Page 65 of Joined By Magic

“So, do you still think I’ve got him fooled?”

I considered the question. The king was hard to read. “I think so. He’s limited by his own greed. He can’t imagine anyone could turn down extending their life, no matter the cost. You’re behaving just like he expects.”

Leo nodded and took another bite of his food. I lowered my voice, unable to help it despite the thick layers of shielding Leo placed on the room whenever we were alone. “Is everything ready?”

Our plan to expose and dethrone the king was a gamble. We were banking on two things. One, that the king didn’t already suspect Leo, and two, that once the nobles learned of the king’s plan, they’d accept his forced abdication. He wasn’t a beloved ruler. Would anyone want to see him in power for decades longer? I didn’t think so. The Atarans had old-fashioned beliefs and a genuine respect for social hierarchy, but everyone had their limits.

Leo had footage, secretly recorded, of the king describing his plan. After the small, private wedding ceremony came the huge reception, grandiose and open to nobility and selected members of the press. When the eyes of the world rested on him, Leo intended to expose the king and use his own strength, supported by Garron’s team, to take him down.

“It’s ready. I wish we didn’t have to use our wedding day for this. We can plan another reception later.”

I smiled. “It’s important. And it’ll be nice to have a reception without the king.”

Leo set his plate aside and examined me, a predatory gleam in his eyes. “I know what will take your mind off food.”

“What, during the cleansing period? Disgraceful.”

Leo looked more amused than the remark warranted. “Disgraceful is the right word. We’re both going straight to hell for what I’m about to do to you.”

My stomach tightened. He could only mean one thing. “Tonight?”

“Oh yes.”

My nerves set alight in fear and prickly anticipation. “But what if it hurts too much?”

“We’ll take things slow. And anyway . . .” He sat on the sofa next to me, twined a piece of my hair around his fingers, and gave it a sharp tug. I yelped. “Don’t pretend you don’t enjoy it when I hurt you. I’m going to make sure your ass is nice and red before we even start.”

I shivered.

“Wait for me in the bedroom. You know the position.”

“Yes, Lord Commander.” Using his title felt right at moments like this. It transported me back to our first weeks together, when he commanded my whole world.

With a quick glance at him, I made my way to our bedroom. Colorful curtains draped the huge four-poster bed, and the servants had chosen a ruby-red bedspread today, shot through with silver thread. They changed the color scheme every day, and I never quite felt the space belonged to us. I missed our cozy room in the Dexian palace.

I undressed, dropped my clothes in a heap, and climbed onto the bed to array myself into Leo’s favorite position. With my face pressed into the coverlet, the ridges where the thread twined through the softer fabric dug into my cheek. I arched my back, lifted my ass in the air, and spread my knees wide. Then a little wider.

He made me wait. Minutes passed as I held the pose, the bone-deep understanding of my subservience sinking in with every slow second. I held this uncomfortable position for him. Exposed myself, ready for him. My anticipation grew as I waited for his steps on the tiled floor.

“Beautiful.” His voice came out of nowhere, smooth as honey. I jumped, and he laughed softly. “Nervous?”

“Yes.”

He stroked a gentle hand down my back, as if soothing an anxious creature. “I’ll always look after my very favorite toy.”

The word still sparked butterflies in my stomach. His hand left my back and returned moments later to my ass, his fingers coated in smooth liquid. He pressed first one, then two, into my tighter entrance. I tried to relax through the stretch and allow the intrusion. He withdrew, and cold metal replaced warm skin. “This is a bit larger than I’ve used before.”

He worked the hard plug into me. The deep, aching pain as my body stretched brought a whimper from me, a quiet sound against the sheets. Leo drew in a breath at the noise. His hand found my clit, stroking it in slow, delicious circles, and my body, trained to crave his touch and the pleasure only he could give me, responded. The plug slid home, the pressure a solid weight inside me. His fingers continued to tease, inching me toward the edge of climax. He leaned down to whisper, “I’m not going to let you come until I’m deep inside your ass. All the way in.”

Fear blended with excitement, and I swallowed.

He stood. I couldn’t help the frustrated moan that slipped out. For a long moment, I listened to the sound of my breathing as my skin tingled with anticipation.

“You’re so beautiful like this. Spread out and ready for me. You just need a few marks to complete the picture.” I sensed motion. “I’ve got something new to try. Look.”

He held an item in front of my face. My mouth dried and my heart sped up at the solidity of it. A thick leather strap, divided into two. It looked evil. Custom designed to hurt. He pressed it close to me, and I inhaled the smooth, warm scent of the leather.

“How many?” I could hear the nervousness in my voice.

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