Sitting on the grass on the edge of a lake, Lela stared at the sky. She had never seen a red sky but then up until two and a half months ago she had lived a sheltered life.
It had been two weeks since Lela had last seen Eldrich, since he had crushed her heart. She missed him with all her soul and during her weakest moments, she had cried out his name in her sleep. Curse her heart for still loving him.
It was over between them. She’d never forgive him for not telling her the truth. If he was in front of her now she’d curse him, spit in his face, and hit him.
Yet, she couldn’t get him out of her mind. He had awakened her desires, instilling in her an insatiable sexual appetite which grew more intense with each day that passed. She knew that in many ways she was still that silly and naive girl who had chased after a golden ball and fallen into a well. She understood that her sexual escapades with Eldrich, and her one night with Xavier, were probably tame compared to what other girls her age had experienced-done and had done to them. But then, she had had sex with a vampire and an angel. Lela suspected not many women could claim that.
Even so, if she were having tea with village girls her age she’d not hold her words for a second. Sitting up straight with pen and paper, she’d ask them a thousand questions about sex. At twenty-one, she was eager to learn. Oh, she wanted to try everything, to fall into sexual bliss without reservation.
Although she still loved Eldrich, her body craved sexual freedom. And what’s more, he had betrayed her trust. He was the prince of the Barmoth vampires and had done nothing to prevent vampires from draining her mother! No, Lela would not remain loyal to him.
Sighing, she turned her eyes to Xavier who was swimming. As he came up for air, he ran his fingers through his hair and shook his head.
“You coming in?” he asked Lela.
She had considered joining him but knew she shouldn’t. They had been together for two weeks searching for the Kingdom of the Dead, the place where the witch, Stiltz, had sent her father. Each day they had walked as far as they could looking for a sign that would tell them they were getting closer and each night they had slept in the forest.
Not once had Xavier made a single sexual advance on her, not a subtle touch…not a look, nothing. She was carrying a broken heart and the longer she was with him the more she needed him to help her heal.
She wasn’t ashamed to admit she wanted him to approach her, brush his hand against her skin, lean in and try to kiss her…
As it was, just looking at his strong chest and potent facial features made her want to take her clothes off, jump into the water, and give herself to him. Yes, Eldrich still lived in her soul, but she’d not refuse Xavier. She’d not spend her life drowning in sorrow because of Eldrich.
“I’m enjoying watching you,” she said with a wink.
Grinning, he said, “Stop being such a prude and come join me.”
She stood. “We’ve been traveling for days with no sign we’re getting closer to the Kingdom of the Dead.”
He went underwater and then came back up. “It’s an unknown kingdom for a reason.”
“What are you saying? That I don’t have a chance of saving my father? That we’re going around in circles?”
“Settle down. What’s gotten into you? You’re acting as if I provoked you somehow. When we’re close, we’ll know it, trust me.”
She plopped down on the grass and crossed her legs. The sight of him had roused her. “I’m frustrated. What if we’re too late? What if my father is dead?” she asked, wiping away tears.
“Do you know how absolutely beautiful you look right now?” he asked, stepping out of the water.
Covering her eyes with her hand, she said, “For goodness sake, you’re not wearing any clothes!”
“I went for a swim. Why would I be wearing clothes?”
“You could have kept on your undergarment,” she said, feeling heat on her face, her hand still over her eyes.
“All right, don’t die. I’ll go and put on my clothes.”
“Good, yes, please do that and next time…”
“Yes, yes,” he said. “You’re such a prude.”
She put her hand down and bloody hell, he was standing in front of her completely naked, his cock in her face.
“Xavier!” she said. She couldn’t take her eyes off his cock. She remembered him having a large one but hell, now that it was in her face swollen and standing at attention, her memory had not been fair to it.
He cupped it and began moving his hand up and down. She knew she should look away. But before she could suppress her desire for him, she set her hand on top of his. Bloody hell, she was helping him masturbate.
“Oh, yes,” he said. “That feels good, hellish good.”
He removed his hand and let her continue the task.
Licking his cock’s head, she rubbed his balls. She took her time, savoring the taste of his enlarged cock, kissing it, and circling her tongue around it. So absolutely delicious, she wanted to please Xavier in every way.
“Put all of it in your mouth,” he said.
“You might choke me,” she said with a light chuckle.
“I won’t let you die with my cock in your mouth,” he said.
“You’re devilish,” she said.
She was enjoying this way too much and she knew that when it was over guilt would come for her with a vengeance. But right now, she was going to go all the way with Xavier. It was too late to stop. And she didn’t want to stop.
Inhaling his gorgeous and thick stiffness, she lowered her hand between her thighs and stroked her vagina, slowly at first and then faster and faster.
“Take it in deeper. Suck it harder,” he said.
She put her all into it, sucking it as if she meant to swallow it whole. He tasted amazing.
“You’re so good. I want to let go in your mouth,” he said.
She drew him in deeper and he emptied into her mouth. Swallowing all of his essence, she climaxed.
“I want my cock inside of you,” he said, lying down on his back next to her.
“You released in my mouth,” she said. “It was definitely inside of me,” she said, grinning.
“Look at it,” he said, pointing to his cock.
“Bloody hell, Xavier.”
His cock was even stiffer, its head thick and firm. It looked like it was going to explode.
“It needs relief,” he said. “Will you give it what it wants?”
“Are all angels like you? Insatiable?”
“We’re sexual creatures, yes. Will you give it what it wants?”
“And what does it want?” Lela asked, ready to pounce on his cock and ride it with fury.
He winked in the direction of her vagina.
Standing, she shed her clothing.
“You’re amazing,” he said. “Sweet Gods, look at you. Your breasts. I could bury myself in them and live there forever.”
Widening her legs just a little bit, she placed her hand between her thighs.
“Is this what your cock wants?” she asked.
“I want to hear you say the word,” he said. “Let go of all your inhibitions.”
She had never felt so free.
“Pussy,” she whispered.
“Ah yes, your delicious pussy. Yes, that’s what it wants.”
“I’m not sure it deserves my lovely pussy,” she said.
“It will die without it,” he said.
“Beg me,” she said.
“I beg you. Come over here. Climb on me,” he said.
Slowly, she straddled him.
“Xavier,’ she whispered.
“Yes,” he said.
“Fuck me,” she said.
He flipped her on her belly, then lifted her with his arm and brought her buttocks close to him. He then inserted the tip of his cock’s head into her.
“I want it all,” she said.
“Say it,” he said. “If you don’t say what I want to hear, I shall make you suffer.”
“Fuck me!” she screamed.
He powered into her.
Sweet Gods, he’s delicious. I shall go mad with him inside of me.
“I don’t ever want to stop fucking you. I want to fuck you for all eternity,” he said, pulling her hair and thrusting into her deeper and with more force.
“Oh, darling angel of mine…”
“Are you mine?” he asked, pulling her hair even harder.
“Right at this moment, I belong to you.”
He turned her around and sat her on top him, his wings fully extended. Ah, yes, when he’s aroused, his wings expand! He’s so beautiful.
Slowly, he moved her up and down on his sweet, huge cock. She surrendered to him, letting his rhythm carry her into ecstasy.
Lying on her back, Lela inhaled, coughed and opened her eyes. Trying to clear her vision she blinked rapidly. Her vision cleared and the red sky came into view. Dazed, she sat up and then stood. Her mouth dry, she swallowed several times.
“Lela,” Xavier whispered.
He was naked and lying on his stomach. Goodness, had they really…done, well, sweet Gods, she wasn’t dreaming. They had unequivocally had sex and then fallen into a profound sleep. She was now suffering drunken afterglow.
She sat next to him and put her hand on his shoulder.
“Did it really happen?” she asked.
“It was nice, wasn’t it?” he asked, turning on his back.
She looked away for a moment. Blushing, she said, “I’m embarrassed.”
Reaching for her hand, he said, “You never have to feel ashamed with me.”
She nestled her head on his chest.
“I feel guilty,” she whispered.
“It will pass, I promise. You’re with me, now.”
“What about Zel?”
“I told you. She has my heart and always will. But you have something else,” he said, kissing the top of her head.
“Please don’t say I have your co-”
“You have my soul. It’s yours.”
She sighed. “I’m not in love with you.”
“I know,” he said, swaying his hand back and forth on her chest.
His touch sent lightening through her.
“Close your eyes,” he said.
She did.
In the next moment, they were in the air. “I can show you all the kingdoms of the world,” he said. “With me, you will never be alone or bound to the ground.”
Her arms wrapped around his neck, she took in everything below them. The magnificent canopy, the rivers and lakes and animals…it was all breathtaking.
“I feel safe with you,” she said.
He flew higher into the sky. “I wish I had your heart,” he said.
Despite how she was feeling right now, her heart belonged to another. But for now, just now, her body belonged to Xavier.
“I can only offer you my body,” she said.
“Does it belong to me? I want to possess you.”
“For now, yes, it’s yours.”
Descending, he said, “I need to be inside of you. I need to have you right now.”
“We can’t spend all day fucking,” she said. “We need to find the Kingdom of the Dead.”
She was shocked at how easily she now said the word. Fucking. It rolled off her tongue as if she were simply inviting Xavier over for dinner. Her newfound sexual confidence exhilarated her.
“When we come upon a sign, we’ll know it. Until then…,” Xavier said.
When they were standing on the ground again, he pulled her arms behind her back and breathed into her ear. “If your body belongs to me, you’ll obey me.”
She nodded.
He grasped her buttocks and slammed his cock against them.
Wincing, she moaned and tried to turn around but he held her in her place.
“I didn’t say you could turn around,” he said.
“I’m sorry,” she said, ready to burst with anticipation. She wanted him. He was beautiful and powerful and she needed him inside of her.
“Don’t ever apologize,” he said. “Ever.”
“What are you going to do to me?” she asked.
“I want to do everything to you. I want to hurt you, fuck you from the ass until you pass out. I want you to hit me, and curse me.”
Sweet Gods, he is exactly what I need.
He was bringing out her intense sexual desires. Her rage, her broken heart, her sadness, she’d drown it all in Xavier.
“May I turn around?” she asked, ready to wrap her legs around him and consume him.
“You may,” he said.
When she was facing him, she slapped him. “Curse you for making me feel the way I do! For wanting you! For needing you!” She slapped him again.
Grabbing her arms, he pushed her to the ground. “Lie on your stomach,” he said.
Straddling her, he spread her buttocks, teasing her with his cock’s firm and throbbing head.
He then spread her legs. She lifted her head and glanced back at him. The wetness between her legs was driving her mad and she wanted to touch herself.
He spit into his hand. “I want you to be soft for me,” he said, rubbing his saliva in the space between each buttock cheek.
She squealed and squirmed.
And then he started sliding in his cock. “Yes, hellish sweet. Your ass is so sweet,” he said, gently pushing into her.
Slowly, he rode her, moaning and groaning loudly. “You feel so good.”
Heat rushed up and down her body. “Xavier!” she screamed.
“Do you belong to me?” he asked, fucking her harder.
“Yes, I’m yours. Blessed Gods, your cock is going to kill me. I feel it in my throat.”
He slammed into her again and again. “To whom does your ass and pussy belong?”
“Darling angel of mine. My everything is yours.” Everything except her heart.
“I want us to release together.”
“Oh, yes, yes,” she said.
He ejected on her back. And she exploded.
“No more for today,” she said, panting.
“You didn’t like it?” he asked.
“My, you are insatiable. Of course I liked it. I loved it. But, I need to rest, darling sex- crazed angel of mine.”
“Let’s take a dip in the lake,” he said. “I promise not to try anything,” he said with a smirk.
“If you do, I’ll hit you.”
“Promise,” he said, winking.
“You’re a bad angel.”
“Only for you,” he said, standing and offering her his hand.
“After our swim, I’d like to continue our search,” she said.
He looked at the sky. “The sun is only two hours away from setting. Perhaps, we should resume our search in the morning.”
“We’ll go for a swim and then-”
“Yes, yes, we’ll resume our search,” he said.
She raced to the water.
“If I catch you, you’re mine,” he said.
“You said you wouldn’t try anything,” she said, jumping into the water.
“I lied,” he said, diving in after her.
She splashed water in his face. “You’re a horrid angel.”
“Am I?” he asked.
“Kiss me,” she said.
He put his mouth on hers. She cupped his cock and slid it into her pussy.
Moaning and groaning, he rocked his hips, thrusting into her.
“Xavier,” she whispered. “Oh, darling angel…”
“I won’t share you with anyone,” he said.
“Possess me,” she said, burying her mouth in his neck. Gently she kissed him as he went further into her.
She wanted him to stay inside of her forever. He felt so good, so intensely good. The thought of him not rocking her with his marvelous, enormous cock, made her want to weep, yes weep!
“Angel of mine,” she whispered, her arms around his neck.
“Does it gratify you?” he asked.
“Oh, yes, I love it. I need you. I want you. Stay with me.”
“I’ll fuck you until you’re raw,” he said.
“Promise me,” she said, unashamed.
Holding hands, Lela and Xavier came upon a vast dead clearing. Dried, crusted earth was all that was beneath them. Ahead, they could see animal skeletons. The air was pungent and thick.
“What is this place?” Lela asked.
Squeezing her hand, he said, “It’s a sign. We’re near the Kingdom of the Dead.”
She gasped. “Let’s keep going.”
“The sun will set in less than an hour. We should find shelter and come back at first light.”
“No! We’re here now,” she said.
“We have no idea what is out there. We have no light with us. You’re not being rational.”
“You don’t have to come with me. But, I’m going. I can’t turn back. What if when we return in the morning, it’s gone? What then?”
Xavier lowered his head and exhaled a long sigh. “You win. Let’s go.”
They resumed walking. Lela was completely afraid but she’d not let her fear break her down. As they walked, the calm air turned to wind, picking up dust and hurling it at Lela and Xavier.
Shutting her eyes, she brought her hand to her mouth. The wind became stronger, nearly knocking her down.
“We must be very close!” Xavier yelled. “Keep your balance and don’t speak.”
Onward they went, pushing through the cloud of dust, the wind getting stronger and stronger.
Lela could not sense Xavier. She felt as if she was walking alone through a tunnel.
“Xavier!” she yelled. “Where are you?”
“My, my,” someone said.
“Xavier?”
“Your angel is no longer here,” the person said.
“Who are you?” she asked, feeling the air with her hands.
“While you were frolicking, your father, oh your poor father was pleading for you…begging me not to hurt you.”
“Are you Godfather Death?” she asked, unable to open her eyes because of the wind and dust.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Princess of the Kingdom of Barmoth. Stiltz told me you’d be coming to visit me. She’s such a wretched witch, isn’t she?”
“Please let my father go!” she yelled.
“You’re such an interesting girl. I have to admit I’m quite taken, quite, indeed.”
“I’ll do anything. Please…I’m begging.”
“Unlike Xavier, I have no desire to possess you,” he said, laughing.
“What then?” she asked. “What do you want?”
“What makes you think I want something? I didn’t ask for any of this. You may thank Stiltz for your predicament. She sent your people and your father here. She’s quite the thorn…always vanishing people.”
“Will you set my father free?”
“Of course not! He’s mine.”
“Let me see you,” Lela said.
“You’re in my kingdom. Make no demands of me!”
“I meant no disrespect,” Lela said.
“You’re never going to see your father again.”
“No! Please tell me what you want. Take me instead.”
“That’s not how it works, dear princess. I decide when to take someone’s life. And I don’t want yours. You’re only just beginning your life. I want to see what you do with it. Go back to Barmoth and lead your people. They need you. Your father is old and ill. His time as king has passed. I’m keeping him as an act of mercy and well, because I’m also curious about you. I want to see what you become. Will you take your place as queen or will you hide in the shadows of the Barmoth forest with a vampire?”
Lela started weeping. She wanted to pull out all of her hair. She wanted the wind to pick her up, carry her high into the air and then let her go. She wanted to die. Let the Kingdom of the Dead take her, too.
“Will you not change your mind?” she asked.
“You shouldn’t have come here. This place is not for you. When I’m ready to take you, you’ll know it.”
“What do I do now?” she asked, crying.
“What you do with your life is your decision.”
“How do I get home?” Xavier, oh angel, where are you?
“I shall return you to the place your heart is craving.”
“I want to go home,” Lela pleaded.
“Open your eyes,” he said.
“I can’t. The wind…the dust.”
“Open them! I’m losing patience.”
When Lela opened her eyes, she was standing in the foyer of Eldrich’s house. Grasping the door handle, she unlocked the front door. She’d not stay in his house.
“Don’t go.”
“I didn’t come here by my own will,” she whispered.
“Your hair is completely red. What happened?” he asked.
She glanced down at a strand. Her hair now resembled the red sky of the place she and Xavier had traveled through.
“I’m not the same person,” she said.
“Is your father safe?” Eldrich asked.
Sighing, Lela lowered her head. “I failed him.”
“I’m sorry,” he said.
“I need to go back to the castle. It’s where I belong,” she said, stepping outside onto the porch.
He joined her.
She couldn’t bring herself to turn around. She didn’t want to see him.
“Will you ever forgive me?” he asked.
“You broke my heart.”
“Not telling you the truth was wrong. But please, you have to know I didn’t want any part of what my kind did to your mother. I abandoned my kind after that night. I abandoned my place as prince. I regret it all. I regret not telling you.”
Tears in her eyes, she turned to face him.
“I want to hurt you,” she said.
“I don’t deserve anything less,” he said.
“I wasn’t faithful to you,” she said, swallowing.
He looked at the moon and then back at her.
“I enjoyed it,” she said, tears streaming down her face.
He rubbed his brow.
“Say something!”
“Have you stopped loving me?” he asked.
“I enjoyed it all so much. Do you hear what I’m saying to you? I fucked someone else!”
“You wanted to hurt me. Well, you’ve done it.” He entered the house.
She went after him. “Is that all you’re going to say?” she asked, standing directly in front of him.
“I love you more than anything in this entire wretched world. I would do anything for you. Anything. I can’t breathe without you. I can’t sleep. I can’t think. I’m hopeless without you. My heart…my soul…my everything belongs to you,” he said.
She slapped him. “I just told you I slept with another man and that I enjoyed it and this is your response? I hate you!”
He tried to hug her but she stepped away.
“I’m lost. My father is gone. Everything I knew is a lie. What am I to do now?”
“You’re strong. You’re brave. You will lead your people and take your place as Queen of Barmoth.”
“I can’t. I just can’t!”
“You don’t have a choice.”
“Did you sleep with the witch?” She wanted to faint. Her entire body hurt. Imagining Eldrich with someone else made her want to vomit. Yet, she had no right to feel the way she did. Curse my soul!
“Yes.”
“She got what she always wanted from you.” The witch who cursed Eldrich, turning him into a frog for not lying with her had won after all.
“She doesn’t matter,” he said.
“How do we fix this?” She loved him. And she was not ready to give him up. In her soul, she knew he was kind and that he loved her.
“Can you forgive me?” he asked.
“I don’t know.”
Forgive him for not telling her he was the prince of the Barmoth vampires. Forgive him for not telling her he had arranged for her mother to offer herself to his kind in return for Lela’s safety. Forgive him for not telling her he knew who she was the day he pulled her out of the well. No, she did not know whether or not she could forgive him.
But, there was one thing she knew without a single doubt. She loved him. Yet, she did not regret her sexual encounters with Xavier. Just two and a half months ago she was a princess living in a castle with nothing more to do but wander the forest aimlessly as if she were seeking something more, something adventurous, as if she were seeking love, yes love. And here she was, completely in love with a vampire. And here she was, a woman having had sexual experiences, having suffered loss, having suffered betrayal. She was alive, and free, and ready to take on whatever lie ahead for her. She’d hold her head up high and walk with no regrets.
If Eldrich truly loved her, he’d have to accept her as she was, a woman whose blindfolds had been removed, a woman who longer suppressed her desires, a woman who had made mistakes and would make many more. In return, she would accept him, despite his past, despite the secrets he kept from her, despite everything, she would love him, truly love him.
“Do you still love me?” he asked, his eyes bloodshot.
“With all my heart,” she said.
“I will never keep anything from you again,” he said, taking her hand.
She embraced him. “I love you, I can’t deny it.”
“Lela,” he whispered. “I’m yours, only yours.”
“And I’m yours,” she said. “What now? Where do we go from here?”
“Wherever you want, I’ll follow you to the end of all the kingdoms.”
He kissed her. Oh how she had missed his touch. Her very soul cried out with happiness. Godfather Death had returned her to the place her heart craved.
“Will you follow me upstairs?” she asked, leading him to the staircase.
“Only if that is what you desire.”
“I missed you. I tried to replace you.”
“Did you succeed?” he asked, once they were standing at the top of the stairs.
“I made myself believe I had.”
“And now?” he asked.
She pushed the door open to her bedroom. “I can never replace you.” She sat on the edge of the bed.
“I have to tell you something,” he said.
“Can it wait?” she asked. She wanted to fall asleep in his arms.
“Your mother’s spirit visited me last night. She had a message for me…for us.”
Lela inhaled and then released a long breath. “What did she say?”
“The God of the Sea has returned the golden ball to land.”
Blood rushed from Lela’s heart. Holding her chest, she said, “How long do I have before it finds me, before vampires come for me?”
“Not long.”
Pacing the room, she said, “Where should I go? Blessed Gods, I need to formulize a plan.”
Wicked golden ball was intent on finding her. And once it found her, vampires would come for her…drain her, believing that her blood could make them human again. Sweet Gods, she was in trouble!
“You need to get some rest,” Eldrich said.
“What? How can I rest?” Oh, but she was exhausted.
“If we’re to fight my kind, you’re going to need your strength. Do as I say and get some sleep. I will wake you in two hours.”
“I’m scared,” she said.
“As am I.”
“Are we together?” she asked.
“Forever,” he said.
“Two hours of sleep and then what?” she asked.
“Then we’ll walk together. We’ll fight together.”
She nodded. “I love you.”
“And I love you. Now sleep,” he said, shutting the door behind him.
She was the queen of Barmoth now and he was the prince of the Barmoth vampires. Their lives together would not be easy. The path ahead would present many obstacles, ones that would prove difficult to overcome. But she would listen to her heart, now more than ever. And her heart wanted Eldrich.
Sleep and then the battle begins.