Page 76 of Deadmen's Queen

Bast moved closer, his presence a dark force pressing against my back. I felt a sudden rush of cold as his body barely brushed against mine, sending chills up my spine. His hand brushed my hair away from my neck, leaving it bare. He leaned in closer, and I could feel his breath whispering across my skin.

“Persephone,” he murmured, his voice low and laced with danger. “You’ll be punished for your disobedience. For daring to escape. Twenty lashes. Spread your legs.”

I swallowed hard, but did as he said. A ripple of excitement swept through the Reapers watching. Their eyes were on me, waiting, watching, hungry for what was about to happen. I could feel the heat of their gazes as much as the cool night air brushing against my bare skin.

The first strike of the flogger came without warning, sharp and quick across my exposed backside. A gasp sprang from my lips, half pain and half pleasure. I heard Bast take a breath behind me before another lash fell, harsher this time. And then again, the crack of leather against skin, the surge of pain quickly followed by the bloom of strange pleasure. Bast's whip was unyielding, showing no mercy.

“Such a good girl,” he whispered after the fifth strike. “Taking your punishment so well.”

The crowd roared with approval around us as each lash fell upon my bare back. The sound was deafening but it was drowned out by the rushing in my ears. I could feel myself getting wetter with each lash, a sensation that confused and excited me all at once.

Bast moved closer, pulling my hair to one side as he leaned in to murmur into my ear.

“Your skin looks so pretty with these marks. I bet Nate is hard as hell watching you.” I moaned as he ran the handle of the whip down my spine, making me shiver. “I can see your wetness glistening on your thighs, Paige. Does this turn you on? Being displayed for all to see?”

I nodded, and he stepped away again, bringing the whip down over my back. I cried out in pain, my fingers digging into the bark of the tree. The pain was intense, but the anticipation was worse. Each lash brought stinging agony, swiftly replaced by a blossoming pleasure, a sweet release that made my knees weak and my core ache with want. My body was reacting in ways I could barely comprehend - my arousal evident to all who watched.

Each crack of the whip was met with cheers of approval from the crowd, their excitement feeding into my own. I could barely hear anything over the rush of blood in my ears, but then all my senses heightened. The pungent scent of burning candles mixed with the earthy smell of the forest filled my nostrils. I became acutely aware of every rustle in the leaves, every whisper in the wind. Despite the pain, or maybe because of it, I felt alive.

His whip fell again and again - sharp, merciless strikes that sent shocks of lightning through my body.

I had lost count, my thoughts swirling in a mix of intense pain and pleasure. The final lash hit harder than all the others and I screamed as white-hot pain seared through me. By the time he landed the last lash on my skin, I was gasping for breath and shaking with pent up desire. My head spun as I leaned against the tree for support. My body felt like jelly but I had never felt more alive. I could sense Bast's presence behind me as he ran the handle down the stinging skin of my back.

“Look at you,” he whispered against my ear. “So beautiful with those stripes upon your back.” The handle continued down between my ass cheeks and I gasped as Bast pushed the handle inside me.

My body arched into the tree at the sudden breach, my head falling back onto Bast’s shoulder. His other hand came around to splay across my stomach, holding me in place as he moved the handle of the whip in and out of me. Each movement sent fresh waves of pleasure through me, merging with the pain that was still echoing through my body. He kept his movements slow and deliberate, stretching me open further with each thrust.

“Fuck that’s hot,” muttered one of the Reapers, a voice I didn’t recognise.

“She’s so fucking wet,” said another.

I blushed at their words, but I didn't move, my palms still flat against the tree as Bast continued to violate me before the eager crowd. I was a plaything, an object of desire, my pain and their pleasure. And I couldn’t help the thrill that ran through me at their twisted admiration. The rawness of the moment, the thrill of being exposed, was addictive. Every nerve in my body was on fire, hyper aware of every single sensation. Bast's hot breath against my ear, his strong grip on my body... all of it served to heighten my arousal. The cheers and catcalls from the Reapers watching only added to the thrill.

His hand slid down from my stomach and dipped between my thighs, his fingers finding my clit. I moaned as he played with me, his touch skilful and sure. He knew exactly where and how to tease me, to make me squirm with need. His fingers found my sensitive nub, rubbing it in small circles that matched the rhythm of his thrusts.

My pussy clenched around the handle of the whip as an orgasm began to build within me, and I whimpered.

“Cry out for them, Persephone,” Bast growled, his voice grating against my earlobe. “Show them how much you love this.”

My breath hitched as my climax neared, the coil in my belly tightening. I jerked in his hold and moaned loudly as his pace quickened, fucking me harder with the whip.

“Hell, yes, fuck that pussy!” called a voice behind me.

“Harder, fuck her harder,” called another.

I moaned, feeling my pussy grow wetter as their shouts became more suggestive.

Their vulgar commands only fuelled my own arousal. I bit my lip to hold back a cry of pleasure as Bast’s fingers worked my clit, his movements expertly teasing out the mounting orgasm within me. The whip moved faster inside me, matching the rhythm of his fingertips. Heat pooled at my core, and I knew I was dancing on the edge.

“Beg for it,” Bast whispered in my ear and a shiver ran down my spine.

I moaned louder, not caring who heard or what they thought. “Please, Bast…”

“Louder!” He demanded, his voice steady despite the frenzy he was creating within me. “Show them how much you like being fucked by me.”

“Please!” I cried out, louder this time. My whole body was shaking with need now. The coil within me tightened even more, wound to a near unbearable tension. I was teetering on the edge, so close that I could almost taste the sweet release just beyond my reach.

“Scream for them, Persephone,” Bast commanded.

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