ִֶָ ᝰ۰𝑨𝒏𝒈𝒆𝒍 ִִֶָ ࣪ ִ .

You jerked yourself awake at the prominent sound of a throat clearing.

You straightened in your chair, forcing your eyes open wider and looked straight into the face of an amused Rhysand. Your High Lord just gave you a raised eyebrow in question and you sent an apologetic grimace his way.

These quarterly meetings were always your least favorite.

It was usually days long meetings between the Night Court and each ally separately, dedicated to discussing all sorts of things. From treaties and alliances, trade and resources, military and security, seasonal festivals and shared celebrations all the way to border skirmishes. The last one was mainly with the Day Court since their border was the only one close to Night’s. Thankfully, the relationship between Night and Day was a good one. Helion had always been a great ally to the Night Court and continued to be so.

Most of these meetings also went over terms of allyship. Strengthening weaker alliances—Spring being the biggest example—and withholding the stronger ones.

Dawn, Day, Winter and Summer were the allies that were the strongest currently.

Rhysand had the best relationships with Helion and Kallias foremost—Kallias and Viviane even attended the last few Starfall celebrations, one even while the female had been pregnant with their first child. Helion had attended numerous ones as well.

Not as strong, but not far behind were the relationships with Thesan and Tarquin. The latter had been pretty strained during the war with Hybern several years ago but had turned into a stronger alliance, thankfully. There was no bad blood between Rhys and either High Lord, it was just less typical for either the High Lord of Summer or the High Lord of Dawn to visit for personal entertainment purposes like Helion and the royals of the Winter Court tended to.

Those meetings usually took a few hours at the least, sometimes half a day at most. If they went really well, Rhys would send a message to the next High Lord they’d need to meet with and knock out a couple meetings in one day. It made for long days, but it shortened the week and was a blessing.

Meetings with Spring took a whole lot longer.

Bad blood was still present between the court and Tamlin, the blonde High Lord once having loved your High Lady. Rhysand had full knowledge of the things Tamlin had done that hurt his mate, though for ally's sake, always tried to preserve a good relationship with the High Lord of Spring.

Lucien often attended those meetings as a neutral party, having allegiance to both courts. He had the desire of wanting the relationship between courts to be smoother, easier, wanting a stronger partnership between Night and Spring in case there was ever conflict or gods forbid, even another war.

And then there was Autumn.

Officially, the Night Court didn’t have a great relationship with the Autumn Court. Beron couldn’t ever be bothered to show up to the meetings Rhysand requested him for. So, long ago, he started sending his son, his eldest, his heir.

Beron had no idea that Eris had struck a deal with Rhysand just as long ago, during the war, inevitably forming an alliance with the Night Court.

So, you could say, unofficially the alliance between Night and Autumn was slightly better than the official version most saw.

There was still some remaining tension between the Inner Circle and Eris; due to things that happened long before you’d met your found family.

Or, technically, been born.

You were a very young 300 to most of the Inner Circle’s 500. Well, despite Amren who was—well who knows how old she was—and the Archeron sisters.

Your High Lady and her sisters were still in their 20’s, but before they’d come along, you’d been the baby of the family. It had been a nice change of pace when you no longer were.

You shuffled your papers in front of you, just to have something to do, mentally cursing the day you took Rhysand’s offer to be courtier to the Night Court. These meetings were lulling you slowly to sleep.

You were supposed to be taking notes. Instead, you’d drifted off, the ink creating one long line across the paper where your hand had slackened and fell away.

You weren’t sure why Rhys made you sit in these meetings when you did better with oral dealings, using your words, quick wit and calculating mind to bargain and make trades. But then again, you supposed you could use all of those attributes in these meetings as well.

You felt the future High Lord’s eyes on you from where he sat diagonally across the table from you, down a bit to the left. He sat the portrait of elegance, leaning back in his chair, ankle crossed over a knee, fingers linked and resting against his stomach.

You ignored the searing gaze from the red haired, amber eyed male.

You turned to shoot Cassian a sharp glare as he snickered at how you’d jolted awake.

“Rough night?” Cassian mumbled under his breath.

You flipped him off.

It had been, but it was due to the fact you couldn’t sleep, knowing today’s meeting with Autumn approached.

Azriel sat on your other side. Rhys was the head of the table, Feyre right next to him, at the end where Eris sat.

Amren, the lucky female, got to opt out of today’s meeting. You’d wished you’d had the luxury. Mor was still off in Vallahan, doing courtier work of her own, on the continent.

You’d even wished you could’ve been cooking with Elain—who was likely helping Nuala and Cerridwen fix the meal you and the others would eventually eat later after the long day. Hell, you’d even prefer training with Nesta, Gwyn, Emerie and the other priestesses, despite you being absolutely terrible at being a warrior. You were much better with words.

At least it would save you from the burning gaze of the fiery heir. You felt it like a brand on your skin.

“Are we that boring, darling?”

You stiffened at the deep voice. The one that always set your teeth on edge, made your skin prickle.

Your eyes cut to Eris Vanserra who just smirked at you like a cat who’d trapped a mouse and was ready to play with it.

“Fuck off,” you mumbled.

He just laughed, a deep, boisterous thing, as long, slender fingers reached out in front of him to encircle the thick stem of the goblet of wine in front of him. He took a long, slow sip as his eyes never left you.

You watched the way his throat worked as he swallowed and you gripped the quill in your hand, harder.

“I must say, I always appreciate the warm welcome your courtier gives me, Rhysand. Believe me, she’s given me some very heated welcomes, too.”

Eris’s eyes slid back over to you, a smirk on his face as he winked at you.

This time, your vulgar gesture was aimed at Eris.

Azriel coughed, clearly hiding his laugh.

Shut up, asshole, you silently conveyed in your look at Eris and your thoughts, alike.

Eris quite liked playing games like this. Dancing on the razor thin edge of the truth, dangling breadcrumbs in front of them, without them even knowing.

“Well, you do make it hard to resist throwing insults at, Eris,” Rhys drawled.

The red haired male just snuck a peek back at you, tongue coming out to lick along his lower lip, licking away the drop of wine that had settled there.

Eris loved the game, loved toying with you. It exasperated you to no end.

For Eris was your mate.

Oh yes, your mate. No one knew but the two of you.

Or the fact that you’d actually been mated for more than a year now.

Which is why you’d hardly slept last night.

The way your teeth clenched when he was around? The prickling of your skin? It wasn’t because you disliked the male. No, it was because you had to draw every last iota of energy to keep from pouncing on him like you wanted to. You had to resist from reacting to the pull towards him that the mating bond naturally made you feel.

It wasn’t easy only being able to see your mate a few times a month. It hadn’t been ideal.

But between Eris keeping it a secret from his father, you keeping it a secret from everyone else, it just wasn’t ideal to see each other as much as you’d like.

While Eris kept you from his father’s knowledge for your own safety, you kept him from your family’s for his.

Despite him having allied with them for several years now, you still weren’t sure where most of them stood with the male. They tentatively trusted him and while things weren’t as strained as they once had been, you weren’t exactly sure how they’d react to knowing just who your mate was.

It sounded awful when you put it like that, but Eris had agreed when you’d both mutually decided to keep it between the two of you after the bond first snapped. While you knew your family’s opinion wouldn’t change the fact you were mated to Eris or the fact you deeply loved him, you’d also wanted to be spared the drama.

You still remembered the moment the bond had snapped into place. It was almost humorous and definitely unique because it had snapped for both of you, at the same time. Something you didn’t know until months later.

It had been an ordinary day in late spring, the temperatures in Velaris growing warmer.

You’d known that Eris was visiting Rhys for a discussion of topics that was for their ears only. Having met the male plenty of times before, you weren’t all that sad to know you’d be missing him on this visit. He’d always needled you, irked you, though you’d never hated him. You’d simply kinda wanted to punch him in the face for his snarky, asshole-like behavior.

How soon you’d gone from wanting to punch him to wanting to kiss him, though.

It quite literally couldn’t have happened any more ridiculously. It actually sounded like a scene out of one of the romance books the Valkyries loved.

You’d been looking over a report, flipping pages in the file that Azriel had given you to deliver to Rhys, as you’d walked into his grand study of the River House. Not watching where you were going, your foot had gotten caught in the bunched up rug just inside the room. It had been one of Nyx’s favorite hobbies lately, the toddler having a blast rolling up edges of throw rugs, changing their shape, making tents in the thick material, whatever his little heart had desired.

Apparently, that day, no one had fixed the rug again after his playtime, that corner having gone unnoticed.

You’d went flying forward, stumbling, careening, the entire folder going airborne as you fell straight into Eris’s lap.

He’d caught you easily, you half sprawled over his lap, dangerously close to tipping and falling off his lap. As if it hadn’t been humiliating enough, your equilibrium had almost made it worse.

Strong arms had come around you instantly as humorously, papers snowed down around the two of you. He’d held you tight to him, stopping your careen to the floor.

It truly had been as ridiculous as it sounded.

He’d straightened you a bit so you were sitting against him in his lap and not as sprawled across his masculine body, which is exactly how you’d landed.

“Well, Rhysand, what a lovely delivery you’ve provided me with this afternoon,” Eris had drawled.

You’d still been gathering your bearings as he spoke to you.

“I’m flattered darling, but if you really wanted to climb in my lap this badly, all you had to do was ask.”

His voice had been smug, arrogant and full of amusement.

You’d looked up then, into his face. Warm toned amber eyes met your own and it felt like cymbals clashed throughout your body, vibrating outwards, leaving your entire body zinging.

You are mine. I am yours. Mate.

You hadn’t even consciously thought the words, it was just like they’d appeared in your heart, your mind. Maybe even your soul.

It was just instant recognition and a life changing revelation all at once.

Your breath had hitched as it felt like the door to your heart had been swung wide open, ready for the one occupant it had been waiting for this entire time. At the same time, your pulse had spiked. Something you realized he took in. You realized he could’ve heard it, but probably this close to him, he could’ve likely seen it fluttering beneath your skin, too.

His hands had tightened on your waist as his eyes took you in. You saw them bounce restlessly over your face, like he didn’t know where to settle them, his brows furrowing like he was confused about something. Probably at why you were still in his lap and why you were staring at him.

But you’d taken him in. It was insane how it had felt like you were seeing him with brand new eyes.

Pale skin, scattered freckles along his nose and cheekbones, a straight nose. Strong jawline. Perfectly pink lips. Those all encompassing amber eyes with the prettiest lashes that a female could only wish to possess.

He was handsome, so utterly, devastatingly handsome.

Your heart had fluttered dangerously at his beauty.

You hadn’t even realized one of your hands had naturally gripped his bicep and when he’d finally broken the spell of staring at you, he’d looked down with an amused grin.

“I should charge extra if you’re going to feel me up, kitten.”

“If you two are done flirting,” Rhys had called from behind the two of you, still seated behind his desk.

You’d practically scrambled out of Eris’s lap then.

After fumbling to pick up the mess of the strewn papers and shoving it in Rhys’s direction, you’d fled the study, a completely different female than the one you’d been when you’d walked in.

The Mother probably had a good laugh that day. All while she’d delivered you straight into Eris Vanserra’s lap.

It didn’t help that the bastard had let you believe for months that it was entirely one sided and only you’d felt it.

He’d made up for it tenfold though because the first time he’d actually kissed you, you’d floated through Velaris for a week afterwards. It had been hilarious at how baffled your friends had been at your behavior, but you never elaborated further on it.

Neither did you elaborate when you’d asked Rhys if you could have a week off. You’d explained you wanted to visit Helion’s libraries in the Day Court to research some more about the Valkyries to help out Gwyn—and by default, her boss, Merrill, who was researching and writing a book on the ancient female warriors.

It hadn’t been a complete lie. Gwyn had asked you to look up something for her. You’d just failed to mention to Rhys that you’d already done that in the priestesses library, beneath the House of Wind—and that it had been a minuscule thing.

You also failed to mention you spent said week in a little cottage on the border of Night and Day with Eris buried in you.

Mating bond frenzy was absolutely no joke.

Afterwards, Eris liked to rattle you some, just for pure fun. Never out of malice. But he definitely got a kick out of seeing how far he could allude to what the two of you really were and see if anyone would pick up on it.

So far, no one had yet.

Back in the meeting, everyone was seemingly a little worse for wear.

It’d started earlier that afternoon when the sun was still high in the sky. Now, the sun had long ago set. You’d been through all subjects at least twice.

Eris and Rhysand were both thorough, though. They wanted airtight conclusions, no surprises and every detail they could realistically plan out, they planned out. They considered and prepared every possibility, angle and outcome they could. They were like-minded like that and made sure every part of the alliance the court had with Eris’s—the one he was to inherit one day—was solid. Long discussions between your mate and High Lord were often common.

You weren’t the only one that had drifted off though. You’d had to elbow Az half an hour ago when he’d started suddenly breathing too deeply, seconds away from snoring.

You grabbed your quill back from Cassian, who at one point was balancing it on his nose.

It was a wonder Rhys had made it to over 500 years old without losing his mind from the shenanigans of these two.

You snapped out of your thoughts when movement alerted you to the fact that the meeting finally seemed to be coming to an end. Eris still sat relaxed in his chair, arms crossed over his broad chest even though Azriel and Cassian now stood, stretching sore backs and restless, aching wings.

You made your way over to the cart of beverages, Eris finally having stood and meandering over there prior to your arrival. He had already poured a cup of water, turning, prepared to hand it to you before you’d even reached your destination.

The room swayed a bit and you felt yourself sway, feeling a little lightheaded, realizing you hadn’t eaten since dinner last night.

With quick Fae precision, Eris had sat the water down and was at your side, a hand on your waist, steadying you.

“Whoa. Easy. You alright?”

“Yeah. Just got a little dizzy is all,” you answered casually.

His eyes narrowed, taking you in. But when he spoke, his voice was soft, gentle, affectionate.

“When’s the last time you ate, Little Star?”

The entire room froze.

Well, fuck.

You looked over to see four pairs of eyes on you two. Four mouths agape to some degree.

“Did he just—”

Feyre.

“Little Star?”

Then Rhys.

“He has a heart?”

Azriel sounded more amused than appalled.

“Rhys, I don’t recall ever getting a nickname from Eris,” Cassian huffed, “Do you?”

“His hand is on her waist,” Az noted, gaze zooming in on just that.

The other three’s eyes followed Azriel’s.

“You two seem fairly acquainted,” Rhys noted.

“Pft,” you made a dismissive sound to Rhys’s comment, then addressed Cassian’s, “You know Eris, he has a nickname for everyone. Brute used to be yours, Cass, before he grew a heart.”

You turned back to Eris.

“I’m fine. Just haven’t eaten since last night. That’s my fault. Thank you for your concern.”

You tried to play it off as a simple moment of uncharacteristic kindness on his part, but your comment had his face tightening even more in concern.

“Come on, I can escort you to the kitchen just to make sure you don’t faint on us. Or else I’ll have to carry you to Madja,” Cassian approached, fingers brushing your wrist to take hold of you.

The low snarl that came from Eris stilled everyone, including you.

Your eyes slid closed in defeat, knowing they would figure it out any second now.

Because that wasn’t just any plain snarl. That was a possessive, claiming, feral snarl. It all but screamed for Cassian to keep his hands off of what was clearly Eris’s.

In other words, a purely, instinctual, mated male reaction.

More silence fell. Then, the chaos of overlapping curses.

“What the fuck.” Rhysand’s comment came first.

“What the fuck?” Then Azriel’s.

“What the fuck,” Cassian breathed, gaping, realizing what had just happened.

Eris groaned, “Did I just mate instinct out loud?”

His arm looped around your waist, his head falling into your neck in defeat.

A choked sound left Cassian at the sight. You peeked over to see Feyre’s brows raised to her hairline, Rhys’s jaw slackened and even Azriel, unruffable, unbothered Azriel looked like you could knock him over with a feather.

“Yes, Eris, yes you did,” you sighed.

The room burst into life with a cacophony of shouts and exclaims, questions and remarks being thrown at the two of you so quickly, you couldn’t pinpoint who was saying what. Especially as everyone seemed to figure it out at different times.

“Mates?!”

“MATES?”

“Wait, did you just say, mate?! Did he just say mate? You’re mated to Eris?!”

“You’re mates?!”

The last remark came from Feyre, which compared to the three Illyrians in the room, she was surprisingly the calmest. Didn’t mean she wasn’t just as stunned.

You’d heard the word mates so many times in such a short span of time, in the last few minutes, it was starting to sound like it wasn’t even a real word.

Eris, the bastard, was of course quiet through all of this, still holding you close, face still pressed against your neck. You could feel his amused smirk against your skin though and you felt the secret brush of his lips against it. It likely went unnoticed by everyone else, meant just for the two of you. It made your stomach flutter with happiness though, even amidst the current chaos.

“I need a moment to process this,” Cassian mumbled, gawking at you like you’d just announced you’d grown your own pair of Illyrian wings.

“I just want to know how I manage to have the greatest spymaster in the history of Prythian—a shadowsinger at that and even Azriel didn’t know this,” Rhys mused aloud.

Eris—face still buried in your neck—mumbled for the Mother herself to give him strength. You rolled your eyes and pushed him upright again, giving him a look saying: you got us into this mess.

“Somehow, you two being mates makes sense. I don’t know how, but it does,” Azriel grumbled.

You knew he was pouting because even with his best spymaster skills even he had had no idea.

“How come you didn’t figure it out?! You’re the spymaster, brother,” Cassian gaped, still emphasizing that specific inquiry.

Az’s arms were crossed, wings twitching behind him in his obvious irritation, but something like approval shone in those hazel eyes. Almost like he was impressed that you’d managed to keep the secret so well hidden that even he hadn’t had an inkling.

“Wait, I just wanna try—”

Cassian started, simultaneously reaching out to touch you and this time Eris downright growled at him.

“Try and touch her again Cassian and I will rip your wings from your back with my bare hands.”

You looked at Eris horrified and embarrassed.

Cassian looked downright delighted instead of horrified.

Hilariously enough, your High Lord and High Lady seemed to look like their minds were melting. Though you could only imagine the conversation they were having mentally in their minds about the two of you.

“Hey, hey, knock it off you two. I know you’re gossiping in there,” you waved an accusatory finger at them.

“I told Rhys I thought you were seeing someone just a few weeks ago!” Feyre beamed, proud she was right.

“You came to family dinner a few weeks ago with a bite mark that hadn’t yet healed and you were all coy about it,” Rhys said, arms crossing, violet eyes glittering with pure amusement.

“I told you that wasn’t your smartest idea,” you muttered under your breath to Eris.

“I heard no complaints from you that night,” Eris grinned wickedly.

“And we couldn’t scent any male on you!” Feyre continued on, ignoring Eris’s remark.

She pointed an accusatory finger at you now in an exact mirror image of how you’d just pointed one at her and Rhys moments earlier.

“Baths do exist, you know,” you mumbled.

“Wait a minute!” Cassian blurted as if just now snapping out of his stupor to come to his next conclusion, “You’ve been on his cock?!”

And suddenly you wanted to die. Your face flamed hotter than Eris’s fire, you were sure.

“Well Cassian, if you want specifics about my cock, she’s the one to ask. She’s an expert in it, after all,” Eris drawled, smugly.

Much too delayed did you slap a hand over Eris’s mouth as once again the whole room burst into hysterics.

His eyes were wicked with delight.

“Will you shut up?” you hissed to your mate.

He just playfully winked at you, licking your palm.

Meanwhile, the other occupants of the room were either exclaiming or making sounds of disgust. You felt for them. You loved them but had no interest in details of their sex lives with their mates.

“Mates typically fuck, you know,” Rhys said pointedly to Cassian, “Which you should know considering you and Nesta—”

“Why is this my life?” you sighed loudly, purposely cutting off Rhys before he could continue, hand falling from Eris’s mouth, exasperated.

Azriel, once again flooring you—though you really shouldn’t have been shocked since his dry sense of humor had always been impeccable—made the next statement, which made you choke.

“I’m almost hurt we don’t get cute nicknames from Eris, aren’t you, Cass?”

Mother above, if the floor wouldn’t open up already for you to fall through and escape this situation.

“Seriously though! If anyone should be Little Star, it would be Rhys,” Cassian pointed out.

“You know,” Feyre broke in, “This would explain why he’s always around here sniffing like one of his smokehounds.”

Feyre mused aloud, clearly still the most calm of the four.

“Wait ‘til I tell Nesta this. You think this is bad? She’s never gonna let you hear the end of it!”

Cassian had a shit eating grin on his face as he spoke.

Feyre snorted.

“You think she’s going to be bad? Wait until Amren and Mor hear. The former will probably send her a vat of wine, the latter, lingerie to put to good use.”

You didn’t miss the way Eris’s eyes lit at that last one.

“Not a word,” you muttered to him.

He just looked down at you, laughter in those eyes, lips curling in amusement.

Well you were glad at least he was enjoying this.

You sighed dramatically.

“I’ll tell Elain myself because at this rate, she’ll be the only one in this family that won’t tease me mercilessly!” you huffed, crossing your arms.

“Please,” Feyre grinned, “She’d probably ask you how you haven’t burst into flames yet because of—”

Feyre cut herself off, motioning to Eris, as if to make her point.

“I haven’t, but the room has,” you remarked, gesturing to the chaos that had broken out the moment Eris had exposed you both.

They all practically beamed at you, their varying shades of amusement shining on their faces.

“I hate this family,” you deadpanned.

“You love us,” Rhysand grinned.

“I’m shocked no one has asked when or how the bond even snapped,” Azriel said, cool, amused eyes taking in you and your mate.

By now, Eris had slipped his arm fully around your waist, pulling you to his side, displaying just enough of that mated male dominance to show that you well and truly were his.

“The Mother delivered her straight into my lap,” Eris said simply, a smug smile on his face.

Gods, the arrogance of the male could drive you up a wall sometimes.

Not necessarily in a bad way, that is. You’d learned quickly what was true arrogance and pride and what was the part he played, of him simply showboating.

He was in no way as horrible as he’d allowed some people to believe, but he could also be infuriating in his own right. Many times had you wanted to smack him then kiss him immediately afterwards. Though he tended to be amused at your exasperation sometimes.

It sort of seemed to be an effortless push and pull when it came to you and Eris. Perhaps that’s why the Cauldron—the Mother—had chosen you for one another.

“Might I also add you’ve known each other at least a century,” Azriel quirked a brow.

“You think I claim to know why the Mother does the things she does? Or when? you asked, throwing up your hands.

You’d often wondered the same thing—what had been the triggering moment for the bond to snap, why it had taken so long when you’d known Eris, or at least known of him for so long.

Interestingly enough, it hadn’t been until recent years that Eris had become a more permanent fixture in your life. Until the war in Hybern, Eris hadn’t set foot in the Night Court for nearly 500 years.

So while you had known who Eris was—after all who couldn’t with him being a High Lord’s son—you’d only had brief dealings with him. Up until the last few years, you’d never been as up close and personal to the male as you ended up being.

You’d supposed the Mother knew what she’d been doing for the bond to wait to make itself known until you’d been around one another more. It was ironic that Eris forging a secret alliance with the Night Court just a few years prior inevitably ended up leading him to his mate.

Which, when you thought of it in that way, it made perfect sense why the bond had waited so long. Why it had snapped when it did.

You wouldn’t have changed the way it happened for the world, either.

But Rhys had been studying the two of you, clearly working something out even as Azriel spoke. He didn’t yet voice those thoughts aloud though as Cassian spoke again.

“She fell in your lap or you just pulled her there like the insufferable male you are?”

The question wasn’t laced in the hatred that the residents of the room had once held for the heir of Autumn, but it was clear that Cassian was having fun giving the red haired male a hard time.

“Cassian, believe me, if I’d done that on my own accord, she’d have probably slapped me.”

He wasn’t entirely wrong. At one point, you’d probably would’ve.

“You don’t mean that time—”

“Yes,” you sighed, once again.

You’d been sighing a lot here recently.

“Mhm,” Eris hummed, practically beaming.

“Wait, fill us in,” Az said, peering back and forth between Rhys and Eris.

“It was quite the humorous sight,” Rhys grinned, eyes never leaving you and your mate, “But knowing that’s when it happened…”

“Rhys if you don’t get to the point and tell us,” Feyre huffed, crossing her arms.

Cassian made a grunt in agreement.

“Eris was here discussing some things one day—this was about a year and a half ago by now,” Rhys began, sliding his hands into the pockets of his finely made dark pants.

“Az had wanted her to bring me something, a file if I recall correctly.”

Az’s head tilted as if running through the catalogue of his mind to extract the filed away information.

“That’s right. It was the intel on the observations my spies had been doing in the mortal lands post the mortal queens fiasco. Briallyn and all,” Az waved a hand vaguely.

“They were keeping eyes on the mortals for any sign of conflict rising. I had just gathered the information and had to meet with my spies in the Summer Court on a separate matter so I turned the file over to her to pass on to you, Rhys, since I was running short on time.”

Leave it to Az, to always make sure to be thorough, even in this instance of explaining. He was detail oriented though, so it didn’t shock you.

“Please tell me this gets interesting, fast,” Cassian grumbled, clearly ready to return to teasing you mercilessly.

“She was peering through the file like the nosy female she is,” Rhys smirked and you made a noise of protest, flinging your hands into the air in exasperation.

“Not paying attention to where she was going,” Rhys continued on with emphasis, over the sound of your protest.

“Remember how Nyx went through the phase of playing with all the rugs on the floor? Flipping over corners? Rolling them up and such?” you asked, clearly wanting to speed this up.

“Oh no,” Feyre gasped, eyes widening as the picture was starting to form.

“She tripped over a corner that’d went unnoticed and hadn’t been straightened and went flying through midair, landing right in Eris’s lap.”

Rhys did nothing to hide the smirk of amusement on his face. Feyre’s jaw once again dropped. Az looked just as amused.

Cassian, though, was sputtering and laughing, definitely the most entertained by the mental picture that Rhys gave them—without even sharing the memory with them, mind to mind.

“Leave it to you to quite literally fall for your mate,” Azriel joked.

Cauldron help you, you knew it was bad when even Az was busting out the witty remarks left and right.

“What really set the scene was the way the file went soaring into the air as she fell causing the papers to fall down around them like a damn snowstorm all while she looked stunned as hell and he, amused,” Rhys said.

You had often wondered what the hell the moment had looked like to your High Lord because it’d been so intense, you’d even pondered if Rhys could tell what had happened in that moment. Clearly, he hadn’t.

“He made some very on par, infuriatingly charming Eris style remarks, no offense,” Rhys cut the remark towards Eris who just bowed his head in acknowledgement that he wasn’t exactly wrong.

“Meanwhile, she looked absolutely stunned. Now, I get why,” Rhys chuckled.

Cassian was still dying.

“That’s really how the bond snapped?” he wheezed.

You pinched the bridge of your nose.

“Yes, Cassian.”

“It sounds like a scene straight out of one of Nesta’s romances!”

You’d thought the same thing, honestly.

“You’re not wrong,” you shrugged at the towering, broad Illyrian, who was actually wiping tears of laughter from his eyes.

“What can I say? I’ve always excelled at making females fall for me. Usually it’s been at my feet and never in my lap, but who am I to deny such a gift?”

Eris’s tone was smooth and smug, that strong arm tightening around your waist just a bit to let you know it wasn’t just cool, playful words and that he’d actually meant the compliment in the latter part of his comment. He’d often, teasingly, called you the gift he’d never seen coming.

“You be quiet,” you turned to your mate with an unamused raised brow before turning back to the portion of the Inner Circle that was in attendance.

“Now since everyone is caught up, are you done interrogating us? Cause I want to go eat; I’m hungry and I’m tired.”

“Be my guest,” Rhys waved his hand, “Eris, you have a room that’s been fixed up for you since the meeting ran longer than anticipated and it’s already so late. You’re free to stay the night if you desire, which by the looks of it…you do.”

It was Cassian and Feyre who burst into giggles like children, probably having shared some sort of joke with her daemati gifts—the High Lady speaking directly to the general, into his mind, not having to utter a single word aloud.

You sighed heavily.

“I live with children. It’s truly amazing you both have mates and still can’t be mature about this.”

You stepped out of Eris’s warm and comforting embrace, heading for the door, muttering the entire way.

“Behave yourselves, you two,” Cassian called after you and Eris, “Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do!”

You turned, walking backwards next to Eris as you flipped Cassian off—lovingly, of course.

“That’s an awfully long list of things, Cass, considering you and Nesta have defiled the entirety of the House of Wind.”

You just smirked to yourself as the group absolutely howled with laughter as you and Eris walked out.

You didn’t miss the approving curve of a smile on your mate’s face, either.

•••

“Well that was the most embarrassing thing in my entire existence, to date.”

“What, you’re ashamed of me?” Eris mock pouted.

“Never,” you said a shade seriously, “I’m kinda ashamed of their behavior though.”

“Why? I thought it was rather humorous,” Eris smirked.

“You would,” you rolled your eyes, exasperated.

“I mean at least they took it way better than you’d ever expected,” he pointed out.

You had to admit, he was right. Even if they’d embarrassed you beyond belief. But, at this rate, what was family for if not to embarrass you occasionally?

“True,” you sighed.

Eris had had his own accommodations made for him, but he’d bypassed his made up room and immediately trailed you to yours, with a cheeky grin.

You didn’t stop him.

Now you laid back against the bed, him still sitting up against your headboard, peering down in your face.

Immediately upon arriving back to your room, Eris made sure to get you food. He’d made a request for dinner to be served to your room and the servants had brought two trays of food. Elain, along with the two wraiths, had done a splendid job with a roast, root vegetables and homemade rolls. You’d devoured your plate immediately, you were so hungry.

“You have to admit though, it was definitely amusing,” Eris smirked.

“What a welcome to the family,” you mumbled.

“Darling, I think you’ve given me a warm enough welcome, plenty of times over.”

His grin was slow and wicked, the back of his fingers gliding up your bare thigh.

You’d quickly stripped off your day clothes when you’d first returned to your room and grabbed your nightgown, eager to be comfortable after the long day. You’d wasted no time, already pulling your top off over your head, baring your breasts to him, causing him to almost choke.

“Cauldron, warn a male first,” Eris had breathed, eyes taking in your bare torso reverently, despite having seen you naked plenty of times.

Now, he was next to you already shirtless and under the sheets with you, a dangerous twinkle in his eye as he scooted down towards you.

“Hello, my beautiful mate,” he purred, leaning down to kiss you before you could answer him.

Your lips met in short and urgent bursts, kisses tumbling one after another, more than pecks but not yet deep. Both of you pulled back and collided again like neither of you could stand to be parted for long.

“We can’t do this here,” you breathed between the feverish kisses.

“Of course we can,” he mumbled against your lips, hands already bunching the fabric of your gown in his fingers, “It is your room isn’t it?”

“Yes, but—”

His lips chased yours once again, staying a little longer as he kissed you deeper. Then they fell away to your jawline, kissing just under your earlobe.

“Do not each and every one of them get to fuck their mates?”

You turned crimson, not needing any of those mental images of your family.

“I wouldn’t know,” you sputtered.

Eris hummed, nipping at the spot he’d just kissed.

“I would assume so, love. So why shouldn’t I get to fuck mine? After all, it’s been a while since I’ve gotten to see you,” he mock pouted and you could feel the push of his lips against your skin as he did.

It had been way too long.

“Then,” he whispered, pulling back to look at you properly, taking your chin between his thumb and forefinger, “I’m going to make love to my mate before I fuck her all over again.”

You whimpered at his words, body humming with desire and excitement.

“But there’s too many ears—” you started to protest.

“Well, sweetheart, I guess that just means you’re gonna have to be quiet, hm?”

You took a moment, eyes roaming his face.

“I missed you,” you uttered, truthfully.

It had been nearly a month since Eris had been able to get away from Autumn to visit. The entire time you’d felt unsettled each and every day, like something was off, like you couldn’t breathe right.

Which is why the moment you’d seen him again earlier that day, you finally felt like you could breathe again. It had been an actual test of restraint to keep from running into his arms.

A gentle smile curved his face, fingers loosening from your chin, thumb stroking your jawline just slightly.

“I missed you too.”

You leaned up, pressing your lips to his again, sighing the moment the contact was made. Even though you wished him to keep kissing you, he pulled away soon after.

“I couldn’t keep my eyes off you,” he breathed against your lips, “All I wanted to do, all I longed to do was go to your side and not leave it.”

His lips nuzzled your jaw, hands pushing up your nightgown until it bunched at your waist, his warm hands on your bare skin causing you to shiver slightly. You didn’t even consciously mean to do it, but you arched into his touch. Your body always seemed to naturally lean into Eris’s touch.

He’d effortlessly fallen between your legs, kneeling between them as he kissed you and now, your hands roamed his muscled, bare back, pulling him closer. You were buzzing with contentness, with happiness, finally having your mate back in your arms.

“I know,” you breathed a reply to him, “It took all the strength I had not to run into your arms the moment I saw you this morning.”

He leaned down, taking in your bare stomach that he’d just exposed with another push upwards of your nighttime attire. His lips brushed the skin gently in a few different areas and you relished in the feeling of Eris’s touch on you again.

Your arms lifted over your head as you gave him a pointed look, indicating you wanted him to hurry up already. His chuckle was deep, sensuous, as he obliged you. The cool, slippery satin brushed over your skin enough to give you chills as the material slid along your skin, the item disappearing from your body.

He wasted no time, fingers hooking into the band of your underwear that rested against the skin on your hips, pulling the article down with one swift movement.

“Gods, you’re beautiful,” he murmured.

Your chest fluttered at his heartfelt declaration and you smiled up at him, warm and genuine.

“Isn’t that my line for you, pretty boy?”

It was an ongoing inside joke between the two of you that you called him the affectionate nickname.

It wasn’t exactly a lie either, he was stunningly gorgeous and you let him know that all the time.

Another chuckle rumbled from his chest as he brushed a piece of your hair from your face, tucking it behind your arched ear, gently. He then bent to give you a long, slow and lingering kiss before he moved again.

Eris sat back on his heels, unbuttoning his pants and you took the time to admire his incredible body. Strong shoulders, broad chest and impressive biceps that you not so secretly loved. Chiseled, carved from stone stomach muscles tapered into the absolutely delicious vee of his pelvis, that usually dipped into his pants. Now, it came into view as he shucked his pants, his underwear following and your eyes fell to the cock you’d seen, touched and felt numerous times in just the span of a year.

You thought he’d broken you the first time he’d sank into you, the girth of him so overwhelming you would’ve attested he’d split you in half. Your body became accustomed to him quickly though, molding around him, even if he’d left you sore.

Sometimes, when you two were rougher, you purposely wanted him to leave you sore because somehow it eased the ache in your heart and soul when you inevitably parted. As if the memory of him between your legs, cock deep and punishing within you, was the perfect reminder that he was never too far, despite how it felt during the waits.

The smirk that grew on his face only aided in arousing you even more as you shifted restlessly and impatiently.

“Always a confidence boost to see that hunger on that pretty little face of yours.”

You rolled your eyes though it didn’t stop the fond smile from spreading on your lips.

“You do not need any more confidence, Eris.”

His forearms came down on the bed, next to your head, boxing you in as his hips fell forward, the tip of his cock nudging your entrance. You whimpered at the teasing maneuver, soaked and ready for him to be inside you.

He wasn’t initially rough like you had hoped.

He pushed into you with one smooth movement and both of you reacted, pleased moans and sighs falling from each of you at the long awaited joining.

He rocked slowly, the both of you just taking a moment to reorient and find a perfect rhythm. Your arms looped around his neck as you kissed him, soft sighs being expelled against his lips.

“I missed this, but I missed just being with you more,” he whispered against your lips.

You felt the same and told him so, the heavy feeling you’d been trapped in for the last several weeks dissipating completely. In its place was a lightness, pure joy and so much love as you gazed up at your mate.

Your heart, your soul could only go so long without him and it was always a relief to be with him again.

“I think you may just be perfect,” you mumbled, thumb brushing over his swollen lips.

It was absolutely adorable how just the slightest tinge of pink dusted his cheeks. His hair fell like a curtain around his face as he looked down in between your bodies.

He watched himself pull out and thrust back into you with more power than previously and he groaned at the erotic sight. Your head tipped back at the feel of it.

His head tilted back up to look at you, looking devastatingly gorgeous, pieces of red hair falling down the sides of his face.

“I hope you’re ready for a wild ride tonight, sweetheart.”

You choked on a laugh, it quickly melting into a tiny moan.

“I’m always ready for anything with you, Eris.”

His hands gripped your hips as he picked up his pace.

His mouth was hot over yours, close enough to kiss as he gave you everything you could ask for. Though he was close enough to kiss you, he didn’t, his mouth just barely skimming yours as he thrust harder.

The two of you traded gasps and half-formed sounds with each and every thrust, one hand gripping your leg harder as he lifted it higher, allowing his cock to hit deeper, more precisely.

A startled cry left you when a slight shift of his hips had him hitting at a deeper angle, a sensitive and really good spot. Your body arched into his, desperate to keep feeling that.

You didn’t have to say a word for him to keep hitting that same spot, he knew his own mate well enough by now.

“Either you bury your face in the pillow to keep quiet, or I’ll have to keep you quiet,” he groaned, hand covering your mouth “Don’t want everyone hearing now do you?”

Your answering moan at his dominance was muffled by his palm and your eyes slid closed. He bent down, lips falling to your neck.

“Good girl, such a good girl for me, little mate,” he growled, hips grinding against yours.

You whimpered, legs tightening around his waist as he thrust harder, deeper into you.

Gods, you’d missed this so much. Missed him so much.

“Don’t worry,” he grunted, hips ramming yours again, “I’ll let you be as loud as you want soon, sweetheart.”

You knew you’d give him everything he wished for, too as it was incredibly hard for you to be quiet every time he was inside you. Current case in point.

“Y’know I love hearing you, sweetheart.”

He gave another hard thrust, making you arch and keen loudly. Suddenly you were thankful for his hand over your mouth.

“Eriff,” you whimpered, his name distorting behind his hand.

“We don’t need an audience, though I must admit I’d love for all of them to hear how well I fuck you.”

Your legs tightened once again around his waist, pulling him deeper and he groaned in response.

“So good, you’re so good. Always feel amazing, little mate.”

He loved to call you that—more so in bed—but you didn’t mind. The way it came out of his mouth around growls, grunts and groans nearly drove you mad.

You felt his teeth bite down on your neck at the same moment he delivered an exquisite, punishing thrust of his cock. Cauldron, you felt yourself tighten around him in response.

“Wanna mark you up. Want them all to know who you belong to.”

His voice was deep, ragged, filled with his desire for you. Your eyes pleaded with him what you weren’t currently able to say.

More. Harder.

His hand left your mouth, grabbing one of your hands from around him and shoving it above your head, flush against the mattress, his hand sliding up to link his fingers through yours. His hips ground down again and you moaned loudly, not caring if anyone heard.

He was relentless, giving you everything he had as he moved rougher, harder, nearly fucking you into the bed.

You loved every moment of it.

His breath was heavy, erratic as he buried his face in your neck as he moved with renowned purpose in you. You could tell from his gasps alone that his release was close.

Your fingers tangled in his—now, extremely messy—locks, pulling his head up so you could see him.

Your lips pressed to his jaw before you whispered in his ear the words you knew would send him over the edge.

“I love you.”

“Fuck, fuck!” he groaned, hips slamming harder into yours, cock hitting so deep into you.

He came hard with a guttural groan of your name on his lips, the hand that was in yours squeezing just that much tighter. You felt the warmth of his release inside you as his cock twitched, filling you and you moaned at that, having craved it for weeks.

Even amidst his own orgasm, his free hand reached down, fingers finding your clit, wanting you to find your pleasure too. He didn’t stop until you were falling apart underneath him.

Your body bowed off the bed, a cry leaving you—probably louder than you should’ve been—as your cunt squeezed him, milking him dry. You wanted everything Eris had to give you, you wanted him fucking you forever.

He didn’t stop until he wrung every ounce of your orgasm from you. All the while he kept uttering how much he loved you as you shattered around him.

“I love you. I love you. I love you, pretty girl.”

You whimpered as the intensity faded, leaving you sated and feeling like you were floating.

Eris wasn’t satisfied until you came on his cock two more times, afterwards.

•••

You woke to bright sunlight streaming through the curtains you’d forgotten to close the night before.

You groaned at the brightness and tried to move, only to realize you were being weighed down. You looked down at the reason why, a big smile growing on your face.

After taking you twice more like promised—first making love to you then fucking you, again—you and Eris stayed awake for a little while longer, despite the late hour.

You spent the time talking, his head resting against your chest as your nails gently scratched at his scalp. It was humorous how much he practically purred when you did that.

He was more like his smokehounds than he seemed to realize.

Now, you looked down at him, still asleep on your chest, one arm curled over your hip, the other hand resting under his cheek. You tried to move slowly and gently so as not to wake him, but he stirred, pulling you tighter.

You giggled, fingers brushing his disheveled hair out of his eyes.

“Morning, handsome.”

He groaned, eyes fluttering open.

“What time is it?” he rasped.

“I don’t know. Early? But if you want a chance at breakfast, we oughta get up and get dressed soon.”

Both of you hadn’t bothered to redress after your vigorous, late night activities and fell asleep completely bare. Not like you hadn’t plenty of times before, though.

Eris finally moved off you with an unamused grumble and both of you dressed—but not before he pulled you by your waist to him when you were still half dressed—and gave you a long, sizzling kiss.

You and Eris made your way to the expansive dining room of the River House, down long hallways. There, you found Nesta and Cassian already eating. No sign of Rhys, Feyre or Azriel, the latter probably having been awake for hours already.

“Morning,” Cassian smirked, the expression turning into a shit eating grin as he took in you and Eris walking towards the breakfast table.

“Sit, have some breakfast,” Nesta said, motioning to the plates of eggs, toast, meats and pastries.

You eyed her suspiciously as you sat down, Eris settling in the chair next to you. You reached for a piece of toast as Eris prepared a plate of eggs and meat for himself from the dishes of the breakfast food sitting in the middle of the table.

Her grayish blue gaze was piercing and you didn’t have to ask to know Cassian had filled her in about everything from the night before. You knew Nesta would never pry on her own, no, she knew to wait and let the information come to her.

“I’m sure Eris has had his appetite satiated already this morning,” Cassian remarked.

You stifled the urge to groan.

Cassian wasn’t finished though. He was just starting up.

“The male’s probably had a seven course feast since last night.”

You decided if he was going to start in again, you were going to have some fun with it too.

“He always has a feast when he devours me and believe me, he devours.”

Nesta’s coffee came spurting out of her mouth in a broad spray, thankfully missing you by just inches. Eris was giving you a sidelong glance with a lifted brow. You simply shrugged a shoulder.

Cassian, however, was pleased with the challenge.

“Well,” Nesta said, casually mopping up any mess of sprayed coffee near her, “Guess he’s not quick off the mark.”

You choked yourself, coughing to cover the laughter bubbling up your throat. Your poor mate looked equal parts unamused and over this, already.

Cassian set back, the challenge glimmering in his eyes.

“Is your bed still in tact? Is he as insufferable in bed as he is out of it? Does he give you that cold stare of his while he’s thrusting into you?”

You already felt Eris bristling next to you. The protective mate energy rising to the surface rather quickly this morning.

“Yes, my bed is still in tact. If by insufferable you mean he’s the world’s biggest tease and likes to see me beg, then yes. No, he does not give me the cold stare, but you know those flames in his eyes he sometimes gets when he’s mad? Not reserved for just anger.”

You smirked as you bit into your toast and Cassian, stunned for a moment, gaped.

Nesta, having refilled her coffee, just sipped it, watching from behind her cup with intense curiosity.

“Mother spare me,” Eris muttered.

“You sound quite interested Cassian. Do you want to fuck Eris?”

Nesta asked the question so calmly that it made you choke for real this time. You reached for your glass of water as you choked on your toast. Eris, unhelpfully, hit your back a few times with a firm palm and you waved him off as you wheezed.

Even through it, you could still hear Cassian’s response to his mate.

“Correct me if I’m wrong, but wasn’t it you he propositioned once before?” Cassian asked, brow raised.

That was right. You’d remembered only a handful of months prior to yours and Eris’s bond snapping into place, in the midst of your friends trying to ensure their alliance with Eris, Eris had asked for Nesta as his bride.

It was odd how things worked out. Nesta had always been Cassian’s mate and you had always been Eris’s, but you couldn’t imagine the nightmare that would’ve been if Nesta had accepted.

“If you’re trying to make her jealous, she doesn’t become envious easily,” Eris drawled, “She knows she’s the only female that has my attention.”

“Besides,” you said, finally able to speak, going back to eating your breakfast, “Eris propositions me at least five times a night.”

Then Cassian, the little shit stirrer, had to toss a match into the fire—quite literally considering the magic your mate possessed.

“So is he better than Az?”

You felt more than you saw the preternatural stillness that came from the male to your right.

Cassian was enjoying the hell out of this, apparent by the way his eyes cut to Eris who had slowly, so slowly turned to face you.

“Is the princeling bigger than Az? You know with the wingspan allegations and all.”

You met Cassian’s gaze with amusement in your own, every word you were ready to say nothing but the truth.

“One of the two has fire in their blood, I oughta think that would answer your question, Cass,” your impish smile grew.

You felt the spike in heat next to you before he even spoke. You peered over before he did.

“You…and Azriel?”

You swore you saw a muscle tick in Eris’s jaw.

“Calm down, put the mating bond claws away, tiger. It was once, 75 years ago.”

It was the truth. It had been only once, three quarters of a century ago, after a long night at Rita’s.

It hadn’t been a mistake per se, but nothing ever came from it. It had happened and that was that. Clearly, you’d remained friends quite easily afterwards so there hadn’t been anything messy between you and the Shadowsinger nor had there been any emotions involved to complicate matters.

Quite contrary to right now though when Eris’s jealousy was palpable. You simply laid a hand on his thigh, under the table, trying to soothe him without a word. Your next statement probably didn’t help, but it was the truth.

“Az was fine. But who do you really think fucked me silly, him or my mate?”

You could still feel Eris bristling.

It was times like this that you wished you’d had daemati powers like Feyre and Rhys simply so you could speak to your mate mind to mind, soothe him with words meant for only him. Maybe even show him memories you had proving that sex with anyone else in your past was completely irrelevant now with him in your life. Now that he’d shown you, made you feel things you’d once only could imagine.

To remind him that he was your mate and you loved him.

Also he definitely had no need to be jealous. Especially with last night so fresh in his mind.

But of course as per usual when it came to the Mother putting you in the craziest situations, in walked Az just at that moment.

The male looked like he’d been awake for hours already and it was barely 7:30. Dressed in his Illyrian leathers, he clearly was gearing up for an early morning training session.

He’d taken a quick survey of the table and took in very briefly how tense Eris was. You assumed Azriel must’ve figured his demeanor came from Cassian just being Cassian. His knowing, hazel eyes fell on you, downright smirking like yes, he wasn’t stupid and he’d known exactly what you and Eris had been busy doing last night.

His gaze cut away to Cassian before going, “Ready to train?”

Eris was practically out of his seat before you could stop him.

“You bastard! You never told me you fucked her!”

Poor Az really had no idea what he’d walked into.

You lunged at nearly the same moment your mate did, hands fisting in the back of Eris’s shirt, somehow holding him back.

A cacophony of noise broke out in that moment, everyone talking at once.

Azriel, looking alarmed, hands raised, backing up.

Nesta was still seated, pointing to her mate, trying to explain.

Cassian had jumped up from his seat, poised to jump between Eris and Azriel if needed.

Then there you were, somehow holding back your strong mate.

You were sure it’d make an insane and wildly hilarious picture if you could capture the current moment, frozen in time.

At that moment you saw Rhys winnow in, from wherever he’d been this early. He took a quick glance at what was happening—the shouting, talking over one another, you literally struggling to hold your mate back by the back of his shirt—and winnowed out again. You huffed and threw a vulgar gesture in the direction he’d been only moments prior.

“Coward,” you mumbled to yourself.

But your comment was drowned out by the current disarray.

“I literally just came to get Cass—”

“He sparked a fire in Eris and—”

“All I asked was who had the bigger cock, you or him!”

“If I ever get my hands on you, Shadowsinger, I swear to the Mother, herself—”

Your grip tightened on Eris’s shirt, half tempted to hold him back by his long hair at this point. You sighed dramatically at the scene before you, as chaos seemed to reign supreme throughout the house, once again.

Your family might be loud, might be chaotic, but you loved it. Especially with the addition of your mate now by your side, even if he was also adding to the mayhem, currently.

Even with the secret out now, you’d come to realize how lucky you were even amidst the constant madness.

If you were honest, you couldn’t have asked for anything better.

and maybe he doesn’t see it, not yet. but you’re going to make sure he feels it.

+

“why’re you lookin’ at me like that,” he murmurs, eyes narrow but fond as he reclines back against the pillows. the two of you are curled up in bed, the tv flickering quietly in the background, long forgotten.

you crawl up slowly from your spot between his thighs, fingertips trailing along the sides of his stomach— your eyes locked to his.

“because you’re handsome.”

he scoffs. “sweet talkin’ me now?”

“mhm,” you press a kiss just below his navel, “trying to seduce you.”

his brow twitches. you can tell he’s holding back, can already feel the hesitation coming— so you slide your palms up under his shirt, feeling the soft warmth of his torso, the tension in his abs that he’s subconsciously sucking in.

“toji,” you whisper gently, “you don’t have to hide from me, y’know.”

his body stiffens. then comes the nonchalant grumble. “i’m not hidin’.”

“baby.” you kiss just above his belly button. “i love you. all of you. you really think i’m gonna stop wanting you just because you’ve gotten a little softer?” your nails trace his sides, slow and tender. “i love this body. this body keeps me warm at night, it protects me, and most importantly, fucks me sooo good.”

his jaw ticks, throat working through a quiet swallow. “you’re just sayin’ that…”

“toji,” you say again, a little firmer this time, sitting up on your knees. “look at me.”

he does, reluctantly.

you take his hand, pressing it to your chest. “i’m yours. and you’re mine. this tummy—” you press another kiss to it, nose nudging softly against his skin, “—this is my favorite place to rest my head. i love when you’re on top of me and i can feel your whole weight, your body holding mine down like you never wanna let go.”

“baby…” his voice goes low, pained almost. his hand cups the back of your head.

“i want you to stop hiding from me,” you murmur, nuzzling under his shirt. “take it off. wanna see you.”

he hesitates.

you kiss his stomach again. “please.”

and slowly, after a beat, he lifts the hem and pulls the shirt over his head. it’s quiet for a moment. vulnerable. you let your eyes drag over every inch of him— his broad chest, the softened swell of his belly, the thickness of his arms— and your breath catches a little.

“so fucking sexy,” you whisper, running your hands over him. “d’you even know what you do to me?”

his gaze is heated now, shoulders still a little tense, but his cock is twitching against his thigh. you straddle him, dragging your folds along the length of it, and his breath stutters.

“i love you,” you murmur again. “and you’re so, so hot.”

“fuck.” his hands grab your hips, but there’s a softness to his grip this time. his voice breaks a little. “you really mean all that?”

you nod, fingers threading through his hair. “swear on my life.”

his eyes flutter shut. then he pulls you down into a kiss so deep, so full of emotion it makes your chest ache.

+

when he finally slides into you, it’s with aching tenderness. his body presses flush to yours, your thighs spread wide, knees bent as he rocks into you slow and deep.

his lips are on your neck. “feel so fuckin’ good. always so tight for me.”

you’re holding onto him like you never want him to leave. “don’t wanna be anywhere else,” you whisper, nails digging into his back. “want you forever.”

his thrusts are slow, purposeful, dragging his cock along every ridge of your walls, every sensitive spot. you’re gasping, clinging to him, but it’s the way he’s looking at you so open, so raw, that has you crumbling.

“you’re not goin’ anywhere,” he rasps. “gonna keep lovin’ you until i’m buried six feet under.”

“you better,” you gasp out, “or i’ll come down there and haunt your ass.”

he laughs, breathless. “wouldn’t even be mad.”

you wrap your legs around his waist, drawing him even deeper. “fuck a flat stomach,” you murmur against his mouth. “i want you. all of you.”

he groans. “keep talkin’ like that and i’m not pullin’ out.”

you roll your hips, tightening around him. “you never do.”

he grunts. “gonna make you mine over and over. stuff you so full you never forget.”

“already yours,” you moan. “been yours since the second i saw you.”

his movements get rougher, messier, breath ragged against your skin as his hips snap into yours. and when he cums, it’s with a shuddering groan, buried as deep as he can go, your name on his lips.

+

after, you clean him up, kissing every inch of his tummy again as he lies there boneless, soft eyes watching your every move.

“you’re ridiculous,” he mutters, pulling you into his chest.

“you love it.”

“…i really fuckin’ do.” he presses a kiss to your hair. “thank you, baby.”

you smile against his skin. “always.”

“I want you to seduce Eris.”

Six words uttered from your High Lord, a month ago, had drastically changed the trajectory of your life.

You blinked, not sure you had heard Rhys right.

“You want me to what?”

“Not into bed,” he clarified.

Your mind had still been reeling from the initial request before you could process his added words.

While part of Rhys’s court—his Inner Circle—you were never one to really dabble in the courtly matters. You’d only been to the Hewn City a couple of times in the two years you’d been a part of your newfound family.

Maybe it was because you were such a new addition—newer to the court than even your High Lady and her sisters—who’d arrived a few years before you had.

But now, you were a bit flabbergasted at the request. You gave Rhys a chance to explain though, as you gaped at him.

“The Winter Solstice ball in the Hewn City is coming up soon,” Rhys said, almost like he was thinking aloud, “I’ve invited Eris.”

“Okay…” you drew out, trying to follow.

“I think it’s time we reinforce our alliance—make absolutely sure he has full confidence in the Night Court as allies. I want him to weigh the benefits of what he might gain in continuing to be a cooperative ally.”

Despite a long standing alliance with Eris—even though it’d been several years of this secret alliance between Eris and the Night Court—he’d been a helpful ally through multiple conflicts. Rhys still felt it was needed, though. Especially with Beron Vanserra still very much alive and a constant threat to Prythian’s stability and peace.

Rhys didn’t want to risk any chance that Eris may one day turn on the Night Court.

You didn’t think he would.

Not that you would know exactly. You didn’t know the male—you hadn’t even met him.

You’d seen him once on one of your rare trips to the Hewn City. But it’d only been when he was in a deep discussion with Rhys and the heir of Autumn hadn’t noticed you.

You’d noticed him though.

And it was impossible to not take note that he was clearly very attractive.

Finely dressed, not a wrinkle in his elegant clothes or a strand of long red hair out of place. Creamy, pale skin. A straight nose, pale pink, plush lips that constantly curled into a smirk or arrogant grin—at least in the moments you saw him. All encompassing and searing amber eyes completed the very appealing male.

Not to mention his body radiated powerful masculinity. He may have been a court trained bastard and a sneaky, silver tongued courtier, but he was also a warrior, if the toned body was any indicator. You had spotted toned biceps through his shirt as he crossed his arms mid-conversation.

Not to mention your eyes had roamed the strong shoulders on the male.

You weren’t proud of your short lived ogling, but even still, it had happened.

But just from what little you knew of the male, how he had managed to hold up his end of the deal at every turn over the years, you didn’t think he would risk something as foolish as turning on Rhys.

You were still willing to help, even if it baffled you that Rhys wanted you to help.

“But why me?” you questioned.

“Because, you’re someone he won’t ever see coming,” Rhys said simply, hands sliding into his pants pocket.

“Okay,” you brows furrowed in confusion, “What am I to do?”

“As I said, seduce him—again, not into bed. But I want you to dance with him. Remind him how essential it is to keep an alliance with us. Flatter him, keep him appeased.”

It seemed easy enough.

“You’ll have lessons with Mor twice a day until the ball,” Rhys said.

Your brows now raised, “Twice?”

“Mor has said she’s going to turn you into the deadliest weapon the Night Court has ever seen.”

Rhys’s lips curved into a smirk as he continued.

“We’re going to make it seem like it’s his idea. He’s going to expect to dance with a female of this court, so he gets his choice. Knowing the male, he will always choose what’s new, exciting, something that’s a challenge.”

“Nesta? Elain?”

“He knows them. He’s met them. But you…”

“It scares me when you get that look on your face,” you mumbled.

He just laughed deeply. You were still a tad uncertain.

“What if I mess up?”

You couldn’t imagine what could happen if you failed. Not that you weren’t willing to do this for your court, but you still wondered.

“Oh don’t you worry, I think you’ve got enough fire in you that will draw the fireling, himself.”

And that had been that.

For a month, you’d had two lessons daily with Mor.

She taught you many dances from the Hewn City and a few Autumn ones, too.

It turned out she’d had the right idea for so much practice because the week of the Solstice ball, Mor had done just what she’d set out to do.

She’d turned you into a weapon alright, an absolute tool of seduction.

Mor, of course, had dressed you.

“Eris is all about appearances, so you need to wear the right thing.”

The moment you’d stepped into the dress, earlier, something in you had changed.

You felt confident. You felt powerful.

You felt ready to be the best seductress Eris Vanserra had ever encountered.

Between the extensive dance lessons and your attire, you felt like you had a good shot of pulling this off.

Now, you were waiting out in the corridor to make your entrance—separately from the rest of the Inner Circle, on purpose.

You remembered Rhys’s words from earlier in the month.

“We’re going to really play up your importance, make you obviously stand out. To the point that Eris won’t be able to ignore you. The moment he lays eyes on you, he’ll want to play.”

So the plan had been for everyone else to arrive at the ball and settle before you made your entrance. Cassian, Azriel and Mor went first, likely taking their places at the dais, followed by Nesta and Elain. The people of the Court of Nightmares were accustomed to the sisters’ presence now after so many years and they, too, were just as respected as the rest of the Inner Circle.

After them came Rhys and Feyre.

You were to wait five minutes for everyone to settle before you were to make your entrance, alone.

Mor—with the dress she chose for you—also played into Rhys’s plan of drawing extra attention to you, to make Eris notice you even more.

The dress wasn’t the usual Night Court black like most of the Inner Circle and the guests of the ball wore—it was a deepened maroon. Dark enough to still fit the Night Court’s aesthetic, but rich enough to look like the deepest shades of the jewel toned leaves of the Autumn Court.

Your family sure hadn’t been joking when they said they intended to make you stand out to the Autumn male.

For the dress was deadly.

It was sleeveless—the straps meeting behind your neck and drawing attention to the deep plunging back. So deep it left nearly the entirety of your back exposed, the fabric dipping to your lower back. An inch or two lower and your bare ass would’ve been on display.

Similarly on the front side, the neckline dipped low, to your breastbone, displaying a very scandalous amount of your breasts—which looked wonderful in this dress. You had to give props to Mor, for picking a dress that would compliment your body well.

The bodice was covered in a vast amount of tiny sewn on gems that sparkled, no matter which way you turned.

It sparkled, even under the dim lighting of the Hewn City.

The rest of the dress was equally as breathtaking and show stopping.

The deep neckline met a sheer band of fabric across your midsection, displaying a few good inches of the bare skin underneath. The main skirt of the dress was a more solid panel of fabric covering just enough to keep you decent—despite the fact the slit in the dress reached all the way to your hip.

The remaining fabric was an overlay of loose gossamer that flowed around your legs, showing off a good portion of your bare legs as well.

It was more revealing of an outfit than you’d ever worn and basically very little of you was truly covered. Yet it was still a gorgeous dress—all starlight and cobwebs—perfect for the Hewn City.

The gold heels on your feet were barely more than soles and a few straps, but they seemed to compliment the dress well.

Your hair had been fixed elaborately by Nesta, who mastered the art of braids. A braided style, different from her usual coronet, was how your hair was fixed tonight. Achieved by two thick braids on either side of your head meeting in the middle—where the remaining hair joined the braids and was swept up in a knot at the nape of your neck. A few strands of hair had been left out of the updo, framing your face.

There were so many hairpins in your head, you felt like a pincushion.

Mor had painted your lips in a deep shade that was almost an exact match to the dress and smeared kohl along your lashes.

When the whole look had come together, you looked like sin personified.

You definitely had a good chance of attracting Eris Vanserra’s attention tonight, that was certain.

You heard Feyre’s commanding voice offer Solstice blessings, then order the masses to enjoy the festivities. That was your cue.

With a deep breath, you put both hands on the double wooden doors and pushed them open.

Rhys’s earlier instruction came to mind.

“You enter like you’re someone of importance. Like you’re expecting everyone to stop and stare. You command the room before you even take a step into it.”

You paused for a moment in the doorway, held head high as you surveyed the room.

Just as expected, a majority of the attendees had turned to see what all the commotion was about—who had entered.

Your heels click-clacked across the floor as you approached the dais where Rhys and Feyre sat on their thrones, parallel to each other. Flanking them were Cassian and Azriel, the Acheron sisters and Mor in attendance as well. The Illyrian’s faces were solemn, but amusement danced in Cassian’s eyes, a twitch of an eyebrow from Azriel showcasing his own reaction. Mor, though her face looked bored, gave you an appreciative once over as if proud how her look had turned out.

Everyone at the dais had eyes on you.

Especially the prince of Autumn, who was clad in Night Court black. You didn’t look at him, but you swore you felt his eyes watch every step you took towards Rhys and Feyre.

“You summoned me?” you drawled, voice flat and bored, following what Rhys had advised you to do, prior to tonight.

“Act like you’re irritated to be there. That you’re inconvenienced to even be summoned by me.”

“Yes.”

Rhys’s lips curled into a devious smile, answering you, but offered no more.

You sighed, impatient.

“Why?”

More instructions from Rhys rang in your ears—you remembered everything Rhys had told you. You’d made sure to memorize it all.

“Push back against me a little bit. That’s the quickest way to get Eris’s attention—pique his curiosity.”

“Eris is to have his choice of a female from the Night Court to dance with. I thought it’d be the courteous thing to do—to make sure he saw all of his options—though I’m sure he’d like to dance with Nesta.”

You gave your most withering look, like you were truly annoyed to have your precious time wasted.

“Then why am I here?”

“Well, I did want to introduce you to Eris here,” Rhys said, casually.

Your eyes cut to the male, scanning the length of him in one—utterly put on—disinterested and bored glance while Rhys introduced you to him.

But Cauldron help you, was the male attractive. Probably too much for his own good.

You didn’t let that show on your face, though.

“I would be lying if I said it wasn’t an absolute delight to meet you,” Eris drawled.

Your eyes returned to him to find amber eyes already on you.

Intrigued amber eyes were on you.

You softened your demeanor ever so slightly, like you were truly flattered by the compliment and dipped your head in recognition.

You turned your attention back to your High Lord, the snarky demeanor back on your face, in your voice.

“Can I go now?”

“Before I have the chance to dance with you?”

Once again, you turned to Eris.

He already looked like an animal ready for a chase.

Rhys spoke from behind you.

“I did promise Nesta that she’d have a chance to dance with you.”

A lie. But again, Rhys was clearly leading Eris to…

“I’d rather dance with her.”

His eyes hadn’t left yours, sparks of curiosity filling them.

You looked to Rhys.

“If you wish,” Rhys said to you, motioning to the dance floor.

Eris extended an arm to you. You tried to look bored as you took it and he led you to the dance floor. You didn’t miss the way he kept sneaking peeks at you the entire way there.

He paused when the two of you reached the edge of the dance floor, separating long enough for him to raise a graceful hand in mid air. Smoothly, your hand glided through the air to land softly in his.

His eyes sparked with actual fire as he slid a hand across your back, warm against your bare skin. The corner of his lips twitched as the first strains of the lovely music began.

He led you elegantly and you let him, letting him believe you weren’t as talented as he in the skill of dance.

That is until the tempo picked up, calling for the quicker, yet sharp and precise movements. That is when you took over.

Surprise shone in his eyes as he held your hand above his head and you gracefully glided around him—in a perfect circle—at a brisk pace before letting your hand go as you spun.

Your eyes never left him the entire time, your head whipping around even in the lone spin, to meet his eyes.

You wanted him intrigued, wanting, ready to play.

You wanted him to eventually crawl.

His smile grew as he took you in—your sophisticated and polished moves—and silently, you were extremely smug.

Mor had given you dance lessons, yes.

But your secret weapon?

Nesta Archeron.

The lessons that Nesta had joined you and Mor for had definitely come in handy. Coming from Nesta who was such a skilled dancer herself, you’d felt like you’d been taught by two of the best.

Not only that, Nesta had taught you how to entice. Not the art of seduction like typical, but in dance alone.

With the deadly combination of those two, your appearance and a bit of what your own personality could bring to the table, you thought this would be a cinch.

You had definitely been prepared for Eris Vanserra, at least.

Enough to know as you rejoined him, hand clasping in his as he swept you into the next movements, that he was thoroughly impressed.

You knew to expect him to be good at the dance, but you couldn’t help but find yourself impressed as well. He moved through the steps like it came to him as easily as breathing.

You mastered each dip, turn and spin, even twirling on the tips of your toes once—just like Nesta had taught you.

You didn’t dare search for her in the crowd or look to see if she still remained on the dais, not wanting to break the spell you were weaving around Eris. You knew if you did though, her eyes would glimmer in delight at her student executing each movement flawlessly.

Eris’s hand tightened against your back, fingers firm along your spine as he led you across the dance floor. Left and right, sideways, diagonally.

You were barely aware that the crowd had stopped just to watch you and Eris dance, for you didn’t break his gaze. Even when he spun you, when you twirled or when you circled him—which you did again, his hand still in yours, like you orbited him—your eyes never left his.

For this circling, you were light on your feet. As the sweet, beautiful notes played, a small, teasing smile upturned your lips. His amber eyes never left yours, utterly blazing as he watched you.

When the dance ended on a symphony of high notes, Eris spun you back into him, where you landed with your back against his chest, firmly. His hand splayed across your stomach, where it naturally fell.

There was applause, gasps and whispers from the crowd as they rejoined you and Eris on the dance floor, the beginnings of the next song starting.

Before you even moved, you peeked over your shoulder and you spotted just the brief flash of desire sparking in the flames of those amber eyes.

The plan was working.

But in your mind, you were beginning to form a new one.

•••

Dancing was similar to making love. The intimacy, the partnership, the sensuality of it.

Both were just as intoxicating.

Maybe that was why the idea sparked.

Rhys had said you were just to seduce Eris—dance with him, keep him happy and willing to be an ally.

“I want you to seduce him—not into bed.”

But what if you wanted to?

Your heart still raced after that initial dance, partially from the exertion and partially from the male that held you in his arms.

The next dance was less grand, serving the purpose of actually being able to talk to the male. That cunning smile was already on his face before he even spoke.

“Where have they been hiding you?”

“Obviously a different rock than they hide you under.”

His chuckle was low, sensuous, deep. It sent chills skittering over your skin and that wasn’t even you acting.

“You’re quite delightful.”

“Wish I could say the same for you,” you quipped.

His low chuckle sent a shiver down your spine.

Eris—like many of the rest of the attendees—wore Night Court black. Every inch of him was immaculate. Not a wrinkle in his clothes or a hair out of place, which was quite the usual for the heir.

That red hair gleamed like embers under the lights of the ball, sparking just as much as his eyes did as they’d watched you dance, earlier.

This close to him, you could make out the dusting of freckles over his cheeks, the bridge of his nose, lighter ones nearly blending in with his pale skin. From a distance even his more prominent ones seemed to also blend in. You realized you hadn’t even known the heir had such unique markings, due to never being in such a close proximity.

“You’re as quick on your feet as your tongue is with remarks.”

“Isn’t it a little improper to talk about a lady’s tongue?” you batted back, fighting the smirk.

His eyes studied your face and you caught the amusement dancing in them.

“Something tells me you’re not a typical lady.”

You gave him a sharp smile laced with flirtation, with intent.

“Perhaps not,” you amended.

The half formed plan that had started in your mind earlier started to solidify even more as you and Eris conversed.

Rhys had wanted you to flatter Eris, to keep him a happy ally, on the Night Court’s side. You had no problem with that.

But what if you had a side quest of your own?

You willed yourself not to shiver as his hand stroked down your back. You glanced up at him through your kohl heavy lashes, a small smile on your painted lips.

You swore you saw his jaw tighten just the slightest—his eyes squint infinitesimally.

He was falling into your trap beautifully.

Which was what made your desired side quest even more appealing.

Rhys hadn’t asked it of you—to seduce Eris into bed—but there was a niggling desire, an intrigue within you.

It wouldn’t necessarily hurt to take it one step further.

You’d always tried to ignore the small part of you that’d been drawn to the Autumn Court male—the part of you that was curious, intrigued and wanted to play.

Despite the fact that up until now you’d had no idea just how to play such a game with the male.

A small part of you wondered how you were managing to do so even now.

But something about Eris seemed to bring it out in you. You wanted to tease, to flirt, wanted him to play back.

You were barely even beginning tonight, but you’d come to realize it was a bit fun.

There was no denying there was a sort of spark between you and Eris—something that had sparked to life. Though you didn’t know if it was just the magic of the music and the dance, a part of you wanted to poke it, prod it, explore it.

Not only did you want to seduce Eris with a dance, you wanted to seduce him into bed now, too.

After all Amren had once said fae males would stick their cock in anything. It might even be…well, fun.

Your lips curved as you had the rapid fire thoughts. Eris’s eyes still remained glued to your face as your body moved with his.

“Something tells me you’re dangerous when you get a look like that on your face,” he quirked.

You lifted your chin, looking him square in the eye.

“Maybe you’ll just have to find out.”

A deep chuckle rumbled from his chest.

“Indeed I will.”

You moved the hand not in his from where it rested on his shoulder, sliding it over his chest. His eyes dropped briefly to the position of your hand before returning to your face, brow twitching ever so slightly—like he was amused by this little game.

It was then that his head dipped, hair falling forward as he whispered by your ear.

“Don’t believe the lies they tell you about me.”

You waited until he’d pulled back, looking at your face, to answer.

“And what if I haven’t?”

He almost looked a shade surprised.

“I mean, I wouldn’t have danced with you if I thought you were this horrible bastard now would I?”

His eyes studied you—as if he thought you were playing some sort of game—like he was turning your answer over in his mind, inspecting it from every side and angle before he responded.

But he didn’t respond directly to your answer, instead he deflected from it.

“It’s a shame Rhysand has hidden you away for so long. I’d have much rather spent my time playing with you than deal with Illyrian brutes.”

You let the delight shine in your eyes, like he’d paid you the highest compliment to even be considered so entertaining.

“I’m here now, aren’t I?” you drawled, “Enjoy my precious time while you have it, princeling.”

The male was practically drooling.

He was leading you into a third dance when Rhys’s voice appeared in your mind.

From where I’m sitting, I’d say Eris looks rather charmed.

You kept the smile on your face as you danced the more upbeat dance with him while you conversed mentally with your High Lord.

I’ll have him eating out of the palm of my hand before the end of the night.

Rhys’s voice was thick with amusement when he answered.

Seems like you already have, my dear.

You mentally smiled at the term of endearment from one of the males that had become such a good friend in such a short time.

If I’d known it would’ve been this fun, I’d have volunteered to do this ages ago.

You could hear the echo of his deep laugh in your mind at your comment before his dark presence faded and your full attention turned back to Eris.

He was still staring at you like he could eat you alive—a predator circling his prey.

Only Eris Vanserra had no idea that it was you that was the true predator.

•••

Eris had hardly let you rest all evening—not that you minded.

He swept you into dance after dance, finally giving you a break when he said it would be in poor taste if he didn’t partake in at least one dance with the other females of the Night Court.

Elain politely declined, in which he took no offense. You couldn’t prove it, but something told you he secretly delighted in it, knowing it was one less person to dance with until he got you back into his arms.

He did dance with Feyre and Nesta though—each absolutely lovely in their own right.

You found yourself amazed and captivated watching Nesta dance, watching one of your teachers in her element. She truly made an art of a dance just like your High Lady did with paintbrushes, canvas and paint.

While Eris was definitely impressed by the eldest Archeron, you seemed to clearly be on his mind for the moment his dance with Nesta ended, he was already strolling towards you.

“I do believe you owe me a dance.”

“Me?” you scoffed, setting aside the goblet of wine you’d procured, though you took his hand and let him lead you to the dance floor once again.

“Yes. Simply because it would be a waste not to be able to dance with me again,” he drawled.

You rolled your eyes though it was playful, teasing.

“You certainly think highly of yourself.”

“You seem to think highly of me too.”

His grin sharpened at your narrowed eyes, though no menace lay in your expression.

“Now you’re just flattering yourself,” you shot back, “Besides, perhaps a female just enjoys the company of a good dance partner.”

His laugh was low enough for your ears only. It sounded warm, intimate.

A lover’s laugh.

“Why shouldn’t I flatter myself? Especially when I’m in the presence of such entertaining company. Tell me, do you enjoy playing the game as much as you appear to or is this for my benefit only?”

He was a lot closer to the truth than you’d let him know. If this plan were to work, you couldn’t let him know that this whole ruse was to keep him happy, keep him satisfied with a continued potential alliance with the Night Court.

So, you evaded the question, deflecting.

Your feet moved in time with his as you moved along the dance floor, the music wonderfully bright and beautiful despite it being a slower melody. The hand that had been resting on your hip slid along to your lower back, his fingers curling just slightly against the bare skin there.

“You know I’ve heard whispers about Autumn Court males. I’ve always wondered what that fire could do,” you mused aloud.

Just then you felt a lick of warmth move up your spine. Almost as if he’d let a spark of fire fall from his fingertips at the base of your spine—where his hand rested—and trace a path upwards, over your skin.

You jolted ever so slightly, startled at the sudden sensation.

“Thought you might care for a little demonstration,” he smirked.

“Cute,” you purred, almost mockingly.

You felt your breathing deepen, something churning low in your gut.

The sensation had been building all night—the desire, the arousal—but now, it was so hot and molten within you that it could rival his own fire and heat. Your body responded accordingly, breasts tightening, a throbbing ache starting in your core

“You have no idea what these flames can do.”

His voice had dipped low, the gravelly nature of his tone shooting straight to your core.

You sized him up and he seemed smug to have thrown you so off kilter.

“Maybe you’ll have to show me sometime then,” you offered with a smile.

If he had come to play, you were going to make it interesting.

•••

Dance after dance followed. Filled with intimate touches—his fingers brushing your wrist as he took your hand, your fingers lingering on his toned bicep, the muscles strong and prominent, despite being hidden under such courtly attire.

There were several times that he dipped you so smoothly, you felt like you were floating.

Each time his face seemed to migrate closer and closer to your own.

One dance that you’d just finished earlier ended with Eris on a knee as you spun before him. Twirl after twirl on the ball of your foot, the skirt of your dress whipping around you from the motion.

When you came to a sudden halt at the end of the dance, right in front of him, Eris’s hands grabbed your body, steadying you for that instant freeze right as the music halted on the grand note.

And that was how that certain dance ended—both you and Eris frozen in place, him on a knee, hands holding your body. Your chest heaved for breath from the rapid turns. He was staring up at you with a look of such intensity it would’ve caused you to be breathless—if you hadn’t already been.

You were positive the moment was so impactful that it could’ve belonged on one of Feyre’s canvases.

Those broad hands gripped your outer thighs and though one hand was on your bare thigh—thanks to the high cut slit in the side—the other rested over the fabric of the dress. That hand seemed to sear right through the fabric, as if he was touching your bare thighs on both sides. Though that one hand that rested on your bare thigh nearly drove you wild, like his touch alone burned you.

Eris didn't move right away, still captivated by you. Those amber eyes still locked on yours, his hands slid up your thighs and gripped your hips before he finally stood, towering over you once again.

The dance the two of you had just performed was newer to the courts, more demanding and faster paced. Sharper, quicker, more dramatic movements were a part of it—meant to stun and awe.

Meant to perform.

Rhys had made sure the musicians played this specific piece, meant for this dance alone, knowing it was a wonderful opportunity to bewitch Eris.

Rhys clearly had the right idea because as he led you into the grand sweeps and turns of the waltz for the first time that night, his gaze seemed to sear into you.

You know when I said seduce Eris to secure our alliance, I didn’t mean practically fuck him on the dance floor in front of me.

You had to bite back your laugh at Rhys’s incredulous tone inside your mind.

I don’t know what you’re talking about. I was simply dancing.

Your tone was smug and more than thoroughly amused.

There was a noticeable pause in your mind.

You might as well have lured him to your bed with that dance alone.

Good. It was what you’d hoped—at least for selfish reasons.

Rhys’s voice appeared one last time in your mind, caution lacing his words.

I don’t know what you think you’re doing, but whatever it is, I’d be careful.

The words may have sounded harsh, but you knew they came from a place of genuine concern.

Just enjoy the festivities, Rhys. Come tomorrow, you’ll have one happy ally.

He didn’t send a response and you continued your dance—your game—with Eris.

•••

You’d lost count how many times you’d danced with Eris as the hours wore on.

He kept you preoccupied—to the point you hadn’t even danced with any other male.

The only break you’d been able to have was when he’d danced with Feyre and Nesta earlier in the evening.

Not that you minded. You’d found yourself equally captivated and allured by the heir of Autumn.

Each of his slick and calculated comments was met with an equally calculated step of taunting and seduction from you.

The game you two played was almost like a dance in itself.

It had been a few moments since either of you had spoken, but he had such intent in his eyes, the same that you were sure mirrored yours.

The last few dances Eris did little to hide those intentions—not that you’d protested.

He found every excuse to pull you close, for his hands to wander into dangerous areas.

Once along your rib cage—thumb just barely brushing the underside of your breast—when he’d wrapped an arm around your waist through one movement.

Cradling the back of your neck as his hand settled over your back, a slow descent downwards from your nape along the bare skin.

Brushing the curve of your hip.

You’d tried all night to push past the desire that kept blooming in you, the arousal that kept building, but he was unraveling you a little more with each and every touch.

“If I’d known the Hewn City’s Solstice balls were this much fun, I’d been clamoring to attend much earlier,” he said smoothly.

You chuckled not even needing to pretend to let a flush crawl up your neck and along your cheeks. Though half of it was from the exertion of dancing, you’d been truly flattered by his pretty words and the compliment.

You couldn’t remember the last time you’d had such fun. It left you a tad surprised to realize you’d been enjoying his company, too.

“Well you’re an important ally, of course you get the best of invitations,” you grinned up at him.

Though you were still flattering him—still following Rhys’s plan—the persona you’d put on at the beginning of the night had fallen away and had softened more into the real version of you.

Though that hadn’t stopped your flirtation with him. The longer the night went on, the easier it seemed to come.

“Well as an important ally,” Eris grinned wickedly, “Do let your High Lord know any future invitations come with one condition.”

“Oh? What’s that?” you lifted a brow.

His voice dipped to a sensual whisper.

“That you will be present.”

He stroked his hand down the length of your spine again and you arched into the touch.

The fire inside you had become so heated by now that you nearly moaned at the action.

He spun you without a single thought, twirling you out and away from his body.

But this time, when he spun you back towards his body, something was different.

Maybe it was because by now—after a long night of yours and his game of seduction—both of you were distracted, worked up, wound tight. Perhaps that explained how Eris misjudged the speed of the spin, for when he spun you back into him, you lost your balance, causing you to stumble a bit.

You threw a hand out to steady yourself, to keep yourself from falling. Your hand landed on his thigh—but not before brushing across his groin, where you definitely felt him half hard beneath those finely tailored dress pants.

You hadn’t even noticed prior to this. But you sure did now.

A low groan barely sounded in your ear and you froze, having yet to move from where your back had landed against his muscled chest. Losing all sense of your mind, you pressed your body even closer against his, purposely brushing your backside against that growing arousal.

If you didn’t know any better, you thought he pressed closer into you, too.

The ache between your legs grew and you took a steadying breath, turning to face him again. Your face felt warm, but not in embarrassment.

There were flames in his eyes when your gaze met his again.

Outside the bubble of tension the two of you had fallen into, the music faded into a softer piece, appropriately timed for a slower, more intimate dance.

You’d just rejoined your hand in his when again, Rhys popped into your mind.

Whatever you’re doing, Eris looks ready to set something on fire.

You shot back a quick, mental answer, trying to mask your own tension and need that had started bellowing in your veins the moment you’d felt the hard press of Eris’s cock against you.

Just my job.

Thankfully, nothing else followed.

You and he said nothing following the prior incident though your bodies swayed to the velvety dreamlike notes of the slower music.

“You’re just full of surprises, aren’t you?” Eris murmured.

Being so pressed against him, his hand pressing you closer, your face seemed alarmingly close to the heir’s.

“I could say the same for you, future High Lord.”

All night had been like this. The effortless push and pull of taunting and teasing, sharp words, sharper movements.

You felt ready to crawl out of your skin with need. Which was likely why you did the unwise thing you did.

Eris’s back was to Rhys and Feyre, turned away from the dais. The slower, closer and intimate dance that was currently ongoing made you even bolder, made you sneakier.

Your hand slid down from where it had rested on Eris’s chest, until it slid past the waistband of his pants.

You didn’t even try to tamp down on your smugness at the sound of his sharp intake of breath the moment your palm pressed against the front of his pants.

With your close proximity, no one around would be the wiser to just what you were doing.

“What’s a female to do when presented with a grand opportunity such as this?”

If you had misread his intentions all night, then you’d stop. If he didn’t want this, you wouldn’t be a female who pushed.

But after the way Eris had been acting all night, the way he’d eyed you, chased you, you didn’t think he would stop you.

The hand that held yours tightened its grip. But the one he had resting on your back pulled you closer to him. Just as you’d expected.

“You didn’t think I wouldn’t take advantage of such a treat as this, did you, Eris? After all, if anyone should know when to take advantage of prime opportunities, it would be you.”

You watched his face as your fingers curled around the hardness in his pants.

You could feel the warmth of him leeching through the fabric and gods spare you, just from the feel of him, you knew he was large.

You supposed that’s why the male was so cocky.

“I think you just unearthed a new aspect to the game even I didn’t see coming,” he rumbled.

“Oh something will be coming,” you purred, dragging the heel of your hand upwards, “But it will be you.”

The low, tortured groan that left him was the most beautiful sound of the night—rivaling the musicians.

You had to give him credit, he still managed to dance effortlessly, even as you mapped the shape of him through his pants.

“Keep that up and I may actually trip,” he mumbled.

Your laughter was light and airy, though a devilish smirk graced your lips.

“I intend to.”

Your face was millimeters away from his as you breathed the statement incredibly near to his mouth. You found yourself wondering what his lips would feel like—what they’d taste like.

You slid your hand along him again in a slow, torturous glide upwards. You watched his jaw clench and his lips part.

Your eyes darted to the side as you led the two of you in the dance, peering around to see if anyone was the wiser to what was occurring in their presence.

No one was.

Which made you even bolder.

It made you wonder how hard he was trying to control his reaction, trying to control himself from making the noises he likely wanted to make.

Your hand made another pass over the fabric of his pants—you swore you could feel his cock throbbing underneath your touch.

You tried not to think of how he’d feel inside of you, tried to focus on the here and now. It’d do no good for you to lose complete control right now.

You were smug as you felt his hips push further into your hand, rubbing himself against your touch.

“I didn’t realize you knew how to be quiet. Seems I’ve found a way to shut you up,” you teased.

He only responded with a halfhearted growl, his fingers digging into the skin of your back the more your hand moved.

“Fuck, sweetheart,” he gritted out, only loud enough for you to hear.

Your spine straightened at the nickname—something Eris normally wouldn’t deign calling you—and it made your toes curl in your heels.

Your fingers curled again as you memorized every single glorious inch of him by touch alone. You leaned forward, your breath as heavy as his, the longer you touched him.

His strong jawline was within reaching distance of your mouth and you wanted to lean forward and kiss it, bite it, suckle it. You nearly did, the temptation so great.

“If you keep that up, I’ll—”

You didn’t stop, stroking harder, faster. You had no idea what had come over you, but you couldn’t have stopped if you even wanted to.

“Eris,” you breathed, unsure why his name left your lips.

It came out breathy though, sounding half wrecked, needy, filled with all the things he’d stoked in you all night long.

With just the sound of his name on your lips, he actually did stumble to a stop, body tensing as he came against your hand. You felt the warmth, the reverberation of each spurt of his cock against your hand.

With gasped breaths he gaped at you, like he couldn’t believe what had just happened. Truthfully, neither could you as you removed your hand from his body.

You stepped back out of his embrace, not because you wanted to leave, but you knew you needed to if you wanted to preserve any semblance of control. You practically trembled from what had just occurred, the image of his stunned flushed face from seconds ago now burned into your mind.

Your voice barely managed to stay steady and even when you spoke—like seeing him come because of your touch hadn’t rewired your brain and set every single inch of your body on fire.

“If you want to keep playing, come find me.”

Then you sauntered off, leaving a stunned and breathless Eris behind.

•••

You’d left the festivities only a few minutes prior.

You’d made sure to catch Eris’s eye over your shoulder as you did, a sultry look on your face. Intent burned in your eyes as you bit your lip then turned away, strolling toward the exit.

You didn’t know if he’d follow—you’d hoped—but you knew there was no guarantee.

This had not been in your plan at the beginning of the evening, to get this carried away. This certainly hadn’t been in Rhys’s plan either.

You weren’t sure if Eris was busy making his excuses to Rhys and Feyre—or perhaps taking care of the very obvious stain on the front of his pants. Though you figured with a flick of his fingers and a small amount of magic—that he wouldn’t even have to think twice about—would fix that mess.

You were leaning against the wall across from the double doors, your bare shoulder pressing into the cool stone. One arm was crossed over your body as you appeared the portrait of casual nonchalance. You pretended to be studying your nails when you heard the large wooden doors to the throne room open.

You peered up, seeing Eris sauntering through them. You opened your mouth to say some sort of snarky remark—something, though you weren’t sure what—but you didn’t get the opportunity.

In the blink of an eye, he had you pressed against the wall, lips crashing into yours. You moaned at his abrupt roughness, the feeling of being pressed against the wall. His body that was as solid as the stone behind you, pressed to your front.

His lips were hot on yours and you kissed him back with just as much enthusiasm, the build up of tension throughout the evening finally exploding into this one mindblowing kiss.

His lips were as warm, soft and skilled as you’d imagined.

As he kissed you, your hands migrated from where they’d flown to his sides earlier, running over his abdomen. You could feel the hard ridges of the sculpted muscles through that fine black jacket and it nearly made you weak in the knees to imagine just what lay underneath.

His tongue flicked over your bottom lip in an effortless glide and your lips parted. You felt his hands caressing your jaw as the two of you kissed, his tongue sweeping into your mouth. You took the opportunity for your hands to explore more.

As your head tilted into the kiss—allowing him more access as your lips moved greedily against his—your hands ran over his broad chest.

His hands fell from your face, dropping to your hips where he gripped them, pulling you flush against his body. Every single inch of him lined up against you and his hips pressed forward.

The moment you felt his hardness press against you, you moaned into his mouth.

You needed him naked. You needed this dress off you, now seeming like it was suffocating you. It was itchy against your too hot skin and you practically wanted to strip naked and present yourself to him.

You needed him inside you.

Eris lifted one of your legs to his waist, as his other hand braced against the wall, right by your head. He groaned against your neck as he pressed his hardened cock against your clothed core.

Seemed like what you’d done for him earlier had just barely taken the edge off if he was aroused and hard again so soon.

You unabashedly and mercilessly ground into him even more and you swore you felt his teeth scrape across the skin of your neck as your hips canted.

Your hands were already working at the buttons of the black jacket he wore as his lips dipped to your jawline, your neck.

Half of you hoped no one walked into the hall to witness the spectacle, but the other half didn’t care one bit.

You arched into his lips as he nipped along your neck, one hand sliding up the outside of the bare thigh the deep slit in the dress exposed. You wanted his touch closer. It took what little willpower you had left to not just push his hand straight between your legs.

Your fingers fumbled through unbuttoning all the buttons along his jacket and didn’t stop there. They found the waistband of his pants and pushed the button through the hole.

The second the button was released, Eris swept you up in his arms and then it was nothing but black as he winnowed the two of you from the hallway.

You clung to him as you both fell through space and time—never quite used to the feeling of being winnowed, since you hadn’t developed the skill, yourself. Though it took mere seconds, maybe not even that long, it was still a slightly disorienting feeling.

The two of you landed in one of the guest suites of the Hewn City and you peered around curiously wondering if he’d just picked a room at random.

“I take it you’ve been here before?” you asked with a raised brow.

“Rhysand has set me up in this room before,” Eris murmured, hands already busy, trying to remove your dress.

He’d landed the two of you against a desk on the wall opposite of the bed, so you figured he had to have some familiarity with the room for such a precise landing.

He wasted absolutely no time in unhooking the straps that met behind your neck. With it unfastened, the bodice of the dress would be easy to slide off, the skirts likely to pool at your feet.

He took the opportunity to ravish each inch of skin that was revealed.

He pulled the dress down a few inches and his lips traveled with it—kisses left across your collarbones and down your chest.

When the fabric fell away to expose your breasts you saw the fire dance in his eyes, the utter desire in them before his tongue and lips were on them. More kisses were left across your breasts, glides of his tongue, flicking one of your nipples with it and pulling it into his mouth.

You moaned appreciatively, head falling back. His hands braced your waist, keeping you pressed against the desk and your fingers gripped the edge of it.

Not spending more time than necessary, he pulled back to rid you of the rest of the dress. Your eyes shuttered, your pulse skyrocketing at the sight before you.

He was more than disheveled, his hair a mess from where your hands had been plunging through it. His black jacket was completely unbuttoned and hanging open, his pants gaping open from where you’d ripped the button free in the hallway.

He looked utterly irresistible—even more so than he had all night and you’d thought it’d been bad then.

Eris’s jacket hung open revealing pale skin and toned muscles. You had an excellent view of his chiseled abdomen and your fingers twitched, wanting to run your hands over his defined and muscular form.

You watched as he stepped back, pulling the dress down your legs. On the way, he gripped your underwear and tugged it down at the same time, leaving you completely bare in front of him.

“Greedy and impatient,” you mumbled, amused.

“You’re lucky I didn’t do this back there,” he grumbled, “I wanted to the moment your hand was on my cock.”

The second the clothing left his hands, he was back at your face, lips barely brushing yours as he hoisted you up onto the desk properly. He kissed you briefly, hands pushing your legs apart.

One finger traced a line down your center and you arched, a minuscule moan catching in your throat. You wrenched your lips from his, hips arching into his touch.

“Have you been this wet for me all night, sweetheart?”

You whimpered, nodding.

Your legs trembled just from the solitary touch and you were glad you had the desk to sit on.

Between all the touches, the burning gazes, the sharp, clever words exchanged, you’d already been rather aroused. The second you’d felt his own arousal—pressed your palm to his cock through his pants—you’d passed the point of no return.

All to say that your core had been warm and slick, in preparation for him. It would’ve been regardless if the night hadn’t ended up turning out like it was. Although this beat having to settle for just your hand, that’s for sure.

Your chest heaved, need bellowing so loudly in your veins as you watched him drop to his knees in front of you, hands on your thighs.

Adamant to not waste a second, he leaned down, tongue dragging over your folds.

At that first glide of his tongue, you might as well have melted in his hands. You moaned eagerly, the motion and sensation so intoxicating you felt like your head was swimming.

You craved more.

And Eris gave it to you.

He feasted on you like he hadn’t had a thing to eat in days as his tongue dipped into your core. You writhed, pushing yourself deeper onto his tongue.

He moaned against you, telling you how good you tasted, praising you for your responsiveness to him. You could barely hear through your fog of desire though.

“Gods, Eris,” you moaned.

Of course, in the middle of this was exactly when Rhys thought it appropriate to check in again.

You inhaled sharply as Eris’s tongue flicked over your clit, barely being able to register Rhys’s voice in your mind.

How’s it going?

Mother above, of all times for Rhys to interrupt.

You peered down at Eris, on his knees, head between your legs. Your hand naturally threaded into his hair as he licked you again, making you hiss.

It was a minor miracle that your mental answer managed to sound cool and collected.

Considering he's on his knees for me, well, I think.

Rhys’s answer came almost immediately after you finished your thought towards him, it seemed.

Where are you? I didn’t see you leave.

This time your answer was more strained, especially as Eris gave your clit a sharp suck. You found his eyes on yours, assessing you.

Busy. Eris is showing me how an Autumn Court male worships. They’re very dedicated.

Maybe it was your strained tone that gave you away, but you had no idea how Rhys managed to piece it together. Though you figured he had due to his brief pause.

I said seduce him, not breed with him.

You were close and really trying hard not to pay attention to Rhys and only to Eris—especially as you pressed even more into his mouth. He tightened his hold on your hips, his hands strong on your body as his mouth worked you.

You shot a final thought Rhys’s way.

Your instructions were rather murky, he’s now about to fuck me. See you at home.

With that, you slammed your mental shield up.

Something in Eris’s face seemed to convey that he knew exactly what had just occurred—those assessing eyes on you earlier seemed to pick up every little tell on your face.

He pulled back from where he’d been between your legs, mouth and chin glistening. The sight alone was nearly enough to make you climax.

“Tell Rhysand I said hi.”

You shouldn’t have been surprised to know he could probably tell when your mind was momentarily—even halfway—elsewhere.

“He’s gone,” you assured him, panting, body aching for release.

“Good.”

His tone was short, no nonsense and you were sure he’d resume his previous activity. He did not and you whimpered when he stood to his feet. His hands were already pushing his pants down.

“When you come, I want it to be on my cock.”

Your jaw slackened and you could only nod. Eris could’ve gotten any sort of information out of you right now, you were so far gone.

He chuckled, noting the way you were looking at him, that infamous and slightly infuriating smirk on his lips.

You were half tempted to kiss it off his face.

You instantly reached forward and pushed his jacket off his shoulders, baring his upper half to you and you bit your lip at the sight—Eris didn’t miss it either.

“Like what you see? You’ve practically been undressing me with your eyes all night, Lady of the Night Court.”

His slick courtier voice in this setting gave you a thrill, sending chills down your spine. He made the words sound so elegantly smooth and sensuous with such little effort. The teasing, seductive lilt of the playful nickname—alluding more to your home and not any formal title—slid off his tongue like silk.

For some reason, you realized you’d have little issue with him calling you that in that specific tone, more often. In fact, you’d welcome it.

“I recall those pretty eyes doing some looking of their own.”

You were utterly bare, sitting on the desk and you reclined just slightly, back arching, legs falling further apart like a trap being set.

He fell for it instantly, his eyes dipping between your legs at the glistening wetness there, all for him—all because of him.

He growled, low in his chest, at the sight.

He made short work of discarding the rest of his clothes and the sight of his fully naked body nearly made your mind short circuit. That beautiful, powerful masculine body on display for you made you want him on you, in you—immediately.

You couldn’t have helped it if you tried when your eyes—having a mind of their own—dipped to the cock that now was in plain sight.

Your predictions, gleaned from mere touch alone earlier, had been extremely accurate.

He was…gifted, that was for sure. Thick, hard and the tip flushed the prettiest shade of red, one that could rival the hue of his hair.

Also rather similar to the shade of red that the pale skin of his face and chest was currently flushed.

Before he could wrap a hand around himself, you were reaching for him and then his hands were on you again, his lips, in a heated kiss.

He groaned the moment your hand wrapped around him fully. He felt like velvet steel under your fingertips as you gave one languid stroke before guiding him to your drenched core.

“Gods, I’m kinda proud at how much I’ve seemed to affect you,” he gritted out as you dragged the head through that slickness, coating him.

You were past seduction, being coy and mysterious as you moaned at the feel of even the contact of his cock against your cunt.

“I’ve been wanting to do this since the moment I laid eyes on you,” you gasped as his hand replaced yours on his length, circling your clit with the tip.

Your hips bucked, wanting more friction.

“Tonight?”

It took you a moment to figure out what he was asking—what he was responding to—to even remember what you’d just said. Your mind was completely and utterly filled with need for him, your body chanting that it was so ready for him.

“No,” you shook your head, “Long before that.”

And that was all you could manage before you pulled his face back to yours in a heated kiss.

It didn’t last long though for the minute he was pushing into your entrance, both of you had to part, so affected you couldn’t even manage to continue the kiss.

“Ohhh, fuck.”

His low moan lit up your already heated body and your inner muscles clenched around nearly nothing, considering he was barely halfway in. All you could do was pant, breathe heavily and whimper.

With one more move, Eris was fully inside you and you felt yourself shatter, reform and shatter again at how utterly perfect his cock felt within you.

Eris seemed at a complete loss for words, himself, as one of his hands braced against the desktop next to your hip. He bent, pressing his lips to your throat as your head fell back.

Contrary to earlier when it was all rushed heat, he seemed to take his time now. It was nothing but slow drags of his cock along your walls as he pulled back and thrust shallowly back in, more of a tease than a relief.

“Eris,” you whined, “You can do better than this.”

“Oh I know I can,” he smirked, lips trailing your jawline.

Fucking tease.

You lifted your head enough to peer down between yours and his body. You watched as his cock pulled out and plunged back into you, catching a glimpse of how your arousal coated him. The sight made you moan and clench around him.

He caught sight of your stare and smirked, mouth at your ear.

“Is this what that filthy little mind of yours imagined all night as we danced?”

You didn’t give him the satisfaction of an answer. You couldn’t as he thrust into you again, harder. Your hands flew to his biceps, gripping them hard.

“Cauldron, I knew you’d feel amazing,” he groaned.

Just the thought of him having imagined this as you had sent a bolt of heat through you.

His lips sought out yours and you obliged him, mouth hot over his. He moaned in your mouth as your legs wrapped around his waist, pulling him into you deeper the next time his hips thrust forward.

Perhaps it was because he felt so incredible that you felt seconds from tears when he parted from your lips—left your body completely as he pulled out of you.

“What—”

Your protest died on your lips the moment he yanked you down off the top of the desk and spun you, pushing your front down over it. You ground your aching nipples against the wood of the desk, dying to have him back inside you again.

You cried out the moment he slammed into you, the re-entry just as rough and deep as you’d craved.

“With the mouth you have on you, I figured you’d know how to use it like this,” he grunted from behind you.

He pulled out, his hips jerking forward roughly again—to the point your body slid forward on top of the desk.

“Oh gods, Eris, don’t stop,” you begged.

The moment he’d bent you over this desk, something in you snapped. You wanted him hard, fast, unleashed.

His lips were hot on the nape of your neck and you winced the slightest as his hand buried in your hair. He ripped out as many of the pins that he could—the numerous amount that’d kept your neat and precise hairstyle in place all night. The bottom curtain of your hair fell along your bare back, the top half still braided but hung loosely.

Eris gripped your hair, wrenching your head to the side enough for his mouth to hover by your ear.

“Spent all night wondering what you’d look like underneath me,” he growled, lips nipping your jaw once, then twice.

You moaned in bliss—at his grip, at his thrusts, all of it.

“Harder,” you ordered.

The deep growl from behind you made your eyes flutter as he reached around you to cover your hands—that were gripping the edges of the desk—with his.

His hips snapped forward harshly sending his cock deeper in you and you might’ve actually been screaming with each thrust.

“Yes, yes,” you gasped.

His answering moan as he pounded into you made you clench around him. He felt so mind meltingly good and with his harsher, brutal pace you knew you wouldn’t last long.

“Always knew you could handle me,” he gritted out as he thrust into you again.

You were beyond words now as each and every one of his movements sent you rocking further against the desk, his hands gripping over yours tightly. He was giving you everything and yet you still craved more.

He moved so quickly—briefly reminding you just how quickly the fae could move—something else you still found yourself getting used to. He lifted you from the desk top, pressing your back against his chest as his hand splayed across your throat.

Your head fell back in a gasp, against his shoulder and your eyes opened briefly seeing him peer down at you. His hand tightened over your pulse just for a few seconds as he stared at you.

Yes, this was what you needed.

The moan that left you was downright filthy and unholy.

Eris grunted his approval, his cock driving into you at such a brutal pace you were sure it would hurt to even stand tomorrow. Right now, you didn’t care.

Especially not as his grip tightened again, your cunt gripped him like a vise in reaction. His strangled, pleased moan was the most beautiful thing you think you’d ever heard.

Pleasure was rising, the heat that’d been a molten pool of lava all night now gathering into what could only be a mindblowing release.

He was just as gone as you, only grunts and groans falling from him as he worked himself in you over and over, fingers timed to squeeze when his cock hit the deepest.

“Er—”

You couldn’t even get the second syllable of his name out.

“I know,” he rasped.

His other hand reached between your legs, fingers circling your clit and you came apart with an absolute scream.

You think you even screamed his name, but you couldn’t be sure.

All you were aware of was the hot and sharp burst of ecstasy that exploded from your core, outwards. Your legs squeezed together, trying to keep his touch there as your body came alive with the intense euphoria.

He groaned your name as his thrusts became sloppy, losing their rhythm, him chasing his own release. Your body was buzzing, still flying high from your own release when you felt him tense behind you, both hands now on your hips as he held you tight against his body.

He came with a ragged groan, spilling into you so hard and fast you almost immediately felt it dripping back out of you and down your thighs. Your eyes slid closed as you savored the feeling, head dropping back against his shoulder a final time, utterly spent.

Mission thoroughly accomplished.

•••

You finished playing seductress now or am I interrupting again?

Your naked body was tangled in the sheets of the bed you and Eris hadn’t even made it to earlier.

Sweat cooled on your body, your breathing still uneven as you watched the male next to you stand, stretching just slightly before bending to retrieve his pants.

You mentally rolled your eyes though and answered Rhys.

You are the biggest busybody I’ve ever met.

Consider my interest piqued after your last update. Though some would say it’s more like morbid curiosity.

You were sure you sent a satisfied smirk back to the High Lord.

Let’s just say you have one satisfied ally.

I’m sorry I asked.

You grinned to yourself as his presence in your mind disappeared.

Returning to the present, you watched as Eris dressed, body completely warm and sated.

After the desk, you nor Eris had been completely satisfied and you’d quickly fallen into the bed for another round.

You’d climbed into his lap and ridden him hard and fast until you both were screaming. His fingers had dug into your hips with so much strength you knew there’d likely still be bruises there later.

Even after a second orgasm, Eris wasn’t finished with you and you’d watched his finger slide through a trail of his release that once again ran down your thighs in rivulets. He brought it to the apex of your thighs, rubbing circles until you fell apart again, watching you as if he was entranced as he made you come again.

Now as he dressed, you found yourself slightly mourning that the evening was clearly over.

You’d had fun, lots of it. From the beginning of the Solstice ball to this very moment.

But, you’d successfully accomplished both your tasks you’d set out to do.

You sat up, holding the blanket to your chest. You’d yet to move—to find where your clothes had been discarded—because frankly, you were exhausted.

“I do hope you continue to find an alliance with the Night Court appealing,” you said casually.

He turned to you, seeming to catch the way you’d been watching his muscled back as he’d bent to grab his jacket.

His smile was a wicked thing, though not cruel.

It was mischievous, all knowing.

“Sweetheart, you think I didn’t know what you were up to?”

Surprise filled you—that and trepidation. Fear that he thought the only reason you’d taken him to bed was because of his alliance.

“Don’t look so surprised. If I hadn’t wanted this to happen,” Eris said, motioning between the both of you, “I wouldn’t have let it. But yes, I do find a continued alliance with the Night Court appealing.”

You felt relief wash over you, happy to know you’d be able to report back to Rhys with the good news.

But Eris wasn’t finished. He continued buttoning up his jacket as he spoke.

“Though I must tell you, you’ve sweetened the deal drastically.”

His tone was smooth, smug, absolutely the silver tongued courtier he was. His eyes swept over you appreciatively, a smirk tugging at his lips.

“I just wonder if seeing more of you—and soon—might be included in said deal.”

You bit your lip, a smile forming on your own mouth, happy to hear he’d enjoyed the sex as much as you’d had.

“I think that could be arranged.”

Catching you off guard, he placed his hands on the bed—on either side of you—leaning down and capturing your lips with his soft ones. It wasn’t as heated as the kisses from earlier, but it was enough to leave your head spinning, especially as he let it linger for just a second before he pulled away, straightening again.

“We’ll play again. Soon.”

He shot you a wink before winnowing away, leaving you already anticipating your next game with Eris Vanserra.

"I think that has to be… the dumbest thing I've ever heard," you sighed, shaking your head as your friend's posture deflated at your unenthusiastic response.

"I'm serious! The family even moved away because the haunting got too much. I'm talking, like… actual apparitions and stuff. Floating knives, disembodied voices… The whole package!"

Sensing that her impassioned speech wasn't enough to impress you, she crossed her arms over her chest and threw her head back with a groan. You almost felt bad for her, even though it was her idea to drive the two of you out here into the middle of nowhere.

But you quickly came back to your senses and shook off the little sting of guilt. After all, it wasn't your fault that you were a skeptic.

The place was nothing special, in your opinion, even though your friend definitely would've disagreed.

The previous inhabitants must've left in a rush, leaving behind entire sets of furniture and personal items to be layered with dust.

Upon first entering the place, you expected a lot more vandalism — Grafitti, broken windows, trashed rooms. But the house looked pretty unaffected, except for the first traces of time and nature.

It was sweltering outside and the old, abandoned farmhouse didn't offer any kind of solace from the heat that had crawled in through the cracks and rotten wood.

If you would've had your way, you'd be sitting at home in front of the AC, maybe enjoying some ice cream or a cold drink. Which you were actually doing before you'd been dragged out here for a "surprise adventure".

Now, the smell of dry grass and something musty was crawling into your nose, teasing at a sneeze that wouldn't come while you were stuck in an oven of a house and sweating like hell. What a trade-off.

"Sorry," you started, wiping your forehead, "this stuff just isn't really my cup of tea, you know? But I'm happy that you believe in it. You can do your thing, I'll just wait here."

Chewing on the inside of her cheek, your friend nodded and grabbed her "authentic" ghost hunting equipment to shuffle off and leave you standing in the kitchen.

It didn't take long until you heard the opening basement door and her descending steps.

As you rolled your stiff shoulders, you tried to come up with a way to pass the time and eventually settled on your phone. Easy dopamine be damned.

It was silent for a while as you scrolled through text posts and images, not really able to focus on anything in particular. The heat really was frying your brain.

Outside, the crickets were making plenty of noise in the unruly fields that surrounded the house, but the atmosphere felt peaceful while you leaned against the wall and silently did your thing.

A cold breeze suddenly lapped at the back of your neck, causing you to shiver despite the summer heat raging that day. Confused, you looked over your shoulder to spot a cracked-open window above one of the counters.

Huh, the family must've forgotten to close that as well when they fled— when they moved out.

God, you almost sounded like your friend there.

For a moment, you enjoyed the fresh air until the kitchen started to feel a little too cold and the nature outside fell silent.

Maybe the weather was about to change and a storm was brewing, or something. Deciding to keep the temperature bearable, you walked over to close the window.

The sun outside was already setting, bathing the kitchen in a warm, honey-tinted light as you had to get on your toes to reach over the spacious counter; perfect for cooking, but annoying when one tried to grab onto the window handle. Like you were.

"Maybe the layout of this damn house is what really chased out the tenants…" you grumbled under your breath, finally managing to slam the window shut before you straightened back up.

At least halfway.

Until your back met with something solid. Something that hadn't been there before.

Icy breath prickled across the shell of your ear, causing you to tremble against the form that now kept you pinned to the counter.

It didn't make sense. You didn't hear anyone enter; no steps, no rustling, yet you weren't alone anymore.

You could feel the blood drain from your face, how your mouth became dry and your heartbeat accelerated as the unseen weight kept you in place.

And that was before it started touching you.

Icy fingertips settled across the sides of your ribcage, wandering further towards your middle and barely grazing the undersides of your breasts.

Exploratory, curious. Almost playful as the touch briefly brushed down your sternum.

Slowly, they traveled even lower.

Across your stomach, down to your hips where they stayed. Settled. Steady.

In an effort to stifle a terrified noise, your teeth dug into your bottom lip as you dared to look down.

There was nothing. No hands, nothing even in the corner of your eyes.

But then, the fingers dug into your flesh, and your insides writhed at the sight of indentations on your skin and clothes. This was happening, someone unseen, hidden was gripping your hips so tightly that you could feel each individual fingertip pressing into your body.

The realization drew a quiet sound from you, an echo of fear and surprise that seemed to break the spell that had settled upon the previously quiet kitchen.

And once that spell was broken, everything seemed to happen at once.

The invisible hands tore at your shorts, greedily dragging the fabric down over your hips and ass along with your underwear before your neck was seized and you were roughly shoved over the counter.

Bent over and pinned into place, your lips parted to gasp for air, only to be choked by what felt like fingers pushing into your mouth. Your gums and teeth felt cold as something brushed over them, mapping out the inside of your mouth with an impatient audacity.

Then, the fingers pressed even deeper, collecting the saliva that pooled on your tongue as you gagged and tried to struggle.

But before you could entertain the thought of biting, they pulled back, bringing forth a strand of your spit that was still connected to the invisible digits.

Chest heaving, you barely got time to catch your breath before the slicked-up fingers dipped between your bare thighs and wasted no time before they slipped into you down to the invisible knuckles that now brushed against your skin.

A stifled gasp was the only noise that came out of you as the digits curled against the tight walls of your cunt. It was as if your voice had been stolen in that moment as you clawed and squirmed against the countertop while the fingers set a demanding rhythm in and out of you.

Something was trying to work you open. Something desperate, something hungry for a long-lost warmth.

More. More. Deeper. Hotter. MORE.

The grip on the back of your neck tightens, and the spectral digits pulled out of you before the hand settled back on your hip.

For a moment, it felt like the unseen touch trembled against you in an attempt at patience and restraint.

But then, you felt the cold, blunt nudge of something hefty against your cunt, rubbing through your folds to cover itself in the wetness that the being had managed to coax out of you.

Lips parting, your silent scream died in your throat as a silky length parted your folds and sank into your dripping heat in one agonizingly slow push.

The shiver that ran down your spine made your teeth chatter, and your knees trembled as the ghost held still inside of you.

It was cold, almost uncomfortably big as your pussy tried to adjust to the size of it.

Aside from the unusual temperature, it felt like a regular (albeit pretty large) cock, and as you gave it an experimental clench, you could feel it twitch inside you. A subtle movement that the hand on your hip mirrored as it tightened its grip on you.

You flinched when a sudden noise echoed up from underneath the floor. No doubt, your friend probably knocked something over in the basement. Meanwhile, you were stretched open around an invisible person that seemed to have popped up out of nowhere.

As if the specter realized that there was no time to be lost, it suddenly pulled out and slammed back into you with a force that knocked the air from your lungs.

Immediately, it set a frantic pace, fucking you against the counter with an intensity that caused your toes to curl in your shoes. You didn't have any chance to speak, to think, to squirm.

Voiceless, thoughtless and still pinned in place, the only sound you were allowed were little huffs and gasps – even as the shock and discomfort gave way to a pleasure that settled deep within your body.

There was no sound of skin against skin, but the feeling was there.

Corporal, but not quite. An echo of a person; of an appetite that had never been sated.

A lust that had lingered long past the flesh.

Embarrassingly, your body was pretty good at making sounds by itself.

The obscene wetness of your cunt being stuffed to the brim filled the kitchen with a chorus of squelching noises. And you could feel it too, coating the inside of your thighs, dripping down to pool on the old kitchen tiles.

Your eyes widened as more weight settled down on your back, completely pressing your upper body down onto the counter that you were digging your nails into.

With your torso squished under the being's phantom chest, it had free reign to move his cold hand from your neck to between your thighs where it pressed down on your pulsing clit.

Clenching your eyes shut, you let out an airy, barely-there whine as it began to draw tight, firm circles around that most sensitive spot at a pace that matched its hurried thrusts into your cunt.

No doubt, it wanted to get you off as quickly as possible, almost pressing down too hard as it rubbed your clit.

Your climax felt inevitable, buzzing at the base of your spine and tightening in the core of your body until the tension finally snapped, and you gasped against the kitchen counter.

Your legs shook, almost causing you to lose your footing as a thin line of drool connected your panting to the wooden surface.

Noticing your faltering stance, the unseen hands both grabbed your waist and hoisted you up until the tips of your shoes barely scraped against the floor.

Dangling, you could only barely hold on as the being resumed its hurried pounding into your still spasming cunt, fucking you through the afterglow of the spookiest orgasm of your life.

After a few more rough thrusts, its rhythm finally began to grow irregular and twitchy, and it pulled you flush against the icy, unseeable hardness of its body.

Pushing deep and holding still, you winced as ropes of cold, viscous release filled your poor cunt, leaking out around the ghostly cock.

After that, you were shoved back against the counter, and your underwear and shorts were yanked back up in an unceremonious attempt to make you look presentable again.

At once, the touch vanished, and suddenly, you knew you were alone once again.

The heat crept back into the kitchen all at once, the crickets outside were back to chirping in the tall grass, and the air felt less oppressive.

Yet you trembled as you sank down to the floor with still twitching thighs and labored breaths. You cringed at the sticky feeling of your skin and the cold wetness in your underwear.

"What the fuck..." you murmured under your breath, relieved when you found your voice again without difficulty.

Staring off into space for a long moment, you remained in place until you heard the sound of approaching steps from the basement.

Sure enough, it was your friend, looking more than a little disappointed.

You’d always been fascinated by the marks on your lover’s skin.

Not the ones that marred his skin, that had been the result of cruelty and a life of brutality, but the ones he’d been born with. That made him, him.

Eris’s chest still rose and fell rapidly as a result of the passion the two of you had just shared. Your head rested in the crook of his arm, facing him. The male looked positively sated and satisfied.

But your attention was on the expanse of bare skin on display for you.

His pale skin was splattered with splotches of freckles, similar to the ones that were on his face, ones you’d traced countless times. Before you’d ever fallen into bed together, you’d often wondered if he’d had freckles anywhere else on his body.

Boy, did he ever.

They weren’t numerous, but he had patches of them. A little here, a little there.

Some covered the expanse of those broad, muscled shoulders.

Some across his chest, trickling down to his finely toned stomach.

Then there were the lone ones, some scattered like afterthoughts. Some in smaller clusters of only a few.

He had one almost right over his heart, one on the inside of his left bicep, another prominent one right under his collarbone on the right side.

Some were faint clusters, others were darker, more noticeable. They were like little hidden treasures, you were always discovering more.

You’d spent plenty of time kissing the ones on his face, but the first time he was bared to you, you were in awe of the masterpiece you saw.

Now, your fingers tap danced down his ribs along more of those freckles. You traced your finger from freckle to freckle, connecting them like you were revealing a mystery picture that could only be seen when the dots were connected—or in this case, freckles.

He watched you carefully as the sweat cooled on your skin, your breathing returning to normal, slowly.

But you were too busy focusing on the marks of your mate’s body, fingertips gentle as they explored every mark you could find.

“One…two…three,” you murmured.

“What are you doing?”

You ignored him, fingertip continuing on.

“Four…five…six…seven…eight.”

“You’re trying to count them again aren’t you?”

The amusement was apparent in his voice, the smile lacing his words.

“Nine…ten. Yes, I am,” you answered, leaving your finger in the place you’d left off, just on his left pectoral.

“You never make it past ten,” he smirked, “Why do you do that anyway?”

You shrugged.

“I just…love them. They’re part of you. It’s like you come with your own pattern—a pattern that is unique to you and only you. No one else has a freckle on their chest that looks like a tiny heart.”

He snorted.

“It does not.”

“Well it does to me,” you smiled, “I love how it looks like someone took a paintbrush and bent the bristles to splatter dots of paint all over you. Except instead of paint, its freckles. You have them in the most random spots. Like here’s a group.”

Your finger circled a group of lighter freckles on his chest, an inch or so above one of his nipples. You felt him shiver under your touch.

“No one’s ever really paid attention to them the way you have,” he said softly.

“You weren’t really the type to show them to just anyone, either,” you pointed out.

He chuckled, “Point taken.”

Your fingers still traced, realizing you’d lost count of where you were at and momentarily shifted your attention to a new spot.

Along his ribs your fingers traced a larger cluster of freckles, mostly lighter with a few more prominent, darker ones. It was one of your favorite spots to press kisses to, although you were kidding no one—you loved to kiss them all. You’d happily spend all day kissing every single one, if it were possible.

“This one is the Archeron Star because you have three prominent freckles in the group. It reminds me of the three sisters.”

You smiled secretly, knowing you’d be telling your friends—the sisters—this funny story, one day.

“Oh, so we’re naming them now?” Eris hummed, amused.

“Yes.”

Your fingers traced to the bunch on his shoulder, ones you’d kissed numerous times since the male had become yours.

“This should be the Velaris Constellation.”

“Yeah, why’s that?”

“It reminds me of the scatter of stars on a beautiful Velaris night. There’s so many you can’t even imagine trying to count them,” you explained.

“Weren’t you just trying to count them earlier, my love?”

You made a dismissive noise.

“Not important at the moment.”

He just laughed deeply, fingers brushing your hair back from your face as your focus remained on the many beautiful marks on your mate’s body.

Your fingers fell to just over the plains of his toned stomach, brushing over a sparse, but prominent collection of freckles just under his breastbone.

“I think I’ll call this one Autumn Minor.”

“Interesting choice,” he mused.

“I only say that because they’re on you and they’re sparse, light there. They still deserve a name though. But these—”

You paused, brushing a thumb over the freckles over one cheekbone. They were nearly identical on his opposite one, meeting over the bridge of his nose.

“These should be called Autumn Major because they’re the most prominent ones on the most beautiful Autumn male.”

“Oh now you’re just flattering me,” he grinned.

Eris bent down, lips brushing against yours briefly.

You quickly returned to attempting to count the numerous spots.

“One…two…three…” you mumbled under your breath.

He smirked, hand smoothing over your hair in a loving gesture, watching you with amusement dancing in those amber eyes.

“Twelve…thirteen…fourteen.”

“Well you’re already further than you’ve ever gotten.”

You hushed him.

“I’ll lose my concentration.”

“Sorry, sweetheart,” his lips twitched.

“Nineteen…twenty…twenty-one, twenty-two, twenty-three—you’ve got a lot right here.”

You tapped the place near his side, closer to his hip bone. You’d counted all around his waistline and worked your way up to the ones along his ribs and over his chest.

“Twenty-eight, twenty-nine…thirty, thirty-one, thirty-two.”

Then, you realized you’d lost your place or skipped a number for you sighed heavily.

Eris’s smile was bright as he watched you.

“Thirty-three,” he corrected, taking your hand and kissing it, “Furthest you’ve ever gotten.”

You beamed up at him, proud to have gotten to that high of a number when you usually hadn’t been able to. You loved everything about him. Especially the constellations that covered his skin.

He seemed to be considering something as he looked down at your face.

“What’s the one over my heart called?”

You didn’t even have to think about it before you answered, without any hesitation.

“Mine.”

"I'm sorry- what did you just say?" You ask, your tone extremely accusatory.

You can't believe what you heard, you can't believe that your boyfriend said that, thinking you would just let it slide.

"What do you mean?" He asks with his usual behaviour, always playing the innocent victim. Gods, you don't really know what you're even doing with this male. Losing your time, probably.

"You know damn well what i mean." He relaxes his back on the chair and sighs loudly, other than that- nothing. He looks umbothered, relaxed, even. This makes you even madder.

This is how he wants to play? Giving you the silence treatment until you give up and apologise? Maybe other days it would have worked, but not today, no. Too many times you ignored the signs and begged for his pardon, even tho he was clearly in the wrong. You just procrastinated this conversation for too long.

"I pretend an explanation. I swear-" His laugh interrupts you. It's not really a laugh, tho. It doesn't hold any fun or warmth in it. He's just playing with you. But you're tired of being a little toy, manipulated by a man you don't even love.

"It's not that difficult, babe." The nickname gets you a bitter taste on your tongue. You scoff, but he goes on undisturbed. "All you need to know is that males have instincts. Needs. Desires." You know where this conversation is going.

Even tho you don't love this man, not anymore, at least, tears still wet your lashes, streaming down your cheeks. You ask yourself what you have done wrong, how something like this could have happened. You've been nothing but a supportive girlfriend, always by his side. Defending him even when your family didn't approve him. It was always you and him against the world.

"You think men will get on their knees for you." This time, it's his turn to scoff. You swallow a painful knot at the base of your throat. You hate yourself for showing your vulnerable side in front of him while he doesn't look bothered at all. You hate him, too. "You like to think you live in those silly fairy tale books you read." A dark laugh echoes in the room. You have to cover your mouth, hiccups threatening to escape your lips.

"Let me get this for you, babe. We are not in a fucking book. This is real life. Men are not princes, you are not a fucking princess." He suddenly gets up. The chair scratches on the floor making a squeaking noise that makes you squeeze your eyes shut. He walks closer to you, mocking eyes look deep into yours.

"I- I don't understand..." Is all you can say, your confusion is genuine. You have been nothing but loyal to him. You have pretended nothing but loyalty. He smirks, stepping closer and closer until he stands in front of you.

You're so close you can feel his accelerated breath on your face. Your lower lip trembles, and you know it's not a good sign. Whatever you said only seem to madden him more.

"Stupid. Dumb little-" He stops, taking a deep breath. He's trying to hold back, you realise. "I have needs and you can't fucking satisfie them, do you understand now?" Except that you don't.

You shake your head. It's the wrong thing to do. It's the straw that breaks the camel's back. With a violent movement that you couldn't foresee, he pushes you until you touch the wall. Your head hits the solid surface with a hard thud, making you moan in pain. The smell of fear deepens in the room.

"You don't give me what I want? I take it somewhere else. You think you're worth the wait? Let me tell you, babe. You are not. You're just as every other Fae with a pussy between their legs. Understood?" You can't hold back a sob. This feels like a fever dream, and for a moment, you don't believe this is really happening. But it is. What you really can't believe is that you have been so blind you haven't seen who he really is.

"Because of... sex?" You whisper. Gods, if you weren't in this position, you would have laughed.

"Yes, because of sex!" He shouts straight into your face, he grips your cheeks with in hand, the hold painful to the point he leaves red marks on your skin. "Females exist only for one fucking thing. And you're not giving it to me."

"Let me go!" You cry out, protesting with your body, trying to escape from his strict hold. "Please... I don't know who you are anymore..."

He laughs cruelly, his eyes darkened, completely different to the ones you're used to. He puts his hands in his pockets, standing in front of you casually. Like he didn't just scream at your face those things. Like you're not sobbing in front of him, the one who is supposed to care for you, to love you. He turns around, walking out of the room as if nothing had happened, but you're too busy holding your face, still shaken by his violence, to notice.

After a few minutes you manage to calm down even the slightest bit, you are not sobbing anymore, even tho there are still tears wetting your marked cheeks. You follow his route. He must have exited the house because he is not in the kitchen, the only room connected by the door you just passed.

It's not empty, tho. A figure sits on the table, sipping coffee in a mug that looks extremely bitter. You recognise him almost instantly, his big wings too familiar to ignore.

"Hey." He must have heard you enter the room. He turns around, his voice soft and his eyes brightened by a smile. When he sees your tears and your red cheeks, it drops immediately. "What has he done."

It's not a question, you realise. He is mad, but not at you.

Never at you.

"Azriel..." It's the only thing you can manage to say, your voice trembling and broken.

It's a matter of istants: his arms are wrapped around your body tightly, supporting your body as you let go into a liberating cry.

You have no idea how long you stay like this, it could have been minutes or hours. He doesn't let you go even for an instant, and you find comfort in his warmth, in his familiar scent that wraps around you like a soft blanket.

"I always knew he was a dick." He declares, his words muffled in your hair.

You shake your head, at least you try, blocked by his chest. "Don't wanna talk about this right now." You explain, your voice still hoarse from the cries.

"It's okay." He whispers. "We don't have to." A smile appears on your face, a deep contrast with the tears that still wet your cheeks.

Only now you dare to detach yourself from the embrace. Your eyes seek his in almost a natural manner. "Az?" You ask.

"Yes?"

You know this is a bad idea, but you don't care at the moment. You feel your cheeks burning, you look at the floor, momentarily incapable of holding eye contact. "I need your help with something."

He poses a gentle hand on your face, forcing you to look at him. His voice is soft when he speaks, a tone that he reserves for you only. "Anything."

"He said that I'm not worth the wait." You start to explain. Azriel doesn't seem to understand the direction this conversation is taking, his eyebrows raised in a silent request to explain yourself further. "Like sex, you know?" You can only imagine how flustered you must look by the chuckle he lets out.

"Sorry, I'm sorry. I'm not laughing at you, sunshine. I'm laughing because he is such a dick." His thumb moves on your skin, a caress light as a feather. "So what favour do you need?"

"I..." You swallow loudly. "Can you teach me? Please?"

For a moment, he seems out of breath, surprised beyond words. It doesn't last long, and he quickly recollect himself. You almost fear another laugh, or judgement. Instead, when you look into his eyes, the only thing you find is reassurance.

"Teach you... how to have sex?" He asks, and you can't answer, still embarrassed.  You only nod, not knowing what you want anymore, at this point. But you trust this man in front of you, and if there's something you know for sure, is that he won't let you down on a moment like this. "Y/n... you don't really want this."

"No, that's not true." You complain. Your teeth capture your lower lip, a gesture you tend to do often when you're nervous.

"But it is. You're asking just because of that bastard, you don't really wanna have sex. Especially with me."

"No, it's not, Az." You take a deep breath. "If there's someone that i want to..." You struggle to find the words. "I trust you with all of myself. I want you to do it."

He forces himself to take a breath, considering his options as it gets past his lips, then a little nod makes you smile kindly. He moves a hand, the one that was firstly on your cheek, and he interlocks his fingers with yours. "Okay." He gives in. "Are you sure?"

"Positive." His shadows cover the both of you, until everything around you is black. In some way, it stills effect you, even if you already did it a million of times. When you see light again, it's because of the big window in his room. You stagger, but he is ready to stabilise you. He is used to do it, the gesture comes in a natural way.

A silent tension lingers in the air, your cheeks still burn from the embarrassment. "What do I do?" You ask, unsure. You balance yourself on your feet, your lower lip bleeds from the force of your teeth biting into it. The metallic smell of blood fills the room, mixing with his scent.

He gets even closer, towering over you. Your body surprise you - his presence and his closeness affect you, yes, but in a good way. Like you want him near you, you want him to touch you. With one hand he moves a lock of hair behind your ear. He looks at you in a way that makes you feel like the only woman in Prythian. Makes you feel seen for the first time in your life. 

"You don't need to be nervous, sunshine." He whispers so close to you that his breath warms your face. You hadn't realised he was this close until now. With his thumb, in a gentle way, he frees your lip from the painful grip of your teeth. It's a fingertip touch, really, but it makes your heart race, suddenly too aware of his closeness, all your senses heightened.

"Okay." You whisper back. He continues to caress the skin of your face with his thumb, so softly you can barely feel it. Then, when you thought he was gonna put some distance between the two of you, a kiss. It's nothing you haven't done before, and it's not a difficult kiss, too. It's slow and naive, a little appetiser  before the real meal, but it still leaves you breathless.

Even when you broke away from the kiss, lips swollen and cheeks reddened for the both of you, his eyes never left yours. And you can see every single thought behind those beautiful hazel pupils, you can see how is soft gaze turns into something more raw, carnal. You recognise that look that you often saw in your boyfriend's eyes too, but at the same time, is so different.

Azriel's hold affection, warmth, they make you feel wanted and desired in the best way. His were just... lust. Carnal, yes, but there was nothing more than that.

"Are you-" You chuckle, your nerves finally calming.

"Az, if you ask me one more time that, you won't like what I'll do." Your answer causes a smile to spread all over his face, making him look ethereal. Why the hell have you never noticed the beauty of this male before?

"Lay on the bed, then." You nod, following his orders. He position himself right on top of you, putting his weight on his elbows, avoiding to hurt you. Your noses are almost touching, and this time, you kiss him first. You didn't think twice, with him everything comes natural. It starts innocently as some moments ago, but it quickly turns more heated.

He licks your lower lip, asking a silent question. A permission, perhaps. And you give it to him. His tongue meets yours in a slow, heated dance that taste just right.

"Hello there." He whispers once you break the kiss, short for air. His voice is muffled by the skin of your collarbone, his face hidden in it. "Hi, Azzie."

You can feel his smile on your skin, you're ready to giggle, a sudden happiness taking over you. But Azriel starts to kiss your neck, and the only sound that escapes your lips is a gasp. His kisses are slow and warm, he starts with your neck, then your exposed collarbone, and he goes lower and lower until he meets the fabric of your dress. At this point, you're not sure you are breathing anymore.

He looks at you in another silent question. You nod without hesitation. His hands are gentle as he pull down the little strap, taking is time and his lips never leaving your skin. It's only a matter of minutes and your chest is quickly exposed for his eyes. Your hands try to cover your body, but he doesn't let you.

"No need to cover, sunshine." His eyes wonder on your skin, leaving you on fire. He poses a kiss where your heart belongs. "You're so pretty. My pretty girl." He murmurs against your skin, his breath tickles you, giving you goosebumps . "He never deserved you anyway. Can i touch you, love?”

You nod so quickly that it makes your head spin.

His hands starts to caress you, is thumb grazes your nipple, making you moan. You almost feel ashamed, the sound tastes sinful on your lips, but his smile reassures you.

The more he does, the more you can feel the tension leaving your body, your muscles relaxing and your mind emptying. He focus on your breasts, his lips wrapping around a nipple, flicking around it with his tongue. The feeling is unmatched, you never felt like this before.

With his hand, he plays with your other nipple, feeling the skin under his fingertips in a motion that leaves you addicted, craving for more.

The feeling between your legs intensifies, you can feel yourself growing needier. His lips leave your nipple with a pop, making you groan frustrated. His chuckle caresses your skin, making you shiver.

There's a knot, as quiet as powerful as painful, that starts to tighten at the base of your stomach. Your desire starts to pool deeper inside of you, sliding slowly and deliciously like honey against your skin.

You can feel it in the air how much both of you want, need, this. You can feel it in the change of your scents. He smells muskier, now. More manly, more him.

"Don't worry, you're going to like this a lot more." You're almost confused. Your head spinning with desire makes it hard for you to think coherently, but he doesn't need words for what he's going to do.

His lips lower, tracing a path all over you stomach, until he arrives between your legs. Your breath catches in your throat, your back naturally arching, your hips bucking towards his lips. "Already so needy, aren't you?" He chuckles, and his breath tickles your center, making you moan.

You quickly cover your mouth with your hand, embarrassed with the way you're already so excited, and he didn't do even that much. "Nuh-uh, sunshine."

He looks up at you, your eyes meeting and for a moment you forget everything else. You forget your shitty ex, you forget the feeling of your cheeks burning from both desire and embarrassment.

"No need to." He explains, the tip of his nose brushes your lower stomach in a gentle gesture that makes you smile. "I wanna hear you, pretty girl."

You nod almost immediately. Following his orders feels natural to you, and you certainly won't complain. "Okay." You let out and before you can say anything else, his tongue lick your bundle of nerves and you forget everything again.

The feeling is unlike anything you have ever experienced before, and the moment his eyes meet yours, looking at you from half-closed eyelids with dilated hazel pupils, you know that there will never be anyone else for you.

Only him.

You can't describe what his tongue does between your thighs. He licks, bites, sucks. He touches your soul, makes you wrap your legs around his head every time his teeth graze your clitoris and make you moan louder and louder.

"Fuck." He pulls away from your center for a few moments, but his eyes never leave you. "You taste even better than I ever imagined."

His lips are pink, swollen, and glistening with your juices. When he notices your gaze on them, he runs his tongue over them, collecting the liquid in a gesture that makes you squeeze your gummy walls around nothing.

A frustrated moan escapes your lips, but before the breath can finish passing through them, his tongue returns to stimulate your most intimate area, making you scream.

He forces you to stay still with his hands clenched around your thighs in a grip so firm it's almost painful, digging his nails into your flesh, but the sensation adds to that knot in your stomach and tightens it even more.

You want to scream with pleasure.

Scream at yourself for depriving yourself of this, of him, for so long.

But he slides one hand away from your thigh, depriving you of that delicious pain, and before you can complain again with a drawn-out moan, he slips it between your legs, teasing your entrance, which spasms involuntarily around nothing.

You've never wanted anyone to touch you so much in your entire life. You've never burned so much.

His fingers collect your wetness, playing with you and teasing you while you can do nothing but moan uncontrollably and thrust your hips against his face, silently begging for more. It never seems enough, but how could it be when his tongue is devouring you as if you were his last meal?

"Look at yourself, Y/n." You can't, though. Your eyes roll back, no longer able to hold his gaze as he eats you with slow movements, a sweet torture that you soon know you won't be able to resist. "He would never have made you feel this way."

"Only you." You barely whimper. "It's always been you."

"Fuck, yes." He murmurs.

For the brief moment when his lips let you breathe, he brings his fingers to your clit, teasing it with circular, precise movements until you throw your head back and beg for something you don't even know yourself.

"Please..."

"Please, what, sweet girl?" He laughs. Slowly, and his laughter runs through your limbs like soft velvet, a caress that slips under your skin, between the flesh of your ribs. "Use your words, sunshine. I know you can do it."

Just like that, he dives back into your intimacy, but this time his tongue caresses your entrance, tracing its outline before slipping inside and sucking.

The sounds your wetness and your throat make are pure sin. The smell that fills the room - sex and pleasure - floods your nostrils and makes you arch your back so much that you can overcome the iron grip of his hands and push your hips against his face, pressing yourself against him in the dirtiest way you could ever imagine.

"I- I don't... I don't know."

It's the truth.

Pleasure has always been a foreign concept to you, and receiving so much of it all at once empties your mind, leaving you incapable of rational thought.

And the way his thumb and tongue move doesn't help.

"You want to cum?" he asks.

Your hands, which until now had been clinging to the blankets as if they were your lifeline, slide toward him, slipping between the soft, tousled strands of his hair.

You nod, biting your lip to stifle a small cry as he bites your inner thigh with his teeth. You're sure that tomorrow morning there will be a mark left by his teeth, but for some reason, the thought turns you on even more.

Knowing that you have such a vivid and physical reminder of this moment with you almost throws you into the peak of your orgasm, but it's not enough.

"Use your words," he orders.

You feel your cheeks burning as you clench your fingers around his hair in a silent plea to stop talking and go back to fucking you with his tongue.

"I- I want... it." You whisper, the words mingling with his heavy breathing and your desperate moans.

"What do you want, sweet girl?"

His thumb continues relentlessly, and there you are. You're one step away from falling into that oblivion that you can barely name, but that your body craves so desperately that you can't help but listen to it and follow your instincts.

"I..." His thumb circles, pressing against your little button with more force than expected. "Azzie..."

"Say it," he demands.

"I- I want to cum." You beg. "Please, Azzie. Make me cum."

And he does.

He throws his head between your legs and drinks your juices, his tongue moving rapidly - too fast for the first time your body has ever experienced an orgasm - but your muscles welcome him and you arch your back so much it hurts, but you don't care. There is only him.

"Yes." He sounds breathless. Completely lost in you. "Good girl. My girl is a good fucking girl."

"Azzie..." You moan. And you moan again, and again, and again. His name is the only word that sounds right on your lips right now.

"You'll get me fucking addicted, sweet girl, you know that?" He mutters, more for himself than for you, you think. Then he chuckles. "You won't go back to him, he wouldn't make you feel this way, anyway. You're mine, now, fuck."

"Please..." You can only pray. "Please... Azzie, don't stop. Please."

"Don't worry, sweet girl. I will take care of you."

Only now do you notice that he's moving his hips in time with his movements. Only now do you notice how his cock, constricted by his pants, rubs against the mattress, as desperate as you are for friction, for release from that tension.

That's enough.

The realization that he's pleasuring himself while fucking you with his tongue is enough to make you come.

And you've never felt anything like it. The knot in your stomach breaks.

The orgasm leaves you breathless. It hits you without warning. All it took was one unexpected movement from Azriel, and your walls began to tighten around his tongue and your clitoris began to throb under his thumb.

If you had control of yourself, of your mind, perhaps you would now be embarrassed by the sound of his tongue fucking you, by the screams escaping your throat, by the way your fingers find purchase in his hair.

You can't react, you don't have time. You spread your legs, pull his hair, and lose all awareness of everything. Of time, of the space you're in.

There is only you, your pleasure, the male between your legs who continues to torture you as if he hadn't just made you see stars.

When you snap back to reality, Azriel is still devouring you as if he wants to eat you whole, but he does it slowly, gently. As if it were an apology for the way he catapulted you into the unknown territory of ecstasy.

"Are you okay?" he asks you. His voice is so low, so hoarse, that it sounds like a growl. He leaves a sweet kiss on the inside of your thigh, where just before he had bitten you with such violence that it made your insides clench with excited anticipation.

A few seconds pass in which the only sound you hear is your heavy breathing. When you open your eyes again, the first thing you see is him.

You lift yourself up on your elbows, letting go of his hair and placing your hands on your stomach, which is rising and falling at an unbearable pace.

"I... I never... felt this... way." You manage to get out. But nothing more than that.

"I know." He's sweet. He climbs up your legs and you admire his rosy cheeks, his lips so red they look bitten, glistening with your juices. His eyes still hide that glint of desire, and suddenly the knot in your stomach tightens again, and this time it's even more painful. "Are you okay?"

It's not enough for you. You want more. You want him.

Your boyfriend is now such a distant memory that you call yourself stupid for even thinking of giving yourself to that man without first looking - really looking - at the man in front of you, who seems as destroyed as you are, and hasn't even been touched. He hasn't even taken off his clothes.

"Again."

"Again?"

You nod. You bite your lower lip, looking at the pillow under your head rather than his eyes. Your cheeks burn for whatever made you say such a thing out loud, and the weight of his gaze is impossible to bear, especially when his lips curve into a lazy smile that makes you throb between your legs - again.

"Want more."

"What did I say about using your words?"

You feel your cheeks burn, and you know you're blushing under the eyes—and body—of the male above you, who looks at you full of expectation and with pupils dilated with lust.

"I know, it's just..." You turn your head to the side, avoiding eye contact. "I don't even know what I... want."

"Y/n." He breathes. "Look at me, love."

He moves two fingers to your cheek, forcing you to look at him.

"What you did to me." You begin. "It was... good. Your comment makes Azriel chuckle. "I want it to be good for you too."

Azriel could feel his heart tighten at your words. He could. And he did.

But the feeling is accompanied by his cock throbbing against the fabric of his pants, his mind already wandering to you, to the way you're so small and embarrassed, and your first thought is still to give him pleasure.

He has to restrain himself. He has to physically clench his fingers on your bare hips, squeezing your skin, otherwise he would have maneuvered you like a doll and put you on your knees, your mouth full of his cock.

"Tonight is not about me." He traces a series of imaginary lines on your stomach, making you jump with the tickling mixed with the heat that builds up in your belly. "I want you to feel good, feel like you never did."

"You already did." You complain.

"Then let me do it again."

His shadows act in a matter of moments. His clothes disappear, leaving him naked in front of you.

You don't know where to look. Your eyes run over his skin, and he can feel them on him as if they were burning against him, as if they were trying to brand him in your mind.

You blush so much that your cheeks feel like they're on fire. Your gaze moves from his face to his chest, to his abdominal muscles, and finally to the area between his legs, where his erection is hard and throbbing against his stomach, the tip already slightly moist with precum.

You don't even know what's going to happen now, but your body seems to know better than you do.

"Azzie... It's... b-big." You widen your eyes.

"You don't have to be frightened. He reassures you, seeing the way you seem to pull back slightly. He has to suppress the sense of pride that explodes in his chest at your reaction. "Are you still sure you want this?"

You nod with almost frightening determination.

"Yes, please, Azzie."

He kisses you. His tongue meets yours and begins to explore your mouth, while his hands caress you everywhere. From your hips to your breasts to between your legs.

"Will it hurt?" You whisper on his lips, once the kiss is interrupted by your moan when his fingers brush your clitoris, making you rotate your hips for more.

Azriel doesn't feel like lying to you. He could never lie to a face like yours, looking up at him with wide eyes glistening with desire. "A bit."

"Do you promise you'll be gentle?"

Your concern is almost sweet. "I promise, love. I want it to be as pleasant as possible for you."

"And will you enjoy it?"

Azriel raises his lips at your umpteenth question. "Probably more than I should, pretty girl."

With one last kiss on your lips, he lifts himself up, sliding himself better between your legs and making sure your feet are crossed behind his back. With one hand, he grabs his almost angry-looking erection, perhaps a little arrogant, even, and for the first time slips it between the folds of your legs, without entering you.

The contact makes you both moan, and hearing him whisper your name in a hoarse voice has a decidedly intoxicating effect on you. You feel the wetness increase, spreading over your inner thighs and gathering at your entrance, where the tip of Azriel's cock teases you, never crossing that line you fear so much.

"So good..." you murmur when you feel him against your clit with a thrust of his hips.

Azriel has to fight the urge to roll his eyes back in his head at your moans and the way you chant his name under your breath as if it were a prayer. He also has to restrain himself from cumming like that, without even really fucking you, and painting your stomach and pussy white, marking you with his cum.

Without warning, he pushes his cock inside, stretching your walls so much that it feels like he's tearing you apart. "Are you okay?" He breathes against your lips.

He starts a trail from your face, down your jaw, to your neck, leaving wet, calm kisses to distract you.

"Hurts a bit." You whimper, trying to hide your face in his chest, but failing miserably, especially when he leans down again to take a nipple between his lips and suck, making you moan.

It takes a couple of minutes for the pain to turn into pleasure and the burning sensation to subside. Azriel hasn't moved an inch, but now you're becoming aware of every millimeter of him inside you. You can feel him in your stomach, you can feel every vein, every time it pulses.

You push your hips against his, bringing your bodies so close together that your clitoris touches the light fuzz above his cock, making your head spin for the millionth time. You're too embarrassed to ask him to move, but your movement speaks louder than a thousand words.

He starts to thrust slowly.

"Fuck," he mutters under his breath. Every time he pulls out until only the tip remains inside you, then pushes back into your wet, warm walls, a whispered curse escapes his lips, making you clench painfully around him. "Fuck, love. Keep clenching around me like that and—fuck..."

"Azzie..." You can't help but moan as he fucks you as if it were the only way to stay alive. "So good..." You whimper. "So big..."

"Y/n." He whimpers, his teeth gritted so much that it probably hurts. But Azriel's mind can only focus on how tight you are, on how much your walls are trying to milk him for all he's worth. It's embarrassing, really, how quickly he's sure he can cum.

His hands grip you everywhere in a desperate attempt to distract himself, your ankles lacing behind his back, pulling him even closer.

Every time he pulls out of your body, you whimper, saddened by the loss of the fullness his cock offers you, and then he pushes into you again, slamming his hips against your center. It's all too much, but at the same time, it's not enough. Your hands dig into his back, chest, arms. They search for something to hold on to as pleasure mixes with the pain caused by the force of his thrusts, and Azriel can see in your face how drunk you are on his cock.

He knows he should stop, slow down, take a deep breath, and start again more calmly. That this is your first time and you trusted him enough to give it to him, he find it sweet, really. But then you look at him through misty eyes, empty of thought behind your dilated pupils, and your lips part to let out the sound of his name, and then his hands grab your hips, squeezing until you moan, and he supports you as he fucks you with even more vigor.

He knows you're close. You feel it too.

Your walls are throbbing so hard that you're sure they've taken the shape of his cock. Every vein, every curve, is imprinted inside you. You feel the familiar knot in your stomach tighten, the tension increasing so much that it hurts.

"Azzie, I'm..." Your words are slurred, without coherent form. "Please, Azzie..."

You are so full of him that you feel the tip of his cock touching your stomach. You see it. The way your belly bulges when he enters you, the way his eyes don't know whether to look into your eyes, to look at your tits bouncing with the force of his thrusts, to look at your pussy as he fucks you.

"Fuck, love, look at—look at that." He's out of breath from the effort of restraining himself from turning you around and taking you from behind, coloring your back with white spurts. He runs a hand through your hair, pulling it back to angle your view toward your belly. He brings his other hand to your stomach, pressing where his cock bulges.

"Azzie, I'm..." You mumble. "So full."

"I'm gonna cum, Y/n." He warns you. His thrusts become more sudden, less rhythmic. Sloppy, even. His body collapses on top of yours and his pubic bone teases your clit.

You're close too, and he knows it.

"Together," you beg.

You make him smile against your neck as he bites your skin and then kisses it, as if to make amends.

"Sweet, sweet girl," he murmurs, still pressed against your skin. You feel his warm breath breaking against your collarbones. "You wanna cum with me?"

"Mhmm, yes, Azzie." Not only do you sound desperate, but your voice breaks just as you reach orgasm.

Your walls spasm around him as he growls at you, shifting his attention to your tits, taking a nipple between his lips and sucking it, helping you ride the wave of pleasure. Moments later, it's his turn.

He cums with your name on his lips, his voice hoarse and broken just like yours. You're still riding the aftershocks of your orgasm, your pussy still throbbing against him as he makes sure all his cum goes inside you, into your womb.

Silent moments pass. Only your heavy breathing breaks the peaceful silence.

"Are you okay?" Azriel asks you.

You almost feel like laughing. Okay is an understatement. So, instead of telling him how you feel, you let him feel it. You grind your hips against his, his cock still buried deep inside you, and you feel his cum spill out of you and stain your inner thigh, but you couldn't care less. Not while you feel that knot forming again, and the desire to experience the inexplicable sensations Azriel made you feel returns.

"More?" you plea.

Azriel chuckles, the sound hot and deep at the same time, so much that it carves into your flesh. "Oh, love. You have no idea what you have just started."

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