The Flames That Bind Us (Daughter of Fire #1)

“But, why!?” Luxus complained for about the fifth time.

I huffed, grabbing my laid-out clothes from the bed and throwing them in the closet.

“Because,” I said as I stalked to the mirror, trying to undo my hair. “I told you what the king told me. Do you really wanna be here when he arrives?”

At that, I saw his tail twitch along with his whiskers. “No…”

“Well, then you`ll have to find somewhere else to go until we`re…done.”

This time, I was the one who shivered, attempting to focus my mind on anywhere else but the would-be events that might happen tonight. Untangling the braids on my head seemed to do the trick just fine –well, at least until I ran out of hair.

“But, where am I going to find a place at this late hour?” he whined, placing his small head over his paws.

I looked at him through the mirror. “I don`t know, Lux. Maybe you could crash the kitchen for a while?”

He seemed to consider that deeply. “Well, those prawns were delicious. I wonder if there`s still some left?”

My lips twitched at how thoughtfully he gazed at the space before him, but I couldn’t crack a fully functional smile for the life of me.

Even through my reflection, I could perfectly see how my fingers trembled as I tried to pull out a hairpin that refused to unclasp for some reason. And words couldn`t even explain how hard I tried to ignore the enormous pile of tension forming in my gut.

I knew it would catch up to me soon, but I just concentrated on freeing my hair for now.

“Are you going to be okay?” Luxus was now looking at me, the thoughtfulness, laced with worry, still in his eyes.

I sighed, forcing a closed smile on my lips as I turned to face him. “I`m going to be fine, Lux. Don`t worry about me, alright? Now go. He could be here any minute now.”

He didn`t seem convinced, and I couldn’t really blame him anyway. But nonetheless, he jumped down from the bed and started walking towards the door. I skipped past him and opened it for him.

He stopped just halfway outside, cranking his neck up to me. “Just so you know, if he starts misbehaving, just call out to me, and I`ll be right there with my claws ready.”

I made a face at that. “You`re not going to stand outside now, are you? Cause that will be just weird.”

“Of course not! That`s gross! I`m just saying I will be nearby, so he better watch out.”

That made a laugh escape my lips, despite how nervous I was. Not to mention, it made something warm spread through my heart at how protective my cat was of me.

“Don`t worry. I`ll make sure he will.”

He could tell I wasn`t as confident about that as I tried to sound, but thankfully he didn`t say anything else and just walked back quietly. I watched as Luxus`s small, black form disappeared within the dark, empty corridor before closing the door with a soft thud.

I heaved a huge breath, my forehead leaning against the door. Now what? What am I supposed to do? It`s like Luxus` leaving was the trigger for all the emotions I had stifled to surface up, and now anxiety, fear, and stress were written all over my face.

I headed to the bed and plopped down on it. The bed that the king will surely be on top of me in.

His words were still repeating in my head, topping all other events that happened tonight. It`s like what Agatha said to me, and the sudden appearance of a new Slifer never happened, and the only thing my mind seemed to focus on is that the king would be here any second now.

I tried to tell myself that this was what I wanted –or needed, anyway.

I laid down on my back and stared at the ceiling. An hour ago, the ball ended, and I had grabbed Luxus by the tail and rushed to my room. I told him everything I learned today, including what the king said and the fact that an Earth Slifer was here and he wasn`t alone.

The queen of Vallas was with him, which only increased my theory that each Slifer was assigned to a ruler, meaning; the Wind Slifer might be with the king of Trinivan.

And according to what Ayana and the Fate Watchers said, we were destined to protect them.

But from what, exactly? And why would the four most powerful rulers in Ignolia want our protection?

Maybe I should ask Aramis more about this? After all, he did say he was a messenger of the gods. So obviously, he knew better about Slifers and their true potentials.

You see this, Lydia, now you`re not thinking about his hands all over you…

What else? Oh, the things Agatha Alastair said. What was that about? A war? Could it really be? If that`s so, I needed to read more about the legends regarding Slifers. I`m pretty sure I could find something in the library of the castle. I just needed to ask the princess where it was. Which also goes back to asking Aramis about what he knew. If he really was what he said, then he should be able to answer my questions better than any book.

You`re not thinking about his warm breath on your skin…

The image appeared out of nowhere, but I quickly brushed it aside. Hmm, let’s see…the Earth Slifer! To my knowledge, all the rulers will stay at the palace for the festival two months ahead. So, that means that boy Redmond will be here as well.

I had to talk to him about how he managed to stay with Queen Adria and just how powerful he was. Were his powers higher than mine, like Ayana`s were? Or was he at the same level?

Speaking of Ayana, I did have a chance to talk with her. When I was done admiring the stunning ocean-inspired gown she wore, I told her all about Aramis and his book. True to my suspicions, she indeed possessed the Book of Aeliana, The Sea-Haired Goddess.

She said it wasn`t easy to learn from it. There were many things she couldn`t get her head around yet, but some she had mastered.

You`re also not thinking about his intense eyes…

No, Lydia! Work! Yes, work! I needed to find something to do in order to earn a little money. I know Grandpa left a small fortune for me, but it didn`t quite feel right spending it all. I needed to make something for myself.

Or how his body would look without all the clothing…

Stop, no! It doesn`t matter! I`ve already told myself to endure it until he`s done. Just close my eyes and shut my body and not feel a thing!

Now, what`s next? Gerard Vastia! Yes, him! What`s his deal? He came all the way here just to see me even though he disliked formal occasions.

How deep he was inside me…

Ugh! Focus, Lydia!

Clothes! I needed new clothes, and maybe something for Luxus too.

How fast…

I groaned, desperately trying to keep my mind off those vivid images threatening to overtake me—and definitely ignoring how my body suddenly grew hot, especially at the lower part.

I grabbed a nearby pillow and yanked it to my face, hoping that those thoughts would fade away by burying myself in it.

Now, think! What else did I need?

New books? Yeah, maybe I could get them if I landed a job somewhere. That way, I could buy the sequel to that book I bought at the fair.

Okay, what else? I need to work on physical training more, maybe have Aramis teach me new ways I could defend myself.

And hard…

“URGHHHHHHHHHHH!” I screamed into the pillow.

Dammit, Lydia! You stupid, hormonal, little slut! Gods damn it! Stop thinking like this.

“Perhaps it`s better if I come back another time?”

I yelped as the voice echoed in my head, my limbs going still for a moment before my body jolted off the bed and lost balance as I fell over the edge. I hit the soft, carpeted floor with a squeal while the bottom of my dress toppled over my head, leaving me momentarily blind.

Oh, shit!

For a second, all I wanted right now was to bury myself in the garments of my dress and never emerge back for another century. My face matched the color of the gown. My breath came out as frantic as I felt. And I knew sooner or later I’d have to face the voice that startled me.

I decided to save myself from further embarrassment, if that was even possible, and peel back the fabric that shielded my face from him. And there he stood, looking as collected as ever with his black eyebrow raised at me.

My eyes shot wide, and my mouth followed. How in the hell did he get in here?

“Y-your Majesty!” I gasped, moving my sight from him to the closed door. “I-I didn`t see you come in…”

Or hear you, for that matter. And I really needed to stop stuttering!

And get OFF the ground!

He gave me a curt nod. “Yes, well, I used my teleportation to get in.”

“Oh…” That was all I could say as I picked myself off the floor, careful not to step on the hems of my dress.

I noticed that he had ditched his tuxedo jacket and the bow-tie and was left with only a clinging white shirt that had the first two buttons open. I gulped, my eyes lingering at the exposed hollow of his throat. And for some reason, that gave me so many treacherous ideas that I had to close my eyes for a second.

It`s his throat, Lydia! What`s so good about that?

Now that the surprise was gone from my body, the previous anxiousness and fear returned. And they intensified to the point where my fingers and toes felt utterly cold and numb.

Now what? He wasn`t doing anything –yet. He just stood there, staring at me blankly with no hint of emotions whatsoever. And as for myself, I tried to look anywhere but his face, suddenly finding the crafting of my wooden book-shelve very interesting.

A few seconds ticked by, though they honestly felt like long, enduring minutes.

Why wasn`t he doing anything? Was he going to pin me forcefully to the wall and have his way with me? Or will he choose the floor, perhaps?

Either way, I hoped he would just get on with it. Even though I hated it, I just wanted it to be over. I waited for extra seconds, but he still didn`t say a word or lift a finger, so I thought maybe I should be the one to say something first.

“Umm…would you like some water?”

Okay, that was bad. First, I didn`t have a jug of water in the room. And second, I said it so quietly that I doubt he heard it. He softly shook his head, his masked eyes still pinned on me.

So, he can hear. What`s next, then? Should I tickle him to see if he can make a sound? Somehow, the image was oddly disturbing, for I couldn`t imagine him laughing even if his life depended on it.

“I—“ he finally opened his mouth but clamped it shut again to clear his throat. Though, he seemed like he was trying to form the sentence in his mind first. “I want to get your consent again, Slifer.”

I could tell every word he spoke was either a struggle or that he didn`t really understand what he was doing.

“What?”

He cleared his throat again, and something told me there was no particular lump in there. He just looked as if he was trying to sound as clear as possible. “I have already said that I don`t wish to dirty myself by taking you against your will. So, I ask for your consent before we proceed with this.”

“You weren`t asking for that when you invited yourself to my room.” The words rolled off my tongue like a lash. And they hit every part of his being, hard and painful, for his body twitched, and his jaw tensed.

His mouth was set in a grimace before he said, “I realize that. But I still stand by my words when I said that I would leave you be if you don`t wish to do this.”

“You do?”

He didn`t like the tone of uncertainty in my voice, but he still nodded. “Yes.”

“So,” I found myself stepping forward. “If I asked you to leave now, would you do it?”

His jaw hardened, and his teeth ground together. “If that is what you wish. Although, I would appreciate it if you stopped acting so surprised whenever I ask this of you. It would do a little good to trust me—“

“I will never trust you.”

My eyes burned into his, not caring if I had stepped over a line. It was a simple truth. I will never place an ounce of trust in that man for as long as I lived. I didn`t waver before him, every shred of confidence mixed with those words. “I will only rely on you for the time being. So, please don`t ask that from me.”

I expected him to get mad, throw a tantrum, or demand to be trusted. But an understanding crossed over his face, and he simply nodded. How fast and respectfully he agreed to this alarmed me. And I tried to push the thought away.

“Very well, I cannot have your trust. But do you still consent?”

Why does he keep asking me that? It`s bad enough that I was silently allowing him to touch me. Now he wants me to say it out loud?

“I told you back in the woods, didn`t I? That I needed you to make me stronger.” The words ‘need’ and ‘you’ combined together left a bad taste in my mouth, but he wanted me to be clear, and this is as clear as it gets.

“Yes, you did. However, I ask that you say yes or no. I need to know that you fully want this.”

“I don`t ‘want’ this. I need it. There`s a difference,” I said through gritted teeth, my temper rising. Why is he so insisting on making me spell it out for him? “And why do you suddenly care, anyway?”

This unexpected change in his approach was disturbing me. To think I actually preferred him when he was a brute and not being suddenly all gentlemanly.

His eyes slightly narrowed at me, but I couldn’t detect any annoyance or irritation. “Is that so? Then…”

With his stony expression, he moved towards me at last. For a moment, I thought he was going to grab me, my shoulders tensing. But he caught me off guard when he brushed past me and sat on my bed.

I turned on my heel to face him. He comfortably sat there with his legs open and his arms placed at either side, his broad shoulders relaxed and his penetrating eyes never leaving me.

“Take off your dress.”

He said the words so surely, making my eyes widen and for me to take a step back. I could feel the heat creeping up to my body, all the way from my feet to the top of my head.

“W-what?” I blinked twice, hoping somehow I heard wrong. Was he serious?

Apparently, he was –because he didn`t say anything else. He just waited for me to do his bidding, and I wasn`t exactly sure what to do. I thought he would be the one to do all the work, and I would just lay still and wait for it to be over. But now he`s making me take off my own dress!?

I huffed. Fine! If it`s going to make things faster, then I`ll do it.

I sucked in a breath, my hands moving to the zipper on my back. His eyes followed my movement with interest, and I had to toy with the small piece of metal for a second before eventually pulling it down.

Bit by bit, the dress was becoming looser, and although there was no sound beside me unzipping my dress, my ears only picked up the loud thudding in my heart. I was afraid it would burst out of my ribcage, and my palms were becoming more stained with sweat. The shaking of my fingers didn`t help either.

Finally, the soft material glided down my body, resting between my feet in a crumpled mass of red.

My heated skin was met with the cold feeling of suddenly being completely naked, save my white-laced panties. I kept my eyes glued to the floor, aware that I stood before the king of Imarnia half nude. The blush rose from my neck and painted my face when I heard a loud exhale of breath. I didn`t even dare to see what kind of expression he wore.

This wasn`t like when we were in the woods – my body was mainly covered then, thanks to the darkness of the night. But this time, I was in a brightly lit room, and he could see every bit of my flesh as clear as crystal.

“Come to me…”

His voice was husky, heavy, and contained a groan. My head snapped at him, gasping when I registered his lust-filled eyes roaming all over my body.

So, this is how he wanted his answer. He wanted me to come to him willingly –fearlessly.

And I deeply loathed how this managed to tone down whatever tension I had within me—this one, simple, stupid act. I also despised how my legs seemed to move out of their own free will, slowly taking every step as the fear I had muted and was, to my distress, gone completely.

No, Lydia! You should be scared!

But now, my hands and legs shook with anticipation, and just for that, I wanted to run as fast as possible away from him. But it was too late. I was already standing between his legs. My own seemed to refuse to cooperate with me and only be drawn to him.

Curse this!

There was a knowing smirk playing on the corner of his lips. I wanted so much to ram my fist into his face, but all I could think of was, when will he put his hands on me?

The answer was now.

He finally freed his hands from his sides and ran them over the length of my thighs. I had to grit my teeth in order not to feel how warm they were on my skin. His attention was now focused on my stomach as he rested his palms on my hips.

“Is this your mark?”

He was referring to the Slifer mark stamped over my waist, his now dark-grey eyes traveling over the insignia. He removed one hand and traced the emblem with his long fingers, and my gasp was the answer to his question.

My body wasn`t ready for what he did next. Instead of his fingers, his lips took over. And it felt like burning coal was being placed all over the spot where his lips made contact. I bit my lip hard, trying to contain the threatening noise as he gripped my hips and kissed the sensitive areas.

He started out slow, sensual, for he trailed soft kisses over my waist, stomach, and hips. He was teasing my skin, lazily taking his time with it, and that caused my knees to buckle. I had no choice but to grab his shoulders, for I didn`t want to fall down on my knees from just him kissing my hips.

His nails grazed my thighs, caressing them gently and sending little sparks down my spine. Oh, hell.

I tried my best not to make a sound; I really did. But when his tongue moved into action, things were more difficult. Oh, double hell!

He licked the spot near my belly button, softly sucking on it until I was sure he had left a mark. My hand fisted his shirt, closing my eyes shut and attempting to discard the tiny ripples of pleasure he was doing to me.

Get a grip, Lydia!

“You`re so soft,” he murmured between feather-like kisses. I blushed but still kept my eyes shut. Why the hell is he being so…gentle? It`s too unfamiliar, and it`s supposed to make me on edge. But now, all it made me want to do is further press myself to him.

I felt his mouth trail up, as did his hands until they stopped just under my breasts.

“Oh!” I gasped out loud, my eyes peeling open, when one of his large hands cupped my breast while his lips moved to the other one. He took his time kneading the lump of flesh while he traced his tongue over the other. I couldn`t help but watch him toy and play with them, each breath coming out shorter than the other. And it was nearly impossible for me to hold back my voice any longer.

Shit, shit, shit!

My nipples hardened under his relentless teasing, and he didn`t waste his time taking one in his mouth, making me arch my back forward and hold into his shoulders for dear life. Burning heat formed at my lower part, and I didn`t know which one to focus on.

He sucked hard, rolling the small bud with his tongue while thumbing and massaging the other one. I could hear his low moans and feel them vibrating from his throat, which only escalated mine.

“Mmmm.” Yes—No! I mean no!

He obviously heard that, and instead of maintaining his eyes on my breasts, he moved them up to me, our gazes locking together as his eyes darkened even more when seeing the look he put on my face. Damn him!

My hand went from gripping his shoulder to intertwining with the back of his head, his soft black locks weaving between my fingers. He moaned harder. My small act seemed to drive him up as his teeth bit and tugged at my swollen peak, causing me to cry out, “Gods!”

My knees almost gave away, but he quickly snuck an arm under my waist and secured me against him, letting go of my breasts and allowing me to breathe heavily against his ear. It only took seconds before he went back to action again.

His hands were back on my thighs, squeezing them until he reached a certain spot. Oh, no! His dark eyes glinted, a full smirk appearing on his lips. “Let`s see how really sensitive you are.”

He didn`t give me time to comprehend before he cupped my center, his hand and fingers rubbing me slowly, almost as if he was testing me. Either way, there was nothing I could do but wither in sudden desire, my moans becoming louder, and my thighs threatening to clench if it wasn`t for his other hand keeping them open.

He rubbed me through the fabric of my underwear, this time more roughly. Then, his head moved down, his teeth tugging at the side of my panties before he started lowering them to the point where half of me was exposed to him.

Before I knew it, the last piece of clothing was discarded entirely from me, and I was left with nothing but my naked sex for him to feast his eyes upon.

And he seemed to enjoy the view, his eyes glazing and his tongue sweeping over his lower lip. My face was the exact color of the thing he was so shamelessly looking at, and I desperately wanted to throw my entire body into freezing water.

A cry mixed with a moan burst from within me when his fingers toyed with my folds, stroking them before he buried one thick finger inside me.

“Ahhhhh, shit!” I couldn`t help it anymore. I threw my arms over his shoulders and buried my face in his neck. His sweet masculine scent overwhelmed my brain. Lightning ignited within me, sparking inside me as he stroked my moist flesh fast.

“Fuck, you`re so wet!” he groaned, adding another finger and making my body quiver. My moans were muffled into his neck, but they were still coming out louder with every thrust.

My core was clenching and unclenching, which seemed to drive him wild, for he picked up his pace. The lewd sounds and the heavy breathing only added an insufferable pressure in the room.

Not to mention the unbearable lump that was growing inside me with every inch he reached. And suddenly, nothing mattered anymore—nothing except that I needed release. And I needed it now!

“Your Majesty, please! I can`t take it anymore.”

I knew exactly what I was begging for, and I was going to make myself pay for it later. But now, all I needed was for him to be completely inside me.

Thankfully, he also seemed to reach his limits. So he pulled out and licked the juices off his drenched fingers, all while his hungry gaze never left mine. “You don`t taste so bad, Slifer.” I didn`t have time to blush. He grabbed my waist and hauled me on the bed, my back hitting the sheets as he towered over me.

Seconds went by, and he was removed from all of his clothing as well. He knelt on the bed before me with all of his naked glory, and I felt my throat tighten and my mouth dry. I don’t know what came over me when I ran a hand all over his chest to his abdomen, feeling the hard, ripped skin underneath my palm and knowing it gave him shivers as well.

I stopped at his V-line, my eyes drifting down to his manhood which sprung hard, long, and thick. Shit! I forgot how big he was!

“You can touch if you want,” he told me, his voice lathered with desire.

I quickly took my hand back, shaking my head wildly. I had to remind myself that this was something I ‘needed’ not wanted. And touching him is not something I particularly want.

“No.” I swallowed.

He didn`t say anything, just gave me a quick scan before parting my legs and placing them on each side of his waist. His hands moved to my own, grabbing them, then pinning them above my head. He trailed his fingers down my body, brushing my hips before taking hold of them.

He was slowly grinding near my entrance, and the delicious contact made my back arch. Oh, for the love of Ignolia! The spot between my legs was pulsing, craving to be satisfied, and the bastard was taking his time teasing me!

And I sure as hell won`t plead again! It`s bad enough that I`ve already said ‘please’ once!

And then I felt it, his tip entering me as he plunged himself inside with one thrust. My head rolled back, and so did my eyes as he pushed himself inside of me even further. I moaned, feeling my body fly off the mattress as the crushing sensation of being filled jerked every nerve.

He hissed. “You`re still tight!”

I could see the veins in his arms throbbing, his hips moving back slowly before he slammed them forward again. Then he moved his length inside me, hitting and reaching every wall to the point where my back was practically hung in thin air.

My body formed a mind on its own. My hands moved to wrap around his neck while he pumped into me faster, my nails scratching his skin as our voices rang through our heads. My moans became screams when he reached parts inside me I didn`t know were even there.

Fire was spreading through me, and it exploded when his hand reached down to rub my clit and send me into a convulsing wave of pleasure. I dug my nails into his back, clawing at him as he moaned and buried his head at the crook of my neck.

He suddenly pulled out his shaft but slammed back into me in a swift motion, causing my eyes to widen and my lungs to feel raw from all the screaming. He still had his fingers teasing my core as my toes curled and my legs trembled.

The lump at my lower stomach was becoming intolerable, and I held him tighter. My brain and whole body were turning numb, and there was nothing that I could feel except for pure pleasure.

Sweat covered our bodies, and the room was filled with the sounds of skin slapping and the breathless grunts, moans, and pants from both our sides. Squishing noise came from between my legs, and that only proved that I was getting wetter by the second.

He quickened his pace, the strokes long and smooth as his body splashed over mine, and he rubbed my wet clit even quicker, kindling the spiraling orgasm.

A scream tore through me when I couldn`t handle it any longer, and my climax hit its breaking point.

My orgasm wheezed out of me, coating his throbbing member as he too seemed to reach his endgame. He growled, pulling out then spilling himself all over my stomach; the whiteness of his seeds felt hot on my already heated skin.

His large form toppled over me and collapsed at my side, both of us catching our breaths as our bodies gleamed with sweat. I brushed the sticky hairs out of my face and forehead, pushing my body up and hissing during the process.

My core still ached, obviously, and so did my entire limbs. But I managed to grab a tissue from the bedside table and wipe the king`s cum off me. Suddenly I felt chilly and really exposed, so I gathered the blankets and covered my body.

The king stirred beside me, propping himself on his elbows. He ran a hand through his damp hair before getting off the bed and re-dressed. I kept my eyes on my hands as I heard him open the door, then close it behind him with a thud.

And it all came rushing back to me; the voices I made, the position we were in, and the things he did to me!

I groaned, grabbing a pillow and burying my face in it. This is going to be harder than you expected, Lydia.