Page 89 of Ruled By Magic

Leo looked at me without expression, then turned to his brother. “Excuse me, Your Highness. I’m going to take a few minutes alone with my consort.”

He put his hand on my shoulder, and the world dropped away.

We appeared in our room, my knees pressed into the woven rug, Leo’s hand on my shoulder. He threw his arm out and the blue shield surrounded us. The privacy and silence blanketed me, soothing after the crowded mayhem of the Great Hall. Leo crouched and hugged me, held me close as my hitching breaths calmed. Pulling back, I looked into his face. It was tight with anger. “Are you okay?” he asked.

I took one more deep breath and willed my spiraling thoughts to focus. “He scares me.”

“I’m sorry I had to allow that. He was up to something. I think he wanted me to say no, to force a confrontation, and we’re vulnerable here. I’m strong, but I can’t fight the entire Ataran court.”

“I know.”

Leo’s forehead creased in thought. “I can’t work out if he’s trying to ruin the treaty for political reasons, or if he’s just vindictive by nature. The type that loves chaos. Either way, it’s bad. I’m going to insist we leave tomorrow. The treaty is as good as done, the king only needs to sign it.”

My heart lifted. Home to my new life. I couldn’t wait. To be treated like a person, not a disposable object. To smile at Leo and take his hand in public, stand by his side.

“So we’ve just got to get through tonight,” I said.

“Let’s hope he behaves now he’s had his fun. Show me the damage.”

He helped me to my feet and led me to the full-length pedestal mirror in the corner. Kneeling, he lifted my skirt and eased my underwear down my legs. I winced as the material pulled away, revealing tender skin.

I stared. Bright red lines crisscrossed my ass and thighs, Leo’s carefully spaced marks contrasting with the deeper, angrier welts left by Adante. With the lightest of touches, Leo traced his fingers over the raised skin. The trickle of pain—a whisper—teased my senses, and my desire re-ignited, a low simmer.

My breath caught and Leo looked up at me, curious. “Do you enjoy seeing my marks on you?”

He returned his attention to my body, and the fascination on his face stoked my heat.

“I do. It turns me on. Is that strange?”

His eyes met mine, this time with a smile. “Nothing about this is normal. I’m past worrying about that now.”

He stood and drew me in for a lingering kiss. I melted into him. His firm lips and the strength of his arms chased away the last remnants of my fear. He led me to the bed and my heart picked up again, in a good way. My mind replayed the feel of the cane across my skin, knowing Leo was wielding it, and an ache grew between my thighs.

With exaggerated slowness, he drew down the zip of my dress and pulled it off, leaving me bare. I spun to face him, and he looked me over, eyes dark. It didn’t matter how many times he saw me unclothed. His gaze always seared me.

He liked me naked. Often, he ordered me to disrobe as soon as he arrived home from work. He usually stayed clothed until bedtime and the disparity of it—the vulnerability of curling against him, bare and open to his touch—made me shiver with desire. But right now, I wanted to feel his warm skin beneath my fingers.

“Could you take off your shirt?”

Amusement danced across his features, but he nodded.

He unbuttoned and dropped it to the floor. I took in the lean, muscular perfection of his body before he drew me into his arms and kissed me more urgently, his hands sliding down my back to rest on my sore ass. This time, the renewed flare of pain traveled straight to my core, and I moaned against his lips.

He lowered me to the bed, breaking the kiss to look at me. “I wish we had hours and hours to play.” He slid my legs up, spreading them apart. “When we get home, I’m taking two days off and we’re not leaving the apartment. I won’t allow you a single item of clothing.” His stern voice told me he wasn’t kidding.

He bent his head between my thighs, tongue caressing the smooth skin inside me. Pleasure blossomed deep inside. He toyed with my nipples, squeezing and twisting. I gasped, my body a tangled mess of pleasure and pain.

Finding his rhythm, his tongue slid over my sensitive clit, driving me toward my peak. My thoughts spun away as my climax built.

Too soon, he pulled back, laughing at my disappointed moan. “Not yet.” He moved up the bed to where I lay. “I have to know you want it first.”

My body burned from his teasing. Need coursed through me. His clever fingers replaced his tongue, delving inside me, stretching me. I whimpered and spread my legs wider.

He drew in a breath at my reaction. “That’s better. Controlling your pleasure is my favorite thing.” He explored me, not pushing me toward climax, but keeping me right on the edge. Every slight movement shot lightning into my body. “Seeing you like this and knowing I’m the only one who can give this to you—that I don’t even let you give it to yourself—it’s the biggest rush. I own this. It’s all mine.”

His words made my limbs weak. I reached for him, felt the shape of his rock-hard cock through his trousers. I needed his weight on top of me, pressing me into the bed.

“Please?” I couldn’t keep the plaintive note from my voice.

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