Page 76 of When Ashes Fall

Switching her wrists into one hand, I pressed them into the bed while I glided my hand down her belly to her clit. The delicious sounds she made swirled in my ears as her tongue entangled with mine.

I rubbed her clit before giving the sensitive nub a small pinch. Her heels dug into my ass, and her fingers curled into mine, her nails biting into my flesh.

She arched into my touch, demanding more of it. “Knox,” she moaned.

That’s who I was now, but it still felt weird to hear her cry out that name in such a throaty voice. I’d loathed hearing her say Seth while we were together in the library, but I’d never heard another name spill from her lips before.

My claws shredded more of the blankets and mattress as I stroked her clit once more before rolling it between my fingers. Her breasts lifted toward me, my name spilling from her lips in a delicious chant.

Her pussy clenched around me, and her continuous moan replaced my name. A tingle started at the base of my spine as her muscles gripped me, pulling me deeper.

I wanted to hold out so I could fuck her until neither of us moved, but it felt too good. With a shout, I drove forward once more, and my shaft pulsed within her.

I came so hard my vision blurred and colors danced before me. It had been years since anything felt this good while my orgasm continued to roll through me.

When it finally stopped, I nearly collapsed on top of her, but caught myself in time to wrap my arms around her and roll to the side. Briar nestled against me, and her lips nuzzled my skin as her breath warmed me.

CHAPTER FORTY-SEVEN

Knox

A feeling of contentment stole through me, and for a second, I let myself bask in it before reality returned. Contentment wasn’t something for me anymore.

My kingdom and my family were all suffering because of me. Because I chose her. I didn’t deserve any happiness.

I glanced down at where she lay against my chest, her eyes closed and her sweeping lashes curling against her cheeks. Her pale fingers contrasted beautifully against the darker hue of my skin; that was something I recalled from our time together years ago.

While her breath feathered my chest, I realized her skin wasn’t so pristine around her wrists. Purple and black bruises marred her flesh, and not just one or two, as each bruise was the perfect imprint of my fingers.

My stomach churned with sickness as I gazed at those awful marks on her. And not only did she have bruises, but she also had dozens of small red punctures where my claws bit into her flesh.

They were ugly reminders of my loss of control when it came to her. They hadn’t bled, but they’d left a stain on her beauty.

And the worst part was, I didn’t mind seeing them. If anyone else left these marks on her, I’d tear off their heads and let the beast devour them. But knowing that I’d left this mark on her, even though I hadn’t claimed her as my mate again, sated some sadistic part of me.

In a way, those bruises had darkened her a little more; she resembled my soul and black heart, far more when she wasn’t so pristine.

A possessive thrill ran through me as I studied my bruises. I’d never hit her, and I’d never do anything she didn’t allow, but she let me do this. She hadn’t stopped me; in fact, she’d reveled in my touch and kiss as her body and words demanded more.

Things hadn’t been like this between us before, but life had greatly changed us. Yet, she’d somehow retained her beautiful spirit while mine had withered like the plants in Wildwood before Briar arrived.

With my thumb, I traced one of the bruises as a sick feeling twisted in my stomach. I shouldn’t like that I’d marked her by being too rough with her.

That was something the casters would enjoy, but not me… or at least not the old me. Is this the new me? Is this how I get off now?

I was going to vomit. I’d wounded her when I claimed her as my mate, but that was natural. This was… this was something I was twisted into.

My gaze traveled to her mouth when she let out a small sigh. She was sound asleep.

Gently setting her wrist down, I traced her split, swollen lip. She shied away from my touch against her tender flesh, but she didn’t wake.

I hurt her.

This time, I didn’t feel any gratification at the realization; I experienced only disgust at myself. I’d been through a lot of shit in the harem and afterward, when I returned to discover Wildwood in ruins, but that was no excuse for this.

She hurt you too.

My tongue darted across my swollen, broken bottom lip, and my cock swelled when I recalled how she’d bitten me before tasting my blood. She’d eagerly met every punishing thrust and kissed me back with equal ferocity.