As I shivered through the bliss, Viper rose up and drove himself into me; a swift, sure thrust. I cried out again and lifted my legs, pulling them back by the knees to open myself wider to him. His eyes brightened, a low growl rising up his throat as he stared down at my exposed sex.
“So beautiful,” he murmured.
“Come closer, baby,” I said softly. “Come deeper.”
Viper leaned down, pushing my thighs back with his body so I could release them. His cock was a pulsing, solid thing, driving into me with desperate need, plunging deep enough to brand me. To make me believe that I'd feel him there forever. I wrapped my arms around Viper's waist and pulled, wanting even more.
“Bite me,” I whispered in his ear.
Viper went still and stared down at me, emotions warring in his eyes. “No,” he finally said. “Never again.”
“The more you bite me, the less your poison will hurt. I'll develop an immunity so that I won't have to heal it with magic.”
“I don't want you to go through the pain of that process,” he said firmly and resumed a steady rhythm. “No, Vervain.”
“Yes.”
“I said; no!” He snarled at me, revealing the fangs I was after.
I lifted my hips and ground against him. “Yes, Viper. I want to feel your teeth in my neck. If you were a dragon, I would give you my fire, and you would breathe it back into me.”
“But I'm not.” Viper brushed his lips over mine and then set his hard stare on mine. “I will never be a dragon, Vervain.”
“No, you won't, and I wouldn't want you to be. You're my viper, and I want your bite. Instead of fire, give me your poison. Give me all of you.”
Viper didn't answer. Instead, he sped up; his hips slamming against me even though we were pressed tightly together. Pillows tumbled away until it was only us on that round bed. Only me lying beneath him, open and accepting. Only him driving into me, invading and demanding. Viper had been changing more and more ever since he'd taken my darkness, and I was enjoying his transformation thoroughly. I reveled in the savagery he displayed on the battlefield and the vicious tactics he proposed in the war room. I rejoiced in the merciless way he conquered countries for me as well as the merciless way he conquered my body. The cruel glint in his eyes, the arrogant set of his shoulders, and the demanding drive of his cock. I loved it all. My legs shook with his thrusts and the pleasure built inside me until I had to let it out on a scream. And as I screamed, Viper shouted and gave one last shove. He emptied himself into me and struck, his deadly fangs slipping into my throat.
The poison spread like the burn of good alcohol, and I shivered as another orgasm crested. My hands went to Viper's head to hold him there, pressed against my neck. To hold those teeth inside me as they pulsed their venom into my blood. His essence within mine. Viper moaned and jerked, coming again with me, filling me even more, until I finally let him go. My arms flopped back to the bed as I panted with pleasure.
Viper retracted his fangs and licked the tiny wounds in my throat before settling in to suck at them gently. He hardened inside me again, one hand going to work my breast as the other pulled me closer. I laughed, low and sexy, as his cock started its savage slide once more.
“Your poison, my pleasure,” I whispered in his ear.
You're welcome, Star said smugly in my mind. I've made you immune to his venom. Your lover shouldn't be toxic to you.
Thank you.
My pleasure, she mimicked me.
Chapter Forty
“Dark Star.” Enki bowed as I walked by him in the castle corridor.
“Enki.” I nodded.
“A quick word?”
I paused and lifted a curious brow.
“I heard that you had some trouble with your ex-husbands,” he started hesitantly. “They infected you with their blood?”
“I'm fine now. Thank you for your concern.” I started to move past him.
“I only mention it because I could help in such a situation.”
I stopped again and looked over at him. “What do you mean by that?”
“I am the God of the Deep, the Ruler of Abzu; the ocean beneath the world.”
“There is no ocean beneath the world,” I said with a wry smile.
“No, not really, and yet I can summon its waters.” Enki held out his hand, palm up, and a swirling spout of blue-tinged water appeared above it. He pulled a crystal vial from his pocket and held it out with his other hand. The water arched into the vial, Enki capped it, and then the vial transformed into a star-shaped pendant hanging from a glittering silver chain. “This water will cleanse and refresh you. It will remove any taint.”
“Any taint?” I whispered as I took the offered pendant.
“Anything,” he said soberly. “Please wear it. That way, even if I'm not nearby, I can protect you, Dark Star. When in need, simply pull the pendant downward, off the chain, and it will open the vial for you. Drink every drop; I can always summon more.”
“Enki, this is very generous.”
“You spared my son,” Enki lifted his chin, “and I hope that when this is over, you will allow me to have guardianship of Marduk and release him into my custody.”
I smiled in relief. The gift had made me suspicious but now I saw the reason
