Page 22 of Shadowbound

“You make it sound like a virtue,” I say through gritted teeth.

“It is,” she says lightly. “Now back to the ritual. Kneel again, if you please.”

I do as she asks, going back to my knees on the velvet pillow. I can still feel the hard flagstones beneath it. My new position puts my face just a little higher than her lovely, bare breasts. Her dark nipples are tight and still shiny with the Binding Honey she painted them with.

“Are you ready to speak your oath, my Paladin?” she murmurs to me.

“Yes,” I hear myself say. “I am ready, Mistress.”

“Very good—let me hear it and then you may seal it by licking the honey from my skin.”

My voice is hoarse as I say the words. Part of me can’t believe I’m taking her Oath…but part of me can’t wait to be hers. I don’t know if that’s sick or weak…or if, as she claims, it shows a special kind of strength. I only know it’s part of me and I can’t stop myself from wanting her and what she’s offering.

“I yield my body, strength, and pride

I vow ever to be at your side

Your mark I wear, your name I bear

In bonds of love beyond compare,” I say to her.

“Very nice.” She nods approvingly and I feel a surge of pleasure in knowing that I pleased her.

“Now let me clean the honey from your skin,” I say hoarsely. How many nights have I dreamed of such things? Of pleasing a woman with my mouth and tongue? Often I had to rise and use my flail, striping my own back bloody to quell the illicit desires within before pain took the place of pleasure and I could go back to sleep.

“Oh, Alaric…” Her glowing eyes are soft and she strokes my cheek. “It breaks my heart that you felt the need to hurt yourself, just for having normal needs.”

“I didn’t want to let them get out of hand,” I admit in a low voice. “I didn’t want to hurt a woman—to burn her with my Holy Fire if I tried to act on my desires.”

“You can’t burn me, my Paladin.” She caresses my cheek. “Come, clean the Binding Honey from my skin.”

She doesn’t have to ask me again. I reach for her…only to have her step back.

“No. Hands behind your back,” she orders. “Your mouth only may touch me. Later you may earn the right to use your hands but not tonight.”

I put my hands behind my back and she nods.

“Very good. Now, again…”

She steps forward and I capture her left nipple in my mouth. It’s tight and sweet with the honey and I suck it hard, swirling my tongue around the ripe tip as she moans and cards her fingers through my hair.

“So eager, my Paladin!” I hear her say. “That’s right—suck me hard. Your mouth is so hot—it feels so good!”

Gods, I think I’ve died and gone to Heaven! Though the priests at the Citadel would no doubt say this is Hell—this sin of submission and pleasure with a wicked NightBorn Shadow Magic wielding sorceress. I don’t give a fuck. If this is Hell, then let me stay here with her and never fucking leave!

I switch to the other nipple when she taps my head and says, rather breathlessly,

“All right now—that one is clean, I believe.”

I suck and lick, taking as much of her full breast into my mouth as I can. I love to hear her moans and feel her fingers in my hair, urging me on. But finally, she pulls away.

“Enough now—it’s time for you to clean the honey from my clit,” she murmurs.

“Your…your pleasure pearl, you mean?” My voice is ragged and my breathing is harsh in my own ears. My heart is pounding—I’m so fucking close! I can feel the Celestial Fire building inside me, the same way it does when I give myself pain and will it to fill me for a battle.

“Yes, my Paladin.” Reaching down, she parts the lips of her pussy, showing me her pearl, still shiny with honey and with her juices. “Come now, can you clean me?” she purrs.

I’m going to come if I taste her—I won’t be able to fucking help it. I know it to my bones and I can’t fucking wait.

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