Page 92 of Of Sockets Of Stitches
The princess was the gentlest monster for a reason. “Sir, you are quite undone by the sight of me. ’Tis nothing to be so nervous of. I feel already sure that we are meant for one another, and I anticipate sharing great pleasure with you.”
She swayed closer, and that only appeared to undo King Bring further.
They fell into conversation, which was to say that Princess Bring was very kind about his stammering and nonsensical half-sentences while she filled thesilence.
“Mother, please give him wine,” I muttered, then grinned at See’s chuckle.
Hellebores were just what King Bring needed. Perhaps all monsters had needed them tonight, to be free of the burden of The Real End.
I felt the fuzziness at the edges of my mind as relaxation permeated through me, though I cast a concerned look at Duke Raise. But the duke was sitting in a chair drinking wine, too, his face a mask of determination. I had worried that he would be sunk in despair that his duchess was not here with us.
I sighed and fidgeted. “See, I cannot be endlessly seduced.”
Such heat filled me.
“I know” was his reply.
I pulled my hand from his circling finger and stood.
He said lazily, “Where will you try to run from me, my darkness?”
Amusement spread through my chest, but the agitation in my body did not allow for a smile. I crossed to the refreshments table across the room and faced monsters.
King Bring was loosening up and talking with his princess.My,at last. I giggled at the idea of their union failing after everything we had done so far to ensure its success.
I covered my mouth on another giggle. Agiggle, no less, and from a mighty queen.
Half of the monsters danced around the hovering violin, and the rest enjoyed merry and engrossed conversation or the delights of their own reflection. What a gift of hellebores to see these precious beings engrossed in the pursuit of pleasure. Absorbed without a care.
Large hands gripped my ankles.
My gaze swept to the empty thrones.
I could assume the hands were chalky white.
“See,” I warned. “What are you doing?”
He was under the refreshments table.
And then under my dress.
I gripped the table behind me, my stance widened by his head between my legs. I could not help glancing behind, but he had twitched my long train over his frame. Surely other monsters could tell, though. Surely my stance appeared unusual.
See hummed against my thigh.
That was all it took to freeze me in place. I scanned the room and no eyes fixed upon me or See. I wanted him so badly.
See kissed my entrance, and heat pooled in response to his promise. He gripped my calves and pulled me firmly against his face.
There were no laving sweeps to cover me completely like yesterday’s dusk. He flicked his tongue with monstrous, blurring speed over my core. A scream rose in my throat that I somehow managed to cage behind my lips. His growl rose against my flesh, and I choked out a wordless reprimand.
My grip tightened on the table behind me. My knees were buckling. His pressure was so fast. So light.
A moan fell from my lips.
Heat hit my cheeks, and anyone who looked would surely glimpse my midnight blush. Anyone lookingmustnote how tightly my body was held, or how much my hips jerked, or how my hips pressed forward so I could better arch against his face.
But they did not look. They did not see or sense anything but their own bliss and happiness.
