Page 10

CHAPTER 10

KARC

I stand at the top of the grand staircase, my golden scales catching the dim light as they shimmer faintly under the silk ropes that bind her. Raven dangles from the railing, suspended in a shibari masterpiece I’ve spent centuries perfecting. Her body is a living sculpture, folded and restrained in my suspension tie, her arms bent at sharp angles behind her back, her ankles tied to her thighs in a frogtie that accentuates the curves of her hips. The ropes around her chest squeeze just enough to make her gasp for breath, her skin flushed and gleaming with sweat.

The twin vibrating plugs inside her—one in her pussy, the other in her ass—are secured with a crotch rope that keeps them firmly in place. She shudders, squirming against the ropes, her body convulsing as another orgasm rips through her. Her lips part in a silent scream, and the ropes creak slightly under her movement.

"Two minutes, little bird," I say, my voice low and teasing as I begin my slow descent down the stairs. The sound of my footsteps echoes through the high-ceilinged foyer. "Then you must admit not only defeat, but that you are, in fact, impressed with my bondage skills."

"Not fair," she gasps, her voice trembling. Her body strains against the ropes, the muscles in her thighs and abdomen flexing as she fights the sensations overwhelming her. "Can’t concentrate with…with…"

Her words are cut off as she arches her back, her body convulsing again. A stream of liquid sprays out around the dildo tied into her pussy, splattering onto the hardwood floor below. She lets out a strangled moan, her head falling back as she hangs there, helpless.

I smile, "Impressive. I didn’t think you’d squirt again so soon. You’re full of surprises, aren’t you?"

"Go to hell," she breathes, her voice hoarse but still dripping with defiance. Her dark eyes lock onto mine, even as her body trembles from the aftershocks of her orgasm.

"I’ve been to hell," I reply, stopping a few feet away from her. I tilt my head, studying her as she dangles like a prize waiting to be claimed. "It’s overrated. No silk ropes, no vibrating plugs. Just a lot of paperwork."

She lets out a choked laugh, despite herself. "You’re such an asshole."

"And yet, here you are," I say, gesturing to her bound form. "Tied up, squirming, and completely at my mercy. Who is in control here, really? Me or you?"

She glares at me, but there’s no real heat in it. Her lips quirk into a smile, despite her best efforts to keep a straight face. "Maybe both."

I step closer, reaching out to brush a strand of her dark hair away from her face. My clawed fingers linger on her cheek, feeling the warmth of her skin. "You’re beautiful like this, you know."

She shivers under my touch, her breath hitching as she tries to maintain her composure. "Flattery won’t get you out of this, lizard boy."

"Good, because I’m not trying to get out of it," I reply, my voice dropping to a growl. "I’m exactly where I want to be. And so are you."

She opens her mouth to retort, but I press a clawed finger to her lips, silencing her. "Two minutes, Raven. Then we’ll see if you’re still as clever with your tongue as you think you are."

Her eyes narrow, but she doesn’t say anything. Instead, she glares at me, her chest rising and falling as she tries to catch her breath. I step back, folding my arms across my chest as I watch her struggle against the ropes, her body trembling with every vibration.

"Time’s up," I say, stepping closer to her suspended form. The ropes creak slightly as she squirms, her body glistening with sweat under the soft light of the chandelier. Her chest rises and falls with shallow breaths, and her dark eyes lock onto mine with a mix of defiance and something I can’t quite place—anticipation, maybe.

She groans, her head falling back as she let the words tumble out, however reluctantly. "Okay, you win."

I arch a scaled brow, a smirk tugging at the corner of my mouth. "That’s not the bet we agreed on."

She rolls her eyes, her chin jutting out in that stubborn way of hers. "Fine. You’re impressive ," she says, dragging out the word like it’s a personal insult. Then, with a flicker of mischief, she sticks her tongue out at me.

I tilt my head, considering her. "Oh, little bird, you’re playing with fire." My clawed fingers reach for the remote in my pocket, and with a single click, I turn the vibrators inside her up to their highest setting. Her body jerks, a surprised squeak escaping her lips before I’m already pressing the ball gag into her mouth, securing it tightly behind her head.

Her eyes widen, but there’s no fear in them. Instead, they’re dark with something else—something hungry. She lets out a muffled moan, her body writhing against the ropes as the vibrations pulse through her.

I step back, folding my arms across my chest as I watch her struggle. She’s a vision like this—bound, gagged, completely at my mercy, and yet still daring to challenge me. She leans forward as much as the ropes allow, her gagged mouth pressing against my chest. Her eyes meet mine, and the look in them is unmistakable. She’s enjoying this.

But she’s not getting off that easy.

I let my claws trail down her spine, watching her shiver at the touch. "You thought sticking your tongue out at me was clever, didn’t you?" I say, my voice low and teasing. My hand lands on her ass with a light slap, the sound sharp in the quiet of the room. She jerks, a muffled yelp escaping the gag.

I start slow, the slaps light but deliberate. Her skin flushes under my touch, and her muffled cries grow louder with each strike. I can feel the heat radiating from her skin, the way her body trembles as the vibrations inside her build.

But I’m not content to just spank her. Between each slap, my fingers find her clit, swollen and sensitive beneath the crotch rope. I tease her, my claws gentle but insistent, drawing out gasps and whimpers that only fuel my desire.

She thrashes against the ropes, her cries growing more desperate. When I can see her nearing the edge, I pause, pulling out a velvet cloth from my pocket. I press it against her heated skin, soothing the sting of the spanking. She lets out a shuddering breath, her body trembling as I alternate between punishment and tenderness.

"Still think you’re in control, little bird?" I murmur, my claws grazing her clit again. She arches against the ropes, a choked moan escaping the gag. Her eyes meet mine, and in them, I see the truth—she’s mine, and she knows it.

I land another slap, harder this time, and her body convulses, her orgasm ripping through her as she hangs there, helpless and trembling.

I lean in, my lips brushing against her ear. "This isn’t over yet."

I step around behind Raven, my claws brushing against the soft skin of her inner thighs as I untie the crotch rope. The rope slips free, and I carefully remove the vibrator from her pussy, leaving the one in her ass still humming softly. She lets out a muffled whimper, her body trembling as the head of my cock presses against her entrance. Her hips jerk, trying to squirm her way onto me, but the ropes hold her in place.

“Oh yeth,” she moans behind the gag, her words slurred but desperate. Her pussy is wet, hungry for me, and I can’t hold back any longer. I thrust into her in one smooth motion, my length stretching her open. Her body clamps down around me, tight and wet, and I have to grit my teeth to keep from coming right then and there.

My claws dig into the suspension rope as I hold myself steady, my breath coming in ragged gasps. I can feel the heat building inside me, the urge to let go almost overwhelming, but I’m determined to make her come first. I pull her head back by her hair, her neck arching as she lets out a muffled scream. Her pussy clenches around me, tighter than a vice, and that’s it—I can’t hold back anymore.

I thrust into her hard, my cock pulsing as I come, filling her with my cum. Her body convulses, her own orgasm crashing over her as she screams into the gag, her pussy milking every last drop from me. I stay buried inside her, my breath heavy, my body trembling with the force of my release.

“You’re mine, little bird,” I growl, my voice low and rough. My claws tighten in her hair as I pull her even closer, my cock still deep inside her. She lets out a muffled whimper, her body shaking as she comes down from the high. I can feel her heartbeat through the ropes, fast and frantic, and it only makes me want her more.

I carefully untie each knot, letting the silk ropes slide away from Raven's body. My claws trace the faint marks they've left behind, and I press gentle kisses to each one. She trembles under my touch, but not from fear or pain.

"Let me take care of you," I whisper, lifting her into my arms. She nods, resting her head against my chest as I carry her to the master bath.

The hot tub fills with steaming water and lavender-scented bubbles. I settle in first, then draw her against me. She fits perfectly in my arms, her back against my chest, her head tucked under my chin. The water soothes away any lingering aches, and I feel her muscles relax.

We don't speak. We don't need to. My claws comb through her hair, massaging her scalp. She sighs contentedly, her fingers intertwining with mine beneath the water.

Something shifts inside me as I hold her. A truth I've been avoiding crashes over me like a wave - I'm in love with her. Not just attracted, not just fond. Love. The kind that makes centuries-old warriors write poetry and contemplate forever.

"Stay," I murmur against her hair. "Stay the night."

She stiffens slightly in my arms. "I can't. Madison will worry."

I help her out of the tub, wrapping her in a plush towel. She dresses quickly while I try to find the right words to express what I'm feeling.

At the door, I catch her arms gently, looking into those dark eyes that have bewitched me so completely. "Raven, I?—"

Her finger presses against my lips, silencing me. "What we did tonight, what we had—that was amazing. Special. I don't regret it one bit. And our getting...close to each other will make the fake relationship easier to pull off."

Raven's eyes well up with tears, and her face becomes a mask of misery.

"But I'm not looking for...I can't...I just can't, Karc! Don't ask more of me than I can give you, please."

She slips from my grasp and through the door. I stand there, my heart aching, watching her disappear into the night.

I slump against the door, my claws scraping against the wood. The ache in my chest burns deeper than any battle wound I've endured in centuries of combat. My scales ripple with tension as I struggle to contain the raw emotion threatening to overwhelm me.

But I am Vakutan. We do not wallow in self-pity.

I straighten, my jaw set with determination. "Prepare yourself, little bird," I growl, my voice echoing in the empty foyer. "I will not stop until I've proven that you can trust me with your heart. I will not give in until I win your love!"

The words ring true in my soul. I've seen the spark in her eyes, felt the connection between us that goes beyond mere physical attraction. When she let her guard down in the hot tub, the way she melted against me spoke volumes. That trust, however brief, was real.

My hand presses against my chest where an unfamiliar warmth blooms. This feeling - it's more than just love. It's the sacred bond our ancestors spoke of, the connection that defies scientific explanation.

I close my eyes, offering a silent prayer to the Precursors. After all these centuries, could they have led me to my jalshagar here, on this primitive world? The timing seems impossible, yet I've never been more certain of anything in my long life.

The bond between us is undeniable. Now I just have to help her see it too.