Chapter 015. Aroused

It would’ve been far too kind, far too merciful, for the saints to let Saeris sulk in peace.

The woman’s gaze flicked over her shoulder, no doubt tracking the path Vaelen had taken with Ria, before landing on her again.

“Well, if it isn't his newest addition,” Mor purred. “I don't believe we've properly met.”

Saeris stopped walking, not out of fear. No, never that.

“I’ve—”

“I know.” Mor waved a dismissive hand. “There’s no need. Everyone in court already knows who you are. Still… you look rather different without all that ceremonial finery. Almost... ordinary.”

Saeris observed.

She’d been named worse, too—by someone who’d once kissed her.

“I wasn’t aware court etiquette involved interrupting people mid-sentence,” she said lightly, meeting Mor’s stare. “Is that a Lycan custom I should adopt?”

The smallest flicker passed through Mor’s eyes, but the raven smiled anyway. “Forgive me for not standing on ceremony. I suppose I find it... curious.” She tilted her head. “Looking at you now, I can’t imagine what all the fuss is about.”

“I wasn’t aware I was causing a fuss.”

“It surprises me too. Guess we think alike.”

A perfect face and not a hair out of place. “Tell me…where is he rushing off to with Ria? I’d have thought a newly bonded mate would be kept a little… closer. Unless...”

Unless.

A trap.

Saeris didn’t take the bait.

Mor smiled. “Hmm. I saw you coming from the Spire. Visiting old Thorold?” She clicked her tongue. “Interesting.”

“Is it?” Saeris asked.

“Very. People don’t go to Thorold lightly,” Mor clarified, eyes narrowing in study. “They go for knowledge...or secrets best unspoken since he is sworn to silence.” Her tone was casual—gossamer soft. “And oddly, that happens to be the first place you were taken to. Not that it’s my concern, of course. Only that... he rarely does anything without reason.”

Saeris resisted the urge to ask what she meant, because his reasons…yes, she knew them…

Instead, she said, “Is that what this is? A warning?”

Mor tilted her head, smiling faintly now. “An observation. You’re a wolf from the Midlands, aren’t you? A pack girl.”

Saeris gave nothing.

“Then perhaps you wouldn’t know…” Mor’s voice was soothing—until it wasn’t, “what kind of male he really is. Why we all fear him.”

And Saeris nearly asked—

But graciously, Mor said, “Vaelen Duskbane isn’t some backwater alpha with a noble’s title. He’s the King of Tenebrous and of the old north, feared for his mind as much as his claws and the thing inside him. He has names here in the north, a charming nightmare, a mad king … you never know if you're trapped or not with him.”

Saeris’s breath caught, but she didn’t let it show though.

Flynn’s voice echoed, unbidden.

‘What he is. He’s not some wolf you can bat your lashes at. He’s a predator. He toys with his prey.’

Doubt coils tight. She knew his reason! She does!

“You really don’t know him,” Mor said, almost to herself. “I can see it in your eyes.”

Saeris shoved the ice down. “I appreciate your concern,” she said. “But I really should be going.”

“In such a hurry?” Mor’s smile turned feline. “Hah~ It’s fine. I know we’d have a lot of fun.”

She isn't doubting!

No.

No!

Saeris tried to remind herself of the deal. Of her wolf. Of what she was trying to reclaim. But she couldn’t tamp down the voices that had wrapped around her senses, because for all the power Vaelen wore like a second skin, for all the ease and command he breathed with every step … She still didn’t know why he’d chosen her. Really.

That fear was growing teeth.

Eventually, a servant, one she recognized from that morning, stated Samkiel had been out.

✦✦✦

The sun was dragging low across the mountain peaks by the time she was finally made to know Samkiel had returned.

And still, no sign of Vaelen.

She’d meant to find Samkiel, but somewhere between the arched stairway and a split corridor framed in bone white and obsidian, she took a wrong turn.

Or… likely the court had turned on her.

Saeris paused at a corner where two gilded doors stood slightly ajar, light spilling beneath in a soft wash. Voices drifted through, low and male.

She didn’t mean to linger.

But instinct, the same one she’d honed under Wade’s training, had her body stilling. Without her wolf, it felt like grasping at shadows, but old habits made her press herself back into the stone, her breathing shallow.

"...You’d have us challenge him?” one voice said, clipped with disbelief. “Do you truly wish to tempt that fate?”

The next speaker was older, his tone bitter. “I only question the wisdom of what’s been allowed. His power is one thing. But if we permit this to pass to a hybrid—”

A pause. Long enough for Saeris to feel her spine stiffen.

“Who’s to say the bond won’t destroy them both? Or worse, leave Tenebrous leaderless?”

“Careful,” a third murmured, this one more familiar. “You speak of sacred bloodlines.”

“And I’m the only one still bold enough to do so.” Saeris was starting to guess where she heard the voices. “The Lycan line of the Old North is not to be trifled with. Tainted—”

A sudden silence followed.

For a moment, nothing but the low thrum of sound beneath the floors answered.

A footstep scraped the stone.

Then another.

Someone was approaching.

That made Saeris back away on silent feet, rounding the corner just as the door creaked wider. Whoever had been speaking had sensed her.

She didn’t understand all of it; hybrid, bond, tainted blood, old north, but the tension in those words made her limbs taut with unease.

She didn’t stop moving until she reached one of the familiar wings, until the polished walls became less suffocating and more... tolerable.

Only to freeze at the entrance of the dining room.

Her heartbeat, steadying moments ago, began to climb again as those green eyes pinned her.

One hand grounded himself to the edge of the table and a woman was kneeling between his strong thighs.

Shit. Saeris swallowed.

Samkiel’s eyes imprisoned her as she stood in the doorway transfixed by the shallow thrusts of his hips. Each slow, rhythmic movement, met with a throaty moan. Saeris watched intently as he reached forward, tangling strong fingers in thick dark hair. He pulled gently, tilting, angling, allowing for longer, deeper thrusts into his partner’s willing mouth. She heard a muffled gag as the woman on her knees continued her enthusiastic pleasuring, mercifully unaware of her presence.

Lips parted, his breathing labored, still…she watched as color slowly flushed his cheeks. And slowly…tentatively she trailed her gaze down to the cords of muscles rippling just below the surface of his skin. The defined lines and hollows of his chest bared for her. Tattooed and slick.

She should turn and walk away… to keep her dignity intact, that was what she wanted to do… except she didn't…

He was close.

Leave.

She wanted to see, to know how, to learn.

The woman gagged, choked as he thrust into that open willing mouth—

Leave!

Samkiel smirked. And with that, his rhythm increased, so did her desire.

A flick of Saeris’ tongue over dry lips(she hadn't even meant to do that.) had him following the sensual trail of her tongue with his unusual green eyes, now almost black with lust.

Saeris took a step back, as he vigorously thrust one last time, reaching his peak. He looked divine, head thrown back, his lips parted in silent ecstasy. The woman on her knees swallowed him deeply, greedily accepting all that was offered.

Leave!!

Heat consumed Saeris, she could feel herself wet and wanting, and as the female leaned back, she suddenly came to her senses, swiftly turning on her heels and running.

Breathing hard, she half walked, half ran, her long legs crossing the hall quickly and climbing her stairs with haste. It wasn’t until she was leaning against the closed door of her quarters that she allowed herself to breathe freely.

Fuck.

“What in the five hells,” she breathed, pressing a hand to her flaming cheek.

“I was wondering the same thing.”

Her heart nearly stopped.

Saeris’s head whipped toward the hearth where Vaelen stood, bathed in leaking light, as if carved from it… golden eyes, now molten, burning with something wicked and wild.

Nostrils flaring. “You reek of arousal.” The words curled around her like a snare. “What exactly have you been doing?”