Page 23 of Frost Bite
I crawl across the floor, surrounded by all four of them now. They lead me into a large, cavernous room. I look up through the glass ceiling to see a thousand stars flickering around asilvery moon. It lights up the entire space, casting a glow on the steaming pools of water that lie between the black rocks.
“These waters are sacred—hot springs filled with minerals that heal and soothe.” Death dips his fingers into the nearest one.
Steam rises from the various pools of water that are scattered around the cavern. The sweat that beads between my crevices only heightens my arousal.
“And there”—War points to the far east side of the room— “are the ice baths.” He tugs on my leash, forcing me to stand up. “Have you ever heard of sensory rituals, little doe?”
I swallow hard and shake my head. “No, but it doesn’t sound enjoyable.”
Famine slips his hand under my hair and caresses the back of my neck. “Oh, but it is. Hot, then cold, then hot again. The stimulation is… gratifying.”
I hate how my body responds to their games. My mind screams at me to run, but every cell in my body wants to stay and surrender.
Conquest removes the rope from my neck before tugging me forward. He pulls me to the center of the first pool. The water hits just above my belly button. I flinch at first but then my body starts to adjust to the heat. The combination of the steam and the cold air that seeps in from the skylight sends goose bumps across my skin.
I take a deep breath as the four of them circle me in the water, naked. Death nestles up behind me and pins my arms behind my back. “We’re going to take your innocence before the night is over. Then you will truly belong to us.”
“If anyone so much as looks at you sideways after tonight, they will meet a bloody end,” War growls as he clasps my throat.
I tremble between them, unsure of why their words stoke arousal in me. This possessiveness they have, this need to claimme, to own me… it’s intoxicating. It is not the same way a girl is owned by a husband. This is carnal. It promises pleasure while threatening ruin at the same time.
Conquest dips a rag into the water and wrings it out over my chest. The warm water tickles my flesh, hardening my nipples into two stiff peaks. I cannot lie that the feel of their wet bodies so close to me is driving me mad. Gods help me, but I want more…
He inches the rag down the length of my body, stopping only when he reaches my mound. I shudder as he rubs it against my pussy. A soft whimper flutters out of me as he takes his time, gently stroking my folds before moving to my thighs.
“I love a clean slate,” Famine whispers in my ear. “A blank canvas for us to paint our essence on.”
Death’s cock springs to life, pulsing against my lower back. “I have never wanted anyone more.”
They take turns washing me with the rag, rubbing it over every inch of me from my shoulders to my ankles. My eyelids are heavy, my body aching with need. But a tiny trickle of fear creeps into my belly. They are being too calm, too subdued. I have felt their wrath already, and I do not trust this gentleness. That also excites me even as it fills me with shame.
It’s getting harder to see through the steam, but I can still make out the smirks on each of their faces. And it tells me I’m right to be afraid.
Death skates his teeth over my shoulder. “You know what makes me so hard, Imogen? Hmm?” He nips at my flesh. “Your fear.”
Without warning, he pushes me down headfirst into the water.Oh no. I jerk and flail as I fight to come back up, but he’s too strong. A sharp pain shoots through my chest. I should give up and let the gods take me. Because I can’t hold my breath formuch longer. The darkness, a reminder, a warning, as it starts to dull my vision. I could just let go and let it all be over.
As I start to drift, I’m yanked back up with brutal force. I gasp for air the second my head’s dragged out of the water.
Conquest rests his palm on my chest. “Easy, little doe. Take a deep breath for me. Nice and slow. Yeah just like that.”
I cough and convulse as the fresh air fills my lungs. “Kill me already! I cannot take this torture.”
Famine laughs. “But this is your baptism. This is how we fulfill the ritual and make you ours.”
War yanks me away from Death like a rag doll. “You must break before you can be reborn.”
Conquest nods. “Virgin then whore and finally… queen.”
I’m shivering despite the hot steam that rises around us like an inferno. “Hopefully not a braindead queen,” I mutter.
Famine laughs harder. “There she is.” He nods at War. “Again.”
This time, I sense the act. The second his hands touch the top of my head, I gulp in a deep breath. But it doesn’t make me feel any safer when I’m plunged back into the water.
I have to relax.The more I fight, the faster I run out of air. They’re not going to kill me. They are just taunting me.
I unclench my limbs and open my eyes. Through the water, I spot War’s erect cock mere inches from my face. The thought of it inside me makes me dizzy. Or is it the lack of air? My stomach knots. It’s been too long. I claw my way through the water, but he keeps an iron grip on my head.