Page 14

Chapter fourteen

Genevieve

T hat evening at dinner, I was ready for another round with Eren. I wasn’t going to give up. I couldn’t. After the last course, we took our thrones upon the platform while the court danced and laughed below. My father had retired for the evening. The queen had displayed another outburst at dinner, so I was sure he had his hands full.

“I’m sorry about this morning,” I whispered, leaning into him. “Showing up in your room without an invitation … that wasn’t honoring your request for space and time.”

“It’s fine,” he replied shortly.

“Eren, I know I have no right to ask, but can you give me something here? Anything?”

He turned his head towards me, his eyes full of pain and exhaustion. “We’re not good for each other, Gen. Nothing you say or do will change that. I’ve accepted it. Maybe it’s time you do the same.”

I dropped my head with the shame and guilt of what I had done to him. “I’m sorry. I’ll say it as many times as it takes. I’m sorry,” I whispered.

Lord Sollerum approached with his two sons. He smiled at me brightly and bowed. To Eren, he gave only a simple nod.

“Princess Genevieve,” said Lord Sollerum, “you look exquisite this evening. If it weren’t for that blemish on your shoulder, you’d be the image of perfection.”

Eren exhaled in annoyance.

“I’m not sure what you mean, Lord Sollerum,” I replied.

“Having to tie your royal blood to such a low alfar male,” said Sollerum, looking at Eren with disgust. “If I was your father, I would have never allowed it. The rules of the tournament should be changed so this type of situation never happens again. It is a waste that you are expected to mix your blood with that of lower-class scum.”

Everything inside of me wanted to rip this narcissistic asshole to pieces. Maybe I’d send Otar to his chambers later to do the job, but for now, I had to play this smart. I had to show my power, but in a way that also showed the court Eren now possessed the same power and demanded respect.

I smirked, sitting back on my throne. My eyes glazed over with the darkness I knew consumed them when I gave in to the Dark Flame. Sollerum’s face fell at the sight.

“Now, now,” I said, deepening my voice to a sarcastic, threatening tone. “Is that any way to speak to the crowned prince? My husband? Your future king?” I brought my hand up to my face, dark flames erupting from my skin.

“I … I only meant that I sympathize with your situation,” clarified Sollerum.

“What is there to sympathize with?” I asked calmly. “Erendrial Lyklor abided by the rules of the tournament. He rose above the other three houses who entered the challenge and defeated them fairly. He has proven himself more worthy than anyone in this room. I see nothing to sympathize with.”

Sollerum took a step back in shock. “I am sorry, your majesty. I did not mean to offend you,” he said, bowing to me.

“When it is my husband’s and my time to reign, I will remember this, Lord Sollerum. There may be an empty chair at my table when that time comes.” The music in the throne room had stopped. All side conversations came to a halt as we became the entertainment. I took the opportunity to clarify a few things.

I stood from the throne gracefully, without removing my eyes from Sollerum.

“I will remind each of you one, and one time, only. My husband is your future king. You will not disrespect him in public or in private. The next person that speaks or acts against him, I will make an example of myself. Am I clear?” I spoke loudly.

The court bowed. I turned back to Sollerum. “Bow to your king,” I demanded.

He moved in front of Eren’s throne and bowed.

“Now kiss his feet,” I said, returning to my seat.

“What?” asked Sollerum.

“Gen,” whispered Eren.

“I said, kiss the feet of your king.”

The whole court watched as Sollerum humiliated himself and kissed Eren’s feet.

“Now get out of my sight,” I demanded.

Sollerum and his sons left the throne room. I didn’t look back at Eren. I didn’t know if he would be appreciative or embarrassed about what I had just done. I took my leave and headed back to my rooms.

Lily soon arrived and begged me to go to the alehouse with her. I wasn’t in the mood. A girl could only take so much rejection for one day. But she was resilient, and I eventually folded.

I changed into a tight, revealing red dress. The outfit was short, barely covering my bottom, and the slit in the front almost made it to my hip. It plunged low at my chest and had an open back. I left my hair down. Atalee helped with the makeup and topped me off with a red lip.

The group was already at the table when we entered the alehouse. The male alfar turned and looked to me with hunger in their eyes as I walked through the crowd. I smiled at the attention, feeling powerful for the first time in a long while. Lily fell into Zerrial’s lap and kissed him passionately. I looked away, feeling a bit uncomfortable. Voz got up from the seat next to Eren.

“Oh, you don’t have to do that,” I said nervously.

Voz gestured to the seat, so I took it, not wanting to make a fuss. Eren kept his eyes on his mug of ale while the others laughed and talked amongst themselves. I fidgeted nervously. The twins got up to make their way to the stage. Their group shouted and clapped. One by one they made their way to the dance floor.

Leenia grabbed my hands and pulled me from the chair. “Come on princess, no need to let that dress go to waste.”

Doria laced her arm in mine. Cups of ambrosia passed us by. We each took one and slammed it back. The music filled the air as the tempo quickened. Evinee joined and the four of us danced and laughed together.

After a few too many ambrosias, I found my way back to the table. Eren was still sitting quietly, sipping on his ale. I grabbed my glass and drank deeply. I was drunk, there was no hiding it.

“Question,” I said. “Have you slept with all three of them at the same time? Because if so, I want details.”

A small laugh escaped from him. A real laugh. I let my head fall back against the booth.

“Oh, thank Azeer, you laughed.”

He turned towards me and arched his brow. “I laugh when you’re funny. That was funny.”

I smiled, feeling the butterflies in my stomach stir. “Have I ever told you how happy your laugh makes me?”

“No.”

“Well, it does. Just in case you were wondering.”

He turned away from me, looking back into the crowded dance floor. “Wear that dress for anyone in particular?”

“You, of course. I can only focus on one male at a time. You’re too much work.”

He smirked again. “I am not the difficult one in this relationship.”

“Oh, it’s a relationship now, is it? That means I get special privileges and access to specific parts of you, if that is the case.”

“Princess, I think you are intoxicated.”

“Yes, I am fully aware of that fact.”

He laughed again, shaking his head.

I focused on the beautiful features of his face and exhaled. My pheromones filled the air around us. He took a deep breath and snapped his head towards me. His pupils dilated while his eyes consumed my body with desire. He shook his head, trying to get a hold of himself.

“That’s cheating,” he said, shifting away from me.

“I’m desperate.”

He laughed again, standing and extending his hand towards me. This was it. I was making progress.

“If you promise not to use your power against me, I will dance with you,” he said softly.

I took his hand and pulled myself into him.

“For the record,” I stated, “that specific power has grown over the past few months. If I wanted to, I could have you on the table right now, and you couldn’t resist me,” I whispered as my words slurred together.

“Princess, we are taking this slow,” he said, leading me onto the dance floor.

“What happened to us not being good for each other?” I mumbled.

“We aren’t,” he replied, pulling me into the crowd. “But against my better judgment, I can’t seem to stay away from you.”

The tempo of the song was quick and upbeat. The twins sang and danced on the stage while everyone laughed and shouted with excitement. We followed the choreography of the dances as we stomped and swayed past each other.

He took me into his arms, closer than I had been to him in months. I breathed out a sigh of relief, my power filling the air. His pupils expanded again. The group of alfar and humans around me began to attack their partners, overcome by lust. I laughed while I watched the mini Jestu take place.

“Oops, sorry,” I said, trying to look away from the others.

“I thought you had it under control,” he said.

“Guess you still have an effect on me.”

He looked down at me, his eyes flashing from joy to sadness. He began to pull away, but I held on as the crowds around us calmed.

“Don’t leave me … please,” I said desperately.

He exhaled, looking away. “Come on, let’s get out of here,” he said, pulling me from the crowd.

We made our way back to the castle. His room was the first one we came to. I stopped at the door, not sure if he wanted me to stay with him tonight. I backed away. “Have a good night,” I said, turning to leave.

He grabbed my arm, pulling me into the room. He closed the door and slammed me against it. He stood over me, powerful and dominating. He calmed his breathing while his eyes devoured my face.

His hand slowly rose to my imprint. He removed the small strap of my dress, allowing it to fall down my arm. Hesitantly, he hovered his fingers over the imprint, but I couldn’t bear another minute without feeling him. I drew his hand to my shoulder, tracing his fingers along the black lines of the marking. I closed my eyes and exhaled with relief.

His fingers grazed each line of the marking before moving up the length of my neck. I arched my body towards him, enjoying every moment of his affection. He traced my lips with his thumb and I parted them, allowing me to taste his skin. He slid his hand into my hair, pulling my head towards him aggressively. I opened my eyes to see his swirling silver irises glaring down at me.

“You will never deny me again,” he demanded, holding my hair in his fist.

I nodded.

“You are mine,” he commanded. “Say it! Say you are mine!”

“I’m yours. I’m only yours,” I said.

He pulled my face into him, kissing me passionately. He moved me away from the door, tearing at my dress, ripping the fabric down the middle. I pulled his shirt from his body and then started on his pants. By the time we made it to the bed, we were both completely naked. He threw me against the mattress, falling on top of me.

His mouth consumed mine, before moving to my neck and then my breasts. I arched, wanting him to have as much of me as he could take. His hands traveled down the length of my body, squeezing and clawing at my skin. I ran my hands through his dark head of hair. I pulled his face back up to mine, needing more.

He slid a finger inside of me and my entire body erupted with pleasure. He slowly worked in a second and then a third as I moaned, overcome with ecstasy. He stopped moving, pulling his lips away from mine, and looked down at me in shock.

“What? What is wrong?” I asked.

“You … you have a hymen,” he said, pulling his fingers from me.

“My whole body must have been restored when I came back,” I said.

He pulled away, rolling to the side.

“Is that a problem?” I asked, confused.

“No, it’s just … I thought you had been with others since you had come back.”

“I haven’t,” I said, feeling ashamed. “I just said that because I was mad and embarrassed that night. Another thing I should apologize for. I’m sorry.” I covered myself with my arms, feeling uncomfortable.

“Are you sure you want this?” he asked, turning back to me.

“I’m sure I want you. I want you more than anything.”

He took a moment to look at me. I gave him a reassuring smile. He took my face and pulled it into his. My bare body fell on top of him and he turned, pinning me between him and the mattress. I opened my legs in an invitation.

He pushed into me without hesitation. My insides exploded with that incredible feeling I had only ever experienced with him. My entire body erupted in gooseflesh as my pheromones released. The sweet smell of oranges and whiskey mixed with lavender and sandalwood. I laughed, turning his face to mine. His eyes were shut while he moved inside of me. I rubbed my nose against his, trying to get him to look at me. His dark eyelashes fluttered open, revealing silver swirls filled with both pain and happiness.

“I’ve missed you,” I whispered.

He smiled, pressing his lips against mine without uttering a word. I held him close while he moved so perfectly in between my legs. It wasn’t rough or lustful. It was calm and savoring, yet full of passion and emotion. The walls of my insides screamed with pleasure as the sensation filled my entire body. I let out a loud moan before I arched my pelvis up, sending him hurtling to the very top of me. He roared while he held himself still, coming to a finish.

He fell on top of me, exhausted from the act. I cradled his head against my chest, running my fingers through his smooth, silky hair. He turned his attention to my chest, kissing my exposed skin tenderly while he ran his hands down my sides. He pulled away and looked deeply into my eyes. I smiled, tracing the details of his face with my fingers. He kissed my palm before rolling to the side. He traced his fingers around each breast, studying my body with his eyes.

“Are you okay?” he asked.

“Better than okay,” I answered, turning on my side to look at him. “You?”

He grinned. “I never thought I’d touch you like this again.”

I kissed him softly, catching his eyes with mine. “You can touch me like that whenever, however, and wherever you want … husband.”

“I need more of you,” he said, his eyes hungry.

“I’m yours, remember?”

He smiled, flipping me to my back. Before I knew it, his teeth were buried into my neck while he sucked the sensitive skin. I gasped, digging my nails into the smooth skin of his back. He forced my legs open with a knee, but didn’t enter … not yet.

I tangled my fingers through his hair, ripping his mouth from my neck before slamming it into my lips. Our tongues lashed and danced in and out of each other, causing my heart to race. Eren tightened his grip around my hips, digging his fingers into my flesh.

I licked the column of his neck, savoring his taste, as he moaned with pleasure. My hand tauntingly traced down the muscles of his abdomen until I reached his perfectly hard cock.

I wrapped my fingers around his girth. He hissed in response. My hand began to slide up and down his length, slowly at first while I watched his face tense. Unable to control myself, my grip tightened, and I pumped faster, feeling my own desire begin to rise.

Eren’s breathing deepened. I slid the head of his cock along my wet seam, teasing us both while I hovered his tip right outside my entrance. Before I could push him in, Eren flipped us over, placing me above him. In that moment, time slowed, and nothing matter but him … but us.

His eyes scanned my body, seeming to study me like a piece of art. Ever so gently, his fingers slid across my skin as if I were the most precious thing in this world. He drew his hand up my chest, to my neck, and then my face, tracing my swollen lips.

“You’re so beautiful, princess,” he whispered.

I looked down at him, pulled from my euphoric state. “What?”

He sat up, tangling his fingers in the back of my hair. He pressed a sweet kiss to my lips before returning his attention to my eyes. “I said, you are beautiful.” Kiss . “The very definition of perfection.” Kiss .

I smiled, unable to contain my happiness. He pulled me closer against him. My breasts smashed against his toned chest while I reached down, positioning his glorious length right where I needed it. I slid myself down his cock, and we both moaned from the sensation.

I moved my hips rapidly, while we held each other, forehead to forehead, entranced in each other’s gaze. Unable to contain myself, I reared my head back and yelled with pleasure. His fingers gripped onto my hips while he thrusted savagely in and out of me.

My pheromones released again, and we became animals. I flung myself forward, pushing him back against the mattress as I clawed and tore through his skin. I bit and sucked on anything and everything I could get my lips on.

I positioned my legs on either side of him while I slammed myself repetitively down on his cock. An intense sensation came over me, causing my sex to tense just before I felt release. My orgasm saturated the sheets. I looked down, seeing his body glisten from my release. I slowed, taken aback by what my body had just done. I drew my eyes to Eren.

His gaze was fixed on the moisture that now covered his abdomen and ran down my legs. He looked at me, breathing deeply, and smiled. “Do that again,” he said in a deep, raspy voice. He pulled my mouth to his before he continued to thrust quickly inside of me.

My body obeyed his every command without hesitation. I gasped, the sensation overcoming every nerve in my body. Eren gripped my hips, moving me up his shaft as the liquid seeped from me, saturating his dick and pelvis. He slammed me down around him.

“Fuck,” he roared , finding his own release. My body shuddered, clenching and throbbing while I rode my orgasm until it reached its peak. I fell onto his chest, our damp skin clinging to each other. He moved my hair from my sweaty skin, tracing his fingers down the length of my spine, pressing a kiss to my head.

My heart was beating so rapidly I feared it would rip itself from my chest. I closed my eyes, trying to catch my breath. The room was spinning, and my sight was blurry, but my body felt incredible.

Finally, I removed my body from his, moisture spreading across my skin. Pulling the covers up to my chest, I moved to his side, looking down at his shimmering body. “That’s never happened before,” I admitted.

Eren laughed, propping his head on an elbow and turning to face me. “I am glad to hear it,” he replied, tracing his fingers along my jaw. “And for the record, I plan on making you do that every time we make love.”

I smirked, still embarrassed by what my body had just done … even though the feeling was incredible. He pulled me into him, wrapping his arms around me tightly while my head lay on his chest. My body was bruised and sore in the most pleasurable way; yet somehow, I already needed more of him.

“You’re snuggling, just so you know,” I whispered with a smile on my face.

He kissed me on the head and gave me a gentle squeeze. “I’m never letting you go. Never again,” he replied.

My heart exploded at that moment. This was real. After everything I had been through, I finally got my time of happiness. I felt warm tears fall from my eyes to his chest.

He pulled back with worry. “What’s wrong? Are you okay?”

I pushed up, not able to stop the tears from rolling down my face.

He wiped them away.

“I’m happy,” I laughed. “For the first time in my entire life, I have everything I’ve ever wanted.”

He grinned at me, sitting up to kiss me. “And I plan on keeping you that way. For the rest of your life, princess. I will make you happy. You have my word.”

I kissed him again before moving back to his chest, wrapping my arms around him tightly. I fell asleep in the arms of the one I had chosen, that had fought for me, that had saved me. The one I truly loved.