Embracing Destiny Read online

  “Yes, My Queen.”

  An hour later, Phoenix was born. She was smaller than her brother had been at birth, and a little more wrinkled. She was quick to wail her displeasure at being evicted from her mother’s womb. Thick, tiny, midnight curls covered her head, and her violet eyes, lined with a deep electric-blue, surveyed the room warily.

  “She’s absolutely perfect, Ciara,” I muttered with thickness clouding my words. Unshed tears burned my eyes as I took in the child Eliran had forced me to deliver and bring into the world. My fingers reached up, stroking the babe’s forehead as I pushed her tiny curls aside. A glowing blue trail covered the skin I had touched. “Blessed be, little firebird. You will give your uncles grey hair, along with your daddy, won’t you?” I asked, and her tiny hand curled around mine, causing her long, slender fingers to glow blue.

  “You blessed our daughter,” Ciara whispered from where she leaned against Blane for strength.

  “Of course, I did, she’s my niece. Plus, us girls need to stick together,” I smirked. Carefully handing Phoenix back to her mother, I turned to find Ryder leaning against the wall, regarding me silently. “Rest, you will be moved to the tower on my orders,” I said to Ciara, holding up my hand as she began to argue. “You need rest, and your daughter needs to feed. Fury is already there, and I’m sure he is in a hurry to meet his sweet baby sister. It’s not because we want you hidden or think you’re weak. I am moving into the tower myself, considering the current situation, and I wish to be with the women. We’re better together.”

  “Okay,” Ciara agreed, nodding through the exhaustion of labor she’d just endured.

  I stepped back, turning on my heel as I left the newborn babe with her parents to announce her arrival to the palace. Outside the room, there were couples lined up, waiting to learn if Ciara had given birth to a boy or girl.

  “It’s a beautiful baby girl they’ve named Phoenix. She’s perfect, and if I didn’t know any better, I’d say she’s an exact replica of her mother.”

  Fyra smiled and nodded her approval. Remy hooted and slammed Fyra on the back, sending her sailing into Zahruk, who stared down at her, then pushed her back toward Remy. It didn’t seem to bother Fyra, and I hid a smirk at the fire that burned in her gaze.

  “I heard a rumor about an epic food fight,” Fyra snapped, and I lifted my eyes to hers. “Next time, remember that I have a vagina too, please. Also, way to go in court. Men think they run the world, but we have the one thing that they don’t. The one thing they crave and want most of all: a pussy. So, don’t forget about me. Plus, I’m good with a blade, and I like cake.”

  “If we have another food fight, you’re welcome to join us. I’ll make a note that you’re a woman, too,” I said, smiling. “Us girls, we need to stick together, with the men playing war games. Us weak beings with tits and ass, well, we’ll find purpose in solidarity.”

  “Our bedroom, now,” Ryder said, sifting without waiting to see if I followed him.

  “Hmm, he forgot to schedule an appointment,” I announced, shrugging. “Doesn’t he know how this king and queen thing works? Men,” I huffed, while the women agreed, and the men snorted.

  Chapter Eleven

  Silent tears slipped from my eyes as I took in the darkening skies from the garden pool. Vivid purple and orange hues streaked the horizon as the sun began to set in the distance. Agony, caused by the ongoing deaths of the fae, rippled through me while I studied the utter perfection of the world Danu had created me to save. Now, I wondered if I’d actually be able to do it with the pain worsening every day. It was one thing to want to save Faery, but the mage from last night had been right. I was weakening with the deaths of so many fae targeted at once.

  Flower petals floated on the water’s surface, glowing with the small pearls of lavender I’d dropped onto each one to calm my nerves. Rubbing the back of my neck, I slowly expelled a shuddering breath, releasing some of the tension. Music drifted up from the camp below the pool in the raised gardens. I leaned my head back and closed my eyes, letting the melody of the song soothe the aches of my soul.

  Power rippled through the small area, and I sensed Ryder before he’d finished sifting into the garden. I didn’t acknowledge his presence, knowing that it would piss him off to be ignored, but still recognizing his anger. I missed him in our bed, but more than that, I missed Ryder trusting me enough to tell me what he was planning. Instead, he’d turned cold and distant, ignoring our bond as partners, acting only as the formidable Horde King. I knew that’s who he needed to be right now, but that didn’t require him to shut me out or treat me any differently.

  Slowly turning, I peered at the dark figure who watched me from the shadows. Ryder’s golden gaze glowed with an intensity that lit a fire within my core. Slowly, he stepped from the darkness, smirking wickedly while removing his shirt over his head. Sinewy muscles rippled as he tossed the garment onto the ground.

  Never taking his eyes from mine, he held me paralyzed in their amber depths, lost within the galaxies of their glittering stars. The brands on his body pulsed, slithering over his skin as he lowered his hands, unfastened the button of his pants, and stepped out of them.

  I inhaled his earthy scent of rich sandalwood paired with the aroma of masculinity that was uniquely Ryder, making my core clench with an aching need. I studied the naked perfection of the male who slowly walked into the water, stalking me.

  He was a lethal predator in this moment, and once again, I knew I was the prey he hunted. I was lost in the intense stare that held me prisoner, breathlessly waiting for him to devour me. He growled low in his throat the instant my sanity returned, and I stepped back.

  “If you run from me, I will show you why that isn’t a good idea.”

  “You don’t scare me.”

  “Don’t I?” he chuckled darkly. “I can smell your fear and excitement, little one.” His features were sharper than usual, his body pulsing with a power that sent a raw current kissing along my heated core, stroking it to a burning desire. “I can smell your delicate flesh aching for me to fill it. Is that naughty pussy ready to be destroyed?” His head tilted to one side, illuminating his large, black pupils, leaving only a galaxy of gold to peek through smoldering depths. “You’re a very wicked girl. Did you dress up like that to get my attention? I’m paying attention now,” he hissed. I turned around, intending to run, only for him to sift and appear in front of me, blocking my retreat.

  He captured me, sending power rushing over me as his hand fisted through my hair, yanking my head back as his mouth crushed against my lips. Ryder demanded entrance, pushing his tongue past my lips to dominate mine. A moan escaped my mouth, swallowed by his own as he picked my body up with his free hand, holding me against him.

  One minute we were standing beneath the stars, the next, I was slammed onto a bed. I sat up in my wet bathing suit, peering around the room. Searching for Ryder, I cried out as he grabbed my arms, yanking my wrists into cuffs that were connected to chains. Clicking them into place, he vanished again. Lifting a brow, I stared at my arm that was stretched and fastened to the bedframe.

  “I’m still mad at you!” I snapped crossly, and then yelped as my ankle was captured and secured too, before he vanished once more. “Ryder!” I demanded hoarsely, then screamed as I stared down at my naked breasts, feeling them burn as the remainder of my swimsuit disappeared. “You didn’t schedule this!” Deep, dark guttural laughter sounded from beside the bed. I glared up at Ryder and swallowed hard when I found him stroking his massive cock inches away from my mouth as he smiled darkly. Absently, I wet my lips, holding his burning glare.

  “The day I schedule destroying your cunt is the day I die. Besides, I doubt Ciara actually wants to put that description on your calendar, and I assure you, those are the words I would use. If you think I wouldn’t tell her to mark the king down for an afternoon of destroying his pretty q
ueen’s cunt, you’re wrong. I would, and I’d love hearing her tell you and your court what was on your schedule for that day.

  “Now, if you ever wear a dress like that again outside of this bedroom, I won’t be held responsible when I bend your ass over and fuck you in front of everyone. Your little act of defiance made my dick hard. Very fucking hard, and it hasn’t gone down since the moment you entered that room with fire in your pretty blue eyes. My fucking cock was rock hard with a need to ravish your flesh while you fought an assassin, Synthia. I want to throttle you while I fuck you, so subduing you will have to appease me for now. Tell me to destroy your pussy, woman.”

  “Suck it, Fairy.”

  “Oh, you will suck my cock, Synthia. I intend to be sure that when I leave this room tonight, you will know exactly to whom that pretty pussy belongs. I may have neglected it lately, causing you to forget who makes you scream, but I have not forgotten,” he announced darkly, materializing a chair and slowly sitting down.

  I studied him, noting the dark smile on his face and the pearl of precum on the tip of his cock. His thumb rubbed across the thick, rounded head while I gazed, transfixed, watching every slow, methodical stroke he made with hunger.

  “I don’t even like you right now, you know that, right?” I offered, trying to sound bored, playing it cool because I was mad at him, so mad.

  My body jerked as a scream ripped through my lungs. Ryder filled me with magic, forcing my core to stretch painfully before subsiding. I inhaled, gasping for air as he watched me, his hiss the only indication that he had felt it too. He couldn’t use sex magic on me without feeling as if he was the one fucking me, and I smiled, watching as more precum gathered, glistening over the tip of his massive cock.

  “I don’t know about you, woman, but my schedule is clear all night. I told Zahruk to inform everyone that I was not to be disturbed for at least twenty-four hours. I have a pussy to destroy and a naughty wife to remind who is in charge of this kingdom.” Ryder’s magic entered me again, filling my ass and my heated core until I was moaning.

  My eyes rolled back in my head as my spine arched, and then I was slammed against the bed as his magic filled my body. I sensed him pushing against my mouth, rubbing his thumb over my cheek, encouraging me to accept what he offered.

  My jaw opened, and he lunged forward with a bellowing growl that exploded throughout the room. Ryder filled my throat, threading his hand into my hair, using my head to guide himself in and out of my throat. His deep moan echoed through my body, sending shivers racing up my spine as he increased his speed, watching me through dark, smoldering hooded eyes.

  “You’re so beautiful with that dirty mouth of yours fucking my cock,” Ryder hissed and then growled as my teeth skimmed his shaft, purposely. “Mmm, careful, sweet wife.” His deep, seductive chuckle sent a shiver of anticipation through me. “You like my cock, and it likes you. Play nice, or I’ll play rough,” he warned.

  He pushed my unbound leg against my chest, and his cock slipped from the grip of my throat.

  “Look at that mess,” he murmured, releasing my leg to sift to the foot of the bed.

  Power erupted in the room until pressure pushed against every inch of me. Ryder slipped my legs into padded straps and then hoisted me up while watching from where he stood. My gaze followed his magic as it moved the straps, raising my cuffed arms and spreading my legs wide, exposing my neglected sex. My eyes slid hungrily back to his cock, which jerked as though it knew I was staring at the proud beast.

  Ryder sifted in front of me, dropping his head between my legs. He began kissing the inside of my knee, up the sensitive skin of my thigh, and finally toward my ravenous flesh. I clenched with desire, ready to beg him to touch me where I wanted him most. I knew he wouldn’t, not when he had yet to make me crazed with the need to be owned. He repeated the action on my other leg and then pushed his fingers through my heated arousal.

  I moaned, lifting my pussy toward his face, begging him to ravish me. I didn’t care if I was pissed at him. He was the fucking God of Sex, his touch was a drug, and I was the proverbial addict that would suck his cock to get my fix. His fingers pushed into my body again, deeper, and he chuckled, watching me ride them with a need so violent and dark that it shocked me to my core.

  “Fuck, you’re the prettiest thing in this world when you need to come. Look at you, all lit up for me,” Ryder groaned, lowering his hungry mouth, licking me once then allowing his tongue to flick several times over my sensitive nub. “Look at you, so fucking needy, you’re riding my fingers to sate the desire of that greedy pussy,” he purred, removing his fingers to savage my flesh with his mouth.

  I groaned through swollen lips that craved his hungry kiss. “Ryder, please,” I hissed when his tongue swelled within me, fucking me with it until I was riding his face instead of his fingers. His hands held my ass, trapping me against him as his magic stretched through me, driving my mind to a shattering bliss of ecstasy that he controlled.

  Ryder slurped and growled against my flesh, sending a violent tremor racing up my spine. I arched my back and felt him pushing against my ass, whimpering the moment pain pushed through me. He pulled away, staring at what he’d just done.

  “Such a tight, pretty ass.” He pushed against the plug he’d just inserted, smiling as he watched me fighting against the discomfort.

  Ryder lifted his body, rubbing his massive cock against my opening. He released my arms, straps tied around both hands as he held me up before he reached for my hair, forcing me to look at his cock.

  “No,” I whimpered, shaking my head, taking in the thickness of his erection. “That won’t fit, Ryder.”

  “Maybe not like this,” he admitted, reaching up to tweak my nipples. “You’re my good girl, though, aren’t you, Syn? If I tell you to take it, you’ll take it all for me. All of it, right to the base of my thick cock.” He leaned over, licking one nipple before his teeth scraped over it. He continued to the next, slowly kissing his way up to my neck. His mouth sucked against my pulse as he pushed the thickened tip of his cock into me, growling at the low, desperate moan that exploded from my lips. “See, such a good girl for me, Synthia,” he whispered seductively. He pushed forward, and I howled at the burning pain as my body clenched around his.

  Ryder continued sucking my pulse, growling while his cock held still, nestled in the cradle of my body. His fingers danced between our bodies, his thumb working slow, calculated circles over my clit. He wanted me to come, but I wouldn’t give it to him yet. I fought against it, ignoring the aching fullness he created. I refused to give in or succumb to his touch, though sweat beaded on my brow. I knew he had figured out my game when his deep, rumbling laughter vibrated through me.

  Leaning back slightly, Ryder stared down at where our bodies were joined, then to my clenched hands against the red silk sheets that stuck to my sweat-covered body. My hair pooled out beneath me, still decorated in war braids even though it no longer held the crown of obsidian. I whimpered, fighting the need to come and stop the stretching pain that ached between my legs, turning into a burning sensation.

  Ryder withdrew an inch, studying my face before pulling out of me completely, hissing at the sight of my flesh that was no doubt red and swollen from being stretched. Removing my restraints, Ryder picked me up and rolled me onto my stomach, placing a pillow beneath my head. Pushing my legs slightly apart, Ryder put the straps around my knees, instantly yanking my legs open wide, giving him full access to my ravenous core.

  “Perfect,” he mused, pushing his fingers through the slick mess of my pussy. “I know you want to punish me. I get it. I’m a fucking asshole. I’ve treated you indifferently, and shown the horde I bow to no queen, not even the one I love. I’m a dick, but you knew that already. It’s time you figured out where you belong, Synthia. You can’t straddle both worlds, or we will lose this one, and our children need Faery.”


  “Shut up and fuck me, asshole,” I snapped, wiggling my ass with urgency.

  He growled, and I yelped as his hand landed against the tender skin of my ass cheek before slowly rubbing it. He repeated the action several times until I was mewling, the need to be fucked more pressing than getting air into my lungs. Fingers pushed into my body, and I took them willingly, fucking them, uncaring of how it looked. When they withdrew, I whimpered from the loss of the fullness they’d created and then moaned as magic filled me, fucking me with a slow, steady rhythm that pissed me off.

  His mouth lowered, fanning his heated breath over my hungry pussy before his nose pushed against the plug in my ass. His tongue licked the slit of my sex, cleaning the arousal that pooled between my legs from his merciless teasing.

  Ryder rose, pushing his cock against my opening before thrusting into my body. He stretched me until it ached, knowingly forcing more into my core than I could take. I took it all, working my pussy against his cock, greedily wanting everything he could give me. I sensed the manipulation of more power stirring, ready to be wielded against me.

  The kiss of the electrical current that wrapped around me pinched against my nipples as wings displaced the air, sending my hair rising with the immense power of the beast who had just taken control.

  “Naughty mate,” the beast hissed, pulling out until only his engorged tip remained sheathed inside my body.

  I felt the plug being removed and whimpered against the foreign pain before he lunged, filling me until I was screaming and trying to escape the massive cock that was destroying me with quick, hard thrusts into my core.