The Darkest Crown (The Eternal Darkness Duet #2)

Chapter 24

Chapter 24

“ W e are safe,” Marius said from behind me. But I didn't feel safe, as I stood atop the hill and watched the mob burn our home. Dora clung to my skirts, crying, but I was unable to comfort her. We deserved this.

Marius touched my arm. “We’ll start over somewhere new, like we’ve always done.”

I watched the humans celebrate what they thought was our demise. They threw their arms in the air, shouting as the flames grew higher, consuming the second floor. But one human did not celebrate. She stood away from the rest, watching silently, and I knew in my heart she was the mother of the child Dora killed.

For a century, I mourned the babe I could not have. What must it feel like to mourn one who lived? One you held in your arms and nursed at your breast.

We deserved this.

I slowly turned around to face Marius. He pulled me into his arms, and kissed my brow, murmuring that everything would be alright. I lifted my chin to look into his eyes.

“I love you,” I whispered. I pressed my lips to his one last time, as I unsheathed the knife that was strapped to my belt. In one quick movement I leaned back and slashed the blade across his throat.

His eyes never left mine as he slowly fell to his knees. His hands went to his throat, trying to stop the blood that gushed from his wound. But I cut too deep. I turned away from him and lifted Dora into my arms. Then I flew us home.

“Wake up!”

My eyes flew open. Julian was looming over me, gripping my arms painfully. He looked terrified. I gasped, fighting for air. It felt like my lungs were on fire. Like I was on fire.

“You’re okay,” he said, relaxing his grip. He lifted a hand to brush my hair from my face and I flinched away from him, my eyes frantically darting around the room. “You’re okay, Sarah,” he said, and my eyes shot to his.

“I’m Sarah,” I whispered. I’m not Phaedra. I didn’t kill Marius. I squeezed my eyes shut, trying to force the image from my mind. But it was no use. I could still see the expression on his face as he fell to his knees. I could still feel the flames devouring me.

Julian touched my cheek. “Tell me how to help you.”

I opened my eyes and looked up at his concerned face. “Make me forget,” I begged, my voice breaking.

He didn’t ask what I wanted to forget, he just leaned over and kissed me. One touch was all it took. I grabbed him and yanked him down on top of me. He grunted against my mouth as he fell, and I parted my lips, welcoming him inside. His tongue delved into my mouth and I began tearing at his shirt.

Without breaking our kiss, we tore each other's clothes off, our movements rough and frantic. The feel of his naked skin on mine erased all thought from my mind. I spread my legs, and he ground against me, his cock sliding across my pussy, making me grow wet. I arched my hips, and he took the hint. He positioned his cock at my entrance and thrust inside. I cried out, and grabbed his hips, digging my nails into him.

I kissed his mouth and neck and shoulders, and he did the same. When I felt his lips on my neck, I turned my head to the side without thinking, offering myself to him. I felt his fangs scrape across my skin and I shuddered with pleasure, but he took it no further.

He continued to fuck me, his pace quickening, as if he could feel my orgasm building. I could feel it. The sweet tension, causing my body to tighten around him.

“Don’t stop!” I gasped, my neck arching off the bed.

He lowered his head and took one nipple into his mouth, scraping his teeth over it before sucking, and I completely came apart. My pussy clenched his cock, and he groaned against my breast before reclaiming my mouth, swallowing my cries of pleasure.

He fucked me harder, pounding me into the mattress as he sought his own release. He moaned into my mouth when he came, and I shuddered, feeling his cock pulse inside of me.

When he finally stilled, he rested his forehead against mine. His eyes were closed, and his breath was coming in short bursts, warm against my face. His cock was still in me, and I could feel his heartbeat throughout my entire body. After a moment, I lowered my legs from around his waist and he slid out of me. He rolled to the side, pulling me with him so that I lay half on top of him, my head resting over his heart.

I listened to his heartbeat as it slowed and felt mine slow to match its rhythm. I felt so relaxed and content that I was reluctant to move, but I needed to wash up. I found myself once more wishing there were showers in the castle so I could ask Julian to join me. I thought of the last time we showered together and my lips curved.

“I can feel you smiling,” Julian murmured.

I laughed softly. “I’m imagining trying to fit you into my tiny bathtub.”

He huffed, causing his chest to bounce. “Challenge accepted.”

T he old clawfoot tub could barely contain his massive frame, and I laughed as I watched him try to get settled. His legs were bent, and his arms and shoulders were above the top rim of the tub, but he made it.

The corner of his mouth curled. “Your turn.”

I laughed again and stepped into the tub. Water sloshed over the sides as I lowered myself, straddling his body. I felt his cock beneath me and I wiggled my hips, causing more water to splash out. I leaned back against his bent legs, the position causing my breasts to thrust out, and felt his cock grow hard.

He grabbed my hips, sliding me across his cock, and I purred with delight. Then I pushed his hands away.

“Not yet,” I said teasingly, trying not to laugh at his frown. “We need to wash first.” I wanted to make this last.

His frown turned into a wicked grin. “It would be my pleasure to wash you.” He grabbed a bar of soap from the tray near the tub and lathered his hands, and I watched with anticipation.

He dropped the soap and rubbed his hands over my body, massaging my arms and shoulders. I let my eyes close as my body melted against him. His hands moved to my breasts, cupping them and squeezing them gently. He ran his fingers over my nipples, pinching them until gasped with pleasure. One hand continued to cup my breast while the other drifted lower, rubbing across my ribs and stomach before moving further down.

My body jerked at the first swipe of his thumb across my clit, and he growled softly. He made slow circles with his thumb, and my lips parted as my breath quickened. I tried to spread my legs wider, but the confines of the tub prevented it. So I arched my hips, pressing myself up against his thumb. His eyes darkened, and he grabbed my ass with both hands, lifting me high out of the water.

My shoulders were pinned against his bent legs, and I let my head fall back atop his knees when he brought his mouth down on me. He circled my clit with his tongue, stopping to suck on it every now and then. Then he dipped his head to run his tongue across my entrance, delving inside for a taste before moving back to my clit.

I gripped the sides of the tub, panting. “ Fuck, Julian. Don’t stop.”

His tongue moved faster, all teasing gone now. Tension was building, causing my body to tremble. I cried out his name as I came, and his grip tightened, holding me in place. His tongue slowed, licking me in long, languid strokes before he gently lowered me back into the water. He took his cock in one hand, positioning it so I sank right onto it.

I gasped as I slid onto him, his cock stretching me wonderfully. Once fully seated, my still sensitive clit rubbed against him, causing my body to jerk. He moaned, and my lips curved into a satisfied smile.

“You like that?” I asked huskily, rolling my hips. He grabbed my hips and rocked me back and forth. I watched his face as I began to ride him, each thrust of my hips causing water to slosh out of the tub. I arched my back, and he wrapped his arms around me, pulling our bodies tight against each other. I stared into his eyes as I fucked him, delighting in the lust and pleasure I saw there. I did that to him. My pussy tightened at the thought, and my fangs came down. His eyes shot to my mouth, then he looked back into my eyes and I watched his go black.

“Do it,” he growled. So I did. I leaned forward and sank my fangs into his neck, moaning when the first drop of blood hit my tongue.

He groaned my name, pushed me down on his cock. I sucked hard, suddenly desperate for the euphoria his blood would bring. I felt it instantly, the warm pleasure flowing through my body like a drug, and I retracted my fangs and kissed him, my bloody lips sliding across his.

We went wild, our frantic movements nearly emptying the remaining water from the tub. We were gasping and panting, and clinging to each other. I cried out when I came again, and he shouted my name right after, his cock pulsing with release as my pussy clenched from my orgasm. It was almost too much. I collapsed against him, gasping, and he held me until my pounding heart slowed.

We eventually got out of the tub and made our way back to the bed. Both of us were still feeling the effects from the bite, so we gave in to our desires for a third time.

He made love to me slowly, his touches soft and tender. He kissed my face and my neck, whispering words of endearment. I floated in a haze, barely able to tell what was real and what was fantasy. The pleasure was never ending.

When it was finally over, he held me close, curling his body around mine. His breathing eventually slowed, and I knew he was asleep. I fought to stay awake, wanting to listen to his heartbeat, but its soothing rhythm eventually lulled me to sleep.