Page 11 of Beneath Swan Lake (Deadly Endings #2)

I don't make a conscious decision to molest the Reaper in my sleep. I do my best to stay on my side of the fire he started and just get through the night. But it's cold, and I can tell each time I crack my eye open that he's not getting any rest. Do Reapers sleep? I’ve never thought about that before.

It starts with a roll, then a shuffle, and all my rigid upbringing is screaming in protest as I try to discreetly shimmy up to him in the dark. Being closer to someone makes me feel better, and it seems Dima is properly distracted with something else so he isn't intruding on my thoughts. I've awkwardly rolled most of the way there when his arm shoots out, dragging me the rest of the way into his side.

His voice is a husky growl, the kind of voice I’d expect from someone actually getting some sleep. “You could just ask, Princess.”

My hands rests on his chest, and he's surprisingly warm for the representation of Death. I nuzzle in close, selfishly drinking up his warmth, and fall back asleep.

The next time I wake, I'm rocking against his thigh. Horror rolls through me when I realize what's going on, and my eyes snap wide before I try to shove away from him.

But the bastard is awake, giving me a bemused smirk as he watches. “Do you want to share what's got you so hot and heavy, Odette?”

I cringe, but his arm is tight around me again. I can feel the scarred flesh on his hand, the outline of the shamrock where his hand touches my arm and it makes me hyper aware of everywhere we are touching. Even flat on his back the corded muscle beats the strength of my human form, and the last thing I want to do right now is become the swan to try and break his grip on me. “I - I don't recall.”

He chuckles, green eyes dancing with mischief. “Oh, but I think you do.”

A lump forms in my throat and I'm not certain I can tell him the truth without dying of embarrassment. My parents' watchful and paranoid eyes means I don't get much privacy even as an adult, and I can't think of any man recently who got this close to me. My suitors never do. Even on the cusp of thirty I’m still a princess, and at this point I’m old to still be unwed. But that doesn’t mean I’m virginal and missing out on some of the best parts of life.

So imagining Raymundo’s cock isn't that big of a stretch, but when my gaze slides down his body my jaw falls open. Maybe it is that big of a stretch.

His hand slides down and fingers trace my hip, but his other hand is busy fingering the neckline of my dress. “Come on now. I didn't even interrupt. Maybe if you're a good girl you can go back to humping my leg and earn an orgasm . ”

My cheeks flame at the idea. “No thanks, if I'm going to be good I deserve the full shaft.”

His eyes darken. “Do you now?”

I nod, throwing caution to the wind. Once I'm back in the castle it will be almost impossible to get any privacy. Passing on what the Reaper is offering, no matter how irritating he is, is a foolish idea. “I bet you haven’t fucked a princess before, Reaper. So take advantage. I've learned to be flexible.”

He looks me over again, his smirk still in place. I wait for more taunting, but instead he grabs the back of my head and slams his lips to mine.

Oh. He kisses like a starved animal, one that needs to feed.

I kiss back just as feverishly, reaching down to grip his dick through the fabric. It's thick and full in my hand, and I guess he got extra worked up when I was busy rocking on him.

Briefly, fears fly through my mind. He could ask about the scarring, but I'll be damned if this gets derailed over the old wounds. I just want this man to fuck me into the dirt like he hates me and then take me home. A touch of sin before I return to the monotony of life is exactly what I need.

I rub his head, letting my nails drag over his cock. He makes that moaning sound again and I go for his pants.

He pulls back, pausing long enough to nip so hard at my neck that I yelp. “Don't start something you can't finish.”

I grin, deciding to show him that my vicious side isn't just reserved for the swan. I yank his trousers down, freeing his cock, and it bobs freely in the wind. It's a thing of beauty, long with a slight curve and a big, fat head that leaks precum.

“Princess-”

“Hush,” I moan, the tingling between my thighs turning to an ache. “Let me use you.”

He groans but doesn't protest when I climb on top of him, rearranging the dress to cover all the marks that I can. I know I'm soaked, and it's good too because that giant dick needs me wet and ready.

His hands grip my waist as I adjust us, and I push the dress around until I can hold his cock, push aside my panties, and run the tip of him across my pussy. I probably shouldn't have such a vulgar mind as a princess, but where's the fun in that?

Ray grips my thighs, but his hand hits bare skin where the slit is and freezes. His fingers press against the scarring, and he looks up at me like he's second guessing using me. “Odette-”

I slam myself down his cock, stealing his words and making him bite his lip to stifle a cry. His back bows as I impale myself, and his arched back and widened green eyes is one of the prettiest sights I've ever seen. Pushing my hands to his chest I start to work my hips the rest of the way down him, moaning as I go. He's bigger inside me than he felt in my hand.

My legs tremble, but it doesn’t stop me from bouncing. Ray bites his lip but some moans slip through, and after a few moments we're rocking together, his hips slamming up into mine as we move. The dress shifts around us, not hiding what we're doing.

As I pant and bounce, I almost think he's going to let me stay in charge before I feel his hands shift, one digging into my hip the other coming up to pull down the top of my dress. His fingers dip inside, pressing over one firm nipple until I cry out.

“There you are, “ he growls. “Bounce on my cock and sing me a pretty swan song, Birdie.”

I should probably be mad at the jab, but this feeling is too good to fight. I throw my head back, bouncing in tandem with his hips, and I can feel the orgasm approaching. It really has been too long since I had a pleasure partner.

Then something wraps around my wrists and throat, yanking me up several inches into the air. It doesn't hurt but it is startling, and I gasp as I look up at the sky and realize he's using the shadows to suspend me from the three points. They wrap around my throat, mirroring the feeling of being choked while he keeps both hands on me.

It's too much, and I look up at the morning sky and scream out my release, bearing down on him even as the shadows tighten and I gasp for air. The sudden lightheadedness makes the release even better, and I let my mind slip away and freefall into bliss for several moments.

A few deep strokes later Ray grunts and holds me down to him, his cock twitching inside me and I know he's come. I should be concerned but this is Death we're talking about. He shouldn’t be able to get anyone pregnant or pass anything along. There are no stories out there of Death being able to produce children.

After a minute the shadows loosen and fall away, and I slump down against his chest, panting too hard to care about being embarrassed that I'm clinging to him. He reaches up, stroking my hair, and it sends my emotions swirling all over the place. His other hand remains firmly on my leg.

And stupidly, I think we're going to bask in the high for longer than a few moments. I’m still relaxed when he shatters the calm around us. “Princess, you are going to tell me who the fuck hurt you.”

I try to jerk away, but he’s got his arms corded around me tightly. More than that, I can see his shadows moving about, creating a hazy look in the disappearing darkness. I might not be able to see once he hides within them, but the shadows themselves cast darkness over the scene around us. It’s morning and there should be more light. “Back off, Ray.”

He raises a brow, and when he twists one arm, practically crushing me to him, his fingers find the scars again. “Does anyone else know about these?”

“ Back. Off .”

He holds me for another moment, and I think I’m going to have to fight him on this. Instead a sigh slips through his lips, and he turns his head to the side as he looks away from me. “Keep your secrets then, Birdie. But if you don’t share, it’s a battle you’ll end up facing alone.”

~~ ~

I take to the skies again, too afraid to let Raymundo poke and prod at me after this morning. I won’t apologize for enjoying his body, but that doesn’t mean he gets to make comments on mine. The scarring is old, but the pain is still fresh in my mind. It’s not something I’m going to get into with a man who will be gone by tonight.

There’s no reason he should stay around longer than that. He’s got Reaper business to take care of, I’m sure, and the ins and outs of Swan Lake won’t be enough to tether someone as powerful as one of the four here.

I can’t get his words out of my head though as I scrambled away from him, pushing my feathery dress back into place. I might not be any more to you than a body to use, Birdie, but I like knowing my partners aren’t turning back to someone else to be hurt. Just give me a name and Death can take care of the problem for you.

The weaker, fearful half of me wanted to tell him it’s Dima’s fault, but not for the reasons he likely suspects. Ray will be gone soon enough, and then my problems will be my own once more.

Besides, the possessive flair from him when he had his shadows all around me makes my head dizzy. We were just having a bit of fun. Letting him into my dark past is like opening an old wound, and I don’t need the Reaper poking around into what happened to me.

Ray stays below me in the shadows, and I can’t quite track where he is. He muttered something before we abandoned camp about spirits, so maybe he’s collecting souls as we get closer to my home.

That’s perfectly fine. It will keep him distracted, and I’ll have to deal with my parents ire once we arrive as is. I missed the dinner Dima was complaining about back in Sherwood, and now I’ll have to contend with whatever my parents put up with in my absence. I’m sure it’s another failed marriage proposal, because Dima is hungry for the throne.

Marrying into the royal family and becoming the King of Swan Lake is about more than title alone. I sincerely doubt anymore that it has anything to do with me. Dima wants to ascend the throne so he can discover secrets of Swan Lake that only the rulers know.

My parents have secrets they’ve kept from me. Why, I’m not certain, but I’m not on track to take over the lands yet. Dima will make no more progress with my father than he has in the past, but for appearances sake and the peace of the land, he’ll continue to let Dima waste his breath pining for the crown.

As the castle comes into view over the hills, my heart tightens instead of growing lighter. I almost wish Raymundo was visible down below. It would make me feel less alone about my return. This close to the kingdom there are only a handful of swans to begin with .

Swan Lake itself is where most of the swans tend to flock, loitering on the southern and eastern edges of the lake. Swan Lake is the largest body of water in Mystica, and the western edges get close to the saltwater sea and the north is too chilly for most of the wildlife to gather. Icicle Pass is relatively close to the lake, leading up to the bitter Frostlands, and most creatures tend to stay away from that deadly pass. Unless the animals have wings or can cross the chasm another way, the vast majority of wildlife lingers in Swan Lake and Sherwood. The Frostlands are similar to a wasteland for a reason.

But there’s a magnificent fountain in the courtyard of the palace, and since I occasionally sit in the water as a swan, other birds are drawn there. My parents don’t complain, because it keeps me from flying free when I should be keeping the swan hidden.

I touch down before we reach the limits of the town and the castle beyond. We’re past Swanling where the farms are, and there’s a low-built stone wall that circles the greater kingdom near the castle itself. I could fly straight into the palace, but I want to avoid drawing any attention. Flying through Swan Lake is one thing, but the citizens might recognize my oversized form, and my parents won’t want rumors floating around when I’ve been missing.

Looking around, I don’t see Raymundo climbing out of the shadows. My chest tightens, and for a moment I wonder if he turned back once he realized I could fly straight onward to home .

“Why are we out here?” he asks, startling me when he speaks from behind. I jump, raising my arms in defense, and glare at him.

“Don’t do that,” I hiss.

He studies me for a moment, and slowly I drop my arms. It was just a reflex, but it’s going to make the Reaper curious again. “Will the townspeople ignore you walking through the village center?” His eyes sweep over me. “Dressed like that?”

I’ll admit, the feather dress isn’t exactly discreet, but to shift it’s necessary. “No, they won’t. But they will notice if I fly over the town towards home. I… I was hoping we could use the shadows for this last bit.”

I hate that his magic is something I need to rely on. But I want to keep the questions minimal, and the people of Swan Lake are almost evenly divided: they either think my curse is magnificent and it’s a gift that I can soar through the sky, or they see it as damnation and think there’s something tragically wrong with me for having to bear such a cruelty.

Either way, it’ll get the crowds talking.

He blows out a breath, shaking his head. “I knew you were going to use me.”

I don’t know if that’s supposed to be said in jest, but he wraps an arm around me and drags me in before I can comment. My palms flatten against him, and I realize this has become a familiar feeling. He slips into the shadows and I realize my time to question him is over; I can’t speak to him as we hop .

At least the town looks more or less the same, the same traders and makers walking through the cobblestone streets. I start to point to help guide Ray through the winding paths, until he shoots me a look. I suddenly realize he’s journeyed here plenty of times on his own and doesn’t need my assistance.

I wait until we’ve crossed through the entrance of the castle, pushing on his chest and pointing before his next hop. Thankfully he decides to listen, landing in a shady alcove where we won’t draw attention before stepping out of the shadows.

Immediately, I start to straighten and adjust my hair. The first thing that needs to happen is my eye needs to be covered. Ray watches me do so, his green eyes narrowing a hair. “Your parents aren’t fans of the one-eye look?”

“I’m not a fan of the one-eye look,” I mutter, straightening my shoulders. I truly wish my lady-in-waiting, Cindy, were here to help, but she's likely somewhere in the castle, worrying about my disappearance. No one disguises my missing eye better than she does. “Come on, I’ll find a guard to help locate my parents.”

I step from the alcove, shoulders back and head high like I’ve been trained to. All my schooling comes back to me in a matter of steps, and I’m walking lightly across the polished floor barefoot as I make my way back towards the main entrance. I turn back to see if Raymundo is following and I find him treading silently in my wake.

His hood is drawn again reminding me of how mysterious the Reapers are when you haven’t had the opportunity to get to know one of them. With the bow and stone arrows at his back he’s a little foreboding, and I imagine it helps to deter people from approaching him when he isn’t hidden by the shadows. It’s odd to see him walking through the palace when he usually keeps to the shadows. Before these past few days, I hadn't spent this much time with Raymundo, nor had I thought now about how it might appear for the two of us to be seen wandering the castle together.

It doesn’t take long to find someone. Not every hall is guarded past the front entrance, but circling back to the entrance has every head turning in my direction. The captain starts forward, raising a hand as he signals the men. “Princess Odette has returned!”

I keep my chin tilted up even as the captain shifts his gaze, eyes widening. “And… Reaper Raymundo.”

Ew, that’s an ugly formality. I haven’t even heard my parents address him that way, but the captain is trying to collect himself after seeing the two of us appear together. “Reginald-”

I cut myself off, Dahlia’s words from the tavern coming back to me. He was a palace guard, Theo. I believe he was friends with someone who works for the King, Odette. They were friends. Theo and… I think the other was Reginald. The man who left to work in Swan Lake.

My eyes widen, staring at the captain of the guard like I’m seeing him for the first time. Surely Reginald wouldn’t be tangled up in all the nonsense that drips down from Wonderland .

I hesitate for too long, and Ray clears his throat. “Captain Fischer, a pleasure.”

Reginald’s eyebrows lift, looking between the two of us before he nods a return greeting. I forget how formal Raymundo sounds when he addresses people, and I suppose a Reaper should be using people’s proper titles. But Reginald has held the same position in my father’s army since before I was born, often guarding me at the King’s request. He’s been like an uncle to me, and I don’t think I’ve ever formally called him Captain Fischer.

It would make sense if Ray didn’t make the connection when his mom was speaking with us in the tavern, but I should have considered that the Reginald she was referring to could be this Reginald.

Before I can say anything, the captain clears his throat and bows his head. “Princess, the King and Queen were deeply concerned about you. They informed us that you would be arriving with the Reaper, but we expected the two of you yesterday.”

“I understand, but The Missing Shoe Tavern isn’t that close to Swan Lake. We arrived as fast as possible without sapping Raymundo’s energy, so he could protect me if we ran into any adversaries along the way.”

I almost gag on the words, and I can feel Ray’s curious eyes burning a hole into the side of my head. I’m lying through my teeth.

Reginald regards the two of us, his bushy grey-and-white eyebrows furrowing as his eyes hop between us like he isn’t sure what to think. But a Princess and a Reaper should have unquestioned standing among anyone in the court, save my father. Reginald is outranked right now, and he’s smart enough to not dig for answers that the King can easily find out on his own.

“Of course, Princess,” he says after a moment, bowing again. Reginald has always been loyal, and that’s one of the things I like most about him. “The King and Queen have just bid farewell to Lady Ysanna and her son, Lord Dima.”

A shiver works its way up my spine despite everything. They have a home in town, so there’s no reason Dima and his mother needed to spend the night after something as trivial as a dinner. “I see.”

“Lord Dima expressed his disappointment that you were not in attendance,” Reginald goes on, peering between us.

Ray stays quiet, and that’s the only blessing. “I assure you, we hurried back as quickly as we could. Now I really should speak with my parents.”

Reginald nods, sweeping a hand out as he turns. We fall into step just behind him. “Of course, Your Royal Highness. Your father is finishing up speaking with the court and your mother retired to her rooms. I will let them know the Swan Princess has returned.”