Page 49 of Blackheart

By the time I was fed and summoned, it was dark. An entire day had gone by, and Castivian was no closer.

I changed into the skimpy undergarments that were‘required’ while Sitara waited outside the room. Did they expect me to walk through the manor nearly bare?

The sheer gowns the women wore weren’t far off in measures of modesty. If they could endure it, I supposed I could too.

I opened the door, wearing nothing but scraps of lace and the violet necklace.

Sitara was pleased that I’d followed all instructions and led me down several annoyingly extravagant hallways to the Warlock's room. The gold wallpaper, sculptures, and paintings were all sougly. Nothing but a sign of wealth.

At the end of the longest hallway were grandiose double doors that reached the high ceiling. They opened on their own, surely controlled by Zain’s magic. The marble floors were cold beneath my bare feet. Sitara patted my shoulder, then she was gone.

A deal was a deal.

Chapter 17

The Act

“Pray for your king this sickness season.”

—Henvri Joye, High Healer

Zain greetedme and grabbed my hand, leading me into his lavish chambers. His bed was at least five times the size of any I had ever seen, filled with luxurious black blankets and fluffy fur pillows. He stood with his back against the edge of the bed and a glass of vodka in hand.

“I must say, Elora, you clean up nicely.” The devilish amusement on his face was nothing short of sinister.

With slow steps, I approached the Warlock, doing my best to keep my forearm turned inward to hide the King's Mark. If he were to realize I had a greater value, I might never get to leave.

“You think so?” I teased. My heart thumped so hard I thought it might explode.

“I think—” he began, boring into my eyes.

“You think nothing.”

Looking down at his lips, I pushed him onto the bed before he could mutter another word, sending his glass falling to the floor.

He tried to sit back up, but was met by my hand at his lower abdomen. I pulled the stupid lace garment over my head and climbed on top of the Warlock. He was beautiful, with blazing red hair and a chiseled, shimmering physique.

Perhaps he was an illusion too. A pretty package to hide the stolen Nature lurking beneath his skin.

Straddling his lap, I leaned over to meet his face. His mouth twitched into a smile a moment before our lips met.

I softly opened my mouth as the Warlock sat up, holding me against him. He was warm and tasted of vodka and cigars. Reaching my hands around him, I dragged my fingers across his back before pulling off his shirt.

Pressing his hands against my hips, my chest met his as he kissed and bit at my neck. I ran one hand through his hair while reaching the other for his trousers. In a frenzy, he flipped us over and yanked me to the edge of the mattress. He snapped his fingers, and the rest of his clothes were gone. He stood at the end of the bed, scanning my body ravenously.

The Warlock placed his hands delicately on my thighs as he beheld me, his first Blackheart.

He slowly caressed my leg as he brought his face below my navel. I tugged at his hair, draping my legs over his broad shoulders as he began to feast. He inserted his fingers inside‌ me in a rapid motion. I didn’t need to count the paintings on the walls to know he was experienced.

I moaned softly, letting him toy with me. There was no harm in enjoying it. Within a few moments, I was pulling Zain onto the bed and pushing him onto his back again. He traced my spine with his finger as I found my place on top. I grabbed his length, fit for a Warlock, positioning it teasingly before slowly sliding down, enjoying the surprise in his eyes.

“Oh,fuck,” he moaned.

Seated to the hilt, I ground against him, leaning in playfully to grab his neck. He pulled my hair, reminding me who was in charge.

I placed my hand around the necklace Sitara had given me before focusing back on the Warlock. His eyes disappeared with every roll of my hips. He was easily the most striking man I’d ever lain with, possibly even the best altogether. I leaned over to kiss him again.

For Sitara.