Page 54 of Queen’s Gambit

‘Is this wise? We have a war to plan…’ she said, backing up, her wicked smile taunting me.

I smirked, mesmerised by the sway of her hips, the flick of her tongue as she licked her lips, and her glance at the tightness in my breeches.

‘We’ve planned the war, then someone kissed an orc in my presence. What king would I be if I let such transgressions slide?’ I lunged, but she laughed and escaped me.

‘Where are your wings, my sweet Viper?’

With a feint to the left, I leapt over the table and locked my arms around her. Sana’s bosom heaved, but before I continued with my wicked plan, I whispered into her ear.

‘The key is beside the door. Say “wraith,” and I’ll stop no matter how far along we are.’ I meant it, even as tremors ran through my body, and the berserker in my soul fought to stake its claim.

My hands clawed at the buttons of her dress, ready to rip it off and confirm the woman in my arms was alive and well.

Still, I waited. For a sign, a nod, anything to confirm she understood nothing would be taken unless freely given. That I would never hurt her.

‘Trust you to pick that word for me to shout while your blood is on fire,’ she said, her back arching under my insistent caress.

‘That way I know you mean it. That it isn’t a sweet plea in the heat of the moment.’ I popped a button off her dress while sucking on her earlobe. ‘It gives me the freedom to be the beast I am while remaining the man I pride myself on being.’

Another button popped free, giving me a glimpse of a colourful tattoo on her back. I could barely keep myself together.

‘Tell me you understand. Promise me this won’t go too far,’ I groaned, rubbing myself against the roundness of her rear.

‘I’d seal your mouth shut if that tongue wasn’t so viciously good,’ she muttered, nipping at my skin. ‘Shut up and take me. I trust you, Rey.’

Fabric ripped. Sana yelped. The velvet scraps dangled from my fingers, and I swallowed hard, a harsh laugh escaping me. Then I ripped the rest away, tearing through her bodice and skirts until she stood in nothing but a thin slip.

‘Rey, my dress…’

‘I’ll buy you a new one. I’ll buy you all the dresses you desire.’ I struggled to unbuckle my breeches, my thoughts an incoherent mess of fear and desire.

I’d almost lost her in that fucking dungeon. I could still lose her. The need to feel her alive and safe in my arms, crying in the pleasure she wrung from me was maddening.

My cock sprang free, and I pushed her down against the table.

Sana spread her legs, an invitation and a blessing for a starving man. My hands grasped her hips as I buried myself in her.

‘Fuck!’ My breath shuddered as I held myself back. ‘That chain you placed around my heart. Never take it away,’ I grunted, my hips moving despite me.

Sana gasped, pushing against me. She impaled herself on my length, and I was lost. The muscles in my neck corded as the berserker took over, and I slid inside her welcoming core with sweet abandon.

It was fast and rough, nothing to be proud of. And yet she took me, a helpless man trying to atone for failing to protect her.

Sana’s pleasure crested. Her wings burst from her back, drowning me in a cascade of light, better than any healing spring. My back arched a second later in a release so powerful it felt like absolution, and the pain that had gripped me since she disappeared into the dungeon finally disappeared.

I hadn’t lost my queen.

I hadn’t lost my love.

I hadn’t lost my soul.