a start.”
He poured me a mug of mead and held it out. “My queen.”
“Better.” I fought against smiling.
He placed dried fruits and cured meats on a gold-leafed plate and held it out to me.
I went to take it.
He tugged his hand back, shaking his head. He picked up a piece of dried pear.
“Open.”
I lifted an eyebrow but opened my mouth. He placed the piece of fruit in my mouth and then followed it with a kiss. He sat back.
“Even better,” I said, my voice coming out husky with desire.
He fed me another piece of dried fruit, an apple this time. The kiss that followed traveled down my neck and to the swell of my breast.
“Now?” he asked.
“Perfect,” I whispered. “But.” I grabbed his horns. “Your kisses are not enough.”
“My demanding little queen. I’d take you to the skies, but you wanted to whip me, did you not?”
“Oh, I’ll whip you into submission.” I grinned.
“Never.” He claimed my lips again.
I believed him. He’d never be my submissive, but he might be my equal.
I wrenched my lips from his. “Enough. Stand before the fire and face the flames.”
To my surprise, he walked to where I’d said. I stripped my robe, letting the silk slide to the floor. His fingers curled into his palms, the only sign he’d heard me disrobing. I collected my whip, the leather coil warm in my hand as I tested the weight, and let the length drop to the floor. With a quick flick of my wrist, the whip slashed across his back. He didn’t flinch. The leather left a long, angry red lash. A second later, the skin knitted itself back together and appeared the same as before.
“How did you heal so fast?” I dropped the whip and ran my hands over his back, searching for the mark I’d just placed there.
He threw a smirk over his shoulder. “Rage Demon, little mate. We have many tricks up our sleeve, or should I say horns, since I’m not wearing any clothes.”
I couldn’t stop the laugh from escaping. He spun around and took me in his arms.
“Your laughter is like magic.”
I laughed more.
“I’m serious.” He cupped my face. “You can rule anyone anywhere with just your laugh.”
I clasped his horns. “Take me to bed, my charming Rage Demon.”
“Charming now?” He scooped me up into his arms. “Knew you were partial to my charms.”