Page 86 of Jailer to the Death God
“Arawn,” she gasps, eyes wide. “We can’t. I have to give you up.”
“Do you?” I grip her chin and kiss her mouth, savoring the plump swell of her lips. “Why?”
“I—um—”
I kiss her a few more times, cupping her breast through the fragile fabric.
“I—I had some reasons,” she pants. “Good reasons—very morally upright and—self-sacrificing—”
“Go on.” I toss the robe aside, scoop her up, and drape her on the pillows of her bed. “I’m listening.”
“You’re a monster.” She’s gasping, half-laughing, but there are tears in her voice too. “Think of everyone we’re risking by doing this. Think of your responsibilities to the souls in your realm.”
I’ve shucked off my clothing by now, and laid aside the silver circlet I was wearing.
“Those souls have had their lives,” I say savagely, dragging her nightdress up to her waist. “They ate, drank, and fucked. They had a thousand human experiences. I’ve had so little by comparison. I’ve been so focused on my role, on remaining true to my purpose.”
“Me too.” She sobs out a breath. “I’ve had good experiences, but I can barely remember them, Arawn. It’s as if the past four months have blurred and soured the memory of every good thing that came before, and I can’t bear it. All my beautiful years, Arawn—the plague has ruined them. I hate it for that. For so many reasons, I hate the gods—Beirgid, and Macha—”
“Don’t say their names.” I press my mouth to the soft skin of her belly. “But yes, I hate them too.”
“They’ve stolen so much from me. From us.”
I rise, my palms propped against the mattress on either side of her trembling body. Her eyes glimmer with tears, anguish and rage mingled.
“But they can’t take this,” I say fiercely. “They cannot steal this moment from the two of us. This is a good thing, and it has happenedbecauseof them, andin spiteof them. Let us defy them together, you and I. Defy the gods, defy the laws of ritual magic, defy destiny itself. By this act we declare ourselves allied, together against the universe. I swear to you now, my darling, my Queen, that I will not rest until I find a way to circumvent Macha’s plan.”
“Do you think there’s a way?” Her eyes widen with hope, and I almost laugh out of sheer love for her unquenchable spirit.
“If there is, I will discover it. Now will you let me taste you, little doe, or must I beg for the privilege?”
A slow smile curves her mouth—the smile of a queen and a rebel. I love her, this creature of roses and steel, this soul of moonlight and shadow.
She spreads her legs wider, accepting my love.
I bathe her sex with my tongue, savoring the thickness of the outer lips, sweeping aside the dainty, pliant inner folds. I stroke her slit, nibble her delicate bud, coax her toward the peak until she is panting, shining, surging, whimpering—begging for me.
And then I sheathe myself deep in the blissful welcome of her body.
I have been asleep and waiting for her since my consciousness emerged from the dark heart of the universe. And in this moment I do not care if I lose my throne, my home, and all the souls in Annwn, if only I can haveher, forever.
It’s as if she knows what I’m thinking. As if she can read my thoughts in my eyes. She grips my face in both her hands as my hips rock faster, as my body melts into hers.
“I love you, Arawn,” she grits out. Tight, forceful words. Blades on which I gladly impale my future.
I burst, a fountain unleashed, jetting my release inside her. Vale’s head falls back against the pillows, her lashes closing as she comes undone for me, as she quakes through the violent ecstasy.
My body sinks against hers. She holds me wrapped in her arms, her cheek pressed to mine.
Into her ear I breathe the words I have not spoken to any being, living or dead, since the dawn of time.
“I love you.”
After a moment I move to lie beside her, and we enjoy each other’s skin and heat awhile. It is a simple pleasure I could never have imagined before my incarnation.
“I’ve been thinking about that other power of yours,” Vale murmurs. “The life-light. Besides poisoning creatures of the Unlife, you said it helps plants grow.”
“Yes.”
