Baron Read online

  “And I personally tore the wings from their bodies after my men slaughtered all the males.”

  My heart drops down to my stomach and then begins racing, filling me with anxiety and fear. “Why… why would you do that?” I demand, even though I instantly regret the words, afraid he might take offense to them. I mean, who am I to question him? I’m his prisoner and he’s the false king. He’s already admitted to killing all of my brethren and I’m not such a fool to think I’ve somehow escaped his list.

  He shrugs. “Surely the answer is obvious?”

  “You thought of all angels as a threat?” I whisper.

  “Naturally,” he says as he pushes his pelvis forward and his cock slides against the sensitive flesh between my legs. Thank God there’s clothing between us and he can’t feel the reaction he causes inside me. “Angels are the most powerful of creatures,” he explains. He glances down at my chest as it rises and falls with my increased breathing. My nipples are hard little pebbles that poke through the thin fabric of my blouse. He notices them instantly before he looks back at my eyes and smiles in a knowing sort of way.

  “They were never a threat to you,” I whisper.

  “Not anymore,” he laughs. “There’s a room in this palace where I house all those wings as trophies.” I instantly feel my eyes narrow as my breath catches. He laughs. “A bit macabre, I know, but they serve as a reminder that no creature—neither light nor dark—can hide from my power.” He glances down the outline of my body and his eyes stop at my breasts again. He stares at them hungrily. “Tell me, angel, have both of them had you?”

  “No,” I respond, breathing the word because I’m so nervous. I can hardly detect my own voice.

  “Do not lie to me.”

  “I’m not lying,” I whisper as he brings his fingers to my breasts and rubs them across my nipples. I try to suppress the moan that threatens to leak off my lips. Damn the Succubus straight to hell for this! She shouldn’t be turned on by this man!

  “Have you had at least one of them?”

  “Yes,” I answer because somehow I know I shouldn’t lie to him. Not about this, anyway.

  He nods. “Ah.” He nods again. “Now we begin a new game.”

  “A new game?”

  “Yes, the game of just who has had you. Don’t tell me,” he continues, his eyes brightening as he smiles boyishly. “I want to guess.”

  “Dragan?”

  “I don’t want to play this game,” I say.

  “Pity for you,” he answers as he glances down at my breasts again. He chuckles. “Your mind despises me but your body lusts for me.”

  I feel a blush crawling across my cheeks. I’m so obvious? The realization hits me like a sack of bricks and I want to climb into my shoes and die of humiliation and mortification. I hate it that Variant knows I want him because it’s exactly what he wants.

  “I bet if I were to unbutton your pants and stick my fingers inside you, I would find your pussy soaking wet.”

  Do it, I think to myself and have to silence my own thoughts.

  Touch me and feel how wet I am for you…

  I force the thoughts away and breathe in deeply as I try to push the Succubus back where she belongs. It’s no easy feat. She’s powerful and it feels as though her power grows day by day.

  The door opens and Anona steps inside the room. I’m almost glad to see her. Almost.

  Variant moves away from me and turns to face her. I feel myself beginning to shake. Fear grips me when I see the cruel smile on the she-demon’s face as soon as she sees me.

  Has he called her here so she can partake in my death? Will she be the one to deliver the killing blow?

  Anona’s carnelian eyes dance over my face and body with a perverse interest that makes me wish I could disappear into the wall behind me.

  Variant snaps his fingers and before I can fully understand what’s happening, I begin walking toward a vanity chair against my will. The strength of his compulsion magic is startling.

  “Come,” he says to Anona as she further enters the room. The doors close behind her loudly, of their own accord. She doesn’t even flinch but nods and crouches into a low curtsey before standing up again.

  “My King,” she greets him.

  “I’ve been getting acquainted with the angel,” he announces.

  “Oh?” Anona responds as she approaches him.

  “Yes, and her beauty has quite foiled me.”

  I’m surprised by his words.

  “Oh?” Anona repeats, watching him with curious eyes as though not sure what he’ll do or say next. It’s the same expression I’ve given him and I imagine it’s one that most people wear around him. Variant is the epitome of the word “unpredictable.”

  “Look at that face,” he says with a shrug.

  She looks across at me and hatred burns in her gaze.

  “Have you ever seen its equal?” he asks.

  “No,” she admits.

  “If I ordered you to destroy the beauty in that face, would you?” he continues as my heart catches.

  “With pleasure.”

  “Angel,” he says as he turns to face me. My heart is now in my throat. “Come.”

  I don’t want to approach him, but I do. I’m powerless against my legs as they carry me closer to the two of them. Anona’s eyes burn with delight. I have no doubt that she’s about to get her wish of torturing me. I’m nearly paralyzed with fear.

  When I approach him, he grips my chin and yanks my head upward, into an uncomfortable position. “She has caused me so much trouble,” he whispers. “Countless sleepless nights.”

  “She has caused me the same,” Anona says, her forked tongue sliding along her lips as she stares at me with glee.

  “Rip her clothing away,” Variant orders.

  Anona steps forward and pulls a dagger from her waist. She places the edge at the hem of my shirt and pulls it downward, ripping the fabric in two as my breasts bounce as if offended. When she reaches the hem of my jeans, she pulls the knife straight through them, scoring the inside of my thigh as I yelp out in pain.

  “Did I tell you to cut her?” Variant demands, angry, as he pushes Anona back from me.

  Anona immediately stands upright. “My apologies, my king.”

  He takes the steps separating himself from me and reaches down, into my pants as I stand there panting with fear. He runs his index finger across the spot where Anona nicked me and pulls his finger back, glancing down at the smudge of crimson. Then he brings his finger to his mouth and sucks the blood away as I watch, horrified.

  “Sweet,” he says as his eyes bore into mine. Then he turns back to Anona. “Strip her,” he says, still sounding annoyed.

  Anona nods and yanks the remainder of my clothing off my body until I’m standing there, completely naked. I attempt to place my hands over my sex and breasts but Variant glares at me.

  “Do not cover yourself,” he insists.

  I drop my hands against my will and stand there, tears welling in my eyes as they both stare at me unabashedly.

  “Perfection,” he whispers as he drinks in my naked body. He approaches me and rubs my nipples until they’re tight little beads. I have to keep myself from moaning. He chuckles.

  “I can smell her heat in the air,” he says. Then he opens his mouth and breathes in deeply. “And I can scent her desire, her need.” He leans down until his face is inches away from mine. “Are you scared of me, little angel?”

  “Yes,” I answer, finding no reason to lie.

  He smiles broadly. Then he reaches forward and rests his hands on either side of my hips. “And yet, your body desires me, doesn’t it?”

  I don’t answer him. He tsks me and shakes his head. “Proud, little thing you are.” Then he shifts one hand from my hip and moves it to the center of my abdomen, just above my pussy. “It doesn’t matter if you don’t want to admit it,” he continues. He brings his hand down and teases my clit with his finger. “All I have to do is touch you and I’
ll get my answer.”

  I try to keep the tears at bay, but one escapes and slides down my cheek. He watches it and then pushes his finger between the folds of my gushing flesh. I do everything in my power not to moan when I feel his finger stroking me back and forth. When he pulls it away, it’s soaking wet. He brings it to his face and smiles before sucking my juices off.

  “Sweet,” he says again, his eyes narrowing on mine. Then he turns to face Anona. “I want to fuck her,” he says. “Terribly badly.”

  Anona doesn’t know what to say and remains quiet. I’m panting so hard I can’t breathe through my nose.

  “But, I won’t,” he continues. He turns back to face me, and his expression is angry. “Not yet.” His gaze rakes over me from head to toe and his jaw tightens. I don’t understand why he’s holding back, but he is. He continues to stare at me, and his lips turn up into an angry expression. “I almost hate her beauty,” he says, studying me with detached anger. “Beauty is power, is it not?”

  “Yes, my liege,” Anona says although I’m not sure she even understands him.

  “There is no other creature in this kingdom who has power over me,” Variant continues, glaring at me.

  “Do you want me to destroy her face, my king?” Anona asks as she glares at me.

  “No, I’m not given to destroying priceless art,” he says, never taking his eyes off me. “Sit!” he orders, and I return to the chair beside the vanity, this time of my own choosing. Once seated, I face him, folding my hands in my lap and I notice with interest that I can’t change my position. It’s as though my body has turned to stone.

  Variant walks over to me and runs a finger down the side of my face. Then he grips my jaw hard and wrenches my face to one side and then the other.

  “Such symmetry,” he says.

  “Please,” I whisper.

  He smiles. “Please what?”

  “You’re hurting me,” I say as a sharp pain ricochets through my neck.

  He instantly releases my head and turns around, approaching Anona. He grips her by her hair and pulls her to the bed. She has no choice but to allow him. He throws her down before him, her ass in the air. And then he rips her clothing off with an urgency that surprises me.

  Anona gasps and I have the distinct feeling he’s never had sex with her before. She’s not his type—she’s not attractive enough. But I am his type—I can read the truth in his insistent gaze. Every time he’s forced to look at her when ripping away her clothing or positioning her where he likes, he immediately looks back at me.

  “Angel,” he says.

  “Yes?” I answer, afraid for whatever is going to come out of his mouth next.

  “Spread your legs,” he responds.

  My body does as he orders. I have no say in the matter. His gaze settles on the pink flesh between my thighs and he removes his robe, revealing a body chiseled to perfection. Wide shoulders accentuate narrow hips and a slender waist rippling with muscles. The deep crevice of his pelvic bone causes my mouth to water. Variant smirks with a sinfully attractive dose of arrogance and cockiness only a king could muster.

  His cock is beyond rigid. And though I hate myself, I thirst for it. I’m suddenly envious of Anona—that she’ll receive him while I merely watch.

  What the fuck is wrong with me? I can’t answer the question because I don’t know.

  He holds my gaze, his large hands moving to spread Anona’s ass cheeks. He glances down at her for a brief second before his eyes return to mine and then travel lower still. He stares at my weeping flesh and opens his mouth to taste my arousal in the air.

  Variant’s power forces my hand toward my pussy. I fight against it even as my body yearns to submit to his magic.

  No, I won’t let him do this to me.

  Pain envelopes my head.

  “The more you struggle, the more it will hurt,” he warns before looking down at Anona again. His eyes instantly return to my body as I start touching my burning flesh, rubbing my clit as my legs widen of their own accord.

  Variant’s lust guides my hands as if they belong to him. I want to look away from him, but I can’t. His magic holds me immobile, head facing forward, eyes open. My hand imitates Variant’s hand as he strokes Anona between her thighs and she grinds against him. I feel disgust and hatred like ice in my veins.

  He places his cock at her opening and then looks over at me. I feel two of my fingers inching down to my opening and settling there. When he shoves himself into Anona, I feel my fingers force themselves into my pussy and the feeling is pure bliss.

  I watch him fuck her and strangely, I feel as if he’s fucking me. His eyes never leave my body and he watches my fingers with envy. The envy I don’t understand. He knows he can have me, so why doesn’t he?

  I watch him with Anona with a strange detachment. When he glances down at his cock while entering her, his eyes go blank until they lock onto my eyes and the hunger returns twice as strong.

  Anona tenses and then screams out, coming undone by the impressive skills of her lover.

  Variant leans over her, appearing as if he’s trying to deepen his thrusts. It’s then that I realize his fingers reach beneath the pillows. He pulls back with a quickness that surprises me, bringing his arm up with a speed that rattles my mind as I hover on the brink of my climax.

  But then Anona’s blood sprays over the silk sheets and onto the floor as he pulls a blade across her throat. Her mouth opens in a silent scream and he pulls himself out of her. His cock is still rock hard, and it appears he hasn’t enjoyed his own release. Anona clutches her throat as her life bleeds away.

  “This is what happens to those who disappoint me,” he snarls as he turns around to face me, still wielding the bloodied blade. And I now realize this whole episode was intended to illustrate his power. “You serve me to my satisfaction, or you die,” he finishes.

  I clamp my legs together and my heart pounds through my chest, making me feel out of breath and weak.

  He’s going to kill me next. I’m sure of it.

  Anona’s struggle lessens as the bed soaks in her scarlet blood, spreading like horrific wings across the linen. Variant leaves her and drops the blade. He walks over to me, the blood on his skin sickening. I shake my head as I want to scream at him to get away from me. But I can’t move and I can’t scream. His hands fasten on my waist and he tries to pull me closer to him, to force his still rigid cock between my legs.

  “She wasn’t what I wanted,” he growls.

  He attempts to kiss me, but something within me flares up in anger. Suddenly, there’s a blinding light. Power explodes through the room, gripping the false king and sending him sprawling onto the floor. When he sits up, he’s momentarily shocked. Almost as shocked as I am. Then he begins to laugh harshly. “Impressive,” he says as he pulls himself off the floor and the laugh dies on his lips. “For an angel with no wings.”

  Before I know what’s happening, I’m up and off my chair and running towards the door, but Variant is quick behind me. He grips me around the waist and whips me around until I’m facing him. Then he shoves me against the wall and holds me there. I’m terrified and I can barely breathe.

  “If you’re going to kill me, just do it,” I whisper.

  “Kill you?” he laughs and then shakes his head as his fingers find the wetness between my thighs. He forces his fingers between my folds and begins rubbing up and down as a moan escapes my lips and I hate myself for it.

  “Please, just do it.”

  He chuckles. “I want your loyalty,” he says.

  “Loyalty?” I repeat, shaking my head because I don’t understand him.

  “I want you to tell me I’m the one true king.”

  “No,” I say too quickly as his eyes narrow.

  “Say it,” he demands. “Save yourself.”

  “I won’t.”

  He reaches down and opens his hand and the blade skitters across the floor, jumping into his grasp. He holds it up to my face, running it down my chee
k before pointing the blade at my carotid. “Say the words,” he insists.

  “No,” I respond in barely a whisper as tears begin streaming down my face. I will die right here because I will never admit that Variant is the one, true king. I don’t know why I don’t choose my own life but I don’t.

  I close my eyes, hoping the pain will be quick, hoping my death will be quicker. But, I feel nothing. After another few seconds, I open my eyes and I find Variant studying me. Anger appears in his gaze, yes, but it seems to fight with something else.

  “Why… why do you care what I think or what I say?” I find myself asking.

  He shrugs as though he hasn’t quite figured out the answer for himself. “I desire you in a way I haven’t desired another woman in a very long time.”

  I’m very sure it’s the Succubus within me that’s calling to him, forcing him to feel the way I want him to. It’s the one ace I have up my sleeve. And I’m fairly sure he doesn’t realize I have it. As far as I can tell, Variant only sees the angel in me.

  He pulls away from me and takes a few steps back, staring at me. Then he snaps his fingers and the doors burst open, revealing four of his soldiers. I realize I’m completely naked and I try to cover myself as Variant laughs. His soldiers fix their eyes on me with undisguised lust.

  “Take her back to the cell,” Variant orders. “If any of you force yourselves on her, you’ll answer to me.” Then he faces me and smiles. “I am pleased to have made your acquaintance, angel.”

  The soldiers grip both of my arms and drag me out of the room. I feel filthy, soiled. I can feel the soldiers’ gazes on me as they accompany me to the dungeon, and I’m mortified. When they open the door to the prison, I feel Dragan’s eyes on me instantly. His gaze is first filled with shock—probably owing to the fact that I’m not dead. Then his eyes fill with concern as he takes in my naked state.

  The prison bars become invisible in front of Dragan and I’m thrust forward. Dragan catches me in his arms and pulls me into the warmth of his chest as the cell bars reinstate themselves. I hear the sounds of the soldiers’ footfalls as they exit the room. The door slams shut and silence engulfs the prison.

  Now no longer in fear for my life, I lose control and begin sobbing into Dragan’s chest. He holds me and allows me to soak the front of his shirt with my tears.