Page 7 of Balor

The ropes I created glowed with an eerie light, and I watched as they wrapped around her wrists, holding her arms above her head. I tightened them until I saw her wince in pain. I wasn’t done yet. More bindings circled her ankles, spreading her legs wide, exposing her cunt to my view.

She struggled, but the more she fought, the tighter my bindings became. I heard her breath catch as they slithered over her skin like a serpent. “What are you doing?”

I chuckled and let the bed dip as I stood over her. “I believe I was counting. And I distinctly remember saying three. Which means you’re out of chances.”

“Please.” Her eyes filled with tears. “I had no other choice.”

“Tell me why you used a spell to get me to fuck you. Tell me why you thought I’d let you leave here alive after stealing my free will.” I reached out and let my fingertips trail down her belly, stopping just above her pussy. “Tell me why I shouldn’t use you as you intended to use me.”

Her face paled. “I needed to fulfill the prophecy.”

“Prophecy?” I asked. “What sort of prophecy?”

She swallowed hard. “That you would father the greatest witch to ever live. But it had to be last night. By midnight. If I’d had more time, I could have done things differently. I didn’t hear about it in time to do things the right way.”

I rubbed my chest, feeling the dull ache. “And why did you need to fulfill this prophecy?”

Her eyes filled with tears. “Because my father was going to sell me to another coven. I’d heard rumors about the other man. That he’d already killed two wives. I couldn’t live that way. So I ran.”

“And thought I’d protect you?” I asked.

“You did.”

I gave a sharp laugh. “Did I? Or did you use a spell to make me think you’re mine to protect?”

She flinched. “It doesn’t matter. You said the words. Claimed me. I’m yours, whether you want me or not.”

I leaned in closer. “And what if I don’t want you?”

Her lower lip trembled, and tears spilled down her cheeks. “Then I guess I’ll die. My father… he’s the head of the Coven of Eternal Night.”

I frowned. I’d heard of them. They weren’t a group I wanted to get tangled up with. Or have in my town. If there was one, there would likely be more soon enough, assuming they weren’t already here. They practiced dark magick and were bent on gaining more power. From the rumors, they weren’t above using blood magick to get what they wanted. Of course, I’d never met one until now, so it wasn’t firsthand knowledge. More like supernatural gossip.

“Go on,” I said.

She looked away, unable to meet my gaze. “He has a deal with another coven. I’m to be married to the son of the other coven’s leader. My future would be nothing but pain and suffering, ending with my death, and there’s no one strong enough to stop it.”

“What does that have to do with me?” I asked.

“I’d stayed hidden in my room, hoping to delay the marriage a little longer. When I heard my father talking to the other man, I learned about the baby I would conceive. The man I’m promised to… their coven has a seer who told him I’d give birth to the greatest witch to ever live. What she didn’t say at the time was that the baby needed a certain father. You.”

“Then how do you know?” I asked.

She shrugged. “They weren’t the only ones she told, and I’m excellent at eavesdropping.”

I crossed my arms and stared at her, processing everything. By every right, I should punish her. Either lock her up or toss her out on her pretty little ass. But for some reason, I couldn’t bring myself to do that.

“My father and his coven are afraid of you. I’ve heard him mention you before, and from the things he said, you’re the only person who can make him back down.”

I frowned. “They should be afraid. I’d kill anyone who dared come to my town and cause trouble or try to claim it as their own. I have ways of dealing with people like that. But as long as they stay away from Darkwood…”

Her eyes widened a bit, and I saw fear mixed with the tears. “I didn’t know what to do. I drove, but I used a spell to get me here faster and cloaked my presence. I didn’t stop until I reached your home. I knew it was yours because of the magick protecting it.”

“You thought you’d knock on my door and what? I’d invite you inside and tell you to strip down? You must have known I’d never touch you without the spell you used.”

She winced. “I didn’t plan it. Not really. I just… reacted. I was running on fear and instinct.”

“I think you did plan this entire thing from the moment you heard my name.”

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