Page 123 of Queen’s Gambit

‘But…’

A light slap landed on my buttocks. I barely felt it, yet I gasped.

‘No buts. I love you. All of you— your magic, your wings, your ruthless streak. Dagome worships its Songstress, its Magura. Worships, not fears. What can I do to help you understand how precious you are?’

I didn’t want worship. It was frightening and dangerous. I missed being Sana, the poisoner turned healer whose life was much simpler.

‘Love me. As hard as you can.’ The plea came from the depths of my heart. ‘Make love to me and… make me forget about power and responsibility. Even for a moment.’

Reynard reared back and clasped his hands, concerned and hesitant. ‘What?’

‘Please, I need to feel powerless.’ I lowered my head. ‘I’m drowning, Rey…Everything… It’s too much.’

‘Oh, Sanika. I didn’t know.’ He looked lost and, for a moment, his attention turned inward as he talked to Cinared. Then a small smile teased his lips. ‘Do you remember your safe word, Viper?’

I nodded. Rey rose from the bed and stripped, never looking away. I swallowed hard, pushing up on my elbows. He pointed to the floor in front of him.

‘Come here.’ His voice was warm, but the command was firm. He expected me to obey.

I grasped the column of the four-poster bed, but as I let go, Rey caught my wrist.

‘No, don’t let go. I’m going to tie you, Viper,’ he said, watching my reaction.

I drew a shaky breath, but nodded.

He used his belt to secure my hands. My body trembled when the tip of the dagger grazed my skin as Rey drew the blade through the fabric of my dress with practised ease.

Whether it was the cold air or the uncertainty, everything inside me quivered, highly strung and waiting.

Rey slipped an arm around my waist and pressed me to his body.

‘You have nothing to fear. Cin is holding the Wild Magic back,’ he whispered, teeth grazing my neck. ‘But before I do anything else, I need something from you, my light.’

‘What?’

‘Let Cinared in. Let him see your thoughts. He’ll stop me if we go too far. I don’t want to hurt you if we lose control.’ Rey smiled when I blushed, but somehow having Cinared as an observer wasn’t as strange as I feared.

A gentle pressure, warm with love and concern, built at the back of my mind. You can join us, Cin. Thank you for helping me.

Any time, my heart. His soft purr relaxed my muscles.

‘Good,’ Rey said. ‘I will do bad things to you, my little Vila. I’m going to fuck you like a man possessed, and you’ll be begging me to never stop.’

‘Yes,’ I muttered, gulping when he tied a blindfold over my eyes.

‘Show me your wings.’

The membranes shimmered as they fluttered to life, then settled against my back. Rey’s hand trailed a hand over them, each gentle stroke eliciting a delightful shiver down my back.

‘Hmm, perfection,’ he murmured as he slid his hands lower, diving between my buttocks.

‘Oh!’ I gasped when he pressed against my back entrance. ‘Rey, I don’t know…’

The sensation was unfamiliar but undeniably delightful, and I wasn’t sure whether I wanted him to withdraw or press harder.

‘You know how to stop me, my queen. Until then, I’ll do what the fuck I want with your beautiful body.’ He reached a hand even lower, gathering the moisture between my legs before his finger returned to the gentle circling.

The tightness in my chest loosened a notch. I moaned when Rey spanked my rear, the sting making me push backwards.