Bound to the battle god

65

“We’re staying here for a while?” Yule

Actually, I am throwing down right about now. Ever since we returned to the others, I’ve been eating. Well, no, first we ushered everyone out of the room so I could quickly clean up with a sponge bath. Once all traces of Aron’s release were washed away, I swiped a fresh cloth over my face and arms, and changed into one of my Novoran gowns.

Then I started eating. I haven’t stopped eating since. The stew bubbling in the fireplace (who knew there was a fireplace? Not me). Hard bread from Novoro. Fruit. Dried meat. Grain cakes. More meat. More fruit. Another helping of stew. I wash it all down with cup after cup of Novoran wine. It seems that while I was recovering-slash-sleeping, the woales and all our supplies were mysteriously retrieved and brought to this side of the lake. That means I don’t have to eat whatever is in the spiderweb-wrapped pods, and for some reason, I’m weirdly thankful for that. So I eat, and eat, while the others pick at their food and listen to Aron’s plans.

“Faith needs to rest. She is tired and I don’t want to risk my anchor.”

I can feel the gaze of the others on me, but I don’t care. I tear off another hunk of bread. “What? We stayed in Novoro for a few days. Why can’t we stay here for a few weeks?”

“Weeks?” Kerren asks, clearly shocked.

“Why is everyone freaking out?”

“This place is not natural,” Yule

“I know that. But the Spidae said we can stay for a while, so that means we’re safe here. I’m sure there’s another room you guys can set up and—”

“Two rooms,” Aron says. “Yule

“I’m not?” Yule

A piece of bread lodges in my suddenly dry throat and I cough. Why didn’t I think of this before? Aron and I slept together with Yule

“Faith will be sleeping with me,” Aron says firmly, and I blush bright red again. I chug more wine, trying to be cool about things, but everyone stares in my direction. Porn music plays in my head.

“Yeah, we’re doing it,” I admit. Best to get it out in the open. “If you’ve got a problem with that, tough titty.”

Solat laughs. No one else does.

“You are Aron of the Cleaver, Lord of Storms. We serve you in all ways.” Markos bows stiffly. “I will make sure quarters are available for both Yule

I flinch at that. Is that a jab about Vitar’s death? I haven’t forgotten it. I don’t think I’ll ever forget it. I take another gulp of wine, sad that the mood is so tense. I watch quietly as the others gather their things and leave the room, and then I’m alone at the small table near the fire, the fluttering web curtains falling over the doorway and giving Aron and me privacy.

“They’re not happy,” I murmur as I set down my cup.

“They do not make the decisions. I do.” Aron paces slowly, his hands clasped behind his back. “If you want to stay here for longer, we shall.”

“Do you think it’s a bad idea?”

“No. It will give me time to think, to plan for when I meet my next Aspect. I tried to think ahead in Novoro, but that foolish Lord Secuban would not stop nattering for a moment.” He gives an irritated shake of his head. “At least here it is quiet.”

“Are we safe?” I finally ask. There are a few pieces of fruit left, and I idly pick one up, toying with it and deciding if I want to eat it. I might save it for later, but I could definitely eat it. I flip the round, orange-red fruit in my hands, back and forth. “Here, I mean? There’s spiders and the Spidae, and that thing in the lake—”

“—all guardians controlled by the Spidae. If they do not mind us staying, then we are quite safe. If they wanted us to go, we would know it.” He glances over at me. “You must intrigue them.”

“Me? I thought they were helping you.”

He snorts. “You have seen their method of helping.”

Ugh, he’s right. Hiding me away for two days just to see how Aron would react. Dicks. I can’t imagine what they’re thinking, other than they just like to toy with us. “They did tell me where we’re supposed to go,” I offer. “You’ll never guess.”

“Yshrem?”

I point at him, taking another sip of my wine. “That’s it.” The fruit in my hands smells heavenly, and I’m still a little hungry. I put down my wine cup and sniff the skin, enjoying the tease. I mean, I’m totally going to eat this, but I’ll give it a little foreplay first. “Yshrem. He said you would meet your destiny there.”

Aron nods thoughtfully. “The Cyclopae are warriors dedicated to me, and they conquered Yshrem years ago. I believe their king rules from there now, so it does not surprise me that I will meet my other Aspects on the field of battle before Castle Yshrem’s gates.”

Field of battle? I don’t like the sound of that. “Is it safe to go there?”

“Do you mean, will the people of Yshrem try to kill me as my own priests did back in Aventine?” His lip curls with the memory. “There is only one way to find out, but the Cyclopae king is an honorable warrior.”

“Whereas the prelate was a corrupt asshole looking out for himself. I gotcha.” I nod and nibble on the skin of my fruit. It’s so juicy that a droplet dribbles onto my hand, and I absently lick it up.

Aron watches me, his gaze intent on my actions. For some reason, I immediately think of sex. The way he’s watching me tells me it’s not about the fruit. Not anymore.

Flustered at his intense scrutiny, I try to keep the conversation going. “So you don’t mind staying here until we head out to Yshrem then?”

“Staying in bed with you for a few weeks? It does not seem like such a chore.” He slowly gets to his feet, and his gaze is devouring me.

I feel all fluttery and weak. Does he really want to spend the next few weeks in bed? “You know, for a guy that didn’t want to touch me for the longest time, you’re pretty gung-ho now.”

“I told you.” He stalks toward me, like a predator chasing prey. “I am already lost.”

I watch him, fascinated and breathless. “What are you doing?”

“I find that I need to eat as well,” Aron murmurs.

Confused, I automatically hold out the fruit in my hand. Sure, I’ve taken a bite out of it, but it’s really the only thing left to eat. I’ve cleaned out everything else.

“That’s not what I hunger for, Faith.” And he slides to his knees before my chair, his hands moving to my hips.

I whimper.

With slow, methodical movements, Aron opens the slit of my Novoran wraparound gown and exposes my pussy. He stares down at it for a moment, and I squirm in response. Did I think the way he looked at me before was intense? It’s nothing compared to how he’s looking at me now.

His hands grip my hips and he tugs me forward, ever so slightly. When I remain completely still, he glances up at me, at the uneaten fruit in my hands. “Don’t let me interrupt you. My anchor needs to eat and keep up her strength.”

Oh.

It feels like the world is in slow motion as I put the fruit to my lips and lick away a bead of juice. Even as I do, Aron leans forward, his face moving between my trembling thighs.

And he licks me.

I can’t stop the moan that pours from my throat. This is the first time he’s put his mouth on me, there, and the spark that ripples between us feels like foreplay. I lean back in the chair, panting, as his tongue moves over my folds, dragging over my most sensitive spots, before he sucks lightly on my clit, drawing it into his mouth.

I’m whimpering with full-blown lust and need even as I raise the fruit to my lips and take another small bite. My mouth fills with juice as he works my clit, and it’s the most erotic and insanely filthy thing I’ve ever done.

He strokes a finger deep into my core, and I sink my teeth into the red fruit as he does. Instead of thrusting into me, using his finger like he would his cock, he doesn’t move. I’m confused, and in the next moment, I feel it.

Oh fuck. He’s tickling something deep inside me and oh fuck, it’s the most amazing thing I’ve ever felt. My hips surge off the chair and I cry out, the fruit forgotten. It slides out of my grip and slaps wetly on the floor as my hands go to his head. Impatiently, he lifts one of my clamping thighs and pushes it over the arm of the chair, making sure that I remain spread wide for his pleasure.

Because even though this is turning me inside out with ecstasy, I know this is for his pleasure, too. He rubs my G-spot as his mouth moves over my clit, and I’m babbling his name and clutching at his long hair even as he makes me come so hard that it feels like the thunder crashing outside is in my veins. He continues to lick and suck at my clit, finger working inside me as my hips buck with the force of my orgasm. Aron’s determined to wring out every bit of pleasure from me, and it feels like he makes it go on forever, beyond the point of comfort, but he won’t pull away, no matter how many times I tug on his hair or pant his name.

Aron finally listens for my pleas for him to stop, that I can’t possibly come any longer, and lifts his head to give me the most arrogant, most Aron smile ever. “I liked that.”

Oh god. I’m totally going to melt into a puddle at the sight of that smile. “Yeah,” I manage breathlessly. “That was pretty good.”

He arches that scarred eyebrow. “Only pretty good?”

He starts to lower his head again and I squeak, grabbing his hair before he can go down on me again. “W-wait! Wait. I need to catch my breath.”

I love the rumble of his laughter. He merely kisses the inside of my thigh, slides my legs together, and gets to his feet. He takes my hand and pulls me to my feet, then tugs me into his arms and kisses me so hard that I’m left dazed. The taste of my orgasm is all over his mouth, and I find it strangely erotic to taste myself on his tongue. I cling to him as his mouth lazily explores mine, lost in the play of our lips.

Aron caresses my head, his fingers in my hair, and then nips lightly at my mouth. “Shall we climb into bed?”

Bed? I nod, dazed. I’m tired, but more than that, I want him to hold me. Bed sounds like a very good idea right about now.

He slips an arm behind my thighs and lifts me into his arms and carries me to the bed like a bride on our wedding night. In a way, I guess this kind of feels like one. I feel as if Aron and I are starting a new life together. Instead of just anchor and Aspect, we’re man and woman, together.