Page 38

Fresh Snow

Grace

Tired eyes blink open lazily as my dreams turn to empty thoughts. I move my leg and what was a simple yawn is now a pained groan. My body is screaming obscene remarks at me for yesterday’s training. I screw my eyes shut and stretch, my arms and legs aching. It’s like that time Fallon and I played rock tag in the forest of giants. The rules were, if you could climb one of the giant redwood trees before you got hit with a rock, you won. Neither of us ever won, and we went home with purple and blue bruises all over our bodies. In retrospect, it wasn’t a good game, but it was Fallon’s idea, so it makes sense.

I snuggle into the hard warm body next to me, burying my head into his naked chest. I inhale Ro’s scent: sultry smoke and earthy woods. The smell reminds me of the damp earth of the ancient forest outside and the misty coastal forest in Calibria. My new home and my old.

I sigh, thinking of the families of colossal red trees that ran around our creaky home. I remember the millions of smooth pebbles under my wet cold feet and the harsh waves that broke across the rocky shores. The very same waves that carried me beneath the surface of the sea as I died. I was resurrected in that ocean, the ocean of my home.

I am Grace Teller, and I was born in Wyassa, the village of fishermen.

I am Grace Teller, and I died in Wyassa.

Although, I didn’t truly die, did I? No, not until I crossed the Veil. I was Grace Teller, the daughter of a fisherman … traitor to the crown. She died in Verenfell. Or did she die earlier? Perhaps when she saw her brother bleed into the dirt, breathing his final breath of life.

I cannot pinpoint the moment my heart broke and did not return to me. Just as I cannot remember the point I grew a new one here in Elyssus. When did I decide these mountains were my home? When did I decide I wanted to live?

My hand roams across Ro’s cut abs and continues lower into the dip before his dick. I bite my lip, holding back a moan, and drape my leg across him. This man is so sexy, it’s ridiculous. He turns me on without even trying.

I hear a throaty chuckle come from him. “You only want one thing from me, you little succubus.” The Death God’s voice is rough from sleep. His warm hand comes to my thigh, grazing up and down my hip.

“Is this a complaint? I can just take care of myself,” I threaten seductively. I look up to see a sexy smile on his face. He uses his tongue to play with one of his fangs.

“You think you could make yourself come better than I?” Ro says cockily. Before I could rebut, he pushes me onto my back and settles himself on top of me, his hips between my legs. “Does my beautiful little mate need attention?” he purrs into my neck, giving me gentle kisses on my throat.

I moan as my body shivers from his touch, my skin pebbling under him. I arch into him while my hands rake across his firm muscled back. He gives me a light nibble and drags a hand to my pussy. Two fingers tease my clit, rubbing and playing with me.

“Ro,” I whine, trying to arch my hips into his fingers, a silent plea for more pressure.

He chuckles darkly against my throat. “You are so fucking wet.”

Ro rubs his fingers down my slit and plays with the wetness gathering between my legs. He slips a finger inside me, making me gasp. His finger plays with me, rubbing inside me on that special spot, making me cry out and squirm under him. My fingers dig into his back as I buck into his hand. Ro gives me his palm to rub on, making me work for my pleasure. I feel the pressure building inside me as I pick up my pace frantically.

Suddenly, he takes his hand away and stills his finger, making me cry out in protest.

“You want to come, sweetheart?” Ro whispers, licking up my neck.

“Yes,” I whine, trying to buck into his hand. My pussy clenches and throbs, trying to get what I need.

“I want to hear you beg.” His voice is unholy as he brings his head up to my face, grinning sinfully. He rocks his rough finger in and out of me in small motions, teasing me.

You’ve got to be kidding me. Who does this man think he is? Anger flushes over me and heats my face. “I’m not begging.”

Ro chuckles before slipping his finger in farther, playing with the spot that makes my back arch. I cry out in pleasure before he takes his finger away once again. I scream in frustration, fisting the blankets. I am not begging!

Ro laughs darkly, bringing his tongue to my clit, toying with me using small licks. He laps at me, rocking his finger at my entrance, and I break. Need overcomes my pride.

“Please,” I whimper.

“Please what? Come on, use your words.” He nips at me playfully.

“Ro, please, make me come,” I beg.

“Better.” He gives me pressure inside my pussy, rubbing gently. The pleasure makes me clench on his finger, teetering me on the edge. “But not good enough.”

“Ro,” I beg, my hips moving desperately. “Please. I want to come on your finger. Please make me come, I will do anything.”

He hums, watching me writhe under him, enjoying my pain. “I want you to remember this next time you threaten to take what is rightfully mine, my sweet little mate.” He leans into my face, smiling sadistically. “Your tight wet cunt is mine. Your delicious orgasms are mine. You are mine. And, if you try to take that away from me again, I will punish you far worse, understood? ”

I nod feverishly.

“Say it,” he growls.

“I am yours,” I breathe.

Ro pulls away from me, taking his finger with him. I start to protest from the loss, but then, just as quickly, he’s pushing his hard cock inside me. He picks my legs up, throwing them onto his shoulder as he leans into me. Ro doesn’t give time for my pussy to acclimate to his length, he thrusts hard, making me cry out. I hear him grunt, his grip on my hips searing. Powerful thrusts pick up as he pounds me mercilessly, baring his teeth at me.

“I live only to hear those words come out of that sweet mouth.” Ro’s voice is gravel as he loses himself inside me.

My muscles ache from the position, but his girthy cock feels so good slamming inside me. I scream from the intense pleasure, pressure building in my body. I arch my spine, and my head throws back. I’m so close to coming, my pussy is throbbing erratically. Ro senses what I desire, his hands reaching between us and rubbing on my clit. He gives me what I need to send me over the edge. I scream silently as pleasure washes over me, tingling my body and relaxing me in satisfaction.

Ro stops pounding me, his face pained as he breathes heavily above me.

“Did you finish?” I ask, rubbing my hand down his gleaming chest.

“No. We are not done.” Strong hands flip us without warning, rolling us so he lies on his back, and I am sitting atop him.

“I want to watch you ride me,” Ro demands, his voice completely depraved.

I smile sweetly at him. Oh, I’ll give him something to watch alright.

I take his cock, coated in my juices, and sit down on him. I moan as I feel his massive cock stretch me. I watch Ro’s eyes roll back as he groans, his breathing rapid. He is already so close to an orgasm, there is no way he’s going to last long.

I pump him with my pussy a few times, and he throws his head back in pleasure. I smile deviously as I stop and reposition myself, squatting onto his thick length. I watch as his head comes up, confused on why I stopped. Ro gets a glimpse of me spread wide for him on his length, and he groans deeply. The dark God stares intensely as I spread my legs further, slowly going down his rigid cock, just as Kai taught me.

A strangled animalistic noise comes from Ro’s throat as his black eyes are locked on my open pussy. “Holy fucking shit, Grace,” he growls, breathing heavily.

“You like the view?” I ask seductively, giving him a show.

“Do not fucking stop. I want to watch you swallow my cock,” Ro demands, his voice husky.

I fuck him slow, teasing him, his face stuck in an agonized ecstasy. I go down his length one more time, watching his body go tight and hearing his guttural groans. My mate is about to come, and I give an evil smile. I stop fucking him and stay delicately positioned on his wide tip, teasing him with short squats.

A frustrated growl rumbles from his chest as he bares his teeth.

“It’s my turn to hear you beg,” I purr to him heinously.

Ro groans, trying to push himself into me. “Fuck, Grace, you think I am above begging you for your sweet body? I would beg, I would grovel, I would do very bad things for a piece of you. I need you, my little mate. I need you in every way, but right now, I need you to sit that tight cunt onto my cock and let me come,” he begs, his face in agony. “I need you, Grace. I will give you anything you want. I will give you the fucking realms, just please do not stop.”

I moan as my heart fills with warmth. How does this man always make me feel so loved and important? I sink onto his cock, and his head throws back. I start to pump him with my pussy when he takes over suddenly, gripping my thighs and thrusting into me.

“Fill me, Ro. I want to feel you,” I beg him.

He groans deep and guttural as he fucks me, his body going rigid. I moan as I watch him explode under me, roaring and baring his sharp teeth as he stills. Fuck, I love watching him unravel, ecstasy etched on his face. I glance under me and watch his veiny length throb and pump into me. I fall onto him, his chest breathing rapidly as I listen to him pant.

Ro moans, throwing a hand onto my ass.

I chuckle. “You liked that position.”

He licks his lips and gives a little hum.

I play with the wording on his chest, tracing the black symbols. “I expect the realm you promised me to be very nice, maybe something warm. A beach perhaps,” I tease.

Ro swallows hard but doesn’t say a word.

I look up at him curiously, he almost looks asleep. “I think I fucked the smug God speechless.”

He gives a weak smile.

I laugh as I snuggle into him, our bodies melting into one .

We lay together sated, basking in each other’s warmth all morning. I love the feel of his smooth skin under me as I circle the names on his chest. I wonder which of these markings is mine. I nuzzle my head into his neck, inhaling his scent. I never want to leave this spot.

“Tai, if you interrupt this, I will tear out your soul and leave it to rot,” Ro warns under his breath.

My body freezes. It’s silent until a small, weak tap on the door sounds.

A rumble sounds deep in Ro’s chest. “Brother, I am deadly fucking serious. Go. Away.”

I start to move my hand from his chest, but he grabs it, pulling me close again.

“You should see what he wants,” I tell Ro, concerned.

“I know what he wants; I am choosing you,” he remarks. His thumb rubs absently on my wrist.

I lie back down on his chest, suddenly feeling very guilty about something I should have brought up long ago.

“Ro? I knew about Velaya,” I admit quietly.

The rubbing stops.

“What do you mean?” he asks carefully.

“I talked to her. I wanted her to help me get across the Veil,” I answer in a meek voice. I feel his breathing pick up under me.

“Before you get mad, I decided not to. I could tell from talking to her that something was off. I want to see my brother again, but I realized that wasn’t the way.”

Silence.

“Ro?”

More silence.

I get up and look into his face. His brows are furrowed as he is looking into the ceiling, his jaw clenched.

“Ro? Please talk to me. I was going to tell you, but you found out she was here, and you were so upset. I thought you’d be mad at me,” I plead to him.

“First of all, you are right. I am livid. You completely disregarded your safety and decided on your own to keep it to yourself. We are mates to each other, Grace, you are not on your own anymore. You do not get to just decide to endanger yourself. But, you know what, that is not even the whole reason I am fucking furious. When were you going to tell me you were trying to leave?”

“I decided to stay, Ro,” I say .

He stares at me expectantly. “Oh, did you? How recently?”

It’s my turn to be silent.

Ro chuckles darkly, shaking his head. “Fucking humans. It was foolish of me to think you would be different just because you were my mate.” He tosses me off him and rushes out of bed, throwing the blankets off him in a huff. He goes for his pants on the ground.

“Ro,” I beg.

“How selfish of me to think you would actually want to fucking be with me,” he says angrily, throwing his pants on.

“Ro,” I say, water welling in my eyes.

“I have shit to do.” He grabs his black shirt and storms out of the room, slamming the door and leaving me behind.

Tears spill over as I throw myself into his pillow, my tears soaking into the soft silk. How could I have done this? Was it really so wrong to want to see my brother again? I should have told him, but then he would have gotten mad. How was I supposed to say that I wanted to leave?

I sob into the pillow, my whole body heaving.

I messed things up so badly. Millions of questions race through my head as I rewind what happened in my head. How can I make this better? Am I really the one that is supposed to apologize? I start to feel angry. I shouldn’t have to apologize. I just wanted to see my brother again. It should be normal to want justice for a loved one.

I turn onto my back and stare at the ceiling, my breathing hiccupping from crying. Tears silently run down my cheeks and hit the mattress beneath me. Anger leaves my body as acceptance flows in. I should have been transparent with him of my plans, and I definitely should have told him about Velaya. I need to apologize.

I sigh in surrender.

I need to go talk to him.

I get out of bed and throw my clothes on, walking tiredly out of the dim room. I pick up my pace down the hall and get to the stairs, pausing. What if he doesn’t want to see me? I need a better strategy than just barging in and yelling at him. It never works, it only makes him angry. I can’t risk making him angrier than he already is. I stroll slowly down the stairs, trying to think of a plan.

“My lady?” A small voice rouses me from my thoughts. I look up to see a pale man in front of me, donning his grey servant’s uniform. He bows his head, shifting nervously. I wish Ro would let the servants speak to me; it’s not right that they’re so nervous around me .

“M-my lady, Lord War asked me to fetch you. He is outside waiting for you.” The servant’s voice is shaky.

“Outside? I thought I was to train inside now,” I ask him, confused.

“I just do as I’m told, my lady. Please, let me escort you.” He bows again, using his arm to motion me forward.

That’s odd, I thought I wasn’t supposed to be outside anymore. Tai must need to show me something important. There is no way Ro would let me out otherwise. Or maybe he would, maybe he doesn’t want to be my mate anymore.

I sigh loudly.

I look to the servant before me. He has thick brown hair parted evenly with peppered strands. The man is well-groomed, even his beard looks combed. His nervous eyes keep darting away from me, but I think they’re brown. All the servants are very neat and groomed here, it must be a requirement. I’ve never actually seen servants. I wonder how long he has been here. Yara said her sentence was a thousand years for killing that ugly man. I wonder what this man has done to land him here.

I wonder if my mother were to die, would she land here? What would the sentence of a traitor be?

I eye the man, curiosity overwhelming me. “Excuse me, do you remember what realm you are from?” I ask the well-groomed servant.

“No,” he cuts.

I am taken aback by his tone, stunned into silence. I furrow my brows, clasping my hands together. Perhaps I deserve it for how I lied to Ro. Tears threaten to well in my eyes, so I tip my head back, staring at the ceiling as my nose sniffles. Will he forgive me? We walk in silence, our feet traveling against the cold floor in small echoes.

The servant speaks gently after a moment, “Please, forgive me, my lady. I speak no ill will to you. I am just trying to survive to see my family once more.” His brown eyes dart to me apologetically.

“No, it’s ok, it’s not you.” I wipe at my eyes.

We shuffle together awkwardly. “Gods are not like us. They can be far crueler than we ever could be.”

I furrow my brows. “Did you know one, besides Ro?”

“Yes, many years ago. I was a servant for another God. It was another time, before the war.” His voice holds a proud ember.

“Forgive me, but you must have an incredibly long sentence to still be here,” I pry.

“My sentence is unending. This is my afterlife, a servitude to Master Ro for my crimes … He didn’t understand. I had to do what was required of Master Acteem to survive. If you worked in his service, you would forget all aspects of your humanity too.” His voice is hushed, but torrents of hostility show through in his tone.

I bite my lip nervously. “Is Ro outside too? I don’t think I’m supposed to be going out there,” I say quietly, glancing at my surroundings. This feels wrong.

“Master Death was with him, yes.” The man gives me a small smile. “It’s ok, my lady, we’re almost outside.”

I smile back nervously and follow him to the large obsidian double doors. I watch as he gets close to the door, opening it a crack and peeking through. The servant looks back at me, opening his mouth like he wants to say something. His face looks troubled, but he quickly regains his composure, opening the door the rest of the way.

“He is right outside, my lady.”

“Thank you,” I say quietly, sliding past him and into the forest-filled courtyard. I hear the door slam shut behind me, the loud thud echoing into the trees. My heart thunders in my chest as I look around to my empty surroundings. “Tai?” I call out nervously.

A rustling in the bushes calls my attention, and I grip my dagger. My breathing is rapid as my eyes lock onto the movement.

“Fucking forest.” A familiar voice rings into the air, and I watch as my brother falls out of the snowy bushes. The dagger slips from my fingers, my breathing going ragged as I watch him stand up, dusting off his tunic.

“Fallon?” I breathe, my voice barely audible.

His honey-colored eyes look up to me, a smile forming on his face. “Hello, little sister,” Fallon purrs.

Tears fall on my face as I sprint to him, embracing him into a tight hug. “How are you here?” I shriek, happy sobs leaving my throat.

“Look, I want to tell you, but we don’t have any time. We have to go.” Fallon grabs my hand in a solid grip and starts pulling me into the dense forest.

“Wait, what do you mean go?” I slip my hand from his grasp. “Fallon, how did you survive? How did you get through the Veil? What happened to Evie?” I have a million questions burning in my mind, racing through my head.

“Grace, we don’t have time. I need to get you away from him. When we’re safe, I will tell you everything. Please, let’s go.” He reaches for me again, but I move from his grasp .

“Fallon, wait. I don’t think I want to go back. I like it here with Ro,” I admit quietly.

Shock crosses his face before he laughs heartedly. “What do you mean? He is Death, Grace.” Disbelief is thick on his tongue.

“We’re mates. I can’t leave him,” I announce, squaring my shoulders.

Fallon looks at me like I’ve grown two heads. He studies me up and down, assessing me silently. “No fucking way. That sneaky little fucker,” he whispers to himself. A devious smile forms on his lips as he chuckles darkly. “I have to say, little one, thank you so much for that information, it is going to make this all the sweeter.”

Unease dips low in my stomach. Something is wrong. I breathe nervously. “Fallon?” I take a step backward as he stalks forward. Fallon’s appearance starts to shift. His hair morphs snow white as his face is muddled into swirls. His height grows taller and muscles build as he towers in the air. Limbs elongate into powerful muscled projections while iridescent shimmering wings sprout from his back. My gape returns to his face and ice-blue eyes watch me coldly. He would be rather handsome if it weren’t for the hate in his eyes and the terror in my heart. The man smiles deviously at me, sharp fangs showing in his perfect row of teeth.

Fear has burst into my body as it recognizes the predator before me. I quickly turn to escape. Unfortunately, the icy man is quicker. He latches onto my ankles with firm hands and trips me into the ground. He jumps onto my back and pushes my head into the frozen dirt.

“I was trying to make this easier for you, little human, but I have to say, this is much funner.” The stranger growls into my ear, “Say good night.”

I feel a fist slam into the back of my head, knocking me unconscious as darkness invades my mind. I am partly aware of being lifted into the sky, as I watch the black mountains leave my view. My vision begins to darken the corners of my eyes as my head weighs heavy. I try to send a call for help to Ro through the bond.

“ Ro —”

My head drops as the air caresses me to sleep.