“I love you, Inez. I love you so fucking much, I don’t even know what to do with all I feel. I would rather slaughter them all now than risk they touch one hair on your head. I know I promised I would never cage you, never put you in a bubble like they would, but it takes everything I have not to lock you in your tower so you’re safe. You have to be safe, my love.”
I couldn’t even get enough air to answer, his thrusts and pace gaining speed and force. I couldn’t even moan, I was gasping so much as he worked out his demons on my body. My vision went fuzzy after yet another orgasm.
“Come,” I managed, mentally smirking when I felt his body respond to me. He bellowed out my name as he finished deep in my body. He leaned over and wrapped his arms around me, pulling me to stand with him still inside of me.
“Only you can make me feel as no other has, and I want no other ever, only you, Inez.”
“Good,” I panted, sagging against him. “I loved that. Don’t apologize.”
“I was too rough,” he whispered, his voice tortured.
“Yes, but I still loved it,” I promised. “Gentle next time.”
“Always. Always more gentle,” he swore to me. “I forgot to tell you of my gift.” He pulled out of me slowly, gingerly, as my well used body was tender. He turned me and lifted me in his arms, kissing my forehead. “I slaughtered a million corrupted in South America that would have eventually made their way up here for you. I’ve said the one thing I can give you is my protection, and I meant it. Always.”
I smiled, nuzzling his neck. “I want sweet in the pool. Now.”
“You need to rest, My Princess.”
“Now,” I growled in a bratty tone, glad he couldn’t see my smile when he chuckled. “I’m hot. I want to cool off in the pool and play with my husband. If you deny me, then I’m going to find a unicorn costume and make you wear it all week.”
That was it; he snapped, tossing me towards the pool, high in the air. I gave an undignified squeal as I went flying, landing with a huge splash in the water. He was right there to bring me to the surface.
“There, now you’ve cooled off, but it’s August, middle of the day, and you are very pale,” he said as he moved towards the ledge. “So, yes, I will dress up as a damn unicorn all next week, but I cannot stand to have you all sunburnt again. You don’t heal as fast as we do and I love your skin. And you need rest. A nap in the shade under your tree.”
“Nope, fun in the pool,” I argued, wrapping myself around him like a monkey so I was rubbing my body against his dick. “You don’t want me in the pool?”
He gave me a look not to be stupid. “Of course I do. We can tonight when you will not burn from the sun.” He kissed me when I tried to argue. “Don’t make me feel guilty for being rough with you.”
“You old fart,” I sighed, letting him win.
“Thank you, My Princess,” he drawled.
“Ancient old fart that’s really, really, really old and—” I burst out laughing as he started tickling me. I deserved it. “Fine, fine, that third one was overkill.” I decided to pull a mean trick of my own. “I’m hungry.” We were out of the pool before I could blink, sitting on a chaise in the shade with a towel wrapped around me and another around my cut hand. “I love you too. Thank you for my present.”
“I would kill them all so you never suffered another ghost, but I know you want that energy,” he said, giving me a funny look when I shivered.
I shook my head that it was nothing, not wanting to think about what had happened earlier with Safie. I needed more sleep and less stress was what had happened. Definitely.
I really fucking hoped so.
I swallowed a laugh when Olivia gave me a look like she wanted to strangle me as she was still answering questions. I shrugged. “Hey, you can come back anytime you want and have fun at the Team Inez castle or whatever our name is this week.” I frowned. “Just don’t bring Dennis. Ever. Like ever, in my presence again.”
She gave me a shocked look. “All these insults they’ve given you, and more, I’ve heard you brush off, and what he said was so horrible?”
“Honestly?” I asked, waiting for her to nod. “No, he’s just a snake. I felt slimy being near him. It’s not what he says so much as how he says it and treats everyone around them like they’re shit of shit if they don’t agree with him. He’s toxic.”
She seemed to really hear me, which I found shocking, but she shrugged. “Not all of us could find love and build our courts on that alone.”
“Oh, I think the pressure was on me just as it was on you, even if our situations were different. I was completely on my own, and I didn’t have a coven yet to rely on me, but I can’t stand and judge how you let it happen, but you did let it happen. That was your choice. No one said it has to be the end of your story though, Olivia.”
“You mean find love now?”
I shrugged again. “Why not? You’re the princess who will rule
