Page 50 of The Umbra King

He pushed his way through the back entrance and wound through the path leading to the middle of the maze. Black heels discarded on the ground caught his attention, and he grinned. “Hello, Miss Raven.”

“Your Grace,” came her reply, and his pants tightened at her sultry tone.

“I don’t like to be teased,” he said as he strolled toward her voice.

The plants nearby rustled. “How is that my problem, Your Grace?” Her voice held a challenge he was happy to accept.

“I suggest you run, Miss Raven.”

A loud gasp made him feral, and when he heard the slapping of her bare feet against the concrete, he began to count. “One.” Herfootsteps moved farther away. “Two.” His heart thundered in his chest. “Three.”

Rory wasthankful for the slits in her dress that allowed her to run. The sound of Caius’ footsteps pounding the pavement behind her sent a thrill through her.

Her lungs were burning as her legs pumped faster toward the opening to the pond.There were trees and plants to hide behind, and she pushed harder, refusing to glance over her shoulder.

The full moon and starry sky aided the lanterns, helping her see, and she almost cried out with relief when she crossed the archway out of the garden. Stopping at the shoreline, she turned around, searching for cover, but shadows enveloped her.

She screamed, and a shadow wrapped around her mouth to muffle her cries. The lights from the lanterns surrounding the pond disappeared with the shroud of shadows, taking away her sight completely.

When the darkness receded, Caius stepped from the shadows like a beast of the night, and his golden eyes flashed as they raked down her body. His approach was slow, and a cocky smirk transformed his face into one of arrogant beauty.

“What were you doing tonight, Aurora?” he drawled.

The shadows disappeared from around her, and she forced herself not to shake in his overwhelming presence.

“What do you mean?” she asked, biting her lip for effect.

He stepped closer. “You know exactly what I mean.” His hand reached for her neck but stopped. “What game are you playing? You have made your loathing for me clear, but your actions suggest otherwise.”

“Does it look like I hate you?” Her eyes dipped to her breasts, where her nipples were visibly hard against the fabric of her dress.

The king went utterly still, his eyes glued to her chest. “Do you want me to touch you, Miss Raven?”

She tried to take a step forward, but his shadows wrapped around her legs to stop her. “Do you want to touch me, Your Grace?”

He stepped back, and her hope dissolved, but then she felt a hand wrap itself gently around her ankle.

No. Not a hand, a shadow. She didn’t dare move as it trailed up her leg, and the king watched her with rapt attention.

“Is this what you want?” he asked in a gravelly voice.

As the shadow traveled higher, her breathing picked up, and as much as she hated to admit it, she was shaking with anticipation and want. She disgusted herself, but tonight, it served her well. Closing her eyes, she let herself succumb to the pleasure.

She could feel the cool shadow swirling sensually around her leg, but when it stopped at the apex of her thighs, she groaned. Her eyes opened, and her mouth parted slightly at the look on Caius’ face. It was raw and primal, and if she had been wearing panties, they would have been soaked.

His eyes were glued to her leg, exposed by the slit of her dress, and when his eyes met hers, the cool night air hit her pussy as her dress was ripped even higher.

“You’re bare,” he all but growled.

She refused to look away. “It seems I am.”

He stepped closer, but his hands stayed in his pockets. Her body was burning up, and if he didn’t touch her soon, she would have to touch herself. Just as she trailed her hand south, something strummed her clit, and she lurched forward.

Her mouth formed an O, and she reached for Caius, but he stepped back again as he watched her with satisfaction. The shadow was vibrating against her clit, and everything within her started to tingle.

Her nipples were diamonds, and her legs useless as her muscles spasmed from the intense pleasure. She had no other option but to sink to her knees, no longer able to stand. The shadows holding herlimbs dispersed long ago, and she leaned on her hands and knees, twitching from torturous pleasure.

“Caius,” she begged. Her body pulsed, and her vision blurred. “Caius, please.” Her moan cut through the night as an orgasm crashed through her. The muscles in her legs seized completely, and she was forced to roll onto her back, lifting her hips.

---