Page 10 of The Shadow Fae Rhapsody (Elven Fantasy Romance #3)

Chapter 9 Rhianelle

“ T hat’s it, there’s a good girl.”

There have been moments where I wonder if this is a dream or a desperate wish of my heart. I look at the sight of myself desperately clutching the sheets while Svenn is pounding into me from behind.

Dream Nel and Dream Svenn are at it again.

“What’s wrong, Nel?” he asks in a voice of pure smoke. “Am I hitting all the good spots?”

Dream Nel shakes her head. “No, not all.”

A smirk forms on his lips. “Come on… How can you say that while slobbering on my cock?”

I wince at the vulgar words. Unlike Svenn, this dream version of him is unfiltered.

He leans down and kisses the shell of her ear. “Was that too intense?”

“It’s way too late to pretend that you’re nice and gentle,” she says, wiping tears from her eyes.

A sigh leaves him. “You’re right. I’m not.”

The two keep making love like they’re angry with each other. Dream Nel’s moans fill the room as he forces the pleasure out of her—out of me. My knees buckle as I come down with one hell of an orgasm. I can tell from the soreness in my body that he laid claim to her multiple times already.

I walk—crawl to the bed and slump my body to lay beside them.

It’s fine…

They can do whatever they want. I don’t care.

I’m actually less envious of this weird dream now. Because the reality is so much better than this. A smile curves my lips as I stretch my hand and look at the spaces between my fingers. Today Svenn and I took a stroll in the park and he held my hand in his coat to keep it warm. My heart nearly burst from joy when he threaded our fingers together.

Afterwards, I pretended to fall asleep early and Svenn joined in to cuddle with me under the sheets. There’s a spot on his arm, a place just for me. I call it the Nook. That’s my home now. I bet he is still holding me right now in the real world. I squeal and hug the pillow tightly at the memory.

I want to wake up soon and meet my own Svenn. Tomorrow is my Name Day celebration. If I have my way, I’d rather spend the entire day with him doing absolutely nothing. But I need to use this rare opportunity Rainer has given me—

“Oh gods!” I cry out desperately.

Another wave of blinding sensation shatters through me, twisting every nerve and muscle until they snap. I’m coming so hard I see stars. I don’t know how many more of these I can take.

I roll my eyes and turn to the pair beside me.

“I haven’t come,” Dream Nel lies again stubbornly, even though her legs are still trembling from the force of that orgasm.

“Is that so?” Dream Svenn asks, his breathing harsh and labored. “It feels like you have.”

“Well, I haven’t.” She shakes her head.

This dream version of me has a death wish. She’s still playing their stupid game and she’s determined not to lose.

“I feel bad, Nel,” Dream Svenn says, raking a hand through his hair. “Guess I’ll have to try harder.”

Oh no…

Let’s just let him win, all right? I want to tell her. She’s thinking the same thing. But our decision comes a little too late when we both see the dangerous glint in his eyes. Dream Nel tries to crawl away, but he grabs her ankle, jerking her to the edge of the bed. She falls flat on her face on the mattress and I can feel her panicking.

A gasp escapes her lips as his large figure engulfs her tiny one.

“You’re a stubborn little thing, aren’t you?” he asks with a seductive drawl before ripping the back of her dress.

“Svenn!” she screams his name, glaring back furiously. It’s not very threatening when she’s lying face down on the mattress, with her backside completely bare to him. He uses one part of her shredded night gown to tie her hands behind her back, another to cover her eyes.

A shiver goes through me as I watch Dream Nel being pinned down to the bed, tied, and blindfolded, completely at his mercy. We were so focused on winning we didn’t think there would be consequences to our lie.

He pauses for a moment, marveling at her silently. “This is an exquisite look on you, Nel.”

There he goes again with that tender look. The kind that tells me that I’m the one winning, the kind that says I have his heart. Too bad Dream Nel can’t see this gentler side of him in her position. I can feel that she is beyond terrified. He peppers kisses on her nape down to her shoulder blade and spine.

His thumb pushes her lips apart, and he slides his fingers into her mouth.

“This pretty mouth that can’t admit defeat,” he mutters cruelly. Her pleas turn into nonsensical mutterings because he is holding her tongue between his knuckles.

She tries to get up, tries to run away from him despite her hands tied behind her back. I see the wicked amusement on his face as he watches my dream version’s desperate attempt to escape. Dream Nel looks so pitiful in that state, I just want to hug her. She manages to get on her knees.

I clasp my mouth in horror.

Oh no…

That only succeeds in putting herself in a better position for him to claim her. My heart thuds violently in my chest when I glimpse the smile curling his lips. I can almost predict what he is going to do next—cruel Svenn takes hold of her raised hips and thrusts into her to the hilt in one thrust.

A strangled sort of sound escapes both our lips. I can’t stop the tidal wave of pleasure that slams into me without warning.

Heavens above…

He starts thrusting into her mercilessly, fingers digging into her hips. Another tortured whimper leaves her throat—my throat.

His hand fists her hair, pressing her head to the mattress. She squeezes her eyes closed, biting the bedsheet to ride out the blinding pleasure. My body races towards another release when he hits that sweet spot.

Oh gods, oh gods.

A kaleidoscope of colors explodes behind my eyes as pleasure floods every inch of my body. I’ve been coming non-stop that my body feels weightless.

I give up.

“Imcoming,” my dream version finally admits, writhing and squirming helplessly on the mattress.

“I didn’t quite catch that.” His voice has gone as rough as his thrusts. “What is it, Nel?”

“IsaidImcoming,” Dream Nel mumbles desperately.

“It sounds like your elven just got worse than mine,” he murmurs, licking her neck. “I won’t understand it unless you say it clearly.”

This cruel man is pretending not to hear her. How can she talk right when she barely has air in her lungs?

He eases the pressure off her head, only to grapple her bound arms as he pistons into her harder.

Heavens above… This feels so good. I’m going crazy.

Poor Dream Nel. Poor me.

Dream Svenn is going to break me. At this rate, I’ll keep coming until I faint, just like in the past dreams.

Nope.

That’s not going to happen this time. I move my trembling legs and carry the pillow towards him.

“Let go of her!” I tell him, smashing the pillow over his head to help her.

I keep hitting him again and again.

It’s no use, of course.

Dream Svenn remains unaffected. I’m just a spirit here. I slump down from defeat as my body prepares for another impending orgasm. This is too much… I never knew that too much pleasure can turn into torture.

“Svenn…” I cry out for help. My muscles clench, another orgasm rolling up my spine.

“Please, please! I came! I already came!” I’m practically screaming those words with Dream Nel.

This time the release comes fast and fierce, rushing through my body like a hurricane, shaking my muscles. The climax tips him over the edge, his strokes going frenzied until he drives in deep and finally curses, “Loud and clear, Nel. Me too.”

Wave after wave the sensation moves through my body, curling my toes, twitching my legs. I am spent and exhausted as I lay on the bed breathing heavily, floating from the high. My hands are trembling when I prop myself to get up.

And I find two sets of eyes staring at me.

My heart plummets at their gaze. We stand in silence for a moment, watching each other.

“There you are,” Svenn—the dream version of him—says with a wicked smile.

Heavens above.

They can see me…

I stare at them for a long time before I raise my hand awkwardly. “Hi.”

Dream Nel scrambles forward for her nightgown—what’s left of it, and huddles closer to her partner. I look at her first, then at Svenn.

“Who are you?” I ask them.

“Can you guess?” he asks right back.

The dream version of me tries to give an answer, but he quickly clasps her mouth shut. “Let her figure this one on her own.”

I inhale a deep breath into my lungs.

“You are the future me and Svenn,” I say with absolute confidence.

He glares at me. “Try again, sweetheart.”

My body heats under the intensity of his gaze. This Svenn is scary and wild. It terrifies me that I am completely visible to him now.

Dream Nel senses my fear. She suddenly pushes him away and crawls towards me in a haste. The girl reenters me as easily as the soul meets body. Everything about it feels natural because she is me.

“Have you figured out who we are yet?” he asks again, composing himself. I notice the darkening tone in that question.

Now that Dream Nel is safe inside of me, there’s no reason for me to stay and play this man’s wicked game.

I run.

As fast as I can, like the devil is on my heel to collect my life. Usually, Dream Svenn would give me a head start. It’s part of the play of his sadistic cat-and-mouse game. But not tonight.

I don’t make it past the door before he pulls me back and slams me against the wall.

Svenn, help!

But the person I’m calling for is standing in front of me.

“Get away from me!” I hate the tremor in my voice.

“You’re too fucking adorable when you’re angry and confused,” he says, caging me to the wall with his body.

I plant my palms on his chest, trying to push him away. “Who are you? What do you want?”

A shadow of hurt flashes in his eyes over my question. “I’ll give you a hint if you kiss me.”

What?

He’s insane and unhinged. But I’m desperate for answers. I rise to my toes and brush my lips quickly against his jaw.

He sucks on a tooth. “No, not like that.”

His head lowers down to whisper in my ear. “On the lips, the same way you would kiss your lover.”

I bite my inner cheeks and glare at him.

Lover?

Stupid Dream Svenn.

Other than that painful one time I don’t even want to remember, I’ve never truly been with anyone other than my husband. There is simply no other lover.

I just have Svenn.

And this evil dream version of him wants… a kiss?

My breath catches when he hovers close to me, watching me expectantly. He physically looks so much like Svenn that I’m actually tempted to do it.

“All you want is a kiss?” I ask him.

“Yes.” His perfect lips slowly curve into a crooked smile.

I pause to stare at him. I can’t believe I’m actually considering this.

He releases a sigh after the momentary wait. “Put your arms around my neck, stick out your tongue—”

“I know how to kiss!” I say, dismissing his silly instruction.

“Then go on. Do it,” he challenges with a smirk.

This version of evil Svenn… I have never wanted a kiss a man so much and stab him at the time.

Fine.

I hold my breath and brush my lips against his. It starts as the lightest of caresses, but it doesn’t take long before his kiss grows deep, urgent, like he is trying to galvanize his soul to mine. A soft whimper escapes me as he feasts on my mouth.

This feels familiar. The searing sensation of his mouth warring with mine. He feels familiar.

Svenn?

I pull away slowly.

“You’re a smart girl, Rhianelle,” he whispers to my lips. His voice is so deep and rich, it’s almost sinful. “Surely you’ve figured out who I am by now.”

“No,” I say curtly.

His lips thin with displeasure. “If your brain can’t remember me, then perhaps your body does.”

I ignore the way my thighs clench in response to that threat. He wastes no time and wraps his hand on the column of my throat. His thumb moves to feel the pulse on my neck while he stares down at me.

Why does it feel so good when he touches me?

I hate the way it feels so right to have him like this, so I keep glaring back at him. His ravaging hand slides down to my breast, and I bite back a whimper.

No, I mustn’t do this. No matter how good it feels.

I push him away and slap my hand across his face. “You can’t do this to me. I won’t allow it.”

He stares down at me with a quizzical look on his face, completely unharmed by my attack.

Anger burst inside my chest. “I will never cheat on my husband!”

I show him my ring. I will not be unfaithful to Svenn, not even in dreams.

The male stares at me and blinks. Confusion slowly vanishes from his face, replaced by a wide smirk.

I’m always terrified by that maniacal look.

“I won’t betray my husband,” I repeat, feeling angry and scared. “Please… I’m—I’m married.”

A dark chuckle escapes him.

“To me,” he says, shaking his head with disbelief. “You’re so fucking sweet, Nel.”

I rear back my hand to slap him again. He snatches my wrist before it made contact. Panic strikes me when he hoists me over his shoulder like a freaking barbarian.

“What are you doing?” I punch and kick him violently.

He ignores me.

“Let go of me!” I scream, feeling dizzy from the blood pooling in my head. He drops me on the bed and I land on my back.

Heavens above… this guy is crazy. I inch away from him until I hit my back on the headboard.

He prowls on the bed, up over me.

“Please…” I beg the man. “I have a husband.”

The look on his face is dark and carnal. He shifts closer, wedging his powerful body in the cradle of my thighs. I fight against his ruthless force but it’s useless. He pins me to the bed with his weight.

My hearts is pounding so hard against my ribcage when he lowers his gaze at me. He looks like a god from my angle down here, with his features stretched taut, his eyes sparkling with passion and desire.

“Sit still for a second,” he says in a cool command. “Let me look at you.”

He covers my body with his and I stare up into his eyes. I hate how he looks so much like my Svenn.

“It’s not fair…” I murmur quietly. I want him. I want him so badly my eyes begin to glaze. I wipe the tears with the back of my hand.

His expression softens. “Little fawn… Why are you crying?”

I press my lips tight and shake my head.

“Nel…” he calls to me again, coaxing me for the truth.

“You feel like him. You even taste like him.” I sob.

“Then what does that tell you?” he asks almost tenderly, kissing my tear-drenched cheek. “Hmm?”

I blink at that.

Does this mean he is Svenn?

I level a hard stare at the man who looks so much like my husband. His face is only inches away from mine.

It’s becoming unbearable to just look. I need to touch. I need to feel.

I wrap my hands around his neck and kiss him.

My heart swells in my chest as his tongue dances with mine in a lazy dance.

He smells so good it’s muddying my thoughts for a moment. I love how I can kiss him freely here. There’s no hesitating, wondering if he is disgusted or suffering from my touch because I’m a curse bearer. I can have him all to myself in this dream.

I didn’t plan on loving to kiss him so much. Now I can’t stop.

He pulls away and I know what will happen next. The knowledge doesn’t stop the little gasp coming out of me when he rips the upper part of my nightgown, or the cry of delight when he rests his length on my belly.

It’s massive, hard, just like the rest of him. My eyes almost bulge right out of my skull at the sight of it.

But wait—that’s not how I remember it . I’ve seen him dozens of times, making love to Dream Nel. Did he just grow bigger than before?

“It’s too big,” I protest.

A slight smirk lifts his lips. “You flatter me, Nel.”

“Make it smaller,” I demand.

He throws his head back and laughs. “You say the weirdest things, little fawn.”

I push against his hard abdomen. “Get—get that thing off me.”

“That thing?” He narrows his eyes suspiciously. “You can’t even say the word ‘cock’, can you?”

I glare at him for that teasing tone. Relief and disappointment wash over me all at the same time when he removes it.

He lifts my face with his fingers under my chin. “Look at me.”

I do as he says.

Sometimes this dream version has these moments when he feels exactly like he’s my Svenn. The tender thought shatters when I feel the bulge of his length nudging in between my thighs against the slickness there.

“You said to remove ‘the thing’ from your belly. I assume you want it somewhere else,” he says, rubbing and sliding it over my wetness slowly until I’m writhing.

He leans down, his eyes stare intensely into mine. “Do you want me to stop?”

Hell no.

I’m surprised that the cruel version of Svenn would even ask. My heart is still hammering hard but the fear from earlier has slipped into a thrill.

Maybe it’s that tender look, or maybe it’s that comforting touch. Maybe I’m just desperate for any semblance of Svenn. I wrap my hands around his neck, pulling him down for another kiss.

Ripples of pleasure move through me as he plunders my mouth with his tongue, robbing me of my breath and my sanity. He kisses me deep and desperate, like he’s running out of time to do it. A hilarious thought, considering he’s an immortal vampire.

Then—he sinks in completely to the hilt, plunging into me in one thrust.

A mindless moan slips from my throat at the stretch. I breathe out slowly through my nose, trying to accommodate him. But by the gods…

This is too much.

“All I did was put it in, but that was quite a scream,” he teases.

He feels so incredible inside me. This cruel man doesn’t give me time to adjust to his size when he begins moving.

“You took it all…” he mutters, closing his eyes in reverence. “I knew you’re a good girl.”

The sound of his voice in that sultry tone is turning me on. He starts slowly, dragging himself inch by inch like he’s trying to memorize me. The wicked sensation has my toes curling and my legs twitching from little jerks of pleasure.

Then he increases his speed and force. I draw in a sharp gasp, my fingers clutching the sheets desperately. I try to keep up with his maddening pace, but it’s impossible. All my nerves are still sensitive from the earlier orgasm he gave to Dream Nel. I can feel myself tipping over the edge.

“That’s it. Good girl. Keep it like that,” he praises.

My muscles tighten at the compliment, and he hisses, sucking in air between his teeth. A wicked smile tugs the corner of his lips upward. “I can tell by your twitching you’re about to come again.”

I blink at that remark.

“Wait… you can tell when I come?” I stare at him in disbelief, breathless from the release.

“Of course.”

“But earlier you made Dream Nel—me—announce that I came,” I stutter nervously.

His eyebrows pinch inward in confusion. Then a smile curls his lips. “You think I won’t know it when you lose yourself against me? Of course I know.”

I stare at him numbly.

Svenn knew I was coming the entire time.

We—I have been tricked. All the times in those dreams when I endured and thought I had won… I feel like crying. Svenn played me for a fool. I’ve lost this game long ago. He really is cruel.

“You’re awful… I hate you,” I say to spite him.

That summons a low chuckle from him. “No, you don’t.”

This time he thrusts in without warning, without any restraint. My core pulsates and my body spasms out of control.

“I fucking love it when you clench around my cock.” His eyes smolder as he gazes at the sight of me writhing beneath him. “Why did you lie, Nel? Hmm?”

Because I wanted to win. It feels so stupid now…

He runs a hand through his coal-black hair, his tongue clicking in disapproval. “You know… naughty girls who lie get punished.”

My heart thunders madly in my chest at the threat. I quickly look away.

“It was Dream Nel. Not me.” I clear my throat.

Another dark chuckle. “You’re one and the same.”

He then thrusts with such a force the bed starts moving and groaning. Each plunge of his hips is punctuated by the sound of his desperate grunts. This version of Svenn doesn’t make love. He fucks.

“Svenn!” I cry out.

The overwhelming tidal wave of pleasure has my head slamming against the pillow, my back arching until my breast is inches away from his chest. I never thought it was possible to feel this kind of pleasure, not until I met him.

He watches in amusement as I tremble and convulse beneath him. “Damn, look at you go.”

Yet, he doesn’t stop.

A tortured whimper leaps from my mouth despite my determination to stay silent. “I’m—I’m sorry I lied. Please, I’m coming.”

He laughs as he leans back. “Are you apologizing, or are you enjoying yourself? Pick one.”

Waves and waves of intense sensations pulse into me until it becomes unbearable. My shaking soon transforms into tremors, every nerve ending sparking with need.

Svenn kisses the side of my head. “Hey, are you still there?”

“Yes…” I open my eyes slowly, my mind blank and in a daze. I’ve been coming non-stop and yet I crave for more.

“Who am I, Nel?” he asks again.

I pause at the question. We’re back at that?

Is he not Svenn?

“You know the answer deep in your heart. Say it.” His voice is hard and unmoving, like his muscular body pinning me down.

I don’t understand this.

“Go on, Nel.”

He moves in a lazy rhythm now, shallow strokes that feel so good but not quite enough. Heat coils in my core once more until I feel like a bowstring being strung taut to its limit.

It’s not fair. How am I supposed to figure out who he is if I can’t even form a solid thought?

“Svenn… I need…” I start pleading helplessly. I’m delirious and desperate now.

He knows. Svenn knows I need to come after that build up. But he won’t let me.

Not until I answer his question.

I latch my ankle around his waist desperately, pulling him towards me.

“You’re Sv…” I whimper.

“Use clear words.”

“Please…” I beg.

That truly is a magic word.

He finally slams his hard length into me deeper, grunting with every violent plunge of his hips. I’m so scared that he will suddenly stop in the midst of my high, so I start guessing.

“Future Svenn…”

“Wrong answer.” His voice roughens from ire and the pleasure. Every thrust feels like an act of possession than the one from before. I revel in each and every one, surrendering to his onslaught.

“Past Svenn—“

“Nope.” He groans, pounding into me so hard my body trembles. “Come on, Nel.”

I shake my head. I don’t know. I don’t know anything right now.

“Just Svenn? The real Svenn. Svenn?” I try hopelessly.

His pounding becomes raw and uninhibited with every wrong answer. I can’t string a single thought together. My back involuntarily arches to take more of him, fingers digging into his back—oh gods, oh gods, oh gods, I know what he is now.

Heavens above… it’s not who.

Do you understand now? His gaze is intent on my face, and I see the decadent desire in his eyes.

“Mating—”

I don’t have enough air to complete my answer.

“You’re—“

“—the bond.”

“Svenn is my mate!”

There is triumph in his gaze as he grunts, “Good girl.”

Then he pounds into me with reckless abandon. His thrusts are wild and rough, almost primal. It’s like he wants to imprint himself on the very fabric of my soul.His warm lips collide with mine and he takes possession of my mouth, kissing me tenderly. It’s completely at odds with the savage rhythm of his thrusts.

Svenn’s movements become less controlled now. He drives deep into me one last time, muttering a savage curse, so dark and ancient not even Kheirall’s necklace can translate.

The feel of his body shuddering against mine throws me into another spiral of pleasure. I shatter over the force of that release, breaking into a million pieces of tiny shards.

Our foreheads are pressed together as we both try to catch our breath. “You did so well. Such a good girl.”

He kisses my cheekbones, my lips, before slowly withdrawing himself from me. The bed groans when he collapses next to me, panting and sated.

My body feels fragile, like it can splinter from the sheer bliss alone. I stare at the ceiling breathless, my hands falling limp at my side as I slowly come down from my high.

Gods above… I’ve never felt anything like this. Made love to until I’m completely boneless, unable to move a single muscle.

Once the sting of pleasure abates, I raise my head with great difficulty to look at the man beside me, but he is gone. I find him sitting at the edge of the bed with his back turned against me.

This man is Svenn’s bond.

“He tried to cleave me from him,” he mutters, breaking the silence. “Then he sealed me in a dark corner inside of him.”

I look at the anger and vengeance on his face.

Dream Nel is a part of me and I love her. I can’t ever imagine cutting her—the bond from me. It would be like shearing my own skin.

I’ve patched up Svenn’s soul back at the castle, but I never thought that his bond is still hurting.

I move closer to touch his back. He stirs at the touch. I hover my hands over his shoulder blades, passing on Anastarros’ blessings to heal him.

The bond swivels and glances down at me, a hint of surprise on his face.

“Svenn said he had to do it. You—you were going to put me in chains and claim me.” I narrow my eyes suspiciously at him.

The bond raises his hand to touch my hair. He strokes the strands gently, but his eyes are full of madness. “Of course I would. You’re mine.”

It’s scary how he shifts from being sweet to being a psychopathic demon of hell in mere seconds. I quickly look away from the absolute possessiveness of that gaze, but I continue healing him silently.

The wound on his soul has been left without proper care that it started scarring. I feel terrible for the bond.

He leans back, scrutinizing me in the dimness. Tenderness filters in the hard lines of his face when he suddenly says, “I can see why he’s soft on you.”

I blink at the remark.

“I just don’t understand how we are bonded. Svenn is not even an elf,” I say, shaking my head in confusion.

He suddenly snatches my chin, forcing me to look at him in the eyes. “Cast your doubt away, mate. Ours is a song written in the stars.”

My heart pounds wildly from the intensity of that stare. I jerk my face from his grasp.

Raw pain flashes in his eyes and I almost regret pulling away.

“The longer you both fight this, the longer we suffer until one day…” he pauses in anguish, his voice becomes rough, tormented.

The fear is plain in his face. He is panicking and afraid. I don’t like this. I don’t like seeing him hurt.

“Svenn?” I touch his hand.

The bond suddenly wraps his arms around me, the same way Svenn likes to do with his surprise hugs. I can feel his heartbeat reverberating through my body. He leans in and presses his lips against my ear. “Go out there and make him see. We’re meant to be together.”

I swallow at the thought.

Together.

“Don’t keep me waiting anymore.”