Page 22 of Her Fallen Angel

"Look at me."

When she doesn't move, I grab her chin, forcing those deep brown eyes to meet mine. A shiver runs through her body, but she doesn't look away.

"You spend so much time on your knees for your gods." I lean down, close enough to feel her quick breaths against my skin. "But I'm right here, flesh and blood before you. I'm the one who owns you, the one who holds your life in my hands."

Her skin flushes, but still she says nothing. The silence grates against my nerves. I want to hear her voice, want to make her acknowledge me.

"What's wrong, little flame?" I trace my thumb across her lower lip. "Lost your prayers?"

She tries to turn away but I hold her firm. The pulse in her throat flutters like a trapped bird. Power surges through me, violet light dancing in my eyes, reflecting off the tears gathering in hers.

"I'll teach you new ones."

Aren’s breath hitches as I loom over her, circling like a predator. I can see the beads of sweat gathering at her hairline, the quiver in her lips as she fights to form the words.

"Pray," I command, my voice resonating like thunder. "Go on, pray to your gods and goddesses."

She bows her head, palms pressed into the altar steps. Her dark hair spills over her shoulders, a curtain of silk against the stark white of her simple dress. Her prayers are soft, whisperedpleas to deities I don’t believe in, but they pull something else out of me.

I step closer, my boot heels echoing against the stone. My hand finds the hem of her skirt, fingers curling into the fabric. She stiffens as I begin to lift it, exposing the pale skin of her legs.

"What are you doing?" Her voice is a trembling whisper, her prayers faltering.

"Taking part," I say, my voice low and dangerous. "Don’t you give offerings to your gods? Well, I'm here now. And I want my offering."

Her breath hitches again, and she tries to pull away, but my grip on her skirt tightens. The fabric bunches in my hand, revealing more of her. The sight of her vulnerable, exposed, sends a surge of power through me. I can feel the violet light in my eyes, the flicker of magic igniting.

"Kai, please?—"

"Pray," I interrupt, my voice like a whip. "Pray to your gods and ask them for guidance. Ask them to save you from the darkness."

She swallows hard, her throat working with the effort. But she obeys, her voice barely a whisper as she resumes her prayers. I can see the determination in her deep brown eyes, the strength that lies beneath her submission. It only fuels my darkness.

I lean down, my breath hot against her ear. "Keep praying, little flame. Let them see what you offer to me."

Her body shakes slightly, but she doesn’t stop. Her words are so soft I can barely hear them, but her voice is a soft caress that pushes me on. I can feel her submission, the way she holds herself together even as I push her to the edge.

I lean in closer, my hand moving higher under her skirt. Her breath catches, but she doesn’t stop her whisperings. She’s mine, completely and utterly.

And I am taking my offering, my fingers trailing along the sensitive skin of her inner thigh. Aren's breath hitches, her prayers faltering as I touch her, but she doesn't stop me.

"That’s it," I murmur, my voice a low rumble as I slide my hand higher. "Let them hear you. Let them know you’re mine."

She gasps, her prayers faltering for a moment before she finds her voice again. And as she prays, I take what I want, what she offers. The temple echoes with our dark dance, my dominance and her submission.

She’s mine, and no god or goddess can change that.

"Is this what you want, little flame?" I murmur, my voice a low rumble as I lean in, my hand moving higher. Her dress is bunched around her hips, exposing her to me completely.

She's trembling, but not from fear. I can smell her arousal, see the flush on her dark skin. Her underwear is soaked, and I tease her through them, biting back a groan.

She gasps, her hands clenching into fists at her sides. "Kai, you shouldn't?—"

"Shouldn't what?" I interrupt, my voice harsh.

I pull the underwear to the side and slide my fingers through her slit, feeling her wetness. Her body arches into mine, and I get so fucking hard it's hard to process anything else.

Needing more, I push a finger inside her, feeling her tightness, her heat. Holy shit, she is perfect. So warm and wet and begging me to take her.

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