Page 18 of The Wild Hunt

I trail my fingers up her neck, feeling the flutter of her pulse beneath my touch. Her skin is so soft, so delicate. It would take nothing to break it, to watch her life's blood spill onto the sheets. But not tonight.

My hand cups her face, thumb brushing over her lips. They part further at my touch, a gentle sigh escaping. I lean in closer, my lips hovering just above hers as I feel her soft breath against my skin. Her body is so perfectly still, so trusting in its unconscious state, completely unaware of the predator in bed with her. The darkness within me stirs, growing more restless, more insistent. But I hold back, savoring the moment, the exquisite tension of knowing I could take her now, utterly and completely, yet I choose to wait. I want to watch her pretty fear filled blue eyes stare into mine as she screams beneath me, unable to resist.

Her lips tremble beneath my thumb, and I feel her breath quicken, ever so slightly, as if her body senses me even in the depths of sleep. There is an exquisite beauty in her vulnerability. It’s one of the things I enjoy so much about The Hunt whenever it gives me prey, the fear and panic, the helplessness. The inevitable surrender.

Leaning in, I press my lips to hers. She tastes of the tea she had before bed. There was honey in it and mixed with the taste of her, it’s a sweetness I want to devour. Her lips part further under mine, her body responding even as she remains lost in dreams. deepening the kiss, my tongue explores her mouth, tasting every inch of her. She whimpers softly, her head tilting back as if offering herself to me.

My hand slides down her neck, feeling the quickening of her pulse. I trail my fingers lower, over her collarbone, down to her breast. Cupping it gently, feeling its weight in my palm, thesoftness of her skin. Her nipple hardens under my touch, and I roll it between my fingers, eliciting a soft whimper from her lips.

I break the kiss, moving my lips to her neck. Inhaling deeply, breathing in her scent, feeling the thrum of her pulse against my lips. My teeth graze her skin, and her body arches slightly, pressing against mine as if seeking more contact.

My hand continues its exploration, trailing down her stomach, feeling the soft glorious curves of her body. I trace patterns on her skin, ancient symbols of power that make her shiver in her sleep. Her legs part unconsciously, an invitation I'm all too eager to accept.

I slide my hand between her thighs, feeling the heat radiating from her core. She's already wet, her body responding to my touch even in her sleep. Running a finger along her entrance, I gather her moisture, before circling her clit slowly.

Another soft moan escapes her lips, her hips rocking slightly against my hand. I increase the pressure, watching her face intently for every minute reaction. Her brow furrows slightly, her lips parting as her breathing quickens. I can feel the tension building in her body, the way she arches into my touch, seeking more.

But I don’t want to taste her from my fingers tonight. I want to drink directly from between her soft thighs.

I slide down her body, positioning my face between her legs. Her scent is even stronger this close, a heady mix of arousal and something uniquely her. I run my tongue along her inner thigh, tasting her skin, feeling her quiver beneath me.

My tongue darts out, tasting her, and her flavor explodes across my senses—sweet and tangy.

I groan softly against her flesh, unable to contain my reaction.

I begin to explore her with my tongue, tracing every fold and crevice. Her hips twitch under my ministrations, herbody responding unconsciously to me. I circle her clit slowly, teasingly, before sucking it gently between my lips.

She moans again, her hips rocking against my face. I hold her thighs, keeping her spread open for me as I devour her. My tongue works relentlessly, bringing her closer and closer to the edge. I can feel the tension building in her body, the way her legs tremble under my hands. Her breathing becomes more rapid, shallow pants escaping her parted lips.

I increase the pressure and speed of my tongue, driving her towards her peak. Her back arches off the bed, a low moan escaping her throat. I can feel her getting close, her body tightening, coiling like a spring ready to snap.

Just as she's about to tumble over the edge, I pull back, denying her release. Her body shudders, a whimper of frustration escaping her lips even in her deep slumber. I watch her face intently, savoring the mix of pleasure and confusion that flits across her features. I wonder what would show on her face if I did this while she was awake.

I wait until her breathing slows slightly before diving back in, my tongue working her sensitive flesh once more. This time, I push two fingers inside her, curling them to find that spot that makes her gasp. I add another finger, not bothering to be gentle, she won’t wake with my power keeping her nestled safely in her dreams. I lift my head to watch her face as I thrust my fingers inside her, the look of bliss on her features has the fingers of my other hand flexing on her soft thigh, my nails digging into her flesh. I know the moment my thumbnail pierces her delicate skin, the scent of her blood hitting the air and mixing with the scent of her arousal. My mouth waters.

It’s an intoxicating perfume that makes my head swim. I can't resist any longer. I lower my mouth to her thigh, my tongue darting out to lap at the small trickle of blood. The taste is exquisite—sweet and metallic, with an undercurrent ofsomething otherworldly. That hidden fae ancestry sings in her blood, calling to me, making meravenous.

I growl low in my throat, my fingers still working inside her as I suck at the small wound. Her hips buck against my hand, her body caught between pleasure and pain even in sleep. Her response to that small amount of pain is telling, I feel her inner walls clench around my fingers, her climax building once more.

This time, I don't deny her. I return my mouth to her core, my tongue circling her clit as my fingers curl inside her. Her back arches off the bed, a soft cry escaping her lips as she tumbles over the edge. I feel her inner walls pulsing around my fingers, her thighs trembling against my face as waves of pleasure wash over her.

My cock weeps at the beautiful song she is singing for me, my hard length pressed painfully to the inside of my pants. But I don't stop, continuing to work her through her orgasm and pushing her towards another. Her body writhes beneath me, caught in the throes of ecstasy. Soft whimpers escape as I force her into another climax, and then another, until tears stain her pillow and I’m using a constant thrum of magic to keep her under.

Finally allowing her body to relax, I slowly withdraw my fingers, bringing them to my mouth and savoring the taste of her. Tilting my head I lick the new trail of blood that marks her thigh, the rich taste making me crave more. Instead I move back up her body, drinking in the sight of her flushed skin and parted lips. Her chest rises and falls with each breath, still slightly rapid from her release. I trace my fingers along her collarbone, down between her breasts, feeling the burning heat beneath her skin.

I’m rock hard and aching, wanting nothing more than to bury myself inside her. But no, it’s not time for that yet. After the hunt, as a reward for myself I’ll return here. I will bury myself inher soft body. I will destroy her, make her scream until they hear her all the way in Faerie.

In the meantime I lean in, brushing my lips to hers, leaving the combined taste of both of us to linger on her lips before I pull away. Tucking the blanket around her again, I leave her like that, looking forward to watching the confusion and uncertainty cross her face come daylight.

Chapter 11

Lorcan

Ifeel the shiver of power along my spine and grind my teeth together, my attention leaving the sniveling fae kneeling at my feet. He should probably consider himself lucky to have my attention diverted away.

Without bothering to dismiss him I stand, stepping down from the raised dais and making my way from the throne room. Only giving a passing thought to wonder if he will stay there out of fear for the repercussions. Two of my guardsmen follow at a discrete distance behind me as I make my way along the hallway, with only one destination in mind.

I know exactly what that particular feeling was and it spells trouble for my Huntsman.

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