Page 135 of Wicked Magik

While he never drank from fae, goblins or any fairies that I am aware of because he did not take a liken to their taste, everyone feared him. The sight of him was beyond anything like the lands have ever seen and these lands do have many… strange things.

Vesper clutched my arm more firmly, and I leaned in closer, brushing my lips against her forehead. I appreciated this new side of her, more open to me and relying on me as if I had become more acceptable to her.

Perhaps it was the bond pushing her toward me, but I had worked my hardest to get here.

If I had to get on my knees to lick her cunt and go days without release again, I would.

I couldn’t wait to rut her like Oryx did.

"Darling, worry not. My word still carries weight here—if I declare Oryx an ally, none will question it." I tugged the reins, bringing our restless stallions to a complete stop before the gathering crowd.

Vesper squeezed my arm once more. “And what of me?”

Her voice was hesitant and unsure. I didn’t like that about her, she was always so sure about herself, but I enjoyed knowing that she was looking to me for guidance. She wasn’t sure about herself in this world, and we wanted to show her it really wasn’t all that bad.

Her one experience with the vampires was truly my fault.

I caressed her cheek with the back of my glove. “All will be well. Just as we practiced, alright? Oryx will be with you at all times and he can take them all with just a swipe of his tail, isn’t that right?”

Oryx growled and stood up in the back of the open carriage. “I can do more than that. No one touches our pet.”

Vesper leaned her head back and stared straight up at him. “You’re the bestest.”

I stepped down from the cart, the cobblestones beneath my boots still warm from the day's sun. The chatter of the marketgoers filled my ears, their eyes curious as they landed on our unusual trio. I could hear the whispers, the murmurs of "Veylor" and "monster" and "what is that?" But I paid them no mind.

I had a purpose, and I would not be deterred.

Turning, I held out a hand to Vesper. Her fingers, slim and cool, slid into mine, and she stepped down beside me. Oryx followed, his massive form unfurling from the cart. The crowd gasped, some stumbling back, others frozen.

“It’s the monster!” One stepped forward. “Veylor, what is the meaning of this? You save us then come to bring us danger?”

Murmurs started floating through the crowd and I pulled down my vest in disinterest.

"People of the Shadow Court," I began, my voice raised. “Or, once was the Shadow Court.” Chuckles from the back of the ever growing crowd echoed through. "I have been alone for many years, coming to understand my powers, limitations. With that I have stayed away, to ensure your safety.”

The crowd grew silent and took gazes between my two lovers behind me.

"Before you stands Oryx," I announced, my hand sweeping toward the towering figure at my back.

“Wasn’t that one of the casualties,” a male said from the crowd. “An innocent one?”

His friend nodded. “He must have named it after him, in memory perhaps.”

I gritted my teeth, and continued, "born of my power to keep me from loneliness. Though he has hunted the beasts of field and forest to sate his thirst, not once has he turned his hunger upon any who dwell within the Shadows. You have shown wisdom in giving him a wide berth during his times of need, and I have kept a vigilant watch to ensure no innocent has suffered by his hand."

The people sputtered, the voices rose.

“Why did you not come forward and tell us?” Someone shouted.

I opened my mouth to speak until I felt Vesper’s hand on my back. “Lord Veylor does not have to speak to you on why he does things. He set you free, did he not?” Vesper’s lips drew into a thin line, her shoulders squared as she carried the confidence I was starting to lack.

“And who are you?” A male goblin came forward, his hunched posture making his already diminutive stature seem even smaller. Moonlight caught the oily sheen of his dark gray skin, stretched taut over a bald, pockmarked scalp. His black nails curled from his fingertips like polished black talons, clicking against each other as he gestured. Beneath a heavy brow ridge, unnaturally long eyelashes thin as spider's legs, framed unblinking yellow eyes that bore into Vesper.

She took a moment to recalculate her words, obviously taken back by the creature. “I’m Vesper. A human who came through a portal, by accident. I found Oryx and I am now his trainer.”

The goblin straightened. “A human? Why would it listen to a human, humans can do nothing!”

Vesper growled and my lip twitched.