Page 74 of Unveiled

"You can do better than that," he says in a low, teasing growl. "I know you can. Can't you, baby?"

“S-Semyon… make me come," I plead, trying harder. "I want you so badly. Please."

"Better. You're getting there."

He pumps into me again, fingers deep inside. I climax, clenching hard around him. My clit throbs, and I'm coming so hard I can't breathe. I jerk my hips on his mouth, relishing the feel of teeth and stubble and tongue—harsh, soft, perfect. He licks and suckles me until I’m spent, absolutely wrung out with pleasure. I collapse onto the bed, exhausted, as he lies beside me, still hard.

"I want you in me again," I whisper.

"Not now," he says. Rejection settles heavily across my chest, but I nod. I need to be good. I can do this.

But it doesn’t feel right. I like him inside me. I like knowing he wants me, that he needs me. I ache to be filled byhim again.

I’ve always remembered his voice as cold, his eyes distant. But when he turns away from me now, his face is tortured. My vision blurs from exhaustion.

“Sleep, Anya. It’s time to go to sleep.”

My eyes are closed, but I’m still awake as I feel him moving around the room. Undressing me. Brushing my hair. A warm cloth between my legs. I fade into sleep.

The room isdark but familiar.

“Semyon, please.”

The words claw at my chest. My face pales as I suddenly see her. My mother. She's standing, gasping. I go to her, but I can’t reach her. No. No, this isn't how she died. Why is she here now? Why is this happening?

I reach for her, but the more I try to get to her, the farther away she moves. Semyon stands in the doorway, shaking his head.

"Help her!" I scream. "Help her!"

She clutches her chest and falls to the table, crying out to me.

"Anya… take care of everyone. Watch out for your brothers.”

She falls from the chair to the floor. I scream for Semyon again, but he doesn’t help. He turns and walks away without looking back.

I wake in a cold sweat,my heart racing. I scan the room in a panic. It takes me a minute to remember where I am.

Cold. Austere. Black and steel.

Semyon’s room.

My husband.

I'm alone.

I close my eyes as tears well up and spill over.

"I'm sorry, Mama. I tried."

I squeeze my eyes shut, willing sleep to come, but I’m wide awake now. I wonder where Semyon has gone. The memory of our earlier lovemaking is shadowed by all that’s passed.

My mind races, sliding pieces and memories together.

I’ve told myself for years that Semyon could’ve prevented Eli’s fall into ruin. My mother begged him to help. If Eli hadn’t fallen, my mother never would’ve died. She never would’ve…

I shake my head.I can’t think about that now. I can’t.

Semyon says it wasn’t his fault. I held onto my hatred for years, let it poison me. It festered and boiled until I had a true villain to blame for my misery.

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