Caged By the Lich

29. Astrid

29

ASTRID

I see Olvaar before he notices me, his imposing figure cutting a stark silhouette against the crimson sky. My heart skips a beat, a mixture of excitement and nervousness coursing through me. He's on foot, magic rippling off of him…

And he's headed for my father's home.

"Wait!" I shout to the driver. "Stop!"

The carriage comes to a stop, and I jump out. All I can think about is getting back to him, and he spots me the second I am out on foot. As I draw closer, his eyes lock onto mine, swirling with a tempest of emotions - blue and red and orange and purple flooding his gaze until I can't see anymore gray.

"Astrid," he growls, and he sounds pissed. "You're coming home. Now."

The command in his tone is unmistakable, leaving no room for argument. His jaw clenches, hands balling into fists at his sides. "I'm not letting you go again. You hear me? I don't care what you want. You belong with me."

I can see the fear behind his possessiveness, the raw vulnerability he's trying so hard to mask with aggression. It makes my heart ache.

"If you want to go somewhere," he continues as I keep walking. "I'll take you there. But you are staying with me."

Instead of arguing or pulling away, I feel a smile tugging at my lips. "You stupid demon," I murmur, closing the distance between us.

Before he can react, I reach up and pull him into a tender kiss. His body goes rigid with surprise, clearly thrown off by my response. When I pull back, his eyes are wide, swirling with confusion and a spark of hope.

"Olvaar," I say softly, cupping his face in my hands. "I am coming home. Can't you see that?" I hold his gaze, willing him to understand. "I'm yours. I've been yours for a long time now."

Olvaar's expression softens, the storm in his eyes calming as he processes my words. His large hands come up to cup my face, the touch surprisingly gentle for someone so powerful.

"You're mine," he says. "And I'll make damn sure everyone knows it."

Before I can respond, he sweeps me up into his arms. I let out a surprised laugh, instinctively wrapping my arms around his neck. The sudden shift leaves me breathless, but I can't help the smile that spreads across my face.

"What are you doing?" I ask, though I'm not really protesting.

Olvaar doesn't answer, just starts walking purposefully towards the carriage I'd just left. His grip on me is firm but careful, like I'm something precious he's afraid to break.

"We're going home," he says gruffly, but I can hear the undercurrent of relief in his voice.

As he carries me, I study his face. The tightness around his eyes has eased, replaced by a look of determination and... something else. Something softer that makes my heart skip a beat.

We reach the carriage, and Olvaar somehow manages to open the door without putting me down. He steps inside, ducking his head to avoid hitting it on the frame, and finally sets me on my feet.

The carriage starts moving as soon as the door closes behind us. Olvaar takes a seat, pulling me down beside him. His arm wraps around my waist, holding me close as if he's afraid I might disappear.

"You came for me," I say softly, leaning into his side. Maybe I shouldn't find it so endearing that he refused to do what he thought I was asking for, but I don't care. I love that he wants me this much.

He grunts, his fingers tightening on my hip. "Couldn't let you go," he admits gruffly. "You're mine, little rebel. Don't forget it."

I smile, resting my head on his shoulder. "I won't," I promise. "I'm all yours, Olvaar. And I told you I wasn't leaving you."

"I love you," he whispers. My head jerks up to find a fully purple gaze on mine. I had suspected that's what the color meant for a while, but now I know. "I just want you to know. It's not about possession or your father or anything else. I couldn't let you go, Astrid, because I love you. And I can't live without you."

I turn so that I can straddle him and cup his face. "I love you, Olvaar. I want to be wherever you are, and there is nothing on the planet that could keep me away from you."

His hands splay across my back, pulling me in for a deep kiss. I let him devour me, pulling me tight against him, but when his tongue flicks out to part my lips, I pull back.

"I need to be able to leave the house, though. I can't spend every second there forever. But I will always come home and you are welcome to come with me." I give him a stern look.

He nods. "Deal." He nips my bottom lip. "I want you as my mate."

I freeze, staring at him. A lot of demons don't even mate, but I've never heard of one taking a human as a mate, especially not in the circles Olvaar and my father are part of. "What?"

"I want you as my mate. I want you in my home, in my bed, and chained to my fucking soul. It's already yours, Astrid, and I want everyone to know it." His fingers stroke along my spine. "Besides, it'll give you more protection, and I need to know you are safe."

"But you can only ever mate once-"

He lifts a hand to my face, his thumb sweeping over my cheek. "And I want you to be my own only. My little rebel forever."

The carriage jerks to a stop in front of the house, but Olvaar doesn't move. He just stares at me expectantly.

"You're sure?" I ask despite the way my heart is soaring.

"I have never been more sure of anything in my life." He leans his head forward, our foreheads pressed together. "But no isn't really an option, either."

I laugh, shaking my head. "Forever my captor."

"I'll be whatever you want." A smirk pulls at his lips. "But I really want to be your mate."

My eyes start to water at that, and I nod. "Okay."

"Okay?" A full smile takes over his face.

"Yes," I breathe, wrapping my arms around his neck. "Yes, I'll be your mate."

Olvaar's lips claim mine in a fierce, demanding kiss. I match his intensity, my fingers tangling in his hair as he somehow manages to climb out of the carriage without breaking our connection.

His arms are strong and secure around me, making me feel both protected and possessed. His mouth moves to my neck, teeth grazing my sensitive skin, drawing a gasp from deep within me.

"You're mine, Astrid," he growls, carrying me through the grand entrance of our home. His voice is a dark promise, sending shivers down my spine.

"All yours," I murmur, my lips exploring the line of his jaw when he has to lift his head, the rough stubble contrasting with the smoothness of his skin.

He strides through the halls, his pace quick and determined. "I'm having all your stuff brought down here tomorrow," he says, his voice a low rumble.

"In a week," I counter, nipping at his earlobe. "I want you to myself for that long."

A chuckle vibrates through his chest, the sound rich and tantalizing. "Fine. One week."

We reach his chambers, and he kicks the door open, carrying me inside before setting me down on my feet. His eyes, swirling with purple and gold, fix on me with an intensity that makes my heart race.

"Strip for me," he commands, his voice dropping to a dangerous purr. "You thought you could leave, little rebel. Now you'll face the consequences."

His words send a thrill through me, a mix of fear and excitement coursing through my veins. My body responds instantly, heat pooling in my core as I begin to undress. I hold his gaze, refusing to look away as I slowly slide my dress off, revealing my naked skin to his hungry eyes.

"On the bed," he orders, his voice thick with desire.

I comply, lying back on the soft sheets, my breath coming in quick, shallow gasps. All it takes is that tone of his voice, that threat of punishment, and I can already feel myself building toward an orgasm.

Olvaar's gaze locks onto mine as he strips, his pale blue skin revealed inch by inch. My breath hitches, heart pounding as I drink in the sight of him. His body is a work of art, lean muscle and ethereal beauty, and I can feel the heat pooling between my legs as he stands naked before me.

He climbs onto the bed, knees settling on either side of my ribs. His cock is hard, jutting out proudly, and I can't help but lick my lips in anticipation. He sees the movement, a smirk playing on his lips as he grips himself, stroking slowly.

"No more fight in you, little rebel?" he coos, his eyes swirling with gold.

I glare up at him, even as I part my lips, sticking my tongue out in invitation. "Fuck you," I spit, but there's no real heat behind it.

He chuckles, dark and low. "Oh, I intend to." And with that, he thrusts into my mouth.

I take him in, my lips stretching to accommodate his size. He grips my hair, fingers tangling in the dark strands as he begins to move. He fucks my mouth like he owns it, hips pumping as he hits the back of my throat.

"That's it, little rebel," he groans, his head falling back. "Take my cock like a good girl."

I glare up at him, even as I hollow my cheeks, sucking him deeper. He grunts in approval, his grip on my hair tightening.

"You try to leave me again, and I'll hunt you down," he growls, his thrusts becoming more forceful. "You're mine, Astrid. Mine to fuck. Mine to use. Mine to keep."

He pulls out suddenly, his chest heaving. He spits on my chest, using his cock to spread the saliva over my breasts. The sight of him, kneeling above me, his cock slick with my spit, is obscene. And I fucking love it.

He grips my breasts, pushing them together as he thrusts his cock between them. The sight of him fucking my tits is filthy, his cockhead peeking out with each thrust.

"You like that?" he pants, his eyes locked onto mine. "You like being my little fuck toy?"

I bite my lip, a moan escaping me. I shouldn't like this, shouldn't like being used like this. But god help me, I do. I fucking do.

Olvaar slaps my tits, the sting radiating through me as he fucks them, his enormous cock sliding between them. He looms over me, his pale blue skin flushed with arousal, eyes swirling with gold and purple.

His thumb brushes my lips, a silent command to open. I comply, and he lifts my head, the tip of his erection sliding in and out of my mouth in rhythm with his thrusts.

"Fuck, you feel good," he growls, his gaze locked on the sight of his cock disappearing into my mouth. He pinches my breasts together tighter, the pressure bordering on pain, but I revel in it. I like the way he uses me, the way he takes what he wants from me.

His hips move faster, his breath coming in ragged pants. He doesn't let up, his voice a low rumble that sends shivers down my spine. "You were made for my cock, my pleasure. And I plan to use you just for that."

Abruptly, he pulls back, his cock sliding from my mouth with a pop. He strokes himself, once, twice, and then he's grunting, hot cum shooting across my chest and neck, marking me. He groans out, his eyes locked on the sight of his release decorating my skin.

"Look at you," he murmurs, his voice a dark purr. "Perfectly filthy for me."

I grin, my fingers tracing through the mess on my skin, smearing it like a perverse painting. I spread my legs wider, a silent invitation. "I want more," I beg, my voice a husky whisper.

Olvaar's eyes flash, the gold in them burning brighter. He shifts, moving between my thighs, his cock still hard and ready. He enters me in one brutal thrust, filling me completely. I gasp, my back arching as pleasure and pain mix in a heady cocktail.

"Oh, you look fucking perfect like this." He grips my hips, pushing them up so he can take me deeper. "Covered in my cum and taking my cock. I think you need to stay like this all the time."

I moan at his words, and he grins, his expression feral. He sets a punishing pace, his hips slapping against mine as he fucks me ruthlessly. His hands roam my body, pinching my nipples, smacking my ass, leaving marks that I'll feel for days.

And I love it. I love the way he’s claiming me, using me, making me his.

"Harder," I demand, my nails digging into his back, urging him on. He complies, his thrusts becoming more forceful, each one driving me closer to the edge.

"Come on, little rebel," he growls, his voice a dark command. "Show me how much you like being fucked like this."

His words push me over the edge, my orgasm ripping through me like a wildfire. I scream his name, my body convulsing around him as waves of pleasure crash over me. He follows me over the edge, his cock pulsing inside me as he fills me with his release.

As our bodies slow, he pulls back slightly, his eyes roaming over me, taking in the sight of me covered in his cum, thoroughly fucked and claimed. His lips curve into a satisfied smirk.

"My perfect little mess," he murmurs, his fingers tracing patterns in the cooling liquid on my skin. "Mine."

We don't get a week. But Olvaar does fuck me all over his room for the next day and a half before Kaz insists he has to come out.

And three days later, he makes me his mate.

I couldn't have asked for more.