Chapter 10: Throne of Temptation
Elyra's breath hitched as she stood in the center of the vast hall, the Ashen Heart's pulse hammering in her hands, its red light casting an eerie glow across the rune-etched floor.
The shadow king's ashes settled around her, the silence broken only by the ragged breaths of Zane, Cassian, and Theron. The crown on her head throbbed, its power intertwining with her blood, the hunger within her a roaring beast she could barely leash. The chains binding the men glowed steadily, their shirtless forms tense—Zane wiping blood from his axe, Cassian adjusting his stance with a wicked grin, Theron pressing a hand to his wounded shoulder.
Their eyes burned with desire, tracing her sweat-soaked tunic, the tear in her trousers, and it fueled the fire threatening to consume her.
"Stay sharp," she ordered, her voice steady despite the ache in her core. She moved toward the throne at the hall's far end, its bloodstone surface pulsing in sync with the Heart. The men followed, the chains tightening, their lust a palpable force.
The throne's power drew her, promising dominion, but the new shadow stirring in the corner—a massive figure with glowing red eyes—promised a fight. She climbed the steps, the Heart in her lap as she sat, the crown flaring, and the hall trembled, the runes igniting.
The shadow coalesced into a blood titan, its form towering, its claws glinting like obsidian. "The Heart belongs to the dark," it boomed, its voice shaking the walls. The hall quaked, and tendrils of shadow lashed out, striking at the group. Elyra leapt from the throne, her daggers flashing as she slashed at a tendril, its form dissolving into ash.
The chains yanked the men into action—Zane's axe cleaved through another, his roar echoing; Cassian's necrotic energy incinerated a cluster; Theron's blade danced, cutting with precision. But the titan's power was overwhelming, and a tendril wrapped around Elyra's waist, yanking her off her feet.
Zane charged, his axe severing the tendril, his body slamming into hers as he caught her. The impact pressed her against him, his chest hard against her back, his breath hot on her neck, and she felt his arousal, thick and undeniable. Her body responded with a surge of heat, and she shoved him off, panting, her face flushing. "Focus," she snapped, but her voice trembled.
Cassian moved in, his magic flaring as he pinned a tendril, his hand sliding to her hip. "Let me take the edge off," he purred, his necromancy sending a wave of pleasure through her. She elbowed him, breaking free, but the sensation lingered, stoking the hunger.
Theron shielded her, his blade cutting a tendril, his body brushing hers, his erection pressing against her thigh. "This is too much," he muttered, but his hands lingered on her shoulders, his breath ragged. The titan lunged, its claws raking Zane's chest, drawing a roar of pain, and Elyra reacted, leaping onto its back, her dagger plunging into its neck. The beast thrashed, throwing her off, and she hit the ground hard, the Heart skidding toward the throne.
Cassian retrieved it, his hand brushing her thigh as he helped her up, his lips too close. "Careful, love," he murmured, his touch igniting her skin.
Together, they drove the titan back. Zane's brute force, Cassian's dark magic, and Theron's precision—guided by her blood—brought it down, its body collapsing into a heap of ash. The hall fell silent, the only sound their labored breaths. Elyra retrieved the Heart, its power surging through her, the hunger peaking. She stumbled back to the throne, the men surrounding her, their eyes locked on her with raw need. Zane's wound bled freely, blood trickling down his abs; Cassian's runes pulsed, his smirk wicked; Theron's hand trembled, his gaze dark.
"You're pushing the limit," Zane said, stepping closer, his hand hovering near her face. The chain pulsed, allowing him to touch her cheek, his rough fingers tracing her jaw. The sensation shot through her, and she bit back a moan, her body alight. She grabbed his wrist, holding him there, her eyes challenging. "Then break with me," she whispered, leaning into his touch.
His growl turned to a groan, and he leaned down, his lips crashing against hers. The kiss was fierce, all teeth and hunger, his tongue claiming her mouth. Her hands gripped his shoulders, nails digging into his skin, and he pressed closer, his arousal hard against her thigh.
Cassian knelt before her, his hands sliding up her legs, pushing the torn fabric aside.
"My turn," he murmured, his magic pulsing, sending a shiver of pleasure through her. She tangled her fingers in his hair, yanking him closer, and he obliged, his tongue flicking against her inner thigh, teasing but not crossing the line. The sensation was electric, and she bit her lip to stifle a moan, the hunger driving her wild. Theron moved behind her, his hands resting on her hips, his breath warm against her neck. "This is our end," he muttered, but his fingers kneaded her tense muscles, sliding down to brush the swell of her breasts. She arched into his touch, her body responding, and he groaned, his erection pressing against her back.
The Heart flared, its voice whispering, Rule them, or be ruled. The hunger surged, and Elyra pushed the men back, standing. "Enough," she said, her voice shaky but firm. The throne pulsed, and the hall's shadows parted, revealing a mirror-like surface reflecting her crowned figure, the men at her feet. She stepped toward it, the Heart in her hands, the men following. The mirror rippled, and a vision emerged—Elyra on the throne, the men bound in chains of lust, their bodies hers to command.
The vision faded, and the hall trembled, a new shadow forming—a blood queen, her form elegant yet deadly, her crown matching Elyra's. "You cannot hold what is mine," she hissed, raising a staff that pulsed with dark energy. The hall shook, and tendrils lashed out, striking at the group. Elyra ducked, her daggers flashing, and the chains yanked the men into action. Zane's axe cleaved a tendril, Cassian's magic incinerated another, Theron's blade cut with precision. But the queen's power was immense, and a wave of shadow energy knocked them back.
Elyra rolled to her feet, the Heart in her hands, and charged, her daggers aimed at the queen's chest. The men flanked her—Zane's brute force, Cassian's dark magic, Theron's skill—driving the queen back. A tendril wrapped around her arm, yanking her down, and Zane tore it off, his body pressing against hers, his lips brushing her ear. "Hold on," he growled, his hand on her waist. Cassian's magic pinned the queen's arm, his touch igniting her skin; Theron shielded her, his body close, his breath ragged.
The fight intensified, the queen's staff striking Theron, sending him crashing into the mirror. Elyra leapt, plunging her dagger into the queen's side, and Cassian's magic flared, burning her chest. Zane's axe struck true, and with a final blow, the queen fell, her form dissolving into ash. The hall fell silent, the mirror cracking, and Elyra stumbled to the throne, the Heart pulsing. The men surrounded her, their desire a storm—Zane's growl, Cassian's smirk, Theron's shudder.
"You're the queen now," Zane said, stepping closer, his hand on her cheek. The chain pulsed, and she leaned into him, the hunger consuming her. Cassian's hands slid to her hips, Theron's breath warmed her neck, and she knew the dominion was hers—but the price was rising.