Page 2 of Her King

Niko touches my wrist. His thumb circles the spot where my binding rune will be inked. “You’re not alone in this,” he says.

I nod slowly. “I just want to feel like I belong before they try to make me prove it.”

He cups my cheek, and for a breath, everything stills. Even the magik. “You already do.”

His lips descend on mine in a bruising passionate kiss. His arm wraps around my back and draws tightly against my body, his erection rubbing against my abdomen. His other hand tangles in my hair, tilting my head back and giving him better access to ravage me.

“Forget about those fools,” he murmurs, his lips running along the column of my neck. “Let me help you forget.”

I know this isn’t the solution, but I nod, needing something to take my mind off our problems. I need to feel alive and connected and that is exactly what he is offering. Niko lifts me into the air, and I wrap my legs around his waist as he walks us onto the balcony.

“What are you doing?” I ask softly.

“I’ve wanted to fuck you in the moonlight since I first laid eyes on you.”

“There are people outside...”

“And if you don’t want them to look up and see you, you’ll stay quiet.”

He places my ass on the stone balcony wall, one hand remaining on my lower back. He lifts the skirt of my lavender dress, exposing my underwear to the cool night air. He pushes the fabric aside before running his finger along my slit, gathering wetness until he reaches my clit.

“You’re so wet, Consort,” he murmurs, staring at his hand as he touches me. “Have you been waiting for me?”

“Yes,” I whisper softly, enjoying the way his fingers work between my legs. “Always.”

“You need to be quiet, Cassandra,” he says, freeing his cock. “I’m a very jealous man and I don’t share. Not even the sounds of your pleasure are meant for another.”

I nod, keeping my mouth shut as he notches his cock to my entrance. He pushes into me slowly, inch by torturous inch, until he bottoms out. He stretches me perfectly, filling every inch of me. I bite my lip to hold back the moan forcing its way up my throat.

“You’re fucking perfect,” Niko says, slowly lowering the straps of my dress and baring my breasts. “I could stare at you every day for the rest of my life.”

“Niko, please...” I beg softly.

“Wrap your arms and legs around me,” he directs.

Once I do as he commands, he withdraws his cock until only the tip remains inside me before pushing back in. He fucks me at a leisurely pace, sending my arousal higher and higher.

He growls against my throat. “I’m not going to last.”

“Harder,” I demand in his ear.

He complies and soon both of us are falling over the edge and into pleasure. Niko’s hand covers my mouth as I moan loudly. Once both our breathing returns to normal, he pulls out of me and helps me down from the wall.

He smiles at me as he fixes my dress. “I’m a lucky bastard. I’ll get to defile you every day for the rest our lives.”

“And I’m just as lucky.”

Chapter Two

The Council’s Judgement

Niko

Power doesn’t feel like victory. It feels like chains.

As I stand before the Curia Regis, the eyes of centuries bore into me. Most of the council is older than my father was when he ascended. Franklin sits quietly, respectful. Josef is here too, sneering behind a polished goblet, waiting for me to trip over my own confidence.

Cassandra is not with me. Not yet. She won’t be allowed to formally participate in these council meetings until we are fully bound.

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