Page 47 of Awakened Destiny (The Dark Ascendant #3)

Brigid

I push open the heavy oak door of the royal bedchamber, my fingers trembling against the ancient wood.

They're waiting for me.

Five pairs of eyes lock onto mine. Five men—my mates—arranged around the massive four-poster bed like hungry animals preparing to feast. My heart slams against my ribs.

Lochan stands closest to the hearth, flames casting shadows across his features, his dark hair loose around his shoulders. Callen lounges against the bedpost, that infuriating smirk playing on his lips. Marius lingers in the darkest corner, shadow magic swirling at his fingertips. Rory sits on the edge of the bed, golden and glowing even in the dim light. And Tiernan watches from a chair, legs spread, eyes analyzing every inch of me.

Callen pushes off the bedpost, moving toward me with that otherworldly grace. "Our little shadow queen, are you ready to submit to your consorts?"

My core clenches with anticipation.

"I'm not submitting," I lie, even as heat pools between my thighs. "I'm claiming what's mine."

Marius laughs, the sound dark as the shadows he commands. "Is that what you think this is, little bird? You claiming us?" He steps forward, my belly flutters. "Tonight we claim you. Every. Fucking. Inch."

My breath catches. There's danger in his words, in the way his shadow magic reaches for me, caressing my ankles.

"Your cunt's already wet for us, isn't it?" Tiernan's bold words make me flush. He hasn't moved from his chair, but his gaze is penetrating. "I can smell your arousal from here. Your body's more honest than your mouth."

I should be offended by his bluntness, but it only makes me wetter.

Rory pats the bed beside him, his smile sunshine compared to the others' darkness. "Come here, love. Let us see what our queen is wearing under that pretty dress."

I don't answer. Can't answer. My throat is too dry.

"Tell us what you want, Brigid," Lochan commands, moving closer until I'm surrounded. "Say the words."

I lift my chin, meeting his gaze directly. "Take me. Use me."

"Such a filthy mouth on our pretty little queen," Marius murmurs, his shadow magic sliding higher up my legs, underneath my dress. "I wonder what else that mouth can do."

"I know exactly what it can do," Rory grins, his hand adjusting himself through his pants. "It can take a cock all the way to the back of her throat without gagging."

My cheeks burn, but I don't look away. "Are you just going to talk about fucking me, or is someone actually going to do it?"

"So impatient." Tiernan finally rises from his chair. "We have all night to ruin you, Brigid. And we will. You won't be able to walk when we're done."

"Promise?" I whisper.

Lochan steps forward, close enough that I can feel the heat radiating from his body. "Turn around."

I obey without thinking, my body responding to his command before my mind can argue. This is what I want—to let go, to be taken.

"Good girl," he breathes against my neck. "Now, let's see if you can be just as obedient when we have you screaming our names."

I close my eyes, surrendering to the hands that now reach for me from all directions.

Lochan's large hands grip my shoulders. The others back away slightly, yielding the space to him. "No more games," he growls, his fingers moving to the laces of my dress.

I swallow hard, feeling my pulse quicken. "Lochan—"

"Quiet." His voice cuts through me, and my protest dies in my throat. "You've been teasing all of us for too long tonight, the way you look in this."

The roughness of his fingers against my skin sends shivers down my spine as he yanks at the fabric. I hear a slight tear, but he doesn't stop. The bodice of my dress gives way, exposing my breasts to the cool air of the chamber. My nipples harden instantly.

"Look at you," he murmurs, his eyes darkening. "So fucking beautiful."

I fight the urge to cover myself, to hide from the intensity of his gaze. The shadow magic within me stirs, responding to my vulnerability, but I push it down. Tonight isn't about control—it's about surrender.

Lochan's calloused hand cups my breast, his thumb brushing roughly over my nipple. I gasp at the sensation, arching into his touch despite myself.

"You like that?" He pinches lightly, watching my reaction. "Tell me."

"Yes," I breathe, my voice barely audible.

His other hand tangles in my hair, gripping tight enough to sting. "Louder."

"Yes!" My voice cracks as he tugs me to him, his mouth crashing against mine.

The kiss is nothing tentative or polite. This is primal, aggressive. His teeth bite at my bottom lip, drawing a whimper from me that he swallows hungrily. The taste of him, earthy and male, floods my senses as his tongue forces its way into my mouth.

My dress falls completely to the floor, leaving me in nothing but my thin undergarments. I should feel exposed with the others watching, but all I can focus on is Lochan's hands roaming my body, rough and possessive.

"I've wanted to do this since I first saw you this morning," he mutters against my neck, biting down hard enough to mark me. "Wanted to claim you. Show them all who you belong to."

He walks me backward until my legs hit the edge of the bed. With one push, I'm falling onto the silken sheets, looking up at him as he towers over me. He doesn't smile—Lochan rarely does—but his eyes gleam with satisfaction as he takes in my near-naked form.

"Spread your legs."

I hesitate, old insecurities flaring despite my arousal. He doesn't repeat himself, just waits, his patience clearly wearing thin. Slowly, I part my thighs, feeling exposed and vulnerable under his scrutiny.

"Wider."

I comply, my heart hammering against my ribs. The shadow magic pulses beneath my skin, responding to my heightened emotions, but I force it down. This isn't the time to let that darkness free.

Lochan drops to his knees between my legs, his large hands gripping my thighs to hold me open. "I can smell how wet you are," he says, his breath hot against my inner thigh. "Been thinking about this, haven't you? About me tasting you?"

"Yes," I admit, my voice small.

His thumbs hook into the sides of my underwear, tearing it apart in one swift motion. The cool air hits my exposed pussy, making me shiver.

"Look at this pretty cunt," he growls, his thumb parting my folds. "So pink. So fucking wet."

I whimper as he circles my entrance, collecting my arousal before bringing it up to my clit. The touch is electric, making my hips buck involuntarily.

"Hold still," he commands, pressing down on my pelvis with his forearm. "Or I'll stop."

I force myself to be still, even as his fingers continue their torturous exploration. When his mouth finally replaces his fingers, the wet heat of his tongue against my sensitive flesh nearly undoes me.

"Fuck," I gasp, my hands clutching at the sheets.

Lochan doesn't start gentle. His tongue is relentless, licking broad strokes up my slit before circling my clit with precision. I can feel the coarse stubble of his jaw scratching against my inner thighs, adding another layer of sensation that borders on pain.

"You taste better than any dish at that celebration," he murmurs against me, the vibration of his words sending shocks through my core. "Could feast on this pussy for hours."

His words make me tighten, a fresh wave of wetness coating his chin. He chuckles darkly, knowing exactly what effect he's having on me.

"That's it. Let me feel how much you want this." His tongue delves inside me, fucking into me with surprising dexterity before returning to my clit.

My breathing becomes shallow, ragged. "Lochan, I—"

"Not yet," he growls, pulling back just enough to deny me. "You come when I say you can come. Understand?"

I nod frantically, desperate for him to continue.

"Say it."

"I understand," I gasp. "I'll come when allow it."

Satisfied, he returns to his task, this time sliding two thick fingers into me as his tongue works my clit. The dual sensation is overwhelming—his fingers curling to hit that spot inside me that makes my vision blur, his tongue alternating between gentle flicks and firm pressure.

"Please," I beg. "Please, Lochan."

I can feel him smile against me, enjoying my desperate pleas. His fingers pump faster, the wet sounds of my arousal filling the room. It's filthy and wild and exactly what I need.

"Look at me," he commands, and I force my heavy eyelids open to meet his gaze. The sight of him between my thighs, his face glistening with my wetness, sends another shock of pleasure through me. "I want to see your face when you come on my tongue."

His fingers curl sharply inside me as his mouth latches onto my clit, sucking hard. The pressure builds, a wave I can no longer hold back.

"Can I—" I start to ask, remembering his command.

"Come for me," he growls against my flesh. "Now, Brigid."

The permission is all I need. The orgasm crashes through me, my back arching off the bed as pleasure radiates from my core to my fingertips. I cry out his name, over and over, as he works me through it, not stopping until I'm shaking and pushing at his shoulders from oversensitivity.

When he finally pulls away, he wipes his mouth with the back of his hand, his eyes never leaving mine. There's triumph there, and also a hunger not yet satisfied.

"Good girl," he says, his voice rough with his own arousal. "But we're just getting started.”