Page 39 of The Salvation

"You knew what you were getting into. Break me, you said."

MERIKH

I scenther before Bo knocks on my blood crystal door.

I command the crystals to open, permitting them entrance. Bo seems paler than usual, his pronounced veins throbbing and his throat bobbing. And my little dove...is shaking.

I screw my brows low as she studies me. Her flushed cheeks and glassy eyes confess that she’s been crying. The fuck?

“Close the door, Bo.”

The steward, with his unfettering loyalty, never asks questions.

I don’t rise. I simply mark her from the opposite end of the room. Before me, an array of documents and letters litter my desk. I’ve been away for a long time and have many duties to attend to. Frustration mounts within me because she doesn’t move toward me yet. She simply stands there, taking everything in. Mostly me.

Her eyes flick to the corners of the room, her expression softening at the sight of Jinx curled up on a pile of blankets, fast asleep with the dragon wyrm tangled in his fur. Little mongrelfollowed me in here and brought his friend with him. I half-considered turning one into a shawl and the other into a purse, but I’d never hear the end of it.

Quintessa makes no moves yet.

After the events of the previous night, I can’t blame her if she has no desire to come close to me. For the moment, I sign a few more treaties and tax accounts. The sleeves of my white collared tunic are rolled up to my forearms, my dark gray vest unbuttoned like my collar. I’m keenly aware of her gaze raking over my scars. And the sharp inhale of her breath.

Tossing my low, messy ponytail over my shoulder, I flare my nostrils before curving my finger in a firm “come here” gesture. “Do you intend to stand there eye-fucking me all day, little dove, or will you approach so I may give you a proper fucking?”

She balls her little hands into fists and glowers at me. “Nothing about you or with you is proper, Merikh.”

I’ll not deny it. And the gown she’s wearing is giving me all manner of improper urges. At some point, I’ll inform her of how much I approve. The Blood Crest was a singular one-time event. From now onward, she will dress and conduct herself like a true Queen—apart from when we are alone, where she will always be my little dove.

“Did Kyan and Shadow give you an enjoyable morning?” I divert her. No doubt she wishes to know more about Reaver’s surprise visit or why I’m sending Kyan away, or she wishes to address her brief time thus far in my Court.

I keep my gaze hard and cold, testing her resolve. My hunger taunts me because she’s burned those gray eyes to a glittery silver storm, reminding me of when she punched me after I opened the coffin. Gods, she never challenged my brothers to this degree. Then again, they never gave her a reason to. I can’t deny the heat engulfing my veins, nor the amusement warmingmy chest as she crosses the room with those hands still balled at her sides.

I don’t rise when she stops before me. She doesn’t kneel or slide into my lap. With my wings intensifying my height, she still does not surpass my head. It takes all my strength to keep the wingtips from twitching. Instead, I unfurl them, prepared for any action.

“Why didn’t you tell me about the Blood Crest?”

At her words, the sinew hardens, the blood tearing violently to pulse through my wings. My breath quickens at the confrontation, the accusation in her voice. But there’s another tone beneath the emotional outburst, something beyond her sharpened anger. And I am a master at dragging such emotions to their surface.

I narrow my eyes to retort, “Would you have done it if I had, little dove?”

She parts her lips, eyes widening at the question. The corners of my lips have no choice but to tug into a wicked smirk at her expense. “Dammit, Merikh!” She stomps her little foot, her cheeks turning red with her fuming. “That’s not the point.”

“Answer me, Quintessa.” I give her a low, silky growl.

After pressing her lips into a glower, she crosses her arms over her chest and mutters, “Yes. But you still should have told me.”

I roll my eyes and seize her hips, thrilling in her yelp when I crush her to me, tilt her jaw to the side, and skate my fangs along her neck. Her tremble is as delicious as the scent of her thrumming pulse. “You love to be kept in the dark, little dove. It’s where you thrive. You knew what you were getting into. Break me, you said. You begged me. You fucking gagged for it.” I flare my nostrils, my wings hardening with my thirst as I skim my nose along her throat. She hisses, and I can smell her desire, the blood pooling to her center. “Do not blame mefor the method by which I choose to shatter you, little one. Nor how dark the abyss is as I drag your willing heart down into it. Especially when we both know how much you get off on it.”

I drive the point home by stoking her blood more and sending it shooting to her nether regions, fattening that plump little nodule until the countless nerves are dancing with heated waves. She doubles over, and I savor her gasps as my cock and wings grow to iron levels of hardness.

“You’re such an ass,” she moans while gripping my shoulder for balance. "

“True, but that’s hardly a surprise now, is it?”

“Could you please just be serious for one moment and answer a few questions?” she breathes out, clenching her eyes as I nip her delicate jawline.

“Hmm...I’ll make you a deal, little dove.” I need an edge right now. My blood is growing too hot. And I won’t allow her to get the better of me in my own fucking office. Not when I need to pour everything I have into battle tonight. “You’re going to sit on my lap while I work. During that time, I will touch you however I damn well please, and you may ask as many questions as you desire...until you orgasm.”

“And your power?”

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