Page 33

I was a desperate, needy mess.

When Luc finally reached the top of the final staircase to the Imperial Apartment, I nearly whimpered with relief. With every step between the alcove three stories below and here, my cunt had slid across his bare abs.

I bit my lips with his every movement.

Tightened my legs around his waist.

Dug my fingers deep into his shoulders.

Breathe, Nessa. I said the words to myself, but Luc and Jules’s voices echoed in my mind, low and knowing. I shuddered at their dulcet murmurs.

The King of Dawn slithered along behind us, his grin widening with every squeak I kept down and every one I didn’t. Jules hadn’t bothered plucking our abandoned clothing from the floor, nor did he use his blood control to lessen his straining erection. I was far closer to the bulge in Luc’s trousers, but it was that monstrosity I’d feel first.

I swallowed hard, smothering both a whimper and the betrayal of my watering mouth.

In no time at all, the Conqueror crossed the hall, pushed through the golden, runed door, and cut through the sitting room. Titus glanced up from where he lay by the fireplace, the flickering blaze painting lazy light across the room. He quickly flopped his head back down, not the least bit interested or concerned.

The second we passed into the kings’ bedchamber, all thoughts of Titus fled my mind.

This was it.

This was happening.

Fuck.

I had never both wanted and feared something this badly. Wanted the pleasure, the touch of skin, the intensity of those luminous gazes. Feared what it meant. To them? Nothing. How many thousands of vampires and thralls—human, witch, and Mortal Bride alike—had shared their bed? To them, I was one of a million, a routine indulgence after a revelry.

To me, they were the first men to touch me, to pleasure me, to claim me. I had known this was the world I lived in, where sex meant nothing, but I had spent too long with my head in a book, trapped in romances and unrealistic expectations.

I wanted them to fuck me. I wanted it to mean something, more than just magic binding us together… and at the same time, I didn’t.

I didn’t know which was more pathetic.

At least the first was reasonable.

I closed my eyes and inhaled deeply… and by the time I exhaled, Luc was lowering me to the ground at the end of their bed. My feet sunk into soft rugs.

It wouldn’t ever be my bed, no matter how many times they fucked me on it. Tonight would surely be the first of many.

Luc turned toward a dresser positioned between the door to my bedchamber and the bathing chamber. As he did, Jules looped around my back, the heat of him a caress across my dust-smeared skin. He breathed in my scent. I clenched—and moaned as pleasure pulsed through me.

Jules hummed, his fingers tapping against my lower back and down my spine. Down, down, down… until he tweaked the end of the silver plug.

I jolted with a yip, but he caught me with a loose arm around my hips, keeping me close. “You’ve been such a good girl for us, wearing this all night without complaint.”

Luc twisted one of the silver rings from his fingers. It clattered onto a tray on the dresser. Then another. “She complained twice.”

“With little complaint,” Jules amended.

“Sit, Julien,” Luc said without turning. Another ring clattered.

Without a word, Jules released me and dropped onto the end of the bed. He loosened his pale hair from its knot, letting it spill over his shoulders as he sprawled back with a grin.

“I said sit, not lounge.”

I shuddered at the rumble of Luc’s voice, but Jules only pouted. “You’re mean, Lucey.”

The King of Dawn pushed back up, but his eyes stayed on me, standing in front of him wearing nothing but a skirt of chains, a couple strands of necklaces, and a collar.

I drank in every inch of his ivory skin in return, but my gaze kept flickering to his cock, achingly hard and impossibly long. He hadn’t bothered removing any of his jewelry, from the headdress woven into his pale blond waves to his heavy earrings and the rings on his fingers.

Stars, he was a sight to behold. All bright gold and glittering rubies and perfect, carved muscle.

The bastard knew it, too. He loved the way everyone always stared, enraptured by his beauty. But even his lovers never entirely forgot their fear, forgot that Jules’s hands and the Butcher’s hands were one and the same. And while she was afraid, she didn’t fear me, couldn’t ever fear me. Only lust shined in her dilated eyes, a deep, warm mahogany—

“You better get over here quickly,” Jules drawled. “Our bride is eye-fucking me hard.”

I ripped out of the bond, my cheeks burning red. “So are you.”

“Exactly why Luc should hurry the fuck up.”

Two more rings clinked onto the tray. “Hands on his shoulder, Nessa.”

I stiffened at the command and glanced back at Jules, but he only watched me with that pleased, infuriating grin.

I had agreed to submit. There was no backing out now.

With a deep breath, I stepped closer until my knees bumped his and placed my hands on his strong shoulders. Jules’s black eyes dropped to my breasts and stayed there. I repressed a shiver.

“Take a step back.”

I frowned. Step back? But then I’d be… leaning over Jules, bent just enough, leaving myself wide open.

I obeyed before I thought too hard about it.

“Spread your legs.”

My head snapped toward Luc. “What—?”

Luc had stripped from his trousers, his toned, bronze ass on full display. My mouth dropped open slightly. The muscles of his back rippled as he removed the last of his rings. I didn’t think I’d ever get used to the sight of the Conqueror naked.

“You have your orders,” Luc said, turning.

I snapped my jaw shut. “Why?”

The King of Dusk closed the distance between us. It took everything in me not to bolt from the powerful, gorgeous, obviously aroused vampire prowling toward me.

Not that I’d make it far if I did.

“Because you need to be wetter to take Julien’s cock,” Luc said. “I’m going to make you come again.”

Now my jaw dropped all the way. How the fuck was I supposed to respond to that? I just stared as Luc reached my side, a towering shadow of golden-brown skin and dark hair—

A spark flashed against my ass. Through my ass. I yelped, spine snapping straight, nipples tightening almost painfully. My nails dug into Jules’s shoulders as I forced out a breath.

Luc had spanked me.

I met black eyes lined with silver, the hungry gaze of a vampire. My core clenched. The memory of Luc’s fingers between my legs hit me so vividly, I nearly gasped. I clenched my thighs together.

Luc smirked, his nostrils flaring. “Obey, Nessa.”

Damned vampire noses. I clenched my thighs tighter, as if that would change a thing—

Smack .

Luc slapped my ass again, harder this time. His voice turned razor sharp. “ Now .”

I mewled, a strange pleasure flooding through me. I’d felt that touch all the way through to my clit. A part of me was furious that anyone dared spank me, the act demeaning and wrong in the eyes of the godstars. But the depraved part of me won out, heart fluttering so hard I couldn’t bring myself to care.

I spread my legs.

Luc hummed in approval. He brushed his fingertips around the curve of my ass and grazed the silver plug. I shuddered at the touch.

He tugged it from me in one smooth motion. I yelped. The heat of magic flared almost immediately behind me, no doubt sterilizing the silver. Would he step away to put it back in its case? My body began to relax—

Luc slid a finger all the way into me.

“Oh,” I gasped, clenching down on Jules’s shoulders. Luc’s sudden invasion should have felt jarring, but my body welcomed him without resistance, slick and aching.

Luc aimed to somehow make me wetter.

He pulled out—then pulsed back in.

In.

Out.

Luc went from nothing to fucking me with his hand in a second flat.

I moaned. Jules licked his lips. I nearly buckled from the building heat in that gaze, the building heat between my thighs.

Luc slid a second finger into me.

I choked on my next moan. Oh, stars. My nails dug into Jules’s skin.

“Fuck, she’s tight.” Luc pulsed his fingers apart slightly. I squeaked at the sensation. Thanks to the soothing rune, it wasn’t anything compared to the cramps and bloating I used to suffer daily, but neither was it comfortable.

Before discomfort could dampen my pleasure, Luc returned to his rhythm, stoking the fire in me, hotter and hotter.

I had just come less than ten minutes ago. It wasn’t going to take that much to push me over the edge again. My chest heaved, my entire body trembling.

“You look overwhelmed,” Jules murmured, watching me intently. The shadows in his pupils swirled. “Are you going to come on Luc’s fingers for us?”

“I—I—I—probably.”

“Shh.” He pressed a finger to my lips. “You’ll hurt Luc’s feelings if you’re still capable of speech.”

“How many fingers will stop her from forming sentences, do you think?” Luc asked with a rumble. “Let’s try three.”

“Wai—ahh.”

Luc didn’t wait. He slid a third finger inside me, stretching me open. My knees actually buckled this time—but Jules caught me with steady hands, holding me upright.

I squeezed my eyes shut. Luc stroked and stroked and stroked, spreading me open deeper and deeper. Oh, stars, I couldn’t… I shouldn’t… Every part of me clenched.

Something warm brushed my fingertips. My eyes jolted open. A drop of blood dribbled down Jules’s chest.

My nails had pierced his skin .

The King of Dawn didn’t even notice. “Don’t fight it. Let yourself come. Luc won’t stop until you do.”

I couldn’t speak, so I just shook my head. I wasn’t saying no, not really. I wasn’t saying much of anything, barely capable of speech anymore.

But Luc took it as a denial. “Stubborn brides get a fourth finger.”

Nope.

My legs snapped shut instantly, trapping his hand between my thighs. Though not really. No human strength could stop a vampire from doing whatever he wanted.

Luc didn’t move. “Release my hand.”

I shuddered at the sinful promises in his voice.

“I’d do what he says,” Jules whispered conspiratorially. “Luc always gets what he wants.”

“He… It won’t fit.”

“I will,” Luc said. “Breathe, little curiosity.”

I shook my head. “You won’t.”

“You are my soulbound.” He straightened his fourth finger slowly, the sensation a brush against my inner thigh. “We have to fit together, in every way. I know you can take four fingers because you’ll take my cock.”

Luc’s hand slid forward until his fingertips met my wet center… and kept going, nudging into me. Past the first knuckle, then the second—

“Oh, fuck.” I tried to swallow the moan that followed the words, but it slipped free, raw and unrestrained.

Luc pumped his hand deep inside me. Each thrust strummed the tension in me higher and higher. Stars, I shouldn’t have enjoyed this. Shouldn’t be on the edge of another orgasm, so soon after coming on their tongues.

Jules smirked up at me, enjoying the show as I fought against the orgasm Luc was fixated on giving me.

The King of Dusk chuckled softly. “I love a good challenge. You’ve put up a valiant fight… but now, you’re going to come for me.”

Luc twisted his hand, palm facing the floor, and curled his fingers.

Once.

Twice.

Thrice—

I shrieked as the pleasure burst, my body clamping down on Luc’s fingers. My back arched. I whimpered, tears streaming down my face. Oh, stars. Their touches shouldn’t feel this good. It wasn’t right.

But how could I resist this bliss? This ecstasy that shattered every thought, every fear, until only they remained?

Luc’s fingers stayed deep inside me, coaxing me through the aftershocks, slow and unrelenting, stretching out my orgasm until it turned unbearable. Until I was raw and open and trembling. A wreck in their hands.

My breath stuttered as another pulse rolled through me, weaker this time but no less consuming.

Jules hummed in satisfaction. “Look at you, lovely. You’re beautiful.”

I wanted to deny him. Wanted to protest.

But I could barely breathe.

The last remnants of my orgasm shuddered through me, wringing me dry. My bones melted, muscles going liquid, useless. I sank into Jules’s chest, sagging against him, panting and spent.

And they hadn’t even fucked me yet.

The King of Dawn stroked a hand down my back, the touch surprisingly gentle for the Butcher. I considered burying my face against his glittering chest, but Luc’s triumphant satisfaction almost warmed my skin. I twisted around, intent on glaring at the Conqueror, taking far too much pride in his victory.

My attention snagged on his hand and stayed there. His fingers glistened, a faint pink tinge to my desire. I’d started bleeding again. More lightly than before, but still enough that I noticed it.

I cringed. Would there ever be a time I wouldn’t bleed when aroused? At least there hadn’t been any pain. I didn’t even want to know how much agony I’d be in without magic.

Holding my gaze, Luc sucked his forefinger and middle finger into his mouth. My jaw popped open in a soft breath of shock. There wasn’t much dust on his fingers, but Luc made it seem like he was licking melted chocolate from his skin instead of my blood-tinged wetness.

Jules whined. “You really love making me suffer, don’t you?”

Luc only arched a brow. Then, without a word, he offered his ring finger and little finger to Jules. The King of Dawn didn’t hesitate. With a low noise, Jules seized Luc’s wrist and dragged his fingers into his mouth. He moaned at the taste of me.

When he finally released Luc’s hand, his black eyes were darker. Hungrier. Jules pushed to a stand, easily lifting me in his arms—

And dropped me onto the mattress, face first.

I stiffened, returning to reality with a sharp burst of adrenaline.

Luc had moved in a blink to the head of the bed, relaxing back into the mass of black, silky pillows. I couldn’t see Jules, but I knew he was behind me. Even without the soulbond, I’d have felt his gaze trailing my bare skin, the curve of my thighs and ass and hips. I stayed still, my heart galloping as fast as a hellsteed. Frozen under the gaze of two vampires.

Jules ran a finger along the back of my thigh, a touch so light I almost thought I imagined it. “Crawl across the mattress to Luc.”

I swallowed, but didn’t move. I didn’t think I could. “Across the mattress?”

“Yes,” Jules purred. “Slowly.”

A shiver traced my spine. My nipples peaked. “This wasn’t…”

“This wasn’t what you meant when you agreed to be fucked?” Luc asked. “Did you imagine you’d just lie back and close your eyes? I fear I have a few more expectations than your human men.”

I bristled and pushed onto my knees, scrambling further onto the mattress. “I don’t exactly know what I’m doing—”

Jules put a hand on the small of my back and pushed me over.

My hands hit the sheets right as the mattress dipped behind me. My skirt of chains surrendered to gravity, slipping down my thighs, hanging loose from my waist. My body screamed at me to run. To escape the intensity of those luminous, shadow-rimmed eyes.

To escape the agony they would cause when they fucked me.

Because it had to hurt. How couldn’t it? For a second, my body locked. I was stuck in the past, in the life I had resigned myself to living. I wasn’t meant to experience pleasure. Only pain.

“Shh, lovely. Breathe.” Jules nuzzled my back. His body caged me in as his hands stroked slow paths up my dust-painted sides. The soothing pattern didn’t settle the racing of my heart, not when his hard length brushed my ass and Luc’s gaze trapped me like iron. “Nothing is going to hurt tonight.”

“What about tomorrow?”

“Nothing is going to hurt ever .” Jules pressed a gentle kiss to my shoulder blade. My heartbeat steadied. “Crawl, bride.”

My breath hitched, but I obeyed, crawling toward Luc. He raised his arms to prop them against the pillows. This must have been how his subjects felt when they approached his throne. Those dark eyes trailed down my chin to where my body swayed beneath me, watching with obscene interest.

Cover up, Nessa , my stepmother’s voice snapped. She had pulled at the neckline of my gowns to cover my cleavage too often when my breasts had first developed. My fingers dug into the cushion. My shoulders curled. No one could ever possibly desire my body.

But Luc’s cock only hardened as he devoured the sight of me.

Too soon, my knees brushed against his thighs. I leaned back, unsure where to put my hands, unsure what to do—

Jules pushed me down again. I crashed into Luc’s hard, silver-smeared chest with a yelp. The King of Dusk brushed his knuckles across my chin. Jules slid his palms down my soft thighs. He hooked his hands under my knees and lifted, spreading me until I straddled Luc’s legs. Cold air brushed my opening cunt. I shuddered.

“Aww, you shouldn’t have,” Jules said, swiping a finger through my drenched slit. He popped two fingers into me with ease. I gasped. “She’s soaked for me.”

The corner of Luc’s lip twisted into that arrogant smirk. “She’s soaked for us .”

“Yes, sure, us.” Jules pulled his fingers out. Something hard and thick and hot brushed the swell of my wet center. “But I get to feel that wet grip on my cock first, so right now, she’s all for me.”