VANESSA
Lysandros let himself out shortly after and I was left alone.
"Finally, some quiet," I said aloud.
However, within me I knew there was a storm brewing. This was turning out to be one of those jobs where I got a sense of foreboding.
My phone was nowhere in sight. I couldn't contact Nyra either to let her know the development.
Knots twisted my stomach. Something was off. I wish I could just sit still or do things to distract myself.
Did I reveal too much to Lysandros?
Was he really disloyal to his brother? Or was that just a ruse to get me to trust him?
"This is not good," I muttered, already chewing my nails in worry as I paced the bedroom.
"What is not good?"
My head whipped fast towards the source of the voice, shocked to find Leonidas leaning against the wall, staring at me.
The door was slightly open and with the perfect excuse, I could bolt out of it before he would get the chance to stop me.
"I need to pee, could you take the cuffs off me? I already swore I won't be running away."
He pushed off and approached me languidly, like a cat strolling with leisure.
"You haven't earned that yet. Not after what you told my brother."
My heart sank straight to my ass. Of course, Lysandros was a blabbermouth at heart.
Fuck. I should have known better.
"What did he tell you?"
His grin lacked mirth. "Why?"
"So what? Are you going to kill me for it?" I squared up and glared at him, narrowing my eyes. "I'm not as weak as I look, I promise you."
He was taken aback. "What? No. But you've given me more reasons not to trust you. You didn't tell me your name was Vanessa."
As soon as those words came out of his lips, I froze, not knowing whether to be mad at Lysandros for giving me such a scare, or relieved that I was still safe.
I let out a shaky exhale, which accompanied nervous laughter. "Well, you don't go about telling your name to strangers at a ball."
Unfolding his large arms, he dangled a single key before me.
"I'm trusting my brother's words which is unusual, and letting you roam free. Long as you promise to stay put and not cause any trouble."
I quirked a brow, letting a soft smile tease my mouth. "Why would you do that? What if I run?"
"I'll catch you princess. You're my mate and your scent is all over the palace. It won't be hard."
He tossed the key which I caught deftly, earning myself a flash of surprise and that sexy smirk.
The one that always melted me every damn time.
When I bent to unshackle the clasps and look back up, he was gone and the door was locked.
That night, I dreamt of a monster ripping out my throat.
***
When sunlight spilled into my bedroom the next morning, I found maids waiting on me and some dresses on a hanger.
After I'd showered and oiled my skin, slipping the beautiful dress on, I went out in search for Leonidas.
I found him strolling the gardens, looking every bit like the perfect king again.
Straight backed. Polite smile. Voice smooth like butter. He wore a dark green tunic that hugged his shoulders and made the blue-red in this eyes almost tame.
His eyes roamed my body with appraisal, causing my insides to zing with desire.
"Vanessa," his deep voice rumbled. "I trust you slept well after last night's…interruption."
His eyes cast a quick glance around in case anyone else was within hearing range. It made me laugh.
"I slept terribly, Your Grace. Since I had your cock in my mouth, I kept thinking about it. How thick it felt. How close you were to coming down my throat. What made you leave like that?"
Stepping close, I let my breast brush his arm. There was a tick in his jaw but he didn't pull away from me.
"The palace has many demands. I apologize for leaving so abruptly—"
I cast a heavenward glance. "Please, be truthful for once, Leo." Mirroring his furtive glance around, I whispered. "I might not know much about your monster but do not treat me like I'm stupid."
"Fine." He let out a breath, fingers grazing my cheek in the faintest way. "I don't want him to hurt you when we'd just found you after years. That would break me."
I leaned into his touch, closing my eyes for a fleeting second to drink in the essence of him.
My hand slid down his stomach, splaying my fingers in the front of his trousers.
"Then make it up to me right here. There's no one here for miles. Is there?"
He caught my wrist before I could cup him. "Not today."
Frustration had me cursing.
I was supposed to be satisfied from Lysandros last night, but here I was, still wet from the memory of how Leonidas's tasted.
And here he was, turning me down like I was some court lady inviting him for tea.
I never backed down from a challenge. Especially one that involved a seven foot plus man with broad shoulders, strength like I'd never seen and a face that could melt things faster than a goldsmith's fire.
***
Later again, I waited for Leonidas in a shaded alcove off the main path. Lysandros assured me he'd take this path.
He did.
I yanked him behind a marble pillar which shielded us both from prying eyes.
"I need you," I moaned, letting my true feelings show. The one that wanted to fuck him senseless. "I've been wet since you ran out on me. Let me suck you off and I'll swallow every drop this time."
His breath caught as he stared down at me. I knew he was weighing the offer in his mind.
For a second, it felt like I had him.
Then the red flickered in his eyes and he stepped away.
"Control yourself," he said quietly. "For both our sakes. I cannot afford to lose you."
Letting his words fly over my head, I dropped to my knees, working fast with my fingers to open fly and pull his cock free.
Fuck. It was half-hard but pulsing in the middle of my small hand. The tip oozed with precum which I leaned and swiped off with my tongue.
He hissed. "Vanessa—"
"Just give in, Your Grace. You know you want to pour your seed down my throat and fuck me after."
In one smooth motion, I stretch my lips to accommodate his girth, pressing my tongue flat against the underside.
He let out a rough groan, fisting my hair in his hands.
I sucked him in deep until I could feel him all the way in my throat and my face was pressed against his pelvis.
I bobbed my head faster, letting urgency and the fear of being caught become my drive.
The sounds were sloppy and wet. All obscene. All weaponized to drive him crazy.
"Fuck…your mouth—"
I looked up at him with watery eyes, and pushed him again to the back of my throat.
I swallowed around the head once. Twice. Letting my throat work it.
Then his knot started to swell at the base. Like yesterday, I stroked and squeezed it, desperate to feel him lose control.
His thighs started to tremble and a feral growl ripped out of his throat. Claws prickled deep in my scalp.
The beast.
Before anything else could happen, Leonidas ripped away from me so fast I fell forward.
His cock slapped against his stomach, shiny with my spit but fully swollen and pulsing.
"Enough," be snarled in that grainy voice. Red eyes burned down at me. "I will not let it happen."
With shaking hands, he tucked himself away and strode off without another word.
I remained on my knees as humiliation burned into me. My lips was swollen, chin slick with spit and pussy throbbing hard but I still failed at getting him where I wanted.
As soon as I borrowed the dignity to walk to my guest room, I locked the door and stripped naked to quell the fire raging between my thighs.