CHAPTER 69

Rune bowed and phased his offering among the others. He straightened, aware more people watched Faye than him. He thanked the Darkness for the effect Faye had on the Ra'Voshnik. A crowd of this size would have sent it into a tirade otherwise.

He phased them to his reserved seats and thinned his lips when he found only two chairs in it. Vashien sat to his right with Sparrow perched on his lap.

"My apologies. There should have been four chairs here." Rune said, releasing Faye's hand as she smiled up at him. She left him defenseless. His queen belonged in the ravishing gown she was initially reluctant to wear.

Faye's hand slid over his side. "It's okay. I can sit on your lap. They're really big chairs."

"Please sit," Rune said, gesturing to the chair. "Sitting on my lap here would give others the wrong impression." He reached for her mind and her shields eased, allowing him to slip past.You can sit on anything you wish when we return home.

The light blush on her cheeks made the corner of his mouth lift. He'd never felt this content in his life. He felt young, eager for his days with her.

"I'm sitting on Vashien's lap. What impression are we sending?" Sparrow asked.

Rune glanced to the table between the chairs finding a single glass and a decanter of red liquid. Crimson wine by the look of it. Apparently, the revisions to his invitation were not received.

"A moment," Rune said, holding up a finger and stepping into the hall to make eye contact with a guard. He established a communication tether to the man advising him of the error in his seating arrangements. The guard apologized and by the look on his face, Rune would wager he was giving someone a blistering tongue lashing.

Rune returned to Faye. "They will bring in more chairs and proper refreshments."

"Was that blood? I knew that was blood. I almost drank that." Sparrow said, leaning forward in Vashien's lap to sneer at the decanter of crimson wine.

Rune chuckled. Faye's harpy sister began growing on him. He liked Vashien, though he pitied the male for choosing Sparrow as a partner.

The blonde harpy wiggled on Vashien's lap and asked, "Impression, I'm setting?"

"If Vashien were court born and you were not formally announced. Sitting on his lap labels you as an unscrupulous woman."

"He means whore." Vashien bounced Sparrow on his knee.

Sparrow wrinkled her nose. "You court fuckers are way too up tight."

"Shadow Prince."

Rune turned toward the male voice. Three men stood in the hall. Two held chairs and the third a tray of refreshments.

"Thank you." Rune turned, taking Faye's hand and guiding her away from the chairs.

The men arranged the additional seats and placed the tray on the table. "Is there anything else you require?"

"No, thank you," Rune said as the men bowed and quickly left.

"You have your own chair now, get off me," Vashien said, bouncing Sparrow more forcefully.

She snorted in response. "I'm sitting by the food. Do you see this?" Sparrow picked up a small cut of meat wrapped in a green leaf.

Vashien stood, forcing Sparrow off his lap and moved to the free chair.

Amused by the exchange, Rune poured Faye a flute of her pomegranate juice and offered her the glass. She took a small sip, her eyes closed as she sighed.

School your expression.Gabriel's voice sounded in Rune's mind.I brought you grandfather's time. I'll place it under your chair. Feel for it with your mind and vanish it.

Sparrow stood up and leaned against the balcony looking down. "Hey, they're dancing now."

"Did you wish to dance?" Rune asked, lifting Faye's hand as he bowed to press his lips to the back of it.

Faye squeezed his hand and he let her go. She rose to join Sparrow on the balcony. Rune did a quick scan, locating and vanishing the book before sending his thanks to Gabriel.

She is far too pretty to be with you.

Rune smiled, taking his place at Faye's side.

"I don't know how to dance like that," Faye said, looking down at the mass of swaying gowns.

Rune absently stroked her back. "I can lead you through it if you wish."

"Just dance like Sadi and Damian, bitch." Sparrow said, pointing.

Rune shook his head. She was Familiar to her very core. Damian went through the steps of the dance, carrying Sadi. Her legs firmly around his waist, holding herself up.

"No," Rune answered.

Faye leaned back against him.

Rune's gaze wandered to the box seats directly across from his. He glanced away, not giving it a second thought.

Lyssa's seats were empty.

Rune returned home with Faye after she and her sister were tired of watching the festivities. They materialized in her room and Rune stepped back sweeping his gaze over her. Every inch of her was the dark queen he'd wished for his entire life.

He followed her as she strolled into his room. Faye came to a stop beside his bed, glancing back at him, her full lips lifting in the smile. "Can you help me take this off?"

Why take it off when we can fuck her in it?The Ra'Voshnik purred through his mind.

Rune grew hard as he grazed his lips over her shoulder. The backs of his fingers skimmed up her bare back in a slow, sensual caress. He unfastened the jeweled choker that held the front of the grown up.

Faye held it, keeping the gown from slipping down her body. Rune's fangs throbbed, knowing she would soon be standing before him wearing only the lace thong and her heels.

She turned toward him and leaned up, her lips brushing over his. She kissed him as her free hand slid down his chest, trailing lower.

She pulled his belt open and let the jeweled collar fall to the floor. The gown pooled at her feet. "I think you've kept me waiting long enough," she said, running her nails over his hard length.

Rune groaned, staring down at her. Could scarcely believe fate blessed him with such beauty. He lifted her, gripping the back of her thighs as he guided her legs around his waist before lowering her onto his bed.

Runes kisses trailed lower. He pulled the bit of lace she still wore aside and brushed the back of his fingers over her. An appreciative groan escaped him when he found her wet. Faye pulled her legs together as he slipped her lace thong off.

He stood and Faye straightened her leg bringing her heel into his line of vision. "Leaving the heels?"

He brought his lips to her ankle, while holding her gaze. "Yes."

Rune stripped, tearing the clothing from his body. Faye smiled. Someone was in a hurry.

His fingertip traced the outside of her thigh as he said, "Spread your legs for me, vsenia."

Faye sat up and held her legs together, crossing her ankles to cover her sex from his view. "Make me," she said with a playful smile.

Rune arched his brow and hooked the bend of her knee, dragging her to the edge of the bed.

Faye jerked as a tongue glided through the folds of her sex. "Was that you?" She asked.

His grin widened, and black swept through his gaze before dissipating. "Did you wish to have Voshki join us?"

Faye panted as his clever phantom tongue teased her clit. Rune canted his head at her and mouths closed over her breasts. Teeth and tongues teasing her nipples setting her blood aflame.

Faye fell back, arching off the bed. "How are you doing this?" She asked, overwhelmed by the sensations stringing her body tight.

"Phantom touch," he answered.

Faye screamed as another tongue licked inside her.

"It is actually a combative technique Voshki altered during your ritual. I have a touch more control over my will than he does." Rune said, stretching out next to her. He slid his fingers along her jaw, turning her to look at him. He captured her mouth in a slow kiss. When she was writhing beneath his will and moaning into his mouth, he pulled back with a satisfied grin. "Are you going to spread your legs for me now?"

Rune glanced at the legs she still held closed.

Faye struggled to remember her game, resisting the urge to let her legs fall wide. He turned back to her and cupped between her legs. She felt the touch of his hand, but it did nothing to stop the phantom mouths he conjured on her.

Faye gasped as he slowly eased a finger into her. He pressed in, pulling out to press a little further. Tension coiled in her, her muscles growing taut with it. She kissed him, brushing the side of her face against his. "Please."

"Wanting to come so soon?" Rune brought her right to the edge and eased back.

"Please," Faye repeated in a breathy moan as she rocked her hips, needing his finger inside her. He teased her mercilessly. In her frustration Faye dug her nails into his back.

"Did you learn this during your training?" She asked.

"Among other things." A possessive glint lit his pale blue eyes as he eased another finger into her.

Faye gasped, clinging to him as he pressed firmly into her. She stilled as her pleasure mounted. Building. He curled his fingers inside her.

"Rune." She dug her nails into his shoulder as she came. Waves of pleasure washing over her, through her.

Rune watched her come apart beneath his hand and will, continuing the rhythm she needed. When she came down he withdrew his fingers and stood at the end of the bed. He leaned over her, her legs pressed to his chest.

Spread her legs and make her take your cock,the Ra'Voshnik growled, eager to feel her soft flesh give and take him deep.

Rune pressed two fingers into her. Stroking into her harder, readying her. "I could do this all night, unless you wanted to spread your legs for me, minx."

Faye's knees fell wide and Rune gazed down at her. She was lovely, panting as she stared up at him with passion glazed eyes.

Rune withdrew from her, ceasing his phantom touches. He positioned himself between her legs and lowered himself over her. He angled his arm under her back. "Hold on to me," he said.

When she did, Rune lifted her with him as he sat back on his heels. He held her against him as she wrapped her legs around his waist.

He kissed her and rested his forehead against hers. "I have waited my entire life for you. I am yours to command."

Faye traced her fingers over the side of his face. The tenderness in her gaze made his heart ache. "Did you just say you love me in dark-blood?" She asked.

Rune held her tighter and said, "I will remember to express my devotion in Anarian so my mule-headed minx will understand my meaning."

Faye rocked her hips over him, the tip of his cock teasing her entrance. Against his lips she asked, "And how would I say I love you in dark-blood so Voshki knows I'm fond of him?"

The creature chuckled, purring its contentment.She prefers me to you.

"Only the Ra'Voshnik?" Rune asked.

Faye leaned forward, the tip of her tongue flicking over his bottom lip. "I make do with you, my arrogant Shadow Prince."

The corner of Rune's mouth lifted. He rolled his hips forward, pressing into her. His fangs lengthened as he said, "Devotion among immortals is expressed in two parts."

Rune withdrew and pressed further into her. The way her lips parted as she took more of him into her body beckoned his vampiric instincts. The need to take her throat and drive his cock into her wet heat lashed at his control.

Rune grated, "One becomes the will of the other."

She cried out as he thrusted deeper, her nails digging into his back.

"While the other takes ownership of the first," Rune said at her ear as he pinned her hips to him. Moving beneath her, possessing more of her with each stroke.

"Ownership?" Faye clung to him, wrapping her arms around his neck as he took her in an easy rhythm.

"Commanding me or telling me I am yours is how we express devotion."

Faye moaned and gripped the front of his throat, crying, "Harder."

Rune purred in unison with the Ra'Voshnik.She wants us to spread her legs and fuck her hard. Take what is offered.

He ignored the creature obeying his queen as he seated himself completely.

"Fuck," Faye sighed against his neck, trembling in his arms.

Rune adjusted his hold and said, "Lean back."

Faye rested against his arms. Her breathy moans timed with each surge of his hips. She tightened her hold on his throat as her other hand reached between them. He slowed to watch as she touched herself.

"No, don't stop," she growled.

Rune gave a soft laugh, giving her what she needed. A flush spread between her breasts as he perceived the initial tremors of her orgasm. "Come for me, love."

Her lips parted at his words as she squeezed around his length again and again.

Rune thrusted into her harder, deeper. He grated, "Offer me your throat."

She turned her head to the side, and Rune sank his fangs deep.

"Fuck me. Come for me." She commanded.

Rune groaned, losing himself in her. He came hard, his cock pulsing as he spent deep within her.

Rune pulled her against him, absently thrusting into her as he caught his breath.

She clung to him, rocking her hips. Faye leaned back to look at him as he hardened again while inside her. "My vampire is insatiable."

The corner of his mouth lifted. "I am yours to command, my love."