Like the first time, Ally was propped on the chaise lounge. This time around, she wore tight dress the color of ripe cherries and fresh blood and held no open book in her hands. Her black hair was pulled into a high pony, and her cerulean eyes were piercing with the dark eye makeup.
“Adley, your friend is here.” She shouted, all without breaking her stare from my face. There was something heavy about Ally’s gaze. Maybe it was because of all the horror she’s seen, but I had the insane urge to shy away as her eyes flitted down the dress I wore. I braced myself for what she had to say next, “You don’t look like a Queen. Not yet anyway.”
“Oh good, you’re here!” Adley grinned, charging down the stairs with her dress unzipped and stilettos in her hand. Her golden hair was curled in large ringlets and looked bouncy and vibrant. She came to a halt in front of me, spinning around to reveal the open back of her blush-co
“Well don’t go looking around for him!” Adley hissed, nudging me so that I returned my eyes to her face. “You won’t find him that way. He was born in the shadows, Rachel. If you want to find him, you’re going to have to lure him out.”It was hard to focus on her words when the pale eyeshadow she wore changed colors as the flashing lights hit the tops of her high cheekbones. It made the various blues in her eyes dance and churn like an actual ocean. The thought brought a lopsided grin to my face.Her eyes narrowed at the Citrine in my hands, which I gingerly lifted to my lips as though it contained all of life’s hidden mysteries.“Where did you get that? I didn’t order us thirds.” She frowned, swatting my hand away as I tried to smooth the scowl from her face.The muscular figure of one of the bartenders flashed in my peripherals, dark hair with a crimson streak. His boyish grin seemed white
She spent the next few minutes going over everything, but I would have followed her plan regardless. As long as it got me away from the darkened eyes of Ash the bartender, who practically undressed me with his eyes from across the bar.I tried to think back to when the attention of other males became an undesirable experience. No matter how hard she tried to resist the bond, Rayna turned her nose up at every male in the bar.He was the one she wanted.“Are you ready?” Adley’s voice pulled me from my thoughts. She pursed her lips together and gave me an indecipherable look, “Were you even listening to me?”“Of course, I was listening to you.”“You know what—the details don’t matter.” She snorted, placing the forgotten Garnet in my hands. “Let me help you get the upper hand. Take a sip and go dance. Believe me, he’ll come to you.”“Why do I have to
My mouth was dry and my skin unbearably hot. I wasn’t sure if it were the erotic scene unfolding in front of me, or the Game Master’s raspy words, but I was surprisingly grateful that he restrained me. I wasn’t sure I’d be able to resist the pull…which made me wonder if he felt it as well.Instead of trying to pull away, I fell backwards, stumbling into the front of him.I could tell I had surprised him with the way his hand released my wrists, falling to my hips to steady me.I spun on my heel, the friction between my legs sending a jolt of pleasure up my spine. The unmistakable hardness I had felt against my backside, no matter how brief, was proof that he was affected too.I had turned the Game Master on.Now I understood the look in his eyes, the way his pupils grew, and the bold shade of navy darkened.“When I touch you, it’s going to be in my own body. I won’t allow another male’s
"What are you doing in my bed?" I gasped but began giggling when I felt rough fingertips tickle my bare thigh before freezing in place.He opened his mouth, and I could hear the near-silent inhale he took. As much as I wanted to hear his husky sleep-ridden voice, I had changed my mind at the last moment.I didn't need him opening his mouth and ruining this dream---because that’s exactly what this was. There was no other alternative filling my euphoria clouded mind.He'd throw me some cocky, nonsensical taunt that would get my blood boiling, and would surely chase away this blissful drunkenness.I clasped my hands over his mouth before he could answer. The moonlight that trickled through the open windows illuminated my surroundings, but only in the slightest. I could make out a few messy strands of hair, an amused smirk...twinkling eyes that seemed to shine even brighter in the dark.My enhanced vision would have worked bet
A symphony of deafening drums pounded away in my head, accompanied by the occasional clash of cymbals and screech of an out of tune violin. My headache had taken on a life of its own, undoubtedly transformed by the magic I had gorged myself on last night.Only two times in my life have I ever had alcohol, and neither held the addicting rush of magic. Years ago, Aidan and I had ventured into his dad’s basement fridge, snagging a case of beer in the hopes of getting drunk. Neither of considered the fact that we had already shifted a year prior, and that a dozen foul tasting drinks weren’t going to affect us. I knew from television and books that hangovers were awful, but a magically induced hangover--it was even worse.The only consolation to the throbbing in my head and ears, was the delicious scent that surrounded me. It was embedded in the blankets and sheets that were wrapped around my torso, and even in my hair. It was dark and rich, but also carried hea
“Who needs a bathtub this big?” I snorted into the humid air, listening to my voice bounce off the steam coated tile. Every breath felt thick, and the water near scalding as it held my aching limbs in it’s grasp.I could feel the heat and see the redness of my skin, but there was no searing pain. Only the mouthwatering scent of ripe apples and cinnamon, which spewed from one of the faucets in the form of thick bath soap. It reminded me of the green apple soap mom would buy on her way home from work, and the pies her and Stella would competitively bake. I was fairly sure it was the same soap in my suite.I couldn’t resist the allure of an apple scented bubble bath, not when my limbs protested from the slightest movement. The water reached the top of my breasts, leaving rosy marks wherever it lapped at my skin. The bathtub sloped upwards, leading to an area to recline. The waterproof cushions were warm to the touch, and far more inviting than any
I wanted Apollo’s kind words to change how I felt about Dain. Really, I did. It was clear he cared about him, and there had been times where I thought the two acted like brothers. Only after swallowing bile and fermented guilt, was I able to see that they had an odd sort of friendship. It wasn’t his fault his king was so unbelievably annoying. Dain believed the way to my heart was to pester the living hell out of me. He seemed determined to push my boundaries, elated regardless of how I fought back. When he passed through the solid stone wall just an hour after Apollo managed to hang that gaudy painting, I let out another shriek. It was like he turned to mist and smoke, pouring through the wall as he reformed instantly. Even the painting of Apollo, which had moved several times within the confines of its frame, jolted at my outburst. My own scream pierced my ears, renewing the headache that had nearly faded into obscurity. Never in my
Four hours later, when my headache had vanished and boredom long ago seeped deep into my bones, I flopped over on my bed and called out Leslie’s name.She materialized in the middle of the room, taking a few seconds to realize where I was. I watched her bouncy, curly hair move as she spun on her heel.“My wolf is on edge; she needs to go for a run.” I called out, gazing at her upside-down form as the tendrils of my curly hair cascaded to the floor from where I hung off the bed.Leslie vanished without another word, abandoning not only myself but Rayna, who was now letting out the world’s most pitiful howl. She had given me time to adjust to this place and my surroundings, but the idea of never again shifting—it had her hackles rising.There was nothing safe about this place, but they had to have somewhere they could shift freely—just to run until the instinct to chase and hunt faded. Then again, I had yet to see Dain sh