Page 41 of A Court of Hearts and Hunger
His eyes follow the movement.
“Do you have a potion to help with sleeplessness?” I ask.
“I don’t want to contaminate you with magic. But I have an herbal tea that should help. And—” his mouth twists and he clears his throat. “You’re aroused, so sexual gratification might offer you some relief.”
“I don’t understand. You need me as a virgin, for your magic—”
“Yes, but you can still have pleasure. It might relax you.”
I frown. “Explain.”
He sighs, perching on the edge of the bed. “For humans, sexual desire is rooted in the need to reproduce. For the Fae, that need is related to magical energies as well, as I’ve told you. When a human or Fae achieves climax through stimulation, the brain releases a flood of certain essences—I have no name for them, but they cause a feeling of extreme pleasure. In humans, the surge of pleasurable essence promotes calmness, sound sleep, and good health. In faeries, it does all those things, as well as stimulating the energy centers from which we draw our innate magic.”
I push myself up on my elbows. “You know so many interesting things.”
“I have studied for many years.”
“I wish I could learn from you.”
His lips part, a startled expression crossing his features.
“Will you show me how to achieve this release?” I ask softly.
He glances away, his brown skin reddening along his cheekbones. His tongue slips out, tracing his lips. “I could provide it for you. It would require my mouth and tongue on your body. Between your legs.”
“Oh,” I breathe. “That isn’t something you would like.”
His tongue skates out again. His voice is hoarse. “It is, in fact, something I would like.”
“Because you need me to fall asleep so you can steal my dreams.”
“Yes, of course. Only for that reason.” His eyes have narrowed, their scarlet hue practically molten in its intensity.
I am going to die. Tomorrow he’s going to mutilate me—it’s a frightening thought, but it doesn’t seem real. I don’t believe he’ll actually do it.
And if he does, why shouldn’t I experience this pleasure first? He’s right—I want him, in a way I’ve never wanted a human male.
“Will you do it, please?” I ask. “Will you—” I hesitate, not sure what to call it.
“Will I make you come?”
“Yes.”
A long, shaky inhale from him. “Bare yourself to me. Now.”
The command quivers in my belly as I push down the covers and slide off my clothing.
This time, his expression isn’t a cool, calculating perusal of my body. The calm, collected faerie has changed, shifting into a predator I barely recognize—bared teeth, burning eyes, nostrils flared wide. His gaze scorches my skin as he pushes my legs apart, splaying my sensitive parts wide open.
Every bit of my body is utterly vulnerable, trembling with anticipation as he crawls forward, moves in, and lowers his mouth to that space, inhaling deep. He releases a satisfied puff of warm breath over my exposed sex.
“This scent,” he murmurs. “I’ve never smelled such a delicious human.”
I prop myself higher so I can watch as his tongue emerges. I should observe this carefully, learn all I can about—
His tongue swipes between the lips of my sex.
Pleasure swells from that slow lick, and I gasp, my head rocking back. “That was wonderful. And that will help me sleep?”
