Page 14 of Fallen Angels

“Rip her clothing away,” Variant orders.

Anona steps forward and pulls a dagger from her waist. She places the edge at the hem of my shirt and pulls it downward, ripping the fabric in two as my breasts bounce as if offended. When she reaches the hem of my jeans, she pulls the knife straight through them, scoring the inside of my thigh as I yelp out in pain.

“Did I tell you to cut her?” Variant demands, angry, as he pushes Anona back from me.

Anona immediately stands upright. “My apologies, my king.”

He takes the steps separating himself from me and reaches down, into my pants as I stand there panting with fear. He runs his index finger across the spot where Anona nicked me and pulls his finger back, glancing down at the smudge of crimson. Then he brings his finger to his mouth and sucks the blood away as I watch, horrified.

“Sweet,” he says as his eyes bore into mine. Then he turns back to Anona. “Strip her,” he says, still sounding annoyed.

Anona nods and yanks the remainder of my clothing off my body until I’m standing there, completely naked. I attempt to place my hands over my sex and breasts but Variant glares at me.

“Do not cover yourself,” he insists.

I drop my hands against my will and stand there, tears welling in my eyes as they both stare at me unabashedly.

“Perfection,” he whispers as he drinks in my naked body. He approaches me and rubs my nipples until they’re tight little beads. I have to keep myself from moaning. He chuckles.

“I can smell her heat in the air,” he says. Then he opens his mouth and breathes in deeply. “And I can scent her desire, her need.” He leans down until his face is inches away from mine. “Are you scared of me, little angel?”

“Yes,” I answer, finding no reason to lie.

He smiles broadly. Then he reaches forward and rests his hands on either side of my hips. “And yet, your body desires me, doesn’t it?”

I don’t answer him. He tsks me and shakes his head. “Proud, little thing you are.” Then he shifts one hand from my hip and moves it to the center of my abdomen, just above my pussy. “It doesn’t matter if you don’t want to admit it,” he continues. He brings his hand down and teases my clit with his finger. “All I have to do is touch you and I’ll get my answer.”

I try to keep the tears at bay, but one escapes and slides down my cheek. He watches it and then pushes his finger between the folds of my gushing flesh. I do everything in my power not to moan when I feel his finger stroking me back and forth. When he pulls it away, it’s soaking wet. He brings it to his face and smiles before sucking my juices off.

“Sweet,” he says again, his eyes narrowing on mine. Then he turns to face Anona. “I want to fuck her,” he says. “Terribly badly.”

Anona doesn’t know what to say and remains quiet. I’m panting so hard I can’t breathe through my nose.

“But, I won’t,” he continues. He turns back to face me, and his expression is angry. “Not yet.” His gaze rakes over me from head to toe and his jaw tightens. I don’t understand why he’s holding back, but he is. He continues to stare at me, and his lips turn up into an angry expression. “I almost hate her beauty,” he says, studying me with detached anger. “Beauty is power, is it not?”

“Yes, my liege,” Anona says although I’m not sure she even understands him.

“There is no other creature in this kingdom who has power over me,” Variant continues, glaring at me.

“Do you want me to destroy her face, my king?” Anona asks as she glares at me.

“No, I’m not given to destroying priceless art,” he says, never taking his eyes off me. “Sit!” he orders, and I return to the chair beside the vanity, this time of my own choosing. Once seated, I face him, folding my hands in my lap and I notice with interest that I can’t change my position. It’s as though my body has turned to stone.

Variant walks over to me and runs a finger down the side of my face. Then he grips my jaw hard and wrenches my face to one side and then the other.

“Such symmetry,” he says.

“Please,” I whisper.

He smiles. “Please what?”

“You’re hurting me,” I say as a sharp pain ricochets through my neck.

He instantly releases my head and turns around, approaching Anona. He grips her by her hair and pulls her to the bed. She has no choice but to allow him. He throws her down before him, her ass in the air. And then he rips her clothing off with an urgency that surprises me.

Anona gasps and I have the distinct feeling he’s never had sex with her before. She’s not his type—she’s not attractive enough. ButIam his type—I can read the truth in his insistent gaze. Every time he’s forced to look at her when ripping away her clothing or positioning her where he likes, he immediately looks back at me.

“Angel,” he says.

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